“Franck’s current deal expires June 30, 2011, and he’s going nowhere until then. Not even for all the money in the world.” Bayern technical director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, echoing the sentiments of coach Juergen Klinsmann regarding the team’s recent decision to hold on to French striker Franck Ribery for the next two years rather than collect […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Sir Alex’s ‘Gamble’ Pays Off
“In those situations, I gamble. Winning is the name of the game at this club. Risks are part of football and this club has been that way for a long time. I love to see that kind of adventure. Yes, there are times when we don’t defend properly – and we didn’t defend well today […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ljungberg Owed It to Self to ‘Still Be a Great’ For MLS Years
“I got a bit of stick in Europe that I came too early. They still have the view that I should’ve come in a couple of years, that I should have kept on playing at the top and then come here. For me at least, my decision was if I should come I should still […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
North Korea Accuses South of Food Poisoning
I’ve heard of gamesmanship surrounding World Cup qualifiers, from hotel fire alarms being pulled, to the team bus’ route to the stadium being blocked, to late-night phone calls meant to keep opposing players from getting any sleep. But mass food poisoning? That’s a new one, and that’s what North Korea officials are accusing their neighbors […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ex-Arsenal Star Pires Ready to Face Arsene In Champions League
While he admits to have had six great years while playing for fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, midfielder Robert Pires is looking to erase a bitter Champions League memory with a better one, this time for Spanish side Villarreal, which hosts the Gunners on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the 2008-09 competition. Stung by […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
AWOL Adriano Found in Brazil, Dealing With ‘Difficult Time’
Missing Brazilian striker Adriano has apparently been found, with his agent assuring worried parties that he’s safe in the care of family in Rio de Janeiro, but a statement from the Brazilian soccer federation referred to the 27-year-old going through a “difficult time” that most likely means he won’t be returning to Inter Milan and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
SUM Solving
Reaching into Hispanic homes hasn’t been easy for MLS, but through marketing arm Soccer United Marketing, that has changed dramatically over the past few years. In order to capture the attention and loyalty of first-generation Latinos living in the U.S., SUM sponsorship guru Kathy Carter focused on traditional things like food, family, religion and music […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Defense Doing It For Seattle
Coming out of Toronto and the fortress that is BMO Field with a 2-0 win and another three points illustrates more than the team’s two previous victories that the Seattle Sounders FC are “for real,” writes Goal.com’s Kyle McCarthy. Sure, Toronto FC might not have played all that well in its home opener, but Seattle […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Catch the battle for Los Angeles on Saturday as the Galaxy hosts Chivas USA. The WPS game of the week features the Washington Freedom and the Chicago Red Stars. In international soccer, Mexico has a full slate of matches and several European leagues are in action.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
International Weekend Results
The French race remained tight with five teams separated by only four points at the top of the standings. Celtic’s lead in Scotland was still three points, and Porto held on to its four-point advantage in Portugal. For all the results in Europe’s major leagues and Mexico …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Results
Chicago and New England are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference after registering wins over the weekend, while Chivas USA and Seattle won their third game in a row to remain in the lead in the Eastern Conference. For all the summaries …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Unknown saves Manchester United
[EUROPE] Italian teen Federico Macheda was such an unknown before Sunday’s game against Aston Villa that Manchester United captain Gary Neville admitted he had never seen him. All Macheda did was come off the bench and lead United to a 3-2 win over Villa with a stoppage-time goal that kept it in the lead in the English Premier League. For who’s up, who’s down, who’s in and who’s out in Europe …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Sounders counsel Montero to have faith in system
[MLS] The expansion Seattle Sounders FC captured their third game of the 2009 season with a 2-0 win at Toronto FC on Saturday, but the excitement of another big victory was tempered by the absence of young Colombian star Fredy Montero, who remained in Seattle because of an illness, according to the team. The game came two days after a report by the (web-only) Seattle Press-Intelligencer in which it stated Montero was a subject being investigated regarding two sexual assault cases.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I’m embarrassed for our fans and our organization.”
— Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena coach after the Galaxy fell at home to the Colorado Rapids, 3-2, in a game marked by defensive blunders. (Video)
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I believe winning is fun and losing is for losers.”
— Scituate (Mass.) coach Michael Kinahan in a letter to the kids on his team of 6- and 7-year-old girls dubbed “Green Death.” Kinahan quit after his preseason manifesto shocked parents and league officials. Among other things, he told his players to be ready to play like a “Michael Vick pit bull,” be prepared for “bumps, bruises and even bleed a little,” and vowed to “heckle” young referees. (AP)
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
OBITUARY: John Burrill (1943-2009)
John Burrill, executive director of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association died on March 29.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Region III ODP girls on roll in Costa Rica
The Region III ODP girls 1994 team won its first three games at the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP 1994 Girls International Tournament in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. U-17s finish 1-2 in Argentina
The U.S. under-17 boys national team rounded out their schedule of international friendlies in Buenos Aires with a 3-1 loss to Uruguay. Sebastian Lleget, recently called for the runup to Concacaf qualifying, scored the lone goal for the USA, which finished with a 1-2 record against South American teams.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. U-18 boys national team roster
Gale Abossoumonde and Amobi Okugo, members of the U.S. U-20 team that recently qualified for the 2009 U-20 World Cup, are among the 26 players U.S. under-18 boys national national team coach Mike Matkovich called in for the camp that begins April 18 at The Home Depot Center.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Dallas powers face South American giants in Dallas Cup Super Group
The Dallas Texans Red and Andromeda will be in action Sunday in Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup Super Group play on the Opening Day slate at Pizza Hut Park.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Hislop: Toon Players Tapped Shearer
“It’s a little bit risky given Alan’s lack of managerial experience, but I think it’s the right decision. I’ve spoken to a number of senior players at Newcastle United and they felt that Alan Shearer was the right appointment and had been feeling so for quite some time. He definitely has the makings of a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Messi: Playing in La Paz ‘Impossible’
"It’s very painful, we knew that we would lose at some stage but we didn’t think it would be like this. It’s impossible to play there. Everyone struggled. You sprint a bit and it’s difficult to get your breath back and you could see that they were faster. They also played at a very fast […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Tevez Tells Mascherano: ‘Be Ready To Be Disappointed’
"After two consecutive losses, everybody thinks we have dropped out. It is true that we feel a little tired at this stage of the season, but we will fight for the championship and the Champions League until the end. This team is very strong and I think we still have room for mistakes. Liverpool is […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
China Institutes Zero-Tolerance Policy
Who knew that the state of Chinese soccer was such a disaster? The Chinese Super League is mired in an ongoing mess that league officials are desperate to fix. So CSL midfielder Cui Peng was handed a record fine of $4,391 along with a five-match ban for elbowing an opposing player during a recent game, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Chelsea Success Can’t Stop Hiddink From Russian Return
Even if Chelsea were able to pull off an incredible year-end run and somehow take home the EPL, FA Cup and Champions League trophies, interim coach Guus Hiddink still plans to exit England and relegate himself to watching the team from Russia, with love. "It would be a beautiful scenario to win both cups,” stated […]