The underdog story of little Stevie Ralston, one of meager beginnings that include not even starting most of his high school soccer games and then playing for a local community college, won’t quite be complete unless the now New England Revolution midfield motor and MLS Mr. Reliable wins a championship. Sure, he’s won a pair […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mexico ‘Officially In Shambles’
After the exit of Ricardo Lavolpe following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, there was supposed to be something of a new dawn in Mexico, with long-campaigning and hugely popular Hugo Sanchez finally given the reigns for “what was supposed to be a successful and memorable time for himself and El Tricolor,” writes SI.com’s Luis Bueno. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Sounders Star Montero Subject of Police Investigation
No charges have been filed, but Seattle Sounders FC newcomer and MLS March Player of the Month Fredy Montero is the subject of a police investigation after being accused of stalking, according to the Seattle P-I, which cites two law enforcement sources. The 21-year-old Colombian had been the league's best and brightest on-field story so […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Catch a full slate of MLS and Mexican league games this weekend. In Europe, Clint Dempsey and Fulham takes on Liverpool. Manchester United tries to protect its slim lead in the EPL as it squares off against Brad Friedel‘s Aston Villa. WPS marches on as FC Gold Pride hosts the Boston Breakers in Santa Clara, Calif.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Obama sidesteps soccer question
[AMERICANS ABROAD] President Barack Obama, who played soccer as a boy while he was living in Indonesia but became a basketball enthusiast when he moved back to Hawaii, turned down a chance to chime in on World Cup qualifying at the G20 Summit in London.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
UEFA Champions League boost for Fox
[TELEVISION] The UEFA Champions League’s move to Fox for the next three seasons gives it a chance to spread its coverage of Europe’s most important competition across a number of affiliated networks, including Fox Soccer Channel, FSN, FX and Fox Sports en Espanol, boosting midweek programming on FSC and showcasing international soccer on regional outlets and Fox’s general cable entertainment network.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Germans clash with each other [VIDEO]
[OFF THE POST] The German soccer federation [DFB] says it won’t punish striker Lukas Podolski for lashing out at captain Michael Ballack during the team’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Wales.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“The proposed figure of [$15 million] they are offering is ridiculous. For that amount, the English club would only get Milito’s ear.”
— Enrico Preciosi, president of Italian club Genoa president, scoffs at Tottenham’s offer for Argentine striker Diego Milito. (BBC)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Concacaf championship to hit 13 cities in 21 days
[GOLD CUP] The longest and most expansive Gold Cup in history kicks off July 3 with a doubleheader — Canada-Jamaica and Costa Rica-El Salvador — at the Home Depot Center. The 12-team Concacaf event will be played in 13 cities — more than any other regional championship ever — over 21 days — including a week’s gap between group play and the quarterfinals — making it the longest Gold Cup ever. For the complete schedule …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Feedback: Passing, Sportsmanship, Game Coaching
Soccer America readers comment on recent editions of the Youth Soccer Insider e-letter.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Lippi: 3rd Minute Red Card ‘Not Right’
"It's not right, not right. Ninety minutes with 10 men because of that? At the international level? It is not right in any way." Italy coach Marcello Lippi, angry at Giampaolo Pazzini's dismissal, which forced the defending World Cup champion to play a man down for the rest of what would end up being a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mascherano: Altitude No Excuse For Lop-sided Loss
“For some of us playing in the altitude was something new, for others not so much, but we can’t say that we lost because of the altitude, but because our rivals played better and nothing turned out right for us.” Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, on playing at over 11,000 feet in La Paz in a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gerrard: England No Longer Playing With Fear
"That was the pleasing thing. I think 18 months ago when we got a goal against us this side might have gone into our shell and played the final 20 minutes with fear. But this was much more positive. It was a good reaction. We showed a lot of character and deserved the win in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Altidore Modest Even After Hat Trick
"When you have 11 guys on the field working hard and working together as a team, an individual can have a good night. That's just how it happens." Well-spoken 19-year-old Jozy Altidore, whose hat trick in the 3-0 win over T&T gave him six career goals for the U.S., five of which have come in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
USL-1 Adds Own Expansion Teams For 2009, 2010
As Major League Soccer grows, so does the United Soccer Leagues First Division, with the second-tier league announcing today that with the inclusion of newest expansion franchise FC New York, there will be a total of 13 teams set to compete in the USL-1 in 2010. In part to offset the loss of longtime teams […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Fox to Televise Over 100 Champions League Matches
Fox Network edged out ESPN as the future rights-holder for the world's most popular club competition and announced today that it would televise more than 100 matches as official U.S. broadcast partner the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League. A total of 31 matches will be shown live (up from ESPN's 28) and another 79 shown on […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
United Stadium Complex Would Get Lots of Use
To survive in MLS, the basic understanding goes that a team needs its own soccer-specific stadium. But to really thrive financially within the league, it seems a team needs a stadium that’s also jam-packed with other sports and entertainment events. I mean, who can’t use a little extra cash on the side? So it’s promising […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gold Cup to Start in West and End in East
Concacaf today announced the groups and schedule for the 2009 Gold Cup, with Group A kicking off the competition on July 3 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., as Canada meets Jamaica and Costa Rica takes on El Salvador. Group B takes its turn on the Fourth of July at Qwest Field in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It’s pretty cool. Most important is we came out, and the guys rebounded from the El Salvador game, and we made a statement.”
— Jozy Altidore, who in a 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago became the youngest player in history to score a hat trick for the USA. Four days earlier, the 19-year-old came off the bench to score and spark the USA’s comeback from a two-goal deficit to tie El Salvador, 2-2. (New York Times)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Pretty in Pink
[OFF THE POST] Roberto Fernandes, coach of Brazilian second division club Figueirense, felt central defender Jairo was playing significantly below form. So Fernandes forced Jairo to wear a small pink dress over his practice gear.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mexico Wants Away Win in Honduras
“We are very happy that we won at home, but now we have to win as visitors. It will be very important that we win if we want to qualify. I have said it from the start of qualifying, that it is fundamental that we win away from home. We have to manage the times […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Capello: Rooney Could Be Next Raul
"Because of his movement, his passion and leadership on the pitch, he is very similar to Raul. When I started at Madrid for the first time, Raul was 19. He was very young but he was already a leader on the field. Can Rooney be England captain? Why not? But you have to wait. Now […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Shearer Called Back to Newcastle As Coach
Former England captain and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer is set to return to the place where he gained fame, this time on the sidelines. Controversial owner Mike Ashley is expected announce tomorrow that Shearer will be given the reins of the once-proud club through the end of the current campaign, which finds Newcastle in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Berhalter Headed to MLS after 15 Years in Europe
After spending 15 seasons playing in Europe, World Cup veteran Gregg Berhalter is set to return to the USA and play for MLS very soon after his contract with German second division club 1860 Munich was recently terminated in advance of its June 30 expiration date, according to the AP. “The time has come to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Passport Loss Keeps Castillo at Home
I'm pretty sure there's no Spanish translation for "D'oh!" but seeing how Mexican midfielder Edgar Castillo originally hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico, perhaps he knows Homer enough that it was the aggravated expression he uttered when he realized he lost not only his passport but the opportunity to represent Mexico in an important World […]