Author Archives: Soccer America

United States U-17 World Cup player Bobby Convey became the youngest player to ever sign a MLS contract (16 years, 8 months) when MLS announced a round of Project-40 signings Jan. 20 Also joining the youth development program are: Nick Garcia, a defender for 1999 and 1998 NCAA Division I champion Indiana and member of […]

We want to know whom you, America's soccer fans, rate as the team to win the Gold Cup.

Edwin Gorter, the veteran Dutch playmaker whose spirited play helped lead the Miami Fusion to a playoff appearance last season, announced his retirement from professional soccer on Jan. 19. “Merlin,” as he is known to his fans for his magical passing skills, plans to continue his involvement in the sport as a player agent. “I’ve […]

Maryland sophomores contemplate toughest choice of their lives and find different answers Three University of Maryland players who played in the U-20 World Cup in Nigeria last spring recently completed their sophomore seasons and turned their attention toward next year. Dan Califf, Nick Downing and Taylor Twellman all had to decide whether to abort their […]

Aaron Pino Ft. Worth, Texas. I would be very curious to see a Soccer America column on the greatest soccer players of the past century. Instead of whining about why ESPN doesn’t include soccer players, just do your own list, and do not restrict the list to American players! Who would Paul Gardner, for instance, […]

Dr. Robert Contiguglia, U.S. Soccer President On April Heinrichs: “It is an honor to introduce April Heinrichs as the new U.S. women’s national team head coach. I have known her since she was a youth player in Colorado when she would dribble a ball around my feet. Her vibrant and charismatic personality style mixed with […]

The U.S. Soccer Federation named April Heinrichs as the new head coach for the U.S. women’s national team. Heinrichs becomes just the fourth head coach in the 15-year history of the program and first female to hold the position. She will also hold the title of technical director, in charge of overseeing the women’s national […]

Garber Era gains momentum with team and league shakeups Not since the Cosmos rocked New York with one blockbuster signing after another in the mid-1970s has so much change shaken American soccer so quickly. A new general manager for the MetroStars and two major changes in the league offices marked the first few days of […]

Jean Wallace Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Where can I find a video of the Norway vs. China semifinal in the 1999 Women’s World Cup Soccer? This game would make for an excellent coaching tool illustrating ball control and passing techniques. I have been unable to find a copy anywhere. Your assistance would be most appreciated. […]

In the second part of a doubleheader that included the 1-1 USA-Iran tie, the U.S. U-23s beat Armenia’s national team, 3-1. The Americans, coached by Clive Charles, next travel to Portugal for a foreign tour of three games from Jan. 21-30 and then spend Feb. 6-11 training in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where they will play […]

The following are postgame press conference quotes from the USA-Iran (1-1) game: Bruce Arena (U.S. coach): “Azizi played extremely well and was able to run at and through our defense all day. He was very strong and difficult for our defense to handle. He continually split our defense with his runs with the ball.” “After […]

A Rose Bowl crowd of 49,212 saw the United States and Iran play to a 1-1 tie in a friendly game Jan. 16. Iran took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute when Mehdi Mahdavikia, after receiving a pass from Khodadad Azizi in the heart of the U.S. defense, slotted the ball under goalkeeper Brad […]

It didn’t take long for Brazil to shake off its disappointing loss to France in the 1998 World Cup final and reaffirm itself as the world’s greatest soccer nation. The sour loss in France proved particularly disturbing as it marked the beginning of a slide for the magnificent Ronaldo, who suffered a mysterious ailment before […]

The U.S. men’s national team will play an international friendly against Tunisia in Birmingham, Ala., on March 12 at Legion Field. Kickoff for the game, which will broadcast live on ESPN2, is set for 2:30 p.m. ET. History It marks the first time that the two teams have met in a full international and the […]

Several Iranian players are among those finding life abroad a test of skills and psyche Jalal Talebi won’t be sympathetic to Bruce Arena’s lamentations about players with foreign clubs not receiving enough playing time. Like Arena, the Iranian technical director has his own troubles with players languishing on the bench in Germany. A few members […]

Talent and home field make Netherlands the team to beat, but there are many challengers “I heard the odds are 80-1 against us. Bet on Slovenia, and you will earn a lot of money.” ù Zlatko Zahovic, Slovenia forward The defending champs have fallen apart, the World Cup winner struggle against ù of all things […]

The United States women’s national team showed that the future is rosy with a convincing 3-1 victory over the home team to win the second annual Australia Cup. Riding goals from Sherrill Kester, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner, the USA used a smothering defense to defeat the far more experienced Australia, which will host the […]

Charles, Arena have Ajax product in their plans Clive Charles has big plans for John O’Brien, but those must wait. Bruce Arena’s plans come first. All of this fits nicely into O’Brien’s plans: The 22-year-old Californian, who left home at 16 to hone his skills in Europe, has long had Olympic and national team matters […]

Santa Clara couldnÆt win the College Cup but still had the most talent in the country. The Broncos lead the list with three players, while Lorrie Fair is the only selection from champion North Carolina. G LaKeysia Beene (Notre Dame ò senior) Overcame shaky defense, had stellar playoff run D Lorrie Fair (North Carolina ò […]

U.S. coach Bruce Arena trimmed his roster to 26 players Jan. 12 as the USA enters the final stages of preparation for the with Iran at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, Jan 16, live on ESPN 2:00 pm (PT), 5:00 pm (ET). Arena sent four players home from camp, and reassigned two others to the […]

Nick Sakiewicz has been appointed Vice President and General Manager of the MetroStars by team Investor-Operator Stuart Subotnick. Charlie Stillitano, the Vice President and General Manager since 1995, is moving to MetroMedia to oversee the role of the stadium development company and the formation of a second owner-operated team by Stuart Subotnick. Sakiewicz, a native […]

Indiana showed its class by repeating as national champion, the first team to do so since Virginia won four in a row (1991-94). The Hoosiers, led by three Soccer America MVPs, beat out a field that included some rich talent. G Adin Brown (William & Mary ò senior) The best keeper in college soccer had […]

Thom Champion St. Louis, Mo. What is the deadline for submitting camp information in your annual camp guide? How do I submit the information? Kristy Dack: The Deadline to list your camp in the 29th annual Soccer America Camp Directory is Jan. 30. Please provide me with either a fax number or street address and […]

John Harkes, 32, joined the U.S. national team before any of the other 33 players Bruce Arena called into the first training camp of 2000. Harkes looks back on his U.S. career and ahead to playing for former teammate Fernando Clavijo in New England. SOCCER AMERICA: You first joined the national team at age 20. […]

Note: All times ET. Saturday, March 18 Columbus at Tampa Bay 7:30 pm New England at Miami 7:30 pm Chicago at Dallas 8:30 pm Colorado at Los Angeles 10:30 pm Saturday, March 25 New England at Tampa Bay 7:30 pm Chicago at Kansas City 8:30 pm Colorado at Dallas 8:30 pm San Jose at Columbus […]