Author Archives: Soccer America

Andy Ohmer Indianapolis, Ind. I have noticed in the English Premier League the center referees’ have been wearing an ear piece. Why and to whom are they communicating with? Mike Woitalla: Andy, I understand that the linesman in England are know able to communicate with the center man via walkie-talkies. I’m assuming they’ve got small […]

Under-17s’ success in New Zealand catapults longtime teacher to coaching prominence During his first 20 years in U.S. Soccer, John Ellinger always managed to remain in the background, even when his teams did well. “I try to keep a low profile,” Ellinger said. “I try to listen and learn. I’ve always felt that whatever task […]

The U.S. women’s national team, with an average age of 19.9 years per player, held a talented Sweden team to a 0-0 tie in its second match of the Australia Cup on Jan. 10. Sweden’s starting lineup featured 10 players from its 1999 Women’s World Cup Team that finished seventh in the United States and […]

Project-40 gets revamped; drafts combined in overhaul of player distribution procedure No one can know just how super the so-called MLS superdraft will be, but the possibilities are creating a stir in team offices unlike anything since the league’s initial drafts in 1996. A stale, staid process has been overhauled. No longer are there separate […]

Impasse develops, players ask for $18,000 for two months and Federation offers $6,300 For the second time in four years, the U.S. women’s national team is embroiled in a contract dispute with U.S. Soccer. As a result of the players’ decision not play with a new contract, the United States is sending a team of […]

Steve Flaherty My son is in high school considering journalism/broadcast journalism as a major in college. He is a soccer fanatic and ODP caliber player. I had two questions on his behalf. First, would you have any suggestions for him about his future career choice and second does Soccer America provide any opportunities such as […]

The U.S. women’s national team proved there’s life without its veteran stars, blasting the Czech Republic, 8-1, in the opening game of the Australia Cup in Melbourne. A young U.S. team featured six players earning their first caps and six scoring their first international goals. The Americans got two goals and an assist from both […]

Its listing of the greatest sports athletes of the century granted ESPN another superb chance to snub soccer, which the network finished in glorious fashion. Technically, ESPN covered itself by declaring that only North American athletes were eligible. And it’s true that of the top 50, only tennis star Martina Navratilova is foreign-born, and the […]

The individuals most responsible for the dominating teams of the last 25 years ù when the college game truly came of age ù represent the best of the century. And Claudio Reyna, who led Virginia to titles in all three of his college seasons, was the best of the best. Soccer America Men’s Player of […]

Aleksey Korol After losing four key starters, including Ukrainian star Dema Kovalenko to MLS, there were some question marks about Indiana’s ability to repeat as national champion. Aleksey Korol, who moved with Kovalenko and fellow senior star Yuri Lavrinenko from Kiev to Rochester, N.Y., in 1992, had the answers. Following up on his junior season, […]

Nick Garcia closed out his college career at Indiana with his third selection to the NSCAA All-America team in three years. Garcia, who announced his intention to turn pro, is the only three-time men’s Division I honoree. Notre Dame’s Jen Grubb and Nebraska’s Sharolta Nonen head the women’s Division I team, earning their fourth All-America […]

Nick Garcia closed out his college career at Indiana with his third selection to the NSCAA All-America team in three years. Garcia, who announced his intention to turn pro, is the only three-time men’s Division I honoree. Notre Dame’s Jen Grubb and Nebraska’s Sharolta Nonen head the women’s Division I team, earning their fourth All-America […]

Lorrie Fair She didn’t put up flashy numbers, but Lorrie Fair had the most impact of any player in the country. She was the main reason a North Carolina team that didn’t have the best talent won the 1999 NCAA championship. The versatile Fair played wherever UNC needed her and starred at each position. She […]

No surprise: Most of the greatest played for North Carolina, and a notch above them all was the Tar Heels’ Mia Hamm, who scored 103 goals, 72 assists and 278 points and won four NCAA titles. Soccer America Women’s Player of the Century Mia Hamm North Carolina (1989-90, 92-93) Forward. The best player of the […]

Mexican national team coach is bringing his U-23 team to California for international matches against Iran Jan. 9 on Oakland and Guatemala Jan. 12 in Los Angeles. Among the players is Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who was signed by the San Jose Clash but never played for the MLS club and is now a star at […]

Major League Soccer signed William and Mary and U.S. U-23 National Team goalkeeper Adin Brown. Brown, a two-time first-team all-American, played on the U.S. team that finished third at the ’99 Pan-American Games. He enters the year as the No. 1 keeper on the under-23 that will play in the TFC Olympic qualifying tournament in […]

The picking order for the Feb. 6 MLS draft as of Jan. 4. 1st round: 1. MetroStars 2. Kansas City 3. Columbus* 4. Chicago 5. Colorado. 6. Chicago 7. Colorado 8. San Jose 9. Kansas City 10. Dallas 11. Los Angeles 12. D.C. United. 2nd round: 1. D.C. United 2. New England# 3. Colorado 4. […]

New England sent midfielder Jeff Baicher and a third-round pick to Kansas City for the Wizards’ second-, third- and fourth-round selections. The pick that Kansas City received from the Revolutions is the 30th pick overall. The picks the Revolution received are the 14th, 26th and 38th picks overall. The 2000 draft takes place on Feb. […]

Paul Minneapolis, Minn. What’s the story behind the slogan “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on the gate into Liverpool’s home stadium? I’ve been wondering ever since I heard a crowd singing it on an old Pink Floyd Album (ôMeddleö). Mike Woitalla: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is the title of a song that went from Broadway musical […]

January 1 — International Discovery Period Commences Early Jan. — 2000 MLS Schedule unveiled January 24 — Preseason training begins (conditioning and non-ball workouts) February 3-6 — Umbro Select College All-Star Weekend at Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. February 5 — Umbro Select College All-Star Men’s Doubleheader February 6 — 1999 MLS Draft in Ft. Lauderdale February […]

Brad Leissa Bethesda, Md. What does the South American confederation acronym CONMEBOL stand for? I’ve searched extensively and can’t find it! Thanks in advance Mike Woitalla: The South American Confederation, in Spanish, is called the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol, and is sometimes abbreviated as CSF. But in order to create an acronym, an abbreviation that […]

The NASL dies as indoor rises and falls The NASL had staged several indoor mini-tournaments in the mid-1970s as tune-ups for its outdoor season, but by 1978 a full-fledged rival had emerged. Ed Tepper and Earl Foreman launched the Major Indoor Soccer League with six teams. The MISL played its first match on Dec. 22, […]

New York ruled during the NASL boom years As the 1970s dawned, New York City ruled the worlds of fashion, business and entertainment. In sports, too, the Big Apple swaggered. The decade began with the Mets as the reigning champions of baseball, and in late spring of 1970, the Knicks took the NBA title. All […]

U.S. women’s assistant coaches Lauren Gregg and Jay Hoffman will lead a young women’s national team to the Australia Cup as the veteran players continue to negotiate a contract with U.S. Soccer. Seven players on the 18-player roster will seek their first cap in games against the Czech Republic (Jan. 7), Sweden (Jan. 10) and […]

New commissioner and Crew stadium yield kernels of hope At some point between March and November, after baseball finished spring training and before the NFL staged its Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, the Year of No Excuses transformed into the Season of Angst. No remark was too snide, no criticism too cutting for MLS. A rash of […]