Category: Section 2 Around the Net

Iraq’s first-ever run to the final of the AFC Asian Cup is a remarkable achievement, says SI.com’s Grant Wahl, and not just because of the war (although that’s most of it): the inexperienced Iraqis were never supposed to make it this far. It’s certainly a team with some legitimate talent, having beaten favorites Australia and […]

In transfer news: busy Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson snagged Martin Petrov from Atletico Madrid for three years for $9.4 million, subject to a UK work permit. Various reports say that Sven is also close to adding Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini for $14 million. After eight years at Arsenal, Freddie Ljungberg packed his bags for […]

The U-20 World Cup in Canada turned out to be a good advertisement for several young Americans, including Sal Zizzo, who signed a three-year deal with Hannover 96 earlier this week. Zizzo joins countryman Steve Cherundolo at the German club. Incidentally, the former U.S. international played a part in Zizzo’s transfer, according to Yanks Abroad. […]

It’s a town synonymous with names from that other football, like Vince Lombardi and Brett Favre, but officials from Green Bay/Brown County, Wisc., believe that soccer would be a big hit in Cheesehead territory. Yep, that’s right, both the Green Pay Packers and area tourism organizations are planning to meet with U.S. Soccer about bringing […]

The Carlos Tevez affair took yet another interesting twist on Thursday as Brazilian giant Corinthians broke off its partnership with Carlos Tevez’ agent, Kia Joorabchian, and his company Media Sport Investment. The Brazilian club made the decision after its board voted unanimously to nullify the deal, which was three years into a 10-year term. “It’s […]

Given the lavish spending of Sir Alex Ferguson on new players this summer, supporters would be forgiven for wondering where Manchester United’s money is coming from. United is the most heavily indebted club in the English Premier League. Its borrowings total $1.32 billion. Using a little math, the Guardian points out, however, that the Glazer […]

Various reports have linked Argentine wizard Juan Sebastian Veron with Chivas USA of MLS, but Chivas GM Javier Leon would neither confirm nor deny the speculation. Keegan Pierce, the club’s director of Communications on Tuesday said the team had never spoke to Veron about joining the club. “If those Argentine Web sites reported that Veron […]

Iraq needs no introduction as a nation in turmoil, but the exploits of its soccer team once again managed to lift the spirits — however briefly — of the war-torn nation. On Wednesday the Iraqis defeated South Korea, 4-3, on penalties in the Asian Cup semifinal; they will meet Saudi Arabia, which won, 3-2, against […]

The numbers are in: David Beckham’s L.A. Galaxy jersey is the No. 1 selling jersey in the world at the moment, according to Adidas’ sports marketing manager Chris McGuire, having sold 200,000 replicas last week alone. Beckham has been one of the sport’s most marketable figures for a long time; prior to his move to […]

Freddy Adu was on target from the penalty spot as Real Salt Lake earned an impressive 1-1 draw with South American champion Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires. The 18-year-old started at striker and played 68 minutes despite reports linking him with a move to Portuguese giant Benfica. Apparently, Major League Soccer agreed a $2 million […]

Sweden international Olof Mellberg, in Canada this week with Aston Villa to play against Toronto FC Wednesday night, expressed interest in Major League Soccer during a press conference with reporters on Tuesday. “Yes, I have talked about the possibility of playing in North America. When Juan Pablo [Angel] left [Aston Villa] for the MLS, everybody […]

U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley issued a calm response to criticism over his decision to send a squad of untested internationals to the recent Copa America in Venezuela. In an interview with the New York Times, the U.S. boss reiterated that the Gold Cup was the priority and that fans should not lose sight […]

Real Madrid has made no secret about its need for a left winger or its desire for Chelsea’s Arjen Robben to fill that role, but Chelsea has been unwilling to play ball with the Spanish champion. Indeed, many thought the deal was killed last week when Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich said […]

Following a successful run at the U-20 World Cup, the offers are pouring in for the USA’s young stars. Real Salt Lake’s Freddy Adu might move to Benfica of Portugal, while the Columbus Dispatch reveals that 19-year-old Crew midfielder Danny Szetela is being courted by the likes of Glasgow Rangers, Serie A’s AS Roma and […]

After being linked for months with possible striking partners for Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire may have finally found their man in Paulo Wanchope. On his blog, The Chicago Tribune’s Luis Arroyave reports that the Fire is close to inking a deal with the Costa Rica striker. Wanchope would be coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s first […]

The Carlos Tevez transfer saga is headed for court — though not the court FIFA had in mind following its decision earlier on Tuesday. In a meeting between FIFA, English Football Association and Premier League officials, the representatives from soccer’s world governing body said the Tevez affair would be better handled by the Court of […]

Mexico striker Nery Castillo, arguably the revelation of the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela, has become the next target for Sven Goran Eriksson in his continued overhaul of Manchester City. According to various sources, Greek giant Olympiakos, the 23-year-old Castillo’s current club, has already agreed to a transfer fee with City representatives worth $20 million. […]

Sporting a new 4-3-3 formation, Frank Rijkaard’s new-look FC Barcelona took the field against a reserve squad that was conspicuous by its inclusion of the Portuguese wizard Deco. The first team’s midfield included Andres Iniesta on the left, Xavi on the right and new signing Yaya Toure, who is more of a defensive midfielder, in […]

Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke looks to be on a mission to add more Arsenal shares to his 12.2 percent total, according to the Independent. After a meeting with Danny Fiszman, the English Premier League club’s largest shareholder, the American billionaire is attempting to join forces to mount a full takeover. The report says the […]

The David Beckham debut spectacle is finally over. Following three hours of all-Beckham pre-game coverage, 19 cameras and the mentioning of his name every 10-15 seconds, the L.A. Galaxy’s new franchise man hobbled around bravely for 15 minutes to oohs and ahs and thunderous applause at his every touch (about 10 in all) before a […]

On the day after Beckham’s landing, Cuauhtemoc Blanco made his Chicago Fire debut against Glasgow Celtic, the team the MLS All-Stars beat 2-0 last Thursday. The Daily Southtown’s Nick Firchau says that while Blanco’s unveiling was a decidedly lower-key affair, the Mexican star fared better than the injured Becks in his debut. Easily the best […]

Real Salt Lake can’t win a game in MLS, but it blanked American keeper Tim Howard and EPL giant Everton, 2-0, in that other exhibition game on Saturday. RSL’s victory was arguably the standout result of the weekend, especially for a last-place team that’s won just one game in 15 in league play. As the […]

New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol hit out at critics over the level of play in Major League Soccer Thursday night after coaching the league’s All-Stars to a 2-0 victory over Scottish champion Celtic. “First of all, if you look at the people that are probably criticizing and having a go, they probably don’t know […]

It’s a weekend of coming-out parties for Major League Soccer’s two most famous acquisitions. On the one hand, you have David Beckham, who’s listed as “doubtful” for Saturday’s clash between the L.A. Galaxy and Chelsea — you can bet that ESPN and MLS are desperate for him to get 10 minutes on national television — […]

If he makes any appearance at all, David Beckham’s L.A. Galaxy debut against Chelsea, says SI.com’s Grant Wahl, will most likely be a “token appearance” because ESPN was planning a “blowout Beckham extravaganza,” featuring 19 cameras, including one just for Becks and one for his celebrity pals. Coverage on Saturday begins with a Beckham special […]