Category: Section 2 Around the Net

"We all know about the U.S. beating England back in the World Cup in 1950 but this result, in the semifinals of a major FIFA competition watched by millions around the world, has to rank right up there among the greatest upsets of all time," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard told reporters. "On Sunday we thought […]

Although admitting the United States was the better team, Spain believes its loss to the Americans in the Confederations Cup semifinals was an anomaly. "In all sincerity, only one time in 10 do I think we would lose against them," Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas said one day after the Americans upset top-ranked Spain […]

The USA still has the Confederations Cup final on Sunday, but Coach Bob Bradley has announced his roster for the Concacaf Gold Cup (July 3-26): GOALKEEPERS Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (IK Start), Luis Robles (FC Kaiserslautern). DEFENDERS Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New […]

After 13 games played and no goals scored, Toronto FC striker Pablo Vitti drew criticism and doubts about his future with the club. But Vitti finally broke his goalscoring doubt on Wednesday with a header that opened the scoring in Toronto's 2-0 win over New York. Toronto wore alternate pink jerseys in support of the […]

Cruzeiro took an important step toward reaching the Copa Libertadores final with a 3-1 win over fellow Brazilian club Gremio on Wednesday. Cruzeiro had won all its previous home matches in Libertadores play, but lined up against Gremio without the midfield inspiration of Ramires, who was on international duty for Brazil in the Confederations Cup. […]

Mexico's preparation for the Gold Cup could not have gotten off to a better start as the Tricolor trounced a fragile Venezuelan squad 4-0 at a friendly match at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in front 51,115.. Mexico, propelled by an on-fire Giovani dos Santos, showed glimpses of its old form that looked lost in […]

Brazilian world champion Denilson, who spent half a season with FC Dallas in 2007, lasted just half a game in Vietnam. Denilson scored on a free kick for Hai Phong Cement FC in its 3-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai. He then announced he had aggravated a leg injury and said he was quitting […]

Iran’s political turmoil has spilled onto the soccer field. The country’s authorities have reportedly dealt lifetime bans to a group of Iranian players who wore green wristbands in last Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier as a symbol of protest against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad‘s disputed re-election. According to the pro-government newspaper Iran, four players – Ali Karimi, 31, […]

Canadian fans who have long waited for Ali Gerba to join Toronto FC will have to wait a few weeks more before they can see the national star dress for their team. On Tuesday TFC announced the signing of the 27-year-old striker from England's Milton Keynes Dons, but because the MLS transfer window doesn't open […]

ESPN, which recently won the rights to show 46 Premier League matches in Britain next season, will set up a new stand-alone channel to screen the games as it seeks to build a powerful presence in British sport. Lynne Franks, the ESPN executive who brokered the Premier League deal, said: “Buying the Premier League rights […]

The second annual Showdown in Chinatown will take place tonight at Sarah D. Roosevelt Park in lower Manhattan. A fundraiser for the Steve Nash Foundation and the Claudio Reyna Foundation, the event features a mash-up of NBA stars and international soccer stars playing small-sided soccer at a Park that is "an oasis in an urban […]

The Washington Post’s Steven Goff reports that D.C. United midfielder-forward Santino Quaranta, who resurrected his career after battling drug addiction, will be named to the USA Gold Cup roster this week. Quaranta, 24, has not played for the American squad since February 2006. Quaranta has 11 caps (three starts, eight reserve appearances). This season, playing […]

Egypt has blamed its 3-0 loss to the USA at the Confederations Cup  – at least partially – on “lies” that the South African media spread about its players consorting with prostitutes after beating world champion Italy. It was initially reported that Egyptian players returned from the Italy game to find their possessions stolen from […]

ESPN will broadcast live Premier League matches for the first time in Britain after gaining rights from financially troubled Setanta Sports. The Premier League announced that ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Co., will televise 46 matches next season and 23 in each of the three seasons from 2010-13 in its first major contract to […]

Irish pay-TV company Setanta has today been placed into administration after rescue talks designed to secure new funding collapsed. Accountancy firm Deloitte has confirmed it has been appointed to administrate the UK part of the business, which employs about 200 staff. They will now be made redundant. Setanta's UK arm "will shortly cease broadcasting to […]

FIFA is giving away some free tickets for the Confederations Cup semifinal match between Spain and the United States. The governing body of world soccer said  there were about 6,000 tickets still on sale for the match at the 38,000-seat Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. "There will be a certain number of tickets given on […]

Manchester City has acquired striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn by buying out his remaining contract for around $30 million. Santa Cruz will once again link up with Coach Mark Hughes, who bought Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich while boss of Blackburn two years ago. The deal is City’s second signing of the summer, following […]

Spain midfielder Xavi warned that the USA will be a difficult opponent for European Champion Spain in Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semifinal. The Barcelona playmaker said he felt there was “perhaps more pressure on Spain than the USA.” “I’ve seen the strong team the Americans has been evolving … and when we beat them 1-0 in […]

Argentina's chronic soccer violence flared up again on Sunday when fans of title favorites Huracan clashed and left two dead and two badly injured, hospital sources said on Monday. Fighting among rival factions of fans of the same team began at halftime in Huracan's 3-0 home win over Arsenal and, with many brandishing guns and […]

Michael Owen said that he will definitely leave Newcastle United this summer and will be prepared to move abroad if a deal with a Premier League club cannot be agreed. "I can't see me staying at Newcastle," Owen said. "I'm still a Newcastle United player but only for a matter of weeks." The out-of-contract former […]

European champion Spain set a world record of 15 successive international wins by beating hosts South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Saturday. David Villa's goal seven minutes into the second half and another 20 minutes later from substitute Fernando Llorente also meant Spain matched Brazil's run of 35 matches without defeat.

Clint Dempsey didn’t immeditaly know his goal against Egypt, which gave the USA a 3-0 win, clinched passage to the semifinals of the Conferedations Cup. But the U.S. players soon got word that, combined with Brazil’s 3-0 triumph over Italy, the USA earned date on Wednesday with European champion Spain. “I was just happy that […]

Sunday was Father's Day in North America, and while many current MLS players were themselves recipients of cards and gifts from their loved ones, a handful of players wished a happy Father's Day to men who were, at one point in time, professional athletes. In total, 10 current MLS players are the sons of former […]

The New England Revolution's 4-2 win over Santos Laguna in the SuperLiga Group B opener for both teams had a little bit of everything. Goals, saves, cards, tackles and pugilistic confrontations made the match a drama for the neutrals who braved the inclement Father's Day weather. But most of all, the game had rain. Lots […]