Category: Section 2 Around the Net

In a welcome display of modesty in an increasingly “me-first” world, Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi made his point clear in talking with UEFA.com that “Any team that depends on just one player can’t be a true soccer team.” Despite that selfless shunning of the spotlight, the fact remains that Messi has played a major role […]

ESPN The Magazine writer Jeff Bradley makes a strong case for EPL underdog Hull City as America’s Team away from America, highlighting loyal but “long-suffering” fans that despite dismal results continue to simply celebrate that the team’s “fairy tale journey” has led them to their first Premier League season since being founded in 1902. “Not […]

At long last, Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin is expected to make his English Premier League debut for Arsenal this Saturday against Sunderland (TV Setanta Sports USA, 9:40 am ET). AFP reports that Gunners coach Arsene Wenger expects Arshavin “to provide the ammunition to fire Arsenal back into the Premier League’s top four” and “make a […]

In a scene that lasted more than 15 minutes, a whopping seven players were shown red cards after a scuffle stemmed from an Ulbra player’s post-goal celebration in a 5-2 win over Brasil in the country’s Rio Grande de Sul championship. According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, Brasil’s goalkeeper Danrlei said Rogerio Pereira made a […]

I’m sure there have been less important protests in the world, but perhaps not many. According to the Daily Mail, groups of Russian fans have taken to the streets of Moscow in recent days to oppose Guus Hiddink‘s double duty as Chelsea coach in fears that it will adversely affect his main role as director […]

"We are not the best team in the history of Barcelona. Those [teams] that won five trophies or the team of [Johan] Cruyff are the best in history, but I thank Juande for saying that we have done things well up until now." Coach Josep Guardiola and former Barca midfielder, responding to recent comments made […]

According to The Sun’s Derek Brown, officials from world powers Real Madrid and Chelsea are already keeping tabs on the skills of 6-year-old, Algerian-born Madin Mohammed, who is drawing comparisons with countryman Zinedine Zidane after a highlight video has circulated on French TV.

“Weah was a real surprise. For me it was like a child discovering a chocolate bunny in his garden at Easter. I have never seen any player explode on to the scene like he did.” Arsene Wenger on bringing the Liberian living legend to French club Monaco when he was just 21.

While tickets might be ready to fly off the shelves, completion of South African stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is still a concern, with the AP reporting Thursday that construction on Mbomela Stadium “will miss its completion deadline after hundreds of workers were fired for going on an illegal strike.”

Sixteen months from the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, FIFA begins the ticketing process on Friday with its first sales phase kicking off via FIFA.com starting at 1:00 pm in South Africa (or 6 am ET/3 am PT). “The fervor is already palpable within South Africa and all around the world; […]

At least for now, it appears Sven Goran Eriksson is still the best man for the job in Mexico, receiving a strong endorsement Thursday in comments made by Mexican Futbol Federation (FMF) President Justin Compean, who reminded restless fans and media alike that they “hired Sven so we could go to the World Cup together.” […]

Joining a growing choir of EPL peers in support of recently sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari, Bolton Wanderers coach Gary Megson took his turn Wednesday to state “it didn’t need changing at Chelsea.” Quick to point out that Scolari’s time with the team was reduced to “two or three results that didn’t go their way,” he […]

The future of the phenomenon of online-owned soccer teams is in jeopardy, as the owners of the world’s first Internet-run team, Ebbsfleet United, need at least 3,000 investors to pay up on Thursday in order to retain rights to the English Conference team, writes ESPN Soccernet. Ebbsfleet was originally purchased on Feb. 19, 2008 by […]

Hull City officials had their worst fears confirmed Wednesday, as marquee mid-season transfer pickup Jimmy Bullard was found to need ACL reconstruction and will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 Premier League season. The 30-year-old midfielder just signed a 4½ -year, $7.5 million deal after coming over from Fulham, but only appeared in 37 minutes […]

The meeting between AC Milan director Umberto Gandini and AEG boss Tim Lieweke looks to be postponed until next week, according to Italian outlet Sportmediaset. Originally scheduled to be arriving in L.A. on Thursday, Gandini and club representatives now won’t be landing in the USA until next week, delaying a possible decision on Beckham’s future […]

It may seem a bit ambitious for a team that has yet to play a single MLS game to arrange a mid-season matchup with a world power, but that’s indeed what will happen on July 18, as league newcomer Seattle Sounders host EPL giant Chelsea at Qwest Field in a game to be televised live […]

Taking the floor of European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, UEFA President Michael Platini warned the continent’s wealthiest clubs against overspending, excessive player salaries and U-18 transfers, among other things. “One thing is certain: European clubs are currently telling us that our system is in danger of financially imploding in the medium term,” said Platini, […]

While Arsenal’s Eduardo has overcome a broken leg and dislocated ankle from a year ago and made a triumphant return with a pair of goals in a 4-0 FA Cup over Cardiff City, it’s clear that the Brazilian forward (who plays for Croatia) has yet to get closure from the collateral damage caused by Birmingham […]

After spending four up-and-down years with Reading in England, 25-year-old U.S. midfielder Bobby Convey has returned to MLS, where at 16 he was once the youngest player the league had ever signed. Released from his Reading contract after injuries plagued his last two seasons with the second division club, Convey inked a two-year deal with […]

Although Chelsea released Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was paid out the $12-million for his two-year deal, Chelsea officials claim that his contract with the club prevents him from taking another coaching job with another English Premier League club until the 2009-10 season. Scolari’s name has been on the tip of tongues at Manchester […]

While will be taking place in one of England’s amateur divisions and will last but one day, 27-year-old turnstile operator Donna Powell is set to become one of the first – if not the first – female coach of a men’s soccer team when Conference South club Fischer Athletic hosts Eastleigh on Wednesday. “I am […]

Although faced with perhaps the worst worldwide economic environment since World War II, BeNeLux World Cup Bid Director Alain Courtois stated on Tuesday that he’s confident there will be enough private funds to build the 12 new stadiums necessary to host either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup. The so-called BeNeLux bid, which would […]

Sven-Goran Eriksson remains the preferred option to replace ousted Portsmouth coach Tony Adams, though the club would clearly prefer to avoid a potential compensation payout to Mexico of about $4.2 million. According to the Daily Telegraph, there is a feeling that it could be possible to combine the two jobs, particularly as Mexico have only […]

"I think that you need to be lucky and avoid major injuries to enjoy a career like mine. However, even my body has begun to feel the strains, and this will be my last season. I don't think that my body will allow me to play beyond this [term] at the highest level," said Paolo […]

"The amounts of money that have been mentioned are incredible," said FC Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken regarding Manchester City's transfer talks, ahead of the two teams' UEFA Cup match on Feb. 26. "I think that … will take part in destroying football. The hardest part for City is that they, by tradition, are not a […]