Category: Section 2 Around the Net

U.S. Soccer for the most part sticks to its manifesto as a non-profit body aimed at promoting soccer in the U.S. "in order to make it the pre-eminent sport recognized for excellence in participation, spectator appeal, international competition and gender equity," writes Mark Zeigler, quoting the USSF's federal tax return. But when it comes to […]

The Chicago Fire's umbrella fan body Section 8 Chicago is to file suit against the club next week after the two sides failed to resolve a dispute over income from ticket sales and a lost giant banner, reports Nick Firchau. "Unfortunately, it's entirely possible to love the team on the field and still be at […]

"There have been talks between Cologne and Bayern Munich as well as talks between [Lukas] Podolski and Cologne." FC Cologne manager Michael Meier confirms transfer negotiations that could take the Bayern Munich and German national team striker back to his previous club. Any such move would likely make Bayern even keener to sign U.S. and […]

"The entrepreneurial spirit has to be instilled into the local black population of South Africa. We still need support to change the mindset to tell people 'you are capable of performing in the marketplace.' I am in a minority — I don't let anything put me down." Namibian businesswoman Emiley Vollmer, head of Evo Media, […]

Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam has said the AFC Champions League will expand from 28 to 32 teams next year, with stricter criteria for participation in an effort to raise standards, and a massive boost in prize money. "In the future we hope the Asian league will be able to compete with Europe," […]

“I know we will organize it in the best way possible.” Argentine Football Association President Julio Grondona after Argentina was announced as host for the 2011 Copa America. He also said Mexico and Japan may be invited to bring the total number of participating countries to 14.

"I think it's a competitive league that's growing. It's as easy or as hard as any other league. You have to understand the style of play. I can't define whether it's an easier or difficult league." League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto sidesteps a request to compare MLS with the Argentine league.  

Get a glimpse of what Kasey Keller will see tenfold before him next season — the Seattle Sounders FC jerseys have been leaked prior to their official unveiling December 4. Green with navy blue shorts. Very nice.  

"A report in Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport claims [Didier] Drogba and one of his representatives had dinner at a Fulham restaurant with [Jose] Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes and Inter general manager Marco Branca." Drogba, the Telegraph helpfully reminds us, reportedly burst into tears when it was announced that Mourinho was leaving his current team, Chelsea. […]

FIFA has banned Peru from international competition due to a long-running dispute between the Peruvian government and the country's football federation (FPF). Unless the dispute is resolved, Peru will be prematurely eliminated from World Cup qualifying (its next game is in March), and its clubs will not be able to take part in the 2009 […]

The MLS Cup losers' medals are already losing their transient shine, and RB New York is already looking ahead to next season. One of the biggest issues facing the club in the offseason is the renegotiation of Juan Pablo Angel's contract, writes Jack Bell. Angel, NY's designated player who has just completed his second season […]

Liverpool will make more money from corporate boxes than from regular supporters when it eventually moves into a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park, the club's commercial director said Tuesday. Ian Ayre said the club estimated that more than 50 percent of game-day income would come from the sale of seats in corporate boxes. The […]

Increased tax rates for high earners, announced by the U.K. ruling Labour Party Monday, could deter soccer stars from playing in the English Premier League, writes Matt Scott. "England has traditionally been one of the most attractive football destinations," he writes, "where big incomes have been buoyed by one of Europe's softer tax regimes and […]

Mystery still surrounds the decision of Major League Soccer to reject the bid of the Montreal Impact to join the league in 2011. The president of the United Soccer Leagues club, Joey Saputo, said Monday that the Impact had been dropped "without explanation," and that he was "disappointed" by the decision. MLS Commissioner Don Garber […]

"I grew up in Cleveland. Being from Cleveland, I've never experienced a winning team in my life. I'm not sure how to act." Columbus Crew fan Marc Behrendt, who drove to Port Columbus airport to meet the MLS Cup-winning team as it arrived back from L.A. Monday.  

"There have been some talks. Up to now, they have not culminated in anything. I have to keep my options open just in case I do not come to an agreement with New York and MLS. So I have to make sure I do have a job on January 1. I do have to look […]

Michael Arace hails the Columbus Crew’s first MLS title as “the biggest professional trophy ever brought to Columbus.” And Guillermo Barros Schelotto, MVP of both the season and the final, “should now be mentioned with other great athletes who’ve plied their trade in Columbus, including Heisman Trophy winners, Rose Bowl heroes, national players of the […]

With Bayern Munich clearly interested in the prospect of signing Landon Donovan, the German champion’s unsettled striker Lukas Podolski has stated anew that he wants to leave. The German national team forward has been unsettled at Bayern ever since moving from Cologne in the summer of 2006, and has rarely been a first-choice forward for […]

Three years ago, Brazil’s Sao Paulo beat Liverpool in the final of the World Club Cup, prompting legendary Brazilian TV commentator Galvao Bueno to keep repeating the phrase, “You don’t have to be a giant to play football.” It was, writes Tim Vickery, an articulation of Brazilian nationalist sentiment, saying that Liverpool “might have the […]

The absent William Gallas was a larger part of the story behind Arsenal’s 3-0 weekend defeat at Manchester City than any of the players actually on the field. Now Gallas, suspended from both the captaincy and the City game by manager Arsene Wenger after he criticized Arsenal’s young players, will return to the side for […]

The question of whether or not South Africa will be prepared to host the 2010 World Cup should now be forgotten, according to a leading FIFA official. Speaking at Soccerex ’08 in Johannesburg Monday, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said that although there were still some issues to be resolved, the general feeling was positive. […]

“This year he’s grown by leaps and bounds. His leadership on the field has improved. His willingness to handle the ball and have the ball, his defensive ability has never been in question and now you can say he’s the most dangerous player in the league on set pieces.” Columbus Crew coach Sigi Schmid on […]

“The network will employ 20 cameras, including two super slo-mos and a blimp camera. Its all-axis technology will provide a virtual replay that will enable game analysts to use graphic telestrations to highlight the locations and movements of the players to help explain plays in more detail.” Jack Bell previewed ESPN’s extensive camera technology for […]

U.S. defender Jay DeMerit has a new manager at Championship side Watford. Former Chelsea reserve team manager Brendan Rodgers succeeds Aidy Boothroyd, who left earlier this month. Former West Ham United fullback Frank Lampard Sr., father of the Chelsea and England midfielder, was named the team’s “football consultant.”

Australian national team defender Craig Moore returned to action for the Australian A-League’s Queensland Roar at the weekend just 12 days after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer. His team beat Perth Glory, 4-1.