Category: Soccer America Daily

[YOUTH] The USA scored three first-half goals — one from former U.S. U-17 standout Sheanon Williams and two from the University of Michigan’s Peri Marosevic — to beat Mexico, 3-0, in an under-20 friendly played in the border town of Laredo, Texas.

[MLS NAMES & NUMBERS] Toronto continued its dismal road run but enjoyed a bright spot when 16-year-old Abdus Ibrahim scored in his league debut. … Real Salt Lake made some club history. … And an MLS coach probably considered least likely to loss his temper was ejected.

[OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN] U.S. women’s national team improved to 20-0-1 in 2008 with a 1-0 win over 2007 Women’s World Cup runner-up Brazil on Sunday before a crowd of 15,071 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the home of MLS’s Colorado Rapids. USC’s Amy Rodriguez scored the game’s only goal for her second game-winning goal against Brazil this year.

[PORTUGAL] Carlos Queiroz, Manchester United’s No. 2 and the former MetroStars head coach, is heading home to coach the Portugal national team.

The Puerto Rico Islanders moved to win three points of first-place Charleston with a 3-1 victory at the Battery of Friday. One day earlier, the Islanders had won, 2-0, at Portland. Five different players scored for the Islanders in the two wins. Puerto Rico is tied for second place with Vancouver, one point ahead of Seattle. For all the USL-1 results and goal scorers …

U.S. under-17 girls national team coach Kazbek Tambi has named the 20-player roster that will compete at the 2008 CONCACAF U-17 Girls Championship, beginning Friday in Trinidad & Tobago.

[TRANSFER TALK] Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has cash that’s burning a hole in his pocket. Peter Crouch‘s $22 million departure to Portsmouth, John Arne Riise‘s $8 million move to Roma, and Xabi Alonso‘s rumored $30 million switch to Juventus, have all left Benitez eager to make a splash in the summer transfer market.

[VIDEO/OFF THE POST] A team’s trainer goes beyond the call of duty …

[NORDIC CUP] The U.S. under-23 women’s national team is headed Friday to Falun, Sweden, for the 2008 Nordic Cup, being held from July 15-21.

After FIFA President Sepp Blatter said that “there’s too much modern slavery” in player-club relations, UEFA Communications director William Gaillard dismissed the idea of exploited players, citing player power for salaries that are “spiraling out of control.”

[VIDEO/REF WATCH] The Belarus soccer federation has suspended Sergei Shmolik, who was named “best referee” last year, for alleged alcohol abuse after he had to be escorted off the field. Shmolik appeared to be suffering from back pain, but postgame hospital tests showed high levels of alcohol in his system.

[TRANSFER TALK] England national team player Frank Lampard is stuck in a tug-of-war between Inter Milan and Chelsea. The 30-year-old midfielder has one year left on his Chelsea contract, but Chelsea rejected a $16 million bid from Inter Milan for Lampard. New boss Jose Mourinho, who left Chelsea by mutual consent in September of last year, is hoping to be reunited with Lampard, whom he once called “the best player in the world.”

The first Nutrilite Championship, a three-team playoff that will decide Canada’s representative in the CONCACAF Champions League, is going down to the final game.

[TRANSFER TALK] Ghanaian Reuben Ayarna, who helped Boston College win the 2007 ACC title, and Brazilian Pablo Campos, a star for NAIA power Fresno Pacific and the PDL’s Fresno Fuego, have signed to play for GAIS Gothenburg of Sweden’s top-level Allsvenskan.

[TRANSFER TALK] Spanish forward Daniel Guiza has joined Turkish club Fenerbahce in a move that reunites him with Coach Luis Aragones, who guided Spain to its Euro 2008 victory. Fenerbahce has not disclosed the transfer fee but Spanish press estimated the move to be worth $27 million.

[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions. They include college coaching opportunities, as well as opportunities in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.