Category: Soccer America Daily

[OFF THE POST] Manchester City of the English Premier League will travel to the Faroe Islands to play EB/Streymur in the first round of UEFA Cup qualifying. EB/Streymur, Faroese Cup champion for the past two years, is based in the tiny village town Streymnes, which boasts a population of 199. But let’s not forget the other half of the island. With the residents of sister village Hvalvik added to the equation, the population balloons to nearly 400.

Kortney Rhodes was the star of the final day of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, scoring four goals for the FC Delco Fury II in a 5-0 win over the McLean MPS Freedom Elite in the under-18 girls final in Brunswick, Maine. FC Delco also won the under-17 boys title, the third straight regional crown for the Hammerheads. The New Jersey Soccer Academy won boys titles in the U-12 and U14 divisions. Its U-14 Gunners are coached by former U.S. national team star Tab Ramos. For all the final scores …

[TRANFSER TALK] Barcelona is set to unveil its newest signing, Brazilian right back Daniel Alves. The defender, who can also play in midfield, joins the Catalan side from La Liga rival Sevilla in a transfer deal valued at $46 million, the third-highest in club history.

[U.S. OPEN CUP] It’s nothing new for an MLS team to be bounced out of the U.S. Open Cup by an eager upstart from the lower divisions; it’s quite something else for two teams to stumble on the same night while up a man. Or two. Reigning MLS champion Houston and never-champion New York Red Bull not only went out in the third round Tuesday, out they went against shorthanded opposition.

[LIBERTADORES CUP] Brazilian club Fluminense believes overturning a two-goal deficit won’t be a problem when it hosts Ecuador’s LDU Quito in the second leg of the Libertadores Cup final on Wedesday (TV: Fox Sports en Espanol, 8:30 pm ET).

All but one of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s six road games this season have drawn more than 20,000 fans. The exception was the Galaxy’s opener at Colorado’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, which was sold out at 18,713. For more on the David Beckham crowd pull and MLS attendance. …

For the second time in three years, a local team has reached the finals of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in Brunswick, Maine. The Coastal Thunder beat the TSF Academy Celtic, 3-1, to reach the finals of the U-16 division. Two years ago, the Thunder also reached the final. For all the semifinal scores …

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy wrapped up its first regular season with its Summer Showcase June 27-30 in Greensboro, N.C. Heading into the final day of competition, nine spots were still up for grabs in the U-15/16 and U-17/18 divisions, and by the end of Monday only one position in the finals remained undecided. The Sockers FC lead the Mid-America U-17/18 division, but the Magic and Fire both have makeup games. For all the teams that booked their place in the Finals Week to be held July 12-19 at The Home Depot Center ..

[EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP] During the final weekend of Euro 2008, the 53 member nations of UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, unanimously agreed to expand the European Championship by eight teams, taking the total number of participating countries to 24.

[TRANSFER TALK] Portuguese midfielder Deco is making his way from Barcelona to Chelsea in a $16 million move. The Brazilian-born playmaker made the switch after new Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola informed him his services were no longer needed at the Camp Nou.

[SPAIN-GERMANY REPORT CARD] Its leading scorer sidelined and its semifinal hero sputtering, Spain nonetheless deservedly captured its first European Championship title in 44 years by dispatching Germany, 1-0, Sunday night in Vienna with a Fernando Torres goal and a resilient, nerveless defensive performance. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the players.

The US Youth Soccer Region I Championship move into the semifinals on Monday in Portland, Maine. New Jersey leads all clubs with seven teams – three boys and four girls — still alive. For all the semifinal pairings …

Randi Patterson tied Miami FC’s Alex Afonso and Seattle’s Sebastien Le Toux for the USL-1 goalscoring lead with seven goals when he scored in Charleston’s 3-1 win over Rochester on Saturday. For all the USL-1 results and goal scorers …

[TOP 20] Euro ’08 champion Spain led all teams with eight players among the top 20 ratings leaders, based on the Soccer America Report Cards compiled by Soccer America’s editors. Italy goalie Gianluigi Buffon edged Spain forward David Villa for first place. For all the final ratings leaders …

[MLS NAMES & NUMBERS] The two teams with the league’s most potent attacks provided an exciting display in Sunday’s ABC-televised game as host D.C. United romped past the Los Angeles Galaxy. For this weekend’s MLS highlights. …

New England remains the league’s overall leader as its latest win ups its points total to 30 points from 16 games. For the up-to-date MLS standings and leading scorers, all the weekend summaries and this week’s schedule. …

[YOUTH] Canada upset the USA, 1-0, on a goal by rising Rutgers junior Karla Schacher to win the Concacaf Under-20 Women’s Championship Saturday in Puebla, Mexico.