Category: Soccer America Daily

MLS opens its 13th season with six games this weekend. Fox Soccer Channel kicks off its 35-match package with a live five-hour broadcast — including its first doubleheader (New England-Houston and Colorado-Los Angeles). The telecast begins with a half-hour pregame show at 7 p.m. ET. For all the weekend MLS action on TV …

Fresh off its 3-0 at Poland, the U.S. men’s national team faces an ambitious schedule of friendlies as it prepares for the start of 2010 World Cup qualifying this summer. After playing England May 28 at Wembley and Spain June 4 in Santander, Coach Bob Bradley‘s men host Argentina June 8 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Argentina is currently No. 1 in the FIFA World Ranking , ahead of Brazil, Italy, Spain and Germany. The USA is ranked No. 28.

On the first weekend of play in MLS, the schedule of international matches is a reminder of the competition MLS faces for fans. There are 24 foreign league games available live on cable or pay-per-view. Among the matches on tap are the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow, and important matches in the English and Spanish league races, as well as all nine Mexican First Division matches.

MLS’s imports grew during the offseason. Argentina led all countries with seven players — including former World Cup players Marcelo Gallardo (D.C. United) and Claudio Lopez (Kansas City) — joining MLS teams. Colombia was next with four players signing with MLS clubs. For all the team-by-team offseason player moves …

[MAKING A LIST] David Beckham became only the fifth England player to earn 100 caps when he started in England’s 1-0 loss at France on Wednesday. The next player in line to reach 100 caps is Michael Owen, who played his 89th game for England on Wednesday. By contrast, 10 Americans have 100 or more caps, and Landon Donovan will join the century club when he plays his next game for the USA.

Late goals from strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Klaas Jan Huntelaar gave the Netherlands a 4-3 win over Euro ’08 co-host Austria, which had led, 3-0, after 35 minutes. A David Villa goal in the 78th minute gave Spain a 1-0 win over world champion Italy. Greece, which beat Euro 2004 host Portugal twice en route to the title, again got the better of the Portuguese when it won, 2-1, thanks to a pair of goals by Georgos Karagounis. AC Milan teenager Alexandre Pato scored on his debut for Brazil in a 1-0 win over Sweden. For all Wednesday’s results and goal scorers …

There are times when the Beautiful Game is anything but beautiful, when conditions are treacherous and play is choppy and gritty efficiency is preferred to golazos and glitter. Teams such as Poland take pride in the toughness and determination and exploitation of set plays required in such situations, yet it came a distant second to a competent, cohesive U.S. squad Wednesday in Krakow.

[POLAND-USA GRADES] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players’ performance in their 3-0 win on Wednesday.

Here are numerical rosters by position with each players’ career MLS statistics and schedules for all seven MLS Western Conference teams.

Major League Soccer’s national networks — ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espanol, HDNet and TeleFutura — will combine to broadcast 113 games in 2008. The 2008 season kicks off Saturday, and regular season ends on Oct. 26.

[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] Dwayne Stanford‘s goal in the 69th minute gave Barbados a 1-0 win over Dominica and set up a date with the USA in June in a home-and-home series in 2010 World Cup qualifying.

Here are numerical rosters by position with each player’s career MLS statistics and schedules for all seven MLS Eastern Conference teams …

D.C. United’s Luciano Emilio won the goal scoring title. New England’s Steve Ralston led MLS in assists. Chris Klein ended up playing two games above the maximum of 30 following his trade from Real Salt Lake to Los Angeles. For all the 2007 MLS statistical leaders …

[PREVIEW] When the USA and Poland national teams renew their biennial international series Wednesday in Krakow (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel), the match will be shaded by the influences of a third country. Players of both nations play in Germany or have done so in the past, the teams last met two years ago in Kaiserslautern, and Poland is using the friendly to prepare for its opening game in the 2008 European Championship: a June 8 date with, you guessed it, Germany. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney looks at how both teams will approach the game.

[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.

LAFC moved into first place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Under-15/16 So Cal Division with a 4-0 win over the Nomads on Saturday. LAFC’s U-15/16 team remained unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over the Nomads. For all the weekend U.S. Soccer Development Academy scores and goal scorers …

The USA’s clash with Poland is one of nine international friendlies available live or delayed on cable or pay-per-view on Wednesday. Other matches of note include France-England, featuring David Beckham, who is expected to earn his 100th England cap in the game. For all the international friendlies on TV …