Soccer America Daily – Page 184 – Soccer America Archives

Soccer America Daily, Story

Wizards need points against Galaxy

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 27, 2007

The Galaxy‘s playoff hopes are ephemeral at best, but the problems facing the Wizards are all too real. Kansas City rallied to tie Chivas USA last weekend only to succumb in stoppage time to Ante Razov’s second goal of the game to lose, 2-1. A week after a dramatic stoppage-time rally netted two goals and a 3-2 victory over Columbus, the Wizards threw away two points in the waning seconds. They have lost three of their last five and are good but not great at home (7-4-2).

Soccer America Daily, Story

Juan Pablo Angel: Un hombre ‘sexy’

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 27, 2007

The New York Red Bulls’ Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel is featured in the October 2007 issue of People En Espanol as one of the "10 Sexiest Men in the United States for 2007." Angel, 31, is in the midst of his first year with the Red Bulls and has already matched the team goal scoring record of 16, set in 2000 by Adolfo Valencia. Angel is the only athlete on the list.

Soccer America Daily, Story

MLS Playoff Race

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 27, 2007

D.C. United, Houston, New England and Chivas USA have clinched playoff spots. More can join them this week.

Soccer America Daily, Story

Fulham, with three Americans, fall in League Cup

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 27, 2007

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Kasey Kelley, in his second appearance since joining the club on Aug. 23, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey played the full 90 for Fulham in its 2-1 loss to Bolton in the third round of the English League Cup. Goalkeeper Brad Freidel had an easy day in Blackburn’s 3-0 win over Birmingham. Frank Simek started for second-tier Sheffield Wednesday in its 3-0 loss to Everton. In midweek German First Division action Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 celebrated a 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld.

Soccer America Daily, Story

Adu scores for Benfica in Portuguese Cup

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 27, 2007

Freddy Adu came on at halftime for Benfica in its third-round Portuguese Cup game against fellow First Division club Estrela Amadora and scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time to tie the game, 1-1. Adu also took and converted Benfica’s first penalty kick in the shootout, which Benfica won, 5-4.

Soccer America Daily, Story

Brazil out to avenge Olympic loss against USA

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 26, 2007

Of the many matchups within the match to be watched when the U.S. women play Brazil in the Women’s World Cup semifinal (Thursday, 7:55 a.m. ET, ESPN2), the most anticipated is that of American midfielder Leslie Osborne tangling with Brazilian magician Marta.

Soccer America Daily, Story

The Goleadoras: Marta, Prinz, Wambach and co.

by Paul KennedySeptember 26, 2007

[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP] While the level of play at the Women’s World Cup has not been great, several individuals have stood out. The great goal scorers of the women’s game — Marta, Birgit Prinz, Abby Wambach and company — have waged a fierce battle for the scoring title. Here’s a look at the leading scorers at the 2007 Women’s World Cup …

Soccer America Daily, Story

Convey goal overshadowed by $50 million man

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 26, 2007

[AMERICANS IN ENGLAND] Bobby Convey volleyed home from 17 yards for Reading to tie up its third-round English League Cup game with Liverpool. It was the 24-year-old’s eighth goal in all competitions since joining the club in 2004. But a second-half hat trick by Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a 4-2 win.

Soccer America Daily, Story

OFF THE POST: Austrians turn on own team

by Mike WoitallaSeptember 26, 2007

A group of Austrian fans have started a petition that so far yielded 4,000 signatures urging the Austrian national team not to participate in the 2008 European Championship it is co-hosting with Switzerland. “This is not about criticizing players or coaches,” said Michael Kriess, one of the petition instigators. “We simply say that the way Austria is playing is an insult to our, to every fan’s aesthetic understanding of the game.” The petitioners say watching Coach Josef Hickersberger‘s team is detrimental to one’s mental health.

Soccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 26, 2007

“Once you shake hands with the devil, you have to accept they are in control.”

— Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson on coping with incovenient scheduling to accommodate TV broadcasts, which will earn the English Premier League $3.4 billion for this season and the next two. (BBC)

Soccer America Daily, Story

High School Boys Fall Rankings

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 26, 2007

Long Island’s Chaminade, which beat defending New Jersey state champion Harrison, 1-0, at last week’s Kearny (N.J.) Festival, is the new No. 1 team in this week’s NSCAA/adidas Boys National Rankings. Last week Chaminade was No. 13. DeMatha Catholic, last week’s No. 1, fell to No. 4. For the complete Top 25 …

Soccer America Daily, Story

High School Girls Fall Rankings

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 26, 2007

Sycamore of Cincinnati moved up three spots to No. 1 in this week’s NSCAA/adidas Boys National Rankings. Ali Shewmon leads the Aviators with eight goals and two assists. Sycamore is ranked ahead of Acton-Boxborough (Mass.) and Downingtown West (Pa.). For the complete Top 25 …

Soccer America Daily, Story

D.C. United tackles Guadalajara in rematch

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 26, 2007

[COPA SUDAMERICANA] Make no mistake, regardless of what its MLS opponents may think, D.C. United regards itself as the league’s flagship franchise, and considers international competitions like the Copa Sudamericana vital to its reputation. A matchup with Mexican club Guadalajara on Wednesday (8:30 pm ET, Fox Sports en Espanol) also provides a chance for revenge, because Chivas nipped D.C., 3-2, on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup last spring.

Soccer America Daily, Story

MIDWEEK PREVIEW: International Soccer Headliners

by Paul KennedySeptember 26, 2007

There’s midweek league action in Germany, Italy and Spain and League Cup action in England and France. Roma and Real Madrid look to hold on to their leads in Italy and Spain, respectively, while Bundesliga leader Bayern faces Energie Cottbus, which has made a coaching change. In France, the derby du Nord between Lens and Lille highlights League Cup play.

Soccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 25, 2007

“I don’t know the ins and outs. … If it is true, it is distasteful, for sure.”

— Reading coach Steve Coppel on reports that striker Leroy Lita used his cell phone to film himself having sex and circulated the video to teammates, who forwarded the 53-second footage to players around the English league. (Telegraph)

Soccer America Daily, Story

U.S. girls national teams go undefeated at Nike Friendlies

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 25, 2007

The U.S. U-15 and U-14 girls national teams went undefeated against older competititon at the Women’s Nike Friendlies at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Soccer America Daily, Story

MLS attendance average breaks 16,000 mark

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 25, 2007

[MLS STATISTICS] Last weekend, announced attendances at games hosted by Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles exceeded 20,000 and the league-wide average inched past the 16,000 mark with four weeks left in the season. The last regular season in which MLS attendance averaged more than 16,000 was the inaugural 1996 season (17,406).

Soccer America Daily, Story

Praise for China’s Thornless Roses

by Paul KennedySeptember 25, 2007

[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP] Host China’s quest for its first Women’s World Cup title ended in defeat against Norway in the quarterfinals, reducing the Steel Roses to tears, but they earned new respect for their efforts.

Soccer America Daily, Story

OFF THE POST: Colombian team robbed

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 25, 2007

Colombian First Division club America’s financial woes were compounded when a security van carrying its gate receipts from Sunday’s game in Cali against Once Caldas was held up. Four cars with 15 men armed with machine guns escaped with about $40,000 from the day’s ticket sales. “We’re asking the authorities to help us recover the money because it is what we live off,” said America’s marketing manager Gregorio Ruiz. “We’re struggling as it is and now they rob us.”

Soccer America Daily, Story

Fans fight to save USL’s California Victory

by Mike WoitallaSeptember 25, 2007

Fans of San Francisco’s USL-1 club, the California Victory, have launched a campaign to save the franchise after the original owner, Spanish club Alaves, withdrew its support. The California Victory Supporters Association, known as “The 1906,” are selling shares at $100 a pop at ww.savethevictory.org . Meanwhile, the club is negotiating with domestic and foreign investors. “The 1906 are a very determined group of supporters who brought a great atmosphere to our games,” said Victory coach Glenn Van Straatum. “They’re demonstrating that we have a good core of fans with the potential to grow into a strong support base.”

Soccer America Daily, Story

Arsenal proclaimed England’s richest

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 25, 2007

Arsenal, whose major shareholders include American Stan Kroenke, has laid claim to being England’s richest club after reporting an income of $400 million for the year ending May 31, 2007. Operating profits increased 274 percent, to $103.7 million, from the previous year.

Soccer America Daily, Story

The Galaxy shows some life; Razov shines for Chivas USA

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 24, 2007

[MLS WEEKEND WRAP] Chivas USA stung Kansas City with a stoppage-time goal to move into the Western Conference lead; Chicago’s tie with D.C. United keeps it a point ahead of ninth-place Columbus, which rallied for a win in Toronto; New York needed a rally at home to tie New England; Real Salt Lake dinged Colorado’s playoff hopes with a 1-0 win; and THE GALAXY BEATS DALLAS!!!

Soccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 24, 2007

“For the most part, it was ‘Really?’ and then ‘Why?’ I walked them through my decision-making process … They definitely bought into it.”

— Andrew Hauptman on the reaction of friends and family to his purchase of the Chicago Fire from AEG for a reported $30 million. (Chicago Tribune)

Soccer America Daily, Story

USL First Division Semifinal Results

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 24, 2007

The Seattle Sounders and Atlanta Silverbacks needed penalty kicks to win their USL First Division semifinal series and move into Saturday’s championship game in Seattle (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live, 10 pm ET). The Sounders, the 2007 regular-season champions, have won three USL-1 titles. Before this season, Atlanta had never won a postseason game in its eight years of existence.

Soccer America Daily, Story

Bradley scores again; Dempsey’s streak ends

by Soccer AmericaSeptember 24, 2007

[AMERICANS ABROAD/VIDEO] A week after getting his first Dutch Eredivisie goal, Michael Bradley pounced on a rebound to score his second in Heereveen’s 3-2 loss to Utrecht. On-fire Bradley had scored twice on Thursday in a 5-2 UEFA Cup win over Swedish club Helsingborg. Clint Dempsey, who scored a goal in each of Fulham’s last three games, came up empty in a 3-3 tie with Manchester City.