Category: Soccer America Daily
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

THOMAS RONGEN: ‘This one hurt more’

by Ridge Mahoney

[Q&A] U.S. under-20 coach Thomas Rongen had just a few days to reflect on his team’s showing at the U-20 World Cup, in which the Americans lost in overtime to Austria, 2-1, Saturday in the quarterfinals. Before leaving Wednesday to join the U.S. teams at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Rongen spoke with Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney about whether any of his players are ready for the full national team, what American defenders are lacking, Freddy Adu’s progress, and how this quarterfinal elimination compared with the 2003 loss …

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

OFF THE POST: Japan coach brings interpreter to tears; befuddles press

by Mike Woitalla

After Japan played Qatar to a disappointing 1-1 tie in the Asian Cup, Japan’s Bosnian coach Ivica Osim railed into his players, calling them a bunch of amateurs, and so on. But just some of the rant got through to the team, because translator Zen Chida broke into tears midway through the tirade. Then on the eve of Japan’s game against Vietnam, Osim told the members of the media, “Stop asking me about rabbits!”

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Luck and fatigue finally catch up to Americans

by Ridge Mahoney

[U-20 WORLD CUP] Two consecutive overtime matches took a severe toll on the U.S. under-20 team, which battled all the way but couldn’t summon the moment of magic or the ounce of luck they needed to stay alive in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. An early goal by Jozy Altidore, his fourth of the tournament, brought the USA a 1-0 lead Saturday but it conceded an equalizer just before halftime and in overtime, down to 10 men, succumbed to a second goal that swept Austria into the semifinals with a 2-1 win.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

U.S. women beat Norway for the seventh straight time with 1-0 victory

by Soccer America

The U.S. women’s national team improve its record to 10-0-2 in 2007 with a 1-0 win over long-time rival Norway Saturday on a second-half goal from midfielder Carli Lloyd. The USA extended its unbeaten streak to 44 games, 43 under Coach Greg Ryan. It was also the USA’s seventh straight victory over Norway, by far the longest streak for either team in a series that dates back to 1987.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Argentina moves into driver’s seat at U-20 World Cup

by Soccer America

Argentina is the firm favorite to win its sixth Under-20 World Cup after edging highly touted Mexico, 1-0, in the quarterfinals on Sunday in Ottawa. Argentina meets Chile, a 4-0 winner over Nigeria in overtime, in one semifinal. Austria, which upset the USA, 2-1, in overtime, faces the Czech Republic, which eliminated European champion Spain in a shootout after their game ended 1-1.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Surging Timbers take over USL-1 lead

by Soccer America

Forward David Hague recorded Portland’s first hat trick of the season in a 4-1 over the California Victory on Sunday. The win puts the Timbers into sole possession of first place in the USL First Division with a record of 9-2-3. Two days earlier, rookie forward Bryan Jordan scored his fourth goal of the season as the Timbers defeated the Victory, 1-0, in front of 6,332 at PGE Park. Portland recorded its fourth consecutive shutout matching a franchise record set earlier in the season. For complete USL results and goalscorers …

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

New York plunges with loss to Revs

by Ridge Mahoney

[MLS WEEKEND REPORT] In not many leagues can a team fall from first to fourth just by losing a game, but that’s what befell Red Bull New York when beaten, 1-0, at home by New England, which leapfrogged to the top spot. Also bypassing NYRB were Kansas City, a 1-0 winner over Real Salt Lake, and D.C. United, which squandered a 3-0 lead at home to end up tied at 3-3 with FC Dallas. Out West, Chivas USA tightened its grip on third place by ending the Crew’s six-game unbeaten streak, 2-1. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney reviews all the MLS weekend action …

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With new coach, Chicago thumped by Houston

by Ridge Mahoney

Teams change coaches, and coaches trade players, and still Houston rolls over all comers. Juan Carlos Osorio debuted as Chicago’s head coach Thursday night on national television and fortunately has more than a week to shrug off a 4-0 thumping inflicted by the defending champion before his team plays again. Houston’s rout include a brilliant goal by Joseph Ngwenya (video HERE). By the time Scottish club Glasgow Celtic lines up for a friendly July 22, Osorio will have Cuauhtemoc Blanco in uniform and perhaps a few answers to the harsh lessons taught by Houston. He might also have observed how a team that won the league title last year has further strengthened itself by intelligent tweaking.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

The Beckham has Landed

by Soccer America

David Beckham, his wife, Victoria, and their three young children landed at Los Angeles International Airport just after 8 p.m. on Thursday to begin their life in the USA. The introduction of Beckham by the Los Angeles Galaxy at a Home Depot Center press conference on Friday at 1 pm ET will be telecast live on ESPNEWS channel and on MLSnet.com. The Los Angeles Galaxy has reported that it has already received orders for 250,000 replica jerseys. Beckham’s arrival has already been greeted with an avalanche of media coverage, including a Sports Illustrated cover and a risqué photo shoot of David and Victoria in W Magazine.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

USA aims for U-20 World Cup semifinals

by Ridge Mahoney

One win stands between the U.S. under-20 national team and only the second semifinal appearance by an American team in the 30-year history of this world championship. The USA meets Austria in Toronto Saturday at 2:15 pm ET (ESPNU, Galavision) and that last semifinal appearance might as well be ancient history. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller helped the USA to a fourth-place finish in 1989, the same year the youngest members of the current squad were born.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

MLS WEEKEND: New York faces Revolution threat

by Ridge Mahoney

[TV PREVIEWS] Can Red Bull New York hold onto first place with the Revs in town? Will defender Adrian Serioux solidify the FC Dallas back line as it takes on D.C. United? Can Kansas City break its five-game winless skid at home against Real Salt Lake? Will anyone in Beckham-obsessed LA take notice that Chivas USA and Columbus meet at Home Depot with both teams above .500? Will Houston break the league’s all-time shutout streak by blanking Toronto? Ridge Mahoney previews this weekend’s MLS action …

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French players go for big money

by Soccer America

[TRANSFER TALK] A year after the 2006 World Cup, at which France finished second, three Bleus starters have been sold by French clubs for big money. Indeed, French players continue to command a premium on the transfer market. The top seven transfers of French players from French clubs to foreign clubs have commanded fees of almost $150 million. For a rundown on the French stars moving abroad …

Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer America

“To the extent that he creates so much curiosity from soccer moms and casual fans and can help generate some interest in MLS, it will work. However, the quality of play had better be up to their expectations, and the level of customer service had better be high. He’s going to drive them to the turnstile, but then it’s going to be up to MLS and its franchises to keep them coming back.”

— David Carter, the executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute on David Beckham, who arrived in the USA on Thursday. (Sports Illustrated)

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