Category: Soccer America Daily

[MLS PREDICTIONS] SuperLiga commitments leaves just eight teams playing four games this weekend, and three of the teams also played Wednesday. The Crew can put pressure on idle D.C. United by beating New York, Toronto visits Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time, and two Western Conference matches close out the action on Sunday. For all of Soccer America’s predictions, as well as TV viewing information, and to see how we’ve fared so far this season. …

[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Its first appearance in a FIFA final matches the USA against mighty Brazil, which beat the Americans, 3-0, in group play but only narrowly defeat host South Africa in its semifinal. With midfielder Michael Bradley suspended, Coach Bob Bradley could give Benny Feilhaber his first start of the season and move Landon Donovan into central midfield.

[STATS] That Brazil scored its Confederations Cup semifinal-winning goal against South Africa with a Daniel Alves free kick from just outside the penalty area prompted FIFA.com to dig up this stat …

[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] U.S. players should be encouraged if they witnessed Brazil’s lackluster performance in defeating host South Africa, 1-0, to earn a final date with the Americans.

[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] On Sunday, the USA faces Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup final in South Africa and Spain meets South Africa for third place. For the tournament’s complete television schedule and results..

[USA-SPAIN] For video highlights for the USA victory. …

[USA-SPAIN] Beating the world’s top team drew stunned the international press. For a collection of headlines from around the world …

[USA-SPAIN REPORT CARD] As befits a stunning upset win over the European champion and top-ranked team in the world, high marks abounded for the Americans who shocked Spain, 2-0, on Wednesday. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance …

[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Techniques and skills and physical attributes may vary, but in any high-level competitive sport, nobody excels without withstanding pressure. U.S. coach Bob Bradley knew his players would be tested by a Confederations Cup semifinal with Spain on Wednesday, for the Spaniards’ swift, flowing fleet of attackers can apply pressure anywhere in the attacking third, and its midfielders and defenders are tough to evade when in pursuit of the ball.

[SUPERLIGA] Group B action Wednesday night action at Gillette Stadium saw New England share points with MLS rival Kansas City in a 1-1 stalemate while all-Mexican clash between Santos and Atlas produced no goals

[MLS] Whatever might cure Red Bull road ills it won’t be found north of the border. For the second time in 11 days, New York visited BMO Field, and the outcome didn’t differ. Paulo Vitti and Dwayne De Rosario scored on either side of halftime in a 2-0 TFC win that extends New York’s winless streak in all competitions to nine games.

[MLS] Colorado maintained its unbeaten home record (3-0-3) at home by tying FC Dallas, 1-1, Wednesday, but needed a late strike to earn that point after fluffing a bunch of chances.

[MAKING A LIST] Here’s a look at the top 10 wins in U.S. men’s history, as selected by the editors of Soccer America. Though some historic results have been recorded in friendlies, the significance of wins in competitive events – both for their domestic value as well as international status – takes precedence.

[TV WATCH] How does ESPN color commentator and former U.S. international John Harkes feel about play-acting? Apparently it depends on who’s doing the faking.