Category: Soccer America Daily

[MLS] For 2008 awards finalists, including league MVP and Rookie of the Year …

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] On paper, the Red Bulls look completely spooked against two-time defending champion Houston, and even with game-changers Juan Pablo Angel and Dave van den Bergh they’re frightfully overmatched on artificial turf or grass as well.

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] If the 2008 Crew, winner of the Supporters’ Shield, isn’t all that different than the 2007 version that missed the playoffs, how can it be so much better?

[OFF THE POST] Diego Simeone, coach of Argentine defending champ River Plate, reportedly injured himself punching the subs’ bench after a 1-1 tie with Newell’s Old Boys dropped his team to the bottom of the standings.

MLS quarterfinal series, which kicked off Thursday with New England’s 0-0 tie with Chicago, continue on Saturday. For the complete TV schedule of MLS quarterfinal games. …

[2008 WOMEN’S WORLD PLAYER] U.S. gold-medalists Shannon Boxx and Hope Solo are among the 10 players nominated for the 2008 Women’s Player of the Year award.

[2009 UNDER-17 WORLD CUP] Just days after announcing that it wouldn’t be able to host the 2009 Under-17 World Cup, the Nigerian government agreed to back the organization of the competition but with a smaller budget.

[UNDER-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP] Americans may still think of themselves as the dominant power in the world of girls soccer, but they were given a lesson in attacking soccer by Japan in their first game at the inaugural Under-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The Americans needed only 139 seconds to go ahead on Vicki DiMartino‘s goal, but the Japanese then bombarded the U.S. goal, hitting the crossbar three times in the first half and twice coming back from one-goal deficits to win, 3-2, on three stunning goals.

[ENGLAND] Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur split eight goals in an astonishing North London derby. Chelsea burst Hull’s bubble with a 3-0 road win.

[GERMANY] There were wins for Hoffenheim, Hamburg and Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Bundesliga action, while Steve Cherundolo‘s Hannover fell to Hertha Berlin.

[ITALY] Udinese, Napoli and Milan occupy the top three Serie A spots after midweek wins. Inter drew 0-0 at Fiorentina.

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] Before a broken leg sidelined Steve Ralston, before post-concussion symptoms benched Taylor Twellman, yet after Chicago completed its 3-0 sweep of games against New England this season, Fire assistant coach Chris Armas warned the playoffs would be different if the teams were to meet again.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Osei Telesford and Fabrice Noel scored first-half goals and Puerto Rico Islanders held on for a 2-2 draw with Panama’s Tauro FC on Wednesday to earn a place in the regional championship’s quarterfinals, where they’re joined by fellow USL-1 team Montreal Impact.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Sometimes failure can be chalked up as a learning experience and if so, D.C. United has learned it needs great improvement to compete in Concacaf.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] As October ends, reality set in for U.S. national team teen stars Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu: It’s not going to be easy to make it in Europe.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Not every team puts as much emphasis on its reserve squad as does Houston, and all that work reaped a significant reward Tuesday night in San Salvador.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Maurice Edu, whose play for Glasgow Rangers had been limited to one league appearance (Sept. 19) since joining the Scottish club in August from Toronto FC on a $5 million transfer, went the full 90 on Tuesday in a 2-0 Scottish League Cup quarterfinal win over Hamilton.

[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions. They include college coaching opportunities, as well as jobs in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Midfielder Michael Bradley was back on the field for Borussia Moenchengladbach and its new coach, Hans Meyer, but Gladbach returned to its losing ways in midweek Bundesliga action.