Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Real Madrid of signing Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze solely in order to lure his close friend Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. In an interview with the U.K. monthly ‘lifestyle’ magazine GQ, Ferguson said, “Ronaldo was very close to Heinze. I knew what they [Real] were doing. I […]
Category: Story
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Kinnear Sold On ‘Rogue’ Barton
Newcastle United’s bad lad Joey Barton is out of prison and back on the field, and at the weekend managed to provoke new copy and controversy by kissing the club badge on his training top as he warmed up in front of Sunderland fans for his return to action. But, writes Louise Taylor, Newcastle’s interim […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ronaldo’s Body And Soul With United — For Now
“I am with Manchester United body and soul. Only God knows the future but I insist that I am a Manchester United player and now I think that next year I will continue here. I want to respect this club, my team-mates and the fans, and I prefer not to talk of other teams at […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Adams Appointed Portsmouth Manager
“It’s fantastic. I’m very honoured, it’s a great opportunity and one I would be mad to turn down. I’m excited and I can’t wait to get going.” Oh my lord. Former Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams has taken over from the departed Harry Redknapp as Portsmouth manager. Adams’s previous managerial post was at Wycombe […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Steaua’s Revolving Door
“The interference of the homophobic, right-wing and utterly unsavory owner Gigi Becali has prompted Steaua Bucharest to appoint their ninth manager since 2003.” Jonathan Wilson, expert on all aspects of eastern European soccer, reports on how “Romanian coaches in general tend to look on the life-span of a mayfly with a certain awed longing.”
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Liverpool Tries To Stay Calm
“People will be talking about us a bit more now because we’re top of the league. But we have to live with that. It’s a different kind of pressure, but it’s what we are in it for — and we have to cope with that.” Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher follows his manager Rafa Benitez in […]
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
LEADERS: NCAA Division I Men’s Scorers
Akron sophomore Steve Zakuani remains the NCAA Division I men’s leader in points (35) but is now tied with UC Davis sensation Quincy Amarikwa in goals (15). For all the NCAA Division I leaders …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
LEADERS: NCAA Division I Women’s Scorers
Michigan State freshman Laura Heyboer maintained her lead in points (45) among NCAA Division I women’s scorers. Another freshman, Milwaukee’s Sarah Hagen, has taken over the lead in goals (20). For all the NCAA Division I leaders …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
AWARDS: Soccer America Men’s Team of the Week
Andy Adlard, who led resurgent Indiana with winning goals in a pair of big wins, is the Soccer America Men’s Player of the Week. For all the Men’s Team of the Week selections for games played Oct. 20-26 …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
MORNING BRIEFING: U-20 callups impact women’s race
There’s two ways to look at Monday’s announcement of the 20 players on the U.S. roster for next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup — which will rule them out of the NCAA Tournament. There’s the teams adversely affected by those players who will be going to Chile and those teams whose under-20 stars were not picked.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
AWARDS: Soccer America Women’s Team of the Week
UCLA’s Kristina Larsen, who scored both goals in 2-1 win over USC, is the Soccer America Women’s Player of the Week. For all the Women’s Team of the Week selections for games played Oct. 20-26 …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
MORNING BRIEFING: Imports lead unbeaten Loyola
Loyola is located in Baltimore, one of the nation’s oldest soccer hotbeds, but the Greyhounds have been led in their unbeaten campaign by a trio of imports — Serbian keeper Milos Kocic and English strikers Phil Bannister and Jamie Darvill.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Seattle takes the DP plunge
[MLS] 2009 expansion franchise Seattle Sounders FC is set to sign an English Premier League veteran with plenty of international experience as a Designated Player and is in the midst of its coaching search. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney looks at the DP choice and the early candidates for the coaching position.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup roster
U.S. under-20 women’s national team coach Tony DiCicco named the 20 players who will represent the USA at the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which takes place Nov. 19-Dec. 7 in Chile.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Gilardino suspended for handball goal (VIDEO)
[ITALY] Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has been suspended for two games after being adjudged to have intentionally scored a goal with his arm in Sunday’s win at Palermo.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
River of tears (VIDEO)
[ARGENTINA] River Plate’s mysterious decline continued at the weekend with defeat to a fellow struggler. Leader San Lorenzo was also at a loss.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Mary Harvey named COO of new women’s league
[WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER] Mary Harvey, the starting goalkeeper on the USA’s title-winning team at the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991, has been named Chief Operating Officer of the WPS, which kicks off next spring with seven teams.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Houston needs a point in El Salvador
[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Before it begins defending its last two MLS Cup titles, Houston needs a result to stay in the game internationally. The Dynamo is in San Salvador to play Luis Angel Firpo Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) in the first of a home-and-home exchange that is spread across four weeks and will decide the runner-up spot in Group B of the Concacaf Champions’ League.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Goalscoring highest since 2005
[MLS: BY THE NUMBERS] Regular-season games averaged 2.81 goals, the highest scoring rate since the 2005 season. Los Angeles, which also led in goals conceded, was the league’s most prolific team.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Donovan is seventh to hit 20-goal mark (VIDEO)
[MLS: BY THE NUMBERS] Los Angeles’ Landon Donovan won the 2008 MLS leading scorer crown with 20 goals, becoming the seventh player score 20 or more a season.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Los Angeles tops in attendance again
[MLS: BY THE NUMBERS] The Los Angeles Galaxy averaged a league-high attendance of 26,009, leading the league for the sixth straight year and for the ninth time in the league’s 13-year history. The top three drawing clubs in 2008 did not make the playoffs.
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
GAMES: Live and same-day delay on national TV
CONCACAF Champions’ League continues as Houston faces Firpo on Tuesday and D.C. United squares off against Marathon on Wednesday. MLS Playoffs begin on Thursday as New England hosts Chicago. The European leagues do double duty with games in the midweek and on the weekend. The Mexican league’s weekend matches and Gol TV’s weekend schedule will be updated in Friday’s Soccer on TV e-letter.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Width Of The Woodwork Separates D.C. From Playoffs
The late winning goal by Columbus Crew’s Brad Evans was irrelevant to D.C. United by the time it finally ended the team’s tardy but impressive final-day bid for the postseason, writes Steven Goff. “A tie would not have done United any good, and with each agonizing miss during a scoreless game, its hopes faded into […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Kreis: We Were Due Some Luck
It’s arguable whether or not Real Salt Lake’s “perfect ten” record (10-10-10) merits a place in the postseason, but after four barren years Coach Jason Kreis believes unequivocally that that his side deserves to be there, and welcomes the little bit of luck that took them into the playoffs. “There’s been a lot of points […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rapids Pause Before Next Coaching Move
Meanwhile the side that Salt Lake eliminated with its late equalizer, the Colorado Rapids, is taking its time over whether or not to make interim head coach Gary Smith’s position a permanent one. Smith himself seems unsure of his wishes. “I think I need to sit down, take a deep breath,” he told Brian Forbes. […]