Category: Story

“There was a time the Earthquakes would have been happy to score a point on the road,” writes Tobias Xavier Lopez. “But not after a 1-1 draw Thursday against FC Dallas.” He tells of the “anger and frustration” in the post-game San Jose locker room after a controversial penalty kick allowed Dallas to tie the […]

The unexpected success of the United Soccer Leagues’ Montreal Impact in Concacaf Champions League group play has raised a logistical issue the team hadn’t previously worried about. If the team continues its good form and qualifies for the competition’s home-and-away quarterfinal, where would it play the home game in the middle of winter? “We’ve started […]

World soccer governing body FIFA is inviting the world’s journalists to South Africa to show them how safe the country will be when it hosts the World Cup in 2010. FIFA spokesperson Hans Klaus told reporters in Cape Town it will take the hacks on “FIFA-sponsored tours” of the 10 host from next month. “Europe […]

“Fines don’t hurt people. It has to be suspension. FIFA can deduct [qualifying] points and ban them from games.” Former Chelsea defender Paul Elliott is putting pressure on the English Football Association to lobby FIFA for more stringent punishments for racist crowd chants.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth is to report Tottenham Hotspur to the FA for the racist and homophobic chants its fans aimed at Sol Campbell (now of Portsmouth, formerly of Tottenham) during last Saturday’s EPL game between the two sides.

“It’s going to my ****ing lawyers.” Audio of Newcastle United interim manager Joe Kinnear’s full and frank exchange with a Daily Mirror reporter. Warning: contains enough foul language to make Ray Hudson blush.

As far as the competition for No. 1, that’s kind of irrelevant at this point. . . . I think Gary [Smith] made a decision that he’s going to go with me, and up to this point the ball has bounced a little our way since I’ve been in.” Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Preston Burpo talks […]

There’s a famous Kurt Vonnegut short story where nobody dies any more thanks to a medicine that’s been invented to ensure immortality. Needless to say, without the threat of death, life turns out to be something of an existential washout.” Pretentious hack muses on a soccer future without relegation.

Columnist Michael Arace is tentatively assured to find that the potential new part-owners of the Columbus Crew are apparently not interested in moving the franchise to Las Vegas. Arace and Dispatch beat reporter Shawn Mitchell talked to agent Dave Whinham, representative of Mark Noorzai, who is the man with plans to build a $500 million […]

“I know for a fact [Newcastle owner] Mike [Ashley] is talking to eight consortiums about [buying] the club,” says Newcastle’s interim manager Joe Kinnear.

“It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that the only thing preventing Celtic and their ilk winning more often on their travels are simple human frailties: insecurity and fear.” Barry Glendenning searches for clues to solve the mystery of Glasgow Celtic’s terrible Champions League road form.

“I’ve been listening to and have been enjoying their latest effort, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, so I’ll throw them on the list as the last record I’ve purchased.” Guest blogger and Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad is a fan of U.K. band The Cribs, from the glorious town of Wakefield in Yorkshire. Not a […]

You may have lost count of the newspaper and internet columns hailing the arrival of English striker Darren Huckerby as the reason for San Jose’s turnaround this season. But Huckerby wasn’t coach Frank Yallop’s only signing. Midfielder Arturo Alvarez, who played for Yallop in the  Quakes’ earlier MLS incarnation, has also made a huge difference […]

Montreal Impact coach John Limniatis explained his team’s incredible 2-1 Concacaf Champions League away victory at Olimpia of Honduras with simple words. He said the win, which came in the middle of a seven-game stretch in 15 days, was a result of industry and self-belief. This is in stark contrast to the attitude of at […]