[OFF THE POST] Newcastle United has denied reports that the Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), a multinational construction conglomerate whose chief executive is Osama Bin Laden‘s half-brother Bakr Bin Laden, has made a $600 million bid for the English Premier League team.
Category: Story
Galaxy Needs More Beckham for Its Bucks
Can David Beckham work his soccer magic only when he’s operating out on the right flank? Is that the only area of the field in which he’s effective?
Adu, Bradley may be headed to Monaco
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Freddy Adu, who spent the 2007-08 season with Portugal’s Benfica, for which he appeared in only 11 games, may be headed to French first division club Monaco, whose president is French-American Jerome de Bontin. French and Dutch media also report that Monaco is making a $13 million offer to Dutch club Heerenveen for U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley.
Colorado provides the most fireworks
[MLS NAMES & NUMBERS] A thumping by Colorado completed a miserable week for the New York Red Bulls, who were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup by USL-2 club Crystal Palace Baltimore on Tuesday. David Beckham scored the Galaxy’s lone goal in a loss to the Revs. For highlights and lowlights of last week’s MLS action. …
MLS Results
Chivas USA moved into a tie atop the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Galaxy while New England held tight to its lead in the East. For the up-to-date MLS standings and leading scorers, all the weekend summaries and this week’s TV schedule. …
Barcelona president fights on
[SPAIN] Barcelona president Joan Laporta lost a confidence vote but survived his post and vowed see out his term through 2010. During his tenure, Barcelona signed a five-year commercial agreement with MLS that includes its two-game U.S. tour this summer.
USL-1 Results
The Charleston Battery beat the defending champion Seattle Sounders, 1-0, to open up a four-point lead at the top of the USL First Division. For all the results and goal scorers …
U.S. women triumph in Sundhage homecoming
[OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN] The U.S. women’s national team moved to 19-0-1 under first-year coach Pia Sundhage when it defeated Sweden, 1-0, on a 39th-minute goal from midfielder Carli Lloyd to complete a sweep of two matches in Scandinavia.
Backline: Soccer is de Bontin’s Passion
After years of involvement in U.S. soccer, French-born Jerome de Bontin takes over at Monaco.
MLS: Second Wave of Argentines
A fresh influx of South American players includes numerous Argentines who have taken spots on league rosters as MLS tries to upgrade its quality and intensity.
U.S. Soccer: Another Option at Outside Back
A heavy schedule of games in 2007 opened the door for several hopefuls to make their mark with the national team, and one of the players to emerge was left back.
Americans Abroad: Exciting Season for U.S. Exports
Several Americans abroad suffered the indignity of relegation, but others helped their teams avoid the drop and four lifted trophies.
MLS: The Saving of Santino Quaranta
By his own admission, Santino Quaranta should have been dead from all the drugs he took. He was a “full-blown addict” until he hit bottom last fall and sought treatment. With the help from friends, Quaranta is again playing in MLS.
Youth Beat: Will MLS Youth Investment Pay Off?
MLS clubs are buying into the notion that they can produce homegrown stars.
Yobo Gets Extended Leave After Brother’s Abduction
Everton’s Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo has been allowed an extended leave by the club after his brother was abducted in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Ballack Cool On New Chelsea Deal
With one year left on his current contract, Chelsea’s German midfielder Michael Ballack says he’s in no rush to sign a new one.
McClair Tipped to Be Fergie’s Number Two
If Alex Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz leaves Manchester United to coach Portugal, former forward and current youth academy director Brian McClair could be his replacement.
Why The Euros Don’t Need Expansion
Few people are disputing that we’ve just experienced the most attacking and entertaining European Championships of modern times. Yet Europe’s soccer governing body, UEFA, has decided that even something which isn’t broken must need fixing, writes Paul Wilson. That’s why it has tabled a proposal to extend the championships from 16 to 24 teams, starting […]
The Task Ahead For Spain’s Quiet Man
Freshly crowned European champion Spain is expected to appoint Vicente del Bosque as its new coach this week, writes Ian Hawley. And the former Real Madrid boss could be just the man to lead Spain’s young and talented squad to further titles. Del Bosque had a reputation for being docile at Real Madrid, because […]
Osorio Can’t Wait For Transfer Window
After being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by third-tier Crystal Palace Baltimore, the New York Red Bulls celebrated Independence Day with a 4-0 lashing at the Colorado Rapids. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio knew exactly where to place the blame — on the players. And he warned them that once the transfer window opens […]
Mastroeni, 31, Ready To Leave For Europe
Outfield soccer players are generally regarded as being at the peak of their careers in their mid- to late-twenties, so it’s all the more remarkable to hear Colorado Rapids and U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, 31, announce that at the end of the current major League Soccer season he’ll be heading for Europe. And it […]
Free Kick Masters A Letdown
Despite the presence of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, the weekend’s Free Kick Masters event at Reliant Stadium, Houston, was something of a lost opportunity, writes Jen Chang in a highly entertaining column. The organizers, who reported a 45,000 crowd that “was more in the range of 25,000,” weren’t helped by the late withdrawals of […]
Salt Lake plagued by Kreis’ blurred vision
The pieces are in place for Salt Lake City to join the growing cast of MLS cities offering fans a decent product in facilities that range from adequate to superb.
Soccer on TV
Thursday night’s MLS game pits Salt Lake against Houston. Three MLS games take place on Independence Day, including a clash between the best of the West (Los Angeles) and Eastern Conference leader New England. Two more MLS games take place Saturday.
France Keeps Domenech As Coach
The French Football Federation has announced that national team coach Raymond Domenech will remain in charge, despite France’s mediocre performance at Euro 2008. France finished bottom of its group with one point and one goal from its three games against Romania, Holland and Italy. “Domenech’s record is not that bad as coach. It is […]
