Category: Story

[OLYMPIC QUALIFYING] It was predictable: another U.S.-hosted Concacaf tournament and more Cuban defections. Within 15 minutes of arriving back at their team hotel after their sensational performance against the United States in their opening game of the Concacaf Olympic men’s qualifying tournament, five players — including goalie Jose Manuel Miranda, who was instrumental in Tuesday’s 1-1 tie — fled Tampa and defected.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Everton and Benfica, the last two teams with Americans playing in the UEFA Cup, exited in the round of 16 on Wednesday. With Tim Howard in goal, Everton beat Fiorentina, 2-0, to even their series at 2-2 but was eliminated, 4-2, in the shootout. While Freddy Adu is on under-23 duty, Benfica fell at Getafe, 1-0, and exited, 3-1, on aggregate.

[OLYMPIC QUALIFYING] After the USA, which had to settle for a 1-1 tie with Cuba on Tuesday in Tampa, it was Group B favorite Mexico’s turn to be stymied when the Tri was held to a 1-1 tie by Canada in Concacaf Olympic men’s qualifying action on Wednesday at the Home Depot Center in front of 9,949 fans. Canada entered the tournament with little preparation and without many of its better players but earned the tie in a match that saw both goalscorers later red-carded. In Wednesday’s first game, Guatemala edged Haiti, 1-0.

[OFF THE POST] Reason magazine reported that Guatemalan immigrant Pedro Zapata had $59,000 of cash confiscated, while on the way to his home country, by U.S. airport security, which suspected him of being a courier for drug dealers. Zapata, who was released and exonerated of the drug charge, explained that he was able to save so much money from his income as a dishwasher in Northern California because his only entertainment for seven years was Spanish-language TV and soccer games in a local park.

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

[REF WATCH] Referee Jose Henrique de Carvalho has been suspended for 15 days for showing Guaratingueta midfielder Magal two yellow cards in a 2-0 loss to Corinthians without sending him off.

[SCOUTING REPORT] Group B in Concacaf’s Olympic men’s qualifying begins on Wednesday at the Home Depot Center, where Mexico is the heavy favorite. Led by Marvin Avila, who scored two goals against Mexico’s national team in October, Guatemala could provide the Tri’s most difficult test. Lack of preparation is an issue for the other two teams in Group B, Canada and Haiti.

Defender Hendry Thomas‘ goal in the 90th minute gave Honduras a 1-0 win over Panama and the lead in Group A at the Concacaf Olympic men’s qualifying tournament in Tampa. For all the results and complete TV schedule …

[UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Liverpool made it 4-for-4 for English clubs in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League when it beat Inter Milan, 1-0, on Fernando Torres‘ goal and moved into the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-0 victory on aggregate. The Reds join Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea — the three teams ahead of them in the EPL standings — in Friday’s draw for the quarterfinals. Barcelona of Spain, Fenerbahce of Turkey, Roma of Italy and Schalke 04 of Germany round out the final eight.