Category: Story

[YOUTH] Four U.S. Youth Soccer regional ODP teams are participating this week in an international festival in Barcelona, Spain. The 1992 boys went 2-2 against Catalan teams on Tuesday’s opening day. Region I and Region III beat Sanchez Llibre (3-1) and Cornella (3-0), while Region II lost to Espanyol (2-0) and Region IV fell to CF Damm (4-2). For complete rosters …

Philly makes it sweet 16, eventually

by Ridge MahoneyFebruary 29, 2008

Another major market, another sports-mad city, another enticing stadium proposal, and another well-heeled ownership group add up to another MLS expansion team. And yet another coup, at least on paper. The 14th and 15th teams haven’t played a game yet, but already MLS has announced team No. 16 will be Philadelphia, to begin play in 2010. The announcement of the entry marks a return of pro soccer to Philadelphia 28 years after the NASL Fury followed the Atoms and NPSL Spartans into oblivion.

March Madness

by Ridge MahoneyFebruary 29, 2008

February is a time for MLS teams to get fit and get acquainted. Aside from a few exceptions, the real work starts in March. Scrimmages against college teams and the U.S. under-17s give way to more rigorous tests against MLS foes and foreign opponents. More than half of the MLS teams are headed overseas this month. Broken down by destination, here are the itineraries for the 14 MLS teams in early March.

International Soccer Weekend TV Schedule

Two key matches in the battle for the English Premier League lead the place on early Saturday when leader Arsenal hosts Aston Villa, and second-place Manchester United plays at Fulham. In Spain’s tight La Liga race, leader Real Madrid and second-place Barcelona are both on the road. For televised weekend international action …

MLS Offseason Player Moves

The expansion San Jose Earthquakes acquired Irish midfielder Ronnie O’Brien from Toronto FC for a first-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money. For all the team-by-team offseason player moves …

Mexico sells out U-23 game in Oakland

[DATEBOOK] Such is the popularity of Mexican soccer in the Bay Area that the Mexico U-23 national team’s match against Australia on Sunday afternoon at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., is already a sellout.

Story, Youth Soccer Insider

Teaching the Game

by Tony DiCiccoFebruary 28, 2008

Coaches spend an awful lot of time teaching tactics, often telling players, for instance, that they need to stay in their positions. But what’s sometimes lost is the fact that soccer is a free-flowing expression of how you want to see the game unfold.

Gerrard Fed Up with Liverpool’s Failings

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard fired a warning to the club’s management that his patience is running out with Liverpool’s repeated domestic failings, admitting that even if the Anfield club delivered the Champions League, 2008 would still be branded as a failure. In an interview with LFC magazine, Gerrard said, “I have been looking at the […]

Quakes Add Ronnie O’Brien

The San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday acquired Ronnie O’Brien from Toronto FC in exchange for an undisclosed sum of cash and a first-round draft pick. Before spending last season with the MLS debutant, O’Brien, a former Republic of Ireland international, was twice an MLS All-Star in four seasons with FC Dallas. The right-sided midfielder endured […]

Part-Owners to be Unveiled at Dynamo Rally Friday

The deal that would make boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya and his business associate Gabriel Brener part-owners of the Houston Dynamo is “essentially done,” according to the Houston Chronicle. The proposed deal was widely reported earlier this week and will be finalized on Friday. De La Hoya and Brener, a Mexican investor partner in […]

Man City Owner Arrested in Thailand

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra was arrested in Bangkok on Thursday upon returning to his homeland for the first time in 17 months. The former Thailand prime minister had been living in London under a self-imposed exile. Shinawatra was taken into custody by police at Thailand’s international airport on charges of corruption. Two warrants for […]

Galaxy, in Need of Trades, Sends Players Home

The David Beckham Road Show has moved on to South Korea where the Los Angeles Galaxy will play Seoul FC on Friday, but several Galaxy players, including Landon Donovan, did not make the trip — some due to injuries, others to be traded, possibly, says the L.A. Times Grahame L. Jones. The club’s roster has […]

Soccer America Confidential, Story

Shuffling salaries for new strikers

by Ridge MahoneyFebruary 28, 2008

For MLS coaches, like the rest of us, much of life is one deadline after another. Next up is the date by which teams must be complaint with the salary cap, precise figure unknown, and the limits for the regular (18 players) and full (28) roster limits.

Fortunate looks kindly on Inter again

[ITALY] Inter Milan remained unbeaten when it tied second-place Roma, 1-1, on Wednesday to maintain its nine-point lead in Serie A. After going 17 years without a Serie A title, Inter is on course for its third in a row and 16th overall.

The Cup Season

[EUROPEAN RACES] An own goal in overtime gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 win at Sheffield United and moved it into the quarterfinals of the English FA Cup against Cardiff. Defending Bundesliga champion VfB Stuttgart was knocked out of the German Cup by Second Division Carl Zeiss Jena on penalty kicks. In Spain’s Copa del Rey, Barcelona and Valencia tied, 1-1. For all the results and schedules of the major European cup competitions …

MLS Offseason Player Moves

The Columbus Crew acquired Argentine forward Nico Hernandez from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Generation adidas defender Tim Ward and the Crew’s third-round selection in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft. For all the team-by-team offseason player moves …

A-word costs player 12 grand

by Mike WoitallaFebruary 28, 2008

[OFF THE POST] VfB Stuttgart’s German national team striker Mario Gomez was fined $12,000 for comments he made in a postgame interview about Karlsruhe defender Maik Franz, who hounded him during Stuttgart’s 3-1 win last weekend.

Young Argentine joins defending champ

by Ridge MahoneyFebruary 28, 2008

[MLS] While several MLS rivals scramble to sign pricey foreign strikers, the defending champion Houston Dynamo – whose needs in that position may be more pressing – are sticking to a low-key approach. Franco Caraccio, 21, has experience with Argentina’s under-20 team but has played only three professional seasons for Arsenal de Sarandi.

Eduardo leaves hospital

[ENGLAND WATCH] Arsenal forward Eduardo, who suffered multiple leg fractures from a brutal foul by Birmingham’s Martin Taylor last weekend, was released from the hospital and the club said he could make a full recovery in nine months.

Berhalter in Munich Marathon

[AMERICANS ABROAD] New Jerseyan Gregg Berhalter was part of the 1860 Munich defense that battled Bayren Munich for 120 minutes but fell on a last-minute penalty kick in the German Cup quarterfinals.

Dempsey, Fulham ‘Upbeat’ About Relegation Situation

ESPN’s Ravi Ubha speaks with Clint Dempsey about the worrying relegation situation at 19th place Fulham FC, which has been nicknamed “Team America” for the five Americans on its roster. Dempsey has been one of the better and more consistent performers at Craven Cottage this season, leading the team in scoring six goals. Nevertheless, a […]

Hicks Denies Liverpool Sale, Again

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks was again prompted to respond to allegations that he planned on selling his 50 percent stake in the club to Arab investment group Dubai International Capital. The Texas billionaire called the media speculation “absolutely and categorically false,” although ESPN implies that the statement, issued by Hicks on Tuesday, is a cover-up […]

Kinnear Reflects on Osaka Defeat

The Houston Chronicle’s Bernardo Fallas says there are lessons to be learned from the Dynamo’s 6-1 hammering by Gamba Osaka in the Pan-Pacific Championship final. Coach Dominic Kinnear, who’s not used to being beaten so comprehensively, reflected on the blowout loss. “The defeat opened our eyes,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of guys […]

Red Bulls Still Have Holes to Fill

Years of disappointment have left New York Red Bulls fans wondering what’s taking the team so long to fill in the holes left by the off-season departure of so many of its former players. That tension reached a boiling point last week when the Bulls traded defensive midfielder and long time starter Dema Kovalenko to […]

A Change Would Do PPC Good