Serie A title pretender Roma failed to take maximum points from Tuscan opposition for the fourth time this season, losing 3-0 away to Siena. On the other three occasions, the Giallorossi had managed to come away with a point. Unfortunately, says the Guardian’s Richard Aikman, nine dropped points against the likes of Empoli, Fiorentina, Livorno […]
Category: Story
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Galaxy Thankful for a Fresh Start
Ruud Gullit’s Los Angeles Galaxy opened preseason training on Monday, and the Associated Press was on hand to interview — who else — star midfielder David Beckham. Asked what he wanted most this season, Becks responded, “To win something … We can’t afford to be in the position we were in, where we ended up […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New Management, New Day at RSL
In an interview with Goal.com’s Kyle McCarthy, Garth Lagerway, the new general manager at Real Salt Lake, argues that his team is ready to make the jump from MLS playoff spoiler to perennial contender. A former goalkeeper with Kansas City, Miami and Dallas, Lagerwey, a lawyer, succeeded Steve Pastorino as RSL GM last year. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Crew Miss Out on Poland Striker
As the dust settled last Friday, the day after the European transfer window closed, The Columbus Dispatch was all but certain the Crew would be naming Polish striker Maciej Zurawski as its new designated player. But then, “without warning,” the paper says the man they call “Magic” did an about-face and accepted a deal with […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
CONCACAF qualifying kicks off
[WORLD CUP WATCH] The long road to South Africa began in CONCACAF on Sunday with a surprise as Cayman Islands tied Bermuda, 1-1, in Hamilton. The attention of U.S. fans will be focused on the match Wednesday in Roseau, where Dominica hosts Barbados at Windsor Park.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Chicago’s Hamlett debuts with holes to fill
[MLS TEAM PREVIEWS] On the eve of its departure for Florida came news one more of Chicago’s top 2007 performers wouldn’t be around for 2008. Replacing goalie Matt Pickens, reportedly headed to English club QPR, is just one of the question marks incoming head coach Denis Hamlett faces, along with finding a replacement for midfield linchpin Chris Armas, shoring up the scoring and handling the unique talents and personality of Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Offseason Player Moves
Chivas USA signed Swiss midfielder Raphael Wicky, a 2006 World Cup veteran with over decade’s professional experience in Germany, Spain and Switzerland. The 30-year-old Wicky has more than 70 international appearances for the Swiss national team. For all the team-by-team offseason player moves …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Egypt and Cameroon complete semifinal field
[AFRICAN NATIONS CUP] Defending champion Egypt beat Angola, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup to set up a rematch of the 2006 final with Ivory Coast in Thursday’s semifinal. Host Ghana will meet Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, who knocked out Tunisia, 3-2, in overtime.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
NBA star Steve Nash buys into women’s league
[WPS] Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo! President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Mallett will become investors and part owners of Women’s Professional Soccer, the women’s league scheduled to begin play in 2009.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
How January transfers affected ‘Yank’ clubs
Ridge Mahoney examines all the moves
[ENGLAND WATCH] While the transfer sagas of Eddie Johnson (to Fulham) and Brad Guzan (not to Aston Villa) occupied the attention of U.S. fans, numerous other moves were made by the English Premier League clubs for which American players toil. Here’s a brief look at how EPL teams with current U.S. players used the January transfer window.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Mexico: Tri is flawed favorite
Mike Woitalla reports from Houston
In the FIFA World Ranking, Mexico is 15th and the USA trails at No. 20. El Tri’s corps of European-based players includes two Barcelona players and two who won titles last season in the Netherlands and Germany. The majority of the crowd in Houston on Wednesday will be Mexico supporters. So why will it be foolish to bet on Mexico when it faces the USA (TV; ESPN2 and Univision, live, 9 pm ET)?
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: Tom Dooley Multi-tasks From So Cal
The two-time U.S. World Cup veteran stays on the ball in various ways.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Life In the Pros: The New Generation
Top picks in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft include members of Generation adidas, the program that offers tuition grants to players who skip college ball or leave before completing their NCAA eligibility.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS: Sweet Scenario in Seattle
Entertainer and producer Drew Carey is the most famous member of the group investing in a Seattle MLS franchise, yet two other members also bring business clout and a love for soccer to the table.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
2008 Best Girls Clubs
For the second year in a row, Eclipse Select and the Dallas Texans are 1-2 in Soccer America’s rankings of the Best Girls Clubs. Southern California’s Slammers moved up two spots to No. 3.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
2008 Best Boys Clubs
For the first time since Soccer America began its annual rankings of the Best Boys Clubs, the Dallas Texans are No. 1. They edged the Chicago Magic, first the last three years. Arsenal FC of Southern California again completed the podium.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Euro 2008 Countdown: The New Wave
A new generation of stars is set to take over European soccer. Here’s a look at some of the young players who could play key roles at the 2008 European Championship.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: A Different Approach
A replica of the French federation’s youth development program may not be feasible in the USA, but some key aspects of the system are worth considering.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Preseason Prospectus
A strong crop of defenders marked the 2008 MLS SuperDraft but none went in the first five picks, kicking off a day of surprises and disappointments.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Maurice Edu: Fast Track to Stardom
Maurice Edu was hardly noticed when he was being recruited out of high school in California, but the midfielder made a quick transition from the University of Maryland to MLS’s Toronto FC and an even quicker adjustment to the international game with three wins, all shutouts, in his first three starts for the U.S. national team.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Pressure’s on Mexico’s Sanchez
Will it be three strikes and out for Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez? The Tricolores have already played the United States in the United States twice during Sanchez’s short tenure, yet for all his talk about how Mexico is the better team with the better players, the USA bested Sanchez’s Mexico in both meetings last year. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Transfers Underscore MLS Evolution
MLS is no longer on the outside looking in at the European transfer window, says Yahoo Sports’ Martin Rogers. In fact, no longer will MLS clubs be allowed to look at it from that vantage point, he says. Indeed, MLS-related news has died down now that the transfer window has been closed shut, as barely […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ferguson Uncovers Manucho
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is once again looking like a genius for signing one of the world’s best young talents. Manucho, the 24-year-old Angola striker Manucho terrorized defenses at the African Nations Cup, scoring four goals in four games in an impressive quarterfinal finish for outsider Angola, who on Monday lost, 2-1, to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Barca Eyes La Liga Comeback
Barcelona left it very late on Sunday, beating Osasuna 1-0 with an 88th-minute strike from midfielder Xavi. The win helped the Catalans gain three crucial points on league leader Real Madrid, which lost, 2-0, to Almeria on Saturday. Real is now six points ahead of Barca at the top of the La Liga standings. The […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mascherano Close to Permanent Liverpool Deal
Javier Mascherano expects to be made a permanent Liverpool player by the end of the week, the Argentine told reporters on Monday. The 23-year-old has been playing at Anfield for over a year on a long-term loan from rights holder, Media Sport Investment. Because he’s owned by an agency and not a club, the deal […]