David Beckham, who hasn’t kicked a ball for Real Madrid since announcing his decision to move to MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy once his contract expires this summer, continues to be the central figure of internal politics at the Madrid club. Spanish league pundits, former coach Vicente Del Bosque and Real Madrid’s own players […]
Category: Story
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Liverpool Approves American Takeover
American sports tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks look certain to complete a takeover of Liverpool FC for an estimated $340 million (seeking additional investment for a new stadium and player acquisitions), after the cub’s board approved the move on Tuesday. Pending shareholder approval, the pair will become the seventh foreign and third American owner […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The English Brand was Built on its Stadiums
Soccer is a global game, but its brand is English, says Simon Kuper of the Financial Times. Indeed, the country that has produced few of the world’s great soccer players contains the prototype league for the world’s game-even though English clubs have won two European Cups in the last 20 years. So why do many […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
MLS: Colorado signs Panamanian striker Roberto Brown
Roberto Brown, a 29-year-old Panamanian forward, has signed with the Colorado Rapids. ''El Bombardero'' scored against the USA in a 1-1 tie during qualifying play for the 2006 World Cup. He arrives from Tacuarembo FC in the Uruguayan first division. ''His addition to the offensive line will help solve the scoring drought issues from last […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
U.S. U-20 WOMEN: Ellis opens first camp
New U.S. Under-20 women's national team's coach Jillian Ellis is conducting her first training camp of the new cycle, running Feb. 4-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The U-20s will be looking to play at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. They will play their first international matches of […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
U.S. U-20 WOMEN: Ellis opens first camp [#20275]
New U.S. Under-20 women's national team's coach Jillian Ellis is conducting her first training camp of the new cycle, running Feb. 4-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The U-20s will be looking to play at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. They will play their first international matches of […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
BUSINESS: A Nike-adidas showdown in Germany
When Germany won its first World Cup in 1954, adidas founder Adi Dassler was hailed for providing the team with revolutionary screw-in studs that helped the players cope with the water-logged field in Bern, site of their 3-2 win over Hungary. For another half-century, and two more World Cup victories, Germany wore the three stripes […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
OFF THE POST: Stripping coach apologizes
After being highly criticized for his method of protesting a referee's call, the Portuguese coach of Egyptian champion Al Ahli has apologized. ''After analyzing my reaction … I found out that it was inappropriate and I apologize to all fans in general and to Al Ahli's fans in particular,'' Manual Jose said. ''I forgot at […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“I like the style of play that they play. It’s just one of those things that you look forward to. You like to play against teams that play good soccer, and hopefully we can win.” — U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey on Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico in Arizona. More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold. […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
3. BUSINESS: A Nike-adidas showdown in Germany
When Germany won its first World Cup in 1954, adidas founder Adi Dassler was hailed for providing the team with revolutionary screw-in studs that helped the players cope with the water-logged field in Bern, site of their 3-2 win over Hungary. For another half-century, and two more World Cup victories, Germany wore the three stripes […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
4. MLS: Colorado signs Panamanian striker Roberto Brown
Roberto Brown, a 29-year-old Panamanian forward, has signed with the Colorado Rapids. “El Bombardero” scored against the USA in a 1-1 tie during qualifying play for the 2006 World Cup. He arrives from Tacuarembo FC in the Uruguayan first division. “His addition to the offensive line will help solve the scoring drought issues from last […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
2. TV PREVIEW: Brazil and Portugal clash in London
Brazil and Portugal meet for the first since 2003 when they face off in an international friendly Tuesday in London at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live, 3 pm ET). Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal’s Brazilian coach, has sat on the bench for two previous Brazil-Portugal friendlies — the first as Brazil coach in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
6. U.S. U-20 WOMEN: Ellis opens first camp
New U.S. Under-20 women’s national team’s coach Jillian Ellis is conducting her first training camp of the new cycle, running Feb. 4-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The U-20s will be looking to play at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile. They will play their first international matches of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
5. OFF THE POST: Stripping coach apologizes
After being highly criticized for his method of protesting a referee’s call, the Portuguese coach of Egyptian champion Al Ahli has apologized. “After analyzing my reaction … I found out that it was inappropriate and I apologize to all fans in general and to Al Ahli’s fans in particular,” Manual Jose said. “I forgot at […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
7. OFF THE POST: Leveling the playing field
The Cambodian soccer federation has banned clubs from using their foreign players in its 30-team cup competition because, “They’re taller, stronger and more experienced, so it’s unfair if we let them play,” explained Federation chairman Sao Sokha. The foreign contingent, comprised of North Korean, Nigerian and Brazilian imports, will be allowed back when the league […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Klinsmann Still Open to U.S. Job
In an interview with Reuters’ Erik Kirschbaum, Juergen Klinsmann did not rule out ever coaching the U.S. national team. Speaking from his home in Huntington Beach, Calif., Klinsmann revealed that he was disappointed negotiations between he and U.S. Soccer broke down. “That was truly unfortunate. We were really quite far along in the talks, but […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS Rejects $2 Million Celtic Bid for Joseph
During the European transfer window, which ended last Wednesday, Major League Soccer rejected the advances of two European soccer clubs on New England Revolution players Shalrie Joseph and Taylor Twellman. It was perhaps most surprising that Celtic’s well-documented pursuit of Shalrie Joseph ended in stalemate despite the Scottish club doubling its initial $1 million offer. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
In Madrid, an Ominous Sign for Calderon and Capello
When Real Madrid fans reach into their pockets and start waving the white hanky, it’s a sign of things to come, writes Sid Lowe of the Guardian. The white flag waving is a classic gesture of Spanish disgust, he explains, and Sunday’s showcase was the biggest mass hanky wave since at the Santiago Bernabeu since […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
McBride Downs Newcastle, Earns Manager’s Praises
One day after Fulham manager Chris Coleman sung Brian McBride’s praises for being one of the best buys in Premiership history, the American striker scored yet another game winner for the Cottagers. Playing at home to Newcastle United, Fulham won 2-1 thanks to a 73rd minute tap-in from McBride, who scored with ease after new […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Economic Impact of Suspending Play in Italy
Play in Italy has been suspended indefinitely due to rioting that caused the death of one police officer and scores of injuries to fans and officials following the Sicilian derby between Palermo and Catania on Friday. While tough talk from Serie A officials suggested that soccer could be suspended for the remainder of the season, […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
ITALY: Policeman's death might prompt drastic measures
After deciding to suspend all soccer indefinitely following the death of a policeman in rioting at Friday's Serie A derby match between Catania and Palermo in Sicily, Italian soccer officials were scheduled to meet with government officials on Monday to contemplate long-term measures to stem volence in the Italian game. Italian newspapers said the government […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
USA-MEXICO: Four foreign-based players on U.S. squad
U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley has called up 20 players — 16 from MLS and four from the EPL — for the friendly against Mexico on Feb. 7 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (TV: ESPN2 and Univision, 9 p.m. ET; kickoff at 9:25 pm ET). ''After weeks of getting to […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
WORLD: Real Madrid hits new low
Real Madrid's trouble continued as it lost to relegation candidate Levante, 1-0, at home on Sunday, and fans at the Bernabeu Stadium demanded the resignation of President Ramon Calderon and Coach Fabio Capello. Real Madrid fell behind on Salva Ballesta's 11th-minute penalty and rarely looked like it would equalize against Levante, 18th in the 20-team […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
AMERICANS ABROAD: McBride scores in EPL's 'U.S.' game
Four Americans took the field in an English Premier League game on Saturday punctuated by Brian McBride's gamewinning goal — a 73rd minute strike that gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Newcastle, for whom Oguchi Onyewu debuted four days after joining the team on loan from Belgium's Standard Liege. Carlos Bocanegra, like McBride, started for […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
2. AMERICANS ABROAD: McBride scores in EPL’s ‘U.S.’ game
Four Americans took the field in an English Premier League game on Saturday punctuated by Brian McBride‘s gamewinning goal — a 73rd minute strike that gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Newcastle, for whom Oguchi Onyewu debuted four days after joining the team on loan from Belgium’s Standard Liege. Carlos Bocanegra, like McBride, started for […]