[WPS] It took 11 games, but Amy Rodriguez, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 WPS Draft, finally got her first goal, scoring in the Boston Breakers’ 2-0 win over the struggling Chicago Red Stars. Frenchwoman Camille Abily added to her leading-league tally, scoring in the leader Los Angeles Sol’s 2-0 win over FC Gold Pride.
Category: Story
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The USA’s Amazing South African Sunday
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Unlike its depressing defeats against Italy and Brazil, in beating Egypt, 3-0, the USA. exploited flaws and characteristics it had detected, but only because its execution and spirit matched the occasion.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Islanders take over first place
[USL-1] The Puerto Rico Islanders, last year’s USL First Division regular-season champions, are back on top in the USL-1 following a pair of 1-0 wins over the Charleston Battery.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Michael Bradley top of class
[USA-EGYPT REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Egypt in the Confederations Cup.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Lust for Goals Propels USA Into Semifinals
Stunning is the word, I think, for the USA’s rebirth at the Confederations Cup. Did I think the USA could beat Egypt? Maybe, but certainly not by 3-0.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Loaded U-20 women’s team to play in Germany
The U.S. under-20 women’s national team, loaded with some of the USA’s top young talent, headed to Germany for matches against the England and German U-19s, who are both preparing for the UEFA Under-19 Women’s Championships. For the U.S. roster …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
National spring high school champs crowned
South Carolina’s Northwestern High School and Atlanta’s St. Pius X are the top ranked teams in the final NSCAA/adidas High School Spring Rankings for boys and girls, respectively.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Teams advance to Presidents Cup finals
US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup champions — representing 27 different clubs — were crowned in three of four regions. The Region I Presidents Cup will be held June 20-21 in Kirkwood, Del. The national finals will take place July 17-19 at the WRAL Soccer Complex in North Carolina.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Santa Clara Sporting takes two National Cup VIII regional titles
Santa Clara Sporting led all teams with two titles at U.S. Club Soccer’s National Cup VIII regionals that concluded Tuesday in Modesto, Calif. Girls play will take place this weekend. For all the Modesto boys champions …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Surprises at Region IV boys quarterfinals
The Ventura County Fusion’s DMS 11 upset the defending champion Cisco Toros of Arizona, 3-2, in under-19 boys quarterfinal action Friday at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championships in Lancaster, Calif. In another surprise, the 2009 Dallas Cup U-15 champion Santa Clara Sporting fell to Sereno White of Arizona, 3-1, in boys quarterfinal action. For all of Friday’s quarterfinal results …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
USA gets Egypt ’09 sneak preview
The U.S. under-20 men’s national team heads to Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday to continue preparations for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Thomas Rongen‘s Americans will play two international friendlies against Egypt on June 27 and June 29. For the U.S. roster …
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
We pick MLS’s best players
The midpoint of the 2009 MLS season, conveniently enough, dove-tails with the start of summer, and thus a staggering load of international competitions and friendly matches. The first half of the league season won’t much resemble what follows, but for the past three months, these are the players who have been essential to their teams’ success.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Goal spree Propels Toronto FC into Champions League
On Thursday, Toronto FC needed to win by at least four goals over the Montreal Impact to win the Canadian Nutrilite Championship and represent Canada in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto put in six goals, winning 6-1 with an epic attacking display to earn the first trophy in team history. With the heavens pouring […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
U.S. Tries To Explain Itself After Brazil Loss
U.S. coach Bob Bradley and his players assesed their 3-0 Confederations Cup loss to Brazil on Thursday. Obviously, they lamented the early goal conceded and Sasha Kljestan‘s ejection, but Landon Donovan pointed out Brazil’s overall advantage: “They pass the ball very well. Athletically, even if you do get a chance to get around them and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Semifinals Set for Copa Libertadores
Cruzeiro booked its spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals with a 2-0 win over fellow-Brazilian team Sao Paulo on Thursday, while Estudiantes of Argentina defeated Uruguay's Defensor Sporting to advance. Sao Paulo had two players sent off and Cruzerio took advantage of its extra men to come away with a 4-1 aggregate victory after winning […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New England Tests Veteran Striker Jankauskas
Edgaras Jankauskas, the 34-year-old Lithuanian striker, has appeared more than 50 times for his country. Jankauskas played for Portuguese giants FC Porto when the club won the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and 2004. He also starred for Benfica, Real Sociedad, Hearts and CSKA Moscow at various points during his lengthy […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
South Africans Defend the Noisy Vuvuzela
As the rest of the world complains that the relentless noise created by vuvuzela trumpets during Confederations Cup games pains its ears, South African fans defend their noisemakers. South Africans take pride in instrument as a unique part of their culture. "This is our voice. We sing through it," said Chris Massah Malawai, a 23-year-old […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Egypt Players Robbed During Game Against Italy
Members of Egypt’s team had their Johannesburg hotel rooms burgled while they were upsetting Italy 1-0 at the Confederations Cup on Thursday. Only one of the five rooms that had been invaded had cash, she said, but it was unclear how much money was stolen. “We’re busy investigating,” national police spokeswoman Sally De Beer said. […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The SuperLiga competition — Mexican clubs vs. MLS clubs — kicks off this weekend with a pair of games on both Saturday and Sunday. In the USL Game of the Week, Portland hosts Minnesota. The weekend is full of MLS action and a WPS clash between Los Angeles and FC Gold Pride. Weekend FIFA Confederations Cup action includes USA-Egypt and Italy-Brazil on Sunday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Atlanta follows WUSA Beat
[WPS] Atlanta was confirmed as Women’s Professional Soccer ‘s ninth team. The Beat — named after the WUSA team of the same name — will begin play in 2010 along with the Philadelphia Independence as expansion teams. The Beat, owned by Atlanta businessman Fitz Johnson, named former FC Dallas front-office executive and SMU associate athletic director Shawn McGee its general manager.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Pharaohs produce enviable performance
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] In beating Italy, 1-0, on Thursday, Egypt produced a performance one would have hoped from the USA — plenty of good soccer, spirited play and spectacular goalkeeping. The result kept all four teams contending for Group B’s two spots in the semifinals — though the USA is a longshot even if it beats the Pharaohs on Sunday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
South Africa ’09 on television
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] The USA concludes play in Group B at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa against Egypt on Sunday. For the tournament’s complete television schedule …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Kljestan and Beasley disappoint the most
[BRAZIL-USA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Brazil at the Confederations Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Red Bulls must win
[MLS PREDICTIONS] With four teams participating in SuperLiga play, only five weekend league games are scheduled. (Toronto takes the week off from league play.) California Clascio rivals Los Angeles and San Jose square off in the Oakland Coliseum for the second time this season, Seattle crosses the country to play New York, Houston gets a chance to separate itself from Western co-leader Chivas USA when it hosts Real Salt Lake, and Eastern leader D.C. United continues its road trip in Colorado. For all of Soccer America’s predictions, as well as TV viewing information, and to see how we’ve fared so far this season. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Not so popular
[OFF THE POST] Fans of Brazilian club Palmeiras who want to see its coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, sacked because of the team’s elimination from the Libertadores Cup have created a website called “Luxa Out.” The site received nearly 50,000 hits in the first day.