[OFF THE POST] Roberto Fernandes, coach of Brazilian second division club Figueirense, felt central defender Jairo was playing significantly below form. So Fernandes forced Jairo to wear a small pink dress over his practice gear.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
USL Reaches for Big Apple
Professional soccer in New York City? Now there’s an idea. I’ll buy that. And that’s what the United Soccer Leagues, the USL – which likes to define itself as an “alternative league” to MLS – is promising us.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mexico Wants Away Win in Honduras
“We are very happy that we won at home, but now we have to win as visitors. It will be very important that we win if we want to qualify. I have said it from the start of qualifying, that it is fundamental that we win away from home. We have to manage the times […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Capello: Rooney Could Be Next Raul
"Because of his movement, his passion and leadership on the pitch, he is very similar to Raul. When I started at Madrid for the first time, Raul was 19. He was very young but he was already a leader on the field. Can Rooney be England captain? Why not? But you have to wait. Now […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Shearer Called Back to Newcastle As Coach
Former England captain and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer is set to return to the place where he gained fame, this time on the sidelines. Controversial owner Mike Ashley is expected announce tomorrow that Shearer will be given the reins of the once-proud club through the end of the current campaign, which finds Newcastle in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Berhalter Headed to MLS after 15 Years in Europe
After spending 15 seasons playing in Europe, World Cup veteran Gregg Berhalter is set to return to the USA and play for MLS very soon after his contract with German second division club 1860 Munich was recently terminated in advance of its June 30 expiration date, according to the AP. “The time has come to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Passport Loss Keeps Castillo at Home
I'm pretty sure there's no Spanish translation for "D'oh!" but seeing how Mexican midfielder Edgar Castillo originally hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico, perhaps he knows Homer enough that it was the aggravated expression he uttered when he realized he lost not only his passport but the opportunity to represent Mexico in an important World […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Altidore Important to USA Despite Club Slump
In what is becoming an increasingly familiar but equally alarming phenomenon, young Jozy Altidore is yet another U.S. player who while considered among the best talent America has to offer, can’t seem to find the field while plying his trade overseas in Europe. The notion “sounds crazy,” writes MLSnet.com’s Michael Lewis, but that’s just the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gooch: ‘Camaraderie’ Key to U.S. Success
“A big strength of our team is our camaraderie, on and off the field. We have a fairly young group of guys, and we all get along well. I think our game plan for the most part proves that we have good chemistry throughout the team. The coach has tried to instill that in us, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
1.6 Million Ticket Requests For South Africa 2010
FIFA announced on Wednesday it had received more than 1.6 million ticket requests from over 200 countries for the 2010 World Cup as part of the first phase of online sales, which closed Tuesday night. This first group of tickets will be allocated in a lottery to take place on April 15, which I'm sure […]
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: Sullivan Brings Unique Perspective To Telecasts
The mind of Christopher Sullivan works in myriad ways, and dozens of times a year, during telecasts of MLS matches or international games, viewers of Fox Soccer Channel hear the views and ideas of a former U.S. international steeped in many facets of the game. He played collegiately at the University of Tampa and professionally […]
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: MLS Shakes Up Youth Game
North Texas provides an example of how the youth landscape is changing now that MLS has entered the fray.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS: A Heavy Responsilbility
As MLS expands so does its need for players. Five players in MLS this year typify categories of players on which the league must depend because of financial constraints and other factors. Each carries a heavy responsibility in his team’s fortunes.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
2009 MLS Preview: Western Conference
1 – Salt LakeTeam on the rise has eye on the big prize Clint Mathis says he’s healthier and fitter than he’s been the past few years, and that could be bad news for the rest of MLS. “I feel good,” said Mathis after scoring both goals in a 2-1 Real Salt Lake win over […]
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
2009 MLS Preview: Eastern Conference
1 – ColumbusWarzycha takes over top job at top team One might forgive fans of the Columbus Crew if they feel somewhat aggrieved despite celebrating their first MLS Cup triumph just four months ago. Head coach Sigi Schmid, who in three seasons transformed the Crew from bottom-feeder to top dog, bolted for Seattle, and in […]
Posted inSoccer America Classifieds, Story
Soccer America Classifieds
Welcome to Soccer America Classifieds, Soccer America’s email newsletter connecting soccer companies and organizations to Soccer America members each week. Soccer America Classifieds feature soccer classified advertisements on the latest soccer job openings, soccer products and soccer opportunities. Read Soccer America Classifieds each Wednesday.
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Catch a full slate of MLS and Mexican league games this weekend. In Europe, Clint Dempsey’s Europe takes on Liverpool. Manchester United tries to protect its slim lead in the EPL as they square off against Brad Friedel’s Aston Villa. WPS marches on as FC Gold Pride hosts the Boston Breakers in Santa Clara, California.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Three crucial battles on tap
[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] On Wednesday, the first team could qualify for the 2010 World Cup, joining host South Africa in the 32-team field. Australia would clinch a berth in the finals with a victory over Uzbekistan in a game that kicked off at 5 a.m. ET and a tie between Bahrain and Qatar later in the day. The Australia-Uzbekistan match launched a crucial day of World Cup qualifying. Here’s a look at the most intriguing games, all available on television, on each of the three continents other than Concacaf on a day when there will be a full slate of games …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Lineup changes in store for USA
[HEXAGONAL] Unlike people in many professions, soccer players seldom sulk or mope after a disappointing game, usually because there’s another one right around the corner. Except for those rare occasions when a season or cup run ends in excruciating fashion, players must get on with it. After scraping out a 2-2 tie in San Salvador Saturday despite being outplayed for most of the match and falling behind, 2-0, the U.S. players can’t wait to rectify their reputations.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
By the Numbers: USA strong at home
[HEXAGONAL] History favors the USA when it meets Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup qualifying Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., (TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Galavision.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Obviously they (USA) will have at the back of their minds that we were the last team to defeat them in a World Cup qualifier (last year) so I think they are going to want to come at us and we would need to frustrate them for as long as possible.”
— Midfielder Chris Birchall of Trinidad & Tobago, which faces the USA Wednesday in Nashville. T&T defeated the USA, 2-1, in the semifinal round of 2010 World Cup qualifying after the USA had already clinched passage into the final round. (Trinidad & Tobago Express)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
El Salvador coach leaves hospital
[HEXAGONAL] Ever wonder what the impact of a tense match like Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between the USA and El Salvador has on a coach? El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos was hospitalized Sunday, complaining of dizziness. He was released Monday and joined the short-handed Salvadoran national team for its next qualifier against Costa Rica Wednesday at the Saprissa Stadium in San Jose.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Honduras aims to beat Mexico again
[HEXAGONAL] It’s only the third day of World Cup 2010 qualifying in the Concacaf zone, but Mexico and Honduras meet in a critical match for both teams Wednesday in San Pedro Sula (TV: Telemundo, live, 9:30 pm ET). If one team loses, look for its coach to be on his way out. One player who isn’t in San Pedro Sula is New Mexico product Edgar Castillo. Called in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Giovanni Dos Santos, Castillo was unable to travel with Mexico to Honduras because he lost his passport.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Coach resigns after wacky e-mail
[YOUTH] The coach of Scituate, Mass., U-8 girls team resigned after parents complained about his introductory e-mail, which encouraged players to eat “undercooked red meat” and play like a “Michael Vick pit bull.” The coach wrote that his players should be ready for “bumps, bruises and even bleed a little …. (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding).”
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Taking it on the chin [VIDEO]
[OFF THE POST] Uzbekistan’s coach prepares his team with a training method that has his players take aim at backboard with a hole slightly bigger than the ball. Players who miss the hole must move behind the wall, place their face in the hole, and await their teammates’ shots.