[USA-MEXICO COUNTDOWN] Mexico goes into the Feb. 11 World Cup qualifier against the USA in Columbus, Ohio without a win over the Americans on U.S. soil since 1999, and El Tri has won just one of its last six games, but midfielder Antonio Naelson “Sinha” is expressing confidence.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Arena falls short of Hall of Fame selection
[HALL OF FAME] Coach Bruce Arena, widely considered the USA’s most successful coach for his achievements at the college, MLS and international level, finished first in voting among 2009 National Soccer Hall of Fame “Builder” candidates but failed to reach the 50 percent threshold needed for induction. Also, no “Veteran Players” tallied enough votes for 2009 induction.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Clough erases inspirational quotes
[OFF THE POST] With his team stuck in the lower half of the English second division, Coach Nigel Clough decided that the inspirational quotes from famous athletes, politicians and philosophers that adorned the walls of the club’s training facility weren’t much help. He had them painted over and noted, “most of the players can’t read anyway.”
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“In the end we lost a bad third goal because of an individual error by the goalkeeper, but I’m not going to point the finger of blame at anyone for that.”
– Falkirk coach John Hughes’ version of sparing keeper Dani Mallo of blame after a 3-0 loss to Glasgow Rangers. (Irish Times)
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: Wheddon’s Camp ‘Holiday’ Leads To Gold Medals
Phil Wheddon came to the USA from England in 1990 the way many young British players do: To see the nation while working at youth soccer camps.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
World Cup Qualifying: No Surprises In The Bunch
The USA’s five opponents in the Hexagonal, which kicks off Feb. 11, are all familiar foes. It’s faced each team at least once in the final round of Concacaf qualifying. All five teams have at least one player who came through the U.S. youth or college ranks.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
World Cup Qualifying: Central Casting
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has several candidates to fill the central midfield positions for the Hexagonal. He’s earned only 16 caps since debuting for the national team in 2005 yet Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark could be a major player.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Women’s Professional Soccer: A More Modest Proposition
Women’s Professional Soccer couldn’t have picked a worse time for the launch of a new league, but officials are confident that they can achieve success where WUSA, the previous attempt at women’s pro soccer, failed.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: Field Play Makes Better Keepers
Is the USA’s ability to produce great goalkeepers threatened by early specialization?
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
My View: Can USA Qualify With Flair?
The USA won’t have much trouble qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, but we should expect more. Getting its first win in Mexico and playing impressive soccer would be nice.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Preseason Preview
A new team in Seattle, the fifth expansion franchise added by MLS in the past five seasons, added drama to the MLS SuperDraft. As the teams prepared to start preseason training, most of them are facing further personnel moves based on their selections.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Best Girls Youth Clubs
A banner year propelled the Dallas Texans back into the top spot in Soccer America’s Best Girls Clubs rankings.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Best Boys Youth Clubs
For the first time, the Baltimore Casa Mia Bays are No. 1 in Soccer America’s Best Boys Club rankings.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Altidore Will Have To Prove Himself
“We’ve brought in a player who potentially could be an important player, but he’ll have to demonstrate it.” Spanish second division Xerez CD’s Sporting Director Miguel Angel Rondan on new loan signing from Villareal, Jozy Altidore.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Faubert Thought Madrid Interest ‘A Wind-Up’
“I got a call from a Madrid agent but I didn’t really take it seriously. I thought he was winding me up. Then a few minutes later my agent called to tell me it wasn’t a joke.” West Ham United’s French midfielder Julien Faubert, 25, who has made just 19 appearances for the EPL side […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Transfer Window Like A Desperate Late Kiss
“As it is, the main consequence of the transfer window seems to be that it forces transfer deals through that would seem absurd without the aid of a panicked midnight deadline, like desperate teenagers grabbing the nearest person for a snog as the last song comes on at a disco.” Josh Widdicombe reflects upon the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New Year, New England, New Faces
“I feel like we have enough guys who can step in and fill their shoes, hopefully. It’s part of the business and we realize that every year there’s going to be changes, and you have to move forward. You can’t dwell on who’s here and who’s not.” Little Stevie Ralston reports back for another year […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Chelsea Appeals Lampard Red
The English FA has received an appeal from Chelsea against midfielder Frank Lampard‘s sending off in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool. The player was given a straight red card by referee Mike Riley for a challenge on Xabi Alonso and faces a three-match ban. Television replays showed that Lampard clearly played the ball, and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Method In Benitez’s Madness
The stories that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has somehow “lost the plot” over the past few weeks are a misinterpretation of the Spaniard’s methods, writes Oliver Kay. He says that the manager is a thinker, and that his attack on his Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson last month, his decision to substitute Steven Gerrard during […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
EPL Goes Off Air In Africa
The British company that supplies broadcasts of the English Premier League to Africa went bust on Friday, depriving African fans of EPL action at the weekend. “Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” Gateway Broadcast Services […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Former Duke Striker Grella Signs For Leeds
Former Duke striker Mike Grella, 22, has signed for English third division (League One) club Leeds United, according to a list of completed transactions on the BBC website. The forward impressed the three-time English champion with a hat trick last month in an outing for Leeds Reserves. Other significant moves before the deadline expires […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beckham ‘Happy, Surprised’ To Be On Milan’s UEFA Cup Roster
AC Milan has named on-loan L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to its roster for its forthcoming UEFA Cup matches, a development that has left the player “really happy.” Beckham is now available for both the home and away games of the round of 32 meeting with Werder Bremen on February 18 and 26. His loan […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The U-20 South American Championship continues throughout the week. Catch English, Spanish and Italian Cups in midweek. Various European leagues are in action on the weekend. Look for Mexican League games and other updates in Friday’s Soccer on TV.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Longer loan would suit Donovan and MLS
Like his Galaxy teammate David Beckham, Landon Donovan says he wants to stay in Europe.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dempsey assists; Key U.S. players on bench
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Clint Dempsey continues to be one of the few U.S. field players enjoying a good run with his foreign club.