[MAKING A LIST] Ezra Hendrickson, who capped his 12-season tenure in Major League Soccer by helping the Crew to its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 — and his third with three different teams — announced his retirement. Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, played 298 regular-season and playoff games with six different teams. He attended Drake University and later captained the St. Vincent & the Grenadines national team. He’s the eighth player to leave the Crew in the offseason. For all the team-by-team moves …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
No-Trial Option Shaped Parkhurst’s Danish Decision
The InterLiga, the USA-based Libertadores Cup qualifying tournament for Mexican clubs, continues on Friday and Sunday. In the English Premier League’s marquee game, Manchester United clashes with Chelsea on Sunday.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Marta Leaves Sweden, Headed For LA?
“The Ferrari went straight into the wall, his front left-hand wheel came off and then Ronaldo got out of the car. … Obviously I was stunned at seeing a Ferrari go in the wall and seeing Ronaldo. He was obviously shaken – who wouldn’t be? – but it’s a shame about the car as well.”
— Jody Lomax, who witnessed Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo total his car. Ronaldo was able to practice later that day. Go HERE for video of the smashed up Ferrari. (BBC)
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Cristiano Ronaldo Unhurt After Wrecking Ferrari
“One thing’s clear: there’s not much to negotiate. We want an eight-figure sum. But I have to say, Cologne has moved towards that again. It looks good. I’m confident it will come off.” Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thinks that agreement on Lukas Podolski‘s transfer to FC Cologne is close to completion.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Everton Eyes Altidore
“I think it was a necessary move for me to come away from the States and fulfill a dream to play in Europe. At the same time, having to adjust, it’s easier and better for you as a professional if you can do it at a younger age. To get into the whole atmosphere and […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
2009 Combine Rosters
“He chooses his words so carefully that press conferences can slow to a crawl as he seems to weigh the possible ramifications of each statement before voicing it. The Princeton-educated coach has mastered the art of answering a question while saying little of substance. His mantra about the importance of work is so often repeated […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Top young prospects for MLS 2009
Former Juventus General Manager Luciano Moggi was sentenced to 18 months in prison Thursday after being found guilty in the Gea World transfer corruption trial. Agent Davide Lippi, son of Italian coach Marcello Lippi, was acquitted along with three others.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
A Real Problem
Reading FC coach Wally Downes has warned that soccer games could become drawn-out four-hour affairs and be subject to abuse by advertisers if video technology is introduced. He believes soccer would be ruined if games become like American football matches, which require at least three hours to complete 60 minutes of actual play. Downes’ […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Derby upsets Manchester United
Former New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst has revealed why he signed for Danish club Nordsjaelland during the offseason — it was the only team that didn’t want to take a look at him first on trial. “We had guys coming in [at New England] on trial and potential future teammates don’t really treat […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Freddy Adu gets a start
FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta has left Swedish side Umea IK after the breakdown of talks over a new contract, the club announced Wednesday. On Tuesday, Swedish tabloid Expressen reported that the Brazilian forward has signed a preliminary contract with the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer, and that the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
The 2008 European Footballer of the Year, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 23, totaled his Ferrari on the way to training Thursday, but escaped unhurt. He later took part in the training session. His sports car crashed into a roadside barrier in a tunnel near Manchester airport. No other vehicles were involved. Witnesses said Ronaldo […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Hernandez and Ihemelu join U.S. roster
Everton is interested in Villareal’s U.S. striker Jozy Altidore, according to Sky Sports, quoting no sources. It does not state whether the English Premier League side, which has an injury crisis among its forwards, is interested in purchasing Altidore or taking him on loan. Either way, the site says that the Spanish team has […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
FA slashes prices for Wembley games
[MLS] The MLS Player Combine takes place Jan. 9-13 at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Combine, in which more than 70 young players take part, is designed to give MLS coaches and general managers a final chance to evaluate talent in preparation for the SuperDraft on Jan. 15. For the Combine rosters.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Matkovich takes U-18s Down Under
[MLS] Into a sports landscape changed once again, by elimination of the MLS reserve system and widespread economic queasiness, nine college players have left school early to sign Generation adidas contracts.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beckham Will Imbalance Milan, Says Totti
[ENGLAND] Manchester United brought on Cristiano Ronaldo late in the game and he almost scored on a free kick, but Man U fell, 1-0, to second division struggler Derby in their League Cup semifinal first-leg clash.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Denilson Heads For Bolton Tryout
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Freddy Adu, who has played only 100 minutes in nine French First Division appearances since joining Monaco last summer, started against Juventus and helped set up a goal.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Zenit Only Talking To Arsenal About Arshavin
“We have to overcome a series of obstacles before advancing to the World Cup. I expect climbing Mount Halla will help players endure tough times ahead.”
— South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo is having his squad climb to the peak of Mount Halla in hopes it will inspire them to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. A 5.5 mile trail leads to the summit. (Donga-A Ilbo)
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blanco Likely Back For Another Year
[U.S. SOCCER] Coach Bob Bradley has welcomed San Jose defender Jason Hernandez and Colorado defender Ugo Ihemelu into the team’s Southern California training camp to replace Clarence Goodson and Cory Gibbs.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Myth Of Villa’s ‘English Spine’
[SIGN OF THE TIMES] England’s Football Association is cutting ticket prices by as much as 25 percent for upcoming home matches against Slovakia (March 28), Ukraine (April 1) and Andorra (June 10) at Wembley Stadium.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rookie Road Harder Than Ever In MLS
[U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAMS] New U.S. under-18 men’s national team coach Mike Matkovich is taking 18 players to Sydney, Australia, where they will compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. For the complete U-18 roster …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Messi Bosses Atletico With Copa Hat Trick
I have long been a fan of “The Family Circus” comic strip. Perhaps my favorite strip of all time features the family dog barking up a storm in the middle of the night. Dad, irritated that he’s been awakened from a much-needed sleep, clomps down the stairs to yell at Barfy, who dutifully hangs his head. Dad climbs back up the stairs while the cartoonist has a surprise for us. He pans back so we see in the far corner of the yard a burglar retreating.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Torres Happy With ‘Hard Decision’
“I like [David] Beckham a lot and I’m glad he’s chosen to play in our league. But let’s hope [Milan coach] Carlo Ancelotti fields all his big-name players together. I honestly think that could be an advantage for us as the team would be unbalanced.” Roma’s Francesco Totti looks forward to this coming weekend’s Roma-Milan […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
No More Sugar Daddy Bailouts For EPL
Former FC Dallas designated failure Denilson, 31, is to have a trial with Bolton Wanderers. The player is a free agent (again) after being released by Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Top collegian leaves school for MLS
Zenit St. Petersburg General Director Maxim Mitrofanov has said that the team is talking exclusively to Arsenal about the proposed transfer of Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin. Mitrofanov said he hopes a deal can be reached within the next two weeks. Arshavin’s agent has claimed that Zenit is making a deal difficult by inflating the playmaker’s […]
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Beckham makes his AC Milan debut
“The Fire and Cuauhtemoc Blanco are nearing a deal that would bring the 35-year-old midfielder back to Chicago for a third season, according to sources,” Luis Arroyave reports. All that’s left to do is sign the contract.