Jaime Moreno retired from international soccer Wednesday with a cameo appearance for Bolivia in an exhibition game against El Salvador at RFK Stadium. In the stadium where Moreno’s scored so many goals for D.C. United, however, it was a former United player, Eliseo Quintanilla, who scored the goal of the night as El Salvador ran […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beckham Should Leave L.A. For Good
David Beckham should leave MLS right now if he seriously wants to play for England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, writes Graham L. Jones. “Not on loan, not for just a short training spell with AC Milan or any other European club that comes calling, but for good — his own good […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Galaxy Kept In Dark About Beckham Move
While AC Milan broke the story Wednesday about taking David Beckham on loan in January, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber confirmed that talks were afoot, it seems that only the L.A. Galaxy was kept in the dark. No wonder Galaxy coach Bruce Arena described the whole affair as “odd.” “The first I heard about it […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The right to bear arms at kids’ game?
[OFF THE POST] Last week, we reported on a Pennsylvania woman who was allowed to keep her concealed handgun permit despite carrying a Glock 26 to her 5-year-old daughter’s soccer games. Now there’s news from Texas that a soccer dad might lose his permit after pulling a gun on the husband of his son’s female coach during a U-9 game.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Pumas take bite out of Dynamo
[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Whether due to fatigue, a backlog of games, or a fierce storm that delayed the kickoff 45 minutes, for one of the few times this season the Houston Dynamo just didn’t have it.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“This is a one-off incident and the practice isn’t prevalent in UAE football. It’s the players’ personal choice to use black magic and very much their own decision.”
— Ahmed Mohammed al Rahomi, spokesman of the Dubai Sports Council after two players, including United Arab Emirates’ star striker Faisal Khalil, were arrested on suspicion of practicing “black magic” and casting spells against other players. (The National)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Marksmen who make a difference
[MLS] Aside from a stout defense, a healthy squad, and some luck, what every MLS coach wants more than anything else in the playoffs is a hot scorer.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Anthems: Better Banned Than Booed
It is utterly perverse, and quite typical of soccer, that the French — the only country with a national anthem worth listening to — should come up with this choice example of utter buffoonery: if, when the anthem, La Marseillaise, is being played before a soccer game, someone boos, then the upcoming game should immediately be called off.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Basel battered by Barcelona
[UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Barcelona traveled to Basel and knocked in five goals, while there were narrow wins for Inter and Chelsea in Wednesday night’s Champions League action.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nigeria pulls plug on world championship
[2009 UNDER-17 WORLD CUP] Compared to most countries, Nigeria has been largely shielded from the credit crunch affecting markets around the world, but that has not stopped the Nigerian government pulling the plug on the organization of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
USL-1: A League Of Their Own
It’s been a banner year for the USL First Division. Charleston reached the U.S. Open Cup final, and Montreal and Puerto Rico have stolen the show in the Concacaf Champions League. Behind the league’s success has been the emergence of a group of stars who have found a home in the USA’s Division II league.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
U.S. Abroad: Mixed Fortunes
There was considerable movement for Americans abroad over the summer transfermarket. Eleven U.S. internationals moved from MLS to Europe or switched European clubs. A few have enjoyed instant success, but many have had to bide their time as they awaited their chance to get regular playing time.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Arturo Alvarez
Arturo Alvarez is just the kind of player MLS needs. He’s unpredictable and skillful. Only 23, Alvarez already has played six years in MLS.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Sacha Kljestan
Sacha Kljestan has blossomed under the tutelage of his childhood hero and Chivas USA coach Preki. In his third MLS season, he emerged as a key member of both the U.S. national team and Olympic team.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Yura Movsisyan
Born to Armenian parents in Azerbaijan, Yura Movsisyan emerged as a top prospect after his family moved to Southern California. He has finally come into his own in his second season at Real Salt Lake.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Gonzalo Segares
Chicago Fire’s Gonzalo Segares has emerged as one of the best defenders in MLS and gained the attention of the Costa Rican national team.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Bakary Soumare
In his second season with the Chicago Fire, Bakary Soumare has emerged as one of the top defenders in MLS. The Malian-born player has also begun to take an active interest in humanitarian causes.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: DiCicco’s Latest Challenges
World champion women’s coach opens another chapter on illustrious career.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS Rising Stars: Robbie Rogers
Robbie Rogers earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team thanks to a strong start with the Columbus Crew – but had no time to rest upon his return.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: Going Abroad, Risks and Rewards
Talented young Americans often face the choice of moving abroad to pursue their dreams. For Jose Francisco Torres, it seemed like the only option.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
U.S. Abroad: The Saga of Subotic
Three years after playing for the USA at the U-17 World Cup, 19-year-old Neven Subotic is starring for Bundesliga power Borussia Dortmund. The long and winding path that brought him this far helps explain why his national team future remains undetermined.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Baum: Michigan State’s A Contender
“The key here is some people had probably written us off. But we never wrote ourselves off, and now, I think people realize we’re a team that can do some damage here in the second half of the season.” Michigan State Men’s Coach Joe Baum looks forward after beating top 20 teams UIC, Michigan and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Walcott: Teams Will Be Scared To Play Arsenal
“All the teams in Europe will look and see the 5-2 win by Arsenal, away and with a young team, and I think they will be scared to play us.” Theo Walcott gets a little carried away after Arsenal’s 5-2 Champions League win at Fenerbahce.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Onalfo Praises Courageous Gomez
“He’s showing relentless courage and effort to get up and down the field and has been plugging away. Sometimes it takes a while to get that first goal, and it came at a perfect time.” Kansas City Wizards coach Curt Onalfo lauds Hercules Gomez, who scored the Wizards’ last-minute gamewinner against San Jose at the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mourinho: Drogba’s A Diver
“I am no longer Chelsea coach, and I do not have to defend them any more, but I think it is correct if I say [Didier] Drogba is a diver. Drogba, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Fernando] Torres and [Robin] Van Persie are the divers. Who dives more? Who has won more penalties in recent years? But English […]