Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer America

“Hopefully we can make it a nice week for the family. I’ve talked to her family and everybody is excited and hopefully we can top off the week with a win [Wednesday]. I’m feeling the pride myself that my cousin came third.”

— Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, whose cousin, Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, won an Olympic bronze medal for Canada in the women’s 100-meter hurdles on Tuesday. On Wednesday, De Rosario lines up for Canada in its World Cup qualifying game against Jamaica. (Globe and Mail)

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

USA faces ‘incredibly difficult’ road test

by Ridge Mahoney

[WORLD CUP 2010] Not so long ago the U.S. hung a big number on Guatemala, but by all indications it won’t happen Wednesday in Guatemala City when the nations kick off the semifinal round of CONCACAF 2010 World Cup qualifying (TV: 10 pm ET on ESPN2 and Galavision.) The USA has won only once in nine trips to the Central American nation of 13 million people, and that lone 1-0 victory came 20 years ago on a goal by Jeff Agoos, a rarity indeed. It tied 0-0 three years ago and 1-1 in 2000 on its last two qualifying visits.

Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story

England’s Downing Happy With Capello’s Meritocracy

by Soccer America

As England shapes up for an international friendly against the Czech Republic Wednesday, Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has praised new manager Fabio Capello for turning the England squad into a meritocracy. That is, he’s more confident that he’ll be picked under Capello than he would have been under predecessor Steve McClaren. Downing, who also played […]

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

One game away from gold

by Ridge Mahoney

[RECAP] A year ago in China, the U.S. women were thumped 4-0 by Brazil in the semifinal of Women’s World Cup. The controversy surrounding the benching by then-coach Greg Ryan of goalkeeper Hope Solo overshadowed the deficiences in the overall U.S. game against the dazzling Brazilians, who lost the final to Germany. While the USA downed Japan, 4-2, in Monday’s Olympic semifinal, the Brazilians sparkled even brighter as they downed Germany, 4-1. On Thursday, the USA defends its 2004 gold medal when it meets Brazil (9 a.m. ET, live on USA Network and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel).

Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer America

“When you have Landon Donovan and David Beckham, you’re not that bad off. We have some good players to build this team around. We can get better and we’re capable of getting enough points and qualifying for the playoffs. … This year you can’t do anything [with the roster]. That’s basically a fact. Down the road, we’re going to use this year to evaluate the team on the field and off and see what kind of things we can do to make it better.”

— New Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. (MLSnet.com)

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Donovan welcomes Arena arrival

by Ridge Mahoney

When Landon Donovan comes back to MLS duty from Guatemala City, one of his former coaches will be his new head coach. Donovan left Sunday for Guatemala, a day before the official announcement of Bruce Arena‘s hiring as general manager and head coach of the Galaxy, which dismissed predecessor Ruud Gullit as well as president/GM Alexi Lalas last week.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

USL-1 Results

by Soccer America

It was a successful road trip for the Puerto Rico Islanders, who beat the defending champion Seattle Sounders, 3-0, and tied the Vancouver Whitecaps, 0-0, to take over first place in the USL First Division. For all the results, goalscorers and standings …

Posted inSpecial Edition, Story

What They’re Saying

by Soccer America

“We’re pumped. Bring it on. We’ve played Brazil before and we know they’re a pretty awesome team with a lot of great personalities. But this team player for player is unified and strong, and we’re together. We’re looking forward to [playing Brazil].”

— U.S. midfielder Heather O’Reilly on the USA’s gold medal game on Thursday against Brazil, which eliminated the Americans from the 2007 Women’s World Cup with a 4-0 semifinal win.

Posted inSpecial Edition, Story

USA-Japan Women’s Coverage

by Ridge Mahoney

Americans to meet Brazil again for gold medal
The injury loss of Abby Wambach and a terrible start against Norway notwithstanding, anything less than a berth in the gold-medal match would have been a disappointment for the U.S. women. By beating Japan, 4-2, in its semifinal Monday the Americans have attained those expectations and set up a showdown with Brazil, which also came back after conceding the first goal to thrash Germany by nearly the same scoreline, 4-1. Brazil and the U.S. will play in the final, a rematch of the 2004 gold-medal match won by the Americans, on Thursday (USA Network, 9 a.m. ET).

Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story

Crew The Surprise Pacesetter

by Soccer America

The Columbus Crew entered "unfamiliar territory" after weekend play and its home win over FC Dallas, writes Shawn Mitchell, topping both the eastern and the overall rankings. But Coach Sigi Schmid is not thinking about titles yet, he just wants to make the playoffs. "I'm not all that focused on first, second or third," Schmid […]

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