Bayern Munich fell to Borussia Dortmund, 2-1, on Wednesday in pre-season action — its first loss under new coach Juergen Klinsmann, who was unconcerned even though he fielded a near-full strength Bayern team.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Scolari Doesn’t Feel the Pressure
Luiz Felipe Scolari didn’t bite back following Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s barb that he didn’t see much room for improvement in Chelsea under the Brazilian. Speaking in China, where Chelsea is on a pre-season tour, Scolari said the Blues have what it takes to win. “I think that I have some players with […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blue Devil Reunion in Salt Lake
After six seasons in Scandinavia, American speedster Robbie Russell is returning home to play for Real Salt Lake. “This is the guy we wanted,” Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said of the fellow Duke alum who is expected to be available for RSL’s next MLS game, against Toronto at home on Monday. The […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
McCarty ‘Speechless’ After Olympic Call-up
FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty has been named the the U.S. Olympic men’s team, replacing the injured Nathan Sturgis. The 21-year old McCarty, a starter on the team that beat Canada, 3-0, to qualify for the Olympics, was himself injured this spring and was first selected as an alternate on the Olympic team, which will […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Queuing up in Canada
The success of Toronto FC, the second-year MLS club and host of Thursday’s MLS All-Star Game, has prompted talk of further expansion in Canada. Both Vancouver and Montreal are interested in joining the MLS expansion queue. NBA superstar Steve Nash will team with Vancouver Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot in a bid to bring MLS to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Toronto Ready for Hammer Fans
Don’t expect any fan trouble at Thursday’s MLS All-Star Game in Toronto. Following a skirmish between West Ham and Columbus Crew fans during Sunday’s friendly in Columbus, Toronto security is on notice to watch out for problems. “We’re going to be paying very specialized attention to the West Ham supporters group,” said Bob Hunter, executive […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Wgat They’re Saying
“I’m not concerned about Chelsea, I just don’t know how far that team has got to go. They have lots of experience and big-game temperament and in a sense Scolari is fortunate, joining a big club with a team of internationals. But it’s hard to see where there is going to be an improvement. Maybe they have reached a plateau — although perhaps that’s not the right word.”
— Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson beginning in with the mind games directed at new Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. (BBC)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Swedes say no to McDonald’s
[OFF THE POST] Swedish fast food chain Max bit off a bit more than it could chew when it decided to stand up to UEFA and its corporate sponsor McDonald’s.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
And we have a winner …
[MLS] The Houston Dynamo can go home now. In Washington since Friday, first for the SuperLiga game against D.C. United on Saturday, the Dynamo finally got in the twice-postponed league match with D.C. United on Wednesday. Barely. Unbelievably, the teams endured another power outage and heavy rains that flooded the field at RFK Stadium. D.C. United officials had said they’d go all night to get the game in. They almost did. It was after midnight when the Dynamo prevailed, 2-0.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
West Ham appeases fans with Behrami signing
[TRANSFER TALK] West Ham United, which faces the MLS All-Stars Thursday in Toronto, made its first major signing of the summer when it signed Swiss international Valon Behrami.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS All-Stars put reputation on line
Does the soccer world care if the MLS can run its winning record against foreign opposition in the All-Star Game to 5-0? No. But the fact the MLS All-Stars-West Ham game is being televised to nearly 100 countries and approximately 300 media credentials have been issued shows the game is being taken seriously. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney reports from Toronto, where Landon Donovan and the boys from MLS are ready for the challenge.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Friedel could earn $5.2 million salary
[AMERICANS ABROAD] “Brad Friedels don’t grow on trees.” Those were Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams‘ words in announcing his club would not part with its 37-year-old American goalkeeper. Famous last words, they were. Friedel looks to be headed to Aston Villa in a move that could result in his salary being doubled to $5.2 million a year.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Force and So Cal Blues fall in openers
[NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS-GIRLS] Both defending girls champions lost on Day 1 of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in North Little Rock, Ark. For more on Day 1 and all the girls results, goal scorers and schedules …
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Olympic mess reignites old fight
Just think about this. Only a few weeks ago, peace broke out between FIFA and the rich European clubs, the G-14 group as they called themselves. The clubs decided to greatly expand their membership up to over 100 clubs, now including a whole bunch of not-so-rich clubs (thus countering the persistent charges of elitism), and changed the name to the European Club Association.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Ramos-led Gunners open with victory
[NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS-BOYS] Coached by former U.S. national team star Tab Ramos, the NJSA Gunners got off to a winning start at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in North Little Rock, Ark. on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors. For more on Day 1 and all the boys results, goal scorers and schedules …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Three Cheers for Baltic Soccer
Lithuania’s Kaunas and Ventspils of Latvia both are through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Battle for Olympic Players Heats Up
FIFA and Europe’s top clubs remain at odds over the release of under-23 players for next month’s Olympics in China. FIFA president Sepp Blatter issued a statement on Wednesday, saying “the release of players below the age of 23 has always been mandatory for all clubs. The same principle applies for Beijing 2008.” But Bayern […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Tottenham Chases Russian Stars
Tottenham Hotspur is pursuing Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin, who starred for Russia at Euro ’08.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Spanish Clubs Can’t Pay Players
Spain’s La Liga has the reputation of being one of the best leagues in the world, but the reality is that Spanish soccer is hurting. Real Madrid and Barcelona generate huge revenues, but many pro clubs are struggling. Clubs in the top two Spanish divisions owe players more than $60.50 million in back pay, according […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Crew Fans Defend Reputation
An incident involving Columbus Crew and West Ham United fans during Sunday’s exhibition between the two clubs at Crew Stadium again brought attention to the MLS team’s hard-core supporters. While Crew officials downplayed the incident that began when Hammer supporters entered a Crew fan section at halftime, it drew plenty of media coverage. “We didn’t […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS’s New Generation of Stars
With the departure of Jozy Altidore (Villarreal) and Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), two of its brightest young stars, MLS must groom a new generation of young players. Olympic teammates Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers, both 2008 all-star selections, head the list of young MLS stars. ESPNsoccernet columnist Ives Galarcep adds his list of young players […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Cosmos Star Chinaglia
Italian police have issued another arrest warrant against former Cosmos star Giorgio Chinaglia in connection with a probe into a Naples-based organized crime group’s attempt to buy Italian club Lazio with laundered money. Police arrested seven people and sought three others who tried to buy Lazio with money coming from the illicit activities of the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“That definitely wasn’t expected. I just laughed when I heard the news. Of course, it’s been one of my goals, and to reach it this soon is pretty awesome. But I’m going to the Olympics. I can’t complain.”
— The Columbus Crew’s Robbie Rogers on being selected to the 2008 MLS all-star team. Instead of playing in Toronto, Rogers is in Palo Alto, Calif., preparing for next month’s Olympics in another surprise. He wasn’t selected to the U.S, team for qualifying but made the 18-player roster for the finals in China. (New York Times)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Yellow card for taking down intruder
[OFF THE POST] In Saturday’s Russian league derby between Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow, the referee was forced to stop play in the 74th minute when a shirtless man ran onto the field. Stadium officials were slow to react, so Spartak defender Radoslav Kovac jumped into action.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Another lopsided win for U.S. U-17 girls
[YOUTH] The USA won Group A of the CONCACAF Under-17 Girls Championship with a 9-1 win against Trinidad & Tobago Tuesday night at Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad.