[MLS WATCH] If any team figured to take quick advantage of the greater liberty granted by MLS teams to sign international players, it would figure to be D.C. United. In his series examining MLS clubs’ preseason maneuvers and preparations, Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney examines D.C. United’s South American shopping spree, which included the landing of Argentine World Cup veteran Marcelo Gallardo
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS clubs get a Champions League
CONCACAF yesterday made official what had been known for months, that starting next August, a 24-team Champions League tournament will replace the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney explains the format.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Throughout his career, Gallardo has been a dynamic attacking midfielder known for remarkable technique, impressive speed and quickness, and an uncanny knack for providing service to his teammates. He has led teams to major championships in Argentina and France, and has been a star at every level for the national team of Argentina, including playing in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. We are thrilled to have a player of his caliber joining D.C. United.”
— D.C. United President Kevin Payne on the club’s acquisition of 32-year-old Marcelo Gallardo. (MLSnet.com)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
African Nations Cup Results
Chelsea’s Michael Essien scored one goal and set up the other to lead host Ghana to a 2-0 victory over Morocco Monday that gave the Black Stars first place in Group A at the African Nations Cup and knocked the Lions of Atlas out of the competition. Guinea tied Namibia, 1-1, in the other Group A finale to finish in second place and move into the quarterfinals along with Ghana.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Sundhage’s talent search continues
[U.S. WOMEN] Pia Sundhage is organizing a mega-camp beginning Friday at the Home Depot Center, the last chance for players to impress the new U.S. women’s national team coach before she gets down to the task of picking a squad to prepare for Olympic qualifying in the CONCACAF region to be held April 2-13 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Why U.S. investors are jumping at EPL clubs
Paul Kennedy on the EPL’s U.S. owners
[ENGLAND WATCH] Less startling than the news that yet another American group is buying an English Premier League club is the club it’s buying. With only seven points in its first 23 games, Derby County is doomed to relegation, yet Detroit-based sports management firm General Sports Entertainment purchased the Rams in a deal reported to be in the range of $100 million. Why would anyone pay $100 million for a last-place team? The explanation says a lot about why English soccer clubs are attractive to foreign investors …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
U.S. keeper Guzan Targeted by Aston Villa
The tug of war over Brad Guzan has gotten more interesting: according to Soccer By Ives. English Premier League club Aston Villa has lodged in a $4 million bid for the Chivas USA goalkeeper, surpassing a $2 million offer from Glasgow Celtic and matching the fee Manchester United paid for former MetroStars keeper Tim Howard […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Iraqi Officials Cry Foul over Star’s U.K. Work Permit Denial
The Los Angeles Times has a lengthy article on the misfortune of Iraqi soccer star Nashat Akram, one of his country’s most popular players, who was recently denied a work permit that would have allowed him to sign for Manchester City of the English Premier League. The news spread across Iraq on Saturday, angering the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Second-Tier MLS Players Headed Overseas, Too
Major League Soccer is looking outside of the U.S. to fill in the holes left by the move of American players to Europe. The likes of Kansas City’s Eddie Johnson (England), New England’s Pat Noonan (Norway) and Houston’s Nate Jaqua (Austria) have all sought better opportunities across the Atlantic this month. Meanwhile, Latino-friendly D.C. United […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
American Sports Firm Buys Derby County
The Detroit-based sports management firm General Sports and Entertainment on Monday was confirmed as the new owner of English Premier League club Derby County. Derby becomes the fourth EPL club with American ownership after Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Derby was promoted to the Premiership this season, but has only managed one victory in […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Reasons for Optimism in Salt Lake
Two possible foreign imports added to a trio signed last season, several candidates to replace veteran defender Eddie Pope, a pair of first-round draft picks, and the prospect of a new stadium perhaps being ready by September mark the fourth preseason for Real Salt Lake.
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Midweek action includes the Copa Libertadores, Spanish Cup, Italian Cup and league games from England and Argentina.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Expanding ‘Sueno’ gives MLS ‘Republica’ exposure
Registration began Sunday for the 2008 version of what is in essence an open tryout to earn a spot on an MLS team, and this year, it will be conducted by two MLS teams rather than just one.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Houston’s Nate Jaqua set for Austrian league
[MLS MOVES] MLS champion Houston is set to lose another attacker to the Austrian league. Following Joseph Ngwenya‘s move to SK Austria Karnten, Nate Jaqua is set to join SCR Altach pending what its coach Heinz Fuchsbichler calls settling some minor contract details.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Michael Bradley sets scoring record; Rossi strikes against Real Madrid
[AMERICANS ABROAD/VIDEO]. Michael Bradley scored in his fourth straight game for Dutch club Heerenveen, striking twice in a 3-0 win over De Graafschap. The double strike gives the 20-year-old Bradley 11 league goals this season, breaking the record for goals in a season by an American-born and -bred player in a European first division, which had been set by Eric Wynalda at German club Saarbruecken in 1992-93 and Brian McBride at Fulham last season.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Pato is very young and we, the team and the coaching staff, need to look after him to keep him relaxed. He’s an intelligent kid, but it can be very dangerous to be that famous at his age.”
— Dutch player Clarence Seedorf, trying to downplay 18-year-old Pato‘s impact after the Brazilian scored two goals in AC Milan’s 2-0 win over Genoa on Sunday to give him three goals in his first four Serie A games. (AFP)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Threat of match-fixing hits African Nations Cup
[AFRICA WATCH] One of the unfortunate consequences of the increased popularity in the African Nations Cup is the interest of Asian betting syndicates. Twice in the last week low-profiles team revealed they were approached to throw games.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Only six EPL teams left in FA Cup
[ENGLAND] A day after its American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, completed a re-financing deal that should allow them to remain as owners and go ahead with their plans to build of a new stadium, Liverpool avoided embarrassment in in the English FA Cup when the Reds twice rallied from one goal down and beat sixth-level Havant & Waterlooville at Anfield. Other Premier League teams weren’t so lucky. Only six EPL teams advanced to the final 16.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Thieves add to City’s misery
[OFF THE POST] Sunday was a bad day for Manchester City and its players. Not only did the Premier League club lose to second-level Sheffield United, 2-1, in the English FA Cup, but its players and staff returned to their locker room at United’s Bramall Lane to discover it had been ransacked.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
DiCicco returns as U-20 women’s coach
[U.S. WOMEN] Tony DiCicco, who coached the USA to the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and first place at the 1999 Women’s World Cup, has rejoined the U.S. women’s national team program as head coach of the under-20 team.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mali Man Sought to Manipulate Benin Match
A match-fixing scandal surfaced at the African Cup of Nations on Thursday, as Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch revealed that a Malian man had asked him if there was any possibility of manipulating the outcome of Benin’s Group B match against Mali. “I told him, ‘Look, you have two minutes to leave the hotel or I […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Figo Ponders Retirement
Inter Milan winger Luis Figo has been linked with a possible move to Major League Soccer, but the 35-year-old on Thursday revealed that he might choose to retire instead. The Portugal legend is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered in early November, and is believed to be close to regaining fitness. “Right now, what […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Whither Christian Gomez?
If, as expected, Marcelo Gallardo signs for D.C. United, then Christian Gomez’s days in the nation’s capitol are numbered. Gomez is believed to be entertaining offers from abroad, but blogger Ives Galarcep believes the 33-year-old could resign with MLS and then move on via trade. Where would he end up? Should he decide to stay […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Liverpool Order Restored, For Now
The dust is now settling after Liverpool officials declared a ceasefire on Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty over the club’s future. American sports moguls Tom Hicks and George Gillett will remain Liverpool’s owners following the approval of a new refinancing package, which allowed them to unveil plans for a new $600 million stadium at Stanley […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Serious Kudos for Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel is in fantastic form for Blackburn Rovers again this season, but no, he’s not interested in returning to the U.S. national team. “I had unbelievable times, to say the least, and I loved every minute of international football,” he tells ESPN, “but I also don’t regret for one second the day that I […]