Fourteen months have passed since Major League Soccer’s mandate that teams develop talent through league-sanctioned youth programs, but Chivas USA, the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United were already ahead of the curve. The three teams have had operational programs for more than two years, which now makes them eligible to sign players developed […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Derby Pair Still in Limbo
Four days into the January transfer window, USSoccerPlayers’ J Hutcherson again takes a look at the situation at Derby County, where the futures of U.S. national teamers Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber hang in the balance. Coach Paul Jewell, on the job now for less than a month, has repeatedly and publicly stated his desire […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Players Should Watch Out for Their Own
Yet another astonishing death rocked the soccer world last Saturday as Motherwell midfielder Phil O’Donnell collapsed from heart failure during his club’s match against Dundee United. O’Donnell joins the lamentably growing list of players who’ve collapsed and died on the field while playing in the prime of their lives. Antonio Puerta of Spanish club Sevilla […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Argentine teen goes for $26 million
The latest Argentine youngster to leave Buenos Aires on a major transfer is Ever Banega. The 19-year-old starred for Argentina at the South American U-20 Championships last January, stepped into a starting role at Boca Juniors for league and Libertadores Cup play, and marshaled the midfield of Argentina’s U-20 World Cup-winning team last summer. He joins Spain’s Valencia on a $26 million transfer.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
OFF THE POST: Leeds coach chases, ‘arrests’ 13-year-old
The Leeds United coach Dennis Wise chased down a 13-year-old boy who threw stones at his family car at 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Wise made a citizen’s arrest on the boy before he escaped. The boy’s family reported the incident to the West Yorkshire police, which interviewed Wise.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Goals, crowds scarce as Interliga kicks off
The Mexican League is renowned for its flowing, attacking style, but little scoring has been on display so far as eight Mexican teams vie for two Copa Libertadores spots in the USA-hosted InterLiga. Three goals in four matches is the aggregate after Club America beat Morelia, 1-0, following a 0-0 tie between Toluca and Atlas Thursday night in the Group A Interliga openers at Robertson Stadium in Houston.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA prepares for first Under-17 Women’s World Cup
[U.S. U-17 GIRLS ROSTER] The U.S. under-17 girls national team kicked off its first training camp of 2008 on Wednesday in Sunrise, Fla.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Hahnemann earns contract extension in defeat
[EPL AMERICANS] There was a bright spot for American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to Reading’s 2-0 loss to Portsmouth on New Year’s Day. Hahnemann, whose blunder cost the Royals the first goal, received an automatic one-year contract extension with Reading as a result of playing in the game.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
English FA Cup TV Schedule
The English FA Cup, the granddaddy of all cup competitions, returns with the round of 64 on Saturday and Sunday. The schedule includes four matchups involving English Premier League teams, notably Aston Villa against Manchester United. Under-fire EPL managers Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez will be stressing as Newcastle United and Liverpool travel to Stoke City and Luton Town, respectively. The only non-league teams in the final 64 are eighth-tier Chasetown and Havant & Waterlooville. For all the FA Cup TV matchups …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Disney’s Soccer Showcase Girls Showcase Results
Six different teams won titles in the girls Showcase divisions at the Disney’s Soccer Showcase that ended on Wednesday. For all the results in the knockout phase …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Some people think having a rabbit as a mascot gives off the wrong message in terms of the side being a soft touch.”
— A fan of Scunthorpe United, which is in the relegation zone of England’s second-tier league, backing a movement to switch the team’s mascot from Scunny Bunny to Iron the Lion. (uefa.com)
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Beware of Tournamentitis
In the 1980s, tournaments took on another focus. They became the main revenue stream for many clubs. Proceeds helped to build facilities, greased the wheels of local governments and business to support soccer by their financial impact on a community. The profits made even helped to create jobs within the clubs for administrators and coaches. Certainly many positive types of fallout from tournaments have aided in the growth of soccer in our nation.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Spector’s 90 Minutes Against Manchester United
Just before the New Year, U.S. defender Jonathan Spector went 90 minutes as West Ham United beat Manchester United — again — at Upton Park. And what an eventful 90 minutes it was for the 21-year-old American, who played three positions during the match. He also gave away a penalty kick that looked certain to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Eleven with Something to Prove in ’08
2007 was a good year for American soccer players. In particular, Heerenveen’s Michael Bradley and Fulham’s Clint Dempsey had great years, establishing themselves at their respective clubs, while earning starting spots with the national team. Back home, the media blast may have been all about David Beckham, but U.S. national team regulars Taylor Twellman and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Year in Beckhamania
World Soccer columnist Paul Gardner recounts the year in Beckhamania, a feature article that also appears on SI.com. Looking back at the year that belonged to David Beckham might best be described by the question, “When is a fiasco not a fiasco?” because 2007 was and was not a disaster for Becks. Indeed, Beckham the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New England’s Dorman Hits Pay Dirt
It looks like New England Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman is on his way to St. Mirren of the Scottish Premier League, according to the Boston Globe’s Frank Dell’Apa, who says there are positives and negatives to be drawn from the move. Remember that the 25-year-old Dorman ended the 2007 season on New England’s bench, indicating […]
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: Oscar Pareja Joins U.S. Effort
The addition of Colombian vet makes U-17 coaching staff heavy on experience.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Peter Nowak: A Mental Approach
Peter Nowak is the only man to win an MLS title as a player (Chicago, 1998) and head coach (D.C. United, 2004). The former Polish international fills a dual role as assistant coach to Bob Bradley with the national team and head coach of the U-23 team vying to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Pia Sundhage: A Way of Living
For the first time, U.S. Soccer has hired a foreigner to coach its women’s team. Former Swedish star Pia Sundhage brings two decades of international experience as a player and three seasons coaching in the WUSA to her new job. Most important, she brings a passion for soccer that she hopes will rub off on her players.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS: A-Team Takes on San Jose
First owned by MLS, then owned or operated by various out-of-town ownership groups, and finally shipped off to Houston, the former San Jose franchise never took root in the Bay Area. But a group fronted by Oakland A’s co-owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher is gearing up to launch the expansion Quakes this spring.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: Total Soccer for Children
When should coaches start assigning specific positions to young players?
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
World Cup 2010: Into Africa
The World Cup is finally coming to Africa, to be hosted by a nation that had been banned from international soccer up until just 15 years ago.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Bob Bradley Interview: ‘More of a Comfort Level’
Bob Bradley looks back on his first year at the helm of the U.S. national team, the challenges going into World Cup 2010 qualifying, and the state of the U.S. game in general.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. U-23 roster includes 15 pros
The U.S. men’s U-23 national team, which in March aims to qualify for next summer’s Olympic Games, convenes in Bradenton, Fla., with a 24-player roster. Although coach Peter Nowak could not include European-based Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley, while Olympic-eligible Jozy Altidore is in camp with the full national team, the roster includes six foreign-based players.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS-heavy U.S. roster opens New Year camp
U.S. coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 26 players – 23 of which are MLS-based – for a training camp that begins Thursday and culminates with a Jan. 19 friendly against Sweden at The Home Depot Center. The three foreign-based players are from Scandinavian leagues on winter break: Dan Califf (Aalborg BK/Denmark), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann/Norway) and Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus/Denmark). Landon Donovan is the most experienced player in the squad with 96 caps while midfielder Pablo Mastroeni is a notable absentee.