Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Late heroics send USA to U-20 World Cup quarters

by Ridge Mahoney

Coaches rhapsodize about talent, and sing the praises of the skillful, but what they relish above all else is toughness. If not for ample doses of resolve, the USA wouldn’t be among the eight survivors that play in the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals this weekend. Misfortune and circumstance piled up against the Americans, yet still they beat Uruguay, 2-1, in Toronto Wednesday night with an own goal and an overtime winner by Michael Bradley. Of obstacles there were plenty. A charley horse sidelined its stud goalkeeper. A central defender returned to the lineup sporting a gash under his left eye suffered in the first game of the tournament. A wild tackle knocked its specimen of a striker out of the game early in the second half.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Harrisburg knocks D.C. United out of Open Cup

by Soccer America

D.C. United became the third MLS entrant in the SuperLiga to be spared the distraction of competing in the U.S. Open Cup when it fell to the USL First Division’s Harrisburg City Islanders, 1-0.

Steve Fisher‘s goal in the 44th minute was the difference in the game.

On Tuesday, the USL’s Charleston Battery eliminated the Houston Dynamo, and the Los Angeles Galaxy fell to the Richmond Kickers of the USL-2.

Dallas FC, the fourth MLS team in this summer’s SuperLiga, went through to the quarterfinals on penalty kicks.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

by Soccer America

“Uruguay made it very, very hard for us to establish any kind of rhythm and we struggled quite frankly throughout the game. But great teams find ways to win and I think our will power, the willingness to sacrifice, the willingness to go where it hurts, which we did, to go down and come back and eventually win the game and hold on for dear life, showed me the quality of the team that only through games you find out. You talk about being courageous and today they showed they’re a team [that is courageous].”

— U.S. U-20 coach Thomas Rongen on his team’s 2-1 overtime win over Uruguay that sends the USA into the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

U.S. Soccer planning to hire technical director

by Soccer America

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati told Reuters that the USSF is set to hire a technical director next year and that it’s likely the position will be filled by a Latin coach. “We will bring on a technical director to work with [national team coach] Bob [Bradley],” Gulati said. “There’s a reasonable chance that would be an international coach, not because I necessarily think they’re better but because he’ll bring something different to the mix. Everything else being equal, if we could have it be a Latin coach that would be ideal. The Hispanic community is a huge part of our future in the United States.” The technical director would oversee player development and youth teams. Speaking at a gathering hosted by Spanish-language Univision TV network, Gulati also offered his opinions on the arrival of David Beckham to MLS.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

Galaxy and Dynamo fall in Open Cup to USL clubs

by Paul Kennedy

We won’t be seeing David Beckham in the U.S. Open Cup this year. The Richmond Kickers of the USL Second Division cleared room on the Los Angeles Galaxy’s crowded summer-fall schedule, pulling off the biggest upset in their franchise history with a 1-0 win over the MLS club. The Charleston Battery eliminated the defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo, 1-0, in overtime on a rebound of a penalty kick by former MLS player Stephen Armstrong. The New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids were the only MLS winners on Tuesday.

Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story

U.S. U-20 scouting report — what makes Freddy and the boys go

by Ridge Mahoney

The U.S. under-20s have made only two changes in the starting lineup after opening with an unimpressive 1-1 tie with South Korea. It recovered in its next two games to hammer Poland, 6-1, and stun Brazil, 2-1. Coach Thomas Rongen has used 14 field players but has yet to summon forwards Gabriel Ferrari and Andre Akpan, thanks to the excellent play of wingers Robbie Rogers and Sal Zizzo, and striker Jozy Altidore. Midfielder Dax McCarty and defender Amaechi Igwe have been used as subs. Tim Ward started the first game and has also come on as a sub. Barring any unforeseen changes, this is a rundown on the expected starters who face Uruguay Wednesday (7:45 p.m. ET, ESPNU, Galavision) …

Posted inGrassroots Soccer Biz, Story

Getting more out of your brand

by Soccer America

When people start talking about “brand,” the talk immediately turns to logo design. While a good logo is part of your brand, it is not “THE BRAND.” The brand is how people feel about and view your soccer organization (league, club or tournament). Your brand is what you can leverage to sponsors, advertisers, guest teams, potential players, potential coaches and the media.

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