The Los Angeles Galaxy has rescinded the lifetime ban it originally imposed on a fan who jumped onto the field during an ill-tempered exchange between David Beckham and the home crowd. The unidentified Galaxy supporter leaped from the "Riot Squad" fan section onto the field at halftime of Beckham's return to the Home Depot Center […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Everton Brings Rich History to All-Star Game
When U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard joined Everton FC from Manchester United three years ago, he knew he was joining a club that had seen some legendary players, players like Neville Southall, regarded as one of the finest keepers in British soccer history, and 1966 England World Cup winners Ray Wilson and Alan Ball. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gold Cup Win Gives Mexico More Options for USA Qualifier
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre doesn't appreciate the press calling Mexico's Gold Cup winning squad a "B team." "I remember having read – and I hated it – that this was a 'B' team. And now it might be the base,'' Aguirre fired back at reporters. But the only players from the squad that routed the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Schedule Congestion Beyond Critical Point
Additions and subtractions to the MLS All-Star team that will face Everton Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium (ESPN2, Galavision, 9:30 p.m. ET) are removing much of the luster that is supposed to emanate from one of the league’s showcase events.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Houston named as 2010 All-Star Game host
[MLS] Though it has struggled to finalize a stadium deal, the Houston Dynamo has done just about everything else right since joining MLS prior to the 2006 season when the league approved a move from San Jose. Its success on the field and at the gate has yielded hosting rights for the 2010 All-Star Game, as announced by Commissioner Don Garber Monday. “I don’t think that people really expected that Houston, Texas would be a strong, powerful and successful MLS market,” Garber said. “It’s turned out to be one of our best.”
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
From Gold Cup to World Cup: U.S. roster options
Did the embarrassing 5-0 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final signal that the players Coach Bob Bradley tested in the tournament won’t be back for the remaining five World Cup qualifying games? Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney assesses the U.S. Gold Cup players and shows what the 23-man U.S. roster for the 2010 World Cup could like.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Quest for regional club crown kicks off
[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] With the Concacaf Gold Cup out of the way, the confederation’s club competition resumes with three MLS teams and one USL entry involved in the Champions’ League preliminary round that consists of eight home-and-home series. The Columbus Crew and the Houston Dynamo begin play next month when the group stage kicks off. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney explains the path MLS and USL teams must take to be crowned champion of the region of North and Central American and the Caribbean.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Solo leads all-star vote getters
[WPS] With the July 31 deadline approaching for all-star balloting, Saint Louis Athletica goalie Hope Solo led all players with her name on 35 percent of submitted ballots for the WPS all-star team that will face Swedish champion Umea IK at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo., on Aug. 30. Other leaders, by position, are defender Heather Mitts, midfielder Lori Chalupny and forward Marta.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Obama meets Blatter at the White House [VIDEO]
[WORLD CUP 2018/2022] U.S. President Barack Obama met with FIFA President Sepp Blatter Monday to discuss soccer, in particular the U.S. bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. Blatter reportedly joked that while Obama, who was presented with soccer balls for daughters and tried juggling a ball, wasn’t ready to make the U.S. national team that played Brazil in the recent Confederations Cup final, he could have made the team that lost to Mexico, 5-0, in the Gold Cup final …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Accidental Red Card [VIDEO]
[OFF THE POST] During AC Milan’s 2-0 loss to archrival Inter in a World Football Challenge game last weekend in Foxboro, Mass., referee Jorge Gonzalez showed Ronaldinho a red card when he meant to display the yellow for dissent. Gonzalez quickly made the correction and there were laughs all around.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Feilhaber’s first pro goal is a golazo [VIDEO]
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Benny Feilhaber, one of the players who left the U.S. national team during the Gold Cup to return to his European club, continued his outstanding summer ball with perhaps his best game yet for Danish club AGF Aarhus. He finished off a brilliant maneuver with his first goal as a pro — the third goal in a 3-2 win at Randers Monday that gave it six points and first place in the 2009-10 Danish SuperLigaen after two rounds.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“He shouldn’t actually be wearing that shirt because what he was saying about my wife was a disgrace.”
— David Beckham, who had another confrontation with a fan, this time during the Galaxy’s game at Kansas City. While preparing for a throw-in, Beckham turned around and spoke to a heckling fan wearing an England replica jersey, and then shook his hand. (CNN)
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The MLS All-Stars take on Everton on Wednesday. American Tim Howard will be between the posts for English Premier League club. In other midweek action, three MLS teams (D.C. United, Toronto FC & New York) are involved in CONCACAF Champions’ League action. International friendly matches are scattered throughout the week. The Los Angeles Galaxy hosts Barcelona on Saturday. Look for updates in Wednesday’s and Friday’s Soccer on TV.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Thornton to Replace Onstad as All-Star Keeper
Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton has been selected to replace Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad on the MLS All-Star team. Onstad strained his back in a 1-0 loss to New England on Saturday night. Thornton is second in the MLS in shutouts (seven) and third in goals-against average (0.88) and went 401 minutes without allowing […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS All-Star Game’s International Format a Hit
Landon Donovan enjoys the unique format of the MLS All-Star game. For the eight-time all-star, the game isn't simply an exhibition but a chance for players to prove themselves against high-profile competition. On Wednesday, the MLS all-stars will face Everton of the English Premier League at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The format differs […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
High Water Mark for U.S. Attendance Rising
Since July 18, 497,846 fans have filled eight U.S. stadiums for games involving a dozen club and national teams. And that's not counting the fans that gathered for the Sunday's Concacaf Gold Cup final and World Football Challenge games. The numbers don't lie about the growing interest for the game in the USA, particularly for […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Garey’s Goal Gives Crew Record Streak
Jason Garey headed home the winner in the 92nd minute, two minutes into four minutes of stoppage time, to give the Crew a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC in Columbus Crew Stadium. "That's why you play the game, for moments like that," Garey said after scoring his third goal in the past two games. Garey's […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
French Champs Play Under Radar in Montreal
On Saturday, Bordeaux, the champion of France's Ligue 1, defeated Ligue 2 champ Guingamp 2-0 to take the French Champions Trophy, the first of the league's official competitions held outside France. Played in Montreal's Olympic Stadium, the game was hosted by the United Soccer League's Montreal Impact, which will play a friendly against Bordeaux at […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ching, USA Looking Forward to Mexico Rematch
While he watched the Mexican players receive their championship medals and the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy on Sunday, U.S. striker Brian Ching was already looking forward to the World Cup qualifier on Aug. 12 between the two clubs. “It’s not going to be hard to carry over those emotions,” Ching said. “Standing on the field […]
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Right now, you can’t really explain it, to be honest with you. It won’t sink in for a while.”
— Dom Wren, coach of Discoveries SC Green, the first team from South Carolina to win a title at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, finishing with 19 goals in four games. For Wren and seven of his players, it was their second national title of the year. Northwestern High School was ranked No. 1 in the spring high school national rankings. (Rock Hill Herald News)
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Rush repeats for third time
Led by University of Portland star Danielle Foxhoven‘s hat trick, Colorado Rush Nike captured its record ninth girls national title — one more than the Dallas Texans — and third back-to-back championship with a 4-2 overtime win over Eclipse Select in the U-19 final at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Bays take the double
The Baltimore Casa Mia Bays became only the fourth team to win two boys titles at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in the same year when they won the U-19 and U-15 crowns at the finals held at Citizens Bank Fields in Lancaster, Mass. The U-19s finished as one of the great youth teams of all time. Sunday’s title was their third national title following championships in 2006 (U.S. Youth Soccer U-16s) and 2008 (U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 age group).
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. U-17s take Copa Macae
The USA won the Copa Macae in Brazil with a 4-2 shootout win over Funorte of Brazil in Sunday’s final.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
adidas Golden Glove and Boot Winners
Awards were handed out to the most outstanding player and goalkeeper in each of the 12 divisions at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Girls Finals-U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships
Cal North was the only state association to have two teams take home titles at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, which concluded Sunday in Lancaster, Mass. For the results of all the finals …