D.C. United has a busy month. The club will jet across multiple time zones for two demanding Western Conference road matches, open international competition with a tricky Concacaf game, visit the daunting confines of BMO Field for a crucial Eastern clash, and welcome one of the world's most illustrious clubs in a high-profile friendly. But […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beckham Confident He Will Move Again After MLS Season
David Beckham has fanned the flames in his row with LA Galaxy's fans by admitting he is confident he'll be back at AC Milan next season. "I hope to return to play for Milan," Beckham said. "They have remained in my heart and honestly I am confident I will greet them again in November." The […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
U.S.-Mexico Qualifier Presents TV Challenge
The USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier on Aug. 12 in Mexico City is going to be broadcast in English. You're just going to have to work a bit harder to see it. Telemundo announced on Monday that it will broadcast the match in Spanish on Telemundo and on English on mun2, an English-language channel geared toward […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ching Helps Lead Young USA With Heart and Head
In its last game, a quarterfinal against the rough-and-tumble Panamanians, the USA needed some grit and a calm old head. It got both in the form of 31-year-old striker Brian Ching. Though he did not score the crucial overtimetime winner – that distinction fell to young Kenny Cooper – the Hawaiian-born big man, always a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ballack Breaks Toe During Preseason
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack's preseason preparations suffered a setback. The Germany international has flown back to England for treatment after suffering a break in his toe. Ballack, who featured in Chelsea's 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders last Saturday, will miss the remaininggames of the Blues' tour of America. He could be back in action […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Arsenal Midfielder Nasri Out For Three Months
Samir Nasri fractured his fibula in preseason training and will be out of action for three months, say reports confirmed by Arsenal's web site. This comes as a blow to the Gunners as the French international had cemented himself as a key player for Arsenal, and will miss the opening months of the Premier League […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The World Football Challenge is highlighted this week on the ESPN Networks. Catch Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Club America in action. The Gold Cup concludes this week with semifinals on Thursday (USA-Honduras, Mexico-Costa Rica) and the final on Sunday. Look for updates in Friday’s Soccer on TV.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. girls team sweep Canada in Boulder
The USA went 3-0 in games against Canada during the recent under-20 and under-18 camps for girls national teams at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Chivas USA’s Zamora added to U-20 team
Cesar Zamora, an 18-year-old outside midfielder and defender who was promoted from Chivas USA’s development team to its first team in late May, has been added to the U.S. under-20 national team for its trip to Argentina, where he will join two Chivas teammates.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Rennie named to U.S. Club Soccer youth development post
Former Duke University coach John Rennie has been named U.S. Club Soccer’s Director of Youth Development and will work with the organization’s clubs to improve the skills of their young players.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Massachusetts sets pace at Presidents Cup
Massachusetts produced two winners — the Crusaders United under-16 boys and Sachem FC under-17 girls — at the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Presidents Cup finals held at the WRAL Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C. For all results and goal scorers of the boys and girls championship and consolation finals …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Finals Week Leading Scorers
D.C. United’s Andy Najar, a high school sophomore, FC Greater Boston’s Charlie Rugg, who is headed to Boston College, and FC Dallas striker Bryan Leyva, who has courted by clubs in Mexico, France and Spain, were the top scorers at U.S. Development Academy Finals Week with four goals apiece. For all the leading scorers …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Finals Week Placements
Besides the champion Carmel United (U-17/18) and Derby County Wolves (U-15/16), the IMG Soccer Academy, PDA, CASL Chelsea FC Academy, Chicago Magic AS Monaco, Washington Premier FC and New York Red Bulls won placement games at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week. For all the results and goal scorers …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
No. 1 Wolves capture Academy crown
A nifty goal by Dzenan Catic in the sixth minute was all the top-seed Derby County Wolves would need to beat Cal Odyssey, 1-0, in the final of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy under-15/16 championship at The Home Depot Center.
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I’m very proud, he’s got a lot of talent.”
— Julio Cesar Baldivieso, coach of Bolivian club Aurora, on his son, Mauricio, who became the youngest player to ever play a South American first division game when he came on in a 1-0 loss at La Paz. Mauricio turns 13 on Wednesday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Three from Dynamo added to All-Star team
[MLS] Houston coach Dominic Kinnear picked three Dynamo players and two from Seattle to address the balance of power for the MLS All-Star team that plays Everton a week from Wednesday. Added to the original list of 11 starters from the Dynamo are goalie Pat Onstad, midfielder Brad Davis, and forward Brian Ching.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Preteen makes pro debut
[SOUTH AMERICA] Mauricio Baldivieso, a few days shy of his 13th birthday, played the last nine minutes for Aurora in a 1-0 loss to La Paz in the Bolivian first division, making him the youngest player to make a pro debut in South America.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Eto’o-Ibrahimovic trade in the works
[TRANSFER WATCH] American-style player trades rarely take place in soccer, but Barcelona and Inter Milan have a blockbuster in the works: Inter will send Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barca in exchange for Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o and cash.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Most expensive transfer deals (2009 summer)
[TRANSFER WATCH] Despite a worldwide recession, European clubs are spending huge sums on the 2009 summer transfer market. Real Madrid has spent almost $300 million, while Manchester City has already spent over $100 million and its spending could reach $200 million by the end of August. Bayern Munich, Juventus, Lyon and Chelsea also have made deals that rank in the 2009 summer’s top 10 most expensive transfer deals. Here’s the list …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“We boo a lot of players. They don’t come out and challenge our guys. We’re just here as fans. He was saying, ‘Come down here, come down here, come down here.’ The guy came down there.”
— Ricardo Vigil, a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy fan club Riot Squad, gives his version of David Beckham‘s confrontation with a fan at halftime of Sunday’s friendly against AC Milan at the Home Depot Center. (Los Angeles Times)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Fallout: Beckham vs. Fan [VIDEO]
[MLS] David Beckham‘s confrontation with a fan during halftime of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s friendly with AC Milan on Sunday at the Home Depot has prompted the club to issue a statement from general manager and head coach Bruce Arena while the fan claimed Beckham challenged to come down to the field.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Caught with his pants down
[OFF THE POST] Brazilian forward Marquinhos has been scolded by his Japanese club, Kashima Antlers, for taking his shorts off and putting them on properly after noticing he had them on backward shortly before kickoff of a game against Kawasaki Frontale. The brief disrobing in full view of the crowd upset club president Kazumi Ohigashi.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA recalls Parkhurst for semifinal
[GOLD CUP] Back and forth they go, and where it stops, nobody knows. Defender Michael Parkhurst, released from the U.S. Gold Cup team last week to attend preseason training in Denmark, has been recalled as cover for Jimmy Conrad, who suffered a possible concussion against Panama in a hard collision Saturday and left the match shortly before halftime. The USA faces Honduras again in the semifinals Thursday at Soldier Field
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Running the rule over World Cup candidates
Not for declaration and certainly not for vindication, here’s a rundown on the status of certain MLS players as they vie for spots in the 2010 World Cup squad of 23.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Lyon Signs Defender Cissokho Amidst Busy Offseason
Lyon has signed French defender Aly Cissokho from FC Porto on a five-year contract worth $24.3 million. Earlier this month, Lyon signed striker Lisandro Lopez from Porto for about $39 million, which could rise to $46 million with performance bonuses. The seven-time French champion has also signed winger Michel Bastos from Lille. Cissokho will likely […]