45 D.C. United‘s league-leading number of points, from a 13-1-6 record 16 Fewest number of points: Real Salt Lake, from a 4-10-4 record. 19,729 Highest MLS attendance average (Los Angeles). 10,614 Lowest attendance average (New England). 37 D.C. United‘s league-leading number of goals scored (1.85 goals per game average). 16 Fewest goals scored, Columbus and […]
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Brian [McBride] brought a fierce competitiveness and professionalism to the national team that really set the standard for the modern U.S. player. When I look back at his impact on the team and the sport, I think it is easy to say that his legacy will be that of a true ironman on the field […]
Real Submit Final Offer for van Nistelrooy
Real have lodged in a final bid for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The player clearly wants to go, and as much as Real Madrid wants him, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson won’t budge on a high $28 million transfer fee. The British press is running several conflicting reports as to the value of […]
Putting “64 Super Bowls” in Context
Here’s a headline to catch advertisers’ attention: “World Cup ratings equal 64 Super Bowls.” As eye-catching a headline as that is, there are two caveats: one, with the World Cup, we’re talking about a truly worldwide audience, and two, that figure represents an average of the event’s combined audience after 64 games. In other words, […]
Inter Milan Crowned Serie A Champions
Inter Milan was officially awarded the 2005-06 Italian league title on Wednesday, the Italian soccer federation said after both Juventus and AC Milan were deducted points for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Inter finished third last season, 15 points behind Juventus, which won the title with a record-breaking 91 points. This is Inter’s first […]
Open Question: How is MLS as a Product?
There are big problems in little MLS, writes J. Hutcherson of the US National Soccer Team Player’s Association. Two MLS clubs are failing to show adequate growth after investing in new stadiums, new attendance problems abound for New England and now Columbus, two more clubs are talking openly about relocating, and things still haven’t gotten […]
MLS: Red Bulls lose top scorer
By Ridge Mahoney Senior Editor, Soccer America Striker Jean-Philippe Peguero, held out of last week's MLS action due to an impending move to Danish club Broendby, was in Copenhagen Tuesday to undergo a medical exam and finalize personal terms. The league has agreed to an undisclosed transfer fee. Peguero, 24, has two option years left […]
OFF THE POST: Horse gets Zidane treatment
After British jockey Paul O'Neill was caught by TV replays head-butting his horse, City Affair, London's Evening Standard's headline read: ''Angry jockey does a 'Zidane' to his horse.'' The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is investigating the incident as the sporting world speculates on what the pony could have said to provoke O'Neill's attack.
U.S. CLUB SOCCER: Slammers repeat as National Cup champions
California club Slammers FC became the first team in the history of U.S. Club SoccerÆs National Cup to win back-to-back titles when it won the 2006 U-16 Super Group title with a shootout victory over the Chicago Magic in the final. Two other California clubs — San Juan SC Spirits (U-17 Super Group) and Capital […]
Red Bulls lose top scorer
Striker Jean-Philippe Peguero, held out of last week’s MLS action due to an impending move to Danish club Broendby, was in Copenhagen Tuesday to undergo a medical exam and finalize personal terms. The league has agreed to an undisclosed transfer fee. Peguero, 24, has two option years left on his MLS contract. His salary for […]
Italian Appeals Prevail
An appeals court took pity on Italy’s fallen giants, reducing the sentence of each for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Juventus remained the hardest hit after being relegated to Serie B and docked 17 points instead of 30 from the start of next season. The Scudetto winner also had its titles from last year […]
Inter Closing in on Toni
Internazionale, one of the few big clubs in Italy involved in the wide-reaching match-fixing scandal, is said to be closing in on Fiorentina striker Luca Toni. The club has been in pursuit of Serie A’s top scorer since the end of last season. Football Italia says Fiorentina could be ready to part with him for […]
Arsenal Ups Price for Cole
Chelsea’s public courting of Ashely Cole was met by firm resistance from Arsenal, his current employer, who responded to a $30 million bid for the player by upping his transfer fee to $45 million. Arsenal’s stance will most likely do little more than anger Cole, since money matters very little to the club owned by […]
Torres: ‘All I want is to Stay’
Sir Alex Ferguson’s hope of replacing Ruud Van Nistelrooy with Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres looks to be fading. In a highly irregular display of loyalty from a soccer player in high demand, Torres has said he plans to honor his contract and remain at Atletico, 10th place finishers in La Liga last season. This too, […]
A Unique Approach Stadium-Building
When you hear news of a sports franchise wanting a new stadium built, you think of epic battles involving investors, municipal governments, and the city’s inhabitants. The New Jersey Nets wanting a new home in Brooklyn comes to mind, as does the perennial rumor of a football stadium on Manhattan’s West Side. Major League Soccer […]
6. SOCCER ON TV: Your Viewing Guide
For all the week’s MLS and Libertadores Cup action: https://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562137424
MLS CONFIDENTIAL: New Era In New York
By Ridge Mahoney Senior Editor, Soccer America How long will it take Bruce Arena to make New York Red Bull into a semblance of a competitive MLS team? In the short term, he'll have to rely on his tactical knowledge and motivational methods, since the team is tight up against the salary cap, it has […]
5. USL: PDL and W-League moves into playoffs
The PDL and W-League move into the playoffs with conference champions decided this weekend. Among the PDL contenders is Brigham Young University, the only varsity college program playing in the PDL. The defending W-League champion New Jersey Wildcats host the women’s league’s Eastern Conference finals. For complete PDL and W-League pairings: https://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562137425
4. U.S. U-20 MEN: Rongen names roster for Milk Cup
U.S. under-20 men’s national team coach Thomas Rongen released the 18-player roster he will take to Northern Ireland for the 2006 Milk Cup. Rongen included seven pro players, five of whom ply their trade in MLS — Josmer Altidore (N.Y. Red Bulls), Carlos Borja (Chivas USA), Rodrigo Lopez (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas) and […]
3. OFF THE POST: Horse gets Zidane treatment
After British jockey Paul O’Neill was caught by TV replays head-butting his horse, City Affair, London’s Evening Standard‘s headline read: "Angry jockey does a ‘Zidane’ to his horse." The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is investigating the incident as the sporting world speculates on what the pony could have said to provoke O’Neill’s attack. For more on […]
2. BRAZIL: Dunga takes the helm
Dunga, who captained Brazil to the World Cup title in 1994, has replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira as head coach of Brazil, which exited in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup. Dunga, 42, who also represented Brazil at the 1990 and 1998 World Cups, has no previous coaching experience, which has drawn comparisons to Germany’s […]
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“I also cut my hair for a different reason, because I want to push my kid to do the same. And it was hot. Training two times a day, I have no time to spend with long hair. I also want to push the young players on my team to have a proper haircut, not […]
U.S. U-20 MEN: Rongen names roster for Milk Cup
U.S. under-20 MenÆs National Team head coach Thomas Rongen released the 18-player roster he will take to Northern Ireland for the 2006 Milk Cup. Rongen included seven pro players, five of which ply their trade in MLS — Josmer Altidore (N.Y. Red Bulls), Carlos Borja (Chivas USA), Rodrigo Lopez (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas) […]
7. SOCCER ON TV: Your Viewing Guide
For all the week’s MLS and Libertadores Cup action: https://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562137424
6. NORDIC CUP: Germany beats USA, 2-0, in final
Germany ended the USA’s run of seven straight Nordic Cup titles when it beat the Americans, 2-0, in the championship game of the under-21 women’s competition. For more on the Nordic Cup: https://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562137422
