Here’s Brazil ‘s version of the American Dream: the poor, surrounded by drugs, gang violence, and state corruption, look to futebol as their ticket out of the favelas, or slums. Of course, very, very few make it. Adriano Leite Ribeiro, known to the world as Adriano, is one of those who made it, coming from […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Italians Raise Their Game Against Ukraine
The Azzurri finally came to last night overcoming a number of off-field problems to beat Ukraine, 3-0. As several Serie A executives are on trial in a match-fixing scandal, former Juventus and Italian national team defender Gianluca Pessotto is fighting for his life after an apparent suicide attempt. Both Gianluca Zambrotta and captain Fabio Cannavaro […]
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Crespo, Argentina Hurting After Cup Exit
Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, who scored three goals for Argentina at the World Cup this year, said the Argentines are in agony following their exit yesterday on penalties at the hands of host Germany. “We played really well and it hurts so much to lose,” Crespo said adding, “Germany weren’t better than us and the […]
Posted inStory, World Cup Watch
Section 1: Toni answers critics
By Paul Kennedy Managing Editor Soccer America Luca Toni came into the 2006 World Cup as one of the tournament’s most hyped players. having scored 31 goals for Fiorentina in the 2005-06 season, the most goals by a player in Serie A since 1957. But Toni didn’t score in Italy’s first four games at the […]
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WOITALLA: The Kaiser's Cup
By Mike Woitalla in Munich The German media often report on the VIPs at World Cup games like this: ''German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German President Horst Koehler and Franz Beckenbauer attended last night's game.'' They see no need to introduce Beckenbauer. His campaigning is credited with landing this World Cup in Germany, the country he […]
Posted inStory, World Cup Watch
MAHONEY: The party rolls on
By Ridge Mahoney in Berlin For a few more days at least, “PartyZone Deutschland” will stay on the air. A show by that title is running regularly on German television, portraying the activities and adventures of fans attending games as well as gathering at “FanFests” to party in front of big-screen TVs. After the round […]
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5. SOCCER ON TV: Your World Cup Viewing Guide
For all the week’s World Cup action and MLS games: https://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562137352
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
4. BLOGS: A VIP’s look at the World Cup
What’s it like to be a VIP at the World Cup? Chuck Blazer, the long-time general secretary of CONCACAF and lone American on FIFA’s executive committee, has been posting to his blog — Inside the World Cup — with a behind-the-scenes look at the World Cup: life in the FIFA tribune, the dinners and postgame […]
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3. USL: Romario and Zinho head All-Star team
Romario and Zinho, who played on Brazil’s 1994 World Cup championship team, head the list of players named for the USL First Division All-Star Game July 19 against English Championship League team Sheffield Wednesday in Cary, N.C. Two first-team all-league selections from last season also highlight the roster: two-time Defender of the Year Gabriel Gervais (Montreal) […]
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2. U.S. ABROAD: Action resumes in Norway
Americans return to action this weekend in Norway when league play resumes after a four-week break. Norway is the home to a growing number of American players — including U.S. internationals Nat Borchers, Robbie Russell, Brian West, Ramiro Corrales and Adin Brown — and U.S. collegians who spurned offers from MLS to play in Norway — […]
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1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“In a couple months, this will be over with. People will forget about it and move on and that’s what I’m looking forward to.” — U.S. national team star Landon Donovan, hoping memories of his disappointing performance and that of the U.S. team will soon disappear. (Los Angeles Times)
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Germans’ Resilience Triumphs Again
Germany is in the semifinals after a winning a stirring World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina. The hosts showed tenacity and resourcefulness to come back from a goal down after it looked as though Argentina was set to shut up shop and grind out a defensive 1-0 win. Argentina went ahead through a wonderful header from […]
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Bundesliga Fishing for Distribution Deals at World Cup
German Bundesliga officials hope the World Cup will increase Germany’s appetite for its domestic league, making it easier to sell television rights abroad to matches played by clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin. Germany’s league pales in comparison to the English Premiership or Spain’s La Liga in terms of TV rights and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Asian Football Federation Disappointed in Teams’ Showing
The Asian Football Federation is less than impressed with its teams’ performance at this year’s World Cupnone of them qualified for the second round and has said it will make a “very concerted effort” to help restructure and re-launch its leagues, improve match formats, and boost their overall technical and administrative professionalism, an AFC official […]
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China’s Socceroo-Hater May Have Been Sacked
The Chinese commentator famous for throwing expletives at the Australian team as Italy converted its last-minute penalty to send them home, could be headed for a sacking, the Age reports. Huang Jianxiang shouted things like “long live Italy” and “I don’t like the Australian team” after Francesco Totti put in Italy’s penalty to advance to […]
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Ratings Boost Notwithstanding, Americans Don’t Care About Cup
TV ratings for soccer games may have doubled since last World Cup, but Reuters columnist Steve James wants you to keep in mind a few things: games took place at 2:30, 5:00 and 7:30 AM at the last World Cup, and while ABC’s average rating of 2.5 for its first eight matches represents about 8 […]
Posted inStory, World Cup Watch
Section 1: Return of the Galacticos
By Paul Kennedy Managing Editor Soccer America When the World Cup began, Frenchman Zinedine Zidane looked tired, and his Real Madrid teammate, Brazilian Ronaldo, was overweight. The two Galacticos were dismissed as past their prime, but they played key roles Tuesday in leading their teams into the quarterfinals, where they meet Saturday in Frankfurt. An […]
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USL: Romario and Zinho head All-Star team
Romario and Zinho, who played on Brazil's 1994 World Cup team, head the list of players named for the USL First Division All-Star Game July 19 against English Championship League team Sheffield Wednesday in Cary, N.C. Two first-team all-league selections from last season also highlight the roster: two-time Defender of the Year Gabriel Gervais (Montreal) […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
EuropeÆs Starting XI
By Paul KennedyManaging Editor, Soccer America Magazine Barcelona, winner of the UEFA Champions League and SpainÆs La Liga, heads the list of EuropeÆs championship clubs. Our Starting XI of league champions should play major roles in the new European season that begins soon. BARCELONA: A SUCCESS ON ALL FRONTS HISTORY. Most of BarcelonaÆs titles have […]
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Rising Stars
Soccer America profiles American soccer's rising stars, nine executives and coaches who were born after Soccer America was launched in 1971 and have excelled in their positions. They all caught the soccer bug at a young age and quickly moved up the ranks. They stress the importance of diligence and the good fortune of opportunity […]
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35 Things To Do After the World Cup
Can't get enough soccer? Here are 35 soccer things to see and do this summer after the World Cup. By Paul KennedyManaging Editor, Soccer America Magazine 1 JULY 12. European clubs quickly move into high gear to prepare for the new season after the World Cup. Scottish champion Celtic is the first club to head […]
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Backline
Founder Clay Berling on the game's ascent during 35 years of Soccer America. By Mike Woitalla Executive Editor, Soccer America Magazine Clay Berling fell in love with soccer in the late 1960s and wanted to share his passion. In April of 1971, he launched Soccer West out of his State Farm Insurance office. Demand for […]
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OFF THE POST: Fan ignores burning home to watch World Cup
Chinese fans win the award for World Cup fanaticism. China didn't qualify for the 2006 World Cup, but that doesn't mean locals are ignoring the tournament. The viewing audience in China for the England-Paraguay match on the second day of the tournament was 62.9 million people — larger than the populations of England and Paraguay […]
Posted inStory, World Cup Watch
WOITALLA: The Kaiser’s Cup
By Mike Woitalla in Munich The German media often report on the VIPs at World Cup games like this: “German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German President Horst Koehler and Franz Beckenbauer attended last night’s game.” They see no need to introduce Beckenbauer. His campaigning is credited with landing this World Cup in Germany, the country he […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
MLS: Dempsey hero, Conrad goat in return from World Cup
Clint Dempsey played his first MLS game since returning from the World Cup, where he starred for the USA, and he set up Taylor Twellman for the lone goal as New England beat Western Conference leader FC Dallas, 1-0. Also playing for the Revs was Avery John, who started for Trinidad & Tobago at the […]