It’s been two years since Danny Szetela played in Major League Soccer with the Columbus Crew. After stints with Racing Santander in Spain’s La Liga, and Brescia Calcio in Italy’s Serie B, the midfielder will return to his home country to join D.C. United. D.C. United acquired the 22-year-old through the allocation draft after FC […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Like father, like son
[LIBERTADORES CUP] Juan Sebastian Veron — who backed out of a deal at the last minute to join MLS’s D.C. United for the 2008 season — won the Libertadores Cup Wednesday when his Argentine club, Estudiantes, beat Cruzeiro of Brazil, 2-1, to win the final by the same score on aggregate.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I’m a very honest person. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be here. I’ve always been committed to every contract I’ve ever had, and that hasn’t changed. I’m a very committed person. If people want to question my commitment and my professionalism, the fact that I’m willing to travel thousands of miles to play for my country says it all.”
— David Beckham on returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a third season that begins Thursday at Giants Stadium. (Newark Star-Ledger)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Perfect conditions found in Ireland
[REAL MADRID] Real Madrid, which will head to North America next month to face Toronto FC and D.C. United in preseason exhibitions, chose a remote Irish estate dating back to the 1100s as the site of its first week of summer training with new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Golf is a main attraction at Carton House, which lies on the 1,100-acre estate 15 miles west of Dublin and boasts two golf courses. But it has gone in the soccer business, installing a field with a state-of-the-art playing surface, complete with an irrigation system identical to that at Manchester United’s Old Trafford, to attract big-time teams.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Blanco slays luckless Revs
[SUPERLIGA] Cuauhtemoc Blanco‘s goal on a 25-yard free kick in the second half gave the visiting Chicago Fire a 2-1 victory over the defending champion New England Revolution and moved it into the final of the 2009 SuperLiga against Tigres, a 3-2 winner over Santos in Wednesday’s other semifinal at Gillette Stadium.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
First stop on comeback tour
[MLS PREDICTION] Asking if anything can stop the New York Red Bulls’ slide into oblivion is akin to Yogi Berra‘s favorite comment about if fans don’t want to go to the ballpark, there’s no way to stop them. This team is a walking double negative. There’s always hope with Juan Pablo Angel up top, but not much. When David Beckham begins his comeback tour on Thursday for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Bulls, not likely is a repeat of the 5-4 thriller these teams played in The Swamp two years ago.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Matt Lauer, Beckham and ‘Langdon’ [VIDEO]
[TELEVISION WATCH] On Wednesday morning, David Beckham stopped by NBC’s “Today Show” and talked with host Matt Lauer about a range of subjects. “At the end of the day, I’m a soccer player,” said Beckham, but you have hardly known by the questioning, which concentrated on topics such as movies, modeling, tattoos and marriage. Lauer did bring the commitment issue — soccer, not marriage — asking Beckham to comment on the criticism leveled at him by Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. If Beckham had any doubt about the work he has ahead to promote soccer in United States, he got his answer when Lauer mangled Donovan’s first name …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The commitment issue [VIDEO]
[MLS] David Beckham is set make his return to MLS, but much of the questioning at Wednesday’s press conference in Hoboken was not about Thursday’s important clash the Los Angeles Galaxy has with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, 8 pm ET), but about the Englishman’s commitment to MLS. “I’m committed to the MLS as an ambassador,” Beckham insisted during the press conference. On Thursday night, fans will get their first chance to see whether Beckham remains committed as a player …
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
In the U.S. pro scene, Carolina faces Vancouver (USL, Friday), Toronto hosts Houston (MLS, Saturday) and Sky Blue FC takes on Chicago (WPS, Sunday). The Concacaf Gold Cup reaches the quarterfinal stage on Saturday, when the USA plays Panama, and Sunday.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Iraq Cleared to Host International Matches
Iraq can start hosting matches for its national team and club teams in Asian continental competitions after a decision announced Wednesday by the Asian Football Confederation. The AFC cleared the city of Irbil to host matches, following the successful friendly between Iraq and Palestine last week. Before this match, Iraq had not played at home […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Villa Makes Move for Downing
Aston Villa made its first significant move of the transfer window, signing Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing for about $20 million. The Teessiders have accepted Villa's bid for the England international whose participation in the 2009-10 season may be delayed by a foot injury sustained toward the end of Boro's unsuccessful fight against relegation. The move […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mexican Striker Vela To Return Against Haiti
Mexican striker Carlos Vela, having been sidelined by injury in his first Gold Cup match against Nicaragua, expects to be match fit by Sunday and ready to take on quarterfinal rivals Haiti. "Every day I feel better with more confidence to get things done," Vela explained to reporters in Dallas. "I still have an annoyance […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Young U.S. Star To Return From Europe to MLS
Former U.S. Olympic team midfielder Danny Szetela is on his way back to Major League Soccer. According to multiple sources, Szetela has agreed to a new contract with MLS after ending his deal with Spanish club Racing Santander. Szetela spent the past season and a half on loan to Italian club Brescia, but is now […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Workers Strike Ends In South Africa
Construction workers in South Africa have agreed to end a weeklong strike that threatened to derail the completion of already tightly scheduled projects for the World Cup, union officials and employers said Wednesday. Workers agreed on a pay increase of 12 percent, below the earlier demand of 13 percent. Work will commence on Thursday. "The […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blanco to Replace De Rosario on All-Star First XI
The 2008 All-Star Game MVP, Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, will replace the 2006 MLS All-Star MVP, Dwayne De Rosario, in this year's All-Star First XI. De Rosario is unavailable for the All-Star Game due to his club's participation in the Concacaf Champions League. Toronto FC faces the Puerto Rico Islanders in the preliminary round […]
Posted inSoccer America Classifieds, Story
Soccer America Classifieds
Welcome to Soccer America Classifieds, Soccer America’s email newsletter connecting soccer companies and organizations to Soccer America members each week. Soccer America Classifieds feature soccer classified advertisements on the latest soccer job openings, soccer products and soccer opportunities. Read Soccer America Classifieds each Wednesday.
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“One of the best moves we have made as an organization was bringing Oscar Pareja back to FC Dallas to lead the Juniors program.”
— FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock on the former FCD midfielder, who returned to Dallas from the U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla. Pareja was named the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Coach of the Year, having led the U-17/18 team to a 15-5-8 regular-season record and a second-place finish in the Central Conference and also led the U-15/16 team to a 18-3-7 record and an appearance at Finals Week.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. girls national teams training in Boulder
The U.S. under-20 and under-18 girls national teams is holding training camps together at the University of Colorado. Canada’s U-20s are also staying in Boulder.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
D.C. United takes MLS/SUM Cup
D.C. United’s academy team won its second MLS/SUM U-17 Cup in three years by defeating FC Dallas in a shootout in the championship game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U-17/18 Development Academy All-Conference Teams
Four former members of the U.S. Soccer U-17 residency program — Larry Jackson (IMG Academy), Korey Veeder (Clearwater Chargers), Jesse Paredes (Chivas USA Academy) and Pablo Cruz (LAFC Chelsea) — are among the players selected to the 2008-09 U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 All-Conference Teams. For all the all-conference picks and conference coaches of the year …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Four players repeat on Development Academy Starting XI
Four players — IMG Academy’s Larry Jackson, Real Colorado’s Taylor Kemp, Crossfire’s Anthony Arena and the PA Classics’ Andrew Wenger — are repeat selections on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s U-17/18 Starting XI.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Wolves clinch berth in U-15/16 final
The top seed Derby County Wolves were the first team from either age group to clinch a place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy championships, clinching the Group 1 title in the U-15/16 age group with wins over FC Dallas and the Chicago Magic AS Monaco. Wednesday’s final day of group play will determine the Wolves’ opponent in Friday’s final, which will be telecast live on ESPN Classic at 7 pm ET (10 pm ET). Surprise Cal Odyssey needs only a tie against to clinch first place in Group 2.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
D.C.-Carmel set for U-17/18 final
D.C. United will meet Carmel United in Thursday’s U-17/18 championship match at U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Finals Week being held at the Home Deport Center (TV: ESPN Classic, live, 7 pm PT10 pm ET). For all the U-17/18 action …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Big weeks for Sanchez and Watson
[USL TEAMS OF THE WEEK] Minnesota’s Ricardo Sanchez, who had a goal and an assist in the Thunder’s 3-0 win over Montreal, and former U.S. U-17 international Jamie Watson, who had a goal and three assists in the Wilmington Hammerheads’ 4-0 victory over the visiting Western Mass Pioneers, earned the USL First Division and Second Division Player of the Week honors, respectively. For the USL-1 and USL-2 Teams of the Week …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Murphy manages powerless Livingston
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Former MLS assistant coach John Murphy is the first American to manage a Scottish pro club, taking over second-level Livingston, but it’s hardly a glamorous position. The club’s stadium has been without electricity since last month because it has been unable to pay the bill, and fans weren’t be allowed to see Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Falkirk because local police declined to issue a safety certificate for the stadium.