“The man who said, ‘Yes we can do it,’ will be there. President Obama has accepted an invitation to the opening ceremony. Of course the schedule of heads of state can change, but he has said he will be there if he can.”
— FIFA President Sepp Blatter on U.S. President Barack Obama accepting an invitation to attend the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (Reuters)
[MLS PROFILE] Justin Braun is a second-year forward with Chivas USA who bolstered the injury-plagued frontline of the West’s second-place team. Braun’s unusual route to MLS took him from an amateur men’s team in Utah to a chance discovery by Chivas USA coach Preki at a USASA tournament at the Home Depot Center. Get to know the 22-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.
Well, this is another fine mess that Bob Bradley’s players have gotten him into.
Clint Dempsey didn’t immeditaly know his goal against Egypt, which gave the USA a 3-0 win, clinched passage to the semifinals of the Conferedations Cup. But the U.S. players soon got word that, combined with Brazil’s 3-0 triumph over Italy, the USA earned date on Wednesday with European champion Spain. “I was just happy that […]
European champion Spain set a world record of 15 successive international wins by beating hosts South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Saturday. David Villa's goal seven minutes into the second half and another 20 minutes later from substitute Fernando Llorente also meant Spain matched Brazil's run of 35 matches without defeat.
Michael Owen said that he will definitely leave Newcastle United this summer and will be prepared to move abroad if a deal with a Premier League club cannot be agreed. "I can't see me staying at Newcastle," Owen said. "I'm still a Newcastle United player but only for a matter of weeks." The out-of-contract former […]
Argentina's chronic soccer violence flared up again on Sunday when fans of title favorites Huracan clashed and left two dead and two badly injured, hospital sources said on Monday. Fighting among rival factions of fans of the same team began at halftime in Huracan's 3-0 home win over Arsenal and, with many brandishing guns and […]
In the waning moments of the San Jose Earthquakes' 2-1 victory Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy had what seemed like its entire team camped in front of San Jose's goal. "The ball was around our [6-yard box] for what seemed like five minutes," Earthquakes defender Chris Leitch said. "Guys were falling all over each other." […]
The New England Revolution's 4-2 win over Santos Laguna in the SuperLiga Group B opener for both teams had a little bit of everything. Goals, saves, cards, tackles and pugilistic confrontations made the match a drama for the neutrals who braved the inclement Father's Day weather. But most of all, the game had rain. Lots […]
Sunday was Father's Day in North America, and while many current MLS players were themselves recipients of cards and gifts from their loved ones, a handful of players wished a happy Father's Day to men who were, at one point in time, professional athletes. In total, 10 current MLS players are the sons of former […]
The FIFA Confederations Cup reaches the semifinal stage. The USA’s improbable entrance into the later round earns them a Wednesday duel with European Champion Spain. Brazil faces South Africa a day later in the other semifinal. Group play in SuperLiga 2009 rolls on with midweek and weekend matches. Mexico attempts to regain form with friendly matches against Venezuela (Wednesday) and Guatemala (Sunday). Look for updates in Wednesday’s and Friday’s Soccer on TV.
[USA-EGYPT REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Egypt in the Confederations Cup.
[USL-1] The Puerto Rico Islanders, last year’s USL First Division regular-season champions, are back on top in the USL-1 following a pair of 1-0 wins over the Charleston Battery.
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Unlike its depressing defeats against Italy and Brazil, in beating Egypt, 3-0, the USA. exploited flaws and characteristics it had detected, but only because its execution and spirit matched the occasion.
[WPS] It took 11 games, but Amy Rodriguez, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 WPS Draft, finally got her first goal, scoring in the Boston Breakers’ 2-0 win over the struggling Chicago Red Stars. Frenchwoman Camille Abily added to her leading-league tally, scoring in the leader Los Angeles Sol’s 2-0 win over FC Gold Pride.
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] South Africa’s Brazilian coach, Joel Santana, could breathe a sigh of relief. Even though the Bafana Bafana fell to Spain, 2-0, in Saturday’s Group A finale, they advanced to the semifinals when Iraq could only tie New Zealand, 0-0.
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] The USA didn’t just need to beat Egypt by three goals. It needed a three-goal Brazil victory over Italy in the other Group B game on Sunday — which it got, thanks to three Brazilian goals scored in the last eight minutes of the first half. Italy’s early exit immediately put Coach Marcello Lippi on the defensive.
[SUPERLIGA] MLS teams managed two wins and a tie in the four SuperLiga matches played last weekend to kick off the third annual matchup of American and Mexican club teams. Defending champion New England rallied to down Santos Laguna, 4-2, and a goal by Mexican international Brian McBride enabled Chicago to beat San Luis, 1-0. Kansas City played out a scoreless tie with Atlas, and UNL (Tigres) beat Chivas USA, 2-1, thanks to a spectacular bicycle-kick goal by Armando Pulido.
“It’s like that quote from ‘Dumb and Dumber’: ‘So you’re telling me there is a chance.’ That’s what we kept saying.”
— Defender Jonathan Bornstein explains the USA’s unlikely passage into the semifinals of the Confederations Cup after losing its first two games before downing Egypt, 3-0. (AP)
[MLS WINNERS & LOSERS] The Red Bulls finally got a point and FC Dallas notched a rare home win. The Los Angeles Galaxy lost a second straight as it was once again let down by its backline leader.
It was a good week for MLS clubs at the bottom of the standings. New York, last in the Eastern Conference, earned a point in a 1-1 tie with Seattle, while the Western Conference’s bottom two teams, FC Dallas and San Jose, both won. For all the game summaries, standings, leading scorers and this week’s schedule …
Stunning is the word, I think, for the USA’s rebirth at the Confederations Cup. Did I think the USA could beat Egypt? Maybe, but certainly not by 3-0.
Santa Clara Sporting led all teams with two titles at U.S. Club Soccer’s National Cup VIII regionals that concluded Tuesday in Modesto, Calif. Girls play will take place this weekend. For all the Modesto boys champions …
US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup champions — representing 27 different clubs — were crowned in three of four regions. The Region I Presidents Cup will be held June 20-21 in Kirkwood, Del. The national finals will take place July 17-19 at the WRAL Soccer Complex in North Carolina.
South Carolina’s Northwestern High School and Atlanta’s St. Pius X are the top ranked teams in the final NSCAA/adidas High School Spring Rankings for boys and girls, respectively.
