Archive for August, 2010

News in brief

TUES August 31 (AM): Transfers, Transfers, Transfers

The big news today (beyond a certain conference call)? The transfer window slammed shut. BANG.

So what happened?

Well, Asamoah Gyan moved from Rennes to Sunderland for more than $20 million. The striker helped Ghana down the United States during the 2010 World Cup and has averaged a goal every two games for the Black Stars. On the French club, he tallied 14 times in 47 appearances.

Elsewhere, in a move that clears a bit of space for American Oguchi Onyewu, Kakha Kaladze joins Genoa on a permanent loan from AC Milan. The 32 year old spent nine seasons with the Italian powerhouse. Elsewhere… (more…)

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United States

CONCACAF Qualifying Changes Spell Danger for U.S., Mexico

BRENT LATHAM – There wasn’t too much news to come out of the Bob Bradley “four more years” presser this morning. That is, until Sunil Gulati dropped a bomb at the very end, in response to a question about CONCACAF qualifying.

It was announced after the World Cup that the region’s qualifying structure would likely be changed to try to get some more games for smaller countries that had faced a simple home-and-away elimination at the onset.

But the proposed changes hinted at by Gulati could end up drastically effecting who goes to the World Cup from the region, and spell disaster for the region’s giants. (more…)

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News in brief

TUES August 31 (AM): Bradley Speaks, FIFA Set to Tour U.S.

An indisputable upside of four more years of Bob Bradley? Lots more great pictures of an eminently photograph-able figure.

So Bradley’s staying, and opinion seems to be divided between most fans and American soccer’s cognoscenti, who are virtually unanimous in their praise for the coach. There’s a reason for that, and I’ll address it later this morning.

In the meantime, U.S. soccer will hold a conference call in less than an hour, and we’ll be on board to bring you some quotes as they come out. I’ll keep a rolling blog entry as the conference call unfolds. (more…)

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News in brief, United States, World Cup

MON Aug 30 (PM): RIP Vallaro; Death in Brooklyn; Vote Blatter; etc.

Breaking with tradition, let’s start with some world news this evening:

Francisco Vallaro, former Argentine forward and the last surviving player from the inaugural World Cup (1930), died today.  FIFA did an interview with him earlier this year, shortly after he celebrated his 100th birthday.

St. Lucian MNT substitute defender, Isidore Phillip Tisson, was shot and killed in Brooklyn last night.  He had been out celebrating his match-winning goal that advanced his club to the Digicel Caribbean Cup final.

Whilte participation rates in baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey and soccer are down among school-age children, concussion rates are on the rise, according to a new study.  The study’s authors do not opine whether youth sports are becoming more competitive or parents/coaches are more aware of concussions now.

Sepp Blatter is campaigning to continue his reign over FIFA on the issue of improving referees.  If given another term, he promises full-time professional referees at the World Cup.  Fine in theory, but you wonder about the implications in a profession with a mandatory retirement age of 45.

Finally, Freddy Montero was named the MLS Player of the Week.  MLSsoccer.com notes that in the seven matches since Freddie Ljungberg left Seattle, Montero has five goals and three assists.

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United States

U.S. to Keep Bradley Through 2014

The U.S. has extended Bob Bradley’s contract through 2014, the federation announced Monday. The press release:

CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2010) — U.S. Soccer has agreed to a contract extension with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley.  The agreement with Bradley, who guided the U.S. team to numerous achievements including finishing in first place in their group at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 80 years, will keep him at the helm through the end of 2014. (more…)

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The Continent

AC Milan Impress as Juventus Struggles Continue

AC Milan started the season dominating their first game from the start and will be able to add Ibrahimovic to their attack next week. Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldinho were given acres of space to dictate the game for the Rossoneri against Lecce. Pirlo and Ronaldinho were able to open up the Lecce defense by playing ball after ball over the top to Pato and Borreillo. Pato had a brace and opened the scoring with a wonderful strike on the right wing placing the ball into the opposite corner. Pato then coolly ran by the keeper and placed the ball into net after a great through ball by Ronaldiho. Tiago Silva added a scrappy goal between Pato’s brace and Pippo Inzaghi finished the scoring in the 90th minute.

(more…)

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United States

US to Play Colombia in Philadelphia

It’s official. Get your tickets starting September 3.

Here’s the release from US Soccer:

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TO HOST COLOMBIA ON OCT. 12 IN CHESTER, PA.

U.S. Men to Make First Visit to PPL Park
Match to Be Broadcast Live on ESPN2 and Galavision at 8 p.m. ET
Tickets Go on Sale Friday, Sept. 3

CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2010) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will host South American rivals Colombia on Oct. 12 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. Kickoff for the USA’s first match on the Chester waterfront is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision. Fans can also follow along on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and twitter.com/ussoccer. (more…)

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United States

MLS and adidas Re-up. This Is A Good Thing, People

NOAH DAVIS – Major League Soccer and adidas extended their partnership through 2018. The apparel company will provide the growing league with eight-years of sponsorship at an estimated coast of $200 million.

On the face of it, that doesn’t sound like a whole lot of money. (Consider: Umbro gives England $42.8 million per season to provide the Three Lions with uniforms.) But there are other issues at play here.

I agree with Steve Davis who speaks truth about the partnership: It’s not a bad one for either side. MLS lands a boatload of cash, adidas solidifies its position with a growing sports entity, especially important since Nike and US Soccer are so close. (Grant Wahl smartly wonders if Nike and US Soccer will re-up their agreement, which currently runs through 2014.) All they need now are unique uniforms for each squad.

More importantly, the deal should facilitate a return of the reserve league, which is what MLS needs to grow. (more…)

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