Archive for October, 2010

United States

Rongen: Nov Camp Mostly for MLS and College Players

BRENT LATHAM- U.S. under-20 coach Thomas Rongen is preparing for a new camp with this version of the national team, with an eye towards next spring’s CONCACAF championship in Guatemala. The long-time youth coach says this camp will be mostly for college and MLS players who haven’t been in camp of late because of team or club commitments.

Rongen’s team will play Mexico and Colombia in late November in Kennesaw, Georgia, and the coach is planning on taking a look at some of his core group who have been missing through this summer and fall, mostly due to their MLS jobs.

“We’re three quarters through the cycle, we probably have three more camps or trips through March of next year,” said Rongen. “You like to solidify things and bring in as many of the core group as possible which is always an obstacle for this group.”

Rongen has had trouble assuring the participation of a number of his players for camps over the last few months, but will welcome back some MLS based players and a handful of college players who have finished up their seasons. The coach is also looking forward to bringing Sebastian Lletget back into camp for the first time in almost a year. (more…)

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News in brief

FRI Oct. 29 (PM): Diego, Hodsgon, and Brazil

Diego Maradona has suggested that he would like to manage in the English Premier League, but there is one problem. Acorrding to Maradona,

The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good coaches. If any important job comes along I will accept it.

It is hard to imagine Maradona on the sideline for Manchester United or Liverpool, but you never know- he did lead Argentina to the quarterfinals.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says he plans on buying at least one player over the January transfer window. The manager had this to say,

“The owners know that perfectly well. We have got to make certain that if we go out and spend £20 million, we are getting a £20 million player.”

The only problem that will face Hodgson is finding a player that will only cost £20.

Hodgson’s former club also plans to spend, and are interested in want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz. Mark Hughs, the current manager of Santa Cruz at Manchester City and Blackburn, says he would like the Parag uayan to reunite with him. (more…)

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What We're Watching

What We’re Watching this Weekend

The road to Toronto continues as the MLS playoffs get back under way following Colorado’s 1-0 defeat of Columbus. Real will look to steal a point in Dallas, where the Hoops have lost only one game this year. San Jose and MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski will host a Red Bulls side hampered by an ailing Thierry Henry, while David Beckham will get his first taste of Qwest Field’s Sounders faithful.

Dallas v. Real Salt Lake (Sat. 5:00 PM ET, FSC)
San Jose v. New York (Sat. 10:00 PM ET, Telefutura)
Seattle v. Los Angeles (Sun. 8:00 PM ET, ESPN2)

(more…)

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What We're Watching

Serie A Week 9 Preview

Juventus v. AC Milan

Juventus travels to the San Siro to face AC Milan but will be without their best player, Milos Krasic. The winger is suspended for two games after drawing a penalty last week for his dive against Bologna. This is a big blow for Juventus since Krasic leads the team in goals and assist. The Bianconerri still has the best scoring offense in Serie A, and will need Simone Pepe, Krasic’s likely replacement, to step up and be as dangerous as Krasic. Also, the Juventus defense has stepped up lately after their early season struggles by posting three straight shutouts. AC Milan also has a big injury issue with Brazilian Ronaldinho likely to be out for this match. Fellow Brazilian Robinho looks to be his replacement and had this to say about the match this weekend,

“My team-mates have told me that it’s the most important game of the season”

(more…)

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News in brief

FRI Oct. 29 (AM): On MLS Playoffs, FIFA, WC Bids, Euro 2012, and EPL

The Colorado Rapids took a 1-0 lead heading back to Columbus as the 2010 MLS Playoffs opened last night. A 23rd minute goal from Pablo Mastroeni was the lone score in a match. The teams will head to Columbus for the return leg next Saturday, November 6. The rest of the field will kick-off over the weekend (home teams in bold):

Dallas v. Real Salt Lake (Sat. 5:00 PM ET, FSC)
San Jose v. New York (Sat. 10:00 PM ET, Telefutura)
Seattle v. Los Angeles (Sun. 8:00 PM ET, ESPN2)

Despite the suspensions of Nigerian Amos Adamu and Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii for allegedly offering to sell their votes for hosting the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, FIFA will still hold the official vote on December 2.

Not all is bad for the Nigerian Football Federation, who had their suspension lifted.

(more…)

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News in brief

THURS Oct.28 (PM): Zidane, Jones, Sneijder, FIFA, MLS, Shirts, and Reina


Zinedine Zidane is back – well, sort of. According to Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano, Zidane will assist manager Jose Mourinho “not with the technical work but by collaborating in a way that his experience is available to the coach and the team.”

United States midfielder Jermaine Jones has injured ligaments in his right ankle, during Schalke 04′s German Cup victory of FSV Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder’s new contract will have him to stay with the club through 2015.  The 2-year extension ends speculation around the Dutchman, who was reportedly courted by Manchester United.

England withdrew its complaint to FIFA after Russia apologized for comments made regarding London’s high crime rate and youth drinking problem.

Chivas, shirts, and José Reina after the jump (more…)

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South of the Border, United States

A Talent Void in the United States?

NOAH DAVIS – I wrote about finding America’s Chicharito for MLSsoccer.com and came to the conclusion that it’s going to be some time before an American makes an immediate impact at a major club abroad. This, of course, isn’t a dramatic revelation. The United States struggles to produce top of the line talent.

The program grows ever better at churning out solid prospects, many who develop into good professionals either for Major League Soccer or in Europe. There are more Americans getting time on clubs across the pond than ever before. That’s the good news.

The bad? While the depth of the pool is growing, the top-level is hardly budging. Call it the FIFA conundrum. (more…)

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United States

Zakuani Drawing England Interest, or Not – Should U.S. Fans Care?

BRENT LATHAM – The word on the street today is that Steve Zakuani’s wing play in Seattle this year has been so impressive that Fabio Capello might be looking at MLS for more than just that L.A.-based free kick taker.

Of course, as MLSsoccer.com points out, it’s the English media saying this – more specifically one columnist who can’t be bothered to do his basic homework… (more…)

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News in brief

THURS Oct 28 (AM): 2022 Bidding, MLS Playoffs, Altidore’s Goal

Just when you thought the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups couldn’t get any uglier, it does. FIFA officials will meet on Thursday and Friday and plan to discuss the possibility of delaying the decisions. The ethics committee hopes to release the findings of its investigation into Sunday Time allegations that executive committee members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii were willing to sell their votes on November 17 but could need more time. And then there are the rumors of collusion between the Spain-Portugal bid and Qatar’s. Finally, in the “oh by the way” category, UEFA opened an investigation into bribery charges relating to the 2012 Euro championship.

Let’s turn to something happier, shall we? (more…)

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News in brief, United States

Wed Oct. 27 (PM): Altidore, Scudetto 2006?, Zidane, and Carlitos

Positive news from Spain as American striker Jozy Altidore scored his first goal for Villarreal against Ejido in the Copa del Ray. Unfortunately, his side was only able to tie 1-1. Sevilla and Atletico each won easily against Real Union and Universidad Las Palmas. For the rest of the Cup scores, look here for Copa del Ray score, here for Coppa Italia, and here for Carling Cup.

After recent evidence from the Calciopoli scandal Juventus is requesting that they are to be rewarded the Scudetto. Juventus president Andrea Agnelli had this to say,

“I wanted to bring your attention to the judicial aspects that regard us. We have sent a file for the revocation of Inter’s Scudetto and we have sufficient guarantees that we will soon receive a response.”

This would give Juventus a total of 28 titles in Serie A. In other Serie A news, owner Massimo Morati told coach Rafael Benitez that they do not have enough funds to buy any players over the January transfer window. He went on to say that if Benitez is interested in buying any players he would have to sell first. (more…)

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