Archive for November, 2010

News in brief

Thurs Nov 30 (PM): On Spector, the Carling Cup, Hahnemann, World Cup Bids and WPS

USA international Jonathan Spector sure picked one heck of an occasion to score his first ever goals for West Ham. The fullback’s first half brace helped sink titleholders Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup. Carlton Cole’s pair of goals helped complete the 4-0 rout.

Elsewhere in the Carling Cup, Arsenal defeated Wigan 2-0 thanks to a Nicklas Bendtner strike and a Wigan own goal.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has dropped American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann in favor of Wayne Hennessey. This may only fuel the speculation behind the Seattle native’s return to the United States, considering there will be a new MLS club in the Pacific Northwest next year.

Vladimir Putin’s decision not to travel to Zurich on Thursday for the announcement of the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup host sites may boost England’s chances of winning the 2018 bid.

Fresh off its 2010 MLS Cup victory, the Colorado Rapids have acquired Toronto FC midfielder Joseph Nane for a third-round pick in the 2012 draft.

Serie A players may be looking to strike on the weekend of December 11-12 after collective bargaining talks have stalled again.

Women’s Professional Soccer’s newest franchise the Western New York Flash formally unveiled its identity today. The team has also reportedly come to terms with Canadian star striker Christine Sinclair. The 27 year-old has had quite the year, including a WPS Championship with the recently defunct FC Gold Pride, a FIFA World Player of the Year nod, and a 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup trophy.

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United States

Sadly, USA Bid Not Looking Too Good

BRENT LATHAM – T-48 hours to decision time, and if you’re an American soccer fan and not very nervous about what will take place in Zurich, maybe you don’t understand:

The U.S. is not the favorite to be given World Cup 2022. Oddsmakers have placed USA Bid in the middle of the pack, behind Qatar and Australia.

How can this be, you ask? The U.S. has the best bid, you say, by far. Economically speaking it’s head and shoulders above the rest. Venue wise, no country on earth can compete with the USA, and the two main competitors, Australia and Qatar, have serious and potentially impossible to overcome stadium issues.

If you ask that, it’s because you’re a rational, logical human being, not a FIFA Executive Committee member. As Michael Lewis notes here, this game is not what it used to be.

And that makes the U.S. a longshot when it should be a shoe-in.

(more…)

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News in brief

TUES Nov 30 (AM): Americans Abroad, England, La Liga, EPL

American defender Oguchi Onyewu may venture away from AC Milan, but will likely stay within the confines of Italy.

Fellow American, Benny Feilhaber, may migrate from Danish football to “a big club in Mexico.”

Another U.S. international, Stuart Holden, is questionable for Bolton’s match against Manchester City on Saturday.

England, World Cup bids, El Classico reflection, and EPL after the jump (more…)

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News in brief

MON Nov 29 (PM): La Liga, Beckham, US bid, EPL, and MLS

El Clásico was truly a classic match as Barcelona defeated rival Real Madrid 5-0 in front of over 98,000 fans at Camp Nou. The wining side saw two goals from David Villa, as well as scores courtesy of Xavi, Pedro, and Jeffrén Suárez.

New Everton rumors connected with the L.A. Galaxy, but this time for David Beckham.

The U.S. bid has received the go-ahead from Congress, monetary support from the MLS, and additional assistance from Morgan Freeman.

EPL and MLS after the jump (more…)

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News in brief

MON Nov. 29 (AM): On WC Bidding, El Clasico, EPL, and the Women’s WC

With FIFA’s decision as to who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups just three days away, the BBC takes a look at the challenges that Brazil, the 2014 host, are facing.

Three more FIFA executives are facing corruption claims following a report issued by two European papers.

Soccer America breaks the whole voting process down.

David Beckham is hoping one last effort on his part will be enough to bring the World Cup to England for 2018.

(more…)

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United States

U-20s Tie Mexico to Round Out Tournament

BRENT LATHAM – Gale Agbossoumonde scored on a second half set piece to give the U.S. Under-20 team a tie in its second match of the Torneo de Las Americas in Georgia.

Mexico had gone ahead earlier in the half after converting a rebound from a Jonathan Kempin save. The U.S. finished the tournament for all intents and purposes with two ties, despite losing both penalty shootouts in the end.

For this match, Coach Thomas Rongen fielded a mostly first choice lineup including Agbossoumonde, Juan Agudelo, Sebastian Lletget, and Alex Zahavi. The coach kept his starting eleven on for the full 90, according to U.S. soccer.

Players now make their way back to their clubs and will reconvene in December at a location to be determined.

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United States

U.S. U-20s Tie Colombia Behind Zahavi

The U.S. Under-20 national team tied Colombia in its first of two scrimmages in Atlanta in what has been dubbed, for some reason, the Torneo de Las Americas.

The U.S. team went ahead late in the first half when newcomer Alex Zahavi netted off a combination from Tristan Bowen and Sebastian Lletget.

Coach Thomas Rongen used a mostly first choice lineup in attack and midfield, and some greener players in the back. The U.S. will scrimmage again Sunday against Mexico in Kennesaw, Georgia.  If you’re in the area, get on out and see a glimpse of American soccer’s bright future. And then report back.

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News in brief

FRI NOV. 26 (PM): Adu, US Women, and Mourinho

After years of struggling in Europe could it be possible that Freddy Adu has finally found a home. The American playmaker will stay in Denmark for another week with club side FC Rangers. Although, Adu has always had the talent to impress clubs with his skill, he has been impressive off the field as well with Rangers.

The USA women’s side is in their final days of preparing for their home match against Italy.  Check out here to see how their training is going and how the team spent their Thanksgiving.

Diego Maradona gives praise to Real Madrid coach stating,

“I watch all Madrid’s games, and I like the improvisation that he demonstrates. How he controls the players, how he carries the group with him.”

Diego is correct to give the special one praise since Real Madrid have yet to lose this season, have scored the most goals, and given up the least amount of goals. (more…)

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What We're Watching

Serie A Match 14 Preview

AC Milan v. Sampdoria

Top of the table AC Milan takes on Sampdoria, who finally won their first game after club president Riccardo Garrone decided Antonio Cassano would no longer be a part of the club. Cassano will sorely be missed by the club and would have been a great asset for Sampdoria in this match.

Instead the club will look for striker Giampaolo Pazzini to lead the team after his hat trick performance last week. Italian midfielder Angelo Palombo looks to be available for Sampdoria after his injury, and his presence will be needed to break up the Milan attack.  Speaking of the Milan attack look no further than number 11 Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish striker has scored in four of the past five matches for Milan and is the reason why the club is in first place. The Rossoneri are coming into the match with a four game winning streak and have a three point advantage over second place Lazio. Milan has been dominant on defense and offense this season and will need to continue their dominance against Sampdoria.

Prediction: Milan- Ibrahimovic has been unstoppable this season and a Cassano-less Sampdoria does not pose as much of a threat. (more…)

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United States, World Cup 2014

The Changing Face of the United States U-20 Team

“I left under the radar. I didn’t mention I was leaving. I was called to the US national team and at that point I decided it was time to move back to the US. I just told the [Chivas] coaches it was over. I was going to play for the US. They didn’t like it at all, but they couldn’t do anything about it. It was a great decision. Chivas is a great club and everything but I saw myself over here more than in Mexico.

That would be 17-year-old Omar Salgado discussing his decision to joint the United States’ U-20 squad and essentially cut ties with his Chivas club because they only employ players eligible for the Mexican national team. Aside the quote being pretty awesomely badass – I can’t help but picture Salgado sneaking out in the middle of the night – it speaks to the new reality of the American youth teams. (more…)

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