Posts Tagged ‘South Africa’

News in brief

WED Nov. 17 (AM): On Friendlies, USMNT, WC Bids, EPL, and Europe

A full serving of international friendlies is under way today, with the USMNT set to take on South Africa at 2:30 PM ET (ESPN2). Bob Bradley’s youthful and inexperienced side will have an opportunity to catch the coach’s eye as the 2014 cycle continues. Another look at one of those hopefuls, Mikkel Diskerud.

Must-watch matches today include:
Argentina v. Brazil (12:00 PM ET)
Netherlands v. Turkey (2:30 PM ET)
England v. France (3:00 PM ET)
Portugal v. Spain (4:00 PM ET)
Chile v. Uruguay (6:45 PM ET)

England has been given a boost in their bid to bring the World Cup back to soccer’s birthplace in 2018 after FIFA released a report detailing the risks associated with each bid. The US bid for 2022, however, has received a “medium risk” rating for its inability to secure government support. With the announcement less than a month away and Qatar receiving a “low risk” rating, the report is not extremely welcome news for those hoping the tournament returns to America. The full bid evaluation.

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United States

Bradley Names 18 Players for South Africa

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Detailed Roster)
GOALKEEPERS (2): Dominic Cervi (Celtic), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
DEFENDERS (7): Gale Agbossoumonde (Estoril Praia), Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake), Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabaek), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Teal Bunbury (Kansas City Wizards), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

Pretty solid, given the options. Your thoughts?

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United States, World Cup 2018/2022

So What Is the United States Doing in South Africa?

NOAH DAVIS – Next week, the United States men’s national team returns to South Africa for the fourth time in recent memory. They will take the field against the Bafana Bafana on November 17, exactly three years after defeating the home side 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Steve Cherundolo. Bob Bradley and his crew also played matches during the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup. There’s a well-traveled path between the US Soccer House in Chicago and Johannesburg and Cape Town, a trek of almost 9,000 miles.

Plenty of folks are weighing in on who should make the trip. Expect a mix of guys from Major League Soccer teams no longer in the running for MLS Cup and players on European clubs who are on break or aren’t getting regular playing time.

But really, it doesn’t matter who makes the trip (although really young would be interesting). Only four names matter. (more…)

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News in brief

WED AUG 18 (PM): On South Africa, Gibbs, and the Champions League

What’s long been predicted for post-World Cup South Africa is now coming to pass. Those beautiful stadiums the government built? Yeah, there’s nothing to put in them. Rugby and cricket teams could move in – would love to, actually – except the venues, amazingly, need more renovations. The stadium in Durban, for example, doesn’t have enough luxury boxes to accommodate the Sharks rugby team. D’oh!

“What we are discussing today should have been discussed before we built the stadiums,” South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins said. “It is tragic for us as a nation that we have to act in reverse.”

It seems as though no one bothered to discuss the future with Hoskins. Of course, “We were all taken up by the soccer World Cup and in the hype we forgot we should have been talking to each other,” he admitted.

What a disaster. (more…)

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News in brief, The Continent, United States

WED Aug 18 (AM): On MLS, CONCACAF CL, UEFA CL, and International News

MLS hit the ground running in the CONCACAF Champions League group stages, as Toronto dealt last year’s runner-up Cruz Azul a 2-1 defeat. A goal and an assist from Toronto’s DP Mista gave the MLS side a two goal advantage in the first half as they dominated much of the 90 minutes. Cruz Azul managed to get one back before the final whistle, but Toronto will be extremely happy to leave BMO field with a full three points. The Reds now sit atop Group A, and while some may wish to call the victory the biggest surprise in the club’s history, Toronto will need to replicate their impressive performance to advance out of a strong group that includes Real Salt Lake and Arabe Unido.

RSL and the Columbus Crew look to replicate the success of Toronto tonight as they take on Arabe Unido and Municipal, respectively. Seattle, the final MLS side remaining in the competition, are set to face Honduran side Marathon tomorrow night in San Pedro Sula. The full schedule of matches here.

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World Cup 2010

Making Sense of the 2010 World Cup Attendance Figures

NOAH DAVIS – World Cup attendance figures are out and Sports Business Journal reports the event was the third-most attended tournament ever.

A total of 3,178,856 fans attended FIFA World Cup matches in South Africa, marking the third-highest total in the event’s history behind the event in the US in ’94 (3.59 million) and in Germany in ’06 (3.36 million). The matches averaged 49,670 fans per game, down 5 percent from 52,491 per game in Germany four years ago.

That’s not bad, but is it great? (more…)

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News in brief, World Cup 2010

WED June 23 (AM): Group C and D, Mancini Plans, Parreira Exits

The moment of truth awaits Group C and D today as they prepare to determine who will move on to the second round. No team in either group has clinched a birth yet. The US, England, and Slovenia each control their own destiny as Group C culminates at 10 AM ET, while in Group D (2:30 PM ET), the same can be said for Ghana, Germany, and Serbia. Essentially, win and you’re in. Tie, and unless you’re Ghana or Slovenia, start looking at the other scoreboard. For Algeria and Australia, a win and help from others is crucial to survival.

Concerns surround both the US and England. Jozy Altidore is battling a stomach bug and missed part of Tuesday’s practice, although the team has announced the player will be fit to start. Meanwhile, England will be starting Matthew Upson alongside outspoken John Terry, as Ledley King is injured and Jamie Carragher suspended.

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United States, World Cup 2010

FRI June 18 (AM): On Cahill, the EPL, and Problems in South Africa

Appeals by the Australian Football Federation and support from German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger have resulted in no further punishment than the customary one-match ban for Australia star Tim Cahill’s red card in the first round of group play.

“We’re extremely pleased that it’s the minimum one-game penalty and pleased that Tim will still be a part of the tournament and ready to go for our final group match,” said FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley.

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