Posts Tagged ‘Spain’

News in brief

WED. July 27 (PM): FIFA Rankings, Aguero, Pastore, and Serie A

The USMNT has fallen to 30th in the FIFA world rankings. It should not be surprising that the US fell a few places after losing to Mexico in the Gold Cup final. Spain is still number one and should be after winning the Euros and World Cup the past four years. Copa America champions Uruguay move up to fifth in the rankings.

All that is stoping Manchester City from signing Sergio Aguero is the club officially announcing the deal is done. The Argentinean striker is set to replace Carlos Tevez, who is unhappy playing in England. Aguero should be a good signing for Manchester City and adds depth to a team that will play in the Champions League.   (more…)

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10 Kit Essay, United States

USA vs. Spain: Three things to watch

TRAVIS CLARK — Deducing legitimate meaning out of international friendlies is always a difficult task.

That seems especially true, as the U.S. men’s national team braces for a rematch of its 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal against Spain, Saturday in Foxborough, Mass (4:30 pm ET, ESPN).

On the one hand, stakes are a bit higher for the U.S., as this serves as a final tuneup and preparation for the 2011 Gold Cup, which then begins on Tuesday against Canada up in Detroit. Spain have nothing to play for, of course, after a long club season for its Europe-based players.

With the Gold Cup right around the corner, it’ll be worth keeping an eye on how Bob Bradley approaches the task. Does he go for a confidence-inspiring win, leaning heavily on starters? That could prove costly, especially considering this iteration of the Gold Cup yields a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

But if he leans on reserves, it could mean a heavy loss, and a sap the team’s confidence. Here are three things to watch as the two sides battle it out Saturday.

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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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News in brief

TUES Oct 12 (AM): US, Liverpool, Euro 2012, and Dempsey Montage

A picture from the U.S.-Colombia match in the '94 World Cup (Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT)

The United States will play in a friendly against Colombia  – probably not in front of a sold-out crowd. The match will be the second friendly in four days for the Americans, who will be without  veteran defenders Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra, who returned to their club teams. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET and the match, which will be played at PPL Park in Philadelphia, will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

As the world awaits a decision from the High Court on Liverpool’s ownership, prospective owner John W. Henry has begun a dialogue with fans via Twitter.

“Hello LFC supporters,” he opened up with on Tuesday, before adding “Thanks Yes, everyone is hoping for the best. There have been enough twists and turns. Hopefully all gets sorted out soon; LFC moves forward.”

Euro 2012 qualifiers and Clint Dempsey montage after the jump (more…)

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News in brief

WED Aug 11 (PM): On Beckham, Lichaj, and Friendlies

Guess who’s back? David Beckham. (Also, apparently, Eminem.) The midfielder may be too old to play for England but he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy for a short while during training on Wednesday afternoon (and there are pictures to prove it).

Beckham is just four months removed from the achilles tendon tear that was supposed to be a season-ending injury, but he hopes to get back on the pitch for the Major League Soccer playoffs. MLS is better off when he’s on the pitch, so hurry back.

Eric Lichaj signed a three-year deal with Aston Villa. The centerback hasn’t played a match for Bob Bradley’s potential future home – he spent 2009 on loan with Lincoln City and last season with Leyton Orient – but feels confident his time is coming.

“Hopefully when I start playing here I can get into the USA team. That would be nice,” he told the BBC. (more…)

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South of the Border

Mexico Takes on Spain – at Home of All Places

BRENT LATHAM – Think the U.S. had it hard when they scheduled Brazil in there return match from the World Cup?

The Brazilians, completely understandably, brought a team of young stars to NY in their 2-0 dismantling of a lame American side Tuesday night. World Champion Spain, on the other hand, did no such thing when they traveled to Mexico City for a Wednesday friendly against El Tri.

Along with the World Cup trophy, Spain brought along 18 World Cup veterans. (more…)

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News in brief, United Kingdom, United States

FRI July 16 (AM): On Paul (Last Time?), Henry, Gambling, and Donovan

In tragic Friday morning news, the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany has reportedly rejected Madrid Zoo’s request to transfer Paul the Psychic Octopus to a new Spanish aquatic home. Despite earlier rumors a deal was being put together and advances by the Madrid Zoo following petitions from across the country urging the zoo to acquire the cephalopod, Oberhausen officials have asserted that Paul is not for sale. Sea Life spokeswoman Tanja Munzig reiterated the German aquarium’s stance:

“We are not in contact with Madrid Zoo. And we know nothing about swapping Paul for another animal or him going to Madrid Zoo for a transfer sum.”

And if you haven’t yet had enough of the world famous invertebrate, then be sure to check out the latest Paul the Octopus inspired iPhone app: Ask the Octopus.

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News in brief, United Kingdom, United States, World Cup 2010

MON July 12 (AM): On Forlan, the Final, Rumors, Red Bulls, and Davies

With Spain still celebrating the first World Cup championship in their country’s history, FIFA dolled out the tournament’s awards. Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, who scored five goals in the tournament while leading the unlikeliest of South American World Cup participants to the semifinals (the only South American team to reach the final four), captured the Golden Ball. Forlan won the award, voted on by representatives of the media for the best player in the World Cup, by beating out the Netherland’s Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa, who won the Silver and Bronze Ball, respectively. In a close vote, Forlan received 23.4% of votes cast, edging Sneijder (21.8 percent) and Villa (16.9%).

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World Cup 2010

Campeones, Campeones, Olé Olé Olé

BRENT LATHAM – I’ve never bet on a sporting event, but I should probably start. Spain’s 1-0 win came out pretty much how I expected, except it took 27 minutes longer than I thought, and they needed to weather some close calls and get even more good luck along the way.

Still, anyone saying that Spain is not a completely deserving champion just doesn’t get it. It usually doesn’t turn out at the World Cup that the best team wins. It did this time, and that’s not because Spain was able to play their best soccer, but because they were so much better than anyone else that the championship was a statistical probability.

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World Cup 2010

World Cup Final: Preview

BRENT LATHAM – Just one more game to go in the South African World Cup. Germany takes third place after an open match against Uruguay. Sami Khedira headed in on 83 minutes, and Diego Forlan hit the crossbar with a late free kick to assure the Germans their second straight bronze medal, 3-2, in an entertaining match.

Seems like the match for third place always is fun to watch. Then the final disappoints.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons why things are that way, and even more this year. On the surface of it, it’s easy to look at Spain, and then the orange uniforms of the Dutch, and say, ‘hey, this should be a great, wide open match.’ If it goes down like that, though, I’ll eat my hat. This has a another 1-0 Spain victory written all over it. Why? (more…)

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