[USA] Jesse Marsch, who played for BobBradley at Princeton University and in MLS with three different teams, has retired as a player with MLS’s Chivas USA and been named an assistant coach under Bradley on the staff of the U.S.men’s national team. Marsch and Steve Ralston, who moved last week to AC St. Louis of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Hansson picked for finals
[WORLD CUP] Swede Martin Hansson, whose failure to call Thierry Henry‘s handball duringFrance’s World Cup 2010 qualifier against Ireland in November caused one of the greatest controve rsies in modern soccer history, is among the 30 referees FIFA selected for the World Cup finals. No American was among the four Concacaf referees picked. Mexico […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
John Terry captaincy debate defines the times
By Paul Gardner The further that soccer moves into the celebrity area, the more distasteful things get. And already I’m in trouble. That word “distasteful” that seemedto me, moments ago, to be exactly the word I wanted, now suddenly looks old-fashioned and rather naive. Of course, what else, I’m thinking of the behavior of the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Manchester City eyes U.S. market
Daniel Taylor reports that Manchester City has held talks about a summer tour of the United States as part of their next step toward establishing a global brand andgaining ground on Manchester United’s worldwide popularity. The club’s chief executive, Garry Cook, is exploring ways of increasing City’s American fan base in a WorldCup year when […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Togo midfielder describes bus attack
Togo midfielder Moustapha Salifou, who plays for England’s Aston Villa, recalled the machine-gun attack on the team bus upon entering Angola for the Africa Cup of Nations: “It wasterrifying. The goalkeeper, [Obilade Kossi, who was seriously wounded] had been dancing and the press assistant was taking pictures of him. They were shot. I didn’t feel […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Will Freddy Adu go down as footnote?
Martin Rogers writes that when Freddy Adu was launched to stardom in 2003, when Nike slapped a cool million dollars on the back of a precociously talentedninth-grade soccer sensation, Adu was earmarked for success in 2010. But with the World Cup just a few months away, Adu is fighting to revive his career in the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Unions threaten protest over Zakumi merchandise
South African labor union COSATU, which has close ties to the ruling African National Congress, has protested that a figurine of World Cup mascot Zakumi is being produced in a Chinese sweatshop. Itdemanded an investigation into the allegations and threatened to disrupt the World Cup. “COSATU has consistently demanded that all World Cup paraphernalia must […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Haitian girls to face USA
Haiti’s under-17 women’s national team is carrying on despite the loss of its coach, Jean Yves Labaze, killed when the Haitian soccer federation’sheadquarters collapsed during last month’s earthquake. The Haitians qualified for the Under-17 Concacaf Women’s Championship in Costa Rica next month and they intend to playin the tournament, where they will open against the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Maradona player count at 101
Since taking over as Argentina coach 15 months ago, Diego Maradona has called up 101 players. He broke the century mark when he called up six uncapped players for Wednesday’sfriendly against Jamaica in Mar del Plata. The squad for the Jamaica game does not include any foreign-based players.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
MLS site for kids inspires
By Collin Willardson Major League Soccer’s kid-friendly Web site — www.mlsstarting11.com — features videos and bios onthe league’s of the top MLS stars meant to inspire young players, and get them excited about playing soccer. For sure, the league aims to popularize its players and teams among thenation’s young soccer players. What’s nice about the […]