When Pep Guardiola took over as FC Barcelona coach in the summer of 2008, he decided that Lionel Messi would be the leader of his new project. However, the youngArgentine, then just a frail 21-year-old, was already looking injury-prone. So Guardiola decided that Messi needed special attention. For starters, he would have to change his […]
argentina
Posted inSoccer Business Insider, Story
Man. United to set up shop in USA
By Ridge Mahoney and Paul Kennedy Fresh off its listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Manchester United is preparing to literally set up shop in the United States. The club will open an office in the USA, somewhere on the East Coast, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nutmeg with your Golazo?
[VIDEO PICK: Golazo] Diego Alba brings some holiday spice to the second division of Argentina, where he scored a festive goal on Sunday. How do you take your Golazo? Diego Alba — whose team, Douglas Haig, beat Rosario Central, 3-1 — takes his with a little nutmeg, brush by, and heavy blast fromthe edge of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Argentina extends Chile's decline
[WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING: South America] Argentina extended its lead at the top of the South American World Cup 2014 qualifying group to three points with a2-1 win over Chile in Santiago. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain scored for Argentina, which handed Chile its thirdstraight loss in qualifying. Ecuador, for which Chivas USA midfielder Osvaldo […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Messi 'Producing Magic' for Argentina Now, Too
To anyone who watches three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi play soccer on a weekly basis for FC Barcelona, it’s shocking to hear the criticism leveled at thelittle genius when he suits up for Argentina. However, the Associated Press reports that those days of criticism may be over, as Messi is now […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Messi erupts late and buries Uruguay
[VIDEO PICK: Golazos] Lionel Messi scores twice, and generates a beautiful third, in a 15-minute tour de force during the second half ofArgentina’s 3-0 win over Uruguay in World Cup qualifying. The two Conmebol powers were scoreless in the 65th minute in Argentina on Friday, a quarter of an hour later the game was all […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Michael Owen Admits to Going Down Easily
Speaking at a conference in London on Wednesday, former England international Michael Owen admitted that he went down easily in order to win penalties against Argentina at the 1998and 2002 World Cups, although he insists that he didn’t dive. The subject of simulation, or diving, is once again a hot topic in English soccer, with […]
Posted inStory, World Cup Watch
MLS stars shine in Concacaf
The USA’s five goals in World Cup 2014 qualifying have all come from foreign-based players, but MLS players have had big roles in the success of their national teams in Concacaf play. Canada took over the lead in Group C with a 1-0 win over Panama Friday thanks to a late goal from D.C. United’s […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. collegian scores on Spain
[INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES] Providence College’s Marc Cintron will remember it for the rest of his life, scoring onSpain, but the Euro 2012 champions hung on to beat Puerto Rico, 2-1, while runner-up Italy fell to England, 2-1, in a rematch of their Euro 2012 quarterfinal match. Brazil gained some measure ofrespect back after its loss to […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“I feel empty. I have nothing else to give to the club.” — Argentine great Juan Roman Riquelme, saying he is leaving Boca Juniors at the age of34 after its 2-0 loss (3-1 on aggregate) to Corinthians in the Libertadores Cup final. The 34-year-old Riquelme, who spent 13 seasons with Boca sandwiched between stints in […]