[BRAZIL] New Brazil coach Mano Menezes has called up young stars Alexandre Pato,Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso for Brazil’s friendly against the USA Aug. 10 at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Mano’spicks mark a change in course from that adopted by his predecessor, Dunga, who refused to pick the youngsters for the 2010 World Cup despite […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Even coach is surprised by selection
[BRAZIL] Mano Menezes says he always dreamed of coaching Brazil, but even he was surprised he got the job. He mustrebuild the national team after its early exit at the 2010 World Cup and create the foundation for the team that will host the 2014 finals. His first test? A friendly against the USA on […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: A record – or an asterisk – for Klose?
By Paul Gardner Today the World Cup will celebrate its third-place game — though “celebrate” is hardly the word to describe the playing of what is also known as theconsolation game, and, more cruelly, the losers’ final. There’s quite a strong line of opinion that sees no reason to play the game at all. It […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rooney, the worst of the worst
[FLOPS] One after another, the world’s biggest stars flopped on the biggest stage, beginning with Englishman WayneRooney. For a ranking of the World Cup flops (which excludes players still in the tournament) … 1. WAYNE ROONEY. How did Rooney go from themost feared striker in the English Premier League to a non-factor for England at […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Who will replace Dunga?
[BRAZIL] Following the Brazilian soccer federation’s decision to fire Dunga and his staff, speculation has turned towhom it will name as his successor. With the Brazil-hosted 2014 World Cup on the horizon, the CBF has an important decision on its hands. Here’s what might happen … The CBF is expectedto name a new coach before […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Brazilian blame game
[REACTION] Brazil coach Dunga confirmed his plans to step down following his team’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in thequarterfinals of the World Cup. He said Felipe Melo, the game’s goat, should not take the blame for the loss, but several former Brazilian stars thoughtotherwise. “As the coach,” Dunga said, “I think the blame belongs […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Bravo Netherlands, No tears for Brazil
Twenty-eight years ago, they were crying in the streets of Barcelona, Brazilian fans tearfully acknowledging their team’s exit from the tournament, knocked out by Italy. I was there, inBarcelona — not weeping, but I certainly felt the sadness. It felt as though the sunshine had gone from the tournament. We were left with a banal […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
How Brazil unraveled
[NETHERLANDS-BRAZIL]The Netherlands reached the semifinals of the World Cup for the fourth time when it rallied from one goal down at the half for a 2-1 win over Brazil, which collapsed in the last half hour. What we liked … — Keyed by a superb save from keeper Martin Stekelenburg, the Dutch didn’tunravel and concede […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: The Beautiful Game — from Argentina, not Brazil
By Paul Gardner The eternal question in soccer — I suppose in any sport, for that matter — is: what do the fans want to see? Very easy to answer on ashallow, short-term basis. They want to see their team win. Looked at with more thought, and taking a wider view of the sport, that […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Argentina, Spain and Brazil: 1-2-3
[FINAL EIGHT] A record four South American teams, three from Europe and one from Africa. That’s final eight for the 2010 World Cup. Here’s how we rank themafter four games … 1. ARGENTINA. Few gave the Albiceleste much of a chance after a tumultuous qualifying campaign, but it has run off four straightwins — the […]