By Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) The USA-Mexico match for a place in the 2017 Confederations Cup is eightweeks away, but it is not too early to take a look at some of Jurgen Klinsmann‘s lineup decisions. He certainly has enough to make. Indeed, it is hard to remember a time in the modern era when the […]
confederations cup
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Shakhtar Donetsk Signs Bernard
Ukrainian giant Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday signed highly rated Brazilian youngster Bernard from Atletico Mineiro in a deal worth $33.5 million. The 20-year-old helped theBrazilian club win the Copa Libertadores last month and was also part of Brazil’s Confederations Cup squad in June, where he made two appearances as a substitute.
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USA Returns to FIFA Top 20
For the first time in more than two years, the U.S. men’s national team has broken into the Top 20 of FIFA’s WorldRankings, thanks to its Gold Cup win last month. The U.S. rose three places in the rankings to No. 19, displacing rival Mexico, which fell to No. 20. The Americans are now Concacaf’shighest-placed […]
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Mexico: 'Chepo' Keeps His Job
Despite a long run of poor results, Jose Manuel de la Torre, AKA Chepo, has retained his job as coach of El Tri, with the new bare minimum requirement being qualification for theWorld Cup in Brazil. And even if Mexico does qualify for next summer’s tournament, his position is to be reviewed again after the […]
Posted inSoccer Business Insider, Story
So much for Messi and friends in LA
By Paul Kennedy Plans for a charity match billed as the Battle of the Stars: Messi and Friends vs. The Rest of the World Wednesday night at the LosAngeles Coliseum were scrapped when promoters sent out word late Tuesday that the event had been canceled. The promoters immediately blamed Argentine starLionel Messi‘s unwillingness to perform […]
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Man City Considers Fred Offer
Brazil striker Fred, who scored five goals in five games for the Selecao at the FIFA Confederations Cup, including two in the final against Spain, could be on his way to ManchesterCity, according to reports in England, as coach Manuel Pellegrini searches for a replacement for Carlos Tevez, who moved to Juventus last month. Fred, 29,currently […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Relive the 2013 Confederations Cup in three minutes
[VIDEO PICK: Magic Moments] An entertaining Confederations Cup tournament gave the world but a glimmer of what lies ahead at Brazil 2014 just 12 months from now,and today’s excellent montage captures the spectacle. Soccer’s not the same when Brazil isn’t a factor, and the Selcao’s emphatic win on home soil, as well as dominating thereigning […]
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Blatter Hails Best Confed Cup Ever
Following Brazil’s 3-0 trouncing of world champion Spain in the Confederations Cup final, FIFA President Sepp Blatter did his usual event post-mortem, saying thatdespite the widespread protests throughout the country, the tournament was definitely a success. “As the president of FIFA, I have to say that, from an organizational point of view, when itcomes to stadiums […]
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Neymar: Brazil Has Achieved the 'Impossible'
Brazil forward Neymar hailed his teammates for their comprehensive 3-0 defeat of reigning world champion Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup final on Sunday. “We haveachieved something which everyone thought was impossible — and proved that nothing is impossible. The team played incredibly well — more than people expected. We have made a lot of […]
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Del Bosque: Defeat 'Not a Turning Point' for Spain
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque was philosophical in defeat following his team’s 3-0 defeat to host Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup final on Sunday. He admitted thatSpain had been second best on the night. “They were better than us and we have to congratulate them,” the former Real Madrid coach told Telecinco. “They had […]