The English FA, which held talks last week with Coach Fabio Capello in the wake of England’s disappointing World Cup showing, announced its rebuilding plan includes calling up anew generation of young England stars, order them to play like Spain, and groom a group of top ex-players into coaching as part of the FA’s post […]
england
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
International action heats up
[SUMMER OF SOCCER] Manchester United opens its North America Friday against Celtic in Toronto. Celtic then heads to Seattle for a game Sunday against theSounders before returning to the East Coast for a game Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon at Boston’s Fenway Park. For the complete summer schedule … THISWEEKEND: July 16 Man. United vs. Celtic […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Well said … Or not so well said
[BEST OF THE WORLD CUP] Death threats downplayed, profane insults, gentle jibes, and plain silliness are included in our selection of memorable quotes from the2010 World Cup. … Hoping that’s true“In our language, ‘I’ll kill you’ means ‘I’m not happy with you.’” — Nigeria national team spokesman Idah Peterside down plays more than a thousand […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Referee Webb satisfied with job in World Cup final
[REACTION] English referee Howard Webb, who booked 13 different players and sent off Dutchman John Heitinga, says he and refereeing team were satisfied with doing a tough job in difficult circumstances in Sunday’s World Cup final won by Spain, 1-0. “Wedon’t feel that we had much choice except to manage the game in the way […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Man. United set to open tour
[SUMMER OF SOCCER] The annual influx of foreign clubs begins in earnest this week with some of Europe’s biggest names arriving for summer friendlies. ManchesterUnited (minus Wayne Rooney and its other World Cup stars) opens its four-game tour Friday against Celtic in Toronto. United is one of five English clubs inaction this week. For a […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Webb to officiate Netherlands-Spain final
[REFEREES] Englishman Howard Webb will referee Sunday’s World Cup 2010 final between Spain and the Netherlands inJohannesburg. Webb, 38, will work with assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey. He willbe the first Englishman since Jack Taylor in 1974 to work the final.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Chelsea pursues record transfer for Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres may have been a bust so far at the 2010 World Cup, but Chelsea hasn’t lost interest in the Spanish striker. New Liverpoolmanager Roy Hodgson wants to keep Torres, but Chelsea is prepared to offer a record British transfer fee for the 25-year-old striker. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reported to be in […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: ESPN's Brits Lack Respect for American Soccer
By Paul Gardner It seemed to me likely that ESPN, having taken the decision to slap American soccer in the face by employing a virtually all-Brit army of commentatorsfor its World Cup telecasts, would then soften the blow by having those guys make a concession or two to American sensibilities or American viewpoints, or, at […]
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 inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The high cost of sacking Capello
Firing Coach Fabio Capello would cost the English FA about $15 million in compensation to the 64-year-old Italian who has a $9 million a year contract through 2012. Capello, whohas won Champions League, Italian Serie A and Spanish La Liga titles, exited with England with a 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Germany after finishing second to […]