[WORLD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE] Italian champion Juventus has pulled out of its summer North America tour, canceling matches to play D.C. United in Washington, ParisSt. Germain in Montreal and Real Madrid in Las Vegas. D.C. United is looking to find a replacement for Juve, which was scheduled to play a July 28 friendly at RFK Stadium. […]
italy
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mario Balotelli told to grow up
Mario Balotelli is not talking to the Italian press, but teammate Daniele De Rossi talked about the controversialManchester City striker, whom he says must grow up or risk undermining Italy’s chances against England in Sunday’s quarterfinals. “He’s a great player,” said De Rossi, a holdover fromItaly’s 2006 World Cup championship team, “so if he wants […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Balotelli outburst remains mystery
Mario Balotelli lived up to his reputation for being unpredictable as he came off the bench to score a sensational second goal in Italy’s 2-0 win overIreland — then instead of celebrating, seemed angry and started to shout something in the general direction of his own bench. He was stopped from continuing his rant by […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Captain Keane credits 'Il Trap' for Irish rebirth
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, Ireland’s all-time leading scorer, will captain the team Sunday when it opens the European Championshipagainst Croatia. An estimated 20,000 fans are in Poznan for the game, and Keane credits Ireland’s 73-year-old Italian coach, Giovanni Trapattoni,with building support behind the team. “The job the manager has done has been great,” […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Euro 2012 Preview: Spain is Group C favorite
PREDICTION. 1. Spain, 2. Italy, 3. Croatia, 4. Ireland. NAME YOU KNOW. You probably know him by the name ofMario Balotelli, born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants and raised by an Italian family. At 21, he is already one of the world best players and surely one of themost controversial. But UEFA has registered him […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
More Italy injury worries
[EURO 2012 COUNTDOWN] Italy is hopeful young star Mario Balotelli will be fit for the Azzurri’s Group C opener againstdefending champion Spain at Euro 2012 on Sunday. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said the controversial Balotelli should be fit for the gameeven though he injured his abductor muscle during training on Monday. Right back Christian Maggio […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Montreal opens up Serie A player pipeline
In just a few months, the Montreal Impact has signed almost as many Italian players as have previously played during the entire history of Major League Soccer. Marco Di Vaio is the latest to sign up with the MLS expansion franchise. He will be formally introduced at a press conference Monday, and upon the opening […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The others who snubbed the USA
Timmy Chandler’s apparent decision to no longer represent the USA in international play isn’t the first time a player has turned down the opportunityto play for the USA. Steve Davis at ProSoccerTalk looks back at the decisions of Giuseppe Rossi and Neven Subotic to turn down a chance to represent the USA.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Juve finishes 'legendary season' unbeaten
Juventus beat Atalanta, 3-1, on Sunday to complete an unbeaten Serie A season and also break AC Milan’s record of 42 consecutive matches without defeat. It was also the perfectsend-off after 19 years with Juve for captain Alessandro Del Piero, who netted his team’s second goal. Youngster Luca Marronescored the opener and Andrea Barzagli converted […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Juventus links up with New York club
[MET OVAL] Met Oval, the New York Development Academy program, has linked up with Italian champion Juventus to work on player development. Juventus SoccerSchools will start out working with a select group of 75 young players. “This is a monumental move for us, for our new European partners and tremendous for the players at the […]