[ITALY] Former Italian great Roberto Baggio will have a huge job of helping turn around Italian soccer when he takesover as technical director at the Italian federation. Baggio, Italy’s biggest star when it finished third at the World Cup it hosted in 1990 and second at the World Cup four years laterin the United States, […]
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Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Baltimore promoters look on positive side
This summer’s international friendlies haven’t enjoyed the success of the games during the 2009 “Summer of Soccer.” Saturday’s Inter Milan-Manchester City match at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadiumdrew 36,569 fans. Last summer Chelsea and AC Milan attracted more than 71,000. Dick Cass, the NFL Ravens president, isn’t discouraged by thecrowd. “We’re going to try to get […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
South Americans out to make history
[QUARTERFINALS] Will the prospect of an all-South American final four materialize, or can Ghana break new ground by punching through to the semifinals? Either would be a first. South American nations have contested the final only twice (in 1930 and 1950), and never have they filled all four semifinal slots. Cameroon lost to England, 3-2, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Italy's Lippi issues mea culpa
Four years after he guided Italy to the World Cup title, Coach Marcello Lippi‘s team finished last in Group F, which was considered the weakest of the tournament. “Itake all responsibility,” said Lippi after a 3-2 loss to Slovakia sent the Italians packing. “I haven’t prepared this team well enough. I didn’t think we could […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Italy headed home in disgrace
[GROUP F] Slovakia pulled the latest upset in what has been a wild tournament when it eliminated defending champion Italy, 3-2, and claimed second place inGroup F behind Paraguay. For what we liked and didn’t like on the final day of play in Group F … What we liked … — Slovakia, playingin its first […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Everything to play for in Group F
[PREDICTIONS] All four teams have a chance of qualifying from Group F, where the drawing of lots could determine the second-place team. In Group E, Japan andDenmark will face off to decide the second-place berth in the knockout phase. For a look at Thursday’s four games and Soccer America’s predictions … GROUPE: DENMARK (3 pts. […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
New Zealand shows the way
[GROUP F] Who would have ever predicted that after the second weekend of play at the World Cup England, France, Italy and Spain would all be winless? Perhapsthe most shocking result to date was New Zealand’s well-deserved 1-1 tie with Italy. For what we liked and didn’t like about Sunday’s action in Group F … […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Brazil puts streak on line
[PREDICTIONS] Brazil faces Ivory Coast Sunday in one of the most-anticipated matches of the first round of the World Cup. For a look at Sunday’s threegames and Soccer America’s predictions … SLOVAKIA (1 pt., 1-1) vs. PARAGUAY (1 pt. 1-1) June 20 inBloemfontein Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision. Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles). PREDICTIONS: Paul […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Beware of coaching nonsense
By Paul Gardner We’re now reaching the stage of the World Cup when we are forced to put up with a good deal of crap about coaches and coaching. From the coachesthemselves, of course, but also from their players (how would they dare contradict their coach?), and from their followers in the media. Of the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Handanovic stands tall in Slovenian goal
[PORTRAIT] The USA is generally regarded as having the best goalie in Tim Howard among the Group C teams at the WorldCup, but you’ll get quite an argument from Slovenia, whose first-choice goalie Samir Handanovic is one of the top young keepers in Europe. Only 25,Handanovic debuted for Slovenia at the age of 19 and […]