Already one team needing only a 1-0 win at home to reach the MLS Cup final has failed to do so, and on Wednesday Toronto FC faces that scenario against archrival Montreal. In the firstleg a week ago, the Impact took a 3-0 lead at the Olympic Stadium, then conceded twice to swing the advantage […]
michael bradley
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Playoffs: Toronto FC rally closes gap at Montreal
The All-Canada clasico started late and was well worth the wait. Reeling from a 3-0 deficit, buffeted by deafening crowd, and laboring on the artificialturf at Olympic Stadium, Toronto FC struck back with goals five minutes apart by Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley to emerge from the Eastern Conference finals first leg down only a […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. years
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) After retiring as a player in 1998, Jurgen Klinsmann moved toSouthern California — an area he had visited many times while on vacation — to live and start a family with his American wife, Debbie. He played for a PDL club team, OrangeCounty Blue Star, in 2003 under a pseudonym […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Michael Bradley
“We’re going to have to look collectively real hard in the mirror at ourselves and understand it’s not been a good start. At moments like this it does you no good to point fingers and to be lookingaround trying to figure out who you can throw under the bus.” — U.S. national team captain Michael […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Michael Bradley: 'You have to have clear ideas'
The USA-Mexico game was decided on Rafa Marquez‘s goal in the 89th minute, but the tone of the game, won by El Tri, 2-1, was set early when Mexico came out and befuddled the USA with itsinterplay. U.S. captain Michael Bradley admired how they pulled the U.S. defense in an early blitz. “Tactically, they do […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Americans' sporadic performance mars a great night for soccer
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) A great game took place at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus Friday night. By “great” I meanexciting, dramatic, passionate, compelling, a match full of hard tackles and slick passes and rife with harrowing, end-to-end attacks and balls pinging off bodies on the goal’s doorstep as wellas the woodwork. Action flowed back and […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS conference semifinals: Our predictions
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) Quick turnarounds are not uncommon during the regular season, andthe four Knockout-Round survivors play again on short rest when they host conference semifinals on Sunday. Montreal, the only lower seed to advance, heads home to Stade Saputo to play theRed Bulls. The other three winners, after prevailing at home, stay put […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Playoffs: Toronto FC stars come to play
Ten years. That’s the time it took Toronto FC to finally win its first playoff game. Its three stars — Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley — all had roles inWednesday’s 3-1 win over Philadelphia. Next up: No. 2 Eastern Conference seed New York City. Since he got healthy after returning from his latest […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-New Zealand International Friendly Player Ratings
Aside from a promising debut for Lynden Gooch, another goal for Julian Green and the return of Terrence Boyd after he battled injuries for nearly three years, not much dramaemerged from a 1-1 tie with New Zealand Tuesday at RFK Stadium. The Americans defended desperately after the Kiwis equalized in the 72nd minute yet also […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Michael Bradley
“That’s football — there’s always things flying around. November is obviously on everybody’s mind. And then there will be time as always at the end of the season to figure outto sit down and talk — what went well, what didn’t — and find the right way forward.” — U.S. national team captain Michael Bradley […]