Spain showed why it is one of the favorites to win the World Cup when it tied Germany, 1-1, in an exciting friendly played in Dusseldorf and demolished Argentina, 6-1, in Madrid. Only aworld-class save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied Spaniard Isco against Germany, but he scored a hat trick against Argentina. The 25-year-old Isco […]
world cup 2018
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
The talk of Russia
“It’s my impression that all they care about is taking the World Cup out of Russia. They will use any means. Their minds are only on that football and God forbid it should touch a Russian footballfield.” — Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, accusing the United States and United Kingdom of seeking to halt […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Igor Lebedev
“I want to call on fans to stop this. This is not just a problem with our fans’ perception of African American and black players. The problem is elsewhere: none of this bad behavior will stop until westart punishing it.” — Igor Lebedev, Russian parliament’s deputy speaker and a big soccer fan, saying what few […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup Countdown: Russia under microscope after racism incident at France friendly
At the request of French sports minister Laura Flessel, FIFA is investigating reports that fans targeted French stars Ousmane Dembele and Paul Pogba with monkey chants during theBleus’ 3-1 friendly victory over Russia in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. Flessel asked for “European and international” action after fans imitating ape noises could be heard by photographerson […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA will be only nation with two referees at World Cup
The USA won’t have a team at the 2018 World Cup, but it will have two referees — Mark Geiger and Jair Marrufo — in Russia. Indeed, it will be the only country with morethan one referee. Geiger, who also worked at the 2014 World Cup, and Marrufo will be joined by two U.S. assistant […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
John Guppy on the evolution of U.S. soccer culture, its unique fan dynamic, and the Gen Z influence
John Guppy has been involved in marketing soccer in the USA since the early 1990s, when he managed U.S. Soccer corporate sponsorships during the buildup to the USA-hosted 1994 WorldCup. He also served as the Chicago Fire’s president & CEO (2005-08) and as executive vice president of the MetroStars (2000-05). Ten years ago, Guppy founded […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup Countdown: Mexico's costly night at Jerry World
One after another, they exited the game. Defender Nestor Araujo left in the 14th minute with a knee injury so serious he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Hisreplacement, Diego Reyes, didn’t return after the half with a hamstring injury, and his replacement, former Real Salt Lake defender Carlos Salcedo, had to leave […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Paraguay: Wood goal rewards encouraging U.S. display
The USA controlled play for long stretches but garnered only a Bobby Wood penalty kick that was enough to down Paraguay, 1-0, in a friendly Tuesday in Cary, N.C. USA-Paraguay: Player Ratings Head coach Dave Sarachan’s first win as interim head coach came from a spirited display that featured solid displays by the majority of the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup Countdown: Argentina humiliated, Brazil gets measure of revenge
Argentina was without Diego Messi, but that can’t take away from how bad the Albiceleste played against Spain. The 6-1 loss in Madrid matched the worst defeat in Argentina history. Twoother 6-1 losses came against Czechoslovakia at the 1958 World Cup and Bolivia in 2009 in World Cup qualifying. It also lost 5-0 twice. Real Madrid’s […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Results: World Cup 2018 friendlies
Tuesday, March 27 Japan 1 Ukraine 2. (Makino 41; own goal 21, Karavaev 69.) Iran 2 Algeria 1.(Azmoun 11, Taremi 19; Chafai 56.) Russia 1 France 3. (Smolov 68; Mbappe 40, 83, Pogba 49.) Egypt 0 Greece 1. (Karelis29.) Denmark 0 Chile 0. Senegal 0 Bosnia & Herzegovina 0. Switzerland 6 Panama 0. (Dzemaili 22, […]