“After the game, I went into the locker room and told them, ‘Forgive me. This doesn’t change anything, but sorry everyone.’ But to him I can’t. Never, never. It would be todishonor me. … I’d rather die.” — Former French star Zinedine Zidane, regretting he headbutted Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final but […]
world cup
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Fernando Torres ready for Spain-France showdown
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Spain, tipped along with Brazil as an early favorite to win the 2010 World Cup, is headed to France for important test of its readiness.Spain, who have not won in France in almost 42 years, should be at close to full strength for Wednesday’s game at the Stade de France. Even Fernando […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Finalists in action on final fixture date
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Every World Cup finalist except North Korea and Chile will play in midweek action. Six games will be televised, beginning withTuesday’s Brazil-Ireland game and ending with Wednesday night’s Mexico-New Zealand game at the Rose Bowl. The Tuesday-Wednesday date is FIFA’s final international fixture date beforeWorld Cup rosters are selected. If teams play other […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Ivory Coast shows no respect
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic lost once in 24 games as coach of Ivory Coast’s national team, but itwas one defeat too many. Less than four months before the World Cup, the Elephants fired Halilhodzic and were set to replace him with Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Despite a star-studded team led by Chelsea’s Didier Drogba […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
SA POLL: U.S. starters against Dutch
The USA faces the Netherlands at Amsterdam ArenA Wednesday (TV: ESPN2 and Galavision, live, 2:30 p.m. ET) in its final World Cup warmup before Coach BobBradley must pick his squad for South Africa. Who should Bradley start against the Dutch? (Pick your 11 starters and add yourcomments below.) poll by twiigs.com
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Brazil's Dunga: 'I will go forward in my own way'
Brazil will take to the field at London’s Emirates Stadium against Ireland Tuesday with the likes of Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva in its squad. But Coach Dunga had no room for 2002 World Cup champion Ronaldinho, who is enjoying an excellentseason at AC Milan. “I guess it’s normal [for Ronaldinho’s exit to cause controversy] […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
John Terry under fire from all quarters
Can English national team defender John Terry survive the criticism fired his way in the aftermath of revelations of his alleged affair with the mother ofhis former England teammate Wayne Bridge‘s child? After Bridge’s Manchester City beat Terry’s Chelsea, 4-2, on Saturday, Bridge’s teammate Craig Bellamy remarked, “I know what John Terry is like and […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nigeria turns to Swede Lagerback for help
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Only months after failing to lead his native Sweden to the 2010 World Cup finals, Lars Lagerbackhas come out of retirement to take over as Nigeria’s national team coach. The 61-year-old Lagerback had worked as Sweden’s co-coach with TommySoderberg at Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and coached Sweden […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nigeria turns to Swede Lagerback for help
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Only months after failing to lead his native Sweden to the 2010 World Cup finals, Lars Lagerbackhas come out of retirement to take over as Nigeria’s national team coach. The 61-year-old Lagerback had worked as Sweden’s co-coach with TommySoderberg at Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and coached Sweden […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nigeria turns to Swede Lagerback for help
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Only months after failing to lead his native Sweden to the 2010 World Cup finals, Lars Lagerbackhas come out of retirement to take over as Nigeria’s national team coach. The 61-year-old Lagerback had worked as Sweden’s co-coach with TommySoderberg at Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and coached Sweden […]