September 3rd, 2010
JoeMeloni
Steven Gerrard (left) is expected to lead England on Saturday in its first qualifying match for the 2012 European Championship. (Photo Courtesy Lionartois)
The Guardian – Gerrard needs to find rightful place with England – Richard Williams
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been productive with England, but his contributions at the club level come with more than goals. In the World Cup, Gerrard played well but failed to have the impact he does with Liverpool. Despite a goal against the United States in the fourth minute of the match, Gerrard provided very little to the Three Lions who failed to advance past the Round of 16. Against Bulgaria on Saturday, Gerrard scored will likely see time behind the principal striker – the same position he scored twice from against Hungary.
ESPN Soccernet – Spurs reject large transfer bid for Bale
Tottenham’s Gareth Bale has been one of the club’s most important players through its three matches in the English Premier League and the early stages of the Champions League. The 21-year-old Welshman joined the club in 2007 and may have been close to leaving during the recently closed transfer window. While no club was named, ESPN has reported that the North London club, which many believe has an outside chance at winning the Premiership this season, turned down a substantial offer for the winger.
September 2nd, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Carlos Queiroz has had a disappointing spell as Portugal's manager and the latest headlines surrounding him aren't promising. Courtesy RTPPT
The Guardian — Torquay raise ambitions after quickly completing tough turnaround — By John Ashdown
The last few years have been a long journey for Torquay. The West Country club was relegated to the Conference division and out of the Football leagues three years ago. The Gulls won promotion to League Two last season with a relatively inexperienced squad. Now, Torquay is on top of League Two and the only team in England to win its first four games in league play in any division. After all of the difficulties the club and its fans have endured over the last few years, the change and ascension of the club is remarkable.
MLSscoccer.com — For Union, friendlies part of learning process — by Shane Evans
MLS expansion team the Philadelphia Union took on 11-time Mexican champions Chivas de Guadalajara in an exhibition match yesterday. The Union scheduled the difficult exhibition match as another stepping stone for the club, a building block that manager Peter Nowak and the young squad can work with. Philadelphia won the match, 1-0, but they were far from in control of the game and have plenty of things to take away from Chivas.
September 2nd, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Monarcas Morelia won its first trophy since the club won the Copa Pachuca in 2001. Courtesy Kevin Koczwara
By Kevin Koczwara
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston scored his first professional goal against Mexican team Monarcas Morelia in the SuperLiga final, but his goal wasn’t enough to help the Revolution win the tournament for the second time in three years. Morelia won, 2-1, its first SuprLiga title with two goals from striker Miguel Sabah in the second half.
The Revolution’s loss to Monarcas is the first time the Revs have lost a game to a Mexican team in SuperLiga play (7-1-1). Monarcas’ win makes them the third Mexican team to win the SuperLiga championship in its four years of existence — the Revolution are the only MLS team to be crowned champions of the tournament, 2008.
Neither New England or Monarcas were able to break the deadlock and find the back of their opponents net in the first half. The Mexican side enjoyed much of the possession on the first half as the Revolution came out of the gates slow and Monarcas came close to capitalizing, twice.
September 1st, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Real Madrid had a disappointing start to the season with a 0-0 draw with Real Mollarca over the weekend, but Mourinho is confident that with time he can make the team into Champions. Courtesy Paul Bence
Sky Sports — Jose – I’m not Harry Potter
New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has had to answer plenty of critics this week after the team’s season opening 0-0 draw with Real Mallorca last weekend, and his answer is classic a from the “Special One.” Despite winning 17 trophies in the past 8 years with three teams, Los Blancos fans are still a little skeptical of Mourinho’s tactics after the opening draw. Madrid need to win almost every game this season because their closest rivals are the defending champions Barcelona, and Barca doesn’t drop many points in any league it is in.
BBC — Uefa bans vuvuzelas from European matches
Remember that buzzing sound that came from your television while watching the World Cup? Well it won’t be coming from it during any Uefa sanctioned games, including Euro 2012 qualifiers and the Champions League. Breathe a sigh of relief, I know we are. There was no bigger story from this past summer’s World Cup in South Africa than those horns that can cause hearing loss and sound like a hornets nest.
August 31st, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Manchester City broke the transfer record fee in England when they signed Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid just two seasons ago. But the little playmaker has been a flop in the Premier League and had to be loaned out last summer to his boyhood club Santos for the season. Could he be on his way out of Manchester for good today?
The Washington Post – Bob Bradley to remain with U.S. National Team – Steven Goff
After leading the United States Men’s National Soccer Team to the Round of 16 in this summer’s World Cup, Bob Bradley has signed a four-year extension that will likely make him the leader of the USMNT for another World Cup. Bradley, who took over following Bruce Arena’s dreadful performance as manager in the 2006 World Cup, had been connected with the job atop England Premier League club Aston Villa, but he agreed to terms with U.S. Soccer on Saturday night. German national Jurgen Klinnsman, who has lived in California for years, was rumored as Bradley’s replacement.
The Guardian – van Persie likely out of a month – David Hynter
Arsenal fans worried that Saturday’s match at Blackburn was going to be more of the same – a loss or a draw instead of what should have been an easy three points. While the Gunners defeated Blackburn, 2-1, Arsenal fans did see a familiar sight, as van Persie left with an ankle injury. It is likely the Dutch international will miss at least one month due to the injury, which rules him out of European Championship qualifiers for the Netherlands and Champions League matches with Arsenal.
August 30th, 2010
Kevin Koczwara
Ronaldo could miss up to three weeks after injuring his ankle while playing for Real Madrid on Sunday. Courtesy Leslie Bay
Sky Sports – Injury blow for Ronaldo
The world’s most expensive player will be out for three weeks after getting injured during Real Madrid’s 0-0 draw with Real Mallorca on Sunday. Ronaldo picked up a right ankle injury and is expected to miss Portugal’s two upcoming EURO 2012 qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway as well as two league matches and the opening round of UEFA Champions League play for Madrid.
BBC — Villa to seek manager with Premier League experience
Caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald has Aston Villa in fourth place in the Premier League table after three weeks, but the club is looking for a more permanent replacement for the departed Martin O’Neill. Villa’s management will be looking for a manager with Premier League experience to take the helm of the club as it looks to try and improve on last season’s results despite the loss of star James Milner and the resignation of manager Martin O’Neill. MacDonald has done a fine job leading the club, but a 6-0 thrashing a week ago to Newcastle was not a good showing the caretaker.
Boston.com — Hannover signs US midfielder DaMarcus Beasley
The former Rangers player was let go by the Scottish Premier League champions after his contract expired at the end of last season. Now, the U.S. international is set to join his compatriot Steve Cherundolo at Bundesliga club Hannover on a two-year contract. Hannover narrowly avoided relegation last season and has been looking to bolster their squad depth with inexpensive players.
The Guardian — Milan may bid for Manchester City’s Robinho, says Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan’s owner, has just signed Barcelona’s want away striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a loan deal and he is still looking for a few more parts to help bolster the Rossoneri squad. One possible move the the Italian club would be to try and strike up a deal with Manchester City for Brazilian Robinho. Robinho has fallen out of favor with City’s manager Roberto Mancinni and he is looking for a move out of England as he has not adapted to the style of play in the Premier League. While Milan are lining up more moves to improve their squad before tomorrow’s deadline, they could be seeing one of their best players from last season look for the exit. Striker Marco Borriello may be looking for a new club because the signing of Ibrahimovic means the Italian striker will have limited opportunities to play for the club this season.
August 30th, 2010
JoeMeloni
Jose Mourinho took over as manager of Real Madrid days after leading Inter Milan to victor in the Champions League final. The questions of whether or not anyone can be Barcelona and whether or not Mourinho can win anywhere will be answered about nine months from now. (Photo Courtesy: APasciuto)
By Joe Meloni
Visions of Spain captain Iker Casillas proudly brandishing the nation’s first-ever World Cup trophy two months ago are still fresh in the mind of soccer fans around the globe. Surrounding him on the podium were his teammates, including the likes of Barcelona stars David Villa, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. While the group celebrated the championship together, it all ends once La Liga begins its season.
The stars of los Galacticos and the leaders of l’equip blaugrana don’t have much to celebrate together in most season. Last year, Barca edged out Real Madrid by three points and hopes to win the league for the third consecutive time.
There are, of course, other clubs in the league. But it always comes down Madrid and Barca when the season’s approaches its conclusion.
Unlike last season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry won’t be able to help Barca to the title. And Jose Mourinho will be calling the shots in the Spanish capital.
August 29th, 2010
Ryan Fleming
Chris Tierney filled in at the right back position after Cory Gibbs was sent off in the first. Tierney and the Revs tried to hold onto their 1-0 lead but were unable too keep the Union at bay.
By Kevin Koczwara
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It took some late heroics from Justin Mapp and the Philadelphia Union to beat a shorthanded New England Revolution, 2-1, at Gillette Stadium.
The Union scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to take the lead and the win away from a Revolution side that played 50 plus minutes with 10 men after Cory Gibbs was sent off in the 40th minute. The loss is the third in a row for the Revolution and the team’s first since the Chicago Fire beat the Revs on June 26.
The Revs (6-12-3, 21 pts.)opened the scoring in the 31st minute when a Marko Perovic corner found Shalrie Joseph roaming at the back post unmarked. Joseph’s attempt on net was blocked, but the Revolution captain was able to push a pass to Ilija Stolica a few feet from goal. The Serbian forward quickly turned and sent a shot across the goal to the back post, beating Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz.
August 28th, 2010
JoeMeloni
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero are hoping to overtake Inter Milan, the five-time defending champions of Italy (Photo Courtesy James Adams)
By Kevin Koczwara
Inter Milan dominated the world of top-flight soccer last season. The club won its domestic title in Italy, Coppa Italia and the one trophy the club’s fans and ownership had been dreaming of for 60 years, the Champions League. Inter was on top of the world, and when that happens in the world of soccer, people take notice and try to build off of your success.
Inter Milan needs to find a way to handle this season without manager Jose Mourinho – the “Special One” – who bolted for Real Madrid at just days after winning the Champions League title with Milan.
Inter’s league title didn’t come without tough competition. Roma made a valiant run for the title in the later months as they strung together win after win, but it was unable to knock down the reigning and eventual champions.
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