Thursday, February 15, 2007

Another False Alarm News

The beloved American internet soccer news source Matchnight is closing up shop on March 31st after 8 years. Sorry to see them go.

Here are the USA's three group stage matches for Copa America:
-June 28 v Argentina
-July 02 v Paraguay
-July 05 v Colombia
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US Soccer has a podcast of coach Bob Bradley's reaction to the CA draw that you can download and listen to, or do the old fashioned thing and read the text.
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I have read an awful lot of posts on message boards & articles at news sites by people wondering what kind of teams the USA will field for next summers Gold Cup and Copa America. The two tournaments are back to back, and with MLS in midseason & Europe out of season you can expect to see two completely different teams. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has repeatedly stated that the USA will field a STRONGER team for the Gold Cup. This is predicated by three factors. 1. The Gold Cup is the CONCACAF championship and it is important to win that. 2. By winning the Gold Cup the USA would earn a spot at the 2009 Confederation Cup that will be held in South Africa one year before the World Cup is held there, giving our players a real taste of what the culture and surroundings will be like in 2010. And 3. Euro players will not be available in late July because their teams will be starting their preseason training camps for the start of the fall leagues.
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On another Copa America note, the world football pundits have declared that Brazil's Group B is actually the Group of Death, not Group C which the USA will play in. Whew.
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Word on the street is that DC United keeper Troy Perkins just got a new contract with a big raise.
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The Dallas Morning News looks at FCD striker Kenny Cooper's goals for the season. (All pun intended.)
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Luis Bueno at LA Soccer News says Chivas USA are searching for a second forward to play off Ante Razov.
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The Columbus Dispatch says the Crew are going to go with the "No Name" gang this season. Meaning - they are not bringing in any big name players. Penny pinchin' pinheads they are!
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Some Real Salt Lake news from the Deseret Morning News today - Costa Rican defender Daniel Torres got his work permit so he is at practice. And contrary to popular belief, midfielder Andy Williams did not sign a new deal with the team at a reduced pay rate - he and the team are still negotiating, but he is training with them.
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After a year in LA with Chivas USA, defender Tim Regan is headed back to play in New York, but hip surgery will keep him off the field for a while longer. From Michael Lewis at Big Apple Soccer.
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Andrew Hush of Soccer New England is reporting that the Revolution will give a try-out to Peru striker Jorge Ramirez during the teams upcoming trip to Bermuda.
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The latest from the St Louis Post Dispatch on the attempts to bring a new MLS team to their city.
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Former Colorado & Tampa Bay head coach Tim Hankinson was hired as the coach at Fort Lewis College yesterday.
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Considering the fact that Ian Plenderleith suddenly has stories showing up regularly at the US Players Assoc site, its not too surprising to find out he has been named the sites new MLS editor (Corrected). One of the sites main contributors Marc Connolly has a sit down chat with Plenderleith about the beautiful game.
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Also from the US Players site, Christian Figueroa, on trial with New England, keeps a journal of his affair.
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Andrea Canales for Soccer 365 with does a Q & A with American defender at Nordsjaelland Heath Pearce.
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Copa Libertadores - Group stage action:
Wed Feb 14 matches-
-Audax Italiano 0-0 Sal Paulo
-Real Potosi 2-2 Flamengo
-Bolivar 0-0 Boca Juniors
-Match reports via Sports Illustrated
Thu Feb 15 matches-
-Maracaibo - Parana
-Cerro Porteno - Gremio
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The FA Cup fourth round replays finished up yesterday. Last nights score:
Bolton 1-3 Arsenal - The winner gets Blackburn in the next round.
-The 5th round will be held this coming weekend.
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David Bond of the London Telegraph looks at the ever growing story of the Have's and Have Not's in English football. The big clubs get much much bigger and the rest are left in the dust. It's like the distribution of wealth in America - 1% of the population controls over 90% of the $$. Ugly. I saw the majority owner of Birmingham on TV last night talking about this, and he is clearly worn out by it all. And he is not a middle class man, just not a filthy stinkin rich one either. He cannot compete financially.
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Many UEFA Cup matches were played yesterday and a couple more today. Check out all the details here.
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The greatest show on earth, the Champions League, resumes next week!
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The Guardian with a link to that awesome Nike commercial where the world stars take on Satan and his minions! Au revoir.

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

According to this article it appears Chivas has already found a strike partner for Razov:

"Team officials said Chivas USA will sign Seattle Sounders striker Maykel Galindo this week. Galindo defected while playing with the Cuban national team at the 2005 Gold Cup."

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_5215534

smatthew

3:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When he isn't hurt Galindo can really play. He has great pace.

4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude, where did you get your facts on the distribution of wealth? For the top 1 percent, it's more like 33 percent of the wealth, not 90. Please stick to your soccer blog, because it's great!

9:14 PM  
Blogger brucio said...

why is it that all the angry people never sign their name?

8:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's probably not wise of Christian Figueroa to publicly admit he keeps a journal about his affair.
A judge might allow it to be subpoenaed in divorce court proceedings.

12:16 PM  

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