Some News for Mon Jun 6, 2011
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Please join all your soccer friends in the Twin Cities for a special Fund Raising screening of Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story
Sat Jun 11 at 4:30pm - The Sweetwater in St Paul
7
USA v Panama game kicks off at 7pm
The movie is still a work in progress and the filmmakers are on a mission to raise funds to finish it. They are using the Kickstarter website to bring in donations and we here at du Nord want to do our part to help them reach their goals. They are still a long way off.
Find out more about the movie here, and we will see you on Saturday.
STARTERS
This one flew right under the radar - The Las Vegas Sun with a report that MLS leaders have been talking to business people in Vegas about a MLS team again. Via Sporting News.
THE FIFA SCANDAL STORY NEVER ENDS
Stop the presses: Sepp Blatter has brought opera tenor Placido Domingo in as his special adviser on the recent scandals! First Kissinger, then Freeh, now Domingo. Problem solved.
Investigative journalist Andrew Jennings has long been a thorn in FIFA's butt, and he now feels that Henry Kissinger will be the undoing of Sepp Blatter. Really? Kissinger? Read on. Jennings doesn't get many of these things wrong.
Torgeir Krokfjord & Espen Sandli of Dagbladet in Norway break a new story about 2 FIFA Executive Committee members meeting with some of the biggest black market ticket touts in the world prior to the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
-The same newspaper broke the story last year of Jack Warner meeting with the same illegal ticket sellers, but the rest of the world media ignored it. Maybe they won't now.
Kier Radnedge of The Independent asks the ultimate question - What exactly is it that FIFA does again?
JACK WARNER/SEPP BLATTER/FIFA ODDITIES
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!
An extraordinary scene unfolded in Felicity, T&T yesterday as Jack Warner attended a celebration in front of adoring admirers.
How admiring you ask?
Check out the kick-ass banner they held up behind him on the dais: (The Black King has arrived from Mother Africa)
How about the banner being pulled through the sky by this paraglider: (Contratulations / The Honourable Minister Jack Warner / The Best Performing Minister)
Newsday reports that Jack has been told by his lawyers not to talk about the investigation, and not to reveal his "tsunami" of evidence that will clear him.
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday reports that Mohamed Bin Hammam had transferred TT$2.3 Million into the account of Jack Warner's families travel agency SimPaul to cover transport costs of Caribbean Football Federation members meeting with Warner and Hammam!
Another big problem with this scenario is that Warner had declared years ago that he was no longer a part of SimPaul. Turns out he is still the director!
You can expect Warner and Hammam to put up a strong defense that the money they handed out to Caribbean federations was to cover travel expenses only. And there is a good chance that argument will succeed.
The Express on Warner's refusal release the emails that he says will clear him.
The Express also has an editorial decries the "media" that has already declared Warner guilty without due process.
The Express talks to former T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop about the continuing CONCACAF soap opera, and his own chapter with Jack Warner.
CONCACAF CHAOS
Acting CONCACAF president Lisle Austin attempted to fire CONCACAF secretary general Chuck Blazer earlier this week, without having the authority to do so. Consequently the CONCACAF executive committee held a hearing and has now suspended Austin.
Press Release from CONCACAF:
Lisle Austin has been provisionally banned from all football activities within CONCACAF and at the national level by a majority of the CONCACAF Executive Committee members for apparent infringement of the CONCACAF Statutes. This suspension took effect on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Notice of this suspension is being sent to FIFA to be extended worldwide.
As the senior most Vice President of CONCACAF, Alfredo Hawit, assumes the role of acting President under the CONCACAF Statutes.
Austin had assume the leadership role when Jack Warner was suspended by FIFA.
Here is a PDF of the official order suspending Lisle Austin.
Simon Evans of Reuters with the full story on the suspension of Austin and his reply.
-The federation appears to be split between North & Central America v The Caribbean.
Evans also gives us a recap of the recent chaos, and word that Jack Warner has been advised by lawyers not to unleash his "tsunami" of evidence that will clear him.
The Jamaica Observer has more spouting off from Austin.
Nancy Armour of the Associated Press with a profile of Chuck Blazer.
NOTE: NEW LINK TO FIX BROKEN ONE
TEAM USA
Gold Cup
The tourney starts on Sun Jun 5, and the USA plays its first game on Tue Jun 7.
There is only one acceptable outcome for the USA team at this upcoming tournament. Win it. Then they get a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. If they do not win it, then I think its time for a change at the top. I defend Bob Bradley as strongly as anyone out there, but results are results are results. Git 'er done Bob!
dN
I was not bothered in the least by the bad loss the USA suffered on Saturday to Spain, but one fellow viewer made a great remark after the game: Here was the USA on ESPN on a Saturday afternoon playing in a much hyped match against the World Cup champs! A perfect time to put on a show for the casual soccer fan tuning in. And what does the team do? They trot out the second string to start the game, and get whitewashed! Then they bring in some starters in the second half who put up a more respectable fight, but those casual fans had already laughed at the weakness of the USA team and probably tuned out. Another chance missed! You don't get a lot of these chances.
For me the only three USA players who had games worth mentioning were Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo and Michael Bradley. But then again they both came on after Spain had taken their foot off the gas.
FYI - Landon Donovan did not suit up due to illness. They say he will be ready on Tuesday.
dN
Friendly
-Sat Jun 4
USA 0-4 Spain - 3:30pm CT on ESPN - Spa goals by Santiago Cazorla(2), Alvaro Negredo & Fernando Torres.
Venue: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough MA
Attendance: 64,121
Match report from US Soccer.
Post game quotes from US Soccer.
Player Ratings by Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America.
dN
If the USA takes Canada lightly on Tuesday they will find themselves in a lot of trouble. This is a Canada team bent on revenge for a loss in the 2007 tournament.
Alejandro Bedoya has officially replaced Benny Feilhaber on the USA roster. Feilhaber injured his ankle playing for this club New England Revolution two weekends ago.
US Soccer gives us massive pre-Canada-game notes.
We also get video footage of the team preparing in Detroit.
The official team blog.
John Molinaro of the CBC previews Canada.
Rod Beard of the Detroit News on the USA as they prepare in the Motor City.
Tim Twentyman of the News says the USA are taking the Spain beatdown as motivation for the Gold Cup.
The News has photos from training on Sunday.
Jo-Ann Barnas of the Detroit Free Press on the team's preparation for Tuesday night.
The Freep has photos from training on Sunday.
dN
Matches & Scores:
Gold Cup Group Stage
-Tue Jun 7
USA v Canada - 7pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Ford Field - Detroit MI
-Sat Jun 11
USA v Panama - 7pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Raymond James Stadium - Tampa FL
-Tue Jun 14
USA v Guadaloupe - 8pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Livestrong Sporting Park - Kansas City KS
dN
USA Roster
G:
Marcus Hahnemann - Wolverhampton
Tim Howard - Everton
Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake
D:
Carlos Bocanegra - Saint-Etienne
Jonathan Bornstein - UANL Tigres
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover
Clarence Goodson - Brondby
Eric Lichaj - Aston Villa
Oguchi Onyewu - Twente
Tim Ream - New York Red Bulls
Jonathan Spector - West Ham
M:
Freddy Adu - Rizespor
Alejandro Bedoya - Orebro
Michael Bradley - Aston Villa
Clint Dempsey - Fulham
Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy
Maurice Edu - Rangers
Jermaine Jones - Blackburn
Sacha Kljestan - Anderlecht
Robbie Rogers - Columbus Crew
F:
Juan Agudelo - New York Red Bulls
Jozy Altidore - Bursaspor
Chris Wondolowski - San Jose Earthquakes
IN ENGLAND
US Soccer video series focused on member of the national team that play their club ball in England:
-Stuart Holden: Gameday
-Clint Dempsey: Texas To The Thames
-Clint Dempsey: An American Midfielder In London
-Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones & Tim Howard talk loan deals
-Tim Howard at home
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Costa Rica and Mexico both showed their intent with powerful wins to start the tournament off on Sunday.
CR scored 4 goals in the first half to roll Cuba, while Mexico scored all their goals in the second half to destroy El Salvador who had a man sent off in the dying moments of the game.
All other teams beware: Chicharito opened the group stage with a hat trick!
Scott French of ESPN sees a Jamaica that could surprise people.
dN
Matches & Scores:
Group Stage
-Sun Jun 5
Costa Rica 5-0 Cuba - CR goals by Marcos Urena(2), Alvaro Saborio, Heiner Mora & Christian Bolanos.
Mexico 5-0 El Salvador - Mex goals by Efrain Juarez, Aldo De Nigris & Javier Hernandez(3, one via PK).
-Mon Jun 6
Jamaica v Grenada - 8pm CT
Honduras v Guatemala - 10pm CT
-Tue Jun 7
Panama v Guadeloupe - 5pm CT
USA v Canada - 7pm CT
-Thu Jun 9
Costa Rica v El Salvador - 6pm CT
Cuba v Mexico - 8pm CT
-Fri Jun 10
Jamaica v Guatemala - 6pm CT
Grenada v Honduras - 8pm CT
-Sat Jun 11
Canada v Guadeloupe - 5pm CT
USA v Panama - 7pm CT
-Sun Jun 12
El Salvador v Cuba - 5pm CT
Mexico v Costa Rica - 7pm CT
-Mon Jun 13
Guatemala v Grenada - 6pm CT
Honduras v Jamaica - 8pm CT
-Tue Jun 14
Canada v Panama - 6pm CT
Guadeloupe v USA - 8pm CT
dN
Standings
Team Rosters
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"A point on the road earned in thrilling fashion couldn't coax Crew coach Robert Warzycha from his familiar and ultra-defensive posture. When asked if the game gave him some gray hairs or raised his blood pressure, Warzycha delivered a mind-numbing soliloquy on performing well during practice. Dave Chappelle could do a 30-minute set in the locker room and Warzycha likely wouldn't crack a smile."
-Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch on the Crew head coach. See full article in Columbus Crew section below.
HMMMMM, VERY INTERESTING
In the past two weeks we have seen Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder in attendance at MLS games. Cool.
FACT OF THE DAY
Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman recorded his 100th shutout in MLS. Yes, its the record.
OOF
The AP reports that Jorge Hank Rhon the owner of Tijuana Xolos who were just promoted to the Mexican Primera was arrested in a military raid of his "compound" on weapons charges and suspicion of connection to the drug cartels. NOT GOOD NEWS!
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
Week 12
-Wed Jun 1
CD Chivas USA 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps - CUSA goal by Nick LaBrocca. VW goal by Camilo.
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 11,753
-Fri Jun 3
LA Galaxy 0-0 DC United
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 20,036
-Sat Jun 4
Toronto FC 0-0 Sporting Kansas City
Venue: BMO Field
Attendance: 19,962
New York Red Bulls 1-1 Columbus Crew - NYRB goal by Mehdi Ballouchy. CC goal by Rich Balchan.
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 20,393
FC Dallas 1-0 New England Revolution - FCD goal by Marvin Chavez.
Venue: Pizza Hut Park
Attendance: 10,363
Chicago Fire SC 0-0 Seattle Sounder FC
Venue: Toyota Park
Attendance: 13,839
Colorado Rapids 1-1 Philadelphia Union - CR goal by Conor Casey(PK). PU goal by Danny Mwanga.
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 12,779
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC - RSL goals by Jean Alexandre & Fabian Espindola.
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 15,174
San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 Houston Dynamo - SJE goals by Steven Lenhart & Simon Dawkins.
Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 9,270
CD Chivas USA 1-0 Portland Timbers - CUSA goal by Marcos Mondaini.
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 14,076
dN
EJECTIONS:
-Eric Hassli - Vancouver - red card (Wed Jun 1)
dN
Standings:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
21 Philadelphia Union (+5 GD) (12 GP)
19 New York Red Bulls (+7 GD) (13 GP)
16 DC United (-4 GD) (12 GP)
15 Houston Dynamo (0 GD) (14 GP)
15 Columbus Crew (-2 GD) (12 GP)
13 New England Revolution (-6 GD) (13 GP)
13 Toronto FC (-10 GD) (14 GP)
10 Chicago Fire SC (-4 GD) (12 GP)
6 Sporting Kansas City (-7 GD) (10 GP)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
30 LA Galaxy (+8 GD) (16 GP)
25 FC Dallas (+5 GD) (14 GP)
21 Seattle Sounders FC (+3 GD) (15 GP)
20 Real Salt Lake (+8 GD) (10 GP)
19 Colorado Rapids (+2 GD) (14 GP)
17 Portland Timbers (-3 GD) (12 GP)
17 CD Chivas USA (+2 GD) (13 GP)
16 San Jose Earthquakes (+2 GD) (12 GP)
10 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (-6 GD) (14 GP)
dN
There is a very full week of games ahead. (5 days in a row coming up: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)
-I thought that during the Gold Cup we would see a much lighter load. Apparently not.
MY THOUGHTS
3 of the 9 games ended in scoreless draws. 2 of which were almost unwatchable. Oof.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan was named the Player Of The Month for May.
Real Salt Lake's Jean Alexandre was named the league's Player of the Week.
Steve Davis of Sports Illustrated with five things we have learned from this week in MLS.
COLUMBUS CREW
Shawn Mitchell with the always good Columbus Dispatch weekly Crew review. Team notes and stuff.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC
Anticipation is running high for the opening of Livestrong Sporting Park on Thursday night. Yours truly will be in attendance.
Pete Grathoff of the KC Star on the reminders of team founder Lamar Hunt at the new home.
Charles Gooch, who I plan to meet this week, of the Star tells us the first of his many fave things about the new stadium.
Grathoff says the road trip to start the season has mirrored the plight of the whole organization since 1996, but its over now.
Gooch introduces us to the bells and whistles of Livestrong Sporking Park.
Sam Mellinger of the Star looks at the team and sees their off-field presence at an all time high, but the teams on-field presence is at an all time low.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Brian Lewis of the NY Post says Bulls head coach Hans Backe has a pretty pissed off team on his hands. Backe sees it as a good thing?
I got crap from a lot of Red Bulls fans earlier this year when I called their team gutless. But I stand by my description. OK maybe not all of them, but at least the majority of those players have been gutless. And 6 games in a row without a win by the team with the highest payroll in the league is pretty lame.
Big Apple Soccer on the first career start for midfielder Austin da Luz last weekend.
REAL SALT LAKE
James Edward of the Deseret News looks at one of the RSL players who is getting a shot to show what he's got due to injuries and international callups - Collen Warner. And other team notes.
Edwards also tells us about RSL's need for Fab Espindola to start cranking more of his attempts on goal into the net.
-Hey, he got one this weekend. Is that the primer he needed?
TORONTO FC
Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post asks a very important question - Is TFC Major League Soccer’s worst team?
-The answer is No. But......
Luke Wileman of TSN on the team's brutal start to the season under new head coach Aron Winter.
-Luckily for TFC they are in the equally weak Eastern Conference.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Nigel Reed of the CBC on Caps-futility.
Marc Weber of the Province on the quality debut of outside midfielder Michael Nanchoff.
MLS RESERVE LEAGUE
Matches & Scores:
-Sun Jun 5
Chivas USA 3-3 Portland Timbers - CUSA goals by Chris Cortez, Tristan Bowen & Victor Estupinan. PT goals by Eddie Johnson(2) & Freddie Braun.
-Mon Jun 6
San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 LA Galaxy - SJE goals by Sercan Guvenisik(2) & Ellis McLoughlin.
-Tue Jun 7
Houston Dynamo v Colorado Rapids
DC United v New England Revolution
Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps
dN
Standings Etc.
IF MLS HAD SINGLE TABLE STANDINGS
30 LA Galaxy
25 FC Dallas
21 Philadelphia Union
21 Seattle Sounders FC
20 Real Salt Lake
19 New York Red Bulls
19 Colorado Rapids
17 Portland Timbers
17 CD Chivas USA
16 San Jose Earthquakes
16 DC United
15 Houston Dynamo
15 Columbus Crew
13 New England Revolution
13 Toronto FC
10 Chicago Fire SC
10 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
6 Sporting Kansas City
MLS EXPANSION
Michigan Live wonders if a big turnout for the USA v Canada game could help encourage some $$$ people to step up the pursuit of a MLS team.
-Without meaning to come off as pessimistic, if there is over 25,000 at this game I will be shocked.
MLS STADIUMS
Montreal is ready to start selling their season tix for next season. They have an interactive map of the stadium were just mouse over the seat you want and it gives you the price and view of the field from there. Pretty cool. (thanks to Brian for the link)
-Its hard to tell from this image, but I think a fair amount of the seats will have a cover over them.
NASL NEWS
Two of our Stars players were given league awards today:
-Devin Del Do was named the NASL Offensive Player of the Week
-Kyle Altman was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Jun 4
Montreal Impact 2-0 FC Edmonton - MI goals by Mignane Diouf & Philippe Billy.
FC Tampa Bay 1-2 Carolina RailHawks - TB goal by Mike Ambersley(PK). CRH goals by Etienne Barbara(PK) & Nick Zimmerman.
Atlanta Silverbacks 0-2 NSC Minnesota Stars - NSC goals both by Devin Del Do.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-2 Puerto Rico Islanders - FLS goals by Abe Thompson, Cristian Arrieta & Jean Philippe Peguero. PRI goals by Nicolas Addlerey & Jonathan Fana.
dN
Standings (as of Sat Jun 4):
25 Carolina RailHawks (+13 GD) (10 GP) 2.50 PPG
17 NSC Minnesota Stars (+5 GD) (11 GP) 1.55 PPG
16 FC Edmonton (0 GD) (9 GP) 1.78 PPG
11 Puerto Rico Islanders (-1 GD) (8 GP) 1.38 PPG
11 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (-1 GD) (9 GP) 1.22 PPG
10 FC Tampa Bay (-5 GD) (10 GP) 1.00 PPG
8 Montreal Impact (+1 GD) (8 GP) 1.00 PPG
2 Atlanta Silverbacks (-12 GD) (9 GP) 0.22 PPG
SOCCER IN AMERICA
The National Soccer Hall of Fame inducted 5 new members on Saturday - Cobi Jones, Bob Gansler, Bruce Murray, Eddie Pope & Earnie Stewart.
ENGLAND
Dominic Fifield of the Guardian with five things we learned from England's draw with Switzerland.
SPAIN
Marcelino Garcia has been announced as they new head coach for Sevilla, but his current team Racing Santander claim not to know anything about him leaving them.
dN
Former goal scoring machine Ruud van Nistelrooy has signed with Malaga.
dN
Kristian Dyer of Metro NY talks to Thierry Henry about the greatness of his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
FRANCE
Reuters reports that Paris St Germain has been purchased by Qatar Sports Investment, a branch of the Qatar government. Via Yahoo/Europsport.
dN
Nancy has hired Jean Fernandez as their new head coach. He recently left Auxerre.
dN
Bordeaux has pried head coach Francis Gillot away from Sochaux for next season.
ITALY
Siena has brought in a new head coach for their shot back in Serie A next season - Giuseppe Sannino.
EUROPE
AP is reporting that Lokomotiv Moskva has fired their head coach who is under suspicion of throwing a game on May 28. Via Yahoo.
UEFA EURO 2012
Qualifying
Recap du Nord: Sweden got a big win on the road, while Italy, Romania, Russia and Greece did the same at home. Bosnia-Herzegovina were the biggest quality team to lose badly. Then there were the embarrassing draws suffered by England and France. Oof.
Evan Fanning of the Guardian with five things we learned from the international fixtures this weekend.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Kazakhstan 2-1 Azerbaijan - GROUP A
Belgium 1-1 Turkey - GROUP A
Austria 1-2 Germany - GROUP A
Faroe Islands 0-2 Slovenia - GROUP C
Italy 3-0 Estonia - GROUP C
Romania 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina - GROUP D
Belarus 1-1 France - GROUP D
Moldova 1-4 Sweden - GROUP E
San Marino 0-1 Finland - GROUP E
Croatia 2-1 Georgia - GROUP F
Liechtenstein 2-0 Lithuania - GROUP I
-Sat Jun 4
Russia 3-1 Armenia - GROUP B
Slovakia 1-0 Andorra - GROUP B
Macedonia 0-2 Ireland - GROUP B
Greece 3-1 Malta - GROUP F
Latvia 1-2 Israel - GROUP F
England 2-2 Switzerland - GROUP G
Montenegro 1-1 Bulgaria - GROUP G
Iceland 0-2 Denmark - GROUP H
Portugal 1-0 Norway - GROUP H
-Tue Jun 7
Azerbaijan v Germany - GROUP A
Faroe Islands v Estonia - GROUP c
Belarus v Luxembourg - GROUP D
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Albania - GROUP D
Sweden v Finland - GROUP E
San Marino v Hungary - GROUP E
dN
Standings
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2012
Group Stage Qualifying
Recap du Nord: The two biggest games of the round Cameroon v Senegal and Egypt v South Africa both ended scoreless. Cote'd'Ivoire won big on the road, as did Burkina Faso. Morocco, Guinea & Tunisia won by large margins at home. Algeria suffered a bad loss, and Nigeria was held to a tie by Ethiopia.
With the win this round Cote d'Ivoire has qualified for the tournament next January.
The Associated Press has an article that says Egypt fired head coach Hassan Shehata today after tying South Africa over the weekend. Via Yahoo.
dN
There are two more rounds left to play, one in early September and the other in early October.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Ghana 3-1 Congo
-Sat Jun 4
Zambia 3-0 Mozambique
Morocco 4-0 Algeria
Cameroon 0-0 Senegal
Sierra Leone 1-0 Niger
Uganda 2-0 Guinea-Bissau
Namibia 1-4 Burkina Faso
-Sun Jun 5
Central African Republic 2-1 Tanzania
Zimbabwe 2-1 Mali
Liberia 1-0 Cape Verde Islands
Guinea 4-1 Madagascar
Ethiopia 2-2 Nigeria
Comoros 1-1 Libya
Mauritius 1-2 Congo DR
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
Burundi 3-1 Rwanda
Benin 2-6 Cote d'Ivoire
Swaziland 1-2 Sudan
Angola 1-0 Kenya
Botswana 0-0 Malawi
Tunisia 5-0 Chad
dN
Standings
FIFA
Tariq Panja of Bloomberg with an article on FIFA's new strategy for combating match fixing.
Panja also reports on the hospitality company who had the contract for South Africa 2010 - they approximate their loss at $50 Million.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Hong Kong 1-1 Malaysia
S Korea 2-1 Serbia
Luxembourg 0-1 Hungary
-Sat Jun 4
Brazil 0-0 Netherlands
Bolivia 0-2 Paraguay
Peru 0-0 Czech Republic
-Sun Jun 5
China 1-0 Uzbekistan
Australia 3-0 New Zealand
Poland 2-1 Argentina
-Mon Jun 6
Ukraine v France
-Tue Jun 7
Paraguay v Bolivia
Norway v Lithuania
Brazil v Romania
Japan v Czech Republic
Ecuador v Greece
Venezuela v Spain
Russia v Cameroon
Gabon v Gambia
Australia v Serbia
Singapore v Maldives
S Korea v Ghana
Austria v Latvia
Italy v Ireland
Azerbaijan v Germany
-Wed Jun 8
Uruguay v Netherlands
China v N Korea
-Thu Jun 9
Poland v France
Please join all your soccer friends in the Twin Cities for a special Fund Raising screening of Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story
Sat Jun 11 at 4:30pm - The Sweetwater in St Paul
7
USA v Panama game kicks off at 7pm
The movie is still a work in progress and the filmmakers are on a mission to raise funds to finish it. They are using the Kickstarter website to bring in donations and we here at du Nord want to do our part to help them reach their goals. They are still a long way off.
Find out more about the movie here, and we will see you on Saturday.
STARTERS
This one flew right under the radar - The Las Vegas Sun with a report that MLS leaders have been talking to business people in Vegas about a MLS team again. Via Sporting News.
THE FIFA SCANDAL STORY NEVER ENDS
Stop the presses: Sepp Blatter has brought opera tenor Placido Domingo in as his special adviser on the recent scandals! First Kissinger, then Freeh, now Domingo. Problem solved.
Investigative journalist Andrew Jennings has long been a thorn in FIFA's butt, and he now feels that Henry Kissinger will be the undoing of Sepp Blatter. Really? Kissinger? Read on. Jennings doesn't get many of these things wrong.
Torgeir Krokfjord & Espen Sandli of Dagbladet in Norway break a new story about 2 FIFA Executive Committee members meeting with some of the biggest black market ticket touts in the world prior to the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
-The same newspaper broke the story last year of Jack Warner meeting with the same illegal ticket sellers, but the rest of the world media ignored it. Maybe they won't now.
Kier Radnedge of The Independent asks the ultimate question - What exactly is it that FIFA does again?
JACK WARNER/SEPP BLATTER/FIFA ODDITIES
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!
An extraordinary scene unfolded in Felicity, T&T yesterday as Jack Warner attended a celebration in front of adoring admirers.
How admiring you ask?
Check out the kick-ass banner they held up behind him on the dais: (The Black King has arrived from Mother Africa)
How about the banner being pulled through the sky by this paraglider: (Contratulations / The Honourable Minister Jack Warner / The Best Performing Minister)
Newsday reports that Jack has been told by his lawyers not to talk about the investigation, and not to reveal his "tsunami" of evidence that will clear him.
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday reports that Mohamed Bin Hammam had transferred TT$2.3 Million into the account of Jack Warner's families travel agency SimPaul to cover transport costs of Caribbean Football Federation members meeting with Warner and Hammam!
Another big problem with this scenario is that Warner had declared years ago that he was no longer a part of SimPaul. Turns out he is still the director!
You can expect Warner and Hammam to put up a strong defense that the money they handed out to Caribbean federations was to cover travel expenses only. And there is a good chance that argument will succeed.
The Express on Warner's refusal release the emails that he says will clear him.
The Express also has an editorial decries the "media" that has already declared Warner guilty without due process.
The Express talks to former T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop about the continuing CONCACAF soap opera, and his own chapter with Jack Warner.
CONCACAF CHAOS
Acting CONCACAF president Lisle Austin attempted to fire CONCACAF secretary general Chuck Blazer earlier this week, without having the authority to do so. Consequently the CONCACAF executive committee held a hearing and has now suspended Austin.
Press Release from CONCACAF:
Lisle Austin has been provisionally banned from all football activities within CONCACAF and at the national level by a majority of the CONCACAF Executive Committee members for apparent infringement of the CONCACAF Statutes. This suspension took effect on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Notice of this suspension is being sent to FIFA to be extended worldwide.
As the senior most Vice President of CONCACAF, Alfredo Hawit, assumes the role of acting President under the CONCACAF Statutes.
Austin had assume the leadership role when Jack Warner was suspended by FIFA.
Here is a PDF of the official order suspending Lisle Austin.
Simon Evans of Reuters with the full story on the suspension of Austin and his reply.
-The federation appears to be split between North & Central America v The Caribbean.
Evans also gives us a recap of the recent chaos, and word that Jack Warner has been advised by lawyers not to unleash his "tsunami" of evidence that will clear him.
The Jamaica Observer has more spouting off from Austin.
Nancy Armour of the Associated Press with a profile of Chuck Blazer.
NOTE: NEW LINK TO FIX BROKEN ONE
TEAM USA
Gold Cup
The tourney starts on Sun Jun 5, and the USA plays its first game on Tue Jun 7.
There is only one acceptable outcome for the USA team at this upcoming tournament. Win it. Then they get a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. If they do not win it, then I think its time for a change at the top. I defend Bob Bradley as strongly as anyone out there, but results are results are results. Git 'er done Bob!
dN
I was not bothered in the least by the bad loss the USA suffered on Saturday to Spain, but one fellow viewer made a great remark after the game: Here was the USA on ESPN on a Saturday afternoon playing in a much hyped match against the World Cup champs! A perfect time to put on a show for the casual soccer fan tuning in. And what does the team do? They trot out the second string to start the game, and get whitewashed! Then they bring in some starters in the second half who put up a more respectable fight, but those casual fans had already laughed at the weakness of the USA team and probably tuned out. Another chance missed! You don't get a lot of these chances.
For me the only three USA players who had games worth mentioning were Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo and Michael Bradley. But then again they both came on after Spain had taken their foot off the gas.
FYI - Landon Donovan did not suit up due to illness. They say he will be ready on Tuesday.
dN
Friendly
-Sat Jun 4
USA 0-4 Spain - 3:30pm CT on ESPN - Spa goals by Santiago Cazorla(2), Alvaro Negredo & Fernando Torres.
Venue: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough MA
Attendance: 64,121
Match report from US Soccer.
Post game quotes from US Soccer.
Player Ratings by Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America.
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If the USA takes Canada lightly on Tuesday they will find themselves in a lot of trouble. This is a Canada team bent on revenge for a loss in the 2007 tournament.
Alejandro Bedoya has officially replaced Benny Feilhaber on the USA roster. Feilhaber injured his ankle playing for this club New England Revolution two weekends ago.
US Soccer gives us massive pre-Canada-game notes.
We also get video footage of the team preparing in Detroit.
The official team blog.
John Molinaro of the CBC previews Canada.
Rod Beard of the Detroit News on the USA as they prepare in the Motor City.
Tim Twentyman of the News says the USA are taking the Spain beatdown as motivation for the Gold Cup.
The News has photos from training on Sunday.
Jo-Ann Barnas of the Detroit Free Press on the team's preparation for Tuesday night.
The Freep has photos from training on Sunday.
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Matches & Scores:
Gold Cup Group Stage
-Tue Jun 7
USA v Canada - 7pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Ford Field - Detroit MI
-Sat Jun 11
USA v Panama - 7pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Raymond James Stadium - Tampa FL
-Tue Jun 14
USA v Guadaloupe - 8pm CT on Fox Soccer Channel
Venue: Livestrong Sporting Park - Kansas City KS
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USA Roster
G:
Marcus Hahnemann - Wolverhampton
Tim Howard - Everton
Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake
D:
Carlos Bocanegra - Saint-Etienne
Jonathan Bornstein - UANL Tigres
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover
Clarence Goodson - Brondby
Eric Lichaj - Aston Villa
Oguchi Onyewu - Twente
Tim Ream - New York Red Bulls
Jonathan Spector - West Ham
M:
Freddy Adu - Rizespor
Alejandro Bedoya - Orebro
Michael Bradley - Aston Villa
Clint Dempsey - Fulham
Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy
Maurice Edu - Rangers
Jermaine Jones - Blackburn
Sacha Kljestan - Anderlecht
Robbie Rogers - Columbus Crew
F:
Juan Agudelo - New York Red Bulls
Jozy Altidore - Bursaspor
Chris Wondolowski - San Jose Earthquakes
IN ENGLAND
US Soccer video series focused on member of the national team that play their club ball in England:
-Stuart Holden: Gameday
-Clint Dempsey: Texas To The Thames
-Clint Dempsey: An American Midfielder In London
-Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones & Tim Howard talk loan deals
-Tim Howard at home
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Costa Rica and Mexico both showed their intent with powerful wins to start the tournament off on Sunday.
CR scored 4 goals in the first half to roll Cuba, while Mexico scored all their goals in the second half to destroy El Salvador who had a man sent off in the dying moments of the game.
All other teams beware: Chicharito opened the group stage with a hat trick!
Scott French of ESPN sees a Jamaica that could surprise people.
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Matches & Scores:
Group Stage
-Sun Jun 5
Costa Rica 5-0 Cuba - CR goals by Marcos Urena(2), Alvaro Saborio, Heiner Mora & Christian Bolanos.
Mexico 5-0 El Salvador - Mex goals by Efrain Juarez, Aldo De Nigris & Javier Hernandez(3, one via PK).
-Mon Jun 6
Jamaica v Grenada - 8pm CT
Honduras v Guatemala - 10pm CT
-Tue Jun 7
Panama v Guadeloupe - 5pm CT
USA v Canada - 7pm CT
-Thu Jun 9
Costa Rica v El Salvador - 6pm CT
Cuba v Mexico - 8pm CT
-Fri Jun 10
Jamaica v Guatemala - 6pm CT
Grenada v Honduras - 8pm CT
-Sat Jun 11
Canada v Guadeloupe - 5pm CT
USA v Panama - 7pm CT
-Sun Jun 12
El Salvador v Cuba - 5pm CT
Mexico v Costa Rica - 7pm CT
-Mon Jun 13
Guatemala v Grenada - 6pm CT
Honduras v Jamaica - 8pm CT
-Tue Jun 14
Canada v Panama - 6pm CT
Guadeloupe v USA - 8pm CT
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Standings
Team Rosters
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"A point on the road earned in thrilling fashion couldn't coax Crew coach Robert Warzycha from his familiar and ultra-defensive posture. When asked if the game gave him some gray hairs or raised his blood pressure, Warzycha delivered a mind-numbing soliloquy on performing well during practice. Dave Chappelle could do a 30-minute set in the locker room and Warzycha likely wouldn't crack a smile."
-Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch on the Crew head coach. See full article in Columbus Crew section below.
HMMMMM, VERY INTERESTING
In the past two weeks we have seen Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder in attendance at MLS games. Cool.
FACT OF THE DAY
Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman recorded his 100th shutout in MLS. Yes, its the record.
OOF
The AP reports that Jorge Hank Rhon the owner of Tijuana Xolos who were just promoted to the Mexican Primera was arrested in a military raid of his "compound" on weapons charges and suspicion of connection to the drug cartels. NOT GOOD NEWS!
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
Week 12
-Wed Jun 1
CD Chivas USA 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps - CUSA goal by Nick LaBrocca. VW goal by Camilo.
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 11,753
-Fri Jun 3
LA Galaxy 0-0 DC United
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 20,036
-Sat Jun 4
Toronto FC 0-0 Sporting Kansas City
Venue: BMO Field
Attendance: 19,962
New York Red Bulls 1-1 Columbus Crew - NYRB goal by Mehdi Ballouchy. CC goal by Rich Balchan.
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 20,393
FC Dallas 1-0 New England Revolution - FCD goal by Marvin Chavez.
Venue: Pizza Hut Park
Attendance: 10,363
Chicago Fire SC 0-0 Seattle Sounder FC
Venue: Toyota Park
Attendance: 13,839
Colorado Rapids 1-1 Philadelphia Union - CR goal by Conor Casey(PK). PU goal by Danny Mwanga.
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 12,779
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC - RSL goals by Jean Alexandre & Fabian Espindola.
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 15,174
San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 Houston Dynamo - SJE goals by Steven Lenhart & Simon Dawkins.
Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 9,270
CD Chivas USA 1-0 Portland Timbers - CUSA goal by Marcos Mondaini.
Venue: The Home Depot Center
Attendance: 14,076
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EJECTIONS:
-Eric Hassli - Vancouver - red card (Wed Jun 1)
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Standings:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
21 Philadelphia Union (+5 GD) (12 GP)
19 New York Red Bulls (+7 GD) (13 GP)
16 DC United (-4 GD) (12 GP)
15 Houston Dynamo (0 GD) (14 GP)
15 Columbus Crew (-2 GD) (12 GP)
13 New England Revolution (-6 GD) (13 GP)
13 Toronto FC (-10 GD) (14 GP)
10 Chicago Fire SC (-4 GD) (12 GP)
6 Sporting Kansas City (-7 GD) (10 GP)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
30 LA Galaxy (+8 GD) (16 GP)
25 FC Dallas (+5 GD) (14 GP)
21 Seattle Sounders FC (+3 GD) (15 GP)
20 Real Salt Lake (+8 GD) (10 GP)
19 Colorado Rapids (+2 GD) (14 GP)
17 Portland Timbers (-3 GD) (12 GP)
17 CD Chivas USA (+2 GD) (13 GP)
16 San Jose Earthquakes (+2 GD) (12 GP)
10 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (-6 GD) (14 GP)
dN
There is a very full week of games ahead. (5 days in a row coming up: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)
-I thought that during the Gold Cup we would see a much lighter load. Apparently not.
MY THOUGHTS
3 of the 9 games ended in scoreless draws. 2 of which were almost unwatchable. Oof.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan was named the Player Of The Month for May.
Real Salt Lake's Jean Alexandre was named the league's Player of the Week.
Steve Davis of Sports Illustrated with five things we have learned from this week in MLS.
COLUMBUS CREW
Shawn Mitchell with the always good Columbus Dispatch weekly Crew review. Team notes and stuff.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC
Anticipation is running high for the opening of Livestrong Sporting Park on Thursday night. Yours truly will be in attendance.
Pete Grathoff of the KC Star on the reminders of team founder Lamar Hunt at the new home.
Charles Gooch, who I plan to meet this week, of the Star tells us the first of his many fave things about the new stadium.
Grathoff says the road trip to start the season has mirrored the plight of the whole organization since 1996, but its over now.
Gooch introduces us to the bells and whistles of Livestrong Sporking Park.
Sam Mellinger of the Star looks at the team and sees their off-field presence at an all time high, but the teams on-field presence is at an all time low.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Brian Lewis of the NY Post says Bulls head coach Hans Backe has a pretty pissed off team on his hands. Backe sees it as a good thing?
I got crap from a lot of Red Bulls fans earlier this year when I called their team gutless. But I stand by my description. OK maybe not all of them, but at least the majority of those players have been gutless. And 6 games in a row without a win by the team with the highest payroll in the league is pretty lame.
Big Apple Soccer on the first career start for midfielder Austin da Luz last weekend.
REAL SALT LAKE
James Edward of the Deseret News looks at one of the RSL players who is getting a shot to show what he's got due to injuries and international callups - Collen Warner. And other team notes.
Edwards also tells us about RSL's need for Fab Espindola to start cranking more of his attempts on goal into the net.
-Hey, he got one this weekend. Is that the primer he needed?
TORONTO FC
Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post asks a very important question - Is TFC Major League Soccer’s worst team?
-The answer is No. But......
Luke Wileman of TSN on the team's brutal start to the season under new head coach Aron Winter.
-Luckily for TFC they are in the equally weak Eastern Conference.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Nigel Reed of the CBC on Caps-futility.
Marc Weber of the Province on the quality debut of outside midfielder Michael Nanchoff.
MLS RESERVE LEAGUE
Matches & Scores:
-Sun Jun 5
Chivas USA 3-3 Portland Timbers - CUSA goals by Chris Cortez, Tristan Bowen & Victor Estupinan. PT goals by Eddie Johnson(2) & Freddie Braun.
-Mon Jun 6
San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 LA Galaxy - SJE goals by Sercan Guvenisik(2) & Ellis McLoughlin.
-Tue Jun 7
Houston Dynamo v Colorado Rapids
DC United v New England Revolution
Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps
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Standings Etc.
IF MLS HAD SINGLE TABLE STANDINGS
30 LA Galaxy
25 FC Dallas
21 Philadelphia Union
21 Seattle Sounders FC
20 Real Salt Lake
19 New York Red Bulls
19 Colorado Rapids
17 Portland Timbers
17 CD Chivas USA
16 San Jose Earthquakes
16 DC United
15 Houston Dynamo
15 Columbus Crew
13 New England Revolution
13 Toronto FC
10 Chicago Fire SC
10 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
6 Sporting Kansas City
MLS EXPANSION
Michigan Live wonders if a big turnout for the USA v Canada game could help encourage some $$$ people to step up the pursuit of a MLS team.
-Without meaning to come off as pessimistic, if there is over 25,000 at this game I will be shocked.
MLS STADIUMS
Montreal is ready to start selling their season tix for next season. They have an interactive map of the stadium were just mouse over the seat you want and it gives you the price and view of the field from there. Pretty cool. (thanks to Brian for the link)
-Its hard to tell from this image, but I think a fair amount of the seats will have a cover over them.
NASL NEWS
Two of our Stars players were given league awards today:
-Devin Del Do was named the NASL Offensive Player of the Week
-Kyle Altman was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Jun 4
Montreal Impact 2-0 FC Edmonton - MI goals by Mignane Diouf & Philippe Billy.
FC Tampa Bay 1-2 Carolina RailHawks - TB goal by Mike Ambersley(PK). CRH goals by Etienne Barbara(PK) & Nick Zimmerman.
Atlanta Silverbacks 0-2 NSC Minnesota Stars - NSC goals both by Devin Del Do.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-2 Puerto Rico Islanders - FLS goals by Abe Thompson, Cristian Arrieta & Jean Philippe Peguero. PRI goals by Nicolas Addlerey & Jonathan Fana.
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Standings (as of Sat Jun 4):
25 Carolina RailHawks (+13 GD) (10 GP) 2.50 PPG
17 NSC Minnesota Stars (+5 GD) (11 GP) 1.55 PPG
16 FC Edmonton (0 GD) (9 GP) 1.78 PPG
11 Puerto Rico Islanders (-1 GD) (8 GP) 1.38 PPG
11 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (-1 GD) (9 GP) 1.22 PPG
10 FC Tampa Bay (-5 GD) (10 GP) 1.00 PPG
8 Montreal Impact (+1 GD) (8 GP) 1.00 PPG
2 Atlanta Silverbacks (-12 GD) (9 GP) 0.22 PPG
SOCCER IN AMERICA
The National Soccer Hall of Fame inducted 5 new members on Saturday - Cobi Jones, Bob Gansler, Bruce Murray, Eddie Pope & Earnie Stewart.
ENGLAND
Dominic Fifield of the Guardian with five things we learned from England's draw with Switzerland.
SPAIN
Marcelino Garcia has been announced as they new head coach for Sevilla, but his current team Racing Santander claim not to know anything about him leaving them.
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Former goal scoring machine Ruud van Nistelrooy has signed with Malaga.
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Kristian Dyer of Metro NY talks to Thierry Henry about the greatness of his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
FRANCE
Reuters reports that Paris St Germain has been purchased by Qatar Sports Investment, a branch of the Qatar government. Via Yahoo/Europsport.
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Nancy has hired Jean Fernandez as their new head coach. He recently left Auxerre.
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Bordeaux has pried head coach Francis Gillot away from Sochaux for next season.
ITALY
Siena has brought in a new head coach for their shot back in Serie A next season - Giuseppe Sannino.
EUROPE
AP is reporting that Lokomotiv Moskva has fired their head coach who is under suspicion of throwing a game on May 28. Via Yahoo.
UEFA EURO 2012
Qualifying
Recap du Nord: Sweden got a big win on the road, while Italy, Romania, Russia and Greece did the same at home. Bosnia-Herzegovina were the biggest quality team to lose badly. Then there were the embarrassing draws suffered by England and France. Oof.
Evan Fanning of the Guardian with five things we learned from the international fixtures this weekend.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Kazakhstan 2-1 Azerbaijan - GROUP A
Belgium 1-1 Turkey - GROUP A
Austria 1-2 Germany - GROUP A
Faroe Islands 0-2 Slovenia - GROUP C
Italy 3-0 Estonia - GROUP C
Romania 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina - GROUP D
Belarus 1-1 France - GROUP D
Moldova 1-4 Sweden - GROUP E
San Marino 0-1 Finland - GROUP E
Croatia 2-1 Georgia - GROUP F
Liechtenstein 2-0 Lithuania - GROUP I
-Sat Jun 4
Russia 3-1 Armenia - GROUP B
Slovakia 1-0 Andorra - GROUP B
Macedonia 0-2 Ireland - GROUP B
Greece 3-1 Malta - GROUP F
Latvia 1-2 Israel - GROUP F
England 2-2 Switzerland - GROUP G
Montenegro 1-1 Bulgaria - GROUP G
Iceland 0-2 Denmark - GROUP H
Portugal 1-0 Norway - GROUP H
-Tue Jun 7
Azerbaijan v Germany - GROUP A
Faroe Islands v Estonia - GROUP c
Belarus v Luxembourg - GROUP D
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Albania - GROUP D
Sweden v Finland - GROUP E
San Marino v Hungary - GROUP E
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Standings
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2012
Group Stage Qualifying
Recap du Nord: The two biggest games of the round Cameroon v Senegal and Egypt v South Africa both ended scoreless. Cote'd'Ivoire won big on the road, as did Burkina Faso. Morocco, Guinea & Tunisia won by large margins at home. Algeria suffered a bad loss, and Nigeria was held to a tie by Ethiopia.
With the win this round Cote d'Ivoire has qualified for the tournament next January.
The Associated Press has an article that says Egypt fired head coach Hassan Shehata today after tying South Africa over the weekend. Via Yahoo.
dN
There are two more rounds left to play, one in early September and the other in early October.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Ghana 3-1 Congo
-Sat Jun 4
Zambia 3-0 Mozambique
Morocco 4-0 Algeria
Cameroon 0-0 Senegal
Sierra Leone 1-0 Niger
Uganda 2-0 Guinea-Bissau
Namibia 1-4 Burkina Faso
-Sun Jun 5
Central African Republic 2-1 Tanzania
Zimbabwe 2-1 Mali
Liberia 1-0 Cape Verde Islands
Guinea 4-1 Madagascar
Ethiopia 2-2 Nigeria
Comoros 1-1 Libya
Mauritius 1-2 Congo DR
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
Burundi 3-1 Rwanda
Benin 2-6 Cote d'Ivoire
Swaziland 1-2 Sudan
Angola 1-0 Kenya
Botswana 0-0 Malawi
Tunisia 5-0 Chad
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Standings
FIFA
Tariq Panja of Bloomberg with an article on FIFA's new strategy for combating match fixing.
Panja also reports on the hospitality company who had the contract for South Africa 2010 - they approximate their loss at $50 Million.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jun 3
Hong Kong 1-1 Malaysia
S Korea 2-1 Serbia
Luxembourg 0-1 Hungary
-Sat Jun 4
Brazil 0-0 Netherlands
Bolivia 0-2 Paraguay
Peru 0-0 Czech Republic
-Sun Jun 5
China 1-0 Uzbekistan
Australia 3-0 New Zealand
Poland 2-1 Argentina
-Mon Jun 6
Ukraine v France
-Tue Jun 7
Paraguay v Bolivia
Norway v Lithuania
Brazil v Romania
Japan v Czech Republic
Ecuador v Greece
Venezuela v Spain
Russia v Cameroon
Gabon v Gambia
Australia v Serbia
Singapore v Maldives
S Korea v Ghana
Austria v Latvia
Italy v Ireland
Azerbaijan v Germany
-Wed Jun 8
Uruguay v Netherlands
China v N Korea
-Thu Jun 9
Poland v France
posted by brucio at 18:41
4 Comments:
WOO Del Do and Altman!
I was out in Vegas over the weekend (yes, UFC), and I talked a little bit with locals about the various stadium plans. Several things standing in the way at the moment, but it's plausible.
Watch Gold Cup matches at Univision
http://futbol.univision.com/copa-oro/partidos-en-vivo/
or maybe Concacaf.com - though they have some geo-restrictions.
A couple things:
- Match Hospitality, the company that lost $50M trying to sell deluxe packages at the World Cup last year, has ties to Sepp Blatter's nephew, as the Guardian reported last year:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/15/fifa-hospitality-tickets-sepp-blatter
- I'm not surprised at the news regarding Brazil officials and ticket scalpers. I bought a ticket to the Portugal/Angola group stage match in Germany in '06 from a scalper, then ran across him again on a train platform in Frankfurt. We talked about the upcoming matches and he said he wanted Brazil to go through since he had an arrangement with their FA to obtain a lot of tickets if they did.
Best of luck to Henry Kissinger! Never thought I'd be saying that.
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