Under-20 World Cup: USA vs. Poland Highlights

My Copa America Hangover is cured. If they play like this against Brazil I'll be a happy man. Some of these sequences are stunning. I know it's apples and oranges but I'd much rather have had these lads representing us in Venezuela than the sketchy crew that lost three in a row. At least our kids can finish.

Under 20 World Cup -- Brazil vs. United States Live on ESPN

Big thanks to Dave B. and soccertv.com for alerting me to this late addition to ESPN's programming schedule. Catch it if you can -- hopefully it will aid your Copa America hangover...

Under 20 World Cup
Brasil vs. United States
ESPN and ESPNU (US - English) *** note late addition to ESPN (US) ***
Galavision (US - Spanish)
Friday, July 6 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT LIVE

Friday's Copa America News

Well, it turns out yesterday wasn't a slow news day after all. Compare it to today and you realise it was a 24hr firework display of news. Today is dull. The Copa goals and excitement seemed to have dried up. Hopefully this is only due to the final group stage matches being dead rubbers. I'm sure things will heat up again at the weekend. Here is the line up for the quarterfinals:

Saturday:
Uruguay Vs Venezuela 6:05 EDT
Chile Vs Brazil 8:50 EDT

Sunday:
Mexico Vs Paraguay 6:05 EDT
Argentina Vs Peru 8:50 EDT

Okay, the US only took a B team, but nonetheless it was a poor showing, summed up by the last eight minutes of last night's match: even down a man with a striker in goal Colombia looked the more potent team.

US soccer flops hand victory to Chávez
Colombia 1, United States 0
Argentina wraps up Group C in Copa America

Venezuela coach eyes further improvement
Dunga under fire after another letdown

Breaking News : Lampard Fails Barca Medical

EPL News

There's nowt really happened in EPLworld. Most stories are only regurgitated versions of yesterday's: Chelsea want less in-fighting, Reo Coker to Villa, Sven takes over at city, Craig Dickhead to West Ham. There's a semi-interesting development in Tevez's move to Utd, but that's about it.

League threat to Tevez deal
Arsenal deny Wenger in Real talks
Bellamy closes on West Ham move
Kenyon warns Mourinho that off-field squabbles must end
Villa complete Reo-Coker signing
Eriksson set to take over today
Rams agree terms for Davis capture

Under 20 World Cup: U.S. faces toughest challenge yet

It really is that simple. Beat Brazil (Friday, 7.45 pm ET, ESPNU), and win Group D. That's the only formula that guarantees that the U.S. will avoid a quarterfinal match against defending world champions Argentina next week in Toronto.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=443584&root=world&cc=5901

And due to the July 4 holiday when The News was blowing things up, dunking friends in the tank, and generally making merry, we missed the chance to revel in our 6-0 victory over Poland: What a difference three days can make. After coming out flat in its World Cup opener, the U.S. U-20 national team looked like a world-beater Tuesday. Led by Freddy Adu's hat trick, the U.S. shellacked Poland 6-1 in front of 35,801 at Olympic Stadium.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=443323&root=world&cc=5901

The Mill

Friday's Rumours

Will Tevez suit ManU?

Here are a few articles on Carlos' possible move up north. All agree he's a fine talent, but differ on whether he's right for the Red Devils. Mike Adamson's blog argues that ManU need an out-and-out target man, not another version of Wayne Rooney, and he's probably got a point. No problem says Daniel Taylor, they'll just be a change of tactics, and it's all part of Fergie's masterplan. Smudger Smith thinks it'd be a great buy, that Carlos and Wayne will complement each other perfectly, like an EPL player and a cheap blond hairdresser on her way to the solarium.

Will Tevez be surplus to United's requirements?
Ferguson's team of all the talents offers multiple options
Ferguson eyes little fella with a big heart

Euro News

Real Madrid's Chivu Bid On The Rocks
Sevilla warn Blues over Alves
Gudjohnsen Ready To Fight Henry, Eto'o
Materazzi issues World Cup writs

Henry Winter on Chelsea

I did warn you it was a very slow news day. This article is based around Chelsea opening a new trainng facility. It does go on to discuss Chelsea's general state of health, honestly.
Chelsea train sights on United

McBride Has Confidence In Cottagers

The 35-year-old struck 12 goals last season to help Fulham secure top-flight survival and is now eyeing a much improved campaign, which starts with a trip to Arsenal on August 11.
http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Americans_Abroad/page_93_145438.shtml

Fire opt for Osorio as Sarachan's replacement

The Colombian coach replaces Dave Sarachan in Chicago.

Copa America News

Man, you know it's a slow news day when one of Soccernet's stories is "Boro striker Tuncay granted work permit". Even the Copa failed to raise the pulse, with Brazil sneaking a win against Ecuador, while the game between Mexico and Chile - what a surprize - ended in a draw, meaning both teams progress.

Robinho Gives Brazil Narrow Victory
Mexico, Chile, Brazil advance to Copa quarterfinals
Mexico's coach unfazed by next Copa opponent
US scoffed at for sending "B" team to South America
US looks to finish on a high note

U.S. vs. Colombia
Estadio Metropolitano FdL, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
6.30 p.m. EDT
GolTV, Telefutura
Greg Lalas' Preview

The Mill

Thursday's Rumours

Martin Samuel Column

We can’t go back to 1965, but let’s try to be more open

Disinterested Gringos, annoyed Mexicans, leftist Scots and Attila the Stockbroker

I tried to post this yesterday, what with it being July 4th and the News' hell bent desire to be topical. But the blog wasn't working, so I couldn't. And you're getting it a day late.

American indifference spoiling patriot games

Torres finally a Red

So Torres has eventually made his move to Merseyside, and for much less than the mooted £27 million. At £20m he looks a very good purchase. After he and a goateed Rafa spent some time straightening the "This is Anfield" sign we were told at the press conference that Bellamy would be on his way. The Times also informs us the spending will continue...

Torres to earn hero status at Anfield
Quaresma next on Benitez's shopping list

Arsenal non-stories

Another sign of a slow news days are these two articles. The board are confident Wenger will stick arond - what a shocker. Stan is still the man interesteed in buying the club - really?

Arsenal confident Wenger will sign new contract
Kroenke refuses to cool interest in Arsenal

EPL News

According to the Times, and a few of the red tops, ManU are closing in on Carlos Tevez. If that's the case, it looks like Fergie has not only bought well this summer but been backed to do so by the Glazers. He appears to be addressing ManU's weaknesses, like a lack of steal in the midfield with Hargreaves, while continuing their policy of buying young-ish players. He seems to have recognised he can't scour the world, Wenger-like, uncovering tons of unproven but very talented teenagers who cost £1 million. But instead, by paying a bit more, he can buy 18-22 year old players with far more proven quality like Rooney and Ronaldo, and now Anderson and Dani. Tevez would seemingly tick all the boxes: he's a proven talent, he's young, and ManU need a goal scorer.

United close in on Tevez as Ferguson leaves rivals in the shade
United set to seal the deal for Tevez?

Chelsea also seem to be stirring. According to Sky they've made a move for Brazilian starlet Pato, and the Guardian says they're closer to snapping up Lyon's Malouda, which might mean bye bye Robben.

Chelsea bid for Pato confirmed
Chelsea up bid for Lyon's £16m-rated Malouda

The rest of the news does little to raise the excitement levels but maybe your team's up to something:

Kaboul makes White Hart Lane move
Eriksson weighs up City squad
Sheffield refuse to go quietly
O'Neill hails Reo-Coker swoop
Everton secure deal for Jagielka

Sheff Utd fail to overturn ruling

So West Ham, the nouveau riche of footie, get to stay in the EPL, where they can continue to splash their cash like drunken lottery winners. Meanwhile poor working class Sheffield United must stay in the dirty old Championship, cursed to watch those cheating parvenues from East London, thinking what if the world were only fair.

It'd be nice to think this signals the end of this most boring drawn out saga of crap, but I doubt it.
Blades appeal turned down
Sheffield United consider options after rejected appeal

Copa America: USA out as chances go begging!

Another supremely entertaining night in the Copa America: tons of goals, the US wasting chances on their way to the exit door, Roque Santa Cruz and Riquelme leading Paraguay and Argentina into the next round, Colombia showing they can actually play football, goalies injuring themselves at goal kicks, strikers injuring themselves at PKs, a red card, lots of camera shots of scantily dressed ladies in the crowd, and behind the scenes alleged scullduggery involving President SHugo Chavez. What more could you ask for?

A short round-up here for those of you in a rush and more detailed reports further below:
Argentina, Paraguay keep the goals flowing

The finishing was poor, but at least the US carved out some chances, which is promising. But at the back they were a joke, with the usual exception of Casey Keller. Moreover, Johnson seemed determined to maintain the poor standard he set against Argentina.
Paraguay Beat Wasteful USA, Into Last Eight

Argentina dazzled again, though their weakness in letting teams back into games resurfaced, while Colombia were hard to recognize from the spineless team that lost 5-0 to Paragauy. In fact they could have drawn level had an audacious effort by the left back from within his own half sneaked under the crossbar. One negative for Argentina will be the loss of Crespo, though somehow I think they'll find a replacement.
Riquelme Inspires Argentina To Victory Over Colombia
No worries, compañero
Crespo likely to miss rest of tournament

Copa America standings:

Group C P W D L F A PTS
1. Paraguay 2 2 0 0 8 1 6
2. Argentina 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
3. United States 2 0 0 2 2 7 0
4. Colombia 2 0 0 2 2 9 0
- - - -
Group A
1. Venezuela 2 1 1 0 4 2 4
2. Peru 2 1 0 1 3 2 3
3. Uruguay 2 1 0 1 1 3 3
4. Bolivia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1
Group B
1. Mexico 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
2. Chile 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
3. Brazil 2 1 0 1 2 3 3
4. Ecuador 2 0 0 2 3 5 0

The Mill +

Tuesday's rumours
Times Transfer Talk

Ex-player Steve Claridge gives his opinion on the latest Dutch prospect

Scouting report: Ryan Babel, Ajax

Henry Winter on the treatment of referees

Role model Rooney must curb his tongue

Under 20 World Cup: U.S. faces a must-win game against Poland

Of course the Americans were pleased they managed to bag a point they probably didn't deserve in their Group D opener against South Korea. However, in the end, it doesn't really change a thing. Their next match, versus Poland here Tuesday (5 p.m. ET, ESPNU), remains a must-win affair.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=442907&root=world&cc=5901

The Man City soap opera rolls on

No one seems to know what the hell is going on here. On one side there's Amnesty International's favourite Football owner, on the other there's dodgy Svenis, and in the middle are some of the EPL's most loyal fans. Somehow it's hard to see things ending well. The third piece, by Brian Glanville, is well worth your time.
Thaksin Shinawatra fights to clear name
Grip set for role at Eriksson's City
City saga exposes moral bankruptcy of English football

Other News

There's been a far bit of coming and going over the past 24 hours, and the usual quota of rumour and heresay. All of it pretty boring to be honest, but pick a story if it interests you:

Hargreaves relieved after sealing transfer
Keane forced to rethink targets
Blues buy de Rigger and target Faye
Yakubu suitors form a queue
Reo-Coker set to join Aston Villa
Geremi to Newcastle
Newcastle sign Geremi on free transfer
Derby boss Davies agrees new deal
Ballack to undergo ankle surgery
Madrid enter race for Malouda
Juventus's big-spending days are over

Liverpool and Arsenal splash out on strikers

Arsenal and Liverpool have made moves in the transfer market in an effort to get goals. I wrote a couple of days ago that I'd have bought Tevez ahead of Torres, but there's no doubting the Spaniard's skill. Spanish experts seems to think Liverpool have paid over the odds, but Torres is only 23 and is exactly what they're looking for. His personality also makes him a match for the Reds. A huge Athletico fan from childhood, not only did he rule out going to Real but didn't want to play against his home team in the colours of another Spanish club. He also used to sport a quality mullet. Rafa's losing Luis Garcia however, so the Spanish speaking quota hasn't actually risen. As a result he's got his eyes on ManU's left back.

I know nothing about Arsenal's new forward Eduardo other than he seems to score plenty of goals, he netted the first goal at the Emirates, and that there are no good pictures of him on the web.
Arsenal snap up Eduardo
Dudu gets the goals, Wenger does the business
Cascarino's view

Torres speeds move to Liverpool
Benitez aims to strike while the iron is hot with move for Heinze

Paraguay’s Secret Weapon

Iced Maté, or Tereré
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/paraguays-secret-weapon/

Copa America: Brazil and Mexico win, USA plays Paraguay tonight

USA vs. Paraguay
6:35 pm ET, TV: GolTV, TeleFutura
Santa Cruz hold the key to the Paraguay attack
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=341339
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=442698&root=us&cc=5901

Brazil 3 - 0 Chile
Robinho hat-trick
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214669&cc=5901

Mexico 2 - 1 Ecuador
Mexico advances to quarterfinals
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214668&cc=5901

Chaotic scenes at Brazil, Mexico games
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-copachaos&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Graham Lister: Arsene Wenger's In-Tray

Amid the obituaries for Arsenal, whose disintegration as a major force in English football is being widely predicted by press, pundits and Spurs fans, the Gunners' manager, Arsene Wenger, has a number of critical issues to resolve, and the quicker he does so, the better - for the stability of the club and the blood pressure of Arsenal supporters everywhere.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=341404

Beckham Facing Hell In The US - Marsh

David Beckham is facing hell in the United States, according to Rodney Marsh, who played in the US in the 1970's.

"Other aspects he won't understand until he gets here is the fact that the referees are next to useless and offer little protection from young men who will be looking to make a name for themselves at David's expense."
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=341032

Transfer Round-up: Arsenal snap up Croatia striker Da Silva

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2116609,00.html

And Jonathan Wilson's column from last month about the Brazilian-born Croat:
Goalscorers may be a dying breed but Eduardo da Silva's killer instinct has driven Slaven Bilic's side within striking distance of Euro 2008.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/04/croatias_biggame_poacher_strik.html

U.S. U-20s escape with draw

South Korea 1 - 1 USA
Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela scored on a 16th-minute header and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz made five saves Saturday in the United States' 1-1 draw with South Korea in the Under 20 World Cup opener for both teams.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221113&cc=5901

Is Torres start of the Rafalution upgrade?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=442776&root=euro2008&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Welcome to Sarajevo

When Turkey came to town last month, the home team's largely Muslim fans bonded with the visitors over shared enemies. Ed Vulliamy reports from Bosnia, where racial tensions continue but aren't enough to stop a football thriller.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2112912,00.html

The imperfect match

Gheorghe Hagi is a Steaua Bucharest legend but many fans are unconvinced by the decision to appoint him as manager. http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/02/the_imperfect_match.html

The Mill(s)

Monday's Rumours:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2116659,00.html



Transfer Talk:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/07/02/sfntra102.xml

Zenden heads list of Premiership players available for nothing

Boudewijn Zenden can be picked up on a free only 40 days after starting for Liverpool in the Champions League final. Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler have also been shown the door at Anfield and are targets for Real Madrid and Rangers respectively. Relegated Charlton have shed the most - eight - from their wage bill.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/02/zenden_heads_list_of_premiersh.html

Japan's Iwata sack Kikuchi after sex scandal

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-asiajapansacking&prov=reuters&type=lgn