Liverpool still lack the strength in depth to challenge for the title, but with Roy Hodgson at the helm are bound to improve.
SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Premier League Preview No. 10: Liverpool
Liverpool still lack the strength in depth to challenge for the title, but with Roy Hodgson at the helm are bound to improve.
Premier League Preview No. 9: Fulham
With much the same squad as last season, and without the distractions of the Europa League, Fulham should be aiming for the top half of the table.
U.S. Under-20 team makes strides
Falling less than a month after the World Cup final, and devoid of headlining countries such as Spain, Argentina and Brazil, the Milk Cup is not a tournament that demanded or received much attention. But the U.S. Under-20 national team's triumphant run in that event, which included victories over China, Denmark and host North Ireland, is still cause for (measured) optimism. The usual strengths associated with the U.S. -- athleticism, size and endurance -- remained, but the Americans were also technically better than their opponents, particularly in a 3-0 victory against Northern Ireland in the final last week.
Steve Claridge's Championship Magnificent Seven
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Trying to pick out a few players who have the potential to light up the forthcoming Championship season is always an interesting challenge.
It was tough but here is the magnificent seven that I think could make a huge impact.
Community Shield: Manchester United vs. Chelsea Preview
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The traditional curtain-raiser may be regarded by some as nothing more than a glorified friendly, but the first piece of silverware is on offer plus the opportunity to strike an early psychological blow.
The Joy of Six: Great Penalties
After Ezequiel Calvente's masterpiece for Spain Under-19s, here are half a dozen other memorable spot kicks.
Champions League play-off pits Tottenham against Young Boys of Bern
Tottenham Hotspur got the draw of their dreams this morning when they were picked to play Young Boys of Bern, last season's Swiss Super League runners-up, in their Champions League play-off.
It is Tottenham's first foray in Europe's premier club competition since the 1961-62 season.
Jones bails on U.S. for Brazil friendly
Jones had been set to make his U.S. debut after playing three exhibitions for Germany and being approved for a switch last year by FIFA. The U.S. Soccer Federation said Thursday that after accepting the invitation, he decided to remain with his club ahead of its opener at Hamburg on Aug. 21. Jones missed last season because of a shin injury.
I suppose our friend here will be pleased with the decision...
Dominic Raynor: Off The Ball
The new season is nearly upon us and Off The Ball will be scratching around the underbelly of professional football for some bizarre and often inexplicable revelations every step of the way. This week we have Rio Ferdinand expressing his fear of public toilets, Santos players trading bare-chested insults with their fans, Robert Green abused by his West Ham colleagues and Lionel Messi hasn't formed an Oasis tribute band.
Cesc Fabregas: I will stay at Arsenal this season
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has released a statement claiming that he will remain at the club this summer and that he will be 100% committed to the Gunners.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
The Community Shield already? Please don't let them start the football season on Sunday
At the end of May England played friendlies against Mexico and Japan. June 11 began the month-long boredom fest known as the 2010 World Cup. When that finished on July 11, the qualifying rounds for the Champions League were already under way. The Community Shield is this Sunday, then on August 14 the Premier League kicks off on its nine-month slog through to May 22, 2011.
Premier League Preview No. 8: Everton
Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar are vital to the club's success this season, with David Moyes having little to spend to advance Everton's bid for Europe.
Premier League preview No. 7: Chelsea
It is beholden upon naysayers to dream up new reasons why Chelsea will fail to retain the title. Few spring readily to mind.
Vuvuzelas banned from U.S. vs. Brazil match
Yes, like a number of Premier League grounds and many other places where people value their sanity and ability to hear, New Meadowlands Stadium has banned vuvuzelas.
Wahl: Marquez relishes MLS challenge
How could a player who has been so classy over the years for Barcelona turn into a cheap-shot artist on two occasions against the U.S., earning red cards for dirty plays against Cobi Jones in World Cup '02 and Tim Howard in a qualifier for World Cup '10?
Americans In The UK: Season Preview Part 2
The Premier League is once again loaded with American talent, with Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey leading the way.
Jermaine Jones Highlights New-Look USA Roster Versus Brazil
Schalke's Jermaine Jones wasn't fit in time to participate with the USA in the 2010 World Cup, but he could be a key part of the squad that takes on Brazil in their upcoming August friendly.GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Étienne), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca)
Calcio Debate: Genoa's Superb Transfer Campaign Makes Them A Serie A Top Four Darkhorse
Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal ponders whether the Grifone are going to be surprise package of the season...
Marina Hyde: Gold-plated failure gives England no escape from the boo-boys
Have you heard this one? Let me summarise: 5,000 gold-plated iPods bearing Frank Lampard's lasered signature are to be melted down after demand for the £599 product failed to materialise in the wake of the World Cup. Do take a moment to digest those details.
The Championship: John Ashdown's Preview
Burnley are well positioned to be bounce straight back up, but another season of woe lies ahead for Roy Keane's Ipswich.
Is League One next for Keano...?
Real Madrid's Brazil star Kaka undergoes knee surgery
Real Madrid star Kaka is set to be out of action for up to four months after undergoing knee surgery in Belgium.
A post-World Cup medical revealed a problem with the Brazilian's left knee and the midfielder had to leave Real's pre-season camp in Los Angeles.
He should just get Jesus to send him this cup...
Barcelona fail to live up to Asian expectations
Dani Alves said that "Brazil played against Korea in the World Cup. They were a very good team". Messi, who actually did play against South Korea in South Africa, replied when asked for his first impressions of the country: "I didn't see much. I don't know where I am and what time it is. I'm too tired."
Robinho returns to lead exodus
The reluctant returnee is a footballer who was meant to epitomise the new, moneyed City but is becoming an indictment of overspending and his journey from marquee signing to unwanted embarrassment has taken just two years. At Santos, he was out of sight and, at times, out of mind. That is not possible in Manchester.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Premier League Preview No. 6: Bolton Wanderers
The arrival of Martin Petrov gives Bolton hope of playing in a more attractive style and finishing high up the division.
Carlo Questions Cole Tactics
Ancelotti accepts that Cole played a key role in the Blues' success during his time with the club but has now questioned the tactical aspect of his game.
Cole vs. Benayoun: Head to Head
Angry Bayern blame Dutch as Robben injured
Angry Bayern Munich accused the Netherlands of allowing Arjen Robben to play at the World Cup with an injury after announcing the striker would miss the first two months of the Bundesliga season on Tuesday. Bayern said on their website (www.fcbayern.t-home.de) that a routine pre-season exam had shown that Robben had a torn muscle in his left thigh, adding he had suffered the injury shortly before the World Cup.Former USA International Clint Mathis To Retire Saturday
Clint Mathis will retire from professional soccer Saturday after the Los Angeles Galaxy play Real Madrid.
The former U.S. international seared his image on the public consciousness with a mohawk and dazzling skill in the 2002 World Cup.
Canales: Goodbye to the Georgia Peach
Wayne Rooney upstaged by Manchester United team-mate Nani's Lamborghini Gallardo
Wayne Rooney was upstaged on his return to training this morning by Manchester United team-mate Nani, who put the England striker in a spin with his hot new wheels.Rooney arrived at the club's Carrington training headquarters in his red 10 plate Audi RS6.
Just days after colleague Anderson's near-fatal collision in his Audi R8 in Portugal, Nani cruised through the entrance gates in his flash Lamborghini Gallardo.
Syrian businessman aims to gazump Kenneth Huang in race for Liverpool
A surprise Syrian bidder claims to have re-entered the race to buy Liverpool FC.
Yahya Kirdi, a businessman and former Syrian international footballer, says his group are in "advanced negotiations" with the owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
And here he is...!
EPL: West Ham, Wigan, Wolves, Bolton
In our second installment of English Premier League team previews, we break down West Ham, Wigan, Wolves and Bolton.
EPL: Promoted teams will struggle to stay up
This week we'll preview all the teams in the English Premier League as we prepare to head into the new season. Today we examine the three teams that were promoted from the Championship.
These clubs know how to do business
With the transfer window open for business, rumors of players being bought and sold swirl no matter how poor the economy is or how little money clubs really have to spend. They don't call it the silly season for nothing.
But while every club dabbles in the market, only a few are savvy at conducting transfers. Most buy for too much, sell for too little, and lack a full understanding of the market's intricacies.
Which clubs are the smartest wheelers and dealers? Five come to mind.
Vatican slams Serie A Sunday lunchtime kick-offs
Vatican officials have been left fuming by the decision to move some Serie A matches to 11.30 BST on Sundays for the 2010-11 season.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
What does a central midfielder do in 2010?
It’s this year’s must-have for any side looking to finish near the top of the Premier League: a player who prompts the question, ‘What does he do?’This man is a central midfielder. He’s not a tackler, nor is he a creator. He doesn’t score many goals – in fact, he rarely looks to get into the box. So what does he do? It’s a question asked by Arsenal fans about Denilson. It’s a question asked by Manchester United fans, about Michael Carrick.
And it’s not just the fans who ask. Britain’s most famous football pundit, Alan Hansen, has the same question about Jon Obi Mikel, who started the majority of games at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield as they won the Premier League lastseason. “What does John Obi Mikel do?”, asks Hansen.
Interview with Raul
The sight of Raul sporting the colours of Germany's Schalke 04 will be one of the more curious in the upcoming season after the Spanish goalscoring icon severed his ties with his beloved Real Madrid last week. Nick Bidwell caught up with the veteran striker as he looks forward to a fresh challenge after 16 years with Madrid and discovered his fire has been re-ignited after sealing a lucrative move to last season's Bundesliga runners-up.
Mexico captain Marquez brings even more star power to Red Bulls
Keeping up with the sparse roster of MLS Designated Players has generally been a breeze up to now.
But Major League Soccer's drive to add more of these high-profile stars is now bearing fruit. Teams are adding pricey talent at a faster clip, and it's a stretch for even the best of MLS fans to keep up.
Premier League preview No. 4: Blackburn Rovers
A protracted takeover bid and transfer frustration have helped account for the cloud of uncertainty over Ewood Park.
Premier League preview No. 3: Birmingham City
Alex McLeish will do well to fashion another top-half finish but Blues have enough to avoid 'second-season' syndrome.
Liverpool consider 'several' takeover bids
Chinese businessman Kenny Huang is one of "several" potential buyers to submit a bid to Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton, BBC Sport understands.
Huang, who is the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, values the club at about £325m.
But it is understood that as many as six bids were submitted last week.
Tim Vickery in South America
When the fixtures for the forthcoming season were made public, many fans would have immediately checked to see when their team were due to meet their big local rival. Derbies are part of the essence of football, perhaps even more so in South America than in Europe. The logic is clear. Distances are vast in South America, forcing the game to develop locally. Brazil has only had a genuinely national championship since 1971, while the Peruvian league was restricted to Lima until 1967.I am reflecting on this because I have just come back from watching Rio's biggest derby, Flamengo against Vasco da Gama - 'the classic of the multitudes'.
Why Fernando Torres is an asset both on and off the pitch
Goals are only one reason why the striker is in demand – his marketing value and class off the field are almost as important.
Jock, Strop and Two Smokin' Hairdryers
The Scot was fuming after Roo was snapped smoking during a bender until 5.30AM on Sunday and his team-mate wrecked his £125,000 Audi R8 sports car in a horror crash that nearly killed him.
Anderson reassures Manchester United fans as police probe star's crash
The Brazilian, who is expected to make his comeback from a cruciate ligament injury next month, was treated for superficial injuries but police want to know if he had been drinking before the crash.
That's him on the left during happier times...
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