Tevez has perfected the art of bleating to the overseas press about how hard his life is in Manchester, but his recent appearance on the Susana Gimenez (presumably Argentina's Jonathan Ross, but looking closer to a shrivelled Vanessa Feltz) chat show is a tour de force of indiscreet soul-bearing.
This is pretty hilarious...
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.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Tuesday's Previews
Who: USA vs. Canada
When: 8pm EDT
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
U.S. TV: FSC
Preview I
Preview II
As you can see, Panama and Guadeloupe play prior to the U.S. match...
Jonathan Wilson: A tactical review of the 2010-11 season
The closer you are, of course, the harder it is to step back and see the overall pattern. After Internazionale, cautious and canny and playing within themselves, had won the European Cup, and after a World Cup of a miserable lack of adventure, there seemed a possibility that football might be entering a new age of caution.
Tim Vickery in South America
In an end-of-season international friendly, with one side leading 4-0, why on earth would the referee want to add on a heap of stoppage time? Surely the best advice would be to blow up and let everyone go home. But that is not what Ibrahim Chaibou did last Wednesday when he was in charge of the match between Nigeria and Argentina in Abuja. He added on five extra minutes. True, there had been plenty of second-half substitutions but it was hard to see why five extra minutes were necessary or desirable.
But then it got stranger. Five minutes came and went. Then six. Then seven. And then he awarded Argentina an absurd penalty for a non-existent handball. Mauro Boselli converted it to make the final score 4-1 to the home side.
With an alleged splurge of bets on a late goal, it is little wonder that Fifa is opening an investigation into the events.
Controversy aside, there is another question that emerges from Nigeria's crushing and thoroughly deserved victory: why on earth would Argentina put their prestige on the line by fielding such a team?
Americans in the UK: Season Recap Part 2
The Premier League produced some fine American performances this past season but Clint Dempsey stood above the rest.
Bizarre Blatter unveils Domingo, Kissinger and Cruyff as FIFA advisors
Sepp Blatter has been accused of turning FIFA into a soap opera, which may be why he has asked tenor Placido Domingo to ‘join the family’.Blatter heaped further ridicule on himself as he forgot the name of the world-famous Spanish singer he wanted to add to a ‘council of wisdom’ which already includes Henry Kissinger, former FBI chief Louis Freeh and the legendary Johan Cruyff.
As part of a masterplan to root out corruption in the world’s governing body, it is right up there with the craziest story lines in tv fiction.
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Monday's Reports
Jamaica 4-0 Grenada:
Reggae Boyz batter Spice Boys
Honduras 0-0 Guatemala:
Rivals draw in physical encounter
Iran's women footballers banned from Olympics because of Islamic strip
Iran's dream of competing in the London 2012 Olympic women's football tournament have been crushed by an unexpected ruling that their Islamic dress broke Fifa rules, said a football federation official in Tehran.
Iran is complaining to the world ruling body after its women were banned from playing, moments before an Olympic qualifier against Jordan last week, due to their full-body strip that includes a head scarf.
Aston Villa given more time to decide on Michael Bradley's future
The 23-year-old, part of his country's 2010 World Cup squad, spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Villa had an option to buy the player at the end of the campaign under the terms of the initial agreement, but the German club have allowed them to wait until a replacement for Gérard Houllier is in place before making a final decision.
Fulham appoint Martin Jol as manager
Fulham have succeeded where they failed last summer in appointing Martin Jol as their manager. The move represents something of a coup, in that the Dutchman has a reputation to match the size of his personality, after his positive work at Tottenham Hotspur, Hamburg and, most recently, Ajax. He arrives at Craven Cottage on a two-year contract, with the option of a third, and his capture is vindication for Fulham's persistence and foresight.
Dempsey hints at Fulham exit
Fulham forward Clint Dempsey has shocked his club by revealing he would leave Craven Cottage for a Champions League team. "That's a goal. That's every player's goal. Every player wants to win trophies and play at the highest level possible. If someday I get the opportunity to play for a big club in the Champions League, that would be great. I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a dream."
Monday MLS Breakdown
San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski featured as a substitute for the USA in its 4-0 friendly defeat against Spain. The match marked yet another milestone for Wondolowski.
Breakdown
Monday, June 06, 2011
Good Day!
Good Day SSNers!! USA trounced by Spain in poorly timed friendly, Euro 2012 qualifying action as England draw, Robbie Keane notches two more for Ireland, new-look Italy cruise and Portugal win, how MLS academies will alter the landscape of U.S. soccer, 2010-11 awards for best quotes, wages and excuses, Richard Williams on England's ancien régime, Monday's Rumors, Rooney gets new hair, CONCACAF Gold Cup results (Little Pea nets three) and previews and much more!!
Onward!!
Said & Done
The 2010-11 awards: The season's best quotes, wages and excuses – plus how Gigi Becali made Satan crazy
Romania: Steaua owner Gigi Becali attacking Rapid Bucharest president Dinu Gheorghe in April as "a filthy jerk. A fat bum. I'm sick of this Gypsy: I'll force him back up his mother"; and issuing a series of frank apologies at Easter to those he insulted this season – rival owners, gay men ("It's their disease, not mine") and fans. Gigi said his purge made him feel "reborn". "And it will make Satan crazy. He hates it when a soul gets cleaner."
August 2010: Larissa Riquelme on her plans after a strong World Cup. "I once made love in a river. It was at night, I was just in the river talking to a man so one thing led to another. But this season I shall only make love in football contexts. You know, this could be my year."
Richard Williams: Ancien regime of Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand holds England back
Persisting with a tired old guard and a refusal to make major changes have left England's future looking less-than bright.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Future of U.S. Soccer
It behooves any country with serious aspirations on the world soccer scene to entrust the development of its young players to the pros. To the country's professional clubs, that is. Like in most endeavors, privatization tends to lead to more efficiency, and Major League Soccer's nascent academies are slowly but very concertedly wresting youth soccer away from the traditional avenues. At the start of the 2011 MLS season, there were 33 MLS academy products on the league's rosters. As with most American sports, a soccer education historically flowed from little leagues to clubs, to high school, to more clubs to colleges and finally to the pros. In other countries, elite players are being scouted from the age of 5, enter the academies of pro clubs from age 6 and stay within the same framework until they either wash out or make it to the senior team.
The U.S. is beginning to see the value of the other approach. MLS academies have become ubiquitous within the league -- all 18 MLS clubs have one; the New York Cosmos, which hasn't even been let into the league yet, has two -- and are increasingly well-funded, with budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1 million a year each. They don't generally accept players younger than 14 or so, but as the league's infrastructure grows, the academies will drastically alter the American soccer structure. And in so doing, they will also create all kinds of issues in the coming decades.
Wayne Rooney posts slightly disturbing picture of his hair transplant on Twitter
There's often a dearth of exciting football news during the off-season, but Wayne Rooney is on a one-man mission to keep fans sated with up-to-the-minute updates on his recent hair transplant.
Footballer Wayne Rooney has confirmed he has had a hair transplant at a top London clinic in a bid to restore his receding locks to their former glory. The Manchester United striker said he had his treatment at a hair clinic on London's famous Harley Street. He also asked his followers if anyone could recommend any good hair gel because his head was "still a bit bruised and swollen".
UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying Wrap, Reports & Analyses
England drew 2-2 at home to Switzerland to jeopardize its hopes of making next year’s European Championship in Poland and Ukraine and Portugal climbed to the top of Group H by beating Norway 1-0 on Saturday.
Wrap
England 2 - 2 Switzerland: Kevin McCarra at Wembley
Henry Winter: England's isolation almost complete after abject showing against Switzerland
Macedonia 0 - 2 Ireland: Keane's double wins in Skopje
Italy 3 - 0 Estonia: Front line on fire for AzurriPortugal lead Group H with 1-0 win over cautious Norway
Five things we learned from the international fixtures this weekend
USA vs. Spain: U.S. delivers uninspiring result in match not worth scheduling
USA 0 - 4 SpainMaybe the big discussion from Saturday's clinic inside Gillette Stadium shouldn't be about starting lineups and the wisdom of U.S. coach Bob Bradley deploying a "B team" in a match that bumps up against an important tournament -- although there is certainly a hardy debate there.
Perhaps the take-away for U.S. Soccer is this: Saturday's clunker against mighty Spain probably should have never been scheduled. It was always a bloodbath waiting to happen, given the crammed June schedule.
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Mexico cruise, Chicharito stars
Mexico cruised past El Salvador with a comfortable 5-0 win to begin their Gold Cup title defence in Texas. Also in Group A's opening fixtures, Costa Rica enjoyed a similarly emphatic start with victory over their Caribbean neighbours Cuba, winning 5-0 at the Cowboys Stadium.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Good Day!
Good Day SSNers!!
Sid Lowe in Spain with The Sids, previews for the weekend's Euro 2012 qualifiers, the U.S. host Spain in Foxboro tomorrow, more on FIFA, Jonathan Wilson in Eastern Europe, Friedel goes to Spurs, Mark Hughes leaves Fulham but does not go to Villa, Dale Johnson is Off The Ball, Barcelona sign 10-year-old American and much more!!
Onward!!
Sir Alex Ferguson banks on Michael Owen to pass on wealth of experience to Manchester United young guns
Eyebrows were raised at Manchester United’s decision to hand Michael Owen a new one-year contract earlier this week, but the former England forward can credit Sir Alex Ferguson’s admiration of AC Milan for his extended stay at Old Trafford.
Sid Lowe in Spain
From an amazing managerial achievement to perhaps the greatest assist ever, it's time for the annual end-of-season Spanish football awards.
It's the Sids 2011! The complete review of the past La Liga season.
International Friendly Previews: United States vs. Spain
Where:
Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, MA.
When:
June 4, 2011, 4:30 p.m. EDT
U.S. TV:
ESPN & Univision
Reigning World Cup champions Spain will bring a star-studded squad that includes six players from Champions League winners Barcelona into a Saturday friendly against the United States.
Nearly 58,000 tickets have been sold for what will serve as a top-flight tuneup for the Americans ahead of the Gold Cup, the North American championship tournament that begins on Sunday. The host US men open Tuesday against Canada.
U.S. vs. Spain Friendly May Not Be the Best Warm-Up for the Gold CupUEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying Previews
Germany will need to stay cool under pressure when they make an end-of-season push for a perfect six wins out of six in Euro 2012 qualifying against Austria on Friday. Runners-up to Spain in 2008, the Germans are one of several heavyweight teams in action following the season finale in major domestic leagues. In Group G, joint leaders England and Montenegro have home matches on Saturday against Switzerland and Bulgaria, while in Group D France are looking to avenge September's 1-0 home defeat by Belarus in Minsk on Friday.
Preview
Belarus vs. France: Preview
England vs. Switzerland: Preview
Macedonia vs. Ireland: Preview
Italy vs. Estonia: Preview
Three pivotal Euro 2012 clashes
Jonathan Wilson in Eastern Europe
Having been suspended from international competition in April, Bosnia-Herzegovina are back and stronger than before.
Bosnia-Herzegovina's united return to international football.
Mark Hughes leaves Fulham but Aston Villa do not want him as manager
Mark Hughes will not be the new Aston Villa manager and has been left without a club after walking out on Fulham on Thursday night. The Welshman had been the favourite to succeed Gérard Houllier but Villa, unimpressed with the course of events that culminated in Hughes activating a break clause in his contract and leaving Fulham, have turned their attention elsewhere. Martin Jol and Steve McClaren are at the top of Villa's shortlist.
Phil McNulty: Hughes must prove staying power
Mark Hughes was the victim of Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook's infamous "trajectory of results" when he was shown the door at Eastlands and replaced within a matter of minutes by Roberto Mancini.Hughes nursed an acute sense of injustice, shared by many observers inside and outside City, and public humiliation when he took charge of the 4-3 win against Sunderland in December 2009 with the word already out that his time was up as soon as the final whistle sounded.
The 47-year-old is walking away from Fulham with that same trajectory on an upward curve after a season in which he heard demands for his dismissal at Craven Cottage before a strong conclusion rebuilt his reputation and earned a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play standings.
Hughes, in a statement met with heavy cynicism, insisted his decision to activate a break clause in his two-year contract had not been prompted by the intervention of "an outside party" after Gerard Houllier left Aston Villa on health grounds only 24 hours earlier.
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel agrees to Tottenham switch
United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has agreed to join Tottenham.
It is understood that the 40-year-old, whose contract with Aston Villa was due to expire at the end of this month, has signed a two-year contract.
10 things you need to know about outspoken FIFA senior vice-president Julio Grondona
8) His mouth has a habit of getting Grondona in trouble. He courted controversy when, in response to question about referee standards in Argentina, he stated, "I do not believe a Jew can ever be a referee at this level. It's hard work and, you know, Jews don't like hard work."
Dale Johnson: Off The Ball
Off The Ball never rests in its mission to scratch around the underbelly of professional football to find the most bizarre, humorous and inexplicable stories.
This week, Jack Wilshere wants to get in the face of the referees, Mario Balotelli takes the scenic route, a suicidal koala helps a Spanish club sell season tickets, Barca shake that booty and we preview the Dr Nicolas Leoz Cup.
Barcelona signs 10-year-old American prodigy to academy
According to a variety of sources (but first reported by the website BarcaLoco and soccer blog 3four3), Southern Californian Ben Lederman -- a 10-year-old who visited and worked out at the club's La Masia training complex in April -- signed a two-year development contract with the club's youth academy.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Good Day!
Good Day SSNers!!
Beppe Signori among those arrested in Italian match-fixing probe, Alan Smith picks a World XI to beat Barcelona, Top 10 UEFA Champions League goals ever, The Big Interview is Darren Bent, Tim Vickery provides some perspective on the FIFA situation, Yank Abroad Marcus Hahnemann let go by Wolves, Jon Carter rewinds to 1985 and the post-Heysel reforms, Fabregas and Van Persie go see the Mets, The Mill is working around the clock on transfer rumors and much more!!
Onward!!
Italian players arrested in match-fixing probe
The spectre of corruption returned to haunt Italian football yesterday when former star World Cup striker Beppe Signori was among 16 people arrested after investigators busted a football match-fixing operation that was so big police dubbed it a "proper criminal organisation".Prosecutors said they had "important and irrefutable" evidence that the 16 were involved in manipulating results in 18 mostly Serie B (second division) and lower league matches in the season that has just come to an end, adding that Atalanta and Siena's promotion to the top flight may be in danger.
Arsène Wenger targets tall players to boost Arsenal's title challenge
For years Arsène Wenger has been saying that size does not matter, but it appears that six seasons without a trophy may have changed his mind as he on Wednesday admitted that one of his priorities this summer will be to sign tall players.
Alan Smith: My world XI to take on the might of Barcelona
The impossible job, stopping Barcelona? Well, not quite seeing as they’ve been beaten six times this season. But what you do have to say is that if Pep Guardiola’s side play like they did on Saturday evening, you must do everything perfectly.
Luka gets the call...
Lads on tour! Arsenal pair Van Persie and Fabregas go large in the Big Apple
Does Robin van Persie know something we don't? The Arsenal striker has just come off the back of a gruelling and emotionally draining season with the club and could be forgiven for wanting to get away from it all.Well, in a way he has, with a trip to New York. But despite spending all season together and working in close quarters every day of the week, the Dutchman has decided to take his captain Cesc Fabregas on holiday with him.
Tim Vickery: FIFA's controversial roots date back to England five decades ago
Brazilian journalists who flew to London for the Champions League final were struck by the importance given in the English press to the recent scandals surrounding FIFA. The story is not playing anything like as big back home.
European cynics might argue that this has something to do with a certain South American tolerance of corruption. South American cynics, meanwhile, put the whole frenzy down to an infantile English reaction at not being awarded the 2018 World Cup.
The Big Interview: Darren Bent
It has taken five years but Darren Bent has gone from feeling out of place with England to becoming the focal point of the attack.
'I remember Beckham coming up to me. I was shaking'
Americans in the UK: Wolves Let Hahnemann Go
Mick McCarthy has praised the 'fantastic' Marcus Hahnemann after confirming Wolves will not be offering the goalkeeper a new contract."With his enthusiasm and personality, not to mention some very different hobbies and interests, Marcus was a great character to have around the place and hugely influential in the dressing room."
Jon Carter: Rewind to 1985
On June 2, 1985, UEFA took action against English clubs, banning them from European competition after the riot at Brussels' Heysel stadium during the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus in which 39 people died. The repercussions of the tragedy saw stringent changes in the way hooligans were dealt with and formed the basis for a framework of measures to ensure nothing similar would ever happen again.
Norman Hubbard: Norman Hubbard: Allardyce and West Ham a match made in heaven or hell?
There is a temptation to think that some people are suckers for punishment. Having been dismissed by such luminaries as the unpredictable Mike Ashley and the much-ridiculed Venky's, Sam Allardyce has forsaken the frying pan in favour of the fire by accepting the West Ham job.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Raphael Honigstein in Germany
Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side may have run away with the title, but there was plenty of the weird and wonderful worth revisiting in the German league this season.
The Honigsteins 2011: Bundesliga end-of-season awards
The Honigsteins 2011: Bundesliga end-of-season awards
Thierry Henry Interview
Thierry Henry 'suffering' watching Arsenal collapse but hopes Arsene Wenger stays in charge.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com US Latino, the Gunners' record goalscorer is unsure whether he'll move into coaching, and targets winning titles with the Red Bulls.
Steve Davis: Adu gets another chance with U.S.
Bob Bradley isn't known for throwing curve balls. The U.S. national team coach is pretty much a fire 'em down the middle type guy. Too much so for some supporters.But this Freddy Adu matter -- now that was one wicked curve ball. Heck, even Bradley said so. As the coach discussed his Gold Cup roster last week, someone asked what he considered the biggest shocker. Even Bradley seemed amused, laughing a little and immediately naming Adu's selection. You'd swear the man surprised even himself.
Georgina Turner: Change of Pace for New EPL Trio
With the conclusion of the Championship playoffs at Wembley on Monday, we now know the three teams promoted to the Premier League for the 2011-12 season. It's a return for Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City, which were both involved in the first three seasons of the re-branded Premier League in the 1990s, while Swansea will get its first taste at the Liberty Stadium.What can we expect from each?
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