Copa America: U.S. outclassed by Argentina, Colombia Clobbered

Argentina 4 -1 USA
Argentina show their class
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214673&cc=5901

Bradley pragmatic about the loss:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=339386

Paraguay 5 - 0 Colombia
Santa Cruz hat-trick
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214672&cc=5901






Next up for the States is Paraguay on Monday. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:35 pm EDT.

EPL News

Someone buy this guy before he moves to Euroland! Henry has taken his silky skills to Barca, and while Tevez isn't as easy on the eye, he is entertaining.
Top clubs on alert as Tevez snubs Inter

According to Sky Sport News' Spanish expert Greame Hunter Barca President Laporta is determined to get Lamps. Personally I just think Frank is jealous of Henry hogging all the will-he-wont-he-go-to-Spain drama.
Lampard calls for talks on new contract

Perhaps Chelsea are finally going to spend some real wedge:
Chelsea's £12m bid for Malouda

From Russia to Brum, poor Garry O'Conner:
O'Connor finalises Birmingham move

Excellent news for Everton fans:
Duo stick with Toffees

Shock horror, Wenger is getting over the pain of losing Thierry by buying a young French prospect:
Auxerre: Sagna set for Gunners

It's all action in Geordieland

Magpies 'agree' Edmilson deal
Ashley tightens grip on Magpies
Allardyce hands are tied over Owen contract
Allardyce fears losing £10m 'panic buy' Martins to Arsenal

The Mill +

Friday's Rumours

Premiership Transfer talk

You lucky Yanks!

Galaxy set date to unveil Beckham

Knighthood would be fitting reward for New Man

Tottenham Get Bent

It has to be said Tottenham are gradually building a really solid outfit. This move will make or break Brent, who has real talent. He's a decent finisher, but more importantly makes goods runs, which could prove crucial when playing with Berbatov and Keane. But not with Defoe, who seems destined for the exit door. Bent joins England contigent at White Hart Lane

£27m Torres heading for Anfield

This one seems a touch strange to me. Torres has obvious talent, is young and could do well in the EPL. But it's unknown. Carlos Tevez, on the other hand, who could be bought for the same price, seems certain to succeed in England. I know who I'd buy.
Benítez makes striking move

365 Q&A with Thomas Rongen

The U.S U-20 men’s national team has more talent and depth than ever but head coach Thomas Rongen knows it will be a difficult task when his team opens their U-20 World Cup campaign. The former Ajax player took a moment to speak with Soccer365 about the tournament and his team.
http://www.soccer365.com/_365_Interviews/page_123_145165.shtml

USA Under-20 Roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brian Perk (UCLA), Steve Sandbo (SMU), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (6): Tony Beltran (UCLA), Amaechi Igwe (New England Revolution), Ofori Sarkodie (Indiana University), Nathan Sturgis (L.A. Galaxy), Julian Valentin (Wake Forest), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Freddy Adu (Real Salt Lake), Bryan Arguez (D.C. United), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Dax McCarty (F.C. Dallas), Danny Szetela (Columbus Crew), Anthony Wallace (F.C. Dallas)

FORWARDS (6): Andre Akpan (Harvard), Josmer Altidore (N.Y. Red Bulls), Gabriel Ferrari (Sampdoria), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Johann Smith (Bolton F.C.), Sal Zizzo (UCLA)

Copa America Preview: Argentina vs. USA

Who: Argentina v. USA
When: 20:50 (local) / 20:50 ET / 00:50 GMT, June 28, 2007
Where: Estadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo
Referee: Carlos Candía (Chile)
TV: Telefutura and GolTV
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=338177

And they're calling it a mismatch. Wouldn't you?
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-copaamerica-us-argentina&prov=ap&type=lgns

La Copa: Mexico Stuns Brazil and Chile Tops Ecuador

Mexico 2 - 0 Brazil: Dunga Under Fire
Mexico striker Nery Castillo scored a sublime goal to set his team on their way to a shock 2-0 win over defending champions Brazil at the Copa America on Wednesday.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214667&cc=5901

Ecuador 2 - 3 Chile: Comeback Kings
Chile twice came from behind and then scored a late winner to beat Ecuador 3-2 as drama dominated day two of the tournament. Luis Antonio Valencia and Cristian Benitez twice put Ecuador in front, only for Humberto Suazo to equalise each time.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=214666&cc=5901

Capello axed by Real despite title win

Real Madrid sacked coach Fabio Capello on Thursday, 11 days after he led them to their first Primera Liga title in four years.

'I haven't managed to talk it over with him personally because he is on holiday at the moment, but I did manage to speak to his son who is also his lawyer.' Nice!!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=442058&cc=5901

The Mill ++

Thursday's Rumours
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2113742,00.html
++
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1999098.ece


And Barcelona want Lampard. Come and get him -- he's all yours!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/chelsea/article1996697.ece

Freddie stays at Gunners, says agent

Freddie Ljungberg wants to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career, quashing speculation linking him with a move away from the Gunners.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=441990&cc=5901

This picture is for my wife and her sisters...

Beasley Transferring to Rangers

The Kid Goes to Glasgow


This picture is for Bobbie...





http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=441897&cc=5901

And plans to make a big impact:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AniCtKyJ3RWySHEIvDWVJ98mw7YF?slug=txbeasleyrangers&prov=st&type=lgns

Brazil's Striking Pragmatista

Afonso Alves is the ugly duckling of Brazil's Copa America squad, but his blistering goalscoring record has left no head unturned
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/27/brazils_striking_pragmatista.html

FIFA eases altitude restriction

FIFA revised its ban on matches at high altitude, easing the restrictions to only apply to World Cup qualifiers above 9,840 feet rather than 8,200 feet.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-fifa-altitudeban&prov=ap&type=lgns

Coleman named Real Sociedad boss

The 37-year-old Welshman will be unveiled by the Basque side in the next few days after his appointment by club president Maria De La Pena.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6247584.stm

Good luck to you, Cookie! Bring them back up where they belong. And enjoy San Sebastian while you're at it.

Players must impress as Sanchez seeks to rebuild Fulham

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/fulham/article1996576.ece

Copa America Off and Running

Hugo Chavez, his pal Diego Maradona (who does not really look all that sober), and Tony (The Goose) Siragusa enjoy the opening action of Copa America...






Uruguay stunned by Peru
Uruguay 0 - 3 Peru
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=337447

Hosts in draw with Bolivia
Venezuela 2 - 2 Bolivia
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=337526

And on tonight's menu is a mouthwatering clash between Mexico and Brazil:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=337362

The other match this evening is Ecuador vs. Chile:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=337371

And of course, the U.S. readies for Argentina:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-copaamerica-us&prov=ap&type=lgns

The Sids 2007: Sid Lowe gives us the good, the bad and the downright bizarre from the past year in Spain

Best prediction
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who opened the season by announcing: "People look back on the Five Cups Barça. We can go down as the Seven Cups Barça." Six months later and this latter-day, pork-pie pedalling Nostradamus was only five short as Barça brilliantly claimed Spain's Charity Shield and the Copa Catalunya.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/27/its_the_sids_2007.html

Henry's 'excuse'

Arsenal's chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, has criticised the manner of Thierry Henry's departure from the club, claiming that he used the uncertainty over Arsène Wenger's future as "an excuse" to allow him to join Barcelona with a clean conscience.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2112494,00.html

Americans Abroad: Interest in Feilhaber Increasing

http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Americans_Abroad/page_93_144952.shtml

The Mill

Wednesday's Rumours

Cookie to Sociedad??
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill

Tiago Profile

Having won the English Premier League title in 2004-05 with Chelsea, and back-to-back French Ligue 1 titles in 2005-06 and 2006-07 with Lyon, Tiago will now be targeting a fourth consecutive championship in a third different country with Juventus in Italy.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=337757

Fox Soccer's Lovely Mexican Cheerleader Feature

Que caliente!





All the shots are here:
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/pgStory?contentId=6871414&pageNumber=1

Copa America Kicks Off Today

Uruguay face Peru and Venezuela start things off against Bolivia in what most hacks are calling the strongest field ever. And the USA will have to face a giant flying Messi...















State Department warns travelers to Copa America; organizers shift semifinal from Caracas:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-copaamerica-security&prov=ap&type=lgns

Dunga wary of Mexico threat:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=txbrazildunga&prov=st&type=lgns

The Guardian's Copa Preview:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/26/argentina_set_to_right_14year.html

Tim Vickery's Copa Preview:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6236418.stm

Galarcep: U.S. confirms dominance over Mexico

Remember when a U.S. victory over Mexico was a thrilling surprise? When a win against the bad guys in green actually served to justify the U.S. team's standing on the world stage? Remember when such a victory legitimized American soccer? Those days are over. After scoring a ninth win over Mexico in 12 meetings, and ninth in 10 meetings outside of Mexico, the United States no longer measures itself by its results against its most bitter rival.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=441343&root=us&cc=5901

Sven agrees City deal

Stifle those yawns, everyone...
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=473902&CPID=8&clid=43&lid=2&title=Sven+agrees+City+deal

One killed, 14 injured in Argentine brawl

One man was killed and 14 others injured as rival soccer fans swinging metal pipes and throwing rocks clashed Monday after a promotional playoff match between two Argentine clubs that spilled out onto a busy rush-hour freeway, authorities said.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6960672

Norman Hubbard on Holland's and England's Under-21s

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=441306&root=euro2008&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

Uli finishes up his Volker Finke trilogy...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=441506&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

The Mill

Tuesday's Rumours
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2111800,00.html

Prejudice is a two-way street

There has been understandable fury in Serbia about England's blinkered and damaging attitude following the countries' fiery Under-21 clash.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/25/prejudice_is_a_twoway_street.html

Some Thoughts

Let’s begin with Mr. Henry. I’ve been preparing myself mentally for this to happen for some time, but now that it has, I’m sadder than I anticipated. I realize that the move might be better for the club, and that the cash in the coffers can be used to fund more pieces of what will be the next generation of The Arsenal. And perhaps Henry was holding some of the kids back with his massive presence. That said, a player who at times was the best in the world has just departed for Barcelona and his ballet-like style and panache will no longer grace the red shirt. And that stings. I look forward to watching his Catalonian career proceed.

The other main piece of news at the weekend was of course the Yanks' defeat of Mexico in the Gold Cup Final yesterday. This was a match that had it all, and generated a great tension the size of Hugo Sanchez’s man boobs. I was certain that Mexico would score and win after Ching hit the post, and even more certain when Beasley managed to miss the sitter of all sitters. It wasn’t to be, however, and we held on to win. And you know what? We came from behind to do it. I never thought I’d see the day. The U.S. team gave up a goal just before the half and instead of falling apart and getting embarrassed (the Ching and Beasley misses aside), the lads forced the issue with attacking play and got a deserved victory. Jeff Carlisle said as much in his piece, but my neighbor Pedro still responded to my post-game taunts by saying that Mexico remains the better team. Now Pedro and I are pals. He moved to Chicago a long time ago from a small town outside of Morelia. And he still supports El Tri. And he pissed me off with that response. Because it’s no longer true. The U.S. team is better than the Mexico team. We may not be as skilled or as pretty to watch, but we’re better. End of story. Perhaps Pedro was just pissed because I was dancing around my yard singing, “No Se Puede! No Se Puede!!”

But wait, it wasn’t the end of the story because as always, the Mexicans showed their true colors at the end of the match by complaining to the ref. Sanchez (who had been all over the fourth official and the linesman the entire match) and his chicos surrounded the ref complaining about God knows what. True class. I’ll enjoy it when he’s fired.

Next up for the U.S. team? Just a meeting with an Argentine squad that looks stronger than the one they took to Germany last year. Thursday will be interesting. -Sanford

Copa America Preview

The 42nd edition of the Copa America kicks off in Venezuela on June 26 with the expectation that something is about to change in South American football. Long neglected by footballing authorities in the region, the competition has undergone something of a transformation in recent years, and this year promises much.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=440462&root=global&cc=5901

Henry leaves Arsenal

The four-year deal is believed to be worth 24 million euros (32 million dollars).
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprfraarsenalanelka&prov=afp&type=lgns

Five candidates to fill the Frenchman's boots:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2110471,00.html

They may have lost their best player but Arsenal are not in crisis:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/25/wenger_turns_to_grimandi_as_he.html

With Thierry Henry now no more than a memory at Highbury the onus falls on Cesc Fabregas to lead his young teammates into a new era:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/24/captain_fabtastic.html

U.S. roster for Copa America young and inexperienced

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany)

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Bobby Boswell (D.C.), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK, Denmark), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Drew Moor (Dallas), Heath Pearce (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Marvell Wynne (Toronto)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Colorado), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburg SV, Germany), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago), Lee Nguyen (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Ben Olsen (D.C.)

Forwards: Charlie Davies (Hammarby, Sweden), Herculez Gomez (Colorado), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City), Taylor Twellman (New England)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=440997&root=us&cc=5901

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final: USA 2 - 1 Mexico

A deserved victory...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=441183&root=us&cc=5901

Jen Chang: Gold Cup Final a Classic...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2915255&name=chang_jen

And Feilhaber's brilliant strike:

Young Dutch stroll to Under 21 Euro triumph

Holland 4 - 1 Serbia
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1977504.ece

List of the world’s finest provokes outrage over omission of Giggs

Fabio Cannavaro is the Fifa World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year, and won the World Cup with Italy last year and the Spanish league title with Real Madrid this month, and his absence from our list provoked much opposition.

Gabriele Marcotti's list provokes criticism...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1980508.ece

Guillem Balague, leading world football expert and Gabriele Marcotti's close friend, takes his colleague to task over his choice of the world's top 50 footballers:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1975194.ece

The Mill ++

Monday's Rumours:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2110927,00.html

++Transfer Talk:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1971797.ece