LA woman touches down

As always, Sanford's Soccer Net has its finger on the pulse of soccer's heart beat in the US. Seeing David and Victoria, Skeletor's older sister, land at LAX, our editor San realised he needed to be getting on a plane himself - there's all-important soccer news to be reported. So he packed his bags and bought a ticket over the internet to, err, Chicago.
Oh how I wish I could have been with him, watching the Fire tear into the Dynamo. Meanwhile, over in LA Posh and Bex will be trying on each other's clothes before the big lift-off.

Brand Beckham gets instant promotion
Wishing upon one star may be dispiriting for Galaxy fans
'One great player won't revolutionise the game here'

Fire Sale

Maybe the Editor has actually jetted into Chi Town because he plans to buy the Fire. Maybe not. Certainly not after last night's display.

AEG enters talks to sell Chicago Fire
Dynamo 4, Fire 0

L'Affair Tevez

Wow! The twists and turns in the roller coaster ride of excitement just keep on coming. Now Tevez's suave looking agent, who for some reason was named after a car, is set to be arrested. It seems that while young Carlos was out toiling on the pitch, his pimp was setting the spin cycle to 600 as he did a touch money laundering on the side.

Joorabchian charged in new twist to Tevez saga
Tevez trapped in Fifa log jam

Here's a picture of Kia on the phone, telling Carlos he's off to jail. Carlos has little sympathy though: he's the one being sentenced to playing up front with Craig Bellamy next season.

Copa Final

Have you got a friend with a huge fucking plasma TV, maybe his name is Wyatt? If so, you need to be at his gaffe for this game. Not one to be missed.
You can catch Sunday's game, and tomorrow's 3rd place match-up [Mexico Vs Uruguay], on GolTV, TNN and Univision. Both shows start 2pm pacific.

Brazil refuse to see Argentina as favourites
Zanetti hoping history will not repeat itself

Adu to the Bhoys?

Well those hopes of going to ManU, Real or Chelsea seem to be receding. But there are far worse things than playing for Celtic. He could even move in with Damarcus. There's no doubting that Freddy's still big time though, here he is pictured with his girlfriend and top singing sensation JoJo:

Adu agent set for talks with Celtic?

The Mill +

Friday's Rumours
Times Transfer Talk

Role Model Chris Powell

Chris Powell played for Derby County and was fantastic, on and off the field. His being sold to Charlton in the late 90's gob smacked Rams fans because he was so well liked. I for one will be cheering him on in his new job.

Powell plans to set example with Charlton job

EPL News

Tottenham have realised they've spent loads of cash but somehow not bought a midfielder. Luckily they could soon remedy this by buying my-mother-was-very-proud-of-me Kevin-Prince Boateng.
In other news Chelsea park the articulated lorry that is Khalid Boulahrouz in Spain and do a runner, Sven starts spending the dirty lucre, Ben Haim will save Jose, Arsenal finally spend some money and Nicky Hunt shows his class.

Tottenham close to landing £5m Boateng from Hertha Berlin
Chelsea bundle Boulahrouz off to spend season with Sevilla
Eriksson happy to stump up £9m for striker he wanted ‘at any cost’
Tal Ben Haim can 'save my skin', says Mourinho
Grimandi expects Sagna to shine
Hunt ‘stomp’ forces Lee to tread carefully

Balague meets Torres, Babel meets Anfield

Guillem Balague interviews Fernando Torres, while the guy who said it was his childhood dream to play for the Gunners also joins the Reds.

Torres ‘made up’ to join club who could have anyone in world
Hicks promises more as Reds net £11.5m Babel

One for the ladies:

Cesc stays

It's good to know Arsenal have next season's will-he-wont-he-leave-the-club drama already set in place.

Wenger the key as Fábregas snubs Madrid

Blanco to debut with Fire on July 22

Too bad. I was all good and ready to spit on his sorry ass at the match tonight. Yes, I'm excited because I'm making my first pilgrimage to the Yoda for the Fire/Dynamo match tonight. The other day, Mrs. Editor pointed out that it’s been seven years since we’ve lived in Chicago. Shocking, I know. But true. Sniff. Sniff. Those were the glory years of the Fire. The double in 1998. Tailgating by the lake at Soldier Field. The mass arrest of our group when a classic summer storm blew in and we fled to shelter under the massive roof of McCormick Place. With our beers. The fuzz decided that was not to be and we were all cited. Bloody Chicago cops. Wanker racist pigs. OK, maybe not all of them but most of the clowns I came up against during my tenure in the Windy City. But I digress. Bobbie will scoop me at Midway (with Bari sub in hand!) this evening and we’re off to the new soccer specific arena. Expect a match report mañana.

USA progress in U20 World Cup, Brazil out

Spain beat Brazil and the United States saw off Uruguay to reach the Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals along with Austria and Czech Republic on Wednesday.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=445105&cc=5901

USA 2 - 1 Uruguay
The United States are into the quarterfinals of the FIFA under-20 World Cup, after coming from behind to beat Uruguay 2-1 in overtime. Next up for our lads is Austria on Saturday at 2:15 pm EDT.

"Now David and Victoria Beckham are Determined to Become the New American Idols"


Yikes!

The Mill

Thursday's Rumours

Dream Final after Argentina beat Mexico

Mexico fought hard for 44 minutes, but a clever free kick aided by a
static goalkeeper lead to the opening goal for the favourites. They went
on to score two more and seal a place against Brazil in the final on
Sunday. Their only disappointment will be Lionel Messi, who really needs
to work on his chipping technique. That said, I'm sure these ladies will
be delighted with the result...



Argentina advances
Messi gem guides Argentina to final

Gambling on the EPL

Fancy gambling some of your hard earned cash on the Prem? It's an easy,
sure-fire way to make millions. You can't fail. Especially with Dan Roebuck
telling you how to get one over the mean old bookmaker...

Torres will prove worth as pick of new boys

West Ham threatened with action over Tevez

It's never going to end...

Tevez wrangle rumbles on after warning for West Ham

Mourinho in ‘cold war’ threat

Only a couple of weeks ago Kenyon was telling us how peace was
going to reign at Chelsea this season. Maybe not, eh Peter...

Mourinho tells new man Grant not to interfere

EPL News

Redknapp goes on buying spree to sharpen his point of attack
Eriksson wary of friendly fire
Bridge blow as Chelsea left-back injured
Alves waits on Chelsea bid
Misfit Bellamy ready to turn over new leaf at West Ham

Bex at the centre of the Galaxy

The smaller pitches in the US could well restrict the potency Beckham's crosses,
but I'm still not convinced he should be playing in the middle.

Beckham takes centre stage on field in American adventure

Keano signs a Geordie

Why £4m for Chopra is sign of Keane's uphill task

Owen rejects Newcastle exit talk

So Owen has committed himself to Newcastle. A cynic might argue he could have
done this weeks ago, that he's only doing it now because no other club has come
in for him. But it's little Mikey Owen, so I believe him.

Michael Owen: Future looks bright thanks to Allardyce innovations

Copa America: Argentina vs. Mexico

8:30 pm (8:50 kick-off) on GolTV and Univision
The winner will travel to Maracaibo for Sunday's final against Brazil, which beat Uruguay in penalty kicks in Tuesday's semifinal.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-copaamerica&prov=ap&type=lgns

Under-20 World Cup: U.S. wary of overlooking Uruguay

USA vs. Uruguay
What: FIFA U-20 World Cup, Round of 16
Who: Uruguay (DWL), United States (DWW)
When: 11/07/2007, 19:45 local, 01:50 GMT
Where: Canada's National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place, Toronto

After beating Brazil to stay undefeated and win Group D, the Americans' biggest obstacle heading to the knockout stages might not be the dangerous Uruguay side they will meet Wednesday night in Toronto
(7:45 pm EDT, ESPNU and Galavision). No, the U.S. should be warier of itself.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=444587&root=us&cc=5901

Copa America: Brazil wins on penalties

Brazil 2 - 2 Uruguay
Defending champions Brazil teetered on the brink of defeat before beating Uruguay on penalties after a bad-tempered 2-2 draw in their Copa America semi-final on Tuesday.

The Mill ++

Wednesday's Rumours

Few footballers do beauty like Deco does, which is why fans on Tyneside should be so excited by reports linking him with a move.

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And just in case...still more transfer mumbo jumbo

You're the pundit: 20 players to rival the worst of British

9. Fumaca (Newcastle United): “If Fumaca, the only Brazilian ever to be unable to take a first touch, does not get in the top 25, then this list is a sham.” (Steven Ord, Newcastle). “The only Brazilian capable of falling over a ball when trying to trap it.” (Steve K, Newcastle)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2048914.ece

50 Top Football Transfers

The Times continues its list-making offseason with a look at the best deals ever in the EPL...

48 BRAD FRIEDEL (Liverpool to Blackburn Rovers, free, 2000)

Graeme Souness has had his fingers burnt in the transfer market more often than most managers, but when it came to Friedel his judgment was spot on. The United States goalkeeper did not convince at Anfield but at Blackburn he has become one of the best No 1s in the top flight.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2058123.ece

Are West Ham the new Newcastle United?

Eggert Magnusson's willingness to splash the cash on transfer fees and wages is more than a little reminiscent of Freddy Shepherd.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/11/are_west_ham_the_new_newcastle.html

US makes Beckham front-page news

It is not quite the cover of Time or Newsweek, but David Beckham’s appearance on the front of this week’s Sports Illustrated, the American magazine, is a first notable achievement in his attempt to “break the United States”. “Will He Change the Fate of American Soccer?” the headline asks of the new face of the sport Stateside. Making the cover of SI is not a bad way for Beckham to begin.

Copa América Semifinal Preview: Uruguay vs. Brazil

What: Copa América Venezuela 2007 Semi-Final F1
Who: Uruguay and Brazil
When: 10/07/2007, 20:50 local, 01:50 GMT (Wednesday, 11/07/07)
Where: Jose Pachencho Romero Stadium, Maracaibo, Venezuela
8:50 p.m. ET, TV: GolTV, TeleFutura
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=348119

Ferguson goads rivals as United keep spending

There are still 33 days to go before his side launch the defence of their title yet Sir Alex Ferguson has already begun the mind games. The Manchester United manager yesterday took an dig at his rivals Jose Mourinho and Arsène Wenger, the managers of Chelsea and Arsenal, who have been forced to play second fiddle to United and Liverpool in the transfer market.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2122670,00.html

Galaxy spell out their expectations of Beckham

Alexi Lalas, the Los Angeles Galaxy general manager, yesterday warned David Beckham to concentrate on football rather than the distractions of Hollywood before his impending move to the US. The England midfield player will land in California on Thursday before being introduced to the public at a glitzy presentation ceremony the next day.

The Mill ++

Tuesday's Rumours

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Transfer Round-up

Bianchi to City, Sagna to Arsenal, Koumas to Wigan

According to Paul Doyle of the Guardian, Chelsea's new signing has both the flair and intelligent altruism to persuade Jose Mourinho to trust in his wingers again. Malouda to Chelsea

Copa America: Messi sets the standard

'He is,' Maradona said, 'the one that is most like me.'

Scouting report: Frantisek Rajtoral, Banik Ostrava

The Czech Under-21 winger may soon be outsmarting Premiership left-backs.

Reyes Pleads With Arsenal To Reduce Asking Price

Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes spent last season on loan at the Bernabeu and now wants to make the move permanent. However, Real Madrid seem unwilling to pay Arsenal's price tag for the
player...http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=348637

Connolly: The Fire Man

The Chicago Fire made a wise move by hiring former Manchester City assistant manager Juan Carlos Osorio to take over the reigns as head coach, writes Goal.com USA's Marc Connolly.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=348455

Under-20 World Cup: U.S. Stuns Brazil

This match was a free-flowing affair with plenty of spectacular end to end play. Adu in particular was exceptional; the only question is whether he can consistently play at this level. Sadly, I cannot find any close-up of the ridiculous move that Freddie pulled to set-up the second USA goal. Dave B. and I were screaming at the TV but to no avail. All the replays started just after the move. In the video link below, you can see the move, but not a close-up. Oh well.

The U.S. advances into the round of 16 and will face Uruguay in Toronto on Wednesday. If you've yet to check out our kids, I suggest you tune in on Wednesday at 7:30 pm on ESPNU. They are a joy to watch.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221116&cc=5901

Copa America: Mexico Crush 10-man Paraguay, Hosts Ousted, Argentina and Brazil Cruise

Riquelme brace:
Argentina 4 - 0 Peru

Early red card dooms Paraguay: Mexico 6 - 0 Paraguay

Forlan leads the way:
Venezuela 1 - 4 Uruguay

Even Baptista scores:
Chile 1 - 6 Brazil




USA Recap:
When it was announced last October that the United States would enter Copa America, the decision by United States Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati seemed like a no-brainer. One of the proposed cures for the disappointing World Cup in Germany was to get the U.S. national team more games in tougher environments, and against better competition. Copa America was primed to deliver on all fronts. But after the Americans' three-and-out performance, which was accomplished with a decidedly under-strength squad, their participation in the world's oldest international tournament is being called into question.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=444067&root=us&cc=5901

Schuster confirmed as new Real coach

Win the quadruple or you're fired...
http://football.guardian.co.uk/continentalfootball/story/0,,2122091,00.html

Gallas worried about Arsenal's future

'I am not at Arsenal to play for third place'

Hey Willy! Do you think anybody is? Why don't you shut your trap!?
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2122142,00.html

The Mill

Monday's Rumours

The 50 worst footballers

Vinnie Jones comes in at Number 10...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2025420.ece