No England this time around -- here are some of the wives and girlfriends from the continent compliments of the BBC.
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 03, 2008
Euro 2008: WAGS
No England this time around -- here are some of the wives and girlfriends from the continent compliments of the BBC.
Manchester United Agree Fee for Ramsey
The Champions League and Premier League winners have had an offer accepted believed to be in the region of £5m to £6m.
Cardiff also had offers from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool for the Wales Under-21 star, BBC Sport understands.
Ramsey, 17, has played just 22 games for Championship side Cardiff.
The 3-5-2: Crewd Behavior, Bad Yanks and McReturn
Goal.com USA's Greg Lalas comes out shooting from the hip, giving opinions on everything from the racial incident in Columbus last weeekend, the U.S. National Team's loss to England and Brian McBride's upcoming return to MLS.
Missed this from earlier. Apologies. -Ed.
The Big Interview: Sir Alex Ferguson
My best player? Cantona
"Eric's great asset was to score important goals at important times or make a goal at important times. That's what his great asset was. Just when you're saying to yourself, 'God, we need a goal here', up he'd pop. And he'd either make one or score one. He was a fantastic personality - I've been very lucky, the players I've had. Some fantastic players."
MLS: Fire Need to Facilitate McBride Homecoming
Brian McBride wants in. He's sitting by the phone, waiting to become Chicago Fire property. It's up to the bosses at Toyota Park to make it happen. They may have to get creative, but it's surely worth the effort. A very special season for the Fire is there for the taking.
Moyes wins libel pay-out after Rooney book claim
The undisclosed sum is being paid to Moyes by Rooney, co-author Hunter Davies and publisher HarperCollins, a judge in London heard.
Lies! All of it...lies!!
Italy Captain Cannavaro Out of Euro 2008
The 34-year-old defender twisted his ankle in training today following a collision with team-mate Giorgi Chiellini, and underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
Chiellini in Tears
Quotes of the Week
"You know you can't complain, you know. To play for your country, like I've always said, you know, it's the best thing in the world, you know. When a new manager comes in you know, everyone starts on, you know, the same level, you know. I've just gotta keep working hard, you know."
Jermain 'You Know' Defoe enjoys his two goals for England in Trinidad.
All the Fun
Monday, June 02, 2008
Euro 2008: Can Spain Win?
It is June, and we are approaching a major football tournament which means that some time in the next month, the fabulously-gifted players of Spain will crash out and fly home prematurely.
'I'm going for Italy': Paul Wilson's Euro 2008 verdict
There is only one prediction it is safe to make about Euro 2008, and that is that England will not win it. There is still just about time for a war to break out between Spain and Portugal, and Carlos Queiroz seems to be doing his best to start one, but even in the unlikely event of England being drafted in as late replacements for squabbling Iberians, they still won't win it. It is history that repeats itself, not fairy tales.
Euro 2008 Previews: Austria and Poland
Josef Hickersberger's hosts are so bad that they would consider one positive result in the group stages a creditable performance
Poland have qualified impressively for the last two World Cups, only to flop badly having got there and the fear is that, having reached the finals of the European Championship for the first time, the big tournament experience might be about to repeat itself.
Mourinho Makes Managerial Return at Inter
The former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as the new manager of Internazionale. The Portuguese has signed a three-year contract with the Nerazzuri, and will work alongside his former Chelsea colleagues Rui Farias, Silvino Louro and André Vilas-Boas at the San Siro.
Players fight with police during match in Brazil
A player was arrested after being sent off in a Brazilian championship match and riot police used pepper spray and truncheons in fights with his team mates on the pitch on Sunday.
Eriksson leaves Manchester City after one season
Former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes is favourite to replace Eriksson after Blackburn Rovers confirmed later on Monday that they had given permission for their manager to talk to City about the vacant post.
Altidore struggling to handle early success
Ives Galarcep: How much is too much for an 18-year-old soccer player to handle? We might be learning just how much from Jozy Altidore.
Friday, May 30, 2008
MLS Scuttlebutt
Last night DC United blew a 2 goal lead on the road to arch-rivals New England to come away with a point. While a point on the road is not normally something to be too upset about losing a 2 goal lead certainly is. I watched the second half and while neither goal they conceded seemed overly soft the marking that allowed the assists to come in certainly could be better. I guess shipping out Bobby Boswell isn't the magical cure-all one might hope.
On Wednesday night in the Texas DerbyDwayne DeRosario scored a injury time goal from a Brian Ching rebound which secured a 2-2 draw and a point on the road. After a rocky start to the season Houston is starting to find some form.
On to the weekend:
Jewel of MLS travels to BMO Field in Toronto in a battle of the English superstars, Danny Dicio v. Goldenballs. Toronto have had a good run of form lately with the arrivals of Amado Guevara and Laurent Robert, but Guevara will be away with Honduras and Robert is suspended. Expect LA to take at least a point.
Energy Drinks travel to Houston to battle Favored Military Team. Houston are on the way up and New Jersey are on the wane and will be missing Jozy Altidore to National Team service. Expect the Texans to take this one.
San Jose at Royal Salt Lake. Battle of the basement, too bad there's no relegation. Probably an RSL win but I guess you never know with teams this inconsistent.
Columbus at Chivas. Chivas are off form and Columbus had a stumble last weekend in New England. Expect them to rebound.
Dallas Burn FC at Arsenal Colorado. Could go either way, I'll take the home team as they're tops in the west but still not really that good.
Martin Rogers: Starting the World Cup war of 2018
Neither the United States nor England are willing to admit it, but the opening bell sounded this week on the political punch-up that will form the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.
Euro 2008 Previews: Portugal and Turkey
The prospect of Portugal being genuine contenders depends completely on the best player in the tournament.
Fatih Terim has some tough choices to make from a squad strong in flair midfielders but frequently undone by shortcomings elsewhere.
Raphael Honigstein in Germany
Rafa picks the best and worst of the season in the Bundesliga
Best goals:
1. Blagoy Georgiev v Schalke .
2. Ribéry v Stuttgart (1min 20sec).
3. Rafael van der Vaart v Wolfsburg.
Americans in England: Season Review
Chelsea & Inter: How Do You Define Success?
Following the dismissals of Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Robert Mancini this season, Graham Lister considers the imperatives and tensions at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro, and wonders what defines success for a big club these days…
U.S.A. -- Filled With Voids?
Carlisle: U.S. Still Seeking a Dominant Midfield Presence
Galarcep: U.S. Forwards Continue to Disappoint
But can Jesus play in the middle and up front at the same time?
Inter Confirm Mancini Sacking
Roberto Mancini's place at the front of the queue to become Chelsea's new manager was enhanced tonight when Inter Milan finally confirmed he was no longer their boss.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
England Stroll Past Yanks
It was back to the days of embarrassing play for the U.S. as the lads offered little resistance against an English side that barely had to work to claim a 2-0 victory. The fact that Josh Wolff, Frankie Hedjuk and Eddie Lewis are even on the national team (not to mention actually playing) is proof that we've still got a long way to go. I can see having some of the older guys around to bring experience and discipline to the team, but this was ridiculous. How a starting front of Wolff and Eddie Johnson is expected to trouble Rio Ferdinand and John Terry is beyond me. DeMarcus was rusty and off the pace, and Gooch showed why he still works in Belgium. Perhaps the most sad aspect of the whole affair is how much we missed Donovan's creativity, pace, intelligence and knack for goal. England 2 - 0 United States
England expose U.S. shortcomings
Terry and Gerrard Lead the Lions
No Cap for Donovan
U.S. Thoroughly Outclassed by England
Things We Learned
Euro 2008 Previews: Switzerland and the Czech Republic
Karel Bruckner's men should continue their impressive recent record in the tournament with a quarter-finals place at least.
Four years ago the Swiss said this would be the tournament of truth. Unfortunately for them, it looks like the truth is the Nati aren't as good as they thought they'd be.
Microsoft to Sponsor Seattle's New MLS Team
The world's largest software maker's Xbox 360 Live brand will be prominently displayed on the front of the Sounders' green and blue jerseys.
McBride Confirms Fulham Exit
"After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on," he said.
This combo would have been nice last night at Wembley...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
International Friendly: England vs. USA
What: International Friendly MatchWho: England (Fifa Ranking 11th) v United States (Fifa Ranking 21st)
When: Wednesday, 28 May; Kick-off: 2:05 pm EDT -- ESPN Classic
Where: Wembley Stadium, NW London
England James; Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole; Bentley, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Rooney, Ashton
Subs from Hart, Lewis, Wheater, Johnson, Woodgate, Jagielka, Warnock, Bridge, Huddlestone, J Cole, Hargreaves, Downing, Walcott, Young, Agbonlahor, Defoe, Beckham, Crouch
United States Howard; DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo; Adu, Clark, Bradley, Beasley; Donovan, Dempsey
Subs from Califf, Cervi, Edu, Guzan, Hejduk, Jaqua, Johnson, Lewis, Orozco, Pearce, Spector, Wolff
Referee K Bassaras (Greece)
Graham Lister's PreviewCapello Calls for Bulldog Spirit
Howard Expects England's Best
Rooney Needs to Be More Selfish
All Quiet on the England Front
Donovan: American Great of Great Failure?
Money Cannot Buy Class at Chelsea
It is simply not true to suggest that Chelsea came away from Moscow last week without a title appended to their name. For their behaviour before, during and after the Champions League final, those who run the place made a bold attempt to have their club installed as Britain's most hated sporting institution.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
MLS Weekend Wrap-Up
Another exiting weekend of MLS action; The Chicago Fire comprehensively dismantled the New York RedBull, The Jewel of MLS laid claim to the top spot in the West, DC United reclaimed a measure of dignity by beating Toronoto FC after losing to them on Wednesday and New England continued its rehabilitation. As usual the league is wide open and nothing much should be read into these results.
Fire Destroy Red Bull, send message to former coach.
MLS Saturday Roundup
Wonder Goal for Goldenballs Video
The Bruce wants back in.
MLS Power Rankings
U.S. Confident Entering England Game
When the U.S. men's national team squares off against England on Wednesday, it will mark the beginning of perhaps the most daunting stretch of friendly games the U.S. has ever undertaken. A matchup against host Spain in Santander will follow on June 4, with a home match against Argentina finishing off the run on June 8; all so the Americans can be in peak form for their World Cup qualifying series against Barbados one week later.
U.S. men's schedule:
U.S. vs. England
May 28
Wembley Stadium, London
3 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic
U.S. vs. Spain
June 4
Estadio El Sardinero, Santander, Spain
4 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360
June 8
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic
Tim Vickery in South America
Vickery gets us up to date on Copa Libertadores where the semifinal between Fluminense and Boca has hearts racing...
Britain: Chants and Announcements of the Season
"You don't know what you're doing!"West Brom fans after a fan had his marriage proposal accepted by his girlfriend during half-time v Scunthorpe.
"Does your livestock know you're here?"
Colchester fans to Norwich.
"Does your butler know you're here?"
West Ham to Fulham fans.
"There is a no-smoking policy in all parts of the Layer Road ground. Anyone who is caught smoking will be taken away, strapped to an electric chair and electrocuted until they are dead. Thank you."
Colchester announcer at half-time against Leicester.
All the Fun
Bocanegra Released by Fulham
The 29-year-old was one of eight players let go last week by the London club, who secured their top-flight status on the last day of the season with a victory at Portsmouth.
Boca rides Reading's keeper...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)