With Germany crowned the Under-21 European Championships, we take a look back over some of the stars of the future who have made their names in Sweden.
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 30, 2009
Europe: Rising Stars
With Germany crowned the Under-21 European Championships, we take a look back over some of the stars of the future who have made their names in Sweden.
Michael Owen Brochure: The complete 32-page agents' dossier on the out-of-contract Newcastle and ex-England striker
Michael Owen, 'the athlete; the ambassador; the icon', is laid bare in all his former glory here in the 32-page brochure distributed to elite football clubs across Europe, touting the ex-England striker as a potential summer signing.
Do you want your club to sign the former Liverpool prodigy, turned Newcastle flop?
Have a good read of the 32 pages below and have your say using the comments section at the foot of this page.Monday, June 29, 2009
Calcio Debate: Italy U-21's Are Out, But The Future Is Very Bright For The Azzurri
The Azzurrini have returned from Euro 2009 without the trophy, but Carlo Garganese believes the future is very bright for the Azzurri thanks to their Under-21 stars...
Monday MLS Breakdown: Reserving Those Depth Questions
MLS scrapped its reserve system prior to the 2009 campaign. While there isn't much reason for teams to miss the expensive development system, MLS clubs might miss the extra players that accompanied it. Kyle McCarthy explains why the crowded fixture list in July and August could stretch MLS rosters to their breaking point.
Tim Vickery in South America
Good and evil are not hard to find in Argentine football, sometimes in the same place - such as the Huracan club at the moment.
Founded just over a century ago, Huracan are one of the traditional big six of greater Buenos Aires.
Marcela Mora y Araujo in Argentina
Only by standing united can we stop the violence that has overshadowed Huracán's revival.
How the gangs are ruining Argentinian football.
Recession-proof Sounders thriving in first season
In a city known for starting unique trends -- grunge rock and overpriced coffee as examples -- Seattle is doing its best in year one at wresting away from rival Portland, Ore., the title of "Soccer City USA."
Seattle fans engage in the pre-game ritual of chugging Rainier tallboys...
FIFA Confederations Cup: Brazil 3 - 2 United States
Clint Dempsey sobbed as the Americans walked up to get their second-place medals, unable to hide the pain and the disappointment any longer.
Report
Trecker:
Loss doesn't ruin U.S.
accomplishments
Carlisle:
Furious comeback breaks U.S. hearts
Rogers: U.S. finds solace in defeat
Player Ratings
Team of the Tournament
USA Tournament Roundup
Friday, June 26, 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup Final: Brazil vs. United States
No real previews for the match have popped up but we don't really need any, do we? U.S. viewers can tune in to ESPN at 2pm EDT (kick-off is 2:30pm) this Sunday to catch the clash. Let's hope the Yanks can match the form they displayed against Spain this time around. Oh, and not getting a red card would help as well...
Friday MLS Forecast: Week Fifteen
The Forecast wonders what, if anything, the U.S. win over Spain means for MLS before reviewing the abbreviated Week Fifteen fixture list.
Amy Lawrence: U.S. Celebrates Miracle on Grass
A stunning win over Spain at the Confederations Cup has left the USA's football-supporting minority dreaming of a bright future.
Soccer steps into the limelight as America celebrates its miracle on grass.
The Joy of Six: Extinct Football Competitions
From Soccer Six at the G-Mex to the cup that gave the world the penalty shootout, here are half-a-dozen quirky events we miss.
Top 10 upsets in international football to rival USA’s Confederations Cup win over Spain
The US shocked the football world with their terrific 2-0 Confederations Cup victory over Spain, that Barcelona midfielder Xavi branded "a lesson in humility", though the Americans have handed such a lesson to England in the past, too.
U.S. Releases Gold Cup Roster
U.S. Soccer released the Gold Cup roster today and only four members of the Confederations Cup squad will be with the team, with Charlie Davies being the only one of those four to have played in any of the
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (IK Start), Luis Robles (FC Kaiserslautern)
DEFENDERS (7): Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Sam Cronin (Toronto FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
Martin Rogers: Donovan deserves a look from La Liga
There were a few smirks and sarcastic nudges among the Spanish press corps on Tuesday when Landon Donovan admitted his desire to play in La Liga.
I'm still laughing...
FIFA Confederations Cup: South Africa 0 - 1 Brazil
Substitute Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 87th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.
Report
Player Ratings
Derek Rae: Brazil huff and puff but will face USA
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Top 10 Wrong Pele Predictions
Pele may have been one of the greatest players in the history of the game, having been part of three victorious World Cup teams in 1958, 1962 and 1970, but, since retiring, he has become less respected as a pundit off-the-pitch.
Egyptians deny "media lies" about prostitutes
Egypt have blamed their Confederations Cup exit on media "lies" about their players consorting with prostitutes after beating world champions Italy.
FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-Final Preview: South Africa vs. Brazil
Kick-off: Thursday 25 June 2009, 2:30pm EDT
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
U.S. TV: ESPN2, ESPN360
Preview
Theo Walcott: Even my parents booed me off
Walcott admits that Pearce was right to withdraw him after his 45-minute run-out in the opening game, but wants to channel his disappointment over that performance into helping England to reach Monday's final against either Italy or Germany. “You never like to be substituted,” he said. “But even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland"
Theo with his Dad, Mum & Special Lady Friend...
Carlsberg's last orders for Liverpool deal
Carlsberg is running out of time to negotiate a new shirt sponsorship deal with Liverpool as the Merseyside club hold out for a bumper contract amid interest from a host of leading international companies.
The Forgotten Story of … Sampdoria's Only Scudetto
In 1990-91, a side containing Vialli, Mancini and Lombardo were the subject of one of football's great modern fairytales.
FIFA 2010 World Cup: A Look at the African Qualifiers
As the African race to the continent's first World Cup reaches the halfway stage, the happiest fans of all so far are Ghanaian or Ivorian. For the two teams that debuted at the last World Cup in Germany, namely Ghana's Black Stars and Ivory Coast's Elephants, are marching serenely towards South Africa.
Real Madrid sign Raul Albiol and step up Karim Benzema chase
Although no fee has been officially announced, it is thought that Madrid will pay in the region of €15m (£12.8m) for the centre-back.
Norman Hubbard: Crucial Summer Awaits for Aston Villa
Stability has a fragility. For the second successive season, Aston Villa finished sixth. Yet after spending much of the campaign apparently on the brink of a seismic advance into the top four, even that had the feel of an anti-climax. And even if a station in the top six suggested consolidation, Villa are now in grave danger of going backwards.
FIFA Confederations Cup: United States 2 - 0 Spain
Call it a miracle on grass -- maybe not the World Cup, but still an American soccer echo of the U.S. hockey team's upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. By winning, the maligned United States advanced to its first men's FIFA final since starting play in 1916.Report
Player Ratings
Alvarez:
Spain display a sensational caraja
Rogers:
Time has come to fear U.S. soccer
Davis:
U.S. sends shock waves across Europe
Trecker: Biggest U.S. win ever
Latham:
Altidore gets the last laugh on Spain
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Slick England are now the team to beat in the Under-21 Championship
The cut and thrust of England's play against Germany cemented their position as the ones to watch in the competition.
Quotes & Chants of the Week
"When I was keeping goal, I felt like I was defending the gateway to my motherland."
North Korea keeper Ri Myong Guk after the draw with Saudi Arabia that clinched their first World Cup qualification since the memorable campaign of 1966.
"Forget Huckleberry Finn, Moby Dick, Last of the Mohicans, Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty…"
BBC commentator puts the United States' qualification for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup into historical context.
"If the USA qualify, I'll eat my hat."
BBC commentator Steve Wilson. I look forward to seeing photos of this now!
"One of the world's best defenders trying to play offside there...oh no, its Dossena."
Lee Dixon in the Confederations Cup coverage of Brazil v Italy.
"These Italian players will be a year older in a year's time."
Martin Keown co-commentating on Italy's Confederations Cup game against Egypt.
"This is do-it-yourself stuff from Maicon, with a little help from his friends."
Commentator during Brazil v USA game in South Africa.
THE REST
North Korea keeper Ri Myong Guk after the draw with Saudi Arabia that clinched their first World Cup qualification since the memorable campaign of 1966.
"Forget Huckleberry Finn, Moby Dick, Last of the Mohicans, Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty…"
BBC commentator puts the United States' qualification for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup into historical context.
"If the USA qualify, I'll eat my hat."
BBC commentator Steve Wilson. I look forward to seeing photos of this now!
"One of the world's best defenders trying to play offside there...oh no, its Dossena."
Lee Dixon in the Confederations Cup coverage of Brazil v Italy.
"These Italian players will be a year older in a year's time."
Martin Keown co-commentating on Italy's Confederations Cup game against Egypt.
"This is do-it-yourself stuff from Maicon, with a little help from his friends."
Commentator during Brazil v USA game in South Africa.
THE REST
The Death of Italian Football?
Italians once referred to Serie A as 'il campionato piu bello del mondo', the most beautiful championship in the world, but this summer there threatens to be an exodus of top talent that could mark the end of an era for Italian football.
The Good Old Days...
ESPN to share La Liga's U.S. TV rights
ESPN2 will televise about 20 matches per season, and ESPN Deportes two or three per weekend of league play for a total of at least 95. At least 114 matches per season will be available online on ESPN360. ESPN's networks will also share rights to Spain's Copa del Rey.
FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-Final Previews: United States vs. Spain
What: Semifinal round, Confederations Cup
When: 2:30 ET, Wednesday, June 24
Where: The Free State Stadium; Mangaung/Bloemfontein, South Africa
TV: ESPN, ESPN360.com, Univision
Preview
Latham: U.S. believes it can win
Lalas: U.S. backline pulling its weight anonymously
Rogers: How USA can beat Spain
U.S. learning to cope without Bocanegra
FIFA giving away tickets to the match
What now for the Azzurri?
While the Confederations Cup semi-finalists prepare for their last four matches, world champions Italy have returned home with their tails between their legs. A 3-0 humbling by Brazil not only put paid to their chances of reaching this tournament's knockout stages, but also emphatically laid out the size of the task facing the Azzurri over the next twelve months, if their next visit to South Africa is to be more successful than their most recent one.
As long as this keeps happening during their training sessions, who really cares how they fare on the pitch???
Denilson to leave Vietnam after just half a game
After playing a half a game with Vietnam's Hai Phong Cement FC, former Brazil international Denilson has shocked fans by quitting the team because of injuries, the Vietnam Football Federation said.
The entire population of Vietnam tries in vain to get him to stay...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Yellow bellied Magpies
Just when Newcastle United fans thought things couldn't get worse, the club unveiled the team's new away kit:
Of course, in terms of putting off your opponent, nothing beats Hull's strip from the early 90's, which came in various guises...
Now, if they really wanted to wow Brüno and other fashionistas, they should have checked out Derby County's 1984 home strip [sponsored by local brewer Bass]...
Of course, in terms of putting off your opponent, nothing beats Hull's strip from the early 90's, which came in various guises...
Now, if they really wanted to wow Brüno and other fashionistas, they should have checked out Derby County's 1984 home strip [sponsored by local brewer Bass]...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Two killed in clashes between fans of same Argentine team
Argentina’s chronic soccer violence flared up again on Sunday when fans of title favourites Huracan clashed and left two dead and two badly injured, hospital sources said on Monday.
FIFA Confederations Cup: Brazil 3 - 0 Italy
Brazil sliced Italy apart with three goals in a devastating eight-minute spell to send the world champions crashing out of the Confederations Cup on Sunday. Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano bagged a brace and Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena scored an own goal as Dunga's flamboyant troops stunned their arch rivals with the triple blow just before the break. It was the first time Italy has conceded three goals before half-time since 1957.
Player Ratings
Worst Italy team for 50 years?
FIFA Confederations Cup: United States 3 - 0 Egypt
The United States secured an unlikely place in the Confederations Cup semifinals by beating Egypt 3-0 Sunday. The Americans had looked to be heading out of the tournament after losses to Italy and Brazil, but Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey scored in a vastly improved performance to edge the African champions for a place in the next round on goal difference. With Brazil beating Italy 3-0 in the other Group B game, the United States will now play Spain in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.Lalas: Heart of the matter for USA
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