Friday, July 18, 2008

Nowak Names McBride-Led U.S. Olympic Roster for Beijing

Brian McBride, Michael Parkhurst and Brad Guzan made the U.S. Olympic Team as Peter Nowak's three overrage selections.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).

DEFENDERS (5): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio).

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).

Argentine vanishing spray aims to keep defenders in place


Argentine football is to use a quickly-vanishing spray in an attempt to stop defensive walls from creeping forward at free kicks.

Referees will pace the regulatory 9.15 metres between the ball and the nearest defender and then spray a white line on the pitch to mark the correct position of the wall.

The line then disappears from the pitch within a minute.

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Friday's Rumours




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Bidding For Gold In Beijing: Olympics Preview

As Beijing approaches and the teams whittle down their squads in a bid for medals rather than trophies, goal.com takes a look at the major contenders for gold in China and also at the rest of the pack…

Group A – Ivory Coast, Argentina, Serbia and Australia
Group B – Netherlands, Nigeria, Japan and USA
Group C – China, New Zealand, Brazil and Belgium
Group D – Italy, South Korea, Honduras and Cameroon

Liverpool closing on Keane as Spurs look to balance the books



Robbie Keane moved closer to his dream transfer to Liverpool yesterday as the Merseysiders prepared to make an offer worth in the region of £20m for the striker and Juande Ramos, the Tottenham manager, admitted that his club would be duty bound to consider it.



The most pathetic goal celebration in soccer soon to appear at Anfield...

The world's most violent derby: Al Ahly v Zamalek





A clash of nationalism, class and escapism going back 100 years means it's not just fists that fly in the Cairo derby.

Brazil’s Gilberto Silva signs for Panathinaikos




Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva joined Panathinaikos from Arsenal on Thursday and said that he expected it to be the most successful chapter of his career.

On Second Thoughts: Leeds United's 1991-92 Title




Subsequent events have stripped the lustre from Howard Wilkinson's finest hour, but this was arguably the worthiest title victory for 30 years.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo snubs Paris Hilton on £10K night of booze and 'dancing' in Los Angeles




Injured Cristiano Ronaldo has been resting his crocked ankle - by going on a bender at an LA club.



Club Villa

Manchester City Fans Saved by The Sun



Some Man City fans hired a trawler to go to the Faroe Islands to see their team play in a UEFA Cup qualifying match. Sadly, high seas forced them to turn back. But it's a happy ending as The Sun steps in and flies them to the match.

Clubs must not to be fooled by Eriksson impersonator, warns Mexican football federation





Englishman Derek Williams tricked a top-flight side and reporters into believing he was the Mexico manager.



Mr. Williams...

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Thursday's Rumours



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Barcelona: Ronaldinho exit marks end of an era





On a day when Barcelona spent £11.8m on new signing Alex Hleb, a visit to their official website on Wednesday might have left you thinking the Spanish giants were a club in mourning.




Ronny arrives in Milan...via skateboard?

Sports clubs are the new must-have for commodity barons



You’re a billionaire with a fortune built on soaring commodity prices and can buy anything your heart desires. So what’s it to be?

A luxury yacht, a fast car, or perhaps the ultimate plaything—your very own soccer club?

Messi Will Go To The Olympic Games




Lionel Messi will go the Olympic Games to play for Argentina despite Barcelona's reservations after the club were told by FIFA that they had to release him.




Is it Messi? Or Nigel Tufnel?

Ives: Reyna calls time on a distinguished career





Claudio Reyna's career should be defined by what he did in Europe for over a decade, as opposed to his two injury-ridden seasons in MLS.

Spurs Hit the Beach





Oh, look at all the fun they're having!

West Ham on Tour: Curbs boys fly off the handle



The MLS told boss Alan Curbishley they would get business class flights but when a travel firm went under, it all went wrong.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Some Sweet Goals

Here's a nice goal compilation to help get you through the dog days of summer...

Milan secure Ronaldinho on the cheap as Barcelona pay for ham-fisted exit strategy



Ronaldinho will sign for Milan today after the Italian club announced last night that they had reached an agreement with the former world player of the year and his current club, Barcelona. He is expected to arrive at their Milanello training complex this afternoon where he will undertake a medical before signing a three-year contract.

Premier League: club-by-club 2008/09





The story of each club's summer so far...

Cristiano Ronaldo move to Real Madrid is 'agreed' by Manchester United owners




Spanish newspaper Marca today claimed that sources close to the Americans, who bought the Old Trafford club in 2004, said that the Glazers have "agreed to the operation", fearing Ronaldo's value will decrease if they hold onto him.

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Wednesday's Rumours


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Hleb flies in for medical at Barcelona


Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb will undergo a medical at Barcelona today and, assuming all goes well, could be unveiled at the Camp Nou as early as tomorrow. The 27-year-old is due to arrive in Barcelona at lunchtime and will undergo tests later today.

Berbatov fumes as Spurs drag out his move to United



Dimitar Berbatov faces an anxious wait in his desire to upgrade to a Champions League club after Tottenham Hotspur indicated yesterday that they do not intend to negotiate with Manchester United or any other interested party.


Priceless...

Nicol Finalizes MLS All-Star Roster, Commissioner Picks Unveiled



Steve Nicol added five more players to the MLS All-Star roster, while MLS Commissioner Don Garber named two of his own to complete the side that will face West Ham United on July 24 in Toronto.

Fulham Bag Pair Of Hammers





West Ham duo Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil have reportedly signed for Fulham for a combined fee of £6.3 million.

English Debate: Villa Better Off Without Barry?





James Walker-Roberts takes the contentious view that Gareth Barry's potential departure from Aston Villa may be best for all concerned...

Official: Inter Sign Mancini




Inter Milan have officially completed the signing of Roma winger Amantino Mancini for €12.5million.

Former U.S. Captain Reyna Calling It Quits


Former United States captain Claudio Reyna is to announce his retirement after struggling with injuries in Major League Soccer this season.

Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy lauds Claudio Reyna's contribution to the American game and looks at how New York may use the resources freed up by his retirement.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wayne Rooney's younger brother signs professional terms with Macclesfield Town



John, 17, has just signed professional terms with League Two side Macclesfield Town and will earn £150 a week. Wayne, on the other hand, pockets £110,000 a week at Manchester United, and pulls in millions more in sponsorship.


The Rooney Three: John, Graham and Wayne

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Tuesday's Rumours






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Nigerian Football Conmen Exposed




An undercover BBC investigation has exposed how young African footballers are being conned out of thousands of dollars by Nigerian fraudsters.

Why Man City Must Ditch Ronaldinho Plan




Phil McNulty:
Manchester City's pursuit of Ronaldinho has been an interesting sideshow to the summer of speculation - and for their sake let's hope it becomes nothing more than that.

Fun with The Sun





Ronaldo:


Pics from his holiday in Ibiza show that the striker is certainly carrying an extra tyre.

Ten things to note from MLS Week 16





Steve Davis highlights Week 16 action...

Barcelona's Eto'o in line for Cameroon Olympic call



Samuel Eto'o could become the third Barcelona player called up by his country to play in next month's Olympics. Eto'o, the Cameroon striker, hinted he could also be in Beijing next month when speaking to the New York Times while en route to a youth tournament in Blaine, Minnesota.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Drunk Ref

Not really back pain...

Football's wealth gap divides players and fans




Fifty years ago last month Brazil ascended to the summit of world football for the first time. A teenager called Pele embraced Jules Rimet in Sweden; a sacred communion that would come to define the beautiful game.

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Villa Confident Guzan's US Games Will Net Permit





Villa failed in an attempt to sign Guzan in the January transfer window when he was refused a work permit, but O'Neill is heartened by the 23-year-old's recent international outings and believes they should be enough to fulfil the Home Office's criteria.

Sid Lowe in Spain


Still seething at the "injustice" visited upon Raúl in 2001, the Madrid press want Iker Casillas crowned European Footballer of the Year.


Perfect candidate Casillas makes strong case for Ballón d'Or

Ives on the MLS: American talent features heavily in All-Star lineup


One of the major story lines heading into the 2008 MLS season was the big influx of foreign players. Concerns about there being too much reliance on foreign talent weighed on the minds of some MLS fans as more teams looked abroad to fill the needs of a growing league.

If the group of players named to the 2008 MLS All-Star First XI is any indication, those concerns may have been a bit premature.

Ronaldo set to be out for twelve weeks




Physio Antonio Gaspar has claimed Ronaldo will not return to action before October after he underwent surgery on his right ankle last Monday.