Friday, June 12, 2015

Chile Win Copa América Opener, USA vs. Pia & Sweden, Euro 2016 Qualifying, Why Is Hope Solo Getting A Free Pass?

Damn! Pia's talking smack!
Good Grief! Another one bites the dust, eh? Friday is here, and although club footie is on hiatus, the international game is doing its best to keep us from getting too bored. Gore Arturo Vidal and Co. opened Copa América with a decisive victory over Ecuador last night, Norway snatched a draw from the Germans in the Women's World Cup, and there are a slew of Euro 2016 Qualifiers to check out this weekend. Let's get to it!

Chile 2 - 0 Ecuador: Report
Chile 2 - 0 Ecuador: Three Things

And here's a mega-preview with more info on the groups and upcoming action in Copa América. The only match today is Mexico vs. Bolivia.

In the Women's World Cup, Thailand won their first match ever, defeating Ivory Coast 3 - 2. Way to go! Hosts Canada and the Kiwis drew, China beat the Dutch, and as noted above, Norway used a delicious free kick to draw with Germany. Here are some Takeaways From Day Six, and here is What We Learned yesterday. Today? Well, it's only the USA facing former coach Pia Sundhage and her Sweden side. It'll be a doozy and it's on FOX at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Here's more about today's fun:

USA vs Sweden: Preview
USA vs. Sweden: Preview II

Not so fun? The way SPECTRE FIFA organized the Women's World Cup. Grant Wahl takes a look.

Transfer rumors? Transfer rumours? Oh, yeah. Whichever you prefer, we've got 'em:


It never ends, folks. One tournament is complete and it's time to try and qualify for the next. And the next big one for the powers that be and want to be in Europe takes place in France next summer. Here's your lot for the weekend:

Croatia vs. Italy: Preview


And finally...why is Hope Solo getting a free pass?

Onward!!

-SSN

Thursday, June 11, 2015

USA Defeat Germany, Copa América, Women's World Cup, Goals of the Week

"There! There is Dieter! Do you see him, Joachim?" "Ahh, yes, Juergen. There he is. Hello Dieter!"

What up? The U.S. beat Germany yesterday in a fun but weird match. Does it mean anything? We're not sure, but winning successive matches in Holland and in Germany is impressive, regardless of whom the opponents fielded. The Yanks had odd squads, too. Check it:

Germany 1 - 2 United States: Jack Kerr at the RheinEnergieStadion
Germany 1 - 2 United States: Five Things We Learned
Germany 1 - 2 United States: Three Things We Learned
Germany 1 - 2 United States: Three Thoughts

Copa América kicks off tonight when hosts Chile play Ecuador (7:30 p.m. EDT on beIN Sport USA). Here are some previews to get you prepared for what could be a fabulous tournament. There is no lack of quality on offer, that's for sure....

Copa América: Preview
Copa América: Five players to watch

The Women's World Cup returns today after a one-day hiatus. It's Germany vs. Norway, China vs. Holland, Ivory Coast vs. Thailand, and Canada vs. New Zealand. Louise Taylor claims that Canada keeps watching brief on WWC awaiting home success.




OK. Buh Bye.

Onward!!

-SSN

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

McClaren To Newcastle, U.S. Men vs. Germany, Marina Hyde on FIFA Conspiracy Theories, The Bandinis, Copa America

And...a very pleasant Hump Day to you! We've got a fine friendly this afternoon to enjoy. The men representing the United States are in Köln to face the men representing Germany. Hit Fox Sports 1 at 2:45 p.m. EDT to enjoy the fun. Brian Strauss notes the close relationship between the two sides, and here are a couple previews:

Germany vs. USA: Preview I
Germany vs. USA: Preview II
Germany vs. USA: What to watch for

Oh, it's on...
In the Women's World Cup, France beat England, Brazil defeated South Korea, Colombia and Mexico drew, and Spain and Costa Rica finished even. Here's your lot from yesterday. Nothing today as the tourny takes a break and resumes tomorrow.

World Cup Daily: Magic Marta makes history
Women's World Cup: Day Four
Women's World Cup: Day Four Takeaways
Women's World Cup: Day Four Statistical Analysis
France 1 - 0 England: Three Observations

SPECTRE FIFA? Of course, you're all by now familiar with some of the conspiracy theories floating around about why the shit hit the fan how and when it did. The fabulous scribe Marina Hyde offers her assessment of the insanity of it all here. You want more on that movie they put out? Iain Macintosh says this: FIFA-funded 'United Passions' is simply a terrible, terrible movie.

We've noted earlier in the week that it is the 25th anniversary of Italia '90. Here's a look at how important is was for soccer in the good 'ol U.S. of A.


Copa America? Jonathan Wilson has already arrived in Santiago, don't you know? He's pretty, pretty sure that this is the best opportunity the Chileans have had in a long while to end their 99-year drought. You know Tim Vickery is already down there. He says that Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia aim to surprise. Miguel Delaney? Accodring to him, a summer of redemption and vindication awaits.


Newcastle's newest gaffer would appear to be Steve McClaren. So there.

Club footy is over for the season, and that means it's time to look back. First up? Paolo Bandini and Serie A! Yes, it's...The Bandinis 2015: An utterly exhaustive review of the Serie A season!!

That's it for today, friends.

Onward!!

-SSN

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

USA Defeat Australia, Nigeria Tie Sweden, West Ham Appoint Bilic, FIFA Film Flop



One, two, three...Rapinoe! SSN Editor's favorite USA Women's Team Member carried (along with Hope Solo) her teammates to an opening match win in Winnipeg last night. Here's your lot:

Women's World Cup: Monday Round-Up
Women's World Cup: Day Three Takeaways
USA 3 - 1 Australia: Grant Wahl at Winnipeg Stadium
USA 3 - 1 Australia: Match Report
USA 3 - 1 Australia: Match Report II
USA 3 - 1 Australia: Three Things We Learned
Sweden 3 - 3 Nigeria: Three Observations

It's on to Group E today, with France vs. England, Spain vs. Costa Rica, Colombia vs. Mexico, and Brazil vs. South Korea. Here's a Preview, here's another, and here's a look at how far football has come in recent years for the women of England.

Gabriele Marcotti is ready to muse. This week, Gab is gabbing that Ireland's FIFA deal sets a dangerous precedent; why did Barca sign Vidal?


Sporting Lisbon. Benfica. The two giants in Lisbon. Andy Brassell reports that Jesus has made a stunning switch from one to the other. Meanwhile, Tim Vickery is looking ahead to Copa America where Chile, Argentina, and Brazil are the favorites. There will be plenty of stars on show at the tournament. Here are 20.

SPECTRE's FIFA's movie? Uhhh, yeah. Like everything else SPECTRE FIFA, not so good.

West Ham have chosen Slaven Bilic to replace Big Sam at Upton Park. Will he last until The Hammers make the move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford? We shall see...


That's going to do it for today.

Onward!!

-SSN

Monday, June 08, 2015

Barcelona Win the Champions League, USA vs. Australia, Liverpool Sign Ings, Italia '90, Mike Piazza Might Buy Parma


And a very pleasant Monday to you and yours. As expected, Barcelona won the Champions League on Saturday. Juventus put up a fight, but couldn't blow the house down and the Catalonian side eventually emerged rightful winners. Let's get to it, beginning with El Sid's report...

Juventus 1 - 3 Barcelona: Sid Lowe at the Olympiastadion
Juventus 1 - 3 Barcelona: Daniel Taylor at the Olympiastadion

In Women's World Cup action, Germany defeated Ivory Coast 10 - 0. Yes, that's ten goals to zero goals. Elsewhere, Norway thrashed Thailand, the Dutch edged the Kiwis, and Canada captured the opener over China via a stoppage-time penalty. The United States will get their journey underway this evening via a waltz with the Matildas out in Winnipeg. That's on Fox Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Here are some previews:

Group D: Preview
USA vs. Australia: Preview
USA vs. Australia: Preview II
USA vs. Australia: Preview III

Wait. What? Mike Piazza might buy Parma? Kirsten Schlewitz says it's a no-brainer! It's been 25 years since Italia '90. Here are the 10 Best Moments from the tournament.


Major League Soccer? Yes, it's happening. Here are Five Things We Learned over the weekend.


And finally...Sol Campbell is running for mayor!

Onward!

-SSN