(Soccer365.com) - New York midfielder Claudio Reyna believes it would be a great boost for the future of MLS if several of his veteran World Cup 2006 teammates also found their way back to the States to play their soccer.

The former U.S. captain will be making his first appearance in his home league after terminating his contract with Manchester City.

“I think that the designated players should be Americans,” Reyna told the New York Times. “The Beckham situation is unique, something that is great for the league because of the attention it brings.”

“On the other hand, I would like to see guys like (Fulham strike ace Brian) McBride, (Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper Kasey) Keller and (Leeds United winger Eddie) Lewis, who have been in Europe for a long time because I believe they want the league to flourish.”

“I think it’s important to have some older heads around,” he explained. “That’s how the kids learn to become good pros.”

“At (Bayer) Leverkusen, I had Bernd Schuster and Rudi Völler in the locker room every day,” Reyna recalled. “They wanted to win all the time, even on the training ground.”

“It helped me to have a long career.”

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(Soccer365.com) - Fresh Newcastle loan catch Oguchi Onyewu says he is aiming to earn a full transfer from Standard Liège with his play.

"I am not here just for the short term," he told reporters at his Tuesday presentation. "I am definitely here for the long term and to make something special happen."

"I have been following Newcastle for quite some time and saw they were struggling in terms of results, and thought maybe this could possibly be in my future."

Concluded the U.S. backline star: "My work ethic is very high and I just want to contribute something positive to the team."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Goal.com) - It has now been confirmed that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and coach Felix Magath are parting company with immediate effect. Ottmar Hitzfeld, who led them to the Champions League trophy in 2000-01, amidst multiple domestic triumphs, will take over until the end of the season.

The club have confirmed reports, and Magath will leave the faltering Bavarians after slipping up in both the matches following the Bundesliga winter break.

They went down 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund on Friday and drew 0-0 against Bochum at home on Tuesday, a result that saw them slip to fourth place.

Veteran Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said after the Bochun draw that any talk of winning a third consecutive championship is firmly on the back burner.

"Even FC Bayern cannot have a season ticket for the title," said the former Germany keeper. "We can also have a weak phase."

With a trip to neighbours Nurnberg looming this weekend, Magath was coming under pressure for the first time since taking over in 2004.

His tactics were criticised by both club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Franz Beckenbauer before Tuesday's goalless draw, which was played in front of the lowest crowd ever to attend a Bundesliga fixture at the Allianz Arena.

After the game Magath said: "I think our performance was better than in Dortmund. We played with more engagement and had the odd good chance in the first half.

"Therefore, we can be happy with the draw."

Apparently not in the Bayern boardroom, where the only option left was to charge Ottmar Hitzfeld with turning the ship around, and making something out of the Bavarians' season.

The Bundesliga title is looking difficult unless Werder Bremen and Schalke collapse, and Real Madrid stand in their way in the Champions League. However, Hitzfeld is one coach who knows about beating Los Merengues with Bayern, having dumped them out in the semi-finals in 2000-01. However, he has also been at the wrong end...

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - With a new stadium at least temporarily off the docket, Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts says he hopes the fans will simply go about the business of supporting the team during 2007 MLS games.

The stadium project was denied $30 million in finding by Sandy County this week.

"We have a season ahead of us that's very exciting," Checketts told Deseret News. "Our fan base is pretty strong and pretty excited, and I hope they can look past this and let me deal with (the stadium)."

"And they can get into (Rice-Eccles) stadium and get ready to cheer the team because this is going to be a very good club this year."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

(Goal.com) - Real Madrid sporting director has denied speculation that Los Merengues are looking at Jose Mourinho to replace Fabio Capello.

Jose Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge has become a matter of intense speculation in recent times.

While the official version remains that both parties want to continue their association, the grapevine suggests that either Mourinho, or Abramovich, will decide to call time by the summer.

Inter Milan were the first club to be linked with the former Porto coach, but Mancini's winning run has helped cool those rumours down.

Real Madrid have been the latest club linked, with reports suggesting that he will replace Fabio Capello at the Bernabeu.

However, sporting director Pedja Mijatovic denied any such move was being considered.

"I know Mourinho has been mentioned," he told Sky Sports News. "I also know Del Bosque has been mentioned. However, what I know for sure is that our coach is Fabio Capello, and we are happy with him.

"All this talk of new signings, players leaving, new coaches, is just made up by some journalists, and I don't think it is very important."

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(Soccer365.com) - Red Bulls general manager Jeff Agoos has rubbished speculation that he was busy trying to bring Olympiakos attacker Rivaldo to New York.

The former Brazil ace has recently been revealed as a target for Mexican side Necaxa.

"There's no truth to our interest in Rivaldo," Agoos told the Herald News. "At this time, we have had no talks with or have had interest enough at this point to pursue him."

"We're not talking to Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho," he cracked, "Or any other player whose name starts with "R" and ends with "O"."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is looking for the Blues to put a great run together, and put some serious pressure on Manchester United in the process.

Chelsea take on Blackburn tonight in the Premiership, and goalkeeper Petr Cech is looking to start applying pressure on Manchester United.

"I think we just need to put togther a run of a few victories, and United will be under pressure," he told Sky Sports News.

"That is what we want to do now, and we have our first opportunity against Blackburn.

"Of course, it will be a difficult game, but we are at home, and we want to keep going."

He was also positive about what looks like Chelsea gradual return to form: "We have seen already the Chelsea that we want to see. I think the most important thing is to just keep winning."

Only yesterday, Frank Lampard also suggested that it was high time Chelsea started trimming the distance between them and the Premiership leaders.

The Blues continue to trail Manchester United by six points, but can draw some hope from the fact that they haven't lost ground in the new year. United play rock-bottom Watford.

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(Soccer365.com) - The United States women’s national team claimed their fifth Four Nations title with a convincing 2-0 win over China in the final group stage match on Tuesday.

Lori Chalupny and Natasha Kai each found the back of the net on opposite sides of halftime while the defense held the host nation scoreless, limiting the chances of their top two scoring threats, Han Duan and Ma Xiaoxu.

''Today we felt like we could come out and just go after China,'' American coach Greg Ryan was quoted to the AP. ''We pressured them in their half. It's great to win the tournament on this note. We can take a lot of confidence from it.''

With the win Ryan extends the team’s unbeaten streak under his guidance to 34 and helped the coach evaluate some of the young talent available for this summer’s World Cup.

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Many of Tinseltown’s elite are anxious for Los Angeles Galaxy catch David Beckham to arrive in August, meaning MLS could soon see its star fan quotient rise considerably.

"He's a massive star," Hugh Grant told YA. "He's gone off his game in the past year a bit, but only slightly."

"I've told Tom (Cruise, a Beckham pal) that he's got to bring David in as soon as he gets here," said famous Spago chef Wolfgang Puck. "I can't wait to bring my son (to Galaxy games)."

Of course, not all of Hollywood has caught Beckham fever yet.

"I didn't know there was a soccer team in Los Angeles," blushed Drew Barrymore.

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

(Goal.com) - Newcastle United have, as expected, signed United States international defender Oguchi Onyewu on loan from Belgian side Standard Liege for the rest of the season.

Onyewu, 24, successfully underwent a medical at St James' Park on Monday.

"We have secured Oguchi Onyewu. He comes across as an impressive person - he is certainly physically impressive," said Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder.

"West Brom were keen to sign him last year, but Oguchi was looking to step higher if he could."

Newcastle have agreed an option to make Onyewu's transfer permanent in the summer.

The Magpies won the race for his signature ahead of several clubs across Europe, apparently including Chelsea.

He previously played for Metz, and played in each of the USA's three World Cup matches in the summer, and was voted the US Soccer Athlete of 2006.

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) - Fresh Lyon catch Fabio Santos claims it was the team’s large Brazilian contingent that compelled him to make the move from Cruzeiro.

The French kings already employ Claudio Caçapa, Cris, Fred and Juninho – the middle pair being former Cruzeiro players.

"It was really important for me that there is a mini colony of Brazilians at Lyon," said Fabio Santos.

"It’s been a long time dream to play in Europe and I hope to conquer many trophies with Lyon."

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - New York coach Bruce Arena believes the acquisition of Dutch veteran Ronald Waterreus will help the team both in net and in the clubhouse.

The former PSV Eindhoven keeper arrives after a successful emergency stint with Eredivisie power AZ Alkmaar.

"We've added a proven goalkeeper with a lot of experience," Arena told MLSNet. "We are hopeful he will assume a leadership role in the locker room which will be beneficial to us."

"Ronald and Jon Conway give us a very strong pair of goalkeepers," he added. "We think this position has been upgraded considerably."

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has admitted that Manchester United's offer for midfielder Owen Hargreaves is well worth accepting.

However, he also went on to suggest that a deal would probably have to wait until the summer.

"Money talks and I would say United have a good chance - but not until the end of the season," Beckenbauer told Manchester Evening News.
"We know Hargreaves wants to leave. He is under contract, but at the end of the season, maybe yes."

Manchester United failed in their bid to sign Hargreaves last summer with a bid in the region of £14 million, but are said to have bid in excess of £20 million this month to bring the England international to Old Trafford.

While Bayern are said to be happy with the offer, they have stalled over an immediate transfer, with reports suggesting that a deal for this summer could now be struck some time after the transfer window closes.

Hargreaves, meanwhile, has recovered from his fractured leg, and will turn out for the Bavarian giants this week.

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Posted by soccer365 at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) - After recovering from an injury, Taylor Twellman is back in the U.S. national team mix. The New England Revolution forward is eager to establish himself as a go to striker and spoke with Soccer365's Andrea Canales about his injury, new head coach Bob Bradley, the U.S. v Mexico rivalry and more...

by Andrea Canales

The New England Revolution’s Taylor Twellman, one of the league’s top forwards, joined Bob Bradley’s national team camp recently after declining an earlier invite so he could deal with an injury. Twellman was one of the last players left outside of the World Cup roster last year, and he is looking to be a part of the national team again under Bob Bradley. He answered a few questions for Andrea Canales.

Hi Taylor – how does it feel to be back in the national team camp?
It’s nice. Obviously, it’s my first day back, so I’m trying to ease my way back into things, but it feels good.

How is the injury?
It’s coming along. Obviously, it’s a work in progress, so it’s just – well, it’s kind of been a nagging injury that I’ve had over the last eight months. I’m just trying to get rid of it before the season starts.

This time last year, you were playing well, and later came the disappointment of not making the World Cup roster – in that context what does being in camp this year mean to you?
My approach hasn’t changed, and it never will. As long as I prepare and do my best, that’s all I can ask for. The rest is on everybody else’s shoulders, as long as I’m doing my job.

Since he got into the broadcast booth, Bruce Arena has been saying good things about you as a forward – is there any irony for you in that?
No. I think – obviously, I have the utmost respect for Bruce. I just wish I could have changes his mind a lot earlier and he would have brought me. It’s in the past. It’s a more important matter what I’m having for lunch today, to be honest with you.

What’s your history with Mexico?

For the complete Twellman interview CLICK HERE

Posted by soccer365 at 03:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Los Angeles Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has declared that, no matter the money spent or reputation gained, David Beckham will not earn a starting spot simply by showing up in August.

"He is one of the best players in the world, but he will have to fight for his place here," the former U.S. star told El Pais. "If he doesn't perform, he will have to go on the bench like anyone else."

"We play a 4-4-2, and although he plays well on the flank, I have thought about playing him in the center because he works so hard."

Lalas also offered his opinion that the astronomical money spent to bring the former England captain over from Real Madrid will pay off for MLS.

"If you want something great, you have to pay for it," he insisted. "Beckham is worth every euro we have paid for him."

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (57)

(Goal.com) - Inter notched their 14th consecutive win in Serie A on Sunday night, as the Nerazzurri defeated Sampdoria at the Marassi stadium of Genoa in the 21st matchday of the Italian topflight.

Thanks to this win, Inter maintained an 11 point lead over closest followers Roma, a gap which can virtually guarantee the Scudetto to the Nerazzurri.

However, Roberto Mancini is cautiously advicing everyone not to start celebrating as the season is still long and anything can happen.

"I think that the league is not over yet, on Sunday we have the direct clash against Roma, a team which is going through a good moment."

Mancini also commented his side's performance against the Blucerchiati.

"As soon as Delvecchio was sent off, we relaxed a bit and we became slow and predictable for half hour. Then in the final ten minutes of the first half we did better. After the goal, everything became easier."

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) - With Ajax set to lure Tottenham midfield bulldog Edgar Davids back home, FC Dallas have revealed that the longtime Oranje star’s salary request was simply out of their range.

Davids, easily recognized on the pitch by his dreadlocks and goggles, was reportedly offered around $800,000 a season by the MLS club during recent talks.

“He asked for more than we could give,” an FC Dallas told Dutch magazine Sportweek.

“(Davids didn’t ask for) as much as Beckham, but still three times more we can pay.”

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

(Goal.com) - Tottenham manager Martin Jol has suggested that Edgar Davids is close to joining former club Ajax.

The Dutchman has played little part at White Hart Lane this season after making a positive impact in his first campaign in English football.

Jol said: "He played last year but didn't this year. It's better if he plays regularly because of his age.

"They are having a deal with him, they said in Holland, and the only thing is we have to agree with them."

Jol also spoke about a possible falling out between the pair.

"I had so many arguments with him because in Holland he's a legend," added Jol.

"He will ask me 'why aren't I playing' so I tell him. He is a legend and was a very good pro for us, he played on the left when I needed him."

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Oguchi Onyewu's transfer saga still has some life left in it.

Reports Friday indicated the American defender was set to complete a weekend move from Standard Liege to French side Marseille, after Onyewu had received interest this month from the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, Fulham, Inter, Lazio, Lyon, Porto, and Real Madrid.

Now, though, it is reported that Onyewu is in England for a medical at Newcastle United, with a move to finish the season on loan with the Magpies.

"Newcastle United can confirm that Oguchi Onyewu is on Tyneside having a medical with a view to joining Newcastle United," said a statement on the Premiership outfit's Web site.

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - PSV Eindhoven midfield general Philip Cocu will surely perk up ears across the Atlantic after admitting that MLS was one of three possible destinations he’d consider at season’s end.

The Farmers have offered an extension, but the veteran is keeping all options open.

“An MLS adventure like David Beckham? I have it in the back of my mind that a period abroad would be enriching,” Cocu told Voetbal International. “But I am still hungry here.”

“As long as I can play at the top level, it would be a sin to play in MLS, Saudi Arabia or Japan.”

“If PSV win the Champions League, perhaps you lose that hunger,” Cocu explained.

“I was not happy with the departures of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Andre Ooijer this summer – who will leave at the end of this season?”

“You don’t get a guarantee that everything runs smoothly with new players ever year,” noted Cocu, currently aiming for a third straight Eredivisie crown.

“At this moment, there is no problem with continuing physically.”

“If the club cannot wait until July, I understand,” he asserted. “Around April, I will sit with the coach.”

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) - New York boss Bruce Arena is pleased as punch to have longtime U.S. captain Claudio Reyna on his roster for a third time in three different settings.

The erstwhile Manchester City ace signed with MLS Wednesday after dissolving his Premiership deal six months early.

Arena has also had the privilege of coaching Reyna at the University of Virginia.

"Claudio is a proven player at the highest levels in the game and his experience and leadership skills will improve our team," said the former USMNT coach. "I'm excited to have him as a member of the Red Bulls."

For his part, Reyna is equally as excited to get a chance to play for the Big Apple bunch.

"I'm very excited to be coming back to play at home, minutes from where I grew up," said the midfielder.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) - Boca Juniors chairman Mauricio Macri has let Villareal counterpart Fernando Roig know that he will gladly take sudden problem child Juan Román Riquelme off his hands.

The Argentina star is at odds with management over an alleged lack of effort.

"The people at Villarreal know that we can be a solution to the conflict," Macri told Ole. "I wanted to know how he is doing, and to tell him that Boca is a bridge for any type of solution."

"I hope that he responds, I have already left a message for him and if it interests him, he can count on Boca."

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) - Reigning MLS champions Houston have hired Mike Toshack as their new keepers coach, a familiar face to netminder Pat Onstad.

The former Canada Under-20 assistant will join the Dynamo Monday for the opening of preseason camp.

"(He) comes highly recommended," stated Houston boss Dominic Kinnear. "He has worked with our starting goalkeeper in the past, so that obviously helps."

"In addition, (he) has great soccer knowledge, and that makes him a good fit for our team and what we are trying to accomplish this year."

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Lionel Messi is set to return to full training for FC Barcelona next week after recovering from a broken toe and will make be ready to play against Racing Santander.

The Argentinian forward has been out of action since breaking his fifth metatarsal on November 12 and has been sorely missed by the Blaugrana.

Now he has completely recovered from the injury and is expected to go back to training almost fully fit on February 2.

Due to the nature of his absence, Messi has been able to keep his strength up and has been pencilled in to be included in the squad against Racing on February 11.

Under the watchful eye of coach Juanjo Brau, the 19-year-old has been building his fitness up in the club gymnasium and on the sidelines at first-team trainin sessions.

According to the Barça medical team, Messi need have no fear of a reoccurence of the injury as it was a bone and not a muscle problem.

After the draw against Real Betis on Wednesday evening, coach Frank Rijkaard made training at Barça voluntary on Thursday morning and 17 players turned up.

Despite the main focus being on keeping the session light as the players recovered from the game, three first team regulars opted to stay away.

Ronaldinho, who has attended less than a third of the training since the start of the season, Deco and Xavi were all missing.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

(Soccer365.com) - Houston Dynamo midfield ace Ricardo Clark is currently trying to make inroads with the U.S. National Team, an effort he punctuated with a strong friendly performance against Denmark.

"It was a chance to get out there and prove myself," he told the Houston Chronicle. "I'm not really a regular on the national team, so I'm just trying to get my foot in the door."

The MLS champ won the penalty that led to the ‘Nats equalizer, part of a showing he hopes will get him into the squad for a February 7th Mexico friendly.

"I'm not even sure who exactly is coming into camp," admitted Clark.

"(U.S. coach Bob) Bradley's probably going to screen a lot of the European-based players prior to the camp, and that's going to make fighting for a spot even more difficult."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) - Fresh from heading a late winner against Blackburn, Watford defender Jay DeMerit trumpeted the fighting nature of his teammates.

It was only the second Premiership victory of the season for the Hornets, who took the first step towards climbing out of the league basement.

"We always play hard and have a good work ethic and those things can take you a long way," DeMerit told the club website.

"The team spirit we have here is a never-give-up type of attitude," continued the American Abroad. "We took that into the game and we'll carry on fighting."

"We did that and got three points and now we have to kick-on and do the same every week."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani has confirmed the deal bringing Brazilian super-star Ronaldo to Italy is still on hold.

“Ronaldo won’t arrive today,” Galliani told reporters on Wednesday morning.

“I met once again with Real Madrid’s sports director Franco Baldini. The talks are ongoing, we will talk again soon,” he added.

Baldini arrived in Milan last night to negotatiate with the Milan management.

This is a step forward in the deal, as until yesterday AC Milan only had the player’s ok, while they hadn’t even begun talks with Real.

Real Madrid are currently asking for 8 million Euros to let the player go, however Milan would like to only take over the player’s salary, with the Spanish outfit releasing the player for free.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

(Goal.com) - England will take on Andorra in Barcelona after UEFA insisted that the Euro 2008 qualifier be switched on security grounds.

The Group E encounter will take place at Espanyol's Estadi Olimpic on Montjuïc, which holds 80,000, in the Catalan capital on March 28.

Andorra had asked for permission to play the game in Catalunya, as their national stadium's capacity is only 1,800.

The UEFA Executive Committee upheld the request at a meeting in Germany on Wednesday and stated that the Estadi Olimpic was a perfect venue.

Barcelona has hosted Andorra's international matches before as they took on Ireland and Holland in Barça's Mini Estadi.

In the first game between the teams in the European Championship qualifiers, England eased to a 5-0 victory.

Despite that emphatic win, Steve McLaren's side are in third place in the group, three points behind leaders Croatia and one point behind second-placed Russia.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) - U.S. attacker Justin Mapp hopped off the bench to change the tide in their 3-1 friendly win over Denmark this weekend, a feat coach Bob Bradley believes he can repeat many times in the years to come.

The Chicago Fire ace set up Jonathan Bornstein’s with a superb dribble-and-dish.

"Justin is still a player who can do special things," Bradley told Soccernet. "We've seen it in MLS and it was nice to see him produce a really neat piece of skill that led to the second goal."

"In the whole camp, he's still someone who day in and day out has some special ability and now we're just trying to push him to do more to go with that."

For his part, Mapp spoke of the goal rather matter-of-factly considering the highlight reel nature of the play.

"I saw a couple of guys," he recalled. "I didn't really have too many options, so I said, 'What the heck' and went at both of them and found a little seam and got to the end line."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero has revealed that Manchester United were interested in signing him last summer.

The Italian international is enjoying a fine season with the Bianconeri in Serie B, but could instead have been plying his trade in the Premiership.

"It's all true. I could have been a Red Devil," Del Piero said in The Sun.

"Manchester United representatives contacted me in August.

"At first I was flattered, but I never really thought of leaving Juventus.

"I've been playing 13 years in this club and I want to finish my career here. I'm sure Alex Ferguson understood my decision."

Del Piero is Juve’s all-time record goalscorer, and earlier in the season made his 500th appearance for the club.

Juve currently top Serie B and if their good form continues they will be back up in the top flight just a few months after being relegated for their part in the corruption scandal.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

(Soccer365.com) - Standard Liège executive Dominique D'Onofrio has admitted that Olympique Marseille and Porto have joined the race for US defender Oguchi Onyewu, but says none of the suitors have reached an agreement.

Chelsea, Fulham, Lazio and Lyon are also pondering a move for the American Abroad, with the Cottagers having already had at least one offer beat back.

"Just like so many clubs, it is true that the two are showing interest, but there is nothing concrete yet."

Onyewu, who starred for the U.S. at World Cup 2006, is currently slated to travel with the team to Charleroi this weekend.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) - Werder Bremen boss Thomas Schaaf figures he will still have hot transfer topic Miroslav Klose on his side next season.

The Germany star, signed through 2008, has been linked with interest from the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich - but the club are not interested in selling the player to a Bundesliga rival.

"The probability of Miro leaving us at the end of the season is remote," Schaaf told German television.

"I think he feels very much at home and is well aware that he is able to achieve all the goals he has set himself with us."

"We're not even thinking about letting Miro go," the coach insisted. "We want to keep him here even longer.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Goal.com) - AS Roma captain Francesco Totti will be able to play in what might be his team’s last chance to extend their almost impossible Scudetto dream.

The good news for the Roma fans came this afternoon when the Italian football federation’s disciplinary commission decided to ban the Giallorosso idol for just one match as a result of the red card he received in the dying minutes of the Livorno match.

This will allow ‘Il Capitano’ to play against Serie A leaders Inter in less than two weeks.

Roma have to win that game as they sit eleven points behind the super-Nerazzurri.

Initially, it was thought that Totti would skip the match as usually a reaction to a foul is punished with a minimum two-match ban.

What appeared to let Totti off easy was the fact that the referee of the game Ayroldi didn’t red card for the push Totti gave to his ‘elbower’, Livorno defender Galante.

Rather it was the fact that the temperamental World Champion refused to go to the referee, who was calling Totti over to show him a yellow-card.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Goal.com) - Lyon manager Gerard Houllier is vying with former Rangers and Lyon boss Paul Le Guen for the signature of unsettled Rangers midfielder Jeremy Clement.

Le Guen made 22-year-old Clement one of his first signings when he became manager at Ibrox last summer, going back to Lyon for the midfielder.

However, Le Guen left Glasgow earlier this month, is now in charge at Paris Saint-Germain and has made it clear he'd like Clement to rejoin him.

But now former Liverpool manager Houllier has entered the race.

Houllier said: "Is [the transfer of] Jeremy Clement still happening? The answer is yes, but we are in competition with another great club."

Clement himself has been quoted as saying he wants to rejoin Le Guen, but nevertheless Houllier is hopeful the player could opt to return to Lyon, the dominant team in France.

"It is a fact, I would really like to have him back here and I think it is fair to say he would prefer to come to Lyon rather than go to Paris," said Houllier.

Clement has been offered a similar package by both Lyon and PSG.

He said: "I came to Rangers because I wanted to work with Paul and believed he could achieve things at Rangers.

"But, with him gone, it's back to the situation beforehand where the SPL just isn't rated in France.

"I obviously have ambitions to play for my country, but I wouldn't achieve them by staying on in Scotland.

"That's why I asked the club's management to let me go. They agreed it was probably best for all concerned.

"I was flattered there was interest from other clubs, including Lyon.

"But I made it clear to everyone I wanted to carry on working with Paul at PSG."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey was delighted to make his Premiership debut on the weekend, but said the Cottage faithful have yet to see what he can really do.

The U.S. international worked the final 10 minutes, and started the play that led to Vincenzo Montella’s opener.

Fulham eventually were forced to settle for a draw, but Dempsey enjoyed the day.

“It’s always good to get the first game out the way,” he told the club website. “I’ve been traveling back and forth to the States, so it’s been tough getting the training in.”

“I’ve been off for a while so I haven’t played any games since November.”

“The atmosphere on Saturday was great and we’ve got good home support,” said Dempsey. “The level is obviously higher, but if I had to make a comparison I would say it’s similar to playing for the national team: everyone around you is a good player.”

The former New England Rev is also glad to have countrymen Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride around to help him acclimate.

"It’s been an easy transition for me because I know two guys on the team,” noted Dempsey. “I’m looking forward to getting fit and making an impact.”

“It’s good to be finally settled and I'll try to get match fit as soon as I can.”

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(Soccer365.com) - Brazil manager Dunga has let resurgent Inter Milan forward Adriano know that he still has a place with the Samba Kings.

The hulking striker was dropped after a lngthy Serie A slump, but has begun ringing the bell again with regularity.

"If he keeps performing positively, he will win back his place in the squad," asserted Dunga. "I'm following him with a lot of interest."

"He is a champion, only those who do not know him would say he is finished."

"I would also like to congratulate Inter for waiting and defending him," he added. "(Roberto) Mancini has done well to reintroduce him at the right time."

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(Goal.com) - German international Jens Nowotny has been forced to call time on his career.

Nowotny, 33, has retired from football according to Kicker.

"The latest injury clinched it," said the former Bayer Leverkusen star.

Nowotny, who was on Germany's World Cup team this past summer, spent ten years at Leverkusen before joining Dinamo Zagreb in July.

The midfielder had inked a three-and-a-half year contract with the Croatian club, but an injury to his left knee cut short the relationship earlier this month.

"To think I may have to wait another 10 months through physiotherapy and returning to training - this is enough," said Nowotny

Nowotny appeared 48 times for his country and played for Germany in Euro 200 and Euro 2004. Then-German coach Jurgen Klinsmann recalled Nowotny to his World Cup squad despite the player's two-year absence from international football.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) - Freshly capped U.S. international Jonathan Bornstein was on cloud nine after marking his debut with a goal in front of his entire family.

Unfortunately, the Chivas USA ace banged home a Justin Mapp feed with his folks seated at the opposite end of the Home Depot Center.

“Once I scored, I was wishing my family were in their normal Chivas section because it is right in that corner, but I realized ‘Oh, man, they are way on the other side of the field this time’,” Bornstein told USSoccer.com. “I can never score on the side of the field my family is on.”

Nevertheless, the 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year said he will have no complaints over his big day.

“It was very special,” stated Bornstein. “After the game, I ran over to my dad and gave him my jersey.”

“I told them I was stoked to have them all there, it was a very special moment.”

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Fresh from grabbing two goals and an assist as the U.S. Under-20 National Team booked their place in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, playmaker Freddy Adu admitted his role has evolved as he prepares for his third world championship at the level.

The attacker was often used wide in 2003 and 2005, but now runs the show from the #10 slot.

“I have to be in tune to the game at all times,” Adu told USSoccer.com. “I can’t take plays off, I’ve got to set an example for the rest of the guys and I feel like I did that this tournament.”

“Thomas (Rongen) is a great coach and let’s me be me out there,” said the Real Salt Lake star.

“He lets me take chances, and when I do that, that’s when I’m at my best, and that’s what I did today."

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - If the rumours are confirmed, there will be at least two matches of suspension for the Roma captain.

If the first indiscretions that have come through will be confirmed, Francesco Totti will most probably skip the game against Inter at San Siro in two weeks' time.

It seems in fact that referee Nicola Ayroldi showed Totti the red card for a "reaction foul": that's what the match official apparently wrote on his report: if that were the case the captain would almost certainly risk a suspension of not less than two matches and that would prevent him from guiding his team against leaders Inter on the 4th of February.

So this disconfirmes the hypothesis that the giallorosso captain was expelled for not responding to Ayroldi, despite the latter's insistent calls for him after what happened between the Roma number 10 and Galante.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

(Soccer365.com) - New Chivas USA boss Preki says he expects big things from recent MLS SuperDraft catch John Cunliffe, his first pick in charge.

The English native has formerly trained with Bolton and Preston North End, but the coach thinks he’s the classic late bloomer.

"He is very impressive," Preki told Preston Today. "He made it easy for me to pick him."

"He is very smart and has a good soccer brain.

"He can play up front, on the left side and wide on the right," added the former MLS superstar. "We'll see where he fits in."

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Aston Villa striker Milan Baros has completed his transfer to Lyon, with John Carew set to move in the opposite direction.

Lyon boss Gerrard Houllier signed Baros when he was the manager of Liverpool, and will be hoping that the Czech Republic international can re-discover his best form at the Stade Gerland.

Baros never hit the heights for Villa after joining from the Reds for £6.5 million.

He actually turned down a move to Lyon when he was still with Liverpool in 2005.

The 25-year-old has scored once for Villa in 17 league appearances this season, though he was also on target against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Last season he scored eight goals in 25 League appearances for Villa, and his record at Liverpool - initially under Houllier - was 19 goals in 68 Premiership appearances. He joined the Reds in December 2001 from Banik Ostrava where he scored 11 in 61 League games.

Lyon were keen to add firepower to their squad because Karim Benzema and Sylvain Wiltord are expected to be out for some time with injuries.

Carew is expected at Villa Park on Monday to discuss personal terms in what will be a possible swap-deal.

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