(Soccer365.com) - Heerenveen midfield prodigy Michael Bradley says he expects to enjoy more regular time on the pitch when the 2007/08 season rolls around.

The American Abroad is currently busy preparing for CONCACAF Gold Cup duty with the U.S. National Team after working 21 league matches for the Frisians.

“Going into last season, I knew I had to work to get better and I know that I did that,” Bradley told Top Drawer Soccer. “I’m looking forward to the fall.”

“One of midfielders from the team (Paul Bosvelt) is retiring, and in talking to the coach and people at the club, they’re really confident in me as a player.”

“They feel like I have a big role to play this year and are expecting me to be an important player at the club,” he added. “It’s up to me to have a good summer and go back with a good mentality and in good form so I can put them in a position where there’s no way they can not play me.”

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Colorado forward Herculez Gomez admitted that everyone was calling after he shot down former side Los Angeles with the lone goal on the weekend.

The striker was dealt away by the Galaxy in 2006, so the winner was sweet revenge indeed.

“I was getting text messages all week,” Gomez told the Kansas City Star. “This is a game I really wanted to win.”

“Everyone knows I grew up a fan of LA, but I think (the trade to the Rapids) was the best thing that could have happened to me.”

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Barcelona star Ronaldinho is keen to take on Real Madrid's David Beckham when England and Brazil meet at Wembley tomorrow.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are involved in a titanic tussle for the La Liga title, and the Gaucho is relishing the chance to face Beckham.

He also praised the former England skipper for the kind of form he is in.

"Beckham deserves his return to the England team because he has been playing so well for Real Madrid," Ronaldinho told the Daily Star.

"I can't wait to take him on though.

"We are involved in a huge battle in La Liga and now we will be fighting for supremacy at Wembley.

"I want to triumph in both but I know that would wreck his dreams."

There will be two particularly exciting rivalries on show at Wembley tomorrow, with Kaka and Gerrard facing off in one, and Ronaldinho and Beckham in the other.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

(Soccer365.com) - Young American Abroad trio Charlie Davies, Kamani Hill and Lee Nguyen will get the chance to register their first international caps when the U.S. National Team faces friendly visitors China in San Jose this weekend.

The three have not merely been brought in as practice players, Bradley recently asserted.

"Bringing this group to San Jose accomplishes two important goals," he stated. "First, we get excellent preparation for many of the players who will help defend our Gold Cup title beginning next week."

"Second, we get the chance to introduce some exciting young prospects to the senior national team and give them a taste of what this experience is all about."

Davies is on leave from Swedish title contenders Hammarby, Hill has concluded his first half-season with Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven prospect Nguyen is just now coming back from a winter shoulder injury.

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Posted by soccer365 at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Brilliant Brazilian Kaka says he's flattered by interest from Real Madrid, but again stated he's happy at AC Milan.

The Rossoneri superstar has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital for a year now, but so far Los Galacticos haven't been able to close a deal.

Kaka arrived in London on Wednesday for Brazil's friendly with England on Friday, but found himself answering more questions about his club future.

Only earlier in the day news had been filtering out of Spain that Real president Ramon Calderon is prepared to fork out a whopping 60 million Euros this summer to finally get his man.

Kaka told Madrid daily AS: "It gives much joy me that a club like Real Madrid is interested in me, and it's something that happened last year as well.

"But I have to make one thing clear, I've just won the Champions League with Milan and my family and I are very happy there. For that reason, the only way anything will happen is if AC Milan reach agreement with Real Madrid."

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(Soccer365.com) - Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has dismissed reports that he will cut his spending on new players as "nonsense".

The Russian gave a rare interview to Ekho Moskvy radio station in which he denied media reports that he would give manager Jose Mourinho a tiny transfer budget this summer after spending £250m over the last four years.

"This is absolute nonsense," said Abramovich. "Everything will remain the same. My relationship with Chelsea has not changed and I wouldn't want to change anything."

Those comments are a little different to those he made in December in his only British interview with The Observer.

Then he said: "Our strategy is to bring up our own players through the academy, which we have invested a lot in, and hope it gives results. We will be spending less in the transfer market in future years."

With an open chequebook Chelsea may well target Argentine forward Carlos Tevez rather than cut-price options like Blackburn's Benni McCarthy.

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(Soccer365.com) - Rafa Benitez will reportedly start his revamp of the Liverpool squad on the wings.

Benitez will have significant sums to spend this summer from both his planned clearout of the Anfield squad (which could see Mark Gonzalez, Bolo Zenden, Craig Bellamy and Harry Kewell head for the exit door), and from backing from the club's new American owners.

Wednesday's Sun claims that the Spanish boss is lining up a raid on his old club Valencia to sign left-winger David Silva.

Silva has been one of the finds of the season for Quique Sanchez Flores' side after signing from Celta Vigo last summer.

The Valencia man could cost up to £12 million, but a slightly cheaper option could be Lyon wideman Florent Malouda.

The Daily Mirror claimed on Tuesday that Benitez was lining up a bid for the French international, while Wednesday's Times thinks that the deal could cost the Champions League finalists £10 million.

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry confirmed on Wednesday that the club are still interested in Benfica right winger Simao Sabrosa.

Wednesday's Daily Star reckons that Djibril Cisse, who spent last season on loan at Marseille, could be used as a makeweight in the deal for Simao, and Parry conceded that would be a possibility.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

(Soccer365.com) - New Chicago Fire star Cuauhtémoc Blanco has let it be known that he is expecting to have pressure to perform, and that he intends to earn every penny the team is paying him.

Several big names have come to MLS with less than professional work standards, but the Mexico attacker claims he will do the business after arriving from Club América.

"If things don't go well, the press and the fans aren't going to be happy," Blanco told the Chicago Tribune. "I am a professional."

"I didn't go there to steal this money that they are giving me."

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Barcelona full-back Juliano Belletti has taken a swipe at coach Frank Rijkaard over a lack of playing time.

The Brazilian signed a new contract with the club earlier this year but has only been used sparingly by Rijkaard despite some average results that have undermined the Catalans’ season.

"If I had known I would play so little, I would never have renewed my contract," said Belletti, who has now fully recovered from injury.

"I spoke with the coach before the season began and he said to me that he was counting on me.

"The president even called me and, when receiving his confidence, I chose to stay. But I have hardly played."

Belletti was the hero in last season’s Champions League final against Arsenal.

After Samuel Eto’o had equalised to level the match at 1-1, Belletti popped up with a late winner to seal the club’s second European Cup triumph.

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(Soccer365.com) - Boca Juniors exec Pedro Pompillo says strike sensation Rodrigo Palacio will accept a transfer to Barcelona once the club can get all part owner’s of the player’s registration onboard.

The Catalans will reportedly pay over €20 million for the striker, but Juan Paladino has to clear the path of all obstacles first - the one club that appears to be weighing down the move is relegated Huracan, who have upped their expectations for a pay out.

"We have reached to an agreement with Barcelona for transferring him in July," Pompilio told Argentine radio. "But Barcelona has said to us that the condition for doing the transfer is that they want to negotiate only with us, so we have to get in touch with Huracan, Banfield and the agent Juan Paladino because they are the owners of the rest of the percentage of the player."

"We have been in negotiations with Huracan for many months, but we haven't reached a financial agreement because they want much more than the $2.5 million that we have offered to them - as they have been relegated to a lower division now they want more money than what we had agreed sometime ago."

"I expect to have all these negotiations resolved as soon as possible because it's a good financial offer for everyone and if we don't reach to an agreement, Barcelona isn't going to wait a long time," insisted the vice president. "They will go out and buy another player - that's what we are trying to make the other parts involved to understand."

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(Goal.com) - Wales captain Ryan Giggs will announce his retirement from international football later today.

The 33-year-old Manchester United winger, who recently collected a record ninth Premier League championship winners' medal, will play his last game for Wales in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

It is understood that Giggs, who will then have played 64 times for his country, has been considering his international future since Wales were beaten 1-0 away to the Republic of Ireland in March.

That resul effectively ended the Principality's chances of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Giggs is one of the most gifted players destined not to appear in the finals of the World Cup or European Championships.

The BBC reports that Wales officials learned about how Giggs was feeling a week ago when they gathered for the drawn friendly against New Zealand in Wrexham.

Now the other Welsh players, who assembled on Tuesday night at their Cardiff hotel ahead of the Czech match, have been made aware the players are now aware of Giggs' decision.

It is a decision that will hit Wales hard. Many would argue that Giggs has been one of their best-ever players, and losing his services will deprive manager John Toshack of the Premiership quality that is in short supply among he current Welsh squad.

Toshack has made it clear that his primary objective is to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Afric, and although Giggs will be nearly 36 by then, his class, experience and leadership would have been significan assets in the qualification bid.

A source at the FA of Wales suggested, however, that "Maybe Ryan has come to accept that the chances of qualification for Euro 2008 are all but gone.

"It is a great shame, he has been an outstanding servant to Welsh football and since being made captain under John Toshack, he has been a major influence on the young players."

Like other top Welsh players before him, Giggs appears to have accepted that he will never play in a major finals, Wales's last participation in such an event being at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

The likes of Ian Rush, Neville Southall, Mark Hughes, Kevin Ratcliffe and Toshack himself have all been denied a top international stage because of the constraints faced by many smaller nations in terms of a limited pool of players from which to select.

Giggs made his debut for Wales against West Germany in October 1991 aged 17 years and 321 days. At the time he was the youngest-ever Wales international.

But with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson frequently withdrawing the player from Wales squads because of the player's troublesome hamstring, it was not until Toshack took over as national boss three years ago that Giggs played an away friendly for Wales.

Under Toshack, as captain, Giggs has helped a number of young players make the step up to international football.

But his decision to quit the international scene should help to extend his club career at United.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

(Soccer365.com) - Gabriel Heinze could take advantage of a FIFA loophole to buy out his Manchester United contract and secure a cut-price move to Real Madrid.

Heinze has been strongly linked with a transfer to the Spanish giants with reports suggesting he flew to Madrid at the weekend to discuss a switch to the Primera Liga leaders.

And the defender could become the first Premiership player to use a FIFA rule which allows footballers to buy themselves out of their own contracts.

According to the Daily Express, Heinze, who is valued by United at around £5million, could take advantage of the loophole to secure a transfer to Real or another club and he would only have to pay £4million to the Red Devils.

The rule allows players to pay off their deals with a club if they have served three years of their contract and are outside a 'protected period' in terms of age.

Heinze, 29, would qualify having signed for £6.9million from PSG in the summer of 2004.

The situation would mirror the controversy surrounding Andy Webster's controversial switch from Hearts to Wigan last August.

Webster invoked article 17 in FIFA's regulations for the status and transfer of players to became a Wigan player after three years at Hearts, with compensation rather than a transfer fee changing hands.

No Premiership players have yet used the loophole to leave a club, but several other big-name stars, including Chelsea's Frank Lampard, are apparently eligible to take advantage of the controversial ruling.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) - CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca have continued their silver mining ways by claiming the Mexican Clausura title with a late second leg equalizer by Juan Carlos Cacho.

The first leg victory hero netted his third goal of the final with eight minutes to play after Cuauhtemoc Blanco opened for Club América in the first half.

Pachuca, who also won the most recent Copa Sudamericana, then raised their fifth league trophy as Blanco prepared to head off for MLS side Chicago.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Goal.com) - Juventus have insisted that comments attributed to Jean-Claude Blanc over talks with Marcelo Lippi are false.

There had been comments attributed to Blanc claiming that talks to bring Lippi back to Juventus were already underway, and that the Turin bosses were waiting for a response.

'Corriere della Sera', 'La Repubblica' and 'La Stampa' had all quoted Blanc as saying: "We want Lippi to be part of our project, it doesn't matter in which role, either as a coach or a technical director.

"He must tell us what he wants. We have decided to wait ten days to have a response; in the meantime we have already programmed some interviews with other coaches."

However, the club have released an official statement saying: "Juventus wish to highlight the fact that Jean-Claude Blanc never released the statement on the club’s future coach which was reported by the Press this evening."

Marcello Lippi has also quickly insisted that there wan no truth in the reported contacts.

"I have already said that I will not start working again for a few more months," he clarified on Italian television. The latest stories are groundless, especially as if the club want me then they would need to ask me directly."

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(Soccer365.com) - According to the Daily Mirror, Everton are getting ready a bid of nearly $6 million for Sheffield Wednesday right back Frank Simek.

The U.S. international has long been an apple to the eye of Toffees boss David Moyes, who may finally be ready to pull the trigger on a deal.

Simek was recently honored as the 2006/07 Owls’ Player of the Year by Sheffield Wednesday fans.

The American Abroad is just one of several graduates of the Arsenal academy to make a name for themselves this season, along with the likes of David Bentley and Steve Sidwell.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - Fiorentina’s Luca Toni could be a Bayern Munich player as early as Wednesday, according to reports in Germany.

The Italian club announced on Monday that the prolific striker was leaving the club after making it clear he no longer wanted to play in Florence.

A 13 million euro deal has reportedly been agreed with Bayern Munich and representatives from the German club are due in Italy in midweek to complete the final details.

Toni apparently rejected moves to other Serie A clubs out of a sign of respect for Fiorentina.

"It is a beautiful gesture to the club and the city of Florence that Toni has decided to join Bayern Munich," said Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle, while also confirming the deal.

The 30-year-old scored 49 goals in two seasons for Fiorentina and is part of Bayern’s drastic rebuilding plan after they only managed to qualify for the Uefa Cup next season.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) - Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is hoping he can persuade AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta not to give up on the national team.

The 31-year-old, along with Roma captain Francesco Totti, has opted against playing for the Azzurri since last summer.

Nesta was a member of Italy's World Cup-winning squad, but was injured during the group stages and has played no further part in the national team since then.

His replacement, Marco Materazzi of Internazionale, proved a key figure in the Azzurri's success in Germany and has since become a regular starter for Italy.

"I hope that Nesta's decision is a temporary one," said Donadoni. "I try to be optimistic although it appears to be a definite decision.

"I don't interpret it as a refusal towards the national team.

"Whoever joins us must be fit, convinced and motivated. I believe that it would be pointless for the Federation to intervene on this matter.

"I have spoken to both Nesta and Totti and I have accepted their reasons.

"I look to the present and future, thinking about the players that are here and happy to be here.

"When I was a player for me the Azzurri colours was the biggest ambition of all and it really burned me when I wasn't included."

With former Fiorentina striker Luca Toni out of action with a foot injury, Totti's absence is particularly painful for the Azzurri.

Totti finished the season as Serie A's top scorer with 6 goals.

The consolation for Donadoni is that AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi is available to play in the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands on Saturday and Lithuania four days later.

Inzaghi missed the clash against Scotland two months ago through injury, but has joined the Azzurri in training at their headquarters in Coverciano, Florence, in inspired form after last week's heroics against Liverpool in the Champions League final.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Goal.com) - Reports coming out of Spain suggest that Barcelona have drawn up a shortlist of strikers they plan to target over the summer.

One of the key signings Barcelona will make this summer is that of a striker, particularly with Santi Ezquerro and Javier Saviola on the way out.

Barca are still looking to fill the void left by Henrik Larsson, with Eidur Gudjohnsen having disappointed, and the names of Roy Makaay, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan have been mentioned as the top targets by Sport.

The other reason for Barcelona's needing another top striker, of course, is that Samuel Eto'o could miss up to six weeks of actions early next year, due to his involvement in the African Nations Cup.

The problem, of course, with signing a top striker, is that the club will have to convince him that he will get regular action, and not be doomed to a spot on the bench.

In case Barcelona fail to net Henry, they do not want to take chances with unproven talent, which is what makes Makaay and Forlan top priority, both having proven themselves in La Liga.

More than anything, they want clinical finishers, strikers who can take their chances, and all three fit the bill.

Forlan is also being tracked by Valencia, while Henry is yet to make a final decision regarding his future. Roy Makaay could be the easiest to net, under the circumstances, with Bayern unlikely to pose too many problems given their imminent capture of Luca Toni.

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Posted by soccer365 at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) - Toronto FC winger Ronnie O’Brien claims international play is not a priority of his, but admits he could answer Ireland boss Steve Staunton’s call at another time.

The flank threat begged out of a recent summons to continue regaining full fitness from a knee injury.

"I know a lot of players have aspirations to play on their national teams, but they haven't called me in for a long time so I don't hold out hope for it," O’Brien told Soccernet. "I'm just happy playing club football."

"People are going to think it's strange, but it's the way I've always been."

"I'm just coming back off an injury," he asserted. "It just came at the wrong time."

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) - After working from a foreign midfield spot in their 3-0 victory over Chicago on Thursday night, New York strike phenom Josmer Altidore claims he has a new found awe for regulars inhabitants of the position.

The teenager opened less than a minute into the contest and Juan Pablo Angel added a pair of insurance goals.

"I have new respect for that position," Altidore told MLSnet of his midfield debut. "On a scale of one to 10, it's a 9.99."

"It's hard, you're running back and forth, defending, but it was nice to help out the team that way."

"I'm not used to that running back and forth, but the guys helped me out, talking to me the whole game and pushed me through," credited the youngster.

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Lionel Messi has responded vehemently to suggestions that the the Barcelona dressing room is fractured.

"I get furious when I read stories of disputes within the team," the Argentine told World Soccer magazine.

"How could we have had as much success if we were not united?

"There is great spirit within the team, which is what helps us win games."

Speaking about his own development, he said: "Football is a team sport, and I continue to learn from my team-mates.

"I am proud to play for Barcelona. They have been the only club of my professional career, as much in mind as in heart.

He also spoke about the comparisons between his now famous goal (against Getafe) and Diego Maradona's (from Mexico '86).

"Maradona was very nice with me, when he spoke about that game," he revealed. "However, he was a unique player. Nobody has managed to do what he did with the ball.

"I am thankful for his support and confidence."

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Goal.com) - Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres are at the top of Rafa Benitez's shortlist of strikers, as the Liverpool coach looks to move quickly in the transfer market.

Despite falling in the final of the Champions League on Wednesday, Liverpool are losing no time and are set to continue their prominence in European football by signing high profile players for next season, thanks to the funding of their new American owners.

The Reds are hoping to continue to excel at the highest level, much in the same way as Manchester United and Chelsea have done in the last few years.

According to reports in England, Liverpool’s main priority is Barcelona’s Samuel Etoo. However, a deal for the player will possibly be too expensive (50 million euros) and complicated for the club.

The second player on Rafa Benitez’s list is Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres. There is a high possibility that the Spanish international could move to Anfield, particularly because he has recently revealed his intentions of moving to a competitive club, and also because his price tag (30 million euros) is more reachable than that of Etoo’s.

Other players that Benitez is keeping an eye on include: Darren Bent (Charlton Athletic), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese), and Amauri (Palermo). Benitez is also contemplating the return of former Liverpool striker Michael Owen currently with Newcastle United.

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

(Soccer365.com) - Ruud van Nistelrooy is available again for selection for Holland after making peace with Oranje coach Marco van Basten.

The Real Madrid forward has had tense relations with Van Basten since last year's World Cup, but is now available for Euro 2008 qualifying although he did not feature in Friday's squad for friendlies with South Korea and Thailand.

Van Basten revealed that fences had been mended with 30-year-old Van Nistelrooy, saying: "A good phone conversation has made this possible.

"He's (Van Nistelrooy) laid the basis for a return of Van Nistelrooy to the Oranje."

Former Manchester United forward Van Nistelrooy's 22 goals in the Primera Liga for Real Madrid this season have seen him become a leading contender to be crowned Spain's "pichichi" (top scorer).

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) - CD Guadalajara forward Omar Bravo has revealed that discussions have begun over a move to German champs Stuttgart, where he would be able to suit up alongside Mexico mates Ricardo Osorio and Pavel Pardo.

"You always want to improve and, if playing in Europe is going to help me to be better in my career, I want to play there," he declared.

"I have been in touch with Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio, and they have confirmed to me that Stuttgart is interested in me."

"I have to be calm and wait," added Bravo. "But it would be very nice if there is an arrangement to play in Germany or in another European country."

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Posted by soccer365 at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Goal.com) - Real Madrid forward Robinho has revealed that Kaka told him he would love to move to Real Madrid, should Milan allow him to. He also spoke about his own future.

"I am scoring important goals and I hope to continue in the same vein until the end of the season," he said, speaking on Marca Radio.

"The year did not begin well. I was not happy.

"But in football, things can change very quickly, and with my dedication, I have shown that I have the desire to play.

"I did not say that I would leave Real Madrid at end of the season. Also, things have changed, and I am happy here. I want to see out my contract, and showcase my football."

Speaking of Kaka, he had some comments that will interest most football fans, one way or the other.

"I do not know if Kaká will sign [for Real Madrid], because he is the champion of Europe," said the Brazilian.

"What I do know is that he likes Real Madrid a lot, and speaks very well about our club.

"He has told me that he would be delighted to play here, but that it is very difficult that Milan let him leave."

"Real Madrid would win a lot with Kaká," he continued. "I am sure that if he wins the Golden Ball, he will be a deserving winner.

"He is just as good off as on the pitch. He is very religious, and very calm."

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Bob Bradley completed one of his first tasks as official US Head Coach, naming a 23-man roster for June's CONCACAF Gold Cup Competition.

Ten players will be returning from last year's World Cup team, while 14 will vying for their first Gold Cup cap.

ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (3) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
DEFENDERS (8) –Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (8) – DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
FORWARDS (4) – Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Head Coach: Bob Bradley

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Jamie Carragher's cold assessment of Liverpool's failure in Athens was brutally clear: "We were just not good enough."

Anfield's lion-hearted defender saw AC Milan grab their opener from a free-kick deflected past Jose Reina by Filippo Inzaghi's arm, before a late break through the Reds' defence by the same striker as Liverpool were pressing desperately for an equaliser.

Dirk Kuyt's late effort was not enough to haul the final into extra-time, and Carragher said: "The honest truth is that we were not good enough.

"There's no point making excuses, Milan just about deserved it. But nobody remembers the runners-up, we know we did not do enough.

"I am not going to moan about things that went against us. We did not do enough and we must pick ourselves up and have another go next season."

But the Bootle-born centre-half knows it was mighty close to Liverpool claiming their sixth European Cup.

He said: "We limited them to just one chance in the first half, but when we were creating chances in that period we had to take them. And when we didn't we were punished with that free-kick.

"In the second period maybe we got tired towards the end and that gave them the chance for their second.

"These are the little things that cost you in the end. But we will bounce back, we have shown we are a very good side in the Champions League.

"Their goal at half-time was a killer. I know some people might think it was handball, but I'm not going to start crying about that, they are a great side and deserved it on the night.

"They did not have many chances, I can only remember a couple. But they scored their chances.

"It did not happen for us, we never really created much either. We did not create a situation where we could really go at Milan and create real pressure.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso echoed his colleague's views, saying: "It had been a long road to the final and we are unhappy that we didn't achieve what we wanted. Everyone was very disappointed in the dressing room.

"It was a very tight game. And I have no doubt their first goal so near to the break was the key moment.

"The ball was deflected, Pepe Reina would have saved it otherwise, you lose a final and it is down to something as small as that.

"They were then able to defend very deep and make it hard for us to find space.

"That first goal was lucky, and it allowed Milan to sit back afterwards and hit us on the break, and that is how they scored their second."

He added: "At the moment it is no consolation that we have reached another final and finished third in the Premier League.

"But we have must look forward and make sure we improve as a side. We must get some rest and come back next season refreshed and looking to get better.

"Yes I expect the squad to be improved, but we will have to wait and see what happens. I am not thinking too much about such things for now, but I realise things will happen wit the squad.

"We will see what we will see. We will have to wait to discover where we go from here."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) Brazilian playmaker Kaka believes AC Milan were destined to make amends for their Istanbul nightmare after claiming the Champions League crown on Wednesday night.

Milan beat Liverpool 2-1 in Athens to clinch their seventh European title, with Kaka setting up Filippo Inzaghi for his second goal of the night as the Italians avenged their painful defeat at the hands of the Premiership club two years ago.

"We knew that had we played the final in Istanbul one thousand times, we would not have suffered the same result," Kaka said.

The 2005 final turned into a horror show for Milan after the Reds came back from a 3-0 half-time deficit to win on penalties in Kaka's first European final.

The Rossoneri were made to sweat again on Wednesday after Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt reduced the 2-0 deficit a minute from time, but this time the Rossoneri never doubted their ability to come out on top.

"We knew that fortune was on our side and even after they scored, we would still make it," Kaka said. "It is a unique feeling to win this competition."

The inspirational Kaka, who has been Milan's undisputed star this season, is now favourite to win the Ballon D'Or after topping the Champions League scoring charts with 10 goals.

"I have always maintained that individual awards would only come as a consequence of what I did with my team," he said. "I am privileged to be the star of this team, I can only say that we are a great team."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Only two years ago, these two sides clashed in Istanbul in one of the most memorable Champions League Finals ever. Today, we enjoy the rematch. How will it play out? Which player will rise to the challenge? Put your thoughts here.

In 2005, AC Milan surged out to a 3-0 halftime lead, but Liverpool leveled the match with a stunning three goals flurry in seven minutes in the second half. Liverpool went on to win the shootout, 3-2, and lift the most meaningful trophy in European club soccer.

Will we see another stunner? Or a 0-0 battle into extra time like the FA Cup?

Don't like making predictions? No problem, post your post game comments here as well.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (31)

(Soccer365.com) Liverpool legend John Aldridge maintains that Rafael Benitez must get all his best players on the pitch together - even if that means playing Steven Gerrard on the right - if the Reds are to clinch a sixth European Cup triumph.

Benitez is believed to be considering whether he can do without midfielder Xabi Alonso against AC Milan on Wednesday to allow him to use skipper Steven Gerrard in his favoured central midfield role.

But the former Anfield striker believes that Gerrard must play on the right against the Italians.

That view will not meet with universal support from the travelling red army descending on the Greek capital but Aldridge - a former Tranmere boss - thinks otherwise.

Aldridge, speaking at a soccer fun day organised by Vodaphone in Athens, said: "I expect Liverpool will play Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt up front, or maybe just one striker.

"And I feel Benitez will play Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in midfield.

"You need your best players on the pitch for such a final, and these three are the best. It means Stevie will have to play on the right again, he can be very dangerous there.

"I feel Rafa has to accommodate all three of those midfielders, Milan play with five across the middle so Liverpool have to match them."

He added: "Milan will be very wary, very intimidated by Gerrard. He's a big match player and he can win the game for Liverpool. He is the key.

"I expect Rafa to use him in a free role on the right, able to come inside and cause them problems. Regardless of what people say about him being better suited to the central role, he does the job on the right very well.

"He is pivotal to the way Liverpool play. I think Liverpool will go for it and the game will be much quicker than people expect.

"We must be very aware of what Milan can do, with Kaka and (Gennaro) Gattuso. We must nullify their threat and get Gerrard into the game as much as possible."

Aldridge also believes that the game could go to penalties in a repeat of the sides' meeting in the 2005 final in Istanbul - something he insists favours his former employers.

He said: "If Liverpool go one or two down, it will be nagging in the back of the Milan player's minds that we can get it back after last time. That is a big psychological point for Liverpool.

"They may want revenge after last time, but that can work against them because they will want to come forward and force the game. That will play right into Liverpool's hands.

"Liverpool have so much self belief and if it went to penalties again it will be a massive boost for them, they know they can do it.

"They did it in Istanbul, they did it against West Ham in (last season's) FA Cup final and they did it against Chelsea (in the Champions League semi-final).

"The belief that they can win shoot-outs is hugely important, and I can see this game going to penalties again.

"Liverpool have got more bottle than Milan. They need Gattuso to play well, when he goes off the pitch Milan can collapse."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Carlo Ancelotti has accused Steven Gerrard of talking trash ahead of the big Athens showdown.

Gerrard claimed AC Milan were celebrating victory at half-time in the 2005 final in Istanbul when they led Liverpool 3-0.

But Rossoneri coach Ancelotti hit back, telling The Sun: "There's only one word to describe what Gerrard says about our so-called celebrations - Bulls***!

"We lost our heads in those six minutes when we let Liverpool come back from 3-0 down. But what we actually did at half-time was to tell ourselves there were 45 minutes to go and we needed to carry on playing as we were."

Gerrard's accusations have also been denied by midfielder Rino Gattuso, who was branded "a kitten" in the Liverpool captain's autobiography.

Gattuso fumed: "If Gerrard says I am a kitten then I must be an ugly, bearded kitten.

"But I will not respond to these provocations. Gerrard's a great player and my only answer to him will be on the pitch.

"The memory of Istanbul is a motivation for all of us. Many lies were said after the game.

"The Liverpool players said we partied after 45 minutes and that hurts me. It gives me the rage and the energy to play them again. What they said just didn't happen."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Gennaro Gattuso stuck the boot in English football and says Liverpool have bought their way to glory.

World Cup winner Gattuso rubbished suggestions that the Premiership is the best league in the world, and says the only reason for its rise is money.

He'll be a key man in the AC Milan side that lines up against Liverpool in Wednesday night's Champions League final in Athens, and is confident of victory.

He told The Sun: "The key factor in the rise of English club football is they have more money than any other country in Europe.

"That means their clubs are able to attract the kind of star players who would never have considered a move to England only a few years ago.

"Premiership clubs own their own stadiums, have foreign owners and get incredible money from TV which is unequalled anywhere in the world.

"Add the fact that the commercial men at their top clubs do a really good job and I'm afraid that money will finance a long period of English domination in Europe."

It's now two years since Milan blew a 3-0 lead to lose to Liverpool in the 2005 final Istanbul, a collapse Gattuso still can't watch.

He said: "You need strength and courage to watch the 2005 final again and I refuse to see it in full.

"The European Cup was within Milan's grasp that year but at the end of the final it was Liverpool who held the trophy.

"I will never forget what happened in Istanbul. Even if I win many more trophies, I will always remember that night.

"I was battered mentally and spiritually after Istanbul.

"I even decided to ask Milan for a transfer simply so I could turn the page mentally and forget the pain of that experience.

"However, I reflected on what happened and decided Liverpool had taught me the value of psychology in football.

"When you get to this level and when you get to a massive final at the end of a long season it's not about talent any more but about attitude and fighting spirit."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Kaka says AC Milan must be aware of the threat of Peter Crouch in Athens on Wednesday.

The Brazilian superstar says beanpole Liverpool striker Crouch poses a big threat to the Rossoneri's revenge bid in the Champions League final.

Two years ago in Istanbul Kaka was simply sensational as he guided Milan to a 3-0 half-time lead against Rafa Benitez's Reds.

But the Italian giants blew that lead and then lost a penalty shootout in one of European club football's greatest ever games.

Kaka says he doesn't want a repeat in the Greek capital, and stopping Crouch will be key to that.

He told Milan Channel: "He's a dangerous player in the air, when the ball is in the area he's always an opportunist. We have to pay attention to him if he plays. Even if he doesn't play there will be other things we have to worry about."

Kaka and Milan go into Wednesday's game in confident mood following that awesome 3-0 destruction of Manchester United in the semi-final second leg in the San Siro.

He said: "Training went well today, we talked about certain things that will be important in the game. Even today, I saw that the side was in good shape. We are tranquil and relaxed: we know our own strength and what we can do."

Earlier in the season Milan were Champions League outsiders in the eyes of many experts.

But they've gradually moved into top gear, boosting belief in the camp according to Kaka.

"Bit by bit we managed to gain the confidence that we would reach another final, and that desire to win it has grown. We are in the final so we have a chance of winning it, that would be wonderful."

While Milan have always been a side packed with experienced stars, Kaka had high praise for the man at the helm - coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"Carlo is special, he knows how to manage the group, manage people, this is all very important in football. Milan is full of stars, many great players and they need a coach as good as this."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Steven Gerrard has challenged motor-mouth AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to 'stop me if you can'.

The Liverpool skipper has found himself, and his colleagues, the subject of almost constant goading from the Italian club - much of it coming from the combative Gattuso.

Gerrard has tried his best to rise above it all, even if he accepts that perhaps he started much of the antagonism by being critical of Gattuso in his recent autobiography, suggesting he was as frightening as a kitten.

But now, as Gerrard awaits Wednesday's Champions League final clash with the Italians, he insisted: "I am not going into this game worried about Gattuso.

"I am worried about AC Milan generally and I am worried about myself. My main focus is to get myself right. But if I can do that, we will see if Gattuso can stop me.

"If my form is right and I feel good I am confident I can overcome anything Milan put in my way.

"We take no notice of the mind games. This final is not about that, it is about two fantastic teams and I am sure the best one on the night will win it.

"It is part and parcel of football that there will be a lot of stuff said around the game. The players have learned to cope with that.

"It is all about making sure you do your job as an individual and do the things the manager has asked you to do.

"I am sure the winners of the competition will be the team who deals with the pressure the best on the night."

He added: "I'm told Milan think Manchester United are better than Liverpool, and they are entitled to their opinion. We are not really interested in what is coming out of their camp.

"What is important to us is that we prepare right and the Liverpool team who have done so well in Europe this season is the one that turns up here on the night.

"If that good team turns up, Milan are in for a really difficult game and we are confident we can lift that cup."

Gerrard, who will be 27 on Friday, wants another winners' medal as a birthday present.

He said: "I have watched AC Milan a lot this season, they are different from 2005. The team is quite different, similar to ours and our changes.

"They showed against Manchester United they are a fantastic team who deserve a lot of respect. We will give them that but we don't fear them. We are a good team ourselves and we are confident we can do the job.

"I don't think either team has an advantage. You have two fantastic teams who have done really well in the competition. It is a one-off game and anything can happen, but the first goal is very important.

"I don't think it will be a similar game to 2005. I think it will be a lot more cautious. The defences will be a lot tighter this time round.

"And despite all the comments I have heard, it is not about me as an individual, it is about the team.

"We have shown that we have improved a lot over the last two years. It is a magnificent achievement to get to two finals in three years, and now we aim to win it again."

But Gerrard could not avoid one dig at the Italians, who stunned Liverpool when several players touched the trophy as they marched out for the 2005 final in Istanbul.

Gerrard said: "That is considered very bad luck, we were surprised they did it.

"I can assure you I won't let any of our lads touch the cup. You only touch it when you've won it."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Chelsea spoiled Manchester United's chance at a 2007 double by winning the FA Cup Final in extra time on Saturday.

Didier Drogba, the Premiership's top scorer this year, notched another goal; this one with a penalty shootout looming in the 115th minute. Chelsea's 1-0 victory was their second Cup trophy of the year. Manchester United will have to settle for a single trophy after an outstanding Premiership season.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

(Soccer365.com) - Soccer legend Pelé has conceded that the impending arrival of David Beckham in Los Angeles is reminding him of the days when he led a star line of