(Soccer365.com) Manchester United have sold young striker Giuseppe Rossi to Spanish side Villarreal.

Rossi's future had been the subject of intense debate for most of the summer after an impressive loan spell at Parma at the end of last season.

The deal is subject to a medical but is expected to be completed before the end of the week, allowing Rossi to effectively replace another former United player, Diego Forlan, who enjoyed three productive seasons at Villarreal before leaving for Atletico Madrid last month.

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Alan Smith is reported to be in talks with Sam Allardyce today about a £6m move to Newcastle.

The Manchester United footballer is said to have rejected the chance to join Middlesbrough, while Sunderland, Everton and West Ham have all been linked with a move.

But the Manchester Evening News claims that Smith will plump for Newcastle, despite the fact that he will have to fight Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Albert Luque and Andy Carroll for a place in the team.

It certainly seems like a curious move for Newcastle, who desperately need reinforcements at the other end of the pitch but seem to have an embarrassment of riches up front.

That problem could at least be part-solved by the news that Martins is said to be available for transfer, with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp his likeliest suitor.

Newcastle do apparently want Senegal defender Boukary Dramé (though reports suggest he will join Sochaux instead) for the problem left-back spot but still need at least one more central defender.

Kieron Dyer will leave Newcastle, with his departure hastened by the abuse he suffered from Toon fans after the weekend's friendly victory over Juventus.

West Ham are is most likely destination, although Tottenham and Manchester City are also said to be interested - though his £80,000-a-week wages would point to Upton Park.

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Barcelona midfielder Deco has admitted he would be tempted by a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

The Portuguese playmaker was the creative lynchpin of Mourinho's all-conquering Porto side before moving to the Nou Camp, where after a scintillating start to career in Spain he appears to have fallen out of favour.

Summer speculation has linked the 29-year-old with a move away from Catalonia, and Deco has revealed that a move to Stamford Bridge would be tempting, telling The Sun: "The idea of working with Jose again appeals to me."

He added: "He was a huge influence on my career and he did so much for me. I've worked with him before and it would be good to work with him again.

"The Premier League is definitely on a par with La Liga -- and playing there absolutely appeals to me. The English league is a possibility and it would definitely be somewhere I'd like to play.

"There's no doubt that you can compare Manchester United and Chelsea to Barcelona. They are both huge clubs and playing for clubs like that would always be an attractive proposition."

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

The power of sport was on display for at least one day in Iraq, as the war-torn nation celebrated an Asian Cup title.

(Soccer365.com) A 71st minute header from Younes Mahmoud earned Iraq a historic 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia and their first-ever AFC Asian Cup title at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

The 24-year-old striker converted Hawar Mulla Mohammed's corner to give the war-torn nation the trophy and end Saudi Arabia's hopes of a record-breaking fourth continental title.

The win is the pinnacle of a fairytale run to the title by the Iraqis, who were forced to prepare for the tournament outside their homeland as a result of the continuing security situation.

Iraq made the first foray towards goal in the sixth minute when Qusay Munir managed to fire a shot that was just wide of Yasser Al Mosailem's right post.

Two minutes later Mahmoud's overhead kick angled across the face of the Saudi goal, while Karrar Jassim's close control saw him beat two defenders before firing a shot that Al Mosailem had to steer around a post.

Despite going into the final as the less fancied of the two teams, the Iraqis always looked the more likely to score and Jorvan Vieira's team tried their luck again three minutes before the break when Jassim sent his effort wide from long range.

Yasser Al Qahtani threatened for the Saudis prior to the interval when he beat the Iraqi defence, only to see his shot deflected wide for a corner.

But that was a rare foray forward by a Saudi side pinned back in their own half for much of the first 45 minutes, and it was a similar story in the second half.

Nashat Akram's shot on the turn was blocked by defender Walid Abdrabh in the 57th minute, while five minutes later, Al Mosailem was forced into a double save to keep the scores level as Iraq hit on the break.

Mahmoud's effort was the first to be kept out by the Al Ahli goalkeeper when he parried away from goal only for the ball to fall at the feet of Akram, but his attempt was also blocked by Al Mosailem.

That came just seconds after Noor Sabri had dived at full stretch to his right to deny Taiseer Al Jassam from distance at the other end.

The Iraqi dominance continued, however, as Mohammed's inviting cross was headed narrowly wide by Mahmoud in the 66th minute.

But five minutes later the Al Gharafa striker made no mistake.

Mohammed sent over a corner from the Iraqi right, Al Mosailem miss-read the flight of the ball and Mahmoud appeared at the far post to head home.

With 13 minutes to go Iraq could have made the game safe when Akram released Mahmoud, only for Al Mosailem to redeem himself by saving with his feet.

But it proved to be insignificant as the tournament underdogs held on for victory and recorded a truly remarkable triumph against all the odds.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 06:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Real Salt Lake have revealed that Benfica has agreed a fee for Freddy Adu. The U.S. Under-20 star will fly to Lisbon on Sunday to complete the transfer by signing a five-year contract with the Portuguese giants.

"Major League Soccer and Real Salt Lake have given permission to Freddy Adu to travel to Europe to continue discussions with Portuguese club Benfica," read a statement from RSL coach Jason Kreis. "We would like to thank Freddy for his time here and wish him the best of luck.

"Our organization will continue to focus and concentrate on the second half of the MLS season, with our recent success against Everton and Boca Juniors serving as a springboard towards a fresh start."

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(Soccer365.com) The U.S. Women’s National Team got a powerful header from Shannon Boxx in the first half, and second half strikes from Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach to record a rousing 4-1 win over a feisty Japanese Women’s National Team on a gorgeous night at Spartan Stadium.

A crowd of more than 11,000 saw the USA improve its record to 11-0-2 in 2007 with just two games left in the team’s Send-Off Series before leaving for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. This year the USA is 9-0-2 against teams that will be playing in the Women’s World Cup.

“I was really happy with the performance,” said U.S. head coach Greg Ryan. “I thought we defended really well. Japan is very quick, skillful and creative, and broke us down in the second half, but overall I thought we defended very well. I was really happy with how aggressive we were in attacking and really going after them.”

The USA has now won three consecutive games against the Japanese after tying the three previous matches. The four goals were the most the U.S. team has scored against Japan in the last seven matches between the two countries dating back to 2000.

The tight dimensions of the Spartan Stadium field certainly impacted play, making for a very crowded midfield, but the Americans dealt well with the conditions, using the flanks despite the 68-yard width as outside backs Christie Rampone and Stephanie Lopez consistently got forward into the attack.

Lopez set up the first U.S. goal and Rampone the second. The USA got on the board through a corner kick in the 17th minute as Lopez swung a whistling cross in from the left side. Boxx lost her mark for a moment, and on the dead run but without leaving her feet, sent a bullet header into the right side of the net from just inside the six-yard box.

It was Boxx’s 15th career international goal, but first she returned from major surgery after suffering a knee injury in the middle of 2006. Boxx was forced to leave the game with five minutes left after cracking heads with a Japanese player and needed four stitches to close a gash above her right eye, but she was fine after the match.

Rampone’s cross from the right wing led to the second goal as the ball glanced off the head of Lindsay Tarpley, which wasn’t enough to send the shot on goal, but just enough to throw off recovering Japanese defender Yukari Kinga, who ran through the ball and inadvertently knocked it into her own net with her shin from a few yards out.

Japan put together a flurry in the middle of the first half, which produced several corner kicks and a well struck shot in the right side of the penalty area from Shinobu Ohno, but U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo easily gobbled it up at the near post.

The U.S. team created chances all night, putting nine of its 16 total shots on goal, and had several near misses. While the USA controlled most of the first half, the second saw the world’s top-ranked team quicken the pace and rhythm as they attacked the Japanese goal relentlessly, peppering goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto with numerous shots and crosses.

The U.S. got its third goal in the 55th minute after Leslie Osborne crossed from the right flank to Lori Chalupny, who was stationed in the middle of the penalty area. Chalupny brought the ball down beautifully with her back to goal, held off a defender and slipped a short pass to Lilly

The U.S. captain bent her first-time left-footed shot into the left side netting from nine yards out, giving Fukumoto no chance. It was Lilly’s 124th career goal and seventh of 2007.

“Each game we feel better,” said Lilly. “Obviously, there are moments we want to change and we don’t want to let in a goal like that. We get little lulls – 15 or 20 minutes – in a game that we want to clean up and end up keeping the ball, but for the most part if we’re scoring four goals, that’s good for us. That means we’re putting more numbers up there and it makes it harder for teams to come back. I thought overall this team did great tonight, all our subs stepping on the field tonight and making a difference, it was really awesome tonight for us.”

The USA went on to threaten with a point blank header off corner kick by Wambach that was cleared by defender, a wide open header that Lilly put over the top, a sneaky shot by Lilly that almost skipped into the near post if not for a Fukumoto smother and a shot from Cat Whitehill that was stuffed by the Japanese ‘keeper almost right on the goal line after the U.S. defender had ran onto lopping ball over the defense.

The final U.S. goal came in the 74th minute after Kinga, on a night she may like to forget, handled the ball in the penalty box after substitute Carli Lloyd had tried to flick the ball over hear head. Wambach sent Fukumoto the wrong way and blasted her shot into the left side of the net for her 75th career goal, tying Cindy Parlow for fifth on the all-time scoring list. Parlow scored 75 goals in 158 career games. Wambach’s 75th came in her 94th career match.

In the 74th minute, Japan came close to pulling one back when Nayuha Toyada dribbled down the left flank and then cut back towards the penalty area. With time, the defender teed up and ripped a shot that got past the outstretched hands of Solo only to find the top of the crossbar and skip out of bounds.

Japan finally found net five minutes later, ending the USA’s shutout streak at 398 minutes over the past four games. The goal was created by a series of nice one-touch passes, but a U.S. tackle pushed the ball right into the path of Yuki Nagasato and she hammered it past Solo from 12 yards out.

“I think a lot of Asian teams are very similar,” said Lilly in reference to how this match can help in the USA’s Women’s World Cup opener against North Korea. “They’re technical ability is probably the best in the world. They are very technical on the ball and they’re very quick. You saw their goal, it was three passes and boom. I believe that’s what North Korea is going to be like. We haven’t seen them in quite a while, but Japan is like that, China is like that, so that’s the kind of Asian technique that they have and it was good for us to see that. We played China, Brazil, Norway and Japan, all different looks and it gives us an opportunity for these players that haven’t had World Cup experience to experience World Cup teams beforehand and know what we’ll be up against this September.”

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Chelsea winger Arjen Robben will complete a £20 million move to Real Madrid in the next week, according to reports in Spain.

Madrid-based daily Marca reports that Real expect to agree a fee of around 30 million Euros in the next few days, and the Dutchman could be presented as a Madrid player on Wednesday or Thursday.

Robben has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Real, and all that remains is for the two clubs to agree a fee.

Marca claims that this agreement is close, with only 'small details' holding the deal up.

Robben has missed much of Chelsea's pre-season schedule, which has fuelled speculation over a move, but the club maintain that he has been injured.

The paper also claims that fellow Dutch left-winger Royston Drenthe will join Real along with Robben.

Drenthe, who currently plays for Feyenoord in Holland, is also a reported Chelsea target, so a double swoop by the Spanish champions would be a major blow to Jose Mourinho's side.

New Madrid boss Bernd Schuster has identified the left flank as the one area of his team that he is not satisfied with, and move for Robben and Drenthe - who can also play at left-back - would certainly rectify that.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Monday, August 6 promises to be D-day in the Manchester United career of Gabriel Heinze.

The Argentina defender has taken the extraordinary step of seeking legal advice to see whether he has grounds for pursuing a complaint against his club over their refusal to sell him to Liverpool.

Heinze's action is staggering and will almost certainly signal the death knell on his time at Old Trafford.

Yet Sir Alex Ferguson has made it perfectly clear not only does he believe United have right on their side, he expects Heinze to honour his contract and turn up for training as planned.

"He is due back in training on August 6, which gives him three clear weeks' rest after the Copa America. And we expect him back," said the United boss.

The deadline effectively gives Heinze's lawyers a week to find out if the former Paris St Germain defender has a case, which revolves around whether a letter, signed by chief executive David Gill, confirming the figure United would be prepared to sell Heinze for, overrides the player's contract, which still has two years to run.

Gill claims he informed Heinze's agent verbally, prior to Liverpool revealing their interest, that United would not be prepared to sell him to any of their three major domestic rivals - a discussion which is thought was recorded and could, therefore, in theory, be used as part of any defence the Red Devils may wish to put forward in court.

Heinze has been the subject of interest from overseas, with Real Madrid and Inter Milan among the clubs to express an interest.

But the huge Spanish-speaking influence at Liverpool, plus an opportunity to remain in the north-west, appears to have an irresistible lure for the player.

And, after pinning much of the blame for the present situation on Heinze's agents, Ferguson must now accept the defender is also a prime mover.

"We are aware Gaby is taking legal advice," confirmed the United boss.

"That is good. I hope it is good advice because we are confident of our position."

At least Ferguson had other, more positive thoughts to occupy his mind as United headed back to England after a successful two-week trip to the Far East.

His £17million summer purchase from Sporting Lisbon, Nani, must be a source of considerable satisfaction.

The brilliant chip he produced in the 3-0 win over Shangzhou Pharmaceuticals was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

Having heeded Ferguson's advice to cut out the elaborate back-flip goal celebrations, Nani is clearly a quick learner.

And provided he soaks up a few lessons over the next fortnight, the 19-year-old could be an influential figure in United's pursuit of glory this term.

"We are trying to give him the football, mixed with a training programme that gets him up to our level," said Ferguson.

"He is nowhere near that at the moment. But there are good signs. Some of his skill and speed at times is quite impressive.

"Scoring two goals in two games is a good start but I do think you will see a different player in two weeks' time."

Wayne Rooney and Lee Martin were also on target but there was no goal on home soil for Dong Fangzhou, while Alan Smith did not make much impression either.

With United remaining confident Carlos Tevez will arrive before the August 31 transfer deadline, it is difficult to see Smith hanging around much longer as he falls further down the pecking order, and it appears just a question of time before he moves on.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Sir Alex Ferguson admits he already considers Carlos Tevez to be a Manchester United player.

The Premier League champions are waiting to conclude a deal to sign the Argentine striker from West Ham United.

Fifa has recommended the Court of Arbitration for Sport rule on the matter, while Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has issued a High Court writ against The Hammers.

Ferguson concedes there is no 'going back' for his club and expects Tevez to finish up at Old Trafford.

"We've done all the work, (United lawyer) Maurice Watkins has been working overtime on it for the last two months now," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

"We've gone so far it's pointless thinking of going back now, we're where we want to be.

"We feel he's our player, and we hope that's the case and it's going to be proven in the next few days."

The United manager also revealed that he has been encouraged by the fact that Joorabchian has taken the matter to the High Court.

He added: "I feel more confident about getting him now because the agent is confident enough to take it to the High Court.

"You can be embarrassed there if it is not right and lose everything. He must be very confident regarding the situation with West Ham.

"I would imagine it will be done before the deadline, and we will wait for him anyway if we have to.

"Last summer we didn't go for him because we weren't sure of the arrangement."

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(Soccer365.com) Martin Petrov has admitted the reason he joined Manchester City was because of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's reputation as a top coach.

The Bulgaria winger, 28, sealed a three-year deal at Eastlands following a £4.7million move from Atletico Madrid.

City won the race to secure his signature ahead of a number of European clubs.

He looked set at one stage to link up with international team-mate Dimitar Berbatov at Tottenham.

Petrov gave his reasons for his choice after being unveiled at a press conference at the club's Carrington training ground.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world and the best competition," he said.

"But the main reason I have joined Manchester City is because of the manager. That's why I have made this decision."

City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh added on the club website: "Unsurprisingly given the calibre of the player, there were a significant number of clubs competing for Martin's signature.

"Having Sven-Goran Eriksson as our manager proved to be a major factor in the player's decision to move here."

Petrov is a regular for Bulgaria, with more than 60 caps to his name, and was allowed to leave the Vicente Calderon as Atletico line up Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa.

He is Eriksson's fourth signing since he took charge and follows £8.8million striker Rolando Bianchi, Gelson Fernandes and Geovanni to the club.

Former Barcelona and Benfica midfielder Geovanni was also presented to the media alongside Petrov and Eriksson said: "I am sure a lot of clubs wanted both players.

"But the board here have backed me and they will do very well for us.

"Both of them bring a lot of experience to the squad as between them they have played a lot of international matches. They are also very good technically.

"It is important we do not just buy players who are 19, 20 and 21. You need to balance it up."

Petrov has been compared to Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov but Eriksson said: "I think we should only look at what Martin does himself.

"He will have a lot of chances to show the supporters what he can do. I am quite confident he will do well."

With Eriksson acting as his interpreter, Geovanni said: "I am impressed by the facilities here and hopefully the team can have a good season."

The Brazilian, who returned home to play for Cruzeiro last season, is set to make his debut for the club on Saturday against Charleroi in Belgium.

City struggled for goals in the last campaign and that is one area the former England coach has been quick to address. He wants to improve the line of supply to the strikers.

Eriksson said: "We are working every day on the training pitch and want to play good football.

"Wingers are also important in my mind. You need players who can dribble and cross.

"It is nothing new. You want balls to come into the area."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Arjen Robben's proposed move to Real Madrid took a further twist when Chelsea revealed the Dutch winger was omitted from the squad which drew 1-1 with Feyenoord because of a knee injury.

Just hours after Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claimed the deal hinged on the London club's willingness to do business, Robben was left at home by the Blues as Frank Lampard's leveller enabled Chelsea to keep their unbeaten pre-season record intact.

The Barclays Premier League club, winners of the FA and Carling Cups last season, have shrugged off all previous attempts by Madrid to land the Holland international.

Now any proposed deal could be scuppered by the fitness of the 23-year-old winger.

Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke confirmed: "He's got a small problem with his knee. He stayed behind for treatment. It's not major - we've decided to rest him for a week to 10 days, and he'll be fine after that. He's still a Chelsea player."

Madrid have been closely linked with Robben throughout the summer but have failed to persuade Chelsea to part with the player - even after the Londoners added Lyon winger Florent Malouda to their squad.

Madrid now want to strengthen their own squad still further and have again identified Robben as their key acquisition.

Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich recently insisted Robben would not be sold at any price, but negotiations over a new long-term deal with the player appear to have broken down.

The 23-year-old was in the process of negotiating a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but there are increasingly ominous signs that it is now only a matter of time before Madrid finally get their man.

Calderon said: "We are advancing in the negotiations. Those responsible are doing it very well, and I hope that it comes to fruition. But until the agreement is closed, we cannot say anything.

"It has to be the selling club who first decides - and once that has happened, I don't suppose there will be any problems resolving the player's contract."

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho wants Robben to stay and sign a new deal. But the Dutchman, whose personal affairs are conducted by his father Hans, will move on if the Blues decide it would be better to cut their losses.

Robben has two years remaining on his current deal with Chelsea, but their reluctance to increase his wages on a par with the likes of other stars at Stamford Bridge has frustrated him.

Chelsea remained unbeaten following their successful American tour, thanks to a late equaliser against Feyenoord and a penalty save from substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

The Dutch side took the lead just before half-time with a header from defender Kevin Hofland - and after Lampard's leveller, Cudicini capped a fine second-half performance with a penalty save from Roy Makaay.

Clarke added: "Carlo made a couple of good saves. I think that was a bit of justice. It's always good when your goalkeepers are showing good form at this stage of the season."

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(Soccer365.com) Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg says he could one day follow former teammate Juan Pablo Angel to MLS.

The Sweden captain, a good friend of Maple Leafs star Mats Sundin, has already discussed the basics with Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston.

"Yes, I have talked about the possibility of playing in North America," Mellberg told the Toronto Sun.

"I mean, since Beckham signed, lots of players have talked about the MLS as being a place to play."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Ronaldinho admits he would like to have Frank Lampard as a Barcelona team-mate, but boss Frank Rijkaard does not expect it to happen.

The Chelsea midfielder has been often linked with the Catalans but has two years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and Rijkaard stressed Barcelona are not planning to move for the 29-year-old.

Ronaldinho, in Scotland for friendlies against Dundee United and Hearts, nevertheless believes Lampard is of the standard required at the Catalan club.

He said: "He's a great player and he has shown that at Chelsea.

"Obviously I would like to have him at Barcelona, the same way that I would like any great player there."

Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard agreed with Ronaldinho's assessment of Lampard but denied targeting the England international.

He said: "I won't go into it personally, but what Ronaldinho says makes sense and everybody would say that.

"But it is just a remark being made about a good player like Frank Lampard.

"I don't want to enter into details because we will have it all over the papers that we are working on Frank Lampard and that is not true.

"We are working right now with the players that we have and we have to respect other players and the teams that they are playing for at the moment.

"It is not my way to talk about other players but we all know that he is a great player."

Ronaldinho, who admitted he was flattered by reports that AC Milan are ready to buy out his contract for 125 million euros (£84million), claimed he made the correct decision to join Barcelona from Paris St Germain in 2003 when Manchester United were interested.

He said: "Before I moved to Barcelona I had the chance to go to Manchester United but I made a good decision and I am happy to be here."

However, the 27-year-old Brazilian looked nonplussed at the suggestion he had been offered the chance to join St Mirren after he left Brazilian side Gremio in 2001.

He said: "It was a long time ago and I can't exactly remember what was happening then but there were a lot of clubs interested in taking me on loan."

Ronaldinho, who has been entertaining the crowds who have turned up to watch him and his Barcelona team-mates train at St Andrews this week, insists he had no regrets about missing out on Brazil's recent Copa America triumph when they beat rivals Argentina in the final.

Ahead of Thursday's match against Dundee United, he said: "I'm happy that my country was playing in such a good competition.

"But I asked for time off to get ready for this season.

"I was tired but I'm really looking forward to the season starting again."

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Peter Crouch believes the plethora of striking options available to manager Rafael Benitez will hold the key to Liverpool's bid for the Premier League title this season.

The manager has invested heavily over the summer to re-enforce the Reds' attacking corps, bringing in Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin while recouping some of the outlay by offloading Craig Bellamy to West Ham and Djibril Cisse to Marseille, while Kop legend Robbie Fowler joined Cardiff.

While the signing of Spain star Torres may have proved the most eye-catching, Voronin has impressed during Liverpool's pre-season campaign and with Crouch and Kuyt, who scored 18 and 14 goals respectively last term, plus Holland international Babel also vying for a starting berth, Liverpool will boast one of the most potent attacking forces in the Premier League for the coming campaign.

And despite the fact competition for places at Anfield will now be fiercer than ever, Crouch insisted the situation will benefit the club and fit Benitez's policy of selecting his team according to the opposition.

"What is good is that I think that any of the strikers can play with each other," he said.

"There's no direct competition between any of us, we can play together.

"I think it will be crucial how the strikers combine but we've certainly got a mixture of pace and aerial ability with the new players and that is obviously good for the club."

Liverpool's title challenge has been hampered the last two seasons by slow starts as rivals Chelsea and Manchester United have fired on all cylinders from the opening whistle.

And with new players to be integrated into the squad, there are fears the Reds could once again be lagging behind their rivals come October.

But Crouch believes the new names have settled in well during a so far unbeaten pre-season.

"The new signings seemed to have gelled well," he added.

"They came early in the pre-season so they have had the same time as the rest of us to settle in, which has been good.

"We need to start the Premier League well. The other teams have been so consistent we need everybody to gel together and we need to start well so it's important."

The latest victory was a 3-1 win over resilient Hong Kong side South China to claim a place in the Barclays Asia Trophy against fellow Premier League club Portsmouth and proved a useful test according to the 26-year-old.

"It was hot, it was good a workout. I played an hour and a few of us played 90 minutes so that was good and kept our pre-season winning streak going," Crouch said.

Torres and Babel did not feature against South China as both are yet to receive international clearance to play.

With Steven Gerrard also sidelined with a slight abdominal strain, Benitez was forced to play Sami Hyypia in midfield for the final part of the game.

However, the Spaniard is hopeful his new acquisitions can face Pompey on Friday.

"There was a problem with the international clearance," confirmed Benitez.

"I do not know exactly what the problem is but hopefully we can find a solution so they can play on Friday."

Midfielder Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, believes Liverpool now have the strength in depth to challenge both United and Chelsea.

"I don't like to compare to previous seasons but I think at the moment we have a strong squad and hopefully we can win trophies this season," he said.

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan playmaker Kaka has ended speculation over his future by declaring the "door is closed" on a move to Real Madrid, even though he has admitted to meeting with the Spanish champions.

The Brazil ace has reportedly been the target of a world-record bid from Madrid, but insists he sees his future with the Champions League winners.

"I have never asked to leave, terminate my contract or have any get-out clauses at Milan," he said.

"I see myself being a symbol of a great squad and I hope that this can be Milan."

The 25-year-old was instrumental in Milan's road to Athens glory last season and the fans - several thousand of whom arrived to greet him at the start of pre-season training on Monday - can look forward to seeing more of his magic in years to come.

He said: "They [the fans] don't have to worry. I have a contract until 2011 and the door to Real Madrid is closed.

"Only Milan can reopen it if they decide to sell me."

And Real would already be at an advanced stage with the player if the Milanese club did decide to take an offer seriously.

"Just like Milan look to strengthen by searching out other players, Real did so by searching me," admitted the South American.

"There was a meeting with Real Madrid, but the first to know about it was Milan.

"Real Madrid are a huge club but, as even Pele said, money is not everything. I have learned from friends who left Milan and are suffering away from this club."

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(Soccer365.com) According to the Chicago Tribune, the Fire are closing in on the capture of Costa Rica strike star Paulo Wanchope.

"We are in the final discussions to bring a striker in," claimed Chicago GM Steve Guppy, without naming anyone specifically.

The 30-year old former Manchester City and West Ham ace was most recently under contract with FC Tokyo.

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(Soccer365.com) After a couple years of struggle, Everton netminder Tim Howard says he is finally happy with the course his career is taking.

The U.S. star put on a swell Premiership show after coming over from Manchester United last season, then backstopped the ‘Nats to a Gold Cup crown.

"(My career) kind of where I had envisioned it," Howard admitted to the Salt Lake Tribune. "At the moment, I'm just happy about that."

"It's something that I've been working towards . . . as a goal and it's kind of just been going the right way."

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(Soccer365.com) Silvio Berlusconi fears the European champions have been priced out of a move to take Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro.

Berlusconi is keen to re-sign the Ukrainian, just 14 months after selling him to Chelsea for £30million.

But he does not believe the Rossoneri have the financial clout to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.

He told AC Milan's official television station: "I'm very tied to Sheva and I have always expressed my approval for his possible return.

"However, right now we don't feel able to make any offer which can please Chelsea.

"There are insurmountable obstacles tied to the player's value."

Berlusconi also reiterated that Brazil playmaker Kaka would not be leaving Milan despite being linked with Real Madrid.

"Kaka is really a stupid story," he added. "The player has never wanted to leave.

"What has been reported by the newspapers is not reality, it was all created to sell more newspapers.

"Kaka is a symbolic player for Milan and we hope that he can finish his career here."

One player who might be linking up with Milan in the near future is Kaka's compatriot Alexandre Pato, who plays for Internacional.

Berlusconi said: "He's a player we are following and we consider him of great value.

"Even though he is only 17 years old, we believe that we can invest in the player, like we did for example for (Yoann) Gourcuff who in France is considered the only real heir to Zidane."

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(Soccer365.com) Liverpool set up a Barclays Asia Trophy final clash with Portsmouth after seeing off a spirited South China outfit 3-1.

A side with skipper Steven Gerrard and summer signings Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were given a testing examination as goals from John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger finally saw off the hosts at Hong Kong Stadium.

Riise opened the scoring after nine minutes with a trademark blistering free-kick from the edge of the area that left keeper Zhang Chunhui with little chance as it arrowed its way into the top corner.

The home side fell further behind after 26 minutes when Alonso's cute through ball split the South China defence and Andriy Voronin was bundled over in the box. Alonso slotted home the spot kick low to Zhang's left.

However, South China halved the deficit just after the half hour mark when, after Mohammed Sissoko had been penalised for a foul near the right touchline, skipper Li Haiqiang curled a brilliant effort into the top corner of Scott Carson's net from 30 yards.

Agger rounded off a beautifully worked goal after 72 minutes, though, after Riise's cross picked out Dirk Kuyt and he teed up the Dane to drive the ball home from inside the box.

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(Soccer365.com) West Ham have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.

The Sweden international, 30, had been the Gunners' longest serving player after costing Arsene Wenger's side £3million in 1998 from Halmstads.

Ljungberg said he left Arsenal because he felt like "it was the end" for the club as he knew it following Thierry Henry's move to Barcelona, saying: "Two years ago when I signed my last contract we talked a lot about the future and about bringing great players to the club. But when Henry left this summer it felt like the end for me unfortunately."

He added: "Despite building the new stadium we wanted to stay top in England and do well in Europe. For me that didn't really happen.

"I felt like all the unbeaten players (from Arsenal's 'invincibles' of 2003/04) had left.

"I stayed because I wanted to stay loyal to Arsenal. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it was the right time."

The midfielder played 325 times for Arsenal, scoring 72 goals, but lost his grip on a starting spot last season.

He now joins Julien Faubert, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Richard Wright in moving to Upton Park since the Hammers' dramatic last-day survival last season.

But Ljungberg also insisted there were positive reasons behind his decision and insisted he shared owner Eggert Magnusson's vision.

"I'm coming here because I want to build a great team. And why I want to join is because of Magnusson. He wants to bring them forward to be top of the country. He's willing to go to the transfer market to buy top players and mix them with youth players. West Ham have a great academy."

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(Soccer365.com) Parma are playing a waiting game in their bid to lure Giuseppe Rossi back to the club from Manchester United.

Rossi had a successful second half of last season with Parma while on loan from United, and now the Italians are hoping to bring him back to the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

"We had a meeting at Folgaria with Rossi's agents," said Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi.

"We discussed the situation but we know we must wait for Manchester United to return from their tour of Asia before we know a little more about Giuseppe's future."

The 20-year-old, who was born in New Jersey, scored nine goals in 16 Serie A matches for Parma last season to lead them out of the relegation zone and to safety.

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(Soccer365.com) Fast Chicago favorite Cuauhtémoc Blanco insisted he felt no great pressure in starting his Fire tenure with a special goal to tie friendly foe Celtic on Sunday.

The Mexico star dribbled past two flummoxed defenders before rounding the keeper to put his side ahead at the half hour.

"I wasn't nervous," Blanco assured reporters. "If I was a nervous person, I wouldn't have played in World Cups."

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(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista is being lined up for a £6million move to Newcastle, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The Brazilian spent last season at Arsenal on loan and Real sources have apparently claimed that the Magpies have now made their interest known.

Baptista is flattered by the interest from "a big club" but is waiting to hear if he has a future with the Spanish champions before deciding on any move.

He said: "I believe I showed at Arsenal last season that I can play in England, score goals and make goals.

"Newcastle is a big club but before I consider a move I need to know about my future with Real. I want the chance in pre-season to show our new coach Bernd Schuster I should be part of his plans.

"If things don't work out here I will have to look at other options in Spain and England."

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(Soccer365.com) David Beckham came off the bench for the final 13 minutes but his Los Angeles Galaxy debut was a losing one as Chelsea's pre-season campaign continued with a 1-0 win at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Beckham brought the sell-out crowd of 27,000 to its feet as he slotted into central midfield but his contribution was limited to a handful of touches as Chelsea dominated possession to hold on to a lead they had held since the 49th minute when John Terry fired home from the edge of the area.

And there was a scare in stoppage time as Steve Sidwell brought Beckham down with a challenge that left the England star grimacing. Beckham, 32, has been struggling with ankle ligament damage he sustained on June 6 while playing for England against Estonia and aggravated the injury as Real Madrid beat Real Mallorca to win the Spanish La Liga title on June 17.

He had not taken a full part in training with his new team the Galaxy since arriving in Los Angeles nine days ago and has been receiving treatment from club physios all week, including deep tissue massage.

Beckham did not join his team-mates for the pre-match warm-up waiting to make his appearance with a solo walk around the perimeter of the pitch just before kick-off.

He took his seat at the end of the Galaxy bench to see his team-mates start with much more purpose than they had done in midweek when he watched them lose 3-0 to Mexican side Tigres from an executive box.

Coach Frank Yallop made just two changes to the team beaten so comprehensively by Tigres on Tuesday night, bringing in veteran midfielder Cobi Jones in Alan Gordon as a second striker alongside Carlos Pavon at the expense of midfielders Chris Klein, sent off against the Mexicans, and Peter Vagenas.

Yet for all their purpose and possession, the first chance fell to Chelsea and Florent Malouda in the 11th minute who met Paolo Ferreira's cross from the right with a side-footed volley that forced a save from Joe Cannon.

At the other end Peter Cech was brought into the action two minutes later when he cleared his lines from a Martino cross straight into the path of Cobi Jones whose shot he pushed wide at full stretch.

Cech was in command again on the quarter hour as he picked a Landon Donovan free-kick off the head of Gordon. Galaxy were warming to their task as Jones crossed from the right to the back post where Kyle Martino sent a diving header just past the post.

It was then that Chelsea took over, with Floren Malouda again looking sharp down the left, teeing up Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips for shots that both missed the target. Carvalho and Drogba followed suit as Chelsea failed to make the breakthrough.

Abel Xavier nearly put the Galaxy in front against the run of play when Donovan sent in a free-kick from the left in the 39th minute. The former Portugal defender's header from the penalty spot was on target, forcing Cech to tip over the bar to keep the game scoreless at half-time.

Jose Mourinho made only three changes at half-time, bringing on Joe Cole, Andriy Shevchenko and Carlo Cudicini, but he switched both Essien and Malouda into full-back roles.

Terry made the breakthrough four minutes after the restart, after Frank Lampard's corner ricocheted around the box before falling to the Chelsea and England captain, who drove through the crowded area and into the net. Kalou nearly doubled the lead a minute later but sent a free header straight at Cannon. And when Drogba found the net to finish off a slick move involving Kalou and Shevchenko, referee Brian Hall ruled it out for offside.

From the hour mark the attention was more on the Galaxy bench than the pitch as one of Yallop's assistants approached Beckham and the new Galaxy star started lacing up his boot. He began warming up six minutes later and then disappeared into the tunnel three minutes after that, not reappearing until the 75th minute.

When his tracksuit top came off in the 77th minute, it brought the biggest cheer of the night and he replaced Gordon to immediately take up a central midfield role.

His first touch came almost three minutes later as he sent a trademark cross-field pass from inside his own half to the head of fellow sub Quavas Kirk. A short pass followed but his third pass went astray.

Then Sidwell clipped him around the ankles as Beckham tried to find some space and there was concern as he seemed to stay down clutching his ankle. He got up quickly and appeared to hobble momentarily but was confident enough to take his first corner, again finding a Galaxy head in the dying moments.

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(Soccer365.com) First year revelations Juan Pablo Angel and Juan Carlos Toja netted first half goals to pace the MLS All-Star team to a 2-0 win over Scottish champs Celtic at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Thursday night.

Angel made no mistake after being played in alone by Dwayne De Rosario nine minutes before halftime, and his countryman bagged a rebound shortly thereafter to complete the margin.

The Red Bulls star was honored as MVP, a designation MLS coach Steve Nicol had o qualms with. "Juan's goal was just a fantastic finish," said the Revs boss. "One-on-one with the goalie, keeps calm, goes around him and puts in the net - a superb finish."

The MLS All-Stars made good on an 8-2 shots on goal advantage in winning against foreign opposition for the fourth time in as many tries.

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(Soccer365.com) Arsene Wenger has reportedly told the Arsenal board that he wants to re-sign Nicolas Anelka.

The Gunners boss still wants to bring in another player to fill the void left by Thierry Henry's departure to Barcelona, and the Daily Express claims that Bolton striker Anelka is his first choice.

Wenger wanted to sign Anelka immediately after Henry's departure to Spain was confirmed, but this was met with heavy opposition from the Arsenal board, who were reluctant to sign a player with such a reputation for causing unrest.

Anelka was first signed by Wenger from Paris St-Germain for £500,000, but after two seasons at Highbury he virtually went on strike after demanding first a pay rise, then a move to Real Madrid.

He eventually did make the move to Spain for £22.3 million in 1999, and has since not managed to stay at a club for very long.

Despite the Gunners' board's initial reluctance, Wenger is keen to re-sign the forward, who would cost around £10 million.

The Express also reports that Anelka has an offer on the table from Valencia, and the lure of Champions League football is likely to be too strong to resist.

Wenger claims that his summer transfer plans have been completely changed by Henry's departure, who he expected to stay in London.

The Gunners boss said: "I said I would not buy unless I found a super player.

"But at that time Thierry was staying. Then the Thierry situation was raised.

"I could not go into the new season without a striker. When he was staying I was buying one super player. The problem became different when Thierry left. Then I had to buy a striker."

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(Soccer365.com) England midfielder Owen Hargreaves could be forced to sit out Manchester United's entire four-match Far East tour.

Hargreaves has been suffering from tendinitis in his knee, and will miss United's pre-season games as a precaution.

Having already missed the draw with Urawa Red Diamonds in Tokyo earlier this week, he will also sit out Friday's clash with K-League outfit FC Seoul.

While most of his team-mates, including Nani and Chris Eagles, were able to take part in training at Seoul's rain-drenched World Cup Stadium on Thursday morning, Hargreaves was restricted to only light jogging.

And Ferguson is now mulling over whether to keep his £18million summer signing on the sidelines until United return to England on July 28.

"Once we get home, we have half a dozen games to play before the season starts," said Ferguson.

"Ideally, I would like everyone on tour to have got at least two games under their belt by the time we get back.

"With the ones who are injured (Hargreaves, Darron Gibson and Lee Martin) we have to make an assessment about how they are progressing and they may have to wait until we get home."

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(Soccer365.com) John Terry has reportedly agreed a new contract with Chelsea worth around £131,000 a week.

The Sun reports that negotiations between the club and Terry's agent have been finalized, with the England skipper set to sign a new five-year contract that will earn him £6.8 million a year.

The deal will reportedly make Terry the highest paid player in England.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been keen to tie-up deals for Terry and England team-mate Frank Lampard as soon as possible this summer, and has flown out to the club's pre-season tour of America to shake hands on the deal.

The Russian is now keen to secure Lampard on an improved contract, and will try to hammer out a deal with the midfielder as soon as possible.

The pair reportedly had demanded to be put on a par with the top-earners at Chelsea, last season's summer signings Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, both on around £120,000 a week.

Meanwhile, Terry has reportedly suffered a broken toe during Chelsea's 1-0 win against the Suwon Bluewings in California.

The captain is said to have played on after picking up the injury and came off at half-time in the match against the Korean side at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

His substitution at the interval appeared to have been planned as manager Jose Mourinho used 22 players during the game in order to give them all 45 minutes each.

But, according to reports, the 26-year-old had a painkilling injection and underwent scans and will be looking to return for the game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday in which David Beckham could make his American debut.

Terry has suffered a number of injuries this year and his back injury at the turn of the year was key as Chelsea lost ground on Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League title race.

England manager Steve McClaren will be keeping an eye on Terry's progress ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers this autumn.

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(Soccer365.com) Jerzy Dudek is set to be unveiled as Real Madrid's latest signing on Friday, the Spanish giants have announced.

The Polish goalkeeper, who was released by previous club Liverpool this summer, is due to land in Madrid on Thursday night before undergoing a medical with the Primera Liga champions on Friday.

If all goes to plan, Madrid expect to present the player at 1300 (local time) on Friday, when he will become the fourth new arrival at the Bernabeu this summer following Pepe, Christoph Metzelder and Javier Saviola

The 34-year-old Dudek starred for Liverpool in their penalty shoot-out win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, but has had to play second-fiddle to Spaniard Jose Reina at Anfield for the last few years.

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(Soccer365.com) Michael Owen has admitted that he would love to captain Newcastle - but he might have to fight Joey Barton for the armband.

"I would love to skipper Newcastle United," said Owen in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, before scoring for the Magpies against Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

Owen's main rival for the armband is thought to be Barton, who impressed with his powerful display in the victory.

Shay Given was captain against Hartlepool but the Chronicle believes that manager Sam Allardyce is not fond of having a goalkeeper as captain.

Last year's skipper was Scott Parker, who has since joined West Ham.

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(Soccer365.com) Roma have won the race to sign Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly despite reported interest from the Premier League.

The former France international has cost the Giallorossi £2.15million with add-ons subject to the club qualifying for the Champions League.

Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester City had been linked with the former Monaco captain this summer.

"I am happy to be at Roma," Giuly said. "I have so many important memories with Barcelona but now I am here to win."

Giuly joined Barca from Monaco in 2004 and proved to be a pivotal acquisition as the Catalan giants won two Primera Liga titles and the Champions League during his three-year stay.

Giuly is Roma's second major summer signing following the arrival of Brazilian defender Juan from Bayer Leverkusen.

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(Soccer365.com) Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has alleviated any concerns his Scottish champs will view the MLS All-Star Game as just another preseason friendly contest.

"First of all, we want to win, because we're competitive animals, and so is the MLS," Strachan told MLSNet. "That's why we've got to this level, because we're competitive people."

"The last couple years have been good, two championships, two cups, knockout stage of the Champions League - we hope to continue the good work, and we hope that coming to America will help us prepare for that."

While a win is still the goal, the coach admits he will alter their normal tactics to account for the heat and the full size Dick’s Sporting Goods Park field.

"The strategy may be a bit different, because it's so warm and the pitch is so big," he revealed. "We'll try to play a quick game, but we're only humans - we have to take to the conditions."

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(Soccer365.com) American DaMarcus Beasley has revealed he is struggling to communicate with his new Rangers team-mates after finding the Scottish accent nearly impenetrable.

World Cup star Beasley has played his first two matches for Rangers and has been with the squad for a week, but the 25-year-old, born in Indiana, struggles to take part in conversations with the Scottish element in Walter Smith's squad unless his fellow players make an extra effort.

"I still have my difficulties with the weird Scottish accent," he said.

"But I have only been one week with the team, I am sure it will get better.

"The guys try to talk slowly to me but when they talk to each other, I hardly understand anything."

On the pitch Beasley got his message across in the friendly against German fourth-tier side FC Gutersloh last Friday, when his dashing performance on the left of midfield showed promise for the coming season.

He was back in action on Tuesday against Hannover, and admitted the top-flight opposition was welcome, even if Rangers did lose their final tour game 1-0.

"No disrespect to the fourth division teams we played against, but we were very happy to play against the strong Bundesliga team," he said.

"The first 10 minutes were a little bit shaky, but then it got even.

"Our defending was good and especially in the second half of the first half we played very well."

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(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has snubbed the chance to join Chelsea, according to his agent.

Since the dismissal of coach Fabio Capello from the Bernabeu hotseat, rumours have increased that the 33-year-old FIFA World Player of the Year could return to Turin or make a move to the English Premier League.

But, when asked about Chelsea's offer, the player's agent Gaetano Fedele said: "Yes, the offer was there, but we postponed everything due to Real Madrid's wish. Let's not forget that Madrid are the most prestigious club in the world."

He added: "In any case both clubs would have to find an agreement between them and from what I have read, Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has been clear in saying that Fabio is untouchable.

"I reiterate it's highly unlikely that Fabio will leave Real Madrid at least this year."

The central defender, who joined Madrid shortly after guiding Italy to World Cup glory last summer, is under contract with the Spanish champions for a further two seasons.

"Fabio is in Madrid where he has adapted very well," Fedele added.

"They have won a championship and hence I don't think there is a possibility he will leave Madrid. Fabio's wish is to win the Champions League and the only team that can let him do that is Real Madrid."

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(Soccer365.com) Rafa Benitez is delighted after watching four of his new attacking recruits in action on Tuesday night.

Rafa Benitez is delighted after watching four of his new attacking recruits in action on Tuesday night.

The Anfield boss handed Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun their debuts in Tuesday's 3-2 friendly win over Werder Bremen, but it was Andrei Voronin who stole the show.

The Ukrainian striker netted his first goal for the club, after signing on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, after just four minutes and he helped himself to another in the second half.

John Arne Riise was also on target for The Reds, but Benitez was full of praise for his summer squad additions and the attacking dimension they have brought to Liverpool.

"I was pleased to see us score three goals and it was nice for Torres, Benayoun and Babel to play their first game for us," Benitez told The Sun.

"You can see the different options we have now in attack. It was good for the supporters to see us attacking and playing some good football.

"It was not so good for me as a manger to see us conceding goals but there were many positives."

Meanwhile, Benitez has decided he will be allowing Javier Mascherano additional time off before the new season.

The Argentine midfielder has only recently finished participating in the Copa America and Benitez has said he will excuse the 23-year-old from Liverpool's forthcoming tour of the Far East.

"Mascherano will have 10 days off but, when he returns, he will stay at Melwood with the reserves," Benitez told The Guardian.

"There would be too much travelling for him to come with us to Hong Kong , we don't want to kill the player before the start of the season."

Mascherano is expected to return to action in the friendly with Shanghai Shenhua in Rotterdam on 3rd August, eight days before Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign away at Aston Villa.

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(Soccer365.com) Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is likely to wait until the Premier League season starts before appointing a director of football at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has been looking for a new man to work with since the departure of David Dein as vice-chairman in April but is willing to wait in an attempt to keep a settled atmosphere over the summer.

Club scout Gilles Grimandi is considered the front-runner for the new post, with Reading's Nicky Hammond also suggested as a suitable candidate. In the meantime, long-serving Arsenal director Ken Friar has been working with Wenger.

"I wanted to do it before the end of the season when I started buying and selling," said Wenger. "But then I thought that now is the worst time because I have no time to tell someone how I want to do things.

"I did not want to unsettle the team before the end of the transfer market. So at the moment I work with Ken Friar and it is working well for us."

Part of Dein's role at Arsenal was to do, as Wenger called it, the "ugly part" in transfer negotiations.

He formed a link between the boardroom and the dressing room and his departure was one of the reasons Thierry Henry cited when leaving the club for Barcelona, claiming the team and manager had been "de-stabilised".

Lukasz Fabianski, Eduardo Da Silva, Havard Nordtveit and Bacary Sagna have arrived in the summer as Arsenal plan for the post-Henry era, although the most important signing would be for Wenger agree a new contract.

The Frenchman's current deal expires at the end of the coming season, with negotiations under way.

"For me, I think he will stay," said defender Kolo Toure. "Mr Wenger brings something special to this club and to keep him would be a great thing.

"We need to win some trophies and I'm sure Mr Wenger will bring lots of trophies to the club."

Despite Henry's departure and suggestions this could be the season when Arsenal could slip out of the top four for the first time under Wenger, there remains optimism among the players remaining.

"We have all progressed mentally," said defender Toure. "We know what was wrong last season and have worked on it. We are focused and we know we can do something.

"We've played together for a long time. Each player has a big role and we're confident. We've all progressed together and we know we're going to make it."

The Gunners took points off Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool last season but Toure feels there was a lack of consistency.

"We showed we can make it," he added on Arsenal TV Online. "If you can beat Manchester United you can beat any team in the league.

"Maybe sometimes what we missed was being focused on the game through the whole season. To be the champions you need to concentrate for all the games.

"We can only get better. When you are young you learn from your mistakes - next season we will be better than last season, you will see a different team."

Toure believes Arsenal will remain focused despite the loss of Henry.

"Titi (Henry) was our captain. When you miss someone very important from your family you are always sad but that is part of the job," said Toure.

"We have to forget about it and think about what will happen and who takes his place."

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(Soccer365.com) Fresh Galaxy catch David Beckham may be limited in duty against friendly foe Chelsea this week due to an ankle problem that stretches back to a June England match.

The superstar did light work in training, but didn’t talk to the media afterwards.

"His ankle is quite swollen," reported coach Frank Yallop. "We're hoping it recovers quickly and he can have some part in the game."

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(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid have finally tabled a bid for Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, according his agent and father.

The Spanish giants have been linked all summer with the Holland international and have now made a reported £13.5million offer.

However, whether Real get their man is another story as just last weekend manager Jose Mourinho stated he thought Robben would be staying.

Chelsea have little need to raise funds although the summer capture of Florent Malouda from Lyon could well hinder Robben's starting chances.

Robben's agent and father Hans has now confirmed Real have bid for his son and that the former PSV Eindhoven ace is interested in a move to El Santiago Bernabeu.

"I know Real have made a bid to Chelsea for my son," he told the Sun.

"When you are talking about Real Madrid, it has to be said that it's one of the best clubs in the world.

"Who wouldn't want to play for Real Madrid? My son wants to play at clubs that can win the Champions League and Real Madrid are one of the them."

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(Soccer365.com) Italian coach Fabio Capello has admitted he may follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and move to Major League Soccer.

Capello, dismissed by the Real Madrid board last month despite guiding the Spanish giants to the Primera Liga title, revealed he has since declined offers from other teams in Europe but remains open-minded on the possibility of a move to North America.

He said: "I have received interesting offers from Dinamo Kiev and Lokomotiv Moscow but I have turned them down.

"I have had offers from the United States but I have to consider it.

"It would be a new experience that would be intriguing, not so much for the money but to see if someone is able to make American soccer finally take off."

The arrival of the 61-year-old to Major League Soccer would be a further boost to the sport's profile in the US, with Beckham's move to Los Angeles Galaxy having already increased global interest in the league.

The highly-rated tactician has an impeccable track record, having won domestic league titles at every club he has coached - Madrid, AC Milan, Roma and Juventus.

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Are you a fan of this legendary club?

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(Soccer365.com) Mexico ended their Copa America campaign on a high with a 3-1 win over Uruguay in the third-place play-off in Caracas on Saturday.

Strikes from Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Omar Bravo and Andres Guardado saw Hugo Sanchez's side overcome an early goal from Sebastian Abreu and repeat their performances of 1997 and 1999.

Uruguay were on the offensive straight away as only 60 seconds into the game Abreu shot narrowly wide before Jorge Fucile's effort was well stopped by Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Ecuadorian referee Mauricio Reinoso turned down what looked like a clear penalty after defender Diego Lugano's challenge on Bravo after 18 minutes and Uruguay then immediately went ahead when Abreu headed home Maximiliano Pereira's cross.

But Mexico drew level in the 35th minute as Lugano was not so lucky second time around when he was shown a red card for elbowing Nery Castillo inside the area and Blanco equalised from the spot.

Mexico improved after the break and Blanco went close to giving his side the lead after 53 minutes but fired just wide.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini then produced a good save to keep out Jaime Lozano's shot from the edge of the area before Bravo gave Mexico the lead when he beat the Internazionale stopper from outside the box.

Oscar Tabarez immediately brought on Fabian Canobbio and Vicente Sanchez to give Uruguay more of an attacking threat but Mexico put the result beyond doubt fifteen minutes from the end as Guardado's long-range effort found the back of the net via the underside of the bar.

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(Soccer365.com) The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team lost to Austria, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup at National Soccer Stadium in Toronto, ending an impressive campaign that saw the team score 12 goals in five games. Josmer Altidore scored his team-leading fourth goal for the U.S. in the losing effort.

A 105th minute goal in the first overtime period from Erwin Hoffer held up as the game-winner, as Austria will advance to face the winner of the Spain vs. Czech Republic quarterfinal. After a scramble in the U.S. goal mouth, defender Tim Ward tried to clear the ball but it ricochet off an Austrian ankle and was trickling into the goal with Hoffer there to guide it home.

"We had some moments when we could have equalized the game, but I think throughout 90 minutes and overtime it was a battle," said U.S. Under-20 Head Coach Thomas Rongen. "(Austria) was a hard team to play against. They converted two out of four of their opportunities, we got one of five, and that's the story of this game.

"I'm very proud of what we have accomplished during this tournament. We fell short of our goal to go to the round of four and it's a big disappointment. But, at the end of the day, there are more positives for this team than negative ones."

The U.S. opened the scoring in the 15th minute, when Freddy Adu received the ball wide and played a perfect cross right to the head of Altidore, who put it past Austrian goalkeeper Michael Zaglmair, who got a hand on the ball, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

With the U.S. controlling play for most of the rain-dampened first half, Austria responded just before the final whistle to change the face of the match. In the 43rd minute, Austrian captain Sebastian Proedle took a crack from 35 yards out that goalkeeper Chris Seitz did well to save, but couldn’t control on the rain-soaked synthetic surface. The rebound fell to Rubin Okotie, who turned on defender Tony Beltran in the box and was able to beat Seitz from six yards on the rebound.

Several chances for both teams in the second half came close to ending the game in regulation. In the 69th minute, Okotie found himself in alone on Seitz, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, but defender Nathan Sturgis slid in to clear the ball off the line and save a goal. In the 79th minute Austria almost capitalized on another rebound following a diving save from Seitz, but their second chance hit the post.

In the 88th minute, Adu played a through ball for Robbie Rogers, but Zaglmair came off his line to barely beat Rogers to the ball. Seconds later, Adu played a cross into Altidore, who touched the ball around a couple of defenders but his shot was partially blocked and went out wide for a corner kick.

During the first overtime, the United States looked like the more dangerous team. In the 91st minute a buildup led to Rogers crossing the ball through the box to Sal Zizzo, who header back in front of the goal was cleared away. In the 99th minute, Dax McCarty won a ball in midfield and carried forward, laying a perfect ball into the path of Adu, who took a touch around the goalkeeper but lost his angle and hit his shot over the goal.

Austria’s winning goal came just one minute after a red card to U.S. defender Anthony Wallace, who picked up his second yellow card on a late tackle in the 104th minute. Despite playing a man-down, the U.S. created a number of dangerous scoring opportunities in the final 15 minutes, highlighted by close header from Gabriel Ferrari in the 110th minute that bounced high-and-wide of the goal from six yards, and a late blast from Adu that forced a great save from Zaglmair. The U.S. had numbers on that attack, but Zaglmair’s save over the crossbar assured none of the U.S. players in the area would be able to poke home a rebound.

Most of the physical match was played in a steady rain, with the U.S. ultimately being whistled for 28 fouls, more than twice as many as the 13 Austrian fouls. The game also featured 11 yellow cards (six for the U.S.) and the one red card.

The U.S. finished the tournament with an impressive 3-1-1 record in a five-game run through the quarterfinals, but ultimately fell short of qualifying for the Under-20 World Cup semifinals for the second time in their history (1989, Saudi Arabia). For the U.S., the tournament was highlighted by winning their group competition for the third consecutive event, with victories over Brazil and Poland, and a tie against the Korea Republic.

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(Soccer365.com) - Soccer icon Pelé claims the American scene is much different than when he played for the NASL Cosmos, which means David Beckham will want to bring his A game when he finally suits up for the Galaxy.

The former England skipper arrives Friday to be presented, and is expected to debut in a friendly against Chelsea next week.

"Everybody knows David Beckham is a good player," offered Pele. "He's very well known all over the world and I think he could help soccer in the United States."

"But I advise him: it will be very difficult to play because the teams are very good, they mark very well."

"Be prepared, be in good condition because it is not easy to play in the United States," he warned. "The football is now at a high level."

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(Soccer365.com) - Argentina captain Javier Zanetti says the team will be going out Sunday to break their crown drought, and not simply to get back at Copa América final foe Brazil for a heartbreaking title loss last time.

Two years ago, the Albiceleste surrendered a very late lead to lose on penalties, but Zanetti claims that’s not their motivation.

"In that final, we were left with a bitter taste because Argentina were good enough to have won the cup," said the Inter Milan star. "Let's hope that this time we can have a happy ending, but we're not thinking of revenge."

"It's a classic match as always and we will try to win."

"We have great hopes at this moment," said Zanetti. "After all these years without winning an important title, we now have the opportunity."

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(Goal.com) - Zinedine Zidane has rejected the chance to come out of retirement and join David Beckham in the MLS after reports linked him with a move to LA Galaxy.

The former France international midfielder, who is now a United Nations Development Program's Goodwill Ambassador, was publicly invited to move to the United States by Galaxy chief Alexei Lalas, but he does not want to make a come back.

After retiring from the professional game after the World Cup Final last summer, Zidane has been involved in charity and commerical work and does not feel the urge to start playing once more.

"I will not come back, no," he said.

"When you stop for a year, it's very hard to start again. What matters to me today is the chance to do everything I couldn't do before - spending time with my family and my friends, promoting some events and discovering the world.

"There is life after football - or, at least, there has been for me. The past 12 months have been very different, but my life is as full now as it was when I was playing football."

Zidane believes that Beckham has made the right decision to try a new start in Caliornia and was delighted to see his former team-mate lift the title before leaving Madrid.

"I respect his decision and I wish him all the best in his new life," he continued.

"I was very happy, because I consider myself to be Madrid's number one supporter. They produced an amazing turnaround in the second half of the season," he added.

"I am really happy for them to have recovered in such a manner. It was good for the team, good for the club and great for the players, particularly David Beckham. He deserved to win a title before leaving Madrid."

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(Soccer365.com) - U.S. Under-20 ace Josmer Altidore is hopeful he can beat a calf problem to take part in this weekend’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup quarterfinal match-up with Austria.

The Red Bulls phenom took a knee to the sore spot in a challenge with Uruguay’s Martin Caceres and had to be removed from the round of 16 win.

"I don't know at this point, but I'm going to try to get ready for Saturday," Altidore told Big Apple Soccer. "I had a calf injury before this and he hit me right there."

"I thought maybe if I would move around a little bit, it would go away," he recalled. "My first step, it was killing me."

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(Soccer365.com) - Kansas City forward Eddie Johnson is back from a long spell of international duty and ready to help the struggling Wizards crank up the offense again.

The U.S. striker left having bagged consecutive hat tricks for the West leaders, but the attack and collection of results has sputtered in his absence.

Johnson suits up for the Wizards again this weekend as they host Real Salt Lake.

“I can’t say one guy (can turn it around),” he began to the Kansas City Star. “But I think the competitiveness I have week-in and week-out here can push others.”

“Offensively, it’s going to take all of us forwards to put goals in the back of the net - that’s what we’re paid to do.”

Concluded Johnson: “I can’t wait to get back out there.”

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(Goal.com) - Gabriel Milito is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi every day after agreeing a deal to join FC Barcelona.

The 26-year-old completed a deal to move to Camp Nou for €17.5m while on duty at the Copa América and could not hide his delight.

During the negotiations, Milito admitted that Lionel Messi had told him everything about the Blaugrana and now he is looking forward to joining his new team-mate.

"I am going to enjoy playing next to him every day," he said. "He is a spectacular player, a phenomenon.

"I do mean any disrespect, but I prefer to talk about this for the first time when I am at Barcelona.

"I am very pleased with the move and I am very excited by it.

"But now I am just waiting to sign the contract and take the medical before saying too much more."

The central defender is focussing on Argentina's appearance in the Copa América final on Sunday and was not prepared to say much about his move.

Despite being pressed by members of the Catalan press pack in Venezuela, Milito insisted that he would think about Barça on Monday.

"It is one of the most important games in my career and I want to just focus on that.

"I have nothing more to say, sorry.

"Barça have not forbidden me to do anything. I do not want to talk about that because now is not the time. But I am happy by what has happened."

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(Soccer365.com) - Houston forward Nate Jaqua bagged a goal and an assist in his first start with the team, an event made more special for the player because it came at old mates Chicago.

The forward spent the first four seasons of his career with the fire, scoring 21 times in 92 league games.

"I heard more cheers than boos," he told MLSNet of the away player reception received at Toyota Park.

"Being back in Chicago is great, especially seeing all my buddies from the team and all the fans here - I loved playing here.

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(Goal.com) - Fernando Torres believes that he can achieve all the ambitions at Liverpool at he was unable to at Atlético de Madrid and claims that was the key reason he switched clubs.

The Spain international striker recognises that he has taken a step up after his €32m transfer to Anfield and is relishing the prospect of working under Rafael Benítez.

“I know how much everyone at Liverpool want to win the title because it’s been many years since the club has done it,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“But with the squad we have right now I’m sure we can compete for all the trophies.

“Unfortunately, Atletico isn’t at the level it should be given the size of the club and its history. I hoped to reach certain targets and achieve ambitions with Atletico but it wasn’t possible.

“Liverpool are always competing for the league or Champions League and I feel I needed to take this step to compete against the best players in the world.

“After being in two Champions League finals in three years, Liverpool has the respect it deserves so it’s not difficult to understand why I would want to come here.

“There were other factors in my decision, of course. Having a Spanish manager and other Spanish players who’ve told me about the club makes it better for me, but mainly I want to compete for important trophies.”

Torres is enjoying the adulation of his new fans without having kicked a ball yet, but he knows that the hard work is to come and is ready to show what he can do.

“If I had the idea I’d already be a success just by joining Liverpool, I wouldn’t have come,” the 23-year-old continued.

“To achieve the level the people here demand of me I know I will have to work hard all the time.

“To hit this level I must be focused completely on my football. I could have stayed where I was comfortable, but what attracted me to Liverpool is it’s a working team.

“The manager has put a mentality into the team that means everyone must work hard for success.

“This is known to be a key characteristic of Benítez’s side and I like this."

After rising through the ranks at Atlético, Torres became an icon of the Spanish club and he thinks that there are similarities between his new and old teams.

“I also like that Liverpool is a working class area with supporters who I believe are similar to those of Atletico, who appreciate and respect hard work," he explained.

“At this kind of club, there is usually a special bond between the players and the supporters. It means there is a different spirit about the city and the club compared to some others.

“Although the players have told me about the mentality of the Liverpool people, and how the fans are, I don’t think this is something which can be explained in words.

“It is only something I can understand when I play my first game at Anfield against Chelsea. Then I will fully know about the relationship between the Liverpool supporters and the players.

“Every club has its own identity and players who are icons, but it takes time, good performance and good results to earn respect,” he says.

“I understand that Liverpool has (Jamie) Carragher and Steven Gerrard who have that link with the supporters because they’ve been here and great players for a long time.

“At Atletico, I was young and a supporter of the club so I had a similar relationship with the fans, but I recognise to achieve the same here will only be possible with hard work. I can promise I will try my best.

“Everything has been perfect so far. I’ve only had a small opportunity to walk around the city but the reception towards me has been very warm, which instantly makes me feel comfortable.

“I’ve been amazed by the club because already I see the big difference in the organisation of the English and Spanish clubs in terms of the attention shown to the players.

“It makes me realise there is still a lot to learn in Spain. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome.”

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(Soccer365.com) The much anticipated dream match-up between Argentina and Brazil became a reality on Wednesday as Brazil edged out Uruguay in penalties while Argentina sailed past CONCACAF invitees Mexico 3-0.

The Samba Kings did not put in the best performance ever but were able to advance. After giving up the lead twice and regulation ended 2-2, Brazil edged Uruguay out 5-4 from the penalty spot.

Argentina did not leave anything to chance and easily walked away with a 3-0 win. Gabriel Henize, Lionel Messi and Riquelme all put one in for Argentina.

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(Soccer365.com) Michael Bradley knocked in a 107th minute game winner on Wednesday night as the United States Under -20 Men's National Team narrowly advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup Thursday defeating Uruguay 2-1.

After ending the first half deadlocked, the Red, White and Blue looked to once again be headed home after dominating the group stage when Uruguay took the lead in the 74th minute.

While this U.S. squad is more experienced and composed than those of the past, the were on the lucky end of an 88th minute own goal by Mathias Cardaccio to draw level to set up Bradley late heroics.

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(Soccer365.com) Liverpool have agreed a fee with West Ham for midfielder Yossi Benayoun, according to the player's agent Ronen Katzav.

The Israeli has been a target of Reds manager Rafael Benitez for some weeks and after haggling over the price 27-year-old the two clubs appear to have struck a deal. And now a fee - as yet undisclosed - has been settled on Katzav expects the transfer to be completed pretty swiftly.

"It should be completed in the next 48 hours," the agent told PA Sport. "Everybody would be happy to play for Liverpool. West Ham will always be in his heart but he is looking to move up a level."

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(Soccer365.com) Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and New England Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol today announced the remaining seven players that complete the roster for the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Celtic FC on July 19, 2007 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (Live on ESPN2 and Telefutura, 9:00 p.m. ET).

In addition to the All-Star First XI announced last week, Commissioner Garber selected two All-Stars and Nicol made five selections. The five players selected by Nicol were: Kevin Hartman (goalkeeper, Kansas City Wizards), Ronnie O’Brien (midfielder, Toronto FC), Pablo Mastroeni (midfielder, Colorado Rapids), Landon Donovan (forward, Los Angeles Galaxy) and Brian Ching (forward, Houston Dynamo).

Commissioner Garber selected Eddie Pope (defender, Real Salt Lake) and Cobi Jones (midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy) as the two “Commissioner’s picks”. Pope and Jones are “MLS originals,” as both have played in all 12 MLS seasons and both have announced they will retire at the end of this year.

Nicol earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by virtue of leading his team to the highest points per game average in the League through games played on June 25 (Week 12).

Complete MLS All-Star Roster:

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England Revolution), Kevin Hartman (Kansas City Wizards)

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake)

Midfielders: Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Ronnie O’Brien (Toronto FC), Juan Toja (FC Dallas)

Forwards: Juan Pablo Angel (Red Bull New York), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)

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(Soccer365.com) Craig Bellamy is determined to fire West Ham into the Champions League after completing a club-record £7.5million move from Liverpool to Upton Park.

The Wales captain agreed a five-year deal with the Hammers once it was made clear he had no future at Anfield following the arrival of Spain international Fernando Torres.

Bellamy said: "I want to play in Europe, it's important to me, and I felt that same drive and ambition here at West Ham. Obviously it would be naive of me to say we are going to qualify for the Champions League next season but that's one thing we are really going to be pushing for here in the future."

He added: "The club is looking to strengthen what is already a very good squad, and West Ham are renowned for their open and attacking football, so everything is perfect for me.

"I had a great experience at Liverpool and I believe West Ham will benefit this year because I know I am a better player for it.

"I've signed a five-year contract here and I will be here for the long term. I've moved around a bit in recent years. Now I want to settle.

"I'm 28 later this week and hopefully approaching the prime years of my career. I believe West Ham are going to see the best of me."

Bellamy is West Ham's fourth summer signing and takes manager Alan Curbishley's spending since he arrived at Upton Park in December to nearly £40million.

He joins midfielders Scott Parker and Julien Faubert plus goalkeeper Richard Wright in arriving at Upton Park this summer.

The deal breaks West Ham's previous transfer record of £7.25million, which the Hammers paid Norwich for Dean Ashton in January 2006.

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(Soccer365.com) New Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has confirmed the signing of striker Javier Saviola after he was released by Barcelona.

German Schuster was announced as Real coach on Monday and has wasted no time in strengthening his squad, signing Porto defender Pepe and now Argentinian striker Saviola on a free transfer.

Saviola's contract at the Nou Camp expired on June 30th and he had been linked with a host of clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool.

Schuster told Spanish station Punto Radio: "He is young, can score goals and can give us a lot more.

"These are small details that are also good for us. The fans and the media reacted well when the news came out."

Saviola joined Barcelona in 2001 from River Plate, but after initial success, was loaned out to Monaco and Sevilla in in 2004 and 2005.

Despite attempting to fight for his place in Frank Rijkaard's side this season, Saviola's contract was allowed to run out and become available on a free transfer.

Saviola joins a select band of players who have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, including Luis Enrique, Luis Figo and current Real coach Bernd Schuster.

Schuster insisted this was just the beginning of his spending spree and vowed to 'thrill' the fans with further purchases.

He told www.realmadrid.es: "Many players are rumoured to come, but I shouldn't really mention them because they may not join us in the end.

"We are very excited with the men we already have. The club is working hard to bring reinforcements and I think most of the players they are trying to sign will eventually join the team. We are going to have a squad that will thrill the fans."

Schuster is convinced that club captain Raul - the last remaining Galactico at the club - still has plenty to offer.

He said: "People here love Raul.

"Real Madrid has always been his club and he has given his all for it. I would like him to retire here. I think he is one of those players capable of deciding where to retire because he is a great professional who takes care of himself in order to always be in the best physical form.

"He has had some difficult years, but I am convinced his goals will help us next season. That's what he does best."

And Schuster has vowed to give a team that played defensively under Capello more licence to attack.

He said: "It is important for me to give the players more independence on the pitch, especially in attack. I want there to be a lot of movement because I like players to be in different areas of the pitch at times. We are going to bring some new players and I am sure of being able to change the style in which the team plays. I am sure we will earn good results if we play well.

"I think next year's team is going to defend further forward than last season, so that attacking players, such as Robinho, Guti and Raul, don't have to run back too much in order to defend."

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(Soccer365.com) Former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane has vowed to never again utter the name of World Cup foe Marco Materazzi.

Zidane's glittering career came to an ignominious end in Germany last year when he was sent off for headbutting the Italy defender in the chest in the closing stages of the World Cup final, which France went on to lose on penalties.

Materazzi later admitted to goading the three-time World Player of the Year into the assault, but Zidane, while grateful that the French public has forgiven him for his actions, is desperate to forget his nemesis.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Zidane said: "What I did was inexcusable.

"It was disappointing and not right and the referee had to do what he did.

"The fact France and the fans have forgiven me is an honour.

"They have probably retained memories of my whole career, and not only this momentary mistake. This name (Materazzi) is taboo - it is broken."

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old former Real Madrid star, who retired after the World Cup, revealed that he has not ruled out a return to football in a coaching capacity.

"That is an option one day," he continued. "Football is what I can do best after all."

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(Soccer365.com) Reports in France claim Chelsea will seal their swoop for Lyon winger Florent Malouda by Tuesday after raising their offer to £13.5million.

French newspaper L'Equipe claims the FA Cup winners have increased their offer from 18.5million euros (£12.5million) to 20million euros (£13.5million) to secure the signature of the 27-year-old.

It is thought the France international will sign a four-year deal worth 3.5million euros-a-year (£2.37million) on Sunday or Monday ahead of Chelsea's pre-season tour to the USA.

L'Equipe reports Lyon were hoping Real Madrid might spark a bidding war for the player, but he is intent on moving to the Premier League and only contractual details between the French club and Malouda are holding up the move.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon had previously admitted he hoped the deal would be concluded in time for Malouda to link-up with the rest of the squad during the Blues' trip to the States.

"We've been in dialogue with Lyon and we're looking to conclude that," said Kenyon. "It would be nice to conclude that before we go to Los Angeles.

"I'm very optimistic he will be joining us at some point out there."

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(Soccer365.com) Brazil produced their best performance of the Copa America so far as Robinho proved the inspiration behind a 6-1 quarter-final drubbing of Chile.

The 23-year-old scored his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament as Nelson Acosta's men were swept away by a first-half salvo.

Brazil took the lead after 14 minutes when Bayer Leverkusen defender Juan took advantage of a static Chilean defence to head home Maicon's corner.

Six minutes later, Maicon won the ball in the midfield and fed Vagner Love, who in turn found Julio Batista and the forward made no mistake from inside the box.

Robinho then made it 3-0 after some good individual work resulted in a measured finish from the edge of area.

Liverpool midfielder Mark Gonzalez hit the bar but that was the closest an ineffective Chile came to getting back into the game before half-time.

It was much the same after the break once Doni had kept out another Gonzalez effort.

Robinho grabbed his second of the game on 51 minutes as the Real Madrid forward applied the finish to Gilberto Silva's cross after the Chilean defence had once again gone missing.

It was 5-0 after 68 minutes when Chile keeper Claudio Bravo parried Afonso's shot but was powerless to stop Josue converting the rebound.

Chile did bag a consolation goal eight minutes later when striker Humberto Suazo cleverly lobbed the ball over but Vagner Love completed the rout right at the death after good approach work from Elano.

Dunga's side now face Uruguay in Maracaibo on Tuesday for a place in the Copa America final after their earlier 4-1 win over hosts Venezuela.

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(Soccer365.com) The U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team won their group for the third straight time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup this evening with a 2-1 victory against Brazil behind two Josmer Altidore goals at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Canada.

Freddy Adu was credited with both assists as the U.S. went undefeated in group play (2-0-1) in their second straight U-20 World Cup.

The U.S. will travel to Toronto on Saturday in preparation for their Round of 16 game on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:45 p.m., which will be against the third-pace finisher from either Group B, E or F.

Both U.S. goals came from Altidore on either side of halftime, with the first coming in the 25th minute when Adu took advantage of a poorly trapped ball, touched it to Altidore and the forward capitalized from 18 yards out. Brazil temporarily tied the game at one in the 64th minute, when Leandro Lima capitalized on rebound, but Adu and Altidore connected once again in the 82nd minute for the game-winner. Altidore now has three goals for the U.S. in three games, tying him with Adu, Danny Szetela and Argentina’s Sergia Aguero for the tournament lead.

The U.S. held on for their first win over Brazil in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in four attempts. With Poland and South Korea drawing, 1-1, Poland is assured of advancing to the Round of 16 as the second-place team from Group D with four points. Brazil, the third-place finisher with three points in the group must wait to see if they are one of four third-place teams who will advance to the knock-out stages.

“Anytime you go up against Brazil you know it will be a tough match and tonight was no different,” said U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen. “We battled with them throughout the match and I’m extremely proud of how the guys played tonight. To me this was clearly the toughest group in the tournament and I think the results have shown that. All four teams had to perform at their highest level each and every game.”

The Americans started the game on the attack, earning three straight corner kicks in the fourth minute, but couldn’t convert from either side of the goal. In the 11th minute, Sal Zizzo played a slotted ball to Michael Bradley outside of the box, but Bradley’s long-range shot went into the hands of Casio. Just a minute later, Robbie Rogers, in what has become his signature move, cut the ball inside from the left flank and fired a shot that seemed bound for the upper corner of the goal, but Casio made the diving save.

Brazil put the pressure on in the 14th minute when Jo carried the ball into the box, but Anthony Wallace was there to shut him down. In the 20th minute, Brazil came on a counterattack and Renato Augusto made his way into the right side of the box before Nathan Sturgis slowed him down and eventually won the ball away.

Altidore’s first goal in the 25th minute came when Adu tracked back and won a ball from a Brazilian defender. The Real Salt Lake midfielder deflected it to Altidore’s feet and the 17-year-old forward took a couple of touches toward goal before firing a low shot that went to the far post to beat Brazilian goalkeeper Casio.

The Brazilians increased their pressure even more after they found themselves down a goal, but U.S. goalkeeper Chris Seitz and his defense were able to smother every opportunity in the first half.

In the second half, Brazil got off to an early start as they looked for the equalizer. Alexandre Pato played a dangerous free kick into the wall and had the ball picked off his feet by Seitz inside the box. Augusto took a dangerous free kick in the 55th minute from 30 yards out, but again Seitz made the save.

Then it was the American’s turn again. In the 56th minute Zizzo carried the ball to the endline and played the ball in front of the net, but his teammates couldn’t get a foot on it for a shot. A minute later, it was Zizzo again, playing a high cross into the box that went over the outstretched fingers of Casio, but also over the head of Adu, who was running to the far post.

Brazil found the equalizer in the 64th minute, when Lima capitalized on a shot by his teammate that Seitz was unable to control. Lima jumped on the rebound and slotted it into the open goal.

Going into the final 10 minutes, it was the U.S. that first looked to push into the attack for the game-winner and eventually, Adu and Altidore connected for the second time on the night. This time, Adu carried the ball along the touchline, looked up and played a ball that deflected off a defender and fell to a streaking Altidore. With no one around him, Altidore fired a one-time shot past Casio from six yards out.

Brazil came close to tying the game at two goals apiece in the in the 86th minute after a corner kick. Seitz had punched the ball out, but it came back to Pato. Seitz made a point-blank save and gave up a rebound. The second shot came high and this time Seitz was able to hold on.

“I think this is the best group in the tournament," said Adu. "Some of the teams in the other groups are tough but we couldn’t be prouder of coming out of this group on top. Right now we’re riding high and playing well and we just have to keep it going. We have to keep working hard, because the harder you work the luckier you get.”

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(Soccer365.com) Cesc Fabregas' agent has claimed the Spain midfielder would have considered leaving Arsenal had manager Arsene Wenger quit the Emirates Stadium at the end of last season.

Fabregas, 20, has been linked with a move to either former club Barcelona or Real Madrid with the rumours intensifying following Thierry Henry's departure for the Nou Camp, but Joseba Diaz believes Fabregas will remain at Arsenal - as long as Wenger, who has also been linked with Barca and Madrid, is in charge.

"Cesc has not considered a move away from Arsenal and will start training with them next week," Diaz told Spanish newspaper AS. "Had Arsene Wenger left Arsenal, however, it would have been a completely different story because he is Cesc's football mentor. Cesc is very grateful to him."

Madrid have not made an offer for Fabregas, according to Diaz.

"At this time, there is no offer from Madrid to acquire Cesc's services and there has been no negotiations," he added.

"There have been reports that I have been at the Bernabeu negotiating with Madrid but that is false.

"In football anything can happen. But at this time it is impossible that Cesc ends up at Madrid because there's simply no offer."

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(Soccer365.com) Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been officially appointed as the new manager of Manchester City.

The 59-year-old has signed a three-year contract.

"I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been asked to be Manchester City's manager," he told the club's website, mcfc.co.uk.

"This is an exciting challenge and I have already started making preparations for the new season. I want to deliver a team that our fantastic fans can be proud of."

Club chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said of the appointment: "I'm delighted that Sven-Goran Eriksson has agreed to join the club as we move into an exciting new era.

"Sven's vast experience of managing top clubs to success around Europe is one of the qualities that attracted us to him.

"He also knows the English Premier League inside out during his time as national team manager."

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(Soccer365.com) The Premier League will block Carlos Tevez's expected move to Manchester United unless they are satisfied the transfer fee will go to West Ham.

The league accepted in April that West Ham had terminated all agreements with Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian - and will keep a watchful eye on any transfer to ensure that the club keep their promise.

A Premier League spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned any deal to take Carlos Tevez away from West Ham has to be done directly with the club."

The league's stance means that the Argentina striker's proposed move to Manchester United is far from sealed even if they have agreed a deal in principle with the player's representatives.

One possible avenue would be for West Ham to be paid a transfer fee and then agree a compensation figure with Joorabchian for breaching contracts with his company Media Sports Investments (MSI) when they terminated those agreements following their £5.5million fine in April for breaching Premier League rules.

It is understood, though, that the league would want a substantial chunk of the transfer fee to remain at West Ham rather than it all be handed over to MSI in compensation, otherwise they could be accused of merely covering up the third-party agreements that has caused so much controversy.

The details of a deal for the 23-year-old are still unclear because any attempt to sign him on some kind of loan arrangement would be fraught with problems.

Tevez is still under contract for three more years with West Ham.

Given the history surrounding the player, United are certain to go through all the paperwork in minute detail to ensure everything meets Premier League rules.

Tevez, who is currently in Venezuela with Argentina for the Copa America campaign, has been linked to several clubs in England.

He told Argentina newspaper Clarin: "As far as I am aware, I have not received any official offers.

"Once an offer arrives then we will see. But the fact that Real Madrid, Internazionale and Manchester United are interested in me makes me proud."

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(Soccer365.com) The United States wrapped up their participation in the 2007 Copa America Thursday with a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

Having been eliminated Wednesday evening due to other results, the U.S. and Colombia both took the field with aspirations of ending the tournament on a high note.

Colombia took to the scoresheet in the 16th minute on a goal by Jaime Castrillon. Twenty minutes later, it looked like Colombia would extend their lead after Brad Guzan was whistled in the box after attempting to prevent a Hugo Rodallega breakaway. Guzan was up to the task however, foiling Rodallega's spot kick, giving the U.S. new life. For the remainder of the game, the United States put pressure on the Colombians, but were unable to find net.

With just minutes remaining, goalkeeper Robinson Zapata drew his second yellow card for delay of game, forcing Rodallega to assume his place between the posts after Colombia had already used all of its allotted substitutions. The U.S. was unable to convert however, and the match ended 1-0.

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Mexico youngster Andres Guardado has confirmed that he is close to agreeing a move to Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven from CF Atlas.

The highly rated left-sided midfielder has 20 international caps to his name, although injury has ruled him out of the Copa America currently being played in Venezuela.

The 20-year-old said: "Things are looking good. There were other clubs interested in me, but PSV's offer was the most concrete."

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(Soccer365.com) Rafa Benitez claims that Fernando Torres turned down bigger money at other clubs to join Liverpool.

Rafa Benitez claims that Fernando Torres turned down bigger money at other clubs to join Liverpool.

The Spanish striker will complete his £26.5million move to Liverpool today and Benitez believes he would only leave Atletico Madrid to join the Reds.

Torres himself gushed about Liverpool in his final press conference as an Atletico player, and Benitez has clearly been impressed with his "passion" for the club.

"Atletico Madrid had better offers and the player had better offers," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"But he always wanted to join Liverpool. That was the key for me.

"We needed to work hard because there were other clubs who wanted him that we knew about - other clubs offering more money.

"But the player said straight away 'I want to join Liverpool'. He said we were his first choice and that was the key for me.

"He has taken a pay cut to come here. Okay he is still on a very good contract because he is a top player. But to be a successful club you need players with passion and Fernando has passion."

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(Soccer365.com) Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings admits he is glad to see the back of Miroslav Klose after reigniting a feud which has threatened to overshadow recent Germany matches.

When Klose was first linked with a move to Bayern Munich in April, his form dipped alarmingly.

At the end of the season, Frings said Klose should make the move because he was no longer wanted at Bremen.

The pair settled their differences after being selected in the Germany team which beat San Marino and Slovakia last month, but now Klose has finally switched to Bayern, Frings has once again spoken out against him.

"Miro said he wanted to move to one of the best five clubs in Europe, and now he has ended up in Munich," he said.

"But it was the right step because if he had stayed, there would have been problems.

"He would not have concentrated on Werder any more and you cannot keep it a secret for too long that you cannot be bothered anymore."

Frings is looking forward to seeing Klose at the Weser Stadium again on August 18, although this time, they will both be heading into rival dressing rooms as Bremen face Bayern in the second match of the new season.

"Our fans will whistle him," predicted Frings. "He has done too much wrong in Bremen."

And now Klose has moved on, Frings is expecting a friendlier atmosphere in the dressing room.

He said: "We were playing against each other, but that is now over.

"We were too influenced by external disturbances, but that will not happen again. We have got to protect ourselves together."

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Behind a hat trick from captain Freddy Adu, the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team earned a dominating 6-1 victory against Poland in front of a sold-out Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada, to climb to the top of Group D at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Along with Adu’s three goals, Danny Szetela added two goals and Josmer Altidore added one to tie the highest goal output by a U.S. team in a U-20 World Cup.

With the victory, the U.S. sits atop the group with four points and will next face Brazil on July 6 at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. The match will kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET and will be live on ESPNU and Galavision. Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

With a draw or victory over Brazil, who sits in second place after a 3-2 victory against South Korea in tonight’s second match, the U.S. will win the group for their third consecutive time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U.S. would also go undefeated for the second straight time with a win or a draw in their final group match, after pulling off the feat for the first time ever in 2005 in the Netherlands.

The U.S. has lost all three previous meetings against Brazil in the U-20 World Cup, falling to the four-time champions twice in 1989 (3-1 in group play and 2-0 in the third place match) and in 1993 (3-0 in group play).

“I think we all knew that we were capable of playing much better than we showed in the first game,” said U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen. “We felt in this game that we could demonstrate some of the things that we’ve done so well over the past year and a half to get here. We moved the ball well, used our athleticism and speed today. Our key guys played well today and that’s important for us.”

Adu becomes the first player ever to score a hat trick in both the Under-17 and Under-20 FIFA World Cups, He tallied three goals in the opening match of the 2003 FIFA Under-17 World Cup against South Korea, also a 6-1 win for the United States. He and Szetela are tied for the tournament lead in goals with three apiece through two games. The goals were Adu’s first in three FIFA U-20 World Cup appearances.

After Poland opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a goal from Dawid Janczyk, the United States began their relentless attack. Just four minutes after Poland struck, Szetela answered back, getting on the end of a Tony Beltran cross and redirecting it perfectly into the upper right corner with his head from about 15 yards out.

The second goal for the U.S. was the first on the day for the hat trick hero. Sal Zizzo beat his defender on the wing and played a cheeky pass that got through to Adu down the sideline. The midfielder then beat one defender to get into the box and made a spin move on another before hitting a left-footed shot that curled just inside the far post to give the U.S. a lead it would not relinquish.

With the U.S. holding possession for much of the second part of the half, Zizzo made another move down his right wing, beating three defenders and getting a lucky bounce to get inside the Poland box. The midfielder looked up and slotted the ball to a wide open Adu at the top of the box, and the captain did the rest, taking a touch and firing a spectacular shot into the upper corner of the far post from 18 yards. Adu’s shot was the final kick as the halftime whistle blew directly after the ensuing tap.

Szetela’s second goal of the night came in the 51st minute when Anthony Wallace made a run from his left fullback position and played a through ball past the Polish backline for Szetela, who ran onto the ball and beat Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Altidore made it 5-1 in the 70th minute when he buried a Robbie Rogers cross. Rogers raced down the left wing and cut back on his defender before playing the ball across the goal line, where it was deflected by Bialkowski right into the past of Altidore, who tapped it into the open net.

Adu earned his hat trick when he capped off the scoring for the U.S. in the 85th minute. Rogers won a ball in the midfield and cut towards the middle of the field. The Columbus Crew midfielder played a ball that got through for Adu, and he was able to get a touch before the onrushing Bialkowski could get to it. Adu then held off a challenge from behind from the Poland captain and played the ball into the open net.

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Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) David Beckham is targeting Los Angeles Galaxy's friendly against Chelsea to launch his career in America after a scan on his ankle injury showed no long-term damage.

The England midfielder has a medial ligament injury and organised a scan in London at the weekend off his own bat.

The results of the scan were positive news and Beckham, who arrives in Los Angeles late next week for the start of his career in Major League Soccer, is hopeful of making his debut in the game against Chelsea on July 21.

Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira told PA Sport: "David had a scan on his injury at the weekend and that showed no long-term damage.

"With the right rest and rehabilitation he should be training as planned when he arrives in the States."

Beckham is currently on holiday but has taken a personal fitness coach with him in order to be in as good condition as possible when he joins the Galaxy, who are midway through the MLS season.

The 32-year-old played with the injury for England and Real Madrid last month and has been told that the break before he goes to LA could be enough to heal the problem completely.

Beckham flies to California next week, after making a visit to his football academy in Greenwich, London, and will be officially unveiled as a Galaxy player on July 13.

The result of the scan also removes any lingering uncertainty about whether he would be fit for England's friendly against Germany at Wembley on August 22.

His first competitive games for the Galaxy are set to be home matches against two Mexican sides: Guadalajara on July 24 and Pachuca four days later.

It is understood that Beckham is not concerned about the prospect of adding to his heavy schedule when he plays for the Galaxy in a one-off friendly with Australian A-League club Sydney FC in November.

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) have guaranteed the England midfielder will play during the match at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on November 27.

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(Soccer365.com) - U.S. National Team boss Bob Bradley admitted that Monday’s Copa América group defeat to Paraguay will probably hurt for a good while.

The team squandered several opportunities in front of net, and were victimized by an ill-struck Jonathan Bornstein back pass that Oscar Cardozo scooped up to fire the winner.

"The result is difficult for us tonight," said Bradley. "We feel that the effort of the team was strong."

"Nonetheless, we didn’t do very well with some of the chances that we created, and we certainly made a mistake that Paraguay was able to take advantage of."

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(Soccer365.com) - Mexico attack sensation Nery Castillo says he is having the time of his life at Copa América, and it shows in his play.

It’s been a long road for the 23-year old, whose entrance into the line-up was delayed by paperwork, injury and coaching decisions by Hugo Sanchez, but he has taken his chance in a big way.

The Olympiakos ace grabbed headlines for his Gold Cup final display, then has scored in El Tri’s opening two group wins in South America.

"This is the most important moment in my career, and I'm taking advantage of it," Castillo told MedioTiempo. "I'm trying to give everything on the field."

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(Goal.com) - Argentine striker Hernan Crespo reached 35 goals with the national team after his goal against Colombia on Tuesday, and beat Diego Maradona’s previous record of 34 goals.

Crespo, scored Argentina’s first goal of the match when he drilled in a penalty, but pulled a muscle in his leg during the process and could be out of action for the rest of the tournament.

Still, it was his third strike of the Copa America, after his first two goals against the United States last week, and the player has gone on to surpass Diego Maradona, Argentina’s greatest footballer of all time.

Maradona, who played for his national team between 1977 and 1994 scored 34 times, with the last one being against Greece in the group stage of USA ’94 at the Foxboro Stadium in Boston.

Crespo, who was recently crowned Italian champions with Inter Milan, is still 21 goals away of breaking the all-time record held by Gabriel Bastistuta, with 56 goals.

After their convincing 4-2 victory over Colombia on Tuesday the Argentines booked their spot in the next round, but first will have to complete the group phase of matches with a clash against group leaders Paraguay later on in the week.

The Argentine medical staff has affirmed that Crespo’s condition could put an end to his Copa America, although they will undertake further tests in the next few days.

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Posted by soccer365 at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

(Soccer365.com) - U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein claims the green members of Bob Bradley’s Copa América squad have been busy taking notes from their performance against Argentina.

The ‘Nats took an early lead, but were eventually bowled over by an Albiceleste A squad, who scored three times in the final 25 minutes for a 4-1 win.

“It was definitely a time where – as Bob says a lot – we were raising the bar, trying to get to somewhere we haven’t been yet,” Bornstein explained to USSoccer.com. “We got to play against one of the best national teams in the world.”

“Although the score doesn’t show it, I thought we did well for the first 60 minutes.”

“We just have to keep getting better and learn from the experience,” insisted the Chivas USA man. “Next time we go up against a team like Argentina or Brazil, we’ll know what to expect a little bit more.”

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(Soccer365.com) - New York boss Bruce Arena has continued his efforts to downplay fast Josmer Altidore success, saying that the teen strike prodigy needs room to grow without heavy expectations on his shoulders.

The 17-year old, currently busy with the U.S. at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, caused quite a stir form some of his early season MLS shows.

"He's a confident kid," conceded Arena to the Sun Sentinel. "Jozy has a long way to go, and he's not yet established as a player."

"He knows that there are a lot of areas that he needs to get better in."

"The problem we have in this country is that whenever there is a young player who shows some talent, we already want to put huge expectations on him," he asserted. "We're going to give him time to develop."

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Arsene Wenger has wasted no time in entering the transfer market following his return from a week's break at an Italian health spa.

He has made Eduardo Alves da Silva Arsenal's first signing since Thierry Henry left the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have swooped to sign the 24-year-old Croatian international striker from Dinamo Zagreb.

The fee for the player who scored against England in a Euro 2008 qualifier in October is undisclosed, but he has signed a four-year contract with the Gunners.

He will be unveiled as an Arsenal player after completing a medical at the club.

Da Silva was born in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, but moved to Croatia when he was 15, and took Croatian nationality at the age of 22.

He joined Dinamo Zagreb in 1998 and spent 1999 and 2000 on loan to Brazilian club Bangu Atlético Clube, returning to Dinamo for the 2001-02 season.

In the 2002-03 season he was loaned to Inter Zaprešić, where he scored 10 goals in 15 domestic league games.

Known as Eduardo or "Dudu," on his return to Dinamo Zagreb he became a regular member of the first-team and scored 73 goals in 104 League appearances for the club.

When Eduardo scored twice in the Zagreb derby on May 12th this year, he became the all-time leading scorer of Croatia's First League, breaking a 13-year-old record of 29 goals set by former Dinamo striker Goran Vlaović in the 1993-94 season. Eduardo finished the league season with 34 goals from 32 appearances, and he is also the first player to score a hat-trick in a derby between Dinamo and Hajduk Split, a game Dinamo won 3-0 on May 19th, 2007.

He has scored seven goals for his country - and has the distinction of scoring the first competitive goal at the Emirates when Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-1, for a 5-1 aggregate victory, in last season's Champions League third qualifying round.

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Goal.com) - Robinho has made an early bid to be in Bernd Schuster's good books by praising the German coach after netting a hat-trick in the Copa América for Brazil.

The 23-year-old was in impressive form as A Seleção recorded a comfortable victory over Chile in Venezuela, but he still found time to look ahead to next season.

Schuster's arrival at the Bernabéu to take over as coach from Fabio Capello is said to be imminent and Robinho did his best to impress the new boss.

"Schuster is a great coach and I think that he showed that when he was in charge of Getafe and they caused Real Madrid so many problems," he said.

"I hope that we can become champions together."

Despite the rigours of playing in the Copa América after a long season with Madrid, Robinho has dismissed any talk that the players could be tired.

Having been the most impressive player in Brazil's defeat against Mexico, he stole the headlines against Chile with a match-winning hat-trick.

"I am playing well and am happy with the three goals, but I expect to achieve even more with this team and to keep moving forward in this comepetition," he continued.

"I feel strong, physically good and I think that I am at a good level.

"To score goals is important and to score three is not something that happens every day so I am pleased with them.

"I am also pleased with the win because now we have a better chance of qualifying for the next stage."

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(Goal.com) - The Rossoneri do not want to continue being involved in the Kaka stories being published by the Spanish newspaper 'AS'.

The war between Milan and AS continues as the Rossoneri have taken a stand against the Spanish newspaper and will not continue responding to the 'invented' stories by AS.

In fact, on Sunday, AS published a story where it stated that Kaka has demanded a move to Madrid, something which the Italian giants categorically denied.

In the meantime, Milan have published an announcement on their official website.

"AC Milan announces that from today onwards, they will not respond to the lies published by the daily Spanish newspaper 'AS' with regards to the unreal transfer of Kaka to Real Madrid."

However, this will unlikely stop AS from publishing further stories on this transfer as the Merengues will continue to try to convince the newly crowned European Champions to let their star player go

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Posted by soccer365 at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)