Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hull manager Phil Brown is prepared to forgive and forget following Jozy Altidore's breach of club discipline at the weekend.

The American teenager incurred the wrath of his boss on Saturday when he was late reporting for duty ahead of a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth.

Altidore was subsequently removed from the Tigers squad for failing to turn up on time and was fined two weeks' wages.

He later issued a public apology, but that did little to defuse Brown.

The Hull chief has, however, had time to reflect on the incident and admits he is prepared to give the on-loan forward a second chance to prove himself.

"He'll be back in contention for the weekend (against Burnley) but it's up to him now to prove that he's deserving of a place," Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.

"He's 19, he's at the beginning of his career but Jozy is being paid an awful lot of money to play professional football and it's part and parcel of his working life to be professional.

"The word professional to me means that you do everything right, even when people are not looking at you.

"He's apologized to his team-mates because he let them down."

While Brown was disappointed at Altidore's actions over the weekend, he feels the youngster still has the potential to be a success in the Premier League this season.

"He's been out on the training ground doing what 19-year-old lads should be doing, learning his trade," he added.

"People might look at a double-session on a Monday and think he's getting punished, but he's had an hour-and-a-half of football and an hour working on his technique in the afternoon - that's what young footballers should be doing.

"We've got hold of a young lad with big potential but to realize that, he has to do everything he can to maximize it."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alberto Aquilani could make his Liverpool first-team debut in the Reds' Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Arsenal on Wednesday.

The £20million Italian midfielder has been fully involved in Liverpool's training this week, and is clearly being considered for a role - probably from the bench - at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool are being extra careful over specifying Aquilani's possible debut, but boss Rafael Benitez is expected to make a final decision first thing on Wednesday before the squad travel to London for the match.

Aquilani played for 15 minutes of a reserve match last week, having been recovering from a knee operation since his arrival at the club in the summer.

The former Roma man is clearly relishing the prospect of playing a part in Liverpool's season, having witnessed the atmosphere at Anfield for Sunday's 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Aquilani says: "It was incredible to be at the stadium on Sunday.

"It was one of the best games I have seen so far. I don't normally like to watch a match inside a stadium when I am not playing, but I really enjoyed Sunday.

"When I was in Rome, although the stadium was bigger, it did not have the same atmosphere as here. Because the fans are closer to the pitch at Anfield, you can feel the atmosphere better.

"It was very important to win against United and hopefully it can give us more confidence."

While the 25 year-old acknowledges he is still short of match fitness, he is already relishing the prospect of a first-team bow.

He said: "It was good to play for the reserves because I haven't played for a long time, but to play for the first team is something different again and I am looking forward to that.

"I really want to play, but I need to be patient, I know the time will come for me.

"I will be very happy when I make my debut. This is my job, it's what I am here to do, and I am looking forward to it."

With his first-team debut finally on the horizon, Aquilani was keen to thank his fellow players and the staff at the club's Melwood training ground for helping him settle into life on Merseyside.

He added: "I want to thank all the players and the people at the club because they have been very helpful to me since I arrived here.

"Obviously as Andrea Dossena is here and speaks Italian, he has helped me, but I want to take the opportunity to thank every player.

"It has been difficult, but now I want to build up my confidence and I hope to bring out the best of my game here."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Brazil star Robinho believes his ambition to be the best player in the world would be better served playing for Barcelona than Manchester City.

However the Samba sizzler insists he is not trying to force a move away from the ambitious Eastlands outfit.

Robinho, who only joined City just over a year ago for a British record £32.5million from Real Madrid, has been closely linked with a move back to Spain over the last few months - with Barca confirmed admirers.

The Brazil international has already admitted he would relish the chance to play for Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side, and, in his latest comments, he also feels that by representing Barca he will have a better chance of achieving his long-held goal of being the best player on the planet.

Robinho told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: "I'm very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me, playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best player in the world than at City."

However Robinho, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, insists he is not trying to manufacture a move away from City or that he has a problem with manager Mark Hughes.

"I'm not forcing a hypothetical exit from England and neither do I have problems with my coach," he added.

(soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This is the tenth incarnation of adidas' game changing Predator. The Predator X was created for the leaders on the field; powerful players like Benzema, Gerrard, Van Persie and Beckham. Every single element is designed to improve performance.

What do you think of the newest edition of the adidas Predator? This is the place to talk about the new technologies and colors!

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (113)

Arsenal paid the price for a sloppy second half as AZ Alkmaar equalized in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw in Champions League Group H.

Gunners skipper Cesc Fabrgeas has been in sparkling form for Arsene Wenger's men, and opening the scoring at the DSB Stadium after coolly slotting home a simple tap-in on 36 minutes.

The goal came from a defensive blunder by Niklas Moisander, whose slip was pounced on by Andrey Arshavin who fed Robin van Persie, with the Dutchman unselfishly squaring the ball to Fabregas six yards out.

AZ had only previously lost once in 34 home games in Europe, making Arsenal's first-half dominance all-the-more impressive.

And apart from two chances for the hosts, when former Spurs striker Mounir El Hamdaoui fired inches over the crossbar on 26 and Hector Moreno poked a 77th-minute free-kick narrowly wide of the upright, it was a comfortable night for the Gunners, who went into cruise control after the interval.

They should have been comfortably ahead after the first half, with van Persie drawing three fine saves from home goalkeeper Sergio Romero with fierce drives and Arshavin cheekily chipping onto the roof of the net.

But they paid the price for deciding to cruise through the second period, which saw the hosts grow in confidence before finally grabbing an equalizer in the dying seconds, when a free-kick into the box was headed into the path of David Mendes Da Silva, who gave Vito Mannone no chance at all with a rasping volley from 15 yards out.

Wenger's men still top the group on seven points - but the Frenchman will feel it is two points dropped rather than one banked.

(soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lyon piled the pressure on Rafa Benitez with a 2-1 Champions League Group E win at Anfield to condemn Liverpool to their fourth straight loss.

The Reds went into the match needing a morale-boosting victory to lift spirits ahead of Sunday's colossal showdown with champions Manchester United.

And when the hosts went into the interval with a 1-0 lead handed to them by the dependable Yossi Benayoun, they seemed to be on their way - and that in spite of losing skipper Steven Gerrard after 25 minutes to a recurrence of his calf injury.

But Maxime Gomis' second-half header pulled Lyon level, before Cesar Delgado stunned Anfield into silence with an injury-time winner.

The French side made a lively start to the evening and spurned a great chance to take the lead when Pepe Reina denied Lisandro Lopez's six-yard header.

The Reds then thought they had gone ahead when Steven Gerrard's delivery found the head of Dirk Kuyt, but the Dutchman was correctly flagged offside.

The Reds were struggling to get to grips with Lyon's resurgent midfield and their hopes suffered a blow when Gerrard was withdrawn after 25 minutes after suffering a recurrence of his groin injury.

However, Liverpool hit back in determined fashion and Hugo Loris made a fine double save to deny first Kuyt and then David Ngog.

But the Reds weren't to be denied and when substitute Fabio Aurelio's drilled cross was missed by Martin Kelly, Benayoun was on hand to control the ball and fire home from six yards after 41 minutes.

And Liverpool almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kelly's cross picked out Aurelio, but Loris made a spectacular flying save to push the Brazilian's header over the crossbar.

Benayoun headed a good chance just wide as the second half got underway, while a downward header from Kuyt was well pushed out by Loris at the expense of a corner.

But the Reds began to look edgy again and it was no surprise when Lyon notched a leveler after 72 minutes when Reina made a smart double save but was powerless to prevent Maxime Gonalons from steering a diving header inside the post to make it 1-1.

Liverpool went in search of a winner, but a rapid break saw a cross from the right pick out Delgado, who tucked in at the back post to silence the Kop and leave the Reds with a mountain to climb.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he can use the greater freedom he has at Real Madrid to become an even better player.

The Portuguese winger was named European and World Player of the Year during a successful spell with Manchester United but insists there is still room for improvement.

Having left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in a record-breaking move over the summer, Ronaldo has made an excellent start to life with his new club and thinks he can flourish further under manager Manuel Pellegrini.

"You feel more pressure at Madrid but I love that, it drives me on," Ronaldo is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"My coach Manuel Pellegrini is clearly different to Sir Alex Ferguson. In fact I'm much more free here, free to roam around the pitch in certain matches.

"Not only will I use that to become the same player I was at Old Trafford but even better. I feel like a new-born baby - I'm reborn.

"Just because I won everything with United and was voted Ballon D'Or and World Player doesn't mean I've reached the top.

"In fact, I feel like my career is just starting."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

AC Milan will be without injured duo Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Storari for Wednesday's Champions League showdown at Real Madrid.

The Rossonero club confirmed both players have not been included in coach Leonardo's team selection for the encounter in the Spanish capital.

Veteran midfielder Gattuso is recovering from a knock on his knee sustained while on international duty with Italy last week while Storari, who also missed Sunday's 2-1 triumph against Roma, is out with a thigh injury.

Brazilian goalkeeper Nelson Dida will replace Storari in goal.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu will undergo tests in the coming days to determine the extent of his knee injury.

Onyewu hurt his left knee playing for the United States during Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

A statement from AC Milan read: "The US football federation have informed us of Oguchi Onyewu's suspected tendon rupture of his left knee.

"The player, who is in the United States, will undergo further tests and if the diagnosis is confirmed, he will have surgery.

"Milan doctor Massimo Manara is in constant contact with Onyewu."

If a rupture is confirmed, the 27-year-old will be out of action for at least three months.

Onyewu signed a three-year contract with AC Milan this summer.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

U.S. National Soccer Team forward Charlie Davies is in serious but stable condition and resting following several hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. to treat injuries suffered in a one-car accident on the George Washington Parkway early Tuesday morning in Northern Virginia.

Davies suffered a lacerated bladder and fractures to the tibia and femur bones in his right leg. He also suffered facial fractures and a left elbow fracture. Davies was air-lifted to the hospital where a team of doctors first repaired a ruptured bladder and then inserted titanium rods in both the tibia, the bone in the lower leg, and the femur, which is the thigh bone, with no complications. Davies will be hospitalized for at least a week and additional surgeries will be required to stabilize his left elbow fracture and possibly the facial fractures.

“Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation,” said U.S. Soccer physician Dr. Dan Kalbac, who is with the team in D.C. and collaborated with the treating doctors. ”Due to Charlie’s fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved.”

Davies is in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. National Team as the squad prepares for its final 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, taking place tomorrow against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.

Davies, who has played 17 matches for the USA while scoring four goals, started and played 78 minutes in the USA’s 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula last Saturday that clinched a berth for the United States to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

courtesy of ussoccer.com

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

U.S. National Soccer Team forward Charlie Davies is in stable condition following injuries sustained in a one-car accident on the George Washington Parkway early Tuesday morning in Northern Virginia. There was one fatality in the accident.

Davies is currently undergoing surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. U.S. Soccer will release additional information when it becomes available.

"Obviously, as a team we were saddened to learn this news," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family, as well as the people in the car and the families of the others involved. As a team, we are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard."

Davies is in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. National Team as the squad prepares for its final 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, taking place tomorrow against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.

Davies, who has played 17 matches for the USA while scoring four goals, started and played 78 minutes in the USA’s 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula last Saturday that clinched a berth for the United States to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

(courtesy of USSoccer.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The United States Men’s National Team will face fellow 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Denmark on Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Aarhus, Denmark

The match will be the 11th international on foreign soil for the United States in 2009, including five matches in the run to the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. The match will be the USA’s first on European soil since facing Spain in Santander on June 4, 2008.

“Having qualified for the World Cup, our focus is now on continuing to improve as a team as we build toward next summer,” said Bradley. “Denmark is a very strong opponent. They proved their quality throughout the qualifying campaign, and this match provides another great opportunity to face quality opposition in a road environment.”

Denmark wrapped up first place in Group 1 of UEFA Qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 home victory on Oct. 10 against Sweden, guaranteeing a berth in South Africa. Led by head coach and former Danish international standout Morton Olsen, the Danes captured away victories against Portugal and Sweden en route to qualifying for their fourth World Cup finals tournament. In spite of its size, Denmark has a history of being one of the stronger and most consistent sides in Europe. The Danes impressed by reaching the Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup, emerging from group play with victories against defending champions France and Uruguay.

The U.S. and Denmark have met five times in their history – never on Danish soil – and the teams have split the spoils with an even 1-1-3 record. In the teams’ last meeting on Jan. 20, 2007, at The Home Depot Center, both Jonathan Bornstein and Kenny Cooper scored in their national team debuts in helping the U.S. to a 3-1 victory. The match was also the first under Bradley, and began his record-setting run of becoming the first coach in U.S. history to win his first three games in charge.

(ussoccer.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The U.S. Men’s National Team qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 win against Honduras with five goals scored and a penalty missed by Honduras in a heart-stopping second half.

More than 45,000 Honduran supporters rocked Estadio Olímpico in San Pedro Sula, uniting behind their national team despite the domestic political strife dominating international headlines. After a scoreless first half that saw both teams shooting off-target, the second half turned into an instant classic with the U.S. getting the deciding goal in the 71st minute from a free kick by midfielder Landon Donovan.

Forward Conor Casey provided the heroics for the U.S., scoring the first two goals of his international career in the 55th and 66th minutes, and setting up the Donovan freekick. It was Casey’s third appearance in the 2010 qualifying cycle, and the 15th of his career.

The Honduras faithful thought their side would draw even in the 87th minute when the referee awarded a penalty kick in their favor. Carlos Pavon, the all-time leading scorer for Honduras with 55 career goals, shockingly blasted his penalty over the crossbar. Despite the misfortune, the Honduran crowd showed their class by offering the U.S. team a warm ovation following the match.

The U.S. team returns from Honduras to face Costa Rica at RFK Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. with first place in CONCACAF qualifying on the line.

“This was the most important game in qualifying because it was the one that qualified us for South Africa 2010,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “The celebration was a very good one because when you have a group that has come together, that has worked hard, that has grown, when they’ve accomplished something it’s a special feeling. Tonight we can all share that feeling.”

After Honduras got things started with a handful of shots in the first few minutes of the game, the U.S. had the first dangerous opportunity in the 18th minute on a second consecutive corner kick by Donovan. His in-swinger from the left side bounced once in the middle of the penalty area and skipped to an unmarked Carlos Bocanegra. The bounce was too high for Bocanegra to get on top of and he headed the chance over the crossbar.

Eleven minutes later, Carlo Costly perfectly timed his run to beat the U.S. to a clearance over the heads of the U.S. back line. As he dribbled toward goal, he scuffed his shot just inches wide of Tim Howard’s right post.

Back the other way, the U.S. had their best chance to score of the half. Casey held the ball just across midfield on the right side and sent Stuart Holden, who was making his first World Cup qualifying start, free down the line. With plenty of time, Holden sent a pinpoint cross to Davies, whose header from eight yards was saved by Noel Valladares reaching back across his body. The rebound came right back to Davies, but he hit his follow-up effort above the crossbar.

After a scoreless first half, the complexion of the game changed completely just 20 seconds into the second half. U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu fell and made a clumsy foul that set up a Honduras freekick just a yard outside of the U.S. penalty area. Julio Cesar de Leon took a one-step approach on his right-footed shot that curled over the U.S. wall and under the cross bar, just out of the reach of Howard in the 47th minute.

The U.S. answered eight minutes later with Onyewu getting involved in the goal. The U.S. center back served a 50-yard ball to the top of the penalty area, where Davies won the header and popped the ball high in the air. As it came down at the top of the six yard box, Casey spun in the air as he challenged Valladares for the ball, and he made first contact with the back of his head before the goalkeeper could get a hand on it. The ball bounced once before going into the empty goal.

In the 64th minute, forward David Suazo came on for Honduras and moments later he made a great diagonal run right from left to right. He received the ball in stride before unleashing a shot from the right side of the area to the far post that forced Howard to make his best save of the night with a two-handed parry to keep the ball from curling inside the far post.

In the 66th minute, the U.S. took the lead that it would not relinquish. Onyewu stepped in at the top of the U.S. penalty area to win a through ball, and carried the ball forward before he found Davies available on the left wing at midfield. Davies took the ball across midfield before playing it square to Donovan. Donovan dribbled toward the middle and threaded the defense for Casey who got behind the last defender in the area. Casey faked a shot to get Valladares to go down, and then calmly slotted the ball inside the right post.

A minute later, Jonathan Bornstein nearly doubled the U.S. advantage with a 25-yard blast that Valladares pushed back into play. Holden followed up but his shot from the right was blocked by a defender.

The U.S. continued to put the pressure on, and Casey earned a free kick after de Leon was whistled for a foul 22-yards from goal. Just three yards further from goal than de Leon scored from earlier in the half, Donovan perfectly placed the ball over Ricardo Clark standing at the end of the wall. Valladares was screened, and couldn’t react in time as the shot sailed over his back shoulder in the 71st minute.

Four minutes later, Wilson Palacios played a soft pass to Suazo who was in behind the U.S. defense on the right side. He played a cross in to Pavon who put the ball into the net from point-blank range. The goal was waived off, however, as Pavon was correctly ruled offside, in front of Suazo and the ball when the pass was played into the center.

In the 78th minute, play seemed to stand still as de Leon played Ramon Nuñez into the U.S. box with two other Honduran players in an offside position. Nuñez dribbled forward to the endline to bring his teammates back into play, and dropped the ball back for Suazo. He found de Leon a few yards away on the right side of the penalty area. De Leon took a touch toward the penalty spot before drilling a shot past a drawn-out Howard to cut the U.S. lead to 3-2.

In the 87th minute, a Nuñez free kick bounced in the area before coming up and hitting Holden’s left arm. Referee Roberto Moreno immediately pointed to the spot, and Pavon – who converted a penalty against the U.S. on Sept. 1, 2001, in Washington, D.C., in the last U.S. loss on home soil – missed the chance to equalize.

The U.S. held on for the next five minutes of regulation plus four minutes of added time to become the first CONCACAF team to win in Honduras during the 2010 qualifying cycle.

Honduras was previously 8-0-0 at home in qualifying for South Africa, and with three goals scored the U.S. matched the total that Honduras had allowed in their prior eight home games. The U.S. is now 5-3-1 on the road in qualifying, the best mark in CONCACAF heading into Matchday 10.

The match was the fourth time in nine qualifies that the U.S. surrendered the first goal. In those four matches, however, the U.S. has earned 10 of their 19 points with three come-from-behind wins and one come-from-behind tie.

With his goals, Casey became the 20th different player to score a goal for the U.S. in 2009 – the most ever in one year for the team. Donovan, with his pass to Casey on the second goal, set the U.S. single-year assist record with 10 to pass Cobi Jones.

The USA joins Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain and Korea Republic as the only teams who have participated in all six World Cup since 1990, including secured berths to South Africa in 2010.

courtesy of ussoccer.com

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The USA - Honduras World Cup Qualifying match on Saturday night will not be televised by any network or cable channel. So, we're here to help - here's a list of bars and restaurants where you'll be able to find the match. If you know of any more, please add them in the comments section. Thanks!

California

Danny Coyles
668 Height Street
San Francisco CA 94118
415-558-8375

O'Brien's
4646 Convoy St. #116
San Diego CA 92111
858-715-1745

Off Campus Pub
18413 Avalon Blvd
Carson CA 90746
310-327-2971

Colorado

British Bulldog
2052 Stout St
Denver CO 80255
303-295-7974

DC

Fado Irish Pub
808 7th St-NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-789-0066

Molly Malones
713 8th St
Washington, DC 20003
202-547-1222

Georgia

Fado Irish Pub
273 Buckhead Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-841-0066

Illinois

Fado Irish Pub
100 West Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-836-0066

The Glove Pub
1934 West Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613
773-871-3757

Small Bar
2049 West Division
Chicago, IL 60622
773-509-9888

Indiana

Chatham Tap
719 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-917-8425

Massachussetts

CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar
200 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
508-203-2200

Maryland

Slainte Irish Pub
1700 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-563-6600

Minnesota

Sweetwater Bar & Grill
161 St Anthony Ave
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-224-6373

Missouri

810 Zone
4686 Broadway
KC, MO 64112
816-268-9663

Nebraska

Captain Jacks
140 North 12th St.
Lincoln, NE 68501
402-770-7659

Nevada

Crown & Anchor
1350 E Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas NV 89119
702-739-8676

New York

Madison Square Garden
Play by Play Sports Bar & Restaurant
Four Pennsylvania Plaza
(7th Ave between W 31st & W 33rd st)
NY, NY 10001
212-465-5888

Nevada Smith's
74 3rd Ave
NY, NY 10003
212-982-2591

Wolff's Biergarten
895 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
518-427-2461

North Carolina

Connolly's
115 E 5th St
Charlotte NC 28202
704-358-9070

Ohio

Claddagh Irish Pub
585 S. Front St
Columbus OH 43215
614-224-1560

Fado Irish Pub
4022 Townsfair Way
Columbus OH 43219
614-418-0066

Oregon

Kells Irish Pub
112 SW 2nd Ave
Portland OR 97204
503-227-4057

Pennsylvania

Pipers Pub
1828 E Carson St
Pittsburgh PA 15203
412-381-3973

Tir Na Nog Bar & Grill
1600 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
267-514-1700

Texas

Fado Irish Pub
214 W 4th St
Austin TX 78701
512-457-0172

Lion & Rose
5148 Broadway
San Antonio TX 78209
210-878-0034

Pizzza Hut Park Club
9200 World Cup Way - Suite 202
Frisco TX 75305
214-705-6700

Richmond Arms
5920 Richmond Ave
Houston TX 77057
713-784-7722

Utah

GOALS For Greatness
Casino Night Fundraiser
Radison Downtown
215 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-750-4808
(must call in advance)

Virginia

Summers
1520 N Court House Rd
Arlington VA
703-528-8278

Washington

Fado Irish Pub
801 1st Ave
Seattle WA 98104
206-264-2700

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Thierry Henry has urged his France team-mates to get fans back on their side in the World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.

Les Bleus know that even two victories are unlikely to secure them their ticket to South Africa as they are currently second in Group Seven four points behind leaders Serbia in the race for an automatic place.

Henry feels the most they can do is try to regain the fans' confidence in the team and hopes they can do that by building on last month's battling draw in Serbia.

"If we don't go to the World Cup, everyone will suffer," he told L'Equipe. "But it's all our fault.

"It's up to us to give back to people the desire to believe in this team.

"I said before that we lacked a reference match. Even though we didn't win, the one in Serbia could be that.

"The way the match was leaves me thinking that this team has a spirit.

"This team is looking for itself, I hope it finds it."

Football matters in the France camp have been overshadowed of late by off the field controversies.

Last months' double header against Romania and Serbia was marred by reports of a bust-up between under-fire coach Raymond Domenech and his players.

Henry denied there was a clash and has played down the story.

"There was a discussion as there are in all the dressing rooms in the world," he said. "But no one raised their voice. There was no clash.

"Domenech is not part of my family. He's not my father but he is someone humane and honest."

The France squad were embroiled in another saga recently when striker Karim Benzema surprisingly admitted he had not really felt like playing against Serbia and had struggled to give his all.

There was speculation the 21-year-old would be left out of the latest squad but he was kept in by Domenech and Henry has leapt to the defence of the Real Madrid forward.

"I'm not in his shoes," he said. "But he is going through a difficult time in the France team.

"We have all experienced hard times.

"But Karim Benzema is the future of French football. We need him, whether we want him or not.

"I prefer to remember the end of his comments, when he said he was ready to give everything, even for 10 minutes."

France will be without Franck Ribery after the Bayern Munich striker was forced to withdraw from the squad on Monday with a knee injury.

He was replaced by Bafetimbi Gomis and although the Lyon forward fainted in training on Wednesday he is not thought to be a doubt for Saturday's visit of the Faroe Islands.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Johan Cruyff believes Spanish champions Barcelona were wrong to extend Argentina forward Lionel Messi's Nou Camp contract until 2016.

Cruyff feels Barca tied Messi down because they feared the spending power of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

The Catalan giants tied their star player to a new long-term deal last month, making him the best-paid player at the club.

They also increased Messi's release clause to 250million euros in a bid to put off attempts to prise the Argentina playmaker away from the Nou Camp.

But while the former Barca player and coach believes Messi deserves to be rewarded financially, Cruyff is against the length of the deal.

"I'm not in favour of long contracts and that's what Barca signed with Messi," wrote Cruyff in his weekly column in El Periodico de Catalunya.

"I prefer renewing for three or four years.

"The player, whoever he is, needs a motivation to continue growing.

"And I, as a club, would always look to go ahead improving something year by year if he deserves it."

Cruyff believes Barca were running scared of Perez and Madrid's millions.

Perez returned to Madrid for his second spell as president in the summer and immediately started constructing a second team of galacticos.

Reports even suggested he was considering an audacious bid for Messi and Cruyff believes that forced Barca's hand.

"In sport you can never be sure about anything," he continued. "I know that an anti-Florentino clause applied, I know that they have put him on a salary level with the best in the world.

"But to extend it from now until 2016 seems excessive to me.

"The club did it for the old fear of in case the bogeyman came and took him away.

"But if he comes so what? There are many and yes they can come and they will continue to come."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Real Madrid's 100% start to the Primera Division season came to an end at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Sevilla beat them 2-1 on Sunday night.

Missing several of their star names, Real were comprehensively outplayed in the first half and went behind to Jesus Navas' 33rd-minute header.

Pepe equalized against the run of play but Renato headed a deserved winner in the 67th minute to draw Sevilla level on points with Madrid and three behind leaders Barcelona.

Four goals and three red cards marked a competitive game as lowly Valladolid claimed a 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Batista Nivaldo scored for hosts Valladolid before being sent off for two yellow-card offenses in the 80th minute, four minutes after substitute Alberto Marcos had been dismissed for his second bookable offense.

Athletic were forced to play for 67 minutes with 10 men after Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora was sent off for a professional foul in a match that also featured nine yellow cards.

The visitors took an early lead through Markel Susaeta and the score remained the same until half an hour from time when Diego Costa leveled.

Nivaldo then gave the hosts the lead in the 76th minute but Iker Muniain equalized a minute later.

Nikola Zigic climbed off the bench to earn Valencia their first league win in four matches with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Racing Santander.

Zigic had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he pounced on a terrible attempted back-pass by Racing defender Pablo Pinillos before rounding Antonio Tono and slotting into an empty net for the game's only goal.

It was a bitter-sweet moment for Valencia, though, as Zigic had only been sent into the action because star striker David Villa limped off after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring strain.

Osasuna's hopes of making it a hat-trick of wins were ended as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat after failing to make the most of their chances at Getafe.

All three goals came during a 21-minute spell in the second half, with Pedro Leon firing home Getafe's winner in the 75th minute after Osasuna striker Carlos Aranda had canceled out Cata Diaz's opener for the hosts.

Two goals from Miguel helped Sporting Gijon complete a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Real Mallorca 4-1 at El Molinon.

Jose Luis Marti fired the visitors in front from the penalty spot but three goals in 10 minutes turned the match around for Sporting.

Luis Moran Sanchez started the fightback before Miguel and Mate Bilic added to the tally to earn Sporting their second win of the Primera Division season and inflict a first defeat on their opponents.

Villarreal remain without a win after six games following a disappointing goalless draw at home to 10-man Espanyol.

Despite a slow start, they seemed likely to seal all three points when Espanyol were reduced to 10 men after only 14 minutes, but they could not find the breakthrough.

Xerez scored their first goal in top-flight football but were unable to hold on for a maiden Primera Division victory in an intensely-disputed Andalusian derby against Malaga.

Jose Angel Ziganda's side came into the game having conceded 11 goals and scored none.

That changed two minutes into the second half, though, when Argentinian midfielder Emiliano Armenteros hacked in from close range.

Malaga dominated after that and equalized when Victor Obinna crashed home a stunning effort from outside the box.

The Nigerian striker was sent off in the last minute for a second bookable offense as the game ended 1-1.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Nicolas Anelka helped Chelsea sink his former club Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday, and moved the Blues to the top of the Premier League table.

Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez locked horns once again having pitted their wits against each other in two Champions League finals, but it was the Italian who was smiling at the final whistle after Anelka's 60th-minute strike and a late second from sub Florent Malouda.

Both teams had struggled to create clear-cut chances, but the breakthrough came on the hour when Didier Drogba's brilliant cross from the left flank was sidefooted past Pepe Reina by Anelka from around six yards out.

Drogba had earlier spurned the first real chance of the game on 24, when his looping header was easily saved by the Reds goalkeeper.

Reina was at it again minutes later, this time denying an Anelka header before seeing Michael Ballack head a good chance over from six yards.

For the visitors, Steven Gerrard fired a free-kick over the crossbar before Blues keeper Hilario saved a headed effort from Fernando Torres and a low 40-yard drive from Albert Riera on 45.

After the break, the game exploded into life when Anelka finally broke the deadlock, meaning Benitez had to rip up his defensive gameplan.

He sent on Yossi Benayoun for Riera but it was Chelsea who found the net for a second time in stoppage time, when Drogba outmuscled Jamie Carragher with ease and left Malouda with a simple tap-in from close range.

Benayoun dragged a great chance inches wide of the upright in the dying seconds, but Rafa's Reds have now lost three of eight Premier League games and stay fifth in the table.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 22 players that will train in advance of the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica that will determine if the United States automatically qualifies for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The U.S. first travels to San Pedro Sula to face Honduras, with kickoff on Oct. 10 at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano set for 8 p.m. MT. Four days later, the U.S. returns home for the last match of final round qualifying when they will take on Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. Kickoff at RFK Stadium is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION - Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 14/8 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 24/3), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 4/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover: 19/0), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards: 1/0), Clarence Goodson (IK Start: 1/0), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan: 18/1), Jonathan Spector (West Ham: 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 13/4), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 7/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 20/5), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus: 4/0), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 6/0)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Hull City: 11/6), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids: 5/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 16/6), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich: 1/1), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux: 5/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 33/11)

Numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

Press release courtesy of www.ussoccer.com

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Former Inter Milan forward Adriano has revealed he had to leave the Serie A giants because of alcohol problems.

The Brazilian ended his contract with Inter by mutual consent in April after a torrid eight years at the San Siro.

Adriano returned to his homeland and signed for Flamengo and the 27-year-old claims he now feels like a new person.

"After the death of my father I fell into a depression that I only managed to cure with alcohol," he told Brazilian magazine R7. "I was happy only when I was drinking and I never stopped.

"I went out every night and drank whatever happened to be in front of me: wine, whiskey, beer...a lot of beer.

"People think that it was madness to give up the millionaire's contract that I had but the truth is that there is not money enough to compensate for family.

"I gave up so many millions but I bought happiness."

Adriano had a troubled time in Italy and his career was often called into question by off the field reports.

In September 2007, he was sent home to Brazil by Inter as he was unhappy, and he went on to join Sao Paulo on loan for six months before heading back to Italy.

Reports at the time suggested Adriano was once again turning up to training drunk and the Brazil international has admitted that was why the Nerazzurri eventually gave up on him.

He continued: "I turned up every day drunk. I couldn't sleep for fear of being late but at the end I arrived in unpresentable conditions anyway and so they used to send me to sleep in the infirmary while they told journalists that I had some muscle problems.

"I went back to Inter because of (Jose) Mourinho, but it was not enough.

"I started again with parties, women and alcohol.

The club didn't want to accept the situation and gave up insisting on my recovery.

"I'm upset for Mourinho, who rightly argued with several directors in an attempt to convince them to treat me."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)