Author: Staff (Page 8 of 10)

USA shocks Italy for first win ever against the Azzurri

February 29, 2012 / Staff

This one is a shocker.

The United States beat Italy for the first time in 11 games over 78 years, a 1-0 victory in an exhibition Wednesday night on Clint Dempsey’s goal in the 55th minute.
Dempsey took a short pass from Jozy Altidore following Michael Bradley’s cross and put a right-footed shot from just inside the penalty area just past an outstretched hand of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. It was his 25th goal in 83 international appearances.
A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, who turns 29 on March 9, Dempsey has had the most accomplished season by a U.S. attacking player in European soccer. He’s scored 16 goals this season for Fulham, becoming the American career scoring leader in England’s Premier League with 43 goals.
The loss was particularly deflating for Italy, a four-time World Cup champion preparing for the start of the European Championship in June. The Americans, who are getting ready for their opening qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in June, had been 0-7-3 against Italy and had been outscored 32-4.
Italy dominated for stretches but the American defense held and the Azzurri were called for offsides nine times.

The Italians had been playing well, but forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano were out with injuries. Also, Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was “left off the squad because of his temper and unpredictability” according to this ESPN article. He’s a well-known hot head so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

European Soccer, Misc. Soccer, U.S. Soccer

Antonio Cassano Azzurri Clint Dempsey European Championship Giuseppe Rossi Manchester City Mario Balotelli USA vs Italy

Lionel Messi interview

January 26, 2012 / Staff

Lionel Messi might be the best soccer players in the world. He’s also a low-key superstar. Check out this recent interview of Messi.

Journalists are evenly split on whether or not they should interview their personal heroes: some say you shouldn’t because you’ll find your idol has feet of clay, others argue the opportunity is too good to miss. For me, it was a no-brainer. Lionel Messi is not only the shining star of my favorite team, FC Barcelona, (although among my sentimental favorites, he ranks behind stalwarts Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Andres Iniesta) he’s also a highly unusual sporting icon. In an era when many sports celebrities swagger extravagantly, on and off the field, Messi is something of a throwback: a well-behaved young man who keeps his nose scrupulously clean.
On the field, he shows little of the petulance and amateur dramatics of so many soccer players, including one or two in Barcelona colors. When he scores, he always raises two forefingers to the sky, dedicating the goal to his late grandmother. When he’s fouled, he rarely — rarely — exaggerates his pain: he’s too much in a hurry to get the ball back at his feet. Off the field, he lives a quiet life, with his father in the Barcelona suburb of Castelldefels. Unlike many top players (including some of his recent teammates), he’s rarely seen in the city’s bars and discos, with a supermodel on his arm.

Read the entire interview. He seems like a classy guy.

European Soccer, South American Soccer

Andres Iniesta Carles Puyol FC Barcelona Lionel Messi Xavi Hernández

Soccer year in review

January 1, 2012 / Staff

It was a good year fro Soccer games, but a bad year for FIFA according to this year in review.

Champions League, Copa Libertadores, European Cup, European Soccer, Misc. Soccer, South American Soccer, U.S. Soccer, UEFA Cup, World Cup

Borussia Dortmund soccer in 2011

Los Angeles Galaxy wins MLS Cup

November 21, 2011 / Staff

The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center. Above you can see Landon Donovan celebrating, as he should.

It was inevitable that this year’s MLS Cup would be all about David Beckham. His presence alone at the Home Depot Center on Sunday was enough to send fans, league officials, journalists and photographers into a tizzy. It was as if there was no one else on the field, as if no one else mattered. Five years after Beckham came to our shores to spread the gospel of soccer, this final was to be his crowning achievement. In truth, it was a personal victory for another player.
That player is Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. While Beckham was looking for a Hollywood ending to cement his legacy a few years after his commitment to the Galaxy had come into question, Donovan is no stranger to winning in Major League Soccer. The Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo to win MLS Cup put Donovan forever in the pantheon of this country’s greatest soccer players. For the 29-year-old midfielder, scoring the game-winner and lifting the trophy capped a great season and put an end to a personal dry spell dating back six years.

This game capped off a very successful season for the MLS which should continue to build the popularity of soccer in the United States.

U.S. Soccer

David Beckham Home Depot Center Houston Dynamo Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy MLS MLS Cup