Soccer Insider: February 8, 2009 - February 14, 2009
Bradley Strikes Again
Three days after scoring twice for the USA against Mexico, midfielder Michael Bradley connects from close range in the 79th minute to earn Moenchengladbach a 1-1 tie at Werder Bremen. It was his second goal in 12 Bundesliga matches for Moenchengladbach, which is last in the league with a 3-13-4...
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Steve Goff
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February 14, 2009; 11:24 AM ET |
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Germany
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U.S. men's national team
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Weekend TV Listings
What are you going to watch? SATURDAY England FA Cup, Fulham-Swansea 7:45 a.m. Setanta England FA Cup, West Ham-Middlesbrough 9:45 a.m. Setanta England FA Cup, Sheffield United-Hull City 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel Germany, Hertha Berlin-Bayern Munich 11:30 a.m. GolTV Italy, Lazio-Torino noon FSC England FA Cup, Watford-Chelsea 12:30 p.m....
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Steve Goff
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February 14, 2009; 7:30 AM ET |
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TV
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Beckham Stays.....for Now
The deadline set by The Commish Don Garber has come and, apparently, gone: David Beckham stays with the Galaxy. Here's what Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena had to say: "Today's deadline imposed by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber regarding a resolution of David Beckham's potential transfer to AC Milan has...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 9:29 PM ET |
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Beckham
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United Addition
D.C. United has acquired a central defender. I've never heard of him. You've never heard of him. Read more about Gambia native Mamadou "Futty" Danso by clicking here....
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 6:02 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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A Few Minutes With Quaranta, Olsen
Santino Quaranta, on Christian Gomez's first day back with D.C. United: "It seems like the feeling of a team again, like it used to be around here. There is no animosity at all, everyone is really upbeat. Once you have a relationship like we had together, you just pick right...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 3:28 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Greetings From RFK
*Knowing he would see Christian Gomez again today, Ben Olsen wore a No. 10 "C. Gomez" baby-blue Rapids jersey to RFK. Much more from Olsen later. For now..... *Goalkeeper Louis Crayton is expected to arrive tonight after spending time in Liberia following his mother's death. *Trialist Taiwo Atieno was let...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 2:46 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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DCU Stadium Chat, Poll
Post reporter David Nakamura will conduct a live online chat at noon today. Submit your questions in advance, follow the action and read the transcript by clicking here. Complete the sentence in this poll: poll by twiigs.com...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 11:12 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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Poll
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Video: Copa Libertadores
San Lorenzo 4, San Luis 1: What's more appalling -- San Luis's goalkeeping and defending or San Lorenzo's jersey sponsor? (USA defender Michael Orozco was not in the 18 for San Luis because of injury.)...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 9:47 AM ET |
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Libertadores
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Early Friday Kickaround
On this Friday the 13th, we salute the six D.C. United players who have worn the No. 13 jersey: Shawn Medved (1996) Jose Alegria (2001-03) Christian Gomez (2004) Tim Merritt (2005) Brad North (2007) Ryan Miller (2008) *The link to the print edition/post.com story about D.C. United's interest in Prince...
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Steve Goff
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February 13, 2009; 12:33 AM ET |
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College Soccer
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D.C. United
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FIFA
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MLS
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TV
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USL
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United in Maryland
The Insider has learned that D.C. United is on the verge of entering a partnership with the state of Maryland and Prince George's County to pursue a medium-sized soccer stadium. There are still obstacles, but if all goes well, the club and local governments will unveil their preliminary plans Monday....
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 5:21 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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MLS Moves, DCU Kisses
*The New York Red Bulls filled their left midfield slot by acquiring Khano Smith from the Seattle Sounders for allocation money. Smith had gone from New England to Seattle through the expansion draft. *The Kansas City Wizards have acquired Argentine winger Santiago Hirsig from San Lorenzo. *On a much lighter...
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 4:04 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Video: CONCACAF
T&T 2, El Salvador 2: Costa Rica 2, Honduras 0:...
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 11:29 AM ET |
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CONCACAF
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Video: Argentina-France
Argentina 2, France 0:...
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 10:26 AM ET |
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Argentina
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France
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USA-Mexico Rewind
Yes, the USSF confirms, goalkeeper Tim Howard is suspended from the March 28 match at El Salvador for accumulation of yellow cards. He received one last night for delaying the game after the Marquez red card. Howard's previous yellow? Last August in Guatemala. Would FIFA please change this ridiculous rule?...
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 8:43 AM ET |
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Mexico
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U.S. men's national team
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The Hejduk Incident
At the conclusion of the USA's 2-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday night in the Columbus wind tunnel, Frankie Hejduk was heading toward the locker room when a Mexican team staff member slapped him in the face. Univision identified the assailant as assistant coach Paco Ramirez. What precipitated it? Here's...
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Steve Goff
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February 12, 2009; 1:15 AM ET |
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Mexico
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U.S. men's national team
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Matchnight: USA-Mexico
Greetings from very rainy Columbus (4:35 p.m.). We're under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. So far, no lightning and light winds. Still hours from kickoff and we've got news...... *The 20-man roster is now an 18-man roster: Forward Charlie Davies (five caps) and midfielder Robbie Rogers (one cap) have...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 4:35 PM ET |
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Mexico
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U.S. men's national team
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Looking Ahead to 2018/'22
A few comments from USSF President Sunil Gulati on the American bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup..... "It is quite possible in the next six to 12 months we will be asked to, or decide to, pick one of those World Cups" to pursue. On the potential...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 1:54 PM ET |
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FIFA
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USSF
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Garber Sets Beckham Deadline
MLS Commissioner Don Garber is getting fed up with the David Beckham issue and whether the English superstar will remain with the Galaxy or move permanently to AC Milan. In an exclusive interview with the Insider, he set a Friday deadline to finalize a deal. Beckham, who has played two...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 12:19 PM ET |
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Beckham
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USA-Mexico Contingency Plan?
With thunderstorms and severe winds in the forecast here in Columbus, USSF Prez Sunil Gulati was asked whether the USA-Mexico qualifier tonight could be postponed. "In the far event that something that almost never, ever, ever happens in soccer happens, in the far event one of the team's buses stalls...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 12:15 PM ET |
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Mexico
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U.S. men's national team
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MLS Cup Update
Greetings from the USSF news conference concerning the fed's bid for the 2018 or '22 World Cup. No big revelations, but I'll let you know what was said later. For now, a few new tidbits on the MLS Cup venue search..... *Chicago was never a serious contender. Toronto and New...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 11:48 AM ET |
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MLS
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MLS Cup Considerations
The league usually announces the site of MLS Cup about a year in advance, but the 2009 process is taking much more longer than usual. Why? From what I am hearing, the day of the week and the TV window are at the root of the discussions. All 13 MLS...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 11:05 AM ET |
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MLS
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USA-Mexico Warmups
To get you in the mood for tonight's World Cup qualifier..... *Who had the most starts for the USA in the first two stages of qualifying? Not Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu or Tim Howard. Try left back Heath Pearce with seven in eight games. *Donovan has the most caps on...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 9:40 AM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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Wednesday Kickaround
*We begin with our final edition of the Buckeye Barometer, and it ain't pretty. Today: High of 62 degrees, thunderstorms, 20-30 mph winds Tonight: Low of 39, 50 percent chance of rain, 25-35 mph winds with gusts over 40 mph *We re-introduce our on-the-road restaurant recommendations with three fine downtown...
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Steve Goff
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February 11, 2009; 6:00 AM ET |
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Categories:
2010 World Cup
,
D.C. United
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MLS
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TV
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Video: Robinho's Goal!
Robinho's magical display during Brazil's 2-0 victory over Italy:...
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Steve Goff
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February 10, 2009; 9:48 PM ET |
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Brazil
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Italy
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Poll: USA-Mexico
We've done this before, but on the eve of the showdown in Columbus, let's do it again. poll by twiigs.com...
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Steve Goff
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February 10, 2009; 1:50 PM ET |
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Categories:
2010 World Cup
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Mexico
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Poll
,
U.S. men's national team
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United Wins, 2-1
In its second preseason match, D.C. United defeats the MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew, 2-1, in Bradenton, Fla. Luciano Emilio heads in Mike Zaher's cross in the 23rd minute, but the Crew ties it early in the second half when, according to team observers, rookie keeper Milos Kocic places down...
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Steve Goff
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February 10, 2009; 11:47 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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USL
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Tuesday Kickaround
*The big man from Belgium, USA defender Oguchi Onyewu, on his Standard Liege status: "There were rumors all over the place about where I might go, but I knew I wasn't going to leave in the winter window. My team wouldn't let me go and I accepted that very early...
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Steve Goff
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February 10, 2009; 8:44 AM ET |
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Beckham
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Brazil
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Italy
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TV
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U.S. men's national team
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United News and Notes
The link to my feature story about Fred. The link to my Christian Gomez trade story. Other things you should know at the end of this long day: *Gomez's contract is guaranteed this season. In 2010, United/MLS holds an option. *The Rapids, I'm told, are going to be responsible for...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 10:59 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Gomez Trade Done
D.C. United sends Honduran midfielder Ivan Guerrero, a designated player slot and a 2010 second-round draft pick to the Colorado Rapids for 2006 MLS most valuable player Christian Gomez. The Rapids will be responsible for a portion of Gomez's salary, estimated at just under $400,000 this season. Gomez will likely...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 5:03 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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USA, DCU, SJ and Toronto
Greetings from Columbus. Actually Obetz, where the Crew's training facility is located. The USA team has arrived for a closed workout. Everyone is here except Landon Donovan and Jose Francisco Torres. Both are expected to arrive tonight. Temperature near 50, not much snow on the ground, overcast. More from the...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 3:48 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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MLS
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U.S. men's national team
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United Nears Deal for Gomez
As we've been telling you for weeks, a trade is in the works, and two independent sources say it might be finalized today or tomorrow: Argentine midfielder Christian Gomez, the 2006 MLS most valuable player, appears to be on his way back to D.C. United. From what I can gather,...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 10:47 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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Video: Pachuca and Barcelona
I am off to Columbus soon. If the skies are indeed friendly, I'll rejoin you after USA training late in the day. Feel free to discuss any matters in the comments section of this thread. Pachuca 3, America 1: Barcelona 3, Sporting Gijon 1:...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 10:23 AM ET |
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Mexico
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Spain
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Americans Abroad
GOALKEEPERS Brad Friedel 90 minutes in Aston Villa's 2-0 win at Blackburn Tim Howard 90 in Everton's 3-0 win over Bolton Brad Guzan did not play in Aston Villa's 2-0 win at Blackburn Marcus Hahnemann (injury) not in the 18 in Reading's 0-0 tie with Preston Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern...
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Steve Goff
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February 9, 2009; 9:02 AM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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Roger, Over and Out
D.C. United was on the brink of finalizing a contract with Brazilian defender Roger, who was slated to start in central defense this season. However, the club announced today that the 34-year-old veteran, who passed a physical and has been practicing with the team for more than a week, left...
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Steve Goff
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February 8, 2009; 5:04 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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USA Roster!
The 20 players selected for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus are..... Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa). Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Danny Califf (Midtjylland), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Marvell Wynne (Toronto). Midfielders: Michael Bradley...
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Steve Goff
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February 8, 2009; 1:30 PM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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