Soccer Insider: March 29, 2009 - April 4, 2009
Matchnight #3: United-Dynamo
Greetings from RFK. Heavenly weather for a D.C. United home match? A pleasant surprise. Of course, it's also cherry blossom season in the nation's capital, which means unbearable traffic on bridges, around the Mall and Capitol Hill. If you are on your way in a combustible engine vehicle, beware! DCU...
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Steve Goff
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April 4, 2009; 5:05 PM ET |
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Villarreal for All-Stars?
The Insider has learned that financially troubled Valencia dropped out of the running to play in the MLS All-Star Game in Salt Lake City this summer and that Spanish La Liga rival Villarreal is now in negotiations with the league. However, there is apparently a dispute about who actually represents...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 7:29 PM ET |
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MLS
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Mexico Hires Aguirre
In his second national team stint, Javier Aguirre will attempt to straighten out the wobbling World Cup qualifying effort. Mexico -- which lost at Honduras, 3-1, on Wednesday and then fired Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson -- will play at El Salvador on June 6 and host Trinidad and Tobago four...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 7:18 PM ET |
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Mexico
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Berhalter, Montero, Sanchez
*Insider readers knew before anyone else that this was in the works, and now it is official: USA defender Gregg Berhalter has joined the Los Angeles Galaxy. *In Seattle, the feel-good story of the MLS season takes a dark turn. *FC Dallas acquires a 24-year-old attacker from Costa Rica on...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 2:35 PM ET |
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MLS
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Spanish Clubs in America
We know FC Barcelona is coming this summer (Aug. 1 vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl). The Insider told you weeks ago that Valencia is the top choice to be the MLS All-Star Game opponent in Salt Lake City. And now we're awaiting word on something we...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 1:18 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Soehn Speaks
On the improving health of the roster..... "We're getting there. Some guys have had limited training this week. Last year I might not have made the same decisions [about the game-day roster] but this year you can be careful about rushing guys back. We've got a deeper team, for sure."...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 12:57 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Quaranta, McTavish and Fred Status
Santino Quaranta: "I feel great. ... I'm not sure [if I will be in uniform tomorrow]. It's up to them right now. I practiced this week, so it's their decision. I know they always talk about being patient because we have all these steps [in the season], so we'll see."...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 12:29 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Crayton and Janicki Status
Goalkeeper Louis Crayton says he is ready to play. "150 percent!" "I've been ready since the last two weeks. I had a talk with the coach and that was his choice [to start Josh Wicks last weekend] and he wanted to see another week of my performance in training. I've...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 12:25 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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D.C. United News & Notes
*The United-Dynamo match is among four sporting events taking place tomorrow night in the city. The Orioles-Nationals exhibition at Nats Park starts at 6 p.m., Wizards-Heat is at Verizon Center at 7 and, 30 minutes before the MLS kickoff at RFK, right next door at the D.C. Armory, the D.C....
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 12:11 PM ET |
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Friday Kickaround
*D.C. United official injury report heading into tomorrow night's match at RFK against the Houston Dynamo: MF-D Devon McTavish (head laceration) is listed as doubtful; MF Santino Quaranta (hamstring strain) and GK Josh Wicks (hip flexor strain) are questionable; MF Fred (hamstring strain) and D Greg Janicki (head laceration) are...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 10:10 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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Freedom
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Weekend TV Listings
What are you going to watch? FRIDAY Mexico, Tecos-Tigres 10 p.m. ET Galavision SATURDAY England, Blackburn-Spurs 7:40 a.m. Setanta England, Arsenal-Manchester City 10 a.m. Setanta England, Newcastle-Chelsea 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel Germany, Wolfsburg-Bayern Munich 11:30 a.m. GolTV England, Bristol-Preston North End 12:15 p.m. Setanta England, Fulham-Liverpool 12:30 p.m. FSC...
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Steve Goff
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April 3, 2009; 1:00 AM ET |
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TV
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Sven Out as Mexico Coach
A day after losing at Honduras and dropping into fourth place in CONCACAF's World Cup qualifying, Sven-Goran Eriksson has been dismissed as Mexico coach. "We could not take risks with qualification for the World Cup, and we could not rely solely on results at the Estadio Azteca," Mexican Football Federation...
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Steve Goff
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April 2, 2009; 5:16 PM ET |
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Mexico
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Mediate signs with USL's Puerto Rico Islanders
Former United player Domenic Mediate has signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL. The Islanders announced the signing of Mediate today. Until recently Mediate, who also played for the University of Maryland, was is in camp with United, but wasn't able to secure a senior roster spot. Puerto...
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Greg Manifold
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April 2, 2009; 1:44 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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U.S. National Team at RFK
The U.S. men's national team is coming to Washington this summer. In the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the defending champion Americans will play Grenada on July 4 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Honduras on July 8 at RFK Stadium and Haiti on July 11 at Gillette Stadium...
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Steve Goff
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April 2, 2009; 12:02 PM ET |
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CONCACAF
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U.S. men's national team
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Thursday Kickaround
*TV news: Fox has big plans for Euro Champions League coverage. *Columbus visits Real Salt Lake tonight (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2). It's RSL's home opener and, according to this column in the SLC Tribune, the beginning of an opportunity to gain ground in the local market. *A reminder to join...
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Steve Goff
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April 2, 2009; 9:12 AM ET |
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CONCACAF
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USA Rewind
Three-goal scorer Jozy Altidore: "All the goals were a team effort. If you look at the build-up, the passing, everybody, we all moved together in right positions, played one, two touch when we had to and we were successful when we finished the goals." Bob Bradley , on DaMarcus Beasley's...
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Steve Goff
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April 2, 2009; 1:12 AM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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Video: Bolivia 6, Argentina 1
Que pasa, Diego?...
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Steve Goff
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April 2, 2009; 12:46 AM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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Argentina
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Matchnight: USA-T&T
Greetings again from Music City. Gorgeous, 68-degree, cloudless day in central Tennessee. Americans vs. Soca Warriors at LP Field Kickoff: 7:57 p.m. ET TV: ESPN2, Galavision. Attendance: Perhaps 25,000? Other CONCACAF matches: Mexico at Honduras, 9:30 (Telemundo) El Salvador at Costa Rica, 10 I will be back later with the...
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Steve Goff
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April 1, 2009; 3:33 PM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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CONCACAF
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Gold Cup, World Cup, FC N.Y.
*CONCACAF will announce the Gold Cup groups and complete schedule Thursday at noon ET. First-round doubleheaders will be played at Carson, Seattle, Oakland, Columbus, RFK Stadium, Houston, Miami, Foxborough and Phoenix. Team USA in Seattle, Columbus or Washington, and then Foxborough? *According to FIFA, the country that has requested the...
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Steve Goff
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April 1, 2009; 2:09 PM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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CONCACAF
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D.C. United, MLS Salaries
A few updates since the initial player salary list was unveiled: For D.C. United..... D Dejan Jakovic: $90,000 base/$109,000 guaranteed F Ange N'Silu: $65,000/$76,000 GK Josh Wicks: $42,000/$42,000 D Anthony Peters: $34,000/$34,000 MF Brandon Barklage, GK Milos Kocic and MF John DiRaimondo are developmentals at $20,100. Elsewhere..... Dallas MF David...
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Steve Goff
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April 1, 2009; 11:52 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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Asian Qualifiers, Gooch, USA Yellows
*South Korea's 87th-minute goal edges North Korea, 1-0, and Australia moves to the brink of securing the first World Cup qualifying berth with a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan. *USA defender Oguchi Onyewu (sore left knee) says he's ready to return against T&T tonight (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Galavision) after sitting...
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Steve Goff
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April 1, 2009; 11:10 AM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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Early Wednesday Kickaround
*Following up on our exclusive report about New Jersey native Gregg Berhalter returning to America, German club 1860 Munich has officially agreed to release the USA veteran defender and allow him to sign on a free transfer with MLS. His destination is expected to be finalized within a few days,...
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Steve Goff
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April 1, 2009; 3:40 AM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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Germany
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United Stadium Update
Oh, boy. The Maryland desk has this report about the DCU stadium situation....
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Steve Goff
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March 31, 2009; 6:13 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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A Few Minutes With Francisco Maturana
The Trinidad and Tobago players weren't available for interviews after their one-hour training session here at LP Field in Music City, but Coach Francisco "Pacho" Maturana agreed to chat for a few moments (with help from an interpreter): What are your feelings on the eve of this important match? "It...
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Steve Goff
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March 31, 2009; 5:42 PM ET |
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CONCACAF
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Tomorrow's TV Lineup
Lots of World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday, lots of TV coverage. What are you going to watch/tape? Australia-Uzbekistan 5 a.m. ET Fox Soccer Channel South Korea-North Korea 7 a.m. FSC Kazakhstan-Belarus 10:30 a.m. FSC Bulgaria-Cyprus 10:45 a.m. Setanta Turkey-Spain 2 p.m. Setanta Czech Republic-Slovakia 2:30 p.m. FSC Wales-Germany 2:45 p.m....
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Steve Goff
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March 31, 2009; 12:31 PM ET |
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2010 World Cup
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D.C. United vs. Hotel Lobby
Olsen, Simms, Namoff and McTavish enjoy a kickaround at the Fairfield Inn & Suites:...
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Steve Goff
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March 31, 2009; 11:31 AM ET |
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D.C. United
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Early Tuesday Kickaround
What do the Insider and Charlie Daniels Museum have in common? They're both in Nashville. Well, I'll be there soon. Access to the USA squad won't be available until late today or this evening, so in the meantime, you should know that..... .....according to MLS sources, USA defender Gregg Berhalter...
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Steve Goff
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March 31, 2009; 3:45 AM ET |
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FIFA
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Problems With DCU Stadium Plan
There seems to be a constitutional issue with today's House Appropriations Committee vote in Annapolis....
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 9:37 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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USA Roster Changes
With USA goalkeeper Tim Howard available for the T&T qualifier Wednesday in Nashville after serving a yellow card suspension, Marcus Hahnemann has been dropped from the roster. Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein was added. With two matches in five days, what lineup changes (besides Howard replacing Brad Guzan and perhaps...
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 6:23 PM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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United Study Bill Approved by House
By a vote of 17 to 7, the House Appropriations Committee has given a favorable vote to a bill allowing the Maryland Stadium Authority to study the feasibility and economic cost of building a stadium in Prince George's County for D.C. United. The Post's Maryland Moment blog discusses the vote....
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Greg Manifold
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March 30, 2009; 4:15 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Sixty Six, the Movie
I finally got around to seeing "Sixty Six," a charming little film about a north London boy's bar mitzvah falling on the same day as the 1966 World Cup final. Quality match footage (both authentic and recreated). Recommended. You can order it through pay-per-view on your cable system or NetFlix....
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 3:21 PM ET |
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Misc.
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United News and Notes
As we await news on the D.C. United stadium proposal in Maryland, you should know that..... *United is working very hard toward an Aug. 8 friendly at RFK against a major Euro opponent, sources tell the Insider. Club officials are tight-lipped. We know it's not Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan...
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 1:04 PM ET |
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D.C. United
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Kissinger on Cup Bid Committee
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a longtime soccer fan who has backed USSF efforts in the past, has accepted an invitation to join the USA Bid Committee that is pursuing to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. "He's done a tremendous amount for the sport in this country...
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 12:27 PM ET |
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USSF
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World Cup, NCAA Style (Final Four)
If you are just joining the fun, the Insider has been conducting a fan-friendly, mock World Cup using NCAA basketball tournament seedings and regionals. It's been a 64-nation, single-elimination tournament based on FIFA rankings. All matches have been played in an imaginary location where the pitch is perfect and the...
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 10:38 AM ET |
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FIFA
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Monday Kickaround
*FIFA wants answers in the aftermath of the stadium tragedy in Ivory Coast. *Colorado Rapids chief investor Stan Kroenke increases his stake in Arsenal. *If you are planning ahead for Wednesday's USA-T&T qualifier, ESPN2 and Galavision coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, but kickoff won't occur until 7:57 p.m....
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 9:44 AM ET |
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Categories:
2010 World Cup
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Argentina
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MLS
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Mexico
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U.S. men's national team
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MLS Observations
A few thoughts on Week 2 of the MLS regular season..... *Since Kenny Cooper's miracle goal from midfield in the ninth minute of the opener, FC Dallas has not scored in two home matches. *Luciano Emilio's goal for D.C. United was his first in league play since last Aug. 2....
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Steve Goff
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March 30, 2009; 6:12 AM ET |
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Sol Defeats Freedom in WPS Opener
In front of nearly 15,000 at Home Depot Center, the Los Angeles Sol defeated the Washington Freedom, 2-0, in the WPS inaugural match. Allison Falk scored early and Camille Abily scored late. A full report will appear on washingtonpost.com late tonight. The Freedom, which saw Lori Lindsey hit the left...
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Steve Goff
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March 29, 2009; 8:43 PM ET |
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Freedom
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Women
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Video: USA-El Salvador
Motion pictures from the 2-2 tie at Estadio Cuscatlan:...
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Steve Goff
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March 29, 2009; 1:19 AM ET |
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U.S. men's national team
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United Rewind
Before we look at United's 1-1 tie with Chicago on Saturday night, let's flash back to last week's 2-2 draw at Los Angeles. More specifically, the collision between Devon McTavish and Greg Janicki, and referee Jair Marrufo's decision not to stop play right away despite both players suffering head injuries....
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Steve Goff
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March 29, 2009; 1:02 AM ET |
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