Soccer Insider: April 25, 2010 - May 1, 2010

D.C. United rewind

Only 75 days until the summer transfer window opens! It might be D.C. United's only hope of salvaging this miserable season. Curt Onalfo can tinker with formations, tactics and lineup selections all he wants, but the current roster is not going to produce points for him. Kevin Payne and Dave...

By Steve Goff  |  May 1, 2010; 10:40 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (77)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: Curt Onalfo, D.C. United, MLS, New York Red Bulls, Washington Freedom  
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Matchday: United-Red Bulls

Greetings from RFK Stadium. It's an unseasonably hot, humid day along the banks of the mighty Anacostia for the only MLS-WPS doubleheader in Washington this season: D.C. United (0-4) vs. New York Red Bulls (4-1) Kickoff: 4 p.m. TV: Comcast SportsNet/DC, Telefutura. Washington Freedom (1-2) vs. St. Louis Athletica (1-0-2)...

By Steve Goff  |  May 1, 2010; 2:12 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (69)
Categories:  D.C. United , Freedom  | Tags: Atlantic Cup, D.C. United, El Salvador, MLS, Major League Soccer, New York, Red Bulls, Saint Louis Athletica, WPS, Washington Freedom, soccer  
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Joe Vide battling Hodgkin's disease

Former MLS midfielder Joe Vide is battling Hodgkin's disease, the same blood cancer that afflicted D.C. United Coach Curt Onalfo. Both played at the University of Virginia. Onalfo was diagnosed on his 24th birthday, in 1993; Vide is 25. He played for the New York Red Bulls and San Jose...

By Steve Goff  |  May 1, 2010; 11:42 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (10)
Categories:  D.C. United , MLS  | Tags: Curt Onalfo, D.C. United, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Joe Vide, Major League Soccer, University of Virginia  
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The present and future for Luciano Emilio

For a story about Luciano Emilio's return to D.C. United and his likely reintroduction at RFK Stadium on Saturday afternoon against the New York Red Bulls, I asked him about the pressure to re-prove himself after signing a short-term contract that may or may not be extended in July. His...

By Steve Goff  |  May 1, 2010; 8:32 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (19)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: Christian Gomez, D.C. United, Herculez Gomez, Luciano Emilio, Major League Soccer, Raul Diaz Arce, Red Bull New York, Roy Lassiter, Santino Quaranta  
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D.C. United releases Shipalane, Adams

D.C. United continued to tinker with its roster late Friday, waiving midfielder Tiyi Shipalane and defender Lyle Adams. Those moves made room for striker Luciano Emilio, who re-signed Wednesday, and midfielder Stephen King, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Sounders earlier today. DCU received Emilio's international transfer...

By Steve Goff  |  April 30, 2010; 5:03 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (12)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: D.C. United, Luciano Emilio, Lyle Adams, Major League Soccer, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull New York, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Seattle Sounders, Stephen King, Tiyi Shipalane  
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D.C. United news & notes

*D.C. United has acquired reserve midfielder Stephen King (Maryland) from the Seattle Sounders for a 2011 second-round draft pick. He scored twice in his rookie season with Chicago in 2008 and made 10 appearances for Seattle last year but has not played this spring. United will have to make a...

By Steve Goff  |  April 30, 2010; 12:09 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (57)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: Blackburn Rovers, D.C. United, Luciano Emilio, MLS, RFK Stadium, Seattle Sounders, soccer  
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Friday kickaround

*With Fulham's 2-1 comeback victory over Hamburg in the second leg of a Europa League semifinal, midfielder Clint Dempsey is in position to become the first American to play for a major European title, May 12 vs. Atletico Madrid. A good read from the London Daily Telegraph. *Juergen Klinsmann will...

By Steve Goff  |  April 30, 2010; 8:56 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (25)
Categories:  2010 World Cup , Americans Abroad , England , Germany , TV , U.S. men's national team  | Tags: Bob Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey, Fulham, Hamburg, Jonathan Spector, Juergen Klinsmann, Kenny Dalglish, Soccer, Stuart Pearce, Terry Venables, World Cup  
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Weekend soccer TV listings

More than 40 matches available. What are you going to watch? SATURDAY England, Birmingham-Burnley 7:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2 Germany, Bayern Munich-Bochum 9:30 a.m. GolTV Germany, Schalke-Werder Bremen 9:30 a.m. ESPN Deportes England, Manchester City-Aston Villa 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel England, Spurs-Bolton 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Plus...

By Steve Goff  |  April 29, 2010; 10:25 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (15)
Categories:  TV  | Tags: AC Milan, D.C. United, F.C. Internazionale Milano, FC Bayern Munich, Fox Soccer Channel, GolTV, Hertha BSC, MLS, Manchester City F.C., Manchester United F.C., Real Madrid C.F., SV Werder Bremen, Soccer  
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Bob Bradley talks U.S. roster, World Cup

With the World Cup six weeks away and training camp decisions nearing, U.S. Coach Bob Bradley addressed the roster outlook and several other issues during a media gathering in Manhattan on Thursday. Some highlights: *He plans to bring 26 to 28 players into training camp at Princeton starting May 16....

By Steve Goff  |  April 29, 2010; 1:41 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (49)
Categories:  2010 World Cup , U.S. men's national team  | Tags: Bob Bradley, Brian Ching, Bruce Arena, Carlos Bocanegra, Charlie Davies, DaMarcus Beasley, Edson Buddle, FIFA World Cup, Jonathan Spector, Jozy Altidore, Oguchi Onyewu, Soccer, South Africa, U.S. national soccer team, World Cup  
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Video: D.C. United's victory over FC Dallas

By Steve Goff  |  April 29, 2010; 11:01 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (14)
Categories:  D.C. United , U.S. Open Cup  | Tags: D.C. United, FC Dallas, U.S. Open Cup  
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USA soccer team unveils home jersey

At an event in Manhattan this morning, the USSF and Nike presented the national team's new/old home jersey, modeled after the 1950 World Cup uniform. To read more about it, click here. Opinions?...

By Steve Goff  |  April 29, 2010; 10:13 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (49)
Categories:  U.S. men's national team , USSF  | Tags: 1950 FIFA World Cup, Nike, U.S. national team, World Cup, soccer  
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Early Thursday kickaround

*Adam Cristman scored twice and Andy Najar, 17, had his first professional goal plus an assist as D.C. United defeated FC Dallas, 4-2, in the preliminary round of the U.S. Open Cup. Coach Curt Onalfo was ejected in the first half for disputing a call. United will host Real Salt...

By Steve Goff  |  April 29, 2010; 12:09 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (57)
Categories:  Americans Abroad , CONCACAF Champions League , Canada , Club World Cup , D.C. United , England , MLS , Mexico , U.S. Open Cup  | Tags: CONCACAF Champions League, Clint Dempsey, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca, Soccer, Toronto FC, U.S. Open Cup  
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Matchnight - United vs. FC Dallas

Greetings from Estadio RFK, as Señor Goff would say. It's chilly and windy - not the "perfect" soccer weather considering the date - but not too shabby either. Across the city there's another game going on, though I don't know if it holds any major implications compared to this monumental...

By Paul Tenorio  |  April 28, 2010; 6:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (62)
Categories:  D.C. United , U.S. Open Cup  
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Eddie Johnson's goals, Freddy Adu's assist

American forward Eddie Johnson scored twice, the first on a well-directed header set up nicely by compatriot Freddy Adu, as Aris defeated Olympiakos, 2-0, in a Greek league playoff match:...

By Steve Goff  |  April 28, 2010; 5:03 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (16)
Categories:  Americans Abroad , Greece  | Tags: Aris, Eddie Johnson, Freddy Adu, Soccer, Super League Greece  
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D.C. United reacquires Luciano Emilio

Luciano Emilio and D.C. United are together again. After seemingly parting ways over the winter, the winless MLS club and 2007 league MVP agreed to a three-month contract Wednesday. It includes a club-held option that could keep him in Washington for the entire season. Pending approval of his international transfer...

By Steve Goff  |  April 28, 2010; 4:04 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (70)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: D.C. United, Luciano Emilio, Major League Soccer  
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D.C. United vs. Glasgow Rangers on July 24

After weeks of negotiation, D.C. United has finalized plans to play a friendly against 53-time Scottish champion Glasgow Rangers on July 24 at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The MLS club had already announced a match against AC Milan on May 26 in Washington and is in negotiations to...

By Steve Goff  |  April 28, 2010; 3:09 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (16)
Categories:  D.C. United , Scotland  | Tags: AC Milan, Celtic F.C., D.C. United, DaMarcus Beasley, Fenway Park, MLS, Maurice Edu, Rangers F.C., Soccer  
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FIFA rankings: Brazil #1, England #8, USA #14

For entertainment purposes only, FIFA has released the latest world rankings: Brazil skipped over Spain for the No. 1 position, Portugal passed Netherlands for the third slot, England dropped a spot to No. 8 and the United States rose two positions to No. 14 (three ahead of CONCACAF nemesis Mexico)....

By Steve Goff  |  April 28, 2010; 9:30 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (33)
Categories:  2010 World Cup , Brazil , England , FIFA , U.S. men's national team  | Tags: Brazil, England, FIFA, United States men's national soccer team, World Cup, soccer  
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Wednesday kickaround

I'm off to New York for two days to cover World Cup and U.S. soccer events. I'll have plenty to share. For now..... *With Bayern Munich's place in the UEFA Champions League final secure, Inter Milan will attempt to maintain its two-goal edge over Barcelona in the second leg of...

By Steve Goff  |  April 28, 2010; 7:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (44)
Categories:  Americans Abroad , Barcelona , CONCACAF Champions League , Canada , D.C. United , Euro Champions League , MLS , Mexico , U.S. Open Cup , U.S. men's national team , USA 2nd division  | Tags: Barcelona, CONCACAF, Cruz Azul, D.C. United, Freddy Adu, Inter Milan, MLS, New York Red Bulls, Pachuca, U.S. Open Cup, UEFA, soccer  
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Bob Bradley's salary and USSF finances

According to the most recent U.S. Soccer Federation tax statement made available for public review, national team coach Bob Bradley earned $499,025 between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009. He also received $23,898 from the USSF and other organizations (not specified) for a total of $522,923. The previous year,...

By Steve Goff  |  April 27, 2010; 8:24 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (28)
Categories:  U.S. men's national team , USSF , Women  | Tags: Bob Bradley, Fabio Capello, Football Association, Philadelphia Union, Pia Sundhage, Soccer, Sunil Gulati, Thomas Rongen, USSF, United States Soccer Federation, World Cup  
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Bayern Munich to Euro Champions League final

Image via Wikipedia Croatian forward Ivica Olic scored three goals Tuesday as visiting Bayern Munich overcame the absence of suspended star Franck Ribery and advanced to the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in nine years with a resounding 3-0 victory (4-0 on aggregate) over Lyon. Thomas Mueller...

By Steve Goff  |  April 27, 2010; 4:32 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (12)
Categories:  Euro Champions League , France , Germany  | Tags: Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich, Camp Nou, Fox Soccer Channel, Ivica Olic, Lionel Messi, UEFA Champions League, soccer  
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D.C. United news & notes

Forward Danny Allsopp (hamstring) and defender Julius James (groin) have joined the massive D.C. United injury list and will not play Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup preliminary match against FC Dallas at RFK Stadium. The other unavailable regulars are defenders Dejan Jakovic (shoulder), Juan Manuel Pena (hamstring), Marc Burch...

By Steve Goff  |  April 27, 2010; 12:53 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (59)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: D.C. United, FC Dallas, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Soccer  
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Tuesday kickaround

*Lyon seeks its first appearance in the UEFA Champions League final, needing to overcome a 1-0 deficit to Bayern Munich in the second leg at home (2:30 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet/DC, Fox Sports Net, Fox Sports Espanol). Read a preview, vote in a poll. *With slightly less fanfare, MLS's U.S....

By Steve Goff  |  April 27, 2010; 8:40 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (19)
Categories:  2010 World Cup , Americans Abroad , England , Euro Champions League , MLS , TV , USL , USSF  | Tags: Bayern Munich, Geoff Cameron, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, Lyon, MLS, Red Bull New York, Soccer, U.S. Open Cup, UEFA Champions League, World Cup  
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Davies, Joseph, Beckham, Movsisyan, Euro TV

*American forward Charlie Davies has resumed full training with his French club, Sochaux. Nevertheless, he is not scheduled to play in a competitive match the remainder of the season. So if he is invited to U.S. camp at Princeton in three weeks -- yes, I do believe he will be...

By Steve Goff  |  April 26, 2010; 4:53 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (27)
Categories:  2010 World Cup , Americans Abroad , Beckham , Euro Champions League , MLS , TV  | Tags: Charlie Davies, David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, Major League Soccer, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Soccer, UEFA Champions League, Yura Movsisyan  
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D.C. United drawing crowds, but ...

Despite a poor start on the field, D.C. United has performed well at the box office, averaging 19,535 in two home dates. Only three MLS teams that have hosted at least two matches have drawn better: Seattle, Los Angeles and Toronto. United (0-4) has benefited from substantial walk-up crowds, primarily...

By Steve Goff  |  April 26, 2010; 1:25 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (59)
Categories:  D.C. United  | Tags: D.C. United, FC Dallas, Kansas City Wizards, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, MLS, Major League Soccer, RFK Stadium, Soccer  
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Monday kickaround

*The Washington Freedom yielded three goals in the final 36 minutes and lost to the WPS expansion Philadelphia Independence, 3-1. Up next for the Freedom (1-2) is St. Louis Athletica on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium, the only doubleheader with D.C. United this season. *In the second division, former DCU...

By Steve Goff  |  April 26, 2010; 10:18 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (21)
Categories:  College Soccer , Freedom , Spain , USA 2nd division , USL  | Tags: Charleston Battery, Crystal Palace Baltimore, D.C. United, FC Barcelona, Harrisburg City Islanders, Jeffren Suarez, Lionel Messi, Saint Louis Athletica, Washington Freedom  
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MLS weekend flashback

Several superb goals, several disappointing turnouts..... FC Dallas 2, Sounders 2: 8,512 at Pizza Hut Park Mmm, stuffed crust. At least something associated with Pizza Hut is full. Red Bulls 2, Union 1: 15,619 at Red Bull Arena At 4-1, New York is one win from equaling 2009 total. Crew...

By Steve Goff  |  April 25, 2010; 10:16 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (29)
Categories:  MLS  | Tags: BMO Field, Chivas USA, D.C. United, FC Dallas, MLS, Major League Soccer, Pizza Hut Park, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC, soccer  
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Americans abroad

With the World Cup approaching, our Sunday roundup is now limited to players in contention for a U.S. roster slot, well-known veterans and other notable performances. Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Stuart Holden (Bolton) and Charlie Davies (Sochaux) are recuperating from long-term injuries. GOALKEEPERS Tim Howard 90 minutes in Everton's 2-1...

By Steve Goff  |  April 25, 2010; 1:55 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (34)
Categories:  Americans Abroad  | Tags: AC Milan, Aston Villa, Brad Guzan, Carlos Bocanegra, Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley, Eddie Johnson, Frank Simek, Freddy Adu, Jonathan Spector, Jose Francisco Torres, Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, Tim Howard, World Cup, soccer  
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Jozy Altidore receives red card for head butt

American forward Jozy Altidore was sent off late in the first half Saturday for head-butting Sunderland's Alan Hutton during a sideline confrontation at Hull. Said Altidore: "I'm so sorry about yesterday. Made a stupid, immature and costly mistake. I apologize to Hull City and the fans who I let down....

By Steve Goff  |  April 25, 2010; 11:35 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (31)
Categories:  Americans Abroad , England  | Tags: Alan Hutton, Hull City, Hull City A.F.C., Jozy Altidore, Premier League, Soccer, Sunderland, Sunderland A.F.C.  
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