Archive → February, 2012

Tevez Returns to Europe, Misses Manchester City Practice

15 February, 12:11, by admin Tags: ,

After spending three months of unauthorized leave in his native Argentina, Carlos Tevez is back at Manchester City, but his future with the club is uncertain. The striker, who has not played since manager Roberto Mancini accused him of refusing to leave the bench during a Sept. 27 match against Bayern Munich, reported to the club doctor at the team’s training ground for a fitness test. A week after the incident, Tevez left England for Argentina without the City’s permission. The club later fined Tevez 1.2 million pounds for refusing to return from Buenos Aires and has suspended his pay of 200,000 pounds a week since he has been there.

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott tweeted this week that “all the players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo [Toure] and Yaya [Toure] back to help achieve our goal.” However, former goalkeeper Joe Corrigan voiced his displeasure with Tevez’s decision and thought his return could hurt team morale.

“Since the Tevez situation reared its head the team spirit has increased, which has been proven by them digging in and getting results,” he said. “I hope he doesn’t get the chance to play.”

Tevez missed an important team practice today ahead of Manchester City’s game tomorrow against Porto. He has not been registered to play in Europe after his absence, but has been undergoing continued, extensive physical and fitness examination. It is expected that Mancini and Tevez will have their first meeting since the player’s return sometime next week.

For more Europe and international soccer info, use SoccerInferno — the latest online football news, scores and stats available!

U.S. Women’s National Team Headed to 2012 Summer Olympics

08 February, 09:58, by admin Tags: , ,

Defending their Olympic gold medals in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, the U.S. Women’s National Team will travel to London to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics. The team clenched a spot in the games following a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in the semifinals of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) tournament.

Following a sloppy first half in which the American team put just one goal on the scoreboard (made by Tobin Heath), both the team and fans were worried whether the U.S. team would pull out a victory. The Costa Rican team is currently ranked 41st in the world women’s soccer team rankings, but has never qualified for the Olympics or a World Cup and has never scored on the U.S. team.

“There were moments where I think Costa Rica were outplaying us, and it just shows you how important it was to all of us,” said team member Abby Wamcabh in an Associated Press interview. “Nobody wanted to make that mistake. And luckily we didn’t.”

Two additional goals by Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan in the second half (72nd minute and 89th minute respectively), solidified the U.S. Women’s victory.

For any soccer fanatics in Texas, head over to the FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco on Friday, Feb. 10, to attend a public training session for the U.S. Women’s National Team between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CST. Admission is free. This practice comes before the team’s match against New Zealand on Saturday in the stadium.

To follow the U.S. Women’s National Team’s trip to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, follow Soccer Inferno, which has all the latest up-to-the-minute scores, stats, news and video straight from FIFA and ESPN. What are you waiting for? Download the Soccer Inferno toolbar online today!