Category → American Soccer

United States Soccer Defeats Italy For First Time

01 March, 12:08, by admin Tags: , ,

Though it’s not the Fourth of July, today’s SoccerInferno news will have readers feeling especially patriotic. For the first time ever, the U.S. Men’s soccer team beat Italy in a historic match held Wednesday night. Clint Dempsy scored the game’s singular goal during the 55th minute. This is the American’s first win over the Azzuri in their 11 meetings spanning 78 years.

“It’s a work in progress,” Dempsy said about the victory. “I’d like to think that we’re closing the gap and hopefully we can do something special.”

American soccer has made advances in the past decade but has slipped in recent years. In 1990, the team made its first World Cup appearance in 40 years; in 2002 they advanced to the quarterfinals. In both the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, the team lost early to Ghana (first and second round respectively). Last June, the Americans lost to Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, their regional championship. In July, the U.S. Soccer Federation replaced Coach Bob Bradley with Jurgen Klinsmann.

So does the win mean a change in luck for the team?

“Obviously as a coach you’re pleased because you see them progressing, you see young players stepping up and playing against these amazing, experienced Italian players who have won the World Cup and played big tournaments year in and year out,” Klinsmann, a former German national team star player and coach, said. “Obviously it was a big step for us.”

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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!

Beckham Won’t Go to Europe, Future With Galaxy Unclear

04 January, 18:46, by admin Tags: ,

After many months of speculation, American fans of David Beckham can breathe a sigh of relief – the British soccer star isn’t leaving the states just yet. Just this week, Beckham declined an offer to join the French team Paris Saint-Germain. The club had reportedly offered the star an 18-month, $18.7 million deal. His reason for turning them down? Beckham didn’t want to move his family of six across the world for a European stint

“We feel a little disappointed,” said PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi this week. “But both sides agreed it would be better that wee not do the deal… Maybe in the future.”

The 36-year-old midfielder’s 5-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expired in November after Beckham helped them win the MLS Cup. He hopes to finalize a new one-year contract with the Galaxy in the coming days. Part of Beckham’s stipulations to resigning with the Galaxy is whether the team would accommodate the star if he were selected to play for England in this summer’s Olympic Games in London. Speculation on the subject points toward Beckham staying in L.A., especially with the team’s recent success in the MLS and the recent signing of Ireland captain Robbie Keane.

“I am very proud of the time that I’ve spent with the Galaxy and it might continue,” Beckham said recently.

U.S. Men’s National Team Beats Honduras 1-0

11 October, 07:42, by admin Tags: , ,

Score one for the U.S. Men’s National Team! On Saturday, the men’s national team defeated their regional rival Honduras 1-0. It was the first win for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann as the new leader of the U.S. team.

The team’s sole goal game less than 10 minutes before halftime and was scored by Clint Dempsey; it was his 23rd international goal. The team came close to scoring again in the game’s 45th minute but Honduran player Maynor Figueroa blocked a diving header from Danny Williams just before it went in the goal. Unfortunately, the U.S. missed two wide-open goals in the second half of the game due to the soggy field conditions. During the match, officials issued five of eight yellow cards to the U.S. team.

Even though this weekend’s match was played in the rain, the men’s team has a sunny record in Florida; 15 wins, 3 losses and 9 ties to be exact. And their record against Honduras is even brighter; 11 wins, 3 losses and 3 ties since the two teams began playing back in 1965. The men’s team, however, had not played in Miami since 1994.

Celebrity Soccer Challenge in DC

02 August, 12:48, by admin Tags: , , , , , , ,

FC Barcelona and Mia Hamm are presenting the 4th annual Celebrity Soccer Challenge in Washington D.C. Sunday, July 31 at the Kastles Stadium.

Many celebrity and famous athletes will be attending such as Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant (who used to plat soccer as a young adult), John Carlson from the Washington Capitals, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Ali Krieger and Heather O’Reilly from the USA Women’s Soccer team and Washington Redskins DeAngelo Hall.
Alex Morgan‘s twitted, “Our team was pretty stacked today… Kobe, Pep, Mia,  @TobinHeath @Yael_Averbuch only to name a few.” which does seem like a pretty awesome team. The game is not meant to be competitive as the players are out there to have a good time as Mia Hamm’s FC Mia squad took on her husband, Nomar Garciaparra’s Nomar United.

Here is a list of some of the other athletes/celebs that attended the event:
Source: Bleacher Report

Celebrity Affiliation
Kobe Bryant LA Lakers
Alex Morgan USA Women’s National Team
Ali Keriger USA Women’s National Team
Heather O’Reilly USA Women’s National Team
Tobin Heath USA Women’s National Team
Eddie Pope Former DC United Star
Jeff Green Boston Celtics
John Carlson Washington Capitals
Tony Reali Around the Horn
Pep Guardiola FC Barcelona
John Harkes Former DC United Star
Mike Wise Washington Post Columnist
Ivan Carter Washington Post Live Host
Dan Hellie NBC4 Sports Anchor
Britt McHenry WJLA Sports Anchor
Pam Brown WJLA Anchor
DeAngelo Hall Washington Redskins

Holden Goes Down in the UK

26 March, 15:10, by admin Tags: , ,

Last Saturday Stuart Holden had to be stretchered off after Manchester United defender Jonny Evans challenged him on the field. Holden was cut on his left knee and needed 26 stitches to close his wound. He will undergo further tests to see if there is any ligament damage and to see if he has to end his season early.

Evans was given a red card for the tackle as United got the 1-0 victory. Before Holden’s injury, he completed 28 passes and intercepted six balls. He also drew three fouls. The former Houston Dynamo man was dropped from next week’s US friendly matches.

Dean Richards Will No Longer Play Soccer

02 March, 11:59, by admin

February 26, 2011 former-Tottenham defender Dean Richards passed away at the age of 36 due to a serious illness. A statement on the Bradford City website read “The football club are truly devastated to hear of the death of former Bradford City fans’ favourite Dean Richards.” It speaks volumes for Richards that fans from Chelsea, Fulham and even Arsenal left tributes for the defender on various websites.

Richards started his career Bradford City as a young child, then moved to Wolves in 1995 and four years later moved to Southampton. After his years at Southampton he made a large move and went to Tottenham to play soccer. His career ended prematurely since he was forced to retire at the age of 30 after he suffered from headaches and dizzy spells. Richards returned home to Bradford in 2007 and started coaching part-time as a youth coach.

For more information about Dean Richards click here.

US Qualifies for 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup

25 February, 19:49, by admin Tags: , , , , , ,

Marc Pelosi scored the winning goal for the United States to make the lead 3-2 against El Salvador in the quarterfinals of the 2011 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

Since this goal and win the US qualified for its 14th consecutive FIFA U-17 World Cup, keeping US in the lead for being the only nation to qualify for every edition of this event. The US moves into the semifinal where they will play the winner of the Jamaica-Honduras match.

Click here to read more about the goals scored during this US match.

MLS and Fox Soccer News on SoccerInferno™

18 February, 17:33, by admin Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Get your latest soccer news and scores when you download the SoccerInferno toolbar. You can find out how MLS and FOX Soccer Channel agreed on extending their contract by one year. “FOX Soccer has been a tremendous partner for MLS for many years and we are very happy that we have been able to extend the relationship,” said MLS President Mark Abbott. “Through both its news coverage and its extensive schedule of MLS games, Fox Soccer allows MLS fans across the country to follow their club as well as their rivals.”

FOX Soccer will broadcast around 31 games next season and all three exclusive playoff matches, including a Conference Final.

“We’re extremely pleased to be home to MLS – the gold standard for soccer in the US – for our ninth straight season,” said FOX Soccer Executive VP and GM David Nathanson. “FOX Soccer is committed to providing soccer fans in America the best coverage possible, and this extension helps us keep that commitment.”

To read more about this contract click here.

Peter Taylor Says No to Newcastle

04 January, 15:33, by admin Tags: , , ,

Peter Taylor, Bradford’s manager, has turned down the chance to become Alan Pardew’s assistant at Newcastle, according to Bantams joint-chairman Mark Lawn.

Pardew has not had an assistant after succeeding Chris Hughton at St James’ Park last month and had earmarked the experienced Taylor for the role.

Lawn told the Yorkshire Post: “Newcastle approached us between Christmas and New Year and we subsequently agreed compensation for the remainder of Peter’s contract. “But since then Peter has indicated he wants to stay and we hope that is the end of it.”

Source: ESPN

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