Cabanas remains critical but stable
January 27, 2010
On Tuesday, Salvador Cabanas received his first surgery. The Paraguay international was shot in the head during an attack in the restroom of a bar in Mexico City.
The 29-year-old striker, who plays for the Mexican club America, was taken to the hospital immediately to receive emergency surgery.
“We operated on his cranium and stopped the bleeding and the clotting and the brain is in a stable condition,” said surgeon Dr. Francisco Martinez at a press conference.
Dr. Martinez said he was unable to remove the bullet, which is lodged in the back of Cabanas’ brain.
“We would do more damage if we tried to extract it,” Martinez told reporters at a news conference. “We cannot assure you that he is out of danger. He is young and healthy. That helps.”
A member of Paraguay’s 2006 World Cup squad, Cabanas led his team with six goals in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Paraguay’s national soccer association said it was sending someone to Mexico City to help Cabanas and his family, and President Fernando Lugo offered government support.
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Libertadores Cup – domain of the Golden Oldies?
January 23, 2010
What more could Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos have in common with Juan Sebastian Veron later this year apart from being among the greatest players in South American football?
As Rex Gowar and Pedro Fonseca write, it is not new for South Americans to return home after brilliant careers in Europe and gain a new lease of life well into their 30s. Veron, though, touched new heights when he led Estudiantes to victory in the Libertadores Cup — South America’s Champions League — in 2009.
Corinthians, with Ronaldo and now Roberto Carlos on board, are celebrating their centenary this year and they have set themselves the target of winning South American football’s top club prize for the first time.
The other big clubs in the Sao Paulo region, Pele’s Santos in the 1960s, Sao Paulo and Palmeiras in the last two decades, have all won it. So have Cruzeiro from Belo Horizonte, Flamengo and Vasco da Gama from Rio de Janeiro and Gremio and Internacional from the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
It rankles with Corinthians that the Libertadores Cup has not embellished their trophy cabinet. They have not even reached the final, something a few lesser Brazilian sides like Sao Caetano and Atletico Paranaense have achieved.
Ronaldo, 33, has already had a year at Corinthians, having turned his back on Flamengo to join them after recovering from the knee injury that ended his European career at AC Milan.
He spearheaded them to victory in last year’s Paulista state championship and the Copa Brasil, the title that secured their place in this year’s Libertadores.
Corinthians, looking to the pair to emulate their great Real Madrid days together, signed Roberto Carlos from Turkey’s Fenerbahce this month to boost their chances.
However, fans of other Brazilian sides have a different view of Roberto Carlos. They see him as one of the men responsible for Brazil’s defeat by France in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals in Germany.
When Thierry Henry scored the only goal, the Brazil left back was bending down pulling up his socks –- a scene repeated and commented on extensively on television after the elimination of the defending world champions.
Three and a half years later, and now 36, Roberto Carlos hopes to put that episode behind him at Corinthians alongside Ronaldo, also criticised for his 2006 performance.
The played together again this week for the first time since 2007 at Real Madrid, when they turned out for Corinthians in an unimpressive 2-1 win over Bragantino in the Paulista championship.
Expectation was enormous, though. Corinthians’ first home match of the year drew 32,000 fans, double the number who watched national champions Flamengo at the Maracana in their opener last weekend in the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) state championship.
PHOTO: Ronaldo of Corinthians (R) talks to teammate Roberto Carlos before their Paulista soccer match against Bragantino in Sao Paulo January 20, 2010. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
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US caps camp with friendly against Honduras
January 22, 2010
United States will conclude a 19-day training camp for the 2010 South Africa World Cup on Saturday with a friendly against fellow qualifier Honduras.
A largely US-based talent pool for the Americans includes forward Conor Casey, who scored two goals in a 3-2 victory last October at Honduras that clinched a World Cup berth for the US squad.
Defender Jonathan Bornstein, who also started against Honduras, and midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who replaced Casey in the American lineup, are also on hand for the latest matchup against the Central American squad.
“The match is a great way to start the year as we commence preparations for the World Cup,” US coach Bob Bradley said.
Ten players from a similar camp in 2006 made the final US World Cup roster while 13 from the January camp were on the US side that made the final eight in 2002.
The Americans, preparing for a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, will face England on June 12 in their opener in South Africa and also face Slovenia and Algeria in first-round matches.
Honduras, which qualified for the first time since 1982, will open June 16 against Chile and also face Spain and Switzerland.
LOS ANGELES (AFP)
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No surgery for Dempsey eases US World Cup fears
January 20, 2010
Fulham striker Clint Dempsey will not require surgery to repair his injured right knee, the English Premier League side announced Tuesday, easing US fears that he might be lost for the World Cup.
Dempsey, who plays forward as well as attacking midfielder, suffered moderate ligament damage but an MRI scan indicated there was not a torn ligament and that he might play for Fulham before the end of the season.
That means he should be healthy when the Americans face England on June 12 in their World Cup opener in South Africa.
“The news about Clint’s injury is positive, especially given the fact that he will not require surgery,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “We are confident that Clint will be ready to be an important part of our team during the World Cup.”
Dempsey, 26, was injured during a 2-0 Fulham loss Sunday at Blackburn. US team medical staff have spoken daily with Fulham officials since then and will monitor Dempsey’s progress in the months of rehabilitation to come.
Dempsey has 17 goals in 60 caps for the Americans and seven goals for Fulham this season.
The US side is already dealing with injuries to star defender Oguchi Onyewu, who is rehabilitating after knee surgery, and forward Charlie Davies, who suffered two broken right leg bones and a lacerated bladder in a car crash.
CHICAGO (AFP)
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Donovon keen on longer Toffees’ stay
January 19, 2010
Forward Landon Donovan has admitted there is a chance he could extend his stay at Everton if all parties, including parent club LA Galaxy, are in agreement.
The USA international has linked up with the Toffees on a 10-week loan spell and is due to return MLS outfit, LA Galaxy, in mid-March.
He has made a fine start to his Premier League career, catching the eye in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal and 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
Donovan has enjoyed his time in England far more than an unfulfilling stint with Bayern Munich last season and would be open to a longer deal.
“I’ve been made to feel so welcome and when you’re welcome like that you don’t want to let anyone down. It’s a sharp contrast to how I felt last year when I was at Munich,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“It’s a little more individual and selfish there. Here they make you feel part of a family and you keep going because you don’t want to let anyone down.
“The future is out of my control. I want to enjoy this experience. That means I show up for training and I’m ready. I show up for the game and I’m ready.
“But who knows what will happen in the future. Football’s funny and you never know what could happen.
“If I look back after 10 weeks and say I really want to stay then maybe I can make that happen. If I say OK it was good, but I’m ready to go then I can go, but for now I’m taking it week by week.”
Saturday’s clash with City was Donovan’s home debut and he admits it was a joy to play in front of the Goodison Park crowd.
“The atmosphere completely surpassed what I thought,” he added. “I guessed if we scored a few goals or were winning they’d be loud, but it was from minute one. They really push you on.
“At points you get a bit tired but then you hear them and it helps them keep going.
“There are little parts that are still frustrating me and only coming back, my touch and in front of goal. The first two weeks I’ve felt better and sharper every day and I know there’s more to me.”
The versatile Donovan has been impressed by the performances of his team-mates, particularly midfield pair Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini.
“I’m enjoying playing right wing. It’s an easy job on the right wing when Phil Neville is behind you. My ears are getting a little bit worn out but I love it,” he said.
“Steven Pienaar was fantastic in the centre of midfield. Tim Howard had said he might play there against Man City and I wondered if he could but my question got answered. He was fantastic in there.
“Not only do him and Marouane Fellaini run, compete and look good on the ball. What people don’t see is how much they lead and keep talking.”
Everton have risen into the top half of the table on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run and Donovan has already seen enough to tip David Moyes’ side as possible UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
“When I was younger it was about me doing well. Me scoring, and me being the centre of things – but now I get joy out of winning,” he said.
“When you play like we did against Manchester City and feel part of something bigger it’s so much fun.
“I haven’t been here that long but the way we’ve played at the Emirates and then against City – let’s be honest we should have won there.
“The beauty is that they’re not two fluke performances. I can imagine if this team if healthy for a good season would be a good contender for the top four.”
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U.S. presence to be large at Women’s U-20 Championship
January 16, 2010
There will be a lot of “Americans” playing in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.
While the reigning world champion United States will be deep in locally hewn talent looking to earn a second confederation title when play begins on Wednesday, nearly every other country will arrive in Guatemala City with some players that have been developing their game in the USA.
“I think it’s something we all give a lot credit as to what’s happening in the U.S.,” said Leonardo Cuellar, the long-time coach of Mexico’s senior women’s team who will be an assistant with El Tri in Guatemala. “The structure of the competition, from club to school level, is the best in the world.”
Cuellar used 12 U.S.-born players when Mexico competed in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, and while Mexico has shifted its reliance on U.S. players to a more supplemental role, other nations have followed his lead in scouting the American school and club system, particularly U.S. colleges, for potential players.
Every country in the CONCACAF championship except Cuba listed on its preliminary 30-woman roster at least some who play in the United States.
“American women are like the Brazilian men. They’re in demand,” said Tony DiCicco, who coached the U.S. women’s senior team to Olympic and World Cup championships as well as the U.S. women’s under-20 team to the 2008 World Cup crown. He is now manager of the Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer league.
“Clearly international coaches are looking for American collegiate players, and younger (ones) in some cases, looking to pick up one, two or more players.”
The players can fall into one of several categories. There are those who were born in their native country, moved to the United States at an early age and came through the American youth soccer and school system. Additionally, there are players who were recruited or went to U.S. colleges. And there are others, who were born in the United States, with foreign ancestry.
With both two-time and defending champion Canada and the United States stocked with talent from the American and/or Canadian colleges, the two head their respective first-round groups and are expected again to meet in the final. Three teams will qualify for the U-20 World Cup World Cup in Germany July 13-August 1.
Other than the United States and Canada, Mexico is the only other country to claim a World Cup berth from CONCACAF, and this time challenges generally are believed to come from Costa Rica and Jamaica. With Trinidad and Tobago hiring former Norwegian and Canadian women’s coach Even Pellerud to head their women’s program, Cuellar also believes the Soca Princesses are a threat.
But the whole region has improved, DiCicco said, and some of that has to do with U.S. women’s college soccer – which Cuellar attributes to a U.S. federal law regarding funding of sports known in the United States as Title IX.
Cuellar, who played for the San Diego Sockers and San Jose Earthquakes in the old North American Soccer League and was a women’s coach in the U.S. college system at California State-Los Angeles, notes the use of U.S. college players has its drawbacks, too.
While Mexico’s team will have six U.S.-based players, including key defender Alina Garciamendez and her Stanford University teammate Teresa Noyola, it will be without five others because of the U.S. academic calendar which will require those players to remain in school.
“Either they didn’t do well the previous semester, or they’re in their senior year, and they need to complete a class, or they’ve already used dates and they can’t miss any more…,” Cuellar said explaining some of the reasons why some players are not always available.
Trinidad also will be without key players because of their classes.
The use of American players by other countries can be a touchy subject, both in the United States and at home. Some believe that countries should use only native-born players and some Americans feel their players are being “poached.”
Cuellar says Mexico only uses a player that has taken the initiative to get citizenship. DiCicco and other U.S. officials say their challenge is to educate American players that if they play for another country, the road back into the U.S. system is much narrower.
“The feeling is, we may not have lost a (Giuseppe) Rossi, we haven’t lost that level of a player yet, but it’s going to happen,” DiCicco said, referring to the striker who was born and raised in the New York suburbs but chose instead to play for Italy, the country of his parents. “We should be flattered so many players are asked to come into foreign programs, but we have to be careful of not losing so many top players.”
By Brian Trusdell
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Preki, Dooley named to US football Hall of Fame
January 15, 2010
Two-time Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player Preki and Thomas Dooley have been elected to the America’s football Hall of Fame.
Dooley and Preki were both on the 1998 US World Cup team, and the two started back-to-back MLS All-Star games in 1998-99.
Dooley, the 1993 US footballer of the year, is just one of five players in the modern era to start every game in consecutive World Cups for the USA – in 1994 and 1998.
The German-born star began his professional career in his home country, and finished with seven goals in 81 international appearances for America.
Preki was the only player to start the first eight MLS All-Star games and was the league’s all-time points leader when he retired.
The Yugoslavian-born star had four goals in 28 appearances on the US national team.
The vote was conducted among a panel of media, coaches, administrators and Hall of Fame members.
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AFP)
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U.S. selects 18 cities to win 2018, 2022 World Cups
January 13, 2010
The United States announced 18 cities Tuesday that it will submit to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, chosing stadia with an average capacity of 78,000 but only five locations that hosted games in 1994.
Twenty-one stadia were chosen from either in the city proper or the metropolitan areas of Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville, Tennessee; New York; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Diego; Seattle; Tampa, Florida; and Washington. All the cities selected are different from when the United States attracted a total attendance of 3.6 million except Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Washington.
The bid will be submitted May 14 to FIFA’s Executive Committee, which will decide on December 2 which countries will host both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Besides the United States, Australia, England, Japan and Russia have formally declared an interest to host both tournaments. Netherlands and Belgium, and Portugal and Spain have have announced joint bids for both. Indonesia, Qatar and Korea Republic have announced they will bid for 2022 only.
Bid Executive Director David Downs said the decision as to which cities would eventually host games would come five years before the start of the event.
“We have always thought 12 (was a good number of cities to use),” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “FIFA has said 9-12. We want a national event. In order to truly build the game, the more venues the better.”
Of the more than 50 cities and 70 stadia with a capacity of 40,000 or more that initially expressed interest in April of hosting games, the USA Bid Committee whittled the field to 45 stadia in 38 cities by June after a detailed questionaire was completed.
More information and another review process further reduced the number to 27 cities that were considered for the final selection to meet FIFA’s demands of 12-18.
The USA Bid Committee said it selected the cities based on 21 criteria ranking from market size, geographical location, climate, hotels and transportation, soccer history and passion for the sport, attraction as a tourist destination and previous experience at hosting major sporting or cultural events.
“It’s been a dramatic change since 1994,” Downs said. “We have a problem (of too many cities to chose from), but it’s a good problem to have.”
Both Downs and Gulati noted the vast cultural shift from 1988, when the United States last was awarded the World Cup.
“People get it now; they understand the sport,” Gulati said explaining the American public’s knowledge of soccer. “We haven’t had to twist arms.”
Since then, the United States has twice staged the Women’s World Cup, launched a professional league that has grown to 16 teams, played in or qualified for every World Cup, and in June finished runner-up in the Confederations Cup.
Downs told a story of this past summer, when as a courtesy he alerted the office of then Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels that he would be in town for the July 4 Gold Cup doubleheader at Qwest Field involving the United States. Noting it was the American Independence Day holiday, he said he did not expect the mayor to join him at the game. Amazingly, Downs received a warm reception to his outreach and was invited to Nickels’ home for coffee.
“I don’t think that would have happened 20 years ago,” Downs said laughing.
Selected cities, stadia and estimated World Cup capacity
| CITY | STADIUM | ESTIMATED WORLD CUP CAPACITY |
| Atlanta | Georgia Dome | 70,868 |
| Baltimore | M&T Bank Stadium | 71,008 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 73,393 |
| Dallas | Cowboys Stadium | 91,600 |
| Cotton Bowl | 89,000 | |
| Denver | INVESCO Field | 75,165 |
| Houston | Reliant Stadium | 76,000 |
| Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | 66,500 |
| Kansas City, Missouri | Arrowhead Stadium | 75,364 |
| Los Angeles | Rose Bowl | 89,109 |
| Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 93,607 | |
| Miami | Dolphin Stadium | 80,240 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | LP Field | 75,000 |
| New York | New Meadowlands Stadium | 84,046 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,111 |
| Phoenix | University of Phoenix Stadium | 71,362 |
| San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium | 67,700 |
| Seattle | Qwest Field | 68,056 |
| Husky Stadium | 72,500 | |
| Tampa, Florida | Raymond James Stadium | 75,000 |
| Washington | FedEx Field | 89,690 |
On the Web: www.gousabid.com
NEW YORK
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Tom Hicks junior quits Liverpool board after fan rant
January 11, 2010
Liverpool director Tom Hicks junior has resigned from his position on the club’s board and their parent company following a foul-mouthed e-mail he reportedly sent to a supporter.
The American, the son of the Premier League club’s co-owner Tom Hicks, found himself involved in controversy Sunday after a report in Britain’s News of the World tabloid that he’d abused a fan when contacted about the state of Liverpool’s finances.
Hicks junior, who allegedly called the fan an “idiot”, allegedly sent a second, foul-mouthed e-mail saying: “Blow me (…). Go to Hell. I’m sick of you.”
Although he has since apologised, Liverpool confirmed in a brief statement Monday that Hicks junior had resigned.
“Liverpool Football Club today announce that Thomas Hicks Jr has resigned as a Director of both the Club and its parent company Kop Holdings,” the statement said.
Hicks junior was seen as a key member of a Liverpool board balanced between feuding American co-owners Hicks senior and George Gillett, whose son Foster is also a board member as is managing director Christian Purslow.
But such has been the reaction to Hicks junior’s reported comments he has now left and Liverpool used the opportunity of his departure to announce a restructuring of the boards of both the club and Kop Holdings.
Casey Coffman, executive vice-president of Hicks Holdings, replaces Hicks junior while Liverpool’s chief financial officer Philip Nash and the club’s commercial director Ian Ayre are have also both been elected to both companies.
Purslow, Nash and Ayre are regarded as having played significant roles in helping improve the club’s finances, including a new shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered Bank worth some 80 million pounds.
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
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Donovan wins US Soccer´s top player award
December 22, 2009
Landon Donovan was named winner of the US Soccer Federation’s male athlete of the year award on Monday after helping spark the Americans into next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
The 27-year-old playmaker also won the award in 2003 and 2004 and his third honor matches the all-time mark held by goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
“It’s a great accomplishment and a great award,” Donovan said. “I’m very proud of it and knowing that the fans vote on it, your teammates vote on it, and your colleagues vote on it is very special to me.”
Donovan, named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player as well, scored three goals and made key set-up passes to assist on nine others as the US squad advanced to the World Cup for the sixth time in a row.
“We look forward to next year,” Donovan said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Donovan’s 35 caps and 12 career World Cup qualifying goals are US records.
Donovan sparked the Los Angeles Galaxy into the MLS Cup final, where the squad was beaten by Real Salt Lake. Donovan signed a new contract with the Galaxy last week and was loaned to Everton of the English Premier League.
CHICAGO (AFP)
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