Leroux, U.S. dominate Jamaica 6-0

January 22, 2010

Sydney Leroux scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the United States to a dominating 6-0 victory over Jamaica in the opening game for both Thursday at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.

Leroux, the Golden Ball winner at the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, also hit the post twice and enabled the United States to control the match from the start.

Christine Nairn scored a goal in each half and Teresa Noyola and Tiffany McCarty each added a second-half goal for the Americans, who are the defending World Cup champions.

Leroux, who plays collegiately at UCLA, put a volley from 12 meters off the crossbar in the fifth minute and Nairn converted in the ninth minute as the United States to start an impressive showing that saw the United States outshoot Jamaica 11-1 in the opening half.

Nairn finished a play that started with Zakiya Bywaters working in from the right and feeding McCarty inside the area. McCarty was unmarked but tipped the ball back to the top of the area, where an onrushing Nairn – the only player on the U.S. team to have earned a cap with the senior American women’s team — hit a right-footed shot just inside the right post.

The U.S. players clearly appeared bigger, faster and stronger than their Caribbean counterparts, but Jamaica managed a brief period of possession, highlighted by Sashana Campbell’s 19-meter free kick that crashed off the American crossbar.

But the United States quickly regained control and doubled its lead in the 25th when Leroux moved in from the left, raced around Shanise Foster and cut inside Nicole Campbell before unleashing a right-footed shot from 25 meters that deflected in off the left post.

Leroux hit a left-footer from 12 meters that struck the post in the 33rd, two minutes before capitalizing on a Jamaican defensive blunder for her second.

Goalkeeper Bianca Henninger blasted a goal kick that bounced once. Leroux raced past a slow reacting Jamaican defense to head the ball just outside the area, beating keeper Sashagay Spence coming off her line.

Jamaica was unable to maintain any significant possession in the U.S. half, leading to the most lopsided result in the first four games of the tournament.

The U.S. onslaught continued in the second half, with Noyola volleying a long ball from Leroux to hike the American lead to 4-0 in the 49th. Nairn, the vice captain who plays for Penn State University, scored her second in 71st, sending a left-footed free kick from 23 meters just inside the left post.

McCarty, who was involved in several chances, finally was rewarded in the 83rd, beating an offside trap to take a pass from Bywaters and finish with a ball across the face of goal inside the left post.

GUATEMALA CITY

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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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Could Birmingham’s Hart be Capello’s England number one?

December 31, 2009

England manager Fabio Capello might well have found himself an unexpected Christmas present this year in Birmingham City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Filling the gap between the sticks at next June’s World Cup finals in South Africa is perhaps the biggest conundrum Capello will face in the run up to soccer’s most glittering event, but Hart may just have made it a little easier.

The energetic England Under-21 international, on a season-long loan at the Midlands club from Manchester City, has been in inspired form this season — highlighted by two superb performances in recent games against Chelsea and Stoke City in the Premier League.

He is also currently the only in-form English keeper in international contention.

Current number one David James is 39-years-old and has not played in Portsmouth’s last eight matches due to injury, while West Ham’s Rob Green has never impressed in an England shirt and continues to be sporadic at club level.

Other contenders include Ben Foster, still residing third in Manchester United’s pecking order, and Paul Robinson, who has shown only slow signs of improvement at Blackburn Rovers.

In contrast, Hart’s form has coincided with Birmingham’s record unbeaten run and his consistency and relentless attitude to learn have earned plaudits from his manager Alex McLeish as well as opposition coaches such as Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti.

“I know the England coaches think a lot of him, and I think they will think even more of him now with his Birmingham performances,” McLeish said.

At 22-years-old, Hart has the agility, confidence and desire to at least earn him a spot on England’s plane to South Africa, if not the number one jersey. The serious lack of alternate options also helps his cause.

Have I missed anyone out? Wigan Athletic’s Chris Kirkland is a maybe or perhaps Capello should drop a division to look at West Bromwich Albion’s Scott Carson. Let us know your thoughts.

Source

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Terry winning fitness battle

September 4, 2009

John Terry appeared to have won his battle to be fit for England’s Wembley clash with Slovenia on Saturday after coming through a full training session on the eve of the friendly.

The Chelsea and England skipper had been struggling with a knock he received earlier in the week but now looks set to lead Fabio Capello’s team out in what is a warm-up match for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Croatia, in which a win could book England’s place in next year’s finals.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown and back-up goalkeeper Paul Robinson also played a full part in the session after recovering from their respective niggles.

Brown’s team-mate Ben Foster, who is hoping to establish himself as Capello’s first-choice goalkeeper, missed the session to be with his partner, who was due to give birth.

Foster was expected to rejoin the squad on Friday evening but his absence from the final training session suggests that West Ham’s Robert Green will start his fourth consecutive international on Saturday.

David James, who was Capello’s number one goalkeeper up until the end of last season, has missed out on recent squads as a result of close-season surgery and a subsequent injury which has prevented him from playing for Portsmouth.

LONDON (AFP) (AFP)

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Fergie backs Foster despite pre-season howler

July 20, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief that young goalkeeper Ben Foster will one day be England’s number one despite his schoolboy error in the opening match of their Asian tour.

Foster came on as a second-half substitute in their win over a Malaysian XI on Saturday but got off to the worst possible start when he failed to control a Darron Gibson backpass and Amri Yahyah pounced to score an equaliser.

Ferguson though had sympathy for the 26-year-old.

“That was Ben’s first game for three or four months, he dislocated a finger ligament at the end of last season and we had to operate,” he said.

“I’ve said it before but, in the long-run, I think he’ll be England?s goalkeeper. I?m absolutely certain of that.”

Before that happens he needs a decent run as first choice keeper and with Dutch great Edwin van der Sar, 38, still commanding that position, Foster knows he needs to make the most of any opportunity that comes along.

“Ben has a challenge to take the position of Edwin van der Sar, who, as everybody accepts, is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time,” added Ferguson.

Foster, who has been capped twice by England, signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions earlier this month and said he was delighted to be at the club long-term.

“The team spirit here is fantastic and working alongside Edwin and Tomasz (Kuszczak) has been a great influence on my career,” he said.

Foster had surgery on his thumb in May which ruled him out for the final month of last season, meaning he missed the Champions League final against Barcelona and England’s World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)

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Man Utd ´keeper Foster out for nine weeks

May 18, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has been sidelined for at least nine weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his thumb, the club announced Monday.

It means he will not be involved in the Champions League final against Barcelona on May 27 or the last league game at Hull on Sunday.

Foster, 26, has also been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra on June 6 and 10.

“It is big blow for Ben as not only will he miss the Champions League final but also England’s summer internationals,” manager Sir Alex Ferguson told www.manutd.com.

“Ben has tried to continue the season with this injury but it got so critical that an operation was the only way forward.

“It is disappointing for him but the important thing was to get this operation done.”

Foster has been desperately unlucky with injuries at United. After initially impressing in two loan stints with Watford he returned to undergo knee surgery.

He has made nine appearances for the United this season, including a match-winning performance in the penalty shoot-out victory against Tottenham in the Carling Cup final.

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Howard the penalty hero as Everton stun United

April 20, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Everton will face Chelsea in the FA Cup final after David Moyes’ side secured a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United following a goalless draw at Wembley on Sunday.

Tim Howard, Everton’s former United keeper, was the hero as he saved from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand, allowing defender Phil Jagielka to strike the decisive spot-kick.

That took Everton to their first final since 1995 and ended United’s hopes of completing a clean sweep of honours.

“It was a tough game for us,” Moyes said. “If they put out their under-14s it would have a been a tough game – they are going after every trophy.

“For everyone at Everton it is fantastic. If they keep doing what they are doing now, success will not be too far away.”

It was the first time Sir Alex Ferguson had experienced defeat at this stage of the competition, but the United manager was furious his side had been denied a second half penalty appeal when Jagielka clipped Danny Welbeck.

After winning the League Cup and Club World Cup already this season, United now have to focus on retaining the Premier League and Champions League trophies they won last year.

Ferguson had sprung a major surprise by fielding a side packed with youngsters and fringe players in advance of Wednesday’s league clash with Portsmouth.

Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were among those missing, and without their big names United looked a shadow of their usual selves.

Carlos Tevez accepted the responsibility of co-ordinating his inexperienced teenage strike-partners Federico Macheda and Welbeck and orchestrated a series of neat passing moves around the edge of the Everton area.

But without Rooney and Ronaldo, United were desperately short of a cutting edge and Everton keeper Tim Howard remained largely untroubled during the opening 45 minutes.

In fact United came closest to scoring when Howard was wrong-footed when team-mate Joleon Lescott deflected Park Ji-Sung’s right win cross and both defender and keeper were relieved to see the ball drift narrowly wide of the near post.

Whether Everton were boosted or insulted by the sight of the United team-sheet, they initially showed few signs of being able to exploit their weakened opponents.

Despite boasting an overwhelming advantage in terms of first-team experience, it was David Moyes’ side who looked inhibited on the big stage, although a line-up that left lone striker Louis Saha painfully short of support did nothing to encourage their ambition.

Marouane Fellaini attempted to get close to Saha but the Belgian’s aerial threat was nullified by Nemanja Vidic and Everton’s only half chance of the first half came when United keeper Ben Foster scuffed a clearance.

It was clear Everton needed to inject more purpose and self-belief into their attacking movements.

And that is exactly what they did after the restart when they pressed United onto the back-foot and finally brought a meaningful save from Foster when Tim Cahill let fly from 30 yards in the 54th minute.

But instead of building on that momentum, Moyes’s side again found themselves overrun as United took charge with Park and Darron Gibson both coming close with well-worked shots.

There best opening, though, was denied by referee Mike Riley who adjudged there had been no infringement when Jagielka appeared to trip Welbeck after the United striker had latched onto a loose ball and rounded Howard.

United were adamant it should have been a penalty – and Ferguson remonstrated angrily from the touch-line. It’s likely he would have been even more furious had he known his side would struggle to make another chance of note before the tie drifted into extra-time.

Penalties always looked the most likely outcome once the extra half hour had been signaled, although Everton substitute James Vaughan wasted a good opening when he directed a shot straight at Vidic.

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Supersub Macheda strikes again to keep United top

April 12, 2009

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP) – Manchester United were again indebted to teenage striker Federico Macheda as the Italian scored a late goal to give the champions a 2-1 victory at Sunderland that sent them back to the top of the Premier League.

United were feeling the heat after Liverpool leapfrogged over Sir Alex Ferguson’s team with a 4-0 win against Blackburn in Saturday’s early match.

Not for the first time in recent week, United were short of inspiration at the Stadium on Light until Macheda went on as a substitute and scored the winner, just as he did against Aston Villa last week.

This was a scrappy goal in contrast to his marvellous effort against Villa, but was in keeping with United’s show against a Sunderland side who have now lost four games in succession.

Sunderland will be hugely encouraged by the way they performed, however, and they certainly showed spirit by hitting back with a goal from Kenwyne Jones after Paul Scholes put United ahead.

United achieved their victory without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested with Wednesday’s Champions League match at Porto in mind.

Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Nani, Macheda and Patrice Evra were alongside the Portuguese star on the bench, while Edwin van der Saar was rested and Rio Ferdinand injured.

Yet, with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Jonny Evans playing after shaking off injuries, United still fielded a line-up designed to worry a Sunderland team without a win in their previous six games.

Their chances of ending that dismal run soon looked remote as United dominated the early exchanges and led from the 19th minute.

The goal was a rarity – a header by Scholes after Rooney angled in a cross that the midfielder deflected into the top corner.

It was hardly a surprise that United had taken the lead though because Rooney had gone close after just 19 seconds and and Nemanja Vidic had been denied the opener by Danny Collins’s goalline clearance.

Sunderland were given some encouragement by John O’Shea’s uncertainty in an unfamiliar left-back role and crosses from that area problems for United on several occasions before the break.

And their response to going behind showed that all the spirit has not totally drained from Ricky Sbragia’s team during their unhappy run of results.

United keeper Ben Foster was forced to tip over from Djibril Cisse’s long-range effort and, five minutes from the break, United just survived when Vidic diverted a Carlos Edwards cross against a post.

Rooney did his best to spark United into life at the start of the second-half and was inches away from a sensational goal with a 30-yard effort inside four minutes.

But Sunderland finally clawed their way back into the game in the 55th minute – and Foster must take the blame.

The keeper failed to clear a cross from Teemu Tainio and the ball dropped to Jones, who hooked in his first goal for two months.

Sunderland lived dangerously as Scholes and Berbatov both wasted chances before Ronaldo finally made his appearance with 22 minutes to go.

But United’s saviour proved to be Macheda, who followed his off the bench in the 75th minute and deflected in Michael Carrick’s shot just a minute later.

This time, there was no way back for a Sunderland side who had still done enough to show they may yet survive the threat of relegation.

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Baines, King handed surprise England call-ups

March 23, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – England coach Fabio Capello handed Everton defender Leighton Baines a surprise call-up to his squad for the friendly against Slovakia and World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Capello also named Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, Tottenham defender Ledley King and his White Hart Lane team-mate Aaron Lennon in the 24-man squad.

Uncapped left-back Baines comes in for injured Manchester City star Wayne Bridge, who is the usual England deputy for Ashley Cole.

The former Wigan player has been watched several times by Capello and scored a superb free-kick in Saturday’s defeat at Portsmouth to finally claim his first goal for Everton since joining the club two seasons ago.

King’s presence in the squad for the first time under Capello was also a surprise given that the Tottenham centre-back is rarely able to train due to a long-term knee injury.

As expected, Foster, who has two caps, was called-up as reward for his man of the match display in Manchester United’s League Cup final win over Tottenham earlier this month.

Tottenham winger Lennon, who won the last of his nine caps against Andorra two years ago, also impressed in the League Cup final and has produced several influential displays since, including Saturday’s win over Chelsea.

England’s 24-man squad for the friendly against Slovakia on March 28 and World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on April 1:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Manchester United), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (AC Milan/ITA), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City)

Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Written by: AFP