Suriname plays St. Vincent to begin Women’s GC qualifying

March 3, 2010

Suriname plays St. Vincent to begin Women's GC qualifying
Trinidad – Women’s Gold Cup qualifying will open Wednesday at the Georgetown Cricket Ground in host Guyana when Suriname faces St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the opening Caribbean Group A match.

Seventeen teams will begin qualifying in five groups to determine the Caribbean’s pair of representatives to the six-team CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup in late October or early November.

Besides Suriname, St. Vincent and Guyana in Group A, the other first-round groups will be comprised of Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and Dominica in Group B in Puerto Rico March 17-21; Antigua and Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Luica in Group C in Antigua March 12-16; Cuba, Haiti
Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands in Group D in the Dominican Republic March 26-30; and Barbados, Anguilla and Grenada in Group E in Barbados March 28-April 1.

The five group winners plus the three best runners-up will advance, from which the top four teams will qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games in July in Puerto Rico.

FIRST ROUND
Group A
At Georgetown, Guyana
Wednesday, March 3
Suriname vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Friday, March 5
Guyana vs. Suriname
Sunday, March 7
Guyana vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Group B
At Puerto Rico
Wednesday, March 17
Trinidad and Tobago vs. St. Kitts and Nevis
Puerto Rico vs. Dominica
Friday, March 19
St. Kitts and Nevis vs. Dominica
Puerto Rico vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Sunday, March 21
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Dominica
Puerto Rico vs. St. Kitts and Nevis

Group C
At Antigua and Barbuda
Friday, March 12
Antigua and Barbuida vs. U.S. Virgin Islands
Sunday, March 14
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. St. Lucia
Tuesday, March 16
Antigua and Barbuda vs. St. Lucia

Group D
At Dominican Republic
Friday, March 26
Cubs vs. Haiti
Dominican Republic vs. Turks and Caicos
Sunday, March 28
Turks and Caicos vs. Haiti
Dominican Republic vs. Haiti
Tuesday, March 30
Cuba vs. Turks and Caicos
Dominican Republic vs. Haiti

Group E
At Barbados
Sunday, March 28
Barbados vs. Anguilla
Tuesday, March 30
Anguilla vs. Grenada
Thursday, April 1
Barbados vs. Grenada

PORT-OF-SPAIN

Concacaf

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Costa Rica suspends Furtado for two years for doping

September 30, 2009


Marathon and Ticos striker Andy Furtado has been suspended for two years from all soccer by the Costa Rican federation for his positive doping test in the Torneo Verano this past May.

The 29-year-old Furtado, who had two goals in three matches for Costa Rica during the current World Cup qualifying campaign, tested positive for the steroid betamethasone, a steroid used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

He had been provisionally suspended since May 26, when his initial test came back positive after Herediano – the club Furtado was playing for on loan from Marathon – lost the Costa Rican Verano final against Liberia Mia.

Furtado has not played since, missing all five World Cup qualifiers, the Gold Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and Costa Rican league matches. With his “B” sample confirming the initial findings, the federation imposed the suspension, which will be retroactive to May.

“The verdict was determined by a majority of votes in which three members of the Disciplinary Committee participated,” disciplinary committee coordinator Christián Garnier said in a statement on the Costa Rican federation’s Web site.  “Two voted for the suspension why one abstained.”

Furtado was reticent to comment, but told one Costa Rican publication he would appeal the suspension.

‘I’m going to appeal because this is completely an injustice,” Furtado told Diaro Extra.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica

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Sabah & Mexico prepare for Costa Rican challenge

September 4, 2009


It was a moment that helped send a stadium into frenzy. It helped give a nation new hope. Confidence was restored in a team that was in need of a boost thanks to Miguel Sabah.

The Mexican forward came off the bench to help El Tri beat its arch rival, the United States, 2-1 with a goal in the 82nd minute at Estadio Azteca last month.

It was his goal that injected new life into coach Javier Aguirre’s team.

Mexico kept close in the race for one-of-four qualifying spots to next year’s World Cup in South Africa with that win.

El Tri enters Saturday’s match against Costa Rica at Ricardo Saprissa stadium in San Jose following its most impressive result during qualifying.

Beating the Americans, a team that was coming off an improbable run to the Confederation Cup final, was arguably Mexico’s best performance after six matches played.

Mexico’s play against the United States had former El Tri and American coach Bora Milutinovic take note. He told reporters he believes Mexico could finish on top of the group standings once qualifying has ended.

But despite the hype and what is being said about Mexico, Aguirre is not buying it.

“What gives you the right to be confident? What have we’ve done to feel big if you haven’t done anything?” Aguirre said about his team. “That is said without diminishing what has been accomplished at Estadio Azteca and the results during the Gold Cup, which had not been won a title the last two.”

At the same time, Aguirre is not ruling out the possibility of winning the group.

“We shouldn’t feel we’re inferior,” Aguirre said. “If we take it game by game, we can accomplish it. There are four teams fighting for 12 points. Anything can happen.”

Mexico’s win against the U.S. shifted momentum in the standings.

Mexico remained in fourth place with nine points behind the Americans (10 points), Honduras and Costa Rica, but showed signs it can become a powerhouse in the region once again.

Costa Rica, the group leader with 12 points, appeared to lose some of its swagger after falling to Honduras (10 points), 2-0, on August 12.

That could change for Los Ticos. After all, Costa Rica has won its last three games at home, including an impressive 3-1 outing against the United States.

The heat, humidity, artificial turf and the unforgiving crowd at the Ricardo Saprissa are in favor of the Ticos.

The stadium is often referred to as “the cave.”

“We know all about it,” said Sabah, the man who scored the winning goal for El Tri against the U.S. and led the team in scoring during the Gold Cup. “We have to be ready for what the situation presents.”

Costa Rica will most likely be without its captain and all-time caps leader Walter Centeno who is nursing an injury.

“These types of absences don’t make me happy,” Aguirre said. “Everyone has his problems. Every roster is missing someone or has too much of something.”

Mexico perhaps can’t afford to have too much confidence.

By Ivan Orozco

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Freddy Adu to finish season on loan at Belenenses

September 1, 2009


American prodigy Freddy Adu is set to play the rest of this season on loan at Belenenses in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon.

The 20-year-old joined Benfica in 2007 but never really broke through at the Portuguese club. Last season, he was loaned out to French side AS Monaco.

Adu, who formed part of the USA squads for this summer’s Confederations Cup and Gold Cup, needs more playing minutes in order to convince US manager Bob Bradley to select him for next year’s World Cup.

The striker began his career at DC United in 2004 and joined Benfica in 2007 after a quick stint at Real Salt Lake. To complete this move, Adu won’t have to change cities as Belenenses is located in Lisbon as well.

Jonathan Roorda

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Mexico, Honduras notch key World Cup qualifying wins

August 13, 2009


Miguel Sabah’s 81st-minute goal lifted Mexico to a 2-1 victory over the United States in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday while Honduras felled regional leaders Costa Rica 4-0.

The victory at famed Azteca Stadium kept the United States winless on Mexican soil and bolstered Mexico’s chances of advancing from the six-nation final round of qualifying in the North and Central America and Caribbean region.

“Today is a day to celebrate, and then get back to work,” said coach Javier Aguirre, who was brought in to replace Sven Goran Eriksson after a stuttering start to Mexico’s campaign. “Everybody will go to bed tonight a bit more relaxed.”

But Honduras’ victory in San Pedro Sula saw Mexico finish the night still in fourth place in the group, from which only the top three teams advance directly to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

The fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against a team from South America.

The home fixture was a welcome chance for Mexico, who have never lost at home to the United States. The only time the US had managed to share the points was in a goalless draw in 1997.

When Charlie Davies put the United States ahead with his ninth-minute strike off a through ball from Landon Donovan, it marked the first time the US had ever held the lead at Azteca.

“This is what you live for, especially as a striker scoring bigtime goals,” Davies said.

But it didn’t last long.

Israel Castro equalized 10 minutes later, his shot from outside the penalty area sailing just under the crossbar and out of reach of Howard.

Castro’s equalizer energized the crowd of 90,000 at Azteca, who were keen to see Mexico repeat their 5-0 rout of a a young US side in the Gold Cup final last month.

While the United States fielded a stronger team for this qualifier, they still couldn’t end their history of south of the border futility.

Sabah, who came on in the 78th, needed just minutes to make his presence felt. He took full advantage of a ball from the left from Efrain Juarez and blasted past US keeper Tim Howard.

“The guy turned on it quickly and smashed it has hard as he could,” Howard said.

“It’s a tough loss, to have so many guys work so hard and then give up a late goal,” said US coach Bob Bradley. “The feeling inside is one of great disappointment.”

Honduras seized second place in the standings with their 4-0 triumph over Costa Rica.

Carlo Costly in the 30th and in second-half injury time, Carlos Pavon in the 50th and Melvin Valladares in the 89th delivered the goals that put Honduras on 10 points, two behind Costa Rica. The United States also have 10 points, followed by Mexico on nine.

At Port of Spain, Cornell Glen scored in the seventh minute and Trinidad and Tobago made the goal stand up for a 1-0 victory over El Salvador – their first of the final round.

Trinidad and Tobago remained in last place, now with the same five points as fifth-placed El Salvador.

Qualifying continues next month, with matches on September 5 and September 9.

On the fifth, Costa Rica host Mexico, Honduras host Trinidad and Tobago and the United States host El Salvador.

On the ninth, Mexico host Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago host the USA and El Salvador host Costa Rica.

MEXICO CITY (AFP)

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Mexico out to prove Gold Cup final was not fluke

August 11, 2009


It was a topic they wanted to avoid.

Mexico national team players quickly tried to change the subject when asked about it. Some made sure to say they didn’t want to speak about the infamous date: August 12.

“We’re not thinking about that right now.”

“That’s not in our plans this minute.”

“We have another objective before that.”

Those are some of the phrases Mexican players used during the Gold Cup to describe their thoughts on El Tri’s highly anticipated showdown against the United States at Estadio Azteca Wednesday.

It’s a World Cup qualifier against its nemesis. It is a match in the hexagonal round of the region’s qualifiers. It is perhaps Mexico’s most important match this decade outside of the World Cup finals.

Mexico enters its match against the Americans sitting in fourth place in the hexagonal standings with six points behind Honduras (seven), the United States (10) and group leader Costa Rica (12).

The top three teams qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next summer. The fourth place team enters a two-leg playoff against a team from South America.

El Tri is coming off its first Gold Cup title since 2003 after overwhelming a young United States team in the final July 26. That gave coach Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre’s team a boost of confidence.

But that story was left behind. At least that’s what Aguirre says.

“I was clear from the start,” Aguirre told Mexican reporters this week. “The Gold Cup stayed there and I’m not going to let my players relax.”

Mexico has good reason not to take this match lightly.

The Gold Cup team different American side from the one the Mexicans will face Wednesday.

United States coach Bob Bradley used young players mostly from Major League Soccer rosters to fill his Gold Cup squad.

Mexico didn’t have all its European-based players but carried enough regulars to win the title.

Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Miguel Sabah, Guillermo Ochoa, Gerardo Torrado and Jonny Magallon are some from the list.

Aguirre has called for the qualifier against the United States what could be deemed as the base for his roster: Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Gerardo Guardado and Cuauhtémoc Blanco to mix with 15 players from the Gold Cup roster.

That could be an advantage for Mexico in addition to a partisan crowd of 100,000, altitude, humidity, heat and heavy smog in a stadium where the United States has never won.
The Americans called in their starters who mostly play in Europe but have not played together as a team since the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.

Most players from the Gold Cup final will not see the field at Azteca. Forward Brian Ching, midfielder Stuart Holden and defender Chad Marshall are the only three players who played in the Gold Cup title match that were selected for the roster for Wednesday’s game in Mexico City.

What will be on the field is a team that wants redemption for what happened in the Gold Cup despite being a different team.

The result left the U.S. embarrassed.

“I’m not in that locker room, and I don’t know what they’re thinking,” Ching said about Mexico after the Gold Cup final. “But if they think the next game is going to be anything like this, they’ve got another thing coming.”

Mexico knows that.

They’ve probably known it since prior to the Gold Cup.

There is no way to know if Wednesday’s match really wasn’t on Mexico’s mind during the Gold Cup. Chances are August 12 was imprinted in their minds since their last qualifier a 2-1 win against Trinidad and Tobago at Estadio Azteca.

That was a result that left fans wanting more, especially after losing in El Salvador 2-1 four days earlier. It didn’t impress Mexican pundits and left doubters doubting more.

Aguirre insists this is a rejuvenated El Tri no matter who is on the pitch.

“We’re better,” Aguirre said. “After the El Salvador game, I was always optimistic. There were six games left and we’re a point out (of an automatic berth). Now there’s (five games) left. It’s not a dark scenario. Why the heck were we going to be out of the World Cup? They have to give us a chance. If there was one game left and we had to win and have two rivals lose, then I would say it was tough. But things are different. Things have improved.”

A win against the Americans would probably silence doubts until the next qualifier. A loss or draw probably would raise criticism and maybe even some panic.

It would give the Mexicans something new to talk about or simply try to avoid.

Rafa Marquez out with new injury

FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez will not play against the United States at Estadio Azteca.

The Mexican center back suffered a left torn calf during a training session prior to Barca’s exhibition match against MLS side Sounders FC earlier this week.

Marquez returned to the line up and saw his first action last week when he played 31 minutes in a friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

He was coming off a knee injury kept him out for almost four months.

Marquez had reconstructive knee surgery after tearing ligaments during a match against English side Chelsea in April.

Marquez knew his chances of playing against the United States were slim prior to his calf injury.

“I am not at 100 percent and I won’t be for that day,” Marquez said after the Galaxy match. “I’ll try to do my best to be ready but it’s practically impossible to be at 100 percent by then.”

Marquez was expected to miss 10 to 15 days.

By Ivan Orozco

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Kenny Cooper joins 1860 Munich

August 1, 2009

Major League Soccer side FC Dallas have announced the departure of CONCACAF Gold Cup star Kenny Cooper to German club 1860 Munich.

The 24-year-old scored crucial goals for the United States national team at this month’s Gold Cup, with the interest of the 2.Bundesliga side as result.

“Kenny has been an outstanding player for us over the last four seasons as well as a tremendous ambassador for FC Dalles in his time with the club, and we with him the best in Munich,” Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock said.

Cooper, whose father and namesake played for the Blackburn Rovers reserves in the late 60’s, began his career at Academica Coimbra on loan from Manchester United in 2004, and joined Oldham Athletic on another loan deal a year later. Since 2006, the forward played for Dallas with 40 goals in 93 games.

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Herediano seeks to avenge Costa Rica against Cruz Azul

July 30, 2009


Vindication for both club and country has given members of Costa Rica’s Herediano some extra incentive when they host Mexican side Cruz Azul in Thursday’s first leg at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero.

It will have been only a week when three members of the Costa Rican club took part in their country’s emotional Gold Cup semifinal loss on penalty kicks to Mexico, which featured four Cruz Azul players.

Now two of Herediano starters who played in the heart breaking defeat have hinted it is time for a little payback.

“It’s no secret that we will be motivated playing against Cruz Azul and the game comes soon after the [Gold Cup] tournament,” Herediano and Costa Rica midfielder Andy Herron said.

It won’t salve all the wounds, but possibly a few.

“I don’t see it as a continuation of the Gold Cup or that game, but definitely maybe a little bit of revenge will still be on the minds some players like Andy and myself,” added wing back Dennis Marshall, who also played in the July 23 match in Chicago.

Both Marshall and Herron picked up yellow cards against Mexico in a physical and spirited match, which included eight cautions handed out by Panamanian referee Roberto Moreno.

Goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez also was a member of the Gold Cup squad and started the Ticos’ group matches against Canada and Jamaica.

Herediano also has several others who did not participate in this year’s Gold Cup team but are part of the player pool for upcoming qualifiers, including midfield veteran Mauricio Solis, who has 110 caps, and defender Cristian Montero.

The club enters the Thursday’s clash with the momentum of 1-0 win over Alajuelense on a 31st-minute goal by Jose Caesar Guity in its Apertura opener.

Cruz Azul, last year’s Champions League runners-up to Atlante of Cancun, hope to avoid another disappointing domestic campaign. Last year, it finished 18th and last in the Mexican Clausura.

The worst fnish in club history led to the departure of coach Benjamin Galindo, who was replaced in June by the familiar face of Enrique Meza.

Meza led Pachuca to CONCACAF Champions Cup titles in 2007 and 2008, and also captured a Copa Sudamericana title in 2006.

Meza also has coached the Cementeros on three different occasions in the past.

“I am happy to be back because this is the team that I hold dear to me,” he said. “This is where I was born into football and to arrive as coach for a fourth time to a club of great prestige is an honor.”

Cruz Azul stumble its Mexican league opener on Saturday, losing 2-0 at home to Jaguares of Chiapas.

But Cruz Azul was missing three players who were part of Mexico’s Gold Cup winning squad: goalkeeper Jesus Corona, defender Fausto Pinto and midfielder and captain Gerardo Torrado.

Torrado’s penalty kick in the 56th minute sparked a 5-0 rout over the United States on Sunday at Giants Stadium.

Meza recently moved to bolster his offense with the acquisition of Chilean striker Emilio Hernandez, who could see his first minutes with his new club during Thursday’s game in Herediano.

Other players of note for the Blue Machine include Dallas-born Honduran international Ramon Nunez and Mexican U-17 and U-20 midfielder Cesar Villaluz.

After Thursday’s game, the two teams will prepare for the return leg on August 5 at Estadio Cruz Azul in southwestern Mexico City.

By Peter Mallett

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San Francisco returns, Jabloteh debuts in Champions League

July 29, 2009


Panama’s San Francisco FC return to the international stage on Wednesday looking to reverse last year’s Champions League fortunes when they host Trinidad and Tobago’s San Juan Jabloteh who will be making their first appearance in the tournament.

San Francisco failed to win a match in the Group Stage of last year’s tournament, but returned for this year’s edition by defeating Chorrillo on penalties in the 2009 Panamanian Apertura title game in June, their seventh title since the club’s formation in 1971.

Manager Ruben Guevara announced at a July 24 news conference the re-signing of Colombian striker Carlos ‘El Loco’ Vilarete, midfielder Amir White and defender Joel Solanilla.

Since its league season doesn’t begin until August 9, it warmed up for its Champions League Preliminary Round opener with a 2-1 friendly win over league rivals Alianza on Sunday on goals by Vilarete and White.

Jabloteh will need to thwart Boris Alfaro, San Francisco’s leading scorer last season with eight goals, and midfielder Victor Hererra Piggott, who had five.

Panama’s third-most successful club has had midfielder Ricardo Phillips back for more than a week since his Gold Cup experience with the Panamanian national team, and will have a defense anchored by Carlos Ruben Rivera, veteran Argentine Victor Suarez and goalkeeper William Negrete.

Jabloteh replaced popular English coach Terry Fenwick with Earl John in June, who has the club atop Trinidad and Tobago’s pro league standings, one point ahead of Joe Public and Caledonia with a game in hand.

The club arrives in the Champions League coming off a 4-3 victory over Police Force FC on Friday thanks to Cyrano Glen’s 66th-minute equalizer and striker Jason Marcano late winner.

Jabloteh remains Trinidad’s most successful team having won four titles since the founding of the nation’s pro league in 1999.

Although they represented Trinidad at the 2004 CONCACAF Champions Cup, this is its first appearance in the Champions League.

Glen, along with midfielder Marvin Oliver, lead the team with three goals each while Marcano,  midfielders Ataullah Guerra and Lester Peltier have two apiece.

Midfielder Elton John has emerged as one of Jabloteh’s top players and was a standout in their third-place finish at the CFU club championship, where it beat Haitian club Tempete for its berth.

Jabloteh’s defense has looked inconsistent during some matches and this could be a factor which San Francisco could exploit in front of a home crowd in Wednesday’s opener.

During a July 7 loss,  Joe Public played numerous through balls that Jabloteh failed to solve in a 4-0 loss.

After Wednesday’s game in La Chorrerra, Jabloteh will return home for the second leg in Marabella on August 6.

By Peter Mallett

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Liberia, Espana clash in battle of Champions League debutantes

July 29, 2009


When Liberia won its first Costa Rican league title, fans crowded the streets of the town to celebrate late into the night

They hope it won’t be the only time they’ll get to revel in a triumph.

With the Clausura crown secured, Liberia will look to carry the momentum to international stage on Wednesday when it will face Real Espana of Honduras in both teams’ debut in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Liberia will “host” the first leg of the Preliminary Round, aggregate-goal series at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela before the series shifts to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, for the second leg on August 6.

Liberia doesn’t have the pedigree of an Espana, but is coming into the series with some inertia.

On the way to the Clausura championship, Liberia beat Perez Zeledon, Costa Rican giant Deportivo Saprissa and finally traditional power Herediano.

A big reason behind the success was the play of midfielder Victor Nunez.  The Costa Rican international, who has appeared in four 2010 World Cup qualifiers, ran away with the scoring race with eight goals.

The club will need Nunez’s offensive prowess to fend off Espana and get the early jump in the series.

Espana lost in the final of both the Honduran Apertura and Clausura to perennial contenders Marathon and Olimpia, who claimed the Honduras’ two guaranteed Champions League berths.

But Espana benefited from CONCACAF stripping Belize of its lone berth for lacking an adequate stadium and gave Honduras a third berth, which the Aurinegros was granted by having finished runner-up in both seasons.

The nine-time Honduran-league champion hopes to capitalize, and will look to Honduran internationals Allan Lalin and Melvin Valladares to lead offense.

Lalin, who had five goals in the Clausura, and Valladares are in form after having played the past month in CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009.

Both strikers are threats for manager Ramon Maradiaga, the one-time manager of Guatemala.

Defenders Nery Medina and Carlos Palacios also played in all five games for Honduras during the Gold Cup.

Their Gold Cup experience and fitness could give Espana the advantage.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise, much to the dismay of Liberia’s supporters hoping for another celebration.

By Vijay Setlur

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