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If Austria are ever going to end their dismal run of defeats against neighbors Germany, then Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Vienna would appear to be the ideal opportunity.
The two neighbors shared one of the fiercest rivalries in Europe during the 1970s and 1980s, however Austria's unhappy decline has turned recent meetings into a procession of wins for their larger neighbors.
Germany have won their last seven meetings against Austria, demolishing them 6-2 in the most recent encounter last year during Euro 2012 qualifying and scoring 25 goals in the process.
Austria's most recent win was in 1986 and the last time they avoided defeat against Germany was a goalless draw 20 years ago.
However, they will start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with renewed hope, thanks partly to a bright generation of players many of whom ply their trade in Germany's Bundesliga.
Germany also look vulnerable after their disappointing Euro 2012 semi-final exit to Italy and a 3-1 home to defeat to Argentina in a friendly last month.
They did little more than their duty in beating Faroe Islands 3-0 in their opening qualifier last Friday.
Paradoxically, Austria domestic football's financial difficulties have helped the national side with clubs such as Rapid Vienna and Austria Vienna preferring to field home-grown players to foreign imports.
Read More: Soccer-It's now or never for Austria against Germany - Yahoo! Sports
The two neighbors shared one of the fiercest rivalries in Europe during the 1970s and 1980s, however Austria's unhappy decline has turned recent meetings into a procession of wins for their larger neighbors.
Germany have won their last seven meetings against Austria, demolishing them 6-2 in the most recent encounter last year during Euro 2012 qualifying and scoring 25 goals in the process.
Austria's most recent win was in 1986 and the last time they avoided defeat against Germany was a goalless draw 20 years ago.
However, they will start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with renewed hope, thanks partly to a bright generation of players many of whom ply their trade in Germany's Bundesliga.
Germany also look vulnerable after their disappointing Euro 2012 semi-final exit to Italy and a 3-1 home to defeat to Argentina in a friendly last month.
They did little more than their duty in beating Faroe Islands 3-0 in their opening qualifier last Friday.
Paradoxically, Austria domestic football's financial difficulties have helped the national side with clubs such as Rapid Vienna and Austria Vienna preferring to field home-grown players to foreign imports.
Read More: Soccer-It's now or never for Austria against Germany - Yahoo! Sports
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A reporter asked U.S. men's national coach Jurgen Klinsmann what it would be like if his team were to lose to Jamaica for the second time in five days.
"No, we won't (lose)," Klinsmann said Monday with a smile. "Don't worry."
A lot of people are concerned, however, after the Americans lost 2-1 against host Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier on Friday -- their first loss to the Reggae Boyz.
That defeat dropped the United States into a tie for second in Group A.
Jamaica (2-0-1) leads, followed by the United States and Guatemala (both 1-1-1), then Antigua and Barbuda (0-2-1).
The top two teams advance to next year's six-nation regional finals, with three of those moving on to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
With games remaining against Guatemala in Kansas City, Mo., and a trip to Antigua, yes, there is reason to be somewhat on edge. Klinsmann said his team knows what is at stake.
"Pressure is always there in professional sports," he said. "Obviously, we wanted to get points in Jamaica, to be in a better kind of position than we are right now. We need (Tuesday) night, which is our goal and which we are focused on very strongly. It would put us in good position in that group."
Forward Clint Dempsey said the loss at Jamaica's home field certainly grabbed the team's full attention.
Read More: U.S. soccer: Americans confident for rematch with Jamaica - San Jose Mercury News
"No, we won't (lose)," Klinsmann said Monday with a smile. "Don't worry."
A lot of people are concerned, however, after the Americans lost 2-1 against host Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier on Friday -- their first loss to the Reggae Boyz.
That defeat dropped the United States into a tie for second in Group A.
Jamaica (2-0-1) leads, followed by the United States and Guatemala (both 1-1-1), then Antigua and Barbuda (0-2-1).
The top two teams advance to next year's six-nation regional finals, with three of those moving on to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
With games remaining against Guatemala in Kansas City, Mo., and a trip to Antigua, yes, there is reason to be somewhat on edge. Klinsmann said his team knows what is at stake.
"Pressure is always there in professional sports," he said. "Obviously, we wanted to get points in Jamaica, to be in a better kind of position than we are right now. We need (Tuesday) night, which is our goal and which we are focused on very strongly. It would put us in good position in that group."
Forward Clint Dempsey said the loss at Jamaica's home field certainly grabbed the team's full attention.
Read More: U.S. soccer: Americans confident for rematch with Jamaica - San Jose Mercury News
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The United States rebounded from a loss at Jamaica and moved back into a tie for its group lead in World Cup qualifying, beating the Reggae Boyz 1-0 Tuesday as Herculez Gomez curled a free kick in the 55th minute.
After hitting the frame three times in a dominant first half as goalkeeper Dwayne Miller made several sparkling saves, the U.S. went ahead after Clint Dempsey was fouled by Rodolph Austin. Gomez's drive from 28 yards went over the defensive wall and to the left of a diving Miller, who was only able to lightly brush the ball with his fingertips.
"It was important for us to regroup after what happened in Jamaica," Gomez said. "We knew it wasn't our best performance and we had to step forward and apply today. With the help of the crowd, we pushed deep and persevered. It wasn't always pretty, but I think we did it very well."
A rowdy, partisan crowd of 23,881 erupted into chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" on a night American players said they were thinking about the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Fans received small American flags to commemorate the anniversary and there was a moment of silence before kickoff.
Players circled the field after the game, waving to fans and raising their arms in celebration.
Read More: Soccer: US bounces back to beat Jamaica 1-0 Gomez's goal | Deseret News
After hitting the frame three times in a dominant first half as goalkeeper Dwayne Miller made several sparkling saves, the U.S. went ahead after Clint Dempsey was fouled by Rodolph Austin. Gomez's drive from 28 yards went over the defensive wall and to the left of a diving Miller, who was only able to lightly brush the ball with his fingertips.
"It was important for us to regroup after what happened in Jamaica," Gomez said. "We knew it wasn't our best performance and we had to step forward and apply today. With the help of the crowd, we pushed deep and persevered. It wasn't always pretty, but I think we did it very well."
A rowdy, partisan crowd of 23,881 erupted into chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" on a night American players said they were thinking about the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Fans received small American flags to commemorate the anniversary and there was a moment of silence before kickoff.
Players circled the field after the game, waving to fans and raising their arms in celebration.
Read More: Soccer: US bounces back to beat Jamaica 1-0 Gomez's goal | Deseret News
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An international match-fixing syndicate set its sights on a Canadian soccer league in hopes the lower-level games were far enough out of the spotlight that officials wouldn’t suspect tampering, wiretaps obtained by CBC News suggests.
The syndicate targeted the Canadian Soccer League (CSL), a semi-pro league in Ontario and Quebec that serves as a feeder system for Canadian major league clubs.
CBC News obtained evidence of the match-fixing from hundreds of hours of police wiretaps revealed during a 2011 German court case into one of the largest sports-fixing scandals to hit Europe. The syndicate manipulated domestic league games around the world.
In Canada, interviews conducted by CBC News with dozens of players, soccer officials and other sources painted a picture of a semi-pro league in which players were routinely approached to fix games.
Stefan Conen, a lawyer representing one of the European fixers convicted in the Berlin court, not only admitted to CBC News that his client helped fixed a game in Canada, but says the syndicate targeted the CSL for a specific reason.
“It’s easier to fix a game in the lower leagues, there’s less control, less attention to those games, plus the players earn less so they’re easier to compromise for money,” Conen said.
Some CSL players earn only about $5,000 for a season of weekend games.
Read More: Canadian soccer an easy target for match-fixing - Updated News
The syndicate targeted the Canadian Soccer League (CSL), a semi-pro league in Ontario and Quebec that serves as a feeder system for Canadian major league clubs.
CBC News obtained evidence of the match-fixing from hundreds of hours of police wiretaps revealed during a 2011 German court case into one of the largest sports-fixing scandals to hit Europe. The syndicate manipulated domestic league games around the world.
In Canada, interviews conducted by CBC News with dozens of players, soccer officials and other sources painted a picture of a semi-pro league in which players were routinely approached to fix games.
Stefan Conen, a lawyer representing one of the European fixers convicted in the Berlin court, not only admitted to CBC News that his client helped fixed a game in Canada, but says the syndicate targeted the CSL for a specific reason.
“It’s easier to fix a game in the lower leagues, there’s less control, less attention to those games, plus the players earn less so they’re easier to compromise for money,” Conen said.
Some CSL players earn only about $5,000 for a season of weekend games.
Read More: Canadian soccer an easy target for match-fixing - Updated News
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I have one perfect tip on Soccer for tomorrow ! Odd is more than 6 . 100% win . I know the score of the game . Who wants to get it pls contact me at [email][email protected][/email]
Pick is free and game will be fixed .
Pick is free and game will be fixed .
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A late goal from Jaime Lyons pushed the game into overtime, but the Utah Valley University soccer team came up short in overtime, losing 2-1 to Idaho State Thursday night at Clyde Field.
"I thought our team showed a lot of maturity tonight," UVU head soccer coach Brent Anderson said. "The girls were focused and we did some really good things in the attack and in the midfield. We executed our game plan as well as we have all season, we've just got to find a way to finish these games late."
ISU (5-3-0) held a 1-0 lead late in the second half behind Anna Pingree's 55th minute goal. With full time approaching, UVU (1-5-1) launched into desperation mode, sending waves of players forward after the tying goal.
A few chances came up empty before a lofted through pass from the Wolverine midfield dropped into no-man's land between the goal and the UVU forwards. Bengal goalkeeper Maria Dela Cruz charged to the top of the box after the ball, colliding into the onrush of Wolverines. The collision squirted the ball to an open Lyons, who coolly lifted her shot from 25 yards into the empty net for the tying goal at 87:40.
The goal was the first for the senior of the 2012 season.
Faced with overtime for the fourth time in the last five games, UVU controlled much of the early possession in the extra frame. But ISU took advantage of its lone opportunity in the overtime when Madeline Gochnour played Amanda Ellsworth into a counterattack opportunity from the midfield.
Read More: UVU soccer: women's soccer falls short in overtime | Deseret News
"I thought our team showed a lot of maturity tonight," UVU head soccer coach Brent Anderson said. "The girls were focused and we did some really good things in the attack and in the midfield. We executed our game plan as well as we have all season, we've just got to find a way to finish these games late."
ISU (5-3-0) held a 1-0 lead late in the second half behind Anna Pingree's 55th minute goal. With full time approaching, UVU (1-5-1) launched into desperation mode, sending waves of players forward after the tying goal.
A few chances came up empty before a lofted through pass from the Wolverine midfield dropped into no-man's land between the goal and the UVU forwards. Bengal goalkeeper Maria Dela Cruz charged to the top of the box after the ball, colliding into the onrush of Wolverines. The collision squirted the ball to an open Lyons, who coolly lifted her shot from 25 yards into the empty net for the tying goal at 87:40.
The goal was the first for the senior of the 2012 season.
Faced with overtime for the fourth time in the last five games, UVU controlled much of the early possession in the extra frame. But ISU took advantage of its lone opportunity in the overtime when Madeline Gochnour played Amanda Ellsworth into a counterattack opportunity from the midfield.
Read More: UVU soccer: women's soccer falls short in overtime | Deseret News
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A goal from Robbie Keane seems to be an everyday occurrence for the Galaxy.
A goal by a newly signed player from Sweden making his debut and playing in the spot vacated by an injured David Beckham? Not what the rest of MLS wanted to see.
Keane scored early in the first half and Christian Wilhelmsson, who was signed Sept. 5, added another midway through the second half of the Galaxy's 2-0 win over Colorado on Friday at Home Depot Center pushed them into third place, with hopes of advancing even higher.
The Galaxy (14-11-4) are even with Real Salt Lake with 46 points in the Western Conference with five games remaining. The Galaxy face Real Salt Lake on Oct. 6 at home and also have games left against first-place San Jose and second-place Seattle.
Teams must finish third or higher to avoid a play-in game for the postseason.
Wilhelmsson, a veteran of 78 appearances for Sweden, was in the starting lineup for Beckham, who was out with a sprained ankle.
It remains to be seen when Beckham will return. The Galaxy travel to Puerto Rico for a Champions League game Wednesday and return home to face Toronto next Saturday.
Josh Saunders' eighth shutout of the season was preserved when midfielder Marcelo Sarvas slid in to deny a goal for Conor Casey of the Rapids (9-18-2), whose blast appeared to be headed into the net in the 79th minute.
Read more: SOCCER: Galaxy continue their climb up standings - San Bernardino County Sun
A goal by a newly signed player from Sweden making his debut and playing in the spot vacated by an injured David Beckham? Not what the rest of MLS wanted to see.
Keane scored early in the first half and Christian Wilhelmsson, who was signed Sept. 5, added another midway through the second half of the Galaxy's 2-0 win over Colorado on Friday at Home Depot Center pushed them into third place, with hopes of advancing even higher.
The Galaxy (14-11-4) are even with Real Salt Lake with 46 points in the Western Conference with five games remaining. The Galaxy face Real Salt Lake on Oct. 6 at home and also have games left against first-place San Jose and second-place Seattle.
Teams must finish third or higher to avoid a play-in game for the postseason.
Wilhelmsson, a veteran of 78 appearances for Sweden, was in the starting lineup for Beckham, who was out with a sprained ankle.
It remains to be seen when Beckham will return. The Galaxy travel to Puerto Rico for a Champions League game Wednesday and return home to face Toronto next Saturday.
Josh Saunders' eighth shutout of the season was preserved when midfielder Marcelo Sarvas slid in to deny a goal for Conor Casey of the Rapids (9-18-2), whose blast appeared to be headed into the net in the 79th minute.
Read more: SOCCER: Galaxy continue their climb up standings - San Bernardino County Sun
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Chelsea dropped its first points of the season in a 0-0 draw against local rival Queens Park Rangers, and the non-handshake between Anton Ferdinand and John Terry upstaged big home wins by Arsenal and Manchester United in the English Premier League overnight (NZT).
Arsenal's 6-1 thrashing of Southampton and a 4-0 victory for United over Wigan sparked by Paul Scholes' goal in his 700th game for the club allowed both teams to leapfrog defending champion Manchester City, which was held to 1-1 at Stoke.
A top four filled with the likely title contenders is led by Chelsea, whose perfect start to the campaign ended with the stalemate at QPR in a game overshadowed by Ferdinand's snub of Terry in the pre-match handshake.
It continued their feud following a racism row that began last season when Terry, the Chelsea and England defender, was accused of racially abusing Ferdinand in the corresponding match at Loftus Road.
Terry was acquitted in court in July but awaits a Football Association charge relating to the same case, and feelings continue to run high.
Read More: Soccer: Chelsea drop first points of season - Sport - NZ Herald News
Arsenal's 6-1 thrashing of Southampton and a 4-0 victory for United over Wigan sparked by Paul Scholes' goal in his 700th game for the club allowed both teams to leapfrog defending champion Manchester City, which was held to 1-1 at Stoke.
A top four filled with the likely title contenders is led by Chelsea, whose perfect start to the campaign ended with the stalemate at QPR in a game overshadowed by Ferdinand's snub of Terry in the pre-match handshake.
It continued their feud following a racism row that began last season when Terry, the Chelsea and England defender, was accused of racially abusing Ferdinand in the corresponding match at Loftus Road.
Terry was acquitted in court in July but awaits a Football Association charge relating to the same case, and feelings continue to run high.
Read More: Soccer: Chelsea drop first points of season - Sport - NZ Herald News
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Alex Morgan scored one goal and set up the second as the U.S. women's national soccer team rallied from a first-half deficit to beat Australia 2-1 Sunday in the second game on its post-Olympic tour.
Morgan scored the tying goal in the 55th minute and won the penalty kick fellow Southern Californian Shannon Boxx converted eight minutes later as the Americans, who last month won the gold medal at the London Games, shook off a rough first 45 minutes to improve to 2-0 on the 10-game tour.
Australia, which started six players 19 or younger, went ahead in the 34th minute when Lisa de Vanna beat U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo after outsprinting two defenders on a run from midfield.
It was the penultimate game for U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, who will guide the Americans for the final time in Wednesday's rematch with Australia in Commerce City, Colo. She is returning home to Sweden and has made no secret of her desire to coach her homeland's national team.
"It's exciting — that's the word," said Sundhage, who received an autographed guitar from her players after the game and played and sang a stanza of "Jailhouse Rock" for the crowd of 19,851 at the Home Depot Center.
"If you look at the first half, eh, wasn't happy about that, but then they turn it around. They come back. That's typical for this team, you know, coming back and never, ever give up."
Morgan, from nearby Diamond Bar, celebrated her 50th international appearance ---- and first hometown game with the national team ---- with her team-best 22nd goal of the year and 32nd all-time for the U.S. She took a pass from Heather O'Reilly, stepped into the box, cut inside defender Stephanie Catley and fired into the ceiling of the net from about 15 yards.
Read More: SOCCER: Morgan gives US women 2-1 win against Australia
Morgan scored the tying goal in the 55th minute and won the penalty kick fellow Southern Californian Shannon Boxx converted eight minutes later as the Americans, who last month won the gold medal at the London Games, shook off a rough first 45 minutes to improve to 2-0 on the 10-game tour.
Australia, which started six players 19 or younger, went ahead in the 34th minute when Lisa de Vanna beat U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo after outsprinting two defenders on a run from midfield.
It was the penultimate game for U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, who will guide the Americans for the final time in Wednesday's rematch with Australia in Commerce City, Colo. She is returning home to Sweden and has made no secret of her desire to coach her homeland's national team.
"It's exciting — that's the word," said Sundhage, who received an autographed guitar from her players after the game and played and sang a stanza of "Jailhouse Rock" for the crowd of 19,851 at the Home Depot Center.
"If you look at the first half, eh, wasn't happy about that, but then they turn it around. They come back. That's typical for this team, you know, coming back and never, ever give up."
Morgan, from nearby Diamond Bar, celebrated her 50th international appearance ---- and first hometown game with the national team ---- with her team-best 22nd goal of the year and 32nd all-time for the U.S. She took a pass from Heather O'Reilly, stepped into the box, cut inside defender Stephanie Catley and fired into the ceiling of the net from about 15 yards.
Read More: SOCCER: Morgan gives US women 2-1 win against Australia
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Real Madrid will go into tomorrow's Champions League opener against Manchester City looking to spark a turnaround after a poor start that has presented coach Jose Mourinho with perhaps his toughest test yet at the Spanish club.
Madrid will host the Premier League champions on the back of only one victory in four league games, leaving it eight points behind leader Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo's pouting has perhaps played a part in Madrid's stumbles but Mourinho is also under scrutiny after publicly criticizing his team's play, which has appeared meek since beating Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup last month.
Mourinho said today his relationship with his players hadn't changed after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Sevilla, adding he wouldn't make changes just for the sake of sending a message.
"I will try to field the team that I think will show up," said Mourinho. "I'm convinced that tomorrow I'll have a team out there. Maybe we won't be as relaxed, or filled with the same conviction and confidence we usually have against an opponent like City, coming off a game which was terrible.
"I'm sure we'll be at our best. I could be wrong, but that's what I think."
Madrid's timing couldn't be worse with the Premier League champions visiting the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to open a tough Group D, in which neither can afford many slipups with German champion Borussia Dortmund and Dutch champion Ajax also in the mix.
Madrid will host the Premier League champions on the back of only one victory in four league games, leaving it eight points behind leader Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo's pouting has perhaps played a part in Madrid's stumbles but Mourinho is also under scrutiny after publicly criticizing his team's play, which has appeared meek since beating Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup last month.
Mourinho said today his relationship with his players hadn't changed after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Sevilla, adding he wouldn't make changes just for the sake of sending a message.
"I will try to field the team that I think will show up," said Mourinho. "I'm convinced that tomorrow I'll have a team out there. Maybe we won't be as relaxed, or filled with the same conviction and confidence we usually have against an opponent like City, coming off a game which was terrible.
"I'm sure we'll be at our best. I could be wrong, but that's what I think."
Madrid's timing couldn't be worse with the Premier League champions visiting the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to open a tough Group D, in which neither can afford many slipups with German champion Borussia Dortmund and Dutch champion Ajax also in the mix.
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Manchester City face Real Madrid tonight in the opening round of Champions League group stage fixtures. City could welcome back striker Sergio Aguero for the Bernebau clash following injury, while midfielder Gareth Barry is also in the frame after appearing for the first time this season in the weekend draw at Stoke.
Right-back Micah Richards is definitely out of the Group D encounter with an ankle problem.
The fixed-odds service of online betting exchange Betfair make Real 3/5 favourites for the match, with City offered at 9/2. The draw is available at 29/10.
A 1-0 Real win is priced at 7/1, while a City success by the same scoreline can be backed at odds of 14/1.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is 29/10 favourite to score the first goal, ahead of teammate Karim Benzema at 19/4.
The shortest-priced Man City players are Aguero and fellow forward Carlos Tevez, both of whom are priced at 15/2 to open the scoring.
Gambling Online Magazine | News | Champions League betting preview: Real Madrid v Manchester City
Right-back Micah Richards is definitely out of the Group D encounter with an ankle problem.
The fixed-odds service of online betting exchange Betfair make Real 3/5 favourites for the match, with City offered at 9/2. The draw is available at 29/10.
A 1-0 Real win is priced at 7/1, while a City success by the same scoreline can be backed at odds of 14/1.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is 29/10 favourite to score the first goal, ahead of teammate Karim Benzema at 19/4.
The shortest-priced Man City players are Aguero and fellow forward Carlos Tevez, both of whom are priced at 15/2 to open the scoring.
Gambling Online Magazine | News | Champions League betting preview: Real Madrid v Manchester City
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A simple handshake between two old foes on an emotionally-charged afternoon at Anfield can close a chapter and help set a tone of mutual respect when Liverpool host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
The fixture is Liverpool's first at home since a report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster cleared their fans of any blame for the crush that left 96 of their number dead at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
It also promises another face-to-face meeting between United defender Patrice Evra and Liverpool's Uruguayan Luis Suarez, who was banned for eight matches last year for racially abusing the Frenchman.
Assuming they play, the two men will be expected to shake hands before kick-off (1230) as is the custom.
Both clubs, two of the fiercest rivals in English soccer, want the match to be a moment to pay tribute to the tireless campaigners for truth and justice and also for players and fans to turn over a new leaf.
An anti-Liverpool chant of 'It's never your fault, always the victims' heard from some quarters at Old Trafford last weekend in United's 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic referred more to the Suarez-Evra incident but has caused concern ahead of the trip to Anfield.
The two captains, likely to be Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic, will release 96 balloons before kick-off and there will also be mosaics on three sides of the ground spelling out '96', 'Justice' and 'The Truth'.
"We are totally supportive of Liverpool in this situation," United manager Alex Ferguson said this week. "It's going to be a very emotional day on Sunday and we will support them in every way that we can."
Read More: PREVIEW-Soccer-Respect will be order of the day at Anfield - Yahoo! New Zealand Sport
The fixture is Liverpool's first at home since a report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster cleared their fans of any blame for the crush that left 96 of their number dead at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
It also promises another face-to-face meeting between United defender Patrice Evra and Liverpool's Uruguayan Luis Suarez, who was banned for eight matches last year for racially abusing the Frenchman.
Assuming they play, the two men will be expected to shake hands before kick-off (1230) as is the custom.
Both clubs, two of the fiercest rivals in English soccer, want the match to be a moment to pay tribute to the tireless campaigners for truth and justice and also for players and fans to turn over a new leaf.
An anti-Liverpool chant of 'It's never your fault, always the victims' heard from some quarters at Old Trafford last weekend in United's 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic referred more to the Suarez-Evra incident but has caused concern ahead of the trip to Anfield.
The two captains, likely to be Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic, will release 96 balloons before kick-off and there will also be mosaics on three sides of the ground spelling out '96', 'Justice' and 'The Truth'.
"We are totally supportive of Liverpool in this situation," United manager Alex Ferguson said this week. "It's going to be a very emotional day on Sunday and we will support them in every way that we can."
Read More: PREVIEW-Soccer-Respect will be order of the day at Anfield - Yahoo! New Zealand Sport
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The Wenatchee Valley College men’s and women’s soccer teams have several things in common.
Both squads are coming off down years; feature a large number of freshmen; are looking to improve their standing in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges East Region in hopes of grabbing a postseason spot; and are off to rough starts so far this season.
The men have posted a 2-3-1 overall mark (0-1-1 East), while the women have an 0-5 (0-2) record. However, men’s coach Garrett Brown and women’s coach Lori Van Lith believe that their teams can improve as the season goes on.
Men
Seventeen of the 21 players on the Knights’ roster are freshmen.
“It’s been a learning experience,” Brown said. “But we have some young guys that are stepping up. We’ve started slow out of the gates, but every day we’re getting better.”
Brown said the Knights have shown a proclivity to be a strong passing team so far.
“Our strength is definitely our defense, up to the midfield,” he said. “We can keep the ball back there and knock it around. We have three young forwards (that have shown promise), and we have a good, strong core behind them that can get balls up top for (the forwards) to put away.”
Those three first-year forwards are Eastmont graduate Josh VanAssche; Cashmere’s John Hunter; and Josh Contreras, from Anchorage, Alaska. The defense will be anchored by Cashmere’s Brendan Wagner, Wenatchee’s Matt Rick and Eastmont’s Juan Rodriguez.
Brown thinks the team will be solid in goal with Jacob Dezarn, from Anchorage, and Chelan’s Ruben Medina.
“I feel that we’re really close (to breaking through),” he said. “If we continue to improve the way we have been, I think we can challenge for one of the top two seeds from the East Region.”
Women
Van Lith’s squad has been outscored 35-1 so far, but has been dealing with several key injuries. Once the Knights are able to play with their entire starting lineup, the coach is optimistic that they can start to play better.
“We have one returning starter,” Van Lith said. “I think we have good talent. I think the problem is that we have to take (that talent) from practices to games. It’s been frustrating to have the losses we’ve had knowing how good we can be. It’s been challenging so far, but the girls are learning about the integrity part of the game, and how to not let your head drop. That’s the big lesson right now.”
Van Lith expects sisters Hannah and Hailey Ziegler, Cascade graduates, to lead the team’s offense. (Hannah scored the team’s only goal of the season Wednesday). Defenders Tawnie Gonsalez (Warden) and Daniela Vargas (Wenatchee) and midfielders Shannon Murphy (Hoquiam) and Roxana Cadena (Las Vegas) will also be relied on to play key roles for the Knights this fall.
“We brought in better talent this year,” Van Lith said. “The frustrating part is that we want our performance to start showing that. We’re a really strong defensive team, even though the scores aren’t showing it right now. I think that we can challenge (for a postseason spot), but we’ve got to prove it in the next few games. We have to turn it around now, or we’re going to struggle to be in the top four.”
WVC soccer squads seek improvement | The Wenatchee World
Both squads are coming off down years; feature a large number of freshmen; are looking to improve their standing in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges East Region in hopes of grabbing a postseason spot; and are off to rough starts so far this season.
The men have posted a 2-3-1 overall mark (0-1-1 East), while the women have an 0-5 (0-2) record. However, men’s coach Garrett Brown and women’s coach Lori Van Lith believe that their teams can improve as the season goes on.
Men
Seventeen of the 21 players on the Knights’ roster are freshmen.
“It’s been a learning experience,” Brown said. “But we have some young guys that are stepping up. We’ve started slow out of the gates, but every day we’re getting better.”
Brown said the Knights have shown a proclivity to be a strong passing team so far.
“Our strength is definitely our defense, up to the midfield,” he said. “We can keep the ball back there and knock it around. We have three young forwards (that have shown promise), and we have a good, strong core behind them that can get balls up top for (the forwards) to put away.”
Those three first-year forwards are Eastmont graduate Josh VanAssche; Cashmere’s John Hunter; and Josh Contreras, from Anchorage, Alaska. The defense will be anchored by Cashmere’s Brendan Wagner, Wenatchee’s Matt Rick and Eastmont’s Juan Rodriguez.
Brown thinks the team will be solid in goal with Jacob Dezarn, from Anchorage, and Chelan’s Ruben Medina.
“I feel that we’re really close (to breaking through),” he said. “If we continue to improve the way we have been, I think we can challenge for one of the top two seeds from the East Region.”
Women
Van Lith’s squad has been outscored 35-1 so far, but has been dealing with several key injuries. Once the Knights are able to play with their entire starting lineup, the coach is optimistic that they can start to play better.
“We have one returning starter,” Van Lith said. “I think we have good talent. I think the problem is that we have to take (that talent) from practices to games. It’s been frustrating to have the losses we’ve had knowing how good we can be. It’s been challenging so far, but the girls are learning about the integrity part of the game, and how to not let your head drop. That’s the big lesson right now.”
Van Lith expects sisters Hannah and Hailey Ziegler, Cascade graduates, to lead the team’s offense. (Hannah scored the team’s only goal of the season Wednesday). Defenders Tawnie Gonsalez (Warden) and Daniela Vargas (Wenatchee) and midfielders Shannon Murphy (Hoquiam) and Roxana Cadena (Las Vegas) will also be relied on to play key roles for the Knights this fall.
“We brought in better talent this year,” Van Lith said. “The frustrating part is that we want our performance to start showing that. We’re a really strong defensive team, even though the scores aren’t showing it right now. I think that we can challenge (for a postseason spot), but we’ve got to prove it in the next few games. We have to turn it around now, or we’re going to struggle to be in the top four.”
WVC soccer squads seek improvement | The Wenatchee World
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This is the momentum the Galaxy talked about building in time for the postseason.
Well, they clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs for the fourth straight season Saturday night, but any break in that momentum could indicate a short stint in the postseason.
The Galaxy's 4-2 win over Toronto FC Saturday night at Home Depot Center allowed them to hop up a spot and into second place in the Western Conference standings, but they are tied there with Real Salt Lake. And of the Galaxy's four remaining games, three are against the other top three in the West.
If the Galaxy (15-11-4) finish below third, they would have to take part in a play-in game to stay alive in the postseason.
Maybe all of those permutations were going through their heads in the second half, because they nearly blew a 3-0 lead against the team with the league's worst record. But they made two goals from Juninho and two more from Robbie Keane stand up, though they could have added to their total with a number of second-half chances.
Keane sealed it with his 14th goal of the season in the 92nd minute, six minutes after Toronto's Luis Silva made it 3-2. Toronto fell to 5-18-7.
The first half was almost too easy for the Galaxy, who dominated for the most part and paid for the one lapse they made.
They almost broke through in the ninth minute when Marcelo Sarvas set up Juninho heading toward the goal before passing in to Christian Wilhelmsson,
Read more: SOCCER: Galaxy ride momentum into MLS playoffs - Pasadena Star-News
Well, they clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs for the fourth straight season Saturday night, but any break in that momentum could indicate a short stint in the postseason.
The Galaxy's 4-2 win over Toronto FC Saturday night at Home Depot Center allowed them to hop up a spot and into second place in the Western Conference standings, but they are tied there with Real Salt Lake. And of the Galaxy's four remaining games, three are against the other top three in the West.
If the Galaxy (15-11-4) finish below third, they would have to take part in a play-in game to stay alive in the postseason.
Maybe all of those permutations were going through their heads in the second half, because they nearly blew a 3-0 lead against the team with the league's worst record. But they made two goals from Juninho and two more from Robbie Keane stand up, though they could have added to their total with a number of second-half chances.
Keane sealed it with his 14th goal of the season in the 92nd minute, six minutes after Toronto's Luis Silva made it 3-2. Toronto fell to 5-18-7.
The first half was almost too easy for the Galaxy, who dominated for the most part and paid for the one lapse they made.
They almost broke through in the ninth minute when Marcelo Sarvas set up Juninho heading toward the goal before passing in to Christian Wilhelmsson,
Read more: SOCCER: Galaxy ride momentum into MLS playoffs - Pasadena Star-News
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When Julio Bustos founded the Luzerne-Lackawanna Soccer League three years ago, he started with just six teams and a food stand in Forty Fort.
Now, the league has grown to 12 teams from across Northeast Pennsylvania and has found its home at Scranton High School's soccer field, behind Sonic on Providence Road.
"The intention was to have everyone over somewhere on a Sunday and just enjoy the day," said Veronica Bustos, Julio's daughter. "Spanish people love soccer. That's our sport. We love it, and they just wanted something nice and done the right way."
To close out its third regular season, the league will host its first international festival Sunday, during which the championship and third-place games will take place, along with some friendlies.
Surrounding the game will be a festival celebrating the food, music and dance of various cultures.
It encompasses the spirit of community the Luzerne-Lackawanna Soccer League has built, just by welcoming soccer players who hail from across the globe.
Every Sunday since late April, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., soccer players and enthusiasts have come together to play and watch the sport they grew up loving.
Teams in the league hail from places like East Stroudsburg, Hazleton, Tobyhana and, of course, Scranton. They consist of players from the United States, countries in South America and even Saudi Arabia.
Some teams are sponsored by local businesses to be able to have uniforms jerseys. The Scranton Police Department sponsored a team this year.
Read More: Local soccer league to host International Festival - Sports - The Times-Tribune
Now, the league has grown to 12 teams from across Northeast Pennsylvania and has found its home at Scranton High School's soccer field, behind Sonic on Providence Road.
"The intention was to have everyone over somewhere on a Sunday and just enjoy the day," said Veronica Bustos, Julio's daughter. "Spanish people love soccer. That's our sport. We love it, and they just wanted something nice and done the right way."
To close out its third regular season, the league will host its first international festival Sunday, during which the championship and third-place games will take place, along with some friendlies.
Surrounding the game will be a festival celebrating the food, music and dance of various cultures.
It encompasses the spirit of community the Luzerne-Lackawanna Soccer League has built, just by welcoming soccer players who hail from across the globe.
Every Sunday since late April, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., soccer players and enthusiasts have come together to play and watch the sport they grew up loving.
Teams in the league hail from places like East Stroudsburg, Hazleton, Tobyhana and, of course, Scranton. They consist of players from the United States, countries in South America and even Saudi Arabia.
Some teams are sponsored by local businesses to be able to have uniforms jerseys. The Scranton Police Department sponsored a team this year.
Read More: Local soccer league to host International Festival - Sports - The Times-Tribune
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John Terry has sensationally quit England less than 24 hours before the Football Association hearing into the Anton Ferdinand saga is expected to begin.
Chelsea captain Terry announced his immediate retirement from international football, accusing the FA of making his position "untenable".
The 31-year-old said in a statement: "I am today announcing my retirement from international football. I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I've played with."
He added: "I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career. Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour.
"I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision. I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future.
"I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable.
"I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support."
Press Association Sport understands the hearing into claims Terry used a racist slur against QPR defender Ferdinand was scheduled to begin on Monday.
Terry denies the charge and has vowed to clear his name once and for all after being found not guilty of a racially-aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates Court in July.
A guilty verdict over what is a similar offence under FA rules would have put pressure on the game's governing body to prevent Terry playing for England, having already stripped him of the England captaincy while he awaited trial. But the defender has taken that decision out of their hands, ending his nine-year international career himself.
Terry ends England career - Football news | MSN Sport UK
Chelsea captain Terry announced his immediate retirement from international football, accusing the FA of making his position "untenable".
The 31-year-old said in a statement: "I am today announcing my retirement from international football. I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I've played with."
He added: "I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career. Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour.
"I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision. I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future.
"I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable.
"I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support."
Press Association Sport understands the hearing into claims Terry used a racist slur against QPR defender Ferdinand was scheduled to begin on Monday.
Terry denies the charge and has vowed to clear his name once and for all after being found not guilty of a racially-aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates Court in July.
A guilty verdict over what is a similar offence under FA rules would have put pressure on the game's governing body to prevent Terry playing for England, having already stripped him of the England captaincy while he awaited trial. But the defender has taken that decision out of their hands, ending his nine-year international career himself.
Terry ends England career - Football news | MSN Sport UK
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The English Football Association (FA) have rejected Chelsea defender John Terry's claims that an investigation into his alleged racial abuse of an opponent during a Premier League match last year had forced him to retire from England duty.
The 31-year-old former national captain brought his England career to an abrupt end on Sunday, saying his position in the national team had become "untenable" due to the FA's impending case against him.
The Chelsea skipper stood before an FA tribunal set to last four days on Monday, facing charges of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October despite being acquitted in the law courts in July.
FA general secretary Alex Horne dismissed Terry's objections to the hearing, saying that the governing body was not responsible for the player's decision to retire.
"It's a personal decision. I don't see how we have made it untenable, they are two very separate processes," Horne told the British media on Monday.
"It's something that happened in a match - it shouldn't be taking a year to resolve but we feel we are reaching a conclusion on that.
"That's a very different process from our England procedures; they sit in different compartments and I could separate the two in my mind, but it doesn't look like he could."
If found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand, Terry could face a lengthy ban similar to the eight-match one served by Liverpool's Luis Suarez last season.
London-born Terry, capped 78 times since his debut in 2003 including appearances in two World Cups, has spent his entire career with Chelsea since joining the European champions as a 14-year-old.
Soccer-FA reject Terry claim of forcing his retirement | Reuters
The 31-year-old former national captain brought his England career to an abrupt end on Sunday, saying his position in the national team had become "untenable" due to the FA's impending case against him.
The Chelsea skipper stood before an FA tribunal set to last four days on Monday, facing charges of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October despite being acquitted in the law courts in July.
FA general secretary Alex Horne dismissed Terry's objections to the hearing, saying that the governing body was not responsible for the player's decision to retire.
"It's a personal decision. I don't see how we have made it untenable, they are two very separate processes," Horne told the British media on Monday.
"It's something that happened in a match - it shouldn't be taking a year to resolve but we feel we are reaching a conclusion on that.
"That's a very different process from our England procedures; they sit in different compartments and I could separate the two in my mind, but it doesn't look like he could."
If found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand, Terry could face a lengthy ban similar to the eight-match one served by Liverpool's Luis Suarez last season.
London-born Terry, capped 78 times since his debut in 2003 including appearances in two World Cups, has spent his entire career with Chelsea since joining the European champions as a 14-year-old.
Soccer-FA reject Terry claim of forcing his retirement | Reuters
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Having grown up a fan of the NFL from my earliest days of watching sports, last night’s debacle of an ending in the Seahawks/Packers game was a new low in a season already full of them. Sure, I felt the Seahawks Nation got screwed on a few calls in Super Bowl XL and this just might be karma returning the favor to one of our opponents, but even with those bad calls the Seahawks still lost that game due to their own mistakes. There was no excuse other than poor officiating for what happened in Monday night’s game. While everyone has been focusing on the most egregious error that occurred on the Hail Mary “touchdown” that ended the game, the reality is that it should have never gotten to that point. Offensive pass interference should have been called earlier on the play when Golden Tate clearly shoved a Green Bay defender in the end zone on his way to his memorable “catch”. Or it should have been over earlier in the drive when somehow Green Bay was flagged for pass interference when it was the Seattle receiver who was draped all over the Green Bay defender. Or it could have been over when Green Bay was inexplicably flagged for roughing the passer when one of their defenders hit Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson a fraction of a second after he released a pass, negating a Green Bay interception. Last night’s game was a comedy of errors, except the errors weren’t funny to any fan of the game, the Green Bay Packers, or the number of bettors who lost an estimated $1 billion as the Green Bay Packers didn’t cover the spread given the last second touchdown awarded to the Seahawks. This is instead a teachable moment not only for football, but also for its distant cousin, soccer. There are several lessons to learn from the lockout and subsequent poor refereeing.
Read More: What Soccer Can Learn From the NFL Referee Lockout - Forbes
Read More: What Soccer Can Learn From the NFL Referee Lockout - Forbes
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When Eastern Alamance junior punter Erik Fenton was focused on kicking away from a dangerous return man last week, he successfully kicked out of bounds and away from Northern Guilford’s T.J. Logan.
But when Fenton lines up for his other team, one of the last things he wants to do is put a kick out of bounds.
That’s because, aside from his punting duties, Fenton is a goalkeeper for the Eastern Alamance soccer team. He is just one of a few talented players for area teams who participate in both soccer and football, and is able to mostly separate his Friday night games from the rest of his busy week.
“I’d like to think I could pin the other team inside the 20 with a punt for soccer but it’s a lot different,” Fenton said. “It’s hard not to mix up the swings I have for punting and punting a soccer ball. It’s good, it keeps me working.”
Fenton isn’t the only such athlete in the area. Williams High School’s Josue Roman, Western Alamance’s Joshua Price and Tyler Billings, and Cummings High School’s Michael Bartolo and Antonio Mejia also partake in kicking for both the football teams and soccer teams.
Read More: Soccer players offer skill set for football teams - High School Sports - The Times News
But when Fenton lines up for his other team, one of the last things he wants to do is put a kick out of bounds.
That’s because, aside from his punting duties, Fenton is a goalkeeper for the Eastern Alamance soccer team. He is just one of a few talented players for area teams who participate in both soccer and football, and is able to mostly separate his Friday night games from the rest of his busy week.
“I’d like to think I could pin the other team inside the 20 with a punt for soccer but it’s a lot different,” Fenton said. “It’s hard not to mix up the swings I have for punting and punting a soccer ball. It’s good, it keeps me working.”
Fenton isn’t the only such athlete in the area. Williams High School’s Josue Roman, Western Alamance’s Joshua Price and Tyler Billings, and Cummings High School’s Michael Bartolo and Antonio Mejia also partake in kicking for both the football teams and soccer teams.
Read More: Soccer players offer skill set for football teams - High School Sports - The Times News
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On Thursday, the telecommunications mogul inked a broadcast deal with Fox Sports to televise Leon's games in Mexico while US Spanish-language network Telemundo will show games in the United States.
"This is part of a full-frontal war between Slim and the two television channels," Miguel Angel Lara, a media expert at Mexico's Iberoamericana University, told AFP.
The two sides have been fighting to break into each other's businesses in order to offer customers bundled packages that include TV, Internet and phone services.
The tactics in this battle have been more offensive than defensive, with the TV and telecom titans trading accusations of monopolistic practices.
Slim's telecom company Telmex withdrew advertisements from the two TV channels, and the broadcasters counter-attacked with ads claiming that Telmex overcharged customers.
Slim dominates the telecom market in Mexico. His company Telmex holds around 80 percent of the fixed-line market while Telcel, a unit of America Movil, has 70 percent of the mobile market.
Read More: Carlos Slim kicks off soccer battle with TV rivals | Bangkok Post: news