Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Select your timezone:
Nicolai Calabria stands draped in the cardinal colors of his Concord-Carlisle soccer uniform, intently absorbing the fluid motions of his teammates.
His glare and his focus never waver as he watches from the sidelines, waiting for the call to help contribute in any way that he can. Just being part of one of the most dominant Division 2 soccer programs in the state over the past decade is an accomplishment in itself for any soccer player in the Concord area, but Calabria's resume goes way deeper than that.
The 17-year-old has already become one of the best 106-pound wrestlers in the state. He has successfully climbed to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, and, most importantly, he's changed the viewpoint of any able-bodied person who watches him compete.
Nico Calabria has one leg. He was born that way, but his goal is to show it's not the one thing that defines him. He would also be the first one to tell you in his straightforward, to-the-point manner that he just wants to prove to others and himself that he's just like another normal teenager. Just like another athlete on the field.
"That is the goal," Calabria said. "Basically I've lived my entire life knowing that I'm completely capable of anything."
Calabria was born without his right leg. When he was young, his parents, Carl and Jeanine, tried different prosthetics to find out what was most comfortable for their son as he tried to keep up with a family for whom athletics was a mainstay in the bloodlines.
Initially, the Calabrias had their middle child in a prosthetic that looked and functioned like a "real" leg, but decided to go a different path when it restricted his movement.
"It made him look normal, but it didn't allow him to be what he could be athletically," Carl Calabria said.
Read more: One-legged player excels in soccer in Mass. - GreenwichTime
His glare and his focus never waver as he watches from the sidelines, waiting for the call to help contribute in any way that he can. Just being part of one of the most dominant Division 2 soccer programs in the state over the past decade is an accomplishment in itself for any soccer player in the Concord area, but Calabria's resume goes way deeper than that.
The 17-year-old has already become one of the best 106-pound wrestlers in the state. He has successfully climbed to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, and, most importantly, he's changed the viewpoint of any able-bodied person who watches him compete.
Nico Calabria has one leg. He was born that way, but his goal is to show it's not the one thing that defines him. He would also be the first one to tell you in his straightforward, to-the-point manner that he just wants to prove to others and himself that he's just like another normal teenager. Just like another athlete on the field.
"That is the goal," Calabria said. "Basically I've lived my entire life knowing that I'm completely capable of anything."
Calabria was born without his right leg. When he was young, his parents, Carl and Jeanine, tried different prosthetics to find out what was most comfortable for their son as he tried to keep up with a family for whom athletics was a mainstay in the bloodlines.
Initially, the Calabrias had their middle child in a prosthetic that looked and functioned like a "real" leg, but decided to go a different path when it restricted his movement.
"It made him look normal, but it didn't allow him to be what he could be athletically," Carl Calabria said.
Read more: One-legged player excels in soccer in Mass. - GreenwichTime
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The USC Beaufort women's soccer team earned the first Sun Conference victory in the program's brief history Sunday, holding off visiting Warner for a 3-2 win at Fin Land Field.
Freshmen Maddie Zak and Jessica Tooley scored first-half goals, and sophomore Alexa Muffley added a goal in the second half for USCB (6-6, 1-2 Sun), which held off a late flurry from the Royals (2-7, 1-3) to get back to .500.
"It's great to get that first conference victory," Heberling said. "We made it closer than we needed to, but we were able to hang on. We're still learning how to win, and with time the team will understand how to put games away."
The one-goal margin made for some tense moments down the stretch, but USCB goalkeeper Chelsie Mummert made three big saves -- she had a total of 11 -- including a great stop on a one-on-one blast from Naybet Febo.
"We've now bounced back from two disappointing losses with wins, so I'm excited for our resilience and ability to learn and implement what we've learned in the next match," Heberling said.
The Sand Sharks will try to even their record in the conference when they host No. 19 Northwood at 4 p.m. Friday at Fin Land Field.
Read more here: USCB women's soccer team scores first league win - USCB - IslandPacket-com
Freshmen Maddie Zak and Jessica Tooley scored first-half goals, and sophomore Alexa Muffley added a goal in the second half for USCB (6-6, 1-2 Sun), which held off a late flurry from the Royals (2-7, 1-3) to get back to .500.
"It's great to get that first conference victory," Heberling said. "We made it closer than we needed to, but we were able to hang on. We're still learning how to win, and with time the team will understand how to put games away."
The one-goal margin made for some tense moments down the stretch, but USCB goalkeeper Chelsie Mummert made three big saves -- she had a total of 11 -- including a great stop on a one-on-one blast from Naybet Febo.
"We've now bounced back from two disappointing losses with wins, so I'm excited for our resilience and ability to learn and implement what we've learned in the next match," Heberling said.
The Sand Sharks will try to even their record in the conference when they host No. 19 Northwood at 4 p.m. Friday at Fin Land Field.
Read more here: USCB women's soccer team scores first league win - USCB - IslandPacket-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Robin van Persie scored to rally Manchester United to a 2-1 win over CFR Cluj in Champions League play Tuesday in Cluj, Romania.
United tied the score when Wayne Rooney’s cross struck Van Persie’s shoulder instead of his head and looped over the goalkeeper to land into the net in the 29th minute.
If the Netherlands striker’s first goal was lucky, his second was pure class — and again Rooney was the provider. The England forward chipped the ball through a hesitant Cluj defense, and Van Persie slipped into space and clipped it into the corner in the 49th minute.
It was the first match the pair had both started since Van Persie moved in the off-season from Arsenal, and Rooney’s willingness to drop deeper to collect possession troubled Cluj’s defenders all match.
"I think there are good combinations between all the players in attacking positions. The strength of this squad is in attacking positions," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "If you look at the way they kept going to the end, they’re good crossers of the ball.
"The best quality of both two men is that they can turn a game and this is an important feature of both of them.’’
United has a maximum six points in Group H, three ahead of Cluj and Braga.
Read More: Soccer: Manchester United rallies to beat CFR Cluj - NorthJersey-com
United tied the score when Wayne Rooney’s cross struck Van Persie’s shoulder instead of his head and looped over the goalkeeper to land into the net in the 29th minute.
If the Netherlands striker’s first goal was lucky, his second was pure class — and again Rooney was the provider. The England forward chipped the ball through a hesitant Cluj defense, and Van Persie slipped into space and clipped it into the corner in the 49th minute.
It was the first match the pair had both started since Van Persie moved in the off-season from Arsenal, and Rooney’s willingness to drop deeper to collect possession troubled Cluj’s defenders all match.
"I think there are good combinations between all the players in attacking positions. The strength of this squad is in attacking positions," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "If you look at the way they kept going to the end, they’re good crossers of the ball.
"The best quality of both two men is that they can turn a game and this is an important feature of both of them.’’
United has a maximum six points in Group H, three ahead of Cluj and Braga.
Read More: Soccer: Manchester United rallies to beat CFR Cluj - NorthJersey-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Cristiano Ronaldo's second hat trick in four days allowed Real Madrid to take charge of the Champions League's toughest group today, with Arsenal, FC Porto and Malaga joining the Spanish giants in earning second straight wins in the competition.
Ronaldo's three-goal haul upstaged a spectacular overhead kick by Karim Benzema in Madrid's 4-1 win a Ajax, giving Jose Mourinho's team a maximum six points in Group D.
Manchester City's struggles in Europe's top club competition continued, though, after being outclassed by Borussia Dortmund in the same group, although the English champions escaped with a 1-1 draw thanks to Mario Balotelli's 90th-minute penalty.
AC Milan kick-started its campaign by inflicting a rare home loss on Zenit St. Petersburg, with an own goal by Tomas Hubocan sealing a 3-2 win for the seven-time European champions.
They are on four points in Group C, two behind Malaga after the Spanish side beat Anderlecht 3-0 to be one of seven teams to be perfect after two group games.
Arsenal beat Olympiakos 3-1 and Porto overcame Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to also maintain 100 percent records.
Read More: Soccer: Ronaldo hat trick boosts Madrid - Soccer - NZ Herald News
Ronaldo's three-goal haul upstaged a spectacular overhead kick by Karim Benzema in Madrid's 4-1 win a Ajax, giving Jose Mourinho's team a maximum six points in Group D.
Manchester City's struggles in Europe's top club competition continued, though, after being outclassed by Borussia Dortmund in the same group, although the English champions escaped with a 1-1 draw thanks to Mario Balotelli's 90th-minute penalty.
AC Milan kick-started its campaign by inflicting a rare home loss on Zenit St. Petersburg, with an own goal by Tomas Hubocan sealing a 3-2 win for the seven-time European champions.
They are on four points in Group C, two behind Malaga after the Spanish side beat Anderlecht 3-0 to be one of seven teams to be perfect after two group games.
Arsenal beat Olympiakos 3-1 and Porto overcame Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to also maintain 100 percent records.
Read More: Soccer: Ronaldo hat trick boosts Madrid - Soccer - NZ Herald News
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
A-League's footballing circus flew into Wellington this afternoon and their main attraction - Alessandro Del Piero - didn't disappoint.
The former Juventus striker, who played 19 seasons for the Old Lady, has joined A-League glamour club Sydney FC on a two-year A$4 million contract and, as luck would have it, the Sky Blues open their season against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night.
There was a diehard contingent of football fans at Wellington Airport today who wanted an opportunity to get a photograph, autograph or just wish the 37-year-old luck. He happily obliged.
Softly-spoken and incredibly polite, the man who has made a name for himself playing as a 'trequartist", an Italian term for someone who roams in between the midfield and the strikers, said he was fit to start tomorrow's game.
"I try to play - first of all - good, then we watch the minutes," he said.
Football's wide-ranging popularity was evident with how much fanfare he had received since arriving in Australia recently, and he said it was nice to be recognised in this part of the world.
"I'm really happy about my first 20 days [in Australia] because a lot of people come to the training or stop me in the hotel ... to take a picture or autograph, and I'm really happy about that," he said. "There are a lot of Italian immigrants and they are happy, too.
"It's all new for me ... I'm very curious and I'm very excited and I want to know what it means to play in the A-League and especially in Wellington. Some of my teammates tell me about it, but I want to know, myself."
Del Piero is one of three off-season marquee signings by A-League clubs, to go alongside Emile Heskey who has joined the Newcastle Jets and former Japanese international Shinji Ono who has linked with new boys the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Del Piero has amassed 91 caps for the Italian national side and bagged a World Cup winner's medal with the Azzurri in 2006 but Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante said his side wouldn't be overawed tomorrow night, particularly Manny Muscat who will likely be defending the Italian.
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Durante said. "Once we cross that line there's a lot of dedicated and focused players and I think Manny will have most of the job on him and we all know what Manny's like. He'll tackle anyone and win the ball, it doesn't matter who it is. So that won't be an issue.
"Obviously [Del Piero] will have the respect that he deserves because he's a quality player but I don't think anyone's going to be starstruck at all."
Durante and Ben Sigmund's partnership at the heart of the Phoenix defence may be kept busy tomorrow, particularly if Del Piero brings his trademark vision and passing game to Westpac Stadium.
Soccer: Del Piero touches down in the capital - Sport - NZ Herald News
The former Juventus striker, who played 19 seasons for the Old Lady, has joined A-League glamour club Sydney FC on a two-year A$4 million contract and, as luck would have it, the Sky Blues open their season against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night.
There was a diehard contingent of football fans at Wellington Airport today who wanted an opportunity to get a photograph, autograph or just wish the 37-year-old luck. He happily obliged.
Softly-spoken and incredibly polite, the man who has made a name for himself playing as a 'trequartist", an Italian term for someone who roams in between the midfield and the strikers, said he was fit to start tomorrow's game.
"I try to play - first of all - good, then we watch the minutes," he said.
Football's wide-ranging popularity was evident with how much fanfare he had received since arriving in Australia recently, and he said it was nice to be recognised in this part of the world.
"I'm really happy about my first 20 days [in Australia] because a lot of people come to the training or stop me in the hotel ... to take a picture or autograph, and I'm really happy about that," he said. "There are a lot of Italian immigrants and they are happy, too.
"It's all new for me ... I'm very curious and I'm very excited and I want to know what it means to play in the A-League and especially in Wellington. Some of my teammates tell me about it, but I want to know, myself."
Del Piero is one of three off-season marquee signings by A-League clubs, to go alongside Emile Heskey who has joined the Newcastle Jets and former Japanese international Shinji Ono who has linked with new boys the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Del Piero has amassed 91 caps for the Italian national side and bagged a World Cup winner's medal with the Azzurri in 2006 but Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante said his side wouldn't be overawed tomorrow night, particularly Manny Muscat who will likely be defending the Italian.
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Durante said. "Once we cross that line there's a lot of dedicated and focused players and I think Manny will have most of the job on him and we all know what Manny's like. He'll tackle anyone and win the ball, it doesn't matter who it is. So that won't be an issue.
"Obviously [Del Piero] will have the respect that he deserves because he's a quality player but I don't think anyone's going to be starstruck at all."
Durante and Ben Sigmund's partnership at the heart of the Phoenix defence may be kept busy tomorrow, particularly if Del Piero brings his trademark vision and passing game to Westpac Stadium.
Soccer: Del Piero touches down in the capital - Sport - NZ Herald News
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
After Patrick Clancy’s mother survived breast cancer, the Covington Latin senior knew he wanted to do something to raise awareness of the illness and help families enduring a similar ordeal.
“That was a really scary thing, coming home from school and having my mom tell me she had cancer,” Clancy said. “Knowing how hard it was for me to hear that, I wanted to do something to help families of people who had cancer, I just had no idea how to do it until this year.”
Clancy is the goalkeeper on the Trojans soccer team, and last year led the state in saves. He decided to combine his soccer skills with his desire to raise awareness about breast cancer.
He started a “Saving Goals, Saving Lives” campaign using the social media site Facebook to raise money for the St. Elizabeth Women’s Wellness Breast Center.
Read More: news-cincinnati-com/article/20121006/NEWS0103/310070027/Soccer-star-raising-breast-cancer-awareness
“That was a really scary thing, coming home from school and having my mom tell me she had cancer,” Clancy said. “Knowing how hard it was for me to hear that, I wanted to do something to help families of people who had cancer, I just had no idea how to do it until this year.”
Clancy is the goalkeeper on the Trojans soccer team, and last year led the state in saves. He decided to combine his soccer skills with his desire to raise awareness about breast cancer.
He started a “Saving Goals, Saving Lives” campaign using the social media site Facebook to raise money for the St. Elizabeth Women’s Wellness Breast Center.
Read More: news-cincinnati-com/article/20121006/NEWS0103/310070027/Soccer-star-raising-breast-cancer-awareness
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Emery Welshman’s seventh goal of the season led Oregon State to a 1-0 victory over San Diego State on Sunday afternoon in Pac-12 men’s soccer.
Welshman’s goal and the defense’s shutout moves the Beavers to 6-4-1 and 1-2 in league play this season. It is OSU’s fifth shutout this season, with freshman Matt Bersano recording three saves.
Welshman struck in the 57th minute when his shot beat Aztec keeper Blake Hylen to the lower left corner from 15 yards out. It’s his fourth game-winning goal this season.
The win was Oregon State’s first conference road win in two years, when OSU also beat San Diego State.
Welshman’s goal and the defense’s shutout moves the Beavers to 6-4-1 and 1-2 in league play this season. It is OSU’s fifth shutout this season, with freshman Matt Bersano recording three saves.
Welshman struck in the 57th minute when his shot beat Aztec keeper Blake Hylen to the lower left corner from 15 yards out. It’s his fourth game-winning goal this season.
The win was Oregon State’s first conference road win in two years, when OSU also beat San Diego State.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Real Madrid came away with a point but failed to secure the win they needed to trim the gap to leaders Barcelona when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each struck twice in a 2-2 draw in Sunday's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.
AC Milan are also off the pace in Italy as their poor start to the season continued when they went down 1-0 to city rivals Inter who played most of the second half with 10 men.
SPAIN
Ronaldo gave Real a deserved 23rd-minute lead in front of almost 100,000 fans packed into the giant arena and Messi levelled eight minutes later after a defensive lapse by Pepe.
The Argentine World Player of the Year curled in a stunning free kick just after the hour to make it 2-1 and Ronaldo grabbed Real's second five minutes later when Mesut Ozil slid the ball into space and the Portuguese forward beat Victor Valdes with a powerful low strike.
Barca have 19 points from seven games, level with unbeaten Atletico Madrid, who beat third-placed Malaga 2-1 at the Calderon thanks to a Weligton own goal in the 90th minute.
Real, who have already lost twice, the same number of defeats they suffered in the whole of last season, are fifth on 11 points.
Read More: European soccer roundup - Messi, Ronaldo at the double, Milan slump | Reuters
AC Milan are also off the pace in Italy as their poor start to the season continued when they went down 1-0 to city rivals Inter who played most of the second half with 10 men.
SPAIN
Ronaldo gave Real a deserved 23rd-minute lead in front of almost 100,000 fans packed into the giant arena and Messi levelled eight minutes later after a defensive lapse by Pepe.
The Argentine World Player of the Year curled in a stunning free kick just after the hour to make it 2-1 and Ronaldo grabbed Real's second five minutes later when Mesut Ozil slid the ball into space and the Portuguese forward beat Victor Valdes with a powerful low strike.
Barca have 19 points from seven games, level with unbeaten Atletico Madrid, who beat third-placed Malaga 2-1 at the Calderon thanks to a Weligton own goal in the 90th minute.
Real, who have already lost twice, the same number of defeats they suffered in the whole of last season, are fifth on 11 points.
Read More: European soccer roundup - Messi, Ronaldo at the double, Milan slump | Reuters
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
A 25-year-old Red Bulls youth soccer coach from Westchester County was slashed to death early Sunday on a sidewalk near Union Square after witnesses said he got into an argument with someone, the New York Police Department said.
Michael Jones, of West Harrison, was transported by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital with stab wounds to his head, neck and chest after being found in a pool of blood. One of his ears was severely damaged, police said.
He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Police responded to a 911 call about 4:30 a.m. in front of a building on West 14th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Someone in the area who passed Jones on the street called police.
Police said this morning that no arrests have been made. They said they don't know why Jones was outside and whether he knows the assailant. Earlier in the evening, Jones was out with his girlfriend. They parted around 11:30 p.m.
Police released a surveillance video they say shows a suspect in the slaying.
Jones, a native of Liverpool, England, worked for the Red Bulls as an instructor for the youth training program, coaching kids ages 7 to 14. A notice posted on the front door of Jones’ house requested privacy Sunday night.
The team released a statement Sunday:
“We are aware of this tragedy and on behalf of the entire organization, want to send our most heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends and loved ones.
“He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us. This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family at this time.”
www-poughkeepsiejournal-com/article/20121008/NEWS12/121008004/Westchester-soccer-coach-25-killed-Manhattan-slashing
Michael Jones, of West Harrison, was transported by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital with stab wounds to his head, neck and chest after being found in a pool of blood. One of his ears was severely damaged, police said.
He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Police responded to a 911 call about 4:30 a.m. in front of a building on West 14th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Someone in the area who passed Jones on the street called police.
Police said this morning that no arrests have been made. They said they don't know why Jones was outside and whether he knows the assailant. Earlier in the evening, Jones was out with his girlfriend. They parted around 11:30 p.m.
Police released a surveillance video they say shows a suspect in the slaying.
Jones, a native of Liverpool, England, worked for the Red Bulls as an instructor for the youth training program, coaching kids ages 7 to 14. A notice posted on the front door of Jones’ house requested privacy Sunday night.
The team released a statement Sunday:
“We are aware of this tragedy and on behalf of the entire organization, want to send our most heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends and loved ones.
“He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us. This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family at this time.”
www-poughkeepsiejournal-com/article/20121008/NEWS12/121008004/Westchester-soccer-coach-25-killed-Manhattan-slashing
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Manchester United recently signed a deal with bwin, the largest publicly-listed online gaming company in the world. The deal will see the company serve as the gambling partner for the club and makes the United the third soccer club that the online gaming giant has signed. However, bwin is not the only online gaming company to sign a sponsorship deal with a Premier League club. In fact, it appears that football is a sport that many online companies are beginning to pour funds into.
Liverpool FC is another club that is not only sponsored by one, but two online gaming sites. The club has deals with both 188Bet and with Paddy Power. Paddy Power has long been controversial for their bet offerings. For example, they once took bets on when American President Barack Obama would be assassinated. Even with all the controversy, Paddy Power’s mobile revenues have increased to the point where they are comfortable reinvesting those dollars into football sponsorships. Clearly they hope that the exposure from their deal help grow their brand further.
Chelsea FC has also gotten into the act of online gaming sponsorship. Betsson and the club signed a deal where they serve as the team’s betting partner and even run their Gunner themed gaming site. Ironically, up until about a week ago bwin actually owned the network that Betsson resides on but the ownership of the network recently changed so now Amaya actually is the parent company funding Betsson.
If you think about it, it makes sense that a lot of these companies are deciding to take a gamble, pun intended, on football sponsorship. Football betting is huge business for these sites, so why not put out some cash to try and direct some of that traffic their way. Diehard fans of these clubs are going to want to bet with the site for simple fact that they support the site.
The partnership is also beneficial to the squad sponsored as it helps to infuse cash into the team for starters, and next gives their fans a website to bet where they feel their bets are safe. Liverpool is not going to partner with a site that is not legal and fully regulated. As such, their fans can be sure that when they place a bet on the KOP that they will be paid.
As online gambling continues to grow in popularity, don’t be surprised to see more sites sponsor football squads. It makes sound business sense for the companies investing the money and is of great benefit to the clubs sponsored.
Online Gaming Sites Investing in Football Sponsorship : Liverpool F.C. The Empire of The Kop
Liverpool FC is another club that is not only sponsored by one, but two online gaming sites. The club has deals with both 188Bet and with Paddy Power. Paddy Power has long been controversial for their bet offerings. For example, they once took bets on when American President Barack Obama would be assassinated. Even with all the controversy, Paddy Power’s mobile revenues have increased to the point where they are comfortable reinvesting those dollars into football sponsorships. Clearly they hope that the exposure from their deal help grow their brand further.
Chelsea FC has also gotten into the act of online gaming sponsorship. Betsson and the club signed a deal where they serve as the team’s betting partner and even run their Gunner themed gaming site. Ironically, up until about a week ago bwin actually owned the network that Betsson resides on but the ownership of the network recently changed so now Amaya actually is the parent company funding Betsson.
If you think about it, it makes sense that a lot of these companies are deciding to take a gamble, pun intended, on football sponsorship. Football betting is huge business for these sites, so why not put out some cash to try and direct some of that traffic their way. Diehard fans of these clubs are going to want to bet with the site for simple fact that they support the site.
The partnership is also beneficial to the squad sponsored as it helps to infuse cash into the team for starters, and next gives their fans a website to bet where they feel their bets are safe. Liverpool is not going to partner with a site that is not legal and fully regulated. As such, their fans can be sure that when they place a bet on the KOP that they will be paid.
As online gambling continues to grow in popularity, don’t be surprised to see more sites sponsor football squads. It makes sound business sense for the companies investing the money and is of great benefit to the clubs sponsored.
Online Gaming Sites Investing in Football Sponsorship : Liverpool F.C. The Empire of The Kop
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Friends and a host of former players gathered at the American funeral service for slain British youth soccer coach Michael Jones who was stabbed to death in Manhattan.
Some of the 25-year-old's relatives were flown from England to America for the service on Tuesday, where they heard tributes from his fellow coaches and the young boys who idolized him.
'I’ve known Jonesey since I was little, since I was 7. He was one of my favorite coaches. He was always a great person, and he would always help me, and joke around. He could be strict but off the field he was fun,' said Cole Reardon, a 12-year-old boy who used to play for Jones.
On the night he was killed, Mr Jones had been out in Manhattan with his girlfriend, Bryeanna Murphy, 23, from Mamaroneck, New York.
The Liverpool native who moved to America to teach for the Red Bulls youth soccer team was killed near Union Square after what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.
The suspect, who has been identified as either Orlando Orea or Orlando Gutierrez, is accused of stabbing Jones six times and savagely hacking off one of his ears early Sunday morning before leaving him to bleed to death.
Read more: Friends and players memorialize slain British youth soccer coach who was stabbed during night out in New York City | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Some of the 25-year-old's relatives were flown from England to America for the service on Tuesday, where they heard tributes from his fellow coaches and the young boys who idolized him.
'I’ve known Jonesey since I was little, since I was 7. He was one of my favorite coaches. He was always a great person, and he would always help me, and joke around. He could be strict but off the field he was fun,' said Cole Reardon, a 12-year-old boy who used to play for Jones.
On the night he was killed, Mr Jones had been out in Manhattan with his girlfriend, Bryeanna Murphy, 23, from Mamaroneck, New York.
The Liverpool native who moved to America to teach for the Red Bulls youth soccer team was killed near Union Square after what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.
The suspect, who has been identified as either Orlando Orea or Orlando Gutierrez, is accused of stabbing Jones six times and savagely hacking off one of his ears early Sunday morning before leaving him to bleed to death.
Read more: Friends and players memorialize slain British youth soccer coach who was stabbed during night out in New York City | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
As the United States prepares to face Antigua and Barbuda on Friday in a crucial World Cup qualifier, injuries have left the American team in a short-handed position. The United States team is locked in a three-way tie for first place in Group A in Concacaf World Cup qualifying. With the top two teams advancing to next year’s final qualifying round, the United States will most likely need four points from its next two games — the second is against Guatemala in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday — to avoid elimination at this early stage. The last time the United States failed to qualify for the World Cup was in 1986.
When the team’s coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, announced his roster last week for the upcoming games, it was assumed that he would have most of his top players available. Since then, the situation has deteriorated, and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup has become more difficult than expected.
The leading scorer in the United States team’s history, Landon Donovan, sustained an injury in his most recent game for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and when he arrived at the national team’s camp, doctors ruled him ineligible. The medical staff also declined to clear wing Brek Shea.
While the absence of Donovan and Shea hurts the team in terms of wide play, another string of injuries has damaged the back line. The starting left back, Fabian Johnson, a rising star in Germany’s Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, will miss the Antigua and Barbuda game with flulike symptoms.
Johnson’s backup, Edgar Castillo, an integral component for the Mexican leaders Club Tijuana, is set to miss two weeks with a foot injury he sustained in practice on Wednesday.
Despite these injuries, Klinsmann remains upbeat and insists the team is both confident and focused.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/10/12/sports/soccer/us-soccer-stretched-thin-for-qualifier-vs-antigua-html?_r=0
When the team’s coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, announced his roster last week for the upcoming games, it was assumed that he would have most of his top players available. Since then, the situation has deteriorated, and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup has become more difficult than expected.
The leading scorer in the United States team’s history, Landon Donovan, sustained an injury in his most recent game for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and when he arrived at the national team’s camp, doctors ruled him ineligible. The medical staff also declined to clear wing Brek Shea.
While the absence of Donovan and Shea hurts the team in terms of wide play, another string of injuries has damaged the back line. The starting left back, Fabian Johnson, a rising star in Germany’s Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, will miss the Antigua and Barbuda game with flulike symptoms.
Johnson’s backup, Edgar Castillo, an integral component for the Mexican leaders Club Tijuana, is set to miss two weeks with a foot injury he sustained in practice on Wednesday.
Despite these injuries, Klinsmann remains upbeat and insists the team is both confident and focused.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/10/12/sports/soccer/us-soccer-stretched-thin-for-qualifier-vs-antigua-html?_r=0
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Eddie Johnson scored twice Friday night, including the winning goal in second-half injury time, lifting the U.S. to the verge of advancing in World Cup qualifying with a nervous 2-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda in St. John’s.
If the Americans beat Guatemala on Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kan., they will move into the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has 10 points in Group A.
Johnson connected on headers in the 20th minute and then in the dying moments in his first game for the U.S. team in two years. He was set up by Graham Zusi for the first goal and substitute Alan Gordon on the second.
Dexter Blackstock scored in the 25th minute for Antigua.
Euro teams click
Spain, Germany and England earned victories, as Europe’s top teams found their scoring form in World Cup qualifying.
Pedro Rodriguez scored a hat trick in Spain’s 4-0 win at Belarus, and Marco Reus and Toni Kroos had two apiece as Germany routed Ireland 6-1.
England grabbed a 5-0 win over San Marino, with Wayne Rooney scoring twice in his first competitive international game as captain.
Italy won, 3-1, at Armenia and the Netherlands was a comfortable 3-0 winner over Andorra.
However, Euro 2012 semifinalist Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, couldn’t make the most of its dominance against Russia and lost, 1-0, in a match between the top two teams in Group F.
Soccer: U.S. rides Eddie Johnson's two goals - NorthJersey-com
If the Americans beat Guatemala on Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kan., they will move into the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has 10 points in Group A.
Johnson connected on headers in the 20th minute and then in the dying moments in his first game for the U.S. team in two years. He was set up by Graham Zusi for the first goal and substitute Alan Gordon on the second.
Dexter Blackstock scored in the 25th minute for Antigua.
Euro teams click
Spain, Germany and England earned victories, as Europe’s top teams found their scoring form in World Cup qualifying.
Pedro Rodriguez scored a hat trick in Spain’s 4-0 win at Belarus, and Marco Reus and Toni Kroos had two apiece as Germany routed Ireland 6-1.
England grabbed a 5-0 win over San Marino, with Wayne Rooney scoring twice in his first competitive international game as captain.
Italy won, 3-1, at Armenia and the Netherlands was a comfortable 3-0 winner over Andorra.
However, Euro 2012 semifinalist Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, couldn’t make the most of its dominance against Russia and lost, 1-0, in a match between the top two teams in Group F.
Soccer: U.S. rides Eddie Johnson's two goals - NorthJersey-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Three members of the Cuban men's soccer team competing in the World Cup qualifying tournament have defected, international football's governing body said.
FIFA said the players defected on Thursday, one day before a game against Canada.
The defecting players left Cuban coach Alexander Gonzalez with only 11 players on his team. He said another player couldn't play because he was ill. Canada won the contest 3-0.
After Friday's game, Gonzalez said there were always difficulties when Cuban sports teams travel abroad.
'As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they're all chasing the American dream,' he said.
'And it's difficult to try to keep the team together. Obviously, it's a difficult situation for the team and it's tough for me to talk about it.'
In January, two members of the Cuban women's team defected in Vancouver after a game against Canada.
Sky News: Cuban soccer players defect in Toronto
FIFA said the players defected on Thursday, one day before a game against Canada.
The defecting players left Cuban coach Alexander Gonzalez with only 11 players on his team. He said another player couldn't play because he was ill. Canada won the contest 3-0.
After Friday's game, Gonzalez said there were always difficulties when Cuban sports teams travel abroad.
'As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they're all chasing the American dream,' he said.
'And it's difficult to try to keep the team together. Obviously, it's a difficult situation for the team and it's tough for me to talk about it.'
In January, two members of the Cuban women's team defected in Vancouver after a game against Canada.
Sky News: Cuban soccer players defect in Toronto
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
France suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat by Japan in a friendly on Friday that caused raised eyebrows four days before Les Bleus travel to champions Spain for a World Cup Group I qualifier.
Didier Deschamps's side toiled in a dull encounter at the Stade de France and lost to Japan for the first time after Shinji Kagawa poked the ball home at the end of a lightning counter-attack two minutes from time.
France were shaky at the back, toothless up front and failed to stamp their authority on the midfield in the absence of the injured Abou Diaby and Rio Mavuba.
The home team could have taken the lead a few minutes before Kagawa's goal but Olivier Giroud's fine volley was superbly parried by keeper Eiji Kawashima.
"It's a bad result. Japan had more opportunities after the break but we also had ours and you can't win when you don't score from your chances," Deschamps told the TF1 television station.
Yasuhito Endo also tied the record of 122 full international appearances held by former Japan defender Masami Ihara.
Spain warmed up for Tuesday's game against France with a comprehensive 4-0 World Cup win over Belarus in Minsk on Friday.
France and Spain both have six points from two games in Group I, with the world and European champions top on goal difference.
Soccer: France suffer shock defeat by Japan in Paris friendly | Sports | Reuters
Didier Deschamps's side toiled in a dull encounter at the Stade de France and lost to Japan for the first time after Shinji Kagawa poked the ball home at the end of a lightning counter-attack two minutes from time.
France were shaky at the back, toothless up front and failed to stamp their authority on the midfield in the absence of the injured Abou Diaby and Rio Mavuba.
The home team could have taken the lead a few minutes before Kagawa's goal but Olivier Giroud's fine volley was superbly parried by keeper Eiji Kawashima.
"It's a bad result. Japan had more opportunities after the break but we also had ours and you can't win when you don't score from your chances," Deschamps told the TF1 television station.
Yasuhito Endo also tied the record of 122 full international appearances held by former Japan defender Masami Ihara.
Spain warmed up for Tuesday's game against France with a comprehensive 4-0 World Cup win over Belarus in Minsk on Friday.
France and Spain both have six points from two games in Group I, with the world and European champions top on goal difference.
Soccer: France suffer shock defeat by Japan in Paris friendly | Sports | Reuters
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
With a spot in the next round of World Cup qualifying at stake, the U.S. must win or tie Tuesday to avoid elimination.
When Juergen Klinsmann took over a stagnant U.S. men's soccer program 15 months ago, he promised to bring change. And so far he has delivered, although not all the changes have been necessarily for the better.
In 19 games as coach, he has changed the starting lineup 19 times, for example. And the team has more losses and has scored fewer goals through 19 games than those of his predecessors, Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena.
But here's perhaps the most unwelcome change of all: for only the second time in the last five World Cup cycles, the U.S. will go into the final round of semifinal qualifiers Tuesday night facing the possibility of elimination.
Much remains unsettled, in fact, although a U.S. victory over Guatemala (ESPN 2, Telefutura, 4 p.m. PDT) in Kansas City, Kan., would simplify things greatly because with a victory the U.S. would win its four-country group and move on to next year's final round of CONCACAF qualifying.
And a tie wouldn't be bad either. That would allow the U.S. and Guatemala to share the group title with both advancing to the next round.
Should the U.S. lose, however, that would leave open the possibility that Jamaica could sneak by the Americans, knocking them out of the World Cup with a convincing victory over winless Antigua and Barbuda. That's a scenario few considered realistic when the semifinals began four months ago.
"It's coming down to the last game and we're not qualified for the next stages yet," said captain Carlos Bocanegra, who never faced the possibility of elimination this early in two previous qualifying campaigns. "If we don't pass this group, we're not going to the World Cup. And it doesn't seem like that would happen to the United States.
"But whatever. We're in this situation at the moment. Everybody knows this is the real deal now. We can't have any more mess-ups."
Both teams will be short-handed Tuesday. Guatemala will be without defenders Carlos Gallardo and Luis Rodriguez, who helped hold the U.S. to a 1-1 tie in June, and the U.S. is without left backs Edgar Castillo (foot) and Fabian Johnson (stomach), midfielder Brek Shea (stomach muscle), forward Landon Donovan (knee) and midfielder Jermaine Jones (yellow card accumulation).
Yet, despite the fact a draw would benefit both teams, Klinsmann is eschewing a conservative approach, promising to play an attacking game. And he expects Guatemala will do the same.
"They will be very, very physical. They will run and fight for every ball," Klinsmann said of Guatemala, which hasn't beaten the U.S. in 17 games dating to January 1988. "It's the game of their life, really. We respect them. But ... our whole approach to the game is clear: We want to win this game. And you can only win a game if you attack and go forward.
"We're not just here for a tie."
U.S. soccer team can't afford loss to Guatemala - latimes-com
When Juergen Klinsmann took over a stagnant U.S. men's soccer program 15 months ago, he promised to bring change. And so far he has delivered, although not all the changes have been necessarily for the better.
In 19 games as coach, he has changed the starting lineup 19 times, for example. And the team has more losses and has scored fewer goals through 19 games than those of his predecessors, Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena.
But here's perhaps the most unwelcome change of all: for only the second time in the last five World Cup cycles, the U.S. will go into the final round of semifinal qualifiers Tuesday night facing the possibility of elimination.
Much remains unsettled, in fact, although a U.S. victory over Guatemala (ESPN 2, Telefutura, 4 p.m. PDT) in Kansas City, Kan., would simplify things greatly because with a victory the U.S. would win its four-country group and move on to next year's final round of CONCACAF qualifying.
And a tie wouldn't be bad either. That would allow the U.S. and Guatemala to share the group title with both advancing to the next round.
Should the U.S. lose, however, that would leave open the possibility that Jamaica could sneak by the Americans, knocking them out of the World Cup with a convincing victory over winless Antigua and Barbuda. That's a scenario few considered realistic when the semifinals began four months ago.
"It's coming down to the last game and we're not qualified for the next stages yet," said captain Carlos Bocanegra, who never faced the possibility of elimination this early in two previous qualifying campaigns. "If we don't pass this group, we're not going to the World Cup. And it doesn't seem like that would happen to the United States.
"But whatever. We're in this situation at the moment. Everybody knows this is the real deal now. We can't have any more mess-ups."
Both teams will be short-handed Tuesday. Guatemala will be without defenders Carlos Gallardo and Luis Rodriguez, who helped hold the U.S. to a 1-1 tie in June, and the U.S. is without left backs Edgar Castillo (foot) and Fabian Johnson (stomach), midfielder Brek Shea (stomach muscle), forward Landon Donovan (knee) and midfielder Jermaine Jones (yellow card accumulation).
Yet, despite the fact a draw would benefit both teams, Klinsmann is eschewing a conservative approach, promising to play an attacking game. And he expects Guatemala will do the same.
"They will be very, very physical. They will run and fight for every ball," Klinsmann said of Guatemala, which hasn't beaten the U.S. in 17 games dating to January 1988. "It's the game of their life, really. We respect them. But ... our whole approach to the game is clear: We want to win this game. And you can only win a game if you attack and go forward.
"We're not just here for a tie."
U.S. soccer team can't afford loss to Guatemala - latimes-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
What the hell happened?!
How can a B-team like sweden make 4 goals on germany.
Glad I did not start a bet on this game.
Germany!! This was a loss, not a tie.
Was it goalkeeper Neuer that screwed up a few times too many ?
Geez!
How can a B-team like sweden make 4 goals on germany.
Glad I did not start a bet on this game.
Germany!! This was a loss, not a tie.
Was it goalkeeper Neuer that screwed up a few times too many ?
Geez!
Join:
2006/12/08
Messages:
206
* Argentina score away win with Messi, Higuain goals
* Lead qualifying group by three points (Adds Chile quotes, detail)
Ads by Google
By Javier Leira
SANTIAGO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Argentina opened up a three-point lead in South America's World Cup qualifying group after goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-1 victory over Chile on Tuesday.
Argentina weathered an early storm at the Estadio Nacional before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.
Three minutes later Higuain came into the box, rounded two defenders and curled a left-foot shot into Pinto's far corner.
Felipe Gutierrez pulled a goal back for the home side in added time.
Argentina are three points ahead of second-placed Ecuador with 20 points from nine matches, with Messi and Higuain joint top scorers with Uruguay's Luis Suarez on seven.
"We faced a team who always create problems for whatever side team they come up against. In the first half, there were more chances for both sides," Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella told reporters.
Chile, who had lost their previous two matches and come under fire from the media and fans, coped well with the loss of injuries and suspensions and only their finishing let them down.
"We are strong in our convictions, the more so after the match we had today. The coaching staff are strong, the squad are strong," Chile's assistant coach Jaime Vera, speaking instead of suspended manager Claudio Borghi, said.
Argentina had to weather an early storm, with Chile forward Sebastian Pinto missing two chances in five minutes.
Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla, who played together at Udinese, combined well to cause Pablo Zabaleta problems at left back, and Mark Gonzalez missed another chance for Chile in the 15th minute when his header was deflected away by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Read More: UPDATE 2-Soccer-Argentina weather Chile storm to win 2-1 - chicagotribune-com
* Lead qualifying group by three points (Adds Chile quotes, detail)
Ads by Google
By Javier Leira
SANTIAGO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Argentina opened up a three-point lead in South America's World Cup qualifying group after goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-1 victory over Chile on Tuesday.
Argentina weathered an early storm at the Estadio Nacional before Messi broke into the box, sidestepped a defender and beat goalkeeper Miguel Pinto in the 28th minute.
Three minutes later Higuain came into the box, rounded two defenders and curled a left-foot shot into Pinto's far corner.
Felipe Gutierrez pulled a goal back for the home side in added time.
Argentina are three points ahead of second-placed Ecuador with 20 points from nine matches, with Messi and Higuain joint top scorers with Uruguay's Luis Suarez on seven.
"We faced a team who always create problems for whatever side team they come up against. In the first half, there were more chances for both sides," Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella told reporters.
Chile, who had lost their previous two matches and come under fire from the media and fans, coped well with the loss of injuries and suspensions and only their finishing let them down.
"We are strong in our convictions, the more so after the match we had today. The coaching staff are strong, the squad are strong," Chile's assistant coach Jaime Vera, speaking instead of suspended manager Claudio Borghi, said.
Argentina had to weather an early storm, with Chile forward Sebastian Pinto missing two chances in five minutes.
Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla, who played together at Udinese, combined well to cause Pablo Zabaleta problems at left back, and Mark Gonzalez missed another chance for Chile in the 15th minute when his header was deflected away by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Read More: UPDATE 2-Soccer-Argentina weather Chile storm to win 2-1 - chicagotribune-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The quadrennial hand-wringing that accompanies every Canadian men's soccer team failure to qualify for a World Cup has begun in earnest.
When the team failed so miserably in Honduras this week, getting thrashed 8-1 in a game where they needed a draw to advance to the final qualifying stage, it was easy to predict the ensuing critical fallout.
Detractors insist the Canadian Soccer Association is too stodgy. There isn't enough program-funding. The best players produced here don't always play for Canada. We provide inferior technical development for young players.
On and on it goes.
Total Soccer Systems managing director Colin Elmes said Canada is simply not a footballing nation right now and most people don't understand how far it lags behind true soccer countries.
"In Central America, this is it for them -- this game is the most important thing in their lives," he said in an interview Wednesday. "It's like hockey on a triple dose of steroids."
He said more resources are needed for youth soccer development in Canada but feels it's also important for the senior men's team to somehow qualify for a World Cup in the next one or two rotations.
That would drive more corporate money into Canadian soccer and inspire younger players at the same time.
Elmes feels the CSA should look outside Canada when looking for a new men's national team coach, noting the success Australia had after hiring Dutch coach Guus Hiddink to head the national side in 2005. Hiddink led the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup -- their first appearance in 32 years.
"We don't have much of a budget here but hiring from within just makes us fall on our face time after time," Elmes said. "That's no disrespect to (Canadian head coach Stephen Hart) but we really need an absolute kick in the ass when it comes to developing a stronger player mentality."
Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said it might sound boring but feels governance changes at the CSA -- aimed at giving the organization a more national vision -- are crucial for the game's long-term success in Canada.
"I don't want to hammer the CSA because we're all a part of the solution," he said. "But it's important that we get away from provincial representation. We need business people on the board and people without a bias toward their province."
The CSA has adopted governance changes that will prevent provincial soccer association presidents from sitting on the board after 2015.
Lenarduzzi noted the U.S. Soccer Federation created a stronger national team after it adopted a more national, more pro-business model after hosting the 1994 World Cup.
B.C. Soccer Association executive director Bjorn Osieck said the 8-1 loss in Honduras was "shocking" but feels the state of the men's game can't be reduced to just one result. He stressed there's no single solution to making the men's national team more competitive.
"It requires a multi-layered solution -- in the boardroom and ultimately on the field, with more emphasis on long-term player development," Osieck said.
Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, who played for the U.S. in the 2010 World Cup, said funding has been a major factor in the recent success of the U.S. team.
"The U.S. soccer program is a hugely funded program," he said after a Caps training session Wednesday. "We've also developed a certain camaraderie with the U.S. team with keeping teams together and keeping guys together in camps and player pools."
DeMerit said any number of possible factors can be cited for Canada's lack of success in World Cup qualifying -- including player confidence, managerial shifts and failure to build the right kind of program.
"But as far as I'm concerned, Canada has enough individual players to be a successful team and to continue to push toward a World Cup," he said.
DeMerit said Canadian Major League Soccer teams developing more Canadian players for MLS will clearly boost the country's World Cup aspirations.
"Any time you have a national league that can create a feeder program for your national team, that helps with less travel and keeping guys together and building more cohesiveness," he said.
Caps midfielder Barry Robson, a Scottish international whose country hasn't captured a World Cup berth since 1998, said every soccer nation on the planet wants to improve its player and team development programs.
"Everybody is looking at these issues -- whether it's England, Canada or Scotland -- because we all want to get better," he said. "I think the deeper you look at the grassroots, the more it can help. If we all do that as nations and start from scratch and try to get everybody technically better, starting from young ages and getting as many touches on the ball, you'll see big improvements in years to come."
Read more: Honduran horror leaves soccer experts searching for answers
When the team failed so miserably in Honduras this week, getting thrashed 8-1 in a game where they needed a draw to advance to the final qualifying stage, it was easy to predict the ensuing critical fallout.
Detractors insist the Canadian Soccer Association is too stodgy. There isn't enough program-funding. The best players produced here don't always play for Canada. We provide inferior technical development for young players.
On and on it goes.
Total Soccer Systems managing director Colin Elmes said Canada is simply not a footballing nation right now and most people don't understand how far it lags behind true soccer countries.
"In Central America, this is it for them -- this game is the most important thing in their lives," he said in an interview Wednesday. "It's like hockey on a triple dose of steroids."
He said more resources are needed for youth soccer development in Canada but feels it's also important for the senior men's team to somehow qualify for a World Cup in the next one or two rotations.
That would drive more corporate money into Canadian soccer and inspire younger players at the same time.
Elmes feels the CSA should look outside Canada when looking for a new men's national team coach, noting the success Australia had after hiring Dutch coach Guus Hiddink to head the national side in 2005. Hiddink led the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup -- their first appearance in 32 years.
"We don't have much of a budget here but hiring from within just makes us fall on our face time after time," Elmes said. "That's no disrespect to (Canadian head coach Stephen Hart) but we really need an absolute kick in the ass when it comes to developing a stronger player mentality."
Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said it might sound boring but feels governance changes at the CSA -- aimed at giving the organization a more national vision -- are crucial for the game's long-term success in Canada.
"I don't want to hammer the CSA because we're all a part of the solution," he said. "But it's important that we get away from provincial representation. We need business people on the board and people without a bias toward their province."
The CSA has adopted governance changes that will prevent provincial soccer association presidents from sitting on the board after 2015.
Lenarduzzi noted the U.S. Soccer Federation created a stronger national team after it adopted a more national, more pro-business model after hosting the 1994 World Cup.
B.C. Soccer Association executive director Bjorn Osieck said the 8-1 loss in Honduras was "shocking" but feels the state of the men's game can't be reduced to just one result. He stressed there's no single solution to making the men's national team more competitive.
"It requires a multi-layered solution -- in the boardroom and ultimately on the field, with more emphasis on long-term player development," Osieck said.
Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, who played for the U.S. in the 2010 World Cup, said funding has been a major factor in the recent success of the U.S. team.
"The U.S. soccer program is a hugely funded program," he said after a Caps training session Wednesday. "We've also developed a certain camaraderie with the U.S. team with keeping teams together and keeping guys together in camps and player pools."
DeMerit said any number of possible factors can be cited for Canada's lack of success in World Cup qualifying -- including player confidence, managerial shifts and failure to build the right kind of program.
"But as far as I'm concerned, Canada has enough individual players to be a successful team and to continue to push toward a World Cup," he said.
DeMerit said Canadian Major League Soccer teams developing more Canadian players for MLS will clearly boost the country's World Cup aspirations.
"Any time you have a national league that can create a feeder program for your national team, that helps with less travel and keeping guys together and building more cohesiveness," he said.
Caps midfielder Barry Robson, a Scottish international whose country hasn't captured a World Cup berth since 1998, said every soccer nation on the planet wants to improve its player and team development programs.
"Everybody is looking at these issues -- whether it's England, Canada or Scotland -- because we all want to get better," he said. "I think the deeper you look at the grassroots, the more it can help. If we all do that as nations and start from scratch and try to get everybody technically better, starting from young ages and getting as many touches on the ball, you'll see big improvements in years to come."
Read more: Honduran horror leaves soccer experts searching for answers
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
.jpg?v=1.014689139)
.png?v=1.014689139)
But that uproar was comfortably outdone the next night by an even more controversial, game-winning score -- this one by the Seattle Seahawks, which resulted in their narrowly defeating the Green Bay Packers.
This play -- both the lack of a blatant offensive pass interference call and officials' determination that Seattle's Golden Tate deserved a touchdown, despite evidence indicating the ball was intercepted -- spurred vitriol on Twitter and criticism from pundits and fans alike. For many, it illustrated the credibility problem plaguing the league during its season's first three weeks with replacement officials on the field, in place of regular referees who were locked out by the NFL in a prolonged contract dispute.
This storm subsided late Wednesday, when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell temporarily lifted the lockout to allow the "regular" referees to officiate Thursday's game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. NFL officials remain locked out until a new collective bargaining agreement is voted on by the union membership.
Goodell has had his critics, including those up in arms over the league's handling of the latest officiating issues. But it is worth pointing out that the sport has at times been a trailblazer in the field of technology, making soccer -- or football as it's known outside the United States -- look like it is still stuck in the dark ages.
The NFL introduced an instant replay system in 1986, allowing officials to review and possibly overturn calls on the field. This system at first didn't take and was scrapped, but an improved replay system was reintroduced in 1999.
Since then, instant replay has been a key feature of the sport, with coaches allowed to challenge a call. Each time, play is halted while the on-field referee watches a replay of the disputed incident from the sidelines and makes his final call.
Read more: Instant replay: How NFL left soccer in dark | Sports - KCRA Home