Soccer Blogs Posts Tagged International Soccer

Final thoughts on the Olympics

2008-08-25T13:54:04+00:00

This is going to be a long one, so I've divided it up into different subjects. On the events themselves: Obviously, there really is nothing more that can be said about Michael Phelps. Right now, he's one of the top 5 greatest Olympic athletes of all time. If he just wins another gold or two in London, [.

Chris James: The Future of New Zealand Soccer

2008-08-23T20:02:00+00:00

Right now 28-year-old midfielder Chris James is starring for Tampere United in the Finnish Veikkausliiga. So far this season, James has notched five goals in 14 appearances. The former Fulham player actually played in over 30 matches for the various English youth squads, but decided to play his senior international soccer for the country of his birth with the New Zealand All Whites.

Olympic Gold at Stake Friday - Argentina vs Nigeria

2008-08-21T20:35:55+00:00

The Olympics effectively end for me Friday evening with the Gold medal game between Nigeria and Argentina so click on the photo above (Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) for some more beauties from the opening ceremonies like this one.

What about the game? Here are some highlights I've found on the web

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - The players that won Nigeria its first gold medal in soccer at the Atlanta Games have become legends in their homeland.

The archetypal Bradley result

2008-08-21T12:18:14+00:00

Last night's 1-0 win Guatemala played out almost precisely as the archetypal result of the Bob Bradley era as US coach. The US comes with almost zero competent midfield play, relies on pounding balls downfield to relieve defensive pressure and eventually hangs on for either a goal of a set piece or the opposition doing [.

Beckham Gets Assist as England Salvages Tie Against The Czech Republic

2008-08-20T22:37:31+00:00

A David Beckham corner kick was headed home by former Manchester United teammate Wes Brown, but it took a stoppage time goal by substitute Joe Cole to assure a tepid England of a 2-2 draw today against The Czech Republic at Wembley.

Neither Beckham or England looked particularly impressive in game where the Brits were constantly chasing the game.

What year is this?

2008-08-20T18:59:27+00:00

Apparantly if you're England, it's 2004 or so... because their side for today's friendly v. Czech Republic includes Gerrard and Lampard stumbling around together in midfield and David Beckham out on the left. I guess for England, the future is now, erm... sometime later.

Women’s Olympic Final Features USA vs Brazil Thursday

2008-08-20T16:52:54+00:00

Maybe the photo gives you a clue as to whom I'm picking to win the Gold Medal match. The only remaining question is whether or not the US will score a goal. Game time is 8:00 am and it's being broadcast live on USA Network channel.

The player pictured is Formiga, I'll point you to From A Left Wing and Jennifer Doyle's commentary on Brazil's decisive 4-1 win over the World Cup champion German squad in the semifinal Monday.

U.S. World Cup Qualifying and Chivas USA Gameday

2008-08-20T16:25:44+00:00

Apologies for the late blogging since I am somewhat under the weather today (and, no, that's not because of all the soccer on TV).

Still, there is a lot.

First up at noon on Fox Soccer Channel is David Beckham and England taking on the Czech Republic in London.

Then at 7 p.

Caption Time: Landon and Clint playing chess

2008-08-20T14:23:00+00:00

I've got to credit Du Nord and the US Soccer Blog for this, but who can come come up w/the best caption to this photo?

A big, big night for fans of DC and the USA

2008-08-20T12:56:07+00:00

Who doesn't love a doubleheader like tonight with two big games, one right after the other? DC's trip to New England tonight represents a real opportunity to put themselves in contention for the top two places in the Eastern Conference. Then, after that game, the USA visits Guatemala at 10 p.m. as World Cup Qualifying [.

US Women’s National Team Hosts Ireland In Chicago September 20th

2008-08-18T22:37:23+00:00

From the US Soccer website:

The U.S. Women???s National Team will take on Ireland in a three-match tour following the 2008 Olympic Games, hitting stops on the East Coast and Midwest shortly after their return from the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

The Fall Tour gets underway on Saturday, Sept.

This Week in Southwest Missouri Soccer

2008-08-18T16:24:02+00:00

Olympic Soccer is coming to a close this week, with the Women's finalist having been determined this morning (no spoiler's here for those who have taped it or are watching online later). The Women's Gold Medal game is Thursday morning at 8:00 am CT, with the Bronze Medal game at 5:00 am.

This Week in Southwest Missouri Soccer

2008-08-18T16:24:02+00:00

Olympic Women’s Semifinals Monday Include USA vs Japan

2008-08-17T20:43:49+00:00

From the US Soccer website

The U.S. team will play Japan in the semifinal at Beijing Workers Stadium on Monday, August 18th. The match kicks off at 8:00 am CT and will be broadcast live on MSNBC, Universal HD and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel.

The Americans have made the semifinal round in all nine world championships FIFA has held for women?

Olympic Women’s Semifinals Monday Include USA vs Japan

2008-08-17T20:43:49+00:00

From the US Soccer website

The Americans have made the semifinal round in all nine world championships FIFA has held for women's soccer, including the last four Olympic Games.

Thoughts on USA-Nigeria

2008-08-13T13:10:57+00:00

If you are going to watch the match later and don't want me to spoil it for you, don't click ahead. Otherwise... Well the journey from prospective group winners to first-round flameout is complete. And practically everyone has some blame to share in the disgrace. Let's start first with Michael Orozco, whose sending off has to [.

Mexico to Play Chile in Los Angeles in September

2008-08-11T18:25:18+00:00

Mexico will make its U.S. debut under new Coach Sven Goran Eriksson 8 p.m. Sept. 24 against Chile at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, it was announced today by officials with Federación Mexicana de Fútbol and Soccer United Marketing.

It will be Mexico's fourth game of the year on U.S. soil.

US Women Seek Win To Advance to Olympic Quarterfinals

2008-08-11T18:19:25+00:00

From the US Soccer website:

U.S. WOMEN TO FACE NEW ZEALAND IN SHENYANG; WIN CLINCHES SPOT IN QUARTERS:
The U.S. Olympic Women???s Soccer Team will face New Zealand on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium with a win guaranteeing a spot in the quarterfinals. The USA currently sits second in Group G with three points behind Norway (six points) and a win over the Kiwis will clinch the second spot in the group, earning a quarterfinal match against the winner of Group F.

What I’ve seen so far at the Olympics

2008-08-11T13:32:17+00:00

That was a proper choke by the US men's soccer team against Holland on Sunday. They wen't up by a goal and simply shut their brains off. Between Kljestan blowing the game-clinching goal and Bradley and Freddy's yellow cards and Holden's dumb foul and the wall jumping - we saw a young team simply gag [.

NBC Olympic Soccer Coverage

2008-08-09T15:57:49+00:00

I'm getting my fix via the internet, not only in the game broadcast but the highlights obviously. Like this one - Men's Goals of the Day - August 7th or this one - Women's Goals of the Day - August 6th.

If you are interested in a look behind the curtain, then Adam Spangler at This Is American Soccer has the story as he interviews Michael Cohen, who overseas the production of Olympic soccer on the networks and cable channels and heads up the NBC Olympic soccer channel.

USA and Japan post-match thoughts

2008-08-07T12:28:56+00:00

I am going talk about the USA-Japan result here. If you are DVRing it, do not continue on. What I liked: I thought that the attacking component of the US midfield did a decent job throughout the second half in controlling possession and allowing the stars to get opportunities. Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore are the stars [.

USA v. Japan LIVE here on Fighting Talker

2008-08-07T08:00:14+00:00

The big questions going into the match and my live blog: Will the U.S. commit the unthinkable and score a goal? Which historical nemesis will Chinese fans choose to cheer against? Will NBC cameras be able to see the field through the smog? How bad will my spelling be at 5 a.m.? Find out those answers and more by clicking [.

Olympic Soccer on the NBCOlympics.com Website

2008-08-06T16:44:28+00:00

You may recall my post a few weeks ago regarding the online viewing options for the Olympics this year.

There will also be an online option. NBCOlympics.com will feature approximately 2,200 total hours of live streaming Olympic broadband video coverage, the first live online Olympic coverage in the United States.

Final Thoughts: US Women v. Norway

2008-08-06T15:06:15+00:00

The second half was a little better than the first - though you have to wonder on some level if that wasn't an optical illusion. After all, there was no real reason for Norway to attack and put themselves in danger at the back. But the United States created a few chances, but nothing that wasn't [..

First-Half Thoughts: US Women v. Norway

2008-08-06T12:46:59+00:00

I was left with one thought after the first 45 minutes of the USA-Norway women's soccer opener at the Olympics. Can the US women play soccer at all? The team just seemed absolutely lost at sea. I don't think it was a lack of preparation. They seemed to know what it was they wanted to do - [...]

CAS issues remarkable decision; Kaka, Messi and Diego will not play in Beijing

2008-08-06T12:19:08+00:00

I am genuinely surprised that the Court for Arbitration of Sport sided with the clubs here and not with FIFA. You have to imagine that FIFA and the IOC will now attempt to codify the "customs" into rules to prevent this from happening again. Cas found that Fifa's position was based on custom rather than law, [.

Liveblogging USA-Japan

2008-08-06T05:11:46+00:00

I will be liveblogging the USA v. Japan men's Olympic match starting tomorrow around 5 a.m. Considering how groggy I am likely to be, and the Americans' apparent total inability to score goals, this one should be a humdinger. Be sure to tune in, or check out the blog afterwards... when all the non-degenerates will have [.

US Women Take On Norway Wednesday

2008-08-05T17:11:03+00:00

The U.S. Women's National Team is ready to kick off their Group G Olympic opener against Norway at 7:45 p.m. local time / 6:45 a.m. CT on Wednesday, August 6th, at Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on MSNBC and Universal HD, with the pre-game show starting at 7:30 a.

Chivas USA Goalkeeper Brad Guzan Gets UK Work Permit, England Vs. Scotland & More

2008-08-01T15:53:45+00:00

Brad Guzan finally secured the work permit he needed today to join Aston Villa of the EPL.

With all the money flowing into the game in England these days, Guzan has hit the proverbial jackpot, although he won't make as much as the 25 richest young footballers in England.

Closer to home, with the Galaxy and Chivas USA on the road there's no live local top-class soccer (I'll have a best of what's on the box below), but this is always a fun event:

And yeah, Rod will really be there this year.

ESPN2 and ESPND - FC Barcelona vs Red Bulls Live

2008-08-01T15:31:52+00:00

ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will present live coverage of the international soccer match between FC Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, August 6 at 7 p.m. ET from Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, NJ. ESPN's Rob Stone (play-by-play) and John Harkes (analyst) will call the match on [..