By FRANCO PANIZO
Jozy Altidore had not seen the field for Hull City since Jan. 2, but that didn't stop him from
making a major impact in Hull's 2-2 draw against Wolves.
Returning from compassionate leave due having family members affected by the tragedy in Haiti,
Altidore made an immediate impact on Saturday, latching onto a long ball, shielding it with his
body and delivering an assist to Jan Vennegoor for the opener in the 11th minute.
by FRANCO PANIZO
When Maurice Edu was in the midst of recovering from his lengthy knee injury, he targeted to
return in Rangers' first match of the new year, the Old Firm showdown. Edu made his season debut
earlier than expected, playing briefly last week, but he saw his most significant playing time
since last season vs.
Photo by ISIphotos.com By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan has had a fine club career full of highlights and milestones, but Donovan
accomplished something on Tuesday that he had never done before.
by FRANCO PANIZO
It is the first weekend of 2010 and despite there being only two different countries with
Americans Abroad in action, there is still a plethora of quality matches on tap.
The third round of the FA Cup kicks off this weekend, and for a pair of U.
photo by ISIphotos.com
If you were closely following Wednesday's proceedings of the upcoming MLS Draft, you may have
missed two former MLS standouts seeing the field for their clubs.
By FRANCO PANIZO
It has been hard for Carlos Bocanegra to see the field for Stade Rennes over the past two
months, but the U.S. national team captain took another positive step towards reclaiming his left
back spot this weekend.
Bocanegra started Rennes' round of 32 Coupe de France game against Saumar, and helped Rennes
post a 4-0 victory over the fifth-division club.
Stuart Holden is undoubtedly an up-and-coming player for the U.S. national team, but that
apparently has not convinced English Premier League club Burnley enough to sign the now-free agent
midfielder.
According to reports, Holden will go on trial with Burnley, although when the trial begins and
for how long has not been revealed.
By FRANCO PANIZO
If Landon Donovan is to silence his critics once and for all, now is the time.
After a week of adjusting to life in England and training with Everton, Donovan has a chance to
make his much-awaited Premiership debut when the Toffees visit Arsenal and Emirates Stadium this
weekend.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The second day of the MLS Combine is complete, and as expected, there were much better
performances from a team and individual standpoint.
The weather conditions improved in Ft. Lauderdale and so did the level of play, with some of Day
One's top performers continuing to impress.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The 2010 MLS Combine is history, but before it gets put to bed, we're going to look at the
combine's top performers.
While several players impressed during the three days worth of matches in freezing Fort
Lauderdale, FL., only a few can be labeled as the cream of the crop.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The deadly attack on the Togo national team prior to the start of the African Cup of Nations
left the soccer world stunned, and few disagreed when Togo decided to pull out of the
tournament.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) is among those few.
by FRANCO PANIZO
When Maurice Edu was in the midst of recovering from his lengthy knee injury, he targeted to
return in Rangers' first match of the new year, the Old Firm showdown. Edu made his season debut
earlier than expected, playing briefly last week, but he saw his most significant playing time
since last season vs.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan's much-anticipated English Premier League debut came with less than a week's
worth of training, and even though he was unfamiliar with his new teammates and the English
style of play, he did not disappoint.
Donovan made his presence felt 13 minutes into Everton's match vs.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The second day of the MLS Combine is complete, and as expected, there were much better
performances from a team and individual standpoint.
The weather conditions improved in Ft. Lauderdale and so did the level of play, with some of Day
One's top performers continuing to impress.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The Bundesliga winter break is over, and for Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach, that
means it's time to pick up where they left off in their continuous battle against relegation.
Moenchengladbach currently sits five points above the drop zone, and will be hoping to build
on that advantage as it takes on relegation-threatened VfL Bochum.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan made his home debut for Everton this weekend, and in it he helped Everton hand
Manchester City something the Citizens had not received in a month: A loss.
Donovan enjoyed his second consecutive solid outing in the Toffees' 2-0 win, constantly
threatening Manchester City's back line with his darting runs down the flank and deadly crosses,
two of which almost resulted in goals.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan has performed well in his first two matches with Everton, even with the
snarling English media watching his every move. But if Donovan really wants to feel pressure, he'll
have that chance this weekend as Everton plays in a win-or-you're-out scenario.
Stuart Holden is undoubtedly an up-and-coming player for the U.S. national team, but that
apparently has not convinced English Premier League club Burnley enough to sign the now-free agent
midfielder.
According to reports, Holden will go on trial with Burnley, although when the trial begins and
for how long has not been revealed.
by FRANCO PANIZO
It is the first weekend of 2010 and despite there being only two different countries with
Americans Abroad in action, there is still a plethora of quality matches on tap.
The third round of the FA Cup kicks off this weekend, and for a pair of U.
Brad Guzan has made a habit out of shining when his number has been called, and his performance
against Blackburn was just the latest solid outing in a string of impressive showings.
Guzan made three saves to help Aston Villa to a 3-1 victory over Blackburn in the third round of
the FA Cup on Saturday.
Brad Guzan is turning into a penalty kick-stopping machine.
With the score 1-0 against Blackburn in the third round of the FA Cup, Guzan guessed correctly
to deny David Dunn's potential equalizer from the penalty spot, and five minutes later, the
Villains scored the eventual game-winner.
DaMarcus Beasley figured to be heading out of Rangers in search of playing time when the winter
transfer window opened. That all changed when Beasley went on a tear in December, displaying an
impressive run of form that has given the U.S. national team midfielder a change of heart.
Beasley is in the final six months of his current contract, and would like to stay with the
reigning Scottish Premier League champs, but Rangers have yet to contact him about a contract
extension.
If you were hoping that the U.S. national team would play a friendly between its Honduras and
Netherlands exhibitions, you may have just received your wish.
The U.S. team will continue its World Cup preparations by playing host to El Salvador in a
friendly on February 24. The stadium in which the game will be played has yet to be confirmed.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan's much-anticipated English Premier League debut came with less than a week's
worth of training, and even though he was unfamiliar with his new teammates and the English
style of play, he did not disappoint.
Donovan made his presence felt 13 minutes into Everton's match vs.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The MLS Combine resumes today after a break in the action following a cold and rainy first day
in Fort Lauderdale, and for some of the MLS draft prospects looking to impress, day two could not
have come any sooner.
The first day of the combine displayed better soccer than most pundits have come to expect from
day one, but for most of the MLS prospects, the games were difficult to play in for a myriad of
reasons.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The MLS Combine resumes today after a break in the action following a cold and rainy first day
in Fort Lauderdale, and for some of the MLS draft prospects looking to impress, day two could not
have come any sooner.
The first day of the combine displayed better soccer than most pundits have come to expect from
day one, but for most of the MLS prospects, the games were difficult to play in for a myriad of
reasons.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The MLS Combine has come to a close, and the final day of action saw some of the lesser-known
players raise their stock.
Both of the day's games ended 1-0, with defender Tennant McVea heading home the winner in
F50i's match vs. Predator X, and a long-range blast from midfielder Eric Alexander proving to be
the difference in Condivo's win over Jabulani.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The MLS Combine has come to a close, and the final day of action saw some of the lesser-known
players raise their stock.
Both of the day's games ended 1-0, with defender Tennant McVea heading home the winner in
F50i's match vs. Predator X, and a long-range blast from midfielder Eric Alexander proving to be
the difference in Condivo's win over Jabulani.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The 2010 MLS Combine is history, but before it gets put to bed, we're going to look at the
combine's top performers.
While several players impressed during the three days worth of matches in freezing Fort
Lauderdale, FL., only a few can be labeled as the cream of the crop.
photo by ISIphotos.com
If you were closely following Wednesday's proceedings of the upcoming MLS Draft, you may have
missed two former MLS standouts seeing the field for their clubs.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Ronaldinho's struggles over the past couple years have been well-documented, but his most recent
performance for AC Milan is just the latest example of him returning to his best.
A rejuvenated Ronaldinho shone in Milan's massive victory over lowly Siena on Sunday, scoring
a hat-trick in the 4-0 win that kept the Rossoneri within striking distance of first-place Inter
Milan.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Ronaldinho's struggles over the past couple years have been well-documented, but his most recent
performance for AC Milan is just the latest example of him returning to his best.
A rejuvenated Ronaldinho starred in Milan's massive victory over lowly Siena on Sunday,
scoring a hat-trick in the 4-0 win that kept the Rossoneri within striking distance of
first-place Inter Milan.
Clint Dempsey has enjoyed a stellar season for Fulham, playing with confidence while also
leading the club in goals scored, but Dempsey's latest game for the Cottagers is sure to give U.S.
national team fans nightmares.
Dempsey suffered a knee injury and hobbled off the field in the second half of Fulham's 2-0 loss
to Blackburn on Sunday.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan made his home debut for Everton this weekend, and in it he helped Everton hand
Manchester City something the Citizens had not received in a month: A loss.
Donovan enjoyed his second consecutive solid outing in the Toffees' 2-0 win, constantly
threatening Manchester City's back line with his darting runs down the flank and deadly crosses,
two of which almost resulted in goals.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan has performed well in his first two matches with Everton, even with the
snarling English media watching his every move. But if Donovan really wants to feel pressure, he'll
have that chance this weekend as Everton plays in a win-or-you're-out scenario.
By FRANCO PANIZO
On a day where the FA Cup stole the spotlight, Wayne Rooney carried Manchester United to a
league victory, scoring four goals as the Red Devils defeated Hull City 4-0.
It only took Rooney eight minutes to open the scoring, pouncing on a Paul Scholes rebound.
The U.S. men's national team will kick off the new year tonight looking for a win against a
familiar foe in Honduras at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California (9pm ET, FSC and
Telefutura).
While tonight's match won't have most of the U.S. team regulars, there are potential World Cup
spots up for grabs, so it should be interesting to see how the fringe players fare in one of their
last opportunities to impress head coach Bob Bradley.
photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Another month of Premiership action is near its end, and for a quartet of Americans, the race
to avoid relegation is a little too close for comfort.
photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Another month of Premiership action is near its end, and for a quartet of Americans, the race
to avoid relegation is a little too close for comfort.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Jozy Altidore had not seen the field for Hull City since Jan. 2, but that didn't stop him from
making a major impact in Hull's 2-2 draw against Wolves.
Returning from compassionate leave due having family members affected by the tragedy in Haiti,
Altidore made an immediate impact on Saturday, latching onto a long ball, shielding it with his
body and delivering an assist to Jan Vennegoor for the opener in the 11th minute.
