StoweStrong
By Pat McStay
The Virginia soccer community was hit hard a few weeks ago when William and Mary graduate and FC Richmond youth soccer coach, Ian Stowe was diagnosed with Germinoma, a type of germ cell tumor typically resulting from a failure of germ cells to migrate properly in the body.

Que triste! It isn't a good week for fans of the US Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. The board announced it would be "suspending play" this year due to complex legal issues involving a former club owner. This matters because some of the world's best female players ply their trade there including Abby Wambach, Marta, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo.

It was the Alex Morgan show as the US downed Canada in the final of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. Morgan scored twice and assisted on two Abby Wambach goals as the US ran out easy winners over the host nation. The game was largely meaningless save for regional pride, with both sides having already qualified for this summer's London games.

The US Women took down Costa Rica 3-0 to book their ticket for this summer's London Olympics. Tobin Heath scored in the first half, Carli Lloyd continued her current run of form with a goal in the second half, and Alex Morgan sealed the win with a late goal of her own.

Pia Sundhage made two changes from the team that faced Mexico on Tuesday, preferring Tobin Heath over Amy Rodriguez and giving converted striker Kelly O'Hara a start at right back.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Le Talk

Yesterday he's going, today he is staying. An article from sportinglife.com suggests that Le Toux "did not impress sufficiently" at Bolton. Owen Coyle is quoted in the article, "Sebastien came in for a couple of days, and to be fair to him he hadn't trained for four or five weeks.

Featured image courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Le Talk

While posing a hypothetical question to the Union Twitterati whether they would accept $2.75 million for Sebastien Le Toux, Jonathan "The Goalkeeper" Tannenwald mentions, "I've been told there has been no offer yet."

Meanwhile, Daily News reporter Kerith Gabriel writes, "It's likely the Union will start the 2012 campaign without Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux.

Mexico's World Cup qualifying victory clearly shook the US Women's National Team to their core. On Tuesday night, the US settled the score, reminding Mexico, and the world, that there is still an enormous gap in class between the two sides. Were at not for some shoddy finishing and a whole lot of five-alarm defending, the score line could easily have been doubled as the US controlled the match from the opening whistle and were rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes.

Philadelphia Union

Sky Sports reports that Bolton manager Owen Coyle "claims no decision has been taken as yet regarding a permanent deal" for Sebastien Le Toux.

Jonathan Tannenwald tweets, "A Union source says the team 'would not use Tim Ream as a benchmark' in any negotiations over Le Toux regarding transfer fee.

Part I of the 2nd Annual Yanks Are Coming Best of US Soccer Awards featured 2011′s US Soccer disappointments, frustrations, and best hairdo. The second portion of our awards focuses on the promise of youth, goalkeepers, and the goals scored in what was a thrilling year in American soccer. Again, a list of the finalists [.

I'm in denial. Hope Solo was voted off Dancing with the Stars. She and Maksim were ROBBED by the judges. The Argentine Tango is a perfect framework for the two strong and combative personalities. Their performance was interesting, ambitious and fun to watch. Nevertheless, Solo and Maksim were given quite low scores.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

Justin Mapp reflects on the 2011 season,

"I think I've been on some pretty good teams. This Union team was maybe as rewarding as any season because of how much we improved and got better in a short amount of time. We made the playoffs and that was a huge step for the franchise.

United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo delivered her Week 9 performances in the semi-final round of the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed three dances for the evening a [.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

Wednesday's press conference contained much talk about the future of the club. Here are some talking points, beginning with Peter Nowak on:

Consistent lineups: "It's not that we are saying everything is fine. All we are saying is that having a starting lineup consistent, 11 guys, maybe two substitutions or three guys, you cannot win the championship with 13 guys.

United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo delivered her Week 8 performances on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed two dances for the evening a quickstep and an "instant" [.

As we told you a few weeks ago, USA National Women's Team goalkeeper, Hope Solo is in 'Dancing with the Stars', a TV show, which we all know a lot of you wouldn't be caught watching, even if we held you at knife point!

Anyway, Hope did a cool tango number a few weeks back and returned this week with a 'samba' dance and her performance has been massacred by many Brazilian fans.

After escaping elimination for the second week in a row, United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo delivered her Week 7 performance on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed two [.

Will this be the year that Marta will be dethroned as FIFA's women's world player of the year? The Brazilian striker has won the award for the past five years and was among the 10 players nominated for the 2011 award.

The United States has three players on the list all of whom played for the WNT at last summer's Women's World Cup in Germany.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

Danny Mwanga is back and healthy for the playoffs. Nice timing, Danny!

The Shin Guardian gives the Union 7 to 1 odds at winning the MLS Cup. That puts the Union as the 4th most likely team to win, behind Seattle, LA and Real Salt Lake.

After escaping elimination last week, United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo looked to rebound on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night with her Week 6 Performance. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed a lively rumba [.

FELIZ MARTES! The shortlist for the Women's FIFA Ballon d'Or has been announced and surprise, surprise, three of the names drawn are from the US national team. The winners, Japan, also have two possible winners in the list, as do France. Abby Wambach (seen above with a fan), Hope Solo and Aya Miyama are a few of the key names but all these talented futbolitas are all winners in their own right.

Every Wednesday, we round up the offbeat stories in football for you! This week, read what Xabi Alonso & Diego Forlan's women have to say and watch Hope Solo as she waltzes across the ballroom.

Nagore Aranburu, also known as Xabi Alonso's beautiful and intelligent wife (classy as Mrs.

United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo delivered her Week 5 performance on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiy tangoed to 1980s rock classic Living on a Prayer.

I would love to know how often DWTS women are allowed to wear flats.
Solo was much lighter on her feet. In fact, she seemed to enjoy the performance - she was playful. The team is moving up the ranks even as the competition gets tougher.
Note that rehearsal footage shows Solo in heels.

United States Women's National soccer team first choice goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo continued her run on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night with her Week Four Performance. Solo and dance partner/coach Maksim Chmerkovskiyfoxtrotted to Toy Story's You've Got a Friend.

The 2011 edition of ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue is now out. The annual special edition of the publication features artistic nudes of popular atheletes meant to celebrate some of the best physiques around. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.

By Chris Wright

Yes, I know most of you are pig-sick of her by now, but here's USWNT 'keeper Hope Solo posing completely 'billy bollocks' on the cover of ESPN magazine's annual 'Body Issue'...err...issue...

For reasons unknown, ESPN also had Hope engage in a spot of nudey-rudey gardening for good measure.

Fútbol México - Fútbol MéxicoFútbol México -

............
Hope Solo se desnudó para la revista de ESPN The Magazine Body Issue, puedes ver las fotos de esta publicación en este enlace, además puedes ver un video detrás de cámaras aquí.

Hope Solo se desnuda para ESPN Fue escrito por hefebreo para Fútbol México, el 05/10/2011 | Añade un comentario | Añadir a del.

ESPN has unveiled this year's Body Issue cover, and it features Hope Solo. Who is doing...something. Mostly covering up certain general areas of her body with interpretive dance moves and a look which indicates she may enjoy clubbing baby seals and drawing pentagrams in her spare time (you know when not presiding over the damned).

United States Women's National soccer team goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo continued her run on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night with a solid Week Three Performance. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.

Hope Solo und ihre US-Nationalmannschaftskollegin Alex Morgan sind seit dem Ende der Frauen-Weltmeisterschaft 2011 in Deutschland gefragte Damen. Aber nicht nur Männerherzen lassen die beiden Schönheiten höher schlagen, sie verzücken ganz Amerika, vom American Football bis zum kleinen Manager im Großraumbüro.

You surely have by now seen the newest commercial for promoting the upcoming release of the ever-popular FIFA Soccer video game franchise. The commercial features athletes Landon Donovan, Hope Solo, Steve Nash, and Tim Lincecum.
Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the launch of the "EA SPORTS™ FIFA Soccer 12 Takeover Tour," a nationwide, 40-city, six-week long program that showcases FIFA Soccer 12, the number one selling sports videogame franchise on the planet, and PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment systems.

Great video detailing Hope Solo on Dancing with the Stars. Extremely fun to see her in a light other than soccer.

Could they please just let her dance in flats? That what I thought as I watched Hope Solo fight her way through a jive in high-heeled converse sneakers. Letting Solo dance in flats would make this whole Dancing With the Stars thing less anxiety provoking. Who isn't worried about her turning her ankle?

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation reports that Keon Daniel may have contracted dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, and will miss the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Bermuda. The guy simply cannot catch a break.

JP Dellacamera says the Kansas City draw is cause for optimism.

The leader of the U.S. Womens team, Abby Wambach has continued her dominant play (at the age of 31) on the field during a recent "Celebration Series" which included two friendlies with our northern neighbors, Canada.
Wambach has scored three goals in the two games and is playing some of the best soccer of her international career.

United States Women's National soccer team goalkeeper and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Glove winner Hope Solo made her second appearance on the US version of Dancing with the Stars on Monday night. Solo's performance follows her Thursday night cap for the USA in a friendly 3-0 win over Canada in Portland, OR.

USWNT players Hope Solo and Alex Morgan playing keepie-upsies with the Miami Dolphin's mascot. All fun and games until the SportCenter "suit" ruins it.
Such is the story of our life.


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EA Sports will be rolling out FIFA12 next week here in the United States, and as part of its marketing campaign they pitted Hope Solo against Steve Nash:

EA Sports will be rolling out FIFA12 next week here in the United States, and as part of its marketing campaign they pitted Hope Solo against Steve Nash:

By Chris Wright

With the 30th September release date crowning on the horizon, the FIFA 12 Hype Machine is ramped all the way up to eleven at the moment and the EA virals are coming thick and fast the lastest seeing Hope Solo squaring off against Steve 'kinda like a gorilla and a leopard' Nash in a duel to the death game of pixel-based football.