As good as he's been, this could finally be Kun Aguero's "breakout" year. Freshly 20, he was the third leading scorer in La Liga last year. Won the Gold Medal at the Olympics with Argentina this summer as well, scoring two against eternal rivals Brazil in the process. Now he's got 3 Champions League goals [. Click to continue reading...

My WNT article about their upcoming tour is up. As I was writing the article, though, I couldn't help but muse on the what-if scenarios.

What if Greg Ryan hadn't made the goalkeeper switch? What if the USWNT had only lost to Brazil by a goal, and without the team issues that followed Ryan and other team leaders deciding to ostracize Hope Solo? Click to continue reading...

This morning's post will likely be quick, as I've gotta make 2 dozen sandwiches for some soccer-game tailgating by 7:30 AM.  But enough about me! On Truthdig I came upon this Palin Perspective from John Dean (yes, that John Dean).  Basically he argues, rather damningly, that were a sitting President in the position of having to [. Click to continue reading...

The USWNT, along with other US Gold Medalists, will be on Oprah today ... whenever Oprah is on in your world.  I do not know whether coaches are included or not ... but am guessing that, if invited, Pia would not turn down this one! It sounds like Abby is getting out and about more.  [...] Click to continue reading...

Something is coming to the mysterious island of faith and melancholy, to the indifferent streets, from the fort to the city, from the sacred waters of the Caribbean, to the Central Park where rest the bones of Jose Marti.
The ancient Chevys that run by a miracle, the balconies where the women watch, the neighborhoods that time forgot, with people who have yet to show much passion for soccer. Click to continue reading...

I'm happy to see that the Bay Area (San Jose, to be specific) will be joining the WPS for the 2009 season.  "Play kicks off in the spring of 2009, with WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. The league will expand [...] Click to continue reading...

The Olympics were such a great experience. I hope all of you had the chance to watch a lot of it. I was watching sports that I've never watched before, just because it was the Olympics. I'd never usually watch badminton or team handball, but I did over the last few weeks.

Wasn't Michael Phelps just amazing? Click to continue reading...

Olympic gold medallist Javier Mascherano will almost certainly be plunged into Liverpool's tough away Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The match has added spice after the summer of disagreement between Villa boss Martin O'Neill and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over the drawn-out saga of Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield. Click to continue reading...

With another great week in football that saw its end with a great match between Manchester United and Portsmouth, I look back at all that made it special.

This week started early with a game between DC United and the New England Revolution. This match comes after New England lost to San Jose 4-0 and DC beat Colorado 1-0. Click to continue reading...

This was my footie weekend. Fo' Sho'. Need proof? Well, I will be glad to share it . . . .

#1 - ARGENTINA WINS THE GOLD!!!!!!!

In what was widely considered the best footie game of the Olympics, the Biceleste faught through Nigerian pressure and African style heat to win the Gold Medal.

Click to continue reading...

The Final and a tournament wrap up by du Nord's Women's Soccer Major Tournament Correspondent Adam.


In a fairytale ending to their Olympic tournament, the underdog US team saved its gutsiest performance for last, beating Brazil 1-0 to win its second straight gold medal.

Here are some final thoughts about the tournament. Click to continue reading...

Check out the video here on Main St. USA - including Sunil getting on his knees ... and Christie giving Pia her own Gold Medal!  (There's also video of the post-match party in my previous post, along with Beulah's post-match report!) Sphere: Related ContentSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "More GREAT USWNT/Pia Video! Click to continue reading...

The Phillies won (Mets and Marlins lost) and Beulah has posted her match report! (Sounds like she had a tough time getting it onto her site .. but it's up and a very good read as always!) In other commentary, here's Mark Zeigler on the game ... The rest of the women's soccer world, though, [...]SHARETHIS. Click to continue reading...

Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0 to capture the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic games. Argentina was my pick, and the favorite of many to win the gold at these Olympic games, and they didn't disappoint.  Angel di Maria scored for Argentina in the 58th minute off a great through ball from Lionel Messi. Messi wasn't able to score in the game, but was key to every attacking chance Argentina had in the game Click to continue reading...

Someone pointed out to me the moment he knew the U.S. was going to defeat Brazil for the gold medal.

It was during the break for the overtime periods, when Brazil's players fell to the ground to rest, exhausted. The U.S. players were obviously fitter, and a tired Brazilian defense would probably give up chances. Click to continue reading...

Four years ago it was Carlos Tevez, on Saturday Benfica's Angel Di María secured his place in Argentine football history by becoming the second man to score a gold medal-winning goal for his country in the Olympic Football Tournament. In a final played in scorching heat in the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, Argentina rode [. Click to continue reading...

In a couple of hours' time, Argentina will be going for a second gold medal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games when the men's football team take on Nigeria, their conquerors in Atlanta 1996, in the OFT final. Argentina are seeking to defend their title, having demolished arch-rivals Brazil 3-0 in the semi, with Liverpool [. Click to continue reading...

Ok, here's an easy one. This post will have stuff on Hope Solo, so if one is tired of that, don't read the rest of it.

Ann's take.

Hopeful celebration

Helene's take

Jeff's view

Mark's observations

Michelle muses

Scott says

Art's aware

People pipes up

Scott F. Click to continue reading...

USA soccer fans gathered at the Globe Pub in Chicago to watch the Olympic team defeat Brazil for the Gold Medal! The breakfast was sponsored by the Chicago Red Stars.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "News Video From The 'Golden Globe' Pub Olympic Viewing Party", url: "http://www.amandavandervort.com/blog/2008/08/news-video-from-the-golden-globe-pub-olympic-viewing-party/" }); Click to continue reading...

The mainstream media chimes in with a few great articles about Hope's redemption.

I'm still not sure what was up with the fake gold medal Hope pulled out of her bag. Whatever works, I guess. After living up to her comments after last year's Brazil debacle, she could pretty much do whatever she wants. Click to continue reading...

The United States women's national team won the gold medal, defeating Brazil 1-0. Carli Lloyd scored the games only goal in the 96th minute to secure the gold for America. Lloyd said, "It was hard, and this win wasn't just down to my goal. It was only achievable with the team we have and that we played for each other. Click to continue reading...

The United States women's team celebrate their victory over Brazil for the Gold medal in 2008 Olympic Games. The Olympic team included Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Lindsay Tarpley, Shannon Boxx, Amy Rodriguez, Heather O'Reilly, Carli Loyd, Kate Margraf, Angela Hucles, and Lori Chalupny. Click to continue reading...

The United States women's team celebrate their victory over Brazil for the Gold medal in 2008 Olympic Games. The Olympic team included Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Lindsay Tarpley, Shannon Boxx, Amy Rodriguez, Heather O'Reilly, Carli Loyd, Kate Margraf, Angela Hucles, and Lori Chalupny. Click to continue reading...

How about U.S. Soccer in the last two days? It wasn't pretty, but our boys earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Guatemala on the road, the first win there since 1988 and the first-ever win in Guatemala during World Cup Qualifying. Then, the U.S. women defeated Brazil 1-0 this morning in extra time to win their third gold medal in four tries since the Olympics added women's soccer in 1996. Click to continue reading...

WOW!!! WHAT A GREAT VICTORY FOR THE USA! The Globe Pub in Chicago was packed with supporters for the Red Stars viewing party which started at 5 am for Germany's 1-0 bronze medal win over Japan. . Everyone was excited to see future WPS players battle on both sides of the gold medal match. At halftime, raffle prizes were awarded and Red Stars GM Marcia McDermott, fresh from her scouting trip to China, welcomed the group. Click to continue reading...

August 21, 2008 - USA soccer clinched the gold medal today in Beijing, as Carli Lloyd scored the game-winner in 1-0 overtime thriller against Brazil. By most accounts goalkeeper Hope Solo, who made six saves to earn the shutout victory, was the star of the game but let's not forget the other 17 members of the [. Click to continue reading...

American Danny Szetela, just back from playing in the Olympic soccer tourney in China, is back into the swing with his Serie B club Brescia. Last night he started and played a solid 30 minutes in a 4-1 preseason friendly win over Darfo (...don't ask). Coach Serse Cosmi substituted five of his starters by the half since he had a four goal lead and perhaps wanted to rest his players for Saturday's Coppa Italia match. Click to continue reading...

The United States women have just clenched the gold medal for soccer (football) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. They defeated Brazil 1:0 in what can only be described as a passionate fight. Brazil will receive silver for their accomplishments in the games. Congratulations US Women! Image courtesy of Newscom. Click to continue reading...

Brazil and USA face off again for the girl's gold medal match.

For those of you who watched the Women's World Cup, you know that Brazil's Marta shredded the US defense like barbecue pork; however if the US stays calm and collected on defense, they should be able to hand the multi pronged Brazilian attack. Click to continue reading...

This is it, people. For country, for glory, for gold.
The U.S. versus Brazil.
Anthems. All the U.S. players are singing along.
Solo, Mitts, Rampone, Markgraf, Chalupny, Tarpley, Boxx, O'Reilly, Lloyd, Hucles, Rodriguez.
Brazil
Barbara, Simone, Tania, Renata Costa, Erika, Maycon, Daniela, Formiga, Ester, Cristiane, Marta,


Kickoff! Click to continue reading...

Germany-Japan are underway and Japan is looking goo so far (17th minute). meanwhile, I can't imagine what the USWNT must be feeling right now. Hopefully they are focused and confident. Their making it to the gold medal match is a wonderful accomplishment and, at the very least, has brought the eyes [. Click to continue reading...

Match preview by du Nord Women's Soccer Major Tournament Correspondent Adam.

-Thu Aug 21
USA v Brazil
Kicks off at 8am central time.
See it live on USA Network.


US Takes on Brazil for Gold

The USA's semifinal win against Japan can teach them a few things about their clash with Brazil for the gold medal. Click to continue reading...

I completely disagree with Grahame Jones' article in the Los Angeles Times that the pressure is now on Landon Donovan to perform well in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala because the team didn't perform well at the Olympics. What exactly is the correlation between the two? Is it just that some of the players were on the Olympic team and now they will play for the full U. Click to continue reading...

ARGENTINA! surprisingly battered Brazil in today's semi-final at the Olympics, meaning they will not go on to play Nigeria in Saturday's final for the gold medal. The referee was taking no prisoners, sending off two frustrated Brazilian's for challenges that would usually see just a yellow card in the Premiership. Click to continue reading...

The news wires are now full of player profiles, match reports, you name it, as the US women's soccer team gears up for its gold medal match versus Brazil on Thursday morning. This team is living up to the Nike Women's World Cup hype of several months ago ... the greatest team you've never [...]SHARETHIS. Click to continue reading...