In the DFB Pokal second round, Heath Pearce and Rostock were successful, while Sal Zizzo and Hannover crash out in these midweek German cup games. Click to continue reading...

Just in time for today's story about the Puerto Rico Islanders' dual runs to the USL regular-season crown and the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, they go out and beat Mexican power Santos in pools of standing water Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Houston traveled to Panama's Rod Carew Stadium and eked out a 0-0 draw in what MLSNET's Dylan Butler notes is the first of four Dynamo games in four countries over the next 12 days.

Click to continue reading...

Schalke advanced to the round of 16 of the DFB Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Hannover tonight. Heiko Westermann scored both goals as Fred Rutten's men were just too good for the injury-riddled Reds. And while this game continues a good run of form for the Gelsenkirchen club, it [...] Click to continue reading...

American Jozy Altidore was named to the squad for tonight's match against Primera newcomer Numancia. Given that coach Manuel Pelligrini is without three starters due to injury and is just coming off a midweek Champion's League draw with Manchester United, and Altidore's encouraging debut last week against Deportivo, there is a good chance that Altidore will see more playing time this week. Click to continue reading...

Episode #53 of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast is now availible via ITunes or Direct Download Goalkeeper Eric Reed joins us on the latest edition of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast to discuss his career at UCLA where he started for three years along with such standouts as Sal Zizzo, Benny Feilhaber, Kamani [. Click to continue reading...

Preston Zimmerman still can't get a game at Hamburg

Every week during the Bundesliga season we'll be keeping track of how our Yanks are doing in the German leagues. Here is the recap of weekend one.

Grover Gibson

Scored a goal in RW Ahlen's 2-1 win over FSV Frankfurt

Steve Cherdundolo

Played 90 minutes in Hanover's 3-0 defeat to Schalke 04.

Click to continue reading...

Various UK news sources, including Sky Sports and the Globe and Mail are reporting that the final details are being worked out in a deal to bring American Maurice Edu from Toronto to Glasgow Rangers. After returning from Olympic duty in China, Edu was supposed to be in Glasgow yesterday for Rangers' home opener against Hearts to iron out a deal worth a reported $5 million. Click to continue reading...

After a mistake-ridden 4-2 preseason loss to RCD Mallorca last week, Hannover 96 redeemed itself last night with a 3-1 win over fellow Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin. As expected, American Steve Cherundolo went the distance at right back while newcomer Sal Zizzo was not selected for the team.

Among the good news for Hannover was to see newcomer (and former Bayern Munich player) Jan Schlaudraff score goals in the 19th and 68th minutes. Click to continue reading...

There has been some speculation during the preseason that Hannover veteran Steve Cherundolo may get bumped from his starting right back role by a younger player, including possibly young American Sal Zizzo. After a 4-2 friendly loss to RCD Mallorca Friday night in which coach Dieter Hecking gave Zizzo a start, Cherundolo's job looks as secure as ever. Click to continue reading...

Plenty of Southern California representation on the Olympics roster announced today by Coach Peter Nowak.

Locals include soon-to-be-ex-Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Fontana's Maurice Edu (Toronto) and former Bruins Marvelle Wynne (Toronto), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo) and Benny Feilhaber (Derby County).

Click to continue reading...

According to several French press reports, AS Monaco boss Jerome de Bontin is still working to bring Benfica's Freddy Adu to his club. The arrangement reportedly being discussed is a loan with an option to buy since Monaco was not prepared to pay the 4 million euros Benfica was asking. Observers think the deal is close to done and could be announced within the near future. Click to continue reading...

GOALKEEPERS (2): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire),
Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

note: final squad yet to be announced


Men's Olympic Group B Schedule

Date Match-up Venue Kickoff (Local/ET) Aug. Click to continue reading...

US coach Bob Bradley has released 10 players from camp ahead of their second leg match against Barbados. Most of the players are MLS based, so this is not much of a surprise, however I kind of thought he would keep Guzan around in case Howard is still having back issues (plus if Guzan still wants to move to England, he needs more international caps). Click to continue reading...

CANADA No. - Name - Pos. - D.O.B. - Club 1 - Asmir Begovic - GK - 20.06.1987 - Portsmouth FC/ENG 2 - Graham Ramalho - DF - 12.01.1986 - FC Groningen/NED 3 - Jacob Lensky - MD - 16.12.1988 - Feyenoord Rotterdam/NED 4 - Dejan Jakovic - MD - 16.07.1985 - U. Alabama-Birmingham/USA 5 - Andrew Hainault - DF - [. Click to continue reading...

CANADA No. - Name - Pos. - D.O.B. - Club 1 - Asmir Begovic - GK - 20.06.1987 - Portsmouth FC/ENG 2 - Graham Ramalho - DF - 12.01.1986 - FC Groningen/NED 3 - Jacob Lensky - MD - 16.12.1988 - Feyenoord Rotterdam/NED 4 - Dejan Jakovic - MD - 16.07.1985 - U. Alabama-Birmingham/USA 5 - Andrew Hainault - DF - [. Click to continue reading...

I'm going to stop calling these 'recaps' because honestly, I don't recap what happened in the game. I'm just posting what I think about it. And here's what I think about this one:

A clean sheet is just what Seitz and the US defense deserve. The Panamanian offense isn't the strongest of the group (by the numbers it's the weakest, actually) but it's to the US' credit that there were a scant few chances on goal. Click to continue reading...

I have a good many things to discuss about this game, more than I expected considering how unenthused I am about the result and how tired I am today.

First, Gooch had one of his best MNT performances in a long time. Gooch really contained Zlatan to the best of his ability. This means Zlatan still had two or three quality chances early on which could have resulted in just as many goals, but considering that Gooch is still plying his trade in Belgium with Standard Liege, I'll give him an A for effort/C+ for achievement. Click to continue reading...

The US finish off their waning from the homeland suckle tour with a trip across the pond to Scandinavian Sweden. This will be their fourth straight match away from the crib with the previous three being unceremonious defeats in Copa America. Unfortunately, this match will not be much easier.

On the good side, the US will be featuring a predominantly European-based squad, as only four of the nineteen selected will come from the MLS. Click to continue reading...

The US finish off their waning from the homeland suckle tour with a trip across the pond to Scandinavian Sweden. This will be their fourth straight match away from the crib with the previous three being unceremonious defeats in Copa America. Unfortunately, this match will not be much easier.

On the good side, the US will be featuring a predominantly European-based squad, as only four of the nineteen selected will come from the MLS. Click to continue reading...

Well, the summer has come and mostly gone. We still have the U-17 World Cup to get out of the way, but with the senior and U-20 sides involved in three major tournaments his summer, we got a better picture of what the national program looks like heading into qualification for the most important tourney of all - the World Cup. In this first of a five-part series, we'll take a look at the five players who surprised or impressed me the most - the five who "planted their spears" and gave "fist shaking performances" in the parlance of everybody's favorite Geordie. Click to continue reading...

5. Pat Noonan - He makes up for his lack of pace with excellent vision and passing. He's probably the United States' best striker-in-the-hole and makes Taylor Twellman and the rest of his Revolution teammates better players.

4. Ricardo Clark - labeled as a defensive midfielder, he seems to be pretty good on attack and on the flanks as well. Click to continue reading...

Most of these are also late. Apologies.

- Sal Zizzo has gone straight from UCLA to the big time in Europe, joining fellow Yank Steve Cherundolo at Hannover 96. Apparently Cherundolo played a large role in securing the deal. One thing is for certain: Americans everywhere will be following the 07-08 Bundesliga come fall. This is getting really exciting. Click to continue reading...

Tickle

• The roller-coaster that is MLS 2007 takes its next series of twists and turns as SuperLiga kicks off and the DP's begin to arrive. With the added impetus of the top 4 overall finishers qualifying for SuperLiga 2008, the regular season has never meant so much in MLS. Exciting stuff!
• Ricardo Clark did some nice stuff in the All-Star game.

Click to continue reading...

Let me take a second to pat myself on the back. Okay, that's enough. Everyone that I told Zizzo would be playing overseas sooner than later and you looked at me like I was an idiot: suck it. The kid is quality. I'm sorry he didn't score ten goals in the U20 World Cup. Heck, I'm sorry he didn't score even once, but if you didn't notice his ability and contribution, well, you're probably just the typical American soccer fan. Click to continue reading...

One of the most Yank friendly club in Europe has struck again as Hannover 96 of Germany's Bundesliga has signed US U-20 star Sal Zizzo. Zizzo currently at UCLA was a revelation during the U-20 World Cup with his crisp strong runs down the right flank. In recent years Hannover 96 has featured American right back Steve Cherundolo as its captain, and until 2005 also was home to Americans Conor Casey and Clint Mathis. Click to continue reading...

I don't know what it is about UCLA players and Germany, but another UCLA soccer player has signed a professional contract in Germany...this time with Hannover 96. Sal Zizzo was headed into his junior season at UCLA but will put off finishing school to go after the European soccer dream.

Zizzo was one of my favorites to get a Generation Adidas contract in January 2007 because of his stellar performance at the 2006 College Cup as a sophomore. Click to continue reading...

My heart is still pounding. I can't believe how disappointed I am.

Here's the only thing I can figure about this game: Austria made a brilliant substitution and Rongen failed the world with his. The US pressed and pressed and should have finished, but the clock seemed to pound louder than their hearts and every chance was squandered.

Seitz put in a hero's performance, injured and playing through the rain, but in the end the conditions proved to much even for him and the Austrians slipped through. Click to continue reading...

First half
--------------

- Adu has stayed surprisingly consistent throughout the tournament. The same applies for this game.

- Austria look big and slow, perfectly suited for the US' style of play. (See: Adu, Altidore, Bradley.) The US has the physicality to compete with just about any U-20 side in the world; where their ability lies is their ability to temper that physicality with speed on the flanks and creativity in the middle. Click to continue reading...

I left to see a movie about sixty minutes in, so I don't have much to post here. I'll give it to you, but that was an ugly win so I think the less said, the better.

Who had a good game? Szetela continues to show well, Zizzo continues to impress, and Freddy was more than decent. That said, my bid for Man of the Match goes to Bradley as he (and sometimes he alone) kept the team in it through the finish. Click to continue reading...

A hat-trick for Adu, a brace for Szetela, a tap-in for Altidore, and suddenly things are looking much rosier for the Baby Nats then they were after opening Group D play with a draw against the Koreans. The 6-1 thrashing of previous group leaders Poland puts the US atop the group and makes qualification for the knockout stages seem a much more distinct possibility than it was before the kickoff in Montreal. Click to continue reading...