Archive: Olympics
Morning Kickaround
*Click here to read the story about the power outage at Estadio RFK yesterday. So far this year, we've had rain, thunder, lightning, power issues, malfunctioning lights, pitch-eating fungus, stray cats roaming the tunnels and famine (have you visited concessions lately?). Tonight: a visit from the Flying Spaghetti Monster. *Toronto...
By Steve Goff | July 23, 2008; 08:30 AM ET | Comments (33)
Morning Kickaround
*A midweek crowd of 16,000 (though many got in for free), five goals in the first half, a goal by a former local college hero, a virtuoso performance by not-an-all-star Schelotto, the equalizer by a returning USA international, ESPN instead of ESPN2, what more could you ask for from Columbus's...
By Steve Goff | July 18, 2008; 09:10 AM ET | Comments (40)
Introducing the USA Olympic Team.....
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)*, Chris Seitz (RSL). DEFENDERS: Michael Parkhurst (New England)*, Patrick Ianni (Houston), Marvell Wynne (Toronto), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Nathan Sturgis (RSL). MIDFIELDERS: Maurice Edu (Toronto), Stuart Holden (Houston), Freddy Adu (Benfica), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Danny Szetela (Brescia), Benny Feilhaber (Derby). FORWARDS:...
By Steve Goff | July 17, 2008; 12:55 PM ET | Comments (82)
Wambach to Miss Olympics
X-rays confirmed the USA women's team worst fears: Abby Wambach broke her leg in the first half of a 1-0 victory over Brazil and will miss the Olympics. She was diagnosed with a mid-shaft oblique fracture of the tibia and fibula. She will have a titanium rod inserted during surgery...
By Steve Goff | July 17, 2008; 08:46 AM ET | Comments (50)
Wambach Injury
Striker Abby Wambach, the USA women's best player, suffered a possible broken left leg during the first half of tonight's friendly against Brazil in San Diego, the Americans' final tuneup before the Olympics. Wambach has 99 international goals and was expected to be among the top players at the Summer...
By Steve Goff | July 16, 2008; 11:08 PM ET | Comments (31)
Oly, All-Stars, Santino and Clint
The latest buzz on the Olympic roster, which will be unveiled at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, is that Robbie Rogers is in and that Charlie Davies may end up as an alternate. Despite Rogers's excellent form in MLS, there had been some question to his status with USA Coach...
By Steve Goff | July 16, 2008; 04:43 PM ET | Comments (51)
Morning Kickaround
*Chase Hilgenbrinck's retirement from the Revs to enter a seminary at Mount St. Mary's in Maryland has reminded us of some other noteworthy departures from MLS over the years: -- Galaxy defender Ty Harden, to pursue charitable endeavors -- Dallas defender Brandon Pollard, to work at a health food bakery...
By Steve Goff | July 15, 2008; 09:11 AM ET | Comments (78)
Parkhurst to China?
With the USA Olympic roster set to be unveiled Thursday afternoon, the latest buzz in U.S. soccer circles is that New England defender Michael Parkhurst will join national team veteran Brian McBride and possibly goalkeeper Brad Guzan as the overage players. (The other 15 slots will be filled by under-23...
By Steve Goff | July 14, 2008; 01:54 PM ET | Comments (82)
Morning Kickaround
*The USA women edged Marta-less Brazil, 1-0, on reserve Amy Rodriguez's second-half goal, stretching their winning streak to 10 and their 2008 record to 20-0-1. The teams will meet again Wednesday in San Diego. *Revs defender Chase Hilgenbrinck has retired. Why? Read this release from the Revs: The New England...
By Steve Goff | July 14, 2008; 11:01 AM ET | Comments (28)
Morning Kickaround
*Argentina's Olympic roster is set. Looks a bit like the national team, eh? GKs: Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar). Ds: Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), Luciano Monzon (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Nicolas Burdisso* (Inter Milan), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Lautaro Acosta (Sevilla). MFs: Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Juan Roman...
By Steve Goff | July 3, 2008; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (54)
No New Tale to Tell
D.C. United has taken the day off, so not much to share, except..... *The club was approached about right back Dan Gargan, a former Colorado starter who left pro soccer last month shortly after signing with Chivas USA, but has no plans at the moment to look at him to...
By Steve Goff | June 24, 2008; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (40)
Morning Kickaround
On this sunny morning in the nation's capital, as we mourn the loss of a comedic legend and savor his famed American football/baseball routine, plenty of international football to discuss..... *With the USA Olympic women's squad set, we now await the 18-man men's roster. The FIFA deadline is July 23,...
By Steve Goff | June 24, 2008; 08:44 AM ET | Comments (85)
Holiday Kickaround
Hope you are enjoying the long weekend. While you are lounging at the beach and minding the grill, please remember the reason most of us do not have to work today. Our weekly MLS "Good, Bad and Coyote Ugly" feature will return Tuesday morning. In the meantime, a few things...
By Steve Goff | May 26, 2008; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (16)
Morning Kickaround
So I'm a little slow on this matter -- must've been that American University education! -- but after visiting BMO Field again this week I've finally formed an opinion on the streamers being tossed during TFC matches. The key word in that previous sentence is "during." It's gotta stop. Sorry,...
By Steve Goff | May 23, 2008; 08:40 AM ET | Comments (150)
Men's Olympic Draw Results
Peter Nowak and the Americans are grouped with the Netherlands, Nigeria and Japan. Only the Japanese qualified for the previous Olympics, in 2004 in Greece, and did not advance out of group play. The Nigerians won gold in 1996 at the Atlanta Games and lost in the quarterfinals in 2000....
By Steve Goff | April 20, 2008; 07:55 AM ET | Comments (25)
Women's Olympic Draw Results
The USA will play Norway, Japan and New Zealand in the first round of the Olympic tournament this summer -- a breeze for the Americans compared to the mega-group of Germany (World Cup champion), Brazil (World Cup runner-up), African champion Nigeria and Asian power North Korea. Host China was placed...
By Steve Goff | April 20, 2008; 07:26 AM ET | Comments (14)
