Soccer FanHouse

Crystal Palace Headlines Open Cup Upsets

David J. Warner — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Baltimore, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

Crystal Palace supporters still suffering from the loss of that Premier League promotion playoff last May might be taking a little solace in their American counterparts today.

USL Second Division side Crystal Palace Baltimore upset an uninspired New York Red Bulls side, 2-0, last night in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The win prompted many sports fans in Baltimore to say, "Wait, we have a soccer team here?"

Indeed, the club was founded in 2006, 101 years after Crystal Palace FC was founded in London, and it serves as a player development wing for the Coca-Cola Championship club. Clearly, player development is going pretty well there, though as Ives Galarcep notes, too many Red Bulls just didn't come to play last night.

Two other USL clubs pulled off upsets, as USL-1 leaders the Charleston Battery defeated MLS Cup holders the Houston Dynamo on penalty kicks, while the Seattle Sounders topped Chivas USA, 2-0. Other USL clubs didn't get away so easily. The Kansas City Wizards came back from a 2-0 deficit to topple the Carolina Railhawks, 4-2, in extra time, and FC Dallas scored a 2-1 comeback win against Miami FC. D.C. United, the Chicago Fire and the New England Revolution also cruised to victory over USL clubs.

The U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals are scheduled for next Tuesday.

Crystal Palace Headlines Open Cup Upsets originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Open Cup Teams Pay to Play at Home

David J. Warner — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

The 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup kicks off tomorrow, and if you're looking for the MLS clubs that are taking this tournament seriously this year, just look for which clubs are playing at home.

Unlike England's FA Cup, where the home team is determined by random draw, MLS and USL clubs place bids with the U.S. Soccer Federation to host games, and the highest bidder plays at home. If you look at the schedule for tomorrow's games, you'll notice that the New England Revolution, the Chicago Fire, D.C. United and FC Dallas are all playing at home.

By contrast, the Houston Dynamo travel to South Carolina to face USL-1 leaders the Charleston Battery, and the New York Red Bulls head to Maryland to face USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore. Perhaps Houston and New York aren't quite as interested in the CONCACAF Champions League bid that comes with winning the Open Cup.

D.C. United, however, suddenly seems much more interested in the Open Cup than they were last year.

D.C. hasn't won the Open Cup since 1996 and fielded a reserve side that lost to the USL-2 Harrisburg City Islanders last year. This time around, though, D.C. opens at home against the Rochester Rhinos. In fact, if you look at the D.C. United schedule, you'll notice a two-week gap between yesterday's 4-1 win over the L.A. Galaxy and the first SuperLiga match on Saturday, July 12 -- a gap into which they could fit the 3rd-round (July 1) and 4th-round (July 8) U.S. Open Cup ties.

D.C. has always put extra emphasis on playing internationally. Perhaps the club sees winning four games in the Open Cup as an easier path to the CONCACAF Champions League than winning the MLS Supporters Shield, which they've won the last two years. They are coming into form just in time for an Open Cup run, too.

New England, meanwhile, seems intent on winning every trophy they can get their hands on. The Revs, who won the Open Cup last season, are also the points leader in the MLS standings and a favorite to win the Supporters Shield, which also comes with a Champions League bid. The Chicago Fire, Open Cup winners in 2006, also bid high to get a home match this week.

On the other hand, the Kansas City Wizards seem even less interested than Houston and New York. They face the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC, tomorrow night, and Wizards coach Curt Onalfo told reporters he expects to start only a few regulars for that game.

If the Railhawks win that game, they should cheer hard for Chivas USA. According to Railhawks managing partner Chris Economides, the Seattle Sounders outbid Carolina for the quarterfinal match. So if the Railhawks beat the Wizards and the Sounders beat Chivas USA, that quarterfinal would be played in Seattle. A potential Railhawks v. Chivas quarterfinal, however, would be played in North Carolina. The Railhawks and the Sounders both upset MLS clubs on their way to the semifinals last season.

Of course, this begs the question -- if the USL Sounders win the Open Cup in 2008, would the MLS Sounders take their place in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2009?

U.S. Open Cup Teams Pay to Play at Home originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Villareal Gets Altidore, Plans to Loan Him Out

David J. Warner — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:08:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS, European Soccer

Jozy Altidore's European dream begins now.

The New York Times is reporting that Spanish club Villareal has a reached an agreement with MLS and the New York Red Bulls to acquire Altidore for an MLS-record transfer fee of $10 million. The teenage striker has to pass a physical and work out contract terms with the club, but it appears he will not finish the season with the Red Bulls, who are currently five points behind Toronto for the last playoff spot in the Eastern division.

Villareal finished 2nd in La Liga last season and will go directly to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. However, it appears Altidore will not join the club on the European stage. Spanish newspaper Marca is reporting that Altidore will be loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva, who finished 16th in La Liga, for at least one season to give him immediate playing time. According to the ever-present Ives Galarcep, Villareal made the same move with Uruguayan defender Martín Cáceres, who was just sold to Barcelona for a profit of about $16 million.

So Jozy can experience something he would never see in America -- a relegation battle. That's just "too foreign" for MLS, of course.

Let's just hope this transfer doesn't give our boy too big a head. Those stories about him losing focus in Red Bulls practice were just a little troubling.

Villareal Gets Altidore, Plans to Loan Him Out originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jozy Altidore Will Not Play Against England

David J. Warner — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS, US Soccer

The U.S. men's national team roster for next week's England v. USA match in Wembley Stadium was released earlier this week, and while most of the usual suspects -- Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Adu, Howard, Bocanegra, etc. -- are present, one player is quite conspicuous by his absence from this list.

New York Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore, who was on the national team player pool for this simulated group of death, will not play for Bob Bradley's side in England. It's a curious decision, given that Altidore, who has 2 goals in 6 games for the Red Bulls so far this season, is probably the best pure striker in the current talent pool. Perhaps he's being saved for the Olympics?

Instead, it appears we're going to get a heavy dose of Fulhamerica next week. Clint Dempsey will likely reacquaint himself with the forward position after Roy Hodgson moved him out on the wing toward the end of the Premier League season. Dempsey was Fulham's leading scorer with 6 league goals, despite not scoring since Boxing Day. Eddie Johnson might also get a long look at forward, despite the fact that he's clearly not as good as Altidore.

Expect Landon Dononvan, who played left wing for the USA in its 3-0 thrashing of Poland, to see some time up front as well. Donovan is currently the leading scorer in MLS with 8 goals.

Jozy Altidore Will Not Play Against England originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS Teams Primed For Slow Start

Irishoutsider — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: New York, MLS, Soccer Posts

Of course, we haven't been really on schedule with our series of MLS previews, but you can't really rush genius, can you? Regardless, one of our favorite MLS insiders, Ives Galarcep, notes that many local teams aren't really rushing themselves either. Considering the MLS playoffs take 8 of the 14 teams, there isn't much incentive to kick off to a fast start, but Soccer by Ives points out three teams that could be setting themselves up for an extra hard slump to kickoff the season: Toronto, Columbus, and New York. We find his assessment of the Red Bulls to be rather interesting:

The club still doesn't have the playmaker, left winger and left-sided defender its own coach made clear it needs.

It may be a bit early to panic but the fact that the club's first-team players failed to score a goal in any of the three games of the recent Carolina Challenge Cup is a cause for concern.

We happen to enjoy the controversy out east, couldn't happen to a nicer team :-)

MLS Teams Primed For Slow Start originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull in Talks with Real Galaxy

Irishoutsider — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

The summer tour rumors are already heating up, with Red Bull New York in talks with Spanish juggernaut Real Madrid. Soccer by Ives reports that the New York/New Jersey club is in negotiations to play the Galacticos in Giants Stadium as part of Madrid's summer touring. The educated guess is that the friendly will be in mid-August, and likely a weekday between RBNY home fixtures.

Many questions come immediately for natural skeptics like ourselves. Most importantly, can Red Bull handle another match? MLS and USOC will be in full swing, and August is notorious for having a stacked schedule. They will have to be careful to guard against wear and tear no matter how big their opponent. The question is one faced by many MLS teams looking to balance a European friendly against the start of the stretch playoff run.

Red Bull in Talks with Real Galaxy originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jozy Altidore Was Almost a Royal

David J. Warner — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS, Premier League

18-year-old striker Jozy Altidore will be one of many young American hopefuls on display when the U.S. men's national team takes on Mexico tonight in Houston. (We mentioned that this no-so-friendly will be on ESPN2 at 9:00 PM ET, right? Okay, good.) As it turned out, however, the New York Red Bulls' starting forward and New York Times guest blogger was almost a starter somewhere else this month.

According to the ever-connected Ives Galarcep, Altidore was all set to transfer to Reading last month, but the deal fell through at the last minute. The Royals had been scouting Altidore for the better part of two years and felt he was the answer to their offensive woes. The small Premier League club has scored only 3 goals in 7 matches since New Year's Day and now finds itself in 17th place, only one point out of the relegation zone.

Jozy probably would have started right away for Reading, which was one reason he considered the move. Would he have received a work permit, though? Brad Guzan's move to Aston Villa was scuttled when his application was rejected. Would Jozy have been approved based on his U-20 team play?

I suppose that's a moot point now, as he's expected to play a full season for the Red Bulls. These rumors will resurface in a year, though. This kid is too talented to stay in MLS forever.

Jozy Altidore Was Almost a Royal originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altidore and the Magic Flute

Irishoutsider — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

An interesting wrinkle in the upcoming "Jozy Altidore sweepstakes," raises serious questions for Red Bull New York's fledgling youth academy. While just a rumor at this point, the Austrian press is reporting that "parent" club, Red Bull Salzburg, has the power to claim the offensive phenom for the 2009 season. Speculation or not, the US club would do well to clarify their relationship with the German side or else suffer the consequences of miscommunication. It would be hard to sell top young talent on the RBNY development programs if their European dreams are limited to Salzburg and ... um ... Salzburg.

Altidore, 18, is a fixture of both Red Bull New York and the American U-20s, and his eventual European transfer fee is expected to break any existing US marks.

(HT: MLS Rumors)

Altidore and the Magic Flute originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS Transfer Buzz

Irishoutsider — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Dallas, Denver, New York, Soccer, MLS

The font of insider knowledge, Soccer By Ives, continues to let us lesser ranks of MLS insiders in on the comings and goings of current American stars. As opening day approaches, many teams are adjusting to the increasing demand for US talent. Here's the latest on four domestic players:

Brad Guzan-The next big thing in American goalkeepers is on his way to a trial at Celtic. The rumors swirling say that transfer negotiations are the only remaining hurdle, and work permits are not an issue. Chivas USA will be pressed to find a replacement as good as the reigning keeper of the year.

Chris Gbandi- The former 1 overall at FC Dallas (2002) is linked to Norwegian club FK Haugesund, and the club is expected to accept an offer for the 28 year old defender. The move would further deplete Dallas' struggling back line that has already lost Clarence Goodson this off season.

Danny Cepero- The young goalkeeper at Red Bull New York is set for a trial at PSV Eindhoven. A recent trade for Zach Thornton continues to keep Cepero buried on the RBNY depth chart.

Pablo Mastroeni- While not headed overseas, the midfielder is very much "in play" among MLS circles. Many teams seem to be after his services with a number of potential trades being mulled by the press. The rumor mills have been placing the 31-year-old veteran to San Jose, New England, and DC United. (HT: MLS Rumors)

MLS Transfer Buzz originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Osorio, Reyna, and Section 8

Irishoutsider — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, New York, Soccer, FanHouse TV, MLS

Reporting live from the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

Christmas came a little late for Red Bull New York's Juan Carlos Osorio at this year's MLS Draft. Although he resigned as head coach of the Chicago Fire for "family reasons," he certainly left his mark on the supporters. With a name that will live in infamy among Fire fans, Osorio entered Friday's draft with that chapter of his career firmly in his past ... or so he thought. Able to grab a few moments of his time, we were able to get his thoughts on the matter.

If you happen to be a RBNY fan interested in Claudio Reyna's job security, just push play. For those wishing to cut to the chase, skip to around :40.

As for the content of this year's Section 8 Xmas card ... (or thereabouts)

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Let's all be thankful this holiday
That at least we aren't the Revs.
Unless, of course, you are.

subcampeon eterno

Pleasant holiday wishes from Section 8 Chicago and all Chicago Fire fans.

Rumor has it that LA Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas also received a copy this weekend and howled with delight.

Osorio, Reyna, and Section 8 originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zidane Rumors Mark Official Start of MLS Preseason

Irishoutsider — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:53:00 EST

Filed under: New York, International Soccer, MLS

Major League Soccer really needs to have an annual festival in Poughkeepsie, Pennsylvania. Every year, all of the suits and various big wigs can get together for Zinedine Zidane Day. Proclamations can be expounded, fancy dress attired, and Zidane can emerge from secretive compartment to try and spot his shadow. Will he return to football? Will he stay retired? How does the MLS factor into those plans? Speculation of Zidane ending his career at an American club has been in the tea leaves and tarot cards long before his infamous headbutt. It seems every time a world famous player gets to the wrong side of 30, the rumor mills start to turn, and Red Bull New York always seems to be prominently involved in some capacity. We think it has something to do with the fact that its closer to Europe or the allure of Broadway musicals.

Either way, Martin Rogers over at Yahoo! Sports opens up this year's salvo of Zidanemania. All of the standard arguments are covered from Zinedine's soccer legacy to his marketing draw, but kudos to Rogers' suggestion of putting the money in front of the Frenchman's mouth. At the very least, a Solomon-blushing offer would make the former Footballer of the Year issue some kind of official statement. Forget the cloak and dagger Figo-style proceedings and cut to the chase.

Zidane Rumors Mark Official Start of MLS Preseason originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3 MLS Teams Join Exclusive Club

Irishoutsider — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

Chivas USA, New York Red Bull, and DC United have all qualified to sign their own home grown talent now that their youth development programs are two years old. Having set up their respective academies in advance of a league-wide youth initiative, the three clubs are now eligible to sign up to two players a year directly from their youth systems, circumventing the MLS SuperDraft held each January. Of course, since MLS transactions are never cut and dry, the three clubs will be allowed to poach talent from each other IF any team has already made their two signings. For example, New York has 3 talented prospects eligible to be called up, Matt Kassel, Walter Hines, and Johnny Exantus. Should they sign two of these players, the third could be snagged by Chivas or DC (and only these qualified clubs) if they have available signings.

If we've studied our Nash Equilibrium properly, this will likely restrict youth call ups to one player per team per year for the foreseeable future. There is no reason for any team to jeopardize its system by maxing out their young signings. Until the rest of the league becomes full of eligible academies (expansion Seattle and San Jose already setting up shop this year) or the rules are modified, this will be the status quo.

(HT: Soccer By Ives)

3 MLS Teams Join Exclusive Club originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random YouTube Magic: NASL Used to Have Hockey-Style Shootouts

David J. Warner — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, New York, Soccer

Here's a bit of American soccer history you might have missed. Back before the North American Soccer League went under, they tried many different tricks with the game to attract American fans. One of those tricks? Hockey-style shootouts. Instead of taking penalty kicks, players took the ball from the center circle and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, attempting to score in five seconds or less.

The above video shows such a shootout in the 1981 Soccer Bowl between the New York Cosmos and the Chicago Sting. This was one of many rules changes the NASL adopted which still makes purists shudder to this day, and while it might be more interesting than a penalty shootout, it's nowhere near as awesome as some of the mustaches in that video. It's almost enough to make you miss 1981. Almost.

(H/T: The Offside)

Random YouTube Magic: NASL Used to Have Hockey-Style Shootouts originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We May Have to Find Jozy Altidore a Bride

David J. Warner — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

You may have heard over the weekend that Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid has taken a shine to Jozy Altidore, the New York Red Bulls' teenage phenom who may be America's next best hope for a pure striker. What you might have missed, though, is that Real Madrid's manager is looking for a very specific trait in his players.

Before Real Madrid sign anyone in the January transfer window they will want to see a marriage certificate as well as the other necessary paperwork.

"When we prepare the transfer of a player, the first thing we ask him is whether or not he's married," Real boss Bernd Schuster said at a seminar on leadership in football last week. "These types of players are more stable."

Clearly, this is an issue for Altidore, who just turned 18 and, to our knowledge, doesn't have a steady girlfriend. He does have that crush on Paula DeAnda, but I doubt she's the type that would get hitched and move to Spain to appease some schlub named Bernd. Sure, it's for the betterment of American soccer. Does that make it worth an endless stream of "teenage Posh" jokes?

According to reports, Atletico Madrid has also expressed an interest in Altidore. My guess is that club wouldn't care so much if he's still single. More importantly, he would have a much better shot of seeing playing time right away than he would at a gigantic club like Real. Just ask Benny Feilhaber how important playing time can be.

We May Have to Find Jozy Altidore a Bride originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's Next for Jozy Altidore?

David J. Warner — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

In case you missed it -- and I can't imagine what might have distracted you -- the New England Revolution bounced the New York Red Bulls from the MLS Cup playoffs last Saturday, winning the two-legged match by a final score of 1-0 and resulting in Bruce Arena losing yet another job. The Revolution only scored after 2 1/2 hours of play because Juan Pablo Angel suffered a concussion, and Arena couldn't get a substitute into the game before Taylor Twellman scored on the short-handed Red Bulls.

Arena, however, is far from the biggest loss RBNY suffers this offseason. Speculation now turns to the future of Jozy Altidore, who turns 18 tomorrow and will become eligible to transfer overseas. In his two seasons with New York, he has scored 12 goals in 29 appearances, including 18 starts. Plus, he was the U.S. team's leading scorer at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and he's already made the FIFA 08 cover in America.

The only question is whether he would want to make the move just yet.

After all, this is an 18-year-old kid making $100,000 salary as a professional athlete in New York City, and he already has tons of endorsements and his own blog, where he likes to remind us that he's got it pretty good.

You'll have to excuse me ... I was planning to write this blog entry Thursday night. But I stretched out on the couch at about 7 p.m. and didn't wake up until Friday morning. It's great to be a teen-age professional athlete, isn't it?

Indeed. Now the only question is whether it's better to be teen-age professional athlete in New York or in Europe.

To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me either way. He might decide he wants to enjoy being a kid in New York for another year before he decides to go overseas and play in the grown-up leagues. On the other hand, he might see his U-20 teammate Freddy Adu scoring goals for Benfica and decide he wants some of that glory as well.

My guess? Jozy's gone if the right opportunity arises. The money and glory awaiting young footballers in Europe is much too great compared to America -- especially if a perennial Champions League club like PSV Eindhoven makes a bid. RBNY should probably start auditioning his eventual replacement soon.

What's Next for Jozy Altidore? originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thierry Henry Will Be a Red Bull by 2010

David J. Warner — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

Thierry Henry would like you to know that he may be the only Frenchman in the 21st century that doesn't hate America.

I think everybody knows that I love America. I always say one day I can play over there, I would love to. It's still early, but don't get me wrong. I just love the U.S., I don't know why. I love the way you live. I love American sports.

This comes from a man who once referred to American football as "throwball."

For me, it's like a dream in New York. For me, it's the best city in the world. ... I do get some recognition, but not like in Europe. When I'm in America I can be myself, I have no eyes on me. If I want to stop and buy a slice of pizza, pay man and just sit on a bench I can do that. It's difficult to do that in Europe.

You can already hear the rumor mill cranking up after this interview -- the rest of which is here -- and it's going to put the current France and Barcelona striker right next to Juan Pablo Angel in a New York Red Bulls uniform in about two years, thus furthering the notion that MLS is a retirement home for aging European soccer stars. At some point next decade, Wayne Rooney could become the most popular athlete in Philadelphia since Julius Erving. I can't wait to see that.

Thierry Henry Will Be a Red Bull by 2010 originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leg Injury Prevented Altidore's Call Up

David J. Warner — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

Yesterday, I wondered why New York Red Bulls wunderkind Jozy Altidore wasn't called up to the U.S. men's national team for Sunday's friendly against Brazil. Jozy himself revealed the answer to that on his blog today.

I'm not making the trip to California this week with the Red Bulls for Sunday's game against Chivas USA because of my injured leg. The upside is that I'll get to watch the U.S.-Brazil game on Sunday and then our game later on.

That explains it. Players have to be healthy at the club level to get called up for the national team, so if Altidore can't go for the Red Bulls, he won't go for America. This is why David Beckham nearly killed himself by playing against Chivas USA the day after his game in England. If he couldn't prove himself to be healthy enough to play for the Galaxy, he couldn't get his 98th cap for his country, and the man will do anything to get to 100 caps.

As for Jozy, he's still only 17. He'll get a call-up to the U.S. senior side soon enough. Of course, not too many 17-year-olds can get space on the New York Times web site to tell the world about their crush on Paula DeAnda. Keep that pimp hand strong, Jozy.

Leg Injury Prevented Altidore's Call Up originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europe Will Have to Wait for Jozy Altidore

David J. Warner — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

There has been much speculation about Jozy Altidore, the young striker for New York Red Bulls, making a move to a European club after his world-class play in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and his spectacular two-goal performance is MLS' big showcase match on Saturday. He's that rare American striker that actually shoots and scores, and plenty of clubs are expected to line up for his services.

Alas, those clubs won't be able to get him just yet. As one FanHouse commenter noted on Sunday, Altidore is only 17, and the FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players (PDF Link) state that players must be 18 in order to transfer to an international club. It says so right there in Section V, Article 19:

1. International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.

2. The following three exceptions to this rule apply:

a) The player's parents move to the country in which the New Club is located for reasons not linked to football; or

b) The transfer takes place within the territory of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) and the player is aged between 16 and 18. ... or

c) The player lives no further than 50km from a national border, and the club for which the player wishes to be registered in the neighbouring Association is also within 50km of that border.

Obviously, none of these rules would apply to Altidore if he wanted to make a move to, say, Fulham right now, so it would appear he will finish the MLS season with the Red Bulls. However, Altidore turns 18 in November, so it's a pretty safe bet that he'll be a very hot property in the January transfer window. The Red Bulls could probably name their price and find a taker -- kind of like Watford with Marlon King, actually.

Europe Will Have to Wait for Jozy Altidore originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angel, Altidore Shine in Beckham's Spotlight

David J. Warner — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:40:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, New York, Soccer, MLS

Major League Soccer could not have asked for a better show than this.

It was a perfect storm -- New York vs. Los Angeles, and David Beckham, the biggest name in soccer, playing in the biggest media market in the world. Giants Stadium hasn't been this packed for a soccer game since Pelé's swan song with the New York Cosmos in 1977. The New York Red Bulls usually play in front of more than 66,237 empty seats at home.

Maybe not after this. Those 66,237 people got themselves one hell of a show. Within eight minutes they saw Juan Pablo Angel sneak a free kick under an L.A. Galaxy wall for a goal, and they saw two David Beckham set pieces lead to two Carlos Pavon goals. By the time it was done, the New York Red Bulls finally got the better of Beckham's Galaxy, winning by a final count of 5-4.

No doubt, most of this crowd were there for Beckham. You could hear the fans buzzing and the girls screaming whenever Beckham set up for a corner kick or free kick. I suspect most of those people had no clue who Angel and Jozy Altidore were.

They do now.

Too young, yes, yes, yes, no, yes, yes, yes.

All the casual fans who tuned in or bought tickets just because of the Beckham hype got to see two incredible talents at the top of their game. Angel not only got the first score but also scored the game winner in the 88th minute after chasing down an errant ball in the box.

Then there was Altidore, the 17-year-old phenom who may be the last big-name American from the U-20 World Cup team who hasn't made the move to Europe yet. Some clubs in need of a striker (*cough* Man U *cough*) had to take notice after he scored twice in the second half, displaying world-class ball control skills that bely his age.

Of course, the Galaxy weren't about to lie down and take a 4-2 beating. Less than a minute after Altidore's second goal in the 70th minute, Landon Donovan took the kickoff, ran it all the way down the pitch and blasted the ball into the corner of the goal. Los Angeles took the lead of their new captain and played at a much higher level than did before he arrived. You can actually see this team learning from Beckham and putting the ball in places where only their teammates could reach it.

Unfortunately, improved passing skills could not make up for a shocking back line, which looked lost without Abel Xavier, who sat out the game with a knee injury. L.A.'s defense gave New York too many opportunities, and Angel and Altidore took full advantage of that. New York's defense, meanwhile, proved much more stout. By the second half, nearly all of Beckham's free kicks slammed into the Red Bull wall. Clearly, Becks had lost a little bit after playing a full match on FieldTurf, though he still managed to put a corner kick in the right spot in the 82nd minute, leading to an Edson Buddle equalizer.

It was Angel, however, who sealed the deal and gave the New York fans a home victory. Perhaps some of those fans will remember that. Perhaps a few thousand who came just to see Beckham will talk less about his set pieces and more about Angel's winner, Altidore's goals, or the sideline battles between Dane Richards and Mike Randolph. Those were exactly the things that MLS wanted fans to see, these talented players that toiled in relative obscurity, and you can bet a lot more sports fans saw them -- all because of David Beckham. Tonight, the experiment was a success.

Then again, maybe it was just 11,237 soccer fans, 10,000 Manchester United and Real Madrid supporters and 45,000 women waiting two hours to see Becks take his shirt off.

And let's not forget that the Galaxy is now looking quite doomed in its quest for an MLS playoff spot. Unless that backline improves overnight, this team's only real hope for hardware this season is in Superliga, and what does that mean, exactly?

Angel, Altidore Shine in Beckham's Spotlight originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Giants Stadium Scared of Soccer Fans?

David J. Warner — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Soccer, MLS

Meet the Empire Supporters' Club. They cheer for the New York Red Bulls.

As you can see from that video, there weren't a whole lot of people at Giants Stadium aside from them. You would think that the Red Bulls would welcome a loud and rowdy fan club like the ESC, just to give their home field a little atmosphere. And you'd be wrong.

The game against Chivas was marred by frequent invasions of the ESC section by security to do things like confiscate balloons, streamers, and whistles. Security also went through camera phones and countless pockets, going so far as to temporarily take inhalers, of people seated in the ESC section, 101 in Giants Stadium. Security's needless provocation reached it's apex towards the end of the game when a Red Bulls supporter was carted away for chanting that a security guard had a "fake tan," and another was dragged away for trying to give a dollar bill to a friend.

Apparently, they only allow cash exchanges at Giants Stadium if you spend $10 on a can of Red Bull.

Seriously, why is Giants Stadium security cracking down on the only real fans at the game? Do they harbor misguided fears that these guys will turn into the Millwall Bushwackers or something? Would they prefer that nobody attend MLS matches in New York? They look pretty close to reaching that goal right now.

This is not Serie A. MLS needs to let these fans be fans. Soccer moms and their children aren't going to pay for Juan Pablo Angel by themselves.

(H/T: Pitch Invasion)

Is Giants Stadium Scared of Soccer Fans? originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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