Soccer FanHouse

Edgar Castillo Gets First U.S. Call-Up

Michael Cardillo — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST

Filed under: FIFA World Cup, International, US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team

The official U.S. roster hasn't been released yet for the U.S. National Team's upcoming European friendlies against World Cup qualifiers Slovakia and Denmark, but Goal.com is reporting that Edgar Castillo will be selected for the squad by coach Bob Bradley.

Castillo, who has played his entire career in Mexico, originally declared his intentions to play for El Tri despite the fact he was born in New Mexico. A new tweak in the FIFA rules allowed Castillo to switch allegiances since he never appeared for Mexico in an "official match."

Edgar Castillo Gets First U.S. Call-Up originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

David Beckham to Rejoin Milan After Galaxy's Run Is Done

Michael Cardillo — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:46:00 EST

Filed under: MLS, Serie A (Italy)

The Hollywood paparazzi are going to have a little less fodder on the sidelines at Los Angeles Lakers games come January. Italian giants AC Milan have officially confirmed the long-rumored second loan of English midfielder David Beckham from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

While the official details of the loan haven't been released, this much seems to be known. Beckham will join Milan in January and finish out the 2009-10 Serie A season, before he hopes to join England's team at next June's World Cup. This means, as he did this season, Beckham would parachute back to the Galaxy in either late June, or more likely, early July.

David Beckham to Rejoin Milan After Galaxy's Run Is Done originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consistent Columbus, Distracted Chicago Face Challenges in MLS East

Brian Straus — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: MLS

Leave it to deceptive diva Cuauhtemoc Blanco (right) to steal a bit of the spotlight from the Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo, who opened the MLS Cup playoffs Thursday night in an ill-tempered 0-0 game that, unfortunately, did not feature finishing worthy of the atmosphere or occasion.

As Seattle and Houston were battling at Qwest Field, news broke that the Fire's playmaker had abandoned his "hope" of another season in Chicago and opted instead to spend next spring with Veracruz, the third-placed club in Mexico's second division. The episode marks yet another hurdle for a Fire team that was the league's preseason favorite and will serve an additional subplot in its annual postseason confrontation with the New England Revolution. In the other Eastern Conference semi, the Columbus Crew will begin their title defense against hard-to-read Real Salt Lake. Here is a short preview:

Consistent Columbus, Distracted Chicago Face Challenges in MLS East originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MLS West Features Marquee Matchups

Brian Straus — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: MLS

Four clubs separated by just three points in the standings, Seattle's raucous crowd, Houston's thirst for redemption, the league's only genuine derby and the first postseason appearance by David Beckham: They add up to produce the most compelling quarterfinal quartet in MLS history. The Western Conference playoffs begin Thursday night as Houston visits Seattle (10PM ET, ESPN2) in the first game of their two-game, total goals series. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA kick off their Southern California Superclasico on Sunday. Here is a short preview:

MLS West Features Marquee Matchups originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MLS Right to Stand by Its Playoffs

Brian Straus — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: MLS

Watching MLS Commissioner Don Garber try to answer questions about the league's competition format on Monday night's Fox Football Fone-in felt like watching an art teacher give painting lessons to the color blind.

To his credit, Garber maintained his composure as hosts Nick Webster and Eric Wynalda and a few inarticulate callers threw out terms like "single table" and "European calendar" without ever explaining what it was they were after. Every year at this time, MLS faces cliched criticism from "hard core" fans who insist "our" league should be just like those in Europe, without ever explaining how or why. The truth, however, is this (and Garber knows it): Playoffs are the fairest and most exciting way to determine a champion, and this year's MLS Cup tournament promises to be one of the most balanced in some time.

MLS Right to Stand by Its Playoffs originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jozy Altidore Late for Match, Left Out of Squad for Hull City

Michael Cardillo — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:18:00 EST

Filed under: English Premier League, US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team

Sort of a weird situation that developed Saturday with U.S. teenage striker Jozy Altidore at his Premier League club team Hull City. Altidore wasn't in the lineup, nor was he even on the bench for the Tigers 0-0 draw with last-place Portsmouth.

Apparently Altidore was late to the KC Stadium and posted an apology on his Twitter page. What's weird, is on his actual page, the apology is no longer posted and the most recent tweet is encouraging Hull fans to make a lot of noise at the game.

All things considered, it's hard to read all that much into the situation. Altidore wouldn't be the first player in the history of professional soccer to be late for a match. It was a little distressing that the 19-year-old, who is fighting for a place in the starting XI, would risk being late and nullify any chance of seeing the field.

Jozy Altidore Late for Match, Left Out of Squad for Hull City originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Endless Playoff Possibilities Promise Intriguing MLS Conclusion

Brian Straus — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:14:00 EST

Filed under: MLS, US Soccer

Maurice Edu made news not for playing, but for running across a couple of racist idiots in Glasgow. The Houston Dynamo lost to previously winless and goalless Isidro Metapan on Wednesday night and was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League. Oguchi Onyewu had surgery on his torn left patella tendon and will be out an estimated six months--50 percent longer than originally thought.

Thankfully, a lousy week for American soccer is about to get better. On Thursday night, the Chicago Fire will host Chivas USA (8PM ET, ESPN2) in the first of a half-dozen games that will impact the MLS playoff picture. The competition for postseason spots is unprecedented, with seven clubs vying for three berths on the final weekend. We'll save the criticism of the league's ridiculous playoff format for another time, and instead will enjoy the fact that with 14 relatively even-matched teams (and New York), MLS at last has produced a meaningful regular season.

Endless Playoff Possibilities Promise Intriguing MLS Conclusion originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fenway Sports Group Enters Partnership With EPL's Fulham

Andrew Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:25:00 EST

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: English Premier League

Fenway Sports Group, the sports marketing company owned by the Boston Red Sox, has expanded its media empire, entering into a sponsorship deal with Fulham FC, an English Premier League soccer club.

The company already has a number of similar partnerships in other sports, most famously with Roush Fenway Racing, the NASCAR racing team that features top drivers Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Might this be there most impressive partnership yet?

That's hard to say, but partnering with a side from the Premiership can't be a bad thing. The EPL might not register much here in the NFL-centric United States, but its the most popular and powerful professional sports league in the world, with club revenues for the 2007-08 season exceeding $3 billion.

Fenway Sports Group Enters Partnership With EPL's Fulham originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

American Midfielder Maurice Edu Claims Racial Abuse After Loss

Michael Cardillo — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: European Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team

A rough couple of months for American midfielder Maurice Edu might have hit a new low on Tuesday night. While going to his car after Rangers' stunning 4-1 home loss to Romanian minnows Unirea Urziceni in Champions League group play, Edu said via his Twitter page that he was racially abused by his own home fans.

Edu posted this late Tuesday:

"Not sure what hurt more: result last nite or being racially abused by couple of r own fans as I'm getting in my car...smh...off to rehab."

American Midfielder Maurice Edu Claims Racial Abuse After Loss originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Landon Donovan Wins Honda Player of The Year Award Again

FanHouse Newswire — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:48:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Landon Donovan was named the best player on
the U.S. team for a record-breaking sixth time on Tuesday.

Donovan, 27, was instrumental in the Americans' successful qualifying campaign for the World Cup and its trek to the Confederations Cup final.

Landon Donovan Wins Honda Player of The Year Award Again originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hospitality and Hustle in Budapest: A Champions League Night to Remember

Brian Straus — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: International Soccer, UEFA Champions League

BUDAPEST -- The photo above was taken from my seat at the Debrecen-Olympique Lyon UEFA Champions League game three weeks ago. I was not credentialed as a member of the press. In fact, I wasn't even in the stadium legally, and this seat was never sold for reasons that are pretty apparent.

Hospitality and Hustle in Budapest: A Champions League Night to Remember originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Live Blog: Liverpool vs. Lyon

FanHouse Newswire — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: UEFA Champions League

Join FanHouse UK's Jeremy Campbell as he hosts a live chat covering Tuesday's Champions League matchup between Liverpool and Lyon.

Lyon currently stands in first place in Group E through two matches, while Liverpool is in third.

The match kicks off at Anfield at 2:45 PM ET. Join FH UK then for complete, up-to-the-minute coverage.

More: FanHouse UK's Complete EPL Coverage

Live Blog: Liverpool vs. Lyon originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Live Blog: Fulham vs. Hull City

FanHouse Newswire — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: English Premier League

Join FanHouse UK's J.P. Shaw as he hosts a live chat for Monday's English Premier League match between Fulham and Hull City.

The match holds special interest for an American audience, as it features a potential meeting between U.S. national team stars Jozy Altidore (Hull City, left) and Clint Dempsey (Fulham).

The match begins at 3 PM ET and will also be broadcast live on ESPN2.

More: FanHouse UK's Complete EPL Coverage

Live Blog: Fulham vs. Hull City originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rogers Rising: US Midfielder Dishes on Bradley, Davies, Cup Chances

Brian Straus — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:37:00 EST

Filed under: MLS, US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team, FanHouse Exclusive

The U.S. national team's stirring comeback against Costa Rica last week will be remembered for Bornstein's header, Davies' tragedy, Bradley's hustle and Onyewu's injury. But it also should be remembered for the contribution of Columbus Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers, whose entry in the 69th minute changed the match.

Playing in his first World Cup qualifier, the nimble winger added an obvious spark to a team trailing by two goals. He hit the cross that led to Michael Bradley's 72nd-minute goal, came close twice to tying the game himself, then delivered the corner kick that Bornstein finished in stoppage time. A key member of this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup squad and a regular camp participant, Rogers certainly made his case for South Africa when presented with the opportunity.

This weekend, Rogers sat down with FanHouse and offered some interesting insight into a young player's path to the national team, his famous mentor, the Davies accident and the curfew culture that likely played a role.

Rogers Rising: US Midfielder Dishes on Bradley, Davies, Cup Chances originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Furry Furor Growing Over David Beckham's Beard

Randy Kim — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:49:00 EST

by Randy Kim

Filed under: English Premier League

When is a beard more than a beard? When it's attached to the face of an international, metrosexual heartthrob who has one of the most recognizable visages on the globe.

Yes, America, it's time to beard it like David Beckham, as the English soccer star is going grizzly these days.

Furry Furor Growing Over David Beckham's Beard originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

France vs. Ireland Highlights UEFA World Cup Playoffs

Michael Cardillo — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:52:00 EST

Filed under: International Soccer, International, English Premier League

Most of the intrigue that could have resulted from Monday's draw for the second-place playoffs for the final four 2010 World Cup berths from Europe was eliminated when it was decided the eight remaining nations would be broken up and seeded via their FIFA ranks near the end of the qualification process.

So instead of creating some possible Cinderella scenarios from smaller nations like Slovenia or Bosnia-Herzegovina would have a good chance to qualify for their first World Cup, the underdogs now face an uphill battle. This is no more the case than for the Republic of Ireland, which must played a wounded, yet still very dangerous France team next month.

France vs. Ireland Highlights UEFA World Cup Playoffs originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sunderland Beats Liverpool With Help From a Balloon

Michael David Smith — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: English Premier League

While those of us in the United States have been focusing on the Balloon Boy, the folks on the other side of the pond have been obsessing about another balloon controversy: In a soccer game between Sunderland and Liverpool, Sunderland won 1-0 on a goal that bounced off a red balloon that had been thrown onto the field.

Sunderland 1, Liverpool 0: More at FanHouse UK | Full EPL Coverage

Sunderland Beats Liverpool With Help From a Balloon originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AC Milan VP Calls Beckham Loan A "Done Deal"

Michael Cardillo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: International, MLS, Serie A (Italy)

In a very unsurprising development, AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani declared that the club is "95 percent" finished on bringing back David Beckham to the club in January on loan. Galliani went as far as to call it a "done deal."

Unlike last year when there was a lot of alarm and acrimony when Beckham announced his intentions to play somewhere else during the break in the MLS season, this time there doesn't seem to be too much problem that he'll be away from the Los Angeles Galaxy for a period of time after the 2009 season wraps in November.

AC Milan VP Calls Beckham Loan A "Done Deal" originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Blind Date Sparked Film Festival

Michael Cardillo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer Posts

When Greg Lalas got set up on a blind date in April by some mutual friends with a woman who shared two of his biggest passions -- soccer and writing -- little did he know what the future would hold. Although that date at a bar in the Chelsea section of Manhattan didn't exactly lead to romance with Rachel Markus, the two did end up seeing a lot more of each other.

As the pair chatted, Markus told Lalas of her attempt to stage a soccer-themed film festival at London's Craven Cottage -- home to Fulham of the Premier League -- while she was living in England. A week before it was set to take place, the screening was canceled.

But as Lalas and Markus, who works in the film industry, talked that April night, the idea of staging a soccer film festival in the United States came up and thus the Kicking & Screening International Soccer Film Festival was born.

Blind Date Sparked Film Festival originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.