USSoccerPlayers

Keepers: The Throw

2009-11-08T11:00:00-05:00

People think that punting the ball is the best option when a goalkeeper distributes the ball, but that's just not so.Punting is a great way to get the ball out of your end, but it does not compare with throwing for accuracy. Remember that punting the ball 40 yards into the air means anyone can be on the other end of it. The height of the kick often gives the other team time to react...

MLS Playoffs: Fire Shutout Revs, Win Series

2009-11-08T00:27:28-05:00

After losing the first-leg 2-1, the Chicago Fire will be playing for the Eastern Conference title. Chicago beat New England 2-0 at Toyota Park on Saturday night, taking the series 3-2 on total goals. The Fire will now face Real Salt Lake for a spot in the 2009 MLS Cup. "We were really happy on Thursday night when we saw that Columbus lost and we could have the opportunity to host the final," Chicago coach...

Sunday's TV

2009-11-07T17:00:00-05:00

MLS playoffs on TeleFutura: Seattle - Houston at 3pm. ESPN2 has Chivas USA - Los Angeles at 7:30pm. EPL on Setanta: Hull - Stoke at 8:30am and Wigan - Fulham on Setana Xtra at 10am. On Fox Soccer Channel: Chelsea - Manchester United at 11am and West Ham United - Everton at 5pm. FA Cup on Fox Soccer: Northwich Victoria - Charlton at 7pm. Russian Premier League on Setanta: Krylia Sovetov - Spartak Moscow at...

Saturday's TV

2009-11-06T17:00:00-05:00

MLS on Fox Soccer Channel: New England - Chicago at 8pm. EPL on ESPN2: Spurs - Sunderland at 10am. Setanta has Manchester City - Burnley at 10am and Blackburn - Portsmouth at 6:45pm. On Fox Soccer: Aston Villa - Bolton at 10am and Wolves - Arsenal at 12:30pm. Championship on Setanta: Swansea - Cardiff at 7:45am. Bundesliga on GolTV: Hoffenheim - VfL Wolfsburg at 9:30am. Ligue 1 on Setanta: PSG - Nice at 1pm and...

Conrad And Pause Share Humanitarian Award

2009-11-06T10:47:45-05:00

Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Chicago fire midfielder Logan Pause share the 2009 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award. Conrad is a spokesperson for Athletes Against Autism and the Child Protection Center along with participating in the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. Pause participates in the Passback Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Garth Brooks Foundation and the Joshua Center in Chicago. Humanitarian of the Year Winners 2009: Jimmy Conrad – Kansas City...

Friday's Daily: TKO In Columbus

2009-11-06T10:15:00-05:00

With J Hutcherson -- That crack media contingent that put Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha in the final three for MLS Coach of the Year? Well, the biggest playoff breakdown in recent memory wasn't an overwhelming display on the part of Real Salt Lake. It was Columbus playing for the draw in the first game and not getting it. In other words, a coaching decision. Hey, that was an idea. If the plan was to...

MLS Playoffs: RSL Advances

2009-11-06T09:00:00-05:00

Real Salt Lake beat defending MLS Cup champion Columbus 3-2 on Thursday night and 4-2 on aggregate to advance to the next round of Major League Soccer's playoffs. Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto returned to the lineup after being benched for game one and looked like the hero. He scored in the 19th and 35th minutes to put the Crew ahead on aggregate. Salt Lake brought the series level two minutes later, through Javier Morales,...

Europa League: Two Losses

2009-11-05T19:10:01-05:00

Everton were unable to turnaround their 5-0 away loss to Benfica, losing again to the Portuguese club 2-0 at Goodison Park on Thursday. Javier Saviola scored in the 63rd and Oscar Rene Cardozo followed in the 76th for the win. Tim Howard made nine saves for Everton, three more than his opposite number Jacobi Julio Cesar who picked up the shutout. Benfica are clear at the top of the Group I table by three points...

Friday's TV

2009-11-05T17:00:00-05:00

Bundesliga on GolTV: Bayer Leverkusen - Eintracht Frankfurt at 2:30pm. Championship on Setanta: Derby County - Coventry at 2:40pm. All Times Eastern

Marshall Wins Defender Award

2009-11-05T12:15:10-05:00

For the second season in a row, the Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall was named the best defender in Major League Soccer. Marshall joins Carlos Bocanegra as the only other player to win consecutive MLS Defender of the Year awards. Also on Thursday, MLS announced Alex Prus as the Referee of the Year and Greg Barkey as Assistant Referee of the Year. Defender of the Year 2009: Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew 2008: Chad Marshall –...

Thursday's Daily: Groups E And I

2009-11-05T10:15:00-05:00

With J Hutcherson -- Later today, Tim Howard and Everton get the opportunity to marginalize an earlier result. That would be the 5-0 collapse at Benfica on October 22nd. A home win at Goodison Park takes the gloss off what happened at Estadio da Luz. In the short-term, it even takes out Benfica's goal differential since an Everton win puts them ahead on points in Group I. As statement games go, any response is enough....

American Abroad Update: Spector Vs. Friedel

2009-11-05T09:00:00-05:00

Jonathan Spector started the game on the bench for West Ham United, but was on the field within eight minutes as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Upton Park. Spector subbed on for injured defender Herita Ilunga, with West Ham saving the offense for late in both halves. Mark Noble put them up from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, beating Brad Friedel. Four minutes into the second-half, Ashley Young missed a Villa penalty....