Soccer Golazo: Internationals

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Copa America 2007 Final - Sunday 15.07.07

Final - Maracaibo
15.07.07 - Brazil 3-0 Argentina - - 5:00pm E US - 10:00PM UK - BBC

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

Copa America 2007 Schedule, Results, TV, Webcast, and More.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals Today 08.07.07

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals 08.07.07

Today:
08.07.07 - Mexico v Paraguay - 4:00PM E US - 9:00PM UK
08.07.07 - Argentina v Peru - 6:45PM E US - 11:45 UK

Yesterday:
07.07.07 - Venezuela 1-4 Uruguay - 5:55PM Eastern US - 11:00PM UK
07.07.07 - Chile 1-6 Brazil - 8:30PM E US - 1:20AM UK

Copa America 2007 Schedule, Video, and Results.

Copa America Ball

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals Today 07.07.07

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals 07.07.07

Today:
07.07.07 - Venezuela v Uruguay - 5:55PM Eastern US - 11:00PM UK
07.07.07 - Chile v Brazil - 8:30PM E US - 1:20AM UK

Tomorrow:
08.07.07 - Mexico v Paraguay - 4:00PM E US - 9:00PM UK
08.07.07 - Argentina v Peru - 6:45PM E US - 11:45 UK

Copa America 2007 Schedule, Video, and Results.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals

Copa America 2007 Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals:
07.07.07 - Venezuela v Uruguay
07.07.07 - Chile v Brazil
08.07.07 - Mexico v Paraguay
08.07.07 - Argentina v Peru

Copa America 2007 Schedule and Results

Copa America 2007 Nike T-Shirt

Copa America 2007 Group C Thursday 05.07.07

Copa America 2007 Group C Matches for Thursday 05.07.07

It could be considered a day off in the Copa America.

The winner of Argentina v Paraguay gets Peru. The loser gets Mexico. A draw means Paraguay win Group A.

The U.S. can considered their match with Colombia even more of an exhibition than their previous two matches.

Group C
05.07.07 - 18:30 - United States v Colombia 6:30PM Eastern US - 11:30PM UK
05.07.07 - 20:45 - Argentina v Paraguay 8:45PM Eastern US - 1:45AM UK

Group C

	P	M	W	D	L	F	A	D
*Paraguay	6	2	2	0	0	8	1	+7
*Argentina	6	2	2	0	0	8	3	+5
United States	0	2	0	0	2	2	7	-5
Colombia	0	2	0	0	2	2	9	-7

Copa America 2007 Schedule and Results

Copa America 2007 Nike T-Shirt

Crespo Likely Out for Remainder of Copa America

Hernan Crespo will likely miss the rest of the Copa America after pulling a muscle while scoring a penalty in Argentina's 4-2 win over Colombia.

Copa America: Leg injury likely to sideline Argentina's Crespo for rest of tournament - AP - IHT.com

Argentina Copa America T-Shirts

U.S. Shows Copa America No Respect

Although it was well into the second half against Argentina, U.S. Soccer was finally shown what fielding a weakened team against arguably the world's best team will get you. A 4-1 drubbing, that should have been worse.

Quite frankly, when the final whistle sounded, it was actually a relief, as one couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the overwhelmed young Americans. Another ten minutes and Argentina would have probably put up three or four more goals.

So the question is: why did the Americans field such a weak team?

It seems that the reasons run from "domestic leagues start soon or are already going" to "this is a good chance for the young guys to get ready for World Cup 2010."

The latter of those evokes the most laughter from anyone outside of the U.S. Soccer family. Imagine the English F.A. telling supporters that Euro 2008 is a good opportunity to try out the young lads.

The English F.A. and manager Steve McClaren aren't even allowed to field a weakened team for a friendly.

And they shouldn't be.

It's wrong that the U.S. should give a run-out to players that are not ready for international football. You don't get ready for international football during top level tournaments. You are supposed to show that you have arrived at those tournaments.

U.S. manager Bob Bradley recently stated, "when our focus turns to our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."

Forgetting for a moment the disrespect this shows to the Copa America, it seems strange to call "qualifying" for the World Cup the ultimate goal.

For starters, qualifying for the World Cup has not been a problem for the U.S.

They play in the weakest confederation other than Oceania. Their only real rival Mexico, is vexed when playing the Americans anywhere other than Mexico. And mysteriously, FIFA would rather pull World Cup spots from Europe or South America than to dare upset the delicate balance in North America.

Besides all of that, the U.S., with all its weaknesses, are still probably in the top two in the region.

The shock would be if they didn't qualify for the World Cup.

None of this is to say anything about the fact that sending your young players out to be humiliated doesn't prepare them for future tournaments. What World Cup champion was prepared by sending out their "B" squad to get pounded in the previous tournament?

This kind of rhetoric is reminiscent of talk prior to France '98, when many American players were cocky and dismissive about the difficult task at hand, right before scoring one goal and finishing 32nd. While those sentiments were at the complete other end of the spectrum, they are similar in showing that soccer is still very immature in the United States.

It would behoove the U.S. Soccer brain-trust, as well as many U.S. players, to watch interviews with the English national team players. Mostly what they would see is humility mixed with pride.

Respect for who they are playing, no matter how big or small, and every match matters.

Earlier this year, when dropped from the national squad, David Beckham stated he would walk back to England from the United States to play again for his country. And he will fly some 100,000 later this year to prove his loyalty and passion.

Sadly, U.S. Soccer doesn't seem to have any of this kind of passion, nor do they seem to have any respect for one of the world's premier football competitions.

You have to wonder if CONMEBOL will even bother extending invitations to the U.S. for future tournaments.

It must be disappointing to the U.S. national team fans that were excited to find out their team would make their first Copa America appearance in 12 years.

However, for true football fans of any nation, it would have been rather disconcerting if a hodgepodge, four-days-in-the-making, U.S. side had been able to hang on against eleven of the most talented footballers in the world.

U.S. Soccer will surely argue that Copa America conflicts with MLS and too closely followed the Gold Cup. But in the end, this just serves to highlight their unwillingness to play to the rest of the world's schedule.

And of course, MLS conflicts with the World Cup as well, but the U.S. position about how the Copa America and the World Cup stack-up in priority has now been well established.

Maybe the U.S. should have simply declined the invitation.

-Chris

Related on other sites:
CONMEBOL not pleased with U.S. - AP - FoxSoccer.com
CONMEBOL

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Argentina Opens Promising Copa America Tonight

Argentina opens their Copa America 2007 campaign tonight against invited guests the United States.

A strong Argentina side are favorites to win the tournament, with arch rivals Brazil fielding a weakened side.

In 2004 Brazil's young squad defeated Argentina in the final on penalties, but after a thrashing from Mexico in their opening group match last night, Brazil hardly look likely to defend their title.

The U.S. enters the match with a weakened squad as well, without most of their few recognizable players, and are not expected to put up much resistance to the full strength Argentinians.

Copa America 2007 Schedule and Results

Other sites:
Copa America Group C Preview: Argentina - USA - Goal.com

Argentina Copa America 2007 T-Shirt
US Copa America 2007 Jerseys

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Copa America 2007 LIVE Streaming Video on Web - Free

Copa America 2007 can be viewed for free, live on the web, through Univision's streaming video feed.

Univision - LIVE Video

Copa America 2007 Football

Brazil v Mexico Tonight - Copa America 2007

The first marquee match-up of Copa America 2007 takes place tonight as Brazil face Mexico.

Copa America 2007 Schedule and Results

Mexico T-Shirt
Brazil T-Shirt

Gold Cup TV Ratings 41 Percent Higher than NHL Final

The CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between the U.S. and Mexico draws a much larger audience than NHL Stanley Cup Final.

Gold Cup TV ratings 41 percent higher than NHL final - AP - SI.com

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Brazil Copa America T-Shirts

Brazil opens their Copa America 2007 campaign versus Mexico on June 27.

Brazil Copa America T-Shirt Adult

Brazil Copa America T-Shirt Youth

Mexico Copa America T-Shirts

Mexico opens their Copa America 2007 campaign versus Brazil on June 27.

Mexico Copa America T-Shirt Adult

Mexico Copa America T-Shirt Youth

Riquelme Returns to Argentina National Team for Copa America

After retiring from international football last year, Juan Roman Riquelme has joined the Argentina national side for Copa America 2007.

AP - International Herald Tribune

Argentina Copa America T-Shirts

Friday, June 15, 2007

Beckham Will Keep England Spot

David Beckham is told he can keep his place on the national team by England manager Steve McClaren.

Beckham assured of England future - BBC

David Beckham Merchandise

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Robinho Cleared by FIFA for La Liga Finale

Robinho had been cleared by FIFA to play in Real Madrid's final match that will decide La Liga title.

He will join Brazil late for the Copa America.

Robinho green-lighted by FIFA - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Monday, June 11, 2007

Copa America 2007 Schedule

	P	M	W	D	L	F	A	D
*Venezuela	5	3	1	2	0	4	2	+2
*Peru	4	3	1	1	1	5	4	+1
*Uruguay	4	3	1	1	1	1	3	-2
Bolivia	2	3	0	2	1	4	5	-1

Group B

	P	M	W	D	L	F	A	D
*Mexico	7	3	2	1	0	4	1	+3
*Brazil	6	3	2	0	1	4	2	+2
*Chile	4	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2
Ecuador	0	3	0	0	3	3	6	-3

Group C

	P	M	W	D	L	F	A	D
*Argentina	9	3	3	0	0	9	3	+6
*Paraguay	6	3	2	0	1	8	2	+6
Colombia	3	3	1	0	2	3	9	-6
United States	0	3	0	0	3	2	8	-6

*Through to Quarterfinals

SoccerTV.com reports on US and Canada TV Rights:

Spanish - All matches will air live on Univision or TeleFutura in the U.S. and TLN or TLN en Espanol in Canada.

English U.S. - All matches live on GolTV in U.S. and Canada.

TV links open in new window:

US and CANADA:
SoccerTV.com
SoccerTV.com GolTV Schedule
SoccerTV.com Univision / Telefutura Schedule
GolTV.tv TV Schedule
TLN Schedule
Univision Schedule
TeleFutura.com

UK:
SkySports

ONLINE:
Watch Matches Online - Univision

Video Highlights @ Univision

Wikipedia Copa America (new window)

Copa America T-Shirts Nike

Soccer T-Shirts All

Saturday, June 09, 2007

England Players Will Donate Pay

England players will be donating all pay from their international matches to charity.

Team England Footballers Charity will raise more than £1m before the World Cup in 2010.

England stars to play for nothing - BBC

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Beckham Looks to Continue for England

While the suddenly in-demand David Beckham looks to continue playing for the national side, pundits and fans alike have begun looking at future schedules and realizing Beckham will have to miss a lot of matches for LA Galaxy to remain in the England set-up.

Recent statements from both sides show that England will take priority over MLS.

When speaking of playing for the national team, Beckham makes no mention of scheduling conflicts and speaks only of his desire to remain in McClaren's squad.

LA Galaxy president Alexi Lalas seems in favor of Beckham's return to international glory, leading one to believe these details were worked out long before Beckham signed with the MLS club.

Yesterday, Beckham himself seemed to make everyone's speculation rather unnecessary, stating, "LA Galaxy will do everything possible to keep me playing for my country."

Beckham commits to England cause - BBC
Becks confident of club and country role - AP - FoxSoccer.com

David Beckham Leads England Back

England's hopes of qualifying for next summer's Euro 2008 got a boost as David Beckham assisted on two of three goals in a 3-0 rout of Estonia.

Beckham was undoubtedly England's most prolific player as the former captain played through a twisted ankle he picked up early on.

Two brilliant long-range passes into space, one that found Peter Crouch and one that found Michael Owen, sealed the victory that closed out the international season.

A lovely volley by Joe Cole from a Peter Crouch header had earlier put England on top in the 37th.

The 6'7" Liverpool striker was in impressive form but foolishly picked up a yellow late on that will have him missing the match against Israel on 08 September.

The win, combined with a draw between Croatia and Russia, put England closer to qualification.

England are currently 4th in Group E, but with four of their five remaining games at home.

Croatia 17
Israel 17
Russia 15
England 14
Macedonia 7
Estonia 0
Andorra 0