Report: Manchester United set for North American summer tour (including MLS All-Star Game)

Well, this would be pretty cool. Almost as cool as if Tottenham Hotspur made such a trip.

Report: Manchester United set for North American summer tour (including MLS All-Star Game): "

Manchester United is coming back to the United States this summer in what could be an unforgettable tour for American (and Canadian) soccer fans.

The Sports Business Journal is reporting that Manchester United is working on a summer tour of North American that would include visits to Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and Houston for the 2010 MLS All-Star Game.

The 2010 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for July 27th at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The tour would be Manchester United's first tour of the United States since 2004. United played matches in the United States in 2003 and 2004.

What do you think of this news? Excited about the possibility of seeing MLS All-Stars face Wayne Rooney and Manchester United?

Dempsey’s Wondergoal

awesome stuff - i'm not sure if the video will post here, but try finding it somehow, it was a fantastic goal

Dempsey’s Wondergoal:

I don’t know how much longer this will stay up on Youtube, but Clint Dempsey’s goal to send Fulham into the final eight of the UEFA competition is just a thing of beauty.

You Tube Vote

Top 11 World Cup Goal List

Hello All - Peter here and it's real Peter, not google reader Peter.

Anyway, this list came up on Soccernet and I figured that it might be fun for everyone to search for these goals on youtube to see if you agree/disagree with the list. I think I have seen 5 of these 11 goals, so I am looking forward to seeing the other 6 if they are available on the site.

So yes, I figured this could be a good time-killer if you're looking for something to do for 20 minutes.

Cheap, Hacky Fouls vs. Dives

Which do you hate more?

Grant Wahl; U.S. keeper Howard discusses playing in Premiership, World Cup hopes, more

I really enjoyed this interview - Howard is very honest and up front. Good stuff from our #1.

Grant Wahl; U.S. keeper Howard discusses playing in Premiership, World Cup hopes, more: "MANCHESTER, England -- U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard may have joined Everton from Manchester United in 2006, but he still lives in the Manchester area, about 35 miles from Everton's Goodison Park in Liverpool. I took the train out to see Howard on Monday, the day after Everton's 5-1 win over Hull City and five days after the U.S.'s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in Amsterdam."

Grant Wahl: Donovan in no hurry to leave Everton

Julie said that I was not allowed to post anymore article until I posted on my own opinion in some post. Well, I will do both.

I understand that the Galaxy have to put themselves first before anything else, but it is awfully ironic that Bruce Arena is at the helm of the this squad since he was all about his players going abroad when he was the coach of the national team. The only people in the US that want Landon to come back are those associated with the Galaxy. It's just unfortunate that our best player might not be able to ply his trade in one of the best leagues in the world on a full time basis - he definitely belongs there.


Grant Wahl: Donovan in no hurry to leave Everton: "LIVERPOOL, England -- It was, I have to say, one of the cooler goose-bump moments I have witnessed in a long time. As Landon Donovan took what was probably a goodbye lap after Everton's 5-1 win over Hull City on Sunday, the home fans at Goodison Park stood and cheered the 28-year-old American who came here a European washout and stands ready to depart, just 10 weeks later, as a beloved figure in this soccer-mad town."

ESPN Commentators For 2010 World Cup TV Coverage Announced

Solid stuff - Will Martin Tyler broadcast England/USA - how will that go down??

ESPN Commentators For 2010 World Cup TV Coverage Announced: "

ESPN today announced the lead commentators for its coverage of the 2010 World Cup. The lead commentators will be Martin Tyler, Ian Darke, Derek Rae and Adrian Healey.

In all, ESPN will employ four teams to cover all 64 tournament games live from South Africa between June 11 and July 11, 2010.

The inclusion of Martin Tyler was announced late last year. And the placement of Derek Rae and Adrian Healey will come as no surprise since both of them have been integral to ESPN’s coverage of soccer over the past several years. Ian Darke is the surprise. The commentator, who has commentated Premier League games for years, is a worthy signing and will definitely elevate the quality of ESPN’s coverage.

As a side note, Darke was hired to commentate on World Cup games during the 1994 World Cup and did an admirable job then during his short stint in America.

ESPN’s broadcast assignments for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – including the analyst pairings – will be announced later this spring.

The only concern I have right now is who is going to commentate the games featuring the United States. I presumed it would have been JP Dellacamera as the lead commentator, but he has instead been selected as the lead commentator for the World Cup games that will be broadcast on ESPN Radio alongside Tommy Smyth. It’s going to sound strange to have a British commentator being the lead on games featuring the United States.

“The group of commentators we have assembled represents some of the finest English-language voices for televised soccer anywhere in the world,” said Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2010 FIFA World Cup. “They present the sport at its highest level and their first-hand knowledge of the players who will compete in the FIFA World Cup will greatly inform fans and enhance how we present this global event in the United States.”

Holden to miss six weeks with broken leg

This was a really nasty challenge - another injury to contend with for the National Team.

Holden to miss six weeks with broken leg: "

 

The tackle was an ugly one, but we have now learned the full damage caused by Nigel DeJong's ugly and clumsy first-half challenge on U.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden.

Holden will be sidelined for six weeks with a fractured right fibula, Holden's club Bolton revealed on Thursday.

The six-week timetable means Holden should still be back in time for the end of Bolton's regular season, which would have him return in time to regain fitness ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Holden had just begun to settle in with Bolton, starting the team's previous two matches and impressing on this matches. Now he will need to recover and regain the role he earned since joining the English club on a free transfer from the Houston Dynamo.

On the bright side, Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed that Bolton intends to extend Holden's contract.

"We've already spoken with him and his representative to assure him he will be here for longer because of the belief I have in him, and the quality he has shown since he came to the club," Coyle told Sky Sports. "When we signed him, within the contract there was the option there to extend it further, which we will do."

What do you think of this development? Still stunned that DeJong didn't get a red card? Confident that Holden can return and still be a fofce at the World Cup?

Share your thoughts below.

"

US vs. Netherlands

I'm going to try and keep up with the game and blog it. Huge game for US players vying for a spot on the team going to South Africa (Findley, Holden, Torres)- all three are set to start today. Jozy up top with Findley, Bradley and Donovan round up the mid with Holden and Torres and Boc, Bornstein, Spector, and DeMerit in the back right in front of Timmy.

Holland studs playing tonight: Kuyt, De Jong, Robben, Snjieder, Van Brockhorst

This is a great prep for June 12th. Big team in Holland, on their turf and under 100 days until the WC starts. The remaining warm up games are vs. the Czech Republic on May 25 (East Hartford) and vs. Turkey on May 28 (Philly).

The US is debuting their new kits- I like them. A lot. Very classy, not unlike Audrey Paige :)

2 min. Robben is so good- so much confidence, skill and is making things tricky on the right side already.

5 min Both teams pretty much just settling in, getting used to playing together. Nothing too, too dangerous on either end.

7 min Spector gets completely worked on the left by Elia who sends a routine ball into the middle which turns dangerous due to confusion over what to do about it.

10 min Holland getting into somewhat of a groove. US getting some build up as well but seem to get interrupted by nonsense calls.

13 min Either we are purposely giving Holland a lot of space and trying to keep the play in front of us or we're just not with it in terms of team defense.

18 min Our set play defense is horrible so far. Holland showing their class in the last several minutes- very attractive, fun soccer to watch.

22 min Jozy gets a shot off in the box, deflected but just shows how instinctive he is in the box. Love it.

23 min Holland comes back down field. Geez, they are just so good. So much technical ability, able to find all kinds of space, lots of movement. We're breaking up some plays, but we either need to be faster or tougher or something.

24 min Spector is a giant. He works it down the right, wins a throw that leads to a cross.

28 min When we do get a chance at possession, the team seems to all be on the same page: look for 3 or 4 passes and then something long to free our speedy strikers. I'd like to see more patience, more switching the field, etc.

30 min Holden gets tackled hard. After what happened to Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, I'm nervous. Holden hobbles off, Beas is warming up.

32 min Torres has a terrific shot at goal from about 25 yards out- goes just a bit high.

36 min Game has sort of come to a grinding halt.

39 min PK to Holland. Called on Bornstein- Eh, silly foul, certainly a lot of dramatics in the dive. Kuyt takes it. Goal. Holland 1 US 0.

42 min

Peter: i'm not using this is as an example, but i'm just not convinced w/ bornstein as our starting LB if it comes to that

me: yeah, i've always liked him (he played at wake) i think he

is our best defender when he decides to attack

Peter: did not know that

me: he's got wheels, might not make the best decisions

wow

Peter: he is decent going forward

me: Bornstein basically handballs it in the box. on accident. it bounces up at him. no call

Half Time

Subs- Holland goes with the always dangerous "AAR" move. Huntelaar comes in for Robben, Vlaar in for someone. We put Edu in for Torres.

46 min Jozy makes a delightful little nutpeg in the corner to school his Dutch defender.

49 min Somehow the dutch fail to score on a breakaway. Timmy does well and Bornstein gets a chance to come back a little. But wow.

Dutch are starting to carve us into pieces with through balls, give and gos, all kinds of creativity.

51 min We look horrible in terms of d we are all over place in the back with little to no communication. It comes with not playing together but it makes me nervous all the same.

55 min US gets a nice little string of passes, give and gos and all, but denied by an inexplicable call from the ref.

58 min Like him or not, Beas has been a presence on the field. One of the few US players to do that today. Landon has been involved and Jozy too, but everyone else has been sort of absent.

The "AAR" move goes into its second phase Van Der Vaart in for De Jong.

65 min I don't know what it is, but this game isn't doing anything for me at the moment. I might be too used to watching quality club teams who click with one another- the US is definitely not clicking. Harkes seems a bit obsessed with Heitinga or some Dutch defender "who is having such a great season at Everton"

69th min BS call on us- apparently our high kick was more dangerous than an identical high kick from somebody in a holland jersey.

Pearce comes in for Demerit.

Ok, I think I'm done blogging this game. May take a nap these last 20 min

Grant Wahl: Netherlands another stern test for U.S.

Watch for Marcus Edu making a potential run at a starting CM spot this summer.

Grant Wahl: Netherlands another stern test for U.S.: "AMSTERDAM -- Hard games. That has been the mantra for the U.S. national team under coach Bob Bradley, and Wednesday's test against world No. 3 the Netherlands (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Galavisión) is the latest big challenge in a four-year World Cup preparation cycle that has been far more difficult than the one before World Cup 2006."