Spain’s Iker Casillas-David De Gea Duel Reflects Team’s Position Amid Evolution

Letting go is hard. Spain and Vicente del Bosque are proving it.  It was late on Tuesday night in southern Madrid when David De Gea arrived in the press room at Getafe’s Coliseum Alfonso Perez. He and his Spanish team-mates had just been beaten 1-0 by Georgia—the 137th-ranked side in the world—in the team’s final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2016, and he’d conceded the solitary goal. The effect of it was odd. De Gea hadn’t been at fault, but the simple fact he’d conceded seemed to curiously complicate things. It added to the feeling of doubt or... 

Manchester United Target Hirving Lozano Can Make a Difference for Mexico

After seeing a young George Best in action, scout Bob Bishop sent a telegram to then-Manchester United manager Matt Busby that famously read: “Boss, I think I’ve found you a genius.” Boy, was Bishop right. The Red Devils signed Best and, despite a busy lifestyle off the pitch, the Northern Irishman became an all-time great at Old Trafford. These days, of course, scouts don’t need to send telegrams to tell a club they’ve spotted a player with potential. Whatever method of communication they do use, Manchester United’s scouting network in Mexico has alerted the... 

Can Dunga Clean Up His Brazil Mess in Time to Challenge for the Copa America?

Fractional. The difference between Brazil humiliatingly losing the first game of the Copa America Centenario against Ecuador and escaping with a 0-0 draw. So fractional that the latter happened at the Rose Bowl in Santa Clara, when it should have been the former. Miller Bolanos‘ effort from the byline was fumbled in by Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson at his near post; it was an embarrassing mistake, but not one for which he was made to pay. The officiating team deemed the ball to have been fractionally out of play before Bolanos fired it in, although replays indicated that the whole sphere... 

Thiago Motta as Italy’s No. 10 Inconsequential to the Azzurri’s Euro 2016 Quest

In the week since Italy manager Antonio Conte announced his final choices for his 23-man roster for the 2016 UEFA European Championship, there has been a lot of controversy in his selections. Faced with a rash of injuries, especially to his midfield, the former Juventus boss went for experience over youth.  Inexperienced but talented players like Giacomo Bonaventura, Marco Benassi and Jorginho were left at home.  Instead, shirts were given to 31-year-olds like Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini, the latter of whom also has intimate knowledge of Conte‘s systems thanks to their... 

Could Euro 2016 Be to France What Euro 2008 Was to Spain?

On the lawn of the Chateau de Clairefontaine—where the French national team has its central hub—there stands a gigantic replica of the World Cup trophy. The players take no notice of it any more. It may stand as a tribute to the country’s greatest sporting triumph, but its pertinence has somewhat waned given that 18 years have now passed since it was lifted by Les Blues. It is, in essence, an historical artefact. Indeed, the modern history of French football can be fragmented into two contrasting parts. Around the turn of the millennium the country’s national team were... 

Old Guard Provides USMNT with Needed Burst of Life at Copa America

Much of the talk surrounding the United States men’s national team entering the Copa America Centenario was about the dynamic young players in the squad. But in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Costa Rica, the old guard—led by Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones—proved why it is a fixture in Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting XI. Dempsey opened the scoring from the spot in the ninth minute and handed out a pair of assists on the first-half strikes Jones and Bobby Wood netted. Jones, who has breathed new life into his career in an advanced role at club level with the Colorado Rapids, was... 

Sunil Gulati Comments on Jurgen Klinsmann’s Job Security

The United States men’s national soccer team has failed to break through under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati addressed the boss’ job security in advance of the team’s Tuesday evening Copa America Centenario showdown against Costa Rica.  Speaking to reporters in Chicago, Gulati didn’t offer up an ultimatum regarding Klinsmann’s future with the Red, White and Blue following a 2-0 loss to Colombia in the opening game of Group A play last Friday. However, he did say U.S. Soccer would take a step back and evaluate... 

Brazil vs. Haiti Betting Odds Preview, Copa America Prediction

Brazil will be gunning for just their second win of 2016 on Wednesday night when they take on Copa America tournament long shot Haiti as heavy -800 (bet $800 to win $100) betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. Losers of three straight, Haiti hits the pitch as heavy underdogs.   Match Odds: Brazil -800, Haiti +2200, Draw +700 With just one win in four matches in 2016—and three in their past eight overall—Brazil will be looking to bust out Wednesday night when they battle Haiti in a Group B matchup as big chalk. The Green and Yellow got their tournament off to... 

Shot at Twice and Still Thriving: Mehmet ‘The Spider’ Topal Is Turkey’s Rock

Mehmet Topal can often be found signing autographs and talking with fans after games. The Spider is one of the most widely respected players in Turkey. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d be shot at, but he has been. Twice. And, obviously, he’s lived to tell the tale. Topal grew up in Battalgazi, a provincial backwater of Malatya in eastern Turkey—a region that lacks the kind of footballing infrastructure found in the big cities. He did, however, get used to being in a group of 11 from early childhood. Topal grew up in a family of nine siblings, and when he was not... 

Antonio Rudiger Injury: Updates on Roma CB’s Knee and Recovery

Antonio Rudiger of Roma is out of Germany’s squad for Euro 2016 after suffering a serious knee injury. Journalist Raphael Honigstein confirmed on Tuesday the talented defender has torn his ACL ahead of the European Championship in France, while the German national team revealed Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah will replace him at the tournament. Rudiger’s Euro 2016 Dreams Over Tuesday, June 7 Rudiger had a breakout season for Roma this term and has become a stalwart for the Italian giants after his loan switch from Stuttgart. The defender has become a firm target... 

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