March 8, 2007
The US opened the 2007 Algarve Cup yesterday with a 2-1 win over China.
Abby Wambach, who is scheduled to appear on this week's Kick This! live from Portugal, helped set up the US's first goal by drawing a penalty call that Kristine Lilly put away to give the US a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
China tied the match only two minutes later, but the US scored the winner in the 38th minute off the boot of Carli Lloyd.
Abby went the full 90 for the US and midfielder Shannon Boxx, who is coming back from a serious knee injury, did not see any game action.
The US will face Finland tomorrow starting at 11:15am ET.
CONCACAF to push for 2018 World Cup to be held in their region
This announcement can only help the US bid to host the World Cup in 2018. Another option could be the US being an emergency host in either 2014 or 2010. There is also news out recently that brings into question whether South Africa will be ready to host the World Cup in 2010.
The US hosted the 2003 Women's World Cup on short notice due to the SARS epidemic in China. So, it wouldn't be an unprecedented move.
Fox Soccer Channel is getting exclusive rights to Serie A games starting next season
GolTV and Fox Soccer Channel currently split the broadcast rights of Serie A games in the US. But, starting next season, Fox Soccer Channel will have the exclusive rights to the league's matches.
It will be interesting to see if GolTV moves to add programming from another European league that currently doesn't have a broadcast deal in the US, such as France or Holland.
Will Coventry City become the latest English club to be purchased by Americans?
It appears that the Coca Cola Championship club is set to become the latest English football club to be purchased by US investors.
I wonder when we will hear about 5th division clubs being bought up by Yanks?
Robbie Rogers lottery to be held today
The Columbus Crew are the odds on favorites to land the former Maryland Terp and current member of the US U-20 national team. If the Crew were to land him, he will be able to team up with his college teammate from Maryland in Jason Garey.
The weighting of the lottery was done using the inverse of the final standings in 2006 and with Toronto being placed not at the top of the list, like they were for the MLS SuperDraft, but at the bottom.
My guess is that the other teams wouldn't have been too happy if Toronto landed Rogers after also getting Conor Casey.
Ives Galarcep on Red Bulls camp
It's nice to hear that Dema Kovalenko is doing well in Red Bulls camp.
And I'm still intrigued about the possibility of Craig Capano being available for the Rhinos. Even with the injury question, I think that he would be an interesting addition to the Rhinos midfield mix. Especially if the have a huge question mark in that attacking central midfield spot.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
