President Barack Obama lobbied the head of soccer’s international governing body today to bring the World Cup to the U.S. during a meeting at the White House.
The president also received a personal invitation from Sepp Blatter, head of world governing body FIFA, to attend next year’s tournament in South Africa, a trip in which Obama has expressed interest, according to a White House statement.
“We’ll use the opportunity of the meeting to advocate for the United States to host the World Cup in either 2018, or 2022,” Josh Earnest, deputy White House press secretary, said before the discussion between Obama and Blatter.
The international tournament is held every four years. The host for the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil. Blatter said in an interview yesterday that he expects a “big fight” over the chance to host the next championship.
At last month’s G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, Obama said it was his “goal” to travel to South Africa next June to attend the World Cup.
According to details today’s meeting released by the White House, Obama thanked Blatter for the invitation to the World Cup and for a gift of soccer balls for the president’s two daughters.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said no final decision has been made about Obama attending the World Cup, though he suggested that many of the president’s senior staff want him to make the trip.
“Scheduling has warned me against accepting unilaterally invitations to visit South Africa,” Gibbs said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=amSIiXAydsOM#
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Fourth of July puts US Soccer in perspective
I spent one glorious summer in Rio de Janeiro many years ago. While still in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to have been awarded a scholarship to study Portuguese overseas. Mine was the typical exchange program where you live with a host family and take classes at a local university. Technically, I was there to conduct thesis research, and I did, as most of the summer was spent ‘familiarizing myself’ with Brazilian culture.
My timing could not have been more perfect. The year was 1994 and the country was smack dab in the middle of World Cup fever. As most of us know, Brazilians eat, sleep and breathe soccer. The game is so ingrained into their culture that at certain times of the year, nothing else matters. Not the economy, not poverty, not pollution. Soccer unites their nation.
Packers, Eagles and Giants fans? Do you think you’re religious about your team? Guess again. You Gator, Sooner, Buckeye and Notre Dame fans out there think you hold a candle? Nuh uh. The entire nation of Brazil gathers together when World Cup rolls around. I was lucky enough to experience that first hand.
One day I accosted a group of four beautiful Brazilian women chatting energetically while drinking beers at a beachside bar. Consider it the Brazilian version of ‘Sex and the City.’ The foursome was engaged in an in-depth conversation, about soccer. Where in the United States would you ever see that?
To further put things into perspective, the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH fits 102,000 screaming fans. Neyland Stadium in Knoxville seats 105,000. Michigan Stadium holds 108,000. While in Rio, I saw a regional soccer game at Estadio do Maracana. Maximum capacity 200,000! Brazil is scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup. Think they’ll have a home field advantage?
Prior to every World Cup game that summer, I was warned to have all beer, food and party accessories ready ahead of time for everything in Rio shut down at first kick. I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. During a match, there was not a storefront open or a vehicle on the street. Good luck finding a taxi.
The entire country gathered in their living rooms with family and friends with ice cold Brahma and feijao aplenty, remaining glued to the set for the entire game. These are not your fair-weather fans. When Brazil scored a goal, the city erupted. Shouts of pleasure echoed through the windows. Celebration ensued with each victory.
The United States hosted the World Cup that year. Ironically, Brazil played the U.S. on July 4th. I remember that date specifically because my host family threatened to kick me out of their apartment if the U.S. pulled off the upset. Needless to say, I was rooting for Brazil.
That 1994 Brazil team featured all-time greats: Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and an 18-year old named Ronaldo. Taffarel, the goalie, consistently received the harshest criticism from both media and fans. That was until he blocked Italy’s game-tying goal in penalty kicks to bring home the title. He immediately became a national hero.
When it comes to World Cup history, Brazil dominates nearly every statistic: championships won, games won, goals scored. Every other country is a distant second. Soccer in the U.S. can never reach the importance it garners in Brazil or in other areas of the world. It’s ingrained and generational. Even though we all play soccer as children, most of us switch to another sport we’re more interested in like baseball, basketball or football.
For whatever reason, most Americans don’t have a passion for soccer. Not enough scoring, no viable professional league, the inability to use one’s hands, whatever the reason. We just don’t have the appetite for it no matter how hard US Soccer tries to encourage us to pay attention.
That was until last week when the U.S. almost pulled off an upset of international proportions. In the final game of the FIFA Federations Cup, the US led Brazil 2-0 at halftime. David was inconceivably about to slay Goliath. Then the Brazilian juggernaut scored three goals in the second half to squash any hopes the US had for winning its first major international competition.
I found myself once again glued to the television as if it were 1994 revisited. It was refreshing to see others interested in the match as well. I watched the first half while exercising on an elliptical machine at my local YMCA. When Landon Donovan scored the second goal of the game, I heard a few random shouts from within the gym over my blaring iPod. Not bad. Now just imagine how Brazil was rocking when they took the lead for good.
US Soccer put forth a valiant effort in their tune-up for next summer’s World Cup. They turned a lot of heads and more fans will assuredly be watching. It’s unreasonable to expect them to equal their recent success but at least now this team won’t be overlooked.
Late one night back in 1994, the Brazilian team announced they would host a parade. The Cariocan (those from Rio) players would be bringing the trophy around for all to see. We stayed up all night celebrating the victory as fans played a variety of percussive instruments. The beats were infectious. Fans rushed the parading buses with players waving from atop as the parade route ran through Copacabana and Ipanema.
It’ll be a long time coming before the United States ever brings one of those home. Do you think we’ll even notice?
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/07/06/fourth-of-july-puts-us-soccer-in-perspective/
My timing could not have been more perfect. The year was 1994 and the country was smack dab in the middle of World Cup fever. As most of us know, Brazilians eat, sleep and breathe soccer. The game is so ingrained into their culture that at certain times of the year, nothing else matters. Not the economy, not poverty, not pollution. Soccer unites their nation.
Packers, Eagles and Giants fans? Do you think you’re religious about your team? Guess again. You Gator, Sooner, Buckeye and Notre Dame fans out there think you hold a candle? Nuh uh. The entire nation of Brazil gathers together when World Cup rolls around. I was lucky enough to experience that first hand.
One day I accosted a group of four beautiful Brazilian women chatting energetically while drinking beers at a beachside bar. Consider it the Brazilian version of ‘Sex and the City.’ The foursome was engaged in an in-depth conversation, about soccer. Where in the United States would you ever see that?
To further put things into perspective, the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH fits 102,000 screaming fans. Neyland Stadium in Knoxville seats 105,000. Michigan Stadium holds 108,000. While in Rio, I saw a regional soccer game at Estadio do Maracana. Maximum capacity 200,000! Brazil is scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup. Think they’ll have a home field advantage?
Prior to every World Cup game that summer, I was warned to have all beer, food and party accessories ready ahead of time for everything in Rio shut down at first kick. I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. During a match, there was not a storefront open or a vehicle on the street. Good luck finding a taxi.
The entire country gathered in their living rooms with family and friends with ice cold Brahma and feijao aplenty, remaining glued to the set for the entire game. These are not your fair-weather fans. When Brazil scored a goal, the city erupted. Shouts of pleasure echoed through the windows. Celebration ensued with each victory.
The United States hosted the World Cup that year. Ironically, Brazil played the U.S. on July 4th. I remember that date specifically because my host family threatened to kick me out of their apartment if the U.S. pulled off the upset. Needless to say, I was rooting for Brazil.
That 1994 Brazil team featured all-time greats: Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and an 18-year old named Ronaldo. Taffarel, the goalie, consistently received the harshest criticism from both media and fans. That was until he blocked Italy’s game-tying goal in penalty kicks to bring home the title. He immediately became a national hero.
When it comes to World Cup history, Brazil dominates nearly every statistic: championships won, games won, goals scored. Every other country is a distant second. Soccer in the U.S. can never reach the importance it garners in Brazil or in other areas of the world. It’s ingrained and generational. Even though we all play soccer as children, most of us switch to another sport we’re more interested in like baseball, basketball or football.
For whatever reason, most Americans don’t have a passion for soccer. Not enough scoring, no viable professional league, the inability to use one’s hands, whatever the reason. We just don’t have the appetite for it no matter how hard US Soccer tries to encourage us to pay attention.
That was until last week when the U.S. almost pulled off an upset of international proportions. In the final game of the FIFA Federations Cup, the US led Brazil 2-0 at halftime. David was inconceivably about to slay Goliath. Then the Brazilian juggernaut scored three goals in the second half to squash any hopes the US had for winning its first major international competition.
I found myself once again glued to the television as if it were 1994 revisited. It was refreshing to see others interested in the match as well. I watched the first half while exercising on an elliptical machine at my local YMCA. When Landon Donovan scored the second goal of the game, I heard a few random shouts from within the gym over my blaring iPod. Not bad. Now just imagine how Brazil was rocking when they took the lead for good.
US Soccer put forth a valiant effort in their tune-up for next summer’s World Cup. They turned a lot of heads and more fans will assuredly be watching. It’s unreasonable to expect them to equal their recent success but at least now this team won’t be overlooked.
Late one night back in 1994, the Brazilian team announced they would host a parade. The Cariocan (those from Rio) players would be bringing the trophy around for all to see. We stayed up all night celebrating the victory as fans played a variety of percussive instruments. The beats were infectious. Fans rushed the parading buses with players waving from atop as the parade route ran through Copacabana and Ipanema.
It’ll be a long time coming before the United States ever brings one of those home. Do you think we’ll even notice?
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/07/06/fourth-of-july-puts-us-soccer-in-perspective/
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pato is being picked on
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has demanded that referees give more protection to star teenage striker Pato.
Milan have been complaining in recent weeks that Pato is being targetted by defenders and Galliani is worried for the Brazilian.
"He is being scientifically targetted the moment he steps on the pitch with the hope that, given that he is young, he will become a peripheral figure, something that happens on occasions," complained Galliani.
"Defenders have always kicked forwards but the treatment dealt out to Pato is a little excessive.
"But it's up to the referees to see if things are legal or not. Referees shouldn't protect anyone but they have to put the brakes on violent play and I hope they'll do so in the next match."
Milan, who host lowly Torino on Sunday, sit third in Serie A, just two points behind second-placed Juventus and four ahead of Genoa in fourth.
With leaders Inter Milan 12 points ahead of them, Milan's aim is merely to finish in the top three and ensure they qualify directly for the group stages of next season's Champions League.
Even so, the feeling in the San Siro is that second place is a real possibility.
"I don't like to make predictions, Juve have two points more than us but behind us there are Genoa, who are playing really well, and of course Fiorentina, we'll see what happens but it will be difficult (to claim second place)," added Galliani.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gmj4qXJ-CsoOjr77k5Sp81ggvLxA
Milan have been complaining in recent weeks that Pato is being targetted by defenders and Galliani is worried for the Brazilian.
"He is being scientifically targetted the moment he steps on the pitch with the hope that, given that he is young, he will become a peripheral figure, something that happens on occasions," complained Galliani.
"Defenders have always kicked forwards but the treatment dealt out to Pato is a little excessive.
"But it's up to the referees to see if things are legal or not. Referees shouldn't protect anyone but they have to put the brakes on violent play and I hope they'll do so in the next match."
Milan, who host lowly Torino on Sunday, sit third in Serie A, just two points behind second-placed Juventus and four ahead of Genoa in fourth.
With leaders Inter Milan 12 points ahead of them, Milan's aim is merely to finish in the top three and ensure they qualify directly for the group stages of next season's Champions League.
Even so, the feeling in the San Siro is that second place is a real possibility.
"I don't like to make predictions, Juve have two points more than us but behind us there are Genoa, who are playing really well, and of course Fiorentina, we'll see what happens but it will be difficult (to claim second place)," added Galliani.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gmj4qXJ-CsoOjr77k5Sp81ggvLxA
Monday, April 13, 2009
Pato Sure Kaka And Ancelotti Will Remain At Milan
The Rossoneri starlet is fairly certain that his fellow countryman and coach will both remain at the club.
Apr 8, 2009 7:39:40 PM
Kaka-Ronaldinho-Pato Torino-Milan Serie A (Grazia Neri)
Milan are currently well-positioned in the league in third place and are looking extremely likely to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, after missing out to Fiorentina this term.
With their season all but over, much of the news coming from the Rossoneri camp of late has centred on transfer news, mainly concerning Kaka and coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Both have been linked with moves away from the club at the conclusion of the season, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea linked as possible destinations. Despite this, the club’s top scorer this season, Alexandre Pato, believes that both the trainer and the Brazilian playmaker will remain with the club next term.
“In January I was very scared with everything I read in the newspapers about the possible departure of Kaka,” Pato admitted in an interview with Milan Studio Sport.
“He made the right choice in deciding to stay here though, as this is, and will always be, his home. With him by my side I can learn so many things, and hopefully become a great player too.
“Ancelotti is another who always helps me, both in matches and in training. With this in mind, I will not be happy if he leaves either, and I don’t think he will, as he has a close bond with the club.”
The 19-year-old star went on to discuss his international future with Brazil, and the recent dramas surrounding his snub from Dunga’s starting line-up despite his outstanding form with Milan.
He said, “I am very happy to be called up to the Brazilian national team, so I do respect all those who stand before me in Dunga’s eyes.
“I will keep working hard, and do my best to ensure that in eighteen months time I am at the World Cup in South Africa.”
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/04/09/1199666/pato-sure-kaka-and-ancelotti-will-remain-at-milan
Soccer-Kaka denies talks with Real
AC Milan's Kaka has denied holding talks with Real Madrid and said he wants to stay with the Serie A club.
Spanish media said prospective Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had agreed with Milan to sign Kaka in the off-season, having failed to attain the Brazilian when he was in charge at the Bernabeu.
"I think in recent days too many people have talked, now I'll speak," Kaka told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I have not had contact with Real, no one has tried to contact me and I think I have already made myself clear ... my wish is to stay at Milan."
Asked whether that would mean he would stay at the San Siro for life, Kaka said: "For the fifth time, it seems so to me."
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who almost sold Kaka to Manchester City in January for a record fee, earlier said the former world player of the year was not for sale.
Kaka, who has been troubled by a foot injury in recent weeks, also said he would be happy to play under Massimiliano Allegri, amid media speculation the Cagliari boss may replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL99195720090409
Spanish media said prospective Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had agreed with Milan to sign Kaka in the off-season, having failed to attain the Brazilian when he was in charge at the Bernabeu.
"I think in recent days too many people have talked, now I'll speak," Kaka told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I have not had contact with Real, no one has tried to contact me and I think I have already made myself clear ... my wish is to stay at Milan."
Asked whether that would mean he would stay at the San Siro for life, Kaka said: "For the fifth time, it seems so to me."
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who almost sold Kaka to Manchester City in January for a record fee, earlier said the former world player of the year was not for sale.
Kaka, who has been troubled by a foot injury in recent weeks, also said he would be happy to play under Massimiliano Allegri, amid media speculation the Cagliari boss may replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL99195720090409
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Pato: I Nearly Lost A Limb To Cancer
The Brazilian starlet has revealed that he narrowly avoided amputation at a young age.
Milan young gun Alexandre Pato has been a revelation since making his debut for the club in January 2008, when he scored in the Rossoneri’s convincing 5-2 triumph over Napoli at the San Siro stadium.
Since then he has gone on to make a name for himself as one of the world’s top talents, with a number of dazzling displays for both his club and country.
However, during a recent television program broadcast in Brazil, Pato sensationally confessed that his life may not have been as it is today had it not been for the doctors who identified that he had cancer at a young age.
“At the age of 11, before joining Internacional, I had broken my left arm twice in the same place, and required some examinations to determine the extent of the injury,” Pato affirmed in the program ‘Esporte Espetacular’.
“The investigations however had identified a tumour in the arm, and immediately it was feared that I would need to have my arm amputated.
“Thankfully I managed to have surgery to have it removed, and it was a success.”
At the age of just 19, the Brazilian has already proven his potential for the future, and that he has all the credentials at this stage to become one of the game's greats.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/31/1183719/milans-pato-admits-he-risked-amputation-as-a-child
Milan young gun Alexandre Pato has been a revelation since making his debut for the club in January 2008, when he scored in the Rossoneri’s convincing 5-2 triumph over Napoli at the San Siro stadium.
Since then he has gone on to make a name for himself as one of the world’s top talents, with a number of dazzling displays for both his club and country.
However, during a recent television program broadcast in Brazil, Pato sensationally confessed that his life may not have been as it is today had it not been for the doctors who identified that he had cancer at a young age.
“At the age of 11, before joining Internacional, I had broken my left arm twice in the same place, and required some examinations to determine the extent of the injury,” Pato affirmed in the program ‘Esporte Espetacular’.
“The investigations however had identified a tumour in the arm, and immediately it was feared that I would need to have my arm amputated.
“Thankfully I managed to have surgery to have it removed, and it was a success.”
At the age of just 19, the Brazilian has already proven his potential for the future, and that he has all the credentials at this stage to become one of the game's greats.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/31/1183719/milans-pato-admits-he-risked-amputation-as-a-child
Kaka ready to play for Brazil
In his six days with the physical trainers of Brazil's national soccer team, Kaka claimed on Monday that he recuperated faster than in the past five weeks with his Italian team of Milan.
Suffering from a left foot injury, the midfielder has been limited in play with pain and discomfort. However, after Monday's team practice, Kaka says that he is ready to return to the field.
"After today's scrimmage, I proved that I am ready to play. I just don't know how long I can play for. I would love to start the game. I always fight for a starting position. However, Dunga is the only one who will decide that," revealed Kaka.
Kaka stayed behind in Brazil while the rest of the national team went to face Ecuador last Sunday.
In a 1-1 tie, Brazil returned satisfied with the result, claiming it is always difficult to play in areas of high altitude.
On Wednesday, April 1, Brazil will host Peru in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre in the next round of South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
Coach Dunga considers the match as an "obligation" to win at home.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11104638.htm
Suffering from a left foot injury, the midfielder has been limited in play with pain and discomfort. However, after Monday's team practice, Kaka says that he is ready to return to the field.
"After today's scrimmage, I proved that I am ready to play. I just don't know how long I can play for. I would love to start the game. I always fight for a starting position. However, Dunga is the only one who will decide that," revealed Kaka.
Kaka stayed behind in Brazil while the rest of the national team went to face Ecuador last Sunday.
In a 1-1 tie, Brazil returned satisfied with the result, claiming it is always difficult to play in areas of high altitude.
On Wednesday, April 1, Brazil will host Peru in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre in the next round of South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
Coach Dunga considers the match as an "obligation" to win at home.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11104638.htm
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