http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/2186-professional-soccer.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/2186-professional-soccer.html http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092760-ferguson-heads-retirement-seeking-1-win.html CARRINGTON, England (AP) — Alex Ferguson is looking forward to a retired life of luxury holidays, watching horse racing, enjoying good wines and perhaps studying languages. Before that, though, there's one final challenge to overcome — beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday in his 1,500th and last game as Manchester United manager. "One thousand five hund... Fri, 17 May 2013 13:32:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092760-ferguson-heads-retirement-seeking-1-win.html 2013-05-17T13:32:10Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092778-hoffenheim-hopes-to-escape-relegation-dortmund.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Hoffenheim's fairytale ride to the top tier of German football is likely to come to an end Saturday on the final day of the Bundesliga season. The small provincial club that stirred passions when it gained promotion five years ago is set to be relegated, barring an unlikely series of results. Hoffenheim needs to win in Dortmund t... Fri, 17 May 2013 11:12:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092778-hoffenheim-hopes-to-escape-relegation-dortmund.html 2013-05-17T11:12:34Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092684-psg-president-wants-to-working-with-beckham.html PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants David Beckham to carry on working with the club after his retirement and is hopeful of reaching an agreement with the former England captain within the next two weeks. The 38-year-old midfielder announced Thursday that he will retire from football after PSG's last game of the season. The ... Fri, 17 May 2013 13:11:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092684-psg-president-wants-to-working-with-beckham.html 2013-05-17T13:11:18Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092026-beckham-brought-credibility-visibility-to-mls.html Ask someone in Asia or Europe a decade ago what they knew about the Galaxy, and odds are the answer would have been limited to planets or stars. Nowadays, it's likely to include a reference to "Beckham's team," the Major League Soccer franchise in Los Angeles. By making the growth of football in the United States his pet project, David Beckham put the spo... Fri, 17 May 2013 00:15:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092026-beckham-brought-credibility-visibility-to-mls.html 2013-05-17T00:15:34Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092054-english-fa-approves-minimum-5-game-ban-racism.html LONDON (AP) — Racist and homophobic abuse by players in England will carry a minimum five-match ban from next season. The Football Association says the sanction will be the entry-level punishment for the least serious discriminatory offenses, with longer bans possible. The FA Council agreed Thursday to the sanctions first reported by The Associated Press ... Fri, 17 May 2013 00:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2092054-english-fa-approves-minimum-5-game-ban-racism.html 2013-05-17T00:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html Like his former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, David Beckham has picked the right time and best way to retire — as a winner and before the worst ravages of age became painfully apparent. It always was a stretch to believe that Beckham, at 38, would or should sign up again with Paris Saint-Germain for what would have been his 22nd season of professi... Thu, 16 May 2013 21:48:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html 2013-05-16T21:48:10Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089774-madrid-to-play-atletico-copa-del-rey-final.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With a return to England looking likely, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho can go out a winner when his team plays crosstown rival Atletico Madrid on Friday in the Copa del Rey final. Luckily for Mourinho and Madrid, Atletico has been incapable of winning a Spanish capital derby so far this millennium. Atletico's last victory over it... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:38:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089774-madrid-to-play-atletico-copa-del-rey-final.html 2013-05-16T19:38:29Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091330-balotelli-el-shaarawy-headline-italy-squad.html ROME (AP) — Mario Balotelli and AC Milan strike partner Stephan El Shaarawy headline Italy's squad for upcoming matches against San Marino and the Czech Republic, while Antonio Cassano remained left out. The Azzurri will host San Marino in a friendly in Bologna on May 31 then visit the Czechs in Prague on June 7 for a World Cup qualifier. In Group B of Eu... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:19:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091330-balotelli-el-shaarawy-headline-italy-squad.html 2013-05-16T19:19:20Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090766-reaction-to-beckham-announcing-retirement.html Reaction to David Beckham's decision to retire from football at the end of the season, which he announced Thursday: "David Beckham, one of the most iconic figures in global football is retiring from playing. It's the end of a chapter of an amazing story. David grew up as a football-loving child & achieved his dreams, and unquestionably ... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:05:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090766-reaction-to-beckham-announcing-retirement.html 2013-05-16T19:05:08Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091214-lyon-step-closer-to-champions-league.html PARIS (AP) — Lyon gets the chance to move to within 90 minutes of Champions League football next season when it faces Nice on Saturday. With champion Paris Saint-Germain and runner-up Marseille having already secured the top two spots, third-place Lyon can tighten its grip on France's final Champions League place with one more round to play on May 26. ... Thu, 16 May 2013 18:58:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091214-lyon-step-closer-to-champions-league.html 2013-05-16T18:58:55Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091138-beckhams-famous-haircuts.html LONDON (AP) — Through the years, David Beckham has become as famous for his hair styles as for his free kicks. Here's a look at some of his more famous "hair-lights": 1990s Still a youngster in 1999 and enjoying his most successful season as a footballer, Beckham had dyed blonde hair and left it long in the front and... Thu, 16 May 2013 18:14:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091138-beckhams-famous-haircuts.html 2013-05-16T18:14:26Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091120-beckhams-role-retirement-to-remain-global.html PARIS (AP) — After David Beckham's long and distinguished football career ends on a remote plastic field in northwestern France, his life promises to be far more glamorous once he steps away from the game he loves. Nearly 20 years after breaking into the Manchester United team, the 38-year-old former England captain won the French league title with Paris ... Thu, 16 May 2013 18:08:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091120-beckhams-role-retirement-to-remain-global.html 2013-05-16T18:08:51Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html LONDON (AP) — Some up and downs in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he would retire from football at the end of the season: Up: Signs professional contract with Manchester United in 1993 and helps team win Premier League-FA Cup double in 1996. United wins league title again a year later. Down: Gets red ... Thu, 16 May 2013 16:24:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html 2013-05-16T16:24:44Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090512-david-beckham-career-highlights.html LONDON (AP) — Highlights in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he will retire from football at the end of the season: 1975 — Born May 2 in Leytonstone, east London. 1991 — Joins Manchester United as trainee. 1993 — Signs professional contract at Old Trafford. 1996 — Wins first FA Cup and Premier League title at Manchester United; Scores goal o... Thu, 16 May 2013 15:16:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090512-david-beckham-career-highlights.html 2013-05-16T15:16:41Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090424-titles-won-david-beckham.html LONDON (AP) — A look at the titles won by David Beckham, who said Thursday he will retire from football at the end of the season: MANCHESTER UNITED Premier League: 6 (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003). FA Cup: 2 (1996, 1999). Community Shield: 4 (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998). ... Thu, 16 May 2013 14:48:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090424-titles-won-david-beckham.html 2013-05-16T14:48:15Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090308-german-chancellor-merkel-to-attend-wembley-final.html BERLIN (AP) — Football fan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to attend the first all-German Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich on May 25 at Wembley. Asked during a Berlin conference Thursday whether she would go, Merkel replied: "I think I'm coming, yes." Merkel would not say which team she preferred. Asked whether ... Thu, 16 May 2013 14:23:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090308-german-chancellor-merkel-to-attend-wembley-final.html 2013-05-16T14:23:06Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090186-germany-includes-4-newcomers-squad-us-tour.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Coach Joachim Loew has called up four newcomers for Germany's friendlies against Ecuador and the United States, with the stars of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund absent because of their Champions League final. Real Madrid's Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira also will miss the trip because the Spanish season won't be over. A total ... Thu, 16 May 2013 14:09:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090186-germany-includes-4-newcomers-squad-us-tour.html 2013-05-16T14:09:06Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090128-nasri-gourcuff-uruguay-brazil-matches.html PARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps recalled midfielders Yoann Gourcuff and Samir Nasri on Thursday for two friendly matches against Uruguay and Brazil next month. FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala and Saint-Etienne midfielder Josuha Guilavogui were among the surprise selections as Deschamps uses the matches to test out younger players. But Patric... Thu, 16 May 2013 13:47:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090128-nasri-gourcuff-uruguay-brazil-matches.html 2013-05-16T13:47:06Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089964-ac-milan-fiorentina-fight-champions-league.html ROME (AP) — In the last weekend of Serie A, AC Milan needs to protect a two-point lead over Fiorentina in the race for third place and the final Champions League berth. Milan and Fiorentina both visit relegated squads — Siena and Pescara, respectively. Nearly everything else in the Italian league has been decided, although several big coaching changes cou... Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089964-ac-milan-fiorentina-fight-champions-league.html 2013-05-16T13:00:46Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090050-andy-carroll-recalled-england-friendlies.html LONDON (AP) — Andy Carroll has been recalled to the England squad for the first time since October for friendlies against Ireland and Brazil. The burly striker, who is on loan at West Ham from Liverpool, will be competing for a spot up front alongside Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck. Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has bee... Thu, 16 May 2013 12:40:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090050-andy-carroll-recalled-england-friendlies.html 2013-05-16T12:40:38Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089974-jupp-heynckes-farewell-to-bundesliga.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Jupp Heynckes will end his Bundesliga career where he started it five decades ago, in his hometown of Moenchengladbach. In his 1,011th game as player and coach, Heynckes will guide his Bayern Munich team for the last time in a Bundesliga match on Saturday — then turn his attention to what are likely to be his two last appearances... Thu, 16 May 2013 12:32:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2089974-jupp-heynckes-farewell-to-bundesliga.html 2013-05-16T12:32:53Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090026-frank-lampard-to-stay-chelsea-season.html LONDON (AP) — Only hours after helping Chelsea with another European title, Frank Lampard was given a one-year contract extension by the Premier League club. The 34-year-old Lampard, the club's all-time leading scorer, had initially been told he was not wanted beyond the end of the season. But Chelsea, which added the Europa League title to its Champions ... Thu, 16 May 2013 12:25:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090026-frank-lampard-to-stay-chelsea-season.html 2013-05-16T12:25:28Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088372-ivanovic-header-chelsea-2-1-win-benfica.html AMSTERDAM (AP) — Branislav Ivanovic watched from the stands as Chelsea won its first Champions League last season. He eased the pain of missing that match through suspension by scoring an injury time winner Wednesday to give his team a 1-2 victory over Benfica and the Europa League title. "When you won one time, you want another one, this never stops. It ... Thu, 16 May 2013 00:20:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088372-ivanovic-header-chelsea-2-1-win-benfica.html 2013-05-16T00:20:13Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088886-dortmund-brink-to-take-spotlight.html DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — While Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp lauded his side's progress to the Champions League final as an "incredible journey," the club's advancement off the pitch is no less remarkable. Faced with insolvency in 2005 after years of economic difficulty, Dortmund has recovered by posting club-record revenue figures and expanding i... Wed, 15 May 2013 23:46:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088886-dortmund-brink-to-take-spotlight.html 2013-05-15T23:46:19Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088968-benitez-turns-boos-to-cheers-chelsea-fans.html AMSTERDAM (AP) — Rafa Benitez proved again that winning is everything in sports. Good for the Spanish coach he's made it a habit. Long reviled and ridiculed by Chelsea fans, Benitez doggedly stuck with his managerial instincts during a nerve wrecking half year in charge of the London club to give wealthy owner Roman Abramovich the Europa League Cup with a... Wed, 15 May 2013 23:34:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2088968-benitez-turns-boos-to-cheers-chelsea-fans.html 2013-05-15T23:34:19Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2087996-french-club-offers-to-replay-womens-cup-win.html PARIS (AP) — French club Lyon says it is willing to replay a women's French Cup semifinal which its team won on penalties — because its opponent had a spot kick wrongly ruled out by the referee. After Sunday's match at Sussargues in southern France finished 1-1, Montpellier's players thought they had won the shootout following a penalty by Rumi Utsugi. Her shot hit the post ... Wed, 15 May 2013 18:16:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2087996-french-club-offers-to-replay-womens-cup-win.html 2013-05-15T18:16:48Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2087604-blatter-rational-to-play-wcup-qatar-summer.html LONDON (AP) — Playing the 2022 World Cup in the searing summer heat of Qatar is "not rational and reasonable," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a newspaper interview. Despite health concerns included in an official report before the vote, the FIFA executive committee opted for the tiny emirate's bid in 2010. Blatter has repeatedly refused to say if he ... Wed, 15 May 2013 17:25:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2087604-blatter-rational-to-play-wcup-qatar-summer.html 2013-05-15T17:25:46Z