http://www.mail.com/subjects/2186-professional-soccer.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/2186-professional-soccer.html http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1763250-violence-marred-match-hurts-brazil-football-image.html SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian authorities on Thursday began investigations into allegations that security personnel beat members of a visiting Argentine football club at the halftime of the Copa Sudamericana. South American football officials described it as the most serious incident in decades in the country that will host the 2014 World Cup — raising fears... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1763250-violence-marred-match-hurts-brazil-football-image.html 2012-12-13T20:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1758288-messi-edges-falcao-top-ap-soccer-rankings.html LONDON (AP) — Lionel Messi narrowly stayed on top of AP's Global Soccer Rankings this week despite breaking the record for goals in a calendar year. The Barcelona great finished one point ahead of Spanish league rival Radamel Falcao, who scored five goals for Atletico Madrid. Barcelona lost its top spot in the team rankings to Manchester United, which bea... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1758288-messi-edges-falcao-top-ap-soccer-rankings.html 2012-12-11T15:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754646-messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-2012.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi broke German great Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record for most goals in a year by scoring for the 86th time in 2012 on Sunday. The Argentina forward scored twice to lead Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Real Betis in the Spanish league match. His first was an individual effort in the 16th minute to tie Mueller's mark, and he e... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754646-messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-2012.html 2012-12-10T00:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754614-messi-sets-goal-record-year-falcao-scores-5.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao were unstoppable Sunday on a night when both stars again demonstrated why their teams are first and second in the Spanish league. Messi broke a 40-year record for most goals in a year by scoring his 85th and 86th goals of 2012 to lead Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Real Betis... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754614-messi-sets-goal-record-year-falcao-scores-5.html 2012-12-09T21:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754776-column-van-persie-millions-cheap.html Actor Tom Cruise was in the crowd, but Robin van Persie was the top gun. He supplied the Hollywood ending on a day of thunder for English soccer because it suggested the Premier League title will move across Manchester again at the end of the season, but this time from City back to United. Alex Ferguson owes Arsene Wenger a thank-you card because his Manc... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 20:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1754776-column-van-persie-millions-cheap.html 2012-12-09T20:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1745608-barcelona-soccer-club-defends-use-catalan.html MADRID (AP) — Long a symbol of Catalan identity, Barcelona soccer club added its voice Wednesday to a simmering political dispute between the region of Catalonia and Spain's central government. Weeks after Spain's education minister said he was drafting a proposal to make the teaching of Castilian Spanish obligatory in schools throughout the country, Barc... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1745608-barcelona-soccer-club-defends-use-catalan.html 2012-12-05T20:58:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1745812-ioc-opens-case-skorea-soccer-player-banner.html LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC says it has opened a disciplinary case against a South Korea soccer player who displayed a political banner after his team beat Japan in the London Games bronze-medal match. The Olympic body must decide if Park Jong-woo will receive the medal it has withheld from him since Aug. 10. IOC President Jacques Rogge says it h... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1745812-ioc-opens-case-skorea-soccer-player-banner.html 2012-12-05T18:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1742312-3-youths-to-charged-fatal-soccer-attack.html THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Richard Nieuwenhuizen was doing what he loved: watching his son play soccer and volunteering as a linesman. On Monday, the 41-year-old father's passion for the sport cost him his life. Prosecutors announced Tuesday they are charging three players, two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old, in the attack on Nieuwenhuizen after a yout... Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1742312-3-youths-to-charged-fatal-soccer-attack.html 2012-12-04T15:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1741774-royal-baby-you-bet.html LONDON (AP) — Who's cashing in on the royal pregnancy? Betting shops. Punters (bettors) in Britain have a range of possible wagers from betting agencies William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. Odds as of Tuesday morning: MULTIPLE BIRTH? Paddy Power: Twins: 8-1; Triplets 100-1; Quadruplets or more 500-1 ... Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1741774-royal-baby-you-bet.html 2012-12-04T11:47:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1737350-beckham-wins-2nd-mls-title-galaxy-beat-dynamo-3-1.html CARSON, Calif. (AP) — David Beckham stood on the podium with his three sons, an oversized Union Jack knotted around his Los Angeles Galaxy jersey. With a practiced lift and a broad smile, he raised the sparkling silver cup over his head to a raucous ovation amid a confetti blizzard. Now that's a Hollywood ending worthy of a star. Beckham wrapped up his ML... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1737350-beckham-wins-2nd-mls-title-galaxy-beat-dynamo-3-1.html 2012-12-02T01:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1731126-messi-ronaldo-wambach-up-fifa-awards.html SAO PAULO (AP) — Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta are the finalists for FIFA's world player of the year award. They were picked from a list of 23 candidates for this year's Ballon d'Or, with Messi looking to become the first player to win the award four times. The Argentina and Barcelona playmaker won the award the last three years. ... Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1731126-messi-ronaldo-wambach-up-fifa-awards.html 2012-11-29T14:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1730442-morgan-hat-trick-us-beats-ireland-5-0.html PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — It was something of an understatement when Alex Morgan said she was feeling it against Ireland. Morgan scored three first-half goals and the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. women's national team defeated Ireland 5-0 on Wednesday night, the latest match in an exhibition tour for fans following the London Games. On ... Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1730442-morgan-hat-trick-us-beats-ireland-5-0.html 2012-11-29T05:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1729452-fifa-brazil-plenty-work-to-do.html SAO PAULO (AP) — FIFA leaders believe there's still a lot left to be done in Brazil to successfully stage the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup. "There is a lot of work in the stadiums and a lot of work in urban mobility and the different infrastructure work," FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said Wednesday. "Yeah, we have plenty of work ... Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1729452-fifa-brazil-plenty-work-to-do.html 2012-11-28T20:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1726896-messi-top-ap-rankings-iniesta-3rd.html LONDON (AP) — Lionel Messi moved back to the top of the AP Global Soccer rankings, and Barcelona stayed No. 1 in the team poll after a 4-0 win over Levante in the Spanish league. Messi earned 183 out of a possible 200 points from The Associated Press' panel of 20 global soccer journalists. Last week's winner, Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic... Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1726896-messi-top-ap-rankings-iniesta-3rd.html 2012-11-27T19:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1719776-south-africa-spent-3-billion-2010-world-cup.html JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa spent more than $3 billion on the 2010 World Cup, and in return gained an "intangible legacy" from the first world soccer showpiece in Africa, the country's government said Friday in its final report on the tournament. In the "2010 FIFA World Cup Country Report," released nearly 2½ years after the event, South Africa's gov... Fri, 23 Nov 2012 15:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1719776-south-africa-spent-3-billion-2010-world-cup.html 2012-11-23T15:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1718532-third-try-womens-pro-soccer-league-to-launch.html CHICAGO (AP) — Another pro women's soccer league will try to succeed where two previous attempts have failed. The currently unnamed eight-team league will launch in the spring, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The clubs will be located in Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, New Jersey, Portland, Seattle, western New York and Washington. The ... Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1718532-third-try-womens-pro-soccer-league-to-launch.html 2012-11-22T13:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1716046-chelsea-fires-coach-roberto-di-matteo.html LONDON (AP) — Roberto Di Matteo's reign as Chelsea manager came to a sudden end Wednesday when he was fired only six months after guiding the club to an unlikely Champions League title. Russian owner Roman Abramovich displayed his trademark ruthless side by getting rid of Di Matteo with the defense of the European trophy in tatters following a 3-0 loss at... Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1716046-chelsea-fires-coach-roberto-di-matteo.html 2012-11-21T13:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1714618-chelsea-brink-elimination-3-0-loss.html Chelsea could become the first defending Champions League winner not to reach the knockout rounds, losing 3-0 at Juventus on Tuesday night as Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco scored. Chelsea (2-2-1) dropped into third place in Group E and can advance only if it beats Nordsjaelland (0-4-1) on Dec. 5 and Shaktar Donetsk (3-1-1) wins a... Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1714618-chelsea-brink-elimination-3-0-loss.html 2012-11-20T22:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1714928-beckham-mum-plans-leaving-mls-galaxy.html CARSON, Calif. (AP) — David Beckham will announce the next stop in his soccer career near the end of the year. Until then, he's focusing on winning one more trophy with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham said Tuesday he has several "exciting opportunities on the table" to continue playing after he leaves the Galaxy next month, capping a six-season U.S. caree... Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1714928-beckham-mum-plans-leaving-mls-galaxy.html 2012-11-20T21:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1712460-beckham-mls-cup-final-game-with-galaxy.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Beckham will play his final game for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup next month. Beckham and the Galaxy announced the English midfielder's decision Monday, a day after the defending MLS champions advanced to their second straight league final. Los Angeles faces Houston for the MLS title on Dec. 1. The 37-... Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:39:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1712460-beckham-mls-cup-final-game-with-galaxy.html 2012-11-20T00:39:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1697064-messi-jumps-to-top-ap-soccer-rankings.html LONDON (AP) — Lionel Messi has returned to the top of the AP Global 10 soccer rankings by breaking Pele's 54-year-old goal-scoring record with his 76th tally, while Bayern Munich's stunning form propelled the German club to the top of the team list. In The Associated Press' weekly rankings, Messi finished far ahead of his closest rival, Mexican striker Ja... Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1697064-messi-jumps-to-top-ap-soccer-rankings.html 2012-11-13T12:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1681402-inter-milito-head-ap-global-soccer-10-poll.html LONDON (AP) — Inter Milan moved to the top of the AP Global 10 soccer rankings by The Associated Press on Tuesday, replacing Barcelona after ending Juventus' 49-match unbeaten run. Argentine striker Diego Milito was voted player of the week by AP's panel of 20 international soccer writers, ousting Lionel Messi from the top spot by scoring two goals in Int... Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1681402-inter-milito-head-ap-global-soccer-10-poll.html 2012-11-06T11:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1676328-column-man-united-flying-with-wayne-man-robin.html Two minutes, 34 seconds. That's all it took for Robin van Persie to score in his first match against Arsenal and, in doing so, prove how ridiculous it is to imagine that his former team somehow struck a canny deal in selling him. Arsenal is said to have got 24 million pounds (US$ 38 million) from Manchester United for its former captain this August. At th... Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:06:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1676328-column-man-united-flying-with-wayne-man-robin.html 2012-11-03T20:06:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1671944-nfl-players-union-donating-1.html NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL and the players' union are combining to donate $1 million to the American Red Cross to help in the recovery efforts in the Northeast after Hurricane Sandy. Also, the league and its network broadcasters will run TV pregame and in-game messages to promote donations during this weekend's games, beginning with Thursday night's game on ... Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1671944-nfl-players-union-donating-1.html 2012-11-01T22:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1670592-column-madness-required-referees.html PARIS (AP) — The players were more boys than men, not yet 17. But they were furious. Mimicking the ugly behavior of professionals seen on TV, they swarmed around the referee, haranguing him to disallow the goal just scored against them. One player was particularly aggressive, threatening violence. So Nicolas Perron did what any referee should do: He sent him off. ... Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:43:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1670592-column-madness-required-referees.html 2012-11-01T09:43:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1669350-us-women-expect-subtle-changes-under-sermanni.html CHICAGO (AP) — Tom Sermanni doesn't come with a guitar. And forget about bursting into song when he meets the U.S. women's soccer team for the first time, as predecessor Pia Sundhage famously did. "I can't do that one bit," the Americans' new coach said, smiling. "I can come up with some good one-liners and clichés, but players don't tend to appreciate th... Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1669350-us-women-expect-subtle-changes-under-sermanni.html 2012-10-31T19:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1666536-global-soccer-10-list.html The Associated Press' inaugural AP Global Soccer 10 for the week ending Oct. 20. Voting is by an 18-member panel of international soccer writers: Players 1. Lionel Messi, 140 points. 2. Cristiano Ronaldo, 111. 3. Radamel Falcao, 79. 4. Robin van Persie, 73. 5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 61. 6. Gonzalo Higuain, 50. 7. Juan Mata, 41. 8. Javi Hernandez, 28. ... Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1666536-global-soccer-10-list.html 2012-10-30T16:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1666476-messi-leads-inaugural-ap-soccer-poll.html LONDON (AP) — The Associated Press has released its inaugural AP Global Soccer 10 rankings, with Lionel Messi voted the best soccer player in the world and his Barcelona team the top-rated club. The international panel of soccer writers on Tuesday chose Messi as the clear leader in a top 10 list of players for his performance in the week ending Oct. 29. M... Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1666476-messi-leads-inaugural-ap-soccer-poll.html 2012-10-30T16:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1663064-than-ever-barca-than-club-catalans.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Nearly 20 minutes into the latest clash between Spain's most popular football teams, Barcelona's 98,000-seat Camp Nou stadium erupted into a deafening roar. Tens of thousands of Catalans in the city at the heart of their separatist movement chanted in unison: "Independence!" More than ever, FC Barcelona, known affectionately as Bar... Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:51:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1663064-than-ever-barca-than-club-catalans.html 2012-10-29T08:51:00Z