Omar Gonzalez, Juan Agudelo Among U.S. Players to Watch Against Chile

It's all-too easy to get caught up in the post-World Cup hangover. When the words "four-year cycle" are thrown around, the slow climb toward Brazil 2014 can feel like an eternity.

But this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup is a crucial event. Although the regional tournament is a biennial affair, many countries send their best personnel only to the edition that occurs the year after the World Cup, when a berth in the next Confederations Cup is at stake.

The very youthful pool of players summoned to Carson, Calif., by U.S. coach Bob Bradley ahead of Saturday's friendly against Chile (10 p.m. ET, TeleFutura) clearly indicates that he has one eye on the more-distant future. But Bradley surely will be using the other to evaluate certain players for his 23-man Gold Cup roster.

If these eight players manage to show something against the Chileans and carry that momentum forward, they just might join Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and the rest of the varsity squad in June.

Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit, two center backs who didn't miss a minute of action in South Africa, each will be 34 years old come 2014. That in mind, it's safe to assume Bradley would like to inject some youth into central defense. And the 22-year-old Gonzalez (photo), an MLS defender of the year finalist, looks like an ideal candidate.

At 6-5, he possesses the necessary physical tools to succeed. But as Gonzalez's up-and-down international debut against Brazil in August revealed, he still has a way to go when it comes to his distribution out of the back and man-marking.

Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

If Bradley isn't impressed by Gonzalez's athletic prowess, he might find Ream's uncanny composure and organizational expertise more to his liking. A 2010 rookie of the year finalist, Ream played every minute of New York's worst-to-first campaign that was in full force long before the celebrated midseason signings of Thierry Henry and Rafael M�rquez.

Ream and Gonzalez seem to complement each other quite well, and U.S. fans will probably see the pairing work together against Chile. Still, it's hard to imagine Bradley taking two inexperienced center backs to the Gold Cup, so they could very well end up competing against each other for a spot.

Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Incumbent Steve Cherundolo has the right back spot clamped down for the foreseeable future. Behind him, there waits a stable of talented defenders, including West Ham's Jonathan Spector and Aston Villa's Eric Lichaj, trying to position themselves to take over when the time comes.

All of this said, Franklin still has a chance thanks to his speed and overlapping vigor. The biggest disadvantage for the 25-year-old? Bradley's reluctance to position right-footed players at left back. As a result, there's a chance just one out of Spector, Lichaj and Franklin will represent the Yanks this summer.

Mikkel Diskerud (Stab�k, Norway)

Even though the U.S. player pool is already stacked with gifted central midfielders, it's hard to ignore a 20-year-old who brings creative zeal to the table like Diskerud.

The Norwegian-born playmaker only needed 11 minutes during his international debut against South Africa in November to show off that flair, skillfully evading a swarm of defenders before assisting Juan Agudelo's game-winner. It's that type of match-changing bravado that makes Diskerud such an enticing prospect.

Alejandro Bedoya (�rebro, Sweden)

The grizzled veteran of the bunch, with six caps to his name, Bedoya brings pace and energy to the flanks that nearly earned him a spot on the World Cup roster.

His immediate future with the national team could very well depend on the type of skill set Bradley looks for in his reserve midfielders. If he's content depending on natural central midfielders, such as Benny Feilhaber, Sacha Kljestan and Diskerud, to also provide depth out wide, Bedoya could be out of luck. If not, the former Boston College Eagle's ability to operate as a true winger could be his saving grace.

Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls)

It's well-documented that no U.S. forward has scored in a World Cup since Brian McBride notched two goals in 2002. As promising as Jozy Altidore is, he only scored three goals for club and country last year.

Thus, the search for capable goal-scorers continues. Enter the 18-year-old Agudelo, who had played just 14 minutes before starting the Red Bulls' two playoff games last fall. But he made two promising starts in the playoffs before finding net during his international debut against South Africa, making him the youngest U.S. scorer in the modern era. Premature or not, consider the hype machine revved and ready to go.

Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City)

Despite being a Canadian youth international and the son of Alex Bunbury, a former Canadian national team striker, Teal Bunbury accepted a U.S. call-up in November and picked up his first cap against South Africa.

Like Agudelo, Bunbury is young (20), well built (6-2, 175 pounds) and largely unproven (just 13 starts his rookie year). His respectable five-goal haul in those limited MLS minutes hints at his potential, though he still might be a few years away from being an impact player at the international level.

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

As Bradley's selections of Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez to the World Cup squad conveyed, he won't hesitate to place his trust with in-form strikers, even if their international experience is lacking.

At 27 years old, Wondolowski had never sniffed the national team before this camp. Now, after scoring 18 goals to win the MLS golden boot and carry his club to the playoffs, he seems as good a candidate as any to earn minutes up top. Plus, he offers the versatility to fill in on the wing.

Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/21/omar-gonzalez-juan-agudelo-among-us-players-to-watch-against-chile/

basketball playbook

Marta Returns to WPS, Signs with Expansion Club in Western New York

January 26 2011 Last updated at 08:59 AM ET

She is, without question, the best women's soccer player in the world -- a five-time FIFA award winner whose stunning skill would impress even Andy Gray and Richard Keys.

Her talents have translated to Women's Professional Soccer, where she led her clubs to first place in each of the league's two seasons while scoring 29 goals.

But she's also been the kiss of death. Worth a reported $500,000 per year, the Brazilian's contract has weighed heavily on clubs struggling to survive in a sport that still hasn't turned the corner. Marta's first team, the Los Angeles Sol, folded one year ago after L.A. Galaxy owner Anschutz Entertainment Group pulled out and a prospective replacement failed to deliver. WPS's marquee franchise was history.

Its marquee player moved north to the Bay Area to join FC Gold Pride, who improved on its last place finish in 2009 and won the league championship last year. Marta scored the final goal in a 4-0 rout of Philadelphia in the final. Two months later, the Pride closed up shop.

Four clubs have gone under in all, and WPS will kick off its third season with just six (or five-and-a-half, we don't know what to make of the ludicrous half-franchise that is magicTalk SC/Washington Freedom), one (or one-and-a-half) fewer than it started with two years ago. With the league hanging on by a couple of threads, which club would be willing to take on the brilliant half-million dollar jinx?

Turns out it's going to be the expansion team in the league's smallest market. The Western New York Flash, launched by the Sahlen's meat packing company (check out the similar logo -- it's good to see the new club upholding the tradition of pointless, indecipherable WPS team names) and scheduled to play in Rochester, have elected to shoulder the Marta burden in the hope that fans might turn out to see the world's best player.

"(Owner Joe Sahlen) recognized Marta's importance to the league and wanted to keep her here," Flash GM Henrik Ambarchian told The Buffalo News. "He decided to assume her contract. We contacted the league office and the FC Gold Pride was willing to transfer her right to the Flash. We did contact her agent and he gave us his word and OK'd the move. He (said he) would contact Marta and give her the good news.

"She is a global name. People around the world know who she is and will follow where she plays. That brings global attention to Western New York."

It certainly is a gamble, and it will be interesting to see if Marta can acclimatize herself to a culture that's far different from that of Brazil and California (she has played professionally in Sweden as well). It'll also be interesting to see whether fans can acclimatize themselves to buying tickets to WPS games. Regular season attendance fell 23% last season.

Thanks to Marta, the Flash will likely win. Whether they can attract fans, and stay in business, will have a tremendous impact on the future of American women's soccer.

Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/marta-returns-to-wps-signs-with-expansion-club-in-western-new-y/

football history

Hannah Storm Signs New ESPN Contract

January 26 2011 Last updated at 03:20 PM ET

Hannah Storm, arguably the most visible woman at ESPN, has signed a contract extension that will bolster her visibility, the channel announced Wednesday.

Storm, who came to the Worldwide Leader from CBS News in 2008 to launch the late-morning "SportsCenter", has inked a deal, the length and financial terms of which were not disclosed.

However, ESPN was all too happy to announce that Storm, who began hosting NBA coverage, will also be on-site host for the channel's coverage of the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, as well as the NBA Finals.

Storm will also make appearances on "The Sports Reporters", while continuing to host "SportsCenter" on Sunday mornings during the NFL season and the Tournament of Roses Parade and "ESPN Sports Saturday" on ABC. .

Storm, who previously worked at NBC Sports and at CNN, is the wife of NBC's Dan Hicks.

Source: http://www.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/hannah-storm-signs-new-espn-contract/

who invented football

US players to be considered domestic for Canadian teams

NEW YORK ? The 2011 MLS season will see the league?s two Canadian clubs operate on a more even playing field compared to their US-based counterparts.

The league announced on Friday that players considered domestic players in the United States will also be considered domestic players in Canada.

?We want to make sure the MLS teams from Canada are competitive with other MLS teams and, at the same time, we want to make sure we?re creating the best environment for domestic players to develop in Canada,? MLS executive vice president of player relations and competition Todd Durbin told MLSsoccer.com.

?The backbone of the league has been and will continue to be the US domestic players, and that is a very large pool upon which our teams can draw from. If the Canadian teams are limited in their ability to draw from that pool, there?s a possibility that it could impact them competitively on the field.?

With the freedom to select players from the pool of US and Canadian domestic players, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and future Canadian clubs will also be required to maintain a minimum of three Canadian players on their roster. Montreal is set to join the league in 2012.

The rule sets the first ever domestic-player minimum for MLS clubs in league history. Durbin expects Canadian teams to regularly exceed this number.

?You could in theory have a team with no Canadian domestics on it,? Durbin said. ?That is clearly not our goal and it?s not the goal of Vancouver or Toronto, who are committed to developing players.?

In order to monitor the impact on the development of Canadian players, MLS has partnered with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) in setting up a task force that will continually evaluate the rule, which expires after the 2015 season.

?MLS and the CSA will be working together to ensure that there?s optimal player development opportunities for players in Canada,? Durbin said. ?We?ll also be reviewing the number of Canadian players on each MLS roster with the idea of balancing the need for MLS teams to be competitive and our collective commitment to developing players in Canada.?

�

Source: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/01/us-players-to-be-considered-domestic-for-canadian-teams

foot locker

FanHouse TV: Steve Phillips on Mets, Bernie Madoff Scandal

January 29 2011 Last updated at 10:04 PM ET

The Wilpon family announced this week that they were looking to sell a portion of the Mets, citing uncertainty in the wake of the Bernie Madoff scandal. While the parties on the other side of any potential lawsuit against the Wilpons may believe that the family was guilty in some part of Madoff's scheme, not all agree.

Steve Phillips may know the Wilpon family better than anyone after a 20-year association with the team, and he isn't buying it.

Phillips explains why he knows Fred and Jeff Wilpon are victims, not villains in this FanHouse TV Exclusive.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/fanhouse-tv-steve-phillips-on-mets-bernie-madoff-scandal/

online sports store

NASCAR President Mike Helton Confirms Points System Change Imminent

January 21 2011 Last updated at 03:00 PM ET

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR President Mike Helton, Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton and Sprint Cup Series director John Darby held a competition update news conference Friday at Daytona International Speedway, confirming that the sanctioning body is looking at a "simpler" points system that would be introduced in all three national series for the 2011 season.

Speaking to reporters during downtime from a three-day preseason test session at the Daytona Beach track, the trio spoke on a wide range of issues. First, Helton made the news official that drivers must now select only one of the three national series to earn points toward a championship. He also indicated NASCAR was considering changes to the 1, 3 and 7:30 p.m. race start times introduced this past year.

Pemberton said that the proposed fuel injection systems would not be used this season but are progressing well in tests and Darby explained that the introduction of ethanol to fuel this year was actually an easier transition than when NASCAR switched from leaded to unleaded fuel in 2008.

The hot topic, unquestionably, was a change to the points system -- which would be the first since NASCAR formed in 1958 -- even if none of the officials would confirm what the new format might look like.

"We're in the middle of the conversations, telling the competitors where our mind is,'' Helton said. "The goal for some time is to create a points system that is easy to understand, easy to explain, easy to talk about but also be credible at the end of the season. So it's a function of taking the current one that has established credibility and come up with one that you can sit and have a conversation with someone and they say, 'well, that's pretty simple.' ''

"We're close. And we're getting a lot of good feedback from the drivers about tweaks that would go into that.''

The Associated Press citing unnamed sources, reported this week that NASCAR is considering a system using 43 points. The winner in the 43-car field gets 43 points and the last place car gets one point. Helton said the tweak to that might include bonuses for wins as incentive and reward.

NASCAR CEO Brian France is expected to announce the new points system next Wednesday at dinner with the national racing media at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

Helton was asked if he thought the late timing of the news -- with teams expected in Daytona Beach for the season-opening Speedweeks only three weeks from now -- might hurt the series' credibility with competitors and fans.
"I think that our fans -- as long as we maintain the core elements of the sport, tweaking the points, tweaking the Chase, tweaking different components in the sport -- they're quick studies."
-- Mike Helton
"I think the credibility of our final decision is actually better because of the collaborative effort that we put into it today as opposed to what might have happened in the past to get to the final decision,'' Helton said. "So that when the final decision is confirmed, and NASCAR, who's the governing body and responsible for making the final decisions, right, wrong or indifferent, our appetite and our desire is to do it correctly and have one that makes sense and not one just for the sake of changing things. ''

And Helton continued, "I think that our fans -- as long as we maintain the core elements of the sport, tweaking the points, tweaking the Chase, tweaking different components in the sport -- they're quick studies.

"And by the time we announce our final decisions and the time Speed Week opens up, in today's world with all the opportunity to debate it and discuss it and to wash it out between all of our stakeholders, I think the season will start off with, 'Okay, let's go.'''

Helton explained that the new pick-your-championship rule was designed to give the lesser tier Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series a more distinct identity. Under the new rules, a driver such as defending series champion Brad Keselowski may win 10 times in the Nationwide Series in 2011, but he will not receive any points in the drivers championship, although his car owner can earn points toward that title.

In other news, Pemberton reported that he was satisfied with the new, slightly smaller restrictor plate that the Sprint Cup Series cars have been running during this three-day test at Daytona. Yesterday's top speed -- turned in by David Reutimann's No. 00 Toyota -- was 195.780 mph. Tony Stewart had the fastest lap in Friday's rain-delayed first session at 194.884 mph.

"There's some margin in there,'' Pemberton said, The track is smooth and we're happy with where we're at right now and maybe even a little bit quicker.''

Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/21/nascar-president-mike-helton-confirms-points-system-change-immin/

basketball offenses

TCU Horned Frogs Tops Among Non-AQ Teams in 2011 Recruiting

In the final push toward National Signing Day 2011 on Wednesday, FanHouse has examined the recruiting efforts of major conferences in twice-weekly notebooks. As always, recruiting is an always-changing landscape -- and there are several high-profile players who remain uncommitted. In the finale of the eight-part series, here is FanHouse's review of the major non-automatic BCS qualifiers.

THE BEST

TCU HORNED FROGS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 25

Five- and four-star commitments: 2

The 411: TCU is all set to join the Big East in 2012, leaving the Mountain West in search of a conference that has an automatic berth in the BCS for the league champion. Doing so will be slightly easier with four-star incoming talent like ATH LaDarius Brown (6-2, 190, Waxahachie, Texas, HS) and DT Chuck Hunter (6-1, 294, West Monroe, La., HS) on board.

Grade: A

UTAH UTES

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 18

Five- and four-star commitments: 2

The 411: Like TCU, Utah is bolting the Mountain West for an automatic qualifier -- though a year earlier, and the Utes might find the new Pac-12 a bit tougher sledding than the Big East. Of course, loading up with four-star commitments like RB Harvey Langi (6-1, 220, South Jordon, Utah, Bingham HS) and DB Keith McBill (6-4, 215, Norwalk, Calif., Cerritos CC) will make the transition earlier.

Grade: A

THE CONTENDERS

BOISE STATE BRONCOS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 20

Five- and four-star commitments: 0

The 411: The Broncos are also on the move to a new conference, though switching from the WAC to the Mountain West will continue to keep Boise State on the outside of the BCS party without an automatic invitation. Recruiting is an unfinished puzzle for Boise State, though the commitments of QB Jimmy Laughrea (6-2, 180, Rocklin, Calif., HS) and DT Jeff Worthy (6-4, 275, La Habra, Calif., Whittier Christian HS) are a solid start.

Grade: B+

SMU MUSTANGS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 27

Five- and four-star commitments: 1

The 411: SMU is staying put in Conference USA, continuing its renaissance under coach June Jones. DE Davon Moreland (6-3, 225, Los Angeles, Calif., Salesian HS) and OL Dontae Levingston (6-5, 279, Harbor City, Calif., Narbonne HS) are the high spots in the 2011 recruiting class.

Grade: B

REST OF THE PACK

LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 22

Five- and four-star commitments: 0

The 411: Coach Spike Dykes is going through his first full recruiting class, and just has a spot or two left to fill. The best future Bulldogs are OL Oscar Johnson (6-6, 350, Wesson, Ms., Copiah-Lincoln CC) and WR Quinton Patton (6-0, 195, Coffeyville, Kan., Coffeyville CC).

Grade: B-

WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 17

Five- and four-star commitments: 0

The 411: The Hilltoppers still have a bit to go before the 2011 recruiting finish line, but already have a strong jump on the rest of the Sun Belt. LB Daerius Washington (6-0, 190, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dillard HS) and WR Boe Brand (6-0, 155, Bradenton, Fla., Southeast HS) are two steals from the Sunshine State.

Grade: C

TOLEDO ROCKETS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 16

Five- and four-star commitments: 0

The 411: Toledo also has room left to fill its 2011 recruiting class, though the Rockets have a good jump on the rest of the Mid-American Conference. WR Alonzo Russell (6-4, 188, New Berlin, N.Y., Milford Academy) and WR Justin Olack (6-3, 195, Massillon, Ohio, Washington HS) are big future passing targets.

Grade: C

HAWAII WARRIORS

Total commitments (as of Jan. 27): 12

Five- and four-star commitments: 0

The 411: Hawaii still has several spots to fill in its 2011 recruiting class, which means grading the Warriors a work in progress. RB Will Gregory (6-0, 179, Compton, Calif., Dominguez HS) and LB Brenden Daley (6-4, 255, Ventura, Calif., CC) have Hawaii off to a strong start.

Grade: C-

COMMITMENT TICKER

As National Signing Day is less than a week away, more and more athletes are making their commitments. Since Monday, five four-star athletes are among the 24 public pledges -- which are non-binding and are always subject to change before Wednesday.

Four-star RB Tre Mason (5-9, 185, Lake Worth, Fla., Park Vista HS) committed to Auburn. Four-star RB Bishop Sankey (5-11, 190, Spokane, Wash., Gonzaga Prep School) pledged to Washington. Four-star CB Blake Countess (5-10, 174, Olney, Md., Our Lady Good Counsel HS) and four-star LB Antonio Poole (6-1, 225, Cincinnati, Ohio, Winton Woods HS) are both headed to Michigan. Four-star LB C.J. Johnson (6-2, 240, Philadelphia, Miss., HS) committed to Ole Miss.

S Marquis Jackson (6-0, 190, Fort Worth, Texas, Arlington Heights HS) committed to Kansas, WR Keyarris Garrett (6-5, 185, Daingerfield, Texas, HS) pledged to Tulsa, DT Mo Latu (6-2, 318, Gilbert, Ariz., Perry HS) is headed to Arizona State, WR Justin Olack (6-4, 190, Massillon, Ohio, Washington HS) committed to Toledo, and OG Robert Trudo (6-4, 280, Farrell, Pa., Farrell Area HS/UMS) pledged to Syracuse.

DT Roderick Byers (6-3, 262, Rock Hill, S.C., Northwestern HS) committed to Oregon, DE Devaunte Sigler (6-3, 249, Mobile, Ala., B.C. Rain HS) pledged to Auburn, RB Jalen Simmons (5-8, 194, Charlotte, N.C., West Charlotte HS) is headed to South Carolina State, OT Matt Killian (6-6, 275, Saint Charles, Mo., Francis Howell HS) committed to Northern Illinois, and CB Floyd Raven (6-2, 180, Reserve, La., East Saint John HS) is going to Ole Miss.

WR Kyle Coleman (6-2, 205, Pine Bluff, Ark., Watson Chapel HS) will go to Arkansas State, CB Kenneth Lynn (5-11, 160, Dallas, Texas, Justin F. Kimball HS) committed to Iowa State, DT James Castleman (6-4, 280, Amarillo, Texas, HS) pledged to Oklahoma State, QB Russell Bellomy (6-3, 185, Arlington, Texas, Martin HS) committed to Michigan, and WR Rashawn Scott (6-2, 198, Melbourne, Fla., Melbourne Central Catholic HS) pledged to Miami (Fla.).

DE Arrington Jenkins (6-3, 217, Miami, Fla., Coral Park HS) committed to Florida State, TE Benson Browne (6-6, 240, Cincinnati, Ohio, Walnut Hills HS) pledged to North Carolina State, LB Troy Gray (6-1, 215, Kennesaw, Ga., North Cobb HS) will play at Central Florida and OT Larry Mazyck (6-7, 320, Fork Union, Va., Fork Union Military Academy) is set to attend Vanderbilt.

Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/tcu-horned-frogs-tops-among-non-aq-teams-in-2011-recruiting/

fox sports wikipedia