Soccer By Ives

Johnson scores in Hoffenheim loss

It may have have happened in a loss, but Fabian Johnson scored his first goal for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Johnson opened his account with the club he joined last summer by netting in the second half of Hoffenheim's 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Johnson got on the end of a low cross and one-timed a powerful shot into the back of the net to prevent Hoffenheim from getting shut out for a second consecutive game.

Johnson started and played 77 minutes in the match for Hoffenheim, while fellow U.S. international Danny Williams started and went the distance at centerback. Looking to make his debut with the club, U.S. U-23 winger Joe Gyau dressed but did not play.

Here is Johnson's goal (at the 3:15 mark):

 

What do you think of Johnson's goal? Surprised it is Johnson's first of the season?

Share your thoughts below.

Liverpool 2, Manchester United 1: Match Highlights

Soccer Saturday: Your Running Commentary

 

A pair of heated English derby match-ups headline today's action, and both will have added subplots that will only make things more intense.

Manchester United and Liverpool clash in their first meeting since the controversial match where Luis Suarez allegedly used racial slurs against Patrice Evra; while London rivals Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers meet for the first time since John Terry allegedly used a racial slur against Anton Ferdinand.

In Italy, unbeaten Juventus takes on title hopeful Udinese in a clash of top three Serie A clubs. Despite the fact they have not lost yet, Juve is just three points ahead of Udinese, and one point ahead of AC Milan, meaning anything short of a home win could drop the Turin club out of first place.

In Spain, Barcelona takes on struggling Villarreal in their first match since their Copa Del Rey triumph over Real Madrid. Meanwhile, in Mexico, a full slate of games are on tap, including Michael Orozco and San Luis taking on Club America.

If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Today's TV Schedule is after the jump): 

USA Women top Costa Rica to clinch Olympic berth

The U.S. Women's National Team faced a tougher test than expected, but ultimately the Americans proved too tough for underdog Costa Rica and eventually punched their ticket to the Summer Olympics.

A first-half goal by Tobin Heath gave the U.S. women the lead and despite a courageous fight from the Costa Ricans, the United States held that one-goal lead before Carli Lloyd blasted home a long-range blast in the second half to give the Americans a 2-0 victory in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinals in Vancouver.

The victory secured the United States' place in the 2012 London Olympics, and moved the United States into the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament Final on Sunday against the winner of Canada/Mexico.

The Americans were the bigger and stronger side on Friday, putting serious pressure on the Costa Rica defense, particularly in the penalty area, but Costa Rica's quickness and technical ability allowed the underdogs to frustrate the United States unlike any of the U.S. team's three previous opponents.

What did you think of the United States' victory on Friday? Disappointed with their performance, or happy to see them qualify for the Olympics? Impressed with Costa Rica?

Share your thoughts below.

This Weekend's Soccer on TV

Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com

CONCACAF's two places in the women's soccer tournament at this summer's Olympics will be determined Friday night, as the U.S. women look to maintain their stretch of dominance and clinch a place in London with a win over Costa Rica. Canada and Mexico duel it out in the nightcap at BC Place, where one of the region's powers will end up missing out on the summer festivities.

FA Cup action dominates the slate in England, with Liverpool-Manchester United and Arsenal-Aston Villa being among the more attention-grabbing games of the weekend. The Queens Park Rangers-Chelsea bout will also be one to watch, as it pits Anton Ferdinand against John Terry for the first time since their incident that resulted in the latter being criminally charged with racial abuse.

Italy's top match of the weekend involves two top-three teams, as Juventus and Udinese tangle with major Serie A implications on the line. Real Madrid and Barcelona return to league action in Spain after their heated Copa del Rey encounter, and highlighting the action in Mexico, the American contingent at Tijuana goes up against Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna.

Here is this weekend's soccer on TV:

Everton 2, Fulham 1: Match Highlights

Pair of Donovan assists leads Everton past Fulham in FA Cup

The All-American showdown went to Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton.

Donovan came up with two assists to guide the Toffees to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over Clint Dempsey's Fulham at Goodison Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday.

Donovan hit summer acquisition Denis Stracqualursi with a pinpoint left-footed cross from the right in the 27th minute, and the Argentine headed it past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale to pull Everton level at 1-1.

The on-loan American was at it again in the 73rd minute, this time finding Marouane Fellaini with a right-footed cross from the right. The wild-haired Belgian international headed it across his body to the far post, leaving a diving Stockdale with no chance at keeping out the game-winner.

Everton vs. Fulham: Match Day Commentary

 

The three best American soccer players in the world will be on the field together in a club match for the first time ever as Tim Howard and Landon Donovan lead Everton against Clint Dempsey and Fulham (3pm, Fox Soccer Channel).

Today's FA Cup Fourth Round showdown is being billed as a battle between Dempsey and Donovan, long-time USA teammates and two great players who draw different reactions from different fans.

SBI will be providing live commentary on today's match, so please feel free to follow along. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Live commentary is after the jump):

European Look Ahead: Liverpool set for United, top Italian sides meet and more

By JOHN BOSCHINI

It's FA Cup weekend again in England, and the field is down to 32 teams.

Liverpool are well out of the Premier League title race, and their Champions League hopes are diminishing quickly, but fans will find some solace in the domestic cups, especially after the club reached the Carling Cup final earlier this week. The Reds will host Manchester United at Anfield in a game that should be about two of best teams in England facing each other but might instead turn into cross-section of how much racism still permeates the English game. Patrice Evra is expected to face Liverpool for the first time since the incident between him and Luis Suarez that resulted in the latter being suspended for eight matches and unavailable for this rematch.

Over in Italy, Udienese will test Juventus' title credentials on Saturday as Serie A's third-place team travels face the table leaders. Should Udienese pull off the upset they would move equal with Juventus on points in a tight title race that includes AC Milan and a hard-charging Inter Milan.

Most of the other title contenders around Europe will try to stave off upsets as the Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie's tables show no clear frontrunners for the title.

Here is a look ahead to the action going on in Europe this weekend:

Ream ready for new challenges at Bolton

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Tim Ream was married all of 24 hours and on the brink of going on his honeymoon before he got a phone call that would alter his plans.

Getting ready to head to Tahiti with his wife, Ream received a call on Jan. 8 from Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle, who asked Ream to skip his honeymoon and fly to England instead. The conflicted Ream obliged, knowing that a trip there would likely result in a transfer from the New York Red Bulls.

It did, as Ream agreed to a three-and-a-half year deal with Bolton and had a work permit approved in the following weeks, ending his two-year stay with the Red Bulls.

"I look back on my two years and obviously not happy with the second year, very disappointed with that, but overall I've loved my time in New York," said Ream during a conference call on Friday morning. "The people that I've met, the media, all the people in the organization, the players, the coaching staff, I've enjoyed every minute of it. The fans have made it great. They were always welcoming and behind us 100 percent, and it's something I'll always remember and something I'll miss."