Teams Face Doping Tests Before, During World Cup
by Raf Casert (Analysis | Yahoo - May 26)
FIFA will be testing eight players from each of the 32 teams during out-of-competition controls ahead of the World Cup. more details | go to article

US Nervously Awaits Friday's World Cup Draw
by Robert Millward, Raf Casert and Rob Harris (Profile/Interview | Sports Illustrated - December 2)
Bruce Arena remembered his first World Cup draw as U.S. coach and the sinking feeling he had watching the Americans get plunked into a group with Portugal and host South Korea in 2002. more details | go to article

United States Beats Spain 2-0
by Raf Casert (Result | Yahoo - June 24)
The United States stunned top-ranked Spain 2-0 Wednesday night on goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, advancing to the Confederations Cup final with one of the Americans’ biggest soccer victories. more details | go to article

Spain Favored Over US To Reach Confed Cup Final
by Raf Casert (Preview | Google News - June 23)
For Spain, it always was a given that the team would reach the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. For the United States, it turned out to be an unexpected gift. more details | go to article

New World Cup Bidding System In The Making
by Raf Casert (Preview | Google News - October 6)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will propose new World Cup bidding rules that would dash the hopes of the United States to host the 2018 tournament. more details | go to article

Farewell Tour De France A Joy Ride For Zidane
by Raf Casert (Commentary | Chicago Sun Times - July 7)
HAMELN, Germany -- French players are hoping their will to win a second World Cup carries them at least as far as their aging legs. more details | go to article

Italy 3, Ukraine 0
by Raf Casert (Result | Yahoo - June 30)
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) -- Italy was only supposed to advance as far as its spectacular defense could take it. Add some opportunistic offense and the Azzurri are one game away from playing for the World Cup title. more details | go to article

France 3, Spain 1
by Raf Casert (Result | Yahoo - June 27)
HANOVER, Germany (AP) -- French fans had not celebrated with such abandon in a World Cup stadium since 1998. Then again, Zinedine Zidane had not played a game like this one in eight years. more details | go to article

Portugal 1, Netherlands 0
by Raf Casert (Result | Yahoo - June 25)
NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) -- Portugal survived a brutal foul-fest with the Netherlands, one of the dirtiest matches in World Cup history. Cleats bashed into thighs and shoulders, heads butted and elbows flew. more details | go to article

Netherlands 1, Serbia-Montenegro 0
by Raf Casert (Result | Yahoo - June 11)
LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) -- The orange fans ruled the stands, their players the field. The Netherlands relied on the lightning speed of winger Arjen Robben for a 1-0 win over Serbia-Montenegro on Sunday to join favorite Argentina at the top of Group C, considered the toughest of the first round. more details | go to article

Italy Knocks United States Out Of World Youth Championship
by Raf Casert (Article | US National Soccer Players Association - June 21)
Freddy Adu and the U.S. team crashed out of the World Youth Championships on Tuesday with a second-half meltdown against Italy. more details | go to article

Adu Answers Own Questions
by Raf Casert (Profile/Interview | US National Soccer Players Association - June 21)
If Freddy Adu is lucky, nobody will remember his appearance at the World Youth Championship. If not, it will be for two missed penalties. Nothing less, and nothing more. more details | go to article

15 Years On, US Earns Respect
by Raf Casert (Analysis | US National Soccer Players Association - June 15)
Peter Vermes remembers when he was the only American in the Dutch League. In 1990, respect didn't come easy for U.S. soccer players. Even playing for a team in the quaint fishing town of Volendam, his US passport felt like a burden when it came to soccer. After all, the United States had not qualified for the World Cup in 40 years. more details | go to article

US U-20's Pitch Another Shutout To Move Closer To Second Round
by Raf Casert (Result | US National Soccer Players Association - June 14)
The United States and Germany both moved closer to qualifying for the second round of the World Youth Championship on Tuesday after playing to a 0-0 draw in Group D. more details | go to article

Six Could Advance On Tuesday
by Raf Casert (Preview | US National Soccer Players Association - June 13)
Six teams could assure themselves of a place in the second round of the World Youth Championship by winning their games Tuesday. The teams tied for first place in three groups all play each other, with Germany facing the United States in Group D, China taking on Ukraine in Group B and Chile playing Spain in Group C. more details | go to article