Brian Ching, Sacha Kljestan Score For Americans' 2-1 Victory Over El Salvador In World Cup Warmup
by Brian Landman (Result | St. Petersburg Times - February 25)
U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley has some things to ponder after Wednesday night's international friendly against El Salvador. And that's a good thing. more details | go to article

Attendance A Key If Tampa Wants To Host World Cup Games
by Brian Landman (Analysis | St. Petersburg Times - February 25)
If the United States wins the right to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, organizers will have to pare the list of cities, which includes Tampa, from 18 to 12 or, perhaps, 14. To make that final cut, which won't happen until five years before the event, U.S. Soccer president and USA Bid Committee chairman Sunil Gulati said cities will "need to distinguish themselves." more details | go to article

Chance At World Cup Beckons For Ex-USF Star Jeff Cunningham
by Brian Landman (Profile/Interview | St. Petersburg Times - February 24)
Not that long ago, former Crystal River High and USF high-scoring forward Jeff Cunningham figured he had seen his last shot at playing for the U.S. national soccer team. more details | go to article

Another 18-Year-Old Grabs Piece Of Soccer Spotlight
by Brandon Wright (Profile/Interview | St. Petersburg Times - March 11)
Jozy Altidore is taking on an increasing role with the Under-23 team, perhaps even eclipsing Freddy Adu. more details | go to article

Tampa May Host Key Soccer Tourney
by Greg Auman (Preview | St. Petersburg Times - August 16)
Raymond James Stadium is a strong contender to host part of an international men's soccer tournament in March that could give the United States a spot in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. more details | go to article

U.S. Future, Dj And Ferrell
by Brandon Wright (Profile/Interview | St. Petersburg Times - March 24)
Rob Stone's name might not ring a bell. But if you have seen a Major League Soccer or U.S. national team game recently, you probably know his voice. more details | go to article

Face-Off: With The NHL Season In Serious Jeopardy, What League Should Do The Kevorkian Act Next?
by Greg Auman and Brant James (Commentary | St. Petersburg Times - February 6)
Even here in the home of the Stanley Cup, there's a ho-hum mourning for a lost hockey season. But if another pro league - say Major League Soccer - were to fold its tent, would you notice? Also: save basketball, stop the NBA. more details | go to article

Rant: NHL: Nothing Happened League; Rave: MLS Fans Getting Their Kicks
by Aaron Greenfeld (Commentary | St. Petersburg Times - October 24)
(Halfway down in article): Since the Mutiny and Miami Fusion folded in 2002, Major League Soccer hasn't received much local attention. But as the playoffs opened Friday, MLS has, if not thrived, found a niche in America's sports landscape. more details | go to article

Life Is Full Of Trials For Under-17 Squad
by Rasmussen Jeremy (Profile/Interview | St. Petersburg Times - September 23)
Winning isn't everything to the U.S. under-17 '88 men's national soccer team. Tampa's Jeremy Hall scored for the U.S. U-17 squad on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Ecuador in the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) Copa America tournament. more details | go to article

Rant: MLS Still Waiting For Teen To Lift It To Prominence
by Pete Young (Commentary | St. Petersburg Times - July 18)
Freddy Adu, remember him? This spring, Adu, who turned 15 in June, was anointed the Chosen One, the savior of American pro soccer. Have you heard about him since? Unless you are a soccer diehard, the Adu phenomenon has been on sabbatical. more details | go to article

Concerns Over Soccer; A Dancer's New Home
by Ernest Hooper (Analysis | St. Petersburg Times - July 16)
Once again, Tampa's name is being splashed about in national and international circles, thanks to an illustrious citizen and a not-so-illustrious institution. In England, it's the name of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer hanging on the lips of every soccer-loving fan. more details | go to article