U-17 FIFA World Cup--United States draws 0-0

PACHUCA, MEXICO - A 10-man United States held on for a 0-0 draw with New Zealand on Saturday, enough to advance it and give CONCACAF a second team in the second round of the Under-17 World Cup.
The result finished both teams with four points and tied for second place in Group D behind Uzbekistan. Although the draw assured both of advancing, because the United States and New Zealand finished with an identical 4-2 aggregate goal count, the tie had to be broken by lots.
Acting FIFA U-17 World Cup chairman David Chung conducted the draw, pulling the United States' slip of paper and putting sending the Americans to a second-round meeting against the Group E winner - likely Germany -- on Thursday.
Earlier, Canada was eliminated from contention with its 0-0 draw with Rwanda, a result that also knocked out the African side.
The Canadians finished with two points, in third place, five behind Group C winner England and four back of Uruguay.
In the latter game, the United States outshot the Kiwis 20-4 and had 10 corners to New Zealand's one, but lost captain Marc Pelosi in the 68th minute to a second yellow card.
The United States joins host Mexico in the knockout round, leaving Panama with a chance on Sunday to add another CONCACAF side in the round-of-16. Canada was eliminated along with Jamaica.

United States player Tim Howard lashes out at CONCACAF

PASADENA, UNITED STATES - As goalkeeper for the U.S. National Soccer team, Tim Howard is one of the most demonstrative players on the pitch. The 32-year-old pro can often be found barking directions at teammates and isn't afraid to show his emotion during close games. Howard certainly didn't shy away from expressing his feelings after Mexico's 4-2 victory over the U.S. in Saturday night's Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
"CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves," Howard told the Sporting News after the match. "I think it was a [expletive] disgrace that the entire post-match ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your [butt] if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn't all be in English."



Fernando Fiore, an anchor for Spanish-language network Univision, was the emcee for the post-match trophy ceremony. According to the Sporting News, Fiore used mostly Spanish while conducting the ceremony, except for the awarding of silver medals to the Americans in which he switched to English.
Though Howard said the influx of Mexican fans at the match had no impact on Mexico winning, he was visibly upset at the setup of the event.
"It never ceases to amaze me, all that stuff," he said.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley acknowledged the disparity in fan support but said the experience was good for his team.
"Obviously, the support that Mexico has on a night like tonight makes it a home game for them," he said. "Certainly we have some fans, but the overwhelming amount of support [for Mexico] is something that we expected and as a team we understand it's part of what we've got to deal with tonight. It was still a great atmosphere."

Dennis Marshall killed in car crash

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - Defender Dennis Marshall, who scored in Costa Rica's Gold Cup quarterfinal loss to Honduras on Saturday, has died along with his girlfriend in an apparent car crash, the Costa Rican soccer federation confirmed on its website Thursday.
The Associated Press, quoting the Red Cross, said Marshall died Thursday when his car collided in a head-on collision with a truck in a mountainous region near the capital of San Jose.
The 25-year-old member of Danish club AaB Aalborg, had returned to Costa Rica following Saturday's loss, in which he scored in the 56th minute for "Los Ticos", equalizing and eventually sending the match to penalties where Honduras prevailed 4-2.
The Costa Rican federation announced the death in a three-sentence statement on its website, saying it profoundly lamented the death of Marshall and his girlfriend Meylin Masis Castro.
Marshall had been a member of the Costa Rican national team since 2009 and had played in eight games over two Gold Cups.

U-17 FIFA World Cup--Panama advances to second round

QUERETARO, MEXICO - Panama fell to Germany 2-0 Sunday in its group finale but still advanced to the second round of the Under-17 World Cup. The result finished "Los Canaleros" in third place in Group E with three points, six behind group winner Germany and three back of Ecuador. It sends them to a round-of-16 encounter on Thursday against host Mexico, which has won all three of its group matches.
It also confirmed a second-round meeting between Germany and the United States on Thursday in Queretaro.
Panama finished the group stage outscored 4-2, outshot 20-10 by Germany and unable to register a goal against Germany despite playing the final 24 minutes with a man advantage.
Okan Aydin gave Germany the lead in the 10th minute, capitalizing on space granted to him and scoring from outside the penalty area.
Mitchell Weiser double the lead in the 39th. Cimo Roecker was freed down the left side and he worked his way to the byline and then toward goal before sending a cross back into the middle of the area, where Weiser settled the ball and hit a left-footed strike that Panama keeper Ivan Picart was able to get an arm to but not stop.
Panama was given an advantage when Aydin was ejected in the 66th for a studs-to-the-shin tackle of Alonzo Goot, but "La Marea Roja" was unable to mount any serious challenge the rest of the way.

Top 10 Players--2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup

1. Javier Hernandez-Mexico
2. Giovani dos Santos-Mexico
3. Rodolfo Zelaya-El Salvador
4. Clint Dempsey-United States
5. Andres Guardado-Mexico
6. Landon Donovan-United States
7. Luis Tejada-Panama
8. Jerry Bengston-Honduras
9. Demar Phillips-Jamaica
10. Tim Howard-United States

2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round annouced

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Four-time qualifier San Francisco of Panama will open the CONCACAF Champions League at home against the Seattle Sounders on July 26, kicking off the 78-game, nine-month championship with the first game of the Preliminary Round.
Herediano of Costa Rica will host Alpha United of Guyana the same night, with three games set for the next day.
The Canadian champion, either Toronto FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps, will be at home against Real Esteli of Nicaragua on Wednesday, July 27, with Isidro Metapan of El Salvador against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and Mexico's Santos hosting CD Olimpia of Honduras.
The Canadian champion will be decided July 2 with the replay of the second leg of the final in Toronto, which was abandoned midway through the second half on May 25 due to heavy rain and lightning.
The first leg of the Preliminary Round will conclude on Thursday, July 28, with Monarcas Morelia at home against Haiti's Tempete FC, El Salvador's Alianza FC at home against FC Dallas, and Motagua of Honduras hosting CSD Municipal of Guatemala.
The second leg of the Preliminary Round will begin with Esteli against the Canadian champion on August 2. Five games will follow on August 3: Dallas vs. Alianza, Tempete vs. Morelia, the Puerto Rico Islanders vs. Metapan, Seattle vs. San Francisco, and Olimpia vs. Santos Laguna.
The first phase of the Champions League will finish on August 4 with Alpha United vs. Herediano and Municipal vs. Motagua.
The winners will advance to the Group Stage, which will commence on August 16.

CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round 
All Times U.S. Eastern
 
FIRST LEG
 
Tuesday, July 26
San Francisco (PAN) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA), 8 p.m.
Herediano (CRC) vs. Alpha United (GUY), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 27
Toronto FC vs. Real Estelí FC (NCA), 8 p.m.*
Isidro Metapán (SLV) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 8 p.m.
Santos Laguna FC (MEX) vs. CD Olimpia (HON), 10 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN) vs. Real Estelí FC (NCA), 10 p.m. *

*Pending outcome of Canadian championship final on July 2

Thursday, July 28
Monarcas Morelia (MEX) vs. Tempete FC (HAI), 8 p.m.
Alianza FC (SLV) vs. FC Dallas (USA), 10 p.m.
CD Motagua (HON) vs. CSD Municipal (GUA), 10 p.m.

Second Leg
Tuesday, August 2
Real Estelí (NCA) vs. Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 3
 FC Dallas (USA) vs. Alianza FC (SLV), 8 p.m.
Tempete FC (HAI) vs. Monarcas Morelia (MEX), 8 p.m.
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Isidro Metapán (SLV), 8 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 10 p.m.
CD Olimpia (HON) vs. Santos Laguna FC (MEX), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 4
Alpha United (GUY) vs. Herediano (CRC), 8 p.m.
CSD Municipal (GUA) vs. CD Motagua (HON), 10 p.m.

Hernandez selected as MVP of tournament

 NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who scored in four of Mexico's six victories and finished as the leading scorer with seven goals, was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the 2011 Gold Cup. Hernandez led Mexico's near sweep of the awards. Hernandez also finished as the Golden Boot winner and captain Rafael Marquez accepted the Fair Play Award on behalf of El Tri.
Only Honduras' Noel Valladares interrupted the Mexico domination, selected as the tournament's best goalkeeper for leading "Los Catrachos" into the semifinals by permitting only five goals in as many games.