There is a slight, slight, remote, small chance that the US will host the 2010 World Cup. Ever so slight. Only if South Africa isn’t ready for it will the US step in. There are concerns whether the stadiums in the South Africa will be built and modernized in time and if they are capable of handling the massive transportation need that comes with a World Cup. A lot has to go wrong before the US or any other country gets the nod for the next WC but I thought it worth mentioning.
Italy won the world cup in Germany but back at home the Serie A is in shambles following punishments handed down for the match fixing scandal. Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina were demoted to Serie B, however AC Milan wasn’t demoted. They got a 15-point penalty and can’t play in any Euro competitions. To make things worse, Juventus also was penalized 30 points, Fiorentina was penalized 12 points and Lazio seven making promotion very hard for them. Two former Juventus executives received a maximum five-year ban for match-fixing and disloyalty. A recommendation has been made to the soccer federation to make it a lifetime ban. 19 officials also got the maximum five-year ban. Ouch. I am surprised that they were actually demoted but it’s awsome.
The roster has been finalized for the MLS All-Star game where the MLS All-Stars will face Chelsea on Aug. 5. The First XI sports an all-American backline with Albright, Conrad and Pope. The midfield will showcase De Rosario, LD, Gomez, Dempsey and Joseph. Razov and Moreno will be the forwards. Peter Nowak and Garber named their picks to round out the roster and they included Freddy as well as three other DCUnited players in Gros, Alecko and Bobby Boswell. Joe Cannon, Richard Mulrooney , Ronnie O’Brien, Nate Jaqua and Pablo complete the team. I will be very interested to see how the MLS All-Star’s play and whether or not LD will decide to show up to this one. Sorry, I still harbor anger from his WC06 performance.