Soccer Stunner: US Tops No. 1 Spain

Underdog US team's surprise win over Spain is a victory to be savored

(NEWSER) - Last night's stunning soccer victory over Spain by the US team ranks up there with 1980's "Miracle on Ice" Olympic defeat of the Russians as one of the greatest upsets ever pulled off by Americans, George Vecsey writes in the New York Times. The Confederations Cup victory over the world's top-ranked soccer team may not transform the US into a soccer powerhouse overnight, but the defeat made it a thrilling spectacle, notes Vecsey. More»

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama endured a bit of good-natured ribbing at the G8 today from Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who raved about his country's come-from-behind victory over the US in the finals of soccer's Confederation Cup. The Brazilian leader gave Obama a signed jersey and used his catchphrase, "Yes, we can," to describe the comeback. Retorted Obama: "Next time we won't give up a 2-to-nothing lead." More»

El Salvador scores last-minute goal to knock out U-23 team

(NEWSER) - The US won't be competing in men's soccer at the Olympics, thanks to a heartbreaking goal that came literally at the last minute. El Salvador battled the US to a 3-3 draw last night, the AP reports; the US, which had been heavily favored to win its group in CONCACAF qualifying, needed a win after being upset by Canada 2-0. It was a back-and-forth affair, with the US scoring in the first minute, then falling behind, and finally coming back to lead 3-2. More»

Turns down millions more to play in Europe

(NEWSER) - David Beckham will be an Angeleno for at least another couple years: The English soccer star has signed a new two-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, turning down an offer from a French club in order to return to Major League Soccer. That deal, from Paris-St. Germain, was for 18 months and worth $18.7 million. His deal with the Galaxy is reportedly worth just $15 million, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

Bob Bradley out; Jurgen Klinsmann's name kicked around

(NEWSER) - Soccer coach Bob Bradley has been fired after more than four years at the helm of Team USA. Bradley was rehired until 2014 after the US reached the second round of the 2010 World Cup finals, but few people are surprised by the move now to replace him, the Washington Post notes. Insiders say Bradley's fate was probably sealed when the US blew a 2-goal lead last month to lose the Concacaf Gold Cup final to arch-rival Mexico 4-2. More»