UEFA Investigates Ref Over Four-Penalty Friendly
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Yahoo - December 16)
Bulgarian referee Anton Genov is being investigated by UEFA after irregular betting patterns emerged over an international friendly in which he awarded four penalties. more details | go to article

Pavon Returns To Haunt Mexico Again
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Yahoo - March 31)
Honduras striker Carlos Pavon, architect of two famous World Cup qualifying wins over Mexico, is returning to haunt them again at the age of 35. more details | go to article

Sven Not Out Of The Woods Just Yet
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Sports Illustrated - March 30)
When Sven-Göran Eriksson was appointed Mexico coach last year, the critics feared he would not have enough time to get to know the idiosyncrasies of the country's soccer or prepare himself for the difficulties of the region's World Cup qualifiers. more details | go to article

El Salvador's '10 World Cup March Marked By Unsavory Accusations
by Brian Homewood (Result | Sports Illustrated - March 23)
Once considered the strongest team in Central America -- before it was overtaken by Costa Rica and Honduras -- El Salvador has reached the final stage of the CONCACAF regional World Cup qualifiers for the first time in 12 years. (El Salvador hosts the U.S. on Saturday in the second game of the Hexagonal.) more details | go to article

FIFA Postpones Decision Over 2014 World Cup Venues
by Brian Homewood (Article | Yahoo - March 11)
FIFA will announce the 12 host cities for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in May and not later this month as originally planned, world soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday. more details | go to article

Five-Goal Mexico Ease Pressure On Eriksson
by Brian Homewood (Result | Yahoo - March 11)
Mexico thrashed 10-man Bolivia 5-1 in a friendly on Wednesday to ease the pressure on under-fire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. more details | go to article

United States Beat Mexico To Increase Eriksson's Worries
by Brian Homewood (Result | Reuters - February 12)
Michael Bradley scored late in each half to give the United States a 2-0 win over arch rivals Mexico in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, piling the pressure on losing coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. more details | go to article

Troubled Eriksson Faces Toughest Game Yet
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Reuters - February 9)
Beleaguered Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson faces his toughest game yet when his off-form team visit arch rivals United States on Wednesday for a World Cup qualifier. more details | go to article

Pressure On Eriksson As Mexico visit Canada
by Brian Homewood (Article | Yahoo - October 13)
Mexico visit Canada for a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday with the pressure firmly on coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after their stunning loss to Jamaica. more details | go to article

U.S. Rout Depleted Cuba To Progress In Qualifiers
by Brian Homewood (Result | Yahoo - October 12)
The United States reached the final stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers on Saturday with a 6-1 win over a Cuban team missing two players who reportedly defected on the eve of the match. more details | go to article

Mexico And U.S. Win As Politics Mix With The Game
by Brian Homewood (Result | Reuters - September 7)
The United States and Mexico reeled off wins in CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers on Saturday on a day that mixed football with politics. more details | go to article

Sanchez Promises World Cup, Loses To Guatemala
by Brian Homewood (Analysis | Yahoo - March 31)
Sixteen months after taking over as Mexico coach and promising to win the World Cup, Hugo Sanchez was sacked after his team finished third behind Canada and Guatemala in an Olympic qualifying tournament. more details | go to article

World’s Worst In Action In CONCACAF Qualifying
by Brian Homewood (Preview | Yahoo - March 24)
Three of the worst international teams will attempt unlikely wins in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Wednesday. more details | go to article

Defiant Sanchez Not Quitting Mexico Posts
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Reuters - March 18)
Hugo Sanchez said he will not resign as coach of Mexico's senior and under-23 squads after the unexpected failure to qualify for the Olympic Games. more details | go to article

FIFA's Blatter Takes A Swipe At Extra Time
by Brian Homewood (Profile/Interview | Yahoo - July 13)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday he liked the idea of drawn matches going straight to penalties without extra time being played. more details | go to article