Davies Misses U.S. World Cup Roster
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - May 12)
Charlie Davies, whose hopes of playing in the World Cup fueled his recovery from a serious car accident seven months ago, was left off the preliminary list of players for the United States roster Tuesday. more details | go to article

Demise Of Davies's World Cup Hopes Exaggerated, Player Says
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - May 4)
Don’t believe it, Charlie Davies says. A Report from Agence France-Presse citing Sochaux medical staff saying Davies, the United States striker, has lost his fight to be fit for the World Cup is not true. more details | go to article

Holden Signs Short-Term Contract With Bolton
by Jeffrey Marcus (Blog Entry | New York Times - January 26)
Stuart Holden was eager to explore opportunities overseas. When I spoke to him in December, he said that he was exploring options in Europe but wanted to make sure he found the right fit. more details | go to article

"Match Of Hate," Renewed
by Jeffrey Marcus (Preview | New York Times - January 25)
With the taste of World Cup defeat still lingering, Egypt will have a chance to face down its archrival Algeria — again — when the teams play in the African Cup of Nations semifinal Thursday in Benguela, Angola. more details | go to article

U.S. To Meet Honduras As Bradley Evaluates Roster Choices
by Jeffrey Marcus (Preview | New York Times - December 15)
Last week, we wrote that the six months before the World Cup in South Africa would be filled mostly with banter and speculation, plus a few friendly matches between national teams preparing for the 2010 tournament. Add another match to that list: U.S. Soccer announced a Jan. 23 friendly against fellow Concacaf World Cup participant Honduras at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. more details | go to article

Pre-World Cup Banter Heats Up As Donovan Looks Overseas
by Jeffrey Marcus (Blog Entry | New York Times - December 11)
Short of a few friendlies scheduled in the new year (the United States is looking to play the Netherlands in March), the six months before the World Cup will be filled with banter and speculation, with a few club clashes featuring headline-worthy individual matchups (Tim Howard’s Everton against Jermain Defoe’s Tottenham side on Feb. 28) that might foreshadow World Cup rivalries. more details | go to article

Q. & A. With U.S. And Houston Midfielder Stuart Holden
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - December 10)
Before a luncheon honoring Holden and other athletes, he sat down to discuss his future, the World Cup and his approach to the game. Here are edited excerpts and audio clips of Holden’s conversation with Jeffrey Marcus of The New York Times. more details | go to article

From Round 1 To The Final: World Cup Upsets
by Jeffrey Marcus (Analysis | New York Times - December 10)
Here’s a look at more of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. What upset would you add to the list? Add your comments below. more details | go to article

"Special Relationship" To Be Tested
by Jeffrey Marcus (Blog Entry | New York Times - December 8)
Former prime minister Winston Churchill made no mention of sharing forward operating bases to stage an assault on the most coveted trophy in team sports. more details | go to article

U.S. victory Over Spain Celebrated With Espy Award
by Jeffrey Marcus (Commentary | New York Times - July 16)
The United States men’s soccer team, led by Landon Donovan in South Africa last month and in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, captured the ESPY Award for Best Upset for the team’s 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup. more details | go to article

Beckham’s Back In M.L.S., But Prepared To Leave Again
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - July 15)
No sooner had David Beckham returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy than he acknowledged he would most likely leave again to realize his dream of playing for England in the World Cup next June. more details | go to article

Beckham, Anywhere But Here
by Jeffrey Marcus (Blog Entry | New York Times - July 14)
David Beckham, recently reunited with his L.A. Galaxy teammates, has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to Major League Soccer. more details | go to article

Davies Takes A Step Up
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - July 13)
Another United States international has parlayed his impressive summer performance for the national team into a new club contract. more details | go to article

Quaranta's Goal A Boost For U.S. And The Player
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - July 9)
The United States men’s national team victory over Honduras in the Concacaf Gold Cup, 2-0, in Washington, D.C., gave American soccer another heartening storyline: Santino Quaranta. more details | go to article

Onyewu Joins A.C. Milan
by Jeffrey Marcus (Profile/Interview | New York Times - July 7)
Oguchi Onyewu, a key member of the United States national team that reached the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa, became only the second American to join Italy’s famed Serie A when he signed a three-year contract Tuesday with A.C. Milan. more details | go to article