World Cup Bid An Investment In Atlanta Sports Future
by Leon Stafford and Doug Roberson (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 20)
Now comes the hard part. In the quest to bring the World Cup to Atlanta in 2018 or 2022, city, sports and hospitality officials have made their arguments to FIFA -- the Cup's organizing body -- loud and clear. more details | go to article

Major Pitch To Lure Soccer
by Dan Chapman (Article | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - October 16)
Blank’s bid: Atlanta vying with 3 other U.S. cities, 3 Canadian cities for MLS franchise. more details | go to article

Falcons’ Blank Makes Bid For Pro Soccer Franchise
by Dan Chapman (Article | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - October 14)
Cobb, Gwinnett considered front-runners for potential MLS team more details | go to article

On Top Of It All, A Win
by Wendy Parker (Commentary | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - June 4)
Went to the Silverbacks game Saturday night … … and a traffic jam broke out. … an intimate, loud atmosphere rang out from the Spaghetti Junction area, and that was before the fireworks. more details | go to article

Wolff On U.S. World Cup Team
by Philip Batson (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 2)
Josh Wolff's Tuesday of anxious phone calls culminated in a 6 p.m. e-mail that made things official: He's on the U.S. roster for this year's World Cup. It's the soccer equivalent of a track athlete making the Olympics, the once-in-four-years event the whole world watches. Wolff and 11 of his 22 teammates who head to Germany in June are carryovers from the 2002 U.S. team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals. more details | go to article

Bruce'€™s Picks, Scattered, Smothered And Covered
by Wendy Parker (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 2)
Bruce’s picks, scattered, smothered and covered By Wendy Parker | Tuesday, May 2, 2006, 06:05 PM The Atlanta Journal-Constitution So it is a little after 6 p.m., at the appointed hour, and how does SportsCenter lead off its program that supposedly contains the ballyhooed announcement of the U.S. World Cup team? more details | go to article

Crunch Time Coming To A Close
by Wendy Parker (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 17)
My apologies for the long blogging absence. This is the time of year that’s dizzying for soccer followers — the end of European domestic seasons, the early stages of MLS and the North American scene and on these shores the start of spring and summer youth elite and travel teams. more details | go to article

Soccer Hall Of Fame To Honor Three U.S. Pioneers
by Wendy Parker (Article | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - April 28)
In the decade since they helped open American eyes to international soccer, Tab Ramos, John Harkes and Marcelo Balboa have enjoyed elder statesman status. Their successors on the U.S. men’s team have unfailingly paid homage, and their pioneering efforts have been rewarded with television work and other honors. Also: new-look S’backs; spitting mad; hostilities renewed at Old Firm. more details | go to article

U.S.-Mexico Hype Difficult To Resist
by Wendy Parker (Preview | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 26)
Bruce Arena wasn't going to contribute to the hype surrounding today's U.S. World Cup qualifier at Mexico. But the American coach found it hard to resist explaining when and how his team has turned the tables on its biggest rival in recent years. more details | go to article

'Evil Genius' Relishes Heat
by Wendy Parker (Profile/Interview | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 12)
In an era of bland, corporate-driven media imagery practiced by top soccer clubs and elite leagues in Europe, the provocative stunts of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho can be viewed as a breath of fresh air. Also: Real Madrid out; Conyers' Mathis scores; Silverbacks set tryouts. more details | go to article

Foreign Talent Falls Flat For Brits
by Wendy Parker (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 26)
English teams with serious designs on success in Europe have invested heavily in continental coaching talent and players in the past decade. Before four English clubs took the field this week in the European Champions League, The Sunday Times of London suggested that such an influx of talent "should bring a capacity to compete adequately on foreign fields." more details | go to article

Johnson's Scoring Secures His U.S. Role
by Wendy Parker (Profile/Interview | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 12)
With four goals in only six matches, it might be safe to assume that Eddie Johnson is a fixture at forward for the U.S. national team. His strong header in the first half set the tone for a dominating performance as the Americans opened the final stage of 2006 World Cup qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday in Port-of-Spain. more details | go to article

Americas Qualifying Affected By Europe
by Wendy Parker (Preview | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 5)
Just because CONCACAF has received an additional spot in the World Cup doesn't mean European clubs are giving it greater respect. The region with the alphabet soup name -- consisting of North and Central American and Caribbean nations -- will have at least three teams in Germany next year, and possibly a fourth. But getting players back home to play in qualifying matches is a continuing struggle. more details | go to article

Boxing Day Matches Still A Stirring Tradition
by Wendy Parker (Commentary | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - December 26)
Traditions die hard in Britain --- consider the resistance to Prime Minister Tony Blair's efforts to banish both fox hunting and the hereditary requirements for the House of Lords. The day after Christmas, the venerable Boxing Day holiday, won't be subject to any political meddling, especially the tradition of every professional soccer team in the country swinging into action. Also: Team USA news; shooting in Colombia; bier hier! more details | go to article

U.S. Labor Strife Threatens Sport's Domestic Future
by Wendy Parker (Analysis | Atlanta Journal-Constitution - December 18)
Here's a story with a familiar ring to it: A sport struggling to gain a more mainstream foothold in America is threatened with a labor dispute that could render it even more invisible after what appears to be rather obstinate entrenchment on both sides. Just days after the National Hockey League owners turned thumbs down to a players' proposal to end their three-month-old lockout, the U.S. Soccer Federation decided to play its own game of hardball. more details | go to article