The Historic Return of Giovanni Trapattoni

Two old rivals will meet on Wednesday night in Bari on the Italian Adriatic coast.

Not the Republic of Ireland and Italy. But Giovanni Trapattoni and Marcello Lippi.

One will sprinkle Holy Water on the touchline to "remove negativity." The other, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the great American actor, Paul Newman, will smoke his trademark thin cigars as he chases history. Only one manager has ever won back to back World Cups: Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938. Mister Lippi would like to become the second, but first, he has to qualify. The Republic of Ireland is his only true roadblock in UEFA Group 8.

Few Managers Have Won More Silverware

Two of the most fabled Italian managers have a history that can be traced back to 1970. They faced each other for the first time as players when AC Milan beat Sampdoria, 3 x 1. Since then, there has been precious little that they collectively have not won as managers: Italian scudetti, European Nation's Cups, UEFA Cups, Cup of Cups, and the World Cup. Both led Juventus to glory, but Trapattoni went on to win championships abroad in Austria, Germany, and Portugal, respectively.

Giovanni Trapattoni Comes Home to Make History

He becomes the first former Azzurri boss to face the Italians. He will be assisted on the bench by another Azzurri legend, Marco Tardelli. Kick-0ff will be 2050 local time, and 1950 in the Emerald Isle.

"Naturally my heart will beat a little faster for the Italy game,'' he begins. ''I'm a patriotic Italian and facing the country of my birth, the land which has given me so much, will be a special occasion."

"There may only be two times in my life when I want Italy to fail and they are coming up this year. I'm a professional right down to my boots. I'm responsible for Ireland now and take this job intensely seriously."

''My motivation always increases when I come up against a big opponent. Clearly Italy are expected to take the points, but nothing in this game is clear cut. As long as we believe we can get something out of the game, we have every chance."

''We have a distinct lack of pressure on our side,'' he believes. ''Ireland are big underdogs and few think we have a chance. Italy are on top of the mountain as world champions and we are clambering up. Only Germany and Brazil can compare to them."

''It's strange for me to be the underdog, so I'm counting on the desire of my players to beat the giant. It's human nature that less well-known players look to knock the star names off their perch. I believe we will go into the Italy game with less nerves, but we must apply ourselves and be disciplined. At the same time, a relaxed frame of mind will be good for us."

Evokes the Campaign Quote of Barack Obama

''Football is not an exact science and nothing in life is. A year ago, Barack Obama was way back in the polls before the American elections, but he became President. His 'Yes We Can' slogan equally applies to us...

My Ireland team will go to Italy without any fear and from what I have seen so far, they don't easily accept the established order. They will go out to upset the odds. One thing is for sure, we'll not be thinking we're already beaten before the kick-off.''

Source: Trapattoni Prepares for Italian Job.

Mister Trap's Azzurri Record: 57% Wins

Between 2000 and 2004, he managed the Azzurri 44 times:

• 25 victories, 12 ties, and 7 defeats.

Marcello Lippi on the Game and Trapattoni

"Questa partita è un’occasione unica. Vogliamo battere l’Irlanda a Bari per conquistare e consolidare una posizione di privilegio. Gli irlandesi sono il nostro unico antagonista. Non vanno valutati per il pari interno con la Bulgaria di ieri a Dublino, ma per quanto di buono hanno saputo fare finora in queste qualificazioni mondiali".

TRAP - "Trapattoni è l’immagine dello sport, un punto di riferimento per il nostro calcio. Per l’esperienza, le vittorie. Per l’entusiasmo che ha a 70 anni. Io cosa farò a quell’età? Ma se non so neanche cosa farò domattina...."

DE ROSSI E PIRLO - "Se è un problema farli giocare assieme? Ma se lo fanno da tempo... La formula di ieri, con Pirlo più avanzato, può funzionare, oppure adotteremo altre soluzioni in base ad altre esigenze tattiche che si presenteranno".

PAZZINI - "Se ha scalato posizioni? Ha fatto bene. Continua il suo momento magico. Poi i miei giocatori devono essere pronti a giocare spezzoni di partita o dal 1’, l’importante è far parte di questo gruppo".

"This game is a unique occasion. We want to beat Ireland in Bari to conquer and consolidate the top position in the table. The Irish are our only antagonists. They didn't deserve their home draw yesterday (Saturday) in Dublin with Bulgaria, but up until now that have known how to do something good in these World Cup qualifiers...

Trapattoni is a beacon of sport, a point of reference for our football. For his experience, the victories. For the enthusiasm that he has at the age of 70. What will I do at that age? Well, I don't even know what I will do tomorrow."

"Is it a problem if they (Pirlo and Rossi) play together? But they have for awhile. The formula of Saturday, with Pirlo higher up, can work, or we will adopt other solutions and other tactical requirements as they present themselves."

"Has Pazzini jumped ahead of the line? He did well. He continues his magical moment. All of my players need to be ready to play a few minutes or the whole game from the start, it is important to be a part of this group."

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 29 March 2009.

Los Angeles Sol Defeats Washington Freedom 2-0 In WPS Inaugural Match

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nick Ammazzalorso

nammazzalorso@leaderenterprises.com

LOS ANGELES SOL DEFEATS WASHINGTON FREEDOM 2-0

IN WPS INAUGURAL MATCH

CARSON, CA – March 29, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol officially kicked off the 2009 Women’s Professional Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over the Washington Freedom in front of 14,832 fans in the WPS Inaugural Match at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University – Dominguez Hills Sunday afternoon.

The first goal in club and league history was recorded in the sixth minute of the match, when Los Angeles defender Allison Falk out-jumped a crowd of Freedom defenders in the penalty area to head in a free kick from Japanese national team star Aya Miyama.

“It was a great ball from Aya. I just went for it – I didn’t think I was going to get to it, but I did and it went in,” said the rookie from Stanford. “It was a very surreal experience … very exciting.”

Sol midfielder Camille Abily (France) tallied the second of the afternoon in the 87^th minute, taking a short pass from three-time defending FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, and chipping the ball over the hands of Freedom keeper Brianna Scurry.

“We’re really happy with the victory,” said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers. “We dodged a few bullets and we came out with a good victory … it is only going to get better.”

The Los Angeles Sol returns to action next Sunday, April 5, when the club faces Sky Blue FC (New Jersey/New York) in a road contest, while the Washington Freedom will meet the Chicago Red Stars in their next game on April 11.

03.29.2009: Carson, CA – The Home Depot Center

Attendance: 14,832

LOS ANGELES SOL – WASHINGTON FREEDOM 2:0 (1:0)

LA: 3 – Allison Falk (8– Aya Miyama) 6’;

20 - Camille Abily (10 - Marta) 87’

LA: 23 – Karina Leblanc (GK), 2 – Kendall Fletcher (18 – Katie Larkin, 46’), 3 – Allison Falk, 7 – Shannon Boxx (C), 14 – Stephanie Cox, 8 – Aya Miyama, 11 – Brittney Bock, 20 – Camille Abily, 22 – Manya Makoski, 9 – Han Duan (13 – Christie Welsh, 84’), 10 - Marta

DNP: 1 – Val Henderson (GK), 0 – Brittney Cameron (GK), 4 – Ali Wagner, 5 – Greer Barnes, 6 – McCall Zerboni, 12 – Lisa Sari, 21 - Johann Frisk

Coach: Abner Rogers

WAS: 1 – Briana Scurry (GK), 4 – Cat Whitehill, 11 – Emily Janss, 21 – Alex Singer, 22 – Becky Sauerbrunn, 6 – Lori Lindsey (3 - Jill Gilbeau, 72’), 8 – Sonia Bompastor, 9 – Allie Long, 10 – Homare Sawa, 20 – Abby Wamback (Cap’t), 25 – Claire Zimmeck (17 – Lisa De Vanna, 43’)

DNP: 61 – Kati Jo Spisak (GK), 15 – Kristin Dedycker, 19 – Rebecca Moros

Coach: Jim Gabarra

Booked:

None

Sent off:

None

Statistics LA WAS ( )-Halftime

Goal Attempts 14 (7) 12 (4)

Saves 3 (2) 6 (5)

Fouls 7 (4) 9 (4)

Corners 3 (2) 4 (1)

Offsides 2 (0) 2 (1)

R: Kari Seitz

A1: Veronica Perez

A2: Marlene Duffy

FO: Jennifer Bennett

www.LosAngelesSol.com

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Quotes from the WPS Inaugural Game

Los Angeles Sol vs. Washington Freedom

March 29, 2009

Sol defeats Freedom 2-0

Jim Gabarra, Washington Freedom Head Coach

On the atmosphere

“It was great; obviously a world class stadium. I was very pleased with the product on the field. From my experience, the level of play was better than that of the WUSA inaugural game.

On the game

“We are missing some synchronization upfront, and that is due to the fact that we are missing a lead forward. She has been carrying an injury and hasn’t been able to train with Abby. They were a little inverted there, for a while. We needed Lisa to get behind the defensive line. Defending Marta and Han was a real handful, but I was happy.”

“The game deserved more goals. We deserved a goal or two, but that’s the game of soccer. We felt that in the second half, we possessed the ball better and had more scoring opportunities. What I take out of it is something to build on. We won our inaugural game for the WUSA, and we ended up tied for last at the end of that season. It’s just one game… it didn’t work out. We came here for three points, but it didn’t work out. They were composed, the keeper made saves. A bounce here, a bounce there, it would have been a different game.”

Abner Rogers, Los Angeles Sol Head Coach

On the game

“We are really happy with the victory. To open up the inaugural season and come out with a victory is very pleasing. There were times when we played very well, but fitness was a bit of an issue for both teams, as you could see. It is only going to get better. I was definitely happy. We dodged a few bullets; even though we came out with a good victory, it was very beneficial.”

On the team before kick-off

“We’ve done a lot of training… there was an adrenalin rush. We tried to taper them down, but they still tried to do more. That tells you a lot about the energy level.”

On the first goal

“The first goal was a set play, something we’ve been working on. Kirby got her head to it. It was pretty chaotic in there, and the ball bounced back in the goal.”

On the second goal

“We had a good counter-attack. Marta and Camille had a great run, passed her the ball at the right time. I’m very very happy.”

Allison Falk, Los Angeles Sol Defender

On scoring the first goal in WPS history

“It was a great ball from Aya. I just went for it - I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I did and it went in. It was a very surreal experience… very exciting.”

Marta, Los Angeles Sol Forward

On the game

“I was very excited to be out there today. The atmosphere was phenomenal, and that always gives you a boost as a player. We got the result we wanted and are very happy with that."

Quotes courtesy of Mike Iwamasa of Leader Enterprises.

WCQ Group 8: Montenegro 0 x Italy 2: The Class and Quality of Andrea Pirlo

Comments by Mister Lippi Before the Game

“The tension was stirred up even more by Montenegro Coach Zoran Filipovic, who warned Italy would engage in “simulation and time-wasting” to get points in Podgorica this evening.

“It is only normal that ahead of an important match a tactician wants to sprinkle a bit of pepper on proceedings,” smiled Lippi.

"The thing we have to watch out for is a young and fired up team like Montenegro. They have the enthusiasm and motivation of wanting to beat the world champions.

As for my side, I expect determination and enthusiasm, the characteristics all teams need to show their real worth on the pitch.”

Source: Football Italia, 28 March 2009.

Azzurri Lineup: 4-3-3

Buffon

Grosso, Chiellini, Cannavaro (captain), Zambrotta

De Rossi, Palombo, Pirlo

Di Natale, Iaquinta, Quagliarella

First Half

The crowd was small, passionate, and very sporting. The play was balanced, and the young Montenegrans showed no fear against the world champions.

In the seventh minute, Antonio Di Natale fell to the ground, grimacing in pain, without any contact. Replays showed that he slipped on the turf and turned his knee in an unnatural position. He was stretchered off and replaced by Simone Pepe.

In the 11th minute, Andrea Pirlo converted a penalty kick with a deft chip past Poleksic. Batak had handled his previous cross in the box, and the referee, Mr. Atkinson of England, pointed to the spot. From that point, the Azzurri controlled the tempo of the match. Neither side created many goal-scoring opportunities, although Montenegro had more possession. The half ended, 0 x 1.



Second Half

In the first part of the half, the Azzurri increased the pressure looking to close out the game. But it didn't come easily, and Gigi Buffon was forced to make a great one handed save (his only one of the night) on Vukcevic. A few minutes later in the 74th, Giampaolo Pazzini, who had just come on for Iaquinta, headed home a perfect left-footed cross by Pepe from the right flank.

Mister Lippi After the Game

"We deserved it. The first half was equal... It was a shame to lose Di Natale like that.
You feel in the heart, the sensation, after a year and a half, of a new country here...

In the second half, we demonstrated our superiority. Pazzini was exceptional."

Source: Radio RAI Sports.

Group 8 World Cup Qualification Table



Notes

• This was Fabio Cannavaro's 123rd cap. He is three shy of tying Paolo Maldini for the all-time Italian record.
• Ireland drew, 1 x 1, with Bulgaria in Dublin, to fall 2 points behind.
  
• Giorgio Chiellini, who wore a protective face mask, reinjured his facial/nose area and required treatment on two occasions.
• The severity of Di Natale's injury will be evaluated tomorrow. He definitely will miss the next match with Ireland. It remains to be seen if Mister Lippi calls in a replacement.
• Again, the Azzurri did enough to win but were not impressive against a less talented side. This team under Mr. Lippi rarely scores more than two goals, and does not create enough palle gol (goal scoring opportunities.) The defensive scheme was solid; however, a creative element on the front line was missing. Giuseppe Rossi did not play tonight. Against a higher quality opponent, such as Ireland next week, his inclusion will be integral.
• My Man of the Match: Andrea Pirlo. Although Pazzini was very impressive in a substitute role in his Azzurri debut.
  

Update on Di Natale

Apparently, he suffered an injury to the ACL and surrounding regions that require further evaluation with regards to a treatment plan.

Enrico Castellacci, medico della nazionale, ha chiarito meglio la situazione: ''Il fatto che si tratti di una lesione parziale rende meno grave del temuto l'infortunio. Verra' valutato se optare per una terapia conservativa o se ricorrere all'intervento chirurgico. In questo caso per Antonio la stagione sarebbe finita e lo stop agonistico sarebbe nell'ordine di 5-6 mesi. Mentre nel primo caso il ragazzo potrebbe anche recuperare per giocare le ultime gare della stagione''.

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 29 March 2009.

Professor Castellacci, team doctor of the Azzurri, clarified Di Natale's situation:

"The fact that one finds a partial lesion (to the knee) makes the injury less serious than feared initially. A surgical or conservative therapy option will be evaluated. In this case (surgery), Antonio's season would be over and he would be out for about 5 to 6 months. While in the other case, the lad will be able to recover for the last games of this season."

Women's Professional Soccer Announces Players to Tweet From Inaugural Match

Images courtesy of Women's Professional Soccer.
Logo courtesy of Twitter.

WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER ANNOUNCES PLAYERS TO TWEET FROM INAUGURAL MATCH

SAN FRANCISCO (March 27) - Women's Professional Soccer announced today that Los Angeles Sol midfielder Aly Wagner and Washington Freedom goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak will be using Twitter during the WPS Inaugural Match on Sunday, March 29, at the Home Depot Center. Twitter is a micro-blogging service that enables people to send and read others' updates known as tweets. This is the first time two participating players will officially tweet during a major U.S. sporting event.

• Follow Los Angeles Sol's Aly Wagner: http://www.twitter.com/alywagner
  
• Follow Washington Freedom's Kati Jo Spisak: http://www.twitter.com/kjspisak
  
  

WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci and Los Angeles Sol General Manager Charlie Naimo will also be Tweeting from the match.

• Follow WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci: http://www.twitter.com/wpscommissioner
  
  
• Follow Los Angeles Sol General Manager Charlie Naimo: http://www.twitter.com/lasolgm
  

CONTACT

Robert Penner
WPS Director of Communications
E: Robert.penner@womensprosoccer.com

Marcello Lippi on Cassano and the Upcoming Games with Montenegro and Ireland

Mister Lippi has been in a swirl of controversy over his latest exclusion of Antonio Cassano. The in form striker of Sampdoria is a native of Bari, which is the location of the key tie with the Republic of Ireland next week. Some journalists have suggested that the Azzurri will face a less than welcome environment in Bari.

"Sono arrabbiato per certi articoli che ho letto oggi che farebbero pensare ad un clima ostile che troveremmo a Bari (città natale dell'attaccante della Sampdoria) in occasione della sfida con l'Irlanda di martedì prossimo. Io le esclusioni dalle convocazioni non le devo giustificare."

"I am very mad about certain articles that I have read that would make one think that we will encounter a hostile environment against Ireland next Wednesday in Bari. I don't have to justify my exclusions from the team."

GLI AVVERSARI - "Giocheremo in un piccolo stadio (11mila posti), contro una squadra che avrà grande entusiasmo, ma dovremo essere più forti di queste condizioni. Se va bene un punto? Andiamo a Podgorica per vincere. I loro giocatori? Hanno tanti "ic", e Jovetic nella Fiorentina non ha ancora reso al meglio come in nazionale".

Mister Lippi discussed his opponents of tomorrow, Montenegro. Two players, Mirko Vucinic of AS Roma and Jovetic of ACF Fiorentina, respectively, are well known to fans of Italian calcio. Vucinic will not play tomorrow due to a suspension.

"We will play in a small stadium (11,000 seats), against a team with great enthusiasm, but we will have to be stronger than these conditions. Would one point go well? We are going to Podgorica to win. Their players? They have many 'ic', and Jovetic at Fiorentina hasn't yet reached his peak as with the national team."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 27 March 2009.

Video of Cassano

Even if you don't understand Italian, this is a rare look at Cassano off of the pitch. He was discussing his recent autobiography, "Dico Tutto," (I Tell Everything). He seemed very genuine with a great sense of humor.

"If I get up at 0900, I offend myself. I sleep until 1 in the afternoon, go to practice, and then come home. My friends know better not to call me in the mornings because it will be a risk to them."

"I slept with five different women every month for years. You do the math."

"My first goal against Internazionale (when he was 17 with Bari) changed everything. Overnight, I became popular, rich, and respected. Everything changed."

"I played in the streets until I was 13. The sons of judges, lawyers, and supermarket owners played on the organized teams. I was without a father."



Group 8 World Cup Qualification Table

Los Angeles Sol Trims Opening Day Roster to 20 Players

Image courtesy of the Los Angeles Sol and Women's Professional Soccer.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nick Ammazzalorso

nammazzalorso@leaderenterprises.com

LOS ANGELES SOL TRIMS OPENING DAY ROSTER TO 20 PLAYERS

17 Senior Players and Three Developmental Players Named

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer will open its Inaugural Season this Sunday against the Washington Freedom with 20 players on its roster (17 senior players + 3 developmental), including U.S. National team standout Shannon Boxx and three-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta, the club announced today.

Along with Boxx and Marta, the Sol also features Stephanie Cox and Aly Wagner, Boxx’s U.S. teammates on the gold medal-winning side at the Beijing Olympics, as well as Japanese International Aya Miyama, Chinese dynamo Han Duan, France’s Camile Abily and a host of up-and-coming young players.

The WPS Inaugural Match between the Sol and the Freedom will be at 3 pm Sunday at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University-Dominguez Hills and will be the only one played in WPS this weekend.

Individual game and season tickets for the 2009 Sol season are already on sale at the Home Depot Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. Season ticket packages start at just $105 for all ten home games. Mini-plans of 5 and 3 games, and group tickets are also available now.

For more information call toll free at 1-877-4-SOL-TIX (476-5849) and www.LosAngelesSol.com.

The Sol’s 20-player roster follows:

First Name	Last Name	Position	Height	College/Last Team	Hometown
Brittany	Cameron	GK	5'8"	University of San Diego	Dublin, CA
Val	Henderson	GK	5'7"	UCLA	Orinda, CA
Karina	LeBlanc	GK	5'9"	Nebraska University	Maple Ridge, BC
Allison	Falk	DF	6'0"	Stanford	Danville, CA
Kendall	Fletcher	DF	5'6"	North Carolina	Cary, North Carolina
Johanna	Frisk	DF	5'7"	Umea IK	Sweden
Stephanie	Cox	DF	5'6"	University of Portland	Elk Grove, CA
Camille	Abily	MD	5'6"	Olympique Lyonnais	Rennes, France
Greer	Barnes	MD	5'7"	West Virginia	Rye, NY
Shannon	Boxx	MD	5'8"	Notre Dame	Redondo Beach, CA
Manya	Makoski	MD	5'4"	Arizona State	Trumbull, CT
Aya	Miyama	MD	5'2"	Okayama Yunogo Belle	Chiba, Japan
Lisa	Sari	MD	5'7"	University of Portland	Longview, WA
Aly	Wagner	MD	5'5"	Santa Clara University	San Jose, CA
McCall	Zerboni	MD	5'4"	UCLA	San Clemente, CA
Brittany	Bock	MD/FD	5'7"	Notre Dame	Naperville, IL
Katie	Larkin	MD/FD	5'5"	BYU	Draper, UT
Han	Duan	FD	5'7"	Dalian Football Club, Liaoning	Dalian, China
Marta		FD	5'4"	Umea IK	Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil
Christie	Welsh	FD	5'10"	Penn State University	Massapequa Park, NY

Note: Cameron, Sari and Zerboni are the three developmental players.

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Brasil Roster for Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers Against Ecuador and Peru

Here is the Brasil roster of Carlos Dunga for the upcoming World Cup qualification fixtures against Ecuador on 29 March, and at home on 1 April with Peru.

Brasil Roster

Goalkeepers

Doni (AS Roma, Italy), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan, Italy).

Defenders

Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), Kleber (Internacional), Lucio (Bayern Munich, Germany), Luisao (Benfica, Portugal), Maicon (Inter Milan, Italy), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Italy)

Midfielders

Anderson (Manchester United, England), Elano (Manchester City, England), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina, Italy), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos, Greece), Josue (Wolfsburg, Germany), Julio Baptista (AS Roma, Italy), Kaka (AC Milan, Italy), Ronaldinho (AC Milan, Italy)

Strikers

Adriano (Inter Milan, Italy), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla, Spain), Robinho (Manchester City, England)

Ten from the Selecao are based in Italy.



Door Still Open For Ronaldo

He has made an impressive debut with Corinthians. Like a rising phoenix, Ronaldo can never be counted out.

"Dunga said that if Ronaldo regains his form, he would be selected. The forward has scored twice in two matches for Corinthians following a one-year layoff caused by a knee injury.

“I’m staying calm on the issue and I’m cheering for Ronaldo,” Dunga said. “He doesn’t need to prove to anyone that he knows how to score goals.”

Source for roster and quote: Yahoo Sports.

CONMEBOL Table

The top four qualify directly. The fifth placed team will have a play-in with the fourth placed team from CONCACAF.