Altidore Seein’ Red Jozy Altidore’s day went from bad to worse.  Needing a win to progress in their fight to avoid relegation, Altidore’s Hull City saw midfield stalwart Jimmy Bullard miss a tying penalty.  Four minutes later Altidore was given a justifiable red card: The Sunderland defender made the most of the contact (and it [...]

Pachuca 1 – Morelia 0 Primera División Mar-27-2010 If any US player is a mascot for Fútbol for Gringos, it’s Jose Francisco Torres.  The Texas native plays his club soccer for Mexico’s Pachuca.  His nickname? El Gringo. Towards the end of March Torres and Pachuca played a match that demonstrated Torres’ growing importance for the [...]

Ask a gringo, ‘What’s the most exciting sporting event?’ and you’ll probably hear ‘the Super Bowl’ or ‘March Madness.’  Both are full of drama and the occasional upset, but soccer’s system of promotion and relegation could give either competition a run for its money. With the European season winding down, Fútbol for Gringos takes a [...]

Fulham 4 – Juventus 1 Europa League Mar-18-2010 In March, Clint Dempsey returned from an almost two-month injury layoff.  The Texan, in only his third game since returning, announced his fitness quite memorably. Match Summary Needing multiple goals following a first-leg 3-1 Europa League defeat in Italy, London-side Fulham could not have had a worse [...]

For April’s State of the US (National Squad) Fútbol for Gringos takes a look at injury problems, preferred lineups, and squad strengths and weaknesses

Hull City 2 – Fulham 0 English Premier League Mar-27-2010 Match Summary Jimmy Bullard’s penalty and Craig Fagan’s header were enough to see home-side Hull City past Fulham and put them one step closer to avoiding relegation. The penalty was awarded in the 16th minute after Jozy Altidore was taken down by Fulham defender Chris [...]

Monarcas Morelia 1 – Puebla 1 Primera División Apr-03-2010 Match Summary Home team and match-favorite Monarcas were able to dominate possession but unable to turn that advantage into multiple goals.  Puebla goalkeeper Alexandro Olivares denied the favorites on multiple occasions.  He was, however, unable to do anything about a 12th minute Miguel Sabah shot – [...]

Hannover 4 – Schalke 2 Bundesliga Apr-10-2010 Match Summary Hannover handed 2nd place Schalke only their 6th defeat of the season.  The home side, who are battling relegation, started off the scoring in the 17th minute: a deflected pass in the box left the goalkeeper helpless.  Another mistake led to a second Hannover goal in [...]