UEFA
American Exports: US winger Tony Taylor moving on from Estoril; could stay in Portugal
AMSTERDAM – The agent for Estoril attacker Tony Taylor says the American will not be receiving an extension offer from the season's Portuguese surprise package, but his agent says they are sorting through a handful of opportunities with Liga ZON Sagres rivals.
The 23-year-old, who most often works from right wing, is set to see his contract run out at the end of June. Taylor notched a goal in 13 league outings this term, helping Estoril claim their first-ever Europa League ticket with a fifth-place finish.
Bitter taste: Marco Di Vaio still haunted by loss in UEFA Champions League final
LA Galaxy TD Jovan Kirovski has fond memories of Champions League title with Borussia Dortmund
CARSON, Calif. – Millions of Americans will tune in for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final at Wembley, but Jovan Kirovski will have a singular perspective as he watches German rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
The LA Galaxy's technical director was a young hopeful with Borussia Dortmund when the club won its lone European title 16 years ago. That makes him the only American with a Champions League medal as well as a most interested observer as Die Schwarzgelben have made a somewhat unexpected run to this year's title game.
American Exports: Fabian Johnson, Hoffenheim get leg up in Bundesliga promotion-relegation playoff
AMSTERDAM – Fabian Johnson pitched in with a solid left wing shift as Hoffenheim got a leg up in their promotion/relegation opener with a 3-1 decision over visiting Kaiserslautern on Thursday.
The US international showed his dangerous side Thursday night, repeatedly beating defenders on the dribble. In addition to taking part in the capper, Johnson made several runs into the area and drew three dangerous free kicks.
Citing MLS agreement with US Soccer, Bruce Arena allows Robbie Keane to join Ireland for friendlies
CARSON, Calif. – Bruce Arena has backtracked on his refusal to release Robbie Keane for the friendlies Ireland have scheduled ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands, and it's all about the agreement between U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer on player releases this summer.
American Exports: Stuart Holden reportedly to sign new one-year contract to stay at Bolton
According to a Wednesday report on ESPNFC.com, Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden will sign a new one-year contract after agreeing to a new deal with the club.
The report states that Holden, who has made only nine league appearances since a devastating cruciate knee injury in March 2011, will re-sign with the Championship club next month after the upcoming round of US national team games in June.
American Exports: Aron Johannsson still open to USMNT, has "always considered the United States"
AMSTERDAM – The agent for AZ Alkmaar forward Aron Jóhannsson has offered some hope to US national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann, saying it's no certainty that his client will suit up internationally for Iceland.
The 22-year-old was set to accept a World Cup qualifying call from Iceland while with AGF Aarhus last October, only to have it canceled by a groin injury. More recently, AZ teammate Jozy Altidore told The Best Soccer Show he thought Jóhannsson was “leaning more towards Iceland.”
American Exports: Conor O'Brien scores winner for Champions League-bound Nordsjaelland
AMSTERDAM – The Danish Superliga finished up the season on Monday, with FC Nordsjælland midfielder Conor O'Brien netting the 1-0 winner over Esbjerg.
In the 33rd minute, the Long Island, N.Y., native (above) collected a poor clearance from away netminder Lukas Hradecky and promptly buried his first Wild Tigers goal from distance. The outgoing champs finished a clear second place to clinch their Champions league return.
American Exports: Who made MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Season?
From the Continent all the way South of the Rio Grande, domestic league seasons are mostly all closing up shop. That means it's time once again for us to fill out our American Exports Team of the Season.
As always, we name the squad based on relative league importance, meaning second-flight aces compete on level footing with their honor-division compatriots. Even so, it was those in the top flight that shined brightest this past campaign.
Goalkeeper
Brad Guzan
David Beckham wears captain's armband, adds assist for PSG in likely career finale
David Beckham played what is likely the final game of his storied 20-year career on Saturday and did so in the fashion fans have grown accustomed to: by wearing the captain's armband and setting up a goal.
With the home fans chanting his name, the former LA Galaxy star fed Blaise Matuidi in the 31st minute with a picture-perfect cross that the French midfielder put in the back of the net in Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win over Brest at the Parc des Princes.
