US could be used as late substitute
FOXBOROUGH - The United States could be a part of FIFA's contingency plan for the 2010 World Cup, should South Africa be declared unable to host the event.
"I would be a very negligent president if I didn't have a Plan B ready for the 2010 World Cup," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in an interview in Vienna Sunday.
A decision on confirming South Africa as the first African country to play host to the World Cup will be made following the Confederations Cup, scheduled for June 14-28, 2009. Eight countries will participate - Brazil (South American champion), Egypt (Africa), Iraq (Asia), Italy (World Cup), South Africa (host), Spain (Europe), the US (CONCACAF), and an Oceania representative.
Stadium construction delays and security fears have raised concerns that South Africa might not be capable of hosting the event.
"We will decide after the test of the Confederations Cup and only a catastrophe would put the alternative plan into effect," Blatter told the Austrian network ORF. "The World Cup is a logistical challenge and South Africa wants to shows the world it is able to do it."
The US is among the few countries capable of hosting a World Cup on short notice. If the 2010 World Cup is moved, it would not likely go to Europe or Japan, which played host to the last two finals, or South America, since Brazil is slated for the 2014 World Cup.
Spain tough enough
Spain overcame its underachieving reputation in defeating Germany, 1-0, Sunday in the European Championship final, its first major championship since winning the 1964 Euro.The Spaniards displayed the most fluent offense in the tournament, combined with a strong defense led by central defenders Carlos Marchena and Carles Puyol. Fernando (El Niño) Torres scored the deciding goal and, after the match, wrapped a Spanish flag around his waist as the team celebrated, a symbol of unity in a country that has often blamed regionalism for its lack of success at the highest levels of international soccer.
The Italian daily La Repubblica compared the Spanish players to a bunch of young kids having fun playing the game in the street while their grandfather yelled at them from a balcony; Luis Aragones, 69, the oldest coach in the tournament, played the part of the irascible, white-haired "abuelo."
The Spaniards had such command of the ball that they seemed to be having fun playing keepaway from the Germans to the accompanying "oles" of their fans.
But the keys to Spain's success included hard-edged defenders Marchena (Spain has never lost in his 47 appearances) and Puyol, plus naturalized defensive midfielder Marcos Senna, the first Brazilian to win a European Championship title.
Tour de MLS?
France's first-round elimination from Euro 2008 allowed Thierry Henry to play in a glorified pickup game in Manhattan's Chinatown last week. But this was not just any glorified pickup game.The charity event was organized by Phoenix Sun guard Steve Nash and New York Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna, the participants including several NBA and professional soccer players.
Among the hoop standouts were Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell, Baron Davis, and Jason Kidd, who played soccer for the Bay Oaks club before going on to a basketball career. Current and former soccer pros included Henry, Chelsea's Salomon Kalou, former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, US national teamers Jozy Altidore and Gregg Berhalter, and former Revolution forward Giovanni Savarese.
Henry did not rule out the possibility of someday playing for a Major League Soccer team.
"Why not?" he told the Associated Press. "I love America . . . Hopefully, one day."
A year ago, the Revolution were recruiting Fowler. Though Fowler's contract with Cardiff City has expired, Revolution coach Steve Nicol said there are no plans to revive talks with Fowler.
Youth movement
The Revolution have utilized lineups with an average age of less than 25 years this season. But the starting lineup could be even younger in tonight's US Open Cup game against the Richmond Kickers in New Britain, Conn. Doug Warren, 27, will replace Matt Reis, 33, in goal. Last year, Sainey Nyassi made his Revolution debut in a 2-1 extra time win over the Carolina Railhawks in New Britain. "We won the game with a run he made," Nicol said. "He got an opportunity and he showed what he can do."Talent search
Local agent Patrick McCabe returned Sunday from a scouting trip to The Gambia and Senegal. Among The Gambia's top prospects is Nyassi's twin brother, Sanna, who played for The Gambia in a 1-0 win over Mauritania in an African U20 qualifier last week. Los Angeles Galaxy director of soccer Paul Bravo also made the trip . . . Midfielder Deco transferred to Chelsea from FC Barcelona yesterday, reuniting with former Portuguese national team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 