From Bosnia to U.S. to Top of the Bundesliga

By JACK BELL

Daniel Roland/Associated Press

Vedad Ibisevic, center, has scored 16 goals in 14 games this season for Hoffenheim.

Vedad Ibisevic has taken a meandering route from the devastation of the war in the former Yugoslavia to success in Germany’s top soccer league.

Roundup

Friedel Sets a Record in Premier League

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who plays for Aston Villa, made a record 167th consecutive Premier League appearance on Saturday.

Michel Platini, the president of UEFA, backs the "six-plus-five" plan proposed by FIFA.

European Soccer Challenges Free Market

By ROB HUGHES

Michel Platini, the former France player and now president of European soccer’s governing body, is leading an attempt to bypass European labor law to stop teams spending what they want on the players they want.

French Official Criticizes Imbalances in European Soccer

By BLOOMBERG NEWS

France’s sports minister told the European Commission and international sports officials that the E.U. should address the dominance of English teams in the Champions League.

Ivan Gazidis had been deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1994.

Executive Leaving M.L.S. To Be the Boss at Arsenal

By JEFFREY MARCUS

Ivan Gazidis, the deputy commissioner of M.L.S., was hired to be the chief executive of Arsenal of the English Premier League, the club announced Wednesday.

Goal

M.V.P. Left Mark on the Final

By JACK BELL

Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named Major League Soccer’s most valuable player last Thursday, and he played like it in the M.L.S. Cup on Sunday.

Columbus Crew 3, Red Bulls 1

Columbus Crew's Gino Padula celebrated with his teammates and coach Sigi Schmid, right, after defeating the New York Red Bulls to win the 2008 M.L.S. Cup.

Crew Defeats Red Bulls to Win M.L.S. Cup

By JACK BELL

The New York Red Bulls squandered scoring chances and the Columbus Crew won its first M.L.S. Cup title on the keen passing of league most valuable player Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

The Goal Blog: M.L.S. Cup Final Player Ratings

Frankie Hejduk, the 34-year-old Crew captain, above and at left after Columbus won the Eastern Conference title. When the M.L.S. season ends, Hejduk will trade soccer for surfing in his hometown.

Soccer Field to Surfboard: Crew’s Hejduk Has a Passion to Be the Best

By BILLY WITZ

When Frankie Hejduk was growing up, if a soccer ball was not near his feet, a surfboard was under them.

Goalkeeper Seeks Education Only a Championship Provides

By JACK BELL

If things go the Red Bulls’ way, Danny Cepero will earn a professional degree as the goalkeeper who led the Red Bulls to the first title in their 13-year history.

Roundup

Struggling Mexico Is Up Next for the U.S.

By JACK BELL

The United States will begin the final round of World Cup qualifying in the Concacaf region by hosting Mexico on Feb. 11.

Goal: Bayern Munich Wants to Borrow Donovan

United States 2, Guatemala 0: Adu and Altidore Lift U.S. to Win

Maradona Wins Debut as Argentina’s Coach

In Search of Donor, a Soccer Player’s Family Finds a Community

Essay: Remembering the Joy of Just Playing

Goal - Sports Blogging From The New York Times

Street Soccer USA and the 2008 Homeless World Cup

November 29, 2008

Renewal of a Mike Petke Crush?

November 28, 2008

Red Bulls' Hot Stove Heating Up

November 27, 2008

Gazidis Leaving M.L.S. for Arsenal

November 26, 2008

Go to the Goal Blog »

Sports of The Times

Fans of the New York Red Bulls, formerly the MetroStars, have endured 13 years of heart-breaking losses.

Red Bulls’ Title Would Salve 13 Years of Misfortune

By GEORGE VECSEY

Raging Red Bulls fans like Johnny Toro have endured numerous painful defeats over more than a decade watching Major League Soccer’s star-crossed franchise.

Sports of The Times

Striker John Wolyniec, in his third tour with the MetroStars/Red Bulls, after scoring against Houston last Sunday.

Red Bulls Have Appeal in a Bearish Economy

By HARVEY ARATON

A M.L.S. championship could help the Red Bulls establish their niche at a time when affordable entertainment is starting to look like not a half-bad idea.