NY Shamrocks earned a hard fought three points against a stellar FC Japan on Saturday evening.
Rocks dominated the possession for 90 minutes but could not convert despite a number of gilt-edged opportunities. With all three Rocks strikers absent, Nikle Guzijan, centre-half by trade, led the line to great effect in a four-five-one formation.

The Republic of Ireland soccer team are set to play a friendly game against the World and European champions, Spain, at the New York Yankee Stadium, on June 11.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has laughed at the latest criticism to come his way and promised fans: “We can still make the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.”

Conference Partners has officially launched the Irish World Cup 2013 event, an amateur soccer tournament open to both male and female adult soccer teams of all skill levels from all over the world. The event will take place from the 7th to 9th June 2013 in University College Dublin, and promises to be the largest seven-a-side tournament since the London 2012 Paralympic Games. With player packages starting from €40 per person, everyone from soccer enthusiasts to those seeking a holiday with a difference, are encouraged to gather and register a team and come to Ireland to play a minimum of six matches for the chance to win a prize pot of €5,000 and a VIP day out at a World Cup Qualifier game; Republic of Ireland vs. Sweden on September 6th.

The NY Shamrock Soccer Club is looking to strengthen its player options before the April 1 signing deadline as the second half of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League gets underway this weekend.
 
All three teams are still in contention for league honors however first team boss Glen Wrafter, who has guided his side to the top four of the second division, is on the lookout for an extra bit of quality to try and eke out an edge on their closest competitors.
 
"We will be hosting a try-out at Roosevelt Island on Thursday March 21st at 8pm," confirmed Wrafter. "Everyone is welcome to come along. We're convinced that there is a lot of untapped talent out there in the city. This club is incredibly ambitious but if we are to realize our objectives, we will definitely need to add some players."
 
A win against NY Ukrainian this weekend (kick-off 6pm) will see the Rocks go level with their opponents thereby increasing their promotion hopes no end.
 
"With Manhattan Kickers unbeaten and five points clear at the top of CSL Division II, it's a race for second place. That race starts for us with our first league game back against NY Ukrainian SC. Our season hinges on this game and a win would set us up nicely for a crack at promotion to the 1st Division," added Wrafter.
 
The reserves are also in a strong position and will look to bounce back from a heavy League Cup defeat at the hands of their club mates the weekend before last when they take on the Ukrainian reserves at 8pm.
 
"They're unbeaten and they're top of the league," said manager Robbie O'Neill. "But a win will bring us level with them and put us in a good position for a strong run-in. It won't be easy as we have a few injuries but that's all the more reason to make this try-out as successful as possible."
 
Over 30s manager Paddy Mc Carry, whose team is also back in action this weekend with a home tie against Tesoro on Sunday morning, has steadied the ship after a tough start to the league campaign but is hopeful of adding some new recruits before the deadline.
 
For more information on Thursday night's try-out contact the club at NYShamrockSC@gmail.com.

Robbie Keane, the Republic of Ireland’s captain and LA Galaxy player, has been ranked number 15 in the richest soccer players list on Goal.com.

Resident Irish lad of One Direction, Niall Horan, was so excited about the group’s show in Dublin that he wore an Irish jersey during the performance.

Famed Irish international Robbie Keane wants to manage after retirement he tells ESPN just before the start of the MSL season.

Neil Lennon tore into his Celtic players after their shock 3-2 defeat to St. Mirren in the Scottish Communities League Cup semifinal defeat at Hampden Park.

Irish defender Richard Dunne has suffered another injury setback and will miss the crucial World Cup qualifier in Sweden next month.

Reports in Scotland say that star striker Gary Hooper has turned down a new contract offer from Glasgow Celtic and could be off to the Premier League before the transfer window closes next week.

Out with the old and in with the new – that’s Giovanni Trapattoni’s motto for the friendly with Poland next month.

Shay Given won’t play against Poland next month but Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni has welcomed his decision to come out of international retirement.