I don't think my article on Landon was advocating a move to Bayern Munich, but I can see where some have taken it that way.
Here's what one reader had to say:
With all due respect I don't think Landon Donovan would even make the Bayern Munich matchday party more than 12 or 15 times in a season. They simply have too much talent going forward already in their squad (Podolski, Klose, Toni in attack not to mention Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribéry pulling strings in the final third) for Donovan to be anything more than a bit-part squad member. At this stage of his career he should be looking to play week-in and week-out. 19 goals in the American league is to the minds of 95% of the football world the equivalent of maybe 5 or 6 in England, Italy or Spain - in fact he could get 50 goals and prove very little - to be considered one of the best players in the world you are required to test yourself against the best defenders and defensive units on a regular basis - only three leagues in the world genuinely offer him this opportunity and their would certainly be interest, but he needs to take a reality check on his options. He should realise that taking a lower third Premiership or Liga or Serie A side to mid-table safety offers far more scope for the growth of his brand, development and even global respect quotient than warming the bench (or stands) of a European superpower like Bayern.
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Chicago/Galaxy running blog
Last year, Chicago destroyed LA's playoff hopes in the final game of the year. This year, they could pretty much kill the Galaxy off - a little earlier this time around.
LD talks about doing "internal work". Sounds like colonics or something. LD gives a nod to Hispanic Heritage month, saying those were his soccer teammates when he was growing up. Foudy points out that the Galaxy will lose players in an upcoming game for international duty.
LD also does a bumper blurb in Spanish. "Arriba Galaxy" he says. He won't be hearing much of that tonight, frankly.
Galaxy - Wicks, Jazic, Franklin, Roberts, Klein, Becks, Vanney, Lewis, Donovan, Gordon, Buddle
Fire - Busch, Segares, Conde, Soumare, Prideaux, Rolfe, Pause, Mapp, Thorington, Blanco, McBride
Foudy thinks Blanco is going to have to step up to turn the Fire around. Stone points out that McBride doesn't really seem to have helped the Fire much since he joined them.
Kickoff!
1- Nice crowd. Not a big surprise, but still nice to see.
2 - Klein takes ball away from Mapp.
3 - Fire throw. Blanco seems really on tonight. Franklin fouls and give up a free kick to the Fire.
4 - Blanco takes it - hits it right to Wicks. Not Blanco's usual cannon shot.
7 - Blanco lays ball off, Mapp takes a shot. Way over.
8 - Gordon fouls Pause in midfield.
9 - Wicks saves a Rolfe shot!
10 - Chicago corner - Soumare header - Jazic clears off the line!
12 - Becks with a good volley pass, but Busch beats Buddle to the ball.
13 - GOAL! Rolfe! He got the ball poked away from him twice, but he got it back both times and sneaks the ball in far post. He shot through Troy Roberts' legs, and that seemed to throw Wicks off. 1-0 Fire.
26 - Corner for LA - Becks takes it. Galaxy get a throw out of it.
27 - It gets served into the box, but the header is way wide. Goal kick.
30 - Gordon with a low shot, but not fast enough to threaten Busch.
32 - Yikes. Harkes just said, "Beckerman" No.
34 - The crowd is building up momentum with Spanish chants.
35 - GOAL! Lewis! LD to Klein, whose low cross reaches the box, where Lewis gets a foot in front of Rolfe to poke the ball towards goal. 1-1
36 - Becks is grimacing like crazy. I think his ankle is hurt again. the announcers ignore it.
SAVE! Wicks. Blanco served the ball in, but Wicks made the save.
37 - Corner kick ends up with a shot over the bar by the Fire.
40 - Beckham to Buddle - who shoots just wide.
44 - Wicks punches a ball out, Thorrington serves it back in. Blanco is down after colliding with Wicks. He barreled right into him.
Blanco heads toward the sideline.
45 + He's back now - just got called for offside.
Halftime - the Galaxy fought back after the Fire went up early. It really depends who has the legs in the second half for the win, I think.
I can't believe Mauricio Cienfuegos isn't on ESPN's influential Hispanic players poll.
50 - Chicago is coming in hard and the Galaxy are scrambling to hold them off.
51 - Either LA will surprise the Fire on a counter or the Fire will get the goal they are pressing for right now.
52 - Wicks catches a tipped ball from Troy Roberts. Becks gets booed as he sets up for a corner. Over the bar. The Galaxy get another corner. It pops out and Becks serves it back in - Gordon heads wide.
54 - Harkes gushes over what Bruce Arena has brought to the Galaxy. Are we looking at the same team?
57 - GOAL! Blanco! On the counter on an outlet pass - Wicks mistimed coming out, collided with Roberts and couldn't get the ball. The home fans go crazy. 2-1 Fire.
59 - GOAL! Rolfe! A pass snuck through to Rolfe - though it looked offside to me, but the linesman keeps the flag down. Wicks gets a hand to it, but that doesn't stop the ball and it continues into the goal. 3-1 Fire.
63 - Even though the Fire were pushing hard for a goal, they actually scored on counter chance, not the the pressing opportunities.
66 - LA FK - right to the hands of Busch.
69 - Donovan missed a scoring chance near post. Nice feed from Klein.
71 - Another chance wasted - Lewis pass - LD tried to volley it but his touch was off.
78 - Even Harkes mentions Cien as influential - why isn't he on the poll, Harkey?
80 - Corner for LA. Various player have a chance at it, but a whistle blows - handball on Roberts.
86 - Jordan creates a corner kick chance. Becks takes it and Franklin gets a header on it. It's not a good one, though, and the ball goes wide.
Final whistle
Well, this was always going to be a tough game to win, but now the Galaxy are looking at having to win out to try to make the playoffs. That's nearly impossible, especially with all their internationals missing for another game.
Read more...
LD talks about doing "internal work". Sounds like colonics or something. LD gives a nod to Hispanic Heritage month, saying those were his soccer teammates when he was growing up. Foudy points out that the Galaxy will lose players in an upcoming game for international duty.
LD also does a bumper blurb in Spanish. "Arriba Galaxy" he says. He won't be hearing much of that tonight, frankly.
Galaxy - Wicks, Jazic, Franklin, Roberts, Klein, Becks, Vanney, Lewis, Donovan, Gordon, Buddle
Fire - Busch, Segares, Conde, Soumare, Prideaux, Rolfe, Pause, Mapp, Thorington, Blanco, McBride
Foudy thinks Blanco is going to have to step up to turn the Fire around. Stone points out that McBride doesn't really seem to have helped the Fire much since he joined them.
Kickoff!
1- Nice crowd. Not a big surprise, but still nice to see.
2 - Klein takes ball away from Mapp.
3 - Fire throw. Blanco seems really on tonight. Franklin fouls and give up a free kick to the Fire.
4 - Blanco takes it - hits it right to Wicks. Not Blanco's usual cannon shot.
7 - Blanco lays ball off, Mapp takes a shot. Way over.
8 - Gordon fouls Pause in midfield.
9 - Wicks saves a Rolfe shot!
10 - Chicago corner - Soumare header - Jazic clears off the line!
12 - Becks with a good volley pass, but Busch beats Buddle to the ball.
13 - GOAL! Rolfe! He got the ball poked away from him twice, but he got it back both times and sneaks the ball in far post. He shot through Troy Roberts' legs, and that seemed to throw Wicks off. 1-0 Fire.
26 - Corner for LA - Becks takes it. Galaxy get a throw out of it.
27 - It gets served into the box, but the header is way wide. Goal kick.
30 - Gordon with a low shot, but not fast enough to threaten Busch.
32 - Yikes. Harkes just said, "Beckerman" No.
34 - The crowd is building up momentum with Spanish chants.
35 - GOAL! Lewis! LD to Klein, whose low cross reaches the box, where Lewis gets a foot in front of Rolfe to poke the ball towards goal. 1-1
36 - Becks is grimacing like crazy. I think his ankle is hurt again. the announcers ignore it.
SAVE! Wicks. Blanco served the ball in, but Wicks made the save.
37 - Corner kick ends up with a shot over the bar by the Fire.
40 - Beckham to Buddle - who shoots just wide.
44 - Wicks punches a ball out, Thorrington serves it back in. Blanco is down after colliding with Wicks. He barreled right into him.
Blanco heads toward the sideline.
45 + He's back now - just got called for offside.
Halftime - the Galaxy fought back after the Fire went up early. It really depends who has the legs in the second half for the win, I think.
I can't believe Mauricio Cienfuegos isn't on ESPN's influential Hispanic players poll.
50 - Chicago is coming in hard and the Galaxy are scrambling to hold them off.
51 - Either LA will surprise the Fire on a counter or the Fire will get the goal they are pressing for right now.
52 - Wicks catches a tipped ball from Troy Roberts. Becks gets booed as he sets up for a corner. Over the bar. The Galaxy get another corner. It pops out and Becks serves it back in - Gordon heads wide.
54 - Harkes gushes over what Bruce Arena has brought to the Galaxy. Are we looking at the same team?
57 - GOAL! Blanco! On the counter on an outlet pass - Wicks mistimed coming out, collided with Roberts and couldn't get the ball. The home fans go crazy. 2-1 Fire.
59 - GOAL! Rolfe! A pass snuck through to Rolfe - though it looked offside to me, but the linesman keeps the flag down. Wicks gets a hand to it, but that doesn't stop the ball and it continues into the goal. 3-1 Fire.
63 - Even though the Fire were pushing hard for a goal, they actually scored on counter chance, not the the pressing opportunities.
66 - LA FK - right to the hands of Busch.
69 - Donovan missed a scoring chance near post. Nice feed from Klein.
71 - Another chance wasted - Lewis pass - LD tried to volley it but his touch was off.
78 - Even Harkes mentions Cien as influential - why isn't he on the poll, Harkey?
80 - Corner for LA. Various player have a chance at it, but a whistle blows - handball on Roberts.
86 - Jordan creates a corner kick chance. Becks takes it and Franklin gets a header on it. It's not a good one, though, and the ball goes wide.
Final whistle
Well, this was always going to be a tough game to win, but now the Galaxy are looking at having to win out to try to make the playoffs. That's nearly impossible, especially with all their internationals missing for another game.
Read more...
Oh yeah, the result
So Mexico did lose on Wednesday after all as I mentioned briefly in my previous post.
Now, before people start to call for Sven Goran Eriksson's head, let me remind them of one minor detail: it's a meaningless friendly he lost.
Meaningless in terms of result and impact of the loss. Mexico is 3-0-0 in World Cup qualifying so far. The game probably shouldn't have been played since no European players were available and neither were players from six Mexican teams, yes SIX including a couple of important teams in Chivas and Santos (in terms of players they provide the national team).
Eriksson will continue to prepare the squad for World Cup qualifying and I think before people start to get upset with or lose confidence in Eriksson, let's wait until he plays some qualifying games on the road. That's not exactly a great deal of adversity but it will be the first potential bit of adversity he faces when Mexico plays at Canada and at Jamaica. He'll have his full team then and will be playing in games that matter, not a meaningless friendly.
A loss or two and then it might be open season. But to lose to Chile with what some people called a C team - on an own goal at that - ... who cares? I just don't see how that would reflect bad on Eriksson.
Read more...
Now, before people start to call for Sven Goran Eriksson's head, let me remind them of one minor detail: it's a meaningless friendly he lost.
Meaningless in terms of result and impact of the loss. Mexico is 3-0-0 in World Cup qualifying so far. The game probably shouldn't have been played since no European players were available and neither were players from six Mexican teams, yes SIX including a couple of important teams in Chivas and Santos (in terms of players they provide the national team).
Eriksson will continue to prepare the squad for World Cup qualifying and I think before people start to get upset with or lose confidence in Eriksson, let's wait until he plays some qualifying games on the road. That's not exactly a great deal of adversity but it will be the first potential bit of adversity he faces when Mexico plays at Canada and at Jamaica. He'll have his full team then and will be playing in games that matter, not a meaningless friendly.
A loss or two and then it might be open season. But to lose to Chile with what some people called a C team - on an own goal at that - ... who cares? I just don't see how that would reflect bad on Eriksson.
Read more...
Next time, try HDC
Mexico lost to Chile 1-0 at the LA Coliseum on Wednesday night. The crowd count was 32,924.
Now, the Coliseum is great for big games. A full-strength Mexico squad against a name opponent could draw upwards of 50,000 or more, even on a Wednesday night. But when Mexico brings a team that isn't loaded with stars, or as was the case this week a team that has basically one star and a handful of recognizable players, the Coliseum makes no sense.
That's when it is time to play at Home Depot Center.
I suppose the only drawback would be the college. If Cal State Dominguez Hills caps the attendance at whatever, then all bets are off. Otherwise, it makes much more sense to play a friendly like this at HDC than it does at the Coliseum. There's not a whole lot of difference between 32,924 and 27,000. It's not like 27,000 versus 57,000.
Sure, you lose a little in terms of attendance but you gain a lot. First of all, it's a soccer specific stadium... unless it's being used for X Games or concerts or high school football or tv shows or whatever. Still, the field is in decent shape right now, probably better than at the Coliseum where poor field conditions are typically a concern and complaint.
The traffic around the Coliseum is generally bad and when you play a game in there it gets horrendous. Traffic around HDC, even before and after big games, is manageable.
And of course had the game been played there yesterday it would have sold out. I think you could probably say that Mexico would sell out any game it played at HDC. A packed 27,000 would make a far better atmosphere than a big stadium with lots of empty seats. The Coliseum seats more than 90,000 so there were more than 50,000 empty seats on Wednesday. That's a lot of wasted space.
I guess in the end I like HDC quite a bit and think it should be used for soccer events whenever it makes sense. Gold Cup games at HDC make sense. Midweek friendlies make sense to some degree (Mexico-Argentina would be better off at the Coliseum, for instance). But playing second- or third-rate friendlies in a big stadium, well, that doesnt make a whole lot of sense.
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Now, the Coliseum is great for big games. A full-strength Mexico squad against a name opponent could draw upwards of 50,000 or more, even on a Wednesday night. But when Mexico brings a team that isn't loaded with stars, or as was the case this week a team that has basically one star and a handful of recognizable players, the Coliseum makes no sense.
That's when it is time to play at Home Depot Center.
I suppose the only drawback would be the college. If Cal State Dominguez Hills caps the attendance at whatever, then all bets are off. Otherwise, it makes much more sense to play a friendly like this at HDC than it does at the Coliseum. There's not a whole lot of difference between 32,924 and 27,000. It's not like 27,000 versus 57,000.
Sure, you lose a little in terms of attendance but you gain a lot. First of all, it's a soccer specific stadium... unless it's being used for X Games or concerts or high school football or tv shows or whatever. Still, the field is in decent shape right now, probably better than at the Coliseum where poor field conditions are typically a concern and complaint.
The traffic around the Coliseum is generally bad and when you play a game in there it gets horrendous. Traffic around HDC, even before and after big games, is manageable.
And of course had the game been played there yesterday it would have sold out. I think you could probably say that Mexico would sell out any game it played at HDC. A packed 27,000 would make a far better atmosphere than a big stadium with lots of empty seats. The Coliseum seats more than 90,000 so there were more than 50,000 empty seats on Wednesday. That's a lot of wasted space.
I guess in the end I like HDC quite a bit and think it should be used for soccer events whenever it makes sense. Gold Cup games at HDC make sense. Midweek friendlies make sense to some degree (Mexico-Argentina would be better off at the Coliseum, for instance). But playing second- or third-rate friendlies in a big stadium, well, that doesnt make a whole lot of sense.
Read more...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Marta, Marta, Marta
Marta the magician is coming to Los Angeles.
It makes simple sense to me. Brazilians like LA. A bunch of them live near Venice Beach, well, pretty much any of the beach communities have a Brazilian cafe, club or restaurant where they like to congregate.
There's so many of them around, that it might be hard for Marta to learn English - she won't need to use it in her off hours if she lives in one of the communities where a lot of them gather. One Brazilian player told me once that in LA, he speaks more Spanish than English.
Marta speaks Swedish from her years of playing there, but I'm not sure she'll get to practice that as much.
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It makes simple sense to me. Brazilians like LA. A bunch of them live near Venice Beach, well, pretty much any of the beach communities have a Brazilian cafe, club or restaurant where they like to congregate.
There's so many of them around, that it might be hard for Marta to learn English - she won't need to use it in her off hours if she lives in one of the communities where a lot of them gather. One Brazilian player told me once that in LA, he speaks more Spanish than English.
Marta speaks Swedish from her years of playing there, but I'm not sure she'll get to practice that as much.
Read more...
Vote is in
The LB/Sideline View Readers vote for the 2008 Honda Player of the Year is in. I just sent my vote over, about 11 hours before the polls close.
If our readers' opinions are any indications, a certain English-based player will win in a landslide.
There were 26 first-place votes submitted - 18 of them were for Tim Howard. The only other player to garner more than one first-place vote was Michael Bradley, who nabbed two. The following players each got one vote (though the last one was probably trying to bust some balls): Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Freddy Adu, Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson (see, I told you).
To figure out our second place vote, I used the same system Futbol de Primera uses to determine their winner - three points for a first-place vote, two for second and one for third.
Second place was Michael Bradley with 21 points. Third place was Oguchi Onyewu with 19 points followed by Carlos Bocanegra (11), Landon Donovan (9), Freddy Adu (8) and Clint Dempsey (5). Others receiving votes were Steve Cherundolo and (more gag votes probably) Danny Califf and Josh Wolff.
Thanks again for participating! The award will be handed out sometime next month and I'll be there for the festivities.
Read more...
If our readers' opinions are any indications, a certain English-based player will win in a landslide.
There were 26 first-place votes submitted - 18 of them were for Tim Howard. The only other player to garner more than one first-place vote was Michael Bradley, who nabbed two. The following players each got one vote (though the last one was probably trying to bust some balls): Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Freddy Adu, Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson (see, I told you).
To figure out our second place vote, I used the same system Futbol de Primera uses to determine their winner - three points for a first-place vote, two for second and one for third.
Second place was Michael Bradley with 21 points. Third place was Oguchi Onyewu with 19 points followed by Carlos Bocanegra (11), Landon Donovan (9), Freddy Adu (8) and Clint Dempsey (5). Others receiving votes were Steve Cherundolo and (more gag votes probably) Danny Califf and Josh Wolff.
Thanks again for participating! The award will be handed out sometime next month and I'll be there for the festivities.
Read more...
Learning Spanish: a three-month course
Grahame Jones of the LA Times was another English-speaking reporter out at Tuesday's presser. Jones talked about Eriksson's Spanish-speaking ability and started his story about a bit of a misunderstanding between Eriksson and a reporter, who asked Eriksson if he now eats chiles. As an aside, it's sort of a badge of honor for a foreigner to eat a heaping pile of jalapenos or drizzle of some spicy salsa over a plate of food.
It was a bit unfair, of course, since the opponent is Chile and he was asked several times about Chile earlier. I'm sure he picked up on the word "chile" and thought of the opponent so he began talking about the country.
Everyone laughed it off, of course. But that just shows that he's been accepted by the media and possibly the public at large.
After all, the man speaks Spanish. He knew no Spanish, had never even been to Mexico, before he was hired. But now he does all of his pressers in Spanish and has taken an interest in learning about the Mexican culture and history. He said he's visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología often and learned about the Mayans, for instance.
He's shown not only a desire to acclimate himself with the country beyond the sport and his job but a true interest in learning about his new country.
And while people may criticize his player choices, they can't say he has not done well to pick up on the Spanish language and Mexican culture.
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It was a bit unfair, of course, since the opponent is Chile and he was asked several times about Chile earlier. I'm sure he picked up on the word "chile" and thought of the opponent so he began talking about the country.
Everyone laughed it off, of course. But that just shows that he's been accepted by the media and possibly the public at large.
After all, the man speaks Spanish. He knew no Spanish, had never even been to Mexico, before he was hired. But now he does all of his pressers in Spanish and has taken an interest in learning about the Mexican culture and history. He said he's visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología often and learned about the Mayans, for instance.
He's shown not only a desire to acclimate himself with the country beyond the sport and his job but a true interest in learning about his new country.
And while people may criticize his player choices, they can't say he has not done well to pick up on the Spanish language and Mexican culture.
Read more...
In the honeymoon phase
Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune was one of four non-Spanish speaking reporters at the press conference on Tuesday. Zeigler wrote a feature for the UT on Eriksson and the current honeymoon phase the 60-year-old is enjoying with El Tri right now.
It's one that might be damaged tonight with a loss.
Of course, as Eriksson mentioned, the job is... well, if it's not easy, it's certainly less stressful. Things will change, for sure. He'll lose a game or tie an opponent many felt shouldn't have happened. Heck, he may come under fire for not winning with flair or by enough goals.
Whatever the case may be, Eriksson will encounter adversity - it's just a matter of time.
Still, as Zeigler mentions, all is well for Eriksson who said on Tuesday that he doesn't like Mexico, he loves it.
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It's one that might be damaged tonight with a loss.
Of course, as Eriksson mentioned, the job is... well, if it's not easy, it's certainly less stressful. Things will change, for sure. He'll lose a game or tie an opponent many felt shouldn't have happened. Heck, he may come under fire for not winning with flair or by enough goals.
Whatever the case may be, Eriksson will encounter adversity - it's just a matter of time.
Still, as Zeigler mentions, all is well for Eriksson who said on Tuesday that he doesn't like Mexico, he loves it.
Read more...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Amistosos
Sven fields a question about playing friendlies in Europe.
His response? It's hard to gather a team in Europe for a midweek friendly. He said he wants to play more friendlies in Mexico. Not in Azteca but in Monterrey or Guadalajara and the like. He wants to play all qualifiers in Azteca.
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His response? It's hard to gather a team in Europe for a midweek friendly. He said he wants to play more friendlies in Mexico. Not in Azteca but in Monterrey or Guadalajara and the like. He wants to play all qualifiers in Azteca.
Read more...
Sven on the roster
I went to a hotel in downtown Los Angeles today for a press conference featuring Mexican national team coach Sven Goran Eriksson. He answered questions in English first but I didn't record those with my camera.
But I got a snippet of him, actually several snippets, answering questions in Spanish. Here's one he fielded about the strength of the roster and about some discussions that took place regarding players from clubs who were in action this week.
Basically, he said he could have brought in players from Santos or Cruz Azul or some of the six clubs that were playing Champions League/Copa Sudamericana but it sounds like there would have been some strings attached. So instead he opted for a group of players he could have ultimate freedom in selecting, in terms of both for the game itself and to start/use off the bench as he saw fit.
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But I got a snippet of him, actually several snippets, answering questions in Spanish. Here's one he fielded about the strength of the roster and about some discussions that took place regarding players from clubs who were in action this week.
Basically, he said he could have brought in players from Santos or Cruz Azul or some of the six clubs that were playing Champions League/Copa Sudamericana but it sounds like there would have been some strings attached. So instead he opted for a group of players he could have ultimate freedom in selecting, in terms of both for the game itself and to start/use off the bench as he saw fit.
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Pasadena Pete
I thought Pete Vagenas' goal against DC was really nice, just perfect redirection.
Here's what Pete had to say after the game about that goal, among other things. He definitely looks at the bright side of an injury.
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Picture this
(I found a Memo pic, too!)I got a call from an editor yesterday regarding my Mexico column. They were trying to figure out which player was available for the match in order to run a picture with the story. It took a while but they found one.
At first, they asked about Giovani Dos Santos. No, I told them, he wasn't included. Then they asked if Carlos Vela was around. No again. I told them if they could find one of Guillermo Ochoa, that was their best bet. Ochoa played for the U-23s when they were here earlier this year so there may have been some shots of him from those games.
Not sure who else could have been there. Francisco Fonseca may have had some older shots floating around somewhere. Zinha has played in some games here but he's not exactly a prominent player.
I suppose that speaks to the level of this roster. It's many players who could add depth, few players who have played in qualifying this year. As one commenter noted on my post from yesterday, it's refreshing to see these kinds of players called up and given an opportunity to show what they can do. There isn't much to lose if the players don't do well and Mexico loses.
There is a lot to lose, though, if you drop 50 bucks on the game and watch some relative unknowns lay an egg against Chile. But I suppose that's on you, and if the youngsters do well and score a goal or three, perhaps then it will be worth it.
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Who's your MVP?
I thought Guillermo Barros Schelotto was horribly overlooked for the All-Star Game.
Still, it seemed that GBS was going to get a nice consolation prize from many writers - the league MVP title. But Landon Donovan is making a play for consideration.
It's not coincidental, either. He's quite deliberate about it. He mentioned that the title was a goal of his before the year started.
Here's what LD had to say about chasing down GBS for the MVP.
"Is he the front-runner? I don’t know. You guys [reporters] determine that stuff. Whatever. I’m going to do my part. I want to make it clear that I can be the MVP. I have five more games to do that. Obviously, making the playoffs will help that a lot. I’m going to keep going. I know it’s other people’s decision. If I keep playing the way I’m doing, in my mind, I am."
What about our readers? Who would be your MVP pick and why?
Read more...
Still, it seemed that GBS was going to get a nice consolation prize from many writers - the league MVP title. But Landon Donovan is making a play for consideration.
It's not coincidental, either. He's quite deliberate about it. He mentioned that the title was a goal of his before the year started.
Here's what LD had to say about chasing down GBS for the MVP.
"Is he the front-runner? I don’t know. You guys [reporters] determine that stuff. Whatever. I’m going to do my part. I want to make it clear that I can be the MVP. I have five more games to do that. Obviously, making the playoffs will help that a lot. I’m going to keep going. I know it’s other people’s decision. If I keep playing the way I’m doing, in my mind, I am."
What about our readers? Who would be your MVP pick and why?
Read more...
Politics, parts and partiality
The Republican campaign manager has accused the NY Times of no longer being a "journalistic organization".
It's not that often that I identify too much with an old gray lady, but in some ways I feel I've fielded some similar criticism when I write about Landon Donovan, the whole "if you're not attacking him, you're not objective" spin.
It's puzzled me that there's such polarity on Landon, however, when he plays a very different part than any candidate in this political season. He's certainly not going to be in charge of anything other than how he plays. No one has to choose him at the expense of anyone else - people can have a favorite USMNT player without denigrating Landon's accomplishments. He's simply a soccer player - and by any measurable degree of performance, a good one.
19 goals, 8 assists, in 20 games.
For comparison, Cuauhtemoc Blanco is renowned (rightly so) as a playmaker, and he has 7 assists this season. Guillermo Barros Schellotto more than doubles Donovan's assist total (18), but LD more than triples GBS's goal output(6). Both CB and GBS have also played a few more games than LD this MLS season. With the U.S. national team, the stats are even more staggering - at barely over quarter-life, LD holds the U.S. records for both all-time goals and assists.
I'm often asked to write about LD because I'm local to LA. Part of my job isn't just to report, but also to analyze. My opinion of Landon is that he's a good player who is near his peak right now. It amused me to hear LD say nearly the same thing.
But my point about LD going overseas has long been thus - it's too late to make him any better. He is, I believe, as good as he gets right now. Going abroad and doing well there won't be doing well because he's abroad, it will be simply the same guy doing well abroad. Going abroad and playing badly will probably illustrate something about the MLS level, as well as how much Landon relies on feeling settled to play well. There's a lot of good players in MLS who fail to do well abroad, for whatever reason.
In other words, if he fails abroad or if he succeeds, Landon is still essentially the same player. Whether the hype about him goes up or down and whether anyone changes their opinion of him based on the outside context of where he plays is another matter.
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Monday, September 22, 2008
Forget it
I just finished writing my Tuesday Press-Enterprise column. I decided to write about the Mexican national team, since they're playing on Wednesday out here in Los Angeles.
One of the things I noticed rather quickly when doing research was the strength of the team that will play on Wednesday. Strength of course isn't the best way to describe this team.
First, the roster:
GK: Guillermo Ochoa (América); José de Jesús Corona (Tecos).
D: Diego Martínez (Tigres); José Antonio Castro (América); Edgar Dueñas (Toluca); Juan Carlos Valenzuela (Tecos); Leobardo López (Pachuca); Fernando López (Necaxa); Fausto Pinto (Pachuca); Jorge Torres (Atlas).
M: Antonio Naelson (Toluca) Mario Méndez (Toluca); Jaime Correa (Pachuca); William Paredes and Luis Pérez (Monterrey); Arnhold Rivas (Tecos).
F: Enrique Esqueda (América); Francisco Fonseca (Tigres); Carlos Esquivel (Toluca); Carlos Ochoa (Monterrey)
Now, I'm not comparing this team to any other national team team. I'm comparing this team to the Mexico teams used during qualifying. Compared to those teams, this roster is not as strong. Not saying it's weak, just not as strong. Actually, nowhere near as strong.
Of course, that doesn't mean a whole lot. First, it's my opinion. Your opinion could be that this team is stronger than the one that beat Canada 2-1 on Sept. 10. You would have a tough time arguing that but you could argue it... maybe.
Secondly, these games could come in handy. They are opportunities for players to show themselves to Eriksson. Some players have yet to play for Sven-Goran Eriksson, many of these players in fact including Guillermo Ochoa. This game is certainly not without meaning to them.
But as I mention in my column, the fact that six Mexican teams are in action this week severely hampered Eriksson's options. No players from Chivas, Pumas or Santos. Forget about Cruz Azul and San Luis players. For accuracy purposes, we have to mention Atlante too.
Anyway, the game then will be a mix of players who will try and show their worth to Eriksson for the first time (Ochoa, Jaime Correa, Zinha) as well as those trying to re-establish themselves with the national team in general (Gringo Castro, Kikin Fonseca, Mario Mendez).
Still, if you're on the fence about going to this game, get off and stay home. Perhaps it's my dislike of fighting through the Coliseum traffic on a Wednesday night, knowing you've got to get up early the very next morning. Or maybe it's the decent-but-not-headlining-opponent that is Chile. And then, and most importantly, there are ticket prices for the game itself: ticket prices range from $30-70. If you spend even on the low end, it's debatable whether you get your money's worth given the roster. If it were an international fixture date and all the top players were here, that's a different story. But paying $30-70 to see whether Enrique Esqueda can break through for the senior team... well, that doesn't sound too appealing.
And if you live within driving distance and are tired of seeing these kinds of friendlies played in the US - to take a phrase from my column, these kinds of "cash grabs" - then you should not go. Voice your displeasure that way. Because if they keep drawing 40,000 to 60,000 for these games, well, you'll still see plenty of them played on American soil year in and year out.
Read more...
One of the things I noticed rather quickly when doing research was the strength of the team that will play on Wednesday. Strength of course isn't the best way to describe this team.
First, the roster:
GK: Guillermo Ochoa (América); José de Jesús Corona (Tecos).
D: Diego Martínez (Tigres); José Antonio Castro (América); Edgar Dueñas (Toluca); Juan Carlos Valenzuela (Tecos); Leobardo López (Pachuca); Fernando López (Necaxa); Fausto Pinto (Pachuca); Jorge Torres (Atlas).
M: Antonio Naelson (Toluca) Mario Méndez (Toluca); Jaime Correa (Pachuca); William Paredes and Luis Pérez (Monterrey); Arnhold Rivas (Tecos).
F: Enrique Esqueda (América); Francisco Fonseca (Tigres); Carlos Esquivel (Toluca); Carlos Ochoa (Monterrey)
Now, I'm not comparing this team to any other national team team. I'm comparing this team to the Mexico teams used during qualifying. Compared to those teams, this roster is not as strong. Not saying it's weak, just not as strong. Actually, nowhere near as strong.
Of course, that doesn't mean a whole lot. First, it's my opinion. Your opinion could be that this team is stronger than the one that beat Canada 2-1 on Sept. 10. You would have a tough time arguing that but you could argue it... maybe.
Secondly, these games could come in handy. They are opportunities for players to show themselves to Eriksson. Some players have yet to play for Sven-Goran Eriksson, many of these players in fact including Guillermo Ochoa. This game is certainly not without meaning to them.
But as I mention in my column, the fact that six Mexican teams are in action this week severely hampered Eriksson's options. No players from Chivas, Pumas or Santos. Forget about Cruz Azul and San Luis players. For accuracy purposes, we have to mention Atlante too.
Anyway, the game then will be a mix of players who will try and show their worth to Eriksson for the first time (Ochoa, Jaime Correa, Zinha) as well as those trying to re-establish themselves with the national team in general (Gringo Castro, Kikin Fonseca, Mario Mendez).
Still, if you're on the fence about going to this game, get off and stay home. Perhaps it's my dislike of fighting through the Coliseum traffic on a Wednesday night, knowing you've got to get up early the very next morning. Or maybe it's the decent-but-not-headlining-opponent that is Chile. And then, and most importantly, there are ticket prices for the game itself: ticket prices range from $30-70. If you spend even on the low end, it's debatable whether you get your money's worth given the roster. If it were an international fixture date and all the top players were here, that's a different story. But paying $30-70 to see whether Enrique Esqueda can break through for the senior team... well, that doesn't sound too appealing.
And if you live within driving distance and are tired of seeing these kinds of friendlies played in the US - to take a phrase from my column, these kinds of "cash grabs" - then you should not go. Voice your displeasure that way. Because if they keep drawing 40,000 to 60,000 for these games, well, you'll still see plenty of them played on American soil year in and year out.
Read more...
Leftist Brigade Rankings (Sept. 22)
It was an odd week in the standings. The top teams from last week did well and so did most of the teams near the bottom. The middle-of-the-pack, though, had some downright terrible losses as DC, New York and Chicago were all embarrassed soundly.
It had a slight affect on the table, though the top and bottom didn't change too much.
1. Columbus (14-6-5). Showing they can win without Barros Schelotto - aka the 2008 MLS MVP.
2. Houston (10-5-9). A week without a match to try and personally recover from damaging hurricane.
3. New England (12-7-6). Draw on the road was positive; now comes potential top-of-conference showdown with Columbus.
4. San Jose (7-9-8). Moved up here partly by default, partly because 'Quakes haven't lost in more than two months.
5. Chicago (11-9-5). Only bad losses by teams that were at 6 and 7 a week ago prevented Chicago from slipping further.
6. Colorado (9-12-4). Well in the playoff hunt out west. Still not sure if that says more about the Rapids or the Western Conference...
7. New York (9-8-8). One of the league's worst road teams.
8. Chivas USA (9-10-6). Became first team in league to beat Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium this year.
9. FC Dallas (7-9-9). When they're on, FC Dallas has potential to be a conference finalist, if not more.
10. Kansas City (8-9-8). Look who's alive in the playoff race.
11. DC United (10-12-3). Yeah, they got hosed on a 63rd-minute red card, but it's not like everything was great for the first 62 minutes either.
12. Real Salt Lake (8-10-7) Completely terrible way to lose at home; RSL's playoff hopes took serious dent.
13. LA Galaxy (7-11-8). First win since June 14 not enough to get Galaxy out of last place in the Western Conference.
14. Toronto (7-11-7). Shining light for Toronto FC fans: the Maple Leafs broke camp recently.
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It had a slight affect on the table, though the top and bottom didn't change too much.
1. Columbus (14-6-5). Showing they can win without Barros Schelotto - aka the 2008 MLS MVP.
2. Houston (10-5-9). A week without a match to try and personally recover from damaging hurricane.
3. New England (12-7-6). Draw on the road was positive; now comes potential top-of-conference showdown with Columbus.
4. San Jose (7-9-8). Moved up here partly by default, partly because 'Quakes haven't lost in more than two months.
5. Chicago (11-9-5). Only bad losses by teams that were at 6 and 7 a week ago prevented Chicago from slipping further.
6. Colorado (9-12-4). Well in the playoff hunt out west. Still not sure if that says more about the Rapids or the Western Conference...
7. New York (9-8-8). One of the league's worst road teams.
8. Chivas USA (9-10-6). Became first team in league to beat Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium this year.
9. FC Dallas (7-9-9). When they're on, FC Dallas has potential to be a conference finalist, if not more.
10. Kansas City (8-9-8). Look who's alive in the playoff race.
11. DC United (10-12-3). Yeah, they got hosed on a 63rd-minute red card, but it's not like everything was great for the first 62 minutes either.
12. Real Salt Lake (8-10-7) Completely terrible way to lose at home; RSL's playoff hopes took serious dent.
13. LA Galaxy (7-11-8). First win since June 14 not enough to get Galaxy out of last place in the Western Conference.
14. Toronto (7-11-7). Shining light for Toronto FC fans: the Maple Leafs broke camp recently.
Read more...
Toldja
As I mentioned before, I wrote an article on the big hero of the DC-LA match.
But the topic wasn't really about how well Landon is playing for the Galaxy - more about where he might play next.
Personally, I give credit to Landon - he didn't play cute or go silent when I asked him about the topic. As has been his habit for a long time, he answered honestly.
As a reporter, I appreciate that and I'll certainly miss it when and if he leaves. Others, though, see another view.
From an email today:
If the feelers are already out there for "Donovan to Europe" (meaning he doesn't need to put out the "I wanna move" sign) and he cannot move til the winter window, why is he risking distracting the team during its playoff run by publicizing this? And it's this very sort of personnel turnover, both player and coach, that has contributed to the Galaxy's decline to mediocrity.....by comparison, teams like Houston and NE get a coach and keep them, and then build a team of players willing to limit somewhat their salaries and ambitions for the greater good. Guys like DeRo who could play somewhere else higher profile for a lot more money.
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But the topic wasn't really about how well Landon is playing for the Galaxy - more about where he might play next.
Personally, I give credit to Landon - he didn't play cute or go silent when I asked him about the topic. As has been his habit for a long time, he answered honestly.
As a reporter, I appreciate that and I'll certainly miss it when and if he leaves. Others, though, see another view.
From an email today:
If the feelers are already out there for "Donovan to Europe" (meaning he doesn't need to put out the "I wanna move" sign) and he cannot move til the winter window, why is he risking distracting the team during its playoff run by publicizing this? And it's this very sort of personnel turnover, both player and coach, that has contributed to the Galaxy's decline to mediocrity.....by comparison, teams like Houston and NE get a coach and keep them, and then build a team of players willing to limit somewhat their salaries and ambitions for the greater good. Guys like DeRo who could play somewhere else higher profile for a lot more money.
Read more...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I spy a win
My Beckham sidebar is on espn.com now.
Now, a few people might be thinking, "Hey! What about the guy that scored the hat trick?"
Not to worry. I've got a piece coming up on him, too.
But this one was about captain Becks, who seemed pretty business-like about the win. For that matter, so was his coach, Bruce Arena. Though they sat at the post-game presser together, Arena took questions first. He left the dais when he finished, patting Becks on the shoulder as he passed. "Monday," he told his player. Becks grinned. It was little "back to the grindstone" moment.
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Saturday, September 20, 2008
The aftermath: Quaranta
Santino Quaranta was actually one to stick up for the referees. Well, he didn't exactly say that referee Terry Vaughn's terrible call was correct but he tried to talk about both sides of the issue.
Here's audio of my little chat with Santino.
He was actually a bit disconsolate, but it was mostly to do with his ankle. Quaranta had a giant bag of ice taped to his ankle as I talked to him.
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Here's audio of my little chat with Santino.
He was actually a bit disconsolate, but it was mostly to do with his ankle. Quaranta had a giant bag of ice taped to his ankle as I talked to him.
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The aftermath: Burch
Marc Burch wasn't as down as I expected him to be after the match. He was talking as if he'd just suffered a tough loss - a usual tough loss in which his team lost due to a mistake or three or a lack of effort.
Saturday's loss was an unusual tough loss because of a horrid red card that Burch was unfortunate to have received.
Here's the audio of what Burch had to say after the whole thing went down.
Perhaps since he had some time to think about things, he may have not been as depressed as you would expect. Or maybe he was so infuriated he needed the time to calm down and collect his thoughts.
Whatever the case, he won't play in DC's next league match. Through no fault of his own, of course.
Read more...
Saturday's loss was an unusual tough loss because of a horrid red card that Burch was unfortunate to have received.
Here's the audio of what Burch had to say after the whole thing went down.
Perhaps since he had some time to think about things, he may have not been as depressed as you would expect. Or maybe he was so infuriated he needed the time to calm down and collect his thoughts.
Whatever the case, he won't play in DC's next league match. Through no fault of his own, of course.
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The aftermath: Soehn
Tom Soehn wasn't one to hold back his thoughts after the DC's 5-2 loss at the Galaxy. He said the match officials had a rough night before calling the red card against Marc Burch a "travesty."
I gotta take a bit of credit for the last comment.
At the post game presser, Soehn answered a question about the defense and another about the Galaxy. He was about to step away as no one else had their hand raised for a question so I threw my hand in the air and asked him about the red card.
He didn't tear into the officiating crew but he was obviously none too pleased with the call.
Listen to the entire presser here.
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I gotta take a bit of credit for the last comment.
At the post game presser, Soehn answered a question about the defense and another about the Galaxy. He was about to step away as no one else had their hand raised for a question so I threw my hand in the air and asked him about the red card.
He didn't tear into the officiating crew but he was obviously none too pleased with the call.
Listen to the entire presser here.
Read more...
Galaxy/DC running blog
The Empire Strikes Back behind the Galaxy bench.This game could be the death knell for the Galaxy if they lose. Predictions - get them in before kickoff.
DC don't have Jaime Moreno or Marcello Gallardo. Apparently Moreno has an inflamed knee. Gallardo hasn't played since hernia surgery and is actually in Argentina.
DC - Louis Crayton, Bryan Namoff, Marc Burch, Devon McTavish, Gonzalo Martinez, Fred, Santino Quaranta, Clyde Simms, Ivan Guerrero, Thabiso Khumalo, Luciano Emilio.
LA - Josh Wicks, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Ante Jazic, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Greg Vanney, Eddie Lewis, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon.
2 - GOAL! Well, that was quick. An early Galaxy foul set up a FK, which was put out for a corner, which Guerro took. McTavish scored, beating his defender, Edson Buddle. 1-0, DC.
4 - Jazic and Klein work the ball up the sideline, but lose possession before they can get a cross off.
6 - Again a little possession, but no cross before ball is lost again.
7 - Beckham overshoots Buddle on a long pass. DC gets back, gets another corner.
8 - Khumalo takes this one - it's cleared.
9 - Vanney looks like he gets ball on a tackle, but Vaughn whistles for a foul. vanney tempts fate by arguing vehemently.
11- Becks gets up slowly from a tackle, limping a bit. He grabs his left ankle. Yes, that's the notorious one from last season.
13 - Guerrero goes tumbling from a Becks tackle.
14 - Jazic finally gets off a dangerous cross - Buddle heads over the bar.
16 - Guerro seems to be embellishing, but Vaughn is giving him the benefit of the doubt.
17 - Galaxy attack, but Lewis sents a cross high that Buddle can't get, DC tries to clear, Edson!
just wide.
19 - Emilio on the break - deflects over the bar. Corner looks dangerous, finally out for a throw.
20 - 00000h - Becks gets shoved, no call. It's possible that Vaughn didn't see the hand push by Guerrero, as he was behind the play.
Becks gets up, furious. He screams at Vaughn. Play continues and Wicks has to make a desperation tackle on the edge of his box for a FK. Becks is still yelling at Vaughn. Yellow card for Becks.
23 - GOAL! Landon gets a perfect outlet pass from Klein, and he gets a touch on the ball as Crayton comes out low for the ball. LD keeps cool and just flicks it over him - Crayton gets a slight touch, but the ball trickles over the line. 1-1
25 - Galaxy corner. Becks sets up. Oooh, Franklin knocks down Crayton, who goes after him and gives him a shove. This is a testy game. Vaughn forces the players to hug it out. Hmmmm. That didn't look sincere.
28 - Jazic with a nice slide to claim a ball, but Lewis' probing cross gets cut off.
30 - Franklin knocks the ball out for a corner. DC will take that happily. The Galaxy are vulnerable on corners. Wicks catches this one.
32 -Jazic steals another ball.
33 - Lewis crosses, Gordon misses, ball falls to Becks, who crosses back in, Lewis rushes in an knocks the ball toward goal past Crayton - off the post.
34 - LD gets caught half from behind - yellow on Simms. The FK is flicked on, but misses the onrushing players and goes wide.
35 - LD works the give and go with Gordo, who is free in on goal, but Crayton saves his shot.
36 - GOAL! Becks gets the ball back, tries a give and go with LD, but falls for some reason. LD looks up, sees a gap and rockets a low shot into the corner of goal. 2-1 Galaxy
38 - GOAL! A through ball springs Edson, who leaps over Crayton, whose dive pushes the ball out as defenders rush behind him to cover. A DC defender tries to clear, but the ball falls to Lewis, who tries from distance. Crayton has recovered just enough to dive and block that one, but crucially, can't grab it and the rebound falls to Gordon. With two DC defenders on the goal line, Gordo isn't offside and he shoots between them for the goal. 3-1 Galaxy
42 - Buddle almost breaks through but the ball is cleared away inside the area. Buddle would have had an empty net in front of him.
43 - Buddle has another chance on a corner kick but cant quite get to Becks' cross.
44 - Simms with an opening in front of Wicks but the cross screams into the area and Simms can barely get a head on it.
45 - Becks wins corner, takes it and ball bounces around for a second before it gets cleared.
45+ Buddle in alone on Crayton - who stops the ball, but gives up a rebound again. Buddle gets to the ball, has the goal open with only one defender - and he hits the crossbar!
Halftime - Well, the Galaxy really bounced back from a really crappy start. Perhaps Becks fired up his team with the passion he showed on that non-call.
I just ran into Martin Rogers. He said, "Unusual things happening here today." "Like what?" I asked him. "Well, the Galaxy are winning," he pointed out.
46 - McTavish foul. It's a ways out, but Becks sets up for it - sends it bending to Crayton, who gives up a rebound, but catches the ball again. Becks then steals the ball and then takes another shot - Crayton saves. Becks didn't hit it very hard - ball was moving away from him.
47 - GOAL! Khumalo beats Klein, and Wicks, for some reason, it way out of position, Khumalo sends in a low hard shot for the score. 3-2, Galaxy still lead, but DC pulled back quickly.
49 - Galaxy FK - Becks sends it in well, but Crayton kick-saves the header from Buddle. The follow shot is no good - players are offside.
50 - DC really took the energy out of the crowd with that goal. Galaxy fans are nervous now and there's tons of time left.
52 - Galaxy build an attack, but Lewis' outside shot gets blocked and DC counters. Shot by Emilio from middle distance is wide.
53 - Becks hits a poor cross.
55 - LD tries to control an outlet pass - defenders cut the ball off.
56 - LD falls trying to head a Becks cross - Gordo tackles a DC player from behind and gets a yellow. Something tells me this game will see a red card somewhere.
58 - Gordo tries to reach a ball over the top - foul negates his effort.
60 - Galaxy playing with fire as DC attack in numbers - Becks takes off on the counter, but Buddle can't reach his pass and DC regains possession.
61 - Franklin is down, but Vaughn can't whistle play dead. Finally DC sends the ball out.
62 - Vagenas subs in for Gordo.
63 - Hey, I was right about the red card. Beckham steals the ball fromBurch, but Burch goes after him and knicks him from behind - after the ball was already out. Vaughn comes over and gives Burch a red card. For a bit it looked like Becks might get a second yellow, too, but Burch finally leaves and no other cards come out.
68 - Crayton dives to make another save - LD rushes in, hopeful, but no rebound here. Emilio shoots the other way - Wicks dives, but the ball is wide.
69 - DC manage a bit of zippy possession for a bit, but the Galaxy get the ball back. Eddie Lewis in on the run from the throw-in - shoots, Crayton catches, gives up a bit of a rebound, but grabs the ball again. "Has this goalkeeper held on to the ball once on the first try?" asks a reporter.
71 - Galaxy corner - it bounces around, leads to an acrobatic one-hand save from Crayton.
72 - FC FK. Wicks catches - hangs on.
73 - Becks on the attack. loses ball, though he seems to get grabbed a bit. DC with another nice little run of possession.
75 - DC still maintaining possession, oooh Galaxy counter, Becks give and go with Klein, who crosses to LD - McTavish cuts the ball off to Crayton.
77 - Total miscue on the Becks pass to Klein. Klein was looking to run on to it, so the ball was way behind him.
78 - Becks blocks a cross out for a corner. Good chance for DC here. The ball bounces around, and DC get a shot off that is blocked, clearance for a throw.
79 - Ryan Cordiero comes in for Martinez. Arena takes out Vanney and puts in McDonald.
81 - GOAL! Pete! LD had the pass on a Galaxy attack - a little chip that Pete ran onto and volleyed at an extreme angle past Crayton. 4-2 The Galaxy have some breathing room.
83 - The Lewis is caught offside, though the crowd gripes about it.
Quaranta is off, Rod Dyachenko in.
84 - Oooh, Becks and Buddle on the break, Buddle springs Becks, who backheels - oooh, Buddle wasn't expecting that. Too bad, that would have been a great looking play.
85 - Wicks bobbles a catch, but finally hangs on.
86 - Jazic as last man pulls another one of those sliding tackles - good thing he's so good at those.
87 - Did Jazic hurt something? Franchino is coming in for him.
88 - Francis Doe comes in for Emilio.
90 - DC building up a play again, but the Galaxy counter - Buddle with a hard shot - Crayton blocks it. Out for a throw.
90+ Doe dribbles in for a shot - Wicks hesitates, but then makes the catch.
GOAL! LD again. Klein with a long pass finds LD, who puts the ball away. The press box argues whether or not Buddle touched the ball along the way, which would have put LD offside. Not that it would have changed the outcome of this game. 5-2 Galaxy.
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A Warrior's Story
Claudio talks about what it was like to have his life story thus far condensed into book form.
In general, he says it felt a bit strange to have a record of his life, that he relived a lot of memories when he read the book and that he hopes that his story can will interest anyone who is curious about how soccer affected his life as a child from a poor family to a player with a successful career.
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Star Wattage
The Galaxy have a crucial game at home today versus DC United. The team will apparently have a couple of famous fans on hand that I've seen at matches before, though never at the same one.
Tony Parker and Kobe Bryant will be rooting for their buddy David. Both basketball players have achieved with their separate teams what David still lacks - a U.S. championship.
On that note, let's play compare/contrast. I'll start off, and anyone who likes can continue in the comments.
All three speak a Latin language, but not a shared one. Tony speaks French, while Kobe speaks Italian and David speaks Spanish (a little).
All are in their thirties, but Kobe and David also have children.
All played soccer as kids. Obviously, only David does so professionally.
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Tony Parker and Kobe Bryant will be rooting for their buddy David. Both basketball players have achieved with their separate teams what David still lacks - a U.S. championship.
On that note, let's play compare/contrast. I'll start off, and anyone who likes can continue in the comments.
All three speak a Latin language, but not a shared one. Tony speaks French, while Kobe speaks Italian and David speaks Spanish (a little).
All are in their thirties, but Kobe and David also have children.
All played soccer as kids. Obviously, only David does so professionally.
Read more...
Commandments to curb violence
My brother and I used to run around quoting our favorite lines from the DeMille classic - "So let it be written; so let it be done." "Bring it back stained with his blood!"
Aside from the film, there's no denying that the original Bible set of laws is probably the most famous list of rules anywhere. The form has been borrowed many times. Now there's a ten commandments for hooligans.
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Aside from the film, there's no denying that the original Bible set of laws is probably the most famous list of rules anywhere. The form has been borrowed many times. Now there's a ten commandments for hooligans.
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Remember AYSO
Ah, the joys of AYSO!
Many people in the U.S., including Cobi Jones, first kicked a soccer ball around in AYSO. Besides introducing kids to the joys of soccer, the organization also supports projects to make the world a better place. They're working on a new venture with Barsa these days.
An AYSO worker explained: AYSO is working with FC Barcelona on a Malaria No More campaign. Basically what we are doing is asking anyone who plays youth sports (specifically soccer) to find family members, friends, etc to donate $1 for each game they play in order to raise money to buy bed nets. There are some pretty cool prizes as well. The website is www.morethanaclub.org.
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Many people in the U.S., including Cobi Jones, first kicked a soccer ball around in AYSO. Besides introducing kids to the joys of soccer, the organization also supports projects to make the world a better place. They're working on a new venture with Barsa these days.
An AYSO worker explained: AYSO is working with FC Barcelona on a Malaria No More campaign. Basically what we are doing is asking anyone who plays youth sports (specifically soccer) to find family members, friends, etc to donate $1 for each game they play in order to raise money to buy bed nets. There are some pretty cool prizes as well. The website is www.morethanaclub.org.
Read more...
Friday, September 19, 2008
At the HDC
Ah, the Home Depot Center - acres of athletic facilities, a number of sporting personalities, and one frazzled me, trying to get stuff for stories.
I ran from the Galaxy's practice field to try to catch Claudio Suarez before he left with his teammates on a bus to the airport. I waited by the front entrance of the complex as various Chivas USA players walked by from the practice field. A fan stopped Johnny Bornstein for an autograph.
Then Bob Bradley emerged with Pierre Barrieu.
Noticing what they carried, I asked if they were going to play. Bob said yes. I asked who usually wins. Pierre just smiled. Bob admitted, "He won last time."
"Get revenge, then!" I called after them.
Then the soccer fan walked over to me. "Andrea? I heard him call you Andrea. Are you Andrea Canales? You write for ESPN?"
I said yes, wondering if I was going to be asked for my autograph. No.
"I read your stuff," said the fan.
"Thanks," I answered, vaguely disturbed that he hadn't mentioned whether or not he liked or agreed with anything I wrote.
He nodded at me. I wasn't sure what else to say.
"I don't usually get recognized," I finally ventured.
He eyed me and then said, "Well, I heard Bob say your name, and then I thought it might be you."
I was left wondering if my byline picture looks really outdated or something. My hair is shorter now.
The fan said he wanted to get Landon Donovan or Eddie Lewis' autographs. I told him I was waiting to talk to Claudio Suarez.
"Oh, well, I'll let you do your job," said the fan.
Suarez appeared, and as I started talking to him, Abby Wambach walked by. It's rude to break off an interview, but it would have been nice to get a few comments on the WPS from Abby. Timing is that way sometimes for reporters - it rarely falls into place perfectly. Sasha Victorine, Chivas USA's recent signing, also passed at the exact time I was occupied. It often happens that way. Ten players one doesn't really need interviews from will pass by, then the three players one wants to talk to all pass at the exact same time, so only one ends up getting interviewed.
Anyway, does anyone want to guess what sport Pierre and Bob were going to play?
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Bruce takes the blame
I'd like to think that it was my crack reporting skills and persistent questions that got Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to fess up, but as the recording shows, I was asking something pretty general. I think Bruce was looking to vent a bit.
In any case, he didn't hold back.
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In any case, he didn't hold back.
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tough luck Charlie
The PE's Jim Alexander profiles Galaxy goalkeeper Charles Alamo.
Now, if Alamo's injury had been caused by a reckless opponent barreling him down while trying to score a goal, his Galaxy teammates could rally around the event, "Remember Alamo!" as motivation.
But it seems that Alamo's afflictions were more or less self-inflicted.
I had a chat with Jim recently when he came out to the last Galaxy home game - we gloomily exchanged stories about the dire straits in the newspaper industry. Jim mentioned the importance of reporting that comes from an outside source - because otherwise, it's essentially P.R.
Read more...
Now, if Alamo's injury had been caused by a reckless opponent barreling him down while trying to score a goal, his Galaxy teammates could rally around the event, "Remember Alamo!" as motivation.
But it seems that Alamo's afflictions were more or less self-inflicted.
I had a chat with Jim recently when he came out to the last Galaxy home game - we gloomily exchanged stories about the dire straits in the newspaper industry. Jim mentioned the importance of reporting that comes from an outside source - because otherwise, it's essentially P.R.
Read more...
Ottawa breaks new ground
I have to admit that I was a bit surprised to read something about Ottawa's new bid for an MLS team.
"Costed" isn't accepted as valid by my word processor, but I guess that's behind the times, because it's apparently a word in financial circles. It's the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb form. costed To estimate or determine the cost of: The accountants costed out our expenses.
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"Costed" isn't accepted as valid by my word processor, but I guess that's behind the times, because it's apparently a word in financial circles. It's the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb form. costed To estimate or determine the cost of: The accountants costed out our expenses.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Will skirts take the field?
Frankly, I understand why it's considered derogatory to refer to a woman as a "skirt" - I mean, would people reduce men to a piece of clothing? No one called a guy a necktie, even if only guys wear that.
But I think the skirts in the video look both cute and comfortable. In general, I don't understand why women's teams have to look like they're wearing handed-down uniforms of the men's team. A little style and originality is great to see.
On the other hand, anything looking too costumey or cheerleaderish is likely to be avoided by teams. I wonder if any of the WPS squads will go for a unique uniform look.
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X-pat
The Johnny Exantus saga takes a twist abroad.
He's now with Royal Racing in Belgium, whose logo seems to be a rat.
I don't know yet if Red Bull New York got any compensation for him. He was in their youth academy, but was considered a great prospect to sign. They're going abroad at a younger and younger age, it seems. While I'm happy for them, I'm a bit sad that we don't get to enjoy these young stars on U.S. fields a bit longer.
It was great to watch Jozy play, for example. I never got to see Johnny X play.
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He's now with Royal Racing in Belgium, whose logo seems to be a rat.
I don't know yet if Red Bull New York got any compensation for him. He was in their youth academy, but was considered a great prospect to sign. They're going abroad at a younger and younger age, it seems. While I'm happy for them, I'm a bit sad that we don't get to enjoy these young stars on U.S. fields a bit longer.
It was great to watch Jozy play, for example. I never got to see Johnny X play.
Read more...
The Galaxy are #1
In terms of their old color, green.
It's also interesting to see how the other MLS teams stack up.
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It's also interesting to see how the other MLS teams stack up.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Jozy's life with the yellow submarine
The Spanish press isn't easy to please, but they seem to like what they see so far from Jozy Altidore. Myself, I'd have liked for him to score, but I was actually happier to see his passing touch. Nothing increases popularity with teammates more than dishing off sweet assists, even if the other players are so surprised to get the ball that they hash up the shot.
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Who, what, where
WPS Player Allocations – U.S. Women’s National Team
WPS Team
Players Listed in Alphabetical Order
Bay Area: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, Leslie Osborne
Boston Breakers: Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts
Chicago Red Stars: Carli Lloyd,Kate Markgraf,Lindsay Tarpley
Los Angeles: Shannon Boxx, Stephanie Cox, Aly Wagner
Sky Blue FC: Natasha Kai, Heather O’Reilly, Christie Rampone
St. Louis; Lori Chalupny, Tina Ellertson, Hope Solo
Washington Freedom: Ali Krieger, Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill
I guess what surprises me most are the names that are missing from this list. I don't know if they're not considered national team, haven't agreed on a WPS contract, are planning on going abroad, or have decided to retire from pro soccer.
Obviously, I'm not talking about the college players. I don't expect young women to leave school when the pro league hasn't proven a stable career option.
I mean players like Kacey White (who is on the current post-Olympic tour) Briana Scurry, India Trotter, Jenny Branam, and Amy Lepeilbet.
These players and others were either on the national team recently or knocking on the door, and I'm curious as to when they'll get allocated.
Still, I think the international players that are brought in may eventually make the biggest impact on the league. Which players would you most like to see go where?
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WPS Team
Players Listed in Alphabetical Order
Bay Area: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, Leslie Osborne
Boston Breakers: Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts
Chicago Red Stars: Carli Lloyd,Kate Markgraf,Lindsay Tarpley
Los Angeles: Shannon Boxx, Stephanie Cox, Aly Wagner
Sky Blue FC: Natasha Kai, Heather O’Reilly, Christie Rampone
St. Louis; Lori Chalupny, Tina Ellertson, Hope Solo
Washington Freedom: Ali Krieger, Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill
I guess what surprises me most are the names that are missing from this list. I don't know if they're not considered national team, haven't agreed on a WPS contract, are planning on going abroad, or have decided to retire from pro soccer.
Obviously, I'm not talking about the college players. I don't expect young women to leave school when the pro league hasn't proven a stable career option.
I mean players like Kacey White (who is on the current post-Olympic tour) Briana Scurry, India Trotter, Jenny Branam, and Amy Lepeilbet.
These players and others were either on the national team recently or knocking on the door, and I'm curious as to when they'll get allocated.
Still, I think the international players that are brought in may eventually make the biggest impact on the league. Which players would you most like to see go where?
Read more...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sangre americana J8 update
Our young Mexican-Americans were in action over the weekend in Mexico. Okay, well, closer to the truth... their teams were in action. But we didn't get to see Jesus Padilla, Daniel Hernandez or Michael Orozco play. And as far as I can tell Sonny Guadarrama isn't with Morelia much, and if he is still around he isn't dressing for matches anymore.
Here's the rundown of the Americans south of the border.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo: Played final 28 minutes in Santos' 1-1 draw with Necaxa.
Daniel Hernandez: Did not play in Jaguares' 2-1 win over Indios.
Marco Antonio Vidal: Played final 37 minutes in Indios' 2-1 loss to Jaguares.
Michael Orozco: Did not play in San Luis' 2-1 loss to America.
Jose Francisco Torres: Started and played 75 minutes in Pachuca's 5-2 win over Chivas.
Jesus Padilla: Did not play in Chivas' 5-2 loss to Pachuca.
Primera Division A
Sammy Ochoa: Played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Tecos' 3-1 win over Real Colima.
Miguel Gonzalez: Played 90 minutes in Chetumal's 0-0 draw with Atletico Mexiquense.
Noel Castillo: Played final seven minutes in Indios Chihuahua's 3-1 loss to Queretaro.
Carlos Borja: Tapatio had a bye week.
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Here's the rundown of the Americans south of the border.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo: Played final 28 minutes in Santos' 1-1 draw with Necaxa.
Daniel Hernandez: Did not play in Jaguares' 2-1 win over Indios.
Marco Antonio Vidal: Played final 37 minutes in Indios' 2-1 loss to Jaguares.
Michael Orozco: Did not play in San Luis' 2-1 loss to America.
Jose Francisco Torres: Started and played 75 minutes in Pachuca's 5-2 win over Chivas.
Jesus Padilla: Did not play in Chivas' 5-2 loss to Pachuca.
Primera Division A
Sammy Ochoa: Played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Tecos' 3-1 win over Real Colima.
Miguel Gonzalez: Played 90 minutes in Chetumal's 0-0 draw with Atletico Mexiquense.
Noel Castillo: Played final seven minutes in Indios Chihuahua's 3-1 loss to Queretaro.
Carlos Borja: Tapatio had a bye week.
Read more...
Leonidas (the) Brave Rankings (Sept. 15)
Okay, so not sure if he had the Brave following his name but King Leonidas ruled. just watched 300 last night for, oh, the 300th time. Good movie, lots of action, good fighting. MLS... not always the most action, some good fights, some dull ones. Still, not a whole lot of intrigue right now. East is pretty much decided save for positioning. The West has two good teams and a bunch of inconsistent slop.
Anyway, here are the rankings.
1. Columbus (13-6-5). Last time Crew tied in Toronto, a lengthy losing streak followed; Crew's a better team these days, though.
2. Houston (10-5-9). Didn't lose to league's hottest team.
3. New England (12-7-5). Nothing like a 4-0 ass-whipping to turn things around.
4. Chicago (11-8-5). So should Chicago worry after Busch's shakiness on Sunday?
5. San Jose (7-9-8). Yes, it was Houston but 'Quakes probably feel like they left points on the table.
6. DC United (10-11-3). A rarity for DC - a draw.
7. New York (9-7-8). Things turned around quickly for New York; get 'em off the road and Red Bulls ain't half bad.
8. Colorado (9-12-3). Don't look now but Colorado is improving at, well, a rapid rate.
9. Real Salt Lake (8-9-7). For all their progress this season, RSL still has a piss-poor 1-9-2 road record.
10. Chivas USA (8-10-6). Injuries, absences caught up to Chivas in Foxboro.
11. FC Dallas (6-9-9). Went from a gritty road win to bad road loss to acceptable road result.
12. Kansas City (7-9-8). Much-needed points at home also helped Wizards avenge earlier loss at Galaxy.
13. Toronto (7-10-7). Should have done better to protect 1-0 lead at home.
14. Los Angeles (6-11-8). Good news is, only Colorado gained full three points out west. Bad news is, the Galaxy looked awful.
Read more...
Anyway, here are the rankings.
1. Columbus (13-6-5). Last time Crew tied in Toronto, a lengthy losing streak followed; Crew's a better team these days, though.
2. Houston (10-5-9). Didn't lose to league's hottest team.
3. New England (12-7-5). Nothing like a 4-0 ass-whipping to turn things around.
4. Chicago (11-8-5). So should Chicago worry after Busch's shakiness on Sunday?
5. San Jose (7-9-8). Yes, it was Houston but 'Quakes probably feel like they left points on the table.
6. DC United (10-11-3). A rarity for DC - a draw.
7. New York (9-7-8). Things turned around quickly for New York; get 'em off the road and Red Bulls ain't half bad.
8. Colorado (9-12-3). Don't look now but Colorado is improving at, well, a rapid rate.
9. Real Salt Lake (8-9-7). For all their progress this season, RSL still has a piss-poor 1-9-2 road record.
10. Chivas USA (8-10-6). Injuries, absences caught up to Chivas in Foxboro.
11. FC Dallas (6-9-9). Went from a gritty road win to bad road loss to acceptable road result.
12. Kansas City (7-9-8). Much-needed points at home also helped Wizards avenge earlier loss at Galaxy.
13. Toronto (7-10-7). Should have done better to protect 1-0 lead at home.
14. Los Angeles (6-11-8). Good news is, only Colorado gained full three points out west. Bad news is, the Galaxy looked awful.
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Here we go again
I'm not sure why the British tabloid press continues to insist that Los Angeles Galaxy fans are booing David Beckham.
I'm sure a few Galaxy fans were at the game, but a game in the MidWest is not going to bring in many LA fans. It's simply too far away.
So it's not Galaxy fans booing David Beckham - it's Kansas City fans. Which, I suppose, would not be much of a story to report. Why not just say "fans", then?
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I'm sure a few Galaxy fans were at the game, but a game in the MidWest is not going to bring in many LA fans. It's simply too far away.
So it's not Galaxy fans booing David Beckham - it's Kansas City fans. Which, I suppose, would not be much of a story to report. Why not just say "fans", then?
Read more...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The softy
I was watching some broadcast that mentioned journalistic objectivity and it reminded me of a slightly awkward situation I had recently. In hindsight, I'm not sure where to draw the line at bring a reporter versus a human being with feelings.
In the visitor's locker room when Real Salt Lake was in town, I talked first to Robbie Findley (it's always easier to start off with a player one knows a little). Nearby there was a group of reporters around Fabian Espindola, who'd been injured during the game, due to that self-inflicted flip of his. Jaime Cardenas was translating for the English speakers and Fabian.
I ventured over as the group moved on, asking Fabian in Spanish if he would answer a few questions. He agreed.
I asked a couple of questions about the game and the late offside call, and if he had done anything different on the flip than he normally did. Then I tried to ask something that put his injury into a specific context.
"You've been playing so well recently, does that make your injury and the way it was caused even worse?"
I expected something along the lines of, "Yeah, it's bad luck."
I don't know if the full impact of what happened hit Fabian just then, but his face fell and he looked crushed. "I feel terrible," he said. "When I think about how well I was playing and how hard I worked to come back from my earlier injury - I feel like crying."
What a dramatic quote. Suddenly, I realized it wasn't just an emotional statement. Fabian's eyes welled with tears. He tried to blink them back and looked away.
I stood there with my recorder feeling like a schmuck. Should I say something sympathetic? Would that compromise my reporter viewpoint? Would the other reporters notice I'd made a player cry?
I bailed, pretending nothing unusual had happened. "Thanks," I said, moving away to interview someone else as quickly as I could.
Honestly, I felt bad for the guy. But I also felt like I couldn't show that at all. Looking back, though, I wonder if I was being professional, or cold.
Or maybe just wimpy - worried about my rep in the pressbox.
Read more...
In the visitor's locker room when Real Salt Lake was in town, I talked first to Robbie Findley (it's always easier to start off with a player one knows a little). Nearby there was a group of reporters around Fabian Espindola, who'd been injured during the game, due to that self-inflicted flip of his. Jaime Cardenas was translating for the English speakers and Fabian.
I ventured over as the group moved on, asking Fabian in Spanish if he would answer a few questions. He agreed.
I asked a couple of questions about the game and the late offside call, and if he had done anything different on the flip than he normally did. Then I tried to ask something that put his injury into a specific context.
"You've been playing so well recently, does that make your injury and the way it was caused even worse?"
I expected something along the lines of, "Yeah, it's bad luck."
I don't know if the full impact of what happened hit Fabian just then, but his face fell and he looked crushed. "I feel terrible," he said. "When I think about how well I was playing and how hard I worked to come back from my earlier injury - I feel like crying."
What a dramatic quote. Suddenly, I realized it wasn't just an emotional statement. Fabian's eyes welled with tears. He tried to blink them back and looked away.
I stood there with my recorder feeling like a schmuck. Should I say something sympathetic? Would that compromise my reporter viewpoint? Would the other reporters notice I'd made a player cry?
I bailed, pretending nothing unusual had happened. "Thanks," I said, moving away to interview someone else as quickly as I could.
Honestly, I felt bad for the guy. But I also felt like I couldn't show that at all. Looking back, though, I wonder if I was being professional, or cold.
Or maybe just wimpy - worried about my rep in the pressbox.
Read more...
Who's got next?
Justin Rodriguez profiles Charles Renken. I actually think Charles will have an easier time of it because Freddy Adu came before him. People will be more careful about the hype they put on Charles. Freddy has lived up to many expectations with a pretty solid pro and international career, actually, but the build-up around him was such that some people still think he's disappointed.
Back when I first wrote about Charles, there was another young player on the U.S. youth scene garnering attention.
Though older than Charles, Sebastian Lletget was still a technical prodigy, and he and Charles intuitively recognized each other's skill and worked particularly well together. Sebastian was eligible for Italian citizenship (though that's notoriously difficult to get) and later completed a transfer to West Ham's youth system for a short stint.
But now he's not apparently there any more. He's not back in the U.S. youth system either. He's apparently in San Francisco (he participated in the adidas ESP camp in July of this year).
Read more...
Back when I first wrote about Charles, there was another young player on the U.S. youth scene garnering attention.
Though older than Charles, Sebastian Lletget was still a technical prodigy, and he and Charles intuitively recognized each other's skill and worked particularly well together. Sebastian was eligible for Italian citizenship (though that's notoriously difficult to get) and later completed a transfer to West Ham's youth system for a short stint.
But now he's not apparently there any more. He's not back in the U.S. youth system either. He's apparently in San Francisco (he participated in the adidas ESP camp in July of this year).
Read more...
Last in the league
That would be the Los Angeles Galaxy, folks. It's such a contrast to the league's first ten years. During the past three years, no original MLS team has turned over more players or coaches. Luis and I sometimes debate which trade or move hurt the team most, but that's like trying to assess each individual straw on a camel's back after it's broken. A lot of different things played a part.
That includes a league structure that basically punishes teams for having international players because it plays during international dates. Still, it's a reality each MLS team has known for a long time.
The problem with losing is that people want change to be the answer and solution, even if that's not actually going to make things better. It feels decisive, though. It's actually a lot easier than the patience required to trust for improvement.
For example, Sigi Schmid was given lots of time in Columbus after disappointing seasons because the organization simply believed in his ability and the system he was building. Frank Yallop was so weary of the pressure in LA that he took on an expansion-era San Jose team rather than wait for the axe in Los Angeles. Now both men are Coach of the Year candidates and ahead of LA in the standings.
I don't buy the "Best Coach in MLS" label that's been flung around for Bruce Arena. As one friend added, "Not in the current millennium".
On the other hand, if he gets switched out as well, I don't think that's going to necessarily improve the Galaxy.
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That includes a league structure that basically punishes teams for having international players because it plays during international dates. Still, it's a reality each MLS team has known for a long time.
The problem with losing is that people want change to be the answer and solution, even if that's not actually going to make things better. It feels decisive, though. It's actually a lot easier than the patience required to trust for improvement.
For example, Sigi Schmid was given lots of time in Columbus after disappointing seasons because the organization simply believed in his ability and the system he was building. Frank Yallop was so weary of the pressure in LA that he took on an expansion-era San Jose team rather than wait for the axe in Los Angeles. Now both men are Coach of the Year candidates and ahead of LA in the standings.
I don't buy the "Best Coach in MLS" label that's been flung around for Bruce Arena. As one friend added, "Not in the current millennium".
On the other hand, if he gets switched out as well, I don't think that's going to necessarily improve the Galaxy.
Read more...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
DC/FC Dallas
RFK stadium and the flag-waving Barra Brava versus the Hoops.
Kickoff!
1 - Sully thinks DC's high pressure to deny service will be key to the game.
3 - Quavas Kirk with a shot after DC had a nice run of play. It's Q's first start this season.
5 - Andre Rocha is down and now on the sideline with an injury.
9 - DC United is pinging the ball around well, but the last pass to set up a golden goalscoring opportunity is prevented by FC Dallas' persistent chasing.
10 - GOAL! Coooooop! McTavish bloops a clearance, missing the ball, which falls in the box to King Kenny, who eludes his defender just enough to fire a scorcher of a shot. 1-0 Dallas.
11 - DC had the early run of play - the goal came very much against that, on a DC mistake. We'll see how DC United regroups.
16 - Well, the response is pretty intensive pressure on the FC Dallas goal. DC hasn't really pulled the trigger yet, though, as Dallas scrambles in defense.
17 - Beautiful chip pass from Moreno to Santino, who can't quite put the shot away past a rushing Dario Sala.
20 - Cunningham with a nice move and shot, but Crayton just gets a hand to it.
21 - Moreno knockdown pass to 'Tino - shot over the bar.
23 - Marcelo Saragosa doesn't get ball, but gets plenty of Moreno, who goes sprawling and clutches his shoulder. No call.
27 - GOAL! Moreno! This time he gets service from Khumalo, a square cross that Moreno buries with a precise header. 1-1.
31 - Mctavish, the last man, stands up Jeffy C.
36 - As DC sets up for a corner kick, Adrian Serioux comes out for Micheal Dello-Russo. Apparently Serioux is injured.
37 - Short corner leads to a cross that gets cut off and cleared.
43 - Cooper not super - goes near post and gets bumped as he fires, sending the shot wide.
Halftime - Well, Moreno was rewarded for his good play with a goal, but with their early goal, FC Dallas is still lurking. Another counter attack goal could put the pressure on DC again. Still, United are playing well and their fans are loudly helping them keep focused on the final result.
83 - Connection problems! Anyway, the game is still tied, but both teams scored another goal.
2-2
84 - ooooh, Luciano Emilio just barely sent a header wide.
Read more...
Kickoff!
1 - Sully thinks DC's high pressure to deny service will be key to the game.
3 - Quavas Kirk with a shot after DC had a nice run of play. It's Q's first start this season.
5 - Andre Rocha is down and now on the sideline with an injury.
9 - DC United is pinging the ball around well, but the last pass to set up a golden goalscoring opportunity is prevented by FC Dallas' persistent chasing.
10 - GOAL! Coooooop! McTavish bloops a clearance, missing the ball, which falls in the box to King Kenny, who eludes his defender just enough to fire a scorcher of a shot. 1-0 Dallas.
11 - DC had the early run of play - the goal came very much against that, on a DC mistake. We'll see how DC United regroups.
16 - Well, the response is pretty intensive pressure on the FC Dallas goal. DC hasn't really pulled the trigger yet, though, as Dallas scrambles in defense.
17 - Beautiful chip pass from Moreno to Santino, who can't quite put the shot away past a rushing Dario Sala.
20 - Cunningham with a nice move and shot, but Crayton just gets a hand to it.
21 - Moreno knockdown pass to 'Tino - shot over the bar.
23 - Marcelo Saragosa doesn't get ball, but gets plenty of Moreno, who goes sprawling and clutches his shoulder. No call.
27 - GOAL! Moreno! This time he gets service from Khumalo, a square cross that Moreno buries with a precise header. 1-1.
31 - Mctavish, the last man, stands up Jeffy C.
36 - As DC sets up for a corner kick, Adrian Serioux comes out for Micheal Dello-Russo. Apparently Serioux is injured.
37 - Short corner leads to a cross that gets cut off and cleared.
43 - Cooper not super - goes near post and gets bumped as he fires, sending the shot wide.
Halftime - Well, Moreno was rewarded for his good play with a goal, but with their early goal, FC Dallas is still lurking. Another counter attack goal could put the pressure on DC again. Still, United are playing well and their fans are loudly helping them keep focused on the final result.
83 - Connection problems! Anyway, the game is still tied, but both teams scored another goal.
2-2
84 - ooooh, Luciano Emilio just barely sent a header wide.
Read more...
Better all the time. . .
My WNT article about their upcoming tour is up. As I was writing the article, though, I couldn't help but muse on the what-if scenarios.
What if Greg Ryan hadn't made the goalkeeper switch? What if the USWNT had only lost to Brazil by a goal, and without the team issues that followed Ryan and other team leaders deciding to ostracize Hope Solo? Would Ryan still be coaching the team?
In hindsight, is the ultimately team better off after all the crap they went through?
Now they have an internationally experienced coach who has instilled a more versatile, flowing offensive style. Pia Sundhage really understands the pressures of the women's game and the psychology needed to confront an opponent from the inside out (from the start of the announcement by Ryan to switch goalkeepers, my concern was for the lack of confidence this displayed in his players and how the change would affect the defense - voila, own goal by Osborne). More importantly, the team also has a coach who is professional enough to look at emotionally charged situations objectively and make the best decision for the team as a whole. Pia didn't pick sides. She just came in and asked everyone to work together as a team and leave the past in the past.
Aside from Pia, I think the players have, or should have, a better understanding of team unity. It's not everyone doing everything the same way and thinking as one and saying the same thing. It's working together in spite of differences.
Moral of the story is - was it worth it? Would you trade a third place finish in the World Cup for a new coach and a gold medal? Or if Ryan had gotten the team to the final of the World Cup before losing, would you have kept him around for "more of the same"? Would you insist upon change instead?
It's possible that Greg Ryan did the team a favor with his odd call to trade out goalkeepers. It set the ball rolling for a host of changes. While some were painful ones with continuing repercussions, there's a clear argument to be made that things have improved a lot. More attractive soccer looks especially good with a glint of gold.
Read more...
What if Greg Ryan hadn't made the goalkeeper switch? What if the USWNT had only lost to Brazil by a goal, and without the team issues that followed Ryan and other team leaders deciding to ostracize Hope Solo? Would Ryan still be coaching the team?
In hindsight, is the ultimately team better off after all the crap they went through?
Now they have an internationally experienced coach who has instilled a more versatile, flowing offensive style. Pia Sundhage really understands the pressures of the women's game and the psychology needed to confront an opponent from the inside out (from the start of the announcement by Ryan to switch goalkeepers, my concern was for the lack of confidence this displayed in his players and how the change would affect the defense - voila, own goal by Osborne). More importantly, the team also has a coach who is professional enough to look at emotionally charged situations objectively and make the best decision for the team as a whole. Pia didn't pick sides. She just came in and asked everyone to work together as a team and leave the past in the past.
Aside from Pia, I think the players have, or should have, a better understanding of team unity. It's not everyone doing everything the same way and thinking as one and saying the same thing. It's working together in spite of differences.
Moral of the story is - was it worth it? Would you trade a third place finish in the World Cup for a new coach and a gold medal? Or if Ryan had gotten the team to the final of the World Cup before losing, would you have kept him around for "more of the same"? Would you insist upon change instead?
It's possible that Greg Ryan did the team a favor with his odd call to trade out goalkeepers. It set the ball rolling for a host of changes. While some were painful ones with continuing repercussions, there's a clear argument to be made that things have improved a lot. More attractive soccer looks especially good with a glint of gold.
Read more...
Medic mayhem
Those who come to this blog for insightful and cogent analysis, skip this post.
First, Zack Thornton gets set down none-too-gently, to the delight of the TFC crowd.
Then, there's this.
Read more...
First, Zack Thornton gets set down none-too-gently, to the delight of the TFC crowd.
Then, there's this.
Read more...
Friday, September 12, 2008
Merging viewpoint
Earlier this week I talked about how combining CONCACAF and CONMEBOL would make sense but it's all but a pipe dream.
A reader though picked up on the idea and formulated his own concept of a new football region and how it would look like. It gets my stamp of approval.
From reader Brian:
Combine North and South America into a single football federation
(Federacion Americana de Futbol or Confederacion Americana de Futbol)
and run the World Cup qualifying, the federation cup (Copa America),
and the champions league similar to UEFA.
CONCACAF = 40 National Teams
CONMEBOL = 10 National Teams
FAF or CAF or CONAMBOL = 50 National Teams
I. Americas Football Fedration Qualification for World Cup
A. Preliminary Qualifying Round
Minnows (Bottom 30 teams in Region) play home and away to get to next round
30 teams reduced to 15
15 teams from Preliminary Round join the Top 20 teams in region
B. Final Qualifying round
35 teams
8 Spots (4.5 from CONMEBOL; 3.5 from CONCACAF)
5 groups of 7
5 winners and #1 second place team automatically advance
other #2's (4) have playoffs for last two spots
II. Copa PanAmerica
(held every four years, the summer between the World Cup and European
Championship, i.e. either 2011 or 2013)
A. Preliminary Round
Minnows play home and away
15 Winners join top 20 in region
B. Final Round Qualifying
35 teams
5 groups of 7
top 3 in each group qualify for finals, plus host (16)
C. Finals (Proceeds like European Championship)
4 groups of 4
top 2 in each group advance to knockout round
D. Seeded Groups for each qualification (using FIFA rankings for
inaugural qualifications)
Pot 1: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay
Pot 2: USA, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela
Pot 3: Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Canada
Pot 4: Cuba, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Guatemala
Pots 5-7: Winners of Play In Round
OR
E. Seeded Groups using FIFA rankins for CONMEBOL and CONCACAF
rankings for CONCACAF
Pot 1: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay
Pot 2: USA, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela
Pot 3: Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama
Pot 4: Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Guatemala
Pots 5-7: Winners of Play In Round
I like the second seedings better.
III. League Champions Cup
Combine Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League into a single
championship and run similar to UEFA Champions' League
IV. Align MLS schedule with the Clausura tournaments south of the border.
I think this forces US soccer to either sink or swim. But the real
question is who objects more the CONCACAF associations (not sure if
the minnows of the big 3 would have the most to lose) or the CONMEBOL
associations.
Read more...
A reader though picked up on the idea and formulated his own concept of a new football region and how it would look like. It gets my stamp of approval.
From reader Brian:
Combine North and South America into a single football federation
(Federacion Americana de Futbol or Confederacion Americana de Futbol)
and run the World Cup qualifying, the federation cup (Copa America),
and the champions league similar to UEFA.
CONCACAF = 40 National Teams
CONMEBOL = 10 National Teams
FAF or CAF or CONAMBOL = 50 National Teams
I. Americas Football Fedration Qualification for World Cup
A. Preliminary Qualifying Round
Minnows (Bottom 30 teams in Region) play home and away to get to next round
30 teams reduced to 15
15 teams from Preliminary Round join the Top 20 teams in region
B. Final Qualifying round
35 teams
8 Spots (4.5 from CONMEBOL; 3.5 from CONCACAF)
5 groups of 7
5 winners and #1 second place team automatically advance
other #2's (4) have playoffs for last two spots
II. Copa PanAmerica
(held every four years, the summer between the World Cup and European
Championship, i.e. either 2011 or 2013)
A. Preliminary Round
Minnows play home and away
15 Winners join top 20 in region
B. Final Round Qualifying
35 teams
5 groups of 7
top 3 in each group qualify for finals, plus host (16)
C. Finals (Proceeds like European Championship)
4 groups of 4
top 2 in each group advance to knockout round
D. Seeded Groups for each qualification (using FIFA rankings for
inaugural qualifications)
Pot 1: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay
Pot 2: USA, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela
Pot 3: Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Canada
Pot 4: Cuba, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Guatemala
Pots 5-7: Winners of Play In Round
OR
E. Seeded Groups using FIFA rankins for CONMEBOL and CONCACAF
rankings for CONCACAF
Pot 1: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay
Pot 2: USA, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela
Pot 3: Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama
Pot 4: Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Guatemala
Pots 5-7: Winners of Play In Round
I like the second seedings better.
III. League Champions Cup
Combine Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League into a single
championship and run similar to UEFA Champions' League
IV. Align MLS schedule with the Clausura tournaments south of the border.
I think this forces US soccer to either sink or swim. But the real
question is who objects more the CONCACAF associations (not sure if
the minnows of the big 3 would have the most to lose) or the CONMEBOL
associations.
Read more...
Blanco tribute
I spent quite a bit of time last night, searching the web for relevant information on Cuauhtemoc Blanco. I fell asleep mid-story and woke up early this morning to finish it, early as in before 5.
So read it!
It's a bit of a tribute to Cuauhtemoc Blanco for SI.com.
The best part of the story I think is the links to various video clips. I was actually able to find quite a bit of them - the goal against Brazil in the 99 Confederations Cup, the goals against Jamaica in a 2001 qualifier, the goal against Honduras in a 2001 qualifier, goals against Belgium and Croatia in the World Cup. Lots of moments that Blanco fans surely remember.
Blanco will always be Public Enemy No. 1 to many American soccer fans, though Oswaldo Sanchez and Rafael Marquez probably rank right up there with Mexican players American soccer fans love to hate. But a portion of American soccer fans are witnessing first hand just how talented and special a player Blanco is and can be. And some of them - notably Fire fans, are probably thrilled he called it quits. More games for the Fire and less for El Tri is a good thing.
Read more...
So read it!
It's a bit of a tribute to Cuauhtemoc Blanco for SI.com.
The best part of the story I think is the links to various video clips. I was actually able to find quite a bit of them - the goal against Brazil in the 99 Confederations Cup, the goals against Jamaica in a 2001 qualifier, the goal against Honduras in a 2001 qualifier, goals against Belgium and Croatia in the World Cup. Lots of moments that Blanco fans surely remember.
Blanco will always be Public Enemy No. 1 to many American soccer fans, though Oswaldo Sanchez and Rafael Marquez probably rank right up there with Mexican players American soccer fans love to hate. But a portion of American soccer fans are witnessing first hand just how talented and special a player Blanco is and can be. And some of them - notably Fire fans, are probably thrilled he called it quits. More games for the Fire and less for El Tri is a good thing.
Read more...
What the big guns say
Hey, hey, check out the MLS owner who is blogging and thereby revealing his love of the ellipses.
The post got me thinking, however, about other MLS owners. I got a little wistful when I thought about the antics about Mark Cuban, really. Honestly, most MLS owners are pretty bland by comparison. The Wizards group might be the most energetic guys out there, at least until Seattle hits the scene.
Anyway, I thought it might be fun to throw open a forum for our readers, who are scattered about the country, to chime in on what type of blog post their local MLS owner would put up (or should put up) if they were so inclined to blog.
Would Robert Kraft muse melancholy about losing Tom Brady and Taylor Twellman to injury in the same year? Would the Hunt sons be gleeful about Columbus and somber about Dallas? Would Dave Checkets explain that he's looking into hypnotism to fool RSL players into thinking they're at home? Have at it.
Read more...
The post got me thinking, however, about other MLS owners. I got a little wistful when I thought about the antics about Mark Cuban, really. Honestly, most MLS owners are pretty bland by comparison. The Wizards group might be the most energetic guys out there, at least until Seattle hits the scene.
Anyway, I thought it might be fun to throw open a forum for our readers, who are scattered about the country, to chime in on what type of blog post their local MLS owner would put up (or should put up) if they were so inclined to blog.
Would Robert Kraft muse melancholy about losing Tom Brady and Taylor Twellman to injury in the same year? Would the Hunt sons be gleeful about Columbus and somber about Dallas? Would Dave Checkets explain that he's looking into hypnotism to fool RSL players into thinking they're at home? Have at it.
Read more...
Polemica = Controversy
It couldn't really be a Blanco situation without a little drama, could it?
Anyway, here's some of the back-and-forth swirling around about 'Temo. I don't have time to translate it right now, so can our readers jump in and explain the big issue? Or perhaps everyone has watched enough Galavision and Telefutura games to figure out the Spanish. Good luck!
Read more...
Anyway, here's some of the back-and-forth swirling around about 'Temo. I don't have time to translate it right now, so can our readers jump in and explain the big issue? Or perhaps everyone has watched enough Galavision and Telefutura games to figure out the Spanish. Good luck!
Read more...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Time to vote
It's that time to vote again, and no I don't mean in the presidential election.
No, this concerns US Soccer and the annual Honda Player of the Year award.
Now, our readers have done well in the past to help me fill out my ballot so I wanted to continue that trend. Help me fill out my ballot!
I will list the eligible players later but here's the relevant information from Futbol de Primera, the fine outfit that puts on the award and year-end event.
The Award
* The Honda Player of the Year Award recognizes the best player on
The U.S. National Team who has played in at least 3 games during the
calendar year. This year, 23 players have met this requirement...
The Rules of Voting
* Each eligible player must have played in a minimum of three (3)
games with the U.S. National Team during 2008.
* A first place vote equals 3 points, a second place vote is worth
2 points and a third place vote counts as 1 point. At the close
of voting, all of the points are tallied and the winner is the player
who receives the most overall points.
So there are some of the parameters. Now, I typically place way more emphasis on games that really matter, ie World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup, etc., than friendlies but I will leave everything up to you. If you want to vote for the players who did well in friendlies or qualifiers or whatever, go ahead - so long as it was with the senior team, that's fine.
I don't want to skew the votes one way or another so I'll leave my own thoughts out of this. For now, tell me who you think I should vote for first, second and third, or just tell me who is most deserving of the award.
Here are the eligible players:
FREDDY ADU
DAMARCUS BEASLEY
CARLOS BOCANEGRA
MICHAEL BRADLEY
DANNY CALIFF
STEVE CHERUNDOLO
BRIAN CHING
RICARDO CLARK
JAY DEMERIT
CLINT DEMPSEY
LANDON DONOVAN
MAURICE EDU
BRAD GUZAN
FRANKIE HEJDUK
TIM HOWARD
EDDIE JOHNSON
SACHA KLJESTAN
EDDIE LEWIS
PABLO MASTROENI
DREW MOOR
OGUCHI ONYEWU
HEATH PEARCE
JOSH WOLFF
Read more...
No, this concerns US Soccer and the annual Honda Player of the Year award.
Now, our readers have done well in the past to help me fill out my ballot so I wanted to continue that trend. Help me fill out my ballot!
I will list the eligible players later but here's the relevant information from Futbol de Primera, the fine outfit that puts on the award and year-end event.
The Award
* The Honda Player of the Year Award recognizes the best player on
The U.S. National Team who has played in at least 3 games during the
calendar year. This year, 23 players have met this requirement...
The Rules of Voting
* Each eligible player must have played in a minimum of three (3)
games with the U.S. National Team during 2008.
* A first place vote equals 3 points, a second place vote is worth
2 points and a third place vote counts as 1 point. At the close
of voting, all of the points are tallied and the winner is the player
who receives the most overall points.
So there are some of the parameters. Now, I typically place way more emphasis on games that really matter, ie World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup, etc., than friendlies but I will leave everything up to you. If you want to vote for the players who did well in friendlies or qualifiers or whatever, go ahead - so long as it was with the senior team, that's fine.
I don't want to skew the votes one way or another so I'll leave my own thoughts out of this. For now, tell me who you think I should vote for first, second and third, or just tell me who is most deserving of the award.
Here are the eligible players:
FREDDY ADU
DAMARCUS BEASLEY
CARLOS BOCANEGRA
MICHAEL BRADLEY
DANNY CALIFF
STEVE CHERUNDOLO
BRIAN CHING
RICARDO CLARK
JAY DEMERIT
CLINT DEMPSEY
LANDON DONOVAN
MAURICE EDU
BRAD GUZAN
FRANKIE HEJDUK
TIM HOWARD
EDDIE JOHNSON
SACHA KLJESTAN
EDDIE LEWIS
PABLO MASTROENI
DREW MOOR
OGUCHI ONYEWU
HEATH PEARCE
JOSH WOLFF
Read more...
Golden Tarp
That's Lindsay, of course, who along with Heather O'Reilly is part of the U.S. women's national team 'tweeners - not a veteran perhaps contemplating retirement in the near future - but not exactly a fresh face. After all, both won gold medals in 2004 already, so they've got a set going now.
Anyway, I had a recent interview with Tarp, who is one of the nicest and most articulate players around, even if she does at times pull off the politician's trick of dodging some questions by giving thoughtful answers to ones that weren't asked.
Example: How have your responsibilities on the field changed through the years, if at all?
"The biggest thing throughout my career is appreciating the moment. Being in the Olympics is a surreal thing. While I’m there it’s just about having fun and enjoying where I’m at."
Great answer - not exactly pertaining to what I asked, however. It's actually a really effective technique to use with me, though, because I always get self-conscious and wonder if I'm mumbling and my interviewee can't understand me. That's usually not the case, though. It's a clever sidestep.
Here's more of what Tarp said - leftover quotes I didn't use for the article.
The victories were both very different. In 2004, I was one of the youngest players on the team. There were a lot of veteran players and it was their last tournament. We felt that the best thing possible was to send them out with a victory. This time, we all believed in ourselves and we all believed in each other and we believed we could do it.
After losing to Norway in that first game we did a great job of regrouping. We believed in each other and believed we were going to win. It was more for ourselves than anything.
It was tough to lose those players – but at the same time, we found a way to win.
Pia has done a great job of coming in. She always reinforces enjoying the moment and enjoying where we’re at, enjoying the process. She loves soccer and her feelings are contagious. Personally, I’m loving the game right now. I love to play. I love to play with my teammates. I’m really enjoying this time in my life.
I did feel that we were going to win before we stepped onto the field and I feel that that’s part of every great team. You have to believe you’re going to win. I had that feeling and I think the whole team had that feeling and as a result, I think that helped us win.
Read more...
Anyway, I had a recent interview with Tarp, who is one of the nicest and most articulate players around, even if she does at times pull off the politician's trick of dodging some questions by giving thoughtful answers to ones that weren't asked.
Example: How have your responsibilities on the field changed through the years, if at all?
"The biggest thing throughout my career is appreciating the moment. Being in the Olympics is a surreal thing. While I’m there it’s just about having fun and enjoying where I’m at."
Great answer - not exactly pertaining to what I asked, however. It's actually a really effective technique to use with me, though, because I always get self-conscious and wonder if I'm mumbling and my interviewee can't understand me. That's usually not the case, though. It's a clever sidestep.
Here's more of what Tarp said - leftover quotes I didn't use for the article.
The victories were both very different. In 2004, I was one of the youngest players on the team. There were a lot of veteran players and it was their last tournament. We felt that the best thing possible was to send them out with a victory. This time, we all believed in ourselves and we all believed in each other and we believed we could do it.
After losing to Norway in that first game we did a great job of regrouping. We believed in each other and believed we were going to win. It was more for ourselves than anything.
It was tough to lose those players – but at the same time, we found a way to win.
Pia has done a great job of coming in. She always reinforces enjoying the moment and enjoying where we’re at, enjoying the process. She loves soccer and her feelings are contagious. Personally, I’m loving the game right now. I love to play. I love to play with my teammates. I’m really enjoying this time in my life.
I did feel that we were going to win before we stepped onto the field and I feel that that’s part of every great team. You have to believe you’re going to win. I had that feeling and I think the whole team had that feeling and as a result, I think that helped us win.
Read more...
Anti-climactic
So the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica are all on nine points after three qualifiers apiece. Each nation is pretty much through to the Hexagonal, though I haven't done the math. Maybe they are in for sure, don't know.
And while it's a great accomplishment for each nation to be 3-0 at this point, it's not exactly surprising. It's actually kind of expected that each team is where they are.
Which brings me to my question: is this semifinal round really necessary for the Big Three?
There are arguments for both sides of the question.
On the one hand, you don't want to give any team free passes. Let the Big Three mix it up with the rest and let them go through qualifying like any other CONCACAF nation. You don't necessarily want to make it any easier for the big dogs' already, they've gotten themselves to the point where they are the regional powers. At some point, Mexico should be at the same level as Canada regardless of past accomplishments, right?
Then again, we all know what's going to happen. The Big Three will cruise in this round and easily get into the Hex. There was some intrigue in 2000 with Costa Rica and Guatemala fighting out for the last Hex spot but that is ancient history as the previous cycle showed. All this round does is show the disparity between the region's upper crust and the supposed second tier. If Honduras, Trinidad & Tobago and some others are supposed to be the second tier, this region is in sad shape.
I don't know, though. I'm not sure what else can be done to change this system. It's a lot to ask the Big Three to play 18 qualifiers over an 18-month span when the outcome isn't hardly ever in doubt for them. Many of us dream about some sort of merger with South America but I don't think that is realistic, though the prospect of some real high-intensity qualifiers makes my mouth water. Can you imagine the US going down to Quito needing a result to get into the World Cup? Talk about drama, more drama than the US going into piss-poor Cuba and playing on some crappy field with crappy lighting and getting a boring three points.
Maybe CONMEBOL might be up for that, though. They get 4 spots right now guaranteed with a chance of a fifth. That fifth spot would be against a CONCACAF nation so there are 8 total spots from the Western Hemisphere. If CONMEBOL had a shot of getting six teams in, maybe that would be some incentive for nations like Chile and Colombia to push for a merger since it'd be easier for them to face the US or Costa Rica needing a spot in the World Cup than Brazil or Argentina.
Okay, well, I'm totally daydreaming now. Yes, it'd be fantastic. No, it's not going to happen anytime soon.
In reality, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica will be in the Hex next year with Honduras, El Salvador and Trinidad/Guatemala. The US will win all five home games, lose in Mexico City and San Jose, win in San Salvador and Port-of-Spain/Guatemala City and draw in San Pedro Sula and many will feel that the US has a grand shot of reaching the WC quarters again because qualifying was a breeze when in actuality qualifying will give many a false sense of security for qualifying in such a brisk manner does little to prepare the team for real competition. Mexico in Azteca is real competition; Guatemala in Guatemala City is not.
Read more...
And while it's a great accomplishment for each nation to be 3-0 at this point, it's not exactly surprising. It's actually kind of expected that each team is where they are.
Which brings me to my question: is this semifinal round really necessary for the Big Three?
There are arguments for both sides of the question.
On the one hand, you don't want to give any team free passes. Let the Big Three mix it up with the rest and let them go through qualifying like any other CONCACAF nation. You don't necessarily want to make it any easier for the big dogs' already, they've gotten themselves to the point where they are the regional powers. At some point, Mexico should be at the same level as Canada regardless of past accomplishments, right?
Then again, we all know what's going to happen. The Big Three will cruise in this round and easily get into the Hex. There was some intrigue in 2000 with Costa Rica and Guatemala fighting out for the last Hex spot but that is ancient history as the previous cycle showed. All this round does is show the disparity between the region's upper crust and the supposed second tier. If Honduras, Trinidad & Tobago and some others are supposed to be the second tier, this region is in sad shape.
I don't know, though. I'm not sure what else can be done to change this system. It's a lot to ask the Big Three to play 18 qualifiers over an 18-month span when the outcome isn't hardly ever in doubt for them. Many of us dream about some sort of merger with South America but I don't think that is realistic, though the prospect of some real high-intensity qualifiers makes my mouth water. Can you imagine the US going down to Quito needing a result to get into the World Cup? Talk about drama, more drama than the US going into piss-poor Cuba and playing on some crappy field with crappy lighting and getting a boring three points.
Maybe CONMEBOL might be up for that, though. They get 4 spots right now guaranteed with a chance of a fifth. That fifth spot would be against a CONCACAF nation so there are 8 total spots from the Western Hemisphere. If CONMEBOL had a shot of getting six teams in, maybe that would be some incentive for nations like Chile and Colombia to push for a merger since it'd be easier for them to face the US or Costa Rica needing a spot in the World Cup than Brazil or Argentina.
Okay, well, I'm totally daydreaming now. Yes, it'd be fantastic. No, it's not going to happen anytime soon.
In reality, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica will be in the Hex next year with Honduras, El Salvador and Trinidad/Guatemala. The US will win all five home games, lose in Mexico City and San Jose, win in San Salvador and Port-of-Spain/Guatemala City and draw in San Pedro Sula and many will feel that the US has a grand shot of reaching the WC quarters again because qualifying was a breeze when in actuality qualifying will give many a false sense of security for qualifying in such a brisk manner does little to prepare the team for real competition. Mexico in Azteca is real competition; Guatemala in Guatemala City is not.
Read more...
Blanco bids farewell
The U.S. beating TnT was basically expected, so the big news to come out of the latest round of qualifying games was by far Cuauhtemoc Blanco's retirement announcement.
He'll close things out at Azteca, but it looks like that's going to be it for seeing the bunny hop performed by the man himself during international play.
I have to say, since he'd been playing well lately, I didn't expect that move. Yet there's something to be said for going out when they'll still miss you rather than ignoring any expiration date and sticking around to get really stinky instead.
Read more...
He'll close things out at Azteca, but it looks like that's going to be it for seeing the bunny hop performed by the man himself during international play.
I have to say, since he'd been playing well lately, I didn't expect that move. Yet there's something to be said for going out when they'll still miss you rather than ignoring any expiration date and sticking around to get really stinky instead.
Read more...
Monday, September 8, 2008
Column tales
I haven't heard from the player (who shall remain nameless unless he chimes in) so I'm back to writing my CONCACAF column. I did some more research on the United States' road "struggles."
The answer is below but before you click on the link to read the entire post, can you guess when the last time the US lost a road World Cup qualifier to a nation other than Mexico or Costa Rica?
Canada, in 1980. During that span, they beat Trinidad twice and El Salvador on the road and even threw in a 1-1 draw in Costa Rica. And those were the dark ages of US soccer.
Now, I don't expect the US to win by three goals on the road. In fact, this is more reflective of how poor CONCACAF is, not necessarily how strong the US is. You want tough road qualifiers? Go to South America. You want winnable games in a difficult environment? Then CONCACAF is for you.
Read more...
The answer is below but before you click on the link to read the entire post, can you guess when the last time the US lost a road World Cup qualifier to a nation other than Mexico or Costa Rica?
Canada, in 1980. During that span, they beat Trinidad twice and El Salvador on the road and even threw in a 1-1 draw in Costa Rica. And those were the dark ages of US soccer.
Now, I don't expect the US to win by three goals on the road. In fact, this is more reflective of how poor CONCACAF is, not necessarily how strong the US is. You want tough road qualifiers? Go to South America. You want winnable games in a difficult environment? Then CONCACAF is for you.
Read more...
Lake Balaton Rankings (Sept. 8)
Five points if you can guess what country Lake Balaton is in?
For the record, I'd have scored a zero.
Anyway, here are the rankings. One team is on a surge and has shot up, up, up the rankings. They're not in a playoff position yet but I'd take them to beat all the teams from 6-14 without question, at least at home.
1. Columbus (13-6-4). Impressive takedown of Revolution, even if Revs are struggling.
2. Houston (10-5-8). Kei Kamara might be this year's Joseph Ngwenya, struggling forward who comes in, finds his way and helps club in playoffs.
3. Chicago (11-7-5). No Blanco, no problem as Fire dispatch former coach with a shutout win.
4. New England (11-7-5). Went from Supporters Shield favorites to a third-place spot in East in no time.
5. San Jose (7-9-7). 4-0-1 in last five games, more than two months without a loss... still can't believe all this is from expansion team.
6. DC United (10-11-2). Last week wasn't all that bad - after all, they did win a cup.
7. New York (8-7-8). No goals in last two road games as overall road record (1-6-5) is still abysmal.
8. Chivas USA (8-9-6). Won game despite no Kljestan, Harris, Marsch, Suarez, Thomas, Talley, Vaughn, Galindo.
9. Real Salt Lake (8-8-7). Were 22 minutes away from massive step forward.
10. Colorado (9-12-3). Don't give 'em up for dead yet... even though I did a week ago.
11. FC Dallas (6-9-8). Awful result for FC Dallas.
12. Los Angeles (6-9-8). So this team can score without Becks and LD.
13. Kansas City (6-9-8). Only Kevin Hartman is keeping this team from losing 5-0 every week.
14. Toronto FC (7-10-6). With or without its internationals, this team just isn't very good.
Read more...
For the record, I'd have scored a zero.
Anyway, here are the rankings. One team is on a surge and has shot up, up, up the rankings. They're not in a playoff position yet but I'd take them to beat all the teams from 6-14 without question, at least at home.
1. Columbus (13-6-4). Impressive takedown of Revolution, even if Revs are struggling.
2. Houston (10-5-8). Kei Kamara might be this year's Joseph Ngwenya, struggling forward who comes in, finds his way and helps club in playoffs.
3. Chicago (11-7-5). No Blanco, no problem as Fire dispatch former coach with a shutout win.
4. New England (11-7-5). Went from Supporters Shield favorites to a third-place spot in East in no time.
5. San Jose (7-9-7). 4-0-1 in last five games, more than two months without a loss... still can't believe all this is from expansion team.
6. DC United (10-11-2). Last week wasn't all that bad - after all, they did win a cup.
7. New York (8-7-8). No goals in last two road games as overall road record (1-6-5) is still abysmal.
8. Chivas USA (8-9-6). Won game despite no Kljestan, Harris, Marsch, Suarez, Thomas, Talley, Vaughn, Galindo.
9. Real Salt Lake (8-8-7). Were 22 minutes away from massive step forward.
10. Colorado (9-12-3). Don't give 'em up for dead yet... even though I did a week ago.
11. FC Dallas (6-9-8). Awful result for FC Dallas.
12. Los Angeles (6-9-8). So this team can score without Becks and LD.
13. Kansas City (6-9-8). Only Kevin Hartman is keeping this team from losing 5-0 every week.
14. Toronto FC (7-10-6). With or without its internationals, this team just isn't very good.
Read more...
Tuesday column
My previous thoughts on CONCACAF's Big Three and their road matches all came down because of my PE column. I'm writing about the qualifying in this region, sort of an ultra-expanded, thought-out actual column spinoff from my first thought about qualifying a few posts down.
This blog sometimes serves as a sort of pre-rough draft venue, see.
Anyway, my column topic and everything else may have all been for nothing.
I've got a call in to a local player and if he calls me back (we actually already spoke briefly in the morning) I'm going to write a column on him. If not, back to Plan A, which actually was Plan B to begin with... but nevermind that.
That's how this business is sometimes. You put a lot of thought and effort into a story and then it vanishes and you pursue something else. I had to re-write completely a 2005 LA Galaxy season preview story I wrote for someone because of the Landon Donovan trade, for instance.
So if the player calls me back and we chat, I'll wind up just using my mostly-written Tuesday story right here.
Read more...
This blog sometimes serves as a sort of pre-rough draft venue, see.
Anyway, my column topic and everything else may have all been for nothing.
I've got a call in to a local player and if he calls me back (we actually already spoke briefly in the morning) I'm going to write a column on him. If not, back to Plan A, which actually was Plan B to begin with... but nevermind that.
That's how this business is sometimes. You put a lot of thought and effort into a story and then it vanishes and you pursue something else. I had to re-write completely a 2005 LA Galaxy season preview story I wrote for someone because of the Landon Donovan trade, for instance.
So if the player calls me back and we chat, I'll wind up just using my mostly-written Tuesday story right here.
Read more...
Debunking a myth
There is an adage in CONCACAF that seems to be prevalent, one that American coaches and players alike say all the time.
"It's tough to play away in CONCACAF."
I've found startling new evidence that may help enlighten us all on just how tough it is to play away in CONCACAF.
Now, if you are talking about physically going down to a CONCACAF nation and playing a game of soccer, that may well be tough. There can be some hectic travel involved, you might play on a bad field and the fans hate the US and all that stuff. Fine. But in terms of pulling out results, it's NOT tough to play away in CONCACAF.
For the lesser teams I suppose it is. I didn't check to see how El Salvador and Honduras had done in their respective road games over the last decade. But for the US, Mexico and to a certain extent Costa Rica, aka the Big Three of CONCACAF, it's not tough to play away in CONCACAF.
To begin with, I did not count games the US played at Mexico and Costa Rica, games Mexico played at the US and Costa Rica and games Costa Rica played at the US and Mexico. Because that's part of the new redefined theorem which we'll get to later.
So anyway, save for games away to each other, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica are a collective 17-7-12 on the road in World Cup qualifying in the qualification for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. So out of 36 games, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica lost a combined seven.
Now - here's the kicker - guess how many of those losses were from the United States? Take a second, think back, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005...
Zero.
Astounding. Really astounding. Not one loss came from the Americans. Don't believe me? Look for yourself:
2001
T 1-1 Guatemala
W 4-0 Barbados
W 2-1 Honduras
T 0-0 Jamaica
T 0-0 Trinidad
2005
W 3-2 Grenada
T 1-1 Jamaica
T 1-1 Panama
W 2-0 El Salvador
W 2-1 Trinidad
W 3-0 Panama
T 0-0 Guatemala
Count 'em up and you get a combined road record of 6-0-6 for the US in away games, Mexico and Costa Rica notwithstanding.
Already this cycle, we've got the US adding two wins to that collective total and bringing their own total up to 8-0-6 in qualifiers since 2000.
So when we hear how fantastic it is for the US to have pulled out 1-0 wins in Guatemala and Cuba and how all these other nations would struggle to even get to the Hex if they had to deal with the conditions the US has to deal with... well, forgive me for laughing.
So you might say 'Why don't you include away games to each other?' Well, save for Mexico at Costa Rica, the Big Three struggles at the Big Three. Costa Rica beat Mexico in 2001 in Azteca and Mexico returned the favor in Costa Rica in 2005 but aside from that the Big Three usually loses away to the other Big Three teams. Neither Mexico nor Costa Rica can touch the US here in qualifying and same is true in reverse when the US plays away to Mexico and Costa Rica.
But nobody needs worry about that. Mexico, the US and Costa Rica will lock up spots 1-2-3 in the Hex next year; who can pull out a result against the other two nations away will determine the positioning.
Thus, the new theorem which will replace the old myth is this:
Unless you are the Big Three playing at the Big Three, away games in CONCACAF are not tough.
Oooh, that's a bit wordy. Perhaps someone can offer a shorter condensed version.
Read more...
"It's tough to play away in CONCACAF."
I've found startling new evidence that may help enlighten us all on just how tough it is to play away in CONCACAF.
Now, if you are talking about physically going down to a CONCACAF nation and playing a game of soccer, that may well be tough. There can be some hectic travel involved, you might play on a bad field and the fans hate the US and all that stuff. Fine. But in terms of pulling out results, it's NOT tough to play away in CONCACAF.
For the lesser teams I suppose it is. I didn't check to see how El Salvador and Honduras had done in their respective road games over the last decade. But for the US, Mexico and to a certain extent Costa Rica, aka the Big Three of CONCACAF, it's not tough to play away in CONCACAF.
To begin with, I did not count games the US played at Mexico and Costa Rica, games Mexico played at the US and Costa Rica and games Costa Rica played at the US and Mexico. Because that's part of the new redefined theorem which we'll get to later.
So anyway, save for games away to each other, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica are a collective 17-7-12 on the road in World Cup qualifying in the qualification for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. So out of 36 games, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica lost a combined seven.
Now - here's the kicker - guess how many of those losses were from the United States? Take a second, think back, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005...
Zero.
Astounding. Really astounding. Not one loss came from the Americans. Don't believe me? Look for yourself:
2001
T 1-1 Guatemala
W 4-0 Barbados
W 2-1 Honduras
T 0-0 Jamaica
T 0-0 Trinidad
2005
W 3-2 Grenada
T 1-1 Jamaica
T 1-1 Panama
W 2-0 El Salvador
W 2-1 Trinidad
W 3-0 Panama
T 0-0 Guatemala
Count 'em up and you get a combined road record of 6-0-6 for the US in away games, Mexico and Costa Rica notwithstanding.
Already this cycle, we've got the US adding two wins to that collective total and bringing their own total up to 8-0-6 in qualifiers since 2000.
So when we hear how fantastic it is for the US to have pulled out 1-0 wins in Guatemala and Cuba and how all these other nations would struggle to even get to the Hex if they had to deal with the conditions the US has to deal with... well, forgive me for laughing.
So you might say 'Why don't you include away games to each other?' Well, save for Mexico at Costa Rica, the Big Three struggles at the Big Three. Costa Rica beat Mexico in 2001 in Azteca and Mexico returned the favor in Costa Rica in 2005 but aside from that the Big Three usually loses away to the other Big Three teams. Neither Mexico nor Costa Rica can touch the US here in qualifying and same is true in reverse when the US plays away to Mexico and Costa Rica.
But nobody needs worry about that. Mexico, the US and Costa Rica will lock up spots 1-2-3 in the Hex next year; who can pull out a result against the other two nations away will determine the positioning.
Thus, the new theorem which will replace the old myth is this:
Unless you are the Big Three playing at the Big Three, away games in CONCACAF are not tough.
Oooh, that's a bit wordy. Perhaps someone can offer a shorter condensed version.
Read more...
X Gs
The Galaxy has always had a history of former players doing damage in the league. Before, I couldn't figure out if it was bad scouting that led to the release of so many players that did well elsewhere or perhaps just the natural consequence of trades, or maybe just roster limitations that did not allow the Galaxy to keep all of their players. I suppose it's just a combination of everything.
Now, after the most recent player purge the number of ex-Galaxy players across the league is astounding. So you're going to get good performances by former Galaxy players like you did last weekend.
Four former Galaxy players combined for five goals this weekend. Ante Razov had a goal and two assists for Chivas USA. Of course, Razov is an ex-Galaxy player from way back in the day but he still fits the criteria.
More recent and players are:
- Santino Quaranta, who scored for DC
- Nate Jaqua, who scored twice for Houston
- Daniel Paladini, who scored for Chivas USA
Also, the two coach of the year candidates I talked about yesterday - Sigi Schmid and Frank Yallop - are former Galaxy coaches, of course.
Anyway, food for thought if nothing else.
Read more...
Now, after the most recent player purge the number of ex-Galaxy players across the league is astounding. So you're going to get good performances by former Galaxy players like you did last weekend.
Four former Galaxy players combined for five goals this weekend. Ante Razov had a goal and two assists for Chivas USA. Of course, Razov is an ex-Galaxy player from way back in the day but he still fits the criteria.
More recent and players are:
- Santino Quaranta, who scored for DC
- Nate Jaqua, who scored twice for Houston
- Daniel Paladini, who scored for Chivas USA
Also, the two coach of the year candidates I talked about yesterday - Sigi Schmid and Frank Yallop - are former Galaxy coaches, of course.
Anyway, food for thought if nothing else.
Read more...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Week 24 Spotlight
Week 24 is beyond us now... or is it Week 23? Each team has played 23 games but the league called it Week 24.
Regardless, seven games remain for each team in the league and every week from now on, whether it's been counted correctly or not, gains in significance. Last week, for instance, we saw some great performances from some great players trying to will their teams into the playoffs.
G: Jon Busch
D: Chad Marshall
D: Bakary Soumare
D: Mike Petke
M: Arturo Alvarez
M: Stephen King
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
M: Darren Huckerby
F: Nate Jaqua
F: Yura Movsisyan
F: Ante Razov
Top coach: Preki. Missing key players and key backups, Chivas USA traveled to Toronto FC and somehow pieced together another come-from-behind victory.
Top player: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Give him the MVP already.
Top goal: I guess what happens during international weekends is that a lot of the quality of the league is gone and consequently you don't get spectacular goals. So the goal of the week is Darren Huckerby's against DC United as it was probably the most important goal scored this week.
Top save: It didn't mean much but FC Dallas' Dario Sala had a stellar reaction save early against Colorado on Thursday.
Best game: I'm partial to the San Jose-DC match. I had it on my laptop as the Galaxy-RSL game played out before me live. I figure, if I went to those lengths to watch the game (or at least snippets of it) it must have been a good matchup.
LOWLIGHTS
For the last time (until mid-October) I'll pile on MLS for their scheduling. Key players in key games were absent and teams had to shuffle massively to fill out their lineups. MLS lessens the quality of its league for the sake of playing games and doesn't even care. Shame.
New York's Diego Jimenez is apparently a defender. So we've heard. On Saturday, though, he played the role of Chicago playmaker as he set up Stephen King on the game's only goal.
Andrea did well to recount Fabian Espindola's tale. Poor guy. When you see something like that (and for those late to the party, Espindola broke his leg celebrating a goal that was eventually called back), you likely think 'Ha. Serves him right' or something. But when you have to stand in front of him and see how dejected he looked and see the tears in his eyes, well, you can't help but feel bad for the guy. Unfortunately for him - and this is why he was probably crying - it's got to be one of the most embarrassing moments of the season.
Read more...
Regardless, seven games remain for each team in the league and every week from now on, whether it's been counted correctly or not, gains in significance. Last week, for instance, we saw some great performances from some great players trying to will their teams into the playoffs.
G: Jon Busch
D: Chad Marshall
D: Bakary Soumare
D: Mike Petke
M: Arturo Alvarez
M: Stephen King
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
M: Darren Huckerby
F: Nate Jaqua
F: Yura Movsisyan
F: Ante Razov
Top coach: Preki. Missing key players and key backups, Chivas USA traveled to Toronto FC and somehow pieced together another come-from-behind victory.
Top player: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Give him the MVP already.
Top goal: I guess what happens during international weekends is that a lot of the quality of the league is gone and consequently you don't get spectacular goals. So the goal of the week is Darren Huckerby's against DC United as it was probably the most important goal scored this week.
Top save: It didn't mean much but FC Dallas' Dario Sala had a stellar reaction save early against Colorado on Thursday.
Best game: I'm partial to the San Jose-DC match. I had it on my laptop as the Galaxy-RSL game played out before me live. I figure, if I went to those lengths to watch the game (or at least snippets of it) it must have been a good matchup.
LOWLIGHTS
For the last time (until mid-October) I'll pile on MLS for their scheduling. Key players in key games were absent and teams had to shuffle massively to fill out their lineups. MLS lessens the quality of its league for the sake of playing games and doesn't even care. Shame.
New York's Diego Jimenez is apparently a defender. So we've heard. On Saturday, though, he played the role of Chicago playmaker as he set up Stephen King on the game's only goal.
Andrea did well to recount Fabian Espindola's tale. Poor guy. When you see something like that (and for those late to the party, Espindola broke his leg celebrating a goal that was eventually called back), you likely think 'Ha. Serves him right' or something. But when you have to stand in front of him and see how dejected he looked and see the tears in his eyes, well, you can't help but feel bad for the guy. Unfortunately for him - and this is why he was probably crying - it's got to be one of the most embarrassing moments of the season.
Read more...
The more things change...
Remember 2005 and the CONCACAF hexagonal? That seems like ancient history in many ways as players and coaches and uniforms and seemingly everything has changed.
Yet, 2009 is promising to look a lot like 2005.
Consider Saturday's results:
Group 1: The US won and sits on six points atop the group. Trinidad tied and is second on four points.
Group 2: Mexico won and sits on six points. Honduras also won and is in second with three points.
Group 3: Costa Rica won and sits on six points. El Salvador won and is in second with three points.
Yawn.
If results hold, the final six will look like this:
United States
Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico
Honduras
Costa Rica
El Salvador
In 2005, the final six were:
United States
Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico
Guatemala
Costa Rica
Panama
So with all the evolution and progress and development and moving forward and all that, we get Honduras and El Salvador in place of Guatemala and Panama. Not exactly a big surprise there, and not much difference there. Two Central American teams in place of two Central American teams. Of course, Honduras and Guatemala are quite different, but in general terms they are similar. Both teams can be dangerous but can also be fragile. For that matter, El Salvador and Panama are alike. Not much will be expected from them, and if El Salvador can finish in fifth place next year, that alone will be a surprise.
It just seems that no matter how things play out in CONCACAF, the same teams are on top. Which begs the question, why even bother with the semifinal round? Why force teams like Mexico and the US and Costa Rica to play 18 games, really to play eight extra games when we all know they will all reach the Hex anyway?
Read more...
Yet, 2009 is promising to look a lot like 2005.
Consider Saturday's results:
Group 1: The US won and sits on six points atop the group. Trinidad tied and is second on four points.
Group 2: Mexico won and sits on six points. Honduras also won and is in second with three points.
Group 3: Costa Rica won and sits on six points. El Salvador won and is in second with three points.
Yawn.
If results hold, the final six will look like this:
United States
Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico
Honduras
Costa Rica
El Salvador
In 2005, the final six were:
United States
Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico
Guatemala
Costa Rica
Panama
So with all the evolution and progress and development and moving forward and all that, we get Honduras and El Salvador in place of Guatemala and Panama. Not exactly a big surprise there, and not much difference there. Two Central American teams in place of two Central American teams. Of course, Honduras and Guatemala are quite different, but in general terms they are similar. Both teams can be dangerous but can also be fragile. For that matter, El Salvador and Panama are alike. Not much will be expected from them, and if El Salvador can finish in fifth place next year, that alone will be a surprise.
It just seems that no matter how things play out in CONCACAF, the same teams are on top. Which begs the question, why even bother with the semifinal round? Why force teams like Mexico and the US and Costa Rica to play 18 games, really to play eight extra games when we all know they will all reach the Hex anyway?
Read more...
Top coach?
With the finish line in sight, the coach of the year award in MLS seems to be headed down towards two candidates. Many coaches have done well this year and there is still a huge portion of the season remaining, so perhaps someone else will distinguish themselves.
For now, though, we've narrowed it down to Sigi Schmid and Frank Yallop. Of course, the opinions differ.
It would be hard to argue against Sigi Schmid. After all, few expected Columbus to even contend for a playoff spot let alone contend for the Supporters Shield. But that's where Schmid has the Crew, poised to run away with the league's best record.
Still, I've got to give some props to Frank Yallop. San Jose is in a fantastic position given everything San Jose has gone through this season. Remember the 'Quakes are an expansion team, and we all know how terrible Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC did in their respective expansion seasons.
Of course, this is contingent upon San Jose making the playoffs. If San Jose misses out on the postseason, all bets are off.
Read more...
For now, though, we've narrowed it down to Sigi Schmid and Frank Yallop. Of course, the opinions differ.
It would be hard to argue against Sigi Schmid. After all, few expected Columbus to even contend for a playoff spot let alone contend for the Supporters Shield. But that's where Schmid has the Crew, poised to run away with the league's best record.
Still, I've got to give some props to Frank Yallop. San Jose is in a fantastic position given everything San Jose has gone through this season. Remember the 'Quakes are an expansion team, and we all know how terrible Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC did in their respective expansion seasons.
Of course, this is contingent upon San Jose making the playoffs. If San Jose misses out on the postseason, all bets are off.
Read more...
All quiet on the Southern front
If you're wondering how the Mexican league played out this weekend, wonder no more. The league was not in action, as many other leagues around the world were on Saturday.
The Mexican league ran things as they should run on international fixture dates and gave way for the national team.
Saturday, unfortunately, was status quo in MLS.
I got to the press box early to watch US-Cuba. At the same time as that game, Columbus-New England and New York-Chicago were going on. I felt bad for the fans who had to choose between club and country, especially season ticket holders. On the one hand, you want to go support your club. But at the same time, the US national team only plays meaningful games every now and then. After all, Saturday's game in Cuba was one of eight that really matter this year. And for season ticket holders, Saturday's home games were one of 15 games they paid money for.
And there's MLS, putting fans in a position to choose between club and country.
When I saw the Galaxy-Real Salt Lake lineup, I couldn't help but shake my head. MLS is willing to go forth with such a product, with the Galaxy starting six defenders because they were shorthanded, with Toronto having to sign players to one-day contracts and bring in a scout just to fill out their roster.
Let's be glad that MLS didn't schedule any games on Wednesday to go head-to-head with the national team.
Read more...
The Mexican league ran things as they should run on international fixture dates and gave way for the national team.
Saturday, unfortunately, was status quo in MLS.
I got to the press box early to watch US-Cuba. At the same time as that game, Columbus-New England and New York-Chicago were going on. I felt bad for the fans who had to choose between club and country, especially season ticket holders. On the one hand, you want to go support your club. But at the same time, the US national team only plays meaningful games every now and then. After all, Saturday's game in Cuba was one of eight that really matter this year. And for season ticket holders, Saturday's home games were one of 15 games they paid money for.
And there's MLS, putting fans in a position to choose between club and country.
When I saw the Galaxy-Real Salt Lake lineup, I couldn't help but shake my head. MLS is willing to go forth with such a product, with the Galaxy starting six defenders because they were shorthanded, with Toronto having to sign players to one-day contracts and bring in a scout just to fill out their roster.
Let's be glad that MLS didn't schedule any games on Wednesday to go head-to-head with the national team.
Read more...
Cuba - a look back
Faitelson: In the end, it was a historic night here in Havana. The United States defeated Cuba 1-0, an expected victory, but Cuba demonstrated that they have advanced, that they can fight and keep a game close. In the end, they nearly earned a draw.
Frankie says his thing.
Alain Cervantes: I think we had a good attitude. We didn’t play so well in the first period. In that half, we were pushed back. The game ended 1-0, but I think we played well. The U.S. is a good team and a good rival. There wasn’t more we could do. They’re first in CONCACAF. They were able to dominate the first period. We had more of the play in the second half, but in soccer, it’s the result that counts.
Leonel Duarte: We’re improving. We’re becoming a force in the Caribbean. Things are changing – it’s the first time we’ve had this stadium full of people. That encouraged us so much, to have the support of fans. It’s not just that our soccer is growing, it’s that the understanding of the fans is rising, too. There’s still a long way to go, but with hard work and heart, and with the advice of good coaching to raise our tactics, we’re going to have results.
Faitelson: The U.S. has six points from two games and now returns home to face Trinidad and Tobago. Cuba has no points from their two games, and their dream of the World Cup is fading.
Read more...
Flipping out
So Fabian Espindola hurt himself on a backflip celebrating what he thought was a goal. Then Bryan Jordan scored a minute later - and guess what he did?
If you thought backflip, you'd be wrong. He did a front flip. Check out both on the video.
Since I've been watching gymnastics in the Olympics recently, I'm going to carp on Espindola's landing. He straightened the leg too much, creating more impact on the landing than his foot could take.
"I didn't do anything different," he told me in the locker room. "That's the way I've always celebrated."
Meanwhile, BJ didn't land his front flip perfectly, either, but his legs were bent enough to cushion the landing a bit more. He had no regrets about risking injury on his front flip.
"I wanted to make sure I celebrated. It's been my thing since college. I feel confident doing it."
For Will Johnson, a simple fist pump sufficed to celebrate his score. I don't even remember Buddle's celebration. Yura Movsisyan ran over to acknowledge family and friends who came to the game, I think.
Granted, getting hurt celebrating is not good. "I remember (NFL's) Martin Grammatica hurting himself," said Kyle Beckerman.
But I also agree with Kreis when he said, "We're entertainers. That's what we're here for."
I like flips and other impressive goal celebrations. They don't have to be acrobatic. Clint Dempsey used to have great goal celebrations in MLS and he never flipped around. He was creative, though.
Read more...
If you thought backflip, you'd be wrong. He did a front flip. Check out both on the video.
Since I've been watching gymnastics in the Olympics recently, I'm going to carp on Espindola's landing. He straightened the leg too much, creating more impact on the landing than his foot could take.
"I didn't do anything different," he told me in the locker room. "That's the way I've always celebrated."
Meanwhile, BJ didn't land his front flip perfectly, either, but his legs were bent enough to cushion the landing a bit more. He had no regrets about risking injury on his front flip.
"I wanted to make sure I celebrated. It's been my thing since college. I feel confident doing it."
For Will Johnson, a simple fist pump sufficed to celebrate his score. I don't even remember Buddle's celebration. Yura Movsisyan ran over to acknowledge family and friends who came to the game, I think.
Granted, getting hurt celebrating is not good. "I remember (NFL's) Martin Grammatica hurting himself," said Kyle Beckerman.
But I also agree with Kreis when he said, "We're entertainers. That's what we're here for."
I like flips and other impressive goal celebrations. They don't have to be acrobatic. Clint Dempsey used to have great goal celebrations in MLS and he never flipped around. He was creative, though.
Read more...
The rest of the story
Luis wrote a post-game article that included a Kyle Beckerman quote, but he left out the Nick Rimando cameo.
Luis and I were part of a group of reporters around Kyle in the locker room. Just as Kyle said his bit about Edson taking advantage of an inch of space, Nick walked by.
"He got more than an inch," the goalkeeper asserted. "He got two inches, at least." He walked on, shaking his head. Apparently he was a bit frustrated, either at himself for giving up the rebound, or his defenders for not clearing the ball. Maybe both.
Kyle apparently agreed with Nick, because he then said the second part of the quote. He also mentioned how well Edson has been playing this year, said it's clear that he has the momentum of self-belief.
As for Edson, he agreed that scoring this season was helping him play well and have patience when trying to score. It led to him being a bit tricky on the goal he scored, as he confused the defenders a bit. "They thought I was going to hit it first time. To take a touch gave me a bit more space to slot that ball. If I didn't have so many goals right now, I probably would have blasted it, first time. I'm a little more confident now in that situation."
Espindola was really upset about his injury, fighting back tears in the locker room as he sat, disconsolate, with crutches. He said he'd celebrated goals with flips before, but never suffered an injury. He swore never to take the chance again. It was a particularly disheartening moment for him because not only was he playing so well lately, but the goal he celebrated was called back.
"If I'd seen the offside flag just two seconds sooner - I wouldn't have celebrated and this wouldn't have happened."
Yet if any coach in the league would be understanding about Espindola's celebration, it would be Kreis. A backflip was his trademark for years. He also scored a lot, so he flipped around a lot.
Sure enough, Kreis didn't fault his player's actions. "I did that for years," he pointed out. "These things happen. It's possible for him to get hurt going down a flight of stairs."
Or up a flight of stairs. I was taking the stairs to the pressbox soon after talking to Espindola. I tripped and pitched forward. I was carrying my laptop, so I turned to take the brunt of the impact on one arm, holding the laptop away safely.
I hurt my wrist, but I don't think it's broken. Still, it felt like Espindola's misfortune was contagious.
Read more...
Luis and I were part of a group of reporters around Kyle in the locker room. Just as Kyle said his bit about Edson taking advantage of an inch of space, Nick walked by.
"He got more than an inch," the goalkeeper asserted. "He got two inches, at least." He walked on, shaking his head. Apparently he was a bit frustrated, either at himself for giving up the rebound, or his defenders for not clearing the ball. Maybe both.
Kyle apparently agreed with Nick, because he then said the second part of the quote. He also mentioned how well Edson has been playing this year, said it's clear that he has the momentum of self-belief.
As for Edson, he agreed that scoring this season was helping him play well and have patience when trying to score. It led to him being a bit tricky on the goal he scored, as he confused the defenders a bit. "They thought I was going to hit it first time. To take a touch gave me a bit more space to slot that ball. If I didn't have so many goals right now, I probably would have blasted it, first time. I'm a little more confident now in that situation."
Espindola was really upset about his injury, fighting back tears in the locker room as he sat, disconsolate, with crutches. He said he'd celebrated goals with flips before, but never suffered an injury. He swore never to take the chance again. It was a particularly disheartening moment for him because not only was he playing so well lately, but the goal he celebrated was called back.
"If I'd seen the offside flag just two seconds sooner - I wouldn't have celebrated and this wouldn't have happened."
Yet if any coach in the league would be understanding about Espindola's celebration, it would be Kreis. A backflip was his trademark for years. He also scored a lot, so he flipped around a lot.
Sure enough, Kreis didn't fault his player's actions. "I did that for years," he pointed out. "These things happen. It's possible for him to get hurt going down a flight of stairs."
Or up a flight of stairs. I was taking the stairs to the pressbox soon after talking to Espindola. I tripped and pitched forward. I was carrying my laptop, so I turned to take the brunt of the impact on one arm, holding the laptop away safely.
I hurt my wrist, but I don't think it's broken. Still, it felt like Espindola's misfortune was contagious.
Read more...
Kreis post game
This is it for the post-game video. I had a specific assignment to talk to a player from RSL. Their locker room opened up early, so I left the presser before Bruce Arena spoke.
Read more...
Read more...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Galaxy/RSL running blog
Here we go - a depleted Galaxy team versus Salt Lake's finest.
Luis thinks former Galaxy player Clint Mathis can still do some damage. I'm thinking it might be Robbie Findley who hurts LA, but we'll see.
RSL: Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Ian Joy, Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Clint Mathis, Kenny Deuchar, Fabian Espindola
LA: Josh Wicks, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, Eduardo Dominguez, Josh Tudela, Greg Vanney, Bryan Jordan, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon.
Apparently, Vanney and Dominguez are playing in the midfield. Luis predicts a 6-1-3 formation.
Kickoff!
2 - The Galaxy are on the defensive immediately. Deuchar gets to a pass over the top, but the Galaxy are able to clear the cross.
3 - There's a blue balloon on the field - not anymore. Jamison Olave popped it neatly by stepping on it.
4 - Galaxy mount an actual attack. Buddle turns playmaker, with a nice pass to an overlapping Randolph. However, Randolph is shadowed by an RSL defender and can't get a decent cross off.
5 - Espindola on the run into the box, shoots - SAVE. Wicks gives up a rebound, though, but the ball gets cleared.
6 - NO GOAL! Offside. Beckerman nailed a shot from distance, but Espindola was obstructing the goalkeeper's view, I guess.
9 - GOAL! Bryan Jordan! Buddle did the hard work on that play. He got the ball off Olave, and he took the ball into the box immediately, stepping over the ball a couple of times, then juking Olave completely, catching up to the ball and sending a tough angle shot that beat Rimando but was going wide until Jordan, trailing the play, put the ball into an open net. 1-0 Galaxy.
Jordan celebrated by leaping the boards and going into the arms of the Galaxians.
13 - Vanney misses an outlet pass and RSL counters. The Galaxy recover, but Buddle tumbles just as Vanney sends him a long pass. No call.
14 - Morales falls trying to reach the ball at the arc. Galaxy break on goal, but the RSL defense recovers.
15 - Galaxy have a corner. Vanney takes it - not too bad, but it goes far post and the RSL defenders box out the Galaxy players well.
17 - RSL on the attack. Corner. Mathis takes it, getting catcalls from the Riot Squad as he sets up. Wicks catches.
18 - Morales in on goal, Wicks is beaten, but Morales is off balance. He kicks as he falls - outside side netting. Close.
19 The crowd is pretty lively, trying to encourages the rag-tag Galaxy players. FK to RSL. Dangerous. Morales sets up. He sends it into the box, Nat Borchers snaps a header - Wicks catches.
21 - GOAL! Movsisyan, who came in for Espindola. Klein and Franklin both got beaten to ball in the air by Deuchar, who flicked it to an open Yura. Wicks came out late and not really assertively - Movsisyan put it past him low. 1-1
25 - Tudela fouls Beckerman. The ball is pretty much in the Galaxy's half most of the time.
27 - Morales with some nifty play, but the Galaxy defenders force him into a throw instead of a corner or cross.
29 - The crowd wants to cheer, but there's not much to applaud as the Galaxy defend nearly exclusively. Well, of course. They have a midfield of defenders.
30 - RSL FK - it's sent in front of the arc, but the shot is blocked. Galaxy clear. Hey, they passed the halfway line!
32 - Vanney sends a long pass to Jordon, who attacks the box and runs into his defender. He's done that a couple of times now.
33 - Gordon is down after a crash with Beckerman. Kennedy doesn't call it, and the crowd boos RSL as they continue to play. Shot over the bar finally stops play.
34 - Buddle on the attack, lays a ball back for Vanney, who shoots, beats Rimando - wide. Pretty close, though.
35 - Wicks is out of his box to clear a ball - right back to RSL.
37 - Jordan breaks for a ball in the box, trying to get around his defender to get the ball. He gets bumped hard and goes flying. That didn't look like there was any attempt to play the ball, but Kennedy isn't calling it. Crowd is pissed.
40 - Randolph steps in front of a cross, taking the ball off his chest for Wicks to scoop up.
41 - The Galaxy are getting out of their own half more now, but their set up passes are missing.
42 - By the way, in case you're wondering where Pete Vagenas is - he was a late scratch. Leg injury. And Rimando is out - punching a ball away before Buddle can get to it.
43 - The Galaxy are basically in a 4-4-2, by the way. Gordon is playing back a bit.
45 - Wow, a whole bunch of reinforcement arrived for the Galaxy just now. Their youth team is out here for some halftime thing. For a second, though, it looked like the cavalry had arrived for beleaguered LA.
Halftime - Well, the Galaxy don't look completely overmatched. But they are missing four starters - and that's without counting the injured players. RSL is only missing one guy for international duty. Guess who?
48 - Galaxy still having trouble getting decent midfield play going. Well, there is really only one midfielder out there.
51 - Duecher with the cross, but the Galaxy put the ball out for a throw.
52 - Will Johnson with a shot from distance - Wicks catches.
53 - GOAL! WillJo ghosts by the referee - getting a pass that surprises the Galaxy defense. He works a give and go with Yura, and beats Wicks going far post, banging it in off the post. 2-1 RSL.
55 - That really took the energy out of the crowd.
56 - Brandon MacDonald is in for Dominguez.
57 - Galaxy FK leads to a Gordon header - over the goal.
60 - Beckerman with a low shot - Wicks catches.
62- Franklin gets a yellow for a high tackle. The FK is into the box, but as the players go up for it, the header isn't clean and ball is out for a goal kick.
64 - RSL's midfield is just having fun with the Galaxy now. With Beckerman, Mathis and especially Morales, they've got guys who can control the ball at will. They're running the LA players ragged. As they should.
65 - Jordan earns the Galaxy a corner. Vanney takes it and Franklin heads it back in front of the goal, where Rimano catches it.
68 - Vanney shoots wide from distance.
69 - GOAL! The Galaxy are still fighting. A long pass out wide finds Tudela, who hits a cross that misses Gordon, but finds Jordan, who attacks the goal. His shot deflects out to Buddle, who takes a touch and shoots into goal. 2-2.
71 - RSL come right back with a shot that deflects for a corner. That leads to a header - wide.
72 - Jordon crosses - Gordon fouled trying to head the ball. GK.
73 - Duechar offside.
74 - Jordan dribbles too long and ultimately loses the ball. RSL attack - Roberts clears a cross out of the box.
75 - Tackles are flying fast and furiously. Robbie Findley comes into the game for Duechar. Speed kills. Didn't I say I was looking for Robbie to hurt his old team?
77 - Roberts cuts off a pass for Findley, who blocks the clear out of bounds. The crowd is livid when Kennedy calls the ball for RSL.
78 - RSL attacking with impunity and intensity now - they're in the box - ooooh, so close - out for corner.
79 - Cleared, but RSl claim it quickly. and set up another attack.
81 - The game is announced as a sell out - 27,000. Mike Munoz subs in for Josh Tudela. Seacrest and Patty cheer.
82 - MacDonald picks a ball off Morales - not an easy thing to do. Foul is called on Javi.
84 - Both teams look tired, but since RSL still has better connection in midfield, they look crisper.
85 - Gordon called for a foul fighting for a header.
86 - Beckerman with a shot as RSL hits the Galaxy box in numbers - wide.
88 - MacDonald tries a give and go with Gordon, but Gordon hits his pass behind MacDonald.
90 - Buddle is fouled, but it's far from goal. The FK turns into a pass from Klein to Jordon, who still has speed left. He goes to goal and gets fouled on the corner of the box. FK
90+ FK gets headed out - shot on goal by Klein gets blocked back.
Izzy Sesay subs in for Gordon.
MacDonald with a shot from distance - Rimando dives and misses, but the ball goes wide. Izzy races for a long ball, defender puts the ball out and Izzy into the air.
Final whistle.
Well, the Galaxy finish with a rather valiant draw, all things considered. Their winless streak continues, though.
Read more...
Luis thinks former Galaxy player Clint Mathis can still do some damage. I'm thinking it might be Robbie Findley who hurts LA, but we'll see.
RSL: Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Ian Joy, Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Clint Mathis, Kenny Deuchar, Fabian Espindola
LA: Josh Wicks, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, Eduardo Dominguez, Josh Tudela, Greg Vanney, Bryan Jordan, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon.
Apparently, Vanney and Dominguez are playing in the midfield. Luis predicts a 6-1-3 formation.
Kickoff!
2 - The Galaxy are on the defensive immediately. Deuchar gets to a pass over the top, but the Galaxy are able to clear the cross.
3 - There's a blue balloon on the field - not anymore. Jamison Olave popped it neatly by stepping on it.
4 - Galaxy mount an actual attack. Buddle turns playmaker, with a nice pass to an overlapping Randolph. However, Randolph is shadowed by an RSL defender and can't get a decent cross off.
5 - Espindola on the run into the box, shoots - SAVE. Wicks gives up a rebound, though, but the ball gets cleared.
6 - NO GOAL! Offside. Beckerman nailed a shot from distance, but Espindola was obstructing the goalkeeper's view, I guess.
9 - GOAL! Bryan Jordan! Buddle did the hard work on that play. He got the ball off Olave, and he took the ball into the box immediately, stepping over the ball a couple of times, then juking Olave completely, catching up to the ball and sending a tough angle shot that beat Rimando but was going wide until Jordan, trailing the play, put the ball into an open net. 1-0 Galaxy.
Jordan celebrated by leaping the boards and going into the arms of the Galaxians.
13 - Vanney misses an outlet pass and RSL counters. The Galaxy recover, but Buddle tumbles just as Vanney sends him a long pass. No call.
14 - Morales falls trying to reach the ball at the arc. Galaxy break on goal, but the RSL defense recovers.
15 - Galaxy have a corner. Vanney takes it - not too bad, but it goes far post and the RSL defenders box out the Galaxy players well.
17 - RSL on the attack. Corner. Mathis takes it, getting catcalls from the Riot Squad as he sets up. Wicks catches.
18 - Morales in on goal, Wicks is beaten, but Morales is off balance. He kicks as he falls - outside side netting. Close.
19 The crowd is pretty lively, trying to encourages the rag-tag Galaxy players. FK to RSL. Dangerous. Morales sets up. He sends it into the box, Nat Borchers snaps a header - Wicks catches.
21 - GOAL! Movsisyan, who came in for Espindola. Klein and Franklin both got beaten to ball in the air by Deuchar, who flicked it to an open Yura. Wicks came out late and not really assertively - Movsisyan put it past him low. 1-1
25 - Tudela fouls Beckerman. The ball is pretty much in the Galaxy's half most of the time.
27 - Morales with some nifty play, but the Galaxy defenders force him into a throw instead of a corner or cross.
29 - The crowd wants to cheer, but there's not much to applaud as the Galaxy defend nearly exclusively. Well, of course. They have a midfield of defenders.
30 - RSL FK - it's sent in front of the arc, but the shot is blocked. Galaxy clear. Hey, they passed the halfway line!
32 - Vanney sends a long pass to Jordon, who attacks the box and runs into his defender. He's done that a couple of times now.
33 - Gordon is down after a crash with Beckerman. Kennedy doesn't call it, and the crowd boos RSL as they continue to play. Shot over the bar finally stops play.
34 - Buddle on the attack, lays a ball back for Vanney, who shoots, beats Rimando - wide. Pretty close, though.
35 - Wicks is out of his box to clear a ball - right back to RSL.
37 - Jordan breaks for a ball in the box, trying to get around his defender to get the ball. He gets bumped hard and goes flying. That didn't look like there was any attempt to play the ball, but Kennedy isn't calling it. Crowd is pissed.
40 - Randolph steps in front of a cross, taking the ball off his chest for Wicks to scoop up.
41 - The Galaxy are getting out of their own half more now, but their set up passes are missing.
42 - By the way, in case you're wondering where Pete Vagenas is - he was a late scratch. Leg injury. And Rimando is out - punching a ball away before Buddle can get to it.
43 - The Galaxy are basically in a 4-4-2, by the way. Gordon is playing back a bit.
45 - Wow, a whole bunch of reinforcement arrived for the Galaxy just now. Their youth team is out here for some halftime thing. For a second, though, it looked like the cavalry had arrived for beleaguered LA.
Halftime - Well, the Galaxy don't look completely overmatched. But they are missing four starters - and that's without counting the injured players. RSL is only missing one guy for international duty. Guess who?
48 - Galaxy still having trouble getting decent midfield play going. Well, there is really only one midfielder out there.
51 - Duecher with the cross, but the Galaxy put the ball out for a throw.
52 - Will Johnson with a shot from distance - Wicks catches.
53 - GOAL! WillJo ghosts by the referee - getting a pass that surprises the Galaxy defense. He works a give and go with Yura, and beats Wicks going far post, banging it in off the post. 2-1 RSL.
55 - That really took the energy out of the crowd.
56 - Brandon MacDonald is in for Dominguez.
57 - Galaxy FK leads to a Gordon header - over the goal.
60 - Beckerman with a low shot - Wicks catches.
62- Franklin gets a yellow for a high tackle. The FK is into the box, but as the players go up for it, the header isn't clean and ball is out for a goal kick.
64 - RSL's midfield is just having fun with the Galaxy now. With Beckerman, Mathis and especially Morales, they've got guys who can control the ball at will. They're running the LA players ragged. As they should.
65 - Jordan earns the Galaxy a corner. Vanney takes it and Franklin heads it back in front of the goal, where Rimano catches it.
68 - Vanney shoots wide from distance.
69 - GOAL! The Galaxy are still fighting. A long pass out wide finds Tudela, who hits a cross that misses Gordon, but finds Jordan, who attacks the goal. His shot deflects out to Buddle, who takes a touch and shoots into goal. 2-2.
71 - RSL come right back with a shot that deflects for a corner. That leads to a header - wide.
72 - Jordon crosses - Gordon fouled trying to head the ball. GK.
73 - Duechar offside.
74 - Jordan dribbles too long and ultimately loses the ball. RSL attack - Roberts clears a cross out of the box.
75 - Tackles are flying fast and furiously. Robbie Findley comes into the game for Duechar. Speed kills. Didn't I say I was looking for Robbie to hurt his old team?
77 - Roberts cuts off a pass for Findley, who blocks the clear out of bounds. The crowd is livid when Kennedy calls the ball for RSL.
78 - RSL attacking with impunity and intensity now - they're in the box - ooooh, so close - out for corner.
79 - Cleared, but RSl claim it quickly. and set up another attack.
81 - The game is announced as a sell out - 27,000. Mike Munoz subs in for Josh Tudela. Seacrest and Patty cheer.
82 - MacDonald picks a ball off Morales - not an easy thing to do. Foul is called on Javi.
84 - Both teams look tired, but since RSL still has better connection in midfield, they look crisper.
85 - Gordon called for a foul fighting for a header.
86 - Beckerman with a shot as RSL hits the Galaxy box in numbers - wide.
88 - MacDonald tries a give and go with Gordon, but Gordon hits his pass behind MacDonald.
90 - Buddle is fouled, but it's far from goal. The FK turns into a pass from Klein to Jordon, who still has speed left. He goes to goal and gets fouled on the corner of the box. FK
90+ FK gets headed out - shot on goal by Klein gets blocked back.
Izzy Sesay subs in for Gordon.
MacDonald with a shot from distance - Rimando dives and misses, but the ball goes wide. Izzy races for a long ball, defender puts the ball out and Izzy into the air.
Final whistle.
Well, the Galaxy finish with a rather valiant draw, all things considered. Their winless streak continues, though.
Read more...
Cuba - USA running blog
Already started, I'm late to the party because of traffic.
18 - Good non-call there, the U.S. was defending but there was no foul.
23 - Ball into the box - the U.S. players go up for it, but not only does it get punched out, someone gets whistled for a foul.
24 - Dempsey pushes someone on the attack and gets called for the foul.
26 - Hejduk gets fouled hard by Villegas - who sees a yellow for it.
27 - Off the free kick (a poor one by Beas), LD gets onto the ball, tries to set something up, but the ball is moving very funky on the wet field and nothing comes of the effort.
28 - Luis, who is watching the match in the press box here at the HDC as well, votes that this match is more poorly lit and difficult to watch than the Guatemala match. Whose bright idea it was to make this a night match?
30 - Ching's poor touch ruins a great chance off a good pass from M. Bradley in front of the net. Instead, the ball runs long.
33 - Cuba attacks and the U.S. shuts it down, but Edu loses the ball in a bad spot in the middle, leading to a long shot. Howard is yelling at his defenders, even though the shot was wide by quite a bit.
The Spanish announcers call Timmay "Howard the Duck", by the way.
36 - M. Bradley gets a yellow for a foul - late tackle.
39 - Hejduk's hard work on the right earns a corner for the U.S. It gets knocked out for a throw.
40 - GOAL! Gooch with a long pass out of the back. Demps knocks it down a bit, gets it to Ching, who lays the ball back for Dempsey. LD distracts the defense a little bit with a run, and there's enough space left for Clint to do his thing - he fires a low shot past the keeper.1-0 U.S.
43 - LD lays the ball back for Chingy, but his shot gets blocked off a defender.
45 - Cuban FK but it's way wide of goal and Howard jumps more for practice than anything else.
45 + Dempsey is down, injured when he was grabbed by behind. There was a foul by Hejduk just before that, so Cuba gets a free kick. They don't get to do anything much with it, though.
Halftime - Under bad conditions, the U.S. team gets a scrappy goal from, no surprise, their biggest scrapper - Clint Dempsey. In a rainy game, though, anything can happen. The game is still within Cuba's reach.
46 A shot to start off the half! Howard back pedals for it, but it's over the bar.
The pressbox is drinking Cuba Libres. Virgin ones, of course.
51 - Cuba has a corner kick. The U.S. clear the danger.
53 - Cuba is playing a more open game, and not looking bad at it, either.
55 - Cuba's got the ball in the box - it's headed out before a shot happens.
56 - Cuba corner kick - cleared.
57 - The U.S. defense is looking really sorry now. Cuba on a counter, low, hard shot, Howard with a great save gets down low for it.
59 - Edu with a shot from distance. He teed off on it, but it's wide.
60 - Dempsey with a shot from distance - it's wide because it bounced off a Cuban defender. Corner for the U.S.
LD takes the kick but a U.S. foul turns the ball over.
62 - Bizarre. Beas beats the goalkeeper to a pass over the top, holds the ball while keep dives and misses, has the whole goal in front of him and shoots wide. Ugh. There's a quick shot of U.S. fans. If they weren't covering their faces before, they should now.
65 - Hejduk is playing quite well. He must be fueled by the Cuban coffee.
67 - Bease misses again! Oh, well, it was called offside anyway. It was close on the replay, though. Even is on.
69 - Another Cuban shot! A bit high.
71 - Chingy gets fouled hard. Yellow card gets pulled as LD helps him up.
75 - The U.S. is controlling the ball a bit more - Handball! Oh, well, I guess not if it's not called.
77 - Bease is called offside again.
78 - Sacha is on for the U.S. He replaced Dempsey.
80 - LD with a nice pass to Sacha, but Sach gets shouldered off the ball. No call.
83 - U.S. FK. LD takes, sends it in nicely, but it ends up going to Bease and he can't get a shot off.
85 - Pearce with a pretty cross - or it was until it overshot every U.S. player. To be fair, there were three of them crashing the middle. Spread that out, guys. Cuba counters and gets a shot off, but it's far and Howard gets there.
87 - The LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT! I'd fault Communist technology, but it's happened at the HDC before, actually.
88 - Cuba with a freekick in a dangerous spot. It's sent to the box, where it deflects off and heads towards goal, surprising Howard, who gives up a rebound as Cuba rushes in. He gets down for the ball, though, and grabs it away.
90 + It's almost over, but Cuba is attacking furiously. It's very hard to see what's happening, though. A long cross overshoots a forward, and Howard escorts the ball over the line for a goal kick.
Ching with a shot - right to the keep.
Final whistle!
The U.S. takes the historic match by a single goal. It wasn't pretty or elegant, but the bottom line is that the U.S. has taken full points in both away qualifying games.
Hey, readers, you and I were right about the game in the poll. "Close victory" won, and that's how things turned out.
Post your Man of the Match in the comments. My vote goes to Clint Dempsey - for obvious reasons, I'm sure. Tim Howard is also a solid candidate.
Read more...
18 - Good non-call there, the U.S. was defending but there was no foul.
23 - Ball into the box - the U.S. players go up for it, but not only does it get punched out, someone gets whistled for a foul.
24 - Dempsey pushes someone on the attack and gets called for the foul.
26 - Hejduk gets fouled hard by Villegas - who sees a yellow for it.
27 - Off the free kick (a poor one by Beas), LD gets onto the ball, tries to set something up, but the ball is moving very funky on the wet field and nothing comes of the effort.
28 - Luis, who is watching the match in the press box here at the HDC as well, votes that this match is more poorly lit and difficult to watch than the Guatemala match. Whose bright idea it was to make this a night match?
30 - Ching's poor touch ruins a great chance off a good pass from M. Bradley in front of the net. Instead, the ball runs long.
33 - Cuba attacks and the U.S. shuts it down, but Edu loses the ball in a bad spot in the middle, leading to a long shot. Howard is yelling at his defenders, even though the shot was wide by quite a bit.
The Spanish announcers call Timmay "Howard the Duck", by the way.
36 - M. Bradley gets a yellow for a foul - late tackle.
39 - Hejduk's hard work on the right earns a corner for the U.S. It gets knocked out for a throw.
40 - GOAL! Gooch with a long pass out of the back. Demps knocks it down a bit, gets it to Ching, who lays the ball back for Dempsey. LD distracts the defense a little bit with a run, and there's enough space left for Clint to do his thing - he fires a low shot past the keeper.1-0 U.S.
43 - LD lays the ball back for Chingy, but his shot gets blocked off a defender.
45 - Cuban FK but it's way wide of goal and Howard jumps more for practice than anything else.
45 + Dempsey is down, injured when he was grabbed by behind. There was a foul by Hejduk just before that, so Cuba gets a free kick. They don't get to do anything much with it, though.
Halftime - Under bad conditions, the U.S. team gets a scrappy goal from, no surprise, their biggest scrapper - Clint Dempsey. In a rainy game, though, anything can happen. The game is still within Cuba's reach.
46 A shot to start off the half! Howard back pedals for it, but it's over the bar.
The pressbox is drinking Cuba Libres. Virgin ones, of course.
51 - Cuba has a corner kick. The U.S. clear the danger.
53 - Cuba is playing a more open game, and not looking bad at it, either.
55 - Cuba's got the ball in the box - it's headed out before a shot happens.
56 - Cuba corner kick - cleared.
57 - The U.S. defense is looking really sorry now. Cuba on a counter, low, hard shot, Howard with a great save gets down low for it.
59 - Edu with a shot from distance. He teed off on it, but it's wide.
60 - Dempsey with a shot from distance - it's wide because it bounced off a Cuban defender. Corner for the U.S.
LD takes the kick but a U.S. foul turns the ball over.
62 - Bizarre. Beas beats the goalkeeper to a pass over the top, holds the ball while keep dives and misses, has the whole goal in front of him and shoots wide. Ugh. There's a quick shot of U.S. fans. If they weren't covering their faces before, they should now.
65 - Hejduk is playing quite well. He must be fueled by the Cuban coffee.
67 - Bease misses again! Oh, well, it was called offside anyway. It was close on the replay, though. Even is on.
69 - Another Cuban shot! A bit high.
71 - Chingy gets fouled hard. Yellow card gets pulled as LD helps him up.
75 - The U.S. is controlling the ball a bit more - Handball! Oh, well, I guess not if it's not called.
77 - Bease is called offside again.
78 - Sacha is on for the U.S. He replaced Dempsey.
80 - LD with a nice pass to Sacha, but Sach gets shouldered off the ball. No call.
83 - U.S. FK. LD takes, sends it in nicely, but it ends up going to Bease and he can't get a shot off.
85 - Pearce with a pretty cross - or it was until it overshot every U.S. player. To be fair, there were three of them crashing the middle. Spread that out, guys. Cuba counters and gets a shot off, but it's far and Howard gets there.
87 - The LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT! I'd fault Communist technology, but it's happened at the HDC before, actually.
88 - Cuba with a freekick in a dangerous spot. It's sent to the box, where it deflects off and heads towards goal, surprising Howard, who gives up a rebound as Cuba rushes in. He gets down for the ball, though, and grabs it away.
90 + It's almost over, but Cuba is attacking furiously. It's very hard to see what's happening, though. A long cross overshoots a forward, and Howard escorts the ball over the line for a goal kick.
Ching with a shot - right to the keep.
Final whistle!
The U.S. takes the historic match by a single goal. It wasn't pretty or elegant, but the bottom line is that the U.S. has taken full points in both away qualifying games.
Hey, readers, you and I were right about the game in the poll. "Close victory" won, and that's how things turned out.
Post your Man of the Match in the comments. My vote goes to Clint Dempsey - for obvious reasons, I'm sure. Tim Howard is also a solid candidate.
Read more...
Friday, September 5, 2008
The heat is on
Something is coming to the mysterious island of faith and melancholy, to the indifferent streets, from the fort to the city, from the sacred waters of the Caribbean, to the Central Park where rest the bones of Jose Marti.
The ancient Chevys that run by a miracle, the balconies where the women watch, the neighborhoods that time forgot, with people who have yet to show much passion for soccer. It’s far away in Havana where people still argue why Cuba lost the gold medal in baseball versus South Korea.
They argue, they debate, they laugh and yell. The hot topics on the street corners – U.S. versus Cuba in soccer doesn’t exist there.
(Arguing)
They just put the lights on in the stadium, where the home team took their final practice. Cuba lost its last qualifying match – versus Trinidad and Tobago. They’re well aware that on Saturday night, they are playing for a lot.
Minoso:
This team always comes ready to play. We know we’re facing a great rival. Beyond that, it’s the United States. These matches are always motivating. We want to do this.
The sun beats down unrelentingly. The historic scene unfolded last night. A U.S. soccer team, for the first time in decades, came to Cuba, to the hotel Melia (oooh, free advertising).
LD: We don’t know them well. It’s been three years since we faced them in the Gold Cup. We know that they’re very athletic, fast and large. But tactically, I don’t think they play so well. If we can keep the game scoreless for a while, the match should open up and then we can score goals and win the game. We should win. But if the game is tied for a long time, well, we’ll take the draw. But we want the three points.
Faitelson: Even if soccer isn’t the primary sport here in Cuba, it’s the U.S. versus Cuba in Havana for the first time. That’s saying a lot.
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Once on this isle
Cuba, Cuba! I don't know how much culture the U.S. team is going to get to experience during their visit to the infamous island, but I hope it's more than just the soundtrack of the 'Buena Vista Social Club'.
Here's a few takes on what's going on down in Castro's Kitchen.
It's just a game.
It's a long time.
Cuba's viewpoint
Who likes the Nike brown shirts?
Martin quotes Castro.
Grant is chilling in Cuba - mojitos and all.
Read more...
Here's a few takes on what's going on down in Castro's Kitchen.
It's just a game.
It's a long time.
Cuba's viewpoint
Who likes the Nike brown shirts?
Martin quotes Castro.
Grant is chilling in Cuba - mojitos and all.
Read more...
Hey, little cousin!
Did anyone notice that I now have family in the U.S. U17 national team program? It's in the genes, I tell ya.
Seriously, I don't think we're related, but it was still fun to see the name on the list.
Back when I was covering games for TopDrawerSoccer, I watched a few of the guys on this list play at the U14 camps, including one young Charles Renken. However, players develop at different rates or display different levels of dedication as they get older and perhaps distracted. I think some of the greatest players for the U.S. may still be some unexpected talents that don't come up through the standard system.
Still, congrats to all the young players for making it to the first competitive stage of the youth national team.
Read more...
Seriously, I don't think we're related, but it was still fun to see the name on the list.
Back when I was covering games for TopDrawerSoccer, I watched a few of the guys on this list play at the U14 camps, including one young Charles Renken. However, players develop at different rates or display different levels of dedication as they get older and perhaps distracted. I think some of the greatest players for the U.S. may still be some unexpected talents that don't come up through the standard system.
Still, congrats to all the young players for making it to the first competitive stage of the youth national team.
Read more...
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Poor display
I talked to Francisco Mendoza after Chivas USA bowed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. He seemed frustrated, and afterwards, I thought it was more than than just the regular disappointment every competitive player has after a loss.
"I think these competitions are important - just as much as league games, if not more so," said Panchito. "These are the games in which MLS measures itself on an international level - where people from outside the country are looking at the teams and the players."
What I realized is that as a young player, Panchito is looking to the future. MLS has proven to be a launching pad for quite a few players - but mostly American players.
Commissioner Don Garber may point to transfers like Jozy Altidore as examples of players scouted via their league play, but that's a bit disingenuous. Jozy was a prodigy back with the U17 team in 2005, and he definitely garnered attention with his U20 play in 2007. Of course, I'm sure the European scouts who courted Jozy checked out his league games, but there's no way the other games against international competition didn't play an important factor.
Mendoza's visibility isn't getting the same boost from MLS play - Sven and his scouts simply aren't watching MLS like they're tracking games in the Mexican league. Panchito understands that he's not going to get opportunities with the Mexican national team if he isn't able to prove himself on a bigger stage.
Good performances in tournaments versus teams from other countries, especially in the latter stages of competition, could catch the eye of scouts abroad as well.
Mendoza's effort in the recent games couldn't be faulted, but he wasn't able to finish, either.
"I'm disappointed in myself," said Panchito.
I asked him if he felt the league bore any responsibility - if he thought the league was handicapping their own teams through poor cheduling.
"I don't like to blame anyone else," Panchito said. "I can't control what they do. I still think we could have won. We should have won, but we didn't."
Honestly, MLS as a whole, let alone any individual players, doesn't impress anyone when their teams limp out of tournaments the way they did in the CONCACAF competition. At least they didn't go out with the surly behavior of Atlante in the SuperLiga, though.
Read more...
"I think these competitions are important - just as much as league games, if not more so," said Panchito. "These are the games in which MLS measures itself on an international level - where people from outside the country are looking at the teams and the players."
What I realized is that as a young player, Panchito is looking to the future. MLS has proven to be a launching pad for quite a few players - but mostly American players.
Commissioner Don Garber may point to transfers like Jozy Altidore as examples of players scouted via their league play, but that's a bit disingenuous. Jozy was a prodigy back with the U17 team in 2005, and he definitely garnered attention with his U20 play in 2007. Of course, I'm sure the European scouts who courted Jozy checked out his league games, but there's no way the other games against international competition didn't play an important factor.
Mendoza's visibility isn't getting the same boost from MLS play - Sven and his scouts simply aren't watching MLS like they're tracking games in the Mexican league. Panchito understands that he's not going to get opportunities with the Mexican national team if he isn't able to prove himself on a bigger stage.
Good performances in tournaments versus teams from other countries, especially in the latter stages of competition, could catch the eye of scouts abroad as well.
Mendoza's effort in the recent games couldn't be faulted, but he wasn't able to finish, either.
"I'm disappointed in myself," said Panchito.
I asked him if he felt the league bore any responsibility - if he thought the league was handicapping their own teams through poor cheduling.
"I don't like to blame anyone else," Panchito said. "I can't control what they do. I still think we could have won. We should have won, but we didn't."
Honestly, MLS as a whole, let alone any individual players, doesn't impress anyone when their teams limp out of tournaments the way they did in the CONCACAF competition. At least they didn't go out with the surly behavior of Atlante in the SuperLiga, though.
Read more...
Low on fuel
I've gotten a few emails - well, ok, one, about not posting much these days. It's nice to be missed, I guess.
What's funny is the idea that I've somehow slacked off on my duties, or that this blog falling behind the pack in some way is supposed to wound my pride.
The simple reality of the media world today is that the blogs where writers are getting paid to blog should be the best ones out there.
People might see a small ad here and there on this blog, but really, the click-through rate of those ads are well, be honest, how often do you click on any of those?
I understand the truth of this situation. I'm relating it here so that people understand the why of the blog's ebb and flow. I respect our readers too much to sugarcoat anything. If and when we have time and with the energy we have left from other responsibilities, you'll find what we think about things. If we can, we'll throw in maybe some extra bits of info here.
I'm not trying to keep up with anyone - heck, I usually don't have time to read other blogs - and if someone else gets a good story, more power to them.
I hope some readers stick around to read material when I have time to post more, but honestly, I've realized people are always looking for something different. Some want more posts, some want longer posts, some want more humor, more breaking stories, others want less humor, less cursing, etc.
The email asking about why I haven't posted much questioned if I'd been sick and I had to laugh a little, because I actually post a ton of stuff whenever I'm sick. I sit in bed with my laptop and a box of tissues.
Anyway, I've been busy and consequently, quite tired. I'm back to teaching. The opportunities to freelance have lessened a lot.
I'm not giving up on the blog, though. It wasn't ever really about making money (that was more wishful thinking). It's mainly about sharing ideas and observations and tidbits of info we can't place elsewhere.
As soon as I get more time (and more sleep) I'll probably post more.
Read more...
What's funny is the idea that I've somehow slacked off on my duties, or that this blog falling behind the pack in some way is supposed to wound my pride.
The simple reality of the media world today is that the blogs where writers are getting paid to blog should be the best ones out there.
People might see a small ad here and there on this blog, but really, the click-through rate of those ads are well, be honest, how often do you click on any of those?
I understand the truth of this situation. I'm relating it here so that people understand the why of the blog's ebb and flow. I respect our readers too much to sugarcoat anything. If and when we have time and with the energy we have left from other responsibilities, you'll find what we think about things. If we can, we'll throw in maybe some extra bits of info here.
I'm not trying to keep up with anyone - heck, I usually don't have time to read other blogs - and if someone else gets a good story, more power to them.
I hope some readers stick around to read material when I have time to post more, but honestly, I've realized people are always looking for something different. Some want more posts, some want longer posts, some want more humor, more breaking stories, others want less humor, less cursing, etc.
The email asking about why I haven't posted much questioned if I'd been sick and I had to laugh a little, because I actually post a ton of stuff whenever I'm sick. I sit in bed with my laptop and a box of tissues.
Anyway, I've been busy and consequently, quite tired. I'm back to teaching. The opportunities to freelance have lessened a lot.
I'm not giving up on the blog, though. It wasn't ever really about making money (that was more wishful thinking). It's mainly about sharing ideas and observations and tidbits of info we can't place elsewhere.
As soon as I get more time (and more sleep) I'll probably post more.
Read more...
Pondering Padilla
It seems like Jesus Padilla keeps modifying his history. First he was born in Mexico, but raised almost entirely in the U.S., then he accepted that he was born in the U.S., but maintained that it was only for a little while, saying he was basically raised in Mexico. Now it's a combination. Try to keep track of it all.
Luis Arroyave talked to Jesus about his reaction to Luis Bueno and I revealing the truth (Arroyave doesn't specifically mention it, but it was us who broke that story) about Jesus' birthplace and American heritage.
I thought about this recently in the context of the Olympic games, given the controversy over the real ages of some of the Chinese gymnasts. Basically, I'm somewhat fascinated at how indignant people can be about the truth coming to light.
We worked on that story without ever having met Padilla - we were basically following a hunch and tracking down documentation. That's unusual for me, because almost everything I write is based on talking to the players involved. We tried more than once to set up an interview with Padilla, but Guadalajara put us off repeatedly.
Perhaps the acceptance of Padilla - acceptance Gerardo Mascerano didn't get in his time - signals a broader move on the part of Mexico and the fans of their national team as well. After all, they have a European coach now and more foreign-born players on the squad than before.
Read more...
Luis Arroyave talked to Jesus about his reaction to Luis Bueno and I revealing the truth (Arroyave doesn't specifically mention it, but it was us who broke that story) about Jesus' birthplace and American heritage.
I thought about this recently in the context of the Olympic games, given the controversy over the real ages of some of the Chinese gymnasts. Basically, I'm somewhat fascinated at how indignant people can be about the truth coming to light.
We worked on that story without ever having met Padilla - we were basically following a hunch and tracking down documentation. That's unusual for me, because almost everything I write is based on talking to the players involved. We tried more than once to set up an interview with Padilla, but Guadalajara put us off repeatedly.
Perhaps the acceptance of Padilla - acceptance Gerardo Mascerano didn't get in his time - signals a broader move on the part of Mexico and the fans of their national team as well. After all, they have a European coach now and more foreign-born players on the squad than before.
Read more...
Jaime joins the Galaxy
No, not Jaime Moreno. Cardenas.
Yes, the former Los Angeles Times writer has landed on his feet in the world of press relations. He's now the newest member of the Galaxy media staff.
I have to say, it's nice when there's someone around who understands what it's like on the other side. Sometimes it's frustrating when one is on deadline and no one else seems to understand the urgency of that situation.
The hardest part of the job for Jaime, though, might be dealing with the horde of us who want all sorts of inside info now that he knows what's really going on. Who am I kidding, though, Jaime will probably get a kick out of our groveling for info.
It's good to have someone bilingual around for the Galaxy, because there's a lot of Spanish-speaking media in town. At times, I was pressed into translation duties for a couple of outlets. I was happy to help, but usually I had other stuff to do. Now that's all Jaime's job.
Congratulations, Cardenas!
Read more...
Yes, the former Los Angeles Times writer has landed on his feet in the world of press relations. He's now the newest member of the Galaxy media staff.
I have to say, it's nice when there's someone around who understands what it's like on the other side. Sometimes it's frustrating when one is on deadline and no one else seems to understand the urgency of that situation.
The hardest part of the job for Jaime, though, might be dealing with the horde of us who want all sorts of inside info now that he knows what's really going on. Who am I kidding, though, Jaime will probably get a kick out of our groveling for info.
It's good to have someone bilingual around for the Galaxy, because there's a lot of Spanish-speaking media in town. At times, I was pressed into translation duties for a couple of outlets. I was happy to help, but usually I had other stuff to do. Now that's all Jaime's job.
Congratulations, Cardenas!
Read more...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sacha on the loss
I had the chance to talk to Sacha Kljestan after the match and asked him what he thought about Preki saying that Sacha's mind was already on the national team.
Here's the audio of our conversation.
Sacha leaves for US duty early Wednesday and will be with the team for the games against Cuba and Trinidad. I also asked him about Cuba, but you'll have to wait for that audio.
Read more...
Here's the audio of our conversation.
Sacha leaves for US duty early Wednesday and will be with the team for the games against Cuba and Trinidad. I also asked him about Cuba, but you'll have to wait for that audio.
Read more...
Post-game presser
Just got back. Writing furiously but wanted to post up the audio of the post-match press conference featuring Preki and Roberto Nurse.
Audio of it here.
Now back to writing!
Read more...
Audio of it here.
Now back to writing!
Read more...
Fueling the national team?
Okay, I know league and international team aren't necessarily one in the same. You can have a strong national team but a crappy league, it's possible.
But does the Joe Public-New England score mean the US national team should worry for their match against Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 10?
I mean, come on, how many of you predicted a lopsided rout in the Joe Public-Revolution match? And if you did, surely you would have figured that it would have been the hosts who would have put away the four goals.
I suppose this result reflects a couple of things. New England has had a busy, busy, busy schedule. By winning SuperLiga and reaching the final four of the US Open Cup, the Revs have played many games this summer. It's natural to expect a dip in form, and the Revs have won just one of five league games since returning to league action after more than a month off.
Also, Joe Public was probably motivated for the match. For Joe Public, the opportunity to participate in the Champions League and carry the Trinidadian flag in the tourney was not something they likely overlooked.
So will this possibly energize the Soca Warriors ahead of next week's game in Chicago? Perhaps. If Trinidad enters the match with the right mentality, they could certainly be a more-than-dangerous foe. I don't know, though. If I'm betting on the game, I'm taking the US and the points... not that any Vegas casino would have the game up for wager or anything...
Still, given what Joe Public did to the Revs, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised if Trinidad goes in and does some damage.
Read more...
But does the Joe Public-New England score mean the US national team should worry for their match against Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 10?
I mean, come on, how many of you predicted a lopsided rout in the Joe Public-Revolution match? And if you did, surely you would have figured that it would have been the hosts who would have put away the four goals.
I suppose this result reflects a couple of things. New England has had a busy, busy, busy schedule. By winning SuperLiga and reaching the final four of the US Open Cup, the Revs have played many games this summer. It's natural to expect a dip in form, and the Revs have won just one of five league games since returning to league action after more than a month off.
Also, Joe Public was probably motivated for the match. For Joe Public, the opportunity to participate in the Champions League and carry the Trinidadian flag in the tourney was not something they likely overlooked.
So will this possibly energize the Soca Warriors ahead of next week's game in Chicago? Perhaps. If Trinidad enters the match with the right mentality, they could certainly be a more-than-dangerous foe. I don't know, though. If I'm betting on the game, I'm taking the US and the points... not that any Vegas casino would have the game up for wager or anything...
Still, given what Joe Public did to the Revs, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised if Trinidad goes in and does some damage.
Read more...
Chivas USA vs Tauro FC running blog
Okay, I'm here at Home Depot Center for the Chivas USA-Tauro FC match and I feel like I'm in an empty stadium. Well, actually, it pretty much is an empty stadium. With classes back in session at Cal State Dominguez Hills, the attendance has been capped at 2,000.
As a colleague told me, some prestigious tournament.
Anyway, there is a game to be played and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League proper to be had. Chivas USA needs to win 2-0 to have a shot at advancing. A three-goal win regardless of Tauro's goals gets Chivas through. Anything less and the Panamanians will get through.
Don't have the lineups yet but I can piece together this from Chivas' pre-game warm ups.
Zach Thornton; Jonathan Bornstein, Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Francisco Mendoza; Justin Braun, Kraig Chiles, Paulo Nagamura, Sacha Kljestan; Atiba Harris, Roberto Nurse.
I hadn't expected Alecko Eskandarian or Ante Razov to start. They're warming up though along with Lawson Vaughn, Keith Savage, Jorge Flores and Daniel Paladini among others.
Okay, I missed a couple of players. It's Eric Ebert instead of Kraig Chiles and Dan Kennedy in place of Zach Thornton. So...
CHIVAS USA: Dan Kennedy; Jonathan Bornstein, Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Eric Ebert; Francisco Mendoza, Sacha Kljestan, Paulo Nagamura, Atiba Harris; Justin Braun, Roberto Nurse.
TAURO FC: Willington Dominguez; Luis Moreno, Leonel Parris, Alberto Monatas, Roberto Palma, Rolando Rojas; Christian Vega, Gustavo Avila, Jean Alberto McLean; Edwin Aguilar, Luis Fernando Esobar.
So according to the lineups, Tauro will come out in a 5-3-2. Plus, they have Harris listed as a forward which could mean that Chivas will have a 4-3-3. Anyway, I'd expect Chivas to morph into a 3-3-5 if they don't a goal early. I'm also expecting an ugly game, with Tauro seemingly content on packing it in. Good thing there won't be many people to witness such a potentially ugly game.
KICKOFF
1 - Game is underway. Ebert's already messing up on the right side. It's a shame that neither Lawson Vaughn nor Carey Talley are healthy enough to play. You've got two good right-sided backs and you can't start either one of them.
2 - Bornstein with a cross in to Nurse, goalie gets to ball but not cleanly but no Chivas players there to get to rebound
3 - Buran nearly has breakaway but can't get ball cleanly. He pushes ball forward and Nurse almost gets to it but goalie Dominguez is there first, slides and again leaves ball on ground. He's hurt now and trainers are out tending to him. (STRONG LANGUAGE ALERT!!!) I;m guessing this is the kind of shit we're going to see all game from Tauro.
5 - Corner from Sacha. Several players crash the net but can't get to the ball.
7 - Offside on Braun. He almost had a breakaway, which isn't necessarily a guarantee of a goal with him. still, he's active.
8 - I think that was the first time Tauro had the ball in Chivas' side of the field.
11 - Curtin nearly gets a ball over Tauro's backline; Chivas gets corner
12 - Bruan nearly had a goal but a shot off corner was cleared off line by Parris
14 - Nurse almost breaks free but he gets whistled for offside. Tauro's backline is playing fairly high.
20 - PK!!! Dominguez trips Nurse in the box and gets a yellow! Looks like Sacha will take it.
21 - No goal! Sacha missed it! He hit a soft shot right to Dominguez and the goalie clears it away. Nothing for Chivas. Needless to say, this is going to haunt them.
26 - Tauro looks a bit re-energized by the PK save. They've held the ball a brief moment or two, which is more than they can say for most of the first 20-something minutes.
31 - Tauro counter nearly works but Aguilar can't close down on the ball inside the penalty area.
32 - Chivas desperately needs a goal before the half is over
36 - Harris off the crossbar! Chivas nearly gets that much-needed first goal but nothing going. Tauro's goalie, by the way, is an adventure waiting to happen.
39 - Tauro with two set pieces deep in Chivas territory. They've got four guys in the box, two guys near the ball and another two about 10 yards out of the penalty area. They're not exactly covering themselves.
40 - Corner now for Tauro; ball cleared by a Chivas defender, another corner for Tauro but leads to nothing and goal kick for Chivas
42 - GOAL!!! NURSE!! It's the Mexican-born Nurse who gets the goal. Bornstein sends in a cross, ball bounces around and Nurse spins on it and rips it into the back of the net. Chivas 1-0
45 - Preki is sitting between Alecko Eskandarian and Ante Razov on Chivas' bench and looks like he's giving them some instructions. Tauro's gonna get the heat turned up on em soon enough.
45 - Kljestan rips a shot from distance butbounces out for corner; shot sare falling for CHivas now. Corner goes nowhere, Tauro runs off on a bit of a break but Burling ends up getting fouled.
HALFTIME, Chivas 1-0. Gotta write, be back in a few...
46 - No subs for Chivas. Alecko, Ante, Jorge Flores among those warming up. Only a few early goals prevents Ante and Alecko from seeing action.
52 - Bornstein red! Bornstein picked up his second yellow card after a foul on Leonel Parris. It didn't look like much as he put his hand on Parris' waist but the Panamanian defender did well to sell the play.
54 - Now Sacha gets a yellow. He's in the ref's face and nobody goes over to calm him down. Sacha played a little with fire right there.
55 - Two changes for Chivas - Ante and Alecko in, Braun and Nurse out
59 - Aguilar has time and space in the box but shoots straight to Kennedy. He could have had something better had he waited a second and realized where he was.
60 - Aguilar tries a shot from 18 yards that forces Kennedy to pluck it off the goal line.
61 - Nagamura sends cross into box and Ante gets to it but Dominguez does well to make diving save
63 - GOAL!! TAURO FC!! Luis bags it... Luis Moreno. He gets through the defense, knocks it off the post and it trickles over the line before Panchito can get to it. Chivas, ladies and gentleman, is done.
65 - A phone conversation that may have just took place... "Hello, Preki? This is Bob. The game's over. Can you take Sacha out? Thanks."
65 - Sacha out, Jorge Flores in
77 - Okay, sorry, I was writing. Got 3 stories to send at the whistle and they're all pretty much written. Short of three late Chivas goals, all I need to do is update a couple of things and off they go!
82 - Flores nearly had a highlight reel goal but saw his left-footed shot turned away by Dominguez
83 - Curtin clears away a sure goal but the play was blown dead to offside
84 - Razov almost buries one but can't find the handle. Dominguez flops on the ball
85 - Panchito runs up to a ball with the goalie off his line and rips a shot on goal, the ball bounces off a defender though and goes out for a corner, missing the post by inches
86 - Dominguez has been on the ground for about 90 seconds. Wonder if we'll see another 7 minutes of stoppage time
90 - Five minutes of stoppage time
FULL TIME, Chivas 1, Tauro 1. Tauro goes through and will face Santos of Mexico and Municipal of Guatemala and another team
Read more...
As a colleague told me, some prestigious tournament.
Anyway, there is a game to be played and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League proper to be had. Chivas USA needs to win 2-0 to have a shot at advancing. A three-goal win regardless of Tauro's goals gets Chivas through. Anything less and the Panamanians will get through.
Don't have the lineups yet but I can piece together this from Chivas' pre-game warm ups.
Zach Thornton; Jonathan Bornstein, Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Francisco Mendoza; Justin Braun, Kraig Chiles, Paulo Nagamura, Sacha Kljestan; Atiba Harris, Roberto Nurse.
I hadn't expected Alecko Eskandarian or Ante Razov to start. They're warming up though along with Lawson Vaughn, Keith Savage, Jorge Flores and Daniel Paladini among others.
Okay, I missed a couple of players. It's Eric Ebert instead of Kraig Chiles and Dan Kennedy in place of Zach Thornton. So...
CHIVAS USA: Dan Kennedy; Jonathan Bornstein, Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Eric Ebert; Francisco Mendoza, Sacha Kljestan, Paulo Nagamura, Atiba Harris; Justin Braun, Roberto Nurse.
TAURO FC: Willington Dominguez; Luis Moreno, Leonel Parris, Alberto Monatas, Roberto Palma, Rolando Rojas; Christian Vega, Gustavo Avila, Jean Alberto McLean; Edwin Aguilar, Luis Fernando Esobar.
So according to the lineups, Tauro will come out in a 5-3-2. Plus, they have Harris listed as a forward which could mean that Chivas will have a 4-3-3. Anyway, I'd expect Chivas to morph into a 3-3-5 if they don't a goal early. I'm also expecting an ugly game, with Tauro seemingly content on packing it in. Good thing there won't be many people to witness such a potentially ugly game.
KICKOFF
1 - Game is underway. Ebert's already messing up on the right side. It's a shame that neither Lawson Vaughn nor Carey Talley are healthy enough to play. You've got two good right-sided backs and you can't start either one of them.
2 - Bornstein with a cross in to Nurse, goalie gets to ball but not cleanly but no Chivas players there to get to rebound
3 - Buran nearly has breakaway but can't get ball cleanly. He pushes ball forward and Nurse almost gets to it but goalie Dominguez is there first, slides and again leaves ball on ground. He's hurt now and trainers are out tending to him. (STRONG LANGUAGE ALERT!!!) I;m guessing this is the kind of shit we're going to see all game from Tauro.
5 - Corner from Sacha. Several players crash the net but can't get to the ball.
7 - Offside on Braun. He almost had a breakaway, which isn't necessarily a guarantee of a goal with him. still, he's active.
8 - I think that was the first time Tauro had the ball in Chivas' side of the field.
11 - Curtin nearly gets a ball over Tauro's backline; Chivas gets corner
12 - Bruan nearly had a goal but a shot off corner was cleared off line by Parris
14 - Nurse almost breaks free but he gets whistled for offside. Tauro's backline is playing fairly high.
20 - PK!!! Dominguez trips Nurse in the box and gets a yellow! Looks like Sacha will take it.
21 - No goal! Sacha missed it! He hit a soft shot right to Dominguez and the goalie clears it away. Nothing for Chivas. Needless to say, this is going to haunt them.
26 - Tauro looks a bit re-energized by the PK save. They've held the ball a brief moment or two, which is more than they can say for most of the first 20-something minutes.
31 - Tauro counter nearly works but Aguilar can't close down on the ball inside the penalty area.
32 - Chivas desperately needs a goal before the half is over
36 - Harris off the crossbar! Chivas nearly gets that much-needed first goal but nothing going. Tauro's goalie, by the way, is an adventure waiting to happen.
39 - Tauro with two set pieces deep in Chivas territory. They've got four guys in the box, two guys near the ball and another two about 10 yards out of the penalty area. They're not exactly covering themselves.
40 - Corner now for Tauro; ball cleared by a Chivas defender, another corner for Tauro but leads to nothing and goal kick for Chivas
42 - GOAL!!! NURSE!! It's the Mexican-born Nurse who gets the goal. Bornstein sends in a cross, ball bounces around and Nurse spins on it and rips it into the back of the net. Chivas 1-0
45 - Preki is sitting between Alecko Eskandarian and Ante Razov on Chivas' bench and looks like he's giving them some instructions. Tauro's gonna get the heat turned up on em soon enough.
45 - Kljestan rips a shot from distance butbounces out for corner; shot sare falling for CHivas now. Corner goes nowhere, Tauro runs off on a bit of a break but Burling ends up getting fouled.
HALFTIME, Chivas 1-0. Gotta write, be back in a few...
46 - No subs for Chivas. Alecko, Ante, Jorge Flores among those warming up. Only a few early goals prevents Ante and Alecko from seeing action.
52 - Bornstein red! Bornstein picked up his second yellow card after a foul on Leonel Parris. It didn't look like much as he put his hand on Parris' waist but the Panamanian defender did well to sell the play.
54 - Now Sacha gets a yellow. He's in the ref's face and nobody goes over to calm him down. Sacha played a little with fire right there.
55 - Two changes for Chivas - Ante and Alecko in, Braun and Nurse out
59 - Aguilar has time and space in the box but shoots straight to Kennedy. He could have had something better had he waited a second and realized where he was.
60 - Aguilar tries a shot from 18 yards that forces Kennedy to pluck it off the goal line.
61 - Nagamura sends cross into box and Ante gets to it but Dominguez does well to make diving save
63 - GOAL!! TAURO FC!! Luis bags it... Luis Moreno. He gets through the defense, knocks it off the post and it trickles over the line before Panchito can get to it. Chivas, ladies and gentleman, is done.
65 - A phone conversation that may have just took place... "Hello, Preki? This is Bob. The game's over. Can you take Sacha out? Thanks."
65 - Sacha out, Jorge Flores in
77 - Okay, sorry, I was writing. Got 3 stories to send at the whistle and they're all pretty much written. Short of three late Chivas goals, all I need to do is update a couple of things and off they go!
82 - Flores nearly had a highlight reel goal but saw his left-footed shot turned away by Dominguez
83 - Curtin clears away a sure goal but the play was blown dead to offside
84 - Razov almost buries one but can't find the handle. Dominguez flops on the ball
85 - Panchito runs up to a ball with the goalie off his line and rips a shot on goal, the ball bounces off a defender though and goes out for a corner, missing the post by inches
86 - Dominguez has been on the ground for about 90 seconds. Wonder if we'll see another 7 minutes of stoppage time
90 - Five minutes of stoppage time
FULL TIME, Chivas 1, Tauro 1. Tauro goes through and will face Santos of Mexico and Municipal of Guatemala and another team
Read more...
Thoughts on Tauro FC
Chivas USA will host a critical match against Tauro FC tonight. Chivas USA needs to win by two goals in order to have any hopes of advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League.
Here is audio of my post-game chat with Jonathan Bornstein about the game.
Acutally, it's a bit more complicated than just winning by two.
A 2-0 Chivas USA win would send the game to injury time.
A 3-1 Chivas USA win would send Tauro through (road goal edge).
If Tauro scores a single goal, that would ensure that the game would end in regulation no matter what.
Chivas USA will go through with a win by three or more goals regardless of how many goals Tauro scores.
Does Chivas have a shot? It's going to be tough. Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian were each already less than 100 percent and to expect them to go again at such a strong clip three days later might be asking too much. I'd expect Justin Braun and Roberto Nurse to play. With those two and Sacha Kljestan, Atiba Harris and Panchito Mendoza searching for offense, I think Chivas has a shot.
Defensively, though, Chivas could be gassed. The central defense pairing will be the same as Tuesday unless Claudio Suarez has some sort of miraculous recovery.
Still, this time it is Tauro FC who has traveled and will play in unfamiliar territory. That's an advantage as well.
If you're going to the game, remember that parking is free. That alone should make for a memorable match.
Read more...
Here is audio of my post-game chat with Jonathan Bornstein about the game.
Acutally, it's a bit more complicated than just winning by two.
A 2-0 Chivas USA win would send the game to injury time.
A 3-1 Chivas USA win would send Tauro through (road goal edge).
If Tauro scores a single goal, that would ensure that the game would end in regulation no matter what.
Chivas USA will go through with a win by three or more goals regardless of how many goals Tauro scores.
Does Chivas have a shot? It's going to be tough. Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian were each already less than 100 percent and to expect them to go again at such a strong clip three days later might be asking too much. I'd expect Justin Braun and Roberto Nurse to play. With those two and Sacha Kljestan, Atiba Harris and Panchito Mendoza searching for offense, I think Chivas has a shot.
Defensively, though, Chivas could be gassed. The central defense pairing will be the same as Tuesday unless Claudio Suarez has some sort of miraculous recovery.
Still, this time it is Tauro FC who has traveled and will play in unfamiliar territory. That's an advantage as well.
If you're going to the game, remember that parking is free. That alone should make for a memorable match.
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Sangre americana J7 recap
El Gringo scores! The most newsworthy item among our Mexican-American boys in Mexico was Jesus Padilla's goal. Now, I'm not sure if Gerardo Mascerano scored in his one and only season with Chivas but this may be the first time an American scored for Chivas during league play in its history.
It probably won't be the last as the native son of San Jose, Calif. will probably have plenty more chances to score.
Here's the goal. It's toward the end, as the goal was a stoppage-time equalizer.
Primera Division
Jesus Padilla - Came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and scored equalizer in stoppage time in Chivas' 1-1 draw with Morelia
Edgar Castillo - Played 90 minutes in Santos' 2-0 loss to Monterrey
Jose Francisco Torres - Played 90 minutes in Pachuca's 2-1 loss to Indios
Michael Orozco - Did not dress for San Luis' 1-0 loss to Atlante
Daniel Hernandez - Played 90 minutes in Jaguares' 1-1 draw with Puebla
Marco Antonio Vidal - Started and played 45 minutes in Indios' 2-1 win over Pachuca
Sonny Guadarrama - Did not dress for Morelia's 1-1 draw at Chivas
Primera A Division
Sammy Ochoa - Started and played 89 minutes in Tecos' 1-0 loss to Tapatio. Ochoa was sent off in the 89th minute and subsequently suspended for three games due to violent conduct
Carlos Borja - Played 90 minutes in Tapatio's 1-0 win over Tecos; was booked in the 71st minute
Noel Castillo - Did not dress for Indios Chihuahua's 3-3 draw with Tampico Madero
Jose Gonzalez - Did not dress for Chetumal's 1-1 draw with Coatzalcoalcos
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It probably won't be the last as the native son of San Jose, Calif. will probably have plenty more chances to score.
Here's the goal. It's toward the end, as the goal was a stoppage-time equalizer.
Primera Division
Jesus Padilla - Came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and scored equalizer in stoppage time in Chivas' 1-1 draw with Morelia
Edgar Castillo - Played 90 minutes in Santos' 2-0 loss to Monterrey
Jose Francisco Torres - Played 90 minutes in Pachuca's 2-1 loss to Indios
Michael Orozco - Did not dress for San Luis' 1-0 loss to Atlante
Daniel Hernandez - Played 90 minutes in Jaguares' 1-1 draw with Puebla
Marco Antonio Vidal - Started and played 45 minutes in Indios' 2-1 win over Pachuca
Sonny Guadarrama - Did not dress for Morelia's 1-1 draw at Chivas
Primera A Division
Sammy Ochoa - Started and played 89 minutes in Tecos' 1-0 loss to Tapatio. Ochoa was sent off in the 89th minute and subsequently suspended for three games due to violent conduct
Carlos Borja - Played 90 minutes in Tapatio's 1-0 win over Tecos; was booked in the 71st minute
Noel Castillo - Did not dress for Indios Chihuahua's 3-3 draw with Tampico Madero
Jose Gonzalez - Did not dress for Chetumal's 1-1 draw with Coatzalcoalcos
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Country comes first
Here's my column on MLS and scheduling. Also, thanks to the people who pointed me towards the Galaxy's fourth absence.
The Galaxy are at a disadvantage against RSL based on manpower alone. It would have been a tricky game with their full team. Still, this may be a good team to face with a depleted roster.
Real Salt Lake, after all, has won just once on the road. RSL has scored seven goals and allowed 20 on the road. So if the Galaxy were going to miss all these players, it may as well come at home against one of the worst road teams in the league.
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The Galaxy are at a disadvantage against RSL based on manpower alone. It would have been a tricky game with their full team. Still, this may be a good team to face with a depleted roster.
Real Salt Lake, after all, has won just once on the road. RSL has scored seven goals and allowed 20 on the road. So if the Galaxy were going to miss all these players, it may as well come at home against one of the worst road teams in the league.
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On the move
For those expecting Mexico to play in a tough venue on Saturday, it won't happen.
Well, I take that back. It will happen. Only it won't be tough for them. Mexico-Jamaica has been moved to Estadio Azteca.
Because of the weather conditions in the Caribbean, travel and playing down in Jamaica would have been challenging, it not impossible. Thus, the Jamaicans must now play in Mexico City. A 6-0 drubbing by Mexico over Jamaica in 1997 comes to mind, as does a 4-0 Mexico win in 2001 with Enrique Meza at the helm, no less.
Mexico will now have played all of their home games right at the start as El Tri will play Canada on Sept. 10 in Chiapas.
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Well, I take that back. It will happen. Only it won't be tough for them. Mexico-Jamaica has been moved to Estadio Azteca.
Because of the weather conditions in the Caribbean, travel and playing down in Jamaica would have been challenging, it not impossible. Thus, the Jamaicans must now play in Mexico City. A 6-0 drubbing by Mexico over Jamaica in 1997 comes to mind, as does a 4-0 Mexico win in 2001 with Enrique Meza at the helm, no less.
Mexico will now have played all of their home games right at the start as El Tri will play Canada on Sept. 10 in Chiapas.
Read more...
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor (Day) Barbecue Rankings (Sept. 1)
Actually, I won't be home to fire up the grill and cook up some tasty burgers or skewers for anybody today... but it sure does sound good.
Some teams deserve a day off today based on performances from the weekend. Others deserve extra work for their own putrid effort.
1. Columbus (12-6-4). The Eastern Conference/Supporter's Shield is theirs to lose - seven of remaining eight games against Eastern teams.
2. Houston (9-5-8). Everything is coming together for two-time defending champions.
3. New England (11-6-5). Dropping points against weak western team at home is not how Revs will win the East.
4. Chicago (10-7-5). The first of many Blanco-to-McBride goal combinations did not result in win.
5. DC United (10-10-2). Louis Crayton picks up his third shutout for DC.
6. New York (8-6-8). Road shutout and point sign of good club as New York carries over solid play on road.
7. San Jose (6-9-7). Earthquakes well on their way toward improbable playoff run.
8. Real Salt Lake (8-8-6). Must hold serve at home if RSL wants to reach playoffs for first time.
9. Chivas USA (7-9-6). Atiba Harris throws in yet another standout effort.
10. FC Dallas (6-8-8). Tough loss but it did come against MLS' best team.
11. Kansas City (6-8-8). Actually scored a goal on the road, and a nice one at that, but went for nothing.
12. Toronto FC (7-9-6). Suicide defending led to nothing on the road yet again.
13. Los Angeles (6-9-7). Turns out Josh Wicks is no better than Steve Cronin.
14. Colorado (7-12-3). Rapids may as well start thinking about 2009.
Read more...
Some teams deserve a day off today based on performances from the weekend. Others deserve extra work for their own putrid effort.
1. Columbus (12-6-4). The Eastern Conference/Supporter's Shield is theirs to lose - seven of remaining eight games against Eastern teams.
2. Houston (9-5-8). Everything is coming together for two-time defending champions.
3. New England (11-6-5). Dropping points against weak western team at home is not how Revs will win the East.
4. Chicago (10-7-5). The first of many Blanco-to-McBride goal combinations did not result in win.
5. DC United (10-10-2). Louis Crayton picks up his third shutout for DC.
6. New York (8-6-8). Road shutout and point sign of good club as New York carries over solid play on road.
7. San Jose (6-9-7). Earthquakes well on their way toward improbable playoff run.
8. Real Salt Lake (8-8-6). Must hold serve at home if RSL wants to reach playoffs for first time.
9. Chivas USA (7-9-6). Atiba Harris throws in yet another standout effort.
10. FC Dallas (6-8-8). Tough loss but it did come against MLS' best team.
11. Kansas City (6-8-8). Actually scored a goal on the road, and a nice one at that, but went for nothing.
12. Toronto FC (7-9-6). Suicide defending led to nothing on the road yet again.
13. Los Angeles (6-9-7). Turns out Josh Wicks is no better than Steve Cronin.
14. Colorado (7-12-3). Rapids may as well start thinking about 2009.
Read more...
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