Cruz Azul tied San Luis 1-1 on Saturday thanks to a late Pablo Zeballos goal and la Maquina advanced to the Mexican league final.
Cruz Azul is trying for their first league title since the Invierno 97 season. The team is close to breaking that long stretch but will have to beat either Santos or Monterrey to do so.
Michael Orozco did not play for San Luis.
Highlights:
Sunday, May 25, 2008
KC Kyle
I didn't get a chance to make it to the Wizards locker room (where it would have been nice to interview the new DP, Claudio, say hi to 'El Gato' and collect a pithy quote from my fellow espn.com writer, JC), but this morning's email from Kansas City media dude Kyle Rogers contains more Wizards trivia than I could ever hope to collect in one post-game visit.
It's interesting, too, unlike a lot of press releases the league puts out.
Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made six saves on the night, his second-best save performance of the season.
· In the 3rd minute, Hartman surpassed former teammate and current LA assistant coach Cobi Jones for 4th place on Major League Soccer’s all-time minutes list.
· In the 88th minute, Hartman surpassed current Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis for 3rd place on the all-time list.
· Kreis and Real Salt Lake are the Wizards next opponents in MLS play.
· Hartman ended the game with 25,245 career minutes.
· He trails only New England midfielder Steve Ralston and former Wizards assistant Chris Henderson in career minutes.
· Hartman now has 1050 career saves, trailing only former Wizards standout Tony Meola on Major League Soccer’s all-time list.
· Hartman and defender Jimmy Conrad are the only Wizards to play all 810 minutes so far this season.
· Forward Claudio Lopez sits just behind Conrad and Hartman with 806 minutes and has played the entire 90 in six matches.
· Lopez recorded his 3rd goal of the season with a moment of individual brilliance in the first half.
· He is now tied with Conrad for the team lead in goals scored.
· It was the Wizards 3rd goal scored in open play this season.
· Midfielder Davy Arnaud made his first start of the season.
· With the appearance, Arnaud surpassed Matt McKeon for 6th place on the team’s all-time games played list.
· Five Wizards were born in the state of California: Myers, Victorine, Conrad, Kronberg and Wahl.
· Three Wizards formerly played professionally in the state. Hartman and Victorine both played for Los Angeles. Conrad played for San Jose before joining the Wizards.
· Former Wizards standout Chris Klein played 90 minutes at right back for LA.
· Four Wizards played collegiate soccer in at UCLA: Hartman, Conrad, Victorine and Myers.
· Hartman attended Cal-State Dominguez Hills for his first two seasons. Home Depot Center sits on the campus of CSDH.
· Conrad had 150 friends and family in attendance.
· Kansas City was without reserve defender Jonathan Leathers, who is in Toulon, France with the U.S. U-23 National Team
It's interesting, too, unlike a lot of press releases the league puts out.
Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made six saves on the night, his second-best save performance of the season.
· In the 3rd minute, Hartman surpassed former teammate and current LA assistant coach Cobi Jones for 4th place on Major League Soccer’s all-time minutes list.
· In the 88th minute, Hartman surpassed current Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis for 3rd place on the all-time list.
· Kreis and Real Salt Lake are the Wizards next opponents in MLS play.
· Hartman ended the game with 25,245 career minutes.
· He trails only New England midfielder Steve Ralston and former Wizards assistant Chris Henderson in career minutes.
· Hartman now has 1050 career saves, trailing only former Wizards standout Tony Meola on Major League Soccer’s all-time list.
· Hartman and defender Jimmy Conrad are the only Wizards to play all 810 minutes so far this season.
· Forward Claudio Lopez sits just behind Conrad and Hartman with 806 minutes and has played the entire 90 in six matches.
· Lopez recorded his 3rd goal of the season with a moment of individual brilliance in the first half.
· He is now tied with Conrad for the team lead in goals scored.
· It was the Wizards 3rd goal scored in open play this season.
· Midfielder Davy Arnaud made his first start of the season.
· With the appearance, Arnaud surpassed Matt McKeon for 6th place on the team’s all-time games played list.
· Five Wizards were born in the state of California: Myers, Victorine, Conrad, Kronberg and Wahl.
· Three Wizards formerly played professionally in the state. Hartman and Victorine both played for Los Angeles. Conrad played for San Jose before joining the Wizards.
· Former Wizards standout Chris Klein played 90 minutes at right back for LA.
· Four Wizards played collegiate soccer in at UCLA: Hartman, Conrad, Victorine and Myers.
· Hartman attended Cal-State Dominguez Hills for his first two seasons. Home Depot Center sits on the campus of CSDH.
· Conrad had 150 friends and family in attendance.
· Kansas City was without reserve defender Jonathan Leathers, who is in Toulon, France with the U.S. U-23 National Team
Post-game piece
You're the Becks, around! Nothing's ever going to keep you down!
So, what movie is this modified song line from? The Internet makes this too easy, but bonus points if you don't have to look it up.
So, what movie is this modified song line from? The Internet makes this too easy, but bonus points if you don't have to look it up.
LD on PK
Landon speaks on the foul and penalty kick in the Kansas City game. In order, the reporters asking questions are Scott French, Peter Brown and yours truly.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Galaxy/Wizards running blog
Hi folks. It's actually a bit chilly here in LA. Las chance for LA fans to see Becks and Donovan for a bit.
Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan (someone said the nicknames were anoying, so I'm desisting for a bit).
KC - Kevin Hartman, Chance Myers, Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl, Michael Harrington, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury, Carlos Marinelli, Sasha Victorine, Claudio Lopez, Scott Sealy
Kickoff!
1 - Wow, Galaxy in trouble from the start - can't clear their box well, but KC isn't quite able to work a shot out of it.
2 - Offside called on Lopez
4 - Pretty lively crowd right from the start, but it doesn't look like a sell-out. Course, LA crowds typically fill in late.
6 - KC with the majority of possession so far. Galaxy in their own half a lot.
7 - Interesting sequence, Klein overlapped Beckham, who passed to LD, who tried to onetime to Klein off his chest. Didn't come off - ball went out for throw, but it would have looked cool had it worked.
8 - Nice LA counter - almost. Beckham to Buddle, to LD, who gets a step on his defender and shoots towards goal. Hartman is on it and blocks. Crowd a bit confused. they don't want to boo Hartman, but they can't cheer the save, either, because he plays for KC no. So they're oddly silent.
11 - Handball! Well, I guess not if the ref doesn't call it. But it was pretty clear. Cronin stops the shot anyway, and Xavi clears.
13 - Galaxy defending a lot. Anytime anything gets going for them, a pass goes wrong. But they do earn a deep throw on a counter just now. Nothing comes of it.
16 - Beckham to Buddle - whose header goes wide.
20 - Galaxy keep getting caught offside. THe KC line is almost to centerfield.
21 - Whoa - on a deep throw - two Galaxy defenders miss clearing headers, but somehow escape without a KC shot on goal.
25 - Lopez shoot from outside the box - Cronin saves, but it looked like it might have gone a bit wide anyway.
28 - Free kick for the galaxy. Bit far, bit of an extreme angle - Becks lines it up, steps to it - serves it - All the Galaxy guys miss it, but LD chases it down, and then tries to go back into the box - and then things get weird and confusing. the whistle blows, but we're not sure why and then Buddle gets a yellow card. We're still not sure why.
33 - Interesting - Becks got fouled, but there was no call for about a minute. I guess play-on applied. finally Victorine got a yellow.
34 - Looks like the ref misses another handball, this one in the box by Jack Jewsbury. Galaxy scrum around in the box, but the final shot is wide.
40 - GOAL! The Wizards are a much more mobile and skilled team than they once were. Fun to watch, really, -- Ohhh - wow, Lopez jukes at the top of the box and no one shuts him down. So he winds up and sends a scorcher of a shot at an excellent angle that beats Cronin. 1-0.
44 - Galaxy attacking furiously now. Where was this a few minutes ago?
45 + Donovan overhits Becks badly with a pass.
Halftime
Wizards hold off the Galaxy charge, go into the locker room with their lead intact.
49 - Becks freekick - Pires with a weak header - Hartman catches.
52 - Scrappy play by both sides - Wizards have a FK. Cronin catches it.
54 - Penalty! LD in the box. Wahl with the foul. LD will take against his old teammate, Hartman.
55 - GOAL! LD slams it just slightly right while Hartman dives the other way. 1-1.
56 - Gordo in for McDonald. Becks leads out a counter, pases to Buddle, whose shot is parried by Hartman over the bar. Corner. foul leads to goal kick.
60 - Corner for KC. Marinelli sets up. Cleared. Becks sends long pass to LD on the counter, who manages to settle against two defenders in the box and lays off to Allen, open on the trailing run - Allen's shot is weak and wide. Poor.
63 - Galaxy comdy on defense just now, but they finally clear and pass to Gordo, who is offside.
66 - KC FK in a prime spot. Franklin's poor pass set up the fould situation. Marinelli sets up - and sends the kick over everybody and out. Lucky escape for LA.
70 - Yikes - The Galaxy go box to box - they nearly let in a goal because they expect an offside call that doesn't come, then, then on the counter, an LD pass goes begging by both Allen and Gordon.
72 - Becks FK. Everyone misses it.
74 - GOAL! Becks to Gordon to LD, who flicks it past the final line for Buddle. Perhaps the hat trick wasn't a fluke. 2-1 Galaxy.
77 - Gordo gets a yellow for a late and clumsy tackle on Jewsbury.
79 - KC charging, the Galaxy looking for chances on the counter. Still an open game.
81 - SAVE! Off the line by Klein after Galaxy got caught on a counter and Sealy beat a scrambling Cronin to the ball - Cronin couldn't quite grab it and Sealy kept at it until he got his shot, but Klein managed to clear it from behind. Amazing.
82 - KC FK. Hits the wall.
84 - Ruiz returns. Enters for LD.
85 - Buddle off the post! So close to sealing up the game.
86 - Klein in the box - somehow doesn't see Ruiz, Klein's soft shot caught by Hartman.
88 - KC corner. marinelli, becks fights for ball, in on the run on a counter, swept from behind, pops up angrily. Sure - he doesn't want an injury before going to England. He has words and the ref has to break things up.
90 - I'm aurprised Donovan was taken out, the Galaxy have trouble controlling the ball without him. Galaxy counter finds Ruiz, who fights the hold of Conrad until he finally gets a foul call.
90 + Four minutes stoppage.
Buddle misses a great Becks pass in the box. Just whiffs it.
That would have been a great defense-breaking pass, but Allen held it too long and Ruiz was caught offside.
OOOh, KC have a late corner. Hartman comes up for it.
GOAL! The Galaxy clear. It's on Becks' foot. He lines it up and hits it from behind the centerline as Hartman runs desperately back. It bounces perfectly into the goal. 3-1 Galaxy
The Galaxy get over .500 for the first time this season, sending Becks and LD off to their international duty with a victory.
Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan (someone said the nicknames were anoying, so I'm desisting for a bit).
KC - Kevin Hartman, Chance Myers, Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl, Michael Harrington, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury, Carlos Marinelli, Sasha Victorine, Claudio Lopez, Scott Sealy
Kickoff!
1 - Wow, Galaxy in trouble from the start - can't clear their box well, but KC isn't quite able to work a shot out of it.
2 - Offside called on Lopez
4 - Pretty lively crowd right from the start, but it doesn't look like a sell-out. Course, LA crowds typically fill in late.
6 - KC with the majority of possession so far. Galaxy in their own half a lot.
7 - Interesting sequence, Klein overlapped Beckham, who passed to LD, who tried to onetime to Klein off his chest. Didn't come off - ball went out for throw, but it would have looked cool had it worked.
8 - Nice LA counter - almost. Beckham to Buddle, to LD, who gets a step on his defender and shoots towards goal. Hartman is on it and blocks. Crowd a bit confused. they don't want to boo Hartman, but they can't cheer the save, either, because he plays for KC no. So they're oddly silent.
11 - Handball! Well, I guess not if the ref doesn't call it. But it was pretty clear. Cronin stops the shot anyway, and Xavi clears.
13 - Galaxy defending a lot. Anytime anything gets going for them, a pass goes wrong. But they do earn a deep throw on a counter just now. Nothing comes of it.
16 - Beckham to Buddle - whose header goes wide.
20 - Galaxy keep getting caught offside. THe KC line is almost to centerfield.
21 - Whoa - on a deep throw - two Galaxy defenders miss clearing headers, but somehow escape without a KC shot on goal.
25 - Lopez shoot from outside the box - Cronin saves, but it looked like it might have gone a bit wide anyway.
28 - Free kick for the galaxy. Bit far, bit of an extreme angle - Becks lines it up, steps to it - serves it - All the Galaxy guys miss it, but LD chases it down, and then tries to go back into the box - and then things get weird and confusing. the whistle blows, but we're not sure why and then Buddle gets a yellow card. We're still not sure why.
33 - Interesting - Becks got fouled, but there was no call for about a minute. I guess play-on applied. finally Victorine got a yellow.
34 - Looks like the ref misses another handball, this one in the box by Jack Jewsbury. Galaxy scrum around in the box, but the final shot is wide.
40 - GOAL! The Wizards are a much more mobile and skilled team than they once were. Fun to watch, really, -- Ohhh - wow, Lopez jukes at the top of the box and no one shuts him down. So he winds up and sends a scorcher of a shot at an excellent angle that beats Cronin. 1-0.
44 - Galaxy attacking furiously now. Where was this a few minutes ago?
45 + Donovan overhits Becks badly with a pass.
Halftime
Wizards hold off the Galaxy charge, go into the locker room with their lead intact.
49 - Becks freekick - Pires with a weak header - Hartman catches.
52 - Scrappy play by both sides - Wizards have a FK. Cronin catches it.
54 - Penalty! LD in the box. Wahl with the foul. LD will take against his old teammate, Hartman.
55 - GOAL! LD slams it just slightly right while Hartman dives the other way. 1-1.
56 - Gordo in for McDonald. Becks leads out a counter, pases to Buddle, whose shot is parried by Hartman over the bar. Corner. foul leads to goal kick.
60 - Corner for KC. Marinelli sets up. Cleared. Becks sends long pass to LD on the counter, who manages to settle against two defenders in the box and lays off to Allen, open on the trailing run - Allen's shot is weak and wide. Poor.
63 - Galaxy comdy on defense just now, but they finally clear and pass to Gordo, who is offside.
66 - KC FK in a prime spot. Franklin's poor pass set up the fould situation. Marinelli sets up - and sends the kick over everybody and out. Lucky escape for LA.
70 - Yikes - The Galaxy go box to box - they nearly let in a goal because they expect an offside call that doesn't come, then, then on the counter, an LD pass goes begging by both Allen and Gordon.
72 - Becks FK. Everyone misses it.
74 - GOAL! Becks to Gordon to LD, who flicks it past the final line for Buddle. Perhaps the hat trick wasn't a fluke. 2-1 Galaxy.
77 - Gordo gets a yellow for a late and clumsy tackle on Jewsbury.
79 - KC charging, the Galaxy looking for chances on the counter. Still an open game.
81 - SAVE! Off the line by Klein after Galaxy got caught on a counter and Sealy beat a scrambling Cronin to the ball - Cronin couldn't quite grab it and Sealy kept at it until he got his shot, but Klein managed to clear it from behind. Amazing.
82 - KC FK. Hits the wall.
84 - Ruiz returns. Enters for LD.
85 - Buddle off the post! So close to sealing up the game.
86 - Klein in the box - somehow doesn't see Ruiz, Klein's soft shot caught by Hartman.
88 - KC corner. marinelli, becks fights for ball, in on the run on a counter, swept from behind, pops up angrily. Sure - he doesn't want an injury before going to England. He has words and the ref has to break things up.
90 - I'm aurprised Donovan was taken out, the Galaxy have trouble controlling the ball without him. Galaxy counter finds Ruiz, who fights the hold of Conrad until he finally gets a foul call.
90 + Four minutes stoppage.
Buddle misses a great Becks pass in the box. Just whiffs it.
That would have been a great defense-breaking pass, but Allen held it too long and Ruiz was caught offside.
OOOh, KC have a late corner. Hartman comes up for it.
GOAL! The Galaxy clear. It's on Becks' foot. He lines it up and hits it from behind the centerline as Hartman runs desperately back. It bounces perfectly into the goal. 3-1 Galaxy
The Galaxy get over .500 for the first time this season, sending Becks and LD off to their international duty with a victory.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Winning writer
Mark Zeigler, ladies and gentlemen!
He wins the The North American Soccer Reporters 2007 Column Writing Contest with an article on Hope Solo.
He wins the The North American Soccer Reporters 2007 Column Writing Contest with an article on Hope Solo.
Stormclouds over Becks
That's not a metaphor, it was literally about to rain when the press talked to David Beckham today. I borrowed a tripod from a friend for the earlier videos, but today I forgot to bring it. I tried to emulate the cameramen I see shooting video with the camera perched on their shoulder, but I have to admit, it's hard to hold a little pocket camera there. Plus, one's hair gets in the way.
La lista del Tri
The Mexican federation released its roster for upcoming friendlies against Argentina and Peru. The list is the second for Jesus "Chucho" Ramirez and probably includes the majority of players he will use during the World Cup qualifying series against Belize.
The list (followed by some initial reactions):
G: Oswaldo Sanchez (Santos), Jesus Corona (Tecos), Guillermo Ochoa (America).
D: Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Aaron Galindo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Patricio Araujo (Chivas), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Sergio Amaury Ponce (Toluca), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Oscar Rojas (America), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia).
M: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Fernando Arce (Santos), Gonzalo Pineda (Chivas), Andres Guardado (Deportivo la Coruna), Zinha (Toluca).
F: Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Sergio Santana (Chivas), Carlos Vela (Osasuna), Edgar Andrade (Cruz Azul), Jared Borgetti (Monterrey).
- Don't expect the America contingent for the Argentina match as America has a game that night.
- Most surprising name: Jared Borgetti. With his recent hat-trick and overall form during the Clausura 2008 season, Borgetti has shown he can still score goals and be a force on the offensive side of the ball. Still, his inclusion is a surprise as other young strikers had been given and taken advantage of opportunities.
- Not sure why there are no Pachuca players on the roster.
- Chucho selected several young players (Vela, Villaluz, Dominguez, Araujo) who have succeeded under him in the past.
The list (followed by some initial reactions):
G: Oswaldo Sanchez (Santos), Jesus Corona (Tecos), Guillermo Ochoa (America).
D: Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Aaron Galindo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Patricio Araujo (Chivas), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Sergio Amaury Ponce (Toluca), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Oscar Rojas (America), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia).
M: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Fernando Arce (Santos), Gonzalo Pineda (Chivas), Andres Guardado (Deportivo la Coruna), Zinha (Toluca).
F: Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Sergio Santana (Chivas), Carlos Vela (Osasuna), Edgar Andrade (Cruz Azul), Jared Borgetti (Monterrey).
- Don't expect the America contingent for the Argentina match as America has a game that night.
- Most surprising name: Jared Borgetti. With his recent hat-trick and overall form during the Clausura 2008 season, Borgetti has shown he can still score goals and be a force on the offensive side of the ball. Still, his inclusion is a surprise as other young strikers had been given and taken advantage of opportunities.
- Not sure why there are no Pachuca players on the roster.
- Chucho selected several young players (Vela, Villaluz, Dominguez, Araujo) who have succeeded under him in the past.
Addition by subtraction
Jovan Kirovski spent several years playing in Europe and has worn the US national team shirt before. Perhaps it's those sorts of accomplishments that frustrates fans so much. He can show flashes of brilliance but more often than not he leaves fans scratching their heads.
Galaxy fans were glad to see him go and now Rapids fans are likely as glad to have him off their team. Colorado dealt Kirovski and Kelly Gray to San Jose for Preston Burpo and a draft pick. Funny how the trade involved former Galaxy players and a former Chivas player.
Anyway, Kirovski is now San Jose's, um, property? Problem? Gray is a good addition, provided he can stay healthy. But Kirovski might add more of the same as San Jose's offense has struggled to score goals. After Thursday's game, San Jose has six goals in eight games.
Burpo, meanwhile, might help out Colorado. He might even play soon as the Rapids will play the Galaxy on Tuesday at HDC in an Open Cup play-in match. "Stone" Burpo is a quality backup who could help out if need be.
Galaxy fans were glad to see him go and now Rapids fans are likely as glad to have him off their team. Colorado dealt Kirovski and Kelly Gray to San Jose for Preston Burpo and a draft pick. Funny how the trade involved former Galaxy players and a former Chivas player.
Anyway, Kirovski is now San Jose's, um, property? Problem? Gray is a good addition, provided he can stay healthy. But Kirovski might add more of the same as San Jose's offense has struggled to score goals. After Thursday's game, San Jose has six goals in eight games.
Burpo, meanwhile, might help out Colorado. He might even play soon as the Rapids will play the Galaxy on Tuesday at HDC in an Open Cup play-in match. "Stone" Burpo is a quality backup who could help out if need be.
Bad timing
On June 4, Mexico will play Argentina in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets have sold out.
On the same night, America will play Liga de Quito in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal series.
Suddenly, those America fans who bought tickets have a quandary. Do they stay home and watch their beloved club try to make history? Or do they watch El Tri do battle against Argentina in person?
The time for the America game isn't set, so it's possible that they could watch both games. But if you've ever attended a game at Qualcomm - particularly one that will draw more than 60,000 - then you know what the traffic is like, and you know that getting early is not an option but a must.
The best scenario for fans would be for the stadium to open its gates early and let those fans who want to watch America-Liga de Quito do so via the scoreboard. Otherwise, it might be a night of anguish for America fans.
On the same night, America will play Liga de Quito in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal series.
Suddenly, those America fans who bought tickets have a quandary. Do they stay home and watch their beloved club try to make history? Or do they watch El Tri do battle against Argentina in person?
The time for the America game isn't set, so it's possible that they could watch both games. But if you've ever attended a game at Qualcomm - particularly one that will draw more than 60,000 - then you know what the traffic is like, and you know that getting early is not an option but a must.
The best scenario for fans would be for the stadium to open its gates early and let those fans who want to watch America-Liga de Quito do so via the scoreboard. Otherwise, it might be a night of anguish for America fans.
Not out yet
Just when San Jose threatens to fall into the abyss that nearly everyone pegged them for, the 'Quakes pull out a nice victory. Thursday's 2-1 win over Houston was not only a solid 90-minute effort, it kept the 'Quakes from completely dropping off the Western Conference picture.
Every western side has played eight games with the exception of Houston (nine) and five points separate first-place Colorado from last-place San Jose.
Before the season started, San Jose coach Frank Yallop said that 10 wins would likely be good enough to reach the playoffs. The team's got two already.
Still, the 'Quakes' upcoming stretch is downright brutal. San Jose will hit the road for six of the next seven games, the lone home game a June 14 fixture in Oakland against the Galaxy. The flipside to that is a favorable home slate down the road - San Jose will play 9 of 13 home games after the All-Star Game. Of course, that will only matter if San Jose survives that horrid stretch.
I had counted the 'Quakes out before the season started for the simple fact that Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC struggled so badly in each of their respective first seasons. And while I still don't think they'll finish with enough points to earn a playoff spot, at least they're hanging in there. So far.
Every western side has played eight games with the exception of Houston (nine) and five points separate first-place Colorado from last-place San Jose.
Before the season started, San Jose coach Frank Yallop said that 10 wins would likely be good enough to reach the playoffs. The team's got two already.
Still, the 'Quakes' upcoming stretch is downright brutal. San Jose will hit the road for six of the next seven games, the lone home game a June 14 fixture in Oakland against the Galaxy. The flipside to that is a favorable home slate down the road - San Jose will play 9 of 13 home games after the All-Star Game. Of course, that will only matter if San Jose survives that horrid stretch.
I had counted the 'Quakes out before the season started for the simple fact that Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC struggled so badly in each of their respective first seasons. And while I still don't think they'll finish with enough points to earn a playoff spot, at least they're hanging in there. So far.
Liguilla day six
Santos and Monterrey tied 1-1 in Monterrey on Thursday. Monterrey went down a man early and as a result Santos sent numbers forward all match. The Laguneros, though, were only able to put one goal away.
Still, Santos needs just a draw to advance to the Mexican league final.
Highlights:
Still, Santos needs just a draw to advance to the Mexican league final.
Highlights:
America on way to semis
America lost to Santos 1-0 on Thursday but still advanced to the semifinals of Copa Libertadores. Guillermo Ochoa and America's defense withstood a 90-minute barrage from Santos, who got a goal from ex-America star Kleber in the second half.
America will play Liga Deportivo Universitario of Quito in the semis.
Here are the highlights:
America will play Liga Deportivo Universitario of Quito in the semis.
Here are the highlights:
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