World Cup qualifying action begins anew, folks.
------------------------Howard-------------------------
Cherundolo---------Onyewu------Bocanegra ------Pearce
-----------------Bradley--------Mastroeni------------------
----Donovan--------------------------------Lewis-----------
--------------Dempsey------------Ching---------------------
LD is interviewed talking about how qualifying isn't easy. Well, Mexico not making the Olympics might attest to that, but we'll see.
Guatemala
Ricardo Trigueno
Yony Flores, Gustavo Cabrera, Mario Rodriguez, Freddy Garcia, Guillermo Ramirez,
Luis Rodriguez, Fredy Thompson, Jose Manuel Contreras, Carlos Ruiz
David Beckham and England already played, of course. He assisted on a goal. Now the other two members of the Galaxy face off.
Guatemala's fans look pretty ardent in the stands. There's a shot of Ruiz carrying his soccer escort. I don't know what that's about. Stage fright?
The sound is cutting out. I thought Harkes was awful quiet. There's a lonely little American fan holding his flag out. Oh wait, there's a little group singing along to the anthem. Nice. They get soundly booed, but are otherwise left alone.
Carlos and the Guats are singing along to their anthem, a pretty bouncy tune, if a bit repetitive.
Kickoff!
1- Is Harkes doing commentary by phone? His voice is very disembodied and the sound doesn't match Glenn Davis.
2 - FK for the U.S. - LD takes, but a foul in the area leads to a mishit header by Bradley and a foul. Goal kick.
3 - What the heck happened to Gooch? The facial hair looks like a mangy animal attacked him. Pearce is fouled by Ruiz.
5 - Harkes predicts, shockingly, that the U.S. will win.
6 - Lewis is down after a deep run on the left.
7 - Dempsey tries to go around his defender by pulling his shoulder, but Harkes, for some reason, harps on the fouling tactics ofGuatemala.
8 - Or maybe he was being prophetic, as Pando brings down LD. Lewis serves the ball in, but Guatemala clear.
10 - Ramirez with about eight dribble moves too many and then a horrible shot from outside that misses badly. That should look familiar to Galaxy fans, circa 2005.
11 - Ruiz is barking at the ref already. Harkes means to say "resort", but it comes out "result".
12 - Nice flick from Dempsey to LD, but a desperate tackle saves Guatemala there.
13 - Davis and Harkes debate the LD as right midfielder issue. Davis is subtly skeptical of it.
Ruiz gets called for offside.
14 - Mo Edu bench shot, and his transfer comes up. The pride of the IE now plays for Rangers.
16 - I can't believe Davis just said the U.S. has started well, and Harkes agrees. No they haven't. They're created very few chances and imposed no superiority at all.
17 - And now 'Dolo picks up a silly yellow, tossing the ball away after a foul. Dude, that's just lame (Dolo knows what I mean, he's from San Diego).
18 - Harkes gives Arena his endorsement, refers to him and Dave Sarachan as "winning coaches". Yes, they are - winning coaches who were fired from New York and Chicago, respectively.
20 - LD crosses - it's out for a corner. The U.S. take it, Trigueno pushes the ball away. Harkes calls him "stone hands".
21 - Loco Rodriguez gets behind the defense, but touches the ball too far. Goal kick.
23 - Davis can't wrap his head around "anthracite" so he calls the U.S. uniforms gray that looks like dark blue.
Harks correctly diagnoses that Bradley and Mastro aren't shutting down the midfield.
24 - LD steps on Pando. And the picture cuts out briefly.
25 - Rodriguez gets behind the defense again, but Boca cuts off his cross.
26 - Boos rain down as the U.S. passes the ball around in the back.
27 - Dempsey from distance, it was Pando-like. Speaking of Pando, he tackles Dempsey late and Clint, sock-pushes him. Pando goes down like he's been shot. Both get yellows. Demps follows Pando around a bit, but they eventually hug it out.
29 - Bradley from distance. Trigueno isn't that bad of a keeper.
30 - Howard catches a Guat cross. I think Guatemala has gotten more crosses into the box than the U.S. has.
31 - Ching is offside - which is the first mention of his involvement, really.
34 - Mastro gets a yellow for a tackle on Ruiz.
38 - Ching earns a free kick. It's deep, but I mention it because, well, he was mentioned.
39 - And Ching gets a shot off, taking the ball off his chest and turning to shoot. Not too close as it whizzed over the bar, but the closest chance of the game thus far.
40 - Guatemala fans want a handball called on Pearce, but the ref waves play on.
41 - Ball in the box, but Dempsey can't get a shot off. Better from the U.S., though.
43 - Boca screws 'Dolo by keeping a Gallardo onside, but then makes up for the gaffe by disrupting the cross to Ruiz.
44 - Trigueno makes a shaky basket catch in the box.
45 - Ruiz tries to find the outlet man, but Pearce gets in the way.
Halftime
It's not that the U.S. is tied that's the problem. It's that they've looked pretty poor going forward, really. Three U.S. players also have yellow cards, and that's just asking for trouble in the second half.
49 - Guatemala has come out tough in the second half. The U.S is countering when they can.
50 - But now Guatemala counters and the ball gets into the box, where Boca again gets a timely toe on a ball meant for Ruiz.
52 - FK for the U.S. It's a ways out, but the U.S. sets up in the box. The ball gets there, but Guatemala heads it away.
55 - Howard grabs a long pass away from Rodriguez, who has some serious wheels. Harkes bawls out Pearce for turning his back on the keeper.
56 - Rodriguez gets a shot off, Howard dives and misses but the ball is wide.
57 - Now Guatemala is just teeing up on Howard. That shot just misses. The U.S. midfield isn't holding the ball at all.
60 - Another FK for the U.S. as 'Dolo commits another foul - ooh, it's a yellow, which means 'Dolo is gone. I knew that earlier card was a stupid move on his part. Now the U.S. might pay dearly. They've been pushed back even while the numbers were even.
62 - Lewis is down, with blood everywhere. He got to the ball on a header, and I don't know why Cabrera even went for the ball - he wasn't even close.
64 - Well, now Cabrera pays the price. He gets red and is gone. His elbow came up on the play. Teams are even steven again.
66 - Lewis trudges off to the lockers. He was stretchered off the field.
68 - Contreras gets yellow for not backing up ten yards on the FK. LD serves it in well, and Gooch sends a header to goal. Trigueno pushes it over the bar.
69 - GOAL! Bease sends in the corner and Boca gets to it, even as Gooch is pulled down hard. Boca nails his header into the corner of the goal. 1-0, U.S.
73 - Didn't mention it before, but Hejduk is on, as is Damarcus Beasley.
74 - Off a corner kick, Guatemala's Flores strikes - over the bar. Wow.
77 - An energetic attacking sequence by Guatemala results in a corner.
78 - Maurice Edu comes in for Mastro. The Ck goes to Castrillo, who shoots hard, but Howard is on it.
80 - Boca slips! Ruiz nearly through.
82 - Ruiz goes into the ball after Howard has claimed it, gets him on the head. Howard gets up and goes after Ruiz, gets a yellow.
84 - Ching hits a square pass to Edu, who shoots with his left. It's wide but it was a half-decent chance to put the game away.
85 - Who's your Pappa? Marco's just come on for Guatemala.
88 - Pappa shoots high. The U.S. is holding on for a historic win.
89 - Or not. Guatemala has a corner. Pappa with another shot, but Howard scoops it up.
90 - Rodriguez kicks the ball right into Pearce, who looks worn out by chasing him. Guat fans want a handball.
90+ Guatemala attacking furiously. The U.S. is trying to clear, but the ball isn't getting out very far.
U.S. is yielding everything but goal area to the Guats. Gooch cuts off a pass to Ruiz with a defensive header. Bradley cuts off a pass and relieves the pressure on the U.S. briefly.
Final whistle! Guatemala run out of time.
The crowd is screaming bloody murder. Flores is furious. It doesn't amount to much, though. The U.S. team goes to wave at their little group of fans.
The defense got it done tonight, specifically Boca with the goal and Howard with a few timely saves. It's interesting that the U.S. finally win in Guatemala in a game where they didn't play all that well. They gutted it out, though, and that's what road World Cup qualifying games are all about.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Previewing Primetime again
The Galaxy face the Fire.
As Luis mentioned before, this match gets spicier with the new additions to both teams - McBride and Arena (though of course, Arena won't play, though he might be a better goalkeeper than Steve Cronin. Actually, probably not, considering that in the one game Arena played for the U.S. national team, he couldn't get a shut out, either.)
As Luis mentioned before, this match gets spicier with the new additions to both teams - McBride and Arena (though of course, Arena won't play, though he might be a better goalkeeper than Steve Cronin. Actually, probably not, considering that in the one game Arena played for the U.S. national team, he couldn't get a shut out, either.)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Betting on Brazil
This makes the second time I've picked Brazil to win a major tourney. I did it during the World Cup of 2007. We know how well that turned out.
Honestly, I'm not picking against the U.S. because Abby Wambach isn't there. I'm picking Brazil because I think they're that good and they're finally ready to own that and win the big one.
I actually think the U.S. has more of a chance without Wambach. Abby's absence means that Brazil doesn't really have a complete understanding of the U.S. With Wambach in the picture, the U.S. was a bit Germanlike, despite Pia Sundhage's attempts to instill more variety. We all saw what happened to Germany in the semifinals. Now the U.S. is a bit more of a wildcard, which gives the team a greater chance, in my view.
I still think Brazil will take it, though. More than anything, though, I'm looking forward to seeing good soccer from both teams. I want to watch a great game.
Honestly, I'm not picking against the U.S. because Abby Wambach isn't there. I'm picking Brazil because I think they're that good and they're finally ready to own that and win the big one.
I actually think the U.S. has more of a chance without Wambach. Abby's absence means that Brazil doesn't really have a complete understanding of the U.S. With Wambach in the picture, the U.S. was a bit Germanlike, despite Pia Sundhage's attempts to instill more variety. We all saw what happened to Germany in the semifinals. Now the U.S. is a bit more of a wildcard, which gives the team a greater chance, in my view.
I still think Brazil will take it, though. More than anything, though, I'm looking forward to seeing good soccer from both teams. I want to watch a great game.
Commercials?!?
I guess soccer isn't as far along as I thought. I know it's not an upper-tier sport here; I'm not delusional. But I thought that soccer deserved enough respect to have an important match broadcast uncut, commercial-free, as it is around the globe.
But MSNBC doesn't quite feel that way, and that much was evident during the Brazil-Argentina match this morning.
I got up early, not necessarily to watch the game but I had some writing I had to knock out for an overseas client. After filing the story, I turned on the match. It had already started as I joined around the sixth minute. My girls were bound to wake up soon so I sort of didn't want to get too attached to the game because they wouldn't sit through soccer like I do. But still, it's Brazil-Argentina! You kidding me?!?
But then MSNBC ruined it for me. It was about the 14th minute when they cut to a commercial. Argh. Now, I watched another match on there earlier in the tournament, well, I tried to anyway, and wound up changing it because of the commercials. But I thought for a few minutes that Brazil-Argentina and an Olympic semifinal would supersede all that. I was wrong.
It's excruciating when you get interrupted from watching a soccer game. Sometimes the kids take precedence, sometimes other family members interrupt or the phone or the doorbell or whatever. That's fine. That's stuff you can control. You can sequester yourself somewhere for a truly important game if need be or just warn anyone that they'll get a taste of the dark side if they interrupt you. But when the network that is broadcasting the game is the one interrupting, well, that's beyond excruciating.
When they came back from the break, I was irritated. I had started to get stuff ready for the morning so I wasn't plopped down in front of the TV. When they went to another break, though, I snapped. It's not worth it. It's not worth the early-morning headache. I changed the channel and forgot about watching the game.
Now, I probably could have watched it online I suppose. But even it was available commercial free online it doesn't take away from the fact that MSNBC broke away from commercials and interrupted a semifinal match. Besides, not everyone has the luxury of watching the match online. And - God forbid - what happens if they miss a goal? I'm not sure that didn't happen as they had plenty of chances to not show a goal.
But MSNBC doesn't quite feel that way, and that much was evident during the Brazil-Argentina match this morning.
I got up early, not necessarily to watch the game but I had some writing I had to knock out for an overseas client. After filing the story, I turned on the match. It had already started as I joined around the sixth minute. My girls were bound to wake up soon so I sort of didn't want to get too attached to the game because they wouldn't sit through soccer like I do. But still, it's Brazil-Argentina! You kidding me?!?
But then MSNBC ruined it for me. It was about the 14th minute when they cut to a commercial. Argh. Now, I watched another match on there earlier in the tournament, well, I tried to anyway, and wound up changing it because of the commercials. But I thought for a few minutes that Brazil-Argentina and an Olympic semifinal would supersede all that. I was wrong.
It's excruciating when you get interrupted from watching a soccer game. Sometimes the kids take precedence, sometimes other family members interrupt or the phone or the doorbell or whatever. That's fine. That's stuff you can control. You can sequester yourself somewhere for a truly important game if need be or just warn anyone that they'll get a taste of the dark side if they interrupt you. But when the network that is broadcasting the game is the one interrupting, well, that's beyond excruciating.
When they came back from the break, I was irritated. I had started to get stuff ready for the morning so I wasn't plopped down in front of the TV. When they went to another break, though, I snapped. It's not worth it. It's not worth the early-morning headache. I changed the channel and forgot about watching the game.
Now, I probably could have watched it online I suppose. But even it was available commercial free online it doesn't take away from the fact that MSNBC broke away from commercials and interrupted a semifinal match. Besides, not everyone has the luxury of watching the match online. And - God forbid - what happens if they miss a goal? I'm not sure that didn't happen as they had plenty of chances to not show a goal.
From the outside
I always like to read columnists' opinions on soccer, well, columnists who can take an objective look at a game or a hiring or a move or whatever without having to drop in a "soccer sucks" reference.
Anyway, I always enjoy reading colleague Jim Alexander whenever he has the chance to chime in on Chivas USA and/or the Galaxy. Same with a former colleague in Steve Dilbeck, who I worked with for about a year and a half at the San Bernardino Sun.
Dilbeck's bread and butter is the big sports - Lakers, Dodgers, etc. - but he's been out at HDC before. I don't know that he's a soccer nut like I am - I'm guessing he's not - but that doesn't mean he can't formulate an opinion and back it up.
Dilbeck doesn't exactly stick a fork in Arena like I did somewhat but he's quite cautious about the hiring. He brought up the good - 2002 World Cup - and the bad - his stint in New York. He also summed up Arena's personality perfectly, as he wrote "He has always been somewhat difficult to like personally. He reeks of attitude, can be caustic. Has that 'I'm the toughest and smartest guy in the room' syndrome going."
That's pretty much Arena in a nutshell. But whether or not we like him is irrelevant. What matters is his coaching ability, and that's certainly in question whatever Tim Leiweke says.
It's good to see an relative outsider to the Galaxy comes away with that impression as well.
Anyway, I always enjoy reading colleague Jim Alexander whenever he has the chance to chime in on Chivas USA and/or the Galaxy. Same with a former colleague in Steve Dilbeck, who I worked with for about a year and a half at the San Bernardino Sun.
Dilbeck's bread and butter is the big sports - Lakers, Dodgers, etc. - but he's been out at HDC before. I don't know that he's a soccer nut like I am - I'm guessing he's not - but that doesn't mean he can't formulate an opinion and back it up.
Dilbeck doesn't exactly stick a fork in Arena like I did somewhat but he's quite cautious about the hiring. He brought up the good - 2002 World Cup - and the bad - his stint in New York. He also summed up Arena's personality perfectly, as he wrote "He has always been somewhat difficult to like personally. He reeks of attitude, can be caustic. Has that 'I'm the toughest and smartest guy in the room' syndrome going."
That's pretty much Arena in a nutshell. But whether or not we like him is irrelevant. What matters is his coaching ability, and that's certainly in question whatever Tim Leiweke says.
It's good to see an relative outsider to the Galaxy comes away with that impression as well.
Not a fan
What can I say, I'm not a fan of Bruce Arena. He did well with the US of course but he certainly is not the mastermind many made him out to be.
Here's my PE column that I wrote about Arena's supposed grandiose tenure with the US national team.
I guess I tried to counter some of what Tim Leiweke said about Arena, that the was the best coach in this country or something to the effect. The exact wording is in my column.
Anyway, yes, Arena won two titles but that was in the very early days of MLS. He had a chance to show what he could do with New York and did practically nothing. Okay, getting to the playoffs is an accomplishment, so he accomplished something - two playoff appearances.
But I also tried to break down Arena's coaching record. After all, he won just twice on European soil in his eight years with the national team. And the World Cup disaster was, well, a disaster, something he set in motion with wretched tactics against the Czech Republic.
Arena is a big name and the Galaxy wanted a big name coach. I'm not sure that was the best tactic, though. I think keeping Cobi Jones aboard for the rest of the season would have been the best move. Cobi is a fan favorite and he has the respect of players. And he knows what it means to play for and coach the Galaxy. That might not mean much to AEG but it should.
Oh well. Arena is here and at least now they might have some stability. Since the beginning of the 2006 season, they've already gone through three coaches. Arena is the fourth unless you count Cobi Jones. Seriously, though, I still cant believe Bruce Arena is coaching the Galaxy. Seems very, very strange.
Is there anyone who likes Arena in charge? Am I way off base with my thoughts on Arena?
Here's my PE column that I wrote about Arena's supposed grandiose tenure with the US national team.
I guess I tried to counter some of what Tim Leiweke said about Arena, that the was the best coach in this country or something to the effect. The exact wording is in my column.
Anyway, yes, Arena won two titles but that was in the very early days of MLS. He had a chance to show what he could do with New York and did practically nothing. Okay, getting to the playoffs is an accomplishment, so he accomplished something - two playoff appearances.
But I also tried to break down Arena's coaching record. After all, he won just twice on European soil in his eight years with the national team. And the World Cup disaster was, well, a disaster, something he set in motion with wretched tactics against the Czech Republic.
Arena is a big name and the Galaxy wanted a big name coach. I'm not sure that was the best tactic, though. I think keeping Cobi Jones aboard for the rest of the season would have been the best move. Cobi is a fan favorite and he has the respect of players. And he knows what it means to play for and coach the Galaxy. That might not mean much to AEG but it should.
Oh well. Arena is here and at least now they might have some stability. Since the beginning of the 2006 season, they've already gone through three coaches. Arena is the fourth unless you count Cobi Jones. Seriously, though, I still cant believe Bruce Arena is coaching the Galaxy. Seems very, very strange.
Is there anyone who likes Arena in charge? Am I way off base with my thoughts on Arena?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Brucey Bear
Grahame the wag, no, not that kind, spotted evidence of a cut on Bruce Arena's throat when he came over to answer questions from the press. "What happened?" Grahame asked. "Did you realize you had agreed to take over the Galaxy and then tried to cut your throat?"
Bruce smiled. "I had spinal fusion surgery. It took care of a back problem I had for a long time. I'm feeling better than ever now."
Bruce said a lot of the right things to the LA media.
"I'm excited about this opportunity."
"You see that a lot of teams that do well in this league have quality through the middle of the field - New England and Houston are great examples."
"We're going to have to be patient with this team (the Galaxy)."
"The U.S. team improved while I was there."
"I'd like to give back to the game. I have no regrets."
"I enjoyed announcing. It gave me a greater respect for that job." Bruce did mention that he has yet to try sportswriting, but he doesn't think it would be that difficult. Then he went on to add he does have respect for the work the media do.
On the Galaxy bringing in Eddie Lewis: "We need to continue to look at that."
On Becks: "Who wouldn't look forward to working with David Beckham."
"This organization is farther along than New York. It's a good organization. We need the technical side to catch up with the business side."
Flashes of Bruce's ego showed through, though, even while on his best behavior.
"I was the longest-serving national team coach in the world." No, you weren't, Bruce.
Other misc.
Bruce didn't watch all of the U.S. Olympic team's Nigeria match, but he said he went out of his way to check out Orozco's red card, and he was pretty dubious about it. Then he ran through a little history of iffy calls versus the U.S. in international competition. I'm sure our readers can recall the main ones he listed.
Bruce on the U.S. women's team: "I always think the women will win gold."
Bruce on Dave Sarachan: "If I get assassinated, it's important that there's somebody there to continue what we've been working on."
Dave on how to improve the defense: "You change the mentality."
Now we get to see that results Bruce produces with the Galaxy. Bruce may think he has an ace with his good relationship with Landon Donovan, but that won't save him. LD loved Frank Yallop, but that wasn't enough to keep Frank in the job when the team kept losing. Two coaches LD didn't especially care for (Ruud Gullit and Steve Sampson) actually got LD to produce a lot (a double championship and the league lead in goals).
Bruce plans to live in Manhattan Beach (of course) and he said he loves the West Coast. He shook hands with all the reporters and called a few by name.
AEG has handed Bruce a lot of power, yet there's a limited time for Bruce to show that his reputation isn't based on acts more circa 2002 than anything else. Bottom line, when a lot of money and power is handed over, results are also demanded. Being nice to the media is a minor detail if the team doesn't start winning.
Bruce smiled. "I had spinal fusion surgery. It took care of a back problem I had for a long time. I'm feeling better than ever now."
Bruce said a lot of the right things to the LA media.
"I'm excited about this opportunity."
"You see that a lot of teams that do well in this league have quality through the middle of the field - New England and Houston are great examples."
"We're going to have to be patient with this team (the Galaxy)."
"The U.S. team improved while I was there."
"I'd like to give back to the game. I have no regrets."
"I enjoyed announcing. It gave me a greater respect for that job." Bruce did mention that he has yet to try sportswriting, but he doesn't think it would be that difficult. Then he went on to add he does have respect for the work the media do.
On the Galaxy bringing in Eddie Lewis: "We need to continue to look at that."
On Becks: "Who wouldn't look forward to working with David Beckham."
"This organization is farther along than New York. It's a good organization. We need the technical side to catch up with the business side."
Flashes of Bruce's ego showed through, though, even while on his best behavior.
"I was the longest-serving national team coach in the world." No, you weren't, Bruce.
Other misc.
Bruce didn't watch all of the U.S. Olympic team's Nigeria match, but he said he went out of his way to check out Orozco's red card, and he was pretty dubious about it. Then he ran through a little history of iffy calls versus the U.S. in international competition. I'm sure our readers can recall the main ones he listed.
Bruce on the U.S. women's team: "I always think the women will win gold."
Bruce on Dave Sarachan: "If I get assassinated, it's important that there's somebody there to continue what we've been working on."
Dave on how to improve the defense: "You change the mentality."
Now we get to see that results Bruce produces with the Galaxy. Bruce may think he has an ace with his good relationship with Landon Donovan, but that won't save him. LD loved Frank Yallop, but that wasn't enough to keep Frank in the job when the team kept losing. Two coaches LD didn't especially care for (Ruud Gullit and Steve Sampson) actually got LD to produce a lot (a double championship and the league lead in goals).
Bruce plans to live in Manhattan Beach (of course) and he said he loves the West Coast. He shook hands with all the reporters and called a few by name.
AEG has handed Bruce a lot of power, yet there's a limited time for Bruce to show that his reputation isn't based on acts more circa 2002 than anything else. Bottom line, when a lot of money and power is handed over, results are also demanded. Being nice to the media is a minor detail if the team doesn't start winning.
Sangre americana J4 update
Things got a bit interesting for one of our own in the First Division this weekend. Jesus Padilla got some actual playing time for Chivas as he came on at halftime. He didn't make it to the end of the match, though, as he got a red card three minutes from time. So he's gone for next week as well, a suspension that I believe keeps him out of Tapatio's match as well.
Anyway, here is how the rest of the Mexican-Americans did down in Mexico. It was another quiet week, though, with a lot of DNPs.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo - Played 90 minutes in Santos' 3-0 win over Indios
Jose Francisco Torres - Played final 28 minutes in Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Atlante
Michael Orozco - Did not dress for San Luis' 1-0 win at Atlas
Daniel Hernandez - Played 90 minutes in Jaguares' 1-1 draw with Atlante
Sonny Guadarrama - Did not dress for Morelia's 1-0 win over Pumas
Jesus Padilla - Replaced Sergio Santana at halftime and was sent off in the 87th minute in Chivas' 2-2 draw with Necaxa; Padilla had also played in Tapatio's 1-0 loss to Dorados on Thursday and was booked in the second half
Marco Antonio Vidal - Dressed but did not play in Indios' 3-0 loss at Santos
Primera Division A
Carlos Borja - Did not play in Tapatio's 1-0 loss to Dorados on Thursday
Miguel Gonzalez - Did not dress for Chetumal's 3-0 loss to Merida
Noel Castillo - Did not dress for Indios' 4-3 loss to Santos
Sammy Ochoa - Tecos had a bye week
Anyway, here is how the rest of the Mexican-Americans did down in Mexico. It was another quiet week, though, with a lot of DNPs.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo - Played 90 minutes in Santos' 3-0 win over Indios
Jose Francisco Torres - Played final 28 minutes in Pachuca's 1-1 draw with Atlante
Michael Orozco - Did not dress for San Luis' 1-0 win at Atlas
Daniel Hernandez - Played 90 minutes in Jaguares' 1-1 draw with Atlante
Sonny Guadarrama - Did not dress for Morelia's 1-0 win over Pumas
Jesus Padilla - Replaced Sergio Santana at halftime and was sent off in the 87th minute in Chivas' 2-2 draw with Necaxa; Padilla had also played in Tapatio's 1-0 loss to Dorados on Thursday and was booked in the second half
Marco Antonio Vidal - Dressed but did not play in Indios' 3-0 loss at Santos
Primera Division A
Carlos Borja - Did not play in Tapatio's 1-0 loss to Dorados on Thursday
Miguel Gonzalez - Did not dress for Chetumal's 3-0 loss to Merida
Noel Castillo - Did not dress for Indios' 4-3 loss to Santos
Sammy Ochoa - Tecos had a bye week
Little Bill Rankings (Aug. 18)
The top six shuffled around but stayed unchanged. And the two local teams slipped to the bottom two spots.
Why? Because they aren't any good right now.
1. Columbus (10-6-4). Could the Crew be poised for a run at the top spot in the East?
2. Chicago (9-6-6). Positives: McBride and Blanco together on the field. Negatives: Pretty much everything else.
3. New England (10-6-3). Still wondering if those highlights I saw were real.
4. DC United (9-9-1). If Zach Wells doesn't play again for United, it might not be a bad thing.
5. Houston (7-4-8). Only Western team that's pretty much a lock for the playoffs...
6. Real Salt Lake (7-7-6)... though this one is close too.
7. New York (7-6-7). A winning streak? Can that be possible?
8. FC Dallas (6-6-7). Unlucky not to get result, but this team is looking better and better with each passing game.
9. San Jose (5-9-6). Welcome to the playoff race, San Jose.
10. Toronto FC (7-8-5). Edu's gone, and so are TFC's hopes.
11. Colorado (7-10-3). Casey wills team to victory but is it too little, too late?
12. Kansas City (6-7-7). Back to losing ways for KC.
13. Chivas USA (6-8-5). Mediocrity would be...
14. Los Angeles (6-8-6)... an improvement for these sad sack sides.
Why? Because they aren't any good right now.
1. Columbus (10-6-4). Could the Crew be poised for a run at the top spot in the East?
2. Chicago (9-6-6). Positives: McBride and Blanco together on the field. Negatives: Pretty much everything else.
3. New England (10-6-3). Still wondering if those highlights I saw were real.
4. DC United (9-9-1). If Zach Wells doesn't play again for United, it might not be a bad thing.
5. Houston (7-4-8). Only Western team that's pretty much a lock for the playoffs...
6. Real Salt Lake (7-7-6)... though this one is close too.
7. New York (7-6-7). A winning streak? Can that be possible?
8. FC Dallas (6-6-7). Unlucky not to get result, but this team is looking better and better with each passing game.
9. San Jose (5-9-6). Welcome to the playoff race, San Jose.
10. Toronto FC (7-8-5). Edu's gone, and so are TFC's hopes.
11. Colorado (7-10-3). Casey wills team to victory but is it too little, too late?
12. Kansas City (6-7-7). Back to losing ways for KC.
13. Chivas USA (6-8-5). Mediocrity would be...
14. Los Angeles (6-8-6)... an improvement for these sad sack sides.
Week 21 Spotlight
We're about two-thirds complete with the MLS season and we still haven't figured much out. One week, New England is the best team in the league, the next thing you know they are dropping their second straight game. San Jose meanwhile was given up for dead but now they are legitimately chasing a playoff spot. It's part of the topsy-turvy league that is MLS.
Top XI
G: Joe Cannon
D: Seth Stammler
D: Nick Garcia
D: Chad Marshall
M: Ricardo Clark
M: Fred
M: Paulo Nagamura
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
M: Ronnie O'Brien
F: Conor Casey
F: Brian Ching
Coach: Tom Soehn. A day after acquiring Louis Crayton, he puts the Liberian into the starting lineup and is rewarded with a shutout. It came a lot sooner than Zach Wells' first clean sheet and may have spelled the end of Wells' tenure as starting 'keeper.
Top goal: Plenty to choose from but I'll go with Ricardo Clark's long-distance blast against Real Salt Lake.
Top save: Joe Cannon made a save midway through the second half that could have leveled terms. Adam Cristman knocked a shot on goal off a corner kick but Cannon did well to make the save. Had the Revs tied it, perhaps that late goal onslaught doesnt come as easily - or at all.
Top game: Galaxy-Chivas USA. Yes, it's a battle of struggling teams but the game was what we've come to expect from a Clasico.
LOWLIGHTS
Sean Franklin had a horrific, horrific night for the Galaxy. He was burned badly twice, and both plays resulted on goals. He actually got lucky that his elbow on Jesse Marsch didn't result in a red card. It may have been unintentional but an unintentional elbow cost a player a red card Sunday as Gabriel Cichero was sent off after elbowing Danny Dichio in New York's game with Toronto. Somehow, though, Franklin is thought to be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
New England fell apart at the seams against San Jose. Yes, the 'Quakes are better but New England shouldn't have lost 4-0 to them.
Cobi Jones should have been given more time as Galaxy coach. I thought he should have stayed the rest of the season, but Bruce is Bruce and the Galaxy management wanted to go in a different direction. With Cobi, though, that direction may have included the playoffs. Now, I don't see that happening.
Top XI
G: Joe Cannon
D: Seth Stammler
D: Nick Garcia
D: Chad Marshall
M: Ricardo Clark
M: Fred
M: Paulo Nagamura
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
M: Ronnie O'Brien
F: Conor Casey
F: Brian Ching
Coach: Tom Soehn. A day after acquiring Louis Crayton, he puts the Liberian into the starting lineup and is rewarded with a shutout. It came a lot sooner than Zach Wells' first clean sheet and may have spelled the end of Wells' tenure as starting 'keeper.
Top goal: Plenty to choose from but I'll go with Ricardo Clark's long-distance blast against Real Salt Lake.
Top save: Joe Cannon made a save midway through the second half that could have leveled terms. Adam Cristman knocked a shot on goal off a corner kick but Cannon did well to make the save. Had the Revs tied it, perhaps that late goal onslaught doesnt come as easily - or at all.
Top game: Galaxy-Chivas USA. Yes, it's a battle of struggling teams but the game was what we've come to expect from a Clasico.
LOWLIGHTS
Sean Franklin had a horrific, horrific night for the Galaxy. He was burned badly twice, and both plays resulted on goals. He actually got lucky that his elbow on Jesse Marsch didn't result in a red card. It may have been unintentional but an unintentional elbow cost a player a red card Sunday as Gabriel Cichero was sent off after elbowing Danny Dichio in New York's game with Toronto. Somehow, though, Franklin is thought to be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
New England fell apart at the seams against San Jose. Yes, the 'Quakes are better but New England shouldn't have lost 4-0 to them.
Cobi Jones should have been given more time as Galaxy coach. I thought he should have stayed the rest of the season, but Bruce is Bruce and the Galaxy management wanted to go in a different direction. With Cobi, though, that direction may have included the playoffs. Now, I don't see that happening.
Grading Ruud
Before everyone moves forward with the Bruce Arena Era, I thought about trying to put some perspective with Ruud Gullit and his time with the Galaxy. I was actually considering writing a column on this but Arena's taken over so there goes that.
I wanted to compare Ruud with other big-name foreign coaches who failed in MLS. I came up with a list of six and tried to order them but kinda stopped there since it became apparent I wasn't going to write about it.
So I'll ask our readers to help sort out the list.
I wanted to do the Top 10 Foreign Coaching Busts but limited it to seven because there seemed to be a dropoff from the top seven to the rest. Plus, many of the others weren't that big of names.
So here are the seven in alphabetical order:
Ruud Gullit; 6-8-5, Galaxy (08)
Mo Johnston; 10-20-15, NY (05-06), Toronto (07)
Bora Milutinovic; 8-25-0, NY (98-99)
Carlos Alberto Parreira; 13-19-0, NY (97)
Carlos Quieroz; 12-12-0, NY (96)
Hans Westerhof; 3-14-4, Chivas USA (05)
Walter Zenga; 13-23-0, New England (98-99)
No coach on the list has a winning record. I think big things were expected from most if not all of these coaches and some of them have gone on to bigger and better things.
Anyway, where do you think Ruud ranks in this list? How would you rank the list in terms of biggest flops? Is there someone who doesn't belong on this list or someone I didn't include that does?
I wanted to compare Ruud with other big-name foreign coaches who failed in MLS. I came up with a list of six and tried to order them but kinda stopped there since it became apparent I wasn't going to write about it.
So I'll ask our readers to help sort out the list.
I wanted to do the Top 10 Foreign Coaching Busts but limited it to seven because there seemed to be a dropoff from the top seven to the rest. Plus, many of the others weren't that big of names.
So here are the seven in alphabetical order:
Ruud Gullit; 6-8-5, Galaxy (08)
Mo Johnston; 10-20-15, NY (05-06), Toronto (07)
Bora Milutinovic; 8-25-0, NY (98-99)
Carlos Alberto Parreira; 13-19-0, NY (97)
Carlos Quieroz; 12-12-0, NY (96)
Hans Westerhof; 3-14-4, Chivas USA (05)
Walter Zenga; 13-23-0, New England (98-99)
No coach on the list has a winning record. I think big things were expected from most if not all of these coaches and some of them have gone on to bigger and better things.
Anyway, where do you think Ruud ranks in this list? How would you rank the list in terms of biggest flops? Is there someone who doesn't belong on this list or someone I didn't include that does?
Japan/US running blog - semifinals
Here we go, here we go.
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 17-Lori Chalupny, 15-Kate Markgraf, 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone-Capt.; 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 5-Lindsay Tarpley; 16-Angela Hucles, 8-Amy Rodriguez
Japan: 1-Miho Fukumoto; 2-Yukari Kinga, 3-Hiromi Ikeda, 4-Azusa Iwashimizu, 7-Kozue Ando; 14-Kyoko Yano, 8-Aya Miyama, 10-Homare Sawa, 15-Mizuho Sakaguchi, 11-Shinobu Ohno, 17-Yuki Nagasato.
Kickoff!
1 - Japan is moving the ball well from the start - the U.S. is chasing a bit, scrambling on defense.
4 - The U.S. is barely getting much of the ball. Miyama crosses! Ooh, a miss on a shot right in front of goal. Japan should have had a great shot on goal right there.
6 - Lloyd takes a shot after the FK gets touched to her - it's on goal, but Fukumoto handles it well.
7 - O'Rielly in the box! The bounce is high and she can't really shoot, so she goes down in a heap as Fukumoto grabs the ball.
9 - Japan gets another corner. The U.S. clear and get a counter going, but O'Reilly is taken off the ball trying to dribble past a defender.
11 - Tarp also taken off the ball. So far, Japan's defense has blunted the U.S. speed advantage.
12 - Mitts long ball to Lloyd, but the Japanese cut off the ensuing cross into the box. Still, the U.S. getting more of the ball.
13 - ARod, lays off a close ball in the box to Chalups, whose shot is rather poor, wide.
14 - After Japan had the early momentum, the U.S. has hung in.
16 - GOAL! It looked offside, but Tarp had stayed back, keeping Ohno on, and the little pass to her in front of goal left her with an easy finish. 1-0 Japan.
18 - Unlike Japan, the U.S. has not come back from behind once this tournament. They've been ahead every match they've won. When they trailed, they lost to Norway, 2-0.
22 - Ohno with a shot! Solo dives to make the save. She gets there, but Ohno is on fire with confidence.
24 - Japan possessing the ball well. They're taking their time, moving the ball around. They force the U.S. to chase and keep the Americans from getting any rhythm. Smart.
27- U.S. cross into the box cut off by Fukumoto.
28 - ARod into the box with speed - looks like she's going to get a corner on the deflection, but Japan catches up to the ball.
29 - Chalupny fouls Sawa, but it's a ways from goal. FK is too far for Nagasoto.
31 - I wonder if Sundhage wishes the U.S. could play Japan's possession game.
33 - Poor pass over the top by the U.S. They seem to have run out of ideas early. Perhaps the Canada game and the long delay took a toll. Usually the U.S. has an advantage athletically. They might not there if their legs are heavy.
35 - It does seem at times that Chastain is talking more than the play-by-play, which doesn't add to the game, really. Over-analysis.
37 - Playing in the rain also probably wore on the U.S. players. The Canada match was a grind-it-out affair, and perhaps it's not surprising that the U.S. looks flat.
39 - ARod isn't holding the ball well when she drops into the midfield.
40 - O'Reilly late on a tackle - gets yellow.
41 - GOAL! Then O'Reilly gets the assist! She makes the run, beats her defender on the wing, crosses the ball in. ARod misses the chance, Tarp dummies or gets confused, but the ball goes past her and Hucles is perfectly positioned for the easy putaway. 1-1
43 - I completely agree with Chastain - Hucles had a great, simple finish. "The little pass to the net", as the Brazilians say. None of her goals have really been impressive this tournament, but she has gotten the job done.
44 - GOAL! Chalupny! The defender makes the run, as her U.S. teammates have been threatening since their goal, and she cuts into the box with the ball, then rockers a laser into the roof of the net. Now that was a pretty, pretty goal. 2-1 U.S.
Halftime - Well, the U.S. has to feel good about the last five minutes of that half, while the Japanese are reeling. However, Japan has been down before and crawled back almost every time. Only against China did Japan lead the whole way. Of course, only against the U.S. did Japan fail to rally.
46 - ARod on the run - gets a corner as Fukumoto parries the shot.
47 - Japan counters on the corner clearance. The U.S. with some sloppy defending there, but they clear.
49 - Cross overhit by Japan, out for a U.S. goal kick.
50 - ARod shoots wide. Mitts then gets a yellow for kicking the ball away. The service confuses the U.S. defense again, but they eventually clear.
52 - ARod beats her defender, rounds in on goal - shoots. Fukumoto saves. ARod could have passed that, just to unsettle Japan by exercising more options. Still, very nice run.
54 - Hucles goes down from a Sawa tackle. She looks in pain, but she gets up and shakes it off.
55 - Chastain opines that the U.S. isn't tired from the Canada game. I differ on that. It's just after the half right now, when they've had a chance to take a breather. Watch for more signs of fatigue in twenty minutes.
56 - Hara comes in for Ando, first sub of game.
58 - The U.S. is controlling more of the play, but that didn't guarantee an advantage for Japan in the first half.
61 - Fukumoto punches out a ball in her box, but the U.S. is keeping the pressure on. If Japan is rattled at all, the Americans will take advantage.
63 - Chastain correctly diagnoses that Japan isn't playing the nice possession style to set up attacks the way they did before.
64 - O'Reilly shot sets up a corner. Hucles takes, foul in the box gives ball back to Japan.
65 - Nice buildup by Japan.
68 - Oooh, chances for Japan as they get back to the play that made them successful. The U.S. defense is scrambling.
69 - Kai is in for Tarp, by the way.
70 - GOAL! O'Reilly scores against the run of recent play. It looked like an attempted cross, but it spun into the goal in a tricky trajectory that fooled Fukumoto. 3-1 U.S.
75 - Arakawa has come in, with her crazy hair. It's probably useful in headers - nice cushion.
76 - Kai on the run, but her cross gets to O'Reilly on a 50-50, and O'Reilly clips her defender.
77 - Chastain campaigns for Boxx to be subbed out.
79 - Sakaguchi from distance, but Solo sees the ball in the whole way for the catch.
80 - U.S. corner.
GOAL! Hucles takes the corner, gets the ball back, cuts around her defender and hits a loopy little cross that spins into the goal. Fukumoto leaned one way, then backpedaled too late. 4-1, U.S.
82 - Sawa in the box - misses.
83 - Cheney coming in for ARod. That open-heart surgery tidbit about Lauren gets mentioned as often as "Kai is Hawaiian" and "Jay Heaps played Duke basketball".
84 - Mitts cramps up and tries to quickly stretch it out during the run of play.
86 - Cheney shoots from the corner of the box - high.
87 - Stephanie Cox comes in for the cramping Mitts.
88 - Kai shoots, gets a corner.
89 - "Six - one for the United States," says Dellacamera. Chastain doesn't correct him, but maybe he didn't mean the score, but CK.
90 - Cheney earns her team a corner. It's taken short, which is nice to see for variety, even though the shot doesn't quite come off.
Ok, I predicted both the U.S. and Brazil would advance, but did I imagine both would go down early and then storm back to score four goals? Um, no.
Off the crossbar by Sawa! Japan still fighting. Counter going the other way leads to a Lloyd shot, but Fukumoto stuffs her one on one.
GOAL! Desperate push by Japan, ball off the post, Solo scrambling, but can't grab the ball and the ball slips by Rampone, shot by Arakawa gets in. 4-2.
Final whistle
The U.S. is in the goal medal match, where they will meet a very tough Brazil team. Should be a good game. The U.S. defense can't be happy about that last, late goal from Japan, so that might serve as a good reminder on when to stay sharp. Considering that it's likely that two of the goals by the Americans weren't really intentional, the last thing the U.S. should get is cocky.
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 17-Lori Chalupny, 15-Kate Markgraf, 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone-Capt.; 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 5-Lindsay Tarpley; 16-Angela Hucles, 8-Amy Rodriguez
Japan: 1-Miho Fukumoto; 2-Yukari Kinga, 3-Hiromi Ikeda, 4-Azusa Iwashimizu, 7-Kozue Ando; 14-Kyoko Yano, 8-Aya Miyama, 10-Homare Sawa, 15-Mizuho Sakaguchi, 11-Shinobu Ohno, 17-Yuki Nagasato.
Kickoff!
1 - Japan is moving the ball well from the start - the U.S. is chasing a bit, scrambling on defense.
4 - The U.S. is barely getting much of the ball. Miyama crosses! Ooh, a miss on a shot right in front of goal. Japan should have had a great shot on goal right there.
6 - Lloyd takes a shot after the FK gets touched to her - it's on goal, but Fukumoto handles it well.
7 - O'Rielly in the box! The bounce is high and she can't really shoot, so she goes down in a heap as Fukumoto grabs the ball.
9 - Japan gets another corner. The U.S. clear and get a counter going, but O'Reilly is taken off the ball trying to dribble past a defender.
11 - Tarp also taken off the ball. So far, Japan's defense has blunted the U.S. speed advantage.
12 - Mitts long ball to Lloyd, but the Japanese cut off the ensuing cross into the box. Still, the U.S. getting more of the ball.
13 - ARod, lays off a close ball in the box to Chalups, whose shot is rather poor, wide.
14 - After Japan had the early momentum, the U.S. has hung in.
16 - GOAL! It looked offside, but Tarp had stayed back, keeping Ohno on, and the little pass to her in front of goal left her with an easy finish. 1-0 Japan.
18 - Unlike Japan, the U.S. has not come back from behind once this tournament. They've been ahead every match they've won. When they trailed, they lost to Norway, 2-0.
22 - Ohno with a shot! Solo dives to make the save. She gets there, but Ohno is on fire with confidence.
24 - Japan possessing the ball well. They're taking their time, moving the ball around. They force the U.S. to chase and keep the Americans from getting any rhythm. Smart.
27- U.S. cross into the box cut off by Fukumoto.
28 - ARod into the box with speed - looks like she's going to get a corner on the deflection, but Japan catches up to the ball.
29 - Chalupny fouls Sawa, but it's a ways from goal. FK is too far for Nagasoto.
31 - I wonder if Sundhage wishes the U.S. could play Japan's possession game.
33 - Poor pass over the top by the U.S. They seem to have run out of ideas early. Perhaps the Canada game and the long delay took a toll. Usually the U.S. has an advantage athletically. They might not there if their legs are heavy.
35 - It does seem at times that Chastain is talking more than the play-by-play, which doesn't add to the game, really. Over-analysis.
37 - Playing in the rain also probably wore on the U.S. players. The Canada match was a grind-it-out affair, and perhaps it's not surprising that the U.S. looks flat.
39 - ARod isn't holding the ball well when she drops into the midfield.
40 - O'Reilly late on a tackle - gets yellow.
41 - GOAL! Then O'Reilly gets the assist! She makes the run, beats her defender on the wing, crosses the ball in. ARod misses the chance, Tarp dummies or gets confused, but the ball goes past her and Hucles is perfectly positioned for the easy putaway. 1-1
43 - I completely agree with Chastain - Hucles had a great, simple finish. "The little pass to the net", as the Brazilians say. None of her goals have really been impressive this tournament, but she has gotten the job done.
44 - GOAL! Chalupny! The defender makes the run, as her U.S. teammates have been threatening since their goal, and she cuts into the box with the ball, then rockers a laser into the roof of the net. Now that was a pretty, pretty goal. 2-1 U.S.
Halftime - Well, the U.S. has to feel good about the last five minutes of that half, while the Japanese are reeling. However, Japan has been down before and crawled back almost every time. Only against China did Japan lead the whole way. Of course, only against the U.S. did Japan fail to rally.
46 - ARod on the run - gets a corner as Fukumoto parries the shot.
47 - Japan counters on the corner clearance. The U.S. with some sloppy defending there, but they clear.
49 - Cross overhit by Japan, out for a U.S. goal kick.
50 - ARod shoots wide. Mitts then gets a yellow for kicking the ball away. The service confuses the U.S. defense again, but they eventually clear.
52 - ARod beats her defender, rounds in on goal - shoots. Fukumoto saves. ARod could have passed that, just to unsettle Japan by exercising more options. Still, very nice run.
54 - Hucles goes down from a Sawa tackle. She looks in pain, but she gets up and shakes it off.
55 - Chastain opines that the U.S. isn't tired from the Canada game. I differ on that. It's just after the half right now, when they've had a chance to take a breather. Watch for more signs of fatigue in twenty minutes.
56 - Hara comes in for Ando, first sub of game.
58 - The U.S. is controlling more of the play, but that didn't guarantee an advantage for Japan in the first half.
61 - Fukumoto punches out a ball in her box, but the U.S. is keeping the pressure on. If Japan is rattled at all, the Americans will take advantage.
63 - Chastain correctly diagnoses that Japan isn't playing the nice possession style to set up attacks the way they did before.
64 - O'Reilly shot sets up a corner. Hucles takes, foul in the box gives ball back to Japan.
65 - Nice buildup by Japan.
68 - Oooh, chances for Japan as they get back to the play that made them successful. The U.S. defense is scrambling.
69 - Kai is in for Tarp, by the way.
70 - GOAL! O'Reilly scores against the run of recent play. It looked like an attempted cross, but it spun into the goal in a tricky trajectory that fooled Fukumoto. 3-1 U.S.
75 - Arakawa has come in, with her crazy hair. It's probably useful in headers - nice cushion.
76 - Kai on the run, but her cross gets to O'Reilly on a 50-50, and O'Reilly clips her defender.
77 - Chastain campaigns for Boxx to be subbed out.
79 - Sakaguchi from distance, but Solo sees the ball in the whole way for the catch.
80 - U.S. corner.
GOAL! Hucles takes the corner, gets the ball back, cuts around her defender and hits a loopy little cross that spins into the goal. Fukumoto leaned one way, then backpedaled too late. 4-1, U.S.
82 - Sawa in the box - misses.
83 - Cheney coming in for ARod. That open-heart surgery tidbit about Lauren gets mentioned as often as "Kai is Hawaiian" and "Jay Heaps played Duke basketball".
84 - Mitts cramps up and tries to quickly stretch it out during the run of play.
86 - Cheney shoots from the corner of the box - high.
87 - Stephanie Cox comes in for the cramping Mitts.
88 - Kai shoots, gets a corner.
89 - "Six - one for the United States," says Dellacamera. Chastain doesn't correct him, but maybe he didn't mean the score, but CK.
90 - Cheney earns her team a corner. It's taken short, which is nice to see for variety, even though the shot doesn't quite come off.
Ok, I predicted both the U.S. and Brazil would advance, but did I imagine both would go down early and then storm back to score four goals? Um, no.
Off the crossbar by Sawa! Japan still fighting. Counter going the other way leads to a Lloyd shot, but Fukumoto stuffs her one on one.
GOAL! Desperate push by Japan, ball off the post, Solo scrambling, but can't grab the ball and the ball slips by Rampone, shot by Arakawa gets in. 4-2.
Final whistle
The U.S. is in the goal medal match, where they will meet a very tough Brazil team. Should be a good game. The U.S. defense can't be happy about that last, late goal from Japan, so that might serve as a good reminder on when to stay sharp. Considering that it's likely that two of the goals by the Americans weren't really intentional, the last thing the U.S. should get is cocky.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Non-call on Torres
I'll be updating our Mexican-Americans after Jornada 4 is over but I just wanted to share this video of Jose Francisco Torres. He was taken down inside the box, and stepped on for good measure, but no call was made. Was it a PK? You decide.
Torres came on in the 62nd minute in the match, which finished 1-1. Gimenez, who missed the chance at the end of the clip there, had scored in the first half. Pachuca is a bit of a mess right now. Pachuca had a 1-0 lead and went up a man in the 59th minute but completely mismanaged the game from then on. America had multiple chances to score - twice America hit the crossbar - and finally equalized in the 89th minute.
Torres came on in the 62nd minute in the match, which finished 1-1. Gimenez, who missed the chance at the end of the clip there, had scored in the first half. Pachuca is a bit of a mess right now. Pachuca had a 1-0 lead and went up a man in the 59th minute but completely mismanaged the game from then on. America had multiple chances to score - twice America hit the crossbar - and finally equalized in the 89th minute.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Deja vu all over again
It's not as if the final four haven't met before.
In fact, it was only days ago. Here's my picks for who will go through, and yes, I have changed my mind since the start of the tournament.
In fact, it was only days ago. Here's my picks for who will go through, and yes, I have changed my mind since the start of the tournament.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sangre americana J4 preview
It's nearly one quarter of the way into the Apertura 2008 campaign for our beloved Mexican-Americans down south. While some players have done well for themselves, others are still awaiting to debut for their clubs this season while still others are hoping for increased playing times.
Also, thanks to our trusty, eagle-eyed readers we have a new member of this elite group to keep tabs on. Okay, maybe it's not quite elite but it's special nonetheless. At least to me.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo, Santos vs Indios, Sunday 4 p.m. Castillo has had an eventful season thus far. He's played every minute of every game, something he did not do a season ago, and has caught the attention of national team boss Sven Goran Eriksson. Castillo was part of the first group of callups to El Tri and is on the most recent list as well, the one that included a dozen players based abroad. It will be interesting how Sven sorts out the left side with Castillo and Andres Guardado. But for now, Castillo will have Indios on his mind. Indios are a rather sad sack of a club so Castillo should do well to find space and create chances and, of course, outrun the opponents to ever ball.
Michael Orozco, San Luis at Atlas, Saturday 6:45 p.m. It remains to be seen whether Orozco will have jet lag and not be in conditions to play or if he will step right into this match with San Luis. I actually think he might not play much this weekend in order to give his body a chance to recover from the time change. He wont be fatigued, at least not as much as some of his Olympic teammates. After all, Orozco only played three minutes in the third and decisive US match. Without Orozco, San Luis has allowed five goals in four games and have the most points in the league with 10.
Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca vs America, Saturday 5 p.m. Torres has played twice in three games and has just one start. He's logged a total of 95 minutes this season as Pachuca has stumbled to an 0-2-1 start. Coincidence? Well, probably not. Probably, it just reflects a possible reason for Pachuca's slide - inconsistency. Six players have started each game so that leaves five spots where coach Enrique Meza has juggled starters. This may be a decisive week for Torres though. If he starts and Pachuca wins, perhaps it could lead to more playing time for the Longview product. TV: Azteca America.
Daniel Hernandez, Jaguares vs Atlante, Saturday 3 p.m. Hernandez made his season debut a week ago after serving a two-match ban from a playoff brawl last spring. Hernandez, though, was partly responsible for giving up a pair of goals against San Luis. The ball seemed to go right past him on both occasions as San Luis won 2-0. Jaguares made the playoffs a year ago but it will take time for the club to regain the form that helped lead the club to the postseason. It should start now, if it's going to start, as Hernandez is among the players who missed time due to the brawl against Cruz Azul. TV: Azteca America.
Sonny Guadarrama, Morelia vs Pumas, Sunday 6 p.m. Guadarrama has been part of the first team since the start of the year but has yet to see any action. It's doubtful that he will start, well, highly unlikely would be more accurate. Again, we'll wait for him to get himself some playing time before we start to think about him starting or even playing any significant minutes.
Primera Division A
Jesus Padilla and Carlos Borja, Tapatio. Thursday night futbol isn't just for Major League Soccer. Tapatio played a match on Thursday. Jesus Padilla went the distance and picked up a yellow while Carlos Borja was an unused sub as Tapatio lost to Dorados of Sinaloa by 1-0. Borja had played in each game this season but missed the match altogether. Padilla meanwhile was on the bench for Chivas against Monterrey a week ago but did not play.
Marco Antonio Vidal and Noel Castillo, Indios Chihuahua vs Santos Laguna, Sunday 7 p.m. Vidal played all of one match for the senior club before he was shipped off to the Primera A side again. Castillo is on the opposite side as he is trying to become a Primera A regular. Indios' first-league team is struggling mightily in the top flight and their stay up top might only last one year but Vidal's opportunity may have already passed as the club could use as much experience as possible and Vidal wouldn't have much to offer.
Miguel Gonzalez, Chetumal vs Merida, Sunday 4 p.m. The latest addition to our Sangre americana family, Gonzalez is plying his trade with Chetumal. A bit of background on Gonzalez: He was born in Miami and was with New England for a spell. While with the Revs, Gonzalez played in some reserve games but not with the first team. Gonzalez, a midfielder by trade, also made some appearances with the U.S. Under-20 national team and played in a tournament in South Korea. He scored a few goals as well. Not sure how he ended up with Chetumal but he's there and playing.
Sammy Ochoa, Tecos. Ochoa served his three-match ban and promptly returned to inactivity. Tecos have a bye this week.
Also, thanks to our trusty, eagle-eyed readers we have a new member of this elite group to keep tabs on. Okay, maybe it's not quite elite but it's special nonetheless. At least to me.
Primera Division
Edgar Castillo, Santos vs Indios, Sunday 4 p.m. Castillo has had an eventful season thus far. He's played every minute of every game, something he did not do a season ago, and has caught the attention of national team boss Sven Goran Eriksson. Castillo was part of the first group of callups to El Tri and is on the most recent list as well, the one that included a dozen players based abroad. It will be interesting how Sven sorts out the left side with Castillo and Andres Guardado. But for now, Castillo will have Indios on his mind. Indios are a rather sad sack of a club so Castillo should do well to find space and create chances and, of course, outrun the opponents to ever ball.
Michael Orozco, San Luis at Atlas, Saturday 6:45 p.m. It remains to be seen whether Orozco will have jet lag and not be in conditions to play or if he will step right into this match with San Luis. I actually think he might not play much this weekend in order to give his body a chance to recover from the time change. He wont be fatigued, at least not as much as some of his Olympic teammates. After all, Orozco only played three minutes in the third and decisive US match. Without Orozco, San Luis has allowed five goals in four games and have the most points in the league with 10.
Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca vs America, Saturday 5 p.m. Torres has played twice in three games and has just one start. He's logged a total of 95 minutes this season as Pachuca has stumbled to an 0-2-1 start. Coincidence? Well, probably not. Probably, it just reflects a possible reason for Pachuca's slide - inconsistency. Six players have started each game so that leaves five spots where coach Enrique Meza has juggled starters. This may be a decisive week for Torres though. If he starts and Pachuca wins, perhaps it could lead to more playing time for the Longview product. TV: Azteca America.
Daniel Hernandez, Jaguares vs Atlante, Saturday 3 p.m. Hernandez made his season debut a week ago after serving a two-match ban from a playoff brawl last spring. Hernandez, though, was partly responsible for giving up a pair of goals against San Luis. The ball seemed to go right past him on both occasions as San Luis won 2-0. Jaguares made the playoffs a year ago but it will take time for the club to regain the form that helped lead the club to the postseason. It should start now, if it's going to start, as Hernandez is among the players who missed time due to the brawl against Cruz Azul. TV: Azteca America.
Sonny Guadarrama, Morelia vs Pumas, Sunday 6 p.m. Guadarrama has been part of the first team since the start of the year but has yet to see any action. It's doubtful that he will start, well, highly unlikely would be more accurate. Again, we'll wait for him to get himself some playing time before we start to think about him starting or even playing any significant minutes.
Primera Division A
Jesus Padilla and Carlos Borja, Tapatio. Thursday night futbol isn't just for Major League Soccer. Tapatio played a match on Thursday. Jesus Padilla went the distance and picked up a yellow while Carlos Borja was an unused sub as Tapatio lost to Dorados of Sinaloa by 1-0. Borja had played in each game this season but missed the match altogether. Padilla meanwhile was on the bench for Chivas against Monterrey a week ago but did not play.
Marco Antonio Vidal and Noel Castillo, Indios Chihuahua vs Santos Laguna, Sunday 7 p.m. Vidal played all of one match for the senior club before he was shipped off to the Primera A side again. Castillo is on the opposite side as he is trying to become a Primera A regular. Indios' first-league team is struggling mightily in the top flight and their stay up top might only last one year but Vidal's opportunity may have already passed as the club could use as much experience as possible and Vidal wouldn't have much to offer.
Miguel Gonzalez, Chetumal vs Merida, Sunday 4 p.m. The latest addition to our Sangre americana family, Gonzalez is plying his trade with Chetumal. A bit of background on Gonzalez: He was born in Miami and was with New England for a spell. While with the Revs, Gonzalez played in some reserve games but not with the first team. Gonzalez, a midfielder by trade, also made some appearances with the U.S. Under-20 national team and played in a tournament in South Korea. He scored a few goals as well. Not sure how he ended up with Chetumal but he's there and playing.
Sammy Ochoa, Tecos. Ochoa served his three-match ban and promptly returned to inactivity. Tecos have a bye this week.
Little things matter
I remember in 2005, when the Galaxy were struggling mightily in the regular season, how many players told me their Open Cup win turned everything around.
It gave them something to be proud of, to realize what they could accomplish together. They didn't finish the regular reason that strong, but they remembered that feeling in the playoffs and it pushed their work ethic to regain that feeling and eventually led to their second MLS title.
Now, some teams don't value the Open Cup, and obviously, no teams other than the Galaxy or Chivas USA care about the SuperClasico trophy. But it still does matter.
Pete Vagenas said last night, "Thing is, it's when you take care of the little stuff that the bigger things begin to fall into place."
A lot needs to fall into place for the Galaxy to make the playoffs, but one little thing has now been checked off the list.
It gave them something to be proud of, to realize what they could accomplish together. They didn't finish the regular reason that strong, but they remembered that feeling in the playoffs and it pushed their work ethic to regain that feeling and eventually led to their second MLS title.
Now, some teams don't value the Open Cup, and obviously, no teams other than the Galaxy or Chivas USA care about the SuperClasico trophy. But it still does matter.
Pete Vagenas said last night, "Thing is, it's when you take care of the little stuff that the bigger things begin to fall into place."
A lot needs to fall into place for the Galaxy to make the playoffs, but one little thing has now been checked off the list.
Marsch out
The injury list for Chivas USA grows longer as Jesse Marsch was ruled out 6-8 weeks with a fractured jaw.
Others such as Claudio Suarez and Jonathan Bornstein may be ready by next week's match against San Jose, but Marsch won't be one of them. In fact, the 6-8 week range puts him as possibly returning by late September, best-case scenario.
I'm still trying to figure out how there was no call made on the play. I didn't see the elbow but players around the play did and although they couldn't tell if it was intentional or not, an elbow was thrown. Usually referees are cautious about elbows being tossed around and will err on the side of caution in terms of calling a foul but nothing was called. I don't know if it was intentional or just a dumb boneheaded rookie mistake - ala Stephen Lenhart against Colorado a few weeks back - but I'm guessing if it was the former we'll see a suspension of some sort handed down.
Others such as Claudio Suarez and Jonathan Bornstein may be ready by next week's match against San Jose, but Marsch won't be one of them. In fact, the 6-8 week range puts him as possibly returning by late September, best-case scenario.
I'm still trying to figure out how there was no call made on the play. I didn't see the elbow but players around the play did and although they couldn't tell if it was intentional or not, an elbow was thrown. Usually referees are cautious about elbows being tossed around and will err on the side of caution in terms of calling a foul but nothing was called. I don't know if it was intentional or just a dumb boneheaded rookie mistake - ala Stephen Lenhart against Colorado a few weeks back - but I'm guessing if it was the former we'll see a suspension of some sort handed down.
Bragging rights
So, did I call the teams that would advance to the Olympic semis, or did I call them?
Let me check - yep, I called them.
Let me check - yep, I called them.
Crazy night
It was a crazy night at Home Depot Center. Between an early goal, a rally, en elbow and subsequent broken jaw and a stoppage-time equalizer, the game had a little of everything.
Of course, the on-the-field action wasn't the only thing that made the night a crazy one.
First, celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann was there. I'm actually a fan of her Simply Delicioso show and I got the chance to take a picture with her and everything. Kind of a random person to have at a game but I wasn't complaining!
Then, the game started. But of course the internet was not working. I wasn't online at all during the game. Not that I surf the 'net or anything during games but it did throw me off a little.
We got word that Tim Leiweke was going to be in the press box briefly. I dont remember how quickly everything happened but it seemed like Landon's goal, Leiweke on ESPN2 and then Leiweke before us all took two minutes, but it was probably more like 10-15 or more.
Of course, we had no choice but to stop watching the game to go back inside and talk to Leiweke. I was certain that a goal or two would be scored but it wasn't.
Halftime gave me a bit of a chance to catch up with my stories (no internet yet) but then we got word that Sacha Kljestan was going to be in the press box briefly. As a colleague said to me, we got a week's worth of stories in the first part of the game.
So we missed the first few minutes of the second half to talk to Sacha, who wore a white t-shirt with the word "Beijing" in front and "2008" in the back. As we were walking back towards our seats, Paulo Nagamura whipped a cross in, Roberto Nurse dummied it and Atiba Harris finished it. I think those were the first moments of the second half I saw.
The internet wasn't working but I had t write, which I was. But from about the 68th minute to the 80-something, there was a tech type person working on it. I couldn't write obviously so I hoped nothing major would happen. And it did, as Jesse Marsch had his jaw broken by Sean Franklin. I was in full writing mode by then though as I was several minutes behind.
Knowing the history of the Super Clasico, I didn't write a lede but rather evertyhing from then on. Sure enough, Alan Gordon scored a late header but it didn't ruin me though since I only had to slightly rework things. I got a connection after all though I had to move my laptop to use it but I was able to make deadline.
A memorable game indeed. But really, we've all come to expect as much from this rivalry.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. On my way down to the presser, a fan who I know is a reader of the blog was in a heated argument with security so I tried to stop him from getting arrested. With the help of his wife, I gently tried to usher him into an elevator and away from a possible arrest. He got into an elevator but some security followed him along. The last thing I heard him say was "F- all of you bitches" as the elevator door closed. I hope he didn't get arrested and I don't even know what happened. If you're reading this, e-mail me at lbueno99@hotmail.com ... if you're not in jail that is.
Of course, the on-the-field action wasn't the only thing that made the night a crazy one.
First, celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann was there. I'm actually a fan of her Simply Delicioso show and I got the chance to take a picture with her and everything. Kind of a random person to have at a game but I wasn't complaining!
Then, the game started. But of course the internet was not working. I wasn't online at all during the game. Not that I surf the 'net or anything during games but it did throw me off a little.
We got word that Tim Leiweke was going to be in the press box briefly. I dont remember how quickly everything happened but it seemed like Landon's goal, Leiweke on ESPN2 and then Leiweke before us all took two minutes, but it was probably more like 10-15 or more.
Of course, we had no choice but to stop watching the game to go back inside and talk to Leiweke. I was certain that a goal or two would be scored but it wasn't.
Halftime gave me a bit of a chance to catch up with my stories (no internet yet) but then we got word that Sacha Kljestan was going to be in the press box briefly. As a colleague said to me, we got a week's worth of stories in the first part of the game.
So we missed the first few minutes of the second half to talk to Sacha, who wore a white t-shirt with the word "Beijing" in front and "2008" in the back. As we were walking back towards our seats, Paulo Nagamura whipped a cross in, Roberto Nurse dummied it and Atiba Harris finished it. I think those were the first moments of the second half I saw.
The internet wasn't working but I had t write, which I was. But from about the 68th minute to the 80-something, there was a tech type person working on it. I couldn't write obviously so I hoped nothing major would happen. And it did, as Jesse Marsch had his jaw broken by Sean Franklin. I was in full writing mode by then though as I was several minutes behind.
Knowing the history of the Super Clasico, I didn't write a lede but rather evertyhing from then on. Sure enough, Alan Gordon scored a late header but it didn't ruin me though since I only had to slightly rework things. I got a connection after all though I had to move my laptop to use it but I was able to make deadline.
A memorable game indeed. But really, we've all come to expect as much from this rivalry.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. On my way down to the presser, a fan who I know is a reader of the blog was in a heated argument with security so I tried to stop him from getting arrested. With the help of his wife, I gently tried to usher him into an elevator and away from a possible arrest. He got into an elevator but some security followed him along. The last thing I heard him say was "F- all of you bitches" as the elevator door closed. I hope he didn't get arrested and I don't even know what happened. If you're reading this, e-mail me at lbueno99@hotmail.com ... if you're not in jail that is.
Preki on the Clasico
Preki talks about the game. He was about as upbeat as you can be after that effort, but it was obviously tempered by the late Galaxy goal as well as Sean Franklin's costly elbow that may have knocked Jesse Marsch out for quite some time.
After the presser, Preki was met in the tunnel by a former LA Laker.
I beat Preki to the tunnel in an attempt to get to the Chivas USA locker room before it cleared out when I noticed quite a tall fellow. I thought to myself, 'Man, that is quite a tall fellow' ... or something.
Anyway, I did a second take and realized it was Vlade Divac. Vlade shook Preki's hand and the two started conversing in their native tongue, so I have no idea what they were saying. I think Vlade may have gone into the coaches offices for some time but by that point I was interviewing players and the like.
After the presser, Preki was met in the tunnel by a former LA Laker.
I beat Preki to the tunnel in an attempt to get to the Chivas USA locker room before it cleared out when I noticed quite a tall fellow. I thought to myself, 'Man, that is quite a tall fellow' ... or something.
Anyway, I did a second take and realized it was Vlade Divac. Vlade shook Preki's hand and the two started conversing in their native tongue, so I have no idea what they were saying. I think Vlade may have gone into the coaches offices for some time but by that point I was interviewing players and the like.
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