Is That The News Making That Gurgling Sound?

-ADDITION: The official USA roster v Mex:
Keepers: Marcus Hahnemann, Kasey Keller, Matt Reis
Defenders: Chris Albright, Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra, Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Oguchi Onyewu, Greg Vanney
Midfielders: Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Lewis, Justin Mapp, Pablo Mastroeni, Santino Quaranta, Steve Ralston, Claudio Reyna
Forwards: Jeff Cunningham, Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Taylor Twellman
-There are exactly 2 ways the USA can qualify for the World Cup this weekend against the Mexicans. Here are the scenarios: Beat Mexico(!) - OR - Tie Mexico AND Panama beats or ties Costa Rica AND Trinidad & Tobago beats or ties Guatemala.
-Wednesday night MLS party: DC United v Real Salt Lake
-Here are your MLS goal leaders:
11 Twellman - NE
11 Cunningham - COLO
11 Ruiz - DAL
10 Donovan - LA
10 Moreno - DC
-Demko sends in a gem ("is this supposed to be a joke?") from the usually very good writer Marc Connolly: Greg Andrulis's George Mason side pulled off a 0-0 tie against Rutgers on the road last week. Not a bad way to start out his tenure with the Patriots ... Sure it is, especially if you regard mediocrity as something to strive for.
-Aaron Paye of my Minnesota Thunder was named USL First Division Player Of The Week. He scored two glorious goals against Richmond on Sunday for the 2-0 win. When he first started with the team I was just not impressed at all. He usually seemed to be half-assing it out there. But I have grown to love Mr. Paye's skills. He even reminds me of Ronaldo, believe it or not. I am not saying Aaron is like the great Ronaldo, but somehow he has got that same power and deceptive speed. He also tends to shoot when you don't think he will, like mid-stride or something, and he gets the shots off quickly which throw defenders and keepers all out of whack.
-I think this is a huge story out of Brazil with possible implications for the current soccer season in America (from Assoc. Press): Brazil to shrink first division, adapt soccer schedule to European season
-From the Washington Post's excellent soccer writer Steven Goff, a feature on Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger, who is from Maryland: For Ellinger, a Rocky Road Home
-If you follow soccer closely you may already know that the USA v Mexico match finally found a home on live television Saturday evening. For everyone else: See it at 6:30pm central Saturday on ESPN Classic. Let's hope the match is a Classic!
-You can also see that fantastic new Nike - Team USA tv ad here. Its very cool!
-Note from Dylan Hernandez who does a great job covering the San Jose Earthquakes for the San Jose Mercury News: If expansion team Real Salt Lake doesn't beat D.C. United at RFK Stadium tonight, the Earthquakes will secure their fifth consecutive postseason berth.
-If the kid ever needs help with a school yard bully, he will have back up: AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko announced that Italian Premier & Milan Owner Silvio Berlusconi will be his son Jordan's godfather.
-My favorite Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin, have signed Serbian striker Marko Pantelic on loan from Red Star Belgrade.
-Andrea Canales talks with just-retired Chivas keeper Martin Zuniga via Soccer 365
-To: Bruce From: Anthony de Sam Lazaro - I’d appreciate it if you could add a bit to du Nord today since I left out Fernando Clavijo in the bit about the hall of fame yesterday. It’s shameful that he was so overlooked on the US Soccer website; he’s a classy guy who did a lot for the US team including marking Leonardo in the 94 world cup game vs. Brazil and Rincon vs. Colombia.
-Soccer America has a short interview with Dmitry Piterman, he is an American who owns the Spanish club Alaves.
-Officially speaking: Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of South Korean international Lee Young-Pyo from PSV Eindhoven.
-And in somewhat related moves: PSV is trying to finish a deal to get Michael Reiziger from Middlesbrough to replace Lee. While Newcastle made another big move in selling Jermaine Jenas to Tottenham (who are spending like crazy - if they keep spending and don't win will they end up like Leeds?).
-Rob Hughes of IHT on the ref who looks like a gaunt ET: Final whistle for star referee
-I love stuff like this - Former KC coach Ron Newman, and Englishman, says, in the KC Star, that the USA does not need a single table, and is better off without one (and I like his argument): Keep European system over there
-Andy van der Meyde has left Inter Miland to sign with Everton.
-Terry Cooke feature in the Denver Post: Front and center

I Think I Would Like To Try Dating A Good Dental Hygenist Who Likes News

-This is one of the funnier things I have read in ages regarding soccer: Cashing in part of their spoils from the Michael Essien sale, Lyon have purchased star striker Fred from Cruzeiro of Brazil for a fee of about 9m pounds.
-Its about time we saw Phil Ball's name at ESPN covering La Liga. I missed him all summer. Here you go for week 1: Let The Show Begin
-Bobbin Bobby Convey serves up the corner kick that Kevin Doyle slams home in Readings 1-0 Monday win over Burnley. Marcus Hahnemann with yet another clean sheet! Great stuff. Reading coach Steve Coppell praised Convey's play in the first few weeks of the season: "Bobby has probably been our main provider of chances this season." Reading sit at the #2 spot in the 24 team Coca-Cola Championship Division with 13 points from 6 games. Sheffield Wednesday are at the top with 15 from 6, and Luton sit third on goal differential (+10 for Reading to +4 for Luton) on 13 from 6. Eddie Lewis's Leeds are in 6th with 10 from 5.
-So who the hell is even on the squad for USA v Mexico. Arena is playing those mind games again. I love it. After watching the video of the team showering (one for all you man lovers!), & seeing some training photos, I gleaned these names of who is in camp: Eddie Johnson, Chris Armas, Jimmy Conrad, Greg Vanney, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Brian McBride, Taylor Twellman, Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann, Chris Albright, Frankie Hejduk, Jeff Cunningham, Clint Dempsey, Chad Marshall, Pablo Mastroeni, & Steve Ralston. Claudio Reyna is definitely on the roster too. You can guess a lot of the rest, but still no confirmations. Others said to be there include: Justin Mapp, Kerry Zavagnin, Eddie Lewis, & Matt Reis. According to someone, DaMarcus Beasley is expected.
-Taylor Twellman of New England was named MLS Player Of The Week.
-Wow, the heavily loathed (not by me, but....) Graeme Souness convinced Michael Owen to sign with Newcastle. Thats big.
-Remember Martin Zuniga who played about 5 minutes and gave up about 50 goals for Chivas USA earlier this year. Well, he retired yesterday. Happy trails lil buckeroo.
-More of that MLS Rookie Of The Year talk.
-John Terry is out of the England World Cup Qualifier against Wales this weekend because of a knee injury.
-Did you see any of the US Hall Of Fame game yesterday. I know that I am a glutten for punishment, but I wanted to see the youngsters. One guy really stood out and that was Colorado's new Israeli signing Dedi Ben-Dayan. He can play, and he actually looks imaginative.
-Dallas gets this brand new stadium that is supposed to be fantastic. Three weeks into the new facility and they draw 14,102 against Chivas on Saturday evening. That is lame. Where are you people of Dallas who supposedly are soccer mad? Could that be part of the reason the General Manager got the boot last week?
-Minnesota Thunder striker Melvin Tarley is finally officially loaned to Salt Lake for the rest of the season. But in an odd deal, he will still play for the Thunder in the US Open Cup semi-final on Sept 14 in LA.
-The weekly USL First & Second Division recap.
*
AND
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One of my Twin Cities soccer pals, Anthony de Sam Lazaro, aka The Turkish Zath, has graciously pitched in some further reading pleasure:
-Uncle Fester look-a-like and probably the most highly regarded referee in the world, Pierluigi Collina has announced his retirement after concerns were raised when he accepted a sponsorship deal from Opel. People were worried because Opel also sponsor AC Milan. However, now the Italian FA is asking him to remain in his job.
-Andriy Shevchenko has criticized the Ascoli pitch after AC Milan drew with the promoted side. Shevchenko blamed a flooded field for his side’s poor display. Don’t both sides play on the same pitch though?
-It was a good weekend for Americans playing abroad as Claudio Reyna scored in a 2-1 win for Manchester City and Brian McBride scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for Fulham. Outside of the Premiership, young Benny Feilhaber won his new side, Hamburger SV a share of the points against Dusseldorf with a late goal, Bobby Convey inspired Reading to a 2-1 victory and Eddie Lewis sent Leeds on their way to a 2-0 win with an early goal.
-PSV have made another roster move, selling defender Wilfred Bouma to Aston Villa.
-John Harkes, Marcelo Balboa and Tabare Ramos have been inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta New York. Each of these guys are living legends and truly deserve the honor.
-There’s an interesting story about Chris Klein at the New York Times.

Sorry I Have Been Gone, It's Been A Drag Since The Macing And The News

-Only 5 more days til USA v Mexico! (Again, let me know if you are going to be there, cuz I am.) (And if you are in the Twin Cities, people will be watching the game LIVE at the Local in downtown Minneapolis via Telefutura - the English language TV showing is delayed until the early morning hours on ESPN2 because of college football - oh how far we have come and how far we have to go.)
-Mexico Week 6 Stuff
Scores:
Saturday
Toluca 1-1 Pachuca
Chiapas 1-2 Monterrey
Atlante 4-5 Veracruz
Tigres 1-0 San Luis
Dorados 1-1 Necaxa
Atlas 1-3 America
Sunday
Pumas 0-5 Cruz Azul
Tecos 2-1 Morelia
Santos 30 Guadalajara
Standings:
GROUP 1
16 America
9 Necaxa
7 Morelia
7 Tecos
6 San Luis
5 Atlante
GROUP 2
9 Veracruz
8 Pachuca
8 Pumas
7 Santos
4 Dorados
GROUP 3
15 Cruz Azul
10 Tigres
10 Monterrey
8 Guadalajara
4 Chiapas
3 Atlas
-PSV made two roster moves this weekend: Signing big striker Arouna Kone from Roda, and losing defender Young-Pyo Lee to Tottenham. Our DaMarcus also made his season debut in the 3-0 win, and of course scored his first goal of the season. We should see him for the USA v Mexico match.
-Andrea Canales tries to show us how Chivas USA is beginning to figure this ol' game out.
-Various MLS All Star players (who went to Madrid) do the Q & A with Soccer 365.
-MLS Weekend scores:
KC 0-1 Columbus
New Eng 2-1 DC
Dallas 2-2 Chivas
San Jose 2-1 LA
Game coming up on Wednesday night: DC United v Real Salt Lake
Single Table as of this moment:
45 New England 24gp
44 San Jose 24gp
41 Kansas City 25gp
39 Chicago 25gp
38 DC United 24gp
36 FC Dallas 23gp
35 Los Angeles 25gp
33 Metrostars 24gp
28 Colorado 23gp
27 Columbus 23gp
19 Real Salt Lake 23 gp
14 Chivas USA 25gp
-Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune dials up a pair: Italy and Spain start with a bang & Clash of wallets in the Champions League draw
-Long-ass Steve Nicol interview at ESPN
-(I will get around to more, but I am a bit disorganized & discombobulated, and frankly still not very together since the police run in.)

"Fuck The Police" - NWA

I made it home very early this morning from Kansas City. I had traveled with a coach full of Minnesota Thunder fans to attend the US open Cup Quarterfinal match last night. It was glorious and horrible. Our amazing team beat its third top flight team in a row, this time dominating KC 3-1. But as the game ended I stepped in and successfully stopped a big fight from happening, only to be pepper sprayed by the local cops. What a bunch of jerk-offs. It was four people, two of whom were breaking things up and two meatheads who wanted a fight. Did a cop step up and say knock it off or you are going to get doused. Hell no! These two bit egomaniac cops just opened fire. I am in pain, not to mention completely embarrassed. All because I STOPPED a fight from happening. By the way, the two losers who wanted to fight went to jail. More later.

ps. The game itself was played in a little tiny place that I would guess holds about 1500. It was not even close to being sold out. And we wonder why the KC team is in serious doubt, will definitely be sold, and could quite possibly move. These fans have had 10 years to get it together. The song has ended.

Heads Up

Expect NO du Nord for the next two days as I will be out both Wed & Thurs with the gang traveling to KC to beat the Zards into submission (a submarine mission) in the US Open Cup.
I may try to report in on Thurs if I have recovered.
All those folks listed to the right will have tons of great stuff for you to read in the mean time.
And if you care how my team did in the Cup you can check here late Wed night or Thurs morn.

Laxitives Will Not Give You More Or Better News

-Great article at MLSnet about our Thunder and their US Open Cup match tomorrow night in KC: K.C. will not fear, or overlook, Thunder
For some reason it just feels like the planets are aligning again for our squad. Over 40 of us are headed south tomorrow morning on a chartered coach and plan to give KC a serious earful. I really can't wait.
Here are the other US Open Cup matches for tomorrow night:
Rochester v Chicago
DC United v FC Dallas
Kansas City v Minnesota
San Jose v Los Angeles
-If our team pulls off yet another miracle tonite then the semifinal would look like this (Game to be played on Wed Sept 14.): San Jose at KC/MN winner -or- KC/MN Winner at Los Angeles
-Today is Real Madrid v MLS Select for the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu trophy. This should be a fun one to watch. The english speaking side of the Real Madrid website has no mention of the match even happening, but the spanish speaking page has tons of articles and pictures. Too bad I am such a boar and can't read any of them. Here is a link to one of the articles with many pictures from yesterdays practice session. I also came across two photos showing Jonathan Woodgates horrible hair sense (Oooof! & WTF?)(Is he trying to look like a long lost member of the Ramones?), and the amazing looking bus Madrid rides around in. Do you think the bus me and my pals are riding to KC tomorrow will be like this one?
-Hans Westerhof meet William H Macy. William H Macy meet Hans Westeroff
MLS single table (*would miss playoffs if season ended today):
42 New England
41 San Jose
41 Kansas City
39 Chicago
38 DC United
35 FC Dallas
35 Los Angeles
33 Metrostars*
28 Colorado
24 Columbus*
19 Real Salt Lake*
13 Chivas USA*
-I should have posted this a week or so ago, but I totally missed it. Luis Bueno who writes for the Press-Enterprise (near LA in the Inland Empire) & MLSnet says: Stop hating Chivas USA. I'm guilty of this, I don't like Chivas just cuz of who they are and how cocky they were before they ever even played a game in the league. But secretly I want them to be huge and have tons of fans, creating even more rabid rivalries.
-This is about you and me (If we were English): Football fans are idiots (from the Guardian)
-Remember Brian West from Columbus. He has had a good run with Fredrikstad in Norway, and just signed a 3 year extension to his deal. Last year he was named to the leagues best 11.
-A little forewarning on the schedule for the FIFA U17 World Championship in Peru. All 3 USA first round (Group C) matches will be shown on Fox Soccer Channel starting Sept 17:
Sat Sept 17 v North Korea at 2pm central (delay)
Tue Sept 20 v Italy at 330pm central (live)
Fri Sept 23 v Ivory Coast at 330pm (live)
-UEFA Champions League games today and tomorrow - Third Qualifying Round, second leg (and first leg scores):
Third qualifying round, second leg
Tue Aug 23
Lokomotiv Moskva v Rapid (1-1)
Partizan v Artmedia (0-0)
Liverpool v CSKA Sofia (3-1)
Thun v Malmo (1-0)
Udinese v Sporting (1-0)
Rosenborg v Steaua (1-1)
Monaco v Betis (0-1)
Panathinaikos v Wisla (1-3)
Wed Aug 24
Rangers v Anorthosis (2-1)
Slavia v Anderlecht (1-2)
Ajax v Brondby (2-2)
Debrecen v Manchester United (0-3)
Club Brugge v Valerenga (0-1)
Bremen v Basel (1-2)
Internazionale v Shakhtar (2-0)
Villarreal v Everton (2-1)
The most interesting news from these matches is that Inter have to play their first 4 Champions League matches behind closed doors. The fans were asinine last spring, throwing flairs on to the pitch, hitting Milan keeper Dida, and the team having to forfeit the match. What a bunch of losers. The team will add to the weirdness by putting big screens around outside the stadium, so if the fans cheer loud enough, the players inside will be able to hear it.
The other match to watch is Everton (who are 2-1 down) and have to go to Villareal's El Madrigal stadium. They could be cooked.
-Not surprisingly, Amado Guevara of Metrostars was named MLS player of the week, after he scored 3 to draw Chivas USA.
-Week 2 of the Maradona TV show brings more hilarity and a surprising confession. During the show he said this: "It is a miracle that I live. But if Jesus stumbled, then why not I?" (thanks Anthony!)
-Rob Hughes of International Herald Tribune on George Weah (who acted like a lame ass rock star when he was here last spring - kept everyone waiting for hours with no explanation and no apologies - booooooring!): King George is taking aim at a presidency
-Midfielder Tiago has left Chelsea and signed with Lyon - I would assume this is unofficially part of the deal that brought Michael Essien to Chelsea from Lyon (and thus making Tiago expendable).
-And Aston Villa have signed Liverpool's Czech striker Milan Baros.
-The USL First & Second Division wrap ups from last week. Montreal (defending champs) & Rochester (perennial contenders) both has secured a spot in the post season. My Thunder are 5 points out of the 6th and final spot.
-The LA Galaxy are trying to re-obtain their former midfielder Marcelo Saragosa. He played very well for the Laxy last year, but turned down a contract for more money back in Brazil.

Correction

I know last week I said the Real Madrid v MLS Select XI match would be on GolTV but I jumped the gun. You can see it live on Fox Soccer Channel today at 230pm central time, and I'm sure they will re-show the match several times

The Rubes In KC & The Boobs In SJ Needs News Too

-Eddie Lewis continues to look like a genius for switching to Leeds for this season. He hit the game winner on Saturday. 2-0 over Wolverhampton.
-5 other Americans had great games in England too:
Bobby Convey is KILLING at Reading all of a sudden. He scored two, including a 70 yard dribble and score to open the game (see it in a series of photos here) and a 5-0 win over Millwall. Of course that means Marcus Hahnemann had a shutout too.
Claudio Reyna played another excellent match for Man City as they won 2-1 at Birmingham.
Brian McBride scored again for Fulham, but they lost to Brad Friedel's Blackburn.
-Grant Wahl shows the ultimate sad state of soccer on TV in America: Key U.S.-Mexico game might not see major broadcast
-Oguchi Onyewu is NOT going to Man United.
-Opinion piece in the Trinidad Express by Fazeer Mohamed sharing his views on Trindad & Tobago's failure against the USA. Pretty fiery read.
-Back on August 10th I tried to predict the MLS Select team to go to Madrid this week. I did damn good too, picking 10 or the 19. Hooray Beer!
-Did you see that pathetic Columbus v Dallas game on ESPN2 Saturday. It was simply awful. Two teams who did not deserve to get paid is what I saw. Those fans got scammed good. I went to a MLS game in Crew Stadium once. Same two teams. And somehow it was even worse. 0-0 draw. So, it was exactly like Saturdays match, without the one decent goal. Again, pathetic.
-Other MLS weekend goodies:
DC 2-3 LA - Now this was a good one. Tons of end to end burners, some controversy, some great goals, and a nice snotty banner aimed at Landycakes ("Don't Cry Landon, It's Just An Away Game"). Of course Donovan scored 2 to put it back in their face. It fully believe that his first goal (on a free kick) went off the arm of the massive idiot Dema Kovalenko. Dema charged at Donovan way before the kick was taken, with both arms raised above his head. Then Dema jumped as Landy kicked the ball. It appeared to go off the Demons left arm and swerve under the bar past Rimando.
RSL 0-1 San Jose - San Jose stays hot at the top. Good for them!
Mets 3-3 Chivas - Chivas led 3-1 on goals by the new guys up top. Francisco Palencia scored 2, and Juan Pablo Garcia 1. But Amado Guevara scored on 2 PK's (both drawn by Eddie Gaven) and a stunning free kick 4 minutes into second half added time for the draw.
Yer definitely gonna wanna see video on all of this stuff
-Juan Sebastian Veron scored for Inter, as they beat Juventus 1-0 for the Italian Supercup. Big deal. The only significant news to come from the match was that Walter Samuel got a 3 game suspension for spitting at Juve's Pavel Nedved (damn, he is an awesome player). Of course Samuel denies spitting. This is what Nedved has to say about it: "You guys tell me he spat at me, I wasn't aware of anything." Interesting. Inter will appeal the punishment. There is a tremendous photo of a Juve player losing his head during the match.
-Chelsea got pretty lucky beating Arsenal yesterday. But I think they deserved it. Their defense was awesome against Henry and his buddies.
-Mexican First Division results from Saturday and Sunday (I didn't see any of them so I can report back - sorry):
Saturday
Toluca 2-1 Cruz Azul
Atlante 2-1 Necaxa
Chiapas 2-2 Veracruz
Tigres 1-1 Guadalajara
Dorados 0-3 Santos
Morelia 1-2 America
Atlas 3-2 Pachuca
Sunday
Pumas 0-0 San Luis
Tecos 2-1 Monterrey
-PSV beat newly promoted Vitesse Arnhem 2-1. Phillip Cocu & Jefferson Farfan each scored.
-Daring Chelsea earns a little luck & Despite Title, Doubt Clings to Liverpool by Rob Hughes from the International Herland Tribune & the New York Times
-Simon Kuper: Don’t worry, it won’t last
-Glenn Davis in the Houston Chronicle on Steve Cherundolo: Cherundolo might be right back for U.S. team

I Have Never Done That Before With The News

-Since MLS still has yet to release a roster for match vs Real Madrid next Tuesday, some sites have resorted to asking players what they know. 3rd Degree got word from Ronnie O'Brien that he is going, plus, he spilled the beans on some Select XI teammates. ADDITION: Here now is the official squad list released by MLS mid afternoon.
-Reading Football Club have set up an official E-Bay site to auction off game worn jerseys from some of their players, including Bobby Convey. There are currently two up for bids. (1 & 2) All proceeds go to the teams inhouse charity: Kicks 4 Kids.
-Big MLS game on tip top tap for Friday night: Kansas City v Chicago. With 5 teams bunched up within 10 points of each other, fighting for 4 playoff spots, this game has weight. Chicago sits is 2nd with 39 (3 points behind leaders New England) & KC is 4th with 38 and a game in hand (6 points ahead of 5th place Metro).
-What does Salt Lake coach John Ellinger think of new Jamaican signing Robert Scarlett? Here is big Johns quote: "He is like a DaMarcus Beasley." Dream on buddy.
-The rest of the weekend MLS schedule looks a little like this (with 9 weeks left to play):
Saturday August 20
Columbus v Dallas (live at 3pm central on ESPN2)
DC v LA (live at 630pm central on FSC)
Salt Lake v San Jose
Sunday August 21
Metrostars v Chivas
The single table:
42 New England
39 Chicago
38 DC United
38 Kansas City
38 San Jose
35 FC Dallas
32 Los Angeles
32 Metrostars
28 Colorado
21 Columbus
19 Real Salt Lake
12 Chivas USA
-From the Mexican Football League you can see Pumas v San Luis on Sunday at 12NOON Central on Univision.
-Other matches on Fox Soccer Channel this weekend:
Friday August 19
Rochester vs Puerto Rico (USL First Division) - 7PM Central
Saturday August 20
Man U v Aston Villa - 630AM Central
Birmingham v Man City - 11AM Central
Tottenham v Middlesbrough - 2PM Central
MLS Wrap - 11PM Central
Sunday August 21
Bolton v Everton - 12NOON Central
Troyes v PSG - 2PM Central
San Lorenzo v Independiente - 4PM Central
-And on Sunday at 10AM central on pay-per-view you can see Chelsea v Arsenal. I will be in downtown Minneapolis at The Local watching with my pals, eating the excellent breakfast (especially those potatoes).
-Another little tidbit leaked out about the ABC/ESPN TV broadcast of World Cup 06 - Most of the games will have live broadcsters on location rather than back here in the US calling the game off a monitor! Huge upgrade in my book. (They say some games may still be done from back home, but a lot less then last time.)
-Cory Gibbs news: Yanks Abroad had a mention that Gibbs is recovering on schedule from the summer knee surgery. He is expected to start full training in early September.
-The USA v T&T post-game video from US Soccer, in the All Access Video section, has great insider stuff as always.
-Guadalajara fired their coach, Benjamin Galindo, yesterday, after only 3 games. He will be replaced by Spainard Xavier Azkargorta
-Soccer America has a break down of how the USA & Mexico can both qualify for Germany 06 when the two teams meet on September 3rd.
-Rumblings out of Houston concerning MLS, this time specifically San Jose relocating: University of Houston athletic director Dave Maggard on Thursday said his office has had discussions with officials from San Jose Earthquakes owner Anschutz Entertainment Group regarding a possible move by the MLS franchise to Houston
-Juve take on Inter Saturday for the Italian Supercup. This annual game pits the winner of the Scudetto vs the winner of the Italian Cup. It's just like England's Charity Shield match.

USA Win 1-0 Over News

-After every USA match, US Soccer releases a quote sheet from the coach and certain players. Here is the quote sheet from last nights uneventful 1-0 win over the powerless Trinidad & Tobago.
-The game started in spectacular fashion for our boys. A goal from McBride 1:32 into the game. Then, nothing but missed chances for the remaining 88:28.
-I haven't seen much written about the reason John O'Brien was pulled from the match. It seemed to be a hip injury concern. The word is that it should not be serious for the fragile man. I hope that is the case.
-Marc Connolly writes via MLSnet about the Trinidad & Tobago view point of the match: For T&T, defeat stings
-The Hartford Courant has some decent coverage of last nights game.
-As dull as the USA game was, at least they didn't lose 4-1 to Denmark like a supposed World Cup contender did. How's the weather in England today?
-They are calling Englands loss their worst ever! The BBC posted a list of their other horrifying matches (and the USA makes the list not once, but twice):
FAMOUS ENGLAND SLIP-UPS
USA 1-0 England - World Cup 1950
England 0-0 Saudi Arabia - Friendly 1998
England 2-2 Macedonia - World Cup qualifier 2002
USA 2-0 England - Friendly 1993
England 1-3 Australia - Friendly 2003
-The details for CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying look like this:
Last nights scores:
USA 1-0 Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico 2-0 Costa Rica (Jared Borgetti got his 36th (!!) international goal.)
Guatemala 2-1 Panama (Panama scored first. El Pescadito tied the match. And Guate scored in extra time for the winner,)
Table:
16 Mexico
15 USA
7 Guatemala
7 Costa Rica
4 Trinidad & Tobago
2 Panama
-Pavel Pardo, Mexico's captain, picked up a yellow card last night and will miss the USA match.
-As promised, here is some World Cup broadcasting info from AP: ABC and ESPN will broadcast their fourth straight World Cup next year and will televise all 64 games in high definition. The networks will not decide until after the draw on Dec. 9 how to split the games among ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
-Personally I find this bit of news from ESPN to be even bigger: ESPN/ESPN2 also plans to televise two European Champions League games most weeks when the tournament is going on this season. In recent years, ESPN/ESPN2 have broadcast only one game in many weeks. I would like to think that all my emails are what got them to pony up the dough to show two games a week instead of one.
-Oh, I almost forgot. Taylor Twellman was clearly not offside on the second USA goal. It would have been his first goal. He deserves a break.
-From the FC Dallas fan run web site 3rd Degree: He's Back! Yes, that's Richard Mulrooney back at training. Well not training, but out rehabbing while the team trains. It's the next step on the road to return. "I want to play by the end of the seasons, or maybe in the playoffs." says Richard. Fantastic to see.
-Another of my favorite writers, George Vecsey, doesn't get to write nearly enough about the beautiful game for the New York Times. But today he does: How Soccer Explains the World
-Colorado beat New England 2-0 last night in MLS play. The first goal was a smoker from Alain Nkong who has gotten better as the year has gone on. The other surprise for Colorado lately has been the very young Haitian Fabrice Noell. Do a web search by his name, and read his story, its pretty sad, and yet amazing. I don't know how he has stood up to what his life has dealt him.
-Another note about Colorado. They have not lost in 4 straight games now, which makes the 4-1 ass-whipping that the Thunder put on them look even more incredible.
-There were a massive amount of International matches played yesterday. Here are the results:
World Cup Qualifiers of big importance:
Europe
Group One
Macedonia 0-3 Finland
Romania 2-0 Andorra
Group Two
Kazakhstan 1-2 Georgia
Group Three
Latvia 1-1 Russia
Liechtenstein 0-0 Slovakia
Group Four
Faeroe Islands 0-3 Cyprus
Asia
Group A
South Korea 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan 3-2 Kuwait
Group B
Bahrain 2-3 North Korea
Japan 2-1 Iran
Africa
Group Three
Sudan 1-0 Benin
Group Five
Tunisia 1-0 Kenya
Friendlies that only count for bragging rights:
Albania 2-1 Azerbaijan
Austria 2-2 Scotland 2
Belgium 2-0 Greece
Bulgaria 3-1 Turkey
Croatia 1-1 Brazil
Denmark 4-1 England
Ecuador 3-1 Venezuela
Estonia 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
France 3-0 Ivory Coast
Hungary 1-2 Argentina
Iceland 4-1 South Africa
Ireland 1-2 Italy
Jordan 0-0 Armenia
Libya 0-1 Nigeria
Malta 1-1 Northern Ireland
Netherlands 2-2 Germany
Norway 0-2 Switzerland
Paraguay 3-0 El Salvador
Peru 3-1 Chile
Portugal 2-0 Egypt
Spain 2-0 Uruguay
Sweden 2-1 Czech Republic
Wales 0-0 Slovenia
And scores from something called the Lobanovsky Tournament:
Poland 3-2 Israel
Ukraine 2-1 Serbia-Montenegro
Angola 2-1 Cape Verde Islands
Senegal 0-0 Ghana
Morocco 0-1 Togo
-You can check out all the group standings and remaining game schedules via the great FIFA World Cup site.
-Yesterday I ran a link to a story about Argentinian young star Lionel Messi saying he has great talent and just might make his senior Argentina debut last night. Well he did make his debut, and his appearance lasted exactly 1 minute! He got a straight red for throwing a vicious elbow! Nice job dude. Where did you learn that stunt?
-The return of ZiZou by Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune: A touch of divine as Zidane returns
-And more on the retardation in Italy from Rob Hughes too (I know he can explain that whole mess better than I can): First in chaos: A litigious summer for Italian leagues
-I forgot to mention this a couple days ago, Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be out of action for about three months after injuring his shoulder. He just had surgery.
-To make room for the new signings we keep hearing about, Chivas USA had to release a couple of players from the current squad. They chose to get rid of defenders Alfonso Loera & Aaron Lopez. Loera had played in 12 matches, Lopez 4. Neither will be missed much, except by their landlords when rent is due next.

Real Madrid v MLS Select XI

see it on tv
Tuesday August 23 2pm Central
Live on GolTV
(its not the most convenient, but at least we can see it with some effort)

Are You Ready For Tonights Action? I Am! How About Todays News? Are You Ready For That?

-New England are going thru the process of signing Panama forward Ricardo Phillips. He is not a young man, but he has been very good for Panama over the past two years. He currently plays for Tauro FC in Panama.
-By the way, Hartford officially sucks. Only 15000 of the 38000 tickets have been sold so far for tonights match.
-From US Soccer: The USA's last lost to a Caribbean nation Nov. 19, 1994, a 1-0 loss to tonight's opponent. The team has gone 16-0-8 since then.
-Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, Inside Soccer with Eddie Lewis.
-Word from PSV is that DaMarcus Beasley is now practicing with the team, but it is unknown whether or not he will play on Sunday against Vitesse for this seasons home opener.
-There is news slowly filtering out that Fox Soccer Channel is going to be showing some Serie A from Italy this year. No real details on what games they will be showing. I think that Gol-TV has a deal with Italy too, so these games on FSC may be the less favorable picks each week. This is what the press info from FSC said: Viva Italia! FSC is proud to offer a glimpse into one of Europe's most successful and legendary leagues. Every weekend we'll travel around the boot-shaped calcio oasis to bring you some of the best soccer on the planet. It's bound to be amore once you settle in and let the entertainment begin. Season: Sep.-May · Matches: 20 · Duration: 2 hrs.
-The Chicago Fire website has some brand new pictures of their stadium in Bridgeview being built. It is coming along really well, and the roof structures are being put in place. I am really excited for this.
-It's too bad that Dallas was too cheap to put some roofing on Pizza Hut Park. Who wants to sit in the blazing heat of Dallas and watch soccer - I think in the not so distant future they will regreat this. I say: Get some damn shade dudes!
-Look for news of World Cup TV coverage some time today. And hope for no pay per view games likes the whispers have rumored.
-La Liga squad Sevilla has bought Fredi Kanoute from Tottenham.
-More from Italy & Serie A in particular. What a weird league and country. I am really glad I don't live there. The rules of the league seem to change every day. Actually, to be more acurate, someone seems to make them up every day, cuz there sure don't appear to be any official standards to start with. Today it was announced that Treviso and Ascoli will both be in Serie A this season (which is supposed to start in 2 weeks) and Genoa and Torino have been relegated. None of this was done for actual play on the field. It happened because Genoa have been accused of match fixing (isn't that a crime!!) and have been sent to Serie C, while Torino is too far in debt for the leagues liking and have been down sent to Serie B (I guess to sort out the money thing). For facts sake, let me tell you that Treviso and Ascoli finished 5th and 6th in Serie B last year. So now here is the weirdest of the weird: Bologna who finished 3rd, and lost the relegation playoff to Parma were passed over for Serie A promotion, and there is no explanation given for that move. Plus, Perugia who finished in 4th also got sent down to Serie C for bad finances. What the f... is going on over there?!?!?!? Shouldn't FIFA step in and knock these goof balls over the head with a rock or something? Maybe we will get some reasoning soon. Or maybe not. "Not" might be more fun.
-OK, so, in real news, the biggest early season match in Italy will be on October 2nd with Inter traveling to Juve.
-Nike has some new video stuff with USNT players. And US Soccer has some previews of things to come.
-Glenn Davis interviews Chicago rookie Chris Rolfe at the US National Team Players Assoc site.
-Some World Cup Qualifying scores already in today from the Far East:
Europe - Group Two
Kazakhstan 1-2 Georgia
Asia - Group A
South Korea 0-1 Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan 3-2 Kuwait
Asia - Group B
Japan 2-1 Iran
With many more games on tap:
Europe
Group One
Macedonia v Finland
Romania v Andorra
Group Three
Latvia v Russia
Liechtenstein v Slovakia
Group Four
Faeroe Islands v Cyprus
Africa
Group Three
Sudan v Benin
Group Five
Tunisia v Kenya
Asia
Group B
Bahrain v North Korea
CONCACAF
Guatemala v Panama
Mexico v Costa Rica
USA v Trinidad & Tobago
Plus all those friendlies that I am not going to bother listing.
-Stupidly, MLS has a match on the schedule tonite: Colorado v New England
-Marc Connolly on Santino Quaranta via MLSnet.
-FC Dallas have finally snapped up former Middlesborough player & England U21 International Mark Wilson. Paperwork is being completed by the league before he can play.

Take Their News

-DaMarcus Beasley did not play for PSV this past weekend. And he won't be ready for the USA game Wednesday either. Does that mean Taylor Twellman gets a start up top? Or is it Landycakes Donovan at forward (or maybe he is too tuckered out), and someone else (like Steve Ralston) in the midfield? No one will be added to the roster to take DMB's spot.
-Did you notice the captains arm band on Claudio Reyna in the Man City season opener. I think that is amazing. He has been captain for every team he has ever suited up for. And then check out the praise that coach Stuart Pearce lays on Claudio: It's in this article about another player.
-They went wild for Bobby Convey on Saturday as he got two big assists and Reading won 3-0 over Preston on the road.
-The new kid from Argentina that DC signed has that bad Euro-footballer hair. Wasn't that the Euro Gran Prix Motorcycle Driver look from 1985?
-Where is Allen Hopkins? My favorite soccer announcer in America has gone missing. At least in my mind he is missing. I have not heard his voice on Fox Soccer Channel is quite a while now. He always did the Bundesliga, but two weeks in a row we have had a British commentator. Does anyone know what is going on?
-On Monday the USA U17's won the Toyota Cup, beating Japan 2-1.
-Trinidad & Tobago's squad for the Wednesday night Qualifier:
Goalkeepers: Shaka Hislop (West Ham United), Kelvin Jack (Dundee FC)
Defenders: Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Atiba Charles (Vibe CT 105 W Connection), Cyd Gray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Avery John (New England Revolution), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Brent Sancho (unattached)
Midfielders: Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Collin Samuel (Dundee United), Silvio Spann (Yokohama FC), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA Fire), Aurtis Whitley (Jabloteh), Glenton Wolfe (North East Stars)
Forwards: Stern John (Coventry City), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Scott Sealy (Kansas City Wizards), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC)
-Check out the Trinidad & Tobago Express newspaper for all the latest on the USA's opponent for Wednesday night.
-Kansas City has brought in Finnish national team forward Antti Sumiala for a look. His most recent club was Vaduz in the mighty Liechtenstein league. He scored 2 goals back in May to help his squad beat USV Eschen/Mauren and win the coveted Cup of Liechtenstein.
-According to Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe, Metrostars assistant coach Mo Johnston will be Steve Nicol's assistant coach for the MLS All-Stars in Madrid. Thats doesn't make any sense to me? Why not Nicol's actual assistant Paul Mariner? Or Metro head coach Bob Bradley?
-Mexican First Divsion scores from this past weekend:
Cruz Azul 5-1 Tecos
Monterrey 1-0 Atlas
Veracruz 2-3 Toluca
Guadalajara 3-2 Atlante
Necaxa 2-0 Pumas
San Luis 1-1 Chiapas
America 2-1 Dorados
Santos 1-4 Tigres
Pachuca 1-3 Morelia
Mexican standings after 3 games:
GROUP 1
7 America
5 Necaxa
4 Morelia
4 San Luis
1 Atlante
1 Tecos
GROUP 2
7 Toluca
6 Pumas
4 Veracruz
4 Pachuca
3 Dorados
1 Santos
GROUP 3
9 Cruz Azul
6 Tigres
4 Monterrey
4 Guadalajara
3 Chiapas
0 Atlas
-Andrea Canales is one of the few women writing about soccer in America (hell, anywhere in the whole world for that matter). She can usually be found at Soccer 365, and sometimes for ESPN Soccernet. Her latest is a story on her trip to the LA Coliseum for the LA-Chivas & America-Guadalajara double header that drew nearly 90,000.
-They said it was going to be hard for PSV and DaMarcus Beasley to repeat their amazing season in Holland this year. Sure looks that way, as they stumble out of the starting block with a 1-1 draw away with newly promoted Heracles. Ouch. Phillip Cocu scored the goal for PSV. As I wrote earlier, Beasley did not play.
-Metrostars captain Amado Guevara has been harping on about how bad the MLS referees are, and saying he does not want to play in the league next year. He had a chance to retract that statement in a followup interview and was adamant that he is on his way out. Boy, I bet he will put in one hell of an effort the rest of this season with that attitude. I say this: The International Transfer Window is now officially open for MLS, why not sell the guy right now and get something for him? Carlos Ruiz does some bitching too.
-Simon Kuper of the London Financial Times on Edwin Van Der Sar: United turn to a ‘rabbit’ with experience
-3 from Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune. One on Swiss footballs new legends(?!?!) Thun: A fresh force is blowing from the foothills of the Alps & the second is on the search for the beauty in the beautiful game in England: Finding artistry amid the clutter & a third on young Argentine Lionel Messi: A young artist steps on the old master's stage
-Interview with Gregg Berhalter at US Soccer.

Thanks For All The Get Well Notes, Now Lets Get Some News Going Shall We

-USA coach Bruce Arena is always full of little surprises when he calls in a squad for Team USA. This one is for the World Cup Qualifier this week in Hartford CT against Trinidad & Tobago. Here's who the coach pointed his finger at:
G
Kevin Hartman
Tim Howard
Kasey Keller
D
Chris Albright
Gregg Berhalter
Jimmy Conrad
Oguchi Onyewu
Greg Vanney
M
Chris Armas
DaMarcus Beasley
Bobby Convey
Eddie Lewis
John O’Brien
Santino Quaranta
Steve Ralston
Claudio Reyna
F
Jeff Cunningham
Landon Donovan
Brian McBride
Taylor Twellman
-Not many defenders on that list (5), and really only 3 forwards too, cuz Landycakes is a midfielder. Who do you think will get the start?
-If I was coach Arena, and I nearly am, this is the lineup I would start against T&T (The pre-game speech I would give to the team would be this: ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, and when you are done with that, then ATTACK!):
Keller
Albright Onyewu Conrad Vanney
Reyna O'Brien Lewis
Donovan McBride Beasley
-Here's an couple of interesting facts from US Soccer: The USA and Trinidad & Tobago have played nine times in World Cup qualifying, with the USA compiling an undefeated record of seven wins and two ties. The USA has not surrendered a goal to Trinidad & Tobago in a home qualifier since a 1-1 tie in Torrance, CA, on May 13, 1989, and has recorded a shutout in six of their nine overall qualifying matches.
-Does T&T run out on to the field to the song TNT by AC-DC. If I were them, I surely would. "I'm TNT, I'm dynamite!"
-There are rumors floating around that Oguchi Onyewu may be headed to Manchester United!
-I must say that McBride and Reyna are looking real good right now. I am excited to see them in the Red, White & Blue.
-And if yer in the Twin Cities area, we are gathering at the Local for viewing. The Local is at 10th & Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis.
-MLS Mania (and observations):
-Some fans of the Colorado Rapids were driving by the area where their new stadium is said to be built, and found this sign hanging on the fence that surrounds the property. Not bad at all!
-Clint Dempsey stepped up with another classic post-goal-scoring celebration last Wed. In case you didn't see it, he leaped the sign boards behind the net, ran over to those dudes in Boston who dress up like they are fighting in the War of Independence, took one guys three-corner hat off, slapped it on himself, and did some sort of fife & drum inspired dance! Hilarious. Not as good as the baseball homerun celebration, but excellent.
-And speaking of New England, how about that late game Khano Smith goal. Wow!
-Eddie johnson is clearly not healed, and should not be out there. He is hurting the team by doing nearly nothing.
-In the Real Salt Lake 2-4 loss to Kansas City - Jamie Watson, the punk ass diver, got a red card.
-Jason Kries hits goal number 100. Awesome for him. The Alan Shearer of MLS. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
-Josh Wolff had 3 assists for KC!
-My current pick for rookie of the year, Scott Sealy, bagged another goal for KC.
-Can I say a few words about the new stadium in Dallas. First and last and always, its great! But.... can you guys do some thing about those ugly cement walls? I am sending out a challenge to all FCD fans: Make Some Friggin' Banners! Please! Anything will do, the more absurd the better.
-Now for my own absurdity. A bunch of people were at my house watching the Dallas loss to NE on Saturday night and we decided that if we lived in Dallas, we would start our own supporters section called: The Meat Lovers! Other supporters would follow suit with The Veggie Lovers, and The Cheese Lovers. All in honor of Pizza Hut.
-I know you know this, but Chivas USA is awful. They are worse then ever. After they lost to LA at the Coliseum last week, some of the players seemed to think they are good, and better then LA (who have beat them 5 times this season). But the coach is no moron, and he thinks they stink. Speaking of coach Westerhof, is he a stunt double for William H Macy or what?
-Chris Albright got robbed in 2-1 loss to Chicago. He had a goal disallowed cuz the keeper supposedly had the ball firmly in his grasp and Albright kicked it free before slamming it home for a tie score. The keeper clearly did not have the ball in his hands. Sorry ref, yer wrong again.
-Steve Nicol is a great choice for the MLS select-team coach for the match against Real Madrid.
-I liked Ricardo Clark during his first year with the Mets, then he faded away last season. But his game in San Jose has become really strong. He was MLS player of the month in July and get my attention. I have watched him since then and I must say he is an interesting player. He could become a star yet.
-Somebody in DC always makes great smart ass banners for the games, and this past weekend vs the Goats was no different. It read: Us: 4 Cups - You: 3 Wins. Top notch.
-I can't remember which team, but someone is about to sign Jamaican Jermaine Hue. He is a starting midfielder for Jamaica, and played in Englands Championship League last year. Could someone tell me who he is signing with? ADDITION: Several excellent and smart people have sent an email or posted a comment letting us know that Kansas City is this team. I also gaffed big time by saying he played in England. He did not. His team is Harbour View of the Jamaican league.
-Today is the day for new international signings in MLS. This could get good.
-Metrostars win (2-1 over even more hapless Columbus), and Sergio Galvan Rey scored again. He now has 6 goals on the season. Who predicted that?
-I will make a prediction right now though. Bob Bradley will lose his job. I know, not too bold, but its still my prediction.
-Remember when John Thorrington was the new poster boy for the future of the USA over at the infamous Big Soccer message boards? Well, he hasn't exactly turned out to be the second coming of Ryan Giggs like many on those boards said he was gonna be, but he did score his first goal for Chicago on Saturday. His team beat the losers from LA 2-1.
-Weekend scores:
DC 3-0 Chivas USA
Chicago 2-1 LA
FC Dallas 1-2 New England
San Jose 1-1 Colorado
RSL 2-4 KC
Mets 2-1 Columbus
-And here is the single table:
42 New England
39 Chicago
38 DC United
38 Kansas City
38 San Jose
35 FC Dallas
32 Los Angeles
32 Metrostars
25 Colorado
21 Columbus
19 Real Salt Lake
12 Chivas USA
-Is anyone out there going to the USA v Mex match on Sat Sept 3 in 'lumbus. I will be there. Please drop me a line, cuz I would love to meet more of you.
-The second-leg matches of the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League will be held August 23 & 24.
-In the EPL this weekend I noticed that Blackburn had no Ryan Nelson in the line up and Charlton had no Jonathan Spector in the line up. What gives!?
-Attendence for this past weekend in the English top flight:
Fulham 16,550
Portsmouth 20,215
West Ham 33,305
Sunderland 34,446
Manchester City 42,983
Aston Villa 33,263
Middlesborough 31,908
Wigan 23,575
Arsenal 38,072
Everton 38,610
-How's this for a wild stat: All the London clubs in the EPL won their games this weekend.
-Chelsea sure are great and I love some of the players (Crespo, Lampard, Terry, Robben, Duff), but boy oh boy do I hate that team. And I have total love/hate for the coach as well.
-My Minnesota Thunder have gone 5 games with out a loss, yet still find themselves falling out of playoff spots. This is depressing.
-And on another Thunder note: Me and all my pals are going via a team chartered fan bus to KC next week for the US Open Cup match against the Zards and their Zardmeister. Could someone do me a big favor and please warn the poor saps KC that we are headed their way and we do not fool around! No sir!
-ADDITION: Looks like today is finally going to be the day when Michael Essien will join Chelsea from Lyon. Why? They already have 7 high quality midfielders. Why would he do this? I am baffled.

Takin' Another Frickin Sick Day

What a drag. Still sick.

Takin' A Sick Day

Hope To Be Back Soon

Some Of It Was Exciting, Some Of It Was Bunk, It Was The News

-As I so ably predicted several days ago, Everton had a tough run in the first leg of the Third Qualifying Round in the UEFA Champions League. They lost 1-2 to Villareal at home, and now must overcome 2 away goals to advance. Not even close to an easy task. They could be done, before they even get started. Here are the rest of yesterdays scores:
Man United 3-0 Debrecen
Wisla 3-1 Panathinaikos
Anorthosis 1-2 Rangers
Valerenga 1-0 Club Brugge
Betis 1-0 Monaco
-And then there are todays Champions League matches:
Malma v Thun
Brondby v Ajax
Artmedia v Partizan
Anderlecht v Slavia
Basel v Bremen
Rapid v Lokomotiv Moskva
Shakhtar v Inter
Steaua v Rosenborg
Sporting v Udinese
Sofia v Liverpool
-Not to be out done, there are 4 MLS matches in the cards tonight too (including a double header with top Mexican teams):
DC United v Metrostars
New England v Real Salt Lake
Chicago v Kansas City
Chivas USA v Los Angeles (part of a double header at the LA Coliseum, with Guadalajara v America)
-Freddie Adu's knee sprain is going to keep him out of DC Uniteds lineup for 2-4 weeks. Its time for Alecko to step up (I really hope he is OK. Concussions are very serious.).
-For MLS week 19, Youri Djorkaeff has been named the Player of the Week.
-My Thunder take on hated rivals, and smugglers of the potent BC Bud, the Vancouver Wetnaps tonite, 7pm sharp at the fabled Jimmy Griffin Stadium. Roll Thunder.

Real Madrid v MLS

On Tuesday August 23 an MLS Select Team will go to Madrid to take on the legendary Real in an exhibition match for The Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, which is a game played every year right before the start of La Liga season. The match is also used to introduce the 05-06 Real squad to their fans. MLS is putting together a team of 18 for this event, and one of the rumors leaking out is that they will make up a team respresenting all 12 league teams, but taking no more than 2 players from each team. I went ahead and picked a squad of who I would have for the game (I chose 24, two from each team):
BY TEAM:
Chicago
Ivan Guerrero
Samuel Cabellero
Chivas USA
Ramon Ramirez
Douglas Segueira
Colorado
Joe Cannon
Jeff Cunningham
Columbus
Chad Marshall
Frankie Hejduk
FC Dallas
Carlos Ruiz
Greg Vanney
DC United
Christian Gomez
Jaime Moreno
Kansas City
Josh Wolf
Chris Klein
Los Angeles
Kevin Hartman
Landon Donovan
Metrostars
Youri Djorkieff
Amado Guevara
New England
Shalrie Joseph
Taylor Twellman
Real Salt Lake
Andy Williams
Eddie Pope
San Jose
Ricardo Clark
Eddie Robinson

BY POSITION:
G
Joe Cannon
Kevin Hartman
D
Samuel Cabellero
Ivan Guerrero
Frankie Hejduk
Chad Marshall
Eddie Pope
Eddie Robinson
Douglas Seguira
Greg Vanney
M
Ricardo Clark
Youri Djorkieff
Landon Donovan
Christian Gomez
Amado Guevara
Shalrie Joseph
Chris Klein
Ramon Ramierez
Andy Williams
F
Jeff Cunningham
Jaime Moreno
Carlos Ruiz
Taylor Twellman
Josh Wolf

How Do You Spell This Dudes Name? Look In The News

-I feel bad for anyone who follows the trials and tribulations of their favorite English team, or players thru the joke they call the press in England. 95% of the stuff they print is just tabloid fodder. They have been running Rio Ferdinand thru the wringer for 2 months now, saying he would not re-sign with Man United. But yesterday he did. Story over. And all that tension was for what??
-Before I do this, I just want to say that I think the "Rookie Of The Year" thing is not really appropriate for MLS anymore. The whole Rookie thing works in US sports that have every player come thru the draft etc. But too many exciting looking new players are coming into the league in other ways. Plus there is a plan underfoot for teams to bring players up through their own "academies" and keep control of their rights (and wouldn't be "drafted"). So I think the way to do this award would be to have an age cutoff (I don't know what age that might be), and call the award the "Young Player Of The Year". Sure someone could win it more than once, but they might deserve it. Who knows. I just like the idea. But seeing as we have a format already in place, I thought I might list the players who I think have been the outstanding rookies in MLS so far this season. Some guys have come and gone, and had ups and downs, but here is how I see it as of today. My top 5 (+ others):
1 Scott Sealy - KC
2 Bobby Boswell - DC
3 Michael Parkhurst - New England
4 Chris Rolfe - Chicago
5 Brad Guzan - Chivas USA
others: Ugo Ihemelu - Los Angeles, Gonzalo Segares - Chicago, Carlos Mendes - Metrostars
-UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round matches today:
Man United v Debrecen
Everton v Villarreal
Wisla v Panathinaikos
Anorthosis v Rangers
Valerenga v Club Brugge
Betis v Monaco
With 10 more games to follow on Wednesday.
-New Q & A's with Bobby Convey, Eddie Lewis & Oguchi Onyewu at the US Socccer site.
-Bruce Arena is expected to announce his squad tomorrow for the USA World Cup Qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday August 17 in Hartford.
-For some reason MSNBC has a story on San Antonio and a desire to still consider MLS in the town. Why? Why? Why? I ask you. They never had ANYTHING to start with beyond the dreams of a lameduck mayor. Read it for yourself.
-I saw this note on the Portland Timbers fans message board this morning: Portland Timbers defender Scot Thompson will leave the club for two weeks to become a trialist for Sunderland in England. That's kinda cool.
-Ives Galarcep in the North Jersey Herald rips Eddie Gaven a new one: Metros tired of waiting for Gaven to kick funk
-Rob Hughes from the International Herald Tribune on ZiZou: Zidane heeds his nation's dream
-Are you ready for the first ever FIFPro World XI Player Awards? Me neither. But they are coming. FIFPRO is the organziation that supposedly represents all professional football players around the world, and they have decided that they too need to give out awards. So here it comes, ready or not. The short list of finalists has been released. See the list at the bottom of this page (at least a half dozen names are on this list not because they had a good year, which they clearly didn't, but because they are popular - Sol Campbell? Lucio? Javier Zanetti? David Beckham? Luis Figo? Paul Scholes? Zinedine Zidane? Ronaldo? Ruud van Nistelrooy? Not one of them had a great year, and many had barely a good year. And this doesn't even address the list of great players NOT ON that list, which I am sure is an astounding number.). The XI will be announced on September 19.
-USL week in review

I Got This News By Mistake

-Steven Cohen from the World Soccer Daily radio show says "Carlos Bocanegra has been given permission to leave Fulham."
-The new stadium in Dallas is now open, but it didn't look like much on TV. I'm sure it's pretty great to be there in person. And it was nice to see a decent sized crowd down there as well. It was fun seeing El Pescadito light up the scoreboard with two AWESOME goals, but it was just as much fun watching Youri get 2 back for the Mets. Final score was 2-2.
Here are the other MLS scores from the weekend:
Real Salt Lake 2-1 Chivas - Cleetus gets the boot early, and his team thrives without his lame ass. What is his problem?
New England 1-2 Kansas City - New England is now doing the exact opposite of the past 3 seasons. They used to start slow and end fast, now they started great and are going right down the shoot into the manure pile.
Chicago 2-3 DC United - didnt see it, dont know much about it, but word on the street is that lil Freddie hurt his knee. Not good.
Colorado 2-0 Galaxy - in the first 7 minutes of the broadcast they mentioned that the Thunder beat Colorado in the Open Cup about 10 times. It was hilarious. Jeff Cunningham scored yet again in a really boring game. Too bad the Galaxy stink. See ya Steve (very soon I hope)! And Sigi really wants an MLS job bad.
San Jose 2-1 Columbus - again, didnt see it, but check out the fact that San Jose has leaped to the top of the Supporters Shield Table! I thought Dom Kinnear was gonna get fired during the season. I am a fool. A big fool.
Single Table:
37 San Jose
36 New England
36 Chicago
35 FC Dallas
32 DC United
32 Kansas City
29 Metrostars
29 Los Angeles
24 Colorado
21 Columbus
19 Real Salt Lake
12 Chivas USA
-Holy Moly - I just read that Colorado is trying to sign Diego Serna! Why? He is a cancer!
-Eddie Johnson started for Dallas on Saturday but said this after the game to the Dallas Morning News: "I couldn't make the runs I normally make," Johnson said. "My toe started getting sore." Not good to hear.
-Some stuff from overseas: Kasey Keller & Monchengladbach got smoked by Bayern 3-0. Oooooof! Bobby Convey started the season ON THE FIELD (!) for Reading, but they lost 2-1 to Preston. Marcus Hahnemann was in goal for Reading. Eddie Lewis made a big impact in his first game for Leeds, as he set up the first goal and his team won 2-1 over Millwall and their still heinous fans. Greg Berhalter scored on a PK (who woulda thought he'd be takin em?) and Cottbus beat Braunschweig 2-1.
-Who would have guess that by early August the best midfield in MLS would belong to San Jose. Dwayne DeRosario, Mark Chung, Brad Davis, and Ricardo Clark are tearing up opponents. Cool!
-This sounds pretty damn weird, but supposedly Real Madrid plans on opening a THEME PARK(??????????) in south Florida. I really don't get it. Jeff Rusnak, who writes a great Sunday soccer column for the Sun Sentinel, has the story: Real Madrid targets Miami
-Man U have sold another player, this time its Brazilian Kleberson who is off to Besiktas in Turkey.
-Mexico this weekend:
Pumas 1-0 Chivas
Cruz Azul 1-0 Atlas
Pachuca 0-0 America
Tecos 2-2 Veracruz
Toluca 2-1 San Luis
Chiapas 1-1 Necaxa
Atlante 0-0 Santos
Morelia 2-2 Monterrey
Tigres 3-1 Dorados
-Simon Kuper writes about the exciting player from Ghana, Michael Essien, in the London Financial Times: The mute monster in harmony with football's zeitgeist
-Rob Hughes from the International Herald Tribune writes about the incredible looking new stadium in Munich that Bayern & 1860 play at: New arena inspires Bayern from start

Twinkle Twinkle Little News

SOME NEWS ADDITIONS FROM A LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON:
-Midfielder Daniel Hernandez rejoins New England in MLS after 4 years in the Mexican First Division with Necaxa. I always thought he was a hard-nosed fiery bastard who could help many teams, but seemed to be trouble when things weren't going so well. Seeing as Steve Nicol coached him before, he obviously knows what he is getting in to. I would also think that Hernandez wants to get seen by Bruce Arena for a chance at the World Cup squad. He will become eligible to play once the August 15 transfer window opens up again. Good luck Danny.
-The very talented Charlie Davies smacked in a hat-trick as the USA U18's won the Milk Cup today against the host team Northern Ireland 4-2. Great showing from the team, drawing with Brazil and beating Serbia & Montenegro before tonites win.
-Check out this odd website with movie clips that must be some sort of guerilla marketing by Puma. A dude in a parking lot smashes a shot against Freddy Ljungberg's car and then runs away. A really genius one is a hidden camera deal showing the Italian's training, and the drill they are doing is "how to take a dive"! Awesomely funny.
-If yer loafin around at home tonight and yearning for some futbol then get yerself over to Fox Soccer Channel and check out my Boysss the Minnesota Thunder, the Mighty Mighty Thunder in Portland to take on the Dirty Stinky Hippies aka Portland DSH. Its live at 10pm central time. Or if yer in the Twin Cities then get yer sweet cheeks over to Champps Americana to watch the game with other fans & dufuses. Its in St Paul at 2401 W 7th St. See you there. We need 3 points badly!
-Looks like there is another new lunatic in the asylum. Tim gives us: In Limbo - Ten Rings Clear of the Deep End. (I have no idea what that means?!?!)
-Brand new interview with Run DMB via Yanks Abroad. Here comes the 05/06 Eredivise season!
-DaMarcus will not suit up for PSV tonite v Ajax for the Johan Cruijff Shield match in Amsterdam. He still has that hamstring problem.
-It only took Four years, Seven months, and 27 days (of negotiations). How cool is it that this Metrostars Stadium in Harrison is really going to happen!!! Damn its cool.
-Its a done deal: Luis Figo goes to Inter. He is not the answer, but it will help, so I am excited.
-The Bundesliga kicks off today with Kasey Keller trying to hold off FC Hollywood aka Bayern Munchen, with more games Saturday & Sunday. Here's the lineup:
Fri Aug 5
Bayern Munchen v Monchengladbach
Sat Aug 6
Cologne (newly promoted) v Mainz
Hamburg v Nurnberg
Hannover v Hertha Berlin
Duisburg (newly promoted) v Stuttgart - see this game live on Fox Soccer Channel with Allen Hopkins at 9am central time.
Werder Bremen v Arminia Bielefeld
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
Sun Aug 7
Eintracht Frankfurt (newly promoted) v Bayer Leverkusen
Schalke v Kaiserslautern
Then catch the German Highlight show on Tue Aug 9 at 8pm central on FSC
-MLS this Weekend of course!
Colorado v LA at 8pm central live on Fox Soccer Channel
Regal Salt Lake v Goat Boys on ESPN2 with should-be-gitmo-prisoner Rob Stone at 5pm central.
Dallas v Mets - the grand opening of Pizza Hut Park aka The Slice (Special Note: this match will be shown via delay at Noon central time on Sunday via FSC via TV)
New Eng v KC
Chicago v DC
San Jose v 'lumbus
And lastly the Wrap show at 11 central Sat night on FSC.
-Here are your current MLS top goal scorers:
10 Jeff Cunningham
9 Taylor Twellman
8 Jaime Moreno
8 Christian Gomez
8 Pat Noonan
-A look at the MLS single table:
36 New England Revolution
36 Chicago Fire
34 FC Dallas
34 San Jose Earthquakes
29 DC United
29 Kansas City Wizards
29 Los Angeles Galaxy
28 Metrostars
21 Columbus Crew
21 Colorado Rapids
16 Real Salt Lake
12 Chivas USA
-I have no idea why, but San Jose midfielder Ricardo Clark was just named MLS Player Of The Month for July. Did everyone else do that bad? Maybe someone with a good San Jose knowledge can fill us in here.
-DC United's young defender Bobby Boswell answers some questions for Inside Soccer Radio.
-Or if you are really bored this weekend, you can get all Euro-snobby and watch the silly Community Shield match from England on Sunday morn, Aug 7 at 9am central on (where else) Fox Soccer Channel
-One of my favorite players, The Baby Faced Assasin, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just might see action for Man U soon. Its been a long two years out with nasty knee stuff. You have to wonder if he still has it.

What A Pasting Our Boys Laid On The News Last Night

-How sweet it is! My Thunder absolutely destroyed Colorado last night in the US Open Cup 4-1. Melvin Tarley scored all 4 for the good guys in blue! Before the match there is no way you could have gotten me to predict this kind of game. Its so much fun to be in the crowd for a match like this too. We will be bringing a gang to Kansas City for the next round. How many people? I don't know yet. But we will make a lot of noise, cuz we always do. Big congrats to the other First Division team who pulled the upset last night, that's Rochester, who beat Metrostars. Chicago, Dallas, LA, KC, DC & San Jose were also winners.
-St Phil has come to the financial rescue and made the Metrostars new home happen. They will begin buidling a stadium in Harrison, New Jersey very very soon. What great news!
-And beyond the stadium stuff, Alexi Lalas is already earning his keep as Pres & GM of the Metrostars. This week there are indepth features on the team in both the New York Times (found in the New York Region section, not the Sports section), and the North Jersey Herald. Good job Red.
NYTIMES: Lofty Goals: The MetroStars Are Ready to Excel
NJERSEY: Lalas land
-UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round winners were settled last night. The biggest name to be ousted was Dynamo Kyiv. My recent love, Sheriff were also knocked out. The 3rd Qualifying Round matches will be played Aug 9/10 & 23/24.
-The less retarded of the 2 Neville boys, Phil, has left Manchester United, where he was born, to play for Everton.
-Attempting to qualify for the UEFA Cup competition, Newcastle were bumped out 4-2 (agg.) by Deportivo La Coruna.
-Chicago Fire is going to add Lubos Kubik to their version of the hall of fame, the Ring Of Fire. Others in the ring are Peter Nowak & Frank Klopas.
-Charlie Davies scored for the USA U18's as they beat Serbia & Montenegro in the Milk Cup 1-0. The host team, Northern Ireland, also won with a 2-0 upset over Brazil. USA & N Ireland will now face off for the Cup title on Friday night in Coleraine.
-Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune writes about the fate of Luis Figo: The light fades for darkest galactico

My My, Aren't We Bitter With News

-It's US Open Cup day (4th Round) & I am very happy. I love the Open Cup. Especially when my Thunder are beating the crap out of MSL teams!
Here is tonights rundown of matches:
Minnesota v Colorado
Chivas USA v Los Angeles
Portland v San Jose
Columbus v Dallas
Richmond v DC
Kansas City v Des Moines
Rochester v Metrostars
New England v Chicago
-My man Demko interviewed Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo ahead of the Open Cup match v our Thunder. Read it via Blue Sky Soccer, the Thunder fans web site! And listen to the Colorado radio broadcast of the match via the web.
-2 big UEFA Champions League matches last night saw Liverpool win 2-0 (5-1 agg.) & Celtic nearly pull off a miracle winning 4-0, but with the 5-0 loss in the first leg they still came up short. Many matches will be played tonight in the 2nd qualifying round. Here's the list.
-Edgar Davids has FINALLY signed with Tottenham in England. His stay at Inter was short and useless.
-According to the PSV website, DaMarcus Beasley will be called into the USA squad for the Aug 17 qualifier against T & T if his hamstring is totally healed.
-Now this is the way to do things right!!!! (from the Dallas Morning News talking about fans who have supported FC Dallas since day 1, and how they plan to open the new stadium in grand fashion): The Inferno, the vocal supporters group that has followed the local club since 1996, plans to get all the mileage possible from Saturday's historic debut: Anyone up for a 24-hour tailgate party? Inferno leaders say they will set up camp – literally – in the stadium parking lot at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The group's arsenal includes a homemade satellite TV hookup and a portable margarita machine. The Inferno also is using the occasion to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
-Those two idiots who won't shut up about Chelsea and Liverpool return to Fox Soccer Channel with Fox Football Friday on Aug 12.

Whoa Whoa, You Got The Best Of My News

-The big news for me is that our beloved coach of the Minnesota Thunder, Buzz Lagos, has announced that he is stepping aside at the end of this season. Its going to be a huge loss to the team, but a real chance to make something exciting and new happen. The Buzzard has been the only coach the team has ever known in its 16 years of exsistence. His record with the team is 320 wins, 142 losses, & 42 draws. Outstanding by any measuring stick! We will miss you immensely Coach!
-Did you get your tickets for USA v Mexico??? Too Late! After a very popular pre-sale to members of US Soccer, the remaining tickets sold out in just 20 minutes this morning. I will be there! See you too!
-Peter Wilt Q & A in the Milwuakee Journal Sentinal about a new MLS team: Wilt leads push for soccer stadium, MLS team
-USA Today has a feature on an American who has been training with Boca Juniors: American takes hopes to Argentina
-Some crazy news from Man United has them signing a non-binding document with one of my favorites Michael Ballack of Bayern, that says Ballack will join Man U after this season on a free transfer. Lets see if this one holds. I think its a great pick up, but I really think they need him right now!
-US Soccer has a Q & A with Eddie Lewis
-The USA U18 team playing at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, drew 1-1 with Brazil yesterday in the opening match. Fabiano Oliveira scored for Brazil first, with Lee Nguyen scoring for the US. They play Serbia & Montenegro on Wednesday. Here's the roster for that team.
-DC United will participate in something called the South American Cup Tournament which is sanctioned by CONMEBOL. Other teams in the tourney include: Pumas UNAM, Club America & Boca Juniors. Qualifying for other teams starts mid August and the winner is crowned on December 14 of this year. No further info on format, schedule or teams were announced. UPDATE: You should read the comments section below, as both KJ & Joe have added vital details on this tournament, and a connection to a website. Thanks guys!
-France Football - Ligue 1 Opening weekend scores:
PSG 4-1 Metz
Marseille 0-2 Bordeaux
AS Nancy 0-1 Monaco
Lille 1-0 Rennes
Nantes 2-0 Lens
Nice 1-1 Troyes
Sochaux 0-1 Toulouse
St Etienne 0-0 AC Ajaccio
Strasbourg 0-0 Auxerre
Le Mans 1-2 Lyon

The Penultimate Moment Of The Match Between The MLS All-Stars & Fulham

(56th minute) Forward Tomas Radzinski of Fulham crosses into the All-Stars box from the right side, but it's easily cleared by Simo Valakari. His pass goes to Clint Dempsey at the top of the box. Dempsey turns and charges up field toward the center circle picking up speed along the way. Dempsey draws defenders toward himself then slips a pass forward with his left foot to a slashing Landon Donovan on the other side of the midfield stripe. Donovan quickly and precisely one-times a pass out to the left wing for a flying Ivan Guerrero who slices into the corner of the box and floats a crossing pass to the far post. While this is happening Ronnie O'Brien is making a run to the near post, and Taylor Twellman to the back post. The defender marking Twellman gets in a perfect spot to head away the cross, but he only does so to the top of the 18 yard box. Dempsey has continued his run from midfield and arrives at the 18 just in time to volley the clearance out of the air and straight back at goal, where O'Brien deftly sticks out his left foot and deflects the ball past the helpless keeper! MLS lead 2-1 on a nearly perfect execution of a counter attack! Simply gorgeous.

It's 2006 Isn't It? Ok Then. Here's A Bit Of News Fer Ya.

-I thought the game was a bit dull, but seeing the MLS All-Stars thoroughly dominate Fulham was nice. I think Fulham will be pretty bummed by their game. I think Taylor Twellman just made it clear that he deserves a real shot with the USA team soon. And so does Jeff Cunningham.
Here are my player ratings for the 4-1 victory (0=dud, 5=average, 10=brilliant):
Matt Reis - 7 (sub Scott Garlick - played 5 seconds so no rating)
Frankie Hejduk - 4
Jimmy Conrad - 6
Greg Vanney - 4
Chris Albright - 5 (sub Ivan Guerrero - 7)
Simo Valikari - 7
Shalrie Joseph - 7
Clint Dempsey - 7 (sub Jeff Cunningham - 9)
Ronnie O'Brien - 7 (sub Michael Parkhurst - 5)
Landon Donovan - 8 (sub Christian Gomez - 5)
Taylor Twellman - 9 (sub Brad Davis - 5)
One last note about the All-Star game: What was the deal with the field being all full of divots? Did they forget to tell the Columbus grounds keeper about the match. Or was there an MLS Player golf chipping contest on Friday? I thought the game was supposed to be the SHOWCASE fer chrissakes!
-Down a man, Pachuca somehow won in Monterrey 2-1 on a goal in injury time. That may not sound astounding, but the winning goal was. Juan Pablo Cacho hit it from inside his own half, over the keeper, for a 50+ yard goal! In added time! I guess the Mexican Apertura has kicked off in high fashion.
Other scores:
Cruz Azul 2-1 Morelia (newly returned midfielder Gerardo Torrado scored both for Cruz, who are still playing despite the fact that there coach was kidnapped just a week ago!)
America 3-1 Tigres
Santos 1-2 Pumas
Guadalajara 1-1 Chiapas
Veracruz 2-1 Atlas
Dorados 3-1 Atlante
Necaxa 0-0 Toluca
San Luis 2-1 Tecos
-A Jimmy Conrad profile in the Kansas City Star. (Of course!) Seriously, Conrad is among league’s best
-Some long rumored deals became final in Europe over the weekend: Baptista & Robinho signed with Real Madrid (opening the back door for Michael Owen to get kicked out of), and Inter signed Walter Samuel from Real.
-Inter won all 4 of its games in England over the past week.
-The Eredivise in Holland kicks off this coming weekend.
-Read the online chat with Don Garber from last Friday at MLSnet.
-Looks like my boy Carlos Ruiz is up to his old tricks again, and I don't mean pissing off defenders and scoring wicked goals. I mean he was a no-show at the All-Star. He later called to say he would not make it for personal reasons. I gotta try that at work one of these days.