Up And Down And Down And Up News

-Powerhouse defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni has a torn a quad muscle while at the USA training camp. He is expected to miss up to 2 months, but hopes to be ready when his club Colorado starts their season on April 1. Kerry Zavagnin from Kansas City has been called in to replace Mastroeni. With Chris Armas out with knee ligament surgery this position is suddenly starting to look like a weak spot for our boys. Who fills this extremely crucial role now? Ben Olsen? Brian Carroll? Even Ricardo Clark who many think is the future at this spot is hurt.
-DC United defender Bobby Boswell has also been brought into the USA camp.
-I suggest you check out US Soccer's video page everyday during this camp, cuz they just keep putting up more great stuff for us fans.
-An English dude won $45,000 last weekend when Liverpool's Xavi Alonso scored that goal from his own end of the field (in the last seconds of the 5-3 win over Luton in the FA Cup). The guy had placed a $200 preseason bet as a lark that Alonso could do it. The dudes reaction to it happening: "I though I was going to pass out." Bravo dude. Hooray Beer!
-Interliga last night, final matches of group stage, here are the scores:
UANL Tigres 4-0 Cruz Azul - what a beat down. Tigres now thru to the final matches Sunday. But what has happened to Cruz Azul - I am only slightly kidding when I say that ever since their coach was rescued from the kidnappers they have not played well at all. Odd.
Necaxa 1-1 Guadalajara - Omar Bravo scored 2 minutes into stoppage time for the tie that sends Chivas to the big match on Sunday
And games tonight:
Morelia v Veracruz
Monterrey v Pachuca
-Last night saw the 1st leg of the English League Cup semi-finals, and the score was:
Wigan 1-0 Arsenal - Paul Scharner came on as a sub and headed home the goal. The return leg is Tues Jan 24.
Tonight’s other first leg semi:
Blackburn v Manchester United
-Italy's Tim Cup is in the round of 16, and two second leg matches were played last night, with the other 6 going tonight. Scores and games to be played:
Juventus 4-1 Fiorentina - Del Piero scored 3 and set a new Juve all time goal scoring record with 185 so far. Juve advance 6-3 on agg.
Palermo 5-4 Bari - Palermo advance by the same score after a 0-0 first leg.
Brescia v Milan - Milan lead 3-1
Sampdoria v Cagliari - tied at 1-1, giving Samp the 1 road goal advantage
Roma v Naploli - Roma lead 0-3
Udinese v Altalanta - Atalanta lead 1-0
Cittadella v Lazio - Lazio lead 2-0
Inter v Parma - Inter lead 0-1
-In Fiorentina's loss, goal keeper Sebastian Frey injured his knee and could be out up to 3 months.
-Our all time favorite Metrostars player, Lothar Matthaeus, has bolted as coach of Hungary to take charge at Brazilian club Paranaense. Really? You mean to say he quit on his team? Nooooooooooo! Not possible. Not from Mr. No-One-On-This-Team-Is-In-My-League. I will refuse to believe this until Lothar himself posts a comment with confirmation. Come on big boy, prove 'em all wrong.
-USA star U17 forward Preston Zimmerman has signed with Hamburg in Germany where he will join his USA teammate Benny Feilhaber.
-Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union Tribune with his excellent weekly News, Trophies & Red Cards - and - Sidelines.
-Columbus fans can go out to their stadiums party room to watch the MLS Superdraft on the 20th.
-Many players prepping for the MLS draft take part in the official league "try-outs" aka the combine, starting Thursday (and running thru Sunday) at The Home Depot Center in LA. This means even more people playing at that place. Unreal.
-Tonight on the Soccer Hour Radio Show with Glenn Davis the guest will be Houston coach Domminic Kinnear, you can listen on-line at ESPN 709 AM, starting at 9pm central time.
-Looks like Kansas City is going to swap players with Chicago. Veteran midfielder Diego Gutierrez would go to Chicago, and USA Youth National Team midfielder Will John would go to KC. John grew up in the KC area, and his father works for the team.
-Borgetti to Benfica? Stay tuned.