Be With You News

From 3rd Degree - Dallas Coach Steve Morrow on the unexcused absence of Carlos Ruiz from the team on Monday: Morrow: “He was supposed to report on Monday with everyone else. He called with a legit reason. That’s all I have to say about that.” Reporter: “So it’s an excused absence?” Morrow: “No. It’s not excused.”

~and~

After the Open Cup game NY coach Bruce Arena reportedly talked to Landon Donovan about LA's third goal. Arena said to Landon that he technically made a mistake in passing to Quaranta who was 2 yards offside (the ref did not call it and the goal stood), to which Donovan replied: "It was 4."

~and~

LA Galaxy defender Ian Russell tells Andrea Canales about the expectations when playing for Los Angeles: "There’s definitely a lot of pressure, much more so than there was when I was playing in San Jose."


The Voice Of San Diego is reporting that one of the guys behind a failed bid to purchase DC United last year is leading a new group trying to make a deal for an expansion team south of San Diego, basically right on the Mexican border at Tijuana. (thanks to Ethan for the story)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And Las Vegas wants in on the action too. The Las Vegas Sun newspaper says that some very rich guys have put together a group to explore the possibility of a MLS team in Sin City. They have also hired Paul Caligiuri as their spokesperson. Hmmmm, I seem to remember something abut the last time I saw Paul he was pacing back and forth on the side of a highway in the middle of the night in suburban Dallas. He seemed to be searching for something. Maybe it was an expansion franchise. Maybe it's just my hazy memory. (thanks to Kevin for sending me this one)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

US Open Cup qualifier last night for MLS teams:
Los Angeles 3-1 New York - the game ended regulation 0-0 and went to extra time for the goal explosion - LA goals by Landon Donovan (PK), Kyle Martino & Santino Quaranta. NY goal by Juan Pablo Angel.
-Cobi Jones got a straight red card for "stepping" on Dave Van Den Bergh, but Dema Kovalenko reciprocated just a few minutes later with a second yellow of his own to make it 10 v 10. That Dema sure is a nice fella, always thinking of others.
Match report by Luis Bueno at LA Soccer News.
Match report by Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer.
Match report by Phil Collin of the LA Daily News.
Match report by Gary Richards of the 2 G's Radio Show, for USOpenCup.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

People are raving about the performance from LA backup keeper Steve Cronin. He made 14 saves (including a PK by Jozy Altidore) in a game dominated on the field, but not the scoreboard where it counts, by the Red Bulls! Andrea Canales at LA Soccer News with the story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michael Lewis at Big Apple Soccer on the Red Bulls debut from Juan Pablo Angel, including a goal.
-Luis Bueno sitting in the press box shot this video clip of JPA's first goal! (gracias Luis)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I see where Justin Mapp of Chicago has joined the bright yellow shoes club.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Houston has traded forward Alejandro Moreno to Columbus for midfielder Joseph Ngwenya. Seems like an odd deal to me. I don't see where either teams gains much or fills obvious holes. But maybe both guys just need a change of scenery.
-Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle with the story.
-Fallas also reports that the Dynamo will bring in Dutch forward Dyron Daal on trial. Dynamo-Dutch-Dyron-Daal - the 4 D's.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On his Soccer Insider blog, Steven Goff says Columbus is shopping Eddie Gaven for a possible trade too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Real Salt Lake fan site Are You Loyal has some details from the most recent agreement between local government bodies helping finance the new RSL stadium, with news also pertaining to the proposed Real Salt Lake - Real Madrid Soccer Academy. (thanks to Ethan for the link)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Freddy Adu was out golfing on Monday afternoon with teammates, and got beaned in the head by a ball hit by the group behind them! Damn. He is ok though.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A story on exciting New York rookie winger Dane Richards from his hometown paper, the Jamaica Gleaner.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dan Steinberg's DC Sports Bog, from the Washington Post, gives us Lunch With Bobby Boswell.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Smallwood at the Philadelphia Daily News draws fairly small minded and out of touch comparisons between the LA Galaxy signing of David Beckham to the New York Cosmos signing of Pele. (thanks to Justin for sending us this story)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin McGeehan at the US Players Assoc looks at the NBA teams in Portland and Seattle for clues on how MLS teams in those cities might fare.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MLS Coaching Hot Seat - with Ellinger out of RSL, who could be the next to go?:
1. Mo Johnston - Toronto
2. Tom Soehn - DC
3. Sigi Schmid - Columbus
4. Preki - Chivas USA
5. Frank Yallop - LA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ridge Mahoney at Soccer America with a great article on how MLS is turning the corner financially by using their marketing arm SUM as a cash cow. Very good stuff here.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grahame Jones at the LA Times with his weekly news round up Corner Kicks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A recent picture of the fabulous Kenny Arena with some other soccer dude. Kenny used to leave comments here, come back Kenny, we miss you.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ryan Hunt of Sports Illustrated with his weekly MLS wrap up - Free Kicks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jeff Carlisle at Soccernet previews Thursday nights Colo v RSL match.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MLS weekly match schedule (all times central):
Thurs May 10
Colorado v Salt Lake - 8:00 ESPN2
Sat May 12
Toronto v Chicago - 2:30 on FSC
Columbus v Chivas USA - 6:30 Direct Kick
Kansas City v Dallas - 7:00 Direct Kick
Los Angeles v New England - 9:30 Direct Kick & HDNet
Sun May 13
New York v Colorado - 2:00 Telefutura
-DC & Houston do not have games.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Monchengladbach technical director Christian Ziege has announced that Kasey Keller has been released from the team. I would think KK is not too happy about this.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yanks Abroad says Bobby Convey is back in England training at the Reading facility. He should be ready to go for preseason training later this summer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michael Bradley & Heerenveen beat Ajax 1-0 in the first leg of one of two rounds for the 2nd Dutch Champions League spot. The return leg is Sunday in Amsterdam. The other two teams, Twente Enschede & AZ Alkmaar played to a 1-1 draw. Return legs are this weekend.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mexican Playoffs - The next round first leg match-ups tonight:
Atlas v America
UAG v Cruz Azul
UANL v Guadalajara
Santos v Pachuca
-Return legs on Sat May 12.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Libertadores - Round of 16, second leg matches (with 1st leg scores included):
-Tue May 8
Colo Colo 2-1 America - America wins 4-2 on aggregate.
Toluca 2-0 Cucuta Deportivo - Cucuta wins 5-3 on aggregate.
-Match reports via Sports Illustrated.
-Wed May 9
Velez Sarsfield v Boca Juniors (0-3)
Flamengo v Defensor Sporting (0-3)
Gremio v Sao Paulo (0-1)
-Thu May 10
Santos v Caracas (2-2)
Libertad v Parana (2-1)
Necaxa v Nacional (2-3)
Who has advanced to the next round: America & Cucuta.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

-Serie A-
(3 left to play in Italy - 8 teams fighting over 1 relegation spot)
37 Cagliari -10 goal differential, at Fiorentina, v Roma, at Ascoli
37 Catania -23 gd, v Milan, at Sampdoria, v Chievo
36 Livorno -16 gd, v Sampdoria, at Torino, v Atalanta
36 Torino -18 gd, at Roma, v Livorno, at Inter
35 Reginna 0 gd, v Chievo, at Empoli, v Milan
35 Chievo -9 gd, at Reggina, v Ascoli, at Catania
35 Parma -20 gd, v Messina, at Lazio, v Empoli
34 Siena -12 gd, v Empoli, at Palermo, v Lazio
-Already out: Messina & Ascoli
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Italia Final, first leg was last night:
Roma 6-2 Inter - Roma tries to end their streak of losing 2 cup titles in a row to Inter. Roma goals by Francesco Totti, Daniele de Rossi, Simone Perrotta, Mancini, & 2 by Christian Panucci. Both Inter goals by Hernan Crespo.
-Second leg is May 17 in Milan.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Did you know - one time French defensive stalwart Jean-Pierre Adams has been in a coma since 1982 when a knee operation went all wrong. Sad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

UEFA.com readers submit the questions for Barcelona star Lionel Messi to answer! (thanks to BQ for sending me this)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copenhagen have clinched their 2nd straight Danish league title.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stephen Brunt at the Toronto Globe & Mail looks at the fiasco hiring a new coach for Canada has become.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We all thought Christian "Bobo" Vieri was old, tired, and completely worn out. We were wrong - did you see the goal he bagged for Atalanta last weekend? 40 yards out, he tips it to himself and side volleys a gorgeous goal over the keepers head!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lastly, Liverpool are headed to Spain to prepare for the Champions League final. You have to wonder if golf or karaoke will be on the agenda this time?!?!?!