Combining Multi-Talents News

The Los Angeles Daily News has eliminated their soccer writer Billy Witz. This is a huge drag. I wonder if they will have others fill in? Even if they do it will not be the same as having a guy who just covers soccer. This stinks, mainly because the Daily News covered the two local teams A LOT better than the LA Times does.

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Fox Soccer Channel will carry the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers that start on Tue Mar 11.

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In a great move San Jose has named their former Danish star Ronnie Ekelund as the news first Technical Director. He was the leader of their 2 MLS cup wins under Frank Yallop in the teams previous incarnation.

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They found Damani Ralph! (see CONCACAF section below)


MLS News

Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe with a great in-depth story on New England's rising young talent Abdoulie "Kenny" Mansally.
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The New England website has a Q & A with Caribbean midfielders Shalrie Joseph and Khano Smith.
-They also have a Q & A with team Chief Operating Officer Brian Bilello.
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Mike Biglin of the MetroWest Daily News looks at how New England's defense is going to shake out for this season.
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Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch with an article on the Crew's on going search for a big time goal scorer.
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Two from Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer who is in Austria with New York as they train at their parent club in Salzburg: New forward Oscar Echeverry and his combination with Juan Pablo Angel. - AND - Mexican midfielder Jesus Mendoza is struggling, and notes on other players.
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Jack Bell of the New York Times is also in Austria and has been filing daily reports:
Day 1: Hallo Salzburg
Day 2: Salzburg Storm Warning
Day 3: Americans in Munich
Day 4: Battle of the Bulls
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LA has shipped Kevin Harmse bruising midfield style north to his native Canada in exchange for a lower round draft pick.
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ESPN Deportes did an audio interview with Landon Donovan. I am not a Spanish speaker so it's out of my league, but maybe you are, so give it a listen. One poster on Big Soccer called glyconerd translated the first part here. Then Purojogo posted some more translation. (thanks to Tomas for tipping me off to this)
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John Haydon of the Washington Times looks at DC United's goalkeeping situation.
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Ann Killion of the San Jose Mercury News looks at how the new Earthquakes are marketing their team to the big Bay Area Latino population.
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3rd Degree has an article on a blow up between FC Dallas and their long injured forward Roberto Mina. Mina has decided to take his ball and go home. To Ecuador.
-A rebuttal by Dallas coach Steve Morrow on the teams blog.
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Tobias Xavier Lopez of the Fort Worth Star Telegram with a story on two talented young FC Dallas midfielders - Dax McCarty & Arturo Alvarez.
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Colorado has signed midfielder Rafael Gomes from Portuguese club Santa Clara. He is Brazilian.
-They also cut loose defender Brandon Prideaux and midfielder Jose Cancela.
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Bob Luder of the Kansas City Star with an article on an unknown player with a tryout for the Wizards. Is this really the best story that can be written on this team? Lame. On the other hand - good for this kid.
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The San Antonio Express with an article on the Houston Dynamo prior to this weeks Texas Pro Soccer Festival.
-I will post that tournaments game schedule tomorrow.
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Houston skipper Dominic Kinnear will be the Grand Marshall of that cities St Patrick's Day Parade! Even the Scottish celebrate with the Irish.
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Well well well. Soccernet already kicking off their season previews - starting at the top with Houston, by Jeff Carlisle.
-Then moving down one peg to New England, by Frank Dell'apa.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer with an article on MLS's global reach.
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Kyle McCarthy of Goal.com wraps up the week of news from around MLS.
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Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald says her city deserves a MLS team.
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Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports tells us who MLS team #17 should be. And then who is #18, #19....
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MLS Preseason Friendlies

Matches & Scores:
-Fri Feb 29
Chivas USA 1-0 UC Riverside at HDC
Chivas USA reserves 2-1 UC Irvine at HDC
-Sat Mar 1
FC Seoul (S Korea) 1-1 Los Angeles - Seoul win 2-1 on PK's. Yes LA missed 4 and Seoul 3 in the shoot out.
-Mon Mar 3
Red Bull Salzburg Juniors 1-0 New York in Salzburg
Marucelli (Brazil) v Dallas in Brazil
Defensa y Justicia (Argentina) v Kansas City - canceled due to rain
-Tue Mar 4
Paranaense Reserves (Brazil) v Dallas at CAPTC in Curtiba Brazil
Red Bull Salzburg v New York in Salzburg
Necaxa (Mexico) v Chicago in Aguascalientes
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Grahame Jones of the LA Times on the Galaxy game in Korea.
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New York midfielder Dane Richards left the game v Salzburg Juniors with a sprained right MCL. Not good.
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The Texas Pro Soccer Festival from San Antonio Texas begins on Wednesday. The 4 teams involved are: Houston Dynamo, DC United, Toronto FC & Chivas USA.
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MLS Rumors - Don't Tease Me Bro

Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer reports on a midfielder that has impressed New York in a tryout, but it might not be easy to get him on to the roster. Chicago called first dibs.
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Americans In Europe

How'd their weekend matches go:
-Freddy Adu - Benfica - did not dress for the Lisbon derby which ended in a 1-1 tie at Sporting.
-Bryan Arguez - Hertha Berlin - on the bench but did not get to play in the teams 2-0 home win over Duisburg.
-Gregg Berhalter - 1860 Munich - went all 90 as they drew 0-0 at home against Alemania Aachen.
-Carlos Bocanegra - Fulham - on the bench but did not see any game action in a 0-3 loss at home to Manchester United.
-Michael Bradley - Heerenveen - started and played the whole match, but the team lost 1-0 at Twente.
-Steve Cherundolo - Hannover - played all 90 in the teams 2-1 win over Nurnberg.
-Bobby Convey - Reading - did not dress for his teams big 0-1 win at Middlesbrough. The knee injury is again why he not playing.
-Clint Dempsey - Fulham - did not even get a spot on the bench for the teams 0-3 loss at home to Manchester United.
-Greg Dalby - Charleroi - dressed but did not play in his teams 0-2 upset road win over Club Brugge.
-Jay DeMerit - Watford - came off the bench in the 61st minute of a 2-2 draw at Burnley.
-Joe Enochs - Osnabruck - did not dress for their 0-3 loss at home to Hoffenheim.
-Benny Feilhaber - Derby County - finally back on the bench, although he did not play, and the team could only tie Sunderland 0-0 at home.
-Brad Friedel - Blackburn - played all 90 minutes of a 0-1 road win at Newcastle.
-Cory Gibbs - Charlton - did not make the game day squad as the team went to Sheffield United and won 0-2.
-Joshua Grenier - Koblenz - dressed but did not played as the team beat Carl Zeiss Jena 2-0 at home.
-Marcus Hahnemann - Reading - started as usual and got a big 0-1 road win at Middlesbrough. They are still in the relegation zone, but only 4 points out of 12th place.
-Tim Howard - Everton - in goal as always, won 3-1 at home over Portsmouth.
-Nate Jaqua - Rheindorf Altach - played all 90 but got smoked 4-0 at Red Bull Salzburg.
-Eddie Johnson - Fulham - got his first start for Fulham, and he played 89 minutes, but they stuck him out on the right wing as the team lost 0-3 at home to Manchester United.
-Kasey Keller - Fulham - on the bench but did not see any game action in a 0-3 loss at home to Manchester United.
-Eddie Lewis - Derby County - went the full 90 in a home 0-0 draw with Sunderland.
-Clint Mathis - Ergotolis - came on for the final seconds in a 2-0 home win over PAOK Saloniki.
-Brian McBride - Fulham - started and played the entire match but the team lost 0-3 at home to Manchester United.
-Oguchi Onyewu - Standard - went the distance in a big 1-3 road win at Westerlo. They moved into 1st place when Club Brugge lost.
-Heath Pearce - Hansa Rostock - back in the team and came on as a half time sub in a 1-1 home tie with Arminia Bielefeld.
-Matt Pickens - Queens Park Rangers - was the unused backup keeper in the teams 3-0 home win over Stoke.
-Luis Robles - Kaiserslautern - on the bench as they drew 0-0 at Paderborn.
-Frank Simek - Sheffield Wednesday - out injured still, and the team drew 0-0 at Barnsley.
-Jonathan Spector - West Ham - on the bench but did not play in a 0-4 home loss to Chelsea.
-Neven Subotic - Mainz - play at Freiburg on Monday.
-Danny Szetela - Brescia - did not play at the team drew 0-0 at Ravenna.
-Josh Wolff - 1860 Munich - dressed but did not play as they drew 0-0 at home against Alemania Aachen.
-Sal Zizzo - Hannover - on the bench for the teams 2-1 home win over Nurnberg.
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I have found no words from Fulham as to why Clint Dempsey was not in uniform on Saturday.
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After making a big deal out of kicking Heath Pearce off the Hansa Rostock team, the coach lost his spine and let the Lazereth-ish defender not just back on the bench but back on the field as a half time sub. Good job Mr Pearce.
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Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer is in Europe this week and went to see Munich 1860 play. Afterwards he talked to defender Greg Berhalter.
-Lewis also talks to fellow 1860 forward about Clint Mathis who is in Greece.
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Greg Lalas at Sports Illustrated looks at Americans in Europe and wonders why there are none still in the Champions League.
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Andrew Rogers at Soccer365 interviews Jonathan Spector about his youth days at Manchester United.
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CONCACAF News

They found Damani Ralph. The Jamaica Gleaner talks to the man who once lit up the net with the Chicago Fire, transferred to Russia and ended up in injury Siberia. He has not played in 2 1/2 years and just had his 3rd knee surgery.
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FMF

Current Mexican champions Atlante had a complete melt down on Saturday during a 2-0 loss at San Luis. Here is the sequence of events:
-71st minute: Gerardo Castillo of Atlante is sent off after receiving his 2nd Yellow Card.
-81st minute: Eduardo Coudet of San Luis scores on a 20 yard bomb.
-81st minute: Atlante's Federico Vilar given Red Card for dissent after goal is scored.
-86th minute: Tressor Moreno of San Luis scores another one.
-87th minute: Atlante's Giancarlo Maldonado is shown a Red Card for stomping on a San Luis player.
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Copa Libertadores

Group Stage Matches & Scores:
-Tue Mar 4
Santos v Chivas Guadalajara
Liga Universitaria Quito v Libertad
Cruzeiro v Caracas
-Wed Mar 5
Danubio v Estudiantes
Fluminense v Arsenal
Sao Paulo v Audax Italiano
-Thu Mar 6
Atletico Nacional v Sportivo Luqueno
Nacional v Flamengo
Boca Juniors v Atlas
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Group Stage Standings
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European News

Three spectacular performances in on Saturday in Spain. Two of them in one match - Early on we saw Ronaldinho connect on a stunning bicycle kick for a goal. The cross came in from the right wing at a 90 degree angle so Ronny had to hit it PERFECTLY to even have a chance. He did, and it was amazing. Then the hosts from Atletico Madrid woke up and their star-to-be from Argentina, Sergio Aquero, who they call Kun (pronounced coon) for some reason, took over the game. He was a mini-monster. Long black hair flying everywhere as he weaved his way in and out of Barca's all-world defenders. He scored two goals, was fouled for a PK and set up the 4th with a brilliant pass. Holy smokes was he amazing. And that takes nothing away from Real Madrid's Robinho who has been out with an injury and came on as a 65th minute sub. The game exploded open almost immediately. He scored just 41 seconds later and added the eventual winner at 3-2. Great stuff.
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Phil Ball of Soccernet does not call Aguero the new Maradona like everyone else does. He calls him the new Messi. Hahahahaha.
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Reuters on Aguero's magical game.
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FIFA.com has a Q & A with Bayern Munich & Germany midfielder Sebastian Schweinsteiger.
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The Insider from Soccernet visits Emirates Stadium in London to watch 1st place Arsenal struggle back to get 1 point from Aston Villa.
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Football Italia with the Serie A Week 26 winners and losers.
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Serie A leaders Inter lost for the first time this season. It was a nice run. They lead 2nd place Roma by 6 points.
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Simon Kuper of the Financial Times looks into how Milan keeps all these old timers performing at such a high level.
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Zaragoza coach Javier Irureta lasted only 6 games. He resigned with just one win, one tie and four losses.
-Could the same thing be in the cards for Kevin Keegan at Newcastle?
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Feyenoord manager Bert van Marwijk has been hired by the Netherlands to take over the national team reins after the Euro 2008 tournament. Current boss Marco van Basten will leave after the tournament to take over at Ajax.
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The Sydney Morning Herald looks at the long drought of successful fussball in Berlin.
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James Lawton of the Independent takes a look at the strong attitude of Everton coach David Moyes. And a few other thoughts.
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English legend Teddy Sherringham has announced his retirement at the end of this season.
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Three from the Guardian:
-Raphael Honnigstein on Schalke's failings.
-Sid Lowe on El Kun.
-Paolo Bandini says this is just a slight hiccup for Inter.
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The Times football podcast The Game has an interview with the top executive at Derby County.
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UEFA Champions League

Round of 16 - 2nd leg Matches & Scores (with 1st leg scores included):
-Tue Mar 4
Barcelona v Celtic (3-2) - delayed at 4pm central on ESPN Classic
Man United v Lyon (1-1) - live at 1:45pm central on Setanta
Sevilla v Fenerbahce (2-3) - delayed at 5pm central on Setanta
Milan v Arsenal (0-0) - live at 1:30pm central on ESPN2
-Wed Mar 5
Porto v Schalke (1-0) - live at 1:45pm central on Setanta Premium
Real Madrid v Roma (1-2) - live at 1:30pm central on Setanta
Chelsea v Olympiacos (0-0) - live at 1:30pm central on ESPN2
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The Independent with a great story on Milan defender Kakha Kaladze.
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The Guardian with an article on young French striker Karim Benzema. Man United may want to sign him, but his only dream is knocking them out of the Champions League with his team Lyon.
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Robin Van Pursie is healthy again and included in Arsenals CL roster.
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Martin Samuel of the Times says Milan's Kaka can make it happen for his team all by himself.
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Big Euro Club Matches This Weekend

Scores & Matches:
West Ham 0-4 Chelsea - another of the many London derbies. This is an oldie.
Boavista 0-0 Porto - the Porto derby, with the namesake team sitting at #1 in the league. Oh how Boa would love to knock them down.
Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Benfica - aaahhhhh, the Lisbon derby. Should be a fun one.
Besiktas 1-0 Galatasaray - #3 hosts #1 in Turkey.
AEK Athens 1-1 Panathinaikos - and #3 hosts #1 in Greece too.
Juventus 2-3 Fiorentina - battling it for that last Champions League spot.
Schalke 0-1 Bayern Munich - the perenial pretenders (thanks to Luebbert for clearing that up) who currently sit in 5th place and desperately want to join the top tier versus Bayern who are numero uno by 4 points.
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World News

Iran have hired their most famous former player Ali Daei as their new coach.