Lived It Like You Meant It News
Big congrats to Manchester United for winning the Champions League for 2008!
~and~
Colorado's Scottish forward Tom McManus: "I'm learning swear words in Spanish so I can curse at them." See Colorado Rapids section below for the whole story.
~and~
Sorry that I missed this, but Real Madrid has bailed on their exhibition in Salt Lake City later this summer for financial reasons (the US Dollar is so weak that it's not worth their time.)
~and~
A representative from the new MLS team in Philadelphia on stadium construction and the 2500 strong supporters group Sons of Ben: "They've become so relevant that we have had to step back and design an entire section of the stadium for them, including their own entrance." See MLS Expansion News section below.
UEFA Champions League Final
Match & Score:
-Wed May 22 in Moscow
Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United - Man U win it 6-5 on Penalty Kicks after Extra Time. I do not like ending games that way, but there is no denying how big the drama is. John Terry slipped & missed the entire net on the 5th PK for Chelsea which would have won it. He looked destroyed afterward.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My notes on the game:
-Didier Drogba with his dumb slap was a huge goat for Chelsea.
-Cristiano Ronaldo was nearly a huge goat for Man U after that idiotic Penalty Kick, which is illegal. And why did he have to lay in the middle of the field by himself after the win? Couldn't he go celebrate with his teammates first, then take a moment for himself? That's hard to do with your ego is that big.
-Ronaldo also showed his superior skills with a cool calm towering header for the games first goal.
-John Terry left every bit of effort he had on that field for Chelsea, the pulled a Beckham on his Penalty Kick miss. In a way I feel bad for Terry, he works too hard to have that end his season. On the other hand, the guy gets paid an obscene amount of money for what he does.
-Edwin Van Der Sar was saved twice by his post down the stretch keeping Man U in the game, then stuffed a weak PK from Anelka to seal it.
-It was a crime that they had to play on grass laid over fake turf. It looked really soft, really uneven, and certainly not firm enough for great traction. Chunks of sod popped up everywhere, and I know that contributed a great deal to all the players cramping up.
-American Owner 1-0 Russian Owner.
-Everyone has said this already, but Avram Grant is one odd looking guy.
-Why oh why would you play someone as amazingly talented as Michael Essien at left back. Seriously. To stop C Ronaldo? Well, that didn't work, cuz Essien got burned for the goal. He needed to be in the midfield instead of that hack Makalele, contributing to the attack and turning his great defense into instant offense. Mistake!
-42 goals this season by C Ronaldo. Simply astounding! Wow! Impressive does not come close to description. (But you know what, Ruud Van Nistelrooy had 44 goals for Man U in the 2002-03 season.)
-I am a sucker for those post game on-field celebrations. I love to see the pure joy of it all.
-Was that Frank Lampard's last game for Chelsea?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
George Vecsey of the New York Times with his thoughts on the game and spectacle. Fantastic article.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chuck Cullpepper of the LA Times reports from Fulham Road in London. That's Chelsea turf.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Richard Williams of the Guardian says the game was no classic. I agree, even though most of the rest of the English press feel it was one of the all time greats. Hardly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paul Doyle of the Guardian with some good post match analysis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Guardian with player ratings from Manchester United and Chelsea.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Soccernet with some nearly artistic pictures from the game. Nice. (thanks to BQ for this)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune looks at the game that ended at 1:34am local Moscow time. Brutal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hughes also ponders the future of both managers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John at the Soccer Training Info blog breaks down and analyzes the game in a simple way that I like a lot.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Scoreboard
Week 9
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
Toronto 1-0 DC - Tor goal by Danny Dichio.
Match report by Larry Millson of the Toronto Globe & Mail.
Match report from the Toronto Star.
Match report from the Toronto Sun.
Match report from Sportsnet Canada.
Match report by Steven Goff of the Washington Post.
Post game notes from the Toronto Star TFC Blog. Written by Cathal Kelly who I normally find to be absolutely hideous, but luckily for us he is quite sensible here. Thank you for at least once not being a pompous ass.
Post game notes from Goff on his blog Soccer Insider.
-Thu May 22
San Jose v Houston - 9:30pm central on ESPN2
Match preview by Jeff Carlisle of Soccernet.
Match preview by Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Match preview from the San Jose Mercury News.
Match preview from the San Francico Chronicle.
-Sat May 24
Columbus v New England - 6:30pm central on FSC
DC v Toronto - 6:30pm central on
Dallas v Salt Lake - 7:30pm central on Direct Kick
Colorado v Chivas USA - 8:30pm central on Direct Kick
Los Angeles v Kansas City 9:30pm central on HDNet
-Sun May 25
New York v Chicago - 2pm central on TeleFutura
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serving Suspension:
Dave Van Den Bergh - New York - Red Card for throwing an elbow.
Adrian Serioux - Dallas - Red Card for tackle from behind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Standings
Eastern Conference
19 Columbus (8)
16 Chicago (8)
16 New England (9)
14 Toronto (8)
12 New York (7)
11 Kansas City (8)
6 DC (8)
Western Conference
12 Colorado (8)
11 Los Angeles (8)
10 Houston (8)
9 Dallas (8)
8 Chivas (8)
8 Salt Lake (8)
4 San Jose (7)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS News
CHICAGO FIRE
The Fire expect midfielder Lider Marmol to have his work visa today, making him instantly available to play.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Orrin Schwarz of the Daily Herald writes about the team meeting their old boss Juan Carlos Osorio, which won't happen this week cuz JCO is suspended for a game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nick Firchau of the Southtown Star with an article on the teams newest forward, Pole Thomasz Frankowski, and how he has fit in so far this season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune on his blog The Red Card reports that Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio doesn't talk to the press this week, but rather he releases a statement about facing his old team Chicago this weekend. Don't get excited, it's more of a non-statement.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
COLORADO RAPIDS
The team makes a trade to ditch big salaries and find a proper replacement for goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul when he heads home to Senegal for World Cup qualifiers - Jovan Kirovski & Kelly Gray head to San Jose in exchange for Preson Burpo & a lower round draft pick next season. Getting Burpo is a very good move to get a guy with experience, even if he does resemble The Sea Hag from the Popeye cartoon.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Denver Post with an article on the clubs newest forward Tom McManus who appears to be quite the character. I gotta meet this guy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
COLUMBUS CREW
Shawn Mitchell of the Dispatch on his blog Covering The Crew reports that it looks like after nearly 10 years the parking lots around Crew Stadium might actually get paved! Yeah, no more giant mudholes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mitchell also has some injury, personnel and general team news updates.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Dispatch also has a story on the teams proposed new training facility.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
FC DALLAS
Steve Davis at Soccernet says it's not just Steve Morrow's fault that Dallas is struggling. It's the people above Morrow who should be looked at. This is a bruiser of an article. Must read.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Buzz Carrick at 3rd Degree with his first Practice Observations in the post-Morrow era.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Diego Aparicio of the Dallas Morning News wonders what the overall game plan will be when a new coach is hired.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
DC UNITED
Andrea Canales at Soccernet says that the talent of Marcelo Gallardo is evident, but its the clicking-with-teammates thing that is not going so well.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Midfielder Brad Davis is recovered from injury and will in on the 18 man roster tonight.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
Dave Martinez of The Offside blog has a Q & A with Jimmy Conrad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
KC will play an exhibition match on May 31 against Municipal of Guatemala, down in Albuquerque. The game is being called the New Mexico Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
RED BULL NEW YORK
Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer gives us a NYRB injury update.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
REAL SALT LAKE
James Edward of the Deseret News - RSL is unbeaten at home, and winless on the road. That about says it all.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Edward on the papers Real Salt Lake blog looks at the constant little injuries slowing down midfield general Javier Morales. I told several people before this season that the team had all the talent they need, but this guy had to step up to make it happen. So far? Nope.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The team sends back up goalkeeper Preston Burpo & a low round draft pick next year to Colorado in exchange for Jovan Kirovski & Kelly Gray.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TORONTO FC
Midfielder Carl Robinson's weekly column for the County Times in Wales.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GENERAL
Shaka Hislop for the Guardian on the decent quality and dulling mediocrity of MLS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
US Soccer gives us audio of the Week 8 MLS Referee Review.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Big Apple Soccer with a league news round up.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Friendlies
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
Chicago Fire 0-0 Wisla Krakow (Poland)
Match report from the Chicago Sun Times.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chicago's May 31 game against another Polish team Jagiellonia Bialystok on May 31 has been canceled.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Coaching Hot Seat
Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer looks at the firing of Dallas coach Steve Morrow, and who could be next on that list.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ever since I read earlier this week that Bruce Arena is ready to get back onto the bench, I have thought about him replacing Tom Soehn in DC.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Expansion News
Tom Timmerman of the St Louis Post Dispatch reports that potential MLS in St Louis owner Jeff Cooper feels he is very very close to securing team #17. He already is in the new Womens Professional Soccer league, and formed a new youth club.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John Smallwodd of the Philadelphia Daily News talks to MLS in Philly exec Nick Sakiewicz about what's happening in the club building phase right now.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USL First Division Scoreboard
Matches & Scores:
-Fri May 23
Vancouver v Seattle
-Sat May 24
Charleston v Atlanta
Carolina v Rochester
Minnesota v Miami
Portland v Vancouver
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
US Soccer News
US Soccer has an interview with young defender Kyle Davies who plays for Southampton in England.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Team USA
The official team blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USA Olympic Team
Taking part in the Toulon Tournament in France, May 21-29
-All games will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
USA 2-3 Turkey - USA goals by Eric Brunner & Sammy Ochoa. Turk goals by Eren Gungor, Nuri Sahin & Ilhan Parlak.
Match report from US Soccer.
Post game notes from the official team blog.
-Fri May 23
USA v Ivory Coast
-Sun May 25
USA v Italy
-Tue May 27
Semifinals
-Thu May 29
Final
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Soccer In America
The Denver Post does a Q & A with Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo about the state of the game in America in 2008.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
More American pro athletes use soccer to get better - earlier this week it was the NBA, today the NFL. The Boston Globe with a story on New England Patriots wide recievers Wes Welker and Randy Moss and their futbol skills.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Americans In Europe
What does this mean for Kasey Keller at Fulham? - The team announced the signing of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Middlesbrough. (thanks to Brian for this)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CONCACAF News
FIFA.com has a Q & A with Trinidad & Tobago and Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones, as his country prepares for World Cup qualifying.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mexico & FMF News
Young midfielder Carlos Vela received his English work permit this week which will allow him to officially join Arsenal for next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Semifinals 1st leg Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
San Luis 0-1 Cruz Azul - Cruz goal by Miguel Sabah.
-Thu May 22
Monterrey v Santos Laguna
Semifinals 2nd leg Matches & Scores (1st leg scores included):
-Sat May 24
Cruz Azul v San Luis (1-0)
-Sun May 25
Santos Laguna v Monterrey (-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Copa Libertadores
Quarterfinal 2nd Leg Matches & Scores (1st leg scores included):
-Wed May 21
Fluminense 3-1 Sao Paulo - Flum advance 3-2 on aggregate. - Flum goals by Washington(2) & Dodo. Sant goal by Adriano.
Atlas 0-3 Boca Juniors - Boca adv 5-2 on agg. - Boca goals all by Martin Palermo.
-Thu May 22
Santos v America (0-2)
LDU Quito v San Lorenzo (1-1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Advanced: Fluminense & Boca Juniors, who will meet in one semifinal series.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The knockout rounds bracket.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
European News
Brian Glanville of World Soccer was not impressed with the choices of Moscow & Manchester for the finals of the Champions League & UEFA Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Big Euro Club Matches This Week
-Scottish Premier League-
We have a tie at the top between the 2 usual culprits with one game left to play. (Ties are broken by goal differential.)
Points, Matches, Scores & Goal Differential:
-Thu May 22
86 Dundee U v Celtic (+57)
86 Aberdeen v Rangers (+53)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2008 UEFA European Championship
FIFA.com has a Q & A with Polish midfielder Jacek Krzynowek.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jack Warner/FIFA Scandal News
The Trinidad Express reports on the Arbiter's ruling in favor of Trinidad & Tobago 06 World Cup players who say they were denied bonus's promised by Jack Warner and the T & T federation. After the tournament they expected to receive large payments each, but were only given a few hundred dollar after Warner said that was all that was left over. The Arbiter sees it very differently and now the players are asking for $44 Million! Hahahahaha. Watch Jack flip out now! How much you want to bet that there is an appeal filed?
-The leader of the players was goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and here is his reaction to the ruling.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And as if Warner needs more on his plate, he has now come into conflict with the T&T government who own the national stadium, over rent for the June 1 centennial match v England. Warner claims the government asked for more money after an agreement on rent had been reached. He called them evil, and threatens to cancel the match. He cracks me up man. Today the two sides agreed to meet and discuss the matter.
-You will love this. Here is Warner's exact quote about the government: "Never has an evil been perpetrated on a country in the field of sport and more so football, than this present Minister of Sport. And for me, enough is enough!" Brilliant stuff Jacky my man!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Independent of England covers the story as well.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
African News
FIFA.com does a Q & A with Arsenal & Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor about African World Cup qualifying coming up.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This Is The End
The first 2008-09 Champions League Qualifying Round begins on July 15!
~and~
Colorado's Scottish forward Tom McManus: "I'm learning swear words in Spanish so I can curse at them." See Colorado Rapids section below for the whole story.
~and~
Sorry that I missed this, but Real Madrid has bailed on their exhibition in Salt Lake City later this summer for financial reasons (the US Dollar is so weak that it's not worth their time.)
~and~
A representative from the new MLS team in Philadelphia on stadium construction and the 2500 strong supporters group Sons of Ben: "They've become so relevant that we have had to step back and design an entire section of the stadium for them, including their own entrance." See MLS Expansion News section below.
UEFA Champions League Final
Match & Score:
-Wed May 22 in Moscow
Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United - Man U win it 6-5 on Penalty Kicks after Extra Time. I do not like ending games that way, but there is no denying how big the drama is. John Terry slipped & missed the entire net on the 5th PK for Chelsea which would have won it. He looked destroyed afterward.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My notes on the game:
-Didier Drogba with his dumb slap was a huge goat for Chelsea.
-Cristiano Ronaldo was nearly a huge goat for Man U after that idiotic Penalty Kick, which is illegal. And why did he have to lay in the middle of the field by himself after the win? Couldn't he go celebrate with his teammates first, then take a moment for himself? That's hard to do with your ego is that big.
-Ronaldo also showed his superior skills with a cool calm towering header for the games first goal.
-John Terry left every bit of effort he had on that field for Chelsea, the pulled a Beckham on his Penalty Kick miss. In a way I feel bad for Terry, he works too hard to have that end his season. On the other hand, the guy gets paid an obscene amount of money for what he does.
-Edwin Van Der Sar was saved twice by his post down the stretch keeping Man U in the game, then stuffed a weak PK from Anelka to seal it.
-It was a crime that they had to play on grass laid over fake turf. It looked really soft, really uneven, and certainly not firm enough for great traction. Chunks of sod popped up everywhere, and I know that contributed a great deal to all the players cramping up.
-American Owner 1-0 Russian Owner.
-Everyone has said this already, but Avram Grant is one odd looking guy.
-Why oh why would you play someone as amazingly talented as Michael Essien at left back. Seriously. To stop C Ronaldo? Well, that didn't work, cuz Essien got burned for the goal. He needed to be in the midfield instead of that hack Makalele, contributing to the attack and turning his great defense into instant offense. Mistake!
-42 goals this season by C Ronaldo. Simply astounding! Wow! Impressive does not come close to description. (But you know what, Ruud Van Nistelrooy had 44 goals for Man U in the 2002-03 season.)
-I am a sucker for those post game on-field celebrations. I love to see the pure joy of it all.
-Was that Frank Lampard's last game for Chelsea?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
George Vecsey of the New York Times with his thoughts on the game and spectacle. Fantastic article.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chuck Cullpepper of the LA Times reports from Fulham Road in London. That's Chelsea turf.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Richard Williams of the Guardian says the game was no classic. I agree, even though most of the rest of the English press feel it was one of the all time greats. Hardly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paul Doyle of the Guardian with some good post match analysis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Guardian with player ratings from Manchester United and Chelsea.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Soccernet with some nearly artistic pictures from the game. Nice. (thanks to BQ for this)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune looks at the game that ended at 1:34am local Moscow time. Brutal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hughes also ponders the future of both managers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John at the Soccer Training Info blog breaks down and analyzes the game in a simple way that I like a lot.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Scoreboard
Week 9
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
Toronto 1-0 DC - Tor goal by Danny Dichio.
Match report by Larry Millson of the Toronto Globe & Mail.
Match report from the Toronto Star.
Match report from the Toronto Sun.
Match report from Sportsnet Canada.
Match report by Steven Goff of the Washington Post.
Post game notes from the Toronto Star TFC Blog. Written by Cathal Kelly who I normally find to be absolutely hideous, but luckily for us he is quite sensible here. Thank you for at least once not being a pompous ass.
Post game notes from Goff on his blog Soccer Insider.
-Thu May 22
San Jose v Houston - 9:30pm central on ESPN2
Match preview by Jeff Carlisle of Soccernet.
Match preview by Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Match preview from the San Jose Mercury News.
Match preview from the San Francico Chronicle.
-Sat May 24
Columbus v New England - 6:30pm central on FSC
DC v Toronto - 6:30pm central on
Dallas v Salt Lake - 7:30pm central on Direct Kick
Colorado v Chivas USA - 8:30pm central on Direct Kick
Los Angeles v Kansas City 9:30pm central on HDNet
-Sun May 25
New York v Chicago - 2pm central on TeleFutura
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serving Suspension:
Dave Van Den Bergh - New York - Red Card for throwing an elbow.
Adrian Serioux - Dallas - Red Card for tackle from behind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Standings
Eastern Conference
19 Columbus (8)
16 Chicago (8)
16 New England (9)
14 Toronto (8)
12 New York (7)
11 Kansas City (8)
6 DC (8)
Western Conference
12 Colorado (8)
11 Los Angeles (8)
10 Houston (8)
9 Dallas (8)
8 Chivas (8)
8 Salt Lake (8)
4 San Jose (7)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS News
CHICAGO FIRE
The Fire expect midfielder Lider Marmol to have his work visa today, making him instantly available to play.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Orrin Schwarz of the Daily Herald writes about the team meeting their old boss Juan Carlos Osorio, which won't happen this week cuz JCO is suspended for a game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nick Firchau of the Southtown Star with an article on the teams newest forward, Pole Thomasz Frankowski, and how he has fit in so far this season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune on his blog The Red Card reports that Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio doesn't talk to the press this week, but rather he releases a statement about facing his old team Chicago this weekend. Don't get excited, it's more of a non-statement.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
COLORADO RAPIDS
The team makes a trade to ditch big salaries and find a proper replacement for goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul when he heads home to Senegal for World Cup qualifiers - Jovan Kirovski & Kelly Gray head to San Jose in exchange for Preson Burpo & a lower round draft pick next season. Getting Burpo is a very good move to get a guy with experience, even if he does resemble The Sea Hag from the Popeye cartoon.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Denver Post with an article on the clubs newest forward Tom McManus who appears to be quite the character. I gotta meet this guy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
COLUMBUS CREW
Shawn Mitchell of the Dispatch on his blog Covering The Crew reports that it looks like after nearly 10 years the parking lots around Crew Stadium might actually get paved! Yeah, no more giant mudholes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mitchell also has some injury, personnel and general team news updates.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Dispatch also has a story on the teams proposed new training facility.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
FC DALLAS
Steve Davis at Soccernet says it's not just Steve Morrow's fault that Dallas is struggling. It's the people above Morrow who should be looked at. This is a bruiser of an article. Must read.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Buzz Carrick at 3rd Degree with his first Practice Observations in the post-Morrow era.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Diego Aparicio of the Dallas Morning News wonders what the overall game plan will be when a new coach is hired.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
DC UNITED
Andrea Canales at Soccernet says that the talent of Marcelo Gallardo is evident, but its the clicking-with-teammates thing that is not going so well.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Midfielder Brad Davis is recovered from injury and will in on the 18 man roster tonight.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
Dave Martinez of The Offside blog has a Q & A with Jimmy Conrad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
KC will play an exhibition match on May 31 against Municipal of Guatemala, down in Albuquerque. The game is being called the New Mexico Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
RED BULL NEW YORK
Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer gives us a NYRB injury update.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
REAL SALT LAKE
James Edward of the Deseret News - RSL is unbeaten at home, and winless on the road. That about says it all.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Edward on the papers Real Salt Lake blog looks at the constant little injuries slowing down midfield general Javier Morales. I told several people before this season that the team had all the talent they need, but this guy had to step up to make it happen. So far? Nope.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The team sends back up goalkeeper Preston Burpo & a low round draft pick next year to Colorado in exchange for Jovan Kirovski & Kelly Gray.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TORONTO FC
Midfielder Carl Robinson's weekly column for the County Times in Wales.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GENERAL
Shaka Hislop for the Guardian on the decent quality and dulling mediocrity of MLS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
US Soccer gives us audio of the Week 8 MLS Referee Review.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Big Apple Soccer with a league news round up.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Friendlies
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
Chicago Fire 0-0 Wisla Krakow (Poland)
Match report from the Chicago Sun Times.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chicago's May 31 game against another Polish team Jagiellonia Bialystok on May 31 has been canceled.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Coaching Hot Seat
Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer looks at the firing of Dallas coach Steve Morrow, and who could be next on that list.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ever since I read earlier this week that Bruce Arena is ready to get back onto the bench, I have thought about him replacing Tom Soehn in DC.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MLS Expansion News
Tom Timmerman of the St Louis Post Dispatch reports that potential MLS in St Louis owner Jeff Cooper feels he is very very close to securing team #17. He already is in the new Womens Professional Soccer league, and formed a new youth club.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John Smallwodd of the Philadelphia Daily News talks to MLS in Philly exec Nick Sakiewicz about what's happening in the club building phase right now.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USL First Division Scoreboard
Matches & Scores:
-Fri May 23
Vancouver v Seattle
-Sat May 24
Charleston v Atlanta
Carolina v Rochester
Minnesota v Miami
Portland v Vancouver
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
US Soccer News
US Soccer has an interview with young defender Kyle Davies who plays for Southampton in England.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Team USA
The official team blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USA Olympic Team
Taking part in the Toulon Tournament in France, May 21-29
-All games will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
USA 2-3 Turkey - USA goals by Eric Brunner & Sammy Ochoa. Turk goals by Eren Gungor, Nuri Sahin & Ilhan Parlak.
Match report from US Soccer.
Post game notes from the official team blog.
-Fri May 23
USA v Ivory Coast
-Sun May 25
USA v Italy
-Tue May 27
Semifinals
-Thu May 29
Final
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Soccer In America
The Denver Post does a Q & A with Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo about the state of the game in America in 2008.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
More American pro athletes use soccer to get better - earlier this week it was the NBA, today the NFL. The Boston Globe with a story on New England Patriots wide recievers Wes Welker and Randy Moss and their futbol skills.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Americans In Europe
What does this mean for Kasey Keller at Fulham? - The team announced the signing of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Middlesbrough. (thanks to Brian for this)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CONCACAF News
FIFA.com has a Q & A with Trinidad & Tobago and Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones, as his country prepares for World Cup qualifying.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mexico & FMF News
Young midfielder Carlos Vela received his English work permit this week which will allow him to officially join Arsenal for next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Semifinals 1st leg Matches & Scores:
-Wed May 21
San Luis 0-1 Cruz Azul - Cruz goal by Miguel Sabah.
-Thu May 22
Monterrey v Santos Laguna
Semifinals 2nd leg Matches & Scores (1st leg scores included):
-Sat May 24
Cruz Azul v San Luis (1-0)
-Sun May 25
Santos Laguna v Monterrey (-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Copa Libertadores
Quarterfinal 2nd Leg Matches & Scores (1st leg scores included):
-Wed May 21
Fluminense 3-1 Sao Paulo - Flum advance 3-2 on aggregate. - Flum goals by Washington(2) & Dodo. Sant goal by Adriano.
Atlas 0-3 Boca Juniors - Boca adv 5-2 on agg. - Boca goals all by Martin Palermo.
-Thu May 22
Santos v America (0-2)
LDU Quito v San Lorenzo (1-1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Advanced: Fluminense & Boca Juniors, who will meet in one semifinal series.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The knockout rounds bracket.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
European News
Brian Glanville of World Soccer was not impressed with the choices of Moscow & Manchester for the finals of the Champions League & UEFA Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Big Euro Club Matches This Week
-Scottish Premier League-
We have a tie at the top between the 2 usual culprits with one game left to play. (Ties are broken by goal differential.)
Points, Matches, Scores & Goal Differential:
-Thu May 22
86 Dundee U v Celtic (+57)
86 Aberdeen v Rangers (+53)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2008 UEFA European Championship
FIFA.com has a Q & A with Polish midfielder Jacek Krzynowek.
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Jack Warner/FIFA Scandal News
The Trinidad Express reports on the Arbiter's ruling in favor of Trinidad & Tobago 06 World Cup players who say they were denied bonus's promised by Jack Warner and the T & T federation. After the tournament they expected to receive large payments each, but were only given a few hundred dollar after Warner said that was all that was left over. The Arbiter sees it very differently and now the players are asking for $44 Million! Hahahahaha. Watch Jack flip out now! How much you want to bet that there is an appeal filed?
-The leader of the players was goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and here is his reaction to the ruling.
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And as if Warner needs more on his plate, he has now come into conflict with the T&T government who own the national stadium, over rent for the June 1 centennial match v England. Warner claims the government asked for more money after an agreement on rent had been reached. He called them evil, and threatens to cancel the match. He cracks me up man. Today the two sides agreed to meet and discuss the matter.
-You will love this. Here is Warner's exact quote about the government: "Never has an evil been perpetrated on a country in the field of sport and more so football, than this present Minister of Sport. And for me, enough is enough!" Brilliant stuff Jacky my man!
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The Independent of England covers the story as well.
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African News
FIFA.com does a Q & A with Arsenal & Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor about African World Cup qualifying coming up.
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This Is The End
The first 2008-09 Champions League Qualifying Round begins on July 15!
posted by brucio at 16:29
5 Comments:
Celtic played Dundee Utd, not Dundee (their arch-rival).
Grazie Kirk
Makelele a hack? It's debatable about where Essien should play, I agree, but Makelele is still no hack.
"Makelele is still no hack"
yes he is
Two comments:
First, how can you feel bad for John Terry? Did you not watch him wipe his nose on Carlos Tevez's shirt after "the Drogba Slap"? He's classless (see also: peeing on nightclub floors; taunting American travelers after 9/11).
Second, Fulham Road isn't Chelsea turf, it's Fulham turf. Stamford Bridge is in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, rather than the burough of Chelsea, where it belongs.
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