Friday, July 24, 2009

Some News for Fri Jul 24

STARTERS

The USA & Mexico will do battle again this Sunday as they advanced to the Final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

dN

Don't you dare miss my Thunder on FSC Friday night - 7pm Central time taking on Miami FC Blues.

TEAM USA GOLD CUP

Tonight - Semifinal Match:
-Thu Jul 23
USA 2-0 Honduras - USA goals by Clarence Goodson & Kenny Cooper.
Venue: Soldier Field - Chicago IL
Match report from US Soccer.
Post game quotes by USA coach and players from US Soccer.
Match report by Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America.
Player ratings by Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America.
Post game analysis by Nancy Armor of the Associated Press.
Post game analysis & player ratings by Jeff Carlisle of ESPN Soccernet.
Post game analysis by David Mosse of ESPN Soccernet.

dN

du Nord 3(4) Stars Of The Game

3. Stuart Holden - even though it was not his best game of this tournament, he did provide the passes that led to both goals. And you can't argue with his confidence!
2. Troy Perkins/Chad Marshall - Perkins came up with those two big saves, one in each half, at the exact right moment, killing the Honduras spirit. Well done! And Marshall did exactly what you need to do to Carlo Costly, lean on him and get him frustrated, he will mentally take himself out of the game at that point. Marshall seems destined for the World Cup squad if he keeps it up.
1. Clarence Goodson - beyond that fact that he shares a unique name with my grandfather, his goal at the end of the first half was just what the old doc ordered. And they way he combined to stuff Carlos Costly all night long was fantastic

dN

USMNT Official Blog

CONCACAF GOLD CUP

Official Gold Cup Website

dN

Semifinal Matches:
-Thu Jul 23
USA 2-0 Honduras - USA goals by Clarence Goodson & Kenny Cooper.
Mexico 1-1 Costa Rica - Mex win it 5-4 on PK's - Mex goal by Guillermo Franco. CR goals by Froylan Ledezma.
Venue: Soldier Field - Chicago IL

dN

Final
-Sun Jul 26
USA v Mexico - 2pm Central on FSC
Venue: Giants Stadium - East Rutherford NJ

dN

Jeff Carlisle of ESPN Soccernet previews the grand finale.

MLS

MLS Week 19 Matches & Scores:
-Fri Jul 24
Real Salt Lake v FC Dallas - 9pm Central on Direct Kick
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy UT
-Sat Jul 25
Seattle Sounders FC v Chicago Fire - 2pm Central on ESPN & ESPN Deportes
Venue: Qwest Field - Seattle WA
Columbus Crew v Toronto FC - 6:30pm Central on Direct Kick
Venue: Crew Stadium - Columbus OH
Houston Dynamo v New England Revolution - 7:30pm Central on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium - Houston TX
Kansas City Wizards v Los Angeles Galaxy - 8pm Central on ESPN2
Venue: Community America Ballpark - Kansas City KS
Colorado Rapids v New York Red Bulls - 8:30pm Central on Direct Kick
Venue: Dicks Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City CO
San Jose Earthquakes v DC United - 9:30pm Central on FSC & FSE
Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium - Santa Clara CA

dN

Colorado has officially announced the signing of Argentine forward Facundo Diz. He played this past season for Argentine 2nd division team Platense. By the way Platense's team nickname is Los Calamares or the Squids. Hahahaha. Fantastic.

dN

Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch has some interesting insider info on MLS player pay, several things in here that I have not read before:
A Crew player who didn't want his name used said that the players are "really excited" about the CONCACAF Champions League games coming up, that "our contracts are geared toward league games." In other words, money talks. In addition to the $2,750 bonus that players divvy up for each Major League Soccer win, there is a big pot at the end; last year, Crew players split $196,000 for winning the MLS Cup.
MLS players aren't paid extra for the initial six Champions League group-stage games but start earning additional money if the team is one of eight (out of 24) to reach the quarterfinals. The team that wins the Champions League is guaranteed at least $1 million when it enters the FIFA World Club Championship, of which $200,000 goes to the players, but that's off in the distance. The initial six games are scheduled from Aug. 18 to Oct. 23, in the midst of the MLS season.
Crew general manager Mark McCullers says that MLS games are the top priority. But on a roster where there are six players making less than $40,000, enthusiasm for Champions League games might increase if the Crew gets close to cashing a paycheck there.


dN

Shawn Mitchell of the Dispatch on Columbus & Toronto renewing their young bitter rivalry this weekend in Cow Town. I would say that rivalry is more about the TFC fans showing up the CC fans.

dN

Daniel Girrard of the Toronto Star says most TFC fans are not making the trip this time because Crew Stadium is set to really put the clamps down on them for any extracurricular activity. TFC fans are pissed. Why? Because they were told they would not be allowed to enter the stadium with "the drums, the flags and the banners". That's it? Really? Who cares. Go support your team, or not. It's not that big of a deal.

dN

Former DC United great Raul Diaz Arce has been hired as academy director of the Chicago Magic club.

dN

The Olympian with an article on Chicago Fire fullback Brandon Prideaux who will retire at the end of this season and then become an assistant coach at his alma mater University of Washington.

dN

Monique Walker of the Boston Globe with an article on New England rookie centerback Darrius Barnes who is trying his best to fill the shoes left by Michael Parkhurst. He has had a decent first season, but isn't getting the pub that some other rookies are getting.

dN

Gabriel Cabarrouy of the Dallas Morning News on FC Dallas' new Colombian centerback Jair Benitez, and previews their game against RSL.

dN

The Kansas City Star says the Wizards don't need to worry about Beckman coming to town this weekend - they need to WIN. KC has not scored a goal in July. Oof.
-KC may see the debut of forward Adam Cristman on Saturday. He was formerly with New England and has missed a full year with foot troubles.

dN

Soccerlens with an overview of the 09 season for the New York Red Bulls so far, and the weight coming down on coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

dN

Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer talks to Mike Petke of the Red Bulls who says he does not want a horrible season like this one to be his last.

dN

Jared Montz has an audio interview with Colorado keeper Matt Pickens. Download or listen here.

dN

Justin Rodriguez at ESPN Soccernet with an article on Colorado fullback Kosuke Kimura. This is guy that most of us know absolutely nothing about. Like this, he is the first Japanese player in MLS. Cool.

dN

US Soccer with their audio version of the Week 18 Referee Review.

MLS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Above there is an article on New England rookie centerback Darius Barnes, and it got me thinking about who the other top rookies this season have been. Let's make a list shall we:

Top Of The Heap:
1. Stefan Frei
2. Chris Pontius
3. Omar Gonzalez
4. Darrius Barnes

Next Up:
5. AJ DeLaGarza
6. Steve Zakuani
7. Sam Cronin
8. Kevin Alston
9. Jeremy Hall

Hangin' In There:
10. Rodney Wallace
11. George John
12. Gerson Mayen
13. Quincy Amarikwa
14. Nick Zimmerman

Did I miss anyone?

THE BEX MELTDOWN

THIS JUST IN - FLASH NEW BULLETIN: MLS fines Bex $1000 for the verbal scuffle with the fans in LA. End of story. I still think he should have taken a seat in the stands for one game - in the Riot Squad.

dN

The LA Times with an article and quotes from Bex where he says he will NOT apologize to the fans about his behavior last Saturday night.

MLS ALL-STAR GAME

-Wed Jul 29
MLS All-Stars v Everton (England) - 8:30pm Central on ESPN2
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy UT

dN

Dylan Butler at MLSNet talks to Dominic Kinnear, Landon Donovan, David Moyes and Tim Howard about the game.

dN

Liverpool's Daily Post with an article on American & Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard. TIM-MAY!

dN

The Daily Post also with today's update on Everton's preseason, this time featuring forwards Luis Saha and Jo.

dN

The Edmonton Sun talks to Everton manager David Moyes.

dN

SLAM Sports talks to Everton captain Phillip Neville.

US OPEN CUP

The Olympian reports that Seattle GM Adrian Hanauer is raising a stink about having to go to DC to play the final. He makes some valid points, but it's still whining.

dN

The Washington Post Soccer Insider then talks to DC United president Kevin Payne who fires back with some not pleasant words about the decision for DC to host.

USL FIRST DIVISION

A big game Thursday night saw #1 Portland host #2 Puerto Rico, only separated by goal difference. And it ended in a 0-0 draw, which to me gives the edge in that round to Puerto Rico, even though the standings don't change a bit.

dN

Friday night sees #3 Carolina travel to #4 Charleston in another big game. If Carolina gets the win the would be tied with 1 & 2 at the top. Stay tuned for drama.

dN

Matches & Scores:
-Thu, July 23, 2009
Portland Timbers 0-0 Puerto Rico Islanders
-Fri, July 24, 2009
Charleston Battery v Carolina RailHawks
Minnesota Thunder v Miami FC Blues - 7pm Central on Fox Soccer Channel
-Sat, July 25, 2009
Rochester Rhinos v Cleveland City Stars
Austin Aztex v Montreal Impact
Vancouver Whitecaps v Puerto Rico Islanders
-Sun Jul 26
Carolina RailHawks v Miami FC Blues

dN

Standings:
35 Portland(+18)
35 Puerto Rico(+6)
32 Charleston
30 Carolina
26 Rochester
21 Miami (-2)
21 Montreal(-2)
- - Out of Playoffs - -
18 Vancouver
15 Austin
14 Minnesota
12 Cleveland

USA U17 TEAM

The USA U17 team is in Brazil for the Copa Macae.

dN

Quarterfinal Match:
-Thu Jul 23
USA 4-1 Caxias

Semifinal Matches:
-Sat Jul 25
USA v Fluminense
Flamengo v Funorte

dN

Final on Sun Jul 26.

USA U18 TEAM

The team has headed to Belfast Northern Ireland for the annual Milk Cup. Here is the game schedule and team roster:

dN

Matches:
-Mon Jul 27
USA v Denmark
-Wed Jul 29
USA v Germany
-Fri Jul 31
Placement Game (against team from other group - N Ireland, Bulgaria, Israel)

USA U20 TEAM

The team is off to Argentina for the Copa Ciudad de Rosario. They will play 2 matches there.

dN

Matches:
-Mon Jul 27
USA v Uruguay
-Wed Jul 29
USA v Australia

dN

Here is the team roster:
G:
Josh Lambo - FC Dallas - Middleton WI
Brian Perk - UCLA - Rancho Santa Margarita CA
D:
Gale Agbossoumonde - No Club - Syracuse NY
Jorge Flores - Chivas USA - Anaheim CA
Ike Opara - Wake Forest - Durham NC
Anthony Wallace - FC Dallas - St Petersburg FL
Sheanon Williams (unattached; Boston, MA
Cesar Zamora - Chivas USA - Sylmar CA
M:
Danny Cruz - Houston Dynamo - Glendale AZ
Dilly Duka - New York Red Bulls Academy - Montville NJ
Gerson Mayen - Chivas USA - Los Angeles CA
Brian Ownby - U Virginia - Glen Allen VA
Dillon Powers - Andromeda - Plano TX
Michael Stephens - UCLA - Naperville IL
F:
Sam Garza - U Denver - Highland Village TX
Fuad Ibrahim - Toronto FC - Richfield MN
Peri Marosevic - FC Dallas - Rockford IL
Tony Taylor - Jacksonville U - Jacksonville FL

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The 2nd edition of the tourney!

dN

Steve Davis at ESPN Soccernet previews the tournament.

dN

Preliminary Round 1st Leg Matches:
-Tue Jul 28
DC United (USA) v Luis Angel Firpo (El Sal) - 7pm Central
Pachuca (Mex) v Jalapa (Guate) - 9pm Central
-Wed Jul 29
Toronto FC (Can) v Puerto Rico Islanders (PR) - 7pm
San Francisco (Pana) v San Juan Jabloteh (TnT) - 7pm
Liberia (CR) v Real Espana (Hond) - 9pm
-Thu Jul 30
W Connection (TnT) v New York Red Bulls (USA) - 7pm
Herediano (CR) v Cruz Azul (Mex) - 9pm
Olimpia (Hond) v Arabe Unido (Pana) - 9pm

ENGLAND

EPL Talk has an audio interview with Tom Glick, the American who owns Derby County, and an affiliate in Livonia MI who just won the US Soccer Development U16 national championship.

WORLD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE

Some of the worlds biggest clubs come to America for preseason training and exhibition matches.

dN

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times does not see these big Euro teams threatening MLS as some others vociferously do, rather its another step up the ladder.

dN

Matches & Scores
-Sun Jul 19
Club America 1-1 Inter Milan - CA win it 5-4 on Penalties. CA goal by Juan Carlos Silva. IM goal by Ivan Cordoba.
-Tue Jul 21
Chelsea 2-0 Inter Milan - Chel goals by Didier Drogba & Frank Lampard(PK).
Venue: Rose Bowl - Pasadena CA
-Wed Jul 22
AC Milan 1-2 Club America - ACM goal by Super Pippo Inzaghi. CA goals by Enrique Esqueda & Daniel Marquez.
Venue: Georgia Dome - Atlanta GA
-Fri Jul 24
AC Milan v Chelsea
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore MD
-Sun Jul 26
AC Milan v Inter Milan
Venue: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough MA
-Sun Jul 26
Chelsea v Club America
Venue: Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX

ENDERS

Brian Ching of Team USA and the Houston Dynamo took this picture and posted it on his Twitter feed today. He took the photo as the USA team plane was flying into New York.




















"The new Red Bull stadium from the air. Man its going to be sick "

Awesome!

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Newer Posts Older Posts