Some News for Tue Apr 13, 2010

STARTERS

The Harris County Commissioners Court in Houston have added another financial piece to the puzzle for the Houston Dynamo to build their own stadium in downtown Houston! Hooray Saint Arnold Beer! Next the team will have to reach a deal with the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority who control the land where the facility will be built. I have no idea if that is the last real step before work can begin or not.
-Details from the Houston Chronicle.

dN

The first MLS teams enter US Open Cup qualifying tonight as Kansas City hosts Colorado. See the US Open Cup section below for details.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

With Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke bidding to buy the St Louis Rams NFL team today, where does that leave his interests in English Premier League team Arsenal?
-Here is the Rams' story from the St Louis Post Dispatch.

FACT OF THE DAY

The International Transfer Window for MLS closes on Thu Apr 15!

FUN OF THE DAY

Refereeing authorities have stepped forward and stated that Jaime Moreno should have been called for a foul for interfering with Philly goalkeeper Chris Seitz who dropped a ball after being harassed by Moreno who then stole the dropped ball and scored.
-I saw a deer in headlights and a long time pro poacher take him down with only slight effort. And even it was illegal, it sure was fun to watch.

STORY OF THE DAY

The Everett Herald with an article telling us how to protect MLS star players, like Freddie Ljunberg.
-I still have yet to see a replay that shows this "horrible" knee to the back from Philadelphia that injured Ljungberg. I see two Philly players crashing into each other, and I see Ljungberg being touched in the back, then I see Ljungberg go to the ground, but I don't see this knee to the back I keep hearing so much about. I have no idea how this is a yellow card. Here is video of one angle - you tell me. (As for Philly centerback Tony Stahl's 2nd yellow, now that was a knee in the back of Freddy Montero and a deserved card.)

MLS WEEK 4

Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 15
Toronto FC v Philadelphia Union - 6pm Central on ESPN2
-Sat Apr 17
Seattle Sounders v Kansas City Wizards - 2pm Central on Direct Kick
Houston Dynamo v Chivas USA - 3pm Central on TeleFutura
DC United v Chicago Fire - 6:30pm Central on Direct Kick
New York Red Bulls v FC Dallas - 6:30pm Central on Direct Kick
San Jose Earthquakes v New England Revolution - 9pm Central on Direct Kick
Los Angeles Galaxy v Real Salt Lake - 9:30pm Central on FSC
-Sun Apr 18
Colorado Rapids v Toronto FC - 4pm Central on Direct Kick

dN

Columbus Crew has the week off.

MLS INJURY REPORT

Michael C Lewis of the Salt Lake Tribune with an update on injuries to RSL midfielders Javier Morales and Ned Grabavoy.

MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS

Philadelphia's Sebastien Le Toux has been named Player Of The Week.

dN

Toronto has officially signed 2 defenders - Canadian Adrian Cann (Esbjerg - Denmark top division) and Russian Maksim Usanov (Krasnodar - Russian 2nd division). I am trying to find out what positions they play in the back.

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San Jose has officially signed forward Scott Sealy.

dN

Chris Albright played in a reserve match for New York today. He has been out of action for a long time with an ankle injury.

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John Kass of the Tribune sits down with Fire owner Andrew Hauptman.

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Frank Giase of the Newark Star Ledger on the slow start to the season for NYRB's Juan Pablo Angel.
-I have been wondering if he isn't still injured from a preseason tackle in a match against Toronto.

dN

Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe talks to former New England keeper-coach and Italian legend Walter Zenga about his former player while managing Red Star in Belgrade, Marko Perovic, who as it happens has just signed with the Rev's.

dN

Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times with TONS & TONS of Sounders notes.

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Steve Davis of Daily Soccer Fix comments on the players that go beyond "rough".
-Like Nick Centerhack Garcia and Atiba The Hun Harris.

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Greg Seltzer of Soccer 365 talks to Philly captain Dan Califf about winning the first ever home game.

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The Press of Atlantic City has an article on the voice of the Philadelphia Union, and the USA, JP Dellacamera.

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Paul Tenorio of the Washington Post with an article on DC's 17 year old midfielder Andy Najar, and the concept of young professionals in soccer around the world.
-What this author fails to mention is that in America, baseball and hockey teams sign young kids all the time.

dN

Michael Lewis writing for the US Soccer Players Assoc website with an article on LA forward Edson Buddle.

MLS RUMORS

Dylan Butler of the NY Post on the Red Bulls getting a striker and left midfielder before the transfer deadline on Thursday.

dN

David Beckham's manager Simon Fuller has quit. He made a boatload of money for old Golden Balls.

MLS EXHIBITION GAMES

The Chicago Fire has announced that they will host a 4 team international tournament May 19-22 at Toyota Park. Called the Sister Cities International Cup, the Fire will take on Paris Saint-Germain Football Club of France aka PSG, Klub Pilkarski Legia Warszawa SSA of Poland aka Legia Warsaw and Fudbalski Klub Crvena Zvezda of Serbia aka Red Star Belgrade. Pretty frickin cool!

dN

DC United will take on AC Milan Wed May 26 at RFK Stadium.
-The date means that none of Milan's World Cup bound players will be in attendance, and neither will any other stars that need a post-season rest. So expect to see the potential Milan future.

US OPEN CUP

First MLS qualifying round is Tuesday night!

MLS - Play-In Rounds
Bracket 1 (1 team will advance)
-Wed Apr 13
Kansas City Wizards v Colorado Rapids
Venue: Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium - Kansas City MO

-Tue Apr 27
New York Red Bulls v Philadelphia Union
Venue: Red Bull Arena - Harrison NJ
-Wed May 12
NYRB/PU Winner v New England Revolution
-Date TBA
NYRB/PU/NER Winner v KCW/CR
Bracket 2 (1 team will advance)
-Thu Apr 14
San Jose Earthquakes v Real Salt Lake
Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium - Santa Clara CA
-Wed Apr 28
DC United v FC Dallas
Venue: RFK Stadium - Washington DC
-Date TBA
DCU/FCD winner v SJE/RSL winner

All the best Open Cup info can be found right here at The Cup.

USSF DIVISION 2

Matches & Scores:
-Sat Apr 10
Carolina RailHawks 2-0 AC St Louis - CRH goals both by Etienne Barbara.
Miami FC Blues 1-1 Rochester Rhinos - Mia goal by Paulo Aruajo. RR goals by Ryan Heins.
-Sun Apr 11
Austin Aztex 2-0 Montreal Impact - AA goals by Lawrence Olum & Jamie Watson.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 NSC Minnesota Stars - VW goals by Marlon James & Luca Bellisomo.

dN

-Fri Apr 16
Crystal Palace Baltimore v Tampa Bay Rowdies
Carolina RailHawks v NSC Minnesota Stars
-Sat Apr 17
Portland Timbers v Rochester Rhinos
AC St Louis v Austin Aztex
Miami FC Blues v Vancouver Whitecaps

SOCCER IN AMERICA

Yanks Abroad with a great article on the humbling of Jamie Watson.
-I can attest to his new & improved self: When he was in his first year at Salt Lake I encountered him and he was a bit of a punk, but last fall when I ran into him again, he was fully aware of where he had been, how he got to his low point, and the effort it was going to take to turn that around. We wish him all the best.

USA U20 TEAM

The team will participate in the Cor Groenewegen Tournament in the Netherlands which begins Sat May 22.
Both club and national teams are involved.
-Here are the 2 Groups for the matches:
Group A
Canada
Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Senegal
FC Twente (Netherlands)
FC Uitgeest (Netherlands - host team)
South Korea
Group B
Atletico Mineiro (Brazil)
Egypt
SC Heerenveen (Netherlands)
Japan
USA
FC Utrecht (Netherlands)

AMERICANS IN EUROPE

Luke Cyphers of ESPN Soccernet with a feature on Michael Bradley.

dN

Game Action: (only those that played are listed)

DENMARK - Superliga
Michael Parkhurst - Nordsjaelland - Mon Apr 12 - went the full 90 but drew 1-1 at home against Koge.

ENGLAND - League One
Mike Grella - Leeds - Tue Apr 13 - came on as a sub in teh 88th minute as they won 1-3 at Carlisle.
Jemal Johnson - Stockport County - Tue Apr 13 - came on as a sub in the 72nd minute but they lost 3-0 at Hartlepool.
Eric Lichaj - Leyton Orient - Tue Apr 13 - went the distance and got a yellow card as they beat Norwich 2-1 at home.
Jon-Paul Pittman - Wycombe - Tue Apr 13 - started and played 66 minutes as they won 0-3 at Tranmere.

SWEDEN - Allsvenskan Liga
Alejandro Bedoya - Orebro - Mon Apr 12 - played the entire match, got a yellow card, and lost at home 0-2 to GAIS.

dN

Coming Up: (all possible players are listed)

DENMARK - Superliga
Benny Feilhaber - AGF Aarhus - Wed Apr 14 at Midtjyllnad
Yura Movsisyan - Randers - Wed Apr 14 at Silkeborg
Michael Parkhurst - Nordsjaelland - Thu Apr 15 at Brondby
Chris Rolfe - AaB - Wed Apr 14 v Odense

ENGLAND - Premier League
Brad Friedel - Aston Villa - Wed Apr 14 v Everton
Brad Guzan - Aston Villa - Wed Apr 14 v Everton
Tim Howard - Everton - Wed Apr 14 at Aston Villa

SCOTLAND - Premier League
DaMarcus Beasley - Rangers - Wed Apr 14 at Dundee United
Maurice Edu - Rangers - Wed Apr 14 at Dundee United

SWEDEN - Allsvenskan Liga
Alejandro Bedoya - Orebro - Thu Apr 15 at Brommopojkarna
Ryan Miller - Halmstad - Wed Apr 14 at AIK
Johan Smith - Kalmar - Thu Apr 15 at Mjallby
Micheal Thomas - Halmstad - Wed Apr 14 at AIK

AMERICANS IN MEXICO

Big mid-weeks games on Wed night with only 3 rounds left in the season before playoffs.

PRIMERA DIVISION - Game Action
Edgar Castillo - UANL Tigres - Wed Apr 14 v Queretaro
Herculez Gomez - Pueblo - Wed Apr 14 at Atlas
Sammy Ochoa - Estudiantes Tecos - Wed Apr 14 at San Luis
Jose Torres - Pachuca - Wed Apr 14 at Cruz Azul
Marco Vidal - Indios Juarez - Wed Apr 14 v Guadalajara

MEXICO

There is a full slate of matches on Wed Apr 14 - Round 15 of 17.

ENGLAND

Yanks Abroad with an article on John Berylson, the American who owns the notorious Millwall Football Club.

dN

Kevin McCarra of the Guardian with an article on the staggering wealth behind Manchester City - they could spend everyone else into oblivion.

dN

FIFA.com does a Q & A with Liverpool and Argentina defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano.

dN

Top Premier League Team Standings (34 of 38 games played)
77 Chelsea
73 Manchester United
71 Arsenal - 33 played
62 Manchester City - 33 played
- - - - -
58 Tottenham - 32 Played
56 Liverpool
54 Aston Villa - 32 played

FRANCE

Monaco are on to the Coupe De France Final.

COUPE DE FRANCE - Semifinals
-Tue Apr 13
Monaco 1-0 Lens
-Wed Apr 14
Quevilly v Paris St Germain

ITALY

Inter makes it to yet another Coppa Italia Final, and if Roma advance as well, then they would be facing off for the 6th consecutive year.

COPPA ITALIA - Semifinals
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 13
Fiorentina 0-1 Inter - Int advance 2-0 on aggregate.
-Wed Apr 14
Udinese v Roma (0-2)

COPA LIBERTADORES

This is the pentultimate week of the group stage!

dN

6 of 16 spots are set:
Corinthians join Once Caldas, Banfield, Estudiantes la Plata, Sao Paulo and Alianza Lima in advancing to the knock out stages.

dN

Emelec joins Monterrey, Italia of Venezuela, Juan Aurich, Bolivar, Blooming and Nacional of Paraguay in the eliminated pile.

dN

Just 3 weeks left in the Group Stage.

dN

GROUP STAGE (runs through to Apr 22) - This Weeks Matches & Scores:
-Tue Apr 13
Quito v Cerro
Caracas v Universidad
-Wed Apr 14
Racing Club v Corinthians
Emelec v Internacional
Universidad Catolica v Flamengo
-Thu Apr 15
Blooming v Libertad
Lanus v Universitario
Colo Colo v Cruzeiro
Velez Sarsfield v Italia

dN

Standings (6 Rounds):

Grupo 1 (4 played)
ADV-10 Corinthians (Brazil)
7 Racing Club (Uruguay)
6 Independiente Medellin (Colombia) (5 played)
1 Cerro Porteno (Paraguay) (5 played)

Grupo 2 (5 played)
ADV-11 Once Caldas (Colombia)
ADV-10 Sao Paulo (Brazil)
OUT-3 Monterrey (Mexico)
OUT-0 Nacional (Paraguay)

Grupo 3 (5 played)
ADV-15 Alianza Lima (Peru)
ADV-10 Estudiantes de la Plata (Argentina)
OUT-3 Juan Aurich (Peru)
OUT-1 Bolivar (Bolivia)

Grupo 4 (5 played)
9 Libertad (Paraguay)
9 Universitario (Peru)
7 Lanus (Argentina)
OUT - 1 Blooming (Bolivia)

Grupo 5 (4 played)
8 Internacional (Brazil)
7 Cerro (Uruguay)
7 Deportivo Quito (Ecudador)
OUT-0 Emelec (Ecuador)

Grupo 6 (5 played)
ADV - 11 Banfield (Argentina)
6 Nacional (Uruguay)
5 Morelia (Mexico)
4 Cuenca (Ecudador)

Grupo 7 (5 played)
10 Velez Sarsfield (Argentina)
10 Cruzeiro (Brazil)
7 Colo Colo (Chile)
OUT-1 Italia (Venezuela)

Grupo 8 (4 played)
8 Universidad Chile (Chile)
7 Flamengo (Brazil)
3 Universidad Catolica (Chile)
2 Caracas FC (Venezuela)

TACTICS

Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian on the modern offside rule.

ENDERS

Landon Donovan for United Against Malaria. This is serious business.



World Malaria Day on April 25
For every 10 people that join the Facebook page a life-saving bed net will be donated to a family in need.