Some News for Wed Apr 7, 2010
STARTERS
He is the best! Lionel Messi scored all 4 goals for Barcelona in a big Champions League win over Arsenal on Tuesday. He is only 22. How does he improve on all of this?
dN
In a shocking move Toronto FC's original player and team captain Jim Brennan has walked off the field for the last time! He announced his retirement today. Wow! I did not see that coming. He will stay on with the team in a management capacity. Rumors are running rampant that he and the new head coach Preki were supposedly at war! But those are just rumors.
-Words from:
Gareth Wheeler of the Toronto Sun
John Molinaro of the CBC
The Toronto Star
The Toronto Globe & Mail
The National Post
Official word from the team, including several video clips.
dN
US Soccer has named Claudio Reyna as Youth Technical Director. He "will oversee the design and implementation of long-term strategies for development of both coaches and players at the youth level in the United States." Reyna has a simply theory: "...the best way to improve the large base of youth players is to focus on developing their coaches."
THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO READ
From the AP: "Clint Dempsey, who has been so instrumental in Fulham's run to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, will miss Thursday's quarterfinal match against Wolfsburg with a thigh injury. Dempsey was injured in Sunday’s Premier League match against Wigan but played the entire game." Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Sid Lowe of the Guardian reports on Lionel Messi's unbelievable performance against Arsenal last night.
-Lowe reports that even the Madrid newspapers are raving about Messi, which they usually never do.
dN
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune confirms that today, it's all about Messi. And a couple of words on Inter.
dN
Quarterfinals Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 6
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Inter Milan - IM advance 2-0 on aggregate - IM goal by Wesley Schneider.
Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal - Bar advance 6-3 on aggregate - Bar goals all by Lionel Messi - Ars goal by Niklas Bendtner.
-Wed Apr 7
Manchester United v Bayern Munich (1-2) - - Live at 1:45pm Central on FSC.
Bordeaux v Lyon (1-3) - Live at 1:45pm Central on FS+ - Delayed at 4pm Central on FSC.
Away goals is the tiebreaker.
dN
Semifinals Matches & Scores:
-Dates TBA
Inter Milan v Barcelona
Man U/Bayern winner v Lyon/Bordeaux winner
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Cruz Azul storms into the final!
Semifinals Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 6
Cruz Azul 5-0 UNAM - CA advance 5-1 on aggregate - CA goals by Christian Riveros, Horacio Cervantes, Adrian Cortes, Rogelio Martínez & Edgar Lugo.
-Wed Apr 7
Pachuca v Toluca (1-1) - Live at 7pm Central on FSC
Away goals is the tiebreaker.
STORY OF THE DAY
Piers Edwards of the BBC fills us in on the huge mess that is South African football.
-No wonder their national team struggles so badly when the hierarchy at the top is a disaster.
TWITTERVERSE/FACEBOOKING
Sad news - Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams alludes to the health of his wife who has battled Lukemia - @bommadog: "Not a great start to the morning, heading back to the hospital today. Keep us in your prayers, thanks"
MLS INJURY REPORT
Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports that Dynamo forward Brian Ching could be out until mid-May with a hamstring injury.
dN
Kansas City will now be without little used forward Zoltan for most of the season after he ripped up his knee is a friendly last weekend.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
Don Ruiz of the Olympian talks to Seattle GM Adrian Hanauer about a Sounders problem that haunted them last year, and has already made an appearance this season - goal scoring.
dN
Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times with an article on the Sounders two unsung stars Jhon Kennedy Hurtado Oswaldo Alonso.
dN
Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America talks to new DC head coach Curt Onalfo about getting off to a rough start including 2 losses in 2 games, not scoring a goal, and giving up 6.
dN
Today Chivas officially announced the signing of centerback Dario Delgado.
dN
The Times of India on Sunil Chhetri at Kansas City. (thanks to Bart for this one)
dN
Our friend in football Bart Edes gives us even more, with this theory about adding certain foreign players to MLS teams:
Watch MLS negotiate a massive TV deal with a commercial Indian broadcaster. No, seriously. Check out how the Chinese public went gaga for Yao Ming in Houston, and before that the Japanese for Major League clubs that hired their baseball stars. "Looking West" - in addition to South and across the Atlantic - could yield benefits for MLS well behind the quality of the players, which falls well short of world-class status.
This could be huge. Do not be surprised to see KC jerseys in India soon. Like A LOT OF THEM.
You heard it here. Wait till the league recruits a top Chinese player (e.g., for a West Coast squad).
And if 24 year-old Lee Nguyen becomes a star in Viet Nam. his 'return home' could bring 80 million Vietnamese into closer contact with the MLS.
MLS/SUM BUSINESS
Michael C Lewis of the Salt Lake Tribune says that RSL is doing their best to cash in on being MLS Cup winners.
MLS STADIUM BUILDING
The Houston Chronicle reports that the Houston City Council game a unanimous YES vote to funding in support of a new Dynamo stadium.
-But the biggest step is stil to come - next week the team needs the vote from the Harris County Commissioners, and they have been the thorn all along. I fully expect another hitch to come up from these dingbats.
MLS RUMORS
Luciano Emilio seems bound for a MLS team other than DC united.
dN
Joseph Ngwenya who left Houston a couple years ago for those green green hill of Austria, never to be heard from again, is back in Houston and probably begging for a job. Plus the team needs forwards badly.
dN
Chicago Now with news of another defensive midfielder for the Fire?
Chicago Fire to host Red Star of Belgrade?
dN
Our friend Bart wants to start the rumor that a MLS team needs to sign Rangers midfielder Nacho Novo.
MLS EXPANSION
India is all abuzz because their national team goalkeeper 23 year old Subrata Paul is getting a try out with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
-Add this to KC signing Sunil Chhetri and the whole country on India is going nuts. Well, not the whole country, but, a lot of people are excited.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Bolton is hoping for Stuart Holden to be ready for their game on May 1.
dN
Game Action: (only those that played are listed)
SWEDEN - Allsvenskan Liga
Ryan Miller - Halmstad - went the full 90 as they drew 1-1 at Malmo.
Johan Smith - Kalmar - came on as a sub in the 86th minute of a scoreless draw at Atvidaberg.
Micheal Thomas - Halmstad - came on as a sub in the 78th minute, got a yellow card, and they tied 1-1 at Malmo.
dN
Coming Up: (all possible players are listed)
SCOTLAND - Premier League
DaMarcus Beasley - Rangers - Wed Apr 7 v Aberdeen
Maurice Edu - Rangers - Wed Apr 7 v Aberdeen
UEFA - Europa League Quarterfinals 2nd Leg
Clint Dempsey - Fulham - Thu Apr 8 at Wolfsburg up 2-1
VOYAGEURS CUP - CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
The 3 professional teams in Canada play each other home and away for the annual title.
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Apr 28
Toronto FC v Montreal Impact
-May 5
Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact
-May 12
Montreal Impact v Toronto FC
-May 19
Vancouver Whitecaps v Toronto FC
-May 26
Montreal Impact v Vancouver Whitecaps
-Jun 2
Toronto FC v Vancouver Whitecaps
The winner represents Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Quarterfinal 2nd Leg Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 8
Wolfsburg v Fulham (1-2)
Liverpool v Benfica (1-2)
Standard Liege v Hamburg (1-2)
Atletico Madrid v Valencia (2-2)
ENGLAND
England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 - featuring a video clip from Crouchy!
ITALY
5 years later is Inter about to be dragged into the Calciopoly scandal that gave them 2 titles by default? Honestly, how did anyone think one team was innocent when so many others were guilty? It's getting ugly all over again in Italy.
COPA LIBERTADORES
Nothing changed in the standings after Tuesday's games.
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 6
Universitario 0-0 Blooming
Italia 2-3 Colo Colo - Ita goals by Emerson Pangutti & Richard Blanco(PK). CC goals by Cristian Bogado & Ezequiel Miralles(2).
-Wed Apr 7
Cuenca v Nacional
Flamengo v Universidad
-Thu Apr 8
Independiente v Cerro Porteno
Alianza v Bolivar
-Tue Apr 13
Quito v Cerro
Caracas v Universidad
dN
Standings (6 Rounds):
Grupo 1 (4 played)
ADV-10 Corinthians (Brazil)
7 Racing Club (Uruguay)
3 Independiente Medellin (Colombia)
1 Cerro Porteno (Paraguay)
Grupo 2 (5 played)
ADV-11 Once Caldas (Colombia)
ADV-10 Sao Paulo (Brazil)
OUT-3 Monterrey (Mexico)
OUT-0 Nacional (Paraguay)
Grupo 3 (4 played)
ADV-12 Alianza Lima (Peru)
ADV-10 Estudiantes de la Plata (Argentina) (5 played)
OUT-3 Juan Aurich (Peru) (5 played)
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 (4 played)
ADV - 11 Banfield (Argentina) (5 played)
5 Nacional (Uruguay)
5 Morelia (Mexico) (5 played)
3 Cuenca (Ecudador)
Grupo 7 (5 played)
10 Velez Sarsfield (Argentina)
10 Cruzeiro (Brazil)
7 Colo Colo (Chile)
OUT-1 Italia (Venezuela)
Grupo 8 (3 played)
7 Universidad Chile (Chile)
6 Flamengo (Brazil)
3 Universidad Catolica (Chile) (4 played)
2 Caracas FC (Venezuela) (4 played)
WORLD CUP 2010 - SOUTH AFRICA
The BBC talks to the former Ivory Coast head coach who was fired after losing 1 game, and has now been replaced by the dubious Sven Goren Eriksson, in the run up to the World Cup. Is the team in turmoil?
ENDERS
What a Weird and Wonderful World!
Konono No1 ft Baloji - Karibu Ya Bintou
He is the best! Lionel Messi scored all 4 goals for Barcelona in a big Champions League win over Arsenal on Tuesday. He is only 22. How does he improve on all of this?
dN
In a shocking move Toronto FC's original player and team captain Jim Brennan has walked off the field for the last time! He announced his retirement today. Wow! I did not see that coming. He will stay on with the team in a management capacity. Rumors are running rampant that he and the new head coach Preki were supposedly at war! But those are just rumors.
-Words from:
Gareth Wheeler of the Toronto Sun
John Molinaro of the CBC
The Toronto Star
The Toronto Globe & Mail
The National Post
Official word from the team, including several video clips.
dN
US Soccer has named Claudio Reyna as Youth Technical Director. He "will oversee the design and implementation of long-term strategies for development of both coaches and players at the youth level in the United States." Reyna has a simply theory: "...the best way to improve the large base of youth players is to focus on developing their coaches."
THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO READ
From the AP: "Clint Dempsey, who has been so instrumental in Fulham's run to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, will miss Thursday's quarterfinal match against Wolfsburg with a thigh injury. Dempsey was injured in Sunday’s Premier League match against Wigan but played the entire game." Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Sid Lowe of the Guardian reports on Lionel Messi's unbelievable performance against Arsenal last night.
-Lowe reports that even the Madrid newspapers are raving about Messi, which they usually never do.
dN
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune confirms that today, it's all about Messi. And a couple of words on Inter.
dN
Quarterfinals Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 6
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Inter Milan - IM advance 2-0 on aggregate - IM goal by Wesley Schneider.
Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal - Bar advance 6-3 on aggregate - Bar goals all by Lionel Messi - Ars goal by Niklas Bendtner.
-Wed Apr 7
Manchester United v Bayern Munich (1-2) - - Live at 1:45pm Central on FSC.
Bordeaux v Lyon (1-3) - Live at 1:45pm Central on FS+ - Delayed at 4pm Central on FSC.
Away goals is the tiebreaker.
dN
Semifinals Matches & Scores:
-Dates TBA
Inter Milan v Barcelona
Man U/Bayern winner v Lyon/Bordeaux winner
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Cruz Azul storms into the final!
Semifinals Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 6
Cruz Azul 5-0 UNAM - CA advance 5-1 on aggregate - CA goals by Christian Riveros, Horacio Cervantes, Adrian Cortes, Rogelio Martínez & Edgar Lugo.
-Wed Apr 7
Pachuca v Toluca (1-1) - Live at 7pm Central on FSC
Away goals is the tiebreaker.
STORY OF THE DAY
Piers Edwards of the BBC fills us in on the huge mess that is South African football.
-No wonder their national team struggles so badly when the hierarchy at the top is a disaster.
TWITTERVERSE/FACEBOOKING
Sad news - Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams alludes to the health of his wife who has battled Lukemia - @bommadog: "Not a great start to the morning, heading back to the hospital today. Keep us in your prayers, thanks"
MLS INJURY REPORT
Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports that Dynamo forward Brian Ching could be out until mid-May with a hamstring injury.
dN
Kansas City will now be without little used forward Zoltan for most of the season after he ripped up his knee is a friendly last weekend.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
Don Ruiz of the Olympian talks to Seattle GM Adrian Hanauer about a Sounders problem that haunted them last year, and has already made an appearance this season - goal scoring.
dN
Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times with an article on the Sounders two unsung stars Jhon Kennedy Hurtado Oswaldo Alonso.
dN
Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America talks to new DC head coach Curt Onalfo about getting off to a rough start including 2 losses in 2 games, not scoring a goal, and giving up 6.
dN
Today Chivas officially announced the signing of centerback Dario Delgado.
dN
The Times of India on Sunil Chhetri at Kansas City. (thanks to Bart for this one)
dN
Our friend in football Bart Edes gives us even more, with this theory about adding certain foreign players to MLS teams:
Watch MLS negotiate a massive TV deal with a commercial Indian broadcaster. No, seriously. Check out how the Chinese public went gaga for Yao Ming in Houston, and before that the Japanese for Major League clubs that hired their baseball stars. "Looking West" - in addition to South and across the Atlantic - could yield benefits for MLS well behind the quality of the players, which falls well short of world-class status.
This could be huge. Do not be surprised to see KC jerseys in India soon. Like A LOT OF THEM.
You heard it here. Wait till the league recruits a top Chinese player (e.g., for a West Coast squad).
And if 24 year-old Lee Nguyen becomes a star in Viet Nam. his 'return home' could bring 80 million Vietnamese into closer contact with the MLS.
MLS/SUM BUSINESS
Michael C Lewis of the Salt Lake Tribune says that RSL is doing their best to cash in on being MLS Cup winners.
MLS STADIUM BUILDING
The Houston Chronicle reports that the Houston City Council game a unanimous YES vote to funding in support of a new Dynamo stadium.
-But the biggest step is stil to come - next week the team needs the vote from the Harris County Commissioners, and they have been the thorn all along. I fully expect another hitch to come up from these dingbats.
MLS RUMORS
Luciano Emilio seems bound for a MLS team other than DC united.
dN
Joseph Ngwenya who left Houston a couple years ago for those green green hill of Austria, never to be heard from again, is back in Houston and probably begging for a job. Plus the team needs forwards badly.
dN
Chicago Now with news of another defensive midfielder for the Fire?
Chicago Fire to host Red Star of Belgrade?
dN
Our friend Bart wants to start the rumor that a MLS team needs to sign Rangers midfielder Nacho Novo.
MLS EXPANSION
India is all abuzz because their national team goalkeeper 23 year old Subrata Paul is getting a try out with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
-Add this to KC signing Sunil Chhetri and the whole country on India is going nuts. Well, not the whole country, but, a lot of people are excited.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Bolton is hoping for Stuart Holden to be ready for their game on May 1.
dN
Game Action: (only those that played are listed)
SWEDEN - Allsvenskan Liga
Ryan Miller - Halmstad - went the full 90 as they drew 1-1 at Malmo.
Johan Smith - Kalmar - came on as a sub in the 86th minute of a scoreless draw at Atvidaberg.
Micheal Thomas - Halmstad - came on as a sub in the 78th minute, got a yellow card, and they tied 1-1 at Malmo.
dN
Coming Up: (all possible players are listed)
SCOTLAND - Premier League
DaMarcus Beasley - Rangers - Wed Apr 7 v Aberdeen
Maurice Edu - Rangers - Wed Apr 7 v Aberdeen
UEFA - Europa League Quarterfinals 2nd Leg
Clint Dempsey - Fulham - Thu Apr 8 at Wolfsburg up 2-1
VOYAGEURS CUP - CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
The 3 professional teams in Canada play each other home and away for the annual title.
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Apr 28
Toronto FC v Montreal Impact
-May 5
Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact
-May 12
Montreal Impact v Toronto FC
-May 19
Vancouver Whitecaps v Toronto FC
-May 26
Montreal Impact v Vancouver Whitecaps
-Jun 2
Toronto FC v Vancouver Whitecaps
The winner represents Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Quarterfinal 2nd Leg Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 8
Wolfsburg v Fulham (1-2)
Liverpool v Benfica (1-2)
Standard Liege v Hamburg (1-2)
Atletico Madrid v Valencia (2-2)
ENGLAND
England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 - featuring a video clip from Crouchy!
ITALY
5 years later is Inter about to be dragged into the Calciopoly scandal that gave them 2 titles by default? Honestly, how did anyone think one team was innocent when so many others were guilty? It's getting ugly all over again in Italy.
COPA LIBERTADORES
Nothing changed in the standings after Tuesday's games.
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 6
Universitario 0-0 Blooming
Italia 2-3 Colo Colo - Ita goals by Emerson Pangutti & Richard Blanco(PK). CC goals by Cristian Bogado & Ezequiel Miralles(2).
-Wed Apr 7
Cuenca v Nacional
Flamengo v Universidad
-Thu Apr 8
Independiente v Cerro Porteno
Alianza v Bolivar
-Tue Apr 13
Quito v Cerro
Caracas v Universidad
dN
Standings (6 Rounds):
Grupo 1 (4 played)
ADV-10 Corinthians (Brazil)
7 Racing Club (Uruguay)
3 Independiente Medellin (Colombia)
1 Cerro Porteno (Paraguay)
Grupo 2 (5 played)
ADV-11 Once Caldas (Colombia)
ADV-10 Sao Paulo (Brazil)
OUT-3 Monterrey (Mexico)
OUT-0 Nacional (Paraguay)
Grupo 3 (4 played)
ADV-12 Alianza Lima (Peru)
ADV-10 Estudiantes de la Plata (Argentina) (5 played)
OUT-3 Juan Aurich (Peru) (5 played)
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 (4 played)
ADV - 11 Banfield (Argentina) (5 played)
5 Nacional (Uruguay)
5 Morelia (Mexico) (5 played)
3 Cuenca (Ecudador)
Grupo 7 (5 played)
10 Velez Sarsfield (Argentina)
10 Cruzeiro (Brazil)
7 Colo Colo (Chile)
OUT-1 Italia (Venezuela)
Grupo 8 (3 played)
7 Universidad Chile (Chile)
6 Flamengo (Brazil)
3 Universidad Catolica (Chile) (4 played)
2 Caracas FC (Venezuela) (4 played)
WORLD CUP 2010 - SOUTH AFRICA
The BBC talks to the former Ivory Coast head coach who was fired after losing 1 game, and has now been replaced by the dubious Sven Goren Eriksson, in the run up to the World Cup. Is the team in turmoil?
ENDERS
What a Weird and Wonderful World!
Konono No1 ft Baloji - Karibu Ya Bintou
posted by brucio at 16:32
3 Comments:
The effect of Chhetri's signing is being way overstated. People don't really care about soccer much in India. It is Cricket, Cricket, Cricket.
Basketball grew in popularity in China after Yao Ming joined the Rockets. David Beckham sold something on the order of half a million jerseys for LA. Don't you think Chhetri's signing would be a financial success for KC if they sold only a tenth that number?
India's middle class may only number 100 million or so, but surely there are 50,000 who would be fans enough of soccer/Chhetri/Indian success in a sport outside cricket to want to buy a jersey.
Actually Bruce, while I wouldn't put anything past politicians, it seems very unlikely that the Houston City Council would have left themselves exposed by voting on the stadium if they didn't know it would pass the County Commissioners as well. This is why the city hasn't voted on it any time in the last 18 months, despite having gone through the effort of putting the land deal together.
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