Some News for Thu Apr 14, 2011
STARTERS
Can someone esplain to me how RSL's Fab Espindola was NOT called offside on this game winning goal last night? See it here.
-The announcers calling the game don't even bring up the notion.
dN
Japan has made a reversal of decision and now they WILL play in the Copa America this summer. Hopefully they can give their country a little emotional boost.
dN
The UEFA Europa League will see 3 teams from Portugal in the Semifinals. See details below in the UEFA Europa League section.
STORY OF THE DAY
Its all set to go down - Real Madrid & Barcelona will face off 4 times in 18 days beginning on Saturday. I predict game 3 will be the big blood bath. They will hate each others guts by the time this is over.
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Apr 16
Real Madrid & Barcelona - Primera Division - 3pm CT on GolTV
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
-Wed Apr 20
Barcelona v Real Madrid - Copa Del Rey Final - on GolTV as well (I will find out the exact time)
Venue: Estadio Mestalla - Valencia
-Wed Apr 27
Real Madrid & Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semifinal Leg 1
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
-Tue May 3
Barcelona v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Semifinal Leg 2
Venue: Camp Nou - Barcelona
Sid Lowe of the Guardian previews this ultra-super-gigando-mega-showdown.
STORY OF THE DAY 2
Here comes Joey. Welcome to the Rose City, Chicago. Great video here.
Portland plays their first ever home game at Civic Stadium tonight! Expect the best scene MLS has ever known.
Geoffrey Arnold of the Oregonian knows its all about the fans.
-Match preview.
Kip Kesgard of the Oregonian on the rebuilt stadium and opening day.
Steve Davis of the Daily Soccer Fix on the Timbers history.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Quarterfinals
Real Madrid and Schalke join Manchester United and Barcelona in the final four.
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune reviews Wednesday's final two Quarterfinal games.
Schalke seemed to be the critics pick as the easiest target coming into this round, but most of them failed to note that the team had spent a lot of money over the previous 3 seasons and had set their sights on winning the Bundesliga this season. The team fell apart under coach and architect Felix Magath and had spent all of 2010/11 in the bottom half of the German league. On Mar 16 the owners decided that they had had enough and Magath was replaced by the more than capable Ralf Ragnick. Schalke lost their first game under the new coach, but have not lost since, winning 4 in the Bundesliga and now 2 in the Champions League. Manchester United had better watch out, this is a very talented and motivated team they will face.
dN
Matches & Scores: (1st Leg scores included)
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 12
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea - MU advances 3-1 on aggregate - MU goals by Javier Hernandez & Ji Sung Park. Che goal by Didier Drogba.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Barcelona - Bar advances 6-1 on aggregate - Bar goal by Lionel Messi.
-Wed Apr 13
Tottenham v Real Madrid (0-4) - 1:30pm CT live on FSC
Schalke v Inter (5-2) - 1:30pm CT live on FSC Plus, and delayed at 4:00pm CT on FSC
dN
Semifinals
Matches & Scores:
1st Leg
-Tue Apr 26
Schalke v Manchester United
Venue: Arena AufSchalke - Gelsenkirchen
-Wed Apr 27
Real Madrid v Barcelona
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
2nd Leg (with 1st Leg scores included)
Manchester United v Schalke (-)
Venue: Old Traford - Manchester
Barcelona v Real Madrid (-)
Venue: Camp Nou - Barcelona
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MLS has seen the light and helped out Real Salt Lake as they prepare for the Final series by moving a league game that was scheduled to take place between the two legs. Great move.
dN
Final
1st Leg
-Wed Apr 20
Monterrey v Real Salt Lake - 9pm CT on FSC
2nd Leg
-Wed Apr 27
Real Salt Lake v Monterrey - 9pm CT on FSC
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It was pure magic."
-Andrew Reeves of the Deseret news in Salt Lake City UT describing the winning goal for Real Salt Lake in second half stoppage time.
Read the full story below in the Real Salt Lake section.
THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT
Marc Weber of the Vancouver Province brings us words from a father - 17 year old Whitecaps striker Omar Salgado's father.
-Salgado the senior tells the writer that the worst section of Vancouver would be the nicest part of his hometown Juarez.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
A great shot of Fabian Espindola of Real Salt Lake from last night. This guy never ever gives up.
(Picture stolen from the Salt Lake Tribune.)
WHY NOT!
The name of Portland's new home is very hard to say, so loyal reader Luke told us the real pronunciation - Civic Stadium - the original name. Why does Luke want us to refer the stadium that way? Here's what he has to say:
The stadium name in Portland finally pushed me over. The corporate sponsor’s name is so inanely clumsy that I can't take it any more. Soccer fans, don’t let the corporate name of your stadium stick. Give your stadium an authentic name. The corporate naming right will expire soon enough, and you’ll soon be trying to forget the whatever it was called last time. Forget it know, I implore you.
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
Week 5
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Apr 13
Toronto FC 0-0 LA Galaxy
Venue: BMO Field - Toronto ON
Attendance: 22,453
Real Salt Lake 1-0 Colorado Rapids - RSL goal by Fabian Espindola.
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy UT
Attendance: 15,513
-Thu Apr 14
Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire SC - 10:00pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: Civic Stadium - Portland OR
-Sat Apr 16
Philadelphia Union v Seattle Sounders FC - 3:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: PPL Park - Chester PA
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v CD Chivas USA - 6:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Empire Field - Vancouver BC
Toronto FC v DC United - 6:00pm CT on FSC
Venue: BMO Field- Toronto ON
Columbus Crew v Sporting Kansas City - 6:30pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Crew Stadium - Columbus OH
New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes - 6:30pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Red Bull Arena - Harrison NJ
-Sun Apr 17
Chicago Fire SC v LA Galaxy - 3:00pm CT on Telefutura
Venue: Toyota Park - Bridgeview IL
Portland Timbers v FC Dallas - 5:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: JELD-WEN Field - Portland OR
Houston Dynamo v New England Revolution - 6:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium- Houston TX
dN
EJECTIONS:
Juninho - LA Galaxy - 2 yellow cards
dN
Standings (4 Games Played):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
9 Philadelphia Union (+2 GD)
6 New England Revolution (+1 GD) (5 GP)
6 Toronto FC (0 GD) (5 GP)
5 Houston Dynamo (+1 GD)
5 Columbus Crew (0 GD)
5 New York Red Bulls (-2 GD)
4 Chicago Fire SC (0 GD) (3 GP)
4 Sporting Kansas City (0 GD) (3 GP)
4 DC United (-2 GD)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
12 Real Salt Lake (+7 GD) (4 GP)
9 Colorado Rapids (+2 GD) (5 GP)
9 LA Galaxy (-1 GD) (6 GP)
5 San Jose Earthquakes (+1 GD)
5 Seattle Sounders FC (-1 GD) (5 GP)
5 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (-1 GD) (5 GP)
4 FC Dallas (-1 GD)
2 CD Chivas USA (-2 GD)
1 Portland Timbers (-4 GD) (3 GP)
MY THOUGHTS
Last night we had to suffer through the third consecutive 0-0 tie between LA & Toronto. What gives?
On the other hand, did LA hit three or four goal posts/crossbars. It was kinda nuts how they got that close and couldn't score.
dN
I thought Salt Lake and Colorado were fairly even in skill. But the home team usually finds a way to win and they did.
The wind was really howling especially during the first half of that game. It was just sailing the ball toward the one end of the field. Why were the teams not taking more long range shots?
The most amazing part of that game in Salt Lake was that at least 3 or 4 of the last handful of times these two teams have played RSL has scored in or around the 90th minute. How does Colorado keep letting them do that?
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated on Portland, referees, RSL home streak, Colombians in MLS and more.
TheIvyLeague.com with an article on the 7 former Ivy Leaguers on MLS rosters this season.
CHICAGO FIRE
Charlie Corr of ESPN writes about Chicago's motivation for playing in Portland tonight.
Corr also says that Patrick Nyarko should be ready to go tonight.
Guillermo Rivera of Chicago Now with some pregame team notes.
Len Ziehm of the Sun Times - AND - Jack McCarthy of the Tribune both write about head coach Carlos The Conch being pleased with the team's progression.
COLUMBUS CREW
Team president Mark McCullers has signed a new 4 year contract.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC
Brooks Peck of Dirty Tackle does a corny Q & A with Teal Bunbury.
-A shout out to our FIF Brooks, who we met in London last year around this time!
LA GALAXY
David Beckham got his 5th yellow card of the season (ALREADY) and will miss the game on Sunday.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
On their big day the Timbers also signed a Designated Player in 25 year old Colombian attacking midfielder Diego Chara from Deportes Tolima.
Here's Chara in action for Tolima:
Stephen Alexander of the Portland Tribune with an article on Ryan Pore.
REAL SALT LAKE
Andrew Reeves of the Deseret News with a view of last nights game from a fan in the stands perspective.
Michael C Lewis of the Tribune saw Fabian Espindola being in the offside position on the winning goal too.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
The team announced an international summer friendly today:
-Mon Jul 18
Vancouver Whitecaps v Manchester City (England)
Venue: Empire Field - Vancouver BC
MLS/USA & RELATED RUMORS
Today's ridiculous name in the hopper: Ze Roberto to Chivas! Nice. We haven't had his name here in months. Good for him, I'm sure he is excited. Hehehehehe.
dN
Ekathimerini newspaper in Greece reports on Aris forward Sergio Koko being let out of his contract immediately so he can sign with the Houston Dynamo. People in Houston are hearing this same rumor, but no one knows if its a done deal or not. (thanks to Bart for the article)
-It also looks like Houston paid a pretty hefty transfer fee to get him.
MLS RESERVE LEAGUE
Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 14
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado Rapids - RSL goals by Conor Chinn & Collen Warner.
-Sun Apr 17
Toronto FC v DC United
Vancouver Whitecaps v Chivas USA
-Fri Apr 22
DC United v New York Red Bulls
-Sat Apr 23
Toronto FC v Columbus Crew
-Sun Apr 24
Chicago Fire v Houston Dynamo
San Jose Earthquakes v Chivas USA
LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers
dN
MLS Reserve League Standings Etc.
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Apr 15
Fort Lauderdale Strikers v NSC Minnesota Stars
-Sat Apr 16
Carolina RailHawks v Montreal Impact
Atlanta Silverbacks v FC Edmonton
-Sun Apr 17
FC Tampa Bay v Puerto Rico Islanders
dN
Standings
SOCCER IN AMERICA
Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe on a very cool event last weekend in Boston as Harvard took on the Haitian national team.
-3000 more people were at this than the Revs game.
Michael C Lewis of Big Apple Soccer fills us in on a new partnership between the Met Oval in New York and big Italian club Juventus.
-Their focus will be on training 6-12 year olds.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Game Action:
SCOTLAND - Premier League
Mo Edu - Rangers - Wed Apr 13 - went the distance getting a yellow card as they won 0-1 at Aberdeen.
UEFA - Europa League - Quarterfinals - 2nd Leg
Oguchi Onyewu - Twente - Thu Apr 14 v Villarreal - went the distance but lost 1-3, and were eliminated 8-2 on aggregate.
AMERICANS IN MEXICO
Herc Gomez bagged himself another goal on Wednesday night, but this time it was in a losing effort.
dN
Game Action:
PRIMERA DIVISION
Isaac Acuna - Queretaro - Wed Apr 13 - started but was subbed out at half time as they lost 1-3 v Atlante.
Jonathan Bornstein - Tigres UANL - Wed Apr 13 - came on as a sub in the 86th min as they won 4-2 v Pachuca.
Edgar Castillo - Puebla - Wed Apr 13 - started but was subbed off in the 65th min as they lost 4-0 at Santos Laguna.
Herculez Gomez - Pachuca - Wed Apr 13 - came on as a sub in the 66th min and scored a goal but they lost 4-2 at Tigres.
Miguel Ponce - Guadalajara - Wed Apr 13 - went the full 90 as they won 1-2 at Toluca.
Jose Torres - Pachuca - Wed Apr 13 - did not suit up as they lost 4-2 at Tigres.
MEXICO
Recap du Nord: Only 3 rounds now left in the Clausura, and the 8 teams currently in the playoff race remain in the same position in the standings as they did after the previous round:
Playoff Standings
Group A
26 UANL Tigres
24 Guadalajara
Group B
22 Atlante
19 America
Group C
29 UNAM Pumas
27 Morelia
Wild Card
24 Cruz Azul
21 Monterrey
ENGLAND
The English press are running with the story that Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti will not return for another season in charge.
-Let the rampant speculation begin on who takes charge.
dN
FA CUP
Semifinals
Matches & Scores
-Sat Apr 16
Manchester City v Manchester United
-Sun Apr 17
Bolton v Stoke
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
The Quarterfinals 2nd Leg matches are finished.
dN
Porto, Benfica, Braga & Villarreal advance to the Semifinals.
3 from Portugal and 1 from Spain.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 14
2nd Leg
Spartak Moscow 2-5 Porto - Por advances 10-3 on aggregate - SM goals by Artem Dzyuba & Ari. Por goals by Hulk, Cristian Rodriguez, Fredy Guarin, Falcao & Ruben Micael.
PSV 2-2 Benfica (1-4) - Ben advances 6-3 on aggregate - PSV goals by Balazs Dzsudzsak & Jeremain Lens. Ben goals by Luisao & Oscar Cardozo(PK).
Twente 1-3 Villarreal - Vil advances 8-2 on aggregate - Twe goal by Emir Bajrami. Vil goals by Giuseppe Rossi)PK), Marco Ruben(PK) & Cani.
Braga 0-0 Dynamo Kyiv - series ends tie 1-1, meaning Bra advances on the away goals tiebreaker.
dN
Matches & Scores.
COPA LIBERTADORES
Cruziero finished their group stage matches last night with 16 points and +16 goal differential, making them the top team in this round.
No new teams advanced or were eliminated last night, but a few will definitely see their fate before their eyes tonight.
dN
Advanced:(7 of 16) Cruzeiro, Estudiantes, Gremio, Junior, LDU Quit, Libertad, Penarol
Out:(9 of 16) Depor Tachira, Godoy Cruz, Guarani, Independiente, Jorge Wilstermann, Leon de Huanuco, Oriente Petrolero, Depor Tolima, Union Espanola
dN
Group Stage
Matches & Scores:
-Tue Apr 12
Penarol 0-1 Independiente - Ind goal by Facundo Parra.
LDU Quito 2-0 Godoy Cruz - LDU goals by Luis Bolanos & Hernan Barcos.
Colo Colo 2-1 Deportivo Tachira - CC goals both by Diego Rubio. DT goal by Edgar Perez Greco.
-Wed Apr 13
Estudiantes 0-3 Cruzeiro - Cru goals by Thiago Ribeiro, Wallyson & Gilberto.
Guarani 0-2 Deportes Tolima - DT goqals Danny Santoya & Luis Closa.
-Thu Apr 14
Cerro Porteno v Santos
Univ Catolica v Union Espanola
Caracas v Velez Sarsfield
Oriente Petrolero v Gremio
Junior v Leon de Huanuco
dN
Standings:
Group 1
ADV-11 Libertad (Paraguay) (+6 gd) (5 gp)
6 Univ San Martin (Peru) (-2 gd) (5 gp)
5 San Luis (Mexico) (-1 gd) (5 gp)
4 Once Caldas (Colombia) (-3 gd) (5 gp)
Group 2
ADV-12 Junior (Colombia) (+2 gd) (5 gp)
ADV-10-Gremio (Brazil) (+6 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-4 Leon de Huanuco (Peru) (-4 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-3 Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia) (-4 gd) (5 gp)
Group 3
9 America (Mexico) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
7 Argentinos Juniors (Argentina) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
7 Nacional (Uruguay) (0 gd) (5 gp)
5 Fluminense (Brazil) (-2 gd) (5 gp)
Group 4
9 Caracas (Venezuela) (0 gd) (5 gp)
9 Univ Catolica (Chile) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
8 Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) (+2 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-4 Union Espanola (Chile) (-3 gd) (5 gp)
Group 5
9 Colo-Colo (Chile) (0 gd) (5 gp)
8 Cerro Porteno (Paraguay) (+5 gd) (4 gp)
5 Santos (Brazil) (0 gd) (4 gp)
OUT-2 Depor Tachira (Venezuela) (-5 gd) (5 gp)
Group 6
10 Internacional (Brazil) (+9 gd) (5 gp)
9 Chiapas Jaguares (-1 gd) (5 gp)
8 Emelec (Ecuador) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-1 Jorge Wilstermann (Bolivia) (-9 gd) (5 gp)
Group 7
ADV-16 Cruzeiro (Brazil) (+19 gd) (6 gp)
ADV-10 Estudiantes (Argentina) (-2 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-8 Depor Tolima (Colombia) (-3 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-0 Guarani (Paraguay) (-14 gd) (6 gp)
Group 8
ADV-10 LDU Quito (Ecuador) (+8 gd) (6 gp)
ADV-9 Penarol (Uruguay) (-5 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-8 Independiente (Argentina) (-1 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-7 Gody Cruz (Argentina) (-2 gd) (6 gp)
Can someone esplain to me how RSL's Fab Espindola was NOT called offside on this game winning goal last night? See it here.
-The announcers calling the game don't even bring up the notion.
dN
Japan has made a reversal of decision and now they WILL play in the Copa America this summer. Hopefully they can give their country a little emotional boost.
dN
The UEFA Europa League will see 3 teams from Portugal in the Semifinals. See details below in the UEFA Europa League section.
STORY OF THE DAY
Its all set to go down - Real Madrid & Barcelona will face off 4 times in 18 days beginning on Saturday. I predict game 3 will be the big blood bath. They will hate each others guts by the time this is over.
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Apr 16
Real Madrid & Barcelona - Primera Division - 3pm CT on GolTV
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
-Wed Apr 20
Barcelona v Real Madrid - Copa Del Rey Final - on GolTV as well (I will find out the exact time)
Venue: Estadio Mestalla - Valencia
-Wed Apr 27
Real Madrid & Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semifinal Leg 1
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
-Tue May 3
Barcelona v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Semifinal Leg 2
Venue: Camp Nou - Barcelona
Sid Lowe of the Guardian previews this ultra-super-gigando-mega-showdown.
STORY OF THE DAY 2
Here comes Joey. Welcome to the Rose City, Chicago. Great video here.
Portland plays their first ever home game at Civic Stadium tonight! Expect the best scene MLS has ever known.
Geoffrey Arnold of the Oregonian knows its all about the fans.
-Match preview.
Kip Kesgard of the Oregonian on the rebuilt stadium and opening day.
Steve Davis of the Daily Soccer Fix on the Timbers history.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Quarterfinals
Real Madrid and Schalke join Manchester United and Barcelona in the final four.
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune reviews Wednesday's final two Quarterfinal games.
Schalke seemed to be the critics pick as the easiest target coming into this round, but most of them failed to note that the team had spent a lot of money over the previous 3 seasons and had set their sights on winning the Bundesliga this season. The team fell apart under coach and architect Felix Magath and had spent all of 2010/11 in the bottom half of the German league. On Mar 16 the owners decided that they had had enough and Magath was replaced by the more than capable Ralf Ragnick. Schalke lost their first game under the new coach, but have not lost since, winning 4 in the Bundesliga and now 2 in the Champions League. Manchester United had better watch out, this is a very talented and motivated team they will face.
dN
Matches & Scores: (1st Leg scores included)
2nd Leg
-Tue Apr 12
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea - MU advances 3-1 on aggregate - MU goals by Javier Hernandez & Ji Sung Park. Che goal by Didier Drogba.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Barcelona - Bar advances 6-1 on aggregate - Bar goal by Lionel Messi.
-Wed Apr 13
Tottenham v Real Madrid (0-4) - 1:30pm CT live on FSC
Schalke v Inter (5-2) - 1:30pm CT live on FSC Plus, and delayed at 4:00pm CT on FSC
dN
Semifinals
Matches & Scores:
1st Leg
-Tue Apr 26
Schalke v Manchester United
Venue: Arena AufSchalke - Gelsenkirchen
-Wed Apr 27
Real Madrid v Barcelona
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid
2nd Leg (with 1st Leg scores included)
Manchester United v Schalke (-)
Venue: Old Traford - Manchester
Barcelona v Real Madrid (-)
Venue: Camp Nou - Barcelona
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MLS has seen the light and helped out Real Salt Lake as they prepare for the Final series by moving a league game that was scheduled to take place between the two legs. Great move.
dN
Final
1st Leg
-Wed Apr 20
Monterrey v Real Salt Lake - 9pm CT on FSC
2nd Leg
-Wed Apr 27
Real Salt Lake v Monterrey - 9pm CT on FSC
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It was pure magic."
-Andrew Reeves of the Deseret news in Salt Lake City UT describing the winning goal for Real Salt Lake in second half stoppage time.
Read the full story below in the Real Salt Lake section.
THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT
Marc Weber of the Vancouver Province brings us words from a father - 17 year old Whitecaps striker Omar Salgado's father.
-Salgado the senior tells the writer that the worst section of Vancouver would be the nicest part of his hometown Juarez.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
A great shot of Fabian Espindola of Real Salt Lake from last night. This guy never ever gives up.
(Picture stolen from the Salt Lake Tribune.)
WHY NOT!
The name of Portland's new home is very hard to say, so loyal reader Luke told us the real pronunciation - Civic Stadium - the original name. Why does Luke want us to refer the stadium that way? Here's what he has to say:
The stadium name in Portland finally pushed me over. The corporate sponsor’s name is so inanely clumsy that I can't take it any more. Soccer fans, don’t let the corporate name of your stadium stick. Give your stadium an authentic name. The corporate naming right will expire soon enough, and you’ll soon be trying to forget the whatever it was called last time. Forget it know, I implore you.
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
Week 5
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Apr 13
Toronto FC 0-0 LA Galaxy
Venue: BMO Field - Toronto ON
Attendance: 22,453
Real Salt Lake 1-0 Colorado Rapids - RSL goal by Fabian Espindola.
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy UT
Attendance: 15,513
-Thu Apr 14
Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire SC - 10:00pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: Civic Stadium - Portland OR
-Sat Apr 16
Philadelphia Union v Seattle Sounders FC - 3:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: PPL Park - Chester PA
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v CD Chivas USA - 6:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Empire Field - Vancouver BC
Toronto FC v DC United - 6:00pm CT on FSC
Venue: BMO Field- Toronto ON
Columbus Crew v Sporting Kansas City - 6:30pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Crew Stadium - Columbus OH
New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes - 6:30pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Red Bull Arena - Harrison NJ
-Sun Apr 17
Chicago Fire SC v LA Galaxy - 3:00pm CT on Telefutura
Venue: Toyota Park - Bridgeview IL
Portland Timbers v FC Dallas - 5:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: JELD-WEN Field - Portland OR
Houston Dynamo v New England Revolution - 6:00pm CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium- Houston TX
dN
EJECTIONS:
Juninho - LA Galaxy - 2 yellow cards
dN
Standings (4 Games Played):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
9 Philadelphia Union (+2 GD)
6 New England Revolution (+1 GD) (5 GP)
6 Toronto FC (0 GD) (5 GP)
5 Houston Dynamo (+1 GD)
5 Columbus Crew (0 GD)
5 New York Red Bulls (-2 GD)
4 Chicago Fire SC (0 GD) (3 GP)
4 Sporting Kansas City (0 GD) (3 GP)
4 DC United (-2 GD)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
12 Real Salt Lake (+7 GD) (4 GP)
9 Colorado Rapids (+2 GD) (5 GP)
9 LA Galaxy (-1 GD) (6 GP)
5 San Jose Earthquakes (+1 GD)
5 Seattle Sounders FC (-1 GD) (5 GP)
5 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (-1 GD) (5 GP)
4 FC Dallas (-1 GD)
2 CD Chivas USA (-2 GD)
1 Portland Timbers (-4 GD) (3 GP)
MY THOUGHTS
Last night we had to suffer through the third consecutive 0-0 tie between LA & Toronto. What gives?
On the other hand, did LA hit three or four goal posts/crossbars. It was kinda nuts how they got that close and couldn't score.
dN
I thought Salt Lake and Colorado were fairly even in skill. But the home team usually finds a way to win and they did.
The wind was really howling especially during the first half of that game. It was just sailing the ball toward the one end of the field. Why were the teams not taking more long range shots?
The most amazing part of that game in Salt Lake was that at least 3 or 4 of the last handful of times these two teams have played RSL has scored in or around the 90th minute. How does Colorado keep letting them do that?
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated on Portland, referees, RSL home streak, Colombians in MLS and more.
TheIvyLeague.com with an article on the 7 former Ivy Leaguers on MLS rosters this season.
CHICAGO FIRE
Charlie Corr of ESPN writes about Chicago's motivation for playing in Portland tonight.
Corr also says that Patrick Nyarko should be ready to go tonight.
Guillermo Rivera of Chicago Now with some pregame team notes.
Len Ziehm of the Sun Times - AND - Jack McCarthy of the Tribune both write about head coach Carlos The Conch being pleased with the team's progression.
COLUMBUS CREW
Team president Mark McCullers has signed a new 4 year contract.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC
Brooks Peck of Dirty Tackle does a corny Q & A with Teal Bunbury.
-A shout out to our FIF Brooks, who we met in London last year around this time!
LA GALAXY
David Beckham got his 5th yellow card of the season (ALREADY) and will miss the game on Sunday.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
On their big day the Timbers also signed a Designated Player in 25 year old Colombian attacking midfielder Diego Chara from Deportes Tolima.
Here's Chara in action for Tolima:
Stephen Alexander of the Portland Tribune with an article on Ryan Pore.
REAL SALT LAKE
Andrew Reeves of the Deseret News with a view of last nights game from a fan in the stands perspective.
Michael C Lewis of the Tribune saw Fabian Espindola being in the offside position on the winning goal too.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
The team announced an international summer friendly today:
-Mon Jul 18
Vancouver Whitecaps v Manchester City (England)
Venue: Empire Field - Vancouver BC
MLS/USA & RELATED RUMORS
Today's ridiculous name in the hopper: Ze Roberto to Chivas! Nice. We haven't had his name here in months. Good for him, I'm sure he is excited. Hehehehehe.
dN
Ekathimerini newspaper in Greece reports on Aris forward Sergio Koko being let out of his contract immediately so he can sign with the Houston Dynamo. People in Houston are hearing this same rumor, but no one knows if its a done deal or not. (thanks to Bart for the article)
-It also looks like Houston paid a pretty hefty transfer fee to get him.
MLS RESERVE LEAGUE
Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 14
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado Rapids - RSL goals by Conor Chinn & Collen Warner.
-Sun Apr 17
Toronto FC v DC United
Vancouver Whitecaps v Chivas USA
-Fri Apr 22
DC United v New York Red Bulls
-Sat Apr 23
Toronto FC v Columbus Crew
-Sun Apr 24
Chicago Fire v Houston Dynamo
San Jose Earthquakes v Chivas USA
LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers
dN
MLS Reserve League Standings Etc.
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Fri Apr 15
Fort Lauderdale Strikers v NSC Minnesota Stars
-Sat Apr 16
Carolina RailHawks v Montreal Impact
Atlanta Silverbacks v FC Edmonton
-Sun Apr 17
FC Tampa Bay v Puerto Rico Islanders
dN
Standings
SOCCER IN AMERICA
Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe on a very cool event last weekend in Boston as Harvard took on the Haitian national team.
-3000 more people were at this than the Revs game.
Michael C Lewis of Big Apple Soccer fills us in on a new partnership between the Met Oval in New York and big Italian club Juventus.
-Their focus will be on training 6-12 year olds.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Game Action:
SCOTLAND - Premier League
Mo Edu - Rangers - Wed Apr 13 - went the distance getting a yellow card as they won 0-1 at Aberdeen.
UEFA - Europa League - Quarterfinals - 2nd Leg
Oguchi Onyewu - Twente - Thu Apr 14 v Villarreal - went the distance but lost 1-3, and were eliminated 8-2 on aggregate.
AMERICANS IN MEXICO
Herc Gomez bagged himself another goal on Wednesday night, but this time it was in a losing effort.
dN
Game Action:
PRIMERA DIVISION
Isaac Acuna - Queretaro - Wed Apr 13 - started but was subbed out at half time as they lost 1-3 v Atlante.
Jonathan Bornstein - Tigres UANL - Wed Apr 13 - came on as a sub in the 86th min as they won 4-2 v Pachuca.
Edgar Castillo - Puebla - Wed Apr 13 - started but was subbed off in the 65th min as they lost 4-0 at Santos Laguna.
Herculez Gomez - Pachuca - Wed Apr 13 - came on as a sub in the 66th min and scored a goal but they lost 4-2 at Tigres.
Miguel Ponce - Guadalajara - Wed Apr 13 - went the full 90 as they won 1-2 at Toluca.
Jose Torres - Pachuca - Wed Apr 13 - did not suit up as they lost 4-2 at Tigres.
MEXICO
Recap du Nord: Only 3 rounds now left in the Clausura, and the 8 teams currently in the playoff race remain in the same position in the standings as they did after the previous round:
Playoff Standings
Group A
26 UANL Tigres
24 Guadalajara
Group B
22 Atlante
19 America
Group C
29 UNAM Pumas
27 Morelia
Wild Card
24 Cruz Azul
21 Monterrey
ENGLAND
The English press are running with the story that Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti will not return for another season in charge.
-Let the rampant speculation begin on who takes charge.
dN
FA CUP
Semifinals
Matches & Scores
-Sat Apr 16
Manchester City v Manchester United
-Sun Apr 17
Bolton v Stoke
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
The Quarterfinals 2nd Leg matches are finished.
dN
Porto, Benfica, Braga & Villarreal advance to the Semifinals.
3 from Portugal and 1 from Spain.
dN
Matches & Scores:
-Thu Apr 14
2nd Leg
Spartak Moscow 2-5 Porto - Por advances 10-3 on aggregate - SM goals by Artem Dzyuba & Ari. Por goals by Hulk, Cristian Rodriguez, Fredy Guarin, Falcao & Ruben Micael.
PSV 2-2 Benfica (1-4) - Ben advances 6-3 on aggregate - PSV goals by Balazs Dzsudzsak & Jeremain Lens. Ben goals by Luisao & Oscar Cardozo(PK).
Twente 1-3 Villarreal - Vil advances 8-2 on aggregate - Twe goal by Emir Bajrami. Vil goals by Giuseppe Rossi)PK), Marco Ruben(PK) & Cani.
Braga 0-0 Dynamo Kyiv - series ends tie 1-1, meaning Bra advances on the away goals tiebreaker.
dN
Matches & Scores.
COPA LIBERTADORES
Cruziero finished their group stage matches last night with 16 points and +16 goal differential, making them the top team in this round.
No new teams advanced or were eliminated last night, but a few will definitely see their fate before their eyes tonight.
dN
Advanced:(7 of 16) Cruzeiro, Estudiantes, Gremio, Junior, LDU Quit, Libertad, Penarol
Out:(9 of 16) Depor Tachira, Godoy Cruz, Guarani, Independiente, Jorge Wilstermann, Leon de Huanuco, Oriente Petrolero, Depor Tolima, Union Espanola
dN
Group Stage
Matches & Scores:
-Tue Apr 12
Penarol 0-1 Independiente - Ind goal by Facundo Parra.
LDU Quito 2-0 Godoy Cruz - LDU goals by Luis Bolanos & Hernan Barcos.
Colo Colo 2-1 Deportivo Tachira - CC goals both by Diego Rubio. DT goal by Edgar Perez Greco.
-Wed Apr 13
Estudiantes 0-3 Cruzeiro - Cru goals by Thiago Ribeiro, Wallyson & Gilberto.
Guarani 0-2 Deportes Tolima - DT goqals Danny Santoya & Luis Closa.
-Thu Apr 14
Cerro Porteno v Santos
Univ Catolica v Union Espanola
Caracas v Velez Sarsfield
Oriente Petrolero v Gremio
Junior v Leon de Huanuco
dN
Standings:
Group 1
ADV-11 Libertad (Paraguay) (+6 gd) (5 gp)
6 Univ San Martin (Peru) (-2 gd) (5 gp)
5 San Luis (Mexico) (-1 gd) (5 gp)
4 Once Caldas (Colombia) (-3 gd) (5 gp)
Group 2
ADV-12 Junior (Colombia) (+2 gd) (5 gp)
ADV-10-Gremio (Brazil) (+6 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-4 Leon de Huanuco (Peru) (-4 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-3 Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia) (-4 gd) (5 gp)
Group 3
9 America (Mexico) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
7 Argentinos Juniors (Argentina) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
7 Nacional (Uruguay) (0 gd) (5 gp)
5 Fluminense (Brazil) (-2 gd) (5 gp)
Group 4
9 Caracas (Venezuela) (0 gd) (5 gp)
9 Univ Catolica (Chile) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
8 Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) (+2 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-4 Union Espanola (Chile) (-3 gd) (5 gp)
Group 5
9 Colo-Colo (Chile) (0 gd) (5 gp)
8 Cerro Porteno (Paraguay) (+5 gd) (4 gp)
5 Santos (Brazil) (0 gd) (4 gp)
OUT-2 Depor Tachira (Venezuela) (-5 gd) (5 gp)
Group 6
10 Internacional (Brazil) (+9 gd) (5 gp)
9 Chiapas Jaguares (-1 gd) (5 gp)
8 Emelec (Ecuador) (+1 gd) (5 gp)
OUT-1 Jorge Wilstermann (Bolivia) (-9 gd) (5 gp)
Group 7
ADV-16 Cruzeiro (Brazil) (+19 gd) (6 gp)
ADV-10 Estudiantes (Argentina) (-2 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-8 Depor Tolima (Colombia) (-3 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-0 Guarani (Paraguay) (-14 gd) (6 gp)
Group 8
ADV-10 LDU Quito (Ecuador) (+8 gd) (6 gp)
ADV-9 Penarol (Uruguay) (-5 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-8 Independiente (Argentina) (-1 gd) (6 gp)
OUT-7 Gody Cruz (Argentina) (-2 gd) (6 gp)
posted by brucio at 16:29
1 Comments:
About the offside non call. The only justification I can think of, it that the AR thought it was the other RSL player (Paulo, I think) that actually scored it. Even so, Espindola was definitely involved in the play, but that's all I got.
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