Some News for Thu Aug 18, 2011
STARTERS
The curse is over! Dallas has done it! It's the first MLS team to ever win a game in Mexico! Oh yeah oh yeah! It only took 25 tries! But its over!
dN
Clint Dempsey scored twice for Fulham as they won in the Europa League today. Nice.
dN
9 Americans played in the Europa League today.
dN
Late yesterday Rangers completed another deal to buy an American player - this time Carlos Bocanegra! With Alejandro Bedoya added earlier in the day this has to be new first for American players at foreign teams.
-The team website asks Mo Edu what he thinks of these wild additions.
-And Bocanegra flew from France straight to his new team's game at Maribor in Slovenia in the Europa League, and was promptly put into the starting 11 at centerback and went the full 90.
dN
It will be Portugal v Brazil for the U20 World Cup title on Sat Aug 20 at 4:30pm on ESPNU.
dN
With another win last night Kansas City has climbed into 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
STORY OF THE DAY
Jimmy Conrad, one of the great characters in MLS history has retired from his playing career today.
He tells us what is up in his own words, as only he can.
I thoroughly enjoyed this guys presence in the American soccer scene, and even met him briefly once. Again, one of the greats. And I am very sure we have not heard the last from him.
Sadly, concussions are what is forcing JC to walk away from soccer earlier than he or we hoped. And that stinks.
Cheers Jimmy!
Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star with a tribune to Conrad.
2011-12 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dallas showed Pumas why you don't play a bunch of kids in the CCL. Pumas lost a home game that could come back to haunt them later, and Dallas is the first MLS team to ever win on Mexican soil. Hell, they are the first American team to win in Mexico. And they did it at the home of the defending league champs no less. Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!
The Colorado-Meatpan was a crazed game to say the least! It had it all. An early goal via the penalty spot, dramatic return from long term, injury, diving, referees changing their minds, retaliation, ejection and a home team comeback. Wow.
-And how did Drew Moor stay on the field. He already had one yellow card, and then he intentionally lands on the legs of an opponent.
Monterrey was the powerhouse of the night, going to Costa Rica and stuffing Herediano down their own laundry chute.
Video highlights from all the games. Via CONCACAF.
dN
Group Stage
Round robin home & away - matches played Aug 16 to Oct 20
Matches & Scores:
Matchday 1
-Tue Aug 16
Seattle Sounders 4-1 Comunicaciones - SS goals by Brad Evans, Mike Fucito(2) & Rigoberto Gomez(OG).
LA Galaxy 2-0 Motagua - LAG goals by Adam Cristman & Landon Donovan.
Santos Laguna 3-2 Real Espana - SL goals by Juan Enriquez, Sergio Bica(OG) & Christian Suarez. RE goals by Eder Delgado & Allan Lalin.
Alajuelense 1-0 Morelia - Ala goal by Jonathan McDonald.
-Wed Aug 17
Colorado Rapids 3-2 Isidro Metapan - CR goals by Macoumba Kandji(2) & Andre Akpan. IM goals by Allan Kardeck & Paolo Suarez.
Pumas 0-1 Dallas - 11:30pm CT - Dal goal by Marvin Chavez.
Herediano 0-5 Monterrey - Mon goals by Abraham Carreno(3), Jesus Corona & Aldo De Nigris.
-Thu Aug 18
Tauro v Toronto - 7pm CT - Live on Fox Soccer
dN
Standings:
GROUP A
3 LA Galaxy (USA) (+2)
3 Alajuelense (Costa Rica) (+1)
0 Monarchas Morelia (Mexico) (-1)
0 Motagua (Honduras) (-2)
GROUP B
3 Santos Laguna (Mexico) (+1)
3 Colorado Rapids (USA) (+1)
0 Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) (-1)
0 Real Espana (Honduras) (-1)
GROUP C
3 Dallas (USA) (+1)
- Tauro (Panama)
- Toronto (Canada)
0 UNAM Pumas (Mexico) (-1)
GROUP D
3 Monterrey (Mexico) (+5)
3 Seattle Sounders (USA) (+3)
0 Comunicaciones (Guatemala) (-3)
0 Herediano (Costa Rica) (-5)
MATCH FIXING IN TURKEY
Hirriyet trying to figure out the depth and length of the chaos this scandal is costing Turkish football. Not to mention that fact that we still know nothing really.
For the best coverage I have come across yet you should listen to this interview at Beyond The Pitch with Turkish journalist Ahmet Turgut. Download or listen here.
NEW DAY RISING
Roma becomes the first Italian Serie A team to be owned by foreigners. American Thomas Di Benedetto finished the financial deal today to make that happen.
-Football Italia with a few more details.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Our fans, in many ways, believe their teams belong to them. Our job as a league is to ensure we’re communicating with them regularly and effectively."
-MLS Commissioner Don Garber to press in Philadelphia last night to address Philadelphia Union fans at a Supporters Summit. (for details on the event see the Union section below)
BIG EUROPEAN CLUB MATCHES
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Aug 20
Arsenal v Liverpool - a couple of challengers trying to build some early momentum.
-Sun Aug 21
Malaga v Barcelona - the new new new money of Malaga tries to show up the kings on opening day.
-Mon Aug 22
Manchester United v Tottenham - we will find out which of these two is for real in the early season.
STAT OF THE DAY
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal at Real Madrid. And this is just the START of his 3rd season.
WHAT???
Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports that Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was hit in the face last night by a projectile from the stands. And they were playing at HOME! Turns out the object was the head from an Omar Bravo bobblehead that was given away to fans before the game!
-The dumb-asses who perpetrated the crime were arrested.
"...the club used high-resolution cameras to identify two culprits, both of whom reside in Leavenworth KS and were wearing Sporting KC gear."
Paylor with more details in a follow up article.
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
WEEK 23
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
New England Revolution 1-1 Houston Dynamo - NER goal by Ryan Cochran. HD goal by Bobby Boswell.
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Atten: 10,963
Sporting Kansas City 3-1 Portland Timbers - SKC goals by Graham Zusi(2) & Soony Saad. PT goal by Bright Dike.
Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Atten: 15,271
-Thu Aug 18
Chicago Fire SC v DC United - 8:00PM CT on ESPN2
Venue: Toyota Park
-Sat Aug 20
New England Revolution v New York Red Bulls - 6:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Columbus Crew v Philadelphia Union - 6:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Crew Stadium
Houston Dynamo v Real Salt Lake - 7:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium
FC Dallas v Seattle Sounders FC - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Pizza Hut Park
Colorado Rapids v CD Chivas USA - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 9:00PM CT on FOX Soccer
Venue: JELD-WEN Field
LA Galaxy v San Jose Earthquakes - 9:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: The Home Depot Center
-Sun Aug 21
Chicago Fire SC v Toronto FC - 6:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Toyota Park
Sporting Kansas City v DC United - 7:30PM CT on Galavision
Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
dN
EJECTIONS:
Matt Reis - New England - red card
Adam Moffat - Houston - 2 yellow cards
dN
Standings:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
37 Columbus Crew (24 GP) (+4 GD)
34 Philadelphia Union (24 GP) (+8 GD)
33 Sporting Kansas City (24 GP) (+4 GD)
32 Houston Dynamo (25 GP) (+1 GD)
31 New York Red Bulls (25 GP) (+4 GD)
30 DC United (22 GP) (0 GD)
23 Toronto FC (26 GP) (-21 GD)
22 New England Revolution (25 GP) (-13 GD)
20 Chicago Fire SC (23 GP) (-7 GD)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
48 LA Galaxy (25 GP) (+15 GD)
43 FC Dallas (25 GP) (+8 GD)
42 Seattle Sounders FC (25 GP) (+8 GD)
40 Colorado Rapids (26 GP) (+5 GD)
36 Real Salt Lake (22 GP) (+13 GD)
30 CD Chivas USA (24 GP) (+4 GD)
26 Portland Timbers (24 GP) (-10 GD)
25 San Jose Earthquakes (24 GP) (-6 GD)
18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (24 GP) (-15 GD)
IF THE MLS PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY
The 10 teams:
WEST
1 LA Galaxy
2 FC Dallas
3 Seattle Sounders
EAST
1 Columbus Crew
2 Philadelphia Union
3 Sporting Kansas City
WILD CARD
1 Colorado Rapids
2 Real Salt Lake
3 Houston Dynamo
4 New York Red Bulls
MY THOUGHTS
Are you ready for the two big Toilet Bowl matches coming up this weekend: Portland hosts Vancouver and Chicago hosts Toronto.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated addresses viewer mail on topics like Robbie Keane, Dallas winning in Mexico, NBC & MLS and more.
FC DALLAS
Buzz Carrick of 3rd Degree reports that Blackburn in England is interested in buying centerback George John.
LA GALAXY
Alexi Lalas writing for the Mirror in England writes about the arrival of Robbie Keane.
Keane got his work visa and will be available to play on Saturday.
dN
Scott French of ESPN looks at the emergence of Adam Cristman who missed the first 1/3 of the season with a knee injury but has been coming on strong lately.
-This article says Cristman has scored 9 goals in all competitions this season for the Galaxy. I guess that would have to include exhibitions. But still, not bad.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The Revs signed 29 year old Moroccan forward Monsef Zerka who spent the vast majority of his career in France at Nancy, and last season in Greece at recently relegated Iraklis.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News talks to Tim Ream about the Bulls struggles, and ends the article with an ominous quote from Thierry Henry.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Chris Savino of Goal.com fills us in on the Union's supporters summit that took place last night with fans, team management and even MLS commissioner Don Garber in attendance.
-Dave Zeitlen of CSN Philly with another account of the event.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Seattle Times gives us a fine image of Sounders performance art:
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Bruce Constantineau of the Sun checks in on the progress of 17 year old prodigy Omar Salgado.
-I must say that this article comes off a little desperate. THE KID IS 17 YEARS OLD!!!
NASL NEWS
Every team in the league now has 7 regular season games left to play.
NSC MINNESOTA STARS
Arrrrrrrgh. The Stars did everything but win in Carolina last night. They gave it everything they had and came up just a touch short. It was very good to see them thrive after two very frustrating losses and poor performances in a row.
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
Carolina RailHawks 1-1 NSC Minnesota Stars - CR goal by Pablo Campos. NMS goal by Lucas Rodriguez.
-Sat Aug 20
Montreal Impact v Minnesota Stars
Carolina RailHawks v Fort Lauderdale Strikers
FC Tampa Bay v Puerto Rico Islanders
-Sun Aug 21
FC Edmonton v Atlanta Silverbacks
dN
Standings (as of Wed Aug 17):
*45 Carolina RailHawks (+22 GD) (21 GP)
38 Puerto Rico Islanders (+8 GD) (21 GP)
31 FC Tampa Bay (+4 GD) (21 GP)
29 NSC Minnesota Stars (+2 GD) (21 GP)
28 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (+2 GD) (21 GP)
26 FC Edmonton (-7 GD) (21 GP)
- - - OUT OF PLAYOFFS - - -
19 Montreal Impact (-2 GD) (21 GP)
12 Atlanta Silverbacks (-27 GD) (21 GP)
*Secured playoff birth
SOCCER IN AMERICA
Todd Date of 3rd Degree with the story of former player Spencer Wadsworth who is now a player agent representing Brek Shea and others.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Dominic Cervi has renewed competition for the "goalkeeper of the future" role at Celtic as they team resigned a loan deal for Fraser Forster from Newcastle today. They also said they are going to register him for Europa League duty, and very few teams register 3 goalkeepers.
dN
Game Action:
UEFA - Europa League - Playoff Round - 1st Leg
-Thu Aug 18
Jozy Altidore - AZ - came on as a sub in the 76th min but they lost 2-1 at Aalesund.
Carlos Bocanegra - Rangers - played the entire game but lost 2-1 at Maribor.
Dominic Cervi - Celtic - was not in uniform for a 0-0 tie v Sion.
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover - went the distance as they won 2-1 v Sevilla.
Clint Dempsey - Fulham - played the whole game scoring twice as they won 3-0 v Dnipro.
Mo Edu - Rangers - went the full match but lost 2-1 at Maribor.
Brad Friedel - Tottenham - on the bench as they won 0-5 at Heart of Midlothian
Jermiane Jones - Schalke - did not suit up as they lost 2-0 at HJK.
Sacha Kljestan - Anderlecht - went the full 90 as they won 1-2 at Bursaspor.
Oguchi Onyewu - Sporting - on the bench for a scoreless game at Nordsjaelland.
Michael Parkhurst - Nordsjaelland - played the entire game as they drew 0-0 v Sporting.
Jonathan Spector - Birmingham - went the distance as they tied 0-0 at Nacional.
ENGLAND
Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal reports on good but slightly mixed results for former MLS exec Ivan Gazidis at Arsenal.
Thanks to @thedenimkit for the link.
SPAIN
Super Cup
A completely expected wild finish saw Barcelona claim the Super Cup and Real Madrid have a full melt down in the games final moments. Even Jose Mourinho got in on the action by literally tweaking the ear of a Barca staff member. What an unreal scene. There will be deep repercussions from this one. And luckily for us the season hasn't even started yet.
Sid Lowe of the Guardian tells the full story.
Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Wed Aug 17
Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (2-2) - Bar wins 5-4 on aggregate - Bar goals by Andres Iniesta & Lionel Messi(2). RM goals by Cristiano Ronaldo & Karim Benzema.
dN
As of right now the players of La Liga have said they will not play the first round of the season unless they get a new collective bargaining agreement with the league. Who will blink first. I say the owners will.
dN
If they do play the games, then here are the matches for opening weekend:
-Sat Aug 20
Espanyol v Granada
Levante v Real Zaragoza
Villarreal v Sporting Gijon
Osasuna v Valencia
-Sun Aug 21
Rayo Vallecano v Mallorca
Racing Santander v Getafe
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Barcelona
Real Betis v Sevilla
-Mon Aug 22
Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid
dN
Lowe also previews the new La Liga season.
GERMANY
Raphael Honigstein of Sports Illustrated introduces us to German wunderkind Mario Gotze.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Playoff Round - the final round before the group stage. Aug 18 & 25. Matches & Scores.
BRAZIL
Recap du Nord: #1 Corinthians got a road win last night to extend their lead, while Vasco jumped up to #3 with a win on the road as well. #5 Botafogo lost. And that could cost them the place as #2, 4 and 6 all play tonight.
Brazil - Serie A Standings (17 of 38 games played):
37 Corinthians (11 W) - LAST: Wed Aug 17 W 2-3 at Atletico Mineiro - NEXT: Sat Aug 20 v Figueirense
34 Flamengo (16 GP) (9 W) - NEXT: Thu Aug 18 v Atletico GO
- - - - -
33 Vasco - LAST: Wed Aug 17 W 0-2 at Avai - NEXT: Sun Aug 21 v Fluminense
- - - - -
32 Sao Paulo (16 GP) - NEXT: Thu Aug 18 at America Mineiro
28 Botafogo - LAST: Wed Aug 17 L 1-0 at Internacional - NEXT: Sat Aug 20 v Atletico Mineiro
COLOMBIA 2011 U20 WORLD CUP
Official World Cup website - tournament runs Jul 29 - Aug 20.
Semifinal
Portugal and Brazil will meet in the Finale!
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
Portugal 2-0 France - Por goals by Danilo & Nelson Oliveira(PK).
Mexico 0-2 Brazil - Bra goals both by Henrique.
dN
Final
Match & Score:
-Sat Aug 20
Portugal v Brazil - 4:30pm CT on ESPNU
SHOUT OUT
Late last night my phone began ringing with the gorgeous house music sound I so love. I looked at the screen and saw the name "Dave O'Brien" in the caller ID space. Whoa, I thought to myself. I answered. "Uuhh, Yello?" To which I was greeted with the following, "Hola, Shit for brains." (Silence.) Then the line went dead. I went back to sleep.
My name is Bruce McGuire, and I approve this message.
BIG PIMPIN
Drive
The new film by one of my favorite directors, Nicolas Winding Refn.
The curse is over! Dallas has done it! It's the first MLS team to ever win a game in Mexico! Oh yeah oh yeah! It only took 25 tries! But its over!
dN
Clint Dempsey scored twice for Fulham as they won in the Europa League today. Nice.
dN
9 Americans played in the Europa League today.
dN
Late yesterday Rangers completed another deal to buy an American player - this time Carlos Bocanegra! With Alejandro Bedoya added earlier in the day this has to be new first for American players at foreign teams.
-The team website asks Mo Edu what he thinks of these wild additions.
-And Bocanegra flew from France straight to his new team's game at Maribor in Slovenia in the Europa League, and was promptly put into the starting 11 at centerback and went the full 90.
dN
It will be Portugal v Brazil for the U20 World Cup title on Sat Aug 20 at 4:30pm on ESPNU.
dN
With another win last night Kansas City has climbed into 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
STORY OF THE DAY
Jimmy Conrad, one of the great characters in MLS history has retired from his playing career today.
He tells us what is up in his own words, as only he can.
I thoroughly enjoyed this guys presence in the American soccer scene, and even met him briefly once. Again, one of the greats. And I am very sure we have not heard the last from him.
Sadly, concussions are what is forcing JC to walk away from soccer earlier than he or we hoped. And that stinks.
Cheers Jimmy!
Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star with a tribune to Conrad.
2011-12 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dallas showed Pumas why you don't play a bunch of kids in the CCL. Pumas lost a home game that could come back to haunt them later, and Dallas is the first MLS team to ever win on Mexican soil. Hell, they are the first American team to win in Mexico. And they did it at the home of the defending league champs no less. Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!
The Colorado-Meatpan was a crazed game to say the least! It had it all. An early goal via the penalty spot, dramatic return from long term, injury, diving, referees changing their minds, retaliation, ejection and a home team comeback. Wow.
-And how did Drew Moor stay on the field. He already had one yellow card, and then he intentionally lands on the legs of an opponent.
Monterrey was the powerhouse of the night, going to Costa Rica and stuffing Herediano down their own laundry chute.
Video highlights from all the games. Via CONCACAF.
dN
Group Stage
Round robin home & away - matches played Aug 16 to Oct 20
Matches & Scores:
Matchday 1
-Tue Aug 16
Seattle Sounders 4-1 Comunicaciones - SS goals by Brad Evans, Mike Fucito(2) & Rigoberto Gomez(OG).
LA Galaxy 2-0 Motagua - LAG goals by Adam Cristman & Landon Donovan.
Santos Laguna 3-2 Real Espana - SL goals by Juan Enriquez, Sergio Bica(OG) & Christian Suarez. RE goals by Eder Delgado & Allan Lalin.
Alajuelense 1-0 Morelia - Ala goal by Jonathan McDonald.
-Wed Aug 17
Colorado Rapids 3-2 Isidro Metapan - CR goals by Macoumba Kandji(2) & Andre Akpan. IM goals by Allan Kardeck & Paolo Suarez.
Pumas 0-1 Dallas - 11:30pm CT - Dal goal by Marvin Chavez.
Herediano 0-5 Monterrey - Mon goals by Abraham Carreno(3), Jesus Corona & Aldo De Nigris.
-Thu Aug 18
Tauro v Toronto - 7pm CT - Live on Fox Soccer
dN
Standings:
GROUP A
3 LA Galaxy (USA) (+2)
3 Alajuelense (Costa Rica) (+1)
0 Monarchas Morelia (Mexico) (-1)
0 Motagua (Honduras) (-2)
GROUP B
3 Santos Laguna (Mexico) (+1)
3 Colorado Rapids (USA) (+1)
0 Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) (-1)
0 Real Espana (Honduras) (-1)
GROUP C
3 Dallas (USA) (+1)
- Tauro (Panama)
- Toronto (Canada)
0 UNAM Pumas (Mexico) (-1)
GROUP D
3 Monterrey (Mexico) (+5)
3 Seattle Sounders (USA) (+3)
0 Comunicaciones (Guatemala) (-3)
0 Herediano (Costa Rica) (-5)
MATCH FIXING IN TURKEY
Hirriyet trying to figure out the depth and length of the chaos this scandal is costing Turkish football. Not to mention that fact that we still know nothing really.
For the best coverage I have come across yet you should listen to this interview at Beyond The Pitch with Turkish journalist Ahmet Turgut. Download or listen here.
NEW DAY RISING
Roma becomes the first Italian Serie A team to be owned by foreigners. American Thomas Di Benedetto finished the financial deal today to make that happen.
-Football Italia with a few more details.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Our fans, in many ways, believe their teams belong to them. Our job as a league is to ensure we’re communicating with them regularly and effectively."
-MLS Commissioner Don Garber to press in Philadelphia last night to address Philadelphia Union fans at a Supporters Summit. (for details on the event see the Union section below)
BIG EUROPEAN CLUB MATCHES
Matches & Scores:
-Sat Aug 20
Arsenal v Liverpool - a couple of challengers trying to build some early momentum.
-Sun Aug 21
Malaga v Barcelona - the new new new money of Malaga tries to show up the kings on opening day.
-Mon Aug 22
Manchester United v Tottenham - we will find out which of these two is for real in the early season.
STAT OF THE DAY
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal at Real Madrid. And this is just the START of his 3rd season.
WHAT???
Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports that Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was hit in the face last night by a projectile from the stands. And they were playing at HOME! Turns out the object was the head from an Omar Bravo bobblehead that was given away to fans before the game!
-The dumb-asses who perpetrated the crime were arrested.
"...the club used high-resolution cameras to identify two culprits, both of whom reside in Leavenworth KS and were wearing Sporting KC gear."
Paylor with more details in a follow up article.
MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS
WEEK 23
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
New England Revolution 1-1 Houston Dynamo - NER goal by Ryan Cochran. HD goal by Bobby Boswell.
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Atten: 10,963
Sporting Kansas City 3-1 Portland Timbers - SKC goals by Graham Zusi(2) & Soony Saad. PT goal by Bright Dike.
Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Atten: 15,271
-Thu Aug 18
Chicago Fire SC v DC United - 8:00PM CT on ESPN2
Venue: Toyota Park
-Sat Aug 20
New England Revolution v New York Red Bulls - 6:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Columbus Crew v Philadelphia Union - 6:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Crew Stadium
Houston Dynamo v Real Salt Lake - 7:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium
FC Dallas v Seattle Sounders FC - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Pizza Hut Park
Colorado Rapids v CD Chivas USA - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 9:00PM CT on FOX Soccer
Venue: JELD-WEN Field
LA Galaxy v San Jose Earthquakes - 9:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: The Home Depot Center
-Sun Aug 21
Chicago Fire SC v Toronto FC - 6:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Toyota Park
Sporting Kansas City v DC United - 7:30PM CT on Galavision
Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
dN
EJECTIONS:
Matt Reis - New England - red card
Adam Moffat - Houston - 2 yellow cards
dN
Standings:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
37 Columbus Crew (24 GP) (+4 GD)
34 Philadelphia Union (24 GP) (+8 GD)
33 Sporting Kansas City (24 GP) (+4 GD)
32 Houston Dynamo (25 GP) (+1 GD)
31 New York Red Bulls (25 GP) (+4 GD)
30 DC United (22 GP) (0 GD)
23 Toronto FC (26 GP) (-21 GD)
22 New England Revolution (25 GP) (-13 GD)
20 Chicago Fire SC (23 GP) (-7 GD)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
48 LA Galaxy (25 GP) (+15 GD)
43 FC Dallas (25 GP) (+8 GD)
42 Seattle Sounders FC (25 GP) (+8 GD)
40 Colorado Rapids (26 GP) (+5 GD)
36 Real Salt Lake (22 GP) (+13 GD)
30 CD Chivas USA (24 GP) (+4 GD)
26 Portland Timbers (24 GP) (-10 GD)
25 San Jose Earthquakes (24 GP) (-6 GD)
18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (24 GP) (-15 GD)
IF THE MLS PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY
The 10 teams:
WEST
1 LA Galaxy
2 FC Dallas
3 Seattle Sounders
EAST
1 Columbus Crew
2 Philadelphia Union
3 Sporting Kansas City
WILD CARD
1 Colorado Rapids
2 Real Salt Lake
3 Houston Dynamo
4 New York Red Bulls
MY THOUGHTS
Are you ready for the two big Toilet Bowl matches coming up this weekend: Portland hosts Vancouver and Chicago hosts Toronto.
MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS
General News
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated addresses viewer mail on topics like Robbie Keane, Dallas winning in Mexico, NBC & MLS and more.
FC DALLAS
Buzz Carrick of 3rd Degree reports that Blackburn in England is interested in buying centerback George John.
LA GALAXY
Alexi Lalas writing for the Mirror in England writes about the arrival of Robbie Keane.
Keane got his work visa and will be available to play on Saturday.
dN
Scott French of ESPN looks at the emergence of Adam Cristman who missed the first 1/3 of the season with a knee injury but has been coming on strong lately.
-This article says Cristman has scored 9 goals in all competitions this season for the Galaxy. I guess that would have to include exhibitions. But still, not bad.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The Revs signed 29 year old Moroccan forward Monsef Zerka who spent the vast majority of his career in France at Nancy, and last season in Greece at recently relegated Iraklis.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News talks to Tim Ream about the Bulls struggles, and ends the article with an ominous quote from Thierry Henry.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Chris Savino of Goal.com fills us in on the Union's supporters summit that took place last night with fans, team management and even MLS commissioner Don Garber in attendance.
-Dave Zeitlen of CSN Philly with another account of the event.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Seattle Times gives us a fine image of Sounders performance art:
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Bruce Constantineau of the Sun checks in on the progress of 17 year old prodigy Omar Salgado.
-I must say that this article comes off a little desperate. THE KID IS 17 YEARS OLD!!!
NASL NEWS
Every team in the league now has 7 regular season games left to play.
NSC MINNESOTA STARS
Arrrrrrrgh. The Stars did everything but win in Carolina last night. They gave it everything they had and came up just a touch short. It was very good to see them thrive after two very frustrating losses and poor performances in a row.
NASL SCOREBOARD
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
Carolina RailHawks 1-1 NSC Minnesota Stars - CR goal by Pablo Campos. NMS goal by Lucas Rodriguez.
-Sat Aug 20
Montreal Impact v Minnesota Stars
Carolina RailHawks v Fort Lauderdale Strikers
FC Tampa Bay v Puerto Rico Islanders
-Sun Aug 21
FC Edmonton v Atlanta Silverbacks
dN
Standings (as of Wed Aug 17):
*45 Carolina RailHawks (+22 GD) (21 GP)
38 Puerto Rico Islanders (+8 GD) (21 GP)
31 FC Tampa Bay (+4 GD) (21 GP)
29 NSC Minnesota Stars (+2 GD) (21 GP)
28 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (+2 GD) (21 GP)
26 FC Edmonton (-7 GD) (21 GP)
- - - OUT OF PLAYOFFS - - -
19 Montreal Impact (-2 GD) (21 GP)
12 Atlanta Silverbacks (-27 GD) (21 GP)
*Secured playoff birth
SOCCER IN AMERICA
Todd Date of 3rd Degree with the story of former player Spencer Wadsworth who is now a player agent representing Brek Shea and others.
AMERICANS IN EUROPE
Dominic Cervi has renewed competition for the "goalkeeper of the future" role at Celtic as they team resigned a loan deal for Fraser Forster from Newcastle today. They also said they are going to register him for Europa League duty, and very few teams register 3 goalkeepers.
dN
Game Action:
UEFA - Europa League - Playoff Round - 1st Leg
-Thu Aug 18
Jozy Altidore - AZ - came on as a sub in the 76th min but they lost 2-1 at Aalesund.
Carlos Bocanegra - Rangers - played the entire game but lost 2-1 at Maribor.
Dominic Cervi - Celtic - was not in uniform for a 0-0 tie v Sion.
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover - went the distance as they won 2-1 v Sevilla.
Clint Dempsey - Fulham - played the whole game scoring twice as they won 3-0 v Dnipro.
Mo Edu - Rangers - went the full match but lost 2-1 at Maribor.
Brad Friedel - Tottenham - on the bench as they won 0-5 at Heart of Midlothian
Jermiane Jones - Schalke - did not suit up as they lost 2-0 at HJK.
Sacha Kljestan - Anderlecht - went the full 90 as they won 1-2 at Bursaspor.
Oguchi Onyewu - Sporting - on the bench for a scoreless game at Nordsjaelland.
Michael Parkhurst - Nordsjaelland - played the entire game as they drew 0-0 v Sporting.
Jonathan Spector - Birmingham - went the distance as they tied 0-0 at Nacional.
ENGLAND
Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal reports on good but slightly mixed results for former MLS exec Ivan Gazidis at Arsenal.
Thanks to @thedenimkit for the link.
SPAIN
Super Cup
A completely expected wild finish saw Barcelona claim the Super Cup and Real Madrid have a full melt down in the games final moments. Even Jose Mourinho got in on the action by literally tweaking the ear of a Barca staff member. What an unreal scene. There will be deep repercussions from this one. And luckily for us the season hasn't even started yet.
Sid Lowe of the Guardian tells the full story.
Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Wed Aug 17
Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (2-2) - Bar wins 5-4 on aggregate - Bar goals by Andres Iniesta & Lionel Messi(2). RM goals by Cristiano Ronaldo & Karim Benzema.
dN
As of right now the players of La Liga have said they will not play the first round of the season unless they get a new collective bargaining agreement with the league. Who will blink first. I say the owners will.
dN
If they do play the games, then here are the matches for opening weekend:
-Sat Aug 20
Espanyol v Granada
Levante v Real Zaragoza
Villarreal v Sporting Gijon
Osasuna v Valencia
-Sun Aug 21
Rayo Vallecano v Mallorca
Racing Santander v Getafe
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Malaga v Barcelona
Real Betis v Sevilla
-Mon Aug 22
Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid
dN
Lowe also previews the new La Liga season.
GERMANY
Raphael Honigstein of Sports Illustrated introduces us to German wunderkind Mario Gotze.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Playoff Round - the final round before the group stage. Aug 18 & 25. Matches & Scores.
BRAZIL
Recap du Nord: #1 Corinthians got a road win last night to extend their lead, while Vasco jumped up to #3 with a win on the road as well. #5 Botafogo lost. And that could cost them the place as #2, 4 and 6 all play tonight.
Brazil - Serie A Standings (17 of 38 games played):
37 Corinthians (11 W) - LAST: Wed Aug 17 W 2-3 at Atletico Mineiro - NEXT: Sat Aug 20 v Figueirense
34 Flamengo (16 GP) (9 W) - NEXT: Thu Aug 18 v Atletico GO
- - - - -
33 Vasco - LAST: Wed Aug 17 W 0-2 at Avai - NEXT: Sun Aug 21 v Fluminense
- - - - -
32 Sao Paulo (16 GP) - NEXT: Thu Aug 18 at America Mineiro
28 Botafogo - LAST: Wed Aug 17 L 1-0 at Internacional - NEXT: Sat Aug 20 v Atletico Mineiro
COLOMBIA 2011 U20 WORLD CUP
Official World Cup website - tournament runs Jul 29 - Aug 20.
Semifinal
Portugal and Brazil will meet in the Finale!
Matches & Scores:
-Wed Aug 17
Portugal 2-0 France - Por goals by Danilo & Nelson Oliveira(PK).
Mexico 0-2 Brazil - Bra goals both by Henrique.
dN
Final
Match & Score:
-Sat Aug 20
Portugal v Brazil - 4:30pm CT on ESPNU
SHOUT OUT
Late last night my phone began ringing with the gorgeous house music sound I so love. I looked at the screen and saw the name "Dave O'Brien" in the caller ID space. Whoa, I thought to myself. I answered. "Uuhh, Yello?" To which I was greeted with the following, "Hola, Shit for brains." (Silence.) Then the line went dead. I went back to sleep.
My name is Bruce McGuire, and I approve this message.
BIG PIMPIN
Drive
The new film by one of my favorite directors, Nicolas Winding Refn.
posted by brucio at 17:09
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