Some Soccer News for Fri Sep 16, 2011

STARTERS

In Dallas this Saturday the fans ritual march to the stadium will be in honor of Bobby Rhine who passed away last week. Leading this march will be MLS Commissioner Don Garber along with members of Bobby's family, plus FCD midfielder Brek Shea and FCD President Doug Quinn.

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We know for sure that Bob Bradley has NOT been named the new head coach of Egypt because there is no mention of him on their website.

PREDICTION OF THE DAY

With four of the top teams in the league playing for both playoff seeding and in CONCACAF Champions League's group stage, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas and Colorado, (What? No Toronto?) I see the one team not involved in the regional tourney as having the freshest team come playoff time, and therefore I am now declaring the favorite to hoist MLS Cup 2011 is Real Salt Lake.

DU NORD AT THE CONTROLS

The third du Nord Spotify Mix is now ready for flight - Fri Sep 16 2011

Happy Birthday to my awesome brother Bill!

TEAM USA - EL EQUIPO DE TODOS

Raphael Honigstein of Sports Illustrated reports that there is nothing behind the rumor of Timmy Chandler changing course and playing for Germany instead of the USA. So far.

2011-12 CONCACACHAMPIONS

Matchday 3 is now over.

Matchday 4 begins Tue Sep 20. (That's next week.)

Recap du Nord: Monterrey missed another chance to earn points and went to Comunicaciones and lost. While Alajuelense went on the road and won, leaving Group A in a giant ball of fun.

Video highlights from all the games.

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Group Stage - Round robin, home & away - matches played Aug 16 to Oct 20

Matchday 3
-Tue Sep 13
Morelia 2-1 LA Galaxy - Mor goals by Adrian Alderete & Miguel Sabah. LAG goal by Robbie Keane.
Colorado Rapids 1-4 Santos Laguna - CR goal by Brian Mullan. SL goals by Daniel Luduena, Oribe Peralta, Carlos Quintero & Cristian Suarez.
Real Espana 1-2 Metapan - RE goal by Carlos Pavon. IM goals by Ernesto Aquino & Allan Kardeck.
-Wed Sep 14
Dallas 1-1 Tauro - Dal goal by Daniel Cruz. Tau goal by Luis Moreno.
Herediano 1-2 Seattle Sounders - Her goal by Jose Cancela(PK). SS goals both by Fredy Montero.
Pumas 4-0 Toronto - Delayed - Pum goals by Martin Bravo(3) & Efrain Velarde.
Comunicaciones 1-0 Monterrey - Com goal by Carlos Ramirez.
-Thu Sep 15
Motagua 2-4 Alajuelense - Mot goals by Jerry Bengston & Amado Guevara. Ala goals by Luis Valle, Jonathan McDonald & Allen Guevara(2).

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Standings:

GROUP A
6 Monarchas Morelia (Mexico) (+4)
6 LA Galaxy (USA) (+3)
6 Alajuelense (Costa Rica) (+1)
0 Motagua (Honduras) (-8)
GROUP B
6 Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) (+2)
6 Santos Laguna (Mexico) (+2)
4 Colorado Rapids (USA) (-2)
1 Real Espana (Honduras) (-2)
GROUP C
7 Dallas (USA) (+2)
4 UNAM Pumas (Mexico) (+3)
3 Toronto (Canada) (-4)
2 Tauro (Panama) (-1)
GROUP D
9 Seattle Sounders (USA) (+5)
6 Comunicaciones (Guatemala) (0)
3 Monterrey (Mexico) (+3)
0 Herediano (Costa Rica) (-8)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Matchday 2 will be played Sep 27 & 28.

FIFA SCANDALIZATIONINGS

FIFA denied the appeal on a lifetime ban for Mohammed bin Hammam for ethics violations.
-Bin Hammam has vowed to take this to the courts.

World Football Insider talks to Thailand federation president Worawi Makudi who seems to be the next person in line for an ethics conduct investigation by FIFA.
-Ian Dovaston of Sky News reports that they have uncovered damning documents that contridict what Makudi is saying.

Jesse Fink who originally told the story about Makudi is now writing for ESPN Star about Les Murray of Australia, a FIFA Ethics Committee member, who has raised questions that need answering.
-Murray called USSF president Sunil Gulati a clown.

Australia spent over US$40 million on their 2022 World Cup bid and got 1 over. The only vote from Oceania.

BIG EUROPEAN CLUB MATCHES

Matches & Scores:
-Sat Sep 17
Inter v Roma - 2 teams who want to win the league both got started with losses, and they really don't like each other.
PSV v Ajax - the biggest rivalry in the Netherlands.
-Sun Sep 18
Manchester United v Chelsea - We know Man U are for real, but is Chelsea?
Napoli v Milan - the home team wants to prove that they are contenders for the title too.
Tottenham v Liverpool - battle of the also-rans.
Schalke v Bayern Munich - Schalke has aspirations, while Bayern has full intent.
Rangers v Celtic - the first Old Firm derby of the season.
Lyon v Marsielle - 2 of the league favorites for many years now.
Getafe v Rayo Vallecano - the Mini-Madrid derby.

The official Barclays Premier League Weekend Match Preview.

FACT OF THE DAY

The economy in Spain is so bad right now that the 4 biggest clubs in the country not called Barcelona and Real Madrid have started the season without from of shirt sponsors: Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. And while we might think its great that those teams now have an unblemished and retro look to them, it also means that they have a lot less income.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Sports Illustrated has video of an interview with Jay DeMerit.

PODCASTS

The newest episode of the Jared Montz Podcast features an interview with form Chicago Fire captain and current Real Salt Lake assistant coach CJ Brown. Download or listen here.

MLS MATCHES, SCORES & STANDINGS

WEEK 27

Matches & Scores:
-Wed Sep 14
Columbus Crew 2-2 Houston Dynamo - CC goals both by Andres Mendoza(Both PKs). HD goals by Je-Vaughn Watson & Calen Carr.
Venue: Crew Stadium
Atten: 10,709
-Fri Sep 16
Portland Timbers v New England Revolution - 10:00PM CT on FOX Soccer
Venue: JELD-WEN Field
-Sat Sep 17
Toronto FC v Colorado Rapids - 12:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: BMO Field
Chicago Fire SC v CD Chivas USA - 3:00PM CT on Telefutura
Venue: Toyota Park
Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew - 6:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: PPL Park
Houston Dynamo v San Jose Earthquakes - 7:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Robertson Stadium
FC Dallas v New York Red Bulls - 7:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Pizza Hut Park
Seattle Sounders FC v DC United - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: CenturyLink Field
Real Salt Lake v Sporting Kansas City - 8:00PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium
LA Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 9:30PM CT on Direct Kick
Venue: The Home Depot Center

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EJECTIONS:
Emmanuel Ekpo - Columbus - red card

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Seattle could become the second team to clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
-My math is terrible, but maybe Dallas too?

Standings:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
41 Columbus Crew (28 GP) (-1 GD)
40 Sporting Kansas City (28 GP) (+7 GD)
36 Philadelphia Union (27 GP) (+5 GD)
36 Houston Dynamo (29 GP) (-2 GD)
34 DC United (25 GP) (+2 GD)
33 New York Red Bulls (27 GP) (+4 GD)
27 Chicago Fire SC (27 GP) (-5 GD)
27 New England Revolution (28 GP) (-11 GD)
27 Toronto FC (29 GP) (-21 GD)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
*55 LA Galaxy (28 GP) (+18 GD)
48 Seattle Sounders FC (28 GP) (+12 GD)
46 FC Dallas (28 GP) (+5 GD)
45 Real Salt Lake (26 GP) (+15 GD)
41 Colorado Rapids (29 GP) (+2 GD)
33 Portland Timbers (27 GP) (-8 GD)
31 CD Chivas USA (28 GP) (-1 GD)
29 San Jose Earthquakes (27 GP) (-6 GD)
22 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (27 GP) (-15 GD)

*Playoff berth

MLS SUPPORTERS SHIELD STANDINGS

55 LA Galaxy (28 GP) (+18 GD)
48 Seattle Sounders FC (28 GP) (+12 GD)
46 FC Dallas (28 GP) (+5 GD)
45 Real Salt Lake (26 GP) (+15 GD)
41 Columbus Crew (28 GP) (-1 GD)
41 Colorado Rapids (29 GP) (+2 GD)
40 Sporting Kansas City (28 GP) (+7 GD)
36 Philadelphia Union (27 GP) (+5 GD)
OUT-36 Houston Dynamo (29 GP) (-2 GD)
34 DC United (25 GP) (+2 GD)
OUT-33 New York Red Bulls (27 GP) (+4 GD)
OUT-33 Portland Timbers (27 GP) (-8 GD)
OUT-31 CD Chivas USA (28 GP) (-1 GD)
OUT-29 San Jose Earthquakes (27 GP) (-6 GD)
OUT-27 Chicago Fire SC (27 GP) (-5 GD)
OUT-27 New England Revolution (28 GP) (-11 GD)
OUT-27 Toronto FC (29 GP) (-21 GD)
OUT-22 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (27 GP) (-15 GD)

IF THE MLS PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY

The 10 teams:

WEST
1 LA Galaxy
2 Seattle Sounders
3 FC Dallas

EAST
1 Columbus Crew
2 Sporting Kansas City
3 Philadelphia Union

WILD CARD
1 Real Salt Lake
2 Colorado Rapids
3 Houston Dynamo
4 DC United

MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS

General News

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated comes up with a way to improve the MLS schedule and playoffs for next season.

Jonah Freedman of MLSsoccer.com tell us about several milestones that are about to tumble very soon in MLS.

Soccer America lists all the late signings from around the league. No big names, but a lot more players were added to rosters then you would think.

CHICAGO FIRE

Orrin Schwarz of the Daily Herald tells us about the senior debut of academy star Victor Pineda.

FC DALLAS

Todd Date of 3rd Degree reports that Zach Lloyd who wore the same number as the now deceased Bobby Rhine is changing his number in tribute to his fallen friend.

DC UNITED

Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times says Charlie Davies has a special appreciation of Seattle fans.
-A whole bunch of outtakes from Mayers interview with Davies for the article.

The Washington Post looks at how Charlie Davies changed up his stale season.

Craig Stouffer of the Examiner with several DC team notes.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC

Charles Gooch of the Star searches for answers to 11 key SKC questions.

LA GALAXY

The Galaxy acquired fullback Dasan Robinson from Toronto in exchange for Kyle Davies.

NEW YORK RED BULLS

Brian Lewis of the NY Post sees the NYRB defense disappearing over the horizon.
-Backe: "Petke! Git yer boots on!"

REAL SALT LAKE

Martin Renzhofer of the Tribune sees RSL moving toward peak form at the peak time.

RSL has signed potential attaching midfielder Nico Muniz from their academy team in Arizona.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

Elliott Almond of the Mercury News wonders if there is any way that Chris Wondolowski can hoist the Quakes up on to his shoulders again this season and carry them into the playoffs. He sure as hell did it in dramatic fashion last year.

TORONTO FC

TFC acquired centerback Kyle Davies from LA in exchange for Dasan Robinson.

MLS RESERVE LEAGUE

Matches & Scores:
-Sun Sep 18
Real Salt Lake v Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew
-Tue Sep 20
FC Dallas v Chicago Fire SC

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Standings Etc.

NASL NEWS

Minnesota can claim the final playoff spot this weekend if: Minnesota wins and Montreal ties or loses, or Minnesota ties and Montreal loses.

Come On You Stars!

NASL SCOREBOARD

All Remaining Regular Season Matches & Scores:
-Sat Sep 17
FC Tampa Bay v NSC Minnesota Stars
Fort Lauderdale Strikers v Atlanta Silverbacks
Puerto Rico Islanders v Carolina RailHawks
Montreal Impact v FC Edmonton
-Wed Sep 21
Puerto Rico Islanders v FC Tampa Bay
-Sat Sep 24
FC Tampa Bay v Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Carolina RailHawks v NSC Minnesota Stars
Atlanta Silverbacks v Montreal Impact

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Standings (as of Sun Sep 11):
#1*54 Carolina RailHawks (+26 GD) (26 GP)
#2*46 Puerto Rico Islanders (+7 GD) (26 GP)
*37 FC Tampa Bay (+4 GD) (25 GP)
*37 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (+1 GD) (26 GP)
*36 FC Edmonton (-3 GD) (27 GP)
32 NSC Minnesota Stars (-3 GD) (26 GP)
- - - OUT OF PLAYOFFS - - -
29 Montreal Impact (+2 GD) (26 GP)
%15 Atlanta Silverbacks (-34 GD) (26 GP)

* Secured playoff berth
#1 First seed and First playoff round bye
#2 Second seed and First playoff round bye
% Eliminated from playoff berths

AMERICANS IN EUROPE

Nick Leyden of Yanks Abroad talks to Tony Taylor about his new team in Portugal Atletico CP.

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Game Action:

GERMANY - 2 Bundesliga
Edson Buddle - Ingolstadt - played 90 minutes and scored 2 goals as they won 4-2 v Dynamo Dresden.

NETHERLANDS - Eerste Divisie
Charles Kazlauskas - Helmond Sport - went the distance scoring a goal but they lost 2-1 at Almere City.

MEXICO

Mexico - Primera Top 5 Standings (8 of 17 games played):
17 Guadalajara - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 v Puebla
16 Tigres - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 at Atlante
14 Cruz Azul (+2) - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 at Monterrey
14 Jaguares (+1) - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 v America
13 Monterrey - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 v Cruz Azul

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Matchday 1 was yesterday Thu Sep 15, check out them scores and stuff here: Group Standings

BRAZIL

Brazil - Serie A Top 5 Standings (23 of 38 games played):
43 Corinthians - NEXT: Sun Sep 18 v Santos
42 Vasco - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 v Gremio
41 Sao Paulo - NEXT: Sat Sep 17 v Ceara
40 Botafogo (22 GP) - NEXT: Sun Sep 18 v Flamengo
37 Fluminense - NEXT: Sun Sep 18 at Bahia

CONCACAF 2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - 2nd Round Group Stage

Matches & Scores:
-Sun Sep 18
St. Vincent/Grenadines v Grenada

ENDERS

NBA star Ron Artest has legally changed his name to Metta World Peace as of today.