Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Some Soccer News for Tue Nov 1, 2011

STARTERS

Barcelona has clinched their place in the knock out stage of the UCL. See details below.

dN

Just got an email from DirecTV saying that they reached an agreement to keep Fox Soccer on their system!!! Their deal ended today and they had been in a large disagreement. So we will miss NOTHING. Now I just need my new receiver to arrive so I can replace the one that died over the weekend.

MLS CUP PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals
Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg (1st Leg scores included)
-Wed Nov 2
Sporting Kansas City v Colorado Rapids (2-0) - 7:00pm CT on Fox Soccer
Venue: Livestrong Sporting Park
Seattle Sounders FC v Real Salt Lake (0-3) - 9:00pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: CenturyLink Field
-Thu Nov 3
Houston Dynamo v Philadelphia Union (2-1) - 7:30pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: Robertson Stadium
LA Galaxy v New York Red Bulls (1-0) - 10:00pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: The Home Depot Center

dN

Seedings

WEST
W1 67 LA Galaxy
W2 63 Seattle Sounders
W3 53 Real Salt Lake

EAST
E1 51 Sporting Kansas City
E2 49 Houston Dynamo
E3 48 Philadelphia Union

WILD CARD
OUT-WC1 52 FC Dallas
OUT-WC2 49 Colorado Rapids
WC3 47 Columbus Crew
WC4 46 New York Red Bulls

dN

Semifinals
Matches & Scores:
-Sun Nov 6
LAG/NYRB v SS/RSL
SKC/CR v HD/PU

Final
Match & Score:
-Sun Nov 20
Semifinal Winners
8:00pm CT on ESPN
Venue: The Home Depot Center, Carson CA

dN

General Playoff News

Steve Davis of Sports Illustrated on the 1st Leg games.

Steve Busfield of the Guardian looks back at the four 1st Leg games.

COLORADO RAPIDS

John Meyer of the Post reports that head coach Gary Smith has been complaining about Kansas City's rough style of play.

HOUSTON DYNAMO

Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Chron writes that the Dynamo are prepared to continue with the intense uptempo game that has carried them late in the season and through leg 1 of the playoff series against Philly.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY SC

Terez Paylor of the Star sees midfielder Graham Zusi as one of SKC's biggest factors for success this season.

LA GALAXY

Nick Green of the Daily Breeze with more on Landon Donovan's pointed words toward New York, the Galaxy's strengths, and the Red Bulls inadequacies.

Jack Bell of the NY Times sees plenty of dirty play from both sides to go around.

George Vecsey of the NY Times writes about the unique & successful season Mike Magee is having.

LA has added a third game to their post season trip to Asia - Wed No 30 v Indonesia’s Super League all star team at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

NEW YORK RED BULLS

Brian Lewis of the Post has quotes from both NYRB head coach Hans Backe and star player Thierry Henry. Backe plays the role of arrogant buffoon, and Henry the role of wizened statesman.

PHILADELPHIA UNION

Marc Narducci of the Inquirer says the Union are looking for some comeback magic.

Kerith Gabriel of the Daily News looks at the Unions tactical mistakes in Leg 1. How will they correct them for the second game.

REAL SALT LAKE

Both Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave, one of the best centerback pairings in league history, suffered quadriceps strains in the 1st Leg and are listed as questionable on the injury report.
-James Edward of the Deseret with more on their status, and how the team would replace them if needed.

Edwards sees forward Alvaro Saborio as the key to RSL's post season.

Scott Pierce of the Tribune on our Friend-In-Football TV commentator Brian Dunseth, key referee decisions and injuries to both centerbacks.

Martin Renzhofer of the Tribune says that despite a 3-0 lead RSL is ready for a very intense game in Seattle on Wednesday.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

The Times gives us a transcript of head coach Sigi Schmid's press conference today. Lots of topics covered.

Joshua Mayers of the Times writes that goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller is VERY UNHAPPY with his team's effort in game 1.

NASL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Huge congrats to my Minnesota Stars on winning the NASL Championship! Hooray Surly!

Campeones! Campeones! Ole Ole Ole! - My travelogue to the Finale.

Video: MN Stars CEO Djorn Buchholz did his own travelogue.

Video: Local NBC affiliate KARE11 was at the airport when the team arrived home.

Team celebration party tonight at Brits Pub in downtown Minneapolis. Starts at 7:30. Everyone welcome.

Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg (1st Leg score included)
-Sat Oct 29
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0-0 NSC Minnesota Stars - NMS win the series 3-1 on aggregate.

By the way, when do a search on Twitter for MN Dark Clouds MicheleBachmann comes up. Hmmmmm. Closet fan?

DU NORD AT THE CONTROLS

ALL NEW: du Nord at the Controls - Tue Nov 1, 2011 - music mix at Spotify

My longest mix yet at 19 songs - Not meant to be played at low volume.

TEAM USA - EL EQUIPO DE TODOS

We will get an announcement on the USA roster for the 2 November friendlies later this week.

2011-12 CONCACACHAMPIONS

The draw for the knock out rounds (#1 seeds v #2 seeds) will be held next Tue Nov 8.

Pairings will be set for the Quarters, Semis and Finals.
All rounds will be home and away.
And away goals will be the first tie breaker.
Q Mar 6-8 & 13-15
S Mar 27-29 & Apr 3-5
F Apr 17-19 & 24-26

#1 Seeds: Morelia, Santos Laguna, UNAM Pumas, Monterrey

#2 Seeds: LA Galaxy, Isidro Metapan, Toronto, Seattle Sounders

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Matchday 4

Barcelona is the first team to clinch a spot in the knock out stages, with 2 rounds left to play.

Matches & Scores:
-Tue Nov 1
Zenit 1-0 Shakhtar - Zen goal by Nicolas Lombaerts.
BATE 1-1 Milan - BAT goal by Renan Bressan(PK). Mil goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Plzen 0-4 Barcelona - Bar goals by Lionel Messi(3) & Cesc Fabregas.
APOEL 2-1 Porto - APO goals by Ailton Almeida(PK) & Gustavo Manduca. Por goal by Hulk.
Valencia 3-1 Leverkusen - Val goals by Jonas, Roberto Soldado & Adil Rami. Lev goal by Stefan Kiessling.
Genk 1-1 Chelsea - Gen goal by Jelle Vossen. Che goal by Ramires.
Arsenal 0-0 Marseille
Dortmund 1-0 Olympiacos - Dor goal by Kevin Grosskreutz.

-Wed Nov 2
Bayern v Napoli
Villarrealy v Man City
Trabzonspor v CSKA Moskva
Inter v Lille
Man United v Otelul Galati
Benfica v Basel
Lyon v Real Madrid
Ajax v Dinamo Zagreb

Group Standings

Matchday 5 to be played Nov 22 & 23

Matchday 6 to be played Dec 6 & 7

VERY SAD NEWS

The story going around Italy is that Milan's eccentric striker Antonio Cassano suffered a stroke on Sunday as the team returned home from Rome. I don't know if there is such a thing as an non-serious stroke.

STAT OF THE DAY

Clint Dempsey has now scored 36 goals for Fulham.

His latest was his 6th in 9 games against Wigan.

FACT OF THE DAY

The list of nominees for the France Football - FIFA Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball - World Player of the Year) were announced today:

Eric Abidal - Barcelona (France)
Sergio Aguero - Manchester City (Argentina)
Karim Benzema - Real Madrid (France)
Iker Casillas - Real Madrid (Spain)
Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid (Portugal)
Dani Alves - Barcelona (Brazil)
Samuel Eto'o - Anzhi Makhachkala (Cameroon)
Cesc Fabregas - Barcelona (Spain)
Diego Forlan - Inter Milan (Uruguay)
Andres Iniesta - Barcelona (Spain)
Lionel Messi - Barcelona (Argentina)
Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich (Germany)
Nani - Manchester United (Portugal)
Neymar - Santos (Brazil)
Mesut Ozil - Real Madrid (Germany)
Gerard Pique - Barcelona (Spain)
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United (England)
Bastian Schweinsteiger - Bayern Munich (Germany)
Wesley Sneijder - Inter Milan (Holland)
Luis Suarez - Liverpool (Uruguay)
David Villa - Barcelona (Spain)
Xabi Alonso - Real Madrid (Spain)
Xavi - Barcelona (Spain)

13 of the 23 play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

The 3 finalists will be announced on Dec 5

And the winner announced on Jan 9.

MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS

MONTREAL IMPACT

The Imps signed Sinisia Ubiparapovic to their MLS roster from their second division roster. He made a very strong contribution to the team after joining at midseason.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

The Revs asked Houston for permission to speak with their assistant coach and former NER great Steve Ralston about the vacant head coaches position.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

New Vancouver head coach Martin Renne is said to be bringing his former Carolina player Etienne Barbara on board for next season.

SOCCER IN MINNESOTA

The 2011 Boys High School Championship Tournaments

Class A Section Bracket:

Final
-Thu Nov 3
AT Minneapolis Metrodome
Prairie Seeds Academy v Benilde-St. Margaret's

- - - - -

Class AA Section Bracket:

Semifinals
-Tue Nov 1
AT Minneapolis Metrodome
Eastview v Minneapolis Southwest
Maple Grove v Eden Prairie

Final
-Thu Nov 3
AT Minneapolis Metrodome

USA U18 TEAM

Mike Woitalla of Soccer America talks to Richie Williams, the new head coach of the U18s.

AMERICANS IN EUROPE

Brian Sciaretta of Yanks Abroad with an article on Josh Gatt who's team Molde won the Norwegian championship for the first time ever, and will play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
-The head coach at Molde is none other than Manchester United's old baby faced assassin himself, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

dN

Game Action:

ENGLAND - Championship League
Robbie Findley - Nottingham Forest - Tue Nov 1 - started and went 88 min as they won 1-0 v Reading.

dN

Coming Up:

ENGLAND - Championship League
Conor Doyle - Derby County - Wed Nov 2 v Cardiff City

UEFA - Europa League - Group Stage - Matchday 4
-Thu Nov 3
Jozy Altidore - AZ - at Austria Wien
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover - at Kobenhavn
Clint Dempsey - Fulham - v Wisla Krakow
Brad Friedel - Tottenham - at Rubin Kazan
Sacha Kljestan - Anderlecht - v Sturm Graz
Jermiane Jones - Schalke - v AEK Larnaca
Oguchi Onyewu - Sporting - at Vaslui
Jonathan Spector - Birmingham - v Club Brugge

MEXICO

Just 1 round to play now! Then Laguilla. The Playoffs.

Mexico - Primera Top 8 Standings (16 of 17 games played):
29 Guadalajara - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v Pachuca
26 Cruz Azul (+3) - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v America
26 Jaguares (+2) - NEXT: Fri Nov 4 at Morelia
25 Tigres (+7) - NEXT: Sun Nov 6 at Puebla
25 Pachuca (-1) - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 at Guadalajara
24 Santos Laguna (15 GP) (+4) - NEXT: Tue Nov 1 v Morelia - AND THEN: Sat Nov 5 v Atlas
24 Pumas (-2) - NEXT: Sun Nov 6 v Tijuana
23 Queretara - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v Tecos
- - - - -
Still Eligible for Playoffs:
- - - - -
22 Puebla - NEXT: Sun Nov 6 v Tigres
21 Monterrey - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v Atlante
21 San Luis - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v Toluca
20 Morelia - NEXT: Tue Nov 1 at Santos Laguna - AND THEN: Fri Nov 4 v Jaguares
20 Toluca - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 at San Luis

FRANCE

The Original Winger has images and a link to a story on the building of a new stadium for Bordeaux. Just awesome looking. Being designed by one of my favorite companies, Herzog & de Meuron.














ITALY

Cesena has fired head coach Marco Giampaolo, and hired Daniele Arrigoni to replace him. They are newly promoted and currently in last place in Serie A.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Matchday 4 is coming Thu Nov 3.

Group Standings

ARGENTINA

Recap du Nord: A tie for 4th place Racing on Monday allowed it to move up a spot to #3 over Colon who drops down one place.

Primera Division - Apertura - Top 5 Standings (13 of 19 played):
31 Boca Juniors - NEXT: Sun Nov 6 at Velez Sarsfield
22 Atletico Rafaela - NEXT: Fri Nov 4 v Belgrano
21 Racing Club (+6) - LAST: Mon Oct 31 D 0-0 at Estudiantes - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 v Argentinos Juniors
21 Colon (+2) - NEXT: Sat Nov 5 at Tigre
20 Lanus (+5) - NEXT: Sun Nov 6 at Banfield

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2012

The draw was held over the weekend for the Groups:

Group A
Equitorial Guinea
Libya
Senegal
Zambia
Group B
Core d'Ivoire
Sudan
Burkina Faso
Angola
Group C
Gabon
Niger
Morocco
Tunisia
Group D
Ghana
Botswana
Mali
Guinea

The first game will be played on Sat Jan 21.

BIG PIMPIN

Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story - Begins arriving in in movie theaters this week.

Here is the Minnesota schedule:

Twin Cities
AMC Rosedale 14 - Thu Nov 3
Marcus Oakdale Cinemas - Thu Nov 10
Marcus Parkwood Cinemas - Thu Nov 10

Duluth
Marcus Duluth 10 - Thu Nov 10

See the schedule for the whole rest of the country.

Alan Black of the Huffington Post writes about the Jay DeMerit movie Rise and Shine.

2 Comments:

Anonymous FrancoS said...

Hi Brucio.
One point: Cesena is not newly promopted, having already been in Serie A last year.

2:19 PM  
Blogger brucio said...

thanks for the correction

4:25 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Newer Posts Older Posts