Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Some Soccer News for Tue May 15, 2012

THIS IS WHY ITS SO GREAT BEING AN MLS FAN

Cuz you too can do this! You too can this much of an instant impact on your team!

Video interview with Real Salt Lake fan Branden Steinckert who wrote a song, that became a video and is now the team anthem!

I think the greatest moment in MLS supporters history was when Toronto FC fans made it rain with seat cushions!
More from MLS' supporters week series:
-Respecting the original MLS "crazies"
-Great moments in MLS fan history
-This or That: Are you a fan or a supporter?
-Going the extra mile for club and country
-A Rapids fan in his own words

STARTERS

Montreal has broken their own record for attendance! Their first home game of the MLS era saw them draw 58,912 on Mar 17 against the Chicago Fire. And this past weekend on May 12 they overshot that number by nearly 2000 drawing 60,860 for the LA Galaxy. Unbelievable!
-Their other two home games were Toronto FC - 23,120 - Apr 7, and Portland Timbers - 19,223 - Apr 28.
-They play their final home game at their temporary home, Olympic Park Stadium, this weekend (May 19) against New York, and then move back to their permanent home Saputo Stadium that will reopen after retrofitting on June 16 against Seattle.

The greatest name in modern soccer retired from play today. So long to you Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink!
-I always loved when he scored a goal for PSV and they played that goofy music and the PA announcer got to belt out his name! Check it out the vid clip.

MLS Cup winning LA Galaxy paid a visit to the White House today where they were honored by President Obama.
-Obama was part stand up comic in this video, especially when it came time to talk about David Beckman.










In a surprise to no one, delight to many, and disdain to some, Ryan Giggs of Manchester United has been named the best player in the 20 years of the Premier League, while Alex Ferguson of Manchester United has been named best manager.

Attn Liverpeople: You must attend K+S Liverpool 2012 - Kicking + Screening Football Film Festival May 17-19

DU NORD AT THE CONTROLS

du Nord at the Controls - Tue May 15, 2012 - new music mix at Spotify.

STORY OF THE DAY

Simon Kuper at Mio Stadium with a deep look inside the skull of Arjen Robben, one of the most talented and disliked players in the game today.
TEAM USA - EL EQUIPO DE TODOS

US Soccer announced part of the roster for upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.

Quotes from Klinsmann on the roster.

These players are gathering in Orlando starting today.

"As many as 13 additions will be announced May 20 and will be a mixture of domestic and foreign-based players to round out the training camp."

Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman are the only 2 MLS players on this first part of the roster, and it just so happens that their team Real Salt Lake has a bye this week.

Jurgen Klinsmann talk to sports radio in Tampa Florida on Mon May 14 - Steve Duemig of 620 WDAE. Download or listen here.
-Good stuff.

G
Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
Tim Howard - Everton
Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake
D:
Carlos Bocanegra - Rangers
Edgar Castillo - Tijuana
Steve Cherundolo - Hannover
Alfredo Morales - Hertha Berlin
M:
Kyle Beckerman - Real Salt Lake
Michael Bradley - Chievo
Joe Corona - Tijuana
Maurice Edu - Rangers
Fabian Johnson - Hoffenheim
Jermaine Jones - Schalke
Jose Torres - Pachuca
Danny Williams - Hoffenheim
F:
Clint Dempsey - Fulham

Danny Williams is on this roster despite suffering a torn muscle in this shoulder less than 3 weeks ago and was diagnosed with 6 week recovery time. Hmmmm.

Tim Chandler will not be on this roster as the has told Klinsmann that for now he does not want to pursue his international career. This sure points to the speculation that he wants to play for Germany some day. But German already turned him down once, so why would it change now?

Matches & Scores:
-Sat May 26
USA v Scotland - Friendly - 7:00pm CT on NBC Sports Network
Venue: EverBank Field, Jacksonville FL
-Wed May 30
4 USA v Brazil - Friendly - 7:00pm CT on ESPN2
Venue: FedEx Field, Landover MD
-Sun Jun 3
Canada v USA - Friendly - 6:00pm CT on NBC Sports Network
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto ON
-Fri Jun 8
USA v Antigua & Barbuda - World Cup Qualifying - 6:00pm CT v Antigua & Barbuda on ESPN
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa FL
-Tue Jun 12
Guatemala v USA - World Cup Qualifying - all other details TBA
Venue: TBA

In 11 days the USA will play their first friendly in this series, which is against Scotland.

Scotland roster:
G:
Matt Gilks - Blackpool
Craig Gordon - Sunderland
Alan McGregor - Rangers
D:
Phil Bardsley - Sunderland
Christophe Berra - Wolverhampton
Gary Caldwell - Wigan
Russell Martin - Norwich
Charlie Mulgrew - Celtic
Lee Wallace - Rangers
Steven Whittaker - Rangers
M:
Barry Bannan - Aston Villa
Scott Brown - Celtic
Craig Bryson - Derby
Don Cowie - Cardiff City
James McArthur - Wigan
Shaun Maloney - Wigan
Matt Phillips - Blackpool
F:
David Goodwillie - Blackburn
Craig Mackail-Smith - Brighton
Kenny Miller - Cardiff City
Johnny Wilson - Dundee United

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Final

I will be in St Paul watching the game at the Sweetwater.

Match & Score:
-Sat May 19
Bayern Munich v Chelsea - 1:45PM CT
Venue: Allianz Arena - Munich, Germany

WHAT A JOKE

The Guardian asks readers to pick their Premier League best 11, and Clint Dempsey does NOT make the list. Hell, he doesn't even get the most votes for a Fulham player. Time to leave Clint, they don't seem to appreciate you enough.

THE LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP

The tournament proper begins today, Tue May 15, with teams from theNPSL, USASA, USSC and USL PDL divisions.
-The Second Round will introduce teams from the NASL and USL Pro.
-The Third Round will introduce teams from MLS.

FIRST ROUND
Matches & Scores:
–Tue May 15
Orlando City U23 (PDL) v Jacksonville United (NPSL)
FC Sonic (NPSL) v Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA) v Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Michigan Bucks (PDL) v Jersey Shore Boca (USASA)
Georgia Revolution (NPSL) v Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL)
GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) v Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Reading United AC (PDL) v N.Y. Greek Americans (USASA)
Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) v Croatian Eagles (USASA)
Milwaukee Bavarians (NPSL) v Des Moines Menace (PDL)
Laredo Heat (PDL) v ASC New Stars (USASA)
Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) v K.C. Athletics (USASA)
El Paso Patriots (PDL) v NTX Rayados (USASA)
Stanislaus United Turlock Express (US Club Soccer) v Fresno Fuego (PDL)
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) v Fullerton Rangers (NPSL)
Portland Timbers U23 (PDL) v PSA Elite (USASA)
Kitsap Pumas (PDL) v Cal FC (USASA)

RELEGATION BATTLES IN FOUR OF THE BIG EUROPEAN LEAGUES

Bundesliga/2.Bundesliga - Promotion/Relegation Playoff

Matches & Scores:
2nd Leg
-Tue May 15
Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-2 Hertha Berlin - FD is promoted by a 4-3 aggregate score win - Her is relegated.

UEFA EURO 2012

Marca ups the ante from their amazing interactive World Cup schedule with this gem for EURO 2012.
-Thanks to EB for the heads up.



















HMMMMM, VERY INTERESTING

Steven Goff of the Washington Post talks to LA coach Bruce Arena about many topics, the most interesting of which is what Arena plans to do a couple years from now when he is done being a head coach.
-I am a huge fan of Bruce Arena. He seems to be the type of guy that asks a lot of those around him, and even more of himself.

Alex Labidou of Goal.com talks to Arena too.

FACT OF THE DAY

Columbus Crew Stadium celebrates a 13th anniversary today!
-My first trip to Crew stadium was Jul 5 2003 - Crew v Dallas - worst MLS game I have ever been too. BY FAR! Next day I saw USA v Paraguay. Not much, but better.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Lets see it again - Kevin Venegas of the @MNStarsFC scores a monster goal from wide on the left wing!

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Yesterday during Manchester City's championship tour of the city a fan handed a sign to Carlos Tevez which he held up with a sort of glee on his face.
















What is the story behind that sign? Turns out that Ferguson was once asked if Man City would ever challenge United for supremacy in England, to which he replied, "Not in my lifetime."

Thus Tevez obviously assumed that Ferguson must have passed away.

Later Man City issued an apology for his actions.
-Hell, I bet even Fergie laughed at that one.

MLS MATCHES & SCORES

Week 11

Matches & Scores:
-Tue May 15
Houston Dynamo v Portland Timbers - 7:30PM CT
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium
-Wed May 16
DC United v Colorado Rapids - 6:30PM CT
Venue: RFK Stadium
-Sat May 19
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Seattle Sounders FC - 4:00PM CT
Venue: BC Place
Montreal Impact v New York Red Bulls - 6:30PM CT
Venue: Olympic Stadium
DC United v Toronto FC - 6:30PM CT
Venue: RFK Stadium
New England Revolution v Houston Dynamo - 6:30PM CT
Venue: Gillette Stadium
FC Dallas v Philadelphia Union - 7:30PM CT
Venue: FC Dallas Stadium
Colorado Rapids v Sporting Kansas City - 8:00PM CT
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
CD Chivas USA v LA Galaxy - 9:30PM CT on ESPN2
Venue: The Home Depot Center
San Jose Earthquakes v Columbus Crew - 9:30PM CT
Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium
-Sun May 20
Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire SC - 6:00PM CT on Galavision
Venue: JELD-WEN Field

Bye: Salt Lake

MLS STANDINGS

EAST
22 New York Red Bulls (+7)
21 Sporting Kansas City (+6)
18 DC United (+4)
15 Chicago Fire SC (+1)
12 New England Revolution (-1)
-----
12 Montreal Impact (-4)
11 Houston Dynamo (-1)
11 Columbus Crew (-3)
7 Philadelphia Union (-5)
0 Toronto FC (-12)
WEST
26 Real Salt Lake (+7)
23 San Jose Earthquakes (+10)
22 Seattle Sounders FC (+9)
17 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (-1)
15 Colorado Rapids (+3)
-----
12 FC Dallas (-7)
11 LA Galaxy (-3)
10 CD Chivas USA (-6)
8 Portland Timbers (-4)

MLS TEAM & PLAYER NEWS

General News

Nick Green of the Daily Breeze looks ahead to Saturday night and Super Clasico between not so super LA and Chivas.
DC UNITED

According to an MRI test midfielder Perry Kitchen did not suffer any lasting damage, only a slight sprain. It sure looked bad on TV.

GERMANY

Sami Hyypia has had the "interim" removed from his job title as manager of Bayer Leverkusen.

ASIA

Asian Champions League - Group Stage - the final Matchday, #6, will take place on May 15 & 16.

Advanced: Al Ahli(Saudi Arabia), Al Hilal(Saudi Arabia), Al Ittihad(Saudi Arabia), Al Jazira(UAE), Guangzhou Evergrande(China), Kashiwa Reysol(Japan), Nagoya Grampus(Japan), Persepolis(Iran), Seongnam(S Korea), Sepahan(Iran), Tokyo(Japan), Ulsan(S Korea)

Elimindated: Al Arabi(Qatar), Al Gharafa(Qatar), Al Nasr(UAE), Al Shabab(UAE), Beijing Guoan(China), Brisbane Roar(Australia), Buriram United(Thailand), Central Coast Mariners(Australia), Lekhwiya(Qatar), Jeonbuk Motors(S Korea), Nasaf(Uzbekistan), Tianjin Teda(China)

Matches & Scores:
-Tue May 15
Nagoya Grampus 3-0 Central Coast Mariners
Jeonbuk Motors 0-2 Kashiwa Reysol
Tianjin Teda 0-3 Seongnam
Buriram United 1-2 Guangzhou Evergrande
Sepahan 2-1 Al Ahli
Lekhwiya 1-2 Al Nasr
Al Shabab 1-3 Persepolis
Al Hilal 2-1 Al Gharafa
-Wed May 16
Brisbane Roar v Beijing Guoan
Gamba Osaka v Adelaide United
Ulsan v Tokyo
Bunyodkor v Pohang Steelers
Nasaf v Esteghlal
Bani Yas v Pakhtakor
Al Rayyan v Al Jazira
Al Ittihad v Al Arabi

Standings etc.

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