30 MLS Potential Breakout Players For 2013: Week 4 Review

We made a list before the season started of 30 MLS players who we felt had the potential to have a breakout season in 2013. We will track these players week to week to see who actually does "Breakout."

30 breakout players For 2013: Week 4 Review
Juan Agudelo - scored one goal, set up another and was named MLS Player of the Week.
Alex - Started and went 87 minutes, being dangerous at times, but the whole team is really struggling.
Eric Avila - Played the whole game and shows more influence every week.
Steve Beitashour - Still out injured.
Jerry Bengston - With national team.
Claudio Bieler - Played the entire match, and got chances, but for the 2nd week in a row he could not convert.
Alex Caskey - Came on for the final 9 minutes abut lost on the road 1-0.
Michael Farfan - Bye week. Note from reader Michael Cecire: "looked really good in friendly vs Pumas UNAM and scored a goal!"
Gabriel Farfan - Bye week.
Diego Fagundez - Surprisingly left on the bench in a game that his team desparately needed offense.
Perry Kitchen - Went the full 90 in another solid week but again failed to help push the team forward.
Mikey Lopez - On the bench again, but not used for a team that could use his attacking skills.
Darren Mattocks - Went the full 90, scoring his team's only goal, but lost 2-1 away from home.
Kenny Miller - With national team.
Mario Martinez - With national team.
Jack McInerney - Bye week.
Kekuta Mennah - Came on for the last 10 minutes but could not help the team get the tie they wanted.
Justin Meram - Was not on the gameday 18 man roster.
Amobi Okugo - Bye week.
Martin Rivero - Still out injured.
Oriol Uri Rosell - Went the full 90, but struggling to help the team create good chances.
Kelyn Rowe - Played the entire game but did not contribute to the attack like he needs to.
Chris Schuler - Moved to fullback from centerback, went the distance, but they lost 2-0.
Luis Silva - Still out injured.
AJ Soares - Played the whole game and helped keep a clean sheet against a team that should be scoring a lot of goals.
Bakary Soumare - Out of the teams future plans, and has requested to be moved to another team.
Zarek Valentin - Has been loaned to Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt for the rest of 2013.
Diego Valeri - Bye week.
Jose Villareal - Started and played 67 minutes, missing several chances for a goal.
Sal Zizzo - Bye week.

The du Nord Futbol Show Podcast Ep. 38

Episode 38 of the du Nord Futbol Show podcast is here.

dN

In this episode Bruce and Wes relive Bruce's trip to Denver for the now already legendary USA-Costa Rico Snowblast game, review World Cup qualifying from all over the world and of course catch up on another exciting week of MLS.

dN

Your two very handsome co-hosts Bruce McGuire and Wes Burdine hope you enjoy listening.

We also look forward to your questions and comments.

dN

Download or listen via iTunes here.

Listen to or download the MP3 version here.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here.

dN

Find us on Facebook at the du Nord Futbol Show

Talk to us via Twitter (Bruce) @dunord and (Wes) @MnNiceFC

And my email address is up there in the top right section of the blog.

USA World Cup Qualifying Viewing In The Twin Cities - Tue Mar 26 - Mexico v USA

Dear Twin Cities Friends In Football,

Come hang out with a bar full of USA fans for a World Cup qualifying match:

Tue Mar 26
Mexico v USA
9:30pm CT

This is the big one! The Classic CONCACAF Derby
The third of 10 games in the Hexagon, aka the final round of qualifying.

The Sweetwater
at the Best Western Kelly Inn
161 Saint Anthony Ave
I-94 and Marion
St Paul
(651) 224-6373

All ages welcome! Lot's of food and drink available.

Map

The du Nord Futbol Show Podcast Ep. 37

Episode 37 of the du Nord Futbol Show podcast is here.

dN

In this episode Bruce and Wes make their annual trip to KC for the home opener, talk UCL + CCL pairings, decompress all the MLS news, and do interviews with Minnesota United head coach Manny Lagos and fans from Sporting Kansas City and Chicago Fire. Fun for everyone.

dN

Your two very handsome co-hosts Bruce McGuire and Wes Burdine hope you enjoy listening.

We also look forward to your questions and comments.

dN

Download or listen via iTunes here.

Listen to or download the MP3 version here.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here.

dN

Find us on Facebook at the du Nord Futbol Show

Talk to us via Twitter (Bruce) @dunord and (Wes) @MnNiceFC

And my email address is up there in the top right section of the blog.

30 MLS Potential Breakout Players For 2013: Week 3 Review

We made a list before the season started of 30 MLS players who we felt had the potential to have a breakout season in 2013. We will track these players week to week to see who actually does "Breakout."

30 breakout players for 2013: Week 3
Juan Agudelo - played the whole game against LA, but had no shots.
Alex - came on in the 59th min, but had only 1 real chance to do anything, other than defend.
Eric Avila - played the whole game against LA, getting a secondary assist on the game tying goal.
Steve Beitashour - still out injured.
Jerry Bengston - went the distance, and took 2 shots.
Claudio Bieler - played the whole game, taking 4 ineffective shots.
Alex Caskey - came in for the final 9 minutes.
Michael Farfan - started and went 67 min, getting off 1 solid shot.
Gabriel Farfan - was not on the game day roster, and has an issue with a hamstring.
Diego Fagundez - on the bench, but did not play.
Perry Kitchen - played the whole game, succesfully passing the ball alot, but he needs to drive this team forward more.
Mikey Lopez - on the bench finally, but has still not made his debut.
Darren Mattocks - bye week.
Kenny Miller - bye week.
Mario Martinez - started and went 70 min, with nothing to really report.
Jack McInerney - played 87 min, scoring the game winning goal by following up his own rebound and cooling putting the shot past the keeper and 2 defenders who were guarding the goal line.
Kekuta Mennah - bye week.
Justin Meram - came on for the last 14 minutes of the game.
Amobi Okugo - went the whole game, getting a yellow card, but otherwise very solid at centerback.
Martin Rivero - still out injured.
Oriol Uri Rosell - went the full 90, and kept things simple, but could not help breakdown Chicago either.
Kelyn Rowe - back into the starting lineup after coming on as a sub in their season opener last week, and was very active.
Chris Schuler - had his pocket picked and then burned for a goal.
Luis Silva - out injured
AJ Soares - played the whole game.
Bakary Soumare - on the bench, but has still not played this season.
Zarek Valentin - not on the game day roster
Diego Valeri - played the whole game, and was in the middle of a lot of the action, including 5 shots.
Jose Villareal - started and went 74 min.
Sal Zizzo - out injured.

UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals for 2013

The exact match dates have not been posted yet, so I thought it would be fun to look at the full name of each of the 8 teams involved while we wait.

Some great names here:

Malaga Club de Futbol
Ballspielverein Borussia 09 Eingetragener Verein Dortmund

Real Madrid Club de Futbol
Galatasaray Spor Kulubu

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club
Futbol Club Barcelona

Fussball-Club Bayern Munchen Eingetragener Verein
Juventus Football Club Societa per Azioni


-Matches will be played on April 2/3 and 9/10

The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup - Groups + Matches

Here are the groups and match schedule for this summer's CONCACAF championship tournament.

Group A
Canada
Martinique
Mexico
Panama

Group B
El Salvador
Haiti
Honduras
Trinidad + Tobago

Group C
Belize
Costa Rica
Cuba
USA

Group Stage
-Sun Jul 7
Canada v Martinique - 4:30pm CT
Mexico v Panama - 7:00pm CT
Venue: Rose Bowl - Pasadena
-Mon Jul 8
El Salvador v Trinidad + Tobago - 6:00pm CT
Haiti v Honduras - 8:30pm CT
Venue: Red Bull Arena - Harrison
-Tue Jul 9
Costa Rica v Cuba - 7:30pm CT
Belize v USA - 10:00pm CT
Venue: JELD-WEN Field - Portland
-Thu Jul 11
Panama v Martinique - 7:30pm CT
Mexico v Canada - 10:00pm CT
Venue: CenturyLink Field - Seattle
-Fri Jul 12
Trinidad + Tobago v Haiti - 6:00pm CT
Honduras v El Salvador - 8:30pm CT
Venue: Sun Life Stadium - Miami Gardens
-Sat Jul 13
USA v Cuba - 2:30pm CT
Costa Rica v Belize - 5:00pm CT
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy
-Sun Jul 14
Martinique v Mexico - 3:00pm CT
Panama v Canada - 5:30pm CT
Venue: Mile High Stadium - Denver
-Mon Jul 15
El Salvador v Haiti - 6:00pm CT
Honduras v Trinidad + Tobago - 8:30pm CT
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium - Houston
-Tue Jul 16
Cuba v Belize - 4:30pm CT
USA v Costa Rica - 7:00pm CT
Venue: Rentschler Field - East Hartford

Quarterfinals
-Sat Jul 20
Q1 A2 v B2 - 2:00pm CT
Q2 A1 v B3 or C3 - 5:00pm CT
Venue: the Georgia Dome - Atlanta
-Sun Jul 21
Q3 B1 v C2 - 3:00pm CT
Q4 C1 v A3 or B3 - 6:00pm CT
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore

Semifinals
-Wed Jul 24
Q3 Winner v Q4 Winner - 6:00pm CT
Q1 Winner v Q2 Winner - 9:00pm CT
Venue: Cowboys Stadium - Arlington

Final
-Sun Jul 28
Semifinal Winners - 3:00pm
Venue: Soldier Field - Chicago

The du Nord Futbol Show Podcast Ep. 36

Episode 36 of the du Nord Futbol Show podcast is here.

dN

In this episode Bruce and Wes review Week 2 of the MLS season, catch up with our guy Colorado Rapids rookie Dillon Powers via phone, ponder the latest Minnesota United FC news, and plenty of other-worldly soccer news.

dN

Your two very handsome co-hosts Bruce McGuire and Wes Burdine hope you enjoy listening.

We also look forward to your questions and comments.

dN

Download or listen via iTunes here.

Listen to or download the MP3 version here.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here.

dN

Find us on Facebook at the du Nord Futbol Show

Talk to us via Twitter (Bruce) @dunord and (Wes) @MnNiceFC

And my email address is up there in the top right section of the blog.

30 MLS Potential Breakout Players For 2013: Week 2 Review

We made a list before the season started of 30 MLS players who we felt had the potential to have a breakout season in 2013. We will track these players week to week to see who actually does "Breakout."

30 breakout players for 2013: Week 2
Juan Agudelo - played the whole game, scored his first goal of the season, badly needed by CUSA.
Alex - came on as sub in 65th min but his team was doing nothing.
Eric Avila - came on as sub in the 57th min and helped jump-start the Chivas attack that led to 3 goals and a win.
Steve Beitashour - still out injured.
Jerry Bengston - went the full 90, scored his first goal of the season on a nice short downward header.
Claudio Bieler - scored his 2nd goal in 2 games and went the full 90.
Alex Caskey - bye week.
Michael Farfan - started and played 78 min.
Gabriel Farfan - came off the bench for the last 26 min.
Diego Fagundez - came on as a sub in the 79th min, stirred it up with Chicago defenders, getting under their skin and earning a yellow card.
Perry Kitchen - solid game in the middle. Kept RSL's attack from ever really getting going.
Mikey Lopez - did not suit up.
Darren Mattocks - played 67 average minutes for a team that was cooking on offense.
Kenny Miller - helped lead a very potent attack and was rewarded for hard work by taking a ball off a defenders feet 35 yds out and racing in on goal to score. Played 90.
Mario Martinez - bye week.
Jack McInerney - played the full match and scored the game winner.
Kekuta Mennah - on the bench but did not play.
Justin Meram - on the bench but did not play.
Amobi Okugo - went 90 at center back and scored the first goal of the game on a corner kick header. 
Martin Rivero - out injured.
Oriol Uri Rosell - went the full 90 and was solid.
Kelyn Rowe - came on in the 53rd min and set up the games only goal with a beautiful chip over the defense. Really good game.
Chris Schuler - good solid partnership with Watson-Siriboe that did not allow DC many chances at all.
Luis Silva - still out injured.
AJ Soares - went the distance with a solid performance.
Bakary Soumare - on the bench but did not play.
Zarek Valentin - not in uniform.
Diego Valeri - a lot of possession and really ran the ship, but not with the same dramatic effect as on week 1.
Jose Villareal - bye week.
Sal Zizzo - out injured.

The du Nord Futbol Show Podcast Ep. 35b: Special Edition: Interview with MN United FC's Nick Rogers

Episode 35 of the du Nord Futbol Show podcast is here.

dN

In this special episode Bruce and Wes sit down with the Club President of the newly christened Minnesota United FC, Nick Rogers.

dN

Your two very handsome co-hosts Bruce McGuire and Wes Burdine hope you enjoy listening.

We also look forward to your questions and comments.

dN

Download or listen via iTunes here.

Listen to or download the MP3 version here.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here.

dN

Find us on Facebook at the du Nord Futbol Show

Talk to us via Twitter (Bruce) @dunord and (Wes) @MnNiceFC

And my email address is up there in the top right section of the blog.

The du Nord Futbol Show Podcast Ep. 35

Episode 35 of the du Nord Futbol Show podcast is here.

dN

In this episode Bruce and Wes review the Week 1 of the new MLS season, tease some big Minnesota soccer news, discuss world soccers latest news, check on the USA U20 team, and so much more.

dN

Your two very handsome co-hosts Bruce McGuire and Wes Burdine hope you enjoy listening.

We also look forward to your questions and comments.

dN

Download or listen via iTunes here.

Listen to or download the MP3 version here.

Subscribe to the RSS feed here.

dN

Find us on Facebook at the du Nord Futbol Show

Talk to us via Twitter (Bruce) @dunord and (Wes) @MnNiceFC

And my email address is up there in the top right section of the blog.

30 MLS Potential Breakout Players For 2013: Week 1 Review

I made this list before the season started of 30 MLS players who I felt had the potential to have a breakout season in 2013. We will track these players week to week to see who actually does "Breakout."

Juan Agudelo: came on at half time and had some chances but put them all over the top.
Alex: came on as a sub in the 57th min and hit the cross bar with a nice free kick.
Eric Avila: went the whole game, getting a yellow card and gave the ball away a lot.
Steve Beitashour: out injured.
Jerry Bengston: bye week.
Claudio Bieler: went the full 90 scoring a pure strikers goals in a terrific debut.
Alex Caskey: came on as a sub in the 62nd min, had a decent performance but not much to report.
Michael Farfan: played the whole 90, very solid.
Gabriel Farfan: started, subbed out in 70th to bring another forward as they went for a goal.
Diego Fagundez: bye week.
Perry Kitchen: went the full 90, was ok but not nearly good enough as a Houston's Ricardo Clark ruled the game.
Mikey Lopez: currently with USA U20.
Darren Mattocks: played the whole game, lots of running and effort, but not much for results.
Kenny Miller: went the full 90 and looked solid.
Mario Martinez: played the whole game but did not make a big enough impression offensively where they really could have used more help breaking down Montreals compact defense.
Jack McInerney: came on as a sub in the 70 to try and kick-start the offense, had a chance or two.
Kekuta Mennah: debuted as a pro, played the first half to little effect and was subbed out.
Justin Meram: did not suit up.
Amobi Okugo: played centerback and had a good first half, but not so good in the second half as the defense got torn apart.
Martin Rivero: out injured.
Oriol Uri Rosell: went the full 90 havind a very strong game and scoring the winning goal on a set piece.
Kelyn Rowe: bye week.
Chris Schuler: went the full 90. He is a giant dude. Bigger than Olave. Got lucky that San Jose could not bury their many chances.
Luis Silva: did not suit up - injured?
AJ Soares: bye week.
Bakary Soumare: on the bench but did not play.
Zarek Valentin: did not suit up.
Diego Valeri: a stellar debut going the whole 90 and scoring a highlight reel goal, not to mention setting up another with a hard shot that the keeper saved but a teammate put away the rebound. He was one of the best players in the league this weekend.
Jose Villareal: currently with USA U20 team
Sal Zizzo: came on as a sub in the 72nd min at right back to add more in the attack.