The SF Takeover News

What's up y'all? Our hero, Il Brucio is probably hungover (from Futbolitis) at 30,000 feet somewhere over middle America at this point. So while he is in transit from our nations capital back to The Land of 10,000 Lakes I'll be steering this ship....aground.

And who am I? SF from The Offside Rules, a blog about soccer with it's tongue planted firmly in (ass)cheek. Someone once said it was an unholy union of FourFourTwo, Maxim, Vice, and the Village Voice and I'm cool with that. Basically we have no orange slices or mini-vans, and we have precious little time for foreign games that don't feature yanks. Check it out sometime.

So now that the self-aggrandising (and possibly xenophobic?) intro and shameless plug are out of the way, let's get it on.


MLS Cup news

There is an avalanche of MLS Cup coverage and postmortems out there today. Since most of them tell you the same thing in 2,000 words or less by writers much more accomplished than I, I'll save you from having to hear my assessment. Instead I will now rank the quality of the publications in which they appear using champagnes to denote their excellence.

Dom Perignon
The New York Times
The LA Times
The Chicago Tribune
The Toronto Globe & Mail
The Guardian

Vueve Clicqout
International Herald Tribune
The Boston Globe
Seattle Times
The Houston Chronicle

Moet & Chandon
Victoria Times-Colonist
The Boston Herald
USA Today
Soccer America

Korbel
The New York Daily News
The Worcester Telegram
Cape Cod Times
Sporting Life UK
The Raw Story

Mum's
Outsports
Voice of America News
Trinidad & Tobago News

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When things hurt it's sometimes better to just get it all over with quickly. For that reason alone here is a special subset of "everyone associated with the Revs are depressed right now" news. Think of it like that Parade insert that's been in the Sunday paper since you were 7 but you've never read it.

The Boston Globe says the veterans are down and The Houston Chronicle say they're all bummed out -like having to watch The Joy Luck Club 4 times in a row-bummed out. Yahoo! says they are hurting. The Boston Herald lets us know that Stevie Ralston is banged up. Somebody should check on him every once in a while, maybe bring over a casserole or something. And don't forget about those long-suffering fans that had to get on what had to be one of the longest bus rides outside of going to boot camp or prison.


And if all that isn't enough to make you want to drive up there and start handing out hugs and prescription meds, Ives at Soccernet says that the Revs are too dependent on Taylor and payed the price while Goal.com says that the defense couldn't cut it. Oh, and some people alleged to be Liverpool fans have no love for Bob Kraft today.

---------------------------------

But these people seem much happier...



Now on the other hand, the Dynamo are busy being feted and fellated; despite looking like the living embodiment of Jar Jar Binks', Joseph Ngwenya is the man (and he still got robbed for the Goal of the Year) and the Houston Chronicle has that story. ESPN is calling Dwayne DeRosario 'dramatic', but not in an ER way while SI calls him an 'alchemist'. And if you are H-Town down don't forget that there will be a rally for the team tomorrow. No word of whether this rally will include hippie college kids or Black Panthers, but they always seem to be down for a rally so just look out for them.

In the end though, for me at least, Steven Goff has written the most important thing; it's all about continuity. (Are you listening Red Bulls?)


In non-MLS Cup news the Yanks played South Africa on Saturday and it was kind of a bore. At one point there were 6 players whose natural position is midfielder out there, which has to be some kind of record. We finally got a look at Jozy on the national team, but he didn't really get a look at the ball. Nice. One of the most boring Nats matches in recent memory.


West Ham plan to enter the fray of USL in 2009, where they replace the outgoing Seattle Sounders by fielding a side in Tampa, Fl. WesThampa anyone?


The effort to put a Philadelphia MLS expansion side in Chester, PA seems to be under the gun. The need 40 million in state funding to get it done but whether that will happen is up in the air. From what I hear the guys behind the bid are loaded...pay for it yourself, I'm sure you've got a private set or 2 you could sell.


Remember Troy Dayak of the 'Quakes? He's back with the newly revamped club working on their scouting ops. Apparently he showed up to open tryouts looking like quite the cowboy. Giddy up!

Grant Wahl at SI is reporting that Landon, Ruiz, and the Grown Ass Man will not have to be DP's next year to keep their salaries. Hopefully EJ and Ruiz send Landon a nice bouquet or something because without the Gals need to keep him they would both be sent packing.

Clint Mathis has been traded back to LA...maybe he'll end it where it all began.



Well that's all I got, but if you have something else feel free to knock it in the comments. It's been an honor and many thanks to Bruce for letting me do this. Holler at your boy.

SF

Terrific Tin News

This here lil ol Blog and a couple of our friend blogs (The DC Centers, Soccer By Ives, This Is American Soccer & Throughball) have been nominated for Best Soccer Blog by US Soccer. Here is the list and voting page. I am very honored to be on this list, every blog on here is excellent.

~and~

Jose Mourinho is in DC for the MLS final this weekend. He and I will be having cocktails after the match. Natch.

~and~

Could it be true? Real Madrid want Jozy Altidore.

~and~

So where will Jamie Watson be diving next year? He was released by Real Salt Lake. Aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwww.


MLS Cup Finals
-Sun Nov 18
New England v Houston
Live from RFK Stadium in Washington DC at High Noon - see it on ABC TV.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe says the Revs have arrived in DC are ready to roll.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dell'apa also writes about what it's gonna take to beat Houston.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle writes about Dynamo midfielder Richard Mulrooney who is going for his third MLS title.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fallas also has the latest news from Dynamoville, including a Brian Ching injury update.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Connolly of the Boston Herald says New England is ready for this one like never before.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mike Biglin of the MetroWest Daily News writes about the formula for winning the MLS Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Beau Dure of USA Today with previews of both teams: New England - and - Houston.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports with a look at Houston.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America wonders if defense is the key to this game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ryan Hunt of Sports Illustrated with his MLS Cup final preview.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Billy Witz of the LA Daily News says both the Galaxy and Chivas USA are anxious to find out if MLS will add another Designated Players to each team.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Steven Goff of the Washington Post writes about MLS MVP Luciano Emilio. And as always, some other interesting DC United tidbits.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Big Soccer poster Glyconerd has some translations of quotes from an interview with Columbus midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto that are none too flattering of his teammates. The one thing I will say about this article though, is that it comes from La Opinion who are more like an English tabloid than any other paper in North America. So, they can't be fully trusted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Setanta Sports with an article on new LA coach Ruud Gullit, looking at what the Dutchman can expect from MLS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rumors out of Turkey say that LA are interested in Galatasary forward Hakan Sukur. Isn't he about 55 years old?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Business Week magazine with a story Blanco, Beckham, SuperLiga, InterLiga & the Hispanic market for MLS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Metrofanatic showing us images from a redesign of Red Bull Park.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup
-Sat Nov 17
South Africa v USA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

US Soccer with lots of goodies for us:
-Two sets of photos from the trip. One - and - Two.
-Some great video action.
-And audio interviews with Maurice Edu & Clint Dempsey.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The USA team blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ticker has a few quotes from USA coach Bradley.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 stories from Business Day in Johannesburg says there is chaos with the Bafana Bafana, while the USA are settled in and preparing for the match Saturday. One - and - Two.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Big Soccer poster feyenoordsoccerfan has some translation from a Dutch publication writing about USA & Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A writer from the Guardian wants to blame the Champions League for the failings of the English national team. No one wants to look at themselves do they. It's always someone else's fault.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel Passarella has resigned as coach of River Plate after being eliminated from Copa Sudamericana by Arsenal on Wednesday night.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The African Football Confederation has given Togo a 3 match home ban after violence at their last home game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jonah Freedman of Sports Illustrated with his brand new World Cup Power Rankings.

USA v South Africa Viewing Party In DC On MLS Cup Weekend

Attention all you readers who are going to be in DC for MLS Cup weekend. On the Saturday morning (the day before the final) we have set up a viewing party for the USA match in South Africa. The game kicks off at 9am eastern time. And you can join all your fellow fans for food and football. Doesn't get much better than that.

Here are the details:

event: South Africa v USA viewing party
date: Sat Nov 17
time: 9am eastern time kickoff, doors open at 8am
place: Summers
phone: 703-528-8278
location: 1520 N Court House Rd - Arlington VA
1 block from Courthouse Metro (Orange Line)
Corner of N Courthouse Rd & Wilson Blvd

MAP

I will be there with my crew, and D of the DCenters will be there with his gang. The fine folks at US Soccer helped make this happen for us! And some of them will be there too.

There may even be some surprise guests, but no guarantee's on that at all.

Let's make it a blog readers & writers love fest.

I am really looking forward to seeing all of you in DC next week.

NOTE: I am sure that some of you will be taking part in the Screaming Eagles organized Supporters Cup soccer tournament that morning, and they plan on having viewing of the game available there too. I don't intend this to tread on their party at all, cuz they do an awesome job. Just another option.

Big Sixteen Year Old News

A week ago I said that I was did not want to see a Houston v New England rematch for the MLS Cup. But I have changed my tune. I think hunger is burning hard enough in these two teams to produce a classic heavyweight style title bout. If both teams come out ready to destroy, this could be one for the ages. I don't mean wide open end to end burners. I mean head to head, nose to nose, toe to toe, all out struggle from both teams. Let us all hope.

~and~

In a slightly surprise move, Dc United forward Luciano Emilio has been named the MLS Most Valuable Player. Many thought that Juan Pablo Angel was the favorite.

~and~

Glenn Davis in the Houston Chronicle: I'll let you in on a secret marketing tool that brings soccer fans to the stadium: It's the team, its players and the style of play.

~and~

From the Seattle Times: The MLS competition committee is going to allow the new Seattle team to protect some of the players currently on the Sounders roster, "which will hopefully help us move into MLS with a few of those really key players," part owner Adrian Hanauer said.

~and~

In their first day of operations Seattle took order for 3000 season tickets. Off to a great start!

~and~

There have been some great guests on the podcasts/radioshows this week leading up the final. You really need to listen to In The Net, From The Pitch & the Dynamo Power Hour this week. All three are linked over there in the sidebar. Also I am one of the guests on Major League Soccer Talk this week, so of course you have to listen to that. Download or listen to me now.


MLS Cup Finals
Sunday November 18 at High Noon eastern time from Washington DC's RFK Stadium & live on ABC/ABC-HD
New England v Houston
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The New England Revolution are lining up FREE buses to the MLS Cup final. They are not saying how many they will provide, but they do say its limited. Contact them asap: 1-877-GET-REVS or customerservice@revolutionsoccer.net.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sunday's game will be #371 for the Rev's Steve Ralston, which will be a record for top division games by one player in America.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe with a story on New England defender Avery John.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Steven Goff of the Washington Post with a story on New England's Steve Ralston. (Ralston made the du Nord best 11 this season!)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle with a story on Dynamo defender Craig Waibel. Waibel is a guy that I have poked fun at in person and on this site, but I will admit that this season I have really come to respect him and enjoy what he brings to the field. Seriously.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fallas also has some Dynamo news and updates.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Glenn Davis of the Chronicle with a story on the Houston fans and energy they give their team.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Steven Goff of the Washington Post with a story on Houston's Nate Jaqua, who has a Washington DC connection - his father played football for the Redskins.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

FIFA.com has Q & A's with Dwayne De Rosario of Houston, and Michael Parkhurst of New England.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The staff of American Soccer Daily make their predictions for the MLS Cup final.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Allen Hopkins at Soccernet gives his scouting report on the Cup final.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune has an article today talking about the imminent retirement of Fire forward Paulo Wanchope. I think its a good idea. The man has no legs left.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ivan Orozco writing for the San Bernardino County Sun ponders which Chivas USA players are going & staying for next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Buzz Carrick of 3rd Degree with this weeks notes from his FC Dallas practice session visit. Including some great insight on assistant coach Oscar Pareja & a juicy rumor on Arturo Alvarez in the comments section.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack Bell of the New York Times Goal blog breaks down the qualities of the MLS MVP nominees.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MSNBC with an article on the added attention Lindsey Buckingham has brought to MLS, but what will have to happen for this buzz to continue and then grow. Good questions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The folks in St Louis feel it is a contest between them and Philadelphia for 1 MLS expansion spot. The Granite City Press Record has the story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Timmerman of the St Louis Dispatch with a look at potential MLS owner Jeff Cooper, and their chances of landing that team they want so bad. It appears as though the big draw back in St Louis is finalizing their ownership group & finances.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Vancouver Sun with an article on the continuing battle to build a soccer stadium in their city.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Sat Nov 17
Guadalajara Chivas v Chivas USA - Benefit match for the victims of the Tabasco flood.
-Fri Nov 30
TT Pro League Foreign All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
-Sun Dec 2
TT Pro League Local All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

South Africa v USA - The Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup
-Saturday November 17 at 8am central time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Official Team USA blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More audio from US Soccer on the retirement of Chris Armas. Interviews with Bob Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley & Carlos Bocanegra. All three either coached or played with Armas in Chicago. Download and listen to em all.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jeff Carlisle of Soccernet looks ahead and previews South Africa v USA.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Greg Seltzer of American Soccer Daily on the debut for Danny Szetela at Racing Santander in a league cup match.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yanks Abroad with an article on former USA youth international Sammy Ochoa who plays for UAdG Tecos in Mexico, but is looking to sign with a MLS team for next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mexican Premiera Playoffs
Matches & Scores:
First Round first leg
-Wed Nov 14
Pachuca 0-2 Cruz Azul - goals both by Julio Cesar Dominguez.
-Thu Nov 15
Morelia v America
First Round Second leg:
-Sat Nov 17
Cruz Azul v Pachuca
-Sun Nov 18
America v Morelia
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Sudamericana - Semifinals
Second Leg Matches & Scores:
-Tue Nov 13
America 2-0 Millonarios - Club America are in the final winning 5-2 on aggregate. Goals both by Hernan Rodrigo Lopez.
-Wed Nov 14
River Plate 0-0 Arsenal - after 180 scoreless minutes Arsenal advance 4-2 on PK's.
-The 2 legged final, America v Arsenal, will take place the first two weeks of December. Exact dates TBD.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The other day I mentioned the site MyFootballClub.com and how they bought English lower level team Ebbsfleet United. Well, you should listen to this interview from Chris/The Gaffer of EPL Talk with Tim Glynne-Jones of MyFootballClub. Good stuff. Download or listen now.


I don't have as many goodies as I would like in todays round up, but its the best you are going to get for now.

Duke Reid Just Might Be My Dad News

From the Seattle Times: The MLS competition committee is going to allow the new Seattle team to protect some of the players currently on the Sounders roster, "which will hopefully help us move into MLS with a few of those really key players," part owner Adrian Hanauer said.


MLS Cup Finals
Sunday November 18 at High Noon in Washington DC's RFK Stadium
New England v Houston
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald wonders if the 4th time is the charm for the Rev's.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Dell'apa writing for Soccernet says New England is ready to end this finals curse.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dell'apa of the Boston Globe writes about the great job done year after year by Rev's forward Taylor Twellman. (video interview included)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Canadian Press are excited that their native boys Pat Onstad and Dwayne De Rosario are playing for Houston in the Cup final.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Don Cuddy of Soccer365 does a Q & A with New England first yearer Wells Thompson.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle says that the Dynamo players don't care about individual awards, they just want the Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mike Biglin of MetroWest Daily News says the Revs are trying to keep it loose at practice sessions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dave Lifton at US Soccer Players Assoc has a Q & A with Houston captain Wade Barrett.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tons of stuff from Seattle on the official announcement of their new MLS team:
-The name "Sounders" has not been tacked on to the team yet. It may be, or it may not be.
-The new team will start in the 2009 season.
-The current team will play one more season in USL's First Division, where they are the defending champions.
Articles from the Seattle Times:
-Soccer in Seattle - Stakeholders project first-class image
-Steve Kelly: Best foot forward - MLS arrives with burst of optimism
-MLS primer
-MLS in Seattle primer
Articles from the Seattle Post Intelligencer:
-MLS officially adds Seattle
-Big-time soccer arrives in Seattle -- or has it?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Goal.com reports that there could be trouble in Crew-ville. Columbus midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto is back in Argentina and telling people he just might head back home to play next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune and Nick Firchau of Chicago's Daily Southtown on the retirement of Chris Armas yesterday.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grahame Jones of the LA Times with his weekly soccer news roundup: Corner Kicks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michael Lewis at Big Apple Soccer talks to former Metrostars coach Octavio Zambrano, all these years later, about the decision to pick Steve Shak rather than Carlos Bocanegra in the SuperDraft. (Some have called it the biggest draft gaff in MLS history.)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dane Richards, winger for the New York Red Bulls, has been called in by his national team in Jamaica for 2 home friendlies in the next week - Sun Nov 18 v El Salvador & Wed Nov 21 v Guatemala.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yanks Abroad looks at the next steps MLS needs to take to continue the improvements.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rob Ziegler of Top Drawer Soccer with an article on MLS expansion in St Louis and youth development in that area.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Philadelphia Daily News with the ever-creeping, slow burning news on a potential MLS team & stadium in Philly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peter Wilt, who many of you know as the man who helped start the Chicago Fire, has been working for several years now on trying to bring an MLS team to Milwaukee. But those efforts have failed, and Wilt has now left the project all together.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Vancouver Sun says that if their city wants a MLS team it will be a long uphill battle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shawn Hunter, Pres & CEO of Chivas USA, has been elected to the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Tue Nov 13
Columbus 2-0 UAdG Tecos - goals by Adam Moffat & Alejandro Moreno.
-Sat Nov 17
Guadalajara Chivas v Chivas USA - Benefit match for the victims of the Tabasco flood.
-Fri Nov 30
TT Pro League Foreign All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
-Sun Dec 2
TT Pro League Local All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seattle Sounders WILL be playing in the USL First Division next season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup
-Sat Nov 17
South Africa v USA - 8am central time on FSC.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

US Soccer has a video interview with USA coach Bob Bradley on his history, technique, tactics etc etc. You know, coaching stuff.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

US Soccer talks to assistant coach Petr Nowak about the retirement of Chris Armas. Download or listen now.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Official Team USA blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mexican Premiera Playoffs
First Round first leg Matches & Scores:
-Wed Nov 14
Pachuca v Cruz Azul
-Thu Nov 15
Morelia v America
Second leg Matches & Scores:
-Sat Nov 17
Cruz Azul v Pachuca
-Sun Nov 18
America v Morelia
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Sudamericana - Semifinals
Second Leg Matches & Scores:
-Tue Nov 13
America 2-0 Millonarios - Club America are in the final, winning 5-2 on aggregate. Goals both by Hernan Rodrigo Lopez.
-Wed Nov 14
River Plate v Arsenal (0-0)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lots of 4th round matches this week in Spain's Copa Del Ray. Scores & matches from Soccerway.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Former Mexicoach & villain Ricardo La Volpe has quit as coach of Velez Sarsfield in Argentina. He quit last year as coach of Boca Juniors.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Urawa Reds of Japan have won the AFC (Asian) Champions League! In the second leg they beat Sepahan of Iran 2-0, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Changchun won the Chinese Super League title.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some of you maybe remember, others are just hear about it, but last winter a group of people in England set up this website called MyFootballClub. The goal was to raise money via this site for all contributors to become owners of an English football club. And this week the group did just that. They bought lower division team Ebbsfleet United. Read on.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Guardian with an article wondering if once successful English club team Preston North End can find their way back to glory?

Group Hotline News

An even louder whisper in my other ear today says that St Louis will NOT be announced this weekend as the next MLS team. We might actually have something in print this time too. Again, let's see how this one pans out. (Maybe I am just starting to hear voices in my head?)

~and~

Landon Donovan will NOT be in South Africa this weekend with Team USA after suffering a calf muscle strain.

~and~

The next USA v Mexico match was officially announced today - Feb 6 in Houston at Reliant Stadium. Tickets go on sale next week.

~and~

BobbyBoswell.com with breaking news - DC United has "re-acquired" forward Alecko Eskandarian.


MLS Finals
-Sunday November 18 at High Noon in Washington DC's RFK Stadium
New England v Houston
-A rematch of last years final which ended 1-1 after extra time and Houston won on PK's.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe with a story on New England keeper Matt Reis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lars Lifrak of Soccer365 does a Q & A with New Eng defender & MLS Defender Of The Year Michael Parkhurst.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who's image is this on the front of this New England Rev's shirt? Is it Freddie Mercury?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle on the quality and success of Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear.
-A Kinnear professional timeline.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fallas of the Chron with this weeks vital Dynamo notes and updates.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pat Walsh of Goal.com on the 2 non-Designated Players MLS Cup teams.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Paul Gardner of the New York Sun says the last thing MLS needs right now is a Houston v New England final, cuz it will be plodding anti-soccer. He is not wrong. The league needs some of those high flyers to fly higher and make to the finals soon. On the other hand it's not nearly as grim as old Paul says it is. He just seems to enjoy complaining (as do I).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Emlyn Lewis at Soccer New England calls the Rev's and Taylor Twellman's chileno goal both a thing of beauty. The goal yes, but the team and their style, aaaaahhh for the most part no, but on occasion......
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jeff Bradley at MLSnet uses his First XI column to give us his all time best players from past MLS Cups.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We should see a very large turnout of New England fans at MLS Cup. Let's hope they rock the place. And don't surprised if you see a lot of Orange too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Andrew Dixon at the US National Soccer Players Assoc has no problem with the current MLS playoff format, and explains why it works.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The word from Chicago today is that the Fire's long time midfielder Chris Armas is officially retiring.
-Lacy Banks of the Chicago Sun Times with quotes from Armas.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Giase of the Newark Star Ledger says that new ownership/management/coaches have never made a difference to the miserable track record of New York New Jersey Metrostars Red Bulls. It's a revolving door.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Giase also has a story on former USA & MLS goalkeeper Tony Meola, now playing that bastardized indoor game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ives Galarcep of the North Jersey Herald News says the NYRB curse extends far beyond the field, with news that the stadium being built (is there any proof of that happening yet?) has been delayed yet again and maybe be pushed all the way out to the 2010 season. Are you kidding me?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tim Vickery at Sports Illustrated wonders why Colombia does not call Juan Pablo Angel into their national team anymore.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stephen Fontenot of the San Antonio Express with his ever-increasing-in-quality weekly MLS, USA & World soccer news roundup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a hilarious turn of the screw, some American football fan blogs are seething this morning after the Monday Night Football crew let Drew Carey onto their airwaves to talk about his part ownership in the new Seattle MLS team. (The MNF game was in Seattle.) I mean, some of them are really pissed off!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Seattle Post Intelligencer with an article on Carey's involvement with MLS Seattle. Including his unique ideas on club management.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Drew Carey supposedly wants the Seattle team to have a marching band. I love it. For some bizarre reason I like marching bands. Maybe its a fetish.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Philadelphia's The Bulletin with some news on stadium building in that city.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The San Jose Mercury News with some tidbits of new info on Earthquakes stadium planning for next year and beyond.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Arizona Republic with a little bit o' news on the interest in snagging a MLS team down Phoenix way.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Tue Nov 13
Columbus v UAdG Tecos - at Crew Stadium.
-Sat Nov 17
Guadalajara Chivas v Chivas USA - Benefit match for the victims of the Tabasco flood.
-Fri Nov 30
TT Pro League Foreign All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
-Sun Dec 2
TT Pro League Local All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune on the rise of Freddy Adu & Jozy Altidore to the USA senior team.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ives Galarcep of the North Jersey Herald News says Jozy Altidore deserves his shot with the USA.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A story from South Africa on the make-up (they emphasize the youth) of the USA squad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis Bueno of the Press Enterprise calls USA coach Bob Bradley's first season a success.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The official USA team blog has a note about coach Bob Bradley sitting next to Blackburn & South Africa striker Benni McCarthy on the flight to Johannesburg. I like that.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nick De Benedetto at the AP writes about the ongoing search for a new USA Women's coach.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a press conference scheduled for today to announce Swede Pia Sundhage as the new coach.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Americans in Europe
How'd their Monday matches go:
-Gregg Berhalter - 1860 Munich - did not dress for the scoreless tie at home with Monchengladbach.
-Bobby Convey - Reading - started (for the first time in forever) and went 70minutes but lost 1-3 at home to Arsenal.
-Marcus Hahnemann - Reading - in the nets for his team as usual, but lost 1-3 at home to Arsenal.
-Steve Purdy - 1860 Munich - did not dress for the scoreless tie at home with Monchengladbach.
-Josh Wolff - 1860 Munich - started and played all 90 minutes of a 0-0 home draw against Monchengladbach.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack Bell of the New York Times on Juventus of Turin and the opera that their story is. Plus other MLS & World soccer notes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The New York Times with the latest on actions being taken to end violence among "fans" in Italy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian with the story on Zenit's new Russian championship.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Guardian also has a story on the football academy system in England. The system should be blamed for England's international failures, not foreign players in the Premier League.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gregory Sica of Sports Illustrated wonders if Chile will be the surprise team of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reuters blog with a story on the football playing sons of Liberian great George Weah.

Crusadin' News

Houston in! Ching out? We will have a rematch of last years MLS Cup final with Houston joining New England in DC next Sunday, but Brian Ching left Saturdays semifinal after he said he "heard a pop" in his calf muscle and was removed from the game. That does not sound good. Stay tuned.

~and~

The 12th MLS Cup will be New England v Houston. A rematch of last years title game. See you there.

~and~

So what is the problem that prevents New England from selling many tickets to their games. They are very good yet people go in very small numbers. You can't even get 11,000 people for the league semi-finals? Disgraceful. Houston on the other hand sold out 2 games in a row with over 30,000, and the whole place decked out in orange. What a beautiful sight to behold. Shame on you New England, you should be embarrassed. And we all thought Boston was sports town. I guess not.

~and~

Landon Donovan strained a calf muscle v Minnesota yesterday which may hurt his chances of playing with the USA v South Africa on Saturday.

~and~

In other USA news, Eddie Lewis has been dropped from the team (reason unknown) while Heath Pearce & Jonathan Spector have been added to the roster.

~and~

In case you missed it over the weekend - Tomorrow MLS will officially announce Seattle as the 15th team in league. (Technically speaking they are the 18th team with two being elimidated and one being relocated & then the original being revived. Make sense? Don't worry about it.)

~and~

A whisper in my ear from St Louis today says that they too will be announced this week as an expansion team for 2009. Whoooo Hoooo! Let's see if it comes true or not.


MLS Semifinals
New England 1-0 Chicago - goal by Taylor Twellman
Houston 2-0 Kansas City - goals by Nate Jaqua & Dwayne De Rosario
Match report by Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Match report by Bob Luder of the Kansas City Star.
Match report by Jeff Carlisle of Soccernet.
Post-game notes by Fallas.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Houston Chronicle with a story on Dynamo forward Nate Jaqua who feels pretty damn happy to have ended up on this team this season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Glenn Davis also at the Chron ponders the arrival of Ruud Gullit in Los Angeles.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe with a story on New England rookie Wells Thompson who has worked his way into the teams first 11 and seems to be getting better with each match he plays.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dell'apa also begins the parade of MLS Cup previews on the Rev's.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Steve Davis at MLSnet with an article on the continuous winning ways of both New England & Houston.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Greg Lalas at Sports Illustrated has nothing but good things to say about the NE v Hou rematch, but then again he is a TV commentator for NE games, so what else is he gonna say. Lalas also comments on the 100th forearm/elbow that Nate Jaqua has thrown in his career, and feels NJ should be punished with a suspension. I agree fully on that one.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kyle McCarthy of Goal.com with the philosophy behind the year-in-year-out success of both Houston & New England.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

WOW!! Last season Toronto FC cut off season ticket sales at 14,000 for their 20,000 seat stadium. This season they upped the number to 16,000, and then announced today that they are SOLD OUT! That is simply amazing. A huge congrats to those fans of TFC, you are setting the standard very high.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lacy Banks of the Chicago Sun Times with a recap on the Chicago Fire season.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Former Tampa Bay, San Jose, DC & Columbus midfielder Devin Barclay is on the Ohio State football team as their 3rd string placekicker!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports wonders if you hate the LA Galaxy? Well, they like it that way.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Metrofanatic on the man who did not save New York's wretched pro soccer team.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Sun Nov 11
Minnesota Thunder 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy - Galaxy win Copa Minnesota 3-2 on PK's. - in Minneapolis at the Metrodome.
Match report from the Minnesota Thunder.
-Tue Nov 13
Columbus v UAdG Tecos - at Crew Stadium.
-Sat Nov 17
Guadalajara Chivas v Chivas USA - Benefit match for the victims of the Tabasco flood.
-Fri Nov 30
TT Pro League Foreign All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
-Sun Dec 2
TT Pro League Local All-Stars v FC Dallas - the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Minneapolis Star Tribune with an article on the Beckham pop star effect on last nights game.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The St Paul Pioneer Press with their version of the same.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Attendance for MN v LA was announced at just over 20,000. And that's about what it looked like too. The lower bowl was about 2/3 full, and the upper deck had a few stragglers sitting there.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Minnesota Thunder team got absolutely no love at all from either Twin Ciites daily newspaper. Not a single player was mentioned in those two article. You guys who run these newspapers are pathetic. No wonder you're going down the drain. Dinosaurs!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Sudamericana - Semifinals
Second Leg Matches & Scores:
-Tue Nov 13
America v Millonarios (3-2)
-Wed Nov 14
River Plate v Arsenal (0-0)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Americans in Europe - how'd their recent matches go:
-Freddy Adu - Benfica - was on the bench but did not get to play in his teams 6-1 asskicking of Boavista.
-DaMarcus Beasley - Rangers - his team had the weekend off.
-Gregg Berhalter - 1860 Munich - host Monchengladbach today.
-Carlos Bocanegra - Fulham - went the distance at left back but fouled Peter Crouch outside the box and was undeservedly called for a Penalty. They lost 2-0 at Liverpool.
-Nat Borchers - Odd Grenland - season has ended.
-Michael Bradley - Heerenveen - started in midfield and scored the games only goal in the 2nd half for his team to win 0-1 at Vitesse. Excellent.
-Danny Califf - Aalborg - went the full 90 and got a 1-2 road win at Nordsjaelland.
-Steve Cherundolo - Hannover - played the whole match but lost 1-0 at Hertha.
-Bobby Convey - Reading - play Arsenal at home today.
-Ramiro Corrales - Brann - season has ended.
-Jay DeMerit - Watford - out injured
-Clint Dempsey - Fulham - started and played 69 good minutes, but his team folded after he went off and lost 2-0 at Liverpool.
-Benny Feilhaber - Derby County - did not dress for his teams 0-5 loss to West Ham.
-Brad Friedel - Blackburn - played the entire game as usual, but lost 2-0 at Man United.
-Marcus Hahnemann - Reading - play Arsenal at home today.
-Tim Howard - Everton - went 90 minutes in goal and drew 1-1 at Chelsea. Not bad at all.
-Ian Joy - St Pauli - got the start for a change, went all 90 and scored the winner in a 2-0 victory over Augsburg.
-Eddie Lewis - Derby County - started but has the dubious honor of scoring an own goal in the 55th minute (the initial shot was taken by fellow American Jonathan Spector), then being subbed off 3 minutes later, while the team went on to lose 0-5 at home to West Ham.
-Oguchi Onyewu - Standard - played the 90 and won 1-0 over Lokeren.
-Heath Pearce - Hansa Rostock - came on as a 86th minute sub in his teams 3-2 win over Cottbus.
-Steve Purdy - 1860 Munich - host Monchengladbach today.
-Frank Simek - Sheffield Wednesday - played the whole match and enjoyed a 5-0 pasting of Southampton.
-Jonathan Spector - West Ham - got a full 90 minutes in midfield, took a shot that became an Eddie Lewis own goal and his team romped to a 0-5 win at awful Derby County.
-Neven Subotic - Mainz - played 90 minutes of a 4-1 win over Osnabruck.
-Brian West - Fredrikstad - season has ended
-Josh Wolff - 1860 Munich - host Monchengladbach today.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

USA team blog - checking in from Johannesburg this week.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jozy Altidore writing for the New York Times Goal blog about his first call up to Team USA.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Big Euro club matches played this weekend:
-Sat Nov 10
Schalke 1-1 Hamburg - the seemingly only 2 contenders to Bayern for the crown.
Stuttgart 3-1 Bayern Munich - last years champs, who look like this years chumps, try to reign in the perennial power.
Werder Bremen 4-0 Karlsruhe - #3 (contenders?) v #4 (pretenders?).
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle - the old fashioned Tyne-Wear derby.
-Sun Nov 11
Villarreal 3-2 Sevilla - two pretenders to the Spanish thrown trying to prove their worthiness.
Feyenoord 2-2 Ajax - old old rivals always play good matches against each other.
PSV 1-1 AZ Alkmaar - the top dogs v a challenger for the past few years.
Panathinaikos 2-1 AEK - a big match every year in Greece.
Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa - the Birmingham derby. (not quite as much fun as when the cities 3rd team, West Bromich Albion were in the top league two and we got 6 derbies in one season)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Top 5 Teams in Europe’s Top 4 Leagues:
-Premiership
30 Manchester United
27 Arsenal
26 Manchester City
25 Chelsea
24 Liverpool
-La Liga
28 Real Madrid
27 Villareal
24 Barcelona
24 Valencia
21 Atletico Madrid
-Serie A
25 Inter Milan
23 Fiorentina
22 Juventus
22 Roma
22 Udinese
-Bundesliga
28 Bayern Munich
27 Werder Bremen
27 Hamburg
23 Karlsruhe
21 Bayer Leverkusen
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Russian Premier League
-Final weekend of the season
61 Zenit St Petersburg
59 Spartak Moscow
-Matches & Scores:
Saturn Moscow 0-1 Zenit
Spartak 2-1 Dinamo
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Zenit of St Petersburg have won the Russian Championship! It is their first crown since 1984.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pohang Steelers have won the South Korean K-League championship.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mexican Premiera Playoffs
The 10 teams are now all set, with the bottom 4 playing off first for 2 spots to join the top 6.
First leg Matches & Scores:
-Wed Nov 14
Pachuca v Cruz Azul
-Thu Nov 15
Morelia v America
Second leg Matches & Scores:
-Sat Nov 17
Cruz Azul v Pachuca
-Sun Nov 18
America v Morelia
-The 6 teams with byes are: Santos Laguna, Toluca, Atlante, Guadalajara, San Luis & UNAM.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Guardian with their roundup of writers from around Europe:
-Sid Lowe on La Liga: Suddenly Robinho looks like the New Pele ... again
-Raphael Honigstein on die Bundesliga: Gomez's low blow has Hitzfeld on the ropes
-Paolo Bandini on Serie A: Fan tragedy sends the fight against Ultras back to square one
-Steven Well on braindead British "sports journalists", and raving about David Zirin: It's time the dancing monkeys of journalism found their own tune
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One thing I have to say about Steven Wells above linked article: When did USA player DaMarcus Beasley comment negatively on the US governments handling of Hurricane Katrina? I have never read one word like this from DMB. Maybe Swells got a 1 on 1 that we don't know about. But I would challenge him to produce the article in which Beasley is quoted. Come on Swells, I know yer reading this.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu will be out a month with a thigh muscle strain.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Football Italia with their winner and losers Serie A weekend roundup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More awful hellishness broke in Italy this weekend with a cop shooting a Lazio fan during a fight with Juve fans. The fight didn't even take place at the game. The league met today and decided to postpone lower division games next weekend while Serie A is on international break, then reassess the situation to see about further postponement. Last year after a policeman was killed the league was shut down for a couple of weeks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune: Italy Copes Again With Death & Violence.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a rumor going around Italy that AS Roma are possibly going to bought by an American.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brazil beat Mexico 8-2 to win the Beach World Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

FIFA.com has a Q & A with long time Italy and Milan star Paolo Maldini.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phil Ball at Soccernet on Valencia & Koeman, Villreal & Pellegrini and the rest of La Liga.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Reuters Soccer blog with a story on Paul LeGuen, the man who brought Lyon to power on his latest challenge - the reemergence of Paris St Germain.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reuters also has a story on the country of Mozambique which is going to try to cash in the South African World Cup due to the proximity and qualities.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lastly, have you noticed how Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has the same brutal haircut as that really nasty bad guy, Anton Chigurh, in the new Cohen brothers film No Country For Old Men.

Special Saturday Semifinal Edition - Eggnog Dishes News

"I can confirm that commissioner Don Garber is going to travel to Seattle for an announcement Tuesday of the expansion of Major League Soccer for the future into the Seattle market." - Dan Courtemanche, MLS senior vice president for marketing and communications.


MLS Semifinals
-Thu Nov 8
New England 1-0 Chicago - goal by Taylor Twellman.
-Sat Nov 10
Houston v Kansas City - 7:30pm central on FSC, FSE & HDNet
Match preview by Bob Luder of the KC Star.
Match preview by Bill Urban of the US Soccer Players Assoc.
Match preview by Pat Walsh of Goal.com
Pre-match notes by Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Position-by-position team match-ups by Fallas.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle with a story on Dynamo forward Brian Ching's playoff prowess.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports says that this is it for Eddie Johnson in MLS. EJ, the Grown Ass Man, has either 1 or 2 games left in the league depending on how his team does tonight, then he is off to England.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If Thursday nights semifinal loss by the Chicago Fire was Chris Armas' last ever game, then he will be missed by all us fans. He was a great MLS player. But lets hope that there is still a chance for one more season out of him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune hands out post-season grades to the Chicago fire players, coaches and management.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Amid all the speculation that Landon Donovan may leave Los Angeles, Max Bretos of Fox Soccer Channel directly asked Lando the question, to which LD replied: "I'm not going anywhere." He has a no-trade clause in his contract too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grahame Jones of the LA Times on the Gullit hiring.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Greg Lalas at Goal.com with his always "interesting" weekly column - The 3-5-2: No Ruud Awakenings
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Andrea Canales on her Sideline Views blog has some good quotes from former French star Frank Leboeuf about his interest in MLS.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tobias Xavier Lopez of the Fort Worth Star Telegram says "supporting FC Dallas is like watching Charlie Brown try to kick that football." And other post-season FCD revelations.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Philadelphia Inquirer with the latest on franchise and stadium news in Philly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chivas USA will be playing a friendly on Nov 17 in Guadalajara v their parents, the real Chivas at Estadio Jalisco as a benefit match for the victims of the horrible flooding in Tabasco Mexico. (Won't the real Chivas have a playoff game that night? Or is that their bye-week perhaps?)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't know if any of you collect sports cards, I don't, but this guy says the new Upper Deck MLS cards are excellent. Ok then.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Sun Nov 11
Minnesota Thunder v Los Angeles Galaxy
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The St Paul Pioneer Press has a Q & A with Minnesota Thunder President Manuel Lagos.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The SPPP also has a brief story on LA's Cobi Jones.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Come on Minneapolis Star Tribune - where the hell is your coverage? LaVelle?)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brian Quarstad & Paul Demko at Blue Sky Soccer have some audio of interviews with Thunder players, and a game preview.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Sudamericana - Semifinals
Second Leg Matches & Scores (with first leg scores included):
-Tue Nov 13
America v Millonarios (3-2)
-Wed Nov 14
River Plate v Arsenal (0-0)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Big Euro club matches to see this weekend:
-Sat Nov 10
Schalke v Hamburg - the seemingly only 2 contenders to Bayern for the crown.
Stuttgart v Bayern Munich - last years champs, who look like this years chumps, try to reign in the perennial power.
Werder Bremen v Karlsruhe - #3 v #4.
Sunderland v Newcastle - the old fashioned Tyne-Wear derby.
-Sun Nov 11
Villarreal v Sevilla - two pretenders to the Spanish thrown trying to prove their worthiness.
Feyenoord v Ajax - old old rivals always play good matches against each other.
PSV v AZ Alkmaar - the top dogs v a challenger for the past few years.
Panathinaikos v AEK - a big match every year in Greece.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brazil & surprising Mexico will face off in the Beach World Cup.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

FIFA.com has a Q & A with Holland & Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Daily Mail of England with an article on Fulham's late game ineptitude. Including some classic quotes from Clint Dempsey. (thanks to BQ for this one)

Mr. Martha Von Creepy News

New England has done it again. Huge congrats to them! Their 4th MLS Cup game in 6 years. That is amazing. But I have to say this - they better come to win, and they better come to entertain, cuz if its like the last two years, I am gonna be pissed off. You hear me Nicol? Pissed off.

~and~

Cobi Jones has been hired by Ruud Gullit has his first assistant coach in LA.

~and~

Taylor Twellman of New England scored the only goal of that game on an unforgettable Chileno, but after the game he moronically referred to the soft goal he scored last week this way: “Last week, I scored with my purse.” Tell that to my grandmother when she brains you with her purse, fool.


MLS Semifinals
-Thu Nov 8
New England 1-0 Chicago - goal by Taylor Twellman.
Match report by Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe.
Match report by John Connolly of the Boston Herald.
Match report by Kyle McCarthy of the Boston Herald.
Match report by Mike Biglin of the MetroWest Daily News.
Match report by Lacy J Banks of the Chicago Sun Times.
Match report by Nick Firchau of Chicago's Daily Southtown.
Match report by Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune.
Post-game notes by Arroyave on the Red Card blog.
Post-game analysis by John Powers of the Boston Globe.
Post-game analysis by Dell'apa for the Globe.
-Sat Nov 10
Houston v Kansas City - 7:30pm central on FSC, FSE & HDNet
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Michael Lewis at MLSnet on Twellman's miraculous goal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle writes about . Several of their key players, Dwayne De Rosario, Richard Mulrooney, Pat Onstad & Eddie Robinson, are sitting on a Yellow and if they pick another up tomorrow night they will miss the final.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fallas at the Chron also has some random HD v KCW notes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luis Bueno at Sports Illustrated calls the KC playoff run "unlikely". Agreed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pete Grathoff of the KC Star on Kansas City's more patient approach to trying to get a stadium built, the second time around.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It's now official - Dutchman Ruud Gullit is at the helm of the LA Galaxy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Andrea Canales of Soccernet on why LA chose Gullit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ever-wise Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union Tribune on the hiring of Gullit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

LA midfielder Daniel Beckman has been called in to the English national team for their Euro 08 qualifier v Croatia at home on Nov 21.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DC's Jaime Moreno has been called into the Bolivian national team again for the next 2 World Cup qualifiers in South America.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North American Club Friendlies
-Sun Nov 11
Minnesota Thunder v Los Angeles Galaxy
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brian Quardstad & Paul Demko at Blue Sky Soccer have some audio of interviews with Thunder players, and a game preview.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copa Sudamericana - Semifinals
First Leg Matches & Scores:
-Wed Nov 7
Millonarios 2-3 America - Mill goals by Gerardo Bedoya & Johnathan Estrada. Amer goals by Salvador Cabanas(2) & German Villa.
-Thur Nov 8
Arsenal 0-0 River Plate
Second Leg Matches & Scores (with first leg scores included):
-Tue Nov 13
America v Millonarios (3-2)
-Wed Nov 14
River Plate v Arsenal (0-0)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Three Americans are playing matches today in the UEFA Cup:
-Dan Califf - Aalborg 1-1 Anderlecht - started and went the full 90 but could only manage the draw at home.
-Ramiro Corrales - Brann 1-1 at Rennes - was on the bench for the road draw.
-Tim Howard - Everton 0-2 at Nurnberg - started in the goal as usual and got the clean sheet in Germany.
And here are the rest of the matches today:
Larissa 2-3 Zenit
Kobenhavn 0-1 Panathinaikos
Aberdeen 1-1 Lokomotiv Moskva
Mlada Boleslav 1-2 Villarreal
Fiorentina 6-1 Elfsborg
Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Basel
Spartak Moskva 2-1 Leverkusen
Toulouse 2-3 Sparta
Bayern 2-2 Bolton
Aris 3-0 Crvena Zvezda
Hapoel Tel-Aviv 0-2 Tottenham
Galatasaray 2-3 Helsingborg
Austria Wien 1-2 Bordeaux
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Big Euro club matches to see this weekend:
-Sat Nov 10
Schalke v Hamburg - the seemingly only 2 contenders to Bayern for the crown.
Stuttgart v Bayern Munich - last years champs, who look like this years chumps, try to reign in the perennial power.
Werder Bremen v Karlsruhe - #3 v #4
-Sun Nov 11
Villarreal v Sevilla - two pretenders to the Spanish thrown trying to prove their worthiness.
Feyenoord v Ajax - old old rivals always play good matches against each other.
PSV v AZ Alkmaar - the top dogs v a challenger for the past few years.
Panathinaikos v AEK - a big match every year in Greece.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just a couple of days after World Soccer ran a big story on coach Bora Milutinovic, he has been fired by Jamaica. The reason given for the firing was breach of contract. But no one seems to know what happened.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Man United striker Wayne Rooney injured his ankle at practice today is expected to miss a month of action. This will mean no Euro 08 qualifiers for England either. Oof.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tunisian club Etoile Sahel pulled off a huge upset in beating Egyptian legends Al Ahli 1-3 and winning the African Champions League title.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Simon Kuper of the Financial Times was at the FIFA offices in Zurich the other day and had two interesting conversations. The first was with a very shady character named Peter Hargitay who is a "special adviser" to Mr Sepp Blatter. Hargitay insinuated that he could have very big influence as a lobbyist in awarding the next World Cup. Why didn't he just say the winner would be the highest briber to him and the FIFA exec's who make the call. Come on buddy, learn some subtlety. And secondly Kuper talked to Chelsea Chairman Peter Kenyon about the state of the club.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My guy, Super Pippo Inzaghi of AC Milan now has 62 goals in Euro club cup competitions! Truly incredible for such a limited talent player.

Initial USA Roster For Game V South Africa

The USA has released an initial list of players that will travel to South Africa to the game on Saturday November 17.

Other players could be added after this weekends MLS playoff matches.

Here is the roster:
G:
Brad Guzan
Tim Howard
D:
Carlos Bocanegra
Jonathan Bornstein
Steve Cherundolo
Dan Califf
Oguchi Onyewu
M:
Freddy Adu
DaMarcus Beasley
Michael Bradley
Maurice Edu
Benny Feilhaber
Sacha Kljestan
Eddie Lewis
F:
Josmer Altidore
Clint Dempsey
Landon Donovan