Guts, Take Two

Merci, Youri. (AP)
Originally uploaded by mr fish.

Even if they miss the 2005 postseason, the MetroStars have shown more guts over the last two matches than they’ve shown in the previous twenty. Last week, the team held off KC on the road while playing a man down for the final 35 minutes. On Saturday, the team took three vital points in a thrilling 5-4 win against Supporter’s Shield contender New England. The stars of the Metro played huge, like French World Cup hero Youri Djorkaeff who all but willed the team to victory with two goals and an assist, including the game winning blast in the 86th minute against a poorly-positioned Matt Reis. Mike Magee played his best game of the year, scoring two goals, none bigger than the 76th minute-strike that evened the match at four. Magee took a picture-perfect pass from Michael Bradley & put one past Reis just two minutes after Taylor Twellman had put the Revs ahead. Twellman's goal had seemingly shifted all the momentum to New England. Amado Guevara had a goal and an assist, and Ante Razov added three assists in a night that made one proud to be a Metro fan and an MLS fan. If you haven’t seen the highlights, you owe it to yourself to check them out. The best part… the two teams go at it again this Saturday at the Big Razor. The night would have been perfect for the Metro if Columbus could have held Chicago to a draw, and LA could have defeated KC, but the fantastic win vs. New England will be enough for one week. Saturday’s match will surely go down as one of the best in Metro history. It’s no consolation that the Metro sits in 6th place in an MLS single table, and that the team would sit in 2nd place in the Western Conference, but c’est la vie.

The current Eastern Conference picture:
Team, Pts, GD, Matches remaining (H/A), Most Possible Points
1. New England 51, +18, (3/2), 66
2. DC United 47, +17, (2/2), 59
3. Chicago 45, +2 (2/3), 60
4. Kansas City 43, +10, (2/2), 55
----------------------------------
MetroStars 40, +5, (1/4), 55
Columbus 30, -11 (2/4) 48

Matches this week:
Wed 9/21: NE vs. CMB, SJ vs. CHI
Thu 9/22: U. Catolica vs. DCU in the Copa Sudamericana
Sat 9/24: NE vs. MET, LA vs. KC, CMB @ RSL

At the Cope-ah

United v. Catolica (AP)
Originally uploaded by mr fish.

Have to say that I’m happy that mid-week Cup matches have become a part of the US soccer culture, especially when the games had such meaning. DC’s 1-1 draw vs. U. Catolica in the Copa Sudamericana Wednesday night was a tense affair, and kudos to FSC for picking up the broadcast. Catolica looked more relaxed and experienced than DC, and the late first-half goal certainly added to their confidence. Give DC credit, though, for attacking well against the bunkered Chileans. United maintained possession well through stretches of the match, and definitely earned their draw. Big ups to super sub Jamil Walker on his goal. Based on the matchup, though, I’d be floored if DC was able to get a result in Chile later this month.

Unfortunately, neither of the two USOC semifinals were televised. Congrats to FC Dallas and LA Galaxy for making to the final on Sept. 28th (GolTV) at the HDC. What this tournament really needs is some marketing muscle behind it, however. If US Soccer marketing was smart (hmm…) they’d try to sell the title sponsorship of the tournament to an MLS/SUM sponsor. How about “The Pepsi Lamar Hunt US Open Cup,” rolls of the tongue, doesn’t it? A title sponsor could build awarness of the event, big time. Anyway, I’m glad to hear how seriously the players take one of the oldest tournaments in modern North American sports. If only the fed, leagues, and teams took the Cup that seriously.

Gritty, gutty Metros

Mmm... donuts. (wireimage.com)
Originally uploaded by mr fish.

Being a Metros fan is a really tough. The team’s decade of futility has produced few shining moments – a one-goal loss in the 2000 MLS Cup semifinals at Chicago, a one-goal loss in the USOC Final to the Fire in 2003, and that’s about it. This past Saturday night at Arrowhead, however, the Metros showed heart, brains, and effort (all in the same match!) and beat Kansas City 1-0 to keep their slim playoffs hopes alive. Playing in front of a teeny-tiny crowd (mostly Tony Meola’s family and friends), the Metros got a lucky goal by Eddie Gaven shortly before half-time and played the final 35 minutes down a man after Tim Regan picked up a second yellow card. Meola got his first shutout since returning to the team earlier this season, and amazingly, the Metros got their first 1-0 victory of the year in their twenty-sixth match. Big ups to subs Chris Leitch and Mark Lisi, two defensive minded subs who showed their mettle staying behind the ball after the squad was reduced to ten men. The victory, the team’s first on the road since May, has the Metros within five points of Chicago and KC for the final Eastern spot. Metro should be rested for Saturday’s home clash vs. the Revs, though DC and Chicago face midweek competition that may hurt their league efforts this weekend. Here’s how the picture looks today:

The Current picture:
Team, Pts, GD, Matches remaining (Home/Away), Most Possible Points
1. New England 51, +19, (3/3), 69
2. DC United 44, +15, (3/2), 59
3. Kansas City 42, +10, (3/2), 57
4. Chicago 42, +1, (2/4), 60
----------------------------------
MetroStars 37, +4, (2/4), 55
Columbus 30, -10 (3/4) 51

Matches this week:
Tue 9/13: DCU vs. Univ. Catolica in Copa Sudamericana
Wed 9/14: FCD vs. CHI in US Open Cup
Sat 9/17: MET vs. NE, CMB vs. CHI, DCU vs COL, KC vs LA

MLS' Big 'To

Looks more and more like MLS is headed to the Great White North for it’s next club. Speaking at a gathering of Milwaukee investors and fans, grande queso Don Garber “said the next round of expansion should come in 2007, when Toronto is expected to join the league.”

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owners of the NHL Leafs and NBA Raptors, is in place to serve as investor-operators, and there’s a twenty thousand seat stadium in the works that has to be ready for the ‘07 FIFA U-20 Championship. The stadium will apparently include an “inflatable winter roof” so the field will be playable year-round. There’s a little bit of political back-and-forth going on in terms of the stadium location, but if the home of the Blizzard (?) is to be ready by April of ’07, these issues need to be solved quickly.

Point of information: the NASL Toronto Blizzard/Metros/Metros-Croatia drew 15,000+ fans in 1980, their most successful season. Between 1979 and 1984, Toronto attracted an average of 10,905 fans/season, a number that would fit right in with KC or San Jose.

I’m not sure how I feel about a Canadian club joining the league, especially when there are so many US cities that could support MLS. Of course, Toronto seems to have everything that Garber & Co. want: solid ownership, an SSS plan, a soccer-hungry fan base. I’ve read that the club will be stocked with mostly Canadian players, which doesn’t thrill me all that much, but I guess if Chivas can play with a mostly Hispanic roster, it shouldn’t be that big a deal. They won't be a road draw, that's for sure. In the search for national sports relevance, however, I think heading to Houston (which may still happen for SJ or KC), Philly (where to play, who to own?) or Seattle (Paul Allen, please pick up the white courtesy phone) should be a top priority.

Bloated Expectations

Johnson Chases (AP)
Originally uploaded by mr fish.

Remember the days, not too long ago, that the US feared playing World Cup Qualifiers in Central America? During the last qualifying cycle, the US was jobbed on a fantasy pk call in Costa Rica to drop a game, and the same happened in Guatemala to turn a win into a tie. This time around, of course, the road has been kind to the US, and even when Bruce Arena trots out a young b-team on the road in CONCACAF, the expectation is a victory. Last night’s scoreless draw in Guatemala City was an ok result, and the defense played well, but the Yanks could have easily won the match by three goals if its finishing was sharper.

Here’s a look at who helped their Deutschland dreams last night, and who hindered them.

Helped:
Marcus Hahnemann: Make some dazzling saves in net, and is in line for the #2 keeper position, assuming Sir Alex doesn’t start playing Tim Howard this season.

Bobby Convey: Generated most of the early scoring chances for the US on the left wing, and punished the Guatemalan defenders who tried to take him on 1-on-1.

Jimmy Conrad: A steady, if not solid match in the center back position. Should get playing time in Costa Rica and vs. Panama. A strong defensive sub prospect for Germany.

Chris Albright: I’m not a fan, but he had a good match last night. Imposing size, especially vs. the vertically-challenged chapines.

Hurt:
Taylor Twellman: Oy. Taylor. You wonder when the kid will snap and pick the ball up and throw it in the goal. He runs forever, and helps break up plays on D, (Capt. Kirk Voice) But. He. Just. Can’t. Score.

Clint Dempsey: Was he tired? Did he have a stomach problem? What an off match. Hey kid, Bruce believes in you – he even tried you in two positions last night to find a fit for you. You’ve got to start delivering out there.

Greg Vanney: Yuck. May have played himself off next summer’s squad. Gave up too many balls, hit too many sightless clearing passes to the opposition.

Fair-to-middling: Marshall, Quaranta, Cunningham, Johnson

Already there: Donovan, Mastroeni

Incomplete: Ralston

Oh, and Mr. Hall-of-fame Balboa. It’s MAS-TRO-ENN-EE, not MAS-TREE-OH-NEE. Say it, just like it reads, ok? Ok.

That giant sucking sound
The Metro aren’t going to get to the playoffs by drawing every match. That sound you hear is the season slipping away. Saturday, Ante Razov hit a late ball to salvage another home draw, 2-2 vs. KC, leaving Metro seven points out of the playoffs with seven matches to play, and Columbus is coming up on the outside. Luckily, DC will have the Copa Sudamericana to worry about down the MLS stretch. Things are so bleak among Metro faithful that fans hope the team tanks to get coach Bob Bradley a pink slip.

The Current picture:
Team, Pts, GD, Matches remaining (Home/Away), Most Possible Points
1. New England 48, +17, (4/3), 69
2. Kansas City 42, +11, (4/2), 60
3. Chicago 42, +1, (2/4), 60
4. DC United 41, +14, (3/3), 59
----------------------------------
MetroStars 34, +3, (2/5), 55
Columbus 30, -8 (3/5) 54

Matches this week:
Sat 9/10: NE vs. CMB, KC vs. MET, FCD vs. DCU

Are the Arenas a Nielsen family?

Bruce Arena (Allsport)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Yesterday US Coach Bruce Arena told the US soccer community to “put up or shut up,” in discussing the challenges that the USSF had in getting Saturday’s WCQ with Mexico on live, English-language television. To Il Bruce, I say, no matter how many friends I invite over to watch the match, no matter how many friends and family members I tell to watch the match, it won’t make a bit of difference on the television rating that Saturday’s match collects. Why? Because I’m not, or don’t have access to a Nielsen family.

It’s hard to believe, but the nation’s television ratings are determined by an ever-changing list of 5,100 households across America. 28,000 more households in top cities are measured for local market ratings. Maybe the USSF should spend a little of their reported $30 million surplus on advertising its matches to help casual soccer fans find the matches on television. I mean ESPN Classic is a little tougher to locate on the dial than say, ABC. To the Fed, I say, YOU put up. Then Bruce, you shut up.

Please Help

It looks like the news is getting worse by the moment in New Orleans, one of the US' most beautiful cities, and one of my favorite places on Earth. I've had the good fortune to visit The Big Easy three times in the last five years for Jazz Fest, and along with the incredible music and amazing food we found friendly people and beautiful architecture there.

Right now, however, there are tens, if not hundreds of thousands of those friendly people who have lost everything they owned and need your help. Please visit the Red Cross and give whatever you can. If you work for a large company, please ask your HR department if they'll match your contribution. Thanks.

An Open, um, Posting, to Jack Bell at the NYT

Jack,

I look forward to reading your "Soccer Report" that appears each Tuesday in the New York Times. However, this morning's column, Wizards' Klein is Healthy Again, deflects attention away from THE soccer story of the week - the US WC '06 qualifier this Saturday vs. Mexico. I've read that The Times has asked you not to write too many "rah-rah" pieces about the US and the MetroStars, but if there was ever a week to push your editors, it was this one.

By burying the news about the match until the fifth paragraph, and then referring to it merely as an aside, you did a disservice to soccer in America. While focusing on Chris Klein's desire to get back on the US squad, you ignored many other angles that could have directed attention to match, such as:

• The convergence of soccer and college football fans on a single day in Columbus
• The challenge of getting the match televised on live english-language television
• The wealth of Euro-based goal scorers on the US squad
• The challenge of creating a US-friendly crowd
• The sheer magnitude of the match here and south of the border

I know that as a journalist, your responsibility is to the reader, but really, you missed an opporuntity to expand awareness of Saturday's match. And that's a shame.

The Time is Now

Cesar Daniel Garipe
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

They’re still on the outside looking in, but the Metros are getting help from their Eastern Conference rivals in the race for playoff spots. Both Kansas City and DC United took tough losses this weekend to buoy the Metros’ hopes ahead of this Saturday untelevised (hmph) tilt with the Wiz in the Swamp. Here’s how the teams sit today:

Team, Pts, GD, Matches remaining (Home/Away), Most Possible Points
1. New England 45, +16, (4/4), 69
2. Kansas City 41, +11, (4/3), 62
3. Chicago 39, 0, (2/5), 60
4. DC United 38, +11, (4/4), 62
----------------------------------
MetroStars 33, +3, (3/5), 57

Matches this week:
Wed 8/31: RSL @ DC
Sat 9/3: KC @ MET, DC @ COL, NE @ RSL
Sun 9/4: CHI @ LA

Of course, MLS rosters will be impacted significantly by the 9/3 World Cup qualifiers. Expected absences include:
New England: Ralston, Twellman, Dempsey
Kansas City: Conrad, Sealy, Wolff, Zavagnin
Chicago: Armas, Mapp
DC United: Quaranta
Metros: none, thanks for asking

Not only will the Metros have a delapidated KC lineup, but the team is expected to sign Argentinian defensive midfielder Cesar Daniel Garipe this week. Garipe, along with Amado Guevara and Youri Djorkaeff, may provide a steady spine to a team that will be getting back numerous starters from injuries, including Ante Razov, Carlos Mendes, Tim Ward, Tim Regan and Jeff Agoos. If the Metros are to make the playoffs, and save coach Bob Bradley’s job in the process, the stars seem to be aligning. The time is now.

The ROAD to the Cup

Johnny Menyongar (mnthunder.com)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Road was the key word last night as all four road teams won their US Open Cup quarterfinal matches. I’d defer to the source on the competition, but that’s got to be a record. Carlos Ruiz scored the tying goal in injury time for FC Dallas, who took DC on penalties, and Chicago did the same at Rochester. 2nd division Minnesota got a brace from Johnny Menyongar (above) in a convincing 3-1 win at the defending champions Kansas City, and LA got two goals from Herculez Gomez to win a California Cup Classico at San Jose, 2-1. The semi matchups on September 14th: Chicago at Dallas, and Minnesota at LA.

Yuck.

The Washington Generals (realmadrid.com)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

What can really be learned from yesterday’s, um, competition at the Bernabeu where Real Madrid beat the Washington Generals, I mean the “MLS Select XI” 5-0?

Not much, really. Real dominated from start to finish, though for the first twenty minutes of each half the MLS gang played ok. Here are my thoughts on players that helped or hurt their chances of getting “discovered” by European scouts who pried themselves away from Partizan Belgrade – Artmedia Bratislava to watch the match:

Helped:
Jeff Cunningham. He’s fast (as we know) and he made some dangerous runs. If Eddie Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley aren’t ready for 9/3, will Bruce start him up top with McBride vs. Mexico?

Amado Guevara. The MLS game seemed to pick up a bit when he replaced Jamie Moreno.

Matt Reis. Yes, he gave up 5 goals, but what goals! Reis turned away a few quality chances throughout the match.

Shalrie Joseph. While not stellar, he did ok until Guevara came in to run the midfield for MLS. Went the distance. As said on FSC, it’s a shame he decided to play national-team ball for his native Grenada. He’d be an asset for the Yanks.

Hurt:
Landon Donovan. As we know, he plays best when he’s happy, and he was clearly unhappy and in need of a rest. Perhaps missing his USOC quarterfinal tonight won’t be such a bad thing. As Sigi said on the telecast, he normally plays a bit more withdrawn, not up top as vs. Real. Just not a good showing from the balding one. Not that he needs to be "discovered," anyway.

Justin Mapp. Not ready for prime time. Was a non-entity out there.

Pablo Mastroeni & Jimmy Conrad. Tough to put them in this bucket, though they were burned, badly, by one of the best scorers in the world.

Cup time again
Only eight teams remain in the hunt for Lamar’s US Open Cup tonight, including six clubs (Chicago, DC United, FC Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Rochester) that have won the prize before. The matchups:

Rochester (II) vs. Chicago
DC United vs. FC Dallas
Kansas City vs. Minnesota (II)
San Jose vs. Los Angeles

Second division clubs Rochester and Minnesota should be emboldened as their opponents will be missing key players who took the plane to Spain. Chicago will be without Justin Mapp, Kansas City will miss Jose Burciaga and Jimmy Conrad. In addition, DC will miss Jaime Moreno, who took a nasty ankle knock vs. Real, and Nick Rimando. Dallas will be without Ronnie O’Brien, LA without Landon Donovan, and SJ, Ricardo Clark.

Reserves Beat Chivas, 2-1

At least some Metro team can beat expansion Chivas USA. The mini-Metro reserves got goals from non-roster invitee Jarrod Laventure and sub and first-teamer Mike Magee to come from behind in a 2-1 MLS Reserve League win yesterday. The win puts the reserves within three points of the top of the table with four matches to play. Could the Metros' first title come from the second teamers? Why not? Stay tuned.

Lovin’ El Lobo

Guevara: Player of the Week (wireimage)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Yes, the Metros defense is hurting, big time. Yes, Chivas USA just added a host of players from its Mexican big brother (sister?) club, including Mexican international Paco Palencia, but still, one would have hoped that the teammates of Metro Honduran superstar and MLS Player of the Week Amado “El Lobo” Guevara would have recognized the importance of last Sunday’s clash at the Swamp. Instead, Guevara single-handedly kept the Metros alive in the Eastern Conference playoff chase with a hat trick that included an injury-time, curling goalazo-azo-azo from twenty yards out to salvage a point in a 3-3 draw.

The Metros took the field without defensive stalwarts Chris Leitch (suspended), Jeff Agoos and Carlos Mendes (injured), and were victimized twice by the Goats’ Palencia for two goals in a five-minute span in the first half, and by Juan Pablo Garcia after halftime. Guevara scored twice on penalty kicks before curling his highlight-reel goal into the top right corner off a restart pass from Youri Djorkaeff with only seconds remaining.

The draw left the Metros on the outside looking in, five points behind DC United, who have one game at hand.

The Eastern Conf looks like this:
Team, Pts, GD, Matches left (Home/Away), Most Possible Points
1. New England 42, +15, (5/4), 69
2. Kansas City 41, +12, (5/3), 65
3. Chicago 39, 0, (2/5), 60
4. DC United 38, +12, (4/5), 65
----------------------------------
MetroStars 33, +3, (3/5), 57

I’ve left off sixth-place Columbus. Thankfully, the Metro are off until Sept. 3rd, and hopefully can get completely healthy. If the Metro wants in, they’re going to have to earn it, as they have home-and-homes with KC, NE, and DC, a match at Chicago and a return match at Chivas to end the regular season. The Fire looks like the easiest to catch, as Chicago plays a majority of matches on the road, including two California road trips (LA and SJ).

Today at 3:30 ET, the MLS Select XI, including Guevara and Djorkaeff take on Real Madrid on FSC. My TiVo is ready to go. Enjoy.

Mixed Messages

It’s tough to take MLS seriously when it sends it's star players across the pond for a “meaningless” exhibition match in the middle of the playoff race and the US Open Cup. Yet, thanks to the MLS bigwigs, players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Ronnie O’Brien are jetting to Madrid for Tuesday’s Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu match vs. Real Madrid as the “MLS Select XI.” Six MLS teams are playing in the US Open Cup quarterfinals the following night and must make due without their big guns, which is a huge slap in the face to the USSF and the history of the cup, which the players take very seriously. I can only hope that there’s a payday in the match for MLS/SUM, ‘cause otherwise this trip makes no sense. Soccernet’s Ives Galarcep chimes in here with a similar stance.

Will the biggest US home match this year be televised on English language TV? ESPN isn’t so sure. The September 3rd US-Mexico WCQ match was scheduled to air on ESPN Classic of all places, due to college football commitments at the mouse network(s). SI’s Grant Wahl doesn’t see the match on ESPN’s program guide. And they say the boys in Bristol don’t care about soccer…

Unrelated, but Nike is getting ready to promote the Nats with a soon-to-be-released commercial. Click here to see the foundation of a Nike site just for the Yanks. Clint, don't drive angry.

Taking Care of Business

McBride Hugs It Out (Reuters)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

World Cup qualifying, it is said, is business, not art. That was definitely the case in East Hartford, CT, last night, as the US Men’s National Team took care of business in an ugly 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago that pushes the Yanks ever closer to a 2006 World Cup bid. Attendance was just over twenty-five thousand as Rentschler Field, home of UConn football, hosted the USMNT for the first time.

Veteran forward Brian McBride knocked in a Bobby Convey cross on the US’ first quality chance, just 92 seconds into the match to account for the scoring. The US outshot the outmatched Soca Warriors 18-1, but clearly lost focus around the Trinidad net.

The Yanks were robbed on several calls by Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez, including calling back a clear goal by substitute Taylor Twellman in the 86th minute. Two minutes later, Rodriguez gave Convey his second yellow card of the match, not only sending him to the showers early, but also suspending him for the next qualifier, September 3rd vs. Mexico at a sold-out Columbus Crew Stadium. The US can formally wrap up qualification with a win or tie vs. the Yanks’ chief rival. Press reports on the match include: Soccernet.com, NYTimes, USA Today, Yahoo, MLSNET, NY Daily News.

Standings after six of ten matches:
Team, Pts, Goal Differential
1. Mexico 16, +8
2. USA 15, +9
3. Guatemala 7, 0
------------------
4. Costa Rica 7, -4
------------------
5. Trinidad 4, -6
6. Panama 2, -7

Captain America is Ready To Go

Captain Claudio Reyna (Getty)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Tonight, the US picks up the chase for the 2006 World Cup in East Hartford, CT, when the Yanks take on Trinidad (8pm, espn2) in the sixth of ten final-round qualifying matches in the CONCACAF region. After 5 matches, the US is sitting pretty in 2nd place, five points ahead of 3rd place Costa Rica. The top three teams qualify directly for Germany 2006, while the 4th place finisher meets an Asian team for another slot.

The US has been buoyed by the return of captain Claudio Reyna, who has sat out most of the round recovering from injuries suffered after a punishing EPL season at his club, Manchester City. The US will be missing midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), who took a knock in practice, but still are easily considered favorites in tonight’s match. Other matches in the region tonight include Mexico vs. Costa Rica, and Guatemala hosting Panama. With a win, the US can clinch at worst 4th place in the group, but must wait until the next match, September 3rd vs. Mexico in Columbus, OH, to mathematically nail down a trip to Germany next summer.

Press on today’s match includes John Eligon’s piece on Reyna in the New York Times, a profile of up and coming US defender Oguchi Oneywu at USA Today, and match previews at the Hartford Courant and Soccernet.com.

Current Standings:
Team, Pts, GD:
Mexico 13, +6
USA 12, +8
Costa Rica 7, -2
Guatemala 4, -1
Trinidad 4, -5
Panama 2, -6

Le Vieux Grenouille

Youri: Player of the Week (Wireimage)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

The old frog, Youri Djorkaeff, scored both goals in the MetroStars 2-2 road draw at FC Dallas’ new Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX. Djorkaeff’s second tally came on a looping shot from 25 yards out to beat Dallas keeper Jeff Cassar and bank in off the right post. The world cup champion was named MLS player of the week for his efforts. The draw, combined with road wins by Kansas City and DC United left the Metros in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, three points out of a playoff spot with 11 matches left to play. Metro starts its stretch run tonight in DC at 7:30pm on MSG. United will be without Freddy Adu, who suffered a sprained MCL at Chicago on Saturday. The Metros’ remaining schedule is almost exclusively within the East, though the team gets a break with two matches against league bottom-feeder Chivas USA. With all players returning to health, and without the distraction of the US Open Cup, the Metros should make the playoffs for the third straight season. In the last two seasons, the Metros have lost in the conference semifinals. The Metros' remaining schedule:
WED AUG 10 @ DC United
SUN AUG 14 vs. Columbus
SUN AUG 21 vs. Chivas USA
SAT SEP 3 vs. Kansas City
SAT SEP 10 @ Kansas City
SAT SEP 17 vs. New England
SAT SEP 24 @ New England
SAT OCT 1 vs. DC United
WED OCT 5 @ Chicago
SAT OCT 8 @ DC United
SUN OCT 16 @ Chivas USA

Cup Up-date

Rhino Carbajal is pumped (Roch. D&C)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Before their great stadium news yesterday, the MetroStars were drubbed by homestanding Rochester Rhinos 3-1 in the fourth round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday. At least Metro wasn’t the only MLS club to be beaten by a lower-division opponent. The Minnesota Thunder got four goals from Liberian Melvin Tarley to beat the Colorado Rapids 4-1 in St. Paul. Also of note, Kansas City ended the Des Moines Menace’s dream run with a 6-1 thrashing. In other matches, Chicago beat the Revs in extra time, 3-2, DC United handled USL 1 club Richmond Kickers 3-1, San Jose took second division Portland Timbers 2-0, the LA Galaxy remained undefeated against crosstown rival Chivas USA 5-2, and FC Dallas got two extra-time goals to beat Columbus 3-1.

The quarterfinals, with two second-division clubs still alive, will be held on August 24th, and set up like this:
San Jose v LA Galaxy
Kansas City v Minnesota (II)
Rochester (II) v Chicago Fire
DC United v FC Dallas

It’s Really Happening!

MetroStars Stadium (Rossetti/MLS)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Five years ago, former Metro GM Nick Sakiewicz set out to build a soccer-specific stadium for the MetroStars in Harrison, NJ. The stadium would be built as part of a development that included retail, restaurants, housing, office space, and parking on the banks of the Passaic River, adjacent to a PATH station connection to/from Manhattan.

Today, after nearly eighteen hundred days of delays, deals that fell apart, and broken promises, the MetroStars, NJ Governor Codey, and other local, state, and national officials announced that the project will become reality. Ground will be broken on the MetroStars stadium this fall, with a June 2007 projected opening.

In recent days, AEG, the parent company of the MetroStars that also owns the Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy, and San Jose Earthquakes, agreed to fund the stadium without any public support of the project. Paraphrasing AEG Entertainment President Tim Lieweke, “We realize that New York is too important a market to have a team without a top flight facility. We believe the area deserves a top-flight home for a top-flight team." Metro fan Jay Goppingen attended the press conference, held in 95 degree heat at the Harrison Public Library. His photos from the site can be found here.

And now, Back to the Action

The MLS All-Stars Fly High (AP)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

After a horde of European clubs came to our shores in July, MLS clubs will return to focus on the league and the US Open Cup this week, while another soccer-specific stadium opens its doors this Saturday.

First, a recap of last week’s action. MLS sides did pretty well against European clubs, as Chicago dropped a 3-1 decision to AC Milan at Solider Field. DC United’s Bobby Boswell gave the defending champs a first-half lead against Chelsea, but fell 2-1. The MLS All-Stars sent a packed Columbus Crew Stadium home happy after dismantling EPL mid-flight squad Fulham by a 4-1 score. The Revs’ Taylor Twellman, FC Dallas’ Ronnie O’Brien, and Colorado’s Jeff Cunningham (2 goals) scored for MLS.

Though many snobs were decrying that the matches were “meaningless friendlies,” short of December’s World Club Championship (Costa Rica’s Saprissa is the CONCACAF entrant) in Japan, there’s really no “meaningful” competition that club teams from Europe and North America can take part in together. Critics have really got to get a grip.

The fourth round of the US Open Cup will be played tomorrow night with eight matches, and the MetroStars, who take on USL-1 front runner Rochester in upstate New York, are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s uninspired 1-0 upset loss to Charleston. Mike Magee, interviewed on bigapplesoccer.com, says the Metros will be ready.

Though the amenities won’t all be in place, FC Dallas’ spanking new Pizza Hut Park opens this Saturday night with the Metros the opponent. When the paint is completely dry, the Frisco, TX stadium will hold 21,000. With parking lots yet to be finished, the Hoops will host about 15,000 fans for the inaugural match.

A check of its webcam page shows how nicely Chicago’s stadium in Bridgeview, IL is coming along. MLS’ next stadium could be ready for opening day in 2006. As for the Metros’ Harrison, NJ project? We’re coming up on FIVE FULL YEARS since the project was introduced, and nary a shovel has hit the dirt. Stay tuned.

Ka-sey Kel-ler!

USA: Gold Cup Champs (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

The Washington State native brought home the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the US on Sunday, winning a penalty shootout vs. upstart Panama 3-1 after a scoreless draw and a scoreless 30-minute overtime period. Keller, who has played for clubs in England, Spain, and Germany, stopped the plucky canaleros on numerous occasions throughout the match, but set the tone for the US win early in the shootout. Keller guessed correctly, dove to his left, and stoned Luis Tejada to open the tiebreaker and rattle the Panamanians’ confidence. After Santino Quaranta scored for the US, Jorge Dely Valdes hit the crossbar. After Chris Armas’ shot was saved, Felipe Baloy scored for Panama. After Landon Donovan gave the US a 2-1 lead, Alberto Blanco missed the net entirely. Finally, the US’ Brad Davis, in only his second international appearance, buried his penalty shot, giving the US their third Gold Cup title.

National team soccer now gives way to some MLS-European exhibitions, as AC Milan takes on Chicago on Tuesday (9pm), DC United hosts Chelsea on Thursday night (espn2) and the MLS All-Stars take on Fulham on Saturday in Columbus (ABC, 3:30pm). The US gets back in the World Cup groove on Wednesday, August 17th vs. Trinidad at Rentschler Field in Hartford, CT.

Last-Minute Love

Oneywu and the US Celebrates (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Whew! The US National Team played from behind for nearly an hour before scoring two last-minute goals to beat Honduras 2-1 in last night’s Gold Cup semifinal match at Giants Stadium. Playing in front of 40,000 mostly Honduran fans, the US gave up a goal in the 30th minute after a defensive lapse left Ivan Guerrero all alone on Kasey Keller, and the Honduran prevailed. US Coach Bruce Arena was ejected in the second half after arguing a poor call by the officials, and the US looked like they were going to get beat… until John O’Brien tapped in poor Honduran clearance in the 86th minute to knot the game at one. In injury time, Landon Donovan lofted a free kick into the box that found the head of 6’ 2” defender Oguchi Oneywu, who deflected the ball into top corner of the net, sending the US to the Gold Cup Final. The US will play Panama, a surprise semifinal winner over Colombia, in the final at 3pm on Univision.

Da Beas' Knees

Beasley Scores (Reuters)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

DaMarcus Beasley had a hand in all three of the US goals in a 3-1 win over Jamaica in Saturday’s Gold Cup Quarterfinal at the Big Razor in Foxboro. The PSV midfielder scored two and assisted on a Josh Wolff goal to open the scoring in the early going. Both teams had a man sent off (for the US, Ben Olsen) and failed on a penalty kick (for the US, Landon Donovan). Next up, Honduras in the Semifinals at Giants Stadium on Thursday evening (6pm, Telefutura). Should the US prevail, they’ll face either Panama or Colombia, who did the US a favor by knocking off tournament favorite Mexico 2-1 in the quarters, on Sunday at 3pm (Univision). The US, on a seven-match unbeaten streak, has two Gold Cup titles to its credit, in 1991 and 2002. The US' 3-0-1 record in the continental championship has boosted its FIFA World Ranking to a best-ever#6, ahead of France, England, Spain, and Portugal in the top 10.

The Real Deal
A packed Home Depot Center saw top global club Real Madrid defeat a Landon Donovan-less LA Galaxy 2-0 on Monday night. While Real held possession for much of the match, LA didn’t embarrass themselves or MLS with its effort. Upcoming Europe vs. MLS matches in the next two weeks include Chicago vs. AC Milan, DC United vs. Chelsea, and the MLS All-Stars vs. Fulham in Columbus.

Recent Results
Gold Cup Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 16th
Honduras 3-2 Costa Rica
USA 3-1 Jamaica
Sunday, July 17th
Colombia 2-1 Mexico
Panama 1-1, 5-3pks South Africa

MLS
Friday, July 15th
DC United 3-0 San Jose

Saturday, July 16th
Chicago 1-1 Columbus
New England 3-2 FC Dallas
MetroStars 1-1 Colorado
Kansas City 3-2 Salt Lake
LA Galaxy 2-0 Chivas USA

Tuesday, July 19th
US Open Cup 3rd Round
Richmond Kickers 8-4 Ocean City (NJ) Barons

Standings (Team, pts, gd)
MLS Eastern Conference
Chicago 36, +7
New England 35, +15
Kansas City 28, +7
MetroStars 25, +6
DC United 25, +5
Columbus 15, -14

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 34, +13
San Jose 28, +5
LA Galaxy 28, +3
Colorado 18, -5
Salt Lake 13, -20
Chivas USA 9, -22

This Week’s Matches
Wednesday, July 20th
Columbus vs. MetroStars, 7:30pm FSNY
Kansas City vs. DC United, 8pm
Colorado vs. San Jose, 9:30pm

Thursday, July 21st
Gold Cup Semifinals
USA vs. Honduras, 6pm, TELE
Colombia vs. Panama, 9pm, TELE

Friday, July 22nd
Chivas USA vs. New England, 10:30pm

Saturday, July 23rd
LA Galaxy vs. DC United, 4pm, ESPN2
Columbus vs. Kansas City, 7:30pm, HDNet
Colorado vs. Chicago, 9pm
Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas, 9:30pm, FSC
San Jose vs. MetroStars, 10pm

Sunday, July 24th
Gold Cup Final, 3pm, UNI

Big Night

Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz (AP)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Wednesday night was a huge night for soccer across the country. Not only was the first round of the Gold Cup finishing up at Reliant Stadium in Houston, but six third round matches of the US Open Cup took place, at venues stretching from Ludlow, Massachusetts to Dallas, Texas.

In Houston, Guatemala earned its first point of this year’s Gold Cup in a 1-1 draw with guest participant South Africa. One point wasn’t enough to lift the chapines out of the Group C cellar, however. Mexico got a goal from Alberto Medina in the 19th minute to beat Jamaica, 1-0 in the nightcap, giving Mexico the group title. The tricolores, South Africa and Jamaica will move onto the quarterfinals this weekend. Here are the matchups (times EDT):

Saturday at Foxboro:
1pm: Honduras vs. Costa Rica
4pm: USA vs. Jamaica

Sunday at Houston:
3pm: Mexico vs. Colombia
6pm: South Africa vs. Panama

The Gold Cup semis and finals will be held at Giants Stadium on July 21st and 24th.

In US Open Cup action last night, three MLS clubs were taken to overtime by lower level competition (one lost), and the Des Moines (IA) Menace from the Premier Development League, an amateur summer league mostly for college kids, beat a team two levels above it to advance to the cup’s fourth round.

Scores (club level: MLS=I)
Portland Timbers (II) 2-0 Seattle Sounders (II) (played on 7/12)
Rochester Rhinos (II) 2-1 Virginia Beach Mariners (II)
Western Mass. Pioneers (III) 1-3 Chicago Fire (I)
Charlotte Eagles (III) 2-3 OT Chivas USA (I)
Atlanta Silverbacks (II) 1-5 Des Moines Menace (IV)
FC Dallas (I) 3-1 OT Wilmington Hammerheads (III)
Minnesota Thunder (II) 6-4 OT Real Salt Lake (I)
Overtime in the USOC is thirty minutes, without a golden goal.

The Richmond Kickers (II) – Ocean City Barons (IV) match was postponed due to lightning and will be played on 7/19.

In the fourth round on August 3rd, eight MLS clubs join the competition. The final will be held on September 28th. Fourth Round matches: (clubs MLS unless noted)
Columbus Crew – FC Dallas
Ocean City (IV)/Richmond (II) – DC United
Minnesota Thunder (II) – Colorado Rapids
Kansas City Wizards – Des Moines Menace (IV)
CD Chivas – LA Galaxy
Rochester Rhinos (II) – MetroStars
New England Revolution – Chicago Fire
Portland Timbers (II) – San Jose Earthquakes

Going for Gold

Landon Donovan vs. Canada (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Landon Donovan is, as they say, en fuego. His three goals for the US in their CONCACAF Gold Cup wins last week (4-1 vs. Cuba and 2-0 vs. Canada) have pushed the Nats through to the tournament’s quarterfinals. First, though, the US must finish first-round group play vs. Costa Rica in Foxboro this evening. (7pm, Telefutura). The Ticos have also clinched a quarterfinal berth, so both of tonight’s lineups may be highly experimental. Donovan’s three tallies give him 25 all-time, lifting the Redlands, CA product to 3rd place on the career US scoring list behind Hall of Famer Eric Wynalda (34) and elder statesman Brian McBride (28). Considering that Donovan is all of 23 years old, the Galaxy midfielder is destined to hold the top spot. The only question is how soon he’ll get there.

Open Cup-date
Amateur squads Ocean City (NJ) Barons and Des Moines (IA) Menace made big news in the US Open Cup’s second round on June 29th. The Barons knocked off the Long Island Rough Riders, a pro outfit from the USL’s Division Two by a dominating 4-0 scoreline at St. John’s University in Queens. The Menace took an even bigger scalp, defeating the USL’s Division One’s Charleston (SC) Battery 3-2 in Iowa to advance in the knockout tournament. The Cup’s third round will be played tonight and tomorrow, with some MLS clubs finally getting into the act:

Third Round Matches (club level: MLS = I)
Portland Timbers (II) vs. Seattle Sounders (II)
Richmond Kickers (II) vs. Ocean City Barons (IV)
Rochester Rhinos (II) vs. Virginia Beach Mariners (II)
Western Mass Pioneers (III) vs. Chicago Fire (I)
Charlotte Eagles (III) vs. CD Chivas USA (I)
Atlanta Silverbacks (II) vs. Des Moines Menace (IV)
FC Dallas (I) vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (III)
Minnesota Thunder (II) vs. Real Salt Lake (I)

Recent Results
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Group B
July 7th: Cuba 1-4 US
July 9th: US 2-0 Canada

US Open Cup
Second Round: June 29th
Wilimington (NC) Hammerheads (III) 5-0 Roma of Dallas (Amateur)
Western Mass. Pioneers (III) 5-0 Reggae Boys of Indiana (Amateur)
Virginia Beach Mariners (II) 3-0 Richmond Kickers Future (IV)
Ocean City (NJ) Barons (IV) 4-0 Long Island Rough Riders (III)
Des Moines Menace (IV) 3-2 Charleston Battery (II)
El Paso Patriots (IV) 1-4 Charlotte Eagles (III)
Minnesota Thunder (II) 2-1 Chicago Fire Premier (IV)
Seattle Sounders (II) 3-1 Salinas Valley Samba (Amateur)

MLS
Saturday, July 9th
DC United 0-1 Kansas City
Columbus 1-2 San Jose
MetroStars 2-1 LA Galaxy
Chicago 1-0 New England
Chivas USA 5-1 Salt Lake

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
CONCACAF Gold Cup
x=clinched quarterfinals
Group A
x-Honduras 4, +1
x-Panama 4, +1
Trinidad 2, 0
Colombia 0, -2

Group B
x-USA 6, +5
x-Costa Rica 6, +3
Canada 0, -3
Cuba 0, -5

Group C
Jamaica 4, +1
South Africa 4, +1
Mexico 3, +3
Guatemala 0, -5

MLS Eastern Conference
Chicago 35, +7
New England 32, +14
Kansas City 25, +6
MetroStars 24, +6
DC United 22, +2
Columbus 14, -14

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 34, +14
San Jose 28, +8
LA Galaxy 25, +1
Colorado 17, -5
Salt Lake 13, -19
Chivas USA 9, -20

This Week’s Matches
Tuesday, July 12th
CONCACAF Gold Cup
US vs. Costa Rica, 7pm TELE

Saturday, July 16th
Chicago vs. Columbus, 4pm, ESPN2
CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals, 1pm UNI, 4pm TELE
MetroStars vs. Colorado, 7:30pm, FSC
New England vs. FC Dallas, 7:30pm
Kansas City vs. Salt Lake, 8pm
LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA, 10pm FSC, HDNet

Up For The Cup

The US Open Cup
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the country, and one of the oldest in the world. First contested in 1914, the USOC is a single-elimination tournament along the lines of the English FA Cup. The Cup runs concurrently with the MLS and other league seasons, and any team, amateur or professional, can take enter. The competition was named for US soccer pioneer and investor Lamar Hunt in 2002.

While the NASL teams of the 1970’s-80’s never took part in the USOC, MLS teams have participated in the Cup since the league kicked off in 1996. The league has captured all but one Cup title since then, when the 1999 Rochester Rhinos of the USL 1st division upset Colorado 2-0 in the cup final. Since MLS’ inception, Chicago has been the most successful Cup team, with 3 titles (’98, ’00, 03), while DC United (’96), FC Dallas (’97), LA Galaxy (’01), Columbus (’02), and Kansas City (’04), have the others.

This year’s final tournament includes forty-two clubs from MLS, the USL’s 1st and 2nd divisions and its Premier Development League, and the US Amateur Soccer Association. Cup matches are played on Wednesdays, and sixteen clubs are taking in tonight’s second round.

Tonight’s matches (club level, MLS=I):
Wilimington (NC) Hammerheads (III) vs. Roma of Dallas (Amateur)
Western Mass. Pioneers (III) vs. Reggae Boys of Indiana (Amateur)
Virginia Beach Mariners (II) vs. Richmond Kickers Future (IV)
Ocean City (NJ) Barons (IV) vs. Long Island Rough Riders (III)
Des Moines Menace (IV) vs. Charleston Battery (II)
El Paso Patriots (IV) vs. Charlotte Eagles (III)
Minnesota Thunder (II) vs. Chicago Fire Premier (IV)
Seattle Sounders (II) vs. Salinas Valley Samba (Amateur)

Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake, and Chivas USA enter the cup in the third round on July 13th. The remaining MLS clubs start play in the fourth round on August 3rd. The final will be held on September 28th.

Last Weekend’s Results
Saturday, June 25th
New England 4-2 MetroStars
Kansas City 3-0 Chivas USA
Colorado 1-3 FC Dallas
San Jose 3-0 LA Galaxy

Sunday, June 26th
Chicago 3-1 Salt Lake

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
MLS Eastern Conference
New England 31, +15
Chicago 26, +4
Kansas City 21, +6
MetroStars 20, +5
DC United 19, +3
Columbus 13, -12

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 33, +14
LA Galaxy 24, +2
San Jose 21, +6
Colorado 14, -5
Salt Lake 12, -15
Chivas USA 6, -23

This Week’s Matches:
Wednesday, June 29th
Kansas City v Columbus, 8pm
Chicago v DC United, 8:30pm
San Jose v Colorado, 10:30pm

Saturday, July 2nd
Columbus v DC United, 7:30pm, FSC, HDNet
FC Dallas v San Jose, 8:30pm
Chivas USA v Chicago, 10pm

Monday, July 4th
Salt Lake v MetroStars
Colorado v Kansas City, HDNet
LA Galaxy v New England, FSC

That's A Spicy Meatball

Adu in Action (Action Images)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

The US U-20 team crashed out of the FIFA World Youth Championship in the 2nd round after blowing a 1-0 halftime lead to Italy by allowing three second half goals, two off of US defenders. The US, which hadn’t allowed a goal in its three first-round matches, got off on the right foot after D Hunter Freeman scored on a penalty kick in the 44th minute. The US ended the tournament in Holland with a 2-1-1 record, with three goals for and three against.

If you can’t beat ‘em…
After being stung by successful European club tours in the US over the past two seasons, MLS and its marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing, got into the act by announcing a July “World Series of Football” schedule in New York, Foxboro, DC, and Chicago that will include English Premier League champion Chelsea and Italian Serie A powerhouse AC Milan. This season, however, the Euro clubs will match up against MLS teams Chicago Fire (vs. AC Milan at Soldier Field on July 27th) and DC United (vs. Chelsea at RFK on July 28th). Earlier today it was announced that David Beckham and Michael Owen will return to the US with their Real Madrid squad to play Chivas of Mexico in Chicago on July 16th and the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center on July 18th.

Last/This Week’s Results
Wednesday, June 15th
DC United 4-3 Chicago
Colorado 1-0 LA Galaxy

Saturday, June 18th
US U-20s 1-0 Egypt
Chicago 1-1 Kansas City
MetroStars 3-2 Columbus
DC United 2-0 New England
FC Dallas 1-0 LA Galaxy
San Jose 3-0 Salt Lake
Chivas USA 1-3 Colorado

Tuesday, June 21st
US U-20s 1-3 Italy

Wednesday, June 22nd
Columbus 1-3 New England
FC Dallas 2-1 Chivas USA
Salt Lake 1-1 LA Galaxy

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
MLS Eastern Conference
New England 28, +13
Chicago 23, +2
MetroStars 20, +7
DC United 19, +3
Kansas City 18, +3
Columbus 13, -12

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 30, +12
LA Galaxy 24, +5
San Jose 18, +3
Colorado 14, -3
Salt Lake 12, -13
Chivas USA 6, -20

This Weekend’s Matches
Saturday, June 25th
New England v MetroStars, 7:30pm, MSG
Kansas City v Chivas USA, 8pm
Colorado v FC Dallas, 9pm
San Jose v LA Galaxy, 10pm, ESPN2

Sunday, June 26th
Chicago v Salt Lake, 7pm

A Winning Weekend

Peterson Celebrates (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

On Saturday, the US U-20 team beat Egypt 1-0 to finish the first round atop Group D at the World Youth Championship in Holland. The US goal was scored by Indiana’s Jacob Peterson in the 56th minute off an assist from Freddy Adu. The US finished group play against Argentina, Germany, and Egypt without conceding a single goal, and face Italy in a round of 16 match today at 11:30am (Fox Soccer Channel) in Enschede, Holland. Should the US advance, they would face the winner of Morrocco and Japan in the Quarterfinals. The US played the Egypt match without Manchester United D Jonathan Spector, who continues to recover from a leg injury, and MetroStars M Eddie Gaven and Michigan D Marvell Wynne, who sat out to avoid picking their 2nd yellow cards. All three should be in the lineup against Italy.

In MLS play on Saturday, Ante Razov scored his first two goals as a MetroStar to lead the team over Columbus 3-2 at Giants Stadium. Youri Djorkaeff converted a pk in the 2nd half to provide the winning margin. The Metros’ five-match unbeaten streak has lifted the team to sole possession of 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Chicago.

Hopping at the Hut

Pizza Hut Park
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Pizza Hut has snapped up the naming rights to the new FC Dallas soccer-specific stadium in Frisco, TX. The 21,000-seat stadium is set to open on August 6th vs. the MetroStars, and will host this year's MLS Cup final on November 13th.

In other soccer news, the wonderful Metrofanatic.com has a stellar interview with new Metros President/GM Alexi Lalas that's not to be missed.

The Week In Soccer: The Redhead Returns

Alexi Lalas, Pres/GM MetroStars (WireImage)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Alexi Lalas, the first American to play in Italy’s Serie A and the most marketable face of US Soccer in the 1990s was named President/General Manager of the MetroStars on Tuesday, replacing Nick Sakiewicz, who had alienated many fans of the club during his six-year run at the club. Not that Sakiewicz is going for want: he was promoted to head “AEG Soccer NY/NJ,” and presumably will be responsible for running the long, long, loooooooong-delayed Harrison stadium project which (we’re told) is only a week or two from becoming reality. Really. That’s what they said.

Lalas, the former Rutgers All-American and future US Soccer Hall of Famer was serving as the GM of the San Jose Earthquakes, a club owner-operator AEG now seems certain to jettison, perhaps to Club America of Mexico, who may move the Quakes to Houston for 2006.

Lalas took questions from the online community during a web chat on Tuesday afternoon, and while he clearly didn’t have all the answers as of yet, he certainly showed off his trademark sense of humor…

Rob from Hillsdale, N.J.:
Will an announcement about the stadium honestly be made in 1-2 weeks or will it really be 60 - 90 days?

Alexi Lalas:
It sounds like you've been around long enough to recognize that the concept of time with the stadium project is relative.

Nick from Secaucus, N.J.:
What benefits do you feel you have as a former player over a business man in the position of General Manager of an MLS team?
Alexi Lalas:
I'm better looking.

AEG, which currently owns Metro, Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy, DC United, and San Jose, is said to be close to selling four-time champion United as well, to a local DC-area consortium. AEG Pres/CEO Tim Lieweke made a point of noting that the Metros have been a bit ignored by the parent company, and that more effort will be put toward making the team more relevant in both the crowded NY sports scene and the national soccer scene.

On the field
The US U-20 team had the better of play through most of the match, but couldn’t score in a 0-0 draw with Group D powerhouse Germany in a FIFA World Youth Championship match in Enschede, Netherlands yesterday. The US (1-0-1, 4pts, +1GD) which hasn’t conceded a goal in two matches, in currently in 2nd place in the four-team group. The US should qualify for the round of 16 after its Saturday, 7:30am match (FSC) with group bottom dwellers Egypt (0-2-0, 0pts, -4 GD).In the 24-team tournament, the 1st, 2nd, and best four 3rd place teams advance out of group play.

Metros G Zack Wells made 14 saves a scoreless draw with DC United on Sunday in the swamp, marking young Wells’ fourth shutout of the year. The UCLA product was named Player of the Week in MLS for his efforts, which were one save shy of the all-time record for saves in a league match, held by former Metros G Tony Meola.

Last Week’s Results
Saturday, June 11th
US U-20s 1-0 Argentina
Columbus 1-0 Colorado
Kansas City 0-2 New England
LA Galaxy 1-0 Salt Lake

Sunday, June 12th
MetroStars 0-0 DC United
Chicago 2-0 FC Dallas
Chivas USA 1-1 San Jose

Tuesday, June 14th
US U-20s 0-0 Germany

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
FIFA World Youth Championship, Group D
Germany 4, +2
USA 4, +1
Argentina 3, +1
Egypt 0, -4

MLS Eastern Conference
New England 25, +13
Chicago 22, +3
MetroStars 17, +6
Kansas City 17, +3
DC United 13, 0
Columbus 13, -9

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 24, +10
LA Galaxy 23, +7
San Jose 15, 0
Salt Lake 11, -10
Colorado 8, -6
Chivas USA 6, -17

This Week’s Matches
Wednesday, June 15th
DC United vs. Chicago, 7:30pm
Colorado vs. LA Galaxy, 9pm

Saturday, June 18th
US U-20s vs. Egypt, 7:30am, FSC
Chicago vs. Kansas City, 4pm, ESPN2
MetroStars vs. Columbus, 7:30pm, MSG
DC United vs. New England, 7:30pm, FSC
FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy, 8:30pm
San Jose vs. Salt Lake, 10pm, HDNet
Chivas USA vs. Colorado, 10pm

The US Starts Off with a Bang

Chad Barrett Scores (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

The US U-20 team got off to a flying start at the FIFA World Youth Championship on Saturday in the Netherlands with a shocking 1-0 win vs. defending champion Argentina. Chad Barrett of the Chicago Fire headed in a deflected Marvel Wynne pass just before halftime for the score. The US could have put the game away in the second half, but Freddie Adu hit the post on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. The US continues group D play vs. Germany on Tuesday at 2:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel.

US digs Panama, 3-0, to approach WC Qualification

McBride and Donovan Celebrate (ISI)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

First-half goals from Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, and Brian McBride and another stellar goalkeeping performance from Kasey Keller made the US a near-certainty for next summer’s World Cup in a 3-0 thumping of Panama last night in the Central American capital. Combined with Mexico’s 2-0 home win vs. Trinidad and Costa Rica’s 3-2 win over Guatemala in San Jose, the US (4-1-0) sits comfortably in 2nd place in the CONCACAF Standings after five of ten qualifying matches. Both Bocanegra and Donovan scored on headers in the first 25 minutes of the match, making the Panamanian crowd a non-factor. McBride scored his 28th goal for the US close to halftime. The only down note for the team was a yellow card picked by defender Eddie Pope, which will suspend him for the next qualification game, vs. Trindad on August 17th in Hartford. If results stay true to form, the US could clinch their fifth consecutive World Cup berth with a win on September 3rd in Columbus vs. Mexico.

In other World Cup news, five nations joined host Germany as qualified teams for next summer: Argentina, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.

Results
Wednesday, June 8th
CONCACAF
Mexico 2-0 Trinidad
Panama 0-3 US
Costa Rica 3-2 Guatemala

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
CONCACAF (Top 3 qualify, 4th place plays off vs. Asian 5th place)
1. Mexico 13, +6
2. US 12, +8
3. Costa Rica 7, -2
---------------------
4. Guatemala 4, -1
---------------------
Trinidad 4, -5
Panama 2, -6

The Week in Soccer: Donovan Does the Double

Donovan Scores vs. Costa Rica (AP)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

Landon Donovan scored in the 6th and 63rd minutes, and Kasey Keller made some incredible saves as the US deflated Costa Rica 3-0 in front of more than 40,000 fans in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Brian McBride scored the other US goal in a match that saw the nats dominate possession against the Ticos, save for a 15 minute-stretch in the second half when Keller made six terrific saves that kept Costa Rica from tying the match. His most acrobatic came in the 60th minutes, when Keller reached backward with his left hand to make a fingertip save on a shot from Costa Rica’s Jafet Soto.

The win, combined with Mexico’s 2-0 win at Guatemala and Trinidad’s 2-0 defeat of Panama left the US solidly in 2nd place in the six-team World Cup 2006 CONCACAF qualifying final group. Tonight, the US visits Panama, Mexico hosts Trinidad, and Costa Rica takes on Guatemala as the round reaches its midpoint. Wins by Mexico and the US will all but assure the two rivals a ticket to next summer’s World Cup in Germany. Soccernet’s Mark Connolly has a great piece on what the US must do to prevail.

Around the World
In other World Cup Qualifying news, Japan become the first team, other than host Germany, to qualify for next year’s tournament after a 2-0 win over North Korea this morning. 24 matches will be held today around the world, and five other nations have an opportunity punch their World Cup tickets: Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina.

U-20’s Get their Game On
The U-20 National Team has left for Holland for the biennial U-20 World Youth Championship. On the squad are Metros Eddie Gaven and Tim Ward, as well as DC’s Freddy Adu. The 24-nation tourney kicks off on Friday, and the US has been placed in a tough Group D with powers Argentina, Germany, and Egypt. The “gnats” start off vs. Argentina on Saturday at 11:30am on Fox Soccer Channel.

Metro News
The Metros continued their strong road play with a 2-2 draw at LA Galaxy on Saturday. Abbe Ibrahim and Sergio Galvan Rey scored for Metro, who one-third into the MLS season sit in 4th place. The team made a controversial trade yesterday, sending super-sub and fan favorite John Wolyniec to Columbus in exchange for 31-year old former national team forward Ante Razov. Razov played for Metro coach Bob Bradley when the two were in Chicago. When with the Fire, Razov was known as a Metro-killer, scoring 12 goals in 18 matches vs. the Metro.

Last Week’s Results
Wednesday, June 1st
Chivas USA 1-1 Kansas City

Saturday, June 4th
CONCACAF
US 3-0 Costa Rica
Guatemala 0-2 Mexico
Trinidad 2-0 Panama

MLS
Chicago 5-2 Chivas USA
New England 1-1 Kansas City
Salt Lake 0-2 FC Dallas
LA Galaxy 2-2 MetroStars
San Jose 0-0 DC United

Standings (Team, Points, GD)
CONCACAF (Top 3 qualify, 4th place plays off vs. Asian 5th place)
Mexico 10, +4
US 9, +5
Guatemala 4, 0
Trinidad 4, -3
Costa Rica 4, -3
Panama 2, -3

MLS Eastern Conference
New England 22, +11
Chicago 19, +1
Kansas City 17, +5
MetroStars 16, +6
DC United 12, 0
Columbus 10, -10

MLS Western Conference
FC Dallas 24, +12
LA Galaxy 20, +6
San Jose 14, 0
Salt Lake 11, -9
Colorado 8, -5
Chivas USA 5, -17

This Week’s Matches
Wednesday, June 8th
Mexico vs. Trinidad, 8pm, Univision
Costa Rica vs. Guatemala, 9pm
Panama vs. US, 9:30pm, tape-delayed on ESPN2 at 1am

Saturday, June 11th
US U-20s vs. Argentina, 11:30am, FSC
Columbus vs. Colorado, 4pm, ESPN2
Kansas City vs. New England, 8pm HDNet
LA Galaxy vs. Salt Lake, 10pm, FSC

Sunday, June 12th
MetroStars vs. DC United, 6pm
Chicago vs. FC Dallas, 7pm
Chivas USA vs. San Jose, 8pm

Tuesday, June 14th
US U-20s vs. Germany, 2:30pm, FSC

The Week In Soccer: Veni, Vidi, Vici

Smith (9), Gibbs Mix It Up (SportImages)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

A second-string squad of the English National Team had a good week in the former colonies, beating the US 2-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, and defeating Colombia 3-2 at Giants Stadium yesterday. The Brits’ second match was played with regular starters David Beckham and Michael Owen, and the latter pumped in all three goals for England in front of a raucous 50,000+ at the swamp. Those with fortitude stayed for yesterday’s MLS nightcap where MetroStars captain Amado Guevara bent a Beckham-like ball into the upper ninety in the waning moments of injury time to beat Chicago 2-1.

US Team News
Late additions to the US squad for this Saturday’s quallie vs. Costa Rica in Salt Lake City include defenders Oguchi Onewyu (Standard Liege, Belgium) and Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), midfielders DaMarcus Beasley (PSV, Holland) and all-time US MNT caps leader Cobi Jones (LA Galaxy), and forward Pat Noonan (New England). My lineup for Saturday: Keller – Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Gibbs, Hejduk – Beasley, Ralston, Zavagnin, Dempsey – Donovan, Johnson. After the Costa Rica match, the US heads to the Canal Zone to visit Panama on the 8th.

Last and this Week’s MLS Results
Saturday, May 28th
New England 0-0 Colorado
DC United 0-2 FC Dallas
Columbus 0-3 MetroStars
Kansas City 1-0 San Jose
Salt Lake 0-3 Chicago
Chivas USA 0-2 LA Galaxy

Tuesday, May 31st
MetroStars 2-1 Chicago

MLS Standings as of June 1st (Team, Points, GD)
Eastern Conference
New England 21, +11
Chicago 16, -2
MetroStars 15, +6
Kansas City 15, +5
DC United 11, 0
Columbus 10, -10

Western Conference
FC Dallas 21, +10
LA Galaxy 19, +6
San Jose 13, 0
Salt Lake 11, -7
Colorado 8, -5
Chivas USA 4, -14

This Week’s MLS Matches
Wednesday, June 1st
Chivas USA vs. Kansas City, 10:30pm

Saturday, June 4th
Chicago vs. Chivas USA, 4pm, ESPN2
(US vs. Costa Rica, WCQ at Salt Lake City, 7:30pm ESPN2)
New England vs. Kansas City, 7:30pm
Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas, 10pm
LA Galaxy vs. MetroStars, 10pm, MSG
San Jose vs. DC United, 10:30pm, FSC, HDNet

The Week In Soccer

Gerrard, Benitez, and the Big Ol' Trophy (AFP)
Originally uploaded by mfishkin.

What a match yesterday in the European Champions Cup Final in Istanbul, as Liverpool came back from three-nil down at the half to beat AC Milan in penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw and a scoreless overtime. It’s Liverpool’s fifth European crown, and its first since 1984. Sadly, by finishing fifth in the English Premier League this season, the Scousers will miss next year’s continental competition.

Actual Soccer Press
It’s been a great week for soccer in the national sports media, as Sports Illustrated has a three-page article on Dallas and US scoring sensation Eddie Johnson and rise of African-Americans on the national team. Pick it up on the newsstand. Also, Thursday's USA Today has an “in focus” piece on page C3 regarding the upcoming US National team schedule (see below).

US Team News
A mostly European-based US squad will play an England B-team in a friendly this Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago, though injuries have forced the additions of MLS players Kerry Zavagnin, Eddie Pope, and Josh Wolff. England will be without David Beckham, Steve Gerrard, Michael Owen, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney. Then the US heads to Salt Lake for a major World Cup Quallie on June 4th vs. Costa Rica. Four days later, the Nats head to Panama City for a Quallie date with the canaleros, who were a Cobi Jones 92nd minute goal away from beating the US in the semifinal round on 9/8/04.

In MLS
New England, Dallas, and LA continue to be the class of the league at the quarter pole. The Revs (6-0-2) kept up their season-opening undefeated run after Taylor Twellman scored in the 89th minute to draw the MetroStars 2-2 at Giants Stadium last Saturday. FC Dallas (5-1-3) got goals from five different players in a 5-2 pasting of Chivas USA at the HDC last Sunday. Last night, the Galaxy (5-2-1) played Columbus to a scoreless draw to stay in 2nd place in the West.

The Soccer Calendar
The next two weeks will see a lot of action between the US National Team and MLS…

Saturday, May 28th
US vs. England at Chicago, 2pm ESPN
Six matches, including Columbus vs. MetroStars, 7:30pm, MSG

Tuesday, May 31st
Doubleheader
England vs. Colombia at Giants Stadium, 4pm
MetroStars vs. Chicago, 6:30pm, FSC

Saturday, June 4th
US vs. Costa Rica, World Cup Qualifier at Salt Lake City, 7:30pm ESPN2
LA Galaxy vs. MetroStars, 10pm, MSG

Wednesday, June 8th
Panama vs. US, World Cup Qualifier at Panama City, 11:30pm Delay, Telemundo

Last and this Week’s MLS Results
Saturday, May 21st
MetroStars 2-2 New England
DC United 3-2 Kansas City
Columbus 2-0 Salt Lake
Chicago 2-1 Colorado
LA Galaxy 2-1 San Jose

Sunday, May 22nd
Chivas USA 2-5 FC Dallas

Wednesday, May 25th
Kansas City 1-0 MetroStars
Colorado 0-1 San Jose
LA Galaxy 0-0 Columbus

MLS Standings as of 5/26/05 (Points, GD)
Eastern Conference
New England 20, +11
Chicago 13, -4
Kansas City 12, +4
DC United 11, +2
Columbus 10, -7
MetroStars 9, +2

Western Conference
FC Dallas 18, +8
LA Galaxy 16, +4
San Jose 13, +1
Salt Lake 11, +4
Colorado 7, -5
Chivas USA 4, -12

This Week’s MLS Matches
Saturday, May 28th
New England vs. Colorado, 7:30pm
DC United vs. FC Dallas, 7:30pm
Columbus vs. MetroStars, 7:30pm
Kansas City vs. San Jose, 8pm
Salt Lake vs. Chicago, 9:30pm
Chivas USA vs. LA Galaxy, 10pm, FSC, HDNet

Tuesday, May 31st
MetroStars vs. Chicago, 6:30pm FSC

The Week In Soccer

Road Sweet Road
Youri Djorkaeff had his best performance as a MetroStar in the team’s 3-0 pasting of Chicago last Saturday at Solider Field. Djorkaeff put a picture-perfect pass on the foot of a charging Eddie Gaven, who nutmegged Fire keeper Zach Thornton for the first of his two goals on the night. With the win, the Metro stepped out of the East cellar and hopefully gained some confidence for this Saturday’s home match with unbeaten New England. (4pm, ESPN2)

Prepping for England
Bruce Arena named a Euro-heavy 19-man squad for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend friendly with England in Chicago. Brian McBride (Fulham) and Kasey Keller (Moenchengladbach) are the most seasoned on the US Roster, which includes MLS stars Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Eddie Johnson. The roster for the June 4th and 8th World Cup Qualifying matches vs. Costa Rica and Guatemala will be named after the England match.

Public House Enemy Number One
Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer took control of Manchester United this week after acquiring shares of team stock. Glazer now owns 75% of all Man U shares. Fans of the team are calling for boycotts of season tickets and merchandise to express their displeasure of a yank running the world's richest soccer club. Glazer and his son Joel have been threatened by hard-core groups of Man U fans. Stay tuned.

Last Week's MLS Matches (home team first):
Saturday, May 14th
New England 1-0 DC United
Salt Lake 2-1 LA Galaxy
Columbus 0-4 Kansas City
Chicago 0-3 MetroStars (see above for link)
Colorado 2-1 Chivas USA
San Jose 0-0 FC Dallas

MLS Standings after Week 7 (Club PTS, GD):
Eastern Conf.
New England 19, +11
Chicago 10, -5
Kansas City 9, +4
MetroStars 8, +3
DC United 8, +1
Columbus 6, -9

Western Conf.
FC Dallas 12, +4
LA Galaxy 12, +3
San Jose 10, +1
Salt Lake 8, -4
Colorado 7, -2
Chivas USA 4, -7

This Week's Matches:
Wednesday, May 18th
FC Dallas v Colorado, 8:30pm
Salt Lake v Chivas USA, 9:30pm

Saturday, May 21st
MetroStars v New England, 4pm, ESPN2
DC United v Kansas City, 7:30pm, FSC
Columbus v Salt Lake, 7:30pm
Chicago v Colorado, 8:30pm, HDNet
LA Galaxy v San Jose, 10pm

Sunday, May 22nd
Chivas USA v FC Dallas, 9:30pm