Soccer FanHouse

Brush Up Your Spanish: SuperLiga Kicks Off This Saturday

David J. Warner — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, MLS

The second edition of the North American SuperLiga, which pits four top MLS clubs against four top Mexican clubs, kicks off on Saturday, and we are reminded once again that this made-for-TV event is made for Spanish-language TV only. Telefutura is once again the only American TV network carrying SuperLiga matches nationally. This is in spite of the fact that three MLS clubs made it through to the knockout stage last season, even though Pachuca won the million-dollar prize.

You would think Fox Soccer Channel might want to jump in on SuperLiga to get people psyched up for the CONCACAF Champions League, which the fledgling network will air starting in August, but it seems they would rather show more Barca TV this summer. We might get English announcers on MLSLive.tv, but possibly not until the knockout stages, as was the case last year.

You can find a full preview of SuperLiga here.

Brush Up Your Spanish: SuperLiga Kicks Off This Saturday originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seattle, Charleston Lead USL Charge Into U.S. Open Cup Semifinals

David J. Warner — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Baltimore, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

It was a night of knockout soccer that saw three games go to extra time, two games go to penalty kicks, and one famous Mexican lose his temper and get sent off. By the time the smoke cleared, the glass slipper still fit for two USL First Division clubs, who had advanced to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

Why isn't this competition on TV again?

The Charleston Battery obliterated FC Dallas, 3-1, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX, scoring before an after an hour-long lightning delay in the first half and shutting down all but one meaningless strike in the 93rd minute. Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders fought the Kansas City Wizards to a 0-0 draw and advanced 6-5 on penalties, thanks in part to a 12-save performance by Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander, who also saved two PKs to help Seattle advance.

Meanwhile, USL Second Division club Crystal Palace Baltimore pushed the defending Open Cup champion New England Revolution to penalties, but lost the shootout, 5-3. In Boyds, MD, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Mark Burch were shown red cards in extra time, while Bryan Namoff scored the winner in the 99th minute to push D.C. United past the Chicago Fire, 2-1.

The Sounders were nearly undone by poor officiating on their home field for the second straight year in Open Cup play. Early in the first half, a Wizards defender pulled down Sebastien Le Toux in the box on a breakaway, yet the Wizards somehow weren't called for the penalty. Seattle also watched three shots hit the woodwork, which left it to Eylander to save the day.

Seattle will face Charleston in one semifinal, while the Revs will visit RFK Stadium to play D.C. United in the other, thus ensuring that a non-MLS club will reach the Open Cup final for the first time since the Rochester Raging Rhinos won it all in 1999. The Sounders have to be the Cardiff City of this competition. If they win the Open Cup, who gets the CONCACAF Champions League bid? The MLS Sounders that will replace them next season? Technically, those are two different clubs.

Seattle, Charleston Lead USL Charge Into U.S. Open Cup Semifinals originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Open Cup Matches Won't Be Seen on TV

David J. Warner — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Baltimore, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

D.C. United and the Chicago Fire meet tonight in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, one month after their testy match in Toyota Park in which three red cards were given and Luciano Emilio got a surprise goal in stoppage time to lift 9-man D.C. to a 2-1 win.

If you want to watch this rematch, though, you'll have to go to the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds and buy a ticket. By all accounts, this match will not air on TV or online. Neither will tonight's New England Revolution v. Crystal Palace Baltimore match, providing further proof that the U.S. Open Cup -- a competition in which the winner receives a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, no less -- is truly the most disrespected competition in American soccer.

The other two quarterfinal matches at least have online video feeds. FC Dallas v. Charleston Battery will be shown on MLSLive at 8:30 PM ET, while Seattle fans log on to USLLive get a free glimpse of their future MLS club's home when the USL-1 Seattle Sounders face the Kansas City Wizards at Qwest Field at 10:00 PM ET. Let's hope the groundskeepers actually try to cover up the gridiron lines this year.

U.S. Open Cup Matches Won't Be Seen on TV originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crystal Palace Headlines Open Cup Upsets

David J. Warner — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Baltimore, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

Crystal Palace supporters still suffering from the loss of that Premier League promotion playoff last May might be taking a little solace in their American counterparts today.

USL Second Division side Crystal Palace Baltimore upset an uninspired New York Red Bulls side, 2-0, last night in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The win prompted many sports fans in Baltimore to say, "Wait, we have a soccer team here?"

Indeed, the club was founded in 2006, 101 years after Crystal Palace FC was founded in London, and it serves as a player development wing for the Coca-Cola Championship club. Clearly, player development is going pretty well there, though as Ives Galarcep notes, too many Red Bulls just didn't come to play last night.

Two other USL clubs pulled off upsets, as USL-1 leaders the Charleston Battery defeated MLS Cup holders the Houston Dynamo on penalty kicks, while the Seattle Sounders topped Chivas USA, 2-0. Other USL clubs didn't get away so easily. The Kansas City Wizards came back from a 2-0 deficit to topple the Carolina Railhawks, 4-2, in extra time, and FC Dallas scored a 2-1 comeback win against Miami FC. D.C. United, the Chicago Fire and the New England Revolution also cruised to victory over USL clubs.

The U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals are scheduled for next Tuesday.

Crystal Palace Headlines Open Cup Upsets originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Open Cup Teams Pay to Play at Home

David J. Warner — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Seattle, Washington, DC, Soccer, Kansas City, MLS, US Soccer

The 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup kicks off tomorrow, and if you're looking for the MLS clubs that are taking this tournament seriously this year, just look for which clubs are playing at home.

Unlike England's FA Cup, where the home team is determined by random draw, MLS and USL clubs place bids with the U.S. Soccer Federation to host games, and the highest bidder plays at home. If you look at the schedule for tomorrow's games, you'll notice that the New England Revolution, the Chicago Fire, D.C. United and FC Dallas are all playing at home.

By contrast, the Houston Dynamo travel to South Carolina to face USL-1 leaders the Charleston Battery, and the New York Red Bulls head to Maryland to face USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore. Perhaps Houston and New York aren't quite as interested in the CONCACAF Champions League bid that comes with winning the Open Cup.

D.C. United, however, suddenly seems much more interested in the Open Cup than they were last year.

D.C. hasn't won the Open Cup since 1996 and fielded a reserve side that lost to the USL-2 Harrisburg City Islanders last year. This time around, though, D.C. opens at home against the Rochester Rhinos. In fact, if you look at the D.C. United schedule, you'll notice a two-week gap between yesterday's 4-1 win over the L.A. Galaxy and the first SuperLiga match on Saturday, July 12 -- a gap into which they could fit the 3rd-round (July 1) and 4th-round (July 8) U.S. Open Cup ties.

D.C. has always put extra emphasis on playing internationally. Perhaps the club sees winning four games in the Open Cup as an easier path to the CONCACAF Champions League than winning the MLS Supporters Shield, which they've won the last two years. They are coming into form just in time for an Open Cup run, too.

New England, meanwhile, seems intent on winning every trophy they can get their hands on. The Revs, who won the Open Cup last season, are also the points leader in the MLS standings and a favorite to win the Supporters Shield, which also comes with a Champions League bid. The Chicago Fire, Open Cup winners in 2006, also bid high to get a home match this week.

On the other hand, the Kansas City Wizards seem even less interested than Houston and New York. They face the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC, tomorrow night, and Wizards coach Curt Onalfo told reporters he expects to start only a few regulars for that game.

If the Railhawks win that game, they should cheer hard for Chivas USA. According to Railhawks managing partner Chris Economides, the Seattle Sounders outbid Carolina for the quarterfinal match. So if the Railhawks beat the Wizards and the Sounders beat Chivas USA, that quarterfinal would be played in Seattle. A potential Railhawks v. Chivas quarterfinal, however, would be played in North Carolina. The Railhawks and the Sounders both upset MLS clubs on their way to the semifinals last season.

Of course, this begs the question -- if the USL Sounders win the Open Cup in 2008, would the MLS Sounders take their place in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2009?

U.S. Open Cup Teams Pay to Play at Home originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS Primetime Wrap: Dallas Dropped

Irishoutsider — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Dallas, Soccer, MLS, Soccer Posts

Not getting ahead of ourselves too much, but we're going to use this match as the first evidence of The Curse of Juan Toja's mullet. The previously glorious locks were cut during the week, and FC Dallas' unbeaten streak fell at home to the Revolution for all of ESPN to see. Khano Smith scored the lone goal of the game, making Dallas keeper Dario Sala look absolutely flat footed in the 72nd minute. Smith goal just slipped under the defense and into the far post, leaving Sala only able to attempt the feeblest of saves. Ricardhinho had a chance to tie things up in the dying minutes, but New England's Matt Reis snuffed out the chance with his fourth save of the night for his fourth shutout of the season.

Next week, New England (3-2-1) hosts Chicago while Dallas (2-2-1) heads west to San Jose.

Image courtesy of Getty Images and MLSnet.com

MLS Primetime Wrap: Dallas Dropped originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh! My Meniscus!

Irishoutsider — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Los Angeles, MLS, Soccer

The popular injury in the opening minutes of this 2008 MLS season appears to be franchise players getting shut down for meniscus tears. Both New England's Taylor Twellman and LA's Carlos Ruiz are out for 4 to 6 weeks according to Soccer by Ives' resident footy doctor, himself.

The injury didn't seem to bother the Revolution in their 3-0 rout of the defending champion Dynamo on Saturday, but they also lost midfielder Steve Ralston for some time, another big hit to the roster. Next thing we need is Matt Reis to go down with some kind of skull fracture and New England can dig themselves a pretty impressive hole in the standings.

Over in Los Angeles, the loss of Ruiz in the face of their 4-0 drubbing at Colorado leaves them, for back of a better term, completely [expletive deleted]. A good 20% of the payroll is now on the shelf, and a team that is basically built around its high profile offense just lost a third of its three-headed DP monster. The pressure to pick up the slack falls back on megastar Becks and his sidekick Landon, Boy Wonder. GM Alexi Lalas can't be sleeping well these days as his risky gamble has already taken a turn for the worse.

Oh! My Meniscus! originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New England: Subcampeon Eterno

Irishoutsider — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, International Soccer, FanHouse TV, MLS

We couldn't resist the chance to put a little more salt in the wounds of New England. Sure, nothing compares to your team coming minutes away from total, sublime perfection, but watching them do it 4 times has to take its toll. Ladies and mostly gentlemen, your New England Revolution.

Reminder, as always, to please reference Godwin's Law before viewing. Thanks in advance.

Video Link

New England: Subcampeon Eterno originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pats Owner Eyes Prem, Revs Still Wanting

Irishoutsider — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, MLS, Premier League

Sometimes we think we understand the American sports billionaire Robert Kraft. Seeing him as the savvy owner of the Patriots, we see a shrewd businessman who has built an NFL dynasty in the face of draconic salary cap handicaps. As the owner of the New England Revolution, we see a cheap skinflint with no real eye for European style football. Considering his petty negotiations with every decent NE player from Shalrie Joseph to Clint Dempsey to Taylor Twellman, and his reputation among the fans, its hard to see how that managerial style would translate over to the Premiership.

Never the less, Goal.com is keeping the EPL rumors burning with speculation that Kraft is not only eying the Prem, but a London side as well. Narrowing down the options to the realistic, that leaves the following teams Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in the top division, with Charlton and Watford just below. West Ham just got new American owners while he'd probably have to wrestle Chelsea from Roman Abramovich's cold, dead hands. Arsenal is already partially owned by Colorado Rapids owner Stan Kroenke, but of course, you can never rule anyone out when wild speculation comes into play.

Feel free to indulge the wild speculation and share your thoughts below.

Pats Owner Eyes Prem, Revs Still Wanting originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noonan!, Revs Trying to Keep It Together

Irishoutsider — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, MLS

The New England Revolution isn't exactly winning PR battles these days. While the team's frugal spending have kept them atop the Eastern Conference for much of the recent past, a string of contract issues are telling the rest of the league that the Revs aren't always one big, inexpensive family.

The latest player appearing to be headed out of Foxboro is striker Pat Noonan, 27. In his five years at New England, including an injury-riddled 2006, Noonan has 42 goals in 136 games, second only to Jay Max Moore for the all-time team record. His 2007 contract was a guaranteed $227,500, and the Revolution have yet to offer him a contract for 2008. Noonan discussing the situation on Boston.com, describes another revolution at the Gillette Stadium:

"This is the first time things have started to change [with the Revolution]. Maybe after getting to the final three years in a row they are looking for someone to come in and bring a championship. I thought we could have done it with the guys who are there.

"But, no excuses, we had the opportunity three or four years in a row and maybe they are looking to make that next step. We had a good locker room, good coaches. It's going to be tough leaving a great team, but this is my best chance to go overseas on a free transfer."

New England will be placing a lot of faith in their abilities to replace Noonan. The Revolution staff has an excellent track record at the draft, and they will surely find yet another talented youngster who can make an immediate impact. However, with Andy Dorman already out to Scotland's St. Mirren and Taylor Twellman still eying a move abroad, their needs are mounting. Will the Revs be able to fill their needs at the draft, and will they be able to attract experienced players in light of their fiscal reputation? Are these the first signs of a rebuilding period for Steve Nicol and company? Let's hear your opinions.

Noonan!, Revs Trying to Keep It Together originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revs to Twellman: Honor Your Contract

David J. Warner — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, MLS

The ever-reliable (and ever-connected) Ives Galarcep of ESPN Soccernet and Soccer by Ives has gotten the scoop on the Taylor Twellman situation, and it's pretty much what you would have expected: the über-cheap New England Revolution turned down the transfer deal for marketing reasons. As Revs director of soccer Mike Burns told Galarcep:

"We want to show our fans and our team that we want to put the best product on the field -- without Taylor, that lessens our chances of being successful and that was, in part, why the offer wasn't accepted.

"This situation didn't make sense for the Revolution. If it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, perhaps it would be viewed differently."

Translation: We want Clint Dempsey money from a top-flight club, and Preston North End ain't it.

Burns was quick to point out that Twellman signed a four-year, $1.2 million deal a year ago, and the Revs expect MLS' third-leading scorer to honor his contract. They expected the same of Shalrie Joseph, who was twice blocked from moving to Celtic and is in the final year of his $150,000-a-year deal with the Revs. Twellman and Joseph will be 30 by the time their MLS contracts are up, which will lessen their value in Europe.

The message here for other soccer players is obvious: if you think you're good enough to play in Europe, stay the hell away from New England.

Revs to Twellman: Honor Your Contract originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS, Revs Won't Let Twellman Go to England

David J. Warner — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:38:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, MLS

Coca-Cola Championship club Preston North End put up a $1.5 million transfer offer last week for New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman. After the initial deal was rejected, Preston increased the transfer fee to $2.5 million.

Twellman wants to go. However, the second deal was also rejected, and when Twellman started asking who rejected the deal, he got the run-around.

"When I ask (Major League Soccer), they say the Revs rejected it. When I ask the Revs, they said it was MLS. Look, you're not going to get more than that for a guy like me, who is not always with the national team. It's a good offer."

MLS -- the soccer equivalent of your local cable company. If Twellman walked into MLS offices and starting whacking stuff with a hammer, we wouldn't blame him

This begs the question: who rejected the offer and why?

Did the Revolution say no? They're not using their Designated Player spot. Did they not think they could get a quality striker to replace Twellman for $2.5 million? Or does MLS' bizarre (and somewhat communist) policy of players being signed to the league rather than the team prevent the Revs from seeing any of that money?

And why would MLS say no? Are they afraid of losing all that marketing muscle -- something MLS tends to care about more than the game itself -- if Twellman leaves? They let Freddy Adu go to Benfica for less money, but that was an offer from a top-flight Portuguese club. Is a relegation-threatened second-division club in England just not sexy enough for them? If this were Fulham or Wigan making the offer, would they let Twellman go?

Whatever the reason, the league has clearly pissed off one of its best strikers.

"I'm everywhere from confused to mad because I don't know where we are on this. I have always been told that there is no international interest out there for me, but if there were, they would consider it. So it's at the point where I feel like they've gotta sell me or compensate me, whether it's with money or more guaranteed years. I don't have to make big Designated Player money. I just want something to happen."

Y'know, I have my doubts that MLS could give a toss about what Taylor Twellman wants.

MLS, Revs Won't Let Twellman Go to England originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Parkhurst Isn't Going Anywhere (Yet)

David J. Warner — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Soccer, MLS, Premier League

There's been a lot of talk about New England Revolution central defender Michael Parkhurst making a move to Fulham during the January transfer window. The small London club is desperate for defensive help, and Parkhurst was named MLS defender of the year after a season that saw his club win the U.S. Open Cup and fall just short in the MLS Cup Final.

Looks like we can put those rumors to bed. The well-connected Ives Galarcep of Soccer By Ives is reporting that Parkhurst will finish out his contract with the Revolution and become a free agent this time next year.

Perhaps Parkhurst had a chat with former Revs teammate Clint Dempsey and was told he stood a good chance of being stuck in the Coca-Cola Championship next season if he moved to Craven Cottage now. Fulham is currently 19th out of 20 in the Premier League and sinking faster than the American dollar. If relegated, Fulham will be forced to sell Dempsey, currently their leading scorer with 6 league goals, to another club next summer.

Another year as MLS' top defender would probably get Parkhurst a better deal with a better club, not to mention a free transfer. That might be worth the wait. After all, it's not like his current club can get relegated out of MLS.

Michael Parkhurst Isn't Going Anywhere (Yet) originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS Cup 2007: Dynamo 2 - Revolution 1

Irishoutsider — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Houston, Soccer

This isn't getting any easier for the New England Revolution. For the third consecutive year, and fourth under coach Steve Nicol, they failed to win an MLS Cup final. A talented roster with quality players at every position, the Revs just haven't seemed to have that rare quality only seen in champions. Without that spark, that luck, or that fate, whatever you want to call it, they only draw comparisons to perennial bridesmaids rather than a storied dynasty. Their history more resembles that of the Buffalo Bills than their "brother club," the New England Patriots. The franchise having boasted such national team standouts as Clint Dempsey, Steve Ralston, and Taylor Twellman over the years only compounds their frustration.

As for the Houston Dynamo, they have become only the second MLS team to win back to back titles. Not since DC United won the '96 and '97 titles has any team even had the chance to repeat. While United lead the league with four MLS championships, only circumstance prevents the Dynamo from claiming the same supremacy. Had the league not "wiped the slate" when the club moved from San Jose to Houston in 2006, the Earthquakes' 2001 and 2003 MLS Cups would make four stars in seven seasons, a feat similar to DC's early dominance.

Dwayne DeRosario has been a part of all four championship seasons, and his performance in the final showed more of his trademark initiative. Known for stepping up in big games, his game-winning header in the 74th minute was just another addition to his career highlight reel, including knocking home the winner in last year's MLS All-Star Game vs. Chelsea. Setting up Houston's deadly attack with his strength and touch, DeRosario's presence kept even New England's overloaded midfield on notice for most of the match. While helped out by strong performances by teammates Nate Jaqua and Michael Ngwenya, the veteran's aggressive, physical play combined with a solid winner earned him the game's MVP award.

Overall, the final was of a similar quality, a match up of two complete teams highlighting the rising MLS talent level. While neither team has a true "name" player in the "Designated Player" sense of the word, both rosters were full of players complementing each club's contrasting style of play. Both are physical teams, but the Revolution focused on an aggressive English style reminiscent of Steve Nicol's days at Liverpool. Their offense centered on strong midfield possession and an emphasis on sending balls in to strikers Twellman and Noonan. The Dynamo instead focused on a more wide-open style, with quick passes and slashing runs from the wings. The differences in styles, quick back and forth, and tough, physical play made it an exciting match from start to finish.

Previously on Fanhouse:
Houston Dynamo Wins MLS Cup, Nobody Outside of RFK Stadium Sees It
Live Blog: MLS Cup 2007

MLS Cup 2007: Dynamo 2 - Revolution 1 originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Houston Dynamo Wins MLS Cup, Nobody Outside of RFK Stadium Sees It Happen

David J. Warner — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:23:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Houston, Soccer, MLS

So I got to a sports bar a little after noon today and waited for the day's NFL games to begin. One TV was showing the MLS Cup Final, Major League Soccer's championship game, between the Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution. Supporters from both clubs were at RFK Stadium making lots of noise. It looked like a pretty entertaining game with a great atmosphere

Then at 1:00 PM sharp, every TV automatically switched to one of the 10 NFL games kicking off at that time. Nobody in the bar would really get a chance to notice that atmosphere -- nor would they see the two goals the Dynamo scored in the second half to win the game and keep the Revolution, who won the U.S. Open Cup last month, from taking the double.

This strikes me as something of a scheduling gaffe. I understand that MLS wants to give club supporters an opportunity to travel to the game and enjoy their afternoon, but how does this league expect to attract American sports fans to its product -- and the kind of stadium atmosphere only soccer fans can produce -- if it schedules its championship at a time that virtually guarantees that only hardcore fans are paying attention?

How many people in America got to see Dwayne De Rosario's game winner in the 74th minute, which gave the Dynamo a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish? How many people got to see all the fans from both teams celebrating goals and chanting for their sides? Chances are that number will prove to be very, very low -- much lower than it would have been if the game were held on, say, a Saturday night, which would have given club supporters enough time to get to Washington and would not have competed with quite as many interesting college football games.

Not that this seems to matter all that much to MLS commissioner Don Garber. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Garber talked a lot about how great an investment property MLS clubs have become, and how the league is approaching profitability. He even threw this gem out there.

Profitability is directly correlated to player salaries. As we continue to see more positive development on revenue side we have been investing more and more into our player pool. MLS could be profitable today if spent less money on players.

Some MLS players make about $30,000 a year, which is the league minimum. The league's collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of 2009. Enjoy the next two seasons, MLS fans, because if Garber doesn't think players should clock more than 30 large a season, a labor strike is inevitable, and the talent is going to scatter to the four corners of the globe. How good will your investments be then, Mr. Garber?

Houston Dynamo Wins MLS Cup, Nobody Outside of RFK Stadium Sees It Happen originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live Blog: MLS Cup 2007

Eric McErlain — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Houston, Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

The Wi-Fi might be spotty, but FanHouse has managed to elbow it's way inside the press box here at MLS Cup 2007. We're just minutes away from kickoff, and I'll do my best to liveblog the festivities to you -- as long as our Internet access holds out.

A quick survey of some of my buddies here are predicting a slim New England victory over the defending champion Houston Dynamo. The difference here, they tell me, is the absence of Ricardo Clarke from the Houston lineup. According to my friends, containing Nate Jacqua gets a whole lot easier without Clarke to worry about.

Pre-Game: On the Metro on my way to the game here in D.C., it didn't look much different than any other Sunday in Washington. It wasn't until we were only about four stops away from RFK Stadium on the Orange Line that I started to see Soccer fans. And while you'd think it would be easier for the folks from New England to make their way to D.C., I saw an awful lot of Houston orange outside the stadium on my way in.

KICKOFF -- 12:21 p.m. -- The Screaming Eagles, a D.C. United supporters group, is in midseason form, singing along as if this was just another United home match. Then again, it's hard not to see a massive shock of orange right behind them.

4:00: New England's Matt Reis has to turn away a pair of shots a point blank range, the first real threat of the match.

6:00: A cross from the right wing fails to find Taylor Twellman in the Houston box.

9:15: Pat Noonan again crosses into the box, but he can't find Twellman.

11:45: Houston's Wade Barret launches a kick from midfield, but it's waaay long. Goal kick to New England.

As some of you no doubt can tell, I'm having a tough time getting a handle on this match so far. It's been physical to be sure, but neither team has really moved to take control.

13:55: Chants of "Boring, Boring" arise from the Houston supporters on the field level as a couple of New England defenders play catch just behind the midfield stripe.

14:30: Jacqua taken down in the box by Avery John, but there is no call.

16:30 Jacqua cross for Dwayne DeRosario from the Houston left wing is long.

17:48: More "D.C. United" chants from the "neutral" crowd.

19:00: Twellman tries to get away with putting his arm around Brian Mullan's head. The ref disagrees.

20th Minute: GOOOOOAL (Twellman from Ralston and Joseph): Steve Ralston is deep on the right wing and he serves the ball into the box for Twellman who heads it past Pat Onstad. 1-0, New England!

22:00: DeRosario puts a left-footed strike over the bar.

23:31: Khano Smith loops the ball into the Houston box, by it's cleared out.

24:10 Smith taken down hard on the right wing, no call.

24: 41: Free kick Houston, Reis punches the ball out of the box.

25:15: DeRosario loops a cross into the box, but it's long.

27:13: Ralston taken down on the left wing, free kick. It's along the ground, Houston clears.

32:00 Khano Smith intercepts a pass at midfiled and flies down the left wing, knifing into the Houston defense, He crosses to Twellman, but he can't get enough mustard on it to get it past Onstad.

33:30: More "D.C. United" chants from midfield.

33:52: Houston Corner. Reis punches the ball over the bar, but he was interfered with, so we have a goal kick.

36:50: Ralston sends a great cross into the box to Noonan, but his header is wide right.

38:10: Houston Corner, but John heads it out of danger.

39:10 Brad Davis sends a screamer into the box, Joseph Ngwenya gets his head on it, but it deflects to the right of the post.

40:30: Davis gets loose on the left wing for Houston, but nobody is in the box to receive his pass.

We've got 1 minute of stoppage time added to the first half.

45:00: Ralston crosses to Noonan who puts a shot right on Onstad.

We're at the half. While there wasn't much excitement, there was plenty of physical play early that both teams were able to counter with some deft one-touch passing. Overall, however, New England is having a much easier time on the attack -- for the most part New England's Matt Reis hasn't been seriously challenged. The one player who has been a revelation for New England has to be Khano Smith, who has been pushing the ball up on the left wing more than effectively and creating scoring chances. I saw Smith play three time here in D.C. this year, and I can't recall him ever looking as effective as he is today.

SECOND HALF

54:30 DeRosario comes screaming down the Houston left wing and sends a great cross into the box. After it bounces around for a few secodns, Criag Waibel gives the ball a right-footed strike and sends it wide.

56:25: FREE KICK NEW ENGLAND. Yellow card to Barret. DeRosario heads free kick out of danger.

ATTENDANCE: 39,859.

58:30: Ralston breaks free on the New England right wing and knifes into the box before sending a great pass to Noonan. His left-footed volley goes over the bar. Outside of Twellman's goal, it's the most exciting play of the game so far.

60:45: GOAL (Ngwenya from DeRosario). There's some sloppy play down low as DeRosario crosses the ball into the box. Ngwenya whiffs on his first attempt, but the second finds the back of the net. We're tied 1-1.

63:30 Smith takes the ball in deep on the left wing and gets taken down in the box by Waibel, On the way back up the field, Smith head butted Waibel, sending him to the turf. How that earned Smith a yellow card but not a red, I'll never know.

66:30: Twellman takes a shot from the top of the box, but it's wide right. Goal kick Houston.

72:00 DeRosario gets free in the New England box, but his strike is right on Reis.

72:50: Ralston sends another dangerous cross into the box looking for Twellman, but the ball skitters away.

73:35: GOAL (DeRosario from Davis and Waibel ) After getting a great pass from Davis, DeRosario heads it from the top of the box past a diving Reis. 2-1, Houston.

76:45: Jay Heaps finds Noonan with a pass that he strikes wide.

77th minute substitution: New England -- Andy Dorman for Steve Ralston. An odd choice. Before that last goal, Ralston had clearly been the best player on the field for New England. I even had him penciled in for MVP before Houston came back and scored.

80th minute substitution: Houston -- Stewart Holden for Joseph Ngwenya -- the kind of change you make when you want to protect a lead.

82:00: Noonan left-footed strike from top of the box. Onstad makes the save.

86:13: New England corner. Jeff Larentowicz gets his head on the ball, but Onstad makes the save.

89:10: Smith taken down just outside the box. Dorman to take the free kick from the left wing. Onstad in perfect position to make the save.

STOPPAGE TIME: I could have sworn Joseph just slapped Davis at midfield. The ref didn't see anything.

And that's it, we're final: 2-1 Houston. You're Honda MVP is Dwayne DeRosario, and I'm happy to say I voted for him. See you next season.

Live Blog: MLS Cup 2007 originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revs Ride Twellman's Bike to MLS Cup Finals

David J. Warner — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Soccer, MLS

I'm not sure what it is about Taylor Twellman that annoys me. Perhaps he just strikes me as one of these well-off suburban soccer brats who got all the best coaches money could buy. Granted, I'm probably completely wrong about this, since his best coach may have been his dad Tim, who played for years in the NASL. His brother James also played in MLS.

That might make Taylor Twellman American soccer's answer to Peyton Manning -- except, of course, Peyton Manning can't do that. Eat your heart out, Obafemi Martins.

Twellman's goal was the only score the New England Revolution needed to beat the Chicago Fire and advance to the MLS Cup Finals. They await the winner of tonight's match between the Houston Dynamo and the Kansas City Wizards. The Revolution already won the U.S. Open Cup this year, so they could get themselves a Cup double, which would make Boston sports fans just that much more vainglorious.

Enjoy it while you can, Revs fans. Fulham is coming for your backline in January.

Revs Ride Twellman's Bike to MLS Cup Finals originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLS Playoffs Begin: Will Anyone Watch?

David J. Warner — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

How badly did Major League Soccer screw up its playoff scheduling this year? As Robert Spain of Bleacher Report points out, the MLS Cup playoffs open tonight on ESPN2, and they won't come close to grabbing any casual sports fan's attention.

D.C. United will face the Chicago Fire on Thursday, October 25th at 8:30 PM EST on ESPN2 to kick off the 2007 MLS Playoffs.

At the same time, No. 2 Boston College will be squaring off against No. 8 Virginia Tech on ESPN, while FOX will be airing Game 2 of the 2007 World Series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox.

That should attract hardcore soccer fans from Washington and Chicago, but that's about it, and that's not exactly a huge demographic. What's more, Game 3 of the World Series is Saturday night -- the exact same time that the other three MLS Cup playoff games will be played. Will anyone in New England really care how the Revolution fare against the New York Red Bulls while the Red Sox are playing?

Perhaps MLS should look into adjusting its schedule so that its playoffs aren't competing with baseball and football this way. After all, if a marquee event happens and nobody's there to see it, does it make a sound?

(H/T: Pitch Invasion)

MLS Playoffs Begin: Will Anyone Watch? originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Open Cup Final Pits F.C. Dallas Against New England Revolution

David J. Warner — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Dallas, Soccer, MLS

What's that, you say? A championship football game between New England and Dallas? Tonight? It's a little early for that, isn't it?

Well, it might be, until you realize it's Association football, it's the U.S. Open Cup Final, and it's the New England Revolution v. F.C. Dallas. You're probably not as excited now, are you?

That's kind of a shame. The U.S. Open Cup may be the American equivalent to the FA Cup in England, but it gets nowhere near the respect of that tournament. While there are plenty of reasons for that, the biggest one may be that Major League Soccer already has a playoff system. The Premier League has no playoffs, so the FA Cup and Carling Cup fill a void for soccer fans in England.

That's made it much harder to get anyone interested in this tournament, which has been tall on upsets -- who can forget the Richmond Kickers knocking off the L.A. Galaxy -- but short on fan interest. Perhaps as more people discover European soccer, they'll learn about domestic cup competitions and discover the U.S. Open Cup. Maybe.

For now, though, tonight's final offers a rare opportunity to see two pretty good MLS sides duke it out in a winner-take-all match -- "pretty good" being relative, anyway, if you watched D.C. United get bombed out of Guadalajara last night, or if you've seen Dallas' recent form; they're winless in their last four, and Denilson hasn't been so hot lately. Still, you don't get meaningful games like this often enough in the MLS regular season, so enjoy it while you can. At least 6,000 fans in Frisco, Texas, will.

U.S. Open Cup Final Pits F.C. Dallas Against New England Revolution originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FC Dallas, Revolution Need Extra Time to Advance to U.S. Open Cup Final

David J. Warner — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Soccer, Carolina, MLS

Remember when Seattle sports fans complained bitterly about the officiating after the Seahawks lost Super Bowl XL? Well, the 10,385 fans who showed up at Qwest Field last night might have had a sense of deja vu as their Seattle Sounders were knocked off in extra time by FC Dallas, 2-1, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.

The center referee in this match was shocking. Fouls weren't called very often on Dallas, and yellow cards weren't given for obvious take-downs. It wasn't until late in regular time when the first yellow card was given, and the only red card given was for dissent after Noah Merl may or may not have asked the ref how much money he had on the game. That sure seemed like a valid question.

Credit the Hoops for finishing the job, though, even though their time-wasting tactics deserved the boos they got and bookings that they didn't. Seattle had countless opportunities to score in regular time and couldn't put one in for the home fans until the very last minute. At least two shot attempts that could have changed the game bounced off the woodwork. Carlos Ruiz (pictured) scored a goal in the 94th minute that gave Dallas a lead they would not relinquish.

The high quality of play in that match may have been a stark contrast to the other Open Cup semifinal, in which the New England Revolution topped the Carolina Railhawks, 2-1, also in extra time.

That game feature lots of bookings and at least one fight, for which Shalrie Joseph and Connolly Edozien were ejected in the 40th minute. David Stokes was shown a red card for a hard foul on Adam Cristman in the 80th minute, leaving the Revs with a 10-on-9 advantage. Revs announcers spent most of the evening comparing the Railhawks to a hockey team.

Pat Noonan finally broke the tie in the 4th minute of extra time to secure the win in front of 4,203 fans in New Britain, Connecticut -- a disappointing number, to be sure, compared to crowd (and the atmosphere) in Seattle.

"We felt it all week," said defender Taylor Graham. "There's been a buzz in the city. There's been a buzz in the organization. And when we got tired in the second half tonight, the fans were definitely trying to help us find some energy. The atmosphere was fantastic. It was the type of atmosphere every player wishes to play in front of."

Unfortunately for the Sounders, they won't have the opportunity to build on that atmosphere in an Open Cup final, which will be an all-MLS affair in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, October 3. Casual fans will probably start tuning out, now that the upset-minded lower-division clubs are no longer in the picture.

Still, Seattle deserves some dap here. More than 10,000 people showed up to cheer on a second-division club in a tournament that nobody cares about. This doesn't usually happen in America, and it did nothing but help Seattle's chances of landing an MLS franchise. Soccer fans in that city need to make sure that support doesn't disappear when the USL playoffs start in a few weeks.

FC Dallas, Revolution Need Extra Time to Advance to U.S. Open Cup Final originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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