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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

How Not to Block a David Beckham Cross

David J. Warner — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

In this video from D.C.'s 4-1 home thrashing of the L.A. Galaxy., D.C. United defender Gonzalo Martinez jumps up to block a David Beckham cross, only to have it strike him right in the groin.

Ouch. I feel Martinez's pain, man. When I was 13, I ran up to block a corner kick and took a shot right to the crotch, which left me incapacitated for the next half-hour or so. But did anyone think to squirt water down my shorts? No. We didn't have any magic spray back then, either. Horrible.

Y'know, if there had been some Australians in the announcer's booth, they would have had more fun with this.

(H/T: Awful Announcing)

How Not to Block a David Beckham Cross originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

MLS Primetime Wrap: DC Untied

Irishoutsider — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:50:00 EST

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

Chicago Fire 2 - DC United 0
We're sure the whole untied/United headline business has been used before, but we're equally fed up with the various ways the Fire can burn, torch, or scorch opposing teams in the headlines. Regardless, the Chicago Fire ran circles around the United defense, putting on an offensive display that gave them several lethal chances. Justin Mapp and Cuahtemoc Blanco scored for Chicago, with Blanco's curling strike sure to set the bar for the Goal of the Week. A physical match that saw plenty of rough challenges on both side of the ball overshadowed DC's struggling offense. United only managed 2 shots on goal but drew 3 yellow cards for reckless play.

Chicago hosts Houston Dynamo at home next Saturday while DC United travels out west for a match with CD Chivas USA.

Photo courtesy of AP and MLSnet.com

MLS Primetime Wrap: DC Untied originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 09 May 2008 13:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

D.C. United Convinces VW to Pay Its Players

David J. Warner — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:50:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS, Soccer Posts

Yesterday, D.C. United announced a new five-year sponsorship deal with Volkswagen, which involves slapping a big VW logo on the Major League Soccer club's jerseys and trying to sell the Screaming Eagles on the joys of Touareg ownership. In turn, D.C. United will receive $14 million over the next five years.

That's $2.8 million a year. The MLS salary is currently $2.3 million a year. So for all intents and purposes, Volkswagen is covering D.C. United's player salaries for at least the next two years. There's probably enough left over to pay most of the coaching staff, too.

MLS has its share of problems, but it seems the league's biggest problem is the lack of money available to players not named Beckham or Blanco. The MLS Players Union desperately needs to address that issue in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which would take effect in 2010. The salary cap should be at least double what it is now. The minimum salary for senior team players needs to be raised. Roster sizes should be increased. Most importantly, developmental players should be making a living wage. That would allow a youth program prospect like Matt Kassel to stay with his club rather than leave for college.

Those are just small steps the League and the Players Union could take to make MLS more appealing to both players and fans. Without that, MLS might not be quite as appealing to other advertisers in the future. But hey, kudos to D.C. United for getting someone else to pay their most important employees, right?

D.C. United Convinces VW to Pay Its Players originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 07 May 2008 15:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Why MLS Teams Are Doomed to Failure in the CONCACAF Champions League

David J. Warner — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:52:00 EST

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

Luciano Emilio shouldn't miss from that close.

Last night, during the first half of the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal against Pachuca, the D.C. United striker got the ball four, maybe five feet in front of goal. He aimed for the opposite corner, and the ball went all the way across the face of goal without going in. It was one of many missed opportunities that caused D.C. to lose 3-2 on aggregate and be ousted from the Champions Cup.

It was a better performance than the Houston Dynamo put on in Costa Rica, though. With La Ultra Morada in full voice behind them, Deportivo Saprissa outran and outhustled the Dynamo and eventually leveled them, 3-0, to advance to the Champions Cup final.

This was the second year in a row that D.C. and Houston bombed out of this competition in the semifinals. Get used to it, Major League Soccer fans. When the new CONCACAF Champions League begins, your clubs will be doomed in the knockout stages, and it's all because of the MLS schedule.

The MLS season runs from April to November. It does so mostly out of necessity. If the MLS calendar adjusted to the calendar of the European club season, we'd have soccer in cities Toronto, Boston and Chicago in January, which isn't feasible. (The Russian Premier League is a spring-summer league for the same reason.) Plus, MLS would be forced to compete with the NFL, the NBA, the NHL and NCAA sports for eyeballs, and it would lose that battle regularly. MLS has visibility during the summer because there's not nearly as much on the American sports calendar at that time.

That spring-summer schedule, however, makes MLS clubs ill-prepared for CONCACAF competitions. We saw this last night, as D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo appeared to be just out of training camp and still rough around the edges, while Pachuca and Saprissa were in mid-season form -- because they were in mid-season. They had spent more time on the pitch together and were ready to perform, while their MLS counterparts clearly were not.

This won't change when the new Champions League begins next August. Sure, all four MLS clubs in the competition might make it through the autumn group stage, but what happens when they reach the knockout stage, which starts in late February? MLS training camps are just starting to open then, while the Mexican and Central American seasons will be well under way. What will prevent unprepared MLS clubs from losing on foreign soil and bombing out in the semifinals year after year?

The only international competition where MLS clubs really have a shot is SuperLiga -- a made-for-TV summer tournament that pits four in-form MLS teams against four Mexican clubs still in training camp. The winner gets $1 million, sure, but the competition itself really counts for nothing on the international stage. For all intents and purposes, it's merely an opportunity for a few MLS players to put themselves in the shop window before the European summer transfer market closes.

That may be all the CONCACAF Champions League will be, too. We talk about how the U.S. men's national team is headed in the right direction, but it's clearly not rubbing off on American club competitions. As CONCACAF tries to look more and more like UEFA, MLS clubs (and fans) need to do some soul-searching and start asking how important this new Champions League really is to them. I have a feeling that last night's performances by D.C. and Houston gave us the answer.

Why MLS Teams Are Doomed to Failure in the CONCACAF Champions League originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

MLS Sides Have It All to Do Tonight in Champions Cup Semifinals

David J. Warner — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST

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

If either D.C. United or the Houston Dynamo want to be the first MLS club to be crowned champions of CONCACAF since 2000, they need to serve up their best performances yet tonight in the 2nd leg of the Champions Cup semifinals.

D.C. United left Mexico last week with a two-goal deficit against defending Champions Cup winners Pachuca, and they have to make up that deficit tonight at RFK Stadium. Home field advantage has been kind to D.C. as of late. The club won its last two matches at RFK by a combined score of 9-1. However, those wins came against Harbour View and Toronto FC. Pachuca should be more formidable opposition.

Meanwhile, the Dynamo must do something all MLS clubs have struggled to do in recent years -- win outside of American soil. They travel to San Jose, Costa Rica, to face Deportivo Saprissa. The Purple Dragons left Houston with a 0-0 draw, which was exactly the result they wanted. A simple home win tonight will put them in the final.

Both CONCACAF Champions Cup matches will air tonight on Fox Soccer Channel, starting at 7:30 PM.

MLS Sides Have It All to Do Tonight in Champions Cup Semifinals originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pachuca Outpaces DC United

Irishoutsider — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, MLS, Soccer

DC United has retooled itself in its goals to be the best team in the hemisphere, but if their opening week has been any indication, they are still struggling to put all of their new pieces together. Following their 2-0 loss at Kansas City on Saturday, United traveled to Mexico to take on Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semis last night. In a one-sided affair, Pachuca had a number of chances from the opening whistle, throwing the full power of their offense at DC from the start.

With a number of lethal chances going just wide in the first 25 minutes, United was lucky to be tied going into the half. However, Pachuca game back at full speed in the second half, with Luis Motes scoring in the 63rd and 81st minutes to give his team a critical 2 goal lead heading into next week's second leg at Washington's RFK Stadium.

Houston Dynamo take on Costa Rica's Saprissa tonight in the other half of the Champions Cup semifinals.

(HT: Soccer Insider)

Pachuca Outpaces DC United originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

D.C. United Eases Into Champions Cup Semis

David J. Warner — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS, Soccer Posts

When D.C. United traveled to Kingston, Jamaica for the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal against Harbour View, it looked like a side clearly in preseason form. Much of their attack was of the hoof-and-hope variety, resulting in an unimpressive 1-1 draw.

Clearly, that was not the case tonight in RFK Stadium. The MLS Supporters Shield winners looked much more organized, dominated possession against Harbour View, and after an hour of play, the floodgates opened. Luciano Emilio and Devon McTavish scored two goals each to lead D.C. to a 5-0 victory.

Harbour View's shift in defensive tactics proved to be disastrous, as Brazilian midfielder Fred kept getting open in the box and setting up his teammates. He looked like he was attempting to repeat his four-assist performance for the Melbourne Victory in the 2007 A-League Grand Final -- until he scored the fifth goal himself and celebrated by putting a pacifier in his mouth. Carlos Tevez has much to answer for.

D.C. United won 6-1 on aggregate and advanced to the semifinals to face the winner of tomorrow night's Pachuca v. Motagua tie in Mexico. The Houston Dynamo can also advance to the semifinals with a win against Honduran champs Municipal tomorrow night.

D.C. United Eases Into Champions Cup Semis originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gomez Trade Continues DC's Overhaul

Irishoutsider — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

Christian Gomez has been a staple of DC United's midfield for the past 4 years, but it appears that his likely trade to the Colorado Rapids will help define them for years to come. Gomez, unsettled at DC over his contract, is set to head West for a new max salary contract with incentives that could lift that total to around 500k for the 2008 season. Steven Goff, Soccer Insider and source of all things DC, reports that Colorado's designated player slot could be on the table, but there will definitely be the standard MLS currency of draft picks, cap space, and straight-up cash changing hands between the two teams.

From Colorado's perspective, they get an MLS name player to anchor their central midfield. If Pablo Mastroeni stays, they will have an experienced, albeit aging, core to distribute the ball to their young attackers. However, with Gomez looking a a max cap contract and the DP slot halfway out the door, Pablo's future in Denver is still in doubt. No matter what, first round pick Ciaran O'Brien will have at least one All-Star to study.

Back to DC United, the trade is another step in their thorough housecleaning this offseason. Already dubbed "the new look DCU," 5 foreign players have already joined the team this winter, including new Argentine DP Marcello Gallardo. The team looks poised to take the full advantage of the league's new foreign player rules, allowing each team to sign 8 international players regardless of age, to create a veteran team with South American flair. Another DP would only take the plan to another level. The experiment is bold, to say the least, but these are the actions of a team that seems to be certain that they know the new blueprint for MLS success.

Gomez Trade Continues DC's Overhaul originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

3 MLS Teams Join Exclusive Club

Irishoutsider — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

Chivas USA, New York Red Bull, and DC United have all qualified to sign their own home grown talent now that their youth development programs are two years old. Having set up their respective academies in advance of a league-wide youth initiative, the three clubs are now eligible to sign up to two players a year directly from their youth systems, circumventing the MLS SuperDraft held each January. Of course, since MLS transactions are never cut and dry, the three clubs will be allowed to poach talent from each other IF any team has already made their two signings. For example, New York has 3 talented prospects eligible to be called up, Matt Kassel, Walter Hines, and Johnny Exantus. Should they sign two of these players, the third could be snagged by Chivas or DC (and only these qualified clubs) if they have available signings.

If we've studied our Nash Equilibrium properly, this will likely restrict youth call ups to one player per team per year for the foreseeable future. There is no reason for any team to jeopardize its system by maxing out their young signings. Until the rest of the league becomes full of eligible academies (expansion Seattle and San Jose already setting up shop this year) or the rules are modified, this will be the status quo.

(HT: Soccer By Ives)

3 MLS Teams Join Exclusive Club originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Veron In and Out of Washington, DC Faster Than Socialized Medicine

Irishoutsider — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:51:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, International Soccer

The stage was set for Juan Sebastian Veron to be the next big signing for the MLS. The Argentinian midfielder was to formally announce a 3-4M deal with DC United as soon as Wednesday, but has now officially reneged, according to Sports Illustrated.

"My teammates told me: 'We fought for a year to play in the Copa Libertadores and we have to stay together'," he said. "It was a lot of money; maybe I would advise a kid to go. But in a situation like mine it is better to live for the things that give you happiness."

Veron, 32, is a two-time transfer flop between $50M and $30M trips to Manchester United and Chelsea in 2001 and 2003. He returns to Argentinian team Estudiantes de la Plata with no hard feelings south of the Potomac, leaving DC United to focus on appeasing current Brazilian star Luciano Emilio. Emilio led was the top scorer and league MVP this season, but he has been vocal about his search for a more lucrative contract.

Veron In and Out of Washington, DC Faster Than Socialized Medicine originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Beautiful Grass at RFK for MLS Cup

Eric McErlain — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:05:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

While most of Washington, D.C. cheered when the Washington Nationals moved into town in time for the 2005 Major League Baseball season, I couldn't help but feel a little bit let down. Why? Because with the Nationals moving into town, D.C. United would be forced to share RFK Stadium -- an event that immediately made the 4-time MLS Cup Champ a second class citizen in their own stadium.

In other words, for as long as Major League Baseball would be played at RFK, the needs of Major League Baseball and the Nationals would have to come first -- which meant that a stadium that had become one of the best American venues for Soccer would have to be reconfigured for baseball at least 81 times per year. That meant an outfield wall. It meant a pitchers mound and plenty of dirt for an infield, foul ground and a warning track. Plenty of dirt that would have to be covered with unsatisfying pieces of temporary turf.

But with the Nationals leaving RFK for good at the end of September, RFK is Soccer-only once again, just in time for the MLS Playoffs and the arrival of MLS Cup 2007 at RFK on November 18. Thanks to D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell, we got permission to show you the first photos of the new configuration. My oh my, does that grass look beautiful, just the way the Soccer gods intended. Welcome back.

Beautiful Grass at RFK for MLS Cup originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

D.C. United Faces Chivas Guadalajara in Second Leg of Copa Sudamericana

David J. Warner — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

In case you missed it last week (like I did), D.C. United is currently playing in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, and they're not doing too badly. Last week in the opening leg of their Round of 16 tie against Chivas Guadalajara, defender Marc Burch was sent off in the first half, and D.C. still managed to take a 2-1 lead in the home-and-home series.

Started in 2002, the Copa Sudamericana is to the Copa Libertadores, the top club tournament in South America, as the UEFA Cup is to the UEFA Champions League, in that it's a secondary tournament for CONMEBOL clubs. In much the same way that Copa Libertadores invites Mexican clubs, Copa Sudamericana it includes members of CONCACAF in its draw. D.C. United qualified as the third-place finisher in the CONCACAF Champions Cup behind winner Pachuca and runner-up Chivas.

The first leg of this series was played in Washington, so D.C. United plays the second leg tonight in Mexico. Last March in the Champions Cup semifinals, D.C. faltered when they played in Guadalajara, so revenge might be on their minds tonight. As our friends at Goal remind us, though, D.C. United may be more equipped to handle a hostile soccer environment, just because the atmosphere at their home matches prepares them for it, and because the club expects to compete in international tournaments. It's certainly helped their domestic form; D.C. United is in first place in MLS, four points ahead of the New England Revolution.

If you want to watch this Copa Sudamericana match, it will be on Fox Soccer Channel tonight at 11:00 PM eastern time. The winner will face Arsenal Fútbol Club of Argentina in the quarterfinals.

D.C. United Faces Chivas Guadalajara in Second Leg of Copa Sudamericana originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

On Busy Sports Weekend, United Move to Take Control

Eric McErlain — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Soccer, MLS

In a more perfect world, yesterday's MLS match between D.C. United and the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. would have been a headline-grabbing event. The weather on the late Summer afternoon -- though a bit balmy -- was perfect for a clash between two of the top teams in the league. At stake: First place in the Eastern Conference and a chance to take control of the race for the MLS Supporters Shield and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Alas, it was not to be. If anything, the day pointed out just how tough it will be for the league to gain traction in a crowded American sports marketplace. Going on simultaneously were the PGA's FedEx Cup, the final IRL race on the calendar, MLB's pennant race and the Men's Final at the U.S. Open. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it was opening weekend in the NFL, where the hometown Redskins were hosting the Miami Dolphins just a few miles away in Landover, Maryland?

If that wasn't competition enough, there were more than a few folks who would say that the match wasn't even the most important taking place in North America, as the U.S. Men's National Team was taking on Brazil in Chicago.

And if you weren't at RFK, you might have had a little trouble finding the match on television, as the team's cable provider bumped the match to tape delay a full four hours after kickoff so as not to overlap with the rest of the afternoon's festivities. Then again, if Spanish was your first language, or Soccer is the only international language that you care about, Telefutura was there to save the day.

In any case, what took place before the better than 18,000 fans who did show up put an exclamation point a story that had been lost in the Summer of Beckham: That after a shaky start under new head coach Tommy Soehn, United has rounded into form and looks set to claim its fifth MLS crown in its history.Close observers of the team and its fans will tell you that there's no other squad in the league that gets under their skin more than the Revolution, something that's a tribute to a combination of their physical play and a deadly counterattack keyed by Steve Ralston, Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman. But in the early going yesterday, United deftly defused New England's advantage by simply dominating possession for most of the first half.

Still, much like their form earlier in the season, United couldn't finish until the 31st minute when Jamie Moreno took a throw-in from Josh Gros and found midfielder Fred at the top corner of the box. The Brazilian struck the ball past New England keeper Matt Reis to give United a 1-0 lead.

But it wasn't long before that vaunted New England counterattack took advantage. In the 45th minute, New England midfielder Khano Smith crossed the ball to Twellman at the top right hand corner of the box, and after playing the pass off his chest, put the ball past United keeper Troy Perkins to tie the match 1-1 going into halftime.

It wasn't long after the half that United got to show their mettle, as New England's Jay Heaps took advantage of a scramble in the box after a corner kick and forced the ball over the line for a 2-1 Revs lead. It was the first time in recent memory that United had to play from behind.

Gradually ratcheting up the pressure, United broke through to tie in the 60th minute, as MLS career goal scoring leader Moreno chipped a rebound past Reis to tie the score at 2-2.

What came next was not only a pretty play, but emblematic of just how well all of Soehn's pieces are working together right now. In the 68th minute, Moreno played a perfect through ball to Ben Olsen on the right wing. Taking the pass, the midfielder, who had come on as a second half substitution, played a perfect pass to Christian Gomez in the box. Gomez pounced, but it was Emilio who got his 17th goal as he tipped Gomez's shot past Reis for a 3-2 lead.

But United still wasn't done. In the 83rd minute another sub, Brian Carroll, who had been dumped from the starting lineup, used his fresh legs to break free on the left wing. Curling toward the net, he sent another perfect cross screaming into the New England box where Emilio headed it in for his league-leading 18th goal of the season and a 4-2 lead.

All in all, it was a dominating performance, and all the more disheartening for the rest of the league as United withstood New England's best shot and still came back to win. So what's next for United? With six games remaining they're four points clear of their closest competition in the East, putting them in the driver's seat for the Supporter's Shield.

United is now, and has always been, an object lesson in how and why Soccer can succeed in America. I only wish more folks could have had a chance to see it.

Other Views:
The DCenters
UnitedMania
An American's View
Quarter Volley, I-66
BLCKDGRD
Screaming Eagles Podcast

On Busy Sports Weekend, United Move to Take Control originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments