Benny Feilhaber and Kelyn Rowe each scored one goal and assisted on the other as the New England Revolution claimed a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at rain-soaked Gillette Stadium.

Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made three saves to guide New England to its second shutout of the season.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The fifth round of Conmebol World Cup qualifying is set to take place this weekend, and Leo Messi and Argentina are hoping this is the round where they claim first place in the standings.

Argentina will look to overtake Uruguay in the table this weekend, but the albiceleste will need a result at home against Ecuador in arguably the biggest match of the fifth round of Conmebol World Cup qualifying.

Some mornings after a Revs game I just don't want to move, but not this morning. This morning I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. I guess there's nothing like a win to reinvigorate a person. For those like me, who need something to do to pass the nine-to-five hours quicker, here you go.

Revolution Links

Revolution's Reis finally joins century club with 2-1 win

Over at MLS's website, Kyle McCarthy gives us the rundown of how Matt Reis's 100th win went.

No one likes trying to follow a loss like the one suffered on Saturday. Unfortunately, the show must go on, and the world of soccer has not stopped to let us be alone with our grief. MLS's opening weekend has, by and large, been exciting and successful. LA was beaten handily by RSL, Colorado topped Columbus, SKC squeaked a win over DC, Vancouver took down Montreal in the latter's MLS debut, and Houston left it late but managed a victory over Chivas.

Can you feel it? CAN YOU FEEL IT?! The New England Revolution are kicking off the season tomorrow night at the SAn Jose Earthquakes! The match is at 10 PM EST, because it's West Coast and apparently the MLS schedule people want to make sure we're all good and drunk by the time the match starts (The Bent Musket does not in any way condone drinking underage or to excess - designate a driver and drink responsibly).

These days it's rare for Lionel Messi to accomplish something he has yet to already do, but he was able to cross another item off his career bucket list on Wednesday.

The Barcelona catalyst and reigning Ballon d'Or winner scored his first career hat trick for his country, tallying all of Argentina's goals -- including two late ones -- in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Bern.

A couple weeks ago we looked at six Eastern teams' off-season transactions. This week, I continue the off-season review with six teams from the Central and Mountain timezones. I have omitted the Fire from this preview as there will likely be a comprehensive roundup of the Fire's off-season when the regular season approaches.

When Jorge Perlaza first joined the Portland Timbers, he was very much alone. Being the only member of the team who did not have a basic understanding of English, it was an intimidating experience. If you take language out of the equation, he says, you can adapt to just about anything anywhere. But not being able to understand what people are saying makes every aspect of life more difficult.

To kickoff 2012, my first (and only) blog entry centered on a plea for the New England Revolution to be "blog worthy" in 2012. A hope that it would "show the fanbase how big the Revolution dream is, and steps you are taking to achieve it."

Given a week of activity, I'm concerned the team still cannot explain the vision of the team's future the way I'd like, but its actions actually give me hope.

With the excitement and craziness of the 2012 SuperDraft in the rearview, it's time for teams around MLS to get down to business. Camp opens tomorrow and the Revolution still have plenty of work to do. I figured that this frigid, lazy Sunday would be a good time to take a look at the Revs' off-season thus far and outline some of the storylines moving forward.

Mere hours after Mike Burns indicated that the New England Revolution would be finalizing the transfer of two South American players today, the team announced this morning that they have signed Colombians John Lozano and Fernando Cardenas. Both will count as international players and will be added to the roster when their P-1 Visas and International Transfer Certificates have been processed.

America de Cali's loss has turned out to be the New England Revolution's gain.

The Revolution announced the signings of centerback John Lozano and attacking midfielder Fernando Cardenas from the traditional Colombian giant, which was relegated to the country's second division last month.

This is a Special Edition soccer news blast during this holiday week. I have been off enjoying regular life, cut had to at least lay all of this good stuff on you once this week. We will be back to regular service next week. But for now here is some news, in pretty much random order - no headlines or sections:
dN
du Nord at the Controls - Tue Dec 27, 2011 - My Dad's birthday - new music mix at Spotify.

The Timbers finally landed the long rumoured young forward from Colombia, Jose Adolfo Valencia, as the club officially signed him to a Designated Player contract last week. The Timbers now have an impressive group of Colombians on their roster which could pay dividends and goals in their run for the playoffs in 2012.

Two weeks after it was reported, the Portland Timbers have officially signed Colombian Jose Adolfo Valencia as a Designated Player.

The 19-year-old Valencia joins Portland from Colombian club Sante Fe pending the succesful completion of a physical, the Timbers announced on Thursday.

Welcome to "The Gents" with Stan Bentley - The Yorkies' regular advice column for our valued readers. Bring your modern day problems and have them answered by the most valued voice - a 1950's journeyman footballer. "Back of the net!"
　
Dear Stan,
I'm very attracted to a woman who I work with and get the feeling she feels the same.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

They may be playing meaningless friendlies, but the defending World and European champions are stuck in a run of form unbecoming of the top-ranked team in the world.

After trailing 2-0, Spain scored twice in the final 10 minutes to salvage a 2-2 away draw with Costa Rica in a match in which much of the first-team saw action.

Lauren Sesselmann (Green Bay Notre Dame) set up Robyn Gayle's 88th-minute winner as the Canadian women's national team slipped past Colombia 2-1 on Tuesday night in Guadalajara, Mexico, to advance to the championship game of the Pan American Games.

Sesselmann served a free kick into the box that Gayle chested down and finished to send the Canadians to a rematch with Brazil in Thursday's final at Omnilife Stadium.

The Philly Soccer Page " MacMath: "They wanted to tell me I was ready."

At a conference call Monday afternoon, Zac MacMath talked to reporters about his first half in MLS, how he found out he was going in, and what he needs to do to help the team reach the playoffs.

The DOOP we never took | Union Dues

Well, we came up short again in Salt Lake.

YSA Report – August – Episode 4 " ysareport
The August Edition of the YSA Report features panelists: Jon Marks, Nick Youngstein – Unholy Union blog, Earl "Kemosabe" Gardner – Evil Genius Producer, and as always Murph.

The Philly Soccer Page " PSP talks to Joanna Lohman

As the Independence prepare for Saturday's WPS Final versus Western New York in Rochester, the PSP had the opportunity to catch up with midfielder Joanna Lohman.

I was recently in the most wonderful country in the world, Colombia, where the U-20 World Cup is currently taking place. The atmosphere is great as Colombians greet the world with their usual smiles, hospitality and friendliness.Except if you are Argentine... I had made nothing of an incident between the Argentinean team during a match against Egypt and the fans in Medellín until, last Saturday,

By FRANCO PANIZO

Mexican national teams have won two international tournaments this summer, and El Tri's U-20 squad got one step closer to potentially making it three.

Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup after defeaing Cameroon in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

The Philadelphia Union received allocation money from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for former starting left back Jordan Harvey, which led many Union fans to believe the team was set to make a splash during the transfer window. Based on roster information from a league source, the Union have managed to put themselves into a tight spot on that front.

Union

Philly dominates this MLSsoccer.com's Best XI for Week 18 with Carlos Valdes, Justin Mapp and Sebastien Le Toux making the first team, with Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan and Sheanon Williams receiving honorable mentions.

In this week's power rankings round up, the Union stay at no. 4 at Soccer America, at no.

Thanks to Brotherly Game managing editor Scott Kessler for digging up this news from Mexico. All translations are by yours truly.

After several weeks of back-and-forth rumors out of Mexico linking Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz with a move to the Tiburones Rojos of Veracruz, the Mexican second division club's head coach Daniel Guzman has finally put an end to the saga.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Not even homefield advantage was enough to help Argentina put an end to its trophy drought.

Argentina was knocked out of the Copa America at the Santa Fe Stadium on Saturday night, losing to Uruguay, 5-4, in a penalty kick shootout after playing to a 1-1 draw.

By FRANCO PANIZO

It took longer than expected, but Argentina finally had a reason to celebrate.

Argentina recorded its first win of the Copa America, topping Costa Rica, 3-0, on Monday night in the final match of Group A. The victory advanced the albiceleste to the quarterfinals as it finished in second place of the group with five points.

A worried Checho Batista faced with a must win against Costa Rica

Watching Leo Messi, a shadow of himself struggle against Colombia throws into sharp relief the magnificent Barca midfield that makes goalscoring look so easy. The Albiceleste should on first look fare just as well with their squad teaming with the creative talent the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Ever Banega, Javier Pastore, Fernando Gago, Esteban Cambiasso, and Angel Di Maria.

Fredy Guarin will be one of the most sought after players after this Copa America is over. The Porto winger's almost laconic but inch perfect through pass from midfield fell in front of the surging Adrian Ramos who took it past Leonel Moreira to put Colombia up for good. Guarin's Porto team mate, Radamel Falcao meanwhile is getting all the attention.

Colombia's finishing may have been poor, but that didn't stop it from winning its Copa America opener against Costa Rica on Saturday.

With Argentina and Bolivia tying in the tournament opener, Colombia took sole possession of first place in Group A with a 1-0 triumph over a 10-man Costa Rica side.

Americans Gain Momentum Against Colombia

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

Jessica Landstrom only had to poke in an inch-perfect pass from Lotta Schelin to give Sweden a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the opening match of Group C play in Leverkusen. But Sweden, who outclassed Colombia for nearly the entire match, needed more than one goal to open their World Cup slate.

While the U.

Abby Wambach will do battle with the North Korean defense

USA vs. Korea DPR
Rudolf-Harbig Stadium, Dresden, Germany

In a few hours, Abby Wambach and company finally get to open their World Cup account after a long hard journey that took them through the playoffs.

Union striker Carlos Ruiz, fresh off his wonder goal on Saturday night, has been called upon once again to represent his country. He will lead the Guatemalan forward line at the 2011 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. With 42 goals in 87 international appearances, "El Pescadito" is his country's all-time leading scorer.

Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union Saturday, May 21, 2011 @ 7:00 PM CST Televised on Galavision Referee: Hilario Grajeda

Preview after the break

Summary

The Philadelphia Union are a team that has been thriving while living on the edge. They sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points and a 4-3-2 record.

Santos, Brazil's only hope left after a ruinous Copa Libertadores managed to overcome Once Caldas on aggregate after drawing 1-1 at Vila Belmiro. They won the first leg against the Colombians on the road, 1-0

In the 11th minute Neymar shot them into the lead after a shoddy clearance provided him with a perfect pass.

By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

Chile's Universidad Catolica, Brazil's Fluminense and Argentina's Velez Sarsfield put themselves in prime position to advance to the quarterfinals with favorable results in this week's first legs of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 stage.

By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

Four groups down, four to go. Copa Libertadores finally wraps up its group-stage matches this week as 12 teams battle for the seven remaining spots available in the Round of 16, with defending champions Internacional of Brazil looking for a win at home against a tough Ecuadorean side, Emelec, while Mexico's America just needs a draw in Uruguay against Nacional.

[As we inch closer and closer to the Union's 2011 season opener this Saturday in Houston, the Brotherly Game will analyze the roster as it stands heading into the team's first competitive game. Today's feature on defense will be followed by the midfielders tomorrow, and the forwards on Friday.]

After an inaugural season in which the Philadelphia Union allowed 49 goals (T-2nd worst in league), it didn't come as much of a surprise when the team made a splash in the transfer market to upgrade its defense.