Aaron says Nowak covered his ass:

Next, let's move on to Peter Nowak. Today was the day that we saw Nowak exposed as yet another feckless wuss more interested in covering his own ass than actually going out and winning that match. Obviously, down a man, a forward had to come off for defensive cover.

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Last week, I posted that, faced with the possibility of losing Marcelo Gallardo and Gonzalo Peralta, United could declare its season all-but over. I admit that I didn't take into account the relatively short recuperation time of sports hernias coupled with the quirks in United's schedule. But that doesn't mean that I no longer believe that Kasper has failed to build a team that can win in this league.

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During the second field inspection, I asked a strapping young member of United's communications department if he had an explanation as to why they're insistent upon continuing the game, considering it was already a longer delay than we had on June 4. He said he didn't have an "official" response, but that the league policy is to see as many games as possible played to completion.

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Last night in the press box, my buddy Chris Snear of MLSNet noticed that Craig Waibel was sporting a new mustache. I spoke with Waibel a little bit during MLS Cup weekend last year and found him to be one of the more, um, colorful players I've met in my brief soccer journalism career. So I knew there had to be a reason behind it.

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On October 20, 1996, Chris Armas scored what should have been the championship-clinching goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup. But DC United fought back, and in the 4th minute of overtime, Eddie Pope headed in the golden goal, right over the head of the diminuitive midfielder, who was stationed at the near post.

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For those of you who can't make it out to the SoccerPlex tomorrow, I'll be liveblogging the US Open Cup quarterfinal between DC United and the Chicago Fire from the press box. Hopefully, the WiFi will be better than it was last week. So check back here at 7:00. You can also have a reminder sent to you by entering your e-mail address in the box below.

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When Philadelphia won their expansion club in February, the residents of Chester (the site of their new stadium) were happy, but the biggest reward might not be the team. Instead, the community of 36,000 might finally get a grocery store of their own thanks to the new soccer club.

Turns out the city has not had their own grocery store since 2001, causing residents to either shop at mini-marts or travel large distances (including crossing over to Delaware) to get their food. Click to continue reading...

Just hours after their 2-1loss to New England, defender Drew Moor and striker Kenny Cooper of FC Dallas have been added to the US national team roster for tomorrow night's friendly in Giant's Stadium against Argentina. Many felt Cooper should have been on the initial 19-man roster yesterday but some change of heart by Bob Bradley [. Click to continue reading...

Dream until your dreams come true.

Then work like hell for every chance that comes. I remember when Guillermo Gonzalez was going to be the great Mexican-American soccer hope coming out of Southern California. He played on U.S. youth teams - was the midfielder feeding the ball to Freddy Adu. Click to continue reading...

I nearly forgot about the start time of the game tonight. But even with the early start time it looks like Dallas forgot to show up. I came into the game a few minutes in, just after the Adam Cristman goal. Steve Ralston put in a PK goal not too long after thanks to a tackle [...] Click to continue reading...

US vs. Argentina
Sunday, 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
TV: ESPN Classic and Galavision

Bob Bradley has released his list of 19 for Sunday's friendly against Argentina and there are a couple surprises.

Carlos Bocanegra is not on it, meaning Jay DeMerit or Dan Califf is going to get a good look over. Click to continue reading...

Ok, that's too extreme. I never wanted to stop streamers from existing or being thrown, but at players? During the game and causing delay? Many of you know that I took issue with that.
Well, well, Don finally sees it more my way.

Major League Soccer Commissioner Issues Statement
Regarding Thrown Objects in Columbus on May 24

NEW YORK (Friday, June 6, 2008) – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber issued the following statement today regarding the Columbus at the Crew versus Revolution game on May 24. Click to continue reading...

I kind of felt that before long this would happen. But the league issued this release earlier today regarding a probation of streamers and other thrown objects during the run of play in a game. Some will blame Toronto fans, and others will point out the Columbus incident for this. NEW YORK Major League Soccer Commissioner [. Click to continue reading...

It was hot. And humid. And, as result, short. The Dynamo ended Friday practice a bit earlier, and some of the guys seemed still stuck on gameday mood. Stone-faced, quiet. Weird. The session was uneventful, but here are some observations... Click to continue reading...

So week 11 got off to an early (but washed-out) start on Wednesday, followed by a game last night and one tonight. Weird seeing three games played (well in this case two and one-forth) before Saturday evening. But that's the summer schedule that has been laid out for us all to enjoy, if we decide [.. Click to continue reading...

In a systematic step by step process of addressing the events which occured in Columbus, MLS today has issued another statement. According to this press release from League Headquarters:

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber issued the following statement today regarding the Columbus at the Crew versus Revolution game on May 24.

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Happy Friday to one and all, I figured I would get a few news tidbits out of the way before I hammered out those weekend previews/predictions. I'm glad its the end of the week and that there is plenty of soccer to be viewed starting tonight in Boston with New England and Dallas (followed by [...] Click to continue reading...

Did Dynamo forward Brian Ching injure his hamstring prior to Wednesday's washout at RFK Stadium? Not really. The TV folks (on the D.C. broadcast, at least) had it just a bit wrong. Ching did feel tightness in his left hammy... Click to continue reading...

The most interesting thing in Shaka Hislop's blog this week was his term for the residents of the two isles. He made other decent points as well, but I'd always wondered about that. Click to continue reading...

One of those random Friday night games in Major League Soccer pits New England against Dallas. This game was originally on Saturday but got bumped up a day because of a Brazil friendly taking place. The MLS game gets the first leg of the doubleheader and then the Brazil friendly follows. You better believe the [. Click to continue reading...

Your huddled facts yearning to breathe free.

Yay for readers who email me interesting material. I wasn't a math major, so I wouldn't run these type of numbers myself, but it's an interesting analysis. One thing I do know is that it's incredibly hard to beat the Costa Rican national team on their turf field at Saprissa. Click to continue reading...

I thought I would share some of my thoughts from tonights MLS Primetime Thursday meeting between New York and Chivas USA. The Red Bulls were able to hold off Chivas thanks to the head of Juan Pablo Angel in the 1-0 win. Just a few points that I jotted down about the game, as always feel [...] Click to continue reading...

Yeah, so much for a farewell. It appears that now-former Red Bull striker Jozy Altidore will not be starting and possibly NOT playing at all tonight against Chivas USA in what should be a farewell match for the teenager. While the record-setting transfer to Villarreal won't become official until July 1, his Red Bull career may [. Click to continue reading...

Colorado Rapids' captain, Pablo Mastroeni, got onto the field for about five minutes yesterday in the US game against Spain in Santander. I'm glad he did because it could have felt like an even longer flight over to Europe if he had stayed completely on the bench. Mastroeni, who has been strong for the Rapids in recent games, played a full 90 against Dallas last week before flying to Spain on Monday. Click to continue reading...

$10 million. Freddy Adu wasn't worth that much to Benfica when he left MLS. $10 million. That is a real number. That much bought you a franchise way back when the league was forming. That is what you see flying across the newswire when European clubs buy and sell players.

Way to go Jozy, you're a man now. Click to continue reading...