Sporting Kansas City's quest to repeat as Eastern Conference regular season champions began
today with a 2-1 pre-season victory against the San Jose Earthquakes in the pre-season opener for
both clubs.
Kansas City midfielder Konrad Warzycha delivered the game-winning goal, converting a free kick
to break a 1-1 deadlock.
Being a professional has less to do with getting paid, and more to do with the proper attitude and
approach. The adjustment for young professionals making a jump to the next level from college
normally starts with how quickly they can apply that approach, and adapt to those demands.
Craig Merz of MLSsoccer.
The Columbus Crew were certainly a surprise team last season. After cutting ties with a number of
veterans and going with a roster that looked lacking on almost every part of the pitch, head coach
Robert Warzycha coaxed a great ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.
The Columbus Crew were certainly a surprise team last season. After cutting ties with a number of
veterans and going with a roster that looked lacking on almost every part of the pitch, head coach
Robert Warzycha coaxed a great ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.
We've got two awards on the docket today: comeback player of the year and coach of the year. And
finally we have our first controversy. We'll start with the easier COY, beginning with my selection
three months ago. Coach of the YearPiotr Nowak, PhiladelphiaIn the running: Robert Warzycha,
Schellas HyndmanNotes: Philly's eye-popping turnaround is the story of the league through July.
Columbus goes into the offseason with some questions for their expansion draft lists. (Getty
Images)
The Columbus Crew had many questions going into the 2011 season mostly due to the amount of
veteran players that were let go by head coach Robert Warzycha. But as the season went on the Crew
began to find their footing and were actually in contention to win the Eastern Conference.
By AVI CREDITOR
The Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew have taken different roads to get to this point, but
ultimately they're right back where they were a year ago.
Colorado eliminated Columbus in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season en route to
capturing its first MLS Cup.
By DAVE GUBALA
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.-- When the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew squared off on Saturday night it was
the Crew that had everything to play for and the Fire just playing out the string. You wouldn't
have known it based on how both teams came out though, as the Fire completed a strong finish to the
2011 season with another victory while the Crew stumbled their way into the post-season.
The New England Revolution will face off against the Columbus Crew in the 2011 home finale at
Gillette Stadium. Revs fans who have had precious little to cheer about this year will be hoping
for a decent send-off, but optimism is not likely to be the order of the day. New England hasn't
even earned a point since September 10th.
By GARRETT DAVEY
The first time Sporting Kansas City walked off the field after a match at Livestrong Sporting
Park, back on June 9th, the club was mired in a ten-match winless streak and buried in last place
in the Eastern Conference.
On Tuesday night, with those rough early days firmly in the rearview mirror, Sporting KC
completed a 15-week climb up the standings, into sole possession of first place.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Good luck trying to figure out the New York Red Bulls' problems.
With a full-strength starting 11 that featured two players who are each paid well more than Real
Salt Lake's entire roster combined, the Red Bulls were outclassed by their visitors from Utah on
Wednesday night, conceding three goals in the first 21 minutes before falling 3-1.
PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Philadelphia Union Saturday night's 1–0 win
over the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew. Nowak looked to change their winless ways by
played many of the younger players. Here's a look at what he saw. (Click on the photo for a
full-size photo.
On a chilly night in Chester against a listless first place Columbus Crew team, a goal from the
resurgent Sebastien Le Toux was all the Philadelphia Union needed to earn their first victory since
July 17. In an effort to breathe life into his team, coach Peter Nowak rang in the changes, most
notably bringing 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer into the starting lineup for his first MLS start.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
Keon Daniel update: a report in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian says, "Daniel's agent Andre
Fortune said [the] Union's immigration attorney was assisting in the player's visa problem (which
prevented him from playing for the club last weekend) and the [Trinidad and Tobago Football
Federation] may be asked for assistance.
The Open Cup three-peat © is now firmly in the sight of the Seattle Sounders. Their 1-0
win against FC Dallas was a grind-it-out brutal affair in loud and packed Starfire Stadium. It was
an atmosphere able to intimidate even the most battle tested of opponents. Although I would remind
Schellas Hyndman that there are much more hostile crowds in the wide world of football.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
It figured to be a make-or-break year for Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha after the club
opted to part ways with a number of veterans while turning to younger players and lesser-known
commodities in hopes of staying competitive and rebuilding for the future at the same time.
The Columbus Crew as a franchise has been historically kind to the Seattle Sounders in their
short MLS history. They've never beaten the Sounders, either at home or away, and their losses have
been some of Seattle's most memorable wins. Last season, a 4-0 win over the Crew in Columbus was
the most emphatic of the season.
The last team that Sigi Schmid won the MLS Cup comes to town again on Saturday. The Columbus
Crew finally look a lot different than they did in that era, and there could be as few as four
players on the pitch that he coached before leaving for the Seattle Sounders. Current coach Robert
Warzycha has managed to both rebuild and win (1st in East, 4th overall by PPM).
For the first time in a couple months it seems as though the Power Rankings have seen a good
deal of movement. No new number one team, or even a change in the top three but one Eastern
Conference club is sneaking up the standings while the rest of that conference continues to be a
jumbled mess.
Anyways, here is where we stand after an exciting week 22.
Union
With the transfer window closed, what was the big announcement out of the Union? Peter Nowak is
now on Twitter.
Nowak tweeted, "Even old dogs can learn new tricks. Looking forward to interacting with the best
fans in @MLS. Be gentle on me! #DOOP."
The official Union Twitter account assured followers that it actually was Nowak doing the
tweeting, including, "Believe it or not it is actually him," and, "We promise you, it's his fingers
doing the typing.
Major League Soccer announced the new-look MLS playoff schedule on Tuesday, with the wildcard
round taking place over a Wednesday and Thursday night on Oct. 26-27.
The first leg of the conference semifinals will take place over the weekend a couple of days
later, followed by the second leg of those ties and the conference finals the following week.
Another week down and things haven't change all that much in the Power Rankings. LA, Seattle,
Dallas and RSL continue to lead the pack while teams from the Eastern Conference continue to battle
over who will try and crack that top four.
But don't look now, Colorado is making some noise again here.
Rapids' StrategyWith Nyassi on fire, it was easy for Gary Smith to maintain his dynamic strike partnership with
Omar Cummings. The home side employed their usual 4-4-2 lineup with Mastroeni and Larentowicz in
central midfield and Mullan and Thompson on the flanks. The first half strategy was to switch the
ball across the field to Mullan who was in acres of space because the Crew kept a narrow defensive
shell.
The last international friendly for the season kicks off tomorrow against Argentina's own
Independiente! Not a huge team, mind you, but I do recall a few people in a poll I created earlier
this year that specifically asked for a South American club to come visit. I hope you're pleased
with the choice.
The revolving door at BMO Field keeps turning.
Toronto FC traded Tony Tchani to the Columbus Crew on Friday in exchange for centerback Andy Iro
and midfielder Leandre Griffit.
The move comes a day after Toronto picked up Terry Dunfield from Vancouver and dealt Jacob
Peterson, Alan Gordon and Nana Attakora to San Jose for Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an
international roster slot.
It's still strange talking about the Dynamo in relation to the Eastern Conference, but when the
Columbus Crew come to town this weekend, it's a battle for conference playoff positioning. Houston
sits in third place, tied with the Crew on 18 points, but ahead on goal differential. It's these
matches type of home matches that will ultimately decide the Dynamo's season so needless to say,
Saturday's match is important.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Having lost five straight games in all competitions while watching its MLS record fall to
3-7-4, the New England Revolution, it's safe to say, has fallen on hard times.
The Revolution has scored just three goals in its last eight games while allowing 14.
Travelling to Columbus for the second match in four days, the Fire will face an opponent that
will certainly be a challenger for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Despite cleaning house and releasing many of their most reliable veteran players after last season,
Columbus is still currently eight points ahead of the Fire in the standings.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
The Columbus Crew has made a nasty habit out of surrendering the opening goal, having done so in
each of its last six contests. But on the plus side, Columbus has battled back to earn a draw three
times during that stretch, against Seattle, Chivas USA and New York.
The Columbus Crew have a knack for late game heroics recently. This past weekend it was Rich
Blachan grabbing a goal late in stoppage time to salvage a tie with the Red Bulls. Last night it
was a furious second half rally full of controversy that saw home fans booing the game-tying goal
and Will Hesmer playing the hero late in stoppage time.
The Sounders play the Chicago Fire after a great win against Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile, the Fire
will be dealing with plenty of changes as they released coach Carlos de los Cobos this week and
installed Frank Klopas as the interim head coach. He'll be looking to get more out of the Fire
while searching for a long-term coach for the team.
Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Picking up three points at league-leading Los Angeles on Friday will be a tough task for D.C.
United, but seeing as the visitors are coming off a historic road result and getting both their
captain and leading scorer back from injury for the contest, they might like their chances.
Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
If one thing has become clear during Aron Winter's tenure in charge of Toronto FC thus far, it's
that the stern Dutch coach is hardly ever pleased with his side.
After Toronto used a Maicon Santos equalizer to pick up a 1-1 draw at Vancouver in the first leg
of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday, Winter conceded he was satisfied with the outcome --
even if he wasn't in his team's overall play.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Through the early stages of this 2011 season, Philadelphia Union striker Danny Mwanga has
seemingly epitomized the phrase "sophomore slump."
After notching seven goals last season en route to being a Rookie of the Year finalist, Mwanga
has started just four of his eight games played this year.
Seattle Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid returns to the land where he last won the MLS Cup and the
Supporters Shield, a land that he likes. The Sounders have done quite well against the Columbus
Crew, not yet losing and even winning one of their two Lamar Hunt US Open Cups against the Yellows.
While Robert Warzycha's team has significantly changed personnel, and wasn't expected to be a
challenger this season, they have followed a Sigi profile building from the back winning through
defense and one or two impressive offensive players.
The Columbus Crew front office and head coach Robert Warzycha came into the 2011 season
insisting that this would not be a rebuilding year, despite an offseason that to all outward
appearances presaged a rebuilding year. The Crew jettisoned 11 players over the winter, and they
weren't just roster filler.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
Another frustrated tweet has made its way out of the Columbus Crew locker room.
Weeks after midfielder Robbie Rogers was involved in a little social media controversy,
out-of-favor centerback Andy Iro vented his thoughts about his playing-time situation.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
The increasingly prominent fear among New York Red Bulls supporters that Thierry Henry's tenure
in New York will ultimately end up being an injury-laden bust was given a little more credence
Tuesday when coach Hans Backe told the New York Post that Henry's chronic Achilles injury is
causing "so much pain, so we just have to take it day-by-day.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
The New England Revolution's trip to Empire Field to face the Vancouver Whitecaps and their
fervent supporters just got a little tougher.
The Revolution, making its first trip to Vancouver tonight for a midweek league fixture, will
be without goalkeeper Matt Reis due to a right adductor strain.
Photo by Greig Cowie/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Lost in the shuffle amid the announcement of Manchester's United's full U.S. schedule Tuesday,
Sporting Kansas City announced a friendly against another English Premier League club with plenty
of tradition -- Newcastle United.
