It was a wild ending but my team the Minnesota Thunder were elimindated 5-4 by Vancouver in the first round of the USL-1 playoffs last night. Damn it all. See details in the USL-1 section.

~and~

A big shout out to the fantastic Highbury pub in Milwaukee, where I spent a great Saturday morning. Click to continue reading...

CONCACAF Champions League News

Official CCL website
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Matchday 2 Matches & Scores:
-Tue Sep 23
San Francisco 0-0 Houston Dynamo
Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 Santos Laguna - PRI goals by Osei Telesford, Noah Delgado & Edwin Miranda. Click to continue reading...

While the USL-1 boys from Puerto Rico were huge in thumping Mexican's Santos Laguna 3-1 in the CONCACAF Champions League, yet another MLS team, Houston, stumbled, only getting a draw 0-0 at a very weak San Francisco team down in Panama. Houston should have stuffed them, and yet they barely mounted a real threat. Click to continue reading...

Landon Donovan to Andrea Canales on potential interest from Bayern Munich: "I would love for it to happen." See Los Angeles Galaxy section for the full article.


MLS Scoreboard

Week 26
Matches & Scores:
-Thu Sep 18
Columbus 3-1 New York - CC goals by Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers & Eddie Gaven. Click to continue reading...

Virtually unknown CFR Cluj beat Roma 1-2 on the road in the UEFA Champions League yesterday! Wow!


CONCACAF Champions League News

Official CONCACAF website
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All televised games shown on FSC.
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Matches & Scores:
-Tue Sep 16
DC United 0-2 Saprissa - Sap goals by Walter Centeno & Jairo Arrieta. Click to continue reading...

Most Points In MLS Since August 1st:
16 Houston - 5-1-1
14 San Jose - 4-1-2
14 DC - 4-3-2
13 Columbus - 4-1-1
13 New York - 4-2-1
12 Chicago - 4-4-0
9 Colorado - 3-4-0
8 Dallas - 2-3-2
8 New England - 2-3-2
8 Chivas - 2-4-2
7 KC - 2-4-1
5 Toronto - 1-4-2
4 Salt Lake - 1-3-1
3 Los Angeles - 0-3-3

~and~

From reader Jeremy: I'm looking at your list of MLS Attendance from this past weekend and I would just like to point out for the record that last Thursday in a game that was essentially meaningless (the Timbers were all but out of it) we drew 13,500 – more than three of the matches and almost the same as a fourth! Click to continue reading...

It was not pretty. It was not entertaining. It was a little nerve wracking. But it was one goal and a win for the USA in Cuba. 6 points from 2 games on the road is a good thing. But please, let's get the motor running. OK? Is that too much to ask?

~and~

Adam Spangler of This is American Soccer delivers Part 1 of a 5 part indepth story/interview with Clint Dempsey. Click to continue reading...

A terribly embarrassing night for MLS in the CONCACAF Champions League. New England was assaulted 0-4 at home by Joe Public, and Chivas USA was held 1-1 at home by Tauro. It was really ugly, especially at Foxborough. There will be a lot of excuses flying today. And they all fall short of those scorelines. Click to continue reading...

There will be limited service today. I have a work commitment that will engagement me from early morning till late at night today. Please except my apology. Your refund will be reflected in your next credit card statement.


What a night! Did you ever imagine that Carlos Bocanegra would score 10 career goals for the USA? Click to continue reading...

BE WARNED: If baseball on ESPN2 runs long tonight, the USA game will start on ESPN Classic.

~and~

Coach Fernando Clavijo is done in Colorado. He went to his native Uruguay last week to attend to personal matters, and has now "resigned". He has never been a great week to week coach, but I think the guy has a great eye for talent, and should be given some credit with setting up the New England team that Steve Nicol make great. Click to continue reading...

WHY IN THE NAME OF SWEET JIMINY HELL ARE THERE 3 MLS GAMES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT????? THERE ARE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND THIS LEAGUE ALMOST NEVER PLAYS MID-WEEK GAMES! ALMOST EVERY GREAT PLAYER WILL BE OUT OF HIS CLUB TEAMS LINEUP. WHAT A JOKE! MLS CONTINUES TO FIND NEW WAYS TO LOOK STUPID, AND THIS IS COMING FROM A GUY WHO WOULD ALMOST KILL FOR THE LEAGUE! Click to continue reading...

I recovered some of what was lost on Friday, sorry about that again, and will just integrate it into today's news.

A full reshuffling of the deck in both MLS conferences as Columbus takes over the lead in the East and Houston in the West. WOW!

~and~

Bruce Arena is the new coach in LA. Click to continue reading...

According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, Glasgow Rangers is negotiating with MLS for the rights to Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu. The transfer fee being reported is in the $5 million dollar range. Edu began receiving interest from English clubs last season, if Edu succeeds with Rangers it may open up a bigger move in the future with Edu joining an English Premier League club. Click to continue reading...

Maurice Edu is a player with vast potential, and many European scouts have seen it and want it.  There have been rumors since last year that Aston Villa was impressed with the young American, but it isn't Aston Villa who have gotten serious with Edu this time. Steven Goff is reporting that Glasgow Rangers, one of [. Click to continue reading...

Earlier today, Steven Goff with the Washington Post posted some of the salaries for some of the recent additions to MLS. His original post didn't have the salary for the Wizards latest signing, Josh Wolff. In a later post today, he does have Wolff's salary. Wolff's full season salary is $200,000. That is right around where I had expected it to be, as he's a returning US international. Click to continue reading...

This one has a few twists and turns. As mentioned in a post before, the Washington Post's Steven Goff was reporting that sources in the Rapids organization had told him that Clavijo very well could be losing his job. Then in another post he said that Clavijo himself had reported that there was a meeting Tuesday where a vote of confidence was given for him to have the job for the remainder of the season. Click to continue reading...

So what is Clint "Cleatus" Mathis up to these days? He was in and out at Ergotelis with the club avoiding relegation but his short contract not being renewed. Awhile back he popped up with some MLS reserve teams with the most recent of those being for Real Salt Lake in a reserve frinedly against BYU. Click to continue reading...

If you're like me, you've already started a big day of watching sports. The US Men's Olympic Soccer Team is underway and a full slate of Olympic Games and the PGA Championships lies ahead. Our day ends with D.C. United.

United has trophies on their mind. Before turning their attention to the Dewar Cup, when the Black-and-Red host New England in the semifinals of the U.

Click to continue reading...

This puts things in perspective.

While I was relaxing by a San Diego pool much of this week, a member of the LA Riot Squad was dying so I could do that.

My condolences to Gunner and the Riot Squad.

The memorial service is Tuesday.

Your weekend soccer options:

Saturday
2 a.

Click to continue reading...

Every few weeks or so, D.C.'s own Soccer Insider, Steven Goff, answers questions about all things soccer.

This space will compile his thoughts on prospects for a new D.C. United stadium. To say that Mr. Goff spends some time around United would be an understatement, so its just obvious that he provides a unique perspective on the stadium issue.

Click to continue reading...

Dish Network has dropped GolTV effective last Friday. My outrage has already been heard by both parties. They are squabbling over money. Please call/write them to complain loudly! DISH - 1-888-284-7116! Call NOW! GolTV doesn't list a phone number, so email them - info@goltv.tv - NOW!

~and~

As Juan Toja leaves Dallas for Romania his old team gives him a video send off! Click to continue reading...

Well, let's hope there's no repeat of Tuesday's temblor, but it seemed an apt headline in more ways than one as you'll find out if you keep reading.

*The U.S. Men's Olympic Team drew 0-0 with the Ivory Coast in Hong Kong in what was the wee hours of the morning our time. Cameroon is up Saturday in the final tune-up before the games begin.

Click to continue reading...

OK, so ..... a very short entry today and sadly none tomorrow, as I have to go out of town on short notice for some family business. Just read the other Designated Players sites for all the updates. See ya next week.


FC Dallas has sold midfielder Juan Toja to Steaua Bucharest in Hungary. Click to continue reading...

Toronto FC coach John Carver wonders what his striker Jeff Cunningham is doing out there on the field: "You want my honest opinion on that? I'm thinking how has he scored 99 goals?"

~and~

Giorgio Chinaglia, one of the biggest soccer villains in America, is wanted by Italian Police for helping a mafia group try to buy Lazio! Click to continue reading...

Landon Donovan declares that wants to play in England, and his agent confirms it is true. See MLS Rumor section.

~and~

Freddy Adu has been loaned to Monaco by Benfica. See Americans In Europe section.

~and~

My team, the Minnesota Thunder, have dismissed coach Amos Magee late today. Click to continue reading...

Rev's to the rescue - 3 members of the teams management staff subdued a disturbed passenger on a flight from Boston to LA this weekend. Read more in the New England Revolution section.


SuperLiga

Official match reports and video highlights etc. Click to continue reading...

So Ronaldinho is now a member of Milan. Will it help them? Will it help him? Beware the three-headed Brazilian attack: Pato, Kaka & Ron.


SuperLiga

Official match reports and video highlights etc.
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Matchday 2 Group Stage Matches & Scores:
-Tue Jul 15
DC 2-3 Atlante - DCU goals by Grandpa Doe & Luciano Emilio. Click to continue reading...

Abdusalam Ibrahim, the young Ethiopian boy from my town of Minneapolis, made his pro debut on Saturday for Toronto. He came on at half time and did not disappoint, taking a great through ball from Amado Guevara to beat the Chicago defense, then rounded keeper Jon Busch and put the ball into an empty net. Click to continue reading...

According to the Washington Post's Steven Goff on his Soccer Insider blog today, two sources have told him Revolution 24-year-old All-Star defender Michael Parkhurst will join 36-year-old striker Brian McBride and potentially 23-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan as the overage players on the US squad for the summer Olympics in China. Click to continue reading...

D.C. United 2 : 0 Rochester Rhinos
Six Word Novel Recap

Dewar! What's it good for? CONCACAF.

Media, Traditional and OtherwiseThe Washington Times, Harlan Goode: "It took a while for Marc Burch to get going Tuesday night, but once the D.C. United defender did, he was hard to stop. Burch scored goals on two late free kicks, lifting United to a 2-0 win over the USL first-division Rochester Rhinos in the third round of the U. Click to continue reading...

Many people are asking me what "The Designated Players" thing in the right hand column is really all about. I could not have written the answer more succinctly than my comrade Adam Spangler of This Is American Soccer did.


US Open Cup

3rd Round Matches & Scores:
-Tue Jul 1
Crystal Palace Baltimore v New York Red Bulls
Match preview from the Annapolis Capital. Click to continue reading...

Today's column looked at the schizophrenic Galaxy as a metaphor for MLS.

On cue, Steven Goff's Soccer Insider blog reports this morning the Galaxy are interested in signing an unnamed Argentine central defender perhaps using Carlos Ruiz as trade bait. Goff mentions Chivas USA as a possible destination for Ruiz.

Click to continue reading...

Just two days after a 4-1 victory of the LA Galaxy, United is back in action tonight. The Black-and-Red will turn their attention to the Rochester Rhinos and the 94-year-old U.S. open Cup. With a major trophy and an automatic birth in the 2010 Champions' League on the line, D.C. United is sure to put forth their best effort.

Click to continue reading...

((Knock Knock))
"Who's there?
"Franco."
"Franco who?"
"Franco Niell, I cannot reach doorbell."



It looks like DC United is looking to make moves during the summer window. As Steven Goff reports, everyone's loveable MLS midget striker (and his $100,000 salary) has been waived by DC United. Click to continue reading...

Germany narrowly beat Turkey 3-2 at Euro 2008 and will take on the winner of today's Spain-Russia semifinal (11:30 a.m. ESPN2) in Sunday's final. Let's hope today's game isn't marred by the technical problems viewers both here and around the world endured during Wednesday's game. I don't know about you, but the telecast missing two of the game's goals (and returning just in time to catch Germany's last minute winner) spoiled the excitement of the game for me.

Click to continue reading...