Friday, September 25, 2009

US U20 World Cup Preview

No, I didn't forget out arguably the most important competition other than the full blown World Cup. This years version of the U20 World Cup features, once again, the US stuck in a group of death (with Germany, South Korea, and Cameroon). It lacks however, the star power of US rosters in the past. Gone are Freddy Adu, Josmer Altidore,Michael Bradley, Danny Szetela, Sal Zizzo, Chris Seitz, and Robbie Rogers. In are the latest batch of young US stars; Mikkel Diskerud, Dilly Duka, Brek Shea, Bryan Arguez, and Jared Jeffery. Here is the entire US roster, by position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (Central Florida; Lilburn, Ga.), Josh Lambo (FC Dallas; Middleton, Wis.), Brian Perk (UCLA; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (5): Gale Agbossoumonde (Miami FC; Syracuse, N.Y.), Kyle Davies (FC Dallas; Danville, Calif.), Aaron Maund (Notre Dame; Dorchester, Mass.), Ike Opara (Wake Forest; Durham, N.C.), Sheanon Williams (Unattached; Boston, Mass.)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin, Miami), Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo; Glendale, Ariz.), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabaek; Oslo, Norway), Dilly Duka (Rutgers; Montville, N.J.), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA; Anaheim, Calif.), Jared Jeffrey (Club Brugge; Richardson, Texas), Gerson Mayen (Chivas USA; Los Angeles), Brian Ownby (Virginia; Glen Allen, Va.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Michael Stephens (UCLA; Naperville, Ill.)
FORWARDS (3): Peri Marosevic (FC Dallas; Rockford, Ill.), Brek Shea (FC Dallas; College Station, Texas), Tony Taylor (Miami FC; Jacksonville, Fla.)

In their first game, the US faces traditional European power, Germany. However, it is a weakened German side due to the fact that teams are not required to release players for the competition, and many young German stars are missing because they are critical to their club sides. All matches will be aired on the ESPN family of networks and tomorrows game vs. Germany will be on ESPN Classic at 9:30am. COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!!!!!!

CONCACAF Champions League Update

Well, two MLS teams made names for themselves this week with big wins against top competition. Houston Dynamo dismantled Arabe Unido (Panama) 5-1 and DC United toppled CD Marathon (Honduras) 3-0. However, the Columbus Crew missed a great opportunity for redemption against Cruz Azul as they lost 2-0 in Columbus.

The teams next match-ups:
Sep. 29 Saprissa @ Columbus Crew
Sep. 30 San Juan Jabloteh @ DC United
Sep. 30 Pachuca @ Houston Dynamo

MLS Final Week Breakdown

In Major League Soccer's final week of the 2009 season, teams and players will be desperate for the final available points and will look to head into the post-season on a positive note. Marquee match-ups abound, as LA Galaxy visits Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders FC goes to New England, and Toronto FC faces Chicago.

Here is this last weeks schedule:
Saturday:
Seattle Sounders FC @ New England Revolution; 7:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
LA Galaxy @ Columbus Crew ; 7:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
Real Salt Lake @ FC Dallas; 8:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
Toronto FC @ Chicago Fire; 8:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
Colorado Rapids @ Kansas City Wizards; 8:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
New York Red Bulls @ Chivas USA; 10:30pm EST on Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday:
San Jose Earthquakes @ DC United; 3:00pm EST on Telefutura

Wednesday:
New England Revolution @ FC Dallas; 7pm EST on MLS Direct Kick

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

CONCACAF Champions League Update

It's been a long time since I've updated what our American clubs are doing in arguably the most important competition of the season. Well, there are three MLS clubs remaining; Houston Dynamo, Columbus Crew, and DC United and one USL club, last years runners up, Puerto Rico Islanders. Recent results make it hard to ignore however, as the Columbus Crew went into Estadio Saprissa and came away victorious (the first MLS team to do so) with a 1-0 over Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica). Last night, Houston thumped visiting Arabe Unido (Panama) 5-1 to move to second in Group A. Columbus now sits in second in Group C and face group leaders Cruz Azul(Mexico) at home tonight. DC United's position is one of concern, after losing their first two group matches against Marathon (Honduras) and Toluca (Mexico), DC pulled out a 1-0 victory over San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad & Tobago) and currently sit in third place in Group B and will face second place Marathon at home tomorrow night. USL side Puerto Rico is in last place in Group C with only a slim chance of advancing to the knockout stages. So whats the best we can hope for? Wins, against quality CONCACAF foes (Mexico's Cruz Azul, Honduras' Marathon, and Mexico's Pachuca). All teams will be playing at home and all with a shot to take three points and make a name for Major League Soccer.

Monday, September 21, 2009

MLS Weekend Look Back

One week left in the MLS regular season and things continue to get hotter in the playoff race. Here are the results from this past weekend, which featured a top Eastern showdown and Western leaders looked to continue their winning ways:

Friday:

New England Revolution 1, New York Red Bulls 1
Colorado Rapids 1, San Jose Earthquakes 1

Saturday:
Chivas USA 0, Seattle Sounders FC 0
Real Salt Lake 2, Houston Dynamo 3
FC Dallas 2, Kansas City Wizards 3
Toronto FC 0, LA Galaxy 2

Sunday:
Columbus Crew 2, Chicago Fire 2

Look out for a full weekend of coverage for this last week of the regular season and I'll reveal my MLS regular season "Best of" awards.