(Photo by Darla Tamulitis—La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved)

After a rash of red and yellow cards beginning in the 84th minute, the Houston Dynamo held onto down Puebla FC 1-0 to win Group A of SuperLiga 2010.

Houston Dynamo needed either a win or tie against Puebla FC to advance to the semifinals of SuperLiga 2010.

Both teams failed to score in the first half, each having three total shots with no shots on goal.

In addition, both teams were issued only one yellow card each. Houston midfielder Lovel Palmer was carded in the 11th minute for a reckless tackle, while Puebla defender Juan Garcia was cited in the 35th minute for the same offense.

Even the fouls were kept to a minimum with Puebla committing seven and the Dynamo called for 10.

The second half went about the same as the first…until the Dynamo finally found the goal and both teams received that unwanted rash of yellow and red cards.

In the 64th minute, forward Dominic Oduro received a header from forward Cam Weaver and knocked the ball past Puebla goalkeeper Edgar Hernandez for the only score of the match.

The score was Oduro’s fourth goal of the season.

Then, all hell broke loose with that rash of yellow and red cards that cost both teams players for the remainder of the match. Pushing, shoving, and slapping occurred which stopped play until it could be sorted out.

As usual, extra time was added to compensate for the missed playing time.

Other players, as a result of excessive yellow cards in the tournament or red cards issued in this match, will have to sit out the next SuperLiga game for both teams

After everything was settled, two players from each team were ejected, along with 12 cards issued; eight yellow and four red. Seven of the cards went to the Dynamo and five to Puebla.

As the Group A champion, the Dynamo will face Monarcas Morelia at Robertson Stadium in the semifinals the first week of August. Puebla will face Group B champion New England Revolution at a yet undetermined date.

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The Seattle Sounders’ training pitch at Tukwila Wednesday was burning from the torrid heat applied in workout activity by star striker Fredy Montero.

The talented Colombian continues to improve his offensive game from the standpoint of kicks and headers. As he stands as one of the MLS’ leaders in goals scored, he continues to excel as well in the assist department.

Coach Sigi Schmid was delighted with the skills Montero displayed today in delivering booming kicks into the net. Following the workout he delivered praise Montero’s way.

“He is obviously technically a very good player and he is a player who’s got a good eye in front of the goal,” Schmid said. “His effort has been really good and, as a result, I think that has got him on the ball more and by getting on the ball more it gives you more chances to make plays. He has made some good decisions.

“The cross against D.C. was superb. It’s not a cross that everyone can hit and Roger [Levesque] finished it well at the back post. He [Montero] has definitely been involved with us on those goals and connecting and finding people. It’s a tribute to the work but it’s also a tribute to his ability as a player.”

Schmid also delivered praise to team captain and reliable veteran Kasey Keller for his stellar goalkeeping efforts.

“Well, he certainly came up with some big saves in D.C.,” Schmid enthused. “I know nobody beats himself up more if he gives up a bad goal than Kasey and he deserves the praise right now because he’s played well and he’s come up with some big saves for us.

“He’s been sharp. His training has been good. Tommy Dutra [Goalkeeper Coach] feels that every day when we check in. As long as he feels like that, I know he would like a new contract for next year so that helps, but it’s all about performance and he is performing very, very well. He is, in my mind, still one of the top goalkeepers in this league, without a doubt.”

The Sounders are preparing for one of their most important contests of the season. Western Conference rival Colorado Rapids comes to Seattle for a Sunday evening face off on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field.

Schmid expressed delight with Wednesday’s workout:

“It (the training session) was good. We are off tomorrow so we really wanted to push it today. I thought the guys put in a good effort today. It was good. We accomplished what we wanted to achieve from a work standpoint but also working on our defense a little bit, making sure we keep our shape and do a good job defending.”

Coach Schmid explained about his team’s offensive and defensive efforts based on tempo.

“It’s (team offense) a little bit of both [tactical decisions and personnel changes],” Schmid noted. “It’s also our attitude. We think we are a better team when we step up the pressure defensively.

“It’s sometimes difficult, especially for a young team, to play at one tempo defensively and then try to play at another tempo offensively. By stepping up the pressure defensively, it allows us to get into a little bit of a faster game, which suits us, and it also allows us to win the ball back in earlier parts of the field, which I think allows us to be more offensive.”

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Coming into tonight’s SuperLiga 2010 game against Puebla FC, the Houston Dynamo held their fate in their own hands.

After tying Chivas USA 1-1 on Sunday evening, the Dynamo were 1-0-1 (four points) in Group A, while Puebla was 2-0-0 (six points) after a 3-1 thumping of Pachuca on the same evening.

The top two finishers in each group advance to the semi-finals and while it seems probable that the Dynamo will advance, their hopes rest on the hope that they can outscore a Puebla squad which has scored five points in two games, while giving up only two.

Puebla FC has qualified for the semifinal stage in SuperLiga. Pachuca FC has been eliminated from the semifinals.

With a draw or a victory, Houston will qualify for the semifinals. Chivas USA need to defeat Pachuca and have Puebla defeat Houston, and also over turn a minus-two goal differential.

In any case, the Dynamo hold their own fate in their hands...or should I say their feet.

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Speculation continues to abound concerning whether Freddie Ljungberg will be dealt away by the Seattle Sounders during the transfer period.

Coach Sigi Schmid following Tuesday’s practice session at the Sounders’ Tukwila training facility discussed Ljungberg’s status among other questions.

“Ljungberg is still (coping) with the injured ankle,” Schmid said, adding, “but also, at this point, he is exploring options. So we’ll see how things proceed in the next three, four, five days.

“Freddie is a great player and he brings energy onto the field. Every time he plays on the field he plays with energy. For us as a team, you have to judge how we play with him or without him. I know I have my feelings and my judgments on that thing. But at the end of the day, our backs are against the wall and I think the guys know that.

“That helps you find some spirit and desire and sometimes when you hit a good streak somebody is not on the team. For example, [Brad] Evans is not on the team right now. We are hitting a good streak. Does that mean if he was on the field we would be better or would we be worse? It’s tough for me to say. But the group that has gone out there right now is playing with a lot of intensity and it’s really probably irrespective of who else is out with him.”

In addition to the aforementioned Brad Evans, Kasey Keller and Nate Jaqua have been nursing injuries. Schmid confronted the Keller and Jaqua situations.

“Keller did a little bit of handling,” Schmid revealed. “We didn’t want him, obviously, to do any kicking and we didn’t want him to do a lot of stuff on his feet. We actually wanted him to stay off of it (his injured foot) completely but it’s hard to convince him of that. We feel with the week he should be okay by the weekend. Jaqua felt better today than he has prior days, so we’re hoping that by Friday he can reenter training. He did a lot more today so we’ll have a better picture tomorrow morning.”

Schmid expressed delight over the manner that the newest member of his team, heralded midfielder Blaise Nkufo, is fitting into the Sounders’ picture. “He’s fine,” Schmid declared. “He’s fine with the team. He fits in very well with the group.”

The coach also covered the injury situation of Brad Evans.

“The actual knee that had surgery on it is pretty good,” Schmid said. “He took a knock in the New York game earlier in the season that forced him to be out for about a week to ten days and that’s the knee that’s actually bothering him right now. It’s nothing that we think is going to require surgery but we felt for him to lay low a little bit and give it some time.”

The Seattle schedule has been so busy lately that Schmid expressed relief that his team had a full week to prepare for Sunday’s important Western Conference clash with the visiting Colorado Rapids:

“Yeah, it’s definitely strange to have so much time. We are used to just going back out there and playing again. It’s good. It gives us a little bit of time to sort of take a deep breath. But we want to make sure we stay in rhythm and we stay fit.”

The preparation comment led next to an evaluation of the team’s current status. “I think right now our team work ethic and our team spirit is very good and that’s helped us,” Schmid said. “We are obviously disappointed with that Dallas one (a 1-1 tie at home). If we could’ve picked up three points there instead of just the one that would’ve been nice.

"But these next two league games are very important to us. We have got to go out and approach those games with the same spirit and the same endeavor that we approached the D.C. United game and the Dallas game.”

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There’s an interesting article over at Match Fit USA called “#trophiesnotfriendlies ” that builds on an idea that was seemingly started by Dave Clark over at Sounder at Heart .  

The idea is pretty simple (though I paraphrase somewhat roughly), MLS clubs should be focusing-on and promoting Cup competitions with “real value” and not “meaningless” friendly matches.

In theory, it’s hard to argue. Some games matter, some games don’t.

But nothing is ever quite that simple…

One issue that Jason at Match Fit USA focuses on are that the friendly games are included in Season ticket packages, but US Open Cup (USOC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League Games are not.

However, I feel as if I might not have all of the information about the business side of things here. I wonder about there being a revenue-sharing arrangement with CONCACAF or US Soccer that would be muddied by the tickets to those competitions being “comp’ed” as part of a season ticket package? Sounds like an accounting nightmare.

I think that could be a major, if not the only major, issue that makes these games get a non-Season Ticket holder treatment.

Let’s presume that is not the issue… are there other considerations?

One might be that there is also a reality check here regarding non-Sounder interest in these games.  Luckily the Sounders can get people out to the stadium pretty easily.  (Something I plan to witness first hand on the July 25th when I visit Seattle.)

Let’s presume that most MLS teams are still looking to broaden their fan-base. Given this, one would want to attract—and show a good time to—as many local supporters of a visiting club as possible. 

I’m going on a limb here and thinking Michigan Bucks don’t drag many away followers, versus say, Scotland’s Celtic.

When the visiting supporters visit the stadium, you want to show them a good time.  Now, I’m a Revs fan, and I have been to rainy mid-week US Open Cup games where the crowd could fit within a high-school stadium. 

I have also been to recent midweek games with Benfica and Cruzeiro, neither of which had great “home-team” atmospheres, but at least they had an atmosphere.

Getting as many fans as possible on both sides to these games (including them in Season Ticket packages or otherwise) in at least gives an MLS team a “fighting chance” at winning a few over by having the best possible atmosphere.

Two last thoughts on this Cup over Friendly argument…

First, I agree that these are reasonably silly games, where the primary intent is not to get injured. But, I sure prefer “MLS Team vs. Visiting Famous Team” better than watching two visiting famous pro-clubs.

It might sound absurd, but whether it is a barometer of skill or just the fun of seeing a $40K rookie marking a $4M man, it can be fun. 

Euro vs. Euro games they pawn off on us sure do attract fans, but anyone who says “I watched a Milan derby at Gillette Stadium” certainly hasn’t been to many games outside the USA.

Second, I think the real challenge here is this. These games should add value for fans and players, but instead both teams and fans are pre-occupied with stretched resources. 

What we really should be preoccupied with is how to expand MLS rosters and salary caps so that the MLS teams can play their stars for just a bit, throw in the reserves and treat this the same way our visitors do.

For fun.

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Here are the MLS All-Star Team reserve selections for their July 28 showdown with Manchester United at Reliant Stadium in Houston:

Nick Rimando, Kevin Alston, Jonathan Bornstein, Wilman Conde, Heath Pearce, Brad Davis, David Ferreira, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Sebastien LeToux, Juan Pablo Angel, Brian Ching, Jaime Moreno.

Jaime Moreno and Brian Ching were MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s picks.

I was hoping to see talented young Honduran native and DC United Midfielder Andy Najar on this list as well via either Head Coach Bruce Arena or Don Garber.

He will likely be selected next year.

Full Roster:

Goalkeepers: Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas) , Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire) &, Kevin Alston (New England Revolution).

Midfielders: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC) , Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union), David Ferreira (FC Dallas), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids).

Forwards: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)

Unavailable: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy will be up and at 'em for another round of home cooking. The San Jose Earthquakes come to town in the renewal of the California Clasico on Thursday, July 22 at the Home Depot Center.

With Real Salt Lake dropped in unceremonious fashion by FC Dallas last week, the Los Angeles Galaxy inch ever closer to the Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield. With a 12-2-3 record (39 points), the G's sit nine points ahead of RSL in the MLS Western Conference and eight ahead of overall second-place side Columbus Crew.

Currently, Frank Yallop's Quakes sit fifth in the MLS Western Conference with a 6-4-4 record (22 points) and are also in position to claim the last MLS Cup Playoff spot.

The California Clasico predates the Honda SuperClasico between the Galaxy and Chivas USA by several years, going back to the league's founding in 1996.

In the very first match between between the Galaxy and the Quakes (who were called the San Jose Clash at the time), held on April 28, 1996 at the Rose Bowl, the Galaxy won 2-1.

Since then, the Galaxy have dominated their Northern California rivals, boasting a 26-16-5 record through the conclusion of the 2009 season.

In the last match between the two sides, held at the Home Depot Center on October 24, 2009, an own goal by Bobby Burling in the 24th minute combined with a 77th minute strike from Landon Donovan gave the Galaxy a 2-0 victory and in effect winning the series on aggregate 3-2.

The last time San Jose won the California Clasico was in 2005, when they destroyed the Galaxy on aggregate 9-3. San Jose has only been able to win the California Clasico two other times: in 1997 (6-4) and 2001 (a 6-0 shutout).

The Earthquakes are led by Chris Wondolowski and Bobby Convey. Wondolowski is the team's leading striker with six goals to his credit. Other players to watch out for on the offensive side of things for San Jose are Arturo Alvarez and Ike Opara. Both have three goals to their name so far this season.

Convey is the team's main playmaker, leading the Quakes with eight assists. Ryan Johnson is another facilitator to watch out for in the Quakes attack. Johnson is second on the team with four assists.

Wondolowski and Convey will be marked heavily by the Galaxy backline, led by ironman Todd Dunivant and Mr. Reliable himself, Omar Gonzalez.

Dunivant has played in every league match thus far and every game minute. Gonzalez, in spite of sitting out a one-game suspension against the New England Revolution earlier this year, has proven vital to the club with his ability to hold opposing attackers at bay.

Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, in spite of slight rustiness as of late, currently has a 12-2-2 record and has made 44 saves to go with a 84.6 save percentage and a 0.50 goals against average.

Edson Buddle has his scoring form back, leading the league with 11 goals while playing a part in LA's 2-1 victory over D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Sunday. Landon Donovan leads the league in assists with 10.

The Buddlevan Connection will look to slice apart a defense led by Jason Hernandez and Brian McDonald. Hernandez leads the team in league minutes with 1,260, and he and McDonald will be forced to suppress the creativity from the Galaxy's midfield, led by Chris Birchall, Juninho and Sean Franklin.

Prediction

Attention, attention, this home-cooking class is now in session! (Hey, I just made a rhyme. Thank you, thank you, you're far too kind.) In one corner we have the Iron Chefs, the Galaxy. In the other corner, the challengers, the Earthquakes.

Knowing that in most cases of rather rigged show of culinary renown, the Iron Chef wins, I'll give this one to the Galaxy. Bon appetit!

Los Angeles Galaxy 3, San Jose Earthquakes 1

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Home Depot Center and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

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Glasgow, Scotland’s heralded Celtic FC, a top international soccer team formed in 1888, took its U.S. tour to Seattle on Sunday for an exciting friendly in which the visitors edged the Sounders 2-1 before 45,631 patrons at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field.

Until the sun finally came out toward the end of the second half, the match had been played under cloudy skies. How symbolic that was considering the first-half controversy that beclouded the contest.

Star Celtic midfielder Georgios Samaras, who won plaudits performing for Greece in the recently concluded World Cup competition, broke through the Sounders’ defense in the 32nd minute and was fouled in the box by goalkeeper Terry Boss.

The undaunted Samaras booted the ball into the net nonetheless. Referee Paul Ward could have counted the goal but instead handed Boss a red card and awarded the Celtic striker a penalty kick.

Bedlam erupted as both Celtic FC and Sounders players protested the call. The Scottish team’s players preferred to let Samaras’ goal stand while the Sounders were furious over the red card banishment to Boss. Meanwhile, the crowd erupted in a loud chorus of boos.

When calm was ultimately restored, Boss stalked off toward the dressing room and Samaras prepared to take his penalty kick under unique circumstances.

Boss, Seattle’s second goalkeeper, started because veteran Kasey Keller is recovering from an injury sustained in last Thursday’s 1-0 road win against D.C. United and was given the day off by Coach Sigi Schmid.

After the unusual circumstance of a red card banishment of a player during an international friendly, Boss’ backup for the day trotted onto the field.

The storybook circumstances found a player added to today’s roster in view of emergency circumstances surfacing.

Jordan Jennings had played college soccer initially at the University of Washington and ultimately at the University of Seattle, where he played during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.

The Tacoma-bred Stadium High product had played for the Tacoma Tides of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League on Saturday night .

The PDL stands on the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. Jennings had played last night in Tacoma before a “crowd” he estimated at between 20 and 25.

Jennings said afterward, “I thought as I was trotting onto the field before over 40,000 people that I would be facing this guy I had seen on TV who had been a star for Greece in the World Cup.”

The Tacoma product acquitted himself well on the Samaras kick and throughout the remainder of the contest.

It took a sturdy, indefensible kick by Samaras on the top right hand side of the net to score. Jennings guessed right but the kick’s accuracy made it indefensible.

Sigi Schmid is known for his coolness, but at the end of the first half, he confronted Referee Ward and crew to explain how he felt, his arms waving back and forth to express his indignation.

"My two things were these,” Schmid revealed in the post-match press conference. “One is the guy scored the goal and he could have let the goal count. He didn't have to go back and give the penalty.

“He said that he had blown the whistle, so he felt he needed to call the penalty. I asked if he needed to red card the guy and he said that those are the rules.

"So I said that you've ruined the game for 40,000 people. Then I asked him where their communication was, because normally there is the fourth official with the guy in the middle and the linesman as well.

“Maybe it was U.S. soccer's frugality or whatever the case, but they had no communication system. I said that'd be like us showing up without uniforms.

"I just left it at that. I figured I was close to getting thrown out and (Seattle general manager) Adrian Hanauer said he wouldn't pay any fines, so I figured I couldn't do that."

Seattle was compelled to play with 10 players for the remainder of the match after Boss’ red card banishment.

Schmid made the decision to remove forward Fredy Montero. When asked why he had replaced the team leader in goals and assists, the coach explained, “If I had kept Montero in the game, I would have been forced to use him at midfield.”

The team of defender Milan Misun and forward Patrick McCourt teamed up for the winning Celtic score in the 64th minute. Misun broke free and darted down the left side of the pitch toward the Sounders goal.

Misun’s timing was perfect, as he delivered a cross just as McCourt had broken free in the Seattle goal area.

The Sounders answered with their lone tally of the afternoon shortly thereafter, in the 66th minute under peculiar circumstances.

David Estrada had been placed on injured reserve for MLS competition, clearing the way to add international star Blaise Nkufo to the roster.

Estrada delivered a long blast after taking the ball from Taylor Graham that was indefensible and fell into the net beyond the best effort of Celtic FC’s American goalkeeper Dominic Cervi, a Tulsa University graduate.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Estrada almost scored an equalizer when another swift blast hit the crossbar.

After the match, Schmid explained Estrada’s status:

"He can play. He has a chronic toe that sort of comes and goes, but he can play in Open Cup games and he can play in CONCACAF games, so there are opportunities that are there."

The friendly gave Schmid the opportunity to use some players that had seen little action lately while resting injured regulars such as Kasey Keller, Michael Seamon, and Nate Jaqua.

Blaise Nkufo made his highly-publicized Sounders debut, playing 60 minutes before being replaced by Roger Levesque. His movements were smooth and fluid.

The 34-year-old took charge in the midfield area and gave evidence of what he can accomplish for Seattle during the remainder of the campaign.

Seattle returns to MLS play July 25 against the Colorado Rapids and then faces El Salvador’s Metapan July 28 in CONCACAF Champions League play-in competition. Both are at home.

Celtic FC ends its U.S. tour against Sporting of Portugal on Wednesday in Boston’s Fenway Park.

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Los Angeles Galaxy fans, allow me to give you some therapy. Take a deep breath, as deep as you can, and say "Ahhh." One more time, "Ahhh." In the world of sports, we call that a sigh of relief.

That's because after three straight dismal outings on the road, Bruce Arena's Galaxy finally broke through with goals by Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle in their 2-1 victory over D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

I'll have to tell you this: my prediction for a draw nearly came true. A poor clearance in the 90th minute saw D.C. United almost succeed on the counterattack, but an easy header from Pablo Hernandez missed and hit the top netted instead of the goal.

And believe me when I say this: that was the easiest chance for D.C. yet. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was beat. He was beat to the punch by the black shirts of Curt Onalfo pushing forward. I can't believe that the Argentine international could not succeed in preventing the Galaxy from earning their first win at RFK since 2006.

It was criminal to miss that close. But giving credit where it's due is what I like to do after a match, and Edson Buddle—my goodness—he did his part in persevering for that first goal. Dejan Jakovic did all he could to make a stop, but to no avail.

Troy Perkins was jammed in the box and the only thing he could do was watch the American Pele make his mark on the game with his 11th of the season in the 38th minute.

D.C. did show up offensively to make this a tad bit interesting. Andy Najar is a player to watch out for, and a fixture for the future. He equalized in the 54th minute, energizing the crowd on a header.

However, football changes with the emotions. No need to tell the Barra Brava, La Norte, or the Screaming Eagles that as Julius James earned the role of the goal with a handball, resulting in an easy penalty for Donovan to take.

Omar Gonzalez's return seemed to be a breath of fresh air. His presence on the back line proved crucial, and as I suspected, they sure were missing him last week.

I was not pleased with the lack of finish from Alan Gordon. As far as I'm concerned, he had a horrible outing tonight. You have to be able to connect on the chance you are given. He was rusty on Saturday.

Of course, Donovan was not as much as factor in this game either, but because of Gordon's inability to tine his finishing correctly, the match was closer that it should have been. Sean Franklin did not do himself any favors with his missed opportunities to put the game on ice, either.

With Chris Wondolowski and the San Jose Earthquakes rolling in for the home leg of the California Clasico on Thursday, one can only hope that this finishing issue is addressed.

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