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MLS News
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Monday, 30 March 2009 16:32 |
I've taken my share of cheap shots at MLS Commissioner Don Garber over the years, including the use of some unflattering nicknames which make reference to his remarkably simian appearance prior to the removal of that facial hair thingy he used to sport.
For that I'd like to apologize. Calling the man "Commissioner Cheetah" or "The Monkey King" is just plain mean spirited and wrong.
On the other hand, regular readers (thanks Mom!) will recall that I have also spent a good deal of time and valuable blog space defending The Don on a number of fronts, often to the dismay of many MLS fans who would like nothing better than to line the man up and toss overripe vegetables at his head.
Overall—particularly since dropping all that unfortunate chimpanzee business—I think I've been more than fair with the guy, almost never engaging in the kind of ugly pro forma attacks that some people who I won't name (cough—Dan Loney—cough) regularly indulge in.
All of which is a roundabout way of saying that I think I've proven that I'm not unduly or automatically negative about the guy. So much so, in fact, that I hope he'll take it to heart when I say:
Mr. Commissioner, you've blown it.
You've done some marginally stupid things from time to time, as have we all.
Take, for example, the day that ESPN gave you a half hour of live TV to conduct a lottery for the rights to Danny Szetela—and you spent the first five minutes conducting the lottery and the last 25 minutes complaining that the wrong team won and telling Szetela that he would of course be traded to New York so he could bunk in with Mom.
Or like when you boldly announced that there was a deadline for AC Milan to cough up an acceptable deal for Stupid Spice, after which they could forget it so everyone spent a week talking about the impending deadline, and the next three weeks talking about what kind of idiot would say something like that when it was clear that no such deadline existed.
I—and most other MLS fans—could go on and on like this, but here's the thing:
While you tend to say dumbass things at the spur of the moment, you have a tendency to get the big issues right, and that's why you get the big dollars and I am behind you 100 percent. Enjoy the money.
But—you were waiting, weren't you?—I'm afraid that you've created a problem, a growing problem, that didn't have to be: I'm talking about Toronto FC fans.
Ever since the first time you attended a match at BMO, you've walked around with a big old stiffy in your trousers, babbling into any available Digital Voice Recorder about "the great, great atmosphere" and "the great, great fans" in Toronto and how they were the model that all MLS teams should use in creating a "great great atmosphere" and why the hell don't the rest of the teams have "great, great fans" like Toronto does so they too could have "a great, great atmosphere" instead of doing an imitation of sitting Shiva in silent stadiums with tumbleweeds blowing across the pitch as small clumps of mind-numbed clodhoppers stare vacantly at a game they barely comprehend?
This idiotic meme—excuse me, I mean this train of thought—has led you to do things which a normal person would have found embarrassing.
Take, for example, that interview you gave to ESPN wherein you babbled like an idiot about how marvelous it is that Toronto fans bury opposing players in streamers and the "fun" and "colorful" atmosphere that creates.
The very next week Steve Ralston is buried in streamers in another stadium, and you act like the crowd had vaulted the railings and beaten him to a pulp before dragging him to the parking lot and burning him at the stake.
You immediately issued a series of increasingly hysterical statements decrying the fall of Western civilization in the form of this outlandish, life-imperiling behavior and demanding that a stop be put to it, else the teams involved would face serious, dire, and like, really really bad consequences and stuff.
As a result, there were massive increases in stadium security. Beefed up police presence. Installation of more video observation equipment than on the main floor at Caesars' Palace.
Meetings with supporter's groups. Rules posted. Seat number checks. Stadium ejections, Stadium bans. Fascism run amok.
And finally, with some considerable damage to various relationships that had previously been built on mutual respect, the occasional piece of crepe paper from beyond the grave making its flesh-destroying way down to the field is a very rare occurrence indeed.
Almost as rare as you demonstrating control over your mouth.
Meanwhile, of course, the "great, great fans" in Toronto, who create the "fun" and "colorful" atmosphere that you are so enamored of, have changed virtually nothing.
Don't take my word for it, watch a damn game on TV in between sampling Chardonnays with Chuck Blazer. You know, the worldwide embarrassment whose size and shape resembles Jupiter. The guy you gave "The MLS Commissioner's Award" to a couple years ago.
(Here's hoping that when the surgeon removed your lips from his ass that it didn't leave too big a scar.)
Taking a corner kick in BEEMO reminds one of John Glenn or maybe Charles Lindburgh making their way down a New York street while everyone emptied their wastebaskets out the windows and claimed that was "tickertape".
Of course, Lucky Lindy didn't also get a couple gallons of beer dumped on him in the process. New Yorkers are more respectful of beer.
See, the problem you've created, Don my freind—we're still pals, right?—is that Toronto fans, with whom I admit I have something of a problematical relationship, quite obviously think—with good reason—that you really love them and the "color" they bring to the games and that as a result nobody dares tell them to knock some of this crap off.
Just last week you were telling reporters—for the umpty-umpth time—that the great fan response in Columbus last year was due entirely to a sort of knee jerk reaction to all those "great, great Toronto fans" who came to the home opener.
Which is an interesting theory, and one which makes TFC fans—and you yourself—extremely happy but which, frankly, is a load of horse pucky.
The Nordecke phenomenon in CBus was due to a number of factors, mainly that when the stage was installed, it forced the several supporters' groups into one compact section instead of the six they previously occupied.
Also of note is that Columbus kicked a bunch of ass last year and, frankly, the bandwagon got pretty crowded.
(If I ever get the chance to talk to you face-to-face on this issue, I'm going to ask you how it is that a couple thousand people who didn't even care enough to attend the home opener or even watch it on TV and thus had no idea how many fans TFC brought or what they sounded like suddenly discovered the sting and shame of being outshouted in a stadium they were miles away from. So be prepared.)
But see, even when a team does things right, it isn't because of them, it was the "great, great fans" in Toronto who did it. Are you catching my drift here, Don?
Well I'm here to say that you've created a monster, and you've done it with your own stupid mouth.
Pardon me, was that harsh? Ah, who cares?
Last Saturday, around fifteen hundred of your pet "great, great fans" made their way to Crew stadium, where they proceeded to try and set new standards for acting like assholes.
It started with signs like this:
(I'm not sure what insulting an entire religion has to do with anything but then I'm not as tuned in to "great atmosphere" as you are. I can tell you that any number of family types who paid good money to attend found this offensive.)
and this:
which, I'm proud to say, I had to have someone explain to me. If you need to Google it, take my advice: just skip it.
And included an almost nonstop shower of debris—there were even a few streamers amongst the garbage—and beer and finally included steel railings and hunks of metal plate ripped up from the stadium itself and hurled at the people, players and whoever else was within range.
Meanwhile, the lewdness and crudeness of your pet fans were so offensive that a good number of customers removed their children—and themselves, of course—from the building and swear they'll never be back.
After the game, innocent fans with kids in hand were verbally—obscenely—abused, people were shoved down stairs, virtually every trash barrel on the premises was overturned, so many fights were broken up that several policemen reported actually running out of Mace, there were numerous arrests and, a full hour after the game there were still 20 police officers and a helicopter patrolling the grounds.
Mr. Commissioner, I've been to a lot of MLS games, in a lot of stadiums. I'm no stranger to fan scuffles, drunken louts, taunting, obscenities and all sorts of over-the-top behavior. But this game was way, way, WAY beyond anything I ever hoped to see in MLS.
And, while you may find it unfair, I am afraid that, at the end of the day, I blame you.
Every MLS fan has heard, until we're all ready to barf up lunch, your little spiels about how wonderful the fans are in Toronto, and how great it would be if the rest of us sluggardly clods were just like them.
Frankly, it's gotten pretty annoying. It got even more annoying after Seattle proved you can put a lot more people in a stadium for an MLS game, have a wonderful, colorful and fun atmosphere, and yet not have the place taken over by a drunken, obscene, destructive mob of turds.
(Honestly, as someone said elsewhere today, I can't wait until they decide to "invade" Philadelphia next spring. The police, not to mention the fans, may react...uh, "badly." Just a thought.)
Anyway, the thing is that you've spent the last couple of years empowering a fan group by telling them how much you admire the stuff they do, and they've taken it to heart, and now there's a problem.
Things like this would have been much easier to deal with in the beginning, but you didn't want to. You didn't want to spoil the "fun."
Well congratulations, Mr. Commissioner. You've got exactly what you asked for.
Good luck dealing with it now.Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Monday, 30 March 2009 12:08 |
Toronto FC fans were misbehaving yet again Saturday in Columbus. From the Columbus Dispatch:
Quote:
The mutual frustration of a draw turned physical after the game. Unruly fans, including some from a contingent of an estimated 1,500 Toronto supporters, confronted one another and the police in parking lots to the south and east of the stadium. Multiple arrests were made and mace or pepper spray was used to break up at least one melee.
At least twenty Columbus police cruisers and a heli-copter were still patrolling the lots 45 minutes after the game. Columbus police said that some fans were ejected from the stadium and there were at least three arrests.
A security guard said that Toronto fans ripped a stadium railing from its bearings. Multiple rows of bleachers in the Toronto section were twisted and bent. Toronto fans also unfurled multiple vulgar banners that were removed by security.
I am not pinning this one bit on Columbus or its fans, except to say that maybe the police should've done a better job of ensuring TFC fans didn't move en masse towards Crew fans. But the rest of my criticism goes towards TFC, and their escalating fan conduct problems.
When I envision the worst possible PR incidents for MLS and American soccer, I come up with these three items:
MLS folds
USA fails to qualify for World Cup
MLS fans take part in hooligan-inspired violence that causes serious injuries to other fans or the police
You'd surely agree that disasters one and two are fairly far off possibilities, but TFC is pushing us closer and closer to possibility No. 3.
TFC must immediately begin putting pressure on its supporter club leadership to stop the violence and property damage. If the supporters clubs won't show leadership here, then TFC itself needs to begin removing their privileges to force the issue.
I am not sure TFC management takes this issue seriously enough. Where is the statement? Where is the plan to work with the supporters clubs to find the guilty individuals and discipline them?
I took a quick swing by the Red Patch Boys' forum and here are some comments from there verbatim and just because my grandparents might read it, I should warn you that some of the language is quite obscene.
Quote One
Quote:
The part about the stadium damage is NOT true. That railing was already shaky and somebody simple took it off it's base. About 5 minutes before the game ended however some idiot decided to throw it over the stands and onto the tent below. Security/police saw the whole thing and immediately bust into the stands to grab the guy. But he didn't BREAK the railing to begin with, he was just stupid enough to decide to throw a 6 foot piece of steel down below. That was it. It's not as if TFC fans were running around the south stands ripping up seats or railings. Gawd newspapers piss me off.
Quote 2
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Icould give a flying ******** about the respect of the columbus fans. If your not going to be pssionate and emotonal about it the go watch pointy ball... I'm not saying we should go looking for fights but sure as shit if they come to me or anyone around me I'll give them trouble... I'm sure nobody went looking for trouble but thats what happens when you have 1500 fans who are passionate and emotional about their team. If a fan of the other side were to come up to me and want to shake my hand after a match i would... maybe even share a pint with him... but if he comes looking for trouble then trouble he will get!...
as for the railing that was pretty stupid... do it hink the guy should be skull ********ed and boot partied for it? no...who ever thinks this should be boot partied themselves... we are all brothers, and when your brother makes a mistake you help them, not skull ******** them.
alcohol+football= shit happens
Quote 3
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I witnessed a TFC "fan," i use that term loosely, rip a paper towel dispenser off the wall in the bathroom. I gave it to security and it was embarrasing.
Quote 4
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First off great job by the RPBs and the organization...Sorry about Flush and the shite with his brother...Have to say that I was REALLy disappointed by some TFC fans in the parking lot...some morons throwing full beers(cans and bottles) and hitting our own fans..also after the game some TFC moron attacking an old man and his granddaughter wearing Crew shirts who just happened to be walking by...F***ING DISGUSTING!!! If I ever see your ugly face at a match again mate I will kick the living daylights out of you!
Quote 5
Quote:
Some of you people are hilarious. "Oh Noes there was fights, and cops and shit was broken. Next time when Columbus comes into town now I wont be able to kiss there ass, trade scarves and show them around our city. Then we wont be called CLASSY FANS anymore OH NOES OMGZ" Grow a pair you pansies. Its football if you want to make friends trade scarves and jerk of on how classy you are to each other go coach house league baseball. I'm proud that our boys stood up for them selves. Those Columbus losers were asking for it. Some of you chicken shits must be drooling at the thought of texting security anything that dosent feel right for you. Are you lives so empty you want to be called classy and good fans by people you wont ever see again. I'am not a hooligan or a hooligan supporter but I call ********** when i see it.
I should also add that there were plenty of folks on there expressing displeasure with the kinds of comments and actions posted above.
The fan who threw that piece of metal off the back of the bleachers should be a) charged with a crime, and b) have his season ticket stripped and face at least a season-long ban.
What happens if that railing maims or kills someone? This isn't a slippery slope argument. This is violent and potentially lethal behavior on the part of Toronto fans.
I am sorry, this simply doesn't happen with other teams. Chicago's fans always travel in large numbers and I don't think they have these kinds of continuing problems. DC fans travel everywhere and I can only think of one incident that has ever caused an injury—and the guilty party in that incident was banned immediately after being identified by other DC supporters.
The onus is now on TFC management to make clear to the supporters clubs that there will be serious consequences if violent activity and property damage continues. If TFC management is ineffective at that, then the league should involve itself.
I suspect that Saturday was as close as we've ever seen to someone being killed or seriously maimed at an MLS match. We cannot allow for us to get that close again.
Below are some more photos I found on Flickr:
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Monday, 30 March 2009 10:52 |
Hmm, let's see. Three draws, only two matches featuring more than two goals, only one game decided with a late winner, and one game decided with a late-game own goal.
Could you tell that most of this league's best players weren't out there? I could.
Because of that, it's hard to say we learned all that much this week. Here's what I learned:
Houston needs to deal for another forward, and soon. Yes, Kamara will be back shortly, but I am not sure a team with title aspirations can lean so heavily on the assassins known as Kei Kamara and Chris Wondolowski.
Seattle might actually be pretty good and not just "for an expansion team." They're going to get the benefit of playing in the weaker West, but that being said, they still look like a playoff team to me. Montero looks like the best player to hit MLS in a long time and Schmid has this group going in one direction. I am not going to read too much into RSL's night, especially as it was their first match after having to sit out the first week.
DC remains not very good. Two matches with two blown leads. Soehn is going to have to answer questions about Crayton not starting because Wicks looks even worse than Wells.
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Monday, 30 March 2009 10:31 |
The one where we’ve got our swim trunks and our flippy floppies…
Who you got?
Who invented Mondays? I think it must have been the Communists. There’s no other explanation as to why they’re so excruciating. Maybe it was Ron L. Hubbard. Mondays make as much sense as basing a religion off of alien abduction. [Ed. Note - YES! Uninformed, biased opinion!! Blog on!!]
Your 2009 Final Four teams are set. UConn will match up against Michigan State. UNC will have the pleasure of playing this year’s “Cinderella,” Villanova. I know calling Nova the "Cinderellas" of the tournament is a (huge) stretch, but, it’s still not as big a stretch as Wojo’s article on ESPN as he points out all the things with the modifier “big” in his first 100 words.
So, I’m torn. I picked UConn to win it all. Though, I’ve got to live vicariously through the lowest seed. Plus, the Wildcats hail from my hometown and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. Blame the Kerry Kittles years. That dude was fun too watch. It’s just a shame he had to go up against Allen Iverson and Ray Allen for the Big East spotlight.
Sit back, relax, take in these next few days of work-related activity (except for reading Fourth and Fifty… that’s important), and wait for the weekend. This should be a good one.
My favorite non-stat that was uttered on Sunday was by Clark Kellogg I believe. “You know, Michigan State and UConn have only played against each other twice. Once in ‘99 and once in ‘07. The winner of that game each year won the National Championship.”
Well, I guess that means only one game matters this coming weekend.
Here are your Houston sports updates:
Texans: If you want to pay money to read this article you can do it. All I can figure out is that the Texans’ scouts have been travelling a lot. I’m lazy and I never got a stimulus check so I can’t view the very secret, very important scouting missions.
Rockets: Everyone in the media has a huge woody for Shane Battier. We linked the 3,000 word thesis about SB in the New York Times. Now some wannabe news source is trying their hand at journalistic fellatio. If you actually read the piece watch out for the little “Holy SHIT, my employment is justifiable!!!” line in the middle. I’m surprised he didn’t go for the “blogs are the devil” shot.
Astros: The Big Puma has been relegated to the dugout for the time being. He may miss opening day with biceps tendinitis. This is what happens in spring training people! It’s time to end the insanity.
Dynamo: Hey! Dynamo fans! I’ve been catering to you way too much recently. It’s time to return the love. Houston’s own version of Coach K, Dominic Kinnear, is not happy with the Dynamo’s start. See? I Dynamomites?! That was just for you. I even just made up a super-awesome-spectacular nickname for you. You can take that to the bank.
University of Houston: Did anybody go to the first football scrimmage on Saturday? Well, it happened, and the Chronicle’s very qualified and celebrated Cougar beat writer, “Chronicle news services,” was there to take in the action. You can read all of his/her poingnant words here.
- Septimus Rex
Posted in College Football, College Sports, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL Tagged: 2009 Final Four, Big Puma, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, Lance Berkman, Shane Battier, University of Houston, We miss you Michael Murphy Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 23:03 |
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Question: Who is the only team in MLS yet to allow a goal in 2009?
Answer: Seattle Sounders FC, who, after posting their second straight shutout, find themselves atop the league table.
While Seattle hasn't conceded a goal, they're scoring in bunches, at the rate of 2.5 per game. Thanks to their high-powered offense, the power rankings have a drastically different look this week.
Last week's ranking is in parenthesis
1. Seattle Sounders FC (9)
Perhaps I was too cautious in my preseason evaluation of Seattle. One week after handling New York with ease, Seattle shut out another 2008 playoff team with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. It's a big leap up the rankings, yes, but they're the only team to have gone home with the maximum points each week.
2. Chivas USA (5)
Chivas once again showed why they are one of the favorites in the West with an easy 2-0 victory over Dallas. Zack Thornton is proving to be an adequate replacement for Brad Guzan and Chivas finds themselves flying high in the early stages of the season.
3. Chicago Fire (1)
Chicago salvaged a draw with DC on the road. Expect them to gain momentum in the following weeks as they try to make the most of Cuauhtemoc Blanco's final season with the club.
4. Columbus Crew (2)
Without Guillermo Barros Schelotto, things would be a lot worse in Columbus. Twice in a row the Argentinian has supplied the offense for the defending champs, who are still in search of their first win. Perhaps their fortunes will improve once Frankie Hejduk returns from international duty.
5. Toronto FC (4)
Toronto went on the road to Columbus and managed a draw against the defending champs. They're currently undefeated on the season and are in a three-way tie for first place in the East.
6. DC United (6)
DC will be encouraged by Luciano Emilio's early goal against Chicago. The defense did a decent job, but Chicago managed to break through with a goal early in the second half. Will DC be able to sustain their level of physicality throughout the entire season?
7. New England Revolution (8)
New England scored both goals in a 1-1 draw with New York this week, and were actually lucky to escape with a point. It took a stoppage time goal from Kenny Mansally for New England to leave with anything.
8. Houston Dynamo (3)
The loss to San Jose was just crushing. After two quick goals from Houston equalized, they let San Jose score a third just before halftime. While Stuart Holden and his offensive cohorts are playing well, the defense leaves a lot to be desired at the moment.
9. New York Red Bulls (7)
New York is still searching for their first win of 2009. They miss Dave Van Den Bergh and have looked like a team on the outside of the playoffs just one season after reaching the MLS Cup Final. NY fans will want things to turn around quickly.
10. San Jose Earthquakes (13)
San Jose scored three goals in the space of 15 minutes to defeat Houston. They showed glimmers of promise last season and this win could go a long way towards building on that.
11. LA Galaxy (10)
LA had a bye this week, and only moved down in the rankings to accommodate a 3-2 victory for San Jose.
12. Colorado Rapids (15)
Colorado picked up their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory over Kansas City. They were aggressive offensively and can take a lot of positives away from a very solid effort.
13. Real Salt Lake (11)
So far, RSL only has one game under their belts in 2009. But it's one they hope to forget. The team had a lot of preseason hype, but fell to Seattle 2-0. There's still plenty of time for them to right the ship and climb the table towards the playoffs.
14. FC Dallas (12)
After getting trounced by Chicago in week one, Dallas stumbled once again, falling 2-0 at the hands of Chivas USA. They're sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, and I imagine Kenny Cooper is really hoping for a summer transfer.
15. Kansas City Wizards (14)
This club hasn't looked good at all in the early part of the season. The lone bright spot this week? Kevin Hartman becoming the MLS' all-time leader in saves. Unfortunately, he did it in a 2-1 loss to Colorado.
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 13:00 |
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If Homeland Security wants to catch terrorists, all they need to do is look for floppers. Manu Ginobili is a flopper, and thus a terrorist. French soccer players are terrorists, they flop too. Basically, if you’re a serial flopper, chances are you’re out to destroy the world.
And that’s what it really comes down to with flopping. It doesn’t just scream dishonesty, or unnecessarily delay sporting events. It doesn’t just teach children the wrong way to play the game, or force the action into the hands of officials. No, it’s much more than that. Flopping is a greater evil. Flopping is the basis of a complex, villainous plot to destroy our wonderful earth. It needs to stop. And it needs to stop now.
Remember Vlade Divac? He was a flopper. Does that make him a terrorist? In my book, yes. In your book, you be the judge.
What about David Beckham? He’s flopped here and there. Terrorist? I assume so.
Osama bin Laden? A terrorist first, though through deductive reasoning we can wager that in some point in time he likely suffered from chronic flopitis. My theory is that he flopped to his own death, making brief and subtle contact with one of his henchmen before screaming in agony, tripping, then plunging into a deep crevasse where his body now lies. That’s what you get for flopping, I guess.
Some of you might think to yourself, “This guy is making a mockery of a very serious subject in terrorism by comparing it to flopping.” Wrong. The way I see it, society is downplaying a very serious subject in flopping by not comparing it to terrorism.
Let’s imagine for a minute that you go home, turn on SportsCenter, and the first words you hear out of Stuart Scott’s mouth are, “All floppers are terrorists, boo-yow!”
All of a sudden, it all makes sense. Terrorists are evil. If all floppers are terrorists, then floppers are evil. Therefore, flopping, as an act, is both an act of terror and evil.
Lest anyone figure you for a madman, you dissociate yourself from flopping. Should you spot a flopper, you point at him and scream, “TERRORIST!” at the top of your lungs, thus alerting everyone in his vicinity to the evil he possesses.
You wouldn’t walk through an airport talking about bombs, carrying an AK-47, or sporting shades and a scraggly Uni-Bomber beard (sorry, Joaquin Phoenix). So why tolerate flopping, if it’s just as bad?
Terror is fluid. It is not concrete. Terror is a state of mind, rather than an actual, physical piece of matter. Because of that, we interpret terror in varying degrees.
To you, terror may be a man with dynamite duct-taped to his chest.
To me, it’s a soccer player going up for a header, colliding with his opponent, snapping his neck back, falling to the turf, screaming in false agony, grabbing his right knee, then his left knee, calling for his coach, calling for a stretcher, summoning a red card from the official, and stopping play for minutes at a time while he works up the courage to weep in front of thousands of fans.
That’s real terror.
It needs to be said: Flopping is the ultimate sign of terrorism. Flopping=terrorism. Terrorism=flopping. A simple equation we all need to memorize. If you see a flopper, alert the proper authorities. If you are a flopper, I’m here to let you know that WE WILL DEFEAT YOU! It is our God-given right to protect the sanctity of sports, and our world. By vanquishing flopping and floppers, we will do both.
Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 12:36 |
The one where why did I even come out here if you’re going to ignore me?!
TOUCHDOWN!!
God bless the Blackberry. It’s the only way that I had access to scores this weekend. But, let’s pretend I watched all the games so that this post seems “informative.” I’m watching SportsCenter right now… that makes me an expert.
While we’re on the topic of ESPN, what is the “ESPN montage, look how great we are” thing they have going on? Seriously… Three minutes of their own coverage from throughout the week. I guess it’s like the “Ultimate Highlight” but with more sportscaster coverage of sportscasters and no shitty music.
Moving on.
Villanova knocked off Pitt last night in a thriller. Scottie Reynolds will become a household name because of heroics (well, at least in March and in the houses of die-hard Wildcat fans). FINALLY, this tournament has an exciting buzzer beater to hold on to. Too bad I missed it.
So, two teams are set. The other two will be cutting down the nets later today. So, who you got? Oklahoma or UNC? Louisville or Michigan State? I still have the chance to have 3 of 4 of my picks to fulfill my bracket which would be the best I’ve ever done. That’s what we call a “moral victory.”
Here are your Houston sporting team updates:
Texans: Houston has a certified hall of famer on the squad. Dan Orlovsky! Well, it’s the Shelton High School hall of fame. That counts, right? They are retiring the number of the former Gatorade Player of the Year… Never knew there was such a stud coming to town did ya? It’s all Dan “Safety” Orlovsky jokes or 0-16 references. Ya’ll are a bunch of a-holes.
Rockets: The Houston Rockets coasted to a win against the Clippers last night with Yao leading the charge. The Rockets are pretty dominant against the Clippers winning 20 of the last 24 meetings… But, then again, who doesn’t dominate the Clippers?
Astros: Your coverage today includes the cut of little known players. Tip Fairchild was releasedby the Astros after five years with the organization. Bon Voyage. Good luck. I got nothing else.
Dynamo: San Jose jumped out to an early lead only to have it vanish in a flurry of Dynamo goals. Four goals in six minutes from both teams. In the end the Earthquakes came out victorious, 3-2 being the final. Brian Ching didn’t play as he was with the US MNT who were busy almost losing to El Salvador.
- Septimus Rex
[Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]
Posted in MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL Tagged: Dan Orlovsky, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Pittsburgh, San Jose Earthquakes, Villanova, Yao Ming
Source: Click Here
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 11:22 |
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www.TOsports.ca
There’s an old saying, which goes along the lines of ‘I’d rather be lucky than good.’
This summed up Toronto FC yesterday as they etched out a 1-1 draw against the reigning MLS Champions. Columbus created enough chances to win the game before Toronto scored late on to head home with a precious point.
The Crew are often called the hardest working team in the MLS. While the Reds may not have had many chances in front of goal, they easily matched the effort put forward by the home team.
As usual, 2008 MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto was at the heart of everything for the Crew who started fast out of the gates.
As early as the second minute, Schelotto split the Toronto defence down the middle, playing a penetrating ball for Emmanuel Ekpo to run onto. Unfortunately for the Nigerian, he shot wide left with only goalkeeper Stefan Frei to beat.
In the seventh minute Brian Caroll made a cross field pass from the left, setting up Eddie Gaven, who shot over the Toronto goal from the edge of the area.
On 16 minutes, TFC eventually had a chance, with Sam Cronin putting a ball through for Dwayne De Rosario in the Columbus penalty area. However, the Canadian international was forced away from goal and his shot went wide of the target.
Columbus was in control and finally got the breakthrough they deserved after half an hour. From the edge of the penalty area, Schelotto attempted a cross. Defender Kevin Harmse tried to block the shot, but as he turned away, the ball hit his raised arm. Penalty.
The stand-in captain stepped up and drilled the ball down the middle as Freil dived to his right. 1-0 Columbus. In 2008, the Crew were 13-0-0 when taking the lead, illustrating the size of the task ahead for Toronto.
The champions continued to press and could easily have gone two up in the 37th minute. Gaven shot from 25 yards out, hitting the left post. The rebound eventually fell to Ekpo inside the 18-yard box, but Freil made an excellent save, pushing the ball over the crossbar.
Halftime couldn’t come soon enough for Toronto, who went into the locker room happy to only be one goal down.
There was a change in the Toronto goal at half time, with Greg Sutton coming in for Freil, who strained his back during the first half.
Toronto appeared more positive after the break, but quality chances were still few and far between. A Chad Barrett shot blasted high over the crossbar on 52 minutes summed up his game and the frustrated forward was eventually substituted for fan favourite Danny Dichio.
After an hour, Columbus was still creating the better chances, but Sutton was dealing with everything that came into his area with calm and authority.
The game seemed to be moving with no real urgency as we passed the 75-minute mark. Then, hope emerged for TFC as Columbus replaced Scholetto with Steven Lenhart.
Spirited by the substitution, De Rosario got sight of goal on 80 minutes, but, like Barrett, blasted the ball high over the crossbar.
However, the bit of luck, which you sometimes need, came Toronto’s way in the 84th minute. An obstruction against Jed Zayner gave TFC a free kick, which De Rosario curled into the penalty area. Crew defender Gino Padula headed the ball, but it looped towards goal.
The ball hit the crossbar, came back out and hit goalkeeper William Hesmer in the back, going into the net for an own goal. 1-1.
As unbelievable as it seemed, TFC were now in a position to win and had their best chance four minutes from time. Substitute Johann Smith cut down the left wing and crossed into Dichio, who in turn played the ball out to De Rosario. Unfortunately, Toronto’s best player once more hit the ball over the Crew crossbar.
Time was running out, but Columbus had one last guilt edged chance to win the game. In a mirror image of the Reds chance two minutes earlier, Lenhart crossed in from the right to Jason Garey. In turn, he squared the ball to Ekpo who hit his shot over goal.
And that was it. Toronto held on for a hard-fought 1-1 draw as they continued their good start to the season. After two games, they find themselves level on points with Chicago and New England in the Eastern division.
TFC will take great heart from this match and now return to Southern Ontario for their home opener against the red-hot Seattle Sounders. Suddenly, talk of a playoff spot does not seem so far-fetched for the third year outfit.
Check out more Toronto Sports at www.TOsports.ca Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 09:21 |
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After taking four points from the first two road games of the season, John Carver's squad only need six more points to equal last season's away total.
Backed by 2,000 plus fans, Toronto FC took part in a scrappy 1-1 draw last night in Columbus. The reigning MLS champions were presented with their trophy and had hopes of opening Crew Stadium with the full three points.
At the 28 minute mark, Kevin Harmse was whistled for handing the ball in the area while trying to twist his body away from a cross. Guillermo Barros Schelotto collectively slotted in a penalty past Stefan Frei.
The home side almost netted a second goal in the 36th as Eddie Gaven struck the post from outside the area. Shortly after Stefan Frei was forced into an acrobatic save from an Emmanuel Epko strike.
The save resulted in a lower-back injury for Frei and he was replaced by veteran Greg Sutton at half.
"You have to be ready, because sometimes that's what happens in these games," said Sutton.
He couldn't have performed better. He was quick off his line and came up with the big saves when tested.
In the 81st minute, Gino Padula inadvertently headed a Dwayne DeRosario free kick past his own keeper to level the score.
Both teams had numerous opportunities to take the lead in the dying minutes, but failed to really test either keeper. A draw should be considered just, as neither team appeared superior.
After losing Amado Guevara and Carl Robinson to international duty, Carver decided to go with a 4-4-2 formation opposed to the 3-5-2 he used in the season opener. Pablo Vitti made his debut up front with Chad Barrrett, while Marco Velez was slotted beside Adrian Serioux at centre-back.
"I was a little bit concerned losing the centre midfield guys before this game, but I felt the guys stepped in their and did a good job for us," said Carver
Their defensive mentality paid dividends as they frustrated Columbus and relied on the counter-attack to generate offense.
Sharing the lead atop the Eastern Conference, Toronto FC head home to the friendly domicile that is BMO field Saturday to take on Seattle. Source: Click Here
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MLS News
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Saturday, 28 March 2009 20:05 |
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After a lengthy layoff, Total 90 is back to keep you up to date with all the latest American football news as the 2009 MLS Season rolls through its first couple of weeks.
The biggest story of the young season has been that of Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The former Mexican international and current Chicago Fire star has announced that this season will be his last in Chicago.
While Blanco isn't retiring after the season, he said that he wished to pursue opportunities elsewhere, either back in Mexico or with another MLS club.
During his tenure with MLS, Blanco has been an indispensable asset for Chicago. No player in the league draws more fouls, no player in the league has his experience, and no player has been as consistently creative as Blanco.
Hopefully, the league will be able to hang onto him.
I bet Chivas USA would jump at the chance to sign an established Mexican star like Blanco...
On a happier front, a decision on the sites for expansion in 2011 has been reached. The Pacific Northwest will add two more teams when Portland and Vancouver join the league in two seasons.
Given the excitement generated in the region by Seattle Sounders FC, this could be an excellent move for the league on both an economic and competitive front. That region has a rich footballing history dating back to the days of the NASL and there are still many fans in the area that remember the league.
Arsenal FC have announced that they will be making a foray into the US. In summer of 2009, young American footballers will have the chance to study the game as part of the Arsenal Summer Soccer Academies USA program.
Now, instead of hoofing the ball up the pitch and hoping a forward latches onto it, American youngsters can learn to "play the Arsenal way."
On the women's front, Abby Wambach is ready to kick off the inaugural WPS season. A broken leg she suffered against Brazil last summer has fully healed, and the international star is eager to return to competitive action. Wambach expects to be in the lineup this Sunday for the season opener.
Quick Hits
Is anybody else excited to see the LA Galaxy take on AC Milan in July? That could be an awkward fixture for David Beckham.
Eventually, Columbus is going to need somebody who isn't from Argentina to score a goal.
The Kansas City Wizards have launched their own Firefox theme. Smart money says that this browser will have sub-par virus protection and won't be able to take you to any websites after the MLS regular season concludes. Source: Click Here
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