Sigi Schmid Happy with Colorado Win, Prepares for Busy Week

Sigi Schmid's team had been plagued with injuries earlier in the season, but it appears that the Seattle Sounders players are healing just in time to make a run at a playoff spot. Schmid was happy with the play of his team in the 2-1 win over Colorado on Sunday.  He stated that the crucial victory was aided by the support of the Xbox Pitch Qwest Field fans. He commented on the fan support in the context of a question relating to the differences in the two matches against Colorado.  The first road game resulted in a 1-0 loss on a Connor Casey goal while Sunday’s meeting resulted in a 2-1 Sounders victory on two Steve Zakuani goals. "The first matchup was Jeff Parke, I think his first game, first or second game for our team,” Schmid said.  “His legs weren't under him at that point. So that was something we felt much better about. We really tried to do a better job of forcing their center backs to make the game for them. Early on, I think that worked well for us. I think they adjusted a little bit to it. “But for us it's really not so much about the tactical changes, ...

EPL Rumors: Seven Reasons Everton is the Best Fit for Landon Donovan

While Landon Donovan probably can't leave the MLS after league commissioner Don Garber put a "not for sale" tag on him, there has been lots of speculation as to where the American midfielder might go if the situation changes. Among the clubs that have been mentioned are Everton, Manchester City, and even Chelsea—all of them in the English Premier League. But there is little question that Everton is the best option for the 28-year-old winger. Here are seven reasons why:Begin Slideshow

Steve Zakuani Tallies Twice, Seattle Sounders Edge Colorado 2-1

It was a sunny and relaxing early Friday afternoon in Seattle and behind the smile and energetic speaking manner, one could tell that Steve Zakuani was primed for a major effort. Looks proved prophetic in this case as Zakuani used his blistering speed to put himself in goal territory, tallying twice in the first half as the Seattle Sounders scored their first win this season against a Western Conference foe with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids before 36,333 at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field Sunday night. In a happy Sounders dressing room following the match, Zakuani was sporting another big smile, this one of fulfillment and accomplishment after arguably the team’s most crucial win of the season, one that propels Sigi Schmid’s team into the thick of the MLS playoff fight. Zakuani was asked about his buoyant spirit Friday afternoon and whether he had a premonition of a Sunday-night surge. “I’d had a very good week of practice,” Zakuani smiled, “and the team had a good week as well. I just sensed that we were ready and believed that we were going to do very well.” The three points that Coach Schmid regarded as so crucial for his team to acquire ...

Taking in the Seattle Sounders: Sorry Revolution, I Cheated

It’s no secret that I’ve been an admirer of the success that the Seattle Sounders have had since joining MLS, heck... who hasn’t admired its success.   I’ve asked it to stop rubbing its success in our collective New England faces and I’ve gone as far as to call it my soccer mistress . Well, that mistress and I, we finally went all the way. After countless business trips to the greater Seattle area, I finally made it to a Sounders Game, as they beat the Colorado Rapids last night.  I was in the second level, first row, mid-field line.  Arguably, for a non-chanting supporter, the best seat in the house. And in all honesty, I’m struggling with how to describe it in any reasonable way relative to what my “norm” is within MLS. You see, I have been lucky enough to be at games in many countries, and attended matches in many of the most revered stadiums in the world, but I cannot compare games I’ve seen in London, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, etc. to Foxboro.  Far too different, far too distant, far too much history for that. But, in theory, this game should be similar.  And in many ways, it was. But in just as ...

Crunch Time For Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids

It is crunch time for the Seattle Sounders and the visiting Colorado Rapids as they prepare for a crucial Sunday night 7:30 pm showdown on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field.   Coach Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders summed things up after Friday’s practice concerning the important of Sunday’s match.  “This is a 6 point swing game,” he said. Both teams in the Western Conference showdown entertain hopes of making the playoffs and a loss would be a major blow for either one.  This is particularly true of the home club as the Sounders enter play with a 5-8-4 record and 19 points. One of the teams the Sounders hope to move past is Colorado, which has a mark of 6-4-5 for 15 points and a fourth place standing.  After a strong start the Rapids have gone five matches without a win dating back to June 5.  There have had four draws during that stretch, including a 1-1 deadlock with Kansas City last week at home. Colorado gained its first win in a series that is currently 2-1-1 in Seattle’s favor on May 29 with a 1-0 win over the visiting Sounders.  Conor Casey tallied the match’s lone goal.  Last season the ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Puerto Rico Islanders: A Prelim Primer

After a thrilling 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy take a break from Major League Soccer action to face off against the Puerto Rico Islanders in the first leg of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round.Colin Clarke's Islanders are currently going through a difficult season in the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League, with a 5-7-5 record (20 points). A preliminary round victory ovet Bruce Arena's Galaxy would more than make up for their horrid D-2 campaign."It's an honor to be able to represent the Caribbean and our league," Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette said. "To be able to participate in each of the three years is an honor. It's not a gift or a free invitation. You have to qualify every year and fortunately for us we've put some success together to be able to represent our region the last couple of years."I felt like some of the success we've had down here in Puerto Rico we could really build on. So far we've been rewarded with the Caribbean championship, but obviously we have a lot more work to do. We want to go out there and win the [USSF Division-2 Pro League] ...

Sounders Speak: Latest Info On Freddie Ljungberg

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Seattle Sounders midfielder Freddie Ljungberg will soon be with a different MLS team. Sounders General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Coach Sigi Schmid each attempted to inform the public on what is occurring in a tactful manner in addressing the topic of Ljungberg’s absence at team functions following a period when he was reported to have sustained an ankle injury. Hanauer and Schmid addressed the Ljungberg situation following Friday’s practice on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field prior to Sunday night’s Western Conference match between the Sounders and the Colorado Rapids. As Hanauer exclaimed after practice: “Freddie at this time he is training by himself, getting healthy, getting fit. We agreed together that it made some sense to keep him away from the club as he is exploring other options.” Hanauer explored the topic further in noting,  “I don’t think there’s a secret that that’s happening. We just thought it was best to keep this team focused right here on winning on Sunday, let Freddie explore options. As that process plays out, we will take things as they come to us. Again, assuming something does or doesn’t happen in the next week or few days or two weeks, we will ...

Thierry Henry Will Spearhead USA Soccer’s Popularity

Thierry Henry scores!!!! And the crowd went wild, giving him a standing ovation in the USA. Yes! In the USA, the crowd went crazy as Henry tucked in his first goal for the New York Red Bulls. The former Arsenal striker scored against Tottenham in fantastic fashion as the French striker showed perfect forward movement to slot the ball home, but the crowd's reaction was more impressive. The fans loved him!  People said David Beckham could not make soccer popular in the USA. I am sorry but the sport is well and truly on the rise to stardom. David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and now Thierry Henry are a few names of world class players who can entertain people with the beautiful game. Soon more players will want to end their career in the U.S. Who knows, maybe Clarence Seedorf and Pirlo may follow. This would regenerate the game to a whole new level. No more of this slow paced soccer, the more stars move there the more the game will improve. It is truly on the rise and big things are expected from Thierry Henry. He is the right man to promote the sport overseas, but all should thank David Beckham as the ambassador who did the impossible.Read more MLS news on ...

The MLS Needs To Let Landon Donovan Go To England, for America’s Sake

Last week, MLS commissioner Don Garber said that Landon Donovan was not for sale, meaning that America's indisputable best player would be staying in the domestic league. On paper this makes sense — a league wanting to grow has its country's best player. But if Garber really has the interest of soccer's growth in America, he should let Landon leave and go join the growing number of Americans playing significant roles on European club teams. While in the short term it may help boost ticket sales for the LA Galaxy—Donovan's current team — and the sides they visit, this plan won't stick. Watching number 10 in person last week when the Galaxy visited DC United, it became apparent that he was exponentially better than most everyone on the pitch. Even Edson Buddle, also a member of the national team and Galaxy teammate, seemed amateur in sequences where Donovan sped past MLS defenders. Letting Landon go to England, where multiple managers have expressed interest in him, will let him develop further as a player, which will help the national team and ultimately help the MLS. Sure, many of America's best players got their start in the MLS, including our second and third-best players (at least by most people's ...

MLS: Thierry Henry Makes Good First Impression for Red Bulls

Thierry Henry made his MLS debut last night when he started for the New York Red Bulls in the Barclays New York challenge. In the opening game of the tournament, the Red Bulls hosted the Tottenham Hotspurs from England. In the 25th minute, Henry took a centering pass from Joel Lindpere and slid in to beat Spurs goalie Carlo Cudicini, giving the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead. After he scored, he had a message for the fans behind the north goal: "I'm here," he said. More emphatically, he said "I'll say it again. I'm here to stay." The crowd exploded numerous times during the first half when Henry made some dazzling moves. He was subbed out for the start of the second half, as the Red Bulls had many chances to tally goals, but were only able to come away with the one goal and led 1-0 at the end of 45 minutes. When Henry didn't start the second half, things fell apart for the Red Bulls. The defense was caught out of position twice as Robbie Keane and Gareth Bale netted goals in a ten minute stretch for the Spurs, who they fended off numerous attacks in the late minutes to secure ...