Seattle Sounders, Chivas USA Battle To Scoreless Tie

The good news was that American goalkeeping legend Kasey Keller had another clean sheet and his eighth shutout of the season.  He had three saves on the evening. The good news was that the Seattle Sounders kept their MLS unbeaten skein alive, extending it to six games. The good news was that the Sounders’ FC defense has conceded but one goal in the last 450 minutes of MLS play, dating back to July 15. The good news was that the Sounders went on the road and achieved one point, which enabled them to hopscotch into fourth spot in the Western Conference.There was conflicting news of a different nature as well, leaving the Sounders’ Saturday night venture into Home Depot Center in Carson, California before a crowd of 13,839 one of mixed results with a 0-0 deadlock with host Chivas USA.The tie left the Sounders at 8-8-5 with 29 points and in fourth place.  The team is unbeaten against all competition for its last nine matches.Seattle came into action hoping for more, considering that the host Chivas USA squad approached Saturday’s action in last place.  They remained there at the match’s conclusion, one point behind the Houston Dynamo with 19 points and a ...

Team USA Set To Go to War with Team Ireland Over 18-Year-Old Conor Doyle

Fresh from their recent battles with the IFA and the SFA, the Football Association of Ireland are turning their guns towards U.S. Soccer over the services of 18-year-old Conor Doyle. The Texan recently signed for Championship side Derby County after impressing Nigel Clough in a three week trial during the summer. Clough Jr. was so impressed with the physique and technique of the youngster that he awarded the player with his debut against Crewe Alexandra just four days after Doyle signed on the dotted line. Doyle began his career in Texas with the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. The club have a huge standing in American soccer and were named second in America's Top 40 soccer clubs for boys and in first place for girls. Always one of the most progressive clubs in the states, the Dallas Texans recently agreed a coaching exchange with Manchester United where the two clubs will send ideas and advice each others way. It has caused great excitement in Texas, where Manchester United will offer advice and expertise on the development of junior players. Likewise, players and coaches that are identified by Manchester United as having great potential will also be invited to Carrington for exclusive training sessions with the ...

LA Galaxy’s Edson Buddle Steals New York Red Bulls’ Wings in 1-0 Victory

The energy drink Red Bull, based off a Thai formula of the same name, is known for its slogan, "Red Bull gives you wings." Unfortunately for the New York Red Bulls, it was the Los Angeles Galaxy's Edson Buddle who stole the wings and helped the visitors fly away from Harrison, New Jersey's Red Bull Arena to the tune of a 1-0 victory. Finally, Los Angeles supporters can breathe easily. The best team in Major League Soccer is playing like the best team in Major League Soccer. And lo and behold, speak of the pink cow: the Galaxy backline did something right for once. The 25,000 who came out to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday can't say that they didn't see this one coming: the defense ending its slump of poor form and horrid results. Never mind that Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Juan Pablo Angel underimpressed against their distinguished guests. Bad breaks off the volleys combined with a plethora of offside calls made this nothing short of a miserable night out. This is a Red Bull side that was hoping to utilize Henry as a boost to New York's chances. Ultimately, it was nothing more than a sad ...

LA Galaxy vs. Red Bull New York: A Play-By-Play (and Other Miscellany)

T-180 minutes to kickoff: Before I begin this play-by-play (and other miscellany) I wanted to note that I will be using "Red Bull New York" for the headlines, and score announcements in my pieces. Otherwise it will be "New York Red Bulls." They are, of course, one and the same, but I wanted to give you this heads-up as you read this piece.   T-170: Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy now enter the home stretch of the 2010 Major League Soccer campaign, and up next is a trip to the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey to take on Hans Backe's New York Red Bulls, a club that used to be called the New York/New Jersey MetroStars until the a company by the name of Red Bull GmbH showed up to purchase the club from the Anschutz Entertainment Groip in 2007.   T-160: A little history on the company. The co-founder of the company with a 49 percent stake is Dietrich Mateschitz, an Austrian entrepreneur who had the idea to introduce the drink to, and market it in Europe. Mateschitz was international marketing director for Blendax, a German toothpaste company, when he visited Thailand in 1982 and discovered that ...

Philadelphia Union Holds Colorado at Bay

The Phildaelphia Union managed to avoid losing to the Colorado Rapids with an equalizer. Mwanga received the ball from Le Toux and then proceeded with a right foot kick into the left side of the goal net in 73 minutes. The equalizer was done at a close range surprising Le Toux, Mwanga, and the goalie for Colorado Pickens. It also gave a much needed boost to a team whose first MLS Season left it at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference. It was a classic response to the first goal of the game by Larentowicz for the Rapids in 59 minutes after kicking the ball from a far distance to the left side of the net surprising Seitz who was the goalie for the Union. The Union and Rapids gave the crowd at PP, Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania a very exciting game competing for possession. It was a game that was fought with every moves although some mistakes cost the Rapids some yellow cards. Both teams also made mistakes in their attempts to score by losing the ball or kicking above the goal post. Regardless, it was a great game with Le Toux being the most valued player. Philadelphia Union 1-1 Colorado RapidsRead ...

Seattle Sounders Place Evans on Injured Reserve List, Remove Fucito

Seattle Sounders FC announced Friday that midfielder Brad Evans has been placed on the Disabled List due to a left patellar tendon injury. As a result, Evans is required to miss the next six MLS games. He is eligible to return to league play for the October 2 match versus Toronto FC on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Evans, 25, is entering his fourth season in MLS. He started 11 of 12 appearances this season.  He scored one goal and achieved three assists. His last appearance was June 10. Evans started 25 of 27 appearances in 2009, recording three goals and two assists. Sounders FC midfielder/forward Mike Fucito has been removed from the club's Disabled List.  The move, also taken on Friday, makes Fucito immediately eligible to participate in MLS games.Fucito, 24, was placed on the Disabled List May 7. He has appeared in two Major League Soccer games, both as a reserve, with Seattle this season. Fucito, playing in his second MLS season, scored the game winner in extra time of a 1-0 win over Kansas City in Seattle on April 17, which also turned out to be his last game.  Saturday night at 8 p.m PT the Sounders play at ...

This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: David Beckham

This is Part 26 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.The name David Beckham evokes images of success and of failure in the knock-down, drag-out world of association football. It evokes images of the highest highs with Manchester United, and the lowest lows with injuries at AC Milan.It evokes images of celebrity stardom and celebrity scrutiny.It evokes images of a career that has not only seen him compete for the Red Devils and the Rossoneri, but also for Real Madrid before his final destination with his current club. It evokes images of an experiment whose only redeeming factor came in the form of reconciliation. It evokes images of a new precedent that has changed the landscape of Major League Soccer forever.It evokes all of that, and more. Not even a neophyte to the world can mention in the most casual of conversations the game of soccer without mentioning one of the most accomplished players in our lifetime.The son of David Edward Alan "Ted" Beckham (b. Edmonton, London, July–September 1948), a kitchen fitter, and wife (m. London Borough of Hackney, 1969) Sandra Georgina West (b. 1949), a hairdresser, David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE was ...

Legal Immigration, Soccer Style

The political landscape surrounding US/Mexico borders and legal and illegal immigration is surrounded by strong emotions, loud arguments, and both educated and ridiculous opinions. Luckily, this is a soccer blog, not a political blog. My opinions on the US/Mexico immigration issue are not the focus on this post. I won’t be talking about whether Arizona’s attempts at a stricter new state law should mean they never see an MLS team or that we patriotically move them up to next in line for expansion and award them the Arizona Cosmos tomorrow. I won’t discuss whether lettuce will cost us $24 a head if we cut off the cheap labor influx or if finally jobs will open up for hard-working Americans. Well, actually, there are some cross-border jobs worth discussing here. That of Mexican soccer players coming to MLS, and (more importantly) the American players heading to Mexico to play professionally—potentially as the Mexican Football Federation’s version of cheap imported labor? Mexican players have always played a part in MLS as those of us around that first season remember Jorge Campos and his acrobatic and unpredictable goalkeeping.  But starting with Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and now followed by Nery Castillo and Rafa Marquez, and Omar Bravo in 2011, it feels ...

This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Brian Perk

This is Part 25 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy. Wheelings and dealings are an inevitable part of this nuance of football we like to call the transfer window. In association football, the transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA. "Transfer window" is the unofficial term commonly used for the concept of "registration period" as described in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Player. An example of a player going through the motions is Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk Perk is a recent acquisition to Bruce Arena's Galaxy, having been acquired from the Philadelphia Union. A local product, Perk will look to add depth and stability between the woodwork for the G's this season. Brian Perk was born on July 21, 1989 in Yorba Linda, California but spent most of his life in Rancho Santa Margarita. Rancho Santa ...

Joel Lindpere’s Goal Lifts New York Red Bulls Over Toronto FC

Harrison, NJ - With tonight's hard fought 1-0 win over Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls ended a five-game winless drought to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference. For the Red Bulls, this was their third straight game in which they dominated a game with their defense and were able to dictate the flow of the game. Despite their recent positive play, the Red Bulls were only able to record four draws and one loss. With the win, the Red Bulls (9-6-4) now trail first place Columbus Crew (11-4-4) by six points and are in good position to finish the season strong and win the Eastern Conference. Playing without Dane Richards (Jamaica), Bouna Coundoul (Senegal), Roy Miller (Costa Rica), and newly signed Rafa Marquez (Mexico) because they were called up for international duty, the Red Bulls bench rose to the occasion. Making the most of this opportunity, goalkeeper Greg Sutton recorded a shutout while Danleigh Borman and Tony Tchani played solid defense. Their performance tonight demonstrates that the Red Bulls bench is one of the deepest and is potentially dangerous for opposing teams. Making his MLS Home Debut game in an enthusiastic ...