7Oct/110
New York Cosmos: Malcolm Dawes Reflects on His Time in the NASL with the Cosmos
40 years on from their birth, the power of the New York Cosmos can still be seen today. Last month’s screening of Once in a Lifetime at Kicking and Screening, London’s first football film festival, was a sell-out. It’s certainly not the first time the club have caused a sell-out, and it probably won’t be the last time either. The command of the club can simply be summed up from a quote from supporter Tom Watt who was speaking to BBC Radio 4, alongside former player Charlie Aitken. “They remain the biggest name in American football despite the fact they haven’t existed since the mid-80s.” During its heyday, the NASL had on show some of the greatest footballers on the planet. George Best, Johan Cryuff, Eusebio, Bobby Moore and Gerd Muller all sampled the American lifestyle for a while, but it was the New York Cosmos who stole all the headlines with their signings. Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto all helped the club become the hottest ticket in town, but it was Pele, the greatest player in the world at that time, who not only promoted Cosmos’ profile, but that of the NASL as well. Whilst there ...7Oct/110
MLS Club Houston Dynamo Help Promote UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III
On Thursday afternoon, Major League Soccer Club Houston Dynamo and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) met inside the cage for the first time.Hopefully, this isn't the only time that a MLS Club and the UFC collaborate in promoting a each other's respective sport. As a fan of both sports, I remember when the MLS and UFC were in danger of becoming extinct.Now, I'm amazed and proud on how both organizations were able to weather the storm only to persevere over time. With the growth and universal acceptance of both sports, fans will have the opportunity to watch plenty of action for many years to come. With UFC 136: Edgar vs Maynard III taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Houston Dynamo players Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron and Corey Ashe were on hand to help promote the upcoming UFC event. The trio had the opportunity to meet current UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo and his Saturday night opponent, Kenny Florian.In a display of mutual respect and good sportsmanship, both fighters met inside the cage for kick-up contest judged by the Dynamo Players. Both fighters had no trouble in showing off the juggling skills which they honed over the years of playing soccer. Kenny Florian, who is ...7Oct/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, October 7, 2011
Beaten but not unbowed For Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, their season still hangs in the balance. Unable to secure the Major League Soccer Supporters Shield on Tuesday night against New York, the Galaxy manager decided it was time for a house call and gave the team the week off to recharge their batteries. “We looked like a tired team tonight, and this is the culmination of a lot of games in a short period of time,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Nick Firchau. “And it showed.” Los Angeles played nine games in 30 days and managed a decent record of 5-3-1, the most lopsided result coming against the Red Bulls. “We’re a bit tired after all the games we’ve been playing, but it was disappointing losing, of course,” midfielder David Beckham said. “We had a hard game over the weekend against Salt Lake, and then obviously the travel, the time zones, and all that. "It was a quick turnaround." Los Angeles will have some important games coming up though, including the home final against Chivas USA on Sunday, Oct. 16 (kickoff: 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN Deportes) and C.D. Motagua on Thursday, Oct. 20 (kickoff: 7 p.m. PT/10 ...7Oct/110
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Watch the Goal That Won It for Seattle
In the 78th minute of Tuesday night's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero scored an iconic goal that sealed the club's place in U.S. Soccer history forever, as the first organization to win the competition three years in a row since 1969.The Open Cup is the longest-running football (soccer) tournament in the nation's history, and among the oldest in the world. Similar to England's popular FA Cup, the knockout competition allows both professional and amateur teams to enter and try their luck at becoming the champions of the dozens of sides that compete for the title.The 2011 final was the third consecutive time the Sounders secured their spot in the final round, and the third consecutive time that they hoisted a new piece of silverware for their trophy case and secured a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.The goal that won it for Seattle—Fredy Montero's soft nudge-in during the 78th minute of play—was far from spectacular. But it came after nearly two full agonizing halves of brilliant opportunities that just wouldn't get through for Seattle in a match that they dominated offensively by out-shooting the Chicago Fire, 27-8.Wave after attacking wave came and went for ...6Oct/110
US vs Honduras: USA Men’s Team Must Persevere Without Landon Donovan
The US men's national soccer team is not complete without Landon Donovan.He has been the feature player and face of this team for years now, and without him the USA men just don't seem whole.Sure, I'm assuming they will be just fine without Donovan in their upcoming exhibition game against Honduras on Saturday, but they aren't going to be the same team.Donovan is not only the leader of this team, but he is the spark-plug.If there's a big play that changed the course of the game, either Donovan scored it, or he somehow played an integral part in making it happen.He sees the field like almost nobody in the sport can, and he knows exactly what to do in any situation.If you're wide open in scoring position, Donovan is going to find you. If you're passing it to him and hoping for the big play, chances are that he will make it.Donovan is the heartbeat of this team, but he won't be for long.Life without Donovan is going to be extremely strange for the U.S. team, and according to Brian Straus of Sporting News, the time is approaching sooner rather than later: (Coach) Klinsmann’s preference for possession over quick counterattacks also doesn’t play ...5Oct/110
New York Red Bulls Stampede over the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2-0 Win
Harrison, NJ—With their playoff destiny in their hands, the New York Red Bulls took advantage of the absence of Los Angeles Galaxy players Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane as they stampeded the Galaxy in a 2-0 victory at Red Bull Arena.By earning three crucial points, the Red Bulls leapfrogged over the Houston Dynamo for the third MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card spot. Despite both teams having the same amount of points, the Red Bulls hold the advantage due having scored more goals. By improving to 9-7-16, the Red Bulls have an outside chance of repeating as regular season Eastern Conference champions, as they're two points removed current Eastern Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City.With two matches against Eastern Conference foes Sporting KC and Philadelphia Union, the Red Bulls can remain regular season conference winners if they win both contests, while both the Columbus Crew and the Union lose their final matches. Needing to demonstrate that they are capable of competing against a team of the caliber of the Galaxy, the Red Bulls as they registered a 14-13 advantage on shots, 6-5 advantage on shots on goals, and a 9-8 advantage on corner kicks. After being called for 10 fouls in the first half, the ...5Oct/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Lose 0-2 vs. Red Bull New York: Don’t Count out the Red Bulls
Allow me to open this envelope and bring you great news. Ahem. The winner of of the 2011 Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield is...three letters. TBA. To Be Announced. What? To Be Announced? As I rip this envelope to shreds, I would like to take this time to inform you that the race for the MLS Supporters Shield is not over. Hans Backe's New York Red Bulls will go down as the Challenger of Record for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy. If there was one team that knows how to get a positive result and stay unbeaten in the regular season against LA...it's the Red Bulls. What's all this talk about New York being a team in complete and utter disarray? What is that? That is all hogwash. Lies. Trash. Rubbish. The type of jumped conclusion that deserves to be killed with fire. No, I'm not talking about Chicago, that's U.S. Open Cup, a different story altogether. But New York's top scorers provided the heat. Luke Rodgers opened the scoring in the 31st minute and Thierry Henry closed the deal at the hour mark to give the Red Bulls a breakthrough 2-0 victory over the Galaxy at Red Bull Arena ...3Oct/110
New England Revolution vs. Seattle Sounders: Watch All the Goals and Highlights
The Seattle Sounders hit the road this weekend in Major League Soccer action, visiting the New England Revolution in a match to keep their Supporters' Shield hopes alive.The Sounders have already clinched their spot in the MLS playoffs, while the Revolution sit second-to-last in the standings with no hopes of postseason soccer. Still, despite knowing that their MLS Cup knockout round ticket has already been punched, the Seattle side had plenty to fight for with their eyes still on the league's top honor: the MLS Supporters' Shield.Despite their hopes of catching the LA Galaxy in the race for the Shield, the Sounders made the most changes they've made all season to their lineup between two MLS matches. The team fielded nearly a full squad of non-starters with the intention of resting players for a hugely important U.S. Open Cup final against Chicago on Tuesday.Oddly enough, one of those many changes included moving Seattle striker Roger Levesque to the right-back position for regular starter James Riley.The lack of experience became evident early on for the Sounders, conceding their first goal of the night in the 35th minute to a hard-attacking New England squad that hoped to take advantage of the situation. ...3Oct/110
Toronto vs. New York Red Bulls: All Highlights and Late Thierry Henry Heroics
It was a Major League Soccer Eastern Conference classic on Saturday as the New York Red Bulls visited BMO field to take on Toronto FC, with a potential spot in the MLS playoffs on the line.After maintaining an envious position in the Eastern Conference standings for most of the first half of their 2011 campaign, a midseason slump saw New York fall down the table. The team have just barely held on to the last wildcard position as the end of the season looms on the horizon.They hoped to strengthen that hold on a playoff berth this weekend, while trying to recapture the offensive spark that made their early season such a success. However, more defensive worries and continued frustrations with their finishing saw the match end in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.The home side opened the scoring early in the second half, thanks to a beauty of a shot from a wide angle from Toronto striker Danny Koevermans (assisted by Ryan Johnson).Toronto then settled back to defend a series of strong New York attacks that just couldn't find their way through. It looked as though the visiting side would suffer a loss that would cause them to fall out ...3Oct/110