So yea....

My new responsibilities at work don't allow me to post as prolifically as I did last summer, so I'm gonna lay low for a while, and meanwhile, you can read my soccer-related commentary on www.yellow-chair-sports.blogspot.com, where I am a contributor.

MLS Matchday 7 Recap

After Matchday 7, several things surprised us about the new MLS campaign, and several things did not. Here's the recap of the weekend

FC Dallas 1:1 Houston Dynamo

When the field temperature hits 120 degrees by the end of the game, it probably isn't the best for attractive football. I'm going to claim my pick as a victory because I called the tie, and didnt't take into account the 120 degree temperatures. Let's not forget that the winning goal was an own goal.

My pick: FCD by one (But I'm claiming the tie as a win CORRECT!!!)

New England 3:1 Chivas USA

I picked the Revs, and they whooped the shit out of Chivas, as I expected. Twellman gets a goal. Whoop Whoop! He's on my fantasy team!

My pick: Revs (CORRECT!!!)

Red Bull New York 1:1 Chicago Fire

A blown opportunity by the Men in Red. Chicago's best chance for three points till they visit RSL in June is blown, but nonetheless is a good result for a club still 4 games away from a new stadium.

My pick: Fire (Wrong!)

Columbus 1:0 Colorado

The black-and-blue's first and only visit to Crew Stadium results in a 1-0 win for the home side.

My pick: Crew (CORRECT!!!)

DC United 2:1 Kansas City

KC did suffer from their loss of three USMNT stars, just as I said they would.

My pick: DCU (CORRECT!!!)

Los Angeles 0:3 Real Salt Lake

RSL snaps their 18-game winless streak with a win over the Landonless Gals. Can't win/lose them all.

My pick: Tie (WRONG!)

On the season: 7-5

Matchday 7 Preview

I really don't feel like doing a full-on preview, because it's Senior Week and I have better things to do. With that being said, this weekend all 12 clubs are in action.

FC Dallas : Houston Dynamo

Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, TX

The second installment of the Texas Derby is a rematch of last week's thriller in Houston. Houston loses Brian Ching to World Cup duties, and Dallas is coming off a midweek win over LA. Both are good teams, and the atmosphere at PHP should be electric. I want to pick a tie because FCD might not have the gas left in the tank for playing three matches in a week. However, I think FCD just might be able to eek it out. Houston will miss Brian Ching up top.

My pick: FCD 2:1 Dynamo

Red Bull New York : Chicago Fire

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Red Bull is a piece of shit club still in search of their first win, while the Fire are on a 4-match unbeaten streak (1-0-3). Red Bull has only scored 4 goals, has been shut out twice, and hasn't scored multiple goals since Matchday 1. The roadtrip hits the halfway mark, and I like the Fire to take all the points in the swamp.

My pick: RBNY 1: 3 Fire

New England Revolution: CD Chivas USA

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

What a shame. Clint Dempsey won't be playing in this game. That little shit. I hope he breaks his legs in training camp with the US National team. New England still has National Team pool players Taylor Twellman, Matt Reis, Pat Noonan, and Steve Ralston. Chivas has a bunch of former Fire players who are way past their prime and a group of overpaid underperforming Mexicans.

My pick: New England 3:0 Chivas

Columbus Crew: Colorado Rapids

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH

Every week it seems theres a stinker game and this week, this is it. Two terrible teams playing in a terrible stadium in front of terrible fans. After the influx of talent including Ned Grabavoy earlier this week, the banana better take this one at the Fairgrounds, and I like them to.

My pick: Columbus 1:0 Colorado

DC United : Kansas City Wizards

RFK Stadium, Washington, DC

DCU is going to whoop the shit out of KC in this top-of-the-table clash. KC loses three players to the world cup, while DCU only loses Ben Olsen. RFK is one of the hardest places in MLS to play.

My pick: DCU 4:1 KC

Los Angeles Galaxy : Real Salt Lake

Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

Both these teams suck. Real sucks more and they need a win more, but they won't get it.

My pick: Galaxy 2:2 RSL

On the season: 3-3

Midweek Preview

FC Dallas: Los Angeles Galaxy

I gotta run to a final, but I like the Hoops tonight as Donovan will be neutralized/not care since he has to leave for US National Team camp tomorrow.

My pick: FC Dallas 2:0 Los Angeles

Only in Soccer...

Only in soccer could a story like this happen. Refernce my earlier article on how Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal were cross-town North London rivals, battling for the last spot in next seasons Champions League. Heading into Saturday, Tottenham held it by holding fourth place in the EPL, one point ahead of Arsenal. If Arsenal could not pass Tottenham, but beat Barcelona in this year's Champions League Final, they would enter next year's Champions League, bumping Tottenham out.

Arsenal came from behind on the back of a Thierry Henry hat trick to down Wigan Athletic 4-2 at the last match at Highbury. Spurs finished away to West Ham United, currently sitting in midtable obscurity in the Premiership, but will be playing in the FA Cup Final next weekend, so the Hammers were expected to field a B-squad, resting their regulars and recouping from a slew of injuries. The stage seems set for controversy and legal battles, and West Ham emerges the winners 2-1.

Where the story gets interesting was at the Tottenham team hotel the night before the match, there was an outbreak of food poisoning among the Spurs players. The match was requested to be moved back to the evening, but London Police said no. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

The Spurs loss ensures that Champions League Football will be played at North London's collossal new Emirates Stadium, the new home of Arsenal next season. The stadium has been way behind schedule and has hit repeated snags, making it a very public failure to open on time. Conspiracy theorists, start your engines...

MLS Matchday 6 Recap

MLS Matchday 6 Recap

New England Revolution 4:0 Los Angeles Galaxy

Taylor Twellman sent USA manager Bruce Arena's voicemail into overdrive with his 5th-minute strike that proved to be the game-winner. Sharlie Joseph added two goals, one from the penalty spot that made this blogger regret not picking either him or Twellman up during midweek, and instead sticking with Landon Donovan, who completely disappeared in this match. Donovan's mind is already in Germany and with Frankie Hejduk going down to injury, Donovan will be even more cautious in Wednesday's trip to Frisco, TX to take on the Hoops in a rematch of last year's US Open Cup Final. Los Angeles proved what was suspected already. They are an average team. They were an average team when they won MLS Cup as a 4-seed last year, last week they were an average team that beat up on woeful Real Salt Lake, and they're an average team now who just got drubbed by the Revs. LA is only an average team WITH Donovan, and will miss his services greatly when he is with the US National Team.

My Pick: Los Angeles (WRONG)

Kansas City Wizards 1:1 Chicago Fire

How Chicago managed to steal the points here I have no idea. Kansas City outshot the Men in Red 20-4. At one point in the second half it was 16-1, and were it not for a missed penalty kick by Ivan Guerrero, the Fire may well have walked out of Arrowhead 2-1 winners! That being said, the Fire have only one loss in five games as their season-opening roadtrip is now past the halfway point.

My Pick: Tie (CORRECT!)

Houston Dynamo 4:3 FC Dallas

The first match in the Texas Derby saw Dynamo take a 3-0 lead. FCD pulled within 3-2, and 4-3 before Dynamo could hold on to claim the three points and move the Orange 3 points closer to winning the Cannon. US World Cup striker Brian Ching also tallied for Dynamo.

My Pick: Dynamo (CORRECT!)

Real Salt Lake 0:1 Columbus Crew

Man, I called this match as being an ugly one to watch, and holy crap was I right. Were it not for Jason Gerey's 70th minute strike, this match might have ended as a double clean-sheet. Real Salt Lake is genuinely awful. They are 6 matches into the campaign and are 0-5-1, and have only scored 4 goals. This team may set the record for worst MLS team ever.

My pick: Real (WRONG)

Colorado Rapids 2:1 DC United

The Green jerseys must have brought out the magic as Colorado came from behind to knock off Eastern Conference 2nd-place DC United.

My Pick: United (WRONG)

On the season: 2-3

Intro to Football 101: Promotion/Relegation

Just as the end of the season brings great glory for teams who win league titles, national cups, and international competitions, there are those clubs who are in way over their head, and need to cry uncle for a while.

That's why professional football has relegation. Whereas in the United States, we have minor leagues, and through parent club affiliations, players move up and down the system based on their performance. In Europe, teams- not players move up and down.

Imagine it like this, at the end of the season, the teams with the three worst records in Major League Baseball have to spend the next season in Triple-A, while the best three Triple-A teams come up to replace them.


In Europe, even teams that are miles away from winning cups or sniffing European glory still have something to play for: riches gained from another year in their country's top flight. Every country has its own number of slots up for promotion/relegation and each has their own system to resolve them. Here we will look at England.

In England, the relegation slots have already been secured. 18th-place Birmingham City (8-19-10, 34 points), 19th-place West Bromwich Albion (7-22-8, 29 points), and last-place Sunderland (3-28-6, 15 points) will spend next season in the League Championship, the level below the Premiership.

To replace them, Reading FC (winners of the Championship), Sheffield United (Championship runners-up) and the winner of a four-team playoff between the teams ranked 3rd through 6th (Watford, Preston, Leeds United, and Crystal Palace)

As you can see, the price for failure in football is very high, and teams are under constant pressure to succeed, or face life in the lower divisions.

Arsenal Update

Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3-1 on the road tonight. The win pulls Arsenal within a point of fourth-place Spurs with one match to go. Arsenal will clinch a Champions League place next season regardless of the outcome of their Final match with Barcelona on May 17 in Paris with...

An Arsenal win against Wigan at home next week
AND
A Spurs tie or loss on the road against West Ham United.

Europe in Gunners' sights...for next year!

Even as Arsenal FC prepares for their Champions League Final against FC Barcelona in Paris in a fortnight, the thoughts of Arsenal supporters could very well be focused on the 2006-2007 edition of the lucrative Champions League. The English Football Association is granted 4 spots in the Champions League, which go to the top four finishers in the English Premier League.

Arsenal, despite being one game away from European glory is sitting in fifth place in the Premiership, 4 points behind hated North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal has a match in hand, though.

At this point, three potential scenarios can unfold.

If Arsenal does not beat FC Barcelona, and if they cannot catch Tottenham, the Gunners will be out of luck, and will have to try their fortunes in the second-tier UEFA Cup next year.

If Arsenal does not beat Barcelona, and they can catch Tottenham, then there not only will be any problems, but no controversy.

The sticky wicket is what happens if Arsenal beats Barcelona in the Final, and fails to catch Tottenham, finishing in a place that would not qualify them for the Champions League. This has only happened once before, in 2005, Liverpool won the Champions League, and finished fifth in the Premiership. The regulations laid down by UEFA state that if the holders do not qualify, and the affected organization has 4 clubs entered in the Champions League, then the holders will be entered at the expense of the fourth-place team.

Last year however, this situation was averted, as the English FA wished to avoid legal action by Liverpool's cross-town rival Everton, who had finished in fourth. While all the signs I am hearing point to the FA bumping Tottenham and giving them Arsenal's place, this would be a massive controversy, as why should the English FA bump Arsenal's derby rival and not Liverpool's? The two teams seem to be in identical situations.

Arsenal finishes the season away to Manchester City on Thursday, then at home for the last game ever at Highbury this weekend against Wigan Athletic.

Tottenham finishes the campaign away at the Boleyn Grounds against West Ham United, who are expected to field a weakened squad due to West Ham's FA Cup Final match against Liverpool a week from Saturday in Cardiff.

MY PICK: West Ham, with the injuries and the fact that they will be fielding a weakened squad against Spurs, I can't see them pulling out the victory. Perhaps a tie, but most likely a win for Tottenham. This would put Spurs up 5 or 7 points on Arsenal with two matches to play, clinching fourth for Spurs with a win, or anything less than Arsenal winning out.

Hearts on Fire

In an update on my article posted yesterday on Rangers and Hearts battling for the right to go to Europe this coming weekend, yours truly got his first prediction in a league he doesn't really follow that much right.

I said the Rangers-Hearts match at Ibrox this weekend would have no significance because Hearts would beat Aberdeen at Tynecastle Wednesday night. What do you know? Hearts beat Aberdeen 1-0 in a tense match, and in doing so, moved four points ahead of Rangers FC with just one match to play.

Hearts will make their first appearance in the Champions League next fall (the first club other than Celtic or Rangers to do so), joining Celtic as Scotland's representatives in Europe's premier club competition. Rangers, who are 14 points ahead of fourth place Hibernian, will represent Scotland in the UEFA Cup along with Gretna of the Second Division, who have a UEFA Cup spot reserved for them regardless of whether or not they beat Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final.

Hearts will be placed in the second qualifying round. Celtic is provisionally in the third qualifying round, but if Barcelona beats Arsenal in the Final, then Barcelona will qualify for the group stage as holders, leaving their open La Liga slot in the group stage for the Scottish Premiership winner- Celtic.

Albright named to World Cup Squad

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Chris Albright has been added to the United States World Cup roster. Albright was named as an alternate by Bruce Arena, but has been elevated to the 23-man roster going to Germany following an injury to Columbus Crew's Frankie Hejduk, who tore a ligament in his leg. Reports say it was his ACL.

Personally, this is a bad development only for me. Frankie Hejduk is an okay player, and Chris Albright is an okay player who lots of people think is a great player, but he's really just an overrated douche.

Italian Serie A race down to the wire

So admittedly, I don't follow Serie A as much as I do the Champions League, Premiership, and MLS. But these last few games could be a doozie. League holders Juventus were running away with the competition back earlier in the season, and AC Milan was a distant third behind Juventus and Inter Milan.

Now, with only 2 matches left for both sides, Milan sits in second place, guaranteed a spot in the Champions League Group Stage next year, but is in a great position to capture the scudetto for themselves as Italian champions. Milan sits just 3 points behind Juventus with two matches to play. Milan finishes the campaign away to 10th-place Parma and then back home at the San Siro a week later against 5th-place AS Roma, who will be looking to capture a Champions League place by sneaking into fourth that weekend.

Juventus finishes up at home against 8th-place Palermo, who is all but shut out of Europe next season and away to 12th-place Reggina. Juventus undoubtedly has the inside track, and can clinch the title with a win and a Milan loss or tie. Also, Palermo probably has the best chance to knock of Juventus.

A Juventus win over Palermo all but closes it out. It forces Milan to win their last two matches, and for Juventus to lose against Reggina.

A Juventus tie against Palermo gets Milan's foot in the door, but Milan would still have to win both their matches, and hope Juve gets NO MORE than a tie against Reggina.

A Palermo win opens the door for Milan. With a win against Parma, Milan would only need to match Juve's result the next week to win the Scudetto, since Milan have more wins than Juve, and also by virtue of their head-to-head matches 0-0 in Turin, 3-1 to Milan at the San Siro.

MLS Matchday 6 Preview

MLS Matchday 6 Preview

New England Revolution: Los Angeles Galaxy

Saturday, 3PM CT, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

Normally I would say that this Saturday afternoon ESPN2 showdown would be great. Bad blood still steaming over from Galaxy's 1-0 win in extra time at MLS Cup 2005, or New England's 1-0 win against Galaxy on Matchday 1. BUT IT WON'T BE. This game is going to be just genuinely awful and may well be a pain to watch. Both teams are wallowing in mid-table obscurity. The stars of both teams, Landon Donovan for Galaxy and Clint Dempsey for Revolution were just named to the US World Cup team, so Lord knows they're not gonna be taking too many risks for fear of pulling a Wayne Rooney. The pitch at Gillette Stadium is a fricken onion patch no matter how good it looks on TV. The only player who will probably give a damn is Taylor Twellman, trying to prove Coach Arena that his snub for the World Cup team was a mistake.

My pick: New England 1:2 Los Angeles

Kansas City Wizards: Chicago Fire

Saturday, 7:30 PM CT, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

The first meeting this season for the Eastern Conference rivals will find a small pack of Section 8 Chicago traveling to the border state to watch the Fire play the blues. Kansas City needs to start getting some good crowds or else this team is going to be relocated. They cannot stay in Arrowhead for more than another year. Eddie Johnson, recently named to the World Cup team also has a history of being injury prone, so he may also play it safe in this game, which should provide ample opportunities for the Fire's Thiago and Chris Rolfe to attack the KC net.

My pick: Kansas City 1:1 Fire

Houston Dynamo: FC Dallas

Saturday, 7:30 PM CT, Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX

The first ever Texas Derby match in MLS history sees the Hoops traveling to the BAyou to take on Dynamo. FCD is a better team, but I like Dynamo's chances of knocking them off at home in front of a very partisan crowd eager to take home the first of four Tejano Classic matches this season.

My pick: Dynamo 3:1 FCD

Real Salt Lake: Columbus Crew

Saturday, 8:00 PM CT, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT

Speaking of matches that are just gonna be terrible. I have absolutely no reason to care about the outcome of this game, nor to subject my eyes to watching Real's maroon and blue kits go against the Columbus fighting bananas. Both teams here are just genuinely awful. I would go with Columbus's yellow submarine to sink Real, but Real is riding the back of a 17-game losing streak, and I think if it's gonna get snapped at all, it's going to have to happen against Columbus. I like the Stormin' Mormons.

My pick: RSL 2:0 Columbus

Colorado Rapids: DC United

Saturday, 8:00 PM CT, Invesco Field @ Mile High, Denver, CO

The Rapids are unveilling a third jersey tonight, ditching their Inter Milan ripoff threads for green, leading many to think that a rebranding of the team is in the works in time for the move to their new stadium in Commerce City, CO next spring. Regardless of how snazzy the team looks, the Black and White ThreeStripes are going to walk all over this woeful Crapids team.

My pick: United 3:1 Colorado

Chivas USA and Red Bull New York have the week off. Thank God.

Hearts-Rangers battle for Europe

Celtic has already wrapped up their 40th Scottish Premier League title in convincing fashion, but the real excitement comes this weekend in the battle for second place. Who cares about second place? What matters? Only millions of dollars in club revenue and a spot in the lucrative UEFA Champions League next season for the winner, while the loser goes to the NIT-ish UEFA Cup.

Rangers and Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) will square off at Ibrox in Glasgow Sunday. Rangers have a history of winning on the last day of the season recently. Last season Celtic was in position to win the league on the last day, but surrendered a late goal so they only got a tie. Rangers then scored 2 goals late, and Rangers supporters tried to get back into Ibrox, having already conceded the title.

At this point, I'm handicapping this one for Rangers. Not just because they're playing at home, or because this team has much more experience in big-level competitions having advanced to the Round of 16 in the Champions League this year. I'm picking Rangers because I can't see a team like Hearts, with so much to play for losing Wednesday night against Aberdeen. A win Wednesday would put Hearts up 4 points on Rangers with one match to play, making Sunday's contest completely irrelevant, and leaving neither team with much motivation, enabling Rangers' superior talent to pull through.

Rooney: Too bad, mates. You're on your own.

With their most talented World Cup squad in over 30 years coming to Germany this summer, England was considered by many to be a favorite in the race for the title. Even after Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (Sort of the English LeBron James) broke his foot in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Man U at Stamford Bridge this past weekend, many still felt that with Rooney out only 6 weeks, that he could return in time for the quarterfinals.

WRONG.

Reports coming out of Old Trafford now have Rooney breaking his foot in several places. If this is the case, Rooney will miss 3 months, perhaps costing England their best shot at a World Cup title since 1966. Fortunately, England has a relatively easy group (there are no easy groups), playing against Paraguay, Sweden, and Carribean patsy Trinidad & Tobago.

As unfortunate as this is, personally I think Wayne Rooney is a crybaby punk and I can't really feel that bad for him. He's really more of the English Carlos Zambrano.

My thoughts on Coach Arena's World Cup Roster

USA manager Bruce Arena released his 23-man World Cup roster, but added 13 alternates, so he's more or less stocked. I don't know any other sport where the DL can potentially be more than half the active roster.

Goalkeepers
Kasey Keller (Borussia Mochengladbach, German Bundesliga)- Fresh off serving his suspension for leading supporters of his German club Borussia Mochengladbach in song after their victory against rival FC Koln over the stadium's loudspeakers. German lyrics included words like "The Cathedral of Cologne will burn for 7 days! And we'll dance on the ashes for 7 days! Cologne! Cologne! You're shit from Cologne!" Priceless.
Tim Howard (Manchester United, English Premiership)- Coach Arena says that Howard is the USA keeper of the future, and since he has Tourette's Syndrome, his language might be able to match that of Keller. Hopefully ESPN will mike him up during the World Cup.
Marcus Hannehman (Reading FC, English Championship/Premiership)- What do you get for leading a tiny club like Reading into millions of dollars of Premiership riches? A seat at the end of the bench in Germany. Sit back and enjoy the show, Marcus- cause that's as close to the action as you're going to get.

Defenders
Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC, English Premiership) Great choice! The fact that he used to play for the Fire has nothing to do with my opinion.....no seriously, the dude's legit.
Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, German Bundesliga) Will probably play left back, even though there really isn't a left back in any of these defenders. Hopefully they can keep the wolves at bay. Has played in Germany, so at least he won't have to get lost after people give him the wrong directions to the stadium.
Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards, Major League Soccer) This guy is kind of a question mark. By "kind of a" I mean "a huge" He's proven he can go the distance and play the entire 90 minutes in the Gold Cup last year, but he only has 13 caps and NO World Cup games.
Cory Gibbs (ADO Den Haag, Belgium) Again, not that much experience with Gibbs, only 18 caps, but he should help bolster the back line and get regular minutes in Germany since he's proven he can play against European opposition.
Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew, MLS) Brings some much-needed experience to the backline, but he plays for Columbus, so he can't be that great. I'm kidding, this guy could run circles around any of you, as long as you don't play professionally.
Eddie Lewis (Leeds United, English Championship) Eddie appeared in 11 and started 7 of the 18 qualifying matches. This is Lewis's second World Cup Finals (2002). I don't follow the Championship, so I really don't know that much about Lewis.
Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege, Belgium) The Gooch is easily the keystone of this defense. Exploding onto the US National team recently, Gooch is a physical presence in the 18-yard box, and will be charged with marking the Czech, Italian, and Ghanan strikers and making their lives a living Hell.
Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake, MLS) The farewell tour begins. Easily the most prolific defender in US history, my only concern about Pope is his age (He will turn 33 this year).

Midfielders
Damarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, Dutch Eiredivisie) The former Chicago Fire standout made history last year when he became the first American to ever play in a Champions League semifinal as PSV fell to AC Milan. Beasley is in my opinion, the best player on this roster, and his production is going to need to be at its highest level. And by that, I mean, not getting arrested for drunk driving and getting his Dutch drivers' license revoked like he did last month.
Bobby Convey (Reading FC, English Championship/Premiership) Marcus Hannehman's teammate, Convey helped Reading achieve Premiership riches with promotion from the English Championship this season. Convey is my big question mark. He's shown he can produce at the club level, but going against the best players in the world in his first World Cup is another story. As good a player as he is, I can't see him getting that much playing time, as the forward class here is STOCKED.
Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution, MLS) I hate this little bitch and I hope he breaks his legs in training camp. I have my reasons.
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS) I hate this guy too, but I'm willing to tolerate him here because he's a hell of a ballplayer when he's on. When he's off though, he has a tendency to wander and lhave absolutely no interest at all in playing top-flight football. Hopefully the right Landon shows up in Germany....lord knows he hasn't before. (Landon Donovan spent two short, unsuccessful stints on the bench at German club Bayern Leverkusen)
Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids, MLS) If the US gets out of the group stage, Mastroeni will collect his 50th cap. I'm not going to question the Italian-Argentinian's motivation because Mastroeni will do everything in his power to ensure the USA's continued survival in Germany. He'll expend the required 110% because as soon as the US is out, his European vacation gets cut short and he has to fly back to Denver to help the Rapids get back to midtable obscurity.
John O'Brien (CD Chivas USA, MLS) Could be the real deal if he stays healthy. Problem: JOB has a notorious history of falling short in that department. So if he doesn't fall apart like some cheap pinata before June 12, the Stars and Stripes should be alright.
Ben Olsen (DC United, MLS) I swear to God, I have no idea how the hell this guy ended up on the roster. The last World Cup qualifier this guy played in was two years before the 2002 World Cup! He must have really shown Arena something in camp, or in league play with DCU.
Claudio Reyna (Manchester City, English Premiership) I can understand why Arena wants Reyna on the team, because he's a proven leader and can help bring the kids along, but at the same time, we have to come to grips with the fact that this guy is older than time. This is his FOURTH World Cup Finals (1994, '98, 2002, '06). Just to put that in perspective, when this guy made his World Cup debut, I was in 5th grade.

Forwards
Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo, MLS) Nobody was talking about Brian Ching 6 months ago. Then he went on a goal-scoring binge, including four in Dynamo's opener against Colorado. Big debate was whether Ching or Taylor Twellman was going to be the last one in on the front line, and Arena decided to run with the Flyin' Hawaiian, who is really feeling the ball right now.
Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards, MLS) The 2005 version of Brian Ching. Why FCD traded him so they could re-sign that little pansy Carlos Ruiz I'll never understand. Johnson is coming off of surgery but should be at full strength in time for Germany.
Brian McBride (Fulham FC, English Premiership) Bocanegra's teammate, McBride scored the now-famous flying header against Portugal in 2002 where the United States shocked the world. Hopefully similar theatrics will follow in Germany, now that his contract with Fulham has been taken care of and Premiership survival assured for the Cottagers.
Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards, MLS) This guy is the dark horse in the roster. If he can produce, the US offense will be in great shape. If not, it could be a long....err.....short World Cup for the Americans.

Alternates
GK: Tony Meola (Red Bull New York), Matt Reis (New England Revolution)
- I like Reis, not Meola. Reis could be the backup at the 2010 World Cup, Meola's older than dirt and an obvious sentimental choice. Anyone who saw Erpen beat him from 40 yards out 2 weeks ago at Giants Stadium can tell you that.

Defenders: Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus), Todd Dunivant (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Most people are talking about how Albright got snubbed. Albright is easily one of the most overrated defenders in MLS. He is completely worthless unless he's taking on lower-level MLS scrubs.

Mids: Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
- Everyone on this list is hurt, or coming off an injury. If any of the mids go down and these guys need to come up, the US is in BIG BIG TROUBLE.

Forwards: Conor Casey (FSV Mainz), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
- Taylor Twellman is the victim of bad luck. It was between him and Brian Ching for the last forward's slot, and Ching has scored 5 or 6 goals in his first 5 league games, and Twellman got his first on Saturday. Props to Bruce Arena for giving Chris Rolfe the recognition of the young talent that he is, but for making him an alternate so that the Fire can enjoy his services all summer long. FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa is Rolfe's year.

MLS Matchday 5 Recap

Home Score:Score Away

Real Salt Lake 2:3 Los Angeles Galaxy

I gotta say, watching the second half of this game on Saturday that as much as I hate Landon Donovan with a fury because he's a crybaby who couldn't cut it in Europe, that he is capable of taking over games and making crazy plays look ridiculously easy. This one at Rice-Eccles saw RSL go up 1-0, then surrender 3 consecutive LA strikes, one from Donovan, and two assists of his boot. Clutch move for me picking him up on my fantasy team this week. Real looks genuinely awful this year. This team could very well lose 20 games if they don't kick it into gear soon. I don't care how early in the season it is, 1 point from 5 matches is a pretty terrible tally. Add to the fact that MLS all-time leading goalscorer Jason Kreis will be suspended following his double caution/red card booking in this match. RSL is playing Columbus, so they shouldn't be hurt that much. Then again....

DC United 1:1 FC Dallas

The top-of the table clash at East Capitol Street revealed exactly what we suspected. DC and FCD are the best teams in their respective conferences. As to which of the two teams is better head-to-head, we'll have to wait untill the rematch in Frisco, TX on July 4th. Hoops striker Carlos Ruiz is back from injury (regrettably).

Columbus Crew 0:1 Kansas City Wizards

Two teams that no one really gives a rat's ass about, so why should I do any differently. Amazed KC didn't win by more. Crew are improved, but the Hunt Park side needs to step it up if they're going to compete in an Eastern conference that already has runaway leaders in Kansas City and United, with strong teams like New England and Chicago in hot pursuit.

CD Chivas USA 0:0 Red Bull New York

Thank God this game wasn't on TV. It appears that Red Bull's promise to turn New York into a Superclub turned out to be what Gotham area fans have been hearing for years, a lot of empty promises, and a crap side to watch at Giants Stadium. In a way, Red Bull's purchase of the team formally known as the MetroStars is perfect. Red Bull gives a little kick at first, until you realize that you can put all the slick packaging and marketing on it you want on it, but it still tastes like crap unless you infuse some quality talent (vodka). RBNY has 3 points from 5 matches, and no wins. Yikes.

Colorado Rapids 0:1 Houston Dynamo

Brian Ching scores for the Orange, Colorado loses, history repeats itself from opening day in Houston. Man, looking at this crowd 7,225, Colorado probably can't wait till they move into their new 20,000 seat stadium next year so the place can at least look half-full in April. Dynamo still a question mark. Three wins in five matches, but two came against the woeful Crapids.

New England Revolution 1:2 Chicago Fire

Finally. That is all I can say. Chicago Fire scores a goal in Foxboro (3 games, First time since October 16, 2004). Fire win in Foxboro (First time since August 18, 2002) Fire come from behind to beat ANYBODY (First time since September 17, 2005 at Columbus--12 games)

Fire get some measure of revenge for New England knocking them out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Final last year, but I would have liked to have seen this offensive production from Thiago and Chris Rolfe last October. Fire get their first win of the year and move from 6th to 3rd in the East (1-1-2, 5 points) Possible playoff preview? Might as well be. One team has ended the other's season in each of the last four campaigns.

Fine. Be that way.

My friends have started a sports blog where they will comment on the general absurdities of the world of sportswriting.

I've been told "no soccer allowed."

Fine. Be that way. I don't care if nobody reads this (which is likely) but damn it, I gotta put my two cents in. At times, my analysis of the beautiful game will be incredibly irrational, and reasons I hate players will usually boil down to "Because he's a little bitch."

I'll update when I feel like it, but moreso during the World Cup, and as MLS matchdays approach.

Here's where I usually get my best info, in case any of you uppity chillens think you can do a better job than me (which is likely).

News
Fox Soccer Channel
MatchNight In America

Message Boards (ranked by quality of information)
BigSoccer.com
Section 8 Chicago

Leagues (ranked by quality of competition, in my opinion)
FIFA World Cup
UEFA Champions League
English Premier League
La Liga
Lega Nazionale Calcio
German Bundesliga
Major League Soccer
Scottish Premier League