United States striker Charlie Davies was seriously injured in a car crash outside Washington DC in which another person inside the vehicle was killed.
The accident occured at 3:15 AM Tuesday morning on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Davies was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where he had surgery this afternoon. Davies' injures are described as "serious, though not life-threatening."
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
USA headed to the World Cup
When Julio Leon scored two minutes into the second half, it looked like it would be another tough World Cup Qualifying road match for the United States.
Instead, the US resonded big time, as Conor Casey picked a great time to score his first two goals of his national team career and a goal off a set piece lifted the US to a 3-2 win over a feisty Honduras squad at Estadio Francisco Morazan at San Pedro Sula on Saturday night.
The win sends the US (to its sixth straight World Cup and preserves its lead over Mexico int he CONCACAF Hexagonal standings. Honduras slips to fourth in the standings after Costa Rica's 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, so if the standings hold up, Honduras would be forced into a two-match playoff against the fifth place squad in CONMEBOL, which right now is Uruguay.
Julio Leon gave Honduras the lead in the 47th minute, as his set piece sailed past US Keeper Tim Howard to the left corner. It didn't take long though for the United States to get the Equalizer, as defender Oguchi Onyewu sent a long ball downfield to the Honduras box, where Charlie Davies headed the ball to Casey, who then beat Honduran keeper Noelle Valladares to the ball, heading it into the back net.
The US finally surged ahead in the 65th minute when Donovan sprung Casey loose with a perfect through ball and Casye chipped a shot past Valladares, beating him to the right post. The US added to its lead when Donovan sent a set piece free kick past Valladares to the same spot as Casey's second goal.
Still the US had to hold on in the final moments. Leon pulled one back for the Catrachos in the 78th minute when he caught Howard out of his line and shot the ball past Howard and several US players into the back net. Honduras then caught a break in the 85th minute when US midfielder Stuart Holden was called for a handball in the box, giving Honduras a penalty shot. However, former Galaxy player Carlos Pavon sent the shot over goal and the US breathed a huge sigh of relief. Pavon had a chance to redeem himself two minutes later when he had an open look at goal, but instead, added insult to injury as his open header also went harmlessly high.
The United States plays the last of its World Cup Qualifying matches on Wednesday, as it hosts Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.
Instead, the US resonded big time, as Conor Casey picked a great time to score his first two goals of his national team career and a goal off a set piece lifted the US to a 3-2 win over a feisty Honduras squad at Estadio Francisco Morazan at San Pedro Sula on Saturday night.
The win sends the US (to its sixth straight World Cup and preserves its lead over Mexico int he CONCACAF Hexagonal standings. Honduras slips to fourth in the standings after Costa Rica's 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, so if the standings hold up, Honduras would be forced into a two-match playoff against the fifth place squad in CONMEBOL, which right now is Uruguay.
Julio Leon gave Honduras the lead in the 47th minute, as his set piece sailed past US Keeper Tim Howard to the left corner. It didn't take long though for the United States to get the Equalizer, as defender Oguchi Onyewu sent a long ball downfield to the Honduras box, where Charlie Davies headed the ball to Casey, who then beat Honduran keeper Noelle Valladares to the ball, heading it into the back net.
The US finally surged ahead in the 65th minute when Donovan sprung Casey loose with a perfect through ball and Casye chipped a shot past Valladares, beating him to the right post. The US added to its lead when Donovan sent a set piece free kick past Valladares to the same spot as Casey's second goal.
Still the US had to hold on in the final moments. Leon pulled one back for the Catrachos in the 78th minute when he caught Howard out of his line and shot the ball past Howard and several US players into the back net. Honduras then caught a break in the 85th minute when US midfielder Stuart Holden was called for a handball in the box, giving Honduras a penalty shot. However, former Galaxy player Carlos Pavon sent the shot over goal and the US breathed a huge sigh of relief. Pavon had a chance to redeem himself two minutes later when he had an open look at goal, but instead, added insult to injury as his open header also went harmlessly high.
The United States plays the last of its World Cup Qualifying matches on Wednesday, as it hosts Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.
Friday, October 9, 2009
USA-Honduras Preview
The United States findes itself in great position to officialy book a trip to South Africa for next summer's World Cup, but it will have a tough road this weekend if it hopes to achieve its goal.
That tough road begins tomorrow night in San Pedro Sula, as it faces off against Honduras in Estadio Olimpico. The United States currently leads the CONCACAF Hexagonal standings with a one-point advangate over Mexico. Honduras occupies the third and final automatic qualifying spot in the standings and is also three points back of the United States. Honduras needs a two-goal win on Saturday to shift the tiebreaker advantage against the US in its favor.
The USA's struggles on the road in the Hexagonal stage of World Cup Qualifying has been well documented. The USA had to struggle to come away with three points on the road against last-place Trinidad and Tobago on September 9. Ricardo Clark's strike in the 61st minute was the difference in the match as the US survived a sharp Trinidad and Tobago squad to take the full three points.
Prior to that, the US had to scrap to split points with El Salvador back in March, was thoroughly dominated against Costa Rica at Saprissa Stadium back in June and lost a nailbiter against Mexico at Azteca Stadium back in August.
To make things even tougher for the US, midfielder Clint Dempsey is unavailable for Saturday's match after he sustained an sprained shoulder while playing for Fulham last weekend. His availability for the US' final match of the Hexagonal state against Costa Rica on Wednesday is up in the air.
That tough road begins tomorrow night in San Pedro Sula, as it faces off against Honduras in Estadio Olimpico. The United States currently leads the CONCACAF Hexagonal standings with a one-point advangate over Mexico. Honduras occupies the third and final automatic qualifying spot in the standings and is also three points back of the United States. Honduras needs a two-goal win on Saturday to shift the tiebreaker advantage against the US in its favor.
The USA's struggles on the road in the Hexagonal stage of World Cup Qualifying has been well documented. The USA had to struggle to come away with three points on the road against last-place Trinidad and Tobago on September 9. Ricardo Clark's strike in the 61st minute was the difference in the match as the US survived a sharp Trinidad and Tobago squad to take the full three points.
Prior to that, the US had to scrap to split points with El Salvador back in March, was thoroughly dominated against Costa Rica at Saprissa Stadium back in June and lost a nailbiter against Mexico at Azteca Stadium back in August.
To make things even tougher for the US, midfielder Clint Dempsey is unavailable for Saturday's match after he sustained an sprained shoulder while playing for Fulham last weekend. His availability for the US' final match of the Hexagonal state against Costa Rica on Wednesday is up in the air.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Eurpoe; a look back
Premier League
A change of hands at the top of the Premier League standings occured over the weekend. Chelsea's 2-0 over Liverpool combined with Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland allowed Chelsea to take back the top spot in the Premiership.
Arsenal had the weekend's largest margin ov victory, as it defeated the Blackburn Rovers 6-2 to pull into a tie for with Liverpool for fifth place while Portsmouth finally registerd its first points of the season by defeating the Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0.
La Liga
Someone is finally sitting alone atop the La Liga table, and that someone is FC Bacrelona.
Barca continued its winning ways with a 1-0 win over Almeria at Camp Nou. Real Madrid was the team that blinked first, as it fell to host Sevilla 2-1. The loss not only knocked Madrid out of the top of the La Liga standigs, but also allows Sevilla to share second place with Real for the next two weeks.
Four other teams are in double digits in points int he La Liga standigs. Deportivo La Coruna sits in fourth place with 12 points, Valencia is fifth with 11 points and Mallorca and Athletico Bilbao are tied for sixth with 10 points.
Serie A
It has the making of a very exciting Serie A season.
Sampdoria is still in first place in Serie A, but they now share it with Inter Milan. Sampdoria played to a 1-1 draw with Parma while Inter defeated Udinese 2-1 to catch Sampdoria at 16 points. Several other teams though are giving chase. Juventus and Fiorentina are tied for third with 14 points, Genoa is alone in fifth place with 13 points and four teams; Chievo Verona, Udinese, AS Roma and Parma all have 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Napoli, which is sitting 15th in the Serie A table has fired manager Robert Donadoni, as the team has collected only seven points in seven matches. Walter Mazzarri will take over.
Bundesliga
Just like Serie A, the Bundesliga is also shaping up to be a tight race.
Bayer Leverkusen and Hambug SV are tied for first with 20 points. Both teams held their positions over the weekend, as Leverkusen shutout Nurnberg 4-0 and Hamburg defeated Hertha Berlin 3-1. Hamburg though recieved some grim news, as striker Mladen Petric is out until January due to ankle surgery.
Both Leverkusen and Hamburg are four points ahead of the next team, Schalke 04. Werder Brenem is one point behind Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim Mainz are both at 14 points, VfL Wolfsburg is at 13 points, Bayern Munich is as 12 points and Eintracht Frankfurt is at 10 points.
A change of hands at the top of the Premier League standings occured over the weekend. Chelsea's 2-0 over Liverpool combined with Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland allowed Chelsea to take back the top spot in the Premiership.
Arsenal had the weekend's largest margin ov victory, as it defeated the Blackburn Rovers 6-2 to pull into a tie for with Liverpool for fifth place while Portsmouth finally registerd its first points of the season by defeating the Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0.
La Liga
Someone is finally sitting alone atop the La Liga table, and that someone is FC Bacrelona.
Barca continued its winning ways with a 1-0 win over Almeria at Camp Nou. Real Madrid was the team that blinked first, as it fell to host Sevilla 2-1. The loss not only knocked Madrid out of the top of the La Liga standigs, but also allows Sevilla to share second place with Real for the next two weeks.
Four other teams are in double digits in points int he La Liga standigs. Deportivo La Coruna sits in fourth place with 12 points, Valencia is fifth with 11 points and Mallorca and Athletico Bilbao are tied for sixth with 10 points.
Serie A
It has the making of a very exciting Serie A season.
Sampdoria is still in first place in Serie A, but they now share it with Inter Milan. Sampdoria played to a 1-1 draw with Parma while Inter defeated Udinese 2-1 to catch Sampdoria at 16 points. Several other teams though are giving chase. Juventus and Fiorentina are tied for third with 14 points, Genoa is alone in fifth place with 13 points and four teams; Chievo Verona, Udinese, AS Roma and Parma all have 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Napoli, which is sitting 15th in the Serie A table has fired manager Robert Donadoni, as the team has collected only seven points in seven matches. Walter Mazzarri will take over.
Bundesliga
Just like Serie A, the Bundesliga is also shaping up to be a tight race.
Bayer Leverkusen and Hambug SV are tied for first with 20 points. Both teams held their positions over the weekend, as Leverkusen shutout Nurnberg 4-0 and Hamburg defeated Hertha Berlin 3-1. Hamburg though recieved some grim news, as striker Mladen Petric is out until January due to ankle surgery.
Both Leverkusen and Hamburg are four points ahead of the next team, Schalke 04. Werder Brenem is one point behind Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim Mainz are both at 14 points, VfL Wolfsburg is at 13 points, Bayern Munich is as 12 points and Eintracht Frankfurt is at 10 points.
Injuries riddle U.S. team ahead of Qualifiers
The U.S. national team will have to go without midfielder Clint Dempsey for its last two CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying matches, which begins Saturday against Honduras at Estadio Olimpico at San Pedro Sula.
Dempsey was ruled out of Saturday's match against Honduras after the Fulham midfielder suffered a shoulder sprain and had to leave Fulham's match against West Ham United in the 83rd minute. Whether or not the injury is serious enough to keep out of the United States' last qualifier match against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium on October 14 is still up in the air.
Meanwhile, Edgar Castillo, the defender/midfielder who recently switched from the Mexico Federation to the United States suffered a hamstring injury and was unavailable for his first selection to the team. The injury though will only sideline him for two weeks.
Dempsey was ruled out of Saturday's match against Honduras after the Fulham midfielder suffered a shoulder sprain and had to leave Fulham's match against West Ham United in the 83rd minute. Whether or not the injury is serious enough to keep out of the United States' last qualifier match against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium on October 14 is still up in the air.
Meanwhile, Edgar Castillo, the defender/midfielder who recently switched from the Mexico Federation to the United States suffered a hamstring injury and was unavailable for his first selection to the team. The injury though will only sideline him for two weeks.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
MLS Weekend Oct. 2-4; A Look Back
Several teams locked playoff berths, others moved closer to doing so and others are now teetering on the brink of missing out.
The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 at the Home Depot Center on Friday night. That win along with Chivas USA's 2-0 win over DC United puts Los Angeles back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, the year it won the MLS Cup.
The win also put the Galaxy in first place in the Western Conference. LA is still there, but it was to share it with the Houston Dynamo for the next two weeks. The Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Wizards in Houston on Sunday afternoon. The two teams will decide the conference title against each other in Houston on October 18. A draw will work to the Galaxy's advantage, as it defeated the Dynamo 1-0 at the Home Depot Center back on June 28.
So the Galaxy and Dynamo (44 points each) are tied atop the West, but Chivas and Seattle Sounders FC are both only three points back of the two clubs. Seattle picked up a 1-0 win over the host Columbus Crew on Saturday, making head coach Sigi Schmid's return to Crew Stadium very sweet for the man who a year earlier led the Crew to the MLS Cup. Chivas owns the tiebreaker over Seattle based on their 2-0-1 record against the Sounders this season. Both teams overtook the Colorado Rapids, whose 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution leaves them two points ahead of the Revolution and four ahead of DC United with two weeks left in the regular season.
Seattle's defeat of Columbus also prevented the Crew from putting a stranglehold in the Eastern Conference title. The Fire are five points back of the Crew and both teams won't have it easy finishing the season, as both teams face off against teams looking to further cement their playoff status.
Columbus will face the Revolutuion twice, the first time at New England on October 10th and the second time on the 24th. The Crew will also face DC United on the 17th. The Fire close out their regular season against the Revolution on the 17th and Chivas USA on October 22.
MLS Standings
Western Conference Standings
Los Angeles Galaxy; 11-6-1, 44 points
Houston Dynamo; 12-8-8; 44 points
Chivas USA; 12-9-5, 41 points
Seattle Sounders; 10-7-11, 41 points
Colorado Rapids; 10-8-10, 40 points
Real Salt Lake; 9-11-7; 34 points
FC Dallas; 9-12-6; 33 points
San Jose Earthquakes; 7-12-7, 28 points
Eastern Conference Standings
Columbus Crew; 12-5-10, 46 points
Chicago Fire; 10-7-11, 41 points
New England Revolution; 10-9-8, 38 points
DC United; 8-8-12, 36 points
Toronto FC; 9-10-8, 35 points
Kansas City; 8-11-8, 32 points
New York Red Bulls; 4-18-6, 18 points
The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 at the Home Depot Center on Friday night. That win along with Chivas USA's 2-0 win over DC United puts Los Angeles back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, the year it won the MLS Cup.
The win also put the Galaxy in first place in the Western Conference. LA is still there, but it was to share it with the Houston Dynamo for the next two weeks. The Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Wizards in Houston on Sunday afternoon. The two teams will decide the conference title against each other in Houston on October 18. A draw will work to the Galaxy's advantage, as it defeated the Dynamo 1-0 at the Home Depot Center back on June 28.
So the Galaxy and Dynamo (44 points each) are tied atop the West, but Chivas and Seattle Sounders FC are both only three points back of the two clubs. Seattle picked up a 1-0 win over the host Columbus Crew on Saturday, making head coach Sigi Schmid's return to Crew Stadium very sweet for the man who a year earlier led the Crew to the MLS Cup. Chivas owns the tiebreaker over Seattle based on their 2-0-1 record against the Sounders this season. Both teams overtook the Colorado Rapids, whose 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution leaves them two points ahead of the Revolution and four ahead of DC United with two weeks left in the regular season.
Seattle's defeat of Columbus also prevented the Crew from putting a stranglehold in the Eastern Conference title. The Fire are five points back of the Crew and both teams won't have it easy finishing the season, as both teams face off against teams looking to further cement their playoff status.
Columbus will face the Revolutuion twice, the first time at New England on October 10th and the second time on the 24th. The Crew will also face DC United on the 17th. The Fire close out their regular season against the Revolution on the 17th and Chivas USA on October 22.
MLS Standings
Western Conference Standings
Los Angeles Galaxy; 11-6-1, 44 points
Houston Dynamo; 12-8-8; 44 points
Chivas USA; 12-9-5, 41 points
Seattle Sounders; 10-7-11, 41 points
Colorado Rapids; 10-8-10, 40 points
Real Salt Lake; 9-11-7; 34 points
FC Dallas; 9-12-6; 33 points
San Jose Earthquakes; 7-12-7, 28 points
Eastern Conference Standings
Columbus Crew; 12-5-10, 46 points
Chicago Fire; 10-7-11, 41 points
New England Revolution; 10-9-8, 38 points
DC United; 8-8-12, 36 points
Toronto FC; 9-10-8, 35 points
Kansas City; 8-11-8, 32 points
New York Red Bulls; 4-18-6, 18 points
Friday, October 2, 2009
Serie A Look-ahead
Don't look now, but Sampdoria is sitting atop the Serie A standings while AC Milan is struggling and sitting in the middle of the pack.
Sampdoria has only lost once in its first six matches, giving them a league-high 15 points. It's lead though is tenuous, as Juventus is only a point behind them and both Inter Milan and Fiorentina are only two points back. AC Milan meanwhile is struggling, playing to a scoreless draw with AS Bari last Sunday and losing to Udinese the week before. Milan is tied with three other clubs for eighth int he table.
Sampdoria will look to pad its lead when they host Parma on Sunday. Inter Milan will face Udinese at San Siro, Juventus will travel to Renzo Barbera to face Palermo and AC Milan will try to right the ship against host Atalanta.
LA Liga Matches
Saturday, October 3
Udinese @ Inter Milan
Catania @ AS Bari
Sunday, October 4
Parma @ Sampdoria
Juventus @ Palermo
AC Milan @ Atalanta
Lazio @ Fiorentina
Napoli @ AS Roma
Genoa @ Bologna
Chievo Verona @ Cagliari
Livorno @ Siena
Sampdoria has only lost once in its first six matches, giving them a league-high 15 points. It's lead though is tenuous, as Juventus is only a point behind them and both Inter Milan and Fiorentina are only two points back. AC Milan meanwhile is struggling, playing to a scoreless draw with AS Bari last Sunday and losing to Udinese the week before. Milan is tied with three other clubs for eighth int he table.
Sampdoria will look to pad its lead when they host Parma on Sunday. Inter Milan will face Udinese at San Siro, Juventus will travel to Renzo Barbera to face Palermo and AC Milan will try to right the ship against host Atalanta.
LA Liga Matches
Saturday, October 3
Udinese @ Inter Milan
Catania @ AS Bari
Sunday, October 4
Parma @ Sampdoria
Juventus @ Palermo
AC Milan @ Atalanta
Lazio @ Fiorentina
Napoli @ AS Roma
Genoa @ Bologna
Chievo Verona @ Cagliari
Livorno @ Siena
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