Western Conference
Los Angeles Galaxy (W1) vs. Chivas USA (W4)
The Superclasico get taken to a whole new level as the two occupants of the Home Depot Center gear up for two matches that promises to be just as intense as their three regular season meetings.
The Galaxy not only went undefeated against Chivas this season, b ut didn't allow Chivas to find the back of the net. The three matches however were grinders for Los Angeles. The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the first meeting back on April 11, but LA took the last two matches by scores of 1-0. A first-half goal by Edson Buddle was the difference in the second meetig two months later and Beckham's 80th minute strike vaulted Los Angeles to the Superclasico trophy.
Prediction: Chivas USA finally finds the back net against Los Angeles, but the Galaxy pushes more goals across and takes the series 3-1.
Houston Dynamo (W2) vs. Seattle Sounders (W3)
Two teams that appear to evenly match heading into their playoff series, starting on Thursday. Seattle has had Houston's number during the regular season, winning the first meeting 2-1 in Seattle on July 11 and playing to a 1-1 draw in the second match in Houston on August 23. The Sounders also defeated the Dynamo 2-1 win in the US Open Cup back on July 21.
Both teams appear to be warming up heading into their playoff series. Seattle won its last three regular season matches while Houston went 2-1-2, including a 3-2 in last Sunday to wrap up the second spot in the West.
Prediction: Should be a hard-fought two games, but look for Houston's playoff experience to be the difference as the Dynamo edge the Sounders 2-1.
Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew (E1) vs. Real Salt Lake (E4)
The Crew open defense of their MLS Cup title on Saturday, as they travel to Utah for the first leg of their series against Real Salt Lake.
For the second straight season, the Crew are the top seed for the MLS playoffs and feature pretty much the same team that won it all two years ago. The Crew coasted for most of the regular season to the top playoff spot in MLS while Real Salt Lake looked to be on the outside looking in a few weeks ago, but won two of its last three regular season matches to get into the playoffs.
Prediction: The Crew have the advantage in every part of the field. Columbus advances to the Eastern Conference final 3-0.
Chicago Fire (E2) vs. New England Revolution (E3)
Another playoff series that appears to be too close to call. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Chicago back on May 9 and a 0-0 draw in New England a few weeks ago.
Both teams needed wins in the final week of the season to qualify for the playoffs. Chicago edged out Chivas 1-0 last Thursday to wrap up the second seed in the East while New England defeated Columbus by the same score on Sunday to take the third seed. New England is in despite being hampered by injuries all season, missing forward Taylor Twellman (cocussion) for the whole season and midfielder Shalrie Joseph for a good part of the season due to a combination of injuries and national team callups.
Prediction: Look for Chicago to squeak out a tight series 2-1.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
European Recap
English Premier League
The teams currently occupying the top two spots in the Premiership swited spots over the weekend, as Chelsea regained the top spot in the league.
Chelsea did its part on Saturday, as a brace by Frank Lampard helped the blues to a 5-0 rout of Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea also got help from Liverpool, as they defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
The win not only stalled Manchester United, but brought a sigh of relief to Liverpool, whish was sliding down the standigs prior to Sunday'a match. Manchester United found itself behind the eight ball towards halftime, as Nemanja Vidic recieved two yellow cards in the first half, and Liverpool finally capitalized with a Fernando Torres goal in the 64th minute. David Ngog sealed the match with a stoppage time strike.
La Liga
FC Barcelona returned to form and in the process, put some distance between them and Real Madrid.
Barca routed Real Zaragoza 6-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday. Barcelona was carried by Seyduo Keita's hat trick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace. Lionel Messi added an 80th minute strike to the tally. The win along with Real Madrid's 0-0 result against Sporting Gijon now puts Barcelona (22 points) three points ahead of Real Madrid (19 points).
Serie A
Inter Milan is still atop the Serie A standings, though shaking off Juventus and Sampdoria still remains a tough task.
The first half was the key for Inter Milan (22 points) in its 2-1 win over Catania on Saturday. Sulley Muntar scored in the 13th minute and Wesley Sneijder scored the eventual game winner in the 31st minute. Sampdoria (20 points) remained two points back of Inter thanks to Daniele Mannini's brace in Sampdoria's a 4-1 rout of Bologna. Juventus meanwhile got a 72nd minute strike from Carvalho De Oliveira Amauri and held on for a 1-0 win over Siena.
AC Milan is showing some life. Milan grabbed three points for a second straight week, as it came from behind to defeat host Chievo Verona 2-1. Chievo's Giampiero Pinzi scored seven minutes into the match and seemed headed for a big win, but Alessandro Nesta rescued the Rossoneri from another embarrasing defeat. Nesta equalized in the 81st minute, then won the match for Milan with a strike in stoppage time.
Milan (15 points) is now part of a three-way tie with Fiorentina and Palermo for fourth place in Serie A.
Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg SV went into the just-concluded weekend tied for first in the Bundesliga table, and nothing has changed since.
Bayer Leverkusen (22 points) had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. Lucas Barrios struck in the eight minute to give Dortmund the lead, but Leverkusen got the equalizer from Manuel Friedrich in the 65th minute, and Leverkusen got out of BayArena with a point.
Hamburg SV however was the team that saw an opportunity lost, as it played to a 3-3 draw with Shcalke 04 (20 points). Hamburg lead 3-2 and seemed certain for victory, but Kevin Kuranyi scored for Schalke 04 in stoppage time to not only split the points, but also prevent Hamburg from seizing the top spot in Bundesliga.
Third-place Werder Bremen (21 points) kept its spot in the Bundesliga standings with a 4-1 rout of VfL Bochum, while Bayern Munich climbed up to 18 points and fifth place with a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The teams currently occupying the top two spots in the Premiership swited spots over the weekend, as Chelsea regained the top spot in the league.
Chelsea did its part on Saturday, as a brace by Frank Lampard helped the blues to a 5-0 rout of Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea also got help from Liverpool, as they defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
The win not only stalled Manchester United, but brought a sigh of relief to Liverpool, whish was sliding down the standigs prior to Sunday'a match. Manchester United found itself behind the eight ball towards halftime, as Nemanja Vidic recieved two yellow cards in the first half, and Liverpool finally capitalized with a Fernando Torres goal in the 64th minute. David Ngog sealed the match with a stoppage time strike.
La Liga
FC Barcelona returned to form and in the process, put some distance between them and Real Madrid.
Barca routed Real Zaragoza 6-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday. Barcelona was carried by Seyduo Keita's hat trick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace. Lionel Messi added an 80th minute strike to the tally. The win along with Real Madrid's 0-0 result against Sporting Gijon now puts Barcelona (22 points) three points ahead of Real Madrid (19 points).
Serie A
Inter Milan is still atop the Serie A standings, though shaking off Juventus and Sampdoria still remains a tough task.
The first half was the key for Inter Milan (22 points) in its 2-1 win over Catania on Saturday. Sulley Muntar scored in the 13th minute and Wesley Sneijder scored the eventual game winner in the 31st minute. Sampdoria (20 points) remained two points back of Inter thanks to Daniele Mannini's brace in Sampdoria's a 4-1 rout of Bologna. Juventus meanwhile got a 72nd minute strike from Carvalho De Oliveira Amauri and held on for a 1-0 win over Siena.
AC Milan is showing some life. Milan grabbed three points for a second straight week, as it came from behind to defeat host Chievo Verona 2-1. Chievo's Giampiero Pinzi scored seven minutes into the match and seemed headed for a big win, but Alessandro Nesta rescued the Rossoneri from another embarrasing defeat. Nesta equalized in the 81st minute, then won the match for Milan with a strike in stoppage time.
Milan (15 points) is now part of a three-way tie with Fiorentina and Palermo for fourth place in Serie A.
Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg SV went into the just-concluded weekend tied for first in the Bundesliga table, and nothing has changed since.
Bayer Leverkusen (22 points) had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. Lucas Barrios struck in the eight minute to give Dortmund the lead, but Leverkusen got the equalizer from Manuel Friedrich in the 65th minute, and Leverkusen got out of BayArena with a point.
Hamburg SV however was the team that saw an opportunity lost, as it played to a 3-3 draw with Shcalke 04 (20 points). Hamburg lead 3-2 and seemed certain for victory, but Kevin Kuranyi scored for Schalke 04 in stoppage time to not only split the points, but also prevent Hamburg from seizing the top spot in Bundesliga.
Third-place Werder Bremen (21 points) kept its spot in the Bundesliga standings with a 4-1 rout of VfL Bochum, while Bayern Munich climbed up to 18 points and fifth place with a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
MLS playoff matchups set.
Major League Soccer's second season gets underway this week, starting on Thursday, and here are the matchups (All games time are listed in Pacific Standard Time).
Western Conference
Los Angeles Galaxy (W1) vs. Chivas USA (W4)
Game 1 @ Chivas USA, Sunday, November 1, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN2).
Game 2 @ Los Angeles Galaxy, Sunday, November 8, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2).
Houston Dynamo (W2) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (W3)
Game 1 @ Seattle, Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m. (ESPN2).
Game 2 @ Houston, Sunday, November 8, Noon, (Telefutura/Regional).
Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew (E1) vs. Real Salt Lake (E4)
Game 1 @ Real Salt Lake, Saturday, October 31, 3 p.m. (Regional Television).
Game 2 @ Columbus, Thursday, November 5, 5 p.m. (ESPN2).
Chicago Fire (E2) vs. New England Revolution (E3)
Game 1 @ New England, Saturday, October 21, 4 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel).
Game 2 @ Chicago, Saturday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel.
Check back later in the week for my series-by-series preview.
Western Conference
Los Angeles Galaxy (W1) vs. Chivas USA (W4)
Game 1 @ Chivas USA, Sunday, November 1, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN2).
Game 2 @ Los Angeles Galaxy, Sunday, November 8, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2).
Houston Dynamo (W2) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (W3)
Game 1 @ Seattle, Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m. (ESPN2).
Game 2 @ Houston, Sunday, November 8, Noon, (Telefutura/Regional).
Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew (E1) vs. Real Salt Lake (E4)
Game 1 @ Real Salt Lake, Saturday, October 31, 3 p.m. (Regional Television).
Game 2 @ Columbus, Thursday, November 5, 5 p.m. (ESPN2).
Chicago Fire (E2) vs. New England Revolution (E3)
Game 1 @ New England, Saturday, October 21, 4 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel).
Game 2 @ Chicago, Saturday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel.
Check back later in the week for my series-by-series preview.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
MLS in CONCACAF Champions League
One MLS team is in the quarterfinals, another is out and a third team will have its fate decided today.
The Columbus Crew played to a 1-1 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders on Tuesday. Trailing 1-0 after , Emilio Renteria scored the equalizer in the 74th minute to get the Crew to eight points, three better than Saprissa, but the Crew holds the tiebreaker over Saprissa, having them defeated them on the road and earning a draw at Crew Stadium.
While the Crew move on, the Houston Dynamo saw its Champions League campaign come to an end as they fell to host Metaplan 3-2. Houston needed a win to advance to the knockout round, but fell behind early in the match 2-0 until goals by Geoff Cameron in the 28th minute and keeper Toby Hall just before halftime gave Houston new life. Metaplan however got the winning goal in the 56th minute, as Emerson Umana scored off a deflected free kick.
DC United played to a 1-1 tie with host Toluca. Chris Pontius scored for DC United just five minute into the match, but Toluca got the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Lawson Vaughn fouled Israel Lopez in the box, and Lopez buried the penalty shot. DC United needs Jabloteh to defeat or tie Marathon tonight to ensure qualification to the next round.
The Columbus Crew played to a 1-1 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders on Tuesday. Trailing 1-0 after , Emilio Renteria scored the equalizer in the 74th minute to get the Crew to eight points, three better than Saprissa, but the Crew holds the tiebreaker over Saprissa, having them defeated them on the road and earning a draw at Crew Stadium.
While the Crew move on, the Houston Dynamo saw its Champions League campaign come to an end as they fell to host Metaplan 3-2. Houston needed a win to advance to the knockout round, but fell behind early in the match 2-0 until goals by Geoff Cameron in the 28th minute and keeper Toby Hall just before halftime gave Houston new life. Metaplan however got the winning goal in the 56th minute, as Emerson Umana scored off a deflected free kick.
DC United played to a 1-1 tie with host Toluca. Chris Pontius scored for DC United just five minute into the match, but Toluca got the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Lawson Vaughn fouled Israel Lopez in the box, and Lopez buried the penalty shot. DC United needs Jabloteh to defeat or tie Marathon tonight to ensure qualification to the next round.
UEFA Champions League: A look back
A thriller at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday was the highlight of the week that was in UEFA Champions League play over the week.
AC Milan stole an important three points from Real Madrid with a come-from-behind 3-2 win. Raul scored for Madrid in the 19th minute, but Milan came back with two goals inside a four-minute span, as Andrea Pirlo equalized in the 62nd minute and Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead with a 66th minute strike.
Milan responded, as Royston Drenthe curled a shot past Milan keeper Dida in the 76th minute, but Pato won the game for Milan with 10-yard strike in the 88th minute. Milan now finds itself in a tie with Milan for first place in Group C.
Elsewhere, FC Barcelona lost at home to FC Rubin Kazaan 2-1, which allowed them as well as Dynamo Kiev to catch Barca atop the Group F standings, but Liverpool is slipping fast in Group E, as it lost to Lyon 2-1 and is now third in the group.
AC Milan stole an important three points from Real Madrid with a come-from-behind 3-2 win. Raul scored for Madrid in the 19th minute, but Milan came back with two goals inside a four-minute span, as Andrea Pirlo equalized in the 62nd minute and Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead with a 66th minute strike.
Milan responded, as Royston Drenthe curled a shot past Milan keeper Dida in the 76th minute, but Pato won the game for Milan with 10-yard strike in the 88th minute. Milan now finds itself in a tie with Milan for first place in Group C.
Elsewhere, FC Barcelona lost at home to FC Rubin Kazaan 2-1, which allowed them as well as Dynamo Kiev to catch Barca atop the Group F standings, but Liverpool is slipping fast in Group E, as it lost to Lyon 2-1 and is now third in the group.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Look-ahead: MLS' Last Week of the Regular Season
Playoff spots and a regular season in the Western Conference are up for grabs as the 2009 MLS regular season closes this coming weekend.
In the Western Conference, four teams; Chivas USA, the Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC, have a chance to come out as regular season conference champions. Chivas, Houston and Los Angeles currently share first place with 45 points while Seattle is one point behind the three teams.
Chivas USA has the best chance to take the title, as it plays two matches this weekend. Those two matches won't be easy however, as it travels to Chicago to face a Fire squad desperate to clinch a playoff spot, then returns home Sunday afternoon to face the Dynamo.
The Galaxy appear to have the easiest road to the West title, as it faces the last place San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night. Los Angeles has the tiebreaker advantages over every team except Seattle. The Sounders though won't have it easy in its regular season finale, as it faces a red-hot FC Dallas squad that is looking to squeak into the playoffs.
The Western Conference race won't be the only focal point of the final weekend. Three playoff spots are up for grabs and seven teams are still alive in the chase. The Fire lead the way with 40 points and are currently second in the Eastern Conference. The Colorado Rapids have 40 points, but four teams, FC Dallas, DC United, Toronto FC and the New England Revolution, all have 39 points. Real Salt Lake has a punchers chance of making the playoffs, as it has 37 points going into the final week.
In the Western Conference, four teams; Chivas USA, the Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC, have a chance to come out as regular season conference champions. Chivas, Houston and Los Angeles currently share first place with 45 points while Seattle is one point behind the three teams.
Chivas USA has the best chance to take the title, as it plays two matches this weekend. Those two matches won't be easy however, as it travels to Chicago to face a Fire squad desperate to clinch a playoff spot, then returns home Sunday afternoon to face the Dynamo.
The Galaxy appear to have the easiest road to the West title, as it faces the last place San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night. Los Angeles has the tiebreaker advantages over every team except Seattle. The Sounders though won't have it easy in its regular season finale, as it faces a red-hot FC Dallas squad that is looking to squeak into the playoffs.
The Western Conference race won't be the only focal point of the final weekend. Three playoff spots are up for grabs and seven teams are still alive in the chase. The Fire lead the way with 40 points and are currently second in the Eastern Conference. The Colorado Rapids have 40 points, but four teams, FC Dallas, DC United, Toronto FC and the New England Revolution, all have 39 points. Real Salt Lake has a punchers chance of making the playoffs, as it has 37 points going into the final week.
Donovan collects honors
Landon Donovan won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award and was also named Honda player of the decade.
It is Donovan's second three-peat of the award. Donovan also won the award from 2002 to 2004 and had won it the previous two years. Donovan enjoyed another stellar year while suting up for the US National Team, helping the US qualify for the 2010 World Cup as well as a second place finish in the Confederations Cup back in June.
Donovan garnered 424 points in the voting process. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who plays for Everton in the Premiership, was second with 267 points and Jozy Altidore finished third with 175 points.
It is Donovan's second three-peat of the award. Donovan also won the award from 2002 to 2004 and had won it the previous two years. Donovan enjoyed another stellar year while suting up for the US National Team, helping the US qualify for the 2010 World Cup as well as a second place finish in the Confederations Cup back in June.
Donovan garnered 424 points in the voting process. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who plays for Everton in the Premiership, was second with 267 points and Jozy Altidore finished third with 175 points.
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