Blanco Eve & More

Chicago Fire star Cuauhtémoc Blanco isn't doing a pre-game press conference as he did last year to take advantage of the post-Lakers hangover, so the nationally televised 7:30 p.m. game Thursday against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center will come in with a whimper rather than a snarl.

I'm guessing the hope is Chivas USA doesn't have a pathetically small crowd on ESPN2 before Thursday's prime time game.

Both teams are seeking to end two-game losing streaks and free foam fingers are on offer for fans. (Yes!).

From the (edited) Chivas USA press release regarding defender Claudio Suarez in his final season as a pro:

On Wednesday, Chivas USA announced they would be celebrating The Year of the Emperor', honoring the 20-year career of Suárez.

Known as 'El Emperador' ('The Emperor'), Suárez was for years a mainstay as Mexico's captain, and is currently number two overall in international appearances among male soccer players worldwide, having played for Mexico 178 times from 1992-2006.

Suárez was also a member of Mexico 's World Cup squads in 1994, 1998 and 2006. He was a key player at top Mexican First Division clubs Pumas, Chivas and Tigres, in addition to captaining Chivas USA in MLS since 2006.

Starting with Thursday's match versus the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA will display a series of video tributes prior to its MLS home games at Home Depot Center highlighting important moments from Suárez's career.

In July, during the lead-up to Chivas USA's international debut in SuperLiga, Suárez will officially launch his new biography, 'The Story of a Warrior', which traces his career.

In August, Suárez will throw out the first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Meanwhile, a suburban Chicago newspaper caught up with Chivas USA striker Ante Razov, who reflected on his career in the Windy City.

In other news, the U.S. Women's National Team faces Italy in Korea in the Peace Cup early Thursday morning our time.

From the U.S. Soccer press release;

The USA needs a win or a tie against Italy to win Group B and earn a spot in the Peace Queen Cup championship game against Canada, which won Group A today with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand. The USA would qualify for the championship game before kicking off against Italy should Brazil and Australia tie in the match that will begin at 2 p.m. local. The USA won its first two Peace Queen Cup matches by one goal, downing Australia, 2-1, and Brazil, 1-0. Italy has dropped both of it matches so far, falling 2-1 to Brazil and 3-0 to Australia.

Finally, Josh Green, a former assistant coach at Minnesota State, Iowa, and Pepperdine, has been named to the same position at Loyola Marymount University, with an emphasis toward recruiting.