I had never written a fairytale before.

But the literary device seemed apt for today’s column.

Of course, Red Bull New York is a bit of a Cinderella story, too, so come Sunday we’ll see who lives happily ever after.

Columbus management gave Sigi the time and perhaps most importantly, didn’t interfere in the playing side of things, and are now reaping the reward. Are you listening, Galaxy front office?

“I’ve always felt if you hire somebody to do the job let them do the job and if you’re not going to let them do the job don’t hire them,” Schmid said. “It’s impossible for anyone to have too many fingers in (too many) pies.”

Updated:
UCLA beat San Diego 1-0 Monday on an own goal in a game delayed by the unhealthy air quality caused by the wildfires this weekend to advance to the last 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins play USC at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Drake Stadium.

Quotable:

“This is the NCAA Tournament and nothing is going to be easy and nothing is going to be handed to you,” said UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis. “To be able to win and not play as well as we can play – we have to take that as a positive. Good teams find a way to win. San Diego certainly didn’t make it easy for us.”

Notable:
*UCLA outshot San Diego 20-9 on the night.
*The Bruins have allowed goals in just four of their 22 games this season.
*It is the fourth season in a row that UCLA has reached the 20-win mark, and the Bruins’ 10th straight appearance in the round of 16.
*The Bruins defeated the Trojans 2-1 earlier this season.

U.S. Soccer has named its annual award finalists. Voting begins today here.