Friday Football: Waiting for the Weekend
Lots to talk about this morning including Chivas USA's playoff hopes, Brad Guzan, history for Long Beach State, joy for CD Guadalajara and more.
Let's get to it:
*An undermanned New England Revolution predictably succumbed to the Chicago Fire Thursday and now it's Chivas USA - in a similar situation in terms of personnel and facing a must-win game in Carson - that's feeling the pressure.
*Not surprisingly, RSL are preaching defense to preserve their slender one goal advantage.
*I'll be back later today with a Q & A with Chivas USA striker Justin Braun, who could have a key role to play Saturday. And yes, tickets starting at $14 are still available for the 7:30 p.m. game that's also live on Fox Soccer Channel. The first 10,000 fans get a free T-shirt. Call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
*Meanwhile, former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan earned a shutout Thursday in only his second senior appearance for England's Aston Villa. Coach Martin O'Neill calls his performance "briliiant."
*Also brilliant: CD Guadalajara Thursday, who dealt shock Argentine bottom feeders River Plate yet another blow.
*Long Beach State won its first post-season game in program history Thursday and now has a chance Sunday at an even bigger prize: a first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
*Other college action in Southern California this weekend includes Pac-10 champion UCLA (8-4-6 overall, 6-1-2 Pac-10) hosting Big West leader Cal Poly (10-4-4) in its home finale. Game time is 7 p.m. Saturday at Drake Stadium.
*The pick of the televised games this weekend:
7 a.m. Saturday Fox Soccer Channel Sunderland-Portsmouth
9:30 a.m. Saturday FSC Liverpool-West Bromwich Albion
8 a.m. Sunday FSC Fulham-Newcastle United
10 a.m. Sunday KAZA Puebla-Guadalajara
11:30 a.m. Sunday FSC Lecce-Inter Milan
Noon Sunday Telefutura Houston Dynamo-New York Red Bulls
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
So Preki feels no pressure in this game? Seems like he's getting ready to depart Chivas with such an indifferent carefree attitude.
Also, Kennedy should be given the start due to his better performance during that winning stretch. One decent game from Thorton doesn't give the fans any confidence in him.
Nick replies: Don't you think he's just trying to ease the strain on his players by saying that?
Great to see Guzan doing well... now if we can only get players other than goalkeepers showing their stuff overseas.