Thursday Kicks
Briefly:
*The MLS playoffs begin tonight and Seattle Sounders fans will demonstrate the right way to support a team - by going freaking nuts in the stands. Hope Galaxy and Chivas USA fans are taking note. The Dynamo-Sounders game is on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Game preview here.
*Incidentally, the U.S. is playing Malawi at the U-17 World Cup live on ESPNU right now. It's 0-0 at the half. You can also follow along on Matchtracker. Updated: The U.S. win 1-0 on an Alex Shinsky goal
*The U.S. women are in Germany for a sold out friendly that starts at 10 a.m. The Sol's Brittany Bock is a doubt because of a knock. Sounds like her participation is a game time decision.
*Belated congratulations to former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan who saved four penalties (!) deputizing for regular starter Brad Friedel for Aston Villa the other night. More here.
Finally, the Cal State Northridge men (7-7-2, 2-4-1 BWC) lost 2-0 to UC Santa Barbara Wednesday. Next: hosting UC Riverside at 3 p.m. Saturday at Matador Field. Take along three cans of food as a contribution to the food drive being held and you'll get in free.
3 Comments
Leave a comment
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.
Another US 1-0 victory today. This one by USWNT courtesy of a header by Dear Abby in 35th minute. Good on them.
I've actually been hearing some grumbling around the net lately about Guzan being the US's #2... hopefully this will put that gibberish to bed. Now if you could only have starters (much less backups) at the other positions with the quality of Guzan, the US would be a force to reckon with.
I lived in Port Orchard (near Seattle) for a year, before I started following soccer in America. Their downtown is nice and compact, good bars, good ferry system. Similar to downtown San Diego.
I wonder if that is the key? Maybe we need to tear down some real estate near the Staple Center? Re-vamp the coliseum and add a rail line?
Maybe we just need a little more time. The league is only a little over a decade old.