*Will David Beckham actually get a start Saturday against D.C. United at Home Depot Center (live at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel) in what would be just his second start for the club since returning from a torn Achilles tendon? Phil Collin has more here.
*It appears the U.S. Men’s National Team is heading back to South Africa:
CHICAGO (AP)– The U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday that the Americans probably will play an exhibition against the Bafana Bafana in Cape Town on Nov. 17.
It will be the fourth trip to South Africa for the U.S. in three years, following a November
2007 exhibition at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, the 2009 Confederations Cup and this year’s World Cup.The U.S. will be missing players involved in the MLS Cup final, scheduled for Nov. 21 in
Toronto. The Americans also could be without players in the Mexican playoffs, which open Nov. 20-21.The Americans host Poland on Oct. 9 at Chicago and Colombia three days later at Chester, Pa.
*Meanwhile, U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo will miss World Cup qualifying because of injury:
CHICAGO (AP) — American goalkeeper Hope Solo will have right shoulder surgery and miss qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.
The U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday that the 29-year-old will be sidelined for five to six months, a timetable that should allow her to return for the start of the World Cup on June 26.
Dr. James Andrews will operate Wednesday on what may be a torn labrum.
Solo has 91 international appearances. She leads Women’s Professional Soccer this season with 104 saves for St. Louis and Atlanta.
*Controversy has found former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and next Friday’s main box office draw at Home Depot Center, when the Galaxy play New York in Carson, Thierry Henry:
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry’s celebratory kick left goalkeeper Kevin Hartman with an injured knee — and Dallas FC coach Schellas Hyndman hopping mad.
Following a goal by New York’s Mehdi Ballouchy on Thursday night, Henry went to strike the ball again and Hartman got in the way. The Dallas goalkeeper, who came into the game leading Major League Soccer with a 0.58 goals-against average, went down with an injured medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
“Basically, from I what I see, right after they scored the goal, they both go to kick the ball
at the same time,” referee Hilario Grajeda said after the 2-2 tie. “They never connect knees or anything. They just nailed the ball at the same time. It happens, you know.”Henry, a longtime French star, joined the Red Bulls last month.
“The ball was there and like I do sometimes, I just wanted to kick the ball back in the net,” Henry said. “He put his foot out there and that’s how he got injured. That was unfortunate. I went to apologize at halftime because I didn’t mean to hurt him. He put his foot out there and I just wanted to smash the ball back in the net. A pure accident. I told him I was sorry. He accepted it. It was one of those stupid things.”
Hyndman said the team would likely submit a complaint to the league.
“It’s the weight it puts on us now,” Hyndman said. “I thought Hartman was going to be up for MVP. Now we have to go get a pool goalkeeper. It was something that was not necessary, so we’ll see what happens.”
Hartman’s shutout streak ended at 415 minutes on Ballouchy’s goal.
“I’m not real sure exactly how it happened,” Hartman said. “We’d given up the goal, obviously, and it was just one of those things where he wanted to get the ball back to midfield or whatever. Henry went to hit the ball and I tried to intercede, and unfortunately got hurt.
“I’m pretty bummed about it. You obviously want to play as much as possible and to have to come out because of an injury that happens pretty much in dead time is
disappointing.”
Judge for yourself what happened, here:
*Lastly, previews of Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s and women’s soccer teams are here and here.