Recently in Croatian Soccer Category

Amazing grace: Lionel Messi throws Jay DeMerit off balance, Michael Bradley is left sprawling and Clint Dempsey can only watch as he slalomed through the U.S. team for much of the game (AP Photos).

U.S. 1 Argentina 1: Game story.

A respectable scoreline for a U.S. team playing a world power led by the incomparable Lionel Messi.

Argentina's passing, movement, speed and first touch were jaw-dropping at times, but the Americans proved a different proposition once teenage sensation Juan Agudelo replaced Jermaine Jones and impressive debutant Timmy Chandler came in at right back for Jonathan Spector at the half.

Still, goalkeeper Tim Howard yet again kept the U.S. in the game with a string of game-saving saves.

And at the risk of getting overly excited, let's just say Aguedelo already looks like he's at a different level than his peers (the disappointing Jozy Altidore, for instance). Foreign scouts must be drooling.

Highlights:

U.S. lineup: 1-Tim Howard; 2-Jonathan Spector (21-Timmy Chandler, 46), 15-Jay DeMerit, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (Capt.), 13-Jermaine Jones (9-Juan Agudelo, 46), 4-Michael Bradley, 7-Maurice Edu, 8-Clint Dempsey, 10-Landon Donovan; 17-Jozy Altidore

Subs not used: 6-Tim Ream, 12-Jonathan Bornstein, 14- Edson Buddle, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 23-Marcus Hahnemann

In other games of local interest it was:

Chicharito United: Manchester United's CD Guadalajara import had a brace for Mexico Saturday in the Bay Area.

* Mexico 3 Paraguay 1

Check out his well-taken goals:

* Georgia 1 Croatia 0

* Wales 0 England 2.

If the weather is good and May gray free (and this weekend temperatures are forecast to rise into the 80s) the Memorial Day weekend is usually one of my favorites in LA.

As usual, folks head out of town leaving relatively empty roads, restaurants, movie theaters and bars in their wake as they sit/stand/sleep/walk cheek to cheek in crowded Vegas, Santa Barbara, Yosemite or wherever.

And as much as still get goosebumps every time I attend a game at Home Depot Center, both Chivas USA and the Galaxy know better than to schedule a home game this weekend, meaning I get to hang around the house and BBQ (well, OK the wife grills, but I do have to keep her wine glass topped up) while watching their games and others on TV.

That doesn't mean there are no soccer related activities locally however including a couple of soccer festivals:

*The PDL Southwest Division league-leading Ventura County Fusion (4-1) host the Hollywood Hitmen (1-2-2) at 7 o'clock tonight at Buena High, 5670 Telegraph Rd. Military personnel get in free with valid ID.

*Organizers of the inaugural and free Fiesta Soccer Sunday at the LA Memorial Coliseum hope to attract 15,000 to the event aimed primarily at Latinos (but everyone is welcome, of course) with entertainment, activities, booths and futbol celebrities.

*Meanwhile, the estimated 35,000 folks of Croatian heritage who live down in San Pedro hold the fourth annual Croatian Independence Day Small Goals Tournament from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Field of Dreams (Gaffey & Westmont), which is a prelude to the Croatian Independence Day Street Festival in downtown Pedro that begins at 3 p.m. and continues into the night. The biggest event of its kind in the U. S. attracts 3,000 revelers and Croatians from throughout North America (and LA Mayor Antonio Villiagrosa) to enjoy traditional food, music and dance.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Croatian Independence from Yugoslavia and is a proud day for Croatian-Americans," said Croatian Hall board member Danijel Blasic.

Should be quite a party.

For those of you who don't want to leave the comfort of your TV, here are my picks for the games you should not miss this weekend including an MLS showdown between the only two remaining undefeated teams, the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew (6-0-2) and the Western Conference leading Galaxy (8-0-2). Can the Crew (who lead the East in goals with 14), score on a miserly Galaxy defense that has given up just two goals with a third of the season gone?

*10:30 a.m. Saturday ESPN2 and Galavision U.S.-Turkey

*4:30 p.m. Saturday FSN Columbus Crew-Galaxy

*4:30 p.m. Saturday Prime D.C. United-Chivas USA

*5 a.m. Sunday Fox Soccer Channel England-Japan

*8 a.m. Sunday KVEA Mexico-Gambia

*5 p.m. Sunday Chicago Fire-AC Milan.

I understand Galaxy fan group Angel City Brigade will be starting their day at Alpine Village near Torrance to watch the U.S. game, while both the Galaxy and Chivas USA host viewing parties for their road games.

For details, Galaxy fans click here and Chivas USA fans here.

UCLA product Michael Stephens, seen here fending off Real Salt Lake's Tony Beltran (another former Bruin) Saturday, had a solid MLS debut (AP Photo).

*Reporter Phil Collin spoke to Galaxy rookie Michael Stephens (and also learned more about the severity of the injury midfielder Sean Franklin sustained in the game).

*If you haven't voted in Tuesday's poll regarding strikers Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez and their World Cup chances go here.

The Galaxy face the Wizards Saturday in Kansas City and striker Kei Kamara of Lawndale. In this YouTube video interview, Kamara explains why he chose to sign a new contract with the club:

In other news:

*As expected, the U.S. will hold its pre-World Cup camp on the East Coast. The eight-day camp begins May 15 at Coach Bob Bradley's alma mater, Princeton University. The U.S. meets the Czech Republic May 25 in East Hartford, Conn., and Turkey May 29 in Philadelphia.

*The Los Angeles Unified School District, Chivas USA, the LA84 Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers will announce today a major fund-raising effort for competitive athletic activities in the district. The goal is to off-set the 25 percent budget cut the budget-strapped district was recently forced to announce by raising $1.3 million to support the more than 35,000 student athletes in 72 schools across the city.

*The second largest beach soccer event in the world returns to Oceanside May 15-16. More than 20,000 people will hit the beach at Oceanside Harbor for the Beach Soccer Championships. Register/more info here.

*Also next month, the fourth annual Croatian Small Goals tournament is back May 20 as the Croatian Hall of San Pedro hosts its 20th annual Independence Day Street Party.

The registration fee is $300 for six-sided teams in two divisions, competitive and recreational.

Games will consist of 5 field players and one goalie per team. More information at 310-548-1446 Ext: 107.

Details here.

At least I'm guessing that's the case given the two communities are the epicenters of the English and Croatian ex-pat communities respectively in Southern California after England 's 5-1 win over Croatia today that earned them a World Cup berth.

All is not lost for the Croats, however, and England can help by beating Ukraine next month.

The Galaxy's David Beckham played the irrelevant final 10 minutes in this one.

Game story.

All the scores.

Standings.

Meanwhile, U.S. striker Jozy Altidore is getting amped for T&T. He just tweeted:

Walking into the locker room, its gametime baby. MUST get 3 points. Hit yall up after the game

Among the key games on TV Wednesday:
*11:30 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel Northern Ireland-Slovakia
*2 p.m. FSC Wales-Russia
*3:30 p.m. ESPN Classic Trinidad & Tobago-U.S.
*5:30 p.m. Telemundo Mexico-Honduras

In 2007 I watched at the Croatian Hall in San Pedro as England were knocked out of Euro 2008.

We're back:

LONDON (AP) -- Talk about role reversal.

Two years ago, Croatia eliminated England from European Championship qualifying with a victory at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney and David Beckham see the funy side of World Cup qualifying Tuesday. (AP Photos).

On Wednesday night, the English can clinch their fourth straight World Cup berth by beating the Croats at the home of English soccer.

"We have put ourselves in a great position, and it's up to us to finish the job," England
captain John Terry said Tuesday. "The disappointment of not qualifying still hurts."

European champion Spain could clinch a berth Wednesday along with Denmark, Serbia and Slovakia.

In South America, Chile and Paraguay could guarantee places in the 32-nation field
at South Africa next year.

They would join Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Japan, the Netherlands, North Korea, South
Korea.

The United States would put itself in commanding position for a sixth straight World Cup
appearance with a victory at Trinidad and Tobago.

Others are struggling, such as Argentina, France and Portugal.

"At the end of the day, this match in Belgrade is not decisive," France coach Raymond Domenech said before his team's game in Serbia. "We can win, lose or draw, it will not change radically the remainder of the competition. We will still have two more games to play, so we have a chance."

The nine European group winners qualify, and eight of the nine second-place teams go to playoffs. Serbia (6-1) is four points ahead of France (4-1-2) in Group Seven.

Heading into its match at Paraguay, Argentina (6-5-4) is fourth in South America, trailing
Brazil (8-1-6), and Chile and Paraguay (each 8-4-3). Right behind at 5-5-5 at Colombia and Ecuador, putting tremendous pressure on Argentina coach Diego Maradona.

The top four teams qualify, and the No. 5 nation meets the No. 4 team from North and Central America and the Caribbean in a playoff.

"We've got to lift our heads quickly," Argentina midfielder Javier Zanetti said. "Football
doesn't give you much time."

England (7-0) can relax going into its match against Croatia (5-1-2). Credit for the
turnaround has been given to England coach Fabio Capello.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic and squad train at Wembley Tuesday.

"What Fabio Capello has brought into squad and the nation is belief," Galaxy
midfielder David Beckham said.

Spain (7-0) hosts Estonia and would clinch with a victory combined with Bosnia-Herzegovina (5-2) failing to win at home against Turkey (3-2-2).

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said following Saturday's 5-0 rout of Belgium that a 2-0 loss to the United States in the Confederations Cup last June helped his team. The Americans stopped Spain's winning streak at a record 15 matches and its unbeaten run at 35 games, which had tied Brazil's mark.

"We're doing important things and breaking records, but every national team has its moment -- I don't like to say we're the best," Spanish forward Fernando Torres said. "Let's just hope that our best is yet to come."

Slovakia (5-1-1) is at Northern Ireland (4-2-2) and would clinch with a victory, coupled with a tie between Slovenia and Poland (both 3-2-2). Denmark (5-0-2) would clinch with a victory at Albania (1-4-3), provided Portugal (2-1-4) wins at Hungary and Sweden (3-1-3) fails to beat Malta (0-7-1).

Portugal might not even finish second.

"We're sad. We know we can do better," Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, said following last weekend's 1-1 tie at Denmark.

Defending champion Italy (5-0-2) could open a four-point lead with a victory at home against Bulgaria. The Azzurri needed two own-goals from Kakha Kaladze for a 2-0 victory at Georgia last weekend.

"I would like to be the one to break the drought," Italian forward Alberto Gilardino said.

Germany (6-0-1) holds a one-point lead over Russia (6-1) going into a home match against Azerbaijan. The Russians host the Germans on Oct. 10.

"Everyone is already speaking about the game in Russia, but Wednesday's game is very important," German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said. "We have to get three points, otherwise we need not even talk about the Russia game."

In Africa, Cameroon (1-1-1) can take over its group lead with a victory at home against Gabon (2-1), a team it defeated on the road last weekend.

In Asia, Saudi Arabia is at home following a 0-0 tie against Bahrain in the opener of a two-leg, total-goals playoff for the right to meet New Zealand in another playoff.

The U.S. (4-2-1), coming off a 2-1 home win against El Salvador, is at T&T, where it
won 2-1 in its qualifier four years ago. Honduras (4-2-1) leads on goal difference, while
Mexico and Costa Rica (both 4-3) are one point back.

Mexico hosts Honduras, while Costa Rica is at El Salvador.

Briefly:

*Galaxy squad player Leonard Griffin goes under the knife today in Munich for a hernia operation. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is still not in full training. And those of you with fantasy football teams should know Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers of the Columbus Crew is not expected to play Saturday so he can rest a hamstring issue.

*For what it's worth English tabloid the Daily Mail is the latest media outlet to speculate about Mexican Coach Sven Goran Eriksson and his job security (or lack thereof).

*Chivas USA fan group the Union Ultras host a viewing party for the club's game in Dallas Sunday in West Covina.

*And the Croatian community in San Pedro is gearing up for its third annual Small Goals Tournament set for May 23 to coincide with Croatian Independence Day.

Few players are more qualified than former Galaxy and likely future Chivas USA left back Ante Jazic (Jonny Bornstein has been playing left half during preseason) to provide a perspective on both clubs. Jazic played more than 40 games with the Galaxy over the last three years before being traded to their intra-stadium rivals in the off-season. I spoke to Jazic earlier this week (and used some of his comments in Tuesday's column) before he headed off to a yoga session. Ante didn't dish on the Galaxy as much as I'd hoped, but you can read between the lines a little. BTW, Jazic and Chivas USA play a charity game against the PDL Ventura County Fusion at 5 p.m. Sunday in Santa Clarita at the College of the Canyons. Tickets are $20 apiece or $40 for a family of four.

Question: What was your reaction when you got traded to Chivas USA?
Answer: If you're going to get traded then this is probably the easiest way to do it - just grab your boots and go 50 feet down the hall, so relocation-wise it was easy on me. I'm happy to be here (it's) a great locker room here at Chivas. It was a little strange at first, but I'm getting used to everything around me now.

Q: How do the Galaxy guys and Chivas USA guys get along?
A: I knew a lot of the guys, you see them every day in the gym, so it's not like this "hate thing" as people might like to say. We see each other daily, we share the stadium. There's a little pride who rules this stadium. The Galaxy guys think they own the stadium, the Chivas guys think we own the stadium, so we'll see, it will be interesting. I'm looking forward to the SuperClasico that's for sure.

Q: How do the two locker rooms compare?
A: Here at Chivas we don't have a marquee player, we don't have any designated players - not that I know of anyway. Everyone's pretty much on an even keel, guys are good friends off the field. In the Galaxy locker room (there's) a great bunch of guys - I had a lot of friends there - it's just a different dynamic. It's just different because of people on different (wage) scales; (there's) just a different aura around the club, whereas (with) everyone here it's almost like a lunch pail mentality.

Q: Were you glad to get the hell out of the Galaxy considering what's been going on there the last couple of years?
A: You know what, I enjoyed my time at the Galaxy, it was a great experience. A change of scenery definitely at this point in my career was good for me. The locker room (at Chivas USA) is great. Everyone jokes around with each other. Everyone is on an even keel - there's no one ahead of anybody here on the team, so the young guys have their voice in the locker room and it's fun. Everyone has a go at each other. It's just a different dynamic. It's tough at the Galaxy when you have David who's a great guy, but it's hard sometimes - you can't really make fun of David, y'know. Well you can, but most guys are afraid to. Here everyone can make fun of everyone. ... Hopefully, the Galaxy get things together, but now I'm with Chivas and we rule the stadium now.

Q: What was your relationship with David Beckham?
A: With David I had a great relationship. More on the road we'd hang out. He was fine, but it's not easy being David as well, y'know? Coming here, it was different surroundings for him. He's not used to MLS and the salaries and all that. David does his best - it takes time.

Q: Is it better for the Galaxy that David stay in Italy?
A: David is a good player. You have a better chance of winning games if David is on the field. I'm not in the locker room anymore, I don't hear what guys are saying and I don't really ask. But I would think if I was with the Galaxy (still) we'd have a better chance of winning with David Beckham than without David Beckham. If (someone says) it's going to be a better team without David in the side, I don't really know what that person is talking about.

Q: Some fans are trying to figure out what was going on with you leaving the Galaxy and left back Todd Dunivant returning to the team. What was your take on the trades?
A: (Laughs) Similar salaries. Similar surgeries - Todd had a micro-fracture (like me). I needed a change of scenery. I'm glad I was traded to Chivas. I thank Bruce for that because who knows where I could have been traded to. I like Los Angeles and wanted to stay in LA. I'm happy to be with Chivas, (where there's) a good bunch of guys and we've bonded well through training in camp and we're working hard and looking forward to the new season.

Q: One of the criticisms of Chivas USA is they haven't seemed to have added an impact player or two that might give them a better chance of getting through the first round of the playoffs. How do you see the situation here?
A: You can tell you're coming into a stable locker room. They've had a couple of good seasons - (and been) a little unlucky not to get past the first round. They're still looking to add players in this training camp period. I've been impressed, guys work hard, training sessions are extremely difficult. Everyone works hard, we're grunting our way through it. Hopefully the work will pay off and we can get past the first round of the playoffs because that's obviously our goal. There's a lot of good players, a lot of good characters in the locker room and it has just been a joy. I'm enjoying my soccer, that's for sure.

Q: How close is your spot in the locker room to the other Ante (Razov)? And is that confusing?
A: (laughs) He's a few seats down. It's a little weird. I feel like I'm in Croatia again. Ante is a common name in Croatia, but definitely not in America, so when I hear someone say "Ante" I'm always turning around. So it's definitely weird. I never thought I'd experience that. He's Croatian himself so sometimes we can chat in Croatian. We have a whole melting pot of guys in the locker room, it's a good group of guys. He's been injured, but when he gets on the field we'll have to sort something out. Maybe I'm Ante Junior, he's a little bit older.

Q: Compare the two teams' training sessions?
A: I'm hoping this training camp ends soon because it has been different with Preki, that's for sure. We run a lot - that's what I've noticed here. Every training session is difficult. Preki has a philosophy that you train once a day, but that one a day covers about two training sessions, I think. Fitness won't be an issue; hopefully we can keep healthy this year and start to win some games, if we have a healthy squad. I think our team is pretty deep this year - a good blend of young guys and experienced players. I want March 21st to roll around as soon as possible.

San Pedro native Peter Hazdovac, 22, who I first blogged about here is continuing to make his mark on the Croatian Regional Third Division.

Here's the latest message I received from him today on Facebook:

We had a game today verses Zagora, a third division team who are actually in the final eight of the Croatian Cup (their next game is verses Dinamo Zagreb and in the last two rounds they knocked out division one team NK Osijek and division two first-place team Karlovac). They haven't lost a home game in 23 games.

Anyway to the game: we go down 1-0 in the first half after they scored a header on a cross. They had us on the ropes in the first half. It was a six-hour bus ride for us and we really came out flat!

Second half the tide changed and we took control.

In the 90th minute we hit a long ball into the box, the other forward chests it downs but slips and from the ground pushes the ball to me and I rip it inside the near post from about eight yards.

We went nuts. My jersey was off in one second (I got a yellow card) and was mobbed by the entire coaching staff and team.

What a freakin' feeling.

They took the kick off and the ref blew the whistle!

Quite the game.

Huge point for our team. We still remain tied for first place.

And unless I missed a game or a goal somewhere that's six goals for Peter in nine games. And five goals in the last three.

Four more games until the winter break in Croatia.

First, the nuns.

San Pedro's Peter Hazdovac, who I first blogged about
here, scored two goals Saturday as Croatian Regional Third Division team NK Gosk beat bottom of the table Gosk KG, 3-1.

The Cal Poly product has five goals in eight games. And his team leads the league.