This is likely the final MLS season for Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez, one of the true gentlemen in the league.

Suarez graciously sat down for an in-depth interview Monday, spending about an hour reminiscing about his career.

Left out for space reasons were the following nuggets:
*Best moment of his career - lifting the Confederation's Cup in 1999 as Mexico's captain.
*Worst moment - being accused of doping in 1997 during the same tournament. Suarez was eventually exonerated completely by FIFA.
*Toughest opponent in MLS: New York Red Bull striker Juan Pablo Angel.
*Toughest opponent he's ever faced: Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta.

Incidentally, while I was chatting with Suarez, the Chivas USA reserves were beating their FC Dallas counterparts 3-0 Monday, with Ante Razov getting two goals.

The Galaxy reserves, by the way, lost 2-1 to Houston Sunday, despite a Bryan Jordan goal. The Galaxy reserves fell to 0-2-1 with the loss.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mexico beat China 1-0 in Seattle Wednesday night in a largely meaningless game rendered even more inconsequential by this irrelevant story in today's Seattle Times apparently written by the only Latino guy in the nation to never see a soccer game involving Mexico.

From José Miguel Romero we learn that Mexico has really loud fans just like the Seahawks (can we get through a soccer story without an unnecessary American sports reference, please) and that they even (gasp) throw plastic bottles (in Mexico those bottles are usually filled with a recycled liquid).

Sadly, patronizing stories like this written for non-soccer fans are not a thing of the past and just reinforce how out of touch many newspapers are with their readers, most of whom do not regard soccer as some alien novelty act. You need to get out of Renton more Romero.

While I'm on a rant, things don't get much better over at USA Today, which manages to suck the life out of today's D.C. United-Columbus Crew game (live at 5 p.m. on ESPN2) with the following soulless slab of stats-laden sterility that passes for a game preview:

Playing their third match in eight days and seventh since March 12 - including a CONCACAF Champions Cup game - United (1-2-0) lost 4-0 at Real Salt Lake on Saturday to drop to 0-2 on the road.

United went 6-5-4 on the road in 2007 en route to finishing with an MLS-best 55 points, but they've been outscored 6-0 away from home this year.

D.C.'s lone win came 4-1 over Toronto FC on April 5 at RFK Stadium.

(snip)

Though United went 10-2-3 at home in 2007, they'll be facing a Columbus team that was 2-1-0 against them in 2007. The Crew won 3-2 at RFK Stadium on Oct. 20 in the most recent meeting.

United had just three shots on goal and six total shots against Salt Lake. D.C. will be looking to avoid being shut out in a third straight road match for the first time since going scoreless in five straight away from home from April 15-June 12, 2005.

They couldn't cram another number in?

For perspective and context (and a reporter who uses numbers for actual journalistic effect), let's turn to the excellent Steven Goff over at The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, perhaps the most candid interview I've seen so far with former Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta (now back at D.C.) includes this excerpt:

I never really did the right things just in life, I couldn’t really deal with life in life’s terms you know what I mean? I was trying to juggle being a father, being a husband, being the guy that everybody looks at to go out and party. It was a lot of fear. I knew that things were going bad and I knew that everything was slipping away from me and that I couldn’t control that. It was out of my control, that was the best I could do at that point.

Read the whole thing here.

Finally, perhaps the best reason to check in on tonight's MLS game for Los Angeles-area fans is to monitor the continuing progress of Rolling Hillls Estates' Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers
who has 15 shots in just three games, more than any other player in the league. Rogers scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the Crew’s 4-3 victory over Chivas USA last weekend and is rapidly maturing into a dangerous, creative player. In sum, he has five MLS goals in 13 games.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Crunch Time in Mexico

The U.S. plays Costa Rica, a nation that has never beaten the Americans in four tries, at 6 p.m. while Mexico faces Canada in the nightcap.

Costa Rica features Torrance's Vanessa Rojas on its squad, while the U.S. has Torrance's Shannon Boxx.

“We haven’t played them since 2004, but it looks like they have improved," said U.S. defender Kate Markgraf. "They have really technical players and they look more athletic then they have in the past. We will have to see how much they try to attack or if they sit back, but we can adapt and play our style according to the flow of the game.”

The Americans handily beat Costa Rica 4-0 the last time the nations met.

There's no TV coverage.

Chivas USA Youngsters with USA

Flores played in all five U-20 games in January, including three as captain; Mayen, who signed with Chivas USA on March 27, will be with the U.S. U-20 squad for the first time.

Milestone for Matt

Reis, who has has started 72 consecutive regular season games for the Revolution, the longest current active streak in MLS, has played the last 6,480 minutes for the club, just shy of Pat Onstad's record 6,648 minute stretch set from 2005-2007.

Hamilton Honored

Hamilton, a former Torrance resident, was Galaxy GM when he died in March 2006 from heart complications at the age of 43. He is also the brother of Chivas USA Vice President of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton. Proceeds from the game benefit Hamilton's son Aedan.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the Galaxy's David Beckham is winning his 100th cap for England today in a game only available on pay channel Sentanta here, the 28th-ranked U.S. led by Landon Donovan will wear its new anthracite (charcoal grayish?) away jersey for the first time against 24th-ranked Poland in a game shown live at 12:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

Meanwhile, Mexico plays Ghana in London at 12:30 p.m. on Univision Telemundo among a host of other international games on tap.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Despite beating nine-man Haiti 5-1 Sunday night at Home Depot Center, Mexico crashed out of Olympic qualifying on goal difference.

The result means Canada, the second place finisher in Group B, plays the U.S. Thursday, while Guatemala faces Honduras.

In a game that featured wave after wave of Mexican attacks, El Tri could have scored several many more goals, but missed a penalty while Toluca's Santiago Fernandez missed two point-blank chances within two minutes.

Cruz Azul's Cesar Villaluz opened Mexico's account with a diving header in the 18th minute before 12,824 mainly Mexican fans.

Edgar Andrade of Cruz Azul made it two in the 61st minute, while Haiti pulled a goal back two minutes later as Mexico got caught pressing forward.

Fernandez claimed Mexico's third in the 70th minute and Club America's Enrique Esqueda made it 4-1 seven minutes from the end of regulation.

Luis Angel Landin of Morelia scored Mexico's fifth in the 90th minute, but despite five minutes of stoppage time, El Tri couldn't score the sixth that would have propelled them to the semifinals.

Mexico finished with 24 attempts on goal to 14 for Haiti, with shots on target 14-4. Mexico was called offside 14 times.

Updated:

Well, Mexican Coach Hugo Sanchez didn't resign after the game, though Mexican Football Federation officials held a press conference and said his contract would be discussed at a March 30 meeting. Still, they also observed Sanchez has a contract through the 2010 World Cup.

"Obviously, this is a failure," Sanchez said. "I don't like to use that word, but you guys are going to keep bringing it up until I do so I will."

"We had hoped to make history," he added. "Mexico has never won an Olympic gold medal (in soccer)."

Sanchez lamented the absence of his four European-based players their clubs wouldn't release and then noted the U.S. and Canada had their European-based players for the competition, which isn't quite true (the U.S. couldn't secure the release of Michael Bradley from his Dutch club, for instance).

His counterpart, Haiti's Wilner Etienne, was quite blunt about the performance of some of his team.

"There are some players who can play at a high level and there are some players you can't count on," he said.

Canadian Coach Nick Dasovsic, who had said he wouldn't comment on the U.S. until after the Mexico game, was quite voluable when I bumped into him in the Stadium Club en route to the Mexico-Haiti press conference. It probably helped he was on his third beer.

"When (Haiti) went down to nine men, I thought we were done," he said. "I think I died eight times. It was like something out of a movie. We're through, though, we're going to Tennessee."

"It's a one-game cup final and (if we win) we go to the Olympics," he added. "The guys will be up for it."

"They've got quality," he said of the U.S. "It's going to be huge for the guys."

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Canada beat Guatemala 5-0 Sunday afternoon in the penultimate group game of Olympic qualifying at Home Depot Center, meaning Mexico must beat Haiti in the second game of the doubleheader by at least five unanswered goals to retain any hope of reaching the semifinals Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.

Even then, Canada and Mexico would need a coin toss to send one team through since the two would be tied on goal difference and goals scored. The Mexicans must score at least six goals without reply to go through.

The Mexicans have scored just two goals in two games during the tournament and unlike Guatemala, who had already qualified, the Haitians are motivated; a win would send them through to the semifinals.

Guatemala didn't look particularly enthusiastic about the game, raising more than a suspicion they would be perfectly happy to see Mexico exit the competition.

Canada, not exactly renowned for their goal-scoring prowess, got two goals from former Chicago Fire forward Will Johnson, back from a one-game suspension after being sent off in Canada's opening game, a pair from Tosaint Ricketts and the fifth from substitute Kyle Hall deep into second half stoppage time.

Guatemalan fans celebrated after the game as if they had won.

Updated:
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could win 5-0," said Coach Nick Dasovic, who paid tribute to his players. "They were extraordinary."

Player of the game Will Johnson said he was seeking a measure of redemption in this game: "Any time you get a red card you feel you let your teammates down a bit," he said. "I was fresh today, I was a lot fresher than the other guys, so I took it upon myself to make a difference."

Posted by Nick Green at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Galaxy played to a dull scoreless draw in Dallas Saturday, the U.S. made it through to the Olympic qualifying semifinals with a very late goal over Honduras the difference, while Mexico is seeking to ensure it doesn't make an ignominious exit from the competition today at Home Depot Center.

Meanwhile, protests in Tibet against Chinese rule are growing although no one is yet suggesting the Olympics are at risk.

Finally, Chivas USA beat San Diego State 2-1 Saturday in a scrimmage at Home Depot Center.

From the Chivas USA press release:

Chukwudi Chijindu put the Red-and-White ahead just seven minutes into the game when he received a ball from Ante Razov and hammered home a shot to the near post from 12 yards. Chivas USA continued pushing up for goals throughout the first half, and were caught on a quick counter attack by San Diego State in the 27th minute, when Steven Beitashour’s shot was deflected to Daniel Ortega, who finished for the Aztecs to tie the game.

The match went into the half tied at one, but Chivas USA quickly took the lead once the second session started. Razov’s free kick from 25 yards was saved by the Aztec goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to Erasmo Solórzano, who finished easily. The Red-and-White had a number of chances in the rest of the half, with forward Anthony Hamilton hitting the post and Solórzano seeing his header bounce over the net, but the game ended with the 2-1 scoreline.

Chivas USA lineup (4-4-2): Lance Parker; Eric Ebert (Arnaldo Salazar 46), Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Gerson Mayen; Chukwudi Chijindu (Erasmo Solórzano 46), Daniel Paladini, John Cunliffe, Anthony Hamilton; Ante Razov, Justin Braun (Jorge Flores 46).

Chivas is in Fresno today playing PDL team the Fuego.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After the game with Canada two days ago Mexican Coach Hugo Sanchez said he wasn't worried because his team hadn't lost.

He's worried now.

Despite out-shooting its opponents 17-10, Mexico was upset by Guatamala 2-1 Friday night before 19,638 fans at the Home Depot Center.

"They're just another team," said Guatemalan Coach Rodrigo Kenyon.

The result means Mexico must win Sunday against Haiti and either hopes Canada doesn't win or scores fewer goals (or allows more) in their game against Guatemala. Because if the two teams are even (as they are now) on goal difference and goals scored it will come down to a coin flip.

"We're under fire, we have to show what this team is capable of and we have to attack," Sanchez said.

The only Mexican goal came from American-born Edgar Castillo in the ninth minute after the Guatemalan defense failed to clear its box, leaving one to wonder what Sanchez is thinking now considering his criticism of his predecessor for using naturalized American citizens on the team.

But Guatemala doggedly stayed in the game five minutes before half time when a long ball from Jean Marquez caught the Mexican defense napping and Carlos Villa, one of a half dozen CSD Municipal players on the roster, raced through to score.

Guatemala sealed victory in the 67th minute on a Maynor Ignacio Lopez header from a corner kick.

"They were more effective in their finishing," said Sanchez, calling his opponents "just conquerors."

He also blamed the media for giving his players "bad vibes" for getting on them for not scoring goals.

"We've done good things, not everything has been bad," he protested.

True.

Just most things, Hugo.

More here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It wasn't a thing of a beauty and a Freddy Adu penalty kick was all that separated the teams in the 1-0 win over Panama Thursday, but Coach Peter Nowak's revamped line-up showed more initiative in attack and more resilience in defense in the second Olympic qualifier.

Nowak summed up the difference between the Cuba and Panama games:

“I think we learned from what happened last Tuesday. Everyone was over anxious. I think we were pushing too much just to score goals. I think today the combinations (we’re better) and we just played faster and found the right people at the right time. The timing was good. The build-ups were very effective, so it’s not only the patience. You can be patient, but still develop your game in the right moment at the right speed.”

The U.S. must merely avoid losing Saturday against Honduras to advance to the semifinals.

Honduras, by the way, beat 10-man (yes, you read that right) Cuba.

In Carson tonight, it's Canada vs. Haiti (at 5:30 p.m.) and Mexico vs. Guatemala (at 8 p.m.).

The Galaxy plays in Dallas Saturday with English scouts watching David Beckham and Chivas USA plays San Diego State University at 10 a.m. at Home Depot Center before heading to Fresno Sunday to play the Fuego.

The 5:30 p.m. Galaxy game will be shown on the team's Web site, incidentally.

Also, from noon to 4 p.m. in Carson Saturday, it's ChivaFest.

Finally, the dumb quote of the week award goes to noted ESPN soccer-hater Jim Rome, who oblivious to the sell-out crowds, Beckham jersey sales and general Beckhamania, declares his signing a bust:

"Soccer may be the world sport, but here it ranks right behind darts and just ahead of foosball. It doesn't matter now and it never will. The fact the greatest footballer of them all came here and didn't move the needle at all proves that once again."

Posted by Nick Green at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The second annual version of SuperLiga, the eight-team competition featuring MLS and Mexican teams, has just unveiled its schedule at a Home Depot Center press conference.

Last year, the Galaxy lost in a thrilling final and this version will feature Western Conference champions Chivas USA.

The relevant dates for games in Carson (except where noted):

Sunday July 13 - Chivas USA vs. defending champions Pachuca CF.
Wednesday July 16 - Chivas USA vs. Santos.
Sunday July 20 Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution. (Venue TBD).

Full competition details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In what is becoming an Olympic qualifying full of surprises, Canada held supposedly mighty Mexico to a 1-1 draw at Home Depot Center Wednesday night in a game that also saw both goal scorers sent off.

Canada struck first after just three minutes, temporarily silencing the overwhelmingly pro-Mexico crowd, after former Chicago Fire striker Will Johnson stabbed home a close range shot when Mexico failed to clear.

Morelia striker Luis Angel Landin equalized for Mexico in the 22nd minute from the spot after what appeared to be a dubious penalty call.

Mexico gradually asserted control, but saw Landin ejected midway through the second half. Canada was unable to score on the resultant power play and Johnson followed him down the tunnel about 10 minutes later.

Mexico dominated with Canada hanging grimly on - the Canucks didn't have a shot in the second half - but El Tri couldn't break down the stubborn defense.

Chants of "Lavolpe" - a reference to former Mexico Coach Ricardo Lavolpe - could be heard emanating from the crowd of 9,949 toward game's end.

Guatemala beat Haiti 1-0 in the opening game of the night to take an unexpected lead in Group B.

Updated: Canadian Coach Nick Dasovic observed after the game that considering the nation had played precisely zero Under-23 games in four years, his back four was playing together for the first time ever and he had his full roster together just 24 hours before the start of the game, this was a "baptism of fire."

"I wish we could play Mexico every week," he said jokingly. "After three minutes I thought 'sheesh, we pissed off the Mexicans.'"

He added: "This was a confidence builder."

While, Dasovic was happy with the result, Mexican Coach Hugo Sanchez was not pleased.

"We showed we were superior on the field," he said.

Sanchez was asked if he was worried by the result.

"No, I would have been worried if we would have lost," he said.

Meanwhile, the latest on the defecting Cubans confident of getting a job in MLS after seeing the state of the American team is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The crowds are already waiting for the gates to open at Home Depot Center for the first of two Olympic qualifiers there tonight, Guatemala against Haiti.

Top billing though goes to the 8 p.m. game between Mexico and Canada.

The San Diego Union-Tribune caught up with Mexico while the team trained in that city while The Toronto Star provides the Canadian perspective.

The Star is also reporting on the opponent for the MLS All-Star Game in Toronto - England's West Ham United.

I'll have more tonight from Carson.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The U.S. Women's National Team lifted the Algarve Cup after winning 2-1 over Denmark in Portugal today with Abby Wambach scoring the game winner.

CONCACAF has released the rosters for Mexico and the three other Group B teams in Olympic qualifying that open play tonight at Home Depot Center.

In other women's soccer news, the new Pacific Palisades-based W-League franchise Pali Blues signed a trio of Australian national team players.

The Galaxy announced an 18-game Fox Sports broadcast schedule meaning every Galaxy game this season will be televised.

Finally, sign ups open today for the seventh annual MLS Fantasy Challenge.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here we go again.

Reports out of England suggest David Beckham's landmark 100th England appearance could come against France March 26, just three days before the Galaxy's first MLS game of the season in Colorado. More here.

Mexico's Under-23 team, which will play its Olympic qualifiers in Carson, turns out for its final warmup game against Finland tonight in Dallas and hasn't looked good.

Lastly, preps news from the Daily Breeze is here, the Daily News here and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Galaxy wins, Chivas USA loses and Long Beach State cancels.

Back Monday.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quickly: Chivas USA lost 4-0 to the Japanese Under-23 team Saturday at Home Depot Center and supposedly had 13 players missing because of injury. Sounds like a great way to start the season.

Chivas USA line-ups: (first half; 4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Alex Zotinca, Jorge Flores, Jim Curtin, Keith Savage, John Cunliffe, Jesse Marsch, Sasha Kljestan, Arnolfo Salazar, Atiba Harris.

(second half; 4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Gerson Mayen, Trey Lee, Darren Spicer, Chukwudi Chinjiju, Kraig Chiles, Dan Paladini, Steven Kaufman, Eric Ebert, Justin Braun.

Chivas USA plays D.C. United Monday at Home Depot Center in a game I plan to attend.

Also: Fontana's Maurice Edu put two shots past Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (Peninsula High) as Toronto FC disposed of the Wizards 2-0 over the weekend.

Long Beach State women's soccer hosts the Mexican National Team Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at George Allen Field, two days after the Mexicans play USC at the Coliseum. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 kids.

Plenty of prep soccer from the Daily Breeze is here and here; from the Daily News here and here; and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Defender Jay Needham was cut from training camp today, Galaxy officials said. Although he plays in the USL his MLS rights were owned by D.C. United and the Galaxy obviously didn't feel he was much of an upgrade.

Brazilian defensive midfielder Alvaro, last seen playing in Russia, is in camp. Aussie goalkeeper Chris Sharpe, who played in Denmark and for the Vermont Voltage (is that a great name or what?), was let go earlier in the week.

Excellent camp update is here.

The Galaxy also announced today they have entered into a multi-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM to provide coverage of all 30 Galaxy games this season including a weekly program Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Over at Chivas USA, draft pick El-Hadj Cisse (North Carolina State University) picked up a knock on Tuesday against the Red Bulls and hasn't trained the last couple of days. Chivas USA plays Saturday against the Japanese Under-23 National Team in a game in the main Home Depot Center stadium that's only open to the media.

U.S. Women's National Team update (such as it is) is here.

Mexican Olympic Team head coach Hugo Sánchez announced the roster for 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiying today as well as warm-up games against Australia March 2 in Oakland and against Finland March 6 at Pizza Hut Park.

The squad: goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Jorge Villalpando (Puebla) y Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey); defenders Omar Esparza (Chivas), Luis Robles (Atlas), Julio César Domínguez (Cruz Azul), Rodrigo Iñigo (Club América), Luis Omar Hernández (Necaxa), Hugo Ayala (Atlas), Francisco Gamboa (Toluca) y Efraín Velarde (Pumas); midfielders Jorge Hernández (Atlas), Patricio Araujo (Chivas), Alan Zamora (Atlante), Gerardo Rodríguez (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Silva (Club América), Edgar Castillo (Santos), César Villaluz (Cruz Azul) Sergio Ávila (Chivas); forwards Enrique Esqueda (Club América), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Edgar Andrade (Cruz Azul), Santiago Fernández (Toluca), Luis Ángel Landín (Morelia) y Omar Arellano (Chivas).

Finally, UCLA men's soccer coach Jorge Salcedo today signed seven players to national letters of intent: goalkeeper Joseph Scachetti (West Torrance High), midfielder/defender Chris Cummings (Chatsworth/Crespi High), midfielder Daren Flitcroft (Great Falls, Va.), defender Oscar Reyes (Santa Ana, Saddleback High), midfielder/defender Andrew Rose (Bristol City) and midfielder Christian Vazquez and defender Zach Zerrenner (both Santa Barbara High). In addition, striker Fernando Monge (Bellevue, Wash.) graduated from high school early and will join the 2008 freshman class.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Galaxy Goodies

The big winner: the Galaxy. If memory serves players paid $150 apiece for the ultra long-shot Galaxy "trial," which works out to $60,000.

In Torrance today, defender Ante Jazic is signing autographs, getting his picture taken with fans and getting asked the question, "when are you getting traded?" (I kid about the last one) from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at a Sports Authority store at 3610 Torrance Blvd. Galaxy gear is 40 percent off and they're handing out free tickets to games. The Redondo Beach resident is one of the most approachable Galaxy players.

Finally, Sydney FC was confirmed Friday as the fourth and final participant in this month's Pan-Pacific Championship. Despite the name, neither the Galaxy nor Sydney are champions of anything, of course.

Chivas USA Preseason Schedule

Camp Cutdown

Incoming: defender Stephanie Cox, a starter at last year's Women’s World Cup, after being given last week off to rest and recuperate from the college season (she was the only player on the World Cup team to go straight into a collegiate season); Under-23 defender Rachel Buehler; and midfielder Kacey White, who Sundhage has likely seen playing in Sweden with AIK in Stockholm.

Outgoing: goalkeeper Cori Alexander; defenders Amy LePeilbet, Brittany Taylor, Lindsay Huie and Manya Makoski; midfielders Jen Buczkowski, Tina DiMartino, Sarah Huffman, Noelle Keselica and Joanna Lohman; and forwards Tiffany Weimer and Christie Welsh.

Full camp roster:

Goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Kristen Luckenbill (Paoli, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.); defenders Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.), India Trotter (Plantation, Fla.), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.); midfielders Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Kacey White (Arlington, Texas), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.); forwards Lauren Cheney (Indianapolis, Ind.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Heather O’Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

The 26 players train though Feb.17 at the HDC before Sundhage chooses a 20-player roster for the Algarve Cup, set for March 5-12 in southern Portugal.

College Notes

USC head coach Ali Khorsoshahin served as an assistant to Mexico head coach Leonardo Cuellar at the 1999 Women’s World Cup and continues to serve on Cuellar’s staff.

Loyola Marymount announced Friday they have received letters of intent from teammates at Punahou School in Hawai¹I, defender-midfielder Brittney Sanford and striker Erin Rementer, along with midfielder-forward Caroline Helfrich (Moraga, Calif.) and defender Marissa Zamora (Danville, Calif) to join the Lions in the fall of 2008.

"Although Erin and Brittany have taken the same path to LMU, individually they will impact our team in separate ways," Coach Joe Mallia said. "Erin is a dynamic athlete who has the ability to change games in the attack. She is a great one-vs.-one player going towards the goal. Brittany¹s biggest impact will be felt on defense, where she is strong in tackles and tremendous in the air. She is also a leader with a great work rate and technically poised on the ball."

Helfrich spent a year living in Florence,Italy, where she played for the boys Rondinalla Scuola di Calcio, the soccer school that feeds players to Italian club Fiorentina.

Preps Press

Posted by Nick Green at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Super (International) Wednesday

The undefeated streak against Mexico has hit 10 games despite their speed threatening to overpower the U.S. at times, Josi Altidore keeps justifying the hype and Coach Bob Bradley gave promising youngsters valuable experience in a hostile environment that will serve the U.S. well in the World Cup qualifying games to come.

Video highlights are here.

Speaking of ... the U.S. was no closer to discovering which opening World Cup qualifying match opponent it will face in Carson after Barbados and Dominica tied.

And former Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall popped up at the last moment to save Jamaica against Costa Rica. (Reuters got his club wrong you'll note; Marshall was traded to Toronto).

MLS Training Camp Update

College Notes

From the (edited) press release:

Arena was an assistant coach at George Mason last season and a volunteer coach for the University of Virginia in 2006.

Arena was responsible for player development, recruiting and scheduling at George Mason in 2007. At Virginia in 2006, he helped the Cavaliers advance to the NCAA Semifinals, where they lost to UCLA.

Arena played three seasons in MLS, spending the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the MetroStars and the 2005 season with DC United. In 2002, Arena was a member of the U.S. Under-23 National Team and was also a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team from 2000-2001.

At the University of Virginia, Arena started in 65 of 78 games played at midfield from 1999-2002, totaling 24 career points off seven goals (including three game-winners) and 10 assists.

“Kenny Arena arrives with a great deal of experience both as a player and as a young coach who comes from a great soccer pedigree,” said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. “Our players are looking forward to learning from the great experiences he has had in Major League Soccer with New York and DC United.”

In addition, UCLA goalkeeper Val Henderson and USC captain Ashley Nick were selected for the U.S. Under-23 team that will play three games in Spain Feb. 11-16 against England, Norway and Germany.

Finally, UCLA defender Lauren Barnes and USC’s Kasey Johnson and goalkeeper Kristin Olsen received call-ups to the U.S. Under-20 National Team that will play three games in Chile, site of the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Nov. 20-Dec. 7. The U.S. takes on England Monday, Norway Feb. 13 and Chile Feb. 15.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, not really.

But how many casual readers would read a post headlined "I love the culture and the people, but harbor a healthy disdain for the Mexican National Team"?

I share the same perception of Mexican futbol some Europeans have of American foreign policy: it's perceived as insular and arrogant. And that provides motivation.

There's really only two things you need to know about today's U.S.-Mexico game in Houston: The U.S. is unbeaten at home against Mexico, outscoring them 15-1 along the way. And the Mexicans want to change that. Badly.

I spent part of last weekend talking to the likes of former U.S. internationals Mike Sorber and Chivas USA Coach Preki and current internationals Brad Guzan and Brad Davis about why the U.S. has Mexico's number these days, at least "at home" (Mexican fans will, as usual, far outnumber American fans at the game).

There were no good observations.

"The U.S. has grown as a football nation," offered Preki, but that doesn't really shed much light on the American dominance over a nation filled with accomplished, highly-technical and highly-paid futbol players. Most soccer observers would contend the domestic Mexican league is better than the one here, so you can't simply say MLS is the reason either., even though that has surely helped. Has the U.S. simply psyched Mexico's players out?

No matter. It makes for a great rivalry. The game is at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Want more?

Columnist Paul Oberjuerge has some thoughts about why Americans should care about the game.

Grahame L. Jones over at The Times provides context and perspective on the increasing importance of the game to both the U.S., Mexico and the growth of the sport.

And U.S. Soccer has more details and facts and figures than you can shake a stats book at here and here, including details of the extensive ESPN coverage.

Get that healthy hate, um disdain, on.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Blogging is late since I headed out to the U.S. training camp this morning just before the roster for Wednesday's game in Texas against Mexico was announced.

Nine players from Bob Bradley's 20-player Home Depot Center training camp joined another 13 - all but three with European teams - on the U.S. squad announced today for Wednesday's game in Texas against Houston.

The major surprise inclusion: the Dynamo's uncapped defender Stuart Holden.

The full roster - goalkeepers Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton); defenders Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica,), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Bobby Convey (Reading), Brian Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Lewis (Derby County); forwards Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK).

Guzan, Moor, Robinson, Parkhurst, Corrales, Donovan, Clark, Edu, Davis, Altidore and Noonan all played last month against Sweden in Carson.

The Wizards' Jimmy Conrad, defender Clarence Goodson, the Fire's Chris Rolfe and the largely unknown Jeremiah White, who plays in Scandanavia -- and who all played against Sweden - were dropped.

Striker Taylor Twellman is out injured.

Full details here.

Guzan, who arrived back from Europe at 6 p.m. Friday, chatted with local media after practice about his abortive move to England's Aston Villa. I'll have more on that later.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

U.S. international Brad Guzan is a world-class goalkeeper, but British bureaucrats pulled the plug today on his imminent $4 million move to Aston Villa.

From the (edited) Chivas USA press release:

Club Deportivo Chivas USA of Major League Soccer today announced that 2007 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Chivas USA Original Brad Guzan will return to the club for the 2008 season. The announcement comes following the denial of Guzan’s British work permit application this afternoon, London time. The 23-year-old U.S. international had been set to join storied English Premier League club Aston Villa in a record transfer for an MLS goalkeeper.

“It has been my privilege to represent the Chivas colors for the past three years and I look forward to returning to Chivas USA this season,” said Guzan in a statement from England. “I have always appreciated the support of Chivas USA and its passionate fans and shall continue wear the colors with pride as we strive for great things in MLS and beyond in 2008.”

“Brad is a world-class goalkeeper who has attracted the interest of some of the world’s best clubs, and Chivas USA is happy to have him back for another season. Although we share in his disappointment at the denial of his British work permit, we know that Brad, like the true professional he is, will continue to work hard to improve every day on and off the field with Chivas USA,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic.

Major League Soccer’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, Brad Guzan was selected by Chivas USA with its first pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft (No. 2 overall) out of the University of South Carolina, prior to the club’s first season as an expansion team in Major League Soccer, making the then-20-year-old the highest-picked goalkeeper in MLS draft history. After playing 24 games for Chivas USA in his rookie season and earning the distinction of 2005 Chivas USA Defender of the Year, the fan favorite known as ‘El Guzano’ would go on to make his first of five appearances to date for the U.S. National Team in 2006. In 2007, Guzan recorded 13 clean sheets for a Chivas USA side that finished first in MLS’s Western Conference.

Wonder if Jurgen Klinsmann, now with Bayern Munich, is monitoring developments?

In other Chivas USA-related news, the club announced today the 2,000 spots for tryouts with the team via a Spanish-language reality show have been filled. Applicants came from 39 different states and 17 foreign countries.

Meanwhile, Mexico Coach Hugo Sanchez today announced the roster for the Feb. 6 game against the U.S. in Houston. The full roster:

Goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Luís Ernesto Michel (CD Guadalajara), Moisés Muñoz (Morelia); defenders Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona / SPA), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven / HOL), Johnny Magallón (CD Guadalajara), Fausto Pinto (Pachuca), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Oscar Rojas (América); midfielders Pavel Pardo (VFB Stuttgart / GER), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Francisco Arce (Santos Laguna), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo la Coruna / SPA), Antonio Naelson (Toluca); forwards Giovani Dos Santos (FC Barcelona / SPA), Carlos Vela (Osasuna), Juan Carlos Cacho (Pachuca), Adolfo Bautista (Jaguares de Chiapas), Antonio de Nigris (Ankaraspor / TUR).

ESPN confirmed today that outspoken analyst Eric Wynalda was punted from the commentary booth in favor of the presumably less controversial John Harkes. It's another defeat for those who love color and strong opinions and a victory for those who value the bland and safe. Wynalda, of course, has been on the outs with the network ever since he publicly criticized well-known soccer-hater (and loud mouth) Jim Rome a few months back.

At least soccer fans got rid of Dave O'Brien, though.

From the (edited) ESPN press release:

ESPN and ABC will kick off its 13th straight season of Major League Soccer coverage with a new line-up of in-booth commentators – veteran soccer television announcer JP Dellacamera and former U.S. Men’s National Team captain John Harkes – for MLS Primetime Thursday and U.S. Soccer telecasts including, the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Dellacamera and Harkes will lead ESPN’s new on-air crew for U.S. domestic soccer telecasts with sideline reporter Allen Hopkins returning for the second year on select MLS and U.S. Soccer telecasts. Rob Stone, who has been involved with soccer at ESPN since 1997, will continue his role as on-site studio host and play-by-play commentator for select MLS matches, with former U.S. Women’s National Team captain and soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy as studio analyst.

“JP and John will enhance our overall soccer presentation and offer consistency throughout our second season of MLS Primetime Thursday and in our coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, including upcoming qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Tim Scanlan, ESPN vice president for remote productions.

Dellacamera, who has called ten straight FIFA World Cups (six men’s and four women’s), will take over the play-by-play duties previously held by Dave O’Brien, who will focus on his prominent role with ESPN’s Major League Baseball and NCAA Men’s Basketball telecasts (O’Brien also handles radio play-by-play for Boston Red Sox games). Harkes, who paired with Dellacamera to call 2006 FIFA World Cup matches from Germany, will occupy the lead booth analyst role previously held by Eric Wynalda, who has been reassigned to ESPN in-studio soccer duties.

ESPN’s new commentator team will debut at 6 p.m. Wednesday during the network’s live telecast of the U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Mexico match from Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Finally, prep coverage from the Daily Breeze is here

Posted by Nick Green at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)