Olympics: March 2008 Archives

Torrance resident Vanessa Rojas, who played for North High and Loyola Marymount University and is a member of the Costa Rica Women's National Team, has agreed to blog for 100 Percent Soccer during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. Her first post is below, followed by the 2003 article I wrote for the Daily Breeze when I first met Vanessa, who made her national team debut in Carson.

For those of you who don’t know who I am, which I’m guessing is everyone reading this minus my family, let me give you a brief bio.

My name is Vanessa Rojas and I play on the Costa Rican National team, but I am also from the South Bay, Torrance to be exact.

I am a proud North High Saxon alum, played for FRAM soccer club and am currently going to LMU.

You are probably wondering how Costa Rica got into the mix.

Well, when I was 16 the U.S. Women's National Team was playing against Costa Rica and my dad (who is from Costa Rica) got in contact with the coach though e-mail. He told him how I was a dual citizen and sent him clips of me playing. So when they came down I had an unofficial tryout and got to play a miniscule 10 minutes, but for a 16-year old at the Home Depot Center it was a rush.

As time passed, I played off and on with the team, but it was not always easy assimilating to a new style of soccer, customs and players.

Fast-forward five years and I am getting ready to go to an Olympic qualifier.

I arrived in Costa Rica March 20th on the red eye and am practicing with the team until we leave Wednesday for the tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Even though I have been training four hours a day in preparation to come down here, the sun has no mercy and the tropics defiantly know how to make someone sweat.

On Tuesday, I played in my first scrimmage with the team since I played with them in November.

Now that you know a little of who I am I will be dropping in with some blog posts as the tournament unfolds.

Here's the 2003 Daily Breeze article on Vanessa's national team debut, which also happened to be the first appearance in U.S. colors for one Shannon Boxx. Incidentally, when Vanessa trotted out onto the field she immediately found herself standing next to none other than Mia Hamm.

A tale of two Torrance women underlines the gulf between American and Costa Rican soccer as the two nations prepare to meet tonight at Carson's Home Depot Center in the penultimate warm-up game for the United States before the World Cup begins later this month.

Shannon Boxx, 26, a graduate of South Torrance High, who helped Notre Dame to its only NCAA championship in 1995 and this season was named MVP of the WUSA's New York Power, may make her national team debut for the reigning World Cup champions. Despite her experience, Boxx made history last week when she became the first-ever uncapped player named to a U.S. World Cup roster, which boasts a dozen veterans who won the trophy in 1999.

The tough-tackling midfielder will have 30 friends and family members in the stands to cheer her on in the nationally televised game.

''This will be the one game they are going to be able to come to,'' Boxx said. ''If I get to play I'm going to go in with a lot of confidence.''

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Vanessa Rojas, who will begin her senior year at North Torrance High this fall and plays on a Rolling Hills Estates-based FRAM's second-tier women's club team, was scheduled to train Sunday with Costa Rica.

Rojas was not listed on a preliminary roster given to the U.S. team, but it's possible the North Athlete of the Year could be added to the Costa Rica team roster. She qualifies to represent the country via her father, who is a native Costa Rican. Rojas had sent Costa Rican officials a videotape of herself in action and a letter of recommendation from her club team coach, Jeff Tuttle.

Rojas' father, Mario, bought 20 tickets to the game for family and friends who will watch a team ranked 45th by FIFA take on a U.S. team that outscored Costa Rica by a combined 15-0 in its only two games against the U.S. in 2000 and 2002.

''It's a phenomenal opportunity,'' Tuttle said. ''I told her if she plays 90 minutes or doesn't play at all, to cherish the moment.''

The U.S. team, which will play the 300th match in its history tonight and is riding a 22-game home unbeaten streak, is simply looking for an uneventful work-out in what will be the first game for a U.S. national team at the Home Depot Center.

''You always have to look for a competitive game. Teams are motivated to play us hard every time,'' American forward Mia Hamm said. ''If goals come, they come. If they don't, you can't get frustrated and upset.''

Busy over the Easter weekend?

Here's a recap.

David Beckham is looking at cap No. 100 - and beyond - for England against France Wednesday, Landon Donovan is eying cap No. 99 - and beyond - for the U.S. against Poland the same night, while the U.S. fell to Honduras 1-0 Sunday in a meaningless end to Olympic qualifying in Nashville, Tenn.

The U.S. has already qualified for the Olympics, but plays at 2 p.m. live on Fox Soccer Channel against Honduras in Nashville for the Under-23 CONCACAF championship.

Not that there's a great deal of cachet in that: Freddy Adu, Charlie Davies, Jonathan Spector and Sal Zizzo flew out Friday to return to their European teams.

Both teams have only conceded one goal in four qualifying games so far and you've got to wonder how interested either will be in breaking an honorable draw.

Chivas USA beat Honduras' Real Espana 4-1 Saturday in Fullerton. And no, ex-Galaxy striker Carlos Pavon did not score for Real Espana.

Details from the Chivas USA press release:

In a match played in Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton, Francisco Mendoza and Alecko Eskandarian both marked returns to the Chivas USA lineup after injuries by scoring in the win.

Atiba Harris gave the Red-and-White the 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when he headed in a perfectly placed Ante Razov cross, sent from almost 40 yards. The goal was the only tally in the first half, and Chivas USA could not break through the Real España defense again until the 68th minute. It was then that Chivas USA’s only selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Keith Savage, dribbled through the defense before hammering home a shot to the near post to give the Red-and-White a 2-0 lead.

Francisco Mendoza, in his first action in a preseason match for Chivas USA in 2008, finished a short pass from Harris in the 72nd minute to add to the lead before Alecko Eskandarian, also recently returning from injury, closed the scoring for the Red-and-White in minute 78. Real España striker Douglas Caetano knocked home a penalty in the 89th minute for a consolation goal.

Chivas USA lineup: (4-4-2): Brad Guzan; Lawson Vaughn, Shavar Thomas, Claudio Suárez, Jonathan Bornstein (Eric Ebert 57); Keith Savage, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza; Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 73), Ante Razov (Alecko Eskandarian 59)

Living up to the hype, Freddy Adu, apparently benefiting from playing in Europe with Portugal's Benfica, led the U.S. to an Olympics berth in a 3-0 win Thursday over out-classed Canada with two goals from set pieces, while Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan added the third.

A reminder: the Galaxy hosts its Fan Fest Saturday.

David Beckham, who will talk to the local media today before jetting off to England, was busy handing out awards this week. Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz was also honored for his contributions to the sport at the event.

Chivas USA has resigned fan favorite 22-year-old Panchito Mendoza, the leader in games and minutes played for the club, and acquired Irvine native and defender Eric Ebert from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a supplemental draft pick.

The U.S. women have scheduled games April 27 and May 3 against Australia in the first domestic dates of the year in North Carolina and Alabama respectively.

In one of the best bargains in televised sport, the MLS Direct Kick package that gives armchair fans 115 games for $79, is back.

Finally, if you watch just one game this weekend, check out the Chelsea-Arsenal London derby at 9 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel.

Qualification for the Olympics is at stake at 6 p.m. tonight live on Fox Soccer Channel for the U.S. and Canada.

As expected, David Beckham was recalled to the England squad, while the U.S. game against England May 28 in London has been confirmed.

Closer to home, Chivas USA defender Alex Zotinca may be out for the season and the Red & White Wednesday thumped Cal State Fullerton.

Lastly, the Galaxy announced that AM 570 KLAC (home of the Lakers) will broadcast at least 24 games this season.

U.S. Women's National Team Coach Pia Sundhage named 26 players today to the pre-Olympic qualifying camp that opens at Home Depot Center Friday, including all 20 players on the Algarve Cup-winning team in Portugal plus six others, including veteran defender Heather Mitts and goalkeeper Brianna Scurry.

Sundhage will whittle that roster down to 20 for Olympic qualifying next month.

The complete roster and more details are here.

Sundhage and captain Christie Rampone held a media teleconference to discuss the camp and qualifying this morning. A podcast is available here (look under podcasts).

Well, not really, but if I called it reheated weekend left-overs you may not be reading.

While Mexico was getting dumped out of the Olympics by Guatemala (who played as big a role in the proceedings as Canada at Home Depot Center) Chivas USA was shutting out minor league team the Fresno Fuego Sunday night 4-0 in a game that saw striker Maykel Galindo sent off.

On target for Chivas USA: Jesse Marsch, Atiba Harris, draft pick Keith Savage and Shavar Thomas.

The Chivas USA line-up: (4-4-2): Sam Reynolds; Jon Bornstein, Shavar Thomas, Claudio Suárez (Bobby Burling 57), Lawson Vaughn; Raphael Wicky (Eric Ebert 69), Jesse Marsch (Jim Curtin 84), Paulo Nagamura, Keith Savage; Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 76), Maykel Galindo.

Meanwhile, the five finalists for "Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues" who will train with Chivas USA Under-16 team for the next two weeks were named Sunday and include a 17-year-old midfielder out of Compton named Juan Moreno.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, apparently spent the weekend trying to control time.

Coming full circle, West Ham United's Jonathan Spector joined the U.S. Under-23 team Sunday ahead of Thursday's Olympic qualifying semifinal with Canada. The winner, of course, goes to China.

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."

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."

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.

Briefly:
*The U.S. plays its final Olympic qualifier live at 4 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel against Honduras.

*A reminder that the Galaxy preseason game against FC Dallas will be shown live on the team's Web site at 5:30 p.m. Link is over to the right.

*Chivas has announced one final preaseason game at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton against ex-Galaxy striker (I use the term loosely) Carlos Pavon and his new team Honduran First Division side Real España.

From the Chivas USA press release:

The match will feature a ceremony prior to the match honoring three members of Honduras ’ 1982 FIFA World Cup team: Gilberto German Yearwood, Jaime Enrique Villegas y Roberto “Macho” Figueroa.

Real España is one of Honduras ’ most popular and successful clubs, having captured the league championship nine times in their history, most recently in 2006-2007. The España roster features forward Carlos Pavón, who was with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and has 78 appearances and 47 goals with the Honduran National Team. ‘Los Aurinegros,’ or the Gold-and-Black, are currently in second place in the league, with a record of 5-3-3 (W-L-T).

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 dollars at the gate. More info: (310) 467-6637.

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.

Haiti scored two goal in 12 minutes to seal a shock come from behind 2-1 victory Friday night in the first game of a doubleheader at Home Depot Center.

The Canadians, on the defensive for much of the second half after opening the scoring through Tyler Rosenlund (who doesn't have a club, but might after tonight) in the 17th minute, only had themselves to blame.

The first Haitian goal came after Canadian Nikolas Ledgerwood went down injured in the 72nd minute and a teammate put the ball out of play. The Canadians expected Haiti to give the ball back to them as is customarily done in soccer, but instead Leonel Saint-Preux passed to wide-open substitute Alain Gustave who volleyed home a first-time shot from 17 yards.

Canadian Coach Nick Dasovic was not amused.

"For our fair play we got it in the backside you might say," he said. "It was atrocious."

Haiti sealed the win in the 84th minute with a beautifully taken long-range shot from at least 35 yards out that soared into the top corner and caught Canadian goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar, on trial with Toronto FC, off-guard and out of position.

The Canadians had seen a chance for a second goal evaporate in the 54th minute when Andrazes Ornoch hit the bar from 17 yards out, but Dasovic blamed a lack of fitness and inexperience for the loss that sent his team spiraling to the bottom of Group B.

"We knew the Haitian team has a strong team physically and they were obviously emotionally driven," he said. "I think our boys were a little bit naive. ... I kept yelling to them a draw is good, we didn't need to win today."

But Canada needed to avoid losing - and didn't.

Next up tonight: Mexico-Guatemala.

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."

Canada's Dejan Jakovic slide tackles Mexico's Cesar Villaluz during the second half.

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.

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.

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.

It didn't take long for cracks to appear in Peter Nowak's U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team facade.

Despite a sparkling performance by Freddy Adu, a largely punchless U.S. could only manage to tie lightly-regarded Cuba 1-1 in Tampa, Fla., tonight in the opening game of Olympic qualifying for both nations.

That makes Saturday's game against Honduras, which beat Panama 1-0 earlier in the night on a last-gasp goal, the potentially pivotal game for the slightly bruised U.S. hopes of qualifying for China.

Teenage striking sensation Jozy Altidore was so ineffective up front he was replaced by Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan at half time.

Adu was dominating from the first minute, clipping the far Cuban post with a curling shot and continually directing the U.S. attacks, but applied the finishing touch just once in the 14th minute.

It had seemed a goal was only a matter of time, but Cuba struck just before half time to level the score.

The two sides went into the break level despite a 8-2 U.S. advantage in shots.

Adu aside, creativity was scarce in the U.S. midfield, leaving one to wonder why the likes of Robbie Rogers was left off the squad.

Cuba was content to pack the defense, but the U.S. disappointingly failed to break down their opponent to seal what was surely a lost opportunity.

Here's more from U.S. Soccer.

I'll have more in the morning on the games in Carson Wednesday night between Haiti-Guatemala and Mexico-Canada.

CONCACAF Olympic qualifying begins tonight with two games including the U.S. against Cuba and I offered a primer in today's column.

CONCACAF has released the rosters for the teams in Group A.

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan and his role on the U-23 team is profiled here, although Fontana's Maurice Edu was on Monday named team captain for the tournament.

Lastly, Andrew Sakura, 17, the starting goalkeeper for Palos Verdes High died last weekend after crashing his father's Corvette while speeding. He would have turned 18 later this month.

Coach Peter Nowak named his 20-man Olympic qualifying roster this afternoon, omitting Rolling Hills Estates' midfielder Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Galaxy defender Mike Randolph, goalkeeper Tally Hall, Derby County midfielder Bennie Feilhaber and FC Dallas' Arturo Alvarez, who were all in the 24-player pre-Olympic qualifying training camp.

Lots of locals on the roster though: Fontana's Maurice Edu, Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan and UCLA products Patrick Ianni, Kamani Hill, Marvell Wynne, Chad Barrett and Sal Zizzo as well as former Galaxy player Robbie Findley.

As expected, West Ham United's Jonathan Spector was also drafted in.

Here's the roster and the (edited) U.S. Soccer press release: goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (unattached), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake); Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas) Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96); forwards Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake).

The roster features 10 players who have earned full international caps with the senior team led by Jonathan Spector, who has 11 caps.

The U.S. plays Cuba Tuesday, Panama Thursday and Honduras Saturday. All games are at 4 p.m. live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico play Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at Home Depot Center in Carson.

The top two teams qualify for the Olympics.

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.

MLS teams grappling with today's roster and salary budget compliance deadline didn't generate much news, with few teams actually announcing their cuts (including the Galaxy).

I'll have more on that in Tuesday's column, but I can tell you that Chivas USA didn't have to make any cuts since they have just 17 senior players on their roster. (Defender Bobby Burling, striker Anthony Hamilton and Jorge "Sueno" Flores - who has been playing at left back during preseason - are developmental players who don't count toward the 18-player senior roster).

Presumably, Chivas USA will add another goalkeeper, a critical need if starter Brad Guzan can secure a work permit in England during the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Chivas USA left today for a preseason tournament in Texas.

From the Chivas USA press release:

Chivas USA Head Coach Preki has selected 28 players to travel to San Antonio this week for the Texas Pro Soccer Festival. Chivas USA departed today for San Antonio, where it will play three games, against Major League Soccer opponents D.C. United Wednesday, the Houston Dynamo Friday and Toronto FC Sunday.

The roster: goalkeepers Brad Guzan, Lance Parker, Sam Reynolds; defenders Jonathan Bornstein, Bobby Burling, Jim Curtin, Jorge Flores, Claudio Suárez, Shavar Thomas, Lawson Vaughn, Alex Zotinca; midfielders Kraig Chiles, John Cunliffe, Eric Ebert, Luciano Fusco, Jesse Marsch, Gerson Mayen, Paulo Nagamura, Daniel Paladini, Keith Savage, Raphaël Wicky; forwards Justin Braun, Chukwudi Chijindu, Maykel Galindo, Anthony Hamilton, Atiba Harris, Arnaldo Salazar, Ante Razov.

Chivas USA midfielder Francisco Mendoza (groin strain) and forward Alecko Eskandarian (groin strain) will stay behind in Southern California as they continue their respective rehabs. Also absent: midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who is currently with the United States Under-23 National Team in Florida as it prepares for Olympic qualifying.

By the way, for those who keep track of these things "Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues" is down to its final 18 players, who will play at Home Depot Center March 13.

Over in Galaxyland, Coach Ruud Gullit is reportedly upset with the state of the pitch the Galaxy will play on Wednesday.

"The pitch is in bad shape and dangerous, there were stones and bones, shells, everything was on the pitch. It is pretty difficult to play on it, so I hope they can clean it," he said.

Finally, Fox Soccer Channel will show all of the U.S. men's Olympic qualifying games.

From the press release:

Fox Soccer Channel will show a total of seven qualifying matches, including all three of the USA’s first-round matches, semifinals, third-place and championship match.

All three U.S. matches in Group A will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., with the U.S. taking on Cuba at 5 p.m. March 11, Panama at 5 p.m. March 13 and Honduras at 4 p.m. March 15.

Group B features Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico facing off on March 12, 14 and 16 at Home Depot Center.

Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast both semifinal games at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 20, along with the third-place match at 11 a.m. and the final at 2 p.m. March 23.