MLS - Sports Rumors
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Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008 7:49 EDT
MLS taking gamble with nationally televised game Sunday
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Major League Soccer is taking a bit of a gamble by agreeing to a television doubleheader that will see the Galaxy play at D.C. United on Sunday in a match to be shown live at 9 a.m. PDT followed by the Euro 2008 final at 11:30.
Both games are on ABC, and the respective viewership numbers from the network should make for interesting reading Monday morning according to the Los Angeles Times.
Contrasting the quality of play would be unfair, no matter what sort of show the MLS teams put on, but it is strange, perhaps even foolhardy, that the league would be willing to risk the contrast being so starkly exposed.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 10:12 EDT
United wants to sign Emilio to new deal
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After rebuffing a Mexican club's overtures about high-scoring Luciano Emilio, D.C. United officials said that they plan to enter negotiations next month with the Brazilian striker about a long-term contract extension.
"We told him we would clarify his situation this summer," United General Manager Dave Kasper said. "Our objective is to keep him."
Emilio registered his first MLS hat trick last Saturday in front of an RFK Stadium crowd of 18,622 that included Luis Fernando Tena, coach of Mexican club Morelia, and one of his assistants.
Morelia first showed interest in Emilio last winter after he won the MLS scoring title with 20 regular season goals and was named the league MVP. At the time, United had no intention of selling him, but when Emilio slipped into a prolonged scoring slump this spring, his departure during the summer transfer window (July 15 to Aug. 15) seemed more likely.
With six goals in the past four matches, however, Emilio has regained his standing with United and some leverage for a new contract. He had wanted to renegotiate his deal last winter, but settled for only a 7 percent increase to $313,000.
Source: Washington Post
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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 8:39 EDT
Blanco returns to friendly territory against Chivas USA
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Cuauhtemoc Blanco faced Chivas USA for the first time Sept. 29, wearing the Chicago Fire jersey. For fans who knew Blanco when he wore the Club America colors, and was a leading player battling Chivas of Guadalajara in Mexico's top league, this was not just any game. Thousands of America jerseys stormed the Home Depot Center to see the former Club America star.
In the 34th minute of a scoreless game, Blanco was fouled on the edge of the Chivas USA area. Blanco beat goalie Brad Guzan on the ensuing free kick, producing a roar from America and Chicago Fire fans. But Claudio Suarez spoiled the party for Blanco and the Fire, tying the score in the 82nd minute on a penalty kick. It was a great night for two major figures of Mexican soccer, who face each other again Thursday at the Home Depot Center.
"It's one more game," Blanco said. "We know that Chivas USA is not going through a good time, but we should not be overconfident. We have to attack and take advantage of the opportunities."
Since signing with the Fire in April 2007, Blanco has scored eight goals and passed for 13 assists in 25 games.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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Monday, Jun 16, 2008 9:57 EDT
Euro 2008 has been about more than soccer
Soccer can be a beautiful sport. No, really, it can. Just look at some of the shenanigans that have been going on in Austria over the last week or so as the country co-hosts the 13th European Championship with neighboring Switzerland.
After the Austrians had been shut out in their opener by Croatia, a brewery offered to provide free beer for life to any Austrian player who scored a goal during the rest of the tournament. Ivica Vastic, the oldest player in the 16-nation event, made sure that he will be knee deep in suds for the foreseeable future by scoring a last-minute penalty kick in Austria's subsequent 1-1 tie with Poland.
Then, on Sunday, there occurred an event that even the most hard-hearted of sports editors surely would not have denied their reporters a chance to witness -- a six-a-side game along the shores of the Danube between two teams of topless women.Yes, you read that correctly.
Actually, the players were more than topless. They wore thongs — and body paint in the national team colors of Austria and Germany — and not much else.
The match was a prelude — or pre-lewd — of sorts. The two countries will play each other in Vienna on Monday night in a very real and very meaningful Euro 2008 match, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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Friday, Jun 13, 2008 8:18 EDT
FC Dallas closer to naming new full-time coach
After more than three weeks and four MLS matches, FC Dallas appears to be nearing the end of its coaching search. Dallas has been looking for a coach to replace Steve Morrow, who was dismissed May 20. The team is 1-2-1 under interim coach Marco Ferruzzi.
"We've now reached the final stages of the process, and expect to be able to make a formal announcement to present the new FC Dallas head coach early next week," general manager Michael Hitchcock wrote on the club's blog Wednesday.
The candidates include SMU coach Schellas Hyndman, who was interviewed June 2. FC Dallas on Sunday hosts Chicago, which owns the MLS' second-best record and ranks second in the league scoring.
"The coaching situation definitely affects us a little bit," FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty said. "We all respect Marco a great deal. It's a tough situation for him, but he's handled it very professionally. Hopefully, we can sort the coaching situation as soon as possible."
Source: Dallas Morning News
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