Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

In a classic battle between two of Major League Soccer’s elites, it seemed only right that the game-winning goal would come in 90th minute stoppage time.

For the third time this season, New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill scored the deciding goal, sending in a crucial header off a free kick from teammate Juninho in the first minute of stoppage time to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Red Bull Arena.

“I knew where Juninho was going to put it,” Cahill said after the match. “I knew it was going to be dangerous and it was just a matter of getting contact.”

Though there was plenty of attacking talent in attendance, the match was a gritty defensive performance by both sides in the final third of field. Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza saved a chipped shot off the line from Red Bulls forward Fabian Espindola in the 28th minute, while Red Bulls defenders Markus Holgersson and Jamison Olave worked well to keep Galaxy forwards Robbie Keane and Jose Villarreal’s touches around the goal to a minimum.

“From the first moment, the first tackle (Olave) get’s in to, he’s somebody that a forward is going to be looking over his shoulder for the rest of the game,” Red Bulls manager Mike Petke said. “He’s a guy who makes a difference.”

Just seconds before halftime, Keane had a chance to put his team on the scoreboard with a free kick from 25 yards out. The 32-year-old hit a bending free kick towards the left post that saw Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles make a diving save to his right to keep the Galaxy off the board.

“We just needed a little, maybe ten more percent, and I think we probably could’ve won the game,” Keane said. “I think we just didn’t have the attacking resource that we did a few nights ago.”

Coming into the second period of play, the two squads made adjustments. The Red Bulls began to play more diagonal balls forward and really use the wings as a means of attack, while the Galaxy brought midfielder Landon Donovan more central to link with Keane.

“I thought in the second half we came out with a better understanding of what we wanted to do,” Petke said. We came out with a better mentality and we possessed the ball better than we did in the first half.”

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena brought on flamboyant forward Gyasi Zardes in the 61st minute, and just seconds later Donovan slammed a first-timed shot that whizzed over the bar. In the 78th minute, Zardes beat the offside trap and nearly scored if not for the sliding save of Robles, who was quick off his line to knock the shot away.

In the 89th minute, the Red Bulls defense let down their guard for just a second, as Zardes ran unopposed down the right wing before crossing into the middle, where between Olave and Holgersson, Keane jumped and sent a header towards the far post, just missing the post by inches.

After nearly providing the game-winning assist, Zardes next committed what would be one of the key fouls of the match. Juninho stepped up to take the free kick, and the 38-year-old did not disappoint, sending a perfectly weighted ball to the far post where Cahill arrived to head the ball past Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini and into the net.

“I have (Henry) to thank for the block on Gonzalez,” Cahill said about his fourth goal of the season. “He’s a big guy and was heading everything away.

“It’s good when you seem to have a chance to produce in big games and I’ve managed to come up for us lately, so it’s nice.”

For the Galaxy, the scoreline is their third loss in four matches, with all the goals conceded coming in the second half.

“I’m very disappointed not having the minimum of four points in the road trip, even though it was a good effort from our guys,” Arena said. “I’m disappointed for our players because we certainly played well enough to get out of here with a point.”

The win moves the Red Bulls four points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference and extends their unbeaten run to six matches. Even thought they secured the victory, Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry knew his side could play better.

“I don’t think we played well today,” Henry said. “I actually thought the way they were playing, especially at the end, that they [Galaxy] deserved to win the game. Since I’ve been here I think we would have lost that game.

“The thing I learned today is that we can win these types of games.”

Here are the match highlights:

By DAN KARELL

Two of the league’s best face off on Sunday as the Los Angeles Galaxy visit the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.

In the only meeting between the two clubs, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane look to build off their terrific performances last Wednesday in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. The Red Bulls on the other hand are unbeaten in five matches and have a strong squad to choose from.

Later in the day, D.C. United host Sporting Kansas City, with the visitors playing without midfielder Oriol Rosell and defender Aurelien Collin due to suspension, and potentially defender Matt Besler to injury. Finally, Chivas USA host Real Salt Lake on Sunday evening in a bid for the hosts to get out of the Western Conference basement.

Here is a rundown of today’s MLS action:

1pm – New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

5pm – D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City

10:30pm – Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake

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If you will be watching today’s MLS action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

By DAN KARELL

Ryan Nelsen will have to wait another week for his misfiring side to end their winless streak at home.

Toronto FC lost their fourth match in a row despite new acquisitions Steven Caldwell, Jeremy Brockie, and Bobby Convey making their debuts for the club. Fittingly, it was an error between Caldwell and fellow defender Doneil Henry that allowed Columbus Crew forward Dominic Oduro to score, giving the Crew a 1-0 victory on Saturday at BMO Field.

TFC forward Robert Earnshaw created multiple clear-cut chances, but despite doing plenty of work to get himself into open spaces, couldn’t find the net for the fifth league match in a row. Forward Justin Brawn himself missed a crucial chance after receiving the ball in the box with no defenders around him in the 38th minute, but he rushed his chance wide.

In the first half, Crew midfielder Federico Higuain hit the woodwork twice, the first on a looping effort that slammed off the crossbar, and the second a strike from the top of the box that careened off the post. It was Oduro though who provided the difference in the 42nd minute, running between the defenders onto a through ball and finishing calmly past the on-rushing TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik.

Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum saved his best for the second half, snaring a 74th minute free kick from Earnshaw and coming off his line to deny Brockie in the 84th. On the day, Gruenebaum made three saves and helped his side retain the Trillium Cup for the third straight match.

Here are the match highlights:

By MICHAEL KLINE

The 2012/13 Barclays Premier League will come to a close today, with the entire league simultaneously on display for your viewing entertainment.

Despite the surplus of matches available, only two have actual significance – Newcastle United vs. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham enter the last day of the season with Champions League hopes on the line, but only the Gunners control their own destiny.

An Arsenal victory over the Magpies ensures a top four finish for Arsène Wenger and co., while anything less paves the way for Tottenham to sneak into the last Champions League spot with a victory over Sunderland.

If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):

TODAY’S SOCCER ON TV

SUNDAY

11am – Fox Soccer Plus – Chelsea vs. Everton

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – Liverpool vs. Queens Park Rangers

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – Manchester City vs. Norwich City

11am – ESPN2 – Newcastle United vs. Arsenal

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – Southampton vs. Stoke City

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – Swansea City vs. Fulham

11am – Fox Soccer Channel – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – West Ham United vs. Reading

11am – FoxSoccer2Go.com – Wigan Athletic vs. Aston Villa

11am – beIN Sport en Español – Deportivo La Coruña vs. Espanyol

1pm – ESPN2 – New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

1pm – beIN Sport en Español – Real Zaragoza vs. Athletic Club

3pm – beIN Sport – Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid

5pm – MLS Direct Kick – DC United vs. Sporting Kansas City

9pm – ESPN Deportes – Cru Azul vs. Santos Laguna

10:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake

By IVES GALARCEP

The stadium was a different one, but beyond that the number of similarities between the Philadelphia Union’s latest meeting with the Chicago Fire, and their meeting just a week earlier, was eery.

The final score was the same and the scorer of the game’s only goal was the same. Major League Soccer’s version of the movie Groundhog’s Day featured Jack McInerney scoring the winner in the Union’s 1-0 victory over the Fire on Saturday.

McInerney’s latest goal, his league-leading eighth, came just a week after he did the same thing at Toyota Park.

The Union defense rebounded well from Wednesday’s dismantling at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy, posting their second shutout in eight days against the Fire.

Zac MacMath made six saves for his second shutout of the week.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? Impressed with the Union’s defense recovery? Think the F

Photo by Jane Gershovich/JaneG. Photography

By JASON MITCHELL

SEATTLE – It’s all back. The relentless deep runs. The clever combination play. The brassy, swaggering attack. The Seattle Sounders rode an Eddie Johnson brace to victory in front of 38,979 at CenturyLink Field Saturday night, scoring four goals for the second straight match and dispatching one of the best teams in MLS in the process.

After scoring two goals in its first five matches—none wins—Seattle has now scored 12 times in its last five games, winning four and drawing once.

In an often frantic game, Seattle built a 2-0 halftime lead, gave it up in the first 20 minutes of the second half, and relied on late goals from Johnson and Obafemi Martins to earn a 4-2 victory over FC Dallas.

Moments after Dallas equalized on a stunning set-piece goal from Brazilian midfielder Michel, Johnson received a short through-ball from Lamar Neagle in the area, sidestepped charging goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, and crisply finished from the corner of the six-yard box to put the Sounders up 3-2 in the 62nd minute.

Eric Hassli had a chance to equalize from inside the penalty area in the 66th minute, but sent a volley well wide of the frame. After FC Dallas went down a man in the 74th minute, Martins scored his third goal in three matches to put the game out of reach.

The loss ends a nine-match unbeaten streak for top-seeded Dallas (7-2-3). Missing one of the best forwards in the league in David Ferreira, Dallas couldn’t muster enough of the second-half magic that saved the day in recent matches.

Head coach Schellas Hyndman didn’t seem inclined to read too much into the loss.

“I’ve got George John out, he’s probably our best defender,” Hyndman said after the match. “I’ve got David Ferreira out, he’s our captain and I consider him the best player on the field. And we’ve got Andrew Jacobson out. So I think before we get too hard on ourselves about what we’ve got to do, we’ve just got to get over this one.”

Missing three starters themselves, the Sounders (4-3-3) opened the scoring early, intent on exploiting Dallas’ high pressure and putting the defense on its heels from the start.

“We’re using our speed, so at times we’re a little more direct,” said Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid. “But we also knew this was a team that we could be direct against, that we could get behind centrally.”

In the 16th minute, Osvaldo Alonso headed a Fernandez goal kick back toward the Dallas end of the field. Johnson tracked the ball down near the top of the penalty area, chested it to his right foot while splitting Dallas center backs Matt Hedges and London Woodbury, and easily beat Fernandez for the 1-0 Seattle lead.

At the half-hour mark, Brad Evans released Neagle on the counter, leaving the forward alone against Fernandez. Neagle deftly rounded the charging keeper before finishing into an empty net to put Seattle up 2-0.

Dallas’ best chance in the first half came in the 42nd minute on a close-range Blaz Perez header that struck the left post.

All momentum seemed to be in Seattle’s favor at halftime, but some set-piece magic from Dallas changed things quickly after the break.

In the 54th minute, a perfectly placed deep free kick from Michel found Kenny Cooper completely unmarked at the top of the six-yard box. Cooper’s header easily beat goalkeeper Michael Gspurning to pull Dallas within 2-1.

“His service is incredible,” Cooper said when asked about Michel. “I think he is one of the best in the league. We are very fortunate to have him.”

Michel struck again less than 10 minutes later, stunning the Sounders with a brilliant left-footed corner kick that bent just under the crossbar and past Gspurning’s outstretched gloves to equalize and momentarily silence a raucous home crowd.

But Johnson replied almost immediately to give Seattle a lead it wouldn’t again relinquish, and a red card left Dallas shorthanded as it fought to get back into the match.

Perez was ejected in the 72nd minute after a 50-50 challenge with Leo Gonzalez left the Sounder with a bloodied forehead. The Costa Rican defender was unable to return to the match, and Seattle subbed in Zach Scott minutes later.

Martins scored the final goal of the match in the 83rd minute. Fernandez made a beautiful reflex save on a Johnson header, but the deflection rebounded directly to Evans. The longtime Sounder then fed Martins, who quickly slipped a one-touch shot past an out-of-position Fernandez and through three Dallas defenders for the 4-2 lead.

“We have a couple of games ahead of us to keep [it] going, but it looks way better than it did a couple weeks ago,” said Gspurning.

BY MIKE DONOVAN

Down to ten men and down a goal on the road, it looked as if the Timbers record unbeaten streak might come to end. But Jose Adolfo Valencia made sure it didn’t.

Valencia’s goal six minutes from the end, earned Portland (4-1-7, 19 points) a 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday at BC Place. The tie runs Portland’s unbeaten run to ten straight and denied Vancouver (3-4-4, 13 points) their first win against a Cascadia opponent since joining the MLS in 2011.

The game-tying goal came on a outstanding individual effort by Valencia. The 21-year-old Colombian controlled a long-ball from Will Johnson, calmly maneuvered around two Whitecap defenders, then slotted home a soft left-footed shot past Brad Knighton.

Making just his fourth appearance for the club, Valencia knotted his first goal since arriving from Colombia’s Inde­pendiente Santa Fe prior to the 2012 season. He missed all of last season due to injury and hadn’t played in 2013 since March 16 after being past on the depth chart by Frederic Piquionne.

Just three minutes before Valencia’s goal, Timbers defender Futty Danso was given a red card for fouling Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo outside the penalty area. At that point, it looked as if Vancouver might be able to get past the Timbers for the first time in MLS.

A world-class free kick by Camilo gave the Whitecaps the lead midway through the first half. Camilo was all over the field for the Caps, delivering a goal and an assist while being a constant nuisance to Timbers defenders. Camilo not only earned the foul that sent off Danso, but also the one that set up his free kick goal.

The rivalry game featured 31 foul calls to just 8 shots on goal and also saw Will Johnson slot home a penalty kick after Andy O’Brien deflected a Johnson shot with his hand. After not being awarded a penalty kick for all of 2012, Johnson has now taken and scored two this year for the club.

Minutes after the penalty kick, Gershon Koffie, who was a constant presence for the Caps and led the game with 11 recoveries, scored the go-ahead goal when his right-footed curler left Donovan Ricketts flat-footed. However, Koffie’s goal did not stand up, due to Valencia’s heroics.

Brad Knighton, who was making his first start of the season in goal for Vancouver, had little action for the majority of the match, but did provide a nice save on a Rodney Wallace first-half header. However, there was little the former USL-era Timber could do to keep out the two Portland goals.

The draw leaves the Timbers as the only unbeaten team on the road in MLS in 2013 and the club will hit the road again next Saturday to take on DC United. Vancouver will get 10 days off, before hosting the Montreal Impact in the second leg of the Canadian Championship on May 29.

Hannover re-signed Steve Cherundolo on Friday with the idea that the steady right back still has something left in the tank. Saturday was proof that that is indeed the case.

A day after agreeing to a one-year extension with Hannover, Cherundolo played in his 300th league game for the club and celebrated the occasion by setting up the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf. Cherundolo’s assist came in the the 36th minute and helped Hannover finish the season in ninth place.

Cherundolo, who recently became Hannover’s all-time leader in league appearances, ends the campaign with 32 appearances across all competitions. He will now set his sights towards resting and recovering after not being called up by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.

Here’s the assist:

What do you think of Cherundolo’s assist? Wishing Klinsmann would have called him in for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers?

Share your thoughts below.

By IVES GALARCEP

The Seattle Sounders are on a roll, having put together a five-match unbeaten streak to climb out of the Western Conference basement and make their march toward the top of the standings.

Waiting for them at the top is FC Dallas, which is in Seattle tonight to try and keep their own nine-match streak alive. They have been showing some signs of vulnerability lately, but should still give the Sounders a stiff test at CenturyLink Field.

A pair of Cascadia rivals square off in Vancouver, where the Whitecaps play host to the red-hot Timbers at BC Place. Vancover is feeling good after snapping their seven-match winless streak, but they take on a Portland side unbeaten in nine and looking like one of the best teams in MLS.

Here is a rundown of today’s MLS action:

5pm- Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew

7pm- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers

7:30pm- Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire

8:30pm- Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution

10:30pm- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids

10:30pm- Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas

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If you will be watching today’s MLS action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

(For those wondering why we aren’t doing a Live Commentary this week, SBI will be changing things up a bit and putting a halt to MLS Live Commentaries. We will be redirecting resources to our U.S. Men’s National Team coverage later in the month, and to our SBI Live Q&As, which will be coming back soon)

By IVES GALARCEP

Jurgen Klinsmann wasn’t ducking questions when grilled about his U.S. Men’s National Team roster decisions on Friday. He laid down his decision-making process for everything from Stuart Holden’s inclusion to the absence of former U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra.

Yes, Klinsmann also touched on his decision to leave out Landon Donovan, though he had already explained that in detail when the roster was released on Thursday.

One thing Klinsmann wouldn’t do is commit to Donovan having a place on the U.S. Gold Cup team. Donovan said on Thursday that he was open to, and hopeful for, a place on the July U.S. Gold Cup squad, but Klinsmann would only say Donovan would be considered.

“We watched Landon, and if we think he’s good to go for the Gold Cup then this is definitely an option we can consider,” Klinsmann said.

When asked about the team’s wing options, and whether he had confidence in the team’s options, Klinsmann acknowledged the team needs better production.

“We definitely want to see much better (service for) our forwards,” Klinsmann said. “We want to create more chances than we have done in the recent games so this position is absolutely crucial there. I think we are getting there.”

“We have on the right side Graham Zusi, going through a very strong period and making himself a very strong case in the team. I think Joe Corona can play that role as well on the right side.

“We have Beasley now back in the picture,” Klinsmann said. “He can play either fullback or he can play on the wing in midfield. We have Brad Davis, who is playing a very strong season too. We’ll see where Brek Shea is at the moment. We’re obviously going to check that out. Eddie Johnson can play from the left as well.

“I think we’re getting there. Hopefully, that’s our hope, that we provide more chances for our strikers up front, so they can score more goals.”

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As for his decision to bring in Holden, Klinsmann reiterated what he said a week ago when he first revealed Holden would be with the U.S. team this summer. That Holden’s inclusion is an effort to help his recovery process and speed up his return to the national team mix.

“On Stuart, I talked back and forth with his coach at Bolton, but also the coach he had for month at Sheffield Wednesday, and both are very, very optimistic about him,” Klinsmann said. “If they weren’t in those difficult end-of-season positions, both teams, he would have had far, far more playing time.

“We’ll bring him in, we’ll evaluate him, and we just want to get him back on track,” Klinsmann said. “We want to see if he can catch up quickly. He went through a lot of difficult moments the last one and a half years.”

Holden’s inclusion turned some heads because of the limited amount of games he has played after returning from a year and a half injury layoff. Klinsmann defended Holden’s inclusion, and insisted it is a win-win situation for Holden and the national team.

“I think he definitely deserves to join our group, and there’s no pressure on Stuart at all,” Klinsmann said. “There’s no pressure. He can only win coming back in. He’s highly accepted within the entire group. He’s one of the guys that really built special chemistry. He’s a pure giver. He’s always looking for other people. That’s his situation. Bolton is obviously on board with it. The communication with the club coaches is very crucial. There’s no pressure on him. He can only gain throughout these couple of weeks.”

As for why Holden has become such an important part of Klinsmann’s long-term plans? Klinsmann rates him highly as a player and is a fan of his ability to read the game

“He’s very simple in his approach,” Klinsmann said. “He’s a very fast thinker. He’s ahead. He knows how to position himself ahead of time. He doesn’t react too much to the game. He’s always trying to be a thought ahead of others. His simplicity in the game technically. He’s a one, two-touch player. he doesn’t lose time with dribblings where you don’t need to dribble. He doesn’t want to show off.”

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Klinsmann also addressed Bocanegra’s continued absence despite the fact he is playing regularly for Racing Santander (Bocanegra’s lack of playing time was blamed for his exclusion from the team for March’s qualifiers).

“In Carlos’ situation I’m totally pleased that he’s back playing and getting games, and we’re constantly in contact with each other,” Klinsmann said. “He’s done on the eight of June with the relegation battle with Racing Santander. That’s one part. The other part is I have the centerbacks coming out of extremely good performances against Costa Rica and Mexico. Those four guys that we have in there, with Omar (Gonzalez), Geoff Cameron, Clarence (Goodson) and Matt (Besler) ahead of him.”

As for why a player like Michael Parkhurst has been called in despite not playing for Augsburg? Klinsmann pointed to the extenuating circumstances at the right back position.

“It all comes down to the positions we have to fill,” Klinsmann said. “Knowing that Michael Parkhurst is fit and is ready to go, but he’s not breaking in (at Augsburg), but he’s playing in a position where we have a need after Steve Cherundolo and Timmy Chandler both are not available. You get then caught into a situation where you have to make that compromise. You don’t have to make that compromise at the centerback position, and I only see Carlos as a centerback now. I don’t see him as a left back, and (centerback) we’re fully loaded.”

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As stated when the roster was announced, Klinsmann pointed to injury issues as to why Steve Cherundolo and Timmy Chandler were left out, though the fact Cherundolo played on Saturday makes that one a bit of a head-scratcher.

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Klinsmann also talked about Hoffenheim teammates Danny Williams and Fabian Johnson. He pointed to Williams return to health and versatility as to why he was called in despite his lack of playing time.

“He’s back in shape now. He’s training at full speed for two weeks,” Klinsmann said of Williams. “I spoke to his coach at length and it’s difficult to break in right away and help out there.

“He’s back in shape, and we’ll see that. He’s in a similar spot to Brek Shea in that moment I want to see where he’s at and go from there. He also gives us a little bit of flexibility because if I need to, and I have some problems at the right back position. Danny, having him back now in the mix, can play that position as well, which is good for us to think about.”

When asked about the possibility of playing Fabian Johnson on the left wing, Klinsmann admitted it is something that we could see in the coming matches.

“With Fabian, the situation that he can play left midfield easily is also something we can consider,” Klinsmann said. “Now, with (Beasley) playing his two exceptional games against Costa Rica and Mexico, it might be something we want to see. We might try it out against Belgium. It’s definitely something we always have in mind because he played that role in the friendly game in Slovenia very successfully.

He can play that. He’s one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga once he picks up speed. He’s technically very gifted so it should give us a couple of alternatives.”

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What do you make of Klinsmann’s comments? Feel better about some decisions, or still scratching your head at some of the roster exclusions/inclusions?

Share your thoughts below.