Opara doesn’t miss a beat stepping into Sporting KC back line

Ike Opara has started four consecutive games for Sporting Kansas City, helping maintain a stingy back line while Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin have missed time.

Ramos names 22-player U.S. Under-20 roster for Toulon Tournament

U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team coach Tab Ramos has selected a 22-player roster for the upcoming Toulon Tournament, the final tune-up before this summer’s Under-20 World Cup.

SBI MLS Player of the Week: Eddie Johnson

Eddie Johnson scored two goals and nearly added a third in a 4-2 victory over FC Dallas, earning him SBI MLS Player of the Week for MLS Week 12.

Cahill’s stoppage-time goal leads Red Bulls over Galaxy

Rafael Garcia, Tim Cahill

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.

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Posted in Featured, Major League Soccer, MLS- Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS- New York Red Bulls | 28 Comments

MLS Week 12: Your Running Commentary

MLSLogo2013

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.

Posted in Featured, Major League Soccer | 41 Comments

Oduro goal leads Crew over Toronto FC

Dominic Oduro

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:

Posted in Major League Soccer, MLS- Columbus Crew, MLS- Toronto FC | 3 Comments

Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary

Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates scoring to make it 5-6By 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):

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Posted in European Soccer, Featured, Your Running Commentary | 78 Comments

McInerney burns Fire again as Union posts shutout

Jack McInerney, Jose Kleberson

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:

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Posted in Featured, MLS- Chicago Fire, MLS- Philadelphia Union, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Johnson brace lifts Sounders over FC Dallas

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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.

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Posted in Featured, MLS- FC Dallas, MLS- Seattle Sounders, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Valencia equalizer helps 10-man Timbers tie Whitecaps

ValenciaTimbers (Getty)

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.

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Posted in Featured, Major League Soccer, MLS- Portland Timbers, MLS- Vancouver Whitecaps, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Cherundolo sets up winner in Hannover season finale

Steve Cherundolo Hannover (UEFA)

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.

Posted in Americans Abroad, Featured | 39 Comments

MLS Week 12: Your Running Commentary

MLSLogo2013

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)

Posted in Featured, Major League Soccer, Your Running Commentary | 44 Comments

USMNT Daily Update: Klinsmann explains roster decisions

Juergen Klinsmann

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.”

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Posted in Featured, U.S. Men's National Team, Uncategorized | 160 Comments