Soccer By Ives

Hugo Sanchez fired as Mexico coach

Hugo Sanchez has been fired as head coach of the Mexican national team.

The greatest player in Mexican soccer history lasted barely more than a year before three failed attempts to beat the United States and a disastrous Olympic Qualifying campaign did him in before he even had a chance to coach a World Cup qualifier.

The move seemed inevitable after Mexico's shock failure to qualify for the Olympics with its best generation of young players ever.

How will Sanchez be remembered? He will be remembered for whining about referees and complaining about terrible field conditions. Most importantly, he will be remembered for being the subject of several You Write the Captions for photos like the one shown. In that regard, Sanchez will certainly be missed.

All joking aside, I think Sanchez saw it coming. His demeanor before the last U.S.-Mexico game was very telling. Gone was the bravado from earlier in his tenure. He tried his best to temper expectations but after making things so difficult for his predecessor, Ricardo LaVolpe, Sanchez was never going to be given a long leash.

If the Mexican federation is smart, it will turn to someone like Jose Pekerman, who would be ideally suited to work with the young generation of stars currently rising through the Mexico ranks. Whoever the coach is, they will probably be given a longer leash than  Sanchez by a federation that will be desperate for some stability.

What do you think of the news? Shocked? Happy? Sad? Laughing at Mexico's national team? Share your thoughts below.

Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

The funeral march for Fulham's life in the English Premier League is in full swing.

The Cottagers' tie vs. Derby has all but assured that the American army of Fulham players will be dispersing come the summer. As if the poor result wasn't enough, having Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra sit on the bench all match provided insult to injury for American fans of Fulham.

It wasn't all bad news for Americans abroad. Nate Jaqua continued his takeover of Austria with another goal while Danny Szetela saw more playing time for Brescia, clocking 35 minutes in a victory. The battle of American goalkeepers between Marcus Hahnemann and Brad Friedel ended, as you would expect, in a scoreless draw.

Here is how all the Americans in Europe's top leagues did this weekend:

SBI MLS Goal of the Week: Nyassi does it

There was no shortage of quality goals this week as several highlight-reel-worthy strikes helped give MLS week one a sorely-needed boost.

I will bring you my pick for the three best each week and this week there were so many good ones that a few quality goals didn't make the cut, including Cuauhtemoc Blanco's late equalizer vs. Real Salt Lake or Omar Cummings goal against Colorado.

SBI goal of the week honors for week one go to New England's Sainey Nyassi, who's beautiful interception, run and finish served as the best moment in a masterful performance by New England on Saturday. Here is the goal:

Wondering which goals finished second and third in the SBI Top three MLS goals of the week? Enjoy after the jump:

McBride interested in U.S. Olympic spot

                                                                                               Photo by ISI Photos

If you thought the last image you would ever have of Brian McBride in a U.S. uniform was him walking off the field after the U.S. team's World Cup loss to Ghana in 2006, think again.

McBride and U.S. Olympic team coach Peter Nowak have had discussions about McBride being one of the team's three over-age players for this summer's Olympics and McBride is interested in being on the team, making him a front-runner to be one of the three senior players chosen by Nowak.

MLS Player of the Week/Weak

There were several quality performances, and some truly stunning goals, this weekend in the opening series of MLS games. Picking a player of the week wasn't easy, but it boiled down to one player being the leader of a thoroughly dominating performance.

Colorado winger Terry Cooke shredded the Los Angeles Galaxy, scoring the opening goal off a rebounded shot and setting up two more goals in the Rapids 4-0 mauling of the Galaxy. There were better goals scored this weekend, and better assists, but Cooke gets the nod for his overall performance, even if it did come against the team I will from now on call the HerbaLife Traffic Cones (at least until they post a shutout).

SBI will be giving out a player of the week honor every week, as well as a player of the WEAK award for the player with the worst performance. The choice for POWeak wasn't as difficult a decision. That distinction goes to Galaxy defender Abel Xavier, who delivered the defender's version of the Nightmare Hat-Trick, giving up a penalty kick (albeit on a weak call), getting absolutely abused on a goal and getting a red card.

Player of the week contenders included Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Wil Hesmer, Adam Moffat and Claudio Lopez. POWeak finalists included Duilio Davino (for his costly error leading to Chivas USA's equalizer), Colin Samuel (for his missed penalty) and Bakary Soumare (for his own goal).

What do you think of the selections? Who were your choices for POW and POWeak? Share your selections below.

Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be stopped

Listen, nobody is really debating anymore whether Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world or not. This year, Ronaldo has lapped the field with his amazing goal-scoring exploits and passing brilliance. As great a year as he is having, Saturday's performance against Aston Villa in Manchester United's 4-0 win provided a new high-water mark for the Portuguese star.

Ronaldo set up THREE goals, including a no-look back-heel pass, and scored a mind-blowing back-heel goal that has to be seen to be believed. If you have already seen the highlights, I'm sure you won't mind seeing them again. If you haven't seen the highlights, prepare to be wowed:

MLS Rewind: Revs roll, Wizards cruise and LA crumbles

The first weekend of the Major League Soccer season provided plenty of entertainment, excitement and storylines for the future as new stars emerged  and improved teams showed that they are ready to shake up the pecking order in MLS.

You had the New England Revolution playing without Taylor Twellman and still thrashing defending champion Houston. You had the Wizards outplaying the revamped D.C. United team that so many have pegged for greatness. Then you also had the Los Angeles Galaxy being ripped apart by a Colorado squad that looked like world-beaters against the Galaxy's putrid defense.

Yes, it is only week one but the first round of games certainly told enough tales to let us know how things might go in the immediate future.

Here are the new SBI MLS power rankings as well as a closer look at all six of the weekend's matches:

Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary

Good morning folks. There is a strong schedule of matches on TV today, including the Everton-Liverpool grudge match, which has already kicked off.

Here is today's slate of games on TV:

• 11am- FSC- Everton at Liverpool
• 11am- GolTV- Mallorca at Valencia
• 1pm- GolTV- Stuttgart at Hannover 96
• 2:30pm- FSC- Atalanta at AC Milan
• 3pm- GolTV- Sevilla at Real Madrid
• 3pm- Telefutura- Chivas USA at FC Dallas
• 4:30pm- FSC- Newcastle at Tottenham.
• 7pm- FSC- Celtic FC at Rangers FC
• 7pm- GolTV- Deportivo Cali at Chico
• 11pm- FSC-  Arsenal at Boca Juniors

If you will be following today's matches please feel free to share your thoughts on the action in the comments section.

Enjoy the soccer.

MLS Matchday One: Your Running Commentary

Good afternoon everybody. Today is the start of the Major League Soccer season and there are some quality match-ups to start the year.

Here are today's games:

• Toronto FC at Columbus
• Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake
• Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution
• D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards
• Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids

If you are wondering who I'm picking in today's games, check out my game previews on ESPN.com, which are at the bottom of my piece on the influx of foreign players into MLS.

If you are following MLS matches today and tonight, please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions (as well as some play-by-play) in the comments section below.

Enjoy the soccer.

Soccer Saturday: Your Running Commentary

Good morning everybody. Today should be an entertaining day in the soccer world, with matches throughout the day and night on TV, including the season-opening weekend in MLS. Whether you are a Eurosnob or Ameri-snob, there is something for you.

There is the Fulham-Derby match, otherwise known as the 'Americans soon to be relegated' derby, at 11am on Fox Soccer Channel. There is also the MLS Cup rematch between Houston and New England tonight, also on FSC.

Here are today's games for those of you who missed yesterday's Soccer on TV post:

• 10:30am- GolTV- Bayern Munich at Nuremburg
• 11am- FSC- Fulham at Derby.
• 12:30pm- GolTV- Eintracht Frankfurt at Bayer Leverkusen
• 1pm- FSC- Aston Villa at Manchester United.
• 3pm- GolTV- Barcelona at Real Betis
• 3:30- FSC- Inter Milan at Lazio.
• 5pm- GolTV- Atletico Madrid at Villarreal.
• 7:15pm- GolTV- Millonarios at Nacional.
• 7:30pm- FSC- Houston at New England.
• 9:30pm-  FSC- Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids

A side note for those of you who will post on today's action. I will be having a separate MLS-only Your Running Commentary posted later in the afternoon. This way we can keep the Euro and MLS talk in their own sections.

You know the routine. If you are watching matches today please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and even some play-by-play on today's action in the comments section below.

Enjoy the soccer.

Pre-Season Soccer: Red Bulls at Carolina (Your Running Commentary)

Good evening folks. For those of you who aren't going out yet and plan on sticking around at home to catch the Red Bulls-Carolina RailHawks pre-season exhibition, please feel free to camp out here and share your thoughts and opinions on the match in the comments section.

In unrelated news, the club Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero is going on loan to is the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Tonight's match is set for a 7:30pm kickoff and is airing on www.USLlive.com.

Here is the Red Bulls lineup:

----------Altidore-------Echeverry--------

Borman----------Reyna------------Sassano

--------------VDB------Ubiparipovic-------

Goldthwaite------Parke-------------Leitch

-------------------Conway-------------------

Share your pre-game and in-game thoughts with the rest of us. I will be in and out, offering occasional commentary.

Enjoy the match.

This weekend's soccer on TV

Consider the soccer on TV schedule officially full.

With Major League Soccer back in full swing, you can now catch matches in Europe, South America and the USA and all three will be offering up quality contests.

U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard and Everton travel to Anfield in the latest installment of the Merseyside Derby in the weekend's marquee bout. MLS debuts with an MLS Cup rematch between Houston and New England.

What are the best matches of the weekend? Here are the Top Five:

1. Everton at Liverpool- Derby drama aside, loser is in danger of missing out on Champions League.
2. Celtic FC at Rangers FC- The Old Firm is always a can't-miss affair.
3. Sevilla at Real Madrid- Can Sevilla keep the champions tumbling and give Barcelona hope?
4. Atletico Madrid at Villarreal- Two of Spain's best in what should be a shootout.
5. Houston at New England- The Revs look for some revenge. Okay, who are we kidding, revenge won't come until November, if ever.

Here are the rest of the weekend's matches on TV:

MLS Awards Predictions

We are 24 hours away from the start of the MLS season so it is time to have one last thought about how the 2008 season is going to play out.

Earlier today I asked people to give their pre-season rankings of the league's 14 teams. Now it is time to consider what players will walk away with awards when the 2008 season is over.

Who do you think will be the league's MVP? Golden Boot winner? Rookie of the Year? Defender of the Year? Goalkeeper of the Year? Coach of the Year?

My picks are after the jump. Check them out and share your own predictions below.

It's Q&A Time

Good afternoon folks. With the MLS regular season about to get underway I think it is a good time to have another Q&A session.

You know the routine. Ask your soccer-related questions and I will answer them next week. The following topics are off-limits: John O'Brien, promotion/relegation in MLS and Red Bulls stadium or practice facility updates (the stadium is being built, the practice site has hit a snag but nothing major).

Limit yourself to two questions and try to keep them a reasonable length and I will look to have them done for Monday.

Fire away!!

Red Bulls update: Cepero on loan, Conde still unhappy and the attacking midfielder position

Good morning Red Bulls fans. You don't have an MLS game to look forward to this weekend but that doesn't mean you can't have some news to tide you over this morning. The Red Bulls are in Carolina to take on the RailHawks in their final pre-season tune-up before the April 5 opener against Columbus.

While you wait for tonight's match to take place, and yes, it is being aired on www.USLlive.com tonight, here are some news, notes and observations on the Red Bulls.

Cepero going on loan

If you were wondering why the Red Bulls signed two goalkeepers to developmental contracts, wonder no more. Danny Cepero is set to leave the Red Bulls and go on loan to the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL second division. The Red Bulls feel Cepero has a bright future and wants him to get some games under his belt, which would have been difficult this year with Jon Conway and Zach Thornton in front of him.

Morning Ticker: Ronaldinho's Barca exit, Liverpool's owners feud and Cahill's season-ending injury

Good morning folks. As we transition away from the mid-week international schedule to the weekend's juicy club schedule (which includes MLS starting tomorrow), here are a few news tidbits to get your day going.

Ronaldinho's Barca exit not assured

Ronaldinho's agent and brother, Roberto Assis, tried to downplay growing rumors that the Brazilian star is ready to leave Barcelona this summer. Ronaldinho has once again fallen out of favor with the Spanish giants and reports are surfacing linking him to a move out of Spain, with Chelsea one popular destination.

USA-Argentina officially set for June 8 at Giants Stadium

U.S. Soccer (finally) made the official announcement that the U.S. men's national team will face Argentina at Giants Stadium on June 8. As SBI reported on March 5, the two sides have agreed to a rematch of last summer's Copa America match (which Argentina won, 4-1, against what amounted to a U.S. B team). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the match will be aired on ESPN Classic and Galavision.

The friendly will come just 11 days after the USA faces England at Wembley Stadium, just four days after the United States is set to face Spain in Santander on June 4,  and a week before the U.S. team's World Cup qualifier against Barbados at Home Depot Center on June 15.

Cast your vote for the Seattle MLS team name (write-ins added to ballot)

If you want your say on what the name of the new MLS team in Seattle will be, now is your chance.

The Seattle MLS team's website has opened voting on the team's new name and, not only can you choose between Seattle FC, Seattle Alliance and Seattle Republic, but there is now word that voters can write in with suggestions. This mean voters can now choose to write in Seattle Sounders (or bitter Portland fans can write in with 'Dirty Rats FC', but I don't think that will win).

Vote away people. Anybody can vote, though it appears season ticket holders will have their votes weighted more heavily than the general public vote.

I want to here some creative alternatives to the aforementioned team names. Let's come up with some good ones.

Fire away!

Guevara to MLS deal hits snag, sources say deal is still alive

According to Amado Guevara's U.S.-based agent, Patrick McCabe, talks to bring the former MLS MVP back to Major League Soccer have stalled, though sources believe the talks are still very much alive.

"Amado will not be joining MLS at this time," McCabe said in an email. "The MLS made a concerted effort to see that Amado rejoin the league and we were able to reach an agreement but unfortunately certain obligations could not be met within the requested time period and unfortunately this means that Amado will stay with Motagua until the end of their current season.

"Amado does hope to return to MLS during the summer transfer period."

Does this mean the deal is dead? According to one source within MLS, the deal is still very much alive while at least one league source believes the deal could be completed well before the April 15 transfer deadline, which is still almost three weeks away.

Sources within MLS would not say what the major hold-up is, but one source believes compensation to be paid to Guevara's current club, Motagua, has become an issue.

Guevara was in the Florida on Wednesday playing for Honduras' in its 2-1 victory against Colombia in Ft. Lauderdale. Guevara assisted on Henry Thomas' game-winning goal.

You Write the Caption: The best of Twellman in Cancun

Good morning everybody. It is time to announce the winning entries of another You Write The Caption contest. This time around we will be picking the Top 10 caption submissions for the photo of Taylor Twellman in a hot tub in Cancun.

This YWTC will be a little different in that there will be an actual prize to the winner of the contest. The reader with the best caption will receive a free T-shirt from SBI sponsor Objectivo Apparel.

There were a bunch of quality suggestions for this poignant photo of Taylor Twellman sharing a hot tub with some teammates and unidentified females. Enjoy the Top 10 captions after the jump: