Soccer By Ives

Morning Ticker: Crew top Quakes, Hejduk not ruled out vs. Costa Rica and Libertadores quarters begin

 

                                                                               Photo by ISIphotos.com

Goals from Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto helped the Columbus fight back from an early deficit to top the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Crew Stadium.

The victory helps the Crew edge out of its tie for last place in the East with the Red Bulls and moved past New England into fifth place in the conference.

Here are some other stories from this morning and Wednesday to get your day going:

Hejduk not ruled out vs. Costa Rica

According to a U.S. national team source, defender Frankie Hejduk has NOT been ruled out for next week's World Cup qualifier vs. Costa Rica because of the groin injury that kept him out of the Crew's win vs. San Jose.

A television report during the Crew's victory against the Earthquakes stated that Hejduk would miss the Costa Rica match, but Hejduk is expected to be re-evaluated by U.S. national team doctors before a decision is made on his availability for Wednesday. (UPDATE- Hejduk will remain in Columbus, where his progress will be tracked by the Crew medical staff and where a decision will be made on whether he can actually join the national team, be it in Miami or San Jose. So no, Hejduk hasn't been ruled out yet.)

If Hejduk cannot play, Jonathan Spector or Marvell Wynne would be expected to fill in for him.

Hejduk sidelined by groin injury, set to miss Costa Rica match

 

                                               Photo by ISIphotos.com

U.S. national team defender Frankie Hejduk was not in uniform for the Columbus Crew's match tonight vs. San Jose and it looks as though he won't be in uniform when the U.S. team faces Costa Rica in San Jose a week from now.

According to a television report during the Crew-Earthquakes match, Hejduk will not play in the Costa Rica qualifier because of the groin injury that sidelined him from tonight's Crew match.

If Hejduk can't go, U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley will have to turn to either Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne or West Ham defender Jonathan Spector to replace him when the United States faces Costa Rica at Estadio Saprissa on June 3rd.

Hejduk returns from injury in Crew exhibition win

 

                                                           Photo by ISIphotos.com

 

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

After more than a month of inactivity due to a hamstring strain, Frankie Hejduk returned to action as the Columbus Crew defeated Ohio State in the eighth annual Connor Senn Memorial Game, 3-1.

Hejduk, who had not played a game since the United States' 3-0 dismantling of Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying on April 1, entered the game in the 60th minute and showed enough during his half hour on the field to convince Crew head coach Roberty Warzycha that he is fully recovered and ready for his second start of the MLS season.

"It was a good start for him," Warzycha said to the Columbus Dispatch. "He didn't feel anything bad so I think he will be ready to go on Saturday (against Kansas City)."

U.S. Soccer suspends Marrufo two matches for Jersey-Gate

 

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

U.S. Soccer has suspended referee Jair Marrufo for two matches for receiving a jersey from Chicago Fire player Cuauhtemoc Blanco after last week's Chicago Fire-Columbus Crew match.

"The initial step in dealing with the situation was to remove Jair Maruffo from his assignment for this weekend," U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe told SBI. "After careful consideration, the decision has been made to officially suspend him for this week and the following week."

Marrufo, the 2008 MLS referee of the year, was suspended after witnesses saw Blanco toss a jersey into the referee's locker room after last week's Fire-Crew match, a match that included a controversial red card issued by Marrufo to Crew defender Gino Padula for a foul on Blanco. That red card helped spark a two-goal comeback by the Fire, which had been trailing, 2-0.

What do you think of the suspension? Is two games fair? Not enough? Too much? Think Blanco should have been reprimanded?

Share your thoughts below.

Marrufo to miss match for accepting gift jersey (updated)

 

                                     Photo by ISIphotos.com

MLS referee Jair Marrufo will not officiate an MLS match this weekend as punishment for his handling of the Cuauhtemoc Blanco gift jersey situation, the Columbus Dispatch is reporting.

Marrufo, the 2008 MLS referee of the year, received a signed jersey from Blanco after the Chicago Fire-Columbus Crew match, a move that has called into question Marrufo's impartiality and raised some doubts about Marrufo's handling of the Crew-Fire match, which ended in a 2-2 tie and saw Marrufo issue a red card to Crew defender Gino Padula for a foul on Blanco.

"(Marrufo) was informed his actions were unacceptable," U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe told the Dispatch. "He agreed he made an error in judgment in accepting the jersey after the match. He's not being suspended. (Pulling him off a game) is a chance for him to clear his head a little bit."

MLS referee under investigation for allegedly receiving gift from player

 

                                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

MLS referee Jair Marrufo has made his share of controversial calls during his time as an official, but it is a decision he is alleged to have made off the field that has officials investigating him.

Marrufo is under investigation for allegedly accepting a jersey from Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco after the Fire's recent 2-2 tie vs. the Columbus Crew, a match Marrufo presided over. The Columbus Dispatch secured statements from both U.S. Soccer and MLS, which are both looking into the accusation.

The allegations are even more damning considering a controversial decision Marrufo made during the Fire/Crew match. Marrufo issued a highly-questionable red card to Crew defender Gino Padula for a challenge on Blanco, a call that helped spark a two-goal comeback by the Fire, and a red card Columbus is now protesting. Now witnesses are saying that Blanco visited the referee's locker room after the match and gave somebody a signed jersey of his.

What do you think of this development? Think Marrufo acted improperly if he, in fact, received a gift from Blanco? Think this is just sour grapes from Columbus Crew officials/fans after Saturday's blown lead and subsequent tie following Marrufo's suspect red card on Padula?

Share your thoughts below.

Hejduk enjoying a renaissance

 

                                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

Say what you want about Frankie Hejduk, but the veteran defender hasn't slowed down a bit.

Not only has Hejduk maintained a good level of play at the age of 34, he has actually stepped up his play for both club and country. With Steve Cherundolo sidelined by injury, Hejduk has made the most of the chance to take over as the No. 1 right back for the U.S. national team.

Here is my piece on Hejduk for ESPN.com, which discusses, among other things, Hejduk's impressive recovery from the ACL tear that kept him out of the 2006 World Cup.

Findley hat-trick helps RSL smash Columbus

 

Perhaps he was inspired by Jozy Altidore's hat-trick on Wednesday, or maybe it was simply being in the starting lineup. Whatever it was, Robbie Findley found some magic on Thursday night, scoring a hat-trick to help Real Salt Lake drop suddenly struggling Columbus, 4-1, at Rio Tinto Stadium.

While two of the goals came on gifts from Crew goalkeeper Wil Hesmer, Findley was still the man last night for a Real Salt Lake team that looked much more like the Western Conference favorites some (including SBI) pegged them to be when the season began.

As for the Crew? Three games and two points is not the start head coach Robert Warzycha was hoping for and now Columbus must face unbeaten Chivas USA on two days rest on Sunday. It isn't easy being the champion, is it?

What did you think of last night's game? Think RSL is for real? Are the Crew in trouble? Is Robbie Findley someone you would like to see on the U.S. Gold Cup roster this summer?

Share your thoughts below (and go to the jump  to catch all three of Findley's goals).

Red Bulls Update: Ogunbiyi heading to Norway, Brunner signs with Crew

   

                                               Photo by Yellow Card Journalism

The New York Red Bulls revamped their roster this off-season, but in doing so, they left little room for rookies. As a result, three draft picks from the past two years have departed for, or are about to depart for other opportunities in the days leading up to the Red Bulls' season opener vs. Seattle on Thursday.

Babajide Ogunbiyi, the No. 18 pick in the 2009 MLS Draft, is heading to Europe for a trial with Norwegian second division club Nybergsund, sources told SBI on Wednesday. A 6-foot-4 central defender who impressed at the MLS Combine, Ogunbiyi chose to skip the Red Bulls pre-season training camp in order to finish school at Santa Clara.

That decision, combined with a refusal to play for a Developmental salary, put his chances of joining the Red Bulls in doubt. According to a source close to Ogunbiyi, the Red Bulls offered him a senior contract, which he planned to sign, but the club pulled the offer a few days after making it. Patrick McCabe, Ogunbiyi's agent, refused to comment on Ogunbiyi's negotiations with the Red Bulls.

Morning MLS Ticker: Seattle addresses Montero absence, Rapids top Sounders and more

Fredy Montero is on his way back to Seattle.

At least that's what Seattle Sounders FC general manager Adrian Haunauer was saying late on Thursday when asked about the Colombian striker's absence.

"Fredy Montero traveled to South America to complete some personal administrative details that required the player's attention prior to the start of the MLS season," Hanauer told the Seattle Times on Thursday. "The player's contract is finalized and there are no open issues.

Fredy is en route back to Seattle and we look forward to his participation in training later this week and on opening night."

Rapids top Sounders

The Seattle Sounders lost their final tuneup match ahead of next week's MLS season opener, falling to the Colorado Rapids, 1-0, in a closed-door match.

Conor Casey converted the penalty kick he drew after being taken down in the area by an unidentified Seattle defender.

The Sounders were without Colombian strker Fredy Montero and No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani.

MLS News & Notes

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Columbus Crew is close to a deal with the New York Red Bulls for defender Eric Brunner, who the Red Bulls still have the MLS rights to. ... The Rapids added a defender on Thursday, signing former Rochester Rhinos left back Scott Palguta. A two-time trialist with the New York Red Bulls, Palguta is a left-footed defender who is more equipped to play in central defense in MLS than left back. ...Chivas USA added a striker on Thursday, signing Mexican forward Eduardo Lillingston, who had been with The Goats all of pre-season. ...D.C. United completed the signing of goalkeeper and 2009 MLS second-round draft pick Milos Kocic. ...The Kansas City Wizards are likely to start the 2009 season without forward Adam Cristman, who has been sidelined by a foot injury. The Wizards are also still awaiting the paperwork of Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig to go through before he can officially become part of the Wizards roster. ...

That's all for now. What do you think of these stories? Are you relieved to hear that Montero is expected back with Seattle soon? Will you believe it when he's actually on the field? As a Crew fan are you glad to see Eric Brunner potentially joining Columbus?

Share your thoughts below.

Frankie Hejduk: USA's working class hero

 

                                                    Photo by ISIphotos.com

It has been a special past few months for Frankie Hejduk.

After helping lead the Columbus Crew to the club's first MLS Cup title last November, Hejduk returned to Crew Stadium to start in the U.S. national team's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Mexico in February. During that time, he has only added to his reputation as a working-class soccer hero, a player who fights to the end with passion and courage.

The folks at FIFA.com have taken notice of this and wrote a good feature on Hejduk. The story includes an interview with Hejduk about his desire to make the U.S. 2010 World Cup roster, as well as about the U.S. team's upcoming qualifier vs. El Salvador.

What do you think of Hejduk's chances of making the 2010 World Cup team? See him as one of those veteran players ever squad needs? Think Bob Bradley will be better off taking Steve Cherundolo and Marvell Wynne? Still amazed to see Hejduk playing at such a high level at his age?

Share your thoughts on Hejduke's 2010 World Cup chances and his recent renaissance in the comments section below.

Share your thoughts below.

MLS Pre-season: A look around the Eastern Conference

As we move to within three weeks of the start of the 2009 MLS season, all 15 MLS teams are in the heart of their pre-season preparations. Clubs have scattered the globe, from Argentina to England, as they prepare for their run at the MLS Cup trophy.

We here at SBI will try to keep you posted on as much of the league's pre-season activity as possible. This morning we will take a tour of the Eastern Conference for some news and notes about the seven teams in the East:

Columbus Crew

The Crew is set to depart for England, where the team will spend two weeks training and playing in some pre-season matches. After a successful run of results in Florida against some local college teams, Columbus will be in England playing a series of matches against the likes of Liverpool's and Everton's reserve teams. The Crew has bid farewell to rookie Jordan Seabrook.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Crew have once again inquired about defender Eric Brunner, who the New York Red Bulls hold the rights to. Are the Red Bulls really asking for too much, or could this be payback for the Red Bulls' failed attempts to trade for the rights of former Seton Hall midfielder Teddy Niziolek?

Marshall re-signs with Columbus Crew

 

The Columbus Crew took a major step toward repeating as MLS Cup champions on Monday when they re-signed MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall to a new contract. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

Marshall went into the winter a free agent after playing out his MLS contract, but after a trial at German club Mainz 05, Marshall has decided to return to MLS, where he is widely-regarded as the most dominant defender in the league.

Marshall's decision also makes it very likely that he will be included as part of the U.S. national team's upcoming training camp in January.

What do you think of the news? Are you an overjoyed Crew fan? Are you a disappointed U.S. fan who was hoping Marshall would go and play in a big European league? Are you an MLS fan who is once again worried about the Crew being a force again?

Share your thoughts below.

Columbus names Warzycha new head coach

Some men bleed their team's colors and some men are just meant to be synonymous with a club. As far as the Columbus Crew go, Robert Warzycha is such a man, which made his appointment as head coach of the Crew on Monday such a perfect move.

Warzycha replaces Sigi Schmid after Schmid led the Crew to its first MLS Cup title. After seven seasons as a player for the Crew and seven seasons as an assistant coach (and one-time interim head coach), Warzycha really was the only candidate for the position and now he is entrusted with the task of trying to lead the Crew to a repeat MLS Cup title.

What do you think of the hire? Love it? Not sure about it? Who else could the Crew have hired?

Share your thoughts below.

Sounders and Crew reach agreement, freeing Seattle to hire Schmid

                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

Sigi Schmid is free at last.

Here is the announcement from MLS regarding an agreement reached between Columbus and Seattle over Schmid:

"Major League Soccer announced today that the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC resolved a potential contractual issue regarding former Crew coach Sigi Schmid. Columbus acquired allocation money and cash from Seattle, thus releasing Schmid from contractual obligations and allowing him to proceed with his contract negotiations with Seattle."

The best part of the league's release is this final line:

"In connection with this matter, Major League Soccer found no evidence of tampering by Seattle Sounders FC."

Right, so Seattle gave Columbus allocation money AND cash for the right to talk to a coach already out of contract because? Perhaps it was a gift for Columbus winning MLS Cup.

Now that this is out of the way we can get to the business of announcing the most drawn-out and anti-climactic coaching hire in MLS history. Schmid should be introduced shortly and the Seattle Sounders can move on to the business of continuing to build its team.

What do you think of this development? Give Columbus credit for squeezing an allocation and cash out of Seattle? Think the Sounders mishandled the courtship of Schmid? Do you believe MLS' claim that they no found no evidence of tampering? Are you buying the floated story about a non-compete clause in Schmid's Crew contract that would have extended beyond the life of his contract (a clause that multiple sources tell me didn't exist)?

Share your thoughts below.

Tampering charge holding up Schmid move to Seattle

 

                                                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

If you are wondering what exactly the hold up is with regard to Sigi Schmid and his expected move to the Seattle Sounders, especially now that he has parted ways with the Columbus Crew, sources have revealed a tangled mess involving Columbus, Seattle, a tampering charge and a league that has to take care of the mess.

It has been reported in recent weeks that the Columbus Crew had filed tampering charges with MLS against Seattle for alledgedly courting Schmid to be the Sounders new head coach before his Crew contract had expired. What multiple sources around the league are telling SBI is that not only did the Crew file the tampering charge, but MLS did find evidence of what it considered unauthorized contact, which has opened the door to a mess the league is in the process of trying to clean up.

According to sources, MLS determined that Seattle technical director Chris Henderson had spoken to Schmid about the Seattle job while Schmid was still Columbus head coach. The result was a fine imposed on the Sounders and Henderson's formal removal from Seattle's coaching search committee (despite the fact that Henderson and Schmid have had close ties for two decades, with Schmid having coached Henderson in college and MLS). The issue might have ended there, but sources say Columbus has used that ruling to try and secure compensation from Seattle.