Soccer By Ives

Jaqua accused of sexual assult in lawsuit

 

                                        Photo by ISIphotos.com

Seattle Sounders forward Nate Jaqua has been slapped with a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a college student in Portland two years ago.

The $10 million lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, almost two years to the day when the accuser says Jaqua raped her in a cemetary.

This story first emerged on Thursday on various websites, and SBI was furnished with a copy of the criminal complaint on the same day. We won't get into the graphic details of the complaint (though you can find them elsewhere) but we were waiting for Jaqua to give his side of things, which is presented in the Seattle Times story linked above.

The lawsuit was filed a day ater Jaqua was named MLS player of the week for his two-goal performance in Seattle's 3-1 victory against Colorado. The timing was eerily similar to the timing surrounding a complaint against Seattle forward Fredy Montero, who was named MLS player of the month just before accusations that he stalked and assaulted a woman. Those accusations led to an investigation by Seattle police, but no charges were filed in the case.

U.S. Open Cup: Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers (Your Running Commentary)

 

U.S. Open Cup matches don't generally have the heated rivalry factor, but the Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders third-round match-up isn't your normal rivalry.

Forged from the days of the old NASL, and kept alive for decades in the A-League and USL, Timbers-Sounders is one of the most intense, and arguably the best rivalry in the United States.

That rivalry has been put on hold since the Sounders joined Major League Soccer, but the U.S. Open Cup has brought it back to life, with the Timbers playing host to the Sounders tonight (10pm).

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

Enjoy the action.

Seattle Sounders at New York Red Bulls: Match Night Commentary

Good evening folks. We are at Giants Stadium for tonight's Red Bulls-Sounders match. It is must-win time for the Red Bulls, who are losers of five straight. The Sounders are coming off a disappointing mid-week tie vs. D.C. United.

I will be providing commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along her, and as always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Let's get started:

Late own-goal gives D.C. United draw at Seattle

The Seattle Sounders looked well on their way to another home victory when Fredy Montero cooly slipped a shot inside the left post to give Seattle a 3-1 lead on D.C. United, but a fierce comeback by D.C. helped the Eastern Conference leaders escape Qwest Field with a point.

Halftime substitute Christian Gomez brought D.C. United within a goal with a second-half strike before Tyrone Marshall headed a Chris Pontius cross into his own net in the 87th minute to help give D.C. United a 3-3 tie on Wednesday night in one of the more exciting matches of the MLS season.

Seattle dominated play for much of the match after overcoming an early goal from Pontius. Osvaldo Alonso blasted a long-range strike for the equalizer before a Marc Burch own-goal gave the Sounders the lead.

Montero made the score 3-1 with a dribble through the D.C. defense before sliding a left-footed shot past Josh Wicks in the 57th minute. Six minutes later, Gome started the comeback with his third goal of the season.

Surprised to see Seattle blow a two-goal lead? Impressed with Gomez's second-half performance? Starting to believe in D.C. as a serious title contender?

Share your thoughts on the match below.

SBI's Mid-Day Musings (Notes on the U.S. Open Cup, Red Bulls and other MLS moves)

Today is one of those days where you watch the clock and count the minutes until game-time, making almost everything else you do in that time just a tad bit more difficult to do.

It's okay, we are all in that boat. I am trying to finish up the Bext XI, Worst XI, Team of the Week this afternoon, but am having a hard time getting it done. I will knock it out before 2pm for those of you who haven't abandoned your computers for a watch party by then.

If you're struggling to get through the day, here are some news, notes and soccer thoughts for you:

The Seattle Sounders defeated the Colorado Rapids, 1-0, in U.S. Open Cup play-in action in Washington. The victory helped the Sounders join D.C. United, Columbus, Chicago, Houston, New England, Chivas USA and Kansas City in the full U.S. Open Cup field. Kevin Forrest scored the lone goal for Seattle. The schedule and opponents for the eight MLS teams should be released today.

Sounders fans making noise in All-Star Game fan voting

                                                          Photo by ISIphoto.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

They made their presence known by first reserving a record number of season tickets before the team even played a game and then by drawing 32,523 for their team's inaugural game and averaging 29,536 per game, far and away the best in the league.

And now, Seattle Sounders FC fans are stuffing the ballot box like no one else. One week into the MLS All-Star First XI voting and EIGHT -- that's right -- eight Sounders are among the top XI.

FC Barcelona to face LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders

 

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

American soccer fans on the West Coast will have multiple chances to see FC Barcelona live this summer as the newly-minted UEFA Champions League finalists are set for a three-match road trip to the United States this summer.

Barcelona will face the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on Aug. 1st, just four days before playing the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field on Aug. 5th. Barcelona is touring the United States for a second straight season and will be facing MLS competition for a third time in four summers. They have faced, and beaten, the New York Red Bulls on two previous visits to the United States, including last summer's 6-2 exhibition victory over the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.

Along with friendlies against the Galaxy and Sounders, Barcelona is playing a third friendly in the United States. Details of that match have yet to be released.

What do you think of Barcelona coming to the United States again? Any plans to head West to take in the tour? Who would you like Barca to play in that third friendly, and where would you like to see them play?

Share your thoughts below.

Fire settle for draw vs. ten-man Sounders

 

                                                                  Photo by ISIphotos.com

 

by SAM STEJSKAL

Despite a straight red card putting them a man up for the second week in a row, the Chicago Fire were unable to walk away from Toyota Park with a victory, tying the Seattle Sounders 1-1 Saturday night.

The Sounders, who went down a man in the 48th minute after a Fredy Montero red card, showed tremendous resolve in earning a point, equalizing Marco Pappa’s 68th minute goal with one of their own in the 74th.

Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall scored the equalizer for the expansion Sounders, who remain in second place in the Western Conference on 13 points.

“We didn’t keep our heads down, we kept plugging away, and with that you never know what can happen,” said Marshall. “We kept fighting and we came up with a goal…that’s Seattle football.”

The result was viewed as tremendously disappointing for the Fire, who, despite their undefeated record, have now tied 4 league games in a row.

“Everybody in the locker room is gutted,” said Fire goalie Jon Busch. “Nobody cares that we’re undefeated at this point. We should be winning these games and we’re not and that’s what matters.”

Seattle Sounders at Chicago Fire: Match Night Commentary

  

The MLS match of the weekend kicks off tonight at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, where the Chicago Fire play host to the Seattle Sounders.

The Sounders will be looking to win their first game on grass this year, having lost their only other match on grass to Chivas USA. The Fire comes in unbeaten, but has been dropping points by settling for ties in matches it has been favored in.

There are marquee match-ups galore in this one and we should expect a fast-paced and exciting match. We will be providing live commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, if you are watching the match, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match (Commentary is after the jump):

Morning Ticker: Marquez sidelined, Vela quarantined and MLS deals made

 

Rafael Marquez, every American's favorite Mexican national team player, is set to miss the rest of the European season after suffering a knee injury on Wednesday.

Marquez, who made headlines back in February for once again drawing a red card vs. the United States, suffered a torn meniscus during Barcelona's 0-0 tie vs. Chelseain their Champions League semifinal first-leg match-up.

The injury puts Marquez's availability for upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Mexico in serious doubt. He had already served his two-match suspension for the red card earned for kicking U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, but now may not be available for Mexico's upcoming qualifiers vs. El Salvador (June 6th) and Trinidad & Tobago (June 10th).

The injury also means Marquez will miss the highly-anticipated La Liga clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid on Saturday. He joins Real Madrid defender and MMA wannabe Pepe on the suspended list for that match.

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

Police will not charge Montero

 

                                                                    Photo by ISIphotos.com

Seattle Sounders star Fredy Montero will not be charged with a crime in connection with criminal complaints filed against him by an unidentified accuser last month. Police cited insufficient evidence in reaching the decision not to file charges.

Montero had been accused of sexual assaulting a woman in March. The accusor filed two complaints against Montero, but investigators determined that there was insufficient evidence to file charges against Montero.

The Seattle Times provided full details on the decision, as well as all the information released by Seattle Police. Among the tidbits was the fact that Montero had his passport seized prior to Seattle's game in Toronto, which might explain the "flu" that led to Montero missing that match.

Montero, who earned MLS player of the month honors after scoring three goals in March.

What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts below.

New York Red Bulls waive Dufty

BY DYLAN BUTLER

Alec Dufty acquitted himself well, making two saves and earning a clean sheet after coming on for injured Danny Cepero in his Major League Soccer debut at hostile Robertson Stadium on Saturday night.

The rookie keeper's reward? On Monday he was waived by the New York Red Bulls. According to sources, Dufty was released to make room for El Salvadorian Alfredo Pacheco, whose signing is expected to be announced  as early as Tuesday. 

With Jon Conway sitting out the final game of his 10-game ban, Dufty came through in a pinch after Cepero was knocked out of the game after suffering a Grade One concussion on a collision with Kei Kamara. The free agent out of the University of Evansville will not be out of work too long, though. According to sources, Dufty is off to Seattle where the Sounders are desperate for goalkeeping help for this weekend's game against Chivas USA. 

The Friday wrap-up: Notes on Montero, the Red Bulls and more

 

Good evening folks (and good afternoon on the West Coast). As we wind down another week it is time to go over some tidbits heading into the weekend, and some stories we missed during the week.

Let's start with Fredy Montero, who is expected to play for the Seattle Sounders vs. Kansas City on Saturday. He looks to be over his flu and Sigi schmid told the Seattle Times' Jose Romero that he expects Montero to play. Adjust your fantasy teams accordingly.

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The Red Bulls look to be without Macoumba Kandji and Alfredo Pacheco for their crucial tilt vs. the Houston Dynamo. Kandji missed training this week with the ankle injury suffered vs. Chicago and did not travel to Houston, while Pacheco has yet to have his ITC card come in, which would clear him to play. Pacheco traveled to Houston, but that appears to be more of a move to get him integrated into the team (the latest update from Houston is that Pacheco did NOT receive his ITC and will not play vs. Houston).

As for the importance of the Houston match, the Red Bulls sorely need some points, but calling it a must-win is a stretch. Yes, the Red Bulls are off to a slow start, and yes, another loss would be detrimental to the club's chances going forward, but anybody projecting playoff possibilities in early April has way too much time on their hands. There are 26 more games after the Houston game and heading into this weekend the Red Bulls have played arguably the three best teams in the league (Seattle, New England, Chicago). There is still time to make up ground. The real question is whether the players coming in will help turn things around.

So what lineup should we expect to see for the Red Bulls on Saturday? Here's one possibility (along with the rest of our notes from the week):

MLS Rewind: Sounders topple TFC to stay perfect

  

                                                                        Photo by ISIphotos.com

It is getting tougher and tougher to argue that the newest team in Major League Soccer isn't the best team in Major League Soccer.

The Seattle Sounders continued their torrid start to their inaugural season by traveling to Toronto and beating Toronto FC, 2-0, at BMO Field. The victory, which came without Fredy Montero, did come with Freddie Ljungberg, who scored his first MLS goal.

The result puts to rest the notion that the Sounders were only posting results because they were playing at home and now it must be said that Sigi Schmid's team has as good a case as anybody to be called best in MLS right now.

Seattle's win highlighted a busy Saturday's MLS schedule.

MLS Match of the Week: Seattle at Toronto FC

MLS week three's featured match is without a doubt the Seattle Sounders visit to BMO Field for Toronto FC's first home game of the year (4pm, Fox Soccer Channel).

You have the hottest team in the league taking another one of the league's surprises. Two unbeaten teams with dangerous offenses and entertaining styles, in a match that will be played in front of a sold-out crowd.

The lingering drama surrounding the expected absence of Colombian striker Fredy Montero is taking some of the attention away from this match-up, but there is still plenty to talk about on the field to make this one worth digging into.

Here is a closer look at the match-up:

Legal Trouble Looming for Montero?

 

Seattle Sounders star striker Fredy Montero could miss this weekend's match at Toronto FC with what was being described as the flu, but his problems could involve far worse than an illness.

According to the Seattle Post-Intellegencer, a Seattle-area woman has accused Montero of stalking her and has claimed that he is doing so after she accused him of sexual assault a week earlier. It should be noted that no charges have been filed against Montero at this time, but the story coupled with Montero's curiously-timed illness ahead of a trip to Canada suddenly makes you wonder just what is going on in Sounders land.

Montero, who was only recently named MLS player of the month for March, has helped the Sounders get off to a 2-0 start, scoring three goals and becoming a superstar in Seattle.

Now, that dream start for Montero and the Sounders could be in danger of crashing to a halt if these allegations are true.

What do you think of this news? Share your thoughts below.