Real Salt Lake & MLS midweek
July 16, 2008 by f4denz.
Real Salt Lake News
RSL reserves vs. BYU Live Blog archive rsltothecore.com
OK, I have to admit I wish I would have been able to head down for this one, but I was at a conference and unable to attend. I love the RSL liveblogged this event, and I love the Clint Mathis was in town and part of the RSL roster, is he really just practicing with his old side to get ready for a season overseas? Rumors a few weeks ago had him signing with the LA Galaxy, but more recent signing of Eduardo Dominguez, and rumors of a Ruiz for Hedjuk trade between the Crew and Galaxy, could Mathis be wanting a chance to play on the grass at the new RSL stadium? Could the Cletus of old play for neo-discipline coach Jason Kreis, not sure but the current RSL roster with Clint coming off the bench for some last minute energy, and pushing Kyle, Javi, and Dema to practice and player harder to keep their spots is an interesting thought. I am glad I haven’t tossed my old Mathis-RSL hat out, even if he does look a good bit older than the last time we saw him in a RSL jersey.
photo from the talented Julie Fizer
RSL finally reach Western summit web.mlsnet.com
It is a milestone Real Salt Lake has coveted for a long time. After four mostly turbulent years in Major League Soccer, they can claim a distinction that few foresaw before the season got underway.
RSL, for a week at least, reigns supreme in the Western Conference. Real moved into first place for the first time in club history when they defeated Columbus 2-0 on Saturday.
Week in review: RSL reign in the West web.mlsnet.com
For the first time in club history, Real Salt Lake sit atop the Western Conference, following a victory against the Columbus Crew highlighting Week 16 of the Major League Soccer season.
After Thursday’s SuperClasico which ended in a 1-1 draw between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA, the door was open for Real to finally move atop the conference. And the 4-year-old club took advantage, defeating the Crew 2-0 to move to the head of the class.
RSL won’t have to face a full strength Chicago Fire squad this weekend:
Out for Yellow card suspensions: Thorrington and Segares are out on suspension, out with injuries are Carr, Herron, and Robinson
Blanco to be suspended mls-rumors.net
This comes to us courtesy of a Chicago MLSR reader who claims “inside knowledge” of the Blanco determination at the US Soccer Federation. “
Hi, I wish to be anonymous but I can tell you I have a connection inside the USSF and that is where my info comes from. After reviewing video supplied to them by MLS and D.C. United, the Federation is going to suspend Blanco for five US Open Cup matches and fine him $5000. Additionally MLS has been afforded the opportunity to take action as well and will suspend Blanco for 2 MLS matches as his violent conduct put the league in an unfavorable light and brought disrepute upon the Chicago Fire. Additionally since his behavior was directed towards other MLS players, and club staff the league feels a two game suspension is appropriate here. So in summation, Blanco has been banned for 5 USOC games, 2 MLS games and fined five thousand dollars.”
Real Cricket? Telegraph.co.uk
The decision last night to adopt an English Premier League Twenty20 tournament based around the existing 18 counties shuts the door on prospective suitors such as Dave Checketts.
(OK this is very interesting, it looks like Uncle Dave was looking at cricket as a potential way to get himself into the English sport scene. I also find it interesting that the article mentions the Real Madrid connection and the Academy)
RSL: Checketts wants RSL to “be aggressive” in search for roster help sltrib.com
Owner Dave Checketts watched in person as his Real Salt Lake team reached first place in the Major League Soccer Western Conference for the first time last weekend.
Now, he wants to make sure the team doesn’t falter. With the opening of the MLS transfer window today, Checketts has instructed general manager Garth Lagerwey to “be aggressive” about pursuing new players and potentially upgrading RSL at “one or two positions” for the stretch run. RSL plays at Chicago on Saturday in its last game before a break for the MLS All-Star Game.
Transfer window is now open deseretnews.com/blogs
The MLS transfer window opened up on Tuesday, and Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said the team had two offers on the table. Nothing is finalized, however, and may not be until the end of the week.
“It has less to do with us being cautious and more so us trying to finding the guys we like, making offers, and then hammering out the deal and then getting the immigration stuff done,” said Lagerwey.
Some MLS news
Another MLS franchise in Canada? Goal.blogs.nytimes.com (the info below is at the bottom of the article)
Nash, whose father was a professional soccer player in South Africa and whose brother Martin plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the U.S.L. First Division, is part of a group that hopes to bring an M.L.S. team to Vancouver, British Columbia.
“I’ve been a fan of the team since I was six,” Nash said of the Whitecaps. “I haven’t invested money yet, more like human capital. It’s a spectacular city. We’re really optimistic and we’re hoping to have some good news at the M.L.S. All-Star game in Toronto.”
Soccer- Former U.S. skipper Reyna to retire-report uk.reuters.com
Former United States captain Claudio Reyna is to announce his retirement after struggling with injuries in Major League Soccer this season. The league’s website (http://www.mlsnet.com) said Reyna had announced a press conference for 1400 EST (1800 GMT) on Wednesday where he was “expected to announce his retirement”.
Quakes sign two forwards mercurynews.com
Backup has finally arrived.
The struggling Earthquakes revamped their front line Monday by signing proven goal-scorers Darren Huckerby of England and Scott Sealy of the Kansas City Wizards. But the Quakes aren’t stopping there as they switch directions midway through their first season. The team also plans to announce it has acquired Brazilian midfielder Francisco Lima, 37, and possibly another striker. Reserve midfielder Joe Vide was placed on waivers.
Guzan blazing new path web.mlsnet.com
Since Chivas USA began sorting out their first-ever roster, Brad Guzan has been a pillar with the Red-and-White. The club’s first-ever SuperDraft choice eventually became its first-ever starting goalkeeper and led the club to their first-ever playoff victory a year later.
Now, Guzan is blazing a new path and leaving Chivas USA in his wake. Chivas USA and Major League Soccer agreed with English club Aston Villa to send Guzan to the English Premiership. If a work permit is secured, Guzan has played his last match with the Red-and-White.
ON MY SOAPBOX
So last weekend was the kick off of the 2nd SuperLiga tournament between the top 4 MLS and to 4 Mexican teams, but I really think MLS fans and players get screwed by this SuperScam tournament.
First, the matches are all played on telefutura, that is really nice for those from Mexico or those who speak Spanish but what about the fans of the MLS teams? Do we expect that all the fans of New England, DC United, Houston, and Chivas USA want to watch the matches in Spanish? Please this is a clear attempt by SUM (the group that runs soccer in most of North America and Mexico) to pander to the Hispanic audience in both Mexico and the US. Note that MLS will not clear their schedule for World Cup Qualifying, or FIFA scheduled events, but will at the drop of a dime change the entire MLS schedule to fit in this tournament.
Second, the deck is stacked in favor of the Mexican teams. Don’t believe me, here is the statement from the MLS Players Union “MLS is misleading its great fans,” the statement reads. “What has not been revealed by the league is that its New York office has unilaterally set its own bonus structure for players, who will receive only a small fraction of the $1 million….If an MLS team wins SuperLiga, the players on that team won’t split $1 million. Instead, they will receive only 15% of the prize money. This puts MLS players at a significant competitive disadvantage as the Mexican clubs are not operating under the same rules. Indeed, it is our understanding that the players on last year’s winner Pachuca split the entire $1 million prize amongst themselves.”
Finally, I have watched 3 of the matches so far and I have to say that the officiating is very clearly in favor of the Mexican sides, last night in the DC United vs. Atlante, there were several calls that simply were not even close, including some huge delaying moves at the end of the match. Also in the Chivas (CD Guadalajara) vs. Houston match a number of key plays either not called, or went in favor of Chivas, we know that the Mexican teams have more to play for, but also giving them an edge with the officials (at the US locations) is simply unethical.
This tournament is a scam, a shallow ploy by MLS and SUM to try and get some level of foothold with the Hispanic community in the US, and another set of matches they can sell to the TV market in Mexico. I think this could be an interesting idea, but only when it is played fairly and the rules are the same for both sides, until that time, this is simply another bad faith act by MLS.
OFF MY SOAPBOX