Columbus Get Experience They Need in Birchall Signing
COLUMBUS (MLS/Newsfeed) – Foremost among the reasons for signing former LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall to a multi-year contract on Monday is the Columbus Crew’s 2-4-2 record. The numbers tell the story for a side that’s struggling through a crater full of injuries, forcing Robert Warzycha to rely on young players who are still learning about the speed of the game at the professional level. “He is a quality player who has experience,” Warzycha said on Monday. “If you want to close the game or score in the end, you need experience on the field. Sometimes with so many young [...]
Publ.Date : Tue, 08 May 2012 20:12:59 +0000

Rapids Convert Red Cards into Three Valuable Road Points
(MLS/Bianchi) — Colorado Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja returned to his old stomping grounds on Sunday and promptly found himself with the kind of advantage that practically demands three points. During a two-minute span in the first half, FC Dallas’ Daniel Hernandez and Blas Pérez were each awarded red cards, leaving the home side with just nine men and giving the Rapids a golden chance to collect three badly needed points. And despite their season-long struggle to score away from home, Colorado went out and capitalized on their man advantage, as Jaime Castrillón and Martín Rivero each scored in the [...]
Publ.Date : Mon, 07 May 2012 21:13:06 +0000

SoCal Trialists Hope to Reach Final Event in Sueño MLS
BELL GARDENS, Calif. (MLS/Newsfeed) – Once again Sueño MLS 2012 – presented by Allstate continued its search for talent, but this time there were only 30 players to see. While Chivas USA Youth Academy scouts watched the Day 2 qualifiers take part scrimmages one player stood out: James Camacho, a goalkeeper from Riverside, California. Camacho, 16, raised eyebrows not only for his striking resemblance to Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, but also for his astonishing shot-stopping skills. A onetime state champion in high school, he conceded a few goals over the weekend, but that didn’t worry him much. “I was very [...]
Publ.Date : Fri, 04 May 2012 01:13:24 +0000

SoCal Trialists Hope to Reach Final Event in Sueño MLS
BELL GARDENS, Calif. (MLS/Newsfeed) – Once again Sueño MLS 2012 – presented by Allstate continued its search for talent, but this time there were only 30 players to see. While Chivas USA Youth Academy scouts watched the Day 2 qualifiers take part scrimmages one player stood out: James Camacho, a goalkeeper from Riverside, California. Camacho, 16, raised eyebrows not only for his striking resemblance to Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, but also for his astonishing shot-stopping skills. A onetime state champion in high school, he conceded a few goals over the weekend, but that didn’t worry him much. “I was very [...]
Publ.Date : Fri, 04 May 2012 01:13:24 +0000

Quakes Find Way Even When Wondo?s Not Finding Net
SAN JOSE, Calif. (MLS/Lepper) – The San Jose Earthquakes’ depth might have passed its biggest milestone yet on Saturday, when the club showed that a Chris Wondolowski goal is no longer a prerequisite for winning. While Wondolowski turned in what he considered a subpar performance against the Philadelphia Union, the Quakes continued to dominate the ball – eventually winning the possession battle 59-41 percent – and found goals in the 76th and 93rd minutes from Steven Lenhart to post a 2-1 victory. It was San Jose’s first win without a goal from Wondolowski since June 11 of last year, when [...]
Publ.Date : Thu, 03 May 2012 02:13:56 +0000

Rosales, Fernandez Closing in on Full Fitness for Seattle
TUKWILA, Wash. (MLS/Oshan) – - Gearing up for what is arguably their biggest game of 2012 season, the Seattle Sounders are holding out hope they’ll be at their healthiest since First Kick. Injured midfielders Álvaro Fernández and Mauro Rosales both expressed measured optimism on Monday that they’ll be ready to go when the Sounders host the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night (10 pm ET; watch LIVE online). “I’m working on it, the pain is still not going away, but I think it will be okay for Wednesday,” Rosales told reporters at training on Monday. “I have inflammation and a little [...]
Publ.Date : Wed, 02 May 2012 03:13:01 +0000

Impact?s Rivas Appears in Friendly As Road Back Ramps Up
MONTREAL (MLS/Newsfeed) – Former Inter Milan center back Nelson Rivas, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the Montreal Impact’s preseason trip to Mexico, made his long-awaited comeback during a friendly at Centre Claude-Robillard on a windy Sunday afternoon. Rivas helped the Impact keep a clean sheet as they thrashed Dartmouth College 5-0 thanks to a double by Eduardo Sebrango and goals from Hassoun Camara, Josh Gardner and Evan James. The Colombian seemed comfortable through the 60 minutes he spent on the pitch, winning the vast majority of his duels and running at ease. Rivas’ passing was a [...]
Publ.Date : Tue, 01 May 2012 04:12:44 +0000

Seattle Sounders Settle for Draw Against D.C. United
The Seattle Sounders FC were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw in their first road game of the 2012 MLS regular season, failing to get anything going against D.C. United on April 7. Neither goalkeeper was tested much during the encounter (Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning did made some crucial saves), but the Sounders missed a golden opportunity late into the game. Marc Burch almost scored off a deflected Osvaldo Alonso shot, but his header found the post instead. “I thought it was good,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. “I thought the battle that we showed [...]
Publ.Date : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:12:48 +0000

Saboria, Espindola Lead Real Salt Lake Past Rapids
SANDY, Utah – Alvaro Saboria and Fabian Espindola have been a potent 1-2 punch for Real Salt Lake in recent years. Saturday night was no different as they each scored in a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. The two now have a combined 54 goals for Real Salt Lake, with Espindola’s 29th goal tying him with former standout Robbie Findley for Real Salt Lake’s all-time lead in MLS goals scored. “Both those guys were extremely alert and bright tonight,” Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. “I’m pleased that they both got on the scoreboard but probably more pleased with [...]
Publ.Date : Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:13:17 +0000

Chelsea to Play MLS All-Stars Outside Philadelphia
LONDON — Chelsea will play the MLS All-Stars in Chester, Pa., on July 25 as part of the Premier League club’s tour of the United States. The all-star team from Major League Soccer has taken on English champion Manchester United the last two summers. Chelsea played the all-stars in 2006. Chelsea last month announced an exhibition at the Seattle Sounders on July 18. Former Poland international Peter Nowak will take charge of the MLS All-Stars for the match, which will be played at PPL Park – the home of Philadelphia Union. Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa also have announced preseason [...]
Publ.Date : Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:13:45 +0000