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20 March 12:35 de la tarde

Portland Timbers' Merritt Paulson, Sporting Kansas City's Robb Heineman named to SBJ's "40 Under 40" list

By Charles Boehm

Two of the brightest, boldest executives in MLS have earned places on Sports Business Journal's annual “Forty Under 40” list of top young personalities in the sports business world.

 

Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson and Sporting Kansas City part-owner Robb Heineman (right) have received the honor, a repeat feat for both men.

In fact, it's the third straight year Paulson has made the list, elevating him to the “Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame,” while Heineman (at right, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber) can savor a second consecutive nomination.

As part of the honor, SBJ profiled both executives, hailing Heineman's role in his club's renaissance over the past two years and his forward-leaning approach to technology and fan relations.

“Through social media, we’re trying to give fans a sense of ownership,” Heineman said. “They’re not just fans, but they help shape some of the decisions that we make.”

Meanwhile, Paulson spoke to the publication about his outspoken public profile and use of Twitter to connect with the public – and occasionally even share his opinions of refereeing decisions and the like.

 

“I’m trying to be a little bit less of the face of the team this season,” Paulson (right) told SBJ. “I don’t mind being out there, but if the owner is too much a part of the story of the team, that’s ultimately a negative thing.”

LA Galaxy and Chivas USA fans may be interested to note that Ray Elias, chief marketing officer for StubHub, who will assume naming rights for the Home Depot Center later this year, is also on the list. 

Business Social Media Front Office Awards
Portland Timbers Sporting Kansas City
20 March 11:52 de la mañana

Peter Nowak lands new technical job with Delaware soccer club

By MLSsoccer staff

From the department of What Ever Happened To….

As rumored as long ago as January by some keen-eyed bloggers in Philadelphia, it looks like former Union head coach Peter Nowak (above) has landed a new job as the new technical adviser for the Kirkwood Soccer Club based in New Castle, Del.

Nowak, who was fired from the Union on June 13, 2012, will be running technical training sessions for the club beginning April 1, according to a recent announcement on Kirkwod’s Facebook page.

Philadelphia Union
20 March 11:30 de la mañana

Le Toux au coin rapporte des points

By Matthias Van Halst
Coup Franc

Surprenant deuxième du classement avec six points, Philadelphie compte en ses rangs le seul joueur de la compétition directement impliqué dans un but (en le marquant ou en donnant la dernière passe) lors de chacune des trois premières semaines de championnat : Sébastien Le Toux.

Malgré la défaite initiale contre Kansas City, l’attaquant français avait réussi son retour à PPL Park en inscrivant le premier but de la saison 2013. Depuis, il n’a plus trouvé le fond des filets mais a permis à Okugo d’ouvrir la marque à Colorado (vidéo ci-dessous) avant d’offrir ce week-end à McInerney le seul but du match contre New England.

Ses deux passes décisives sont venues de la même manière : un corner botté côté gauche vers le buteur posté au petit rectangle. Au cours des deux dernières saisons, il n’avait offert qu’un seul but sur corner, à Danny Mwanga lors de la plantureuse victoire 2-6 de Philadelphie à Toronto le 28 mai 2011 (source Vision du Jeu). Encore de la gauche, encore au petit rectangle… Pas étonnant que pour le moment, Philadelphie soit avec Columbus l’équipe la plus efficace sur corner.

L’an dernier au même stade de la compétition, on ne comptait également qu’un seul joueur impliqué dans au moins un but lors de chacune des trois premières semaines : Graham Zusi, qui entamait ainsi la meilleure saison de sa carrière. Tout Philadelphie espère évidemment que l’année 2013 de Sébastien Le Toux sera du même acabit.

Player Analytics
Philadelphia Union
MLS Regular Season
20 March 10:23 de la mañana

Talon, mascota de D.C. United vuela por lo alto y le da un título más a su equipo

By Diego Pinzón
Tiro Libre

D.C. United es el equipo más laureado en la Major League Soccer.

Además de cuatro títulos de la MLS, dos U.S. Open Cups, una Copa de Campeones de Concacaf y una Copa Interamericana, entre otros, D.C. ha sumado otro trofeo “igual” de prestigioso en sus vitrinas. (Nota: las comillas en la palabra igual representan las alas del personaje laureado)

Un canal de TV de Washington, D.C. invitó a las mascotas de los clubes deportivos locales a un torneo de baloncesto, en el cual solo puede haber un ganador. Lo anterior, en honor al March Madness, el campeonato universitario de baloncesto que se juega durante esta época en los Estados Unidos.

Talon, la mascota del D.C. United participó por sexta vez consecutiva en el campeonato y por primera vez se quedó con el trofeo del Mascot Madness. Talon derrotó con una canasta de tres puntos en la final al tricampeón defensor Screech, la mascota de los Washington Nationals de la Major League Baseball.

Sin lugar a dudas, y como observamos en el video inmediatamente anterior, su preparación fue la clave para obtener el tan anhelado trofeo, y aunque su oponente en la final le jugó sucio por momentos, los dos metros de largo (en las alas) de Talon vencieron en los dos minutos que duró el partido. Es de notar que Screech, quizás como burla hacia Talon, incluso utilizó sus pies en la final; pero el representante del United no cedió ante la presión, y a pesar de ser la mascota del equipo de fútbol profesional de la ciudad tan solo usó sus pies para elevarse y derrotar a su rival.

Talon no solo venció a Screech en la final, sino que para poder llegar al último partido del Mascot Madness, tuvo que sobreponerse a Mason y a Slapshot, las mascotas de la Universidad de George Mason y de los Washington Capitals de la NHL, respectivamente.

Para ver el partido completo en el que Talon venció a Screech, haga clic aquí.

D.C. United recibe en casa a Columbus Crew este sábado en el RFK Stadium, a partir de las 3:30 pm, hora del Este.

League
D.C. United
20 March 10:14 de la mañana

MLS Cup winner Smith sacked by Stevenage

By MLSsoccer staff

A quick hit from the world of one-time MLS Cup champions: Former Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith has been released by English League One side Stevenage after the club suffered their 14th defeat in the past 18 games on Tuesday night, 2-0 to Bury.

"After a very promising start with a new squad, we have slipped alarmingly and the board are concerned that the present management team may be unable to deliver the club's vision of increasing attendances and developing players in a winning environment," Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace told the club's web site. "We have waited longer than most others in similar circumstances, but we cannot in all good conscience continue to watch this downward spiral and do nothing."

Smith, 44, led the Rapids to their only league title in franchise history in 2010 before he and the club parted ways following the 2011 season. He joined Stevenage in January 2012.

Colorado Rapids
19 March 6:40 de la tarde

Carlos Bocanegra responds to Jurgen Klinsmann USMNT omission on Twitter, Facebook

By Jonah Freedman

Say what you will about Carlos Bocanegra and whether he's the same player he was during the past two World Cups. But the dude is a professional.

It's been a tough week for the US national team captain, omitted from camp by Jurgen Klinsmann for a lack of minutes with Racing Santander and name-dropped repeatedly in the bombshell article by the Sporting News' Brian Straus as a flashpoint for what is reportedly a rift between squad and coach.

But on Tuesday, Bocanegra took the highest road possible on all the relevant social-networking venues. First, he penned a thoughtful, respectful few lines on his Facebook page:

"During the last 18 months, Jurgen has introduced a lot of new ideas to the team and has a vision of how he wants to grow the program," he wrote. "Every coach around the world has his own style and methods. He has always been up front with players about where they stand and where he sees them going.

"Not every player is going to be happy with all of the decisions and methods, but he will tell you to your face where you stand. From a coach, that is the best thing you could ask for. One of the greatest strengths of this team has always been our unity and spirit, and we all remain committed to the cause of qualifying for the World Cup."

Then, he added some thoughts on his Twitter account:

It's that kind of leadership that makes fans hope Boca is back in the picture soon.

US National Team American Exports
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
19 March 6:30 de la tarde

MLS Fantasy: Have your questions answered by the Experts on Thursday

By Ben Jata

MLS Experts Jason Saghini and Andrew Wiebe will be back again on Thursday for another episode of “Starting Lineup,” our new MLS Fantasy Soccer: Manager series dedicated strictly to helping you field your Best XI possible. So if you're having trouble figuring out who to start, who to pick up, who to drop or just a general question about the game let us know. We're here to talk fantasy soccer, that's it!

Post your questions in the comments section below or tweet them to @MLSFantasy, the offical MLS twitter account for everything FS:M related. And if for some reason you missed the second episode of Starting Lineup last week, check it out below.

Fantasy Feature
MLS Regular Season
19 March 11:48 de la mañana

Écoutez Coup Franc : rivalités, polémiques et mémoires

By Matthias Van Halst
Coup Franc

La semaine des rivalités nous a offert un programme intense le week-end dernier, et c’est le sujet principal de notre émission hebdomadaire (à écouter ici) :
- On revient sur le match Montréal - Toronto, la manière dont l’Impact a gagné, l’importance de Bernier dans le jeu montréalais, l’apport des ailiers, le travail effectué à l’entraînement, l’ambiance au Stade olympique.
- Retour sur d’autres rencontres, principalement Dallas - Houston et Seattle - Portland.
- Après trois semaines de compétition, quel est le joueur désigné qui se distingue le plus et quel est le meilleur nouveau venu ?
- Les polémiques arbitrales de la semaine :

- La sélection américaine en vue de ses deux prochains matchs des éliminatoires de la Coupe du monde
- Club de lecture : « La Balle au centre », les mémoires de Thierry Roland, commentateur mythique à la télévision française. Les animateurs de l’émission discutent de son style, de sa personnalité, de son franc-parler, de son image, de la Coupe du monde 1998, etc.

L'émission Coup Franc est disponible sur Stitcher et iTunes. Vous pouvez nous joindre par courriel (coup.franc@MLSsoccer.com), sur Facebook ou sur Twitter (@CoupFrancMLS).

Designated Player Soccer Culture Stadium US National Team Match Reaction Podcast Referees Rivalry
Chivas USA D.C. United FC Dallas Houston Dynamo LA Galaxy Montreal Impact New York Red Bulls Portland Timbers Real Salt Lake Seattle Sounders FC Toronto FC
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers MLS Regular Season
18 March 4:27 de la tarde

Guillermo Barros Schelotto se rencontró con un viejo amigo

By Diego Pinzón
Tiro Libre

Guillermo Barros Schelotto, jugador más valioso de la MLS en 2008 con el Columbus Crew, ídolo en el club de Ohio y en el Boca Juniors argentino, se rencontró este fin de semana con un viejo amigo.

El “Mellizo”, hoy DT de Lanús, se enfrentó a su amigo y excompañero en Boca, Martín Palermo, quien dirige actualmente a Godoy Cruz. El emotivo saludo al comienzo del partido, no lo fue tanto al cierre del mismo.

La razón: Guillermo venció a Martín en Mendoza por 1-0, y quedarse así como el único líder del campeonato argentino.

Lanús es el equipo al cual pertenece el volante creativo de Portland Timbers, Diego Valeri, quien se encuentra en préstamo por un año con opción de compra.

 

Columbus Crew
18 March 1:50 de la tarde

MLS Insider: Behind-the-scenes for a full day of TV with NBC

By Josh Whisenhunt
MLS Insider

This weekend was a special one in MLS history.

No, there weren't a ton of goals, but the coverage of the first-ever #RivalryDay from NBC and the NBC Sports Network was unlike anything the League has seen in its history, and we were lucky enough to tag along for the whole ride.

How does the old saying go? There ain't no business like show business? After seeing first-hand the work that went into the day's production, we can definitely confirm.  

At 10am on Saturday morning, Arlo White, Kyle Martino, Russ Thaler and other members of the NBC crew arrived at Red Bull Arena. First order of business, making sure Kyle's hair was just right. 

After everyone was set up, dressed and ready to go, it was time for a little rehearsal. Had the cameras been rolling, you wouldn't have known the difference, this stuff is second nature for these guys.

Just before the end of the first half, we headed up to the booth. Way up. Arlo was basically on the roof of RBA, accompanied by vast amounts of note cards laid out on the desk in front of him that apparently he never needs to use.

He makes it look easy, but you probably knew that already. We were lucky enough to catch him just before another one of New York's fizzled chances. 

During a typical match, White is up in the booth while Thaler is watching the match from the set, taking notes on major moments that occur during the run of play.

Martino's set up is a bit more tricky.

As the lead analyst he's situated right between the team benches, armed with a monitor of the broadcast, a headset and most importantly his own eyes and ears to tell you exactly what he's seeing and hearing on pitch level.

There can be distractions. When the broadcasts first started, it was usually assistant coaches and substitutes who weren't aware that Martino was actually on the air. They'd be tugging on their buddy's shirt while he's trying to describe what happened during the latest chance. On Saturday, it was a guy in the stands who screamed "MARTINO! MARTINO!" for, no joke, 45 minutes straight. Fun times.

As the final whistle sounded, discussions were well underway between Thaler and the day's producer, Shaw Brown, to prepare for the show's postgame interview.

There had been no goalscorer in the match, thanks in large part to the heroics of Bill Hamid. Thierry Henry had done the pregame and while there was some talk about having Dax McCarty on, in the end Hamid was the only choice.

Literally, as soon as the lights went down and Hamid exited the set, we were in the van and on the way to Stamford. So, what do three of North America's preeminent soccer broadcasters talk about when they have an hour to kill on a car ride? Lots of soccer, it turns out.

We didn't have any goals in the Sporting Kansas City - Chicago Fire match, but that doesn't mean the crew wasn't watching. 

Roughly halfway through the ride legit preparations for the Breakaway show became the focus. A four-hour rehearsal was executed earlier in the week, but there's only so much you can do to prepare for coverage of simultaneous live sporting events. At this point, we had news.  

At the time, that news focused around Henry, trying to determine exactly what his status was following the match and how it might play into the show that evening. 

With about 55 minutes to air, our crew pulled up to the gorgeous new NBC studios in Stamford. The guys had to rush inside to get setup with makeup and suits, but there was still some time to savor the moment.

Finally, after a day of rehearsal, calling an entire match earlier in the afternoon and a car ride spanning three states, the lights came on. Go time.

At halftime of RSL-Colorado, we snuck out of the studio and headed for the control room, where Brown was running the show along with coordinating producer, Pierre Moossa. We had no clue exactly what was going on, it was pretty cool to watch it all go down.

You might think two-and-a-half hours of desk analysis and highlights would be a slog for these guys, but the time flew by. By the end, everyone was surprisingly fresh and ready for another go-around again someday.