Kick Off: Champions League debuts, Garber hails KC
TV spots featuring Donovan and Wizards hit the airwaves
It’s a Champions League Tuesday … all around the world.
Toronto FC host Honduran side Motagua (8 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) and the LA Galaxy welcome the Puerto Rico Islanders (10 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) as MLS clubs debut in the 2010-2011 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League.
It went relatively unnoticed, but LA manager Bruce Arena rested some players in league action against San Jose last week with an eye towards Tuesday’s first leg showdown.
Meanwhile, LA Galaxy captain and US star Landon Donovan features in another commercial spot ... in Mexico.
On the subject of video spots, here’s a new one airing in Kansas City promoting the Wizards’ new stadium.
The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round will see an American in action as former Chivas USA captain Sacha Kljestan and his Belgian side Anderlecht meet The New Saints in Wales in a bid to move one step closer to the group stages.
We're real close to adding another name to the legion of Americans abroad: Conor Doyle with Derby County.
South America’s version of the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, is at the semifinal stage and Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara host Universidad de Chile in Mexico City (9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports en Espanol).
Former Chivas Guadalajara forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is all the rage in Houston as Mexican fans and Manchester United fans prepare for his Red Devils debut on Wednesday in the MLS All-Star Game.
The All-Star festivities on Tuesday feature team practices and a 7-v-7 celebrity match involving rappers, an NBA draft pick, soccer legends, as well as local baseball and football personalities.
TFC captain Dwayne De Rosario and the Galaxy players involved in Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions League matches will join the All-Stars on Wednesday.
A video game simulation of the All-Star Game, headed by FC Dallas fullback Heath Pearce, produced an interesting result.
While the status of the US manager is unclear, in Mexico they have done the unprecedented: El Tri has hired two different interim managers.
Soon heading to Mexico is Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein, who says that the Mexican league suits his style.
There was an immediate benefit to the Kansas City Wizards’ defeat of Manchester United on Sunday: 700 season tickets gobbled up fans.
Those 700 new season-ticket holders will watch Wizards matches at a new stadium beginning next year. And speaking of stadia, here’s an update from D.C. United president Kevin Payne.
Commissioner Don Garber points to KC as the formula to be followed for other cities in the United States.
In one MLS expansion city, they are already looking forward to the hiring of their new manager.
The league's 2010 expansion side, the Philadelphia Union, take on the Harrisburg City Islanders in an exhibition Tuesday night.
Lastly, the national broadcast company in Italy has taken a moral stand: no more scrutinizing controversial referee decisions.
MUST-READS ON MLSSOCCER.COM:
ALL-STAR GAME: Giggs and Manchester United ready for toughest challenge yet
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Toronto FC vs. Motagua first leg preview
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: LA Galaxy vs. Puerto Rico Islanders first leg preview
SEATTLE: Montero is the biggest beneficiary of Nkufo’s arrival
