The Timbers Army has already seen its fair share of emotional rollercoaster rides in their club’s first matches as an MLS team at JELD-WEN Field – all victories. The Portland Timbers will put that 100 percent home record on the line tonight when they host the San Jose Earthquakes in a U.S. Open Cup play-in qualifier. Here’s a preview.
The live webstream of the match will be available on PortlandTimbers.com beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET. Here’s the link for the webcast for later tonight.
The winner will advance to face the Chicago Fire in a play-in finale for a berth in the U.S. Open Cup proper on the line.
Ahead of the massive LA Galaxy vs. NY Red Bulls showdown this weekend, there’s some big news from the east coast that will interest Canadian national team fans. NYRB manager Hans Backe is under the impression that star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario has turned down the chance to play in this summer’s Gold Cup for Canada. If this is not the case, the Swedish manager says he “will be disappointed.”
Here’s one promise that’s already been made. Houston Dynamo fans have told their club’s forward Will Bruin, recently named MLS Player of the Week, that they will be coming to the stadium dressed as bears in honor of Bruin’s “dancing bear” nickname and celebration. A bear’s cave is also in the works.
In the Seattle Sounders’ search for the ideal forward partner for Fredy Montero, could the answer have been on their roster the entire time? Find out which strike combination may be the best goal-scoring option for the club.
One of Sporting Kansas City’s best options might be on his way back sooner than expected. SKC designated player Omar Bravo says on his official site that he is targeting the match against the Los Angeles Galaxy for his return to MLS action. (SPANISH)
There’s still fall-out from the FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy match from Sunday. MLSsoccer.com’s Steve Davis was on the scene at Pizza Hut Park and talks about David Beckham’s comments targeting referee Alex Prus: “The referee has done it to us before, I’m sure he’ll do it to us again.”
One item involving FC Dallas: Did you know that one of the starlets of the U.S. Under-15 boys team is the grandson of FCD manager Schellas Hyndman?
D.C. United manager Ben Olsen has not gotten over the consecutive losses to New York and Houston by 4-0 and 4-1 results. Veterans say Olsen suffers just like the players and even if it’s “not a state of panic, but it’s real worrisome.”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is not worried. He’s already practically conceded that Barcelona will advance past his club to be the first UEFA Champions League finalist. Barcelona enters tonight’s second leg against Real Madrid carrying a 2-0 lead from the first leg victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. Here’s a preview of the second leg (2:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Deportes).
Later tonight Mexican club América will look to become the first team to advance to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals when they host Neymar and Brazilian club Santos in their Round of 16 second leg (9:30 p.m. ET, Fox Deportes).
There will be a new American who will join the ranks of U.S. players in the English Premier League after his team won promotion to the top flight on Monday.
A Namibian player who plies his trade in the German Bundesliga is said to be considering MLS as a future destination after HSV Hamburg has reportedly declined to renew his contract.
A veteran of the Mexican league and Mexican national team is looking to head to MLS after announcing his departure from Toluca. He says his preference is to be in Chicago or Houston. (SPANISH)
Meanwhile, in Greece they insist that Panathinaikos forward Djibril Cisse is entertaining offers from MLS although the transfer fee of seven million euros being cited seems hefty. (GREEK)
Lastly, flying under the radar today in Miami, Fla. is a major soccer event involving FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The CONCACAF Congress will be held today and Blatter will be there to make his case for re-election on June 1.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
The latest edition of ExtraTime Radio with Houston’s Will Bruin and Chivas USA’s Robin Fraser
Changes expected for D.C. United against visiting Seattle on Wednesday
New update on Clint Dempsey’s injury status at Fulham FC
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