D.C. United say the 0-0 draw in Vancouver last weekend was a step in the right direction but “now we want results,” according to veteran defender Robbie Russell.
The chance to get the first win of the season comes tonight on the NBC Sports Network as United host FC Dallas (7:30 pm ET). Captain Dwayne De Rosario says his club has to “step it up a little more at home,” where they have collected just five points in the last six league games played at RFK Stadium.
It’s a veritable injury crisis in the FC Dallas ranks. Not only did Dallas playmaker David Ferreira have to revisit the doctor this week for X-rays and MRIs, but Fabián Castillo is now officially out against D.C. with a left knee injury. George John has a hamstring strain and Ricardo Villar is playing with a rib injury.
D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid won’t be playing in tonight’s match due to injury, but he took the time to explain to TheWashington Post whether his ankle injury had anything to do with two first-half goals conceded: “No. They were good goals.” Read the rest of the interview here.
No clever, sarcastic retort from Vancouver Whitecaps forward Sébastien Le Toux after comments by his former coach Peter Nowak about a parade with streamers to welcome the Frenchman back to Philadelphia when the Whitecaps visit the Union (Sat., 4 pm ET, MLS LIVE). “I have nothing to prove to him,” Le Toux said. “I think I proved enough in two years there.”
The Whitecaps are looking to continue their shutout run to start the season. You’re probably wondering what the record is: 421 minutes to start the season as set by the 2007 New York Red Bulls.
Here’s a blog post to ponder: Is forward Eric Hassli the Zooey Deschanel of the Vancouver Whitecaps? The writer explains here.
If practices were any indication, Paolo Cardozo is likely to line up in place of an injured Landon Donovan against the New England Revolution on Saturday night (11 pm ET, NBC Sports Network). Also, Andrew Boyens looks set to pair up with A.J. DeLaGarza on the back line.
Don’t miss the live chat with Revs midfielder Lee Nguyen at 1 pm ET today on RevolutionSoccer.net.
Today is the day that the New York Red Bulls vow we’ll get the final word on Luke Rodgers’ visa situation. “I think it’s good for everybody inside the team to finally know tomorrow what’s going to happen,” said sporting director Erik Solér. The Red Bulls host the Montreal Impact on Saturday afternoon (4 pm ET, TSN and MLS LIVE).
Fans will be tuning in to see if Seattle Sounders forward David Estrada can continue his goal-scoring run on Saturday night as the rave green host the San Jose Earthquakes (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Estrada won’t be talking about it because “his humility is genuine,” says manager Sigi Schmid, who told the story of an exchange with Estrada after the opening match hat trick: "I said, 'Do you know why I subbed you?'" Schmid recalled. "He goes, 'Well, I thought because I had the yellow card.' And I said, 'No, I wanted you to hear the crowd because you scored a hat trick.’”
Portland host Real Salt Lake on Saturday night (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE) and the Timbers Army have asked members to wear hoodies to protest the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, which continues to be a national story. The Timbers will also be unveiling their third kit for the first time at the match.
We’ll see what kind of lineup Toronto FC opt to put on the field at home against the Columbus Crew on Saturday (2 pm ET, TSN and MLS LIVE). They have an important second-leg CONCACAF Champions League semifinal match coming up on Wednesday at Santos Laguna.
The matchups keep getting tougher for Chivas USA, who host East-leading Sporting Kansas City on Sunday night (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE). But the good news is that the Goats may have Blair Gavin available after a struggle with a long-term hamstring injury.
Also on Sunday, the Colorado Rapids host the Chicago Fire at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in the Galavision Game of the Week (7 pm ET, Galavision).
Another wacky story out of Mexico: Chivas de Guadalajara fired their head of security for buying a few beers for Chivas players riding the team bus when he had permission from the coaching staff. (SPANISH)
Watch to American internationals go at it later today on TV. US Olympic team member Joe Corona faces USMNT senior team midfielder José Francisco Torres when Pachuca host Tijuana (10 pm ET, Galavision). Meanwhile, the Bundesliga Friday night game is Borussia Dortmund against Stuttgart on ESPN Deportes.
German fans are creative. Schalke 04 fans protested the cost of tickets for the Europa League return leg at Athletic Bilbao next week with this banner at yesterday’s first leg: “Tickets at 90 Euros = 1 Euro per minute? Soccer is not phone sex.” (PHOTO)
Did we say that German fans are creative? See how the fans at FC Magdeburg are helping their team end a goal-scoring drought. Easy. They’re pointing to the spot with a giant arrow. (VIDEO)
Have you heard about the video of a South Carolina soccer player, Annette McCullough, who pummeled an opponent after getting tripped up? (VIDEO)
The most entertaining video of the day would have to be Diego Maradona abandoning a match and going into the stands to defend his entourage against opposing fans in the United Arab Emirates. (VIDEO)
Lastly, KickTV host Jimmy Conrad talks to women’s national team star Alex Morgan about a variety of subjects, including the now-famous Sports Illustrated body paint photos. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
First openly gay North American soccer player gives his views on the Colin Clark situation on the latest ExtraTime Radio
MLS Managers Survey: Head coaches give their verdict on Copa Libertadores participation
The Throw-In: Enough’s enough for US soccer fans after brutal 12 months
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