Here are the top 15 soccer stories we’re following today.
1. GALAXY’S TWO-MAN SHOW COMES TO THE CCL
When Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane play together they’re deadly, and their form carried over to CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday night. Keane picked up exactly where he left off from MLS action on Saturday, scoring both goals as the LA Galaxy beat CS Cartaginés 2-0 at the StubHub Center (watch highlights here). Donovan only came into the game in the 61st minute but was key in finally breaking down the opposition, providing both assists for Keane. After the match both players were quick to talk each other up.
2. ARRIVEDERCI DONOVAN?
So it begins. Where will Landon Donovan be come January? MLSsoccer.com American Exports reporter Greg Seltzer has him linked with a move to Serie A on his No Short Corners blog, including three Italian clubs who have apparently already put in enquiries. AC Milan are also rumored to be considering a bid, but only if they can get him this summer.
3. DYNAMO ESCAPE WITH ROAD POINT
The Houston Dynamo. meanwhile, logged a scoreless draw against W. Connection in Trinidad & Tobago in CCL play on Tuesday night (watch highlights here). The Dynamo, who featured a number of changes from the lineup that so convincingly defeated the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, know they may have been lucky to leave with a point.
4. HAPPY IN HOUSTON
One player currently in form for the Dynamo is midfielder Giles Barnes, now in his second season since arriving from his native England last year. Fresh from scoring two great goals over the weekend, Barnes spoke with TheGuardian about life in the US and why he thinks MLS is the place to be right now.
5. WILD NIGHT FOR AMERICAN EXPORTS
There was a two-hour delay in the other CCL game of the evening on Tuesday, between Mexico’s Club Tijuana and CD Victoria of Honduras. which eventually finished 3-2 to the Xolos (watch highlights here). American teenager Paul Arriola opened the scoring after play finally began.
6. CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Sacramento soccer fans are wondering if Major League Soccer might be in their future sometime before 2020, but is there a different way to get into the league other than a traditional expansion franchise? Here's an idea from one columnist at the Sacramento Press.
7. ORLANDO EXPANSION TALK
If taxpayer money is being used to fund a new stadium in Orlando, which in turn creates a new MLS franchise, should the taxpayers be part owners of that franchise? That’s the opinion of Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke. And if the stadium does get built, could it be expanded? Orlando City president Phil Rawlins talked about that, how many players on his team could make the jump to MLS and what he’s learned from other MLS teams in an interview with Sports Talk Florida.
8. DC STADIUM BUZZ
Up in the nation's capital, meanwhile, the DC Fiscal Policy institute takes a look at why so much public funding has been set aside for the Buzzard Point development, site of D.C. United's potential future stadium.
9. TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD
After reaching the Eastern Conference Championship in 2012, D.C. United now sit at the bottom of the table with a league-worst 13 points. Yet this negative experience could be just as important as the positive ones, according to head coach Ben Olsen, who says, “If I survive this I’ll be a much better coach.”
10. STEP BY STEP
Charlie Davies got 11 minutes of soccer on Saturday with the New England Revolution, and that's something the forward isn’t taking for granted. While we still haven’t seen much of Davies on the pitch, one thing is for certain: He's still appreciative of every chance he gets.
11. ROAD TO RECOVERY
It’s been just under six months since Jay DeMerit tore his Achilles tendon, but the Whitecaps captain could make his return to the squad for Saturday’s game against the LA Galaxy. Monte Stewart of the Canadian Press spoke to DeMerit about overcoming injury and the role his fiancée played in keeping him going. As it happens, whether he features at the weekend or not, Jay has a far tougher fixture on Sunday: his wedding.
12. FOX SOCCER DAILY REVIEW
Fox Soccer Daily made an instant impact with its Monday launch thanks to its interview with Landon Donovan. Beyond that the show has garnered positive reviews but, as SB Nation points out, there are a few problems beyond its control.
13. VALUE ON THE DOLLAR
Are MLS players undervalued? That’s the question asked by The Shin Guardian, who also looks at which players could be next in line for a big/small-money move abroad.
14. THE OTHER ROAD TO BRAZIL
Tickets for the 2014 World Cup went on sale Tuesday amid huge demand. More than 163,000 people submitted applications for tickets, with the US among the countries with the highest demand. Thinking about going? Well, assuming you manage to get a ticket, here’s how much it might set you back.
15. HARRISBURG SHOOTING
Our thoughts today with former Harrisburg City Islanders player Jason Hotchkin, who was shot and hospitalized after an altercation early Sunday morning.
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