In their last run-through before MLS First Kick on March 15 at Qwest Field, both the Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy turned up winners on Wednesday. However, both now face injuries to starters that may carry over to the first game of the MLS season.
Seattle saw Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans fall to injury in a 3-1 win over Colorado. And in Los Angeles, there is concern over goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who was not able to play in the win against UCLA yesterday.
Meanwhile there’s still work to do in Toronto and Chicago, the teams on the losing end on the second day of the Carolina Challenge Cup. TFC lost to a USL-Pro team for the second time this preseason while Chicago went a goal down and a man down to D.C. United.
According to DC manager Ben Olsen, the Man of the Match in the game involving his team was a rookie who went to school at nearby University of South Carolina.
In the Atlanta Pro Soccer Challenge, the Columbus Crew were the big winners on the day, rediscovering a healthy starting goalkeeper and potentially finding the heir for ex-forward Steven Lenhart.
The preseason slate of matches in Arizona have wrapped up, but one writer believes the last month bolsters the argument that the area should be considered for an expansion team.
One of the last matches in Arizona gained the most headlines with the desert melee between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City. RSL manager Jason Kreis describes what happened on Tuesday night in this radio segment. (AUDIO)
RSL may have played their last exhibition match before next week’s CONCACAF Champions League semifinal first leg, but they’ll be busy this Saturday as grand marshals of the 33rd annual Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Philadelphia Union have finally returned stateside after a lengthy but productive trip to Greece, according to manager Peter Nowak.
Still making moves is first-year head coach Robin Fraser at Chivas USA. Jesus Padilla seems to be on the outs, while the team is close to formally announcing its latest import. Jimmy Conrad calls him a “man-mountain.”
The countdown to First Kick continues in Vancouver, where the team’s latest promotional video struck a chord. Maybe it’s because it involved a model wearing body paint?
The other 2011 expansion team, the Portland Timbers, are looking forward to inaugurating the new PGE Park, which they are calling soccer’s version of Fenway Park.
The turf battle for TV talent continues between ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel, where after JP Dellacamera’s move to FSC, another personality – a favorite of the ExtraTime Radio crew – has also switched sides.
Staying in the TV world, the producer of an upcoming documentary on the US vs. Mexico rivalry makes the interesting point that Mexican fans excel against their American counterparts as far as being knowledgeable about the opposition.
If you’ve read every Charlie Davies story out there, here’s a video interview with D.C. United’s new star, who shared vivid details of his car accident in October 2009. (VIDEO)
After two days of UEFA Champions League action, it’s the Europa League that takes center stage today with Sporting Braga vs. Liverpool (1 pm ET, GolTV) and Ajax Amsterdam vs. Spartak Moscow (3 pm ET, GolTV). There’s also a Copa Libertadores double-header on Fox Deportes beginning at 5 pm ET.
Lost in all the Champions League talk was yesterday’s EPL match between Everton and Birmingham City, where American goalkeeper Tim Howard likely wishes he could have done better to stop the only goal he gave up. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Road Trip to First Kick: Sit-down interview with Golden Boot champion
Climbing the Ladder: defending MLS Cup champs usually have hot starts
New MLS iPhone and iPad apps unveiled
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