Awards always bring the best out of players who win them.
For the LA Galaxy’s Donovan Ricketts, who was voted MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, he says that being named No. 1 goalkeeper feels good for now but “it’s going to be replaced with MLS Cup.”
The response from Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey when he found out Ricketts took the award over RSL’s Nick Rimando: “small market” as in small-market bias.
Seattle Sounders manager Sigi Schmid recognizes that Ricketts is one of a few “cagey” veterans on the Galaxy who will know how to take the air out of their second-leg match on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Sounders will be on a mission to score goals with a 1-0 deficit to make up in the aggregate-goal series.
The Galaxy host the Seattle Sounders in the last first-round playoff match of the weekend. The first is played tonight at Red Bull Arena as New York look to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time in club history (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Just because New York hold a 1-0 aggregate-goal lead from the first leg, don’t expect the Red Bulls to sit back and defend. Manager Hans Backe says that is a recipe for disaster.
San Jose’s Golden Boot winner, Chris Wondolowski, says that some on his team would rather be down a goal going into the second leg than sitting on a 1-0 lead.
New York rookie Tim Ream says “there is a little bit of worry” that his team enters the second leg with only a one-goal margin.
Ream will hope to be among Bob Bradley's call-ups for a match that will reportedly be held between the US and Argentina in Seattle in March 2011.
Joining the ESPN studio show for tonight’s playoff match-up between New York and San Jose is former Liverpool great Steve McManaman.
Ahead of the weekend, ESPN’s soccer analysts break down the MLS playoff second legs.
Former MetroStars PR man and current ESPN The Magazine writer Jeff Bradley gives perspective to what a potential Eastern Conference Championship match at Red Bull Arena would mean.
There is talk in Columbus that playoff elimination on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids could be the end of an era. One writer says that even with one MLS Cup and two Supporters' Shield, fans would feel that the team’s potential went unfulfilled if the Crew fail to advance.
But then again, the four Crew players older than age 33 say they have no plans to retire.
Revs scoring legend Taylor Twellman is stepping away from the game and he's not even reached the age of 33. He is doing something about the impact of concussions, which caused him to end his career and is now part of an MLS committee that is studying concussions in soccer.
The video of Twellman’s collision with then LA Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin brings chills, especially with the knowledge that it may have led him to Wednesday’s announcement to step away.
An anecdote from Twellman’s career: His family thought that his extra-time goal in MLS Cup 2006 against the Houston Dynamo had won the title for the Revolution, but the golden-goal rule was no longer in force.
Maybe Twellman can have a conversation with NFL player Troy Polamalu, who becomes the latest person to take a shot at soccer in protesting the NFL’s new rules against helmet-to-helmet hits.
Someone who plays cleanly is MLS Fair Play award winner Sebastien Le Toux, who says teammate Danny Mwanga was disappointed not to have won the Rookie of the Year award and that Andy Najar’s selection was a “shock.”
If there is any shock, it’s that Najar went from anonymity with D.C. United’s academy to a starter’s role with the first team in 2010. The youngest Rookie of the Year in the history of pro sports is now on his way to getting a pay raise.
After hiring Jürgen Klinsmann’s company to help reshape Toronto FC moving forward, the club’s owner says he wished he made the decision to bring on the German five years ago.
The Chicago Fire will not be joining Toronto FC on the lookout for a new manager. It looks like Mexican manager Carlos de los Cobos is confirmed to be back for 2011.
Chivas USA are looking for a new head coach but their manager in 2010, Martin Vasquez, says he wanted to continue and the club did not show enough patience.
After rumors of Michael Owen coming to MLS on Wednesday, it is time for European veteran Mateja Kezman to state his interest in moving to the US top flight. MLS is also on the radar of one Frenchman who was also released by French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Former Mexican international Ramón Moráles did not rule out potentially moving to MLS following a disappointing season with Estudiantes Tecos. Ecuadoran Iván Hurtado is another one saying there is interest from the USA in his services.
The Vancouver Whitecaps hope to keep former Everton player Cody Arnoux for 2011 but a report says that MLS may force the player to be included in the SuperDraft.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps formally announced their new Dutch youth director.
While the Whitecaps continue a six-week training camp, Portland Timbers manager John Spencer is on the hunt for international talent in South America.
In Yanks Abroad news, Clarence Goodson has signed a three-year contract with Danish powers Brondby.
Finally, who thought that Paul the Octopus had a successor? Get to know Paul The Second here.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
San Jose’s Geovanni sees second leg vs. NY as chance to shine
Jets kicker Folk ready for Thursday’s San Jose vs. New York showdown
Chang’s goal after the World Series is to win MLS Cup with D.C. United
