Even with the Sounders down 1-0 after the first leg against the LA Galaxy, Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller is still confident ahead of next Sunday’s rematch. He says his club will "make it happen" and do whatever it takes to get a win at the Home Depot Center.
Regardless of the final result against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, it’s proven to be a big year for the Sounders' Colombian star Fredy Montero. Off the field he purchased a home and also has become a US permanent resident.
Another star who looks to be feeling more comfortable is New York Red Bulls Designated Player Thierry Henry, who is battling a right knee injury. His manager, Hans Backe, confirmed the fact that the Frenchman trained on Monday and “looked surprisingly well” after the 90-minute session.
Whether or not Henry is available to play in the second leg match-up against the San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday night, the Red Bulls have discovered a 17-year-old forward who has proven a very capable back-up.
Henry may be carrying an injury, but he is a big NBA fan and did not miss the Miami Heat’s visit to play the New Jersey Nets last weekend. LeBron James took advantage and made sure he got his photo taken with his favorite soccer star.
Another Red Bulls newcomer in 2010, Joel Lindpere, is the Estonian version of Saturday Night Live funny men Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd, according to one teammate.
Another writer says that Lindpere, who scored the only goal in San Jose last Saturday, is RBNY’s team MVP over the club’s Designated Players.
Unlike the Red Bulls, who will be riding a 1-0 first leg victory against the Earthquakes, the defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake have to make up a one-goal deficit at home against FC Dallas. But they are very confident they can pull it off.
Confidence is also the buzzword in Columbus, where Robbie Rogers feels good about his team’s chances of overcoming their opening loss against Colorado and defeating the Rapids at home.
While the MLS season is winding down for several clubs, the Vancouver Whitecaps are in full-training camp mode as manager Teitur Thordarson makes some final cuts ahead of the 2010 Expansion Draft on Nov. 24.
The cuts were raining down in Portland, where there was also a surprise name among the players let go by the Timbers.
The Whitecaps’ new home in 2011, BC Place Stadium, will have a retractable roof but will not be able to be closed while it’s raining.
Ahead of a 2011 season that is expected to see the revival of Northwest rivalries between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver fans, the three groups have banded together to make their voice heard on the number of tickets that should be made available to traveling fans.
In Kansas City, they are handing out report cards at the The Kansas City Star, where they grade tough. It turns out none of the Wizards earned a single “A” grade.
The Philadelphia Union’s president will be departing the club during the offseason in a move that had been contemplated for some time.
With all the talk about the possibility of changes to the playoff format in MLS, one veteran soccer writer suggests a minor change to the current system.
The changes will be major in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) as two more clubs are on the verge of folding.
The troubles in the WPS did not hold back the US women’s national team, which defeated Costa Rica and will next face Mexico or Canada for a spot in the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
Lastly, UEFA Champions League action today includes the return of Rafa Benítez to England as Inter face Tottenham Hotspur (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel). American Maurice Edu and Glasgow Rangers travel to take on Spanish club Valencia (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus). Denmark’s FC Copenhagen host FC Barcelona (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Deportes).
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