There has rarely been a more intriguing Open Cup match-up than the one that awaits fans tonight as the LA Galaxy travel to face the Seattle Sounders in a quarterfinal, which is sold out. The game will also be broadcast live on the Sounders website.
The single-elimination game will be a rematch of Sunday's 3-1 Galaxy victory over Seattle in league play at the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy also trounced Seattle at Qwest Field 4-0 earlier in the season. Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer blames the coaches, trainers, players and himself for the squad’s recent stretch of poor results.
Wednesday's quarterfinal winner will face Chivas USA in the semis. The Goats used their regular starting lineup to defeat the Houston Dynamo’s reserves on Tuesday and reach their first US Open Cup semifinal in club history. Houston coach Dominic Kinnear was not a happy camper after witnessing his team give up three goals in the loss.
Columbus also advanced to the semis after defeating Third Division side Charleston 3-0. The highlight of the night: Emilio Renteria’s penalty kick, which lifted the goal posts off the grass.
The awarding of the penalty kick was disputed by Charleston, as they claim Steven Lenhart wasn't fouled on the play.
Even if the Crew win the Open Cup, it's likely the automatic CONCACAF Champions League qualifying berth awarded in the past won't be there anymore for the winner.
MLS league action returns on Thursday night with the ESPN2 Game of the Week featuring the defending champions Real Salt Lake traveling to Toyota Park to face the Chicago Fire. RSL will be without captain Kyle Beckerman. The update on his status is that there is no update.
Chicago’s Justin Mapp feels he could be back for this game and midfielder John Thorrington is inching closer to making his return to the Fire midfield.
D.C. United’s midfield has never been the same after the emergence of 17-year-old star Andy Najar. The club is advising Najar to put all national team talk aside for the time being.
As far as D.C. United’s back line is concerned, it was good news / bad news for the Black-and-Red on Tuesday.
In what will be a first this weekend, LA defender Omar Gonzalez is set to miss his first match as a member of the Galaxy for a yellow card received a month ago.
There's an update on the New England Revolution stadium front with a potential site in Somerville, Mass., still in the mix.
Toronto’s soccer stadium, BMO Field, will be home to an import from Spain’s La Liga: Mista.
TFC are currently training in the heat and sun to prepare for the midday kickoff on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.
In the meantime, talk of another stadium and expansion club in Canada begins to gain momentum.
One of next year's expansion clubs, the Portland Timbers, are currently riding the form of an MLS first round SuperDraft selection.
This afternoon’s other World Cup semifinal between Germany and Spain is sure to have The Globe Pub in Chicago abuzz.
One writer suggests that US fans can look at this German squad and see the work that Jürgen Klinsmann is capable of doing should he take over the USMNT.
US World Cup forward Jozy Altidore recently visited the New York Mets clubhouse to chat with All-Star third baseman David Wright, who was living and dying with the USMNT during the World Cup.
After their elimination in the World Cup, Brazil are ringing in the changes. One of them includes Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
Mexican World Cup veteran Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who played for El Tri in South Africa, says that he will decide on his next club destination by Friday and that could include a return to MLS.
In Mexico, there is one club that is already fully prepared for its participation in SuperLiga with the coach stating he already knows what his starting XI will look like.
Finally, straight from NASA.gov, an analysis of the Jabulani ball featuring none other than San Jose Earthquakes defender Stephen Beitashour.
