Former United midfielder Bobby Convey has continued his successful run with Reading Football Club in England's Coca-Cola League Championship, as the team is unbeaten in its last 24 league and cup games. Reading is currently in first place in the League Championship, four points ahead of Sheffield United. Convey has totaled three goals and four assists so far this season for Reading.
Meanwhile, former United captain Ryan Nelsen has returned to the field for the English Premier League's Blackburn Rovers. The New Zealand international went the full 90 minutes in the squad's 3-0 loss to Arsenal last Saturday. Nelsen was also named the Nike International Men's Player of the Year at the New Zealand Soccer Awards Annual Gala Dinner. The 28-year old spoke to those in attendance via a pre-recorded interview from Blackburn.
Copa Sudamericana update
The team that ousted the Black-and-Red from the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, Universidad Catolica of Chile, has advanced to the semifinals of the tournament. Catolica completed its first-leg game with powerhouse Boca Juniors, earning a 2-2 tie in Buenos Aires last on Nov. 23. The thrilling match was scoreless through 70 minutes, before each team notched two goals in the final 20. The two teams will play the second leg in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday.
On the other side of the bracket, Velez Sarsfield of Argentina and Pumas UNAM of Mexico played to a 0-0 draw in their first-leg game in Buenos Aires. The second leg is set for Wednesday.
U.S. Soccer awards
United's Santino Quaranta has been nominated for the 'Best Assist' in the 2005 'Best of U.S. Soccer' awards. Quaranta's assist came in the United States' 4-1 win over Cuba on July 7.
The 21-year old stole a poor pass from the opponents and slipped a through ball to DeMarcus Beasley, who provided the final touch. Two local establishments have also been nominated for 'Best Soccer Bar' - Summer's in Arlington, Va. and the Lucky Bar in Washington, D.C. Voting is currently underway at ussoccer.com and runs through Dec. 16.
