Not again?
Yes, a few days after a controversial referee’s decision saw Jamison Olave red-carded, another call has gone against Real Salt Lake. This time, in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Dallas, defender Tony Beltran was whistled for a handball in the box, though replays seemed to indicated it was a harsh call. "Somebody that reads the game or that is involved in the game knows that that's never a penalty kick," coach Jason Kreis said afterward.
Either way, RSL get the equalizer through Emiliano Bonfigli, and earned their second-ever point at Dallas. Watch the highlights here.
In other action on Wednesday night, Monterrey lost 2-1 to Santos Laguna, but Neri Cardozo’s late consolation goal ended up winning the series and giving Monterrey their second straight CONCACAF Champions League title. US international Herculez Gomez subbed on in the second half for Santos, but was unable to find the net.
The Philadelphia Union found the net and three points last weekend against Chivas USA, but manager Peter Nowak was ejected late in the second half. Now he’s waiting on word of any punishment from the disciplinary committee. “I know I was in the wrong spot,” Nowak said. “I know I shouldn’t have been on the field.”
Conversely, long-injured Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey is looking forward to being on the field against Chivas. He’s confident his return this weekend against the Goats will pay dividends for striker partner Omar Cummings. “I think he definitely missed me, and I missed not playing with him,” Casey said.
If this report out of Brazil is to be believed, Casey and Cummings could have a new partner soon. Former Sao Paulo and Real Betis striker Edu has reportedly signed a contract with the Colorado Rapids. (PORTUGUESE)
Speaking of players coming and going, the rumor mill is starting to churn again as the European seasons wind down.
Several English outlets are reporting that Blackburn Rovers midfielder Michel Salgado is weighing an offer from (who else?) the LA Galaxy, where he could join his friend and former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham.
On-loan striker Tristan Bowen is returning to Chivas USA, and there are plenty of questions. One blogger says: “The jury is very much still out on whether he can contribute.”
Honduran attacking midfielder Arnold Peralta reportedly has “the opportunity to participate in MLS.” No word on which clubs might be interested, though. (SPANISH)
It’s doubtful the New York Red Bulls are interested. They need defenders right now. On Wednesday, we learned that center back Stephen Keel has joined a laundry list of injured players. “We have some problems, that’s for sure,” coach Hans Backe said.
Maybe Backe can ask his star forward Thierry Henry how to solve the injury crisis. The French striker is taking questions via USA Today’s Twitter handle.
As most every MLS fan knows, there are a million questions swirling around winless Toronto FC. Earlier this week, manager Aron Winter guaranteed the club would make the playoffs. On Wednesday, MLSsoccer.com’s Elijah Miller broke down the chances of that happening.
Staying in Canada, Vancouver midfielder Matt Watson is trying to take advantage of his chances. He’s also enjoying the perks of being in MLS versus the lower divisions, such as “not having to buy my own cleats."
Dwayne De Rosario hasn’t bought his own cleats for years. But D.C. United’s reigning Golden Boot winner has yet to find the back of the net this season. Is he worried? “I don’t need to score,” he says.
That dearth of goals is probably what keeps DeRo off the Bleacher Report’s All-Star Team “based on performances so far.”
New Portland Timbers striker Mike Fucito isn’t on the list either. The former Sounder needs to get into the good graces of the Portland fans first. Behind the Axe blog puts his move in perspective, pointing out that “many outstanding players have moved from team to team often, including playing for both sides of an intense rivalry.”
Rivalries aside, the Timbers Army is obviously a point of pride for the city of Portland, if this cool time-lapse video is any indication.
Soccer has long been a point of pride in Boston, too. This pride went global in recent years as Hub-based companies purchased two storied European clubs, Liverpool and Roma. But owning a domestic club is not in the offing. "Our focus in the football world is exclusively on the Liverpool Football Club," says Sam Kennedy, the president of Fenway Sports Management.
MLS ownership is still on the table up in Minnesota, where the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings fought off a challenge to favorable conditions for having an MLS team in their new downtown stadium.
Further north, Canada are starting to prepare for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifying. And striker Kevin McKenna likes his nation’s chances, thanks in large part to MLS.
On a sadder note, an MLS club is doing what it can to help a grieving local community. D.C. United gave a donation to help repatriate the bodies of five Salvadorans killed on Tuesday due to carbon monoxide poisoning. (SPANISH)
Staying south of the US border, Mexican soccer is in a tizzy over two Club America players who feigned a kiss while celebrating a goal. The action incensed the Mexican federation’s discipline czar. But a Latino LGBT Rights advocate and blogger put the fake kiss in perspective: “Even if it was real, Mexico has worse problems to deal with.”
There seem to be few problems for Jimmy Nielsen and his family these days. The Sporting KC goalkeeper is backstopping the best team in MLS, and his wife has started blogging about their life in Kansas City for a Danish website. She seems to love KC: “I think we have never experienced such hospitality before. It really must be experienced to be believed.” (DANISH)
And lastly, speaking of behind-the-scenes blogs, US international Stuart Holden continues his video series, "No Holden Back," on KickTV.
