Here are the Top 15 soccer stories we’re following today.
1. ALL CHANGE AT CHIVAS USA?
Rumors breaking last night suggest big changes are on the way at Chivas USA, with free agent Carlos Bocanegra possibly arriving while four Chivas players have been released. What is going on? Are we about to see a huge overhaul of the Goats?
2. QUAKES STUN LA LATE AS GOONIES RETURN
Staying in San Jose: “Hey youuuu guys!” Heading into stoppage time at a sold-out Stanford Stadium in the California Clásico on Saturday night, 50,000 people couldn’t have predicted what would happen next. LA were leading 2-1, but by the end of stoppage time, San Jose were 3-2 winners. The Goonies did it again. Alan Gordon’s winner sent San Jose’s fans berserk. “I don’t think those things are supposed to happen, really,” Quakes coach Mark Watson said. “It’s one thing to be down a couple of goals, but to be down a player as well…” The Goonies never say die.
3. LA'S BRUCE ARENA: “I’M EMBARRASSED”
While San Jose celebrated yet another famous come-from-behind victory, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena was seething with his side's performance: “I'm absolutely embarrassed at that performance. Give our opponent credit, you can't take that away, but our performance is embarrassing. It's disgraceful.” Arena continued his tirade, too. “It's embarrassing, our performance at the end of the game. That's all on me. That's my responsibility with this team.”
4. McCOURT HEADING TO SAN JOSE?
Winger Paddy McCourt is believed to be on his way to the San Jose Earthquakes after leaving Scottish champions Celtic. The 29-year-old Northern Ireland international was a fan favorite at Parkhead, but is said to be extremely close to joining the Quakes.
5. RED BULLS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Searching for their first win in three, the New York Red Bulls dominated the Houston Dynamo to pick up a 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena on Sunday. Thierry Henry pointed out an unsung hero for particular praise. “The key today was Eric Alexander,” said Henry. “Every time he got the ball, he tried to turn and go forward. For me, that was the key and he unlocked the game with his passing.”
6. GOALS GALORE IN KC, PHILLY AND MONTREAL
What an incredible weekend it was in MLS. Sporting KC downed the Columbus Crew, 3-2, thanks to a Kei Kamara double in a wild game. Meanwhile, FC Dallas scored late to pin Philadelphia back and grab a 2-2 draw. And up in Montreal, the Colorado Rapids won a seven-goal thriller after being down 3-2 to the Impact with 12 minutes to go. One of, if not the best, game in MLS this season.
7. EIGHT GAMES, 27 GOALS: WATCH THEM ALL HERE
It was a goalfest in MLS, so sit back, get yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and watch all 27 goals scored this past weekend. Some stunning strikes, with an average of more than three goals per game. Who can complain?
8. SALT LAKE, VANCOUVER RECORD SLENDER ROAD WINS
Two other MLS games saw just two goals. But that doesn’t mean they were short of controversy. Real Salt Lake snatched a 1-0 win away at Toronto to stay top of the West, as TFC had several late chances cleared off the line. In D.C., Ben Olsen lost the plot as Vancouver were awarded a late penalty kick which red-hot 'Caps attacker Camilo converted for the 1-0 win.
9. OLSEN BLOWS HIS TOP
After that late debatable penalty call on D.C. United’s Bill Hamid, United head coach Olsen didn't hide his disdain for the decision: “They gave me everything they had. And the joker in the middle did not do a good job. He failed the guys in the locker room, my guys that put their heart out there.”
10. JIMMY NIELSEN: “I WAS SICK IN MY HEAD FOR GAMBLING”
This is an extract from the latest book published by Sporting KC captain and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. The Dane speaks about his gambling habit that almost ruined his soccer career and more: “Already, at 20 years old, I was sick in my head for gambling. I honestly can't tell you what was going through my mind as I stood outside that bathroom door, beyond the simple thought that I needed to get some money to bet with.”
11. GATT, ASHE TO MISS GOLD CUP?
Both Josh Gatt and Corey Ashe are understood to be injury concerns for the US national team ahead of the Gold Cup. The duo have had injury issues while on national team duty before, and it seems as though their bad luck may continue. If they don’t make it, who should Jurgen Klinsmann call up?
12. BUZZ BUILDING FOR 2013 AT&T MLS ALL-STAR GAME IN KANSAS CITY
Sporting Park was rocking on Saturday night against Columbus and you can expect more of the same come July 31 when AS Roma come to town. Preparations are in full swing according to the Kansas City Star, and manager Peter Vermes is predicting this will be the best All-Star Game yet. Oh, and don't forget to vote. There are only hours left to cast a ballot for the Fan XI.
13. AMERICAN TEEN SCORES TWO HAT TRICKS FOR GUARDIOLA’S BAYERN
US Under-18 international Julian Green helped Pep Guardiola get off to a comfortable start to his Bayern Munich tenure, scoring trebles in a 15-1 win against Fanclub Wildenau in a special scrimmage match and a 9-1 victory over local amateur side TSV Regen. Remember the name, Julian Green.
14. FUTURE MLS FRANCHISE IN LAS VEGAS?
With Chivas Guadalajara and Club América heading to Las Vegas this week to play a friendly, the Las Vegas Sun investigates why there isn’t an MLS franchise in Vegas and if there will ever be a pro soccer team in Sin City. What do you think?
15. BRAZIL HAMMER SPAIN TO WIN CONFEDERATIONS CUP
Brazil brought their A-game to the Maracanã on Sunday night, and, boy, didn’t Spain know it. From the incredibly passionate prematch national anthem forward, the stadium was rocking and Fred opened the scoring within two minutes. Brazil didn’t look back as Neymar added a stunner before Fred grabbed a second. Spain haven’t beaten Brazil since 1934, as the Seleção dominated the reigning World Champions from start to finish. Brazil to repeat this at World Cup 2014?
MLSsoccer.com Musts
MLS Insider, Episode 2: Raul Fernandez with Peruvian national team, Houston takeover
All-Star Vote: Only 2 days left to in AT&T fan vote - who ya got?
Mario Martínez leaving Seattle? Confusion up in the Emerald City
Get the Kick-Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
