Major League Soccer

Another point on the road. Didn't manage to catch the whole match, but i'd say we were good value for the point considering the amount of shots on goal/corners we had. Glad we keep managing to grind out points, especially in road games. Watson made his debut and looked tidy according to all reports, which is pleasing. Once Ching, Taylor and Koke are fit and ready, we could be able to make something out of this season.

Watched the final 30 mins of the Galaxy game. Good win for you guys. That penalty call was so soft though!

 

Yes, soft PK. Portlanders will see it differently, but soft as it was, having seen the replay, it was fair. The player used his shoulder on the ball, and I guess the ref saw a little too much manual finesse on it... Either way, I'm glad the game didn't hinge on it. The goals before were solid as a rock. Aside from the PK, there was only one other bad call, the yellow card to Sean Franklin. Best officiating of the season, if you're an LA fan.

 

By the way, there were some gruesome leg breaks in the league this weekend.

 

Man, i'm just watching Seattle v Colorado and the injury that Steve Zukuani sustained in a tackle with Brian Mullan. Looked terrible and real shame that he's going to be out for some time as he's looked like an exciting and talented player for MLS. The crack could clearly be heard watching on TV. EDIT: Just seen your post above.

More Dyanmo action on Fox Soccer this friday night as we face Charlie Davies and his D.C. side. Not sure whether i'll watch at home or make the trip to Robertson Stadium.

As for the officiating, i've read and heard a lot about how poor it is. Haven't really seen too many cases with my own eyes. One thing i was wondering, are there many American officials or do they all come from South of the border?

 

The 'Caps suffered a predicted first home defeat in MLS after a 2-1 loss to Western Conference rivals FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon after leading 1-0 at half time. It certainly seems to be defensive frailties are harming their chances

Haven't seen any highlights for this one but once again Jay was out unfit. So far this season, he has only played a game and a half. Do you guys think this is going to be the way of career now? Designated player status for the 'Caps is certainly being wasted at the moment on him

 

I don't think the average fan in Denmark knows anything about the MLS so such a statement would not be of the obvious here. But I know what you mean.

I agree with you that Benny will be a massive hit. He's a good player. Rajko will score goals if the ball is in the box a few times.

He scored the winner against Kansas ironically with another Dane in goal - Jimmy "Casino" Nielsen.

What will you perceive as a success for Rajko?

 

Yeah I saw he scored on Jimmy "Brigitte" Nielsen. Mazel Tov! I'd say he would be a success if he plays more than 1/2 the matches of the rest of the season and doesn't choose to pose as a traffic cone for an English midtable Prem club in the offseason to "stay in shape" yet come in to training camp predictably out of sync with the rest of the team. Oh wait, what were we talking about?

 

Rest assured Rajko likes himself every bit as much as David likes Beckham. But he's an odd one - he seems to always score goals. Tbh I was surprised he wasn't picked up by someone in a decent league...

 

A decent league, eh?

Anyway...
"Beckham near death" after collision on freeway close to my house just a couple hours ago.

OK, I wishfully inserted the near death, but he was in an accident.

Galaxy 1st in the West play Red Bulls 1st in the East tonight.
Red Bulls feature French-Carribean loser Thierry Henry, Mexican loser Rafael Marquez and Canadian Osama bin Laden lookalike Dwayne DeRosario.

This should be a dandy... Rumor has it Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has realized he isn't attacking enough to close out games which has let way too many teams back in at the end of games, so we fans are expecting a little more aggressive play tonight.

 

1-1 at the half...there are a ton of douchey Arsenal fans here tonight. Amateurs.

EDIT: decent match. Galaxy had two very close calls, one an offsides goal that could easily have gone the other way (and should have since the league said close calls would go to the offense this year) and an open net that Donovan struck slowly enough to all the defender to get to it as it crossed the goal line. It may well have been a goal, but Donovan should have struck it harder...

1-1 Final.

Another Edit:
Quotable:

 

MLS Salaries link, regular starters in bold. The first dollar amount is what the player is guaranteed, the second is including all bonuses and amounts above the salary cap.

 

Well after going unbeaten in April, my Dynamo have started May with 2 straight 2-1 defeats. The first at home to Colorado, after taking the lead as well. Tally Hall made a huge error by completely misjudging a free kick and being lobbed from about 45 yards. Horrible error.

A tough run of games coming up now as we face NYRB, RSL and LA. I'd genuinely be happy if we took 3 points from those games, though i fear it may be closer to 0.

The salaries make interesting reading, thanks for posting Fitzy. No surprise to see LA and NYRB leading the way in total wages.

 

After their crushing defeat at the CCL, then loss to Portland, then having Javier Morales' leg broken in the win over Cheating Chivas, now is the best time ever to face RSL and hope for 3 points... New York is beatable too. Don't even think about the Galaxy....

 

Whitecaps FC claim first away point in MLS with a draw at Chicago Fire. Demerit is still out with injury and not too sure when he is expected back. Seems a while now since the 'Caps won a game now and the win less may well continue on Weds with a game against the Earthquakes

I know Jay's film has been mentioned on here before and they are still looking for finance for the clips and editing etc apparently. Anyway, there is a facebook page on it and you can follow him on twitter as well

http://twitter.com/d6merit
http://www.facebook.com/TheJayDeMeritStory

 

Some other notable players' salaries:
Team--Player--------Position-----Salary-------Guaranteed Comp
VAN---Demerit Jay-------D------$300,000.00---$350,000.00
NY-----DeRosario Dwayne-M----$425,000.00---$ 493,750.00
NY----Henry Thierry--------F----$5,000,000.04--$5,600,000.04
NY----Lindpere Joel--------M------$90,000.00-----$125,000.00
NY-----Marquez Rafael-----D---$4,600,000.00--$4,600,000.00
NY-----Ream Tim----------D-------$55,125.00------$62,625.00
NY-----Richards Dane----M/F----$145,000.00-----$156,500.00
NY-----Rodgers Luke------F-----$180,000.00------$180,000.00
NY-----Rooney John-----M--------$48,000.00-------$58,000.00
NE-----Feilhaber Benny-M-------$300,000.00-----$346,000.00
NE-----Joseph Shalrie---M-------$475,000.00-----$500,000.00
NE-----Lekic Radivoje---F--------$275,004.00-----$275,004.00
CHI----Castillo Nery----M/F----$1,650,006.00---$2,038,062.50

I put some of the NY players who outplay Rafa Marquez regularly for perspective.

 

how's The Revolution doing with their new players?

 

Galaxy fumbled away yet another two points at the end of a game...incredible. Get ahead and then bunker down is clearly a recipe to have the win swiped away at the last minute.

The team is still in first place by a point or two over Real Salt Lake who have FIVE games in hand.

FIVE!

 

Davide Chiumiento was Vancouver's hero in time added on at the end of the match, as his dangerous curling ball into the Earthquakes box found the back of the net to cancel out Chris Wondolowski's first-half strike for the Earthquakes on at Empire Field. Another 1-1 all draw for the 'caps, the result extended the club's winless run in the league to nine matches.

DeMerit made his come-back coming on as sub after 75 mins

 

Fayrd Mondragon is my hero

 

luke rodgers is over there? christ.

whitecaps have the best fans in the land you know? and they have the canucks.

vancouver 8)

 

Yah Luke went on a profanity laced tirade about Donovan who replied simply "Who's Luke Rogers?"...

Good choice. A lot Galaxy fans were up in arms that JP Angel didn't get the penalty kick call, but I thought his play was weak. I told my buddies that if I was the ref, I would have blown my whistle, run up to the spot of the foul, smacked Angel in the head, then restarted play.

 

Don't bring me into this. I have nothing but respect for Donovan!

 

meh.

 

really? have you left for more antipodean shores now fan?

 

You will note the flag in fan's avatar? He has also removed the signature NORTH AMERICAN SCUM. He's now SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SCUM I believe.

 

Level of football in the MLS (see edit reason) on display:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/sport/football/3583069/No-way-San-Jose-can-miss.html?aid=3583069Watch the video and tell me who is the better player: the striker of the goalie?!

 

Horrible misses only happen in American football...don't make me go to YouTube.

 

still miffed about the decent league remark?

Anyhow, I actually posted this due to the keeper's performance rather than the striker's miss. Misses happen everywhere football is played but a pro keeper should never make the move this guy makes. But of course South America aren't known for the keepers.

Ps. You did see the edit reason right?

 

Ha, I guess your link proved my point. There must be a dozen teams named San Jose, eh?

Chivas USA hosts my LA Galaxy this weekend.
They came up with an ironic ad campaign here in LA to promote it. Ironic because Chivas are the most glued on hollowed out unloved and unsupported team in all of the teams that play the beautiful game in the US.

 

Haha! I like it! I mean, it's terrible, but funny because it is.

FO at Houston and Dallas have been trying to stoke a rivalry between the clubs. Houston put this up in Dallas:


NYRB for us this weekend. Hoping my mother-in-law throws a free ticket my way because i'd quite like to see Henry in action.

 

Oh, that is sweet...

Chivas hurt Henry's knee...I was told he will probably not be playing... Too bad. He was inspired against the Galaxy and must have been pissed off when Chivas' Braun scored a hat trick on the Red Bulls.

 

Mother-in-law came through for me. Go Dynamo!

 

I take back all of the bad things i have said and thought about Ruiz. Go on el pescado

 

Galaxy 1-0 Chivas USA

Good guys win again.

 

Nice one Fitz, I bet the pub will be rocking tonight :jumping1: