Archive: August 5, 2007 - August 11, 2007
Football Weekend
Deadlines and commitments, What to leave in, what to leave out Sorry for my absence on Friday. I am in Chicago gathering information and conducting interviews with the U.S. women's national team in advance of the World Cup in China, which begins in four weeks. Plenty of good storylines to...
By Steve Goff | August 11, 2007; 8:23 AM ET | Comments (0)
The Becks Aftermath
I've got an early-morning flight to Chicago so I will have to keep this short. Player Ratings: Perkins 6; Burch 7, Boswell 7, McTavish 6, Namoff 6; Olsen 6, Fred 4, Simms 6, Gros 6; Kpene 5, Emilio 6. Subs: Moreno 6, Carroll 6, Vanney no rating (late entry). Special...
By Steve Goff | August 10, 2007; 12:18 AM ET | Comments (0)
Matchday 18: DCU vs. L.A.
[UPDATED!] The buzz around the clubhouse area is that Los Angeles is planning to get Beckham into the match in the second half, but the weather and pace of the game could contribute to the decision. We'll see, but at the moment, I think we will see him on...
By Steve Goff | August 9, 2007; 5:29 PM ET | Comments (0)
Traffic Alert
If you are planning to come to the D.C.-L.A. match via I-395 from Virginia, what are you waiting for? It's already pretty bad, not because of the game, but everything else: the Douglass Bridge closure, the weather, accidents, etc. At 2:45 p.m., it was backed up from the Pentagon across...
By Steve Goff | August 9, 2007; 3:34 PM ET | Comments (28)
Open Cup Final Four Set
With New England's 2-1 victory over Harrisburg (USL2) last night before only 1,512 at Gillette Stadium, the U.S. Open Cup semifinals are set. Both matches will take place Sept. 4. *Carolina (USL1) vs. New England in New Britain, Conn. *Dallas at Seattle (USL1) at Qwest Field Speaking of the Revs,...
By Steve Goff | August 9, 2007; 9:37 AM ET | Comments (0)
Media Matters
Please join me for a live online chat Thursday at 1 p.m. on washingtonpost.com. Submit questions in this link. Later, tune into Comcast SportsNet for "Washington Post Live" between 5 and 6:30 p.m. I will be on very early in the show via remote from Estadio RFK. In the meantime,...
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 8:22 PM ET | Comments (0)
Nowak Is Official
As we reported here a few days ago, Peter Nowak is now the U.S. under-23 national team coach and will begin preparing the squad for Olympic qualifying early next year. The official announcement was made today. It's a good choice, in my opinion. Already a national team assistant, he will...
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 5:11 PM ET | Comments (0)
Beckham Speaks
Before taking the field for a closed training session with his Galaxy teammates, David Beckham addressed the media during a press conference held inside the RFK Stadium visiting baseball team's batting cage (It's the only location in the entire stadium that can accommodate a large gathering!). On whether he will...
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 2:33 PM ET | Comments (0)
'Barnum & Beckham'
Greetings from Estadio RFK. Beckham and the Galaxy will arrive soon for a press conference and light training. Meantime, a few choice DCU quotes to share with you: An anonymous DCUer, upon seeing the unusual number of TV cameras and reporters at practice this morning: "Welcome to the Ringling Brothers...
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 12:20 PM ET | Comments (0)
The Becks Watch
It's not looking good for Beckham tomorrow night at RFK. Read about it here. Becks and Frank Yallop are scheduled to address the media at RFK at 2 p.m. today before the Galaxy's training session. More later........
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 7:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
For Rapids, Open and Shut Case
Colorado's exit from the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals was not a big surprise. After all, MLS teams have not fared well in the tournament this year, the Rapids were on the road facing one of the best USL1 sides, Seattle, and, um, Colorado isn't very good. But 5-0? It was...
By Steve Goff | August 8, 2007; 12:29 AM ET | Comments (0)
Beasley Gets the Final Word
U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, in his second start with new club Glasgow Rangers, scored in the 81st minute for a 1-0 victory over Zeta in Montenegro, capping a 3-0 aggregate triumph and sending the Scottish club to the third round of Champions League qualifying. Beasley, however, had to endure what...
By Steve Goff | August 7, 2007; 6:58 PM ET | Comments (0)
Mexico Mania
Soccer United Marketing, the arm of MLS that holds the rights to Mexican national team friendlies played in the United States, has announced two more matches for El Tri this fall: Sept. 12 vs. Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (three days after Mexico plays the Americans at Azteca)...
By Steve Goff | August 7, 2007; 3:27 PM ET | Comments (13)
Chicago Salary News
Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope, who joined the Fire last week, is on scale to receive a base salary of $240,000 and guaranteed compensation of $267,500. Obviously, since it is midseason, he will not receive all of that for just a few months of work, but it gives you an...
By Steve Goff | August 7, 2007; 3:04 PM ET | Comments (16)
United News & Notes [updated with news-quotes]
[UPDATED!] *Everyone worked out this morning -- no heat-related ailments on the scorching training grounds outside RFK. Moreno, though, seems to be in a day-to-day situation with his sore back and Gomez is being cautious about his quadriceps injury. *Local product Kevin Alston, just back from the Pan American Games,...
By Steve Goff | August 7, 2007; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (48)
It's Beckham Week in D.C.
We kick off the festivities with comments from England Manager Steve McClaren. As first reported by the Insider on Saturday, McClaren is coming to Washington to meet with Becks and check on his health and fitness. The Galaxy is scheduled to arrive at Dulles via charter midday today and conduct...
By Steve Goff | August 7, 2007; 8:23 AM ET | Comments (58)
Kovalenko Injured.....
.....in an auto accident. The Red Bulls confirmed to the Insider that veteran midfielder Dema Kovalenko was a passenger in a car that was involved in an accident over the weekend. He is apparently okay, nothing serious, but did suffer some injuries and is in the process of being evaluated...
By Steve Goff | August 6, 2007; 4:19 PM ET | Comments (25)
Nowak to Guide Olympic Squad?
I am hearing that Peter Nowak, former MLS star, former United coach and current national team assistant, will indeed oversee the U.S. under-23 (Olympic) team and prepare a squad to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Speculation has been out there for months, so it would not come as...
By Steve Goff | August 6, 2007; 1:35 PM ET | Comments (42)
Freedom Wins Championship
Four years removed from its WUSA title, the Washington Freedom captured another national championship of sorts Sunday when it defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks, 3-1, in Rochester, N.Y., to claim the W-League crown. Christie Welsh, who scored the second goal, was named the match's most valuable player. The complete recap is...
By Steve Goff | August 6, 2007; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (15)
The Aftermath
Okay, show of hands, who out there predicted three goals by a United side on the road against a sizzling opponent and missing Gomez, Fred and Moreno from the starting lineup? Seriously. Offensive efficiency. Defensive composure. Two strong finishes by Emilio. A gaffe by Reis. A wonderful set-up by Kpene...
By Steve Goff | August 5, 2007; 8:55 PM ET | Comments (63)
Matchday 17: DCU at NE
Because I love that dirty water Oh, oh, Boston, you're my home [UPDATED!] Greetings from the artificial grass of Estadio Gillette, along Route 1 just past the cheap motels, mini-golf, RV dealerships and yet another Dunkin Donuts in the village of Foxborough..... Neither Moreno nor Gomez will start this afternoon...
By Steve Goff | August 5, 2007; 2:08 PM ET | Comments (79)
