Archive: November 11, 2007 - November 17, 2007
On the Eve of MLS Cup.....
A few things overheard at the commissioner's party Friday night at The Park at 14th: *Jose Mourinho has gone back to Europe after two days in D.C. (family emergency) *United's Luciano Emilio, the league MVP, will also be named newcomer of the year tonight, a trusted source says. (Makes sense,...
By Steve Goff | November 17, 2007; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (35)
Matchday: USA at South Africa
I provide the forum, you provide the commentary. USA vs. Bafana Bafana at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, 9 a.m. Live coverage on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision. If you are in Chicago, New York or Washington, official viewing parties have been organized. As usual, your pregame, in-game and postgame thoughts...
By Steve Goff | November 17, 2007; 12:56 AM ET | Comments (21)
MLS Updates
It has been a long day of team practices at blustery RFK training grounds, commuting across town and listening to Don Garber speak for 35 minutes without taking a breath (wow!). A few things you should know: *The finalists for MLS Cup '08 are Home Depot Center, Pizza Hut Park...
By Steve Goff | November 16, 2007; 5:17 PM ET | Comments (47)
MLS Cup Predictions
Okay, here's your chance: Who wins? Why? And by what score? I am going with the Revolution, 2-1. Why? Because it's the year of New England sports. While you're pondering..... My story today is mostly about Emilio winning the MVP award. However, DCU fans most certainly will be interested in...
By Steve Goff | November 16, 2007; 8:49 AM ET | Comments (66)
The Special One
A certain Portuguese manager (or, should I say, former manager) with just a hint of self-confidence is in Washington for MLS Cup festivities as a guest of league officials. The last time he was in Washington, a young DCU defender named Bobby Boswell sent his Chelsea club to an early...
By Steve Goff | November 15, 2007; 9:32 PM ET | Comments (48)
Emilio = MVP
No need to search your cable system for ESPNews..... As we told you exclusively a couple hours ago, Luciano Emilio is, indeed, the MLS most valuable player. He joins Marco Etcheverry (1998) and Christian Gomez (2006) as MVP winners from D.C. United....
By Steve Goff | November 15, 2007; 3:05 PM ET | Comments (65)
MVP Watch: Emilio
Still a few hours until the official announcement, but I am getting solid indications from reliable sources that Luciano Emilio is the winner. I am also hearing that Emilio, Ben Olsen and Christian Gomez have all made the Best XI. That announcement will be made Saturday....
By Steve Goff | November 15, 2007; 1:16 PM ET | Comments (18)
Angel or Emilio?
MLS will unveil the 2007 most valuable player around 4 p.m. today at ESPN Zone in Washington (ESPNews will carry it live). Let's assume that Cuauhtemoc Blanco, one of the three finalists, is not going to win since he only played half of a season. Which leaves New York's Juan...
By Steve Goff | November 15, 2007; 8:59 AM ET | Comments (66)
Hop on the Bus, Gus
The Kraft family, owners of the Patriots and investors in the Revs, are sponsoring free bus transportation from Foxborough to Washington for MLS Cup this weekend. First-come, first-serve reservations. (Man, that's a long ride on I-95 -- thank goodness for delicious food at the N.J. Turnpike rest stops, eh?) The...
By Steve Goff | November 14, 2007; 2:58 PM ET | Comments (42)
Four Days and Counting.....
With MLS Cup fast approaching, I offer some reading material: From The Post, Steve Ralston will set an American soccer record Sunday...and perhaps finally win an MLS championship. From the Globe, Taylor Twellman searches for the most elusive of goals. From the Chronicle, Brian Ching is hoping for a miracle...
By Steve Goff | November 14, 2007; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (40)
It's Official
Men's and women's news, plus MLS..... As we first reported here last night, Pia Sundhage (pronounced Soond-hahg-Eh) is the new U.S. women's national team coach. Meantime, the USSF has also announced that the men's team will renew their rivalry with Mexico on Feb. 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. In...
By Steve Goff | November 13, 2007; 2:17 PM ET | Comments (83)
MLS and More
*Insider loyalists already know that Pia Sundhage is getting the U.S. women's national team coaching job. Official announcement at 3:30 Eastern time. *About 36,000 tickets have been sold for MLS Cup at Estadio RFK. If D.C. United had made it, a sellout of 46,000+ was certain. With New England and...
By Steve Goff | November 13, 2007; 9:29 AM ET | Comments (53)
USSF to Name New Women's Coach: Sundhage
The U.S. Soccer Federation will formally introduce the new women's national soccer team coach Tuesday afternoon. One source tells me the choice is Pia Sundhage, Sweden's all-time leading scorer who coached the Boston Breakers in the WUSA and most recently was an assistant on the Chinese coaching staff. She interviewed...
By Steve Goff | November 12, 2007; 10:13 PM ET | Comments (26)
Wilt Steps Down
Peter Wilt, the former Chicago Fire executive, has stepped down as CEO of Milwaukee Pro Soccer LLC, the group attempting to bring an MLS expansion club to Wisconsin. Wilt will continue to oversee the start-up of the Chicago franchise in the new women's league starting in 2009. "Despite having a...
By Steve Goff | November 12, 2007; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (25)
Monday Rewind
By now, you are well aware of Houston's 2-0 victory over Kansas City in the Western Conference final before yet another sellout crowd of 30,000+ (best fans in the league, yes?), setting up an MLS Cup rematch with New England this Sunday at Estadio RFK. Brian Ching's availability, however, is...
By Steve Goff | November 12, 2007; 9:26 AM ET | Comments (74)
