At the half hour, Belgian champs Standard Liège are up 1-0 at Mouscron thanks to an Oguchi Onyewu header on 14 minutes.
The video clip (and any subsequent American goal scorers) still to come...
UPDATE: Don't tell nobody... (looks around to make sure we're not being followed)... but Gooch has scored again. The big man left the home keeper helpless on a second header moments past the hour to put Standard up 3-0.
Remember: it's a secret. Shhhh.
UPDATE UPDATE: It ends 3-nil, with Onyewo bagging his second brace of the campaign. Enjoy the full highlights...
Is it just me or do Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Jô look like extras from the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter?
#1 - My Frankie Hejduk feature is now up. It was a pleasure to talk to The Dude.
#2 - I've been asked if I look at any of the other MLS power rankings around before I roll with mine. The answer is no - before or after. As I said once, I rarely read other opinion columns on topics I'm set to cover myself. It's mostly to keep my line of thinking distinct, but also to ensure I can't subconsciously pick up outside ideas.
#3 - Oh, it's on like a ham-bone (one must use the Birmingham, Alabama accentuated pronunciation of "ham-bone" to read this properly). In his weekly MLS prediction challenge, Red Card ace Luis Arroyave is taking on ESPN's Alexi Lalas & Rob Stone.
#4 - A couple of O.R. notes from overseas: Hannover 96 right back Steve Cherundolo is done for the season, while Xerez loan striker Jozy Altidore is out for a month-long repair.
#5 - NSC pal Chris Courtney saysVincenzo Bernardo appears on the verge of getting a first team shot.
#6 - Oi vey. More from the Portland expansion saga. What's going on there? Has the city changed its collective mind on the franchise's civic worth?
#7 - The Distracter's favourite (she insists I add the "u" for her), the Kansas City Wizards, paid a nice visit to Whiteman Air Force Base for a clinic with the soldiers' kids and The Back Post was there to snap some photos.
Ohhhhhhh Jimmy Conrad bobblehead, is there anything you can't do?
#8 - The U.S. squad for CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup qualifyinghas been named. What do I think? I think Stefan Jerome could blow this tournament apart.
Sorry I've been out of sight, both me and the ol' pc have been a bit under the weather, plus I'm wading through several interviews one at a time.
I did end up getting a good word with Seattle back-up keeper Chris Eylander, who looks set for his MLS debut at Chivas USA with Kasey Keller suspended.
Who's next over at S365? Well, I finally got The Dude on the phone, so I'll have a feature with him up this afternoon, as well as a chat with Örebro midfielder Alejandro Bedoya after that.
As for NSC, I will drop A few things later on.
And now, for my sorry token video: a 55-minute intimate setting Incubus show...
It's a busy day, and I'd rather be off getting Distracter-fied (or let's face it, eating a pizza... or both), so let's get to it... #1 - President Obamahas written a letter firmly backing U.S. efforts to land a World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 that was hand delivered to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. Wicked. #2 - Speaking of stimulus efforts, the Colorado Rapids have combined with a host of area hotspots and attractions to offer tourists a big discount package. The city is hoping to help the local economy by luring vacationers, and this seems a pretty good idea.
But sheesh, could you have named the price tag something other than "Mile High"? I'm not sure that helps. #3 - Seattle strike phenom Fredy Monterowill not face charges over accusations levied by a local young woman. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go take a Silkwood shower.
Meanwhile, back-up keeper Chris Eyelandersays he is fit and ready for the tabletop clash at Chivas USA this weekend. The rookie, who moved up from the USL side, will be standing in for the suspended Kasey Keller. I had hoped to get a word with Eyelander this week, but have not heard back from the Sounders (ahem).
#4 - Soccer Insider Steven Goff lets on that D.C. United are coming closer to a Real Madrid friendly in August, and that the Galacticos will also play another MLS club on the trip. Meanwhile, Luciano Emilio, Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace will be at the grand opening of the new adidas store in Tysons Corner on Saturday to sign autographs from noon to 3.
#5 - The NY Post's Brian Lewis says New York will soon have left back Alfredo Pacheco's paperwork complete.
On another NYRB note, the club will take its turn in trying to find a bone marrow donor for RSL midfielder Andy Williams' wife Marcia on Saturday. Get out there and get checked if you can! #6 - Speaking of Red Bulls, Mac Kandji is featured along with Revs winger Sainey Nyassi in this African report about the rapid influx of players from that continent to MLS. #7 - And speaking of long-awaited new defenders, Houston have now officially added Canada international Andrew Hinault from Czech side Most. Sticking with the Dynamo, Houston Chronicle ace Bernardo Fallas shares a fun bit: Ade Akinbiyi being stunned by the American media (erm.. really?). Meanwhile, the Offside was kind enough to offer the new striker a city primer.
#12 - I'm sorry, but could someone explain to me why everyone hates Tommy Smyth so much? Maybe I'm biased because I've met the man and he was a delight, but geeez... try decaf, people.
Seriously though, it sure seems some Americans now addicted to empty, petulant outrage. It's going to kill you, so relax.
#13 - [cheesy nightclub DJ voice]And this one... goes out to awwwllllll the laaaaaaydeeeeeezzz[/cheesy nightclub DJ voice]
#14 - Finally, in imaginary conjunction with The Colbert Report, NSC has invited Dwight Schrute to talk to you all about bear safety...
For the second time in two late sub appearances, Stabæk's Mikkel Diskerud has bagged a crucial late goal. This time, he entered a scoreless game at Fredrikstad with 10 minutes left and needed only six to strike this glorious winner.
Half of the Champions League final four is set, with Barcelona and Chelsea making good on first leg triumphs. I will definitely switch to an extended highlight reel for the Blues v Reds match when it surfaces.
Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4 (Chelsea 7-5)
Oh sure, I could go on and on about this match, but I'll just step to the side and let you watch, just in case you missed it all. Barn. Burner.
Bayern Munich 1 Barcelona 1 (Barcelona 5-1)
It certainly wasn't as sexy as the other contest, but the Catalans ably backed this one into the garage.
No, I didn't forget. My computer has been a rotten bastard the last two days and I got behind. My sincere apologies for jarring your Monday "work schedule"...
Ever wonder about that Luis Angel Landin guy the Dynamo were after? Well, soon Cruz Azul fans may call him "The Scorpion". Be forewarned: this audio is LOUD, so take precaution.
Sometimes, Fernando Torres makes it look a little too easy. I'm suspicious. He may be a cyborg sent from the future to destroy Prem defenses. I mean, look at that freeze frame on the video box.
Liverpool teammate Daniel Agger hits with this week's "Well... if you insist" cracker.
Maccabi Haifa's Eyal Meshumar also successfully dials long distance.
Mallorca's Cleber Santana proves most clever indeed. And I'm digging the music, is that like the Spanish R.E.M.? Sweet.
And finally, can anyone tell me why Bayern Munich ever struggles to score goals? Seriously... Luca Toni? Anything?
In another of a lengthy series of thoroughly bizarre Hansa Rostock personnel moves, U.S. defender Heath Pearce was dropped to the second team, starting today. No real clear reason was given for the move ('performance reasons', says the manager - Hansa's third in the last calendar year).
This would be strange even if the organization hadn't completely imploded this season. After being relegated from the Bundesliga last term, they now are in danger of falling through another trap door.
Pearce has started exactly two games since mid-December (both 1-1 draws in March) and suffered a thigh muscle knock in training last week that ruled him out of their weekend contest. The other guy they sent down today (back-up keeper Kenneth Kronholm) hadn't appeared in a match all season.
Performance, eh? Weren't you all suffering through a long winless drought while Pearce was on the outs? The guy has started five matches, of which the team has lost one. In all, he's appeared 12 times, in three wins and four draws - Hansa have only six wins and nine draws from 27 league games.
Yeah, right from the off, this sounded wildly stupid to me. Sure, it seems far-fetched for a pro club of Hansa's historical standing - but then again, it also is approximately their 2008/09 modus operandi from what I can tell. Just ask Forrest Gump: Hansa is as Hansa does.
Maybe I'm being a homer here, but I'll wait to find out what's what before I go thinking anything bad about Pearce. At the moment, this appears to be yet another coaching move for show, an example made of a guy who they know is leaving in two months.
Of course, maybe I'm wrong and a pair of guys who have combined to play all of 150 minutes over the last five months really are the cause of this franchise's screaming free fall.
Ajax score seven, the Pujols/Carpenter rule has finally resumed At New Busch and my first love, the Blues, are back where they belong: in the playoffs. Something tells me the Canucks are about to get Oshie-d...
#1 - Head to MLSNet for all the weekend recaps and highlight reels. I only saw the San Jose-Chicago humdinger and haven't watched any other clips yet, so I'll skip my comments for now... maybe I'll drop those separately tomorrow, assuming I have any.
Sh'up. You know what I mean. #2 - Sports Illustrated's Luis Bueno got to have a sitdown with Inter boss Jose Mourinho. Sweet. #3 - Brighton Hove & Albion aren't exactly pleased about the Galaxy trying to tempt away T&T midfielder Chris Birchall. #4 - NSC pal Andrea Canales sums up the downside to the axing of the MLS Reserve League better than I would. I find it odd that Don Garber speaks of the 'long-term play' of the league, and yet we have a number of moves like this that do not match up. #5 - A roundup of the weekend violence in Serie A stadiums... except now, the players and coaches are starting to match the brawling headlines made by typically out-of-control Rome derby supporters.
So ummm when does Italy do something about this? I'm starting to agree with Gabriele Marcotti that moving the Champions League final almost seems appropriate. His employers, The Times, are pushing the agenda hard.
#6 - Fans of The Office know the gang got into a little parking lot footie during Thursday's first episode. However, you may have missed a deleted scene with Creed's brand of soccer (viewable only in the U.S., I'm afraid).
Koblenz striker Matt Taylor put his side up 2-0 against visitors 1860 Munich. The former K.C. and Chivas USA man marked his first start since mid-December by bagging his sixth of the season with the right boot on 33 minutes.
The Lions have since cut the lead in half against American keeper David Yelldell and the game is now near the hour.
I'm not super hopeful of finding a video, but we will cross our fingers.
UPDATE: Not only did Mr. Taylor claim a second to provide the 3-2 winning margin, but we've now had strikes from Hammarby's Charlie Davies (their only in a home opener losing cause) and Fulham's Clint Dempsey (the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Man City)
Videos for the latter two should be a snap...
Let's start with Deuce's cool finish (by the way, Fulham now lead that game 2-1).
UPDATE UPDATE: Dempsey has scored again to put Fulham up 3-1 at Citeh, a huge win for them. The USMNT ace now has a joint team-best seven league goals and the Cottagers jump two places to eighth.
Also, do note that the match report writer for Hammarby is named Love Gustafson. Is that just the coolest Swedish name ever or what?
And now, Deuce Part Deux...
This link purports to have highlights from the Koblenz win, but I can't seem to get it to work.
NSC is run by "handsome American" Greg Seltzer (MLSsoccer.com/ Soccer365), "continental Englishman/unofficial yank" Sean O'Conor (Soccerphile) and Texan ('nuff said) Will Parchman. Combined, the three have reported on soccer across the globe for well over two decades, covering MLS, U.S. Men, Women & Youth National Teams, the FIFA World Cup, Gold Cup, Confederations Cup & U20 World Cup, the UEFA European Championship & U21 Championship, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, UEFA Cup, CONCACAF and UEFA qualifiers, Premiership, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, various second-tier leagues, domestic cups and international friendlies, NCAA and high school soccer.
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