Saturday LIVE

Things will be popping off all over the place today, so I'm gonna fade in and out periodically with updates on this post. There are too many big events to list right off, but I'll try to get you ready for the major kickoffs (such as the simultaneous Standard/Anderlecht tricky final day road trips tonight).

I will use an CT timestamp on these updates and denote final scores in Buffalo Tom style (in other words, it'll be a Big Red Number Day).

5.54 AM - We will start off early with Mo Edu's Rangers trying to put the pressure back on Celtic with Aberdeen in town and ManU v Arsenal, with the Red Devils needing only a draw to clinch the title at home (and rub it in Gooner faces, don't forget). Both of these games will kick off in just under an hour.

To quickly catch you up on last night's happenings: Reading announced they will, as Sean teased the other day, allow Marcus Hahnemann to run out of contract... Charles Kazlauskas played his last game with TOP Oss, a 1-0 playoff loss at Dordrecht that saw the underdogs ousted on a 3-0 aggregate... Ryan Guy and St. Pat's were on the verge of a needed win when Sligo Rovers grabbed a late 2-2 equalizer... with Jemal Johnson (who just received an extension offer following some Championship interest) not dressed, MK Dons bowed out of the promotion playoffs to visiting Scunthorpe on penalties.

7.37 AM - Both Rangers and Man United have gone to the break in scoreless home games.

Today's penultimate round of Bundesliga madness kicks off in less than an hour. Here are the main match-ups of concern: Bayer Leverkusen v Michael Bradley's 'Gladbach (a win could clinch survival), Hannover 96 (perhaps with Sal Zizzo) v first place Wolfsburg (63 pts, +30 goal differntial), Hertha Berlin (62 pts, +11) v Schalke, Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich (63 pts, +28), Stuttgart (61 pts., +19) v Energie Cottbus.

7.51 AM - Past the hour now at Ibrox and still scoreless with each team down to 10 men. Edu is having another good day, but Rangers still await the breakthrough. Oh... and guess who came on for Mendes to partner the U.S. international: none other than Barry Ferguson.

7.59 AM - Rangers have hit twice in a three-minute span to go up 2-0. First an Aberdeen own goal, then a Kenny Miller header. Of course, we won't find out if Celtic can hold serve until tomorrow. ManU-Arsenal is still 0-0.

8.43 AM - One quick trip to market later, Manchester United have three-peated as English champs with a 0-0 Arsenal draw and Rangers have moved three points ahead of Celtic, but a late Aberdeen goal that made the final 2-1 means the Light Blues still trail their rivals by one in goal differential.



In Germany, Edin Džeko and Franck Ribéry have, respectively, Wolfsburg and Bayern off to 1-0 leads around the quarter hour mark. Meanwhile, the rest of the Prem card is set to kick off, with Clint Dempsey and Europa League chasers Fulham visiting desperate survivalists Newcastle our featured contest there.

9.05 AM - Just after Stuttgart grabbed a lead through Thomas Hitzlsperger, Hoffenheim connected twice inside of nine minutes to lead Bayern 2-1. Almost directly following that episode, Grafite doubled Wolfsburg's lead and Stefan Kießling fired Bayer to a 1-0 edge on 'Gladbach.

9.42 AM - Just before the break, Bayern evened their match at twos through Luca Toni. All of the Bundesliga games are now underway in the second half.

Meanwhile in the Prem, all remaining games are on the the edge of halftime. Fulham lead (Kamara - 41st minute), Spurs lead Man City (Defoe), Everton (Saha) are tied with 10-man West Ham (Kovac), Boro (Tuncay) leads Aston Villa and Bolton (Steinsson) is in front of Hull.

10.29 AM - First, let me sum up the Bundesliga situation, then I'll turn to the Prem. These are all finals: Leverkusen 5 - 0 'Gladbach, Hannover 96 0 - 5 Wolfsburg, Hertha 0 - 0 Schalke, Hoffenheim 2 - 2 Bayern, Stuttgart 2 - 0 Cottbus.

All of which means: despite the beating, 'Gladbach are three points and four goals clear of the drop zone with one game to play (Borussia Dortmund at home)... at the top, Wolfsburg can all but secure the title with a draw in their last game, with Bayern and Stuttgart clinging to slim hopes two points back.

10.37 AM - Now to the Prem, with about 10-12 minutes left everywhere: Bolton 1 - 1 Hull (Fagan), Everton (Yobo, Saha again) 3 - 1 West Ham, Boro 1 - 1 Aston Villa (Carew), Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham, Stoke (Fuller, Beattie) 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic, Spurs 1 - 1 Man City (Bojinov).

10.56 AM - In Norway's top flight, a Troy Perkins highlight reel save with two minutes to play helped Vålerenga climb to sixth with a 2-1 win over Fredrikstad and IK Start nudged into second by rallying late for a 1-1 draw at Brann with both Hunter Freeman and Clarence Goodson going the full route.

11.09 AM - All Prem games are final, with Robbie Keane's 86th minute PK giving Spurs a big 2-1 win over Citeh. So with two matches left, Fulham holds the final Europa League place with Spurs/West Ham two points back and Man City three behind. The Cottagers also hold a superior goal differential to the first two chasers. Also, Newcastle slipped into the drop zone, a point behind Hull - who must finish against Man United.

11.24 AM - Time for a break, I'll be back for the start of matches involving Standard and Anderlecht, which kick off in about 95 minutes.

12.17 PM - Quick pop-in time: Joe Lapira has scored to put second place Nybergsund back up, 2-1 at Ham-Kam. The visitors' opener also was set-up by the former Notre Dame ace, whose long blast was saved into the path of a teammate.

12.58 PM - With Standard and Anderlecht set to go in their respective matches, Belgian outlet Sport offers up a special double matchtracker. As is customary, Oguchi Onyewu starts in the heart of defense for the defending champs.

Meanwhile in France, second place (on goal differential) Bordeaux scored twice in the final six minutes of the first half to go up 2-1 on visiting Le Mans. Elsewhere, fifth place Toulouse - who hold the final Europa League place two points and spots ahead of Carlos Bocanegra's Rennes - are trailing 1-0 at Saint-Etienne at the break.

And in Norway, Nybergsund completed a 3-1 win to remain two points shy of the Norwegian second flight tabletop.

1.25 PM - Midway through the opening frames and we have yet to see a goal in either Belgium title tilt. Meanwhile, Le Mans have equalized at Bordeaux and Toulouse have leveled at Saint-Etienne.

1.42 PM - With about 15 to go in Ligue 1 games, Bordeaux has reclaimed the lead 3-2 and Saint-Etienne is back up on Toulouse 2-1. No score in Standard/Anderlecht as they each head toward the interval.

MLS action kicks off in less than 90 minutes as Chicago visits Toronto FC in what should be a barnburner. Speaking of the Fire, dig this: Mr. White called up by Mexico for the nest two WCQ's.

1.53 PM - Six minutes before the break, hot transfer topic Mbark Boussoufa put Anderlecht ahead 1-0... and a minute before halftime at Gent, Axel Witsel converted from the spot to give Standard an identical lead. Both matches have gone to halftime

1.58 PM - Bordeaux held on to win 3-2, giving them a tentative three-point title edge on Marseille (who host Lyon tomorrow). Also, Toulouse ace André-Pierre Gignac stretched his Ligue 1 Golden Boot lead to five with an 89th minute 2-2 equalizer at Saint-Etienne, which means Rennes can go level on points with them if they defeat lowly Nantes tomorrow.

2.05 PM - Forgot to mention: Club Brugge lead Mouscron 3-1 at halftime, so we can reasonably cross our fingers for a Jared Jeffrey league debut. I'll keep an eye to that as the final halves of Jupiler League regular season ball start up across Belgium.

2.09 PM - Over to Serie A: an AC Milan loss gives house rivals Inter the title, and they now trail 1-0 at Udinese (D'Agostino PK) heading toward intermission.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid need a win at Villarreal to avoid handing the La Liga crown to Barcelona. That game begins in about 45 minutes.

2.20 PM - Poland right back Marcin Wasilewski has given Anderlecht a 2-0 cushion. Elsewhere, Club Brugge made wholesale changes at the hour, with Jeffrey remaining on the bench.

2.43 PM - Standard have reached the final 10 with a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, Udinese doubled their lead on AC Milan just after halftime.

2.53 PM - We're on to added time in the Standard/Anderlecht games...

2.57 PM - Club Brugge have won 4-1, meaning Gent will fall to fourth at the finish (forcing a Europa League entrance one qualifying round earlier) if they can't level with Standard.

3.00 PM - It's all over at Gent and Standard (1-0 winners) have finished the season square on both points and wins with arch rivals Anderlecht (2-0). This win was not without massive drama at the end; Gooch's foul gave Gent a deep stoppage time penalty, which netminder Bojan Jorgacevic stopped off the foot of Costa Rica winger Bryan Ruiz. Whew, that was close!!!

Anderlecht hosts the first leg of the championship bout on Thursday, with the Sclessin return set for Sunday.

3.21 PM - Robert Pires has Villarreal up on Real after 17 minutes. Elsewhere, Milan have pulled one back near time, but it will surely be too little and too late.

3.30 PM - AC Milan have lost 2-1 to Udinese, so Inter are again Serie A champs.

4.38 PM - Rafi van der Vaart got Real level after the break, but a Cani goal restored Villarreal to the lead at 2-1. If the Yellow Subs hold on for 20 more minutes, Barcelona will becaome the third crowned champs of the day.

Also, Chicago leads 1-0 with about 15 to play thanks to a Chris Rolfe strike near the hour.

5.03 - Real tied it up with two minutes left, then surrendered a Capdevila goal on a Casillas gaffe in stoppage time to lose 3-2, giving Barcelona the La Liga title.

Meanwhile, Brian McBride scored late to pad a 2-0 Chicago win over Toronto FC. Yes, that's right... a Fire victory.

I'm out for the day, folks. Enjoy your American evening.


- Greg Seltzer

Sorry... he's with US

U.S. midfielder Jose Francisco Torres blasted the stand-up winner in Pachuca's playoff opening 3-1 victory at Jaguares on Thursday night. Do enjoy the highlights...




We also had a tasty Benny Feilhaber assist dish on AGF's equalizer in last night's 3-1 rally victory over Esbjerg. You can see those highlights here.

- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

I'm busy writing an Americans Abroad "photo finish" feature for S365, but there's a few things too good to hold. Probably a few more after I finish what I'm working on...

#1 - Oguchi Onyewu is your Jupiler League Player of the Week in a fan voting done by Sport. This was his second such win with over 40% of the vote in four rounds.

Also, Gooch talks about the title chase in a US Soccer podcast (mp3 link).

#2 - As Zak Whitbread and Millwall get set to invade Elland Road holding a 1-0 edge on promotion playoff foe Leeds United, the American defender gets a little feature pub.

#3 - Get this: The Guardian reports that MLS tried to step in as emergency Copa Libertadores hosts, but the CONMEBOL chief rejected the idea.

Of course, it wouldn't be an English story about American soccer without a factual error. Who in the world thinks Mexico plays in CONMEBOL anyway? Sheesh.

Back on Earth, NSC pal Luis Bueno breaks down the Mexico/CONMEBOL squabbles.

#4 - Meanwhile, St. Louis looks set to stand in for a Kansas City Wizards SuperLiga match.

#5 - Seattle expects to have a revitalized Fredy Montero back from suspension this weekend. The 21-year old used his forced weekend off to surprise his mom back in Colombia on Mother's Day.

#6 - If a 4-1 win wasn't enough, now the New York Red Bulls are really cookin'.

On a related note, I am now open to dinner invitations at Juan Pietravallo's house. The Distracter is mostly vegetarian, but she will definitely go for some salmon. I will then eat everything else.

#7 - The Americans Abroad bit I mentioned at the top is now up. I am still searching for the Swedish Cup videos from last night.

#8 - Friday will be the last day of Luis Arroyave's Red Card blog. Harsh.

Our man is switching posts at the Trib to become a... well, just see for yourself. It only stands to reason. Party on, Luis.

#9 - Brucio from Du Nord is one of the guys getting a new call-in show when BigSoccer Radio launches this summer.

And speaking of radio shows, expect to hear yours truly on American airwaves near the end of the month.

#10 - Starting Friday, Coldplay is offering a free nine-song live CD download. You can get it here (provided you can get through the traffic).

- Greg Seltzer

The One-Man Band? (and Bedoya fires first goal!)

[Photo: Andreas L. Eriksson/HIF]

Once again Hammarby ace Charlie Davies has scored, and once again it may come in a losing cause. Bajen currently trial second flight Swedish Cup hosts Mjallby 3-2 with just a few minutes remaining. With his team down three, Davies got them on the board with a 73rd minute chip shot.

UPDATE: Davies may have waited a tad long on an 84th minute break-in and saw his last best chance at an equalizer saved. Mjallby eventually added a fourth in stoppage time and it ended like that.

Video to come, but as with most Swedish Cup clips, it may not surface until the morning.

UPDATE UPDATE: Sticking with Swedish Cup action, another Boston College product found the net as Alejandro Bedoya bagged his first Örebro goal in a 3-0 defeat of visiting Halmstad.

The attacking midfielder notched the 76th minute winner by burying a cross from Emra Tahirovic - who would then go on to pile on a brace of his own, with one set up as a return favor by the American.

I will do what I can to find a clip. Unlike most ÖSK matches, I am more hopeful this time because Halmstad videos are quite prevalent. For now, a post-game interview with the winning goal scorer.


- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

I've been slowed by a mutant-strength headache, but finally, here is your tidal wave of homework...

#1 - Exciting New York forward Mac Kandji bagged Player of the Week honors. Thank goodness I benched him from my fantasy line-up this week. St. Louis homegirl Lori Chalupny picked up the WPS weekly prize.

Meanwhile, the Red Bulls have U.S. Under-20 standout Dilly Duka in camp for a look. With the U-20 World Cup on tap, I'd say they should get while the gettin's good.

#2 - One more good thing about Philly getting an MLS team? Inquirer ace Bob Ford finally has a local club to cover.

#3 - Japan have pulled out of a May pair of USWNT friendlies due to H1N1 virus worries. Simply put, I find this decision silly. There may be replacement opponents named, there may not.

UPDATE: Canada, who was to play Japan on May 25th, will instead play the U.S. Ladies on that day at BMO Field in Toronto.

#4 - The MLS-player's union agreement expires this year. The Sport Business Journal checks out where things stand. It's always good to get things done early.

#5 - Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall seems really eager to join the Galaxy. Is it just me or does it seem like that addition of this guy to play behind Davide Beccemano could turn this team into a real autumn threat?

#6 - Speaking of T&T internationals, CenterLine all-star Jeff Carlisle reports that Cornell Glen is working out with San Jose.

#7 - After some shaky outings, ref Tim Weyland is going under the MLS microscope. He was in charge of Sunday's Seattle v L.A. card-o-palooza.

#8 - The Guardian wraps up regular season Eredivisie coverage with their Team of the Year. I can't argue much at all with most of it, but I'd much rather have AZ Alkmaar's El Tri man Hector Moreno than Douglas in central defense. As for his lead premise, he's right; probably 4-6 of these guys will move this summer, most of them abroad.

#9 - It was revealed today that TOP Oss defender Charles Kazlauskas will make the switch to nearby rivals Helmond Sport this summer. Tonight, his current team fell 2-0 to Dordrecht in the home leg of their promotion playoff first round tie, so it's possible that Friday's return will be his last for the club.

Meanwhile, a California youngster named Jordan Palmer is in the Netherlands for an FC Twente academy trial and he's keeping us update at The Original Winger.

#10 - I had a quick word with Kamani Hill, who has signed a three-year pre-deal to join Vitória de Guimarães this summer. Great move, and he's pretty happy about it.

I've also posted the new MLS Club Ladder... man, an improving league makes the rankings tougher to call every week. I like it.

UPDATE: I also tracked down Rangers midfield stopper Mo Edu to talk about beating Celtic in his first Old Firm derby.


- Greg Seltzer

Hahnemann agony as Reading crash out

Reading 0-2 Burnley (0-3 on aggregate; Burnley in play-off final against Sheffield United)

Marcus Hahnemann could have played his last game for Reading after his team lost 2-0 to Burnley in their Championship play-off second leg at the Madejski tonight.

The Seattle native, out of contract at the club he first joined in 2002, failed to help his team overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, despite an opening 45 minutes where they dominated their northern visitors. An opportunistic strike from Martin Paterson gave Burnley the lead six minutes after the break.

Hahnemann looked mortified when the Clarets forward drifted in from the right wing and unleashed a left-foot strike from 25 yards which curled in at the far post. Reading coach Steve Coppell responded at once by throwing on Royals veterans Dave Kitson and Glen Little but disaster struck seven minutes later when Steven Thompson brought down a long clearance from his goalkeeper and promptly chipped Hahnemann from the edge of the box to send Burnley three goals up on aggregate.

The Royals will rue throwing away their promotion chances with a torrid second half of the season and only three home goals in the last three months. A final day defeat at home to Birmingham confirmed they would miss out on an automatic return to the Premier League.

Hahnemann joined the Royals seven years ago on a free transfer from Fulham and has clocked up 306 games for the Berkshire side in all competitions, becoming part of the furniture at the Madejski, a tireless motivator of his teammates and a fan favorite who bought a new jersey before each game to hurl into the crowd. He once fixed a fan's broken-down car and attempted to do the same to the Reading team bus when it ground to a halt on the way to a game, but the driver had left his toolbox at home.

With Bobby Convey's return to MLS in February, Reading may no longer be one of the 'American' clubs followed by fans from across the Atlantic. Rumors are also rife that Coppell could call it a day too after missing out on promotion.

If this really was Hahnemann's last game for Reading, I will miss his action-packed post-game analysis, the torrent of quotes he gave journalists like me who had stood waiting in the cold for him to come out (he was always the last player to leave the stadium) and the fact he would always make time for you, frequently keeping his family waiting impatiently.

"We're gonna get dinner darling, what would you like?" his wife once called as he was in full flow with me. "Fish and chips" he hollered back, before resuming his colorful repartee to my questions as his folks drove away. He also told me he let off steam with Kasey Keller by retreating to the woods of the Pacific Northwest in the close season and letting off firearms!

I first watched him in action with Fulham reserves at Woking a decade ago, bringing along a stars and stripes flag to make him and Eddie Lewis feel at home. Biding his time for three seasons on the Craven Cottage sidelines and on loan at Rochdale and Reading is a testament to how patience can pay off. He has also of course been an excellent performer during his time here. One of my favorite memories of watching Hahnemann was him keeping Southampton at bay on a September night four years ago. Harry Redknapp, the then Saints coach, was dumbfounded afterwards:

"He was incredible," Redknapp said of Hahnemann. "He made three or four world-class saves...I've never seen a team dominate so much and not win." All thanks to the big American between the sticks.

So if this is goodbye to England, then cheers Marcus, you've been a top man.

-Sean O'Conor

Diskerud scores again

[Photo: Stabæk IF]

Potential U.S. Under-20 World Cup midfielder Mikkel Diskerud has rung the bell again for Norwegian top flighters Stabæk. The second half sub paid the price to score mere moments after coming on as his team advanced to the NM Cup second round with a 5-0 Sunday romp at third division mites Sander.

The full highlights are here. If you're in a hurry, the play which ends with Mix's goal starts around the 3:56 mark.


- Greg Seltzer

Who likes goals?

With traffic rising sharply, I've noticed Cut of the Day often uses the allotted bandwidth in about 12 hours, so I will try to keep a closer eye on it to switch files out. As I said traffic is soaring, so demonstrably, it's all your fault...

Let's kick things off with the MLS Goal of the Week candidates. Tough call, but I think I'd give the prize to Jack Jewsbury's cross.



How do you stop Barcelona from winning La Liga? You can't, but says Villarreal's Joseba Llorente, you can delay it a week. Heck, he even manages to slow down Mr. Hudson for a moment.



Hull's Andy Dawson fools everyone with a perfect free kick.



Chievo's Michele Marcolini pulls the frozen rope trick on Inter Milan (caution: loud announcers).



After the break, Inter replied at the same end through Mario Balotelli (same announcers, same volume), who offers up the cucumber coooolest goal celebration... ho-hum, whateva.



Finally, ManU's Carlos Tevez snaps his goal drought in style.





- Greg Seltzer

Marcia Williams donor drive hits Chicago

It'll be May 30th at Toyota Park, you can register here. The first 100 that sign up to be tested for a match get to attend a Fire practice/autograph session (though it's possible that total has been reached, I have no way of knowing).




- Greg Seltzer