Venue:
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Weather:
Clear and 58 degrees

Referees:
Head Ref: Alex Prus
Asst Ref: Fabiot Tovar
Asst Ref: Sean Hurd
4th Official: Terry Vaughn

Actual Lineups:

New England Revolution (Won last leg 2-1)
GK Matt Reis
RB Jay Heaps
CB Emmanuel Osei
CB Darrius Barnes
LB Kevin Alston
RM Kenny Mansally
CM Jeff Larentowicz
CM Shalrie Joseph – Captain
LM Sainey Nyassi
RS Kheli Dube
LS Edgaras Jankauskas

Subs
GK Brad Knighton
DF Amaechi Igwe
DF Chris Tierney
DF Pat Phelan
MF Wells Thompson
MF Mauricio Castro
MF Nico Colaluca

Chicago Fire (Lost last leg 1-2)
GK Jon Busch
RB Brandon Prideaux
CB Dasan Robinson
CB C.J. Brown -Captain
LB Daniel Woolard
RM Chris Rolfe
CM Logan Pause
CM John Thorrington
LM Marco Pappa
RS Brian McBride
LS Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Subs
GK Andrew Dykstra
DF Gonzalo Segares
MF Baggio Husidic
MF Mike Banner
MF Justin Mapp
FW Patrick Nyarko
FW Calen Carr

PRE-GAME:
-Dilly Duka has been signed by MLS according to Steve Goff and is adamant about playing for the Red Bulls.
-Section 8 chanting and waving flags. Great job! Love the atmosphere.

IN-GAME:
1min: Possession back and forth and no final connection.
3min: Blanco with a cheeky backheel. Nice to see him in form.
5min: Nyassi taken down on the right trying to use his pace up the right. Free kick from the right scooped up by Busch.
6min: Nyassi again terrorizing the right side. Not a good sign for the Fire.
8min: Mansally and Jankauskas now moving up the left. Revs win a croner from the left that skips by everyone.
10min: Nice moves by Fire around the goal. Resulting in Blanco trapping a ball and sending it across to Rolfe on the left, but rookie Alston takes care of it. Thorrington looking a little lost so far tonight.
11min: Section 8 with flares lighting it up. Blanco makes a nice run up the left and lays it off to Thorrington behind him. Shot wide left. Thorrington needs to get into the game.
13min: In case you missed it, Osei with a a semi-failed bicycle clearance in the early minutes. Very amusing.
14min: Rolfe and Pappa moving the ball around well and hustling in the attacking third. Can’t get last pass to go.
16min: Bride wins a long ball from Busch with his head sending it to theright for Blanco to win and give to Pappa, who loses his man with some nice footwork sending the ball across the goal mouth from the right, just missing a teammmate running across. Pappa looking good tonight.
18min: Blanco goes down, holding his face at the top of the box on the right. Mansally with a YELLOW card. Joseph is pissed. Kind of yelled at the ref. Getting chippy. Blanco takes the free kick from the right and it curls straight to Reis.
21min: Nyassi running onto a ball and Busch has to kick save before he gets to it barely. Dangerous moments as Busch is tested again. Nearly a goal for the Revs. Section 8 with some great chanting going.
24min: Nice. Pause in the middle sends a low pass to Blanco parked on the right. Blanco sends a beautiful ball to McBride’s head but it goes right to Reis. Nice power on it though.
26min: Again, Blanco with a ball from the right floated over and deflected to McBride, who sends it back across low for Rolfe. Getting close to first goal.
29min: Blanco calling for ball takes it and with a bit of passing to Pappa gets it back on the right and sends it across the goal mouth but Revs compact in goal.
31min: Wow. Breakaway Fire runing up the middle and McBride gets it on the right and send it behind all his teammates. Pappa to McBride and they win a corner. Nice makeup for that early flub. Revs very tight defensively.
33min: Blanco up the right with a nice flick of the ball forward and Pappa beats his man and wins a corner. No result though as Revs defending well.
35min: GOAL FIRE — Beautiful hold up by Blanco, who then falls, and Pappa continues to abuse the right side and send the ball across the goal mouth to Thorrington who slots it into the left corner. He is warming up, no pun intended.
36min: Jankauskas gets a YELLOW for taking down Blanco and then Blacno up the right gets it to (you guessed it) Pappa for a shot that Reis has to dive to his right to punch away for a corner.
38min: Blanco defending and clearing and then running the attack for the Fire again. He is on Fire. Sorry had to say it. Trying to imagine what this team will be like without him for most of next season at least. He really does at creativity to the attack.
41min: Mansally very active for the Revs. Blanco on the right again sends the ball and Rolfe nearly gets to a header in the goal, but Reis is just a step ahead. Again, Blanco on the right and after some rather odd movement around the box Reis wins the ball from the attacking Fire with a lunging ballet-like grab.
43min: Revs on the other end, but can’t convert and Blanco on a breakaway up the left that the Revs quickly try to snuff.

1 minute of stoppage time!

Brown fouls Jankauskas for Revs free kick, which is over the bar.

HALFTIME
Shots: Revs 7, Fire 8
Shots on Goal: Revs 1, Fire 5
Saves: Revs 4, Fire 1
Fouls: Revs 8, Fire 4
Corners: Revs 2, Fire 3
Offsides: Revs 2, Fire 0

Castro in, Mansally out.

46min: McBride on the end of a header that Reis gobbles up. Fire already coming out swinging.
48min: Nyassi tearing up the right side using an extra boost of speed on the right, sends a ball across the goal line and nearly a very dangerous moment for the Fire.
51min: McBride collides with Reis and stays down and limping. Not good for the Fire.
54min: Fire get off a shot but it is high and wide.
55min: Blanco on the right with a nice little through pass to Pappa who moves to the top of the goal and Thorrington runs on and whiffs it over the goal.
56min: Nyarko in, McBride out. Not a good thing to have McBride injured.
58min: Robinson with a powerful roundhouse kick out of the goal box of an incoming Rev free kick.
60min: Rolfe on the left with a nice long ball to the right for Blanco, who sends it back across and into the six yard box. Very close to a goal. Followed by more Fire attacking. Really pouring on the pressure. Can the Revs keep absorbing this much pressure?
63min: Alston sends a nice ball up the right to Nyassi, who shanks it wide for a goal kick.
65min: Fire losing momentum and now Jankauskas really posting up as target forward, not many Revs hanging back. Alston with a hard tackle and Fire get lucky to interrupt the Revs momentum in the attack.
68min: Pappa with a long shot from the left, followed by Nyarko with a run into the box from the left. Hard tackle from Alston, but the foul is on Nyarko.
69min: Castro off to get blood off shirt. Rolfe with a nice run to win a free kick. As it stands, we will be in two 15 minute overtimes and then penalty kicks unless someone scores another goal. Fire nearly get one as they pour on the attack.
75min: Blanco and Pappa putting on a short pass keepaway clinic on the right side. Fire on the move again but a ball a little too far for Blanco to run onto. Castro needing stitches.
77min: Awesome Ref Prus chest bumps Osei out of the way.
79min: Thorrington down as he gets run over on the left. Still down and no call or stop of play for some time.
80min: Nyarko makes something out of nothing as he rips the ball of a defender in the right corner and then slips it to Blanco, who turns on a dime and sends a shot that hits the cross bar. Wow!
82min: Rolfe with a nice slip to Nyarko up the left sideline and Thorrignton whiffs a shot at goal. Another attack by the Fire causes Reis to drop the ball it.
84min: GOAL FIRE — Nyarko pushes a defender over and again from the right runs up the goal line. He lays it off to Blanco after a turn and Blanco sends it over Reis and into the net. THE PLACE ERUPTS IN CHEERS
86min: YELLOW card Larentowicz while fouling Thorrington after the Fire somehow stop a crazy scramble in their goal and start a counter.
87min: Blanco refuses to be subbed out, so Carr comes in for Pappa.
89min: Wow. Blanco on a breakaway almost. Tonight is his night.
90min: Larentowicz nearly heads in a goal, but it goes wide right. Scary moment for the Fire.

5 mins of stoppage time!

Busch smothers a ball that is almost surely a goal otherwise with so many Revs in the box. Blanco sends a ball through and the Fire can’t stop attacking. Last Revs gasp is gobbled by Busch.

END OF GAME: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 0 CHICAGO FIRE 2

FIRE ADVANCE TO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL!

Part 2 – Two is the loneliest number

Part 3 – The Sounder and the Fury

I have recently came across info suggesting that it is more then probable that Montreal will be announced as the 19th team in Major League Soccer during MLS cup week.

Update: Martin Smith of www.ruefrontenac.com has been quoted as saying that 2011 seems much more probable in the current situation. He follows daily club affairs very closely so it might be an indication of things to come.

Read on at Soccer Montréal….

City’s tallest building to display Fire colors in celebration of playoff game at TOYOTA PARK this Saturday at 7:30 PM

CHICAGO, IL (November 5, 2008) – Willis Tower, the tallest building in North America, will illuminate its twin antennae red this Saturday in support of the Fire’s Eastern Conference Semifinal playoff game against the New England Revolution on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 PM at TOYOTA PARK.

For ticket information for this Saturday’s game please visit www.chicago-fire.com or call 888-MLS-FIRE.

Sidenote: MLSR’s Patrick Beatty now lives in Chicago and will be covering this game and the Fire from now on.

“This TV spot is running all over TV in Seattle, the game is being shown locally in English on KING5 and throughout the region on FSN Northwest.”

Anyone who has a similar ad from Houston needs to send it along to us.

Cheers,
Patrick

So, those of you Chicago Fire fans that been starved for coverage of your favorite team since the Red Card Blog’s demise will now have an outlet for Chicago Fire coverage. In addition, fans of MLS in general will get some insight from their favorite teams when they visit the windy city. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR PLAYERS OR COACHES FOR ANY GAMES THAT I COVER, you can always post on the MLS Rumors Facebook group or send me an email at patrick.beatty@gmail.com. ALSO, for an archive of all the prior video interviews from MLS players to Jozy Altidore to internationals like Nesta, Ronaldinho, etc, go to my youtube video archive at www.youtube.com/mistahpatrick. As with everyone these days, I am also on twitter at http://twitter.com/patrickbeatty.

Regarding my former experience covering MLS in California, I would like to say a large thank you for the great experience and kindness shown by the following groups of people that made covering the games in LA and San Jose memorable:

-First and most importantly, the various supporters groups in LA (the Angel City Brigade, LA Riot Squad, and the Galaxians, the Union Ultras, and the Legion 1906) and San Jose (the Casbah, Club Quake, and the 1906 Ultras) who not only make the game experience what it is, who lift the players spirits, but were also extremely kind to me
-Second, the Front Office of each team from Justin Pearson and his great crew with the LA Galaxy to Jed Mettee and Flora Rivera with the Quakes to Keegan Pierce and David Lindholm with Chivas USA were outstanding and extermely helpful, even when they didn’t have to be, and were willing to give a site associated with rumors fair and equal treatment
-Third, the reporters in all locations whether they wrote for MLS like my press box buddy, Jeff King, to those writing freelance for Reuters, etc. like the inimititable Joseph D’Hippolito to Andrea Canales and Zac lee Rigg at Goal.com and many more than is space here to name for their camraderie, amusing comments, laughs, and little kindnesses, I will really miss my times with you.
-Finally, last but not least, the coaches and players of the LA Galaxy, Chivas USA, and San Jose Earthquakes. Whether the candor of Chris Leitch or the class act that is Landon Donovan and nice guy that is Todd Dunivant or the ever friendly Jorge Flores, Gerson Mayen, Carey Talley, each of these players (and many more) were very accommodating when being asked questions or take time to be interviewed one-one-one. I also will certainly miss Bruce Arena’s stinging wit, Preki’s straight talk, and the kind polite responses Yallop.

However, I look forward to seeing them again at their away games in the windy city and getting to know the great supporter’s group that is Section 8 and the organization that is the Chicago Fire.

Cheers,
Patrick

To see what it looks like on a person, I’ll be posting some my pics in the jacket later on the MLS Rumors facebook group.

Soccerpro.com is run by people that play and love soccer. I am always happy to support companies that not only provide good quality products and customer service, but also try to give back via the beauty of the game to heal wounds and help children through Soccergrow, which partners with programs like Kicks4Kenya. If you are looking for a soccer jersey or any soccer apparel, I recommend going to Soccerpro.com as well as checking out their community service projects and lending a hand in making the world a little bit more beautiful through la joga bonito.

-Patrick Beatty

The Seattle Times caught his trial with Seattle in late July. After that the player’s name sort of left the local radar.
The gyst of the posts at GOALSeattle and elsewhere seem to be that the 24-year old attacking left center midfielder has been rumored in African press as a Seattle signee. Then a Seattle fan spoke with a guy from Morocco on the streets of Seattle who said his Morrocan friend ‘has signed with the Sounders’ and will be joining the club in January.
It all makes for good (early) offseason hot stove material. I’ll be the first to say that if it happens, it wouldn’t surprise me. Seattle’s soccer internet is a powerful thing.

Continue reading this at The Examiner.

Take a listen.

EDITOR’s note: This is the first of what we hope will be many contributions from our newest contributor, Stephen Constantine, Sudan’s National team coach. This article gives some background on what it’s like scouting players on the continent of Africa and gives seven players Stephen thinks would benefit MLS. 

The African Experience

Stephen Constantine – www.stephenconstantine.co.uk

Having coached on four continents over the last nineteen years or so I have really been very fortunate to have seen some wonderful players from every corner of the world. Naturally there are great players in every country if you look hard enough but in Africa you don’t have to look that hard, they’re everywhere! I have travelled extensively around Africa and have not been to a country and not found a player that I didn’t like. I was in Malawi a few years ago where I was the National Team Coach and was watching a local league game and saw this skinny tall kid who looked very young demanding the ball off the older players, looking to try and play and am thinking this lad has something. 

I tried to find a team line up which of course was no where to be found, I had travelled 4 hours to watch the game and didn’t know who I was watching! After 3 days it was time to call up the National team and I again inquired into the whereabouts of the skinny number 8 playing for Malawi’s Silver Bullets. When I told my assistant he laughed and said “Coach you can’t bring this player he’s too young!” And laughed some more. I however got my way as I normally do and a few days later I got to see the skinny kid up close, my first impression was good he blended right in with the senior players and in his first training session was totally relaxed and seemed like he had been there for ages. After training I told my assistant if he continues like this all week I will start him against Carlos Alberto Parreira and Bafana Bafana (South Africa) who we were due to play in a few days. More laughter from my assistant followed by  “he’s not good enough coach” Needless to say I played him against South Africa in a 0-0 draw and he played well, in fact he played so well that 2 months later Santos of the South African Premier League signed him, where he is still playing today!!

There are so many players in Africa that can play in the US and in particular, MLS that I am surprised that there are not more players from Africa playing there. I guess the big problems for the MLS sides are knowing where to look, and of course being able to see and verify what you have heard and with so many of the dodgy agents showing you  DVDs of someone else it’s a minefield of sorts. In my case that’s not a problem as I know someone in most of the African countries and it is just a matter of a phone call. Or I have played against them or worked with them at some point so its a lot easier for me. I have seen some top quality players over the last 2-3 years and have listed a few that I am certain would be an asset to any club in the MLS.

I have not put them in any particular order so here goes my African players for the MLS you may have heard of some of them:

Aladeen Yusif              Defensive Midfield •            Sudan

A tough tackling no nonsense defensive midfield player, has a great attitude to the game and will give you 100% day in day out. Technically good and a ball winner, and can get forward and not afraid to shoot.

Peter Mponda               Central defender   •               Malawi

Peter is comfortable in a number of positions and can play as a holding midfield player as well as right back and his natural position of central defender. A strong leader and a joy to work with.

Tawonga Chimodzi      Central Midfield  •                Malawi

He’s a young attacking midfielder who seems to always have time on the ball, great awareness and an engine to go with it. Not a typical attacking midfield player as he will track back and is not afraid to tackle either. A lovely demeanor about him and another player who has a great attitude to the game.

Adama Tamboura         Right / Left Back  •                               Mali

An attacking full back who is quick and really likes to get forward a great deal, good speed and quick to get back after he has made his run, a dependable and sold full back, playing in Sweden.

Hassan Ishag                   Left Back   •                          Sudan

A left back who can hit a diagonal pass with no back lift 40-50 yards! Tall strong and decent pace will get forward as well. Takes corners and free kicks and can really drill a ball. Great attitude hard worker and really another quality player I have had the pleasure of working with.

Jean Claude  Ndori                      Keeper  •                                     Rwanda

Saw this lad play in a tournament and was really impressed by him, he was the difference in the game as his side beat the local Sudanese team. He looked confident and self assured and made some outstanding saves. Definitely one to look out for.

Yonah Mwango                    Striker    •                              Zambia

A prolific scorer and a difficult player to deal with in terms of trying to contain him, quick strong and really pressures the defenders forcing mistakes. Will have go from any distance and brave as well. A good prospect for anyone looking for a quality finisher.

Seven great prospects  I am sure would be good additions to MLS during the offseason transfer window.

Received not long ago by email:

On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 11:32 AM, wrote:
Just a heads up.

Do let me know ASAP.

Mason Adair and Andrew in crafting the above letter may have caused more problems for themselves and their group. The lack of us publishing something on some ACES cup has more to do with the fact that:

A) ACES is not a supporters group but a hate group. Supporters Groups support clubs. Who exactly does ACES support? While we are very supportive of the efforts of supporters groups and have done stories and posted photos of everyone from the Barra Brava to the Timbers Army, we will not give any more press to a juvenile hate group. Especially one which threatens spam and denial of service attacks on this site.

B) We have real rumors and news to keep track of. ACES is neither.

C) We’re not in the business of publishing press releases. Unless that press release is ground breaking or important news it just doesn’t make the grade here at MLSR.

D) We do not take threats lightly. Nor do we care what people who have a lot more time on their hands than brains do. We welcome intelligent or even not-so-intelligent debate in our comments but we do not welcome spam or excessive self promotion.

E) ACES has plenty of other outlets for their hate. We do not need to be one of them.

By all means if they wish to continue their spam campaign we urge them to, we already have a nice list of IP addresses and spammed comments that never got published ready to send to each of their ISPs complete with the email above showing their intent to violate their ISP’s terms of service.

In the past perhaps we were too nice in publishing ACES related stories, including one about their “Cup” (contrary to their claims that we are somehow Seattle’s mouthpiece).

That all ends.

Word to ACES and anyone who decides to spam our comments: You have no idea who you’re messing with, but you will. We suggest you seek legal advice before issuing anymore emailed threats.

ACES are not Aces but rather, Jokers.

And the joke ends now.

As long time readers of this site know, we at MLSR are in favor of a single table with playoffs.

Recently MLS Commissioner Don Garber appeared on Fox Football Fone In and asked for help in understanding why a single table would be advantageous.

Other than sheer simplicity it can be used to award spots in non league competitions. Another of Don Garber’s comments was that the MLS off season is just too long. We agree.

Therefore we advocate that MLS once again participate in a tournament in Spain that take place between teams from leagues which play a similar summer schedule as MLS: The La Manga Cup.

MLS only participated in it in 2003 and 2004 but Red Bull NY, or the Metrostars as they were called then won it. It remains to this day their only international trophy. LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, and FC Dallas (then Dallas Burn) also participated in it.

By bringing back MLS participation in the La Manga Cup would give MLS fans something else to watch in February besides the Pan Pacific Championship. We also advocate that MLS send two teams to that competition as was done in it’s first year.

Suddenly a single table has a lot to play for and based on the premise below, fans of teams such as Toronto FC, or DC United would have something to look forward to during the lean months of MLS.

And remember the TOP 8 go to the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Table based on one at Single Table MLS.

So this single table addresses both the concerns of Don Garber and the wishes of many fans. As it stands now MLS’s season ends in October, the Cup is played in November, the holidays happen, a month goes by, the Superdraft happens in late January another month goes by, Pan Pacific happens in late February, another month goes by and MLS kicks off in late March. Giving clubs who finish lower on the table entry into these competitions would be the perfect way to make sure that nearly everyone has something to play for in the later part of the season.

MLS Single table

CONCACAF Champions league
Supporters Shield winner
US Open Cup Winner
MLS Cup 2 participants

2010 CONCACAF Champions League participants based on theoretically the Columbus Crew meeting LA Galaxy in MLS Cup Final

If one of the clubs qualified twice then participation would be by invitation based on aggregate points from the 2009 MLS
season.

1. The participating clubs representing Major League Soccer would be:

a. Columbus Crew (Supporters Shield Winner and MLS Cup Participant)
b. Seattle Sounder FC (US Open Cup Winner)
c. LA Galaxy (MLS Cup participant)
d. Houston Dynamo (Next based on points)

SuperLiga
After CONCACAF Champions League participants are decided.

For 2010, participation would be by invitation based on aggregate points from the 2009 MLS
season and clubs which are not part of the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League. In the event that a
club passes on the invitation, the next club in line based on points would be invited.

1. The participating clubs representing Major League Soccer would be:

a. Chicago Fire
b. Chivas USA
c. Real Salt Lake
d. New England Revolution

La Manga Cup (Last 3 weeks in February)
After CONCACAF Champions League and SuperLiga participants are decided.

a. Colorado Rapids
b. DC United
c. Toronto FC

Pan Pacific Championship (Late February)
After 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League, 2010 SuperLiga & 2010 La Manga Cup participants decided.

Done.

Playoffs make sense but so does a single table with playoffs and berths into international competitions.

In 2010 MLS has a golden chance to win over new fans and a golden chance due to the balanced schedule to finally make the leap to a single table.

It just makes sense.

What do you think?

MLS could make the off season seem short just by returning to the off season competition in Spain.

Here they are:

Watch this compilation of all the best MLS goals of 2009 and vote for the best on MLSnet.com for your chance to pick the 2009 MLS Goal of the Year winner sponsored by AT&T.

Interesting observations:

1/4 or 8 out of 32 goals up for GOTY were scored by Seattle Sounders players.
1/5 or 6 out of 32 were scored by FC Dallas players, mostly Jeff Cunningham

Philly Union Bound?? Soehn could be reunited with Peter Nowak

Tom Soehn removes name from consideration for Head Coach of D.C. United

Process for finding United’s next head coach will begin immediately

Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2009) – D.C. United announced today Head Coach Tom Soehn has removed his name from consideration for United’s head coaching position ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the calendar year. Soehn served the Black-and-Red as an assistant from 2004-2006, before leading the club to two major trophies, a Supporters’ Shield in 2007 and a U.S. Open Cup in 2008, in three seasons as head coach. The process for finding United’s next head coach will begin immediately.

“Tommy has done an outstanding job at D.C. United, first as an assistant and then as our head coach,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “Over the past three seasons, Tommy has faced greater challenges than any other Major League Soccer coach. His record in all competitions this season was outstanding and he should not be judged on the basis of missing the MLS Cup Playoffs. Tommy is a fine young coach and I know we will face him in the future in MLS play. I wish him all of the luck in the world.”

Soehn was named Head Coach of D.C. United on December 21, 2006. The Black-and-Red won the 2007 Supporters’ Shield and the 2008 U.S. Open Cup under his guidance. In all competitions, Soehn posted a career mark of 55-48-31. United was 36-30-24 in League play in his three seasons at the helm.

“My family and I have spent a lot of time in reaching this very difficult decision,” said Soehn. “I’ve been fortunate to spend the last six seasons with this organization. I’d like to thank the staff and fans for their support throughout my tenure. In particular, I’d like to thank Kevin Payne, Dave Kasper, Chad Ashton, Mark Simpson, Francisco Tobar, Brian Goodstein, David Brauzer and the entire technical staff. When you’re in this business, the experiences you face together forge special bonds and friendships that will always remain. My appreciation also extends to the players. We accomplished a lot together since I arrived in 2004 and I thank them for their dedication and wish them the best in the seasons ahead.”

Soehn joined Peter Nowak’s coaching staff prior to the 2004 campaign. In three seasons as an assistant coach, United won two major titles, the 2004 MLS Cup and the 2006 Supporters’ Shield.

“I want to thank Tommy for his six years of great service at D.C. United,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a terrific friend and colleague, and he played a major role in the club winning four trophies during his time here. He is a bright young coach who has a big career ahead of him. I wish him continued success with his next coaching position and his family the best of luck always.”

There’s more over on BehindTheBadge.com…

Cartoon:

MLSR welcomes Stephen Constantine to our list of writers and contributors.

Stephen is the Head Coach of the ‘Desert Hawks’ Sudan’s National Team. This is following successful stints at Nepal and then India and before changing around the fortunes of Malawi, his third National Head coaching position. Stephen is one of the most respected National Coaches in Asia and Africa.

He began his coaching career in 1989 as an assistant coach at CW Post College located in Brooklyn, NY before moving onto being Academy Director of New York Freedom where he led them to the Cosmopolitan League Championship before he left in 1992. During 1991-1992 he was also an assistant coach for the New York State Select Team.

From 1992 to 1998 he had several successes in his coaching years in Cyprus, where he spent part of his childhood. During those years he earned the FA Advanced and UEFA A Licenses. Then in 1999, in order to obtain the USSF A License, he returned to the US, the place where he first caught the coaching bug ten years earlier.

A firm believer in the need to constantly improve his knowledge and skills, Stephen holds the highest qualification available to the coaching profession, the UEFA Pro License. In 2001, he was inducted into FIFA’s elite coaches’ instructors’ panel for which he travels the world delivering a variety of coach education courses for FIFA, as well as providing courses for and on behalf of the English FA.

Stephen offers MLSR and you our readers a unique opportunity to take a look at “ The African Experience” as we and the world turns its attention to Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

MLSR is grateful he is able to take time away from his busy schedule and family to write for us, so we are privileged to welcome “Stephen Constantine” to our list of contributors.

To learn more about Stephen go to:  http://www.stephenconstantine.co.uk

MLS Soccer fans have a lot to thank the United Soccer Leagues For

And so it had to happen.

The better TV deal, some star players and the backing of larger corporate interests that the MLS has, has forced the USL into an unwanted restructuring. Since 1986, the two USL divisions, age based leagues spread across the US, Canada and the Caribbean have nurtured talent and passion for soccer. But as of today, with the two top USL teams leaving for the MLS, other teams seriously thinking of floating a parallel league, the old USL seems to be an entity of the past.

As a soccer fan, it was perhaps too much to ask for a merger or alliance between the two leagues although at one point that did seem like a possibility.

MLS and it’s fans would be wise to look at the positive things that the USL did specifically with the following:

1. Geographical reach

Collectively across all the First and Second division teams, youth and developmental teams and the W-League, the USL provides over 120 teams across the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

2. Proper grooming of young talent

The Premier Development League, targeted at young talent comprises 66 teams across four conferences.

3. Addressing the needs of a Womens soccer league

The W-League comprises 35 teams across three conferences.

The MLS has time on its hands and has an understandable reluctance to go too far too soon as a business venture. It wishes to pace itself rather than burn out in a flash of glory. Some sort of an alliance with the remainder of USL could probably work itself out as a league like MLS will always need fresh, affordable talent and newer geographies to conquer. And nothing beats home-grown talent or cities that have a developed a proven passion for soccer.

Depending on how the new USL ends up restructuring itself, it is hoped that no soccer community finds itself abandoned. It has taken years for the game to reach a critical mass across North America and it would be a shame to suddenly have the game altogether vanish from many locations that may never have a realistic chance of having a MLS team of their own.

MLS is now the only way for big time soccer talent and entertainment in North America. True MLS fans will know that they have to thank the USL in part for keeping soccer alive in hearts and communities such as Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Take a bow USL. Your efforts were not in vain and thank you for putting in the work when the going was tough for the sport across our land.

Written by: Harmit Singh Kamboe for MLSR

This excerpt comes from our friend and partner Major League Soccer Talk:

MLS Outperforming EPL on American TV

by Kartik Krishnaiyer on November 2, 2009 · 20 comments

The Barclays Premier League may be the most popular sports league in the world, but it is not the most popular football league in the United States. That distinction would fall to the Mexican League. But now, we have empirical data that the EPL is trailing our own top flight domestic league, Major League Soccer in interest, awareness and support.

MLS has seen a 15% increase in viewership on ESPN2 this season and a 60% increase in viewership on Fox Soccer Channel. ESPN2’s viewership for MLS matches is significantly higher than the networks viewership thus far for Premier League or La Liga matches, despite the fact that, MLS game times on the network shift from week to week while EPL and La Liga matches are always at the same time. Additionally, ESPN Deportes ratings are way up as well.

Matches involving David Beckham averaged over 400,000 viewers on the network. Seattle’s admission to the league also helped the surge in interest with the Sounders match against DC United in May being watched by 550,000 viewers, a season high.

Matches on Univision owned Telefutura have dropped slightly, but still draw more average eyeballs than the EPL or La Liga telecasts on ESPN. Telefutura’s MLS telecasts due have a set start time every Sunday and do admittedly lag far behind the network’s FMF matches in the ratings.

Continue reading this article in full complete with expert analysis over at MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com.

According to the the LA Galaxy Front Office, the team today completed the loan agreement of midfielder David Beckham to Italian side AC Milan effective in January 2010. Beckham remains under contract to the Galaxy and will play for the club throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs, which continue on Sunday, November 8 at 4:30 p.m. when the Galaxy take on Chivas USA in Game #2 of their Western Conference Semifinal Series at The Home Depot Center. In accordance with team and league regulations, details of the loan agreement were not released.

“We are pleased to finalize David’s loan to AC Milan and we look forward to his return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup,” Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena said.

Following the conclusion of the MLS season, Beckham and the rest of the Galaxy, will travel to Germany for the club’s 2009 Postseason Tour presented by Herbalife, which will conclude on December 2. Beckham will officially join AC Milan on December 28 and remain with the club throughout their season which ends on May 16, 2010. He will then re-join the Galaxy when the summer transfer window opens in July 2010.

“After the wonderful experience of last season we are very happy to see David Beckham again wearing the red and black colors,” said Adriano Galliani, Vice President and CEO of AC Milan. “We are confident his loan spell will not only improve Milan, it will help the player to take part in the World Cup in South Africa and continue to enhance his career in North America with the LA Galaxy. We would like to thank the Galaxy and MLS for their co-operation and understanding.”

The Galaxy’s Designated Player, Beckham signed with the club in January 2007 before making his Galaxy debut in a friendly against Chelsea in July of that year. In three seasons with the club, Beckham has appeared in 41 MLS games, tallying seven goals and 15 assists. He missed the first half of the 2009 MLS season while on loan to AC Milan, but returned to the Galaxy in July. Beckham appeared in and
started 11 games for the club, helping the team record a 6-2-3 record in games that he played in. Beckham scored two goals and added three assists this season and has played an important role in leading the Galaxy back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

“I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that,” Beckham said. “I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again. I’m thankful to Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for allowing me this opportunity. I’m committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America. I’m completely focused on ending this season on a high note with my club by winning the MLS Cup.”

A three-time World Cup veteran with the English National Team, Beckham has collected 115 caps, giving him the record for the most caps by a field player in England history. Prior to joining the Galaxy, he spent his club career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, winning six English Premier League titles and one Spanish La Liga crown.

What do you think? Pleased it is finally official and the club can focus on the playoffs? What shoudl the Galaxy do during the 2010 season until Bekcham arrives? What player ro players can it pickup to fill in the gap? Does this affect your feelings toward Beckham either positively or negatively? LA Galaxy fans are you prepared to boo or cheer for him now? What about when he returns after the World Cup? Does it diminish or enchance the MLS? What about the image of MLS in the world?

-Patrick Beatty