MLS News Briefs: From Net to Net by TJ Boyce - July 31, 2007 |
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Week18 |
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| ▪ MLSU Power Rankings | |||
| ▪ MLS Weekend Review | |||
| ▪ ASD Match Report: RSL 1-2 Revs | |||
| ....... The ongoing will-he-or-won't-he-play saga surrounding David Beckham is on to Toronto after successfully irking fans in Dallas. Beckham, still nursing his bum left ankle, stayed behind on Tuesday while the Los Angeles Galaxy traveled to Texas for a SuperLiga match against FC Dallas, much to the surprise of a sell-out Pizza Hut Park crowd that was anticipating his presence. Such a stink was made by local media and some fans over the Beckham no-show that FCD officials have felt obliged to offer a discount to those fans who bought tickets for Tuesday's match for the next time that the Galaxy comes to town. Despite missing three straight SuperLiga games, Beckham is targeting Sunday's league game against Toronto FC for his comeback, but many are questioning whether Galaxy officials will want to risk his health on the BMO Field turf. ....... Ante Razov has been named the MLS Player of the Week. The third-highest scorer in the history of the league, Razov notched his 104th career goal and an assist in Thursday night's primetime victory over the New York Red Bulls, then added an assist in Sunday's loss to Kansas City. It is the eighth time that Razov has earned the honor in his career. ....... The Colorado Rapids have agreed to form a partnership with CF Pachuca of the Primera Division in Mexico. Under the agreement, the two clubs will meet annually in a series of games and will share training grounds. Kroenke Sports Enterprises, owner of the Rapids, will also set up the Pachuca Academy, to be led by former Mexican national team player Enrique Borja at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids formed a similar partnership with England's Arsenal FC in February. ....... Toronto FC forward Danny Dichio has suffered a severely pulled hip flexor muscle which will require him to sit out the next 4-6 weeks. Dichio, who has tallied five goals and one assist so far in 2007, sustained the injury in TFC's 3-0 home loss to the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon. His injury comes at a particularly trying time for Toronto, as a solid portion of their starting eleven has already been sidelined recently with injuries. The list of wounded includes Jeff Cunningham, Ronnie O'Brien, Greg Sutton and Marvell Wynne, with Jim Brennan and Andrew Boyens also picking up injuries in the past week. Following the revelation that starting goalkeeper Sutton might miss the rest of the 2007 season with post-concussion symptoms, the Canada international netminder and his head coach, Mo Johnston, decided to let off some steam at the Canadian Soccer Association and their lack of a team doctor. Sutton suffered his concussion during time with Canada's national team at the Gold Cup, but was cleared to practice just four days after sustaining the injury. However, he has not returned to Toronto's lineup because he is suffering from severe headaches, leading both men to call for changes at the CSA. "I had a local physician who didn't know me or anyone on the team give me a checkup that obviously wasn't thorough enough," said Sutton. "We all understand it's not easy because of limited funds, but that's an excuse that's starting to wear out. Johnston, irate at the CSA over the incident, questioned whether he would allow players from his roster to participate in future national team camps. "If we release our players to the national team, we want them looked after 100 percent," he blared. "Maybe this was not the case." According to the Toronto Sun, Toronto FC is actively pursuing Josh Wagenaar to be their new starting ‘keeper. Wagenaar, 22, has played the past two seasons for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch league. Because he is a Canadian citizen, Wagenaar would not have to be counted as an international player, something that Johnston will be pleased over. |
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