MLS News Briefs: From Net to Net by TJ Boyce - July 17, 2007 |
|||
Week 16 |
|
||
| ▪ Okocha Drawing MLS Crowd | |||
| ▪ Denílson Waiting on FC Dallas | |||
| ▪ Celtic, Siena Lead Szetela Chase | |||
| ESPN has been heavily promoting Saturday's friendly between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chelsea as David Beckham's debut, but they may have spoken too soon. It seems the superstar's injured ankle isn't healing as quickly as the Galaxy had hoped, igniting speculation about his availability for Saturday's game. His left ankle has experienced unexpected swelling in the past week, resigning the Englishman to doing light exercises during his first full practice with the team on Monday. ...... Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler will not be coming to Ohio anytime soon. Following his release from the Reds, speculation has him going to any number of clubs in Australia, England or America. We can now scratch the Columbus Crew off of that list. Crew head coach Sigi Schmid revealed that his club was in discussions with Fowler, but has recently broken off those talks as club owners decided they didn't want to spend their Designated Player spot on the 32-year-old, citing a lack of personality. ...... From Gazzetta dello Sport: on Monday, Fabio Capello revealed that he has received an offer to coach in America and is thinking it over. Despite leading Real Madrid to a come-from-behind championship in La Liga, Capello was sacked after the season and is currently unemployed, but the suggestion of a reunion with David Beckham at the Los Angeles Galaxy has many people talking. Capello, for now, won't reveal his potential suitor. ...... With their 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night, Chivas USA boosted their home record to a league-best 6-0-1. While only two teams have losing records in their home stadiums - Colorado and Real Salt Lake - Chivas has outscored their opponents 15-2 at the Home Depot Center and are the only team yet to suffer a loss in front of the home fans. ...... Soccer by Ives and Sports Illustrated are both reporting that the San Jose Earthquakes are set to rejoin Major League Soccer as its 14th team, in time for the 2008 season. The league is apparently willing to waive a rule that required any prospective team to have an acceptable stadium in place before allowing them to join the league. The long-rumored return of the Earthquakes comes nearly two years after the franchise was packed up, moved to Houston, and re-branded the Dynamo, surprising many of the Earthquakes hardcore supporters. The official announcement is expected to come on Wednesday, when MLS Commissioner Don Garber delivers his annual State of the League address before the All-Star Game. ...... In recognition of his two-goal performance in a come-from-behind tie against D.C. United, FC Dallas' Juan Carlos Toja has been selected as MLS Player of the Week. The Colombian midfielder, whose eccentric hairdo is allegedly a tribute to Jim Morrison of The Doors, scored Dallas' second and third goals en route to a 3-3 tie on Saturday. Toja now has six goals in 18 games on the season and was selected to the All-Star Team for Thursday's match against Celtic. |
|||