Projected Starting Lineup: FC Dallas

Projected Starting Lineup:

-------------Cooper-------Alvarez----------------

---------------------Toja--------------------------

--Wagenfuhr------McCarty----------Rocha-------

-------------------Ricchetti-----------------------

--------Serioux-----Davino------Moor------------

----------------------Sala-------------------------

Coming off the bench: GK Ray Burse, Jr., GK Josh Lambo, DF Alex Yi, MF Marcelo Saragosa, FW Dominic Oduro, FW Ricardinho, MF Brek Shea, DF Blake Wagner

The thing about Dallas continues to be their streaky play. Long stretches of the season show that the Hoops are indeed the team to beat and then they come out one match and get blown out of the water. Last season, that mainly had to do with a leaky back four. Excuse the baseball analogy, but it's like the Phillies. You get a game where they win 12-0 over the Braves, then they lose the next three games 2-1, 1-0, 3-1. Waste all their juice in one game. Dallas was the same way. They would play like a team - win a couple, shut people out - then hello inconsistencies. Before you know it, they're on the outside looking in. Dallas was able to recover late last year, but ended up hurting themselves in the playoffs yet again.

This year could be different. If the hiccups are minimized, the Hoops could make a tear. The addition of seasoned Mexican international Duilio Davino and Atletico Paranense midfielder Andre Rocha should really help. Another year of progress on Dax McCarty and Arturo Alvarez can only do positive things. The emergence of David Wagenfuhr in the preseason is fantastic, but unfortunately the season hasn't started yet and he's got to carry this throughout a potential 40 game season. Juan Toja is supposed to be released this year from his outside duties and should be free to roam in the central pocket behind a very good off-the-ball runner Alvarez and target man Cooper. If Morrow keeps those tactics set, Toja could have a hell of a year. Having Ricchetti, McCarty, Rocha, and Wagenfuhr in support won't hurt terribly either. If - as shown above - Steve Morrow opts for 5 midfielders, you can also expect to see a little bit of the rookie Brek Shea either on wings on back at fullback.

The forward contingency of Kenny Cooper, Ricardinho, and the aforementioned Alvarez is decent, but it all rides on Cooper's continued good health. Everyone wants to see young Abdi Ibrahim, but I wouldn't bet on it. Abe Thompson - once healthy - will certainly feature up front and grab the same key goals that he got for the Hoops last year. It looks as if Dominic Oduro might either move on from Dallas or play a marginal role. His speed is insane, but his finishing has gotten much better since his Richmond Kickers Future days. Oduro featured well last season due to Cooper's unfortunate early season injury.

The one area Dallas can tout as their strongest is their keepers. Dario Sala has regained fitness and beaten out young blood in Ray Burse, Jr. The SuperDraft selection of toddler Josh Lambo raised a couple eyebrows as Burse, Jr. and Sala proved a formidable enough team. But Morrow pushed on, signed Lambo, and now rumors put Burse on a plane off to USL's Division One. A shame if it's true, but it is what it is.

Overall, it could go either way for the Hoops. A big range on their finishing spot and it depends mostly on the health and consistency of Cooper, Toja, and the effectiveness of Davino and Rocha. I really like the blend of youth and veteran leadership here though and that, in itself, could work out for Morrow and his boys.

Outlook: 5th in the West

10 Bright Spots of Week 21: Galindo finds form, Blanco retains form, and Denilson signs a form

1. Cuauhtemac Blanco – the elder statesman has really started strong for the Chicago Fire and had his hand in both goals of the Fire’s revenge 2-0 shutout of the Wizards; he also had an assist in the early week matchup against KC that saw them yield 3 goals (two after going a man down); I think we’ll see Chicago grab that last spot thanks mainly to this guy

2. Maykel Galindo – back near the top and MLS player of the week; Galindo scored two goals to sink the hapless Galaxy as we learned most importantly that David Beckham is – in fact – human; Galindo’s constant presence on the field makes us wonder when we might see Lester More in action?

3. FC Dallas Front Office – Denilson has had a career of ups and downs so far, but how can you not be happy with the FCD FO for this move; a World Cup winner (no matter his small involvement in it) and at one point someone thought enough of him to break the bank; is that was the Hoops are doing though? I think you’re gonna find that this works – especially in there with Toja, Ricchetti, and Ricardinho up top – say goodbye to Adrian Serioux though as it looks like he’s the odd SI out.

4. Jaime Moreno – the Bolivian got his scoring record in the only fashion he knows how this year – a PK; yes, he’s lost his step but we all saw that goal he had for Bolivia in the Copa America; he’s still MLS caliber but unfortunately he’s competing with some of the top firepower in the league on D.C.; either way he’s got the record of 109

5. Fred – his play in both wins over New York and Toronto was phenomenal; even more so, it has been great to watch him wrestle with new aspects of the game and the adaptation to American soccer which has clearly been a long process; I think Fred is here and it’s safe to say the former Melbourne Victory stud might have made the Trio a Foursome.

6. Francisco Mendoza – Panchito has gradually been playing better and better all season and his role (1 g, 1 a) in the shutout of the Galaxy only keynotes his recent resurgence in form; it was his first goal in a SuperClasico as well

7. Jose Burciaga, Jr. – you know, I love to hate this guy mainly for some vicious tackles, lack of sportsmanship, and a general sense of finding himself into every damn scoresheet as an attacking fullback; he makes mistakes quite frequently but he often makes up for them – Burciaga found himself involved in the all three of the KCW goals against Chicago early on the week, but was overrun in the return leg 2-0 loss

8. Real Salt Lake defense – a valiant (in this since the word valiant is coupled with a hint of pity) attempt to shut down the reeling Chivas USA offense; unfortunately, they failed but the quality of the back four seems to improve with every match; can we celebrate about 3 goals in the last 3 games? No, probably not – but when you’re RSL you have to be positive about something and I don’t know whether or not I can be about the trio of Argentinians just brought in

9. Carlos Mendes – Jozy Altidore scored early and Twellman grabbed one back, but it looked as if the Red Bulls could, in fact, score again; Mendes had the ball on the left side and decided to backpass to Conway in order to ‘swing the field’; the ball was well hit but nothing out of the ordinary really – Conway must have been surveying the field or something because once Mendes’ pass reached him, he was still looking up; Conway dove to try and stop it but no luck, the ball was past him and the Revs were gifted a 2-1 win; Mendes’ gets the 9th spot due to his consistent play all season that never warrants him any sort of attention, note to Red Bulls: never pass back to Waterreus OR Conway.

10. Marc Burch – you play him, D.C. seems to win; you don’t, they lose; it could just be a matter of coincidence but the truth is, Burch has provided a sense of consistency in the back that D.C. has been longing for this year; he played a major part in man-marking the Altidore/Angel partnership in their win against NY; he was also there in their shutout of Toronto away

What's Goin' on in Dallas? More Goals in One Half than a whole Premiership season!, 4 more in the second half

Los Angeles wins 6-5 over FC Dallas. LA moves onto the next round as FC Dallas is eliminated.

Goalscorers (so far):

I had to drive some where and miss the first 15 minutes - look what I missed, 4-1 Los Angeles at halftime and it's not like man-for-man the defense isn't bad.

1st Half
LAG: Gordon (2) 3'
LAG: Klein (1) 12'
LAG: Gordon (3) 15'
LAG: Harmse (1) 18'
FCD: A. Alvarez (2) 43'

2nd Half
FCD: Juan Toja (1) 78'
FCD: A. Alvarez (3) 82'
LAG: Donovan (2) 84'
FCD: C. Ruiz (2) 90+'
LAG: C. Pavon (1) 90+'
FCD: A. Thompson (1) 90+'

Donovan assisted the first two goals and was sprung from the back by Ante Jazic on a breakaway with Sala; the FC Dallas goalkeeper cut the angle down nicely and blocked Donovan's bid for a goal to go with his two assists. Half ended 4-1 and you thought most of the action was done. No - the 2nd half didn't want to be outdone by the first as the goal clinic continued (and Cannon even had a pretty decent game). Six goals peppered the 2nd half with Alvarez grabbing his second (he is quickly becoming a vital part of that squad) and Toja got into the mix. Donovan added the necessary goal to quell the crowd and dash the hopes of FC Dallas. Then came injury time - the most goals I have ever seen in one as Dallas kept clawing one back through lucky bounces, lackadaisical defending, and shots on the frame. But 2 goals in injury time was not enough as Pavon's 1st goal for the club ended up being the gamewinner (who would of thought?)

To be honest, I thought this was the best quality high scoring game I have seen in a long time. They were spreading each other out, tiring each other, and taking rips that all seemed to find the goal. The 22-year old Arturo Alvarez was lights out and Donovan had a better game, all in all I wish I had taped that so I could go back and watch it right now. Oh but wait - I can - thank you MLS.

A Superliga Saturday: Chivas Pulls One Back while the Hoops tie again

FC Dallas 1, Pachuca 1
Pizza Hut Park

You know, most of the time I cringe and get upset when Carlos ' the flopping fish' Ruiz scores. But when he scores against a Mexican team - especially one who dives more than he does - I celebrate. Oh but then I get punished when that age-old 'dive in the box for a PK' trick works - Christian Gimenez converted the penalty kick with about 5 minutes left to tie it all up. Ricardinho had another spirited match showing some decent flashy footwork and running ragged at the Pachuca defense.


Match Recap from the Superliga Website

Match Recap from Top Drawer Soccer

Goalscorers:

FCD: Ruiz (76)
PAC: Gimenez (PK 87)


Chivas de Guadalajara 2, Los Angeles 1
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Landon Donovan continued his wildly inconsistent ways by turning in a rather uninspired showing last night. Despite grabbing back a goal in waning moments of the match, his touch, vision, pretty much everything was off the whole game. The Galaxy were also torn apart by the 6 returning internationals who put the LA defense on their heels throughout the whole game. Both Omars - Esparza and Bravo - had decent games for the Goats. Bravo scored the eventual gamewinner and Francisco Rodriguez finally beat Joe Cannon with a low-driven header to put them up at the beginning of the second half. Cannon was the team's MVP - perhaps for the second game in a row.

Match Report from Superliga

Match Report from Top Drawer Soccer

Goalscorers:

LAG: Donovan (88)
CHV: Rodriguez (59), O. Bravo (82)

FC Dallas 1, Chivas de Guadalajara 1 - The Hoops are Shafted.

Three Bright Spots of the Match

1. Juan Carlos Toja - the guy works harder than any one in the MLS to rule that midfield; I have not seen one game where Toja didn't look motivated, charged, and ready to contribute; his effort made me take Ricardinho out of this top three even though his debut in a Hoop uniform was inspiring for a 19 year old; the Brazilian has the speed of Oduro (well not quite) but better composure and skill; Toja sprung Ricardinho loose several times on that left side while on the defensive end, the Colombian broke up several dangerous Chivas' counters

2. Arturo Alvarez - his mazy runs left several Chivas defenders embarrassed at times; all his effort and hard work on the wing culminated in the deft chip over Chivas GK Ernesto Michel; Alvarez was still creating chances with the help of Toja and Ricchetti even after Drew Moor's sending off in the 72nd minute

3. Ray Burse, Jr. - I remember a certain FC Dallas fan writing in at the beginning of the season to tell me that Dario Sala was the man and neither Ray Burse, Jr. or Shaka Hislop were worth giving a damn about; he was right about Hislop - but Burse, Jr., who got his audition tonight, responded magnificently looking like - guess who? - Dario Sala in net; his reflexes and speed off the goal line was certainly not indicative of his young age

Worst Call of the Game: It certainly deserves a mention. After a 50-50 challenge went awry, the ball bounced into the path of the Goats' Antonio Olivera who, unintentionally, settled the ball with his hand which then proceeded to bounce favorably enough for Olivera to fire a volley (great shot by the way) that rocketed past

Best Call of the Game: Moor's red card. As much as I wanted Moor to retaliate and a full-out brawl to ensue, he's really got to be thinking about professionalism in this situation. You know the fouled is going to exaggerate - greatly, you know you'll get ejected if you physically touch the guy, but I am sure the handball goal was still fresh in his mind, rendering all things composed completely obsolete. Moor had a decent defensive game beforehand and the Hoops played harder a man down.

I will not be watching the whole Galaxy-Pachuca game - so views and opinions are more than welcome. It is 0-0 in 40th minute, however - with Beckham definitely not playing (as he's sitting in stands) - and Pachuca seems to be getting most of the chances offensively. Abel Xavier has been a rock yet again. Same with Joe Cannon. Once again, however, where is Landon?

YANKS ABROAD UPDATE: Freddy Adu to Benfica? With Celtic close behind. Scholes, another Freddie, and Ricardinho too.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that $7.5 million would have to be tabled in order to pry the 18-year old Adu away from the MLS. That's slim pickins' for a club like Benfica or Celtic and Freddy Adu's absence at the Real Salt Lake/Everton friendly fueled transfer talk. According to Lewis' sources - Adu's agent could be wrapping up a deal in just a few days with Benfica the leader in the chase. Another club mentioned is Premiership youth hotbed, Tottenham Hotspur.

Clearly - more should come from this in the coming days. Adu, however, should be in the roster for RSL's friendly match-up with Boca Juniors on Tuesday, July 24th. His departure would certainly be a bittersweet one as many are still waiting for the "real" Freddy Adu to come out. Not only that, but it might push RSL to up the ante for a Jay Jay Okocha or some other winger looking to come to the MLS.

OTHER NEWS:

Manchester United were dealt a rather large blow as trusty veteran center midfielder Paul Scholes has been ruled out of the rest of the Red Devils' Far East tour and a month onward with extensive knee pain. Exploratory surgery will be done keeping him out for the beginning of the Premiership season on August 11th.

Long-time Arsenal Gunner Freddie Ljungberg has moved on. West Ham United were keen suitors and won their man. His departure, however, was pretty much solidified when Thierry Henry left the club as Ljungberg believed that any favorable future for the club left with the French striker. Ljungberg, only 30, is healthy again (and over his injury riddled last season) and is poised to help an ailing Hammer midfield (especially if Tevez leaves).

The courtship of Ricardinho is over. FC Dallas', according to Buzz Carrick's 3rd Degree, has finally signed him on loan formally, all legal/immigration documents in order, and he will be ready to compete in the Superliga schedule rapidly approaching. Roberto Mina has been placed on injury reserve to make room for the youth international. His pace apparently rivals Dominic Oduro, except the Brazilian possesses better skill and decision-making skills. Should be real interesting, especially if Denilson comes into the mix (which we should hear something about soon).

Richetti and Toja.

- Transfer speculation is now confirmed regarding FC Dallas and the signing of Pablo Richetti. Here's the link.


Here's some info from BigSoccer:

Player Name: Pablo Richetti
Full name: Pablo Javier Richetti
Nationality: Argentinian and Italian
Place of birth: Buenos Aires ,Argentina
Date of birth: January 2, 1977
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Positions: Defensive Midfielder, Right Back, Central Defender, Defender
Previous Jersey #: 21

Quilmes (Argentina) 2006 GP 3(2) Goals 0 YC: 1 RC: 0
(Italy) 2004/5 GP 0(0) Goals 0 YC: 0 RC: 0
Valladolid (Spain) 2003/4 GP 24 (6) Goals 1 (vs Athl. Madrid) YC: 7 RC: 1
Valladolid (Spain) 2002/3 GP 7 (2) Goals 0 YC: 3 RC: 0
Valladolid (Spain) 2001/2 GP 4 (0) Goals 0 YC: 2 RC: 0

- UPenn and Red Bull New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero earned himself a developmental contract. He will be RBNY's number three. Congrats - a 4th round MLS Supplemental Draftee to RBNY Reserve Team GK.

- Check out the new pictures of Toronto FC's BMO Field.

- Real Madrid is scoutin' out the stars. Now, apparently, they are shopping for not only Cristiano Ronaldo but also AC Milan star Kaka. Imagine that starting line-up.

- Eurosport.com is reporting possible suitors for French and Olympique Lyonnais left winger Florent Malouda. Malouda says it would take a club like Juventus or Arsenal to pry him away from Stade de Gerland. Take a look here.

- Chelsea and Arsenal were fined $200,000 each for their FA Cup Final brawl. Fitting. Check out the article here on Skysports.

U.S. Clubs follow U.S. National Team's Lead

D.C. United 3, CD Olimpia 2 (2nd Leg CONCACAF Champions Cup)

D.C. is through on an aggregate score of 7-3. No young'uns really got a chance to play and D.C. didn't really hit stride til the second half but all in all it was decent showing. Luciano Emilio was on point again, hitting for two to bring his total to 3 in 2 games. Christian Gomez added a penalty strike for his 3rd of the tournament as well. They will take on Chivas Guadalajara next. Can somebody tell me why I should try and like Jamil Walker? The announcers were saying how Chivas USA must be shaking their heads in disbelief at cutting this guy, but I see it as nothing but the right move. Poor finisher, has brief moments of decency, but all-in-all poor execution and composure. Somebody, convince me.

CDO: Thomas (30), Pacini (75)
DCU: Emilio (37), C. Gomez (49), Emilio (84)
Att. 8,181 (looked more like 1,000 thanks to RFK)

Houston 2, Puntarenas FC 0 (2nd Leg CONCACAF Champions Cup)

Houston's win sets up an all-American v. Mexican team semi-final. Should be real good. Houston will take on Pachuca next. This game was all about seeing the effect that Brian Ching does have when he enters a match. On for 20 minutes, he sent Paul Dalglish on a run that should have been finished and then provided the header off the corner that led to Kelly Gray's putback. The crowd was almost as fun to listen to as the game itself. Houston fans, however, can't be happy about a knock to Dwayne DeRosario. It looks to be a strained hammy and that'll probably be about a week. Who's got the better chance to go through? D.C. or Houston???

HOU: Dalglish, K. Gray
PUN: NONE
Att. about 5,000

Other news:

*Canadian, Jack Kachkar, has completed the takeover of Zinedine Zidane's stomping ground, Olympique Marseille. Unlike most takeovers, this one didn't seem to get as much press as it is equally as important as the takeovers of West Ham, Aston Villa, and Liverpool. Maybe Juninho was right when said there was a controversy against French soccer. Regardless, another North American taking over a storied and famous club. Olympique Marseille could possibly be the destination of Oguchi Onyewu sometime this summer after his loan move ends at St. James Park. Someone buy me their jersey, it's nice. Here is an article on it.


*FC Dallas have confirmed the signing of Juan Carlos Toja. This is a great signing as this guy has played with some of the best young'uns on the planet. For example Columbia U-20 Libis Andres Arenas and St. Etienne loan defensive midfielder Freddy Guarin. That makes Toja a wonderkid by association right?!?! Well, at least we know he is coming from a program in Colombia that turns out massive young talent every frickin' year. Toja's good, but if you get a chance to see Freddy Guarin, he's amazing. Remember his name, you will see it a lot in the future. Welcome Juan Carlos Toja.

*Yinka Casal, former Fulham young'un, is ready to sign for D.C. as his conditional U.S. visa has been OK'd. Quick sidenote, apparently Yinka ran a mean 100m dash in his days. Track and soccer, not a bad combination. D.C. fans - get ready for some pace and skill as he looks to be a great addition to the already solid United squad.

*Didier Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year. For a guy that has scored around 30 goals already with about 2 months left in the season, this guy is my candidate for FIFA World Player of the Year. He'll have to beat a feisty 20-something from Man Utd. Who do you think should win? Vote by dropping a comment and I will tally them together - we'll elect our own World Player of the Year.

Last but not least, tommorrow I hope to have a preview of sorts of the Lyon v. Saint Etienne game. If not a preview, then a post-game review from our "foreign correspondant" Brittany. Are you going to the game Brittany? O-L!