October 30, 2008
MLS has a new trophy for the winner of the MLS Cup. The Philip F. Anschultz Trophy is named after the LA and Houston owner who is also known as Uncle Phil as he has bankrolled MLS to such a degree that it is unlikely that MLS would be where it is at today without him.
Luis Bueno's latest at SI.com has his road to MLS Cup 2008, Steve Davis' latest at MLSNet.com talks about how Houston and Chivas USA are hoping to avoid upsets, and then there is a bunch of stuff ahead of tonight's opener on ESPN2 between New England and Chicago.
On the New England side, The Sun Chronicle and The Boston Globe are both focusing on the fact that Taylor Twellman is out indefinitely for the Revs due to Post-Concussion Syndrome.
New England will also be without Khano Smith as he has been suspended 3 games by MLS for his payback tackle on Kansas City's Hercules Gomez.
In Chicago, The Tribune has an article talking about how the Fire's window of opportunity may close after this season and The Daily Herald takes the angle that the Fire aren't overlooking the Revs. I know New England is missing some key pieces to their puzzle, but this is a team that knows how to at least get to the MLS Cup. I don't think anyone should need to worry about looking past the Revs......
News & Notes:
- I can't wait to hear the long list of jokes coming out now that Diego Maradona is being named Argentina's national team coach.
- In reading this article about George Gillett's thoughts about joining forces with the Montreal Impact to land an MLS expansion franchise, I can't past Tariq Panja's claim that Liverpool is the most successful soccer club in England.
- MLSE, the owners of Toronto FC, are reportedly looking into buying GolTV. The interesting thing is that MLS stepped in when Dave Checketts, Real Salt Lake's owner, was kicking the tires a few years ago on this same deal.
- Beckham's lawyers were to start talking to AC Milan today....... I thought Garber said this would only happen if MLS said it OK?
- Oguchi Onyewu reportedly could move to another club in Belgium or to Russia.
- Maykel Galindo is having all sorts of sports hernia issues this year. He is set to have his third operation of the year to repair a sports hernia. OUCH!
- The Puerto Rico Islanders will join Montreal in the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champiosn League thanks to their 2-2 draw last night.
- Shannon Boxx and Hope Solo were the two Americans that made it to the list of 10 players that are up for FIFA Women's World Player 2008 award. I'm surprised that Carli Lloyd didn't make it.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
