September 26, 2006
Vancouver appeals Sebrango's penalty
Whitecaps win on field, losing off it
The USL has already said that they won't overlook Sebrango's second yellow card versus Montreal on Sunday for taking his jersey off after scoring the series clinching goal for Vancouver. So, the Whitecaps are now going to try and get the USL to say that Sebrango's first yellow card was unwarranted.
I'm of two minds on this situation. Sebrango being suspended will give the Rhinos a huge advantage on Saturday. But, it would also give the anti-Rhino fans out there more fuel for their fire.
But, I also hate the whole rule of a yellow card for taking off a player's jersey in celebration. And while FIFA couldn't care less about Sebrango missing the USL 1st Division Final for Vancouver, hopefully this will start some talk about getting rid of that needless rule.
Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this plays out between now and Saturday.
US Open Cup Final on Fox Soccer Channel tomorrow night
The USL First Division Championship isn't the only title game that Fox Soccer Channel will be broadcasting this week. Tomorrow night the LA Galaxy head to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire in the 2006 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final.
With the Galaxy sitting in last place in the Western Conference, this could be the only shot that they get in 2006 to add some hardware to their trophy case. Although, having to head to Chicago will really make it an uphill battle for LA. The home team is 7-1 in US Open Cup finals since MLS came in to being in 1996.
Chicago will likely be in fine spirits as they clinched a playoff berth on Saturday with their 2-1 home win versus the LA Galaxy.
I'll be pulling for Rochester native Dave Sarachan to win his second US Open Cup title as the Fire's head coach. The Fire won the US Open Cup in 2003 under Sarachan, along with reaching the US Open Cup final again in 2004 and the MLS Cup final in 2003.
Marcus Hahnemann wonders if the next US Men's National Team coach needs to be an American
HAHNEMANN UNSURE OVER NEW US BOSS
Marcus must have been chatting with Soccer Sam lately.
In this piece from Yanks Abroad, the Reading FC goalkeeper wonders if the US team needs a coach that knows how American players tick. Where have I heard that take before?
Personally, I'm hoping that they don't go with a big foreign name guy just to get a big name foreigner. The talk that Sunil Gulati had interviewed ex-England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson reaked of going after a name instead of a coach who would be the best fit for the job.
Hopefully Gulati can get Jürgen Klinsmann to sign on the dotted line as the man to replace Bruce Arena. But, only time will tell.
Speaking of the coaching search for the next USMNT boss
This is a sweet breakdown of the recent rumors and the pluses and minuses of the majority of candidates that are in play at this time.
Hopefully we'll get an answer before Christmas!
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.
