Welcome to this edition of The Roundup. Look for some changes in the coming weeks, including a possible name change as well as a bigger focus on Americans abroad. MLS news will remain the primary focus of this column though.
Bonus points to the first person to spot the big musical reference in the column this week.
DC United defeated the Charleston Battery by a 2-1 scoreline to win the 2008 US Open Cup. The win ensures that DCU will participate in next season's CONCACAF Champions League.
Luciano Emilio opened the scoring in the 4th minute, but Charleston equalized just six minutes later. The game stayed in a 1-1 deadlock until DC sub Fred scored in the 50th minute. "Right", said Fred. "We can't let ourselves lose the Cup to a USL team."
The victory was DC's second US Open Cup triumph.
The New England Revolution and Chivas USA were bounced from the CONCACAF Champions League.
New England had a decent chance to advance, trailing 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg. They then decided to give up four goals to
- B/R Ticket Guide
The Revs lost 6-1 on aggregate, and went home with their tails between their legs. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride for New England.
Chivas' matchup ended in a loss, but with a far more respectable scoreline. Tauro FC led 2-0 on aggregate after the first leg, and Chivas was only able to manage a draw in the return. They may have been lucky to escape with even that much, because Jonathan Bornstein was sent off in the 51st minute, leaving Chivas with ten men to finish the match.
For more on the CONCACAF Champions League, read Thomas Leemon's excellent wrap-up here.
Also, check out former Trinidad and Tobago international Shaka Hislop's take on the matches at the Guardian.
Team USA! USA! USA! climbed three spots in the latest FIFA rankings, settling in at number 28. Unfortunately for the Americans, Mexico climbed eight spots to number 24 overall. This climb happened despite El Tricolor having a tough time dispatching Honduras (No. 60 in the rankings) in a World Cup Qualifier on August 20th.
Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach have signed US midfielder Michael Bradley to a four-year deal. Bradley comes over from Eredivisie side Heerenveen, where he scored 15 goals in 33 appearances last season. Bradley figures to inject some life into the attack as Monchengladbach fight to survive after being promoted last season.
And lastly, we need to have a moment of silence for 14-year-old Brandon Mitchell. Mitchell collapsed while cooling down at the end of a soccer practice in the Sacramento area. He was pronounced dead later at an area hospital.
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2 months ago
Great wrapup Joe. I got caught up in a golf standoff, so I havent finished my US Open Cup article. I'll put it up l8er tonite. Thanks for the mention.
Whered u hear bout the boy? thats sad. RIP Brandon.
from 2 months ago
It was on Soccernet today. I hate hearing about athletes dying at practices or games, it's depressing. It's unfortunate and an absolute mess for everybody involved.
2 months ago
Good report. I heard about the boy dying as well, very sad news. So how exactly did Mexico jump ahead of the US in the rankings? I'm a bit baffled by that?
from 2 months ago
From what I can gather, the rankings of the teams that Mexico barely beat (Honduras) was higher than that of the team that the US slaughtered (Barbados). I can't quite figure it out, either. They also got about 200 more points for beating Honduras, at the freaking Azteca, than the US got for going on the road and beating Guatemala. The rankings throw up some real head-scratchers sometimes.
2 months ago
That's a shame about the young man who died. May he rest in peace.
Firstly, the FIFA rankings have always been a joke - so you shouldn't really take them too much to heart. However, Honduras has taken over for Costa Rica as the toughest team in Central America. They have more than a half dozen players in the EPL and Calcio (including of course, David Suazo). Not to belittle Guatemala, but are you really going to compare Carlos Ruiz, who plays for Toronto - with David Suazo who starts for Inter Milan?
Honduras is a tough squad. Mexico didn't just barely eke out a win against Honduras, they hounded the Honduran defense all game long. The United States will get a chance to further the "Who's the CONCACAF's best team?" debate in several months, when they'll get to play Mexico twice in the last round of qualifying.
from 2 months ago
I knew the FIFA rankings were a joke when the US managed to climb to no. 4 right before the 2006 World Cup, haha. It was cool to see them up there with France, Spain and Argentina, but it wasn't based in reality.
Honduras was leading that game for awhile though, if I remember correctly. And Mexico was at home, and they have the best home-field advantage in all of CONCACAF.
I'd agree that Honduras is superior to Guatemala, I just don't think the difference should have been enough to make Mexico jump eight spots.
2 months ago
i'm surprised Bradley went where he has. I thought there were better teams showing interest. How about joining the Ibrox revolution next season :P
from 2 months ago
I wouldnt mind seeing that.
from 2 months ago
I'm surprised that Heerenveen seemingly didn't really want him. He was their best player last season, led them in scoring.
It'd be interesting to see a third American added to the midfield mix at Ibrox. Pedro Mendes, Barry Ferguson, Beasley, Edu and Bradley would be a nice pool of players to choose from.
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