Bleacher Report - Articles by Jo-Ryan Salazar

Santos FC: South America's Female Football Powerhouse

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:30:00 -0500

Pop quiz. What club do the best Brazilian-based players in Women's Professional Soccer go to when training in the offseason?

Hint number one: in English, their club nickname is "The Mermaids of Vila Belmiro."

Hint number two: their male counterparts are managed by somebody whose last name resembles a tiny European monarcy.

Hint number three: It's in Sao Paulo State, and it's not Corinthians, Palmeiras, Ponte Preta, Guarani, Portuguesa or Sao Paulo FC. All right, those were hints three through nine.

Hint number ten: Marta and Cristiane are on the same team. And Erika too.

Still don't know? It's Santos FC.

Yes, you heard it right. Santos FC.

This club, managed by Kleiton Lima, has made a nasty habit of making football contests anything but a football contest in the sense that it's closely contested.

Case in point: the 2009 Copa Santander Libertadores de Futbol Femenina. With Santos already qualified through their first Copa do Brasil in 2008, the faithful of the Vila Belmiro witnessed the return of Marta to Brazilian club competition.

Some in Brazil were scratching their heads as to Marta was perhaps crazy not to return instead to Umea IK and help bolster the Damallsvenskan glamour club's 2009-10 campaign on loan.

But the FIFA Women's Player of the Year had always wanted to return to her roots and make a statement. And she did it with authority at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira.

In group play, 3-1 victories over Peru's White Star and Everton of Chile were augmented by a 12-0 lashing of Bolivia's EnForma Santa Cruz and an 11-0 wipeout of Venezuela's Caracas. Cristiane earned the bulk of the goals in group play, tallying 11 goals.

In the semifinals at the Estadio do Pacaembu in Sao Paulo, Santos eased past Colombia's Formas Intimas 5-0, setting up a showdown with Universidad Autonoma for the championship on October 16. Including Marta, eight different scorers pounced on the champions from Paraguay, 9-0, before a crowd of over 14,000 at the Vila Belmiro.

Cristiane finished the tournament with 15 goals, while Marta added seven, Erika six Atlanta-bound Maurine four and Francielle three. But the Mermaids weren't satisfied.

It leads us to our econd case in point: This time, Marta and her team were intent on defending their Copa do Brasil.

Kleiton Lima's Mermaids wasted no time in flexing their muscles. In their first round match with CRESSPOM of Brasilia, Santos won 4-1. The second round match with Mixto Esporte Clube of Cuiaba was nowhere close to a contest. The Alvinegro were massacred in the first leg 12-0 and 11-0 in the second leg to win 23-0 on aggregate.

In the third round, Santos took on Novo Mundo from Parana. The Mermaids won the first leg in Parana 4-0 before blowing out Novo Mundo 7-0. In the fourth round, Santos took on Pinheirense from Para. After a slow first half that saw them lead 1-0, the Mermaids proceeded to score seven goals in the second half en route to an 8-0 victory.

That led to a final rematch with fellow Paulista side Botucatu Futebol Clube. Botucatu, established in 1996, had a successful history against Santos. In 2007, the Mermaids were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate in the first round.

But that Santos side did not have Marta, nor did they have Cristiane or any of the other big guns from the WPS that joined them. To add further misery, Santos lost again to Botucatu in the Campeonato Paulista final 2-0 on October 31.

However, it was clear that at the Estadio do Pacaembu-the home of Corinthians, Marta's favorite club-the tables were finally going to turn for sure. And they did.

In the 10th minute, Marta struck first off a through ball to make it 1-0 Santos. Cristiane joined in the scoring feast in the 37th minute to make it 2-0 off a delivery by Erika.

Marta and Cristiane would then lay down the hammer on Botucatu in the 71st minute to make the final score 3-0. At last, their Copa de Brasil defense was secure while also gaining a hard-earned redemption.

Marta finished the campaign with 18 goals while Cristiane added 14, Erika and Maurine four respectively and one from Francielle.

As soon as the final whistle blew it was etched in stone that the women of Santos FC are, once again, the female football powerhouse of South America.

You see, the Mermaids of Estadio Vila Belmiro not just good, they're SANTOS-good.

And when you are Santos-good, don't be surprised if the UEFA Women's Champions League winners are consigned to the same fate Marta and Company dealt many of their foes.

Here's A Thought, Rick Neuheisel: Don't Call a Timeout

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:42:36 -0500

You know, I have some dubious plays from the players donning Green and White in Calgary, but even more of a head-scratcher is Rick Neuheisel deciding, "Okay, I am going to literally give up seven more points by calling a timeout when the fate of my UCLA Bruins is already sealed down at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Happy Thanksgiving, Pete Carroll."

This has to go down as a brain cramp. Why call a timeout instead of letting Matt Barkley take a knee and make it a 21—7 win?

"I was trying to make them punt, and maybe if they run, we cause a fumble," Neuheisel said. "They have their take on it, but I was trying to get the ball back. People can make their own conclusions. ... I don't blame them for doing it."

Nice try at an excuse, but I won't buy it. It's not going to make a difference whether you call a timeout or not, Neuheisel. And Carroll made you pay for the act of stupidity by letting Matt Barkley hurl an 48—yard insurance touchdown pass to Damien Williams to make it 28—7.

"It is just the heart of a competitor, just battling," Carroll said after game, putting the match in pespective. "We just wanted to win the game and have fun. When the moment was there, it wasn't thinking about what [others] might be thinking. You are either competing, or you're not."

You UCLA fans will say it was unsportsmanlike till the day you lay six feet under the grass. This proud Trojan program has seen it all and heard it all. But come on, Neuheisel, just give up and let the clock run out.

Not only would the score read 21-7, but there would be handshakes and no threats to spoil for a fight before the next kickoff.

"They can't disrespect us like that," Barkley said after the game. By taking a knee, he made it easy for you. Done with, finished, kaput.

But once again, I ask the question, what is the point of calling a timeout when the game's outcome is set in stone?

"I don't forget much," said Neuheisel after the game.

You don't forget much, huh? Well guess what, Rick? The bell's staying in Troy once again. And you might as well erase from your head the fact that you paid the price for delaying the inevitable in the 2009 Battle for the Victory Bell.

2009 Grey Cup: Ken Miller's Saskatchewan Roughriders Blow It

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:32:29 -0500

This will go down in team history as a completely wasted opportunity.

You can only wonder if Kent Austin was really making the right decision to take the offensive coordinator position at the University of Mississippi.

Kent, just be honest with yourself: you should have stayed in Regina instead of going down to Oxford, MS and watched your Ole Miss Rebels get punked by the Mississippi State Bulldogs yesterday.

Because the writing is on the pedestal: the coach who took over for you simply doesn't know how to win a Grey Cup.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders-the Chokers of 09-gave up a large rally capped by a Damon Duval late in the fourth quarter at McMahon Stadium to give up a 28-27 victory in the 2009 edition.

Ken Miller, you and the coaching staff (especially defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry) should be ashamed of letter Marc Trestman's Montreal Alouettes come from behind.

In fact, it should have been a done deal at a few stages in the fourth quarter.

With 8:48 to go, a badly-thrown ball by Anthony Calvillo was tipped and was a clear interception. But instead, it's dropped and ruled incomplete. A good defense should be able to catch those tipped passes. You cannot drop these badly thrown balls against East champions, or they will capitalize.

And Calvillo made you guys pay with a 33-yard pass to Brian Bratton. Told you.

Secondly, with 6:19 to go, Riders QB Darien Durant throws a bad pass to Jerald Brown. This was not the only pick he made. He also blew a would-be touchdown pass to Rob Bagg with an interception to Billy Parker with 7:39 to go in the third.

Calvillo would then score his 9th Grey Cup touchdown pass of his career, a three yard pass to slotback Jamel Richardson.

Finally, your team gains the delusion that this is a rugby league game. Shame be the coach who cannot tell a legit 13th man (the crowd) from an illegit 13th man. That missed field goal by Duval would have ended it.

This goes to show you, Ken Miller, that you simply let your province and Roughrider fans around the world down with a lack of fundamentals combined with your team's inability to execute in the clutch.

Let this be on all of your heads for the rest of the off-season and into next year, Sasakatchewan Roughriders. This choke of a contest will be something that Green and White fans around the world will never be thankful for.

In Memory of UCLA Men's Basketball: 1920-2009

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:10:19 -0500

ANAHEIM, CA (Bleacher Report) - At the Anaheim Convention Center, UCLA Men's Basketball-who had been blessed with legacy of success for so many years-passed away at the ripe old age of 89.

The last rites were read by Father Victor Cegles of California State University, Long Beach's Walter Pyramid Church after the 49ers took him off life support, 79-68.

"UCLA will go down in history as one of the greatest basketball programs that ever lived," said Father Victor while performing the last rites. "He will now take his place among the programs of collegiate hoops heaven after witnessing 11 national championships bestowed in his name. UCLA will be missed."

Among those witnessing the funeral inside the ACC were Mr. Benjamin Howland, Mr. Daniel Monson, Mr. Prospector Pete, Mr. Joseph Bruin and his wife Josephine, and thousands of students, fans, and alumni from CSULB and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The highlight of the funeral was the eulogy by Mr. Monson, manager of Long Beach State men's basketball, whose speech consisted of two words shouted loud and clear, "GO BEACH!" The Black and Gold crowd roared in approval, while those from Westwood were inconsolable. Some were traumatized that they fainted at the sound.

One UCLA alumnus, who chose not to be named due to the fear of being "owned for ratting/snitching on his n*****s," said, "He will be like Jesus. He will rise from the dead. Or maybe not. I wanted to go to Long Beach State but my parents told me they s**k and they wanted me to go to UCLA because they are the only university that matters in Los Angeles (and they hate U$C, too).

"I now regret my powerless decision."

"It's kinda depressing to see a program like that be taken off life support," said Elizabeth Montoya, a chemistry major from Cal State Long Beach. "But all good things have to come to an end. It was fun to watch them. Sort of. Not like I care really; a win over UCLA in any sport is a good thing for us, you know."

John Wooden, former manager of UCLA Men's Basketball, was unavailable for comment. Later on, a written statement from Mr. Wooden stated this simple interjection, "Bah Humbug!"

"I need a vacation," said Mr. Howland after the funeral. "This world is too much for me."

"My husband told me before this news that UCLA could use a new coach," said Mrs. Bruin. "It's safe to say that we need one bad, so that we can bring him back from the dead. Zombie Nation, send help! And I will buy one of those Kernkraft 400 microwaves, thank you."

The news just added more salt to the wounds of those from Westwood, who witnessed their football team demolished by USC 27-0 at the Coliseum the previous day.

"What!?" exclaimed UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel. "UCLA lost again? Man, this year could get bad for them. Ayayay."

UCLA Chancellor Dr. Gene D. Block was dismayed by the news. "Good heavens, I hope that was a typo I saw on ESPN.com," he exclaimed. After watching the replay on ESPNU, he shouted every obscenity he could muster from his worn-out voice box inside his office.

Cal State Long Beach president Dr. F. King Alexander, after hearing of the news, did his best Monty Burns impersonation. "Excellent," he said with a wide, uncouth smile.

The Real Deal: Real Salt Lake Wins 2009 MLS Cup on Penalties

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:06:02 -0500

Citizens of Utah: please rise, stretch, and clap your hands. You are now blessed with a new set of sporting legends that have earned their place among the best in the Beehive State.

I issue this edict, this fatwa of football fanaticism: Real Salt Lake is officially The Real Deal.

Jason Kreis may as well have been Jesus Christ in Seattle on Sunday. His club defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 5-4 on penalties to lift their first Philip Anschutz Trophy, and their first-ever Major League Soccer championship in the young team's history.

"It's nice to say we're the best team in the league. My honest opinion was that we deserved to win that game, so I'm glad that we did," said Kreis on the victory.

"I was walking down the fish market today and I must have seen a hundred Real Salt Lake fans and maybe five Galaxy fans. So I think that was an indication of how well supported we were tonight.

"I have a feeling that it's a really, really big thing for Utah."

Perhaps some supporters from Real Madrid, the club that has forged a partnership with Real Salt Lake and once had current Galaxy midfielder David Beckham on their team, are also smiling too.

Robbie Russell will go down as a hero among the Loyalists. His decisive spot kick gave the eighth seed the win.

"Playing in front of a crowd like that was great," said RUssell after the match. "It was a lot better than I expected."

Los Angeles got on the board first with a goal by Mike Magee in the 40th minute. On the transition, Landon Donovan delivered a cross that was slotted home to give the Galaxy a 1-0 going into halftime.

Real Salt Lake rebounded through another Robbie.

Robbie Findley made the Galaxy's defensive backline pay for missing their marker with the equalizer in the 64th minute.

Real Salt Lake's Javier Moreno was only able to last 22 minutes. He had to be subbed by Clint Mathis after suffering an LCL sprain by way of a David Beckham foul.

"Javier's been a very, very important player for us. In all of our good moments at Real Salt Lake he's been a central figure. He's our play maker for a reason," explained Kreis.

But Morales's injury didn't faze the underdogs from Utah, and Real Salt Lake's tenacity forced the game to go to penalties.

“Me and all the guys knew, if it came down to penalty kicks, we were confident, just going back to last week we handled business in Chicago,” Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. “But I really think we could have won this in regulation. We were that good in the second half.”

Rimando saved attempts by Jovan Kirovski and Edson Buddle in the shootout while witnessing Donovan's penalty sail high and over the crossbar.

Despite the setback, Bruce Arena was pleased by the turnaround the club made this season.

“Our players, our team, our organization had a great year,” Arena said after the game. “Can’t be disappointed. I think we did a great job in turning our team around.”

Los Angeles finished second overall on the regular season table (12-6-12, 48 points), while winning the Western Conference.

With the win, Real Salt Lake became the second eighth seed to win an MLS crown. The first to do so was the Galaxy in 2005.

Not only that, the championship is Utah's first professional title in any sport in four decades.

"We started with a dream and an idea of what it would look like over time," said Kreis. "We saw at certain times this season what we were capable of.

"We saw that we could be one of the best teams and now we are the best team in the league.”

"It's a Cinderella story," Real Salt Lake midfielder Ned Grabavoy said after the match. "“It really is."

Real Salt Lake (3-0-1) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-1)
November 22, 2009—Qwest Field

Scoring Summary:
LA: Mike Magee 2 (Landon Donovan 1, David Beckham 1) 41
RSL: Robbie Findley 3 (unassisted) 64

Penalty-kick shootout:
LA: David Beckham (Goal)
RSL: Clint Mathis (Goal)
LA: Gregg Berhalter (Goal)
RSL: Robbie Findley (Goal)
LA: Jovan Kirovski (Saved)
RSL: Kyle Beckerman (Saved)
LA: Landon Donovan (High)
RSL: Ned Grabavoy (Goal)
LA: Mike Magee (Goal)
RSL: Andy Williams (Saved)
LA: Chris Klein (Goal)
RSL: Chris Wingert (Goal)
LA: Edson Buddle (Saved)
RSL: Robbie Russell (Goal)

Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales (Clint Mathis 22), Will Johnson (Ned Grabavoy 46), Robbie Findley, Yura Movsisyan (Fabian Espindola 75).

Substitutes Not Used: Jean Alexandre, Tony Beltran, Pablo Campos, Chris Seitz

Los Angeles Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts (Josh Saunders 66), Sean Franklin, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez (A.J. DeLaGarza 89), Todd Dunivant, David Beckham, Mike Magee, Chris Birchall (Chris Klein 79), Jovan Kirovski, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan.

Substitutes Not Used: Alan Gordon, Dema Kovalenko, Eddie Lewis, Yohance Marshall

Los Angeles Galaxy    Real Salt Lake
Total Shots:    13    (Landon Donovan 3, Mike Magee 3)     19    (Robbie Findley 5)
Shots On Goal:    3    (3 tied with 1)     4    (Robbie Findley 2)
Fouls:    22    (David Beckham 4, Jovan Kirovski 4)     19    (Fabian Espindola 4)
Offsides:    5    (Edson Buddle 3)     8    (Robbie Findley 6)
Corner Kicks:   7    (David Beckham 7)     4    (Andy Williams 2)
Saves:    3    (Donovan Ricketts 2)     2    (Nick Rimando 2)

Misconduct Summary:
RSL: Will Johnson (caution; Tactical Foul) 14
LA: Chris Birchall (caution; Reckless Tackle) 39

Referee: Kevin Stott
Referee's Assistants: C.J. Morgante; Rob Fereday
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo
Time of game: 2:47
Attendance: 46,011
Weather: Cloudy, 45 degrees

LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake: A Play by Play (and Other Miscellany)

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:56:04 -0500

T-120 minutes to kickoff: Ahhh, Seattle, Washington. The home of grunge rock, good health, great coffee, and a solid club that fell short of earning its stripes and home field advantage.

You gotta give credit to the Seattle Sounders Football Club for earning the U.S. Open Cup in their first season promoted from the USL to the MLS as an expansion team. And their supporters, led by the Emerald City Supporters, earn my respect for their unwavering support.

But the MLS Cup Playoffs are a different animal. While it's a battle of conference champions, it's essentially a battle of teams from the same conference winning respective silver chalices that are not the Philip Anschutz Trophy.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are the champions of the Westearn Conference—regular season and playoffs—and Real Salt Lake are the champions of the East...no wait, that's not right. The Chicago Fire are the Eastern Conference Champions...no wait, that's not right either.

All right, I got it. Here it is. Let me allow myself some time to clear my throat. Here it goes:

Real Salt Lake benefitted from the crossover rule. This is why they were placed in the Eastern Conference bracket. RSL finished as the eighth overall seed. They are like Sky Blue FC are to the WPS playoffs: the unexpected underdog.

T-110: I don't believe the G's will make the same mistake, though. They shouldn't. Lightning striking twice is the last thing LA wants. I am still disappointed by Abner Rogers failing to capitalize at the HDC.

T-105: BigSoccer is a community I have frequented for a while. There is this section known as MLS Fan Rivalries. We have a thread called the Playoff Losers' Lounge, where fans of sides that are not alive in the playoffs drown their sorrows away.

Some post rave videos. Others post simple bottles of beer, wine and spirits to share with the visually inebriated. So it is written by the thread starter, Topper. Topper doubles as a moderator, and also works as an HDC employee.

T-100: Qwest Field is a stadium fit for three codes of football: rugby, American, and association. Actually, I will have to check for myself if it has hosted a rugby international test match.

This is a solid field for play, but the turf is a bit fast. This will be a factor.

T-95: It's less than two hours to kickoff of MLS Cup 2009. And the intensity continues to build as the fans go through the turnstiles, tifosi and other favors in hand. Don Garber, our esteemed Commissioner, is here, as well as the usual football luminaries.

T-90: An hour and a half to go before kickoff near the Space Needle. And here are the lineups from MLSNet.com.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY
2009 MLS Western Conference Champions
Manager: Bruce Arena
White tops with blue trim, white shorts and socks
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 (4-4-2 Diamond)

1 Ricketts

2 Dunivant ---- 16 Berhalter ---- 4 Gonzalez ---- 28 Franklin

33 Birchall

10 Donovan ---- 23 Beckham

9 Kirovski

14 Buddle ---- 18 Magee

Substitutes:
12 Saunders
7 Klein
6 Lewis
8 Kovalenko
21 Gordon
20 De La Garza
5 Marshall

REAL SALT LAKE
2009 Eastern Conference Champions
Manager: Jason Kreis
Burgundy tops with blue sleeves, blue shorts and socks
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 (4-4-2 Diamond)'

18 Rimando

3 Russell ---- 4 Olave ---- 6 Borchers ---- 17 Wingert

5 Beckerman

77 Williams ---- 8 Johnson

11 Morales

10 Findley ---- 14 Movsisyan

Substitutes:
84 Mathis
20 Grabavoy
2 Beltran
16 Espindola
12 Alexandre
19 Campos

T-85: I am busy munching on some pita chips and spinach dip from Costco. Actually, I prefer Sabra hummus as a companion dip. With this combination, I am taken to the streets of Jerusalem. I know it's Kosher, with the Pareve appellation added. I have yet to find out if it has earned Halal certification, thus making it good for at least three religions.

Aside from that, I like the taste. Makes a good sandwich condiment for the soft variety of bread. Excuse me while I snack on this spinach dip. Santa Barbara Bay is a solid brand of dip, too. But for Stacy's, I recommend Sabra as a partner.

T-80: An hour and twenty to kickoff. I am rubbing my fingers as I type this part of the play-by-play. At this point you should be watching MLS Extra Time on MLSNet.com.

T-60: Kickoff is scheduled for 5:55 p.m. ET/8:55 p.m. ET. A rundown on some stuff from the MLS office.

Jason Kreis has the chance to become the fourth former MLS player to also win an MLS Cup as coach. The first was Frank Yallop (Tampa Bay 1996-98); he won two MLS Cups in charge of the San Jose Earthquakes (2001, 2003). Peter Nowak (Chicago 1998-2002) led D.C. United to victory in MLS Cup 2004, and Dominic Kinnear (Colorado 1996; San Jose 1997; Tampa Bay 1998-2000) guided the Houston Dynamo to back-to-back Cup victories in 2006 and 2007. Kreis scored 108 goals, still fourth-most all-time in MLS history, in a 12-year career with Dallas (1996-2004) and Real Salt Lake (2005-07).

Arena becomes the third coach to guide a team in four MLS Cup Finals, joining Steve Nicol, who guided the New England Revolution in four championship games (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007), and Sigi Schmid, who brought the LA Galaxy to the MLS Cup Final in 1999, 2001 and 2002, winning on the final occasion, as well as guiding last year’s triumph by the Columbus Crew. Kreis will be the 15th different coach to manage a team in the MLS Cup Final.

T-59: Just four players currently on the Galaxy roster were with the team when it won the MLS Cup the last time. In that 1-0 victory in extra time against the New England Revolution, Landon Donovan and Todd Dunivant each played the entire 120 minutes, while Alan Gordon came on as a substitute in the 119th minute. In addition, current Galaxy assistant coach Cobi Jones started and played 109 minutes. Josh Saunders was an unused substitute goalkeeper. Ironically, current RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy was also a starter in midfield for the Galaxy in that game—coming off in the 66th minute for Guillermo Ramirez, the ultimate hero after scoring the game’s lone goal midway through the extra-time periods.

Nine players with the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup. Landon Donovan has won three; two with the San Jose Earthquakes (2001 and 2003) in addition to the 2005 win with, LA. Todd Dunivant also won in 2003 (an unused substitute), while Josh Saunders was also an unused substitute in that ’03 Earthquakes victory. Tony Sanneh also won back-to-back MLS Cups with D.C. United in 1996 and 1997. Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United, 2004), Dema Kovalenko (2004), Chris Klein (Kansas City, 2000) and Stefani Miglioranzi (Columbus, 2008) complete the Galaxy Cup-winners. Sanneh (1998), Kovalenko (2000) and Klein (2004)—along with Mike Magee (2008, New York) have all reached an MLS Cup Final and lost.

Four Real Salt Lake players have played in previous MLS Cup Finals, and two came away winners. Ned Grabavoy was a starter for the LA Galaxy in their last win (2005 vs. New England), and Nick Rimando was the starting goalkeeper for D.C. United in their MLS Cup victory against Kansas City in 2004. Andy Williams was a starter for the Chicago Fire in their 4-2 loss to San Jose in MLS Cup 2003, and Clint Mathis made his lone appearance in an MLS championship game a decade ago, playing 90 minutes for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 2-0 loss to D.C. United in MLS Cup ’99.

Current Galaxy players have made their marks on MLS Cup Finals. Landon Donovan has scored three goals in his three final appearances, most all-time. Donovan is one of two players to have scored two goals in an MLS Cup Final, hitting twice in San Jose’s 4-2 win against Chicago in MLS Cup 2003.

The other one is Galaxy teammate Alecko Eskandarian, who scored twice for D.C. United the following year, in a 3-2 win against the Kansas City Wizards. That year, Dema Kovalenko became the first player sent off in an MLS Cup Final when he handled a ball on the goal line. Tony Sanneh scored goals in each of the first two MLS Cups, one of only two players in MLS Cup Final history to score in back-to-back finals (along with New England’s Taylor Twellman).

Donovan has won three MLS Cups, one of 10 players with as many as three MLS Cup rings. Donovan was also named the MLS Cup MVP in 2003, joining Alecko Eskandarian as winner of the honor, when he won the next year.

T-57: The Los Angeles Galaxy finished with 33 points in 2008, tied for last place in the Western Conference, then ended up atop the West in 2009 with 48 points, one of four teams that have gone worst to first in MLS history, finishing at the bottom of a conference one year then winning it the next. The New England Revolution were the last to do it, in 2005—also reaching the MLS Cup Final (where they lost to the LA Galaxy). The Kansas City Wizards did it in 2000—also playing (and winning) MLS Cup, while the MetroStars performed the feat as well.

The Galaxy’s defensive turnaround—from 62 goals conceded in 2008 to 31 allowed in 2009—was the biggest in league history. The Kansas City Wizards allowed 53 goals in 1999, then allowed just 29 goals in 2000.

So far in the MLS Cup Playoffs, 13 different players have started for the LA Galaxy. Midfielder Chris Birchall started the first game vs. Chivas USA but was then struck down by illness; Chris Klein started in his place in the second leg of the conference semifinals and the conference championship. After starting both games against Chivas USA, Todd Dunivant was also ill for the conference final, and replaced by rookie A.J. DeLaGarza.

Real Salt Lake also used 13 different starters in their three postseason matches. Tony Beltran started at fullback in the first semifinal series match vs. the Columbus Crew; the spot has been filled by Robbie Russell for the last two games. After coming off the bench for Fabian Espindola for the first two games, Yura Movsisyan started in his place in the conference final vs. Chicago, with Espindola coming on in his place.

The Galaxy have not conceded a goal in 250 minutes of playoff action, since Maykel Galindo’s goal for Chivas USA in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series. It’s the 11th longest in MLS history and the fifth-longest in Galaxy club history; they will move on to 10th all-time with six scoreless minutes, surpassing the Galaxy’s scoreless run in 1999. The all-time record is 374 minutes by the New England Revolution in 2002.

Landon Donovan, the winner of the 2009 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player award, is the sixth league MVP to play in the MLS Cup Final in that same season, and the second in a row. Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus lifted the Cup last year, as did Tony Meola (Kansas City) in 2000 and Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles) in 2002. Two MVPs have lost in MLS Cup: Marco Etcheverry (D.C. United) in 1998 and Taylor Twellman (New England) in 2005.

T-55: Donovan has the chance to join a very select group with a fourth MLS Cup victory. Jeff Agoos, who won five championships (DC: 1996, 1997, 1999; SJ: 2001, 2003) leads the way; Donovan would join Jaime Moreno (DC: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004) and Dwayne De Rosario (SJ 2001, 2003; HOU 2006, 2007) as the only other fourtime winners. Donovan is currently among a group of seven 3-time winners (Marco Etcheverry, Pat Onstad, Eddie Robinson, Richard Mulrooney, Wade Barrett, Craig Waibel).

During the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs, Landon Donovan converted both penalty kicks he took, the first two he has taken in the postseason in his career. For his regular season career in MLS, Donovan has converted 19 of the 21 penalties he has taken—a 90.5 percent success rate, the best in league history and well above the all-time average of 75.7 percent. The only two goalkeepers to stop Donovan from the spot in MLS? Current RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who did it in 2007, and RSL goalkeeper coach Jeff Cassar, who did it with FC Dallas in 2004.

David Beckham has faced Real Salt Lake just once in his MLS career—and it was a game to remember. He scored two world-class goals May 3, 2008 to bring the Galaxy back for a 2-2 draw, the only time in his 44 league and cup appearances for the Galaxy he’s scored two goals. Beckham did not play in either Galaxy-Real game in the 2009 regular season.

Each team had a number of players represent their countries during the 2009 season. Landon Donovan was a regular for the USA in World Cup qualifying, and also played in the FIFA Confederations Cup. David Beckham added to his historic England caps total, while Chris Birchall represented Trinidad & Tobago and Donovan Ricketts played for Jamaica during the year. Kyle Beckerman was a part of the U.S. squad in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while Will Johnson played for Canada and Jean Alexandre played for Haiti in the continental championship. Andy Williams also represented his homeland of Jamaica.

T-50: One of the fans from the New England Revolution just interviewed Drew Carey, owner of the Seattle Sounders. He put it quite nicely: "Managing a club is just like how you would manage a team in a video game-but with millions of dollars."

Cash flows, revenue and expenses and all that fun jargon that I am re-learning and re-tooling at DeVry University. A class act, that's Mr. Drew Carey, ladies and gentlemen here on Bleacher Report—I told You Sol and the WPS Fan Corner.

T-45: Some highlights of the season, followed by more analysis from the ET crew.

T-38: Kevin Stott, of Chino, Calif., will be the MLS Cup referee for a third time, also presiding over the 2001 and 2005 finals. Stott ran the middle in 20 games during the MLS regular season, whistling an average of 23.5 fouls per game, slightly higher than the league average of 22.9. He issued an average of 3.8 cautions per game, also just slightly above the league average of 3.74. He sent off four players while awarding two penalty kicks. Stott was also the referee in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Stott has been a FIFA referee since 1995 and has officiated in MLS since the inaugural season.

The assistant referees are C.J. Morgante of Grove City, Pa., who will be running the line in his first MLS Cup Final, and Robert Fereday of Laurel, Md., in his second (also 2007). The fourth official is Baldomero Toledo of Norwalk, Calif., who was the referee in MLS Cup 2008.

T-25: ESPN's broadcast begins.

T-5: I like the ladies showing the Anchutz for the first time to the pitch. Let's make that an MLS tradition, too.

FIRST HALF START: 5:55 p.m. PT

1'- MLS Cup 2009 is underway. The LA Riot Squad, Galaxians, ACB and others who made the trip up have their flags and confetti ready.

2' - First foul of the game, on Kyle Beckerman of RSL. The East champions have been earning the lion's share of possession, though.

3' - The Galaxy clamp defensively. Here they go. Real Salt Lake is there to swarm on the ball.

4' - Quick pace from the beginning.

5' - Ricketts is getting a few goal kicks early. Beckham wasn't going to get to that one.

6' - RSL's backfield is content passing the ball. The fans want some action towards the front. Here they go. A solid clearance from Greg Berhalter.

8' - Bruce Arena looks on with intention and focus. A cool, calm, collected mind of the game, he wants to give the G's their third MLS championship in their history.

Buddle should have done better with that header, and Arena did not like that one bit.

9' - Berhalter's walking the tightrope.

10' - Set piece for Real Salt Lake. Wasted shot by Morales. A great view of the Anschutz.

11' - When you have a game on a synthetic pitch like this, the ball moves quicker, and the game flows a bit more faster, pending referee intervention.

Corner for LA. Beckham to take.

12' - Cleared away. Take two and short. Magee impeded on the cross, and it's a goal kick.

13' - RSL on the setup. Yellow card to Will Johnson. Conspiracy theory: are the officials playing on minimum wage? It seems they get a boost with every fine the coaches get for criticizing them.

14' - Set piece for RSL. And Yura Movsisyan is shaken up but is back on his feet.

15' - Morales is favoring his knees.

16' - He is hurt. Jason Kreis may need to make one of his subs early.may have to sub him out. This is an interesting turn of events.

Not a fan of Beckham's hair, either. For the time being, RSL is playing with ten men.

19' - Doesn't look like LA is taking advantage of this quite nicely. Morales returns to the pitch after a stretch.

20' - Both teams need to adjust how they pass the ball to cope with the makeup of the pitch.

21' - Substitution Real Salt Lake
IN 84 Clint Mathis
OUT 11 Javier Morales

What a shame. He hates to be limping, and he is shaken. Poor guy can't go on. Don't commit suicide on us if the Galaxy win this one.

23' - Now this is starting to get annoying. Get over it already, Javier! Santa Maria...

24' - You could call that offsides with braille, Kevin Stott. Good save by Nick Rimando, and a brave attempt by Donovan Ricketts, who slides on the FieldTurf to make a save. Literally.

25' - Good interception by Nat Borchers. Here comes RSL.

26' - Beckerman tried to find Findley but it wasn't gonna work.

27' - Here's a corner for Los Angeles. Number three. That was a wasted chance by Buddle. Terrible timing.

28' - Set piece for LA, but too much mustard on the hot dog for Landon Donovan.

30' - It seems like everyone is trying to play catchup to this ball. Here comes Real, but a foul on Mike Magee nullifies the transition.

31' - A free-flowing game so far—still scoreless. That was a wide shot by Andy Williams.

33' - The Galaxy are trying to get the deliverables to their forwards, but the midfielders and defense of RSL anticipate their moves.

35' - That was a wide shot by Magee. He'll have that one back.

38' - Arena and Kreis watch on, but Kreis seems to be the more nervous of the two managers. This is some good marking by Real Salt Lake. Now Mathis is injured.

39' - "Come on!" says Arena with frustration in his tone. His patience begins to exhaust. Yellow card to Chris Birchall.

40' - How many more times will Edson choke when he has the chance? Offsides.

40' - GOAL!!!! Los Angeles Galaxy — 18 Mike Magee — Assist 10 Landon Donovan
LA 1 RSL 0
Not this time, though. Magee atones for his misfortunes with the first goal of this game.

41' - The fans in blue and gold are loving it, but the RSL supporters know there is a long ways yet to in this game.

43' - Throw-in for Real Salt Lake. That was a solid delivery from Donovan. And Magee made no mistake in the finishing.

45' - Beckerman is slow to get up, but does. Set piece for Real Salt Lake. Great save by Donovan Ricketts. Two minutes of stoppage time for this half. Four chances to one in favor of Los Angeles, says Galavision, the Spanish-language provider. *

45' + 2' - Yura Movsisyan will want that back. Real will want this half back too.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 1
Mike Magee 40'

Real Salt Lake 0

Kevin Stott, for all he is worth, would be wise not to get into an argument with the Galaxy players.

Personally, that injury to Javier Morales was a big blow to this team with the tackle by David Beckham. I hope that wasn't what Stottsy was reminding Becks about: no hard tackles.

ESPN360.com is talking about Liverpool vs. Birmingham City. I'm like: Adios, Rafa Benitez, back to the carousel you go.

Going back to the match, Los Angeles needs to add to this lead. They cannot let Real back into it. Build on the lead, and dispossess, dispossess, dispossess.

SECOND HALF START: 7:00 P.M. PT

46' - The second half of the last game of the 2009 Major League Soccer season is underway.

Substitution Real Salt Lake
IN 20 Ned Grabavoy
OUT 8 Will Johnson

The fish toss—a Seattle institution since way back when. Nice catch of the day, Mr. J.P. Dellacamera.

47' - Real Salt Lake has rallied from behind before. Let's see if they can do it here.

48' - That was a great save by Ricketts, who unfortunately collided with Findley. Three-way collision. This has to be a big blow for the G's. Dust off the backup keeper Josh Saunders, but what was Omar Gonzales thinking?

The rookie of the year might end up becoming the goat if Real Salt Lake can capitalize on Ricketts getting winded out there.

51' - Thankfully he is up and back at it. That was a scary situation. Gonzales will have to be careful next time.

52' - Beckham is smiling. It's all a theater for him, the number 23 for the Galaxy. Meanwhile, Sean Franklin with the mohawk is starting to wonder.

54' - Here comes Real Salt Lake on the attack. Fredy Montero of the Sounders is interviewed by Galavision.

55' - The delivery by Beckham is snuffed out. After this match, he'll take a one-month break before returning to AC Milan on home to boost their Serie A title hopes.

56' - Williams should have done better. 1-0 Galaxy, and I believe Stottsy will award ample stoppage time after 90 minutes pass.

57' - Here's a set piece for LA. The RSL wall deflects the Beckham shot. A bit low for his liking.

59' - Good clearance by Ricketts again. This LA Galaxy defense continues to impress. No penalty awarded, either.

60' - The Real player were clamoring for it, but it's not gonna work.

61' - A.C. Milan, by the way, are third in the Serie A table, seven points off Inter Milan as of this post.

62' - Still plenty of time for Real Salt Lake to equalize. Ricketts is still walking off that injury. The Big Cat from Jamaica is tough as nails, and I believe he will able to finish this game.

63' - And there's the equalizer.
GOAL!!! Real Salt Lake — 16 Robbie Findley
LA 1 RSL 1

We've got ourselves a contest. The Galaxy is going to be on their heels. Findley made the Galaxy back line pay for failing to mark him, and slotted it home.

65' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 12 Josh Saunders
OUT 20 Donovan Ricketts

Well so much for Ricketts finishing the rest of this game. He is clutching his abdomen right now.

66' - Corner now for the G's. Wasted. Well, the Salt Lake fans knew that there was a long ways yet to go, and their patience has been rewarded.

69' - Here comes RSL again. Good defending from Berhalter. Sportsmanlike gesture from Movsisyan. Here's the throw-in. And the first save from Saunders.

70' - You know, when I think of Saunders I think of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's Joe Saunders. And that was a blown shot by Movsisyan. He'll want a lot of these chances back after this game is over.

71' - It looks like some Sounders fans stopped by to watch the game anyway. You can only wonder what could have been.

72' - After regulation and stoppage time, if it stays 1-1 you know what's gonna happen next: two 15-minute periods, and then penalties if it still isn't decided then.

73' - I think the fans will want to see this go the distance.

74' - Substitution Real Salt Lake
IN 16 Fabian Espindola
OUT 14 Yura Movsisyan

Espindola is an established player, who also spent time playing with Boca Juniors in his youth. He's a young player, and he will be looked up to in future for Real.

76' - Corner for the Galaxy. Beckham needs to find someone on the delivery, and he couldn't. Goal kick for Nick Rimando.

I like Rimando's ability as a keeper. I hope he considers playing for the Azkals because he has Filipino blood in him.

78' - Subsititution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 7 Chris Klein
OUT 33 Chris Birchall

79' - We head into the crunch-time part of regulation in the 2009 MLS Cup. The tension builds with Real Salt Lake's next set piece. Mathis will take this.

Tim Leiweke and Victoria Beckham look on in the press box. Foul on RSL. Beckerman fouls Beckham. Here's another set piece.

81' - Once again, Edson Buddle botches the finish. It seems a broken record. That chance by Espindola went into the safe hands of Saunders.

82' - Good save by Rimando. The Galaxy do not want this to go to extra periods, or, heaven forbid, the lottery.

83' - Hello, hello, hello—another corner. The G's reset. This is some great defending from RSL. Goal kick. And the fans in the stands making plans to shield themselves from the cold.

85' - Good clearance from Saunders. He was ready for this game, apparently. RSL again on the counterattack, and LA intercepts but is called offside.

86' - High shot from RSL, goal kick for the Galaxy. Poor Edson Buddle, you have to feel for him. But more so, Gonzalez is asking to be subbed. He'll get his wish.

88' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
In 20 A.J. De La Garza
OUT 4 Omar Gonzalez

89' - Here comes a big corner for Real Salt Lake. Seven minutes of stoppage time, as expected. Saunders gets that one.

90' - We knew we were going to have plenty of additional time for injuries, and here we go.

90' + 1' - Espindola was off on that cross. Not sure where he was feeding this to. The Real Salt Lake supporters, led by the Loyalists, are fired up. As for the Galaxy supporters...they are nervous.

90' + 2' - Set piece time for Real Salt Lake. Mathis's long shot caught by Saunders. He is filling his role nicely.

90' + 3' - All three teams have used up their subs. Chris Wingert with the throw-in. Now A.J. De La Garza is trying to find someone open with a white strip.

90' + 4' - De La Garza needed to get that away from Espindola. Beckerman to take this corner.

90' + 5' - Chris Saunders is doing his job. He may have to work another thirty minutes and penalties.

90' + 7' - We enter the final minute of regulation stoppage time. Here comes RSL again...but the Galaxy is not going to let them steal this one.

Two 15-minute periods on the way. Stottsy is bumbling and stumbling, too. This is fun.

END OF REGULATION
Los Angeles Galaxy 1
40' Mike Magee

Real Salt Lake 1
63' Robbie Findley

FIRST EXTRA TIME PERIOD START 7:58 P.M. PT

91' - It's time for extra time. Both 15-minute periods will need to be played whether one team is ahead or not. Beckham is getting some salbutemol in the dugout. It's THAT cold.

92' - It's ironic, because I drank some coffee today, and Seattle is known for their java. Beckham with a professional challenge on Ned Grabavoy.

93' - That was dangerous in the box for Los Angeles. Findley was very close to getting his second of the night-and the potential game-winner. But A.J. De La Garza's not gonna let that happen easily.

94' - Another corner for Los Angeles and still no help. Seven corner for LA, two for RSL, zero goals between them.

96' - You have to applaud Josh Saunders' role playing backup. But knowing how Real Salt Lake is able to convert on those penalties, the Galaxy need to score while they can in extra time.

97' - Wide shot by Findley. There's gonna be a lot of Angelenos wanting to burn an effigy of him if he becomes the hero tonight.

98' - Real Salt Lake is getting the majority of shots tonight. It really makes you wonder.

99' - This some great tactics from the midfield.

100' - Foul on Beckham, and a chance for RSL beckons. I would think that he is used to this when he was with Manchester United. Side netting for Mathis.

102' - Seeds in this case do not matter at all. Real Salt Lake may be seeded 8th, but they aren't playing like it. Wasted corner, but here's a throw-in. Not gonna work.

103' - You have to be wondering about the finishing by both sides. Rimando hasn't had to do much work, but Salt Lake's not getting it done, either.

105' - And that's the end of the first period.

END FIRST EXTRA TIME PERIOD
Los Angeles Galaxy 1
40' Mike Magee

Real Salt Lake 1
63' Robbie Findley

START SECOND EXTRA TIME PERIOD 8:15 P.M. PT

106' - The last fifteen minutes of extra time begin. ESPN360's having some technical difficulties. Thank God for Justin.tv. All right, they are back on.

Back on, Beckham...this play-by-play is beckoning to be a wordplay on itself.

107' - Good clearance by Los Angeles. They have been on the defensive for the major part of extra time. Yikes.

108' - Offsides Real Salt Lake. And everyone is raising their scarves. This is what it's all about: 48,011 coming down to the XBox Pitch at Qwest Field for this final.

109' - Terrible throw-in on the run, but the Galaxy back line reel it in. Here they come. The nets fall off their foundations in Rimando's end. Alan Gordon impeded.

110' - Well, more extra time after extra time just to adjust the netting? Won't be surprised. Hey, I just created a tongue twister. Finally, the netting is linked back into position, to the applause of the host Sounder faithful.

111' - My guess is that this could go to the lottery. I would think (and this is from an outsider's view, no offense intended) that practitioners of the Latter-Day Saints denomination to not gamble. They would be wise to allow an exception, should the circumstances require it.

112' - That's a foul on Espindola, but no card from Stott. He's only issued two cards this game, a yellow to both sides. So for the most part, he's done the right thing in allowing the match to play out.

114' - Berhalter with another mark. I'll commend Stott for letting this game play out without excessive intervention.

115' - Set piece for LA again. Let's see what they do here. The verdict: a two-fisted punchout by Rimando.

116' - Here's RSL again. This is some nice action on the Galaxy's half. Corner for Real.

117' - Rimando saw the shot coming from Donovan. Now he's doing his share of work.

118' - Wonder what that cheeky move was from Ned Grabavoy.

119' - A crunch-time set piece from Mathis on the way. And another solid save from Chris Saunders.

120' - How many stoppage time minutes do we have here? That was cute kick from Espindola. One minute, the fourth official says.

120' + 1' - Another great save from Saunders. Ladies and gentlemen, the fans got their money's worth at Qwest—so the verdict goes.

END EXTRA TIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 1
40' Mike Magee

Real Salt Lake 1
63' Robbie Findley

PENALTIES START 8:35 PM P.T.

Based on what I know from the shootout with Chicago, I have a gut feeling Real Salt Lake's going to shock the MLS world just like Sky Blue FC pulled off the upset over the LA Sol.

Of course that did not go to extra time, let alone penalties, but it was an upset. And I do not know if Saunders will be ready for this.

Here's the rundown.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Made:
David Beckham
Greg Berhalter
Mike Magee
Chris Klein

Missed:
Jovan Kirovski
Landon Donovan
Edson Buddle

REAL SALT LAKE

Made:
Clint Mathis
Robbie Findley
Ned Grabavoy
Chris Wingert
Robbie Russell

Missed:
Kyle Beckerman
Andy Williams

Real Salt Lake wins on penalty kicks, 5-4

That, everyone, wraps up this play-by-play. How about that? Los Angeles chokes yet again in football. Congratulations, Real Salt Lake. It's party time at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The gut feeling did not lie. This match can just go to the bowels of hell from whence it came if you are a G's fan.

Stay tuned for a recap on ITYS, WPS Fan Corner and Bleacher Report.

Pacman Sevenfold: The Legend of Manny Pacquiao Grows Once Again

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:48:22 -0500

The big question now for Manny Pacquiao is not the how the customary parades, speeches, and celebrations will be planned. That has been partially answered with the subsequent concert with his band at the nearby Mandalay Bay.

The question is this: will Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally challenge a seven-time world champion whose legend continues to flourish to the point that it can never be tainted or destroyed, no matter what happens now and into the future?

Just about everyone at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., knew that it had to be inevitable.

Even Miguel Cotto knew that he was facing the greatest Filipino fighter in the history of boxing.

Pacquiao stopped Cotto in the 12th round to win the WBO welterweight championship belt, adding to his collection of titles.

After a early firefight from Cotto in the first round, Pacquiao rebounded in the second. And while Cotto did all he could to bounce back he was unable to match up to Pacquiao's speed, power, and head movement technique.

Pacquiao wore Cotto down, round after round, draining the Caguas native with a series of power punches. Knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds added to the misery. By the end of the ninth round, it seemed like the Puerto Rican fighter was trapped.

And the genius of trainer Freddie Roach continued to grow with the legacy of the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist).

"They should have stopped it three rounds earlier, when Cotto started to run," Roach said when interviewed by HBO's Larry Merchant. "We will just start right out and overwhelm him with Manny's speed. We need to break him down."

In fact, the fight should have been over in the eighth. But for Cotto, common sense was no match for pride. And pride can sometimes become a man's downfall, no matter what the intention.

Pacquiao, a street urchin of General Santos City in his youth turned sporting icon in his prime, has faced many greats in his time.

Barrera. Morales. Marquez. De La Hoya. Hatton. All tried. And all failed.

And now Miguel Cotto falls in line with the fallen.

"I have fought all the greatest welterweights," he said, "and Manny is the best."

It's Five Straight for Japan As Yomiuri Clobbers Kia

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:03:00 -0500

It seems as if the Asia Series has turned into the Nippon Professional Baseball Invitational Challenge yet again.

Well, actually it's now known as the Japan-Korea Club Championship, with China's teams unable to save its former identity.

Nevertheless, it was more of the same. For the fifth straight year, Japan's champion has risen to the accolade of Beast from the Far East.

This year it was the Yomiuri Giants, who took Korea's Kia Tigers to the woodshed at Nagasaki's Big N Stadium, 9-4.

The Tigers, led by Na Ji-Wan, stormed out of the gates early with a 3-0 lead. Giants starting pitcher Dicky Gonzalez gave up one run in the third and reliever Tetsuya Utsumi surrendered two in the fifth.

Eventually that lead would evaporate.

Yomiuri, who destroyed the competition en route to their 21st Japan Series ring, wore down the champions of the Korea Baseball Organization by launching the big guns: Michihiro Ogasawara and Shinnosuke Abe.

Kia's pitching staff, led by Gwak Jeong Cheol and Yang Hyeon Jong, were unable to brace themselves for the onslaught that was to come.

Ogasawara scored on a solo home run in the sixth while Abe's three-run bomb in the seventh opened the floodgates.

The Giants scored seven runs in the seventh inning to effectively put the game out of reach. Alex Ramirez added to the hit parade with a two-run single and Yoshiyuki Kamei and Takahito Kudo joined in with RBI single of their own.

Just to add insult to injury, Kudo added one more single in the top of the ninth inning.

Abe was pleased with his effort. "I feel great! The first two batters got on base, so I just tried to follow them in that situation," Abe said after the game. "Kia has a lot of good hitters.

"Their starting pitcher came out strong against us. They really put us in a hole."

But it was a hole that they were able to get out of-not just with timely hitting, but solid pitching. Takahiko Nomaguchi got the win for the Giants, while Wilfin Obispo earned his final saw of the year donning the orange and black.

Jong finished the days with six strikeouts and one run allowed in 5 2/3 innings of work.

For Yomiuri manager Tatsunori Hara, it was a fitting end to an already magical year, which also saw him manage the Japanese national team that won the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

"I'm relieved we managed to win the very last game of the year," Hara said. "It was a tough game, but we bounced back and pounded out hits in the seventh inning.

Kia manager Cho Bum Hyun rued the effort of his pitching staff.

"It's a shame that the bullpen was ineffective in the seventh," Cho said. "Our young players' immaturity and lack of experience took a toll on this big stage."

With the win, the Giants received a winning prize of ¥20 million out of the ¥25 million purse.

But one can only wonder if the Asia Series can be resurrected again, with Japan's dominance reducing it to nothing but a one-league showcase.

Welcome Back, Antipodes: New Zealand returns to the FIFA World Cup

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:56:00 -0500

It is official: the Antipodes are back in the FIFA World Cup.

Four years ago, Australia rode on the penalty-shooting prowess from John Aloisi to clinch a spot in the 2006 FIFA World Cup over Uruguay. They ended a 32-year absence from the beautiful game's greatest stage.

Fast forward four years later. New Zealand's All Whites are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1982 with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

And the John Aloisi of New Zealand is a young rising star in Plymouth Argyle's Rory Fallon. His 45th minute wonder header from Leo Bertos eluded Bahraini goalkeeper Sayed Jaffer.

On top of clutch set pieces, clutch saves define the winners from the losers.

And All Whites keeper Mark Paston made some impressive saves that rivalled those of his Socceroo counterpart Mark Schwartzer. He made a critical save on a Sayed Mohamed penalty in the second half.

Defensively in the second half, New Zealand frustrated Bahrain in their own half, although they could have done better on a number of opportunities in the Bahrainis' half.

The setback for Milan Macala's national team adds to their recent qualifying woes.

In 2005, they fell to Trinidad & Tobago in the home-and-away series. This time, the Oceania champions sucker-punched their ticket to South Africa into the waters of Cook Strait.

35,194 filled the Ring of Fire dressed in All White, feasting on the throes of history. The scenes of jubilation evoked similarities to the reaction of their neighbors across the Tasman in 2005 when the Socceroos went to Germany for their first time since 1972.

Now, for the first time ever, Australia and New Zealand have qualified for the FIFA World Cup together.

Spread the word.

The Wood Is On Fire: Lakewood Wins The Moore League Title

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:55:01 -0500

It has been more than three decades since the Lakewood Lancers had won the Harry J. Moore League championship in football outright.

On Friday, November 13, Thadd MacNeal's club ended a 35-year wait with 35 points in the second half en route to a 42-6 victory over the Wilson Bruins at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California.

The Lancers finish the regular season 9-1 (6-0 in league play) and await their opponent in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs.

The championship is Lakewood's first since 1983, when they shared the title with the Long Beach Polytechnic Jackrabbits at 4-0-1 in league play.

After a lackluster first half that saw a muffed punt, Lakewood quarterback Jesse Scrogginsthrow two interceptions and the Bruin defense frustrate the Lancer offense, tailback Terrance Woods felt he had enough of the bleeding.

His 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown brought a renewed energy back to the visitors. "It feels even better than I expected," Woods said after the game. "They played us very tough, but we weren't worried. We just needed to play Lakewood football and do something big."

Indeed, they did. And MacNeal put the contest in perspective.

"I was three in 1974," he said after the match. "It's a great feeling. (Wilson) played us hard, pressured us.

"I told the kids at halftime that we made some mistakes but we had stood up to them several times in the red zone."

Scroggins made up for his blunders by utilizing his weapons: tailbacks Woods, Rashad Wadood and Alley Long, and wideouts Kevin Anderson and Chris Davis.

It culminated in two scores: a 21-yard pass to Davis and a 14-yard strike to Anderson that was set up by the shiftiness of Wadood.

Lakewood defensive back Dion Bailey, who will commit to USC next year with Scroggins, picked off a pass by Wilson quarterback Brett Harper 66 yards to make it 28-6.

Led by defensive lineman Justin Utupo (who will commit to Notre Dame next year) and Todd Barr, linebacker Keanu Kalolo and defensive backs Brennan Kelly and Bailey, the Lancer defense limited Wilson (6-4, 4-2 league) to 61 net yards in three quarters while Harper was a dismal 1-for-13 passing for three yards.

Wilson's points came at the feet of kicker Alex Boy, who slotted home field goals from 27 and 42 yards out.

G to be a G: Galaxy win the MLS West over Houston

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:14:00 -0500

It's G to be a G. As in Good to be a Galaxy Supporter.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are now one victory away from hoisting their third MLS Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

With the win, the Galaxy win the MLS Western Conference double-the regular season and playoff championships-both over the same opponent.

Not even two delays due to bad lighting and the perceived Friday the 13th superstition behind the controls could stop Bruce Arena's club from silencing the men of Dominic Kinnear.

In the 104th minute, a set piece from David Beckham saw Gregg Berhalter break the deadlock inside the penalty box off a series of deflections. But Landon Donovan's 17th playoff goal, a penalty in the 109th minute, sealed the deal.

Houston's Ricardo Clark fouled Alan Gordan inside the box, and Major League Soccer's all-time playoff leading scorer got Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad to go the wrong way.

The Dynamo will rue the wasted chances in the second half of regulation. In the 48th minute, Andrew Hainault's attempt from 30 yards out was denied by Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Ricketts also broke up a shot by Bryan Ching in the 79th minute.

Los Angeles had a chance to go on top early in the first half, but Stuart Holden cleared a chance for Donovan in the 25th minute of play.

The Dynamo conceded seven offsides in the contest. Houston won more corners than Los Angeles (nine to four), but were unable to capitalize on their chances.

The Galaxy will await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake. Kickoff for MLS Cup 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington is scheduled for November 22, 2009 at 8:30PM EST/5:30PM PST. ESPN will televise the match in English and Galavisión in Spanish.

Yankees' Game 6 World Series Victory Omen for Yomiuri Giants

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:46:21 -0500

Tetsuya Utsumi knew it was an omen heralded by the angels of yakyu, who the men and women of Japan refer the Great American Pastime as. The New York Yankees had just defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the 2009 World Series 7-3 at Yankee Stadium.

It was a signal from the baseball forces that be: the Yomiuri Giants, long-regarded as the "New York Yankees of Japan," would win the 2009 Japan Series.

Sparks filled his eyes as he said to the scrutinizing local press before Game 6 against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, "One word I will say and no more: CHANCE. All right, one sentence more: we will win this series . And Hokkaido must give up for all they are worth, these unbelievers will not stop us."

It was chance worth taking in Sapporo, as the flagship club of the Central League shut out the Pacific League champions 2-0 to clinch the 21st national championship for Tatsunori Hara's ball club.

The victory was sweet redemption for Utsumi, who was ineffective in Game 2 of the best-of-seven. "That was my best performance of the year," Utsumi said on his performance. "I had a disappointing outing in the second game, so I was looking for payback.

"I was prepared to go at any time."

Indeed he was. But Yomiuri, who coincidentally had the best regular season record in Nippon Professional Baseball like the Yankees did in the majors this year, was also buoyed by a strong pitching staff in Kiyoshi Toyoda, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Daisuke Ochi, and closer Marc Kroon, who earned the save.

Kroon was solid in the last two innings, striking out the Fighters' Tomochika Tsuboi in the eighth and Atsunori Inaba and Shinji Takahashi in the ninth with a runner on third.

"That was stress," Kroon said. "But Ochi's been pitching great this year. So I felt a lot of confidence that I would be able to come in and help him out in that situation."

"We were able to execute our 'winning pattern' today with Kroon closing for us," Hara said after the game. "In the end we are No. 1, and it felt great to be tossed in the air during the doage . "

In Japan, the doage is where the manager/coach is thrown in the air after the team wins a victory of significant magnitude. It is similar to being chaired off the field in the States.

Offensively, the Giants were led by their ace. Captain Shinnosuke Abe got the Giants on the board with an RBI single to deep center in the second and an crucial error by Inaba led to another Yomiuri run in the sixth. Abe was named the Japan Series MVP after the game.

"My timing was a little off, but I was still able to make contact with the barrel of the bat," Abe said. "We wanted to score first by any means today.

"It was a tough series. But what I will remember most is the sayonara home run (in Game 5), and the support of the Giants fans. I want to thank them for cheering for us throughout the series. They were a big reason we could come out with the victory."

The series win was Yomiuri's first since 2002, healing a seven-year itch that would make Marilyn Monroe proud if she were to see it.

In Korea, fans of Gwangju's Kia Tigers were nervous. 23-year old Kim Eu-Jung, a fan of the Korea Baseball Organization champions since 1991 a citizen of Gwangju's Buk District, said, "We are screwed. If our team is somehow able to beat this behemoth of a team, I am preaching to the choir at my local Unification Church that the world has ended.

Another fan, 32-year old Lee Hwang-Jeop of Gwangsan District in Gwangju said, "Our team will give it all we got, but I do not think we will have enough in the tank to stop this team. The Evil Empire has risen."

Lee also saw the writing on the wall after the Yankees won Game 6. "As soon as [Yankees closer Mariano] Rivera got that final out and the players did that dogpile, I turned off the television, punched a hole in my bedroom and cursed into the night.

"I knew that Yomiuri was going to win the Japan Series, in spite of the Fighters' losing efforts."

"Oh Kami-sama, bless this day!" said Yomiuri mascot Giabbit at the victory rally outside the Tokyo Dome. "It was a tough climb that nearly went into the next decade, but we are on top of Mount Fuji once more!

"Let the church bells ring and the salarymen sing; the Yomiuri Giants are once again kings! Everything is fine in 2009. Recession? What recession? It's Giants Time!

"Kyojin Banzai! Kyojin Banzai! Kyojin Banzai! (Hail Giants! Hail Giants! Hail Giants!)" roared the fans.

"I have no idea what's going on," said Robert Rodgers, a 56-year old tourist from Auckland who saw the rally from afar. "Did San Francisco win the championship?" When informed that it was not San Francisco that won but Yomiuri, he declined to comment further. It was later discovered he was a fan of the Yakult Swallows.

The Giants will have one more game to play: the 2009 Asia Series game with the Kia Tigers at the Nagasaki Baseball Stadium.

First pitch at the Big N is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 1:00 PM JST (Friday, November 13 at 11:00 PM EST).

A Sort of Homecoming: An Autumn Tradition of Americana

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:21:52 -0400

(Photo courtesy of Lucio Arellano, LakewoodFootball.com )

5:00 a.m., Tuesday morning. I never really get up this early to do something that happens once in a year. Actually, this would be the first time in eight years that I would do this on my own terms.

After a quick snack of cinnamon raisin bagels and Tang, I race-walked to the bus stop at the corner of 25th St. and Santa Fe Avenue to catch the first bus heading eastbound. I was amazed at how fast my legs went. They knew that I was an alumnus on a mission.

From West Long Beach, it takes about 45 minutes to get to Lakewood High School when you take into consideration traffic and other passengers getting on board. The third bus passing by Centralia Avenue and Briercrest Street is full of students heading down for classes.

I took a gander at some students who had dues to pay. The backup kicker, bless his heart, had over $200.00 to pay to the banker. Yikes. Usually, most students pay less than ten dollars on average, or not at all.

Glancing through the cafeteria window, I saw how the old class shields compared with the newer ones. In the past, it was just red and white only. And now any color could be used.

7:00 a.m. arrives. The banker opens her window. "One adult, please," I said. In exchange for eight gold dollar coins, out comes a fresh red ticket that says, "Lakewood High School, Admit One, $8.00. No Refunds. No Exchanges."

This is a ticket that can come in any color or shape, depending on the type of school it is and the colors it adopted when it was found. But the ticket I carried with me on the way home was no ordinary ticket. It's a stub that gives me admission to the Homecoming Game.

Around the world, every country has its annual sporting tradition shared by high schools, colleges and universities alike. Here in the United States, the concept of Homecoming is to America as sports and culture festivals are to Japan, as the Proms are to the United Kingdom. It's a unique type of thing.

Homecoming is an event that generally spans one week. It welcomes former alumni and residents of a school, and includes activities for everyone who shares the common thread. Occasionally it centers on a basketball or hockey game, but by default it's a football game that is the centerpiece.

The history of Homecoming begins in Columbia, Mo. In 1911, the University of Missouri invited all Tiger alumni to their football game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Now, alumni could attend these games as they please without invitation, but this was the first time a university really went out of its way to say, "We want you to return. Please come home to watch us beat the living snot out of KU!"

A little aside: the game ended in a 3-3 draw. But the wheels were set in motion.

As the old saying goes, "Missouri loves company." All right, that was a played pun. But the University of Illinois held similar events in 1909 and 1910. Baylor University's alumni were the first to combine a concert, pep rally, parade, and bonfire in 1909. Soon enough, Homecoming fever was catching on faster than the Spanish flu.

In the days leading up to the big game, other events take place. A Homecoming Court, comprised of students completing their studies, is determined by secret ballot.

There are a number of themed dress-up days that occur as part of the "Spirit Week" leading up to the game. Here, students can wear clothing that are suitable to the theme. Friday is generally set aside for clothing and makeup with the school's name and colors.

A Homecoming Dance is held by the high schools on or off-campus. In essence, it's a fall promenade but it can also be an informal function. Some attend the dance with dates; others with groups.

Personally, I've yet to hear of someone paying tribute to Carrie White at a Homecoming Dance. Boy, wouldn't that be something. Student organizations hold similar events at the collegiate level, and some major colleges omit the Homecoming Dance altogether.

At a number of high schools across the Southwest, "mums" are exchanged between dates. Corsages (for the girls) and garters (for the boys) of a large flower (generally a white synthetic chrysanthemum, hence the name) are exchanged to wear to the dance and the game. And these mums are decorated with the students' class, date, activities, interests, and so on.

Pep rallies of every shape and size happen the night of, or two nights before, the big game. Clubs and Greek-letter organizations may engage in competitive skits and intramural sports like the tug-of-war and the three-legged race to determine bragging rights.

Yell leaders often direct the student body in working them up into a frenzy into the night before the match. The football team's coaching staff make their fearless predictions of triumph come game day. And the marching band strikes it up with their fight songs and brass favorites to share with the convocation.

In years gone by, bonfires were held en force. Thanks to the train wreck that was Texas A&M's 1999 bonfire, they have been few and far between.

Game day arrives. Here come the most recognized and heavily attended events: the game and the tailgate that precedes it. Alumni gather from the different corners of the world to return to their school and partake in the atmosphere.

Groups of dedicated individuals—from students, to alumni, to business, and community leaders—set up tents near the stadium to throw some meat and vegetables on the grill, play casual pitch-and-catch, converse about past Homecomings gone by, risk losing their inhibition with the keg stands and beer bongs, and hear live music taking place. A few tents even have televisions and radios for those who do not have tickets to the game.

What makes this year's homecoming game between the Lakewood Lancers and Millikan Rams special are a couple of things. First, it's a rivalry game. The winner hoists the Hamilton Trophy, which has been contested since 1957. The Lancers have held this trophy since 2002.

Secondly, it's the first time in a long time that both teams have defeated Long Beach Poly in the same season. Not very often you have a rivalry renewal between two sides that defeat the flagship school of the Harry J. Moore League in football. It's one for the history books.

It's something I came to terms with as I watched the students walk through Lakewood's main gate from a distance, waiting for the next heading westbound toward Long Beach.

East Coast Defeats West Coast, Wins Coastal World Series

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:32:33 -0400

Fans of the West Coast Baseball Club were in tears and some despondent senior citizen diehards chose to immolate themselves after the East Coast Baseball Club won Game 11 of the Coastal World Series, 5-2, to win the Best-of-14 series eight games to three.

Co-manager of the West Coast, Mike Scioscia, was defiant in defending his club's lack of performance.

"That's baseball," he said. "It is what it is. Don't tell me it isn't. The East Coast deserved to win this Coastal World Series and proved that we can't lift a middle finger to them. And no, the issue regarding the McCourts (who own the club with Arte Moreno) is a non-factor.

"Their American Dream was to put themselves into a nasty litigation dispute worthy of being on a cookie-cutter soap opera. Our dream was to win this World Series, but we ran into a buzzsaw of overpaid players who do not believe in such treasonspeak as a recession.

"My hats off to the East Coast, they were the best coast this year."

Meanwhile, at the East Coast clubhouse at the once-new Yankee Stadium, there was champagne and grown-man orgies going around. Even the winning locker room reporters were not without their once-in-a-postseason splashing of stale champagne poured from sweaty slippers.

"This is our year," Alex Rodriguez said. "We wanted to take this baby home once again. I want to thank all the fans that spent whatever they could to give the financial crisis the finger and celebrate our Series victory.

"This is a coast that has the most," said co-owner George Steinbrenner. "We got the most money, the most talent, and the best fans of any sport. We run [expletive] in these leagues!"

"I feel like it's New Year's Eve...two months early," said Hugo Sandoval, a denizen from the Bronx that was giddy with pride after the game. "I blew up my life savings just to watch this game. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life...if I don't suffer from a Bacardi hangover on Monday morning."

"I am the man, nuff said," said Andy Pettite, the East Coast's winning pitcher. He made a mockery of the West Coast arsenal, tossing 6-1/3 innings of pure joy for the New York-Penn faithful and agony for just about everyone on the East Coast.

Alex Rodriguez finished the Coastal World Series with a .429 average (9-for-21) with three home runs and six RBI, giving him a .437 mark (14-for-32), five homers and 12 RBI in nine games this postseason.

Watching from a giant screen, bitter West Coast fans at Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium of Anaheim tore their programs, and threw debris on the grounds before leaving.

"We need some changes on our team," said John Robbins Jr., an overweight father of four and a lifelong West Coast fan. "And will someone tell joke of co-ownership that is the McCourts to take their vendetta out of earshot and eyeshot and whatever shot, because I am ready to shoot them down for being a distraction and a thorn to our sides!"

"Wait till next year," said a perspective Rally Monkey, who returned to the Los Angeles Zoo to watch the Galaxy take part in the Major League Soccer playoffs.

"I have a much bigger respect for my coast than ever," said Leslie Warzycha, a Philadelphia native of 53 years. "Even though the players from the city I hate were the once who got us over the top, I am proud of our team and what we have done. go East Coast!"

Plans for a special Best-of-Seven between the East Coast and the winner of the Asia series are underway.

They're Back: USA Returns to FIFA World Cup After Defeating Honduras

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:14:00 -0400

I will be honest with each and every one of you: Bob Bradley has a lot of work to do to earn my vote of confidence, but he is heading on the right track. I say this because Bradley took a gamble on choosing Colorado Rapids swingman Conor Casey instead of Jozy Altidore to start against Honduras. And when it pays off, it pays off.

Sunday was a day to remember for the American soccer faithful. The USA returned to the FIFA World Cup for a chance to redeem themselves after the horrendous pratfall that was Germany '06.

A Casey brace, a Landon Donovan winner, and a missed penalty by Honduras striker Carlos Pavon sealed the Yanks' 3-2 victory over Los Catrachos in San Pedro Sula.

The first half was all Honduras. Wilson Palacios and Hendry Thomas outworked Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark in the midfield. Charlie Davies and Carlos Bocanegra had opportunities to break open the scoring for the visitors.

In the 47th minute, Julio Cesar de Leon broke open the scoring with a set piece that found the top left corner, eluding USA goalkeeper Tim Howard.

But the USA struck back. A volley from the midfield by Oguchi Onyewu was played to Davies but was deflected to Casey, who made Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares pay for a poor save attempt to make it 1-1 in the 55th minute.

Casey completed his brace thanks to some solid passing from the Onyewu, Davies, and the LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan. Valladares bit on the misdirection to make it 2-1 USA in the 66th minute.

And the crowd of 45,000 at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano went silent.

Donovan got on the score sheet as well. A curling free kick found the top right corner in the 71st minute to make it 3-1. De Leon would complete his brace in the 78th minute thanks to help from Honduras's David Suazo.

The 87th minute was a moment to be damned for all eternity if you were a supporter of Los Catrachos.

Stuart Holden was called for an armball inside the box. With match official Roberto Moreno pointing to the spot, Pavon had a chance to equalize late in the contest.

He sent it high. The crowd gasped in despair. And the boos rained out.

With the victory, the USA becomes the first team to win on Honduran soil in the qualifying rounds.

Even Casey admitted that this was a surprise for him to start in San Pedro Sula.

“I was a little surprised, but definitely excited to get the start," he said following the match. "We knew it was going to be a very tough game. They obviously were playing to win and playing for the same thing that we were, and they had their crowd behind them.

"I thought we played well, we played smart, got a little lucky in the end with the [missed] penalty, but we definitely deserved it in the end."

“This was the most important game in qualifying because it was the one that qualified us for South Africa 2010,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley after the match. “The celebration was a very good one because when you have a group that has come together, that has worked hard, that has grown, when they’ve accomplished something it’s a special feeling.

"Tonight we can all share that feeling.”

“You don’t want to go into the last game leaving anything to chance," said Landon Donovan on the win. "As we see around the world, even with qualifiers today, anything can happen in one soccer game and we didn’t want to leave that opportunity open. It was nice to get it done.”

There is still a lot to play for between Los Ticos and Los Catrachos: Who gets the third automatic berth, and who gets to be in the shoes of where Australia was in 2005.

If the CONMEBOL rounds ended today, the fourth-place finish would be Uruguay in the inter-continental playoffs. But even the big picture in South America has yet to be cleared out.

Regardless, it's time to party in the nation's capital. The USA wraps up their Hexagonal with an Oct. 14 clash at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium against Costa Rica.

Match: United States vs. Honduras
Date: October 10, 2009
Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Final Round
Venue: Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano – San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT
Attendance: TBA
Weather: 80 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 3 3
HON 0 2 2

HON – Julio Cesar de Leon (unassisted) 47th minute
USA – Conor Casey (Charlie Davies) 55
USA – Conor Casey (Landon Donovan) 66
USA – Landon Donovan (unassisted) 71
HON – Julio Cesar de Leon (David Suazo) 78

Lineups

USA: 1-Tim Howard; 2-Jonathan Spector, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 12-Jonathan Bornstein; 7-Stuart Holden (6-Steve Cherundolo, 90+3), 13-Ricardo Clark, 4-Michael Bradley, 10-Landon Donovan; 9-Charlie Davies (17-Jozy Altidore, 79), 8-Conor Casey (16-Benny Feilhaber, 84)
Subs not used: 11-Kenny Cooper, 14-Jose Torres, 15-Jimmy Conrad, 18-Brad Guzan
Head Coach: Bob Bradley

HON: 18-Noel Valladares; 16-Mauricio Sabillon, 2-Osman Chavez, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 12-Emilio Izaguirre; 17-Edgard Alvarez (11-David Suazo, 64), 6-Hendry Thomas (7-Ramon Nunez, 75), 8-Wilson Palacios, 10-Julio Cesar de Leon (15-Walter Martinez, 80); 13-Carlo Costly, 9-Carlos Pavon
Subs not used: 1-Ricardo Canales, 5-Erick Norales, 14-Boniek Garcia, 4-Melvin Valladares,
Head Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Stats Summary: USA / HON
Shots: 16 / 13
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 5
Fouls: 12 / 16
Offside: 1 / 2

Misconduct Summary

HON – Osman Chavez (caution) 47th minute
HON – Maynor Figueroa (caution) 73
USA – Jonathan Bornstein (caution) 85

Officials

Referee: Roberto Moreno (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Williamson (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Jaime Smith (PAN)
Fourth Official: Jose Luis Rodriguez (PAN)

Los Angeles Angels, Mike Scioscia Defeat Boston Red Sox, Get Monkey Off Backs

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:37:51 -0400

How about that. Would you believe it!

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are one championship series victory away from facing each other in a possible Freeway Series of Fate.

For the last few years, the Boston Red Sox had been the Angels' postseason bogey team. Not this time. A 7-6 come-from-behind victory buried the demons on Sunday in their American League Division Series.

Now granted, the Halos still have the issue of putting up with those darn New York Yankees, and the boys in blue are awaiting the victor of the Phillies-Rockies clash on the way back from the land of Provel cheese and arches ad nauseum.

But Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon became Papel-bust on Sunday. With the bases loaded and two out, he gave up a two-run single to Vladimir Guerrero.

That preceded the double by Bobby Abreu to cut the Boston lead to one. Torii Hunter was walked to load the bases and set up the series-clinching hit.

The Red Sox crowd at Fenway Park stood silent, like witnesses to a casualty returning from Afghanistan in a casket, as the Angels came back from three runs down to win the ALDS—three games to none.

Now there's an ingenious way to get a monkey off your back: hire the Rally Monkey to do it for you.

This was the Angels' first-ever postseason series sweep. Broken hearts bleed for Papi. But even David Ortiz had no answer for the Angel pitching staff. Ortiz went one-for-four on Sunday.

Kendry Morales added a home run in the fourth inning off of Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz.

Abreu came up clutch on offensive. He went three-for-five with a couple of doubles and scored twice.

Boston's J.D. Drew hit a home run in the fourth off of Scott Kazmir in the losing effort.

Darren Oliver got the win for the Angels, while Brian Fuentes got his second save of the postseason. Papelbon took the loss, along with the blown save.

How Lakewood Lancer Football Brought Hope for the Moore League

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:53:38 -0400

I had this all planned out. I knew what I was going to do if it were one outcome, and if it were the other.

People who do this for a living call it contingency. As a graduate student closing in on a couple of degrees that I hope will make my employment situation secure like those safes from Dunbar Armored, I knew the the ins and outs of a strong, failproof contingency plan.

And my contingency plan went into effect the moment I stepped out of my house at approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

I was not even born when my alma mater, Lakewood High School, last defeated the flagship school of the Harry J. Moore League, Long Beach Polytechnic High. That year was 1982, a 14-7 win.

But I knew about the heritage, their reputation as the "Home of Scholars and Champions" (or "Den of Gangsters and Criminals," depending on your side of 1600 Atlantic Avenue) in other sports and disciplines on and off the field, and I knew that this was originally destined to be my school of choice.

Or so I thought.

My older sister, who works as a registered nurse at nearby St. Mary's Medical Center, was a graduate of Poly. I could have followed in her footsteps. But a series of events that I decline to expand on built a detour to Briercrest Street.

In my senior year, the Lancers were a dismal 1-8. We couldn't face Bloomington due to the September 11th bombings. This year's team, coached by former Los Alamitos assistant Thaddeus MacNeal, would demolish the patchwork group of gridders that played at John T. Ford Stadium. I kid you not.

But I want to go back to Poly for a moment. Before the game-televised by Fox Sports West-began, the Jackrabbits were riding an 80-game winning streak. The last team to beat Poly? A school up the road known as David Starr Jordan High.

In that 28-0 win over the Green and Gold, a certain quarterback by the name of Ortege Jenkins helped the Panthers torch the Jackrabbits in a shutout.

Since then, Poly-under then-head coach Jerry Jaso and now former assistant Raul Lara-had been reloading their guns, and began their streak. They were churning league titles, section titles, and even took part in a bowl game.

Of course, they were the goat among the SoCal squads in their ambush by Mike Alberghini's Sacramento Grant Pacers, but that's a different story.

This season was unusual for Poly. They had lost the bulk of their team to graduation, and-in a rare instance-lacked the firepower to reload. Worse still, sophomore quarterback Dylan Lagarde was inconsistent during the non-league campaign (also referred by the misnomer "pre-season schedule") and hightailed to John Barnes' Los Al Griffins.

Senior QB Chris Leachman was effective in their 31-0 rout of Jordan the week before, and would have made things interesting if he was the starter to begin with. And the Jackrabbits did have some playmakers in Cory Westbrook, Earnest Pettway, Michael Teo and Kaelin Clay, among others.

Lakewood, on the other hand, had a team that needed to get a result to make an impact against some of the strongest teams in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division.

And I am talking about Huntington Beach Edison, Anaheim Servite (who the Lancers defeated in the playoff last year, and the Jackrabbits got blown apart by this year), Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Mission Viejo (who the Lancers also defeated last year)...those teams.

Jesse Scroggins, who signed with the USC Trojans, needed this game as a chance to show that he could be a worthy understudy to current starter Matt Barkley. In the spread offense package, Scroggins had some options: Rashad Wadood (who I nickname "The Dude"), Terrence Woods, Alley Long, Darius Powe, Ron Lewis, Kevin Anderson, Kevin Medearis and Chris Davis, among others. That's a lot of "is"es, by the way.

Defensively, Lakewood was led by cornerback Dion Bailey, linebackers Justin Utupo and Keanu Kalolo, and defensive linemen Todd Barr and Kelly Harpham.

I wondered why Long Beach City College (whose team would be massacred by the Lancers) did not draw this many people at their games: 11,000 were on hand to see Vets Stadium turn into Armageddon for one night.

Before I went into the pit of fire, I stumbled upon a tailgate for the parents. Now this was a feast worthy of appraisal by His Majesty King Arthur Pendragon: sub sandwiches, pizza, steak and chicken asada with salsa and corn tortillas, Spanish rice, potato salad, macaroni salad, potato wedges, fried chicken, and cans of Coors Light and Coca-Cola.

Mmmmm, now THAT'S good eating. And the parents of those players donning red and white that night needed all the fuel they could get. I stuffed myself with only what my belly could carry. Before I arrived I had imbibed some coffee and Rockstar Juiced Pomegranate to ensure that my vocal cords were into "all hands on deck" mode.

It was going to be historic, so long as the road team ensured it.

The game kicked off with Poly getting the ball first. Oh, and this was the school's Homecoming Game. Swell timing, isn't it? Michael Simmons of the Jackrabbits fumbled on their first play, and the Lancers took over.

So, logic would say that this would be automatic, given the talent of the Lakewood varsity, right? I knew at the back of my mind that historically, penalties and turnovers have ruined any chance we had against Poly. And this is aside from Poly delivering on their own patch. The Lancers self-destructed at the hands of a false-start festival.

I've been referring to football officials with black and white stripes as "striped maggots" for any call against my team, and "homers" if I perceive them to be calling less on the home team.

These catcalls were incorporated upon inspiration from Australian Rules football fans when referring to the match officials at the ovals down under.

One old grad had consternations about the epithets laid towards them. Unfortunately, he has to get used to it because my partisanship is strong, broad, and deep.

After Poly botched their next series, Long went long. A 50-yard score gave the Lancers first blood. Now, the interesting thing about this was that they had lost a key player in Jerry Stone. But he was let go by the team and the school for choosing the wrong priorities.

It's amazing how a close one-point defeat to the Crenshaw Cougars could have been a still-undefeated record had Stone not been on Acacia Avenue in Compton. Nonetheless, Lakewood was able to manage.

As for the Jackrabbits, they responded with authority. Marching down the field with precision passing, Leachman scored on a 1-yard carry to tie the score. At the end of one quarter, it was 7-7.

The second quarter was a nightmare defensively for the Lancers. They had a chance to stop Leachman late in the stanza. They failed.

While I found it to be disgraceful on our side on defense, I'll give Poly this: their efficiency in converting 3rd and 4th downs on offense is going to look good for them when the business end of the season arrived like Santa and his reindeer in December. So with two quarters at hand, it was 14-7 Jackrabbits.

I recalled when Tesoro High-hailing from little old Rancho Santa Margarita-ville-faced us, we were leading, but we let the opponents back into it. So I wondered, can we do the same thing?

The answer: YES. But we had to earn it.

In Lakewood's first drive of the third quarter, Scroggins was efficient. On fourth-and-9 at the Poly 9-yard line, he found Anderson. Kicker Brad Braswell, meanwhile, botched the extra point.

Now, some people at LBPOST.com had been criticizing my bashing of Braswell the week before against the Compton Tarbabes (which the Lancers won 61-0). But Braswell did not convert all his kicks. I reminded everyone about the benefits of clutch kicking. Honesty may be something you can't stand, but you'll have to take its word for it, whether you like it or not.

But with 9:06 remaining in the game, Scroggins showed everyone why he is going to SC. A 3-yard touchdown run by Woods capped off a sensational drive. Jesse was courageous enough to spare Brad the blushes with the 2-point conversion.

Now it was up to the defense. Utupo and company were relentless in stopping plays left and right. However, with about six minutes to go, I was roaring in disapproval of a questionable backwards pass by Scroggins to Long. That brought new life into the Poly sails. Now, granted, the defense woke up and adjusted.

The fans in red and white were sensing it.

Lakewood tried to take a knee, but they could not convert a fourth-and-two on their last series. So there was a couple of Hail Mary tries for Leachman. With eight seconds between them.

With one second to go, Leachman threw the ball as he could throw it. He might as well be hurling it into a land mine. The Lancers fans, alums, and students stormed the field. Some of them were still on the field after the lights went out.

I had just about everything (save some blue shorts) off when the final gun sounded. And when I got to the field, I just collapsed in relief, staring at the sky, laughing like Vegeta of Dragon Ball.

As the streak ended, my head started to hurt a little. So I went to the nearby Jack in the Box to drink some tea, lemonade, and Diet Coke. I needed some rehydration to clear my head. It worked.

Later that night, I had a plush bunny ready to go. I marked the number "80" on it, and the dates "1994-2009", laid it on the asphalt, and incinerated it. This was a sign to show that the league winning streak of Poly had ended.

I prefer Zippo lighters to Bic lighters, but I had to make do.

All good things must come to an end. And Long Beach Poly must learn to lose, even when they feel it is their right to win titles in any sports they could field a team in.

My hope is that this will be a habit, not just for Lakewood, but for the other teams in the Moore League. I believe that with our victory, we ensured that the talk of "competitive anomaly" regarding the Jackrabbits was tabled for at least another year, and the possibility of parity was starting to show that night.

After all the people had left, Veterans Stadium was no longer Armageddon. It was just plain old Veterans Stadium.

But history was made in a game many people will talk about in the cities of Long Beach and Lakewood for years to come.

The final score: Lakewood Lancers 21, Poly Jackrabbits 14.

WPS Offseason in Full Swing: Falk and Henderson Are Traded

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:49:00 -0400

Here's some news from Nick Green of 100% soccer: Allison Falk and Val Henderson are heading off to join the Indies.

Hmmm. Says GM manager Terry Foley on Henderson's acquisition...

"Although we’ve built an extraordinary team to this point, the goalkeeping position was an obvious hole that needed to be filled. We didn’t feel that any of the college players would be ready to start in goal for us next season, and I think we can all breathe a little easier knowing we have a dominant keeper with league experience starting position in net.”

No confidence in the new blood coming in, eh Terry? To each his own. As for Philadephia's acquisition of Falk, he had this to say.

“We needed another central defender to give us depth in the back line, and Allison has already demonstrated her value as a center back in the WPS. We are excited to have her as a part of the Independence roster in 2010.”

Now, this brings up the interesting question waiting to happen: who was the first player to score goals for her teams in each of their respective histories?

No jinxing, honestly. But this is a great get for Philadelphia. Sooner or later, though, you're gonna need to see what the college grads can too, because everyone else in the league (aside from the new Atlanta Beat) already has, Mr. Foley.

Stay tuned for more wheeling and dealings from the WPS here on b/r. and I Told You Sol.

Rio De Janeiro Crushes Madrid To Win Summer BidBowl XXX

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:50:34 -0400

Great Dane in the morning! It was not even close.

At Copenhagen's Bella Center, Rio de Janeiro sent out the hounds on the Buffalo Bills of the BidBowl, Team Madrid in a 66-32 clobbering to win the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

"My God, that wasn't even close," said Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil and head coach of Rio. "We stepped into the Twilight Zone and pounded the stuffing out those Spaniards."

Quarterback Carlos Arthur Nuzman was flawless in dissecting the Madrid defense, whose coordinator brought the "Human Touch" formation in which they would not stop the speedy Rio receivers so as to knock them out until the 2014 World Cup.

"It was rough, because Japan is known for having some good football players," said a sweaty Nuzman. "But they haven't seen the likes of this. And neither did Madrid. We are the best bid football team in the world...at least until the bid for the city hosting after Sochi."

Offensively, Madrid was a mess. "This will be the last time I ever consider becoming an offensive coordinator for a bunch of Boy Scouts," Juan Antonio Samaranch grumbled before heading back to retire in his mansion in Spain. "I need my Viagra."

Chicago, meanwhile, had to rue the fact that its team got lost in the quarterfinals to Madrid, 28-18. There have been calls to sack the GM of the team, Richard M. Daley. Daley is scheduled to resign as GM of the team, sources tell b/r.

Chicago QB Pat Ryan was sacked 10 times and hurried 20 times by the voracious Brazilian defense, who saw him as a "piece of meat from a churrascaria, ready to be grilled and devoured.

"To use a sports metaphor," Ryan said, "‘we had a great team, we had a great plan but it wasn’t our day to win today. We fought a good fight, we had a good plan. That’s the way it goes.”

"To the people of Chicago, we apologize for not getting the job done," said head coach Barack Obama. "I also offer my resignation and turn by focus to putting the heat on Iran and Afghanistan, as well as other domestic issues this country faces. In sports, you can play a great game and still lose. And that's what we faced with tonight."

Tokyo lost in the semis to Madrid, 29-20 after getting a reprive from losing 26-22. "I would like to wish Rio de Janeiro every success for the 2016 Games and congratulate the bid team after kicking our butts today," said head coach Shintaro Ishihara. "I believe we did Japan proud and I thank more than 100 million supporters in our country who helped us strive for gold."

"They thought they were going to win the bid," said Chinese President Hu Jintao in the middle of the goose-stepping and trumpet-blaring at National Day in Beijing. "Hello, we hosted the Games last year. It was going to be a losing battle for you weeaboos in the first place."

A few banners in Old Town Chicago said, "It's all the [expletive]ing Billy Goat's fault, [expletive]it!" An 96-year old senior citizen tried to immolate himself, but was unsuccessful and was taken to a nearby mental institution.

Meanwhile, a impish-faced Peter Ueberroth could be seen grinning at Chi-town's demise in C-hagen. "Serves you right for stealing our thunder," he said with a diabolical laugh while watching the action and the handing of the trophy from IOC President/Commisioner Jacques Rogge.

Chicago's 2016 Bid Demise Is Poetic Justice for Los Angeles

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:59:22 -0400

Now I don't know about you, but the fact that Chicago got eliminated in the first round of voting is a sign of redemption.

Here's the thing: Chicago and Los Angeles were vying to be the US Candidate City for the 2016 Olympic Games, which went to Rio de Janeiro as all of you should know. Los Angeles was ready for these games. Just about all the venues for the events were set up.

Not a lot of money needed to be spent, maybe just for a few new venues.

But no, the United States Olympic Committee decided to wag the proverbial middle finger and give the Candidate City honors to Chi-town, Barack Obama's stomping grounds.

That was a big mistake. Even a rally monkey from Anaheim would have had better sense to commit suicide by selecting the Windy City over La-La Land.

I mean, how the bloody heck would a city that does not have a strong case have even a hair of a chance of winning the 2016 Olympic Games? I was an opponent of having the Games in Chicago immediately after the USOC made their announcement.

I personally wanted Tokyo to win this because they were a safe option, but the IOC voted Rio simply because South America never got a chance to host the Games. Buenos Aires (2004) tried to plead their case in the past, but they were unsuccessful.

So, Brazil not only gets to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but they also get to host the 2016 games. Not too bad of a deal. It's pretty swell. It's these types of news that make me want to skedaddle over to the local churrascaria near Cal-State Long Beach.

Chicago did not deserve to win this bid. They did not deserve to host these Games. If the USOC chose Los Angeles instead, LA would have perhaps finished ahead of Madrid, maybe even Tokyo.

I know there are a lot of broken hearts in Chi-town tonight, but look on the bright side: At least you got the Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks to give you consolation.

This also has to be a day to remember in Miami and Oklahoma City. And Mexico City. And Kobe and Warsaw. And ever cities like Lagos, Montpelier (in France), Seoul, Caracas, Managua, Saint Petersburg (in Russia), Tunis, Ramallah, Istanbul, Barcelona, and even Madrid. These are a number of Rio's sister cities.

I am confident that Rio de Janeiro will put on a great show. The middle of the 20-teens is scheduled to become Brazil's most defining moment in sports to date.

All those living in or near the City of Angels will be tuning in, thinking, "It could have been us. But Chicago ruined it like Raymond Clark ruining Annie Le's wedding by murdering her. And they are paying the price."

And the only thing that needs to be done is a city like Cape Town to finally get their shot and have the Games come to Africa.

Thoughts on the 2009 WPS International Draft

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:28:00 -0400

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat held their respective drafts for International players. Here's who they ended up obtaining, in order.

Selection Player Position Country
1.) Philadelphia Caroline Seger M Sweden
2.) Atlanta Ramona Bachmann F Switzerland
3.) Philadelphia Charlotte Rohlin D Sweden
4.) Atlanta Johanna Rasmussen F Denmark
5.) Philadelphia Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir M Iceland
6.) Atlanta Mami Yamaguchi M Japan
7.) Philadelphia Fara Williams M England
8.) Atlanta Maurine Dorneles Goncalves M Brazil
9.) Philadelphia Lianne Sanderson F England
10.) Atlanta Therese Sjögran M Sweden

Just like last year, there is no commitment on these players to sign with a WPS team. It is simply the beginning of a process by which the Independence and Beat will go as per the world-famous FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

That was quite a mouthful. First impressions:

No German or French players? - Yep. Nobody from the German national team that won Women's Euro 2009 is on this roster. Sooner or later, this will have to change.

I also noticed that no French players were taken in this draft. Seems that Abily and Bompastor is who we'll have to see again in 2010. Le sigh...

North Korea off the radar - Not surprising, no North Korean players have been taken. Curse that Dear Leader and the lack of defections.

Umeatlanta Beatrottsklub - Ramona Bachmann, Johanna Rasmussen and Mami Yamaguchi was selected as the first three international picks by Atlanta. As key members with the Umea Idrottsklubb (yes, you've heard of them), the pipeline of talent from Umea IK to the WPS continues to build.

Bachmann is a young Swiss superstar in the making. Voted as Swiss women's player of the year this year, she has found the net 19 times in 30 appearances while making a name for herself in the Swiss U-20 team.

Watch out for Ramona Bachmann, Atlanta fans. She's getting better and better, and her choice to be picked in this year's draft was easier than ever.

Rasmussen appeared in 44 matches for the Danish national team, while Yamaguchi spent some time playing for the Florida State Seminoles.

New Brits on the Block - Philly fans will be in for a treat when they get to watch Fara Williams and Lianne Sanderson.

Williams, known to the Toffees as "Queen Fara," is a midfielder with the ability to finish. As of August 2009, Williams had scored 26 goals in 71 appearances for the English national team.

Sanderson, who made a name for herself as a key member of Vic Akers's Arsenal Ladies, won just about every trophy the club could earn: a UEFA Women's Cup, five Premier League crowns, four FA Women's Cups, two Premier League Cups and two Community Shields. A proven goal scorer, Sanderson scored 40 goals in 41 appearances in the 2006-07 campaign.

The next wave of Brazilliance - Not to be outdone, Maurine Dornelles Goncalves was selected by the Beat as the eighth pick in the 2009 International Draft. A key member of Santos FC (who currently has the Los Angeles Sol's Marta, Chicago Red Stars' Cristiane and FC Gold Pride's Erika on loan), Maurine's presence in the midfield will be criticial to Atlanta's chances of giving the rest of WPS a run for their reais.

Iceland breaks the mold - Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir is a midfielder with a proven ability to finish. Drafted by the Independence, she has scored 108 goals in 124 appearances for Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (KR Reykjavik [pronounced: Ray-kya-vihk]) and Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja (IBV Vestmannaeyjar [pronounced: West-men-eh-yar]).

For those of you wondering how to pronounce these names, it's Natt-spur-noof-ell-agg Ray-kya-vihk-er and Ihp-rot-ah-bahn-da-lahg West-men-eh-yah. Now you know a little Icelandic, and you will know a lot more about Magnúsdóttir (pronounced like Magnus daughter) when the 2010 WPS season rolls along.

Les Capitales De Quebec: Canada's Other Baseball Powerhouse

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:34:58 -0400

Canada has never been a major force in the so-called "Great American Pastime" since the watershed years of 1992 and 1993.

In those days, the Toronto Blue Jays proved that a Canadian team can rule a league dominated by its neighbors to the south.

It would not be long before the Montreal Expos made their move to Washington, making the Jays the only beacon of hope for the Great White North in the majors.

But if one were to deduce that Toronto has the only baseball club that matters in Canada, he or she may be pleasantly surprised. Or unpleasantly surprised, depending on your side of Niagara Falls you choose to plant your feet.

And no, the waters themselves do not count.

In the history of minor league baseball, there have been teams from Canada that have accomplished this feat. The Winnipeg Goldeyes, who continue to play in the Northern League, have won seven division titles to go with a league championship in 1994.

This season, the Calgary Vipers won their first pennant as a member of the Golden Baseball League while maintaining a current streak of three GBL North Division titles.

More recently, a proud team hailing from Quebec City has claimed a league pennant of their own.

The Quebec Capitales, or Les Capitales de Quebec if you want to be technical (no rhyming pun intended), won the 2009 Canadian-American Association championship with a 7-4 victory over the Worcester Tornadoes.

The history of Les Capitales does not begin with their founding a decade ago, but rather in the wake of World War II.

Stade Municipal, the official home of Les Capitales, opened in 1938. Located in Victoria Park (Parc Victoria) at the heart of Downtown Quebec City, this ballpark holds 4,800 spectators and even more so, bears a rich tradition of baseball within its friendly, magical confines.

The first club from Quebec City to toss the old horsehide around was the Quebec Athletics, who competed from 1940 through 1942. From 1946 to 1948 the Quebec Alouettes competed in the Canadian-American League, which the Athletics also played in during the last two years of their existence.

Also competing in the Can-Am League from 1949 to 1950 were the Quebec Braves, who also spent time in the Provincial League up to 1951. And from 1971 through 1975, the Quebec Carnavals played as the Expos' AA affiliated, and continued on as the Quebec Metros until they folded in 1977.

Les Capitales outlived them all. Formed in 1999 as an expansion team in the Northen League, they have been the beacon of the capital of La Belle Province, if not the entire province itself.

Since 2001, Les Capitales have witnessed over 3,000 fans flock to their games. In addition, Les Capitales have been to the postseason in seven out of the last eight campaigns.

Not too darn shabby for team in their eleventh season, oui oui?

During their first four years, the Capitales did not make the postseason in their inaugural years and in 2001. In both of their playoffs runs, they lost both of their series to the Adirondack Lumberjacks 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.

A change had to be made. In 2003, Les Capitales moved to current incarnation of the Canadian-American Association, which was called the Northeast League at the time. In their first two seasons with their new league, the North Shore Spirit defeated Les Capitales 3-0 and 3-2.

Unfazed and unbowed, Les Capitales marched on into the 2005 season. There, they would eventually earn their first playoff series victory: en emphatic 3-0 sweep of the Brockton Rox. However, Quebec would be swept themselves, falling to the Tornadoes.

It would take four seasons before Michel Laplante's club would exact their revenge on Rich Gedman's couterparts.

The 2006 and 2007 seasons saw the highest highs and the lowest lows for Les Capitales. In their 2006 campaign, they had a 44-44 record, enough to make for the second-worst record in team history at the time. Nonetheless, they qualified for the playoffs.

It was not going to be an easy state of affairs. The North Shore Spirit were awaiting them, and were on the verge of completing another series of Quebec with a 2-1 lead.

North Shore was unable to capitalize, and Les Capitales rallied back to win 3-2. They would go the distance in their best-of-five with Brockton. In game five, Les Capitales rallied to defeat the Rox 5-4 and hoist the Arthur E. Ford Trophy for the first time.

2007 was a forgettable season, as the Capitales failed to make the postseason. Quebec was on the road back to supremacy in 2008, as they won their opening round series over the Atlantic City Surf 3-1, but lost the championship to the Sussex Skyhawks in a 3-0 sweep.

The 2009 season would be etched as another magical year for Les Capitales. And it began when a fallen star from Montreal took advantage of a second chance, re-energizing Quebec's hopes for the Can-Am championship in the process.

That man was Eric Gagne. Remember him?

The closer from the Dodgers from 1999 through 2006, and who is part of that gang of Mitchell Report steroid juicers?

Oh yes, it should ring a bell.

After spending additions stints with the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, Gagne became a pitcher/coach for Les Capitales.

Offensively, Quebec was led by first baseman Pete LaForest and outfielder Alex Nunez. LaForest led the team in home runs with 24 bombs and 82 runs batted in, while Nunez notched 104 hits to go with a solid .314 batting average.

The missing piece to puzzle was Gagne. "It took a year-and-a-half to sort of get over things," he said. "Quebec was the best place to start over from scratch."

It was a golden opportunity. A Gold, Blue and White opportunity.

Of course, Gagne's pitching arm didn't fail him in the Can-Am League. He had a modest 6-6 record to go with a 4.65 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Michel Simard led the team with 81 punchouts, while Jason Schutt was the Gagne of the team, leading the closers with 10 saves.

The payoff was imminent. Laplante's decision to hire Gagne was a solid move, praising his expertise in mentoring the team and improving their performance as the season went on.

One of the members of the pitching staff, St. Luc's Karl Gelinas (who played a key role in securing the 2009 title for Quebec), was impressed.

"He'd always been an idol, a role model, but I'd never really met him," Gelinas said. "He really treated us well; filet mignon [after games] lots of times. He was really great with everybody.

"I think he was pleasantly surprised with his stay here, too. The city, the team, the league, himself, everyone benefitted. I know I really found the fun of playing baseball again. I've been here three years, but this year was special."

Special it would be. With a renewed commitment to play in the clutch, Les Capitales went go on to win the second half of the season. Once again, Brockton awaited them.

But the Rox, who finished with the best record at the end of the regular season, had no answer for Quebec. They were able to win Game 3 6-5 in the doubleheader on Sunday, Sept. 13, but proceeded to lose Game 4 by the score of 5-3.

So it was on to the League Championship, and a chance to exact payback on Worcester. The Tornadoes weren't going to lie down that easy, winning 8-7 in Game One. A 12-inning offensive slugfest put the best-of-five on level terms, 12-8, in Game Two.

Les Capitales drove four unearned runs past relief man Eddie Pena in the top of the 12th after Worcester rallied in the bottom of the ninth. It was a sign of things to come.

With series moving back to the friendly confines of Le Stade Municipal, Eric Gagne put on his best performance as a member of Les Capitales in Game Three.

Used primarily as a closer when making the rounds in the majors, he took his role as starter the same way one should take a bull-by the horns.

Gagne pitched a complete game, striking out eight, and solid fielding and timely hitting culminated in a 5-1 victory. For Gagne, it was redemption deserved. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he was chaired off the field before a standing-room only crowd of 5,011, one of the largest crowds to attend a game at Stade Municipal.

"If that was the end, it was really a beautiful ending," Gagne said after the game to the National Post. "To finish somewhere where people like me, and people want to see me...I needed it.

"It was a thank you to them for having stayed with me and supported me 100%. You could see it at every game. They were so positive; it was really incredible.

"I got the confidence back that I had lost the last two years, and I found the fun of playing baseball again. That was my goal, and I did exactly what I wanted to do."

In the decisive Game Four, Les Capitales did exactly what they needed to do, too. They pounced on the Tornadoes early and often during the first two innings.

With a 5-2 lead, Quebec never looked back as they secured their second Can-Am Championship before 3,744.

It's teams like Les Capitales de Quebec that prove that baseball is never dead and irrelevant in Canada.

Continuous tradition, consistent loyalty to those who wear the shirt regardless of their past misdeed, and a never-say-die attitude in the wake of clubs forming and folding have ensured that while the Montreal Expos are consigned to the dustbins of diamond history, Les Capitales have fared well in having the torch passed to them.

Cubs Say Farewell to a Legend as Milton Bradley Leaves Chicago

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:24:52 -0400

And so another chapter ends in a city that has witnessed one of its teams win a World Series title in the last 93 years—and the team in particular is NOT the Cubs.

The Cubs, under manager Lou Pinella and crow-eating general manager Jim "Boo-Boo" Hendry, ended their ties with two-timing renegade switch-hitter Milton Bradley by suspending him for the rest of the 2009 Major League season for decrying their ineptitude to win any title he deems "substantial to my own sanity."

"There is a reason why the team I am glad to get the [expletive] out of has been futile for the past century," Bradley said in an official, profanity-laced statement through his agents, the Levinson brothers of Seth and Sam. "It ain't my fault. It's that fact that you [expletive]s keep scrutinizing me for this and that.

"And you can blame the billy goat, too. Who the [expletive] brought his [expletive] to Wrigley Field? That's the reason why you [expletive]s have been unable to win [expletive]. I'm just a [expletive]in witness.

"May you backstabbing Chicago SOBs never win a World Series ring for another 100 years, insha'Allah! Hahahahahaaah! I'm outta this dump, [expletive]ers!"

The official statement was met with indifference mixed with bloody rage and animosity amongst Cubs fans around the world, as well as in the States.

"He is a tosser," said Dan Druff, a stout fisherman from Scotland, wearing a Cubs cap in a recent interview with him and other Cubs supporters in Europe. "The club can't wait to wash their hands of this stain. I can't wait, too."

"Are you kidding me?" said Brandywine Zavaleta of Willemstad, Curacao, standing next to a burning Bradley jersey.

"This was the worst decision Hendry made! Even a 7-year-old cheering for the White Sox would have known better than to have Milton Bradley on the Cubs. I can't believe I had the lack of brain power to buy one of his jerseys! He makes Steve Bartman look like Steve Carell, mercy!"

In Australia, a few Cubs fans in Toowomba burned an effigy that had Bradley's name and number on it. They danced around the burning piece of wood, some yelling, "This is biggest victory of the season. WE WON!!! Yeah! Go Cubs!"

"Milton Bradley? Who? Never heard of the rube," said Jeff Dolly, a 76-year-old Cubs fan from Toolafalls, MS. "I only know the game company." But when he was reminded of the player, he said, "Oh, you mean the guy who laid [Lou] Piniella out to dry. Yeah, I heard of him. Good riddance.

"He was a legend for all the wrong reasons. I never liked his attitude."

Believe it or not, there were a few who elected to be sympathetic.

"People make mistakes, there is no denying that," said an anonymous hermit who chose to only be referred as "Horo." "Milton made a mistake, and he had to pay the price. It's human nature to belittle a team that has been short of successful in winning a World Series championship and be ungrateful in playing for such an inept side. I do feel for the young man." She said this while adding at the end, "Go Dodgers."

In other news, the Milton Bradley Company has officially scrapped any plans for Milton Bradley the player to be their key spokesman, citing in their statement, "We are intent to have people of his savage nature trying to exploit our good reputation.

"We have won the game. He has lost it."

USC-Washington: Aaron Corp Fails To Earn His Stripes Against the 'Dawgs

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:25:20 -0400

Now do you see why Matt Barkley is a better signal-caller than you, Aaron Corp? Huh?

I will be honest with you, buddy. Barkley won the position at the beginning of the season for a reason. Sure, he could have done better without that bum shoulder, but if he can get it done against Ohio State, he could have been just as effective against Washington today.

Seriously. You said you wanted the job as the starting quarterback. Well, you needed to step up. The Huskies are not the toughest opponent in the conference. Heck, without Taylor Mays, you would have been able to get the job done.

I kid you not. Washington's gonna go bowling, but not one of those bigtime bowls.

Instead, you let former assistant coach Steve Sarkisian, the new head coach at U-Dub, outwit Pete Carroll in Seattle. The USC Trojan coaching staff did not have a lot of trust in you, and, as a result, guess what happens?

The 'Dawg defense took over. And you couldn't do anything about it. Oh, have mercy, Miss Percy!

Forget about national championship consideration, or ever Rose Bowl consideration. You blew all those hopes away with your inability to live up to the expectations the Trojan Nation bestowed on you, boy.

So let this be a lesson to you, Aaron Corp, that you should never have any ill feeling about being passed up. There is a reason why Barkley was named the starter. He picked it up and got the job done.

You didn't. And that's what you're going to have to come to terms with on the long ride back from Seattle.

Thoughts on the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:01:00 -0400

Well, I can't believe I'm writing again. It seems I can never get enough of the fun that is Women's Professional Soccer. With the off-season in full swing, the new crews from A-Town and Philly are building their teams, starting with the 2009 Expansion Draft.

The House Rules...

•Existing teams may protect up to 10 players (but must leave a minimum of 6 unprotected)
•Expansion teams must each select one player from each existing team prior to selecting a second player from an existing team. This will also hold true after a 2nd player is selected from an existing team.
•Existing teams may protect two after losing their first player
•Existing teams may protect one after losing their second player
•An existing team may not lose more than three players
•Expansion teams may each select a total of nine players

And this is how the outcome went...

Selection Player Position Previous Team
1.) Atlanta Leigh Ann Robinson D FC Gold Pride
2.) Philadelphia Lori Lindsey M Washington Freedom
3.) Philadelphia Jen Buczkowski D Sky Blue FC
4.) Atlanta Amanda Cinalli F Saint Louis Athletica
5.) Philadelphia Nikki Krzysik D Chicago Red Stars
6.) Atlanta Katie Larkin D/M Los Angeles Sol
7.) Philadelphia Sue Weber D Boston Breakers
Second Round
8.) Atlanta Sharolta Nonen D Los Angeles Sol
9.) Philadelphia Sarah Senty D Washington Freedom
10.) Atlanta Sara Larsson D Saint Louis Athletica
11.) Philadelphia Danesha Adams F Chicago Red Stars
12.) Atlanta Noelle Keselica F Sky Blue FC
13.) Philadelphia Kelly Schmedes F Boston Breakers
14.) Atlanta Pass
15.) Philadelphia Pass

First impressions...

•Cutting it short?: Awww, I was hoping for Atlanta and Philadelphia to select nine players. Instead, they chose to end the draft after the 13th pick.

Could it be that they are choosing to go after the international players fresh off Women's Euro 2009? Or maybe they have an eye to the future with the next crop of college stars (Tobin Heath and company)?

•Quantity vs. Quality: Philadelphia has more picks (seven) but Atlanta selected some solid players in Sara Larsson (STL), Katie Larkin (LA) and Amanda Cinalli (STL).

•FC Gold Pride gets lucky: Maybe it's the fact that they finished rock-bottom in the inaugural season. But FC Gold Pride only had one of its players drafted, Leigh Ann Robinson, the first selection of the draft, and the first player to be selected by the Atlanta Beat.

•Don't you just love appetizers?: Next week, we will find out who the Beat and Indies take next Tuesday in the International Draft. It's sure to be tantalizing.

Note to WPS: Deutschland A Go Go

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:17:00 -0400

All right, the WPS has the best from here in the States, England, Brazil, Japan, China, France, and so on and so forth. But you know what? This league could use a little bit of the German touch.

No seriously, we could use a little bit of Birgit Prinz. And some Melanie Behringer and Simone Laudehr. And why not a little Kim Kulig and Inka Gringsthrown in, just for good measure?

These were the goalscorers that made England look like a team that fell second fiddle to North Carolina in a 6-2 Helsinki sinkdown.

Let's be real here, ja?

When you are a team like Germany that has made a destructive mockery of the UEFA European Women's Championship by lifting your fifth European title and seventh out of the last eight edition, you would be daft to think that scouts in Women's Professional Soccer aren't taking notice of your accolades.

They are.

And I assure you that you will be playing stateside sooner than you think. Watch out, America. Here come the Germans.

Nullarbor Links: The Greatest Golf Course in the World...Literally

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:08:31 -0400

The likes of Thomas Mitchell Morris, Sr. would disapprove of such bastardization. On second thought, maybe Old Tom himself may fancy exploring his inner sense of intrigue and inquisition.

Move aside, St. Andrews. You're getting served, Augusta National.

Pine Valley, Shinnecock, Cypress Point, and Oakmont, you missed the cut.

Pebble Beach and Bethpage Black? Take a seat way in the back.

There is a new 18-hole wonderment that can lay claim to being "the greatest golf course in the world."

Distance-wise, at least.

I'm talking about the soon-to-be-[in?] famous Nullarbor Links of South and Western Australia. Ditch your ol' golf caddy for the pickup truck.

At a eye-popping, jaw-dropping, forehead-slapping 1,365 kilometers (that's about 848 big ugly miles for all of you who turn and thumb your noses at the metric system), the holes are separated by distances as large as 100 km.

Better be sure to keep your fuel tank full, because it's gonna be burning. This course is a beast. A hoss. A bonzer of a beauty. The most superlative of superlatives that even Uluru would be jealous of.

Or maybe not.

The Nullarbor Links stretch all the way from Ceduna, South Australia (sounds like Sedona, Az. but doesn't) to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. If your dog Toto could speak English he'll tell you, "You may not be in Kansas anymore, but you're playing golf in a course the size of Kansas, mate! Woof woof!"

Prospective tournament organizers from around the globe: you may need to hold your tournament to just one round instead of the customary four that you see on the PGA and European tours. Completing a round of golf at the Nullarbor Links takes four days, depending on how long your players intend to play.

Of course, the paragraph above would be moot if teleportation was invented.

But the Nullarbor Links is sure to be the stimulus package that the denizens in the roadhouses that dot this plain are looking for.

From oyster beds to a giant border kangaroo, to motels and eucalyptus, to celebrational dances by the Ngadju people on the sacred grounds of the 15th hole and land yachts, this one-of-a-kind course has the potential of being considered "the eighth wonder of the world."

For AUD $50, you can purchase a score card and cover your greens fees to play at the Nullarbor Links. Once you have all 18 holes stamped, you will be rewarded with a certificate for having played the World's Longest Golf Course.

That is, unless some Russian sleazebag not unlike Roman Abramovich decides to steal the Aussie Thunder and make one in Siberia.

The Nullarbor Links will officially make their larger-than-life debut on Oct. 22.

So if you want to make your travel plans and live to tell your survivors how you survived playing in the World's Longest Golf Course (as of now), better hurry before Putin's crew of wedge-crazy cronies give you second thoughts, not to mention a fifth of vodka.

May I Introduce to You...LeGarrette "Lame Duck" Blount

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:45:46 -0400

Step aside, Mike "I mock the Maoris with my facial tattoo and I don't even know it because I can care less" Tyson. You're not the only heavyweight capable of making headlines for all the wrong reasons, buddy boy. No, sir.

There's a new badass whose punch can give Wladimir Klitschko a run for his money.

A jobber with a jab that could rival Fedor Emelianenko's when thrown to the lions of the Affliction Anaheim party tour. A person who, through getting some finishing touches in grappling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and BJ Penn clinics, can give Octagon opponents headaches.

A man with an appetite so big he can eat Boise State football fans for lunch...if only he weren't restrained like the chains that led to Samson's downfall in the days of wine, roses, and antiquity.

His name? LeGarrette "Lame Duck" Blount. While his football career may be short, he has diversified his "wild thugman" potential to the ring.

Tempted to throw Blount under the bus? Foolish. With his right hook, the bus will be scrap heap in one blow before he even gets near it.

As for those who claim his fighting level is over 9,000, make no mistake about it: You are correct. But barely. "Lame Duck"'s fighting level is 9,000.8675309.

Jenny, Jenny, who can you turn to? None other than the Lame Duck himself. He's a hoss that can bust some serious booty.

With his punching ability, Blount puts the POW! back in "power."

According to an unconfirmed source within Don King Promotions, Blount is "...a bad moon rising. Blount is a 6'2", 240-pound beast with a strong chin and jab-uppercut combination that can snap Napoleon Dynamite's head into five pieces and send his eyes out of their sockets.

"We saw how he laid Byron Hout—who has no fighting ability whatsoever and is just Napoleon with extra muscle added on—out to dry, and I can tell you this: He may not be able to graduate from the University of Oregon, but the School of Hard Knocks is ready to give him his MGE degree—the prestigious Master of Getting Even. And that says something."

It sure does.

Klitschko, who was busy training for his next fight, provided a written statement which says, "If [Blount] wants to fight me in a bout in the foreseeable future, I will be more than willing to make him know his place. As always, this is subject to agreements with my promoter and Blount's promoter (assuming he has one).

"Personally, it will be a refreshing experience to face a man of his caliber, although it is not certain whether he has any."

Blount's fighting potential has received notoriety from the WBA, WBC, IBO, UFC, Affliction, and even wrestling organizations like the WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling, among others.

But for all his promise and possibilities of becoming a fighter after his football days conclude in Eugene, Blount has his detractors.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., the loudmouth who wouldn't even lift a middle finger to a certain Manny Pacquiao if given the opportunity, was skeptical if he would lay half a middle finger to him.

"LeGarrette Blount? Who the [expletive] is that? Are you sure that's his name and not Blunt Cigarette?" asked Mayweather during a recent spree with his latest harem of swingers and roadies. "You gotta be messing with my mind; get out of here!"

When asked of Blount's fighting potential, Chuck Norris—who watched the game on ESPN360—had a more reasonable rationale. "This person is not on the same page as me," he said. "Did you see what he did at the end of that game? It's a 'come-to-no-Christian-end' ordeal.

"My roundhouse kick would make him a celibate minister faster than you can say 'Whoop!' at Texas A&M. And feel free to quote me on that. By the way, can you give me some tips as to who will win the National Championship at Pasadena?"

Nonetheless, it can be agreed that Blount is a pugilistic thug off the radar, readying to give you your comeuppance that people from Florida are known for dishing out.

Lock up your daughters, lock up your wife, lock up the back door, and run for your life. Because if LeGarrette "Lame Duck" Blount is back in town, don't you mess him around.

Choice Cuts: Reflections on Covering the 2009 WPS Season

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:34:32 -0400

I can't believe that I am writing another article while the new American football season is in full swing, AFc Wimbledon is making the rounds in the Blue Square Premier, the Melbourne Victory is facing a stern test, and the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chelsea Football Clubs are going through their motions.

But I got a little e-mail from Todd Civin asking me to pick some of the best moments of writing during the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season.

Huh? What? I thought this season was over and done with.

Wait a second. This is a greatest hits piece. I see where this is going.

And so I said to Civin, "All right buddy boy, you got yourself a deal."

So, in this 160th article on Bleacher Report, here are a few excerpts from my work.

"From all over Southern California, families brought their children, their grandparents, some who have never watched a football match in their life, some who have seen matches involving the G’s, Chivas USA, the national teams, and others, all who wanted a change of pace. Black, blue, gold, and white balloons and streamers decked the concourses of the stadium. The Goodyear Blimp peered like a jovial sentinel over the low clouds floating across the South Bay skyline as if to say, 'Kilroy was here!'"

From: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/147244-la-2-washington-0-marta-and-the-sol-shine-in-wps-inaugural-game

"So, I head back upstairs, wondering if there are any munchies. As I was about to go to the concessions, a guy in a suit, with escorts, brings some kettle-cooked crisps, peanuts, and cashews. I tried some of the Hint. A bit bland. No sugar or Splenda-like material. Will this sell?

And there is a product called Not A Hint. Not A Hint is water without the fruit-scented Hint: it’s just premium bottle water. I’ll take my Kirkland Signature any day, thank you very much!"

From: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/147298-la-2-washington-0-a-play-by-play-and-other-miscellany/page/3

"Crowds flocked to the beaches. Staples Center saw the Lakers begin their postseason run. The Angels were still reeling from the loss of pitcher Nick Adenhart. Manny was just being Manny, donning Dodger Blue.

The Anaheim Ducks were on a suicide mission in San Jose and Long Beach was hosting the Toyota Grand Prix as part of the Indy Racing League Circuit.

And the Los Angeles Sol were returning home to take on FC Gold Pride at the Home Depot Center."

From: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/158850-la-sol-1-fc-gold-pride-0-marta-sol-defense-post-another-shutout

"On occasions, the No. 10 for the Sol does visit Dois Riachos to see old friends and family.

Perhaps those who questioned why she played with the boys at the age of 10 now realize that with everything she has been through, and everything she has accomplished more than a decade later, this was the right decision for Marta Vieira da Silva after all."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/161378-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-marta/page/4

"In a feature for NBC, The Future Is Feminine, she owed her happiness to her father. 'Football has given me so much pleasure and fun in life, which [many] other girls won't be able to experience.'

Such are the circumstances for many young women in China.

With its government scrutinized for its poor human rights record and limitations on many privileges the free world is blessed with, many of China's women envy how far Han had come. For her, football was an outlet, a way to break the chains that bound her.
It was her proverbial ticket to freedom."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/171657-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-han-duan

"When the press lauded the comparison, she said, 'I don't want to be compared with Beckham.'

And it's true.

Because if the chanters in Victoria Street acknowledge that there is only one David Beckham, shouldn't it also be a fact that there is only one Aya Miyama?"

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/175834-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-aya-miyama/page/4

"A save. Another save. A routine scoop, followed by a throw to a defender.
The sound of a kicked ball going upwards toward midfield, where a blend of players clad in orange and blue clamor to receive it.

Fifteen minutes passes. 45. 60. 90. And stoppage time.

And then the final whistle.

She walks to the center of the pitch, grabs a microphone, and acknowledges 6,000-plus supporters who came for a Friday night contest between the Los Angeles Sol and Sky Blue FC.

Such is the nature of Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, one of Canada's most celebrated players guarding the net...When you have a one-of-a-kind player like Karina LeBlanc leaving her mark, the future of women's soccer is pretty bright.

Better get your shades ready."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/180948-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-karina-leblanc/page/6

"A rangy defender blessed with a 6-foot frame scored the biggest goal of her young career, wearing the No. 3 on the back of her jersey.

Her name? Allison Falk.

The game of soccer is a game that does not know the definition of predictability.

But unpredictability? And unexpected? You'd better believe those two words have been in the game's lexicon since it was known in the days of antiquity as harpastum!"

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/186098-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-allison-falk

"And history will be made today. This is the beginning of a new league, and a new chapter in the women's game, with the debut of Women's Professional Soccer.

Geez, I am just getting the goosebumps hearing about it—hold on, my cell phone just went off...hold on.

Bleacher Report, this is JR. What? You mean to tell me that this is NOT the WPS Inaugural Game?

What!? And that the Inaugural Game was two months ago? And that this is the second match between these two sides? Well! That's news to me. Thank you for letting me know. By the way, you're fired."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/194606-los-angeles-3-washington-1-a-play-by-play-and-other-miscellany

"The football forces-that-be are an interesting bunch of deities. Rumor has it that according to the forces-that-be, the plaques that head coaches like Ali Khosroshahin and Anson Dorrance have won for their teams are not waiting for Zerboni.

Maybe it's a WPS regular season trophy. Or it could be the WPS championship hardware.
Whatever it is, you can be certain that the Sol's No. 6 is on it to find out.

So grab a woodie and bring your green and white Puma ball, McCall Zerboni. Walk—don't run—and look for that wave that will take you to the Home Depot Center, where Marta and company await your arrival.

The fruits of your labor are only beginning to blossom."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/208192-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-mccall-zerboni/page/7

"But once again, is there really anything bogus about Liz Bogus nowadays? We thought just as much."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/223637-this-is-the-los-angeles-sol-liz-bogus

"And now, Mr. Tony Bennett. Music please.

'I know I'd go from rags to riches
If you would only say you care...'

Okay Tony, you can go ahead and stop now...wait a minute, he's still singing?...

'My fate is up to you...'

All right, can somebody from security get Tony off the stage already? I'm announcing some rankings here. Sorry about the sound in the background, that's just Tony getting his, how can I say it G-rated...comeuppance."

From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/241609-2009-wps-power-rankings-final-edition/page/2

You know, come to think of it, I wrote so many articles that I will leave it to you readers to read the rest. I have come to the conclusion that at the end of the day, the articles speak for themselves.

And this ride was still one of the greatest joys of my life.

My God, I think I need another beer.

Josh Wicks' Brain Explosion Adds to DC's US Open Cup Misery

Jo-Ryan Salazar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:53:35 -0400

One of the biggest precepts I keep in mind when I sit in a press box, a bleacher, or a seat is that if a team or player goes down fighting, that certain party facing defeat goes down with class.

On the contrary, the phrase "brain explosion" depicts someone who shows he or she is beaten by injuring the person responsible. To suffer a brain explosion is to cheat someone out of their career, out of bigger and brighter success, and leave them facing a nightmare they can never get out of.

A few years ago, a certain "badass" by the name of Mitch Cozad, who was a backup punter for a college American football team, stabbed the starter in one of the lower appendages.

Only a whippersnapper as gutsy (Or is it gutless? Or is there even a difference?) as Cozad would know if he did it wearing a ski mask or one of those black outfits worn by those Harriet Nahanee sympathizing hooligans living in British Columbia.

But that was a brain explosion worthy of a prison sentence. One of the extreme kind.

It leads us to that fateful day in the heart of the nation's capital, not too far from the houses of bureaucracy, litigation, and filibuster jibjab where the Capitol Steps minstrel show of staffers sing [sic] its praises.

The Seattle Sounders Football Club, in its 15th year of their current incarnation, earned their first championship trophy as a member of Major League Soccer, defeating DC United 2-1 at the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, DC on Wednesday.

However, their victory came with a price.

A blatant stomp by Josh Wicks on Colombian international Fredy Montero earned him a red card after Seattle took a 1-0 lead in the second half.

“To his credit, Josh kept us in there. But then Josh makes a mistake that costs us the game,” said United manager Tom Soehn. “I didn’t see it. But some of our guys said that they saw it.

"Whatever. The player doesn’t come in front of the team. You’ve got to be smarter than that. And any time you’re shorthanded you’re not setting yourself up to be successful.”

Wicks exited the pitch screaming at the assistant referees, a bitter and humiliated goalkeeper. Angry legions of fans on message boards spread unjustified, libelous rumours of steroid use and threw Wicks under the bus with the local shrinks.

The young man—bless his heart—tried to put a professional spin on an unprofessional, unsportsmanlike foot salute.

“I made a mistake and it cost us a player and it cost us the game, eventually,” Wicks said.

Of course, there were two other factors working against the hosts.

Firstly, DC United shot themselves with turnovers, and Seattle's counterattacking took its toll as the match progressed. Secondly, the US Soccer Federation shafted Seattle of hosting the US Open Cup.

Had the date been moved to accommodate the Seahawks' preseason tie, there could have been twice as many in attendance at Quest Field. On average, the Sounders have seen more than 30,000 flock to the XBox 360 pitch at Qwest.

Of course, there are those who will say that factor No. 2 is irrelevant to DC's breakdown. But the Seattle faithful may have felt that a little mea culpa was in order. And they got it.

Sounders manager Sigi Schmid knew that having their name on the base of the old DeWar Trophy would become a spur for the club and the city.

"This is just important for our club and our team. It's tremendous for our fans to be able to get this win and be able to take this back to Seattle with us," Schmid said.

"For qualifying ourselves for the CONCACAF Champions League next year, it's a tremendous thing for our organization.

"Teams need to win big games to start believing they can win big games and this is the first step on that process...It's always about winning championships and winning trophies."

But for Wicks, the incident after the Montero goal might as well be played in his mind many times over. It will be played continuously until his moment of redemption comes.

When will that happen? It may not come at all. As far as bitter DC United fans are concerned, Josh Wicks not only stomped Montero down, but stomped away all hopes of DC United defending the US Open Cup.

"It was a mistake on my part and I've got to learn my lesson," said Wicks. "The fourth official made a call and the ref made the final decision. That was it. I've got no excuses for it."

Thus, a terrible tax that a player of his type must take for seeing his tattered and torn tempest, that is his mind, turn to TNT in September. A sideshow, as a bunch of green and blue-clad players earned their medals and raised the US Open Cup meters away on the pitch with Thursday beckoning.

News flash, Josh Wicks: You got yourself a mess to clean up. Get it done, chop chop.