American Soccer Weblog

The Quick Clicker

It's been a busy week for us here, with no less than six different people making contributions, but we do have time to give props to those linking back and not thinking us idiots for wanting Freddy to play. At least it was a reasoned request by our own Craig Stouffer. Actually, I want to see more of Josh Gros on the field.

I guess it's not just me, but I also thought that the US MNT against Mexico looked a lot like the DC United team we've seen this season. Heavy pressure from the forwards on back, hard fouling early and often, and overall, a disrupting, dominating menace except when it comes to finding the goal. At least the US shouldn't have to worry as much about El Salvador, as Ian Plenderleith writes.

It's a triple-threat this weekend along the I-64 corridor, as Virginia Beach opens their season with a home-and-home series against Richmond. Why triple threat? The matches count in the A-League standings, James River Cup and US Open Cup qualifying, but perhaps more importantly, the match tonight is a fundraiser for the Jamie Hess Memorial Fund, which holds a lot of meaning to Kickers defender Chris Fox. After taking a trip with the team last year for a feature that didn't quite pan out, Fox asked me after a 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh if I didn't have anything better to do with my Memorial Day weekend. Sadly, even after the loss, I didn't.

The Kickers, meanwhile, are off to a 0-1-1 start, barely getting a result in Charleston last week after losing to the Battery at home to start their season. Look for Mike Field and the Mariners to set up their tailgate on enemy turf in the parking lot at U of Richmond Stadium tonight.

After all that, if they're not fired up to play this weekend.

Beau Dure notes why relegation/promotion won't work between MLS and the A-League. In a word: stadiums. But in reality, even if you got every MLS team with their own reasonably-sized soccer-specific stadium, you'd still have the problem in the A-League. Rochester and Atlanta are building facilities, but Rochester is a likely MLS franchise in the near future, so they don't really count. Atlanta's building a place in the 5-7K range, and with a handful of exceptions, no A-League team is going to draw more than 5K on a regular basis. Blue Sky Soccer, in an interview with USL CEO Dave Askinas, he thinks teams can have their own SSS within the next decade:

We want to be the best league we can be. The ideal , and we can get there faster than you think, is to have all of our teams in 5-10,000 seat soccer specific stadiums where tickets are in demand. I don't think this is an idle dream but one achievable through 5-10 years hard work. We know what we have to do and we have to continue to aggressively market our product and increase our profile in order to make that kind of progress.

In an article about Olympic spending, it notes that US Soccer spent $31.5 million in 2000, the year the US women won the silver medal. The article does note, though, that the Olympics aren't the only--or main--goal for a lot of sports, including soccer.

Nebraska Says Goodbye To Cooper

On a much sadder note, perhaps by now you've heard about Nebraska's Jenna Cooper, slain at a party last weekend. Lucky Iromuanya, the man who shot her is is being charged with second-degree murder. He allegedly wanted to kill someone else over a shot glass, and fired a bullet that hit Cooper, who was standing nearby. Iromuanya's bail, originally $1 million, was cut in half.

She was laid to rest today. Let's hope the US WNT will use their upcoming match in Louisville, where Cooper was from, as a tribute match to her.

Recovering Form

While Roy Carroll will hope for the starting nod when the FA Cup final comes, he'll have to retake Tim Howard, newly-named as the goalkeeper of the year in the Premiership. Observations on Howard are that he looks fresh after his Sir-Alex-induced break. Howard has now started the last 2 matches, a 2-0 win against Charlton and a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, beaten only on a penalty.

Eddie Lewis made his return after six weeks away dealing with his hernia problem a success, scoring in a 2-2 draw for Preston North End against Cardiff City. Lewis won the sponsors' award and the fans award as player of the match.

While Jon Stead has been Blackburn's savior of sorts to keep them in the Premiership, Brad Friedel once again produced a series of fine saves to keep their most recent match against Everton close until Stead's goal late won the match for Rovers, 1-0. Friedel's saves included one at a full-stretch late in the first half. For Blackburn, it was their third consecutive league win. To begin the streak, they started out winning against Fulham, a 4-3 result, in which the Mirror noted:

As his defence crumbled around him, only goalkeeper Brad Friedel seemed capable of holding it together for Souness's men.

Blackburn followed that with a 1-0 win against Leicester.

Fulham won most recently against Charlton, 2-0, with the Americans playing their usual roles of late--Carlos Bocanegra of stalwart defender playing 90 minutes, and Brian McBride coming off the bench (in the 70th minute this time). Manager Chris Coleman is talking about bringing in another striker, which may not bode well for McBride.

My biggest problem is going to be to bring in some fresh blood to keep going forward. We'll have a bit of money to spend and I'd like to sign another striker. If we have a good finish and move back to our own ground that will definitely help attract new players.

Defensively, Fulham are showing decently, as they played Liverpool to a scoreless tie, though Bocanegra was booked in that match for kicking the ball away in frustration after committing a foul.

John Thorrington has not appeared for Grimsby Town of late due to a hamstring injury, though he was reported to have recovered enough for their most recent match against Stockport. However, he was left off the team for the 2-1 loss. Grimsby Town is struggling to avoid relegation to the 3rd Division.

Hannover 96's Clint Mathis was judged to have an extremely poor match by Kicker, rating a 5.5 (1 best, 6 worst) in a 1-0 loss to VfB Stuttgart. His American teammate Steve Cherundolo earned a 3.5 rating. Hannover are 12th in the Bundesliga, but just 3 pts. above the drop zone. Hannover 96 were also held scoreless the week before as well against Werder Bremen, though that match ended in a 0-0 tie. Mathis rated a 4.5, while Cherundolo was judged to have had a stellar match in earning a 2 rating. Mathis was booked in the match and was substituted out in the 87th minute.

Tony Sanneh has made his return to the starting lineup successful, scoring in a 5-3 win for FC Nürnberg against Union Berlin in 2 Bundesliga action, and more recently, went another 90 minutes for FC Nürnberg in a 3-0 win against Alemannia Aachen. In the 5-3 win, Sanneh opened the scoring in the 26th minute and rated a 4 by Kicker.

Energie Cottbus's Gregg Berhalter has rated a 3 in his last two matches, both wins--on . . . against Erzgebirge Aue (1-0) April 16 and more recently against Greuther Fürth (4-2) on April 25.

Conor Casey rated a 4.5 in a 1-0 loss by Karlsruher SC against SpVgg Unterhaching. However, in a 2-2 tie against VfB Lübeck the week before, he rated a 3 and scored a 71st minute goal that brought Karlsruher back into the match before scoring late to earn the tie.

After not playing last week, Joe Enochs returned to VfL Osnabrück, playing 90 minutes and earning a 4.5 Kicker rating in a 2-0 loss to Union Berlin.

In Regionalliga Nord action, Hamburger SV Amateurs' Ian Joy was booked in a 0-0 draw against Chemnitzer FC. The week before, Joy played 90 minutes of a 4-0 loss to RW Essen.

John van Buskirk played 90 minutes for Sportsfreunde Siegen in a 2-1 loss to FC Eschborn in Regionalliga Sud play. He also went 90 minutes the week before in a 5-2 loss to Kickers Offenbach.

Tim Lawson, Grover Gibson and Michael Mason started for SV Elvesberg in a 1-1 draw with FC Bayern Amateurs. Mason left the match in the 42nd minute, while the others played the entire match. The trio played 90 minutes each the week before against VfR Aalen in a 1-1 draw. Mason opened the scoring in that match with a 37th minute goal.

A Ghanaian official is trying to make claims on Freddy Adu to play for their national team for the 2006 World Cup.

Mid-Week MLS

Ante Razov is battling a long-standing groin injury, and that didn't help the Chicago Fire going into its 2nd leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal match against Saprissa of Costa Rica.

As it turned out, Chicago finally scored, and even won, 2-1, but could not overcome the 1st leg deficit and lost on aggregate, 3-2. Andy Williams and Jim Curtin broke the scoreless streak for the Fire, but they were done in by an early Saprissa goal at Soldier Field (Att. 7,216).

The Champions Cup final will pit Saprissa against LD Alajuelense--another Costa Rican team. DJ Countess made his first start in goal for the Fire.

Coach Dave Sarachan and Chris Armas had to sit out after being ejected in the first leg.

Nashville's first international friendly with the LA Galaxy and Mexico's Tecos de UAG drew slightly over 11,000 in what turned out to be a 1-1 draw. Who knew there were so many Hispanics in the land of country?

Off the field, while the Washington Post is saying there's a tentative agreement for Real Madrid to be the opponent for the MLS All-Star game in Foxboro, Mass., the LA Times says the negotiations are still ongoing. MLS officials speculating on the possibility of Real Madrid wanting something more to do with the league besides play an all-star game. The Times article has the date staying the same (July 24), while the Post notes the match would likely move back a week to accommodate Real, with some adjustments in the MLS schedule likely as well.

Kansas City's defense has been good enough that Tony Meola has had to make just three saves in his first two matches. The article also notes the benefits--for them--of playing four in the back versus three, and that the injuries to Preki and Igor Simutenkov played a huge role in that.

Cory Gibbs will be busy in the next two weeks, with two league matches for Dallas and a national team match against Mexico sandwiched in between.

We have a Stern John sighting, as he praises fellow Trinidad & Tobago player Cornell Glen, now with the MetroStars.

Alexi Lalas says San Jose can't stay long-term in Spartan Stadium, though stadium talks so far have gone nowhere.

Oft-injured Santino Quaranta just had successful groin surgery.

He was already trying to come back from an MCL injury suffered in August 2003. He had an abdominal hernia that cut short his 2002 season.

The surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers, a general surgeon specializing in sports hernias, at the Hahnamen University Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. The surgery smoothed calcium deposits found on the pubic bone that were rubbing and tearing the adductor tendon. Quaranta’s recovery schedule is estimated at four-to-six weeks.

Final notes: Fabian Taylor was MLS player of the week; Dwayne DeRosario's bike got goal of the week.

Honoring Nicole

The US U20 match last night against Haiti started off honoring the memory of Nicole Megaloudis, a soccer player at VCU and the daughter of Gail and Nick (former Fusion assistant)--step-daughter of Thomas Rongen, the U20 coach.

A moment of silence was part of the pre-match tribute to her, and so far $30,000 has been raised for a foundation set up in her memory to give college scholarships to high school soccer players having financial difficulty. A portion of last night's gate receipts also went to the foundation, and Bruce Arena plans to start a golf tournament to raise more money. Hear (using current Real Media player) what a close friend of hers--Alecko Eskandarian--had to say about her after he scored and paid tribute to her during DC United's win over San Jose. Well done!

As for the result of the match, Freddy (Jim Rooney sighting) and the youngsters scored a 1-0 win against a Haiti select squad in front of a crowd of 9,105. Freddy tweaked his right ankle, but says he'll be ready to go for Saturday's home match against Chicago. Ray Hudson even made a cameo with one of his trademark phrases: exquisitely gifted little footballer (by the way, Gaven's with an e).

If Howard's Keeping Were Tabloid Quality

If Tim Howard's goalkeeping skills were of the same quality of the Brit tabloids, he'd be playing Sunday league soccer as a backup.

Let the Sun shed some light on it. You know the report is reliable when you read phrases like "it is claimed" or "she is reported to have said."

But the quality journalism of the Brit tabloids continues--in crib form, allegedly, about his benching, in which a season there really turns out to be just five matches.

Check this out from the Mirror. I guess the words looked too good as they reflected upon them. Or maybe the Jayson Blair/Jack Kelley disease struck one of them.

Let's compare the two, but only the beginning. First, in the Glasgow Daily Record:

FOOTBALL: YOUR TIM IS UP HOWARD Apr 9 2004

Ruthless Ferguson dumps American keeper for Carroll

By John Gardner

TIM HOWARD has been told he will spend the rest of the season on the Manchester United substitutes' bench.

Howard has become the latest victim of boss Sir Alex Ferguson's ruthless attitude towards goalkeepers after being dumped in favour of Roy Carroll.

Fergie has acknowledged the American's brilliance in his first season at Old Trafford but felt the player was physically and mentally shattered.

Now, from the Mirror:

TAKE A BREAK TIM... THAT'S FINAL

Fergie says Roy Carroll is the Red Devils keeper for the rest of the season and not Howard

By David McDonnell

SIR ALEX Ferguson has told Tim Howard that he will spend the rest of the season on the Manchester United bench.

Howard has become the latest victim of Fergie's ruthless attitude towards goalkeepers after he was dumped in favour of Roy Carroll.

While Fergie has acknowledged Howard's brilliance in his first season at Old Trafford, the United boss felt the American was physically and mentally shattered.

Now, it wouldn't have caused me to notice heavily if I hadn't seen the two different bylines (By the way, the bolds are my emphasis, the caps theirs.). But two different people put together the letters, that formed words, that formed sentences, that formed paragraphs, that somehow formed a story.

Almost as bad as the judging and voting (and a lot of the singing) on American Idol. On the one hand, tabloid journalism Brit style; on the other, tabloid-worthy singing contests, American style. One and the same. Oh yeah, that started off British. Guess something rubbed off in the US.

Funny thing, though, with Tim, he's a favorite of the fans, and, nothing in any comments I saw even remotely suggested that Howard was going to sit out the rest of the way. It could have gone that way, but most likely, the online translators used to translate Sir Alex came up with some more jibberish, as in (and I paraphrase here), "I want to give Tim a rest," with the translators turning it into "Tim has been awful and his Tourette's has paralyzed him and he'll never wear a Man U shirt again, and he never was that good to begin with, and I think Roy Carroll is the next Peter Schmeichel."

Sir Alex, from what I've managed to read, told Howard he'd get another chance this season, and he got it.

As it were, the Man U manager told him to dust off his gloves and get in there. But just as you know it, he didn't even have to make a single save in 90 minutes. Not a bad life if you can get it.

The job of netminder in the FA Cup final, is reportedly up for grabs between Howard and Carroll, yet after Howard's zero save performance in which he got his 15th shutout in 38 matches in a 2-0 win against Charlton at terror-threatened Old Trafford, he's virtually a lock.

What Are We Doing Here Anyway?

All kinds of things are happening with us now. One of our writers had an edited version of a commentary he first posted for us appear in the Washington Post's Free For All section, which would make the 2nd mention of OnTheSidelines in the Post in about a week.

But to the content, we're posting audio on a regular basis now, of post-match interviews and of the TV show, This Week In Soccer. We split the clips into digestable downloads for easier listening, or if you're daring and want to try the complete download, that's available as well. Make sure you have the updated Real Player, though. Our new batch of post-match interviews from DC United/MetroStars will come tomorrow, and another new TWIS show installment is upcoming as well, with stuff from Charleston's 2-0 win over Richmond in the A-League opener.

Besides that, Ian Plenderleith tells us that Mr. Pain-In-The-Behindsight is up-in-arms about DC United's loss to the MetroStars. Also, Mark Bushman makes his season debut of his In Hindsight column.

Staying in our own region, we should also note that U.S. Open Cup qualifying started up again over the weekend in Pro Soccer League action, with the Northern Virginia Royals falling to the expansion Harrisburg City Islanders (not to be confused with debutants Puerto Rico), 5-2. The match also served as the season-opener for both teams. By the way, the Royals played that first "home" match at the Maryland Soccerplex in . . . Boyds, MD.

Northern Virginia ... Boyds, MD--all the same here.

Stay tuned for Americans Abroad news. In the meantime, check out what Dr. Chuck is up to over at MatchNight. He's been pretty busy of late. He probably had a better perspective of Freddy Adu's goal from his couch than I did 30,000 feet up in the Giants Stadium press box. And, he's telling a lot of people to shut up too. Entertaining stuff.

Gearing For The Start: Charleston @ Richmond

Before I start searching far and wide for A-League previews (we'll have one tomorrow if Mark Bushman's computer doesn't crash), check out Gerald Barnhart's Pardon This Imitation version of an A-League preview. After you've had a good chuckle at that, check out the official league site's straight preview.

Josh Henderson has fallen off the planet again. After "retiring" from the Richmond Kickers and then joining the Charleston Battery last season, he's left that club too. Says Battery coach Chris Ramsey:

"Henderson is currently making a life-decision. We have Greg Simmonds, so we don't feel like we've lost any firepower. It's always a blow to lose players you consider to be talented. But we don't want to look back."

I don't know if Ramsey's been enjoying the resources available in Blackbaud's pub, but having seen Simmonds play regularly in Richmond last season, I seem to recall a first touch that goes 10 yards and an uncanny ability to miss the goal, but then again, Charleston did win the A-League title last season, so maybe . . .

As for Henderson, he's a proven goal scorer and will find a place on an A-League-level team if he wants one, but it could be his chameleon demeanor that's kept him from reaching MLS.

In any case, the Battery travel to Richmond to face the Kickers in the league opener Saturday night. The Kickers added a couple of former players--David Hayes and Richie Williams--while losing David Testo to Columbus. Caleb Norkus, Matthew Delicate and McColm Cephas, along with former Riverhounds defender/midfielder Joey Worthen will need to blend in with the team that remains. The Battery have added a few players of their own, including former DC United defender Ivan McKinley. You can listen live to the match on the Battery's webcast Saturday night beginning around 7 pm ET.

Both the Battery and Richmond will also have something else in common this year--hosting English teams in exhibitions. Richmond gets Nottingham Forest, making a tour of the Mid-Atlantic, while the Battery get Sunderland.

In case you didn't hear, Portland has a home this season. The Portland City Council has approved a new operating agreement for the Pacific Coast League (baseball) to assume the lease on PGE Park for this season. Scott Benedetti, at 37, continues to perform well enough to be in the midfield for the Timbers.

Vancouver is building a new, $3 million (Canadian) training facility that would house both the Whitecaps and the Canadian national team.

Richard Snowden is calling for a new and improved Pro 40 Select team that would play in St. Louis and provide quality training for MLS reserves.

Lastly:

Former A-Leaguer Michael Coll (1999-Hershey) is now the Penn State assistant women's soccer coach. ... The Edmonton Aviators have lost a player even before their first-ever match--Todd Rattee. The Aviators are looking to be around for the long haul. ... The Montreal Impact have added three players. ... In this item about Rochester signing Yari Allnut, it notes Amanda Miller's move to the USL as associate director of PR.

Surprise, Surprise

Rochester must think they're going to be an MLS team next season, since they continue to try and sign recent cuts among teams that exist now in the American top-flight. Wolde Harris is the latest target--recently cut from Kansas City. Harris is deciding between Rochester and options overseas. If Harris--the 1996 A-League MVP--joins, he'll join the 1997 MVP, Doug Miller up front along with recent signee Chris Carrieri.

Roy Lassiter has been let go by Va. Beach--notified by conference call--and is playing now with the Austin Posse--an independent team in Texas.

The Posse already have Chad Deering, Ezra Hendrickson, Ted Eck and Chad Prince on the roster, who have various levels of MLS and/or A-League experience. The latest headline on their home page notes that the team has "taken the next step toward joining Mexican league," which, they say, would be cheaper for them in travel and more beneficial from a sponsor standpoint than joining the A-League or MLS.

From the Posse website:

Posse may set precedent and join Mexican League: The Austin Posse are currently looking at their third option, to join the Mexican soccer federation. According to General Manager Jonathan Langer, "The Mexican Teams have been very supportive of our program and joining either the Mexican 2nd Division or 1st Division would create a precedent for American soccer. There are teams in southern Texas that this would open the door to as well." In additon, Vice President Carlos da Fonte states, "Financially this would be the less expensive way to go. Our travel costs would be less than if we were to go into the MLS or the A-League. Our Sponsership markets would open themselves up to the many Mexican products and services which would increase our clubs revenues. In addition, we have been warmly received by many of the teams and officials in Mexico. Granted, we are only in the initial stages of talks it is my opinion that things could acclearate very quickly."

Va. Beach was mentioned in the article as a possible destination for Harris.

Charleston, the other free spender in the A-League, plays their final tuneup today against former A-League side Charlotte at Blackbaud Stadium. They've just signed MLS veteran defender Ivan McKinley and rookie midfielder Jason Getz. McKinley sat out 2003 with an injury and was most recently with DC United in 2002.

Going north of the border . . . In an article discussing the costs of running a pro sports franchise, it notes that a dozen owners are sharing the $250,000 franchise fee paid to put A-League and W-League soccer in Edmonton. Certainly, it won't be a profit-making experience, says the operator of one A-League team.

The Aviators had problems just securing dates to play at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, and just now finalized their schedule, opening up with their first five matches on the road. The Aviators have a goal of beating the all-time A-League attendance record--set by Seattle--for their home opener. While the A-League season begins April 17, the Aviators won't start until April 30, with their home opener not coming until May 30.

"Anybody who gets involved thinking it will be a money-making proposition from Day 1, it won't be early on," said Bob Lenarduzzi, the director of operations for the A-League's Vancouver Whitecaps. He's been in the pro soccer business on the left coast for 17 years, dating back to the CSL and NASL.

"We made money the first year. About $550. Every year after that we had to infuse capital. But it was never in the millions," Lenarduzzi said.

A new "soccer dome" has opened in Montreal. It doesn't note any involvement by the Impact, but the words Montreal and "soccer mad" are used in the same article, so it gets attention here. Montreal's W-League team begins training next week.

Martin Nash, part of the Impact, made a return to the indoor game and scored 26 goals with Dallas this season. Dallas has used a mix of soccer vagabonds to create an indoor playoff team.

Staying indoors for a second, Andy Guastaferro, who most recently played in Charlotte (2000-2003), is having a decent season (low in article) with the Philadelphia Kixx in the MISL and is earning consideration for rookie of the year in the indoor league. The Toronto Lynx's Marcello Vincello (2000-2003) is also doing well indoors in Philly.

Midfielder Geert Brusselers, described as a 15-year veteran of European soccer, has signed with the Calgary Mustangs and will be the team captain.

David Hayes apparently spurned a more-lucrative offer to play in Milwaukee, and instead has returned to play in Richmond after a tryout with the MetroStars that had him playing at left back, rather than in midfield. Said Hayes:

I just felt I tried the money thing over the years, and it doesn't bring what you're looking for - happiness.

In the same article, it notes that Richie Williams will take on a role as an assistant coach at UVa, and that Richmond plucked Joey Worthen off the self-relegated Pittsburgh Riverhouds with the idea of playing the former midfielder at left back. Tony Williams is getting a look at right back.

Roger Levesque, a former Richmond draft pick (not that A-League draft picks have ever meant anything) and current with San Jose in MLS, is likely to be loaned to Seattle for at least a few weeks after tearing up his contract and re-signed as a roster-exempt senior developmental player. This comes after the Earthquakes traded for Chris Brown. The Revs needed to move salary so it can acquire a defender for injured Carlos Llamosa, likely out for the season.

Amos Magee, a 14-year veteran of the Minnesota Thunder, has re-signed with the team.

Portland's Jake Sagare, who spent the A-League offseason at Halifax Town in England's Nationwide Conference, says he plans to return to the English club again. The Portland Timbers lost in their 2nd preseason match, though McKinley Tennyson scored.

Former Atlanta Silverbacks coach Pete Peterson (2000-2001) has been named coach of Clayton College & State University.

Mark Cuban: NBA Owner Cites Soccer In Protecting Investment Value

Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban says soccer clubs are getting smart about releasing players without compensation for outside competitions such as the Olympics--in his case--and for Euro 2004, for the top soccer clubs.

I guess I’m not the only one that thinks paying players to work for another company that profits from them isn’t such a good idea.

Cuban cites this Reuters article noting that big clubs in soccer want compensation for their players being used in events such as the Olympics.

The G-14 clubs, including European champions AC Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, made an official complaint last week to Switzerland's competition commission, which has opened a preliminary inquiry into FIFA's rules.

"This complaint concerns points of dispute between clubs and national teams, particularly concerning clubs making players available to national teams for free for competitions organised by FIFA," the competition commission said.

"The preliminary inquiry will aim to show if there are elements of illicit competitive restrictions under FIFA rules."

Clubs pay top players high wages and want a share of the huge revenues generated by tournaments such as the World Cup and European championship and the G-14 was anxious to reach an agreement before Euro 2004 starts in Portugal in June.

In essence, the clubs want compensation for the use of their players, which is a point Cuban has been arguing regarding NBA players. Cuban makes this point in a previous entry.

Read the whole of his entry for his entire point, but relating it to his role as an NBA owner, he asks this:

Lets put this in basketball terms…Would you trade KG, TD, Peja, Jermaine and 10 more all stars, and pay their salaries in case they get hurt, for ….......nothing.

That's the point he's making, and that's the point the soccer clubs seem to be making as well. Why should we let our players that we're paying--such as Beckham, Figo, play in outside competition without getting something in return, particularly when it likely will have an effect on the way they play for us, and, heaven forbid, they're injured during the competition? You're not going to compensate us for any injury or effect upon their play once they return to training with their club, so why should we release our product to you without getting something in return?

How do I know they're saying this? Just read more from the article:

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who is both chairman of Bayern Munich and vice-chairman of G-14, countered by saying: "The legal analysis we have asked for concludes that we have to release our players but we don't have to do it for free."

Michael Van Praag of Ajax, another G-14 vice-president, said: "At the moment, the only ones who do not benefit from the huge revenues of the World Cup finals are the clubs who provide the players.

"We take all the risks because we get the players back tired, injured and lacking in motivation. The clubs also pay their salaries and insurance while they are away. We just want some compensation for that."

Stay tuned.

Howard Still Has Backing

Tim Howard still has backing from a Manchester United boss--former boss Wilf McGuinness:

I’m sure Tim will get another chance before the end of the season, an opportunity to win his place back. But it will be interesting to see who makes it most difficult for the manager not to pick them for the final.

Roy Carroll, the other guy now playing for Man U and the one in goal as United defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinal, talks about his odyssey to the starting job.

From Sir Alex about the "disappointing" United season:

I brought a group of younger players into the squad and it would be unrealistic to expect them all to make an immediate impact. Tim Howard and Cristiano Ronaldo have done exceptionally well, but Kleberson broke a collar-bone soon after his arrival and Eric Djemba-Djemba has been playing for Cameroon.

Howard is expected to be the guest speaker at a fundraiser for the Tourette's Syndrome Association of New Jersey May 27 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick.

Brad Friedel got a good taste of what has plagued Kasey Keller at Tottenham this season--poor defending--as Blackburn's relegation hopes got a boost with a 4-0 loss to Liverpool. Friedel praised his former manager and current Liverpool boss Gerald Houllier before the match:

When I was there what he was doing was absolutely correct. The club needed to be revamped. I was amazed when I signed that a big club like Liverpool was run the way it was. They had the attitude that 'this is Liverpool and we are always going to be the best.

Friedel, to his credit, hasn't given in to a right-side steering wheel car as he drives a Cadillac truck with the steering wheel on the left.

Kasey Keller says Tottenham Hotspur need a strong finish after losing 3 in a row, the latest 1-0 to Chelsea. Keller made 2 diving saves early in the 2nd half to keep the match close.

Keller says it's a big disappointment not to qualify for Europe.

It’s been a real roller-coaster for us, just a crazy year. Hopefully, in the next few years there will be more stability then there was this season.

Carlos Bocanegra played well in his return, a 0-0 tie for Fulham against Birmingham and was voted the Sponsors' Player of the Match.

I have to say I'm just very pleased to be back in the team and playing again. I find it very tough watching games - the boys did a really good job and I found it tough not being out there.

Bocanegra, meanwhile, is wowing the British. From the article in the Rancho Cucamonga Voice:

Beyond that, there have been the usual adjustments to living overseas. After an early binge of international phone calls, Bocanegra has taken to using e-mail as his major contact with home. He dealt with England's smaller markets before finding a Safeway supermarket to fill his taste for more American food.

Brian McBride is still coming off the bench for Fulham. Chris Coleman noted he wanted to use McBride's ability in the air to have an outcome in the 2nd half of the 0-0 draw.

Not Playing: Eddie Lewis is still recovering from hernia surgery. John Thorrington was left on the bench again as Grimsby Town won 2-0 against Sheffield Wednesday in 2nd Division action.

For the first time since Clint Mathis started in Germany, he didn't complete a match and rated quite poorly by Kicker at a 5 (1 best, 6 worst), coming out in the 64th minute of Hannover 96's 2-0 win against 1860 München. Defender Steve Cherundolo rated a 3.5 and earned a yellow card in the match. Tony Sanneh still hasn't broken back in the lineup for 2 Bundesliga side FC Nürnberg in a 2-1 loss to Jahn Regensburg. Conor Casey didn't play for Karlsruher SC (yellow card suspension) in a 2-1 loss to Greuther Fürth. Gregg Berhalter played 90 minutes for Energie Cottbus in a 0-0 draw with FSV Mainz 05. Joe Enochs of VfL Osnabrückrated a poor 5 of 6 in 2-1 loss to 9-man SpVgg Unterhaching and was tossed for a red card resulting from a harsh challenge in the 40th minute, receiving a 2-match suspension. In Regionalliga Sud, John van Buskirk played 90 minutes for Sportfreunde Siegen in a 3-2 loss to Stuttgarter Kickers. Michael Mason was the only one of the American trio at SV Elversberg to play, going the distance in a 2-1 loss to FC Schweinfurt 05. In Regionalliga Nord, Jacob Thomas came on in the 60th minute for Eintr. Braunschweig in a 2-2 draw with Schalke 04 Am.