While it sounds like Montreal has a rabid fan base for soccer (unlike baseball, at least), at least one fan made a fool of himself by insisting--nose to nose--that A-League.com match reporter Allison Andrews take a hike. She hasn't yet told the full story from the match, a 4-1 win by Montreal over Toronto, but read her travelogue for more on that, and her 2nd consecutive east coast tour.
In a battle of winless Canadian teams, Edmonton (0-1-3) and Calgary (0-5-2) stayed that way in a 1-1 draw. The Aviators gave up a 2nd half stoppage-time goal to snatch a tie from the jaws of victory. Calgary's Nick Zuniga--an Edmonton native, by the way--was looking forward to the budding rivalry. Zuniga is more or less a role player off the bench now, and Mustangs coach Thomas Niendorf says he's got work to do to get better:
Niendorf knows what the 5-ft. 10-in. forward brings to the team but would like Zuniga to be more consistent with his transitional play and defensive responsibilities."The bottom line with Nick is we all recognize his talent but he needs to make a more consistent jump into the professional level of the A-League," said Niendorf. "We still see too many times just the flashes of his potential. He has to become more consistent with the responsibility of the assignments he has to look after on the field.
In the only other action last night, Seattle defeated Milwaukee Wave United 2-1 with a 2nd half stoppage time goal by Welton. But the bigger news out of Seattle is that they're one of four finalists for an MLS franchise. Seattle Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer was at MLS offices in New York meeting with commissioner Don Garber on Thursday. Hanauer is described by the Seattle Times as that city's "point man" for a top-flight team.
"We're no closer to having a franchise," Hanauer said after the meeting with Garber. "We're trying to figure out under what structure something might be able to work." The MLS hopes to expand by an additional two teams in 2006; Borg said Seattle automatically would be put on the 2006 expansion list if the city is not awarded a franchise this year.
The article pokes holes in Salt Lake City's bid, and notes that the Field Turf surface at Seahawks Stadium wouldn't be an issue.
While the current A-League Sounders team would cease to exist, the Sounders' name, logo and colors would more than likely continue with the new team, since there is 30 years of Sounders history in the city. But Hanauer said there may be some benefits to starting over with a new brand because he would want to make a big first impression on the city if it gets an MLS team.
The Chivas USA franchise set for play in 2005 will play in either Los Angeles or Chicago. Either city would have a stadium share with the existing MLS franchise in the respective cities.
The Portland Timbers, ranked #11 in the OnTheSidelines MLS Top 11, are taking experience and talent to the top of the A-League.
Clyde Simms has gone from a tryout camp just hoping for a shot with the Richmond Kickers, to a starting role with the team as they prepare for their James River Cup match tonight at home against Virginia Beach.
Richie Williams, who will sit out tonight's match against the Mariners, had a rare thing happen to him with a straight red card for dissent in their most recent match, a 1-0 OT loss to Atlanta.
Beau Dure has a good rundown of the US lower divisions.
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