Friday, May 31, 2013

New Boss In Wolverhampton

Will this ex-Millwall manager be able to lead Wolves back into the League Championship----or end up becoming another Terry Connor, Stale Solbakken, or Dean Saunders.

Caledonia AIA To CONCACAF Champions League:

Last week, a two-match playoff from the CFU Club Championship determined the third Caribbean club to qualify for next season's CONCACAF Champions League (joining Trinidad & Tobago's W Connection and Haiti's Valencia FC), with both games played in Trinidad and Tobago.

Monday, May 20 at Port of Spain:

Jamal Gay scored the only goal of the opening match as Caledonia AIA (Trinidad & Tobago) defeated Portmore United (Jamaica) 1-0.

Wednesday, May 22 at Couva:

Nathan Lewis (13') and Kenyon Edwards (68') each delivered a goal as Caledonia AIA locked up a berth in the Champions League with a 2-2 second-game draw with Portmore United, enabling the Trinidadian club to win the series 3-2 on aggregate.

Maybe "El Chelis"....

Wasn't quite Mexican enough.

GIRONDINS CAPTURE FRENCH CUP TITLE

At Saint-Denis, France:

Cheick Diabate scored twice (39', 89') on Friday as Bordeaux defeated Evian TG 2-1 to win their fourth Coupe de France title (their first since 1987).  The Girondins will play in the group stage of next season's Europa League.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Atletico Mineiro Advance To Semis At Aztec Dogs Expense

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Rever delivered the series-winning goal in the 41st minute as Atletico Mineiro gained a 1-1 game-two home draw with Club Tijuana on Thursday and with each club garnering two points, won their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal series on away goals (2-1; those late goals surrendered in the final half-hour of the first match in Tijuana last week ended up, in the long run, coming back to bite the Aztec Dogs in their rear ends).

Atletico will take on Newell's Old Boys in one two-game series in the semifinal round while Club Olimpia will battle Independiente Santa Fe in the other.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Club Olimpia, Newell's Old Boys (After Lengthy PK Shootout) Advance

The quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores continued on Wednesday with two games.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Juan Salgueiro scored twice (35', PK-41') as Club Olimpia took game two of their series with Fluminense 2-1 at home and won their series four points to one.

At Rosario:

After another 0-0 stalemate in game two, with the series deadlocked at two points apiece, and with no overtime, Ignacio Scocco (twice), Santiago Vergini (twice), Maxi Rodriguez (twice), Milton Casco, Martin Tonso, Lucas Bernardi, and Nahuel Guzman converted spot kicks as Newell's Old Boys defeated visiting Boca Juniors in the penalty-kick shootout 10-9 to advance to the semifinal round.

Copa Libertadores: Santa Fe Advance To Semifinal Round

At Bogota, Colombia:

In the lone Tuesday contest in the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores, Jefferson Cuero (7') and Jhon Valencia (66') each scored a goal as Independiente Santa Fe defeated visiting Real Garcilaso 2-0 in game two and won their two-match series with the Peruvian club six points to none.

IMPACT WIN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAB CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BERTH

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Felipe Campanholi Martins (49') and Hassoun Camara (84') each scored a goal as the Montreal Impact gained a 2-2 game-two Wednesday road draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps, and with the two-game aggregate score at 2-2, won the Amway Canadian Championship (and a berth in next season's CONCACAF Champions League's group stage) on away goals.

US Open Cup: Galaxy, Sounders Knocked Out By NASL Clubs; Timbers Club Hammerheads

Seven games were played on Wednesday as the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came to a close.

At Rock Hill, South Carolina:

Mike Magee (11',) and Chris Rolfe (57') each delivered a goal as the Chicago Fire blanked the home-standing Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) 2-0.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Justin Meram scored the winning goal as the Columbus Crew defeated the visiting ten-man Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) 2-1.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Fabian Espindola (61') and Lloyd Sam (66') each scored a goal in the second half five minutes apart as the New York Red Bulls blanked visiting Reading United (PDL) 2-0.

At Cary, North Carolina:

Austin da Luz (59') and Brian Shriver (61') delivered a second-half goal two minutes apart as the Carolina RailHawks (NASL) knocked off the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0.

At Houston:

Alex Dixon (26') and Giles Barnes (85') delivered the goals as the Houston Dynamo shut out visiting FC Tucson (PDL) 2-0.

At Saint Petersburg, Florida:

Georgi Hristov scored the only goal of the match as the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL), despite finishing the match with ten men, upended the visiting Seattle Sounders 1-0.  This will mark the first time in their Major League Soccer history that the Sounders will not make the tournament's championship game.

At Portland, Oregon:

The Portland Timbers, with Frederic Piquionne delivering a first-half natural quadruple (2', 17', 34', 45'+2) smothered the visiting Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) 5-1.

Here are the matchups for the Round of 16, with all six games scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, with the hosts listed first:

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls (at Boston)

DC United vs. Philadelphia Union (at Boyds, Maryland)

Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew (at Bridgeview, Illinois)

Sporting Kansas City vs. Orlando City (USL Pro) (at Kansas City, Kansas)

FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo (at Frisco, Texas)

Carolina RailHawks (NASL) vs. Chivas USA (at Cary, North Carolina)

Real Salt Lake vs. Charleston Battery (USL Pro) (at Sandy, Utah)

Portland Timbers vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) (at Portland, Oregon)

There would be 12 MLS clubs left in the tournament, two each from the NASL and USL Pro League.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

US Open Cup: Orlando City and Charleston Knock Off Rapids, Quakes Respectively; Philly, DC United, Goats, RSL Survive Scares

The third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup commenced on Tuesday with nine games.

At Rochester, New York:

Kelyn Rowe scored twice (23', 64') as the New England Revolution manhandled the Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 5-1 on the road.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Two minutes as Emmanuel Kollie's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+1) leveled the score for the Ocean City Nor'easters, Brian Carroll delivered the game winner (90'+3) as the Philadelphia Union outlasted their guests from the PDL 2-1.

At Richmond, Virginia:

After 120 scoreless minutes, Dwayne De Rosario, Perry Kitchen, Nick DeLeon, and James Riley each converted a spot kick as DC United took the penalty-kick shootout 4-2 over the home-standing Richmond Kickers (USL Pro).

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Kei Kamara (12') and Claudio Bieler (73') each delivered a goal as Sporting Kansas City blanked the visiting Des Moines Menace (PDL) 2-0.

At Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Blas Perez (54') and Matt Hedges (66') each scored once as FC Dallas blanked the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 2-0 on the road.

At Orlando, Florida:

Bryan Burke (4'), Dominic Dwyer (48'), and Long Tan (63') each delivered a goal as the Orlando City Soccer Club (USL Pro) knocked off the visiting Colorado Rapids 3-1.

At Charleston, South Carolina:

Colin Falvey scored the only goal of the match as the Charleston Battery (USL Pro) knocked off the visiting ten-man San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.

At Fullerton, California:

Carlos Alvarez (53') and Dan Kennedy (PK-62') each scored a second-half goal as Chivas USA overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit and upended the home-standing Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 2-1.

At Sandy, Utah:

Devon Sandoval (98') and Khari Stephenson (101') each scored an overtime goal as Real Salt Lake turned back the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) 3-2.

Hoffenheim Still In Bundesliga

At Kaiserslautern, Germany:

Following their 3-1 series-opening home win from last Thursday (with Roberto Firmino scoring in the 11th and 29th minutes), TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, with David Abraham (44') and Jannik Vestergaard (74') providing the scoring,  maintained their German Bundesliga status for next season on Monday with their 2-1 game-two road win against FC Kaiserslautern as the visitors took their two-match promotion-relegation playoff with the second division's third-placed club 5-2 on aggregate.

England: Who's Going Up, Down, or Where?

Let's take a look at who's going to the various European club tournaments, who's being promoted, and relegated as far as the top five divisions of English soccer is concerned:

UEFA Champions League (group stage):

Manchester United

Manchester City

Chelsea

UEFA Champions League (playoff round):

Arsenal

Europa League:

Wigan Athletic (group stage; won FA Cup)

Tottenham Hotspur (playoff round)

Swansea City (third qualifying round; won Football League Cup)

Relegated to Football League Championship:

Wigan Athletic

Reading

Queens Park Rangers

Promoted from Football League Championship to English Premier League:

Cardiff City

Hull City

Crystal Palace (via playoffs)

Relegated from Football League Championship to Football League One:

Peterborough United

Wolverhampton Wanderers (rats!)

Bristol City

Promoted from Football League One to Football League Championship:

Doncaster Rovers

AFC Bournemouth

Yeovil Town (via playoffs)

Relegated from Football League One to Football League Two:

Scunthorpe United

Bury

Hartlepool United

Portsmouth

Promoted from Football League Two to Football League One:

Gillingham

Rotherham United

Port Vale

Bradford City (via playoffs)

Relegated from Football League Two (and the Football League) to the English Conference's National Division:

Barnet

Aldershot Town

Promoted from the English Conference's National Division to Football League Two:

Mansfield Town

Newport County (via playoffs)

Relegated from the English Conference's National Division to the Conference's regional divisions (North or South)

Stockport County

Barrow

Ebbsfleet United

AFC Telford United

Promoted from the English Conference's North Division to the Conference's National Division:

Chester

FC Halifax Town (via playoffs)

Promoted from the English Conference's South Division to the Conference's National Division:

Welling United

Salisbury City (via playoffs)

Monday, May 27, 2013

KEVIN PHILLIPS' OT PK ENDS EAGLES' EIGHT-YEAR ABSENCE FROM PREMIER LEAGUE

At London:

39-year-old Kevin Phillips converted a penalty kick in overtime (105'+1) for the game's only score as Crystal Palace defeated Watford 1-0 in Monday's English League Championship promotion playoff final at Wembley Stadium.  The Eagles won promotion back to the English Premier League and will play in the top flight next season for the first time since 2005, joining Cardiff City and Hull City, who had already secured automatic promotion.  At the other end of the League Championship standings, Peterborough United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Bristol City were relegated to League One and will be replaced by Doncaster Rovers, AFC Bournemouth, and Yeovil Town.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

MLS: Galaxy Demolish Sounders; Late Goals Gain Home Draws For SKC, Red Bulls

Three games were played on Sunday in Major League Soccer.

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Kei Kamara's equalizer in the 68th minute carried Sporting Kansas City to a 1-1 home draw with the Houston Dynamo.  Brad Davis scored in first-half stoppage time (45'+1) for the visitors.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

A stoppage-time equalizer (90'+1) from Jamison Olave enabled the New York Red Bulls to salvage a 2-2 home draw with the Columbus Crew.  Thierry Henry scored for the Red Bulls in the 31st minute while Dominic Oduro (2') and Federico Higuain (PK-74') provided the Crew's tallies.

At Carson, California:

Robbie Keane delivered a first-half natural hat trick (24', PK-34', PK-44') as the Los Angeles Galaxy ran roughshod over the visiting Seattle Sounders 4-0. The Sounders finished the contest with ten men following Shalrie Joseph's red-card ejection in the 87th minute.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. New York (GP: 15; GF: 22; GD: +5; PTS: 25)
2. Montreal (GP: 11; GF: 20; GD: +6; PTS: 23)
3. Kansas City (GP: 14; GF: 17; GD: +6; PTS: 22)
4. Houston (GP: 13; GF: 18; GD: +5; PTS: 21)
5. Philadelphia (GP: 13; GF: 18; GD: -5; PTS: 18)
6. Columbus (GP: 12; GF: 15; GD: +3; PTS: 16)
7. New England (GP: 12; GF: 10; GD: +1; PTS: 16)
8. Chicago (GP: 11; GF: 7; GD: -10; PTS: 8)
9. Toronto FC (GP: 12; GF: 11; GD: -7; PTS: 7)
10. DC United (GP: 12; GF: 6; GD: -16; PTS: 5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 13; GF: 21; GD: +6; PTS: 27)
2. Portland (GP: 13; GF: 22; GD: +8; PTS: 22)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 14; GF: 18; GD: +3; PTS: 21)
4. Los Angeles (GP: 12; GF: 21; GD: +11; PTS: 20)
5. Colorado (GP: 13; GF: 13; GD: +3; PTS: 19)
6. Seattle (GP: 11; GF: 14; GD: +1; PTS: 15)
7. San Jose (GP: 14; GF: 13; GD: -7; PTS: 15)
8. Vancouver (GP: 11; GF: 14; GD: -2; PTS: 13)
9. Chivas USA (GP: 12; GF: 13; GD: -11; PTS: 11)

CONQUERORS TOP BENFICA TO COP PORTUGESE CUP AND EUROPA LEAGUE BERTH

At Oeiras, Portugal:

El Arbi Hillel Soudani (79') and Ricardo Pereira (81') each delivered a late second-half goal two minutes apart on Sunday as Vitoria de Guimaraes came from behind to upend SL Benifca 2-1 in Sunday's final of the Taca de Portugal, that country's big domestic cup competition.  The Conquerors, who won the Portuguese Cup final for the first time ever, directly qualified for Europa League group-stage play for next season.

GARY HOOPER CARRIES BHOYS TO SCOTTISH CUP TITLE AND DOMESTIC DOUBLE

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Gary Hooper scored twice (8', 31') as Celtic, who recently won their 36th Scottish Premier League championship, captured the Scottish Cup title on Sunday with a 3-0 fist-beating of Hibernian (still awaiting their third such title---their first since 1902).

YOUNG EAGLES TOP LOCAL RIVALS TO CAPTURE COPPA ITALIA CROWN

At Rome:

In a battle of Eternal City arch-rivals, Senad Lulic scored the only goal of the match in the 71st minute on Sunday as Lazio defeated AS Roma 1-0 to win the Coppa Italia championship.  The title is the sixth for the Young Eagles, who directly qualified for the group stage of next season's Europa League.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

MLS: Timbers, Impact, Revs, Hoops, Rapids Win; RSL and Fire Draw In Utah

Six games were contested in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Washington:

Rodney Wallace (21') and Darlington Nagbe (57') provided the scoring as the Portland Timbers stretched their unbeaten streak to eleven games with their 2-0 road win over DC United, enabling the Timbers to match their single-season MLS-era record of two road wins in the same season.  DC's winless run has now reached ten matches.

At Montreal:

Marco Di Vaio delivered a first-half hat trick (2', 28', 32') as the Montreal Impact outlasted the visiting Philadelphia Union 5-3.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Diego Fagundez (23') and Juan Agudelo (90'+3) provided the scoring as the New England Revolution blanked visiting Toronto FC 2-0.  The Reds' winless streak has now reached nine games.

At Frisco, Texas:

Fabian Castillo scored the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute while Raul Fernandez made six saves as FC Dallas defeated the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Atiba Harris (11') and Nathan Sturgis (78') each tallied once as the Colorado Rapids blanked visiting Chivas USA 2-0.

At Sandy, Utah:

Quincy Amarikwa's equalizer in the 84th minute lifted the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 road draw with Real Salt Lake, whose goal came in the 78th minute from Alvaro Saborio.

LATE GOAL FROM ARJEN ROBBEN SENDS BAYERN TO FIRST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE SINCE 2001

At London:




In Saturday's first all-German UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, Mario Mandzukic scored in the 60th minute and Arjen Robben (pictured here, celebrating) delivered the game winner in the 89th minute as Bayern Munich won their fifth European club championship (their first since 2001) with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, whose only goal came in the 68th minute with Ilkay Gundogan successfully converted his penalty kick.  Bayern have now tied Liverpool for the third most European crowns with five (only Real Madrid and AC Milan have won more) and will represent Europe in this December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Morocco.

The victory was a capper for Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes in his final game before going into retirement.  He will be replaced by former Barcelona boss (and two-time Champions League winner) Pep Guardiola. 

Incidentally, both Bayern and Dortmund, due to their Bundesliga placings this season (first and second, respectively), have qualified for the group stage in next season's UEFA Champions League.

Next season's final will take place at Lisbon, Portugal.

Associated Press photo by Matt Dunham




Thursday, May 23, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Two-Draw Thursday

The opening week of the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores continued with two games played on Thursday.

At Tijuana, Mexico:

Diego Tardelli (66') and Luan Madson Gedeao de Paiva (90'+2) provided the second-half scoring that enabled Atletico Mineiro came back from two goals down to gain a 2-2 series-opening road draw with Club Tijuana.  Duvier Riascos (32') and Fidel Martinez (53') each delivered a goal for the Aztec Dogs.

At Buenos Aires:

In the opening game of their two-match series, visiting Newell's Old Boys held Boca Juniors to a 0-0 stalemate.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Santa Fe Took Series Opener In Peru; Goose Eggs For Flu And Olimpia

The opening week of the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores concluded on Wednesday with two games.

At Cusco, Peru:

Francisco Mesa (20'), Wilder Medina (23'), and Jefferson Cuero (54') each delivered a goal as Independiente Santa Fe took the opening match of their two-game series, 3-1 on the road over Real Garcilaso.

At Rio de Janeiro:

The opening match of the two-game series between Fluminense and visiting Club Olimpia ended in a 0-0 stalemate.


AFC Champions League: Kashiwa Reysol, Guangzhou Evergrande, Lekhwiya, Esteghlal Advance To Quarterfinals

The AFC Champions League's Round of 16 concluded on Wednesday with four games.

At Kashiwa, Japan:

Hirofume Watanabe (44'), Jorge Wagner (51'), and Masato Kudo (69') each scored once as Kashiwa Reysol defeated visiting Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 in game two of their two-game series, which they won 5-2 on aggregate.

At Guangzhou, China:

Muriqui (7'), Dario Conca (PK-45'+1), and Gao Lin (68') each delivered a goal as Guangzhou Evergrande dominated the visiting Central Coast Mariners 3-0 in game two and took their two-game set 5-1 on aggregate.

At Doha, Qatar:

Issiar Dia (14') and Mohamed Musa (52') provided the scoring as Lekhwiya, despite blowing a two-goal lead and settling for a 2-2 game-two home draw with Al-Hilal, still won their two-match series 3-2 on aggregate.

At Tehran, Iran:

Despite being held to a 0-0 game-two home stalemate with Al-Shabab Al-Arabi, Esteghlal still won their two-game series 4-2 on aggregate.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

US Open Cup: Rowdies Win, Get Home Date With Sounders; Hammerheads Get Shot At Timbers In Portland; Timbers, Sounders Under-23 Squads Eliminated

Sixteen games were played on Tuesday as the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament took place.

At Reading, Pennsylvania:

Reading United AC (PDL) upended the visiting Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) 1-0.  Reading United will take on the New York Red Bulls in the third round next Wednesday at Harrison, New Jersey.

At Rochester, New York:

The Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) defeated visiting GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL) 1-0.  The Rhinos will host the New England Revolution next Tuesday.

At Richmond, Virginia:

The Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) dominated visiting Icon FC (USASA) 4-1, earning a home encounter for next Tuesday with DC United.

At Cary, North Carolina:

The Carolina Railhawks (NASL) defeated the visiting Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 3-1.  The Railhawks will host the Los Angeles Galaxy next Wednesday.

At Ocala, Florida:

The Orlando City Soccer Club (USL Pro) defeated the Ocala Stampede (PDL) 2-1 on the road.  The third-division club will host the Colorado Rapids next Tuesday. 

At Plant City, Florida:

The Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) downed VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL Pro) 2-1 on the road and will host the Seattle Sounders at Saint Petersburg, Florida next Wednesday.

At Saint Paul, Minnesota:

The Des Moines Menace (PDL) knocked off Minnesota United FC (NASL) 1-0 on the road.  The fourth-division club will pay a visit on Sporting Kansas City next Tuesday at Kansas City, Kansas.

At Austin, Texas:

The Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) blanked the Austin Aztex (PDL) 2-0 on the road and will pay a visit on the Portland Timbers next Wednesday.

At San Antonio:

Following a contest that was deadlocked at 2-2 through 120 minutes, FC Tucson (PDL) won the penalty-kick shootout, knocking off the home-standing San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) 4-3.  The club from Arizona will next play the Houston Dynamo on the road come next Wednesday.

At Portland, Oregon:

The Charleston Battery (USL Pro) blanked the home-standing Portland Timbers U23s (PDL) 1-0.  The Battery will host the San Jose Earthquakes next Tuesday.

At Fullerton, California:

The Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) dominated the visiting Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 5-1 and will host Chivas USA next Tuesday.

At Charlotte, North Carolina:

The Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) dominated the visiting Seattle Sounders FC U-23 (PDL) 3-0 to earn a third-round encounter with the Chicago Fire to be played at Rock Hill, South Carolina next Tuesday.

At Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

After the match was deadlocked at 1-1 through 120 minutes, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) won the penalty-kick shootout 7-6 over the visiting Laredo Heat (PDL).  The Strikers will host FC Dallas next Tuesday.

At Conyers, Georgia:

The Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) defeated the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) 3-2 on the road.  An encounter with Real Salt Lake at Sandy, Utah is on the Silverbacks' docket for next Tuesday.

At Ocean City, New Jersey:

The Ocean City Nor'easters (PDL) knocked off the visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) 1-0 and will visit the Philadelphia Union at Chester, Pennsylvania next Tuesday.

At Beavercreek, Ohio:

The Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) downed the visiting Dearborn Stars (USASA) 3-1 and earned the right to pay a visit to the Columbus Crew set for next Wednesday.



All 16 US-based Major League Soccer clubs will start play next week and they will be joined by four NASL clubs, eight USL Pro clubs, and four PDL clubs.

It's Official: New York City FC To Start Play In 2015

The New York Yankees and Manchester City have teamed up to form a new Major League Soccer club for New York City which is slated to start play year after next.

AFC Champions League: FC Seoul, Burinam United Advance To Quarterfinals

The second half of the AFC Champions League's Round of 16 commenced with four Tuesday contests.

At Seoul, South Korea:

Adilson dos Santos (61'), Yun Il-Lok (70'), and Koh Myong-Jin (90'+5) each delivered a goal as FC Seoul, following last week's series-opening scoreless deadlock in China, overcame an early deficit in game two and defeated visiting Beijing Guoan 3-1 both in the match and on aggregate for the series to advance to the quarterfinal round.

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

A 0-0 road stalemate in game two was good enough for Buriram United as the Thai club took their two-match series with FC Bunyodkor 2-1 on aggregate.

At Buraidah, Saudi Arabia:
Bruno Cesar (25') and Mustafa Al Bassas (38') each delivered a goal as Al-Ahli blanked visiting El Jaish 2-0 in game two and won their two-match series 3-1 on aggregate.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
Sebastian Tagliabue scored twice (34', 47') as Al-Shabab spanked visiting Al-Gharafa 3-0 in game two and took the series 5-1 on aggregate.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

MLS: Stoppage-Time Goal Carries Red Bulls Past Galaxy; DCU and SKC Draw; RSL Heap More Misery On Slumping Goats

Three games were played in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Tim Cahill scored the only goal of the match in second-half stoppage time (90'+2) as the New York Red Bulls defeated the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0.

At Washington:

Kyle Porter's equalizer in the 65th minute (five minutes after teammate Ethan White's own goal) enabled DC United to snap their seven-game losing streak with a 1-1 home draw with Sporting Kansas City.

At Carson, California:

Ned Grabavoy scored twice (4', 90'+1) as Real Salt Lake dominated Chivas USA 4-1 on the road.  It was the Goats' third straight defeat.  In the three losses, Chivas were outscored 11-1.  It was the third win in four games for RSL.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. New York (GP:14; GF: 20; GD: +5; PTS: 24)
2. Kansas City (GP: 13; GF: 16; GD: +6; PTS: 21)
3. Houston (GP: 12; GF: 17; GD: +5; PTS: 20)
4. Montreal (GP: 10; GF: 15; GD: +4; PTS: 20)
5. Philadelphia (GP: 12; GF: 15; GD: -3; PTS: 18)
6. Columbus (GP: 11; GF: 13; GD: +3; PTS: 15)
7. New England (GP: 11; GF: 8; GD: -1; PTS: 13)
8. Chicago (GP: 10; GF: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 7)
9. Toronto FC (GP: 11; GF: 11; GD: -5; PTS: 7)
10. DC United (GP: 11; GF: 6; GD: -14; PTS: 5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 12; GF: 20; GD: +5; PTS: 24)
2. Real Salt Lake (GP: 13; GF: 17; GD: +3; PTS: 20)
3. Portland (GP: 12; GF: 20; GD: +6; PTS: 19)
4. Los Angeles (GP:11; GF: 17; GD: +7; PTS: 17)
5. Colorado (GP: 12; GF: 11; GD: +1; PTS: 16)
6. Seattle (GP: 10; GF: 14; GD: +5; PTS: 15)
7. San Jose (GP: 13; GF: 13; GD: -6; PTS: 15)
8. Vancouver (GP: 11; GF: 14; GD: -2; PTS: 13)
9. Chivas USA (GP: 11; GF: 13; GD: -9; PTS: 11)

GLOVERS TOP BEES TO WIN PROMOTION TO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

At London:

Paddy Madden (6') and Dan Burn (42') provided the scoring in the first half on Sunday as Yeovil Town defeated Brentford 2-1 in the English League One promotional playoff final contested at Wembley Stadium.  The Glovers will join Doncaster Rovers and AFC Bournemouth in gaining promotion to the League Championship, the second highest level of soccer in England, one spot below the Premier League.  Scunthorpe United, Bury, Hartlepool United, and Portsmouth were relegated to League Two.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

NAVY BLUES TOP WAITAKERE UNITED FOR OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Adam Dickinson (16') and Alex Feneridis (19') each scored a goal three minutes apart on Sunday as Auckland City defeated local rivals Waitakere United 2-1 in the OFC Champions League final, enabling the Navy Blues to win their fifth title in the tournament and the right to represent Oceania in this December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Morocco.

MLS: Crew, Philly, Revs, Sounders Win; Timbers and Caps Draw In Cascadia Cup Clash; Deadlock Between Rapids and Quakes, Too

Six games were played in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Toronto:

Dominic Oduro scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute as the Columbus Crew defeated Toronto FC 1-0 on the road.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Despite concluding the match with ten men, the Portland Timbers, with goals from Will Johnson (PK-52') and Jose Adolfo Valencia (84') battled back from two one-goal deficits to gain a 2-2 Cascadia Cup road draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps, whose tallies came courtesy of Camilo Sanvezzo (24') and Gershon Koffie (54').  The Timbers' unbeaten run has now reached ten matches.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Jack McInerney scored the only goal of the match in the third minute, which held up as the Philadelphia Union defeated the visiting (and ten-man) Chicago Fire 1-0.

At Houston:

Diego Fagundez (51') and Ricardo Clark (OG-84') provided the scoring that carried the New England Revolution to a 2-0 road win over the Houston Dynamo in a contest in which each team finished the match with ten men.

At Santa Clara, California:

Marvin Chavez delivered the equalizer in the 78th minute as the San Jose Earthquakes gained a 1-1 home draw with the Colorado Rapids, whose tally came courtesy of Nathan Sturgis in the 26th minute. The Rapids ended the game with ten men.

At Seattle:

Eddie Johnson scored twice (16', 62') as the Seattle Sounders handed visiting ten-man FC Dallas their first defeat in their last ten games, 4-2.

Chivas USA----Farm Club Of Chivas de Guadalajara?

It's beginning to look like it. And some in MLS may not be happy.

BANTAMS BLANK COBBLERS TO GAIN PROMOTION TO LEAGUE ONE

At London:

James Hanson (15'), Rory McArdle (19'), and Nahki Wells (28') each delivered a goal on Saturday during the first half-hour as Bradford City dominated Northampton Town 3-0 in the English League Two promotional playoff final contested at Wembley Stadium.  The Bantams will join Gillingham, Rotherham United, and Port Vale in gaining promotion to League One, the third level of soccer in England.  Barnet (after eight years) and Aldershot Town (after five years, and heading for administration) had already been relegated from the Football League and will play in the Conference's National Division next season.

MATRESS MAKERS KNOCK OFF RIVAL GALACTICOS, COP KING'S CUP

At Madrid:

Miranda scored the winning goal in overtime (98') as Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1 on Friday to win the final of the Copa del Rey tournament, Spain equivalent to England's FA Cup.  The victory netted the Mattress Makers their tenth such championship.  Atletico, who would have otherwise qualified for the Europa League's group stage for next season, instead already clinched a group-stage berth for the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League (alongside Los Galacticos and Barcelona).

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Santa Fe and Club Olimpia Advance To Quarterfinal Round

The Round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores concluded on Thursday with two games.

At Bogota, Colombia:

Wilder Medina scored the only goal of the match in the 80th minute as Independiente Santa Fe defeated visiting Gremio 1-0 in game two, and with each team having picked up three points through the two-game series, advanced to the quarterfinal round on away goals (1-0).

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Goals from Fredy Bareiro (52') and Norberto Paparatto (OG-65') lifted Club Olimpia to a 2-0 game-two home win over Tigre and, with each team garnering three points in the series, a quarterfinal berth due to a better goal differential vis a viv the Argentinian club (+1 to -1).

Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round with the game-one hosts listed first:

Atletico Mineiro (Brazil) vs. Club Tijuana (Mexico)

Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia) vs. Real Garcilaso (Peru)

Club Olimpia (Paraguay) vs. Fluminense (Brazil)

Newell's Old Boys (Argentina) vs. Boca Juniors (Argentina)