Sunday, May 31, 2015

MLS: Sounders Top Red Bulls At Home; Revs And Galaxy Draw In Soggy Foxborough

Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Seattle:

Chad Barrett scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time as the Seattle Sounders came from behind to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls 2-1.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

On a rain-soaked pitch at Gillette Stadium, the New England Revolution settled for a 2-2 home draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy in a rematch of last year's MLS Cup final which the Galaxy won.  

Teal Bunbury (5') and Diego Fagundez (37') delivered the scoring for the Revs while Ignacio Maganto (18') and Gyasi Zardes (27') provided the goals from Los Angeles.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   DC United (GP: 14; GD: +4; PTS: 25)
2.   New England (GP: 14; GD: +2; PTS: 21)
3.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 12; GD: +2; PTS: 17)
4.   Toronto FC (GP: 11; GD: +2; PTS: 16)
5.   Columbus (GP: 12; GD: +3; PTS: 16)
6.   Chicago (GP: 11; GD: 0; PTS: 14)
7.   Orlando City SC (GP: 13; GD: -1; PTS: 14)
8.   Philadelphia (GP: 14; GD: -9; PTS: 12)
9.   Montreal (GP: 8; GD: -4; PTS: 8)
10. New York City FC (GP: 13; GD: -7; PTS: 8)

NOTES:  With Toronto FC and Columbus level on points (16), the Reds have more wins (five, to the Crew's four); with Chicago and Orlando City level on points (14), the Fire have more wins (four, compared to the Lions' three).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Seattle (GP: 13; GD: +10; PTS: 26)
2.   Vancouver (GP: 14; GD: +3; PTS: 23)
3.   FC Dallas (GP: 13; GD: -1; PTS: 21)
4.   Kansas City (GP: 13; GD: +6; PTS: 21)
5.   Los Angeles (GP: 15; GD: -2; PTS: 21)
6.   Portland (GP: 14; GD: -1; PTS: 19)
7.   San Jose (GP: 13; GD: -1; PTS: 18)
8.   Houston (GP: 14; GD: 0; PTS: 17)
9.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 14; GD: -5; PTS: 17)
10. Colorado (GP: 13; GD: -1; PTS: 13)

NOTE:  With FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, and Los Angeles level on points (21), the Hoops have more wins (six) than Sporting and the Galaxy (five each); SKC have a better goal differential than Los Angeles (+6 to -2); with Houston and Real Salt Lake level on points (17) and wins (four), the Galaxy have the superior goal differential (0 to RSL's -5).




















































LIONS WIN PK SHOOTOUT, WIN TACA DE PORTUGAL CROWN

At Oeiras, Portugal:

After Islam Slimani (84') and Fredy Montero (90'+3; remember him Seattle Sounders fans?) each scored a goal in the final minutes to erase a two-goal deficit, Sporting CP, after a 2-2 regulation draw that was followed by 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, and with Adrien Silva, Nani, and the aforementioned Islam Slimani all converting their spot kicks, won the penalty kick shootout against Sporting Braga 3-1 and won their 16th Taca de Portugal title on Sunday.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

PSG TOP AUXERRE TO WIN COUPE DE FRANCE CROWN

At Saint-Denis, France:

Edinson Cavani scored the only goal of the match in the 64th minute on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain defeated second-division club AJ Auxerre 1-0 and won the Coupe de France title for the ninth time. 

WOLFSBURG WIN GERMAN CUP TITLE

At Berlin:

Luiz Gustavo (22'), Kevin De Bruyne (33'), and Bas Dost (38') each scored a first-half goal on Saturday as VfL Wolfsburg defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to win the final of the DFB Pokal tournament.

It was Wolfsburg's first German cop championship.

LEO AND NEYMAR'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: BARCA TOP ATHLETIC TO COP KING'S CUP

At Barcelona:

In front of 97,000 fans at their home stadium, Lionel Messi scored twice (20', 74') and Neymar scored once (36') as Barcelona held off Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey Final.  It was Barca's 27th such title, a record.

GUNNERS BLAST VILLANS, CAPTURE RECORD 12TH FA CUP CROWN

At London:

Theo Walcott (40'), Alexis Sanchez (50'), Per Mertesacker (62'), and Olivier Giroud (90'+3') each scored a goal on Saturday as Arsenal won their record 12th FA Cup title at Wembley Stadium by demolishing Aston Villa 4-0.

Hey!

This guy has now won more presidential elections than FDR.

MLS: Reds, Caps, DCU, Fire, Timbers Capture Saturday Wins; Expansion Clubs Settle For Home Draws

Seven Major League Soccer contests were played on Saturday.

At Toronto:

Justin Morrow (22'), Warren Creavalle (33'), and Luke Moore (71') each scored a goal as Toronto FC defeated the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 3-1, despite the 101st career MLS goal for the guests' Chris Wondolowski, who successfully converted a penalty kick in the 24th minute.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Cristian Techera scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated visiting Real Salt Lake 2-1.

At New York:

David Villa's successful penalty kick in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time enabled New York City to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the Houston Dynamo.  Will Bruin scored for the visitors in the 16th minute.

At Washington:

Chris Rolfe's successful penalty kick in the 85th minute lifted DC United to a 2-1 come-from-behind home win over the Philadelphia Union.

At Orlando, Florida:

Kaka (PK-17') and Pedro Ribeiro (89') each delivered a goal as Orlando City battled back from two one-goal deficits to gain a 2-2 home draw with the ten-man Columbus Crew, whose tallies came courtesy of Tony Tchani (6') and Kei Kamara (61'), and who had to overcome Michael Parkhust's tenth-minute straight red-card ejection.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

Harrison Shipp (13'), Jeff Larentowicz (PK-45'), and Kennedy Igboananike (72') each scored a goal as the Chicago Fire blitzed the visiting Montreal Impact 3-0.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Jack Jewsbury scored the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as the Portland Timbers defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-1 on the road.  It was the first time the Timbers ever won at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Friday, May 29, 2015

MLS: Sporting KC Way Too Much For Ten-Man Hoops

At Kansas City, Kansas:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Graham Zusi scored one goal (64') and assisted on two others (Krisztian Nemeth in the 19th minute and Kevin Ellis in the 57th) as Sporting Kansas City demolished visiting ten-man FC Dallas 4-0.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Copa Libertadores: Scoreless Road Draw Good Enough For Guarani As Paraguayan Club Advances To Semis

At Avellaneda, Argentina:

A 0-0 game-two road draw with Racing Club was good enough for Club Guarani as the Paraguayan club won their two-match series 1-0 on aggregate on Thursday and advanced to the semifinal round of the Copa Libertadores.

Here are the match-up for the Copa's Final Four, with the game-one hosts listed first:

River Plate (Argentina) vs. Club Guarani (Paraguay)

Internacional (Brazil) vs. Tigres (Mexico)

Both series will open July 14-16, with the return matches set for June 21-23.  The winners will meet in the two-game final, set for July 29 and August 5.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

MLS: Sounders, Timbers, Galaxy Bag 1-0 Wednesday Wins

Three Major League Soccer matches were contested on Wednesday.

At Seattle:

Marco Pappa Smurfed the only goal of the match in the 16th minute as the Seattle Sounders defeated the visiting Colorado Rapids 1-0 move into not only the top spot in the Western Conference but first place in the Supporters' Shield race as well.

At Portland, Oregon:

Maximiliano Urruti scored the only goal of the match in the fifth minute as the Portland Timbers defeated visiting DC United 1-0.

At Carson, California:

Juninho successfully converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated visiting Real Salt Lake 1-0.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   DC United (GP: 13; GD: +3; PTS: 22)
2.   New England (GP: 13; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
3.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 17)
4.   Columbus (GP: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 15)
5.   Toronto FC (GP: 10; GD: 0; PTS: 13)
6.   Orlando City SC (GP: 12; GD: -1; PTS: 13)
7.   Philadelphia (GP: 13; GD: -8; PTS: 12)
8.   Chicago (GP: 10; GD: -3; PTS: 11)
9.   Montreal (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
10. New York City FC (GP: 12; GD: -7; PTS: 7)

NOTE:  With Toronto FC and Orlando City level on points with 13, the Reds have more total wins than the Lions (4-3).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Seattle (GP: 12; GD: +9; PTS: 23)
2.   FC Dallas (GP: 12; GD: +3; PTS: 21)
3.   Vancouver (GP: 13; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
4.   Los Angeles (GP: 14; GD: -2; PTS: 20)
5.   San Jose (GP: 12; GD: +1; PTS: 18)
6.   Kansas City (GP: 12; GD: +2; PTS: 18)
7.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 13; GD: -4; PTS: 17)
8.   Houston (GP: 13; GD: 0; PTS: 16)
9.   Portland (GP: 13; GD: -2; PTS: 16)
10. Colorado (GP: 12; GD: 0; PTS: 13)

NOTES:  With Vancouver and Los Angeles level on points (20), the Whitecaps have more wins (six) than the Galaxy (five); with San Jose and Kansas City level on points (18), the Earthquakes have more wins (five) than Sporting (four); with Houston and Portland level on points (16) and wins (four), the Dynamo have the superior goal differential (0 to -2 for the Timbers). 

Copa Libertadores

Two more teams advanced to the semifinal round of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Juan Silveira dos Santos (2') and Yerry Mina (OG-88') provided the scoring as Internacional blanked visiting Independiente Santa Fe 2-0 in game two and won their two-match series 2-1 on aggregate.

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Carlos Andres Sanchez (19'), Jonathan Maidana (44'), and Teofilo Gutierrez (51') each scored a goal as River Plate more than made up for their series-opening home defeat with 3-0 game-two road domination of Cruzeiro and eliminated the Brazilian club 3-1 on aggregate.

Take It From Lord Acton

Power tends to corrupt, and that absolute power corrupts absolutely!

CARLOS BACCA SCORES TWICE AS SEVILLA TOP DNIPRO FOR UNPRECEDENTED FOURTH EUROPA LEAGUE CROWN; SPANISH CLUB QUALIFY FOR '15'-'16 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE

At Warsaw, Poland:

Carlos Bacca scored twice (31', 73', that's him celebrating after scoring the game-winning goal) on Wednesday as Sevilla won their second straight Europa League title---and a record fourth overall---with a 3-2 victory over FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

With the victory, the Spanish club gained automatic entry into the group stage for next season's UEFA Champions League.

AFP/Getty Images photo

US Open Cup

15 games are on the schedule as the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament's third round take place on Wednesday.

The nine US-based teams from the second-division North American Soccer League take part in this round.

Host clubs are listed first with all times Pacific.

At Tukwila, Washington:

Pablo Rossi scored the winning goal in the 104th minute as Seattle Sounders 2 defeated visiting Portland Timbers 2 in overtime 2-1 in a battle of USL clubs affiliated with their respective parent Major League Soccer clubs.  The Seattle Sounders' USL affiliate will travel to Sandy, Utah for a fourth-round clash with MLS's Real Salt Lake, to be played on June 17.

At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania:

In a contest in which all the goals were scored in overtime, Asani Samuels scored twice (115', 120') as the Rochester Rhinos defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 3-1 in a battle of USL clubs.  The Rhinos will next face the Philadelphia Union at Chester, Pennsylvania on June 16.

At Richmond, Virginia:

Brian Ownby (20'), Jason Yeisley (38'), and George Davis IV (PK-51') lifted the Richmond Kickers (USL) to a 3-0 home domination of the NASL's Jacksonville Armada.  On June 16, the Kickers will host the Columbus Crew from MLS.

At Pittsburgh:

Rob Vincent scored the only goal of the match in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as the USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds knocked off the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0.  Next up for the Riverhounds is a fourth-round match at home against DC United on June 17.

At Chattanooga, Tennessee:

Jaime Chavez scored the game-winning goal in the 109th minute as the NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks eliminated the tournament's only remaining NPSL club, FC Chattanooga 2-1 on the road.  The Silverbacks travel to Harrison, New Jersey for a June 16 encounter with the New York Red Bulls.

At Cary, North Carolina:

Ryan Finley scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute as the USL's Charlotte Independence knocked off the NASL's Carolina Railhawks 1-0 on the road.  On June 17, the Independence will travel to Boston for a fourth-round encounter with the New England Revolution of MLS.

At Charleston, South Carolina:

Dane Kelly scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as the USL's Charleston Battery defeated the visiting Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 3-2 setting up a June 17 home match-up with Orlando City SC.

At Indianapolis:

After 90 scoreless regulation minutes, Nate Polak (115') and Sidney Rivera (119') delivered the overtime goals as Louisville City FC (USL) knocked off the NASL's Indy Eleven 2-0 on the road and earned a fourth-round shot at the Chicago Fire on June 16 at Bridgeview, Illinois.

At Queens, New York:

Leo Fernandes (14'), Sebastian Guenzatti (40'), and Mads Stokkelien (PK-81') each scored a goal as the New York Cosmos (NASL) dominated the visiting Jersey Express (PDL) 3-0.  On June 16, the Cosmos will host New York City FC.

At Fenton, Missouri:

After Bryan Gaul's 90th-minute successful penalty kick squared things at 1-1 and forced 30 minutes of scoreless overtime (he was tossed out via a red card in the 114th minute), teammates Brandon Barklage, Patrick Doody, and Oskar Gasecki converted their spot kicks as Saint Louis FC (USL) won the penalty-kick shootout over visiting Minnesota United (NASL) 3-1.  It's a trip to Kansas City, Kansas for Saint Louis and a June 16 encounter with Sporting Kansas City.

At Tulsa, Oklahoma:

In a battle of Sooner State USL clubs, Peter Toth scored the game's lone goal in the 82nd minute, lifting Oklahoma City Energy FC to a 1-0 road win over the Tulsa Roughnecks.  The Energy will travel to Fort Worth, Texas for a June 16 encounter with FC Dallas from MLS.

At San Antonio, Texas:

Mikey Ambrose (50') and Trevin Caesar (78') delivered the goals as the Austin Aztex from the USL blanked the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions 2-0 on the road. The Aztex will visit the Houston Dynamo on June 17.

At Sandy, Utah:

In a battle of USL clubs, Aaron King's goal in the fifth minute stood up as Colorado Springs Switchbacks knocked off Real Monarchs SLC 1-0 on the road.  It's off to Commerce City, Colorado for the Switchbacks as they will face the Colorado Rapids on June 16.

At Ventura, California:

Dillon Justin scored the winning goal in the 80th minute as PSA Elite from the fifth-division USASA knocked out the tournament's last remaining fourth-division entry, the PDL's Ventura County Fusion 2-1 on the road.  PSA Elite will visit the defending MLS Cup champs, the Los Angeles Galaxy at Carson, California on June 17.

At Sacramento, California:

Adnan Gabeljic delivered the night's only hat trick (43', 59', 89') as the Sacramento Republic (USL) demolished visiting Chula Vista FC (USASA) 7-3 to earn a trip to San Jose for a June 16 match with the Earthquakes.

The fourth round of the tournament will be played on June 16 and 17.  All 17 US-based Major League Soccer clubs will enter the fray at this point.  Two of them, the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders will square off against each other on June 16 at Tukwila, Washington while the other 15 teams will take on lower-division clubs.

For the round of 32, there will be 17 MLS clubs, 12 from the USL (Divsion III) , two from the NASL (Division II), and one from the USASA (Division V).  There are no fourth-division clubs left in the tournament. 

AFC Champions League: Gamba Osaka, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, Al-Ahli (From UAE), Naft Tehran Advance To Quarterfinals

Four games were played on Wednesday as the AFC Champions League's Round of 16 concluded.

At Suita, Japan:

Anderson Patric Aguiar Oliveira (16'), Shu Kurata (45'), and Lins Lima de Brito (86') each scored a goal as Gamba Osaka defeated visiting FC Seoul 3-2 in game two and won their two-match series 6-3 on aggregate.

At Guangzhou, China:

Ricardo Goulart scored twice (PK-27, 57') as Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao overcame their series-opening road defeat with a 2-0 game-two home victory over Seongnam FC and ousted the South Korean club 2-1 on aggregate.

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

After a series-opening scoreless stalemate, Ahmed Khalil scored twice (53', 56') and Humeid Salmein once (51') as Al-Ahli scored three times in a six-minute stretch in the second half and gained a 3-3 road draw with Al-Ain and took the series by that same score on aggregate thanks to the away goals rule and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

At Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Leandro Padovani scored the series-winning goal in the 31st minute as Naft Tehran, despite dropping 2-1 game-two road decision to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli, still advanced to the quarterfinal on away goals with the aggregate score at 2-2.

Copa Libertadores: Tigres Advance To Semifinals

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

In the lone Tuesday Copa Libertadores quarterfinal-round contest, Rafael Sobis (5') and Jose Arturo Rivas (79') each scored a goal as Tigres blanked visiting Club Sport Emelec 2-0 in game two and won their two-game series 2-1 to advance to the semifinal round.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Carlo Canned

If your team finishes second in La Liga only to its' arch-rival, only a year after winning the Champions League title and the Copa del Rey and five months after winning the FIFA Club World Cup crown, you're considered a bum.

AFC Champions League: Kashiwa Reysol, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Lekhwiya, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia Advance To Quarterfinals

The Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League continued on Tuesday with four games.

At Kashiwa, Japan:

Yusuke Kobayashi scored the series-winning goal in the 65th minute as Kashiwa Reysol, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two home decision, still won their series with Suwon Samsung Bluewings on away goals, with the aggregate score at 4-4.

At Beijing, China:

Edu (a.k.a. Eduardo Goncalves de Oliveira) scored the series-winning goal in the 72nd minute as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defeated Beijing Guoan 1-0 on the road in game two and won their two-match series 2-1 on aggregate.

At Doha, Qatar:

Youssef Msakni (13') and Ismaeel Mohammad (83') each scored a goal as Lekhwiya gained a 2-2 game-two home draw with Al-Sadd and won their two-game series with their fellow Qatari club 4-3 on aggregate.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Yousef Al-Salem (29'), Mohammad Al-Shalhoub (PK-57'), and Abdullaziz Al-Dawsari (90'+1) each scored a goal as Al-Hilal overcame their series-opening road defeat with a 3-0 game-two home domination of Persepolis and won their two-game series 3-1 on aggregate.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

CENTRAL KNOCK OFF W CONNECTION TO WIN CFU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE; MONTEGO BAY UNITED WIN THIRD-PLACE MATCH, JOIN TRINIDADIAN CLUBS IN CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Both the championship match and the third-place contest in the CFU Club Championship took place on Sunday at Ato Boldon stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
In the third-place playoff, Owayne Gordon scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute as Montego Bay United of Jamaica locked up a berth in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Don Bosco FC from Haiti.

In the championship game, in a battle of clubs from Trinidad and Tobago who are both heading to the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League, Central FC defeated W Connection 2-1.

MLS: Philly Blanks Red Bulls On Road; Lions and Quakes Exchange PKs in 1-1 Draw In Santa Clara As Wondo Scored Goal #100

Two games in Major League Soccer were contested on Sunday.


At Harrison, New Jersey:

Vincent Nogueria (57') and C.J. Sapong (62') each scored a second-half goal five minutes apart as the Philadelphia Union defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 for their first-ever victory at Red Bull Arena.

At Santa Clara, California:

Chris Wondolowski scored his 100th career MLS goal (being only the ninth player in league history to do so) with his successful penalty kick in the 68th minute as the San Jose Earthquakes gained a 1-1 draw with Orlando City in a contest played at Levi's Stadium.  Kaka converted a penalty kick of his own for the visiting Lions in the 64th minute.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   DC United (GP: 12; GD: +4; PTS: 22)
2.   New England (GP: 13; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
3.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 17)
4.   Columbus (GP: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 15)
5.   Toronto FC (GP: 10; GD: 0; PTS: 13)
6.   Orlando City FC (GP: 12; GD: -1; PTS: 13)
7.   Philadelphia (GP: 13; GD: -8; PTS: 12)
8.   Chicago (GP: 10; GD: -3; PTS: 11)
9.   Montreal (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
10. New York City FC (GP: 12; GD: -7; PTS: 7)

NOTE:  With Toronto FC and Orlando City level on points with 13, the Reds have more wins (four, to the Lions' three).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   FC Dallas (GP: 12; GD: +3; PTS: 21)
2.   Seattle (GP: 11; GD: +8; PTS: 20)
3.   Vancouver (GP: 13; GD: +2; PTS: 20)
4.   San Jose (GP: 12; GD: +1; PTS: 18)
5.   Kansas City (GP: 12; GD: +2; PTS: 18)
6.   Los Angeles (GP: 13; GD: -3; PTS: 17)
7.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 12; GD: -3; PTS: 17)
8.   Houston (GP: 13; GD: 0; PTS: 16)
9.   Portland (GP: 12; GD: -3; PTS: 13)
10. Colorado (GP: 11; GD: +1; PTS: 13)

NOTES:  With Seattle and Vancouver level on points (20) and wins (six), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (+8 to the Whitcaps' +2); with San Jose and Sporting Kansas City level on points with 18, the Earthquakes have more wins (five, to Sporting's four); with Los Angeles and Real Salt Lake level on points (17), wins (four), and goal differential (-3), and goals (12 apiece), the Galaxy have fewer disciplinary points than RSL (235 to 253); with Portland and Colorado level on points, the Timbers have more wins (three) than the Rapids (two).

Saturday, May 23, 2015

MLS: Reds, Impact, Rapids, RSL Grab Saturday Wins; Revs and DCU Draw; Goose Eggs In Seattle

Six games were played on Saturday in Major League Soccer.

At Toronto:

Sebastian Giovinco scored the only goal of the match in the fifth minute as Toronto FC defeated the visiting Portland Timbers 1-0.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Despite two second-half ejections, the New England Revolution still managed a 1-1 home draw with DC United.  Charlie Davies put the Revs in the lead with his goal in the opening half of first-half stoppage time, only to see Jairo Arrieta equalize for the guests in the 80th minute.

At Montreal:

Jack McInerney scored the winning goal in the 50th minute as the Montreal Impact knocked off visiting FC Dallas 2-1.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Lucas Pittinari scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute as the Colorado Rapids ended their MLS-record 18-game home winless streak with a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

At Seattle:

The contest between the Seattle Sounders and visiting Sporting Kansas City concluded in a 0-0 stalemate.

At Sandy, Utah:

John Stertzer (25') and Alvaro Saborio (49') as Real Salt Lake blanked visiting New York City 2-0, stretching the Citizens' winless run to ten games.

Friday, May 22, 2015

MLS: Stoppage-Time Heroics Gain Road Draw For Fire; Late Goal Carries Galaxy Past Dynamo

Two Major League Soccer matches were contested on Friday.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Jason Johnson's equalizer in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time lifted the Chicago Fire to a 2-2 road deadlock with the Columbus Crew, bouncing back from a two-goal deficit to do so. David Accam scored the other Chicago goal in the 58th minute while Kai Kamara scored both Columbus tallies in the eighth and 55th minutes.

At Carson, California:

Alan Gordon scored the only goal of the match in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the visiting Houston Dynamo 1-0.

CFU Club Championship: Trinidadian Clubs Advance To Final, Qualify For CONCACAF Champions League

Both games in the semifinal round of the CFU Club Championship were played on Friday at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.

In the opener, after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Central FC from the host nation won the penalty-kick shootout 3-1 over Haiti's Don Bosco FC.

In the nightcap, W Connection, another Trinidadian club, defeated Montego Bay United from Jamaica 1-0.


With the victories, Central and W Connection not only advanced to Sunday's final, also to be played at Ato Boldon Stadium.  They also qualified for the group stage of the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League.

The title game will be preceded by the third-place playoff between Don Bosco and Montego Bay United, with the winner also advancing to next season's Champions League.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Copa Libertadores: Guarani, Cruzeiro Take Series Openers

Two games were contested in the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Julian Benitez scored the only goal of the match in the 85th minute as Club Guarani defeated visiting Racing Club de Avellaneda 1-0 in the opening game of their two-match series.

At Buenos Aires:

Marcos Antonio da Silva Goncalves (a.k.a. Marquinhos) scored the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute as Cruzeiro knocked off River Plate 1-0 on the road in the opening match of their two-game series.

Copa Libertaodres: Santa Fe Takes Series Opener

At Bogota, Colombia:

In the lone Wednesday contest from the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores, Dairon Mosquera scored the winning goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as Independiente Santa Fe defeated visiting Internacional 1-0 in game one of their two-match series.

MLS: SKC Double-Up Revs

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Krisztian Nemeth scored twice (39', 46') as Sporting Kansas City doubled up on the visiting New England Revolution 4-2 in the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest.

Amway Canadian Championship: Caps Oust Eddies, Will Battle Impact In Final

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Matias Laba scored the winning goal in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time on Wednesday as the Vancouver Whitecaps knocked off FC Edmonton 2-1 on the road in the second game of an Amway Canadian Championship semifinal series and ousted the NASL club 3-2 on aggregate.

The Whitecaps will take on the Montreal Impact in the two-match final set for this coming August, with the winner advancing to the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

US Open Cup

20 games were played in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament as 20 of the 21 US-based United Soccer League clubs took part, with Portland Timbers 2 having played on won on Thursday.

At Pittsburgh:

Rob Vincent (9'), Lebogang Moloto (10'), and Kevin Kerr (87') each scored a goal as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) dominated the visiting West Virginia Chaos (PDL) 3-0.  The Riverhounds will host the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the second-division North American Soccer League in a third-round contest set to take place next Wednesday.

At Wilmington, North Carolina:

After a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, Chattanooga FC from the NPSL won the penalty-kick shootout 5-3 on the road against the USL's Wilmington Hammerheads.  The club from Tennessee will next take on the NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks next Wednesday at home.

At Richmond, Virginia:

Nate Shiffman (47') and Jason Yeisley (89') delivered the goals as the Richmond Kickers (USL) blanked visiting Virginia Beach City FC (NPSL) 2-0.  The NASL's Jacksonville Armada will visit the Virginia capital for a match next Wednesday in the third round against the Kickers, who are DC United's USL affiliate.

At East Lansing, Michigan:

Charlie Adams scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute as Louisville City FC (USL) defeated Lansing United (NPSL) 1-0 on the road.  Next up for the Orlando City USL affiliate is a road contest in Indianapolis next Wednesday against the Indy Eleven from the NASL.

At Reading, Pennsylvania:

Danny DiPrima (8'), Jason Plumhoff (10'), and Ken Tribbett (46') each scored once as the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL dominted Reading United AC (PDL) 3-0 on the road.

At Rochester, New York:

The Rochester Rhinos will travel to Pennsylvania for a third-round match against their USL lodge brothers, the Harrisburg City Islanders next Wednesday.  This after the Rhinos, with Kenardo Forbes scoring the game's lone goal at 39 minute defeated the visiting GBFC Thunder (NPSL) 1-0.

At Charleston, South Carolina:

Heviel Cordoves scored the only goal of the match in the 40th minute as the Charleston Battery (USL) defeated visiting Miami United FC (NPSL) 1-0.  Next Wednesday, the Battery will host the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

At Rock Hill, South Carolina:

Tomasz Zahorski delivered a hat trick (19', 44', 90') as the Charlotte Independence (USL) dominated the visiting Upward Stars (NPSL) 4-1. The Independence will travel to Cary, North Carolina for a third-round match against the NASL's Carolina Railhawks, set for next Wednesday.

At South Huntington, New York:

Ricardo Velazco scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute as Real Monarchs SLC (USL) defeated the home-standing Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) 1-0. 

At Newark, New Jersey:

Chris Karcz scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute as Jersey Express SC (PDL) knocked off visiting New York Red Bulls II (USL) 1-0.  Next Wednesday, the Express will travel will head to Queens, New York for a third-round tussle with the New York Cosmos of the NASL.

At Fenton, Missouri:

Jermie Lynch scored the winning goal in the 96th minute Saint Louis FC (USL) defeated the visiting Des Moines Menace (PDL) 2-1 in overtime and earned a third-round home match for next Wednesday against Minnesota United FC from the NASL.

At Tulsa, Oklahoma:

Chad Bond scored the game's lone goal in the 59th minute as the Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) defeated the visiting Seacoast United Phantoms (PDL) 1-0.

At Midland, Texas:

Kyle Greig scored twice (42', 70') as the Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) defeated the Midland/Odessa Sockers (PDL) 3-1 on the road, setting up a Sooner State USL Derby with the Tulsa Roughnecks, next Wednesday in Tulsa.  

At Austin, Texas:

The Austin Aztex (USL), with Andres Cuero (28') and Brian Fekete (73') producing the goals, blanked the visiting Laredo Heat (PDL) 2-0.  Next Wednesday, the Aztex will be on the road for a third-round battle with the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions.

At Colorado Springs, Colorado:

Martin Maybin scored twice (1', 35') as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) defeated visiting Harpo's FC (USSSA) 2-1 and earned a chance to visit Real Monarchs SLC next Wednesday at Sandy, Utah in a battle of USL clubs.

At Los Angeles:

PSA Elite (USASA) knocked off the visiting Orange County Blues FC (USL) 2-1.  

At Scottsdale, Arizona:

Chula Vista FC (USASA) dominted Arizona United SC (USL) 3-0 on the road.

At Carson, California:

The PDL's Ventura County Fusion, on the road, knocked off Los Angeles Galaxy II (USL) 2-1 and won the right to host the USASA's PSA Elite next Wednesday.

At Sacramento, California:

Sacramento Republic FC (USL) doubled up the visiting Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) 4-2 and earned the right to host Chula Vista FC from the USASA next Wednesday.

At Tukwila, Washington:

Seattle Sounders FC 2 doubled up the visiting  Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 4-2.  Next Wednesday at Tukwila, the Seattle Sounders' USL affiliate will host Portland Timbers 2, also from the USL, in a third-round match-up.

With the defeat of Harpo's FC, there are no clubs from the United States Specialty Sports Association left in the tournament, but two other fifth-division clubs, both from the US Adult Soccer Association----namely Chula Vista FC and PSA Elite----advanced to the third round.

Three fourth-division clubs (2 PDL, 1 NPSL) are still in the tournament.

16 USL clubs will be playing in the third round, along with the nine US-based North American Soccer League clubs.

The third-round games are all scheduled to be played next Wednesday.

The fourth-round games are set for June 16 and 17.  That's were all 17 US-based Major League Soccer clubs will be entering the tournament.

AFC Champions League

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

At Seongnam, South Korea:

Kim Do-heon's penalty kick five minutes into second-half stoppage time carried Seongnam FC to a series-opening 2-1 home win over Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.

At Seoul, South Korea:

Takashi Usami scored twice (63', 86') carried Gamba Osaka
to a 3-1 series-opening road win over FC Seoul.

At Tehran, Iran:

Gholamreza Resael scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute as Naft Tehran defeated visiting Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the opening match of their two-game series.

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

The opening match of an all-UAE series between Al-Ahli and Al-Ain ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Copa Libertadores: Emelec Take Series Opener From Tigres

At Manta, Ecuador:

Miller Bolanos scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute on Tuesday as Club Sport Emelec took the opening game of their two-match series with Tigres 1-0 at home as the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores commenced.

US Open Cup: Timbers 2 Buck Michigan, Advance To Third Round

At Pontiac, Michigan:

In the lone Tuesday contest from the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament, Kharlton Belmar (56') and Fatawu Safiu (90'+) each scored a goal as Portland Timbers 2 defeated the PDL's Michigan Bucks 2-0 on the road.

The Timbers' USL affiliate will play next week in the tournament's third round between the winner of Wednesday's Seattle Sounders FC 2 (USL)-Kitsap Pumas (PDL) match.

AFC Champions League: Persepolis, Lekhwiya, Kashiwa Reysol Claim Series Openers; Beijing Guoan Gain Series-Opening Draw With JHM

Four games were played on Tuesday as the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League commenced.

At Jeonju, South Korea:

Pablo Batalla's penalty kick in the 85th minute lifted Beijing Guoan to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.  Kim Kee-hee scored for the hosts in the 13th minute.

At Suwon, South Korea:

Leandro Montera da Silva scored twice (PM-29', 56') as Kashiwa Reysol took the opening match of their series with Suwon Samsung Bluewings 3-2 on the road.

At Tehran, Iran:

Digao's own goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage may prove very costly in the end as Persepolis took the opening game of their series with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal 1-0 at home.

At Doha, Qatar:

Youssef Msakni scored the winning goal in the 37th minute as Lekhwiya defeated Al-Sadd 2-1 on the road in the opening contest of this two-game series between two clubs from Qatar.