Goose Eggs In Texas Derby; Goats and Crew Pick Up Home Shutout Wins

Three games were contested Saturday in Major League Soccer:

At Frisco, Texas:

The visiting Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Carson, California:

Jesse Marsch (60') and Maykel Galindo (89') provided the scoring, leading Chivas USA to a 2-0 home blanking of the New England Revolution.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Kei Kamara's goal at 69 minutes was the only goal of the Columbus Crew's 1-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls.

Draw For First Two Qualifying Rounds For UEFA Champions League Conducted

At Nyon, Switzerland:

The drawing for the first two rounds of qualifying for the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League took place on Friday at UEFA headquarters. Here are the matchups:

First Qualifying Round (matches to be played on July 17/18 and 24/25:

Lenkoran (Azerbaijan) vs. Dinamo Zagreb

APOEL (Cyrpus) vs. BATE (Belarus)

Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) vs. Ranger's (Andorra)

FH Hafnarfjordor (Iceland) vs. HB (Faroe Islands)

The New Saints (Wales) vs. Ventspils (Latvia)

Pobeda (Macedonia) vs. Levadia (Estonia)

Olimpi (Georgia) vs. Astana (Kazakhstan)

Zeta (Montenegro) vs. Kaunas (Lithuania)

Tampere (Finland) vs. Murata (San Marino)

Dudelange (Luxembourg) vs. Zilina (Slovakia)

Linfield (Northern Ireland) vs. Elfsborg (Sweden)

Derry City* (Republic of Ireland) vs. Pyunik (Armenia)

Marsaxlokk (Malta) vs. Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Domzale (Slovenia) vs. Tirana (Albania)

Second Qualifying Round (Matches set for July 31/August 1 and August 7/8:

Pyunik/Derry City winner vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) vs. Pobeda/Levadia winner

Rangers (Scotland) vs. Zeta/Kaunas winner

Debrecen (Hungary) vs. Linfield/Elfsborg winner

Zaglebie Lubin (Poland) vs. Steaua Bucharest (Romania)

Genk (Belgium) vs. Marsaxlokk/Sarajevo winner

TNS/Ventspils winner vs. Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

Olimpi/Astana winner vs. Rosenborg (Norway)

FH Hafnarfjordur/HB winner vs. APOEL/BATE winner

FC Copenhagen (Denmark) vs. Beitar Jerusalem (Israel)

Dudelange/Zilina winner vs. Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)

Tampere/Murata winner vs. Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)

Domzale/Tirana winner vs. Lenkoran/Dinamo Zagreb winner

Besiktas (Turkey) vs. Sheriff/Ranger's

*Derry City plays in the Republic of Ireland's premier league, even though they are based in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Shelbourne had won the Football League of Ireland championship but did not apply for a UEFA license to take part in the UEFA Champions League. The Shels (who were relegated from the top flight due to financial problems) relinquished their Champions League place.

Each series in these qualifying rounds are two-game home-and-away total-goals series.

Argentina Overpowers Team USA

At Maracaibo, Venezuela:

In the Copa America opener for both teams, Hernan Crespo's double (12', 64') helped power Argentina to a 4-1 win over the United States in Group C play on Thursday. Eddie Johnson (PK-8') gave the US a short-lived early 1-0 lead with the Americans' lone goal.

DC United Weathers Delay To Drop Colorado

At Washington:

With four players each scoring once, DC United mauled the visiting Colorado Rapids 4-1 in the lone Thursday Major League Soccer match. Christian Gomez (PK-34'), Nicolas Adderly (71'), Fred (82'), and Luciano Emilio (87') each tallied for the hosts.

Here We Go Again

This from the "People are no damn good" department:

Bill Hutchison - AHN Sports News Writer

Buenos Aires, Argentina (AHN ) - One Argentinean soccer fan was killed, 14 others injured and 78 detained by police as fighting broke out between rival supporters in Buenos Aires after Tigre defeated arch-rivals Nueva Chicago 2-1 in a promotion playoff -- a score line that relegated Chicago to the second division and returned Tigre to the first division for the first time in 27 years.

The clash, only days after the end of Argentina's first-division Clausura season, was the latest in a season plagued by violence, and running battles with the police.

The riot ensued after the referee awarded Tigre an injury-time penalty as they led 2-1 in the match and 3-1 in the aggregate. Angry Chicago fans stormed onto the pitch in response to the call, creating chaos.

Television newscasts showed rival supporters throwing rocks, wielding metal pipes, and using a metal advertising sign as a battering ram in the riot that began at Nueva Chicago's stadium and then spilled out onto a freeway carrying rush hour traffic.

Dr. Alberto Crescenti, director of paramedics services for Buenos Aires city, speaking on local television said: "We regret to announce one death.

"A 41-year-old man has died from blunt force wounds to the skull.

"All attempts to revive him failed."

The 41-year-old man died after being hit in the head with a stone.

Police fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets, pursued fans running from the stadium in the Mataderos section of the Argentine capital, and TV pictures showed motorists swerving and slowing to avoid the rioting fans.

Dr. Crescenti told reporters that 11 of the 14 injured required hospitalization, many with stab wounds and cuts.

Dynamo Top Wizards In KC

At Kansas City:

In Sunday's only Major League Soccer contest, Patrick Ianni scored the lone goal of the match (81') as the Houston Dynamo stretched their unbeaten run to five games with their 1-0 road win over the Kansas City Wizards.

TEAM USA RETAINS CONCACAF GOLD CUP

At Chicago:

On Sunday, second half goals from Landon Donovan (PK-65') and Benny Feilhaber (73') enabled the United States to come back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Mexico 2-1 to win their second straight (and fourth overall) CONCACAF Gold Cup championship. Andres Guardado (44') provided the Mexicans' lone goal. The win enabled the US to qualify for the 2009 Confederations Cup

Wins for FC Dallas, New England, Columbus, and (At Last) Real Salt Lake

Four games were contested Saturday in Major League Soccer:

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Juan Toja's score at 62 minutes was the only goal of the 1-0 road win for FC Dallas over the Colorado Rapids.

At Foxboro, Massachusetts:

Andy Dorman's double (13', 81') help lead the New England Revolution to a 3-0 home whitewashing of Toronto FC.

At Carson, California:

Goals from Chad Marshall (15'), Ned Grabavoy (58'), and Alejandro Moreno (84') enabled the Columbus Crew to hold off the Los Angeles Galaxy for a 3-2 road win.

At Salt Lake City:

In his first game since being picked up in a trade from Los Angeles earlier this week, Robbie Findley scored both goals (41', 50') to lead Real Salt Lake to their first win of the season, a 2-1 home triumph over DC United.

Brad Davis Leads Houston Demolition of Goats

At Houston:

In the only Thursday Major League Soccer encounter, Brad Davis' hat trick (55', 70', PK-75') powered the Houston Dynamo to a 4-0 home fistbeating of Chivas USA.

Team USA vs. Mexico In CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

At Chicago:

Goals from Frankie Hejduk (39') and Landon Donovan(PK-45') helped the United States hold off Canada 2-1 on Thursday to reach this coming Sunday's final in the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Mexico. The Mexicans took the semifinal nightcap, holding off Guadeloupe 1-0, as Pavel Pardo scored the game's lone goal at 70 minutes.

Fire Fire Coach

Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire on Wednesday canned head coach Dave Sarachan after a start of four wins, six losses, and two draws. Assistant Denis Hamlett will take over on an interim basis.

Crew Winless Streak Ends

At Columbus, Ohio:

In the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer match, Eddie Gaven (56') and Stefani Miglioranzi (61') provided the scoring that lifted the Columbus Crew to their first win in nearly two months, a 2-1 home win over the Kansas City Wizards, whose unbeaten streak was snapped at four games.

Boca Juniors Capture Copa Crown

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

On Wednesday, Juan Roman Riquelme scored twice (69', 80') to lead Boca Juniors to a 2-0 road win over Gremio, and, coupled with their earlier 3-0 home victory in the two-game series opener, captured their sixth Copa Libertadores crown, 5-0, on aggregate.

GALACTICOS CAPTURE LA LIGA CROWN WITH COMEBACK WIN; CELTA AND SOCIEDAD RELEGATED

Ten games were played Sunday as the Spanish Premiera Liga season drew to a close:

At Madrid:

Jose Antonio Reyes scored twice (68', 83') to help lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback win over visiting Mallorca to win their first La Laga championship since 2003.

At Tarragona:

Leo Messi's double (34', 51') helped spark Barcelona to a 5-1 road victory over already-relegated Gimnastic de Tarragona. Barca were still denied a third straight La Liga crown because of Real Madrid's comeback win over Mallorca. They and Real Madrid are heading to the group stage of next season's Champions League.

At Seville:

Fabricio Fuentes scored the only goal (50') in Villarreal's 1-0 road win over Sevilla, locking up a UEFA Cup berth for the Yellow Submarine. Sevilla, who entered the day still harboring hopes of copping the league title, finished in third place and will play in the third round of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

At Huelva:

Alberto Diego Milito's equalizer (75') enabled Real Zaragoza to gain a 1-1 road draw with Recreativo Huelva and secure themselves a UEFA Cup berth for next season.

At Pamplona:

Goals from Maxi Rodriguez (38') and from Osasuna defenseman Nacho Monreal (OG-52') enabled Atletico Madrid to defeat homestanding Osasuna 2-1.

At Barcelona:

Thanks to second-half goals from Iglesias Iago (61'), Sergio Gonzalez (63'), and Ivan Riki (84'), Deportivo La Coruna came from behind to defeat Espanyol on the road 3-1.

At Santander:

Edu's double (80', 90') powered Real Betis to a 2-0 road win over Racing Santander to secure top-flight soccer for next season.

At Bilbao:

Athletic Bilbao, on the strength of tallies from Jose Serrano (OG-60') and Igor Gabilondo (77'), secured continuation of their 109-year stay in Spain's top flight with their 2-0 home win over Levante.

At Vigo:

Goals from Habib Bamogo (36'), Matias Lequi (66') enabled Celta Vigo to defeat visiting Getafe 2-1. However, because of wins by Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis, Celta were still relegated to the Segunda Division.

At Valencia:

In a game that saw three own goals being scored, Real Sociedad had to settle for a 3-3 road draw with Champions League (third qualifying round)-bound Valencia. The Royal Society Football Club of San Sebastian was relegated with this result.

J.P. Angel Leads Red Bulls Comeback

At Toronto:

In Wednesday's lone Major League Soccer contest, Juan Pablo Angel scored twice (69', 71') to lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2-1 come-from-behind road victory over Toronto FC. Jeff Cunningham scored the lone Toronto goal at 22 minutes.

Fire and Dynamo Pick Up Key Home Wins

Two games were contested Sunday in Major League Soccer:

At Houston:

Second-half goals from Ricardo Clark (51') and Joseph Ngwenya (66') enabled the Houston Dynamo to come from behind and defeat visiting FC Dallas 2-1.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

The Chicago Fire ended a five-game winless streak with a 3-2 home win over the Columbus Crew. Jeff Curtin (25'), William Oliveira (61') and Chad Barrett (78') provided the scoring for the Fire.

Some Fans Never Learn

Recent incidents involving Liverpool fans remain, unfortunately, par for the course.

Scoreless Draws For DCU and Galaxy, RSL and Revs; KC and Toronto FC Winners

Four games were played on Saturday in Major League Soccer:

At Toronto:

Goals from Danny Dichio (9') and Andrew Boyens (28') enabled Toronto FC to hold off the visiting Colorado Rapids 2-1.

At Kansas City:

Eddie Johnson's second-half hat trick (46', 59', 85') powered the Kansas City Wizards to a 3-2 home win over the New York Red Bulls.

At Foxboro, Massachusetts:

Still-winless Real Salt Lake and the homestanding New England Revolution played to a 0-0 deadlock.

At Carson, California:

Visiting DC United and the Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 0-0 stalemate.

Easy Win For Team USA In Bob Bradley's Debut As Full-Fledged Coach

At San Jose, California:

In Bob Bradley's first game since he had the "Interim" tag taken off his head coaching position, the United States scored an easy 4-1 win over mainland China in an international exhibition match.

Semifinal Series-Opening Win For Colombian Club

At Cucuta, Colombia:

Goals from Blas Perez (40', 65') and Ruben Dario Bustos (84') spurred Deprotivo Cucuta to a 3-1 home win over Boca Juniors in the opening game of the two clubs' Copa Libertadores semifinal series on Thursday.