San Jose Earthquakes Gets another Loss in Game versus LA Galaxy

The San Jose Earthquakes continue to fight as the club fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.

San Jose has currently gone 12 games without a win and is looking a lock to miss out on the playoffs.
Robbie Keane marked his first appearance with a goal, as he put the Galaxy in front in the 21^st minute. Mike Magee secured the win with his injury time goal.

Keane joined the Galaxy earlier in the week from Tettenham Hotspur, signing as a Designated Player.  He made an immediate impact, opening his account after 20 minutes.

Getting on the last part of a David Beckham long ball, the Irish international managed the pass from his British teammate before slipping past Jon Busch and slotting home the first goal of the competition.
The Earthquakes dug themselves a huge hole in 81^st minute when Steven Beitashour was sent off for reckless play, bringing his team down to ten men.

Los Angeles capitalized on the one-man advantage in walk out time when Magee eclipsed his mark and redirected a low cross from Sean Franklin to close all three points.
The Galaxy continues to set the pace in Major League Soccer, achieving its league-leading 14^th win of the season to remain unbeaten at home.  They sit in first place in the Western Conference with 51 points, the most in MLS.
San Jose is heading in the opposite way, losing four of its previous five games.  The ‘Quakes have managed only 25 points out of 25 games for this season.

The ‘Quakes (5-10-10) aims to finish their winless line when they go to BMO Field to face Toronto FC this coming August 27.  The Galaxy (14-3-9) will as well be on the road, as they will head to Red Bull Arena to face the struggling New York Red Bulls in an star-studded competition on August 28.

Mourinho “Destroys” Spanish Football

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has charged Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho of “destroying Spanish football” following an ill-tempered Supercopa at the Camp Nou.

A late volley from Lionel Messi provided Barca a 3-2 victory (5-4 on aggregate) in a second-leg competition that saw three players sent off, Cesc Fabregas slashed down on his debut and Mourinho involved in horrible scenes on the sidelines.

The Real coach has turned into a hot figure in Spain, presently as he was in England and Italy, and a bad-tempered run of five ‘clasicos’ last season, in which his side had four men sent off, continued in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season.

A brutal challenge from Marcelo saw the Real defender dismissed in the closing moments of the Supercopa, which was followed by a huge melee involving players, substitutes and staff from both sides, with Mesut Ozil and David Villa both shown red in spite having by now substituted.

Mourinho, in the meantime, might come under inspection for his role in the fight as he was pictured heading to Barca coach Tito Vilanova and making contacts with his face.  Vilanova answered by shoving Mourinho, who left smiling.

A furious Pique railed at Madrid’s conduct.  The Barca defender said, “I do not talk about the brawl. But it’s a shame, it is not the first time and it’s always the same.”

“Someone has to take action on the matter. Mourinho is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the problem is with Madrid. I think it’s going too far. It cannot always end well. In the end this will end very badly.”

Mourinho’s opposite number Pep Guardiola did not wade into the issue but had a word of caution for those concerned in the tense atmosphere on the pitch.

He said, “The images speak for themselves.  We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we’re all a little responsible for this. ”

Fucito Proves Seattle They Have Forward Help

Maybe the incapability of Seattle to put in a striker in the transfer market would not tingle so badly finally.  Mike Fucito surely does not believe it will.

The Sounders are hoping remember-me presentation of Fucito in their CONCACAF Champions League opener will add a small more scoring blow to their forward lines.

With Seattle missing out on support prior to the August 15 deadline, the reserve forward apprehended his chance on Tuesday night with a well-taken brace.  Both of his ends were clinical attempts to the far post, helping Seattle to a 4-1 victory over CSD Communicaciones of Guatemala.

Patrick Lanni, the defender said, “I think it’s good for our forwards, especially Fucito, to get a couple goals and get his confidence going.  I know he knows what he can do and we know what he can do. When you get goals, they just seem keep coming.”

Although Fucito will surely have been responsive to actions of the front office in the previous weeks, his face was a strong-minded one in the post-match press conference.  With Sigi Schmid, the head coach sitting next to him, Fucito was humble in victory.

“Just trying to make the most of my opportunities. Just doing what I can to help the team when I get the opportunities,” Fucito simply said.

Fucito buried both of his shots on goal after the Sounders went down a man in the 55^th minute and was in place to score a third in the late going as Seattle beat their Guatemalan visitors.  Fucito as well gave the help on Brad Evan’s 35^th-minute goal.

The Harvard product boosted his tallies in the Champions League to five goals in the previous five games.

Fucito has so far to spare those efforts in league play.  He possesses just a goal and a help in 15 career MLS regular-season games.

Fucito begun six successive games prior to falling out of the lineup.  On the other hand, his coach surely noticed his play.

Schmid said, “I told the guys before the game that every guy we’re putting out there has the ability to be a starter or is a starter on this team.  Mike started for us in a series of games where we did well as a team.

Schmid added, “Sometimes you get in and out of form a little bit, but I thought he training had gotten a lot better of late and he deserved the opportunity to get out there and play.  He rewarded me, but mainly he rewarded himself. When you do that you get more opportunities.”

Klinsmann, To Settle Draw against Mexico

Jurgen Klinsmann had to settle for a draw in his coaching debut for the U.S. as the Americans tied Mexico 1-1 Wednesday.  Robbie Rogers carried the U.S. level soon after cominig on as a substitute in second half.

Mexico held control of the competition early, saying the tempo during the first half and quieting the 30, 138 fans at Lincold Financial Field in Philadelphia.  Oribe Peralta took advantage on a short corner kick in the 17^th minute, flicking the ball past Tim Howard to place Mexico up 1-0. The U.S. did not get a shot on goal during the first half.

The U.S. closely ranked the score in the 56^th minute when Carlos Bocanegra got his head on a corner but goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was able to evade the shot and kick away the rebound.

Klinsmann launched youngsters Brek Shea, 21 years old, and Juan Agudelo, 18 years old, into the lineup shortly after the Bocanegra chance.  The move invigorated the U.S., tying the game after Shea destroyed the Mexican defense and centered a neat ball for Rogers to tap home in the 73^rd minute.

Roger said, “I have really enjoyed playing for Jurgen.  He has a lot of confidence in us, and to get that goal made me feel good. I had just entered the match so it was a little surprising. I’ll take it.”

Klinsmann was only given three practices prior to his first competition on Wednesday but his player selections pointed out a shift from the counter-attacking way that has long been a staple in the U.S. worldwide game.  Pairing Kyle Beckerman and Michael Bradley, and later Shea, in the center of a 4-5-1 formation permitted a much more open way from the U.S., providing Landon Donovan the freedom to make in the assault without limit.

“We wanted to see a performance with energy and excitement and with the goal that the fans were really going to enjoy their team,” Klinsmann said.

Klinsmann said, “I think we can be very satisfied with that performance.  It was great to see some young players stepping into this team and being guided by the experienced ones. The spirit and the energy from the experienced ones, it’s fun to watch. It’s enjoyable to see how they go for it.”

Wayne Rooney Claims Giving City A “Lesson”

Wayne Rooney alleged that his Manchester United side provided City a “footballing lesson” in the Community Shield.

United accumulated an imposing return to win 3-2 versus their competitors Manchester City, who had got the guide through a Joleon Lescott header, when David De Gea was doubtful, and a long-range hit from Edin Dzeko that held the Spanish shot-stopper off guard.

However, the Red Devils rallied in the second half to claim triumph as Chris Smalling diverted home and then Nani finished a fine passing move to level the score line.  Nani sealed the victory in the dying times as he charged clear.

Rooney informed BBC Radio 5 Live after United’s 302 win, “This shows who the best team is – all game we dominated.  The young lads made the difference – Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling – they were all outstanding.”

He added on Twitter, “I think this was a footballing lesson.”

United has to come from two goals down, although Rooney still considers they outplayed their competitors.

Rooney said, “They had five minutes where they scored two goals, and that was about it. The score-line is deserved because of our passing, and the brilliant chances we created. We are champions and we are the team to beat – we need to go out and prove that.”

“Full credit to the whole team, that’s our attitude. We never know when a game is finished. We hope title number 20 will come. But it’s a long season and there’s a lot of good teams in the league. Our main aim is to win that title again.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager was reluctant to criticize goalkeeper De Gea following his performance.

Ferguson said, “Well, it was bending a little bit … it’s difficult to say.”

De Gea said, when inquired whether he was experiencing troubles getting to grips with the English game: “No, football is football here and in any country. I have to adapt quickly and improve on the whole of my game. The two goals we conceded in the first half stopped us in our tracks but in the second half we were able to claw back and I think that’s the important thing. I’m very happy about the victory.”

Ferguson further said, “I certainly thought our performance throughout was very good in terms of the football. I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at half-time after it looked to me like we were controlling the game. But credit to the players, they kept their heads, played football and got the result we deserved.”

Two-goal hero Nani informed the Sky Sports, “This is United, we all believe until the last minute and the attitude of the lads in the second half was that everyone believed we could score. It is good to play against Man City and win like that. I think our fans today will be so proud of us, it is a beautiful day to enjoy.”

Naoki Matsuda Dies At 34

Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda, 34, died in hospital on Thursday, two days after collapsing during training from a suspected heart attack.

Matsuda, who won 40 caps for Japan and represented his country at the 2002 World cup, had been placed on an artificial respirator after being brought at hospital unconscious on Tuesday.

The president of his JFL (third division) side Matsumoto Yamaga, Hiroshi Otsuki, informed the Japanese media that the club had been told Matsuda has lost his fight by the player’s family.

Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, who gave Matsuda his international debut, said, “It’s terrible to see someone die at such a young age.”

“It’s a big shock. He was a great guy and I felt a close bond to him. My thoughts go to his family.”

The Frenchman, who led the Blue Samurai to the last 16 as co-hosts, further added, “He was a reliable and strong player and key for Japan’s World Cup side in 2002.”

“It’s bad news for Japanese football. We’d all hoped of course he would pull through. To see someone taken away doing something they love, so suddenly, at 34 is tragic. It’s awful news.”

Medical personnel rushed to Matsuda’s aid early on Tuesday after he collapsed with suspected heatstroke.  Yamaga afterward said the player has gone into cardio-respiratory arrest.

According to Kyodo news agency, the temperatures in Japan have caused an increase in heatstroke cases with 43 deaths in the two months in the last part of July.

Matsuda made 385 appearances for Yokohama F-Marinos, helping them win back-to-back J League titles in 2003 and 2004.

Team USA Dismisses Bob Bradley as Coach

Bob Bradley has been fired as soccer coach of Team USA in a shock announcement on Thursday.

Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer President, made the announcement saying, “We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years.”

Since January 2007, Bradley has coached the international team, during which time he built-up an exciting 43-25-12 record.

The 2009 Confederations Cup was perhaps his greatest success as international coach, when his team beat European and World Champions Spain 2-0 in the Semi-Finals, before finally being beaten by Brazil in the Final.

In spite of his accomplishments, frequent criticism of Bradley’s tactics and management abilities came out.

According to the U.S. Soccer President, taking the decision to dismiss Bradley was a hard one, and particularly when the choice involved somebody “we respect as much as Bob.”

Gulati expressed his gratitude to Bradley’s five-year service and dedication and “wished him best in his future endeavors.”

There is no name yet announced for Bradley’s replacement.