Wednesday, May 20, 2009
EX-FIRE PICK CERVI JOINING CELTIC
Former Chicago Fire draft pick Dominic Cervi will be officially joining Celtic, according to a BBC article by Chris McLaughlin. The Fire drafted the 6-foot-6, University of Tulsa product at No. 12 in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, but he rejected the team's contract offer.
Monday, May 18, 2009
WEEK 9: EXAMINER.COM'S MLS RECAP
Major League Soccer was fit to be tied in Week 9. For the second time this season, five of the seven games resulted in a draw. In case you have not noticed, this league is setting a new precedent in tied matches. But it certainly has made for some entertaining soccer and interesting finishes, and this week was no exception.CLICK HERE for my rundown of MLS's Week 9 action.
~ Charlie Corr
MLS Examiner
Sunday, May 17, 2009
FC GOLD PRIDE 1, RED STARS 0
Chicago drops 2nd straight home match
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Both the Chicago Red Stars and FC Gold Pride were coming off of disappointing shutout losses last week in Women’s Professional Soccer play. The Bay Area turned the tide, but Chicago could not break through with a goal.
The Gold Pride topped the Red Stars, 1-0, on Saturday night at Toyota Park, and Chicago (2-2-2) dropped its second straight during a five-game home stand.
“It’s a quiet locker room in there right now, because they know they could have gotten more from the game,” Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said.
The Bay Area improved to 3-3-1, thanks to an early goal and a clean sheet in the second half.
“Defensively, we held strong against an excellent attacking team,” Gold Pride head coach Albertin Montoya said. “Chicago may be the best attacking team in the league, and I have a lot of respect for them.”
This game carried quite a bit of value for the Red Stars because they will lose defender Marian Dalmy and midfielders Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Lindsay Tarpley to the Women’s National Team next week. The WNT takes on Canada on May 25, and the Red Stars’ four stars will not be available for Chicago’s May 23 home match against St. Louis Athletica.
On Saturday, the Red Stars started to create some chances on the offensive end in the first half, and the buildup was evident with Cristiane heavily on the attack, and Rapinoe the main catalyst trying to get Cristiane the ball. Then, in the 30th minute, the Gold Pride grabbed the momentum in a heartbeat.
Christine Sinclair netted the only goal, unassisted. She was the beneficiary of a ball that was booted into the side from their right side and bounced away from Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson. The ball wound up at Sinclair’s feet and she practically dribbled it all the way into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“This was huge for us to get a goal in the first half,” Sinclair said. “We’ve struggled to get goals lately.”
In the net, Jonsson made four saves for the Red Stars while Nicole Barnhart had three saves for the Gold Pride. Barnhart made a clutch save in the 83rd minute on a Karen Carney strike. It was the best Red Stars scoring chance in the second half, but nothing mirrored their attack between the 20th and 30th minutes.
“It’s a little bit disappointing obviously,” Rapinoe said of the turn of events in the first half. “We played really well in that stretch in that moment there. But I think as a player, you can’t let yourself get deflated after they score a goal. We still had plenty of time left in the game. I thought we played well at times today and I thought that we had a lot of attacking chances.”
* * * * *
Next up: The Red Stars host St. Louis Athletica at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Toyota Park. Not television or Web cast are available for the match.
* * * * *
SlideTackles.net thoughts: The Red Stars needed a victory Saturday for many reasons: to rebound from their previous defeat against Sky Blue FC, to take advantage of their five-game home stand, and to capitalize on having a full roster before they are shorthanded against St. Louis.
Now they have to juggle a few things around to try and match up against St. Louis Athletica. Thankfully for the Red Stars, St. Louis will be without goalkeeper Hope Solo and defender Lori Chalupny, who are joining the WNT.
On Saturday the Red Stars did showcase some creativity with the ball, especially in the first half. Here are just a few moments within that buildup between the 20th and 30th minutes: Rapinoe was called offside in the 21st minute after making a quick run, otherwise she would have had the game’s first goal. In the 27th minute, Rapinoe made a fantastic touch with the outside of her right foot on a cross from the left wing, but it was just out of reach for Cristiane. Then in the 29th minute, Cristiane had a shot on goal after another good setup by Rapinoe.
“I think the first half, our attacking play was exciting. I think it was the best we’ve been this season,” Hayes said. “I think Cristiane proved her worth and her abilities.”
Thankfully Cristiane’s attacking skills are available next week. She and Carney will need to shoulder the load offensively when they are shorthanded against St. Louis.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Both the Chicago Red Stars and FC Gold Pride were coming off of disappointing shutout losses last week in Women’s Professional Soccer play. The Bay Area turned the tide, but Chicago could not break through with a goal.The Gold Pride topped the Red Stars, 1-0, on Saturday night at Toyota Park, and Chicago (2-2-2) dropped its second straight during a five-game home stand.
“It’s a quiet locker room in there right now, because they know they could have gotten more from the game,” Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said.
The Bay Area improved to 3-3-1, thanks to an early goal and a clean sheet in the second half.
“Defensively, we held strong against an excellent attacking team,” Gold Pride head coach Albertin Montoya said. “Chicago may be the best attacking team in the league, and I have a lot of respect for them.”
This game carried quite a bit of value for the Red Stars because they will lose defender Marian Dalmy and midfielders Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Lindsay Tarpley to the Women’s National Team next week. The WNT takes on Canada on May 25, and the Red Stars’ four stars will not be available for Chicago’s May 23 home match against St. Louis Athletica.
On Saturday, the Red Stars started to create some chances on the offensive end in the first half, and the buildup was evident with Cristiane heavily on the attack, and Rapinoe the main catalyst trying to get Cristiane the ball. Then, in the 30th minute, the Gold Pride grabbed the momentum in a heartbeat.
Christine Sinclair netted the only goal, unassisted. She was the beneficiary of a ball that was booted into the side from their right side and bounced away from Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson. The ball wound up at Sinclair’s feet and she practically dribbled it all the way into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“This was huge for us to get a goal in the first half,” Sinclair said. “We’ve struggled to get goals lately.”
In the net, Jonsson made four saves for the Red Stars while Nicole Barnhart had three saves for the Gold Pride. Barnhart made a clutch save in the 83rd minute on a Karen Carney strike. It was the best Red Stars scoring chance in the second half, but nothing mirrored their attack between the 20th and 30th minutes.
“It’s a little bit disappointing obviously,” Rapinoe said of the turn of events in the first half. “We played really well in that stretch in that moment there. But I think as a player, you can’t let yourself get deflated after they score a goal. We still had plenty of time left in the game. I thought we played well at times today and I thought that we had a lot of attacking chances.”
Next up: The Red Stars host St. Louis Athletica at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Toyota Park. Not television or Web cast are available for the match.
SlideTackles.net thoughts: The Red Stars needed a victory Saturday for many reasons: to rebound from their previous defeat against Sky Blue FC, to take advantage of their five-game home stand, and to capitalize on having a full roster before they are shorthanded against St. Louis.
Now they have to juggle a few things around to try and match up against St. Louis Athletica. Thankfully for the Red Stars, St. Louis will be without goalkeeper Hope Solo and defender Lori Chalupny, who are joining the WNT.
On Saturday the Red Stars did showcase some creativity with the ball, especially in the first half. Here are just a few moments within that buildup between the 20th and 30th minutes: Rapinoe was called offside in the 21st minute after making a quick run, otherwise she would have had the game’s first goal. In the 27th minute, Rapinoe made a fantastic touch with the outside of her right foot on a cross from the left wing, but it was just out of reach for Cristiane. Then in the 29th minute, Cristiane had a shot on goal after another good setup by Rapinoe.
“I think the first half, our attacking play was exciting. I think it was the best we’ve been this season,” Hayes said. “I think Cristiane proved her worth and her abilities.”
Thankfully Cristiane’s attacking skills are available next week. She and Carney will need to shoulder the load offensively when they are shorthanded against St. Louis.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
FIRE 2, TORONTO FC 0
Chicago moves into 1st-place tie with D.C. United
The Chicago Fire ended their string of five straight draws with their first road victory of the season, a 2-0 decision over Toronto FC on Saturday in Major League Soccer action at BMO Field. Chris Rolfe and Brian McBride (pictured) scored second-half goals as the Fire improved to 3-0-6 on the season and moved into a first-place tie with D.C. United in the Eastern Conference, with 15 points apiece.
After a first half that didn’t create too many scoring chances, things picked up in the second half for both Toronto (3-3-4) and the Fire. And Chicago turned a non-call on a hand ball into a huge positive.
Fire defender Logan Pause’s left arm made contact with the ball at the top of the box as Chicago cleared the Reds’ attack, and the Fire completely turned the tide when Cuauhtemoc Blanco set up Rolfe, who made a run past Toronto defender Marco Velez and then beat Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei to the ball for a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute. Rolfe was a halftime substitution for Patrick Nyarko.
McBride’s goal in the 81st minute sealed the deal. Rolfe dealt the initial strike on goal, which was saved by Velez. Mike Banner kept the attack going from the left side and made a quick cross to McBride, who scored his league-leading sixth goal of the season.
Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made three saves to post his second clean sheet of the season.
* * *
Next up: The Red Stars stay on the road to take on the New York Red Bulls for a 2 p.m. (CST) match on Sunday, May 24. The game is televised on My50.
* * *
SlideTackles.net thoughts: Everything changed for Chicago with the start of this three-game road trip. They finished their touches. And they caught quite a few breaks, which tended not to be the case in key situations on the Fire’s home stand.
Toronto’s Amado Guevara easily could have had a couple of goals, but Busch made a great save in the 60th minute and Guevara’s free kick hit the cross bar in the 71st. Chad Barrett had a good strike from the right side in the 76th minute, with Busch making the save. But the biggest break for Chicago was in the 66th minute on a Sam Cronin cross to Barrett.
Barrett was unmarked and his header went wide. He knew he blew a perfect opportunity when he covered his face. My50 Fire color commentator Chris Doran even said, “That was a freaking gift,” during the broadcast.
That Fire fortune wasn’t in the air for the past two MLS matches at Toyota Park. Turns out, it was on the road all this time, and now Chicago is tied atop the East.
The Chicago Fire ended their string of five straight draws with their first road victory of the season, a 2-0 decision over Toronto FC on Saturday in Major League Soccer action at BMO Field. Chris Rolfe and Brian McBride (pictured) scored second-half goals as the Fire improved to 3-0-6 on the season and moved into a first-place tie with D.C. United in the Eastern Conference, with 15 points apiece.After a first half that didn’t create too many scoring chances, things picked up in the second half for both Toronto (3-3-4) and the Fire. And Chicago turned a non-call on a hand ball into a huge positive.
Fire defender Logan Pause’s left arm made contact with the ball at the top of the box as Chicago cleared the Reds’ attack, and the Fire completely turned the tide when Cuauhtemoc Blanco set up Rolfe, who made a run past Toronto defender Marco Velez and then beat Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei to the ball for a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute. Rolfe was a halftime substitution for Patrick Nyarko.
McBride’s goal in the 81st minute sealed the deal. Rolfe dealt the initial strike on goal, which was saved by Velez. Mike Banner kept the attack going from the left side and made a quick cross to McBride, who scored his league-leading sixth goal of the season.
Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made three saves to post his second clean sheet of the season.
Next up: The Red Stars stay on the road to take on the New York Red Bulls for a 2 p.m. (CST) match on Sunday, May 24. The game is televised on My50.
SlideTackles.net thoughts: Everything changed for Chicago with the start of this three-game road trip. They finished their touches. And they caught quite a few breaks, which tended not to be the case in key situations on the Fire’s home stand.
Toronto’s Amado Guevara easily could have had a couple of goals, but Busch made a great save in the 60th minute and Guevara’s free kick hit the cross bar in the 71st. Chad Barrett had a good strike from the right side in the 76th minute, with Busch making the save. But the biggest break for Chicago was in the 66th minute on a Sam Cronin cross to Barrett.
Barrett was unmarked and his header went wide. He knew he blew a perfect opportunity when he covered his face. My50 Fire color commentator Chris Doran even said, “That was a freaking gift,” during the broadcast.
That Fire fortune wasn’t in the air for the past two MLS matches at Toyota Park. Turns out, it was on the road all this time, and now Chicago is tied atop the East.
FIRE ROUNDUP: BLANCO CALLED UP
Mexican National Team calls up midfielder for World Cup qualifiers
Chicago Fire star midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been called up by the Mexican National Team for World Cup qualifying matches. The two games are June 6 against El Salvador, in San Salvador, and on June 10 against Trinidad and Tobago, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
"The national team manager is giving me another opportunity, and as I've said before, if I were called up, I'd be there," Blanco said in a release.
Blanco appeared in World Cup qualifying matches for Mexico's past three World Cups, scoring nine goals.
The Fire front office confirmed late Friday night that Blanco should only miss Chicago's June 5 home match against the Houston Dynamo.
• Community soccer series: The Fire will launch their 2009 Chicago Fire Community Soccer Series on Thursday, May 21, at North Central College, 455 S. Brainard St., in Naperville from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The series features four free clinics throughout the summer throughout the Greater Chicago area. Clinics are open for ages 7 to 13 and are designed to instruct young athletes on the technical elements of soccer, while educating them on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Chicago Fire player development coaches instruct the clinics, and participants will be separated into groups by age, with sessions tailored for various skill levels.
The Fire's Baggio Husidic and Stefan Dimitrov will make a special appearance at North Central College. Details of the other three clinics will be announced at a later date.
Clinics are free, but space is limited to the first 200 registrants. Participants must register by contacting the Fire at (708) 496-6754.
Chicago Fire star midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been called up by the Mexican National Team for World Cup qualifying matches. The two games are June 6 against El Salvador, in San Salvador, and on June 10 against Trinidad and Tobago, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
"The national team manager is giving me another opportunity, and as I've said before, if I were called up, I'd be there," Blanco said in a release.Blanco appeared in World Cup qualifying matches for Mexico's past three World Cups, scoring nine goals.
The Fire front office confirmed late Friday night that Blanco should only miss Chicago's June 5 home match against the Houston Dynamo.
• Community soccer series: The Fire will launch their 2009 Chicago Fire Community Soccer Series on Thursday, May 21, at North Central College, 455 S. Brainard St., in Naperville from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The series features four free clinics throughout the summer throughout the Greater Chicago area. Clinics are open for ages 7 to 13 and are designed to instruct young athletes on the technical elements of soccer, while educating them on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Chicago Fire player development coaches instruct the clinics, and participants will be separated into groups by age, with sessions tailored for various skill levels.
The Fire's Baggio Husidic and Stefan Dimitrov will make a special appearance at North Central College. Details of the other three clinics will be announced at a later date.
Clinics are free, but space is limited to the first 200 registrants. Participants must register by contacting the Fire at (708) 496-6754.
Friday, May 15, 2009
WEEK 9: EXAMINER.COM MLS PREVIEW
This weekend will paint a better picture as to the strength of the teams currently atop MLS's Western and Eastern conferences, and some of the others giving chase. Read my Week 9 Major League Soccer preview at Examiner.com for the full slate of games this weekend.~Charlie Corr
MLS Examiner
PREVIEW: FC GOLD PRIDE AT RED STARS
Chicago tries to rebound from last week's shutout loss
The Chicago Red Stars (2-1-2) attempt to rebound from a difficult loss when they host the Bay Area’s FC Gold Pride (2-3-1) for the first time in Women’s Professional Soccer league action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park.
Chicago is coming off a 2-0 defeat against Sky Blue FC, while FC Gold Pride is coming off a 1-0 defeat against St. Louis Athletica, even though the Bay Area out-shot St. Louis, 12-6.
The Red Stars are set for the fourth game of a five-game home stand, having posted a 1-1-1 record. Chicago hopes to find its winning ways again and return to the form that led to a 4-0 victory against the Boston Breakers on April 25.
Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes thinks Saturday’s matchup against Leslie Osbourne and FC Gold Pride is a carbon copy of Chicago’s makeup.
“This is the first time I’ve watched tape of another team in the league and thought, ‘They look like us,’” Hayes said in a release. “They have talent on the attack and a very strong midfield. They’re a dangerous club.”
More Web casts: The Red Stars and Ollin Omnimedia reached an agreement to provide Spanish-language Web casts for four home matches. They begin on Saturday against FC Gold Pride. The game is not televised. The Web cast is available at www.ChicagoRedStars.com. The other Spanish-language Web casts are May 23, June 21 and July 1.
Dieke earns 50th cap: Red Stars defender Ifeoma Dieke was honored earlier this week before Scotland’s 3-1 victory against Northern Ireland at Forthbank Stadium. “It’s great; I can still remember my first cap where we got beat by Ukraine, 1-0, in the 90th minute,” Dieke said to scottishfa.co.uk, referring to her 2004 international debut. “Fortunately things have progressed a long way since then.”
The Chicago Red Stars (2-1-2) attempt to rebound from a difficult loss when they host the Bay Area’s FC Gold Pride (2-3-1) for the first time in Women’s Professional Soccer league action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park.Chicago is coming off a 2-0 defeat against Sky Blue FC, while FC Gold Pride is coming off a 1-0 defeat against St. Louis Athletica, even though the Bay Area out-shot St. Louis, 12-6.
The Red Stars are set for the fourth game of a five-game home stand, having posted a 1-1-1 record. Chicago hopes to find its winning ways again and return to the form that led to a 4-0 victory against the Boston Breakers on April 25.
Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes thinks Saturday’s matchup against Leslie Osbourne and FC Gold Pride is a carbon copy of Chicago’s makeup.
“This is the first time I’ve watched tape of another team in the league and thought, ‘They look like us,’” Hayes said in a release. “They have talent on the attack and a very strong midfield. They’re a dangerous club.”
More Web casts: The Red Stars and Ollin Omnimedia reached an agreement to provide Spanish-language Web casts for four home matches. They begin on Saturday against FC Gold Pride. The game is not televised. The Web cast is available at www.ChicagoRedStars.com. The other Spanish-language Web casts are May 23, June 21 and July 1.
Dieke earns 50th cap: Red Stars defender Ifeoma Dieke was honored earlier this week before Scotland’s 3-1 victory against Northern Ireland at Forthbank Stadium. “It’s great; I can still remember my first cap where we got beat by Ukraine, 1-0, in the 90th minute,” Dieke said to scottishfa.co.uk, referring to her 2004 international debut. “Fortunately things have progressed a long way since then.”
PREVIEW: FIRE AT TORONTO FC
Chicago starts three-game road trip vs. fellow East foe
The Chicago Fire (2-0-6) might appreciate a chance of venue - or something - to remedy their constant pattern of draws. Anything that will break up the monotony of late. But they face a stiff Eastern Conference test when they hit the road for the next three games and take on Toronto FC (3-2-4) at 3 p.m. Saturday at BMO Field (game televised on My50).
Chicago’s game plan is pretty clear-cut: Continue their relatively strong possession of the ball, finish a few more of their chances, and especially not allow a key defensive mishap. That has been the pattern, particularly in the past two games, which were 1-all draws against the Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution at Toyota Park.
Toronto is coming off a 3-all draw against D.C. United, but that would have been a victory if not for a Marvell Wynne hand ball in stoppage time. The Reds are the only team to beat Chivas USA this year and have not lost since April 19.
Toronto has a deeper and healthier roster to work with after food poisoning affected five players before the D.C. match. The Fire might not have defender Gonzalo Segares for a second straight game as he tries to heal his calf.
SlideTackles.net prediction: Is it out of line to simply chalk in another draw? That is the pattern. And the matchup Saturday looks incredibly balanced. This game carries plenty of weight to it as Toronto and Chicago battle among the top of the East.
The Reds want to make up for their hand ball mishap against D.C., and the Fire want to make up for their second straight blown lead. It’s difficult to fathom this not winding up in a draw, but Toronto does have the home-field advantage and a healthier status than the previous week. Toronto FC 2, Chicago Fire 1
The Chicago Fire (2-0-6) might appreciate a chance of venue - or something - to remedy their constant pattern of draws. Anything that will break up the monotony of late. But they face a stiff Eastern Conference test when they hit the road for the next three games and take on Toronto FC (3-2-4) at 3 p.m. Saturday at BMO Field (game televised on My50).Chicago’s game plan is pretty clear-cut: Continue their relatively strong possession of the ball, finish a few more of their chances, and especially not allow a key defensive mishap. That has been the pattern, particularly in the past two games, which were 1-all draws against the Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution at Toyota Park.
Toronto is coming off a 3-all draw against D.C. United, but that would have been a victory if not for a Marvell Wynne hand ball in stoppage time. The Reds are the only team to beat Chivas USA this year and have not lost since April 19.
Toronto has a deeper and healthier roster to work with after food poisoning affected five players before the D.C. match. The Fire might not have defender Gonzalo Segares for a second straight game as he tries to heal his calf.
SlideTackles.net prediction: Is it out of line to simply chalk in another draw? That is the pattern. And the matchup Saturday looks incredibly balanced. This game carries plenty of weight to it as Toronto and Chicago battle among the top of the East.
The Reds want to make up for their hand ball mishap against D.C., and the Fire want to make up for their second straight blown lead. It’s difficult to fathom this not winding up in a draw, but Toronto does have the home-field advantage and a healthier status than the previous week. Toronto FC 2, Chicago Fire 1
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