Sporting Kansas City

There are seven games left in the regular season for most teams and we here at STO have identified four MLS records that may fall before the season’s final whistle. As usual, the chase to break these MLS records hasn’t received much publicity, but here at STO we have our eyes firmly set on these marks so no true fans of the league will miss a moment of league history in the making.

• All-Time Saves

Kevin Hartman of the Kansas City Wizards is almost certain to eclipse Tony Meola’s all-time record of 1136 saves. The only question is whether he does it this year or next. Hartman needs just 22 more saves to break the mark, so he would need to average only a little more than three saves a game down the stretch to become the all-time save leader. With KCW struggling as of late, Hartman could see a ton of work in the last few games, so I would put the odds of the record falling this year at 2:1.

• All-Time Hat Tricks

In eight MLS seasons L.A. Galaxy forward Edson Buddle has had four hat tricks, including two this year. If he can notch one more three goal game, he will tie Stern John and Diego Serna for most hat tricks in league history and if he can drum up two more, he will be the outright all-time leader. Barring a transfer abroad, Buddle will likely end up owning the record, but his chances of sitting atop the list at the end of this year are slim. I’d put the odds of this record falling at 99:1.

• Single Season Assists

Guillermo Barros Schelotto has looked really good this season. It’s hard to imagine someone having more than the 18 assists he’s notched for the Columbus Crew this year. But, back in 2000, my all-time favorite MLS player, Carlos Valderrama of the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny, had an astonishing 26 assists. To eclipse that mark, Schelotto would need to average a little more than an assist a game the rest of the way. While he has been on a tear lately, CMB just announced Schelotto is injured and will miss at least this week’s match. Due to the injury, I doubt Schelotto will topple Valderrama’s record. I’d put the odds he can do it at 99:1.

• Single Season Goals Against Average

Just last season, Pat Onstad posted a seemingly unbeatable 0.82 goals against per game average. The Dynamo’s defense was so dominant and Onstad was so solid in goal it seemed improbable his GAA record would ever fall. Well, only one season later, Jon Busch of the Chicago Fire is currently in position to break Onstad’s record. Busch is currently perched at 0.78 goals against per game and needs to avoid multi-goal games in his last seven appearances to take the single season title. I’m betting he gets it done so I’m putting the odds at even money.

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, or T&T, is found on a small archipelago in the southern Caribbean. 96% of the population lives in Trinidad and the other 4% live in Tobago, which leads me to question why Tobago gets equal billing.

T&T is famous as the birthplace of calypso music and the steelpan drum. T&T is actually far more similar to the US than one might imagine. It’s a prosperous nation due to its oil-rich economy. It’s a democratic nation. The official language is English.

We do have several differences as well though. For instance, T&T still uses the “cat o’nine tails” to flog its prisoners. We outlawed that practice years ago. We both still like to execute a prisoner every now and then though. You know, for the kids.

The football team, known as the Soca Warriors, is actually pretty good. They qualified for their first ever World Cup in 2006 and when they took the pitch in Germany they were the smallest country ever (population-wise) to play in a World Cup. The 2006 team, which was coached by Dutchman Leo Beenhakker didn’t fare too well in Germany though as it tied Sweden and lost to England and Paraguay.

T&T is making a strong push to qualify again and barring a bad defeat to the US and a big win by Guatemala, T&T should make it to the next round. T&T is currently ranked #80 in the world by FIFA, though they were as high as #102 only two months ago.

T&T’s best player is Dwight Yorke, who has scored sixteen goals in 59 appearances for the national team. Yorke, along with Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones, play for Sunderland in England. Julius James of Toronto FC has gotten one call-up for the squad as well. It doesn’t look like Yorke, Edwards, Jones or James will be present Wednesday at Toyota Park though. Keon Daniel and Cornell Glen are two players who will be there and the U.S. will have to watch out for them on Wednesday night.

The Soca Warriors play a wide open style of soccer that produces goals, but leaves the defense vulnerable to counter-attacks. The US will need to use T&T’s style against them if they hope to sweep the qualifying round. Look for Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu to be two important cogs in the MNT machine.

The last time the Men’s Nats faced T&T during the Gold Cup in 2007, the US easily dispatched of the Soca Warriors 2-0 at the HDC. Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching, two guys who will be there tomorrow night, provided the US’s goals. Let’s hope Ching can do it again. I would hope the same for EJ, but methinks Bradley has forgotten he’s on the roster.

Bob, he’s the really fast guy on the end of the bench. The guy who can’t get it done against good competition but always slays little teams, like say, T&T.

Use him. Please.

The Houston Dynamo are starting to run away from the competition in the Western Conference. On a hot afternoon at Robertson Stadium, the Dynamo increased their lead to seven points ahead of Real Salt Lake with a 3-1 whipping of the Kansas City Wizards.

Nate Jaqua scored two second-half goals, Kei Kamara added the first two assists of his MLS career, and Brad Davis scored his third goal in the last seven games to help the Dynamo win for the fourth consecutive match at home.

And the Dynamo did all this without the services of three key players. Brian Ching (USA), Dwayne De Rosario, and Pat Onstad (both Canada) were all out of action while helping their respective national teams in World Cup qualifying matches.

Tony Caig filled in nicely in goal for the unflappable Onstad. Caig made one save and nearly shut out the Wizards for the second time this season. Caig improved to 3-1-3 while filling in for Onstad this season and allowed just a goal by Nederland, Texas native Davy Arnaud in the 87th minute.

Houston dominated the first half, but thanks to bad luck and great goalkeeping by Kansas City's Kevin Hartman, the score was just 1-0 at the break.

Stuart Holden got free and took a perfect cross from Waibel in the 10th minute. Holden's header was a bit high, but Hartman got a hand on it to keep the game scoreless in the early going.

Ten minutes later, Kamara broke free and fired a shot on goal from about 23 yards out, but again, Hartman was there to make a stop.

In the 24th minute, Brian Mullan got around the K.C. defense and saw Kamara with room inside the box and to the right of the Wizards goalkeeper. But midfielder Kerry Zavagnin slid into the pass, knocking the ball out of harm's way.

In the 28th minute, the Dynamo finally broke through. Kamara raced ahead of the defense to corral a long flick-on in the left corner, stopped, and slid a pass back to a trailing Davis, who blasted a left-footer just under the crossbar inside the near post to make it 1-0.

Davis is one of the league's hottest players at the moment and has recorded two goals and eight assists in his last seven MLS matches.

The goal was a beauty, but Kamara's work on the play cannot be discounted. Instead of forcing a shot, he held up the ball and set up an unmarked Davis and his midfielder delivered. For Kamara, it was his first career MLS assist in 54 matches.

Before the break, the Dynamo had two more chances to double their lead, but Davis bounced what could have been an easy goal off the turf and over the crossbar in the 41st minute.

Two minutes later, Kamara got control of a loose ball and fired a shot on goal from 17 yards out only to be denied yet again by Hartman.

Putting the heat and home-field advantage to good use, the Dynamo finally put the Wizards away with a dominating second-half performance even as Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson made their respective debuts for Kansas City.

Before leaving to a nice ovation in the 83rd minute, Jaqua cut the K.C. defense to pieces, getting open twice to break open what was a close match.

In the 54th minute, he found room just inside the box, took a square pass from Holden, and fired a shot underneath Hartman. Kamara made a nice play just to control a long pass on the right flank, and the Dynamo were rolling.

Just under 15 minutes later, Craig Waibel, getting the start with De Rosario gone, sent a beautiful long through ball to Jaqua, whose shot from inside the box flew just under the crossbar in the 68th minute, effectively ending any and all hope for the Wizards.

Arnaud provided a late consolation for the Wizards when he charged down a clearance attempt by Wade Barrett, fought off the Dynamo fullback to reach the deflection, and powered the ball home from close range.

Sure, the U.S. MNT doesn’t play Cuba until September 6, but like a kid a week from Christmas, I just can’t help speculating as to what Santa (er, Skeletor, er, I mean Skipper Bob Bradley) will deliver to me in the starting lineup. He’s checking his list (some say, twice) and soon we’ll find out who has been naughty (Dolo) and nice (Edu).

Hopefully, we’ll get no coal. Or Heath Pearce, the soccer equivalent of coal.

I’m sure we’ll get Pearce though. Bradley loves him for some unknown reason. I take back what I said about Pearce above being the equivalent of coal. He’s not that bad. He’s more like tube socks. Hey, it’s a functional gift and we’ll use it, but it’s definitely not what we wanted and eventually it will wear down and break leaving us exposed.

In the back, Bradley will no doubt gift us with Boca, Gooch and Pearce. With Dolo out due to his foolish red card @ GUA (so naughty), it is likely Frankie will start. I love the middle, but Pearce and Hejduk? I would employ Orozco and Wynne instead. Both had good Olympics (aside from Michael’s whole bow to the head of a Nigerian incident, very naughty), and both have a better chance of being on the pitch come 2010 than Heath or the aged Frankie.

In the middle, we can expect more of the same: Bradley, Lewis, Donovan and Pab…

Wait a minute? No Mastroeni? Was their a typo on the roster? Maybe an inadvertant omission?

Or maybe Bradley just finally realized Edu (so nice) is better than Pablo. I hope so, and I hope to see Edu for the full 90. I really wish Bradley would bench his son too (I’m a Grinch, I know) for his uninspired play and let Klejstan get some work, but methinks Bob would sooner play with 10 than play without his boy. I’d also prefer Beasley to Lewis, but Bob has quite the man crush on the newest member of the Gals and will no doubt present EL with the start.

I know what your thinking, “you wouldn’t deploy Donovan on the right?” Nope. He’s looked isolated out there. In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s no Messi or Ronaldo. We need him in the thick of it, not out on a wing. If Donovan on the right wing were a christmas gift it would be the really cool electronic gadgety thing (let’s call the i-Landycakes) that looks super cool in the commercials, but doesn’t work after you take it out of the box (ooooh, unintentional soccer pun, I love it!).

Up top, Bradley will probably go with Ching and Dempsey. Yawn. Just go ahead and wait to wake me up next Christmas if this is all that’s under the tree this year. These guys didn’t prove anything against GUA, so I am confused why they should get another chance against an even weaker opponent. I would put Donovan up top in an underneath role. Above him, I would hang our mistletoe (deadly to digest, but pretty to look at), Eddie Johnson.

Who?

Oh, Eddie Johnson, that’s right! Wasn’t he that really super fast guy who doesn’t have the greatest technical ability but can run past Cuban defenders all day without breaking a sweat. I remember him now, though I am still not sure Bradley knows who he is. He’s never looked at him on the bench, that’s for sure.

Why not at least try EJ and Donovan up top? Please Santa, er, Skeletor? I’ll be nice all year. Unless naughty is what you’re into, of course, in which case, I think I’ll just celebrate Hanukkah this year.

Couple of things about Major League Soccer that I just have to get off my chest

First, why was there a full slate of MLS games this weekend while word cup qualifying was going on? This weekend was a scheduled FIFA weekend, so countries I believe have the right to postpone their league games. You see this in Europe all the time.

So why does the MLS insist on playing games when teams are forced to play without 3, 4 or even 5 of their regular players who were away on international duty? The quality of play is not up to the usual standard and  and it turns off the fans who are forced to pay regular prices for tickets.

Do the right thing MLS. Give teams a bye during world cup qualifying. The teams and fans will thank you.

Can someone in the league office please explain to me why the Kansas City Wizards went over two months this season without a home game? I thought the scheduling shambles in Scotland this year with Rangers was bad, but this is just terrible. Not surprisingly the Wizards are last in the Western Conference. A forced losing streak like this not only hurts team morale, but it also impacts attendance as fans don’t want to go and see a losing team play.

What is up with the Internet strategy of the MLS? At last weeks NE Revolution game, the announcer kept telling people to go the the official Revolution web site at www.revolutionsoccer.net. Yes dot net. The strange part is that the Kraft’s own the address revolutionsoccer.com. Why not use it?

A dot net address indicates to consumers that you cannot afford a real URL address. The NE Patriots URL is www.patriots.com. Note the dot com. Why are the Revolution not using their dot com address?

On this same topic, why is the official Kansas City Wizards blog not hosted on their own URL? Instead it is a t http://www.hillcrestroad.blogspot.com. Tacky. Do you think the Kansas City Chiefs official blog is at www.gochiefs.blogspot.com?

Why are teams allowed to be still playing in stadiums with American football lines on them? The best MLS experiences are in places like Colorado, Toronto and Columbus where they play in an appropriately sized soccer specific stadiums. Playing games with two sets of lines on them is confusing to players, fans and those watching on TV. It should be mandated that any new MLS team must have its own soccer specific stadium before they can begin play. And any existing team that does not play in soccer specific stadium should have 3 years to get one built or the franchise will be moved.

Those are my rants about the MLS. What annoys you?

Well, just like after last week’s loss to Spain, I decided to wait some 48-72 odd hours before memorializing my feelings about the U.S. soccer team’s performance. While I am not quite as steamed as last week, I have to say I am still pretty darn disappointed.

Why?

Well, after signs of improvement last year, in the last three weeks the U.S. took on three of the world’s best teams, but managed merely one point. Why else?

Over the three game span (270+ minutes), the U.S. never once found the back of the net.

Also, while it’s great we tied the number one ranked squad in the world, the way we tied them was not pretty. In the first half, we were lucky Tim Howard didn’t get decapitated.

Messi, Cruz & Aguero had numerous first half chances, but the keeper rose to the occasion every time. Howard had to play a heck of game for the U.S. to escape with the tie.

Seven saves? It seemed like seventeen.

Sure, we looked better in the second half. It’s easier when Messi isn’t playing isn’t it? That’s like playing the U.S. without Donovan. Oh yeah, maybe that explains our drought…

Two of the bigger disappointments for me were Eddie Johnson and Pablo Mastroeni. EJ did what EJ always does in big games: waste our best opportunities, while Pablo did what Pablo always does in big games: get sent off.

Everyone else played pretty mediocre. Donovan created a little, and Dempsey played better than in the two previous matches, but overall the team looked pretty pedestrian.

Let’s hope they are injected with some vigor before Barbados next week. There’s no excuse for not scoring in that matchup.

Finally, I think you can tell alot about a team by how their coach reacts to a result. Alfio Basile, Argentina’s main man, lamented his team’s “stunted performance” and “mediocre” play.

Meanwhile, Bob Bradley thought his team was “improving,” “looking stronger” and “feeling very good about the result.”

One man is driving his #1 team to even newer heights, the other patting his players on the back after being shut out a third straight time.

Which team do you think will be ready for 2010?

The career of Eddie Johnson is quickly becoming an amazement to me.

His speedy rise to the US national team, and his recent move from the MLS to Fulham in the Premier League, is more than enough to cause one to sit up and take note.

But my amazement is not one of awe at his abilities or his performances. Instead my amazement is in the fact that he is continually selected for national team duty, and now has been brought in to play in one of the greatest football leagues in the world.

I will grant the fact that Mr. Johnson has played some good matches in the past. He has provided some moments of good play, and has scored some good goals. But in all the times I've watched him, I have not seen anything which warrants his continued presence on these high level teams.

As I said before, he has his moments of good play. But there are simply too many flaws and gaps in his game at present to keep him in the starting rotation.

Aside from his few moments of good play, which seem to be becoming fewer and fewer as his career progresses, Mr. Johnson seems to contribute very little to his side.

He often makes runs out to the wings, which is not necessarily a bad thing for a forward; but once he gets out there, he does very little with the ball, and rarely gets off a cross, much less a quality one.

He also has a tendency to disappear for large portions of a match contributing very little to the run of play, neither with ball nor with runs.

As I am a follower of Manchester United, my main concern is not his presence at Fulham. I am surprised that an English club has decided to put stock in him. But Fulham is not exactly playing some of the greatest football at the moment, so the level of play hasn't quite passed him by yet.

And seeing as Fulham stand poised to be relegated from the Premier League, perhaps it was a good move acquiring the American striker: he can most likely contribute regularly against Championship teams.

But should Fulham find itself promoted back to the EPL at the end of next season, I believe it would be time for the team to part ways with him. As it stands now he simply does not possess the level of play to be a regular contributor for a contending Premier League side.

The defenses of teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool would make mince meat of Mr. Johnson.

My real concern with Mr. Johnson is his continued selection as a starter for the United States national team.

I am totally on board with coach Bob Bradley, and have been impressed with the team he has been able to put forth in his time in charge. The team appears to be improving individually and collectively each time it goes out, and I am excited to see where his leadership will take us in the future.

But I am baffled as to why he continually plays Mr. Johnson in these major international matches. Perhaps Mr. Bradley sees something in Mr. Johnson's game, a shining light of potential just waiting to burst forth.

As for me, I don't see it.

The level of play in high-level international matches does not allow for strikers to disappear for large portions of the game. If the United States wishes to continue its growth as a soccer power globally, we will require much more from our strikers.

We need top-shelf attackers who can orchestrate and finish scoring opportunities on a regular basis. Otherwise, we will assuredly remain in the wings of the world football stage, never seriously contending for hardware outside of CONCACAF. 

Surely, among the 300 million citizens of our country, there is another player who can contribute more than Mr. Johnson is right now. I find it hard to believe that among the American players available for National Team duty, he is among the top three or four strikers.

I do not say all this merely to bash the name of a footballer. No doubt Mr. Johnson prepares himself adequately, and gives his all in pursuit of football glory. He simply does not seem to possess the level of talent which is required of international and EPL players. 

I do not find fault with him because he cannot perform consistently at this level, as that is a most daunting task. But football is not about sentimentality nor charity. 

In order to be the best in the world, managers must select the 11 who best give their side a chance at victory.  And in my opinion, for the United States national team, Eddie Johnson is not one of those 11.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe he will become a great star for Fulham, and do great things for the national team in its pursuit of a World Cup.

Maybe I will one day be writing a rebuttal to my own argument, rightfully eating my own words. But those days do not seem to be coming.

And at the very least, they don't seem to be coming soon enough to help the United States reach its goal of international football glory. 

Colorado Rapids

Key Acquisition(s)

Rafael Gomes, Christian Gomez, Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. 

Key Loss(es)

Nicolas Hernandez, Zach Thornton, Jose Cancela, Brandon Prideaux 

 Last season was a rough one offensively for the Rapids, they had a pretty good year at the back all things considered, it comes down to this if Gomes, and Gomez and Gomez,  can score goals, if they can the playoffs will follow, if not then another long season awaits.

Prediction

playoffs, 8th overall

FC Dallas

Key Acquisition(s)

Danny Davino, Andre Rocha, Josh Lambo 

Key Loss(es)

Carlos Ruiz, Chris Gbandi, Clarence Goodson, Denilson

Dallas, last year was a sturdy back-line away from the a semi finals birth. Now however they are going to be a more balanced side, but one that will be worse for wear. Kenny Cooper will be looked to, as they begin life without Carlos Ruiz. Watch out for Ray Burse to overtake Dario Sala later this season. 

Prediction

no playoffs, 9th overall  

San Jose Earthquake

Key Acquisition(s)

Joe Cannon, Ryan Cochrane, Ned Grabavoy, Gavin Glinton, Kei Kamara, Shea Salianas, Nick Garcia 

Key Loss(es)

N/A  

Frank Yallop returns to San Jose to man the Earthquake, the expansion franchise i think will play very well, but there lack of any sort of depth, with just a 14 man roster as it currently sits will keep them from being overly competitive.

Prediction

no playoffs 12th overall 

Kansas City Wizards

Key Acquisition(s) 

Claudio Lopez, Ivan Trujillo, Chance Myers, Roger Espinoza 

Key Loss(es)

Eddie Johnson, Nick Garcia, Jose Luis Burciaga Jr

With the loss of Eddie Johnson, If the Wizards are going to go back to the playoffs its going to be on the back of Claudio Lopez the former Racing, and America(MEX) player will have to be the taker of many of Eddie's goals, Seally and Conrad will have to contribute more, this will most likely be an adjustment year for KC.

Prediction

no playoffs, 13th place