MLS WEEK 18: New-look Fire to test Galaxy
July, 31, 2010
7/31/10
11:52
AM PT
By Scott French | ESPNLosAngeles.com
The struggling Galaxy -- just one win and 11 goals conceded in their past five games, including U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League losses -- can expect a real battle Sunday against the Chicago Fire, who have readjusted their roster with two big-name Designated Player acquisitions.
Mexican star Nery Castillo didn't make the trip to L.A., but Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who was acquired Friday from Seattle, will make his Fire debut at Home Depot Center.
If he's motivated -- and he clearly wasn't with the Sounders -- Ljungberg could position Chicago as a true title contender.
“He’s a very good player. He’s an excellent player,” Fire technical director Frank Klopas told MLS's website. “He’s first of all a very competitive person; he’s got the kind of mentality that will fit in very well with our club. He’s a winner, he wants to win championships, and he’s a very good player.”
Klopas and head coach Carlos de los Cobos plan to employ Ljungberg, who has spent much of his career as a winger, in central midfield.
“I know a lot of times with his career at Arsenal he was out wide, but I see him as a guy in the middle … almost like a playmaker type,” Klopas said. “He’s a guy that always wants the ball, and I think he would fit in the middle -- at least for our team -- a lot better than out wide.”
Ljungberg reserved his comments on the deal for his blog.
“There has been a lot of speculation, but no more …,” Ljungberg wrote. “I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle, but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams, and for that I am forever grateful. I also want to thank my teammates, who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends, who I know I will be in contact with forever.”
The two-time World Cup selection, surely, will soon know that the Sounders were not the most successful new franchise MLS has known; that would be the 1998 Fire, which under Bob Bradley won the MLS Cup/U.S. Open Cup double.
Ljungberg also wrote that, in a meeting with Klopas and Fire owner Andrew Hauptman, “the vision they shared with me about taking Chicago to the next step and becoming a powerhouse in the MLS was extremely appealing to me.”
Castillo, who officially joined the Fire this week, said that fellow Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who spent 2 1/2 seasons (mid-2007 through 2009) as Chicago's DP, told him that Chicago “was a nice place to play. He was really happy with the organization over here in MLS and said that it was a beautiful city. Cuauh mentioned also that he had a good time when he was over here and that it was a great memory for him.”
This week's slate (all times PDT):
SATURDAY, JULY 31
New England Revolution (4-9-2, 14 points) at Philadelphia Union (4-7-2, 14 points), PPL Park (Chester, Pa.), 12:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Revs take a four-game win streak, all shutouts -- over the Galaxy and through SuperLiga's groups stage -- into their first meeting with Philly. They've got two new forwards (Serbian Ilija Stolica and Brazilian Roberto Linck), although neither will be in uniform for this. The Union, which has lost just once (to Manchester United) in the past five weeks, also has been making moves. The biggest: acquiring winger Justin Mapp from Chicago. The one that hits close to home: waiving former UCLA/Tesoro HS goalkeeper Brian Perk, a U.S. U-20 star who just played in the friendlies against Celtic and Man United.
FC Dallas (6-2-8, 26 points) at Colorado Rapids (6-5-5, 23 points), DSG Park (Commerce City, Colo.), 1 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The hot Hoops are unbeaten in their past seven games. The Rapids are winless since the World Cup break, but they've lost just two of six games in that span. The biggest link between them is defender Anthony Wallace, a 2007 first-round draft pick that FC Dallas sent this week to Colorado after, of all things, reserve goalkeeper Dario Sala's red card from the bench in last week's draw at Toronto FC. The Hoops had to open roster space to recall No. 3 goalkeeper Josh Lambo from loan to USSF D2's FC Tampa Bay to serve as Kevin Hartman's backup, so off Wallace went.
New York Red Bulls (8-6-2, 26 points) at Houston Dynamo (5-8-4, 19 points), Robertson Stadium (Houston), 5:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
French star Thierry Henry, impressive in last week's friendlies against Tottenham and Manchester City, will make his MLS debut for the Red Bulls, who have won just once (over Man City) in the past month. The Red Bulls, preparing for the arrival of Mexican star Rafael Marquez (he was released from his Barcelona contract Saturday), on Friday released well-traveled forward John Wolyniec, who spent part of 2006 with the Galaxy but had played primarily in New York since 2003. The Dynamo haven't won in in their past seven MLS games and in their past nine against MLS teams (with a loss in the U.S. Open Cup and draw in SuperLiga, both against Chivas USA), but beat both Mexican foes in the SuperLiga group stage. Their porous defense must compensate for central defender Bobby Boswell (red-card suspension) and goalkeeper Pat Onstad (abdominal strain).
Toronto FC (6-5-5, 23 points) at Kansas City Wizards (4-8-4, 16 points), CommunityAmerica Ballpark (Kansas City, Kan.), 5:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Wizards are still buzzing following their victory last week over mighty Manchester United (OK, mostly Man U reserves, but still!) that followed road results against Columbus (1-0 win) and Colorado (1-1 draw). Greek defender Nick Kounenakis is cleared to play, but gone are forward Sunil Chhetri (to join India's preparations for next year's Asian Cup) and Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig (released). Former UCLA forward Chad Barrett is in fine form for TFC, which is unbeaten at home but 1-5-1 on the road.
D.C. United (3-11-3, 12 points) at Real Salt Lake (9-4-4, 31 points), Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah), 6 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
D.C. is pinning its hopes on Montenegrin striker Branko Boskovic and Argentine forward Pablo Hernandez, its midseason acquisitions (and roommates, although they don't share a language), and news that four players among the many wounded (Marc Burch, Dejan Jakovic, Devon McTavish and former Servite HS star Chris Pontius) might be available this week is a big plus. RSL is going through a little slump, coming off a loss to FC Dallas and home draw with Chivas USA after a 10-game unbeaten streak. The return of captain Kyle Beckerman, who played against the Goats, bodes well for the Utahns.
Seattle Sounders FC (6-8-4, 22 points) at San Jose Earthquakes (6-4-5, 23 points), Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.), 7 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Sounders have sorted out their personnel problems, dealing Swedish star Freddie Ljungberg to Chicago and signing midfielder Alvaro Fernandez, who helped Uruguay to fourth place in the World Cup, to a Designated Player contract. San Jose needs to make a move with playmaker Andre Luiz lost for the season and fellow Brazilian Eduardo on the same path. The Quakes are unbeaten (but with just one win in five games) since returning from the World Cup break.
Columbus Crew (10-3-4, 34 points) at Chivas USA (4-9-3, 15 points), Home Depot Center (Carson), 7:30 p.m., FSN Prime Ticket
The Goats have lost just once in their past eight games -- against Puebla in their SuperLiga opener -- but have just one win in their last eight MLS matches. Former UCLA star Sal Zizzo hasn't officially been added to the roster, and captain Jonathan Bornstein is out because of a leg injury and goalkeeper Zach Thornton might not play because of a sprained ankle. The Crew has bounced back from their second mini-slump of the season (draw at Houston, loss to K.C.) with shutout wins over New York and Houston to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference to eight points. Columbus is 2-2-3 on the road and has no wins against Chivas USA at Home Depot since 2005.
SUNDAY, AUG. 1
Chicago Fire (4-5-5, 17 points) at L.A. Galaxy (12-2-4, 40 points), Home Depot Center (Carson), 4:30 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espaņol
The Galaxy's superstars are in the news, with Landon Donovan mulling interest from Europe (with Manchester City the big suitor) and David Beckham preparing to return to training (soon after next weekend's Real Madrid match, we're told). L.A. is struggling, with just one win in its past five games and two in its past six against MLS competition. It's coming off a 4-1 CONCACAF Champions League embarrassment against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and, after 11 shutouts in the first 15 competitive games, has surrendered 12 goals in the past six matches. Chicago won't have new Designated Player No. 1 Nery Castillo this week, but new Designated Player No. 2 Freddie Ljungberg will be ready to go.
Mexican star Nery Castillo didn't make the trip to L.A., but Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who was acquired Friday from Seattle, will make his Fire debut at Home Depot Center.
If he's motivated -- and he clearly wasn't with the Sounders -- Ljungberg could position Chicago as a true title contender.
“He’s a very good player. He’s an excellent player,” Fire technical director Frank Klopas told MLS's website. “He’s first of all a very competitive person; he’s got the kind of mentality that will fit in very well with our club. He’s a winner, he wants to win championships, and he’s a very good player.”
Jeff Golden/Getty Images
Freddie Ljungberg is hoping for a fresh start now that he has left Seattle for Chicago.
Freddie Ljungberg is hoping for a fresh start now that he has left Seattle for Chicago.
Klopas and head coach Carlos de los Cobos plan to employ Ljungberg, who has spent much of his career as a winger, in central midfield.
“I know a lot of times with his career at Arsenal he was out wide, but I see him as a guy in the middle … almost like a playmaker type,” Klopas said. “He’s a guy that always wants the ball, and I think he would fit in the middle -- at least for our team -- a lot better than out wide.”
Ljungberg reserved his comments on the deal for his blog.
“There has been a lot of speculation, but no more …,” Ljungberg wrote. “I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle, but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams, and for that I am forever grateful. I also want to thank my teammates, who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends, who I know I will be in contact with forever.”
The two-time World Cup selection, surely, will soon know that the Sounders were not the most successful new franchise MLS has known; that would be the 1998 Fire, which under Bob Bradley won the MLS Cup/U.S. Open Cup double.
Ljungberg also wrote that, in a meeting with Klopas and Fire owner Andrew Hauptman, “the vision they shared with me about taking Chicago to the next step and becoming a powerhouse in the MLS was extremely appealing to me.”
Castillo, who officially joined the Fire this week, said that fellow Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who spent 2 1/2 seasons (mid-2007 through 2009) as Chicago's DP, told him that Chicago “was a nice place to play. He was really happy with the organization over here in MLS and said that it was a beautiful city. Cuauh mentioned also that he had a good time when he was over here and that it was a great memory for him.”
This week's slate (all times PDT):
SATURDAY, JULY 31
New England Revolution (4-9-2, 14 points) at Philadelphia Union (4-7-2, 14 points), PPL Park (Chester, Pa.), 12:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Revs take a four-game win streak, all shutouts -- over the Galaxy and through SuperLiga's groups stage -- into their first meeting with Philly. They've got two new forwards (Serbian Ilija Stolica and Brazilian Roberto Linck), although neither will be in uniform for this. The Union, which has lost just once (to Manchester United) in the past five weeks, also has been making moves. The biggest: acquiring winger Justin Mapp from Chicago. The one that hits close to home: waiving former UCLA/Tesoro HS goalkeeper Brian Perk, a U.S. U-20 star who just played in the friendlies against Celtic and Man United.
FC Dallas (6-2-8, 26 points) at Colorado Rapids (6-5-5, 23 points), DSG Park (Commerce City, Colo.), 1 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The hot Hoops are unbeaten in their past seven games. The Rapids are winless since the World Cup break, but they've lost just two of six games in that span. The biggest link between them is defender Anthony Wallace, a 2007 first-round draft pick that FC Dallas sent this week to Colorado after, of all things, reserve goalkeeper Dario Sala's red card from the bench in last week's draw at Toronto FC. The Hoops had to open roster space to recall No. 3 goalkeeper Josh Lambo from loan to USSF D2's FC Tampa Bay to serve as Kevin Hartman's backup, so off Wallace went.
New York Red Bulls (8-6-2, 26 points) at Houston Dynamo (5-8-4, 19 points), Robertson Stadium (Houston), 5:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
French star Thierry Henry, impressive in last week's friendlies against Tottenham and Manchester City, will make his MLS debut for the Red Bulls, who have won just once (over Man City) in the past month. The Red Bulls, preparing for the arrival of Mexican star Rafael Marquez (he was released from his Barcelona contract Saturday), on Friday released well-traveled forward John Wolyniec, who spent part of 2006 with the Galaxy but had played primarily in New York since 2003. The Dynamo haven't won in in their past seven MLS games and in their past nine against MLS teams (with a loss in the U.S. Open Cup and draw in SuperLiga, both against Chivas USA), but beat both Mexican foes in the SuperLiga group stage. Their porous defense must compensate for central defender Bobby Boswell (red-card suspension) and goalkeeper Pat Onstad (abdominal strain).
Toronto FC (6-5-5, 23 points) at Kansas City Wizards (4-8-4, 16 points), CommunityAmerica Ballpark (Kansas City, Kan.), 5:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Wizards are still buzzing following their victory last week over mighty Manchester United (OK, mostly Man U reserves, but still!) that followed road results against Columbus (1-0 win) and Colorado (1-1 draw). Greek defender Nick Kounenakis is cleared to play, but gone are forward Sunil Chhetri (to join India's preparations for next year's Asian Cup) and Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig (released). Former UCLA forward Chad Barrett is in fine form for TFC, which is unbeaten at home but 1-5-1 on the road.
D.C. United (3-11-3, 12 points) at Real Salt Lake (9-4-4, 31 points), Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah), 6 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
D.C. is pinning its hopes on Montenegrin striker Branko Boskovic and Argentine forward Pablo Hernandez, its midseason acquisitions (and roommates, although they don't share a language), and news that four players among the many wounded (Marc Burch, Dejan Jakovic, Devon McTavish and former Servite HS star Chris Pontius) might be available this week is a big plus. RSL is going through a little slump, coming off a loss to FC Dallas and home draw with Chivas USA after a 10-game unbeaten streak. The return of captain Kyle Beckerman, who played against the Goats, bodes well for the Utahns.
Seattle Sounders FC (6-8-4, 22 points) at San Jose Earthquakes (6-4-5, 23 points), Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.), 7 p.m., MLS Direct Kick
The Sounders have sorted out their personnel problems, dealing Swedish star Freddie Ljungberg to Chicago and signing midfielder Alvaro Fernandez, who helped Uruguay to fourth place in the World Cup, to a Designated Player contract. San Jose needs to make a move with playmaker Andre Luiz lost for the season and fellow Brazilian Eduardo on the same path. The Quakes are unbeaten (but with just one win in five games) since returning from the World Cup break.
Columbus Crew (10-3-4, 34 points) at Chivas USA (4-9-3, 15 points), Home Depot Center (Carson), 7:30 p.m., FSN Prime Ticket
The Goats have lost just once in their past eight games -- against Puebla in their SuperLiga opener -- but have just one win in their last eight MLS matches. Former UCLA star Sal Zizzo hasn't officially been added to the roster, and captain Jonathan Bornstein is out because of a leg injury and goalkeeper Zach Thornton might not play because of a sprained ankle. The Crew has bounced back from their second mini-slump of the season (draw at Houston, loss to K.C.) with shutout wins over New York and Houston to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference to eight points. Columbus is 2-2-3 on the road and has no wins against Chivas USA at Home Depot since 2005.
SUNDAY, AUG. 1
Chicago Fire (4-5-5, 17 points) at L.A. Galaxy (12-2-4, 40 points), Home Depot Center (Carson), 4:30 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espaņol
The Galaxy's superstars are in the news, with Landon Donovan mulling interest from Europe (with Manchester City the big suitor) and David Beckham preparing to return to training (soon after next weekend's Real Madrid match, we're told). L.A. is struggling, with just one win in its past five games and two in its past six against MLS competition. It's coming off a 4-1 CONCACAF Champions League embarrassment against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and, after 11 shutouts in the first 15 competitive games, has surrendered 12 goals in the past six matches. Chicago won't have new Designated Player No. 1 Nery Castillo this week, but new Designated Player No. 2 Freddie Ljungberg will be ready to go.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott French
Orange County native Scott French has been writing about soccer for more than 30 years for dozens of publications and Web sites. He was senior editor at Soccer America and was managing editor of MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine from April 2007 until summer 2009. He has covered three World Cups for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Los Angeles Daily News, two Women's World Cups for Soccer America, the Olympic Games, European Championship, nine MLS Cups and all five professional women's championships.
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