retired_mallory08

Press Conference Cancelled : Double Training Order by Coach Clark

As stated in the title, KK'as gaffer Al Clark has seemingly reacted to his side's woeful form of late by cancelling the scheduled rest day for extra training. No wonder...a 3-1-4 record in the last 8 league games, coupled with a defeat in the cup have Kentucky reeling. Clark needs to steady the ship before the playoffs.

The Kaiser's were clearly the top team in MLS all season, until the 20 game mark. 8 points ahead of their nearest rival 2ith 12 games to go, the Supporter's Shield looked in the bag.

Injuries to key personnel - Biglia, Reyna, Gabrinho, Kai and others - has seen a weak side beaten 5 times in the the last 7 games. Disgraceful form. Injuries are no excuse, coach Clark has long boasted the strength in depth that tehe KK have - it's time for those on the fringes to qualify the faith placed in them. At one point, Kentucky were down by 9 roster spots. Biglia's broken leg was clearly the biggest blow, not just in the short term as he was ruled out for the season barely half way through, but also because it's hurt all his stats and one wonders if he's still going to be the top prospect we all knew he would be?

Indifferent form from some key veterans, none more so than Kevin Hartman in goal, has left the team insecure at the back. Albright, Conrad and Vanney have played poorly of late. INfact, only Onyewu has lived up to scratch in the last month. A keeper may be high on the wishlist of the coach should another early exist from the playoffs become a reality.

There are some encouraging signs; Francismar has played well (7.40, 2A) since he arrived at the transfer window, Kai is joint #1 in league scoring with 16 goals, and Leozinho and DMB are #1, #2 in league average. Leo continues to set a different standard in MLS, his 10 MVP votes are double the next best player. He's also T-1 in assists with DMB, with 12.

In more positive news, Claudio Reyna repaid Clark and the Kaiser's fans by resigning with the team after looking like he might be out the door. His refusal to discuss a contract was overcome and he agreed a workable $110k a year, well down on his $300k. This reflects his age (pushing 35) and his part time starting role. Retaining his experience was invaluable. Clark will likely now use the money to tender Ricardo Clark an improved contract. His namesake has been whining about his $60k a year wages, and although he has years to go, a pay rise has been earned and might just pay dividends with a happy player heading into the post-season.

So, with 3 games to go, Kentucky has only a 2 point lead in the race for the Supporter's Shield. If they are to retain their #1 seed for a third straight year, they'll have to hold off the resurgent Texas Longhorns who are only a win behind on 52 points. With the qualifiers in the Wes/South long since decided, the only question remains how the seeds will play out.

This reporter is hoping Kentucky can stay the course and find another gear before the playoffs start. This looked like Kentucky's year all season....if Coach Clark chokes again in the playoffs, especially if it were to current #3 seed and bitter rival Marquette, the needy Kentucky board could be forced to look elsewhere. Rumor has it that Al Clark II has been lined up in the event of playoff failure. What would constitute failure? Well, for the glory-hungry Kaiser ownership group, that's nothing less than taking home MLS Cup itself.

retired_spaulsen

FC United of Boston's new manager finishes strong

After unveling the inexperienced and relatively unknown manager Nathan Gower, many fans were confused. After finishing the season's final three games with the team, the criticisms were hushed. After taking the poor formed, low scoring team to three straight wins, scoring twelve goals in the process, the fans can only hope he continues next season.

One fan was quoted as saying, "He did a great joob boosting their confidence and getting them to play to their potential, the only question is to see if he can do that next season. Three games isn't a season and it will be interesting to see what he does in the offseason."

Many speculate he will offload some veterans, Zach Thorton and Dennis Bergkamp being the biggest names being brought up, and replace them with high-potential draft picks. FC United have the 3rd pick and are looking for some defensive options.

A source that remains to be identified says he has heard of a trade-down being in the works, but the authenticity of this source has yet to have been confirmed. Clint Dempsey said in a recent interview, "He has really made us all fell a little better about ourselves and I don't believe he want's to trade down. I don't think it would be smart to get a veteran that could ruin our chemistry, but I don't really know him well enough to judge what he could do."

That same source also hinted at a possible sponsor change, but we can't confirm or deny that yet.

A dissapointing season that ended on a high leaves many questions of the 2008 MLS season, but thismay be the beginning of something beautiful in Boston.

retired_spaulsen

The Hills are alive with the sounds of Samba

With our leading scorer sidelined for the playoffs, someone had to step up. Ze Eduardo recently nicknamed "Swiss Chocolate" due to his pending departure to Grasshopper Zurich is going out with a bang. His second half hat trick in the first leg STUNNED the Kaisers and left them reeling going into the second leg. Kudos also to Tim Howard, who has bounced back from injury in all star... dare I say... world class form including a HUGE penalty stop, to stem the Kaisers with an early 2-0 lead. He has to be on Arena's shortlist for the upcoming Gold Cup. But the true hero on leg 1... veteran Paolo Maldini... Against the team doctor's advice an exhausted... battered Maldini... stepped onto the field and gave 90 solid minutes as the defensive anchor...

Game two, Nerdington came in simply to Catenaccio the free flowing Kentucky attack... But first there were the mind games... Coach Al had plenty to say after the first game about the new Nerdington skipper... Nerdington took those quotes and taped them to the wall of their locker room and used them a a rallying force a common ground for a squad that had not been together too often during the year due to injury. Ze Eduardo added. "Não você conversa do desafio sobre nosso ônibus! " (Don't you dare talk about our coach, or maybe he said Don't you dare talk about our bus... but you get the idea. )

In game 2, Kentucky tried to match the physical style of Nerdington, viciously injuring Kyle Martino on an ugly tackle in the fourth minute. It would be no surprise if the league office wanted to review the tape of that tackle. Nerdington was forced to make an early sub and lineup shift, but the chain... the "Catenaccio" remained unbroken... until.. Lozihno, in a moment of individual brilliance scored a cracker from 25 m out to bring the Kaisers within 1 goal of a penalty kick shoot out.

Lozihno had been freed up in a seeming free role in a new diamond shaped midfield employed by Kentucky... Nerdington, made a keen tactical adujstment... and once again the game started flowing downhill towards the Kentucky goal...

Two Nerdington goals served as twin daggers to the left aorta and right ventricle of the heartbroken Kentucky manager, who say his once dream season fall into tatters under a cruel Kentucky sky.

One has got to wonder if tempermental superstars like Damarcus Beasley are going to look Europeward after this playoff disappointment. And if the KEntucky coach will be able to find the help he needs in the upcoming combine.

Meanwhile, the Jack Daniels (it was Kentucky) was flowing freely in the Nerdington locker room. People questioned why a playoff bound team would make a change so late in the season in order to play "more attractive soccer" and there were some serious doubts after the NA Cup semi-final disappointment and the 6 goal debacle in Texas.

But no more questions now fans are asking... has a fourth seed ever made it to the championship?? But the new staff is not looking past their next opponent, Texas, who has to be pretty confident perhaps overconfident having just thrown up a touchdown on Nerdington in their previous meeting.

retired_mallory08

Furious Clark Wields Axe

"A ****ing disgrace. No two ways about it."

What was Clark referring to? Take your pick...was it the 10 defeats in the final 15 games of the season, the back to back defeats to crash out of the playoffs, or the seeming lack of interest from his players? All of them.

"No professional team should accept performances like that. Sure we had a couple of injuries, but those who came in let both themselves and the team down. Worse than that, some of the veterans lost their heads and gave up on this season."

Ironically, the Kaiser's won the Supporter's Shield in 2007, thanks to a brilliant start and the poor form of some of their key rivals. "The SS is no compensation whatsoever for the way we finished this season. We might as well have missed the playoffs for the way we played."

As it happens, the home and home series against Nerdington wasn't what you might think. THe Kaiser's totally dominated both games, not just in possession, but peppered Tim Howards goal for 180 minutes. MLS top scorer Kai lost his way, and if it had not been for Leozinho - who tried, in vain, to carry the team on his back - Kentucky may never have scored. "Having more than 20 shots in a game and not coming away with a win is in explicable". Worse, the Kaiser's were 2-0 in the 1st leg, in Nerdington. A missed penalty and then three quick fire goals against after the half time interval saw Kentucky throw away the series and their chance at MLS Cup.

"No Continental competition for us. Again. We've had the best record, I think, over the last 3 seasons, have topped our conference each time and yet have flamed out in the playoffs without even an MLS Cup Final appearance. I'm sick of it."

Clark challenged a couple of the veterans to arrest the alarming slide - Kevin Hartman, the starting keeper for the past three years was singled out by both the manager and fans as having been AWOL the past two months. "He was gutless, a weak. I sacked him straight after the game. He was a discgrace to the shirt."

The lack of guaranteed contracts in MLS saw Clark cut away some other players he felt had let him down. Out : Jon Busch, Mark Martin, Greg Vanney and Jovan Kirovski. He also transfer listed whining Samba Star Gabrinho who had been asking for more money since the day he walked through the door.

This leaves the Kaiser's in the interesting position of having no recognised goalies on the squad.

Greg Vanney, whom Clark had nurtured back into a starting role at DL, really bombed at the end of the season. "He's experienced enough to know he let us down. It cost him his job with Kentucky. I hope he gets another shot, but he burned his bridges here. Kirovski was unsettled and never did anything to show me he was worth another season. He had ample opportunity after Soho, Cameron and Luca all got injured. In that time he failed to hit the net in 5+ games. Mark Martin? Who? That nomark had the cheek to demand 1st team action. He's a bordlerline USL D2 prospect. Good luck to him ever scoring another professional contract. What an idiot. He had no appreciate of his level of talent, or lack there of. Jon Busch was another whiner. He's hardly been a starter his whole life, and yet, when I gave him a chance he didn't take it. He wanted more money and more minutes and had neither the talent nor the performances to warrant it. He had to go as well as he was out of contract at the end of Decemeber."

So, Clark is angry. "I've never been moe ****ed off with this game in my life than after what I just witnessed. The collapse at the end of the season and then the joke of a semi-final has pushed me to the brink of resignation. But, I decided, it wasn't my short comings here that were the issue, the players are the ones on the field and I'm glad the board sees it that way too. We're going to have to rebuild, starting with the goalkeeping position, but we still have an excellent core of players. Both Kai and Leozinho have petitioned for a green card, we don't know if they'll get one yet or not. If not in 2008, maybe in 2009. Either way, they're the future of the franchise. Francismar really dropped off and Soho never really lit it up in 2007 like we hoped. I expect more from both of them in 2008."

So, with the squad sitting at 21 players, Clark has room to grow. The recent resigning of Reyna and Clark to new deals has eaten a lot of cap space, but the exist of the 5 players has freed up more than $300k in space. "If we get a couple of youngsters who are cap-exempt that will give us enough wiggle room to bring in a couple of other veterans and upcoming talents to bolster the squad. I really thought we had the perfect mix in Kentucky in 2007. I'm sorry I was wrong, but we'll be back and challenging again in 2008."

Eddie Pope, the former USMNT stalwart was signed after being released from Toronto. "He came cheap - just $40k a year. He's a perfect signing. Experience and he's still got something to bring to the table. At 34, he's looking at a back up role, but who knows, once Gabrinho has been sold there will be a starting berth available for Pope, Simek and Conrad to fight for. Maybe I'll end up platooning a couple of them, but options are nice to have."

With Vanney's release, there's also a starting spot at DL available. "We signed Danny Karbassiyoon this year with 2008 in mind. He's been pencilled in as 2008 starter since the day he arrived. That said, we don't know if he can cut it yet, and JC gives us an option at DL if we need it."

Clark has done well to retain some of his key players as they hit senior roster eligibility. Over a 12 month period, the Kaiser's had to absorb DMB ($280k), Onyewu ($280k) and Ricardo Clark's new deal ($180k) into the cap. "It wasn't easy, but those guys are the foundation of the team. We found a way to make them fit."

So a transition year for KK? "No Way. We'll be challenging. We've got enough talent to mount a series title shot already. We could put me in goal and we'd still be contenders. But one of these days we're going to need to come good on that talent, else we're going to br branded also-rans forever."

retired_spaulsen

TEXAS TWO-STEP!!!

Season Wrap-Up

For the Texas Longhorns, a memorable finish to the campaign began with the absolute annihilation of the Toronto Syclones and their manager Ricky Lung in the NA Cup. Texas retained the trophy in style for the second straight year. The victory was part of an impressive late season run by the Longhorns, which even gave them a darkhorse chance at winning the Supporters' Shield, thought to be impossible a mere month before. Unfortunately, Texas needed to beat Toronto (of all teams) on the final matchday to pull if off. The Syclones, having evidently not forgotten the NA Cup disaster, inflicted on Texas its first defeat in weeks and handed the Shield to the Kentucky Kaisers.

The playoffs opened with Texas taking on Muskegon Mismatch and Frank Serafinski. Texas bulldozed Muskegon to a 5-0 victory in the first leg, then fielded many reserve players in the second game. This strategy proved very risky, as Muskegon fought to make things a little tighter than Texas would have liked, but in the end the Longhorns were through to the Western/Southern Conference Final. The opponent was the Nerdington Express, fresh off of taking out Shield winners Kentucky. It was simply not to be for Nerdington, whom Texas controlled during the match without too much difficulty.

"TEXAS....FIGHT!! TEXAS....FIGHT!! OU....SUCKS!!" While Texas fans could not resist taking a swipe at the rival Sooners, the Longhorns were not actually playing the University of Oklahoma. Instead, the MLS Cup final pitted Texas against the Rochester Kings, traditionally a tricky opponent for the Longhorns. Texas immediately took it to the Kings in the early minutes, though no goal came from it. Texas ran the action, but Rochester was proving to be very dangerous on the counter and it was they who perhaps had the best initial opportunity, with Jason Thompson failing to convert from close range. Texas forward Will John followed it up with his own incredible miss just minutes later. Texas continued to press and broke through in the 26th minute. Juan Pablo Garcia cut in from the left flank and moved the ball to Bruno Ferraz, who one touched it to Texas captain Danny Powers. Powers drew out the defender and found it easy to thread the ball into the box to an open Stephen Ademolu, who made no mistake with his clinical finish and beat Brad Friedel to give Texas the lead. Minutes later, the Horns were at it again. Rightback Indio intercepted a Rochester move, leading to a one-two between John O'Brien and Bruno Ferraz, before Juan Pablo Garcia received and proceeded to smash the ball home from 30 yards. 2-0 Texas after 33 minutes. Rochester were far from finished though and nearly pulled one back in the 39th. Nate Jaqua will have to be disappointed with his huge miss and should have done better. He nearly did in the 42nd when his header forced a point blank save from Texas netminder Quentin Westberg. The first half ended negatively for Texas due to the injury of Powers, who could not continue.

In a halftime interview, Vancouver supremo Roger Saint-Vil, as qualified an expert as anyone in MLS, commented that Rochester were struggling to get to loose balls due to the Longhorns' overall team quickness. Still, even the most casual fan knew Rochester boss Tristan Oberle was set to send all his troops charging forward to get back into the game. Orangeblood fans could only hope that their team had watched and learned from the King's unlikely comeback the previous week against Alaska. It was evident early on in the second half that Rochester had indeed turned up the heat. Sasha Victorine shot wide from an optimal position in the 60th minute. Texas remained composed and forced Rochester to stay honest at the back. It was Jason Thompson again in the 69th minute with the next chance, but the forward failed once more. After the miss, Texas immediately countered and punished Rochester. JP Garcia busted out with an impressive run, then delightfully fed Will John, and the young attacker finished with a precise long range volley past Friedel to make it 3-0. Never giving up, the Kings and Jason Thompson thought they had finally tallied when Thompson slotted past Westberg in the 77th minute. The goal was not allowed because of an offsides call, towards which Rochester fans were furious. Close inspection of the replay later on revealed that the correct call had been made. In added time, Jaqua received on the left from Wade Barrett and blasted home near post from long distance, giving Rochester a deserved consolation. Moments later though, it was Texas being crowned champions of MLS.

Postgame celebrations included the traditional lighting of the Tower, students (even those who had never attended a game) using the victory as an excuse to get drunk on 6th Street, and a visit to the White House.





It was not all positive though. Rumours in the press suggest that the Texas board are unsatisfied with manager Ryan Thompson III. It is believed that they will be looking to relieve Thompson if he gives them any reason at all, with Ryan Thompson IV being mentioned as a leading candidate to take over in such a scenario.

retired_hellokity111

Lions fall short of a repeat

Vancouver saw their dreams of a repeat fall short in the hands of Rochester Kings getting knocked out at the Conferece Semis for the second time in three years. "I am glad we got this far" said Roger Saint-Vil adding "We didn't look like a solid team this season and the team could not cope with the extra matches we had to play in the continental competitions."

It was champagne and caviar for the Lions last year, as a good mix of youth and experience put together a memorable performance to win the cup. The contraversial decision to move Alpay as well as season ending injuries to key players hurt Vancouver immensely towards the end of the season. Taylor Twellman has now ended two out of three seasons on the injured list, only playing in 5 matches all season while Julian De Guzman, last year's MLS Cup MVP suffered a broken leg to close the season.

With Okocha advancing in age and likely to leave in the offseason, Vancouver will be looking for quality replacements. In addition, injury plagued Kalle Ljungberg could also be shown the door in order to improve the defense.

The good news for the Lions is the performance of recent signings Chris Barrett, Steve Perez, Brad Jones and Tim Bradley. These youngsters have exhibited much growth over the last season and especially Barrett will be making a very strong claim to make midfield position his own. Greg Robinson is also set to join from Alaksa after being traded to Vancouver days after the conlcusion of the draft. He looks to be an exciting prospect that will add to the squad depth.

There is also speculation that Vancouver are set to sign a Brazilian midfielder before the next season. While details have not been provided, he is expected to fill the Senior International slot which will be vacated by Jay-Jay Okocha.

retired_hellokity111

For full stats see the latest edition of MLS Gazette.

MLS Gazette - Tables, Rosters and Stats

retired_kcnoodle@cox.ne

A DISAPPOINTING FINISH

Playing in their second NA Cup final in team history, the result was different than the first time. Rimando and Provan were still out at kick-off, the Syclones put Dave Kindel, a goalie from their academy program, in from of the net. He provided no surprise as the Texas Longhorns dominated the game and en route to a 6-1 blowout.

The next two games saw the Syclones played the United and division rival New Liskeard. They lost both games and gave up a total of four penalties. Lucky enough, Aaron Provan returned to form in the finale of the regular season against the Longhorns. The team certainly didn’t forget the disaster in the NA Cup. Provan came up big during the whole game, and Toronto capitalized in one of their few chances and came away with a 1-0 win, a much needed victory going into the playoff.

The Syclones faced the first seed Arctic Wolves in the first round of the playoff. Playing at home for the first leg, they thought it will be a guarantee, but the Wolves hit them on the break in the closing minutes and handed the Syclones’ first lost at home since May 5. Many thought the Syclones were done given their poor performances on the road, yet the are able to grab a 2-0 mid way through the second leg thanks to a goal from Occean and a kick at the spot by Donovan. The Wolves then charging forward in the second half, and gave Toronto a tremendous amount of pressure. “I think I made a wrong decision of sitting back during the second half, I should have pushed the front line a bit forward and look for more opportunities on the breakaway.” said Coach Lung. Toronto cannot withstand the pressure and gave back 2 goals and lost 3-2 on aggregate.

The Syclones have improved again from a year before. They are looking to regroup and come back strong again next season.

retired_mallory08

retired_mallory08

Texas Longhorns in US Open Cup 2007

Texas continued a fine vein of form by adding the Dewar Trophy to their expanding trophycabinet. Playing against an outmatched Toronto side, the tie never looked in doubt.

A Mikael Dahlberg hattrick in a 6-1 blow out victory underlined Thompson III's credentials in MLS.

So the first domestic trophy of the year headed down to Texas, as the Longhorn's successfully defended their NA Cup Title.

Well done Ryan!

Official Result:

Texas Longhorns 6 : Toronto Syclones 1
HT: 5:0
Cory Gibbs (10) - Texas
Juan Pablo Garcia (18) - Texas
Bruno (pen 26) - Texas
Mikael Dahlberg (27, 36, 72) - Texas
Jack Jewsbury (90) - Toronto

Man of Match: Mikael Dahlberg - Texas
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro (MA)
Attendance: 67,971


2007 US Open Cup Champions : Texas Longhorns [Ryan]