[retired_chelsieeeey32]

Cernat Arrives

It was an overcast humid summer day in Chicago. There was a mass of clammy huddled journalists eagerly waiting on the runway at O'Hare International. The next moment the heavens opened and rain began to fall and it gave the city a muggy tropical feel, reminding me of working on a film set in Hawaii. We're waiting for the arrival of the chairman's private Learjet with Florin Cernat. The media were a buzz since this aquisition would be huge for the league and American soccer. The kind of signing which makes people sit up and take notice, maybe more foriegn scouts will attend the games.

The plane burst through the cloud cover and screetched to a halt on the slick tarmac. Photographers and their cameras readied to capture this moment for posterity. As the pilot lowered the door bulbs flashed creating a blinding light. A figure appeared, using his hand as a visor to aid his vision, wearing a pinstriped Armani knockoff suit with dark glasses. He walked ginerly down the steps, with out the help of the team physician, to be greeted by the chairman. They walked arm in arm over to the podium, where I presented him with the club jersey #23. It wasn't clear if it was a ploy by the chairman or Florin's choice but the media got a right chuckle out of it. However, for an MLS club to capture a player in his prime that has played in the Champions League it is impressive since he could well become the MJ of the MLS.

Here are some of Florin's answers to the Media's questions, translated through the club's interpreter.

Why #23? I love Jordan. He's awesome

Why the MLS? I had little option, but since I left Dynamo the management at Chicago monitored my rehab process and encouraged me during the tough time. But I'm grateful to be in the land of the free and this is a great opportunity for me.

What happened in Kiev? Ah Kiev, my heart broke when I left Dynamo I love that club and city. They were wonderful for my career and I enjoyed my football very much there. It was hard to leave but when I damaged my spine the club doctors told me I have no future in professional football and that I must retire. I was very hurt, devestated and depressed with no idea what to do. But I was determined to work though the injury and comeback because I love the game.

Will Florin Cernat recapture the form that has seen him excel for club and country? Only time will tell but with him in the lineup Chicago have added one more piece to their title challenge this season. With the playoffs on the horizon will he be able to carry the Fire over the hump known as DC United? I don't know but the Fire have just gotten alot more dangerous with a worldclass player on their books.

[retired_hellokity111]

Smith-Bryan III breaks his media silence.

After the Crew's first win in longer than coach can remember, he announced a shock post-match press conference to some startled sports journalists.

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the fans over these past few months. The team has been struggling lately, and we've gone through some hard times. At the same time, I would like to tell them 'thanks for sticking with us'."

"I would also like to pass on to the press that Mr Hunt has sent me a memo informing me that he was extremely pleased following our 3-0 victory against MLS West leaders San Jose, and hoped there was more to come."

"I took the time to tell Mr Hunt, that there would be more to come, and whilst we've had a disappointing season, I feel our players will be far more experienced and come out of this struggle, better players and men."

"This is a message to the press: We've acquired DaMarcus Beasley. DaMarcus has quality all round and we feel that he's the type of player we want here at Columbus and our younger players can only learn from a player of his calibre. If everything goes to plan, I should also have another announcement regarding our playing staff in the near future..."

[retired_hellokity111]

[retired_hellokity111]

[retired_hellokity111]

United Win Champions Cup

United lifted the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the second time in their history defeating six time winners Club de Futbol America over two legs. United virtually wrapped up the win in the away leg after winning 5-3. The man of the match Piero Alva opened the scoring in the 2nd minute and United led until the 23rd when a long shot by Chuy Mendoza caught Rimando napping to tie the match. United responded positively, taking charge of the game and going ahead once again with the usually quıet Ben Olsen to finish the half with a 2-1 lead. Mendoza struck again from long distance 10 minutes into the second half to catch Rimando badly positioned once again. With United continuing the dominate the play, Christian Zepeda rounded off a good move on the 83rd minute to give America the lead. With America trying to preserve the lead, teenage phenom Tom Keevan scored the most important goals of his short career in quck succession swinging the score in United's favour with strikes on the 84th and 86th minutes. Only two minutes later, hardworking midfielder Ben Olsen doubled his scoring total for the night to give United the 5-3 win at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The second match between the sides failed to live up to the expectations set from the first leg. United fell behind to a Duilio Davino goal from the penalty spot after Eric Anderson handballed in the box 11 minutes into the match. America were reduced to 10 men on the 16th minute with Ricardo Martinez receiving two yellows in quick succession. United took advantage of this with Piero Alva ash he levelled the score on a quick counter attack on the 33rd minute. The rest of the match was uneventful as United won the Champions Cup 6-4 on aggregate.

Following the match, United manager had the following comments.

"We have worked on putting together a strong team and a family atmosphere for the last three and a half seasons and we finally reap the benefits of this work."

"I would like to congratulate all the players and the coacing staff and thank our Chairman and his hard work in improving our training facilities."

"I believe I have achieved all I can at D.C. United. I am now looking forward to a new challenge. I will be monitoring the available jobs throughout the MLS. You can bet that I won't be managing DC United next season."

[retired_hellokity111]

[retired_hellokity111]

[retired_hellokity111]

2007 Playoff Conference Semi-finals Announced






#1 DC United .................... #4 Columbus Crew


#2 Chicago Fire ..................... #3 MetroStars





#1 Colorado Rapids ................. #4 FC Dallas


#2 SJ Earthquakes ........ #3 Kansas City Wizards

[retired_kcnoodle@cox.ne]

LUNG IS IN THE PLAYOFF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS MLS CAREER

The 2007 MLS regular season has just finished, the Metrostars is going to the playoff for the first time in four years, and it is Lung's first playoff appearance in his MLS career. The key to this year's success is no doubt, the acquisition of Elson Evelio Becerra. He made great impact on the front line, and set the tone for the team. He fully deserves the highest paid on the team.

The Metros will face the Chicago Fire in the first round of the playoff. The will host the fire for the first leg. The Metros won the fire at home 2-0 on the second last game of the season. This gives the team some confident going into the first round matchup. They now believe they can win the fire. Though the fire is the favourite in this round, if the Metros can come up on top after the first leg, it will be very interesting to see how the fire will handle the Metros at the second leg. Bottom line is the Metros need to get at least a draw to stay a chance of advancing to the conference final.

Hope the Metros can put up a good performance.

[retired_kcnoodle@cox.ne]

Don, don, don, don-da-don, don-da-don, don, don, don, don-da-don, don-da-don!!!!!

The Rapids are ready continue their imperial ways of winning over hard fought rivalries in the western conference. After the Rapids had dropped to 3rd place coach Lindsay came out firing and pushed the Rapids back into first after defeated SJ with only 1 game left. And after tying the Metrostars, achieving the Western Conference League Title for the regular season. Now for the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

Coach Lindsay had this to say "It's a team effort. The biggest thing as to why we are successful is there are no egos, we work the ball well around the field and have Pezza and Zizi up top finishing. But you've got to give our defense credit. Defense wins ball games."

As the "Imperial March of the Rapids" is on for the Cup, the true question is can anyone figure out how to beat DC?