GOAL! » May 20, 2009
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
May 20, 2009
STORY LINES
1. More Union news in Philly » Last week Major League Soccer’s newest expansion franchise unveiled its name: Philadelphia Union. Next on tap should be the naming of its head coach. Chicago Red Stars CEO Peter Wilt fueled speculation via Twitter last week by saying, “I like the Union’s head coach selection. Good job Nick,” referring to Philadelphia CEO Nick Sakiewicz. But no details have been revealed except that the individual will be high-profile and experienced. Leading candidates include current U.S. assistant Peter Nowak, New England assistant Paul Mariner, Houston assistant John Spencer, New York assistant Richie Williams, and Kansas City general manager Peter Vermes. Omid Namazi, head coach of the indoor New Jersey Ironmen, is thought by some to be a likely choice for Union assistant coach.
2. That would make 19 teams » Six months ago, MLS rejected a partnership by Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo and Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett for an expansion team in the heart of French-speaking Canada. Saputo turned that news on its head last week, telling reporters that an MLS bid was alive and headed in the right direction. Canadian reports say Montreal could be awarded a franchise by the end of the month and begin play in 2011. Montreal would be the third MLS team north of the border and its 19th overall (Vancouver and Portland are also slated for 2011). Reminder: MLS had just 10 teams as recently as 2002.
3. Net holes » D.C. United’s well-chronicled goalkeeper rotation isn’t nearly the most dire situation in MLS. Real Salt Lake lost backup Chris Seitz (shoulder) two weeks after starter Nick Rimando went down, meaning third-string Kyle Reynish should start at United this weekend. Seattle, with just two keepers on its roster, already claimed “extreme hardship” and has MLS pool goalkeeper Ben Dragavon helping out. In Columbus, backup Andy Gruenebaum has started four straight in place of William Hesmer, who re-injured himself last week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Wolff, Kansas City Wizards
A week after his game-tying near post goal against D.C. United, the 32-year-old forward added to his resurgent season with both scores in Kansas City’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake, the first-ever regular-season loss for RSL at venerable Rio Tinto Stadium and the Wizards’ first victory in four matches. With six goals in nine games this season, Wolff is tied for the league’s scoring lead and is already more than halfway to matching his career-best of 10 goals, a benchmark he’s reached three times (2005, 2004, 1998) in his 11 seasons in Major League Soccer.
KEY GAME
New England at Toronto FC, Saturday, 4 p.m. » The pressure is mounting on these two teams to stay with the Eastern Conference frontrunners. The Revolution haven’t won since April 4 — a stretch of five games — and they’ve never won at Toronto, drawing in two previous visits to BMO Field, which is supposed to be the toughest place to play in MLS. But Toronto has won just two of six games at home this season.
HE SAID WHAT?
“I think if Tony has an IQ of over 40, I think he probably exactly understands the mistake he made.”
– Los Angeles head coach Bruce Arena on Galaxy defender Tony Sanneh’s botched pass at the top of the box, resulting in a giveaway and goal for Columbus forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
