Player of the Week
Chad Barrett, Toronto FC
The 24-year-old former UCLA star and third pick overall in the 2005 draft could be the most unlucky forward in Major League Soccer, thanks to his 22 career MLS goals out of 211 shots over four seasons, a rate of more than eight shots per scoring strike. But Barrett does have eight goals and six assists in 30 games since joining Toronto midway through 2008, including a pair of strikes in a 3-1 win over San Jose last weekend. He’s started 16 of 17 league matches this season and is second on the team with four goals this season.
Story Lines
1. Another reason the U.S.-Mexico World Cup qualifier can’t come soon enough » Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre was banned for three matches last week by CONCACAF, the sport’s governing body in North America, after a clash with Panama midfielder Ricardo Phillips during their Gold Cup group match in which Aguirre stuck his foot out in front of the player just as the ball crossed the touchline. The Mexican coach’s foot appeared to make contact with Phillips in the groin, prompting an angry reaction and fracas on the field and crowd trouble in the stands. The match was stopped for 12 minutes until order was restored. Aguirre could miss the Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier vs. the U.S. in Mexico if his team is knocked out of the Gold Cup in the quarterfinals.
2. Three up from the Gold Cup » Ahead of a quarterfinal against Panama, here are the three players — who didn’t play in the Confederations Cup — who have been most impressive for the U.S. in the Gold Cup: (1) Chad Marshall. The big, sturdy, clean center back will anchor the team in years to come; (2) Stuart Holden. He’s been consistent in the central midfield, and his late-game blast salvaged the result vs. Haiti; (3) Santino Quaranta. His remarkable comeback aside, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to find a place on the U.S. World Cup roster next summer.
3. Sobering turn north of the border » Toronto’s BMO Field, which has developed a reputation for its loud crowd and for taunting visiting teams, may be a little quieter on Saturday. The team announced there will be no alcohol on sale for this weekend’s match against Houston, a one-game suspension by Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission for an incident involving consumption by a minor at a game on May 21, 2008.
Key Game
Galaxy at Red Bulls, Thursday, 8 p.m. » All eyes will be on David Beckham and Landon Donovan, who said their brief spat as a result of Grant Wahl’s book, The Beckham Experiment, is over. Against — by far — the worst team in the league, it should be a cinch to rekindle the on-field magic that could make the Galaxy a force down the stretch this season. – Craig Stouffer
