Thursday's Daily: Take The Cup
With J Hutcherson
Bright lights, big city for Charleston last night, and they responded about as well as expected. For Major League Soccer, a win isn't necessarily a win as what should be an elite club has trouble putting away lower division opposition at close to full strength.
Yes, DC United lost Luciano Emilio early potentially resetting the offense and the tactics for the remaining 85 minutes. Fair enough, but for an uncomfortable amount of time DC was playing back while Charleston took full advantage. Better shot selection and accuracy, and the game could have turned quickly against the hosts.
What that would've meant is simple, another message sent by USL-1 on the relative quality of North America's topflight league.
Moving on, Ghana is ready to get litigious over a report that their 2006 World Cup game against Brazil was fixed. Declan Hill made the allegations in an interview with Der Spiegel promoting his book on corruption in soccer.
"We have decided to seek the advice of our lawyers on any further cause of action that may be available against Declan Hill, and publishers of the defamatory statements," the Ghana Football Association said in a statement. "We have lodged an official complaint with the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegations which are criminal in character and possess the unbridled tendency to impugn the sovereign integrity of Ghana. A critical review and analysis of the allegations attributed to Mr. Declan Hill pointedly reveal that his story was not based on any factual circumstances."
Whatever the reality of the situation, soccer has already shown a surprising ability to absorb, most recently in the Bundesliga and Serie A. For whatever reason, it's something the game has shaken off in the past, even when proven accurate.
On TV
Dallas - Colorado is on Primetime at 8:30pm on ESPN2. CONCACAF Champions League preliminaries: UNAM Pumas - Harbour View at 10pm on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision. Chivas - Club America in a friendly from Chicago at 9pm on Fox Sports en Espanol (1am on Fox Soccer Channel). Copa Sudamericana on Fox Sports en Espanol: Nublense - Sport Ancash at 6:30pm and Motagua - Arsenal at midnight. All Times Eastern
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Capello: the story so far -- from The Guardian's Sachin Nakrani: It could even be argued that Capello is going backwards in term of selection policy.
Everton 'need billionaire owner' -- from BBC Sport: "This summer's transfer window has been the worst and most difficult I can remember."
Former Hammers boss Curbishley's reputation is savaged in double attack by board and agent Joorabchian -- from The Daily Mail: It has also emerged that there were attempts to get Curbishley to change his mind once it became apparent the club would have to pay compensation because of a clause in his contract allowing him 'veto over sales'.
Alan Curbishley shows fine sense of timing -- from The Times' Tony Cascarino: Curbishley has not won trophies, but he is a successful manager because he is a survivor.
Tottenham's Damien Comolli under threat -- from The Telegraph's Mike Norrish: And Comolli insists these signings will make up for the departures of Berbatov and Robbie Keane.
Ashley: 'I stand with the fans because that's what I've always done' -- from The Independent's Michael Walker: At St James', those two sides of Ashley have to merge.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Americas
U.S. goalkeeper Howard reponds to any challenge -- from The Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman: "I was at a top-level club, and most guys play their whole career and never get that chance."
Extra games put Crew opponent at a disadvantage -- from The Columbus Dispatch's Shawn Mitchell: That sounds suspiciously like an excuse, but injuries, the salary limitations of MLS' strictly controlled 28-man rosters and a packed schedule of MLS, Champions League, SuperLiga and U.S. Open Cup games make MLS teams susceptible to losing to pro sides from Trinidad and Tobago or Panama.
Major League Soccer has a date with mediocrity -- from The LA Times' Grahame L. Jones: "I know the rules are there from the start of the season, but as you go along and new situations arise I think common sense should prevail," Carver said.
This week in MLS: League must address conflicting schedules -- from The Star-Ledger's Frank Giase: There's a full slate of seven games ranging from Thursday to Sunday, but 32 players -- including star players and a number of big gate attractions -- will be with their respective national teams instead.
Battery falls just short in bid for U.S. Open Cup crown -- from The Charleston Post and Courier's Andrew Miller: "I'm disappointed, but we obviously played a great game."
D.C. overcomes spirited Charleston team -- from Soccernet's Steve Davis: For now, we can only hope that a quite a few folks saw United claim the three-foot Dewar Cup in a final-worthy, closely contested 2-1 triumph at RFK Stadium.
Portland talks $75 million deal to draw Major League Soccer -- from The Oregonian's Anna Griffin: Paulson has other options for a new stadium.
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