FSC Club Rankings put DCU at #35

According to Fox Sports On MSN:

"The FSCCR are compiled from votes by FSI writers and commentators from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. The world club rankings are published every other Thursday."

More senseless ratings, but hey, we're the only MLS team on the list just one below Club America.

Arsenal #1
Bayern Munich #4
Boca Juniors #17
Sao Paulo #21
Pachuca #27

See the entire list here.

Hope Solo Off Team

I try to avoid reporting any thing regarding the Women's National Team but there are good lessons to be learned here.As I'm sure you all are aware Hope Solo was benched for the Brasil game by coach Greg Ryan, who played Brianna Scurry instead. Well after the game Hope Solo decided to vent her frustrations with the press saying among other things that she would have made the saves that Scurry didn't and that her coach knew nothing about the game of soccer. The Soccer Insider is reporting that following a team meeting it was decided that Hope Solo would not be practicing with the team or in uniform on Sunday when the USA plays Norway. Steve Goff quoted team captain Kristine Lilly as saying:

"We do what is best for the team, and what is best for the team is the 20 of us right now, With the circumstances that happened and her going public has affected the whole group, and having her with us is still a distraction."

Here is the lesson: Eighty percent of the working population thinks that their Boss is a moron, making bone headed decisions that negatively impact their life, but if you publicly express your feelings you can expect to have the opportunity to find a dfferent boss who is more to your liking.

Lesson two: The organization is ALWAYS more important than the individual.

Here is the interview that has afforded the chance for Hope to fly solo:


Back in August, Bobby Boswell ( last year's defensive player of the year)with DC United, found himself sitting on the bench. Below is part of an interview Steve Goff did with him about the situation. This is how a professional handles it (In this case an extremely competitive male).

“Soccer Insider: How are you doing?

Bobby Boswell: I’m just working hard. I feel like I should be out there and when the coaches feel they need me, I will be ready.

SI: Is it frustrating?

BB: Yeah, you want to play, but that’s part of being a professional, it’s part of the job, and you’ve got to keep working. I think I have done pretty well in practice. I’d like to think I will get an opportunity this weekend, but if not, I’ll be ready to contribute when I am needed.

SI: Have you come to the realization of what you did wrong that resulted in this situation?

BB: I talked to Tommy and he expressed some concerns to me. He said he thought sometimes a good way to show people what they’re doing wrong is to have them watch from his perspective and ……
The team has done well. I always say, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ but I’m not sure it was broken when I was taken out. I see myself as a starter, I don’t see myself as a substitute, but right now that is the role I am playing. I will earn my spot back on the field.

DC United, CD Guadalarja video highlights

CVAC Update, 9/28/07

Hickory remains undefeated

According to St Stephens head coach Chris Rittle:

"Hickory plays hard and does an excellent job at running through balls.

"They're a quality squad. Possession-wise, they're very good."

"They (Hickory) crashed hard and were able to beat us to the ball."

Fred T. Foard gets their chance to take the playoff birth away from them Monday 10/01. Foard will be at home for this match. Hickory won the last match up 3-2 in Hickory. Foard would then probably have to pull for a Newton-Conover win when the Red Devils play the Tornadoes on 10/22.




#3(3A)Hickory 9-0-1
#13(3A)Fred T Foard 8-2-0
#6(2A)Newton Conover 8-2-0
(3A)St Stephens 6-3-1
(2A)Patton 6-4-0
(2A)Hibriten 5-5-0
(2A)West Caldwell 3-6-1
(2A)Bandys 2-7-1
(2A)Maiden 1-9-0
(2A)Bunker Hill 0-10-0

NC High School News, 9/28

Rockets shut down Cougars



Photo by Marie Freeman
Pioneers blast Cougars




Justin Brimer

Kim Duplak
Swain soccer team wins 2

9.28.07 | Prep Results(Charlotte Observer)


Wildcats win streak continues

MHS records second straight 11-goal game


Eagles soar to soccer victory

Hunt defeats Southern Wayne



Forestview beats Ashbrook 3-1 Video Highlights

Prep roundup(Hendersonville News)


RHS soccer edges Dixon; Cards, Pirates tie


SHS boys’ soccer team has lost four of five


Warriors win second straight

Soccer: Dragons cruise past East 4-1

Soccer: Central rallies past Lexington


Soccer: Patriots roll to win



Moser Twins Lead JV Soccer To 2-0 Victory




Eric Lusk/Heartland Publications
Rams ride late goal to win against Central


East nets tie with South Stokes in 2OT


Prep roundup(New Bern Sun Journal)

Salisbury soccer blanks Dragons



DEAN PARZIALE/Special to The Pilot

Vikes, Pats Square Off Saturday



Pirates get hot, top Cougars 3-0




Herald photo by Carey Phillips
Ramirez keys Mustangs to 10th consecutive win over Panthers



Brad Howell | Daily Times
Fike settles for tie in wild one at Rocky Mount


Area roundup(Wilson Times)


For The Record(W-S Journal)

DC Gut Out 2-1 Victory over CD Guadalarja

Olsen And Simms score to lead a ten man United to victory. I didn't watch or listen to the game and while I love BigSoccer, we all know an in match thread really is no place to form impressions of a game. So here are some better sources:

The DCenters: First Impressions - D.C. United Dos : Uno CD Guadalajara

Oh, and for Olsen and Simms to get goals is pretty much perfect for this season. That makes me happy. Benny & Clyde. There's a song there somewhere.

MLSnet-United control match in win

After four minutes of injury time, Baldaffi finally whistled for the match to come to a close, and United were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief with the victory. They will now take their precious one-goal advantage to Guadalajara for the return match on Tue., Oct. 2, with the winner to face the winner of the tie between Arsenal of Argentina and Goias of Brazil.

Note: The winner was Arsenal who Christian Gomez used to play for.


Soccer Insider-Chivas Aftermath Quotes

Gros on Chivas: "Obviously they're a very good team and they know how to keep the ball and work the ball all over the field....That wasn't fun at all. Those guys, they're some of the fastest players I've played against in my whole life. It definitely wasn't easy. Hopefully I did all right."

THANK GOODNESS HE PLAYS WITH BEN OLSEN

Olsen: "If it was a one game series we'd be pretty ecstatic, but it's a huge challenge next month historically. I've said it before, this team and this league hasn't done a good job historically finishing the Mexicans, and it's about time some team did it. It might as well be us."

NC High School News, 9/27

Erwin beats Roberson for 1st time in soccer

Asheville’s Flowe gets 500th career win

09.27 | Prep results(Charlotte Observer)



TRIBUNE/Eric Lusk
Starmount scores a trio of 2nd-half goals to beat Elkin


Soccer: Eagles test MVAC's top team

Elks slip past Sauras in 2 OTs

Cavaliers corner Chase, 7- 7-1

Local sports roundup(Gaston Gazette)


Rocky start-Raiders Click in Second Half

SP Soccer Teams Win

High school scoreboard(Greensboro News-Record)

Rose tops feisty Falcons in Coastal soccer play

Area roundup(Greenville Reflector)


Hickory remains unbeaten in soccer action

Valdov, Griffith lead Lejeune soccer to a win

Kinston soccer team shuts out Wilson Beddingfield

Panthers lose at home

Soccer: Patriots roll to win


CATA wins again, soccer success without a senior class

Patriot booters emerge from offensive slump



Zack Sirken/Sun Journal
Lights flickering for New Bern


High School Scoreboard(Raleigh N&O)


Rams use second-half rally to defeat Wildcats

Raiders finish strong, rout Falcons

Prep Roundup for Sept. 26(Rocky Mount Telegram)

Armed Knights

Falcons survive scare from Jackets

All Square

Lions, Mounties finish in 2-2 tie


Pirates get hot, top Cougars 3-0

Leesville shuts out Cougars

High School Roundup(Wilmington Star)

Area Roundup(Wilson Times)


For the Record(Winston-Salem Journal)

Forbush claims key soccer wins

NC High School News, 9/26

Wilcher downplays milestone


Soccer Best of the West

WNC high school soccer leaders

Gaston Day wins on A. Groff's goal


9.26.07 | Prep Results(Charlotte Observer)



Daily Record Photo/Patrick Love
Central, Triton Fight To Finish



Justin Falls/The Daily Advances
Aces get past Northeastern in soccer

Tuesday's local sports roundup(Gaston Gazette)

Eastern Wayne cruises past Beddingfield


High school scoreboard(Greensboro N&R)

Bulldogs blank Bulls

Patton soccer team pounds Maiden



Wayne Whaley (The News Herald)
Cavaliers fall to Watauga

East Surry blasts Bears 4-1 in soccer



ROGER KEPHART/Contributing Photographer
Soccer team earns historic win over Highlands

Prep roundup:(New Bern Sun Journal)

High School Results(Raleigh N&O)


Va Cha Leads Vikes Over Eagles



DEAN PARZIALE/Special to The Pilot
Patriots Sink Bucs, Vikings on Horizon


Jets Stop Mustangs In Soccer

Nitchell Soccer team drops two

East booters take three

High School Roundup(Wilmington Star)



Brad Howell | Daily Times
C.B. Aycock seizes ECC lead with quick-start 2-0 win at Hunt





Michael Lindsay | Daily Times
Nash Central surprises Fike, 1-0

FCD is having another solid season in boys soccer

For the Record(Winston-Salem Journal)

EW nabs soccer win over Knightdale

"We owe them big time"

Troy Perkins on the chance to play Chivas Guadalarja again this year. Earlier this year, United fell to Chivas 3-2 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal. The first leg saw United earn 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium on Marh 15. After Guadalajara went up 1-0 midway through the second half, a dramatic stoppage time goal from Luciano Emilio tied the game for United. The second leg was played in Guadalajara on April 3 and saw Chivas snatch a 2-1 victory over United, thus eliminating the Black-and-Red from the Champions' Cup.
Hear some other's take on the game on Access United:

Should D.C. advance past Guadalajara to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Copa Nissan Sudamericana, they would face the either Arsenal of Argentina - which also happens to the former club of Christian Gomez - or Goias EC of Brazil.

DCU in Copa Sudamericana, Wed 9/26

DC United will face Chivas Guadalajara in the first match of a home and home aggregate series in the round of sixteen in this South American Competition. Both teams qualified for the tournament based on their performance in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup. Thirty-four teams were invited but both Chivas and DC advanced automatically to the round of sixteen. See list of the teams left here.

Goff has a good primer to the event at Soccer Insider.

TV:
Fox Sports en Español, 8:45pm

NET:
WMET 1160 Radio




Here is a link to the official CONMEBOL site.

FIFA '08 Commercials

Can you FIFA '08?
Ronaldinho


Ribéry - Klose


Rooney-Ramos

CVAC UPDATE, 9/25 Halfway home

Half of the Conference is finished and this is how it shakes out:

#3(3A)Hickory 8-0-1
#13(3A)Fred T Foard 7-2-0
#6(2A)Newton Conover 7-2-0
(3A)St Stephens 6-2-1
(2A)Patton 5-4-0
(2A)Hibriten 5-4-0
(2A)Bandys 2-6-1
(2A)West Caldwell 2-6-1
(2A)Maiden 1-8-0
(2A)Bunker Hill 0-9-0

As the weather cools down the competition heats up. The players can run longer, the tackles become harder and the sense of urgency is more intense. Just as I feel you can tell alot about a coach in the second half of a game, the same is true for the second half of the season. I can't wait!

It all starts Wednesday with:

Fred T Foard at Hibriten
St Stephens at Hickory
West Caldwell at Maiden
Bunker Hill at Newton-Conover
Bandys at Patton

Nc High School News, 9/25

credit: JOHN COUTLAKIS
Rams, Rockets battle to a tie


HS Sports Huddle(Asheville Citizen-times)



Garrett Byers / Daily Courier
Central shuts out Cavs



Benjamin Patton/The Gaston Gazette
Newcomer gets first goal for Jaguars in 3-1 win


Haskins scores 2 in Red Raider win




Rhett Butler/The Daily Reflector
Rampants top rivals



MICHAEL JUSTUS/TIMES-NEWS
No. 4 Bearcats blast Owen Warhorses in WHC match


White Oak and Dixon get soccer, tennis wins

Warriors top 'the Hill' 2-1

High School Sports(Raleigh N&O)

Richmond gets past Scotland

The keeper with nothing to do


Bonilla's goal lifts Salisbury soccer

Local roundup: Shelby blanks Bulldogs, 4-0


ATTA BOY for LN's Pablo Alzate’s



Staff photo by Mark Gilchrist
Whiteville High

High School Roundup(Wilmington Star News)

College Top 25, 9/24

TEAM (2007 RECORD) LAST WEEK
1. Wake Forest (6-0-0) 1
2. Notre Dame (5-1-1) 3
3. Connecticut (7-1-0) 2
4. Virginia (5-1-1) 4
5. Northwestern (6-0-1) 10
6. Boston College (5-1-0) 13
7. Santa Clara (5-1-2) 14
8. SMU (4-2-1) 16
9. Duke (5-2-0) 17
10. UCLA (3-3-1) 5
11. Brown (6-0-1) 9
12. Michigan (7-0-1) 11
13. Harvard (6-1-1) 6
14. West Virginia (5-2-0) 7
15. UC Santa Barbara (3-2-2) 19
16. Virginia Tech (5-1-1) 20
17. DePaul (5-1-0) NR
18. Tulsa (5-2-0) NR
19. Creighton (3-1-2) 8
20. Saint Louis (3-1-2) 22
21. Gonzaga (5-2-0) 25
22. New Mexico (5-3-0) NR
23. Indiana (3-3-1) 15
24. Maryland (3-3-1) 18
25. South Florida (6-1-0) 21

CVAC UPDATE, 9/24

Hickory 7 0 1
Newton-Conover 7 1 0
Fred T Foard 6 2 0
St. Stephens 5 2 1
Hibriten 5 3 0
Patton 4 4 0
Bandys 2 5 1
West Caldwell 1 6 1
Maiden 1 7 0
Bunker Hill 0 8 0

Tonight's match ups
(#6 2A)Newton-Conover @ St. Stephens
Patton @ Maiden
Hibtiten @ (#3 3A)Hickory HS
Bandy's @ (#13 3A)Fred T Foard

NC High School News, 9/24

Athletes, teams of the week(Asheville-Citizen Times)


PREP BRIEFS-Looking Ahead(Asheville-Citizen Times)



Staff photo by Chris Seward
Local prep soccer teams winning with style(Chapel Hill News)

EAST MECK 4, BUTLER 1, OT



TRIBUNE/Eric Lusk
Elks pass by Blackhawks



Press photo/Andy Scheidler
Panthers top Tuscola for MAC win


Wilson, Ford provide Chargers' goals



THE DAILY NEWS/RANDY DAVEY
Pirates battle Vikes to tie

'Slim Pickens' but Moreno gets #111

For the second game in a row Chicago has let a win get away from them late in the game.

Chad Barrett took the lead for Chicago in the 18th minute on a great through ball by Blanco.With Wanchope out Blanco found Barrett on several ocassions It was very telling that three fourths of United's midfield was out as Chicago maintained most of the possession during the first half. Towards the end of the first half the Fire seemed to tire. DC put together a few opportunities, with an Emilio header being cleared from the line.Coach Tom Soehn had this to say about United's first half:
"We looked like a team that had time off. We came out flat. Obviously we had some new pieces in the lineup that haven't all played together so I think those signs showed, as well. We addressed some things at halftime. I think in some respects some of it got better, but on the day it wasn't our normal effort. Again, we were resilient. We get a point on the road on a day that we were missing guys is pretty important."

The play in the second half was a little more even but neither team could finish their chances. Then in the 84', Jaime Moreno was gifted a goal by Fire keeper Matt Pickens. Pickens went up for the curling ball but let it go. The ball ended up in the back of the net. I'm not sure if Pickens' thought the ball was over or lost it in the sun but the error tied the game.The Chicago keeper had this to say about it:
"(D.C.) crossed the ball in and I got to it. I thought it was going wide, but then I lost it. It's just one of those things that happen. I feel awful. We played good enough to win today."

Once again Troy Perkins came up with a huge save in the fifth minute of stoppage with a game saving save.

The point for the draw keeps DC United in the lead for the Supporter's Shield. Chivas is three points behind the Black and Red with a game in hand but DC holds the tie breaker with head to head points versus Chivas.

Moreno's goal also keeps him two goals ahead of Ante Razov in MLS's all time goal scorer race.

DC United-Chicago Fire pregame, 9/23

Sunday 3:00pm

TV
Telefutura, CSN (delayed)

Computer
TVU
WMET 1160 Radio





Fall Begins Today
"There's going to be no easy games from here on out," said midfielder Ben Olsen."

"Everybody needs to make playoffs. I say it every year, once the
weather starts changing, the mood and the atmosphere in this league
changes, because you know it's coming up on playoff time. The summer is
gone and now you can run a little bit more and have a little bit more
energy to close the ball down, and more tackling. That's an exciting
time, and fall brings that on."

This will be a tough game; DC will be without Fred, Olsen and Gomez today due to yellow card accumulation. Chicago under new head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, has been playing five in the midfield and keeping his team very compact.Blanco has been very effective sending balls to Wanchope beating the trap. We will have to make Rolfe work tirelessly on defense to keep him out of the game as well. I will be ecstatic with three points today.

Creative Soccer

With Jose Mourinho gone maybe this won't be the only flick you'll see out of the Chelsea team.

See: Attractive Soccer or England is an Island

NC High School News, 9/21

9.19.07 | Prep Results(Charlotte Observer)

Dark Horse soccer team ties N0. 10 team

Triton Soccer Finding Its Groove

Camden gets by Northeastern

High School Scoreboard(Greensboro N&R)

BOYS SOCCER STANDINGS(Jacksonville Daily News)


SOCCER STATS(Jacksonville Daily News)



Mike Duprez/The Dispatch
West tops Ledford for first time

Varsity soccer takes win against Graham


Freedom shutsout South Caldwell in soccer


East Burke squeezes by McDowel

Cardinals strike down Alleghany

Prep roundup(New Bern Sun Journal)


County Clash(Sanford Herald)

Mustangs Race Past Warriors



Calvin Adkins
Tarboro shoots down Hawks


wilmington christian 2 wilson christian 0



Michael Lindsay | Daily Times
McNair's late goal helps Knights to 1-1 tie against Ridgecroft

Area Roundup(Wilson Times)

For The Record(Winston-Salem Journal)



Staff photo by Keith T. Barber
Academy Athletes(Lumina News-Wrightsville)


Falcons, Rams now chasing Eagles


Note: Going through North Carolina's papers every morning I find it surprising and a little disturbing that HS volleyball gets more coverage than soccer. Any Thoughts?

Lightning and MLS Primetime Thursday

What do they have in common beside not knowing when either will strike?

Dario Sala of FC Dallas and Wilman Conde of the Chicago Fire were part of a tragedy in Colombia five years ago. One afternoon lightning struck Deportivo Cali's practice field killing two their teammates and changing them forever.If Conde wasn't out due to a red card this would be the first time on the field together since that fateful day in the mountains of Colombia. They will share dinner following the game according to Burt Constable who wrote this fabulous story of the two and their connection.

'Lightning's nightmare can't stop American dreams'

Oh yea, the game is on the Deuce at 8:00pm.

NC High School News, 9/20

W. Alamance, Bartlett Yancey roll in soccer

Hobbton soccer extends win streak to five



TRIBUNE/Eric Lusk
Elks roll up big conference wins

Starmount soccer rebounds against Ashe



Ben Patton/The Gazette
Jags avenge Gazette Cup loss to Raiders


Jags avenge loss to Raiders


Wednesday's High School Scoreboard(Greensboro N&R)

Justus' goal keeps Falcons' streak alive

Hendersonville 4 Mitchell 1

Red Tornadoes take over first place in win over Red Devils



THE DAILY NEWS/DON BRYAN
Wildcats defeat Cardinals 3-1

BOYS SOCCER STANDINGS(Jacksonville Daily News)


SOCCER STATS(Jacksonville Daily News)


Devils wake up, shake off Monday blues

Patriots fall to Watauga

Bears score first victory

Improving Eagles test New Bern soccer team

Havelock soccer falls to Conley


High school results(Raleigh N&O)


Conference Standings(Raleigh N&O)

Soccer team bounces back, pummels Douglas Byrd

Buc booters win two ECC matches


Vikings stake an early claim

Tuesday's High School Roundup(Wilmington Star)


For The Record(W-S Journal)

NC High School News, 9/19/07

Best of the West, soccer

Erwin ready for Asheville in soccer

Watauga slips past McDowell


Sam Roberts / Times-News
Eagles edge Graham in boys' soccer



Staff photo by Grant Halverson
Second-half surge gives Jags edge


Sports Roundup(Cary News)

Names and Notes(Chapel Hill News)


High School Soccer Game Day(Charlotte Observer)

9.18.07 | Prep Results(Charlotte Observer)


Monday's Soccer Roundup(Sampson Independent)

Central Kickers Keep Rolling(additional briefsDunn Daily Record)

High school scoreboard(Greensboro N&O)


Prep Roundup(Hendersonville News)




ROGER KEPHART/Contributing Photographer
Bulldogs keep sweeping up


High School Results(Raleigh N&O)




Jeff Melton / The Star
Golden Lions top Crest, 5-1



DEAN PARZIALE/The Pilot
Patriot Booters Hold Off Raiders


Mitchell falls 8-1


High School Roundup(Wilmington Star)

For the Record(Winston-Salem Journal)

CVAC Standings, 9/18/07

Newton-Conover 7-0-0
Hickory 6-0-1
Fred T Foard 5-2-0
St. Stephens 4-2-1
Hibriten 4-3-0
Patton 3-4-0
Bandys 2-4-1
West Caldwell 1-5-1
Maiden 1-6-0
Bunker Hill 0-7-0

Hibriten 3 - Maiden 0, 9/17/07

After a tenative opening ten minutes the Hibriten Panther soccer team took control of the game, defeating Maiden 3-0 in Lenoir Monday night. Hibriten out shot Maiden 20-6 and earned ten corners to Maidens one.

The scoring began in the sixteenth minute when Miguel Aguilar had a cross to a crashing Sven Picton deflect off a defender for an own goal. Picton who has been nursing a nagging back injury had just entered the game a minute earlier. His impact on the game was immediate as his defensive pressure in Hibriten's half of the field began the scoring run. Picton's playing minutes were limited as he tries to heal but his appearance seemed to lift the Panthers out of their fog. In the twentieth minute Zack Stanfield had a nice finish cleaning up an Aguilar rebound.Miguel's shot came at the end of a seven pass build up. The final goal came five minutes into the second half when Miguel Aguilar stole the ball from a Maiden midfielder, then dropped it to Jules Picton who slotted the ball into the box for Aguilar, who finished calmly.

Hibriten had a lot of opportunities that they just couldn't finish. With fourteen minutes left in the first half Zack Stanfield headed a corner just over the crossbar. A minute later Tanner Sinclair had a rip from just inside the box that was blocked by a defender. As the half was winding up Josh Stamey settled a ball just inside the eighteen but his shot was high.

During the second half the chances continued starting with Cameron Sinclair's cross that Matt Stanfield headed high. Seven minutes in Aguilar split two defenders with a pass to Max Lewis who had his near post shot pushed wide by an incredible save. The ensuing corner kick was put over the top by Zack Stanfield. Sven Picton was denied on two chances, one a shot from the 18 that was batted away and a header from the corner sent to the keeper.

Maiden had very few chances, with Hibriten in complete control of the midfield they had to rely on going over the top. The Panther's defense did a great job all night of keeping their shape and denying any penetration.

Coach Blanton continued to do a good job managing players as the game ended with only four starters on the field.