By Tony Edwards – San Jose, CA (Apr 5, 2012) US Soccer Players — In Thursday's edition, Tony looks at Seattle's challenges, asks about Club Tijuana's form in the Clausura, wonders what Bora Milutinovic is up to, and joins Schellas Hyndmann in seeking answer's to Dallas' sloppy early season play.
After a tough loss to San Jose, going on the road, and earlier elimination from the CONCACAF Champions League, what's the best news to come out of Seattle?
They've gotten rid of the electric cyan uniforms? No, Steve Zakuani played in a reserve game against Gonzaga University this week. Even if Fredy Montero were to move on (just talk at the moment), getting Zakuani back on the field is the equivalent of major midseason signing.
Christian Sivebaek made his first start for Seattle this past weekend, looking especially dangerous early. An adjustment by the Earthquakes in the first half cut down on Sivebaek's effectiveness, but he showed enough during his start to give Coach Sigi Schmidt something to think about when Mauro Rosales comes back from injury.
What is former US National Team Coach Bora Milutinovic doing?
Working in Qatar, as an advisor to the Aspire Academy. Milutinovic served as an advisor to Qatar's winning bid for the 2012 World Cup. Perhaps the best illustration of how well known Milutinovic is, the New York Times refers to him as 'Bora' throughout the article. Milutinovic is quick to give himself credit for launching Tim Howard's professional career, but if I had been then the coach the 1999 MetroStars (7 wins, 25 losses, negative 34 goal difference), I'd look for something positive to say also.
If you'd told FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndmann that after four games his team would be ahead of the Galaxy, would he have taken it?
Probably. But third-from-bottom in the Western Conference isn't what he expected. He rolled out the dreaded 'Tunnel of Love' drill the other day at practice, "…purely as a fitness thing." But Dallas is having problems staying away from silly fouls and suspensions, plus giving up inopportune goals. On top of that, David Ferreira is out for up to 2 months after surgery on his right foot this week as Dallas plays New England, tonight, at home.
On Tuesday, we talked about Chivas and Club America, so how is “San Diego's favorite team,” Club Tijuana, doing so far in the Clausura?
Seventh place, with five wins, five draws, and three losses. Tijuana features four Americans, Edgar Castillo (on loan), Joe Benny Corona, Greg Garza, and Bryan de la Fuente. Their English-language website remains a a tribute to 2003, looking like something the intern did between answering the phone and getting coffee.
How best to honor a goal scorer?
Former New York Times columnist George Vecsey has the most appropriate tribute to the greatest scorer ever to play in a North American league. Vecsey writes of Giorgio Chinaglia: "Just put the ball near the No. 9 on his jersey, and he would do the job." Any #9 in the world would take that. For those columnists from the NASL-era that used their 'tributes' to try to settle old scores, shame on you.
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