FC Dallas’ 2008 opener looked a lot like their 2007 season. A promising start followed by a lull in the middle with a disappointing end to cap things off. Their MLS record 12th opening game in front of the home crowd ended in a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA at Pizza Hut Park in front of 17,540 fans. After the game Coach Steve Morrow said “I think probably a tie was a fair result” when assessing the game as a whole but also said “we’re disappointed. We should have had 3 points today. To give up a goal so late is just very disappointing.” Juan Toja scored in the 21st minute to give FCD the lead but late substitute Maykel Galindo answered in the 84th minute to salvage the point for Chivas. Both teams had plenty of chances to get all three points but Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan was solid with FCD’s Dario Sala keeping up his stellar form from preseason. Sala made seven saves, two off his personal best, most of the highlight variety. Both teams started without several key players. FC Dallas was missing Arturo Alvarez and Drew Moor due to 2007 playoff red cards, Ricardinho (ankle), David Wagenfuhr (concussion) and Alex Yi (hamstring) due to injuries while Chivas USA did not have Alex Zotinca (knee surgery) and captain Claudio Suarez who missed the game to be with his family in Mexico after his father died Friday morning. The Chivas players wore black armbands for the game to honor his passing away. Despite being played in Frisco, Tex., the temperature and flavor of the game seemed to favor the visiting Goats. They appeared to get stronger as the game went on, while the Hoops seemed to wither as the game progressed. Chivas outshot Dallas 22-8 with a whopping 18-4 advantage posted in the second half alone. Chivas also had the edge in shots on goal, doubling Dallas at 8-4. Several times throughout the match the L.A. side’s work in the attacking third nearly paid off. They continually found considerable room to operate inside the FCD box. On the other end FCD ’s starting forwards Abe Thompson and Kenny Cooper clearly worked hard throughout the match and in fact Abe’s pass to Toja (after one to him from Bobby Rhine) got the scoring started this day. But the late misplayed long ball by former Mexican intenational center back Duilio Davino, making his MLS debut, in front of the FCD penalty area allowed Galindo to take a shot from about 17 yards away that went between Sala’s legs for the late equalizer. When asked about the conditions and how tough it seemed out there for both sides, Abe Thompson said “I think we got tired. It was really the first day since we have been training that it got hot. I’m not sure we were quite ready for it but it is good preparation for the summer because it is going to be a lot hotter than that. We can’t be worried about that.”

Box Score

Scoring: DAL — Juan Toja 1 (Abe Thompson 1, Bobby Rhine 1) 21 CHV — Maykel Galindo 1 (unassisted) 84 FC DALLAS (3-4-1-2): Dario Sala, Adrian Serioux, Duilio Davino, Aaron Pitchkolan, Blake Wagner, Marcelo Saragosa (Pablo Ricchetti 62), Andre Rocha, Bobby Rhine, Juan Toja (Dax McCarty 73), Abe Thompson (Dominic Oduro 80), Kenny Cooper. Subs Not Used: Josh Lambo (GK), Brek Shea, Anthony Wallace, Andrew Daniels. Shots – 8; Shots on Goal – 4; Total Saves – 7; Fouls – 10; Offsides – 4; Corner Kicks – 2 CHIVAS USA: Brad Guzan, Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza, Jonathan Bornstein, Jesse Marsch, Sacha Kljestan, Lawson Vaughn (Raphael Wicky 71).Atiba Harris (Maykel Galindo 55), Ante Razov (Justin Braun 73) Subs Not Used: Lance Parker (GK), Bobby Burling, Keith Savage, Eric Ebert. Shots – 22; Shots on Goal – 8; Total Saves – 3; Fouls – 20; Offsides – 1; Corner Kicks – 6 Misconduct Summary: CHV — Paulo Nagamura (caution; Tackle from Behind) 36 CHV — Maykel Galindo (caution; Dissent) 59 DAL — Andre Rocha (caution; Reckless Foul) 62 CHV — Shavar Thomas (caution; Reckless Foul) 87

Notes

· FC Dallas is now 6-3-4 all time on season openers, and remains undefeated over the last six openers with a record of 2-0-4. On home season openers, the team is now 7-3-2. · FCD’s record versus Chivas USA is now 5-3-4, and 3-1-3 against them at Pizza Hut Park. · Juan Toja’s goal was his seventh career regular season goal. · For Bobby Rhine, it was his 34th career assist, putting him one away from second all-time in team history (Ronnie O’Brien - 35). · Duilio Davino, making his MLS debut, was named the team captain for the year. Another making his MLS debut was Andre Rocha. · Dario Sala made seven saves today, two off his all-time high. · For Dallas, only Rhine, Toja, Aaron Pitchkolan, and Kenny Cooper started both today’s opener and last years. Dax McCarty, Abe Thompson, and Dominic Oduro were the others that appeared in each of the last two season openers. · Marcelo Saragosa left the game with a right groin strain…Defender Alex Yi missed the game with a left hamstring injury…David Wagenfuhr was out with a concussion…Ricardinho was out with a right ankle sprain. · Defender Drew Moor and midfielder Arturo Alvarez served a one-game suspension for having received red cards in the team’s final game of 2007. · Following the game, the FC Dallas Reserves played the Chivas USA Reserves to a 1-1 draw. FCD’s goal was scored by Drew Moor in the 25th minute, while Chivas’ goal was scored by Jorge Flores in the 47th. FC Dallas was goalkeeper Josh Lambo, who collided with a Chivas player in the 5th minute and had to leave the game shortly thereafter. He was diagnosed with a concussion and was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. · FC Dallas will travel south next weekend to face the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, April 6 (2 pm CT) at Robertson Stadium.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has linked up with the Montreal Impact with the intent to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to that city.

According to euFootball.biz, Impact president Joey Saputo said he and Gillett have discussed a deal in which the pair would divide the $30 million franchise as well as the $12 million expansion of the Saputo Stadium.

RSL continued their streak of never winning a home opener by drawing 1-1 with Chicago after an injury time stunner by Cuauhtémoc Blanco. The result left a bitter taste in the mouth of both fans and squad alike as RSL dominated much of the match. It was apparent from the opening whistle that both teams were going to be very physical and the referee Terry Vaughn seemed content to let both teams play with little intrusion. Bodies consistently hit the plastic pitch for the first five minutes. Running onto a long cross, RSL striker Fabian Espindola was pulled down by Chicago’s Diego Gutierrez, while midfielders Justin Mapp and Logan Pause clipped Javier Morales moments later.Despite these bullish tactics, RSL were the aggressors. Preferring to work on quick combinations of low, fast passes, RSL found many opportunities to cross the ball into the box throughout the first half. Espindola in particular stood out with multiple runs up the left wing. In the 6th minute, Espindola found Yura Movsisyan for a header that he just pushed over the bar. Chicago, on the other hand, appeared content to play long ball, consistently gaining possession in their back line only to then lob the ball into RSL’s final third. RSL’s defensive heart consisting of off-season acquisition Nat Borchers, along with second-year player Matias Mantilla, appeared particularly formidable. However, one couldn’t help but wonder if this was due to the duo’s actual ability or to Chicago’s inept offense. RSL continued to create chances throughout the first half, leading Chicago 6-0 in total shots on goal. The contentious nature of the first five minutes appeared to spill over just after the half-time whistle, with both Blanco and Mantilla going toe to toe instead of heading into their respective locker rooms. After a minute of posturing, RSL keeper Nick Rimando and captain Carey Talley broke up the scuffle and each team left to prepare for the second half. The half-time break seemed to have little affect on the bad blood between Mantilla and Blanco, as both players continued their rivalry. Less than one minute into the second half both players collided just outside of RSL’s box for a non-foul, though Blanco played up the encounter.It appeared that Chicago wanted to take a page out of RSL’s playbook, opting for more control in the middle of the pitch while pushing their wing players for open crosses. However, this tactical approach didn’t result in more scoring opportunities as RSL continued to dominate possession and frustrate the Chicago attack. Pushing the ball forward, RSL produced their best opportunity when they earned a corner kick in the 55th minute. Andy Williams launched a rocket into the box, which led to a loose ball. Quickly collecting, Movsisyan attempted a bicycle kick that drifted inches wide of the goal. RSL began to adapt their lineup, bringing on Robbie Findley and Dema Kovalenko in place of Yura Movsisyan and Andy Williams. These changes appeared to instantly affect the intensity of the match, with the deadlock finally ending in the 71st minute.Kovalenko took a pass on the wing, dribbled the ball forward, and then drilled a cross into Chicago’s box. Rather than meeting a RSL player at the end of the cross, Chicago defender Bakary Soumare came through as the goal scorer by knocking the ball into his own goal while trying to clear.It appeared that this was to be the proverbial final nail in the coffin for Chicago, as they had done little offensively up to that point in the match. In an attempt to maintain pressure up top, RSL gave a home debut to their newly acquired Scottish forward, Kenny Deuchar. The 6’ 3” target forward came on for Espindola and had immediate impact controlling passes into Chicago’s final third and playing the ball into the corner with Findley to waste time. This tactic appeared to work, at least throughout the remainder of regular time.The tables turned, however, just one minute into extra time. Collecting a poor clearance just outside of the box, Blanco took his first shot on goal and easily buried the ball in the top left corner. The announced crowd of 20, 272 broke out into a roar of cheers, with the majority of the fans displaying Mexican National Team and Club América jerseys. If one didn’t know better, it would appear that the fans were celebrating the comeback of their home squad. RSL tried to mount attacking pressure in the final moments of extra time to little avail and the match ended in draw. Due to the repeat performance of last year’s final-minute draw in the home opener, there was little doubt that RSL would be disappointed with the result. RSL Coach Jason Kries, in particular, appeared frustrated. “It wasn’t about a breakdown on our part or a bad mistake in our penalty box. It was about one special player who made one special play and didn’t do really anything else the entire game – except run around and whine.” RSL will have a chance for redemption when they take on Chivas USA next Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. If RSL want to avoid more frustration and disappointment similar to their previous three seasons, a win over Chivas on the road would be the perfect place to start.

At a Glance

Attendance: 20,272 Weather: Cloudy, 43 degrees Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium – Salt Lake City, Utah Scoring Summary RSL – Bakary Soumare (OG) 71 CHI – Cuauhtémoc Blanco (unassisted) 92+ Discipline/Misconduct RSL – Ian Joy (caution; tackle from behind) 51 RSL – Robbie Findley (caution; simulation) 80 RSL – Kyle Beckerman (caution; professional foul) 87 CHI – Logan Pause (caution; tackle from behind) 89 Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando, Nat Borchers, Ian Joy, Matias Mantilla, Chris Wingert, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Carey Talley (CAP), Andy Williams (Dema Kovalenko 69), Fabian Espindola (Kenny Deuchar 73), Yura Movsisyan (Robbie Findley 62). Chicago Fire: Jon Busch, Diego Gutierrez, Brandon Prideaux, Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare (Calen Carr 84), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (CAP), Justin Mapp (Stephen King 54), Logan Pause, Chris Rolfe, Chad Barrett, Tomasz Frankowski (Andy Herron 76)

In 2009, Seattle.
2010: Philadelphia.
After that? MLS has mentioned St. Louis, New York City, and a few others. But what do you, the fan think? Vote in the poll below.

So far, it looks like St. Louis. But there’s still time.

By L.E. Eisenmenger In the first home opener in its 13-year history, the Revolution beat MLS Cup Champs Houston Dynamo 3-0. This Revolution was not about revenge. It was about great shape and fluid passing that had the Dynamo chasing the ball and out of position from the first 15 minutes to the bitter end, which was Sainey Nyassi’s breakaway goal in injury time. The Dynamo fought back however, and there were plenty of shots and lots of action from net to net for a full 90 minutes. For Chris Albright’s first New England game, “It couldn’t have been written any better.”

Nicol stacks his deck with teenage Gambian duo

Coach Steve Nicol knew the wild cards he had in 19 year-old Gambians Nyassi and Kenny Mansally because they prove it, “all the time in training.” Yet at the starting whistle, some of the Rev’s starting 11 were unproven: Mansally, after only a few dismal minutes last year, started as a striking partner for Adam Cristman. But Cristman was starting for Twellman, who was scratched 15 minutes before game time with an injured knee. The other half of the unknown Gambian duo, Nyassi, started on the right wing for last year’s rookie Wells Thompson, out with a foot injury. Costa Rican acquisition Mauricio Castro, who only practiced with the team for a week, started for speedy left-winger Khano Smith, on national team duty for Bermuda. The three-man back line was also unsettled, with typically right-sided Heaps on the left and high profile Galaxy trade and formerly disabled Chris Albright on the right. Houston was already competing successfully in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and somewhat unexpectedly brought big guns Brian Ching and De Rosario, fresh off national duty for the U.S. and Canada, respectively.

Team effort wins the game

The first big threat came when Mansally picked up the ball on a Houston mistake, took it to the corner and made a pinpoi low cross that Cristman almost converted in a sliding attack. Nyassi controlled the right wing from box to box using his pace to transition from defense to attack. Shalrie Joseph steadied the pace and distributed the ball with his trademark cool-headed decisions, and Captain Steve Ralston was everywhere Houston didn’t want him. In just the 15th minute, Ralston earned the Rev’s first goal of the season on a rebound off a Mansally shot. In the 32th minute, Cristman headed the second goal on a rebound off a Larentowicz drive. In the middle of the second half, the Dynamo got desperate and the game got physical. Ralston was fouled and helped off the field with a shoulder injury of undetermined severity. Untested Gary Flood took his place. Mansally seemed distracted by the aggressive play and was subbed out in the 81st minute for Kheli Dube. New England lost its shape and Houston capitalized on its mistakes, but Joseph stepped into Ralston’s dynamic role, Larentowicz helped get the game back under control, and Matt Reis made a big save to preserve the shut-out. Castro toughed it out for a full ninety minutes, learning MLS style on the fly and occasionally on the ground. “It’s a game against Houston. They’re all big guys and they’re all about pushing and shoving and kicking,” said Cristman. Showing a high fitness level, Nyassi’s delivered the breakaway goal in stoppage time, punctuating the season opener with a 3-0 shutout. Nyassi was clearly the surprise MVP of the game. Central defender Michael Parkhurst said, “Those guys love to get forward . . . Everybody in front made it easy for us.” The Revolution got off 17 shots (13 on goal), committed 7 fouls, and Reis, wearing a hat throughout the game, only had to make three saves. Houston acquired the only yellow card, took 15 shots (5 on goal), and committed 20 fouls. Houston Coach Dominic Kinnear was not happy. “We weren’t good tonight. I’m not going to say we should’ve won or should’ve come out with a point. We deserved to get beat tonight.” The Houston Dynamo must recover quickly to win the CONCACAF semifinal on April 2. Both young Gambians broke the previous record for youngest Rev starter on opening day, but Nyassi edged Mansally by a couple days at 19 years, one month, and 28 days.

Deep roster creates chances

Looking ahead, the Revs have the depth they need to compete in the crowded schedule before them. Aside from the regular season, the roster has to stretch over three tournaments: SuperLiga, CONCACAF, and U.S. Open Cup. It’s unclear what roles Khano Smith, Wells Thompson, Mauricio Castro, Chase Hildgenbrink, and incoming striker Argenis Fernandez will play, but Nicol wants them ready. He’s practical. “I keep telling these guys you never know what’s around the corner – somebody gets injured, suspension, changes in the team. You have to be ready when the chance comes, and Adam Cristman showed you today what a good professional is.” Signed to the Revolution senior roster just this week, defender Hildgenbrink may get that chance. Un-chosen in the 2004 draft, he played in the Chilean first and second divisions for four years, trained with the Colorado Rapids this preseason, yet was listed as a sub for this game.

Official Statsheet

Scoring Summary NE – Steve Ralston (unassisted) 15 NE – Adam Cristman (unassisted) 32 NE – Sainey Nyassi (unassisted) 93+ New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Chris Albright, Mauricio Castro, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Sainey Nyassi, Steve Ralston © (Gary Flood 63), Adam Cristman, Kenny Mansally (Kheli Dube 81) Substitutes Not Used: Sam Brill, Chase Hilgenbrinck, Amaechi Igwe STATS: Shots 17 (Cristman 7); Shots on Goal 13 (Cristman 6); Saves 3 (Reis 3); Corner Kicks 4 (Ralston 2); Offsides 3 (Mansally 2); Fouls Committed 7 (Mansally 3) Houston: Pat Onstad, Wade Barrett, Bobby Boswell, Brian Mullan (Patrick Ianni 63), Eddie Robinson, Corey Ashe, Dwayne De Rosario, Stuart Holden, Richard Mulrooney, Brian Ching (Geoff Cameron 86), Chris Wondolowski (Franco Caraccio 67) Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Brown, Erik Ustruck, Craig Waibel STATS: Shots 15 (De Rosario, Holden 3); Shots on Goal 5 (De Rosario, Robinson 2); Saves 10 (Onstad 10); Corner Kicks 6 (Mulrooney 4); Offsides 1 (Ching 1); Fouls Committed 20 (Ching, Holden 4) Misconduct Summary: HOU – Richard Mulrooney (caution) 58 Referee: Michael Kennedy Referee’s Assistants: George Gasner (SAR), Bill Ditmar (JAR) Fourth Official: Mark Geiger Time of Game: 1:55 Weather: Clear, 35 degrees Attendance: 11,116

New Wizards christen new home with a win Opening day jitters likely abounded as the new-look Kansas City Wizards took to their new field at Community America Ballpark to face DC United, the perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse, in their first home game of 2008. By halftime, those jitters were gone. Claudio Lopez, Kansas City’s first designated player, and Ivan Trujillo both notched their first MLS goals in the second half to give the Wizards a 2-0 win over United and a great start to their 2008 campaign. “[Trujillo and Lopez] made it very easy for us” said Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin of his teammates after the game. “It’s no coincidence when all eleven guys are working on the field that you’re successful defensively. It wasn’t just our backs and our goalie tonight. Our forwards work extremely hard off and on the ball. They did an outstanding job.” Both teams carried off-field baggage into Saturday’s game. For Kansas City, a slew of injuries forced a return to last year’s 4-4-2 that saw Striker Ryan Pore suiting up at left midfield and rookie Jonathan Leathers starting at right back. Meanwhile, DC United, facing injuries of their own and perhaps eyeing their CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture with Mexican club Pachuca next Tuesday, started Dominic Mediate and Clyde Simms in midfield. Perhaps due to the injuries and reconfigurations, both teams opened the game off pace, struggling to link passes or organize defenses. Kansas City managed the first few attempts on goal. Three minutes in, Trujillo centered the ball from the right corner to Lopez who past on to Carlos Marinelli, left of the goal mouth, but Marinelli’s volley went high and wide. Five minutes later another buildup settled at midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s feet, but his shot also went wide right. As both teams began to settle scoring opportunities evened out. DC midfielder Marcello Gallardo effectively orchestrated possession in United’s attacking third and managed a strong low volley in the 22nd minute that slid just right of goal. In the 35th minute, Gallardo connected with Luciano Emilio, DC’s playmaking striker, just beyond the Wizard’s penalty box. Emilio unleashed the strongest volley of the first half, a blistering shot that Keeper Kevin Hartman reflexively batted out of danger. “The defense organized well,” said Kevin Hartman, who recorded his 68th shutout. “Jimmy moved the line well, Michael made two game saving tackles and Jonathan Leathers stepped in last-minute and played competently against a great player in Fred. They played very maturely.” KC’s designated player, Lopez, had his own best opportunity minutes later, dribbling free of his defender and volleying from beyond the box, but the shot again went wide. Halftime came and neither team had managed to breach the others defensive wall, despite combining for 13 mostly long range attempts on goal. Shortly after the second half whistle, however, the Wizards’ probing attack finally paid off. In the 47th minute KC’s second year defender Michael Harrington crossed from the right corner to Jewsbury, open on the left. Jewsbury slotted a low pass into the six yard box where Ivan Trujillo hammered the ball past Keeper Zach Wells with a sliding right footed volley. The goal is the Colombian’s first in MLS. “That’s [Trujillo’s] game,” said head coach Curt Onalfo of Trujillo’s scrappy goal. “He’s a goal scorer. It’s going to take him a while to adapt to the league, but he’s a very hard worker and it’s showed early on.” Finding themselves behind, DC United attempted to compensate, subbing in midfielder Fred for defender Mark Burch and replacing forward Franco Niell with Santino Qaranta. United’s most dangerous players, however, continued to be Gallardo and Emilio. Emilio again provided DC with its best scoring opportunity in the 60th minute, breaking behind the Wizards backline and in on goal. Defenders Harrington and Jimmy Conrad managed to chase him down however and preserve the lead. That lead solidified moments later, when Ryan Pore unleashed Claudio Lopez behind United’s backline. Lopez chipped his shot over Wells, who managed to get a finger on it before it lofted over his head and into goal to give Kansas City the 2-0 advantage. “We started the second half outstanding,” said Onalfo after the game. “We haven’t had our team together very long but, as the game went on, you could see Ivan, Carlos and Lopez start to find a better understanding of each other and that ended up being the difference in the game.” Though down by two, DC’s top men continued to fight. Once more, Emilio snuck behind the backline in the 68th minute and in to the penalty box but Hartman quickly snatched the ball from his feet. In the 74th minute, Gallardo attempted a long volley from thirty yards that looped harmlessly left of goal. Kansas City’s young defenders handled the final onslaught with ease and as time expired, Trujillo, Lopez and the Wizard celebrated first goals in America, the first win in a new stadium and a brilliant opening to a promising future. “I think it was one of the smarter victories that I’ve been a part of in Kansas City,” said Hartman “You saw guys managing the game well. We didn’t give anything away in the first half, and then in the second we were able to get two great goals, which gives us confidence. We’re excited about it.”

New Wizards christen new home with a win

Opening day jitters likely abounded as the new-look Kansas City Wizards took to their new field at Community America Ballpark to face DC United, the perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse, in their first home game of 2008. By halftime, those jitters were gone. Claudio Lopez, Kansas City’s first designated player, and Ivan Trujillo both notched their first MLS goals in the second half to give the Wizards a 2-0 win over United and a great start to their 2008 campaign.

“[Trujillo and Lopez] made it very easy for us” said Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin of his teammates after the game. “It’s no coincidence when all eleven guys are working on the field that you’re successful defensively. It wasn’t just our backs and our goalie tonight. Our forwards work extremely hard off and on the ball. They did an outstanding job.”

Both teams carried off-field baggage into Saturday’s game. For Kansas City, a slew of injuries forced a return to last year’s 4-4-2 that saw Striker Ryan Pore suiting up at left midfield and rookie Jonathan Leathers starting at right back. Meanwhile, DC United, facing injuries of their own and perhaps eyeing their CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture with Mexican club Pachuca next Tuesday, started Dominic Mediate and Clyde Simms in midfield.

Perhaps due to the injuries and reconfigurations, both teams opened the game off pace, struggling to link passes or organize defenses. Kansas City managed the first few attempts on goal. Three minutes in, Trujillo centered the ball from the right corner to Lopez who past on to Carlos Marinelli, left of the goal mouth, but Marinelli’s volley went high and wide. Five minutes later another buildup settled at midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s feet, but his shot also went wide right.

As both teams began to settle scoring opportunities evened out. DC midfielder Marcello Gallardo effectively orchestrated possession in United’s attacking third and managed a strong low volley in the 22nd minute that slid just right of goal. In the 35th minute, Gallardo connected with Luciano Emilio, DC’s playmaking striker, just beyond the Wizard’s penalty box. Emilio unleashed the strongest volley of the first half, a blistering shot that Keeper Kevin Hartman reflexively batted out of danger.

“The defense organized well,” said Kevin Hartman, who recorded his 68th shutout. “Jimmy moved the line well, Michael made two game saving tackles and Jonathan Leathers stepped in last-minute and played competently against a great player in Fred. They played very maturely.”

KC’s designated player, Lopez, had his own best opportunity minutes later, dribbling free of his defender and volleying from beyond the box, but the shot again went wide.

Halftime came and neither team had managed to breach the others defensive wall, despite combining for 13 mostly long range attempts on goal. Shortly after the second half whistle, however, the Wizards’ probing attack finally paid off. In the 47th minute KC’s second year defender Michael Harrington crossed from the right corner to Jewsbury, open on the left. Jewsbury slotted a low pass into the six yard box where Ivan Trujillo hammered the ball past Keeper Zach Wells with a sliding right footed volley. The goal is the Colombian’s first in MLS.

“That’s [Trujillo’s] game,” said head coach Curt Onalfo of Trujillo’s scrappy goal. “He’s a goal scorer. It’s going to take him a while to adapt to the league, but he’s a very hard worker and it’s showed early on.”

Finding themselves behind, DC United attempted to compensate, subbing in midfielder Fred for defender Mark Burch and replacing forward Franco Niell with Santino Qaranta. United’s most dangerous players, however, continued to be Gallardo and Emilio. Emilio again provided DC with its best scoring opportunity in the 60th minute, breaking behind the Wizards backline and in on goal. Defenders Harrington and Jimmy Conrad managed to chase him down however and preserve the lead.

That lead solidified moments later, when Ryan Pore unleashed Claudio Lopez behind United’s backline. Lopez chipped his shot over Wells, who managed to get a finger on it before it lofted over his head and into goal to give Kansas City the 2-0 advantage.

“We started the second half outstanding,” said Onalfo after the game. “We haven’t had our team together very long but, as the game went on, you could see Ivan, Carlos and Lopez start to find a better understanding of each other and that ended up being the difference in the game.”

Though down by two, DC’s top men continued to fight. Once more, Emilio snuck behind the backline in the 68th minute and in to the penalty box but Hartman quickly snatched the ball from his feet. In the 74th minute, Gallardo attempted a long volley from thirty yards that looped harmlessly left of goal. Kansas City’s young defenders handled the final onslaught with ease and as time expired, Trujillo, Lopez and the Wizard celebrated first goals in America, the first win in a new stadium and a brilliant opening to a promising future.

“I think it was one of the smarter victories that I’ve been a part of in Kansas City,” said Hartman “You saw guys managing the game well. We didn’t give anything away in the first half, and then in the second we were able to get two great goals, which gives us confidence. We’re excited about it.”

Adding insult to injury, Los Angeles Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz has been diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament and will be out for an undetermined amount of time. The injury happened near the end of the Galaxy’s 4-0 loss on Saturday night to the Colorado Rapids. Ruiz was chopped down from behind by rookie Ciaran O’Brien, inciting a brief scuffle when Landon Donovan took offense to the challenge. O’Brien was eventually sent off after the two players were separated, but Ruiz had to be stretchered off the pitch. Ruiz, making his second run with the Galaxy, registered a shot early in Saturday’s game, but the attempt was a weak, off-balance left-footed attempt. The 7th minute effort was easily dealt with by Rapids keeper Bouna Coundoul and the Colorado backline effectively took El Pescadito out of the match from then on. His status for Thursday’s home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes is unknown, with team officials saying Ruiz is ‘questionable’, But the injury can be quite serious, depending on the severity of the sprain. It is the same injury that took David Beckham out of action for seven weeks last season and could require a similar amount of time for Ruiz to recover, which would be devastating to the Galaxy, who hoped to ride their offense to a strong start in 2008. The Guatemalan striker will be evaluated further by team doctors upon returning to Los Angeles.

New Wizards christen new home with a win Opening day jitters likely abounded as the new-look Kansas City Wizards took to their new field at Community America Ballpark to face DC United, the perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse, in their first home game of 2008. By halftime, those jitters were gone. Claudio Lopez, Kansas City’s first designated player, and Ivan Trujillo both notched their first MLS goals in the second half to give the Wizards a 2-0 win over United and a great start to their 2008 campaign. “[Trujillo and Lopez] made it very easy for us” said Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin of his teammates after the game. “It’s no coincidence when all eleven guys are working on the field that you’re successful defensively. It wasn’t just our backs and our goalie tonight. Our forwards work extremely hard off and on the ball. They did an outstanding job.” Both teams carried off-field baggage into Saturday’s game. For Kansas City, a slew of injuries forced a return to last year’s 4-4-2 that saw Striker Ryan Pore suiting up at left midfield and rookie Jonathan Leathers starting at right back. Meanwhile, DC United, facing injuries of their own and perhaps eyeing their CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture with Mexican club Pachuca next Tuesday, started Dominic Mediate and Clyde Simms in midfield. Perhaps due to the injuries and reconfigurations, both teams opened the game off pace, struggling to link passes or organize defenses. Kansas City managed the first few attempts on goal. Three minutes in, Trujillo centered the ball from the right corner to Lopez who past on to Carlos Marinelli, left of the goal mouth, but Marinelli’s volley went high and wide. Five minutes later another buildup settled at midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s feet, but his shot also went wide right. As both teams began to settle scoring opportunities evened out. DC midfielder Marcello Gallardo effectively orchestrated possession in United’s attacking third and managed a strong low volley in the 22nd minute that slid just right of goal. In the 35th minute, Gallardo connected with Luciano Emilio, DC’s playmaking striker, just beyond the Wizard’s penalty box. Emilio unleashed the strongest volley of the first half, a blistering shot that Keeper Kevin Hartman reflexively batted out of danger. “The defense organized well,” said Kevin Hartman, who recorded his 68th shutout. “Jimmy moved the line well, Michael made two game saving tackles and Jonathan Leathers stepped in last-minute and played competently against a great player in Fred. They played very maturely.” KC’s designated player, Lopez, had his own best opportunity minutes later, dribbling free of his defender and volleying from beyond the box, but the shot again went wide. Halftime came and neither team had managed to breach the others defensive wall, despite combining for 13 mostly long range attempts on goal. Shortly after the second half whistle, however, the Wizards’ probing attack finally paid off. In the 47th minute KC’s second year defender Michael Harrington crossed from the right corner to Jewsbury, open on the left. Jewsbury slotted a low pass into the six yard box where Ivan Trujillo hammered the ball past Keeper Zach Wells with a sliding right footed volley. The goal is the Colombian’s first in MLS. “That’s [Trujillo’s] game,” said head coach Curt Onalfo of Trujillo’s scrappy goal. “He’s a goal scorer. It’s going to take him a while to adapt to the league, but he’s a very hard worker and it’s showed early on.” Finding themselves behind, DC United attempted to compensate, subbing in midfielder Fred for defender Mark Burch and replacing forward Franco Niell with Santino Qaranta. United’s most dangerous players, however, continued to be Gallardo and Emilio. Emilio again provided DC with its best scoring opportunity in the 60th minute, breaking behind the Wizards backline and in on goal. Defenders Harrington and Jimmy Conrad managed to chase him down however and preserve the lead. That lead solidified moments later, when Ryan Pore unleashed Claudio Lopez behind United’s backline. Lopez chipped his shot over Wells, who managed to get a finger on it before it lofted over his head and into goal to give Kansas City the 2-0 advantage. “We started the second half outstanding,” said Onalfo after the game. “We haven’t had our team together very long but, as the game went on, you could see Ivan, Carlos and Lopez start to find a better understanding of each other and that ended up being the difference in the game.” Though down by two, DC’s top men continued to fight. Once more, Emilio snuck behind the backline in the 68th minute and in to the penalty box but Hartman quickly snatched the ball from his feet. In the 74th minute, Gallardo attempted a long volley from thirty yards that looped harmlessly left of goal. Kansas City’s young defenders handled the final onslaught with ease and as time expired, Trujillo, Lopez and the Wizard celebrated first goals in America, the first win in a new stadium and a brilliant opening to a promising future. “I think it was one of the smarter victories that I’ve been a part of in Kansas City,” said Hartman “You saw guys managing the game well. We didn’t give anything away in the first half, and then in the second we were able to get two great goals, which gives us confidence. We’re excited about it.”

Terry Cooke scored the opening goal and assisted the last two in Colorado’s 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night. Wearing the captain’s armband, Cooke gave the record crowd of 18,713 fans a long-overdue taste of offense. Cooke hadn’t scored since 2005, which was also the last year the Rapids scored four goals in a game. Four separate players scored on Saturday. When the Galaxy lined up David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Carlos Ruiz, it looked like it might be a long night for the Colorado defenders and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. Beckham served up dozens of bending free kicks, crosses, and a corner kick. But the Colorado back line stayed organized and handled every attack. “If you look at the roster,” noted Colorado head coach Fernando Clavijo, “there were seven players that I considered rookies last year. They did a very good job tonight.” Kosuke Kimura marked Donovan out of the game, and Stephen Keel and Facundo Erpen prevented Ruiz from mustering more than one shot on goal. “It was a combination of Keel and Erpen stepping into the midfield,” Clavijo said of shutting down the Guatemalan attacker. “We know Ruiz is one of the most dangerous targets in the league.” In the seventh minute, Beckham sent a long throughball to Ruiz on the left side, but Coundoul saved the weak left-footed attempt, the last shot of the night for Ruiz. In the 10th minute, Christian Gomez held the ball for Colorado outside the penalty box until Galaxy defender Abel Xavier chopped him down from behind. Gomez took the free kick himself, blasting it straight into the wall. Nick LaBrocca collected the bouncing ball and worked his way into the box. Omar Cummings had possession briefly, dropping it back for Gomez, who fired a shot off the lower post. Captain Cooke stepped in line to fire the same near-post shot past Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin for the opening goal. Although the Galaxy didn’t possess the ball much after the goal, they still continued to create chances. Explaining his two halftime substitutions, head coach Ruud Gullit said, “We needed to have a little bit more power in midfield. Of course, the penalty changed things.” The penalty In the 60th minute, Cooke received the ball with a lot of space on the right wing and found Cummings cutting into the box. The Jamaican held the ball in front of Xavier, went down briefly, and was up in an instant. Center referee Abiodun Okulaja pointed to the penalty spot, and Gomez slotted the second goal in the lower left corner. According to Beckham, “It’s not our best night. At one-nil, we still had a chance, even though we were chasing the game. When you get hit by a second goal, it deflates the players and deflates the team.” The deflated visitors showed more fatigue as the game wore on and Clavijo made three changes. Immediately before the first substitution in the 68th minute, Cummings scored the third Colorado goal. Cooke had the ball on the right side again, and Gomez seemed to be running into the same space Cummings planned to fill. But Gomez raced forward into an offsides position wide of Cooke and out of the play. Meanwhile, Cummings swerved straight upfield and received a throughball from Cooke. Cummings beat Cronin and slipped in a goal before Herculez Gomez replaced him. In the 80th minute, Cooke sent a cross from the right side to the deep left corner where Colin Clark was all alone with Xavier. Clark took the ball straight at Xavier, continued around him, and went straight toward goal before poking the final coffin nail past Cronin. A minute later, Ciaran O’Brien replaced Christian Gomez, only to leave the field 19 minutes later for a late, clumsy challenge that sent Ruiz off on a stretcher and O’Brien off on suspension. Pablo Mastroeni came on for John DiRaimondo with about 10 minutes to play. The Galaxy face San Jose on Thursday, and Colorado’s next game is at Kansas City on Saturday night.