Monday Morning Roundup (For Tuesday)

Anybody Have a Clue? We Sure Don't...

Nice job yesterday, Scott! You said what the Caps needed to do to get back in the series and it looks like they followed it almost to a tee. A 4-0 mugging over the Rangers in New york has got to give the boys some renewed confidence in themselves and Simon Varlamov has only given up 1 goal in 2 games...looks like this is a series again!

Now, back to the weekend roundup of everything soccer:

1. USL2 - Ugly game Friday between Crystal Palace and Pittsburgh. Someone in attendance said there were literally ZERO chances created by either team. On the other hand, Richmond and Harrisburg played to a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Kickers dominated large portions of the game, but were down 2-1 due to some self-inflicted errors which the Islanders capitalized on. In this league, especially with the improved level of play, those mistakes will kill you. Richmond tied it up in the 2nd half on an interesting penalty call (WAY too long to try and explain it here, and I don't even think I could describe it accurately). Regardless, a great way to start the season and I think both teams will be in the running for the title when all is said and done. One other thing; the game was played in front of 3,000 people at U of R Stadium. With soccer now the only professional sport in the city of Richmond, looks like people might be coming out to support the team. It's well-deserved for an organization that has done more to associate itself with the city and surrounding areas than most teams do in any sport.

2. USL1 - Nicholas Addlery scores 2 goals for Puerto Rico as they avenge last year's Championship loss to Vancouver with a 2-1 win. I'll say it again (sarcastically); Addlery wasn't good enough for DC United or anybody else in MLS... I wonder if that's what he uses for motivation as he lights it up against solid competition? Elsewhere, Carolina is 2-0 after beating Rochester, and former MLS star Diego Serna got a goal and 2 assists to lead Miami over Cleveland. Don't worry, I won't be trumpeting for Serna in MLS. The guy's a bit of a loose cannon, but if he's on his game, don't be surprised if he leads the league in scoring this year.

3. MLS - Kenny Cooper scores 2 more for Dallas in a 3-2 win over Toronto. 4 goals already for Cooper...Any chance Bradley brings him into camp for the Honduras/Costa Rica games? Yeah, me neither. At least Brian Ching seems to have regained his scoring touch, which justifies his callups...for now. In what I'm calling the "Time-Warp Game," Josh Wolff scores twice for Kansas City while Brian McBride also gets the brace in a 2-2 draw. The last time these guys were on the same field was...2002 against Mexico? Have the Red Bulls found a strike partner for Juan Pablo Angel? Macoumba Kandji gets his 2nd of the season in New York's win. The former Atlanta Silverbacks player seems to be making his mark early in the season. Finally, Chivas has the best record in the league at 4-0-1 after a 2-0 win over Seattle. Preki's doing something right. Any chance he could give Bruce Arena some pointers?

4. F.A. Cup Semis - Chelsea beats Arsenal on some terribly bad goalkeeping from Lukasz Fabianski. Saturday marked his 24th birthday, and apparently he was in a giving mood after conceding 2 lousy goals. He'll still be in the nets today as they try to take down Liverpool. Good luck with that. In the other semi, a fairly lackluster game between Man U. and Everton ended scoreless after 120 minutes, but U.S. goalie Tim Howard makes 2 huge saves in the penalty kick shootout to give Everton the win and the meeting with Chelsea at the end of May. There goes the chance for those 5 titles for Man U. this year. Guess they'll just have to settle for 4...

Non-Soccer News

5. Washington Redskins Draft - Looks like they're going to try and blow this one as well, as the rumors are hot and heavy they want to trade up to get QB Mark "Dirty" Sanchez from USC. And they throw Campbell under the bus once again. Of course, it's all Jason's fault, especially when his o-line's average age is 32 and needs walkers to get around after game 8. But if we know Danny and Vinny (see above picture), they'd rather make a big splash and mortgage the franchise than by building from the inside out (meaning the o and d-lines)... Hopefully my Colts won't screw their pick up either, but at least they have a good organization in place.