Soccer birthdays:
U.S. international Edgar Castillo, notable because he played three times for Mexico before then playing for the United States, turns 26 today.
And since I am a huge fan of the Bourne series, Matt Damon turns 42.
Big Important Stories of the Day:
The United States roster comes out for its latest pair of qualifiers, Friday in Antigua and then next week here against Guatemala. We already know one surprise, Eddie Johnson’s apparent inclusion. But there may be more surprises ahead; Jurgen Klinsmann has certainly demonstrated a lack of predictability where his selections are concerned.
The subplot here, one that related directly to Klinsmann’s latest call-ups, is Landon Donovan’s status. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena likes to make a big mystery of injuries, always playing fast and loose with the facts in these matters. But we’ll know a little more, at very least, on Monday. If Donovan is on the roster when U.S. Soccer releases it at 3 p.m. ET, then he’s OK. If he’s not named to the U.S. squad – well, we still don’t know much about the left knee injury, but we know a little more.
(MORE: Landon Donovan’s injury, with enough concern to go around)
(MORE: With little margin for error, Klinsmann wants greater focus)
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Alecko Eskandarian
*Ahead on the blog today: Plenty. Thoughts on the U.S. roster, and something on Klinsmann news conference (at 3:30 p.m. ET) to discuss it.
Some thoughts on a U.S. Soccer decision that chaps my hiney.
We’ll talk a little more about the sensational scene last night in Seattle (pictured), where the Sounders fans went “all in.”
And the Monday usual, MLS Team of the Week, MLS Player of the Week and the Monday “Meh” list.
Twitter daps:
If the MLS playoffs started today (following 28 rounds):
Eastern Conference
(Wildcard round)
- Houston at New York
(Second round)
- Sporting Kansas City vs. Wildcard winner
- Chicago vs. D.C. United
Western Conference:
(Wildcard round)
- Vancouver Whitecaps at L.A. Galaxy
(Second Round)
- San Jose vs. Wildcard winner
- Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle
PST background noise while blogging today: Sports talk. What a fantastic time of year.
We’ll leave you with this: How referee Mark Geiger could allow Kansas City’s Kei Kamara (or any player, for that matter) to get in his face and scream at him underscores how the league absolutely must empower – let’s make that require – match officials to demand players comport themselves more appropriately. This is what we want kids to see? This is the example everyone wants to set? That’s pitiful.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is…
