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Morning Ticker: DC reserves get a point, Terry ruled out for England and Roma denies locker room split

Good morning folks. After a short, but memorable stay in Salt Lake City, Ives is on the SBI jet and asked me to post for him. Without further Freddy Adu, I present you today’s morning ticker.

With their season spiraling out of control and their playoff hopes sinking quicker than my 401K, D.C. United had all but thrown in the towel for Thursday night’s CONCACAF Champions League clash with Deportivo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa. With a critical league match set for Sunday in Houston, United coach Tom Soehn sent a team of reserves to the Monster’s Cave, one of the most toughest road venues in the region.

What followed was a surprise, as D.C. earned its first point of the competition, playing the Purple Monsters to a 2-2 draw.

United is actually disappointed not to take all three points after Francis Doe capitalized on a defensive gaffe to give D.C. a 1-0 lead six minutes in. Saprissa missed a first-half penalty and had a goal called back for offside a few minutes into the second half, but took a 2-1 lead when Cesar Elizando scored a brace in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Soehn wasn’t on the sideline for the final 10 minutes, sent off by Mexican referee German Arredondo after the D.C. coach complained about play being allowed to continue with Quavas Kirk lying injured on the turf.

It looked like D.C. would suffer its seventh straight loss in all competitions until it got an equalizer at the death from the unlikeliest of sources with Rod Dyachenko chesting Marc Burch’s corner kick in to finish an entertaining, but sloppy game.

What does this mean for United? It simply delays the inevitable in terms of the Champions League, but its players hope this gutty peformance provides a spark for the final three regular season games. 

Terry ruled out for England

John Terry’s ailing back will keep him from playing in England’s World Cup qualifer against Kazakhstan, the captain has been ruled out by manager Fabio Capello.

Rio Ferdinand will wear the armband in Terry’s absence and Joleon Lescott or Matthew Upson could take Terry’s place in the starting XI. Terry has had a history of back problems and again sustained an injury in Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League tilt against CFL Cluj. Fear not England fans, Terry could be back on the pitch for Wedneday’s qualifer against Belarus in Minsk.

All is well with Roma, signed the players

Locker room split, what locker room split? Despite winning just two out of its first six matches and sitting in 14th place in the Serie A table, Roma players claim all is well in their locker room despite reports that claim otherwise.

With the exception of those players away on international duty, 14 Roma players signed a letter that in part read, "While not denying that we are going through a difficult time from a sporting angle due to lack or results, our dressing room is healthy and united."

That’s sweet, but how does a united Roma team sign a letter without all of its players? I don’t claim to have any insider knowledge of the Roma locker room, but is it much of a stretch to think the players away on international duty might not be on the same page with those who penned the note? Sounds like some damage control from a team that had high expectations following a season when they were runners-up to Inter Milan.

Those are just a few of the stories in the headlines on this soccer Friday. Hope I was able to fill the void as Ives is en route to D.C. for Saturday night’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Cuba. As always, share your thoughts and comments below.

Comments

  1. When I saw Rod Dyachenko scored a clutch goal, I was shocked, but now that you mention he “chested in a corner” it makes more sense. I personally think he’s awful.

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