Photo by ISIphotos.com
Goals from Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto helped the Columbus fight back from an early deficit to top the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Crew Stadium.
The victory helps the Crew edge out of its tie for last place in the East with the Red Bulls and moved past New England into fifth place in the conference.
Here are some other stories from this morning and Wednesday to get your day going:
Hejduk not ruled out vs. Costa Rica
According to a U.S. national team source, defender Frankie Hejduk has NOT been ruled out for next week's World Cup qualifier vs. Costa Rica because of the groin injury that kept him out of the Crew's win vs. San Jose.
A television report during the Crew's victory against the Earthquakes stated that Hejduk would miss the Costa Rica match, but Hejduk is expected to be re-evaluated by U.S. national team doctors before a decision is made on his availability for Wednesday. (UPDATE- Hejduk will remain in Columbus, where his progress will be tracked by the Crew medical staff and where a decision will be made on whether he can actually join the national team, be it in Miami or San Jose. So no, Hejduk hasn't been ruled out yet.)
If Hejduk cannot play, Jonathan Spector or Marvell Wynne would be expected to fill in for him.
Libertadores quarters kick off
Former New York Red Bulls defender Gabriel Cichero (yes, him) scored a second-minute goal to give Caracas a 1-0 lead in its Copa Libertadores quarterfinal first-leg match-up against Gremio, but the lead disappeared in the second half as a Fabio Santos goal helped give the Brazilians a 1-1 draw on the road.
Cruzeiro posted a 2-1 victory in its Libertadores quarterfinal first-leg against Sao Paolo. Leonardo Silva and ze Maria provided the goals for Cruzeiro.
The other quarterfinal series begin tonight, with Defensor Sporting facing Estudiantes La Plata, while Palmeiras plays host to Nacional de Montevideo.
ESPN to broadcast Confederations Cup in HD
If watching top soccer matches in HD is a favorite passtime of yours, then it is going to be a good summer.
ESPN announced on Wednesday that it will air the entire Confederations Cup in HD on the ESPN family of networks.
As for the U.S. national team's schedule, the United States will face Italy on ESPN (June 15, 2:25pm), Brazil on ESPN2 (June 18, 9:55am) and Egypt on ESPN2 (June 21, 2:25pm).
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What do you think of these developments? Do you see the Crew making another championship run? Still holding out hope that Hejduk can play vs. Costa Rica? Are you a Red Bulls fan who is not at all surprised that Cichero is enjoying a career boon since leaving New York? Excited at the thought of seeing the Confederations Cup in HD?
Share your thoughts below.