Photo by ISIphotos.com
Four MLS players who have been called in for Wednesday's World Cup qualifying showdown between the United States and Mexico took the field in MLS action on Sunday night and none of them looked to be holding anything back.
Brian Ching, Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark combined for 268 of a possible 270 minutes as Clark and Holden scored two of Houston's three goals in a 3-2 victory against Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. Blanco, called in by Mexico for Wednesday's match, played a full 90 minutes, which could have an impact on the role he is given by Mexico on Wednesday.
Kei Kamara opened the scoring with a close-range blast before Clark collected a perfect chip pass from Ching and buried his own chance. Chicago rallied with two goals early in the second half to tie the score, but Holden converted a penalty kick drawn by Corey Ashe late to seal the victory for the Dynamo.
Here are some other stories to get your day going:
Capello says Beckham must play in Europe
As David Beckham needed any more motivation to want to return to Europe after the current MLS season, now comes word from England manager Fabio Capello that Beckham must play in Europe next year to have a chance at a World Cup place.
'Beckham knows well that if he doesn't return to a big European championship in December he'll have no chance for the World Cup,' Capello told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Capello's ultimate will all but guarantee that Beckham moves to Europe this winter, with the only question being where will he go. The Daily Mail is reporting that Tottenham and Chelsea are in the running for Beckham's services.
Set Pieces
Cristiano Zanetti is leaving Juventus for Fiorentina.
Dick Advocaat has been fired by Zenit St. Petersburg, little more than a year after winning UEFA Cup.
Barcelona setting sights on Cesc Fabregas.
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That's all for now? What did you think of Houston's win on Sunday night? Do you see Beckham returning to MLS after the 2010 World Cup, or is this his last MLS hurrah? Think Barcelona can pry Fabregas away from Arsenal?
Share your thoughts below.
Capello is a number one a-hole. Remember the history folks. Beckham was a has been at Real Madrid, consigned to ride the pine an with very little hope of netting another BIG contract from any of the major Euro clubs.As for England.Mclaren was going for youth, and Beckham didn’t fit in.
THEN the Galaxy made a swoop, buying Beckham for a tasty sum. But not necessarily for his footballing skills, but more for his marketing appeal. Give Becks credit, with the new deal he trained even harder and when the opportunity came to make an impact…he did. Got some starts and lead Real Madrid to a come from behind title in La Liga. The next thing you know McClaren is out and experience is in.. The call of a WC birth, one to erase the ignominy of being sent off in his lat WC appearance is too appealing to Becks. Capello is dangling the carrot and at the same time giving the thumbs down to the “your not good enough” MLS.Paybacks are a bitch and Capello is giving one to the MLS for swooping on Beckham.
The MLS should keep Becks, give the finger to Capello and DARE him to keep becks from the team
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out….”have fun storming the castle”
lol at socrates.
The real story is not Beckham leaving…no surprise there. It’s Capello being a prick. He’s exactly the type of coach that wouldn’t last a year in MLS.
What, the Advocaat news has not inspired a flood of “Fire Bradley!” comments? Is this still SBI?
I really wish people would stop referring to posters who criticize or dislike certain players as being “haters”. This is asinine. You can just tell that this is the same type of idiot who goes around using the same term in whatever he’s talking about. Don’t agree with him, and you are a hater. Personally, I think all people who call people “haters” are “lowlifes”. And if you disagree with me you must be a “dirtbag”. Now let all of us “hooligans” continue with the civil discussion of soccer.