America's Football 3.12.08: MLS, Champions Cup, and Olympic Qualifying

Posted by Sean Garmer on 03.12.2008

Current MLS news, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and Olympic Qualifying predictions. All inside.

Hello everyone, the first pre-season tournament for MLS has finished, and probably in the way they did not envision either. Beckham's LA Galaxy finish 3rd, and the MLS champs (sans Dwayne DeRosario) are run ragged by the J-League's Gamba Osaka, especially by a certain Brazilian named Bare. David Beckham had two assists and showed his class against a bad Sydney side though. It wasn't a big success with the crowds in Hawaii, as they couldn't draw more than the average of some MLS teams. In a way I think it is a good thing, an MLS team didn't win the first trophy because any other league that wants to join, will know they stand a chance of winning and there is good competition.

However, there are more important things to discuss today, as the United States U-23 National team attempts to qualify for the Olympics, there will be more on that later. Also, the final CONCACAF Champions Cup begins today as well. Houston and DC United will look to make it far in the tournament. Good old, Matt Adamson will join me to run down our predictions for that tournament. So without any further ado it is more…






MLS News



Philadelphia: Officially the 16th team


Last Thursday it was announced that in 2010; Chester, Pennsylvania will house the new Philadelphia MLS team. They will be owned by about five different firms, including Nick Sakiewicz, a two time MLS executive of the year. The Chester PA area is getting a big $500 million dollar renovation project on the waterfront.


Unlike others, I just see this as a great thing for the league to get a 16th team. They are still talking to St. Louis to get another team on board; at this rate they will hit the target of 18 teams by 2011. Philadelphia is a big soccer town, and with the stadium being built around a renovated area it could bring a large fanbase to the team. Not to mention those Philly fans that have become Redbulls or DC fans due to them not having a team.


Kansas City get a Designated Player



Kansas City have signed former Club America and Valencia forward, Claudio Lopez. The 33 year old will look to provide a nice force upfront this season for the Wizards. This is something KC really needed as with Eddie Johnson gone, they didn't have much to speak of in the striker position. With the addition of Lopez and another winter signing of Colombian Ivan Trujillo, they now have some depth in that area, if you add Scott Sealy and Davy Arnaud. I didn't think KC would make a move like this, as last year they went without a DP, and made a nice run to the playoffs. I think the tide is changing in KC, and with this signing I expect more out of them this season. That 10,000 seat Baseball Park may not sound too appetizing for MLS TV watchers, but I would have my eye on them this year.


San Jose have a Talisman



Ronnie O' Brien played in only 13 games for Toronto last season before suffering a season ending injury. However, in those 13 games he still managed to lead the team in assists for the year with four. All humor aside, Ronnie is a four time All-Star, he is an experienced creative midfield player that has played in Europe too. The Irishman really knows how to get passes and crosses into players where they need them. He is a great fit into this young and upcoming San Jose squad. If he stays healthy he will be a huge boost to the scoring potential and overall play.


In other news, there were a few other moves. Andy Herron went to Chicago, and Kevin Harmse winds up in Toronto as the Galaxy have to clear some cap space. Also New England got a little Latino flavor into the side with the addition of Mauricio Castro and Argenis Fernandez. Now onto Champions Cup talk.



2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup




The last Champions Cup is here, and it looks to be a good one. Joining me to break down the games is Matt Adamson He loves all these tournaments and what not, so I figured it would be good to include him. I'd just like to remind everyone that these are played over two legs.

Motagua (Honduras) vs. Pachuca (Mexico)

Matt Adamson: Here is an interesting matchup. Pachuca are certainly not the same level that they were in 2007 when they won the Champions Cup, and in my opinion, Motagua won Central America on a fluke. However, I still think they would be here in the Champions Cup. The difference is, I think their chances of advancing should not be made indicative based on their Central American result. Think of them as the third place in that tournament and you'll get a better idea of how I feel they'll fare here. Pachuca is easily good enough to win and DC United vs. Pachuca would be a GREAT semi-final to watch. I'm counting on it.

Winner: Pachuca

Sean Garmer: This will be one to watch because a team from Honduras is somewhat unpredictable. It is also bad for us because we hardly get to see them on television, so it is difficult to judge how well they will do. Pachuca on the other hand, you can watch every week, and they don't seem to be in the greatest of form, and are not near what they were last year. However, it is very hard to go against Pachuca because they do have such a great team, and you feel that they will just decide to turn it on at any moment. Cup competitions always take out league form, and though I want to pick an upset, this probably isn't the team to do it against.

Winner: Pachuca


Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Municipal (Guatemala)


Matt Adamson: Municipal isn't playing as well as they should right now and that could be Houston's ticket to the semi-finals. Though in pre-season form, and recently following that catastrophic loss to Gamba Osaka, Houston is prepared for this. Their roster is strong and deep for MLS and I think we'll see them struggle in Guatemala, but come around and dominate the home leg. All they really need is a healthy DeRosario playing his best form and the rest will come into place.

Winner: Houston Dynamo

Sean Garmer: Regardless of whether or not Houston is still in preseason form, this team is dangerous. Going down to Guatemala is always a tough task, but I believe that this is Houston's tie to lose.

Winner: Houston Dynamo


Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) vs. Atlante (Mexico)


Matt Adamson: What happens when you take the Mexican Champions and put them up against the champions of Costa Rica. Well typically you'd see the Mexican side dominate, but I don't think that's going to be the case here. Atlante put all their eggs in one basket for the Apertura 2007 and have been in terrible for during the Clausura. They have what it takes to beat Saprissa, but I don't think they are going to be able to do it. If I had to pick a final, DC vs. Saprissa would be the most fun to watch. Saprissa is a fine tuned machine by CONCACAF standards and should squeak this one out and it'll only get easier with either Houston or Municipal.

Winner: Deportivo Saprissa


Sean Garmer: If there's anything to point out in this tie, it is that Saprissa are the model of consistency in CONCACAF. They kinda always seem to be there in this competition. They are the most successful non-Mexican team when it comes to this tournament. Atlante I think got a fluke win of the Apertura last fall, and that will be proven here. I don't think Vergara will accept a first round knockout of the club, especially to another Mexican side.

Winner: Deportivo Saprissa


DC United (MLS) vs. Harbour View (Jamaica)


Matt Adamson: If United aren't able to pull off the win over Harbour View, they have wasted a lot of money in the off-season. Harbour View just lost one of their two best players in former New York striker Fabian Taylor. That loss will be significant enough to break all hopes for the club from Kingston. I also believe DC United are the team to beat for the Cup as they really made some seemingly smart moves (I guess we'll find out if they truly were smart) in January. I'm looking for a substantial amount of goals to be scored by DC. I'd say between 5 and 7 between both games. DC clearly got the best draw of all.

Sean Garmer: DC should win this hands down really. They are the Supporter's Shield winners, they made the most moves in the offseason, and are going to want to show that they are an entirely different class here.

Winner: DC United



CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying



Well the United States and Mexico are of course the odds on favorites to qualify here, but there are some teams that could pull off an upset in the Semi-Finals possibly. So I wouldn't write off watching the games. All games will be available on ESPN Deportes, ESPN 360, and the US Team will have all their games shown on FSC as well.


Group A

USA
Panama
Honduras
Cuba

Prediction: 1- USA, 2- Honduras. The US should still get out of the group regardless here, but I'm sure Peter Nowak will make sure that the team gets up for every game, and doesn't slack off. Even though the team will not include Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, Arturo Alvarez (who actually was mysteriously dropped just before qualifying), or Robbie Rogers (Those four probably will be in the squad if the US actually makes the Olympics). They still have plenty of quality with Altidore, Adu, Edu, Holden, and a good defense. The US do need to watch out for all three teams in this group, they definitely got the harder draw. Panama did make It to the U-20's last year (though they were tonked out in the first round), and Honduras is always dangerous just based on the players having lots of pace and raw skill. Cuba I really don't know, their senior squad was a bit of a surprise in the Gold Cup last summer, but their group draw is really misleading. I wouldn't be surprised if Panama and Honduras switch places. Those should be the two to go through here.


Group B

Mexico
Canada
Haiti
Guatemala

Prediction: 1- Mexico, 2-Guatemala. Mexico should really have no problem getting out of the group. They certainly got a nice little group didn't they? Canada's senior team did well in the Gold Cup, but no one of those players are involved here. Haiti could play spoiler for Guatemala because they could be taken lightly, but really, it should be a no brainer. For the neutrals, the Mexican team does not include the big four youngsters on it. So there will be no, Giovanni Dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Cesar Villaluz, and Andres Guardado. Guillermo Ochoa will be in goal for the qualifying. Thus providing another aspect as to why Mexico should go through.


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Well, that does it for this week folks. I'd like to thank Matt for joining me again to break down another tournament. Next week I'm on Spring Break, so I will try to be here to have coverage of the CONCACAF Olympic and Champions Cup matches. Until then, don't forget the MLS season begins soon, and enjoy the games. Later everyone.