It may simply be frustration talking after a 2-1 loss.
Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowakhas lashed out at the tactics used by the Fire this weekend, making sure to distance his former Fire teams from the one he witnessed at Toyota Park.
Emotions were running high in MLS. As if being left off the US squad was not enough to deal with, Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching faced “US Reject” chants in Los Angeles on Saturday and he held nothing back in his response.
The World Cup break comes at a good time for New England manager Steve Nicol, who will be using the two weeks to figure out a way for the Revs to get results.
However, the Seattle Sounders, along with seven other MLS teams, have one more game to get out of the way as league action wraps up on Wednesday and Thursday before the start of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
The big match of the midweek is clearly the showdown between the top two teams in the West: the undefeated LA Galaxy at defending champions Real Salt Lake in a rematch of MLS Cup 2009. This is the final time the two teams will meet in the regular season and RSL’s Andy Williams wants to send a message.
The champs will be missing their captain, Kyle Beckerman, for the match and team execs are already hatching a back-up plan in case he's gone long-term.
Will a back-up plan be needed in case Jozy can’t go? US forward Jozy Altidore, sprained ankle and all, reportedly ran sprints during Sunday workouts in South Africa, one day after the US defeated Australia 3-1.
US manager Bob Bradley did not speak to media members following Sunday’s session. That did not stop the New York Times from writing this rare in-depth feature on the US manager.
It’s the same New York Times that gifted soccer fans an even greater in-depth piece on the formation of professional soccer players at the Ajax academy in Holland.
He was developed in MLS: goalkeeper Tim Howard figures to be a key figure if the US has any hopes of advancing to the second round. This story traces his New Jersey roots. Jay DeMerit also gets the feature treatment.
With David Beckham on hand to scout the USA vs Australia match, Edson Buddlecredits his Galaxy teammate after his two-goal performance.
Although fans saw a 3-1 win and two Buddle goals, the English press point out the weaknesses of the US squad seen against Australia.
The Jabulani ball was once again a topic of discussion among US players following the win over the Aussies. Or the talk could merely represent another battle in the turf war between the world’s renowned soccer apparel and equipment giants.
If fans think the health of the US backline is a concernEngland’s situation makes it look good by comparison.
England will play its final tune-up match against a local South African club team on Monday.
World Cup favorites Brazil are also in action on Monday when they face Tanzania in their final tune-up (11 a.m. ET, ESPN Deportes).
Injuries were the major World Cup story this weekend with some who blame the number of matches played by today’s stars. But Holland’s Arjen Robben’s hamstring ailment is not serious enough to keep him out of the tournament and Honduran Wilson Palacios says his setback was also minor. The Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba is still holding out hope he can play while Italy is giving Andrea Pirlo until June 13.
The new lead story for media outlets has become the fan stampede at the Nigeria vs. North Korea warm-up match on Sunday.
The latest news on the coaching carousel around Europe has Rafa Benitez now leading Italian champs Inter Milan, Roy Hodgson leaving Fulham and Sven Goran Eriksson campaigning for the Liverpool job.
Meanwhile a former Colorado Rapids player is now assistant coach at Real Madrid, as Jose Mourinho has selected his right hand man.
Player transfer rumors persist regarding Cesc Fabregas moving to Barcelona, Angel Di Maria joining Real Madrid, Joe Cole heading to Arsenal and Manchester City making an extravagant offer to Fernando Torres.
Although most player rumors are known to be make-believe this is not: actor Woody Harrelson netted a game-winning PK in a shootout on Sunday and was mobbed by teammates Zinedine Zidane and Henrik Larsson.
Victorious Pep apologises to fansGalaxy wary of struggling West foes Houston
