Dawkins finally gets career going with San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Of all the numbers Simon Dawkins has put up in his first MLS season – which has seen him notch four goals and an assist – the one that matters most is 1,421. That’s how many minutes Dawkins has logged in 22 appearances. And while it’s not quite to the level of ironman Jon Busch – the Quakes 'keeper who’s played all 2,700 minutes this year – or even Chris Wondolowski, who leads San Jose field players with 2,312 minutes, it’s still a huge deal for a 23-year-old who had his professional career derailed by a spate of injuries stretching over several seasons. "It’s been a good season, thanks to Frank [Yallop, San Jose’s coach], he’s played me a lot," Dawkins told MLSsoccer.com. "I haven’t had the chance to [play extensively] for a good four years because of injuries. It’s finally good to get my career going. I’m just happy to finally get games." WATCH: Dawkins pings the upright The Quakes, who were able to get Dawkins in March on a season-long loan from club partner Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, have been happy as well, particularly with Dawkins’ offensive capabilities. His ballskills are some of the best on the club, and his ability to play off of target man Steven Lenhart was one of the big reasons both players flourished in the first half of this year. Dawkins, who is expected to make his sixth consecutive start Saturday against Sporting Kansas City (10:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online), has gone the full 90 minutes in three of San Jose’s last four matches and clocked 83 minutes in the other. He’s had to do so on the left wing, having been moved from a more central position earlier this month to accommodate the ascendancy of fellow MLS rookie Rafael Baca. "I think that Simon is a very good footballer, so he finds his space, he finds his positions," Yallop told MLSsoccer.com. "He can score goals from that spot. He can do well there. He’s been dangerous. That’s the thing that you want from the wide positions and your front players: Are they dangerous and do they have good movement? And I think he’s shown both." Left wing is not totally unknown territory to Dawkins - he played there on youth sides - but he’s been brushing up his game by watching tape of Manchester City’s Samir Nasri, another right-footed central midfielder by nature who moved wide left during his time at Arsenal. "I just saw a few videos of him playing out there to see what I can do, get a feeling for the game out there," Dawkins said. "He plays it really well." Keeping Dawkins is high on the Quakes’ list of offseason desires, although the situation is made more complicated by the fact that he’s under contract with Tottenham through June 2013. Dawkins said that he’s happy to return for another season in San Jose but still eyes his ultimate prize: a spot on the senior roster with Spurs, the organization that originally signed him as a teenager. "That’s somewhere where I’d like to play," Dawkins said. "And if it does happen, it’d be a dream come true. But if it doesn’t, there’s other teams around the world."

4-4-2 devotee Kinnear has been mixing it up in 2011

HOUSTON – When the Houston Dynamo take the field on the average MLS match day, there is normally little guesswork needed in regards to what formation Dominic Kinnear will use. The veteran head coach has been a devotee of the traditional 4-4-2 for most of his coaching career. However, with teams around the league going away from the standard 4-4-2, Kinnear & Co. have widened their repertoire to combat the changes. "We’re mostly a 4-4-2 team, as most people know," Kinnear said this week, "but sometimes, it’s not a bad idea to try and match up with some teams." Opponents such as Sporting Kansas City (who often play three forwards) and FC Dallas (who stack their midfield) have seen success this year playing what many feel is a more attacking formation. The change does not always pay off, as Toronto FC – who have moved away from the 4-4-2 under first-year coach Aaron Winter – have found out. Houston have varied their formation and seen success, both against both Kansas City in a 1-1 home draw on July 16, and at Dallas last weekend in a 1-0 win. With teams switching to formations that give them an advantage in certain parts of the field, the Dynamo know they have to adapt. "When you play against a 4-3-3, you can be outnumbered in midfield and you don’t want to concede that territory," Kinnear said. "You certainly don’t want to do that for the better part of the game, so if you can match that up, it makes that battle more competitive." While changing the formation may be more about matching the other team’s personnel, there is also an effect on Houston’s attack. Built to run out of the 4-4-2 with target forwards and wing play, Houston players are forced to pick up the tactics involved in playing with different personnel groupings. The switch often means players have to change up the way they attack the game. "For me, when we play the 4-5-1, I don’t see the ball as much and my job is more about cutting and movements off the ball," said veteran forward Brian Ching. "Sometimes it’s a move to play to our strengths to use a different formation. ... We do that to get the best out of our personnel and based on the matchups we’re playing against." With the results from the formation shifts positive, Kinnear & Co. understand the importance of being able to adapt. While the changes can offer different styles, don’t expect a change in overall philosophy anytime soon. "I’d imagine we’re a 4-4-2 team on most days," Kinnear said. But it's nice to have options.

Philadelphia's Adu looking forward to DC homecoming

CHESTER, Pa. – It’s become something of a common sports cliché for athletes to state that each game is as meaningful as the next. For Philadelphia Union midfielder Freddy Adu, however, it’s fair to say that Thursday’s nationally televised showdown against D.C. United at PPL Park (8 pm ET, ESPN2) holds a little bit of extra meaning. It will mark the first time, after all, that Adu plays against the team that gave him his first professional contract. "Definitely there is some emotion there," said Adu, who signed with D.C. as a 14-year-old phenom in 2004. "I had an amazing three years with D.C. United.  I grew up watching D.C. United and supporting D.C. United and then playing for D.C. United. Even with the national team, when I go back [to Washington], the fans always show me great support. So it will definitely be emotional for me." Of course, much has changed since Adu left D.C. in 2006 and spent the next four years club-hopping around MLS and Europe. The only United players remaining from the Adu era are defender Devon McTavish and midfielder Clyde Simms. One of the guys Adu used to compete with for playing time on the wing, Ben Olsen, is still there, too – except he now wears a suit to games as the club's head coach. But there is at least one thing Adu doesn’t expect to change: the way his hometown team approaches the game. "It’s D.C. United – they always come to play," Adu said. "That’s how it’s always been. We expect a tough game. This is a big game for both teams." Thursday’s contest certainly is a big one as both the Union (9-7-13) and United (9-8-11) are right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race with the regular season winding down. But playoff implications aside, the game also pits two East Coast teams that have developed a fierce, natural rivalry since the Union came into the league last year. It’s a rivalry Adu has never seen firsthand, but one that he is eager to embrace. "Since I haven’t experienced it before, I couldn’t tell you [what it will be like]," Adu said. "But I do expect it to be a battle, kind of like when I was with D.C. and we used to play against New York. That was always a battle, and this is going to be the same thing."

Houston's late show "comes down to determination"

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo like to leave it late. So far this season, their ability to come up with late magic to get results has helped them rise to the summit of the Eastern Conference. With Geoff Cameron’s 87th-minute winner Saturday against FC Dallas the latest example, the Dynamo have had a knack of being able to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat. In fact, Houston have scored a goal in the final 11 minutes to get a result 10 times this year, with five of those late goals earning wins. WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: DAL 0, HOU 1 But where does their late-game confidence come from? "[The late] success just means we’re playing until the last whistle," said team captain Brian Ching. "It shows the mentality of our team and the fact that we’re coming out and seeing games through." Seeing games through is something on the Dynamo concentrate. Houston are a team with key veterans, such as Ching, Eddie Robinson and Brad Davis, who have all seen success in Major League Soccer. They know how important it is to have that killer instinct late in games. Having been through the wars, the Dynamo veterans know what it takes to not only score late but kill off a result. Those players, along with head coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff, have fostered an environment on the team where each player knows what is expected of him. "It comes down to determination for 90 minutes and that’s been there all year," Davis said. "Saturday was a good example. Against Dallas, they were tired, having played a game that Wednesday before, and our guys, we were there and mentally we were stronger. It’s great to see and that’s the biggest thing for us to believe we can go out and get a win." That determination and willingness is a big reason why the Dynamo have been able to come up with so much late-game magic. While the work ethic is commendable, Kinnear pointed out that much of their success toward the end of matches comes out of necessity. With the club needing results, Houston are willing to push numbers forward late in games to try and score goals. Whether it is out of necessity, hard work or confidence, the Dynamo are a team that have been able to pull things out late this year. Their willingness to work for a full 90 minutes is a trait they will count on, to take them where they want to go. "It’s not just a confidence of, ‘Oh we’re going to score late here,’ but it’s a mentality to keep going and keep pushing to have that ability to score," Davis said. "To win a championship, you have to have that and play ‘til the final whistle, and that’s what we try to do."

King the quiet supporting star for DC in win over RSL

WASHINGTON – Dwayne De Rosario wasn’t the only D.C. United player to shine in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake. His mammoth performance overshadowed a number of other excellent shifts on the field at RFK – Josh Wolff, Perry Kitchen, and Andy Najar were among those to leave their mark on the match. Next to MLS Player of the Week De Rosario, however, United’s other standout on the night might have been midfielder Stephen King. "He had probably the best game I’ve seen him play," head coach Ben Olsen said of the fourth-year midfielder. "He broke up a lot of plays, he played at certain spots that were tight and gave us good possession." HIGHLIGHTS: DeRo, United batter RSL 4-1 Playing 90 minutes for just the fourth time in 2011, paired in central midfielder with Clyde Simms, King was all over the field, disrupting Real Salt Lake’s passing game in the final third and even getting forward into RSL’s box on a few occasions. Throughout the evening, King’s distribution was nearly flawless, as he completed 24 of 30 passes, according to Opta. One of his forays forward in the first half led to De Rosario’s second goal of the game, as King chased down a through ball that opened space up for De Rosario to curl home a layoff from Josh Wolff. "I felt great," King said after the game. "I think we as a team made the guy next to us play better just by working extra hard and playing as a group, and making sure if one guy messes up, the other guy is there to bail you out." While getting goals and assists aren’t exactly in King’s normal repertoire – he scored his first goal in a D.C. uniform against Vancouver earlier in the year – he just missed notching one early in the second half, sending a long-distance shot whizzing just over the RSL crossbar. All in all, it was a satisfying performance on the field for the University of Maryland product, who was making only his seventh start of the season. There may be more coming, however — when he does start, United are undefeated (3-0-4). King was pleased not only for himself, but also for the whole group. "After the game on Wednesday [against Chivas], we just wanted to come in here focused and do whatever it takes to win the game – a full 90 minutes, everyone with total concentration," he said. "We did that tonight and we’re happy with the result."

Wondo ties Donovan in Quakes lore, but it's not enough

By coolly slotting his 18th-minute rebound strike Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, Chris Wondolowski moved into a tie with Landon Donovan for second place on the San Jose Earthquakes’ all-time scoring list with 32 goals apiece. The celebration was muted, however, by the fact that Wondolowski felt like he should have gone right past Donovan in one fell swoop -- and that the fact he was unable to do so contributed to the Quakes’ failing to close out what would have been a glorious road victory. Instead, Colorado got a 71st-minute tally from Drew Moor and a 1-1 draw, extending the Quakes’ winless streak to three straight matches and leaving them eight points out of playoff position with only four matches remaining. WATCH: Full Match Highlights "Right now it’s a little bit bittersweet," Wondolowski said. "I really wish I could have gotten another one." Wondolowski and the Quakes as a whole didn’t lack for chances in the first hour-plus of the match. Despite playing for the third time in eight days with only minimal lineup changes -- and doing so at mile-high altitude -- San Jose neutralized Colorado’s speed up front and dominated the 2010 MLS champions for long stretches. "I think that the result was probably fair in the end, but I felt for a good 55 or 60 minutes, we should have scored more than one goal," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "The game hinged on our inability to score the second goal." No one was hit harder by his miss than Wondolowski, of whom so much is asked by San Jose. Without a true target forward, the Quakes have kept their offense afloat behind the unlikely pairing of Wondolowski and midfielder Khari Stephenson, playing out of his comfort zone up top. One or the other has scored in each of San Jose’s last five matches, a stretch that includes the Quakes’ only win since mid-June. Saturday, the pair clicked again; Wondolowski got San Jose on the scoreboard by splitting Colorado’s center backs and jumping on a loose rebound left when Stephenson uncorked a skipping shot from 40 yards out that Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens couldn’t punch safely away. "I think it’s a great achievement," said Quakes defender Steven Beitashour, a San Jose native. "(I was) watching (Donovan) the whole time, now I’m watching Wondo tie him and surpass him." Did he think Wondolowski was going to pass Donovan tonight? "I was hoping so," Beitashour said. Wondolowski was as well, and the 2010 Golden Boot winner used a terrifically timed run to smash open Colorado’s offside trap in the 36th minute. Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura kept Wondolowski onside and Simon Dawkins delivered a great looping pass to put him one-on-one against Pickens. Wondolowski trapped the ball, waited for a bounce and tried to go near post. Pickens outwaited his foe and blocked the shot off his chest. "Matt Pickens did a good job," Wondolowski said. "I hit a pretty bad shot and he made a pretty big save. I had it right where I wanted it. Hindsight being 20/20, I probably wish I would have gone back post." Wondolowski was not alone in being unable to put the Quakes safely ahead. Dawkins’ first-half stoppage-time blast from the top of the box was deflected by Kimura, who looked like he might have done most of that blocking with his arm. Dawkins had another attempt parried by Pickens in the 59th minute, and Stephenson rolled a shot across the goalmouth three minutes later, only to watch it graze the far post on its way across the end line. It the second time in this compressed three-game stretch where San Jose took an early lead and failed to capitalize with a victory. San Jose’s record when scoring first slipped to 5-3-4 this year, one spot short of dead last in MLS. "Another night they would go in," Yallop said, before amending his statement. "Or another season, I would say."

Seattle weighing options to replace Rosales vs. 'Caps

When the Sounders take the field on Saturday evening at Vancouver (10:30 pm ET; TSN, watch LIVE online ), it will be their first league game without Mauro Rosales in the starting lineup since May 28. In the 15 games in between, Seattle have posted a 9-2-4 record. When one factors in the club’s continued success in the CONCACAF Champions League and the US Open Cup, it’s difficult to understate the importance of Rosales and his 12 assists. The MVP candidate suffered a sprained MCL in the dying moments of last week’s match against D.C. United. While he has jogged in a straight line the past couple days, the Argentine veteran still considers himself three weeks away from taking the field again. All of this leaves Seattle with a gaping hole in the right midfield where their No. 10 used to stand. Lamar Neagle, who finds himself second-choice in the pecking order on the left behind Uruguayan Álvaro Fernández, would be an obvious choice to switch sides against Vancouver. Brad Evans has also played right midfield in his Seattle career, while Erik Friberg has played wide early in the season and is likely close to returning from his hip flexor injury. Mike Fucito (ankle) trained this week while James Riley (concussion) rode a bike. Riley is listed on the injury report as questionable. The Sounders sealed a spot in the playoffs with the 1-1 tie between Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union on Friday night, and a win at Vancouver would go a long way as the club continues to challenge the LA Galaxy for the Supporters Shield. But against a Whitecaps team with so many weapons, victory won’t be easy, especially with the Canadian side fired up for their final game at Empire Field. "I think when you get into the environment of Empire Stadium and it’s their last game there and you hear the crowd and feel the emotion, that’ll get it going for our guys," said Seattle coach Sigi Schmid. "There’s maybe less verbiage that’s exchanged between us and Vancouver than there is between us and Portland, so maybe it’s going to take the stadium environment to really put the kicker on it." And there’s the small matter of the Cascadia Cup to keep in mind as Seattle attempt to win their fifth consecutive road game in all competitions. The Cup is presented to the team with the best record between historical regional rivals Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. Seattle took the bus north Friday morning, planning to practice later that afternoon in advance of Saturday’s 7:30 pm PT kickoff. It’s a one-way bus trip – the Sounders will leave directly from Vancouver to Guatemala for their Sept. 27 CCL date with Comunicaciones. In an attempt to reduce the strain of the travel, the club will charter flights in both directions.

Dynamo eager to pounce on weary Texas rivals in Dallas

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo are no strangers to dealing with a schedule cramped by international play. After all, between 2007 and 2009 the Dynamo were fixtures in the SuperLiga and CONCACAF Champions League/Champions' Cup, to go along with US Open Cup and MLS play. Now, however, the shoe is on the other foot against FC Dallas on Saturday (4 pm ET, TeleFutura). "They’ve played a lot of games and we know what that feels like," Houston striker Brian Ching said. "Hopefully for us, their game Wednesday took a little out of them, but they’re a good team and we have to be ready on Saturday." Wednesday’s game was a particularly taxing one for Dallas. The 2-0 Champions League loss to Pumas UNAM saw Houston's in-state rivals play 50-plus minutes with just 10 men. And with Pumas putting Dallas through their paces midweek and FCD playing 13 games since Aug. 1, it could be a case where the hosts are ripe for the picking. "They’ve played a lot of games recently ... we need to go there and take advantage of that," midfielder Brad Davis said. Ching followed the same line of thinking, adding that pressuring a potentially tired Dallas squad will go a long way to a victory come Saturday. "The harder we can make the game on them the better our chances," Ching said. "They’ve struggled as of late and hopefully we can help continue their woes." Form matters While the Dynamo are focused on the present, there is nothing wrong with casting an eye towards the future. With the club’s playoff chances looking better, there is a feeling amongst the team that getting on a roll going into the postseason is important. "If we play well and get into the playoffs, now is a good time to get on a hot streak," Davis said. "We’re coming off a good game against San Jose and we’ll be looking to continue that against Dallas and get on a run." Ramping up the intensity With the season heading into the home stretch, attention to detail and the intensity at Dynamo trainings have ramped up. While the environment can look tense to an outsider, for Houston, it is a necessary turn. "I think practices have been intense but that’s not always the worse thing," Davis said. "We’re trying to fire on all cylinders and are pushing each other to get the best out of one another to try and make a good push here."

Conrad, revamped Chivas academy eye significant progress

CARSON, Calif. — Chivas USA’s youth academy is undergoing a major restructuring project and has added some big names to aid in the development. The recently retired Jimmy Conrad has joined the club's academy following the recent merger with the New York Cosmos West program. The longtime MLS defender has taken up an active role alongside the club's new director of youth development, Teddy Chronopoulos. Conrad and Chronopoulos will now oversee a youth program based on a coaching curriculum written by head coach Robin Fraser and assistant coach Greg Vanney. Conrad has put an emphasis on recruiting and the business aspects of the game, but he admits the transition from the field hasn’t always been an easy one. "It’s not what I envisioned when I stopped playing, but it's challenging," Conrad recently told MLSsoccer.com. "We took over a club, Cosmos West, who already had some things in place along with a number of people that we trust. The curriculum that Greg and Robin put together is very sound and it’s been proven. Now we just need to get it started, which is the hardest part." Similar to youth programs in Europe, the new Chivas USA youth system will preach a uniform playing style that will be consistent from the U-9 level all the way to the senior team. Doing the actual instruction will be a pair of former MLSers, Mike Muñoz and Dan Calichmann, who will join the coaching staff at the U-16 and U-18 levels, respectively. Meanwhile, Vanney and Conrad will serve as liaisons between the first team and the youth program to ensure that when a young player is ready for an opportunity, he’ll get his chance either as a reserve or with the senior team. "We're trying to make it so by the time they're 12 to 15, they should know the basis of how we want to play," said Conrad. "If we ever want to put them in a drill then they know what we're asking. That will take some time, but that's what we're asking." The emphasis on youth development is nothing new for the organization as the strategy of focusing on the academy has been a hallmark of Chivas de Guadalajara for a number of years. Since Fraser’s hiring at the start of the season, youth development has been a major pillar of the organization’s new philosophy. Fraser has already shown a willingness to give former youth products a chance. For example, midfielder Jorge Flores has seen considerable time for Chivas USA this season. "It goes with the strategy that we’re going to build from youth rather than going to market," club GM José Domene told MLSsoccer.com "That doesn’t mean that we’re going to stop going to market, but our strategy is to start to build from the youth, and that’s where we will get our base and the base as a team." The task ahead for the new-look academy will be challenging as it will need to compete for talent with both the revitalized LA Galaxy academy and Mexican clubs eager to acquire American standouts. But with a curriculum in place and a number of high-profile members leading the fight, those at Chivas USA are confident they have a base from which to build success. "Players can come from anywhere in Los Angeles," said Vanney. "The great thing about our system now and before is it’s not about how much money that you have, it’s do we believe that you can be professional. We want to get you in and give you our resources to help you take those steps. "It’s exciting," Vanney added. "It’s our job to make sure that every possible pro-potential player has an opportunity to try and get in our academy and develop." Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com Follow @adamserrano

Postcard from Europe: Taylor toughing it out in Germany

AMSTERDAM — Since leaving Chivas USA in 2007, SC Paderborn 07 attacker Matt Taylor has logged plenty of miles in western Germany trying to establish a career for himself in one of the world's most competitive soccer countries. Now at his fourth stop abroad, the 29-year-old may have finally found the club to match his ambitions and playing attitude. Down as low as the fourth flight only 11 years ago, second-division Paderborn are also trying to blaze paths. Led by manager Roger Schmidt, they go after tasks in a very American way. To put it politely, the team is expected to play in a manner that will draw groans from opponents spotting the

Quaranta, Hamid return from injury to bolster United

D.C. United’s pesky injury bug appears to be nearing an end. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid and midfielder Santino Quaranta are set to make a return to the starting lineup against Chivas USA on Wednesday at RFK Stadium (7:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online) after missing Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Quaranta, who was scratched from the lineup against Seattle with a left quadriceps spasm, trained all last week in the lead-up to the game but was eventually held out from the 18-man roster. "It was a mutual decision not to play," Quaranta said. "I feel better – I think that it was the right decision at the time." The same can be said for Hamid, who was on the bench in the loss to Seattle with a hamstring problem that flared up in United’s Sept. 10 matchup with the Goats at the Home Depot Center. It can’t be said, however, for center back Dejan Jakovic, who continues to struggle with his second hamstring injury of the season. "Dejan might have a ways to go, still not sure, still hoping for the best for him," DC head coach Ben Olsen said. Added Jakovic: "I don’t want to force anything – it’s not 100 percent. I want to come back fully ready to go." Jakovic injured his left hamstring while on international duty with Canada in June and was sidelined for two months. The two injuries are unrelated. Rookie Ethan White is likely to start in Jakovic's place once again. Jakovic traveled with the team on their recent road trip to LA and Seattle in hopes of making his return. "I was training while we were in LA right before the Chivas game, and I kind of tweaked it again, that was the problem," Jakovic said. "I was supposed to probably play in the Seattle game, that’s why I went… I’m doing everything [in training], sprinting slowly, so we’ll see how it goes." After suffering the setback, Jakovic didn’t make the roster in the loss to the Sounders, and he is expected to miss Wednesday’s match. Jakovic could make a return on Saturday as DC host Real Salt Lake.

Rost takes step toward redemption in RBNY win vs. FCD

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – It was, by all accounts, a gritty win for the Red Bulls, who escaped from Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night with a 1-0 win over FC Dallas. The shutout was the first for New York since July 16 and the first-ever victory in MLS for goalkeeper Frank Rost.  "I was happy we won the game," Rost said after the win. "For each player, it was a good feeling after the match. You could see on the face of the players that a lot of [pressure] fall down. I hope we can take this good feeling [into] the next match." Rost, a former German international who signed as a Designated Player in mid-July, had been bothered by a quadriceps injury for the past month, and his performances prior to Saturday had left him with much to prove. FC Dallas gave him the chance, holding a significant edge in shots and possession, but Rost solidified the backline with his veteran savvy and control of the area. WATCH: DAL 0, NY 1 "He played great," head coach Hans Backe said. "You see how he dealt with all the crosses, the corners, the free kicks. He’s big there, really, really big there and tough. His kicking was phenomenal compared to his injury." The performance helped silence – for now – many critics who questioned the rationale behind the Red Bulls signing a goalkeeper so late in the season, let alone to a DP contract. Backe justified the move by saying that Rost would prove his value in organization and his ability to help arrange the backline, especially after a stretch in May and June where the team’s defense repeatedly broke down. On Saturday night, a vocal Rost did just that as the Red Bulls effectively limited a potent FC Dallas. It was the first win by New York in more than two months and a crucial three points, keeping RBNY in the playoff hunt. "He’s very loud in the goal, very, very loud," Backe said. "Communicates with the back four, get them in the right position to do their job. He was massive this game." But for Rost, it was never about proving anything to himself or even his critics. He can point to a two-decade career in the Bundesliga and four caps with the national team to defend his résumé. He has played in the UEFA Champions League and remains the only goalkeeper to twice hoist the Emirates Cup, which the Red Bulls won this past August. And fan criticism means little to Rost. "I played 20 years in a high level and I want to bring the same performance here," he said. "I’m not interested in other guys talking. If they talk, they talk. I’m a good goalkeeper. I did this for 20 years in the highest level in Germany. What do you want?"

American Exports: Boca shines in Rangers' Old Derby win

AMSTERDAM — It was a heavy and entertaining card for American Exports on Sunday, with Rangers newcomer Carlos Bocanegra ending up among the stars in his first Old Firm derby, a 4-2 rally win over arch rival Celtic at Ibrox. With fellow US international Maurice Edu also pitching in 90 fine minutes, the Light Blues won their sixth straight SPL game to move four points clear at the top. The home side trailed at the break, but won the day thanks to second half strikes from Nikica Jelavić, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith. Next door in England's Premier League, Brad Friedel needed just one save to beat his old employers as dominating Tottenham scored a 4-0 White Hart Lane victory over Liverpool. The former USMNT hero now has consecutive clean sheet wins and Spurs are up to 11th. Clint Dempsey notched an assist and went close to scoring himself four times in Fulham's 2-2 draw with Manchester City. The winless Cottagers fought back from two down at the break to deal the visitors their first tie of the season. Dempsey helped get the home rally started, with Bobby Zamora curling home the American's entry pass on 55 minutes. His best attempt on goal of the day came shortly after, when City netminder Joe Hart had to be on his toes to turn Deuce's rocket header over the bar. Over in Serie A, Michael Bradley made his Chievo debut with 18 solid minutes in a 2-1 loss at Parma. Heading to the Eredivisie, Jozy Altidore put in 57 strong minutes as AZ Alkmaar climbed into a first place tie by topping host RKC Waalwijk 2-0. In Jupiler League action, Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht knocked defending champs Gent off the summit with a 1-0 away decision. The victory vaulted

American Exports: Howard leads Everton to first home win

AMSTERDAM - Everton keeper Tim Howard ably guarded the gate on Saturday afternoon, backstopping the hosts to a 3-1 victory over regional rivals Wigan. The result lifted the Toffees up to seventh place in the English Premier League standings after they bagged their first EPL home win of the season in three tries. Elsewhere in the EPL, Aston Villa No. 2 goalkeeper Brad Guzan watched on as the home side posted a 1-1 share with Newcastle. One level down in the Championship, Robbie Findley returned from injury with an active 30 minutes or relief work, but it wasn't enough as Nottingham Forest suffered an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat to Derby County's 10-man rally. Saturday's Bundesliga action saw Timothy Chandler go the distance at right back in FC Nürnberg's 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen. Now unbeaten in three,

Fire Notebook: Chicago look inward against Chivas

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire are focusing on one thing ahead of Saturday’s crucial league match against Chivas USA at Toyota Park: themselves. The match (8:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online ) is a must-win for the 15th place Fire, who sit seven points behind D.C. United for the 10th and final playoff spot with just seven games left on their schedule. Chicago are conscious of stopping Chivas’ playmakers, but they’re more concentrated on dictating the play – something they failed to do in last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at San Jose. "At this stage we’re just concerned about ourselves," Fire captain Logan Pause said after Chicago’s 1-0 friendly loss to Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday. "We want to impose our will on the game and be strong with what we’re trying to do. With it being at home with seven games left and a lot of teams to catch, that’s the only way we can think about it." Fire defender Cory Gibbs echoed Pause’s sentiments, telling reporters that Chicago needs to press Chivas USA from the opening whistle on Saturday afternoon. "We need to push the game, we need to start out from minute one," Gibbs said after the Guadalajara friendly. "[Wednesday’s exhibition] was good preparation for us in terms of team building and staying sharp going into Saturday’s game. We’re ready." Notes: Forward Dominic Oduro, who missed Wednesday’s friendly and is listed as questionable on the injury report with an ankle injury, told MLSsoccer.com Wednesday night that he’ll be ready to go on Saturday. Chicago will be without a starting defender Saturday due to suspension for the second straight game. Right back Dan Gargan will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation one week after left back Gonzalo Segares was suspended for the same reason.  Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas might’ve showed who he plans to start in defense on Saturday in Wednesday’s friendly, when he started Jalil Anibaba at right back, Gibbs and Josip Mikulic at center back and Segares on the left.

Three for Thursday: Yanks have their say in Europe

There’s something special about those midweek European nights. Whether it’s an early play-in round in the Europa Cup, or an April semifinal in the Champions League, the cross-border clashes seem to bring the best out of teams all over the continent. And there’ve been no few Yanks who’ve gotten their taste. Currently, the Europa League is littered with American Exports, with the likes of Jozy Altidore at AZ Alkmaar, Brad Friedel at Tottenham Hotspur, Sacha Kljestan at Anderlecht and several more from nearly all parts of the continent. While they’re doing their thing now, let’s look back at three of the more memorable European runs that have featured Americans: 3) Frankie Hejduk and Bayer Leverkusen, 1999-2000: The most memorable part of Hejduk’s time in Europe came with the "Neverkusen" sides from the turn of the century. Year after year they’d compete for the Bundesliga title or European honors, and year after year they’d come up just short. Hejduk’s best run with Bayer came in the 1999-2000 season when the fullback was a key part of their Champions League Group A efforts. True to form, Bayer came close, but couldn’t advance to the knock-out rounds, finishing third behind Lazio and Dynamo Kiev based on total goals. They then went on to lose to Udinese in the Europa League on the away goals rule. 2) DaMarcus Beasley and PSV Eindhoven, 2004-2005: Beasley’s first year in Europe was his best, as he and PSV thundered all the way to the semifinals of the Champions League before bowing out to AC Milan on the away goals rule. The American winger, playing under the tutelage of Guus Hiddink, excelled domestically but made his real mark in European competition. He led PSV with four goals in 12 Champions League appearances that year, and to this day remains the only American to have played in a Champions League semifinal. That Eindhoven side are also the most recent Dutch team to make it to the Champions League semis. 1) Clint Dempsey and Fulham, 2009-2010: Dempsey is clearly on his way to "Legendary Hero" status at Craven Cottage. He’s Fulham’s all-time leading Premiership scorer, including a goal late in the 2006/07 season against Liverpool that saved the Cottagers from relegation. But what he'll always be remembered for is his audacious chipped goal against Juventus in the 2009/10 Europa League round of 16, completing a spectacular comeback against the Italian giants. It's a goal that the Guardian newspaper called "the most famous goal in Fulham's history," and Fulham rode that wave of momentum all the way to the final. There they succumbed to Atletico Madrid, 2-1 after extra time, but to this day Dempsey remains the only American to play in a European final.

RSL's Beckerman proving to be perfect fit for new US

If you are wondering the reason for Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman’s resurgence with the US national team, you’ll likely come to two conclusions: First, he’s playing as well as any midfielder in the US pool right now; and second, Jurgen Klinsmann’s vision for the squad relies on a dedicated holding midfielder shielding the back line and acting as a tactical fulcrum.  "I think Kyle Beckerman right now is in top form," said Martin Vasquez, who heads the list of potential Klinsmann assistants. "Kyle Beckerman has come a long way. He’s a very mature player, very consistent. He’s a leader on the field and off the field." For RSL head coach Jason Kreis, Beckerman has been crucial this season at the club level, especially in the absence of playmaker Javier Morales. In addition to his normal defensive and organizational duties, Beckerman has become a bit of a

Talking Tactics: United counterattacks, United wins

Most soccer fans share a conflicted relationship with counterattacking soccer. On one hand, a doctrine of defend-and-counter smacks of tacit capitulation, a concession to limited options as the "weaker team." On the other hand, counterattacking plans executed with verve and precision can be a lovely and intoxicating thing, a strategic choice that fosters a fast game where chances spill out freely on either side. And who could have a problem with that? One school of thought is that "good" teams attack, sounding the bugles and charging forward proactively rather than biding time in a reactive crouch. (In fact, some New York Red Bulls players are saying that very thing about their own struggles at the moment.) But quality teams with brimming stockpiles of talent can and have spun counterattacks into an effective element of their offensive plan. Look at José Mourinho with Inter Milan two seasons back. Some of the best players in the world demonstrated the title-winning power of sitting deep, absorbing pressure and then punishing the hapless on lightning-strike counterattacks. Of course, Inter didn’t always sit deep. Rather, it was a tool in the tactical belt, always at the hip, ready to be switched on for appropriate situations. That’s also what we saw in one eye-opening MLS result in Week 26. In this past Saturday’s 3-0 win at the Home Depot Center, visiting D.C. United ambushed (figuratively and literally) a vulnerable Chivas USA defense with a swashbuckling counterattack serving as the tip of the spear. Highlights: CHV 0, DC 3 Counterattacking soccer isn’t just tactics; it takes the right kind of players – actually, let’s make that the right kind of "attitudes" – to make the engine hum. United have several like that, none better than Dwayne De Rosario. The desire to drive forward aggressively is De Rosario’s hard-wired, default position on the field. On Saturday, he consistently collected the ball in midfield with a stubborn single-mindedness: a hell-bent desire to crash immediately forward. This was clear on the first goal. DeRo’s aggressive mindset lay the foundation for Charlie Davies’ eventual piece-of-cake finish. The Canadian star scooped up a fortuitous ball bouncing around midfield and didn’t hesitate for a nanosecond. It’s all about seizing the initiative. That might sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many players fail to fully exploit these begging situations. Too many managers value possession, constantly reminding their players that the bad guys can’t score when the good guys have the ball. So they win the ball but frequently forfeit the initiative when "possession" rather than "aggression" is prioritized. In this case, De Rosario’s surge forward immediately created a 4-on-3 advantage. Chris Pontius, to DeRo’s right, similarly recognized the moment and sped forward. De Rosario held the ball just long enough to draw defenders centrally, and then precisely fed Pontius, who delivered the killer cross. On the second goal, United similarly launched forward. This time, though, Chivas USA were able to retreat in equal numbers. But they just couldn’t get organized quickly enough to deal with the speed of the visitors’ transition. That critical element, speed, opened space for Pontius at the top of the penalty area as Chivas defenders scrambled to deal with Andy Najar’s cross. That, in turn, left Davies open on the left. Pontius to Davies, 2-0. De Rosario’s quick burst from midfield was critical in United’s third goal, too. So was Pontius’ speed, as United’s young attacker simply outran Chivas USA defender Ben Zemankski to a ball played into space. United’s bright night — Pontius’ injury notwithstanding — proves (yet again) that teams capable of striking on the counter aren’t necessarily "defensive" teams. For instance, another United, the one from across the pond in Manchester, have always been effective on the break. And no one cites Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when discussing defensive soccer. Closer to home, manager Ben Olsen’s starting lineup last weekend reflected similar sentiment. The deployment of primarily attacking types such as Davies, De Rosario, Najar, Pontius and Santino Quaranta in a starting lineup cannot be called defensive. On Saturday, at least, it could only be called effective.

Nowak wants to see mental strength from struggling Union

CHESTER, Pa. – In the past five days, the Philadelphia Union have enjoyed their second highest-scoring output of the season as well as one of their more complete defensive efforts. And yet, despite those positives, the Union’s winless streak extended to eight games as they came away with back-to-back draws against New England and Portland. This current stretch represents the longest winless skid in franchise history. The most league games they went without winning last year, in their inaugural season, was six. "It’s about mental strength," Union manager Peter Nowak said. "How will you overcome this? How will you keep going? There are a lot of things we need to talk about. We need to show players, in some capacity, that we need to do better." WATCH: PHI 0, POR 0 Nowak talked a lot about his team’s mental state following Saturday’s scoreless draw with Portland because he was pleased with the team’s physical performance, especially on the defensive end where they earned their first shutout since July 17 against New England – which, not coincidentally, was the last time they won. The Union manager also had mostly good things to say after the Union came from behind to tie the Revs 4-4 last Wednesday, despite the obvious defensive lapses. "As I said from the beginning of the season, when we’re trying too hard, sometimes we miss points here and there," Nowak said Saturday, adding that he thought his team deserved the three points vs. Portland. "I applaud the effort from the guys. After a tough game Wednesday, you could see some of them get tired at the end of the game. This was a tough stretch for us with three games in one week but we’ve just got to move forward." For Nowak, the current winless skid is not about his team’s talent or effort. It’s more about how they’ve been responding to mistakes or bad luck. Instead of getting more determined to make up for what happened, the manager said, they often rue the missed opportunities and let that affect their play moving forward. As an example, Nowak pointed to one particular moment early in Saturday’s game against Portland when Sébastien Le Toux missed a goal by just a couple of inches. "Sometimes the ball doesn’t go your way and you miss by a couple of inches," Nowak said. "I think if we score in the first half from Seba, then I think it’s a very easy game. I think it’s the mental part. If we don’t score the first one, it’s like, ‘Here we go again.’ I think we have to overcome those obstacles and keep going and keep creating chances. "At some point, we’re going to score the first goal and then it’s going to be easy for all of us."

Davies, Pontius respond when DC see given opportunity

Prior to Saturday’s already pivotal clash against Chivas USA, favorable results earlier in the day gave D.C. United an even bigger chance to gain ground in the MLS playoff race. With that at stake, DC responded in earnest, as a Charlie Davies hat trick, including two goals in the first 15 minutes, powered them to a 3-0 win on the road. Head coach Ben Olsen’s decision to start Chris Pontius up top next to Davies — the first time the duo had started together there all season — paid dividends, as Pontius set up Davies on all three goals. "You saw the balls that he was able to get me in front of goal where he gave me a goal-scoring situation and I was able to convert on all three," Davies told MLSsoccer.com by phone after the match. "The chemistry was great; we worked really well together." WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS The hat-trick hero also benefited from DC’s lengthy time off — 20 days without a game — heading into Saturday’s match. "I needed this break that we had where I could clear my mind mentally and really refocus, get my body back to 100 percent," Davies said. "This past week, I’ve trained the best I had all year, so I felt ready to make an impact on this game and help my team out." The win moved DC into a wild card spot in the playoff standings, past Chivas USA, one point ahead of the New York Red Bulls, and just a point behind the Houston Dynamo. But almost as important on the night was getting Davies back on track, as he scored for the first time since June 25. "The most encouraging thing was not really his goals but the work ethic and the positive nature of his runs, how he created those chances," midfielder Santino Quaranta told MLSsoccer.com. "You’ve got to give Chris a lot of credit as well." After setting up Davies to complete the hat trick in the game’s 66th minute, Pontius’ night ended on a sour note just two minutes later. The attacker slid into a challenge with Chivas defender David Júnior Lopes, and the two collided awkwardly. Players on the field waived frantically to get medical staff on the field, and Pontius had to be stretchered off, where he was taken to the hospital almost immediately for X-rays on his right ankle. It was a serious concern on an otherwise outstanding night for DC, who responded when they were given an opportunity to make some noise in the playoff picture. "We knew it was big with the other results tonight," Quaranta said. "[We] came in with a good mentality, good attitude, everybody did their part and our counterattack was fantastic."

As pressure mounts, Goats need to cure offensive ills

CARSON, CALIF.— Chivas USA are approaching their most important part of the season and are still dealing with an old problem. Just where will the goals come from? The Goats will face off against D.C. United on Saturday (10:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online) in their first of two matches in 11 days against the club, with both teams battling for the 10th and final playoff berth, the series will likely decide their playoff fortunes. However, for the Rojiblancos to earn a victory against D.C—and qualify for the playoffs – the Goats must begin finding the back of the net with regularity. Scoring issues have been a problem throughout the season for the Goats, who have been shutout 10 times this season. Although Chivas USA scored more than two goals twice during the month of August, they were shut out three times, including their last two matches against Portland and Real Salt Lake.  The task of providing a scoring punch during the playoff stretch will likely fall squarely on the shoulders of forward Juan Pablo Ángel, who has scored once in two appearances for Chivas USA since moving from the LA Galaxy.  After a whirlwind move, Ángel has admitted that building a partnership with Justin Braun, Alejandro Moreno or Marcos Mondaini will take time, but he is optimistic that one can develop. "Building a partnership takes time," Ángel said. "Everything has been extremely quick for me, just adjusting to the way that the team plays and them adjusting to the way that I do things on the field. Also, I’m trying to get used to the partnership that I’m playing with Alejandro [Moreno] since I haven’t had much time to work with him because he’s been out on international duty. This week I’ve been working with Marcos and Justin, everyone is different. "All of us bring different to the table and it’s about getting minutes to know each other." Eager to prove his leadership, the veteran of many MLS playoff chases with the New York Red Bulls admits that believes that the match against DC is a final of sorts for the Goats. "From now on, its playoff time for us, every game is decisive and we need to take it like that," Ángel said. "It’s going to be a final, one of those teams that are right in the hunt with us and we need to make sure we get it right. We’re playing at home then at their home and we’ve got to just make sure to win this game no matter what if we want to make the playoffs."    Although the goals will be vital to Chivas’ success, they will be boosted by a number of returnees in the back. Right back Zarek Valentin (quad) and midfielder Mike Lahoud (ankle) are likely to return to action when the Rojiblancos face United after missing the last match against RSL. This will provide the Goats options in defense after losing Heath Pearce for at least three weeks due a hamstring injury. Although the questions are numerous ahead of the match with United the goal is simple: win.  "We’re in a dogfight on the outside looking in now, but we know that," said Chivas head coach Robin Fraser. "We’re playing with a team that is directly competing with us for at the moment the ten spot so obviously in our minds, it’s a must win."

Starting XI: Top 11 questions heading into the MLS weekend

The countdown of the 11 most intriguing questions facing MLS clubs, players and coaches heading into the weekend slate of matches: 11. Who’s ready for the final sprint? Some are coming off long breaks and others have been quite busy, but every single club in Major League Soccer is active this weekend, which marks the onset of the season’s business end. As temperatures drop and matches dwindle away, urgency increases, with almost everyone eager to secure or improve their position for the postseason. It’s full throttle from here until MLS Cup, amplifying clutch performances as well as mistakes. 10. Will those long layoffs add up to rest, or rust, for this weekend? Portland’s last MLS match was on Aug. 24, DC have been off since Aug. 21 and New York’s break dates back to Aug. 20, while other squads have had lesser but still notable amounts of down time. Fresh legs and refreshed minds are a benefit, but sloppy execution can sometimes crop up as well. 9. Is Friday’s Rapids-Galaxy clash a meeting of the present and future champs? Right from the beginning of preseason, LA have walked, talked and spent like MLS Cup favorites, and their performances have vindicated that status. Beating the current title-holders would have symbolic as well as standings value, though Colorado could reap similar rewards from a defiant display of their own bona fides at the Home Depot Center on Friday night (11 pm ET, FOX Soccer). 8. How will the "six-pointers" play out? Five of this weekend’s games feature playoff-chasing teams who would benefit almost as much from denying points to their opponents as from snaring them for themselves. That figures to ratchet up the pressure even further in the matches at Seattle, Philly, KC, San Jose and Chivas USA. 7. Who will grab the MVP race by the horns? As MLSsoccer.com’s "Climbing the Ladder" noted earlier this week, MLS Most Valuable Player nods tend to go to leading members of top teams, putting the likes of Landon Donovan, Brek Shea and, perhaps, Fredy Montero in pole positions. Other deserving candidates like Kyle Beckerman, Thierry Henry and Dwayne De Rosario may find that the best thing for their own candidacies would be a swift climb up the standings by their teams. 6. Where in the world is Charlie Davies? Given his early-season performances for D.C. United and the iconic status derived from his dazzling – and abruptly, stunningly suspended – US national-team career, it’s hard to believe how anonymous Davies has been over the past couple of months as nagging injuries and spotty contributions have kept him on the bench. DC’s postseason hopes would benefit greatly from a return to form. 5. Can Real Salt Lake strike a blow against Seattle’s Supporters’ Shield hopes? With its playoff seeding implications and likelihood of end-to-end play, RSL vs. Sounders shapes up as one of the tastiest-looking matches on this week’s docket. Given the nearly flawless footy LA are playing right now, Seattle probably need a home win to keep pace with them in the race to the Shield, while a loss could be devastating on that front. 4. Is the Union defense vulnerable to a Portland pounding? The shorthanded Philly back line and rookie goalkeeper Zac MacMath just leaked four goals at home to an eighth-place side (New England). Now it has to handle the bruising challenge posed by the Timbers’ aerial bombardment, and also remain alert to the movement of Jorge Perlaza and assorted wide players. On the other hand, the Timbers still have just one road win to their credit all year. 3. How will the Crew respond to that shellacking in Seattle? Robert Warzycha and his men have tried not to dwell on last weekend’s 6-2 whipping at CenturyLink Field, but will need to prove as much to themselves and their home fans in Saturday’s Trillium Cup meeting with Toronto, a rivalry game they’ve never lost. Perhaps the loss in the Emerald City gave Warzycha a clear picture of his team’s strengths and weaknesses before the home stretch. But now Columbus need a win. 2. Can Sporting Kansas City get serious? How ironic that a no-nonsense Jersey guy like Peter Vermes finds himself at the helm of such a wide-open, gun-and-run – and apparently naïve – Sporting side. Few MLS clubs have scored more goals than KC, just as few have allowed as many at the other end, including several in galling, last-minute fashion. Entertainment-wise, they look like a neutral’s favorite, but they might well need to grind one out when Houston visit this weekend. 1. Can the Red Bulls finally see the light at the end of the tunnel? New York have been ice-cold for weeks, as reflected by their steady slide down the standings. But they’ve had three weeks off from match play to regroup, and important veterans Luke Rodgers, Jan Gunnar Solli and Frank Rost are finally making their way back to full fitness. All that should translate into an assured victory over visiting Vancouver on Saturday as the Red Bulls try to reassert themselves in the playoff hunt.

College: Schuler's hot start leading way for North Carolina

After just two games last year, a recurring shoulder problem that required surgery forced North Carolina to shut down forward Billy Schuler for the entire season. Schuler could only watch from the sidelines as the Tar Heels marched all the way to the College Cup, falling to Louisville in the semifinals. After an intense spring and summer of rehabbing and working his way back to fitness, the forward has returned with a vengeance. Schuler has four goals in UNC’s first three games of the season, all of them wins. "To be playing again after so long on the sidelines feels great," Schuler told MLSsoccer.com over the phone. "It’s been a long year, being out and finally getting back once the season started. I’m happy with the way things are going so far." UNC is a squad very much in transition. The Heels lost several starters to the pro ranks last year and have a new coach in Carlos Somoano. But Schuler’s contributions have been integral to the team’s success. Last Sunday against Louisville, he scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory. On Friday against Oregon State, he had a brace as North Carolina romped to a 5-1 scoreline. For a team that is almost a yearly fixture in the College Cup, a lot of question marks surrounded the traditional powerhouse after Elmar Bolowich resigned in February to take over at Creighton. Somoano, a longtime Bolowich assistant, has smoothed over the transition. "Carlos has come in really strong, brought in new ideas and a new system that we’re playing," Schuler said. "It’s been great, I think we’re doing really well with our roles that everyone has and what everyone is expected to do." The new coach has seen Schuler pick up from where he left off his sophomore year. "He’s very aggressive and he continues to be," Somoano told MLSsoccer.com. "That’s what makes him a special player – he’s a relentless competitor." Despite the strong start, Somoano is tempering expectations. Not only are the team still learning his new style and system, they also lost players like Stephen McCarthy, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Farfan and Alex Dixon to MLS. But the Heels are still in good hands. Along with Schuler, UNC feature sophomore forward Robbie Lovejoy as a complementary attacker, Enzo Martinez and Kirk Urso marshal the midfield, and transfer Matt Hedges leads the back line along with US U-18s Boyd Okwuono and Jordan McCrary. "We still have a lot of growing to do, and in the meantime we’ve gotten results and won the games so far," he said. "That’s a positive, if you can get off to a good start from a results standpoint and give the guys some confidence that what we’re doing is working."

NY's Rost and Rodgers days away from full recovery

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. — It’s only a matter of days before the New York Red Bulls expect to finally get two of their regulars back in the starting lineup, as goalkeeper Frank Rost and forward Luke Rodgers near a return to full health. While Rodgers may even see some minutes against Vancouver on Saturday, both are targeting the Sept. 17 match at FC Dallas. Rost, who suffered a quadriceps injury following the Emirates Cup in July, took to the practice field for the second time this week. The German Designated Player has not played since being subbed out of an Aug. 6 match at Real Salt Lake. Rodgers, who has battled a heel injury since the spring, may make his first appearance since July 6 when the Whitecaps visit Red Bull Arena on Saturday. "I’d say Dallas," manager Hans Backe said regarding the timeline for Rodgers’ return. "I’d be very happy if he can play some minutes on Saturday [vs. Vancouver]." While he might give Rodgers some playing time against Vancouver, Backe is expected to once again use backup goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, who is back with the squad after representing Senegal in African Cup of Nations qualifying. "I can do everything, but the problem is [getting to] 100 percent kicking," the 38-year-old Rost said of his recovery. "The last five percent, I have to wait, be patient." Injuries have generally not been a concern for Rost, who has played at least 30 games in each of his last four seasons, all with Bundesliga club Hamburg. He has played no less than 24 matches in his previous 13 years of soccer in Germany, so missing a third straight match this weekend is something to which Rost is largely unaccustomed. "I’ve never experienced this kind of an injury," he said. "For me, the only thing is that I come back to the team, practice with the team and hopefully we win some matches." In addition to Rost and Rodgers, the other starter that Backe has to replace in the lineup is midfielder Teemu Tainio, who is still waiting to serve his red card suspension which dates back to an Aug. 20 match against the Revolution. There are a number of options to replace Tainio in the center of the field. "Stéphane [Auvray] is one of those guys," Backe said. "We also have the option of [Rafa] Márquez there, with [Carlos] Mendes as a center back." After playing for Mexico last week, Márquez flew back to New York on Tuesday evening and Backe expects to have the player for training on Thursday morning. Jan Gunnar Solli is also back from injury and he told MLSsoccer.com on Monday that he expects to be in the midfield this weekend, a change from his usual right back position. A former Norwegian international who has played nearly his entire career as a box-to-box midfielder, Solli could also make for a good fit alongside Dax McCarty in the starting XI.

Whitecaps co-owner, NBA star Nash trains with first team

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Watch out, Michael Nanchoff. There was a new No. 13 at Swangard Stadium during a Whitecaps training session on Tuesday, but the face was a familiar one. Whitecaps co-owner and basketball star Steve Nash suited up with the first team to stay fit during the NBA offseason — one that could be extended due to the ongoing labor dispute in that league. "It was good, it was a lot of fun," Nash told MLSsoccer.com following Tuesday’s training session. "For me, it’s a great opportunity not just to meet the players as a fan — it’s fun to get to meet them and know them — but as an owner, it’s also fun to get the temperature of the club and how the guys’ spirits are." Nash played as a striker and midfielder in his hometown of Victoria, B.C., during his time in youth soccer before eventually deciding to focus on basketball. "Everyone knows he’s a big soccer fan and plays the game himself," captain Jay DeMerit said. "To not play for a long time and step in with this group of guys shows the quality he has." While the 37-year-old looked fit and didn’t look too out of place, he’s not ready to quit his day job just yet. "By the way I played today, they’re not going to have me come back for a while!" Nash joked with reporters. "But we should all be really excited. There’s a lot of positives — we’ve got a lot of good players, a great residency program, and on top of that, we’re moving into a new stadium. We’ve got the third-highest attendance in the league, so everyone should be really proud of the efforts this year." The former NBA Most Valuable Player also provided insight into the level of his involvement with key decisions the club has made this season, such as the two coaching changes. "I leave it up to the guys who are working on this day in and day out," Nash explained. "For me to come in and add value where I can is my benefit at this point. [The club is] in good hands — they don’t need to call on me for every decision, but I’m here as a resource [if needed]." WATCH: Nash trains with Whitecaps    

Kick Off: Donovan sounds warning ahead of match vs. KC

A stretch of nine matches in 30 days couldn’t start against a tougher opponent. The LA Galaxy get set to kick off the most congested part of their schedule with their first match at the new Livestrong Sporting Park against Sporting Kansas City tonight (6 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer — pregame at 5:30 p.m. ET) and LA midfielder Landon Donovan has already sounded a warning to his teammates: "You could argue they're as good as any team in the league at this time." Looks like Donovan has more belief in Kansas City than even Kansas City does. At the end of its preview for tonight’s match, the

Mondragón injury could harm Philly’s playoff hopes

The Philadelphia Union came into Saturday’s game at Rio Tinto Stadium a little bit shorthanded. Then they got even more shorthanded when starting goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón – the club’s captain and only 2011 All-Star – hurt his finger and came out at halftime in a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. Backup Zac MacMath, making his MLS debut, didn’t allow a goal in the second half, but Mondragón’s injury could be a serious detriment in Philly’s playoff chase, which took a hit with the defeat. A couple of reports indicated Mondragón broke his finger, but Union manager Peter Nowak did not offer any specifics about the injury after the game. "We’ll see," Nowak said. "I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. We’ll go back home and see what his status will be." Before Mondragón came out, the Union suffered through some defensive struggles, due in large part to the absences of defensive midfielder Brian Carroll (right foot contusion) and central back Carlos Valdés (suspension). WATCH: Mondragón denies Espíndola Back on their heels for much of the first half, Philly allowed two RSL goals through the first 26 minutes, both of which came from poor marking off corner kicks. And the damage could have even been worse if not for a brilliant save from Mondragón in the 25th minute on RSL’s Fabián Espíndola and some critical clearances from Danny Califf and Stefani Miglioranzi later in the game. The Union, which posted four shutouts through their first six games, have now surrendered two goals in each of their past three games and are winless in their last six contests. Snapping that skid will be even more difficult if Mondragón misses any more time, but the Union feel they are fortunate to have a very capable backup in MacMath, a highly-touted rookie who made three saves in the second half Saturday. "I think Zac MacMath came in and he was calm and very secure," Nowak said. "I was pleased with the game from him. We’ll see what the status is for Faryd, who is a very important piece to this team." If Mondragón is sidelined, the Union will also miss the captain’s vocal leadership, which has been a vital component to the club’s success this season. The Union, however, also say they are stocked with capable replacements in that department as well. "Faryd is our captain," said Sébastien Le Toux, who on Saturday scored his first goal from the run of play this season. "But Danny Califf, myself, Miglioranzi – we are also leaders of this team."

Grueling stretch for LA starts with trip to Kansas City

CARSON, Calif. — Beginning Monday, the LA Galaxy will play nine games in a 30-day stretch. It is perhaps fitting that the club will kick off that grueling slate with what has become one of the league’s most difficult challenges. The Galaxy will visit Sporting KC on Monday (6 pm ET, Fox Soccer) in a match that was originally scheduled for Aug. 13. In their first trip to Livestrong Sporting Park, LA will face a squad that has been on a tear since June. PREVIEW: Galaxy come calling on Sporting "They’re the most confident team in the league right now, from some of their statements," Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant said. "That’s good. They’re flying high, doing well in their new stadium and feeling good about themselves." Sporting KC started out the season with a dismal 1-6-1 record but have lost just twice since then. Part of the turnaround is their new stadium, which has been the talk of the league since it opened on June 9. "They have an amazing new stadium, great atmosphere and they’ve been fantastic at home, so we’ve got to make sure we don’t underestimate them," Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee said. Playing before packed crowds always bodes well for the home side and an electric atmosphere gives the players something extra to look forward to. "There’s a little bit of excitement," Magee said. "We’ve heard some amazing things about the stadium. Always when you play in a good atmosphere it brings out the best in players." Sporting KC and the Galaxy have already met once this year. LA beat SKC 4-1 in May at the Home Depot Center, and while it may seem logical to draw comparisons from that match to Monday’s encounter, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena has all but tossed that game out the window. "That’s been completely forgotten and that has nothing to do with this game to be honest," Arena said. "What we need to do is to continue to move forward as a team and play well." Sporting have been strong at home, posting a 6-2-4 mark at their new stadium. However, their two losses came against Seattle and FC Dallas, the two sides just behind the Galaxy in the Western Conference race. In each loss, KC conceded two late goals to reverse what had looked like sure wins. The most recent defeat, last week’s 3-2 setback against Dallas, may bode well for the Galaxy as it gave LA a possible blueprint on how to attack their rivals. KC allowed a goal on a set piece and two more on crosses from the left flank. "Wide play is going to be very important in the game because they do have three forwards generally and you’d rather them play with five midfielders than three forwards," Dunivant said. "If we can get their two high guys pinned back and have us pushing on and them defending us, that’s certainly an advantage for us. If it’s the other way then we’re suddenly pinned back and things are a lot more difficult." Another factor in favor for the Galaxy is the status of their captain. Landon Donovan was originally slated to miss the match due to national team duty but he will skip the US match at Belgium on Sept. 6 in order to remain with LA. "It’s certainly a bonus," Arena said. "Landon is one of our better players and one of the better players in the league."

Fantasy Forecast: Pick carefully on a light week for MLS

Just two league games scheduled in MLS. While the rest of your fantasy league heads to the lake for a little R&R, look to the Western Conference heavyweights to start making up some ground in the final weeks of the regular season. In particular, the Forecast likes RSL over Philadelphia and LA over Sporting Kansas City. Let’s get to the picks. Start 'em Nick Rimando, G, Real Salt Lake: A 10-man RSL pulled together to record a shutout last week. It was a big confidence-booster, and of the four goalkeepers going this weekend, the RSL backstop looks to be in the best form. Sean Franklin, D, LA Galaxy: The Galaxy keep rolling along, with four consecutive two-goal victories. Franklin remains a great choice as a marking back who can get forward when his team keeps possession. He can get on the scoresheet – two goals this season – while the Galaxy defense is the league’s second-best. Start Franklin with confidence. Graham Zusi, M, Sporting Kansas City: With Teal Bunbury and Kei Kamara on international duty, the SKC goal-scoring burden falls to Zusi. He’s shown himself capable of doing damage offensively with five goals and four assists in 18 starts. With Davy Arnaud and Jéferson possibly returning for SKC, they could make things difficult against LA after a poor showing in the teams’ first two meetings. Landon Donovan, M, LA Galaxy: Donovan will play with the US national team on Friday evening, but should be ready to play a role during Monday’s game at Sporting. Watch his minutes against Costa Rica before making a decision to plug him in Monday. Kyle Beckerman, M, Real Salt Lake: With Will Johnson (Canada), Álvaro Saborío (Costa Rica), Jean Alexandre (Haiti) and Arturo Alvarez (El Salvador) all on international duty, the other RSL players must to pick up the scoring slack. Beckerman, who will play 90 minutes barring injury, should get some chances to get forward against a Philly midfield lacking confidence. Veljko Paunović, M, Philadelphia Union: The 34-year-old has been one of Philly’s most dangerous scoring options since joining the team this summer: two goals in his last four games. If the Union are to break their five-match winless streak, they’ll need a little magic from Paunović. Sit 'em Matt Besler, D, Sporting Kansas City: Besler faces a tough task against the Galaxy’s attack, especially with SKC’s defensive confidence reeling. Sporting have given up late leads against Seattle and Dallas in recent weeks – and now they face MLS’ top team. Nat Borchers, D, Real Salt Lake: Borchers picked up a red card for Real Salt Lake early in their match against Chivas USA, ruling him out for this weekend’s tilt. Teal Bunbury, F, Sporting Kansas City: Like Borchers, Bunbury saw red this past weekend. He’ll have to serve that suspension when he gets back from national team duty, so now would be a good time to drop him if he’s on your roster. Kei Kamara, F, Sporting Kansas City: As mentioned previously, Kamara will miss this weekend’s match against LA on international duty. Accountability Those of you who sat Borchers last week did the right thing – the center back picked up his second red card of the season and must now sit out against RSL. The Forecast’s predictions for Portland and Chivas USA fizzled, with Portland getting rained out of their second match by Hurricane Irene and Chivas USA failing to score against RSL or Portland.

Saborío among MLSers on Costa Rica roster vs. US

Four players from Major League Soccer highlight the 24-man roster for Costa Rica’s international friendly against the United States at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on Friday (11 pm ET; ESPN2, Galavisión, ESPN3.com). Real Salt Lake striker Álvaro Saborío is once again in the mix with