Tag: USA

MLS Daily: Late Will Bruin strike rescues Sounders in Montreal.

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The defending champions are still without a win this season. 

The ability to claw back results from the face of defeat is a trait of champions, and that’s exactly what Seattle Sounders did at Montreal Impact last night.

Will Bruin, one of the club’s newest signings, netted deep into stoppage time as the defending MLS Cup champions produced a fine comeback at the Olympic Stadium.

For the second consecutive week, Sounders started slowly, and found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Matteo Mancosu and Ignacio Piatti.

Montreal were cruising at that point, before Nicolas Lodeiro converted a penalty on 83 minutes for the away side

Bruin, a late substitute, proved why he was a worthy acquisition as he was in the right place at the right time to slot home a 94th minute leveller.

The goalscorer told Sounders after the match: “It’s a monkey off my back to score my first goal.

“Hopefully the floodgates will open and I will get plenty more.

This was the second consecutive match that the ex-Houston forward came off the bench, but the striker isn’t too fussed about his position just yet.

“I don’t expect to be an instant starter,” he admitted.

“But I’m hoping to take every opportunity with both hands and give the coach a selection headache.”

But Seattle have now produced two poor performances. One could be excused had they thought Clint Dempsey  wasn’t playing. The American was hardly involved last night, and when he isn’t firing at full cylinders, the Sounders look less like the team that went on to win the MLS Cup last October.

Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said after the match: “We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.

“We don’t want to chasing down one goal, two goals. We played the game we wanted too.

“Every team makes mistakes, we are going to make mistakes. We are trying to get the season up and running. We will get better. We will resolve the defensive issues.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, New York Red Bulls made it two wins out of two after defeating Colorado Rapids 2-0. It’s now 18 games unbeaten at the Red Bull Arena for Jesse Marsch’s side.

Sebastian Giovinco went off injured as Toronto drew 2-2 at Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes won 3-2 at home to ten-man Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire won 2-0 to end Real Salt Lake’s six match unbeaten record at Toyota Park.

Houston Dynamo won for the second week in a row. They beat Columbus Crew 3-1, whilst FC Dallas drew 0-0 at Sporting KC.

New England Revolution and Orlando City will play their match on September 2nd after their game was postponed due to the weather.

 

MLS Daily: FC Dallas show their intent after overdue victory at LA Galaxy.

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It was their first win at the StubHub Centre since 2009. 

FC Dallas could once again be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Yes it’s very early days, but the 2016 Supporters Shield and US Open Cup winners will only have gained more confidence after their impressive 2-1 away win at LA Galaxy last Saturday.

It’s been a long eight years since they last tasted success in the Californian city, but the current crop of Dallas players finally managed to provide that elusive Hollywood performance to take all three points with them back to Texas.

Maximiliano Urruti and Kellyn Acosta were the Dallas heroes with two quality goals on the day. The latter’s strike was assisted by new signing Roland Lamah, and the winger told FC Dallas’ On the Record: “LA are a strong time, but it was important for us to take something there.”

“Thankfully, we took all three points.”

The Belgian midfielder has travelled all over Europe during his playing career, but he has now embarked on a new challenge in the MLS, something he is really excited about.

“I feel great here, it feels like family. Maybe some cowboy boots and hat are next on the agenda!” the 29-year-old joked.

“Dallas is nice. I knew the moment I stepped into the dressing room that I was in a good place.”

Oscar Pareja, Head Coach of FC Dallas, has done the vital job of keeping together the majority of his double-winning squad from last term, with the addition of some excellent individuals.

Forward Cristian Colman joins from Paraguayan side Nacional, whilst MLS veteran Javier Morales also signed across the dotted line. Both are excellent acquisitions which ultimately makes the side look even more stronger on paper.

With the added squad depth, and a good backing from the supporters, Dallas will no doubt be on the hunt for that first ever MLS Cup victory.

They also now have the capability to go on a strong cup run, as well as challenge for the domestic title, something they may have lacked last season.

Currently, they are still in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they play Mexican side Pachuca in the semi-finals, and it’s a competition again where they could go all the way.

Winning trophies is like lust, once you get into motion, you just don’t want to stop. 

Dallas have a winning formula, and should they stay injury free, you can bet they will continue to add to their trophy cabinet this year.

 

 

MLS Daily: Penalty king Nick Rimando could be crucial to Real Salt Lake.

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The goalkeeper is a specialist when it comes to stopping spot-kicks. 

This is Nick Rimando’s tenth season at Real Salt Lake, but while he may feel like a piece of the old furniture nowadays, he is still a valuable asset for this young team.

The 37-year old is well known for his exceptional reflexes, which have made him one of the best goalkeepers in the MLS.

During Real Salt Lake’s 0-0 with Toronto last Saturday, Rimando saved a Sebastian Giovinco’s penalty- his tenth since 2010. No goalkeeper in the league has managed to save more than six in the same time period.

Overall, the American has made 29 career penalty saves. He holds the league record for appearances (425) and clean sheets (130). He also has 22 caps for the USA.

It has led many, including fellow countryman Tim Howard calling Rimando the ‘greatest goalie in MLS history’.

Having won the MLS Cup twice in his career, once with DC United in 2004 and the other with Real Salt Lake in 2009, Rimando knows the means of winning trophies- he has the experience that youngsters in the squad crave for.

After the 0-0 draw on Saturday, Rimando told the media:

“Our goalkeeping coach does a great job with the tapes. We study hard, we have a good idea of who will take the kick, which way they will go, so its up to us to guess that way.

“Hopefully the next penalty we give away will end the same way.”

Real Salt Lake have been in a transition for the last couple of seasons. Head Coach Jeff Cassar is trying to embed more youngsters into the side, and has seen progress being made.

In 2016, they made the Play-Offs; losing out to LA Galaxy 3-1 on aggregate. However, that didn’t keep key midfielder Javier Morales from leaving.

Albert Rusnak has come in for a $450,000 transfer fee from FC Groningen as his replacement. The 22-year-old will step into Morales’ playmaker role on a designated player contract and it will be interesting to see how the Slovakian performs in what are big shoes to fill.

Eight notable players in the Real Salt Lake squad are aged 22 or younger, and should all make their positions their own, this could become a dangerous side for years to come.

Rimando stands as the old guard with the new kids on the block protecting him. This blend could be just what Real Salt Lake need to push themselves up the Western Conference and challenge once again for the MLS Cup.

 

MLS Daily: Late heartbreak for Atlanta.

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It was almost a winning start in MLS for Gerardo Martino’s men. 

It was a famous night in the state of Georgia which nearly ended in ecstasy for the home fans.

Argetine midfielder Yamil Asad scored Atlanta’s first ever goal in MLS after 25 minutes with a first time finish at the back post from Tyrone Mears’ cross.

For a majority of the match, the home side seemed comfortably against a well-organised New York Red Bulls team.

Atlanta, who are coached by former Barcelona and Argentina boss Martino, were just 18 minutes away from victory before the visitors equalised through Daniel Royer.

The home team would have probably taken a point at the start of the evening, but even that was cruelly taken away from them when the unfortunate Anton Walkes put the ball into his own net.

With Atalanta pushing for a late equaliser, Carlos Carmona lost his cool and the Spaniard was sent off for violent conduct to end any chance of a comeback for the home team.

Martino however was pleased with his team’s performance and told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution afterwards: “We were much closer to converting a second goal then they were to equalise.

“They managed to turn the score around but I think we had started to control the game again up until they scored that leveller.”

“We want to be a team that is very aggressive and quickly win the ball back when we lose it. The message we want to put out there is that we are a team that is very comfortable in this league and is excited to represent the city.”

Goalscorer Asad added: “It was a joy to score (Atlanta’s first ever MLS goal). I’m very excited to be a part of the club’s history, but I’m unhappy that we lost. We still have a lot of things to work on.”

Red Bulls’ playmaker Sacha Kljestan, who was made club captain during the off-season, said: “Atlanta seem to be doing a lot of things right.

“Their training facility is top-notch and the atmosphere of the stadium with the fans was amazing. Atlanta as a team are very good- I think they will do pretty well this season.”

Jesse Marsch, Head Coach of the New York Red Bulls, praised the mentality of his team but was also full of praise for the opposition.

“Atlanta tested us in big way in the first half  but we hung in there,” he said.

“At half-time, we asked the players to put a little bit more effort in and be a little bit clearer tactically. I thought for the most part we did that.

The effort in the second half  was really good, and it was a great comeback. There is a lot of spirit within this team.”

Elsewhere last night, Orlando kicked off their new season with a 1-0 win over New York City FC.

Cyle Larin scored the only goal of the game, as Orlando opened their new stadium with victory.

Vancouver Whitecaps could only draw 0-0 at home to Philadelphia Union.

 

 

MLS Daily: Defeat for defending champions Seattle Sounders in Houston.

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First-half goals from Erik Torres and Romell Quioto give the Dynamo all three points on opening weekend. 

2016 was a season to forget for the Houston Dynamo, and one to remember for the Seattle Sounders.

Whilst Houston finished bottom of the Western Conference, Sounders went on to win the MLS Cup for the first time in their history.

The off-season has seen a lot of change- especially in the Dynamo camp. Wilmer Cabrera has taken over as Head Coach following Wade Barrett’s brief stint towards the second half of last year, as well as over a dozen new players.

Five of those, including goalscorer Quioto, made their debuts for the home side last night, and the team looked fresh and up for the task ahead. There was an energy around the Compass Arena that had been missing for some time.

Right from the first minute, Dynamo were on the front foot, with Sounders keeper Stefan Frei keeping the scoreline goalless with two good saves early on.

But Torres’ free-kick and Quioto’s superb curling effort from 20 yards gave the hosts a deserved 2-0 lead at half time.

The defending champions on the other hand just weren’t at the races during the opening half. Although on a positive note, it was good to see Clint Dempsey make his first competitive start since August, after he suffered a heart related issue last summer.

The former Fulham and Tottenham midfielder scored Seattle’s goal, in what was a much better second half performance, with a composed finish at the back post.

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer told Sounders after the game: “It was a good goal from Clint. I probably ran him out longer than I wanted too but we had discussed it and he felt ok to play.

“I told the players to be more patient with possession in the second half. We tried to play killer passes too quickly in the opening 45. When we got more patient we looked more of a threat.

“This was a good learning tool for us. The lesson here is that we cannot afford to let teams press us. We have a target on our backs.”

This was a cagey opening performance from the champions ahead of what will be one of the closest MLS seasons in history, and Sounders forward Jordan Morris said: “We are the champs. Teams are going to come at us and away from home they were going to be fired up.

“We need to learn from our mistakes ahead of next week. We’re all frustrated. We are better then that but hopefully we can turn it around next weekend.”

Elsewhere, FC Dallas won at LA Galaxy for the first time since 2009 as goals from Maximiliano Urruti and Kellyn Acosta helped the visitors to a 2-1 victory.

Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire drew 1-1 at the MAPFRE Stadium, DC United and Sporting Kansas City ended goalless and a Dominique Badji header saw off New England Revolution as Colorado Rapids made it a winning start to 2017.

Sebastian Giovinco missed a penalty as Toronto played out a 0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes beat 10-man Montreal Impact thanks to an Anibal Godoy goal.

Watch out for Justin Thomas in 2017.

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The 23-year old has already won two PGA Tour events this season and looks ready to take centre stage at the majors. 

Justin Thomas is relatively unknown to golf fans in Europe who don’t necessarily follow the PGA Tour.

But it won’t be too long until the 23-year old from Kentucky becomes the subject of every conversation.

It’s only be a matter of time before the American will be competing for major championships. When you watch him, a younger Jordan Spieth will instantly pop into your mind. The one who rose through the rankings at a ferocious pace a few years back before winning the Masters and US Open in 2015.

Thomas has the whole package in terms of a modern-day golfer. He can whack the ball off the tee for more than 300 yards- which is a must these days if you want to win one of these events- and an impressive short game which coincides perfectly with his driving ability.

The young prodigy is also very sensible when selecting his shots. Along with his caddie, the 23-year old always thinks about the environment around him. He thinks about the wind speed, surrounding rough, water hazards, bunkers and how the ball will react on the green.

He also takes into consideration his physiological state. His adrenaline to succeed plays a key factor on the young man’s decision making. This is what makes him so good, and it is why he is winning tournaments.

His win on Sunday at the SBS Tournament of Champions in Kapalua comes after he retained the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last October.

Thomas’s win last weekend also moved him up to 12th in the world rankings.

The impressive start to the season sees him second in the early Fedex Cup standings, just 36 points behind Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

Thomas was unlucky to miss out at last year’s Ryder Cup, but the young prodigy will certainly be one of the first players on Team USA for this year’s Presidents Cup, which takes place at the Liberty National in New Jersey in late September.

Some have called for him to be paired with long-term friend Spieth in that competition, should both be fit and selected. That friendship could be tested though in the four majors which precede the Presidents Cup.

Spieth’s two major titles in 2015 have spurned Thomas on even more recently to improve his game, resulting in three PGA Tour titles within the last 15 months.

Although its been a short career thus far, the 23-year old looks more than ready to win his maiden major.

The Masters is the first to arrive in April, and the Tournament of Champions winner will no doubt be suited to the famous Augusta golf course with its slick fairways and greens.

His consistency levels over the four-day events are phenomenal. If he is playing well in the opening round, he will more than likely play well all weekend.

One things for certain, the PGA Tour is a gruelling 10 month slog in which keeping your performance above average is becoming increasingly difficult. At some point, Thomas will find himself struggling to make cuts consistently.

That will be a true sign of whether or not he is major championship worthy. Can he climb out of a hole should one appear beneath him. We have seen past champions sail into the distance after winning one. Just look at Charl Schwartzel, Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell.

But Thomas is still a baby compared to other players in the field. He has a lot still to learn before he reaches his peak. There is no doubt in my mind that this man will go on to win multiple major championships.

The 23-year old is back in action this weekend alongside Matsuyama, Spieth and Olympic champion Justin Rose at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 SBS Tournament of Champions: Second round report.

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Two players lead at the halfway mark, with Jordan Spieth ending his second round in frustration.  

LEADERBOARD

T1 Moore, Thomas (-12)

T3 Reed, Walker (-11)

5 Dufner (-10)

THE LEADERS

After both hit six-under-par on Thursday, Justin Thomas and Ryan Moore were grouped together for round two. Both seemed to play off one another, as they recorded mirror scorecards. Each carded seven birdies and one bogey to end the day 12-under-par.

Thomas continues to build on his fine start to the 2016-17 PGA Tour season. He is currently second in the standings after his CIMB Classic victory, and his casual stroke-play on the 17th and 18th holes showed us the confidence this young 23-year old is currently waltzing around the Plantation course with.

Playing partner Moore was bogey free on the final nine, scoring five birdies. The 34-year old is currently ranked 51st in the world. A consistent start to the season has seen him finish within the top 25 in each of the three events he has played so far. A breakthrough 2016 season saw him debut in the Ryder Cup for USA.

PATRICK REED SHOOTS ROUND OF THE DAY

2015 Tournament of Champions winner Patrick Reed has always fared well in Kapalua. The American continued that trend as he carded a bogey free round, with a score of eight-under-par. The world number eight hit three consecutive birdies through three, four and five, with four more in the last five holes.

Reed hit every green in regulation for the first time in his PGA career on a day where he also only missed one fairway. He is now only one shot off the lead on 11-under-par, tied with round one leader Jimmy Walker in third.

Both contested a play-off in this event two years ago, with Reed coming out on top. Yesterday was another day that saw Walker fall by the wayside with a disappointing round of three-under-par.

The USPGA champion saw too many putts flirt around the cup, and dropped a shot on the 17th when he overhit his wedge shot to land past the green. A crucial birdie on the final hole might boost his confidence going into the weekend.

BETTER FROM JASON DAY, LESS SO FOR SPIETH 

World number one Jason Day is playing in his first event since September, and after a slow yet steady start on Thursday, the Australian picked up his game in round two.

Day ended on seven-under, after carding four-under-par. Aside from his bogey on the par four 13th, the Aussie hit five birdies, three of which came on par-fives.

A bogey-free third round from the world number one could see him back in contention on the final day.

The same can’t be said for Spieth. The defending champion struck nine birdies on Friday, with five coming consecutively between holes nine to 13.

However, the 23-year old also carded a double bogey on the par three eighth, and a triple bogey on the par four 17th, to end the day on five-under-par.

Seven shots down, the Texas-born world number five will need to shoot a 62 or 63 to get back in the race, but he sounded very deflated when talking to the media after his performance, claiming his tournament “was effectively over.”

2017 SBS Tournament of Champions: First Round.

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US PGA champion Jimmy Walker leads after a bogey-free first round, with Jason Day and Jordan Speith making slow starts in Hawaii. 

THE LEADERBOARD

1 WALKER -8

T2 MOORE, HERMAN, THOMAS -6

T5 DUFNER, BERGER -5

THE LEADER

In what were ideal conditions, except for the occasional light rain shower, Jimmy Walker hit two birdies on the par-five 15th and par-five 18th for a two shot lead in the opening PGA Tour event of 2017.

Walker – who lost in a playoff with Patrick Reed in Kapalua two years ago – hit one eagle, six birdies and 11 pars at the Plantation course this time around to shoot 65.

In the off-season, Walker shortened his driver to try and improve his game off the tee. But with a driving accuracy of just 73.3%, it was his shots with the irons, wedges and putter that were the stars of the show.

His opening round ended with a GIR score of 94.4%, the joint highest in the round alongside Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

With his impressive record in PGA Events taking place in Hawaii, little would look past Walker to avenge that 2015 defeat to Reed this weekend.

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Justin Thomas: The 23-year old and world number 22 followed up his CIMB Classic victory with a six-under-par 67. His four birdies in five holes during the middle of his round eased the pressure off the young American, who made a slow yet steady start with seven consecutive pars.

Rod Pampling: One of the most experience men competing in the Tournament of Champions this year is Australia’s Pampling. The 47-year-old hasn’t competed in this competition for a decade, but you wouldn’t of thought it as he hit a four-under-par 69. He is tied seventh alongside world number six Matsuyama and US Open champion Dustin Johnson.

SPIETH AND DAY STRUGGLE TO GET GOING

It wasn’t the start to 2017 neither the world number one or the current defending champion would’ve wanted.

Spieth won this event last year with a score of -30. He will need to hit two majestic rounds if he is to get anywhere near that score again. Two bogeys on the back nine looked to deflate the former Masters and US Open champ, but his birdie on the 18th crucially see the 23-year old get into gear.

Day managed to end the day on three-under-par, but the Aussie did hit a bogey on the second hole to get off to a sluggish start. Birdies on both the 13th, 14th and 15th seemed to have rescued the round, only for the number one to hit a bogey six on the final hole.