The MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids and English Premier League side Arsenal FC have a lot more in common this morning than they did 24 hours ago as Rapids owner Stan Kroenke has officially taken a controlling interest in the Gunners. It was a takeover in the making since he became a shareholder in 2007.
The good news for Arsenal fans is that it has been confirmed that Kroenke's ownership of the club will not place any debt burden on the organization. Now all that’s left is for Arsenal to try to match the Rapids for trophies (Colorado hold the edge over the last six years, for those keeping score).
The action on the field saw the Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo close out the MLS weekend slate with a nationally televised Sunday night match and a 3-1 Dynamo victory.
TheProvince in Vancouver today reveals that defender Jay DeMerit was injured on the play that led to Houston’s go-ahead goal (watch it here). The US national-team defender himself says that after the goal was scored, “at that point, you put your hand up.” He came off at halftime.
No. 1 SuperDraft pick Omar Salgado made his MLS debut for the Whitecaps with his family in attendance after making the 10-hour trek from El Paso, Texas, to Houston. Another first-round selection, Houston’s Will Bruin, scored his first career MLS goal.
The debate still rages on from the weekend matches. The LA Galaxy are livid about the penalty kick awarded to D.C. United in the waning moments of their match on Saturday which prevented them from leaving RFK Stadium with a victory. LA’s Omar Gonzalez claims that DC’s Charlie Davies “flopped” on the decisive play.
Twitter's soccer community has apparently been coming down hard on Davies, including one tweet from LA's Landon Donovan who says he is looking to lend Davies a scuba mask.
It’s been four consecutive 1-0 results to start the season for the Philadelphia Union, three of them seeing Peter Nowak’s team on the winning end. The Polish manager readily admits that he’s more interested in efficiency than 5-0 score lines.
The Union’s latest victory came against the New York Red Bulls, who are rumored to be chasing Argentine star midfielder Juan Román Riquelme. (SPANISH)
In San Jose, goalkeeper Jon Busch is calling out the Earthquakes attackers and their inability to finish chances. Although off to a good start, the Quakes expect to have more points.
Saturday's 2-0 loss at the hands of a Real Salt Lake side that lacked many starters was especially tough to swallow for the New England Revolution, who also lost two central midfielders to red cards. Their hope is that things will improve once Ousmane Dabo and Rajko Lekic join the starting XI.
The Portland Timbers had the weekend off as they prepare for their home opener on Thursday night. Although manager John Spencer says “there’s no controversy,” fans can judge for themselves by reading the comments made by goalkeepers Jake Gleeson and Troy Perkins, who are both vying for the starting spot.
The weekend highlights for Americans playing abroad include a brace by Herculez Gomez and goals by Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Bedoya.
Lots of big news out of Mexico this weekend. The Under-20 national team emerged as champions in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament (watch the highlights here), while Chivas de Guadalajara handed a sound beating to archrivals Club América in league action (watch the goals here). (VIDEO)
The hype is already starting for next weekend’s Real Madrid vs. Barcelona clash at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, which will offer the decisive verdict on the La Liga title chase with the blaugrana currently holding an eight-point lead. Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola says his team will not be sitting back for the tie.
The Monday afternoon EPL match features a dandy as Liverpool host Manchester City (3 pm ET, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).
Finally, one of the more original goal celebrations you’ll see comes from Argentina and it involves a candle that is lit on the field and a birthday boy blowing it out. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
David Beckham says he’s “disappointed and disgusted” that LA didn’t secure win in DC
The halftime talk from manager Aron Winter that led to Toronto FC’s 1-1 draw at San Jose
Revs manager Steve Nicol blames his club’s midweek match in Vancouver for loss vs. RSL
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