MLS News Briefs - Week 18

Originally written for American Soccer Daily.


MLS News Briefs: From Net to Net – Week 18
by TJ Boyce – July 31, 2007

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Colorado Rapids midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy has been suspended for two games and fined $1,000 for throwing an elbow at Kansas City Wizards midfielder Sasha Victorine during the clubs’ July 22nd meeting. Ballouchy, recently shipped to Colorado in exchange for Kyle Beckerman, received a yellow card for the challenge during the game, but the MLS Disciplinary Committee decided to review the incident further as Victorine was unable to continue in the game. Their ruling is that Ballouchy’s actions were deliberate and dangerous, meaning he will miss Saturday’s game against FC Dallas and the August 11th game against the Houston Dynamo.
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The Houston Dynamo know how to play defense, especially as the game goes on. Having allowed only 13 goals through 19 games this season, Houston has only conceded 4 of those goals in the second half of games and ZERO in minutes 76-90. That means they outscore their opponents 20-4 after halftime, helping to contribute to their league-best goal differential of +15.
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Following the revelation that Toronto FC starting goalkeeper Greg Sutton might miss the rest of the 2007 season because he is suffering from post-concussion symptoms, the Canadian international netminder and his head coach Mo Johnston decided to let off some steam at the Canadian Soccer Association and their lack of a team doctor. Sutton suffered his concussion during time with Canada’s national team at the Gold Cup, but was cleared to practice just four days after sustaining the injury. However, he has not returned to Toronto’s lineup because he is suffering from severe headaches, leading both men to call for changes at the CSA.

“I had a local physician who didn’t know me or anyone on the team give me a checkup that obviously wasn’t thorough enough,” said Sutton. “We all understand it’s not easy because of limited funds, but that’s an excuse that’s starting to wear out.

Johnston, irate at the CSA over the incident, questioned whether he would allow players from his roster to participate in future national team camps. “If we release our players to the national team, we want them looked after 100 percent. Maybe this was not the case.”
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The ongoing will-he-or-won’t-he-play saga surrounding David Beckham is on to Toronto after successfully irking fans in Dallas. Beckham, still nursing his bum left ankle, stayed behind on Tuesday while the Los Angeles Galaxy traveled to Texas for a SuperLiga match against FC Dallas, much to the surprise of some in the sell-out crowd at Pizza Hut Park that was anticipating his presence. Such a stink was made by local media and some “fans” over the Beckham no-show that FCD officials have felt obliged to offer a discount to those fans who bought tickets for Tuesday’s match for the next time that the Galaxy comes to town.

Despite missing three straight SuperLiga games, Beckham is targeting Sunday’s league game against Toronto FC for his comeback, but many are questioning whether Galaxy officials will want to risk his health on the turf that is BMO Field.
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According to the Toronto Sun, Toronto FC is actively pursuing Josh Wagenaar to be their new starting ‘keeper. Wagenaar, 22, has played the past two seasons for ADO den Haag in the Dutch league. Because he is a Canadian citizen, Wagenaar would not have to be counted as an international player, something that Mo Johnston will be pleased over.
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Ante Razov has been named the MLS Player of the Week. The third-highest scorer in the history of the league, Razov notched his 104th career goal and an assist in Thursday night’s primetime victory over the New York Red Bulls and also added an assist in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City. It is the eighth time that Razov has earned the honor in his career.
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The Colorado Rapids have agreed to form a partnership with CF Pachuca of the Primera Division in Mexico. Under the agreement, the two clubs will meet annually in a series of games and will share training grounds. Kroenke Sports Enterprises, owner of the Rapids, will also set up the Pachuca Academy, to be led by former Mexican national team player Enrique Borja, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The Rapids formed a similar partnership with England’s Arsenal FC in February.
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Toronto FC forward Danny Dichio has suffered a severely pulled hip flexor muscle which will require him to sit out the next 4-6 weeks. Dichio, who has tallied five goals and one assist so far in 2007, sustained the injury in TFC’s 3-0 home loss to the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon.

His injury comes at a particularly trying time for Toronto, as a solid portion of their starting eleven has already been sidelined recently with injuries. The list of wounded includes Jeff Cunningham, Ronnie O’Brien, Greg Sutton and Marvell Wynne, with Jim Brennan and Andrew Boyens also picking up injuries in the past week.
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