MLS News Briefs - Week 19

Fresh off of an impressive performance in the U-20 World Cup, New York Red Bulls teenage sensation Josmer Altidore has been selected to grace the cover of FIFA 08. Altidore, 17, will be sharing space on the front of the popular Electronic Arts videogame with Mexican national team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa of Club America and Ronaldinho, a mainstay on the cover over the past few years. Succeeding Landon Donovan as the annual MLS contribution to the game’s cover, Altidore is the second-youngest player ever to earn the honor, runner-up only to Freddy Adu (16 years old on FIFA 06 cover).
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In David Beckham news, England coach Steve McClaren will be traveling to the United States later this week in order to talk with his injured star, and hopefully see him in action as D.C. United hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy in a nationally televised match. Though Beckham is doubtful to play in the game, McClaren is also using the trip to measure the quality of play in MLS, saying: “A lot of people have been writing things about the standard of football over there. But I need to see it myself and make that judgement rather than other people.”
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As many cities vie for the opportunity to land the next MLS expansion franchise, commissioner Don Garber has revealed that he sees the league expanding to 18 teams by the year 2012, with Toronto the model for future league expansion. The atmosphere and fan support for the club has been off the charts in their inaugural season, with every game sold out through the end of the year.

While in Toronto for TFC’s recent match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Garber talked about the possibility of adding a second Canadian team to the league in the next wave of expansion over the next five years, saying: “We’re thinking about what else to do in Canada. We have an opportunity in Vancouver and we’re thinking about opportunities in Montreal.”
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Another MLS team has bitten the dust in the U.S. Open Cup. On Tuesday night, the Colorado Rapids were thoroughly outplayed by the Seattle Sounders - a USL-1 team, losing by an embarrassing 5-0 scoreline. With the Rapids crashing out of the tournament, only two MLS teams remain in competition – FC Dallas, who squeaked by the Charleston Battery in extra time also on Tuesday, and the New England Revolution who will face the Harrisburg City Islanders on Wednesday night. MLS teams have failed to win the tourney only once (1999) since joining play in 1996.
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Luciano Emilio has captured MLS Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, this time in recognition of his two-goal performance in D.C. United’s road win in New England on Sunday. He was also honored in week 11 after scoring twice against the Chicago Fire on June 16. With the pair of goals, Emilio has moved into a tie with Eddie Johnson for the league lead on goals scored with twelve each.
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Recently ousted as head coach, John Ellinger has announced his resignation from his role as a technical director and advisor with the Real Salt Lake organization, effective August 20th. The first coach in team history, Ellinger compiled a 15-37-16 record over a little more than two years with the club and was fired after RSL stumbled out of the gates in 2007. The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that he is resigning to pursue other coaching and development opportunities.
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MLS All-Star and FC Dallas midfielder Juan Toja has sprained his ankle, according to FC Dallas Updates, the official blog of the team. The ‘man with the best hair in MLS’ suffered the injury in the 37th minute of FCD’s 2-1 victory over the Charleston Battery in the U.S. Open Cup during a sliding play and the following cross. He will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Texas on Wednesday.
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Chicago Fire designated player Cuauhtemoc Blanco is known for not only his goal-scoring prowess, but also for his acting ability when trying to draw a foul, something evident in last week’s match against the Columbus Crew. While the two clubs played to a scoreless tie on Sunday, Blanco suffered 12 fouls in the game, drawing the ire of U.S. international defender Frankie Hejduk: “It’s one thing if you’re fighting for the ball but (Blanco) was just falling over and they were giving him every call.”
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Which MLS team boasts the best come-from-behind record when they allow the first goal? That would be the Kansas City Wizards, who have fought to a 3-6-2 record after being scored upon first. Which team rolls over and plays dead in the same scenario? The answer is Chivas USA, going 0-5-0 when allowing their opponents to score first. Not surprisingly, Real Salt Lake has been scored upon first in a game the most times in the league (12), but have managed to claw out three ties to go with nine losses.