Yanks At Home: Week 10
A beautiful save by two star American's, Landon Donovan and A.J. DeLaGarza, along with all-around spectacular defensive play from Sean Franklin for LA at the end of this video. A great game in Toronto by an American who will likely never again play for his country, Justin Mapp, and a player from the Congo, Danny Mwanga, who still might get a chance to play for the Red, White and Blue. Big nights from rookies Will Bruin, making himself a threat despite barely touching the ball, and Perry Kitchen scoring his first professional goal. All of this added up to a pretty exciting weekend around the country. This might have been best weekend in MLS so far this season, especially for American players.
Eric Alexander M (Dallas)
Started 74 Mins vs SEA (1-0 W)
Justin Braun F (Chivas)
Teal Bunbury F (Kansas City)
Subbed 22 Mins, 1 Foul vs CHI (2-2)
Charlie Davies F (DC)
Injured Hamstring, will miss "a couple of weeks"
AJ De La Garza D (LA)
Started 90 Mins, 1 Foul vs HOU (1-0 W)
Started 90 Mins 2 Shots 0 on Goal, 1 Foul vs Toronto (1-1)
Landon Donovan M (LA)
Started 90 Mins 1 Goal, 1 Shot, 1 On Goal, 2 Fouls vs HOU (1-0 W)
Sean Franklin D (LA)
Unused Sub vs HOU (2-2)
Sacir Hot D (New York)
Unused Sub vs VAN (1-1)
Ugo Ihemelu D (Dallas)
Started 90 Min vs SEA (1-0 W)
Started 90 Mins, 1 Goal, 1 Shot, 1 On Goal vs HOU (2-2)
Sean Johnson GK (Chicago)
Started 90 Mins 2 Goals Against, 5 Shots vs SJ (2-2)
Jon Kempin GK (Kansas City)
Unused Sub vs COL (1-1)
Perry Kitchen D (DC)
Jeff Larentowicz M (Colorado)
Zach Loyd M (Dallas)
Started 90 Mins, 3 Fouls, Yellow Card vs HOU (0-0)
Zac MacMath GK (Philadelphia)
Unused Sub vs TOR (6-2 W)
Dax McCarty M (DC)
Unused Sub vs POR (3-2 W)
Jack McInerney F (Philadelphia)
Unused Sub vs TOR (6-2 W)
Unused Sub vs TOR (6-2 W)
Matt Pickens GK (Colorado)
Started 90 Mins vs COL (2-2)
Started 90 Mins, 2 Goals Against, 6 Shots, 3 Saves vs SEA (2-1 L)
Robbie Rogers M (Columbus)
Started 90 Mins, 2 Fouls vs CHV (3-3)
Kofi Sarkodie D (Houston)
Conor Shanosky M (DC)
Brek Shea D (Dallas)
Started 90 Mins, 1 Goal, 3 Shots, 1 On Goal vs SEA (1-0 W)
Started 90 Mins, 1 Fouls vs CLB (3-3)
Korey Veeder M (Columbus)
Unused Sub vs CLB (3-3)
Anthony Wallace D (Colorado)
Unused Sub vs KC (1-1)
Ethan White D (DC)
Chris Wondolowski F (San Jose)
Started 90 Mins, 1 Goal, 3 Shots, 3 on Goal, vs CHI (2-2)
Marvell Wynne D (Colorado)
Started 90 Mins, vs KC (1-1)
Thursday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Reports from the Twittersphere suggesting that Aston Villa have completed the permanent signing of Michael Bradley from Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of £5 million.
*Herculez Gomez is on the move again after being dealt from Pachuca to Estudiantes Tecos
*Wolverhampton Wanderers release keeper Marcus Hahnemann
*Some insight on writing the U.S.-Spain preview for SI.com
*Pachuca interested in American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley
*U.S. to face world champion Spain
*Dempsey looks beyond Spain to Gold Cup
*10 Observations About the U.S. Gold Cup Roster
*Brian Straus of The Sporting News calls in to tell the guys if the US can beat Spain again
*Beasley to undergo trial with Pachuca
Hockey Betting: Five Things The Canucks Need To Do To Win It All In 2011
The Vancouver Canucks scored more goals than any other team during the regular season while allowing fewer and they finished in the top-third of the league in nearly every important statistical category, an obvious recipe for a Presidents trophy-winning club. The Canucks beat out the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and San Jose Sharks to get to the finals, but they still have their biggest challenge ahead of them against the Eastern conference champion Boston Bruins. Here are the five keys to the Canucks winning the 2011 Stanley Cup:Use Speed To Zip Around Bigger Bruins
The Canucks won’t be able to hit Boston and win the physical game, so they will need to play smart and use their speed to control the tempo of the game. The biggest problem that the Bruins have faced this postseason was against the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round, and that was because their original six rivals knew how to beat them with their quick puck movement. Vancouver has a ton of talent beyond the Sedins, and they will need to come together to get the job done.
Luongo Will Need To Perform At Same Level As Thomas
The way that Vancouver is built, Roberto Luongo won’t need to be relied on to be better than Bruins’ goaltender Tim Thomas, but he will need to be able to perform at the same level. Luongo has been criticized in the past for not being able to raise his level of play when it matters the most, but after winning a gold medal with team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in the same city he will now have a chance to exorcise those sports betting demons.
Special Teams Will Make The Difference
Boston was the league’s best team five-on-five this postseason, and that will make Vancouver’s top-ranked powerplay units that much more important to the team’s success. The Canucks have hit at close to 30-percent in these playoffs ahead of the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting race, and will need to continue to hit.
The Sedin Twins Need To Shine
The Sedin twins have broken through after struggling in past pay per head postseasons, with Daniel leading the league in points through the first three rounds with 21, and Henrik third on the team behind Ryan Kesler. Both will be tested with Chara and company at the other end of the ice, and they will need to continue to lead the offense both five-on-five and on special teams.
Deadline Deals Will Need To Prove Their Worth
The Canucks turned heads when they brought in Max Lapierre and Chris Higgins at the trade deadline, but as they head to their first finals since 1994 those two additions are having a huge impact on the club. Higgins has found his offense while Lapierre continues to outwork opponents and serve as a pest. Both will need to live up to their sports betting bonus billing again to lead Vancouver to a championship.
Wednesday Evening Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Beasley spotted at Pachuca training
*Who will the USA start vs. Spain?
*In case you missed these nuggets from the FIFA scandal...
*Which US stars are on the move?
*The Roma speculation continues (in Italian)
*USA vs. Mexico Roster Analysis: Goalkeepin’ It Real
*No Surprises on U17 Roster, Oliver Out
