MLS weekly
Published on March 27, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
First Kick: Opening weekend of 13th season - Saturday March 29 & 30
The 13th Major League Soccer season kicks off on Saturday, March 29 with a slate of five games:
Saturday, March 29
Toronto FC at Columbus Crew 4:00 p.m. (Rogers SportsNet, CLBSN, Direct Kick, MLSLIVE.tv)
About 2,500 Toronto FC fans will trek to Columbus - the largest traveling contingent in MLS history for a regular season game. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, an MLS Best XI midfielder in 2007, returns to lead the Crew attack.
Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake 6:00 p.m. (My50 Chicago, Direct Kick, MLSLIVE.tv)
- The mercurial Mexican superstar Cuauhtemoc Blanco returns to the field where last year he scored one the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year- a 30-yard half volley into the top corner of the net.
- Jason Kreis begins his first full season as Real Salt Lake coach. He retired last May to begin coaching the team and is third on the all-time career goals list in MLS.
Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution 7:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol)
A rematch of the past two MLS Cup finals New faces for New England: defender Chris Albright, Honduran midfielder Mauricio Castro, midfielder Amaechi Igwe, and 19-year-old Gambian forward Kenny Mansally are all candidates to receive their first start for the Revolution.
D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards 8:00 p.m. (Metro Sports/TWC-5, Direct KickDK, MLSLIVE.tv)
Countrymen, new Designated Players square off: D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Gallardo and Kansas City Wizards forward Claudio Lopez face each other for the first time in Major League Soccer uniforms. Both are the new focal point of their team's offense and both represented Argentina in two World Cups.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids 9:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol, HDNet)
This game likely will be David Beckham's first at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and the Colorado Rapids debut of Christian Gomez, the three-time MLS Best XI selection acquired from D.C. United in the offseason.
Sunday, March 30
Chivas USA at FC Dallas 3:00 p.m. (TeleFutura)
A pair of World Cup veterans look to make their MLS debuts: Chivas USA added Swiss midfielder Rafael Wicky in the offseason, while FC Dallas revamped its defense around Mexican defender Duilio Davino (currently listed as doubtful with a left knee injury).
All times Eastern, live broadcasts in parentheses; schedule subject to change
2008 Reserve Division Schedule
The Reserve Division is in its fifth season, and all 14 teams will compete with the schedule beginning this weekend. The 2008 Reserve Division schedule is available at http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/reserve/
MLS Talent from U.S. and Across the Globe
Heading into the opening weekend of Major League Soccer's 13th season, the League's player pool continues to reflect the broad diversity of North America's population, as well as countries across the globe. MLS has the widest breadth of birthplaces among major team sports leagues in the United States, despite having the smallest player pool of the five. Approximately 65 percent of the League's current player pool (as of 3/26/08) was born in the United States, with the remaining percentage coming from 46 countries outside of the U.S. You can view a world map that shows the broad range of birthplaces of MLS talent by clicking on this link: http://www.mlsnet.com/pdf/mls/2008/MLS_world_players_03_24_08.pdf.
Milestones Within Reach
All-Time MLS Goals Leaders - Jaime Moreno returns to D.C. United as the all-time MLS leader in regular season goals scored with 112. Chivas USA forward Ante Razov sits second with 109, Toronto FC forward Jeff Cunningham is fourth with 96 and New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman sits fifth with 91.
Sigi Schmid Nearing the Century Mark - With four more wins, Columbus Crew head coach Sigi Schmid will become only the second coach in MLS history to reach the century mark (96-79-51 current record). Bob Bradley is the all-time leader in wins in MLS History with 124 during stints with the Chicago Fire, MetroStars and Chivas USA.
2008 Player of the Week/Player of the Month Voting
This year the Player of the Week and Player of the Month voting will be conducted by a select group of journalists that comprise The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. Members of the NASR will watch all games during the MLS week and weekend and will conduct voting in the private forum. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2008 Competition Teleconference Recap w/ Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis
Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis previewed the 2008 season on a media conference call March 17. Gazidis discussed the influx of Hispanic players, particularly South Americans, the future of the Designated Player rule, and Youth Development, among other topics. The entire call is available here: http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/audio/03/031708_mls_cc.wma&w_id=14521467&catCode=gen_audio&type=a_free&_mp=1
All MLS Matches Available on national broadcast partners, MLS Direct Kick and MLSnet.com
Major League Soccer's national television partners ESPN2, ABC Sports, ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol and Telefutura will combine to broadcast 113 games, while TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network®, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND Networks, will once again each present up to 115 regional telecasts. Games can also be accessed at the League's web site on MLSlive.tv. The Direct Kick television package is available for $79 and access to games on the League's web site is available for $19.99 for the season. The complete 2008 regular season schedule with broadcast details can be found at http://www.mlsnet.com/mls/schedule/.
2008 MLS Fantasy Challenge on MLSnet.com
Registration for the "2008 MLS Fantasy Challenge," the official fantasy game of Major League Soccer can be accessed by going to http://fantasy.mlsnet.com or by clicking on the "Fantasy" tab at either www.MLSnet.com or www.foxsoccer.com. Registration for MLSFC 2008 is free. Fans who register have the opportunity to win more than 400 MLS prizes, including two all-expense paid trips for two - one to the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game in Toronto and one to MLS Cup 2008 on Nov. 23 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Major League Soccer Stories from March 27, 2008
- MLS weekly - MLS
- Crew Opens 2008 MLS Season Saturday Against Toronto FC At Crew Stadium - Columbus Crew SC
- Trillium Cup to be awarded to season series winner between Crew and Toronto FC - Columbus Crew SC
- D.C. United Reserve Division Schedule Released - D.C. United
- Kickoff Luncheon Raises $42,000 For United For D.C. - D.C. United
- Toronto FC Announces First Ever Trillium Cup With Columbus - Toronto FC
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