The Road to SuperLiga
Published on June 11, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
1. Exclusive interview with New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph
- As an experienced player how would you summarize your role and responsibility with the team?
"My responsibility is to make sure everyone is ready to play on game day. When it starts after the first whistle, stay hard in the mark and continue in whatever the team needs. Try to stay focused in our half and most importantly is making sure to come out ready to start the game."
- SuperLiga is not something new for you; in 2008 you won the SuperLiga title. How do you prepare for a SuperLiga game?
"I think it's probably the hardest thing to prepare for. It's in the middle of the season and playing opposition we don't know much about; playing teams that are very technical and very skilled; very different in terms of the style of playing in MLS. We just have to stay prepared. We know what we are about. We know what we are capable of doing. Try to defend at a team and attack at a team as well and just try to get everyone involved in the game and try to attack them in numbers."
- What is the difference between a SuperLiga match and a Major League Soccer match?
"I think it's a big difference when it comes to the style of play. I think that a lot of the Mexican teams are so technically gifted that all the players have great feet and all the players are definitely good on the ball; it makes it hard to defend for 90 minutes. They try to build out of the back on every play, doesn't matter if they are in back they will try to keep their side of the game short and build up for 90 minutes. With MLS I think it's a more direct style; when you get pressure in the back you get rid of it, step up and try to defend from a higher place on the field. When it comes to the physical style, I think MLS is definitely more physical and the games in MLS are more physical compared to SuperLiga, but I think it's great soccer. There's great soccer in the MLS season, but also during the SuperLiga. I think it comes to a point in where teams are willing to do a lot to win the games so it's a live or die. In SuperLiga I think it's just the three games that you have to play to qualify that makes it so much more important."
- What are your thoughts on SuperLiga and the bitter rivalry against Mexican clubs?
"To play opposition is definitely a plus, not only the teams but for the league to get that kind of exposure to play Mexican teams, that are some of the best, if not the best in their division. It's one of the hugest things, I think. That they give us such a difference in the way we approach the games; that it makes us a better team than when (only) playing MLS teams, because it helps so much to meet different teams with a little bit of style like the Mexican teams."
- The Revolution open up SuperLiga against Santos Laguna; will playing against Mexican clubs be extra motivation for the Revolution?
"It's a huge game for us. It doesn't matter if its SuperLiga or MLS, but we definitely want to retain our title and be the best MLS team playing the SuperLiga, and the only way you can do that is come out ready to play. Even though they are in preseason and they haven't been in a lot of games, they will come ready to play. They know the importance of the tournament; this is a money tournament. It's a huge game for both clubs. We are going to be ready to play and we know what they are about, we know their style, we know how technically gifted they are and we know we are going to have to work a lot for us."
- Do you think that you can repeat as SuperLiga Champions this summer?
"Yeah, I think we definitely can repeat as title holders. We have a bunch of guys that know what it takes to win. We have some new rookies that have been huge for us, being very influential in the way we play our game and they've been great for us so far this season. Having a guy like Taylor coming back in the roster, trying to get in fit and having a healthy body; It's going to be huge to have these guys because we'll have to play so many games in a short period of time. ... to have a great bench, especially in a tournament like that, it's going to count a lot and it's going to help us eventually to be champions. That is what we are capable of and to have guys coming out of the bench it's going to be huge for us, because we will need that in the long run."
2. Chicago Fire, Chivas USA remain on top; New England Revolution and the Kansas City Wizards prepare to battle
After beginning the season on a franchise-best 11-game unbeaten streak the Chicago Fire were shut out for the second consecutive week. The Fire are tied atop the League in goals scored with 20 but have been unable to find the back of the net in consecutive home losses to Western Conference foes FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo. The Eastern Conference leaders (5-2-6, 21 points) were defeated 1-0 at home by the Houston Dynamo on a Stuart Holden goal in the 4th minute. The Fire travel to the Nation's capital on Saturday to play D.C. United, the Eastern Conference's second-ranked club (4-2-7, 19 points) at RFK Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET/TV: DK, Match Center) in a match that will decide who is tops in the East.
Despite falling to the Houston Dynamo 1-0 Thursday night in Houston night on a Stuart Holden goal in the 47th minute, Chivas USA held their spot as league leaders with an 8-3-3 record and 27 points. The one defensive lapse in a very strong defensive season won't deter rejuvenated Chivas USA Goalkeeper Zach Thornton, who leads the league in shutouts with seven. The 35-year-old veteran has returned to the form that won him the 1998 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award and will look to remain strong in the back when Chivas USA they play their second consecutive game on the road, this time against reigning MLS Champion Columbus Crew on Sunday, June 14th, 12:00 p.m. ET (Telefutura)
The Kansas City Wizards are one of four teams (the Columbus Crew, New England Revolution and Toronto FC are the other three) tied for third place in the Eastern Conference with16 points a piece. The Columbus Crew swept the season series with the Wizards with a two goal performance by reigning Volkswagen MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Prior to their SuperLiga debut, Kansas City will face the New England Revolution, who have been sparked by the return of playmaker Taylor Twellman. The Wizards and Revolution will face each other three times in the next six matches, including two MLS contest and a SuperLiga tilt.
New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman returned to the fold as a second half substitute to score his 100th and 101st goals of his career. Twellman and the Revolution defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-0 in a game that saw Twellman become the fifth player to score 100 goals in MLS history and at 29 years and 100 days, he is the youngest player to reach the century mark, besting Jeff Cunningham's previous mark (31 years, 360 days). The match also featured Jay Heaps 300th career appearance and goalkeeper Matt Reis' 50th career shut out. The New England Revolution will continue to prepare for SuperLiga when they play in Kansas City on Saturday, June 13th at 8:30 p.m. ET.
3. Santos Laguna, San Luis set to play friendly in Guadalajara; Atlas, Tigres continue preseason preparations ahead of SuperLiga 2009
Over the weekend Club Atlas traveled to Manzanillo Beach to begin an intense couple days of training, focusing mostly on physical conditioning ahead of SuperLiga 2009. The team welcomed two new editions, forward Daniel Osorno and midfielder Miguel Ãngel Zepeda, who joined the group at the training sessions. Both Osorno and Zepeda will be key additions to for the Red-and Black as they prepare for La Primera Division's Apertura tournament which kicks off July 24th.
San Luis moved this week to "Centro Deportivo La PRESA" to continue their work outs in preparation for SuperLiga 2009. Under the watchful eye of Manager Juan Antonio Luna the team worked extensively on the physical and technical aspects of their game.
Defender Luis Michael Orozco declared on the club's website, "SuperLiga 2009 will be of vital importance for the Gladiators as American soccer is tougher, stronger and more physical, you have to run more. It's not like here where it's more about the touch, more technical. We have to understand that to have a good tournament over there, and at the same time, with that, have a good base layer to begin the Mexican tournament".
Santos Laguna is looking to finalize a trade with Club América in the coming days. According to reports out of Mexico, Los Guerreros intend to trade Mexican midfielder Fernando Arce to Club América for Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour. Prior to SuperLiga's kickoff on June 20th Santos will travel to Guadalajara to participate in a pair of friendly matches against Universdad de Guadalajara on June 13th and against San Luis on June 16th.
Tigres UANL Head Coach Daniel Gúzman is looking to bolster his back line ahead of the 2009 Apertura season. Gúzman's main offseason focus has been on three Argentinean central defenders, Fabricio Fuentes, Fernando Ortiz and Diego Colotto.
4. SuperLiga Tickets On Sale
Chicago Fire
The Fire will offer a special Chicago Fire SuperLiga Pack which includes a ticket to all three of the SuperLiga dates at TOYOTA PARK and fans that purchase the Chicago Fire SuperLiga Pack will also receive a free ticket for the Fire versus Chivas USA match on Oct. 22. SuperLiga packages start at just $71 and will be available through the TOYOTA PARK box office, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or through www.chicago-fire.com
Chivas USA
Chivas USA fans can purchase tickets for the SuperLiga game against Tigres. For further information regarding ticket availability call 1-800-745-3000 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com. Chivas USA v Tigres UANL match is set to start 7:00 pm ET on Saturday June 20th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Kansas City Wizards
The Wizards first SuperLiga game will take place at 3:30 pm CT on Sunday, June 21st when they face Mexican club, Atlas, at St. Louis University's soccer stadium. For tickets, charge by phone (314) 534-1111 or purchase online at metrotix.com. Tickets and information also available by calling the Kansas City Wizards toll free at (877) 828-7222. The tournament moves to CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Sunday, June 28 against Santos Laguna. For additional information visit www.kcwizards.com or call (913) 387-3400.
New England Revolution
Revs fans can purchase tickets for their SuperLiga game against Santos Laguna. Special two-game and three game packages are available starting at $36 and single-game tickets start as low as $20. For further information call 1-877-GET-REVS or visit www.revolutionsoccer.net
5. Deadline nears for SuperLiga Credential Applications
Media planning to cover SuperLiga 2009 can apply for media credentials using the online accreditation form at https://sum.iwebreg.com/apply
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, June 17, 2009. No credential applications will be accepted after the deadline. Please be aware that due to the strong media interest expected for the tournament, credentials per organization will be limited.
Please note the following:
- MLS TEAM CREDENTIALS: All media members who possess a 2009 MLS All-Season credential for any of the four participating MLS teams (Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Chivas USA and Kansas City Wizards) will automatically receive a credential to cover all SuperLiga matches.
- ONLINE PROCESS: If you have applied for credentials for recent MLS / SUM events, you must login in to your account using your email address and password (if you have forgotten your password please click on the option that states "Reset Password"). Otherwise, please register through the application.
For further information, please contact Kristel Valencia at MLS Communications, +1-212-450-1422 or kristel.valencia@mlsnet.com
6. SuperLiga Complete Schedule
SuperLiga⢠2009 Schedule
(All Times Eastern) / * Subject to change
Saturday, June 20
Chicago Fire vs. San Luis (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. Tigres UANL (The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif.) 22:00
Sunday, June 21
Kansas City Wizards vs. Atlas (Robert R. Hermann Stadium at St. Louis University - St. Louis, Mo) 16:30
New England Revolution vs. Santos Laguna (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 18:30
Tuesday, June 23
Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 20:00
San Luis vs. Tigres UANL (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 22:00
Wednesday, June 24
New England Revolution vs. Kansas City Wizards (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 19:00
Santos Laguna vs. Atlas (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 21:00
Saturday, June 27
Chicago Fire vs. Tigres UANL (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. San Luis (The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif.) 22:00
Sunday, June 28
New England Revolution vs. Atlas (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 16:30
Kansas City Wizards vs. Santos Laguna (CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Kansas City, Kan.) 18:30
Wednesday, July 15
Semifinal 1 (TBD)
Semifinal 2 (TBD)
Wednesday, August 5
Final (TBD)
Major League Soccer Stories from June 11, 2009
- D.C. United to Play Chalatenango of El Salvador in CONCACAF Champions League - D.C. United
- Whitecaps to Take on Miami - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Red Bulls To Face W Connection In Champions League Preliminary Round - New York Red Bulls
- Sounders FC Ready for Home Cooking - Seattle Sounders FC
- Red Bulls to Face W Connection in CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round - New York Red Bulls
- D.C. United to enter U.S. Open Cup play on June 30 - D.C. United
- D.C. United launches dcuteamstore.com - D.C. United
- The Road to SuperLiga - MLS
- D.C. United Academy Update - D.C. United
- Tickets for FC Barcelona Match Available on Monday - Seattle Sounders FC
- Streaking Crew prepares for Sunday showdown with West-leading Chivas - Columbus Crew SC
- Individual tickets for match vs. Real Madrid C.F. on sale Friday, June 12 - D.C. United
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
