Who will win the English Premier League? | Soccer By Ives

The English Premier League season is set to kick off on Saturday and this could be the most wide-open race for the title in recent memory, with as many as six or seven teams honestly believing they could win the trophy.

Who do I see winning the league? Its hard to pick against Chelsea. With a good club manager in place and the benefit of continuity after bringing back all its key players, the Blues are the pick to edge out the defending champions Manchester United.

Here is our projected finish of the English Premier League Top Eight: 1. Chelsea, 2. Manchester United, 3. Aston Villa, 4. Manchester City, 5. Liverpool, 6. Tottenham, 7. Arsenal, 8. Everton.

Now its your turn. Which club do you see winning the English Premier League this season:

poll by twiigs.com

Who did you pick to win the league? Which team is your pick to surprise (We say Villa)? Which favorite do you see falling flat (we say Liverpool AND Arsenal)?

Share your thoughts below.

This weekend’s Soccer on TV | Soccer By Ives

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Get your DVRs ready and set them accordingly becausetheEnglish Premier Leagueseason is about to begin.

Everton-Arsenal, Manchester United-Birmingham City,Blackburn-Manchester City are some of thekey matches toview this weekend, and with some of the games happening simultaneously, you just might have to record a few to watch them all.

While the EPL will grab most of the spotlight this weekend, there isstill lots more to choose from. MLS action continues as does the Mexican league. There is also Brazilian, Colombian and even Australiansoccer sprinkled into this weekendssoccer on TV.

Here is acomplete rundown ofthis weekends full slate of televisedgames:

FRIDAY8pm- FSC- Miami FC Blues vs. Minnesota Thunder

SATURDAY

9:30am- GolTV- Hamburg SV vs. Borussia Dortmund 10am- FSC- Stoke City vs. Burnsley 10am- Setanta Sports- Fulham vs. Portsmouth 10am- Setanta Sports- Blackburn vs. Manchester City 10am- FSC, FSE- Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic 12:20pm- Setanta Sports- Newcastle United vs. Reading 12:30pm- GolTV- FC Koln vs. VfL Wolfsburg 12:30pm- FSC, FSE- Everton vs. Arsenal 3pm- Setanta Sports- Toulouse vs. Saint-Etienne 4pm- Direct Kick, Telefutura- D.C. United vs. Toronto FC 5pm- GolTV- Palmeiras vs. Botafogo 5pm- Setanta Sports- West Ham vs. Wolves 6pm- FSC, FSE- Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo 6pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. CD Toluca 7pm- Direct Kick- Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas 7pm- MSG- New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA 7:30pm- GolTV- Millonarios Bogota vs. Nacional Funchal 8pm- Telemundo- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Queretaro FC 9:30pm- GolTV- Medellin vs. Envigado 9:45pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. San Luis 11pm- Direct Kick- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders SUNDAY3:30am- FSC- Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United FC 4am- Setanta Sports- Portsmouth vs. Fulham 6am- FSC- Blackburn vs. Manchester City 8:30am- Setanta Sports- Manchester United vs. Birmingham City 11am- FSC, FSE- Tottenham vs. Liverpool 11am- Setanta Sports- Nice vs. Rennes 11:30am- GolTV- Schalke 04 vs. VfL Bochum 1pm- FSE- Morelia vs. Indios 1pm- Telemundo- Pumas UNAM vs. Tigres UANL 1pm- Setanta Sports- Olympique Lyon vs. Valenciennes 2pm- Setanta Sports- Marseill vs. Lille 2:30pm- GolTV- Napoli vs. Salernitana 3pm- Telefutura- Kansas City Wizards vs. Chicago Fire 4:30pm- GolTV- Gremio vs. Flamengo 5pm- Telefutura- Santos Laguna vs. Cruz Azul 5pm- Univision- America vs. Atlas

What matches are you most looking forward to watching? Pumped for the start of the EPL season?

Share your thoughts below.

ESPN secures rights to EPL (Altidore to miss Hull-Chelsea match) | Soccer By Ives

The opening match of the English Premier League season will now be shown on ESPN2 as part of ESPNs new deal to air EPL matches throughout the year.

The network finalized a deal with Fox Sports International late on Friday for the rights to air English Premier League matches for the upcoming season, including the Chelsea-Hull City match (7:40am). The network officially announced the deal late Friday night.

The Barclays Premier League is one of the crown jewels of professional sports throughout the world, said Scott Guglielmino, ESPNs vice president of programming. Were pleased to work with Fox Sports International to bring some of the leagues marquee matchups to ESPN2 in our continued efforts to serve soccer fans in the United States.

The Chelsea-Hull City match was supposed to be the debut of U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore for Hull, but Altidore revealed late on Friday night via Twitter that he is still sorting out work permit issues and will miss the match.

ESPN had been in lengthy negotiations with Fox Sports International to secure rights to show EPL games on a weekly basis, but the failure to make a deal earlier was putting the airing of the season opener in jeopardy. Saturdays opener will be shown. That possibility was avoided on Friday when the two networks reached an agreement.

Here is the schedule of matches to be shown on ESPN networks through September:

EPL on ESPN2 (through September)

Saturday- Chelsea vs. HullCity (7:40am, ESPN2)

Sat., Aug. 22- Wigan vs. Manchester United (9:55am, ESPN2)

Mon., Aug. 24- Liverpool vs. Aston Villa (2:55pm, ESPN2)

Sat., Aug. 29- Chelsea vs. Burnley (7:40am, ESPN2)

Sat., Sept. 12-Liverpool vs. Burnley (9:55am, ESPN2)

Sat. Sept. 19- Burnley vs. Sunderland (7:40am, ESPN2)

Sat., Sept. 26- Portsmouth vs. Everton (7:40am,ESPN2)

Mon., Sept. 28- Manchester City vs. West Ham (2:55pm, ESPN2)

What do you think of the news? Excited to see this schedule? Will you be up early to see Chelsea-Hull even without Jozy Altidore? Ready to adopt Burnley as your second-favorite EPL team?

Share your thoughts below.

Soccer Saturday: Your Running Commentary | Soccer By Ives

The English Premier League kicks into full swing today as the number of weekend soccer viewing options grows dramatically for American soccer fans.

Everton-Arsenal (12:30pm, FSC) is the marquee match of the day, but hardly the only match folks on this ide of the pond will be interested. Clint Dempseys Fulham takes on Portsmouth while Brad Friedels Aston Villa open their season vs. Wigan.

If you will be watching todays action please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Todays TV schedule is after the jump).

SATURDAY

9:30am- GolTV- Hamburg SV vs. Borussia Dortmund 10am- FSC- Stoke City vs. Burnley 10am- Setanta Sports- Fulham vs. Portsmouth 10am- Setanta Sports- Blackburn vs. Manchester City 10am- FSC, FSE (Fox Sports Espanol)- Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic 12:20pm- Setanta Sports- Newcastle United vs. Reading 12:30pm- GolTV- FC Koln vs. VfL Wolfsburg 12:30pm- FSC, FSE- Everton vs. Arsenal 3pm- Setanta Sports- Toulouse vs. Saint-Etienne 4pm- Direct Kick, Telefutura- D.C. United vs. Toronto FC 5pm- GolTV- Palmeiras vs. Botafogo 5pm- Setanta Sports- West Ham vs. Wolves 6pm- FSC, FSE- Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo 6pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. CD Toluca 7pm- Direct Kick- Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas 7pm- MSG- New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA 7:30pm- GolTV- Millonarios Bogota vs. Nacional Funchal 8pm- Telemundo- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Queretaro FC 9:30pm- GolTV- Medellin vs. Envigado 9:45pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. San Luis 11pm- Direct Kick- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 21) | Soccer By Ives

How do you make the hottest team in MLS even stronger? You bring back the leagues most valuable player.

Thats exactly what will happen today when the streaking Columbus Crew welcome back MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto from a four-game injury absence, a stretch that saw the Crew win four straight.

Does that mean the Crew should roll tonight? Not necessarily, not when FC Dallas and sizzling striker Jeff Cunningham come to town. Cunningham has scored five goals in two games and always likes returning to his old stomping grounds in Columbus.

As we get ready for the weekends match-ups, here is a look at the SBI MLS Power Rankings, which were pushed back due to some game in Mexico this week:

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 21)1 (Last Week-1). Columbus Crew (9-3-9)

Last week-BeatSan Jose Earthquakes,3-0,last Saturday.

This week- vs. FC Dallas tonight.

Last Five (in MLS)-4-0-1 in last five (W-W-W-W-T), unbeaten in last seven.

Outlook – Robbie Rogers with a great game and perhaps a message to Bob Bradley that he should be strongly considered for the next World Cup qualifier. Oh, did we mention the Crew win AGAIN without Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Scary to think what a rested Schelotto will do when he returns.

2(3). Houston Dynamo (11-6-5)

Last week-Lost toFC Dallas, 1-0,on Thursday, beat Chicago Fire, 3-2,last Sunday.

This week-at Real Salt Lake tonight.

Last Five – 2-2-1 (W-LW-L-T)

Outlook – Rebounded well from tough loss to FC Dallas by putting together a quality offensive performance against Chicago in winning, 3-2. Ricardo Clark doesnt score many, but his finish on Sunday was quality. Geoff Cameron adds right back to positions he can play well.

3(4). Los Angeles Galaxy (7-3-10)

Last week-Beat New England Revolution, 2-1,last Saturday.

This week-vs. Seattle Sounders tonight.

Last Five – 4-0-1 (W-T-W-W-W), unbeaten in six.

Outlook – Landon Donovans great goal was the highlight of another solid team performance for a Galaxy squad that is looking very dangerous as we move toward the end of the regular season. Donovan Ricketts returning is a big boost, but Donovans swine flu diagnosis is a cause for concern.

4(2). Chicago Fire (8-4-8)

Last week- Lost to Tigres in penalty kicks onAug.5(SuperLiga final); lost to Houston, 3-2,last Sunday.

This week-at Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.

Last Five – 3-1-1 (L-W-T-W-W).

Outlook – Tough week for the Fire, losing two games they played well enough to get better results in. Chicago desperately needs Wilman Conde back in order to help the defense get back to its stingy ways. The game this weekend looks easy, but KC will be playing for new coach Peter Vermes so the Fire wont have an easy time.

5(7). Colorado Rapids (8-6-6)

Last week- Beat Chivas USA, 4-0,on Saturday.

This week- Bye week

Last Five -3-2 (W-L-W-L-W)

Outlook – Big win vs. Chivas USA was good news, losing Colin Clark for the season is awful news. A bye week comes at the perfect time and you wonder whether the Rapids might call Terry Cooke and ask him to come back.

6 (6).DC United (6-4-10)

Last week-Beat Luis Angel Firpo in penalty kicks on Aug. 4 (CONCACAF Champions League); Lost to Real Madrid, 3-0,last Sunday (friendly).

This week-at Toronto FC on Saturday.

Last Five – 1-2-2 (L-T-W-T-L)

Outlook – D.C. United qualified for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, whichwas a good accomplishment, but one that willtest the teamsdepth. D.C.has added some new pieces and will need them all as it begins a brutal stretch of matches beginning withtodays visitto Canada.

7 (5). Seattle Sounders (7-5-8)

Last week-Lost toFC Barcelona,4-0, last Wednesday(friendly);lost to Real Salt Lake, 1-0,on Saturday.

This week-at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.

Last Five – 2-2-1 (L-L-T-W-W), winless in eight straight on the road (0-4-4).

Outlook – Things arent looking good for the Sounders, who should count themselves lucky that they may not face Landon Donovan tonight. Can the offense shake out of the funk its in? Can the defense hold up without the suspended Jhon Kennedy Hurtado? A loss tonight could drop Seattle as far as sixth place in the West.

8(9). Real Salt Lake (7-8-5)

Last week-beat Seattle Sounders, 1-0, last Saturday.

This week-vs. Houston Dynamo tonight.

Last Five – 2-2-1 (W-L-W-L-T), unbeaten in past five at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Outlook – Can RSL keep up its solid form at home against a Dynamo team looking to rebound from a tough loss to FC Dallas? Will the attack generate chances without Yura Movsisyan, who is doubtful for the match?

9(10). New England Revolution (6-6-6)

Last week- Lost to Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1, lastSaturday.

This week-Bye week.

Last Five – 2-1-2 in last five (L-T-W-W-T)

Outlook – Revs continue to find free time on the schedule, which doesnt hurt a team that could use time to get healthy.

10 (12). FC Dallas (6-9-5)

Last week-Beat Houston Dynamo,1-0,last Thursday.

This week-at Columbus Crew tonight.

Last Five -3-2 (W-W-L-L-W)

Outlook – Consecutive wins and a five-goal haul for Jeff Cunningham has FC Dallas rolling, but a stiff test awaits against the leagues best team. Can Cunningham work his magic against his old club?

11(8). Chivas USA (8-7-3)

Last week-Lost toColorado Rapids,4-0, last Saturday.

This week-at New York Red Bulls tonight.

Last Five -0-5 (L-L-L-L-L), lost six in a row.

Outlook -Dropping a sixth straight loss is one thing, being smoked by four goals after having a bye week is downright ugly. If Prekis men cant win against the lowly Red Bulls then the Goats playoff chances could be officially flat-lining.

12 (11). Toronto FC (7-7-6)

Last week- Tied Puerto Rico Islanders, 0-0,on Aug.4(CONCACAF Champions League);lost toReal Madrid, 1-0,onAug. 7 (friendly).

This week-vs. D.C. United today.

Last Five – 1-2-2 (T-L-T-W-L)

Outlook – TFC has a vital Eastern Conference clash with D.C. today that will either revive Torontos faltering playoff hopes, or officially drop TFC behind the pack in the chase for a first post-season berth. Will Lesley Fellinga help? Will Ali Gerba settle in and start to score some goals?

13 (13). Kansas City Wizards (5-7-6)

Last week-Bye

This week-vs. Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Last Five – 1-2-2 (L-T-T-L-W)

Outlook – Four-match winless streak helped seal the fate of former head coach Curt Onalfo. Now interim head coach Peter Vermes gets his chance to show why so many teams rated him as a top coaching candidate.

14 (14). San Jose Earthquakes (4-11-5)

Last week- Lost to Columbus Crew, 3-0, lastSaturday.

This week-Bye week.

Last Five – 1-3-1 (L-W-T-L-L)

Outlook – So what direction are the Earthquakes headed? After giving away Ryan Cochrane to the Houston Dynamo, you have to wonder just what is next for this faltering club.

15 (15). New York Red Bulls (2-15-4)

Last week-Lost toW Connection, 1-0,on August 5th(CONCACAF Champions League).

This week-vs. Chivas USA tonight.

Last Five – 0-5 (L-L-L-L-L), winless in 12 straight.

Outlook – Red Bulls have nothing to play for but pride and avoiding the record books for futility. They catch a break this week in face the one team in MLS playing as badly as they have in recent weeks.

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What do you think of this weeks rankings? Think FC Dallas can stop the Crew? Will Seattles road woes continue?

MLS Matchday 22: A Look Ahead (and your running commentary) | Soccer By Ives

David Beckham vs. Freddie Ljungberg. The battle of the underwear modeling Designated Players is the marquee match-up this week in MLS as the Seattle Sounders look to break their road funk at Home Depot Center against a red-hot LA Galaxy squad.

The Eastern Conference has its own top battle as D.C. faces TFC in a match-up with playoff positioning on the line.

Here is todays full MLS scheduled:

4pm- DC United at Toronto FC (Telefutura)

7pm- Chivas USA at New York Red Bulls (MSG)

7pm- FC Dallas at Columbus Crew (Direct Kick)

9pm- Houston Dynamo at Real Salt Lake (FSC)

11pm- Seattle Sounders at Los Angeles Galaxy (Direct Kick)

If you will be watching todays matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. I will be doing a commentary of the Red Bulls-Chivas USA match and may do one for Seattle-LA as well so stay tuned for those.

Enjoy the action.

Davies stays hot, scores twice for Sochaux | Soccer By Ives

Just when you thought Charlie Davies couldnt keep it up after his stunning goal against Mexico on Wednesday, the young American striker has done it again.

Davies scored two goals as a second-half substitute for Sochaux in a 3-2 loss to Ligue 1 power Bordeaux on Saturday. The match was just Davies second for the club.

What do you think of Davies recent hot streak? See him lighting it up in France? Counting the days to see him against El Salvador on Sept. 5? Has he become your favorite U.S. national team player?

Share your thoughts below.

New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA: Match Night Commentary | Soccer By Ives

Call it the Cant Win Derby. The hapless New York Red Bulls are facing the ice cold Goats of Chivas USA in a match that only true die-hards could care about.

Want to know how bad things have been for the Red Bulls this season? During a pre-game ceremony tonight, a giant circular Red Bulls banner being used at midfield tore in half. It was one of the more fitting scenes youll ever see at a soccer game.

I will be providing commentary from tonights match because, well, because somebody has to. If you are watching (bless you) and feel free to follow along here. As always, share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (or at least try to).

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FINAL- Chivas USA 2, Red Bulls 0. Its 1999 all over again. I havent agreed that this team was as bad as the 99 team until tonight. Dreadful showing and some new life for Chivas USA, which desperately needed a win tonight.

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90th minute- Chivas USA scores again. Eduardo Lillingston makes it 2-0 and thats a wrap for New York (again).

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87th minute- Still 1-0 Chivas USA, Red Bulls are pressing for an equalizer.

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83rd minute- Sorry for the delay, but some breaking news had to be posted. Denis Hamlett and Bakary Soumare were fined by the Chicago Fire for fighting each other in the Fire locker room last week during Chicagos 3-2 loss to Houston.

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71st minute- After 70 minutes, the Red Bulls still havent tested Thornton with a quality shot on goal.

Petke with a yellow card.

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67th minute- WHOA is Wolyniec, pounces on a bad back-pass, catches Thornton off his line, but cant get a shot off before losing the ball. What a chance, wasted.

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62nd minute- Chivas USA switching to a 4-2-3-1, with Kljestan sitting behind Galindo. Theyre trying to project this lead.

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59th minute- Can the Red Bulls really score a goal here? Doesnt really look like it.

Michael Lahoud is set to come in. He replaces Chijindu.

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55th minute- Zimmerman tries one from distance. Thats what the Red Bulls need to do, test Thornton with shots from distance. He doesnt look like he can move that well at all and any shot with some pace on it will give him trouble.

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54th minute- Petke catches a fist to the face, but no call is made. Chivas USA with a corner off the play, which is headed high.

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49th minute- There isnt a single Red Bulls players you can point to right now and say, theyre playing well. Not one.

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46th minute- And were back.

Here are some drinking games:

Dane Richards turnovers

Zach Thornton footraces lost

Red Bulls defensive blunders

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HALFTIME- Just saw a Red Bulls fan wearing a paper bag over his head and a shirt that said Dead Bulls on the front. Classic.

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HALFTIME- Danleigh Borman is coming in for Carlos Johnson to start the second half. No word on why, but Id imagine its a fitness issue since Johnson is just coming back from a broken foot.

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HALFTIME- If youre sticking around for the second half of this you are either A) a family member of a player on one of these teams or B) in jail and have nothing better to do.

Seriously though, Ill come up with some second-half drinking games. Lord knows this game needs some.

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HALFTIME- Chivas USA 1, Red Bulls 0. On the bright side the Red Bulls did not allow a goal in the last five minutes (barely).

Chivas USA looked good in moments, passing the ball well, but its tough to tell if its them playing well or the Red Bulls just not being able to keep up.

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45th minute- Referee Kevin Stott gives a diving card to Sacha Kljestan. Wow, that was close. Amazing how all the Red Bulls just fell asleep and started ball-watching. Its like theyre trained to give up goals in the 45th minute+.

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40th minute- So a gimpy Thornton is limping around and I cant help but wonder how bad Jon Conway had to look in his trial that Chivas USA would rather have Thornton out there on one leg.

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40th minute- Richards with a turnover. Cant think of many players in MLS who have had their stock fall further than Richards.

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38th minute- Not sure where the offensive punch will come from today for New York, but Zimmerman could help provide some energy to an otherwise lifeless bunch.

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35th minute- Zimmerman on for Celades, who is injured. Why in the world didnt ZImmerman start? Still trying to figure that one out.

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33rd minute- Richards beats Thornton to a ball in the corner but instead of laying it off to a teammate he tries a shot and misses.

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32nd minute- Richards misses WIDE by inches. So close, yet so far.

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27th minute- For those wondering, Macoumba Kandji is STILL out with a hamstring injury. Mighty long time to be out with what wasnt a tear.

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23rd minute- Not much life being shown by this bunch. With Chivas USA knowing it needs a win to keep its playoff position in the West, the visitors have much more to play for.

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20th minute- Coundoul with a nice save on a Marsch shot. Chivas USA looks good tonight, but who doesnt against the Red Bulls?

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16th minute- Chijindu with the cross from the right flank that catches Galindo on the run. He beats Coundoul with a blast from about eight yards out.

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14th minute- GOAL CHIVAS USA!!! Maykel Galindo with the great finish. Chivas USA 1, Red Bulls 0.

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13th minute- Wolyniec misses wide by inches with a header.

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12th minute- Have to say that seeing Jonathan Bornstein play centerback is interesting to say the least.

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10th minute- Zach Thornton isnt taking kicks tonight as he is still nursing a quad injury that sidelined him recently.

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8th minute-No Juan Pablo Angel tonight. hes still dealing with the concussion he sustainedinCONCACAF Champions Leagueaction.

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3rd minute- Heres the Red Bulls lineup:

Wolyniec

OebsterCeladesRichards

StammlerSassano

Hall-GoldthwaitePetkeJohnson

-Coundoul-

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1st Minute- And were off.

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PRE-GAME- You know things are bad for the Red Bulls when the Empire Supporters Club, the teams oldest supporters group, isnt here in numbers. To be fair, many of them made the trip to Mexico City.

Chicago Fire to fine Hamlett and Soumare for locker-room fight | Soccer By Ives

The Chicago Fire will be issuing fines to head coach Denis Hamlett and defender Bakary Soumare for their roles in a locker-room fight which took place at halftime of the Fires 3-2 loss to the Houston Dynamo last Sunday.

According to sources with knowledge of the incident, Hamlett and Soumare were involved in a heated exchange thatgot out of control (though team sources insist that no punches were thrown). The fracas resulted in Soumare being taken out of the match at halftime. The team-issued press release called the event an incident.

Soumare left the team the day after the Houston match to join the Mali national team on international duty in France, but has yet to train with the Fire since the incident and is not with the Fire in Kansas City for Sundays match against the Wizards (sources tell SBI that he is away for family reasons). Soumare has been reportedly become the subject of a transfer bid from French club Boulogne.

The locker room can get heated and we bring a lot of passion to our game days, said Fire technical director Frank Klopas. The team has moved past this incident regarding Denis and Bakary and our focus remains on bringing the MLS Cup back to Chicago this season.

What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts below.

Seattle Sounders at Los Angeles Galaxy: Match Night Commentary | Soccer By Ives

The days top Western Conference clash pits the red-hot Los Angeles Galaxy against the struggling Seattle Sounders.

The Galaxy will be without the services of Landon Donovan, who is being held out as he battles the H1N1 flu virus (and the fatigue of having played in the USAs World Cup qualifying loss vs. Mexico.

I will be providing commentary on tonights match so please feel free to follow along. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

FINAL- Sounders 2, Galaxy 0. Seattle finally wins a road game and moves into second place in the West. LA will walk away wondering what might have been if Beckham doesnt get an early red card.

Thats all for me. Thanks for following along. Feel free to share your post-game thoughts in the comments section below.

90th minute- Halfway through four minutes of stoppage time. LAs no closer to a comeback here.

86th minute- Sanna Nyassi is coming in for Jaqua, even more speed for Seattle to throw at LAs defense.

82nd minute- Ricardo Salazar is absolutely known as a ref who will lose his mind at times with cards. That last red was pretty bad. No other way to say it.

79th minute- RED CARD TO EDDIE LEWIS. Is he claiming Lewis punched him? Looks like a slap by Lewis at worst. What an awful red card call there. Eddie Lewis is about as clean a player as there is in the league. Nice acting job by Riley, pretending a slap inflicted serious pain.

78th minute- SAVE Keller. Eddie Lewis with a curling free kick, but it didnt have much English on it and Keller didnt have that much trouble with it.

76th minute- RED CARD. Tyrone Marshall gets a second yellow and is gone. He hip-checks DOnovan as Donovan was about to get past him. No complaints really.

74th minute- Sebastian LeToux is in for Zakuani, who showed some flashes in the first half, but didnt do much in the second.

73rd minute- Anyone want to venture a guess as to the shade of green of Sigi Schmids shirt? Kermit the Frog green?

71st minute- Think Donovan has just about had it with opponents who wear green?

70th minute- Gotta say, I like what Im seeing from Gonzalez.

Here comes LA on the counterbut no, an overcooked cross leaves the counter flat.

67th minute- Donovan gives Marshall an earful after Marshall hit him in the side of the face. Marshall better relax before Donovan sneezes on him (okay, that was mean, but still).

65th minute- Ricketts with a GREAT stop on Montero, who wastes a BEAUTIFUL pass from Osvaldo Alonso. Such an underrated player Alonso is. Monteros touch lets him down, should have been an easy goal.

64th minute- Magee earns a free kick after pretending he was elbowed.

63rd minute- Hey, theres a soccer game going on. Who knew?

Okay, so maybe we havent missed much, but still.

And for the record, I rate Sean Franklin pretty highly, still think he can be a national team pool player.

62nd minute- The mute button is a beautiful thing.

61st minute- Mike Magee is on for Alan Gordon. Magees a goal-poacher who will find the net if given a chance.

60th minute- Sean Franklin speakingzzzzzzzzzzzz.

58th minute- Bryan Jordan comes on for Chris Klein. Thatll spark the comeback.

And seriously, TV folks, how about no interviews during the game with injured players (and not just because Sean Franklins voice is making me sleepy.) This isnt baseball guys. Its soccer.

57th minute- Nice shot of a group of Sounders fans at the game. They travel pretty well (though Im sure of them are former Seattle residents now living in LA.

56th minute- Ricketts saves an Evans shot. Seattle up two goals and up a man. Will be tough to blow this one.

55th minute- GOAL SEATTLE. And its Fredy Montero with the finish to put the Sounders up 2-0. Sounders corner headed into space and Montero pounces on it and buries it rom five-yards out. Berhalter and Dunivant ball-watching.

53rd minute- Kirovski is being used as a defensive midfielder now. Not sure about him in that role. Probably why Seattle is winning the possession battle in the middle (well, that and theyre a man up).

51st minute- Some nice open-field running from Gonzalez. Hes much faster than people realize for his size.

47th minute- WOW, crazy sequence in front of the LA goal as Delagarza and Gonzalez blocked shots off the line before Ricketts made a stop.

46th minute- And were back

HALFTIME- Funny moment at halftime, Landon Donovan put on Dema Kovalenkos jersey by accident.

HALFTIME- Donovan will be coming in for Stefano Miglioranzi.

HALFTIME- Not sure if that was a straightredcard for Beckham (after seeing the replay I have to agree with the call), but teams get those calls sometimes and Seattle hascertainly been on the wrongend of those kind ofcalls enough times this year.

HALFTIME- What will LA do at halftime? Inserting Donovan for either Kirovski or Gordon and sliding Donovan into a playmaking role is the best thing Bruce Arena can do.

HALFTIME- Seattle seemed to let the foot off the petal after scoring the goal, which has given LA some life. Now with Donovan likely to come in at halftime, the Galaxy are still very much in this game. Seattle needs Alonso, Vagenasand Evans to settle this game down and keep some possession.

HALFTIME- Seattle 1, Galaxy 0. Beckham with a red and Zakuani with the lone goal in a game that should be pretty interesting in the second half.

44th minute- LA corner after a Lewis free kick is headed clear.

This game has been chippy all night. Another red card wouldnt shock me tonight.

42nd minute- I have a feeling we wont see Donovan until halftime, but well certainly see him come on to start the second half.

41st minute- Good stat from the TV guys: LA hasnt won all season in games theyve trailed or been tied at halftime.

39th minute- Anyone else disappointed with the field? Isnt this supposed to be a soccer-specific stadium with impeccable turf?

Back to the game. LA comes CLOSE as Gordon sends a dangerous ball toward goal that Klein just misses.

37th minute- Zakuani has another gear that LAs defense just doesnt have. If Seattle stays patient, they will find cracks in this LA defense.

35thminute- Seattle hasnt really pressed the Galaxy since the goal. Theyre sitting back and LA looks like they have some life right now. Its going to be tough a man down though.

27th minute- LA with a free kick.

25th minute- LA losing Beckham is huge and here is Landon Donovan warming up.

23rd minute- Brad Evans torched Berhalter on the right wing and sends the cross to Zakuani for an easy finish.

22nd minute- GOAL SEATTLE!!!! Steve Zakuani with the finish. Sounders 1, Galaxy 0.

18th minute- Beckham with a studs-up tackle on Peter Vagenas. So much for them having been boys in LA.

16th minute- LAs defense is struggling to deal with Seattles speed up front.

LA RED CARD. WOW, David Beckham just got sent off.

12th minute- Zakuani torches DeLaGarza and gets grabbed.

10th minute- LA will be targeting Ianni, who is playing for suspended starter Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

8th minute- Galaxy moving the ball around well. Seattle looks a bit slow.

4th minute- Freddie Ljungberg is also on the bench for Seattle. Hes also sick, but doesnt have the swine flu. He seems unlikely to play.

2nd minute- Landon Donovan is on the bench and in uniform, and no, he isnt wearing a surgical mask. Tony Sanneh is sitting next to him and doesnt look too worried. Then again, the swine flu isnt as bad for old people.

1st minute- And were off. Yep, field looks a bit messy with those lines.

PRE-GAME- Looks like the turf was recently replaced at Home Depot Center and it doesnt look too great. Well see how the ball plays tonight.

PRE-GAME- Here is Seattles lineup:

JaquaMontero

Zakuani-VagenasAlonsoEvans

GonzalezIanni-MarshallRiley

Keller

PRE-GAME-

Here is LAs lineup:

GordonKirovski

LewisBeckhamMiglioranziKlein

DunivantBerhalterGonzalezDeLaGarza

Ricketts