The Chicago Red Stars will beging their 2009 season with player orientation this week as the first few players arrive Monday.

Feb. 23-25: Players arrive

Feb. 27: Player orientation at Toyota Park

March 1-9: Indoor training at Max McCook

March 7: Scrimmage vs. Purdue and Northwestern

March 10-20: Training in Sunrise, Fla.

March 18: Exhibition vs. Boston Breakers

Peter Herrnreiter

The final match of the under publicised Pan Pacific Championship was played ove the weekend as MLS outift LA Galaxy faced Korean champions Suwan Bluewings in Carson, California.

The Galaxy, who forced extra time in the match, were not accurate enough to truly test their Korean counterparts in ther added shootout, as a Kyle Patterson PK was stopped by Park Ho-Jin and Edson Buddle missed the net completely to see the Bluewings up 4-2.

Bruxe Arena’s side seemed not to have a rub of the green for most of the match as on 39 minutes, defender Sean Franklin gave Suwon a 1-0 lead through an own goal headed over the LA keeper.  Though on 88 minutes, the Galaxy were awarded a penatly as Jorge Luiz Alves Justino fouled Edson Buddle in the area.

Japan’s Oita Trinita took home 3rd with a 2-1 win over China’s Shandong Lunen.

Peter Herrnreiter

After two more shocking defeats since the restart of the Bundesliga season from their winter break, FC Bayern Munich trainger Juergen Klinsmann again finds himself in the middle of a heated debat.

After taking the helm of the Bavarian giants at the start of the season, many had hoped that the reigning champs would start the season on a positive note, especially after his impressive 3rd place finish in the 2006 World Cup with germany.  Though it seems, as  he did before the ‘06 WC, the blonde bomber is having major issues with fans and the media.

When the german national side started with the former bayern Munich and Tottenham striker at the helm, the team was in the midst of a major transition, coping with the loss of a number of strong and experienced starters and a major dissapointment being the 2004 Euopean Cup.  While many thought the prosepct of yet another former interational might still be an improvement, no one could have imagined that the once beloved scorer would take so much heat. 

After Germany’s 4-1 loss to italy in Roma and a dissapointing draw with Japan, he was asked by many to step aside.  Luckily however, their fortunes would reverse and see the side throug, though the debate still rages as it if was due to Klinsmann’s selections or current manager Joachim Loew’s strategical genius.  Either way, his performance brought him to Munich and his ghosts have followed. 

Losing at the weekend, 2-1 to FC Cologne, many have once again wondered if the new trainger can stand the heat of the league he once dominated.  Currently, bayern sit 4th in the table only 4 points behind leaders Hamburg.  When comparing last seasons record performance with this year’s, German soccer weekly Kicker calculated that Bayern’s best hopes are a thrid, but most likely fourth.  While such a strong finish would be cause for celebration for almost any club, even the slightest of possibilities that Champions League soccer won’t be played at the Allianz Arena is quite shocking.

Overall, many have noticed that although Klinsmann has a very limited role in terms of transfers, his confident stance behind keeper Michael Rensing can be cause for the greatest concern.  The former Bayern number 2, who played behind the mythical Oliver Khan, has been under enormous pressure to keep the champions afloat, though it seems both the pressure of the Kahn legacy and his lack of true experience has damaged the club’s season beyon repair.

It still remains to be seen whether or not Klinsmann will keep his job at the end of the year, though club management have thus far stood by their man.  But one must wonder, if this is true, why have they let leak the fact that another former German international, Rudi Voeller, has been contacted for the job?

Peter Herrnreiter

Since its enception, MLS has been despirately trying to give its clubs greater exporsure not only in American, Canadian and Mexican markets, but in those abroad as well.  While many might have a slightly negative view of the little American kickabout league, it seems that league management might have a very different view on things (i.e. the Beckham saga).

With this in mind, one only need to look at the current state of MLS soccer to see that their plans might actually be working in their favor.  Having signed Becks to one of the most lucrative sporting contracts ever, while brining in top European and Latin American clubs for friendlies and to face the MLS Allstars, greater media exposure has been granted and thus numerous lucrative PR opportunities. 

The expansion of the league to fit another 1-4 possible clubs aside from the new Sounders (i.e. St. Loius, Montreal,  Philly and Miami) is not only a positive sign for the league’s accounting department but for the teams, players and fans as well.  It has even been suggested that la Liga outfit FC Barcelona are planning on following the footsteps of Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg (formerly SV Austria Salzburg) in signing a sister contract with and even funding a new Miami based club.  Overall, it seems, while many might not notice the league’s talent, they sure do notice its marketing potential.

This then brings us to the topic at hand, the Pan Pacific Championship, being underwritten by the leagues Soccer United Marketing arm, was founded in 2007, but did not begin play until 2008, when the first four clubs faced off in Honolulu.  The tourney, which takes its teams from Australia’s A-League, Japan’s J-League, the MLS and China’s Chinese Super League was designed as a preseason friendly tourney to allow for a greater expansion of the game in local markets.  This season however, one noticable change was made, being the Suwon Bluewings from Korea will fill in for the A-League representative.

To date, only one club has successfully brought home the title, being last year’s winner Gamba Osaka.  Osaka, who have struggled as of late, finishing 8th in the J-League table have been replaced by Oita Trinita, who finished 4th.  Joining them will be the LA Galaxy, who apparently were placed in the tourney as hosts and as a replacement for Chivas USA.  The other club, China’s Shandong Luneng Taishan, finished as champions of the China Super League in 2008.

Overall, the cup matches haven’t really attracted any real fans to the arenas, but when one sees past the initial push for a profit margin, the USM’s main goal is clearly visible.  As Bruce Arena might not necessarily appeciate the antics undertaken by AC Milan on David Beckham’s behalf of the spectre of Landon Donovan extending his loan move, it is his and MLS’ deepest wish to grow soccer talent in the US and hopefully try to export this rare and sometimes underappreciated commodity.

The market for such a commodity, while being seeminglhy overwhelmed by talent from Africa, Latin American and Asia, is surprisingly open to the idea of American export. Recent moves abroad by Americans such as Jay DeMerit, Domonic Cervi and Brian Arguez (just to name only a few) have been key measuring sticks as to the importance and value of such players.

So, while the American fans might only see this cup as a novelty in the greater picture of American athletics, its service is absolutely invaluable.

Peter Herrnreiter

There was a ton of yank abroad action this past week. Brad Guzan and Oguchi Onyewu both started and went the distance in UEFA Cup action. Guzan allowed a goal in a 1-1 tie with CKSA Moscow while Onyewu’s team suffered through a tough 3-0 loss to Portuguese side Braga. Two other Americans, Brad Friedel and Marcus Tracy, rode the pine. Michael Orozco and Jose Torres were both in the starting 11 for their teams in a mid-week jornada. Clint Dempsey started and went 90 for Fulham in the Cottagers’ 3-0 loss to Manchester United although his “5″ rating on Sky Sports indicates that his performance was slightly under par. Mike Grella made another appearance off the bench for Leeds and may have a chance to start in Leeds’ next match. Miraculously, both Mo Edu and Run DMB featured for Rangers in their Scottish Cup match against Forfar. Beasley played wickedly until a terrible challenge by a Forfar fullback prompted Walter Smith to take him off as a precautionary measure. The word is that had his feet been solidly on the ground, he may have broken a leg and been out for another extended period of time. He played very well until then and therefore merits said title…

Far Post Yank of the Week: DAMARCUS BEASLEY.

Quick Review

Started: Brad Guzan, Oguchi Onyewu, Maurice Edu, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey, Michael Orozco, Jay DeMerit, Zak Whitbread, Jose Francisco Torres

Subbed in: Mike Grella

Made the bench but did not play: Marcus Tracy, Eddie Johnson, Heath Pearce, Ian Joyce

Did not make the bench: Danny Szetela, Marco Vidal, Daniel Hernandez, Jesus Padilla

Injured: Frank Simek

In UEFA Cup action…

D Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege: started and played 90 minutes in Standard’s 3-0 loss to Portuguese side Braga.

D Marcus Tracy, Aalborg: made the bench but did not play in Aalborg’s 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

G Brad Friedel, Aston Villa: made the bench but did not play in Villa’s 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow.

G Brad Guzan, Aston Villa: started and played 90 minutes in Villa’s 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow.

In English FA Cup action…

S Eddie Johnson: made the bench but did not play in Cardiff’s 4-0 loss to Arsenal.

In English Premier League action…

M Clint Dempsey, Fulham: started and played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United.

In English Championship action…
D Jay DeMerit, Watford: started and played 90 minutes in Watford’s 2-0 win over Swansea City.

In English League One action…
D Zak Whitbread, Millwall: started and played 90 minutes in Millwall’s 1-1 tie with Swindon Town.

S Mike Grella, Leeds United: made the bench and played 31 minutes in Leeds’ 2-0 loss to Hereford.
G Ian Joyce, Southend United: made the bench but did not play in Southend’s 1-0 loss to Crewe Alexandra.

In Scottish Cup action…
M DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers: started and played 72 minutes in Rangers’ 4-0 win over 3rd division side Forfar. He came off after a brutal challenge from Elliot Smith and was lucky to escape serious injury.

M Maurice Edu, Rangers: started and played 90 minutes in Rangers’ 4-0 win over Forfar.

In Bundesliga 2 action…

D Heath Pearce, Hansa Rostock: made the bench but did not play in Rostock’s 3-1 loss to SC Freiburg.

In Italian Serie B action…

M Danny Szetela, Brescia: did not make the bench for Brescia’s 3-0 loss to Ancona.

In Mexican Primera action…
M Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca: started and played 68 minutes on the left in Pachuca’s 2-2 draw with Puebla. Pachuca was up 2-0 when he was subbed out.
D Michael Orozco, San Luis: started and played 90 minutes in San Luis’ 2-2 draw with Cruz Azul. His late red card on a breakaway prevented a third Cruz Azul goal and allowed San Luis to break even a few minutes later.

S Jesus Padilla (Chivas), D Marco Vidal (Indios), and D Daniel Hernandez (Jaguares) did not play this week.

John Prust

Imagine yourself, a 24 year old, rich as God and practially as famous as the big man to.  Now picture yourself speeding down a narrow tunnel against one of your teammates, both driving cars that are more expensive (and possibly luxurious) than some houses.  The only problem?  You crash doing 80 mph and are now being sued for damages.

While the above isnt exactly who Cristiano Ronaldo might lay the background to the story, the Manchester United midfielder might have some explaining to do after last months crash inside a Manchester tunnel.  The FIFA World Player of the Year winner smashed his Ferrari on January 8 against the wall of the manchester Airport tunnel which apparently had caused some £20,000 worht of damages, a bill that Airport officials are going to send to his attorneys apparently.

Luckily for Ronaldo, Police at the scene decided that no fault was to be placed.

Peter Herrnreiter

Two of the Premier Leagues top managers have had their fair share of media attention as of late.  Though the drama that has surrounded that of Beckham or Ronaldo wont be overshadowed by that of the constant struggles of Rafa Benitez or Guus Hiddink, their latest tousles with club management are of equal interest and importance.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has been hailed as one of the world’s best, especially after bringing home two Championsl league crowns to the Mersyside club, has been embroiled in a truly nasty fight with the Red’s top brass.  It seems that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are prepared to offer the Spaniard a new deal, thought with some exceptions.

As manay managers in the league would note, their title of “manager” is just that, a coach/ trainer mixed with the duties of what we’d refer to as the GM.  Manchester Unite’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is famous for his relationship with his players and his scouting of players that he’d see fit to join United.  It was just this very relationship and his role as head of transfers that brought then Sporting Lisbon starlet Cristiano Ronaldo to the Theatre of Dreams. 

Now however, it remains to be seen if Benitez will ever be given the responsibility of naming his own transfers, though it seems as if he’d be very keen on the idea.  He noted, ”Who will know how the money should be spent? One person, the manager, because he knows who he wants for his squad. Who will know the value of the player? The manager.”

If Benitez does sign a new contract, expect one hell of a struggle before either party is satisfied.

The same, oddly enough, cannot be said for fellow Big Four rival Cheslea, who were handily beaten by the Reds not a few weeks ago at the hands of another Spaniard, Fernando Torres.  The Blues, who recently sacked manager Luis Felippe Scolari have signed current Russian national side manager Guus Hiddink to what seems like more of a loan deal than a real contract.

Hiddink, famous for his World Cup exploits with South Korea and Australia, helped his Russian side to an amazing Euro 2008 run in Austria and Switzerland.  Now, it seems, Russian owner Roman Abramovich wants to take him from the helm of the national team for a more permanent place at Stamford Bridge, much to the shagrin of the Dutchman.

While giving his first press conference, he noted, “I will help out until the end of the season - only to the end of the season,” he asserted. “I have my full-time commitment with the Russian national team, which I will fulfil.”

This situation to remains somewhat of enigma as he to will be seated in the dugout this coming weekend when Chelsea favce Aston Villa at Villa Park.  In the end, it seems slightly ironic that such a decorated manager be given the proverbial slap on the wrist, just as another has been literally begged by his top brass to stay.

Stay tuned…

Peter Herrnreiter

As we presented yesterday, here is the second set of matches on this Round of 32 matchday 1.  Unlike yesterday, today’s matches featured some of the heavyweights and favourites of the cup.  While, once again there were not many surprise results, the fact that the two English sides both dropped all three points was somwhat curious, however when comparing the results to each teams’ recent run of form, neither scoreline is truly surprising.

Lech Poznan 2-2 Udinese

In one of a few snow covered matches tonight, the sole Polish side left in the tournament KKS Lech Poznan hosted Italian side Udinese.  While the majority of the match remained scoreless, it was only in the 50th minute of play that the Italians took the lead off a Fabio Quagliarella receivd the ball off of a well placed free kick.  They soon had their lead doubled after a Poznzn own goal after a Udinese striker was parried away by the keeper, only to have it strike a defender.  With a number of chances to their credit, Poznan were unlucky to hit the post twice before Portugese stiker Rengifo added their first nine minutes from time.  Only three minutes later, the hosts drew level after Arboldea headed home a corner.

Shakhtar Dontesk 2-0 Spurs

It seems as if the cold weather in eastern Europe this time of year is taking its told on some of the west’s top club, as another top seated side was victim to some late goals.  Though it would seem also that a number of changes- 9 to be exact- from the weekend’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal was also to blame.  While almost taking direct advantage of the changes, Shathkar had a number of chances though it only be until the 79th that they wouldpay dividens as Slelznov headed home a Jadson cross. Only a few minutes later, Jadson turned scorer after a well places strike doubled the home side’s lead.

FC Copenhagen 2-0 Man City

Continuing with the theme of snow and late strikes, Premier League side Manchester City seemed to have been left out in the cold after an injury time hit put the hosts on level terms.  To open the scoring on 29 minutes as Nedum Onuoha had a very weak shot go through the hands of the Copenhagen keeper, however the home side leveled in the 56th through an Almeida hit.  Stephen Ireland then hit his 10th of the season on 61 to bring the Citizens 2-1 up.  However, as stated, a late Martin Vingaard header gave the Lions a 2-2 draw as they travel to England.

Peter Herrnreiter

The first of two matchdays this week in the UEFA Cup was played today, with a few surprises, but overall it was bsuiness as usual.  Here are some selected reviews.

AC Milan 1-1 Bremen

 A strong Werder Bremen side welcomed Italian giants AC Milan as the two sides fought to a one all draw.  Milan opened the scoring on 36 minutes through Filippo Inzaghi, however it was the home side who turned out to be the spoilers as Diego level on 84 minutes.  Milan started with a surprising formation with Kaka, Gattuse, Nesta and Beckham missing out for a vaarious number of reasons.

Paris St. Germain 2-0 Wolfsburg

It was the home side that ended up on the better half of a 2-0 score line as French side PSG hosted Wolfsburg at the Parc des Princes.  With French president Nicolas Sarkozy in the stands, the Parisians were eager to impress- and did just that.  As PSG controlled most of the momentum during the match, they would have to wait until the 80th minute for the deadlock to be broken.  It was ultimately a Guillaume Hoarau header and a second soon after that solidified the win.  After the match Hoarau noted that he was, “annoyed, while I scored two goals, I missed alot.”

Valencia 1-1 Dynamo Kiev

Losing three of their last five league matches, the 2004 cup winners Valencia made the most of their chances to take an important point from their match in Kiev.  It was oft called upon David Silva who gave the visitors and early lead on 8 minutes, however after the break, a Florin Cernat free kick leveled the match.  Eventhough Kiev went down to ten men as Artem Milevskiy was sent off soon after. 

Aalborg 3-0 Deportivo

The surprise scoreline of the evening saw Danish minows Aalborg slip three goals past once dominant Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna in Denmark.  A double from Anders Due in the second half was capped off my a 90th minute penalty from Michael Jakobsen.

Peter Herrnreiter