First on our Major Link Soccer journey is a look at the United States failure at the CONCACAF Pre-Olympic tournament, including a connection between San Jose and the El Salvador player that finished off America. Next up are two stories related to the ownership group down in Tacoma running the Sounders Women and Sounders U23s. There will be stops in Toronto, Montreal, the other LA, New York and then a reminder of MLS' Spring to Forget.
A postmortem on the USA Olympic team after a massive letdown: What went right, what went wrong | Goal.com
"This one is probably going to be the main stinger, but against Canada that's where we really lost the tournament," Kitchen said after the El Salvador game, a message which was delivered to the players by none other than Jurgen Klinsmann himself. "Klinsmann came into the locker room and told us we can be proud of ourselves the way we fought and he said too we lost the tournament when we lost to Canada," Boyd told reporters.
Frank Isola: Bruce Arena took advantage of a good opportunity to bash the U.S. national team - Goal.com
"We need to have new leadership, a fresh way of doing things," Arena, now the head coach of the LA Galaxy, told the AP. "Usually it’s a new coach. But maybe it’s time for new leadership and new concepts as well." Arena of course is referring to Gulati, who fired Arena after eight seasons and two World Cups as manager of the national team. Last summer, Gulati fired national team boss Bob Bradley, Arena’s former assistant coach, following a loss to Mexico in the final of the Gold Cup. Bradley’s replacement, Jurgen Klinsmann, is the same coach Gulati had pursued, unsuccessfully, five years earlier.
Quakes not ready to pounce on US-killer Alas quite yet | MLSsoccer.com
The man who hit the goal that eliminated the USA was in training with the San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes liked him, but they didn't like him like him.
Group Tickets On Sale Now! - Seattle Sounders Women
Sounders Women Group Tickets will be offered for parties of 20 fans or more. Group tickets will cost $10.00 per ticket. Groups receive a $6.00 discount on individual Bleacher Seats. Group packages are not available in Grand Stand Seating. Additionally, groups buying 100 tickets or more will receive a bigger discount, resulting in a rate of $8.00 per ticket.
Sounders U-23 Host Gonzaga University - Sounders U23
"The Gonzaga game gives us an opportunity to evaluate players for the U23’s and see the progress of our former academy players," Sounders U-23 Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky said. "We also want to make sure we give local college programs quality spring games."
TFC earns draw in first leg of CONCACAF Champions League semis - The Globe and Mail
"It’s going to be all-out war," was how defender Adrian Cann billed next week’s second leg after watching the first instalment from the bench as an unused substitute. For a man recovering from torn knee ligaments, it was perhaps a wise coaching decision to leave him on the bench for this one, although Cann confirmed he should be good to go, perhaps as soon as this weekend against Columbus Crew.
Montreal Impact's Pizzolitto ends 17-year soccer career
"I’m grateful to the club for all they’ve done for me over the years and I wish them the very best in the future," Pizzolitto said as he officially ended a 16-year tenure with the club. "I want to thank Joey and the Saputo family for all they’ve done for the sport and this province and for giving me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream. There was no other team in North America that I would rather have played for. I was extremely proud to wear the Impact jersey."
CHIVAS USA: Lahoud is getting 'close' - Soccer Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
"For sure, [I'm] close," Lahoud said after the training session at Home Depot Center. "Just to be able to come out and do a little bit of sprinting, to be involved in some of the drills, to pass the ball … to put these studs back on, it does a wonder for your mind and your sanity." Robin Fraser was pleased to see him doing more. "It's good to see Michael come out and do some ball work," Chivas' coach said. "He's on the mend."
Thierry Henry Wins MLS Player of the Week | New York Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry was named the Major League Soccer Player of the Week for Week 3 of the MLS season today by the North American Soccer Reporters. Henry scored two goals and added one assist in the Red Bulls’ 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, the team’s first victory of the 2012 season. This is Henry’s first career MLS Player of the Week award.
Steve Zakuani, David Ferreira and Javier Morales: Never forget MLS's Spring to Forget | ProSoccerTalk
Last spring, three of the league's biggest stars were taken out by questionable challenges: Steve Zakuani, David Ferreira, and Javier Morales. As we approach the one year anniversary of MLS's spring to forget, has anything really changed?
Richard Farley argues no. And that it requires a cultural change, not just better referees.