Palermo's Appeal Denied

Pato's two goals for Milan have been slightly overshadowed by the post Roma-Palermo fireworks. Following their 1-0 loss to the Giallorossi, Palermo filed an appeal complaining that Mancini's goal in the 59th minute was the improper result of a Ball Boy's coming around the boards to get the ball to Roma for a quick corner. Palermo requested that it receive a 3-0 victory or a rematch, today this appeal was rejected.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/29/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Ballboy-Goal.php

Tony Caig signs with Dynamo

Last month when the Dynamo traded goalkeeper Zack Wells to D.C. United in exchange for defender Bobby Boswell, it was clear that the Dynamo would have to sign a new back-up goalie, which happened today when they signed Englishman Tony Caig. The 33 year old native of Whitehaven has played for Gretna, Newcastle United, Carlisle United, Blackpool, Charlton Athletic, and Hibernian. He has also played for the USL's Vancouver Whitecaps.

“We are excited to obtain a player of Tony’s caliber,” said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear. “Tony has a wealth of international experience and will fill a need on our roster.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5496283.html

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/other/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/01/29/SOCCER_Gretna.html&TEAMHD=foreign

Being Forward, Part 2

This weekend I started seeing indications that Nate Jaqua was in the process of signing with an Austrian side, and today there's official confirmation that Nate Jaqua has signed with Cashpoint SCR Altach.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5492771.html

Between Joseph Ngweyna's signing with SK Austria Karnten earlier this month, the departure of Paul Dalglish, the Dynamo enter the preseason with Brian Ching and Chris Wondolowski as their only veterans at the forward position. As noted in an earlier blog, the Dynamo picked up two forwards in the supplemental draft, but it's too early to know if they'll be able to provide any assistance in filling the gap left by the departure of Ngweyna and Jaqua.

While this lack of depth up front is a bit troubling, Dynamo fans can take solace in the fact that Dominic Kinnear has a knack for recognizing talent and getting good results out of players who aren't living up to their potential, Ngweyna and Jaqua are both examples of the latter. Contacts have indicated to me that Dom has been warming up to the idea of using the DP, not sure who he might be eyeing, but I think it would be a good way to add a young player from Mexico or South America up front.

The 2008 MLS season becomes a reality for the Dynamo this Friday, when they beginning training camp.

Speaking of the Dynamo's preseason, while all Dynamo fans would love to travel to Hawaii for the PPC, many cannot afford (or spouses won't let them afford) such a trip. Thankfully, the Houston Chronicle's Bernardo Fallas has suggested a cheaper alternative - the Texas Pro Soccer Festival will be taking place in San Antonio March 3-9 and during that time the Dynamo will play D.C. United, Toronto F.C., and Chivas USA at Steele High School.

http://blogs.chron.com/soccer/archives/2008/01/anyone_up_for_a.html

Episode 54 of World Soccer Wrap

Episode 54 of World Soccer Wrap (c) is now available for download on iTunes and at:

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/30771C6F-FB89-404B-AB31-E261830A97B7.html

Serie A - 20ª Giornata

Is Pato the shot in the arm that Milan needed in order to breathe new life into its season? In today’s match against Genoa, the eighteen year old Brazilian scored two goals, the only two goals of the match. Pato’s first goal came off of a header in the 68th minute and he added the insurance goal in the 82nd minute.

Today’s victory moved Milan into seventh place on the table, and only 1 point behind Sampdoria, and only 6 points behind Udinese who managed to hold Inter Milan to a nil-nil draw, this was the first time in 9 games that Inter has failed to win.

Inter’s draw combined with Roma’s 1 goal victory over Palermo yesterday puts Roma only 5 points behind first place Inter. Meanwhile, Juventus’s 3-1 win over Livorno puts the Old Lady only 5 points behind Roma. Unlike last season, there is a real race for the top spots in Serie A.

Friday Morning Update

-The 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft was held and the Houston Dynamo picked up two forwards and two more midfielders: Johnny Alcaraz (M, Westmont College), Craig Thompson (F, Colorado School of Mines), Kieran Hall (M, Fort Lewis), and James Georgeff (F, University of Central Florida).

-The Dynamo will be going back to San Jose next month to play the new Earthquakes in a couple exhibition games. The first will be at PAL Stadium on February 13 and the second will be on February 16 at Kezar Stadium.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/othernews.asp?articleID=223699

-On February 6, the US will play Mexico at Reliant Stadium here in Houston. So far, Houston Dynamo players Ricardo Clark, Eddie Robinson, and Brad Davis have been called up to the National team, so they'll miss the beginning of Dynamo Training Camp. Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni will also be absent as they train with the U23 team.

Being Forward

-It's official, Joseph Ngweyna has officially signed with SK Austria Karnten.

http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=25283

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5472857.html

http://www.soccer365.com/mls/story_22108121756.php

So, with just less then 2 weeks to go before preseason for the Dynamo, a team that won the MLS Cup last year thanks in large part to its depth now finds itself shortfooted up front. In addition to Ngweyna, Paul Dalglish has parted ways with the Dynamo and Nate Jaqua is working hard to sign with a European side.

Not all is hopeless for the Dynamo and its fans though, Dominic Kinnear is a great judge of young talent, and the Dynamo now have some more room to play with under the salary cap.

- Officiating and the quality thereof has a been a huge issue this past season and, not surprisingly, that includes Italy. Without going into some of those questionable penalities, since the start of the current edition of Serie A I've lost track of how many times I've seen 4 and 5 minutes of stoppage time in games where bigger clubs are struggling to get a draw or win. Not surprisingly, the league chief is defending the officials in Italy:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/italy/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/01/21/SOCCER_Ita-Referees.html

- Speaking of Italy, Roma Ultras again indulged in needless violence this past weekend - three Catania supporters were stabbed outside of the Stadio Olimpico. Thankfully, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is criticizing this stupid act of violence:

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=556407

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/italy/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/01/21/SOCCER_Ita-Violence_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=italy

On a final note, the positive attributes of soccer in this crazy world is evidenced again, FIFA has decided that Iraq will play host to three World Cup qualifying matches to be held in Dubai:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5474058.html

Ngweyna Probably Staying in Europe

My German's not so good anymore, but this article indicates that Joseph Ngweyna is that much closer to inking a deal with Austrian side SK Karnten:

http://www.kleinezeitung.at/sport/fussball/682333/index.do

Poland v. U.S.A., March 26

This isn't really new news, but it hasn't received a whole lot of attention. In addition to playing Spain as it prepares for Euro 2008, the USMNT will take on Poland in Poland on March 26.


http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7687182

U.S.A. 2 - 0 Sweden

The USMNT started off 2008 on a strong note with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sweden. Among the starters for the U.S. were three Houston Dynamo - Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis, and Eddie Robinson. This match marked Robinson's first cap, first start, and, more importantly, in the 15th minute, his first goal with the National team. While Brad Davis did a great job serving as the National team's dead ball expert - including a corner kick which led to Robinson's goal. Landon Donovan scored an insurance goal on a penalty kick taken in the 48th minute.

On the whole, this USMNT looked much better then it did when it lost to Sweden last year, and the frustration they were causing the Swedish team was visable in the looks on the players faces and the number of hard and foolish fouls taken by Sweden. Looks like Bradley has the team on the right course.