Author Archives: Ridge Mahoney

[MLS] The goals may have been scarce in the three MLS quarterfinal first-leg games played Saturday, but their timing couldn’t be topped. Houston pulled out a 1-1 tie against New York on a Kei Kamara goal in the 85th minute, Real Salt Lake stunned Chivas USA when Yura Movsisyan struck the only goal with just seconds remaining in regulation; and Columbus shocked Kansas City with a Stephan Lenhart equalizer in the 92nd minute to tie the Wizards, 1-1.

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] On paper, the Red Bulls look completely spooked against two-time defending champion Houston, and even with game-changers Juan Pablo Angel and Dave van den Bergh they’re frightfully overmatched on artificial turf or grass as well.

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] If the 2008 Crew, winner of the Supporters’ Shield, isn’t all that different than the 2007 version that missed the playoffs, how can it be so much better?

[MLS PLAYOFF PREVIEW] Before a broken leg sidelined Steve Ralston, before post-concussion symptoms benched Taylor Twellman, yet after Chicago completed its 3-0 sweep of games against New England this season, Fire assistant coach Chris Armas warned the playoffs would be different if the teams were to meet again.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Sometimes failure can be chalked up as a learning experience and if so, D.C. United has learned it needs great improvement to compete in Concacaf.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Not every team puts as much emphasis on its reserve squad as does Houston, and all that work reaped a significant reward Tuesday night in San Salvador.

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Before it begins defending its last two MLS Cup titles, Houston needs a result to stay in the game internationally. The Dynamo is in San Salvador to play Luis Angel Firpo Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) in the first of a home-and-home exchange that is spread across four weeks and will decide the runner-up spot in Group B of the Concacaf Champions’ League.

[MLS] To reach the playoffs when it faces Colorado Saturday, Real Salt Lake must perform a feat it’s done only twice all season: win a road game. Whether it succeeds or not, the club has made great strides on and off the field. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney profiles two key characters in Real’s 2008 season.

[MLS] After squandering a scenario of “win and we’re in,” the Red Bulls must now “pray for another day.” Fire forward Chris Rolfe scored three goals, all in the first half, and earned two assists as well in a 5-2 romp at Toyota Park that guaranteed Chicago second place in the Eastern Conference and yanked New York’s destiny out of its hands.

[MLS] Aside from a stout defense, a healthy squad, and some luck, what every MLS coach wants more than anything else in the playoffs is a hot scorer.