Author Archives: Ridge Mahoney

[GOLD CUP] One game away from a chance to win its third straight Gold Cup, the USA plays Honduras for the third time in the past seven weeks Thursday (TV: Fox Soccer Channel & Telefutura, 7 pm ET) with a different team than it used the last two times.

[MLS] A match that was more of a training exercise, with reserves on the BMO Field surface and liberal substitution rules in effect, produced a 4-3 shootout win for Argentine team River Plate against Toronto FC Wednesday in a friendly in front of 20,005 fans.

[U.S. OPEN CUP] By beating Rochester Rhinos, 2-1, in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal Tuesday, D.C. United earned the right to host the final at RFK Stadium Sept. 2. Jaime Moreno converted a penalty kick and Boyzzz Khumalo struck a late winner at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., to down the USL-1 Rhinos, which pushed their MLS opponents hard at times and equalized midway through the second half when striker Taiwo Atieno scored during a goalmouth scramble.

[U.S. OPEN CUP] The quest of Seattle to win a trophy in its expansion year took another step forward Tuesday when the Sounders rallied to beat Houston, 2-1, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

[GOLD CUP] Back and forth they go, and where it stops, nobody knows. Defender Michael Parkhurst, released from the U.S. Gold Cup team last week to attend preseason training in Denmark, has been recalled as cover for Jimmy Conrad, who suffered a possible concussion against Panama in a hard collision Saturday and left the match shortly before halftime. The USA faces Honduras again in the semifinals Thursday at Soldier Field

[MLS] Houston coach Dominic Kinnear picked three Dynamo players and two from Seattle to address the balance of power for the MLS All-Star team that plays Everton a week from Wednesday. Added to the original list of 11 starters from the Dynamo are goalie Pat Onstad, midfielder Brad Davis, and forward Brian Ching.

[USA-PANAMA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in their 2-1 quarterfinal win over Panama in the Gold Cup …

[GOLD CUP] Fitness and resolve propelled the U.S. through 120 minutes of play and numerous rugged incidents as it defeated Panama, 2-1, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Saturday night to earn a spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals.

[MLS PREDICTIONS] All five games this weekend match teams from opposite conferences, and all of the Eastern teams are at home as the playoff race – with the top four teams in the East bunched within a point – tightens up. For all of Soccer America’s predictions, as well as TV viewing information, and to see how we’ve fared so far this season …

[MLS PREDICTION] Asking if anything can stop the New York Red Bulls’ slide into oblivion is akin to Yogi Berra‘s favorite comment about if fans don’t want to go to the ballpark, there’s no way to stop them. This team is a walking double negative. There’s always hope with Juan Pablo Angel up top, but not much. When David Beckham begins his comeback tour on Thursday for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Bulls, not likely is a repeat of the 5-4 thriller these teams played in The Swamp two years ago.

[USA-HAITI REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in their 2-2 win with Haiti in the Gold Cup …

[GOLD CUP] While fans are usually more impressed by talent, coaches know the value of experience, especially when a seemingly undermanned opponent gains the upper hand and a game gets out of hand. Only a few of the American players chosen by Coach Bob Bradley to face Haiti Saturday in the final game of Concacaf Gold Cup group play had significant number of caps and another handful came in at zero.

[MLS PREDICTIONS] Of the six games in Week 17, only Toronto’s visit to San Jose matches teams from different conferences as the battle for points intensifies.

[USA-HONDURAS] A dramatic comeback for Santino Quaranta turned his into a starring role, yet in what amounted to a cameo appearance Benny Feilhaber nearly stole the show Wednesday night at RFK Stadium in the second Gold Cup match for the USA.

[USA-HONDURAS REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in their 2-0 win over Honduras in the Gold Cup …

[U.S. OPEN CUP] Three of the four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinalists will be MLS teams following completion of the quarterfinal round.

[USA-HONDURAS] The site and the names have changed but once again the U.S. and Honduras will play an important soccer match in a stadium rife with history.

[MLS] Sooner or later, Real Salt Lake forward Yura Movsisyan will be heading to Denmark. Agent Patrick McCabe confirmed Monday that Danish Superliga club Randers has reached an agreement to employ the 21-year-old starting in January, following expiration of his current MLS contract.

[MLS] Canadian international midfielder Julian de Guzman confirmed on a radio show Monday that Toronto FC has bid aggressively for his services.

[USA-GRENADA] In beating Grenada, 4-0, in its Gold Cup opener Saturday, the USA showed just how simple the game can be.

[USA-GRENADA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in their 4-0 win over Grenada at the Gold Cup …