World Cup Final

Argentina vs. Germany 3:00 PM ET ABC

It should be a great final at the Maracana with South America against Europe in the 2014 World Cup Final. Germany's firepower was on full display against the host Brazilians, as their strikers Thomas Müller and Miroslav Klose, midfielders Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos were clinical in their finishing. Add to that the playmaking of Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield and the ability of Andre Schurrle off the bench, and the Argentinian defense will have their hands full. Luckily, they have to ability to do so, as the back four of Marcus Rojo, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, and Pablo Zabaleta (and midfielder Javier Mascherano) shutout the potent Dutch for 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero serving as the hero in the penalty kick shootout. Argentina's offense runs through Lionel Messi, who will be trying to cement his legacy as the greatest player Argentinian football history by leading his team to the World Cup title. Although his impact on the game against the Netherlands was minimal, I think he'll get more time and space against the Germans. Even still, he'll need help from fellow forwards Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, or Sergio Aguero, who may finally be available to play.

In the end, although Messi may be the best player on the field (and in the world), the overall German depth is just too strong, as they'll win their 4th World Cup title, which will be a sigh of relief to the Brazilians, who are hoping to avoid the trifecta of losing in the semifinal, losing in the 3rd place game, and watching their archrivals lift the World Cup trophy in their capital.

My Semifinal record: 2-0

Happy Independence Day

HAPPY JULY FOURTH everyone. Today, our country is 238 years old. I hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks tonight and stay cool.

Earlier today, Joey Chestnut successful defended his title to win his 8th Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, downing 61 hotdogs in 10 minutes.

Also, at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic won his semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 to advance to the final to face Roger Federer, who beat Milos Raonic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. 

At the World Cup in Brazil, two quarterfinal matches will be played with Germany taking on France and Brazil playing Colombia. (Give me Germany and Brazil advancing, although I will be rooting for Columbia)

If you're in front of a TV tonight, check out the an MLS Doubleheader with the NY Red Bulls @ Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers @ LA Galaxy starting at 8:30 PM ET on NBCSN.

2013 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Championships

Went 2-2 in my semifinal predictions, which I'll definitely take, since my Dynamo once again shocked the world, upsetting the Supporters' Shield winning New York Red Bulls 4-3 on aggregate, setting up a mouth-watering rematch in the Eastern Conference Championship between Houston and Sporting KC, who have matched up two years in a row in the playoffs. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake upended the defending champion Galaxy, while Portland dismantled their arch-rival Sounders with 5 goals in the two legs. 

By the way, MLS, this is an absolutely ridiculous schedule, where there is two weeks between the two legs. I know you want to respect the international window, but that time period is way too long between matches.
Eastern Conference
(4) Houston Dynamo vs. (2) Sporting KC
Leg 1 @ HOU: Today 1:30 PM CT NBC
Leg 2 @ KC: Nov 23 6:30 PM CT NBCSN
Here we go again. KC was eliminated by the Dynamo last year in the East semis, after falling to them in 2011 in the East Final. Although both sides have talented midfielders in Graham Zusi and Benny Felhaiber for KC, and Brad Davis and Oscar Boniek Garcia, the series will likely be a physical, low-scoring brawl, as both teams have outstanding keepers and big bruising centerbacks.
In the end, although Sporting is the better team on paper, I can't pick against my Dynamo in the playoffs against KC. #DreamScreamBelieve

Western Conference
(2) Real Salt Lake vs. (1) Portland Timbers
Leg 1 @ RSL: Sunday 8 PM CT ESPN
Leg 2 @ POR: Nov 24 8 PM CT ESPN

Should be an explosive series in the Western Conference Championship, with the two highest scoring teams in the league going at it. In three regular season matchups this year, the teams combined to score 15 goals. With the red hot Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri, Will Johnson on one side and the experience of Javier Morales, Robbie Findley, and Alvaro Saborio on the other, expect that trend to continue.
In the end, although Portland is red hot, I'll go with the superior goalkeeping of Nick Rimando and the playoff experience of RSL to advance to the Cup.

2013 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Semifinals

As I correctly predicted, my hometown Dynamo and the Sounders each successfully advanced in the knockout round to set up these conference semifinal matchups, which are two game aggregate goal series (whoever has higher goal-differential after two legs wins series)

Western Conference
(4) Seattle Sounders vs. (1) Portland Timbers
Leg 1 @ SEA: Tonight 9 PM CT NBCSN
Leg 2 @ POR: Thursday 10 PM CT NBCSN

Seattle got by Colorado despite losing goalkeeper Michael Gspurning to a red card to set up the latest chapter in this Cascadia Cup rivalry with a berth in the Western Conference Championship on the line. Although Seattle is more experienced and the big names in Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson, give the edge to Diego Valeri and the top-seeded Timbers in their first ever playoff series.

(3) Los Angeles Galaxy vs. (2) Real Salt Lake
Leg 1 @ LA: Sunday 8 PM CT ESPN
Leg 2 @ RSL: Thursday 8 PM CT ESPN2

What a match-up this should be, as these two teams have been among the most consistent in the league (combined to win three of the last four MLS Cups). In a matchup of styles (RSL's possession based attack vs. LA's counterattacking), I think Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane find that playoff magic again, to advance.

Eastern Conference
(4) Houston Dynamo vs. (1) New York Red Bulls
Leg 1 @ HOU: Sunday 2:30 PM CT NBC
Leg 2 @ NY: Wednesday 7 PM CT Local Broadcasts

My Dynamo dismantled 8-man Montreal to advance to take on the Supporters-Shield winning New York Red Bulls. Will Bruin got a brace and the Dynamo finished all their chances, and if they continue to do that in this series, my Dynamo have a shot. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a good matchup, as Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill will be too much to handle for a Houston backline that conceded 10 goals in three games against NY in the regular season this year.

(3) New England Revolution vs. (2) Sporting Kansas City
Leg 1 @ NE: Tonight 7 PM CT NBCSN
Leg 2 @ KC: Wednesday 8 PM CT Local Broadcasts

New England returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, behind a good attack with Saer Sene, Diego Fagundez, and the red-hot Juan Agudelo. However, Sporting Kansas City was the best defense in MLS this year, and have a 501-minute scoreless streak against New England, dating back to 2011. I think KC's experience and defense will be too much for the young Revs.

2013 MLS Cup Playoffs: Knockout Round

Tonight, the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs begin, with the knockout round.

Third year of this play-in game, with the winners of each moving on to a home-and-home with the top seeds from each conference.

Western Conference
Tonight: (5) Colorado Rapids @ (4) Seattle Sounders 9:30 PM CT NBCSN
Colorado did it with youth this year, with rookies Deshorn Brown, Dillon Powers, and goalkeeper Clint Irwin leading the way. Meanwhile, Seattle, who made the big splash this summer by signing U.S. international Clint Dempsey, have been up and down.

Pick: Experienced Sounders win easily, and set up a juicy semifinals match-up with the Timbers.

Eastern Conference
Thursday: (5) Montreal Impact @ (4) Houston Dynamo 7:30 PM CT NBCSN
Montreal led the Eastern Conference for most of the season, behind an amazing attack featuring Marco di Vaio and Felipe, but cooled off late in the season to drop into this play-in game. Meanwhile, my hometown Dynamo also were up and down, but clinched their 7th playoff berth in 8 years despite scoring only 41 goals (15th in the league).

Pick: My Dynamo have really struggled to score at times this year, but I think they can find those breakthrough moments in this game at home to advance to play NY.

Brazil Mauls Spain in Confederations Cup Final

In an absolutely dominating performance, Brazil ripped world #1 Spain to shreds today in the Confederations Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro, winning 3-0. Full highlights of the shocking result are below, but for a country that came into this World Cup tune-up tournament ranked 22nd in the world, the young stars of Brazil have grown up before our eyes, making them one of the favorites going into next year's World Cup.

2012 MLS Cup Final Preview

Today, out in Carson, California, America's soccer champion will be crowned at the 2012 MLS Cup Final, with the Houston Dynamo taking on the host Los Angeles Galaxy in a rematch of last year's Final, won by LA 1-0. The match is set for a kickoff of 3:30 PM CT and can be seen live on ESPN.

My hometown Dynamo took the longer way back to the Final this year, finishing with the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. Back after beating Chicago in the knockout round, and then slaying top seeded Kansas City and DC, the Dynamo are definitely a threat to raise their third championship in seven years in Houston. Unlike last year's Final, Houston will have the services of all-star Brad Davis (who was injured last year), designated player Oscar Boniek Garcia (hadn't joined the team yet), and veteran Ricardo Clark (who was still in Germany) in the midfield. Those three will look to play-make and control possession for the Dynamo, which will be key for them coming out with a victory.

Meanwhile, the favorite LA Galaxy and its stars Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and Robbie Keane, their season has been up and down. After starting out the first half of the season in last place, the team has been on fire since August, and upset Supporters Shield Winner San Jose and Seattle on their way to defending their title. David Beckham, in his final MLS game, will look to provide service in midfield, but the key to LA's attack is the partnership between Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan up top. The Dynamo have to be solid defensively for 90+ minutes, and be wary of the lightning quick counterattack from that tandem, who can score a goal together in a blink of an eye. 

Although the Dynamo are once again heavy underdogs, and the storyline throughout the build up to this game has been all about David Beckham in his final MLS game, give me my hometown team one more time to shock the world and raise the Cup behind a stingy defensive effort led by goalie Tally Hall, and a timely goal thanks to either Davis or Garcia in the midfield. LET'S GO DYNAMO!

2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Championships

Went 2-2 in my semifinal predictions, which isn't bad considering the craziness that occurred with weather relocations, delays, red cards galore, and plenty of late-game drama. 
Should set up for an amazing conference championship series. First year MLS has gone to a two-legged series, instead of a winner-take-all, so all teams will have a chance to play one last home game before the MLS Cup.

Eastern Conference
(5) Houston Dynamo vs. (2) DC United
Leg 1 @ HOU: Today 3 PM CT NBCSN
Leg 2 @ DC: Next Sunday 3 PM CT NBCSN

My Dynamo just have Sporting KC's number, and frustrated them into blaming the referees (I'm talking about you, Peter Vermes) for getting thoroughly outplayed in leg 1 in Houston. Although they put up a valiant effort in the second leg, ultimately the Dynamo's two-goal cushion was two much to overcome. Meanwhile, DC had to endure a venue location swap with the Red Bulls because of Hurricane Sandy, as well as a snowstorm which postponed Leg 2 for a day. When all the craziness and red cards (Andy Najar, Bill Hamid, Rafa Marquez) finally ended, United got a series clinching goal from Nick De Leon to oust NYRB. 
DC looks like a team of destiny, as it has advanced this far even without Dwayne De Rosario, and finishing both games against NY with 10 men. They'll have to overcome more adversity in this series, as they will play the whole series without Najar (who is suspended) as well as the first leg without the services of star goalie Bill Hamid.
In the end, I think my Dynamo are the better team, with a hot striker in Will Bruin, and more playmakers in Oscar Boniek Garcia and Brad Davis. Houston advances.

Western Conference
(4) Los Angeles Galaxy vs. (3) Seattle Sounders
Leg 1 @ LA: Tonight 8 PM CT ESPN
Leg 2 @ SEA: Next Sunday 8 PM CT ESPN

What a setup in the west, with the defending champion Galaxy (which knocked out rival San Jose) taking on the Sounders (who are coming off their first ever playoff series win). Loads of fire power on both sides with David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Mike Magee, and a red hot Robbie Keane for the Galaxy, while the Sounders have Fredy Montero, Eddie Johnson, and Mauro Rosales. I think it comes down to the goalkeeping and defense, and Seattle's back four, along with Michael Gspurning is a lot better at the moment. I'll take the Sounders.

2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Semifinals

As I correctly predicted, my hometown Dynamo and the Galaxy each successfully advanced on 2-1 wins in the wildcard round to set up these conference semifinal matchups (which are two game aggregate goal series, whoever has higher goal-differential after two legs wins series)

Western Conference
(4) Los Angeles Galaxy vs. (1) San Jose Earthquakes
Leg 1 @ LA: Sunday 8 PM CT ESPN
Leg 2 @ SJ: Wednesday 10 PM CT ESPN2

Defending champs survived a scare from the mediocre Whitecaps, getting a controversial penalty kick call for them and avoiding another penalty that should have been called against them in their win last night. It's a derby series (California Clásico), so anything can happen, but based on San Jose's Supporter Shield winning season and LA's shaky defense at the moment, I have to go with the Chris Wondolowski and the top-seeded 'Quakes.

(3) Seattle Sounders vs. (2) Real Salt Lake
Leg 1 @ SEA: Tonight 9 PM CT NBCSN
Leg 2 @ RSL: Thursday 8:30 PM CT Local Broadcasts

What a match-up this should be, as these two teams met last year in the playoffs and have developed into good rivals of each other. In the end, after years of playoff disappointment, I think Sigi Schmid's Sounders finally break through.

Eastern Conference
(4) Houston Dynamo vs. (1) Sporting Kansas City
Leg 1 @ HOU: Sunday 2:30 PM CT NBC
Leg 2 @ KC: Wednesday 8 PM CT Local Broadcasts

Rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final, with my Dynamo taking on KC. Key in series will be whether the Dynamo can control possession with their 4-4-2 formation, and not lose the ball in a dangerous team which can counter with CJ Sapong, Kei Kamara, and Graham Zusi with the best of them. Also, matchup of two of best goalies in the league in Tally Hall and Jimmy Nielson. Should be great series. If the Dynamo can get a win in first leg (they haven't lost at home all season), I think they can pull it out. 

(3) New York Red Bulls vs. (2) D.C. United
Leg 1 @ DC: Saturday 7 PM CT NBCSN
Leg 2 @ NY: Wednesday 7 PM CT NBCSN

Much was made of the switch in venues because of Hurricane Sandy, forcing higher seeded DC to  go on the road in leg 2, as Red Bull Arena is not ready to host a game this weekend. More firepower from the Red Bulls (Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill) than DC, which has fought on valiantly without Dwayne De Rosario, but is not as dangerous. The venue switch, fair or not, does play a factor, as NY advances.

2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Knockout Round

Tonight, the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs begin, with the knockout round.

Second year of this play-in game, with the winners of each moving on to a home-and-home with the top seeds from each conference.

Eastern Conference
Tonight: (5) Houston Dynamo @ (4) Chicago Fire 8 PM CT ESPN2
My hometown Dynamo have had an up and down season, but put enough results together to secure their 6th playoff berth in 7 years in Houston. Meanwhile, the Fire have also struggled a bit down the stretch, but have the superior fire power in Patrick Nyarko, Chris Rolfe, and Sherjil McDonald. 

Pick: My Dynamo have really struggled at times, but I think they can put it together for one game, and convert on a set piece to pull out a win.

Western Conference

Thursday: (5) Vancouver Whitecaps @ (4) Los Angeles Galaxy 9:30 PM CT NBCSN
The Whitecaps only made it in because the West was extremely weak this year. The defending champion LA Galaxy are nowhere near as good as they were last year, but they're in, and they still have David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan

Pick: Galaxy win easily, look ahead to California Clásico showdown with Supporters' Shield Winning Earthquakes in the next round.

Mexico Stuns Brazil, Wins Gold Medal

Brazil's quest for gold will have to wait in men's soccer will have to wait.

Mexico scored within the first 30 seconds of the match, and held on late to deliver a shocking 2-1 win over Brazil in the Gold Medal Match at Wembley Stadium in London.

Oscar Peralta had both goals for El Tri, and capitalized on a horrible backpass in the first minute by the Brazilians, slotting home the first shot of the game past Brazilian goalie Gabriel, the earliest goal in an Olympic match, according to FIFA.

His second would come via a wide-open header off a free kick in 74th minute.

Brazil would get a goal in the 91st minute from Hulk to make it interesting, but after Oscar missed a free header in the waning seconds, it was all over for Brazil, which was the heavy favorite coming into this Olympic competition in London. With young stars like Oscar and Neymar, Brazil will have two years to regroup before they host the World Cup in 2014.

Spain Wins Euro 2012

What a performance by the Spanish in the Euro 2012 Final today in Kiev, Ukraine, as they overwhelm Italy 4-0 to win their third straight major title (after 08 Euro and 2010 World Cup).

La Roja cement themselves as maybe the best team ever, as they used clinical finishing to take a 2-0 halftime lead, despite the Italians getting more possession of the ball. Other than a splendid header by David Silva in the 14th and Xavi slipping perfect ball through to Jordi Alba, the Azzuri actually dictated the tempo more often in the first half.

But in the second half, after Thiago Motta, who was Italy's final substitution, came up lame, forcing the Azzuri to 10-men, it was over, as substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata put the game out of reach with waning moment goals.

Galaxy Win MLS Cup

In front of a record crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California the homeside Los Angeles Galaxy did not disappoint. Behind a 72nd minute Landon Donovan goal, the Galaxy win the 2011 MLS Cup 1-0 over the Houston Dynamo and their third championship in franchise history. The win caps off an amazing season for LA, which won the Supporters' Shield with a league-high 67 points in the regular season. It also finally gives DP David Beckham the championship ring that had been eluding him throughout his five year contract with LA.

For the Dynamo, playing without team MVP Brad Davis, who was out due to a quad tear, holding and keeping possession of the ball against the talented Galaxy was an issue all night long. Without Davis' service and dribbling ability, the Dynamo never really looked dangerous, and a great playoff run comes to an end one win short of the title.

Full highlights of the match are below.

2011 MLS Cup Final Preview

Tonight, out in Carson, California, America's soccer champion will be crowned at the 2011 MLS Cup Final, with the Houston Dynamo taking on the host Los Angeles Galaxy. Each club, will be trying to win its third championship in team history. The match is set for a kickoff of 8 PM CT and can be seen live on ESPN or ESPN3.com.

My hometown Dynamo, the champions of the Eastern Conference, have been the hottest team in MLS over the last month. In their 2-0 win in the East Final over Sporting Kansas City, MVP Candidate Brad Davis tore his quad in the first half, and yet, the Dynamo got goals from Andre Hainault and Carlo Costly in the second half to stun a capacity crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park.

Meanwhile, the favorite LA Galaxy and its stars Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez, this is a golden opportunity for them to finally pay off on their designated player investments over the last five years which has netted them several Supporter Shields but zero MLS Cup championships. After a 3-1 dismantling of Real Salt Lake in the West Final, the pressure on Bruce Arena's club to deliver a championship in what could be David Beckham's final game in MLS (his contract expires after the season) in their home stadium is enormous.

For the Dynamo, not having Davis and his golden left foot for the match hurts a ton. However, this team has stuck together throughout the playoffs, and through stifling defending in the back, and timely set-piece goals, Houston certainly has a fighter's chance to win the Cup tonight. Although, LA's talent-level is scary good, and it's their cup to lose, I have to go with my heart and pick my hometown team to shock the soccer world tonight.

2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Championships

Eastern Conference
Houston Dynamo @ Sporting Kansas City
Today 4:30 PM CT Fox Soccer

The top two seeds in the Eastern Conference advanced with relative ease, as both KC and Houston won both their games with their respective opponents (Colorado and Philly, respectively). This should be a showdown at Livestrong Sporting Park, with a lot of firepower from both sides. The top two set-piece teams in the league, dead ball situations with Houston's Brad Davis and KC's Graham Zusi will be key to who wins the match. In addition, KC trio of Teal Bunbury, Omar Bravo, and Kei Kamara up top are among the most explosive in the league, while Houston's duo of veteran Brian Ching and the speedy Calen Carr are just as productive.
It's truly a tossup, but I have to go with my hometown Dynamo in a one-goal squeaker, potentially decided in extra time or penalty kicks.

Western Conference
Real Salt Lake @ Los Angeles Galaxy
Today 8 PM CT ESPN

It's a rematch of the 2009 MLS Cup, in which RSL stunned LA in penalty kicks to win its first championship. Expect another classic tonight. RSL is in form after impressively taking out Seattle thanks to a convincing 3-0 first leg win at Rio Tinto and holding for a 3-2 aggregate win after losing 2-0 in Seattle. Always solid in the midfield with stars Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, the key for RSL is staying solid in the back, where they have had problems at times this season with breakaways and quick counters. Against David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Juniho, each of which can turn a giveaway into a goal very easily, RSL must be very careful. In the end, I think LA advances behind more possession and finishing, which they didn't do last year against FC Dallas in the West Final.

2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Semifinals

As I correctly predicted, New York and Colorado successfully advanced in the wildcard round to set up these conference semifinal matchups (which are two game aggregate goal series, whoever has higher goal-differential after two legs wins series)

Western Conference
(4) New York Red Bulls vs. (1) Los Angeles Galaxy
Leg 1 @ NY: Sunday 2 PM CT ESPN2
Leg 2 @ LA: Thursday 10 PM CT ESPN2

Good for New York to take out Dallas, which had been struggling for about 3 months and finally ran out of us. But I just don't see them taking out the Supporter Shield Winning Galaxy.

(3) Real Salt Lake vs. (2) Seattle Sounders
Leg 1 @ RSL: Tonight 9 PM CT Fox Soccer
Leg 2 @ SEA: Wednesday 9 PM CT ESPN2

What a match-up this should be. In the end, I like Seattle with the home-field advantage and the better form (RSL struggled down the stretch, only got #3 seed because Dallas struggled worse)

Eastern Conference
(4) Colorado Rapids vs. (1) Sporting Kansas City
Leg 1 @ COL: Sunday 6:30 PM CT Fox Soccer
Leg 2 @ KC: Wednesday 7 PM CT Fox Soccer 

Another great match-up with the defending champions taking on upstart, streaking Sporting Kansas City. Loads of great strikers in this series, with Omar Cummings on Colorado and Kei Kamara and Omar Bravo for KC. Both goalkeepers are also very good, in veterans Matt Pickens and Jimmy Nielsen. KC is on the run of better form at the moment, but I think the playoff experience of Colorado will help them score the upset.

(3) Philadelphia Union vs. (2) Houston Dynamo
Leg 1 @ PHI: Sunday 4 PM CT ESPN2
Leg 2 @ HOU: Thursday 7:30 PM CT ESPN2

I actually attended the Union/Dynamo game to start the season this year, in which Philly won 1-0 due to an early goal off a throw-in and successful deep defending for the rest of the match. Between two of the most physical teams in the league, this series calls for a lot of fouls and potential cards. In the end, I have to go with the playoff experience of my hometown Dynamo and the advantage Houston has in set pieces due to MLS assist leader Brad Davis.

2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Wildcard Round

Tonight, the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs begin, with the wildcard round.

New this season to the postseason format of MLS, the top four teams in the league to not finish in the top three in their conference participate in a one-game playoff to advance to the conference semifinal round. Here are this year's wildcard matchups:

Tonight: (10) New York Red Bulls @ (7) FC Dallas 8 PM CT Fox Soccer
After a hot start to the season, Dallas has cooled off lately, getting knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League and stumbling out of the top three in the West to having to play in the wildcard round. New York, meanwhile, everyone's preseason MLS Cup favorite, has struggled mightily and barely snuck into the playoffs with a late surge.

Pick: Dallas' offensive struggles end their season prematurely, and New York advances 1-0 on a Thierry Henry goal.

Thursday: (9) Columbus Crew @ (8) Colorado Rapids 10 PM CT MLSSoccer.com
Columbus was one of the real surprises this season, as the Crew were not supposed to be competitive in what was built as a rebuilding year. But head coach Robert Warzycha has done a good job in making the Crew a playoff team, through U.S. International midfielder Robbie Rogers and a solid, yet inconsistent defense. Meanwhile, the defending champions from last year have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league all season. Although the Rapids have lost all-star forward Conor Casey for the season, it still has firepower with Omar Cummings, Brian Mullan, and Jeff Larentowicz.

Pick: Rapids are at home, where they have been very good over the years, they win 2-1 and keep their title repeat chances alive. 

USA Scores Draw Against Mexico

In the debut for new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the United States national team showed some life in getting a result against Mexico last night at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, second half substitutes Brek Shea and Robbie Rogers combined to equalize for the U.S. in a 1-1 game that was a step in the right direction for the men's national team.
Full highlights of the match are below.

Manchester United Pummels MLS All-Stars, Again

Well, so much for revenge. Behind goals by Anderson, Ji-Sung Park, Dimitar Berbatov, and Danny Welbeck, Manchester United won the 2011 MLS All-Star Game in convincing fashion, beating the MLS All-Stars 4-0 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

Hoping to avenge a 5-2 loss to the Red Devils last year in Houston, the MLS lineup included former Premier League stars David Beckham and Thierry Henry. But with limited practice time, the All-Stars simply couldn't effectively play in the 4-3-3 formation, and were dominated in the midfield by the class of ManU. Full highlights of the match are below.

Japan Wins Women's World Cup

Who knew women's soccer could have so much drama?

As the favorites against the underdog Japanese in Frankfurt this afternoon, the United States came out and dominated the game in the first half, having many clear chances to go on top, but could not capitalize on them, allowing the team from the nation that has had so much devastation from the tsunami/earthquake/nuclear disaster earlier this year to settle in.

So into the second half they went when Alex Morgan, halftime substitute for the U.S., got behind the Japanese defense to put the USA up 1-0 in the 69th minute. And it looked like it would be enough, as attack after attack fell apart for the Japanese. However, confusion in the backline of the Americans would cost them as Rachel Buehler and Allie Kreiger failed to clear a ball inside their own penalty area, allowing Japan's Aya Miyama to equalize in the 80th.

In extra time, the United States, through an Alex Morgan-to-Abby Wambach (who else) header, regained the lead in the 104th minute. But it just wasn't meant to be for the Americans today.
Off a corner kick in the 117th minute, Japanese sensation Homare Sawa flicked in a golazo to send the final to a penalty kick shootout.

That's where the USA imploded, missing three straight to go down 2-1, before Saki Kumagai won it for Japan.

Full match highlights available on FIFA.com

So, heartbreak for the United States, but extreme congratulations goes out to a Japan side that deserved the victory, and played an outstanding match.