Ralston hasn't missed a beat

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Revolution captain Steve Ralston crumpled on the turf and held his shoulder during the second half of the season opener.

Ralston knew he was injured and knew he would be out for the next game. But he didn't know anything aside from the fact that he had dislocated his shoulder.

"I didn't know what to expect," Nicol said. "I didn't know how long this process takes. They were telling me anywhere between a minimum of three weeks and six months. There was a pretty big range there. Once we got the MRI results back, we were looking at about this time frame."

Ralston spent the better part of a month on the sidelines after jarring his shoulder out of place, but didn't appear to feel any ill effects when he returned to the training field last week. Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said Ralston didn't seem to miss a beat.

"His fitness is good," Nicol said. "He's one of those guys who is naturally fit. The way he plays the game, he's smart about it. It's his first week back."

Ralston said that he wasn't sure how he fit he actually was because training does not reflect game demands.

"There's only one way to find out and that's by playing in a real game," Ralston said. "You can run around the field before and after practice as much as you want, but there's no substitute for getting out there and actually playing. That being said, I feel pretty good getting out there, working and training."

Even if Ralston is fit, that isn't the only consideration.

"Obviously, the only concern we have is him getting rattled on the shoulder," Nicol said. "That's pretty obvious. We'll see how that goes."

Ralston said he had to assess the potential repercussions before taking the field.

"If it's a pain thing, I can deal with that and I can play," Ralston said. "But if I come back too early and it's a little weaker and it has a chance of coming out again, I have to be careful of that."

Sometimes circumstances dictate a player's return. Down two goals after 52 minutes, Nicol sent Ralston on for the final 36 minutes of Saturday night's 3-0 loss to the Fire.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I felt good," Ralston said. "It was nice to be back and be part of it and play, but it's disappointing and it's not the result we were looking for because playing at home and losing 3-0 is not acceptable."

While Ralston had to rush back a bit sooner than expected because of match circumstances, he said that the increased depth has given him the luxury of knowing that he could rehab and the team would still get results.

"We would have been in trouble if this had happened a couple of years ago. Who knows. Maybe guys would have gotten the chance and shined," he said. "All I know is that this team is deeper than any team I've been a part of since I've been here."

Revs embrace return to normalcy

Fire expect Revs to target revenge

Red Bulls hope injury woes subside

United struggling to find answers

Scattered showers drifted across the Washington, D.C. region throughout the day on Thursday, dampening the RFK Stadium turf and misting D.C. United's supporters during pregame festivities. But it wasn't until after the home team's dispiriting 2-0 loss to the Chicago Fire that the real storm rolled in, with heavy, lashing sheets of rain accompanied by ominous thunderclaps directly over the old arena as flood warnings blanketed the area.

The soggy atmosphere matched United's collective state of mind all too well. The somber postgame atmosphere in the D.C. locker room was more reminiscent of a season-ending playoff loss than an early-May setback, with the Black-and-Red having just lost their fifth game of a 2008 campaign that was bursting with promise and ambition just a few short months ago.

"It's just a difficult night and it just leaves us with another loss," said defender Bryan Namoff, "and frustration comes over us because we know we have all the talent on this team to not only be good, but to be great. But it's the steps getting to that pedestal, so to speak, [that are] missing. And we're trying to find it."

In the aftermath of Sunday's lackluster 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids, D.C. head coach Tom Soehn publicly challenged his side to work harder, show more intensity and represent their colors with greater pride.

For most of Thursday's first half, they did exactly that, dominating possession, tackling with tenacity and pushing their guests onto the back foot. But seven minutes before the break a quick combination between Chris Rolfe, Chad Barrett and Justin Mapp caught D.C. cold and erased all United's hard work to that point as Santino Quaranta's misstep handed Mapp an easy finish. The evening proceeded downhill from there.

"We made a mistake and they punished us," said Soehn afterwards. "It was a ball played in and I think Santino followed the ball and left his man, and it fell back to Justin and he punished us. But it came from a situation where Blanco had too much time to serve that ball. So we broke down. In the first half we didn't break down much but it only takes one or two to punish you."

A rueful Quaranta admitted that his instincts had prompted him to move towards Namoff, who came off second-best as he challenged Barrett for Rolfe's looping cross, leaving Mapp with time and space to pick his spot. With United's psyche rendered fragile by their lackluster league form, surrendering the opening goal proved devastating.

"You work so hard and you come in with a mindset -- and I thought we worked very hard the first 45 minutes -- and you have a letdown and they get a goal, it seems like it sucks the air right out of you," said a depressed Quaranta. "We did the right amount of work but I think we take plays off and we're just not good enough. I don't know. I don't know."

The Fire further asserted themselves in the second half and were duly rewarded with Cuauhtemoc Blanco's remarkable long-distance finish in the 62nd minute. The visitors were then content to sit back and guard their lead, but just like the first 45 minutes, D.C. failed to convert their long stretches of passing and possession into meaningful forays on Jon Busch's goal.

"We've got to find a way to win," said United left winger Marc Burch. "I don't think you can fault us for our effort tonight. But we didn't create any real scoring opportunities, you know? We didn't challenge their [goalkeeper], and we got scored on again. We can't win if we don't score, but we can't win if we're giving up two goals, either, every single game."

With their next match a road date with Chivas USA next Saturday, United don't take the field for nine days, leaving Soehn and his charges to stew over their shortcomings for another lengthy stretch. Given the strength of their conference, last-place D.C. will likely have to watch several of their Eastern rivals move further away from them in the points race as well.

"I asked the guys to come out with the effort and I thought that improved a bit, but still, over 90 minutes it still wasn't good enough," said Soehn. "We broke down and good teams are going to punish you. So it's very concerning. We've got to really evaluate and make sure now that we turn this around. It's getting to a crucial time."

D.C. United unable to find spark against Rapids

Rout of RSL may turn corner for D.C.

D.C. United’s depth a strength

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Galaxy defense looks to step up

CARSON, Calif. -- A look at the MLS standings reveals the Los Angeles Galaxy are sitting in third place in the Western Conference with two wins, two losses and two ties on the season.

Take a closer look, and you'll see the 13 goals the Galaxy have scored this year are the most of the 14 clubs in the league.

Unfortunately, the 13 goals they've given up is also the most in the league thus far, which goes far in explaining why the Galaxy have only a .500 record for the season.

Coming into the season, most everyone expected the Galaxy to be potent on offense. Backstopped by a first-year starter in goal in Steve Cronin, the defense was questioned. While Cronin's goals-against-average might not reflect it, there have been very few goals he's given up this year where one could say the goalkeeper should have done better. Breakdowns in the back and sloppy clearances have led to several of the Galaxy's conceded goals.

"I think a lot of our goals haven't directly come from set pieces, but shortly after. It has to do with us not clearing the balls that are played into the box," said Cronin. "We're worried about passing the ball out of the back in those instances instead of just kicking it up to our forwards or another end of the field and working out from there. It just comes back to being as safe as possible in the defensive third."

Part of the problem is the fact that Los Angeles is playing such an aggressive style of offense. The back four often tries to facilitate the attack by passing out of the final third, sometimes leading to careless turnovers in dangerous areas.

Add to that the fact that the Galaxy likes to get numbers forward offensively and the defense can get a bit stretched. Finding that balance, and staying compact and defending as a unit, will be the key to LA keeping the ball out of its own net.

"I don't think we have a very aggressive attack mentality, but that doesn't matter. You still have to be able to withstand pressure. You still have to be able to prevent goals and not give up easy goals," said Greg Vanney. "Back four plus a couple defensive midfielders should be able to hold most teams off and get you plenty of shutouts. Defending is a group effort. Right now we're having too many moments where we're defending as individuals."

The defense certainly isn't going to be getting any breaks this week, as the Galaxy welcomes Juan Pablo Angel, Jozy Altidore and New York Red Bulls to The Home Depot Center this week. New York has gotten off to a sluggish start this season, but will no doubt test LA's defense.

"We give up goals when we get divided up and get separated, we're not able to cover each other and we're not in good positions," Vanney said. "That's sort of what happened this weekend (in a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake). We allowed midfielders to find space, and defensively we're just not a cohesive unit right now. Part of that is the mixing and matching of guys and injuries. Part of it is just training and getting ourselves on the same page."

Rookie impresses amid Galaxy stars

Galaxy looking for scoring balance

Yallop not ready to make changes

Defensive emphasis paying off for FCD

Yallop not ready to make changes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- If the San Jose Earthquakes attack had a theme song, Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" would probably suffice, given their paltry production of two goals in five games.

Yet as the Quakes prepare to play host the Columbus Crew this Saturday, manager Frank Yallop is also following Dylan's lead. Rather than make wholesale changes, his plans are to "keep on keepin' on," both in terms of his lineup and tactics.

While this might strike some as counterintuitive, kick-starting an offense is more of a delicate operation than one might suspect. When goals are scarce, the impulse is to play amateur mechanic and start tinkering with all manner of team matters. But doing so risks killing the confidence of the players affected. It means that sometimes, showing continued faith is the best medicine.

And given the way San Jose played last week against FC Dallas, Yallop has his reasons for keeping things consistent, at least tactically. The Quakes created plenty of chances, both in the run of play as well as from dead ball situations. As a result, Yallop feels that the only thing needed is some fine tuning.

"We're just lacking that little bit of guile in the box, that little bit of belief," said Yallop. "But we've worked on it all week, and hopefully it will come Saturday."

One change Yallop will make is to give newly acquired forward Peguero Jean Philippe his first start of the season. Gavin Glinton, who had started the previous four games, is scheduled to fly to Germany next week for sports hernia surgery, and while he will be available as a substitute, his pending absence means that Jean Philippe will have the chance to show off his abilities over 90 minutes.

"[Jean Philippe] is a little unpredictable, that's a good part of his game," said Yallop. "He needs to do the work between the boxes that's simple and clean, but then in the box we want him to be inventive and dangerous."

Although defender Ryan Cochrane will likely sit out his second consecutive match as he recovers from a concussion, most everything else will remain constant, an approach that defender James Riley feels is the right path to take, especially as it relates to the team's attack.

"We just need to keep things on an even keel," said Riley. "Obviously it's a team chemistry thing, knowing how our forwards like the ball, how our midfielders like to be set up. But if we keep putting the ball into good spots, eventually it will come."

Putting the ball into good spots -- and converting -- is something the Crew has been doing since the start of the season. Attackers Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno have been particularly effective, ably supported by young midfielders Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers, although second-year midfielder Adam Moffat is out after undergoing surgery on his right knee his week.

While Schelotto provides most of the creative spark, it has been the hard work of ex-Quakes striker Moreno who has helped turn tight games into victories.

"[Moreno] is a guy in the final third who just runs hard every play," said Quakes midfielder Ned Grabavoy, who will be facing his former team on Saturday. "He's going to find those extra couple of chances that some forwards might not because he's not going to give up."

Stopping the Crew's multi-pronged attack means employing a game plan similar to the one that worked so well against Dallas -- one that relied on high pressure to limit the space of FCD's more creative elements. That will be especially important against Schelotto, who is Columbus' designated drifter in the attacking part of the field.

If San Jose can limit the Argentinean's influence, and find that missing final touch in front of goal, their chances of victory certainly go up. But after getting only one point out of two well-played home games, the Quakes are clearly valuing substance over style.

"We just want a win," said Grabavoy. "One goal, three goals, it doesn't matter. That's what we're playing for."

Stoic Moreno providing Crew big lift

Fire again find the magic at RFK

The Chicago Fire apparently have the formula to win at RFK Stadium.

They bent a little, never leaked and took advantage of their opportunities to hold back D.C. United in a 2-0 victory on a slick turf at the venerable old grounds.

The Fire continued their stifling defensive play and jumped one point ahead of Columbus into first place in the Eastern Conference after seven games. Their 5-1-1 record surpasses the team's best seven-game start in team history (5-2, 1999).

Chicago head coach Denis Hamlett employed the same 4-5-1 formation as he did in the Fire's 3-0 victory over New England last Saturday, dropping Chris Rolfe back into the midfield alongside Cuauhtemoc Blanco with Chad Barrett running as the lone wolf up top.

Chicago has now outscored its opponents 7-1 on the road this season.

Blanco impacted the match in multiple ways, including his third goal of the season just past the hour mark to seal the game for the visiting Fire.

Blanco did not take long to earn the scorn of the United faithful, rolling around the wet turf after getting tangled up with defender Bryan Namoff in the sixth minute. Blanco had enough energy, however, to share a few words with Namoff and referee Terry Vaughn, who did not call a foul on the sequence.

Vaughn set a tight standard early, whistling numerous fouls on both sides, including a foul by Diego Gutierrez on Franco Niell that lead to a solid free kick opportunity from 33 yards out in the eighth minute. The slumping Luciano Emilio stepped up to take the kick but caught just enough of the Fire wall to deflect the ball harmlessly away from goal.

The match was a tale of two halves, with United controlling the first before a definitive switch in the second.

Despite being without Marcelo Gallardo, their creative engine in the midfield, and Fred, a high-energy and skillful player on the flank, United matriculated the ball up the field crisply, forcing the Fire to chase the game during a sloppily played first stanza.

United attacked relentlessly from the left flank but were consistently repelled by Chicago's solid defensive structure. As they have done successfully in several recent visits to Washington, the Fire were content with sitting deep in their defensive third of the field and playing for the counterattack.

Consequently, United had several opportunities, though very few were perilously dangerous.

United had the first threat at goal by either team but Clyde Simms' right footed blast from 28-yards straight away swerved just wide of the left post in the 15th minute after striker Luciano Emilio did well to hold the ball in a crowd.

Emilio took a crack of his own in the 20th minute, creating a nook of space before smashing a right-footed shot well over the net from 20 yards out.

In the 39th minute, the formula that has worked for the Fire in many of those previous matches reared its way to the forefront as the Fire capitalized on their first legitimate opportunity.

Barrett out-jumped Namoff on a Rolfe cross from the right flank, knocking the ball down to an inexplicably wide-open Justin Mapp. His clinical left-footed finish from 17 yards out beat a diving Zach Wells for a 1-0 lead.

Blanco nearly increased the lead four minutes later after getting through Namoff again, but his near-post ball skidded away from Barrett, who could not get the final touch on the close-range opportunity.

Rod Dyachenko tested Busch with a skidding shot from 20 yards out in the 50th minute, but the veteran 'keeper swallowed it up with relative ease.

The Fire countered with a superb opportunity three minutes later when Barrett fed a running Mapp down the left flank. Mapp drove a low cross into the six yard box as the ball took a lucky bounce off Dyachenko, directly to Barrett 10 yards out.

Segares nearly extended the lead in the 59th minute after slipping nicely behind the United defense on a crafty ball by Mapp, but his left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area slipped just wide of the far post.

The Fire's efforts were rewarded two minutes later, however, on a sensational goal by Blanco to make the score 2-0. The Mexican superstar sashayed his way through the porous United defense before bending a left footed shot from 27 yards out on the left side that Wells got his hand on, but not enough to knock it away from the upper far corner, netting Blanco his third goal of the season.

United certainly didn't quit despite the reversal of the flow of play in the second half. Jaime Moreno, who dropped into the attacking midfield role for Gallardo, flicked a header just wide in the 83rd minute from a step inside the six-yard box on a cross from Niell from the left touch-line.

Two minutes later, the Bolivian veteran rose up again to knock a Marc Birch corner kick directly off the crossbar from six yards out near the front post.

Galaxy looking for scoring balance

CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy are in an enviable position. Their two star players, David Beckham and Landon Donovan, are as hot as anyone in MLS right now. The duo has nabbed four consecutive MLS Player of the Week awards, combining for 11 goals and seven assists on the season.

When one of the two has been shut down -- as Donovan was last weekend at Real Salt Lake, a week after scoring a hat trick and setting up a fourth against Chivas USA -- the other has stepped up, as Beckham did with his two goals against RSL.

"It shows you his quality," said Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit about Beckham's first goal over the weekend. "Before it was Landon, now it's David. It's not only what they do with the ball, it's what they do without the ball that's helping the team."

The Galaxy currently are in a situation where they feel as though they can keep up with anyone on the scoreboard, and rightly so. They have the best offensive numbers in the league and haven't been kept off the scoreboard since their season-opening debacle in Colorado.

"I feel like we have the ability to [outscore anybody]. Every game is different," said Mike Randolph. "Sometimes things don't go your way, or you have a bad game. But I think we really do have the ability to put some high scoring games on the table like the Chivas game. I think we have the ability to do some amazing things."

Still, if Los Angeles isn't careful, they might become too reliant on Beckham and Donovan. Only one other player has scored this season for Los Angeles (Alan Gordon, with both goals coming against Chivas), and the pair has also been credited with more than half of the team's assists. While the early season results have been favorable, the rest of the squad knows that they are going to have to step it up.

"It's great to have those guys, but we can't rely on them to bail us out game in and game out," said Greg Vanney. "That goes back to the defensive effort. If we play solid defensively and let those guys do their thing, we're going to get points. When we get down 2-0 (like we did in Salt Lake), and we have to rely on those guys to get us back into games, then that's a dangerous way to play."

The good news is that offseason acquisition Carlos Ruiz is nearing full strength, and should return to the field soon. Gordon has also been making more and more of a contribution as the season progresses.

LA will need plenty more of that production though, as Donovan, Beckham, and even Ruiz are likely to miss several games while on international duty.

"What we should be doing is taking a little pressure off of Landon and David, and try to get some other people into the mix," said Randolph, who has gotten more into the attack since being moved into the left of midfield. "We don't want to be the team that only has two players and when their shut down we're kind of hopeless."

Rookie impresses amid Galaxy stars

First XI: MLS top tandems

Five-a-side: Managerial shelf lives

Ianni hopes for exciting summer

HOUSTON -- This could be one exciting summer for Houston Dynamo defender Patrick Ianni.

Despite battling injuries and the subsequent lack of playing time that comes with recovery, Ianni is motoring along quite well and is probably a bit harder on himself that he should be.

But the 22-year old defender from Lodi, Calif. is one of the team's most physical players, always intent on playing hard, taking care of his position on the field and doing everything within his power to improve from one week to the next.

And the potential reward for being one of the best players in the country in his age group could be a trip to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Ianni has played in four games, including three starts this year for the winless Dynamo. A good start with the Dynamo could put him on U.S. head coach Peter Nowak's squad later this year.

But not so fast, Ianni carefully cautioned.

"I think I need to be playing well first," Ianni said. "And I think that it just takes a number of things. (It) takes me playing well here, and that I am developing. It takes me playing my role and fitting in with what coach Nowak wants to do.

"I have played with them quite a bit and I know what he wants to win and what it takes to win. I think that part is paying off for me. I think I showed well at the camp for the team. I think it's a matter of coach's decision at this point."

After comments like that you'd think Ianni was off to a lousy start in 2008. But that is certainly not the case. Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear thinks highly of Ianni, and there are many players on the team grumbling under their breath about what they can do better to grab the team's first win of the season.

Ianni, Kinnear said, is a player that accepts his role and is willing to do whatever he can to help the team on the field in training and up to game day.

"He has put himself in a position to be seen going to (U.S.) camp," Kinnear said. "I think his development has been good. He's an aggressive guy and attacks the ball well. You try to get him to play simple, and he does. He is trying to become more of an organizer. He's learning everyday and trying to get better everyday."

Last year as a second-year player, Ianni started nine games, appearing in 16 games overall. He made his first appearance of the year as a substitute against the Colorado Rapids on June 7 at Robertson Stadium. Ianni was in the starting lineup for the first time against the Kansas City Wizards on June 24 and capped that memorable game by scoring the game-winning goal in the 81st minute.

After that, he made eight more starts at center back for the Dynamo but did not appear in the MLS Cup Playoffs as the team battled for and won its second consecutive MLS title over the New England Revolution.

"As far in my professional career, I think my first (2006) year didn't go too well, but the last two years have been good," Ianni said. "I am out here everyday to learn and work. Sometimes a couple times to learn a particular thing about the game, but I think I am learning well from a great group of veterans and a great coaching staff here."

For him, the reputation of being a strong, aggressive player started when he was younger.

"God gave me a certain ability in terms of athletically and size-wise and strength," Ianni said. "You tend to play to your strengths when you are a young kid. I'm young, and I go after tackles. That's the way I executed. If you are winning like that, you don't want to change something that isn't broken.

"I tend to play aggressively because I feel that is a strength of mine on the field. If I put myself in a position of me against someone else on the field, I tend to win those battles. If you're not giving your strength to the team, you are killing the team. For me, that's going out there and making tackles, hitting headers and making it difficult for the other team to score."

Ultimately, Ianni wants to be a preacher and said he would be playing basketball if he wasn't playing professional soccer. He studied and majored in sociology while attending UCLA, where he was the Pacific-10 Conference's co-player of the year in 2004.

Now he is an up-and-coming player on a Dynamo team that has won two MLS titles in his first two season. Despite all that. Ianni said, there is still a lot of work to do.

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Stoic Moreno providing Crew big lift

Five-a-side: Managerial shelf lives

MLS Five-a-side:The skinny on five things that matter this week in Major League Soccer:

1. So, you want to be a manager?: Sure, we all sit around and play the part from our comfy chairs. From that safe spot, it's easy to know which players are ripe for deployment, which tactics are sure to flummox the hapless foe, what words will inspire the side to perform at peak efficiency.

It's all as easy as making toast, right?

Except there's a harsh reality for the men who really get paid to perform from the hot seat: They don't last long.

I wondered about it this week as two highly respected NBA coaches lost their jobs. I wondered how much sand was in the glass, generally, once an MLS manager was put on the clock.

Eliminating the interim managers, about 37 coaches have been dismissed from MLS head coaching positions through the years. Some have been asked to leave from more than one team. (The "about" is there because it's hard to say in some cases whether a manager quit or was released from his duties; it's often a matter of whom you believe.)

So, if you count the MLS managers who have left in less than favorable circumstances, the average shelf life of a Major League Soccer manager averages out to about 2.25 years.

It's interesting that the average duration around the league is just a little longer if you eliminate the MetroStars-Red Bulls from the equation. The New York team skews the math somewhat; six different managers have spent just one full season or less in charge (counting 30 games as a "full season.")

2. McCarty says 'get it over with': The news isn't good for FC Dallas man Dax McCarty, the latest victim of the sports hernia injury that cracks so many soccer players these days.

Even more discouraging for the Hoops midfielder, who has been playing so well, at a new position no less, is that he went to Germany two years ago to repair a sports hernia. Now, the ailment is on the other side, just above the groin muscle in his left leg.

McCarty and FC Dallas officials have already scheduled a surgery for May 14 but hope to have the procedure done earlier, if possible. Already committed to the surgery, McCarty says better to get on with it. He's not just thinking "MLS," he's also thinking about the Olympics later this summer.

"I don't think I lose a lot of fitness anyway when I'm away, so I think I'll be OK," he said of the expected three-week recovery time. He thinks he can regain full fitness and form in time to make an impact for Peter Nowak's U.S. Olympic team. He was one of the best at Olympic qualifying in February.

McCarty wants to play this weekend against San Jose; he said the injury won't worsen by being on the field between now and the surgery, although there will be some discomfort. Once he discovered the procedure was needed, he didn't hesitate to schedule it. McCarty said he remembers watching Olympic teammate Nathan Sturgis struggle with something similar for almost two years -- and McCarty didn't want to repeat the prolonged timetable.

3. Anyone for seconds?: Three prominent players are making the very best of their latest MLS opportunity after things at their previous MLS addresses didn't work out. Brian Carroll, Bobby Boswell and Joe Franchino are all prospering anew after witnessing their stock take a precipitous tumble in 2007.

Carroll's story bears special mention. He was once the holding midfield rock at D.C. United. But Clyde Simms lapped Carroll on the depth chart and United opted not to keep the starter-level salary on the bench. Sigi Schmid was only to happy to have the former Wake Forest man in Columbus, where the Crew manager had rotated several players last year, never truly settling on a holding midfielder.

Danny O'Rourke, Duncan Oughton, Stefani Miglioranzi, Ned Grabavoy and Danny Szetela all took their turns at the spot in 2007 as the Crew missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

But it has been Carroll's show this year, with lots of help from Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven, who pinch in regularly from the outside, and from industrious young find Adam Moffat, who plays at the top of the diamond. Now, while United struggle to pull things together, Carroll is a big reason why Columbus leads the East, off to its best start ever.

Boswell was also unwanted at United. Houston was happy to have the U.S. central defender, having lost Ryan Cochrane in the expansion draft. And Boswell's value jumped dramatically as Eddie Robinson was handed a three-game suspension. With a three-year starter to partner with young Patrick Ianni, things have remained settled in the back during Robinson's absence.

The Franchino story continues to develop in Los Angeles, where he appears to have brought bite and balance to Ruud Gullit's midfield. Franchino certainly didn't seem to be in the plans at New England, having dropped from favor after eight years of service at Gillette.

4. Toyota Park's crowded central station: The Chicago Fire is collecting central defenders like Britney Spears collects paparazzi.

Figures already seen clogging up the middle on the back line at Toyota Park included Diego Gutierrez, Wilman Conde and Bakary Soumare. Of course, that was once the address of C.J. Brown, who is due to return soon from injury.

And is there any doubt that Gonzalo Segares, having such an outstanding campaign at left back, could play there in a pinch?

Now, well-regarded young Paraguayan Lider Marmol has joined the Fire's stockpile. Marmol, who drew preseason tryout invitations with England's Coventry City and Reading and last played with Hercules CF in Spain's second division, is a natural center back.

Who will be stuck on the bench? Doubtful that it will be Gutierrez, who has hardly put a foot out of place in his final MLS campaign. (The longtime Fire man has already announced his retirement.)

Marmol might perform as a holding midfielder, which would help ease congestion. Still, that leaves Conde, Brown and Soumare, who may have the most raw talent but who still requires seasoning.

Or, perhaps manager Denis Hamlett use put the wealth to use on the trade market, choosing to strengthen his strike force. That appears to be the area that requires the most attention.

5. MLS All-April:

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis
Defenders: New England's Michael Parkhurst, Chicago's Gonzalo Segares, Real Salt Lake's Nat Borchers, Chicago's Diego Gutierrez.
Midfielders: Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan, New England's Shalrie Joseph, Columbus' Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham.
Forwards: Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, Columbus' Alejandro Moreno.

Chivas gets 'Goofy' for team photo

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Staring across an open space before him on Monday, Chivas USA forward Alecko Eskandarian saw an imposing figure.

Was it a muscle-bound central defender bent on upending the one-time MLS Cup Most Valuable Player? Perhaps a burly goalkeeper with command of the goal?

Hardly.

"I have a fear of heights," Eskandarian confessed as he stared across Paradise Bay at Disney's California Adventure. "I don't think I'm going to be riding too many roller coasters. ... I get scared looking down a high staircase. There's no way I could make it on a roller coaster."

Eskandarian and the rest of his Chivas USA teammates took in a day at Disney's California Adventure nonetheless. The club took its team picture at the famed theme park on Monday,and even took a ride on a roller coaster as a team.

Monday's outing marked the third consecutive year the Red-and-White has held a team function at one of the Disneyland Resort parks. In 2006, Chivas USA took its team picture in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland while a year ago the club were invited guests at Disneyland and paraded down Main Street U.S.A.

The relationship between Chivas USA and the Disneyland Resort is a strong and beneficial one for both sides, a resort spokesperson said.

"We're very happy to have this partnership with Chivas USA," said Norma Perez, spokesperson for the Disneyland Resort. "It really fits in together. We're involved very much in the community, as well as Chivas USA. ... For us to be partnered with Chivas USA for the third year is a great experience."

On Monday, Chivas USA set up shop at Golden State Park in the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure. With the enormous Sun Wheel and the winding California Screamin' roller coaster as the backdrop, players, coaches and staff posed for pictures.

The park also brought out esteemed guests for the pictures as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy interacted with the players and smiled for the cameras as well.

Afterward, the team went on the California Screamin' roller coaster and had lunch at the Golden Vine Winery.

For Raphael Wicky, the experience was different and perhaps more rewarding than the ones he had in Europe.

"Normally you are doing your photo shoot in the stadium," said Wicky, a former Werder Bremen and Hamburg standout. "This is really something different ... and exciting."

Playing with Chivas USA has advantages that go beyond the playing field. Even players who have spent their entire careers in Major League Soccer had not experienced such an outing.

"I definitely haven't had the chance to do stuff like this with other teams I've been on," said Eskandarian, a veteran of D.C. United, Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake. "It's pretty cool. I'm excited to see how the pictures turn out."

While the club has made multiple trips to the Disneyland Resort the past three years, each trip continues to captivate the attention of Chivas USA veterans.

"Like they say, it's the happiest place on Earth," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "There are times when you wake up in the morning and you have to do team functions that can be a little stressful but at the same time being able to come out here and do stuff like this, this is fun."

Another added bonus, aside from the opportunity to take in a pair of world-renowned theme parks, was the chance to associate with their teammates in a setting outside of soccer. Players spend plenty of time throughout the week with one another but most of it involves fitness and tactics and drills.

Such team-bonding experiences as Monday's are also an added bonus.

"We're a pretty close-knit group as it is already ... and we all get along great," Eskandarian said. "Things like this is just fun for us. We all enjoy hanging out with each other and so this is just another opportunity for us to get together."

Ultimately, though, what made the outing to Disney's California Adventure most rewarding was the opportunity to mingle with the public.

"Any time we can go out in the community and interact with fans is a good time," Guzan said.

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

Defensive emphasis paying off for FCD

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- When FC Dallas head coach Steve Morrow was putting together his side for this season, the primary area of improvement he targeted was his team's defense. In 2007, the team ranked in the middle of the pack in goals allowed.

But six games into the 2008 campaign, the defensive emphasis seems to be paying off, as FCD forged a 0-0 tie Saturday with the San Jose Earthquakes, their third clean sheet of the season.

It's a mark that Dallas didn't reach last year until June 30, and they have only conceded one goal in their last four games. While the addition of Duilio Davino appears to be paying dividends, defender Drew Moor insists the team's success isn't solely the work of the backline.

"Defensively, we're very much concentrated on working as a unit of 11 players," said Moor. "Obviously with three in the back, we've just got to be solid and keep the guys in front of us. It's a little easier, with two holding midfielders, to communicate and move guys in the right spots. But it's just about staying solid, staying aggressive, staying physical, and concentrating for 90 minutes in the back."

Given the near constant pressure the Quakes applied, it was a night where defensively the team earned its pay. San Jose started the game pressing high in Dallas' half, and rarely let up. The also launched a barrage of crosses late in the match that did plenty to test the resolve of FCD's backline, as well as the alertness of goalkeeper Dario Sala.

"I feel like I played 50 percent of the game off my feet and in the air," Moor added. "But that's the way [San Jose] plays. They're big up front and they're physical and you have to be ready for a battle when you play against them."

That normal starter Adrian Serioux sat out the match with a left leg injury, making way for Anthony Wallace to make just his second career start, made the defensive performance even more impressive, a fact that was noted by Morrow.

"I think Wallace did well," said Morrow. "He didn't know he was playing until just before the warmup. I think he's a kid with a very, very bright future, and he stepped into a difficult circumstance tonight and did very well."

But as well as the team played defensively, the rest of FCD's game was lacking as they rarely threatened the San Jose goal. It was a development that left Morrow disappointed, especially given how poorly his team possessed the ball.

"I think [San Jose] pressured us hard," said Morrow. "I don't think we moved the ball quickly enough. A lot of our passes were sloppy; a lot of needless giveaways in possession. But you go through that sometimes, and when you do, it's important that you defend well and keep a clean sheet, which we did."

Dallas did have a couple of glorious chances to steal all three points. One opportunity in particular left FCD with their head in their hands, as a two-on-one break materialized in the 62nd minute, with Arturo Alvarez at the controls. The Dallas forward even did most of the hard work, working the ball onto his favored left foot deep into San Jose's penalty area. Unfortunately for FCD, Alvarez failed to hit the target, and the chance went begging.

That left it up to the defense to carry the team to the finish line. That they did bodes well for the future, and Moor expects the attack to get back in gear soon.

"I don't think [the offense] is going to be a problem going forward," said Moor. "We have so many threats in attack. We'll work that out."

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

Fire expect Revs to target revenge

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Dynamo on unlucky side of draw

HOUSTON -- It should have been a night to rediscover past heroics. But good memories are a long way away right now for the Houston Dynamo who, on a night where they received their championship rings in a spirited pre-game ceremony, are still searching for their first MLS victory in 2008.

Chivas USA came to the Bayou City on Saturday night looking to accomplish three things -- stall, try not to get caught stalling and get out of Houston with at least a tie.

Check. Check. And checkmate.

"You have to give Chivas an extreme amount of credit," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "They came here with a plan and they got some help by not being punished for wasting a considerable amount of time."

But the tactics only made the night that much more frustrating for the Dynamo, who had every opportunity and then some to get out of Western Conference basement.

Franco Caraccio had a great look in the opening minute. Brian Ching had probably the team's best chance in the first half go all for naught.

In the second half, especially the last 15 minutes of the game, the Dynamo put on a full blitz only to see their offensively display quashed by Chivas USA 'keeper Brad Guzan.

Dwayne De Rosario? Denied. Corey Ashe? Denied. Brian Mullan? Denied. The list goes on and on.

"We are just on the unlucky side of the draw right now," Mullan said. "We are playing well and beating teams, but we're not doing it on the scoreboard. What do we need to do? Get a goal? Getting ahead? We've got to do something. It can't keep going like this all season.

"I think we are definitely getting enough chances to win. I think we had four of five good ones tonight and I think we just have to finish one of those. They got lucky on a few of those, the save they made on (Brian) Ching and then the one Guzan made on Corey (Ashe) in the second."

During practice all week, the team commented on how they felt after a 1-0 loss at Columbus a week ago. Several members of the team said the team played its best game by far, only to have one breakdown cost them at least one point in the standings. And it could have, should have, been three.

If the frustration factor was high then, it went well above and beyond Saturday night in front of a good crowd at Robertson Stadium.

"Things just aren't going our way right now," said goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who recorded his first shutout of the season. "We are fighting hard and I think the guys are committed to the cause, it's not like anyone is quitting on anybody.

"Right now we are just not getting that lucky bounce. We're not getting that deflection on a free kick. Things just aren't going our way right now."

There were some complaints about the officiating, but to the team's credit no one placed the sole blame for the tie on referee Jozef Batko.

Batko called a 2008 MLS season high-tying nine cards in the match, four yellow cards a side and one red card against Chivas USA's Claudio Suarez.

Mullan said there was no flow to the game and it was difficult to get a feel for how to play. That was especially troubling for a regular season match that the Dynamo needed to win arguably more than any other in club history.

"I think the game just got out of hand from the beginning," Mullan said. "I think some cards got called that did not need to be cards and things just spiraled out of control from there.

"You just didn't know what the next call was going to be. A call at midfield is not the same call in the box. You just don't know what to expect."

The Dynamo will take a day off Sunday and then it's right back to the training ground to prepare for the Colorado Rapids, who will come to Houston for the first time in 2008.

Kinnear said the goal this week will be the same as the one before: get a win.

"It's was a frustrating night," said Kinnear. "We played well, had our chances, but we need a goal. We need to break out of our slump."

Last year, Houston opened the season with just two wins in its first eight games. Things looked bad then, but the team got on a roll, made the playoffs and won a second consecutive title against New England in the MLS Cup Final.

This year, zero wins in six games seems a whole lot worse. Ashe said it best when asked to sum up the game. He pretty much described the whole year without meaning to.

"We're getting a half inch away from scoring, but we are a strong team mentally and physically," Ashe said. "We are going to get back out there this week, train and get it going again next week."

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Davis: What's gotten into the Crew?

This season's stunning reversal in Columbus would suggest that a wholesale winter storm of makeover raged during the offseason in Ohio. But that's just not the case.

Eight starters from last year's Crew are back in the lineup this year. And, with two notable exceptions, the difference makers are essentially the same.

So why does this year's version seem destined to bust up the playoff pox? Columbus hasn't drank from the cool, refreshing postseason pond since 2004. But Sigi Schmid's side leads the East -- the tougher conference this year, by all appearances -- and the Crew is off to a brilliant start on their march to playoff rediscovery.

How, then, did Schmid orchestrate the revival? It's a confluence of several factors, all of which are supporting the others, the way one wall supports another as a house goes up. Here's why we're no longer talking about the Calamity Crew. Now, folks are just referring to the team in yellow as plain ol' "first-place Columbus."

• Lineup consistency: First it must be said that Columbus has been fortunate, generally, to avoid injury. Outside of left back, the lineup has remained static all season. That kind of familiarity provides huge benefits and creates a grand, collective will.

For instance, Columbus vowed to take a stand in 2008 and make Crew Stadium a house of dread. So far, so good, as the Crew is 4-0 on Black & Gold Boulevard.

• Balance in the roster: No player shows this like Ezra Hendrickson, who is playing for his sixth team in his 12th MLS season. The long-legged wonder was a starter for most of Major League Soccer's early years, and he's been in and out of a starter spot in recent seasons. Now he sits happily in reserve.

And teams need a couple of Ezras, versatile vets who can step into spots without freaking out, worried only about the task at hand and unconcerned about impressing the boss. The key is being satisfied with the role and, therefore, making the locker room a more placid place.

• Robbie Rogers' development: Schmid has known Rogers since the young winger played alongside the manager's son back in under-14 days. So Schmid knew how to handle Rogers' development, bringing him along slowly last year.

This is fast becoming a breakout year for the left-sided attacker, who has three goals already. Rogers still needs more confidence and might need to be encouraged to run at defenders more often. His goals so far have come from slashing runs off the ball and, in the case of last weekend's strike, from general hustle and good finishing. Still, that's been enough so far.

• A hot striker: Ask teams like New England, Houston, Chivas USA, Colorado and maybe others how much they'd love to have an in-form striker. Alejandro Moreno has always worked hard, but he hasn't always been productive. This year Moreno has four goals, a big reason for the 5-1 start.

Last year, Columbus frequently looked like the best team in the league that could never collect the points, and much of that was down to poor play in front of goal. This year, Moreno is seeing that the business gets done.

And speaking of coming up big in the "six," goalkeeper William Hesmer was steady last year once he won the starting spot, and he's only gotten better in 2008.

• The newcomers, Brian Carroll and Adam Moffat: Carroll has finally solved Schmid's problem in the middle, providing the Crew with its best holding presence since Simon Elliott, who is now at Fulham.

The industrious Moffat has struck for two timely goals, including one in last weekend's win against Kansas City. Equally important is the work he does behind Guillermo Barros Schelotto, freeing the wily Argentinean attacker to float and seek out the weak spots in a defense.

• Continued performance from two old cats: Schelotto and Frankie Hejduk remain the team's beating heart on offense and defense. Schelotto's service on set pieces has sharpened after some issues earlier this year. And all along he's been brilliant in his ability to hold the ball in tight spaces and supply passes that cut a defense clean through to the bone.

• Ability to keep the peace: Everything adds up to a confident side, one that can problem solve and walk bravely through the minefields of adversity. To wit: Schmid is stubborn committed to Danny O'Rourke's move from midfield to center back, and as of now it must be said that it looks like the right call. O'Rourke has certainly had his issues, having conceded three penalty kicks in six matches. Still, the win-loss record says that, overall, things are fine. That means O'Rourke is learning his lessons without paying the ultimate team price.

Thus, all is well in Crew-ville.

TACTICAL CORNER

• With Nathan Sturgis and Carey Talley nicked by injury, there was an obvious move to be made by RSL boss Jason Kreis. Lucky for him, he had Kyle Beckerman who could easily move into the holding midfield role. Beckerman played there extensively at Colorado and has, as recently as two weeks ago, manned that role at RSL. (Most often this year he's been out on the left, with lots of freedom to roam inside.)

Interesting, then, what Kreis chose to do last weekend against L.A. at Rice-Eccles: he kept Beckerman on the left, where the young U.S. midfielder could deal with David Beckham. And it worked to a large extent as Beckham was fairly quiet in terms of providing service in the run of play.

Beckham did, of course, strike beautifully on a free kick. And he certainly exploited the opportunity when RSL defenders were slow to move out towards him, leaving Beckham to perfectly place a shot into the upper left corner.

But during the run of play, Beckham had fewer dangerous deliveries than in the past few weeks, and he often had to roam inside to find more of the play.

• New England midfielders are having a tough time finding their forwards right now -- but it's probably not the midfielders' fault.

Simply put, Adam Cristman and Kenny Mansally don't have the experience to spot the early runs that Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan once used so effectively. (Twellman remains injured; Noonan moved to Europe in the offseason.) Plus, Steve Ralston hasn't been around to make those movements behind the forwards, the kind that force defenders into making choices and open space for strikers to exploit.

All that is to say that Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz can't hit those quick, telling balls, the ones that harass defenses before they have a chance to get organized, if forwards don't make the bold movements into those spaces.

• Having young starters is like having friends over to your house; you enjoy it when a couple of them stop by, but if you get too many at once they're probably going to make a mess.

Kansas City's lineup over the weekend included rookies Chance Myers and Roger Espinoza, second-year men Eloy Colombano, Michael Harrington and Kurt Morsink and third-year former backup Tyson Wahl. Myers' mistake contributed to Columbus' first goal and Espinoza's needless forearm delivery (and subsequent red card) severely damaged K.C. chances for a rally.

Underrated vet Davy Arnaud can't get back quickly enough for the Wizards, who have one goal in the run of play in their last five contests.

• One final note about Columbus: Schmid aligned his team in a 4-3-3 for Week One. Since then, the Crew has settled comfortably into a 4-4-1-1, with flank players Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers pinching in to support a compact midfield diamond shape. It was an important tweak, because Schelotto can now move from wing to wing, the same way Cuauhtemoc Blanco does for Chicago. That makes him harder for defenses to locate, which makes it more difficult to shut off passing lanes.

Stoic Moreno providing Crew big lift

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

HOUSTON -- It's a cliché used often in sports by a struggling team searching for answers after a slow start. It gets used more often than not when that team is probably better than its results in the standings might indicate.

One step forward; two steps back.

One thing gets better, only to have others fall apart, resulting in another loss. That is the perfect case in point for the Houston Dynamo last week, who finally got goalkeeper Pat Onstad back on the field, but lost Saturday's game, 1-0 to the Columbus Crew, because they could not convert any of their scoring chances.

Onstad went down in a Week 2 draw to FC Dallas. He watched from the sidelines as Tony Caig was blitzed for three goals in that game, saved only when Geoff Cameron scored in extra time to make it 3-3.

He was on the sidelines for 0-0 and 2-2 road ties to Kansas City and Los Angeles before finally getting the start last week against Columbus.

A former friend and teammate, Alejandro Moreno, netted the game's only score, a goal for which Onstad cannot be faulted. The Dynamo worked ferociously to even the score, but came up short against a Crew squad that earned its first ever win against the back-to-back defending champions.

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear is glad to have his first-choice 'keeper back, not only because he is one of the league's best, but because of how the team responds to his leadership and ability to rile the team in just the right way.

"Pat was very good against Columbus and he had no chance on the goal they scored," Kinnear said. "He made some key saves for us in the second half, and his voice and leadership are very important to have back there as well."

Onstad, who has allowed four goals in two-plus games this year, said he was disappointed that he got the loss in his first game after the shoulder injury. Getting back and finding a good rhythm, however, is exactly what he wanted to accomplish.

"It was really nice for me to get back in there," Onstad said. "I have been telling everyone that I am getting kind of long in the tooth and there really aren't that many games left in my career. It is very frustrating when you are injured and out of the lineup."

There isn't any doubt, barring the unforeseen, that Onstad will be in goal when the Dynamo play host to Chivas USA in their first match at Robertson Stadium since April 6.

Getting injured and missing games isn't something that Onstad is used to and says he hopes a win against Chivas this weekend will help his team and fans forget about the injury and Houston's overall slow start to the year.

"I have been pretty fortunate, touch wood, in this league," Onstad said. "I missed one game last year in Dallas due to injury and that is about it. Any of the games that I have missed leading up to this season were all international games playing for Canada. I have been pretty lucky, pretty fortunately and healthy to play in this league."

Despite getting hurt and missing time, Onstad is sure of one thing. He is not going to change the way he approaches each match and he will not adjust the intensity that he brings to the field every time he runs out for pre-match warm-ups.

He made an aggressive move to get a ball in the box that led to his collision with FC Dallas' Blake Wagner. Looking back, he'd do the same thing all over again.

"It's not an injury that could be avoided," Onstad said. "I thought I did the right thing at the time, and it happens in soccer. But I find myself fortunate that I don't get hurt more often. For me, saying that I am frustrated, I would have to say no. For me, it's good to take a step back and see what is going on out there."

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo will have to wait at least another week to get their first win of the season.

The defending champions controlled the tempo yet again, had most of the game's scoring chances, but could not get the one goal they needed Saturday and had to settle for a scoreless draw against Chivas USA on Saturday night at Robertson Stadium.

The players received their championship rings in a pre-game ceremony that included former President George Bush, but the Dynamo could not complete their night to remember against a Chivas USA squad that remains ahead of the Dynamo in the Western Conference standings.

Saturday's match featured an MLS season-high tying nine cards by both teams, and Chivas USA had to play a man short after the 82nd minute when Claudio Suarez was sent off after he pulled down Brian Mullan on a breakaway.

Houston had two chances in the final 10 minutes -- by far the best opportunities in the game -- but could not get the winning goal by Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

In the 86th minute, Mullan had a rebound chance but he missed wide. Three minutes later, Corey Ashe took a perfect pass from Dwayne De Rosario but was stopped point-blank by Guzan.

Before Suarez was ejected, De Rosario had another good look when he had Guzan beaten with a quick shot. But De Rosario missed just wide left; he looked skyward and covered his face, all but summing up the kind of season it has been for the two-time champions.

Guzan was easily the man of the match. He made five critical saves and was much busier than his counterpart Pat Onstad, who finished with a rather pedestrian three saves.

Referee Jozef Batko was busy in the first half, pulling out three yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes.

Both teams played an aggressive first half, with Chivas holding a slight edge in shots on goal and scoring chances.

De Rosario, Pat Ianni and Stuart Holden were each given a yellow card for a reckless foul and Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan got the lone card for his team in the 13th minute for tangling with Ianni.

Franco Caraccio had the first good look at the net for the Dynamo in the game's opening minute, but his chance was snuffed out by Guzan. Chivas USA who had two shots on goal in the first half to the Dynamo's one.

Maykel Galindo nearly scored in the 17th minute when he got a little space and fired a shot on net. It looked like he beat Onstad for a great goal, but his shot missed the near post.

A minute later Galindo had another chance after taking a short pass from just outside the box. But his shot from a bad angle was smothered by Onstad, who had stretched out just enough to his right to keep the ball from rolling into the net.

Ante Razov had the only other shot on goal in the first half when his free kick in the 24th minute was stopped by Onstad. Razov sent a nice bending effort toward the net, but Onstad read the play and kept the match scoreless.

Dynamo thrilled to have Onstad back

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

FRISCO, Texas -- Dan Wheldon knows a thing or two about pace. Of course, the IndyCar Series standout has a completely different idea of the concept. Wheldon, the 2005 IndyCar Series champion who won at Kansas Speedway over the weekend and was in town to promote an upcoming race at Texas Motor Speedway, participated Wednesday in the last part of training with FC Dallas.

After doing a media session, Wheldon made his way out to the training field in a blue FCD warmup bearing No. 10. He then went to midfield to meet head coach Steve Morrow and the players before taking part in a few drills.

Wheldon spent much of his time on the right side of the field and toward the end, was awarded a penalty kick, which he converted. At the conclusion, he and FCD defensive midfielder Marcelo Saragosa raced golf carts and Wheldon prevailed.

The native of England enjoyed his time in Frisco, an event that was arranged by TMS officials.

"As a kid growing up in England, that's all you know, is motor racing and soccer," Wheldon said. "From an American perspective, soccer seems to be a little more engaging now with the help of David Beckham. So, I jumped at the chance (to do this). I haven't played in a long time, so don't think I'm going to be the next Beckham or anything like that."

He admitted that when he did take to the field he did so as a forward because he "loves the glory". After growing up a fan of Tottenham Hotspur, Wheldon did what many might view as unthinkable and switched his allegiance.

"When I was over there, I always liked Tottenham Hotspur," he said. "But when I moved over here in 1999, you could never find them on TV, so I switched if you're allowed to do that. I started watching Manchester United a lot. One of my favorite players is Cristiano Ronaldo. He is an amazing player who has some good road cars."

After growing up in England, Wheldon was more than a little familiar with Morrow from his time in the Premiership.

"I know he used to play at Arsenal," Wheldon said. "I'm going to wind him up a little bit about Tony Adams and see who was better. They played at different times but those Arsenal players, they all like to compete."

Wheldon admits that he doesn't watch as many MLS games as he would like but he can see how much the sport is growing in the U.S.

"It's interesting from my perspective to see how it's starting to take off," Wheldon said. "When I first came to America and would talk about soccer, people would look at you like you were crazy. Now, people are starting to understand what the game is about because it's a great game. It's different but is a great form of entertainment that really seems to be picking up."

After his few minutes on the pitch, Morrow offered a quick assessment of his performance.

"He showed me some moves but I don't know if they were very good ones," Morrow joked. "It's great for him to come out and is great publicity for us. We're always glad to have personalities out here. It's great."

FCD left center back Adrian Serioux also couldn't resist chiming in.

"You expect a lot with him being from England and would expect him to have some knowledge of the game, which I'm sure he does," Serioux said. "As far as his skills are concerned, they are lacking. You saw that by seeing him take on Andrew (Daniels) and Andrew just drilling the ball into him. It's great seeing someone from another sport come and really appreciate what you do. It was good to have him here."

Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

Fire expect Revs to target revenge

Stoic Moreno providing Crew big lift

D.C. United unable to find spark against Rapids

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- If it's bad when a team loses a game, is it worse if they don't know why? D.C. United, on the wrong end of a 2-0 result Sunday against the Colorado Rapids, looked lost and listless for long stretches on the field and were at a loss to explain why after the game.

"I'll be honest with you, I don't know what we are missing," said Jaime Moreno, who played only the second half due to a nagging knee injury. "We talk a lot about what we need to do, we do have good practices, it is just that we need to bring our 'A' game to games like this."

Midfielder Santino Quaranta was likewise bewildered with United's lack of effectiveness.

"We worked so hard all week and then I don't even know what to say about today," said Quaranta. "I was bad; personally, my performance was very bad today. I can't speak on behalf of the guys, but we work so hard and we have the right mentality going in and we're not clicking on the field."

United head coach Tom Soehn was disappointed with his entire team's effort.

"It is very troubling -- we took two weeks and addressed so many different things to be a harder team to play against, especially having a better road mentality," said Soehn. "On the day you look at individual performances and we were just bad all over the field. I can't think of one guy that did well."

The statistics show a game that was thoroughly dominated by the home team. United were outshot 17-5, gave up 10 corner kicks while earning only half that many, committed 13 fouls and, most importantly, gave up two second-half goals.

But despite the domination by the Rapids' offense, Soehn does not believe the fault lies with his defense.

"It is not just the back line; it is breaking down before that," said Soehn. "We were giving away the ball continuously, setting them up for counterattacks. The backline actually held us together for a while in bad situations, but when you keep so much pressure on your backline, eventually, they are going to break down."

Quaranta knows that team chemistry cannot explain what is wrong with United.

"It seems like everything is in place but we just seem like we are let down by each other on the field," said Quaranta. "There's no fighting or anything going on like that -- it's a good group here, but we just can't figure it out right now. And that's scary."

Soehn hinted that if the on-field performance did not improve that he would be willing to make wholesale changes in his lineup.

"You have to have a better mentality and we are going to work darn hard to develop that," said Soehn. "Or at least find the combination of guys who are going to go out there and give you everything they have."

Moreno felt that the team's effort and willingness to fight might be one factor missing from their play.

"Sometimes soccer is not going to be pretty; we just need to battle and win second balls and all that kind of stuff that makes a big difference for a team," said Moreno. "It just seems like we are going up and down right now, which is not good, and we just need to figure out how to fix it."

Soehn agreed, feeling that his team played without passion on the day.

"You can talk about tactics, formation all you want but if we don't show up we aren't going to do well, period," said Soehn. "So we are going to be hard not only on our players but on our staff to make sure that we change that."

Regardless of the reasons for their loss today, United knows what lies ahead for them.

"We have a lot of work to do, period," said Soehn.

Rout of RSL may turn corner for D.C.

D.C. United’s depth a strength

RSL won’t take play-in game lightly

Fire expect Revs to target revenge

Rookie impresses amid Galaxy stars

CARSON, Calif. -- One month into his rookie campaign, Los Angles Galaxy central defender Sean Franklin has already started to make his mark. Drafted as the fourth overall pick out of Cal State Northridge in January, Franklin stepped into the league's most high profile team and has firmly entrenched himself in the starting 11.

Franklin has started the last four games for the Galaxy, the last one coming in a 5-2 win against Chivas USA last Saturday at The Home Depot Center. In a game that saw Landon Donovan score a hat trick, head coach Ruud Gullit singled out Franklin as the best player on the field.

"I think our best player the last couple of weeks is Sean Franklin," Gullit said. "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy."

To a degree, Gullit may be trying to deflect some of the spotlight off of his two superstar players. It's a wise move to make sure that outsiders looking in realize that there are more than just two players on the roster.

Still, Franklin has stood out as the most consistent performer in the center of the Galaxy defense, but Franklin isn't letting that get to his head.

"My mom has mentioned to me that (Gullit) was saying I was the best player out there. It's pretty crazy," said Franklin. "I'm just glad I've made an impact. If he's happy, I'm happy and doing my job. I just need to continue to work hard and hopefully I can continue to give him good things to say about me." One of Franklin's biggest assets with this Galaxy team is his speed on the backline. Outside of Franklin, the Galaxy field three veteran players in defense, none of whom are known for their blazing speed. Franklin is generally matched up with the opposition's speediest forward.

"Before the Chivas game -- they have (Maykel) Galindo, who is a fast forward -- (Galaxy assistant coach) Cobi (Jones) was telling me to be around Galindo more because he has a lot of pace," said Franklin. "I get a lot of support from the rest of the backline also because they've been around the league."

Franklin jokes a bit about his size being a weakness in his game. He's listed at 5-foot-10 and 155 lbs., meaning he's not the most stout of defenders. But that's really not his game either -- Franklin's size and speed give him the versatility to play anywhere along the back line.

For now, Gullit has him inserted in the center of defense, and it's already getting hard to imagine the Galaxy starting 11 without his presence being felt.

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