Wells makes bid to remain starter in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Just when things seemed to be clicking into place for D.C. United, a midsummer injury bug has stricken the playing roster and threatened the club's SuperLiga prospects. Three everyday starters and several reserves have been lost in recent weeks, limiting head coach Tom Soehn's options and increasing the workload on the tired legs of those left standing.

That situation was an unmistakable undercurrent of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Chivas de Guadalajara, in which Soehn looked down his bench in search of a spark for his trailing team and saw mostly rookies -- and most of them defenders, at that.

"We pretty much have 18 guys. Not many guys to choose from," admitted Soehn afterwards.

But one United mainstay isn't about to gripe over fatigue or fixture congestion, even though he's gone the distance in all the team's domestic and international cup matches, plus every league game save one.

"I'm pretty happy ... I'll never complain about playing games," said goalkeeper Zach Wells. "I didn't get a lot of chances to play in the last four years."

Despite undeniable potential, Wells made only 23 first-team appearances during that time, having spent most of his Major League Soccer career backing up veteran 'keepers: first Tony Meola in New York and, later, Pat Onstad in Houston.

Eager for a meaningful shot at a No. 1 role, he embraced an offseason trade to D.C., but soon found himself under the microscope when the team's brutal early-season form led to goals and losses galore. The goalkeeping battle club officials had envisioned between Wells and his Peruvian understudy, Jose Carvallo, failed to materialize and in recent weeks United have been perusing the international transfer market for a netminder capable of challenging for the starting spot.

Yet Wells, who approaches the game with a cerebral outlook that belies his mellow southern California upbringing, hardly seems unsettled by all that. In fact, he's produced his best performances of the season over that same period, with quality saves in United's recent league and U.S. Open Cup matches, including several big plays on one-on-one opportunities to help D.C. vanquish their unloved rivals from Chicago in last week's Open Cup quarterfinal.

On Saturday, a litany of clutch stops ensured that his team stayed in contention against Chivas until the very end, and he'll need to maintain that excellence if his undermanned squad is to haul itself back into the SuperLiga reckoning against Atlante on Wednesday night.

"You can't get caught up in it," said Wells of the speculation surrounding United's hunt for another goalkeeper. "You can enjoy it when you're playing, but you can't be worried about all the other stuff that's going around. Because I've been in situations before where they bring guys in and they don't pan out, they don't think they're as good as they thought they were going to be."

Virtually the entire United squad was guilty of underachievement at some point or another during the spring struggles that plunged the Black-and-Red into the Eastern Conference basement, but the unforgiving nature of his position meant that Wells' shortcomings were laid bare, both on the scoreboard and the stat sheet.

Even when D.C. reeled off a perfect 4-0 record in June, he was excoriated for a glaring fumble that gifted San Jose an easy goal on June 22 -- the Earthquakes' only goal of the month, actually -- prompting his teammates to vocalize their backing.

"As a defender, as a teammate, I think we all support Zach," said defender Gonzalo Martinez. "Everyone makes mistakes. ... But we believe in him, because he's a good goalkeeper."

While foreign signings like Martinez were expected to require some adjustment time, Wells' experience with the league probably raised hopes of a seamless adaptation despite the challenges of a new city, a new club and a new-look defense in front of him.

"I think it was just a matter of everyone finding their feet and figuring out where they fit in the system and understanding the system of playing," Wells said earlier this month. "And then as players, being able to see everyone's strengths and weaknesses. Now we're starting to complement each other a little bit."

Wells is all too familiar with the frustration and inactivity that is a backup goalkeeper's lot, and his recent displays suggest he's in no hurry to return to the bench. Whether or not United finds another competitor for his minutes, he's already begun to defend his turf.

"In the end you can only control what you can control, and I think as a defense and as a team we're playing better," he said. "I think I'm improving every game, so you can only leave it in the management's hands at that point."

Top of SuperLiga table clash on tap

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- After Sunday night's victory against Santos Laguna, New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol can see the SuperLiga semifinals in his future.

New England's victory, combined with CF Pachuca's 2-1 win against Chivas USA, sets up a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium against the reigning SuperLiga champions.

Nicol figures that his team will advance to the next round with a victory and wants his team to string together a second consecutive victory to clinch a semifinal berth.P "It would be nice to win," Nicol said after his team defeated Santos Laguna on Sunday night. "If we did that, I think it'd be pretty safe that we'd go through but we take nothing for granted. Pachuca is a great team and plenty of history behind them."

Pachuca's storied history includes a victory in last season's SuperLiga, two CONCACAF Champions' Cup crowns and a victory in the Copa Sudamericana in 2006 -- the first team from outside South America to win a CONMEBOL event.

The Tuzos have altered their core a bit since those championship winning years with players like Andres Chitiva (Ciudad Juarez) and Juan Carlos Cacho (Pumas) moving to other Mexican clubs. Mainstays like coach Enrique Meza, captain Miguel Calero, Christian Gimenez and Gabriel Caballero remain and Bruno Marioni, once heavily linked with Houston and FC Dallas, joined this summer from Atlas.

The contest represents another stiff test for a Revolution side that has come through most of them this season.

"We know the broad Mexican style and I'm sure we'll see more of the same on Wednesday night [against Pachuca]," Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst said. "It will be another test. If we come away with another three points it'd be big. We'd be going out to Los Angeles knowing that we're already through."

Revs 'keeper Matt Reis said Pachuca will try to do many of the things Santos did in the first half before Juan Pablo Rodriguez was sent off for a stray elbow to Sainey Nyassi's head.

"They're going to play the same style," Reis said. "They'll be very good on the ball and very composed. They're going to try to play possession and pass the ball around us."

Who will play for the Revolution remains a question. Steve Ralston and Jeff Larentowicz are both questionable with quadriceps injuries after starting on Sunday night. Taylor Twellman missed Sunday's contest with a hip flexor strain that might keep him out again while Mauricio Castro's groin strain could also keep him out again.

The possible changes it make even more likely Nicol will continue with the 4-4-2 formation that brought his team success in the first half against Santos Laguna.

Tearful Reyna announces retirement

NEWARK, N.J. -- Choking back tears, Claudio Reyna formally announced his retirement from professional soccer Wednesday afternoon, ending a storied 14-year career for one of the most decorated players in U.S. history.

The New York Red Bulls captain, who made the announcement at St. Benedict's Prep, where he was the only two-time Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year ever, said he began contemplating retirement about six weeks ago, when he was sidelined with a herniated disc. It was just the latest in what was a long line of injuries for the technically gifted midfielder.

"You know when it's time to move on and call it a day and move on," Reyna said. "You just know. I guess to try to hang on or keep playing or look for another team, I never wanted to be that guy and be in that situation. ... There was not going to be any Brett Favre situations here or anything. I'm done."

Reyna, who turns 35 on Sunday, was a trailblazer in Europe, paving the way for dozens from the USA to play abroad. He was the first U.S. player to captain a European squad when he did so with Wolfsburg in Germany in 1998. Reyna, who would also captain Sunderland in the English Premier League, eventually earned the nickname "Captain America."

He was also the U.S. captain in two World Cup campaigns, helping lead the Americans to a stunning quarterfinal berth in 2002. Reyna, who scored eight goals internationally, has 112 caps, fourth all-time in U.S. history.

"Going over (to Europe) and starting to play when Americans were laughed at in soccer, to be honest, I have the memory of trying to get soccer going," Reyna said. "I think when I did what I did is something I'm very proud of." Six years ago, Reyna was in the crowd watching another former MetroStars and U.S. national team standout, Tab Ramos, announce his retirement in the same St. Benedict's room.

And on Wednesday Ramos was in the room, along with several members of the Reyna family, longtime St. Benedict's coach Rick Jacobs, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio and Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos among others.

"There was talk of possibly doing it in the city, (or) at Giants Stadium. It wouldn't be what this means to me personally," Reyna said, sitting on a large leather chair, alone on the dais. "It has a real special meaning to me -- this place, this school, and the people that are ironically still here, some past teammates that showed up today to support me. That kind of explains what this place is all about."

When he was at St. Benedict's, where he enjoyed a remarkable 65-0 record, Reyna said, he had very modest goals.

"All the playing is just a huge bonus," he said. "I grew up hoping I could get a scholarship and go to college."

He did that, going on to play for Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia, leading the Cavaliers to three consecutive NCAA championships from 1991 to 1993.

Reyna thanked many of those who were in the crowd, from former coaches and teammates to the media. But it was when Reyna mentioned his wife, former U.S. women's national team player Danielle Egan, as well as his three sons, Jack, Giovanni and Joe Michel, that the tears began to swell.

"Juan Carlos was right," Reyna said after having to take a moment to compose himself. "He told me I was going to cry and he was right. I lost the bet."

While Reyna's playing days are over, the Springfield, N.J., native will remain active in the game, serving as an ambassador for the New York Red Bulls.

"I'll be continuing with the New York Red Bulls in an ambassador role to help the first team, academy, in various other roles throughout the Red Bull organization here in the area and of course throughout the world," Reyna said.

Reyna also said he is interested in beginning a coaching career, much like many of his peers, citing Kansas City Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.

"It's something I really want to do," Reyna said. "Some players retire when they stop playing and start coaching the next day; I never wanted to do that. There's a process behind that, and I'm going to start that process ... when the time is right."

Reyna came to Major League Soccer following a successful four-year stint at Manchester City, where he started 69 of the 77 games he played in. He became the Red Bulls' first designated player and was the first designated player to step on the field, when he started for New York in a scoreless draw at Columbus to open the 2007 season.

But Reyna played in just 27 games over his two seasons with the Red Bulls.

"There are so many reasons why I decided to stop, but simply I've just come to the conclusion that it's time, time to move on and to look back now that everything I achieved," Reyna said. "I'm very proud."

Dynamo open SuperLiga with rout

HOUSTON -- Last fall the Houston Dynamo and Mexican Primera Division side Atlante FC won championships within weeks of each other.

Ninety minutes after the two kicked off in their SuperLiga 2008 opener on Saturday night, there was little doubt as to which champion played the better game. The defending MLS champions scored a season-high four goals in a 4-0 lashing of the 2007 Apertura winners at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

Houston dominated the match from start to finish, scoring three goals in the first half and adding another in the second en route to their highest scoring output since winning 4-1 against FC Dallas in the first round of the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Dynamo will face CD Guadalajara Tuesday night in Houston in what is sure to be a tough match for both clubs. Chivas also won its Group A opener, defeating D.C. United 2-1 at RFK Stadium earlier on Saturday.

A late start due to a power failure that delayed the opening SuperLiga match in Washington, D.C., when CD Guadalajara defeated D.C. United 2-1, didn't affect the Dynamo coming out of the game. The Orange scored three goals in a nine-minute span -- the quickest three goals in club history -- as Dwayne De Rosario (20th minute), and Stuart Holden (21st and 28th minutes) beat Atlante 'keeper Federico Vilar.

Brian Mullan added another in the 54th minute for the Dynamo, who missed tying their club record for most goals scored ever by a single goal.

The Dynamo's two-time MLS goalkeeper of the year Pat Onstad enjoyed what was arguably his easiest night of the season as he faced zero shots on goal. Ernesto Pereyra Gabriel challenged the Dynamo in the eighth minute, but his free kick sailed wide and to the left.

In the 20th minute, De Rosario got things started when he beat Vilar after Davis set him up with a perfect cross from the left side. Davis pushed the ball forward and to his left a little bit before firing toward the cage. He found De Rosario who pushed the header just inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.

Exactly 92 seconds later, Holden made it 2-0 when he finished off a great pass from Geoff Cameron. De Rosario got things started for the Dynamo, who dominated possession after the ensuing kickoff. De Rosario then found a charging Cameron near the end line, who dished a perfect pass over to Holden, who beat a helpless Vilar from just outside the goal line.

Holden scored a highlight reel goal in the 29st minute when he deflected a perfect cross from team captain Wade Barrett with his right foot. Barrett saw Holden running toward the net and sent a quick pass to Holden who somehow got his foot in the right place just in time to deflect the shot into the goal. Stunned, Vilar picked the ball out of the net and watched as the Dynamo had its first three goal game of the season.

De Rosario was credited with an assist on that goal, before he and Javier Munoz Mustafa were ejected for violent conduct in the 44th minute.

Giancarlo Maldonado also had a good look on a free kick in first-half stoppage time, but he missed to the right in Atlante's only real threat until late in the match.

After the break, the Dynamo made it 4-0 on Mullan's first goal since June 21, 2007, which came in a 4-0 Houston win against Chivas USA at Robertson Stadium. Cameron started the play and set up his second goal of the night, racing forward on the right before sliding in a centering pass that Mullan pounded home.

Atlante, who will visit D.C. United on Tuesday in a must-win game for both to stay alive in SuperLiga, won the 2007 Apertura last December, defeating Pumas UNAM in the Mexican Primera Division final for the team's third championship. However, the title was the first for the team since moving from Mexico City to Cancun in August 2007.

Sealy trade gives K.C. options

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Technical director Peter Vermes and head coach Curt Onalfo of the Kansas City Wizards have always said they are constantly on the look to improve their team. Now they have more tools to do just that. Tools they would not have had in three months time.

The trade of 27-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international forward Scott Sealy to the San Jose Earthquakes for allocation money gives the team another international spot on its senior roster and three options for what they can do with the money acquired.

"Scott made it very clear he was not going to be coming back at the end of the season," Onalfo said, "and it was an offer we couldn't refuse."

Vermes said the Earthquakes had approached the Wizards some time back, but the deal was not something they were willing to do at the time. Now, Vermes said, the allocation money received in return makes a good business decision for the future.

"With allocation money, you can buy down a current player's salary who you are going to renegotiate with or do a new contract with," Vermes said. "You can buy a foreign player and use it for a transfer fee, a loan fee, or even part of his contract. Or you can [trade] it. We have all three of those options in mind right now, and we're going to continue to evaluate what's going to be the best use."

For a team that has struggled to consistently find the back of the opposition's net, despite their current four-game undefeated streak, the decision will need to be the right one. Averaging less than a goal a game isn't going to result in too many victories.

Even though the recent signing of one-time Wizards forward Josh Wolff to the club helped Vermes and Onalfo pull the trigger on trading Sealy, they are still not happy with their team's execution, thus more changes are on the way.

"Have we had some better performances here as of late? Sure. Could they be better? Should they be better? Absolutely. Could we do some things a little better? Yes. I still think we need to make some tweaks as we move forward. Only time and performances are going to tell that," Vermes said. "But we're on the verge of turning the corner here. I've said this all along, we constantly are going to be looking to improve this team."

With Wolff rejoining the side, a whole new set of options come about. Designated player Claudio Lopez, effective recently on the left side of midfield, could move up top to combine more often with Wolff. Or right midfielder Davy Arnaud could resume his past fruitful partnership with Wolff -- the two led Kansas City to a spot in the 2004 MLS Cup Final. Onalfo has given either possibility credence. The weeks to come in training and matches will determine the outcome.

"We're still not pleased with the amount of goals we're scoring and how dangerous we are," said Onalfo. "We're going to still be tinkering with ways for us to score more goals in the run of play."

The Wizards recent home wins against Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls and road draws against FC Dallas and Toronto FC and the subsequent move into a four-way tie for ninth in the overall MLS table from the basement are good signs, but they are not enough.

"Do we think we have a very solid nucleus of players here that can get the job done? Absolutely, 100 percent. But we also realize that there is a lot of hard work to be done for us to really get into the thick of things," said Vermes. "The recent points have brought us a lot closer to the mix of teams that are right there, so it gives us a fighting chance and gives us a little bit of confidence."

The international transfer window closes Aug. 15, yet MLS teams have until Sept. 16 to make roster moves within the league. Keep an eye on the Wizards -- moves on the field and off might be prominent in their future.

"We're happy with moving forward in the standings, but we want to be even better here," said Onalfo.

Three points huge for Chicago

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire were facing a most unfortunate result Saturday night. After outplaying Toronto FC for the entire first half, they found themselves in a 1-1 tie with 30 minutes to go in the second half. They then threw everything they could at Toronto goalkeeper Greg Sutton without getting the goal they needed.

Finally, with about one minute left in four minutes of scheduled stoppage time, midfielder John Thorrington stepped up and put a shot away from right in front of Sutton, slotting the ball between Sutton's legs for the game-winner and a 2-1 Fire win that ended a five-game winless streak.

The decision also moved the Fire out of their fourth-place tie with Toronto and into third place all alone in the Eastern Conference, ahead of D.C. United.

With the way things have gone for the Fire recently, between a 341-minute scoreless streak and then losing leads in their last two games, a draw Saturday would have been an expected outcome, despite the fact they outplayed Toronto for much of the game.

"We had a very good first half," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "In the second half they made two changes and that gave them a little push to start the second half. But I felt we got ourselves back into it again. It was a credit to our guys to push the game after they got the equalizer."

"That has been the story for us the last couple of games," Thorrington said. "We have been on top and deservedly so. We came into the locker room pleased with how we did. But any mistake we make the other team seems to score all of our chances. We are very relived with got three points we felt we deserved."

With defenders Dasan Robinson out due to injury and regular starter Bakary Soumare out due to accumulation of yellow cards, Hamlett gave Woodard his first start. Woolard has been a second half sub in four games this season. Defender Wilman Conde also received his fifth start ahead of veteran Diego Gutierrez.

Fire midfielder Logan Pause returned for his first game in three weeks after suffering a right hip labral tear.

Maintaining possession for all but a few seconds of the first five minutes, the Fire got on the board in the sixth minute when Chad Barrett found Chris Rolfe alone outside the penalty area. Rolfe took one dribble to center the ball, then fired a right-footed shot into the upper right corner above Toronto goalkeeper Greg Sutton.

The Fire dominated much of the opening 45 minutes, and then had a great chance in the 53rd minute, when Cuauhtemoc Blanco ended up with the ball, standing directly in front of Sutton when Segares sent a cross up and over the defense. But Blanco's soft touch hit the crossbar and settled on top of the net.

The lack of a second goal came back to haunt the Fire when Toronto tied the game in the 59th minute. Amado Guevera slotted the ball through three Fire defenders to Abdus Ibrahim, a 16-year-old midfielder making his first MLS appearance. Ibrahim was charging down the middle of the field into the box. Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch came out but Ibrahim made a touch past him, then rolled the ball into the goal.

But after piling on the pressure late, Thorrington got the game-winner and the Fire finally had a win.

"I saw we were building up quite a bit of pressure and I saw (Cuauhtemoc) Blanco with the ball, and he played it right on my foot," Thorrington said. "I played it back to Justin (Mapp), and continued my run, and when I made my turn, the ball was bouncing over one of their players' heads, and I saw the 'keeper coming out. Thankfully I hit the target."

The ball had come from defender Daniel Woolard, and came in the end of a mind-numbing six-minute stretch in which the Fire put six shots at the goal, three of them on goal, and finally got the game-winner.

"The good thing is we are creating a lot of chances and they are going to go in eventually," Busch said. "I think you saw how determined we were tonight."

Crew not worried by Rogers' drought

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Crew second-year forward Robbie Rogers would rather take the sum of his season's work and not his current goalless streak in MLS play that has reached eight games.

Apparently so do the fans, media, coaches and general managers who voted him to the Pepsi MLS All-Star Game First XI this week.

"I'm a midfielder. I have five goals midway through the season. I'll take that in a year," said Rogers, who had three goals in 10 games as a rookie. "I haven't scored in the last few games but we've been playing pretty well. If we keep getting points I don't care."

Neither does his coach, who likes the way the former University of Maryland standout has created scoring chances for others with his speed and deft dribbling on the left flank.

"I'm not worried about him as long as he continues to play with a forward mind, continue to go at forwards and create things," said Schmid. "You look at the game against LA (June 21) where he draws a penalty kick and sets up the goal off the free kick. Those are as valuable as goals."

Schmid also noted that Rogers has scored in non-league matches, most recently Wednesday against Independiente of Argentina.

"He also had one against Salt Lake in an Open Cup game. In England they like to count all competitions so based upon that he's done all right," the coach said. "If he's a wide midfielder and he's getting somewhere between eight and 12 goals in a season it's going to be very good. We expect to get five more goals from him in the second half even if it's going to be shortened possibly a little bit if he's on the Olympic team."

The Crew start the second half of the season Saturday at Real Salt Lake, riding a 2-0-2 stretch in which they have scored 10 goals. They might have to do without Rogers for long periods if he is named next week to the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in China in August.

"I've put a lot of work into it. To represent my country in the Olympics would be an amazing feeling. We'll see how it goes," he said.

No one could accuse him of not being ready for the rigors of the tournament if he's selected.

While Crew forwards Alejandro Moreno and Guillermo Barros Schelotto are tied for the league lead in fouls suffered with 40, Rogers is not far behind at 36.

"At first I was getting frustrated but I've experienced that now and it's not affecting me as much. I try to prepare for it, too, if it does happen," Rogers said.

Some of the fouls are his own doing because his quickness forces defenders to grab at him from behind. Others are meant to send a message.

"Sometimes the teams are playing against him in a much more aggressive manner," Schmid said. "In the Chicago game he got fouled twice within 30 seconds so you've got to feel that's a little bit of an intimidation tactic.

"He responded well to that. He's been able to deal with tackles, continue to play. It hasn't taken away his appetite for the game. That's important. It's a sign of respect and as the other teams focus more and more on him it opens up space for other people."

Moreno, who leads the club with six goals, knows the value of having Rogers involved in the attack.

"If he gets fouls around the box in dangerous situations then it's useful for us. What's important for us is he's not getting contact around the middle of the field; that does nothing for us," Moreno said. "But if he is threatening and getting behind the defenders and forcing the defenders to make decisions around the box or in the box then it's going to put them in difficult situations.

"The more he does that to press the issue the better off he is and the better off we are as a team. When he's running in the box and forcing defenders to chase him and make decisions it frees up me and Guillermo. Even if he doesn't get a shot, even if he gets a cross off that extra step Guillermo or I might get could allow us to get the ball into the back of the net."

Still, the Crew need Rogers to score in MLS action again.

"It's also important that he is scoring goals because it also allows us another goal-scoring threat and allows for me and Guillermo to have more space and it really makes us a more dynamic team," Moreno said.

Rogers is trying. He is third in the league in shots (46) and tied for fourth with 24 shots on goal.

"He's doing OK. Goals come and go," said Moreno. "For a while it seemed like they were coming in spurts for him. It's a matter of continuing to do what he is doing and he will continue to get chances. A couple of games ago against Colorado if perhaps he made better decisions he scores a couple of goals, but if he continues to get in those situations I'm confident enough he'll score." He may get some chances Saturday because the Rice-Eccles Stadium artificial turf has no give. Rogers could use his speed to get on the end of some quick through balls out of the midfield. Salt Lake has used the field to its advantage for a 4-0-5 home record.

"It's a really tough field; fast, hard turf," he said. "They're used to it so it really benefits them. We got a tie there last year. We're sure hoping to be the first team to beat them there. We have to go in with the same attitude -- positive with a lot of energy."

For the second week in a row the Crew will be involved in match that does not include the head coach. On July 5, Crew assistant Robert Warzycha was in charge against Chicago while Schmid attended his daughter's wedding.

Saturday, Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis starts a two-game suspension for his comments about the officiating. Assistant Robin Fraser, who played for Schmid in Los Angeles before being trade to Columbus in 2004, will help guide the team.

"It's just like when Robert coached," Schmid said. "I'm sure Jason is setting the game plan and put everything in place. They're at home so he'll be there in the locker room all the way up to the game. He just can't shout out while the game is going on."