Hot United get quickly back to work

WASHINGTON -- D.C. United have had barely 48 hours to savor Sunday's 4-1 thrashing of the Los Angeles Galaxy before the onset of their U.S. Open Cup campaign against the Rochester Rhinos in the cozy confines of the Maryland Soccerplex on Tuesday night. Many of D.C.'s starters are injured or drained, whether by Sunday's muggy weather conditions or merely the day-to-day toil required to sustain the team's dramatic recovery in recent weeks.

But there will soon be time to unwind, relatively speaking: Tuesday's match kicks off an unusually calm July for United, with their MLS calendar nearly wiped clean to make space for Open Cup and SuperLiga action. There's only one league match all month -- a July 22 home date with Houston -- and even that is a reschedule from an early June rainout.

"It's totally different, the fact that you just get in the SuperLiga and you focus on that," said D.C. head coach Tom Soehn. "Obviously the beginning and the end of the season get a little more jam-packed, where you're playing every third or fourth day. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, [depending on] if you're getting in a groove."

United has made a habit of crashing in the final stages of the last few seasons, due in part to strenuous stretch runs which began in the heat and toil of late summer action. So the scheduling gods seem to have finally smiled on D.C., allowing the club to focus on two knockout tournaments without requiring Soehn to reach quite as deep into his roster as last year. Twelve months ago, what was essentially a reserve side lost to the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division in the first and last game of United's ill-fated Open Cup journey.

While SuperLiga's group format guarantees at least three matches and offers the sort of international glory that D.C. has lusted after for several years, an Open Cup run depends on United navigating a tricky tie against Rochester this week. The Rhinos are presently stuck in the USL-1 basement but history and timing could lead them to fancy their chances of an upset. Rochester is the only non-MLS team to win the Cup since the top-tier league began in 1996, and Sunday's harsh conditions could contribute to dead D.C. legs at the Soccerplex.

"Obviously we had a game today on a hot day, two days before, so my guess would be some reserves," said midfielder Clyde Simms on Sunday, when asked about Soehn's lineup choices for Tuesday. "But we'll have to see."

United's boss faces some intriguing questions. Red-hot goalscorer Luciano Emilio has probably earned a break, but the recent waiving of Franco Niell leaves the front line rather thin at the moment. Jaime Moreno and Santino Quaranta will miss out because of injuries -- so can he afford to rest playmaker Marcelo Gallardo, even though the Argentinean has rounded into excellent form of late? Reserve Rod Dyachenko has been somewhat inconsistent this season. Is he prepared to marshal the D.C. attack?

The Black-and-Red have declared greater enthusiasm for this year's installment of the nation's oldest cup competition, which in recent seasons has all too often been lost in their grinding shuffle of league play and international tourneys. Beyond the normal lust for hardware on East Capitol Street lies another enticement: United are surely eyeing the fact that a Open Cup title would offer a straightforward path back into the 2009 CONCACAF Champions League.

Soehn would surely like his team to maintain their present momentum and mount a legitimate U.S. Open Cup challenge, but his comments after the Los Angeles victory suggested that he's also got his eye further down the road.

"It's important that the last stretch of the season is when you are at your sharpest," he said, "and we still have some room to improve."

Youngsters send message to Fire vets

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Perhaps the Chicago Fire care about the U.S. Open Cup too much.

A pair of goals by reserve Mike Banner, one early and one late, helped the Fire defeat the Cleveland City Stars of the USL Second Division 4-1 Tuesday at Toyota Park to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. The Fire will play D.C. United next Tuesday.

The Fire have won the Open Cup four times in their 10 previous seasons of existence, a level of success in the tournament unmatched and unchallenged by any other MLS team. But the Fire's last seven goals this season have been scored in Open Cup play.

In MLS play, the Fire have gone 333 minutes without a goal heading into Saturday's game at Columbus. Fire coach Denis Hamlett, who used a lineup of almost all reserves Tuesday, said the scoring could be read as a challenge to the starters.

"It sends a message to our veteran guys that these guys can play," Hamlett said.

Said Banner: "Considering our losing streak, tonight was a big game for everybody,"

The Fire had the run of play in the game against the Stars, who are in their second year of existence and currently stand in second place in the USL Second Division.

Banner, a reserve midfielder, scored the game's first goal in the 13th minute, getting the ball near the upper left corner of the penalty area from a cross by Calen Carr. He thought about one-timing a shot but slipped, then dribbled once before putting the ball top shelf past Cleveland goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.

"I wanted it to land on my left foot, which is my strong foot, but it doesn't always happen that way," Banner said. "The defender forced me inside and I hit it and it went in."

In the 23rd minute, Carr himself dribbled the ball in from the right side along the top of the penalty box, then sent a left foot shot into the near corner under Gilstrap.

In the 26th minute, Chris Rolfe, who played as a reserve in the Fire's scoreless draw with San Jose Saturday, was tripped by Cleveland's Kiel McClung 12 yards out. Chad Barrett, the Fire's leading scorer this season, put the penalty kick away hard and high for a 3-0 Fire lead.

The City Stars got on the board in the 61st minute on a hard 20-yard shot by Kiel McClung that zipped past Fire reserve goalkeeper Nick Noble. The Fire got that goal back in the 73rd minute when Banner got his second goal of the game, firing a shot up and over Gilstrap's head into the upper left corner of the net.

"We knew the fourth goal would put the nail in the coffin," Banner said. "Peter (Lowry) played me a great ball and I was able to get it on my left foot and put it away."

"Our mindset was right tonight," Hamlett said. "We took the game right at them."

Unlike in the play-in game against the Columbus Crew of MLS when he used many regular starters, Fire coach Denis Hamlett used mostly reserves against the City Stars. He used Noble, defenders Austin Washington, Brian Plotkin, Daniel Woolard and Lider Marmol, and midfielders Banner, Stephen King, Lowry and Carr.

Marmol was making his first appearance for the Fire after suffering a knee injury earlier this month. Marmol was a part of a controversial tug-of-war with the New York Red Bulls for his services back in March.

In the second half, Hamlett subbed for both Rolfe and Barrett, using Polish forward Tomasz Frankowski and rookie Patrick Nyarko in their place.

Galaxy look for rockets' red glare vs. Revs

CARSON, Calif. -- The Fourth of July at The Home Depot Center has become a tradition the last several years in southern California. The Los Angeles Galaxy will play host to the New England Revolution on Friday in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd.

The Galaxy will be looking to feed off of the energy of their home supporters and bounce back after a rather lifeless 4-1 loss at the hands of D.C. United last weekend. United are easily the hottest team in the league right now, and this Friday's opponent won't offer any sort of reprieve for the Galaxy in their bid to stay atop the Western Conference standings. New England owns the best record in MLS and will provide a stern test for the Galaxy.

"I think it's going to be a test of our willpower. They are a good team," said goalkeeper Steve Cronin. "They're first in the East and they're not letting in a whole lot of goals either. It's going to be a test for us on a bunch of different levels."

Head coach Ruud Gullit reiterated Cronin's sentiments, and focused on the fact that the Galaxy will need to be better this week against New England than they were last weekend.

"(New England) is playing well at the moment, so they are a good team. I think we need to be on top of our game at home," said Gullit. "I think also we need to bounce back from a loss."

LA is playing with something to prove. After climbing to the top of the Western Conference, the Galaxy have suffered two disappointing results in a row to Eastern Conference opposition. Proving that they are capable of hanging with the East's best teams is motivation enough for the club.

"After the last loss we're excited to get back out there and get a good result," said Cronin. "Especially being here at home for the Fourth of July."

It's that holiday crowd that could spell the difference. It can't be understated how much energy a team can feed off its fans. The Galaxy have always been one of the best supported clubs in MLS, and they are looking for the Home Depot Center crowd to ratchet up the volume a couple of notches on Friday.

"I think our fans are great no matter what. Hopefully they'll raise it up another level," said Cronin. "I think with the fireworks afterwards, everyone is going to be pretty excited. We're going to have a great crowd and we're just trying to get a result for them."

Even Gullit, who is still new to MLS, recognizes the great support in LA. For him, the energy provided by the crowd could be that little something extra the Galaxy needs to right the ship and stay atop the West.

"(The fans) are a big part. We are very proud of our fans," said Gullit. "They are our 12th man."

Nowak trying to shape Olympic roster

As he prepares his roster for the Beijing Summer Games, U.S. Olympic men's soccer coach Peter Nowak finds himself a man caught in the middle.

Not only does he have to determine the best players for the August tournament and talk with some overseas clubs on players' availability, he has to make sure his boss, U.S. national coach Bob Bradley, isn't left without key performers for the country's World Cup qualifier in Guatemala that is scheduled during the Olympic soccer tourney.

An interesting balancing act.

"There are many factors we have to put in the equation," Nowak said in a recent interview.

"We're looking to have the best team possible," he later added, "but we also know in some cases that it is impossible to do it."

It will depend if Nowak has to go from Plan A to Plan B to Plan C or even to Plan D. One extremely important thing to remember is that the Olympics is not an official FIFA playing date, so clubs do not have to surrender their players, whether they're under 23 or not.

Nowak could very well finalize his selections in the next week or so. Rosters must be into FIFA by July 15 and the U.S. is expected to announce its 18-player roster and alternates before that.

Nowak's decision-making process starts with the full national team, which has an Aug. 20 World Cup qualifying date with Guatemala in the USA's very first CONCACAF semifinal match. Nowak, who wears another hat as an assistant national coach under Bradley, understands the full side gets top priority because in World Cup qualifying, every point is considered precious.

"Of course, it's give and take from both teams," Nowak said. "Do we have enough depth to accommodate both teams? We both feel very [good] about the depth we have, especially this for the one game [qualifier] and this is for the three games plus extra additional games [Olympics] if we are going to do well."

At the moment, Nowak said that he plans to go with two goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and four strikers on his roster.

"This configuration can change," he said, indicating that he would seriously consider a players' versatility of being able to play multiple positions. "Who can go where? That's why there's a Plan A, B and C. We're going to see what we're going to get."

The biggest intrigue has been over which three overage players that Nowak will choose. This spring the prevailing thought throughout the U.S. soccer community had goalkeeper Tim Howard, defender Carlos Bocanegra and forward Landon Donovan were the three top candidates. They might want to go to China, but the final decision is out of their control.

Howard plays for Everton in the English Premiership. Howard, whose Everton side kicks off its season Aug. 16 against Blackburn, would love to have a second crack at playing in the Olympics after sitting the bench behind Brad Friedel at the Sydney Summer Games in 2000.

Bocanegra, however, has signed with French Ligue 1 club Rennes. Rennes' season begins vs. Marseille Aug. 8.

"If it's a new club, it's really important for them to be in preseason," Nowak said.

So, the defense needs help and an experienced hand especially since Jonathan Spector, the West Ham United player who was expected to anchor the backline, is out after injuring his hip.

"We all know there are no secrets," Nowak said. "The backline is pretty weakened with injuries ... especially with Jonathan Spector being out for the Olympics."

And then there's Donovan, whom Bradley is likely to call into the first team for what could be a difficult game in Guatemala. The USA's opening three games in China are set for Aug. 7, 10 and 13.

If the U.S. is eliminated in the first round, Donovan could be available for WCQ. But if the Americans pull off a similar surprise as they did in 2000 and reach the medal round, Donovan would be obligated to play with the Olympic team. Given their decisions in the past, it would be surprising if Bradley and Nowak gambled and hoped for Donovan to be available for both teams.

Some new names have surfaced. Since an internationally experienced goalkeeper and someone who has played regularly recently would be the the first choice, Chris Seitz might wind up as the backup. Seitz, the No. 1 netminder during the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament, hasn't played a second in MLS matches with Real Salt Lake this season.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who backstopped the U.S.'s two wins against Barbados during World Cup qualifying earlier this month, and 38-year-old Kasey Keller (most recently with Fulham in England), a member of four U.S. World Cup teams, reportedly have been mentioned as possible 'keepers.

"In some cases we do not have the international experience," Nowak said. "But then we can bring in some guys who can provide some guidance to the young kids, overage players, players who play for the national team."

As for potential overage defensive players, no new names have been mentioned at the moment.

If Donovan isn't available up front, 36-year-old Brian McBride (most recently with Fulham), who wants to return to MLS and play with the Chicago Fire, has had his name bandied about as a possible over-23 player throughout the spring. McBride would make a better target man than Donovan.

Nowak said that his plans could change when the European transfer window opened July 1. Whether a newly signed U.S. player is available could very well depend on what is negotiated into a player's contract with his new club.

For example, former MetroStars star midfielder Michael Bradley, who has plied his trade in the Dutch Eredivisie with SC Heerenveen the past three seasons, is likely to sign with a new team (Everton has been among those mentioned). While Bradley wants to participate in the Olympics, it probably would be in his best interests to remain with his new club and try to secure a starting spot.

"We're still considering the options," Nowak said. "Of course, different players have different priorities, which means July 1 the transfer window will open and we'll know more about that as the season progresses."

It could be the same for former Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore, who has transferred to Villarreal in Spain's La Liga. Altidore said he expected to go to China, but did not say whether it was agreed to in his contract.

So, Nowak might have his work cut out for himself.

"I'm always thinking about that -- relationships ... with the managers of the club," he said. "It's still a two-way street."

The midfield is the deepest and strongest U.S. unit, so don't expect Nowak to use an overage player there. This unit includes Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal) and Bradley (if they are available), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) and Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), plus Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo) and Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew).

Nowak isn't expecting any problems with MLS clubs on any domestic-based players he will call into the team.

"Of course, I consider all guys from MLS," he said. "We have a great relationship over there for years. We all know how important it is to treat MLS clubs. We try to accommodate their needs."

But Nowak obviously will want to accommodate his own needs for the team. While soccer is one of myriad sports in the Summer Games, realizes that getting an Olympic medal would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the players and himself.

"I will look to have the best possible team going to the Olympics because we have a chance to advance," Nowak said. "The group is very strong. We're not kidding ourselves when we see our position. In soccer, anything is possible. When we have full strength, then we can deliver some good performances."

Well, that's the key phrase -- full strength. Whether Nowak will be able to put together what he considers to be a full-strength team, it remains to be seen.

Fire still caught up in scoring drought

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The good news is, the Chicago Fire got a point. While the team is still struggling to put a goal in the back of the net -- now sitting at 333 scoreless minutes and counting -- at least they didn't drop a fourth consecutive match.

"Tonight our strikers were getting in good position," Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said. "We have to finish those. We're getting ourselves in good spots, but we're not finishing our chances."

The Fire have scored 20 goals already this season and they scored them fast -- with 20 goals in the first 10 games. So are the goals gone?

"Let's hope not," Fire defender Gonzalo Segares said. "We have to keep working on scoring. When we miss our chances we get a little more desperate. We have to be sharper in the final third."

Hamlett said there is definitely an answer to the scoring drought.

"In the first games we were scoring goals early," Hamlett said. "When you do that the game opens up. We're not doing that right now. In the final third our communication and our decision-making are not quite there. We're making runs. We're getting shots. We're just not finishing."

Fire midfielder Chris Rolfe entered the game in the 65th minute; during his 25 minutes, he had one shot on goal -- a long blast in the 71st minute. San Jose's Joe Cannon made the save. Rolfe said he thinks the guys are simply trying too hard.

"I think everybody's trying maybe a little too hard," Rolfe said. "It can mess up the play of the game. We're struggling hard to get out of this rut. The goals will come. I'm not sure when, but they will."

The good news for the Fire: there's still 17 games left for them to turn things around. And of course, it wasn't a loss. The Fire earned their first point in the month of June and earned their first shutout since May 8, a 2-0 win at D.C. United.

"Tonight we half-stopped bleeding," Hamlett said. "We got a point and a shutout. We almost gave the game away at the end with a few plays. But we held on."

Segares agreed.

"We needed a shutout," Segares said. "It's been a couple of games without one. Although, we didn't get what we wanted. We wanted a win."

Chicago returns to MLS play next Saturday at the Columbus Crew. But first, they will face the Cleveland City Stars Tuesday at Toyota Park in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round.

All-Star races head down to the wire

With just three days remaining in the fan voting, Los Angeles Galaxy teammates David Beckham and Landon Donovan remain the top two vote-getters for the 2008 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, while other races are too close to call as they head down the stretch.

Toronto FC fans have done their part and Greg Sutton is the overwhelming leader among goalkeepers. But the battle for second is heating up as Jon Busch of Chicago and Matt Reis are separated by the slimmest of margins.

Frankie Hejduk of the Columbus Crew has all but wrapped up the top spot among defenders, but Toronto FC teammates Marvell Wynne and Jim Brennan are neck and neck for second. Jimmy Conrad of the Kansas City Wizards has moved comfortably ahead of LA's Abel Xavier, Marco Velez from TFC and New England's Michael Parkhurst, who are nearly in a dead heat for fifth.

After Beckham, Chicago Fire designated player Cuauhtemoc Blanco is the clear-cut second choice among midfielders, but the fight for third in this horse race might end up in a photo finish between TFC's Amado Guevara and Houston's Dwayne De Rosario, who scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Chelsea FC in the 2006 Sierra Mist All-Star Game.

And just a handful of votes separate Columbus playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Maurice Edu from Toronto.

Toronto's Danny Dichio is the clear second choice at forward behind Donovan, the Golden Boot leader with 11 goals and six assists in 10 games. Juan Pablo Angel of the Red Bulls, who was named the MVP of the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star Game, is third, followed closely by Columbus' Alejandro Moreno. After Jozy Altidore of the Red Bulls is Jeff Cunningham, yet another TFC standout.

Fans, who are able to cast up to 10 votes per day, can still get in last-minute votes by visiting www.MLSnet.com. The voting closes Wednesday. The online fan balloting will comprise one quarter of the All-Star First XI selections, with coaches and general managers (25 percent), players (25 percent) and media (25 percent) all getting a say in who is named to the First XI, which will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards.

Those selected will participate in the 13th annual MLS All-Star game and take on West Ham United of the English Premier League at BMO Field in Toronto, July 24 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised in the U.S. and Canada on ESPN2, Telefutura and CBC Sports.

Miscue costs Red Bulls shot at win

CARSON, Calif. -- Things were bouncing the New York Red Bulls' way as they approached halftime against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night.

Midway through the first stanza, midfielder Dave van den Bergh sent a cross into the Chivas USA penalty area and, despite skipping past his teammates, the ball nevertheless wound up inside the goal to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead.

The Red Bulls continued to pressure the Chivas USA defense and midfielder Dane Richards just missed a breakaway opportunity on the Chivas USA goal.

It all fell apart moments before the intermission, however. Red Bulls defender Kevin Goldthwaite dribbled the ball unopposed on the left flank deep inside his own defensive half before sending a soft pass back across the top of the penalty area towards Jeff Parke. Parke, however, did not see the pass and jogged right past the ball as it rolled behind him. Chivas USA forward Ante Razov seized the opportunity and raced towards the loose ball before hitting a shot past an onrushing Jon Conway to tie the game at 1-1.

The score stood and with it the Red Bulls missed a chance to sweep its season series against Chivas USA and move into third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

"When you go up in a place like this against a tough opponent and you have a chance to take the lead into the second half but you give up a childish goal like we did, you're disappointed," Van den Bergh said.

Osorio was equally upset at the result.

"I'm very disappointed," he said. "We could have made better decisions and we let them off the hook by giving them that goal. After that it was just a sloppy game. There are many things that you can say about the goal and miscommunication is one of them."

In the time leading up to the goal, the Red Bulls were consistently pressuring Chivas USA, with Richards the main threat.

On two consecutive plays the speedy midfielder got past Chivas USA defenders. On the second one, Jonathan Bornstein was forced to commit a foul, setting up the Red Bulls' ensuing goal.

Van den Bergh took the ensuing free kick and sent a pass into the Chivas USA area. The ball sailed past a lunging Goldthwaite and a stationary Brad Guzan, who was positioned to defend the shot.

"If somebody gets a head on it it's always on target and if it skips, we try to aim for the second post," Van den Bergh said. "It skipped and even a great goalie like Guzan couldn't make the save."

The goal proved to be the last highlight of the night for the Red Bulls -- save two great stops by Conway in the second half.

"We had the game in hand but a little bit of complacency set in after we went up 1-0," Richards said. "I got behind them a lot in the first half but I have nothing to show for it. One more goal would have put the game away."

Added Van den Bergh: "Usually when you give up one goal to Chivas on their field it's not that bad, but when you give it up like we did, it's a big deal."