2009 Gold Cup to be played in 13 US cities

CONCACAF is spreading the wealth as the 2009 Gold Cup will be played in a record 13 different U.S. cities this summer, it was announced by the continental governing body Monday afternoon.

By comparison, the 1994 FIFA World Cup was played in nine different venues. Previously the regional championship used six venues.

"While 13 cities create logistical challenges, we think the benefits of reaching out to more venues are clearly worthwhile," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. "The ability of so many people to see national teams play we feel is well worth the effort."

Each venue will host a doubleheader, with the exception of Giants Stadium, home for the July 26 final. It is the second time Giants Stadium has staged the final and first since 2005. Grass will be laid over the artificial turf.

Soccer fans in Columbus, Phoenix, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia will get to see the Gold Cup in their cities for the first time and a Gold Cup quarterfinal will be the first sporting event to be played at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium on July 19.

"We think it provides a premier facility, certainly the largest in the area," Blazer said. "We're hoping to be able to see it sell out as we sold out Houston's Reliant Stadium in the past."

The competition begins on July 3 at The Home Depot Center, followed by Seattle's Qwest Field (July 4), Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (July 5), Columbus Crew Stadium (July 7), RFK Stadium (July 8), Reliant Stadium (July 9), Florida International University Stadium (Miami, July 10), Gillette Stadium (July 11) and University of Phoenix Stadium (July 12).

The quarterfinals will be played at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on July 18 and the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 19. The semifinals are at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 23 and the final is at Giants Stadium three days later.

The tournament will use the same format as in 2005 and 2007, with the 12-team field divided into three, four-team groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals along with the two best third-place teams.

But unlike in years past, each group will not have one home base and group stage matches will be played in three different cities. The group parings and schedule will be announced at a later date.

"We've added an additional day given that there's travel between each game in that first round," Blazer said. "The entire group travels together so there's no advantage from one team to another. There's plenty of time for rehab after the first round because there's a gap until you get to the quarters."

The three first-round groups for the qualifiers are still to be decided from the 12 qualifiers: Canada, Mexico and the USA from the North Zone; Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua from Central America; and Jamaica, Grenada, Guadeloupe and Haiti from the Caribbean.

Haiti replaced Cuba, which qualified, but asked the Caribbean Football Union to step aside. Blazer said Cuba's decision had nothing to do with the defections that took place during the last Gold Cup.

"There are legitimate issues that the Cubans had," Blazer said. "We're satisfied that these were reasonably unique, but at the same time qualified them to be able to get this exemption."

Revs' Castro hoping to raise bar in '09

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Expectations were high when New England unveiled the signing of Honduran international Mauricio Castro.

Castro joined the Revolution after spending six years in the Honduran first division, excelling for top clubs Motagua and Olimpia and earning a role with the Honduran national team. The New England coaching staff expected Castro to provide a steady alternative and an attacking presence to compete with Khano Smith for the left midfield berth.

Those expectations were met in some ways -- Castro provided another tidy passer in midfield and diligently performed his defensive work -- but fell somewhat short in the attacking third.

"We want a bit more from Mauricio going forward," Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said. "Defensively, he was sound. You can't say he was out muscled or out of position or anything like that. He keeps the ball well. But we're looking for a wee bit more going the other way."

Zero goals and three assists left Nicol and the Revolution wondering why Castro wasn't using the positive qualities he showed in other areas to create more of an impact offensively. Nicol said he thought it took some time for Castro to adjust to the rigorous demands of the U.S. top flight.

"Our league is hard to work into," Nicol said. "There are a lot of guys in the league, foreign players particularly, who are taken aback by the whole thing with the physical nature and the ability of the players."

Physical play might impact Castro's game on the field, but the long-distance travel impacted him off of it. Nicol said that Castro rarely traveled more than two hours by bus to play a game in his home country and usually played only one match a week.

The demands of cross-country travel and a cluttered fixture schedule with MLS, SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup duties certainly presented a different and difficult challenge, according to Castro.

"It was very tiring and very difficult," Castro said through a translator. "In Honduras, the distances aren't as long. Now I am more accustomed to it and it should be a lot easier for me."

Castro said he thinks he settled in well enough last season with his teammates and with the area, but expects to improve in 2009.

"I played a lot of games last year and I think I did pretty well," Castro said. "This year, I want to get better. It's another year and I think I will do better."

There will be even more opportunities for Castro to shine this season. Smith is now in New York after leaving the Revolution in the expansion draft, leaving Castro with an uncluttered path to the left wing berth unless Kenny Mansally or Chris Tierney emerges as another option. The schedule won't be as hectic during this campaign either after MLS tweaked the fixture dates and placed more games on Saturdays.

With those changes in mind, Castro said that he hopes to produce more tangible benefits for his teammates heading into 2009 once he overcomes a groin strain suffered last week while the Revs were training in Austin, Texas.

"I want to assist my teammates and score some more goals," Castro said. "I had some opportunities last year that I didn't score."

Nicol is backing Castro to nick the odd goal and provide more of an impact on the stat sheet heading into his second season.

"It's about production," Nicol said. "He's got two good feet and he can strike the ball. He has all the tools to do that. That's why we liked him."

Youngsters impress in Revs' win

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Most of the New England Revolution's fringe players had a chance to impress in Saturday night's 2-1 friendly victory against Wake Forest University.

The opening few minutes of the game suggested no one in white would take advantage of that opportunity.

The Demon Deacons pinned New England back in its defensive half as the Revs littered loose passes across the pitch. One such pass in the defensive third led to a free kick. Corbin Bone stroked home a low free kick from 20 yards to give Wake Forest a surprising lead.

Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said he wasn't pleased to concede the lead or a sloppy goal in the opening stages, but felt his team rebounded well from the early setback.

"I thought it was a typical preseason game," Nicol said. "They were always going to start well. They had the ball up the field and we couldn't get out. It was hard work to begin with, but then we settled down. After 25 minutes, we were firmly in control."

The control came swiftly and inevitably. Nicol's blended lineup of reserves and starters settled into the game and used their superior size and speed to wear down the out-of-season college players. An own goal and a Wells Thompson strike shortly before halftime gave the Revolution all of the cushion it would need.

The final result, while nice, wasn't particularly important for New England. Evaluating players, avoiding injuries and giving reserves an opportunity to impress were far more crucial to what the Revolution wanted to accomplish on the night.

Two of the players hoping to impress took the field against their alma mater.

Pat Phelan started alongside Shalrie Joseph in defensive midfield and played the first half. Stuck behind Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz in the defensive midfield pecking order, Phelan wanted to use a rare start to earn some regular-season minutes.

"You have to take it one day at a time," Phelan said. "This was an opportunity here and you have to make the most of your chances. Obviously, I don't like to sit on the bench. I know I'm young and I know I have things to learn, so I take that to heart every time I go out there."

If Phelan operated anonymously in midfield, Winston-Salem native and fellow Wake alumnus Wells Thompson arrived with all the bluster befitting a hometown hero. Signs with Thompson's name and number were posted all across the stadium and no player had a longer line for autographs when the game ended.

"You dream about these kinds of things," Thompson said. "North Carolina is the greatest place in the world to be. I had 50 or 60 people I knew here, I played well, scored a goal and we came out on top. You could write a list of how cool things were. I'm just trying to take it all in."

Thompson has spoken repeatedly during the offseason about wanting to spend more time on the field in 2009. Nicol thinks the goal in front of his hometown might give him a little boost in confidence as he tries to earn a larger role.

"Getting the goal was big for him," Nicol said. "This year is a big year for him. Last year, he was disappointed not to be playing. He's shown at times that he has the tools, but he just has to be more consistent."

The Revs also received a boost from the level of competition Wake Forest provided. Nicol said he knew his team would have a test, but Phelan said he didn't expect such a stern examination even after spending some time training with the Demon Deacons during the offseason.

"They were better than I thought they were going to be," Phelan said. "Jay [Vidovich, Wake Forest head coach] really pushes the spring schedule because he thinks a lot of the success in the fall comes from what happens in the spring. Our team did pretty well to fight back. We knew they'd come out and have a go. I thought we responded well to it."

Vidovich said his team is in rebuilding mode after losing half of its starting XI to the professional ranks after last season. As the Demon Deacons bed in eight new starters, these sorts of games prove invaluable, Vidovich said.

"It's a great test for them," Vidovich said. "It gives them a chance to see what it's like to play against guys they see play on television all of the time. You get to see their qualities. It's a great measuring stick. It's good for the team to help us see where we stand. We're in a rebuilding situation. To play against the big boys is a great test."

New England will face one more preseason hurdle against the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, N.C. next Saturday. With the season less than two weeks away, Nicol said the evening provided another reminder about how much work there is left to be done ahead of the season opener in San Jose on March 21.

"I think we showed that we still have two weeks to go and we have two weeks to get that extra step," Nicol said.

Rogers hoping to deliver encore

The thought occurred to Robbie Rogers more than once while he enjoyed a brief but relaxing offseason in Huntington Beach, Calif., not far from where the Crew won the MLS Cup on Nov. 23 at The Home Depot Center.

What could the 21-year-old midfielder do for an encore?

"I talked to my dad at the end of last year and the beginning of this year," he said. "We talked about my goals from last year and how I guess I reached all of them. I went to the Olympics, won the MLS Cup, won the Supporters' Shield, and was an All-Star and Best XI.

"It was a great year last year. I don't know if I'll be able to replicate that year."

The Crew certainly hopes for a repeat of a season that saw Rogers burst onto the scene in his second season as quickly as he moved down the left flank. He had five goals in the first seven matches and although his production slowed down quite a bit afterward he still had six goals and three assists in 27 games while finishing second in the league in fouls suffered. He also added a goal in the playoffs.

Along the way he was selected to the MLS All-Star First XI, missed two Crew matches while playing for the United States in the Beijing Olympics and earned MLS Best XI honors along with teammates Chad Marshall and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

"It's been a crazy year," Rogers said.

He's already off to a good start in 2009, having been invited to U.S. national team camp in early January and getting his first cap Jan. 24 vs. Sweden. He was also on the 20-man roster for the World Cup qualifier Feb. 11 against Mexico at Crew Stadium although he didn't play.

"Training (with the national team) is always fast and playing with those players is a great experience for me and to be able to play in that game against Sweden was kind of like the perfect ending to the camp. Then to come back here for the Mexico game was awesome," he said. "I made a lot of progress this offseason and now I need to build on it this season."

Another MLS Cup and a strong year individually are among his objectives.

"I have some high goals right now. Hopefully, I can reach some of them," Rogers said. "I want to play more with the national team. After you get a taste of the national team it's like an addiction. You want to keep playing with guys like that and keep playing where it means a lot. I want to get into the Confederation or Gold cups and play in some qualifiers."

He also has a long-range goal. After one season at the University of Maryland where he helped the Terrapins to the 2005 NCAA championship, he signed with SC Heerenveen of the Dutch first division in August 2006. He played reserve matches for club before opting to come to MLS in was obtained via weighted lottery by the Crew in March 2007.

It's no secret Rogers wants to return overseas and will likely field offers this summer or after the MLS season. The Crew's current preseason trip to England could lay some groundwork while the team plays matches against the Everton and Liverpool reserve sides.

"I want to go to Europe. Whenever you're playing, people are watching. You're representing your team and yourself," he said. "We're getting ready for the season so I'm not thinking about it too much but in the back of my mind when you're playing a team like Everton there's scouts there and I have to start taking advantage of that."

While Rogers had a good preseason it was a bit frustrating for Marshall, the 2008 MLS Defender of the Year. He was also at the U.S. camp in January and was hoping for his first appearance in two years but was sent home early with a troublesome right knee. A few days later he underwent arthroscopic surgery.

"It was a few days after I got hurt at camp. I came home, got it scoped, cleaned out some fluid under my MCL area that was bothering me, nothing serious, just two-three weeks of recovery," Marshall said. "I started to feel it toward the end of the season and then I was working out in the offseason and obviously you can't really replicate national team camp with that kind of cutting and pace. It started to bother me and I let the trainer know. It wasn't going away.

"It was definitely unfortunate. I was really looking forward to that (U.S. camp) and hopefully doing well and getting back into that whole scene but it wasn't my choice. Obviously, the timing was bad but I've been working hard since I had the surgery. It shouldn't be a setback to the season. I want to get through preseason and get the season started but it's important to get fit."

He can take solace that he's still way ahead of where he was a year ago at this time after coming off series of concussions that ended his 2007 season prematurely. The first question at last year's Crew preseason camp was whether he was even fit enough to play, let alone start.

"Last preseason I didn't know if I was going to have a job or come in and be able to play. It's definitely come full circle," he said.

Like Marshall, the Crew were an enigma going into the 2008 season. Columbus had missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons but had shown promise toward the end of the previous year.

A preseason camp in England in March 2008 at the home of Blackburn Rovers solidified the team, said captain Frankie Hejduk.

"This is the point last year when we made the turnaround in terms of really getting together as a team when we went to England," he said. "We had a couple of good games. All the guys played really hard and really well. We started believing in ourselves."

The Crew is using the Everton facilities this year and it's a homecoming for new coach Robert Warzycha, who played for the Toffees from 1991-94.

"We were at Blackburn last year and we went to Everton game against them and the people were very, very friendly," he said. "It was a warm welcome, probably because one of the reasons was I played for the team in the past and (manager David) Moyes was very nice and offered if we ever wanted to come to England for a few games they can help us a lot so we called. It was easy. We're very fortunate we can use their facilities and play a game against them and Liverpool."

Most of the people associated with the Premiership club when he was there are gone save for a few.

"I know the two most important people over there," Warzycha joked. "I know the doctor (Ian Irvin) -- he's been there the last 25 years -- and the other guy is the equipment manager (Jimmy Martin). They are helping us a lot."

The Crew will play the Everton reserves Sunday and the Liverpool reserves Thursday with a game against lower division Guiseley on Tuesday. Warzycha knows the EPL teams won't field their top squads but expects competitive matches.

"I think the players 13, 14, 15 (on the roster) and up will play," he said. "That's the game we're looking for against Everton. That's we what we did last year when we went there because those players need the games more than anybody. The same with Liverpool. They also told us they're not going to put their U-18 team out there; that they were going to play their reserves, who are the guys under contract."

Warzycha and his team will attend the West Bromwich Albion at Everton league match Saturday and the Aston Villa at Manchester City match on Wednesday.

He feels it's good for the players to not only play but see the Premiership close up.

"They're very professional. They're very organized. You can learn a lot from the atmosphere. Playing against better teams you obviously learn a lot. The mental aspect is very important," he said. "If you watch Premier League on TV it's different than being there. You can see also pick up the atmosphere and the intensity. We did last year and it helped us a lot during the season."

Beckham, Galaxy pleased with resolution

CARSON, Calif. -- It was only a couple of days ago that Los Angeles Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena was talking about a sense of normality returning to the team after the announcement that Landon Donovan was coming back.

That sense became even more tangible on Sunday after the Galaxy reached a loan extension with AC Milan that would allow midfielder David Beckham to stay with the Serie A club until the end of the Italian league's regular season in late May. Beckham then will return to southern California in early July and be eligible to play for the Galaxy on July 16 against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"Now we know where we're headed," Arena said. "Certainly we can continue with our plans for the season. This is great for us and a real positive for the Galaxy."

Sunday's announcement ends a much-publicized tug of war between AC Milan and the Galaxy, one which grew a bit testy at times. Beckham has played in 12 games for Milan, including Sunday's 3-0 victory against Atalanta, and had stated a desire to remain there ever since his loan started in January. The agreement not only gives Beckham an opportunity in November to buy out the remaining two years of his five-year contract with the Galaxy, but it also includes an exhibition between AC Milan and the Galaxy on July 19 at The Home Depot Center.

"This certainly sets the stage for a great season for our fans and we truly appreciate their patience as we have worked through all of our issues," said Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, the investor-operator of the Galaxy, in a statement. "Much has been written and said, but all along it has been our intention to keep David Beckham as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"We are pleased he is returning and at the same time, we feel it is important to allow him to finish his run in Milan, as it has been a remarkable run."

It was only a day earlier that AC Milan chairman Carlo Ancelotti praised Beckham for his commitment to the team and his willingness to forfeit what he said will be a great deal of money.

"All players express their affection for a club," Ancelotti said on the team's website, "but few have showed it in a tangible manner by renouncing a mountain of money. Beckham is one of these."

Arena admitted he occasionally grew frustrated as talks dragged on and also discounted various overseas reports that said Beckham didn't want to return. Arena said he contacted Beckham by e-mail on Sunday and the English standout said he was looking forward to rejoining the Galaxy in July.

"He is happy he is coming back," Arena said. "He wants to take on this challenge. If he wasn't interested in being here, he wouldn't have done this."

Beckham, in a statement released by the Galaxy, sounded relieved the saga finally is over.

"I'm really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen," he was quoted as saying. "It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and also to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about.

"My family is happy and settled and will remain in LA. The perfect result for 2009 would be for me to help Milan to reach the Champions League and for the LA Galaxy to make the playoffs and win the MLS Cup Playoffs."

The Galaxy also announced a 10 percent cut on average in ticket prices, and those fans who already have purchased seats will be given refunds in the amount of the roll back. Tom Payne, the Galaxy's president of business operations, said he felt it was the "right thing to do."

"This is something we've actually thought about doing for quite a while," Payne said. "The economy is the biggest issue. If our fans have to decide whether to pay the bills or buy a Galaxy ticket, it's not a difficult decision."

Chivas taking one last look at trialists

CARSON, Calif. -- After downing Swedish team Hammarby IF last Saturday, Chivas USA looks to continue its strong preseason form with a charity scrimmage Sunday against PDL team Ventura County Fusion at the College of the Canyons Cougar Stadium in Santa Clarita (5 p.m. PT).

"It should be a quality game against a team that is going to come out and work very hard to prove that some of their guys have a future in MLS," said Chivas head coach Preki. "It will be a good game for them and a good game for us."

With the MLS roster compliance date just two days away, the Chivas USA coaching staff will certainly be using Sunday's scrimmage as a chance to take one last look at some of the team's newer players and trialists.

"It will be a mixed group," said Preki. "Some of the younger guys will get a shot as well as some of the older guys."

Sunday's game also serves as a charity fundraiser for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children's Cancer. All proceeds from ticket sales for the match will be donated to the foundation.

Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein, recipient of the 2008 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian Award, is particularly excited for the match.

"Helping the kids that are involved with the foundation is beneficial to everyone," he said.

"It will be nice to go out there and put on a show for these people because I know the money they're paying is going toward a good cause," said second-year striker Justin Braun, "and knowing that always makes the game a little bit better."

Going wide may broaden Mansally's horizons

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The idea to try Revolution striker Kenny Mansally out on the left wing popped into New England coach Steve Nicol's head right around the time he first saw him in action.

Mansally and compatriot Sainey Nyassi earned their moves to New England after impressing as wide players for the Gambian U-17s at the FIFA Youth World Cup in 2007. While Nyassi spent most of last season patrolling the right wing for the Revolution, Mansally operated more often as a striker, a position the coaching staff felt suited his skill set.

That perception may have changed during the preseason as Nicol -- partially because of his curiosity and partially because of a groin injury to Mauricio Castro -- shifted Mansally out to play on the left wing.

"We just wanted to look at it," Nicol said. "When we saw him playing [with the Gambian U-17s], we saw him playing wide. We already know he can play up top."

Mansally may be able to play as a striker but he said he also feels comfortable out wide. That could be due to the fact that he does see regular action as a winger for both the Gambian U-20 national team and the senior national team.

Playing on the left ushers in a new approach, according to Mansally.

"I'm excited because when I'm on the left side, I feel like I get more balls," Mansally said. "In the front, you keep it and release it. On the left, you keep it and you take him on."

Taking players on is just one of the new responsibilities for Mansally as he adjusts to a new professional role. As a wide player, Mansally has to track back more often on defense, swing in more crosses and challenge fullbacks one-on-one.

After spending most of last season as a striker, that relative freedom from defensive strictures allows Mansally to attack and go towards the goal or the byline when he obtains the ball out on the wing.

"Paul [Mariner, New England's assistant coach] tells me to go wide and that is the way I love it," Mansally said. "If I get a ball, I'll see a defender and take him on. Most of the time when you play in the front, you have three or four defenders on you. On the left side, you can take defenders on one versus one. It's a good move for me."

Time will tell if the move is permanent or whether Mansally will even see as much playing time as he did last season. With Castro back healthy on the left side and Kheli Dube and Taylor Twellman ahead of him in the pecking order at striker, Mansally may need to use his versatility in order to ensure that he finds his way onto the field.

Once he does find his way onto the pitch, Mansally thinks he can contribute more than last season's tallies of three goals and an assist in 2009.

"I think I'm going to do more this year than I did last year," Mansally said. "I was stopped a lot with my national duties. I played in most of those games. Then I was injured with my ankle. Now everything's fine. This year, I think things will be different. I will hope to get more goals and more assists."