WEEK 2 NEWS CONT.
DISCIPLINE
Ryan Cochrane
Houston Dynamo
Suspension/Fine: 4/14/07 vs. Chivas USA/$250
Reason: Red Card 4/8/07 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Nick Garcia
Kansas City Wizards
Suspension/Fine: 4/14/07 vs. D.C. United
Reason: Red Card 10/14/06 vs. New York Red Bulls
Dario Sala
FC Dallas
Suspension/Fine: Six Games: 4/7 vs. RSL, 4/12 vs. LA, 4/15 vs. NY, 4/22 vs. COL, 4/26 vs. NY, 4/29 vs. NE
Reason: Disciplinary Committee Decision
OTHER TEAM NEWS
Chivas start fast but stay grounded.
CARSON, Calif. -- It was just one game, one solid performance against an expansion team, but Chivas USA's game plan worked.
Against Toronto FC on Saturday, solid goalkeeping was buoyed by a neat and tidy backline that settled down after a shaky start while the attack stretched the field and combined for a pair of nifty goals as Chivas eased home 2-0 winners.
"They worked very good," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "They combined very good and I think it's only going to get better and better."
Soccer's field of dreams
COMMERCE CITY - Buildings can be icons of progress, signifying the hopes and dreams of an entire city.
Such symbolism abounds at 6000 Victory Way, where ****'s Sporting Goods Park is the newest soccer-specific stadium in the country. The 18,000-seat stadium is the home of the Colorado Rapids, but it also stands for much more.
"This is a complete dream come true," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. "We have it all. I've been all over the world, and I can tell you a soccer complex of this magnitude is not something you see every day."
The $71 million stadium and surrounding 24-field complex is expected to raise the profile of the Rapids and their sport.
Gbandi close to return for Hoops
FRISCO, Texas -- After missing last Saturday's season opener against Real Salt Lake, last year's defender of the year for FC Dallas, left back Chris Gbandi, could return to the lineup when the Hoops travel to the West Coast to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy Thursday (ESPN2, 9 p.m. CT).
Gbandi was one of two key components of the FC Dallas rearguard missing to open the season, along with goalkeeper Dario Sala, who is suspended for the first six games of the campaign.
Gbandi suffered a grade two sprain of his ankle on FCD's trip to Brazil in early March, although he was suspended anyway for the opener after receiving a red card in the final game of the 2006 season. Sala earned his suspension in the same match, a loss to Colorado in the Western Conference Semifinals.
But on Monday, Gbandi returned to the field, playing 45 minutes in a scrimmage against the University of Tulsa. He will likely be available for selection for Thursday's match at The Home Depot Center and then's Sunday affair with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.
DISCIPLINE
Ryan Cochrane
Houston Dynamo
Suspension/Fine: 4/14/07 vs. Chivas USA/$250
Reason: Red Card 4/8/07 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Nick Garcia
Kansas City Wizards
Suspension/Fine: 4/14/07 vs. D.C. United
Reason: Red Card 10/14/06 vs. New York Red Bulls
Dario Sala
FC Dallas
Suspension/Fine: Six Games: 4/7 vs. RSL, 4/12 vs. LA, 4/15 vs. NY, 4/22 vs. COL, 4/26 vs. NY, 4/29 vs. NE
Reason: Disciplinary Committee Decision
OTHER TEAM NEWS
Chivas start fast but stay grounded.
CARSON, Calif. -- It was just one game, one solid performance against an expansion team, but Chivas USA's game plan worked.
Against Toronto FC on Saturday, solid goalkeeping was buoyed by a neat and tidy backline that settled down after a shaky start while the attack stretched the field and combined for a pair of nifty goals as Chivas eased home 2-0 winners.
"They worked very good," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "They combined very good and I think it's only going to get better and better."
Soccer's field of dreams
COMMERCE CITY - Buildings can be icons of progress, signifying the hopes and dreams of an entire city.
Such symbolism abounds at 6000 Victory Way, where ****'s Sporting Goods Park is the newest soccer-specific stadium in the country. The 18,000-seat stadium is the home of the Colorado Rapids, but it also stands for much more.
"This is a complete dream come true," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. "We have it all. I've been all over the world, and I can tell you a soccer complex of this magnitude is not something you see every day."
The $71 million stadium and surrounding 24-field complex is expected to raise the profile of the Rapids and their sport.
Gbandi close to return for Hoops
FRISCO, Texas -- After missing last Saturday's season opener against Real Salt Lake, last year's defender of the year for FC Dallas, left back Chris Gbandi, could return to the lineup when the Hoops travel to the West Coast to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy Thursday (ESPN2, 9 p.m. CT).
Gbandi was one of two key components of the FC Dallas rearguard missing to open the season, along with goalkeeper Dario Sala, who is suspended for the first six games of the campaign.
Gbandi suffered a grade two sprain of his ankle on FCD's trip to Brazil in early March, although he was suspended anyway for the opener after receiving a red card in the final game of the 2006 season. Sala earned his suspension in the same match, a loss to Colorado in the Western Conference Semifinals.
But on Monday, Gbandi returned to the field, playing 45 minutes in a scrimmage against the University of Tulsa. He will likely be available for selection for Thursday's match at The Home Depot Center and then's Sunday affair with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.
