Canadian Exports: Jackson leads Norwich to EPL

It’s fair to saySimeon Jacksonloves big games.

Two years ago, when he was with Gillingham in League Two, he scored the winning goal in a playoff final that propelled that team into the next rung of the English football ladder.

On Monday, he repeated his heroics, this time nodding home a cross to lift Norwich City into the Premier League, as the Canaries topped Portsmouth 1-0. Jackson has been on fire lately, scoring nine goals in the past seven matches as Norwich surged into the top flight for the first time since 2005.

The Canadian striker and his side have taken similar paths over the past few years. Norwich were languishing in League One as recently as last season, while Jackson was a star with Rushden&Diamonds in the English fifth division three short years ago. Both have risen quickly through the ranks and earned their ticket into the biggest league on the planet.

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Another Canuck striker found himself on the score sheet last weekend.Tomasz Radzinski(at right), the 37-year-old former Canadian international, is still going strong in Belgium, leading his side Lierse SK in scoring this past season.

Radzinski scored the second of Lierse’s goals in a 3-0 win over Cercle Brugge in the Belgian postseason Europa League qualifying tournament. He also assisted on the opening goal, helping lead Lierse to the top of Group A.

A few other Canadians were part of winning sides in tournament play this weekend.Mason TraffordandLuca Bellisomoboth played the full match for their club IFK Mariehamn, who routed JIPPO 4-0 in Finnish Cup play.

Also, former MLSerChris Pozniakstarted for FK Haugesund in their 10-0 romp over lower-tier Vaulen IL in the Norwegian Cup.

Elsewhere in Scandinavia,Issey Nakajima-Farranplayed 70 minutes for AC Horsens, who battled Brøndby to a scoreless draw in the Danish Superligaen.

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Meanwhile in the Netherlands,Atiba Hutchinson(at right) went 90 minutes for PSV Eindhoven in a 2-1 victory over Vitesse. It was PSV’s final home match of the season, with the side sitting in third place in the Eredivisie. With one match remaining and three points out of first, PSV have an outside shot at catching league leaders FC Twente.

Over in Germany, FC Augsburg remain on pace to gain promotion into the Bundesliga.Marcel de Jongreturned from injury and logged 90 minutes at left back for the club as they drew 1-1 with FC Energie Cottbus. Fellow Canadian defenderAdam Straithwas on the bench for Cottbus.

Tosaint Rickettsstarted for Romanian side FC Politehnica Timişoara, who were 2-0 victors over Braşov. Ricketts played 85 minutes.

In Turkey,Josh Simpsonand Manisaspor won 3-1 versus Eskişehirspor in Superliga action, with Simpson going the distance in the midfield.

Over in Serbia, goalkeeperMilan Borjanallowed a couple of goals in FK Rad’s 2-0 loss to Vojvodina on Saturday.

Half a world away, midfielderMatt Lamwent 77 minutes for JEF United Ichihara Chiba in a J. League 2 loss to Tokushima Vortis, 1-0.

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Healthy Cronin making up for lost time with DC

WASHINGTON– Adjusting to a new team can prove a difficult process for any player during preseason. Add an early season injury, and the challenge is that much greater, especially when there’s competition for playing time.

Such was the fate ofD.C. UnitedgoalkeeperSteve Cronin. Acquired in the offseason in exchange for Troy Perkins, Cronin suffered a fractured wrist early in preseason, forcing assistant coach Pat Onstad out of retirement and into the starter’s role for a few weeks.

After being placed on Injured Reserve at the start of the season, Cronin was automatically ineligible for the first six games of the campaign. Last Friday, for the first time all year, he was back in a D.C. uniform and made the trip to Houston, taking a seat on the bench asBill Hamid’s back-up.

“It was good,” Cronin told MLSsoccer.com of making his first road trip. “When you’re {out with an} injury, especially one you pick up when you’re fairly new to a team, you can feel pretty disconnected.

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“I didn’t see them {D.C. teammates} for the majority of preseason, and you’d get to see them a couple days throughout the weeks and you’d miss road trips, it’s hard to stay connected. It was definitely good to get back on the road.”

Cronin suffered his injury back on February 10, only a few weeks into what was a long preseason. Since then, he’s mostly had to work out on his own, although he returned to full training a month ago and even played in a reserve match against the University of Maryland back in April.

While he’s expected to serve as Hamid’s backup – at least for the time being – Cronin will do what he can to help the team right now.

“We have some work to do as a team, and first and foremost I want to help the team get our legs under us a little bit, start moving in the right direction,” Cronin said. “As part of that, I’m always pushing to better myself every day and doing the little things to make sure I stay healthyand help this team the best way I can.”

Cronin admitted that he’s fine with serving in a support role for now, but that he’s also ready to go if he’s called upon by the coaching staff.

“Every day I feel sharper and I feel like I’m about 99 percent there.”

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Possession the name of the game for Revolution

CARSON, Calif.– Every New England player knew it would take a good night of ball possession to secure a result this past weekend againstChivas USA.

The three previous meetings– all victories by the Goats without a Revolution goal scored – reinforced the consequences of giving the ball away. Revolution coach Steve Nicol even harped upon the importance of keeping the ball against the possession-oriented home side in the buildup to the match.

Despite those entreaties and a few promising signs early in the contest, the lessons did not take hold in a's 3-0 defeat at the Home Depot Center.

At a couple of points during the contest, it appeared that theRevs– presumably bolstered by pairing Benny Feilhaber andShalrie Josephin central midfield as part of a 4-4-2 setup– might just heed the advice.

“I think early on, we had a couple of decent bits of movement,” Nicol told MLSsoccer.com after Saturday’s match. “Zack {Schilawski} had a header and {Zak Boggs} put a couple of balls in, so early on in the first part of the first half, we had a wee bit of the play.”

Those positive indications soon faded away as the Revs gave away a goal after 22 minutes and struggled to reproduce their competent opening period in its aftermath.

Chivas USA grew in confidence after the goal and stamped its will on the match, while the Revs failed to bring Feilhaber and Joseph into the match and struggled to string together passes as they tried to alter the course of the game.

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“I think not trusting each other in tight spots and tight spaces {hurt us},” Joseph said. “We started to go away from that early in the game. We started to find feet in the first five or 10 minutes but, as the game went on, we just went away from that. That's going to kill us, especially against a good team like Chivas and on such an open field and a big space to play in.”

The inability to retain possession and push numbers forward hurt New England as the match progressed. By failing to keep the ball on a regular basis, the Revs were forced to assume a more defensive posture. Even when they managed to win the ball, they struggled to cobble together the necessary sequence of passes because they lacked the composure, the energy and the quality to do so.

“When you're under pressure for so long, eventually when you do get it, you don't have the strength to use the ball well,” Nicol said. “The longer the game went on, the harder it became for us because of that. We were doing all of the chasing and the running and that catches up with you eventually.”

The heavy defeat at Chivas USA provided yet another example of the peril facing the Revs when they cannot keep the ball. Joseph said his side must improve its work in possession in order to put itself in a position to secure a result against Colorado on Saturday.

“We didn't take care of the ball, we didn't move the ball well and we didn't create chances,” Joseph said. “We just weren't inventive enough to put one in the net. We're going to have to move forward from there and try to get one next week and try to win next week.”

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Colorado getting healthy ahead of Houston game

COMMERCE CITY, Col. - The bad news for Gary Smith and theColorado Rapidsis that they face two away games in the space of four days. The good news is that much of the injury crisis of recent weeks is beginning to clear up just in time for the upcoming trip.

Quincy Amarikwa, Caleb Folan,Marvell WynneandWells Thompson, all absent from the 1-1 draw against Chicago last weekend, will be making the journey to Houston for Wednesday’s game (8:30 pm ET, Direct Kick,MatchDay Live) and New England for Saturday (7:30 pm ET, Direct Kick,MatchDay Live).

“The four bodies back for this trip will give us a boost for all sorts of reasons because it just gives us a different dimension,” Smith said.

Thompson, who was suffering from food poisoning at the weekend, looks almost certain to start given thatSanna Nyassiwill not be making the trip because of a sore back. Smith said he is hopeful Nyassi will be able to make it out separately for the New England game.

Wynne is recovering from a hamstring pull and appeared to have few remaining symptoms at training this morning. He could start on Wednesday night in the center of defense, but Smith will be mindful of the New England game, too.

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Andre Akpancertainly grabbed his chance up front at the weekend with a Goal of the Week nomination {VOTEHERE}. Now, he faces competition from the returning Folan and Amarikwa. Both looked sharp in a small-sided game this morning, with Amarikwa netting two goals in customary energetic fashion and declaring he could do even more if his injured ankle wasn’t only at 85 percent.

Watch:Akpan's first MLS goal

With the two games so close to each other, though, it seems likely Akpan will start in the Houston game with potentially some role for either Folan or Amarikwa later on. Akpan was lining up Tuesday withOmar Cummingsin practice, while Folan and Amarikwa played together at the end of the session. Smith was just happy to have options again.

“Generally, I think the team has played well and there is nothing in the way they are playing to suggest that the addition of a couple of players cannot but help to push us on to success,” he said.

Notes:

One player absent for sure will beConor Casey. The forward is at least back at training but working out separately for the most part. Smith said he expects Casey, out since April 3 when he limped off with a hamstring injury againstD.C. United, to be back in full training next week.

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Crew Notes: Veeder trying to work himself into 18

COLUMBUS, Ohio– As much as defender Korey Veeder enjoys getting to know his new teammates, he’s disheartened he won’t be away from them for an extended period this summer.

Veeder was hoping to be at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia from July 29-Aug. 20, but the US failed qualify after losing to host Guatemala on April 6.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said. “You’ve got to move on, look to the future. Hopefully the {2012} Olympics, we’ll be there.”

The 19-year-old from St. Petersburg, Fla., came to the Crew in mid-February through a weighted-lottery system and had to adjust not only to the colder temperatures but a schedule that didn’t afford him much training with the team until recently.

“It was difficult coming in the preseason, jumping right in, then leaving two weeks later for almost a month,” he said.

His transient status had teammates seeking answers.

“I had guys asking me who I was, if I was on the team or trying out,” said Veeder.

He definitely was on the team April 23 atToronto FC, when injuries and illness prompted coach Robert Warzycha to list him on the 18-player game roster.

“That felt really good to finally be on the bench for the first time,” Veeder said. “Hopefully I can work into the starting 11.”

Veeder’s not there yet, but Warzycha is encouraged by what he’s see from his player in practice and reserve games.

“I wouldn’t be afraid to put him on the field,” Warzycha said. “He’s doing well. He’s going to be a good player.”

HAT TRICK

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ForwardEmilio Renteriahas scored the Crew’s three goals in the past two games to open his account for the season.

He scored off a header at Toronto and, against Vancouver, he tallied via a penalty that he created then again with a left-footed strike, the first of his career.

The kick from the spot was well-placed to the right of goalkeeper Jay Nolly but didn’t have the velocity of the one against Charleston in the US Open Cup in July that ripped into the back netting so hard it lifted the goal of its moorings.

“The most important thing always is that the goal goes in,” Renteria said.

The Venezuelan international, who had five goals in 19 matches last season, likes the way the Crew (3-1-3) have played through a six-game unbeaten streak.

“Whatever happens on the field, whether we are winning or losing, we’re working together,” he said. “We have confidence in each other. Even during practice there is a lot of communication. Everybody is on the same boat to go in the same direction to win games.”

SLIP SLIDING AWAY

For the second time in three Tuesdays, incessant rain altered practice. Because the Obetz site is currently flooded, training was moved to an indoor facility north of Columbus.

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Comfy at home, Timbers hope to improve on road

PORTLAND, Ore.– The stark difference between the Timbers’ quality of play at home vs. on the road has been one of the team’s defining characteristics so far.

Portland beatReal Salt Lake1-0 last Saturday at JELD-WEN Field to improve to 3-0 in front of their energetic crowds, and home games against theSan Jose Earthquakesin a US Open qualifier on Tuesday and against thePhiladelphia Unionon Friday keep the Timbers in their favorite spot this week.

But coach John Spencer knows that in order for the Timbers to reach their goals, the team will have to find success away from the Rose City. Winning on the road seems like the next stage of development for the Timbers as an MLS franchise.

“I told the guys in the locker room that until we do something away from home we’re never going to get any credit for the good wins and good performances here at JELD-WEN Field,” Spencer said.

The coach loves the electric atmosphere created by Timbers Army, but he’s unwilling to credit anyone but the players for scoring goals and playing defense in wins against theChicago Fire,FC DallasandRSL.

“Do you think the fans got us nine points at home?” Spencer asked. “I don’t. I think the players got that. They’ve come out and run themselves into the ground {on Saturday}. It was a fantastic effort.”

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But does that effort rise to a higher level at home?

There probably isn’t enough evidence yet in the season to make that claim. The Timbers played their most formidable lineup on Saturday, which included a second start for goalkeeper Troy Perkins and first starts for Colombian import Diego Chará and top draft pickDarlington Nagbein the midfield.

“We’ve established something here,” captainJack Jewsburysaid.“We just don’t want people to start saying, 'Well, they can only get points at home.'”

The Timbers have outscored three opponents 8-4 at home so far. In road games, they are 0-3-1 and have been outscored 9-2.

“At the end of the day we need to get better on the road, and we know that as a group,” Jewsbury said. “To be successful, to make the playoffs, which is our goal, we have to pick up some points on the road.”

In the meantime, the team will enjoy what it has created in the friendly confines of JELD-WEN.

“Once again, it shows when we’re at home we’re a formidable team to beat,” Spencer said after Saturday’s victory, which snapped an 18-game regular season unbeaten streak by RSL. “If we sort out our home form and keep clean sheets on the road, we’ll be sitting in a totally different position in the conference.”

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Vancouver trying to cut mistakes against Impact

VANCOUVER, B.C.— TheVancouver Whitecapshost rivals Montreal Impact at Empire Field in the second leg of their Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal series on Wednesday, and with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, they're confident they can finish off their lower-tier opponents.

However, in order to complete their triumph, they’ll need to tighten up on the costly mistakes that have left them winless in their last seven MLS matches.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by theColumbus Crewprovided the most recent examples. Columbus' first goal came off of a poor touch fromJonathan Leathers, which led to a questionable decision by goalkeeper Jay Nolly and a penalty for the Crew thatEmilio Renteriaconverted. The second goal also could have been avoided as a lapse in marking by center back Mouloud Akloul gave Renteria enough space to score another after a sustained build-up from Columbus.

Montreal Impact/Pépé

“Unfortunately at the moment, any little mistake we make we’re getting punished for,” said midfielder Terry Dunfield. “It is frustrating, but I think we need to learn from these mistakes now. We need to make teams really work for their goals.”

The‘Caps will have to do just that against the Impact. The Whitecaps hold the advantage, but only by the slimmest of margins. Montreal, meanwhile, come to Vancouver a confident bunch after earning their first win of the season, a 5-0 drubbing in NASL league play against fellow Canadian club FC Edmonton on Sunday evening.

“We needed a win and all the players answered well,” Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos told the team’s official website. “It’s an important win morally before Wednesday’s highly anticipated game against Vancouver.”

The sudden goal output by Montreal will have gotten the attention of Teitur Thordarson and his coaching staff. The problem for Thordarson, though, is that his team has had little time to prepare lately as they’re in midst of a stretch that sees them play seven matches in 18 days.

“You can say at the moment that there is not much space for real training,” the coach said of the busy schedule. “It is mostly recovery and light preparation before the game, so there are no real trainings at the moment.”

Evidently, this grueling gauntlet of matches has made it difficult for the‘Caps to correct their mistakes, but that’s exactly what they’ll need to do if they hope to not only win the Voyageurs Cup, but also to turn around their fortunes in MLS.

“I’m not unhappy with the team, absolutely not,” said Thordarson. “But we’ve been punished hard.”

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Okugo shines as lone d-mid in Union's 1-0 win

CHESTER, Pa.– In part because thePhiladelphia Unionare stocked with so many capable holding midfielders, manager Peter Nowak has typically played two of them together to create a more defensive-oriented lineup.

But with veteransBrian CarrollandStefani Miglioranziboth nursing minor injuries and the club looking to exploit San Jose’s style of play, Nowak used 20-year-oldAmobi Okugoas the team’s only defensive central midfielder for Saturday’s game against the Earthquakes.

Considering the Union marched to their fourth shutout and Okugo set up the club’s only goal, you can say the gamble paid.

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“The back line did a great job of keeping me connected,” Okugo said. “My job is to shield the back four and connect with the other attackers. San Jose plays a certain way, so we changed our tactics and it worked out for the better.”

Attacking midfielderRoger Torresand strikerDanny Mwangawere also handed starts, joining wingersSebastien Le Touxand Keon Daniel as well as forward Carlos Ruiz up top to give the club a dangerous, attacking look.

Nowak was forced to change tactics at halftime when defenderJordan Harveywas sent off, bringing Miglioranzi in to join Okugo in the defensive midfield. But the team did not change its offensive-minded approach, and Okugo, after dribbling by a few defenders, drew a handball in the box, which led to a PK goal from Le Toux– and a gutsy 1-0 Philly win.

“He did a really good job,” Union defenderDanny Califfsaid of Okugo.“He covered a lot of ground and broke up a lot of plays, which was really helpful. He’s maturing every single game. It’s a process. He’s a kid, but you can see the wheels turning in his head. You can point to Danny Mwanga’s progress last year and say it’s similar. The more he plays, themore comfortable he’s going to get and the more dynamic and aware he becomes in the middle.”

Okugo has certainly been given time to improve. Since returning from the CONCACAF U-20 Championships, the second-year midfielder has been on the field in all but six minutes of action, and the Union have gone 2-0-1 in that stretch.

That said, Carroll is on his way back from a mild hamstring strain, meaning Okugo will likely see less time in the coming weeks, starting with Friday’s game in Portland (11 pm ET, Fox Soccer). But if the youngster keeps performing as he has been, Nowak will have some difficult lineup decisions to make, especially if he decides to keep playing with only one holding midfielder.

“I feel like I’ve been playing fairly well,” Okugo said. “But the most important thing is results. I’m just looking forward to Portland.”

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SKC three-game breakdown: Bravo's almost back

MLSsoccer.com will break down Sporting Kansas City’s season in three-match blocks during the 2011 MLS regular season. This is the second of 11 quick glimpses into Kansas City’s season, each of which will play a critical role in the team’s quest to return to the MLS Cup playoffs.

Position

Ninth in the Eastern Conference (1-4-1, 4 points)

Last three

April 16 atColumbus Crew: 1-0 defeat

April 23 atNew England Revolution: 3-2 defeat

April 30 atNew York Red Bulls: 1-0 defeat

Next three

May 14 at Los Angeles Galaxy (4-2-3, 15 points)

May 21 atSeattle Sounders(3-2-3, 12 points)

May 28 atColorado Rapids(3-3-1, 10 points)

Player to remember…Aurelien Collin

Collin has only played in two matches since being signed just minutes before the close of the transfer window in April, but the French center back already appears to be a shrewd find for manager Peter Vermes. The former Vitoria Setubal man has shown he has the size, strength and speed to match up with MLS forwards as well as the attitude and aggression needed to keep up with the pace and physicality of the game.

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Though it hasn’t all been perfect thus far – Collin was sent off against New England for an offense later determined he didn’t commit – he managed to nearly shut down fellow ParisianThierry Henrythis past weekend in New York and figures to occupy one of the center back spots for the foreseeable future. He will be a key cog in any defensive improvements Sporting put together over the next three games.

Player to watch…Omar Bravo

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Bravo, who is working his way back from sports hernia surgery and could be back in some capacity against the Galaxy in two weeks' time. Vermes said he hoped the Mexican international and Designated Player would be available off the bench at the Home Depot Center but he also confirmed that, as in the case of wingerRyan Smith, he would be in no rush to get Bravo back on the field at the expense of his long-term health.

After taking part in just two regular season games and receiving an early red card in the second, Bravo is still somewhat of a mystery in Kansas City as his return nears. Will he be the player who scored twice and gaveChivas USAall kind of trouble on opening night? Or will he find his recovery from surgery to be slow and arduous and lack the fitness to make the impact he is capable of at full strength?

Two things that went right…

1) Sporting are nearly back to full strength.

The past three games haven’t left much to rave about, but at least Sporting are approaching full health.

Ryan Smith finally made his first appearance of the season against New England and followed that up with a lively 45 minutes in New York. Bravo also appears to be advancing quickly on the road to recovery and has a full two weeks to work himself back with the training staff in the hopes of being available against the Galaxy.

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The only lingering issues are with Luke Sassano, whose ankle continues to give him problems, andKonrad Warzycha, who isn’t expected to play at all this season.

2) At the very least, Sporting can say they have been in every game they've played.

Sporting Kansas City may have lost four games, but they’ve all been by just one goal. Overall, the club can point to goal differential (-3) as proof that they aren’t nearly as bad as their current record indicates.

Sure, SKC have allowed far too many goals, but many of those have come under extenuating circumstances and without the luxury of a full-strength back line. Still, that won’t erase the fact that Vermes’ side has already lost four games from six. At some point, those close defeats must turn into victories or draws if Kansas City want to stay in the race for the postseason.

Two things that went wrong…

1) Defensive lapses are still short-circuiting Sporting's efforts despite some improvement.

Compared to their first three matches, Sporting Kansas City have made strides from a defensive standpoint in their last three games, although it did not make a bit of difference in the results department.

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SKC allowed Columbus very few chances and were unlucky to leave Crew Stadium with a 1-0 defeat instead of a scoreless draw. New England may have scored three goals, but goalkeeperJimmy Nielsendidn’t make a single save during the match and Sporting found themselves undone by a few untimely lapses and a dubious red card to Collin.

The most impressive performance of the bunch came in New York against one of the league’s most explosive sides as Collin and Julio César turned in a strong performance to shackle Thierry Henry,Juan Agudelo,Dane RichardsandDwayne De Rosario. Unfortunately, one moment of carelessness did Sporting in once again.

2) Kansas City find themselves in desperate need of points with an extremely difficult three-game stretch ahead.

There is no doubt that results are more difficult to obtain on the road, but Sporting are increasingly finding themselves looking up at a very large gap between themselves and the rest of the pack. Even more worryingly, the next three games on the schedule send Kansas City to three of the top four teams in the Western Conference: LA, Seattle and Colorado.

Though Vermes has said it is not quite time to start chasing points this early in the season, SKC would truly have a mountain to climb at home should they fail to get points from these next three. As crazy as it sounds just days into May, Sporting’s hopes for the rest of the season may hang in the balance as this road trip takes shape.

Looking ahead…

In their past three games, Sporting KC had the opportunity to test themselves against their Eastern Conference rivals, limping away with a disappointing zero points from three games. Over the next month, Sporting will face a similar test in an even more daunting slate of games against the Western Conference.

And as much as they need the points, it won’t be easy to avoid a similar point total out West. The Galaxy are finally starting to find their form, Seattle are playing some of their best soccer of the year withoutSteve Zakuaniand O’Brian White. And Colorado are still the defending champions.

Perhaps the best way to measure the resolve of a team is by how well it reacts to adversity. SKC are coming off an opening six games full of setbacks, and the next three games will say a lot about where the squad is and where it might find itself later in the season.

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Coundoul: New York defense a total team effort

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J.– Lost amid the Red Bulls three-game winning streak and offensive explosion is their recent defensive dominance. All three wins have been by shutout, and no one has had a better view of those games than goalkeeperBouna Coundoul.

After starting the season as the club’s No. 2 keeper, Coundoul capitalized on aGreg Suttonconcussion to reclaim the nod in the starting XI, the role he had all of 2010.

“Well, I am very pleased the way things are going tactically,” Coundoul told MLSSoccer.com. “We’re playing well, we are keeping our shape and we are limiting chances for the other team. This is what a good defense does and we’re doing that.”

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The Red Bulls are beyond solid defensively, building on last year’s record of allowing less than a goal per game. This year, New York have conceded just two goals in seven games, tied with Philadelphia andReal Salt Lakefor the top mark in MLS.

Coundoul conceded a goal in each of his first two starts of the season, but he has now settled into the current streak, which he carries into Los Angeles when the Red Bulls face the Galaxy on Saturday (11p.m., ESPN2). The 'keeper said that the shutout streak is a total team effort.

“It isn’t just the back four playing well, it is everyone doing their part,” Coundoul said. “The midfield closing things down, the forwards pursuing the ball hard. That’s the key to what we’re doing, we all take pride in it – not just the defenders but everyone on this team.”

Last year, Coundoul was far busier than he has been through his five starts in 2011. At times in 2010 the Red Bulls back line was porous. Now, given a year under head coach Hans Backe’s system coupled with a full preseason together, the Red Bulls backline is playing tight and aggressive soccer.

And it sometimes leaves Coundoul with little to do.

“I’m not totally bored but sometimes, maybe just a little,” Coundoul said. “I play with my feet a lot, the guys try to pass the ball back to me to keep me involved, to keep me focused. It helps me stay in the rhythm. You will also see that I am more engaged, more vocal. When we have corner kicks, I am bent over, ready in case anything happens. I try to stay sharp for all 90 minutes.”

While his teammates’ goalscoring prowess has been an obvious issue for New York’s opponents, it’s also proved problematic for Coundoul himself. Twice in the first half following Luke Rodgers goals against San Jose, the South Ward supporters’ section lit off smoke bombs, the smoke from which covered Coundoul.

It could have been a dicey situation had theQuakesmanaged a counterattack.

“Especially when we scored in the San Jose game, it was tough to see, there’s so much smoke that they set off. At one point, I thought maybe the ball was behind me, I couldn’t see what was going on,” Coundoul said. “I think it is fine though. You can tell that the fans are passionate, really into it and we appreciate their support. Those guys are so loud and fire us up. I can put up with the smoke.

“I’m just glad I haven’t gotten burned by it yet for a goal, though.”

Quick Kicks:

Defender Rafa Marquez, midfielder Teemu Tainio and Rodgers did not practice on Tuesday. Head coach Hans Backe said that Marquez was resting. Rodgers, who was subbed out at halftime, has a knee issue that Backe said is"very tight."Tainio was also subbed at halftime with a tight groin. Backe anticipates all three players training Thursday ahead of their trip to Los Angeles.

Tim Ream's practice was cut short after a knock to his knee sent him limping. The United States international iced the knee for the remainder of training and appeared fine afterward.

Without Marquez,Carlos Mendesworked with the first team defenders.

Kristian R. Dyer can be followed at twitter.com/KristianRDyer

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List of injured Chicago players keeps growing

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.– Add defenderJosip Mikulicand midfielder Mike Videira to the growing list of injuredChicago Fireplayers.

Both suffered injuries over the weekend and sat out training on Tuesday, joining midfielderLogan Pause– who missed Saturday’s match at Colorado with a hamstring strain – on the sidelines.

DefenderCory Gibbs, who, like Pause, missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring strain, only participated in the first half of Tuesday’s practice.

Mikulic (pictured above) injured his right shoulder in the 28th minute of Saturday’s game at Colorado and was subbed off shortly thereafter. The 25-year-old center back, who was wearing a sling and street clothes on Tuesday, is not expected to play this weekend against Vancouver.

“The doctor told me it’s not a severe situation but we need to wait,” Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos told MLSsoccer.com about Mikulic's injury.

Videira suffered a concussion in training on Friday, taking a ball off the side of his head during a crossing drill. The midfielder told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday that his symptoms were mostly gone and, pending the results of tests taken later Tuesday, he could begin training as early as Wednesday.

However, even if Videira does resume practicing on Wednesday, it’s no guarantee that he’ll be ready for Saturday’s match.

“I don’t know if {I’ll be able to play this weekend},” Videira said. “These things are really touch-and-go, but I do feel better already.”

De los Cobos said that doesn’t expect Pause to play on Saturday. The manager said he’s unsure whether or not Gibbs will be available against the Whitecaps.

Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him atsam.h.stejskal@gmail.comand follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.

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SJ's Morrow makes good impression at left back

Of all the adjustmentsSan Jose Earthquakescoach Frank Yallop made to his lineup Saturday against Philadelphia– and with five players getting their first start in 2011, there were myriad moves – none was as radical as his swap at left back.

Out wentRamiro Corrales, captain of the side for the last two seasons and a man who’s logged more than 20,000 MLS minutes, and in cameJustin Morrow, a second-year player with all of three reserve appearances to his credit.

It was a risky move born of a fervent desire to avoid a three-match losing streak. And even though theQuakeshave indeed lost three straight after a 1-0 road defeat against Philadelphia, Morrow acquitted himself ably for a defense that looked significantly buoyed in allowing only a harshly judged penalty to the Union.

“Obviously the result is disappointing, but it felt good to play,” Morrow told MLSsoccer.com. “At first I was a little nervous – obviously Philly’s got a good fan base – but my teammates rallied behind me and I felt comfortable in there. Once the game started going, I just tried to do mybest.”

That Morrow was capable of holding his own against an offensive-minded Union XI was good news for the 23-year-old Ohio native. He came out of Notre Dame known more as a midfielder than defender, and the Quakes have been attempting to bring up him to speed as a left back ever since selecting him 28th overall in the second round of the 2010 SuperDraft.

“I thought he played well,” veteranBobby Burlingsaid of Morrow.“When he plays with confidence is when he’s at his best. He did a good job on {Philadelphia attacker Sebastien} Le Toux throughout the game. He can go pace for pace with anybody. He hung right in there with Le Toux, so I thought it was a good performance for him.”

Morrow’s speed and quickness have never been an issue, but his lack of experience on the back line has often led to glaring mistakes in practice.

Those errors were held to a minimum on Saturday. Morrow’s most notable play, in fact, was a sliding interception on a pass fromDanny Mwangathat would have given Le Toux free run at the goal if not for Morrow’s timely intervention.

“Any time you’ve got a guy like Mwanga running at your back four, you just want to kind of push things wide and cover the middle,” Morrow said. “That was my first instinct. He put the ball down the middle and I was lucky enough to be there to stop it.”

One thing missing from Morrow’s game was the sight of him flying down the sideline with a wide run that stretches the opposing defense. That is a specialty of Morrow’s in practice, but he was more restrained Saturday, in part because of the fatigue of playing all 90 minutes for the first time ever in regular-season MLS action.

“I felt like I defended well. I just wanted to make a bigger impact going forward,” Morrow said. “Towards the end of the game, after they scored their goal {in the 76th minute}, I thought I was a little tired and could have given us a little more going forward.”

Whether Morrow gets another chance when San Jose resume MLS play in Vancouver on May 11 is yet to be seen. After Tuesday’s US Open Cup qualifier, there will be a long week of battling ahead in practice, with Corrales undoubtedly looking to reclaim his spot from the youngster.

“I think it was a good start for myself as far as starting goes,” Morrow said, “but obviously it can get better.”

Geoff Lepper covers the Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached atsanjosequakes@gmail.com. On Twitter: @sjquakes

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Fraser: Chivas USA aim to go from good to great

CARSON, Calif.– What a difference a month makes.

After starting April with the worst record in all of MLS,Chivas USAare on the rise in the Western Conference, sitting just three points away from second place. Riding a five-match unbeaten streak, extended with an emphatic home victory against theNew England Revolutionlast weekend, the Goats have plenty of reasons to savor the club’s recent run of success.

For a team considered to be an afterthought in the ultra-competitive West, Chivas USA have quietly developed into a strong defensive team– conceding only two goals during the month of April – behind the leadership of defenderHeath Pearceand the steady goalkeeping ofDan Kennedy.

While the defense has discovered its formula, the attack has also come into its own, with the Rojiblancos scoring five goals in their last two matches. That total, spearheaded by veteran forwardAlejandro Moreno, is nearly double the club’s output from its previous five games. And while it appears that the team is finally clicking, the Goats are not pumping out their chests just yet.

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“It’s a quiet confidence,” Pearce told MLSsoccer.com. “When we lost our first few games, we still had a belief system in what we were trying to do. We weren’t there yet, but we didn’t hit the panic button and change the way we play. We stuck to the philosophy of what we’re trying todo and it’s starting to come to fruition for us.”

The momentum that the team has generated in April will face the ultimate test in the month of May with matchups against several of the league’s top teams. The gauntlet begins with a trip to Utah to face Fraser’s old club,Real Salt Lake, this weekend (Saturday, 4 pm ET, TeleFutura).

“These games can help you gain momentum in this league,” Kennedy said. “You can see in two weeks just where we are in terms of the league standings, how much victories like this can help. So we just need to keep going in the right direction.”

Following the victory against the Revolution, Fraser– ever the perfectionist – admitted that while he was pleased with the direction of the squad, there was still plenty of room for improvement before they’re in position to challenge the league’s elite.

“Little things that make the difference between a good team and a great team,” Fraser said. “I think we’re becoming a good team, that’s no question, but it’s these little details that are going to make the difference between us being good and great.”

Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached atadam.m.serrano@gmail.comand on Twitter: @adamserrano

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News of Attakora's release appear to be a hoax

TORONTO–Nana Attakoradidn’t realize that calling in sick would cause so much confusion.

TheToronto FCdefender was feeling under the weather on Tuesday and begged off training. His absence caused a false report to circulate that he had been released by the club.

With the rumor quickly spreading on fan message boards and through Twitter– and the club not responding to calls from reporters – Attakora feared the worst. When contacted Tuesday morning, he said he had yet to hear anything official fromTFCafter seeing the report spread on Twitter.

It took about an hour for things to get straightened out, but in the end it appeared to be a false alarm. The report that was the genesis of the rumor was retracted and Attakora went back to assuming that all was fine.

“I’m not surprised,” he told Canadian Soccer News on Tuesday afternoon with a laugh, lightly chastising the media. “It happens all the time with you guys.”

Toronto FC declined to comment on the apparent miscommunication when contacted by MLSsoccer.com. However, sources close to the club say there are no immediate plans to release Attakora.

What gave the story credibility was that Attakora has struggled this year after seemingly breaking through in 2010. Along withAdrian Cann, the Toronto-area native started the majority of games for TFC in 2010 and had become a fan favorite as the last remaining player to have played for the Reds during their expansion year of 2007.

Earlier this season, Attakora was pulled from back to back games by new head coach Aron Winter. The coach said after that the 22-year-old was“not in the game.”

For his part, Attakora told MLSsoccer.com that he was dealing with some“personal issues” that were distracting him from playing at his best. However, he said that he had moved on from those issues and was concentrating on winning his starting position back.

His contract status is also up in the air, with attempts to extend it rejected by the player this past offseason. He is under contract until the end of this season.

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USOC: San Jose edge Portland in overtime

PORTLAND, Ore.–Ike Opara’s header in the 120th minute broke a scoreless deadlock to give theSan Jose Earthquakesa 1-0 win over thePortland Timbersin a second-round play-in game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The win breaks San Jose’s three-game losing streak in all competitions. Portland, meanwhile, dropped their first match at newly renovated JELD-WEN Field.

For more than two hours, chippy play gave way to offensive creativity, as the ref blew the whistle 45 times and dished out eight yellow cards issued over the course of the rugged game.

San Jose, who have eight days before their next match, started six players who have made four or more MLS starts this season. That lineup included starting forwardsRyan JohnsonandChris Wondolowski.

In contrast, Portland decided to rest most of their regulars for Friday’s nationally televised home contest against thePhiladelphia Union. The only Timbers player who started in Saturday’s 1-0 victory overReal Salt Lakeand returned to start against San Jose was goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Steve Purdy (six starts) and James Marcelin (four) led a Timbers side made up mostly of reserves.

Miranda Chrislock/Portland Timbers

Nevertheless, it was the home side who would fire the first warning when, in the 15th minute, Marcelin tried his luck from distance. His effort, however, was stopped byQuakes‘keeper Andrew Weber.

Twelve minutes later, Opara threatened the Timbers when he got past the defense and collided with Perkins as they both went in search of the ball.

Just before the whistle signaling the end of the first half, San Jose midfielder Khari Stephenson missed out on a great opportunity, failing to connect the ball to send it into the net despite being unmarked.

The slow first half gave way to a more action- and foul-packed second 45 as each team struggled to control the match and not give their opponents too much space.

The most noteworthy chance happened in the 75th minute, when San Jose’s Johnson tested Perkins, who passed with flying colors by tipping the forward’s shot over the crossbar.

Unable to break through in regulation, the teams entered overtime still scoreless. Then, near the end of the first 15-minute overtime period, Quakes strikerSteven Lenhartappeared to nod a goal into the Timbers net. However, officials ruled he used his hand to score, the goal was waived off, and Lenhart was issued a yellow card.

When it appeared the defensive tug-of-war battle was headed to penalty kicks, Opara came through for San Jose. MidfielderSam Cronin, who had collected a cleared corner kick, crossed the ball into the box, where Opara flicked it past Perkins for the winner.

The Timbers mounted a late attack but failed to find the equalizer.

With the win, San Jose go on to face theChicago Firein a third-round play-in match later this month.

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Opara's late goal puts Earthquakes back on track

It took a full 120 minutes beforeIke Oparacould wipe out three years of bad US Open Cup history for theSan Jose Earthquakes.

Opara’s goal in the final minute of overtime didn’t just secure a 1-0 victory over thePortland Timbersin USOC qualifying play on Tuesday night. It also gave theQuakestheir first win in this competition since the club was reformed in 2008 and, most importantly, delivered some hope to San Jose after three straight losses in MLS play pushed them to the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

“It definitely means a lot,” Quakes starChris Wondolowskisaid.“I think it’s just good for the morale for the locker room. Portland’s a really tough place to play, the atmosphere’s unreal and Portland’s a good team. It’s a good one that we can really build on.”

After the team was knocked out of USOC qualifying last year byReal Salt Lakein a penalty shootout, Opara spared the team such a fate this team around. Yes, the game-winner was more of a ricochet off the center back’s neck, but it was also a culmination of several strong scoring chances for San Jose.

And given that the Quakes had scored only one goal during their three-game MLS losing streak– and watchedSteven Lenhart’s apparent score in the 104th minute waved off for a handball infraction – Opara's breakthrough didn’t come a moment too soon.

Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers

“We had so many chances off set pieces,” Opara told MLSsoccer.com by phone. “We had a couple of chances for myself, for {Ramiro Corrales}. I was telling Wondo after {regulation time} that if I could get one more opportunity, I would find the net.”

Opara, who tied for second on the Quakes with three goals last season despite playing only 11 matches due to injury, showed once again that he brings a danger to San Jose’s set pieces unparalleled by anyone else on the roster.

This time,Sam Cronin’s initial corner kick was headed back towards the same sideline by Portland’s defense, but Cronin collected the ball and fed it in again. He was on target with the second cross, lofting the ball to the far post, where Opara, having repeated his run, rose up and gave the ball just enough impetusto elude diving Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

“Any time he’s in the opposing box, he’s very difficult to pick up,” San Jose head coach Frank Yallop said of Opara. “His timing’s excellent and he finds the ball. Every time he plays, he seems to score. Even in preseason, he {found} the ball a lot.”

Opara also helped anchor a defense that gave a strong performance in front of backup‘keeper Andrew Weber, who made his 2011 debut. Weber made a couple of sprawling saves in the eighth minute to keep Portland from taking an early lead, and alertly jumped on the rebound from a stinging blast byAdam Moffatin the 86th to force OT.

It was a return to the kind of form the Quakes showed in 2010, when they notched a franchise-record 13 shutouts in 30 regular-season matches.

“I wouldn’t say {it’s a} relief,” Yallop said. “At some point you know as a team you’re going to get it together and get a win. I felt a little bit frustrated last weekend, when I felt we should have had a tie in Philadelphia. There were no real chances, and the referee calls a penalty that wasn’t a penalty and we lose the game.

“So for the last two matches, I feel we’ve had clean sheets. That’s a good trait,” he added.

The next item of the Quakes’ to-do list? Carrying that feeling into their next MLS match, set for May 11 against Vancvouer.

“For sure, we’re turning it around,” Opara said. “I think it’s coming. I think the next game will be a huge {indication} of how it’s going. Can we string together a couple of wins?”

Geoff Lepper covers the Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached atsanjosequakes@gmail.com. On Twitter: @sjquakes

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DC eager to snap home drought against Seattle

WASHINGTON– A budding East-West rivalry will renew Wednesday evening, asD.C. Unitedlook to bounce back from two recent defeats and notch their first-ever home win against theSeattle Sounders(7:30 pm ET,MatchDay Live).

In three previous outings at RFK Stadium, DC have dropped all three games against Seattle: two in league play, and one in the 2009 US Open Cup final.

This time around will be no small task, as the Sounders enter Wednesday’s game on a six-game unbeaten streak, and fresh off a 3-0 win at home againstToronto FClast weekend. They’ve proven so far, at least, to be undaunted by the crushing loss of Steve Zakauni, who suffered a broken leg on April 22 against Colorado and likely won’t return this season.

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“The first challenge is the emotions they’ve experienced the past couple of weeks,” United midfielderDax McCartysaid.“Losing a player likeSteve Zakuanito an injury like that is very emotional for everyone involved. They go out and want to play the rest of the season for him.”

DC, for their part, are seeking a quick improvement after two straight humbling losses in league play. They’ve been outscored 8-1 in the last two games, decisive losses to New York and Houston.

And while the team expected some bumps in the road early in the year– this is a young team after all – there were questions about the effort in the latest loss against theHouston Dynamo, making the Seattle game all that much more important.

“We’ve had a couple tough weeks, we’re a young team, we’re going to go through these growing pains, but the one thing that’s unacceptable is the effort,” McCarty said. “It’s got to be there.”

Wednesday’s match opens a crucial stretch for United, who will hostFC Dallason Saturday and theColorado Rapidson May 14.

“I think that this is a game for us that, in front of our fans and in front of our families, that win, lose or draw,” midfielderSantino Quarantasaid,“guys better leave their hearts and everything out on the field.”

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LA's Berhalter, Cristman a step closer to returns

CARSON, Calif.– When the Galaxy facedChivas USAin a Reserve League match on Tuesday, the 3-1 loss was not the result the team had hoped for.

But that’s not to say there weren’t any positives the Galaxy left with from match.

Adam Cristmanplayed for the first time in an LA uniform whileGregg Berhaltersaw action for the first time in 10 weeks. The score may not have been favorable to the Galaxy, but getting a pair of important players one step closer to game action is significant.

“It was good to get them out,” Galaxy reserves coach Curt Onalfo said. “That’s part of what these games are for.”

Cristman started the season off with a knee injury and had been slow to respond. On Tuesday, he played the first half at his usual forward position, pairing withBryan Jordanup top.

“It was good to finally get a little time on the field with the reserves,” Cristman said. “It took 10-15 minutes for myself to get in the game, which is a little too long. But once we started clicking, we kind of stuck to our game plan in getting balls behind, I think we had some success.”

Cristman accounted for the Galaxy’s only goal, as he sent a ball from the left side of the box to the right post whereHector Jimenezstreaked in and finished to momentarily tie the match.

Robert Mora/LA Galaxy

The Galaxy’s dynamics changed at the start of the second half, when Onalfo took Cristman out and replaced him with 16-year-old Jack McBean, one of three teenagers on the Galaxy.

“It would have been nice to have had {Cristman} for 90 minutes because he certainly was creating havoc the last part of the first half,” Onalfo said. “To have to take him out, we kind of lost a little bit of the momentum.”

With more performances like that, Cristman said he hopes to get some playing time with the first team.

“This was a good exercise for me and trying to prove I’m match-fit and I can play and earn myself a spot on the 18 and get on the field in the weekend games,” he said. “It’s really up to Bruce {Arena} and the coaches to evaluate that and determine if putting me in there makes sense. … Ijust have to keep taking care of my body and prove in these exercises and in training that I belong on the field.”

Berhalter, meanwhile, played the final 30 minutes of the match, sliding in alongside Matt Tilley in central defense. From the start, Berhalter began organizing players on the field and shouting commands.

For where he was at the start of last week, the veteran defender has made great strides.

“I just started running last Monday, so eight days ago I was not able to run and now I’m playing,” he said. “It went quickly, but it’s a progression. I played 30 minutes and it’s just building on that.

“I’m obviously not there yet. I’ve been out 10 weeks, so it’s been a while. This is a process of getting back together, but I feel good, I feel strong, and that’s the most important thing.”

With center back Leonardo out for the year, the onus might be on Berhalter to accelerate his return. However, he said he wants to come back quickly regardless of the team’s injury situation.

“I want to get back anyway, regardless of who is fit, who is injured,” he said. “I have a burning desire to play.”

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