In recent weeks, San Antonio FC’s climb from also-ran to playoff contender took on a familiar refrain. The local United Soccer League club would grab an early lead, have the advantage bolstered by the opponent playing shorthanded, then slowly secure a win. On a sweltering-hot Saturday evening, with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees at kickoff, the script was set to play out again. This time, though, SAFC got burned. Rio Grande Valley FC, forced to play the final 60 minutes shorthanded after a red-card ejection, scored twice in the latter stages and rallied to tie SAFC 2-2 before 7,533 at Toyota Field. “It’s just one of those nights that becomes a little bit more frustrating because we weren’t able to capitalize on the wonderful opportunity that we had,” SAFC coach Darren Powell said. “This league’s very tight. All the teams are very close. One goal makes a different in about six or seven places. “We’ve got to make sure that … [Read more...] about SAFC squanders late lead, settles for draw
Soccer
Galaxy’s draw against Sounders feels like a loss
The Galaxy, who really can’t afford many more losses this season, lost both a player and a golden goal-scoring opportunity in the first 12 minutes of Saturday’s game with the Seattle Sounders.What they didn’t lose was their grit or their composure and that paid off in a hard-won 2-2 draw before an announced crowd of 26,213 at Dignity Health Sports Park.Still the shorthanded Galaxy, who played most of the night with 10 men, felt they should have had more, with a freakish own goal in the 82nd minute costing them a win they probably deserved.With Seattle growing desperate in the closing minutes, the Sounders launched a long ball over the top that forced Galaxy keeper David Bingham to come more than 30 yards off his line. Bingham got to the ball first and tried to punch it out of danger, but it struck defender Jorgen Skjelvik in the head and caromed into the net. Raul Ruidiaz scored Seattle’s other goal late in the first half while both Galaxy scores came from … [Read more...] about Galaxy’s draw against Sounders feels like a loss
Fear the beards: LAFC’s good luck charm is growing on them
Steven Beitashour believes he found the one thing LAFC teammate Carlos Vela cannot do better than everyone else in MLS. And that’s grow a beard.Beitashour qualifies as something of an expert on facial hair, having harvested an impressive beard since setting aside his razor in the preseason. What Vela has going is more like 3 o’clock shadow.“I don’t know if you’d consider that a beard,” Beitashour said. “It’s more like stubble.”Technically stubble, no matter how thin, qualifies as a beard, which helps make LAFC not just the winningest team in MLS this season, but the hairiest one as well. Midfielder Lee Nguyen and defender Jordan Harvey have been working on their beards all year. Forwards Diego Rossi and Josh Perez both have one. Count the bristles on the faces of defender Walker Zimmerman, forward Adama Diomande and Vela, and eight of the players LAFC used in last weekend’s win over the New York Red Bulls were wearing … [Read more...] about Fear the beards: LAFC’s good luck charm is growing on them
Soccer on TV: What to watch this weekend
Germany’s Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga kick off new seasons Friday with single games featuring their defending champions while in England the reigning Premier League titleist, Manchester City, seeks to continue its unbeaten start Saturday in its first game of the new season at home.La Liga: Barcelona begins the chase for a third straight crown Friday against Athletic Club (BeIN Sports, noon PDT) and will have a different look after spending $217 million to acquire French forward Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid and Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong from Ajax. And Barcelona may not be done adding players since it remains the leader in a high-priced pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar. It’s likely Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the opener, however, after sitting out much of the preseason, then missing training Thursday, because of a calf issue.Bundesliga: The last time Bayern Munich finished anywhere but first in the Bundesliga, Robert Lewandowski, … [Read more...] about Soccer on TV: What to watch this weekend
Galaxy are redefining their blueprint for success
The Galaxy’s charter flight home from Sunday’s loss to D.C. United didn’t touch down until early Monday morning. A few hours later, Dennis te Kloese, the team’s general manager, was in the office hard at work.“Of course. I have to be,” he said, surprised anyone would think he would choose sleep over work. “There’s so much to do here, I have to come in.”At this point, it might help to think of Te Kloese as an architect rather than a sports executive and of Galaxy manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto as a contractor rather than a coach. Together, they are working on a large and complicated renovation.Some of the foundation had been laid before they started, but it’s weak and crumbling in spots. A few pillars have been raised, but not enough to give the project shape because the previous builders didn’t really have a plan. So now Te Kloese tinkers with new blueprints, erasing things here, scribbling ideas there, all while … [Read more...] about Galaxy are redefining their blueprint for success