FC Dallas gets a double D for their troubled D

After days of negotiations, FC Dallas has signed former Club America star Duilio Davino to a two-year contract. No numbers were released other then to say he is non a DP so he is making under $400,000 a year.

Could it be that at long last FCD is finally doing something to truly stabilize their backline? It seems like year after year I think the same thing about the team, 'great offense but what a mess on defense,' but could this be the sign of changing times? Okay, this move was made in large part due to Clarence Goodson leaving for San Jose, so it might be a forced change of priorities, but it is still a change.

Even at 31, Davino is a quality player. Yes, injuries are starting to come a bit more frequently and his speed is lacking, but as Blanco showed last season, in MLS if you can read the game, you can overcome a lot. Plus, I'm sure he will be able to help organize the back far better then anyone the team has had in a long time.

But this move was not just about getting a good player to fill a hole; it was also about getting people through the turnstiles to fill some seats. Although he will not be the draw that Blanco is, he is still a known name to those of Mexican heritage, which should help convince a few to make the long drive to Frisco to see a couple games.

Overall, a very good move by the team from Dallas.

2007 SuperLiga - Houston and DC control their fate

Is there any way that tonight's SuperLigq action can live up to last nights? Unless a defense collapse bug is going around MLS clubs, I really don't see an 11 goal outing, so maybe tonight will be less in the dazzle category and more in the solid play realm. It might not make as many highlights reels, but it will still be very enjoyable to watch.

DC United (4pts) vs. Houston Dynamo (4pts)
Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas
8pm ET/5pm PT
TV: TeleFutura (Spanish)
Internet: MLStv or SuperLiga Web Site (English)

Although either of these teams could advance even with a loss, the only way they can define their own destine is with a win, so expect some hard tackles and fun play. Houston's backline might just be the toughest in the tournament meaning DC is going to need some outstanding wide play to force some mistakes, but their first priority will be earning control in the middle of the field. Houston just need to continue doing what they are doing and hope that Dwayne De Rosario has another good game.


Club America (0pts) vs. Morelia (2pts)
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.
10pm ET/7pm PT
TV: TeleFutura (Spanish)
Internet: MLStv or SuperLiga Web Site (English)

Just because Club America is out of the tournament doesn't mean they are just going to let Morelia run the field. No one wants to be the worse team of the eight, especially a stored club like America, so expect them to come out to run. Morelia has been one of the most patient teams I've seen in a long time, which allows them to poke their opposition till they find the right spot (or get a little lucky). America will now their strategy a bit better then the MLS sides, but expect more of the same.

Group A

Team	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD
LA Galaxy	6	3	2	1	0	9	8	+1
Pachuca	4	3	1	1	1	3	3	0
Guadalajara	4	3	1	1	1	3	3	0
FC Dallas	2	3	0	1	2	7	8	-1

Group B

Team	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD
DC United	4	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1
Houston Dynamo	4	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1
Monarcas Morelia	2	2	0	0	2	2	2	0
Club América	0	2	0	2	0	0	2	-2

SuperLiga schedule and why you should watch

The first addition of the SuperLiga begins tonight with FC Dallas facing off against Chivas de Guadalajara followed by LA playing host to Pachuca. Perhaps none of these teams are your team, however if you are a fan of soccer in North America, you should take an interest in this tournament.

The short term goal of the SuperLiga is simple, 8 teams will play 15 matches to decide who gets the $1 million prize, but long term, those in charge are hoping to build this into a competition on par with the Champions League. Okay, such a day is a long way off, but it is good to have a dream.

Why this should matter to all MLS and Mexican league fans as well as other countries in Concacaf is simple, the more of a success this tournament is, the great the chance of increased money flowing into the various leagues (they hope to expand it to include other countries' leagues in the years to come). This money will be used to improve training facilities as well as bring in better players, thus making Concacaf a better stop for international players from all over the world.

The teams are divided into two groups playing a three game round-robin stage with the top two teams from each group advancing to a the knockout stage with the ultimate winner taking home the largest prize purse in North American soccer history.

All games will air in the US on TeleFutura as well as on the internet at MLSnet and the SuperLiga website (no word if there will be English or Spanish calls for the internet broadcasts).

Group A
Chivas de Guadalajara
FC Dallas
LA Galaxy
Pachuca

No.	Date	Time (ET)	Match
01	24 July	9:00pm	Chivas de Guadalajara 1-1 FC Dallas
02	24 July	11:00pm	Pachuca 1-2 LA Galaxy
05	28 July	8:00pm	Pachuca 1-1 FC Dallas
06	28 July	10:00pm	Chivas de Guadalajara 2-1 LA Galaxy
09	31 July	8:00pm	LA Galaxy 6-5 FC Dallas
10	31 July	10:00pm	Pachca 1-0 Chivas de Guadalajara in Denver

Group B
Club America
DC United
Houston Dynamo
Monarcas Morelia

No.	Date	Time (ET)	Match
03	25 July	8:00pm	Morelia 1-1 DC United
04	25 July	10:00pm	Club America 0-1 Houston Dynamo
07	29 July	8:00pm	Club America 0-1 DC United
08	29 July	10:00pm	Morelia 1-1 Houston Dynamo
11	01 Aug	8:00pm	DC United 0-1 Houston Dynamo
12	01 Aug	10:00pm	Club America 3-2 Morelia in Chicago

Semifinals
14 Aug - Houston Dynamo 2 (3)-(4) 2 Pachuca
15 Aug - LA Galaxy 2-0 DC United

Final
29 Aug - Pachuca vs. LA Galaxy - Location and time to be decided

All four Mexican teams are very solid, however most of them will be missing players due to recent international competitions plus their season ended almost two months ago, which should give the US teams a bit of an advantage (not to mention home pitch advantage). Still, this will be a good test for all those involved and should provide some fun viewing.

Which brings me to one last question, why isn't this airing on any English language stations as this seems perfect for ESPN or Fox Soccer Channel? It is an international competition that takes place over a short period of time with a major payout at the end. Seems like an easy sell to the casual fan. Hopefully next year it will be a little different story.

MLS Expansion - Is MLS looking for a Club America USA?

Could Mexico's Club America join their arch rivals Chivas in MLS? It seems the club will use this week's SiperLiga matches to judge the possibility of such a move.

Before the Earthquakes 1.0 moved to Houston, rumor had it that Club America would place an expansion team there, however, even with that option gone, Texas might still be in the running.

Club America, nicknamed Los Aguilas (The Eagles), is known as the team of the elite and is well-supported in the Houston area. The MLS hoped America would invest in a Houston satellite team, similar to Chivas USA, but the league instead moved the San Jose Earthquakes to Houston. The door is still open for an America expansion team, possibly in Texas.

I really don't think the league is ready to place a second team in either Dallas or Houston, which leaves San Antonio as the most likely option, however the league has a bad history with the Alamo city. MLS actually declared San Antonio as an expansion city a little over two years ago, however the deal fell apart in spectacular fashion as it became a major issue in the mayoral race. The main issue involved the deal for leasing the almost never used Alamodome stadium.

However, it should be noted that in his online chat last Tuesday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber listed the cities in which negotiations are on going as: Vancouver, Portland, Seattle, San Jose, Sacramento, San Diego, San Antonio, St. Louis, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Rochester, New York City, Atlanta, Miami and Las Vegas. Oddly enough, when he gave his state of the league address the next day, San Antonio was missing from the list (as were Rochester and Sacramento).

Could it be that two years later that San Antonio and the league might be able to work something out? Then again, San Diego could also be an option.