Look at the bottom of the EPL standings and you will see the relegation zone comprised of Derby, Fulham and Reading.
Sadly these teams include many American players who are going through the pressure filled life of survival in what many call the top league in the world.
U.S. names like Carlos Bocanegra, Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson, Kasey Keller of Fulham. Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber at Derby and Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann at Reading are all in a different fight.
Relegation can mean financial crisis at these clubs…..So today I caught Fulham at Blackburn.
Kasey Keller in goal against Brad Friedel. Two U.S. greats who have had amazing careers.
Fulham through a wonderful free kick by Jimmy Bullard earned a point in the final minutes and a positive accomplishment on the road. It’s hard not to pull for Fulham, to feel what they are going through and to understand that Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson are not in the safe confines of NE or KC where healthy pressure for the sport is still being cultivated and manufactured.
Wet fields, journeyman defenders less than stellar delivery and difficult playing conditions well serve these players well in their futures.
Eddie Johnson is still getting acclimated but is certainly learning that he will have to be stronger in possession. It was almost embarrssing some of the fouls he momentarily begged for. His pace is keeping him on the field and his ability to adjust is what one must keep an eye on in the future.
Marcus Hahnemann and Reading had a huge 2-0 win today over Manchester City who are struggling and the story of the weekend could be Barnsley knocking Chelsea out of Cup competition. What a site at the Barnsley home stadium with fans rushing on to the field at the end of the match.
This is a story that bears keeping an eye on.
On another front who will be the first goalkeeper back to Seattle ? Marcus Hahnemann or Kasey Keller? Will one become involved on the administrative side in the future of Seattle’s entry into MLS?

If you are like me and made a last minute road trip to Cibolo to catch pre-season MLS soccer you will have to admit that Dwayne DeRosario’s goal in the 1-0 win over Chivas USA was worth every minute of the drive.
I intended on catching the DC /Toronto game but got a late start and after driving by the San Antonio Raceway I took the winding roads into Cibolo. A little surreal I might add driving in the dark looking at floodlights in the distance of the high school facility that housed the event.
I settled into the bleachers just above the nice contingent of Dynamo fans and was able to catch former Mayde Creek/Hurricanes Soccer club Josh Gardner score the game winner for DC against Toronto FC. DC was using mainly reserves and trialists. Gardner also whipped in a great cross that was re-driected off the post in the waning moments.
By the way it had to be in the 30’s last night in San Antonio .
Since I was there I will give you a few thoughts and observations on the game:

*Dwayne DeRosario’s goal in the 8th minute was an absolute blast from about 40 yards out and will be the “goal of the year”. Oh wait, it’s still pre-season.

*Dynamo were the sharpest of all teams and played mostly regulars in the first 45 minutes and moved the ball sharp and comfortably. Mainly reserves played in the 2nd half and although the quality dropped it was refreshing to see that the reserves had an idea how they wanted to play all stemming from a desire to have the ball and move it sharply on the tight confines .

*Did I say it was cold? It was cold but in the same manner refreshing. Dynamo fans did a great job of showing support and the word is Sunday the crowd will balloon with a bus coming in after talking to one of the Sada brothers of El Battallon who were there taping highlights for their website.

*Tony Caig will be a solid, experienced 2nd goalkeeper for the Dynamo . Pat Onstad sat this one out.

*One of my main reasons for going was to see Franco Caraccio and he came on in the 2nd half up front with Kyle Brown acquired from Real Salt Lake. Caraccio you can tell understands the game and has some interesting subtleties. Some of his movement off defenders and Chivas’s last line of defense was good. I little nudge to a bigger, stronger defender and a flick on into a channel to Brown and committed effort. He was rarely on the ball much and didn’t get to see him take anyone on .
Fans will need to be patient with this player and standing with people some are already willing to judge him on 45 minutes of pre-season soccer. Judgement day for him will come in a couple of months once he gets used to training and MLS games.

*Brian Ching looked extremely sharp and fit, Wade Barrett remains his steady self and one has to be impressed by his “Ironman” status, never gets injured and is so reliable as a left back in MLS.

*Davis came off frustrated with a hamstring problem.

Take it with a grain of salt, it is still pre-season but there were alot of postive signs heading into what should be one of the best years ever in MLS. Sundays games will be at noon and I am heading back to catch the doubleheader. It is a great opportunity for fans to see teams in a different light as we are now heading into the stretch run for Concacaf Champions Cup play and the opening MLS game.

New news soon on the weekly Dynamo tv show and the radio show. Tune in this Monday night from 7-9pm on 790 The Sports Animal for a re-cap of Sunday’s matches that I will bring you plus interviews with coaches and players as Municipal lays in wait.
For those Dynamo fans that made the trip it was nice talking to you in Cibolo and see you on Sunday!