U.S. and Mexico to tangle / Chad Marshall emerges…can CREW keep him?

*I like this. The U.S. and Mexico will open up and close the final round of World Cup qualifying for SOUTH AFRICA 2010.
Time to get out of the comfort zone for the UNITED STATES who qualified comfortably and a pressure filled match for Mexico and Sven-Goran Erikkson.
The game takes place on February 11th and I am going to bet this one goes back to COLUMBUS, OHIO .
Think carefully about this one and what it can mean to both teams. For the U.S. they can continue this undefeated streak on U.S. soil and for Mexico they can finally get over the hump and win a game in the United States.
The teams will also close out the qualifying in Mexico City at AZTECA STADIUM one would assume. Hey who knows, maybe both will be qualified at the time and it can be played in Los Angeles or Houston and both Federations and SUM can share in the profits. Mexico plays more games in the U.S. these days.

* I was watching the Fox Soccer Channel last night and was listening to the commentary about a number of subjects including Chad Marshall of Columbus. But nobody touched on this subject.
Despite the concussions that have dogged him this past year, Marshall clearly was “soft” as a central defender in the early years in MLS for a big man. Many coaches felt this way and it is also why he has not gotten more national team call-ups. This year fans have seen more emotion and an “edge” out of Marshall that has clearly separated him in an outstanding season that has earned him DEFENDER OF THE YEAR STATUS. He has become more territorial and it is great to see him bring a passionate side.
This was a huge difference this season and one can only point to something that SIGI SCHMID did to bring this out of the player.
At 6″4 and as a center back you must bring a form of intimidation to that position. Now the CREW need to re-sign the “BIG MAN”.

*Full slate of Champions League games today:

ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG VS. JUVENTUS
BATE BORISOV VS. REAL MADRID
VILLAREAL VS. MANCHESTER UTD
AaB VS. CELTIC
BAYERN MUNICH vs. STEAU BUCHAREST
FIORENTINA VS. LYON
FENERBACHE VS PORTO
ARSENAL VS. DINAMO KIEV

* One of the players the DYNAMO elected to protect was GUY ROLAND K-PENE…….The expansion draft will be held tomorrow and SEATTLE has some good players available to build the base of their squad with.

* DYNAMO AT HOME AGAINST FIRPO tomorrow night . The DYNAMO must win while a tie is good enough for FIRPO. Will FIRPO try to defend the one goal advantage over 90 minutes at ROBERTSON? We will see. I would assume some FIRPO fans will make it out to this one. You should also as tickets are only $5.
Now that is a deal.