Tag: mls

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: Giants Posey drops out; Nashville FC second MLS team to drop out; plus more

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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has stated before “what are we doing” regarding playing and working out while the virus is spreading like a wild fire throughout the country and with a pregnant wife is considering dropping out for the season (NBC Sports photo)

On Headline Sports with Michael:

#1 San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey had missed three days of workouts and announced he is dropping out as of Friday as the risks of contracting the virus has been off the charts as Posey and his wife adopted twins who born pre mature and Posey will stay at home to care for the twins. With Posey dropping out will this be an example for other players that it’s not safe?

#2 Nashville FC had ten players test positive and like FC Dallas they have elected to drop out could teams in MLB start doing the same things by dropping out.

#3 Things have been reportedly falling apart for testing in MLB with delays with their Utah lab but tests this week have come back and MLB teams continue to work out but managers and players are very nervous on how to proceed on a day to day basis on trying to keep it safe.

#4 Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin said after A’s left hand pitcher Jesus Luzardo tested positive for Corona Luzardo would not be on the field and that he couldn’t comment any further on Luzardo and anyone else.

#5 Michael with the minor leagues shut down and some of the teams we talked about in MLS testing positive and the NFL mulling over how to play or not will baseball eventually have to cancel the season?

Michael Duca does Headline Sports podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes and Sounders draw 0-0 in MLS Is Back debut in Orlando bubble

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The San Jose Earthquakes gather before kick off to send a photo tweet to assistant coach Benjamin Galindo a get well after Galindo suffered a stroke and had brain surgery on May 28th. Galindo was in intensive care and was released home on Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico . Galindo has been on the coaching staff since 2019. (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

ORLANDO, Fla.—Soccer is back in America.

In muggy conditions, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders FC played their first game in four months to a competitive 0-0 draw on Friday evening at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex.

The MLS Is Back tournament has 24 of the 26 league’s teams competing in Orlando to restart the 2020 MLS season. The winner receives a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021. FC Dallas and Nashville FC were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to their players and staff having numerous positive tests for COVID-19.

San Jose, who were the first team to travel to Orlando 16 days ago, looked like the team most adapted to the humid conditions as they controlled play in the first half with a 63-37% advantage in possession against the defending MLS Cup champions.

The Quakes had two good scoring chances in the 24th and 25th minutes. Christian Espinoza made a move from the right into the middle for a shot that was saved by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Then Vako’s shot from the left wing was also stopped by Frei.

San Jose looked to make a dent in the scoreboard late in the first half when Espinoza centered a pass into the middle, but Andy Rios’ attempt sailed just to the left of the goal in the 39th minute.

The Quakes defense played sound defense in the first half. With the exception of letting Cristian Roldan get behind them for a point-blank shot that Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega made a two-handed blocker save in the 28th minute, Seattle didn’t muster any other quality scoring chances in the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw Seattle increase the pressure in the Quakes defensive zone. Once again Vega made a point-blank save on Roldan in the 52nd minute.

The steamy conditions began to take their toll on both teams with many players suffering cramps in the last 30 minutes of the second half.

San Jose dominated the game with nine corner kicks to just one for Seattle. The Quakes had a chance to take the lead in the 83rd minute with their eighth of the match but were not able to cash in the opportunity.

Seattle’s best chance to break the deadlock came in the 84th minute when a centering feed split two Quakes defenders to a wide open Raul Ruidiaz inside the box but he hesitated on his shot attempt, allowing Vega to come out and make the save.

Despite a combined 28 shots on goal, both goalkeepers shined the brightest on the pitch for 98 minutes.

GAME NOTES: Quakes center fullback Guram Kashia left the game late in the match with what appeared to be a cramp in his leg.

San Jose’s Tommy Thompson (19th minute) and Seattle’s Xavier Arreaga (24th minute) were issued yellow cards for unsporting behavior.

One new quirk the tournament features is teams have the ability to make five substitutions instead of the normal three. San Jose used all five opportunities while Seattle used four.

This was the Quakes first match since March 7th when they lost to Minnesota FC 5-2 at Earthquakes Stadium.

UP NEXT: The Quakes take on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday 7/15 in their second match of Group B play at 7:30pm at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Can WNBA, NBA, and MLS withstand Florida outbreak as their season’s begin; More than 170 black MLS players march before games in Florida; plus more

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Members of all the MLS soccer teams march around the stadium before a soccer match Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla., wearing shirts and masks with messages about race. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 There are three leagues playing in the bubble called Disney World the WNBA, the NBA and MLS. MLS rushed to be the first league to start play as they opened on Thursday night with Philadelphia and Chicago with Covid cases spiking and Florida being a hot bed how much of a big mistake could this be asking the players to play during a huge epidemic like this?

#2 More than 170 Black players from different MLS teams marched around the stadium at Kissimmee Florida wearing masks and messages about race. The coalition Black Players for Change the players raised their fists for eight minutes and 46 seconds the same time that a Minneapolis cop had his knee on George Floyd.

#3 Justin Morrow of FC Toronto said that the players are standing with players in the European Soccer League as well who face discrimination as well.

#4 There will be no season for FC Dallas as six players who arrived in Orlando tested positive. FC Dallas arrived in Orlando on June 27th and are now quarantining in their hotel rooms. Nashville FC also had ten players who came down with Corona and have to withdraw. Which again raises the issue of how risky is it to play during a huge outbreak in a state that is simply out of control?

#5 London talk about the opener tonight as the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders battle. Will Chris Wondolowski have another great season as he leads the Quakes in the opener.

Join London for Headline Sports podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: The facemask will remain in fashion if the NBA bubble opens up

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Camping World Stadium in Orlando is part of the bubble for Major League Soccer for 24 teams and 36 games. Some of the players are questioning the lock down restrictions by the league with players staying in their hotel rooms with the exception of going to work at the stadium (booking.com file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony the NBA and MLS will be in a bubble called Walt Disney World but as exciting as that may sound they won’t be taking in on the amusement park’s rides or entertainment but buttoned down at the Disney Hotels after workouts, practices and games for six weeks.

#2 There is a fear in returning back to the regular season for the MLS who are two games in before the Covid-19 shelter in and the NBA who are trying to finish the last eight regular season games before starting the playoff. That fear is that local workers at the arena and at the hotel do not have the same mandated requirements like the players. The NBA has maintained that the risks of getting sick by arena security, custodians, camera production crews, and others are low.

#3 Bill Hamid of the MLS’ DC United said that being restricted to going from the hotel and the stadium in Orlando would be like being locked up. Hamid said he talked about this from the beginning. The next question how will this plan work keeping players in their hotel rooms and then back out to the stadium?

#4 The Milwaukee Bucks have a real shot at winning the NBA Championship but for the Bucks Kyle Korver he said if the NBA’s black players feel like not playing is the best idea Korver said he’s in full support behind them. Korver added that he cared more about a change in society than a championship.

#5 In the NFL the tune is changing at least for quarterback Colin Kaepernick as Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said that Kaepernick has the style that fits in with the Chargers offensive system and that the Chargers will be a team that will be running.

Join Tony every Thursday for Headline Sports

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: NBA players having second thoughts about returning

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The Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard (12) and the Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving expressed their concerns about resuming the NBA season while they got opposing views from former Boston Celtic Kendrick Perkins and the Utah Jazz’ Ed Davis (AP photo)

On Headlines podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard agrees with the Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving saying that this is not the right time to return to play basketball when there are so many important issues going in society. Howard didn’t say basketball would be a distraction for the players but it would not be appropriate to return to play with a serious issues at hand.

#2 One former NBA player Kendrick Perkins who played with the Boston Celtics and also was a teammate of Irving’s said he disagrees with Irving naming a number of stars that want to return to play like LeBron, Chris Paul, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis to name a few. Perkins says Irving is lashing out and making a lot of noise and “Everytime I think of the guy I want to throw up”

#3 The other point being made by some of the players is that they will not have contact with anyone fans, friends, agents, business associates, sponsors, or the media no one for at least three months and such seclusion has them thinking twice about playing in the Disney World bubble.

#4 In what would be a huge publicity move on the part of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall and going against the wishes of President Donald Trump, Goodall is now encouraging a team to sign former NFL and San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick. With the political climate and Goodall saying he was wrong for punishing players who took a knee during the anthem under pressure from the White House Goodall wants to see Kaepernick signed onto an NFL team and soon.

#5 The return of the MLS will be a tournament style World Cup format will have teams playing games divided by East and West conferences, playing 34 games amongst 26 teams. Each team will face each team one game home and one away.

Barbara does Headline Sports each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Duca: Teams taking stratospheric loses during shutdown; MLS discussing opening up training camps Jul 1st

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photo by @herbling: The Oakland Coliseum as it looked when formerly called McAffee Coliseum will remain empty even if baseball  were to return July 1st because of a mandated statewide shutdown in California

On Headlines podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael we wanted to ask you about the loses during this pandemic that local teams are taking we’ll start with the San Francisco Giants although they made their last payment for Oracle Park the team is losing about 60% of it revenue that’s normally generated by the gate.

#2 The Oakland A’s biggest break is the rent they get playing at the Oakland Coliseum but are still taking a loss at $21.6 million. They earned $225 million last season. The A’s have been known to cut operating costs this will be no different when they return at the possible earliest in July.

#3 The Golden State Warriors who are in the first year of paying for Chase Center and the pandemic was the last thing they needed. They had to lay off 1700 employees and are facing a $30.4 million loss in revenue when they were projected to gross $440 million this season.

#4 The San Jose Sharks who were not selling out their games in the first place are projected to lose $8.9 million in the event the NHL does not return this season. The loses would have been in the three figure margin if they had lost the whole season.

#5 The San Jose Earthquakes barley started the MLS season hosting just two games before their they had to suspend the season. There has been discussion to start training camps and hope to play all their games in Florida by June 1st.   How a risky proposition is it for pro soccer to return?

Michael Duca does Headline Sports podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq part 1: March Madness many students will never get another chance; Pro Sports suspends all games going forward

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photo from lafc.com: Covid 19 breifing from LAFC and advice to fans and media

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 London there will be no games going forward as the NCAA cancelled all it’s games for March Madness.

#2 MLB, MLS, NBA, and the NHL all have suspended all games in an unprecedented situation unheard of. The NBA has said they will allow players to work out.

#3 Two Utah Jazz players Rudy Cobert and Donavon Mitchell who contracted Coronavirus was the starting point to end the NBA season. Cobert today apologized for touching everything and possibly passing the virus to his teammate.

#4 Economically this has effected thousands employed in professional and college sports who work the games including much of our own staff

#5 London you covered the MLS and the San Jose Earthquakes this is a weekly game for the most part this has to be disheartening and scary for people who work at the MLS and have to make house payments and now there is no work there.

Join London each Friday for an of Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NBA season suspended; Quakes cancel home game Mar 21st; Giants and A’s could cancel games soon enough

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desertnews.com file photo: The Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert was tested positive for the Coronavirus on Wednesday leading to the cancellation of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and suspension of the NBA season.

NBA season suspended due to Coronavirus/A’s Opener in Doubt

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The NBA who announced they have suspended their season until further notice. The Utah Jazz’ Rudy Gobert was making some fun about Coronavirus during a press conference before their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder started touching the surfaces and microphones that were there. Later that night he was diagnosed with the Covid 19 virus and the game was canceled leading later to the suspension of the NBA season.

The San Jose Earthquakes have canceled their home game on Saturday March 21st and it’s possible the MLS season could be suspended as well. The San Jose Sharks and the NHL have not suspended their season yet but the cost of having games and teams traveling to play in front of empty arenas will cost too much for the gate driven sport and they may end up canceling as well.

The Pac 12 Tournament is being played at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas as both the Cal Bears and the Stanford Cardinal faced each other on Wednesday night. The game was played in front of an empty arena as the rest of March will be unless the NCAA suspends March Madness as well.

The Coronavirus pandemic is starting to reach havoc in Bay Area sports. After Alameda County joined San Francisco in recommending events with 1,000 or more people be cancelled or postponed,it looks like the Oakland Athletics home opener on Thursday the 26th of March against the Minnesota Twins is very much in jeopardy. The Giants earlier today announced that the pre-season game against the A’s at Oracle Park Mon Mar 24th had been canceled after the city announced a two-week ban on all events (sports included) of 1,000 or more people.

Today the Oakland Athletics issued the following statement: Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our community. We will adhere to any government directives, and work with Major League Baseball on all alternative arrangements to ensure the health of our fans and our community remains a top priority.

While the A’s Opening Day is this 26th, the San Francisco Giants will be opening the season on the road for the 11th consecutive year, also the 26th at Dodger Stadium vs Dodgers. As of today that game is “on” as far as the Dodgers are concerned, but the situation about Coronavirus is very fluid, so things can change at any given time.

Meanwhile,the new Giants neighbors, the Golden State Warriors who announced today that the team will play its next home game without fans this Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. Later after that announcement came the NBA has suspended the season.

Earlier this week, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. These four major active sports leagues in the U.S. decided to bar nonessential individuals, including reporters, from clubhouses and locker rooms. It will be left to local communities/cities to play with or without fans,depending what part of the country the events take place.

The biggest sporting event in the world this year is the Olympics and If the Olympics can’t go ahead this summer in Tokyo because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the most realistic option would be to delay the event by one or two years, a member of the executive board for the Japanese organizing committee recently said.

All over the US,sporting events have been affected.

Note: Last time we had a flu pandemic of this magnitude(or close) was in 2009 when the virus was commonly referred to as “swine flu”,which began in the spring of 2009, the virus had spread to the US from an outbreak in Veracruz,Mexico. CDC estimated that about 59 million Americans contracted this virus strain, 265,000 where hospitalized as a result and 12,000 died.

California was the most affected State with 10,545 reported and confirmed cases and 657 dead. (World) 150,000 to 575,000 died. One quick note the Spanish flu lasted two years in 1918 killing an estimated 20-80 million people. Coronavirus is expected to dissipate at some point as the epicenter of the virus Wuhan China is now getting back to normal.

Minnesota United uses set pieces to dominate Earthquakes 5-2

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photo from bayareanewsgroup.com: San Jose Earthquakes’ Danny Hoesen (9), front right, fights for the ball against Minnesota United FC’s Romain Métanire (19) in the first half of an MLS soccer match in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 7, 2020

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- In a game that featured the heavans opening up with a steady rain throughout the match, the Minnesota United scored four goals in the first half to dominate the San Jose Earthquakes in 5-2 victory on Saturday evening at Earthquakes Stadium.

The game went on despite warnings earlier in the week from Santa Clara County officials regarding the Coronovirus in wanting to cancel large group outings such as sporting events and concerts.

Minnesota United (2-0-0) scored the opening goal at the 13th minute mark off a corner kick. Jon Gregus floated a ball into the center where defenseman Ike Opara cleanly headed the ball past Quakes goalie Daniel Vega for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (0-1-1) scored the eqaulizer thanks to a controversial non-call. Minneota United defender Chase Gasper tripped up Tommy Thompson just inside the box as Thomspon tried dribbling the ball around Gasper. There was no call on the initial play but after video review referee Baldomero Toledo awarded a penalty kick to the Quakes.

Quakes captain Magnus Eriksson finished off the penalty kick into the lower right corner of the net for his first goal of the season a minute later at the 19th minute.

Minnesota United didn’t need much time to regain the lead. Luis Amarilla led a rush into the Quakes zone. He made a nice pass over to Jan Gregus who fired a shot from outside the box past Vega for his first goal of the season at the 26th minute.

“A football team that wants to fight for important things, can’t give away so many defenseive mistakes. I told the players these are losses you should remember your whole life. Because if you always make three mistakes a game, you’re being very generous to your opponents and it’s impossible to win in football that way,” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said.

Six minutes later Minnesota United caught the Quakes napping on defense. Team leading point scorer Kevin Molino centered a ball into the middle where Amarilla was left all alone to head the ball into the upper left corner of the net for his second goal of the season at the 32nd minute.

“There’s a great collective spirit,” said Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath when asked about his team’s start. “They do what’s asked of them. They hold each other accountable which is always important. It doesn’t surprise me they start we’ve had.”

Minnesotsa United went up by three goals right before half time. They were awarded a penalty kick in the third minute of extra time off a set piece. Goram Kashia tackled Opara inside the box resulting in the penalty. Amarilla’s shot was saved by Vega, but Robin Lod came in and cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season.

The Quakes cut the lead in half in the 53rd minute. Off a corner kick, Eriksson’s attempted cross was deflected into the middle of box where Vako collected the ball, made one touch, and then buried a shot past United goalie Tyler Miller for his first goal of the season.

Opara scored his second of the game off an identical corner kick in the 71st minute. Once again he was left unmarked and his header split two Qukes defenders and past the reach of Vega.

“Honestly Jan (Gregus) is great with his services. If we do our runs consistently, we got enough guys more than capable getting chances. It wasn’t San Jose (doing a poor job of defending), that’s just how much we believe in what we can do. Tonight it finally came through,” said Opara.

Miller made four saves on six shots on target to earn his second victory of the season. Vegas eight saves on 10 shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with 20 shots. Minnesota United has 17.

San Jose finished with 6 corner kicks. Minnesota United had 8.

Cade Cowell substituted for Danny Hoesen to start the second half. At 16 years old and 150 days, he is the youngest player to make his Quakes debut. He is the fifth youngest ever in MLS history.

Amarilla was issued a yellow card in the 67th minute for unsporting behavior.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes travel out to Philadephia to take on the Union on Saturday 3/14 at 4:30pm at PPL Park.

Alanis last second heroics save Quakes in 2-2 draw with Toronto FC

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photo from centredaily.com: San Jose Earthquakes’ Guram Kashia (37) Toronto FC’s fouls Marky Delgado (8) during the second half of an MLS soccer game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- The San Jose Earthquakes wanted to upgrade their backfield so they went out and acquired Mexican national Oswaldo Alanis. He paid immediate dividens as he scored a spectacular goal right near the end of stoppage time to seize victory away from Toronto FC in a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at Earthquakes season.

The center back, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara for a year and occupies the Quakes international spot on the roster, had a free kick from 20 yards out on the right side. His shot sailed high into the upper left corner of the goal stunning Toronto FC and sending the home crowd into a frenzy in the season opener for both teams.

“I know Alanis. It’s not the first goal he’s scored from a free kick. I think he played 95 good minutes with a certain personality. He was enthusiastic and he showed why we brought him on (to the team),” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said about Alanis’ heroics.

Toronto FC (0-0-1) drew first blood in the 40th minute thanks to a controversey call by referee Armando Villarreal. With Toronto FC positioned for a corner kick, Jozy Altidore was taken down inside the box by Andres Rios before the kick and Toronto was awarded a penalty kick.

Alejandro Pozuelo easily buried the ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (0-0-1) had two quality chances to score in the first half. In the 27th minute, Nick Lima’s shot from 15 yards out was deflected away at last second by Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. Then in the 43rd minute, Danny Hoesen dribbled in from inside the D when his shot sailed just to the left of the goal.

Toronto FC dobuled its lead six minutes into the second half. Pozuelo led an counter-attack as he passed the ball out to Tsubasa Endoh. Endoh’s shot was kicked out by Vega, but Ritchie Laryea, who subbed in to start the second half, cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute.

The Quakes fired back two minutes later in the 53rd minute. Christian Espinzoa centered a pass from the right side of the D that was chipped in over Westberg by a sliding Rios in for his first goal of the season.

“I thought it was great character to show some fight. It’s never good to go down 2-0. Especially the response after the (Toronto’s) second goal,” forward Chris Wondolowski said.

The game featured sloppiness by both sides and missed calls by the officiating that seemed to favor Toronto FC that had many of the Quakes players as well as Almeyda frustrated throughout the match.

Alanis’ goal saved the Quakes from a disappointing start to the season as they had started out 0-4 last year.

“I hope there will be many more (goals like that) as I try to do my best. I’m a defender but I can bring some things offensively to the team,” said Alanis.

GAME NOTES: San Jose registered 11 shots. Toronto FC had 10.

San Jose had three corner kicks. Toronto FC has seven.

Cautions-Tommy Thompson was issued a yellow card in the 33rd minute for a tackle from behind. Jackson Yueill was also issued a yellow card in the 70th minute. Altidore was issued a yellow card in the 71st minute. Goram Kashia was issued a yellow card in the 81st minute.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on the Minnesota United FC on Saturday 3/7 at 4:45pm at Earthquakes Stadium.