WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 23, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- MLS Primetime Thursday brings us Chicago - New York, live from Bridgeview, IL. Meanwhile, FC Dallas midfielder Bobby Rhine announces his retirement and LA makes a point about Beckham.
Chicago - New York
9pm - ESPN2
Yes, Chicago is playing for home field advantage in a home and home series with New England, and that means about as much as you would imagine. Meanwhile, Red Bull NY needs the win to make the playoffs. Win and they're in, lose and it's a lot more complicated.
With no indication that Chicago has pulled a Columbus and decided to hand this one over to the reserves, RBNY should get a game. The knock on effect is simple. Red Bull New York gets to set the table for the weekend. Win, and there's only one wildcard left. Lose, and it remains wide open.
Again With Beckham
In an LA Times article, LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena surprised nobody familiar with how Major League Soccer operates by telling Grahame L. Jones he didn't know about the pending MLS loan of David Beckham to Milan. In classic Arena fashion, he also let it be known he didn't "see where that benefits MLS or the Galaxy."
Fair enough, considering this move has nothing to do with making the Galaxy better, and everything with keeping Beckham in the England picture. That means missed games for Los Angeles versus the relative worth of having an MLS player as an England regular.
Rhine Retires
Bobby Rhine's MLS career will end with Dallas' season this Sunday. Rhine wrote his own bit for FC Dallas' press release, and we're running the whole thing:
“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from Major League Soccer following our last game of this season, on Sunday in Los Angeles. I am proud of my ten year career with the Dallas Burn and FC Dallas; however, I am sad to be leaving the game and the team that I love.
In my ten years with Dallas, I've played in many positions in three stadiums. I've had five coaches, hundreds of teammates, and I've met thousands of loyal fans. It's these people that have kept me motivated and striving for perfection in every game and in every season. I've had great professionals that I've learned from, and I've relished having the same responsibility toward my younger teammates in recent years.
In my first years as a professional, we were a league-owned team, with a locker room that consisted of a double-wide trailer at a local high school; and now, thanks to the Hunt Family, we play in one of the finest facilities in all of North America, Pizza Hut Park.
Looking back at my ten seasons in this League, I've seen so many new owners and investors; I've seen the opening of seven stadiums built for soccer; and I've seen tremendous growth on so many levels. As a result, we now have an established league that players from all countries can aspire to be a part of.
I want to thank all of my teammates, past and present; the Dallas soccer fans; and all the behind the scenes personnel. I especially want to thank my wife and my family for their support throughout my career and for helping me with the difficult decision to move on. While the competitor in me is still fierce, it is now time to turn my efforts towards winning in a different capacity. Thank you again for an amazing 10 years!”
Awards
Chivas USA is throwing their own best of '0 regular season party, announcing their team award winners. Well, all but the Golden Boot considering their season isn't actually over. The already opened envelopes please:
MVP: Sacha Kljestan
Defender: Paulo Nagamura
Spirit: Claudio Suarez
Humanitarian: Jonathan Bornstein
