With J Hutcherson -- The remaining major European leagues join the rest of the class already in season for 2010-11 this weekend. Serie A and La Liga still aren't likely stops for American players, but there's US National Team representation in both as the season starts.
Jozy Altidore played for Villarreal in the Europa League this week as he attempts to stick with the home team rather than spend another season on loan. From all appearances, his plan seems to be working. The rumors linking him with loan moves or outright transfers were considerable following the World Cup, but have died down as it looks like he'll be getting a chance under coach Juan Carlos Garrido.
Villarreal finished 7th last season, and through a technicality that ended up being good enough for Europe. UEFA banned 5th-place Mallorca from participating in the Europa League because they declared bankruptcy in May. That meant for European purposes, Villarreal took 6th position and a spot in the Europa League qualifiers. With Altidore on the field on Thursday, they saw off Dnepr Transmash 2-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate.
That means group stage games and the need for depth in a squad that is expected to contend for a direct route into Europe this season. For the Champions League, that means a top three finish. Everybody go ahead and pencil in Barcelona and Real Madrid in the top two slots, with third the goal for the rest of the pack. Hopefully, Altidore gets his preference and is part of the team for the duration.
In Serie A, Oguchi Onyewu is returning to 90 minute fitness and hoping to show the Milan faithful why the club picked him up before the start of last season. Onyewu has the size, positioning, and experience to succeed with a big club, but he'll need to be there physically for it to work.
After finishing third last season, Milan are in an interesting situation. The other Milan club has the scudetto for winning the league and the Champions League trophy. Juventus finishing 7th and taking the last Europa League qualifying slot have them spending at a level where only a title will do. Inter is regrouping around a new coach after Jose Mourinho exited the Champions League stage for Real Madrid. All of the legit and would-be contenders are spending, and it's a good question for where Milan's moves fit.
Massimiliano Allegri is now coach. Just like Altidore, Onyewu is now in a position to impress under new leadership. Ronaldinho didn't become the Los Angeles Galaxy's big designated player signing, and this version of Milan should look very similar to last season's.
How that plays out is an open question, and one lots of people are already answering by picking Milan to slide down the table. Milan will be looking for early traction in two tournaments since third in Serie A is an automatic qualifying slot in the Champions League group stage.
Yesterday, Milan were drawn into Group C and Real Madrid, Ajax, and Auxerre await. You can point to Auxerre who finished third in Ligue 1 last season or Ajax who finished second in last season's Eridivisie as weaker clubs than Milan, but they're not considerably weaker. This is a tough group, and one that could easily have the knock-on effect of dragging down Milan early in the Serie A season.
For Onyewu, this should mean the opportunity to prove he belongs in the black and red shirt. It's worth remembering that he joined Milan after they'd finished third on goal differential to Juventus. They maintained their standing in 2009-10, but Onyewu was considered the type of player by that coaching staff to make things better. Though it's a season later than expected, he should get his chance.
Moving on, In a press release yesterday the United States Soccer Federation announced that the US Open Cup final would be played at either Qwest Field, RFK, or the Home Depot Center depending on who advances from the semifinal stage. Of the four semifinal teams, only Columbus has opted out of hosting the final. Once again, that sets up an Open Cup run where DC United could have a chance at lifting the trophy without playing on the road.
At least this time it's not a done deal. If Seattle advances over Chivas USA, they host. If Chivas USA and Columbus advance, Chivas USA hosts. If it's Chivas USA and DC United, we get yet another installment in DC's attempt to make sure they never play another Open Cup game where they're not the home team.
Should DC United and Chivas USA advance, it would be final number three for DC without a road game, something we've already talked about. The big point is worth repeating. This is a scenario that it's up to the organizers to change. It's gamesmanship, and it does nothing to make a neglected tournament more compelling.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
