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Four MLS teams will compete in the 2002 Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup beginning this Spring. The four teams, the San Jose Earthquakes, the DC United, the Chicago Fire, and the Kansas City Wizards, all found out who their first round opponents will be. The Earthquakes will face CD Olimpia of Honduras who finished second in the 2000 Champions Cup to the LA Galaxy. The DC United will face CSD Comunicaciones from Guatemala. The Chicago Fire will face CSD Municipal, also from Guatemala. The Kansas City Wizards will face W Connection FC of Trinidad and Tobago. The MLS teams will be the away teams for the first leg of the home and away series and all first round matches must be completed by March 24, 2002.
In a strong match for the Americans the US lost to South Korea in Seogwipo Stadium in Korea by a score of 1-0. The only goal came in the 23rd minute off a corner kick. The ball was nodded just over Zach Thornton and into the corner of the net. In other MLS news, or maybe just speculation, the MLS Board of Governors met on December 5th and decided to commit to run the league until at least through the 2006 season. In this meeting there was also some discussion to "evaluate" the viability of some markets. This has opened some discussion as to what this means and if some teams are going to even see the 2002 season. According to Ridge Mahoney, senior editor of Soccer America, at least a couple of teams are said to be on the chopping block. Mahoney says, "According to several sources, the AEG-owned Rapids are tops on the chop list and one of the Florida teams -- and as of last night the Fusion and Mutiny were neck-and-neck in the race to get it in the neck -- is second." This could mean a lot of changes for the MLS and maybe some big changes for players and staff. It will be interesting to see how the league handles some of the choices available to them. Especially in light of their scheduled matches for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Go To Page: 1 |
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