Real Salt Lake defeated defending champion DC United in penalty kicks to win the second annual SUM U-17 MLS Cup held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Col. The final, which was held Thursday morning, was the culmination of the weeklong tournament that saw 14 teams compete for the crown of best U-17 team in the country. (San Jose did not field a squad, while the host Rapids fielded two.)The competition was marked by the phenomenal play of Real Salt Lake striker James Rogers. Rogers, who just completed his freshman year at Highland High School in Salt Lake City, scored an unbelievable seven goals in his team’s five games. An all-state selection last season, Rogers scored RSL’s only goal in regulation in the final game against DC United.Rogers’ story also goes beyond his success at the SUM Cup. Rogers, who was born in 1993, arrived in the United States in 2004 as a refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone. He will likely be a sought after prospect after his success at both the SUM Cup and his participation in the Olympic Development Program last winter.Another player who had a standout tournament were DC United supersub Michael Burgos, who despite not starting in any games, scored four goals for DC. Burgos tallied DC’s only goal in the final and had two goals in United’s 3-0 semifinal victory versus Chivas USA.DC United’s Peado Boue and Travis Pittman, along with FC Dallas’ Gabriel Funes also had outstanding tournaments.With the victory RSL qualifies for both the prestigious Dallas Cup and U-17 Clubs Youth World Cup.

Real Salt Lake announced Tuesday that they have ended Matias Cordoba’s loan with the club. Cordoba was on loan from Argentinos Juniors, but wanted to explore his options in Argentina after making 7 appearances with the RSL first team. The 23 midfielder joined RSL earlier this season and will now return to Argentina.

Wizard’s fans might have caught a glimpse of what Curt Onalfo describes as an “attacking style” tonight in Kansas City’s 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.   Onalfo has been promising such a style since he came to the Wizards and especially during the pre-season ramp up for this campaign, however twelve games in to the season their  offense had  produced  .83  goals per game.  The claim of an “attacking” style has come under scrutiny because of the lack of good scoring chances created and the obvious lack of balls in the back of the net.  The Wizards sit at the bottom of the league with goals scored; Landon Donovan has more goals than the Wizards.  But, tonight Kansas City came after Real from every side of the field for a solid 90 minutes.  While lacking a world class speedster, the majority of Kansas City’s lineup is quick and mobile.   There was hardly a ball KC’s midfield did not win against Real, something severely lacking most of the year.  The Wizards definitely showed an “attacking style” tonight playing like a team that cannot afford to lose another game and remain in the Eastern playoff hunt.  

Two weeks ago the Wizards hit bottom losing badly to Columbus in front of a home sellout in a listless, embarrassing effort.  Since that game Onalfo made some relatively drastic changes to the lineup.  He dropped Claudio Lopez back to midfield and Jack Jewsbury  to right back. These moves coupled with the steady improvement of veteran midfielders Davy Arnaud and Sasha Victorine made a distinct impact as drawing with Toronto at BMO last week and beating Real tonight show. 

The Wizards lining up Lopez, Victorine, Morsink (or Zavagnin when healthy), and  Arnaud at midfield, backed by Conrad, Holbein, Harrington, and Jewsbury has the makings of a playoff worthy squad.   If Carlos Marinelli could somehow break out of his enigmatic streakiness, the Wizards playoff prospects would sky rocket.  No matter what the whacky online all-star fan vote decides  concerning goalies for the all-star game (a ridiculous way to decide all-stars), Kevin Hartman has been one of the best goalies in the league this year.  The Wizards may have found a chemistry to build on with these last two games.

Before getting too carried away based on a draw and a 1-0 win, there remains a monumental problem for Kansas City- they do not currently have a forward who strikes  fear in any MLS team.  Scott Sealy cannot hit the broadside of the barn (from the inside) right now.  Chad Barrett has received much attention for his several missed finishes in Chicago this year, but those who have watched the Wizards this season know that Sealy has shanked far more chances, including a glaring one beautifully set up by Marinelli  tonight.  It seems time to sit Sealy out for a while; he’s in one of those “cement boot” slumps.  Things are so bad for Wizards forwards that Onalfo has even put rookie defenders up front in an attempt to jam a goal in.  With Lopez rightly moved to the midfield and the recent release of Eloy Columbano, the Wizards are left with Sealy, Trujillo, and Ryan Pore.  These forwards will not give the team what it needs in so far as finishing is concerned.  An “attacking style” must have a finishing touch or it can actually become a significant defensive liability.  As evidenced by tonight’s game, a constant push forward will yield some defensive lapses which produce good scoring chances for the opposition.  Kevin Hartman saved the Wizards again tonight on such occasions.  If goals are not being scored while attacking, the lapses can and will kill you.   Despite all of KC’s attacking tonight, they had one goal to show for it.  If one goal isn’t meager enough fruit, it wasn’t even scored by the Wizards- it was a Real own goal. 

The attacking style executed tonight created more chances for the Wizards than any game thus far, but there is no finishing touch for this team right which is a glaring missing piece of the playoff contending puzzle.  There are whispers of a Josh Wolff return or maybe some secret striker from Hungary, one thing is for sure- the Wizards can’t go far with the status quo.  Maybe Chad Barrett is available? Someone has to answer the KC help wanted ad before it’s too late.    

United States Mens National Team manager Bob Bradley has named two of his replacement players for the 2nd leg of the World Cup Qualifying fixture againstBarbados. Bradley released 10 players from his squad, all Major League Soccer based players. Bradley has called up 21 year old Racing Santander Midfielder Danny Szetela and 21 year old Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Szetela has one cap for national team after coming on as a late substitute in a friendly against Swizterland. Seitz has been capped at the Under 23 level, and was called into senior national team squad last september for a friendly against Brazil, but did not earn a cap.

Rating: 3(Likely)

Clint Mathis was present at Los Angeles Galaxy practice earlier this week, as is said to be considering a return to Major League Soccer. The 31 year old midfielder was traded by the LA Galaxy to Greek side Ergotelis FC, earlier this year. Mathis went on to score one goal in eight appearances for the greek side, but was released by the club at the end of the season. Mathis has previously played for Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, and Red Bull New York in Major League Soccer. “Mathis earned 46 caps for the United States National Team, and it unsure whether LA will offer him a contract, or trade his rights.

29 year old German defensive midfielder Sebastian Schindzielorz joined Real Salt Lake Tuesday on trial for the next week. Schindzielorz most recently played with A.E. Levadiakos Livadias of the Greek Super League and had previous played for VfL Bochum and 1. FC Koln, as well as the end of the 2006 season in the Norwegian side IK Start. Schindzierolz is one of several potential targets that Real Salt Lake are looking at to help add to the midfield after the departure of Carey Talley. The defensive midfielder made 101 appearances in the German Bundesliga, scoring 17 times.

Real Salt Lake’s 30 year old Striker/Midfielder Andy Williams has been called up by Jamaica for their two upcoming World Cup Qualifier’s June 15th and 19th. Williams will miss two of RSL’s games while with the international squad. Williams has 82 caps for Jamaica, scoring 12 goals so far in his career. The 30 year old joined Real Salt Lake in 2004 and has scored 6 times in 43 appearances for the club. Jamaica face the Bahamas on June 15th and June 19th as they try to reach the World Cup finals for the 2nd team in their history.

Rating: 2(Possible)

According to multiple sources out of Portugal, Benfica is considering loaning 18 year old American starlet Freddy Adu, in order to gain sustained first team experience. Adu has made 11 appearances for the Benfica first team scoring 3 goals. Adu has 5 caps for the US National Team at age 18, and moved to Benfica after impressing at the 2007 Fifa U-20 World Cup, in July of 2007 from Real Salt Lake. Adu has found it hard to break into the first team, after Benfica brought in 3 different coaches during the 2008 campaign. Where would you like to see Freddy go if he’s loaned out? Holland? Smaller Portugal based club? Belgium? maybe a smaller English side? Somewhere else? 

Chivas USA defeat Real Salt Lake 3-1 in Saturday’s home opener.

The Chivas USA hosted 2005 expansion rivals in a thrilling 4 goal affair. The Red and White weathered the storm even though the were missing several starters, including captain Claudio Suarez and star strike Ante Razov.

Real Salt Lake assisted the Red and White by supplying two of the three goal scorers. Both Atiba Harris and Alecko Eskandarian played for RSL last year and each striker scored a goal in Saturday night’s game. The key to Chivas USA’s success lies in these two strikers. The team is up against the hardest season to date with possibly twice the amount of games. Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo will need help and these two strikers need to be able to step in.

American Soccer Reader caught up with Alecko Eskandarian before the game to talk about health and his groin issue. “I don’t know to be honest with you. It’s day by day. It’s a really weird injury and to be honest with you I don’t even know whats going on or what the rehab is or the return date is so I’m just kind of taking it day by day doing every thing I can pushing myself so I come back as early as possible. It’s kind of tough because we haven’t figured out exactly what the problem is yet and it’s really frustrating because obviously I want to get out there and I have good days and bad days but bottom line I just want to get better.”

When asked about his playing time against Real Espana he stated “That was the weird thing I trained the week prior to that. Everything was progressing, feeling good and then after that game we had an extra day off as well and I couldn’t even walk. It was one of those thing where it was weird because there was nothing specific in the game that really happened that hurt or anything like that. It was just the next day just the soreness… They (Chivas USA medical staff) were thinking it was nerve damage that could be the issue. That’s the frustrating thing I’ll feel better and I’ll play and then I’ll go back to square one.”

The striker made himself available for Saturday when Ante Ravoz was officially unavailable. He ended up scoring a goal, but did not appear 100% healthy. The next few weeks will decide whether or not he will need surgery.

Chivas USA currently have 4 points and sit on top of the western conference at week 2.