Daily Sweeper, 10.3: Copa Losses, Cup Finals, LA Rising

Yes, it’s back.  Yes, I’m weak.  What can I say?  My feature ideas are like zombies.

– In the wake of DC United’s loss last night in the Copa Sudamericana, The DCenters compiled a list of off-the-shelf coping mechanisms to help with yet another loss to a Mexican club…the same damn one, in fact.  Other commentaries – and they’re pretty sharp – look at the state of U.S.-Mexico relations at the club level (Sideline Views and FanNation).

– Writing for ESPN, Steve Davis tries to make official the idea that Denilson stands proudly as the first Total DP* Bust.  (* for the untutored, “DP” = Designated Player.)  It has been said before, but this is ESPN, people.

– Damn it all, but the Stars [May Yet] Align; Nick Green explains.  Let’s just say if LA makes the playoffs, I’ll be surly for a month.  If LA wins MLS Cup, I’ll attend the next MLS Competition Committee in person and conduct a sit-down/no-bathing strike till MLS brings sanity to the playoff format.

Today’s Best: (Mexican) Chivas Shake-Up (+ Lalas on Lalas Action)

Tucked toward the bottom of a well-reasoned take on the Ricardo Clark situation, Ian Plenderleith passed on some news I might have known had I read The DCenters a little more closely over the past couple weeks (you guys caught this, right?):

“Speaking of difficult challenges for US teams in Central America, tonight DC United faces a second leg road game in the Copa Sudamericana at Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexico, defending the 2-1 lead they eked out at RFK last week.  Chivas not only sacked its coach after the defeat, prompting a 3-1 weekend victory over Velacruz in MFL play, but they also announced free entry to tonight’s game, ensuring a large and lively crowd.“

Dang.  Mexican clubs love that free entry concept…we should work that States-side a little more often.  Should be a good game tonight.  Those wanting further reading should check out DCenters’ preview post.

(In other, super-secret bonus news (maybe I should just go back to the Daily Sweeper feature), Greg Lalas informed his brother, Alexi, through the national media that he wants his team, the LA Galaxy, to fail.  And the Lalas not affilliated with a major sporting operation…crap…the Lalas who is not a club president has it largely correct.  I’m looking to Houston to forfend the madness.)

My Crank Hab…er, “Today’s Best”: RSL’s Terrible(y Late) Power!

Right.  Because I’m as easy and dependent as – oh, choose your metaphor; a blind, armless crack whore hooked up to a feeding tube – I’m getting back to plugging things I like.  Only this time, it’s only one “rock” per day – something I’ll title “Today’s Best.”

And, after all that self-abuse, here is “Today’s Best”:

Since everyone else has flagged DC United’s upcoming participation in the Copa Sudamericana (ah…so that’s why they’re playing Guadalajara at this tricky point in the season)(whoops, here’s a primer on the Copa by Steve Goff, a list of the field (found in Goff’s primer), and – gasp! – TV listings), I thought I’d flag a fascinating little statistic I found in Steve Davis’ ever-brilliant weekly survey of (hot) Major League Soccer action.  That statistic:

 “FYI: Jason Kreis’ team is 3-2-2 since a close loss at Chivas USA in late August.”

Well, no shit.  Patsies no more, eh?  I’d be nervous if I were Colorado…

And I plugged the Copa ’cause, apparently, I was one of many people who had no idea this was happening.