AC St. Louis Stopped By Galaxy 2-0

Goals from former DeSmet High player Chris Klein & Juninho end the U.S. Open Cup run for AC St. Louis.

Weekend 3

Out of miracles.

Landon Donovan's last minute (well, after the last minute, really) goal in the Algeria match, staved off elimination and made the US group winners, but the habit of giving up the early goal finally caught up with the US squad Saturday against Ghana.

Jay DeMerit was the man beat on both goals, but had a good World Cup otherwise - surely raising his price & profile as he leaves Watford.

The Swiss failed to move on and England & Mexico fell to Germany & Argentina respectively.

Most importantly, yours truly languishes at the bottom of the World Cup pool.

Another Anelka Sent Home

Dale Schilly has been named head coach of AC St. Louis, replacing Claude Anelka who ended his stint at AC St. Louis with a 2-1-7 league record and two US Open Cup wins.

Anelka's departure finds AC St. Louis in last place and, with his stint at Raith Rovers, brings his coaching record to 2-2-14.

I Like Java . . . (A Cup, A Cup, A Cup, A Cup, A Cup)

OK. You saw the USA-Algeria game. It could not have been more dramatic and Team USA, winning their group for the first time since 1930, will match up with Ghana on Saturday.

But in the OTHER cup last night, with the OTHER Anelka at the helm, AC St. Louis made it past NSC Minnesota Stars to earn the right to travel to the Home Depot Center next Tuesday to take on a (hopefully) Donovan- and Buddle-less LA Galaxy in the third round of the US Open (Lamar Hunt) Cup. GO AC!

Second Weekend Update

Brazil & the Netherlands have cinched spots in the knock-out stage, but a handful of the big boys are sweating it, not the least of which are the finalists from WC2006.

France has disintegrated, falling apart after their draw with Uruguay, kicking Anelka off the squad and refusing to train yesterday for the final match against hosts South Africa. France will need at least a 4 goal difference over Mexico to advance.

Italy sits on two points after a draw with New Zealand(?!). Their all-star keeper Gianluigi Buffon is out indefinitely after leaving at the half of the first match. They will advance with a win over Slovakia.

Germany can still claim a spot if they defeat group leader Ghana, but they are without the services of striker Miroslav Klose who received a red card in the Serbia match, otherwise they will be at the mercy of the result of the Serbia-Australia match.

The Swiss astounded everyone by downing favorites Spain 1-0 in the first match of group H.

And of course there's the USA situation which plays out like this:

If England wins, USA must win

If England loses, USA must at least draw

If England draws, USA must at draw and not be outscored by more than 2 points by England in the final round or win.

US can still be group winner with a win & an England win with a lower goal difference.

Fixtures Announced

The Hornets will start the season at promotee Norwich City August 7, hop to Aldershot Town for the first round of the League Cup, then play their first match of the season at Vicarage Road against former gaffer Aidy Bothroyd and his Coventry City squad.

Click above for the full list of league fixtures.

The Other Cup

AC St. Louis netted a 70th minute goal and a victory in the U.S. Open (Lamar Hunt) Cup last night to advance to the second round.

AC will meet the NSC Minnesota North Stars in the Twin Cities next Tuesday. Kickoff is 8:00 pm.

Weekend 1

A great start to the World Cup! A gift goal kept the US even with England, I had Japan as my upset pick in the pool, and the intern at work showed me how to get the streaming video at work. Lots of draws so far, but lots of great matches to come. Go Jay! Go USA!

Michael Bryan Signs

The Northern Ireland international has signed through the 2011 season with a one-year option at the club's discretion.

AC St. Louis to Face Des Moines Menace in Cup Action

AC St. Louis will travel to Des Moines June 15 for the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the US equivalent of the FA cup. MLS squads will join play in the third round, rounds coming about once a week until the finals. For this year's bracket, click the link above.

Bennett, Henderson Sign

Defender Dale Bennett and striker Liam Henderson have each signed a one-year contract extension through the 2010-2011 season with a club option for another year.

In other news, recently re-signed midfielder John Eustace has been named captain.

6 Leave - Eustace Stays

The financial reshaping continues as Watford offically bids goodbye to its Captain and Green Bay native, Jay DeMerit. Joining Jay on the bus out of town is defender Jon Harley, striker Will Hoskins and three youngsters, Billy Gibson, Jonathan North & Lewis Young.

On a positive note, midfielder John Eustace has signed a two-year contract extension, hopefully keeping him at Vicarage Road through the end of the 2011-2012 season.

From the Rookery End

Another Watford blog (can't get enoug of them can you?)!

This one has a podcast available at the site or via iTunes. Enjoy!