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Normally I lead with D.C. United every time, but something crazy happened last night:
Impact scores 2 away goals against Alajuelense, qualifies to CONCACAF Champions League Final | Mount Royal Soccer
The Montreal Impact - a team that probably won't go to the playoffs this year, and was the worst team in MLS last year, and is coached by the often confused Frank Klopas - is in the CCL final. They did so starting two Chivas USA castoffs and two players the Philadelphia Union deemed expendable. The game itself was as crazy as you might expect: Montreal twice scored goals that seemed to shut the door, only for Alajuelense to reply with a goal to open things back up in under 8 minutes. The match had three or four different easy red cards to hand out, yet none were given. Evan Bush was hit by a coin thrown from the stands. A shoe - again, a shoe! - ended up being thrown from the stands but thankfully missed the assistant referee.
CCL, man.
Looks like objects being thrown were not the only negative in the stands:
So sad that in this generation some fans still make monkey noises when black players are playing the game. Shame to all #alajuelense fans
— Dominic Oduro (@Freakyfast8) April 8, 2015
D.C. United is majoring in drama | The Washington Post
Steve Goff has some quotes from Ben Olsen on his healing team, as well as a shot of the club's new turf surface at the RFK Auxiliary fields.
Jesse Marsch: Zubar and Miller doubtful for DC united | Once A Metro
What this means is that United will probably see the same makeshift back four that they largely failed to attack a couple of weeks ago. Funny thing, though: United still ended up with two strong looks at 1-0. The Red Bulls are using their midfield to hide that defense, which is a hard act to keep up long-term.
MLS scheduling is a mess and it's not getting better | Waking The Red
Remember this piece when United has 8 games in 28 days spread over May and June. In fact, with the US Open Cup thrown in, United's only week in May or June without a mid-week game is between June 6th and June 14th. This includes trips to New England and Portland - both turf surfaces - over a four-day span.
When will Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem play soccer for the United States? | The Washington Post
Future news: Zelalem starts for the USMNT in World Cup qualifying despite not making the bench for Arsenal. The same day, Jurgen Klinsmann lectures his players on starting for their clubs and not being in MLS.
I am excited about Zelalem's prospects, but I'm also not planning on him doing much for the USMNT until after 2018.
Roma fans get in trouble for mocking the mother of a dead Napoli fan | Soccer Gods
This is simply awful.
Borussia Dortmund score mesmerizing, face-melting game-winner | SB Nation
This is not awful.
Finally, at some time today the draw for the US Open Cup's first round will take place. Naturally US Soccer isn't telling anyone when, because why add attention to a tournament in need of some? Keep track via @usopencup on Twitter.