Saturday, May 21, 2011

Western Conference Notes: Donovan nixes Roma talk, Schmid's reply & more

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Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com


By ADAM SERRANO

Landon Donovan doesn't believe that he's going anywhere.

Throughout the past week, rumors have been rampant that Roma's new American owner was planning to make a splash by signing a big-name American player to the legendary Serie A side. When asked about rumors linking him to AS Roma, the Los Angeles Galaxy captain was adamant that no conversations have taken place.

"Don't waste my time with that," said a scoffing Donovan to reporters at the Home Depot Center on Thursday morning. "Don't waste my time guys."

Donovan skyrocketed to the top of the Roma's alleged American wish list given his pedigree, along with names like Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan, Brad Guzan and Juan Agudelo.

More news from around the Western Conference is after the jump:

CHIVAS USA

The Rojiblancos have been focusing on picking up their first SuperClaisco victory since 2007, but some of the focus has turned to Victor Estupinan, a player mired on the bench.

Estupinan voiced his frustrations on Facebook, stating that he wished to return to his former club LDU Quito. However, the Ecuadorian admitted that it was simply a joke with friends after Quito lost a key match on the weekend.

COLORADO RAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids are considering an addition to their back line as the club look to add depth as they continue on their MLS Cup defense. Head coach Gary Smith admitted that the club was looking at four potential options, three of which have MLS experience and one that is currently with an MLS side. Another of Smith's targets is a defender from the Greek Super League, one whom also as experience in the English Championship.

FC DALLAS

On Wednesday, FC Dallas learned that it will need to defeat Alianza of El Salvador to qualify for the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. As FCD look to go on a run in the tournament, head coach Schellas Hyndman admits that he feels his team can go far because of the work that Real Salt Lake did to break the "mental barrier" MLS teams had with the competition.?

PORTLAND TIMBERS

Eric Brunner has enjoyed a great deal of success for the Timbers since being selected with the second pick in the 2011 Expansion Draft and on Saturday, and he'll take on his former club, the Columbus Crew, this weekend. Making nine starts for the Timbers, Brunner has earned rave reviews from head coach John Spencer, who admitted that the team had to deflect interest for Brunner after his selection.

"We felt he was very underrated," Spencer told the Oregonian. "And he was that guy who when we drafted we got like four calls within 10 minutes asking us if we could trade him for allocation money. For us, I thought it was a great pickup."?

REAL SALT LAKE

It has been weeks since Real Salt Lake fell in the CONCACAF Champions League Final, but according to midfielder Will Johnson, the team has not yet recovered emotionally. Johnson admitted to reporters in Salt Lake City that losing the CCL Final coupled with the loss of Javier Morales to a devestating ankle injury took a "physical toll on us, an emotional toll" on Salt Lake.?

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

Among the Earthquakes faithful, no player is more contentious than Ryan Johnson. The versatile Jamaican, who led the Quakes in scoring in 2009 but struggled in 2010, appears as though he is rounding into form. In recent weeks, Johnson has made the switch from forward to wing and has seen his output increase immensely. However, the Jamaican midfielder admitted his return to form comes at an unfortunate time for the club as he prepares to leave on Gold Cup duty. ?

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Sigi Schmid has fired back in his war of words with Portland head coach John Spencer. The head coach of the Sounders responded to comments made by Spencer following the 1-1 Cascadia Cup draw at Qwest Field last week. When speaking to reporters this week, Schmid joked that clearly even in midweek, the Sounders match remained the most important thing on Portland's mind.

"It obviously shows something too when on Tuesday the most important thing they're talking about is the Sounders game," Schmid said. Following his comment, Schmid joked that he'd be sending Spencer a dozen roses, but without the petals.?

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

The Whitecaps drew Toronto FC 1-1 in their Nutrilite Canadian Championship, surrendering a vital away goal in their quest to qualify for the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League field. Following the match, the Caps were frustrated that they failed to defeat TFC despite fielding eight first-team starters.

"I think they played extremely well," head coach Teitur Thordarson told reporters after the match. "I thought we dominated the game for 75 minutes. It?s unbelievable that we didn?t score more goals."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/xkQnTB93s-Q/donovan-deflects-roma-rumors.html

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