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WWW.CHICAGOSOCCERMEDIA.COM live online radio 3 Petrov: Muamba’s recovery inspires leukemia fight Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov is hopeful of a full recovery from acute leukemia, inspired by Fabrice Muamba’s continued fightback from his on-field cardiac arrest. A photo of Muamba sitting up and smiling appeared on his Twitter account on Friday, the day Petrov’s illness was announced. It is still unclear whether Muamba will ever be able to play professionally but his recovery since collapsing on the field two weeks ago has been unexpectedly strong. “With the help and love of my family, my teammates, all of my friends in football, Aston Villa Football Club and all of the fans, I am sure I will beat this illness and I am determined to do this,” Petrov said in a statement on Saturday. “I saw the picture released yesterday by Fabrice Muamba, my fellow player, and it has inspired me - as has all of the support in the past 24 hours.” The 32-year-old Petrov was diagnosed with leukemia after he developed a fever following last weekend’s Premier League match against Arsenal. The Bulgaria international is due to begin treatment in a London hospital on Monday but still attended Saturday’s match against Chelsea at Villa Park. Petrov was visibly emotional as he waved from the stands to the fans giving him a standing ovation. “For me, football will have to take a back seat for a while, but I’m here to support my teammates today and I will continue to support them, as I know they will support me,” Petrov said. Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. In acute leukemia, the cancer progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment. Petrov joined Villa in August 2006 in a transfer from Scottish side Celtic. He signed a new four-year deal with the Bir- mingham club in 2009. Petrov made his 100th appearance for Bulgaria last year in a European Championship qualifier against Switzerland.

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Rennes to Arsenal The Rennes enforcer is coming towards what is widely acknowledged to be his final season in Ligue 1. When M’Vila does go on the market, the French international is expected to have almost every big club in Europe banging on his door. Arsenal have been one of the most heavily linked suitors, and as a 21-year-old Frenchman, M’Vila is certainly Wenger’s type. The Gunners, though, may find themselves priced out of the market, especially since M’Vila’s teammate, Kader Man- gane, recently tipped him to sign for Real Madrid. ------Barcelona to Chelsea

The uncertainty around Guardiola’s Barca future has gone on too long to suggest that he definitely has one. The coach has won everything there is win at Camp Nou and appears to be looking for a new challenge. The Rumor Redux family has heard a whisper that Guardiola is London bound in the summer, but whether he might be heading to the west or north of the capital remains unclear. Roman Abramovich is understood to be desperate for Guardiola to oversee the Chelsea revolution and despite previous instability, the opportunity to build a new team capable of bringing the Champions League to Stamford Bridge for the first time might be a difficult one for Guardiola to pass up. ------Newcastle to Chelsea

Only Newcastle and Everton were prepared to take a punt on Ba in the summer and the Magpies’ gamble has paid off more handsomely than any Geordie could have dreamt. The Senegalese international has netted 16 goals in 26 appearances this season, attracting interest from Tottenham and Chelsea. The Blues may be in the market for a replacement for Didier Drogba and Ba certainly fits the bill. Ba, though, has ‘a ticking timebomb’ in his knee, according to Tony Pulis, who passed up the opportunity to sign the striker for Stoke. With this being the case and Ba’s stock likely to peak this summer, Mike Ashley may well be tempted to do a deal on the striker he signed for nothing. ------Chelsea or Manchester City

Bayern wants to sign Robben, can afford him, but given the only reason Arjen Robben is at the Allianz is because Real Ma- drid cast him off, it’s not hard to see Robben as a bigger league kind of guy. Obviously, he’s no stranger to England, having done one tour of duty with the Blues, but with Chelsea in need of another goal scoring threat and Manchester City at times choosing Adam Johnson on their right flank, there are two big spenders in England that could use (and afford) somebody like Robben. WWW.CHICAGOSOCCERMEDIA.COM live online radio 5

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5X9.5 WWW.CHICAGOSOCCERMEDIA.COM 6 live online radio Sejad Salihović postigao gol s bijele tačke u remiju Hannover je danas savladao Borussiu iz Monchengladbacha sa 2:1, dok su Hoffenheim Schalke igrali neriješeno 1:1, u preostalim utakmicama 28. kola njemačke fudbalske Bundeslige.

Hannover je preuzeo peto mjesto na tabeli sa realnim šansama da se bori za plasman u Ligu Evrope, dok je Borussia sedmim porazom ove sezone definitivno otpala iz trke za titulu.

Schalke je osvajanjem važnog boda protiv Hoffenheima ostao trećeplasirani sa devet bodova zaostatka za vodećom Borussiom iz Dortmunda. Hoffenheim je poveo u 30. minuti, penalom bh. reprezentativca Sejada Salihovića. Rezultati 28. kola: Hannover 2 - 1 Monchengladbach Hoffenheim 1 - 1 Schalke Već traži klub u Italiji: City će prodati Marija Balotellija Manchester City razmišlja o prodaji napadača Marija Balotellija na kraju sezoni, piše “The Telegraph”. List navodi da je menadžer Roberto Mancini izgubio strpljenje kada je u pitanju Balotellijevo ponašanje na terenu i van njega. Mada još nema zvaničnih informacija o tome, izvori iz kluba su potvrdili da će City razmotriti svaku ozbiljnu ponudu za problematičnog napadača, dok mu njegov agent već traži klub u Italiji. Mancini je kritikovao italijanskog napadača nakon remija sa Sunderlandom u subotu, iako je Balotelli postigao dva gola. “Nije igrao dobro”, rekao je Mancini za “The Telegraph”. “Postigao je na kraju dva gola, ali...”, dodao je. Mancini navodi da je ključni razlog za poraz neigranje povrijeđenog Sergia Aguera, koji bi, po njegovom mišljenju, donio prevagu u meču sa Sunderlandom. “Sto posto sam siguran u to i zbog toga sam razočaran. Nadam se da će biti spreman za sljedeću utakmicu”, kazao je Mancini. City 8. aprila putuju u sjeverni London gdje se sastaje s Arsenalom.

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4.5X4.5 $60 WWW$60.CHICAGOSOCCER.NET WWW.CHICAGOSOCCERMEDIA.COM 8 live online radio Mexico qualifies for London Olympics Honduras beats El Salvador to qualify Marco Fabian had a goal and an assist to lead Mexico to a 3-1 victory over Second-half substitute Gerson Rodas scored twice in a goal-filled over- Canada on Saturday night in the semifinals of CONCACAF’s Olympic quali- time, giving Honduras a 3-2 victory over El Salvador on Saturday in the fying tournament. semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. Mexico secured its 10th Olympic berth and will meet Honduras in the champi- Honduras earns its second straight Olympic berth and third since 2000. onship game on Monday. Mexico did not make it into the 2008 Games. El Salvador, the surprise Group A winner, has not qualified since 1968. “We don’t have to relax,” said American-born midfielder Miguel Angel Ponce, “There were a lot of doubters in our country,” Honduras coach Luis Fer- who gave Mexico an insurance goal in the 59th minute. “We’re in the Olym- nando Suarez said. “Our own fans were nervous and didn’t really trust pics, but we have another important game and we have to do a nice job.” that we could accomplish the goal. This is something to be very proud Mexico has already beaten Honduras 3-0 in the group stage, but coach Luis of.” Fernando Tena said he would not make wholesale changes to his lineup for Rodas scored in the 101st minute to put Honduras up 2-1, but Edwin Monday’s game. Sanchez -- another substitute -- equalized in the 106th when he snapped “We’re going to maintain the base,” he said. “We’re going to make a couple of home a header from just right of the penalty spot on a cross from Xavier changes, but nothing too serious.” Garcia. The Canadians had to play the last 13 minutes short-handed after defender That set the stage for Rodas’ gamewinner in the 115th, when he ran onto Doneil Henry was sent off for his second yellow card. D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar’s cross from the right corner and Mexico took the lead for good in a quick first-half exchange of goals. headed it inside the left post. Canada’s Marcus Haber tied it with a header in the 32nd minute, but a minute “We are real happy,” Najar said. “It’s an important game for us to win. I later Alan Pulido finished off a give-and-go from Fabian to make it 2-1. don’t have words to describe this moment.” “You think you’re back in the game, and then all of a sudden you go down Antony Lozano again,” Canada coach Tony Fonseca said. “Obviously, that makes everything scored in the first bad for the team. I thought we kept battling, kept fighting for things, but un- minute for Honduras, fortunately in that particular moment it was painful to watch.” but Milton Molina equalized in the 77th for El Salvador. “I am proud of my guys and what they put into it,” El Salva- dor coach Mauricio Alfaro said. “They are a top level team, it’s a tough loss, but I am proud of my guys.” DEALS & CAREERS U.S. women, draw 1-1 at

Alex Morgan scored in the 72nd minute to give the United States a 1-1 draw with Japan, the team it lost to in the final of the Women’s World Cup last year. Yukari Kinga beat goalkeeper from close in to give Japan a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute of the Kirin Cup match. The U.S. created opportunities on the right wing, but Japan’s superior speed was dangerous on the counterattack. The exhibition tournament features three of the top four teams in the world. The U.S. is ranked No. 1 just ahead of Germany, while Japan is No. 3. The other team competing for the title, Brazil, is No. 4. “I told them to keep pushing until the end,’’ Japan coach Norio Sasaki said. “We could have used more precision in our passes.’’ The U.S. women’s squad went into the game with a big score to settle. Until the World Cup, it had never lost to Japan - and the Ameri- cans haven’t beaten Japan since. Japan won the last encounter 1-0 in last month. “This was a very important game for us,’’ U.S. coach Pia Sund- hage said. “I’m very happy we had the chance to play against one of the best teams in the world, Japan, to prepare for the Olympics.’’ Sundhage said the game showed the team still has a lot of building to do. 3x9.5 WWW.CHICAGOSOCCER$85.NET Red Bulls still hoping Rodgers plays this season The New York Red Bulls hope forward Luke Rodgers can get his visa woes fixed and return to the Major League Soccer team $130 sometime this season. Speaking before Saturday’s game against the Montreal Impact, general manager Erik Soler said the 30-year-old English forward signed to play with Lillestrom in Norway after the Red Bulls terminated his contract Friday. Soler won’t say why Rodgers didn’t get his visa, but said the Red Bulls still retain his Engine Tuning rights Rodgers joined the Red Bulls in January 2011 and scored nine goals in 23 league appearances and 10 goals overall last Transmission year. He previously played for Red Bulls coach Hans Backe in England for 4x7.5 fourth-tier Notts County. 4x7.5 “What I can say is that we, of course, are not very happy but we respect the fact that there is a system in place that makes decisions,’’ Soler said. “However, we Engine are not giving up, so we will continue to try.’’ Soler said the Red Bulls released Rodgers so he could play somewhere. Cooling/Heating Cologne opts to keep Stale Solbakken as coach Tires Bundesliga side Cologne is sticking with coach Stale Solbakken in its battle State Emission against relegation. The Norwegian coach’s position was called into question after Saturday’s 2-1 league Pre-purchase loss at Augsburg left the side in a relega- tion playoff place. Cologne board chairman Claus Horst- Vehicle Evaluations mann says there were “many intensive talks’’ involving management, the coach and players on Sunday, leading to “drastic changes’’ before the next league game at home to Werder Bre- 2442 N Milwaukee Ave. men. Horstmann says, “that is Stale Solbak- ken’s job and so it was discussed with Chicago, IL 60647 him.’’ Cologne has a league high 16 defeats this season, while it has also conceded 58 goals, (773) 772-1639 more than any other side. There are six rounds left to play in the Bundes- liga. WWW.CHICAGOSOCCERMEDIA.COM live online radio 11 LORI CHALUPNY@ U.S. National Team: WNT Position: Defender Date Of Birth: Jan. 29, 1984 Height: 5-4 Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Club: Chicago Red Stars Earned her first four caps in 2001, playing against Italy in Rieti, Italy, and then playing three matches in the 2001 in Portugal, starting against Portugal and coming on as a substitute against Sweden and Norway … Broke into the national team full time until 2005 … Has since developed into one of the USA’s best and most consistent players … 2009: Played every minute in five matches for the USA, captaining the USA to its 1-0 victory against Germany in October … Took over as the role as U.S. captain after Christie Rampone stopped competing in August due to her pregnancy … 2008: After playing in the midfield in 2007, she moved to outside back, which is where she started her WNT career and played 34 matches, starting 32 while finishing fourth on the team in minutes played … Scored two goals and one assist as she evolved into one of the best attacking outside backs in the world … Was forced out of the USA’s first Olympic match after just 15 minutes with a concussion and missed the second game of group play against Japan, but came back to play every minute of the remaining four matches … Scored one of the most important goals in U.S. history against Japan in the semifinal, blasting in the go-ahead goal just before halftime … 2007: Played in every game in 2007, one of just two players to do so … Started 23 of the 24 games the U.S. played, including all six at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup … Played every minute of every game at the WWC, one of two players to accomplish that feat … Scored twice at the Women’s World Cup, including the game-winner in the 1-0 victory against Nigeria to finish group play … Also scored against Norway in the third-place match, where she also had an assist … Had four goals and three assists during the year … Scored against China at the Four Nations Tournament Champion- ship in January in Guangzhou, China, helping the U.S. to a 2-0 win and the tournament title… Also scored in a 6-2 win against Canada in a May friendly … 2006: Started two games at the 2006 Four Nations Tournament in China, but suffered a serious concussion against France and was out of action for four months … 2005: Voted the 2005 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year … Had a breakout tournament at the Algarve Cup, starting all four matches for the USA, playing mostly at left back, as the USA did not allow a goal and won the tournament championship … Played in six total games during the year, starting them all, and scored one goal, that coming against Canada … 2004: A member of the 2004 Olympic Residency Training Camp, she played in four matches during the year, scoring her first career goal on May 9 against Mexico … 2003: Earned one in 2003, that coming against Italy … Youth National Teams: A key member of the USA’s 2002 Under-19 World Championship Team, she was the unsung hero of the team for her tireless work and poise in the midfield … Also a key member of the U.S. team that qualified in Trinidad & Tobago for the World Championship … Helped the U.S. U-21s to the Nordic Cup titles in 2003 in Denmark, 2004 in Iceland and 2005 in Sweden … Also a member of the USA’s 2001 Under-21 Nordic Cup championship team, scoring two goals in the tournament, one against Denmark and then against Sweden in the championship game … Earned 14 Under-21 caps and 21 Under-19 caps during her youth career … Also played with the U.S. U-16 National Team in 2000, meaning that by the age of 17, she had played for the USA at four levels … First Appearance: March 7, 2001, vs. Italy … First Goal: May 9, 2004, vs. Mexico. Chicago Red Stars 2012 WPSL Elite Schedule Sunday, May 20th 3pm vs FC Indiana (North Central College, Naperville) Friday, May 25th tbd at FC Indiana (IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN) Sunday, June 3rd 5pm vs Boston Breakers (North Central College, Naperville) Friday, June 8th 6pm vs NY Fury (tbd) Sunday, June 10th 3pm vs Chesapeake Charge (North Central College, Naperville) Wednesday, June 13th tbd at WNY Flash (Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, NY) Saturday, June 16th 3pm vs NE Mutiny (Northwestern University, Evanston) Friday, June 22nd tbd at Chesapeake Charge (tbd) Sunday, June 24th tbd at Philadelphia Fever (tbd) Saturday, June 30th tbd at Boston Breakers (Dilboy Stadium, Somerville, MA) Saturday, July 7th 6pm vs Philadelphia Fever (Northwestern University, Evanston) Saturday, July 14th 7pm vs WNY Flash (Benedictine University, Lisle) Thursday, July 19th tbd at NE Mutiny (tbd) Sunday, July 22nd tbd at NY Fury (tbd)

*Times listed in Central Standard. Home games in BOLD.