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Home , Bob Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley, Fernando Torres, Frankie Hejduk

4BLACK E4 DAILY 05-28-08 MD M2 E4 BLACK

E4 Wednesday, May 28, 2008 M2 Soccer

Americans Take On Three Kings UNITED NOTEBOOK Over the next 12 days, the U.S. men’s national team (ranked No. 21 by FIFA) will encounter one of the most difficult stretches in its history with friendlies against (No. 11), (4) and (1). Although the results will have no immediate implications, they will provide opportunities to gauge the Americans’ place on the international stage and prepare them for Lack of Playing Time qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, beginning June 15 vs. Barbados in Carson, Calif. Has Niell ‘Very Worried’ U.S. vs. ENGLAND U.S. vs. SPAIN U.S. vs. ARGENTINA U.S. ROSTER When: Today, When: June 4, 4 p.m. When: June 8, Steven Goff 3 p.m. Where: Estadio El 7:30 p.m. plans to use a core of By ward on United’s 18-man game Where: Wembley Sardinero in Santander, Where: Giants European-based Washington Post Staff Writer roster Saturday night, serving as a Stadium in London. Spain. Stadium, East players, who have backup to starters Luciano Emilio TV: ESPN Classic. TV: ESPN2 (tape delay at 5:30). Rutherford, N.J. begun their summer breaks, and Franco Niell was not included and Jaime Moreno. The Skinny: After failing to qualify The Skinny: Spain will be among the TV: ESPN Classic, Galavision. shuttle in MLS players and others. on D.C. United’s game-day roster “We expected more,” Coach for the prestigious European favorites at the European The Skinny: The Albiceleste is using For today’s game, the roster is: in either of two matches last week, said of Niell. “It’s not Championship, which begins June 7, Championship, but after an expected this match, as well as a June 4 friendly GOALIES: (Everton), Brad an ominous sign for an Argentine any given performance; it is what England is looking ahead to the start first-place finish in Group D, it is likely against in , to Guzan (Chivas USA), Dominic Cervi forward who is eighth on the you put in on a daily basis in train- of World Cup qualifying in to face , or the prepare for World Cup qualifiers (free agent). club’s 27-man payroll but has not ing.” September. The team is under the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. against Ecuador on June 14 in Buenos scored in MLS play. If his minutes do not increase, DEFENDERS: Niell appeared in seven of the Niell said he would “definitely con- guidance of Fabio Capello, the famed Though players from , Spain’s Aires and at four days later. The (Fulham), Dan Califf (Midtjylland), Italian coach who has overseen AC famed domestic league, make up roster includes superstar first eight league games, starting sider leaving, whether going to an- (Hannover), Jay three, and had the winning goal other club or going back to Argen- Milan, Real , Roma and most of his roster, Coach Luis , ’s Julio Cruz DeMerit (Watford), Juventus. The is 2-6 Aragonés has also selected five from and Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, during a Champions’ Cup match tina.” (Columbus), (Standard against Pachuca of Mexico. Niell acknowledged having against England, the victories coming English Premiership clubs, including who led Argentina to the Under-20 Liege), (San Luis), at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil and ’s Xabi and Fernando World Cup title last summer. The U.S. But in United’s home-and-home troubling fitting into United’s sys- (Hansa Rostock), series with Toronto FC last week, tem. in the 1993 U.S. Cup in Foxborough, Torres and Arsenal’s Cesc Fàbregas. team’s two victories in eight meetings (West Ham). Mass. The most recent meeting was The United States (0-2 in the all-time came in the 1995 Copa America and he was left off the roster and only “I am the type of player that bas- three years ago in , a 2-1 series) has not played Spain since four years later in a friendly in : (Benfica), played in a reserve division game. ically runs forward and I haven’t England victory. 1992. Washington. DaMarcus Beasley ( Rangers), “Any player in this situation had to run back in a defending ca- (Heerenveen), would be not only very discour- pacity, which is something that I (), aged, but very worried,” Niell said have had to get used to here,” he (Toronto), Eddie Lewis (Derby). through an interpreter. United ac- said. “I feel I am making progress and England , along with four Lionel Messi is just one of the FORWARDS: (Fulham), quired the 5-foot-4 forward on a toward that and ultimately it is the missed out on Euro 2008. teammates, is based in England. superstars on Argentina’s roster. (), Nate one-year loan from Argentinos coach’s decision to include the BY PHIL COLE — GETTY IMAGES 2007 PHOTO BY DENIS DOYLE — GETTY IMAGES 2007 PHOTO BY MARK DADSWELL — GETTY IMAGES Jaqua (free agent), Eddie Johnson Juniors and has an option to pur- players. . . . Right now, I find my- (Fulham), (free agent). chase his contract at the end of the self on the outside looking in.” — Steven Goff season. Niell is set to earn $152,500, a Moreno Call-Up Uncertain figure higher than several United Tim Howard is one of several on starters. If the club decides to re- The Bolivian soccer federation the roster based in Europe. lease him, it almost certainly would like Moreno to rejoin the 2007 PHOTO BY ROSS DETTMAN — GETTY IMAGES would do so by July 1, when MLS national team this weekend to pre- contracts are guaranteed for the pare for a pair of 2010 World Cup season. Such a move would free up qualifiers, but that is unlikely to salary space to acquire an- happen. other player. In last place in South America’s “He has not shown the tenacity, 10-nation competition, Bolivia is the work rate, the energy that he preparing to play home games had when he first came,” United against Chile and Paraguay be- General Manager Dave Kasper tween June 14 and 18. Federations said of Niell, who was impressive are required to give clubs 15 days’ throughout preseason. “Some notice about a call-up, and United players have difficulty adjusting — officials said they have not re- the league, the language — and I ceived an official request. think that is the case with Franco.” Bolivia apparently wants Mo- With Niell unable to earn play- reno right away or not at all, Unit- ing time and United (3-7) off to ed’s team captain said. one of the slowest starts in club If United is asked to release Mo- history, he could become expend- reno closer to the date of the first able if a replacement is identified. qualifier, he could leave after Unit- “We are going to evaluate how ed’s June 7 game at Chicago and he responds in the next several miss just one MLS match: June 14 weeks,” Kasper said. vs. New York. . . . With Francis Doe away on Li- According to two sources, Unit- berian national team duty until ed has made inquiries about ac- June 21, Niell might get a chance quiring backup in coming matches, starting to- goalkeeper (University morrow night at New England (6- of Maryland) but that the chances 3-1). Doe was the only reserve for- of a deal are remote.

Horse Racing WNBA APPRECIATION Mystics Muscle Up for a Victory Impresario Florio Dies at 78 K Mystics 80, Dream 74 NAACP. By Katie Carrera By Vinnie Perrone His only blatant ruse was born of Washington Post Staff Writer Special to The Washington Post necessity. To boost family income during World War II, Clem became an The Washington Mystics had On a drizzly Saturday morning in underage club fighter at 14 and took scratched and clawed their way 1983, May 21, black-and-white edi- the ring as an impostor: as Clem Fitz- back into last night’s contest tions of The Washington Post were patrick, Ray Dooley, Clem Fitzgerald. against the Dream, yet lined with gold. In the belly of the He did his roadwork at nearby Aque- somehow, despite the rebounds sports section, Clem Florio foretold duct Racetrack, shimmying beneath a they were snaring and shots they the 108th Preakness Stakes, the crys- rolled-up fold of chain-link fence to were blocking, the second-half tal-eerie vision shared with three- run laps. The deep and pillowy dirt lead they had muscled to obtain quarter million readers: brought fatigue, and useful insight. was evaporating. “Desert Wine should surrender After boxing and a brief stint as sta- Atlanta’s veteran guard Betty after the far turn, with Deputed ble-hand to Hall of Fame trainer Sun- Lennox was lethal in the fourth Testamony and Bet Big challeng- 2001 PHOTO BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST ny Jim Fitzsimmons, Clem took a job quarter, missing just one of her ing turning for home. In the run to Former Post handicapper Clem as turf writer and handicapper for a field goal attempts and scoring the wire, Deputed Testamony, the Florio, a lover of horses, was a merry Florida newspaper. When a Baltimore 14 points as she spearheaded the iron horse, will hook and pass Sun- iconoclast, a willing nonconformist. News-American editor looked to fill Dream’s turnaround from down ny’s Halo after a furious stretch such a vacancy, the sharpies touted nine to within one. duel between jockeys Donald Miller ished history made and unmade, for Clem. But matching Lennox was and [Eddie] Delahoussaye . . . The every waiting horse race brought the Through his work at the News- Washington guard Alana Beard, running time should be around chance to score a wager and a story. American from 1965 to 1978, his 10 who scored seven of the Mystics’ 1:55 3/5 if the track stays fast.” Clem left Maryland in 2005 for years at The Post, a few as oddsmaker final nine points, and helped Through the rain and muck, De- Florida and the closeness of his chil- for the Maryland Jockey Club and rac- them hang on for an 80-74 win at puted Testamony loomed a dark and dren. Recently, he’d become gravely ing host of various Baltimore radio Verizon Center to improve their gathering wave on the far turn, ill with cancer of the lung and pancre- stations, Clem became a regional turf record to 2-2. splashed powerfully along the rail and as. Sunday night, he died at 78. icon for his wit and magnanimity, his “It’s great when you can just was gone — in 1:55 2/5. For 20 cents, Word sucker-punched the few re- voracious appetite for life, his equine grit it out like we did,” said for- Clem had given Post readers a $31 maining denizens of the Pimlico Race insight. His handicapping bore a tasty ward Taj McWilliams-Franklin, winner on a $2 bet; had Deputed Tes- Course press box during Monday’s brew of math and alchemy, observa- who had 19 points on 7-of-12 tamony not raced as a coupled entry holiday card, fled through the track, tion and intuition. shooting and a game-high nine with the better-credentialed Parfaite- through the streets and boccie courts Time is the true barometer of race- rebounds. “All the wins aren’t go- BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST ment, he might have paid $50. of Baltimore’s Little Italy and beyond. horse ability, Clem stressed, but not ing to be pretty and at the end of The Dream’s Jennifer Lacy fouls the Mystics’ Monique Currie on a “Thirty-one hammers,” Clem To Clem, life was The Race, marked the only one. From his days trudging the season they don’t say one fourth-quarter drive to the basket. Currie finished with 14 points. would say, the word “hammuz” tip- by time, oozing action, filled with in- through the dirt at Aqueduct, he ob- good win, one bad win. We’ll take ping his Queens, N.Y., beginnings. triguing principals, ever uplifting. served fatigue — and pain — them all, blind, crippled, limping, more of those, and it’s going to 40 rebounds per game, and if we “Whaddya, find it in the street?” He’d hobnob with actor Vincent Gar- wrought variations in his gait, applied ugly, beautiful. We’ll take any- come. We’ve got to get that conti- can’t get 40 we want to at least For nearly 40 years, Clem enliv- denia and interviewer Larry King, the theory to racehorse handicap- thing here.” nuity down as a team and I think outrebound a team, which we ened Maryland’s thoroughbred-track both old friends, with major league ping, embellished it. To Clem, the The Mystics finally got out to the last game we took a step, to- didn’t do against Houston and press boxes and radio waves as a jaun- ballplayers and with any shopworn post parade was a peephole to the the fast start they’ve been look- night we took a step and hopeful- the coaching staff let us know it.” ty impresario, Dead End Kid turned railbird who might approach him, race. ing for, successful on their first ly we’ll get to the point where we Even as the Dream surged P.T. Barnum. He spun yarns of his ending with, “Go get ’em, Rock.” He Even the luminaries took note. In five field goal attempts against need to be defensively.” back, led by Lennox, who tallied days as a toddler actor on the Italian filled press boxes and restaurants his first book, “Picking Winners” the Dream, which lost each of its At the half, Washington trailed 29 points, including six three- American stage, of youthful misad- with sweeping arias on a whim, the vi- (1994), Post turf columnist Andrew first three games by double fig- by seven, 38-31, but the repeated pointers, the Mystics kept scoop- ventures in gritty Ozone Park, of his brato baritone firm and bracing. Beyer devoted a chapter to racehorse ures. But it wouldn’t be quite that stonewalling of Atlanta’s offense ing up rebounds to all but ex- star-crossed boxing career, of race- He was a merry iconoclast, a will- appearance, citing Clem’s visual simple for Washington, whose gave the Mystics the momentum tinguish any second-chance op- track fortunes got and missed. He rel- ing nonconformist. During the races, epiphanies. Clem’s pre-race rumina- quick start unraveled as fast as it needed to propel themselves portunities for Atlanta. Six Mys- Clem occasionally would pull from tions became grist for press box punt- began. back into the driver seat. finished with four or more God-knows-where a gray and matted ers, the race often concluding with The Mystics reverted to their Washington scored 26 points rebounds, including starting for- YOUNG’SYYOOUUNNGG’’SS SSPASPPAA toothbrush and begin brushing. He Clem’s sing-song exultation, “Oh, you cold-shooting habits, going 3 of in the third quarter, compared ward Currie, who despite being 1880 Howard Ave. Ste 202 • Vienna, VA (Tysons Corner) drank red wine from a brandy snifter. baby doll,” or, “I am now a man of 11 the rest of the first quarter as with Atlanta’s 18, to snag a one- called for her fourth foul late in 7703-506-0303 03-506-0303 He was a Caucasian member of the means.” Atlanta (0-4) racked up 21 points point advantage. But what was the first half, put in her best per- Open: 10am-10pm, 7 days a week Before the 2002 Belmont, the rac- to their seven. But even as their most impressive as the Mystics formance to date with 14 points ing world atwitter with the Triple shots refused to fall, the Mystics continued to wrestle the ball and five rebounds. 7 days, 10am-2am Crown prospects of War Emblem, found their defensive backbone. away from anyone in a powder- Amber Jacobs also stepped up RIO Greenline/U St. ay therapy Spa Clem offered a sober counterpoint. The combination of Beard, blue jersey was how Washington in her regular season debut as Free Parking 703-750-0555 Training patterns meant much to McWilliams-Franklin, Coco Mill- had simply overwhelmed Atlanta starting point guard, putting in him, and the long-shot Sarava was er, Monique Currie and Nakia on the boards, outrebounding 18 reliable minutes with just one 1936 9th St. NW (between T and U St.) 7361 McWhorter Pl. #312 Washington, DC Annandale, VA 22003 working toward the Belmont with Sanford forced Atlanta into shot- them 41-20 by game’s end, de- turnover and three assists. The 202-518-7690 B new vigor; that was the play. At 70-1 clock violations on consecutive spite the efforts of the Dream’s Mystics had 16 turnovers against odds, Sarava tripped a $142.50 win possessions in the middle of the much taller forward-center tan- the Dream, which scored 20 mutuel and Clem’s known refrain: second quarter, prompting an ex- dem of 6-foot-5 Erika DeSouza points off the miscues. That’s a JASMINE Therapy G Accupressure “What’s that, tin?” clamatory howl from Beard. and 6-8 Katie Feenstra. trend they don’t want to dupli- “Simply the Best” #Four hands massages# Across the years, he would take After the defensive stand, “I “Those were some big kids we cate when they face a much stiff- 703-435-9555 pieces of his horse-playing catch, was fired up,” said Beard, who outrebounded,” McWilliams- er test in the final contest of a 112 Elden St. • Suite G • Herndon, VA 20170 1815 MMassage St. N.W., Wash DC wrap it in aluminum foil and mail it to scored a team-high 25 points and Franklin said. “That’s something three-game homestand when

(202) 223-2334 Open 7 Days • 10 am–9 pm family or friends. In this and other added four fourth-quarter re- we take a lot of pride in as a team. they host the undefeated Los An- ways, Clem Florio made lives richer. bounds. “I just wish we could get We want to be able to get at least geles Sparks on Saturday. 4BLACK E4