Match 18 v. LA Galaxy (8/7/09):

Landon Donovan, Beckham & Co. came to Gillette for a Saturday night clash with Revs and came away with a 2-1 win, in which New England played in an uninspired and entirely forgettable manner for the better part of the match. The gaffer was suspended for this one as the result of the red card he picked up last week for dissent, and Shalrie Joseph made his first start since June 11th. Galaxy went up in the 21st on a highlight reel goal by Donovan, as he banged in Gordon’s cross in spectacular fashion. Edgaras Jankauskas was through after only one half and had a nice opportunity to score late in the first. Galaxy went up 2-nil just seven minutes into the second when Jovan Kirovski picked up a rebound off of Eddie Lewis’ header and banged the ball past Reis. It was another defensive lapse from a lackluster team that led to the goal. Things didn’t change until the team shifted to a 3-5-2 moments after the hour mark. In the 83rd, Mansally attempted to break into the box when he was dumped by Omar Gonzalez. The referee awarded Revs a penalty kick, and Ralston banged it through to cut LA’s lead in half. Revs had all the momentum at that point and dominated possession in LA’s end, but time just wasn’t on their side on this night. Now, if Revs had put forth that sort of consistent effort for more than 20 minutes, the result may have been different.

European Focus:

As our faithful readers are aware, our European correspondent, Roscoe Twinney, has been dividing his summer between Wales and Northern Italy checking up on his clubs Wrexham and Piacenza, which are on the precipice of new seasons in the Blue Square Premier and Serie B. Once again, we here at PFN are thrilled to have the colorful insight and timely analysis of this doddering old fool (great football legend).

Wrexham:
It was a busy offseason for the Dragons, as the gaffer, Dean Saunders, made a number of moves to get the club back into contention for promotion back into the Football League. Last year, the club wilted down the stretch, and Saunders is bound and determined that it won’t happen this season. They open on Saturday the 8th at the Racecourse against Eastbourne.

Who’s In & Who’s Out?
Veteran goalkeeper Sam Russell signed on. Then midfielders Nathan Fairhurst and Jamie McCluskey reupped on one-year deals. Former Leeds United defender Mansour Assoumani signed on for a 12-month contract. French midfielder Hedi Taboubi has joined Wrexham on a one-year deal. Poland youth international Adrian Cieslewicz from Manchester City signed a one-year deal. Center back Mike Williams re-signed and former Leeds United striker Lamine Sakho, 31, agreed a one-year deal along with Oldham Athletic striker Matty Wolfenden. England youth international Curtis Obeng signed a one-year deal. Additionally, Saunders hoped to re-sign re-sign midfielder Chris Smith. Midfielders Tom Kearney and Nat Brown had their contracts terminated by mutual consent.

Match #1 v. Eastbourne Borough (8/7/09):
Opening day returned to England and Wales, as the Dragons greeted Eastbourne to kick off their second (and hopefully, last) season in the Blue Aquare Premier. This is the starting XI Saunders put on the pitch:

1 Sam Ian Russell (G)
5 Mansour Assoumani (D)
6 Mike Williams (D)
11 Neil Taylor (D)
7 Mark Jones (M)
16 Silvio Reinaldo Spann (M)
19 Andrew Fleming (M)
8 Heli Taboubi (M)
17 Adrian Cieslewicz (M)
9 Gareth Taylor (ST)
24 Matthew Wolfenden (ST)

Heli Taboubi put the Dragons on top in the 34th with a left-footed curl from about 25 yards out. In the 60th, Neil Jenkins dumped Wrexham’s Adrian Cieslewicz in the box and the referee awarded the Dragons a penalty kick. Gareth Taylor was given the honors and went upper right corner to put Wrexham ahead 2-nil. Ten minutes later, Taylor scored again on a throw in from Neil Taylor, from about 20 yards away in the left side.

Att: 3,726

Ref: M Bristow (England).

Match Information
Stadium: Racecourse Ground, Wales
Attendance: 3,726
Match Time: August 8, 2009, 10:00 ET
Official(s): M Bristow (Referee)


Match Stats
Wrexham Eastbourne Borough
Shots (on Goal) 13(6) 3(0)
Fouls 14 13
Corner Kicks 2 1
Offsides 4 2
Time of Possession 46% 54%
Yellow Cards 1 1
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 1 2

Piacenza:

Fabrizio Castori was named as biancorossi’s new gaffer in early July replacing Stefano Pioli. Castori is a veteran manager, with eight championships and seven promotions under his belt. Additionally, the team signed goalkeeper Cristian Puggioni, from the Reggina.

Piacenza opens their season on the 22nd at Empoli.