ekansekans's blog: "df"

CARSON, Calif. -- Victor Bernardez scored on a free kick deep into stoppage time Sunday night to lift the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series. The Honduran defender blistered the ball from 31 yards through the Galaxy wall at the top of the box and off goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who was unable to keep it from crossing the goal line. The second leg in the aggregate series is Wednesday in Santa Clara with the winner in the aggregate series advancing to a home-and-home matchup with the Seattle Sounders or Real Salt Lake for a berth in the Dec. 1 MLS Cup final. "Its halftime," said San Jose coach Frank Yallop, whose team twice rallied from two-goal deficits to beat L.A. and overcame two disadvantages for a 2-2 draw two weeks ago in the regular-season meetings between the longtime rivals. "It was an even game, they shaded on chances, for sure, but were going home now. ... Were one up, but 90 minutes of football is a long, long time. "Theyre going to throw everything at us to try to get the equalizer and obviously try to go on and win. We know that." Bernardez, who forced a sprawling save from Saunders on a free kick at the start of the second half, took the kick after Marcelo Sarvas fouled Simon Dawkins, a call the Galaxy disputed. His low shot sneaked through the wall, and Saunders made the initial stop but couldnt corral the spinning ball. "Im always looking to score when I take a free kick like that from distance ...," said Bernardez, a Honduran centre back. "The important thing is it went it. Thats all that really matters." The Galaxy had more and better chances in an intense affair battled primarily in midfield, but their best opportunity -- a Robbie Keane blast from 26 yards in the 86th minute-- caromed off the crossbar. L.A. didnt take a shot until the 67th minute -- Sean Franklin firing toward the lower-left corner -- and that was the only difficult stop Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was forced to make. "I thought our team played well tonight," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "Obviously, we didnt finish off plays technically in and around the penalty area. It cost us the game. We were in position to get a goal or two tonight for sure. Failed to execute the last pass or shot." 49ers Kaepernick Jersey . The hire would vault the Northern Irishman from relative obscurity to one of the toughest jobs in soccer, with his current club Swansea claiming a deal was expected to be finalized on Thursday. Kaepernick Womens Jersey .Y. -- Yes, Vince Young is comfortable with his role in Buffalo as Ryan Fitzpatricks backup. http://elevatedcolor.com/new.html . Alabama (11-1) and Georgia (11-1) were both No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the poll last week and remained in the same positions following blowout wins against rivalry opponents. The pair will square off next Saturday in Atlanta in the SEC title game in what amounts to a de facto national semifinal.The Vancouver Canucks are returning to Boston on Saturday for the first time since last seasons Stanley Cup Final series to take on the Bruins. Saturdays game is the only regular season meeting between the two clubs this season. The Canucks lost all three games on the Bruins home ice during the final and were outscored 17-3 in the process. Leading 3-2 in the series the Canucks had a chance to secure their first ever Stanley Cup in Game 6 but the Bruins scored four first period goals and chased Roberto Luongo in what would turn out to be a 5-2 win. Corey Schneider replaced Luongo in that game and it is Schneider, a Boston native, who will get the start on Saturday. The Canucks backup brings an 8-5 record with a 2.16 goals-against average and .931 save percentage into his first ever start in his hometown. Both the Canucks and Bruins stumbled out of the gates this season but in recent weeks have each shown why they made it all the way to the Final last year. Vancouver is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and sit atop the Western Confereence with 53 points in 41 games this year.dddddddddddd The Bruins also have 53 points and sit just one point back of the New York Rangers for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins have played one less game than the Rangers though and four less than the Canucks. Henrik and Daniel are near the top of the NHL scoring race once again this season. Henrik leads the NHL with 38 assists and is tied for the league lead in points with 48. Daniel meanwhile has 18 goals and 46 points on the season. The Bruins are coming off two straight wins in which they outscored the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames by a combined score of 15-1. They trounced the Flames 9-0 on Thursday. Since backup goalie Tuuka Rask started against the Flames for Boston, the Canucks will likely face their adversary from the Stanley Cup Final, Tim Thomas. Thomas has won 17 of his 25 starts this season with a .940 save percentage and 1.90 goals against. Thomas allowed just eight goals to Vancouver in last seasons seven game Stanley Cup Final. ' ' '