Late Afternoon News

After a small hiatus (due to external student circumstances) BSB is back with a vengeance. We've got a big week with two exclusive interviews that we will be releasing (finally) as well as the Quakes big match with the Kansas City Wizards as well as our coverage of the WPS Final. Here's the news that we've been looking at this afternoon.


Fabio Da Silva signs with the Earthquakes

Centerline soccer's Jeff Carlisle reports that Fabio Da Silva has officially signed by the Quakes to bolster their back line. The Brazilian comes to San Jose from Brazilian club Rio Blanco and will be available to play in this saturday's match against the Kansas City Wizards.

This could be a great addition to the Quakes, who may have to start looking ahead to next season if the results do not improve . Expect the experienced Brazilian to see the field against Kansas City on Saturday as the Quakes look to try and establish some momentum going into the last few months of the season.

Quakes to play C.D. Aguila

On September 8th, the Earthquakes will take on C.D. Aguila from El Salvador at Buck Shaw Stadium. The San Miguel based outfit finished 5th in the Clausura 2009 and are 14 time champions of the Salvadoran league while also holding the distinction of being the first Salavadran team to win the CONCACAF Champions League.

This match marks the second year in a row that the Quakes will take on Salvadoran opposition after defeating CD FAS 2-1 last season.

Jesus Padilla moves to Chivas USA

The San Jose native and Chivas forward has been loaned to sister club Chivas USA. Padilla caused quite a stir in the Mexican and US media after it was revealed by Goal.com's Luis Bueno and Andrea Canales that the forward was in fact born in the United States, a violation of the club's Mexican born only rule. The Padilla controversy reached such heights that it warranted a response by Chivas owner Jorge Vergara who stated that the team would, "go by the definition in the (Mexican) Constitution and Mexican law says that you are a Mexican if you are born outside Mexico and both parents are Mexican."

Padilla who was unveiled to the Los Angeles press this morning will wear the #10 for Chivas USA and is eligable to play in their match this weekend against Toronto FC. At the press conference, Padilla stated "that In Guadalajara I was just playing 15 minutes and I couldn't show all the soccer I have in me. Coming to Chivas USA is a great opportunity to show all my skills." The San Jose product also left the door open to playing for the United States National Team by claiming that if he would need to work hard at improving his game before Bob Bradley would consider him.

This move has great potential for the Carson, CA based club as Jesus Padilla has a very high ceiling for development and could go a long way to revitalizing the championship aspirations of the club. In addition to this short term gain, the move could also encourage their parent club C.D. Guadalajara to place more of their prospects on Chivas USA leading to the increase of young talent that MLS has always sought.

CONCACAF Champions League Group Stages start tonight

The CONCACAF Champions League Group stages kick off tonight with three matches. The defending champion Columbus Crew have a tough match up against the Puerto Rico Islanders at 5pm PDT on FSC . The Islanders were the darlings of the last CONCACAF Champions League but come up against a Columbus squad that is 5-0-1 in their last six matches and are boasted by the inclusion of MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

The enigmatic DC United continue their recent bloated fixture list with a trip to Honduras to take on CD Marathon at 7pm PDT on FSC. United has currently hit a skid losing 2-0 to Toronto FC on the weekend to add to a record of 0-2-1 record in their last three MLS games. The Screaming Eagles also look to be without two of their key players on offense as the Brazilian Fred will be out due to a red card picked up in their last match against L.A. Firpo while rookie revelation Chris Pointus is currently listed as questionable.

Lastly, at 7pm on Galavision, Pumas UNAM take on the Guatemalan club CSD Comunicaciones. UNAM has gotten off to a nightmare start in the 2009 Apertura losing their first four matches while only managing a single goal. The Mexican champions are at home but with their current form this could be the time for the Guatemalans to steal a point on the road at Estadio Olimpico Universitario.