There's always a fine line when you assess what happened in a penalty kick shootout: Did RSL’s Nick Romando make three outstanding saves or did three Chicago Fire kickers simply misplace the shots that could have taken their team to the MLS Cup final?
    Well, both. Rimando guessed right three straight times and the Fire trio misfired (sorry about that) and didn't make the necessary adjustments.
    As a result, when Ned Grabavoy put the clincher home Real Salt Lake had emulated last year's Red Bulls, unexpectedly advancing to the Cup final after barely making the playoffs.
    Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake: that may be bad news for the TV folk who so love star power because there won't be a David Beckham vs. Cuauhtemoc Blanco mano a mano to talk about.
    Nevertheless, there will Becks and his companions to promote.
--
    Look out world, here comes Africa.
    Thanks to Tunisia's loss Saturday in Mozambique, Nigeria qualified for the World Cup finals alongside Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
    If Egypt negotiates the tricky playoff against Algeria on Wednesday they will join the party as the continent's fifth qualifier.
Factor in host South Africa as the sixth participant and it's hard to argue against the proposition that the Africans will have their strongest-ever representation.
    It would not surprise if at least four, perhaps five, of these nations get past the first round and after that the survivors should get tremendous support from the home fans.
--
    Slovenia's late goal and a dreadful late miss by the French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac keep two of the UEFA playoff ties wide open heading into the second leg.
    Russia was cruising to a comfortable, if not exactly comprehensive, 2-0 win in Moskva when Slovenia scored in the 88th minute to grab a vital away goal which gives them a real chance in the return match Wednesday. Guus Hiddink cannot rest easy because his latest World Cup project is far from complete.
    Gignac sliced horribly wide of an open net when gifted with the chance to make France 2-0 winners in Dublin so the Irish head to Paris needing only to win the game to be sure of nothing worse than extra time.
    Predictably there were no goals in the Greece-Ukraine opener and Portugal made awfully hard work of grabbing a 1-0 lead over Bosnia-Herzegovina. While not exactly pulsating stuff, both of those ties remain neatly balanced, too.


DAILY READS
Yet another injury for Arsenal

Maradona banned for two months after vulgar scenes

George Burley set to walk plank in Scotland

Watch the skies tonight

The MLS Cup final might actually be tonight.
The Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo enter the Western Conference final with reputations to protect and every reason to think that whoever gets out of the Home Depot Center can claim the cup next weekend in Seattle.
That's not to overlook Saturday's Eastern Conference finalists, host Chicago and Real Salt Lake, but the regular season finished with the Galaxy and Dynamo locked together on 48 points atop the West. Only Columbus (49 points) collected more in the regular season and we all know that the Crew caved in chaotic fashion against RSL in the opening round.
There is also the little matter of David Beckham continuing to rehab his MLS reputation. He's taken major steps this summer but only bringing a title to the Galaxy will be enough to satisfy some of his critics. Coach Bruce Arena's roster also contains a bunch of players -- Gregg Berhalter, Jovan Kirovski, Chris Klein, Dema Kovalenko, and Eddie Lewis come to mind -- whose ages suggest that the Galaxy championship window may not be wide open all that much longer.
Arena was recognized again this week for what we already knew -- the man can coach, especially at club level. He'll have his team ready to go.
The Dynamo's Dominic Kinnear may be second only to Arena in terms of excellence. While supervising a team in transition, Kinnear has seen important players get the job done. Brian Ching has been a big-time performer, Stuart Holden looks like growing into a consistent national team contributor and somehow ageless Pat Onstad soldiers on.
Saturday night could be the last time Chicago fans see Cuauhtemoc Blanco. He's been a very good investment for MLS and it would not hurt the league to see Blanco attract some Hispanic viewers to the MLS Cup final telecast. Rumors suggest Blanco will return to Mexico next season after both reviving his international career and delivering value for money in his MLS stay.
RSL showed plenty of moxie to get past the Crew and will be aiming to repeat the Red Bulls' unexpected run to the title game a year ago.
--
As expected, Preki and Chivas have parted company. What are the odds that Preki moves to Toronto to rejoin his ex-Kansas City teammate Mo Johnston and turns that struggling franchise into a true MLS powerhouse? Or is Preki in fact headed to Chicago to replace the still-winning Denis Hamlett? One thing is sure: The man is in demand.

DAILY READS:
Algerian team bus stoned in Cairo; four players injured (with video)

Refs may sue Ferguson

FIFA to give up on regulating agents


TV:
The UEFA U-21 championships are underway. Home viewers can see these games via OmniSport online live, for a fee. (www.omnisport.tv) FSC/FSE will also repeat certain games on SDD.

TODAY (All times ET, our pix in bold)
Dynamo v LA Galaxy        2300    ESPN2

SATURDAY
WCQ:
New Zealand v Bahrain    0200    FSC
Russia v Slovenia        1100    Setanta
Greece v Ukraine        1300    Setanta
Rep Ireland v France        1500    Setanta P and TV5/DISH
Portugal v Bosnia        1530    Setanta
Costa Rica v Uruguay        2100    No USA TV partner.

FRIENDLIES:
Slovakia v USA        1000    FSC
Wales v Scotland        1000    ESPN360
Brazil v England        1200    FSC/FSE
England v Portugal        1400    FSC/FSE SDD (UEFA U-21 tournament)
Italy v Holland        1445    GolTV
Spain v Argentina        1600    ESPND

CLUBS:
Pachuca v Tigres        1800     Telefutura
Monterrey v Morelia        1800    Telemundo
Jaguares v Atlas        1800    FSE
Puebla v Toluca        1800    Azteca/ESPND
Fire v RSL            2000    FSC
Chivas v Cruz Azul        2000    Telemundo
Queretaro v San Luis        2000    Telefutura
Inter v Once Caldas        2000    GolTV
Atlantes v Tecos        2200    Telemundo

SUNDAY
U17 WC: Colombia v Spain    1000    ESPN360
UNAM Pumas v Indios    1300    Telemundo
America v Millionarios    1500    GolTV
Santos Laguna v America    1700    Univision

    Nine places remain on offer as World Cup qualifying concludes by Nov. 18.
Six of those will be decided in straight playoffs; the other three involve African groups still to be decided. With the right result in Cairo on Saturday there could actually be a seventh playoff game on Nov. 18.

Let's start in Africa with our preview:
    Groups A and B will be decided Saturday with Cameroon and Tunisia in the driver's seat, but both must get results on the road to hold off challenges from Gabon and Nigeria.
    Cameroon plays at Morocco, a major qualifying disappointment. They must play to win because they start with just a one-point edge over Gabon, which finishes its campaign at Togo. If both matches are drawn, the Indomitable Lions, led by Samuel Eto'o, will be home, but a Morocco win coupled with a Gabon win would earn Gabon a first appearance in the finals. In fact, Gabon could also qualify with a draw but only if Cameroon lose and the goal-difference math turns out in their favor.
     Tunisia absolutely controls its own destiny. Victory in Mozambique and they can pack for a summer in South Africa. Nigeria must win at bottom-place Kenya and hope that the result in Maputo goes their way.
    The crunch match is in Cairo where FIFA must surely be hoping that there's a clear result between Egypt and Algeria. Imagine what might happen if "the human element" so revered by Sepp Blatter (i.e., the referee) blows a big call in this one and TV replay proves it to the world. Actually, let's not go there.
    Instead, the facts: Algeria has a 3-point lead and a plus-7 goal difference. A win, a draw or a 1-0 loss and they are qualified. Egypt must win by at least two goals to draw level on points, goals and goal-difference. If that happens, the teams would play again on Wednesday in Sudan to decide who qualifies. A three-goal Egyptian win means that the celebrations will start for the two-time African champions who last qualified for the World Cup in 1990.

Now on to the playoffs:
    New Zealand and Bahrain kick off the action with their second leg tie in Wellington in the wee hours (2 a.m., Saturday, FSC). The All Whites start favorites after a first leg 0-0 draw in Bahrain. The Kiwis have not been in a World Cup since 1982 while Bahrain is trying for its first appearance and will be hoping to avoid a second straight playoff elimination. Trinidad & Tobago kayoed them at this stage four years ago. Let's be honest about this: whoever qualifies will be the No. 32 seed in the field.
In Europe it's first leg play with big reputations at stake.
    France, the 2006 runner-up, will face the Republic of Ireland in the match of the round. There is plenty to suggest that Irish grit -- and maybe the irrepressible Robbie Keane -- will be enough over the 180 minutes. The French have been erratic at best, just plain inexplicable on other occasions. It's a completely unpredictable match-up.
    Then there's Guus Hiddink's reputation to think about. In 2002 he was the Korea miracle man, getting the co-host nation to the semifinals. In 2006 he took the Aussies to Germany and enhanced his super coach vita. That could all come to earth in this tie, however, because even with Hiddink's brains and maybe the most dangerous creative player in Europe, Andrei Arshavin, the Russians have fired blanks on the big occasions. Slovenia may be the team to make them pay full price if they can get out of Moscow Saturday on level terms.
    Greece and Ukraine look pretty even -- read that, pretty boring -- on paper but somebody has to qualify.
    Portugal's soap opera revolves around ex-Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz' previous failure to qualify his home country and the unavailability of Cristiano Ronaldo through injury. The folks in Bosnia-Herzegovina will not be sympathetic to either tale and if they can keep Deco under wraps they've got a pretty good chance to advance.
    Finally, the match no CONCACAF nation wanted: Costa Rica, which collapsed in spectacular fashion after once leading our region's hexagonal, meets Uruguay. Suffice to say, the Ticos had better grab at least a couple of goals on home soil -- or is it turf? -- to have any chance in the return game. Uruguay hardly sets the heart racing with its dour style. Still, the Celestes likely have the depth and strength to prevail.


WCQ ON TV: NOV 14
(Please note: This list does NOT include PPV matches or games that can be watched, for a fee, live on FIFA.com)

New Zealand v Bahrain    0200    FSC
Russia v Slovenia        1100    Setanta
Greece v Ukraine        1300    Setanta
Rep Ireland v France        1500    Setanta P**
Portugal v Bosnia        1530    Setanta
Costa Rica v Uruguay        2100    No USA TV partner.

**Mr. Soccer On TV himself adds:  "Ireland-France will be live to residential viewers on TV5Monde USA (digital cable + DISH)." So, there you go!

DAILY READS
Celtic and Rangers’ bid to join EPL dashed

Germany mourns death of Robert Enke

Irish fans may not see critical WCQ

Ngog dive still stirring the pot

Today’s tabloid headlines say it all: “Diver!” “Cheat!” And even his coach admitted, a bit ruefully, that the call was a bit suspicious.

Yesterday, as his team floundered, Liverpool striker David Ngog conspired to flop, winning a penalty that Steven Gerrard converted. The fact that Ngog dove is not in question. But the incident once again raises the issue of how many calls referees at the top level get wrong and what can be done about it. Few today are blaming last night’s man in the middle, Peter Walton, despite the fact that he was right on top of the play.

Why? He didn’t have replay. And the question of why he doesn’t — when we all do — is one this sport needs to answer.

Technology has exploded the twin myths that most of the times the refs get the big calls right, and that the ones they don’t “even out” over the course of a match. Last night, it was clear on first glance that Walton blew the call, but despite all the headsets and microphones apparently no one bothered to tell him. And it’s difficult to argue that Birmingham saw anything “evened out:” they left without two hard-earned points on the road. What happens if, come spring, they are relegated by two points? Is that fair? Of course not.

The bottom line here, like it or not, is that replay has to come into the game. We purists — and I am one of them — don’t like the idea of stopping games while people huddle around monitors. But I think there’s room for a compromise: Would it really be so hard to have seen the fourth official interject last night and wave that penalty kick attempt off? I think not.

Without it, we see what happens: Cheaters get away with cheating, and teams are unfairly punished. And Liverpool — which, by the way, was the more positive team on the night — sees a hard-earned point tainted.


DAILY READS
USL dissidents form breakaway league

Record profit for Tottenham

Beckham helps Galaxy. No, really.

Why iPhones are cool.

Peter Kenyon, who turned ManU and Chelsea into global sports brands, joins CAA.

Another brawl at a girl's match: This time in Rhode Island

Quick thoughts: The USA is doing the right thing by using the last two FIFA dates of the year to stage games in Europe against Slovakia and Denmark. For years, USSF tended to let those dates sit fallow, so give full credit to Bob Bradley and his staff for pushing to use those dates to give his men a run.

Unfortunately – as is often the case in American soccer — not everyone is on board. The MLS playoffs are underway, and that means a lot of familiar faces might not get a look. Key among them? Landon Donovan, who sunk the winning goal last night from the spot to put his team into the Conference finals. He’s be joined by Stuart Holden, who will be playing opposite LA with Houston on Friday night.

The MLS playoffs themselves have been pretty good — more on that in a minute — but it a shame that the USA is losing a chance to see some of its best home-based players against two high-quality opponents. Yeah, the matches are “meaningless.” That doesn’t mean that they aren’t instructive.

The past weekend saw three playoff games to cement MLS’ conference finals. Chicago will host real Salt Lake Saturday while Los Angeles will entertain Houston on Friday. Defending champs Columbus were knocked off Thursday by Salt Lake in what Crew fans are likely to call a collapse; while Houston and Seattle slogged through 120 minutes of timid soccer, requiring a Brian Ching goal to break the stalemate.

The best games were in LA and Chicago. Both enjoyed packed houses, and both displaying outstanding, entertaining football. Our wrap-up and preview of the upcoming games will be up on the main website shortly, but for tension, effort and excitement, you can put both those matches up against anything played anywhere. If all MLS games were like these two, this league would be doing gangbuster business.

DAILY READS

Rio's infrastructure, poverty shadow 2016.

Seems like we’ve heard this rant before. (No he will not be punished. Double standard? Of course.)

Training roster for USA match against Slovakia announced

MONDAY TV: (All times ET)
U17 WC: Spain v Uruguay        1000    ESPN360
U17 WC: Korea v Nigeria        1300    ESPN360
Liverpool v Birmingham        1500    ESPN2
Barnsley v Sheffield United        1545    Setanta