MLS CUP CHAMPIONS, AGAIN!

Another Championship run.

Western Conference Semifinals: D.C. United
The first game at RFK was a hard fought affair, with most of our first team out regaining fitness from the Champions League match. We controlled things for the most part, and Juan de Dios Rodriguez scored the only goal in the 34th minute and we took a 1-0 lead back to Philly.

Back at home we sat back and countered as United threw players forward. Michael Chidi Alozi broke through in the 28th and gave us a 2-0 lead. DC United's Dehan Jakovic was sent off 6 minutes later for a cynical foul, and that pretty much removed all doubt. Alozi added a second in the 90th minute and we advanced 3-0 on aggregate.

Western Conference Final: v. San Jose Earthquakes
For third year in a row we would face the San Jose Earthquakes with a trip to the MLS Cup final on the line. We were in control of this one from the opening kick. Alozi scored in the 4th minute and San Jose never looked dangerous. Ciro killed the game with a goal in the 73rd minute and we advanced 2-0.

MLS Cup Final: at Toronto FC
Alozi continued his path of destruction through the MLS playoffs with goals in the 20th and 24th minute, giving him 5 in his 3 post season appearances. Juan Pablo Rodriguez got one back for TFC in 32nd minute and the Reds were back in the game. It only took 4 minutes for us to regain our 2 goal lead, with Michael Adeyinka putting away a rebound. That would be all that was needed and we hoisted the cup again with a 3-1 victory.

Job Offers
Lazio and West Ham both offered me the manager roles at their clubs, and i was also rumored to be a candidate for the Sevilla position. I considered Lazio strongly, but in the end I decided to stay put. I've put together a solid squad and I thin we have a real chance in the Champions League this spring. I'm not ready to leave just yet.

Algeria
Defeated Canada 3-1 in the last fixture of 2011. Rafik Djebbour's 2 goals and a strike from Rafik Halliche on a set piece was enough to overcome Iain Hume's goal just before the half. Our record for the 2011 calendar year was 8-1-0.

We learned of our group draws for both the Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying for 2014 Brazil. Gambia, Morocco, and Mali will be our Group B opponents in Gabon for the Cup of nations. For the second round of CAF World Cup Qualifying, we have been drawn in Group 9 with Central Afircan Republic, Liberia, and Zambia. We like our chances to advance from both of those groups.