MLS Notes: Columbus can't host USOC final, Johnson honored again and more

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By AVI CREDITOR

The Columbus Crew might have the best Major League Soccer record among the four U.S. Open Cup semifinal teams, but even if they make the final, they won't be hosting the match.

U.S. Soccer announced Thursday that the three possible venues for the U.S. Open Cup final are Qwest Field in Seattle, RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., or the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Columbus faces D.C. United in one semifinal, and Chivas USA and the cup-holding Seattle Sounders meet in the other match that will determine the championship game and venue.

Should Seattle defeat Chivas, Qwest Field would host the final no matter what happens in the other semifinal. Should Chivas defeat Seattle and Columbus defeat D.C., Chivas would host the final. Should Chivas defeat Seattle and D.C. defeat Columbus, D.C. would host the final for the third straight season.

Here are some more items involving Major League Soccer teams:

JOHNSON EARNS SAVE AWARD AGAIN

For the third time in the last four weeks, Chicago rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson has earned Major League Soccer's Save of the Week award.

Despite yielding four goals to the Houston Dynamo, Johnson earned more than 70 percent of the fan vote for his effort in denying Brian Mullan's clean strike with a diving save in the 15th minute of a then-scoreless match.

Here's video of the award-winning save:

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BOSKOVIC EARNS NATIONAL TEAM NOD

D.C. United Designated Player Branko Boskovic has been called into the Montenegro national team for its Euro 2012 qualifiers in early September.

Boskovic will be available for D.C. United's match against Chivas USA ! this wee kend, but he will miss the team's U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against the Columbus Crew on Sept. 1 and its league match against the Crew on Sept. 4.

Montenegro faces Wales on Sept. 3 and Bulgaria on Sept. 7. Other members of its qualifying group are England and Switzerland.

KANSAS CITY TRIO EARNS CALL-UPS

Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone), Shavar Thomas (Jamaica) and Roger Espinoza (Honduras) also earned national team call-ups this week. Kamara will feature for Sierra Leone in its African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt on Sept. 5.

Espinoza rejoins Los Catrachos after appearing twice for them in the World Cup. Honduras faces Canada in a Sept. 7 friendly in Montreal.

Thomas will suit up for the Reggae Boyz in their Sept. 5 friendly against Costa Rica and their Sept. 7 friendly against Peru.

Also called up for Jamaica from MLS were Lovel Palmer (Houston Dynamo), Donovan Ricketts (L.A. Galaxy), Ryan Johnson (San Jose Earthquakes), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids) and Dane Richards (N.Y. Red Bulls).

DE ROSARIO, DE GUZMAN HEADLINE CANADIAN ROSTER

Five MLS players find themselves on Canada's roster for its two friendlies with Peru and Honduras. Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman and Nana Attakora-Gyan (Toronto FC), Will Johnson (Real Salt Lake) and Dejan Jakovic (D.C. United) will dress for manager Stephen Hart on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7.

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What do you make of U.S. Soccer's decision regarding the U.S. Open Cup final? What did you think of Johnson's save? Hope Boskovic shows well in Euro qualifying? Pleased to see so many MLS players earning national-team duty?

Share your thoughts below.



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