The message was as striking as a knee to the ribs. Mike Petke delivered it without saying a word. Three points for victory, one point for tie and zero points for loss. Three points for victory, one point for tie and zero points for loss. After all, the idea in World Cup qualifying is to score as many goals as possible in case of a tie in the standings.
Goal differential can be the difference between advancing and watching from home.
Spain's Valencia and England's Leeds reached the semifinals of the European Champions Cup on Tuesday. Seven shots on goal, plus 23 total shots, plus eight corner kicks, equalled one goal in a tie with the Colorado Rapids late Saturday night. Defender Marcelo Balboa scored with seven minutes left in regulation to lift the Colorado Rapids into a 1-1 tie with the MetroStars on Saturday in Denver. 19 at San Jose Earthquakes Thur. 24 at Kansas City Wizards Sat.