Yep, it's our preseason MLS spines list, a series that was, believe it or not, the topic of the second ever post on NSC. I, of course, take into account all recent preseason acquisitions and reserve the right to pick through these depth charts. The spines lists usually unfairly penalize teams for concentrating talent out wide in 4-3-3's, so keep in mind that teams like SKC and TFC will not be

We start off this week with a looper from the Messi man himself, who swung this beaut in from a deceptively difficult angle. What's a Messi goal without one from his evil Doppelgänger? The surprise element on this ridiculous back heel is beyond the standards of human decency. This is a nasty goal from Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew, but why does it look like it was shot on Super 8

As Greg promised, here are those USMNT roster changes: In: Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea Out: Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, Jose Torres, Timmy Chandler Keep your eyes open, too. Further moves could be on the way today. Nothing to be too worried about with Landon, I'd hope. I'm hearing bronchitis, which, judging by Liverpool's lovely weather, should clear up once he spends a few days sucking

It may have been mere consolation in a 2-1 loss at Chivas, but Herculez Gomez used his brainpan to doubly great effect by conjuring this 77th minute strike. It was not only his first goal since joining the club prior to this Clausura, but also one of the nastiest headers I've seen in a long time. Basically, he chipped the keeper with a volley - using his noggin.

Expect some new additions (not to be confused with New Edition) to be joining USMNT camp tonight.Actually, it's kinduva bummer, because I would spring for everybody's popcorn to see Klinsi bust out "Mr. Telephone Man" with a capable backing section... ya know, because one always uses the proper tools for a job.

Well, well, well. Jozy Altidore is back in the AZ line-up and back on the scoresheet, with a nifty spin job putting the home side up 1-0 on form team Heerenveen. The strike was his second in as many games against the Friesians, his eighth in the Eredivisie (one off the team lead) and his 12th across all competitions this term.

Well, well, well. Jozy Altidore is back in the AZ line-up and back on the scoresheet, with a nifty spin job putting the home side up 1-0 on form team Heerenveen. The strike was his second in as many games against the Friesians, his eighth in the Eredivisie (one off the team lead) and his 12th across all competitions this term.

Tijuana's Joe Corona applied a simple finish for the opener in last night's 1-1 draw with Toluca, heading off to Olympic camp with his first goal of the Clausura bagged. - Greg Seltzer

If I didn't know any better (and we all know I don't), we could say MLS is a major broadcast network American sports entity now.Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.- Greg "Give Deuce his rightful goal!!" Seltzer

Some days ago, I discussed an American keeper in talks with Stabæk. I never did get privy to the player's name, but I can now tell you there will be no deal for some reason. As is, there's not much more to say, but I did not just want to leave that hanging out there.- Greg Seltzer

Directly from an EPL spokesman back in 2006:"As a rule, if the initial attempt is goal-bound, it is credited to the player making the goal attempt. However, if the deflection means that a wayward effort results in a goal then it is attributed to the player who had the last definitive touch of the ball.

As everyone races to confirm Barcelona as the best soccer side ever, Diego Maradona has some news for all: they couldn't touch the 1974 Dutch national team."I have not often fallen out of my chair, but that happened watching the Dutch team in 1974," Maradona told Sport 360. "They played quite monumentally then.

AZ boss Gertjan Verbeek is again playing politics over Jozy Altidore's removal from the line-up, which is quite odd as he may be forced into starting the American over injured turbo-donkey Charlison Benschop.The always entertaining mind-warper manager told reporters that Altidore had been benched because he wasn't showing progress at the time - of course, the guy charged with eliciting progress

Or roster squawk, depending on who you might ask. Either way, I have a few notes, comments and/or gripes over the USMNT's latest Klinsi collection.First, in case you haven't had a good look yet:G - Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)D - Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96)

Heaven help us. Stuart Holden now has his own web series - and it's worth watching if just for the opening titles. Nutball.- Greg Seltzer

If Klinsmann's hire was ground zero for America's 21st-century soccer renaissance, if such a laughably grandiose idea is even possible, then Claudio Reyna's detailed presentation to 150 of the country's top soccer minds in Beaverton, Ore. last April was its first viral outbreak. Reyna's holistic plan, while not intrinsically radical, was a framework that borrowed heavily from the European model,

When I go to market, there is always one thing I forget. That's whether I go to get three items or 23. On top of all that, it's always something crucial to what is about to be cooked. It's highly annoying, but I do get extra exercise. Why am I telling you this? Well, I forgot one thing on yesterday morning's mini-serving of goodies, and it's kiiiiind of a doozy.

Just an FYI: the resumption of my USMNT clipboard programming will continue soon, including an revised position rankings (with top threes instead of fives now) and more discussion of how the pieces fit together in the run of play. I also happen to know Will has a preseason MLS Top 5 List on the way. For now, some glowing tube.

It seems good ol' Stabæk didn't even need to see Ricardo Clark perform against Valencia tonight. The U.S. midfielder has completed a loan move there from Eintracht Frankfurt until the end of July. Everything is agreed and signed every which way, so I'll have an MLSS report up in a bit.By the way, Stabæk may not be done Americanizing - I'm told they are chasing a stateside goalkeeper, as well.

A few notes to get you in the know...Eintracht Frankfurt outcast Ricardo Clark is currently doing well on trial at Stabæk, who plan to give him all 90 minutes in tomorrow's friendly with Valencia. This is, for the moment, looking good for a loan move.It's been asked and I can now confirm: Yes, Mikkel Diskerud has the same Olympic release agreement during his Gent loan.