Last year in the playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the world when they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Grizzlies were the eighth seed and the Spurs were the first seed. It was only the fourth time in NBA history that an eighth seed had beaten a first seed.

But so far this season, the Spurs have been able to get their revenge.

The Philadelphia Union will host the 2012 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, MLS announced in a ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall. The game will be played at PPL Park on July 25th at 8pm ET on ESPN2. An opponent has yet to be named, but it will be an international club as in previous years. "Philadelphia has a deep tradition of playing and supporting soccer, and the huge, enthusiastic fan base of the Philadelphia Union.

Hard to believe it but the Philadelphia Union are close to selling their biggest star, Sebastien Le Toux.

The Philadelphia Union are preparing to sell star striker Sebastien LeToux to a European club. Story coming on Fox Soccer. #Wow38 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@SoccerByIvesIves Galarcep

To further drive home the rumor, Le Toux tweeted the following:

On a jet plane to Englandabout 16 hours ago via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite@SebastienLeTouxSebastien Le Toux

Ives later goes on to report that Bolton could be the landing spot for Le Toux.

We aren't even done with the SuperDraft this week and already some rumors are flying around about this year's MLS All-Star game. No word yet on who the club MLS will be playing, but one has to figure it won't be a three-peat of Manchester United.

No, the talk today is all about the location of the game.

Over the last couple of years, MLS has made a long string of significant decisions aimed at advancing the league and improving the quality of soccer on the field. These have included the Designated Player rule in all of its iterations, the Generation Adidas program and recently, the mandating of team specific academies tasked with developing young players and retaining young talent in the league.

In matchup of undefeated teams, the Portland Trail Blazers topped the Denver Nuggets by a final score of 111-102. These two Western Conference sleepers played a fantastic game that featured a lot of back of forth action. Don't be surprised if the Blazers and Nuggets face each other in the 2012 NBA playoffs.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Phoenix Suns have brought in help in the form of former All-Star Michael Redd. The Suns gave Redd a one year contract. In his 11-year career, all spent with the Milwaukee Bucks, Redd has averaged 20 points and 4.1 rebounds.

At 32, Redd is a good gamble for the Suns.

Photo: Earl Gardner

With the signing of Porfirio Lopez yesterday, the Philadelphia Union continued a busy offseason that has already addressed many glaring needs.

Since the 2011 season ended in defeat at Houston, the Union have parted ways with Justin Mapp, purchased the rights to a Costa Rican striker, a Costa Rican fullback, and a Panamanian utilityman, signed a Tanzanian winger through the re-entry draft, and added a homegrown player.

In today's announcement the Seattle Sounders made it clear that Michael Gspurning (guh-SHPURN-ing) is not replacing Kasey Keller, but instead the team's new goalkeeper. Long having been rumored to sign with the club, Gspurning's signing is finally official. The Austrian earned 3 CAPs with the national team and 96 appearances in the Greek and Austrian top-flights, twice being named an All-Star in Greece.

• Cameron's switch to center back becomes official [MLS Soccer]
• Houston Dynamo shockingly places Bobby Boswell in MLS re-entry draft [Sporting News]
• Dynamo's Boswell, others in re-entry draft [Houston Chronicle]
• Boswell makes buzz in re-entry draft [Houston Chronicle]
• Academy teams to compete in Winter Showcase [Houston Dynamo]
• New Dynamo Stadium to open on May 12, 2012 [Houston Dynamo]
• From Jose Ortiz's Twitter: "@ChrisCanetti told Sports Authority the Dynamo is close to announcing 10-year naming rights deal for new stadium.

Way back on March 1, just a couple of weeks before the start of the regular season, the Portland Timbers coaxed Jack Jewsbury away from Sporting Kansas City. Days later he captained his new team to a 2-0 defeat of the Seattle Sounders and promptly ended the debate - among the coaching staff, at least - over who would end up wearing the armband for the Timbers in 2011.

The Montreal Impact selected Bobby Burling in the expansion draft yesterday. Head coach Jesse Marsch played with Burling on Chivas USA from 2007 to 2009. Marsch played as a defensive midfielder and Burling played as a defender while on Chivas USA. As such, Marsch was happy to select Burling during the expansion draft.

Arie w/Brad Friedel at SpursMcLean Youth Soccer player Arie Ammann has been selected to play in the U.S. Soccer 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies . The Academy Winter Showcase is for the top players in the Academy Program and an opportunity for the national coaching staff to watch the players closer.

There were plenty of standout defenders in MLS this year, and several who could make cases for being the top defender in the league, but it is tough to argue that there was a better defender in 2011 than Omar Gonzalez.

The LA Galaxy centerback was the leader and foundation for the best defense in MLS, improving his game in every facet and going from being an All-Star caliber defender to a dominant force who was key to LA winning the Supporters Shield and reaching the MLS Cup Final.

• MLS Playoffs: Houston Dynamo Reaches MLS Cup Final [Huffington Post]
• Dynamo top Sporting Kansas City to reach MLS Cup finals [Houston Chronicle]
• Dynamo keep rolling, knock off Sporting KC to advance to MLS Cup [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo All-Star Davis leaves conference final with injury [Houston Chronicle]
• Davis injury motivates Dynamo [MLS Soccer]
• Complete Team Effort Propels Dynamo to MLS Cup [Chronicle FanBlog]
• VIDEO: Dynamo, fans react to win [Houston Dynamo]

Do you (or someone you know) enjoy autographed soccer memorabilia, the thrill of online auctioning and the feeling of helping a really great cause?If so, stop what you're doing and check out what former MLS all-star keeper Mike Ammann has going on just for you.- Greg Seltzer

We've already named our 2011 NL MVP and 2011 NL Cy Young Award winner. Now, let's go young. Here are the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year candidates and the winner.

3. Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals
Danny Espinosa was great in the first half of the year. In fact, he earned a spot on the All-Star team.

AC Milan Legends vs Indonesia Legends Highlights 5-1 Video Goals 2011 Glories is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

AC Milan Legends vs Indonesia Legends Highlights 5-1 Video Goals 2011 Glories is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter AC Milan Legends vs Indonesia All-Star Legends 2011 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta- Sunday, 4th September 2011 Score:- AC Milan vs Indonesia 5-1 ( Serginho*4, Dida/ Yakobi) Serginho stars for AC Milan [.

The Setup after the Red Card to Borchers
Salt Lake welcomed Jamison Olave back into their defense after returning from an injury in the all-star match. Chivas USA was coming off a tough midweek loss in Portland and needed to take the home three points to push towards a playoff spot.
Two Early Defensive Errors In the 11th minute, Jazic played a chipped, blind back pass that was intended for Junior Lopes.

Alright, you've seen me allude to it before and you all know I do not like improper info being floated in transfer scenes and the emails queries are flying in - so as much as I wanted to continue sitting on this, there's nothing to do but spill. Earlier today, NYT all-star Jack Bell posted this revelatory bit about Arsenal possibly sizing up Tim Ream and most of it is basically on the money.

Image taken 10 July 2011 during batting practice for the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

After three years in France, Boca the beefcake is returning to Britain.

In a three year deal that sees him leaving Ligue 1′s St Etienne for the 2011 Scottish Premier League champion side, Rangers FC.

Nick Sakiewicz & MLS Commissioner Don Garber

Don Garber greets Seba

Don Garber talks with his All-Star Team choice.

Faryd Mondragon greets the fans.

Amy Fadool moderates the discussion.

Nick Sakiewicz talks about the traffic situation.

Boot Room: What Premier League stars will wear in 2011/12

Sportsmail has dived into the all-star boot room to deliver the verdict on the latest conveyor belt of boots set to hit the Premier League in time for the big kick-off.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-08-10 11:09:34 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Photo by Jason Staples

Ever since I bought the tickets in April, I had been looking forward to July 27th. Besides seeing Manchester United already in Boston, I knew this experience was going to be simply insane. Having the opportunity to see the champions of England go up against America's elite was something I knew that I would cherish.

After watching the most recent Major League Soccer All-Star clash against Premier League champions Manchester United I began to think about the current format. For the second year in a row the Red Devils showed just how much talent they have as a team compared to the squad that MLS assembled. But really, is that much of a surprise?

Photo by Ramsey Moshen

With David Beckham in the final year of his ground-breaking MLS contract, speculation has turned to whether the 36 year-old midfielder will resign with the LA Galaxy and the league, or continue his quest for another international cap elsewhere. In an interview with the press, Garber talked about the MLS All Star's impact on the league, and as expected painted it as a perfect partnership.

Three players from Wisconsin teams were named to the National Premier Soccer League All-Star team, which is set to play three matches over the next week.

Hartford's Anthony Santaga (Green Bay Notre Dame) and North Carolina's Carlos McCrary, both midfielders from the Madison 56ers, and Mountain State defender Pedashoo Deneus from Eau Claire Aris FC are part of the 21-player roster.

• Olimpia's board have apparently rejected the Dynamo's loan offer for Boniek Garcia [La Prensa] In Spanish
• Houston's Carr on long road to recovery from concussion [MLS Soccer]
• Moffat looking forward to "a different challenge" in Houston [MLS Soccer]
• Ashe finds the right fit: Switch to 'D' pays dividends for Dynamo vet [Houston Chronicle]
• Mixed emotions for All-Star Cameron [MLS Soccer]
• Generation adidas Cup: Day 1 recap [MLS Soccer] Day 2 recap [MLS Soccer]
• First crane rises above stadium site [Houston Dynamo]
• Danger Zone!

Ah, the gnashing of teeth. The putting of words into the mouth. Many people over the past week or two have been putting forward the idea of #TrophiesNotFriendlies. Some have adopted the slogan as it is quick, easy and poignant, but they don't necessarily speak for myself. Considering how much chatter there has been concerning friendlies this year, and the latest statements from MLS Commissioner Don Garber, it is time to clarify.

SBI Stoppage Time: MLS All-Star Wrap from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

Mike Woitalla of Soccer America reports on the rising attendance figures in Major League Soccer.
MLS crowds before the All-Star break were up from last season's average at the midseason point. For MLS attendance rankings ...
* At the All-Star break, MLS's attendance average of 17,417 is more than a 6 percent increase from its 2010 midseason mark.

What a credit to MLS that All-Star game was.

Let's do that next year, too, so we can add to the 9-2 aggregate score of the last two years.

Can you imagine how many converts to the league there will be because of this game?

Don't listen to critics like this - they have no clue.

Manchester United vs MLS All Stars 2011 Highlights 4-0 NYC Goals Video Score is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Manchester United vs MLS All Stars 2011 Highlights 4-0 NYC Goals Video Score is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Manchester United vs MLS All-Stars 2011 2011 MLS All-Star Game- Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ- 7/27/11 Final score:- Manchester United vs MLS All-Stars 4-0 ( Anderson, Park, Berbatov, Welbeck) Manchester United [.

Will Shalrie play the boss man tonight?

Kickoff promptly....that is about 55 minutes after the broadcast start time of 5pm PT. 5:55 PT for the kickoff.

It's the MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United and this time Kevin Alston won't be playing rightback.

Red Bull Arena is the site as Manchester United continues their raucous North American tour.

At three different points of the year MLS Commissioner Don Garber makes the big time media rounds and talks about the future of Major League Soccer. Tonight's All-Star Game is one of those times. MLS is getting really good, despite all the times they are the brunt of jokes, at getting exposure. This week they've done the traditional morning shows, as well as hosted a series of events throughout Manhattan.

MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United Red Bull Arena - Harrison, NJ - 7:30 pm CT TV: ESPN2 (ENG) / Galavision (SPN)

Tonight in New York, Major League Soccer's biggest game of the year takes place as the MLS All-Stars face off against Manchester United of the English Premier League.

SBI All-Star Spotlight: Kyle Beckerman from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

SBI All-Star Spotlight: Tim Ream from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

NEW YORK - In the world of MLS, Chivas USA defender Heath Pearce is a home improvement expert, relatively speaking.

Ahead of Wednesday's All-Star Game against Manchester United (8:30 pm ET; ESPN2/Telefutura/TSN), the 26-year-old joined eight other All-Stars representing MLS W.O.

Club friendlies on Fox Soccer: Aston Villa - Blackburn at 6am, Chelsea - Kitchee at 8:30am, and the 3rd-place and finals of the Audi Cup beginning at noon. Fox Soccer Plus has Marseille - Lille in the French SuperCup at 2:45pm. Major League Soccer's All-Star Game is on ESPN2 and TeleFutura at 8:30pm.