I saw the other day on Bigsoccer that someone started an "Is Bruce Arena the worst coach in MLS?" thread. Could Allen Hopkins be behind it? Doubtful, but it's almost what he's suggesting here.

"What an advertisement this has been for Major League Soccer here tonight". I heard Glenn Davis speak that line twice during the broadcast, once in the 68th minute on ESPN2, and once before the game was being shown on television (thanks atdhe.net). At first I was thinking that that was a terribly hypocritical thing to say.

From Setanta:

As widely reported, Setanta Sports has had its agreement to broadcast 46 Barclays Premier League matches in the UK terminated.

This development does not affect our channels and other services in the US.

Setanta Sports in the US is a separate operation that has separate agreement to show the Barclay's Premier League.

If there was ever a sheen on David Beckham for the American soccer fan with a Y chromosome, if he was initially given a pass, if anybody believed anything he said, well, that patina is gone. Beckham can still build urban soccer fields and set up summer camps and buy a MLS franchise, but you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Our favorite forward/midfielder, Landon Donovan, is this year's MLS MVP! It's actually the first time he has won the award, but after the smokin' season he has had it should come as no surprise.

With all the awards he has been receiving this year, I'm continually reminded of that scene in Forrest Gump.

It has recently come to my attention that a few people are having trouble viewing ESPN videos here. A quick show of hands in the comments would be appreciated in the comments if you can't see Allen Hopkins stumping on the Coach of the Year, Omar "Jamrock" Cummings and the oh-so-tight fight for the post-season.

You know, we hadn't kicked it with Allen Hopkins in a minute. Looks like dude has been hanging with Quavas Kirk or at least borrowing his suits. And what else has happened in that long minute? DC United is back on top, Chris Klein joins the 300 Club, and the Philadelphia starts organizing the Union.

I'm sure no one else cares but it has just hit me that Allen Hopkins looks exactly like my college roommate, Stereolab Dave. I am speechless.

As we have for a number of other soccer broadcasts this year, particularly USMNT games, we will "business blog" the ESPN broadcast of MLS Cup 2009. Before we start, a quick word about ESPN coverage leading up to the game. The ESPN Classic broadcast of MLS Cup history was outstanding and definitely worth a watch.