Still no left back, but the slight defensive midfield depth issue has been addressed with the signing of Brazilian journeyman Marcelo Saragosa. Given that Kitchen will surely miss time for Olympic qualifiers (and the big show in London if we qualify) and isn't exactly a sure thing as he steps into his first year in the role for which he's being groomed, depth was a concern.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

As the calendar gets set to turn to 2012, it's an obvious time to reflect and look back at the year that was for U.S. Soccer.

While the year provided the ushering in of a new coaching era, a 6-8-3 international record and a breakout stage for a number of players, it also saw some of the more familiar names rise to the occasion on both the club and international levels.

The Columbus Crew underwent a successcful rebuilding period in 2011, as they parted ways with several veterans and brought in a group of new faces that exceeded expectations last season.

One of the few familiar faces to remain was Chad Marshall, and all he did was help anchor the stingy Crew defense for yet another season.

Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

There was a time during a tumultuous summer for the New England Revolution when it appeared that Shalrie Joseph was as good as gone when the MLS offseason rolled around.

The Revolution captain isn't going anywhere, though, after the club re-signed him and made him a Designated Player.

Major League Soccer will hold its Re-Entry draft for the second year in a row. The first round will take place on December 5 with the second round taking place on December 12. Players available in this year's Re-Entry Draft include 69 players who had their options declined in addition to a handful of players that are out of contract.

We are only four days from the culmination of the 2011 season and I don't know about all of you, but I'm ready. Alas, we must be patient and in an attempt to give you something to focus on ahead of the game, I figured it would be good to offer up my analysis of the two teams and who I see having the advantage, at least on paper.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

When he was drafted by the New England Revolution, defender A.J. Soares was regarded by many as the most pro-ready defender in the MLS Draft and a player capable of stepping in and contributing right away.

Soares has been just that for the Revs this season, and this past week was a strong example of that.

Ryan Miller will lookt to anchor Halmstad's backline in a game against second place Elfsborg while Ljungskile's Nick Noble and Angelholm's Matt Pyzdrowski will face each other in a battle between American goalkeepers

Anchor in midfield, the transfer I want to see happen

When the transfer window opens, it spells opportunity for headlines to be created. It is also a period where clubs and agents try to flocked off their players and to get into the market for new ones. Some of which are based on actual contacts between clubs while many more are mere stories making their rounds to just to get their player's name in the papers.

Day before the big match. Derby. Rivalry. Just words. What this game is really about is simple pride. Seattle and Portland have always had a thing, with and without soccer lending a hand. Soccer is just the best way we can get the rivalry out in the open as it's the only sport shared between the cities.

Shavar Thomas and Jamaica got their Gold Cup campaign off to a good start last night with a 4-0 win of Craig Rocastle and Grenada. Both players started their game for their respective teams. Thomas helped anchor the Jamaican defense which completely shut down Grenada. Rocastle on the other hand was subbed at half time after getting injured in a collision in the first half of the game.

This is not an injury for antsWhat could be the worst way to repair a defence that just saw itself ripped open for six goals this past weekend? How about losing the anchor of that already porous backline for the remainder of the season? No?
　
Thought you'd seen the last of Ty Harden?

Thanks to Demolition Man, a regular reader and sometime commentor at IMS, for creating and uploading this video of FOX News 9 anchor Tim Blotz telling soccer fans to stop contacting the FOX 9 studio requesting that the storm coverage stop preempting the UEFA Champions League game.

Thanks to Demolition Man, a regular reader and sometime commentor at IMS, for creating and uploading this video of FOX News 9 anchor Tim Blotz telling soccer fans to stop contacting the FOX 9 studio requesting that the storm coverage stop preempting the EUFA Champions League game.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

Longevity and productivity are two themes that can be used to describe the careers of the players inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame this year.

Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart will be the latest to be enshrined in the hall in a ceremony this summer, U.

Carlos Bocanegra helped anchor a big win for Saint Etienne snapped a winless streak in Ligue 1 while Quentin Westberg watched Evian's draw with Clemont Foot from the bench.

Sky sacked presenter Andy Gray following new evidence of his sexist behaviour came to light. Gray and presenter Richard Keys were warned over their comments about female referee Sian Massey before last Saturday's Wolves v Liverpool match.

West Ham 0-3 Arsenal

Yesterday evening we got a tantalising glimpse of the real Arsenal. There is absolutely no point in going overboard because of a win against the leagues bottom side but everything that had lacked the previous performances was shown here in abundance. I was the proper Arsenal.

Former Wizards defender, Uche Okafor was found dead in his home on Thursday morning. The death is currently being investigated as a suicide as Okafor was found hanged in his home. A sad end to see for a player who was the anchor on the back line for the Wiz/Wizards with Sean Bowers in their first few years of existence.

The Arsenal fans and players who berated Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City side for parking the bus last night were actually underestimating their own side and showing City too much respect. Did they think a side who have never finished in the top four of the Premier League, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Arsenal earlier this season, would come to the Emirates expecting to win?