Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

On the day when US Soccer officially entered the Jurgen Klinsmann era, it was fitting that within a 90 minute match, the quality of play on either side of halftime served to contrast a past system that lacked creativity with a new future of bright, attacking soccer.

Brian McBrideCHICAGO (May 23, 2011) -- This summer, take your soccer skills to the next level while learning alongside one of the most renowned U.S. Soccer forwards to play the sport -- Arlington Heights native and 17-year professional Brian McBride.
McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy announces its 2011 Summer Camps schedule, with locations in Arlington Heights (June 20-24), Glen Ellyn (July 18-22) and Lincolnshire (July 25-29).

MLS commissioner Don Garber announced Friday in a press conference that the league will implement several officiating guidelines that should help teams and players establish a more attacking style of soccer in the U.S.

Details after the break...

Next season, look for the referees to hand out more cards and be more eager to pipe their whistle on anything that could smell like a studs-up challenge.

The rain continues for the Seattle Sounders and Major League soccer as injuries continue to mount. Both Brad Evans and Mauro Rosales were scratched before the Columbus Crew game due to injuries. An undermanned and a very tired Sounders team managed to squeak by Columbus 1-1 to secure a valuable point from their two game Eastern Road trip.

U.S. 2 Mexico 4

Golden boys: Mexico celebrates their win in style Gold Cup victory that featured a dazzling display of attacking soccer the U.S. just couldn't stay with (AP Photo).

*Staff writer Miguel Mendez has the game story.

But really you could boil it down to this comment from Tim Howard:

"We didn't get it done - that's what it's about.

By DAVID MOSSE

Velez Sarsfield took care of business on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Atletico Huracan, then watched on television as Lanus fell to Argentinos Juniors, handing the Clausura title to Ricardo Gareca's side with one round remaining. Velez was the best team throughout the competition and likely would have secured the trophy sooner had it not been pre-occupied with the Libertadores.

U.S. 2 Mexico 4

Golden boys: Mexico celebrates their win in style Gold Cup victory that featured a dazzling display of attacking soccer the U.S. just couldn't stay with (AP Photo).

*Staff writer Miguel Mendez has the game story.

But really you could boil it down to this comment from Tim Howard:

"We didn't get it done - that's what it's about.

It seems all the major footie Journalists have decided to jump on the band wagon, telling us about Fergie building a new squad of young tallent.

But hold on a second just last season these guy's were telling us how United were finished as a major power in English football because of their ageing squad who won the Premier League Title last season.

I wrote for SI.com this morning about Jurgen Klinsmann and his biggest challenge ahead: identifying that final 10 percent, that little "something extra" from a talented young group that still clearly needs some seasoning.

Anecdotally, we can all see that something is surely missing, that extra sliver of quality that makes the difference at the highest level.

Barcelona beware: Real Madrid is ready to stage a coup in La Liga. No word as to whether it will be a peaceful coup of speedy, attacking soccer, or a... Read more »

Can't shake it.

Just can't shake it.

The US Men's team came under fire after Friday's loss to France for its inability to create attacking chances and it's failure to scintillate under new manager Jurgen Klinsmann. For a brief moment now, with a 3-2 victory on the road in Slovenia, the nervous fidgeting that was beginning to surround the team and it's new manager has quelled.

USA 1-1 Chile

The US started their year off trailing Chile 1-0 until second half subs Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo gave the American's the offensive push they needed to pull the score line even. Despite both teams lacking international experience the game still entertained; highlighted with fast pace attacking soccer and a few mishaps.

Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Union's season starts a week from today. With that being said, here is a look at what various media outlets are saying to preview the 2011 Philadelphia Union and the MLS season as well as some other news and notes concerning the Philadelphia Union, MLS, and soccer in general.

We're only one day away from first kick and the excitement is building. The Sounders face a tough start to the season facing both the LA Galaxy and the New York Redbulls in the same week. The prognosis is good on our three injured players. Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani both trained on Saturday and could be ready for either game this week.

England claimed a suprise 2-1 win over FIFA number ranked number 1 USA on Saturday night at Brisbane Road in East London. Playing attacking soccer from the start of the match, England went 2-0 up within 27 minutes on goals from Jess Clarke and Rachel Yankey. The United States made matters interesting with a Megan Rapinoe [.

The Quakes are going to get an earful from Yallop on Monday, you can bet your ass on that. After describing this match as a must win, the Quakes played tepid soccer and only seemed to come alive after Chivas' second goal. Despite 4 mintues of second half stoppage time, the lads couldn't secure a tie.

Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan is a winner. He has five MLS rings to prove it. He competes in everything he does. Brian Mullan also messed up. The ill fated tackle against Seattle Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani that occurred before most fans even found their seats still brings a wave of nausea whenever I see a replay, picture or description of the event.

I'm only with Bill partially on this one. The reality is that Don Garber *was* out in front of it back when the points of emphasis were discussed in early March. He didn't just talk about the stars, he talked about promoting "attacking soccer" as well. Part of the reason we're even talking about guys getting cut down in the way we are is because MLS specifically made an issue of it at the start of the season.

The NSC Minnesota Stars ended the undefeated streak of the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday evening by beating the Caribbean team 2-0 at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota. The win put Minnesota on its own streak of 4 games without a loss and propelled them into 2nd place in the NASL standings.

The Chicago soccer summer camp schedule is in full swing and if you have budding soccer stars at home or just young children who are looking for something to check out this summer, here are three top camps to take a look at. A quick summary is below and more information is after the break.

The Chicago Fire have teamed up with Youth Elite Soccer (Y.

Top five things to take away from 2011 Finals Week:
SO CAL CONQUERS: In the first year that Finals Week has been held outside of Carson, Calif., Pateadores and LA Galaxy became the first two teams from the SoCal Division to Development Academy championships in the four-year history of the program.

Today the MLS Cup finalists will be decided and two teams will earn humble silverware with a conference championship. Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo will square off to decide the East while the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake square off to decide the West. For the first time in what seems like ages, teams from the east and west are playing in their respective conference championships.

BREAKING NEWS:
LA Galaxy starting forward Chad Barrett suffered a dislocated ankle in training today and will miss the MLS Cup Final.
STARTERS
Official MLS Best 11 for 2011:
Kasey Keller - Seattle
Jamison Olave - Salt Lake
Omar Gonzalez - LA
Todd Dunivant - LA
Landon Donovan - LA
Brek Shea - Dallas
Brad Davis - Houston
David Beckham - LA
Chris Wondolowski - San Jose
Dwayne DeRosario - DC
Thierry Henry - New York
-7 of 11 are American
dN
Soccer By Ives announced their 2011 MLS Best XI.

It wasn't a game USA fans will be re-watching for entertainment purposes, or one American players will want to remember, but the U.S. national team's 1-0 loss to France still offered up plenty of information, if not attacking soccer.

France was always going to be favored and expected to be the better side, even with a young lineup, but the U.

Manchester United have been dealt a further blow in their attempt to retain the Premier League title with the news that influential midfielder Darren Fletcher will be ruled out of action through illness indefinately.

A club statement read: "Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality.