by Maura Gladys

Five games, nine days and 39 goals. That's what it took for the U.S. women's national team to win the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying

One of the few negatives....

Tournament and book their ticket to this summer's London Olympic Games. The U.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Philadelphia Union got the MLS All-Star game for PPL Park.

So why aren't you excited?

Why was there a collective yawn in response to Tuesday's announcement when there could have been rapturous joy?

Was it because word had leaked out early and killed the surprise factor?

Our various writers here had a little discussion about what lineup changes we'd want to see. The thought was to make a lineup card for you that would show a Sounder at Heart preferred lineup and a Real Salt Lake likely lineup due to the injuries to Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers. With Jason Kreis not sharing the status of those two besides the decision being held until tonight their side of the card would be incomplete.

Some observations for today and from the weekend:

• Silly season:

Sevilla bound?

» Will Deuce Fly the Coop? Sky Sports says La Liga's Sevilla is interested in US national Clint Dempsey.

» Having his cake and eating it too?

The 2011 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage has come to and end. The matchups for the quarterfinals are set and we are poised for an interesting knockout round, which may be more up in the air than usual. Two teams in particular have really risen their play and are looking to tip the scales on the traditional powers.