Sounders right back Kelli Smith clears a header off the goal line after a Colorado Force corner kick during the first half in Loveland. Seattle won 1-0 on Wednesday. The play was the closest the Force came to scoring. (photo by Zane Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Michelle French scored in the 32nd minute as the Seattle Sounders began a two-game road swing through the Centennial State with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Force on Wednesday at the Loveland Sports Park.

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You might have seen the rather outrageous dive by Arsenal's Eduardo which gave the Londoners the lead from the penalty spot against Celtic in the Champions League yesterday.

Under the eyes of a packed house on the Showcase field, the U.S. U-17s beat a skillful Academy Select team 5-3, with two late goals providing the difference in an otherwise tightly-played match. The U.S. went on top first with a goal by Dustin Corea in the 26th minute, but the Academy team came back with two quick replies by Christian Velez and Zack Foxhaven.

USSF TOA decision
It has been widely reported that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) will be meeting this weekend in Seattle, Washington to make a decision concerning the breakaway TOA league and their request for a new 2nd division league in the US. Of course parties from the USSF and Major League Soccer (MSL) (who are often one and the same) will be in Seattle for the MLS Cup final which takes place on Sunday evening.

While Major League Soccer is enjoying a slower week in terms of news and even games (yeah only three this weekend) due to the World Cup qualifying going on, the USL keeps rolling in the news.

I just caught wind of another release via SoccerNet that goes into more details about how some clubs could be splitting from the USL and it's new ownership after this year.

By Robert Scorca
Even though I am a very big fan of Miami FC, I am often puzzled by the way they do business. When it comes to the way they are towards the fans and the Miami Ultras they have been great. They have always made me feel special and appreciated. I have not heard any complaints in this area.

Early this morning, David Fellerath posted an interesting interview with Carolina Railhawks President Brian Wellman on the Triangle Offense blog site.
I thought, first and foremost, it was excellent work by Fellerath to post a long interview with Wellman that goes beyond the simple front office speak usually seen from folks in such positions, and if you have interest in the USL and/or the Railhawks at all, it's worth a read.

The United States faced Costa Rica in the last match for both teams in the CONCACAF hexagonal stage. Costa Rica could clinch a spot with a win or Honduras loss while the USA have already qualified. The Americans will try to focus as after the car accident to striker Charlie Davies who remains in a hospital and likely out for next summer's World Cup.

The UEFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying Playoffs had their second legs on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. One of the match-ups was the Republic of Ireland v France that was 0-1 after the first leg. The Irish were the clear underdog with a 0-1 deficit after the first leg and having to travel to France for the second leg.

For those who love tradition you can rest a little easier tonight. When Vancouver enters Major League Soccer in 2011 they will come in as their normal self, as the Vancouver Whitecaps.

"We are fully behind continuing the Whitecaps name," said co-owner Jeff Mallett.

In fact they will keep the name in any league that they have a club in according to Mallett, even in the new breakaway league called the NASL.

C.D. Chivas USA 2 : 2 D.C. United
Six Word Novel Recap

"Way to avoid losing!" Now win.

Media, Traditional and OtherwiseThe Washington Post, Steve Goff: "United staged another stirring comeback Saturday night, scoring twice in the final 13 minutes to earn a 2-2 tie with Chivas USA and extend its unbeaten streak in league play to six.

Sounders Move On To Open Cup Final at RFK Stadium
A Physical Rematch
This was a game that was extremely physical from the kickoff until the final whistle, in Seattle's 2-1 home victory over the Houston Dynamo after 120 minutes at a sold out Starfire Sports Complex. In the first minutes of the game Houston sent a message to the Sounders and Fredy Montero when he was fouled on his first touch, which let him know the Dynamo defense was going to be physical when he or any of the Sounders had the ball.

Australia's remarkable run of results has come crashing to a halt at the Seoul World Cup Stadium as Korea downed the Socceroos 3-1 tonight in an International Friendly. With both teams safely through to the World Cup Finals as top of their Asian qualifying groups, this was a chance for both managers to test some new players, and Aussie coach Pim Verbeek rang in the changes in what was a homecoming for him, as he coached South Korea before taking the Australian job.

There will never be promotion and relegation in Major League Soccer. At least not in the traditional, European sense. The franchise fees are too high to risk what would be perceived by American audiences as a demotion to a minor league. No, there will never be promotion and relegation in the MLS in the traditional sense.

With talks at a stand-still between the Team Owners Association and Nurock Soccer Holdings, new owners of USL, the chances of a breakaway league led by numerous USL 1 clubs next year is looking more and more likely. Vancouver and Montreal became the latest teams to reportedly sever ties with USL this week, and are part of the group looking to start a new league.

The Major League Soccer Playoffs continue on Thursday, November 5, 2009 with the second leg of the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake. RSL had a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading into this match. So, who won and advance to the Conference Finals? Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Real Salt Lake beats the Columbus Crew 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) Video Highlights (will be added later)

1st Half

Real Salt Lake nearly took the lead in the 10th minute as a through ball was sent for Andy Williams.

Montreal inches closer to a MLS expansion bid.

By now we've all seen the lovely quote from MLS commissioner Don Garber yesterday about future league expansion.

"We've had productive conversations with Montreal to be our 19th team," said Garber.

With all the issues going on with the USL/TOA crap you have to think that Montreal owner Joey Saputo is trying to figure out the best way to get his club into the top-tier league instead of a new breakaway league.

Canada started off the Concacaf Gold cup this Evening in Los Angelas on the strong foot by downing Caribbean Giant Jamaica 1-0. Not an easy feat for Canada who just a year ago in world cup qualifying failed to get by Jamaica.But that was under much maligned Manager Dale Mitchell.In his stead Steven Hart has returned to take the reigns of Canada.

USA and Mexico are set for another showdown in a Gold Cup final. The teams will play one another Sunday at 2 p.m. CT at Giants Stadium in New York, with the match broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. We will be hosting watch parties at both area 810 Zone locations courtesy of Budweiser.
The United States defeated Honduras 2-0 last night on the strength of goals from Clarence Goodson and Kenny Cooper, both set up by Stuart Holden.

Real Madrid concluded their preseason tour of the United States with a match against Major League Soccer side DC United. The match was at FedEx Field in DC and had a solid crowd of around 70,000. Here's a recap of Sunday's match along with video highlights.

Real Madrid cruises past DC United 3-0 Video Highlights

The first half began with Real Madrid getting some chances but unable to convert any.

Wanted to share some shots from Thursday. They played a full squad, full field scrimmage in the second half of practice. Boris Pardo stopping Davy's breakaway on goal...Kevin Souter has started scrimmaging. He played a little while in the game with Creighton and played the whole scrimmage today. He looked a little tentative the other day but looked much more comfortable today.

In a recent live blog which was hosted by Jeff Di Veronica of the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester New York, Rhino's owner Rob Clark, who has been vocal with his displeasure of the Team Owners Associations issues with the USL, was asked how he was keeping all this chaos out of the manager's and players' minds.

The drama continues. Following on the first installment, here's a quick update. This post doesn't present any new or breaking news, it's just a summary of events to date. Most links are to Brian Quarstad's estimable Inside Minnesota Soccer blog, which in more pleasant times focuses on the Minnesota Thunder, but which has been all over this whole story from the start, like white on rice.

While the Aughts have been full of speculation/proposal about the Old Firm joining the EPL, the 90's was about the Old Firm joining what was dubbed as the Atlantic League. It was a joint proposal from the big clubs in the Netherlands, Scotland and Portugal. ESPN is reporting that there may be another attempt at this break away league, which would involve the aforementioned clubs along with Belgium and the Scandinavian clubs.

Canadian Press are reporting that USL league owners, Alek Papadakis is saying that "The negotiations are finished," Papadakis told CKAC. "We decided to continue our preparation for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us." Papadakis was refering to the ongoing talk with the Team Owners Association or TOA that have been organized for well over a year and have failed to pay renewel fees to the USL for the 2010 season.

The Major League Soccer Playoffs wrapped up its Conference Semifinal round on Sunday, November 8, 2009 as the Los Angeles Galaxy faced Chivas USA. The score was 2-2 on aggregate heading into the second leg. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Los Angeles Galaxy beats Chivas USA 1-0 (3-2 on aggregate) Video Highlights (to be added later)

1st Half

The Galaxy came out aggressive and had chances early.

This morning, my personal site, the Kartik Report along with partner site Inside Minnesota Soccer was among those breaking the story that Crystal Palace Baltimore and Paul Daglish's Tampa Bay Rowdies were joining the new TOA "breakaway" league . Later it was reported at USL News, and discussed at Match Fit USA among other places, today it was revealed that Miami FC purchased the trademark for the defunct North American Soccer League.

The league that folded more than 20 years ago is set to return, though in name only. The USL breakaway league officially announced Monday that they would revive the name North American Soccer League to use for the new league forming next season.

"By becoming the NASL, we are paying respect to the players, coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men's professional soccer in North America, many of whom remain involved and committed to the growth of our game in various capacities throughout the U.

The olden days.

So says one of the best reporters on lower league American soccer, Jeff DiVeronica. The North American Soccer League breakaway from USL may have a nice historic touch going for it, but the reality for it is likely to be tougher than we might think.

DiVeronica goes through each of the proposed markets, concluding in ALL-CAPS and bold in case you don't pick up on his theme that "PICK THROUGH THAT LIKE YOU WILL TURKEY THURSDAY.

This week's video mash-up is very long -- many games, many goals/defensive lapses.
Lineup notes, then a guide to the highlight reel. Home teams listed first
Kansas City 1, D.C. United 1
- D.C. notes: Quaranta up front with Moreno; Barklage replacing Gomez in middle; Jacobson replacing Olsen; Avery John starts at LB sted Jakovic.

I found out about this game only yesterday, but the Swope Park Rangers took on KC's PDL team, the Brass today out at the Swope Park training complex. Here's the lineup that started the game.
Pardo
Harrington - Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Souter - Zusi - Gomez
Kraus - Thompson
The Rangers dominated the game from the start, but didn't create many good chances early.

Rolla Bulldogs -
Jeff City Jays -
District 10 Final

Glendale Falcons - 3 (66th)
Nixa Eagles - 0
In the first District 11 semifinal, the Falcons finally penetrated a well-organized Eagles defense when junior Lindsey Sprouse collected a poor goal kick, turned one defender and hammered her shot off the underside of the crossbar and across the endline in the 38th minute.

The Chicago Red Stars out-shot the Ireland Women's National Team, 16-2, on Sunday. But it was Ireland that tallied the game's lone goal in a 1-0 exhibition victory over the Women's Professional Soccer squad at Benedictine University in Lisle.
Ireland's Aine O'Gorman scored on a breakaway in the 40th minute for a lead that held up the rest of the way.

The annual English Football Assocation Community Shield is a matchup of the previous season's FA Cup and Premier League title champions at Wembley Stadium. This year's match should be a great one as Chelsea takes on Man United. Here's a recap of the 2009 Community Shield along with video highlights.

The Swope Park Rangers started the fall portion of their "season" with a 4-2 win over the University of Creighton today out at the Swope Park training facility. You can follow the twitter updates of the game over at the Wizards twitter page. Here's the lineup that started the game.
Pardo
Leathers - Hohlbein - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Myers - Zusi - Espinoza
Cristman - Thompson
From what I was told by people at the game, the Rangers had a few early chances, beating the keeper, but unable to beat the post.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

With only three days rest following their win in the UEFA Supercup, FC Barcelona was back to work this time opening up their 2009/2010 La Liga season at home against Sporting Gijon.

Manager Pep Guardiola was without key players Lionel Messi, Rafael Marquez, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry, who started on the bench.

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Thanks to the bank holiday in England yesterday, today is transfer deadline day even though we are into September. It seems like every year there's some last minute scramble and controversy about whether a deal is done in time or not with all the paperwork behind the scenes.

On Monday, Inside Minnesota Soccer, in conjunction with Kartik Krishnaiyer, released the first of a three part series on the United Soccer Leagues. The series describes where the league has come from, where it might be going, and some of the behind-the-scenes events that have taken place over the last several years as the league and its USL-1 owners struggle for control and direction.

This week on MFUSA, Jason and Zach discuss FIRE BOB!, the USL-1 breakaway, young Americans coming home to MLS, and the USA-Honduras TV issues. Match Fit USA Soccer Show, part of the Champions...

Year end award nominees are coming out, and while no Wizards players are up the big awards, 3 Wizards are nominated for 2 awards.
Davy Arnaud and Claudio Lopez are both up twice for goal of the year. Arnaud's first blast against Toronto on the opening week of the season is one of his two nominated goals.