Chicago Fire original CJ Brown played in his last professional soccer game on October 23, 2010. Both Brown and teammate Brian McBride had announced their retirements days earlier. Chicago was already eliminated from the playoffs going into the game. Prior to kick-off the players knew it was going to be only the second time in the club's history that the Fire did not make the playoffs.

The Chicago Fire put their undefeated preseason streak to the test when they take on Chivas USA today at 2:00 PM CST. Live audio of the game will be available with Fire Communications Manager Brendan Hannan and Team Writer Jeff Crandall teaming up on the play-by-play. Per Crandall, this will be the 4th time the combo has called a game.

Images courtesy of the man himself, Lance Parker.

Footballer and male model, Lance Parker, is obviously cool with posing in his underwear.

Coincidentally, we are too.

Since he seemed down for our interview games and uncontrollable flirting tactics, we decided to spice up our Q&A style a bit.

As our own malcontentjake and countless others have demonstrated repeatedly, the numerical shorthand for soccer formations which we're all accustomed to (e.g. 4-4-2) is almost completely useless. Whether you have a 'band of 4' defenders or a 'band of 5' is much less important than what those defenders are doing at any given time.

I'm under a directive to burn some vacation hours so will take an extended break through next Tuesday. That means no column next week, but one of this country's best soccer writers has stepped in with an apt Galaxy-centric column that breaks down the past and, hopefully, future sucess of

Jonathan Tannenwald has released the Philadelphia Union's local TV broadcast schedule on his Goalkeeper blog ahead of the official release later this week.

Monday, March 12: at Portland Timbers, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sunday, March 18: vs. Colorado Rapids, 4:00 p.

Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. – The Colorado Rapids squeaked past Chivas USA, 1-0, in a physical preseason scrimmage between the two sides on Tuesday.

Second-half substitute Quincy Amarikwa put the Rapids ahead in the 85th minute.

*Despite the presence of watching projected NFL top draft choice Andrew Luck in Carson today, the Galaxy lost 4-1 to the Portland Timbers at Home Depot Center. Dan Keat had a goal on a bicycle kick in the losing cause. The Galaxy starting lineup: Saunders; Jordan, Meyer, DeLaGarza, Dunivant; Franklin,

Colorado faced Chivas USA in a scrimmage at the HDC today. A late Qunicy Amarikwa goal from a Steven Emory assist gave the burgundy boys a 1-0 win. Of course its preseason so its meaningless but wins are always better than losses. The starting XI (trialists makred with a *):
Angulo* - Cummings - MullanLarentowicz - Castrillon - MastroeniZapata* - Marshall - Wynne - KimuraPickens
After subs the team finished with the the following lineup:
Cascio - Amarikwa - AkpanThompson - LaBauex - EmoryFreeman - Palguta - Guido* - AbabioJoyce
Guido is a local player playing with the team while they're in California.

As the Galaxy's leading scorer for four consecutive seasons, which was topped off with a career-best 17 goals in 2010 before his departure overseas, Edson Buddle will go down as the best goal poacher to play for the club since Carlo Ruiz. Well, now Edson Buddle is back - and

photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

D.C. United added more depth to its midfield on Monday, signing a player who is no stranger to MLS.

United announced the acquisition of midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, the 30-year-old Brazilian who previously had stints with FC Dallas and Chivas USA.

In case you missed it, the Chicago Fire defeated Real Espana 3-1 in Saturday night's international exhibition. Video highlights, goal scorers, and Fire starters are after the break. The team has a recap with some quotes from Klopas up on the website. The local paper, The Times-Picayune, had a good recap too.

The Galaxy scored seven goals in their win at Home Depot Center, while Chivas USA managed five goals. Both wins came over minor league opposition. More on the Galaxy game is here. Chivas USA beat Conejo Valley-based FC Hasental 5-0 with goals coming from Michael Lahoud in the 22nd minute

The Galaxy scored seven goals in their win at Home Depot Center, while Chivas USA managed five goals. Both wins came over minor league opposition. More on the Galaxy game is here. Chivas USA beat Conejo Valley-based FC Hasental 5-0 with goals coming from Michael Lahoud in the 22nd minute

For a team that has lost (Brian Ching, Danny Cruz, Hunter Freeman, Carlo Costly) more than it has gained (Nathan Sturgis, draft picks, trialists) over the offseason, the Houston Dynamo might just find itself in an improved position once the 2012 season begins where the 2011 ended. And that would be without a single major offseason acquisition.

Chris and Ted begin a month of 2012 MLS team previews on Around the League Extra as they break down the Revolution with Steven Stoehr from the Bent Musket. They also preview the Union with Murph from the YSA Report, as they begin life after Sebastian Le Toux. They also talk Earthquakes with new correspondent Lisa Erickson from Center Line Soccer, and finally the great ELAC returns to preview Chivas USA!

Portland and Vancouver have done well in preparing for their sophomore seasons. (Getty Images)

Yesterday I took a look at the 10 clubs from the Eastern Conference in how they've done so far this winter. Naturally right after the post was put up one of those clubs went out and signed a DP.

Today, we'll look at the nine clubs from the Western Conference to see how they've been doing so far this winter.

Portland and Vancouver have done well in preparing for their sophomore seasons. (Getty Images)

Yesterday I took a look at the 10 clubs from the Eastern Conference in how they've done so far this winter. Naturally right after the post was put up one of those clubs went out and signed a DP.

Today, we'll look at the nine clubs from the Western Conference to see how they've been doing so far this winter.

Will you be there? Class move by the ACB. Also: *Chivas USA and presumably Blair Gavin play their second preseason game of the season at 11 a.m. Friday at Home Depot Center against FC Hasental. Fans are welcome to attend. Here's an updated Chivas USA preseason schedule. *It's the Yanks

Will you be there? Class move by the ACB. Also: *Chivas USA and presumably Blair Gavin play their second preseason game of the season at 11 a.m. Friday at Home Depot Center against FC Hasental. Fans are welcome to attend. Here's an updated Chivas USA preseason schedule. *It's the Yanks

When we're not watching the footie, we love nothing better than kicking back with an industrial sized bucket of popcorn and criticising the hell out of the latest offerings from Hollywood. We were therefore thrilled when a "Movie Titles To Describe Your Sex Life" thread broke out on Twitter yesterday.

Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

As it turns out, Arturo Alvarez won't be suiting up for Chivas USA heading into the 2012 MLS season after all.

Alvarez, who was selected by Chivas in the first stage of the MLS Re-Entry Draft but never came to terms with the club as he sought opportunities overseas, has reportedly signed with Portuguese top-flight club Pacos de Ferreira on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Disher Donovan: The Galaxy's Landon Donovan, seen here tackling Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov, led Everton to another victory with yet another assist today against the Mancunians in England (AP Photo). You remember that old "Seinfeld" episode about the proctologist with the license plate that read "Assman"?

There's nothing quite like the phrase 'Chicago Fire game'. In the cold months of December and January, it can be difficult to remember the team plays these things. It's why the Chicago Fire Soccer Club exists.

Preseason has been in full-swing for over a week, it's time to see strategy in action.

Article by Pedro Gomes
As yet another January camp enters the United States Soccer history books, let us take a quick look back at what has transpired and what we have learned from the camp.
Rosters:
Typically US roster announcements are desperately anticipated, usually overly analyzed and this camp was no different.

*Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza and the U.S. plays Panama at 5:30 p.m. today live on Galavision. *Mexico faces Chivas USA's Alejandro Moreno and Venezuela in Houston (live 6 p.m. KMEX). More here. *FOX Soccer announced today it will air live the FA Cup showdown between Americans Landon Donovan, Tim Howard

Chivas USA is the latest MLS club to join the trend of signing Colombian central defenders.

Following in the recent footsteps of the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, the Goats announced the signing of veteran Colombian centerback John Alexander Valencia on Tuesday, adding the 30-year-old, 6-foot-4 defender to the club.

And let's face it, it's the back four that is the club's biggest problem. So the signing of 30-year-old defender John Alexander Valencia, who has made 112 starts in 114 games for Colombian champion Atletico Junior since 2007, sounds exactly what the club needs. "John is a player we have

Enfrentará Xolos a Chivas USA en San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA.- El equipo sensación del momento en la Primera División mexicana, Xoloitzcuintles del Club Tijuana, tendrá un duro rival en la nueva edición del San Diego Clásico al medirse ante la escuadra de Chivas USA de la Liga Mayor de Futbol de Estados Unidos (MLS por sus siglas en inglés).

Enfrentará Xolos a Chivas USA en San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA.- El equipo sensación del momento en la Primera División mexicana, Xoloitzcuintles del Club Tijuana, tendrá un duro rival en la nueva edición del San Diego Clásico al medirse ante la escuadra de Chivas USA de la Liga Mayor de Futbol de Estados Unidos (MLS por sus siglas en inglés).

Portland's pre-season foes were added too. The Timbers will play Montreal, Houston, LA and Chicago during there 12 day stay in LA.

Here is information from the Portland Timbers:

The Portland Timbers today announced match details for the club's preseason camp in Carson, Calif.

The expansion Montreal Impact used their first pick in franchise history to select the versatile Andrew Wenger with the top pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon in Kansas City.

Wenger, considered to be the most talented and complete player in the draft, enjoyed a successful career at Duke University.

*David Beckham has reportedly reached terms on a new contract with MLS and the Galaxy. It's probably no coincidence the news comes ahead of Beckham's live interview on his YouTube channel at 9 a.m. Thursday, which also precedes his first Google+ "hangout." *Two suspects were arrested in the murder of

D.C. United announced the teams latest signing, Brazilian forward and MLS veteran Maicon Santos.
Official D.C. United Press Release:
Washington, D.C. (January 18, 2012) – D.C. United announced today the team has acquired forward Maicon Santos.

photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

On the verge of losing one of its top defenders, the New York Red Bulls have locked up another for the foreseeable future.

The Red Bulls signed centerback Stephen Keel to a new contract, the club announced on Wednesday.

Among the notable locals, the Galaxy took Cal State Northridge product Rafael Garcia, who finished his college career with six goals and nine assists in 68 matches for the Matadors, and Chivas USA took UCLA goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Here's the complete list of players taken by the Galaxy in the

Among the notable locals, the Galaxy took Cal State Northridge product Rafael Garcia, who finished his college career with six goals and nine assists in 68 matches for the Matadors, and Chivas USA took UCLA goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Here's the complete list of players taken by the Galaxy in the

UNC Charlotte midfielder Evan James was selected first in the 2012 Major League Soccer supplemental draft, taken by the Montreal Impact. Cruz Azul youth prospect Gienir Garcia went second to Vancouver. Selecting third, New England took Bethel University midfielder Dawyne Smith, with New Mexico's Michael Green going to Toronto with the fourth pick.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Montreal Impact wasted little time in making it known who they would take with the first pick in Tuesday's MLS Supplemental Draft.

With their selection, which is akin to the first pick in the third round of the SuperDraft had the main event not been shortened, the Impact took Charlotte winger Evan James, a skilled, Canada-born midfielder who performed well at the combine after helping the 49ers to the NCAA championship game.

The Philadelphia Union's used their first pick, 13th overall, in the first round of the 2012 Supplemental draft to selected defender Tom Brandt (University of Pennsylvania). With their second pick the Union selected forward Krystian Witkowski from Marist College

Round 1 Pick # MLS team Player Position Affiliation 1 Montreal Impact Evan James MF UNC-Charlotte 2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Gienir Garcia D Cruz Azul 3 New England Revolution Dawyne Smith MF Bethel University 4 Toronto FC Michael Green MF New Mexico 5 Chivas USA1 RJ Allen D Monmouth 6 Real Salt Lake2 Andy Rose MF UCLA 7 Houston Dynamo3 Brian Ownby F Virginia 8 Portland Timbers Ryan Kowaluk MF Univ.