Roster flux continues though all under contract players are still with the team, some of the Supplemental Draft picks and trialists are now in a different phase of their soccer journeys. Joshua Mayers, of the Seattle Times, compiled the list of missing names. Harlinton Guiterres, Real Espana reservist, is still in camp.

The Portland Timbers played their second pre-season exhibition on February 10, facing the Montreal Impact, a former rival from the Timbers' previous days in lower division soccer that now joined them in MLS. While the action was brisk at points, neither side could muster a goal as the teams played to a scoreless draw.

The Oregonian's Geoffrey C Arnold has reported via Twitter that "Eddie Johnson sustained another concussion during training Monday and has returned 2 [sic] Portland."

Merritt Paulson has also tweeted: "eddie's out indefinitely. His health and well-being are the #1 priority for everyone in the organization"

This news is a huge setback for the team.

The news goes from bad to worse for the Orlando Magic. The team is already struggling and now they will have to play without their starting point guard for at least the coming week. Jameer Nelson is suffering from concussion-like symptoms.

Nelson was injured during a game against the New Orleans Hornets.

D.C. United's preseason personnel surge continued on Wednesday with the acquisition of Argentine centerback Emiliano Dudar from BSC Young Boys in Switzerland.

The 6-foot-4, 30-year-old Dudar is a player with experience on a number of levels and is a one-time Swiss league Defender of the Year (2009-2010).

There are very few players who are capable of becoming an instant fan favorite within short span of time that Javier Hernandez managed to do so with the Old Trafford faithful.In his first season at the club he earned rave reviews from fans and the press alike, he had earned himself the title of Solksjaer's heir apparent.

Following the first win in SharX franchise history on December 30th , Norfolk has returned to their losing ways on the weekend road trip of New York.
The SharX where outscored by a total of 23 goals over the weekend in two games and will need to address both offense and defensive struggles if they hope to see another 'W' in the results column anytime soon.

So Tweed did this article and wanted me to do a follow up. "You're full of hatred and black heartedness why don't you take a stab at who should be cut." He says to me over the Gchats. I pause wondering if to take his comments as a compliment or just a statement of truth. "Hmmm that has to be a compliment" I think to myself.

Their Words We are thankful to all the organizations, players and fans who showed their unwavering support for WPS during this process, and look forward to further strengthening our role as a leader in the women's game. from Women's Professional Soccer's official statement. Other Sources Taylor Twellman speaks out about concussion awareness - from USA Today's Mike Foss: "waking up each day with the same headache for three years.

Updated with press release from today. This is now official. Statements from Sigi and Boss.

Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Terry Boss suffered a concussion against Manchester United in the infamous friendly and a few weeks later another while suiting up for the Puerto Rico National Team.

The Philadelphia Union picked up midfielder Nizar Khalfan in the MLS Waiver Draft after Vancouver Whitecaps FC waived him earlier today.

The Union have waived goalkeeper Thorne Holder and defender Juan Diego Gonzalez.

A native of Tanzania, Khalfan played in 22 Major League Soccer regular season matches with Vancouver, scoring one goal and four assists.

Before we delve into the MLS off season, here are some business notes from MLS Cup and the entire soccer weekend. We'll start with the MLS Cup overnight rating, which was reported by SBJ on Twitter as a .8. To put that number in perspective, the .8 is double the 2010 rating but slightly less than the 2009 rating.

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- Long derided for being injury prone, Calen Carr is used to be written off, but for Carr, redemption could be only 90 minutes away.

Since returning to from a concussion suffered in preseason while he was with the Chicago Fire, Carr has earned a starting spot alongside Dynamo captain Brian Ching, with his fast paced play adding a cutting edge to the Dynamo attack.

This is the second ever Union Debate. I posted the first one about 19 days ago, just before my concussion occurred, so apologies for the lapse in publishing a second one of these fanposts.

My hope is that these drive discussion and activity up on this site, something that I feel is necessary for the Brotherly Game to become a bigger part of the Philly sports blogosphere/sports media sphere.

Disney is not going to do a cartoon remake of the Russian Premier League anytime soon. That may be an exercise in acknowledging the obvious, but it remains true the RPL isn't for the kiddies. Roberto Carlos might have a few words of commentary in that realm.

And yet, it can still manage to surprise with some off-pitch shenanigans, like this weekend, when one player who'd just been sent off in a reserve game was beaten in the tunnel by men "dressed as" police officers.

• Dynamo Notebook: First goal is key to success [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo vow not to sit on lead in playoff series [Houston Chronicle]
• Ching is no stranger to playoff soccer [Houston Dynamo]
• Dynamo ready for another rough game [MLS Soccer]
• Playoffs in Profile: Fit, focused Davis an MVP candidate [MLS Soccer]
• Ex-Fire forward Carr steps up for Dynamo [ESPN Chicago]
• Houston's Carr takes road less traveled to concussion recovery [MLS Soccer]

In Other News:

• Real Salt Lake lose 2-0, but advance 3-2 over the Seattle Sounders [RSL Soapbox]
• Sounders Win, And Lose To Real Salt Lake [Sounder at Heart]
• Sporting KC Dominate Rapids 2-0, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals [The Daily Wiz]

Calen Carr -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
Former Chicago Fire and current Houston Dynamo forward Calen Carr has had his share of injury spells over the past several years. This year it was a concussion that he suffered during the Fire's preseason in February when the team was training in Ave Maria, Fla.

The Colorado Rapids flew under the radar last season en route to capturing their first MLS Cup championship.

Despite holding that distinction, the Rapids find themselves in a similar position in 2011. The defending champions are again quietly still very much alive after defeating the Columbus Crew in Thursday night's wild card match to advance into the Eastern Conference bracket.

Last night Colorado defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, advancing to face KC in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The game will kick off at 6:30 central time Sunday out in Denver. KC split the season series with Colorado, both on the backs of 1-1 draws. Colorado's goal scorer in both games was the now injured Conor Casey.

The Rapids start the playoffs tomorrow night at the Dick against the Columbus Crew. 4 games in the next 11 days separate them from another trip to MLS Cup. Tomorrow night its simple, win or go home. There will be 30 minutes and, if necessary, PK's to decide a winner. Of course last year when Colorado started their run to MLS Cup they did it by beating the Crew in the first round.

The first two games of the MLS postseason are set for Wednesday and Thursday night, with the new wild card format meaning that for two teams it's win and advance, and for two others it's lose and go home.

New York and Dallas open the MLS playoffs Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park in a meeting of two teams that had serious title aspirations entering the season.

The only new development on the Philadelphia Union's injury list is the addition of veteran attacking midfielder/forward Veljko Paunovic, who is currently suffering from an injury to his hamstring.

Paunovic's hamstring injury has placed him alongside Trinidadian goalkeeper Thorne Holder (concussion) and fellow attacking midfielder/forward Levi Houapeu (left ankle strain) as the only Union players currently listed as out for Thursday night's game against the rival New York Red Bulls.

Javier Hernández plays down hero role after rescuing Manchester United

• 'It doesn't matter who scored' says Javier Hernández • Mexican praises David de Gea for performance at Liverpool Javier Hernández insists he is no hero despite coming off the bench to salvage a point for Manchester United at Liverpool on Saturday.

Mauro Rosales could make his long-awaited return to the field on Saturday when the Seattle Sounders take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Coach Sigi Schmid announced on Friday that Rosales would at least be in the gameday 18. But it wasn't all good news as he also noted that defender Jeff Parke has not yet been cleared after suffering a concussion last week.

At today's practice the number one topic was Kasey Keller. Nearly every interview of every player mentioned him it's almost as if there's a game of bigger importance than a typical regular season match this Saturday. The club is going to give the fans a massive amount of schwag, including a pretty kick ass captain's armband which the assembled media got to see today.

Union

The Union are feeling pumped up after their win in Seattle. Sheanon Williams says, "Right now, we're just thinking about first place. The guys really want to be in first place. If we're in first place, then guess what? We're in the playoffs. So that should be our first goal." Mr. Williams, I like the way you think and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Winning the Supporters' Shield has been a longshot for quite some time now, but there seemed to be sliver of hope after the Los Angeles Galaxy lost on Tuesday. Well, we can officially stop worrying about it after the Seattle Sounders' 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The Sounders can now finish with no more than 63 points, one fewer than the Galaxy's current total.

Tom Bender grateful for "amazing" support

Accrington defender overwhelmed by messages of support following horror concussion

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-06 16:56:42 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

There's a little problem with our format here of providing a quick recap and then a post that is just the data, an attempt to remove the emotion and review the game based on that alone. When a team makes history the emotion is a major part of it. The rush from the glory of victory is still there.

By Chris Wright

Last night's Johnstones Paint Trophy tie between Accrington Stanley and Tranmere had to be abandoned in the 39th minute when Accrington defender Tom Bender was knocked unconscious after being accidentally twatted in the face by his own goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin as he tried to punch the ball clear of Tranmere striker Lucas Akins, who inadvertently nudged Bender into the path of Dunbavin's flying fist.

One More Game

Goalkeeper Chase Harrison will remain with the Philadelphia Union for at least one more game, as the emergency back up is still the only active goalkeeper on the team's roster besides current starter Zac MacMath.

Harrison was signed by the Union as a temporary replacement for third string goalkeeper Thorne Holder, who continues to be hampered by symptoms relating to the 25-year-old's second concussion of the year.

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Union has told the PSP that Sheanon Williams is clear from his injury from concussion but that his status for Thursday's game against DC United at PPL Park is still questionable.

Williams suffered a concussion in the win against Columbus Crew on September 17 and was unable to play against Sporting Kansas City on September 23.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

After starting the season with a conservative lineup and a string of low scoring but positive-outcome affairs, Peter Nowak threw caution to the wind following a disappointing scoreless tie against Kansas City in late June. In the next match, against Chivas USA, Brian Carroll was the only thing vaguely resembling a defensive presence in front of the back four.

Concussion, bangers 'n mash and a clinic full of junkies

Matt Lawrence has played for seven league clubs including Fulham, Crystal Palace and Millwall, for whom he appeared in the 2004 FA Cup final during his 16-year career. Now with League Two Gillingham, his diary will appear on MirrorFootball every Monday.

Michael Vick fantasy football owners aren't sleeping well tonight. The top rated fantasy quarterback coming into the 2011 fantasy football season is injured once again. Last week, Vick suffered a concussion. In Week 3, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles broke his hand.

Though Vick returned to the field after breaking his right hand, he soon had to leave again because the swelling and pain were just too much.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says he is "lucky to still be alive" after a collision in his side's match against Norwich last month left him with concussion and a perforated eardrum.

Zac MacMath will have a new back up tonight, after the Philadelphia Union signed Harrisburg City Islanders goalkeeper Chase Harrison. Per team rules, the terms and transfer fee of the deal were not disclosed.

Harrison was likely signed by the Union through MLS' "extreme hardship call up" option.

While most of the attention has been on the loss of Mauro Rosales due to the MCL tear, this round of the Cascadia Cup is likely to be missing to other wide players for the Seattle Sounders. The Vancouver Whitecaps will be without a key central defender as well. Estimating who Tom Soehn will start where has driven Massey insane as well, so their side is more of an estimate than typical.

Photo by Wendy Larsen/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

While the Texas derby between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo is an intense affair in its own right, the playoff implications surrounding Saturday's showdown have added a little more spice to the rivalry.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

What: Union at Sporting Kansas City

Where: Livestrong Park, Kansas City, MO

When: 8:30pm ET, Friday September 23, 2011

Why: Because Columbus plays LA on Saturday, so someone else needs to take over first place

TV: FSC

Radio: None

Aurelien Collin bobble head night is a big event in Kansas City, so make sure you are one of the first 10,000 to arrive at Livestrong Park on Friday.