While I'm relatively certain that most dedicated followers of MLS will know what United are getting with the likes of Maicon Santos and Danny Cruz, there's still an element of mystery surrounding the acquisitions from the mid-tier Euro-leagues. Most of us see precious little from Swiss or Austrian clubs outside of perhaps the odd Europa League highlight.

The Philadelphia Union confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Sebastien Le Toux has been traded to Vancouver.

In return, the club receives an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Union head coach Peter Nowak said in the announcement, "While this decision wasn't easy, we are confident that the allocation money we receive will provide the flexibility for us to compile the best possible roster for 2012 and beyond.

One of the issues with depth charts and roster math is how to place players who can fill many roles. With Adam Johansson in Qatar for the opening of training camp, Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid gets to test a bunch of different options at the right back role. One thing quickly clear when asked was who the leader in that role is:

Obviously Zach Scott is somebody who can play there.

Interesting comments from Martin Jol regarding his use of Clint Dempsey (see Hammyend.com for more).

Essentially he's saying that Dempsey is operating as more of a classic 10, now.

This is interesting. From our unusually lofted positions high in Johnny Haynes, Toby and I spent a bit of time on Saturday wondering where everyone was supposed to be playing.

Interesting comments from Martin Jol regarding his use of Clint Dempsey (see Hammyend.com for more).

Essentially he's saying that Dempsey is operating as more of a classic 10, now.

This is interesting. From our unusually lofted positions high in Johnny Haynes, Toby and I spent a bit of time on Saturday wondering where everyone was supposed to be playing.

Every single agent should say that their player, particularly one of Alvaro Fernandez' quality, is interested in playing for Palermo, a team in a better league for more money. That Fernandez' agent did so is not a surprise. Palermo is a mid-table team in Serie A this season already on its third coach.

Osvaldo Alonso recently suggested some Premiership teams might be interested in acquiring his services. Unsurprisingly, being as he is a professional soccer player, he is open to this possibility. None of this should really come as news.

The question is: How much concern should this cause us as Seattle Sounders fans, who clearly want our team to have as many highly talented players as is possible?

Sporting KC has done well so far this offseason. (Getty Images)

Well, it is mid-December. The Christmas trees are up and the snow is falling in some places around the country. The Re-Entry Drafts have come and gone for the 19 MLS clubs. Teams are constantly making moves this offseason at times more moves than it seems like ever before.

The past three league matches have seen Charlie Adam paired with three different midfield partners, with each new pairing leading to a slight shift in the focus of Adam's game. From a largely offensive effort when paired with Lucas against Manchester City through to a job as the deepest midfielder against Queens Park Rangers, it's meant an interesting—and surprisingly successful—progression.

Omar Bravo is gone. David Beckham could be gone. Nicolas Anelka isn't coming.

The Designated Player landscape in MLS is changing and evolving, and even with teams having the flexibility to go after younger DP options or giving players like league veteran Shalrie Joseph a DP deal, the lure of landing a big-name, marketable superstar is still prevalent.

It has been a near foregone conclusion ever since he was first loaned out several months ago, but Miguel Montano officially signed with the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. The Seattle Sounders did not receive compensation for Montano, but GM Adrian Hanauer noted that his loan last year gave the team the flexibility to sign Sammy Ochoa.

Photo by Don Feria/ISIphotos.com

Sporting Kansas City's week of wheeling and dealing has ended with an exclamation point.

The club acquired Bobby Convey from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for an international roster slot.

Convey, who did not have his contract option picked up by San Jose after this past season, was part of the initial list of players available in the MLS Re-Entry Draft, but that is no longer the case after Sporting KC stepped up to trade for the veteran left winger.

Swedish midfielder Erik Friberg's option will be picked up by the Seattle Sounders. Earlier reports out of Sweden indicated that Friberg and the team extended the contract, more accurately there is an option that the team holds. Today, during a post-season interview with Adrian Hanauer he said the following about the option;

We like Erik.

I decided to make part2 just entertaining, only interesting goals of the magical kid (not sure how you see him, but for me, till he retired, he always looked like a kid).
I like more to focus on his old goals, where many of people forgot them or never seen them, especially the non famous ones:
I will start with this one: I still remember that day, I was watching the sport news in 1994, and heard the reporter saying, a new skillful Brazilian player scored a great goal.

Most of the people remember the great goals of the Ronaldo Nazario in WC 2002, or in CL with Real Madrid and some moves and goals with Inter Milan. These memories are mixed with the over-weight Ronaldo, with the lazy Ronaldo, with the Corinthians Ronaldo, where he will score once in a while, but he was not really that efficient.

There's not much more that needs to be said about Arsenal's memorable 5-3 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday. I could repeat what everyone else has said about the entertainment and sheer brilliance of Robin van Persie, but that would render me somewhat pointless.

So instead I'm going to focus on the performance of the player that interested me the most Andre Santos, our new left-back.

Our Premier League season is off and running, after we secured a vital win away at Wolves. Here are five things we learned from watching Tottenham's victory this weekend.

1. 4-4-2 still works

There's been a lot of tactical debate over the last season, as to whether a five-man midfield of a traditional 4-4-2 was the best way for Spurs to play.

With preseason done and Liverpool's new midfield signings all having seen a fair bit of action, the focus shifts to the forthcoming season and questions of just how the club is going to fit everybody in as what looks set to be the deepest midfield in years faces a more limited schedule without European competition for the fist time in a decade.

There are several ways to excel as a professional soccer player. Extraordinary speed, an infallible touch and impeccable field vision are among the most desirable qualities. But if all else fails, one can always rely on the tactic which has been growing in popularity and frequency year after year: The Flop.

It's my view that it really has become as simple as that now for AVB. There is all this talk of the homegrown ruling, of being able to live within your means and for most Chelsea fans, giving the youngsters a chance.
Luka Modric has done well at Tottenham so don't get me wrong. Do I think he would have more of an influence at Spurs than he would at Chelsea?

Photo by Patricia Giobetti/ISIphotos.com

When Atlantic Cup rivals D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls made a trade on Saturday, D.C. sent a 2011 international roster slot to New York for "future considerations."

The specifics of those considerations have been sorted out.

As much as we don't seem to talk about English teams, many of you may know that we're covering Chelsea as part of our Futbolita.TV series, along with Arsenal and Liverpool, which were equally great experiences. The international attention from within the teams has also been overwhelming and we had a real exclusive glimpse into mannerisms and styles of some of these players and individuals.

There's a new soccer brand on the scene with a focus on player protection. It is New York-based Storelli Sports. Storelli's initial range consists of a series of soccer-specific products similar to the Nike Pro Combat protective baselayer gear for American football and basketball. According to the firm their products are designed to maximize protection, flexibility [.

Ahead of a call with (now) former Philadelphia Union left back Jordan Harvey, the Brotherly Game was able to talk to Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Tom Soehn.

tBG: What interested you enough about Harvey to acquire him, despite already having a starting left back in Alain Rochat?

Soehn: We're in dire need of MLS experienced guys.

The long awaited signing of Gervinho is to be announced this afternoon, with the Ivory Coast striker undergoing a medical at Arsenal. Terms between the player and the between the clubs have been agreed, so unless there is something that crops up in the medical, Gervinho will be our first signing of the summer.

The chore aspect.
The sun was shining this afternoon. The weather was pleasant, everything we desire in a June day. I was wishing that this was a Saturday without Toronto FC. A night at home, chips, dips and beverages on the deck. The setting sun and then the stars for a canopy. This last Saturday before summer solstice seemed a night for kicking back and stretching out.

Columbia international Cristian Zapata has rejected a move to Arsenal, and is very close to signing a deal with Liverpool, according to the Metro.
The Udinese defender is currently participating in the Copa America, but took the time to tell a local radio station that he is relatively close to agreeing to a deal with Liverpool.

Columbia international Cristian Zapata has rejected a move to Arsenal, and is very close to signing a deal with Liverpool, according to the Metro.
The Udinese defender is currently participating in the Copa America, but took the time to tell a local radio station that he is relatively close to agreeing to a deal with Liverpool.

The starting right center back for the Rapids All-Time Team is Peter Vermes. Alas I could not find a picture of him in a Rapids kit, so I went with the U.S. kit instead.
How Acquired: Traded Kerry Zavagnin to the NY/NJ Metrostars for him.
Years In Colorado: 1997 through 1999
How Departed: Traded to KC along with Matt McKeon for Scott Vermillion and an allocation.

Gaston Puerari -- Getty ImagesThe Chicago Fire transferred Uruguayan forward Gaston Puerari to Club Atlas, the team announced Wednesday.
"Club Atlas was very keen on Gaston, and we made the decision to accept the offer based on the best interest of building our club," Fire interim head coach and technical director Frank Klopas said in a statement.

Harry Redknapp has promised more signings in order to strengthen and add more flexibility to the Tottenham squad as they attempt to reclaim their spot in the Champions League next season. In looking at the Tottenham squad they are truly blessed to...
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The season, it's safe to say, did not start the way anyone around the Seattle Sounders expected. They announced the departure of one of their Designated Players just hours before First Kick, promptly lost their first two games of the season and needed until their fifth match to get their first win.

Everyone is growing more and more worried about concussions in football. In fact, many parents aren't allowing their children to follow their NFL dreams. However, this ballet fail video proves that even the most feminine of activities isn't always safe. As you can see in this video, this ballerina gave herself a concussion without anyone else on the mat.

Argentina's latest prodigy Erik Lamela is being targeted by Liverpool and Tottenham after Barcelona expressed renewed interest in signing the River Plate attacking midfielder.
Lamela could follow the path of fellow countryman Javier Mascherano, who played for Liverpool before moving on to Barcelona.

Blaise Nkufo and the Seattle Sounders have severed ties, effective immediately. A team release has confirmed the rumors that have been swirling around for several hours.

"This move improves our flexibility with regard to the salary cap," Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer said in the release.

Unlike the situation with Freddie Ljungberg last year, this will not be a situation where the player is left in a virtual purgatory.

As I have previously written, 3-defender systems have an odd place in contemporary football, often considered obsolete, they nonetheless have the tendency to pop up again and see success with certain teams.. The key to understanding 3-at the back systems is that they are actually 5-defender systems, as in all but the rarest of cases the system utilizes wingbacks, who are evolved from fullbacks and are best described as wide midfielders with responsibility to cover the defensive wings - as compared to most wide midfielders who are usually primarily attacking players.

Today we learned that the Seattle Sounders have chosen not to purchase Miguel Montano's contract from Argentinian side Quilmes. Although it has been pointed out that he is still essentially on trial with the Sounders and could still make the roster, I thought it would be worthwhile to get some some more clarification.

United States National Team defender Heath Pearce was traded from FC Dallas to Chivas USA for allocation money on Tuesday. Pearce joined Dallas from Hansa Rostock in 2009. "We appreciate everything Heath did for FC Dallas and wish him the best of luck, but this trade will give us some much needed flexibility with our roster and salary cap for the 2011 season," FC Dallas technical director Barry Gorman said in a press statement.

As anyone who reads the WNT Blog knows, the U.S. WNT players are very conscientious about taking care of their bodies, getting enough rest and recovery, eating right, and yes, sometimes even doing a little Yoga. Here Heather O'Reilly and Stephanie Cox work on their core strength and flexibility as they are led through a session by one of the team's massage therapists, Pam Durant, a certified yoga instructor.

It seems most years before this one, the MLS Superdraft was something of an event for FC Dallas, because we were usually looking at a pretty good pick close to the start of the draft. And while that may have been a good thing on draft day, I wouldn't have traded our run last year to get stronger picks this year.