STARTERS
In less than a week AC Milan has signed two very talented misfits - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Wow. Add them to Ronaldinho & Pato and you have a lot of goals pouring into the oppositions net.
BOB BRADLEY WATCH
Here is today's press conference announcing Bradley's new contract. Click to continue reading...

Grahame Jones is annoyed, that much is clear. The Bob Bradley dance, top of mind again yesterday because the coach and Sunil Gulati met in LA to to discuss the future, is pushing the LA Times soccer writer to the breaking point. And really, can we blame him?
Jones is expressing, from a major media pulpit, what bloggers and fans have been saying for weeks. Click to continue reading...

Sounders to Host US Open Cup Final

Per Goff's Twitter (linked above) if Seattle Makes US Open Cup Final they will Host.

Qwest Field

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In the 30-year history of the University of Wisconsin women's soccer program, only one European has played for the Badgers.

That number is poised to double in 2011.

Midfielder Julia Roddar, a native of Falun, Sweden, who plays for Shattuck-St. Mary's Academy in Faribault, Minn.

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The World Cup is synonymous with the best in soccer. But it's also synonymous with a global celebration that brings soccer fans together to follow the beautiful game together. Cold beer, World Cup babes and soccer are a perfect combination, so I was fortunate this past weekend to attend the World Cup Party at Wowies Sports Grill in Boca Raton, where they'll be open at 9:30am every day during the World Cup to show live games to the residents of South Florida.

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And of course she's from Cleveland. I'm always astounded by how much artistic talent that area produces. Maybe dealing with decades of unending sports pain as the metropolis crumbles into the third world makes people plumb depths others can only imagine:

If [the Cavs] lose tonight, LeBron might leave.

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And of course she's from Cleveland. I'm always astounded by how much artistic talent that area produces. Maybe dealing with decades of unending sports pain as the metropolis crumbles into the third world makes people plumb depths others can only imagine:

If [the Cavs] lose tonight, LeBron might leave.

Click to continue reading...

Bob Bradley said yesterday to some reporters, including Ives and Goff, that he has 16-18 players locked into his 23-man roster for the World Cup. That got us thinking here around the office. Who are those players? Now, we might never know the answer, but let's try it out anyway. Who do you think are the 16-18 players who have already sewn up a spot? Click to continue reading...

The University of Wisconsin women's soccer team will once again have a pair of sisters on the roster starting in 2011.

Germantown junior midfielder Carly Vogel, the sister of Badgers defender Alyssa Vogel, has verbally committed to play for UW, according to Brian Goff's Women's Soccer Recruiting Site.

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As progress continues on their new stadim, the Wizards offered an interesting opportunity to season ticket holders prior to Saturday's home game. Season ticket holders were invited to sign a steel beam part that was to be part of the new building. According to Wizards President Robb Heineman, "Construction on the stadium is moving at a rapid pace, and we're pleased to be this far along this early in the process.

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The Sports Business Journal is reporting that Manchester United may be planning a return to the United States for a four city tour in the Summer. According to the report, SUM and CAA Sports are working together to bring the famed club to the New World for the first time since 2004. Proposed stops include Boston, Toronto, Philly and perhaps most importantly for MLS fans, Houston, for the 2010 MLS All-Star game.

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I've unofficially dubbed today Home Opener Monday. Join me in spreading the word if you'd like.Since the season is now just over 5 days away and the CBA situation was resolved this weekend, lots of people have been cranking out season previews. Here are a few of them (and some other links):-The Sports Network. Click to continue reading...

The USA 2010 away kit will debut Wednesday in Amsterdam. Buy yours here.This Wednesday is a HUGE day in international soccer, as the only FIFA fixture date in the run-up to this summer's crown jewell, the FIFA World Cup. The USA will be taking on the Netherlands at Amsterdam ArenA starting at 1:30 p. Click to continue reading...

Since everyone seems to be jumping on the Free Agency Timeline bandwagon, I thought I'd hop on too I and look at how the MLS bloggers have sneezed blood over the weekend, all from some coordinated player remarks on free agency made on Friday, and MLS president Mark Abbott's subsequent response.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 (Player Tweets, Facebook, Ives, Snowden, Carlisle)

• Ives: "Key among the issues being fought over are player free agency and team autonomy in player transactions.

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Today's international fixture list includes some big ones in the English Premier League, the Coupe de France and Copa Libertadores, among others. Man City hosts Bolton Wanderers in a battle between a team looking to crack the top 4 and a team fighting to stay above the relegation zone. Other relegation battlers are on the field today as Portsmouth hosts Sunderland, Wigan hosts Stoke and Fulham hosts Burnley. Click to continue reading...

Via Goff: "We're going to look at this group," General Manager Dave Kasper said, referring to players in camp, including Santino Quaranta, Danny Szetela and Floribert N'Galula. Coach Curt Onalfo added: "First and foremost, we feel very... Click to continue reading...

Here's an update on the 2011 recruiting classes for the state's four Division I women's soccer programs, and other state players who have made commitments to colleges.

Recruit information was gathered from a number of media and team sources, including Brian Goff's Women's Soccer Recruiting Site.

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While many state soccer players in the Class of 2010 are finalizing their college plans, with the NCAA signing period starting Wednesday, some of the state's top juniors are following quickly in their footsteps.

At least five Wisconsin girls have verbally committed to NCAA Division I programs, according to Brian Goff's Women's Soccer Recruiting Site and other sources.

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The only ESPN network not showing games.
Yesterday, ESPN announced the full 2010 FIFA World Cup schedule, which includes 44 ESPN games, 10 ESPN2 games and 10 ABC games (all in HD). The United States kicks off its 6th-straight World Cup finals Saturday, June 12 against England at 1 p.m. CT on ABC. Click to continue reading...

Kansas City's new digs, now under construction and set for a 2011 opening. It does look pretty good, eh?

View full size photo »

For you MLS freaks here's a little something to chew on while wondering whether the new grounds in Kansas City will really be open in 2011 as planned: (Hint: few things are as boringly predictable as MLS stadiums taking longer than expected to erect and open.

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Jeff Larwenowicz possibly on the move? (Getty Images)

The SuperDraft is over and now clubs all around Major League Soccer are making moves to improve their rosters. Several are hoping to beef up certain areas while others hoping to get the right pieces in place to make another deep run in the playoffs this year.

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I saw this picture over at SBI. It's a nice one to get us started:

• Sounds like Landon Donovan might be open to extending his loan with Everton. He's loving everything about the Premiership life. This would be good for American soccer fans, maybe not MLS fans, but I'm pretty sure they're not mutually exclusive.

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Want more positive news on a new CBA between the players and the league? John Wolyniec, the player-rep for the New York Red Bulls is said to be hopeful according to the New York Post.

After weeks without much progress being made, Wolyniec said concessions have been made on both sides and he termed his feeling as "hopeful.

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As promised, we are providing some analysis of MLS SuperDraft coverage from around the country. Before we get into the ESPN broadcast, a couple of quick notes. First, Philly.com, provided a fairly comprehensive running blog of the draft from the convention center in Philadelphia. Each pick was announced and fans permitted the opportunity to comment.

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John DiRaimondo is the young central midfielder brought to United in late March of last year. He has experience playing for Colorado and also had loan stints at Harrisonburg City Islanders and Richmond Kickers while with United last season. He scored two goals during his five games on loan with the Kickers and has been invited back to training camp by United this year according to Steve Goff. Click to continue reading...

As Señor Goff recently reported, Luciano Emilio has indeed moved on. The forward has signed with Rio Branco de Americana in Brazil's second division.

"We would like to thank Luciano for being a part of D.C. United and we wish he and his family the best of luck always," said United General Manager Dave Kasper of the Brazilian's departure.

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I stated yesterday that i was still hopeful that Ange N'Silu would turn in to a productive player, which may still happen, just not with United. Steve Goff reported yesterday that the team has waived him. He becomes the third player waived this offseason along with Janicki and Allen. Click to continue reading...

Oh, Red Bulls, you never cease to amuse me! In case you're not plugged into your Goff-IV drip today, Hans Backe has been installed at the Bulls' new boss. That's the same Hans Backe who was Sven's assistant with Mexico and quit the shambling... Click to continue reading...

There were some interesting quotes in the Washington Post today regarding some of the doubts supporters likely have regarding Onalfo's previous head coaching record at Kansas City. Steve Goff reports:

"I know people will question that, but situations are different everywhere," United President Kevin Payne said.

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The top Red Bulls news story of the new year (in my opinion) might just be that Mac Kandji (pictured above, with his girlfriend - who looks alot like Downtown Julie Brown) is a Lingerie Connoisseur.
But seriously, no Head Coach in place yet, although according to this post on Goff's blog, the Red Bulls have already decided on a yet-to-be-announced Foreigner. Click to continue reading...