BY ADAM SERRANO

Friday's scrimmage between the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles Galaxy may have been a rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup, but last November's match was far from the minds of all involved.

The Dynamo defeated the Galaxy 1-0 after Nathan Sturgis scored the lone goal of the match on a header from a looping cross from Josue Soto in the 68th minute.

U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18 players that will suit up against New Zealand tomorrow at 3 p.m. CT at FC Dallas Stadium. The game is expected to be a sell-out in the 20,500-seat venue and the U.S. players are looking forward to a fantastic Texas reception.
U.S. Roster vs. New Zealand
Feb.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 10, 2012) US Soccer Players -- With Fabio Capello opting not to continue as England manager this week, the interplay between the coach and the administration is once again the topic du jour in world soccer. Whether it's for club or country, the job role of the head coach has historically been a source of friction.

Jurgen Klinsmann has been a polarizing figure since being named head coach of the USMNT, for me the jury is still out. Soon the US U23's will begin the qualifying rounds to earn their ticket London and the 2012 summer games. The problem I have at the moment (and this just might be my brain) is that Klinsmann isn't being too positive about the whole thing.

The Philadelphia Union announced, over Twitter, that along with second year goalkeeper Zac MacMath, the team has former third stringer Chase Harrison and Chris Konopka, a former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper, in their Florida training camp.

Union head coach Piotr Nowak has made it clear that he's both comfortable with heading into the season with Harrison as MacMath's backup and no veteran goalkeeper on the roster.

The finalists for the 28th edition of the AFCON are now known after thrilling semi-final fixtures last night. The Ivory Coast will now face Zambia who made it to the final after causing one of the biggest upsets of the entire tournament by knocking out Ghana. The Black Stars however have no one to blame but themselves for their exist after failing to make a host of chances they had count including a missed penalty by Asamoah Gyan.

The finalists for the 28th edition of the AFCON are now known after thrilling semi-final fixtures last night. The Ivory Coast will now face Zambia who made it to the final after causing one of the biggest upsets of the entire tournament by knocking out Ghana. The Black Stars however have no one to blame but themselves for their exist after failing to make a host of chances they had count including a missed penalty by Asamoah Gyan.

Fabio Capello has stunned English football by quitting as England manager having fallen out with the FA after defender John Terry was stripped of the captaincy. The news rocked football journalists across the land as head coach Fabio Capello turned his back on the English national team and resigned with immediate effect.

The Dynamo have added another forward/midfielder to the roster, trading a conditional draft pick to the Colorado Rapids for Macoumba Kandji. Kandji is a tall, atheltic forward with good quickness, but he's had his injury struggles the last couple seasons.

It's an inexpensive move for Kinnear to make and makes good sense as Kandji has experience in the league and has shown the ability to score goals and create chances for teammates in the past.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- The rich got even richer on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Galaxy solidified their role as odds-on MLS Cup favorites by re-securing Brazilian midfielder Juninho on a year-long loan.

Juninho, who served as the Galaxy's midfield engine during the past two seasons, returns to Los Angeles after departing in December to return to Brazilian parent club Sao Paulo.

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- Cameroonian midfielder Franck Songo'o stole the show for the Portland Timbers as the trialist set up a pair of goals to help lead the Timbers to a 4-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday in the first MLS pre-season match for both teams.

Lauren Cheney gets a step on Amy Lepeilbet, but Hope Solo stands between her and the goal
After a brief week-long break since winning the 2012 Olympic Women's Qualifying Tournament in Canada, the U.S. team has re-grouped in Frisco, Texas for a five days of training before facing New Zealand on Saturday, Feb.

The face of the United States in the Middle East right now isn't President Barack Obama, any elected official or a military leader. It is Bob Bradley.

The 53-year old Bradley, who coached the United States national team to the second round of the 2010 World Cup after they captured their opening round group, took over as national team head coach of Egypt this past September.

Minneapolis, Minn., – 02/06/2012 The University of Minnesota women's soccer team has announced the 2012 signing class with the addition of six new student-athletes to the Gopher program. Head coach Mikki Denney Wright has snagged five Minnesota preps stars in Ellie Arvesen, Mehan Bolton, Elle Dykema, Kristen Knutson and Allie Reinke while also pulling in [.

U-15 Girls' National Team to Hold Mega-Camp in Florida Katie Cousins of the Richmond Kickers will be the lone representative out of Virginia for the upcoming U-15 Girls' National Team mega-camp set to take place in Sunrise, Florida from Feb. 11-18.
Cousins was part of the group of 48 players chosen by U.

Two months after he was taken by the Revolution in the first stage of the Re-entry Draft, it appears that left back Danleigh Borman won't be in Foxboro in 2012.

According to a report, the 27-year-old is close to returning to his native South Africa to play for Pretoria-based SuperSport United.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Luis Suarez's spell on the sidelines has come to a close.

Having served his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra and a one-game suspension for a gesture to Fulham fans, Suarez is set to return for Liverpool on Monday in its game against Tottenham.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal may last just a little longer than expected, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The French striker has enjoyed his brief loan spell at Arsenal, netting a goal in the club's 7-1 win over the weekend.

Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams are squaring up for a head-to-head clash – with the winner securing a coaching role at the Emirates.

The former Gunners are frontrunners to replace Steve Bould within the coaching staff at the club at the end of the season.

Bould is poised to replace the retiring Pat Rice as Arsene Wenger's No.

Didier Drogba to the Chicago Fire. I'm not sure how it even started but now we are really getting into absurdity.

Chicago Fire confirm talks with Chelsea's Drogba

Thanks for the big headline Tribal Football. On yesterday's conference call, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas did say all of the following: "Drogba?

On Thursday, the New England Revolution contacted New England Soccer Today to deny the claim of the unnamed source contained in the "Zerka Not Returning" article published on Feb. 1.

In the aforementioned article, the source told New England Soccer Today that Revolution head coach Jay Heaps and general manager Michael Burns "never had serious discussions to try to bring [Monsef] Zerka back.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- With Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane, the Los Angeles Galaxy boasted one of the strongest rosters in MLS.

Now with the addition of Edson Buddle, the Galaxy's attack may be the finest in league history.

photo by Rick Osentoski/ISIphotos.com

It appears U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is making a concentrated effort to get to know CONCACAF teams prior to World Cup qualifying.

According to a report, the United States will travel to Canada to take on its northern rival in a friendly before World Cup qualifying begins in June.

The departure of Mohamed Zidan from Borussia Dortmund has opened the door of opportunity for U.S. Under-23 national team forward Terrence Boyd.

With Zidan having moved to Mainz during the transfer window, Boyd and fellow youngster Marvin Duksch have been summoned from their respective reserve teams by head coach Jurgen Klopp.

BY ADAM SERRANO

The Los Angeles Galaxy enjoyed a banner day on Wednesday, but it was by no means a perfect one.

After signing forward Edson Buddle and acquiring midfielder Kyle Nakazawa in a deal from the Philadelphia Union, the Galaxy learned that homegrown signing Jose Villarreal will be out for six weeks.

After spending a year in Germany playing for FC Ingolstadt of the German 2. Bundesliga, United States striker Edson Buddle is returning to the Galaxy after signing a free transfer.

The Galaxy garnered suspicion early Wednesday when they posted a picture of a blank #14 jersey on their official Twitter account, asking fans whose name they would like to see on the jersey.

The Dynamo had another positive preseason match today, defeating San Jacinto College 4-0. Goals from Nathan Sturgis, Will Bruin, Adam Moffatt and trialist Jorge Escobar did the damage for Houston.

Houston Dynamo Press Release:

The Houston Dynamo continued their 2012 preseason with a 4-0 victory over San Jacinto College, Wednesday morning, at the Houston Amateur Sports Park.

Photo: Earl Gardner

UPDATE: The Union have officially announced that Kyle Nakazawa has been traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy along with a 2013 natural second-round pick in exchange for an international slot. The Union are now permitted to have nine internationals on their roster.

On a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon a contingent of Fire fans about 150 strong returned to Toyota Park for the Section 8 Chicago Annual General Meeting (AGM). While the Men in Red themselves were in Florida for pre-season, Section 8 along with many other Fire fans also began preparations for the upcoming 2012 season.

Today, US Soccer came out with their list of candidates available for selection to the US Soccer Hall of Fame. On that list are two current coaches of Sporting KC. Head coach and technical director, Peter Vermes is on the list again, as is assistant coach, Kerry Zavagnin, in his first year of eligibility.

After losing 2-1 to the New England Revolution in a preseason scrimmage in Casa Grande, AZ last weekend, FC Tucson head coach Rick Schantz had a funny remark that made its way into the end of the PDL side's press release. "New England looked a bit surprised but they eventually realized we were better than they expected," he quipped.

If you loved Phil Jackson's last book (who didn't), I have good news for you: The legendary coach is coming out with a new book. Entitled "Eleven Rings," the book will likely give updates since his last book was written in 2004. Since then, Jackson's legacy grew even more as he added a pair of championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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.

Michael Bradley is currently the only American international playing in Italy's Serie A
U.S. Soccer announced today that a limited number of tickets are available for purchase for the USA-Italy friendly on Feb. 29 in Genoa. This is only the USA's second friendly on Italian soil, and the first since 2002.

The Indianapolis Colts tried to bring on Keith Butler to become the team's new defensive coordinator. However, Butler has decided to instead stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team's linebackers coach. The Colts and head coach Chuck Pagano will have to look elsewhere.

Why would Butler turn down the promotion?

On Sunday afternoon, Revolution Head Coach Jay Heaps, along with players Benny Feilhaber and Chris Tierney, took part in a conference call with media members.

Along with the adjustment of a new head coach and different formation, a large question mark entering this season is who will provide the offense in the final third of the pitch.

And then there were two Scotsmen! While we were still wrapped in all the controversy and tension from the Valencia fiasco it seems like the Timbers FO was able to quietly get the third designated player deal all wrapped up in a nice little package. In an abrupt press announcement today, the Timbers announced that Kris Boyd will join the team as the third designated player, joining the likes of the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls as having used all three spots.

When the New England Revolution travel back to Boston from Arizona on Tuesday they'll already have over two weeks of preseason training and their first preseason friendly under their belt. Five new players and numerous trialists have gotten their first participation with the team, while the entire squad is experiencing preseason under new head coach Jay Heaps for the first time.

Just days after selling Tim Ream to Bolton, the New York Red Bulls have secured the services of his replacement, signing Colombian centerback Wilman Conde after making a trade with the Chicago Fire.

The Red Bulls dealt allocation money (which one source put at $150,000) to the Fire for the chance to sign Conde, who returns to MLS after spending 2011 in Mexico with Atlas.

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday the club has traded the MLS right of first refusal on defender Wilman Conde to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for allocation money. If this kind of deal doesn't make sense to you, be sure to give this story a read. More after the break.

New York has agreed to personal terms with the out-of-contract Conde and he will be added to the Red Bull's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.