The U.S. men's national team plays its final match of a busy and memorable 2009 today when it takes on Denmark in Aarhus (2:30pm, ESPN Classic/Galavision/ESPN2 after Ukraine-Greece).

Both teams will be missing several key players, with the Americans playing without Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey (as well as injured regulars Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit and Charlie Davies).

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Who will Dallas protect this year? (Getty Images)

With the expansion draft being next week I have to pull in some two-a-days for my expansion draft lists. Earlier today we looked at DC United's roster and who could be protected or not not this afternoon I want to turn our attention to FC Dallas.

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An injury-riddled, star-lacking USMNT team lost 1-0 to Slovakia over the weekend. I didn't watch, so I don't have much to add.
Seems like a fair result on the road. Here's the tweaked lineup for the upcoming Denmark friendly:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins.

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Bob Bradley didn't call up those guys with league commitments in the MLS playoffs, which explains why a few familiar names aren't included.

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Troy Perkins (Valerenga)
DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
MIDFIELDERS: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Conor Casey (Colorado), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)

How about that EJ/Cunningham forward pairing. Click to continue reading...

Jeff Cunningham ... the recent MLS Golden Boot winner gets his first chance under U.S. manager Bob Bradley

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Sometimes in life, when you lose, you win.

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Jeff Cunningham had reasons to smile late in 2009. (Getty Images)

This season was certainly a tale of two halves for FC Dallas. Things got off to the rockiest of starts that saw fans across North Texas grew more upset with the way things were being run in Frisco while the end of the year sure seemed to show things could actually be headed into the right direction for 2010.

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The end of the regular season has put me in a contemplative mood. Not only because I am left trying to figure out how the San Jose Earthquakes missed the postseason again, but because I am asked to fill out my 2009 MLS Awards Ballot. Following the Quakes as closely as I do, I enjoy access to players and coaches from all MLS teams as they make their way through Buck Shaw Stadium.

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When the Major League Soccer schedule was released many months ago, the first game that stood out was the last one: Saturday, Oct. 24, at Real Salt Lake.

RSL knocked the Rapids out of the playoffs (and put itself in) in the final minute of the final game of 2008. And the league set up a similar showdown by pairing the two in the 2009 finale.

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There was one match on Wednesday night in Major League Soccer as FC Dallas traveled to face the San Jose Earthquakes. It was a must win for Dallas to keep their playoff hopes alive. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

FC Dallas edges the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 Video Highlights

Jeff Cunningham scored a late goal to keep FC Dallas' playoff hopes alive on Thursday night against the San Jose Earthquakes.

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In what could be one of the first real signs of discontent to break into the open, FC Dallas Captain Pablo Ricchetti has expressed his unhappiness to reporters and has apparently asked to be let go or traded. For the last few days in training Ricchetti has been playing center back with the second team while Ugo Ihemelu has been playing center back with the first team next to George John. Click to continue reading...

To go along with Josh Wolff's Goal of the Week nominee, Kevin Hartman is up for Save of the Week this week for his 82nd minute save on Heath Pearce to keep the Wizards 3-2 advantage over FC Dallas. Check out the save again here. Click to continue reading...

Luis Angel Landin is one of the new faces in MLS. (Getty Images)

I guess you could really say its just been a rather slow week in terms of news. Sure rosters were finalized on Tuesday night for the rest of the year and the league announced their big break next summer but other than that it's been rather calm in Major League Soccer this week.

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Ohhhhh Ajax, you're killin' me...#1 - I got fresh FC Dallas catch Heath Pearce on the phone today. The goods are here.The club also put him on camera after Wednesday training... Find more videos like this on MyFCDallas#2 - In case you missed it, my new MLS Club Ladder is up.#3 - SI super-scribe Grant Wahl talks with Everton/U. Click to continue reading...

A few of you have been wondering where the MLS Allocation Order stands now that FC Dallas has (finally) used their top spot to sign Heath Pearce.

Now the Rapids have the top spot. With very little bit left in the season I doubt Rapids or anyone remotely below them will be able to use their spots in the order.

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A little welcome video for new FC Dallas defender Heath Pearce.

Find more videos like this on MyFCDallas

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Dear Mr. Pearce,
THIS is the cowboy capital of America and it is not up for debate.
Yours truly,
Texas
P.S. Welcome back. Click to continue reading...

Over the last week and a half I missed out on quite a bit of stuff so I felt tonight would be a good way to recap some things and give you all my opinion on each. We've had plenty of new players get signed this past week, including one Designated Player...which in Major League Soccer is always a big deal.

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One thing I like to do before I go on any trip is make sure my place is decently clean for my return. Well in the case of this past week for my wedding/honeymoon I was all prepared on that level except for when it came to getting back in the swing of things for soccer stuff. I came back into town this past weekend and saw a slew of random scores in Major League Soccer.

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I've thought about it a bit, talked to some people, and I have some thoughts. Click to continue reading...

Heath Pearce's career needs a revival. Perhaps he can get it in Texas? Open thread for you Hoops fans.....

Related posts:

1. Left Back Misery: Can Heath Pearce Really Start in a World Cup? Two years ago, Heath Pearce declared himself the best...
2. Gooch Signs With Milan: Reaction (Updated) The impact of this signing cannot over emphasized.

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After failing to complete a deal in Turkey, United States National Team player Heath Pearce is now a member of FC Dallas. The club used their #1 allocation to add Pearce. "Heath is a high quality player who can play a lot of different positions, and we are very excited to welcome him to the club," FC Dallas Head Coach Schellas Hyndman said. Click to continue reading...

An American in desperate need of a club has come home and signed to play in the US. Defender Heath Pearce has penned a deal with the MLS and was snapped up by top-of-the-allocation-list FC Dallas...

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UPDATED UPDATE Pearce just signed with FC Dallas.

UPDATE Unfortunately, it looks like this deal fell through. Back to MLS?

Just a quick note:

Heath Pearce has found a home Bursaspor of the Turkish top flight. Should be a good move for him.

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Much traveled US defender Heath Pearce has finally found a temporary home, agreeing to terms with FC Dallas for what remains of the MLS season. Click to continue reading...

As has been under discussion for some time on this site, FC Dallas has signed Heath Pearce via Allocation. FCD waived Steve Purdy to make room for Heath Pearce. Also buried in the press release is the fact FCD has terminated the contract of Alvaro Sanchez. Click to continue reading...

Hey everybody, wanted to pass along a few bits of MLS news before Friday comes to a close and the weekend really gets going. Two pretty big names in North American soccer made the move from Europe to MLS today as U.S. National Team defender Heath Pearce joined FC Dallas and Canadian National Team star midfielder Julian DeGuzman -- formerly of La Liga's Deportivo La Coruña -- returned to his hometown to join Toronto FC as the club's first ever Designated Player.

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Quick improv change of plans: the MLS-related Top 5 List will now arrive on Monday because I came up with one that is much more timely - as in if I don't post it now, many of these guys will get snapped up.I've already lost several contenders today, including Julian De Guzman, Guille Franco, Heath Pearce and Georgios Seitaridis, and a few others will be signing over the next few days. Click to continue reading...

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just a week after looking like he would be playing in Turkey, Heath Pearce is headed to MLS to play for a turkey of a team.

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just a week after looking like he would be playing in Turkey, Heath Pearce is headed to MLS to play for a turkey of a team.

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The U.S. Men's National Team played (and won) their first game in Cuba in over 60 years (ASN, Sept. 7, 2008).

In rainy, muddy conditions at Havana's Estadio Pedro Marrero, Clint Dempsey got the only goal of the match in the 40th minute, assisted by Brian Ching. Only six of the players who started the game for the U.

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American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFAÂ to play for the United States, meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left back.

Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there these days.

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American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFAÂ to play for the United States, meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left back.

Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there these days.

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Big picture stuff first.

• Is United getting a transfer ban soon?
  
• Robben thinks everyone will be leaving Chelsea.
  
• Qatari club signs EPL bust Alfonso Alves.
  
• De Guzman and Toronto FC again.
  
• City wants a Robinho/Henry swap.
  
• Was Ljungberg thinking an EPL move.

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So let's collect our thoughts a little before the weekend is upon us, bring a crucial US qualifier at home to El Salvador (Can you say "must win"? I can, and I will) and a United road trip to Dallas (not a "must win," but awfully close). Let's... Click to continue reading...

According to Bursaspor's official site, contract issues prevented them from completing their move for Heath Pearce. With the transfer window now closed, Pearce remains out of contract. Original Post: United States National Team defender Heath Pearce is now a member of Turkish club Bursaspor in the Turkcell Super Lig. Click to continue reading...