Stadiums function a great deal like shoes. Wear a pair for too long and the shoelaces begin to fray, the outer sole wears thin, and the inner sole starts to emit a smell generally acceptable at the bottom of a rubbish bin. Change them out for new shoes that fit too snug, and walking around becomes a right pain in the heel with ingrown toenails forming from the compression.

Angelina-Jen: A Derby for the Ages I'm staunchly opposed to the Americanization of football. I don't want overtime, shootouts, substitutions on the fly, bigger goals or shorter fields. I don't want instant replay, playoffs or field turf.
There's a lot of don'ts and won'ts in there. There are also exceptions to every rule.

Changeover at ESPN and Arlo White being hired to be the new voice NBC Sports soccer coverage has raised some interesting discussions on just what exactly makes for a good television announcer in Major League Soccer coverage. Debates over what matters, how credibility is earned and why an accent can make a difference have all been waged.

This is the first piece for TSG by Miriti Murungi's Nutmeg Radio; oops, Nutmeg Radio's Miriti Murungi. Murungi also hosts a rather, make that The Confidential podcast, here. In his spare time, he tutors budding archery proteges in his sleep.

Clean cut no more. MLS & Brek Shea, 2018?

The 2011 Missouri Athletic Club announced this years Hermann Trophy Semifinalists on December 4th.
On the women's semifinalist list where University of Virginia Freshman Morgan Brian well as Mallory Schaffer, Midfielder from William & Mary.
Only one player made the men's list for a Virginia school - Junior Forward Yannick Smith of Old Dominion.

Photo of Taylor Twellman at Union's 2011 home opener by Earl Gardner.

Philadelphia Union

Deportivo Saprissa president Juan Carlos Rojas has confirmed in an interview with a Costa Rican radio station that the Union has been in contact with the club about Josue Martinez, saying "I would not go into much detail but there has been interest from Philadelphia [in Martinez].

2011 Philadelphia Union color commentator Taylor Twellman has officially left the team's broadcast team. The former New England Revolution star striker thanked the team's fans for making him "feel like family" during his year with the Union.

Twellman was reported as the next ESPN lead soccer analyst by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl because John Harkes' ESPN contract was not renewed.

The internet is a scary place. You never know what lurks just around the next corner. One click and, bam, you get rick-rolled or spammed some life insurance. Still with the proper guidance, you can find some marvelous sites. Here are a few of them....

The first two sites are admittedly not sport-specific.

Once again, it can't be said how good of a move this will be for MLS to be on NBC Sports next year. This will also spark ESPN to improve how they handle MLS as well (which they already have by canning John Harkes).

Even though Major League Soccer has entered the off season, we plan to continue our weekly "Monday After" post looking at business stories from the weekend and items that we didn't cover in the past week. We'll start with the newest player in soccer broadcasting, the over-the-air broadcast network FOX, which is touting its dynamic 1.

Updated my list of MLS Supporters Club....true I left some off, so if you know any that I'm not reppin' please let me know.
Thankful list:
1. The FIRE will have one more fan next year (my newborn son or daughter).
2. The league finally got it's Beckham Cup. After all, they had to deal with quite a bit of hubris to get to that point.

Updated my list of MLS Supporters Club....true I left some off, so if you know any that I'm not reppin' please let me know.
Thankful list:
1. The FIRE will have one more fan next year (my newborn son or daughter).
2. The league finally got it's Beckham Cup. After all, they had to deal with quite a bit of hubris to get to that point.

Sepp Blatter has gotten himself in hot water for recent comments, but the FIFA president steered clear of controversy when talking about Major League Soccer.

In an interview with Fox Soccer, Blatter addressed the MLS schedule, maintaining his position that it would be better if the league aligned itself with the European calendar as opposed to continuing the March-to-November schedule.

Monday ESPN announced former U.S. national team member and D.C. United player John Harkes has been replaced in the analyst booth by Taylor Twellman.
The network said Monday "we informed John Harkes that ESPN will not renew his contract." ESPN also said it "is leaving the door open to John working with the company in the future on other soccer properties.

Don't think you're getting away from our MLS Cup fracas that easy. #1 - I was not there. This guy was. He has some thoughts. It did in fact rain in LA. That did happen. #2 - There has been some rearranging of the deck furniture at ESPN. John Harkes was told his contract was not being renewed. Into the void steps Taylor Twellman.

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.

In a move that releases a collective, "Hoorah!" from most American soccer fans I know, Grant Wahl reports over at SI.com that ESPN will not bring back John Harkes for color commentary in 2012. Harkes has been a consistent lightning rod ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

• Dynamo do things the right way, even in loss [Houston Chronicle]
• In losing effort, Dynamo full of praise for LA's Donovan [MLS Soccer]
• Donovan's goal downs Dynamo in MLS Cup [Houston Chronicle]
• Kinnear: Dynamo never get a handle on it in loss to LA [MLS Soccer]
• Costly's time with Dynamo at an end after Cup loss [MLS Soccer]
• Cameron's injury the turning point in Dynamo's Cup loss [MLS Soccer]
• No Rest for Dynamo As Expansion Draft Beckons [Houston Chronicle]
• Dynamo feel Davis absence in final [Houston Dynamo]

In Other News:

• As Twitter Reacts To John Harkes, Networks Should Take Notice [GTTF]
• Strong signs for future of U.

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl is reporting that Philadelphia Union color commentator Taylor Twellman is set to be promoted to lead ESPN soccer analyst, as John Harkes will not have his contract renewed with the company.

Harkes has long been a target of criticism from US Soccer fans for what has been seen as a career spent interjecting himself into story lines and less than stellar analysis on air.

In what comes as little surprise Grant Wahl reports that NBC Sports is pursuing Arlo White as their primary play-by-play man for their first season covering MLS and the United States national team. NBC isn't stupid and, like Sounders fans, feels that Arlo is one of the best voices in soccer right now.

Different angle for a TSG preview here.

Today, we publish a discussion with Sporting KC assistant coach John Pascarella. Pascarella is responsible for much of the technical preparation and tactical work for the Livestronglies. He and head coach Peter Vermes played club ball together and KC front office media man Josh Wisenhunt comments Pascarella is revered by the team, especially goalkeeper Jimmy Neilsen (Pascarella has a big hand in training the goalkeepers during practice.

By "The Other 87 Minutes" / Senior Unemployed English Major CorrespondentsIf you're like us (that is, currently residing in America, somewhat interested in soccer, and on Twitter way more than is healthy) then chances are you've experienced within the last week the absolute wonder that is John Harkes.

Editor's Note: With all due respect and a thousand plaudits to "Dirty Tackle" (It's only fair... they spun off one of our series, too) we present the potentially true life and times of America's favorite soccer commentator, John Harkes.


A few years back I decided to start my own blog.

Editor's Note: With all due respect and a thousand plaudits to "Dirty Tackle" (It's only fair... they spun off one of our series, too) we present the potentially true life and times of America's favorite soccer commentator, John Harkes.


A few years back I decided to start my own blog.

So here we are again. First round of the playoffs after a exciting season. The Seattle Sounders get a tough draw and proceed to get schooled like an earnest, but inexperienced freshmen. Sure, Real Salt Lake has been one of the best, if not the best, team in the league since they won the MLS Cup in 2009.

Playoff Intensity - On and Off the Pitch (Photo by Dan Dickinson)In a hard-fought, intense game played on chilly Sunday afternoon in Harrison, the Red Bulls ceded the advantage in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series to the Los Angeles Galaxy, losing 1-0 on a goal by (who else?) former Red Bull Mike Magee.

I think we all know what is on the line tonight for the Philadelphia Union (11-7-5) as they play their last game of the season, on the road at New York Red Bulls (9-8-16). In addition to what the Union are playing for, the New York Red Bulls need a victory tonight to ensure a playoff spot. A draw or loss, and nothing is guaranteed.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

The Shin Guardian invited Philly Soccer Page to write a preview of Thursday night's Philadelphia Union game against New York. And when the Shin Guardian calls, it is PSP's Adam Cann who answers the call.

Among the topics covered are:

John Harkes Keys to the Game "Thursday's predicted Harkes' Keys: 1) Stop Le Toux, 2) Don't Give Up Goals 3) Marquez Something Something.

Game...on!

Philly Soccer Page's Adam Cann with a Union-tinged preview of tonight's major MLS match-up.

Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States. When the Houston Dynamo rose from the ashes of the original San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, Philly became the largest US city without an MLS franchise.

Setting: Thursday, October 20 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ; kickoff scheduled for 8:06:30 PM Eastern

Broadcast Information: ESPN2/ESPN3.com (Adrian Healey, John Harkes), ESPN Deportes (Richard Mendez, Giovanni Savarese) and ESPN Deportes Radio (Jorge Ramos, Hernan Pereyra) nationally, with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM Eastern

New York's Record: 9-8-16, fifth in East

New York's Last Match: L, 2-0 at Sporting KC

Philadelphia vs.

As we do every so often, today we present a business blog of a prominent televised soccer event. The New York/Los Angeles rivalry provides the latest installment in this regular feature. The match was rescheduled into weekday prime time because of Hurricane Irene and provides a national outlet for the Red Bulls' diminishing playoff hopes.

After managing a draw in a huge road fixture at Sporting Kansas City, the Philadelphia Union (9-7-13) will play host to D.C United (9-8-11) and depending on the result tonight, the Union could find themselves as high as 2nd place in the Eastern Conference and as low as 5th place.. Kickoff at PPL Park is scheduled for 8:06:30 PM ET.

Setting: Thursday, September 29 at PPL Park in Chester; kickoff scheduled for 8:06:30 PM Eastern

Broadcast Information: ESPN2 and ESPN3.com nationwide (Adrian Healey, John Harkes), ESPN Deportes (Richard Mendez, Giovanni Savarese) and ESPN Deportes Radio (Jorge Ramos, Hernan Pereyra) nationally, with coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern / TSN2 (ESPN2 feed) in Canada

DC's Record: 9-8-11, sixth in East

DC's Last Match: W, 4-1 vs.

Soccer By Ives Creator and Editor Ives Galarcep has mentioned today via his Twitter page @SoccerByIves that Virginia native and ESPN annalyst John Harkes has interviewed for the open postion of...
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KINGS OF THE DRAW! KINGS OF THE DRAW! KINGS OF THE DRAW!

Shoot me.

Add DC United to the list of teams that have succumbed to the Chicago Fire's unstoppable draw powers. Another disappointing, disgusting 1-1 home draw. Look things have gotten so bad that my indoor team wore Fire kits for our game tonight and we DREW 6-6 in INDOOR SOCCER.

The Seattle Sounders are at home this weekend after a week's worth of well needed rest. They play an improving Chivas USA team at the CLink on Saturday. Hopefully, they can build on last weekend's win at Sporting KC. Also, for those of you who are interested, Pat Noonan talks about the foul and the flop from Omar Bravo.

Sporting events and commentary go in hand in hand with each other. How odd would it be to watch a soccer, football, and baseball or hockey game without someone offering analysis and play by play action of the game? As a fan of several sports I have been subjected to many announcers in games; some good and some that weren't so good.

It is not uncommon to make a coaching change following a World Cup - in looking at the past 2010 FIFA World Cup, the only two managers who had also managed in the previous 2006 FIFA World Cup were that tournament's two finalists - Marcello Lippi (Italy) and Raymond Domanech (France).
Both Lippi and Domanech saw their teams slump badly in the following tournament, not being able to move on from the group stages.

18-2 18-2 Seattle was embarrassingly ambushed 7-0. The Revs were humbled 4-1. Chicago's 3-1 scoreline flatters the Fire, only kept that low since Sir Alex muzzled his most ferocious dogs until the second half, when United smacked the taste out of Chicago's lead. Now there's this, a 4-0 defeat over what is supposedly the best MLS has on offer (side note: loved John Harkes' incessant

The World Football Challenge kicked off on Wednesday with Manchester United visiting Foxboro to take on the Revolution. The latest iteration of the Summer of Soccer features one of the strongest collection of teams we have seen touring the United States. These matches are part of the summer ritual in MLS.