Photo: Earl Gardner

Le Toux talks

It just won't stop.

As suggested by the 130 readers' comments posted on PSP in less then 24 hours since the Le Toux transfer news broke, if the sadness felt by Union fans at the news of Sebastien Le Toux's transfer to Vancouver wasn't enough, subsequent comments from Peter Nowak and Le Toux will, for many, see that sadness turn to anger.

I love playing sports for a long list of reasons, but I especially love sports because they help define who we are:

• Sports give you confidence.
• Sports give you strength.
• Sports give you a voice (hence, the nickname Loudy Foudy). :)
• Sports teach teamwork and leadership.

An undisclosed location in Kansas City. A temporary Sigi-bunker has been erected in an underground location and is currently host to a predraft party. The computer monitors are flooded with bright colors and visualizations mixing with a reel of Sounders highlights. My World by Iggy Azalea is pumping through the speakers, continually being remixed over with bits of Justice and LMFAO by the Sigibot who is serving as DJ for the night.

Spotted out in San Francisco - Zombie Mia Hamm, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Julie Foudy!

Mike Woitalla of Soccer America writes of how US coach Jurgen Klinsmann hopes to impact the US game at the grassroots level.
Before Jurgen Klinsmann's debut as U.S. coach against Mexico, ESPN's Julie Foudy asked him, "How would you define success over the next three years?"
It's noteworthy that Klinsmann steered his response to youth soccer:
"I define success in individual development of players.

Can I put this in the "only on TSG category."

A few weeks ago, a friend us sent us the "Megan Rapinoe Song" (to which Julie Foudy decided to claim she was just perusing "Megan Rapinoe" on YouTube creepy! and found it).

After posting, TSGer Jeff Holmes sent us an absolutely fan-freaking-tastic song for Heather O'Reilly.

Goalie Hope Solo and forward Abby Wambach have been getting a lot of attention for their play with the U.S. National Team in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, much of it having to do with winning games, followed by potential marketing deals and endorsements they might garner.

‪1998 Women's World Cup Soccer Barbie Doll Commercial With Mia Hamm‬‏ - YouTube ‪1998 Women's World Cup Soccer Barbie Doll Commercial With Mia Hamm‬‏ - YouTube
‪Michael vs Mia.mov‬‏ - YouTube ‪Michael vs Mia.

Just a quick take on the big game this weekend. The US Women will take the field on Sunday with a chance to become World Cup champions. The Final will kick off at 2:45 on Sunday and promises to draw a significant audience that could rival the 1999 USA/China match. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN3.

You remember that famous 1999 World Cup victory, don't you?

Watch:

And it has cast a long shadow, as Associated Press Writer Nancy Armour points out:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Lauren Cheney was just 11 during the 1999 World Cup,
watching from the stands and imagining what it would be like to be on that field with Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers and Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain.

Rising sun: Japan, a nation that is a sentimental favorite of many soccer fans because of the recent disasters the nation has endured and a former lightweight in the sport, is now a legitimate World Cup contender displacing such former powers as China (AP Photo).

Associated Press National Writer Nancy Armour explores the new world of international women's soccer that can be summed up in one word - parity:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- It wasn't long ago that you could predict the lineup for the final four at the Women's World Cup even before the tournament began.

Quote: Originally Posted by Casey Anthony Wow, I don't know how Amy LePeilbet is going to be able to show her face in public. Quote: Originally Posted by Jeff Agoos What? I thought LePeilbet played fine.

Brandi Chastain and Ian Darke

ESPN has shown a remarkable commitment to properly covering the Women's World Cup this year. While previous World Cups were well covered by the ESPN family of networks, this summer's event has demonstrated an enhanced understanding of the audience that watches this competition and the type of coverage that would be appealing to those viewers.

By Eric Beard, writing from Boston

Every tournament in football contains, at least to a certain degree, a sense of discovery. Commentators enlighten us with facts and subtle connections that the average fan does not have on their radar. However, the difference between the World Cup and the Women's World Cup seems to be the amount of knowledge about the players, the tactics, and the teams the average viewer holds.

Kristine Lilly, retires after 24 years. The most capped player in men's or women's soccer history with 352 caps. A feat of incredible durability. The most under rated player in her group of high flying compatriots like Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, and Michelle Akers who regularly stole the thunder.

Photo by Trent Davol/ISIPhotos.com

Kristine Lilly, one of the most accomplished players in women's soccer history, has retired.

The world record holder for international appearances with an amazing 352, Lilly has decided to step away from both the U.S. women's national team and her professional career with the WPS Boston Breakers after spending parts of four decades playing at the highest level.