I'm currently looking into what the roles of the play-by-play announcer as well as the color commentator truly are. I'll be speaking to and getting input from announcers from all over the country with a high level of experience. Hopkins, Lalas, Dunseth, Wynalda and more will be weighing with their own unique perspectives.

As we do for a number of big soccer events every year, tonight Footiebusiness.com will offer a business take on the broadcast of the MLS Cup Final. Over the next couple of days, we'll look the business ramifications of the new schedule, offer some thoughts on the new MLS Cup Final format and discuss the expansion draft.

• Olimpia's board have apparently rejected the Dynamo's loan offer for Boniek Garcia [La Prensa] In Spanish
• Houston's Carr on long road to recovery from concussion [MLS Soccer]
• Moffat looking forward to "a different challenge" in Houston [MLS Soccer]
• Ashe finds the right fit: Switch to 'D' pays dividends for Dynamo vet [Houston Chronicle]
• Mixed emotions for All-Star Cameron [MLS Soccer]
• Generation adidas Cup: Day 1 recap [MLS Soccer] Day 2 recap [MLS Soccer]
• First crane rises above stadium site [Houston Dynamo]
• Danger Zone!

Hi AC- I read your blog and enjoy your media criticisms and was wondering what you thought of their Women's World Cup coverage?
I think it's better than the men for a few simple reasons
1. No Lalas
2. Diciccio- great analyst, just wish they'd allow him more than just a few sentences a game.

Still traveling for the holiday, but we wanted to bring a quick wrap of the weekend that was. Another series of Womens World Cup matches and a full slate of MLS tilts are in the rear view mirror. Before we get to attendance, it is worth noting Taylor Twellman's continued improvement in the booth.

Wow, in HD one can really see the sun damage on John Harkes's face. Need more make-up, John.
I love Toyota Park by the way. Great stadium. Nice views everywhere, and the brickwork is sweet.
Bretos, A. Lalas and Twellman discussing the USA loss. Twellman has an excellent point about the youth of the USA team not matching Mexico's talent with young players.

Wow, in HD one can really see the sun damage on John Harkes's face. Need more make-up, John.
I love Toyota Park by the way. Great stadium. Nice views everywhere, and the brickwork is sweet.
Bretos, A. Lalas and Twellman discussing the USA loss. Twellman has an excellent point about the youth of the USA team not matching Mexico's talent.

A BEHIND THE SCENES ORAL HISTORY OF SOCCER IN KANSAS CITY

On November 18, 2010, a Major League Soccer team changed its name. One minute they were the Kansas City Wizards. The next, they were Sporting KC. Of course it's never that simple. This is that story.

Greg Cotton
Chief Operating Officer, Sporting Kansas City
I hate the word 'brand' more than anything.

STARTERS
Real Salt Lake has gone where no MLS team has gone before - The CONCACAF Champions League Final! But what does it mean if they don't win it all? We will all be watching and cheering Apr 20 in Mexico, and Apr 27 in Utah.
dN
The Whitecaps host New England tonight.

Thursday was the MLS SuperDraft, and as we did last year, we thought we would take a look at some of the business aspects of the proceedings. Before we explore the broadcast, a couple of notes on some of the coverage of the event. The Twitterverse was exploding with coverage of the draft. Journalists, fans, teams, players, bloggers and others drove the draft coverage to the top of the Twitter lists of trends.

It's draft day in Major League Soccer, and once again, ESPN2 will offer coverage of the first round in Baltimore. As in past years, the draft is in the middle of the day, requring working fans to DVR the draft, watch online or follow one of the many blogs that will offer coverage. On Thursday we will offer a business blog of the draft and draft coverage.