By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Nov 18, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake didn't kick into high gear until the end of the season, but it's no real surprise they meet in the MLS Cup final. The combinations of players, coaches, stadiums, and marketing show these clubs built ships to survive bad weather and win races. Click to continue reading...

By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Nov 16, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Angelo Bratsis is a FIFA referee inspector dealing with the challenges Major League Soccer referees face moving into a higher level of play. As MLS grows, so does the pressure on the officiating. Amid much criticism, MLS referees cope with player dissent, designated player issues, and annual MLS and US Soccer directives that sometimes result in public outrage at game-changing decisions. Click to continue reading...

By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Nov 4, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Fenway Sports Group (FSG) recently penned a deal with Fulham to find a jersey sponsor for the London-based EPL team. Seeking an ambitious six million pounds annually, FSG intends to connect Fulham with a US-based corporation with global marketing needs in the United Kingdom, Europe, and particularly Asian markets, where the EPL recently experienced explosive growth. Click to continue reading...

By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Oct 19, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- In August, Major League Soccer ticket sales dipped over 4% overall and dropped double digits up to 34% for six franchises while nationwide sales for international matches skyrocketed. That should be enough of an indication that MLS needs to rethink what marketing to adults means. Click to continue reading...

By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Sep 29, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- After the first season success of the Seattle Sounders, the USL-1 2008 Champions Vancouver Whitecaps FC have a hard act to follow as they prepare to enter MLS as a 2011 expansion team. The Vancouver ownership group consists of Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, and Steve Nash. Click to continue reading...

A friend of mine, L.E. Eisenmenger who writes for SoccerLens and the Examiner wrote a very interesting piece on the idea of youth transfer fees in the US? The article talks about how youth clubs should be given part of the transfer fee if a player was developed by a youth club, then picked up by an MLS youth club or MLS Academy team, and eventually sold to a foreign club.

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By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Sep 2, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- In a move towards Major League Soccer developing its own talent, the League now requires clubs to create youth programs. That includes fully subsidized Under-16 and Under-18 Developmental Academy teams for each club. How the individual clubs choose to implement that system is up to them. Click to continue reading...

By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Aug 26, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- SuperLiga stirs up controversy whenever the Mexican-US tournament surfaces in conversation or on a blog. There are discrepancies between what SuperLiga claims to be and how some pundits and fans see it. Though no one should be arguing that the games can't rise to the occasion, it's also clear that SuperLiga attendance isn't close to what it should be. Click to continue reading...