STARTERS
Jeff Cunningham did it again! Scoring his 16th goal in 13 games to lead Dallas to yet another win, and definitely into the MLS playoff picture. Amazing. When the team sold Kenny Cooper in August most people left this team for dead. They are now the Ultimate MLS Zombie - not only weirdly alive, but hungry for your brains. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Can't wait to see many of you next Wednesday in DC. Drop me an email if you are going.
TEAM USA
Michele Kaufman of the Miami Herald with an article on the teams preparations for Honduras.
dN
Kaufman also writes about coach Bob Bradley and son Michael. Click to continue reading...

US U-20 defensive standout, Gale joins us on the podcast to discuss:

• The upcoming U-20 World Cup in Egypt
• His childhood in Togo and Benin
• His move to the US, his youth soccer career
• His time at Bradenton and his current club Miami FC.
• His long term goals including a move to Europe and the USMNT
• Who his favorite players are in the English Premier League.

Click to continue reading...

(MONDAY EVENING UPDATE BELOW)

USL announced Thursday afternoon, Nurock Soccer Holdings LLC has purchased the USL from Umbro/Nike.

Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer and Major League Soccer Talk are currently working on the story......and will update the story as warranted.

Click to continue reading...

Big Story

This is a bit rich. We noted yesterday Michel Platini's announcement that UEFA would demand clubs break even in the soccer business to enter the Champions League by 2010, and according to Platini, a leading instigator of this attempt to level the playing field is none other than that well-known frugal owner, Roman Abramovich.

Click to continue reading...

Soccer blogger Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer is reporting that the sale to NuRock is a shock to some USL owners. It's widely known that Traffic FC along with a current USL-1 owners group made a bid for league but did not win that bid. However, that same owners group led by Aaron Davidson of Miami FC and Selby Wellman owner of the Carolina Railhawks, have been unhappy with Marcos and Senior Director of Franchise Development Tim Holt. Click to continue reading...

NUROCK SOCCER HOLDINGS LLC ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FROM NIKE, INC.

USL announced Thursday afternoon, Nurock Soccer Holdings LLC has purchased the USL from Umbro/Nike.

Kartik Krishnaiyer of Major League Soccer and Inside Minnesota Soccer are currently working on the story.

Click to continue reading...

NUROCK SOCCER HOLDINGS LLC ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FROM NIKE, INC.

USL announced Thursday afternoon, Nurock Soccer Holdings LLC has purchased the USL from Umbro/Nike.

Kartik Krishnaiyer of Major League Soccer and Inside Minnesota Soccer are currently working on the story.

Click to continue reading...

NUROCK SOCCER HOLDINGS LLC ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FROM NIKE, INC.

USL announced Thursday afternoon, NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC has purchased the USL from Umbro/Nike.

Kartik Krishnaiyer of Major League Soccer and Inside Minnesota Soccer are currently working on the story.

Click to continue reading...

First off, Miami FC received a spanking of unnatural proportions! To say they choked is an understatement!
This is what the USL site said was the beginning of the end for the Blues:

It started with Daniel Paladini's free kick in the 30th minute. From 30 yards out, Paladini took the shot as Miami goalkeeper Pat Hannigan was still trying to set the wall.

Click to continue reading...

These look delicious! And fun!
Whew, it's been a crazy day.
Let's do the links:

• Bellamy makes peace with Wales coach. [Guardian]
  
• Argentina league to start Aug. 21. [SI]
  
• Another groin surgery for Woodgate. [BBC]
  
• VIDEO: Man attacks mascot.

Click to continue reading...

Filling in for Bruce today is Chrös; I did the honors when Brucio was gone at the MLS Cup last fall as well. Let's not try to kid anyone and pretend that you are here for my thoughts. I've compiled some basic reading about the big game today, and I'll be back this afternoon with an MLS roundup as well. Click to continue reading...

In an attempt to bolster their defensive back line as they push to make the playoffs, the Miami FC Blues has signed former Brazilian national team defender Junior Baiano. The 39-year old played for a short time with Blues manager Zinho.
Three days before, the Blues signed U.S. U-20 defender Gale Agbossoumonde to a 3 and a half year contract. Click to continue reading...

It's a mouthful folks but we are happy to have him, Gale Agbossoumonde, standout defender for the U.S. Under-20 National Team is a Miami FC player. Cry all you want Rev Fans he's not going to MLS, nope.
Many might say: 'Why did he pick USL?' Well, I don't know the details except that it is a 3 1/2 year deal which will see Gale spend some time here in Miami and then move on to Brazil. Click to continue reading...

I love to listen to podcast soccer shows from around the world daily and weekly.Some of my fav are World Soccer daily,the UK times online podcast and the Guardian's podcast.But living in America i also listen to 4 sport radio.Football,baseball,basketball and sometimes Hockey, Nascar radio. I am a big fan of Dan Lebatard the Miami Herald writer and sports radio host on AM 790 out Miami. Click to continue reading...

Soccer entities have their message clear- if they can reach the youth they have a fanbase for the future. This is what 560 WQAM personality D.A. (Damon Amendolara) is doing all over South Florida. The former upstate New York native is in an awkward position at that station as he is a confessed soccer fan in a sea of Dolphins and Hurricanes talk; yet he wears that "taboo" as a badge of honor. Click to continue reading...

Guadeloupe is having another great run in the Gold Cup, in the quarterfinals in 2009 after reaching the semifinals in 2007.
But don't expect the see the small French region in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Damn politics.
Gimme some links:

• Ronaldo won't wear "C. Ronaldo" shirt.

Click to continue reading...

Lots of stuff going on this week, even though little is going on this weekend. I thought I'd aggregate a few of the headlines in one place for people who haven't had a chance to browse the football section of your local paper. (Note: In U.S., I'm not aware of any local paper with a football (soccer) section, so I'm guessing that if you're reading this from the U. Click to continue reading...

Krupnik got his start with USL PDL side Des Moines Menace and lead Macabbi Haifa to a title.
As was rumored here on MLSR on Friday, Red Bull New York looks to bolster their defense with the signing of Maccabi Haifa defender Leo Krupnik.
We can now tell you that his signing is official and he is awaiting his ITC (international transfer certificate). Click to continue reading...

The CONCACAF Gold Cup, our continental championship has been in full swing across the country in the last week. Adam Beasley from the Miami Herald joins us to discuss the competition, as well as Oguchi Onyewu's massive transfer to AC Milan in Serie A, and why Miami, a failed MLS and USL market always draws so well for internationals.

Click to continue reading...

Puerto Rico Islanders 0:0 Cleveland City Stars
Punchless Islanders remain in first place Soccer America
City Stats draw 0-0 with first place Puerto Rico ClevelandCityStars.com
Vancouver Whitecaps 1:2 Miami FC Blues
Nunes penalty downs Whitecaps Vancouver Globe and Mail
Despite missing key players, Miami FC cruises past Vancouver Miami Herald Click to continue reading...

This Season it seems everything that has to do with Miami FC is late. The team almost folded due to MLS and we didn't know until the last minute it would survive. Therefore the team was organized at the last minute and so to continue with that trend this season the new Miami FC jersey finally came out in time for the July 4th game against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Click to continue reading...

The Miami Herald is reporting that defender Facundo Erpen and midfielder Richard Perdomo are both likely on their out from the club when the summer transfer window opens on July 15th.

The club is looking to accommodate Erpen's request for a transfer, and is shopping the player to teams in France and Mexico, according to Fernando Clavijo, director of soccer for Traffic Sports.

Click to continue reading...

Miami FC played to a 0-0 tie with the Puerto Rico Islanders on the 4th of July. The Blues dominated most of the match but was unable to capitalize their many chances and had to settle for the draw. Miami saw what seemed to be a legitimate goal called back after a clean header by Leo Inacio. For more on the game go to the Miami Herald or the Miami Ultras site. Click to continue reading...

US team has more than game at stake -- from The Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman: "What we convinced the world was we can beat Spain." Most important game in US soccer history -- from Yahoo! Sports' Dan Wetzel: A World Cup title is, of course, an outrageous goal. US Team Focuses on Tasks, Not Tributes -- from The NY Times' Jere Longman: They are here to win a soccer match, not to mourn the death. Click to continue reading...

And that word is: Punchless.

One shot on goal, seven shots overall, despite controlling the game for decent stretches over the course of the afternoon. Punchless. One shot on goal despite fielding an "offensive-minded" lineup designed to counter the improved San Jose Earthquake defense and attempt to victimize the leakiest defense in the league.

Click to continue reading...