Brek Shea is a rising star in American soccer, and the 6'3" Texan has quite an athletic pedigree.
Shea's father played quarterback at Virginia Tech and Brek played quarterback and safety in middle school.
While at the U.S. training camp Brek explained to the Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman why he chose soccer over football:
"Football was too much yelling, too strict, and soccer gave me more freedom and ability to express myself.

NASL PLAYOFFS
You have NO excuse for not attending the Stars home Semifinal game on Saturday night.
Surly Brewing will be pitching in for the Dark Clouds supporters pre-game tailgate party by providing free beer to everyone 21 years old and over. Hooray beer.
dN
Semifinals - Home & Home Series
Matches & Scores:
1st Leg
-Sat Oct 8
NSC Minnesota Stars v Carolina RailHawks
Ft Lauderdale Strikers v Puerto Rico Islanders
2nd Leg
-Sat Oct 15
Carolina RailHawks v NSC Minnesota Stars
Puerto Rico Islanders v Ft Lauderdale Strikers
TEAM USA - EL EQUIPO DE TODOS
Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald on Jurgen Klinsmann's vision for the USA team.

STARTERS
Lots of thoughts on MLS post season awards today. See section below.
dN
Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story - coming soon to Movie Theaters.
Twin Cities
AMC Rosedale 14
-Thu Nov 3
Marcus Oakdale Cinemas
-Thu Nov 10
Marcus Parkwood Cinemas
-Thu Nov 10
Duluth
Marcus Duluth 10
-Thu Nov 10
See the schedule for the whole rest of the country.

STARTERS
Less than 7,000 tickets have been sold to the USA v Honduras game on Saturday night. Miami for MLS right? Lets see what ya got!
dN
The LA Galaxy will lay claim to the Supporters Shield tonight if they are victorious in New York.
US OPEN CUP
The 2011 Final is Tonight!

STARTERS
Stuart Holden is said to be in the starting 11 for Bolton tomorrow in the English League Cup. Hooray hooray hooray! Oh Yeah!
-The team website has words from the man himself.
dN
Javier Morales is traveling with Real Salt Lake this week for the first time since suffering a severely broken ankle back in May.

The best team in the world, Barcelona played the most popular team in Mexico (Chivas de Guadalajara) and filled Sun Life Stadium on a humid Wednesday night in Miami. Section 404 was packed with Miami Ultras and other fans who were present to watch the beautiful game at it's best. We all saw Chivas shock Barcelona with their wonderful play and goals.

STARTERS
Bayern Munich made its first offseason signing in Manuel Neuer from Schalke. He is also the German national team keeper.
dN
Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch talking new stadium with Crew brass.
STORY OF THE DAY
Andrew Dampf of the AP reports on 16 arrests that were made yesterday in Italy for alleged match fixing, including an attempt to influence the outcome of Inter v Lecce on Mar 20.

STORY OF THE DAY
"They didn't give them food. They couldn't sleep and they were guarded by armed guards."
The Miami Herald tells us about the horrible treatment of the Haiti U17 team that got sick while at the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament in Jamaica last week, and what happened to them after they withdrew from the tournament.

Last Tuesday Haiti's Under-17 National Football team was sent home from Jamaica after two players and a coach were diagnosed with malaria. The decision was presented as a public health measure the Jamaican public health ministry described the sickness as "imported" and resulted in an effective forfeit for the team from the CONCACAF competition.

The 2011 preseason is upon is, and United's March 19 season opener against Columbus is rapidly approaching. Camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. is coming to a close, and below are some of the best shots that I have taken thus far. With Charlie Davies in camp on trial, there have been a number of media members out to see us, including the Miami Herald and Washington Post.

STARTERS
There is a mountain of international friendlies going on this week. See all details below in varying regional sections.
dN
Juan Carlos Osorio has now BACKED OUT of an agreement to take over as head coach of Honduras. Late last week it was announced that he had taken the job.