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Hannover 96 and German national team goalkeeper Robert Enke has died of an apparent suicide after being hit by a train.

A recent member of the German national team, Enke had reportedly struggled to cope with the death of his two-year old daughter, who died from a heart ailment in 2006.

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Hannover 96 and German national team goalkeeper Robert Enke has died of an apparent suicide after being hit by a train.

A recent member of the German national team, Enke had reportedly struggled to cope with the death of his two-year old daughter, who died from a heart ailment in 2006.

With seven teams now finished the regular season and now playoffs to plan for, the attention turns to 2010. That can include a myriad of things -- from a new stadium to a brand new coach. FC Dallas, who ended the season one win away from the playoffs, didn't do enough to save General Manager Michael Hithcock's job, as the club parted ways with him today.

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                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Jeff Cunningham can't stop scoring goals and it is time to start asking the question: Is he now the MLS MVP front-runner?

No, FC Dallas still hasn't qualified for the playoffs, and it still has plenty of work to do, but the fact that FCD has rattled off four wins in five matches to pull within striking distance of the post-season is a direct product of Cunningham's goal-scoring hot streak.

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                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Jeff Cunningham can't stop scoring goals and it is time to start asking the question: Is he now the MLS MVP front-runner?

No, FC Dallas still hasn't qualified for the playoffs, and it still has plenty of work to do, but the fact that FCD has rattled off four wins in five matches to pull within striking distance of the post-season is a direct product of Cunningham's goal-scoring hot streak.

It will likely end up being too little too late, but FC Dallas continues to show that it has plenty of fight left in it. Counted out all season with a poor start to 2009, the amazing turnaround continued last night against a San Jose team that played hard but came up short, losing Dallas by a 2-1 scoreline.

It will likely end up being too little too late, but FC Dallas continues to show that it has plenty of fight left in it. Counted out all season with a poor start to 2009, the amazing turnaround continued last night against a San Jose team that played hard but came up short to Dallas, 2-1.

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The MLS playoffs don't begin for another three weeks but tonight will offer us an elimination game with some playoff-like drama.

FC Dallas visits San Jose tonight (10pm, Direct Kick) in a match both teams need to win in order to maintain any realistic chance in the MLS playoff race.

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The MLS playoffs don't begin for another three weeks but tonight will offer us an elimination game with some playoff-like drama.

FC Dallas visits San Jose tonight (10pm, Direct Kick) in a match both teams need to win in order to maintain any realistic chance in the MLS playoff race.

FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham was voted MLS player of the month for September after his seven goals and three assists helped FC Dallas post a 3-1-1 record during the month.

Cunningham edged out a group of players including Shalrie Joseph, Josh Wolff and Eddie Gaven.

The award is the second player of the month honor of Cunningham's career.

FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham was voted MLS player of the month for September after his seven goals and three assists helped FC Dallas post a 3-1-1 record during the month.

Cunningham edged out a group of players including Shalrie Joseph, Josh Wolff and Eddie Gaven.

The award is the second player of the month honor of Cunningham's career.

FC Dallas' slim playoff hopes gained more steam on Wednesday night after a Jeff Cunningham goal helped give Dallas a 1-0 victory against New England at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Cunningham headed home a Jair Benitez cross in the 71st minute to give FC Dallas its third win in four matches and move the Texas club closer to the playoff pack with three matches remaining.

FC Dallas' slim playoff hopes gained more steam on Wednesday night after a Jeff Cunningham goal helped give Dallas a 1-0 victory against New England at the Cotton Bowl.

Cunningham headed home a Jair Benitez cross in the 71st minute to give FC Dallas its third win in four matches and move the Texas club closer to the playoff pack with three matches remaining.

It's Friday and it is time to start a new series, which is more like the old series.

Every Friday, I will touch on some of the week's popular subjects being discussed by readers, as well astouch on news stories SBI may have missed.

The first subject today is Jermaine Jones.

It's Friday and it is time to start a new series, which is more like the old series.

Every Friday, I will touch on some of the week's popular subjects being discussed by readers, as well astouch on news stories SBI may have missed. We've called these types of posts Musings and TGIF before, but now we'll be going with Friday Free Kicks and plan to make it a weekly series.

Say what you want about the first team, they keep bringing in young and talented players. After sending five players to the U-20 World Cup, yesterday FC Dallas announced their first ever Academy signing of midfielder Bryan Leyva yesterday.

A 17-year-old who was born in Mexico, Leyva has been a part of the Dallas Academy for over a year, joining in June 2008.

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                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

Jeff Cunningham led the charge in FC Dallas' 6-3 drubbing of the Los Angeles Galaxy, and was honored with his 12th career MLS Player of the Week award for his efforts.

The Los Angeles Galaxy had spent much of the current MLS season playing stingy defense and establishing itself as a legitimate MLS title contender.

At least before last night.

FC Dallas walked into Home Depot Center on Saturday and proceeded to dismantle Bruce Arena's squad as a combination of speed, impeccable service and defensive breakdowns by LA turned last night's Western Conference clash into a 6-3 blowout.

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just a week after looking like he would be playing in Turkey, Heath Pearce is headed to MLS to play for a turkey of a team.

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just a week after looking like he would be playing in Turkey, Heath Pearce is headed to MLS to play for a turkey of a team.

                                                 Photo by ISIphotos.com

In keeping with the recent theme of adding SMU alumni, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman reached out to another former college player of his on Wednesday by signing defender Daniel Hernandez.

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

by TRAVIS CLARK

September is right around the corner, and this translates into the most important part of the season for MLS clubs fighting for their playoff lives.

The Post-Osorio era begins today at Giants Stadium as the New York Red Bulls take on FC Dallas in the first match since Juan Carlos Osorio's resignation as head coach.

The Red Bulls' season is over, while FC Dallas isn't too far from being over, but there are still some good storylines. Interim head coach Richie Williams is in his first game in charge while former Red Bull Dave Van Den Bergh makes his first appearance at Giants Stadium since being traded by the Red Bulls in the off-season.

The Post-Osorio era begins today at Giants Stadium as the New York Red Bulls take on FC Dallas in the first match since Juan Carlos Osorio's resignation as head coach.

The Red Bulls' season is over, while FC Dallas isn't too far from being over, but there are still some good storylines.

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

U.S. national team defender Heath Pearce may soon be plying his trade in MLS.

According to 3rdDegree.net, FC Dallas head coach Shellas Hyndman revealed that Pearce is interested in playing in MLS.

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

U.S. national team defender Heath Pearce may soon be plying his trade in MLS.

According to 3rdDegree.net, FC Dallas head coach Shellas Hyndman revealed that Pearce is interested in playing in MLS.

ESPN may still be reeling from losing the rights to the UEFA Champions League, but that isn't stopping it from building up its collection of soccer offerings.

According to EPL Talk, ESPN has added the English Premier Leagueand will show up to two matches a week, starting next week. The network initially made some waves when it secured rights to EPL games in England, a move that was part of ESPN's plan to launch an ESPN UK channel, but now ESPN appears set to show EPL games here in the United States.

ESPN may still be reeling from losing the rights to the UEFA Champions League, but that isn't stopping it from building up its collection of soccer offerings.

According to EPL Talk, ESPN has added the English Premier League and will show up to two matches a week, starting next week.

The Battle of Texas kicks off tonight as the first-place Houston Dynamo take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park.

FC Dallas is coming off a 6-0 thumping of the Kansas City Wizards, but must now face a Dynamo team that has welcomed back Brian Ching and Stuart Holden from national team duty.

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Kenny Cooper is on his way back to Europe.

The former Manchester United reserve player has been sold by FC Dallas to German Bundesliga II club 1860 Munich. FC Dallas informed season ticket holders of the sale on Friday.

More info to follow.

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Kenny Cooper is on his way back to Europe.

The former Manchester United reserve player has been sold by FC Dallas to German Bundesliga II club 1860 Munich. FC Dallas informed season ticket holders of the sale on Friday.

Cooper, 24, is coming off a Gold Cup that saw him score two goals for the U.

                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Chicago Fire is considered one of the deepest teams in Major League Soccer and will now have that depth tested as the Easter Conference power is forced to deal with the loss of star striker Brian McBride.

                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Chicago Fire is considered one of the deepest teams in Major League Soccer and will now have that depth tested as the Easter Conference power is forced to deal with the loss of star striker Brian McBride.