Landon Donovan was named the 2009 MLS Most Valuable Player on Thursday, and while it is tough to argue against awarding the U.S. national team star for his performance this season, the MVP results still raised a glaring question.

What about Shalrie Joseph?

It isn't a question so much about choosing between Joseph and Donovan, which is a subjective debate that has supporters on both sides.

Landon Donovan was named the 2009 MLS Most Valuable Player on Thursday, and while it is tough to argue against awarding the U.S. national team star for his performance this season, the MVP results still raised a glaring question.

What about Shalrie Joseph?

It isn't a question so much about choosing between Joseph and Donovan, which is a subjective debate that has supporters on both sides.

The MLS playoffs resume on Friday with the Western Conference final, but the playoffs are already over for the four teams eliminated this past weekend. How those teams respond to their first-round exits, and how they deal with very important off-seasons, will determine if they are back in the post-season in 2010.

The MLS playoffs resume on Friday with the Western Conference final, but the playoffs are already over for the four teams eliminated this past weekend. How those teams respond to their first-round exits, and how they deal with very important off-seasons, will determine if they are back in the post-season in 2010.

The second participant in the MLS Eastern Conference Final will be determined tonight when the New England Revolution faces the Chicago Fire in Game Two of their First Round playoff series.

New England will try to join Real Salt Lake in the East Final by building on its 2-1 victory in Game One.

The second participant in the MLS Eastern Conference Final will be determined tonight when the New England Revolution faces the Chicago Fire in Game Two of their First Round playoff series.

New England will try to join Real Salt Lake in the East Final by building on its 2-1 victory in Game One.

The Chicago Fire take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium today in Game One of their Eastern Conference Playoff series (2pm, FSC).

This is their fifth straight playoff encounter and there's no love lost here as the sides are a safe bet to play a physical and uncompromising series.

The Chicago Fire take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium today in Game One of their Eastern Conference Playoff series (2pm, FSC).

This is their fifth straight playoff encounter and there's no love lost here as the sides are a safe bet to play a physical and uncompromising series.

_________________Photo by ISIphotos.com

If familiarity breeds contempt, then the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution hate each other on a level no two teams in MLS can match.

The Eastern Conference foes have made meeting in the playoffs a rite of passage, having done so for five of the past six years.

_________________Photo by ISIphotos.com

If familiarity breeds contempt, then the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution hate each other on a level no two teams in MLS can match.

The Eastern Conference foes have made meeting in the playoffs a rite of passage, having done so for five of the past six years.

Â

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The New England Revolution secured the eighth and final playoff berth in Major League Soccer on Sunday by virtue of its 1-0 win vs. Columbus and the goal that did the job was a worthy strike.

Jeff Larentowicz blasted this free kick to set up a New England-Chicago playoff series and finish the 2009 MLS regular season off on style:

Â

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The New England Revolution secured the eighth and final playoff berth in Major League Soccer on Sunday by virtue of its 1-0 win vs. Columbus and the goal that did the job was a worthy strike.

Jeff Larentowicz blasted this free kick to set up a New England-Chicago playoff series and finish the 2009 MLS regular season off on style:

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.

New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered during the Revs' 2-1 win vs. Seattle on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

Ralston suffered the injury after planting his right leg upon landing following an aerial challenge vs.

New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered during the Revs' 2-1 win vs. Seattle on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

Ralston suffered the injury after planting his right leg upon landing following an aerial challenge vs.

Â

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

It was an ugly loss, but one you came away feeling didn't have to happen.

The U.

Â

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

It was an ugly loss, but one you came away feeling didn't have to happen.

The U.

Major League Soccer is playing under the Friday night lights tonight as the New England Revolution take on the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium (7:30pm, MSG).

The Red Bulls don't have anything to play for, but the Revs are locked in a tight playoff race and need all three points tonight.

Major League Soccer is playing under the Friday night lights tonight as the New England Revolution take on the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium (7:30pm, MSG).

The Red Bulls don't have anything to play for, but the Revs are locked in a tight playoff race and need all three points tonight.

Â

                                                                              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.

Â

                                                                              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 last time Brad Friedel walked off the field at Anfield, he did so in shame after receiving a red card in Aston Villa's 5-0 loss to Liverpool on March 22. Five months later, Friedel made his most recent visit to Anfield a much more enjoyable one.

Friedel enjoyed a dream performance in helping Villa knock off his former club, making ten saves to give Aston Villa a 3-1 victory against the Reds on Monday.

The last time Brad Friedel walked off the field at Anfield, he did so in shame after receiving a red card in Aston Villa's 5-0 loss to Liverpool on March 22. Five months later, Friedel made his most recent visit to Anfield a much more enjoyable one.

Friedel enjoyed a dream performance in helping Villa knock off his former club, making ten saves to give Aston Villa a 3-1 victory against the Reds on Monday.

The New England Revolution became the first MLS team since April to post a road victory at Qwest Field on Thursday night, riding a Shalrie Joseph goal to post a 1-0 upset of suddenly struggling Seattle.

Steve Ralston set up Joseph for a 21st minute finish to give the Revs their third win in five matches and pull New England to within three points of Colorado, Chivas USA and Toronto FC, the three teams currently holding the final MLS playoff spots.

Â

                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

If you were wondering whether Landon Donovan's recent hot streak was still intact heading into Wednesday's World Cup qualifier between the United States and Mexico, wonder no more.

By TRAVIS CLARK

With the MLS transfer window opening recently, a lot of moves have already been made as squads look for reinforcements to boost their playoff chances. Sometimes this means taking a risk on an overseas player who may struggle to adapt to the different demands of MLS.

By TRAVIS CLARK

With the MLS transfer window opening recently, a lot of moves have already been made as squads look for reinforcements to boost their playoff chances. Sometimes this means taking a risk on an overseas player who may struggle to adapt to the different demands of MLS.

Â

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

David Beckham's welcome home to the Home Depot Center was far from a warm one, but that didn't stop him from making an impact.

Â

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

David Beckham's welcome home to the Home Depot Center was far from a warm one, but that didn't stop him from making an impact.

(The Chicago Fire booked its place in the 2009 SuperLiga Final on Wednesday with it's 2-1 victory against an injury-depleted New England side. The Fire will now face Tigres in the final on Aug. 5. SBI correspondent was at the semifinal and gives us his report on the match.)

Â

By CARL SETTERLUND

In soccer terms, being on the wrong side of thirty is an indicator that a player is in decline and can't quite have the effect on the game that they used to.

(The Chicago Fire booked its place in the 2009 SuperLiga Final on Wednesday with it's 2-1 victory against an injury-depleted New England side. The Fire will now face Tigres in the final on Aug. 5. SBI correspondent was at the semifinal and gives us his report on the match.)

Â

By CARL SETTERLUND

In soccer terms, being on the wrong side of thirty is an indicator that a player is in decline and can't quite have the effect on the game that they used to.

By CARL SETTERLUND

It was a historic day for the New England Revolution and a forgettable one for the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.

Taylor Twellman (100 goals), Jay Heaps (300 appearances) and Matt Reis all reached major career milestones in a game where it really seemed like a healthy Revs squad could recapture that magic of yesteryear that's helped them to so many memorable seasons.

By CARL SETTERLUND

It was a historic day for the New England Revolution and a forgettable one for the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.

Taylor Twellman (100 goals), Jay Heaps (300 appearances) and Matt Reis all reached major career milestones in a game where it really seemed like a healthy Revs squad could recapture that magic of yesteryear that's helped them to so many memorable seasons.

New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman made the most of his first start of the MLS season, scoring two goals, including his 100th career goal, to help the Revs beat the New York Red Bulls, 4-0, on Sunday. The performance earned Twellman MLS Player of the Week honors.

Twellman became the youngest player to score 100 goals (29 years, 100 days) and scored 100 in the fastest time (174 games).