Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

Sporting Kansas City's attack has proven to be just fine without Designated Player Omar Bravo, and the club may have to maintain its level of play without him for Sunday's MLS Eastern Conference final against the Houston Dynamo.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Oct 27, 2011) US Soccer Players -- In this edition, Tony asks about Steve Nicol, Chuck Blazer, what #6 for the Cosmos can do about the offside law, and if Chris Wondolowski has a chance to break the MLS record for most goals scored in a three consecutive seasons. Can you name two former Boston area coaches/managers who will have no trouble getting a job either in broadcasting.

A month ago I wrote an article on why it would be best if Steve Nicol left New England. The plan was to publish it into the off-season and have the conversations that came with it then. Yesterday, I deleted that article because the Revolution beat me to it. Rightfully so. It was time for Steve Nicol to leave the club he lead for an MLS record ten years.

At first if you don't succeed, try, and try again.

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Chad Barrett must have been uttering those words at halftime of LA's Superclasico matchup against Chivas USA. The Galaxy forward had numerous chances in the first half, but it wasn't until the 53rd minute when Barrett finally broke through, as his header off an Adam Cristman cross finally found the back of the net, and that strike was all Los Angeles needed to hold off Chivas USA on Sunday evening at the Home Depot Center.

The Philadelphia Union have an opportunity, on Saturday, to clinch the franchise's first ever playoff birth. Here's how the team can capitalize on its success and reach the playoffs (via PhiladelphiaUnion.com):

Philadelphia Union will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:

· They defeat Toronto FC (Oct.

It's a good thing the Galaxy have wrapped up the Supporters' Shield, right, with two MLS games remaining before the playoffs start in the first week of October because the word out of Europe this morning is that striker Robbie Keane could be out four weeks, which would have him returning for the Galaxy right around the time they open their playoff campaign.

*Staggering Seattle fell short of the MLS finish line Saturday, missing their three leading scorers, falling 2-0 to the Philadelphia Union and handing the Galaxy their second straight Supporters' Shield.

The title capture was all but inevitable anyway for the Galaxy, who may have finished the season tired and depleted, but they outlasted the rest of MLS to make Sunday's penultimate game of the season against Chivas USA in Carson a coronation rather than confirmation of the rightful MLS champions.

Seattle had an answer for the few riddles Chicago threw at it. The Fire could have given up 3 or 4 goals as the Sounders hit the post twice on offense. That isn't to say Sean Johnson had a poor night. In fact, he made six saves overall including some lightning fast reflex moves we have come to expect but are still extraordinary.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure that when Don Garber gave the greenlight for the league's current playoff system, he didn't honestly envision that 17 teams would remain mathematically alive for the postseason on September 29th.

Think about that for a second. In addition to Seattle, Salt Lake, and Dallas, the five-win Revolution, six-win Toronto, and six-win San Jose, despite their horrid records and overwhelmingly disappointing form this season, are all eligible for the playoffs right now.

When the Chicago Fire take on Real Salt Lake tonight at 8:00 PM CST at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, both teams will take the field having won four of their last five games. RSL was on a 5-game winning streak before losing to D.C. United 4-1 on Saturday. The Fire have two 2-game winning streaks with an embarrassing loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the middle.

Fire defender Dan Gargan -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire have reached a double-digit winless streak for a second time this season. They are in dire need of a positive outcome when they host Toronto FC on Sunday at Toyota Park.
The Fire are in the midst of a 0-3-7 stretch -- the longest winless streak since they posted a 0-4-7 record from April 9 through June 9.

Omar Cummings tees up a shot during the Rapids home clash with Chivas in 2010. (Photograph by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

The Colorado Rapids start the final eight games of the MLS season secure in a playoff position and tangling with one of the teams chasing them, Chivas USA.

This alone makes the Saturday night clash at Dick's Sporting Goods Park intriguing, but add in the Goats' latest signing, the return of a former Rapid and the potential to watch an endurance record, and the storyline gets a little overwhelming without even mentioning CONCACAF Champions League play.

Photo by Daveblog

In the land of draws, the Chicago Fire are kings.

Last night, La Maquina Roja looked well on their way to their third win of the season after dominating DC United at home for about 70 minutes. Sebastian Grazzini had given the home side the lead early in the second half and United's attack looked spent.

Sebastian Grazzini -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire enjoyed a lead for less than 15 minutes against D.C. United on Thursday. Then in typical Fire fashion this season, Chicago allowed a second-half equalizer and played to a 1-1 draw in front of 15,818 at Toyota Park.

The Chicago Fire will continue their quest to try to shatter the record for MLS draws in a season under the bright lights of prime time on ESPN2 tonight. Having just tied the MLS record of 14 ties, set just last year by FC Dallas, it's a good bet to assume the Fire will surpass that mark by a sizable margin.

Patrick Nyarko (left) -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire had a rare halftime lead on the New York Red Bulls. But as the trend has been all season, Chicago had to settle for a 2-2 draw on Saturday as the Fire tied an MLS record with their 14th stalemate of the season at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.

Jozy Altidore has said that details are being finalized on a transfer to AZ Alkmaar of the Dutch Honor Division. An announcement could come next week. Former U.S. international and 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Earnie Stewart is the Director of Football at AZ.
Signed by Villarreal in 2008 for for an MLS record fee thought to be around the $10 million mark, Altidore has had loan stints at Xerez in Spain, Hull City in the English Premier League and Bursaspor in Turkey.

This one was always going to be difficult. With the Red Bulls missing both starting forwards (Henry and Rodgers), their main striking option off the bench (Agudelo) and the central defensive tandem of Marquez and Ream, getting the full three points in Seattle was a tall order. Factor in an MLS record crowd of 46,505 and relatively short rest after Sunday's wild 3-3 slug fest in Portland and even a draw may have been a lot to ask.

Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

Having lost five straight games in all competitions while watching its MLS record fall to 3-7-4, the New England Revolution, it's safe to say, has fallen on hard times.

The Revolution has scored just three goals in its last eight games while allowing 14.

Chicago Fire Press Release

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will honor Fire Original CJ Brown when the 13-year Fire defender returns to TOYOTA PARK for the Chicago Fire - Real Salt Lake game on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT (My50). Brown currently serves as an assistant coach for Real Salt Lake.

Two teams in red, the home side Portland Timbers and the visiting Colorado Rapids, put the throttle to the floor and did not relent for 90-plus minutes on Saturday night.

Finally, in stoppage time, the Rapids found a goal. Following two great saves from Troy Perkins, Drew Moor rushed in to deliver a dagger that finished the Timbers 1-0 and snapped an MLS-record of six ties.

Colorado set an MLS record with its sixth consecutive draw on Saturday night, a mark that is neither dubious nor wondrous. Instead, it is the sort of miasmatic milestone that is coming to define the Rapids defense of the 2010 MLS Cup.

Colorado had the better of possession during the night and took the lead in the 63rd minute on Conor Casey's cheeky chip from the penalty spot of Faryd Mondragon.

The injured Rapids take put their 7 game unbeaten run on the line against the Philadelphia Union tomorrow night at the Dick. Of course they haven't won in 5 games, so a draw tomorrow would reportedly set the MLS record with 6 in a row. Kickoff tomorrow is at 7 and in honor of Philly being in town Class VI and the Pid Army will be supplying cheesesteaks at the tailgate.

The two best teams in MLS met Wednesday in the latest installment of the Rocky Mountain Cup. This game matched up the past two MLS Cup champions and like four of the previous six games between these two rivals, was decided by a goal scored after the 88th minute.

In the third minute of second half stoppage time, a foul gave RSL a free-kick 25 yards out.

Even with players away on international action this weekend there was still a full slate of MLS games. The headline game was the match between RSL and the LA Galaxy, which RSL easily one. At the other end of the table, the Columbus Crew are still winless to begin the season.

Real Salt Lake 4 LA Galaxy 1
Javier Morales scored twice and added an assist as Real Salt Lake strolled bast the LA Galaxy.

By JOSE M. ROMERO

There was no stopping Chris Wondolowski for two straight games, as FC Dallas saw Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park.

Wondolowski, the 2010 MLS Golden Boot winner with 18 goals, scored the season's first two for the San Jose Earthquakes in their 2-0 win over FC Dallas, a battle of two of last season's playoff teams.

According to published reports, Liverpool FC are interested in acquiring former New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey as part of a deal that would send former Fulham defender Paul Konchesky back to Craven Cottage in exchange.

Clint Dempsey was sold by the New England Revolution to Fulham FC in 2006 for a then MLS record $4 million transfer fee.

Major League Soccer's annual draft unfolds tomorrow. There will be game changers taken early who will meet expectations, there will be a few busts to giggle about and there will surely be solid role players aplenty plucked from the college and amateur ranks. Nothing new there.

But something is likely to happen tomorrow that is unprecedented in MLS draft history.