Man, did I love buying hockey cards as a kid. I'd take my 35 cents, run over to the corner store, and open those bad boys up. After stupid things like inflation and market saturation, my beautiful card collection's value sunk like a stone. I still have them (if interested, inquire within) but some of the cards are, effectively worthless.

BREAKING NEWS:
LA Galaxy starting forward Chad Barrett suffered a dislocated ankle in training today and will miss the MLS Cup Final.
STARTERS
Official MLS Best 11 for 2011:
Kasey Keller - Seattle
Jamison Olave - Salt Lake
Omar Gonzalez - LA
Todd Dunivant - LA
Landon Donovan - LA
Brek Shea - Dallas
Brad Davis - Houston
David Beckham - LA
Chris Wondolowski - San Jose
Dwayne DeRosario - DC
Thierry Henry - New York
-7 of 11 are American
dN
Soccer By Ives announced their 2011 MLS Best XI.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced the league's Best XI on Thursday, and a number of familiar names appear on the list of honorees.

Landon Donovan, Jamison Olave, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Wondolowski and Dwayne De Rosario are all repeat Best XI performers from 2010; however, a number of players garnered Best XI honors for the first time, including retired Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Designated Players Thierry Henry and David Beckham.

During his State of the League teleconference on Thursday, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber named the MLS Best XI for 2011. GK: Kasey Keller (Seattle) DEF: Todd Dunivant (Los Angeles), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Jamison Olave (Salt Lake) MID: David Beckham (Los Angeles), Brad Davis (Houston), Dwayne De Rosario (DC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles) FOR: Thierry Henry (New York)

A little wrong...and very wrong. (Remember, we're all about accountability to predictions here.)

Becks playoff performance in Game 2 against Red Bulls the key to LA's Cup march...

The Los Angeles Galaxy (4 to 1) was one of TSG's odds-on favorites to win the MLS Cup. They trailed however the Sounders.

The two strongest teams in MLS over the past three seasons square off tonight for a chance to play in the 2011 MLS Cup Final as the Los Angeles Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake at Home Depot Center (9pm, ESPN).

The Galaxy come in as Supporters Shields winners and the favorites against an RSL side that struggled late in the regular season, but showed against Seattle in the playoffs that they were back to the form that helped them reach the CONCACAF Champions League Final last spring.

By AVI CREDITOR

If there's a theme prevalent throughout the last round of the MLS postseason, it's that proficiency off of dead-ball situations has been vital to staying alive.

Out of the four remaining teams, only Real Salt Lake has yet to benefit from a set piece during its playoff run.

Real Salt Lake carried a three goal lead into the second leg against the Seattle Sounders and they would need the whole thing before the end of the night. Seattle attacked from the first whistle and kept pressure on RSL until the final whistle. The home team controlled the game and almost all of the possession but were held back by some early injuries.

No Olave, No BorchersReal Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders squared off in what had to be one of the more exciting playoff matches in recent years. Those on the east coast who stayed up and those on around the country who watched bore witness to a near astounding comeback by Seattle that fell just short of triumphant.

Our various writers here had a little discussion about what lineup changes we'd want to see. The thought was to make a lineup card for you that would show a Sounder at Heart preferred lineup and a Real Salt Lake likely lineup due to the injuries to Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers. With Jason Kreis not sharing the status of those two besides the decision being held until tonight their side of the card would be incomplete.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

You might have noticed, but there are three other playoff series going on besides Philadelphia Union's face-off with Houston. Normally, we might not watch them, but each series has high entertainment value, for different reasons in each case.

Here's a quick preview of the three.

After the Saturday three-nil loss the game is merely at halftime. Leg two involves odds stacked against Seattle, but there are a few reasons for hope. While the Seattle Sounders will have to change things up tactically, changes are being forced on Real Salt Lake Coach Jason Kreis by injuries to the best center defensive pairing in MLS.

There's no good way of putting this: The Seattle Sounders are in a ridiculously deep hole right now. How deep? Since Major League Soccer went to its current playoff format in 2003, no team has ever trailed by three goals and only seven teams have trailed by two after the first leg. Heck, only eight teams have ever trailed by three goals at any point in the entire two-legged conference semifinals.

Fantastic weekend of footie:

• MLS Playoff Odds

Big changes in the little schematic we put together last week:

• Seattle Sounders (now: 12 to 1) vs. Real Salt Lake (remains 6 to 1)

Beckerman wants you to believe...

Mauro Rosales are no Mauro Rosales, Seattle now looks dusted.

So here we are again. First round of the playoffs after a exciting season. The Seattle Sounders get a tough draw and proceed to get schooled like an earnest, but inexperienced freshmen. Sure, Real Salt Lake has been one of the best, if not the best, team in the league since they won the MLS Cup in 2009.

With the red cards, penalties and an own goal in the last two matches there isn't much that can be taken from the previous two meetings between these sides. Even the issue with the 2010 contests has been addressed, as the Seattle Sounders substitution patterns have dramatically improved in 2011 over previous season.

After Sammy Ochoa's Pemco goal against Chivas USA last week it seems like the Seattle Sounders have a bit of a battle for that second forward role. Just a week ago the case was made that their roles are different enough that the start v sub decision should be more about tactical options than one player being "better.

I visit my neighborhood Whole Foods almost every day. And when I stand at the store's overly complex recycling labyrinth, straining to make the most Earth friendly decisions on its flummoxing array of choices, it really is one of the hardest things I do every day.

Then again, I don't have to vote on Major League Soccer's MVP and other awards every day.

Noel Butler of TSN writes of how Montreal Impact Head Coach Jesse Marsch is quickly making his mark with Major League Soccer's newest franchise.
As the Montreal Impact's 11th hour - but ultimately unfruitful - challenge for an NASL playoff spot was unfolding all the while and behind the scenes the football brain trust led by head coach Jesse Marsch was sowing the club's MLS seeds.

We'll be back to programming shortly. Internet connectivity issues at TSG's new locale as well as some corporate announcements shortly.

Donovan, out of action for the Nats...

• Banged up World Cup alums: Landon Donovan, Jonathan Spector

Landon Donovan out for the latest USMNT camp kicking off this week.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 15, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.

For Real Salt Lake the trip to Seattle will always remind them of their greatest win in history. Luckily for Seattle Sounders fans, it had nothing to do with the team in Rave Green. Besides that neutral pitch win, RSL has struggled with things Seattle with the Sounders earning 8 points in 5 previous meetings.

Fortune favors the Seattle Sounders as they have the opportunity to put themselves ahead of Real Salt Lake on the first tie breaker with even just a tie. In the last meeting Seattle ended the Utah side's home unbeaten streak, which should be good news when facing a team that is poor on the road (12 points in 11 matches).

After a very long delay in Philadelphia Union games thanks to Hurricane Irene (seriously, the last Union match was August 20), our boys in blue and gold are back as the Philadelphia Union (8-6-10) are making the trip to Sandy, Utah for a date with Real Salt Lake (11-7-6). Kickoff at Rio Tinto Stadium is scheduled for 9:06:30 PM ET.

Denz of RSL SoapBox, SB Nation's Real Salt Lake blog, and I exchanged three questions a piece ahead of tonight's Union-RSL match at Rio Tinto. Read my responses to Denz's questions by clicking on the linked text here.

tBG: What has sent RSL into such a freefall (though that may be hyperbole)?

The Setup after the Red Card to Borchers
Salt Lake welcomed Jamison Olave back into their defense after returning from an injury in the all-star match. Chivas USA was coming off a tough midweek loss in Portland and needed to take the home three points to push towards a playoff spot.
Two Early Defensive Errors In the 11th minute, Jazic played a chipped, blind back pass that was intended for Junior Lopes.

Photo by Don Feria/ISIPhotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

A rematch of the 2010 Eastern Conference final -- contested, of course, between two sides from the West -- highlights this weekend's MLS slate.

The struggling San Jose Earthquakes will look to jump back into the playoff hunt Saturday night by picking up the full three points at home against a Colorado team that is 3-0-1 in its past four.

Thierry Henry: A Picture of FrustrationIt's getting harder and harder to envision the New York Red Bulls as a playoff team, much less a contender for the 2011 MLS Cup. A season that began with the ridiculously grand vision of a Supporters Shield now seems destined to end in bitter disappointment for fans.

Each manager came into the match fearing his team was worn-out. Salt Lake was playing their third match in 8 days and had suffered a loss on Wednesday night in Kansas City. New York traveled to London and played games on Saturday and Sunday before making the trek back across the pond to Salt Lake City.

RSL's Setup:
Jason Kreis set RSL up in their usual 4-4-2. Schuler replaced the injured Olave and played left center back with Borchers at right center back. Wingert played left back and Beltran played right back. Beckerman played his usual spot in front of the back four and as RSL looked to him to get the attack moving forward.

Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

At this point in the season, losing a team's leading scorer could be devastating. However, Carlos Ruiz's abrupt exit from Philadelphia could bring on an exciting opportunity for young stars Danny Mwanga and Roger Torres.

It's back baby...

Maybe 6 or 7 months, more, since we did a spanning the weekend soccer globe.

Our first one in what seems like ages and upstaged by USSF and Sunil Gulati.

Lame. But off we go.

Friday

International U-20

• England vs.

It's back baby...

Maybe 6 or 7 months, more, since we did a spanning the weekend soccer globe.

Our first one in what seems like ages and upstaged by USSF and Sunil Gulati.

Lame. But off we go.

Friday

International U-20

• Argentina vs.

The MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena last night had the atmosphere and feeling of a big time sporting event. Despite the result, the game was a success for Major League Soccer. Here are four things we learned;

1. Major League Soccer has figured out how to put on a show of grand scale.

On Wednesday, the MLS All-Stars will play Manchester United looking for revenge after the humiliating defeat they suffered last year. The team of 32 was picked by the fans, players, Hans Backe and Don Garber. Only 22 will be available to play and Keeping a Clean Sheet feels that the most deserving squad will not be on display.

Jason Kreis had a message for Steve Nicol
One of the many criticisms of soccer is that it is boring and there is no scoring. No one said that about the match between the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake. This game had it all. Fans were treated to red cards, goals, referee mistakes, crossbars and player scuffles.

The New England Revolution will make an arduous Independence Day trip to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Monday. The Revs are winless in their last seven matches, going all the way back to a 1-0 home victory against Vancouver on May 14th. RSL, on the other hand, are starting to come out of a rough patch after beginning the season on fire but losing momentum due to injuries and Gold Cup absences.

Starting Line Ups

Fire

GK Johnson

D Anibaba, Cuesta, Gibbs, Segares

M Oduro, Paladini, Husidic, Nyarko

F Chaves, Barouch

Bench : Conway, Mikulic, Ristic, Bone, Pappa, Videira, Ferrari

RSL

GK Rimando

D Russell, Olave, Borchers, Beltran

M Grabavoy, Beckerman, Warner, Johnson

F Espindola, Aghasyan

Bench : Reynish, McKenzie, Schuler, Gil, Gonzalez, Williams, Toia

Belgrano: Olave; Turus, C. Pérez, Lollo y Tavio; Mansanelli, R. Rodríguez, Farré y Maldonado; Vázquez y Pereyra.
Ríver Plate: Carrizo; Ferrari, Ferrero, Román, Arano; Pereyra, Almeyda, Cirigliano, Lamela; Mauro Diaz y Funes Mori.
El historial general marca, sobre un total de 25 choques oficiales (24 AFA), 18 triunfos para River, 5 empates y 2 victorias de Belgrano.

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

So much for that league-wide scoring drought.

Many players turned in big fantasy outputs last week as scoring picked back up in MLS.

For some teams, it was even hard to tell that stars were missing.