Photo Credit: Alfonso Jimenez via Wikimedia Commons
Ever since Amado Guevara was shown the door, I've been clamoring for an actual #10 Creative Midfielder for our team - to absolutely no avail. That genius Bruce Arena (besides destroying our pretty good backline in 2007) saddled us with the perenially injured Claudio Reyna, who (as a defensive midfielder) was absolutely not the creative player we needed.

Rafael Marquez el delantero purepecha, en el partido contra San Luis fallo una jugada de gol de manera tan horrenda como el uniforme tipo otzo de los Monarcas Morelia, juzgue usted,fino y apreciado lector.

Don't forget today is the last day to pre-order the 2012 edition of the Sounder At Heart official Scarf. There's one problem, today is the last day you can pre-order the scarfs. Time is up at Noon, which is a half hour from now.

With training camps starting to fire up across Major League Soccer, that means more news is going to start rolling in and that means the official return of Major Link Soccer.

Former Barcelona defender and current New York Red Bulls player Rafael Marquez has hit the streets for Red Bull literally. The Mexican international took to the streets of Mexico City to show off his accuracy and football talent as he performed trick shots throughout the capital.

Check out the video below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

American players are not the only ones going abroad for training stints during the MLS offseason.

In an effort to keep sharp and maintain fitness, Rafael Marquez has begun practicing with Barcelona B.

After witnessing Manchester United defeat against Blackburn Rovers for our New Year's Eve match, I would touch on another significant matter to the football world, the opening of the transfer window....
Continue to the full story

Solér Speaks, FinallySince the New York Red Bulls were knocked out of the MLS playoffs by the Los Angeles Galaxy back in November, almost all of the news coming out of Harrison has been about players departing. First a large chunk of the reserve team was let go, then the club cut loose a group of veterans that included Chris Albright, Bouna Coundoul and Carlos Mendes in the re-entry draft.

Hay comerciales que imitan a los mejores como Rafael Marquez dejando en evidencia ser una copia del bromista frances Reimi Galliard.
Pues hay quienes de algo ya hecho le dan un pequeño giro como Lassi Hurskainen y sus Angry Birds de futbol soccer, por lo menos se ve que realmente se estan divirtiendo.

A couple weeks ago, I put up the New York Red Bulls roster prior to the beginning of the off-season. Mr. Soler and Mr. Backe have been busy since then, and over at our facebook page, members of the Viper's Nest Editorial Board have been clamoring for an updated post to sum up the salary and roster ramifications of the moves thus far.

THE WORLD IS CHANGING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES
Mexico has dropped captain Rafael Marquez from the national team this week after his 3 game suspension in MLS after he threw a ball at Landon Donovan, started a brawl and then pretended he got hit in the face. Karma's a bitch.
And as many times as I have found the Mexican football federation to be poor in their judgement, they need praise for doing the right thing this time.

With the expansion draft just two weeks away, Red Bulls fans are debating the merits of who to protect and who to expose. Presented below, to assist in the discussion, is the current Red Bulls roster and salaries, according to the MLS Players Union website.

Name

Player Des.

BY ADAM SERRANO

Throughout the last three years, the Los Angeles Galaxy have experience in dealing with the pressures of important games and in order to bypass the New York Red Bulls on Thursday (11pm EST, ESPN2), they will need all the cunning at their disposal.

Alexi Lalas MLS blog: Why madman Marquez would still have a place in my team

Welcome to MirrorFootball's new MLS blog, brought to you in conjunction with ESPN. Every week USA legend Alexi Lalas will be on hand to bring you the latest news from the States, and you'll also be able to watch the week's best goals and highlights.

En el mundial 2010
la selección estaba llena de pelones
aun así no salieron campeones

Primero vamos por partes
el capitan es Rafael Marquez

Alguno se creia artista
en realidad,era el Bofo Bautista
Por eso la flaca en esta ocasión
se lo llevo por estar pelón

Aguirre te habías tardado
en meter Andres Guardado
A Javier le dijo esperame tantito
el mejor de todos es Chicharito

jóvenes viajaron a la copa
casi los dejaron sin ropa
todo por ir Argentina
y a unas chicas en la tina

Después llego Fernando Tena
que solo fue a dar pena

la calaca se los quiere llevar
a todos por su mal andar
pero entonces llego un loro
y México se llevo el oro

La catrina se pudo triste
el tri le conto un chiste

La FMF grito en la torre
y contrato al Chepo De la Torre
por esta los voy a dejar pasar
porque el tri empezara a Ganar

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA JUNE 27: The Mexico team line up for a group photo prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between Argentina and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 27, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Red Bulls misinterpret the phrase, "Show some fight, boys." Felled by an air punch after the final whistle, Rafael Marquez pulled off an Academy Award-worthy performance, while Stephen Keel (hand on face) boringly falls from an actual punch.

The L.A. Galaxy takes to the pitch Thursday night at home (11 p.

A single goal set up by David Beckham and slammed home by Mike Magee saw the Los Angeles Galaxy overcome the New York Red Bulls in the first round of the two leg conference semifinals. The conditions at the stadium were very cold (the East Coast just had their snow storm) but the match ended up being quite fiery.

Tempers flared as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at Red Bull Arena, in their Western Conference semi-final first leg match.

Mike Magee's early goal off a cross from David Beckham was enough to give the Galaxy the win, and they only need a draw at home on Thursday to progress to the Conference Finals.

Mike Magee's first half goal was enough to see LA Galaxy 1-0 winners over New York Red Bulls in last nights 1st leg play-off a slushy Red Bull Arena last night.

However the tie was marred by a fight after the final whistle as both Rafael Marquez and Juninho were shown red cards ruling them out of the return leg later this week.

Watching Major League Soccer highlights last night one might think hockey season broke out. Sporting KC's Kei Kamara mixing it up against Matt Pickens and the Colorado Rapids was the nightcap, but the undercard in the early evening proved to be the most compelling.
The American soccer world is buzzing about the post-game handbags between New York Red Bulls Rafael Marquez and LA Galaxy's Juninho.

Watching Major League Soccer highlights last night one might think hockey season broke out. Sporting KC's Kei Kamara mixing it up against Matt Pickens and the Colorado Rapids was the nightcap, but the undercard in the early evening proved to be the most compelling.
The American soccer world is buzzing about the post-game handbags between New York Red Bulls Rafael Marquez and LA Galaxy's Juninho.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

In a match that was billed as a great Eastern Conference showdown with both teams having plenty to play for, the New York Red Bulls dominated the Union with a 1-0 scoreline that could have been far more lopsided in favor of the hosts. A choppy game throughout, made worse by the poor nature of the playing surface, the Red Bulls bossed the game from the opening whistle, and captured a spot in the 2011 playoffs with a well deserved victory on a chilly Thursday night at Red Bull Arena.

Despite a season that will most likely go down as one of the biggest disappointments in American sports history, the New York Red Bulls (NYRB) will have head coach Hans Backe stay for the 2012 MLS season, according to General Manager (GM) Eric Soler.

New York Daily News sports writer Stefan Bondy tweeted that Soler told him that Backe "will return next season regardless of if the team qualifies for the playoffs.

After 4 years with L A Galaxy, David Beckham's career in the MLS will be coming to an end at the end of this season that is assuming that the Los Angeles based outfit does not offer him a new contract.

Beckham is in his final year of his multi million dollar contract with Galaxy and this has led to a scramble for his signature among Europe's elite clubs with the likes of PSG, Tottenham and Queen's Park Rangers all in the race to sign him.

Looks like we've got another long break ahead of us. The Next time the Timbers play will be next Friday. Unfortunately, this also gives teams like the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United and, as we saw last night, the New York Red Bulls a chance to pull ahead in the standings.

So what are the Timbers doing during this break?

It's a season defining couple of weeks for the Sounders. Thankfully, they managed to get the party started right by securing a spot in the elimination rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League. The 2-2 tie against Comunicaciones gives them some breathing room with a rough travel schedule to end the season.

"The Champagne of MLS Clubs"TORONTO (16th) VS. NEW YORK (10th)
　
BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 7:30 PM EDT
TV: TSN2 RADIO: FAN 590
　
THE KICKABOUT:
After the shock passed over Dwayne De Rosario's trade to New York this past spring, most TFC supporters scanned the calendar and circled October 1st as a must-see match.

Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

Saturday's showdown between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas may be a rematch of last year's MLS Cup, but neither team has looked anything like a title contender lately.

Dallas is 0-6-1 in its past seven matches in all competitions, while Colorado has gone 0-5-1 in six games.

What else can be said about this debacle. It was yet another must win situation that our team managed not to win. Goalkeeper Frank Rost was probably wishing he was back in Germany (enjoying his retirement), after getting shelled for 3 goals in the 21 opening minutes. Another set piece our team couldn't defend, another classic Tim Ream gaffe and another forward waltzing right through our defenders.

Their Words But it was in the perfect location on sunny days with the mountains in the background, and on game day, it had the best atmosphere. Vancouver Whitecaps ambassador Carl Valentine, who played at Empire Stadium in the North American Soccer League era. Other Sources Red Bulls' investment in Rafael Marquez proves to be huge mistake - from SI.

I am as perplexed as anyone about the verbal grenade Rafael Marquez tossed into the Red Bulls locker room two nights ago. It demonstrated a stunning lack of self-awareness on several levels.

After Real Salt Lake sliced up, chewed on and spit out the Red Bulls back line in a 3-1 win in New Jersey, Marquez essentially said that he's very good, his teammates aren't and there isn't much he can do about it.

At the end of a stressful work week spent on the road I like to take a moment to go over the things that I love about Seattle. I love living in city where the people are friendly and even the view from the C-Link parking lot can take your breath away. I love that no matter where I am in the city I'm about five minutes away from a good local coffee shop.

As the soccer world goes bonkers over rumours and speculation while the European Transfer Deadline goes down to the wire, I'm sure I'm not alone among Red Bulls supporters as I reflect upon the current state of our squad and the transfers that have played their part in turning a season of promise to one of frustration and dismay.

Photo credit: Daily Harrison
Good afternoon! It's another beautiful day here in Red Bulls Land and it's do-or-die time for our favorite team. Yes - today RBNY finds itself tied for 5th place in the Eastern Conference with non other than DC United. Also, a couple of teams that were way behind the Red Bulls (Houston & KC), are now ahead in the Eastern Conference standings.

Photo credit: Daily Harrison
Good afternoon! It's another beautiful day here in Red Bulls Land and it's do-or-die time for our favorite team. Yes - today RBNY finds itself tied for 5th place in the Eastern Conference with non other than DC United. Also, a couple of teams that were way behind the Red Bulls (Houston & KC), are now ahead in the Eastern Conference standings.

It's been a summer marred by disappointment for U.S. Soccer. Most notably there was the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final collapse against Mexico by the U.S. Men's National Team and the loss to Japan in the Women's World Cup Final by the U.S. Women's National Team.

But while those two defeats may have garnered the most attention, the youth national teams on the men's side were also falling well short of expectations.

Philadelphia Union manager Piotr Nowak is one of the best coaching minds in Major League Soccer. The former Polish international knows what is needed to achieve success in MLS. Nowak knows how to recognize talent and make players fit into his system.
After a tough inaugural season, the Union is right up with the best clubs in the Eastern Conference.

Good morning everyone and a happy belated 4th of July. The Seattle Sounders played the LA Galaxy to a 0-0 tie this weekend and were a bit unlucky not to get the full three points. Young LA goalkeeper Brian Perk did well in his first MLS game to keep a clean sheet including a good PK save against Fredy Montero.

"The Champagne of Football Clubs"NEW YORK (6TH) VS. TORONTO (16TH)
　
RED BULL ARENA - WEDNESDAY 8PM ET
TV: TSN
　
THE KICKABOUT:
- Can TFC extend the momentum from their Vancouver double into Red Bull Arena?

Photo by Daniel Studio Photo

Philadelphia Union manager Piotr Nowak is one of the best coaching minds in Major League Soccer. The former Polish international knows what is needed to achieve success in MLS. Nowak knows how to recognize talent and make players fit into his system.

In the last 10 games the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls have played this season, there has only been one loss. That would be New York's 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Sounders. Otherwise both teams can claim all sorts of 'unbeatenness'. Typical of the 2011 MLS season, only 2 of those 9 unbeaten marks have been wins.