Supplemental Draft

The MLS Supplemental Draft takes place at 2pm ET today. There is plenty of talent available this year since the SuperDraft was shortened to two rounds. The Union have the 13th selection.

Local club Reading United AC have five players near the top of the Supplemental Draft class: UPenn midfielder Christian Barreiro, Delaware winger Evans Frimpong, Virginia forward Brian Ownby, West Virginia defender Eric Schoenle and Creighton keeper Brian Holt.

14. D.C. UNITED
The most successful franchise in the early years of MLS has struggled mightily to find a better stadium situation than it currently has at RFK, and the ongoing frustrations in the nation's capital have caused United to consider perhaps moving to Baltimore. Out-of-town owner Will Chang may or may not be committed for the long haul, and the club is trying to start over from scratch on the field under coach Ben Olsen.

The annual MLS State of the League audio conference, held prior to the MLS Cup, is usually good for some news and gossip from the MLS league office. This year's conference was no different, as The Commish touched on the ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

File this under "This can't be good" for D.C. United fans: MLS has survey to gauge interest in Baltimore Craig Stouffer Cheers & Jeers Washington Examiner
I would guess the only thing worse than losing the most championed team in MLS history would be to have them move about an hour away to a rival sports city.

Busy final regular season in Major League Soccer, but before we get to the attendance numbers, here are some quick hits from the weekend. First, the big story on Friday was the Fox and Telemudno victories in securing the 2018 and 2022 US World Cup bids. The total bid price was approximately one billion dollars.

Busy weekend in Major League Soccer with the regular season winding down and the playoffs just a few days away. The attendance story for the week is the juggernaut in Seattle, which saw more than 62,000 for Kasey Keller's sendoff match. Sales were buttressed by a multi-game package that included this game, but the total sales are extremely impressive.

On September 24th D.C. United had an impressive showing against a somewhat second team squad of Real Salt Lake but the result was exactly what United needed - 3 points.
The Black and Red seemed poised to make a strong playoff push down the stretch of the 2011 MLS season however the ensuing road trip saw United lose to Eastern Conference and I-95 rivals Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew just three days later failing to collect a single point.

On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, the Chicago Fire will take the field in Seattle in their quest to claim a historic fifth U.S. Open Cup title. A fifth title would bring the Fire into a tie for the most U.S. Open Cups titles ever. The Seattle Sounders will be looking for their own history as a win for them would mean 3 U.

I wrote recently that the MVP chase in Major League Soccer is a slippery, elusive beast. Things tend to shift quickly in this thing, I wrote.

So, I'll try not to bust my arm patting myself on the back for this one, but, uh ... nailed it!

Two weeks ago, Dwayne De Rosario was an "also ran" at best in the MVP sweepstakes.

Just when you thought all hope was lost, New York goes out and does this. A win, honest to God, a win. For the first time since the July 6th drubbing of TFC, the Red Bulls claimed all three points and boy did it feel good. Granted, it got a bit nervy there and it wasn't the pretty display by any stretch of the imagination, but isn't that what it's all about?

None of the MLS post-season awards are as fluid as the league's Most Valuable Player race.

Brek Shea may be the flavor of the moment, and rightly so. But if the young attacker "hits the wall," as they say, he could slide like a puppy on a slick tile floor.

Mauro Rosales (the biggest bargain in MLS – scroll to the bottom once you link to the piece) is toting the note for Seattle's attack as his Seattle nip annoyingly at the Galaxy heals in the West.

Dwayne right? Thought we recognized you.IN THE TUNNEL:
Days after successfully qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League group stages, Toronto travels to the nation's capital - that nation, not this one. Optimism has slowly started to creep in to TFC land as the new additions from Aron Winter's "Super Summer Transfer Blowout" have started to show their worth.

That was bizarre. Not just clown showing up at a bachelor party bizarre, but a clown shows up a bachelor party and is really the thought to be dead ex-wife of the groom bizarre.

Toronto and D.C. played to a 3-3 draw that may have been the strangest game at RFK ever. After 90 minutes, a butt-load of stoppage time, and 6 goals, I'm not even sure what happened.

On Tuesday at RFK Stadium D.C. United hosted local coaches for an Open Practice and Coaches Clinic. Hundreds of coaches enjoyed a day that included observing an actual United practice session, free...
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Quick note before we dive into our usual "Monday After" updates. The rest of the week will be devoted to the All-Star Game from Red Bull Arena. I will be at the game on Wednesday night and at some of the events leading up to the match. Lots of important business goes on at the ASG and I will do my best to document what I can.

STARTERS
Brian Sciaretta of Yanks Abroad reports that Alejandro Bedoya has signed a contract with Rangers in which he will move to that club in January when his current contract expires with Orebro.
dN
Unholy Faceplant Batman - Seattle gave up SIX second half goals and lost 0-7 to Manchester United last night.

Will all of Aron Winter's work pay off tonight against Dallas? (Getty Images)

You can thank SUM for the large amounts of midweek games this week. All the international friendlies pushed for a big Wednesday night in MLS with five league games. Yup, five of them. For the most part a couple of them sound pretty good too and will have some playoff implication surrounding them.

22,200 fans came to The Cathedral of Football on Saturday night to see what should have been a classic derby match. With the rich history between RBNY and DC United, a 4-0 thrashing by the Bulls at RFK earlier this season, and the midweek 5-0 destruction of Toronto FC, the potential for an entertaining, dynamic 90 minutes was in the air.

Ruiz – Confession of a FANatic | Union Dues
So some Spanish language media reports that Carlos Ruiz was in Mexico. Now it is certainly no secret that I have very publicly not been a fan of the Guatemalan. So when I was reading the story something inside started to stir. My reaction to the news surprised me.

League leading scorer Charlie Davies and DC United are licking their chops as they are set to take on the Eastern Conference leaders, the Philadelphia Union tomorrow night at RFK, as it will be the Black and Red debut for ...

Big weekend for soccer in the United States with the Gold Cup Final, kick off of the Women's World Cup and regular MLS action around the country. This includes the odd decision to run a number of MLS matches while the Gold Cup Final was going forward in California.

All 32 matches of the Women's World cup will be televised in HD on the ESPN family of networks.

GOLD CUP at RFK on Soccer Nation Soccer News, Youth Soccer, Pro Soccer, Club Soccer, Soccer Training
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Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican national team had not allowed a goal in the group stage of the Gold Cup, but Sunday at RFK against the United States, the Jamaicans once again could not beat the United States, falling 2-0 to the US. Thomas captained the Jamaican side as they took on the US. Overall Thomas actually had a solid game for Jamaica as their midfield was overrun at times in the first half, Thomas and LA Galaxy goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts helped to reorganize the back line to keep the US pressure off.

As the US prepares for its critical quarterfinal Gold Cup match tomorrow at RFK, Bob Bradley appeared calm and focused at the pre-game press conference when discussing his team's progress during the Gold Cup.

"The Gold Cup all along has been circled as the championship of our confederation, an opportunity to qualify for the Confederations Cup," said Bradley.

Tim Howard's organization skills will be called on again Sunday against the speed Jamaicans...

The tables are turned as the United States heads into its first knockout match of the 2011 Gold Cup.

Their opponent Jamaica arrives in DC with anindustrious upstart moniker similar to the one affixed to the Yanks at World Cup 2010.

Washington, D.C- Andy Najar got D.C. United on the scoreboard first on Andy Najar bobblehead night as United hosted San Jose Saturday night at RFK. There would be very little for the Black...
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Another busy soccer weekend here in the States, with MLS, WPS and Gold Cup action. Before we take a look at attendance, there are a couple of other stories worth noting. We'll start in Portland, where the Timbers have cut a great pair of commercials with their presenting sponsor Alaska Airlines.

In what was supposed to be a great homecoming for DC United, it turned out to leave a sour taste in the mouths of the home fans after they watched their beloved DC United give up four goals for the fourth time this season. Steven Lenhart picked apart a dire performance from the young back line as well as beating Bill Hamid to a ball in the air that the keeper should never have gone for to score 3 and assist on one.

STARTERS
My Stars will do their damnedest tonight to repay Puerto Rico for a bad loss 3 weeks ago. Lets go Stars.
dN
Motagua, Comunicaciones and Alajuelense have won the championships of Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica respectively. Huge congrats to all of them.

The weekend gave us some interesting talking points. Here are a few quick thoughts and some snap judgments on what the weekend did for MLS. Also below, a small preview for upcoming articles this week.
Injuries: This weekend represented another weekend where a league star went down with a broken bone in his leg.

Earlier this week we discussed the ongoing efforts at the MLS ticket sales center. Today we would take our semi-regular look at ticket promotions around the league. We'll start in Columbus, where the Crew are offering a contest promotion in conjunction with car rental giant Thrifty. Thrifty is the official airport parking partner of the team and they are offering a sweepstakes type promotion that provides fans the chance to win 12 tickets and a suite to a future Crew event.

Washington, D.C. (May 3, 2011) - D.C. United announced today that La Super Copa VI Final will be played at RFK Stadium on Saturday, May 7th. The game will take place immediately after D.C. United's match against FC Dallas, beginning at 7:30 pm ET.
This event will be played for the first time at RFK Stadium's Main Field and will bring different amateur champions from DC's Metropolitan area face to face.

1. Dax McCarty – DC's captain had the pressure put onto him by Branko Boskovic...that is until his injury. Now the responsibility of manning the midfield and driving the offense falls squarely onto McCarty's shoulders. With United's recent struggles and all the talk of this game being "vital" its likely we'll see a high work rate from Dax.

We continue to expand our coverage of American soccer culture with our series "Better Know a Supporters Group," just like Steven Colbert's "Better Know a District" from "The Colbert Report".
Our goal: to feature each of the MLS teams' supporters groups. We've sent e-mails to each and every SG in Major League Soccer and soon you'll be able to check all what each is all about and what awesomeness they have to contribute to our growing American soccer world.

Another great episode of this RBNY podcast. This week, Mark and Dave discuss the 4-0 thrashing of DC @RFK & preview tomorrow's home game against Sporting KC. Their guest this week is RBNY Defensive Midfielder extraordinaire Teemu Tainio. Bull & Cow of The Week & great listener email round off this must-listen episode.

Four weeks after sixteen on the area's top amateur adult teams kicked off La Super Copa VI, presented by Volkswagen, only two teams remain in the battle for the La Super Copa VI trophy, $5,000 grand prize and local bragging rights.
Full Story: Super Copa Final set for RFK

What was advertised as a huge match-up for the Atlantic Cup between East Coast MLS rivals D.C. United and New York Red Bulls quickly turned into a one sided drubbing at RFK.
Thierry Henry showed some early signs of things to come within the first 5 minutes as he went right at Chris Korb and gave the Red Bulls an early opportunity that ended with United goalkeeper Bill Hamid on the ground after a hard collision with Luke Rodgers.

Saturday's opponent is the old enemy, D.C. United. The Revs have played the team in the nation's capitol 54 times in the regular season, but they trail 21-25-8 all-time. Last season, the Revolution swept the series, beginning with a 2-0 week 2 victory at RFK on the strength of a Kenny Mansally brace.

As the dust settles on the memorable opening night at RFK, D.C. are now preparing to take on the New England Revolution.

Team updates, news, and links below.

The biggest question going into the next match will be how D.C. line-up at the back. After a strong first showing, there will be forced changes for Olsen to deal with.

With the recent release of the MLS Reserve League schedule it was time to put in your hands a schedule that shows all competitions in which the Sounders Senior, Reserve and Academy teams are participating this year. This sheet points out the 56 non-Academy games on the schedule with one more to be added for certain (Big Time Friendly).