GBS helped lead the Crew to a second straight Supporter's Shield trophy. (Getty Images)

We all expected big things in 2009 for the Columbus Crew. Anytime you win a MLS Cup and retain the bulk of a lineup that got you that title you expect to repeat or come extremely close to do so. As we saw last week the Crew fell short of that this year as they lost to Real Salt Lake at home in the semi-finals of the eastern conference.

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In case you didn't know, or hadn't read, the L.A. Galaxy have been a bit of a mess in the last couple years.
No longer.
Ex-USMNT coach Bruce Arena took over the job in August last year and given one full season he's turned them from a laughing stock to a title contender. For that reason, he's MLS coach of the year. Click to continue reading...

Fredy Montero leads the charge for the expansion Sounders. (Getty Images)

The playoffs are finally here and tonight they kickoff with a bang up in the Pacific Northwest as the Houston Dynamo travel to Qwest Field to face the Seattle Sounders FC in a big first leg western conference semi-final series.

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I haven't done interviews for a while. My full time job had been at its peak, but now with a slight tailing off and the Sounders in the Playoffs I hope to get you a few interviews.

First up is Steve Zakuani. Rookie of the Year candidate, fan favorite and a threat along that left side. We talked via phone and any errors in the conversation are due to my efforts at transcription.

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That line is from Sigi Schmid, but I think it relates to so many of us after this first season. I know it personally feels that way. Last night, with all of the pomp, with the win, it was one of my favorite days of my young life that didn't involve family (yes, [...] Click to continue reading...

It might be one of the easier categories to vote for, but the 2009 MLS coach of the year race has more than just one worthy candidate.

Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is the clear front-runner for the award, as he should be, but some other coaches have also enjoyed quality seasons.

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First off, sorry for not getting these posted earlier this morning. I had ever intention to do so but somehow I just never hit publish on this post. Second of all this week's rankings come with very little change at the top six or seven. Most of the clubs stayed right where they were at after week 29.

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Sigi Schmid has been a tremendous role model for coaches to follow, both on and off the field. José Miguel Romero of the Seattle Times sheds some insight into the man behind the success in Seattle.
For Sigi Schmid, life has been a series of challenges.
The Sounders FC coach faced each hurdle like a soccer opponent to be studied, dissected and conquered. Click to continue reading...

By TRAVIS CLARK

Another frenetic weekend of MLS action and it was a couple of road teams injecting a new look in the ever-clearing MLS playoff picture. Chivas USA and Seattle both improved their postseason credentials and chances with dramatic wins away from the comforts of home.

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Just a short post tonight. Man is it weird being back. The reporters are going nuts. Both Sean Michelle and Creepy Jose did retrospectives and interviews with me on the topic of coming back. From Sean Michelle's:

Schmid on the continued success of the Crew:
"I'm really happy for Robert (Warzycha).

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Well that was a real kick in the balls.

After dominating Saprissa for 91 minutes, holding a 1-0 lead for most of that, the Crew gave up a stoppage time goal and settled for a 1-1 draw with the Costa Ricans in last night's Champions League match.

To say that Columbus "gave up" the late goal is a little bit of a misnomer, because in actuality Saprissa stole it, fouling no less than two Crew players while trying frantically to get the ball into the net.

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The tough are apparently getting going. Remember when the season started, and the Crew neglected to beat anyone until May? Remember when the Crew ran into a Mexican cement truck at the end of August, then made a starring role in Richie Williams' audition tape?
The Crew's September schedule consisted of the other three top MLS teams, Cruz Azul, and Saprissa. Click to continue reading...

GBS is returning to MVP form, that is dangerous for everyone else. (Getty Images)

A full weekend is upon us here as we head into the final month of the season. Once again we have a weekend that has a lot of playoff implications from top to bottom. Can the spoilers like KC and San Jose step up and bring down some clubs gunning for the playoffs?

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Sigi Schmid has created a tremendous culture within the Seattle Sounders FC, and his players buy into what he is preaching.
A great example of this is Brad Evans - after returning from a stint with the US National team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, he found himself out of the lineup after Peter Vagenas had stepped into his role. Click to continue reading...

Great, great blog stuff gathered by Jose over at The Times. Apparently the team had a bunch of little campers in training and revealed some fun facts.
Here are the highlights:

• Taylor Graham -- I think he said he likes giraffes and Sasquatches.
  
• Zach Scott -- is a world class bowler.

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Another week is in the books for Major League Soccer, this time however we have a new number one. Due to Houston's recent form and Columbus' recent stellar play it was only fitting to finally switch the two conference leaders around in the order.

Elsewhere there was plenty of movement. DC fell further down the list after a listless performance in Toronto.

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Below coaches Bruce Arena of the LA Galaxy and Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC discuss their post-match thoughts on Donovan, cards, and playing in LA. Apparently, Bruce Arena thought the red card on Beckham was appropriate but the rest of the cards were not.
What do you think? Click to continue reading...

Freddie Ljungberg and Seattle are inching their way to the top. (Photo via Prost Amerika Soccer/Point Taken Photos)

Ah it was good to have a full day of soccer on Saturday (and parts of Sunday). Plenty of items to discuss today with the All-Star roster being anounced this afternoon. Until then it is time to wade through the week that was week 17 in Major League Soccer.

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From rumor to official in eight days.....
Leonardo Gonzalez has signed with Sounders FC.

RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC have signed Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

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A move that I absolutely will pay off for Sigi Schmid has just become official from what I am hearing out west. Seattle Sounders FC have signed Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez. Gonzalez's signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 work permit and International Clearance.

Why do I like this move for Schmid and the Sounders?

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UPDATE: According to Alan Nixon at the Daily Mirror, Lens are interested in Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes. City are thought to be looking for £2.5million for Fernandes.

June 4th, 2009 According to Robin Hackett at Setanta Sports, Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes is unhappy with the club.

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Seattle Sounders star signing Freddie Ljungberg has spoken about the difference between officiating in Europe and in America. Speaking to the Sounders official website Ljungberg said: "I mean, Sigi (Schmid) wants me to be a captain on the pitch and lead our team. And then of course, I have to stand up to the referees a little bit.

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According to Robin Hackett at Setanta Sports, Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes is unhappy with the club. His agent Marcel Schmid said,

"I can really assure you that he is quite unhappy about his situation ... We believe that City have spent an awful lot of money on players who are very similar to him and that they will play them because they cost a lot of money – not because they are better.

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José Miguel Romero of the Seattle Times writes about the match-up between the Sounders FC and the Columbus Crew, which will be the first time that Sigi Schmid will get to manage against his former team taht he had taken to the MLS Cup title last season.
Sigi Schmid won't say it directly, but one of his assistant coaches will. Click to continue reading...

Under the eyes of a packed house on the Showcase field, the U.S. U-17s beat a skillful Academy Select team 5-3, with two late goals providing the difference in an otherwise tightly-played match. The U.S. went on top first with a goal by Dustin Corea in the 26th minute, but the Academy team came back with two quick replies by Christian Velez and Zack Foxhaven. Click to continue reading...

If James Riley is a hothead I don't know. What I do know is that he was Red Carded, and earned two yellows and fines in the last two weeks for his violent conduct on the pitch. What I also know is that due to the tactics that Coach Schmid employs concerning Riley [...] Click to continue reading...

I've read a lot of complaining out of Seattle yesterday and today. A lot of bellyaching, bitching and moaning. A lot of whining that doesn't do a damn bit of good today or tomorrow. A lot of shots at the Galaxy, the way they play, the way they approach the game.
Like this:
Quote: Schmid also was less than thrilled with his coaching rival, Bruce Arena, who had his team draw down to protect the goal even when they had a man advantage following Riley's ejection. Click to continue reading...

Speaking to his team's official website Schmid is more that clear on players over acting injuries: "For me the bigger concern right now is I think sometimes situations occur on the field that players embellish and overdramatize what happens," Schmid said. "And the thing is it's really hard as a coach to tell your players not to do it, because if they see a player gaining advantage by doing it on the opposition team then when it happens to one of your players obviously he feels he's not helping his team unless he does the same thing.

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Really Stupid Commentary, Part I
So because I'm apparently completely inept with a computer - I keep telling everyone, but they don't believe me - I spent the day unable to log on to BigSoccer.
So instead, in between dealing with the contractor who showed up at the house 1) with an incredibly hot mid-20's female "helper" in the tightest pants I've ever seen in my life and 2) stinking of booze, I looked at some other soccer websites. Click to continue reading...

I'm pretty sure Prost didn't break the story, but that's where I read it first, so he gets the credit from me.
The story, of course, is the de-Bayernification of Juergen Klinsmann. Who the hell is John Carver? (I know, he's the guy properly eviscerated below.) I haven't seen an upstaging this badly since the Who blew the Stones clean off the Rock and Roll Circus. Click to continue reading...

On Friday, I wrote that perhaps the Columbus Crew missed Sigi Schmid more than they would like to admit. Early results have been disappointing, the club is certainly not performing on a level... Click to continue reading...

Freddie Ljungberg's rocking first start resulted in a goal that continued the Seattle Sounders red hot streak. They have cooled off with two consecutive losses against the Wizards and Chivas . They have no goals and have conceded three.

Ljungberg and Colombian striker Fredy Montero are not linking up as well as Sigi Schmid would like and it is an issue that he needs to address on the field.

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Good evening folks (and good afternoon on the West Coast). As we wind down another week it is time to go over some tidbits heading into the weekend, and some stories we missed during the week.

Let's start with Fredy Montero, who is expected to play for the Seattle Sounders vs.

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Good evening folks (and good afternoon on the West Coast). As we wind down another week it is time to go over some tidbits heading into the weekend, and some stories we missed during the week.

Let's start with Fredy Montero, who is expected to play for the Seattle Sounders vs.

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A brief overview of both games.

However, contrary to the preview, it's my understanding Justin Braun is out for a couple of weeks.

A complete list of Chivas USA injuries is here (middle of post).

Despite that list, Coach Preki must fancy his chances against a Sigi-less Crew who are reeling already and with the departed Schmid's successor under fire.

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