Of course, Seattle's rivals couldn't even wait until the Sounders got in the league before crashing the party.

But honestly, both cities have great bids. They both love soccer, which means full stadiums and excitement for all.

Portland, which calls itself Soccer Town U.S.A., is planning on renovating PGE Park to make it a soccer specific stadium. Click to continue reading...

Not to be left standing with their d*ck in their hands, Vancouver Whitecaps have made the next move in the Pacific Northwest MLS Expansion Death Race 3000™. One day after Portland fired it's shot across the bow, they launched a two-pronged attack today on both the world-wide web and, as seen above, British Columbian morning television. Click to continue reading...

Was he fired? Did he resign?

Does anybody know what's going on?

We should know by the weekend, right?

• Was the fix is in for Brazil-Ghana '06 World Cup game? [Yahoo!]
  
• Naming the Sounders F.C. sections. [Goal Seattle]
  
• Antonio Puerta, one year later.

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Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson held a press conference this morning formally announcing his MLS intentions and I for one am solidly behind him. Not that my opinion carries any weight in the real world but there you go. Also, I enjoy pandering to the Timbers Army constituency (hey, Seattle loves Ives so I'm not too concerned about upsetting Jet City). Click to continue reading...

I read plenty... online. Books? Not so much.

But the cleverly named Max Deale sent me a copy of a publication that sounded intriguing and original.

It's called 'Sold out, So what?' and it's the grassroots guide to not only getting in to all the events you want, but also at a price that all us empty-pocketed bloggers can enjoy. Click to continue reading...

Time for Seattle to beat down another MLS team.

This time in a September 2nd friendly at Buck Shaw Stadium.

And yes, this is the start of a rivalry. Maybe not a blood, sweat and tears one, but one nonetheless.

"We are excited to welcome Seattle to MLS next season," said Earthquakes Executive Vice President David Alioto.

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It wasn't a big surprise, but it is a big move. Seattle now has a world-class 'keeper tending it's nets.

Listening to Keller though, who was born in Olympia and grew up in Lacey I believe, it appears as though playing on the field is only one of his goals.

I would love to be what (Franz) Beckenbauer has become to Bayern Munich for example.

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We hadn't heard much from Kasey Keller since the end of the season in England, and many speculated that he may be joining MLS.  Keller's contract expired at the end of the previous season, and Keller at 38 is ready to return to the US, to Seattle in particular.   Today at 2 PM, the Sounders [...] Click to continue reading...

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Despite playing a midfield of toddlers and Eboue (who has the maturity of one), and by all accounts playing, um, not at our standard, let's say, we're still leaving Enschede with two away goals and a win.

Unfortunately, I can't say for myself how they played, since Champions League games are not scheduled for Seattle's viewing times.

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Superstar Adam has the photo-report of the all-USL semifinal, in which Charleston edged the Sounders in a shootout.

Seattle technically never scored, getting a 20th minute own-goal for its only tally, so it can't expect to win.

On the other side, D.C. overwhelmed the Revolution 'C' team 3-1 behind two goals from Luciano Emilio. Click to continue reading...

From Behind the Badge comes video of DC United's 3-1 defeat of the Revolution last night at RFK. Since there was no TV broadcast --as is Open Cup custom-- this is pretty much the definitive document of the evening, which was something of a shock defeat for New England.

On the other side of the Open Cup table, Seattle lost to Charleston on PK's so the final will be an all Southeast affair (if you consider DC southeastern) at RFK. Click to continue reading...

Photo: Matt Mathai

Some call the East Coast of the USA the spiritual home of soccer/football in America. Those people are likely itchin' for a fight with people from St Louis but nevermind that for now. This year's final in his nation's oldest tournament, the 94 year old Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is an all east coast affair as New England and Seattle crashed out of the semi-finals leaving DC United to host the Charleston Battery at RFK Stadium September 3 at 7:30 pm live on Fox Soccer Channel. Click to continue reading...

D.C. United Advances to U.S. Open Cup Finals

Look, I want to be ecstatic. We have a game to play, and it's a game for silverware. And if we win, we get another year of international competition. And we won with multiple goals, right?

I can't fake it. We beat the New England reserves.

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Does anyone know what Kasey Keller is up to on Thursday? Click to continue reading...

The Sounders and Timbers will surely play again -- most likely in the U.S. Open Cup -- but yesterday saw what will likely be the last league match between the two for a while.

Seattle won 1-0 in Portland, the Columbian has the story.

Now I've some a couple of these matches live. Click to continue reading...

It's over. Dunzo. Outta here like last year. And to put it in the most eloquent way I can think of...it totally sucks. The oldest existent soccer rivalry in the country has gone the way of the dodo and even though I'm not a supporter of either club --at least not officially, but I do have my preferences-- I have to say I'm kinda bummed for a few different reasons. Click to continue reading...

Hell I'll lobby for 'em also.

I talked to a couple Timbers fans back in the day, and they said if Portland couldn't, they'd support Seattle getting an MLS team.

So if Seattle's already booked a ticket to the big dance, I'd love to see a bitter rival of a neighbor there also. And this D. Click to continue reading...

The photo above was taken at the the Kansas City at DC Unite game. It is a show of solidarity between DC United's supporter's groups and the Timbers Army in sending a message that Portland wants in MLS in 2011 as per the Paulson plan.

The other side of this is that Timbers Army members are planning to support DC United in Seattle should both Seattle and DC United advance to the 2008 US Open Cup Final Click to continue reading...

What? You thought I forgot there was a little three decade-long grudge match tonight? Blogger please. I will not rest until I get a call from FSC's Mitch Peacock himself saying "you can stop now, we really don't have the bandwidth for an audience this size." Until then, I'm going to keep reminding you to do whatever you have to do to watch the game on FSC at 11pmEST. Click to continue reading...

It sure appears to be the case. I just got word about the possible championship scenarios for the 2008 US Open Cup today. Under three of four possible scenarios, either Seattle or Charleston from the USL-1 will host the title game next month. The only MLS side that could host is DC, that is if D.C. [. Click to continue reading...

We haven't talked USL around here in while have we? Typically I try to watch FSC's game of the week with some consistency but for whatever reason it hasn't grabbed me this season. This Thursday though is the most-anticipated USL match if the season; the final Portland v. Seattle match of the season and --with Seattle leaving USL-- perhaps ever. Click to continue reading...

The Blue Angels are in Seattle and I can't help but get excited every time that I hear them... Click to continue reading...

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced today that two more teams will be added by 2011, bringing the number in the league up to 18.

Ownership groups and/or markets have until Oct. 15 to apply. MLS will make a decision on the chosen pair in either the last quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2009.

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It was recently announced that MLS hopes to bring two more new teams to the league in 2011. Seattle is coming on next season and Philadelphia the following year. Now all the talk of expansion teams is in Canada. I do still think that St. Louis will probably get one and likely Vancouver could get the other.

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The two-time NBA MVP has made no secrets about his participation in a Vancouver-based ownership group.

And I think it's great.

This is exactly what soccer needs in this country: established stars embracing the sport and investing in its growth.

Even if it is in Canada. Click to continue reading...