The Seattle Sounders' preseason roster got just a little bit lighter as they got ready to take off for Florida and Mexico. Although the Sounders didn't officially release an updated roster, Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times has managed to piece one together:

Goalkeepers (5): Chris Blais*, Josh Ford, Michael Gspurning, Bryan Meredith, Andrew Weber*

Defenders (10): Marc Burch, Andrew Duran#, Leo Gonzalez, Harlinton Gutierres*, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Zach Scott, Michael Tetteh

Midfielders (13): Osvaldo Alonso, Servando Carrasco, Alex Caskey*, Cordell Cato, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Lamar Neagle, Mauro Rosales, Andy Rose^, Amadou Sanyang, Michael Seamon, Christian Sivebaek, Steve Zakuani

Forwards (7): David Estrada, Mike Fucito, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Sammy Ochoa, Babayele Soldade#, O'Brian White

* -- trialist/invitee, # -- unsigned draft pick, ^ -- acquired on draft day trade, underline -- recovering from injury with uncertain timeline

Still not a whole lot of surprises at this point.

Roster flux continues though all under contract players are still with the team, some of the Supplemental Draft picks and trialists are now in a different phase of their soccer journeys. Joshua Mayers, of the Seattle Times, compiled the list of missing names. Harlinton Guiterres, Real Espana reservist, is still in camp.

I woke up this morning to Josh Mayers of the Seattle Times reporting that the LA Galaxy had managed to secure Leonardo on a free transfer and they got Juninho back on a free loan.Suffice it to say that my initial response was not fit to print.

The top of the LA Galaxy roster boggles the mind.

Sounders FC practice report, A.M. session Feb. 4

Former Seattle Times reporter Jose Romero now lives in Arizona (he writes for SBN Arizona event). On his personal blog he writes about today's practice.

A few weeks ago while watching the MLS Player Combine I was struck by a strange realization; what happens in the Seattle Sounders FO is a spectator sport and that for me it is one of my favorite aspects of the game.

The internet broadcasts for the Combine were sponsored by a video game called Football Manager 2012 by Sega.

Preseason is heating up around the league, so we thought it would be worth checking to see if local papers are taking notice. We'll start in Salt Lake City, where the always excellent Michael Lewis offers up this detailed piece on the roster makeover for RSL. The piece includes interviews and a look at some of the team's injury problems for the coming year.

The storm is over, but the need to dig my car out meant I missed session one. If you want a report on that group you will have to go to the Seattle Times or The News Tribune as they were the only print media there today. Most notably was the arrival of Supplemental Draft pick Jason Banton. Banton was still on a London schedule so he did not participate fully.

Brad Evans Comes Home For USMNT Camp, Matches - SB Nation Arizona

Did you know that former Seattle Times Sounders reporter Jose Romero works for SB Nation Arizona? He caught up with Brad Evans about his return home but in Red, White and Blue. Romero is on the hunt to see if Brad's going to be a right back or center mid with the team.

Their Words "Elite football is about results and winning. There is no one better at it than him." FIFA president Sepp Blatter, while presenting Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson with the FIFA Presidential Award. Other Sources An American Loaner in Everton - from The Wall Street Journal's Gabriele Marcotti: It worked.

The Seattle Sounders appear to be hitting the international market during transfer season yet again.

After officially announcing the acquisition of Swedish right back Adam Johannson on Thursday, the Sounders are reportedly close to signing Danish winger Christian Sivebaek, a player general manager Adrian Hanauer told the Seattle Times that the Sounders are "very interested" in acquiring.

Remember when, in the wake of a guy who posted a video himself screaming "nigger" at a Revs player who had scored on a penalty kick in the dying minutes of a game at Columbus Crew Stadium, MLS Rumors claimed Columbus Crew supporters chanted things like "Sieg Heil," "White Power" and branded their groups with fascist symbols?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
I would love to see my du Nord Futbol Twitter feed hit 3000 followers by this weekend. Who wants to help me do that?
STARTERS
Dwayne DeRosario was named the Canadian Player Of The Year. Well earned.
dN
Clint Dempsey scored a goal for Fulham in the Europa League today, but they gave up 2 late goals to tie and were knocked out of the competition.

While still a ways off from being able to announce a new signing, Seattle Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer confirmed reports that the team is pursuing Costa Rican international Heiner Mora. Hanauer also said the team would be looking at the 27-year-old as a right back, although Mora has played several positions during his 18 appearances with the national team.

The Seattle Sounders' search for Kasey Keller's successor has been completed.

Seattle announced the long-rumored signing of Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning on Wednesday, ushering in a new era between the posts at CenturyLink Field.

"First off, you don't replace Kasey Keller.

For the first time in months, there we have concluded a weekend without a soccer match on United States' soil. Major League Soccer is counting down to the 2011 MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center and ceded the weekend to International Soccer as FIFA claimed this weekend for World Cup Qualifiers, Euro 2012 Qualifiers and a spate of International Friendlies.

Seattle Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer is delighted with the rate of growth within Major League Soccer.
The North American domestic league has been going from strength to strength both on and off the pitch in recent years and Hanauer is ‘thrilled' with how things are fairing in MLS.

Seattle Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer is delighted with the rate of growth within Major League Soccer.
The North American domestic league has been going from strength to strength both on and off the pitch in recent years and Hanauer is ‘thrilled' with how things are fairing in MLS.

• Rebuilt Dynamo bearing fruit for Kinnear [Houston Chronicle]
• SKC and Houston poised to advance [ESPN]
• Dynamo determined to keep all guns blazing [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo know they must remain aggressive in home match against Union [Houston Chronicle]
• MLS Conference Semifinals: A Look Ahead [Soccer by Ives]
• 'D' capital for Dynamo during unbeaten streak [Houston Chronicle]
• Ching enjoys being part of deep forward corps [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo assistant Ralston a candidate for Revolution job [Houston Chronicle]
• Academy Roundup - October 30 [Houston Dynamo]

In Other News:

• Sounders FC faces daunting task of winning by four goals [Seattle Times]
• Sigi Schmid Wants To Give Seattle An Epic Tale [Sounder at Heart]
• Donovan says Galaxy 'assuming' Beckham will stay [Sports Illustrated]
• MLS gauging interest in club playing in Baltimore [Washington Post]
• Tributes paid to Doncaster's Billy Sharp after baby tragedy [BBC]

By JOSÉ M. ROMERO

Osvaldo Alonso honestly felt that this could be the year for his Seattle Sounders.

He said as much late last week, before the Sounders were blasted 3-0 at Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference semifinals.

The Seattle Sounders sorely missed injured playmaker Mauro Rosales during their 3-0 Western Conference semifinal first leg loss to Real Salt Lake, and now it appears the Sounders won't have Rosales for their crunch second-leg clash at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday either.

Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid told the Seattle Times that he doesn't expect Rosales to be able to play on Wednesday as he is still dealing with the knee injury he suffered in the Sounders' regular season finale against Chivas USA.

The Seattle Sounders enter the MLS playoffs as one of the league's hottest teams, but in order to find success in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals, they'll have to do so without their midfield maestro.

Mauro Rosales has been ruled out of the first leg of the Sounders' series against Real Salt Lake, according to the Seattle Times.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

In this week's power rankings roundup, the Union fall two spots to fifth at MLS Soccer.com. At ESPN, they move up one spot to fifth. They drop one spot to fourth at the Seattle Times. At Goal.com, the Union fall two spots to eighth.

Sheanon Williams, profiled on the Union website, was named to Goal.

On Saturday night the Seattle Sounders publicly saluted keeper Kasey Keller, who is retiring at the end of the season. The club had a great pre-game ceremony complete with gifts of a Honda off-road vehicle (driven in by minority owner ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

STARTERS
The rumor going around is that one USA opponent in the November international friendly week will be France.
dN
South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has committed one of the great blunders in modern football history! The national team played their final game in African Cup of Nations qualifying last Saturday thinking they only needed 1 point to qualify because they held a wide margin in the goal differential tie breaker if 2 other potential teams won their games.

Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Union

How was your Sunday? I kept going back to my computer to watch the game highlights in an effort to convince myself that Saturday night's win was not a dream. It certainly was dreamy, though.

Seattle's News Tribune noted the Union was bringing two stars into town in the persons of Freddy Adu and Sebastien Le Toux.

Their Words You could tell Vancouver came out with a little bit of edge and once that PK happened with the ejection, we were really forced into a situation that we didn't want to be in. Real Salt Lake assistant coach Jeff Cassar. Other Sources More than 55,000 tickets sold for home finale on Oct. 15 - from The Seattle Times' Joshua Mayers: The number is amazing and just another example of the unparalleled support.

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Rumors began pouring out this afternoon that Chuck Blazer would step down as General Secratary of CONCACAF at years end. Confirmation came a short while later. It will be interesting if we hear any story behind this move.-Bill Archer at Big Soccer with the story.
-Blazer will NOT step down from his FIFA executive committee post though.

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Lots of thoughts on MLS post season awards today. See section below.
dN
Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story - coming soon to Movie Theaters.
Twin Cities
AMC Rosedale 14
-Thu Nov 3
Marcus Oakdale Cinemas
-Thu Nov 10
Marcus Parkwood Cinemas
-Thu Nov 10
Duluth
Marcus Duluth 10
-Thu Nov 10
See the schedule for the whole rest of the country.

STARTERS
Less than 7,000 tickets have been sold to the USA v Honduras game on Saturday night. Miami for MLS right? Lets see what ya got!
dN
The LA Galaxy will lay claim to the Supporters Shield tonight if they are victorious in New York.
US OPEN CUP
The 2011 Final is Tonight!

STARTERS
Landon Donovan is OUT of the upcoming USA friendlies with a thigh muscle injury. Edson Buddle has been called in to take his place.
dN
Montreal's big splashy first MLS signing is a centerback who has barely played a game since the middle of 2006 - 28 year old Colombian Nelson Rivas.

Their Words We have a talented player in this league, a player who's a good player, who fans want to come and watch play, then we let thugs hit him and we don't protect him enough. I think that's something that's got to happen with the referees. I'm very disappointed with the last two games. Sounders coach Sigi Schmid, as quoted in The Seattle Times on the injury to midfielder Mauro Rosales.

The Open Cup three-peat © is now firmly in the sight of the Seattle Sounders. Their 1-0 win against FC Dallas was a grind-it-out brutal affair in loud and packed Starfire Stadium. It was an atmosphere able to intimidate even the most battle tested of opponents. Although I would remind Schellas Hyndman that there are much more hostile crowds in the wide world of football.

STARTERS
Very bad injury news for Eric Lichaj who suffered a torn labrum (part of the hip) and depending on the severity or need for surgery he could be out until January at worst.
dN
A very interesting note on the day long frenzy on the closing of the international transfer window today: as much as the American soccersphere waited/anticipated for a Clint Dempsey move, the English press never even hinted that there was going to be one.

Today, Josh Mayers at the Seattle Times tweeted that the Sounders would not take advantage of the summer international transfer window. We all know that it's not for lack of trying. Adrian Hanauer has stated publicly that he was "working frantically" trying to bring in a top-talent target forward but that he wouldn't bring in a player that was too expensive or a poor fit for the team.

Today, Josh Mayers at the Seattle Times tweeted that the Sounders would not take advantage of the summer international transfer window. We all know that it's not for lack of trying. Adrian Hanauer has stated publicly that he was "working frantically" trying to bring in a top-talent target forward but that he wouldn't bring in a player that was too expensive or a poor fit for the team.

Today, Josh Mayers at the Seattle Times tweeted that the Sounders would not take advantage of the summer international transfer window. We all know that it's not for lack of trying. Adrian Hanauer has stated publicly that he was "working frantically" trying to bring in a top-talent target forward but that he wouldn't bring in a player that was too expensive or a poor fit for the team.

Joshua Mayers is the Seattle Sounders FC writer for The Seattle Times, and wrote on his blog about Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid's thoughts on USSF's hiring of Jurgen Klinsmann (as provided by Sounders FC media relations). Klinsmann and Schmid have a longstanding relationship.
* * *
(On Juergen Kilnsmann being named U.

Admittedly, we don't cover women's soccer around here as much as we probably should. There is, after all, a professional team playing under the name Sounders that was once officially part of the same organization. They play their games at Starfire and are actually hosting the USL's W-League Final Four starting tonight.

Image Source. Cheers tinaanna17.

Here's a pure football pairing we wholeheartedly support: Seattle Sounders midfielder, Servando Carassco, and USWNT player, Alex Morgan, are dating. For the past 3.5 years, actually!

In an interview with the Seattle Times, Miss Morgan's MLS rookie boyfriend recently told how proud he was of her performance at this past Women's World Cup.

Their Words The '90 World Cup team was truly a team of amateurs across the board, from the federation who hadn't been there in 40 years to no coaches, no players, nothing. And the first game when we got handled 5-1 by Czechoslovakia that kind of summed it up. Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller, speaking to The Seattle Times' Bob Wickwire.