From the Seattle Times we learn that camp has cut way down. There were some extra keepers around, and one of them is still under contract (Eylander), and Jeff Parke doesn't have an contract yet either, but there are 22 Senior Roster slots occupied if you count both of them, with up to 3 guys that could wind up on the Injured List (Eylander, Graham and maybe even Jaqua who just returned to the pitch).

Click to continue reading...

MLS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
The current deal expired on Jan 31, 2010, but the two sides agreed to originally extend it until Feb 12, and a further 13 days to Feb 25. And now that Feb 25 has come and gone with no new deal being finished, we enter the Twilight Zone, with the players vowing to strike if a new contract is not agreed to by opening day - Thu Mar 25. Click to continue reading...

While Kasey Keller is the clear starter, there was an open competition for the backup role between Boss and Chris Eylander before the team's second season begins.

"It was up for grabs," said Dutra. "It was a position they both competed for, and we believed in Terry ... He was able to win that spot.

Click to continue reading...

There is a starting role up for grabs, at least in the early going, in the Right Midfield. Also, the Sounders have plenty of issues with their depth and cover, particularly at LM and RB, while it is likely that a Center back goes to the IL, or just gets cut, but this match is about more than mere roster space.

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Greg Seltzer of No Short Corners tells us that Jermaine Jones may have been spotted running?!?!?! Now that would be cause for a small preliminary Hooray Beer.
-Plus other Team USA injury updates.
dN
Quiz Time: Without looking it up, what does the AC stand for in AC Milan? Click to continue reading...

With the recent news that Jose Romero is leaving the Seattle Times, the rumors concerning Arlo White joining the Sounders broadcast, latest release of the Face of Sports (US)by Nielson and the nearly constant complaints on soccer forums about local sportsradio's lack of coverage of the Sounders I thought I should share my thoughts on this in just one place.

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Kenny Cooper is possibly being loaned out by 1860 to English team Plymouth Argyle. PA, who play in the Championship League, are coached by none other than former New England Revolution assistant Paul Mariner. I really don't understand this at all.
dN
Adrian Mutu got busted again. Click to continue reading...

Seattle Sounders FC designated player Freddie Ljungberg has shot back at the club regarding their reaction to his absence from the opening day of training camp on Monday. The former Arsenal great posted a statement to his personal website just minutes ago that reads as follows:
"Just reading in Seattle Times that SSFC coaches doesn't (sic) know about my arrival, which surprises me. Click to continue reading...

After last nights two amazing events scheduled around the US MNT's "performance" you'd think you are done with soccer parties this week.

You would be wrong.

You may have heard that Jose Romero is leaving the Seattle TImes, and in fact leaving the state. He has decided to host a gathering where he will just hang out with the fans that made his first season as a soccer reporter so much fun.

Click to continue reading...

Ollie Irish

A few of the reviews on Victoria Beckham's debut as a judge on American Idol. Not good reading for ex-Posh Spice...

"Most of La Beckham's comments were bland and unimaginative and she watched proceedings with the demeanour of a cat showing off its poise.

Click to continue reading...

Peter Wilt Plays Nostradamus

OK, you're probably now starting to think that I'm a pretty lazy writer....yes, I'm going with a list column for the third straight week. I'm following up the ever popular "Holiday Gift"and "Best Memories of the Year" columns with the ever popular "Predictions for the New Year" column.

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
In the 1st leg of the Mexican finals last night Cruz Azul was up 1-3 at Monterrey, but Reyados came storming back to win it 4-3!
dN
The UEFA Champions League draw will be held on Fri Dec 18. Teams will be divided into two pots. And teams from the same country or same Group stage can't face each other. Click to continue reading...

And even more so in a Salary/Roster cap league. Mistakes cost more in MLS, a bad pick wastes money and a roster slot. For MLS the ability to scout talent from college, from the lower US divisions and internationally is the ability to discover players and get them at value. It is the ability to find a player like Darrius Barnes for New England, Zach Scott, or Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

Click to continue reading...

Martina Navratilova seems disinterested while watching some English Premier League action.
No surprise, she's on the Sunderland side of things.
Who lost 1-0 to Fulham.
I'd be yawning too.
To the links:

• Looking into the Chelsea kit curse. [Footy Factor]
  
• Beckham might miss W.

Click to continue reading...

Word is Charlie Davies recovery has been 'fantastic' so far. Or so an SBI blog post would have me believe.
That's great news for the kid.
I'm hoping Robbie Findley can develop to fill in that role in which Davies was beginning to excel.
To the links:

• Zlatan makes an El Clasico splash.

Click to continue reading...

The playoff numbers look like this...

5 year comparison Quarterfinals Totals(both legs)  Avg +/- Teams  2005  13,273  NA  CHI, COL, DAL, DCU, LA, NE, RBNY, SJ  2006  12,736  -4.05%  CHI, COL, CHV, DAL, DCU, HOU, NE, RBNY  2007  17,041  33. Click to continue reading...

I thought I would add one more post before the big game this evening and add a bunch of links for you to peruse at your leisure.

First, Diane added some insight into my posting from yesterday on the topic of who's really the underdog here.

I personally think that the Galaxy should be considered the underdog because the team is older, lacks depth after the 14th player, and will probably suffer on the turf.

Click to continue reading...

First things first: the Galaxy's Alecko Eskandarian is on Drew Carey's "The Price is Right at 10 a.m. on CBS (sorry for the late notice).

In other momentous MLS Cup related news:

*Seattle introduces - the Galaxy dog.

*Former Galaxy midfielder Ned Grabavoy is a hero in Salt Lake City after scoring the PK that put them through to the final - but may not play Sunday against his former team.

Click to continue reading...

Before we get into it today, note that we will "business blog" the Final providing discussion of the broadcast, advertisements and other business aspects of the game on Monday morning. Please check back for that.

Next week we will also have a chat with Soccernomics author Simon Kuper, but today we post a link to a Seattle Times article about the perceived economic benefits of the Sounders to downtown Seattle.

Click to continue reading...

Mayor Bill White has proclaimed today as Dynamo Day. Are you wearing orange?

Mayor Bill White today proclaimed that Friday, November 6th, will be recognized as "Dynamo Day" in Houston. In observance of the day, the mayor encourages Houstonians to wear orange, the color of the Dynamo.

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Columbus & Salt Lake square off in the 2nd leg of their first round playoff series. The winner advances to the Semifinals.
dN
6 teams have already secured their spot in the Round of 16 knock out stage - Chelsea, Porto & Sevilla, Bordeaux, Lyon & Manchester United. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Got this note yesterday from a great reader named Anthony who lives in Glasgow: Have you heard of any fans making the trip to Bratislava for the Nov 14 game? I haven't heard anything and US Soccer hasn't even released info about tickets, but I got a cheap flight from Edinburgh to Bratislava so I'm going for the weekend in hopes I can get a ticket there and looking to meet up w any other US fans before the game to march and sing to the stadium together. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
DC United announced that head coach Tom Soehn has resigned, so the team now join New York, Kansas City and Toronto in the hunt for a new leader.
MLS PLAYOFF NEWS
It was great to see that New England had scrubbed their field of all football lines for Sunday's game. Click to continue reading...

The playoff numbers look like this...

5 year comparison Conference Semifinals 1st Leg  Avg +/- Home Teams  2005  12,147 NA  Chicago  NY  Colorado  Los Angeles  2006  9,533  -21.52%  Chicago  NY  Colorado  Chivas USA  2007  14,245  49. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
What does Dan Loney thing of the LA v Chivas playoff series: "Ideally, this would be a Loser Leaves Town match. If the Galaxy wins, Chivas moves. If CUSA wins, Beckham never returns. I could handle that." Read the whole thing here. Pure genius.
MLS PLAYOFF NEWS
I cocked this one up pretty bad - I woke up this morning and realized that I had forgot to link to the only MLS Playoff Preview you need to read - from Paul Demko at Bunky County. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
The USA U17 team gets a win, 1-0 over Malaei, at the World Cup giving them 3 points from 2 games. Last group stage game is Sunday against the United Arab Emirates.
MLS PLAYOFF NEWS
Don Ruiz of the Tacoma News Tribune writes about the Sounders experienced players who will need to lead this team in the playoffs. Click to continue reading...

Sign up now to follow us on Twitter: @dunord
STARTERS
American goalkeeper Brad Guzan had an absolutely HUGE game for Aston Villa last night in the English League Cup. He saved a Penalty Kick during regulation time, then saved 3 more during the PK Shoot Out to decide the winner! Click to continue reading...

Great feature over at The Seattle Times website the other day. Seattle Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid took questions online from fans.
He's such a unique character that I recommend reading the whole thing, but here are some highlights:

[Comment From Chris]
Who is the biggest prankster on the team?

Click to continue reading...

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...

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...

Look at Andy Murray, showing up the talent at Everton practice.
The way the Toffees have been playing of late, they might want to sign him up.
I hear he's got an excellent volley.
To the links:

• Chelsea chief exec. Peter Kenyon leaving. [Daily Mail]
  
• Quotes o' the week.

Click to continue reading...

We all know the stakes for this one. Just ten days after Seattle came to RFK and won the U.S. Open cup in United's home, the expansion side returns to DC for a hugely important League match. Both teams are in the midst of a fight to make the playoffs, with every point gained important.

Seattle will be without Freddie Ljungberg who is serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation, while DC will again be without Marc Burch (ankle surgery) and Dejan Jakovic (bi-lateral hernia repair).

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Seattle went on the road to DC and captured the US Open Cup! Congratulations to the Sounders! (Even though as a Minnesota Thunder fan it burns my fingers just to type those words.)
LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP
The game for the Cup!
FINAL
Match & Score:
-Wed Sep 2
DC United 1-2 Seattle Sounders FC - DCU goal by Clyde Simms. Click to continue reading...

For the record, I had nothing to do with this story in the Seattle Times. Neither did Creepy Jose.

Here's a predictable tale of woe for you: Last weekend, four men decided to hire three prostitutes from Craigslist. But instead of doing the jobs they were hired to do, the three women made off with about $400.

Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
Huge shout out to Brian & Stephanie Pederson on their wedding! Brian is a member of the PDL team Rochester Thunder, and a very cool guy! Congrats!
-We nicknamed Brian "The Farmer" years ago, but its all been in good fun, and he embraced us as fans!
LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP
Final Match:
-Wed Sep 2
DC United v Seattle Sounders FC
Venue: RFK Stadium - Washington DC
dN
Jose Romero of the Seattle Times on the feud between the teams on who should host the final. Click to continue reading...

Tonight, nothing else matters but the two teams who will face off on the field.

After weeks of build-up, plenty of back-and-forth between Seattle and DC, marketing campaigns, fan stunts, trash talk, and general chatter, tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, at RFK Stadium, D.C. United will take on Seattle Sounders FC in the U.

Click to continue reading...

Fredy Montero leads Seattle tonight against New England. (Getty Images)

As mentioned yesterday, this week is loaded with MLS action. Tonight we get another primetime clash on ESPN2 as the Seattle Sounders FC host the New England Revolution.

This is a big match for both sides, New England is looking to prove to the rest of the eastern conference and the league for the matter that they are a playoff worthy club.

Click to continue reading...

MLS returns to the Northwest as the New England Revolution visit Qwest Field to face the Seattle Sounders tonight. The game will be carried live on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. EST, making it back-to-back nights that ESPN has carried an MLS match.

It's a vital matchup for both sides, as Seattle try to keep pace with the Galaxy side they soundly beat at the Home Depot Center last Saturday.

Click to continue reading...

Just in case you wanted to know what it looks like.
Certainly not hard to see why he might want a move there.
Let's link it:

• When not to bug Alan Gordon. [HHR]
  
• 5 EPL youngsters to watch. [EPL Talk]
  
• Steve Zakuani diary, talking Chelsea. [ESPN]
  
• Argentina league making progress?

Click to continue reading...

Montero and Hurtado look to be staying put as a part of MLS for a little while longer.
According to Jose Romero at the Seattle Times (click here for his interpretation of the Enlajugada.com article with the original translated by Google here), Deportivo Cali has sold the remaining portion of Fredy Montero's rights to MLS. Click to continue reading...