This is what Gerald Skinner and Guy Freeman from the University of Maryland say. Even the best team in a World Cup has only 28% of chances of lifting the trophy. Wanna know more? Look here.

For most Americans who identify as soccer aficionados (including many émigrés) this time of year is exciting because of the start of the European season. In this crowd the fact that it is also the start of the American college season is mostly of no note at all, or perhaps a cause for casual derision.

Raise your hand if you've worried about how much your kids do in a given year and if you are ruining their lives. Come on you over there. As soccer season kicks off and schedules get busier, it's a common concern. Joel Maners passed on a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that debunks the common belief that our kids are over scheduled:

we have some data about how kids spend their hours.

Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez won Major League Soccer's Rookie of the Year Award. Gonzalez started every game in his rookie season, scoring a goal and registering an assist. He joined the club from the University of Maryland as the Galaxy's third overall pick in the 2009 SuperDraft. Gatorade Rookie of the Year Winners 2009: Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy 2008: Sean Franklin - Los Angeles Galaxy 2007: Maurice Edu - Toronto FC.

Being a rookie in MLS is quite different than young players in any other sport around the world. First off, if you're part of the select few deemed not talented enough, your salary won't be near six figures. That being said, with smaller rosters and bargains a necessity in MLS, getting a shot your first professional season isn't out of the question.

Rob Vartughian has left his job as an assistant with the University of Maryland to become an assistant and goalkeeper coordinator with the Philadelphia Union. We're very excited to add Rob Vartughian to our staff," Union manager Peter Nowak said. "We've worked together on the Olympic team and I've seen how he developed players within the US National Team system.

University of Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski has done as much as any other college coach during the past 5 years, winning two national championships and churning out a number of MLS prospects along the way.
Cirovski loves the college game, and sat down with L.E. Eisenmenger to discuss why he hasn't made the jump to Major League Soccer himself.

The 24-year-old former University of Maryland product really has some outstanding quotes but what really peaked our interest was his quote on the CBA.

"The main points of the negotiations revolve around MLS players deserving the same rights under FIFA that all other players in the world have.

Raise your hand if you've worried about how much your kids do in a given year and if you are ruining their lives. Come on you over there. As soccer season kicks off and schedules get busier, it's a common concern. Joel Maners passed on a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that debunks the common belief that our kids are over scheduled:

we have some data about how kids spend their hours.