Edson Buddle is back. (Getty Images)

Edson Buddle is back in a LA Galaxy uniform. The deal to bring back one of the league's all-time best goal-scorers happened today.

Buddle rejoins the Galaxy after being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday. Los Angeles maintained his MLS rights following his free transfer to Ingolstadt last January.

The US Open Cup will have a slightly different format this year:

The biggest news is expanding the field to 64 teams, making it the largest in a modern era that started in 1995 (previous: 42 in 2005-06). That's an increase of 24 teams from last year and all professional clubs from the top three tiers of U.

Sporting KC has done well so far this offseason. (Getty Images)

Well, it is mid-December. The Christmas trees are up and the snow is falling in some places around the country. The Re-Entry Drafts have come and gone for the 19 MLS clubs. Teams are constantly making moves this offseason at times more moves than it seems like ever before.

A change is coming to the US Open Cup that many of us have been hoping for. According to sources to theCup.us, the USOC will extend it's bracket out to all 16 US-based Major League Soccer teams and go to a 64-team bracket.

Over the last few years, the tournament has come under constant criticism for the way MLS teams enter the tournament.

Those who know U.S. WNT defender Stephanie Cox know she has a huge heart. For a bit of insight into her upbringing, you can check out this feature from her U-19 National Team days that we pulled out of the archives.
Stephanie just returned from Japan where she participated in events with children on behalf of the USOC and the Japanese Olympic Committee, traveling to the tsunami-ravaged part of the country, and ESPN and the NCAA recently profiled her on a Human Highlight Reel.

Seattle lifted their third straight USOC last night, others should take note. (Photo via Seattle Sounders Communications)

First off, congratulations to the Seattle Sounders FC on their third straight US Open Cup title. Its a feat that has to be commended since three-peats in sports happen so rarely anymore.

I'll get into the USOC final at some point today, I think. But I had to post this first. Just absolutely amazing Tifo from the Seattle crowd last night.

(H/T to those on Twitter posting this...there was a couple of you)

Tonight there will be held the longest running US soccer tradition, the US Open Cup Final. Almost 100 years of soccer tradition and almost no one knows about it or even cares. I really started thinking about the US open cup because of the fact that a lot of supporters from our hated rival like to point out that they have won the thing twice now and are in the final tonight.

Seattle's Mauro Rosales and James Riley questionable for USOC Final

Seattle's offense has continued to churn out quality despite missing Mauro Rosales since September 17th. However, Seattle has conceded at least one goal every game since James Riley went down at right back.

The seven-year veteran [Riley], who appeared chipper at Sunday's practice session, is also one of the few Sounders without an established backup.

Toronto FC hopes to hold off Thierry Henry and the Red Bulls tomorrow. (Getty Images)

Games this weekend in Major League Soccer are a little spread out. A handful tomorrow with another three on Sunday. We know for sure that a lot of clubs will be scoreboard watching this weekend as the playoff races are as tight as can be.

U.S. defender Heather Mitts has wrapped up her quick four-day tour of Great Britain on behalf of the USOC and in advance of the 2012 Olympics in London.
From the looks of things, Heather had quite the good time. Among other things she did, we have:
Heather on a horse.

After losing last night to the Seattle Sounders, FC Dallas manager Schellas Hyndman had this to say about the current set-up of the USOC. As we all know by now each round host when MLS enters the tournament is done by a bid process. The higher the bid the better chance at hosting the game. Its certainly not perfect and while this comment came after a losing effort, I'm sure even some winning managers would still agree.

Tonight's game kicks off at 7:30 PM CST and will be streamed live on www.chicago-fire.com.

Richmond Kickers:

Richmond is coming off a 3-0 loss to Orlando City in the USL PRO Semi-Finals. To anyone who thinks they took it easy going into the U.S. Open Cup game tonight, the Starting XIs they used against Columbus Crew in the 3rd round, Kansas City in the Quarterfinals, and Orlando City for the USL PRO Semi-Finals and more analysis is after the break along with your in-game comments.

There are plenty of points left on the table for the Eastern Conference clubs. (Getty Images)

I'll admit, I wanted to get to this post last week but sometimes time just doesn't play nice. Anyways, I figure with each club getting into their final eight or nine games that it was a perfect time to dive into the schedules and see what each club has left to take care of this season.

Don Garber and the MLS front office have a huge task in front of them for 2012. (Getty Images)

One thing is certain, 2012 will be different. How different for Major League Soccer is the question.

MLS will have 19 clubs next season with Montreal entering the mix. This all means the schedule gets a little trickier.

Take a look at this photo (h/t @coulterchris) that recently appeared on SoundersFC.com. You'll find 18 Seattle Sounders. You'll also notice some conspicuous absences. Among the players not in this photo taken prior to Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League group stage match against Monterrey are Fredy Montero, Kasey Keller, Mauro Rosales and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

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.

Daniel Robertson, of SB Nation's FC Dallas blog Big D Soccer, and I discussed tonight's Dallas-Philadelphia Union game. We differed on score, player of the game and a lot of other things, but we seemed to agree on Andrew Jacobson. Odd.

Big D: Going be an interesting match. If I remember right, Fabian Castillo absolutely murdered the Union earlier this year in 'frisco.

Barouch scored a brace when the Fire dismantled RBNY Jr in a 4-0 USOC quarterfinal win in July.

If it is in fact time for the Fire to let go of pointless dreams of the playoffs, as I wrote in my last column, then let's take a look at how the Fire could approach this Saturday's fixture against the Red Bulls in New York/Jersey.

Or, Avoiding Cubs syndrome: what the Fire must do for the rest of this season to prepare for the next.

While the Fire are not yet mathematically out of contention for a playoff spot, let's be honest: it's not going to happen. Fans were spun around on this carousel every week last season when every disappointing result came with a headline on the Fire homepage about how the playoffs were still in reach.

The season is nearing the end. It has been an incredible time I have spent with this club running it's social media for this season. I feel like I have made the best of my time and wish it didn't have to end.

The team itself has not seen it's best for lately, most recently dropping 3 points at Pittsburgh, but they return home to close out the season versus the Dayton Dutch Lions.

An early goal by none other than Dynamo Player of the Year candidate Brad Davis was not enough to seal the deal for our beloved Orange. I wish I could honestly start off this column with love for Davis, but all the love I have for Davis right now is overshadowed and engulfed by extreme hatred at the continued incompetence of the officials who referee the MLS matches.

Can Omar Bravo and Sporting Kansas City get back on the winning track in Houston? (Getty Images)

Even with a day off from work I'll probably be fairly light today on here (have family in from out of town, they're kind of important to me). It will be a busy weekend in Major League Soccer though, all but two teams are in league action, only one is truly off (Toronto).

New Vancouver DP Mustapha Jarju trains on grass to prepare for RSL this weekend. (photo via Vancouver Whitecaps)

While some folks will be focused on the World Football Challenge matches that are set to begin, or the opening of the last Harry Potter film, others will be concerned with the week 18 slate in Major League Soccer.

The Red Bull organization is taking a lot of heat for the way it went about its quarterfinal United States Open Cup (USOC) match against the Chicago Fire a game the Fire won easily 4-0. While I can understand the anger among fans and the media I also understand why the organization decided the USOC was not a priority.

Last night played host to a number of U.S. Open Cup matches between various MLS teams. No huge surprises except for one. Despite their re-surging effort, Sporting Kansas City fell to USL Pro side the Richmond Kickers as the third division team continues to upset MLS team after MLS team. I think, with all the impressiveness surrounding the team's run in the USOC, I've just become their newest fan.

The second half of the season is shaping up here as we move into the weekend portion of week 17. Last night's four games gave us plenty to go off of as New York finally woke up offensively, Colorado looked decent early but surrendered points late to KC, Chivas found a way to get by San Jose and then there was Jeff Cunningham tying the all-time scoring mark with his last minute goal against the Whitecaps.

Most of you know I'm a big backer of improving the US Open Cup. It seems like each year we all get into how to improve this old tournament. I call it old because it is and because of how it is structured.

Anyways, Jeremiah Oshan over at SBNation (cheap plug on my part), had a great post yesterday about how to improve the USOC.

USOC: Chicago Fire vs. Rochester Rhinos Watch Party

Don't forget to head out to Ginger's Ale House at 3801 N. Ashland for the USOC Watch Party. The game kicks-off tonight at 6:35 PM CST and there will be TVs, sound, and Section 8ers a plenty.

As the club from Bremerton makes its way over to Starfire to face Seattle Sounders FC this is a battle of brothers, not just Daniel and Zach Scott, but a big city versus the towns where the Kitsap Pumas roam. These are not separate fanbases, and in some ways barely separate clubs. There are overlaps in players, staff (hey Pete Fewing!

The search for that elusive 5th U.S. Open Cup championship continues tonight when the Chicago Fire kick-off against the Rochester Rhinos at 6:35 PM CST at Sahlen's Stadium. In order to get some insider perspective on the Rochester Rhinos, we turn to Jeff Di Veronica of Devo's Direct Kicks. Jeff's answers will add to the picture but the overall landscape is the Fire face a very tough opponent in Rochester.

Top Five Smolderings for Friday, June 24th, 2011

1. C.J. Brown returns to Toyota Park

2. Chicago Fire will host potential U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal game

3. Seattle Sounders top New York Red Bulls 4-2 in front of 46,065 at CenturyLink Field

4. Section 8 Chicago announces U.

This week's early injury report includes an upgrade to Josip Mikulic's status. The defender returned to full training yesterday while Marko Maric resumed light running on the side. Steven Kinney and Mike Banner worked on the side as well but did not train.

CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: MF Mike Banner (L Achilles tendinitis); DF Steven Kinney (R Achilles tendinitis); DOUBTFUL: MF Marko Maric (L deltoid ligament sprain); PROBABLE: DF Josip Mikulic (L clavicle fracture)

USOC

The Chicago Fire PDL advanced to the second round of the USOC by defeating the Des Moines Menace 1-0 last night.

Photo by Joe Nuxoll of www.centerlinesoccer.com

For the second time in 5 days the Quakes and Chicago ended 90 minutes tied at 2-2, and Chicago came from behind to tie the game. We all know that the first tie was a USOC qualifier which the Quakes lost on penalties, but Saturday's MLS game provided the Quakes with a point on the road.

The Fire is hoping that Tuesday's penalty kick victory over the Earthquakes will serve as a spring board to a reversal of fortunes. Despite advancing to the US Open Cup tournament for a fourteenth consecutive season the Fire are still winless in their last eight MLS regualr season matches. After a difficult start of the their own, winning only once in their first eight matches, San Jose has won it's last two at home against Columbus and New England allowing them to crawl back towards respectability.

Don't feel bad when you look at the MLS slate for this evening, it looks very much like a weekend's worth of matches when you add the USOC match, a friendly in Portland and the final leg of the Canadian Cup. Loads of games all over the place, as 11 of the 18 clubs will be in action tonight.

I'll only focus on the three league games though for my predictions.

We exchange three questions with Robert Jonas of Quake, Rattle and Goal in order to get some insider perspective on the San Jose Earthquakes as the Chicago Fire head to Buck Shaw Stadium on tonight. Robert's answer to my first question is below and the other five questions in the exchange are after the break.

The magic of JELD-WEN Field struck again on May 21 as the Timbers won their fifth straight MLS league match at home and remain the only team undefeated at home so far this regular season. Outside of the late USOC qualifying match loss to San Jose, the Timbers have remained one of the most dominant MLS clubs playing in front of their home fans.