News and Views from Mon May 3

Opener
I was thinking about the best players in the world, or at least those in the best form, and came up with this group(in no particular order):

• Ronaldo of Portugal
• Rooney of England
• Messi of Argentina
• Sneijder of Holland
• Maicon of Brasil

What struck me after forming the list in my mind is that they are from 5 different nations. Somehow I thought the list would have been laden with Brasilians. Oh well.

MLS

• Steve Davis: Improving local broadcasts.
• Five things from week 6.
• Jeff Carlisle on week 6.
• Houston COO with his look at the team and more.
• Footiebusiness: MLS merchandise sales.
• Jack Bell: Fast start surprises RBNY players.

Interesting Reads

• Andrew Guest: On Happiness, or Does it Matter Who Wins?
• Simple Tips that will Significantly Impact Games.
• Kartik Krishnaiyer: Fatalism and the soccer press.
• FIFA allows Iran girl footballers to cover their heads.
• Do new economics mean better competition in EPL?
• Inside Minnesota Soccer: USSF Quietly Going About the Job of Running the D-2 Pro League.

Around the World

• Playoffs in Central America.
• The scenarios in Europe.
• Guide to the 2010 Campeonato Brasileirao.
• USSF D2 weekend recap.

World Cup

• World Cup stars wear their flags for photographer Annie Leibovitz.
• WC profile: Spain.
• Follow your team on Twitter. 
• Immigration law and the US World Cup bid.

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