US Development Academy Winter Showcase Pics

On the last day of the Winter Showcase ChivasUSA and FC Dallas Academy teams played. Here are pics from the U-18 clash.

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MLS Playoff Preview edition

MLS Playoff Previews

• Kyle McCarthy: MLS playoff preview 
• World Soccer Reader: RBNY/San Jose preview from Ray Curren 
• World Soccer Reader: RSL/FC Dallas preview from Ray Curren  
• Jeff Carlisle: RSL/FC Dallas preview  
  
• WV Hooligan: MLS playoff preview  
• Steve Davis: MLS playoff preview 
• Avi Creditor: Columbus/Colorado playoff preview
• SBNation: East playoff preview   
• Kyle McCarthy: MLS playoff preview 
• Chris Reiko: MLS playoff preview
• Goal.com: Editor's roundtable playoff preview  
• Podcast: West playoff preview from MLS Talk  
• Podcast: East playoff preview from MLS Talk  

More MLS

• Brian Straus: MLS playoff fix - very interesting
• Chivas USA: Chivas USA releases Head Coach Martín Vásquez

Tournaments

• Digicel Caribbean Cup

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News and Views from Wed Sep 1

MLS

• Rapids Stuck In An Eddy, Part 3
• Kevin McCauley - Whoa, We’re Developing Players 

Club Tournaments

• N.A. SuperLiga - Morelia over New England for title
• US Open Cup semifinals - Crew over DC United in extra time - Seattle to host final with win over Chivas USA - At least one MLS team will make it's 2nd consecutive CONCACAF Champions League appearance in 2011-12 tourney.

Around the World

• League tables just a click away
• EPL Rosters - I'll have more on this in a few days
• USSF D2 - Puerto Rico moving from USL to NASL? - More on this also in a few days

Interesting Reads

• Man City: City pay for expensive taste and waste

Player Moves

• Goal.com's Transfer page

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News and Views Wed Aug 25

MLS

• Chivas USA: Goats add Home Grown player
• RBNY: Rookies making a difference
• Rapids: Kroenke now a majority NFL owner
• Rapids: Rapids stuck in an eddy Part 1  -  Part 2

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF: Champions League Results - RSL, Seattle lose in group phase 2nd round
• CCL: Don Garber's Silence is Sending the Wrong Message
• UEFA: Champions League Results
  
• UEFA: Europa League Results
• Copa Sudamerica

Interesting Reads

• FIFA: FIFA VP and CONCACAF Prez in another ticket scandal
• Man U: Glazers fail to pay mortgage on four shopping malls
• US Players: The Issues With Scandinavia 
• Man City: Sheikh Mansour's £500m Manchester City cash injection
• Argentina: Argentina's romantic view of the beautiful game may be holding them back  

Player Moves

• Goal.com's Transfer page

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News and Views from Fri Aug 6

MLS

• Steve Davis: A new era begins at FC Dallas
• Fire: Segares is Back / Ward Traded 
• Chivas USA, RBNY: Chivas USA Loans Players To Miami FC, RBNY Release Goldthwaite
  

US Pyramid

• USSF D2: Week 18 preview
• USL PDL: Championship Weekend

Club Tournaments

• N.A. SuperLiga: Revs v Morelia in final on Sep 1 - That's the same day as the US Open Cup Semifinals
• UEFA: Champions League Draw
• UEFA: Europa League Draw

Interesting Reads

• Soccer Strategy: Is 4-2-1-3 the future?
• Slightly misnamed, but I get the point: We're living in the age of the football-industrial complex 
• Chinese Football: A big step backwards

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News and Views from Thur Aug 5

MLS

• Crew down Philly on Lenhart brace
• Union: Philly acquires Colombian defenseman
• Crew: Columbus sends Zayner to DC United
• Galaxy: LA send Gordon to Chivas USA 
• Wizards: KC loans Hohlbein to Miami FC of D2 
• Expansion: Detoit thinking way outside the box - Gotta love it 
• Timbers: Building a MLS roster - Part 1 - Part 2  
• MLS: Have a little perspective  
• MLS: Why The MLS On Versus Needs To Happen 

Club Tournaments

• N.A. SuperLiga: Revs v Morelia in final
• CONCACAF: Champions League Results - Joe Public, FAS thru to group phase
• CONMEBOL: Copa Libertadores Chivas advances to final, will play Internacional
  
• UEFA: Champions League Results
  
• UEFA: Europa League Results
  

Interesting Reads

• Soccer Strategy: Is 4-2-1-3 the future?
• Soccer Strategy: Why are two holding midfielders so crucial in the modern game? 
• USMNT: U20's offer hope for the future 
• USMNT: How A High Level National Team Coach Could Influence US Soccer  

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News and Views from Thur Jul 8

MLS

• RSL wins ugly in Chicago
• expansion: San Antonio looks to score pro soccer team.
• tactics: Linking up through the midfield.
• signing: Chivas USA Announces Maldonado Signing.

World Cup On Field News and Updates
And then there were two. Netherlands v Spain on Sunday for the trophy.

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• The Netherlands View: How to win a World Cup, pt. 1…. 

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• FIFA Looks to Compensate Fans Who Missed Semifinal.
• Brazil 2014 World Cup Head Says Plans Now on Track.
• How Important Is Width To Victory in the World Cup? 
• World Cup no panacea for South Africa’s economic woes.
• Referee System to Change For Next Cup, Says FIFA. 
• Dan Loney: Honor Among Thieves. 

US News and Views

• Salgado opts for USMNT over Chivas de Guadalajara.
• Looking South, The Shifting Focus of the U.S. U-20s.
• The Makeup of an "American" National Team.

 Player Moves and other News

• Gosling free to find new club.
• How can we justify footballers' wages? 
• Barcelona A Good Example Of Suicidal Financial Management.
• Barcelona’s Debt And Salary Caps in Europe.
• Portuguese keeper Eduardo signs with Genoa.
• Is England’s Premier League the Third Best Domestic League in the World?  
• Spurs announce £20m shirt deal.
• Villarreal agree deal for West Brom's Borja.
• Wolfsburg signs Denmark defender Kjaer.
• Sunderland sell Cana to Galatasaray.
• Liverpool sign Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic.
• Belhadj leaves Portsmouth for Al Sadd. 
• Palermo sign Polish defender Glik. 
• Middlesbrough adopt novel new approach to shirt sponsorhip.
• Tottenham try to double their money by splitting shirt sponsor deal.
• On Boringness: Soccer vs. Baseball.
• President Rosella Sensi Signs Over Roma To Unicredit, But Will Stay On Until New Buyers Are Found.
• When It Comes to Stats, Soccer Seldom Counts.

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News and Views from Tue Jul 6

MLS

• J Hutcherson: LA, parity and what it means for Seattle.
• J Romero: Sounders FC: What a difference one season makes.
• Toronto FC Signs Spanish Forward Mista.

US Open Cup

The US Open Cup resumed with Columbus and ChivasUSA advancing to the semifinals. In addition to modest cash prizes, $100G to the winner and $50G to the runner-up, the winner earns a berth in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League. Los Angeles plays Seattle on Wednesday and DC United plays Harrisburg on July 21 in the other quarterfinal matches.

• Crew eliminate Charleston in quarterfinal.
• Chivas beat Houston 2-0, in semis for first time.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• Spain vs Germany Preview. 

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• Cup stats, including quarterfinals. 
• Riding the World Cup's political bounce. 
• Did the cream rise to the top?  
• Hawk-Eye inventor expects goal-line technology decision this month.  
• Insane in the Ukraine.  
• Facebook Icon The World Cup and National Narratives.
• How the media landscape is shaping World Cup marketing. 
• J Romero: What Economists Can Teach World Cup Coaches. 
• World Cup Soccer Stadiums May Need Rugby to Survive.

US News and Views

• What Jurgen might do. 
• 7 Ways that World Cup 2010 Will Change America. 

Not World Cup News

• Barcelona Transfers Chygrnskiy Back To Shakhtar With A 10m€ Loss.
• Barca president Rosell admits financial fears.
• Wigan target Sowah joins Hamburg.
• Thai Port reported to be 10,000,000 baht in debt and facing crisis.
• Friday Matches, Fewer Foreigners, Other Serie A Changes. 
• Jersey Swaps, a Ritual With a Story. 

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After the Weekend Jul 3-4

MLS

• This week's game recaps at MLS Soccer.
• This week's attendance report.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• Luis Suarez, Or Why Football And Morals Don’t Mix.
• Semi-Final Preview. 
• Another Semi-Final Preview. 

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• Cocaine World Cup Seized in Colombia.
• Finding the Right Amount of Selfishness.   
• Needed for England to succeed: skill, coaches and a willingness to change.
• Week 4 Said and Done.
• World Cup 2010: Germany reap reward of great shift to youth.
• South Africa spent a bundle on stadiums, but World Cup will pay off.
• The dominance of South America fades as Europe is re-established.
• Pendulum Swings Back In Europe's Favor. 
• Just When Cup Had Its Theme, Story Takes a Sudden Turn.

US Men's National Team News and Views

• Michael Lewis: Some Forward Thinking.
• Noah Davis: What Now For The USA?
• 2010 World Cup: US MNT Player Ratings.

Not World Cup News

• Italian clubs angry over restriction.
• Inventing The New Germany: Youth Development and the Bundesliga.
• Is Austin TX becoming a soccer town?
• Funny What Money Can Do.
• Football changed my life: From 'death sentence' to forming my own team.
• Korean defender Cha signs for Celtic.
• Halil Altintop signs for Eintracht Frankfurt.
• Parma announce Bojinov signing.
• Everton Agree To Deal For Abdullayev.
• Kuwait and UAE football teams' poor performance mirrors social ills.
• Video: The Daily Show Tackles English Football Hooliganism.
• Turkish soccer teams up in IFFHS Club World Ranking.

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News and Views from Wed Jun 30

MLS

• Wizards acquire defender Thomas from Philadelphia.
• Fire release midfielder Martinez.
• Fair play and success in MLS.
• ChivasUSA release Macotelo and Santos.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• Assessing referees. 
• Mexico-Argentina match sets viewing records. 
• Viewership expected to drop with 'big' clubs out. 
• Nigerian President suspends soccer team.
• Cool graphic of where WC players play their club football.  
• FIFA Investigates Australian 2022 World Cup Bid Team Over ‘Gift’ Allegations. 
• On Total Football, Joga Bonito and the Ultimate Goal. 
• Victory, Defeat and Fate In One Cruel Moment. 
• World Cup Brings Economic Growth. 
• Political Fallout From World Cup Shame. 
• Fury at the Sounds of South Africa’s World Cup. 
• The Goal of the Tournament So Far. 

US World Cup News and Stories

• Jurgen Klinsmann believes U.S.A. has it all wrong.  

Not World Cup News

• David Silva joins Man City from Valencia. 
• Luca Toni signs with Genoa. 
• Spain considers its own Premier League. 
• For some Africans, the road to pro soccer runs through Cambodia .
• Barcelona revenue jumps 10 percent. 
• Jason Davis: Romance, American Soccer Style.
• UEFA Champions League gets underway.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Six of the 8 MLS teams are through to the 4th round.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Houston	1
Miami FC	0
Houston hosts Chivas USA
Chivas USA	1
Austin	0
Chivas USA plays at Houston
Columbus	2
Rochester	1
Columbus hosts Charleston
Chicago	0(0)
Charleston	0(3)
Charleston plays at Columbus
Harrisburg	1(AET)
RBNY	0
Harrisburg plays at DC United
Los Angeles	2
AC St Louis	0
Los Angeles plays at Seattle
Richmond	0
DC United	2
DC United hosts Harrisburg
Portland	1(3)
Seattle	1(4)
Seattle hosts Los Angeles

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After the Weekend Jun 26-27

MLS

• Weekly attendance report.
• MLS game recaps.
• FC Dallas will play friendly in San Antonio.
• Paulo Nagamura has returned to Chivas USA.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• It wasn't a goal, actually 
• FIFA wants refs to get tough in knockout rounds.
• Group stage scoring statistics.
• FIFA’s Corruption And Censorship At The World Cup: The Keyword Is Not Trust.

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• The economics of the $3.5 Billion World Cup.
• Amazing photos from the first half of the World Cup.(Thanks to Bruce of du Nord)
• Africa still a World Cup winner despite most of its teams performances.
• Is France in the grip of an existential crisis?
• You want diversity? Try Germany.
• In defense of the Jabulani.
• European Imperialism: The Divine Right of UEFA.
• FIFA: No plans to change continental composition. 
• FIFA acknowledges there might be something wrong with the Jabulani World Cup ball. 
• SoccerLens: World Cup 2010…What A Load Of Balls!
• No doping at the World Cup.

US World Cup News and Stories

• Steve Davis: United States and soccer: a big opportunity missed.
• Dream another dream, this dream is over.
• US not ready for prime time.
• Andrea Canales: Close doesn't cut it for the USA.
• The USA and the 2010 World Cup.
• Ridge Mahoney: How Ghana ended USA's run. 
• Steve Davis: Warning, you're about to be told 'Americans don't like soccer'
• College soccer and the USMNT.
• US-Ghana Sets Viewing Records for Men's World Cup.
• The trick is making the soccer lovefest last.
• U.S. can draw some positives from World Cup learning experience.

Not World Cup News

• Ballack return to Bayern Leverkusen.
• Don't Meddle In Football, FIFA Tells French Officials.
• In search of the perfect round rolling object.
• Soccer Fever in NYC’s Immigrant Enclaves.
• The finances of the Premier League - Part 2.
• The finances of the Premier League - Part 3.
• Football project for dementia sufferers may be extended.
• Football: More than a game on the field.
• Corrupting the beautiful game.
• SoccerLens: An interview with Ian Blanchard, Head of National Referee Development at the English FA on the use of technology.

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News and Views from May 5

MLS

• Midweek action: DCU and FCD get first wins. Goats munch on Revs. Gals keep winning. After losing just 2 regular season home games in two years, Houston has lost 2 of 5 at home this year. The Galaxy have yet to yield a goal on the road.
• Steve Davis ranks the 2010 rookie class.
• Goal.com: Is Aggressiveness Hurting The Philadelphia Union?

Interesting Reads

• Fascinating to see the make-up of the USMNT U-20 team as they head to the Netherlands.
• A tale for soccer fanatics.
• The Best Eleven: League leading point totals for 38 game leagues, 2000-2010.
• Pitch Invasion: Peter Wilt's vision of American soccer in 2020.
• US getting closer to winning at England's game.
• Sid Lowe: Atletico Madrid and it's quest for 1st trophy in 14 years.

Around the World

• Triobet Baltic League: Semi-Final Quartet Decided.
• Inter over Roma in Coppa Italia final.
• Chester football is back.
• After failing to reach the Champions League, Daniel Taylor of the Guardian thinks Manchester City will struggle to get A-list players.

World Cup

• Howard Hamilton: Catching up with Project 2010.
• Tickets remain unsold.
• Algeria World Cup squad analysis.
• Team profile: Portugal.

The Business of Soccer

• FA loses key sponsorship.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup  - Competition structure finalized.
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Play resumes on May 8
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - Play resumes on May 11
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - final May 22, Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - 2010 Champs - Pachuca
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Estudiantes, Flamengo and Cruzeiro thru to quarterfinals.
  
• Europa League(Europe) - final: Atletico Madrid v Fulham
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship - Day 2 - Vancouver 1-1 Montreal
  

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News and Views from Fri Apr 23

MLS

• A decent thought provoking piece with the usual assortment of good and moronic comments.
• Richard Farley: Pires a good fit for Philadelphia.
• The Chicago Fire and Section 8 Chicago jointly announced today that they have instituted the first-ever Chicago Fire Soccer Club Supporters’ Charter. The document marks the first such organized effort in U.S. professional sports
• Michael Lewis: Nowak and Hackworth, not an odd couple.
• Revs injury report.
• MLS injury report.
• Chivas USA steps up to help LA scholastic athletics.

Interesting Reads

• Can the Old Firm make an impact(rake in $$$) in the US?
• SBI: USSF D2 week 3 preview.
• NASL website now offering match previews. Look under 'Schedule' on right side of page.
• As if anyone needed reminding that soccer will not displace American football in the US sports foodchain, the NFL draft(???) drew higher TV ratings than the NBA playoffs. WTF!
• A read for Seattle fans.

World Cup

• Security concerns may effect hotel choices.
• Slovenia profile.
• Serbia national team defender Ivica Dragutinovic ruptured his Achilles yesterday and will miss the World Cup.
• USMNT plans fitness regimen.
• SoccerLens: Best XI not at the World Cup.
• Ridge Mahoney: Sharp form of unproven players complicates U.S. World Cup prep.

Club Tournaments

• Thai Port have asked to move next week's AFC Cup Group H match against Tai Po for financial reasons.

• CAF Champions League(Africa)
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia)
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) -
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America)
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Corinthians thru to knock-out - Here is the Rd of 16 draw.
  
• Europa League(Europe) -
  

Enjoy the Weekend!!

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News and Views from Fri Apr 16

MLS

• Homegrown players signed since 2007.
• Kenn.com: The myth of the World Cup attendance bump.
• RBNY: Getting Angel more involved.
• ChivasUSA: Vasquez still tinkering with formation.
• Fire: Left back... eenie, meenie, mynie, mo.
• Goal.com: The Sunil Chhetri Experiment.

Player Moves

• DC United release keeper Josh Wicks
• D.C. United's midfielder Tiyi Shipalane will be joining USL-2 side Richmond Kickers for the club's home opener this weekend against the Harrisburg City Islanders. The Union's Tony Stahl, Shea Salinas and J.T. Noone will be doing the same on the Harrisburg side.

Interesting Reads

• Goal.com: Scotland's influence on US Soccer.
• Fans vote for the best Euro signings this year.
• Soccer and Politics in England.
• Jason Davis: Revisiting Freddy Adu.
• Michael Lewis: What about Dave Van den Bergh?

Around the World

• A look at USSF D2 week 2.
• Guy Bailey: ESPN's soccer coverage in England ... Bordering on absurd.
• Aaron Makoena: Captain of South Africa.

The Business of Soccer

• EPL looking to tighten ownership controls.
• Columbus gets new VP of Sales and Ticketing.

Club Tournaments

• Lánus out, Vélez thru in Copa Libertadores.
• Puerto Rico starts CFU Championship campaign with victory.

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News and Views from Friday Mar 26

MLS

• Colorado grabs a road win at the Home Depot Center.
• Predictions from SI's writers.
• Garber: More DP slots.
• Union will play rookies this season.

Player Moves

• Red Bulls sign academy player.
• American defender on Lichaj on loan to Leyton Orient.
• Toronto signs midfielder. Conway joins TFC.
• Revs sign 2 release 1.
• Claudio Suarez retires.
• DC United signs defenders Talley and Rice.
• Unconfirmed at the time of this post. Jon Busch to San Jose.

Club Tournaments

• Copa Libertadores - Velez defeats Colo Colo

Interesting Reads

• The battle in central midfield on the USMNT.
• Good read about Jeff Parke.
• Valencia to play 3 matches in the US this summer.

The Business of Soccer

• Football and Politics.
• ChivasUSA inks sponsorship deal.

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News and Views from Monday Mar 22

MLS

• Jason Davis with an MLS preview for an England audience.
• A geographical look at US MLS players.

Player Moves

As you might expect, roster moves are happening fast and furious. And there will certainly be more between now and the roster compliance deadline on Wednesday at 5pm ET.
By my reckoning, and this is by no means a complete list, these players of note(or dubious note) are available:

Keepers: Eylander, Busch, Kocic, Graczyk, Pardo
Mids: Szetela, Van den Bergh, Ribiero, Cox, DiRaimondo, Elliott, Leyva
Defenders: Pitchkolen, Dalby, Vaughn, Purdy, Wagner, Parke, Talley
Forwards: Diz, Ely Allen, Sanchez, Claudio Lopez
And of course, a host of 2010 draftees that haven't stuck.

• Steve Purdy cut by Dallas.
• DC United sign 2nd academy player.
• Fire to trade or waive keeper Jon Busch.
• San Jose waive Elliott, Ribiero, Graczyk.
• The Fullback Files DCU roster reset. DC United waive DiRaimondo after the reset.
• Seattle waives keeper Eylander.
• ChivasUSA waives Talley.

Interesting Reads

• Goal.com: How the NASL differs from and complements MLS.
• A nice little piece on Lamar Hunt.
• Soccer's concussion problem.
• Big impact from small scale soccer.
• Tripp Mickle with 'The Red Bull Way'.
• Young people in Africa making soccer balls from recycled materials.

Around the World

• Russian Premier League Club Locations for 2010.

The Business of Soccer

• FIFA revenues exceed $1B for first time.

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News and Views from Friday Mar 19

MLS Preseason

• WV Hooligan with a little preview.
• Frank Dell-Apa's preview of the Rapids.
• Jeff Carlisle's preview of the Quakes.
• Union lose in preseason finale.

MLS

• Sueño 2010 details will be unveiled on Sunday.

Player Moves

• RSL adds 2, drops 1.
• Houston signs Jamaican midfielder.
• Former ChivasUSA keeper Parker signs with Miami FC.
• ChivasUSA defender Talley waived.

Interesting Reads(and listens)

• In defense of American soccer.
• Football - Better heard than seen?
• Richard Farley, Drew Epperly and Bruce McGuire - Pocast - A good listen.

Around the World

• FIFA lifts ban on Iraq.

The Business of Soccer

• FIFA politics(and money).
• MLS tells players they will have to pay for own health insurance if they strike.

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF Champions League - A failure?

• CONCACAF Champions League. All Mexican semifinals.
• Asian Champions League. Click for the quarterfinal draw.
• UEFA Europa League. Click for the quarterfinal draw.
• Copa Libertadores. Sao Paulo defeats Libertad.

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After the Weekend Mar 13-14

MLS Preseason

• ChivasUSA/Galaxy play to 0-0 draw.
• RSL drops opener in Carolina Challenge Cup.
• TFC draw at the Carolina Challenge Cup.
• The entertaining Fullback Files with a DC United roster reset.
• Revs down USL-2 Charlotte.
• Union fall to FC Dallas.

Interesting Reads

• Have you read about former MLS'er Herculez Gomez and his adventure in the Mexican league?

The Business of Soccer

• Gary Andrews at Pitch Invasion continues the series on Fan ownership of football clubs.
• Howard Hamilton reports that the Caribbean federations are strapped for cash.
• The final post of the series on Fan ownership of football clubs.
• English soccer headed for salary caps?

Around the World

• Eredivisie round-up.
• Recap of Mexican League action.
• David Beckam's dream of playing in the 2010 World Cup is ended with a possible career ending injury. He ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in a match on Sunday. Awful news. I was watching the match when he pulled up lame and it was obvious that he was in serious distress.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL
Manchester Utd	30	21	3	6	46	66
Chelsea	29	20	4	5	42	64
Arsenal	30	20	4	6	38	64
Tottenham	29	15	7	7	25	52
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich	26	16	8	2	31	56
Schalke 04	26	16	6	4	22	54
Bayer Leverkusen	26	14	11	1	31	53
Dortmund	26	13	6	7	10	45
Ligue 1
Bordeaux	27	16	5	6	21	53
Montpellier	28	16	5	7	9	53
Auxerre	28	15	7	6	5	52
Lille	28	15	6	7	23	51
Serie A
Internazionale	28	17	8	3	28	59
AC Milan	28	17	7	4	21	58
AS Roma	28	15	8	5	16	53
Palermo	28	13	7	8	6	46
La Liga
Real Madrid	26	21	2	3	50	65
Barcelona	26	20	5	1	48	65
Valencia	26	13	8	4	13	47
Sevilla FC	26	13	5	8	10	44

The races in Germany and Italy have assumed a heightened importance as Italy is in danger of surrendering its fourth UEFA Champions League berth to Germany. The results of this year's UCL and Europa League will be the determining factor.

News and Views from Thursday Mar 11

Openers

• You may read how the DC United win at Santos Laguna is the first club victory for a US team in Mexico. When the feat is repeated in a game that means something, I'll make a point of it, but for now, so what.

• Word is out that the MLS players have voted to strike if no labor agreement is reached by March 25, the scheduled opening day. More meetings with the Federal mediator have been set, so again, it's wait and see. If you want to read every smidgeon or rumor, use Google or Bing.

MLS Preseason

• DC United beats Santos Laguna 3-2.
• TFC heads to Carolina Challenge Cup.
• LA defeats Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica.
• Houston/Chicago scrimmage relocated.
• RBNY/Miami FC scrimmage relocated.
• Timbers beat Sounders 1-0.

MLS

• ChivasUSA report.

Player Moves

• RBNY signs former TFC keeper Sutton.
• RBNY makes Carl Robinson move official.
• Eskandarian's career likely over.
• ChivasUSA signs Costa Rican international defender Michael Umana.

Interesting Reads

• Last week I linked to Goal.com's first post in a series called Where Would the USA be Without... when it addressed the Netherlands influence on football in the US. This week, it's Argentina.
• FIFA says costs preclude goal-line technology.

The Business of Soccer

• In the 4th post in the series on fan ownership of football clubs: the Bundesliga model.

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF Champions League.
• Asian Champions League.
• UEFA Europa League.
• Copa Libertadores.

Around the World

• Drogba named African Footballer of the Year.

News and Views from Wednesday Mar 10

Columbus' Steve Lenhart, scorer of both goals in their opening leg CONCACAF Champions League draw with Toluca, signing autographs while in Arizona

MLS Preseason

• Quakes beat Tottenham's development team. 
• FC Dallas headed to Tampa to continue training.
• Victorine retires and other ChivasUSA notes.
• ChivasUSA defeats UCLA in scrimmage.

Player Moves

• Adrian Serioux's rights were traded by TFC to Houston. Take a moment and follow the link to Gareth Wheeler's post for more perspective. 
• It appears that the Fire and Collins John have agreed to terms. No link because there is no official announcement yet.

Interesting Reads

• FC New York names coach/technical director.
• Guus Hiddink reportedly named new coach of Ivory Coast early in the day. A few quirks in the deal, which later in the day is being denied.
• Soccer in the Big Apple?? No, RBNY is  not a New York team.
• Kyle McCarthy on MLS veterans and team roster decisions.

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF Champions League.
• Asian Champions League.
• UEFA Champions League.
• Copa Libertadores.

The Business of Soccer

• The third post in a series on Supporter ownership of football teams. Find a link to the first part in Monday's post. The link to the second post in Tuesday's post. 
• EPL and SPL rights and more.

Other Stuff

• NASL news.
• Earthquakes Development Schools will return in the summer of 2010.