Pics from Crew v Dynamo Preseason Scrimmage

Pics from Crew v Dynamo Preseason Scrimmage

Pics from Sporting KC v Dynamo Preseason Scrimmage

Pics from Sporting KC v Dynamo Preseason Scrimmage

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Playing Catch-Up

Been entertaining out of town guest, so no posts for a while. this is a bit of catch-up that caught my attention.

Starter Fun

• Special1 TV: Voyeurs Pulp Fiction & Arry's Bargain Bin
• Special1 TV: Sven Sacked!

MLS

• Roster Rules: Official 2011 Roster Rules
• Simon Borg: About the Official 2011 Roster Rules
• Realignment: Houston Moves East for 2011 
  
• Steve Davis: Making the Case for Goalkeeper DP's
• Clemente Lisi: Anschutz And American Soccer

The Business of Soccer

• Bundesliga: Bundesliga posts loss despite record turnover 
• Fake Sigi: Soccer United Marketing revenue around $100 million annually
  

Miscellaneous Stuff

• Sons of Ben: Sons of Ben Featured in GQ UK
• Jason Davis' follow up on Sons of Ben: American Supporter Culture or, Let's All Pretend
• Steve Davis: U.S. talent pool suits a 4-2-3-1 
• Tweed Thornton: New York Cosmos: Why MLS may not be the endgame 
• Fun read from the Run of Play: On Hypocrisy and Football Being Ruined 
• David Hills: Said and Done 
• J.R. Eskilson: The Map Of The Development Academy   
• Slate: The Trouble with Soccer's Statistical Revolution 
• Asian Cup: Behind Japan's Soccer Cup Victory, Italian Tactics  

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Nike Int'l and US Development Academy Winter Showcase Pics

More pics from Phoenix on the last day of Nike Internationals. Two more days remain for the US Development Academy Winter Showcase. I expect to have more pics for you of some of the academy teams I've yet to cover.

Revs

South Carolina United

Turkey Celebrates its Victory

Turkey v USA crowd

Turkey v USA

Academies watching the Internationals

Academies watching the Internationals

Chivas USA

Brasil v Korea

Brasil v Korea

Brasil v Korea

Brasil v Korea

Brasil v Korea

Revs

Revs

Dallas Texans

FC Dallas v San Jose

FC Dallas v San Jose

San Jose

De Anza Force

Houston Dynamo U-16's

Houston Dynamo v Cosmos West

Houston Dynamo v Cosmos West

Houston Dynamo v Cosmos West

Houston Dynamo v Cosmos West

Houston Dynamo v Cosmos West

RSL-AZ U-16's watching the U-18's

RSL-AZ v Dallas Texans

RSL-AZ v Dallas Texans

RSL-AZ v Dallas Texans

RSL-AZ v Dallas Texans

Revs

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News and Views Jul 28-29

MLS

• Houston Youth Player Maybe Makes Some Kind of History 
• Eleven things about the Man U/MLS All Stars match 
• Steve Davis: Large crowd was about the only plus for MLS in All-Star game. 
• N.A. SuperLiga: Semifinals dates set. 
• DeMerit, Defenders, and DPs 
• Grant Wahl: On MLS with Don Garber and more.  
• Uruguayan midfielder Fernández headed to Seattle  
• Vancouver wins toss - gets to choose 
• Proposed Baltimore soccer stadium could attract D.C. United  
• Santiago Hirsig out of KC 

USA Soccer Stuff

• College Soccer and American Youth Development
• Bill Archer: Youth Soccer and player development.
• USMNT: U-20 MNT Tops China at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.
• Aaron Stollar: MLS and the USSF are heading in the right direction in youth development matters.
• Can US Soccer grip our hearts?
• Growing Recognition For American Supporters Groups 
• NPSL (US Amateur) Final Four Begins 
• Pro soccer coming to Arizona? 

Around the World and other Stuff

• On the new homegrown rule in England
• Developing Soccer Technique: The Best Tool
• Potential Quirks And Consequences Of The Homegrown Rule
• Defending the Defensive Midfielder
• More on the new homegrown rule in England
• Manchester in New York City 
• Marseille beat PSG to claim Trophee des Champions 
• Perennial mid-table Premiership teams try to avoid stagnation

Club Tourneys

• CONCACAF Champions League: Seattle 1 - Isidro Metapan 0 in 1st leg.
• Copa Libertadores: Chivas, Universidad draw 1-1 in semifinal.
• Copa Libertadores: Internacional 1 - 0 São Paulo in semifinal.
• UEFA Champions League: Braga beat Celtic 
• UEFA Champions League: Breaking Down CL Coefficients
• Europa League: Europa League Underway 

Player Moves

• Schalke signs Raul from Real Madrid on 2-year deal. 
• Celtic complete signing of midfielder Biram Kayal.  
• Robinho returns to Manchester City.
• Liverpool fail to complete the signing of Aston Villa's Luke Young.

The Business of Soccer

• The Real Benefit Of Pre Season Tours.  
• EPL: Which Teams Spend The Most?
• Berlusconi Beats Murdoch’s Sky on TV Soccer Pricing.  

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News and Views Jul 22-25

My Two Cents

• Getting caught up after my trip to Kansas.
  
• Arizona Sahuaros: The Sahuaros competed for the USASA U-23 National Cup. In fact, I've been with the team in Kansas. Unfortunately, their efforts came up short as the finished with a 1-1-1 record. Next year the competition will be held on our home turf, in Phoenix.

 MLS

• N.A. SuperLiga: Semifinals dates set. 
• SUM Cup U17: Chivas USA 1, Revs 0. 
• SUM Cup U17: Seattle over FC Dallas in a penalty kick tiebreaker.
• SUM Cup U17: Seattle over Philadelphia 2-1.
• SUM Cup U17: Houston over New England 3-1.
• Columbus U19's down FC Delco 1-0 to win McGuire National Cup.  
• Philadelphia Union Signs Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet.
• Revolution waives Michael Videira.
• Tottenham Boss Harry Redknapp Willing To Loan Players To MLS.
• Andrea Canales: Major League Soccer Is Deserving Of New Signings. 
• Chicago Fire NPSL team(U23) win USASA National Cup. 

Around the World and other Stuff

• FMF: Santos Laguna move to top of table.  
• Video: Argentina's fierce football rivalry.  
• Brasil Campeonato: Fluminense beat Cruzeiro to go top. 
• Jonathan Wilson: Zenit the team to beat in Russia.
• Sudan Risks FIFA Ban From International Soccer.
• Football club scout scam warning.
• UEFA Takes Step Forward on Supporter-Club Relations.
• Political Struggle Paralyses Iraqi Soccer Vote.
• Northern Exposure: The People’s Team Abroad.
• Two Clubs Handed 3 - 0 Europa League Defeats By UEFA.
• Debt-ridden Mallorca denied Europa League slot, gives Villarreal slot.
• FIFA clears Australia's '22 World Cup bid of wrongdoing.
• Manchester City bring football to a rooftop in Spanish Harlem.
• New rules force Man City to sell 12 players.
• Tom Dunmore: The National Football Centre: Is It Actually Worthwhile For English Youth Development?

Player Moves

• Manchester City signs Serbian defender Kolarov. 
• Sunderland sign defender Angeleri from Estudiantes. 
• Sunderland also sign defender Titus Bramble. 
• Kacar transfers to Hamburg.
• Newcastle sign Dan Gosling. 
• Paraguay's Alcaraz Completes Wigan Move. 
• Guti leaves Real Madrid to sign for Besiktas.

The Business of Soccer

• Sheffield Wednesday issued with winding-up order by HMRC. 

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News and Views from Tue Jul 13

MLS

• Andrea Canales: Beckham Shows Henry The Way.
• MLS wants to capitalize on America’s interest in the World Cup. 
• MLS announces All-Star XI.
• J Hutcherson: The MLS Window.
• Houston release Landin, sign midfielder. 

A Few More Post World Cup Stories

• P.J. O'Rourke: A Modest Proposal for Improving a Dull Game. If you've never read O'Rourke, prepare for a treat. 
• Top 100 Photos Of The 2010 World Cup, Part 1.
• The World Cup In World Newspaper Front Pages. 
• 2010 World Cup Shooting Statistics. 
• World Cup Teams Ranked #1 to #32.
• World Cup 2010: business winners and losers.

Around the World and other Stuff

• Brian Quarstad: Rethinking Division-2 Pro Soccer in North America – Part 1. 
• Video: US Soccer Development Academy Finals Week Update.
• Stephen McManus signs for Boro from Celtic.
• P.J. O'Rourke: A Modest Proposal for Improving a Dull Game. If you've never read O'Rourke, prepare for a treat.
• Richard Whittall: Soccer puritanism and the sin of "entertainment".   
• Aris choose Carlos Ruiz over Eddie Johnson.

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News and Views from Wed Jun 23

MLS

• Taylor Twellman's season is over. Is his career done too? 
• Revs planning for strong return to play.
• Dynamo working on defense during break.
• With World Cup group play coming to a conclusion, it shouldn't be too long before some of the long rumored signings become reality. Just some of the names in the mix ... Ronaldinho, ze Roberto, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires ...

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• Thursday game capsules.
• Parity at the 2010 WC.

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• Fixing the World Cup.
• I'm not sure that I'm buying this but I'll let you decide about a Racial Tinge to France's Cup exit.
• The economics of the World Cup.
• Adidas and Nike using the Cup to grab bigger pieces of pie.
• The party continues for South Africans.
• Italian Federation rebukes bribe claim politician.
• No bonuses for French players.

Not World Cup News

• Arrest made in Paraguay star's shooting.
• 9 players and 1 coach charged in match fixing probe in Turkey.

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After the Weekend Jun 18-20

Starters

• My apologies to any regular readers out there for no Friday post. Way too engrossed in the World Cup and playing with my new(and first) smartphone.
• So much has been written about 'the goal that wasn't' in the US/Slovenia game. I'll link you to this one because it has pictures. 
• More episodes of Special One TV.

MLS

• Brasil's Cruzeiro easily beat RBNY.
• Houston downs CD Aguila in 2nd annual Charities Cup. 
• RSL defeat Puntarenas at Rio Tinto.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• Netherlands first to go through, Cameroon first to go out. Brasil are through.
• Monday's preview capsules.

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• US suffers from law of the wrestling ring.
• Cup spurs record digital highs on social media.
• US/Slovenia draws record ESPN numbers.
• After slow start, Cup gets its mojo working.
• Yellow card rule change to minimize chances of players missing final.
• FIFA on guard against match fixing. 
• England's WC players and their salaries.
• The Cup and politics in Latin America.
• South African soccer and benefits from the Cup.
• During the Cup, FIFA is the law.
• Only time will reveal the Cup's legacy in South Africa.
• Here's one for US fans. Onyewu is the best option, despite shaky form.
• FA(Great Britain): the first World Cup winners.

Not World Cup News

• CONCACAF foes drive each other to get better.
• And one for footie braniacs: Formations - Cartesian Coordinates or Dasein?
• TV and the growth of US soccer.
  

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News and Views from Wed Jun 9

MLS

• RSL downs Galaxy on iffy no call offside goal.
• Rapids steal point on road with Casey extra time header vs Fire.
• Wizards academy update.
• Houston President Oliver Luck leaving to become WVU AD.

Interesting Reads

• Social turmoil surrounds World Cup in Cape Town.
• Soccer that almost was in the USA.
• Goal.com: England's influence on US Soccer.

Player Moves

• Everton signs Portuguese striker.

World Cup

• Journalists robbed, one held at gunpoint.
• Individual achievements.
• Pre cup friendlies: Chile 2 New Zealand 0 -
• Golden Boot winners.
• African players receive WC amnesty.
• Terrific WC pictorial.
• England v USA: The beauty of anticipation.

Around the World

• Triobet Baltic League update.

The Business of Soccer

• Corporate set staying away from South Africa.
• The collapse of football: how the toxic weed of Strategic Default took over our game.
• AT&T will carry ESPN's 3D World Cup broadcasts.
• Timbers gain first founding partner sponsor.
• USA's World Cup bonus pot, largest in history(potentially).
• MLS pre cup business bits from Footiebusiness.

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News and Views from Mon Jun 7

MLS

• Ralston returns to Revs.
• Kenny Cooper back to Dallas?
• Houston looking to fill holes during transfer window.
• MLS and leveraging the World Cup.

The Business of Soccer

• The tax man and the EPL.
• EPL spending not sustainable.
• European revenue climbs, so do salaries.

World Cup

• Pre cup friendlies: Switzerland 1 Italy 1 - England 3 South Africa 0 - Brasil 5 Tanzania 1
• TV Cup coverage in the USA.

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News and Views from Thurs May 20

MLS

• LA and Columbus remain undefeated despite missing top players.
• Ngwenya finally rejoins Houston.
• Rev U16 players honored by US Soccer.
• Union loan Zimmerman to Harrisburg.
• Red Bull Arena, will it matter?

The Business of Soccer

• Seattle Sounders named as 2010 pro sports team of the year.
• Richard Farley is reporting that NASL's AC St. Louis and WPS's St. Louis Athletica are on the brink of going out of business.
• Inside Minnesota Soccer with more on USL and NASL.

Interesting Reads

• Sir Alex Ferguson on American soccer and MLS.
• Steve Davis: Big media should cover soccer correctly or not at all.
• The worst job in soccer.
• Beau Dure: Why college still produces pro talent.

World Cup

• Goal.com debate: Who should start at the back for the US?
• A study in National team training techniques.
• The WC created this soccer fan.

Around the World

• Brasil's Internacional and Universidad de Chile join Sao Paulo and Chivas de Guadalajara in Copa Libertadores semifinals.
• Mexican Liguilla final - Toluca/Santos draw in first leg.
• Nepal league postponed indefinitely.

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News and Views from Thurs May 13

Starters

• The big story for me was the cancellation of a friendly in soccer hungry Phoenix. The Club America/Pachuca match scheduled for July 7 will not take place because of what we know here as SB 1070, the new immigration law.

MLS

• RSL maintains home field dominance, defeat Houston.
• Video: 15 minute Q and A with Don Garber.
• Expansion: San Antonio dreaming.
• Findley leaving for Europe?
• FC Dallas signs Colombian striker Milton Rodriguez.
• Red Bull Salzburg win 2nd consecutive Austrian Bundesliga title.
• Crew sign French midfielder Leandre Griffit.
• Michael Lewis on fixture congestion. Certainly the first of the annual posts on the subject. I've written about it myself.
• Jeff Parke signs with Seattle.

Interesting Reads

• Special 1 TV making its return. All episodes in chronological order. Watch these and be ready to smile.
• Tom Meagher follows up his post from yesterday with another on soccer journalism.

The Business of Soccer

• The rotten structure of English football.
• Manchester City to play Timbers. City will also play Club America in Atlanta.
• Mexico draws over 70,000 for friendly in Houston vs Angola.

World Cup

• A good read from Dan Gaspar, US born coach at U of Hartford, and Portuguese assistant coach at the upcoming World Cup.
• Tim Vickery on Brasil and Argentina.
• Former USMNT player John O'Brien on the US squad.
• Alexi Lalas also comments on the USMNT squad.
• South Africa spends 3.5 billion pounds, but for what return?
• Team profile: Ghana.

Club Tournaments

• Korean teams dominate AFC.
• Indonesia Cup Quarterfinals.
• Internacional of Brasil defeated defending champion Estudiantes in the first leg of the last quarterfinal match.

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News and Views from Thur May 6

MLS

• Footiebusiness: A Wednesday night in Foxboro.
• Los Angeles has not allowed a goal on the road.
• Houston lost 2 regular season home games in two years, they've lost 2 in 5 this year.
• MatchFit USA: Speed merchants of MLS.
• Tough loss for Kansas City. I'm posting this because I have a soft spot for the Wiz. They spent a lot of preseason in Phoenix, so I got to see them quite a bit.
• Sueño finalists in LA.
• Keith Hickey: Woes in New England.

Interesting Reads

• You probably know this stuff by now, but an interesting read on Euro doings nonetheless.
• The influence of Haiti on US football.
• Dan Loney: Reflections on Mexico and the US in the Loney style.

The Business of Soccer

• BBC: More football clubs face collapse according to leaked FA paper.
• Manchester United in North America this July.
• Billy Witz: Most popular team in the US - Mexico?

World Cup

• Chris Rodrigues: South Africa's World Cup is a Disgrace.
• Team profile: Brasil.
• Via Hexagonal Blog: CONCACAF revisiting World Cup qualifiying.

Around the World

• Marseille win Ligue 1 title.
• Arrests made in Hong Kong match fixing probe.
• Ajax defeat Feyenoord to win Dutch Cup.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup - Tourney structure finalized.
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Play resumes May 8
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - Play resumes May 11
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - Pachuca defeats Cruz Azul for title
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Quarterfinals: Flamengo vs. Alianza, Libertad vs. Chivas, Estudiantes vs. Internacional and Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo
• Europa League(Europe) - final: Atletico Madrid v Fulham
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship - Whitecaps and Impact draw, leaving TFC in good position.
  

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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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News and Views from Fri Apr 30

A Small Rant
Sometimes ya just gotta let it out. Sometimes it's big things that get to you, other times it's just those little annoying things.

• rant : at tweet from today - DCUnited wins one, though it doesn't really count in MLS regular play so enjoy the empty victory ... the implication is that the US Open Cup means nothing.

MLS

• The league's injury report as of April 30.
• Houston: Do we have a problem?
• Joe Favorito: Nelson Rodriguez, MLS Executive Vice President of Competition, Technical and Game Operations.

Interesting Reads

• Football style ... a matter of culture?
• Jack Bell's philosophical soccer. 
• Andrea Canales with a piece on Herculez Gomez.
• A Costa Rican match experience.
• Fabulous article about Tottenham's Benoît Assou-Ekotto who says 'I play for the money, football is not my passion'.
• Online Media: WPS dominates MLS, but does it matter?

World Cup

• Concern for pitches over rugby tourney use.
• US WC history part 1: 1930-1950.
• South African coach: Nobody wants to play us.
• Team profile: Netherlands.
• Steve Davis: US must maintain discipline.

Player Moves

• ChivasUSA and Seattle make moves.
• Revs place Reis on IR, sign keeper Tim Murray.
• DC United waive Shipalane, Adams, making room for the return of Luciano Emilio.
• Seattle completes signing of Colombian forward Montaño.
• ChivasUSA acquire Costa Rican midfielder/forward Macotelo on loan.

The Business of Soccer

• Greed or Unity: A major decision is on the table.

Around the World

• Indonesia Super League.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup 
• Indonesia Cup 2nd round draw
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa)
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) 
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - Inter Milan v Bayern Munich in final.
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - Pachuca head to FIFA Club World Cup
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Cruzeiro, U de Chile win first leg round of 16 matches.
  
• Europa League(Europe) - Fulham v Athletico Madrid in final.
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship
  

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News and Views from Mon Apr 26

MLS

• Shalrie Joseph has been granted an indefinite leave of absence.
• Beau Dure's weekend roundup.
• Goff on DC United's strong attendance, poor performance.
• Sueño MLS 2010 grand finale update.
• Geoff Cameron done for season with torn PCL.
• Beckham will miss MLS season.
• Steve Davis: This and that in MLS. The usual good stuff from Steve.

Interesting Reads

• Andrew Guest: Stories of football and the Congo. A good read.
• James Lawton: What can the EPL take from the NFL?
• Grant Wahl: Freddy Adu still looking to get his footing.
• Jack Bell: Soccer ... Easing conflicts.

Around the World

• Roy Makaay announces retirement.
• Central American roundup.
• Muslim leader closes public TV viewing halls before World Cup.

The Business of Soccer

• Hull City and its flawed business model.
• Tom Dunmore: A salary cap in Europe?

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News and Views from Tues Apr 13

MLS

• Steve Davis: Headhunting unpunished.
• Greg Seltzer: Top five DP needs. Worth the read.
• I mentioned this in a previous post, but it's worth another shout-out. The Chicago Fire and the Sister Cities Tournament information.
• MLS target men.
• Jeff Carlisle: A rough weekend for keepers.
• A blog in the UK introduces readers to MLS.
• Houston stadium gets final approval.
• As if things weren't bad enough in DC, Goff reports the injury list grows.
• L.E. Eisenmenger: About Generation Adidas and a recap of Nike Project-40 and Generation Adidas players.
• Yanks Abroad: MLS is starting to grow up.
• Paul Kennedy: What to do about MLS' bad signings?

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

• Rapids beat Wizards, face winner of New England/RBNY or Union.

Player Moves

• Scott Sealy's return to San Jose official.

Also

• Travis Clark looks at USSF D2 Week 1.
• Jason Davis: The 2nd division in the US is in a transitional year.
• I live in Arizona, so this is a big story for me.

Interesting Reads

• The Guardian: All about the offsides rule.
• US World Cup opponents: How Algerians and Slovenians fared last weekend.
• Maximize college recruiting exposure.
• The pitch at Wembley.
• High Schoolers: Turn pro or go to college?
• Ton Dunmore pointed me to a blog I hadn't seen before. I like it. You make your own decision.
• Traumatic Brain Injury and football.

The Business of Soccer

• In an unexpected move, Stan Kroenke has made a bid for ownership of the NFL St. Louis Rams. This is getting kind of complicated. Kroenke is within 10 shares of being compelled to make an offer on EPL club Arsenal. There are also some NFL rules that precludes an owner from owning another pro franchise in another market. Funny(or sad) how I've read a couple of articles on this story and Kroenke's ownership of the Rapids of MLS is not mentioned.
• Ben Berger of Footiebusiness: An interview with Rapids Marketing Director Kieran Cain.
• Chicago Fire announce Comcast TV deal.
• Spanish players call off strike.

Around the World

• Goal.com: Eredivisie round-up.
• Goal.com: La Liga round-up.

---

News and Views from Mon Apr 5

MLS

• MLS Daily: Good news on Houston stadium.
• Andrea Canales: MLS youth movement making progress.
• Jason Davis: Caveat Emptor to Designated Player buyers. 
• MLS DP Wish Lists: WVHooligan - Various pundits.
• Opener TV ratings down from '09.

Player Moves

• Toronto officially terminates Gerba contract. TFC also signs SuperDraft pick Nane to contract.
• Quakes bring back Scott Sealy.

Interesting Reads

• Four slots for CONCACAF in Brasil '14?
• Steve Davis: A word about baseball, soccer and establishment protectionism.
• The Run of Play: Not sure that it's worth the read, but it sure is pretty.(via WVHooligan)

The Business of Soccer

• Tom Dunmore: More on fan ownership of football clubs.
• Richard Whittall: Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert on ownership, wages and more.
• MLS not the only league with labor woes. Spanish league players may strike over unpaid wages. 

Around the World

• Dallas Cup Review. Houston's U-16 academy team wins.

---

After the Weekend Mar 20-21

Openers

No MLS strike. But you know that already. Hell, how could you not? It's great news and I'm eager to see the details.
I think we're looking at a terrific 2010 season. Lots of newcomers to watch for. Lindpere showed a flash with his goal against Santos and general midfield play. Alviro Saborio teaming up with Findley in RSL is something I'm eager to see. Can Ike Opara team up with Brandon McDonald and turn around the worst defense in the league at San Jose?
Then there are the question marks. Can two DP's that joined the league mid-season show that they're worth the DP tag? I'm talking about Landin in Houston and de Guzman in Toronto. Can the Wizards show some consistency with all of the changes on the roster? Will FC Dallas continue their strong form from last season, and will anybody show up at Pizza Hut Park to see it?
And then of course there's Philadelphia. Can they come close to matching Seattle's inaugural performance?
Grab your scarves, brewskis, twinkies and whatever else floats your boat, the fun starts this Thursday.
For you number freaks, as I did last season, I'll be posting attendance numbers and a few other things at MLS Talk each week.

And here are a few pieces I've been holding onto that I'll either archive or toss into digital oblivian.

• Foreign investment in MLS has nothing to do with collective bargaining.
• Mainstream media will have a field day with MLS strike.
• MLS, the Replacements.

MLS Preseason

• RBNY unveils Red Bull Arena in style, defeating Santos 3-1.
  
• TFC fall to RSL in final preseason match.
• Revs down Railhawks.
• DC United take Carolina Challenge Cup.
• Houston beats ChivasUSA in preseason finale.

Interesting Reads

• Howard Hamilton with updated CONCACAF club coefficients. No surprise that Mexican clubs dominate.
• How poorly organized defense in MLS made this EPL defender a better player.

Around the World

• Sydney FC wins A-League final.
• Mexican Clausura 2010.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL
Manchester Utd	31	22	3	6	47	69
Arsenal	31	21	4	6	40	67
Chelsea	30	20	5	5	42	65
Tottenham	30	16	7	7	26	55
Manchester City	29	14	11	4	18	53
Liverpool	31	15	6	10	18	51
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich	27	16	8	3	30	56
Schalke 04	27	16	7	4	22	55
Bayer Leverkusen	27	14	11	2	28	53
Dortmund	27	14	6	7	13	48
Werder Bremen	27	12	9	6	21	45
Hamburg SV	27	11	11	5	16	44
Ligue 1
Bordeaux	28	17	5	6	23	56
Montpellier	29	17	5	7	10	56
Auxerre	29	16	7	6	6	55
Marseille	28	15	8	5	20	53
Lille	29	15	6	8	21	51
Lyon	29	14	9	6	16	51
Serie A
Internazionale	29	17	9	3	28	60
AC Milan	29	17	8	4	21	59
AS Roma	29	16	8	5	18	56
Palermo	29	13	8	8	6	47
Sampdoria	29	13	8	8	2	47
Juventus	29	13	6	10	5	45
La Liga
Real Madrid	27	22	2	3	52	68
Barcelona	27	21	5	1	50	68
Valencia	27	14	8	5	15	50
Mallorca	27	14	4	9	13	46
Sevilla FC	27	13	5	9	8	44
Athletic Bilbao	27	12	6	9	4	42