Here's a recap.

Sure it would've been great for the USL Sounders to win the league championship in the final go. But after the announcement of the MLS team, I'm pretty sure minds have been on bigger and better things.

While small trophies are nice, filling out a roster and finding a coach are higher on the priority list I think. Click to continue reading...

The Chelsea forward scoffed at reports that he was returning to Paris.

He also offered a couple alternatives to his next playing destination, should he leave Stamford Bridge.

If I had to leave London, I'd go to the States or the Gulf," he said.

Hmmmm. Sounders DP...? Click to continue reading...

(Rick Morrison for Goal Seattle with the photo, if you couldn't tell)

It was a pretty inconsequential game in the standings, Seattle and Vancouver had already qualified for the playoffs, but the Cascadia Cup was lost.

The Northwest derby might not be around for awhile, so it's sad that the Sounders couldn't hold onto it until then. Click to continue reading...

Of course, Seattle's rivals couldn't even wait until the Sounders got in the league before crashing the party.

But honestly, both cities have great bids. They both love soccer, which means full stadiums and excitement for all.

Portland, which calls itself Soccer Town U.S.A., is planning on renovating PGE Park to make it a soccer specific stadium. Click to continue reading...

Was he fired? Did he resign?

Does anybody know what's going on?

We should know by the weekend, right?

• Was the fix is in for Brazil-Ghana '06 World Cup game? [Yahoo!]
  
• Naming the Sounders F.C. sections. [Goal Seattle]
  
• Antonio Puerta, one year later.

Click to continue reading...

We hadn't heard much from Kasey Keller since the end of the season in England, and many speculated that he may be joining MLS.  Keller's contract expired at the end of the previous season, and Keller at 38 is ready to return to the US, to Seattle in particular.   Today at 2 PM, the Sounders [...] Click to continue reading...

Gaschk over at the PI is reporting what everyone was thinking, the Sounders will unveil Washington's own Kasey Keller as their second signing.

It's a safe, fun pick for the local fans. Not a huge splash signing (he is 38 years old), but there's still time.

By the way, love the pic GoalSeattle. Click to continue reading...

Superstar Adam has the photo-report of the all-USL semifinal, in which Charleston edged the Sounders in a shootout.

Seattle technically never scored, getting a 20th minute own-goal for its only tally, so it can't expect to win.

On the other side, D.C. overwhelmed the Revolution 'C' team 3-1 behind two goals from Luciano Emilio. Click to continue reading...

You think the Sounders are pumped? They rested all their starters in the last USL game and flew out early to Charleston to stay fresh.

And if they win, they host the final!

And you can watch for free on USLlive.com.

Oh yeah, New England and D.C. play too.

'Cept I'll be working like a crazy person because of the Olympics. Click to continue reading...

The Sounders and Timbers will surely play again -- most likely in the U.S. Open Cup -- but yesterday saw what will likely be the last league match between the two for a while.

Seattle won 1-0 in Portland, the Columbian has the story.

Now I've some a couple of these matches live. Click to continue reading...

You have to love the 4:30 a.m. CT wakeup call. The good part about that is we should be back in the Pacific Northwest around 10:15 a.m. PT and have at least part of a weekend day to enjoy.

Plenty of mixed emotions following last night's draw. The guys were desperate for a win, but given the way the match unfolded with the early PK, etc. Click to continue reading...

Not long after the MLS commish said bids for new franchises have to be in by October, Portland Timbers owner and president Merritt Paulson said he's going for it.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Major League Soccer in Portland would both add a tremendous amount to the league and have a phenomenally positive impact on our community and state," Paulson said.

Click to continue reading...

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced today that two more teams will be added by 2011, bringing the number in the league up to 18.

Ownership groups and/or markets have until Oct. 15 to apply. MLS will make a decision on the chosen pair in either the last quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2009.

Click to continue reading...

The Manchester coach is being quoted as saying these words: If Ronaldo leaves, I'm going too.

Now Sir Ferguson has been misquoted a bunch recently.

And even if this was an actual coach, it's obviously tongue-in-cheek.

Right...?

• A cool interview with Greg Lalas.

Click to continue reading...

It's always good news out of the Sounders FC camp, and the most recent developments are much of the same.

The team announced an agreement recently with KING/KONG television in which all Sounders home games will be televised -- if not nationally, then locally.

Also, in a surprising development, former Seattle Sonics play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro (right) will have the same position for the Sounders. Click to continue reading...

It's me Brian! You still have my cell, right? (Ed note: yes)

I didn't exactly say I wasn't coming to play for the Sounders F.C. after my contracts up...

Might see ya soon. (Ed note: doubtful) Click to continue reading...

Who is going to be next, the fans wonder? Philadelphia is in, as is Seattle, but is Miami next? Or St. Louis? Maybe Sin City? Perhaps another team in New York? Atlanta, others wonder?

One of those wondering about Atlanta is Gruffgoat of Gruffgoat's Football Blog. He goes so far as to argue that the ATL should have two clubs, not just one. Click to continue reading...

With our attention out here in our corner of the soccer world on Thursday's Galaxy-Chivas USA match, the United States' oldest annual competition continued on Tuesday with a full slate of games.

New England and DC United pulled out late results while Charleston knocked out FC Dallas. Seattle-KC is still going on. Click to continue reading...

A quick update before the Wizards take on the Sounders tonight. Josh Wolff took the time to answer questions from the Goal Blog's Jack Bell. Take a look, as it gives some insight as to why Wolff decided to come back to the MLS as opposed to trying to stay in Germany, something he could have done.

Click to continue reading...

Part one of four is now complete - that being the draw at Dallas. Could have been a loss, should have been a win. Couldn't watch it thanks to the people at HDNet, so I am going to let it slide with few comments. Up next is today's match against the Sounders. From what I've seen, Onalfo is starting a reserve-heavy squad, giving some regulars a chance to catch their breath.

Click to continue reading...

So that's where my Rolls went...

• Ronaldinho to Milan now? [Daily Mail]
  
  
• And yes, he's still fat-ish. [FanHouse]
  
  
• Sounders beat Chivas in US Open Cup. Again. [Goal Seattle]
  
  
• Spain tops FIFA's latest mess world rankings. [FIFA]
  
  
• France keeps coach what's-his-face.

Click to continue reading...

Off to Pizza Hut Park, where they serve things hot. Another challenging couple of weeks ahead, with lots of travel involved. After coming from Carolina to here, they'll go to Seattle and face the Sounders in the quarterfinal of the US Open Cup, then back to KC to play two games in two days, the first against New York next Thursday, and then Atlas in a friendly.

Click to continue reading...

The Carolina RailHawks are getting the July 4th weekend started a day early with a soccer doubleheader on Thursday night. The festivities start at 4pm on July 3rd as the Carolina RailHawks Women take on the high-flying Charlotte Eagles, who currently sit 2nd in the Atlantic Division with a 9-1-1 overall record. Click to continue reading...

Last night is the perfect example of why I enjoy the US Open Cup so much. Seeing all these underweight teams try to out punch MLS sides really is enjoyable. Sure, the MLS teams see this as little more then a reserves match, but it is still good fun.

As bad as it is that MLS teams dropped three of the eight games last night, it is actually much better then last season when five top teams fell. Click to continue reading...

Chivas USA managed to draw at home against the New York Red Bulls.

Nick Green comments on the game here. He's a little rough on the Red and White, but somewhat justified.

The Sideline Views included a clip of Preki's post game for you to hear.

The game was tough, and a draw was probably fair.

Click to continue reading...

Needed a deep breath after the weekend (and spent the day writing Tuesday's column), so late blogging.

Chivas USA is one of 16 teams participating in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup at 7 p.m. Tuesday playing a game in Seattle against the Sounders you can see here. Chivas USA lost at this stage of the competition last year to Seattle.

Click to continue reading...

The U.S. Open Cup bid farewell to seven USL clubs and one USASA side and will welcome eight MLS teams now after a full slate of games on Tuesday. The remaining games will pit MLS teams against USL sides; Cleveland, Richmond and Baltimore are all USL-2 sides while the rest hail from the USL first division. Click to continue reading...

Unfortunately, the tournament won't visit Atlanta this year as the Silverbacks fell 1-0 in Miami. Atlanta FC didn't make it out of the USASA qualifying round down in Jacksonville. It's a shame, I love this tournament and the craziness that can happen in it.

We've had one upset tonight, as Cleveland City scored two goals in extra time to defeat the USL-D1 Thunder in Minnesota. Click to continue reading...

In case you hadn't heard, ABC is showing the Euro final on Sunday. But right before that they are showing the DC v LA showdown live from RFK! Awesome!


US Open Cup

Lots of 2nd Round games coming on Tuesday night!
Matches & Scores:
Carolina Railhawks v Real Maryland Monarchs
Richmond Kickers v Western Mass Pioneers
Minnesota Thunder v Cleveland City Stars
Pittsburgh Riverhounds v Rochester Rhinos
Atlanta Silverbacks v Miami FC Blues
Charlotte Eagles v Charleston Battery
Crystal Palace Baltimore v Harrisburg City Islanders
Seattle Sounders v Hollywood United
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brian Quarstad at Blue Sky Soccer has audio of interviews with both coaches from tonight's Open Cup match:
-Amos Magee of the Thunder
-Martin Rennie of the Cleveland City Stars
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MLS News

CHICAGO FIRE

Vote today for the Chicago Fire All-Decade team. Click to continue reading...

Pardon us this long-winded editorial. If you can't be bothered to read the whole thing then skip to the "FACT" section below. If you are not A.D.D continue...

When we first broke this story weeks ago, we did not foresee the overwhelming amount of displeasure with the prospect of the Seattle MLS club being named something other than the Sounders. Click to continue reading...

Rating: 4 (Good)

Did MLS kill the Sounders?

While most of the MLS world waits for MLS Seattle to officially reveal the three names we uncovered before they sent out their Democracy in Sports press release, and before commenting on them, we just received the following email from a source we have come to trust on most things Seattle. Click to continue reading...

Didn't post as much as usual this week as I was busy with other things. Anyhow, just in case you missed something, here's some of the highlights. Cheers and have a safe weekend.

Monday
Crooks, crooks everywhere

Tuesday
Just the sex facts, Leroy

Wednesday
Eddie Johnson is an idiot
Shady days at Old Trafford

Thursday
Old Trafford = McDonalds
Wayne Rooney is untouchable
A slap on the wrist for Ken Bates
Will the Seattle Sounders be the Jailblazers of the MLS? Click to continue reading...

With the Seattle Sounders set to be 'promoted' to the MLS, a number of persons and investment groups have offered to pay the $30 million franchise fee required for the jump. Apparently, one of those groups has won out. A group led by movie producer Joe Roth and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen beat out several others in a deal that should be announced by next week. Click to continue reading...

Well, it looks like the Sounders are coming to the MLS in 2009, but that might mean they're leaving the USL in 2008. Wow! I'm super excited to see Seattle getting into the MLS, but I've got to add some caveats to that:

I really hope there's a continued USL1 presence in the Puget Sound area. Maybe in Tacoma? (The down side to that would be the loss of a great PDL rival to the BYU Cougars.

Click to continue reading...

The city of Seattle is inching ever so close to an expansion team according to the Seattle Times. "There's pretty high-level conversations going on right now about MLS," (Sounders managing partner Adrian) Hanauer said earlier Tuesday on KJR radio about MLS expansion to Seattle. "There's a lot of progress being made and lot of conversations happening. Click to continue reading...