There was little Troy Perkins could do as Valerenga suffered another defeat, while in the division below Clarence Goodson was on target for Start as they beat Lov-Ham and ascended to the top spot in the standings. Click to continue reading...

Troy Perkins and Valerenga travel to former Champions League-regulars Rosenborg in search of points, while in the division below Clarence Goodson's Start could go top with a win against Lov-Ham.. Click to continue reading...

Another setback in the top flight for Troy Perkins' Valerenga this weekend, while in the second, Jay Needham scored his first goal for Alta as they consigned Chris Rodd's team Bryne to yet another defeat.. Click to continue reading...

Stuck in the midtable doldrums, Troy Perkins' Valerenga will be desperate for three points this weekend as they host Stromsgodset, while down in the second-flight, Clarence Goodson's Start face Kyle Veris' Hodd.. Click to continue reading...

It's the 60th minute, the Fire are losing 0-1, and the main thing I'm noticing right now is the difference Louis Crayton has made in goal for DC United. Good lord, is he making Zach Wells look like a U19 backup right now.

Twice in the first 10 minutes or so, the Fire would complete a sweeping move with a raking cross, and Crayton would explode out of goal and snag the damned thing 15 yards out, snuffing out the whole move with one decisive intervention.

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So the main question posed throughout our series in review of the player acquisitions, departures, and trades made by DC United since the end of last season is whether or not the club is actually better off now than they were last year. Let's review, position by position.

Goalkeepers:
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In the third installment of our MSR series, we discuss the trades that United has made since the end of last season. Besides the Gomez move, there were two other fairly significant trades for the team, and I think I actually come out opposed to the popular opinion on both of them. Maybe this can generate an argument or two in the comments? Click to continue reading...

Continuing on in our mid-season review of DC United's roster decisions in the offseason, we move on to the departures. For this entry, our definition of "departure" will be any player who was on the club roster last season, but who is no longer under contract with the team, for reasons other than a trade with another MLS club. Click to continue reading...

Troy Perkins' Valerenga suffered a heavy defeat while Pat Noonan made a surprise-appearance as Aalesund won their first game on the road in almost a year. Click to continue reading...

Troy Perkins' Valerenga head west to face Molde, while Clarence Goodson's Start have a tricky task ahead of them against Sandefjord in weekend Norwegian action. Click to continue reading...

Troy Perkins and Valerenga will be looking to build on last weekend's impressive win as they face Stromsgodset away from home in the Tippeligaen, while Clarence Goodson and Start take on Notodden, this year's surprise-package in the Adeccoligaen. Click to continue reading...

Troy Perkins' Valerenga returned to winning ways this weekend in the Tippeligaen, while down in the Adeccoligaen Clarence Goodson and Start are still undefeated. Click to continue reading...

Another tricky game in store for Troy Perkins in the Tippeligaen as Valerenga take on league-leaders Stabaek, while down in the Adeccoligaen Clarence Goodson's Start will look to build on last weekend's positive result when they host Moss. Click to continue reading...

Clarence Goodson's Start took a big step towards the Tippeliga as they overcame Chris Rodd's Bryne, while Valerenga and Troy Perkins were unable to get a result against high-flying Fredrikstad. Click to continue reading...

The Tippeligaen is back with a vengeance this weekend as Troy Perkins and Valerenga take on Fredrikstad, while down in the Adeccoligaen Clarence Goodson's Start face promotion-rivals Bryne. Click to continue reading...

D.C. United and the New England Revolution fought for dominance in the Eastern Conference in recent years and in doing so have produced some memorable games. This year, however, while the Revs are in a three-way tie with the most points in MLS, D.C is stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only three wins in 10 games.

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I just want to take a moment to point out yet another soccer blog, this one focused on the Colorado Rapids. It's View From The Couch. One bone I have to pick is with the idea that the Rapids had the 3rd best defense. I didn't walk away from 2007 thinking Colorado had the 3rd best defense in the league.

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Obviously, everyone took the Christmas break off around here, but now we're back, and we're about three months from the start of United competitive soccer action. First things first, a belated farewell to Troy Perkins. When Nick Rimando injured his ankle, I wasn't sure what we'd get with Perkins.

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Troy Perkins is on his way out of DC United and MLS. He is headed to Valerenga, an Oslo based Norwegian team. DC United acquired Zach Wells from Houston Dynamo last week.

Valerenga paid somewhere around three quarters of a million dollars for Troy Perkins and signed him to a contract that will get him about $200,000/year, which is a little over twice what he was making at DC United.

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It's going to take some time for me to really evaluate the now completed Bobby Boswell for Zach Wells deal. The Goffather updated his original scoop with the telling detail that Bobby requested the trade. Given the situation, Bobby wanting out, Troy wanting to go abroad, United seems to have neatly handled a way to accommodate both players' wishes.

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If I learned just one thing yesterday, it was that waiting till the afternoon only caused storms in my brain. Hence, the Sweeper returns to its normal date and time. Not that this affects anybody, but I'm also considering changing my online handle...more on that when I figure it out. - Here I thought [. Click to continue reading...

Bobby Boswell has been traded to the Houston Dynamo for goalkeeper Zach Wells , as reported by Steve Goff.

I am not so sure about this trade. You get a back up goalkeeper to potentially replace your current starter who might be heading to the Norseland, by trading away one of your central defenders? Click to continue reading...

Strange how the apparent order of things can affect perception. Consider...

1) United wants to acquire Cannon. 2) Perkins will go to Europe. 3) D gets annoyed.

Or...

1) Perkins will go to Europe. 2) United wants to acquire Cannon. 3) D is complacent.

Same facts, different order, and a different story.

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Tickle Bobby Convey looks to have completed his long journey back from injury. Phew, just in time to step into the vacant left wing spot left open by DaMarcus Beasley's unfortunate long-term injury. US National Team left wingers - the new Spinal Tap drummers! Ohhhh, and the traditional left winger number is "11". Click to continue reading...

Jesus balls! What a day! So many major and minor things to discuss....best start with the little stuff to warm up. Just like before playing, right? - One little thing to keep an eye on: I seriously don't know how teeny-tiny Major League Soccer (MLS) rosters will cope with the scheduling insanity if [. Click to continue reading...