MLS Cup Playoffs 2012: Breaking Down Thursday’s Semifinal Action

The 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs are already underway, but Thursday’s schedule has just one matchup for soccer fans; the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders FC.These bitter rivals met three times in the regular season, but between each squad, only one goal was scored. Real Salt Lake stole the only victory gained in the series all the way back on May 12. With another draw in Game 1 of the semifinals, to say these squads are familiar with each other is an understatement. Something has to give, though, and Thursday is as good a day as any for the top-tier offensive talent on both teams to unwind and get their side the definitive series advantage. There is so much on the line in this matchup that even the most causal soccer fans will be able to find serious enjoyment over this tense battle.   Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, Salt Lake, UT When: Thursday Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. ET Watch: Not nationally televised Live Stream: MLS Live  Real Salt Lake Player to Watch: Alvaro Saborío, Forward There is no better player on Real Salt Lake than veteran forward Alvaro Saborío, but ...

Kirk Urso: Columbus Crew 22-Year-Old Midfielder Passes Away

The Columbus Crew and Major League Soccer are mourning after news broke that rookie midfielder Kirk Urso passed away Saturday night, according to MLSSoccer.com. The Crew's No. 10 overall pick in this year’s MLS Supplemental Draft was just 22 years old. The team released a statement Sunday: While the circumstances of Urso’s passing are still being determined, no further comments will be made at this time. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Columbus Crew and Hunt Sports Group are with the Urso family in this time of need. Urso attended college at The University of North Carolina and was a soccer star there. He had 15 goals and 24 assists over his career there, and he captained the team to the 2011 NCAA Men’s College Cup. The MLS rookie started the first five matches as a member of the Crew, but had been “recovering from right adductor tendonitis,” according to the reports. He had one assist and five shots in 2012. At only 22 years old, this is an absolute tragedy; there was so much promise for the young star and a bright career ahead. As a born leader with a great work ethic, Urso was working towards being ...

David Beckham: Soccer Legend Was Right to Challenge Referee at Kids’ Game in LA

World football legend and international superstar David Beckham was ordered to leave the sidelines during a children’s game that was taking place before his son’s game. Yes, this is true. Beckham revealed the story on The Jonathan Ross Show: "I was watching the kids play the other day, it was the younger kids of Romeo's club, and there was a penalty given. And the kids are seven years old and he sent the kid off. And I was like, 'Come on, he's seven, referee, you can't send him off.' He looked at me and was like, 'Yes, I can.' And he came over and gave me a red card. He told me to get out of the park. For real. The gate was only 20 yards away and I waited and went back in when my son's game was on." If you have ever been to a children’s organized sporting event of any kind, you know how out of line these parents can get. With that considered, I still have to agree with Beckham on this case 100 percent.Given the fact that the kids were seven years old, unless there was a blatant attack on another player, there is no ...