David Beckham: MLS All-Star Determined to Play for Three Lions

David Beckham is one of the most legendary figures in sports history. He brings more than the full package to the table, containing all the characteristics a simple soccer fan like me yearns for.His presence can be felt by ladies hundreds of miles away. His personality leaves television stations desperate for an interview any chance they get.Finally, his precision and swagger with a soccer ball at his feet inspires kids to shoot 25-yard free kicks before they even learn how to walk. With no offense to Mr. Dos Equis, he is the most interesting man in the world.All of his characteristics made me stay thirsty for the 2011 MLS All-Star game, as it was a perfect opportunity to compare Beckham with his younger Manchester United reflections.However, I must say my expectations were not sky-high coming into the game. After all, in the previous four MLS seasons, Beckham had made just one All-Star appearance and in the past had made a habit of getting injured in meaningless games or friendlies.This being said, I expected nothing more than a 30-45 minute cautious cameo for the fragile figure.Fortunately, I got a lot more than that. Beckham put on a show for the full ...

MLS: A Letter to the New York Red Bulls Organization

Dear New York Red Bulls Organization,What have you been up to lately? I think we have lost contact. It seems like while on your daunting journey to expand the global brand of the RBNY, you have been too busy to send back a letter or two to tell us what is going on.I know us fans are inferior to you and aren’t supposed to speak up, but while watching the team struggle to put up a fight on Wednesday, I felt it necessary to request an explanation.So if you can find the kindness in your heart, please answer a few questions. It will only take a minute.Let us start off with an easy one. Why are you so careless?It all started when you prioritized a cash-grab game in Montreal ahead of the regular season, resulting in the first home loss of the year to Chivas USA.I must admit I was a bit skeptical of the organization for temporarily giving up on the season as if IT was the exhibition. More importantly however, you gave up on the 16,365 in attendance on Saturday, who spent their hard earned money to watch what should have been an easy victory.Shameful, but I was ...

MLS Expansion Rumors: Analyzing the Pretenders and Contenders for the 20th Spot

There’s no doubt that the MLS is on its way up in American society. Fifteen years ago it would have been impossible to think about the incredible production the league has endured since its inception.The MLS now boasts 18 teams, spread amongst each region, with many of these clubs becoming a top entertainment option in their respective location. In 1996, the league was begging cities to take on a team. Now, cities would do anything to buy a piece of the multi-million dollar enterprise.The last couple of years we have seen multiple MLS bids come and go, mainly leaving fans drowned in speculation about who we will see grace the league in a few years. Rumors have gotten to a point where it is hard to tell what part of the body the whistle-blower's words are coming.I am here to analyze the potential bids and distinguish the contenders and pretenders for the 20th MLS spot and beyond.Begin Slideshow

MLS Midseason Awards: Analyzing the Stars of the First Half

In the words of Bon Jovi, "Oh, we're halfway there," and for many teams, the midpoint couldn't have come soon enough.While some teams hit the halfway mark hotter than a burning pop tart, others have started to slowly fade from playoff contention. As the contenders and pretenders start to sort themselves out, I will analyze who deserves some significant recognition from the first half.Rookie of the First Half: Joao PlataThe third-round pick has single-handedly raised 17 coaches’ eyebrows after a terrific first half of his rookie season. Plata worked his way into the TFC lineup in Week 3 and has never looked back. He is currently third on the roster in stats with two goals and two assists. Some may have an argument for Will Bruin, but the truth is that Plata has been more consistently surprising.Newcomer of the First Half: Charlie DaviesAfter such a satisfying resurgence back to goal-scoring greatness, it’s hard not to feel happy about Davies’ debut MLS season. He currently finds himself tied for first in the Golden Boot race with eight goals, even if some of them were a little less then legitimate.His impact on DC United can clearly be seen as attendance figures and ...

MLS Week 12 Recap: Mwanga Finally Finding His Form

It was an exciting week of soccer here in America. If you weren't painfully watching the USMNT get whooped by the World Champs, you were probably watching the great games that the MLS had to offer. Here are my weekly awards for Week 12 in the MLS. Team of the Week: San Jose Earthquakes—If you have been a consistent follower of my work and hate redundancy, I suggest you look away. After yet another big win for San Jose, I find myself reiterating that the Earthquakes are the most dangerous team in the MLS.Not because of their talent or their stadium (which fits less people than a high school cafeteria), but because of their current label as “irrelevant” by the majority of MLS teams. Every week top clubs take the trip down to San Jose and expect to come home with a trio of points and every week they leave Santa Clara disappointed.Even without Wondo the Quakes still have the X-Factor that makes them so fantastically deceptive against bigger budget teams. If any DC United fan is reading this, I suggest you email it to Ben Olsen before the game and maybe someone will finally get the memo.  Player of the Week: ...

MLS: Real Salt Lake Has Some Real Problems They Need to Fix Fast

Remember the good ole days when Real Salt Lake were just a goal away from reaching the Club World Cup and forever being branded as the most successful MLS club in history? Remember when the Rio Tinto was not just a stadium full of equal opportunity for both sides, but a 20,000-seat Hell-hole that was destined to only produce one result?As the rest of MLS tries to forget, RSL fans are trying to hold on to the few memories they still have and use their detective skills to figure out what has been the cause of the team's recent struggles.Here is a cheat sheet of how to get RSL out of this stunning slump.Offense was never really a dominating part of RSL’s game, even when the team was nearly on top of the continent, but their recent attack would not scare a self-conscious turtle to get back in its shell. The loss of Javier Morales certainly has played a significant role in RSL’s recent struggles, but Mondaini cannot be solely blamed for the club’s failure.DP Alvaro Saborio and Espindola have failed to supply constant pressure on opponent defenses and are playing too passive in the attacking third. Kyle Beckerman will also need ...

A Goal to Remember: Charlie Davies’ Road Back to Greatness

63rd minute. 1-0 game. One chance to do what he does best. One chance to step up to the mark, silence the doubters, and prove all the hard work was worth it. One chance to go back to the way it was. One chance to change everything.Goal.It was hard to fight back the overflowing waves of water in my eyes when Charlie Davies slotted home his first professional goal in over 15 months for DC United. On a cold October evening in Arlington, VA, Davies was severely injured in a fatal car crash hours before a USMNT match in 2009. While the crash did not erase Davies' life, it most certainly should have cut short a career filled with potential. Davies was given the chance to live, and we all were hoping he made the most out of his opportunity. Davies began extreme rehabilitation with the USMNT trainers and was determined to return for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Such a quick return seemed unfathomable in October, but in February a possible World Cup showing for Davies was a decent possibility. A dispute between his club and the USSF however left Davies off the USMNT's final squad for South ...