2010 MLS Expansion Draft: The Best 11 Available

Earlier today, the 16 MLS clubs announced their protected players from being selected by Portland Timbers or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. One thing I noticed from the list was the mass of talent that could be not only a playoff-bound club, but a club finishing inside the top five. At least...I believe it's possible.After analyzing the list, I have come to a best starting XI combination of available players using a 4-4-2 formation (a goalie, four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers).We will start out with the goalie which would be...Begin Slideshow

Why Expanding MLS Cup to 10 Clubs Is a Step Backwards for the League

If there's anything Don Garber seems to create, it's outrage among the hardcore American soccer fans, more eager than ever to Europeanize Major League Soccer. This season Garber's been chewed out by the public for his reluctance and snarky statements regarding the "need" for conferences and the unwillingness to progress to a single table. His latest decision is to increase the playoff pool from eight clubs to 10, a move Garber most likely hopes can garner money from fans in the "wild card" round and grab TV contracts. The price he's paying is a field of less competitive teams (10 clubs qualify, eight don't), plus giving numerous markets the false hope they have a good soccer club so that they will give some interest. There's even more emphasis on playoff play, something that needs to be lightened—and eventually removed entirely. However, Garber has done many great things for the league to progress in the right direction: He has found the right, medium-sized markets that have embraced their clubs, and he saved the league when it was at the cusp of bankruptcy (and learned Florida hates sports—period). Although it's modest, over the past two or so years, he's begun to press for some minor interest in competitions including the ...

Sporting Kansas City: What to Make Of the MLS Club’s New Name

Robb Heinemann, the Kansas City Wizards President, made an announcement last night about the incoming changes for the club, and how he wants to construct a world-class club that their fans can be proud of. This "club" however, will no longer be regarded as the Wizards. Instead, they will known as Sporting Kansas City. Presumably a solute to Portugal's Sporting Lisbon.Throughout the latter half of the Major League Soccer season, the Kansas City Wizards kept hinting a change in the club's appearance to come in 2011. Fans were anticipating a change in their club's name to compliment their new era in their new stadium, tentatively named KC Soccer Stadium. My only worry about this, is the same as yours: the reception. Although, Heinemann claims the name alludes to the "sporting culture" of the Kansas City area, it just does not seem to reflect on the area well; even if the club has plans to add a lacrosse and rugby team to SKC, making it a true 'sporting club'. Amid likely criticism, the new name will probably receive the same types of criticism that Real Salt Lake suffered in their early years; however, there seems to be less attention to the club's name, possibly ...

MLS Cup 2010: The Other Benefit For Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas

Here's an open secret: MLS is flustered. The illustrious sides of the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls were eliminated. Two clubs that have fewer, yet still dedicated, fans made it to the final of MLS Cup 2010.  Meet the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas, your two finalists contending for the league cup. The Rapids, a team that's been ignored for consistently finishing around the playoff bubble range and FCD, the club that's been the laughingstock of the league due to their meager attendances. They've been rather unpopular within their local media, but have been gaining some media credibility only recently, thanks to their success in the playoff chase.  The fact that they've even made it to the Cup finals has already generated numerous Denver Post stories. The Dallas Morning News, on the other hand, found it to be too much of a chore to send a reporter out to Los Angeles to cover the story. Thankfully, they found a freelance writer.  The sole fact Colorado made it to the finals has generated incredible interest from the Rapids' media, while FCD might get some mild interest if they win.  An appearance has given Colorado's media time to catch up with the rest ...

D.C. United: How D.C. United Can Return To Championship Form

Following the United's shortcomings in 2009, it seemed the club took major steps in rebuilding a team with the hope that it could return to its glory days. Evidently, this became anything but the case throughout the course of 2010, losing 20 matches in the process and only winning six. It was a season that just brought new lows and piles of bad news each and every day. As the club hits the post-season, here's a list of things that D.C. United should do to return with a stronger team than 2010...though shouldn't take too much. The first thing the club must to is to...Begin Slideshow

MLS Cup Playoffs: What Don Garber and MLS Should Take Away From Them

On November 13, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes will play for the Eastern Conference title.  Yes, as ridiculous as it sounds they are, in fact, playing for the Eastern Conference title, even though one team is based about 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean while the other is practically in the heart of the Rockies. The fact that we have a match up for a geographic title with two teams clearly not in that geographic region is in part to MLS Commissioner Don Garber and his evident reluctance to move away from a conference driven format.   If you look at the MLS playoffs, you'll notice that one side is the East bracket, while the other side is the West bracket. If one looks at the overall standings, it comes to attention that the clubs New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew, the top two Eastern Conference teams finished the regular season in third and fifth-place, respectively. The big deal? The MLS clubs Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC, clubs that had seasons just as strong, if not stronger than the east coast powerhouses, were literally being punished for playing the west.  This is a result of the lack of equilibrium between the strength of the East ...

FC Dallas’ Unheralded Success in the MLS Cup Playoffs

FC Dallas has had incredible success thus far in the MLS Cup playoffs, knocking off the reigning MLS Cup champs, Real Salt Lake.   The news broke all over Salt Lake's local media about their aggregate loss. The underdog had defeated RSL. Dallas dethroned a favorite to win MLS Cup 2010 and a team that has dominated league play and CONCACAF Champions League play.  So, what media praise did Dallas receive regarding their achievement? Well, none...but there was a nice, modest, Associated Press story copied and pasted on the Dallas Morning News website under the "More Sports" tab. Instead, DMN keeps you updated about every single football game that occurred in the nation, NASCAR and literally every other piece of news in the sporting world outside of soccer. Dallas going to the Western Conference Final didn't even crack the top of Dallas sporting news. It's understandable that the Dallas Morning News keeps a firm grasp on American football, since they still believe it's the only sport that exists. But when will it occur to them that a story about their soccer team going to the MLS Western Conference Final might be more important than their dearly beloved Cowboys losing another game? Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

CONCACAF Champions League needs to be more meaningful in MLS

A "parity league", "Minor League Soccer", or even a "footballing joke" are just a handful of the names that the international community, as well as the handful of hardcore American soccer fans label Major League Soccer. For the past two or three years, Major League Soccer has tried every maneuver known to mankind, in an attempt to gain global recognition and be recognized as a noteworthy league. MLS has done this by straining its modest budget through importing aging stars. All in part to really bring attention to the globe that MLS is a serious league. The most notable addition is evidently, Theirry Henry signing with New York Red Bulls last month. While it may look nice on paper for an MLS club to herald the arrival of a superstar, that specific club is going to need prove on the pitch that they're a top-class soccer club.If the league, as well as its clubs, want to gain respect in the international world, they are going to need to excel, emphasize and take seriously in the CONCACAF Champions League, North America's top club competition.Modeled after the UEFA Champions League, it's the "Gold Cup" for soccer club teams in North America ...