Major League Soccer

I don't think anyone's butt cheeks should have "Sounders" on them.

So far the best joke I've seen involving that pic is from the Section 8 Chicago chairman: "Somewhere, Sir Mix-a-Lot is not very happy with how the Sounders are reppin' Seattle."

Nice!

Home openers announced today:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/12/18/mls-announces-2013-home-openers-all-19-clubs

Also SKC signed this dude: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Bieler

Taking bets on how long before he becomes disillusioned/disinterested and gets loaned back to LDU for the remainder of his contract.

The Rapids? That's our opener? ugh.

this is potentially huge: http://nasn.tv/2012/mls-working-with-usl-pro-on-reserve-league-integration/

At the USL annual general meeting, the United Soccer Leagues informed its member clubs of a proposed agreement with Major League Soccer that would provide for an integrated third division/MLS reserve league. Some interplay is expected to begin in 2013, with full integration of the plan coming in 2014.

Whoa! That'd be amazing.

curious what that wd mean for 2nd div NASL. anything at all?

nothing, USL and NASL are separate as of a few years ago... for some reason

I'm having a hard time expressing my thoughts on the Fire picking up Joel Lindpere from New York in exchange for an international roster spot. Dude's got a green card so he's exempt from international rules anyway. He's worth 200K of salary cap hit but he's easily one of the most consistently solid midfielders in the league. Only a club like RBNY would make a move like this, shit's bananas over there.

Full 2013 Schedule announced today

http://www.wakingthered.com/2013/1/9/3854318/ryan-nelsen-toronto-fc-coach-storifyd

Ryan Nelsen is still a quality player too

that whole situation is so bizarre, he's the 8th coach since 2006

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2013/1/8/1357676087364/Ryan-Nelsen-008.jpg

Arne Friedrich, Chicagoan

http://www.arnefriedrich.de/img_seitenhintergrundbild/arne-galerie.jpg

MLS/USLPro 3rd division/reserve league partnership announced. Huge.

Nice! that's big news.

Sounds like only 4 clubs doing it to start: KC, NE, DC, Philly.

still a good start.

I'm not really surprised the Fire haven't joined, they have their own PDL and USL Super-20 squads, and the PDL is all kids from the Academy already.

I was at a league supporters summit this past weekend, much lulz were had on this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySbL1eB-EXg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySbL1eB-EXg

he sounds almost apologetic...."we aint got no basketball team....we aint got no football team...."

A (brief) history of American players in Bundesliga - HERE

Sometimes I can't help but feel it's a shame some of those guys are knocking around the lower Bundesliga instead of being solid MLS players, but the money must be a lot better.

lotsa talent leaving this window - brek shea, kei kamara, andy najar...

2 out of 3 ain't bad (totally unconvinced on Kamara)

Bummed about Brek, but he could do with not being the big fish for a while.

Fire have Pascal Chimbonda in camp.

Nigel Reo-Coker to Vancouver, eh?

fan reaction to the dcu carlos ruiz pickup is, uh, muted

Fuck Ruiz, were I a DCU fan I'd be pissed.

Quakes make Wondolowski a DP and give him a raise to $600k. Apparently in 2006 he made $28k with Houston.

Anyway this is pretty otm for the Fire http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/26/major-league-soccer-team-previews-chicago-fire/

Kei Kamara bagged a goal for Norwich last Saturday. He looks like a good signing for them.

Yup, made big news (as big as MLS news gets, at least) over here.

maybe should have xposted this to there's always a game on somewhere

shit's goin' international

http://www.mlssoccer.com/international-tv-listings

might actually be useful if anyone's feeling bored

http://supportersshield.org/

Take a moment and check out the revised supporters' shield trophy, something I had a (small) hand in putting together.

I'm kind of ashamed whenever I see your name or good works, Dan. Actually going to games and doing stuff, and that. These days the rest of us can barely muster the energy to click on the Moneyball thread and snark.

The shield is beautiful, I hope you get a century of use out of it.

Aw shucks. I'm not half as involved as some folks. There is a definite sense of "what can we do if we work together?" going on among the clued-in fans of the league. From everything I've heard, the suits who run the show are astounded that we've set aside club rivalries to produce this new trophy. With the league being so young there's a real opportunity for fans to take ownership in a way not possible in the other leagues in this country and elsewhere. We've got some other stuff in the works that won't be as flashy but will, with any luck, help improve the environment for fans and supporters for a long time. I'm happy to be in on the ground floor.

That's amazing Dan! Kudos to you and all involved.

Portland Timbers ‏@TimbersFC

Fans of Franz Ferdinand and goals will enjoy this Frederic Piquionne highlight compilation: http://bit.ly/YCW2ZF #RCTID

On the eve of the start of league play: stats.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/733912_10151335797859537_16431815_n.jpg

"most covered leagues" is my personal favorite

Still ahead of Man Utd

Some friends are in LA for the Fire opener tomorrow. Tonight they went to Chivas v Columbus. This is 25 minutes before kickoff ;_;

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529674_515890472149_1283129583_n.jpg

Oof. I enjoyed watching the first two games today. Missed our little league.

Yeah I will probably end up watching at least some of every game this weekend thanks to this Direct Kick free preview.

I wish I could have made it to the FC Dallas opening game but I'm working a show tonight. I'll have to catch it online later.

At $50 the MLS Live pass is a steal.