Philadelphia Union Expansion Draft

I don't think there is any pundit/blogger/reporter/physic out there that can lay claim to saying that the Union's expansion picks were as expected. While not necessarily curious picks (there is certainly some attacking presence in Le Toux and Moreno, defense in Thomas and hope in an up-and-comer in Zimmerman) overall, the Union went young and inexpensive.

While contracts can be negotiated up or down, as it stands, the total salaries of the players is approximately $700,000. Assuming the Salary Cap goes up, even marginally, and given the allocation money the Union will receive as an expansion team, these picks set the table for a DP selection and trades/moves for several top tier players (i.e. players making $300,000+).

Considering Novak's history and success in MLS, expects those moves to be solid ones. Philly fans might not be wowed by today's draft but, they should be excited about what's likely to come.

Real Salt Lake Wins MLS Cup - And Deserved the Win!

Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup the way they won all of their games in post-season play - they gutted it out and never gave up. The players that Jason Kreis brought together and utilized to form the RSL team took on Kreis's personality during the course of the season, and that was the plan all along. Kreis is a hardworking, pragmatic coach, and he has one rule when it comes to who plays on the pitch: Play the individual who is perfoming the best and wants to win.

Another reason RSL won the MLS CUP - RSL is a "true TEAM". Simply, RSL is made up of 20+ players that all contribute. The team is not built around one or two star players who make salaries larger than the bulk of the team; rather, RSL has parity among its players as far as pay and expectations. That is why when Javier Morales was forced out of the game with an injury, and Will Johnson had to leave due to illness at the half, Kreis could bring in Ned Grabavoy and Clint Mathis and be confident they could get the job done.

Every year you build a new team, that is just the way that MLS and most professional leagues work. This year RSL had something special and the team was very much a reflection of Jason Kreis. That said, there is a reason the team got where it did and toughed it out to the final PK. Congratulations RSL... enjoy the moment and rest up for next season. Everyone in MLS now understands just how tough you are.

A Handball for the Ages

Can you believe it! Once again, officiating, not soccer, is the focus of a highly anticipated World Cup Playoff. Today, France managed an undeserved 1-1 draw in order to seal its place in the 2010 World Cup. However, should the goal have counted?

Malouda's free-kick to the back post was obviously controlled by the left-hand of Henry, who then placed the ball on a tee for Gallas to finish. The dismay of Ireland's defense and goal keeper Shay Given did little to convince the referee of his horrific blunder.

In a game that saw Ireland dominate most of the proceedings, Henry's hand was able to save the day for France. I think FIFA needs to have a word or two with the officiating crew after this horrid incident.

My condolences to the Irish, who fought honorably and deserved a win and a place in South Africa.

Landon or Shalrie

This Thursday the MLS MVP will be announced. It's Landon versus Shalrie. This is one of those situations where you can argue for days but, when it's all said and done you're splitting hairs.

Take either player out of their respective teams and the teams would not have had the same success. I think the edge goes to the Shalrie only because he was working with less around him, especially once Ralston went down.

Either way they are both deserving although, given Landon's full trophy case, it would be nice to see this one go to Shalrie.

LA v RSL for the Cup

It's a clash of West vs East(?).

Well, at least on paper. It's a great "worst to first" story for both teams. LA being the wort team in the West last year and coming back to take the Western Conference crown.

For RSL, the phrase is a little more recent as they were the last team to sneak into the playoffs and now find themselves battling for the title. I think we're in for a great game this weekend.

Houston in thanks to Ching

The Houston Dynamo have made their annual appearance to the Western Conference finals after defeating a very game Seattle Sounders team 1-0 in Houston.

Old veteran Brian Ching came through for the men in Orange, who will now face the winner of tonight's Super Clasico in Los Angeles.

Hats off to Sigi Schmid and his team for an incredibly successful first season both on and off the field.

Fire Move on to Eastern Conference Championship

Chicago came out last night with guns blazing. For ninety minutes they kept their foot on the accelerator and never backed off.

"El Cuah" was in rare form, picking on Jay Heaps all night long - On the first goal, he showed strength and guile in holding off the veteran defender before softly dishing off the ball, initiating the sequence of quick passes that culminated in Thorrington's goal. Then, late in the game, he showed his composure and skill, sidestepping Heaps before nestling the ball in the upper v and securing the Fire's place in the next round.

Credit the Fire backline for bending and not breaking, albeit some credit also has to go to the post for it's save on Jankauskas' header. Credit the Fire's strong offensive supporting cast for pushing for the win all game long (with bonus kudos to Nyarko for his part on the second goal - out hustling and out muscling Osei in the corner, rounding Reis and then the nutmeg pass to Blanco).

For the Revolution, all things considered, it's amazing they made it this far with so many injuries to key players and they shouldn't hang their heads. Despite a relatively quite game, Sharlie is still deserving of the MVP trophy