The Sounders are one of a handful of teams using their connections with clubs and colleges around the country to develop the next generation of players. And I feel pretty confident in saying there is no club that has the breadth of connections as the Seattle Sounders.

Recently I’ve been thinking about the relationship of these independent clubs and colleges through and ecological metaphor. Similar to an ecology system each team and player is operating based on their unique needs sometimes in direct conflict with one another (for example when the Kitsap Pumas played the Sounders in an early round of the U.S. Open Cup). However, in coming together for their own mutual benefit, they are evolving into something greater than the sum of its parts.

I don’t want to stretch the metaphor too far, but I think we may be seeing the slow evolution of a much more rich and varied system for player development in the United States, and this preseason has really put the focus on these relationships. The biggest news has been the transformation of the Tacoma Tide into the new Sounders U-23 team. Following that has been the success in camp and around the league of Sounders who received valuable playing time over the last three years in the many clubs and colleges associated with the Sounders. The recent signings of Alex Caskey and Andy Rose point to the early successes of this developing ecology.

After the break I take a look at six clubs and colleges that have been closely tied to the Sounders.

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The recent trade for Eddie Johnson had me thinking about what kind of production we should be expecting from him this season. One way to look at that is to compare the production of forwards in MLS making a similar amount. I started with forwards making between $90,000 - $110,000 and their production from last year. However, that was a pretty small and uninspiring group. So, I expanded the list to include all forwards making between $75,000-$125,000 and who played at least 500 minutes in league competition.

There were a lot of players cut out due to lack of playing time (and a couple who didn't have stats on the MLS website). Many of these players were younger generation Adidas players and/or journeyman on the roster for injury protection. As you can see from the table below there are very few impact players making below $125,000. The Sounders pick up of Eddie Johnson is looking much better in the light of other options at his price point (assuming that Eddie Johnson is able to return to near his previous form).

So, how many goals and assists should we expect from a forward making around $100,000.00? I think a reasonable expectation is around six goals and two assists in league play from our new forward based on the averages in the table below. However, based on previous experience, I think we could have had the same production from Mike Fucito at an even lower hit to the salary cap. Mike Fucito made the league minimum $42,000 last year.

Also, that doesn't account for the additional depth in the midfield provided by Lamar Neagle at an equally appealing contract. Neagle was on developmental contract of $32,604.00. So, I'll be looking for EJ to have much more of an impact on the field that the league average would suggest.

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I was just reading Abbott Smith's great article on the current roster battles heading into camp. Of course, that begs the question who would you put on the roster if the decision was made prior to camp? I thought I would take a stab at it as a way to pass the time on a snowy Seattle day.

So, here's my armchair manager's stab on at the roster by position and open slots. It's also an attempt by me to feel through the arcane MLS roster rules and see where the team stands at the (delayed) start of camp. Feel free to disagree (or agree) violently in the comments section.

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Happy Cyber-Monday everyone! I've been scanning the internet using some of the new apps that check for deals and its been making things a lot easier. Although it feels like cheating when you don't even have to work on your search-fu to find bargains. Cyber-Monday is another day for celebrating the glories of American consumerism by blowing off work. When the app does all the internet browsing for me that means I actually have to do real work and that sucks. Fortunately, I can always cruise the internet for soccer articles!

Is Hating the Timbers Healthy? I know you'd never willingly go to a Timbers blog, but Stumptown Footy has a good article up about how the Sounders-Timbers rivalry is good for the league and the sport. It includes a link to an academic study on the importance of rivalries to growing interest in a sport. The bottom line: framing a rivalry using a regional villain is more effective among fan-bases which are less involved. On the other hand, building up heroes with connections to the community is more effective among fans which are already highly involved with a team.    

So, based on the findings and simple logic, growing the sport in the Northwest demands a little vilification of our food cart loving, fixie riding neighbors to the South. By the same token it is vital that they cast us Sounders fans as elitist yacht owning Microsoft millionaires. As an avid fan of the league, and to fight off the off-season doll-drums, its important for me to do my part in growing the rivalry through some classy trolling. So go recommend my comment mocking their missing the playoffs and we'll see if we can get more recommends than the article has comments.  

More links after the jump:

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The season ended weeks ago for most of us Sounders fans. It feels even longer since the league scheduled the MLS Cup after the international break. However, the real end of the season is nigh as the Los Angeles Galaxy take on the Houston Dynamo this weekend. I'm expecting an entertaining, if decidedly one-sided match-up this weekend.

The cards are all in the Galaxy's favor from playing at home to having all three big stars healthy and rested. Of course, Bruce Arena denies that favorites exist in soccer. Still, despite that sentiment, the Galaxy players and coaches will certainly be feeling to pressure to produce a Cup after bringing in so many high priced stars (and one who's likely to leave after the season). Also, Arena will be battling Dominic Kinnear to become the first coach with three MLS titles (or five you count the battling Scot's wins as an assistant coach).

I don't want to take anything away from the Dynamo and their season. They're a well coached team who are hitting a hot spot after finally deciding to stick Geoff Cameron permanently at center-back. Tally Hall is an amazing young keeper and Brian Ching is one of my favorite non-Sounders in MLS when he's healthy. However, the loss of their team MVP and SB Nation MVP in Brad Davis is a major, major blow. There's no area on the pitch where I give the edge to the Dynamo (unlike Zach Woosley over at Dynamo Theory). They're giant underdogs in this one and, as such, I'll be rooting for them.

More news after the jump:

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A Veteran's Day Thank You, especially our friends serving in the armed services and ECS' Armed Services Group. It's a quiet weekend in MLS as everyone is on break for international games. The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on the Houston Dynamo next Sunday at the Home Depot Center. Tickets are up over 640% over regular prices as Galaxy fans have a rare opportunity to see their side clinch the Cup at home.

The Galaxy have been dominant this season with the highest number of players voted to the League Best XI. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez was named defender of the year this week. The Dynamo have a chance to top that award right before the MLS Cup as Brad Davis is still in the running for league MVP. Also, this week Sporting Kansas City forward CJ Sapong was named rookie-of-the-year.

Europe Calling: The season is barely over for most of the teams in MLS and the rumors about potential transfers and trials are already rolling in. This week we learned that West Brom are interested in defender Tim Ream. The young defender has been invited to the Midlands for a trial although one can imagine that Arsenal will also be extending an offer. Brek Shea is already scheduled to join Arsenal for training after the end of the US friendlies in Europe. Several other MLS players will be training in Europe this year, similar to what Alonos and Zakuani did last season.

More news after the jump:

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Don Garber spoke to reporters today to announce the league's best XI and talk a bit about the 2012 season. The only Seattle Sounder named to the Best XI was goal-keeper Kasey Keller. Keller, in his final professional season, anchored one of the league's top defenses. He led all league goalkeepers with 18 wins and made a career-high 110 saves. His 1.09 goals against average tied for fifth and his nine shutouts tied for third-most in the league. In addition, Keller is a finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award and many of his saves are up for Save of the Year (including that incredible 4-save sequence against the San Jose Earthquakes).

The Los Angeles Galaxy lead all teams with four players named to the Best XI. Seven other teams (including the Sounders) had one player each named to the best XI. Forwards Thierry Henry and Chris Wondolowski were the two forwards named ahead of Fredy Montero. As usual, no defensive midfielders were named to the Best XI although the case can certainly be made that one of either Osvaldo Alonso or Kyle Beckerman deserved a nod (you all know whom I'd choose).

The Best XI recognizes the league's top 11 players at each position on the field. You can see the full Best XI here.

More about the 2012 schedule after the jump:

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Mike Magee, David Beckham and Robbie Keane were the difference makers for the Los Angeles Galaxy as their quick counters and excellent set-piece work was able to pick apart the piece-meal defense of Real Salt Lake. RSL fought hard to disrupt the Galaxy, but didn't have enough in the tank late to push through. Injuries to key players and fatigue from the hard fought battle with the Seattle Sounders seemed to have taken their toll on the 2009 champions at the end of the 3-1 loss. The Galaxy will play a home game in the final thanks to their amazing regular season record.*

The Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City faced off on the weaker side of the bracket. Dominic Kinnear showed again why he's one of the best coaches in the league as his well-prepared squad peaked at the right time in the playoffs. Tough, well-organized defense and set-piece excellence were able to help pull the Dynamo to a 2-0 win despite an troubling injury to Brad Davis. Their team (and possibly league) MVP will miss the MLS Cup final due to a torn quadriceps muscle.

More after the jump:

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The 2011 Seattle Sounders season is officially in the books. I should feel sad. I certainly did on Wednesday when the Sounders came just a Tony Beltran head away from an epic comeback (more highlights and photos for those that want to relive the battle). Yet, just a day later, I'm feeling pretty darn good about things.

The Sounders went out swinging against one of the best MLS teams of the last decade (2000-2010). They put their fat finger print on the history books with a third Open Cup victory and the most all-competition wins in a single season. CONCACAF Champions league (CCL) group stages are just around the corner and the Sounders have the solid, young core of players needed to punch the first U.S. ticket to the Club World Cup.

Folks before you settle into the usual mid-winter Seattle gloom-and-doom just imagine the alternatives:

• You could be on the phone trying to convince some D.C. politicians to help keep D.C. United in the district.
  
• You could be a Portland Timbers fan green in envy and red in anger that your bitter rival claimed the first MLS Cascadia Cup (and likely next year's too...)
  
• You could be a Vancouver Whitecaps fan sitting at home watching Toronto FC unfairly representing your country. Or...perish the thought...
• You could be a New England Revolution fan. *shudder* 
  

More after the jump:

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So here we are again. First round of the playoffs after a exciting season. The Seattle Sounders get a tough draw and proceed to get schooled like an earnest, but inexperienced freshmen. Sure, Real Salt Lake has been one of the best, if not the best, team in the league since they won the MLS Cup in 2009. But we expected a little more than a 3-0 routing. Here are the highlights and photos if you're at all interested in reliving the punishment (or if you're a RSL fan).

The worst part is I couldn't watch the game live. A friend recorded the game and we planned to watch it Sunday. I diligently avoided every mention of the score until the wonderful John Harkes blurted out the score in the 2nd half of the New York Red Bulls game with nary a lead-up. I sat stunned with my finger on the mute button. Then proceeded to drive to Maple Valley to watch the game. All the while pretending not to know the score so my friend could experience the thrill of watching the Sounders get schooled live. So very painful.

Only a thrilling come-from-behind victory on Wednesday will cure the pain. Come on you Sounders!

More news after the jump:

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It doesn't get any bigger than this. The Seattle Sounders are playing on the road this Saturday at one of the toughest stadiums against one of the best, most well-coached teams in the league. Forget the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls. This is the marquee match-up of the play-offs. One very good team will be eliminated at the culmination of this home-and-home series and I'm just hoping it's the other guys!

Also, if you're a betting man, here are the Vegas odds for the series. The Sounders are favorites by a roughly 2-to-1 odds (unless you count in the 90 minute draw which has the best odds).

The Battle of the Blands: The play-offs started early this week with some un-marquee (or is it biz-marque?) match-ups in the wildcard/play-in games. The look on biz-maquee's face from the Turn Back the Hands of Time LP perfectly captures my expression while watching the Colorado Rapids out thug-ball the Columbus Crew to a 1-0 victory. At least they offered it free on Match Day Live.  I missed the New York Red Bulls 2-0 win over listless FC Dallas, but I've heard it wasn't much better. /sarcasm on Fortunately, the stadium atmosphere was electric! /sarcasm off.

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Put it in the books folks. The regular season is over and the Seattle Sounders logged an impressive 63 points over 34 games. In most seasons that would have put the Sounders in the top spot. Instead the Sounders will be the number two team in the league and will face the number three team in Real Salt Lake in a home-and-home series. The next opponent for the Sounders will most likely be the Los Angeles Galaxy. Playoff tickets go on sale at 10:00 today.

The Sounders ended the season on a strong note with a 3-1 win over Chivas USA. The team looked focused and composed despite having midfield leader Mauro Rosales stretchered out early in the first half. The Sounders nation holds their collective breath this week as they wait for word on the health of his knee. He'll be needed for a tough playoff race. You can see highlights and photos on the Sounders website. 

Playoff Seeding Set: Yesterday the Houston Dynamo beat a mostly reserve Galaxy team 3-1 to finalize the playoff standings. Wildcard games begin this week with Dallas FC hosting the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. The Colorado Rapids will also host the Columbus Crew. The highest remaining seed from the Wildcard round will face the Sporting Kansas City while the other goes to California to play the Galaxy.

More after the jump:

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It's the lull before the storm in Seattle Sounders land. The Seattle Sounders lost on Tuesday 2-1 to Monterrey, but despite the loss, the Sounders still advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Chivas USA will be in town this weekend for the last regular season match-up. The results hardly matter for either team and the Sounders will be looking forward to the playoffs.

News Around CCL: The MLS will also have the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC representing the league in the quarterfinals. The Galaxy defeated Club Motagua to secure a spot in the next round while Toronto knocked FC Dallas out with a decisive 3-0 victory. The Colorado Rapids were also eliminated this week.

More links after the jump:

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The Sounders had a pretty amazing come from behind victory this weekend against the lowly San Jose Earthquakes. More important than the 2-1 scoreline was the the righteousness of the send-off of team captain and USMNT legend Kasey Keller. The C-link was rocking with over 64,000 fans and you could hear them every time Keller made a save. And there were plenty of them. Both ECS and the North End did the captain justice with some amazing tifos. At the end of the match there was some speechifying and Drew Carey behind door number 1 with some prizes for Keller. You can see the highlights and the photos on the Sounders website.

Sounders Goalkeeping News: Lots of news coming out this weekend about goalkeeper related to the Sounders. The big news is coming out of Austria where it looks like the Sounders might have their eye on Michael Gspurning. The 30 year old Austrian keeper is nearing the end of his contract in Greece and might be a replacement for Keller next season. Also, from the practice notes yesterday, it appears that Terry Boss has been doing some training with the team while Josh Ford has been dealing with a knee injury. Boss isn't likely to play on Tuesday meaning we'll probably see Bryan Meredith as Keller's back-up for the Monterrey game.

More news after the jump:

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It will be a bitter-sweet moment at CenturyLink Field this Saturday. Over 60,000 people will be packed into CenturyLink Field to watch a legend take the field for the last time at home against the struggling San Jose Earthquakes. A shutout by Kasey Keller will secure the Sounders the number 2 spot in the playoffs. The Sounder-at-Heart crew and 40 of our friends will be rocking section 328 at the C-Link. The original allotment of SAH tickets is sold out, but as of last night, there are still a few listed in the same section and in adjacent section 329 for those of you who want to watch Keller for the last time.

Those attending the game will also have a shot at cool stuff like this captain Kasey Keller arm-band. Also, check out this link for a picture of Keller with a full flowing mane of hair and a list of some of the swag available this weekend. Also, I would be probably face the wroth of Dave if I didn't mention that the SAH crew and 55 others will also be meeting up at Temple Billiards in the Basement from 4-5 P.M. All I'm saying is they have Brougham Bitter on tap. Make sure to RSVP as space is limited by that pesky fire code thing.

Sounders Reserve Win Again: The Seattle Sounders reserves defeated the San Jose Earthquakes reserve team 3-1 on Monday with goals from Sammy Ochoa, Michael Tetteh and Nate Jaqua. The Sounders are 8-1-0 in reserve league play and have already wrapped up the Western title. The club has also raised $6,726.95 for local charities from donations at the gate. Overall a very successful season by the reserves.

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The Seattle Sounders lost 2-0 this weekend to the Philadelphia Union while missing their three most creative offensive players. The Sounders played a game the average MLS team would be proud of. However, without Fredy Montero, Mauro Rosales and Alvaro Fernandez, the Sounders needed to out work the Union to secure the victory. The Union simply needed the points more and played that way. You can see the match highlights and photos on the team website.

LA Cinches Shield: The loss ends the slim hopes for the team to take the Supporters Shield from the Los Angeles Galaxy. It was never going to be an easy task. The Galaxy have been having a record year and would have needed to drop some key games down the stretch for the Sounders to slip into first place. It's unfortunate as the type of performance the Sounders have had this year would likely earn them the Supporter's Shield in other seasons. This is also the last year the league is likely to have a balanced schedule.    

More news after the jump:

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Success! The Seattle Sounders defeated the Chicago Fire 2-0 to win the U.S. Open Cup for a third straight year. I admit I had my moments of doubt. Their defense almost seemed prescient in their ability to intercept passes and shots. Luckily, Fredy Montero scored the go-ahead goal just when I was mentally preparing for a grueling overtime. Osvaldo Alonso put it out of reach late with a great bit of individual skill. Finally, I can't help but mention the amazing atmosphere. ECS once again brought their A-game with a huge tifo display and it wasn't just GA getting into the act. The rest of the crowd was also cheering and standing for the whole match.

I honestly wish everyone could have made it out for the game. I've attended a game or two here and abroad, but this is far and away the best soccer experience I've ever had. For those of you there in spirit if not in body you can see more match highlights, the victory celebration and photos at the Sounders website. Oh, and if that isn't enough, even more photos (and Sigi Schmid celebrating). And the mighty Mike Fucito roar just because it's cool.

Sounders Secure in Second: Real Salt Lake lost again this week to a surprisingly competent Vancouver Whitecaps team. A couple of bad calls by the official helped to seal the game for the undermanned RSL side. One note of concern for Sounders fans was Javier Morales return to the starting line-up. On the upside the RSL lose means that the Seattle Sounders are almost guaranteed the 2nd spot in the Western Conference. They will likely be hosting the second leg of the two game series and retain home-field advantage should the Los Angeles Galaxy be knocked out in the first round. The Sounders remain (barely) alive in the hunt for the Supporter's Shield. However, the Sounders must win out their remaining games while the Galaxy need to implode.

More after the jump:

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It's a big week for the Seattle Sounders. We have our shot at one bringing back the US Open Cup trophy on Tuesday in front of the largest soccer crowd the tournament has ever seen. This isn't a fly-by-night operation dressing up a friendly to draw fans. It's a history soaked tournament that's been running continuously in the U.S. since 1914. The place is going to be rocking and you don't want to miss an opportunity to bring some hardware to city. Don't think you've waited to long to grab tickets. The team won't stop selling seats until the whole damn place is full. Sounders GM Andrian Hanauer expects a crowd of 35,000. Personally, I think he's low-balling it.

This weekend's league match-up was also a kind one for the Sounders. The team played an almost exclusively reserve team line-up to give the Sounders some rest before the big game on Tuesday. The New England Revolution dominated possession, creating some coat-biting tension, but in the end it didn't matter. The Sounders won 2-1 off of a brace by Fredy Montero. You can see match highlights and photos at the Sounders website.

Keller Not Staying for CCL: We've known all season that this is Kasey Keller's last season. However, due to his stellar form this year, many fans have nurtured the hope that he might stick around a bit longer. Keller flatly denied those hopes in recent comments. Perhaps a fitting tribute is immortalizing the keeper in corn. I'd prefer to help cheer him on to a third U.S. Open Cup this week. Of course, you'll need to get a ticket to see a U.S. soccer legend lift up a trophy in his last season (good God I'm a hopeless shill for the Sounders).

More from around the league after the jump:

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It's a season defining couple of weeks for the Sounders. Thankfully, they managed to get the party started right by securing a spot in the elimination rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League. The 2-2 tie against Comunicaciones gives them some breathing room with a rough travel schedule to end the season. The Sounders traveled straight from Guatemala to the greater Boston metro area to take on the New England Revolution. A win against a faltering New England team would be nice, but the greater prize is on Tuesday when the Sounders are back at the C-Link to take on the Chicago Fire for their third consecutive U.S. Open Cup. As always, the match recap and photos are available on the Sounders website. 

The Tyranny of Discontent: Those superstar malcontents are called locker-room cancer for a reason. Steve Davis looks at two of the worst currently destroying their teams from within. The first being Carlos Tevez and the second being the New York Red Bulls own Rafael Marquez. The Red Bulls should take a page from the Sounders playbook in dealing with Freddie Ljungberg. Keep Marquez isolated from the team until you can arrange a trade.

More links after the jump:

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The Seattle Sounders secured their first hardware of the season this weekend with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The highlight of the match was a sublime left-footed strike by Fredy Montero (which is a goal-of-the-week nominee). Make sure to vote as the competition is fierce this week. The Sounders website also has highlights and photos. I highly recommend the gratuitous Cascadia Cup shots in Arlo White's game recap. Also, you can see plenty of fan videos of the Cup from the strong away support at the game.

On Tuesday the Seattle Sounders travel to Guatemala City for a must win game against Comunicaciones. A win or a draw will secure their slot in the quaterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL). However, the Sounders and the rest of MLS will need to fight through late-season fatigue and some motivated foes to secure the spot.

Complaining With a Purpose: Former national team defender and MLS analyst Alexi Lalas has some interesting insight on our own Sigi Schmid. As Seattle Sounders fans we're quite familiar with Sigi's frequent criticism of the referees in MLS. He always manages to get his complaints in while preserving enough of a respectful tone that he doesn't bring down the league office on his head. Lalas sees a crafty ploy by Sigi in the latest criticism regarding Mauro Rosales injury. Our crafty coach may be laying the groundwork for the star mid-fielder's eventual return for the playoffs.

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At the end of a stressful work week spent on the road I like to take a moment to go over the things that I love about Seattle. I love living in city where the people are friendly and even the view from the C-Link parking lot can take your breath away. I love that no matter where I am in the city I'm about five minutes away from a good local coffee shop. I love that I finally have a sports team where winning is what I expect from a third string line-up.

Yes the Seattle Sounders lost a close 1-0 game against CS Herediano on Tuesday while fielding a squad heavy on reserve players. Yet I find it hard to summon up much angst considering the absolutely amazing job the team has done across three very difficult competitions. The usual wailing and gnashing of teeth that I usual experience following a Sounders loss was strangely absent. Perhaps it was because I was only able to catch the highlights and some of the last part of the second half.

In any case I feel confident that the Sounders will find a way to advance out of the group stage of the competition despite the home loss. The win might even encourage CS Herediano to field a better line-up for their remaining group games and steal a point or two from our rivals. For those of you like me who missed most of the match you can see the match recap and photos on the Sounders webpage.

More after the jump:

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The Seattle Sounders are sitting pretty good going into the weekend. The Sounders put in a yeoman's performance after traveling down to Costa Rica. They remain perfect in the CONCACAF Champions League with their 2-1 win over Herediano. This weekend D.C. United arrive in Seattle looking to bolster their record in the less than competitive Eastern Conference. They need the three points to secure their spot as third place in the East and avoid a wild-card play-in game.      

You can see a match recap and photos of the Herediano game on the Sounder's website.

Davies is Player of the Week: One concern coming into the DCU game this weekend is the form of striker Charlie Davies. Davies secured MLS player of the week honors after a hat-trick in DCU's 3-0 victory against Chivas USA. Davies will also be fired up to play in front of a crowd that supported him through a pretty dark time. However, on closer inspection, Davies return to form doesn't look as strong as the scoreline from Chivas indicates. The real man of that match was Chris Pontius who will likely miss the rest of the season due to a fractured tibia.

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Reality came crashing in this weekend. The amazing August run by the Seattle Sounders ended with a 2-1 home loss to Real Salt Lake. All the Sounders luck looked spent as Kasey Keller made a 1 in a 1,000 error and the normally steady Mauro Rosales missed a penalty kick wide. The Sounders website has match highlights and photos.

Meanwhile, the other important league game also went against the Sounders. The Los Angeles Galaxy continued to show why they're top of the table with a 1-0 win over an improving Colorado Rapids team. The Galaxy now look firmly in control of the Supporter's Shield. Don't let the scoreline fool you. The Galaxy never looked in danger of losing the match and its doubtful they'll drop enough points to let the Sounders catch back up to them.

Tottenham Interested in Beckham: Reportedly the Tottenham Hotspurs want to sign David Beckham once his contract expires at the end of the year. Recently promoted Queen's Park Rangers are also reportedly interested in the services of David Beckham. A year or two ago this would have been a big blow to the marketing of MLS. However, the loss wouldn't sting so much with the addition of other former superstars like Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry. Personally, I would find it refreshing to move past the Beckham era for MLS. The league has grown past him.

More Sounders and MLS News after the jump:

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The Seattle Sounders are back in action this weekend after a well deserved break. They take on Real Salt Lake team that looks like its coming back into form and ready to make a late run into the playoffs. RSL needs three points here in Seattle to catch FC Dallas and avoid a wildcard play-in game. The Sounders need a win to keep themselves in the hunt for the Supporter's Shield. This should be a tough, well fought game as one of the best offenses in the league takes on one of the best defenses.  

Union Come Back Against the Revolution: The only mid-week action in MLS had a boring 1-0 grind written all over it. The Philadelphia Union under coach Piotr Nowak play a pretty bland, but effective style of defensive soccer (the New England Revolution are just plain bland). I thought there might be an outside chance for a goal for the Revolution since Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon just underwent surgery for a broken finger. Imagine my surprise when I hit the inter-webs the next day and saw it was a 4-4 thriller.

More news after the jump:

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It's been a slow weekend in MLS with most of the league, including the Seattle Sounders, on break. In Sounders news there's a new interview with Chris Henderson on the Sounders website that covers the state of the team as it nears the playoffs. There's also some video highlights from James Riley's successful 7-a-side tournament. Riley partnered with the Sounders and Gorilla FC to raise nearly $15,000 for the Renton/Skyway Boys & Girls Club.

USA Suffers First Loss Under Klinsmann: The US Men's National Team looked a bit shambolic in the 1-0 loss to Costa Rica on Friday. The biggest problems were in the defense and finishing. Some of the newcomers like Brek Shea shined while others like Michael Orozco Fiscal had less than stellar performances. It was a friendly where Klinsmann was still experimenting with new players and formations. Hopefully, after the performance, Jurgen Klinsmann will bring some additional help to focus on the poor state of US finishing.

More links after the jump:

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The Open Cup three-peat © is now firmly in the sight of the Seattle Sounders. Their 1-0 win against FC Dallas was a grind-it-out brutal affair in loud and packed Starfire Stadium. It was an atmosphere able to intimidate even the most battle tested of opponents. Although I would remind Schellas Hyndman that there are much more hostile crowds in the wide world of football. Both the 1st and 2nd halves of the game are available on the Sounder's website. You can also see the match recap and photos on the site.

A quick glance at the photos and the match recap will quickly show how bloody seriously both teams took the game. I mean really bloody. It's going to be one wild game if and when these two teams meet in the playoffs. May the best team win (and destroy the Los Angeles Galaxy)! 

Sounders Win Reserve West Division: The Sounders reserve team has been dominant in the newly reconstituted reserve league. The team has a 7 wins and only 1 loss for the season. Last night, without playing a match, the Sounders reserves clinched the Western division title. The Portland Timbers reserves were the last team that had a shot at reaching the Sounders, but a 3-3 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy reserves ended that threat.

More Sounders links and league news after the jump:    

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Recently, I wrote an article looking at the DP strategies for five MLS teams from the Western Conference. In this article I follow up with five teams from the Eastern Conference to give us an idea of how they are approaching DPs. If you're interested in exploring the DP rule further, there are also articles on DP salaries and production from the first half of the season and the track record of DPs from previous seasons. You  can also read about the latest DP rule changes designed to encourage younger players.   

After the jump I take a look at five teams in the East starting with the high-priced, but underperforming New York Red Bulls. Also included are analysis of the Chicago Fire, DC United and Toronto FC. For kicks, I also look at the first DP signing for the New England Revolution.         

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Man what a run.  The Seattle Sounders demolished the best team in the east 6-2.  The Seattle offense looked as deadly as the Columbus Crew's back-line looked shaky.  Before the game a friend of mine and I held forth in full professorial mode with some friends who don't follow the league as much.  We blathered on about the merits of the Crew's defense and how this was going to be a close grind-it-out kind of game.  I can honestly say I've never been happier to look so foolish!

The highlight reel is certainly worth another look.  Every dish is a little sweeter with a little dash of Arlo White's commentary.  Oh yeah, and Jeff Cunningham captured the record for most MLS goals with his 134th goal.

John Returns: It looks like the trade of local product George John to the Blackburn Rovers has fallen apart.  The FC Dallas center-back wasn't able to come to terms with Blackburn and is on his way back to the states to rejoin the team.  It looks like he'll be back in time for the US Open Cup semi-final match this Tuesday at Starfire.  Terribly disappointing news for us here in the Sound.  I looked forward to cheering on a Shoreline and Washington Husky product in one of the best leagues in the world.  Now we'll have to pile on the abuse as he comes to his hometown to steal our Open Cup.

More from the league after the jump: 

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