On the national front: Gold Cup winners!

The US has won the Gold Cup! For more information on World Cup qualifying, see FIFA's list of qualified teams. Better yet, check out the current FIFA world rankings. Specifically, check out the number 6 spot. For more info on the Gold Cup final, see the following articles:

USA wins continental championship Brad Davis ended a long day and a long tournament, regaining the CONCACAF Gold Cup for a depleted U.S. soccer team that will limp into its next World Cup qualifier.

Third Gold Cup for the U.S. Leaves Legs Tired and Achy

Gold Cup: USA Win Title After Penalties

News and Views

As Columbus has discovered, MLS has parity When I first saw the title, my first thought was that MLS does not have parity this season. However, this article is more about parity on a season-to-season basis, and it makes some interesting points. For example, “By design, our league has parity built in,” said Wizards midfielder Chris Klein. “The single-entity structure and having relatively few teams creates that. The article goes on to expound on that, but you will just go have to read it for yourself. This article is well worth the read.

MetroStars' GM fined for criticizing MLS
Lalas - Zip It..
Drama, drama, drama. There is never a dull moment in MLS.

K.C. hopes to hit break on high note

News and Views

Johnson inks new multi-year deal I disagree with the following statement: "This announcement is proof that Major League Soccer can compete for top players with any league in the world. I want to play in Major League Soccer and specifically with FC Dallas," said Johnson. Getting a little egotistical, aren't we? Egos aside, I personally do not think that this signing is proof of anything.

Lalas shares a pint with Metros fans Good for you, Lalas. Good for you. (There is no sarcasm intended in that comment.)

Subs send Warzycha to first win Columbus won! Yea!

MLS - Screw Fulham Apparently, an MLS team will play Madrid in Madrid next month.

The Clean Sheet: Where was he?

They won't let Beckham talk to me This article is funny, but I really hope that the writer is employing a bit of sarcasm.

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know what I think about soccer-specific stadiums. Here are two articles regarding just that:
Soccer fans rally, support complex
Lawmakers like a fair-soccer mix

News and Views

Columbus move a no brainer OK, so I'm breaking my own rule about not linking to old articles, but I found this newsworthy enough to post. Besides, Wynalda makes the very same statement that I have been making all season long: Columbus is a pretty good team that is obviously underachieving. How many times have I written that this year?

Real applaud Galaxy after friendly Michael Owen making positive comments about MLS? Impressive. (I am not being facetious).

Metros keep focus on league play

Report: Palencia to Chivas USA

If the Cup were to be played today...

it would be between Chicago and Dallas. Dallas is still my pick to win the Cup, although I am not rooting for them. Yes, I am still rooting for the 4-10-3 underachieving Crew.

Standings

1. Chicago
2. New England
3. Dallas
4. KC
4. LA
4. San Jose
5. DC
5. Metrostars
6. Colorado
7. Columbus
8. Salt Lake
9. Chivas USA

News and Views

Due to the following facts:

1) this is my blog, which means that I can write about whatever I chose, and
2) I haven't blogged in almost a month,

I am going to break my own self-imposed rule and blog about some articles that are more than a day old. I hope that you don't mind.

'Must win' game goes Wizards' way I am still surprised that Victorine made that shot. If you didn't get a chance to see the match (ok, so I only saw the second half), he shot from outside the penalty box and made it! Granted, it was a textbook shot (low, to the far corner), but it still was from outside the box.

Connolly: Young players get their shot This article is proof that Freddy Adu is not the only young player in MLS at the moment.

The Clean Sheet: Money talks

United unearth gem in Kuffour He's not bad on the pitch.

If the Cup were to be played today,

it would be between New England and Dallas. Again, that is not the least bit surprising. And, just as I have said all throughout this season, Dallas is my pick to win the Cup this year. (By that, I mean that I expect them to win. As my pseudonym suggests, I want the underachieving Columbus Crew to finally win the Cup.)

Standings

1. Dallas
2. Chicago
2. New England
3. LA
3. San Jose
4. DC
4. KC
5. Metrostars
6. Colorado
7. Columbus
8. Salt Lake
9. Chivas USA

Some things never change. Dallas remains number one; Columbus and Chivas USA remain at the bottom. Am I the only one who misses last season's parity, and the excitement that went along with it?

My excuse...

Yikes! I didn't realize how long it has been since I last blogged! My excuse is a combination of a killer work schedule and a very unstable Internet connection.