If the Cup were to be played today,

it would be between New England and San Jose. My pick is New England, due mainly to their solid season so far. However, my stubborn streak won't let me give up Dallas as a candidate for the Cup, and I am still bemoaning the Crew's performance this season. Oh, how i miss parity! (Yes, I understand that MLS does have parity from season to season, which adds excitement to the league; however, there is very little parity among the teams this season. Parity is a good thing.)

Standings

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

This is one of the first times all season that there has not been a tie somewhere in the rankings!

My views of the news

MLS has a point to prove in Madrid "This is a great opportunity to show the true level of soccer in the U.S.," said Youri Djorkaeff of the MetroStars, who won the World Cup with France in 1998. What this article doesn't say is what that level will be. It also doesn't say whether Real will put out their top or reserve players. On a total sidenote, I found this statement amusing: This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs. I think that statement was put in there for people like me!
MLS All-Stars keen to impress

Clubs should make use of transfer window

RSL use ceremony to honor Kreis

FYI

1) I organize the standings based upon total points on a given day. I typically do this on Monday or Tuesday, after I am certain that the previous weekend's results have been added in. Whenever there is a tie betweeen two or more teams, I list them in alphabetical order.

2) When writing my views of the news (hmm, maybe I should consider renaming that section of my blog!), I try to stick with articles that are up to a day old. That said, I have been know to make execptions to that rule.

If the Cup were to be played today,

it would be between New England and San Jose. Thanks to my stubborn streak, I'm still holding out for FC Dallas and routing for Columbus. However, New England does appear to be a very serious contender for the Cup at this point in the season. Looking back at this season's standings, they have consistently remained at the top.

Standings

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

Excuse of the day

I swear that this has been one of my busiest summers yet. I'm going to try to get back into the practice of regularly blogging again (yeah, yeah, famous last words!). Here goes.

If the Cup were to be played today,

it would be between New England and San Jose. Dallas is still my pick, although New England appears to have a good shot at the Cup.

Standings

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

News and Views

MetroStars reach final agreement on soccer specific stadium And to think that Columbus started it all! (Crew Fan smiles with pride.)

The Clean Sheet: Pizza Hut delivers Big news in the world of MLS:

Somehow slipping under the soccer radar screen in a summer filled with high-profile matchups and new ownership is another landmark in the long-term growth of Major League Soccer: the opening of Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. This is simply the most important match of the year in MLS.

Now for the next "important" thing:

I mentioned last week that I wasn't sure what we are going to nickname Pizza Hut Park, and I still am not convinced. I received quite the flood of e-mails with suggestions, but nothing has grabbed me. I know many will be calling it "The Oven" or even "The Big Slice," but I'm just not there yet.

Personally, I like "The Oven." Don't ask why; I just like it.

That a squad of national team-caliber players can beat a Premier League bottom-dweller in its preseason proves nothing about MLS as a league, so let's give those thoughts a rest. Much like the afore-mentioned friendlies, these games are just great entertainment. MLS has some big-time players and a selection of its best should spank a team like Fulham in its sleep.

Now if the All-Stars had been playing Manchester United, that might be a different story. Even then, it's still different than a "regular" MLS team playing a "regular" Premiership team. Just my two cents.

News and Views

A place to kick it: FC Dallas to open state-of-the-art soccer venue next Saturday Now I really think that Dallas is going to win the Cup. Talk about a way to boost the team's morale! (OK, so that hardly explains Columbus' performance this season, but they have performed well in previous years.)

Best dressed stars capture the moment Somebody please tell me that this is a four-month-late April Fool's joke.

The Cheap Seats: A proving point OK, so this article is several days old, but it is still a good read. Its premise is that MLS players are no longer awed by European clubs.

MLS All-Stars 4 : Fulham 1 Not bad at all.

Soccer-filled month in U.S. a success

The Clean Sheet: I don't know much

K.C.'s Garcia shocked by suspension

If the Cup were to be played today...

it would be between Chicago (or New England) and San Jose (or Dallas). I put New England and Dallas in paranthesis because they have more losses than Chicago and San Jose respectively. Still, Dallas is still my pick to win the Cup.

Standings

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

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.