A few things...

Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, a great man once said...

#1 - The MLS expansion bid deadline has passed, with seven cities filing in time.

Being a St. Louis boy, obviously I will be rooting for their inclusion in the league, which many observers will agree is overdue. MLS Talk scribe Kartik Krishnaiyer makes his plea (dig that sweet stadium rendering!), while the STL Business Journal breaks the bid down.

Lest anyone think I'm a total homer, here is some background on the other bids: Atlanta, Portland and the three Canadian entrants Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver (check the last A few things... post for the Miami 411).

As you can see, the hot rumour Las Vegas and New York II applications did not happen.

Programming note: there will be a guest Top 5 List handicapping this situation coming soon.

#2 - NSC friend (and part-time tech rescue worker) Sara DeWitt has her Everton USA supporters club site up and running. If you're a Toffee or thinking about becoming a Toffee or know a Toffee, be sure to check it out. The new prez is planning some very cool things for American fans and is a popular figure around Goodison Park offices.

#3 - I was unable to watch the U.S. lose to Trinidad & Tobago for the first time in a competitive match last night (apparently, some providers don't realize that they are supposed to show the match on their broadcast schedule). I will go on a quest for the video or a replay and work up my USMNT Player Ratings as fast as I can.

Blërg. No... double blërg.

#4 - Ever wondered how the USMNT shows such great conditioning in today's crazy game? Well, Goal has asked the man who would have the answers, Pierre Barrieu.

#5 - Speaking of U.S. internationals and fitness concerns, West Ham defender Jonathan Spector told me yesterday he expects to be back in training next week.

#6 - From the "I can see this coming down the Lincoln Tunnel" file: it seems England has included a woman with strong ties in the Caribbean on their 2018 World Cup bid organizing committee - as if Jack Warner needed another reason to sell CONCACAF out.

Frankly, I don't care how crazy cool this lady's name is; all I can see is the United States being shoved off 'til 2022 in favor of a third European World Cup since 1994. Oh well... this one is essentially a lost cause.

Go 2022!!

#7 - D.C. United keeper and Stand-up Guy Louis Crayton has posted an open letter to thank Houston Dynamo fans for shouting down a racist Robertson Stadium patron en masse. The netminder also revealed that he has talked with and forgiven the man who used slurs to his face after last week's meeting between the clubs.

LC... you are a class act, sir.

#8 - If you missed the final U.S. Presidential Debate due to the USMNT game (and any resultant sorrows drowning), grab a seat and enjoy it right here.

By the way, I'm not going to endorse anyone on NSC, but I will say this: no matter who you support, it is essential that you all get out and vote on Election Day, even if your state will be a landslide. We need to show Washington that we mean business, and whoever wins will need all the political capital they can get to affect positive change. That comes from you... yes, you.

Okay, speech over, debate on...



- Greg Seltzer