A few things...

#1 - It is truly great to Seattle going nutso for MLS in this economy. In addition to their opening day, I'll also be looking forward to more coverage from Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times.

We should all try to guess which grunge icon will be photographed wearing a Sounders kit at Qwest Field first... hmmm... Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees prefer basketball... maybe Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell or... no!

I'm gonna go with a quinella of Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Mudhoney's Mark Arm (doing his best Johan Cruyff impersonation above).

#2 - I had a talk with FC Midtjylland defender Danny Califf when he gave me that Top 5 List, and here's the resulting bit. The question is: can they break into the top three despite standing pat at midseason? Also, Danny tips Michael Parkhurst for success in the SAS Liga.

#3 - The Soccer Insider gives us the lowdown as D.C. United's roster fills out. Anybody else see some high-scoring games involving the capital crew this year?

#4 - I am working on a big Running The Numbers post that tries to sum up (pun intended) this week's wild Champions League and UEFA Cup results in various ways. It's fun being a soccer nerd.

As for my work at 365, expect a new Euro Top-10 on Monday. Unlike my buddy Jonah Freedman over at Sports Illustrated, I let several weeks pass between my rankings.

I also guess it's time I start hitting up some MLS players for preseason features. I'm making my wish list now...

In other sneak previews, Sean told me he has a couple of 'Nat chats on the horizon. Mr. O'Conor also will be doing some Confederations Cup coverage for NSC this summer.

#5 - Soccer By Ives breaks Colorado acquiring the rights to Joe Public strike star Gregory Richardson from Toronto FC. I'd bet he would have a fine time running off of Conor Casey.

Nice move, Rapids.

#6 - As the David Beckham saga rolls on in Milan and Los Angeles, everyone involved is getting more than a little anxious. But hey... at least you didn't sign anything in China.

#7 - Speaking of Spice Boy, it's possible I could be jailed for not posting this clip I saw at the Red Card, shot in between takes of an adidas commercial...




#8 - We also have a brief video interview with Örebro rookie playmaker Alejandro Bedoya (spliced with a couple of preseason clips - he wears #10)...





- Greg Seltzer