A few things...

I know I've kinda overlooked MLS the last couple of weeks, what with all the USMNT and transfer happenings, but today I will make up for that. And, of course, the new MLS Club Ladder is up at S365...

#1 - President Obama received a signed Samba Kings shirt and then some stick from his Brazilian counterpart at the G-8 Summit, but apparently concluded the meeting by insisting that will not happen the next time the USMNT has a chance to claim a victory.

Meanwhile, Salon has an op-ed suggesting Obama missed out on a big diplomacy shot by being away when the USMNT faced Honduras on Wednesday. I don't necessarily agree, but it's fun to see American soccer being talked about in those mainstream circles.

#2 - The champion Crew will soon have their White House visit. I like the gesture of inviting guys no longer on the roster along.

Meanwhile, Columbus are being linked with Fener's Chile midfield ace Claudio Maldonado. This would be a huge pick-up... but is that really their positional need?

#3 - Despite widespread reports to the contrary, the Charlie Davies-to-Sochaux deal has not been completed yet. The forward has agreed to contract terms with the Ligue 1 battlers, but the fee is still in haggle.

UPDATE: Aaaaaaand not an hour after I post this, the transfer fee is agreed. It seems Davies will arrive to sign and be presented next week. I am not sure if this development rules him out for the Haiti match or not.

In related news, it appears that Hannover 96 winger Sal Zizzo has failed his Fortuna Düsseldorf medical, which would seem to scupper his loan move. It's too late to get a hold of the Reds today, but I'll look into this Monday.

#4 - If you're in Santa Monica on Tuesday, head over to the Third Street Promenade adidas Sports Performance shop from 5-6 PM to meet U.S. striker Jozy Altidore. He'll be signing autographs and there will also be some giveaways.

#5 - Keepin' It Real discusses possible summer moves for RSL. I would think they would like to find a striker, with Yura Movsisyan leaving and Robbie Findley drawing glances from Europe as well.

UPDATE: Looks like Movsisyan will not being leaving until January as Randers did not name the right price to get him now.

#6 - Fresh Revs recruit Edgaras Jankauskas talks about his arrival to MLS. If he's still got the legs, the big striker can really help this team. American fans may remember him from his role on Porto's 2004 Champions League winning side.

#7 - Grant Wahl's Beckham book isn't even out yet, but Landon Donovan already feels bad for gripes expressed in his interview before he'd talked to his teammate about it.

No, I still haven't read any excerpts. I'm eagerly awaiting my advance copy. I hope to tear through that bad boy all at once this weekend and have a review up on Monday.

#8 - Speaking of Donovan and the Galaxy, 100 Percent Soccer's Nick Green highlights some playful jabs received from Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein during the pre-derby press conference.

#9 - It looks like Portland has finally smoothed out all the rough edges to putting their expansion team in play. We hope.

#10 - Perhaps taking my advice (what? would that be so bizarre?), San Jose are scouting defensive-minded central midfielders, starting with T&T international Densill Theobald. That's just one of the notes on Jeff Carlisle's latest CenterLine post. I really need to make it over to his blog more often.

#11 - Fresh from proclaiming he could help, Red Bulls trialist Veljko Paunović injured his hammy. Urgh. The team are waiting to see if the well-traveled striker wants to stick around until he's fit again.

Meanwhile, Nick Zimmerman (one of the few bright spots in New York this season) answers 10 Offside questions.

#12 - Courtesy of the USMNT Blog: the wild draw between Mexico and Panama has clinched a quarterfinal place for the 'Nats. If you didn't hear, that game went nutsovision, both on the field and in the stands.

#13 - Aalborg striker Marcus Tracy was interviewed by the club website, and NSC pal Poul-Henrik Worm was gracious enough to do a native speaker translation for us. If the print is too small, just hold the Control key and scroll your mouse up one click. I simply wanted change the lettering to differentiate between texts.

Tracy: "I'm getting there"

AaB's American striker Marcus Tracy is getting close to his wanted fitness level.

The American did not have the training start he had hoped for when an operation of two wisdom teeth meant that he needed to relax a few days.

"It meant that I had a slow start and therefore wasn't as far fitness-wise as I would have liked. But now it's moving forward, and I can feel that I'm getting close to match fitness," says Marcus Tracy who has enjoyed being back on the training ground focusing on the new season.

"There are some new players who need to get used to the team, but I think the whole team has had some really good sessions and it's also positive that we have several players back from injury, so it's looking good right now."

"We have a good test on Sunday against Randers FC, which can give us an indication of how far we are in our preparations. We're focusing more on our play than on the reult until the season starts, but of course we want to get a good result in that game. Personally, I hope to get as many minutes as possible and contribute what I can to the team."

#14 - Man, it must have been a treat beyond belief for the adidas Elite Soccer Program campers when Zinedine Zidane made a surprise visit to help them train!! Wow!!

Zinadine Zidane Makes Surprise Appearance At Colorado Rapids Stadium For Adidas Elite Soccer Program from MLS Rumors on Vimeo.

- Greg Seltzer