A few things...

It was fun, but man oh man am I glad the USMNT's summer world tour is done. The Euro-seasons are about to start and I haven't even had a break yet. Oh, but it's coming very soon...

#1 - As you may know by now, USMNT v Mexico @ Azteca carrier mun2 is being offered free the day of the game to American cable companies. To figure out if you'll be getting it on yours or to learn how to compel yours to pick up the freebie, go here.

#2 - Houston Chronicle all-star Bernardo Fallas reports that Livorno's opening Ricardo Clark offer has been rejected. He also says they expect another bid. And right on cue, the U.S. midfielder turns up to chat with Glenn Davis (mp3 link).

Meanwhile, Houston has also been named as the 2010 MLS All-Star Game host. Congrats to Dynamo fans. Even half a world away, it was pretty cool to see baseball's midseason classic in Cardinalville this summer.

#2 - My reviews:

One thumb way up: Grant Wahl's Beckham book.

One thumb way down: the final 35 minutes of the USMNT's Gold Cup final performance.

#3 - NSC pal Brucio of Du Nord is making his broadcast debut on Saturday at 7 PM CT. Go to USL Live to hear him spread the love to title contender Portland's trip to Minnesota. I think I just might myself.

#4 - President Obama reeeeeally wants the World Cup back in America.

#5 - In part thanks to a plea from Beckham, the L.A. Galaxy fan who hopped down to field level will not be banished into the forest of lost souls. Super... and it only took them nine days to get to it.

#6 - NSC pal Jonah Freedman (that's Dr. J, to me) both catches up with D.C. United recruit Danny Szetela and checks in on the likelihood of San Jose ace Arturo Alvarez switching his FIFA flag from America to El Salvador.

#7 - Just for the fun of it, let's check out Zlatan's Barcelona presentation.




- Greg Seltzer