Goal(s) scored by...

Mikey!

This match isn't even over yet, 'Gladbach currently up 2-0 at the start of the second... but Mr. Bradley poked home the opener on 25 minutes for his fourth of the season, and third from the last five games.

Who said he would suddenly stop scoring goals now that he's in the Bundesliga? Those folks are suspiciously quiet as we roll film...



UPDATE: Not content with one goal, Bradley capped a famous 4-2 derby away win with a late brace maker from the penalty spot.




- Greg Seltzer

Go ahead... tell me who is the coolest.

[Photo: Sounders FC]

The Seattle expansion franchise has yet to play a single MLS match, but they are already smashing the cool-o-meter.

Let's "quickly" recap. They have already: hired a smooth young GM with league experience in Chris Henderson, brought a few players up from their USL squad, signed a USMNT legend in Kasey "Castle Dweller" Keller, sold over 20,000 season tickets using an algorithm that grouped supporters together based on online questionnaires with topics such as favored game experience and foreign club of choice, received rampant celebrity backing from minority owner Drew Carey, scarved the town silly, poached championship Coach of the Year Sigi Schmid, assembled a 53-piece marching band, signed their own underwear model/attacking midfielder with Prem credentials in Freddie Ljungberg, unveiled wicked awesome unis with X-Box360 Live as the sponsor, lured a couple of extremely impressive South American talents (Montero y Hurtado) and sent out season tickets in royal style with a limited edition scarf doubling as commemorative opening day ticket.

(gasping breath)

And now, they lay out a fantastic club community tradition for all home games until the end of time in March to the Match, a four-block musical convoy of Sounders fans to the stadium from Occidental Park. Community, soccer, song, civic pride and (certainly in some cases) a little badly-needed simple exercise. I can only assume someone will think to sell some sort of fresh fish-based snack and hopped beverage (as Monty Burns would say) nearby.

I still wish Qwest Field had grass, but I'm really starting to love this overall Sounders scene.

- Greg Seltzer

Left! No, right! No! Stutter-step, then chip it down the middle like a doof!

Ever wished you had cold, hard scientific data on the absolute best way to take a penalty?

Your wait is over. Start shining up the Nobel.


- Greg Seltzer

NSC approves this message

I stumbled across this foundation, Soccer Without Borders, because my pal and fellow Ajacied Jim is involved with the Bay Area branch.

I went to check out their website and decided it was something I should shine a light on best I could... hence the new logo link on the right. If you ever wish to find a way to contribute, but don't know how, just click the soccer bird.

I could break down how great a program this is, but the SWB website already has all the info neatly sectioned. Do give it a look. It's a worthwhile cause, and probably a real boost to the kids in several ways.

And while we are on the subject of important drives, the search to find a bone marrow donor for Marcia Williams, wife of RSL playmaker Andy, comes to Dallas on Saturday (quick reminder: D.C. is Sunday).

FCD handyman (and St. Louis homie) Bobby Rhine gives all the details here.


- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

While I wait for the Dempsey goal clip to arrive...

#1 - Interesting pick-up by The Touchline's Luis Bueno: it seems retiring Chivas USA defender Claudio Suárez is not retiring happily with a cake and a watch and balloons and Crown Royal and a DJ.

The guy's a legend. Is that as good as it gets for a legend that plays for CHIVAS USA? Sometimes, in life, things get weird. This is one of those times.

Out of respect for El Emparador, I will picture him in Mexico colors. Plus, that way, anyone unhappy with his reaction can find double motivation for their sneer.

#2 - The Oregonian's Ryan White live-blogged from the Portland city council meeting that eventually ended with the MLS expansion effort in that town winning a huge 3-2 victory.

It's long, but seriously, do yourself a favor and scroll down to read it in chronological order. This thing had plot twists and jokes you will never see coming. Good show, Ryan... and, well... Portland city council. Take a bow, one and all.

While we are on the subject of the Timbers, do note they plucked Real Salt Lake attack apprentice Alex Nimo on a season loan. Quick question: why does this not happen more often? Can someone offer me a logical reason?

Well done two times, Portland.

#3 - Speaking of expansion efforts, St. Louis United now has a second potential stadium spot: the Soccer Park (off Highway 44, heading towards Six Flags). As they often do in Gateway City sport matters, the thanks goes to Anheuser-Busch.

Of course, more than likely it will serve as home to the Women's Professional Soccer team and a tremendous academy home for partners Scott Gallagher, the top-rated youth club in America.

UPDATE: St. Louis United leader Jeff Cooper quickly jumps on the notion of having Mr. Beckham find his MLS ownership plans realized in St. Louis (scroll down for Cooper video clip).

#4 - My preseason chat with a very confident Nat Borchers is up at S365. Since he's one of the good guys, I will also mention a cause of his that we didn't discuss; fighting Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

#5 - I figured that you all quickly saw stories from Landon Donovan's "welcome back" press conference the other day, so I waited until Paul Oberjuerge blogged it all up in one package post to present that to you.

#6 - Hmmm. MLS has released a Fan Code of Conduct and Pledge to Fans (pdf file). Remember when I mentioned the weird times? We have another.

Seeing as how the most notable problem in MLS arenas last season was a rogue security element in a couple of places, I'm not really sure this is going to be taken so well. The "Code" is comprised of the blaringly obvious, the already covered by law and the unenforceable - yes, I specifically mean the profanity bit.

Just create family zones and be done with it already. It is a sporting event in America; fans generally like to swear and despise being treated like four-year olds. Again, I ask: what is the message, MLS?

This is one strange run-up to a season kickoff. Fiasco di Beccemano, and now this.

(scratches head)

#7 - The USWNT did something they don't usually do today: they dropped an Algarve Cup final.

Sweden. With penalties. In the library.

#8 - Meanwhile, the U.S. men clinched their place at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt with a 2-0 win over El Salvador. After doing the business, our boys talk about it all...




- Greg Seltzer

MC Deuce is in my Cottage.

Just because nasty Man United halted the FA Cup song doesn't mean Clint Dempsey still can't hit the charts: It's only halftime at Craven Cottage, but Fulham will go to the clubhouse with a 1-0 lead thanks to the American's second minute strike.



- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

[Photo: Allan Baden/AGF]


Trust me, you are really upset that you missed out on the pasta I just made/devoured unrepentantly...

#1 - Warming AGF winger Jeremiah White notched another assist in last night's draw with Vejle. Here are the highlights, and here is a post-match interview with JW.

Not many people have noticed (ahem, Bob Bradley), but the D.C. native has been playing very solid ball this season. As you can see from the clip (and as he sheepishly tries to avoid mentioning), not all quality White set ups are resulting in AGF goals.

With Dioh Williams lost for the season, the team really needs Peter Graulund back from suspension - I'll be honest, I'm not sure if he has one more game left on it or not.

Meanwhile, club and country mate Benny Feilhaber continued his comeback by working an afternoon friendly today.

#2 - I completely forgot to include this in Saturday's AFT: Landon Donovan answering fan questions about his Bayern spell... aaaaaand, now you all know why I like lists so much.

#3 - My talk with Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu, who suddenly seems to be on the rise at Ibrox. Wicked.

Also, my promised chat with Real Salt Lake's Nat Borchers will be up at S365 before long.

#4 - After plucking a pair of contributors from last year's open tryouts, the K.C. Wizards were at it again this weekend. The 2009 haul probably won't produce any Kevin Souters, but the team did find some local guys that might make it out to training sooner or later.

#5 - Luis Arroyave is currently accepting fan questions for Fire star Brian McBride over at the Red Card.

#6 - Checking back on the topic of MLS salaries: this weekend, my buddy T.J. Boyce put together lists of the fattest raises and harshest pay-cuts from 2008 to 2009 over at MLS Daily.

#7 - Can someone please get Taylor Twellman healthy again? I don't like how many games he's missed the last couple of years, and I'd assume he's not so hot on it either.

His absence dramatically lowers the St. Louis effect on MLS - which is obviously very, very bad for the league.

#8 - Daily Breeze all-star Nick Green takes a sweet swipe at Davide Beccamano and the Galaxy. He does so in the form of a ghostwritten apology letter to the fans from the club. Wicked.

(golf clap)

#9 - Dynamo Planet has a chat with ESPN Champions League announcer Derek Rae. Fun stuff.

#10 - Speaking of fun stuff, check out the royal delivery presentation that season ticket holders are getting from the Seattle Sounders. And check out the opening day "ticket".

Superb.

#11 - Fresh off scoring a derby winner against Palmeiras on Sunday, Corinthians superstar Ronaldo is being talked up by Brazil coach Dunga.

He may well need to slow down with that noise, but let's go ahead and give Il Phenomeno his video due. After all, we showed him getting socked in the eye with a boom mic the other day and fair is fair...




- Greg Seltzer

Who likes goals?

Let's get straight to it, I need a falafel, stat...

Ohhhh Zlatan, why must you wear that shirt? What a gentle touch in stride for such a lanky guy.



Man United Carlos Tévez makes it look so easy sometimes.



Saint-Etienne's Ilan with a wicked lash. Close him down next time!



Arsenal's FA Cup win over Burnley provided a pair of beauties from guys looking to re-brand their name at the club: Mexico starlet Carlos Vela & recovered injury victim Eduardo.





Gijon's Diego Castro leaves the Osasuna keeper visibly flummoxed.



Finally, let's go the Dutch second flight, where RKC Waalwijk's Anton Jongsma ask the question: does one even need a takedown touch?




- Greg Seltzer

'Innovative' Beckham deal finalized

Catch the chutzpah in the wording of all this from the official L.A. Galaxy write-up. They make it sound like they've invented pizza, when really all they did was blah blah blobbity blah, don't get me started on this mess again.

I'm not even gonna crop a photo for this post. (snort)

UPDATE: All Galaxy/MLS fans please feel free to share how you feel about this timeshare business. The more I think about it, the madder I get - and it's not even my club. I cannot quantify the force with which my head would explode if they were. Are you mad? Is it good riddance? What about when he returns?

Meanwhile, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena is already daydreaming about the magical comeback and Beckham is already plotting his MLS franchise.

If this is a circus, why am I not holding any fresh roasted peanuts?

UPDATE UPDATE: I don't normally read opinion stuff unless I've already spouted off about a particular topic... but I have, so I've been poking around. Soccer by Ives lays out the upfront benefits of the deal very nicely, including a sweet bit about putting a price tag on his previously free end-of-2009 exit clause. Along with the quick cash, that last nugget makes the deal MLS struck look pretty shrewd.

Of course, to fully scope out the numbers, one would have to subtract the opportunity cost (such as income lost from lower ticket sales/concessions/parking/etc. for the 17 games he will miss). One cannot also not ensure that fans will spend on Galaxy tickets and merch at the same clip as they did before the saga.

Hey... maybe it won't be so bad. I'm just pretty sure I'd pass on the fast buck to avoid alienating fans while trying desperately to grow that very base. Wasn't that the original point in signing him? To delight the fans?

What's the message then? I'm confused.


- Greg Seltzer

... and-a two, and-a three

This is where the house band should kick in. The Roots are taken, so maybe I'll ring up the Funky Meters. Lack of fanfare music aside, I come bringing news of two more American-made goals from across the globe.

But we all move on, and just a while ago, Carlos Bocanegra netted a ninth minute goal and sixth place Rennes never looked back, topping visitors Auxerre 2-0 to get back to within seven points of the top.

The US captain/left back/center back/sexy bastard (according to E! Entertainment Channel and a recent poll of female Rennes supporters) buried an early header to help his side run their unbeaten streak to four.

Earlier, while everyone was sleeping (or struggling to hazily find their way out of White Castle for the party set), HAGL's Lee Nguyen rang up his first V-League goal in a home match against Hai Phong that his team eventually took 3-2 with a late winner.

The youngster put his team up 2-1 after the break with a shot from about 20 meters. Erm... there is more, though.

It seems Nguyen forgot he had already been booked and removed his jersey in celebration, a move which naturally preceded his forced early shower. Yup, he got sent off immediately after scoring.

Obviously, when clips surface, they will appear in this post. I'm rather hopeful over 'Los, and I'd put Lee at a solid 60%, so I'm hopeful of finding both.

UPDATE: I've got the full Rennes-Auxerre highlights, still looking for Lee's goal...

UPDATE UPDATE: And here find ye the goal of Lee (yes, TD greatly enjoys pirate talk, she even has it set as the language on her Facebook).




- Greg Seltzer

Score like the wind, Eddie.

Thanks to a reader's handiwork, here is Eddie Johnson's first Cardiff goal - complete with humorous tongue-in-cheek soundtrack and a few comments from Bluebirds boss Dave Jones.



- Greg Seltzer