Good morning MLS fans! &nbsp;We are now mere weeks away from the season and, if you’re like me, the previews we have been running on the site have been getting you fired up for an exciting season. &nbsp;Amidst all the preseason matches and television/playoff drama, here are some stories that flew under the radar last week and this weekend:
<ul>
<li>Over the weekend, the U.S. U-17 team won the U-17 title with an overtime 3-0 win against Canada. &nbsp;The match was scoreless during regulation but the Americans found their scoring touch in overtime. &nbsp;This is the U.S.’s first title at this level since 1983 (when it was U-16), although this was also the first championship held since 1996. &nbsp;The highlights are above.</li>
<li>Welcome back Carlos Ruiz! &nbsp;The one-time Golden Boot winner has come back from Europe (specifically Aris) and <a href="http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR2011022204265.html" target="_blank">signed an MLS contract</a> with Philadelphia. &nbsp;A bit older at age 31, Ruiz can still give the Union some goals this season.</li>
<li>For those who have missed the D.C. United drama over the past week, here is a recap: newly-acquired keeper Steve Cronin broke his wrist in training camp and, with Bill Hamid still recovering from shoulder surgery, goalkeeper coach Pat Onstad has come out of retirement to play for the club. &nbsp;This allows DCU to at least have someone with MLS experience in net but Hamid is still considered the starter when healthy.</li>
<li>This story was referenced in our MLS Talk podcast, but terrible news out of New England training camp as Shalrie Joseph was arrested in Orlando for trespassing. &nbsp;He and Kevin Alston, who was also involved in the altercation at the party, have been dismissed from the team’s training camp and their status is still up in the air for the season. &nbsp;A bad situation that muddles the Revolution’s season, to say nothing of the legal situation.</li>
<li>And finally, who says ESPN doesn’t care about MLS. &nbsp;The Worldwide Leader has released a fantasy MLS game called FC Manager, which can be <a href="http:\/\/games.espn.go.com/fc-manager-mls/en/frontpage" target="_blank">found here</a>. &nbsp;Basically&nbsp;you have&nbsp;&nbsp;to build a roster of 15 MLS players under the salary cap, and collect points every week. &nbsp;If anyone is interested in an MLS Talk league, sound off in the comments section.</li>
</ul>

Week in Review - February 22-27, 2011 - World Soccer Talk

Week in Review – February 22-27, 2011

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On Saturday, July 4th, the Kansas City Wizards hosted the Houston Dynamo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in front of a sell out crowd of 10,385. The Dynamo were coming off a lackluster loss to Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday and a lucky draw against Real Salt Lake the previous weekend, and Kansas City was seeking their first MLS win since June 13 when they beat the New England Revolution, 3 – 1.
Kei Kamara got the match’s only goal in the 18th minute when he headed a Mike Chabala cross into the net. Saturday’s goal was Kamara’s fourth goal of the season, a goal which he celebrated with a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Despite the early Houston goal, the Kansas City Wizards never gave up – racking up 15 shots, only 3 of which were on goal.
With Saturday night’s win, the Dynamo sit atop of the MLS table with 31 points and a league leading nine wins. Kansas City is still within Playoff range, sitting at the fifth spot in the East with 19 points.
Up next for both teams are Quarterfinal matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Dynamo travel to Charleston on Tuesday to play the Battery while the Kansas City Wizards head to Seattle to take on the Sounders. On Saturday the clubs resume MLS play as Kansas City heads to New England and the Dynamo make their first visit to Seattle.
Here’s some post match video from the Houston Dynamo dressing room, courtesy of Erin Dutka:
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=scsH6GUy2rw">Houston Coach Dominic Kinnear</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=fACtl0ZENr4">Houston Dynamo Mike Chabala</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2qgLOWk3GY">Houston Dynamo Kei Kamara</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4XVYa_2OvM">Houston Dynamo Pat Onstad</a>
As a bonus, here’s some video Erin Dutka filmed after the Dynamo’s 2-0 victory over the Austin Aztex in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-JN0_aaMFY">Houston Coach Dominic Kinnear</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkpmArZR5Ds">Houston Dynamo Corey Ashe</a>

Kansas City 0 - 1 Houston Dynamo: Post Match Video Reaction - World Soccer Talk

Kansas City 0 – 1 Houston Dynamo: Post Match Video Reaction

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Leagues: MLS

Week in Review – February 22-27, 2011

Kei Kamara

Kansas City 0 – 1 Houston Dynamo: Post Match Video Reaction