<div style="width: 385px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a title="beckham pouting because dc scored by Lil&apos; El, on Flickr" href="http:\/\/www.flickr.com/photos/ellenlove/2649428979/"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a>Photo by Lil&apos;El</div>
Our week of action has already kicked off with the, ahem, controversial draw between New England and Vancouver. &nbsp;But there is a full slate of intriguing games this weekend, so please vote in the poll at the end of this post. &nbsp;Before doing that, however, let’s take a look at the news from the past week.
<ul>
<li>Shirtgate continues, as Eric Hassli looks to receive a fine and will certainly miss this Sunday’s match against Houston. &nbsp;While apologetic for the action, he did say through a team spokesman that removing one jersey to reveal another <a href="http:\/\/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Hassli+lose+more+than+just+shirt+after+celebration/4580294/story.html" target="_blank">would not have drawn a card</a> in the Swiss league. &nbsp;Well there you go.</li>
<li>But in good news for the Whitecaps two players may be returning to the roster this weekend. &nbsp;Omar Salgado (United States) and Russel Tiebert (Canada) both return from the U-20 tournament and Selgado could <a href="http:\/\/www.vancouversun.com/sports/Whitecaps+pick+Omar+Salgado+could+debut+Sunday+Houston/4577774/story.html" target="_blank">receive his first MLS playing time</a> on Sunday.</li>
<li>I personally love the Portland-Seattle-Vancouver rivalry, not just because it drives site hits but because all three teams strive to tweak the others. &nbsp;Now there’s this: there is a new phone app for Portland fans called Timbers Axe where Timber Joey protects his garden from intruders using his ax. &nbsp;The game is not recommended for children under 13, and can be <a href="http:\/\/itunes.apple.com/us/app/timbers-axe/id424003017?mt=8" target="_blank">downloaded here</a>. &nbsp;Some of the objects attacking the garden may be familiar.</li>
<li>Not an MLS story, but in case you missed it America’s&nbsp;Canada’s “greatest” export Justin Bieber played a little soccer with Barcelona. <a href="http:\/\/sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Bieber-trains-with-Barca-after-daring-kit-choice?urn=sow-wp686" target="_blank"> Here’s video to prove it</a>.</li>
<li>And finally the American U-20 team suffered a somewhat shocking loss to Guatemala. &nbsp;The calls have already begun for Thomas Rongen’s head; feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.</li>
</ul>
[polldaddy poll=4870728]

Week in Review April 4-8, 2011 - World Soccer Talk

Week in Review April 4-8, 2011

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a title="Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders (US Open Cup) by spinnerin, on Flickr" href="http:\/\/www.flickr.com/photos/ame/4754120528/"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a>Photo by spinnerin</div>
On the same day Seattle set an attendance record for an MLS match, the rival Portland Timbers sent out a press release&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to show that their fans too can pack a stadium for a soccer match. &nbsp;This was another tactic in their strategy to prove to the soccer world that maybe Seattle doesn’t have MLS’s most passionate fan base.
The team’s supporters group &nbsp;– the Timbers’ Army &nbsp;– announced yesterday that they had sold out their allotment of season tickets a full month prior to their first home match against the Chicago Fire. &nbsp;The club had partnered with the Timbers’ Army to sell 3,000 plus tickets in the eight sections on the North End of the stadium and the Army, through a series of campaigns and events, sold out the entire part of the park. &nbsp;The group is setting aside, however, 500 tickets to be sold on game days.
“Three-thousand tickets seemed like a steep hill to climb when we took this on,” said 107ist President Dave Hoyt. &nbsp;The 107ist is the Timbers Army’s business arm. &nbsp;“That we’ve sold out a month before the first home game just shows how ready this city and our fans are for MLS.”
The press release was conveniently sent out the same night Seattle hosted MLS First Kick 2011 and set a record attendance of 36,000 plus fans for an MLS match. &nbsp;The timing may have been coincidental, but the rivalry between the two clubs is not. &nbsp;Last night during the match ESPN showed a picture of the now-famous Portland billboard launched in September that simply says “Portland, Oregon. Soccer City USA” and has the Timbers’ logo. &nbsp;The billboard was not located in Oregon,&nbsp;however; it was placed a block away from Qwest Field.
Like two siblings bickering constantly, expect the lead-up to the match between these two clubs to be heated. &nbsp;I for one can’t wait to see them face off on May 14 on ESPN.

Timbers Supporters Ratcheting Up Rivalry with Seattle - World Soccer Talk

Timbers Supporters Ratcheting Up Rivalry with Seattle

<div id="attachment_6266" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/EarthquakesStadium2.jpg"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a>Proposed 15,000 seat San Jose Earthquakes Stadium</div>
Fifteen years ago, MLS launched with teams in downright psychedelic uniforms playing on football fields; some of MLS’s earliest highlights look like the two teams are playing on a lacrosse field. &nbsp;In 2011, the situation has vastly changed, as most MLS franchises have their own soccer specific fields or compounds with only a few still sharing their stadiums with an NFL team. &nbsp;The multitude of stadiums has also allowed MLS franchises to own another revenue flow which has led to marked improvements of the product on the pitch. &nbsp;As part of the MLS Talk 2011 preview, we will take a look at the stadium situation for MLS franchises and how it has helped their fortunes, as well as those that are still waiting to build their first home.
The announcement of the Houston Dynamo new soccer-specific stadium this offseason added this franchise to the list of clubs with their own grounds. &nbsp;In the past year, the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City debuted new soccer complexes (with KC’s unveiling coming in a few months) while new MLS franchises like Philadelphia and Portland join the league with new stadiums already in place. &nbsp;And this may be the biggest indicator of the success of the league – instead of hunkering down in a football stadium for a few years, hoping to gather enough revenue and support to build your own place, these teams plan on having their own stadium from the beginning. &nbsp;Montreal will join MLS in 2012 with Saputo Stadium, their soccer-specific grounds built in 2008.
The state of stadiums in MLS can be divided into a few categories, and there are some similarities among these clubs based on where they play:

Teams playing in a multi-use facility and looking to get out: Sadly, some of MLS’s most storied franchises are in this category. &nbsp;DC United and the New England Revolution’s plights are well documented, but these clubs suffer from a financial drain of resources from lack of control over where they play. &nbsp;While both have been competitive in the past and still get good talent, they will begin to fall behind their brethren in finances and be unable to get the higher-priced talent they need. &nbsp;While it sounds like United’s search for a stadium site is beginning to make progress, the Revolution are still looking at yard markers and Patriots logos for the foreseeable future.
Teams playing in a multi-use facility and happy to stay: There is a marked difference between the two aforementioned clubs and Seattle’s situation. &nbsp;Qwest Field, while known as the home of the Seattle Seahawks, has the type of design that makes it a good venue for soccer as well. &nbsp;Sounders fans have adopted the stadium as their own and have made it the only NFL-MLS partnership that seems to work without problem.
Teams moving to their own stadium in the next four years: These are the teams that will show how big of an advantage having your own stadium and the revenue it brings in is for a professional team. &nbsp;Most of these clubs were in the DCU/New England&nbsp;situation, but are hoping shiny new places attract casual fans and their dollars. &nbsp;This is a model that all professional sports follow – build the new stadium/arena that is a nirvana for the hardcore fans but has enough aesthetic qualities to attract the casual fans and their families. &nbsp;Fans are eagerly anticipating the Houston/San Jose/Sporting KC new fields and the benefits the clubs will accrue from them.
Teams playing in soccer-specific stadiums: &nbsp;This number is growing and that is only a good thing for MLS as well as these individual teams. &nbsp;It used to be that the Galaxy were the class of the league with the Home Depot Center; now arenas like Rio Tinto and Red Bull Arena give their teams a real home field advantage. &nbsp;The problem with many of these new stadiums are their locations – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is in Commerce City, not Denver. &nbsp;Pizza Hut Park is in Frisco, not Dallas. &nbsp;And while being located outside of a major city is not a death warrant for a franchise (the New York Giants and Jets play in the Meadowlands after all) but it would be better to have these stadiums closer to the fans.
What do all these new soccer stadiums mean for MLS this year? &nbsp;Fans can expect to see the beautiful game played in nicer stadiums, and this does make a difference for the product on the field. &nbsp;Watching a playoff match or a rivalry on TV in a soccer specific stadium looks nicer if nothing else. &nbsp;The money that comes from these stadiums will also make the teams more financially secure, helping the league become more financially secure. &nbsp;These new stadiums are both a sign of MLS progress and the sign of a brighter future for American soccer.

MLS '11 Preview - Stadiums Helping League Finances Stay Healthy - World Soccer Talk

MLS '11 Preview – Stadiums Helping League Finances Stay Healthy

All of us have had friends who are in a complicated relationship.&nbsp; It may even have been us: the guy recently began dating a much more attractive woman who, while not a young bombshell, is still a gorgeous woman.&nbsp; This woman recently ended an intense relationship but does not treat your friend like a rebound – she says all the right things when all your buddies meet up for drinks and she obviously cares for him.&nbsp; They had a rough beginning – your friend had jealousy issues, she had to get used to your friend’s idiosyncrasies – but they seem to be going well together.&nbsp; But you notice she likes to eye the bar a little too much, and seems to often stare off at other men, with that look in her eyes asking “what if”.&nbsp; She knows your friend is the best fit for her, but can’t help wondering if she can relive the glory days with other, more glamorous guys like the one she used to date.
What would you tell your friend?&nbsp; Wouldn’t you warn him about where this relationship is headed, if not tell him he should begin thinking about breaking it off before it gets too messy?
The Galaxy and David Beckham have reached that point.&nbsp; After a few years of settling in and finding their grooves in their relationship, Beckham is again the center of transfer rumors to England.&nbsp; This time it is a loan deal to Tottenham for a few months, to help Harry Redknapp’s team make a run at the title.&nbsp; The Galaxy have patiently dealt with Beckham’s desire to play top-flight football, quietly conceding most of the 2010 season after he picked up an Achilles injury playing for AC Milan and uttering nary a protest when he speaks of his desire to play for the English national team again.&nbsp; And it’s not like they have not benefited, having made tons of money off the Beckham name.&nbsp; But it has to stop.
How many games has David Beckham, he of the $250 million contract, played for the LA Galaxy since the beginning of 2009?&nbsp; 16.&nbsp; Just 16 (hat tip <a href="http:\/\/www.twitter.com/SteveDavis90" target="_blank">Steve Davis</a>). It’s time for this experiment to end and for the Galaxy to make a permanent transfer of Beckham to an English team.
The LA Galaxy are poised to make a run at an elusive third MLS Cup.&nbsp; If the club can sign Juan Pablo Angel and hold on to internationally coveted players like Edson Buddle and Omar Gonzalez, Bruce Arena has constructed the ultimate win-now team.&nbsp; It has experience, fire power, and enough defense to win the MLS Cup.&nbsp; Beckham is an important part of this, expected to play a solid midfield and do what he does best – scare the heck out of teams during corner kicks and free kicks.&nbsp; But if Beckham leaves or, God forbid, gets hurt, where does that leave LA?&nbsp; Experienced yes but missing a starter in the midfield.&nbsp; It’s better for them to plan now and use his DP spot to get another midfielder.
We’ve seen this story before – David Beckham wanted to go on a short loan to AC Milan that basically turned into a two-year commitment and an injury.&nbsp; Now, knowing that he has to keep in front of the English coaching staff’s vision to fulfill his dream of playing for England (again), there are these reports of a short-term loan to Tottenham.&nbsp; What if he finds success coming off the bench?&nbsp; What if Spurs are still in a title hunt in March?&nbsp; They will certainly be in the hunt for a Champions League spot.&nbsp; Will this time Team Beckham reject a longer loan and come back to LA?
I remember watching the LA Galaxy dominate the Seattle Sounders (sorry Seattle fans) in the second leg of this year’s playoffs.&nbsp; Beckham was starting and played maybe his best game of the past two years.&nbsp; He was flying all over the pitch, helping thwart the Sounder’s attack and serving as a conduit to the Galaxy attack.&nbsp; This was the Beckham MLS and LA fans have wanted to see since “the Beckham rule” went into effect, and it has been a rare treat these past few years.&nbsp; A loan spell could guarantee they may not see that again this year, and because of that it is time to finally cut the cord.&nbsp; MLS and the Galaxy deserve better.

The Beckham Experiment Needs to End - World Soccer Talk

The Beckham Experiment Needs to End

<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/toronto-seattle-sounders/image/10035905?term=Qwest+Field+Sounders" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
The cold days of winter have gotten a little sunlight – MLS today unveiled their schedule for “First Kick 2011”, the first home games for every MLS team in the upcoming season.&nbsp; The week will be the first week of the new balanced scheduling and offers some tantalizing match-ups for American soccer fans.
First up again is the Seattle Sounders, who for the third year in a row will kick off the MLS season, this time against the LA Galaxy.&nbsp; The game can be seen at 9:30 PM Eastern on ESPN on March 15.
Saturday, March 19 is when most of the other clubs will begin the season and the schedule has some tantalizing games.&nbsp; Expansion Vancouver will host fellow countrymen Toronto on the first weekend to christen the new MLS club.&nbsp; Colorado will begin its defense of its MLS Cup against the expansion Timbers at 9 PM Eastern that day.&nbsp; And in what may be the marquee match-up of the weekend, San Jose hosts Real Salt Lake in one of two matches featuring two 2010 playoff teams (the other is Seattle flying to New York to face the Red Bulls).
The weekend of March 26 allows many of the first weekend’s visiting teams to return home and play in front of home crowds.&nbsp; The 2010 Eastern Conference top seeds face off at Columbus Crew Stadium at 4 PM.&nbsp; The sexy match-up undoubtedly is Real Salt Lake’s first home match, where they will host the LA Galaxy in an early season battle of possible 2011 MLS Cup contenders.
The only two teams without a home opener in March are Portland (April 14) and Kansas City (June 9).&nbsp; You can see the entire home opening slate <a href="http:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/first-kick-home-openers-revealed-2011" target="_blank">here</a>.
What do you think?&nbsp; Is RSL/LA the best game of the first two weeks?&nbsp; What do you think about your club’s opener?

MLS Unveils First Matches of 2011 Season - World Soccer Talk

MLS Unveils First Matches of 2011 Season

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Leagues: MLS

Week in Review April 4-8, 2011

Leagues: MLS

Timbers Supporters Ratcheting Up Rivalry with Seattle

Leagues: MLS

MLS '11 Preview – Stadiums Helping League Finances Stay Healthy

David Beckham

The Beckham Experiment Needs to End

Leagues: MLS

MLS Unveils First Matches of 2011 Season