Jones Returns To Training And Other News

U.S. Men's National Team fans will be happy to hear that Jermaine Jones has returned to training for Schalke. Jones could be a big boost to the central midfield for the Americans if he can get fit and gel with the team before this summer's World Cup.

While taking a break from snowboarding, Freddie Ljungberg gives his thoughts on the 32 teams playing in next years World Cup.

Keep in mind that the MLS Players Union is in constant talks with MLS regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement that expires on January 31st, 2010. Here's a good article on some of the issues that need to be addressed. We'll keep you posted as this story plays out.

Soccer Sunday!

I'm getting ready to settle in for a full day of the MLS Playoffs. The Sounders and Dynamo kick off in 10 minutes and then I'll be watching the SuperClasico of the year to finish things off. Here are a couple of notes for today:

Freddie Ljungberg thinks the Houston pitch is an, "absolute disgrace!"

Houston COO, Chris Canetti, wants to remind the American soccer community that the Dynamo get great support.

The other white guy from England is also enjoying his time in the U.S.

Former USL Sounder, Maykel Galindo, is feeling good and could be the guy to carry Chivas USA past the Galaxy. Hey! I used to play with that guy.

Enjoy all the MLS Playoff action today, and if you need your European highlight fix, you can catch it all here.

2009 MLS Award Finalists

Major League Soccer announced their finalists today for their Year End Awards. Wednesday will start with the announcement of Goalkeeper of the Year and the Fair Play Award...yawn. Who wants to win the Fair Play award? That's got to be like kissing your sister.

On a side note, MLS Newcomer of the Year nominee, Freddie Ljungberg made his list of the Top 5 Stadiums in the World. Yeah, you guessed it, both Qwest and Emirates Stadium are on there...I think the dude's drinking too much coffee.

I'm also thinking that the Sterlinho Crew needs to give out our own awards. Stay tuned!

2009 MLS Awards Finalists

Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

Fair Play Finalists - Individual
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston - New England Revolution

Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
Brian McBride - Chicago Fire
Ben Olsen - D.C. United
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

Visa Defender of the Year Finalists
Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC
Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew

adidas Referee of the Year Finalists
Alex Prus
Ricardo Salazar
Kevin Stott

Rookie of the Year Finalists
Stefan Frei - Toronto FC
Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
Chris Pontius - D.C. United

Coach of the Year Finalists
Bruce Arena - Los Angeles Galaxy
Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew

Newcomer of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC
Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists
Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas
Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution

Sounders FC Home Finale

David Falk, the Seattle Soccer Examiner posted this video from Saturday night. The bummer of the evening was that FC Dallas and Jeff Cunningham didn't make it into the post season. But the Charlie Davies tribute was unreal. It's at the 2:02 mark.

Friday Roundup

There's a lot going on today and I haven't done a good job of keeping everybody updated. So we're going to just blow through some stories that I find interesting.

First off, Juan Carlos Osorio has resigned as the head coach of MLS's worst team.

Steven Goff has a look at the U.S. coaching salaries. I think anything over minimum wage is paying Bob Bradley too much.

The New York Times sat down for a little Q&A with Gooch.

Staying in the Big Apple, rumors have surfaced that Barcelona are interested in purchasing the Red Bulls.

There are reports out of France that Landon Donovan maybe heading to PSG.

The Houston Dynamo have signed their first Designated Player, Luis Angel Landin of Cruz Azul. Don't be surprised to see him in orange as soon as Sunday in the Dynamo's clash against the Sounders.

To add further intrigue, Freddie Ljungberg may now suit up for the Sounders as he has been diagnosed with hypoglycemia. The Sounders are a different team with him on the field.

A ton of new FIFA Soccer 10 screenshots have dropped on the German site Video Games Zone.

FIFA Soccer 10 Update

As the release date for FIFA Soccer 10 gets closer we're seeing more screenshots and videos from the game. Set to drop on October 20th, I'm already seeing things that need to be fixed. Like in the picture above, The Sounders are clearly the home team based on the rave green banners in the stadium, yet that doesn't look at all like Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. How tough is it to import Qwest Field from the boys at Madden and then just cover the upper bowl with tarps? Well, at least Freddie Ljungberg is wearing Pumas...but who's the guy behind Blanco?

As far as game play goes, the team at EA are pumping up the 360 Degree dribbling. There has been a lot of buzz about it so you can see an official response here from EA on their forums.

The video below has the French PSM3 Magazine getting their hands on some gameplay. You may want to watch it in HQ and enlarge the video.

Freddie vs Becks, LA vs Seattle, Calvin Klein vs Armani

I know I know, but this was the only picture I could find of the two going at it, so if you find a better one let me know. Plus, this is probably the biggest high profile MLS game this weekend, so I want to know... who do you think will win? What's the score line? Which DP do you think is going to ball it up? Most importantly, Which player has the better feeling underwear?

The Fortune Teller

I was reading Steve Davis' blog, Daily Soccer Fix and ran across a few pieces of writing that I really enjoyed.

1) Steve agrees that the officiating in MLS is crap and that the call on Freddie Ljungberg should be questioned.

2) DC United playing 10 straight home games in the US Open Cup is a little messed up. Now, I am biased since I would love to see the game in Seattle, but I do think that the attendance would be better at Qwest Field. Having said that, DC does have real grass and the bouncing stands.

3) Buy this guy a lottery ticket since he called the result of the Gold Cup Final a week ago.

More on Chelsea and the Sounders

I don't want Sterlinho and Oh Danny Boy to be the only ones to post on Chelsea so I thought I would give you a few videos from the day. The first video is from the Sounders website and shows that monster save by Petr Cech that Sterlinho mentioned.


And some good ole highlights for ya.

Staying Put... For Now.

Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg reiterated his commitment to the MLS on Thursday, just two days before playing against a former English Premier League foe Chelsea.
The Seattle Sounders FC midfielder dispelled rumors that he might be looking to return to Europe, saying he’s content playing in MLS and intends to honor his two-year contract.
“I will stay here. I like it in Seattle,” Ljungberg said after the Sounders wrapped up practice Thursday at Microsoft Corp. headquarters. “I just want to say that there may be rumors and stuff but I want to stay here and want to play, and let the fans and everyone know that I’m staying.”
Earlier this week, reports surfaced in Europe that various teams were interested in Ljungberg, who previously starred for Arsenal and was captain of the Swedish national team.
Plagued with injury problems his final few years in England, Ljungberg has put those questions aside with a strong start in his first MLS season. He’s played in 13 of 17 matches, scoring twice and assisting on five other goals. Despite missing four games, he was named to the MLS All-Star team that will face Everton FC later this month.
There even have been rumblings of Ljungberg and Seattle’s other All-Star, goalkeeper Kasey Keller, potentially being open to contract extensions beyond 2010.
Ljungberg’s contract pays him $1.3 million per season, easily Seattle’s highest paid player and the fourth highest in the league behind Los Angeles’ David Beckham, Chicago’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco and New York’s Juan Pablo Angel.