Kasey Keller Saves, Levesque Goal Push Seattle Sounders Past D.C. United

It was a must win on a hot, muggy night in our nation’s capital, and veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller was the embodiment of true grit in a hard fought 1-0 win for the Seattle Sounders over host D.C. United before 13,716 fans at RFK Stadium and a national ESPN2 television audience. Nothing would stand in the way of Keller’s successful pursuit of a clean sheet, not even injury. Keller made five saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season, despite playing the final 25 minutes with a right mid-foot sprain that occurred on a challenge after he came out of the goalkeeper’s area. In the late stages, coaches Sigi Schmid of Seattle and Curt Onalfo of D.C. United, both feeling an intense need for a win and three valuable points, poured substitutes onto the RFK pitch in pursuit of a late score. The strategy worked for Schmid, as Sanna Nyassi was credited with an assist just one minute after entering the match. It was his first point in league play. The scoring effort culminated in the 89th minute, as Fredy Montero crossed a ball from the end line on the right flank to a diving Roger Levesque at the far post. Levesque headed ...

Thierry Henry Not the Only Foreigner to Make the Move To the MLS

The arrival of the renowned, yet also controversial French striker to the MLS has sent shockwaves throughout the world of US soccer. As many journalists and football aficionados discuss fearfully the potential repetition of what was David Beckham's more illustrious move stateside two years ago, and others in the metropolitan New York City wait in utter joy at the prospect of the talented Henry taking his place alongside the equally prolific Juan Pablo Angel in the New York Red Bull's offense, many are left wondering how and why such a distinguished foreigner would come play "over here" with us Yanks. Although most lesser-obsessive soccer fans in the United States might not be aware of the trend that has been occurring over the past few months in our top league, it is no big surprise that a figure like the former Barcelona star has decided to make his home here in the MLS. And, while he may certainly be the highpoint of the latest transfer market, he is only one of many foreigners to have recently made the move to US soccer. Let's look at some of the other less-recognizable newcomers to Major League Soccer from abroad in both Europe and Latin America.Begin ...

Why Landon Donovan Should Stay in the MLS

Nearly a week has gone by since the World Cup has concluded and all soccer news is already back on the back pages of most sports sections.  One piece of news that came out today was Major League Soccer's (MLS) intention to not entertain any offers on Landon Donovan, thus temporarily ending any speculation that America's best player might be heading to Europe.  After reading numerous blogs, and talking to a lot of my soccer fan friends, many are irate at the fact that Landon Donovan is being denied the opportunity to play overseas. He would most likely go back to Everton where he found great success last year on a ten week loan.  Many are saying that the MLS is stunting the growth of American soccer by not allowing Donovan to showcase his talents in Europe.  Allow me to be the first to completely disagree with this statement! On the surface, I can understand why people may feel this way.  They just saw Landon Donovan score one of the most important goals in American soccer history in a moment that will forever be captured in advertisements featuring our most patriotic moments in sports.  They saw Donovan almost kick the ball ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. D.C. United: Struggling at the Top?

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy sure don't deserve to be at the top of Major League Soccer. Not a chance. Not after humiliating themselves 2-0 on the road at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution on July 10. Then again, when you combine that with a similarly poor performance from the reserves against Seattle last Wednesday in the Open Cup quarters, it was simply a week to forget. While it may be a stretch to say that the days of the Galaxy's reign at the top may be numbered, with second-place Real Salt Lake with a game in hand and just six points behind, LA's recent shortcomings on the road may come back to haunt them as they continue their Summer Gauntlet. At the same time, this must to be a sign of hope for Curt Onalfo's D.C. United, the league laggards lingering near the bottom of the 2010 MLS standings. Currently, D.C. is 15th overall and seventh in the Eastern Conference, just one point better than the expansion Philadelphia Union (although they have three games in hand over United). They are winless in their last four league matches, two of them ending in defeat. ...

Why American Soccer Isn’t Working

The New York Red Bulls made a huge signing—that I didn't even know about until I sat down to write this column. They brought an old and past-his-prime Thierry Henry from Europe to play in the MLS.  Woo-hoo. If "soccer people" in America were paying attention, they would have noticed that David Beckham came to L.A. for a "pretty penny" and played with America's "best player," Landon Donovan. You know what happened?  They lost the MLS Cup Final to Real Salt Lake and some guy named Robbie Findley—who didn't do a doggone thing for the USA World Cup team at South Africa 2010. If you think this piece is dripping with sarcasm—you're right. Woo-hoo America! You got an old, washed-up player to feature alongside two guys—Donovan and Beckham—who begged for loans to European teams as soon as the MLS season was over. Donovan went to Everton of the EPL—a marginal team at best—and Beckham went to Italy because he's got a big name. Let's keep it real. David Beckham was good a decade ago—never approached true greatness—and only became super-famous when he married a Spice Girl. Sorry, that's the real truth. This is who "America" thought they would bring over to pump up the visibility of American ...

This is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Eddie Lewis

This is Part 23 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy. Eddie Lewis is his name. Playing as a midfielder in the world of association football is his game. Lewis's long career has been concentrated in two places on opposite sides of the Atlantic: the United States and England.  The time he spent in England—particularly Preston and Leeds—has made a profound impact on his career, and he hopes to put whatever he has left in the footballing tank to use as he helps lead the Galaxy back to the 2010 MLS Cup. Edward James Lewis was born on May 17, 1974 in Cerritos, California. Aside from being a place of interest with the Los Cerritos Center and its Auto Square, Cerritos is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County.  Cerritos is also known for their award-winning floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, its Center for the Performing Arts, and the Smithsonian-affiliated Millennium Library. Cerritos is also home to Cerritos High School, where Lewis was a star for the Dons soccer team. Interestingly, his work ...

Seattle Sounders Place Midfielder David Estrada On Injured Reserve

The Seattle Sounders FC announced Thursday that midfielder David Estrada has been placed on injured reserve due to a right hamstring strain and right first toe sprain. Estrada is required to miss six games. He will be eligible to return to action for the September 4th game in New England against the Revolution. Estrada, 22, has appeared in three Major League Soccer games. He has made one start at FC Dallas. Seattle selected Estrada as its 11th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.  Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Thierry Henry Move Is Bigger For MLS Than David Beckham’s Move in 2007

After months of speculation, the inevitable happened yesterday, former Arsenal and Barcelona superstar Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. Henry, who has been one of the top footballers in the world during the last decade, is a major acquisition for the Red Bulls, a side that has yet to win the MLS Cup during their 14-year history. Now, many people already are calling Thierry Henry the next "David Beckham," after the former English captain joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. Of course, Beckham did not live up to expectations before requesting a permanent transfer to AC Milan of Italy in March of 2009, a move that was not accepted by Major League Soccer. Since then, Beckham rejoined the Galaxy before again going to Milan on loan and tearing his left Achilles tendon, causing Beckham to miss out on the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. However, the American media must be sure not to call Henry the "next Beckham." For starters, Henry will not continue on his international career by going on loan during the MLS off season, something that Beckham did with Milan during the last several years. Henry announced yesterday that he ...

Thierry Henry Calls Time on “Les Bleus” Career

Thierry Henry cannot stay out of the news. Just yesterday, we heard about his signing with MLS outfit New York Red Bulls, and today Henry has come out and announced his retirement from international football. After a 13-year international career with France, a disappointing World Cup expedition in South Africa has brought the curtains on an illustrious career. Henry, who won the World Cup in 1998 on home soil, won 123 caps and scored 51 goals for France, making him the top all-time goal scorer. Henry made a short statement: "This is the end for me on the national team." Henry will now look to focus on his club career in the US as he joins his new club.  Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Dema Kovalenko

This is Part 22 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.     The number eight is considered to be a lucky number in Chinese and other Asian cultures. For Dema Kovelenko, he can bless his lucky stars that he has been bestowed with longevity as a fixture in Major League Soccer. Kovalenko's MLS journey has seen him go through the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, and now the Los Angeles Galaxy.   Standing at a compact yet agile 5'8" (1.73 m), this veteran midfielder has also plied his trade in Germany and his native Ukraine. Kovalenko has already earned an Open Cup ring with the Fire and a MLS Cup with D.C. United. He will look to earn a second one as a member of the Galaxy. Dmytro "Dema" Kovalenko was born on August 28, 1977 in Kiev, Ukraine. In those days, the Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union, but the cracks in the Communist regime were beginning to form in droves up until its eventual dissolution in 1991. A year after the Soviet Union broke up and a free and independent Ukraine was born, Kovalenko emigrated to the United ...