1 - Salt Lake
Team on the rise has eye on the big prize

Clint Mathis says he's healthier and fitter than he's been the past few years, and that could be bad news for the rest of MLS.

"I feel good," said Mathis after scoring both goals in a 2-1 Real Salt Lake win over ...
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2009 MLS Preview: Eastern Conference
Posted by Ridge Mahoney, Mike Woitalla on Apr. 1, 1:30 p.m.

1 - Columbus
Warzycha takes over top job at top team

One might forgive fans of the Columbus Crew if they feel somewhat aggrieved despite celebrating their first MLS Cup triumph just four months ago.

Head coach Sigi Schmid, who in three seasons transformed the Crew from bottom-feeder to top dog, bolted for Seattle, and in ...
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Backline: Matkovich 's Double-Duty Coaching
Posted by Mike Woitalla on Feb. 27, 4:40 p.m.
"Guys who want to please you compared to guys who want to make a living" is how Mike Matkovich describes the general difference between youth and pro players.
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College Women: Recruiting Success Is All The Rage
Posted by Paul Kennedy on Feb. 27, 4:37 p.m.

It is a Thursday evening in early February, and the Pleasanton Marriott in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Pleasanton is a study in contrasts. The parking lot is full, but the hotel restaurant is empty and only a handful of folks are sitting at the lobby bar. It's only when you stroll down the corridor to the banquet ...
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College Men: Zips Head Men's Elite Eight
Posted by Paul Kennedy on Feb. 27, 4:34 p.m.
Recruiting in men's college soccer is a fluid process. Players can change their plans on whether to enter college or go pro. Foreign players are often signed at the last minute. With that in mind, here's how the top men's recruiting classes ranked in mid-February:
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U.S. Soccer: World Cup Chief Bidder Interview
Posted by Ridge Mahoney on Feb. 27, 4:29 p.m.
Former television executive David Downs is spearheading the U.S. efforts to land either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
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USA-Mexico Game: New Year, Same Story
Posted by Ridge Mahoney on Feb. 27, 4:21 p.m.
The frigid conditions of eight years past didn't materialize this time at Crew Stadium, yet the Americans still beat Mexico, 2-0. Opening the Hexagonal with a valuable three points provided a few glimpses as to how the team may develop as it prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
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Youth Beat: The Camp Economy's Wide Reach
Posted by Mike Woitalla on Feb. 27, 4:18 p.m.
Soccer camps are a big part of the nation's multi-billion dollar summer camp business and impact several levels of the American game.
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MLS: Expansion Benchmarks Are High
Posted by Ridge Mahoney on Feb. 27, 4:15 p.m.
MLS's remarkable run of success with its expansion teams will be put to a test when two new teams join.
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MLS: Sounders Mania - Back To The Northwest
Posted by Ridge Mahoney on Feb. 27, 4:09 p.m.
In picking Seattle to be its 15th team, MLS hopes to repeat its fabulous luck with a 13th team in Toronto. Both are major international cities with diverse populations, a downtown stadium well serviced by public transport, strong ownership groups steeped in professional sports and robust season-ticket sales.
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Backline: Wheddon's Camp 'Holiday' Leads To Gold Medals
Posted by Mike Woitalla on Feb. 2, 7:20 p.m.
Phil Wheddon came to the USA from England in 1990 the way many young British players do: To see the nation while working at youth soccer camps.
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World Cup Qualifying: No Surprises In The Bunch
Posted by Paul Kennedy on Feb. 2, 7:11 p.m.
The USA's five opponents in the Hexagonal, which kicks off Feb. 11, are all familiar foes. It's faced each team at least once in the final round of Concacaf qualifying. All five teams have at least one player who came through the U.S. youth or college ranks.
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World Cup Qualifying: Central Casting
Posted by Ridge Mahoney on Feb. 2, 7:06 p.m.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has several candidates to fill the central midfield positions for the Hexagonal. He's earned only 16 caps since debuting for the national team in 2005 yet Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark could be a major player.
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