How will MLS fare in the offseason rate of exchange, i.e., the players it sells or loses overseas to those it imports? Right away, the league has fallen slightly behind on the American side of the ledger, with EPL clubs Reading and Fulham in the hunt for Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey, respectively, and Brian McBride and, maybe, Claudio Reyna and Eddie Lewis headed in the other direction. The deals could mean a major plus in money, as Reyna will be out of contract next summer and Lewis, while a solid player, won't command a substantial transfer …

Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston probably isn't finished with the wheeling and dealing that highlighted the expansion draft last Friday. Defender Tim Regan, waived by the former MetroStars last year and picked up by Chivas USA before being exposed in the expansion draft, is rumored to be on his way back to New York in exchange for talented but troubled striker Edson Buddle. Also, the Amado Guevera to Chivas USA trade that has been on-and-off again for months is possibly back on, but whether these are two separate deals or somehow tied to each other isn't known. …

Ah, pity the poor souls who will be selected in the expansion draft. Whatever slim chance they had of generating any real noise outside of Toronto is being nearly drowned out by the Designated Player Frenzy, aka, the Beckham Buzz. For nearly two years AEG president Tim Leiweke has been on the Beckham beat. Although he started a incredibly successful sports career in indoor soccer, Leiweke hasn't a clue as to formations or tactics or skills. But he knows thrills, having employed Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neil, Wayne Gretzky and Kobe Bryant in the AEG sports domain. Skyrocketing …

Two MLS head coaching jobs are open and a third may be also if Sigi Schmid leaves Columbus to work with Juergen Klinsmann, whose employment as U.S. national team head coach is drawing near. As to this possibility, Schmid said only, "You'd have to ask [U.S. Soccer president] Sunil Gulati or Juergen." Schmid has stated he wants to finish the job he started in Columbus but didn't rule out rejoining the federation at some point. Memo to Crew GM Mark McCullers: Start interviewing, just in case. In Kansas City, according to sources, the following assistant coaches have …

HOUSTON 1 NEW ENGLAND 1 (Houston wins 4-3 on penalties.) PLAYER RATINGS (1-low; 5-average; 10-high) New England: Reis 6, Heaps 5, Parkhurst 6, John 6, Dorman 5, Ralston 6, Hernandez 5, Joseph 6, Franchino 6, Noonan 5, Twellman 6. Subs: Smith 6, Dempsey 6, Larentowicz NR. Houston: Onstad 6, Barrett 6,

Of the myriad factors to be in play Sunday when New England plays Houston in MLS Cup 2006 (3:30 pm ET on ABC), these may be the most compelling: STRIKE FORCES. One of the matchups favoring Houston is Brian Ching against just about anyone on the Revs. They can deploy Shalrie Joseph or even Taylor Twellman on set plays to match Ching (6-foot-2) in the air but during the run of play Ching is bigger and stronger than defenders Avery John, Michael Parkhurst and Jay Heaps. Houston also has something of a secret weapon in Paul Dalglish, …

So Colin Clarke has taken the fall for his team being upset not once, but twice, in the MLS conference semifinals by Colorado despite being the higher-seeded team. Did he deserve it? Well, the blame for a disappointing performance always falls in the same direction, and for losing twice in the playoffs with a chance to play in the championship game as host, general manager Michael Hitchcock can't be blamed for jettisoning Clarke. "It's a strong roster with a lot of depth at all positions and we feel that we didn't realize our potential this year," said Hitchcock …

At this point, about all that's known about the 2007 MLS season is that it will consist of 13 teams. After that, who knows? Some decisions may be announced next week, when the league's Board of Governors meets at MLS Cup, but several thorny issues need to be finalized. A single-table, ballyhooed by strident cyber-experts regardless of its impracticability and irrelevance in a league lacking promotion and relegation, has been discussed and all but discarded. The most likely makeup of teams next season is two divisions, although a three-division setup has also been evaluated, but this would eliminate …

As MLS Cup 2006 approaches, coaches and general managers are receiving updates and information regarding procedures for an expansion draft to be held Nov. 17, the Friday after the championship game. Several directives have gone out and plans are still being formulated. A few points of note regarding procedures in the current version: Teams can protect only 12 of their 28 players, counting the regular 18-man roster and developmental players. In a previous version teams were allowed to protect 10 of their 18 roster players and developmental players were not subject to being drafted. Teams must protect …