The aftermath of Brian Mullan's brutal tackle that left Steve Zakuani with a fractured tibia and fibula has turned the cyberworld into a soccer version of Texas Hold-'Em:

Like many players, Arturo Alvarez has been around, and like a select few who currently wear the colors of Real Salt Lake, may have found the right fit at the foot of the Wasatch Range

It wasn't so long ago that MLS officials refused to adopt a two-leg, total-goal playoff format in part because they feared confusion and ridicule from fans and press

A busy weekend of eight games on top of midweek action has a few teams doubling up, including expansion Portland, one of six teams to play on Sunday.

Two weeks ago, D.C. United players, officials and fans were outraged by the work of referee Baldomero Toledo, who they believe flubbed four critical calls - three of which went against United - in a 2-1 loss at New England.

There's still more than a month to go before the MLS Northwest rivalry officially kicks off when expansion Portland visits Seattle, but on the other side of the country, two teams are ready for Year Two of getting in each other's face.

I've no idea why MLS commissioner Don Garber proclaimed a few months ago that the league was taking a serious look at aligning with the international calendar, only to back off that stance recently.

Some changes were forced and some were discretionary, but regardless of motivation, the Crew and FC Dallas, which meet In the second Friday night game of the season (7:30 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel), aren't what they were in 2010.