[BEST OF MLS 2011: Center backs] The Galaxy conceded just 28 goals in 34 matches, thanks to a resilient defense led by Omar Gonzalez, … Read the whole story

[BEST OF MLS 2011: Right Backs] In 2011 the right-back position turned into a young man’s game, as epitomized by Zach Loyd, the second-year … Read the whole story

"The history of women's team sports and long-term viability in the marketplace, in the U.S. or elsewhere, is pretty well-documented. It's not an easy path. We want to do everything we can for WPS to have a stable environment. Let's make it stable, whatever level is possible, in terms of development of the game. ... We think some of the things the owners have put in place going forward are absolutely what's needed in terms of trying to build a stable model that’s economically viable, that it's appropriate in terms of the standards we would want for a professional league, and we're hopeful in that. From there, having the five committed owners back for this year is a plus."

-- U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati after the Federation's Board of Directors' decision to sanction WPS as a Division I Professional League for the 2012 season with only five teams -- granting a waiver from the eight-team requirement for a professional league. The waiver depends on certain conditions being fulfilled to ensure positive growth in the near future. All five WPS team owners have agreed to meet the conditions. (USSoccer.com)

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Clint Dempsey scored for Fulham, but the Cottagers were knocked out of the Europa League when Danish club Odense came back to … Read the whole story

[GENERATION ADIDAS TOUR] MLS's Generation adidas team finished its Dutch tour on a losing note with a 2-0 loss to Almere City FC of … Read the whole story

[CLUB WORLD CUP] Neymar, Borges and Danilo scored the goals by which South American champion Santos of Brazil beat Kashiwa Reysol, 3-1, Wednesday in … Read the whole story

[AWARDS] Five seniors -- Andrew Harris (Gilman School, Md.), Sanford Spivey (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Donovan Fraser (Half Hollow Hills West, N.Y.), Michael Gamble (McDonough, … Read the whole story

[AWARDS] Ashley Spivey of Baltimore's McDonough School earned honors for the third consecutive year on the 2011 NSCAA High School Girls All-America Team. Twelve … Read the whole story