Captain Positive American soccer with a dash of cynicism

I’m here at Pepin Stadium on the University of Tampa campus for tonight’s preseason clash between FC Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSF-2) and the newest MLS side, Philadelphia Union.  I’ll be providing match commentary all night.  Feel free to join in the conversation. Click Here for the liveblog session!

During a match against ChievoVerona today, Beckham received a pass, took a step back to set himself, and immediately knew something was wrong.  In obvious trouble, Beckham hobbled briefly before signalling for a training and fell to his knees.  One off step and David Beckham is out of the 2010 World

Everyone likes to dump on MLS.  The league isn’t the Barclay’s Premier League, but it isn’t the Belize Premier League either.  Both DC United and Chicago have gone into Mexico recently and gotten results.  Columbus impressed in CONCACAF competition.  If this week’s results are any indication, MLS sq

The what?  I’d imagine that’s what most of you are thinking.  The Pan-Pacific Tournament is a four team tournament played between teams from the Asian Football Confederation and MLS teams.  It is basically a preseason money grab, but as someone who wants to see MLS test its teams more against intern

It is likely that most people read Landon Donovan’s recent comments about Jozy Altidore’s skills and how dangerous he can be and thought “Duh.”  Jozy’s skills need no warning.  His sneaky nutmeg backheel to himself against Holland on Wednesday was proof enough of that.  What I got out of Donovan’s c

First it was Charlie Davies horrific car accident.  Just days later, Oguchi Onyewu tore up his knee.  Then Clint Dempsey mangled his knee in the EPL.  The injury picture was bleak for the US National Team already.  Today’s news about Stuart Holden just made it worse.  On the bright side, Holden, lik

The USMNT went into Amsterdam today with a weakened squad.  A win wasn’t exactly expected.  For 35 minutes, you had to feel like we could get a nice draw out of the match.  Then Johnny Trainwreck* showed up.  Boy did he show up.  Twice.  That being said, I’m not in panic mode.  You shouldn’t be [...

For the first time since the 1998 All-Star Game, Orlando had the chance to host MLS for something other than a random meaningless friendly.  The weather severely dampened the festivities, but the inaugural Disney Pro Soccer Classic was, for the most part, a success.  Provided the weather doesn’t ret

Last week, the untimely demise of the LA Sol scared a few people.  The upstart Women’s Professional Soccer league had just held its draft and looked poised to build on a strong 2009 season.  The loss of the Sol set the league back, causing some to wonder if the league could survive.  Now that the [.

Part II was orginally going to delve into the transfer practices of Miami FC, but I simply haven’t had the time to complete my research. The day after Part I was published, Miami FC graciously offered me a chance to interview Director of Soccer Fernando Clavijo about their policies. I have every int