Editors Note: I apologize for not keeping the blog up to date over the last few weeks. I had to attend a family reunion and had some vacation time mixed in. In addition, I got behind at my real job and had to spend most of time on a few key projects. Things have settled down and I am looking forward to writing again.

Galaxy, Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Crew, and Dynamo Record MLS Wins

The MLS weekend featured plenty of exciting action. Connor Casey recorded a hat trick and Landon Donovan scored a cracking goal. MLS Recaps: MLS Week 21 Analysis, MLS Week 21 Recap, Domestic Weekend Wrap, The Weekend in Context, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Weekend Recap

Cooper’s goal highlights weekend for Yanks Abroad

Kenny Cooper scored in his debut for 1860 Munich, rising up for a header in the 17th minute. Charlie Davies made his debut for Sochaux and turned in a productive twenty minutes. More Yank Abroad Recaps: Americans Abroad in France and Germany,  Americans Abroad in England, Americans Abroad, Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind, Big Debut for Cooper

Real Madrid tops DC United 3-0

The new galacticos put three past DC United in front of 72,368 punters. The fans were treated to a display of football talent. United played well in the first-half, but were outclassed in the second stanza. More: Top 5 Things I Learned in Landover, United Rewind,

Howard, US Prepare for Mexico Match

Eighteen players, including goalkeeper Tim Howard, have arrived in Miami for a brief training camp before Wednesday’s critical away qualifier. The rest of the squad will arrive shortly. Howard tells the New York Times, “We Don’t Have the Luxury of Looking Back“. Additional coverage: USA-Mexico Update, US National Team Practice Report, Howard and Bradley Talk Qualifier, Donovan Wants the Win, Quick Training Camp Notes

Altidore Secures Work Permit

Jozy Altidore has been granted his work permit and will play this season with expected relegation battlers Hull City in the English Premiership. Altidore should be given plenty of minutes for the club, which has an option to buy him after the season.

-The 90th Minute previews the Gold Cup quarterfinals and predicts a US vs. Mexico final.

-FC Dallas passed on signing Danny Szetela and as a result, DC United has signed the 22 year old midfielder.

-Soccer By Ives examines the outstanding MLS rookie class for the 2009 season.

-Real Salt Lake traded for San Jose Earthquake striker Pablo Campos in exchange for a 2010 second round draft pick.

-Don Garber has added Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales to the MLS roster for the upcoming all-star game against Everton.

-MatchFit USA writes that the USMNT needs a home field advantage and examines a few of the possibilities.

Who do you think will win the quarterfinals this weekend? How will Szetela do in his return to the league? Should the US pick one home field for qualifying? Share your thoughts below.

-The USMNT will be left thin for the remainder of the Gold Cup. Freddy Adu, Charlie Davies, Steven Cherundolo, and Michael Parkhurst have all returned to their respective European sides. I wrote the other day that Adu needs to return to Benfica as quickly as possible.

-Danny Szetela is heading back to MLS, where his club will be decided by the allocation order.  DC United makes the most sense. The club is high on the allocation list and has roster spots available.

-Is Bruce Arena the best manager in MLS? He will be tested with David Beckham returning, but there is little doubt the Galaxy are much improved.

-Former US youth prospect Preston Zimmerman is currently on trial with 3 Bundesliga side Jahn Regensburg.

-MLS roster moves: The Crew released midfielder Stanley Nyazamba, Ian Joy is leaving Real Salt Lake, Leo Krupnik signed with the Redbulls, and the Galaxy have added midfielder Chris Birchall.

-MLS Week 17 recaps: WVHooligan, MLS Talk

-MLS Week 17 Power Rankings: The 90th Minute, WVHooligan,  Fullback Files

-Word has come down that the Juan Carlos Osorio and the Redbulls staff are safe for now, but plans to sign youth player Dilly Duka could be derailed by MLS.

-Stuart Holden, who scored the clutch tying goal against Haiti, could be a future face for the USMNT according to MLS-Talk.

-Does signing players like Julian De Guzman hurt the league?

-Jozy Altidore has been loaded to Olympiakos, but others have refuted the report.

-Clint Dempsey has been tipped to have a good season by MLS-Talk.

-MLS Talk discusses the view so far of the Gold Cup and discusses how the roster has an Olympic feel.

What do you think of these stories? How will the USMNT lineup look for the rest of the Gold Cup? Are you looking forward to the return of David Beckham? Where do you think Danny Szetela will land? Share your thoughts below.

-The other day, I wrote that Onyewu might go to a big club if they realized his talent. Well, it looks like Real Madrid is rumored to be interested in getting his signature. That qualifies for a big club in my book.

-The 90th Minute has posted its MLS Week 16 Power Rankings and WVHooligan has a Week 16 MLS recap.

-Toronto FC has offered a significant amount of money to Canadian international Julian de Guzman. The contract offers an opt-out clause in January.

-Real Salt Lake’s Yura Movsisyan has signed a deal with Danish side Randers FC and will complete the transfer in January.

-MatchFit USA discusses young players defecting from MLS, including Movsisyan and Ventura County Fusion player Anton Peterlin (who is heading to Everton).

-Jeff Agoos tells Extra Time, “Something is not working.” You think Jeff? The Red Bulls will also host Israeli Shay Abutbul on a trial.

-Johann Smith, recently released by Toronto FC, has signed with Croatian side NK Rijeka.

What do you think about Gooch signing with Real Madrid? Would Julian de Guzman fit in well at MLS? Disappointed to see Movsisyan leaving but happy to see Smith land on his fit? Share your thoughts below.

-Did you catch the US game? If not, read The 90th’s Minute recap of last night’s Gold Cup action. USSoccerPlayers also offers a recap and MatchFit USA writes that the kids are alright.

-Greg Seltzer over at NSC hints that Charlie Davies to Ligue 1 side Sochaux is a done deal.

-Were you witness to Kei Kamara’s tribute to Michael Jackson? If not, The Original Winger has the photograph that will is guaranteed to make you laugh.

-MLS Talk has a recap of Week 16 up that is always an interesting read.

What are your Week 16 MLS thoughts? Did you get to watch the US game last night? Are you going to watch Mexico play tonight? Share below.

International Matches

Grenada vs. USA (9:00 PM ET, FSC)

MLS Matches

D.C. United at Columbus Crew (7:00 PM ET, ESPN2)
Chicago Fire at Colorado Rapids (9:00 PM ET, DK)
Houston Dynamo at Kansas City Wizards (9:00 PM ET, DK)
New York Red Bulls at FC Dallas (9:00 PM ET, DK)
New England Revolution at LA Galaxy (11:00 PM ET, FSC)

-Happy 4th. Please enjoy your footy, barbeque, and beer. I know I will. But most importantly, remember those who have fought for our freedom.

-It is a quiet day in the blogosphere, so I just have a couple of links. If you have not taken the time yet to read the story Eric Frimpong, please do. It is the story of a former UCSB soccer player who was framed for rape.

-Ives  Galarcep previews the Gold Cup for the US side.

That is all I have. Enjoy your holiday and feel free to use the comment section to discuss any of today’s MLS matches and the US game.

MLS Matches

San Jose Earthquakes at Real Salt Lake (10:00 PM ET, Direct Kick)

-The Gold Cup is a quick turnaround for the US, writes the NYT Goal blog. USSoccerPlayers discusses the Gold Cup impact on MLS and previews Grenada, the US’ first opponent.

-No Short Corners provides an update on several players’ transfer status.

-Edgar Castillo is taking heat for making the switch to the US, which is to be expected.

-Bob Bradley discusses Jose Francisco Torres and the reasons he did not play in the Confederations Cup.

-Brian Lewis of Extra Time gives us some Red Bulls news.

-Jason Davis writes that about the poor scheduling of MLS during the Gold Cup. It is hard not to disagree.

Will you watch any of the Gold Cup games tonight? What do you think of the rumors involving Americans in Europe? Does Castillo deserve to take heat? Share below.

-The Gold Cup will begin tomorrow. The 90^th Minute and MLS Talk preview the action. On the other hand, 100% soccer asks why pay attention?

-Bob Bradley has added seven more players to the Gold Cup roster. The Fullback Files writes that the Bob bashing will resume shortly.

-Sal Zizzo has been loaned by Hannover 96 to Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Duesseldorf.

-The Soccer Insider is reporting that reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto is drawing interest from at least one Argentina club. The news comes on the heels of Schelotto winning the player of the month honors.

-WVHooligan has a Week 16 MLS Preview.

-The Sounders have added a left back. Costa Rican national team player Leonardo Gonzalez will join the Sounders when the transfer window opens.

-Sacha Klejstan should be given break from fans, according to Geoff Reid over at WVHooligan.

-Yanks-Abroad has updated their 23 tickets to South Africa.

-Seattle forward Nate Jaqua is facing serious charges for sexual assault, according to a Courthouse News Service report.

Are you looking forward to the start of the Gold Cup? Did Bob Bradley add the right seven players? Should we give Sacha Klejstan another chance? Share below.

-Are you looking forward to the Gold Cup? If not, we have some links to whet your appetite.  USSoccerPlayers.com highlights the top ten Gold Cup moments, while MLS Talk has some CONCACAF news and notes.

-Speaking of CONCACAF, they decided to give Bob Bradley seven more additional spots for the Gold Cup. Bob, if you are reading, check-out how the Gold Cup roster should look.

-Clint Dempsey to Everton? Goal.com says it is a possibility.

-Benny Feilhaber sits down with Soccer365 and discusses the Confederations Cup and his immediate future.

-Alecko Eskansarian has been traded, but he will not have to move. He was dealt from Chivas USA to the Galaxy in exchange for allocation money. The Gals released Josh Tudela to make room.

-If you were wondering what the New England Revolution were going to do with the international roster spot they traded for, we now know. The Revs signed Lithuanian Edgaras Jankauskas.

-Brian Lewis reiterates that changes are coming for the Red Bulls.

Are you looking forward to the Gold Cup? Should Dempsey go to Everton? What other changes should be made for the Red Bulls? Comment below.

-As the Confederations Cup coverage wraps up, the Fullback Files post lessons from Africa, as does Yanks-Abroad. Nick Green, of 100% Soccer, writes that attitude will result in victories for the US.

-There are several rumors flying around about USMNT players on the move. Soccer y Futbol says that the Dynamo and MLS have not been contacted about Ricardo Clark. Jason Davis, over at Match Fit USA, runs down the rumors. Meanwhile, Charlie Davies sits down and talks about his future with Yanks Abroad.

-If you were wondering why Jose Francisco Torres is not on the Gold Cup roster, he is in much need of a rest after a long year.

-Soccer Insider asks so what if Edgar Castillo is interested in playing for the US? I posed the question if he is serious about playing for the US.

-Pavel Nedved, of the Czech Republic and Juventus, is interested in MLS according to his agent. New York would make sense, if not for that atrocious turf.

-The Red Bulls are continuing to shake things up and have brought a couple of new players in for an evaluation.

-MLS Week 15 power rankings: WVHooligan, The 90th Minute, Fullback Files

-CONCACAF will no longer send teams to Sudamericana, South America’s second-rate club competition. The move will allow CONCACAF teams to concentrate on the Champions League. A future meeting will decide teams’ participation in Copa Libertadores. The Goal Soccer blog has more.

-The Colorado Rapids inked former Crewe defender Julien Baudet. The Rapids team blog posts a question and answer session with the newest signing.

What are your final thoughts on the Confederations Cup? Do you think Clark should move abroad? What about CONCACAF’s decision to pull the plug on the South American tournaments? Share your thoughts below.