Week 21 of the MLS campaign was highlighted by several quality goals and a few intense matchups that went down to the wire. There were also poor officiating decisions and a questionable ejection.

Game Recaps

FC Dallas 1, Houston Dynamo 0

FC Dallas opened the week with a Thursday night victory over the Dynamo. Jeff Cunningham continued his torrid pace, connecting for a goal in the 9th minute. Brad Davis was shown a red card for leaving the bench, even though he managed to restrain himself.

LA Galaxy 2, New England Revolution 1

The Revs staged a frantic comeback, but fell short to the streaking Galaxy. Landon Donovan connected on a wonder goal in the 21st minute. Jovan Kirvoski put the visitors ahead by two after a poor clearance by the Revs backline. Steve Ralston converted a penalty kick in the 83rd minute but the Galaxy held off additional pressure to win.

Columbus Crew 3, San Jose Earthquakes 0

The Crew struggled to create chances in the first half, but three quick goals but the game out of reach. Substitute Alejandro Moreno found the net first, followed by Robbie Rogers and Adam Moffat. The Quakes controlled the first half but quickly fell apart after surrendering the first goal.

Real Salt Lake 1, Seattle Sounders FC 0

Robbie Findley used his blazing pace to get behind a lackadaisical Sounder defense to score the only goal. The Sounders failed to create many chances against the stingy RSL defense, which silenced Fredy Montero. The Sounders should have been awarded penalty in the dying minutes of the match, when Will Johnson slapped a ball down in the area.

Colorado Rapids 4, Chivas USA 0

Connor Casey and Omar Cummings picked apart the weak Chivas USA defense, which featured Jonathan Bornstein in a center back role. Pablo Mastroeni scored a rocket in the first minute and Casey added three more. Shavar Thomas was shown a red card in the closing minutes of the first half.

Houston Dynamo 3, Chicago Fire 2

The Dynamo rebounded from a loss in the Texas derby with a win over the Fire. However, it did not come easy as the visitors scored two quick goals after half-time. Stuart Holden powerfully converted the game winning penalty kick to give the Western Conference leaders the win.

Player of the Week: Connor Casey, Colorado Rapids

Casey returned from injury to score a first half hat trick, giving his team a comfortable lead. While none of his goals were spectacular, he managed to put himself in a quality position and convert his chances.

Goalkeeper of the Week: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

Rimando hit the pass on a dime that sprung Findley’s goal. He managed to turn away what few chances Seattle could muster and had a great read late in the match to ensure his team of three points.

Team of the Week

Goal of the Week: Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy

Donovan put his team ahead in the 21st minute with a cracking first-touch left footed volley. The Fire’s Peter Lowry has to get honorable mention, with his sweet first-time side volley while running at full speed.

Save of the Week: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

With his team nursing a 1-0 lead, Rimando snuffed out a chance late by coming off his line and calmly blocking the shot. He controlled the ball enough to scoop up the rebound and preserve the lead.

Assist of the Week: Robbie Rogers, Columbus Crew

Rogers unselfishly used his head to redirect a cross into the path of Moreno that led to the first goal for the Crew. He recognized he was not position to put the ball on frame while running at full speed.

Sub of the Week: Emmanuel Ekpo, Columbus Crew

Ekpo opened up the game for the Crew with his pace and quality distribution. His pinpoint cross to Rogers led to the first goal. He played both ways, contributing to the defensive effort as well.

Rookie of the Week: Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy

He did his part in helping his team to a 2-1 win over the Revs. The talented center back combined with his teammates to limit the Revs to only four shots on goal.

Best Coaching Performance: Robin Fraser, Real Salt Lake

Fraser stepped in for Jason Kreis, who was serving a one game suspension for being ejected, and led  RSL to a critical win. With several job openings looming, Fraser is sure to get an interview somewhere.

Worst Coaching Performance: Preki, Chivas USA

Preki had to somehow patch together a backline riddled by suspensions and injures, but the Goats came out of the gate with no energy and showed a lack of discipline. After giving up  a goal in the first minute, it was painfully obvious the game was destined to be a blowout.

Best Refereeing Performance: Alex Prus

Prus kept everything under control in Rapids-Chivas USA game, which is not always easy to do in a blowout and with Jesse Marsch on the field. He correctly sent off Thomas. His decision to give the PK was also correct, since the foul occurred outside but continued into the area.

Worst Refereeing Performance: Jeff Gontarek

The players in the Crew-Earthquake had no clue what was being called a foul and what was not. Gontarek was inconsistent with his calls and failed to apply advantage in two key situations for Columbus.

What are your thoughts on this past week? Was Lowry’s goal better than Donovan’s? Was the handball in the RSL-Sounder game a penalty or not? Comment 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 US will open its Gold Cup title defense tomorrow, when it hosts Grenada in Seattle. The Americans, coming off a run to the Confederations Cup final, will field a ‘B’ squad for the tournament, at least in the group stage of the competition.

The starting goalkeeper for the US will likely be Troy Perkins, who plays for Valerenga in Norway. Luis Robles, who was on the Confederations Cup roster, and Jon Busch are the other options. Perkins is an educated guess, as Bob Bradley has not tipped who will be between the pipes.

The defense should be a little more straight forward, at least at the fullback positions. Steve Cherundolo and Heath Pearce will occupy those spots. The center defense is not as clear. Some combination of Jimmy Conrad, Chad Marshall, Clarence Goodson, and Michael Parkhurst will be on the pitch. Conrad and Goodson would make an interesting pair.

If Bradley sticks with a 4-4-2 and a pair of dual central midfielders, then Kyle Beckerman and Stuart Holden in the middle would make sense. Sacha Klejstan could also play since he has been added to the roster and Chivas USA does not have a game this weekend. Logan Pause would be another option.

Robbie Rogers is a pretty safe bet to start on the left wing, with Colin Clark being the other option. The right wing could be occupied by Santino Quaranta, Brad Davis, or Holden could slide out. Freddy Adu could be floated out wide as well, but Bradley could also slot him as a striker.

Charlie Davies will get the start up-top. He will be playing with a true target in either Brian Ching or Kenny Cooper. Davies could really benefit by getting on the end of flicks from his partner. Cooper and Davies would be intriguing.

Do you see Bradley sticking with the 4-4-2 that worked well in the Confederations Cup? Or will he mix up his tactics and use a 4-3-3? Who do you want to see start? Share below.

The US announced its Gold Cup roster on Thursday. The roster is a mix of veterans who are trying to earn their place back, young players getting a look for depth, and a couple of roster fillers who have no future with the USMNT.

The other day, I posted who I would like to see selected for the Gold Cup. Twelve of the twenty-three players were selected from my list. The most disappointing names left off are Marco Vidal, Geoff Cameron, Chris Pontius, and Jeremiah White. It is possible Vidal may have declined a call-up and White is preparing for the start of his season in Denmark, but Cameron and Pontius should have been added.

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch, Troy Perkins, Luis Robles

There is no clear starter in this group. One approach would be to give each player a start in the group stage. Robles is likely the first choice, since he has been training with the ‘A’ team in South Africa.

Defenders: Steve Cherundolo, Jimmy Conrad, Clarence Goodson, Jay Heaps, Chad Marshall, Michael Parkhurst, Heath Pearce

A couple of veterans will attempt to earn their starting spots back in Cherundolo and Pearce. There is a glut of center backs, all fighting for minutes. Conrad is a pleasant surprise, since he has not been with the team since 2007. The biggest disappointment is Jay Heaps. Better left-back options were available.

Midfielders: Davy Arnaud, Kyle Beckerman, Colin Clark, Sam Cronin, Brad Evans, Stuart Holden, Logan Pause, Robbie Rogers

The group is a mix of MLS veterans and youngsters. Clark and Rogers will split time on the left wing, while Evans and Holden will feature on the right side. The question is who will play in the middle. Cronin is a good addition and worth a look. Beckerman is the best of the remaining, but he plays a similar role to Cronin.

Forwards: Freddy Adu, Brian Ching, Kenny Copper, Charlie Davies, Santino Quaranta

The forwards will be the strength of the squad. Ching and Davies are locks for 2010, barring injury. Cooper will try to prove that he can score goals outside of MLS and Adu will get meaningful minutes.

What do you think of Bob Bradley’s selections? Did he leave anyone off that deserved a chance? Were you surprised some of the players chosen? Share below.

The Gold Cup will begin on July 4^th against Grenada. Bob Bradley and his staff can use this as an opportunity to evaluate players on the fringe of making the 2010 World Cup roster, as well as looking at young players that could play be a part of the next qualification cycle.

I have eliminated players based on the following, which the USSF should replicate:

-Players who have consistently played for their European club and played in the Confederations Cup
-All MLS players currently on the Confederations Cup roster
-Any player under consideration for the U20 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins

Guzan is a lock but needs to get more experience. Hahnemann and Perkins are the leading candidates for the third spot, and this competition could determine the front-runner.

Defenders: Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, Michael Parkhurst, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marco Vidal, Steve Cherundolo

Bradley needs to sort out the back-up center defenders. Goodson has been having a great season in Norway and Parkhurst is always reliable. Cameron has anchored MLS’ best defense and would provide an attacking option from the back. Orozco should be given a further look.

Cherundolo, pending his health, needs to get some time. Orozco and Cameron can back-up if necessary. Frankie Simek is an option but is also battling injury concerns.

The left back position is the weakest in the player pool. Heath Pearce, who is currently without a club, needs to showcase his skills. Vidal, who plays for Indios, should be a given a run-out to see if he can add depth.

Midfielders: Freddy Adu, Stuart Holden, Colin Clark, Robbie Rogers, Brad Evans, Chris Pontius, Pablo Mastroeni, Dax McCarty, Santino Quaranta

The holding midfield role will be occupied by Mastroeni and McCarty. McCarty is quietly having a good season for FC Dallas.

Adu should be given the entire tournament to see what he can do as an attacking midfielder. Holden can also fill in.

The player pool is in desperate need of speedy wingers who can stretch the game for the US against certain opponents. Rogers and Clark are capable of doing that on the left side. Holden should be given the most minutes on the right side.

Strikers: Kenny Cooper, Jeremiah White, Cam Weaver, Robbie Findley

Cooper needs to have a good tournament to prove he is capable of scoring at the international level. Findley is having a good MLS season, but his sprained ankle could keep him off the roster. Weaver is a bit of a long-shot, but he can score goals and hold the ball up.

Do you see any glaring omissions? Should other MLS players be given a shot? What about some of the other European players? Comment below.

International Matches:

US vs. Egypt (Confederations Cup, 2:25 PM ET, ESPN)

SuperLiga Matches:

Kansas City vs. Atlas (4:30 PM ET, TeleFutura)
Santos Laguna at NE Revolution (6:30 PM ET, TeleFutura)

-If you missed my US vs. Egypt preview, read it here.

-Juan Carlos Osorio discusses player acquisitions with Extra Time. Osorio sees the need to sign more physical American players, opposed to Latin Americans who often need more time to adjust to the league.

-If you are in the mood for a tear-jerking article, read how Stuart Holden fills the void after the passing of his father.

-The New York Times has a piece on the increasing amount of African-born players in MLS.

-The Rapids will be hosting Club America for a friendly, most likely between the dates of July 12th-18th.

-The Brad Friedel Premier Soccer Academy, one of the only free academies in the US, is in trouble with the bank.

How do you think the US will do today? Do you plan to watch any of the SuperLiga matches? Comment below.