Major Link Soccer: Down go the Bruins, Cunningham on Trial

College

The NCAA Tournament keeps chugging along, and the number one seed has fallen. UCLA went toe to toe with the Connecticut Huskies for 120 minutes, and dropped out on penalty kicks (Leaving the REAL Huskies as the highest remaining seed in the tourney).

With the University of Washington's win yesterday, they move on to face New Mexico. The seventh-ranked Lobos moved on after defeating Penn State, reaching the semifinal round for the second time ever.

MLS

In an excellent article at Massive Report, author Nate Beckman argues that MLS is currently focused too far towards the left coast. I disagree rather strongly, but Beckman lays out his argument well: The majority of the continent's population is on the Eastern Seaboard, so why aren't half the teams? Blue Market strategy and all that.

It wasn't all that long ago that Sounders fans were witness to Jeff Cunningham's MLS record 134th goal, a penalty kick in the north end. You may remember that day better for Lamar Neagle's hat trick. Even at 37 years old, Cunningham is still trying to stick somewhere (anywhere). Right now, Anywhere is Vietnam.

It's now looking like the group trying to build a new stadium for DC United will miss yet another deadline. Black and Red United doesn't sound overly worried, however.

The Red Bulls cashed in with Thierry Henry, getting production both on and off the field from that signing. Don't expect another big name with their next DP however; now, the New York club is looking for the best bang for their buck.

USL's Sacramento Republic seems like a natural partner for the San Jose Earthquakes, who play less than two hours away in good traffic. However, it looks like Sactown may instead be looking farther up the coast at Portland for their partnership. This could make sense given their desire to reach MLS themselves at some point, perhaps not wanting to become to friendly with a club that could soon be their most vitriolic rival.

Bob Bradley may be taking the job in Vancouver, but for now he's simply the guy who got fired in Egypt. That isn't stopping PBS from airing a documentary on the man next year.

Speaking of expansion, David Beckham expects a Miami announcement by the end of the year.