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Tim Leiweke was hired as CEO of MSLE, the company that owns Toronto FC and other sporting properties in Toronto, last week. He is already promising to replicate the success he had running LA Galaxy for AEG, including bringing in a DP in the mode of Beckham or Keane. Considering the guy's track record, Sounders supporters should be thankful TFC is in the Eastern Conference (mlssoccer.com).
Not sure I have ever seen a player fall on his sword quite as much as DC United's Brandon McDonald, who is taking full blame for the team's 3-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday. (dcunited.com).
New rule at the C-Link, no bitching about the refs. A statistical study in the United Kingdom shows that referees favor home sides. The study's author says psychological reasons are at the heart of it (The Guardian).
This blogger thinks MLS announcers favor defense over offense and tend to side with not giving red cards and penalty kicks and such. Warning, the author is well-known as a harsh critic of everything MLS. (goal.com)
On the MLS expansion news front, the New York Times has weighed in on the New York City expansion, saying the Abu Dhabi Sheik who owns Manchester City will be the owner of the MLS' 20th team (New York Times). Meanwhile, the newspaper in Orlando outlines the still big barriers facing construction of a soccer stadium there (Orlando Sentinel). One of those barriers was passed by Florida State Senate as the bill to help fund the stadium passed (WFTV channel 9).
Finally, one of the most unbelievable videos you will see comes from a reserve match in Russia. Guess this assistant referee really didn't like something a player said to him (sports.yahoo.com).
- Scott Ayers
Lastly, from this week's team notes:
Sights Set on Two Straight Wins
Sounders FC will look to build off its win at Colorado with a second straight victory this Saturday. It has been nearly eight months since Seattle won back-to-back league contests, having beat Vancouver (August 18) and Chivas USA (August 25) in succession last season. It has been nearly a full calendar year since the club last won consecutive road matches, dropping Chicago (April 28) and Dallas (May 9) early last year.