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Seattle
Sounders HGP prospects Jordan Morris and Darwin Jones, along with UW's Cristian Roldan were included in Top Drawer Soccer's 14 players to watch in PDL this year. Morris and Jones will play for the Sounders U23s this year and Roldan will play for Washington Crossfire.
In case you missed this, Sigi Schmid's page was Wikipedia's featured article yesterday.
New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps says that he knew pretty early on in Clint Dempsey's career that his former teammate was going to be a special player.
As part of its Tuesday Film Series, Tacoma's Grand Cinema is featuring "Next Goal Wins" today. Next Goal Wins is a documentary about American Samoa's national team and its search for its first competitive win. The film will be shown today at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
MLS
This morning, images of Orlando City's MLS crest appear to have been released.
When asked about the potential of the league moving to a traditional FIFA calendar, MLS commissioner Don Garber called it "almost impossible with the number of teams we have and the weather we have". While it may seem like he is shutting the door on moving away from the current schedule, one could interpret that as "not yet", given expansion into warm weather cities like Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and possibly San Antonio or Sacramento.
Real Salt Lake striker Álvaro Saborío was named to Costa Rica's preliminary roster for the World Cup.
FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez is nominated twice for MLS Save of the Week. One of his nominations is for his double save against Osvaldo Alonso and Clint Dempsey.
US Soccer
According to a coach based in Philadelphia, US soccer is moving away from a pay-to-play model in youth soccer.
US Soccer is mandating the elimination of the pay-to-play model in order to maintain its membership in the US Soccer Development Academy
— BC8 (@BenRC8) May 12, 2014
Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, and DeAndre Yedlin were all named to the preliminary World Cup roster for the USMNT, but former Sounder Eddie Johnson was probably the most notable exclusion. Here's his reaction to missing out on the World Cup.
Disappointed not to be joining my brothers at the World Cup, but wish them all the best. Time 2 get back 2 work in DC #GOUSA #VamosUnited
— Eddie Johnson (@eddie_johnson7) May 12, 2014
Jürgen Klinsmann explained that EJ's omission was largely due to the fact that he sees Landon Donovan as more of a striker than a midfielder and that he only allocated 6 spots on the preliminary roster to strikers.
Another former Sounder who played an active role in qualifying for the World Cup wasn't included in the 30-man roster.
It wasn’t in the cards this go around, but I am honored to have played a part in our qualification. Unforgettable moments.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) May 12, 2014
Can’t stress enough how confident I am in this group & their ability to do something special in Brazil.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) May 12, 2014
Congrats to all, my dudes.. We are all behind you. Team USA, all the way. #USMNT
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) May 12, 2014
Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, and Michael Bradley are expected to join camp late, after playing in midweek games this week.
2014 FIFA World Cup
In Brazil, each national team's bus will have its own slogan printed on it. The slogans for all 32 teams at the World Cup were voted on by fans, with the winners revealed yesterday on FIFA's website.
The costs for building stadiums for the World Cup in Brazil have reportedly been artificially inflated, with Brazil's taxpayers footing the bill.
Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe failed to make England's 23-man World Cup roster, though he was included in the 30-man squad, as England manager Roy Hodgson opts to go with a younger side in Brazil. Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole was left off entirely, leading him to announce his retirement from international soccer.
I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now.
— Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) May 11, 2014
The USMNT's group stage opponent Ghana announced its preliminary roster as well.
Europe
Pro Soccer Talk compiled its version of the top 10 goals from the Premier League in the 2013/14 season.
PSG may have joined the sweepstakes to sign Chelsea central defender David Luiz. Barcelona has previously been linked with the player.
Rio Ferdinand's 12-year career at Manchester United has come to an end.
Xavi is reportedly being offered to clubs in the Premier League.
According to Sky Sports News, Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa will sign with Chelsea this summer for a fee of $54 million.
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood will reportedly be fired today.
American investor Randy Lerner is selling his stake in Aston Villa after owning the club for 8 years. New England Patriots and New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft has emerged among those interested in purchasing the club. If he did purchase Aston Villa, the Revolution would become the third MLS team to share owners with a team in the top leagues in Europe.
Former NASL Sounder Harry Redknapp has guided Queens Park Rangers to the Championship play-off final, after a 2-1 win over Wigan. QPR will meet Alan Hinton's former club Derby County, who convincingly defeated Brighton 4-1 on Sunday.
Mexico
On Thursday, León and Pachuca will play the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura Final. León is attempting to become the first team to win consecutive titles since Pumas UNAM did it in 2004.
Soccer on TV
MLS and US Soccer signed an 8 year deal with Univision, Fox, and ESPN to broadcast MLS matches and home international friendlies for the USMNT and USWNT. The deal is reportedly worth a total of $90 million per year. Be sure to check out Dave's post on the deal if you haven't already done so. The value and length of the deal means both sides are taking a calculated risk.
After its first season covering the Premier League, NBC 's coverage of the league was a rousing success. Not did NBC see an increase in TV ratings for Premier League broadcasts, but the quality of the coverage in each broadcast eclipsed the quality of coverage the league previously enjoyed with ESPN and Fox Soccer. The two biggest reasons for that success were Arlo White and Rebecca Lowe.
TV Listings
| International Friendly | 11:45 AM | Germany vs. Poland | ESPN 3, Univision Deportes |
| Soccer Analysis | 2:30 PM | ESPN FC | ESPN 2 |
| World Cup | 5:00 PM | E:60 World Cup Special | ESPN |
| La Liga | 5:00 PM | La Liga World | beIN Sports |
| Soccer Analysis | 6:00 PM | Express Xtra | beIN Sports |