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I would like to start today by wishing my wife a happy birthday. If it wasn't for her support and understanding, I wouldn't be able to commit my time and energy to write for Sounder at Heart.
Seattle
After Brad Evans was left off the World Cup roster for the United States, the Seattle Times decided to remember his efforts in helping the USMNT qualify for the World Cup.
Not long after the roster was announced, a former teammate congratulated DeAndre Yedlin on making the World Cup roster.
@eddie_johnson7 thank you big bro. Nothing but love for ya homie. I hope all is well. #fam #ej #bigbro
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) May 23, 2014
Obafemi Martins is cruising to his third MLS Goal of the Week award this season, while no other player has won the award more than once. As of yesterday morning, Oba had more than 78% of the votes, with Jermain Defoe as the closest opponent at just under 9% of the vote. This will be the fourth time a Sounder has won the award this season, with Real Salt Lake the only other team with multiple awards with two.
In addressing the persistent rumors of Jose Miguel Cubero to Seattle, Sigi Schmid noted that Cubero was one of the players the team was looking at before Gonzalo Pineda joined the team. Schmid didn't rule out a move for Cubero this summer but reiterated that central defense is a bigger priority.
The Sounders US Open Cup date has been updated, with the team set to play its fourth round match on June 18th, regardless of which opponent it faces.
MLS
David Beckham's potential MLS ownership group in Miami has identified its plan to fill in a boat slip in downtown Miami behind America Airlines Arena and build a 20,000 capacity soccer stadium at that location. The stadium would be connected to other downtown attractions by a waterfront walkway, while creating new park space -- perhaps in response to public criticism of the plan earlier in the week. The proposal will be presented to voters in a referendum.
The Las Vegas city council has set a September 1st deadline for developing a financial plan for a potential MLS stadium.
In an interview with ESPN Deportes Magazine, León defender Rafa Marquez says he regrets his decision to play in MLS for the New York Red Bulls so soon after leaving Barcelona and La Liga.
US Soccer
Taylor Twellman broke big news yet again when he was the first person to announce the final World Cup roster for the USMNT. Although it's somewhat surprising that Yedlin made the roster and Evans didn't, the biggest surprise is that Landon Donovan didn't make the cut.
23 Man roster will be named tonight: Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd and Donovan are not in. #USMNT
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 22, 2014
Donovan released the following statement after the final roster was announced:
FourFourTwo's World Cup preview of Group G offers a prediction of 0 points and 0 goals for the United States:
The US team is by no means terrible, just lacking a little in creativity, but a World Cup that leaves the national side without a goal in the three group games, never mind a point, is a very real fear. A very off-the-record former US international fretted to FourFourTwo that this was one of the weakest squads to ever go to the World Cup. A worst-case scenario humiliation in Brazil could be a setback for a domestic league that sees fielding US talent a big draw for fans.
This video from 2010 may give some insight into Klinsmann's motivations in picking the World Cup roster:
World Cup
Liverpool FC and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez may miss the World Cup after injuring his knee in training and having it operated on yesterday. Suarez had the same injury and surgery prior to the 2010 World Cup and wasn't able to play in a game until 7 weeks after the surgery. That timeline would have him miss the tournament until at least the semifinals. Despite that, Uruguay is confident that he will heal in time for the World Cup.
FIFA has reportedly spent nearly $27 million to produce a film about current FIFA president Sepp Blatter, his predecessor João Havelange, and Jules Rimet, FIFA's third president who is credited with the creation of the World Cup. There are reports that Blatter made some revisions to the film's script.
Europe
Early yesterday morning, Manchester United had reportedly agreed to a fee for the transfer of Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich, only to have the deal called off by new United manager Lous van Gaal. For its part, Bayern insists that it will not increase its current contract offer to Kroos.
Bayern Munich has renewed its push for goal line technology in the Bundesliga. This newest proposal would relieve some of the burden on smaller clubs by making it exclusive to the top flight Bundesliga.
Norwich City's Neil Adams had his role as interim manager made permanent, as he was officially announced as the club's manager.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is leaving the club, with reports of several Premier League clubs looking to hire him.
Cardiff City striker and Macklemore doppelgänger Craig Bellamy announced his retirement yesterday, after a career that spanned nearly two decades, including stops at Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Norwich City and 78 caps for Wales, where he served as captain of his national team for over 4 years.
Manchester City is reportedly about to sign Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna to a contract that will pay him over $2.4 million per year for the next 3 seasons. This comes just days after it was reported that Man City will be looking to sell Micah Richards in the summer transfer window.
Man City midfielder Yaya Touré's agent says that he is seeking assurances of a technical role with the club after his playing career is over, insisting that money is not an issue.
The big game tomorrow is the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, in the competition's first ever final involving two clubs from the same city. Before you watch the game on Fox at 11:45 AM PDT, be sure the check out SB Nation's preview of the final.
Tweet of the Day
The Zlatan Ibrahimovic Tweet of the Day™ goes to our own Brad Evans, who had the perfect response to being left off the World Cup roster:
You got off easy this time @Cristiano
— Brad Evans (@brad_evans3) May 23, 2014
Keep daring to Zlatan, B-Rad.
Soccer on TV
Friday
| Toulon Tournament | 8:15 AM | Portugal vs. Chile | beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español, beIN Play |
| Toulon Tournament | 10:30 AM | France vs. China | beIN Sports, beIN Play |
| MLS | 5:30 PM | Sporting KC vs. Toronto FC | Univision Deportes, MLS Stream of the Week |
Saturday
| Toulon Tournament | 6:45 AM | South Korea vs. Qatar | beIN Sports Play |
| Championship Play-Off Final | 7:00 AM | Derby County vs. Queens Park Rangers | beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español, beIN Play |
| UEFA Champions League Final | 11:45 AM | Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid | Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go |
| Brazil Serie A | 2:30 PM | Bahia vs. Fluminense | ESPN3 |
| MLS | 4:00 PM | Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders | Joe TV |
| MLS | 4:00 PM | New York Red Bulls vs. Portland Timbers | Root Sports |
| NASL | 4:30 PM | Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers | ESPN3 |
| NWSL | 7:00 PM | Portland Thorns vs. Sky Blue FC | YouTube |
Sunday
| Toulon Tournament | 6:45 AM | China vs. Chile | beIN Play |
| League One Play-Off Final | 7:00 AM | Leyton Orient vs. Rotherham United | beIN Play |
| International Friendly | 10:00 AM | Ireland vs. Turkey | GOL TV |
| Brazil Serie A | 12:00 PM | Santos vs. Flamengo | GOL TV |
| NWSL | 4:00 PM | Boston Breakers vs. FC Kansas City | YouTube |
| NWSL | 4:00 PM | Seattle Reign vs. Western New York Flash | YouTube |
| MLS | 5:00 PM | LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union | Univision Deportes |