The New York Red Bulls certainly appeared to enjoy their first southern California training session leading up to Sunday's MLS Cup Final. Of course it helps that the weather was significantly warmer than it was when they trained back home at Montclair State University on Thursday.
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His contribution on the field is there for all the world to see — the 16 goals in 26 games, the pure class that is on display every time he touches the ball. But Juan Pablo Angel is more than just a goal scorer.
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Two players who have had breakout seasons could be the difference makers for the Columbus Crew when they face New York for the MLS Cup Sunday at The Home Depot Center.
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For better or worse, many coaches come with a ton of baggage when they join a new team. Juan Carlos Osorio? He brings his own unique baggage — tons of books.
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Columbus Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer is at his second MLS Cup but he said his first trip with Kansas City four years ago doesn't really count.
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Kevin Goldthwaite would like to publicly thank the Columbus Crew for helping his New York Red Bulls into the playoffs. But don't expect any return charity from the New York Red Bulls come the MLS Cup Final on Sunday.
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Amid a difficult economic climate, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber laid out the league's plans for 2009, detailing changes related to roster size, international competitions, scheduling, as well as sponsorships and expansion, all in the hope of continuing to grow the sport in the United States.
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One can only imagine what sort of season Juan Pablo Angel would have enjoyed had he been healthy. The first part of the MLS was a living hell and a major pain in the back in more ways than one for the 33-year-old Colombian, the second half pure heaven.
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Statistics such as 19 assists — tied for the second-most in league history — and contributing to 10 consecutive goals are impressive, but what made Guillermo Barros Schelotto the 2008 MLS Volkswagen Most Valuable Player was his role off the field.
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The happiest person running around the sun-splashed practice fields at The Home Depot Center was Columbus Crew equipment manager Rusty Wummel. No longer would he have to spend a few more hours each day washing the cold-weather gear that Crew had donned for the better part of a week.
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Gino Padula doesn't see Sunday's MLS Cup against New York as a chance for payback on the one blemish to his season. The Argentinean defender, signed by the Crew on March 24, struggled through early injuries to appear in 17 regular and postseason matches.
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As the New York Red Bulls charter flight landed at Long Beach Airport on late Thursday afternoon, Gordon Kljestan looked out the window and thought, "I'm home. Indeed, Kljestan, who grew up in nearby Huntington Beach, is the local product on this Red Bulls team and, as such, has the most ticket requests for Sunday's MLS Cup Final at The Home Depot Center.
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Delays are inevitable, but so is progress — at least perhaps in the minds of the Kansas City Wizards. After months of delays, the final piece of financing for the Three Trails' development in southeast Kansas City that will include a soccer-specific stadium for the Wizards has been approved.
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Almost everything you need to know about the makeup of Major League Soccer talent is right there along the Columbus Crew back line.
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Despite a drenching rain in San Pedro Sula Wednesday night, the biggest party in Honduras took place at Estadio Olimpico after Toronto FC midfielder Amado Guevara helped Honduras to the final stage of CONCACAF qualification.
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A look at the big questions surrounding D.C. United for the 2008 season and heading into the 2009 campaign.
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History will not look fondly on United's 2008 season, a marathon quest for glory that eventually featured just one title: the U.S. Open Cup. But it was history that created the urge for supremacy that, in retrospect, might have been D.C.'s undoing in 2008.
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As the United States national team wrapped up the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying with a resounding 2-0 defeat of Guatemala Wednesday night, Major League Soccer certainly played its part in the team's success.
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For the first time since the league's inaugural season - when of course it was impossible - two teams who have never before played in the MLS Cup Final will meet for the league championship in MLS Cup 2008.
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The Kansas City Wizards brain trust feels it is right on track after two seasons at the helm. Head coach Curt Onalfo and technical director Peter Vermes have guided the team to the MLS Cup Playoffs in both seasons and even pulled two more points out of the 2008 version than the 2007.
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