Kick Off: Champs on ESPN2, Arena wants overhaul

The last visit by RSL to Toyota Park ended with a trophy celebration and a trip to MLS Cup

The Fire will likely be without two of their star players – both Brian McBride and Patrick Nyarko – when Chicago host Real Salt Lake in the Thursday night ESPN2 Game of the Week (9:30 p.m. ET).


It's a big match for Chicago, which is seeking to jumpstart its season. It’s their first chance at revenge for the 2009 conference championship which the Fire lost to RSL at Toyota Park.


Chicago manager Carlos de los Cobos admits his squad will be shorthanded, which works out just fine for defending champions Real Salt Lake.


In previewing the match, RSL manager Jason Kreis says this game is one of “the best challenges we’ve had in a very long time.”


Chicago are looking for a win to pick up their spirits, similar to what Seattle got when the Sounders knocked out the LA Galaxy 2-0 in Wednesday night’s USOC quarterfinal. The Sounders got the victory despite fielding several reserves, who are now making the case to start matches.


Galaxy manager Bruce Arena is outspoken in stating that the US Open Cup needs to be scheduled at a better time of the year.


Perhaps play US Open Cup during MLS preseason? The Kansas City Wizards might be busy training in Arizona, if the folks in Surprise have their way.


US manager Bob Bradley spoke to the media again on Wednesday with the only novelty being a few names expected to join the fold.


One player who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Stars and Stripes is Omar Salgado, who had to make a choice between the US National Team and Chivas de Guadalajara.


The fresh faces joining D.C. United camp, including Branko Boskovic, will surely force the hand of manager Curt Onalfo into some lineup changes.


It looks like Eidur Gudjohnsen has made up his mind about whether he will be joining the Kansas City Wizards as a Designated Player.


The stars of MLS, young and old, will first be featuring at the MLS All-Star Game in Houston on July 28. One of the highlights of All-Star Week? Stand-Up comedy night as performed by “Shecky” Boswell of the Dynamo and other pro athletes who are comedy amateurs.


Here’s the advice by financial publication Smart Money for soccer events like the MLS All-Star Game: Buy tickets last-minute. Really? With the match expected to sell out, do this at your own peril.


Germany’s 1-0 World Cup semifinal loss to Spain on Wednesday was an intense experience for the 1,000 fans gathered at the Alpine Village in California.


If they have their way, investors in San Antonio want to bring soccer fever to their city in the form of professional soccer.


The Spain vs. Holland World Cup final will have one soccer legend on everyone’s mind come Sunday.


As the World Cup has proven to the masses, soccer can be poetry in motion. However, it is not often you’ll find a soccer player who is a poet.