Yesterday’s report about D.C. United seeking new “investment partners” did not set off alarm bells among Major League Soccer fans in the nation’s capital. It probably should have.

If the U.S. gets the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, it won’t play any games in Chicago or Northern California. Those omissions were the biggest surprise of the USA Bid Committee decision, announced earlier today at ESPN Zone in New York. Committee chairman and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati cited “Olympics burn-out” as [...]

The 2009 season was by allany account the worst season in the history of New York’s Major League Soccer franchise. It was a year with many lowlights, none of which are worth reliving at this point (the masochists among you can consult ASN’s midseason review piece if you really want to go there). Suffice it to say 2009 was bad. But 2009 is over. Here are five things the team should do to make 2010 the rousing success its fans have been waiting (and waiting) for.

U.S. Under-20 international Tony Taylor has agreed to a deal with Portuguese second division side GD Estoril, ASN has learned. The 19-year old striker, who was just signed by Traffic Sports USA in September, was part of Thomas Rongen’s World Cup squad this summer.

After all the mock draws and speculation (and more mock draws) it is finally time for the real thing. At noon EST today, FIFA will draw the groups for next summer’s World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa. Conspiracy theories abound and pundits are prepared for the worst. Nonsense. Our motto should be ‘go ahead, make our day’ or ‘bring it on’!

New Jersey-born forward Vincenzo Bernardo is coming to Major League Soccer. The 19-year old told ASN of his news Saturday morning.

“Let me be very very clear: We the league will not agree to a CBA that’s going to negatively impact our ability to grow the sport in the United States and Canada…we’re not going to compromise any of the key issues in order to avoid a stoppage.”–MLS Commissioner Don Garber, State of the League address, Nov. 16.

Fox Soccer Channel today put out a press release on the growth of its ratings numbers over the past year, its first as a Nielsen-rated channel.
Among reports of increases in Serie A and English Premiership viewers, the statement also points out that “Major League Soccer audiences are up 89%, averaging 51,000 viewers last month vs. [...]

Reports in the French press have shed more light on Charlie Davies’ accident earlier in the week and provided some encouraging news on the 22-year old’s situation.

U.S. Men’s National Team forward Charlie Davies is in serious but stable condition at Washington Hospital Center MedStar Unit after a car accident early Tuesday morning.