With J Hutcherson --
Isn't it nice that people are already writing of New England's playoff chances because of an injury. Nobody interested in Major League Soccer needs it stressed how good Ralston has been this season. He's going to be another in a line of object lessons for the National Soccer Hall of Fame voters if they continue the trend of discounting club play in favor of total cap numbers.
That said, Ralston breaking his leg is just the latest issue for a team that has played this season with as many available excuses as Toronto FC and DC United. Even with the complaining Revolution coach Steve Nicol has done, it hasn't been enough.
New England recovered from early injuries, lineup shifts, the calendar, and the basic setbacks of that MLS standard of officiating. The result was a slow slide into second in the East while bouncing out of other tournaments.
Holding onto second is at issue, with the Chicago Fire in position to knock them down to third.
Fair enough, for those that still haven't gotten over an MLS club having the audacity to field mostly reserves in the US Open Cup semifinals. It's a point, perhaps the pragmatic response to all of those available excuses.
It certainly explains this new feeling that, minus Ralston, the Revolution is out of revival acts. Ralston would be the first to point out what should be obvious.
The most pragmatic team in Major League Soccer isn't naive enough to stress playoff position or yet another reshuffle just in time for the knockout rounds. It's simply been that kind of season.
Moving on, Reuters has Ruud Gullit once again saying things quickly dismissed by the true believers and not given enough play by those who opt for just nodding along. What am I on about? Gullit's opinion that if pro soccer really made the big play in North America, the established sports would push back.
"I think they are afraid of football because it's so popular everywhere around the world," he told Reuters. "I think they will just control it so it doesn't become more popular than their American sports."
For those of you running for the tin foil, it doesn't have to be a conspiracy. It can simply be the organizers of professional soccer taking too much for granted. Yes, there's enough cross-pollination among owners to act as a hedge. At the same time, MLS might have forgotten the contraction lesson when they were the only League cutting teams the last time the economics got complicated.
On TV
CONMEBOL Qualifying on ESPN Deportes: Bolivia - Uruguay at 4pm. All Times Eastern
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Premier League Cup could see end of Community Shield -- from The Telegraph's Henry Winter: A proposal set to be considered by the elite clubs is for the Carling Cup to be transformed into the Premier League Cup with pre-season mini-tournaments to establish four of the quarter-finalists.
Newcastle sale 'progressing well' -- from BBC Sport: "I'm quietly confident there'll be a good solution for Mike and the fans."
Dubai suitor switches attention from Charlton to West Ham -- from The Guardian's Matt Scott: However, it is believed that talks are continuing with Gudmundsson on a personal level as he faces increased pressure to cash in on his £85m investment.
West Ham plan to take Sheffield United appeal over compensation to High Court -- from The Times' Gary Jacob: Sheffield United are revising their estimate of the cost of relegation to £50 million to take into account a second year outside the top flight.
Burley: 'Boyd has shown a lack of respect for this country, and for myself' -- from The Scotsman's Glenn Gibbons: "I've earned this job and I will make the decisions."
City appoint Dolphins’ man to board -- from The Independent's Ian Herbert: Edelman's Dolphins experience is considered to be more relevant to his appointment than his specialism in complex, multi-national property deals.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Americas
Landon Donovan comes off bench to lead Galaxy -- from The LA Times' Grahame L. Jones: "Landon volunteered," Arena said.
Nobody does it better than Crew -- from The Columbus Dispatch's Shawn Mitchell: But MLS is not most leagues.
Split decisions for national team -- from The Newark Star-Ledger's Frank Giase: "In these situations my American side shows itself."
RSL castoffs stand in way of playoffs -- from The Salt Lake Tribune's Michael C. Lewis: Former coach John Ellinger - fired to make way for current coach Jason Kreis - is now an assistant coach with FC Dallas, while striker Jeff Cunningham has been on fire since joining the Hoops in an August trade.
Playoffs? McBride helps Fire get there -- from The Southtown Star's Nick Firchau: "Today was much better."
Between the referee who cost Toronto FC a win in Dallas and the bumbling CSA, there is plenty of turkey to go around today -- from The Toronto Sun's Gareth Wheeler: Failing to make the playoffs puts the pressure on the franchise to make the moves necessary to turn this team into a winner.
World Cup dream sinks in sea of blame -- from The Toronto Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt: It's another to be out of contention almost two calendar years out, as has been the case for Canada the last three go-rounds.
Waterfront stadium 'could be dramatic, beautiful, spectacular' -- from The Province's Kent Spencer: "I think we could have filled a 15,000-to-20,000-seat stadium for an event like this," said Whitecaps' president Bob Lenarduzzi.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
