I understand the need for friendlies. I understand that bringing in big name teams from Europe draws in more fans, fills seats, puts eyes in front of TVs, sells merchandise. But to schedule your all-star game the same week -- and the same day as a major cup competition is counterproductive to your own league.

Wednesday July 28th, 7:30 CST. MLS All-Stars vs Manchester United.

Wednesday July 28th, 7:00 PST. Seattle Sounders FC vs. AAD Isidro Metapan. Concacaf Champions League.

You'll know where I'll be. Trophies > Friendlies. The Sounders are not the only team having to play ahead of the MLS All Star game. Toronto and LA Galaxy both have games on the 27th. One wonders if Donovan and Buddle will play in the CCL match or get "rested" for the pony show in Houston?

MLS does a disservice to themselves with this seeming lack of support or at the very least lack of scheduling oversight. The league's Don Garber even goes as far as skirt around the Sounders when giving his All-Star address. Way to include one of your very best fanbases, Don.

For that I will show you your second caution. Please leave the field.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Up until this game, I’d only seen pictures and a few brief videos of the new Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey but I was even more impressed seeing it on the big screens at Meconi’s. Although probably not as full as the Red Bull front office would have hoped, the 18,000 or so who were in attendance certainly helped contribute to the European atmosphere that seemed to be a constant throughout the game. This wasn’t, however, limited only to the fans and venue. New York, reinvigorated after a dismal season last year, are playing some of the best soccer I’ve ever seen them play. Their style of play is actually fairly similar to that of the Sounders, focusing on pure tactics and finesse rather than brute force and overpowering the opposition with hard tackles and cheapshots (I’m looking at you, Houston). Both teams came out of the gate looking solid, and the fans could tell from the early going that they were in for a treat.

It only took a minute or two for the offense to pick up, as Ljungberg whipped in a free kick from outside the box, resulting in a Seattle corner. Leo Gonzalez made a pretty ambitious attempt at what would have been a wonder goal from outside the box, but missed wide and New York came back up the field with a goal kick from keeper Bouna Condoul. The rest of the first half continued at about the same pace, as both teams traded possessions, skilled passes, and chances at goal. Both designated players, Freddie Ljungberg and Juan Pablo Angel looked dangerous throughout the half (and throughout the game as a whole), but neither could find the back of the net or an assist on the score sheet during the first half. Regardless, it was the type of play the MLS expects to see from their designated players, raising the level of play to something beyond entertaining (I’m looking at you again, Houston… Toronto as well). Although Beckham is obviously the biggest name of the designated players in the league, Ljungberg and Angel both proved Saturday why they make the big bucks, and why fans come from all around to see them play. It was a much needed boost of confidence for Freddie after a poor outing against Los Angeles the previous week (although in his defense, he was the least of Seattle’s worries in what was probably the worst performance as a team in its short history).

The second half brought more of the same, as both teams once again came out flying. Seattle came closest to opening the score with a brilliant play by Sanna Nyassi, who slotted the ball around an out of position Condoul, only to see it stopped near the line by a New York defender at the last second. The chances kept coming, and the solid midfield play from both teams kept fans on their seat edges from coast to coast. Finally, Montero was subbed on in the 78th minute, making an already dangerous Seattle attack look even more likely to score. As if on cue, within only a few minutes of taking to the pitch, he put the Sounders up 1-0, making him the second late substitute by Sigi to grab a game winning goal for Seattle. Although many fans may have questioned his choices with the lineup before kickoff, his changes appeared absolutely genius once again, giving the Sounders just the boost they needed to bring home three points. Marshall took a free kick quickly and laid the ball off to midfielder/forward Brad Evans, who swung in an absolute stunner of a cross from distance. The ball found itself right in the path of a run from the speedy Montero, who finished calmly and without hesitation, trapping the ball deftly off his chest to his thigh before settling and finishing in almost a single motion.

It was exactly the shot in the arm Seattle needed at this point in their season, where they began the day in last place in the Western Conference. The race for the playoffs looks to be even more interesting than last season if the pace in the west keeps up as such, with only three points separating last place from second place. On any given week, a lucky bounce or a bad break can put a team anywhere from near the top to the absolute cellar of the table. It will definitely be interesting to see if this continues as the season goes on or if a few teams begin to pull away and compete with Los Angeles for the top spot. At this point, however, I think we (as Sounders fans) are all just happy to get a win and put three points back on the board. We can only hope for more of the same as the boys take on the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday at Qwest Field for a 6:00pm kickoff.

by: Brian Anderson — blyan@me.com — @blyan on Twitter.

Dear MLS referee Terry Vaughn,

Way to keep the stereotype of MLS referees SUCK up. Because, really you set a new standard of suckiness tonight with Sounders vs. FC Dallas. Beginning of the game I was actually praising you for letting the boys play, then I quickly realize the quagmire you put yourself in. Soon it became evident you were going to be inconsistent as a Seattle summer day.

Well hope you feel good about interjecting your will into another futbol outcome. You obviously don’t have any ambitions beyond MLS reffing by the way you conduct yourself. Might as well go accept a Blanco jersey at the rate your going.

In closing - you suck. You can’t change my mind, you half-wit.

P.S. I’m pissed - you suck.

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Philadelphia Union Coach Peter Nowak: You are off my Xmas Card list. Why? You’re a douche for complaining about Sounders FC Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero flopping. Not being honest? Lets be honest - your Union team looked very expansion-y tonight, and very terrible with the hard tackles. Deserved every one of those cards - especially the second yellow that sent your man off. So suck it and don’t expect a card from me this Xmas. Good luck at this year’s Superdraft. P.S. You lost, 0-2 to the Sounders.

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Hey Major League Soccer,

Please settle the CBA and let the 2010 season get underway. Any work stoppage or delay will result in you having me punch you in the junk repeatedly. In the run-up to a World Cup, you cannot afford to waste this momentum for your sport and league. Man up and do the right thing.

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DC United goalkeeper Josh Wicks, you are off my Xmas Card List. You have anger issues, seek counseling. They don’t even stomp people for real in WWE. Consider you removed from all my lists.

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Houston Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad, you are off my Xmas Card List. You may be a gentleman, but you still acted like a douchebag.

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MLS Referee Ricardo Salazar, you are off my Xmas Card List. I would’ve given you the advantage call, but I can’t seem to be consistent with my judgements.

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DC United’s Kevin Payne, you are off my Xmas Card list. Plus — the whole suit jacket with jeans is tacky. Did you win any trophies this year?

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