What a nice 12 months it has been in domestic soccer for diversity and progress. In terms of culture, two of the big stories during the last year were former Major League Soccer player David Testo coming out and U.S. Olympian Megan Rapinoe coming out shortly before the 2012 London Games.
And how about this to punctuate a swell period of progress: Rapinoe was just honored by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center during last weekend’s Anniversary Gala.
Rapinoe received the center’s Board of Directors Award for coming out as a high-profile athlete, and for counting herself among the few outwardly gay competitors during the London Olympic Games.
Rapinoe has been a wonderful spokesperson and role model for U.S. Soccer, a marketing and PR dream who is blessed with ample playing talent and personality. She certainly knows how to deliver short, moving and meaningful “thank you.” Watch her acceptance speech from the weekend’s gala.
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With Corey Ashe now added, what the U.S. fullback depth chart looks like for this camp
May 24, 2013, 5:32 PM EDT
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Ashe’s late addition to Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster for the U.S. camp forms a more complete picture of what the depth chart looks like at right and left back:
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Internazionale officially announced they have sacked Andrea Stramaccioni and hired the former Napoli boss.
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No question that two of the league’s most interesting teams will be at Stade Saputo on Saturday:
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AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
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Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
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USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
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Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
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Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
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Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
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Does Hughes deserve another shot at managing an EPL club after past failures?
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Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
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German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
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See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
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Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already done that.
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Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
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With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
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Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
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Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
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Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?
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Would Cole be a good pickup for Major League Soccer sides looking to cement their playoff aspirations?
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Champions League Final infographic: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 8:31 AM EDT
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The first-ever all-German UEFA Champions League final is one day away, take a look at our infographic to see which side has the edge.
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Christie Rampone and Sky Blue FC try to stay atop the NWSL Saturday in Overland Park.
