Bruce to Red Bulls!

It's just coming off the wire, but Bruce Arena is officially the new coach of the New York Red Bulls. Not like we didn't see that one coming, but it's a good hire, for him, the team, and the league. He brings instant name recognition and credibility to the squad, and although I don't expect much from them this year, his stamp will be on the team next year as they attempt to salvage this joke of a franchise.

First things first, give a listen to www.thesoccershow.com tonight around 8 o'clock, when yours truly, Craig Stouffer from the DC Examiner, and host Pat Walsh take an hour to discuss a broad variety of soccer subjects. I've been on the show several times, but this will be the first time the show will feature 2 guests. The three of us have all appeared on my old tv show several times before, but it's always a little different on the radio. You can also find the show if you go to http://www.broadcastmonsters.com/SoccerShow/munkmick.asx , so check it out.

Some of the topics we'll be covering are the current state of the New York Red Bulls and do they need to find success in order for MLS itself to succeed? We'll also be talking about the MLS All-Star selections, snubs, and what to expect come August 5th in Chicago against Chelsea. Of course, Bruce Arena and the U.S. National Team will also play heavily into our discussion, so tune in and listen!

Sorry, had to do the shameless plug there.

As for my take on the MLS All-Stars, is it just me or could you conceivably start the entire DC United 11 against Chelsea? They have 7 guys on the team, but you could just as easily put Brian Carroll, Facundo Erpen, or whomever is their other d-mid (Clyde Simms, Ben Olsen) and be fine. Carroll is arguably the best d-mid in the league right now, ahead of New England's Shalrie Joseph and Dallas' Richard Mulrooney. Granted, I'm not sure if I could start Carroll at d-mid for the U.S. right now, but his current form is without question. I think the overall results were pretty accurate; Landon Donovan and Brian Ching have done enough since they got back from World Cup duty to merit selections, although Jimmy Conrad, Eddie Pope, and Pablo Mastroeni's contributions might be a little sketchy.

Notice how little grief you're hearing about Freddy Adu's selection. His stats might not be the best (1 goal, 6 assists) right now, but he's playing some great soccer, and deserves to be on the field against a world power like Chelsea. He'll bring a little more interest to a game that actually has my attention this year. I don't normally go for the All-Star stuff, as the games are never "real" games w/ the tackling and strategy you see in a normal game. However, if the game 2 years ago pitting the MLS All-Stars against Chivas was any indication, the team put out on August 5th in Chicago will bring their "A" game against one of the top 2 club teams in the world. Should be interesting to watch Ballack and Shevchenko try to mesh w/ their new teammates.

Other than that, it's pretty much been a slow week now that we're all suffering from World Cup hangover.

DC won again on Saturday (yawn), Clint Dempsey got suspended again, and Chivas and L.A. played to a fairly uneventful 0-0 draw. The other games this week were pretty good, w/ a couple of them winding up 3-2 and featured some exciting soccer.

My player of the week was Kenny Cooper from FC Dallas. W/ Carlos Ruiz and Roberta Nina out of the lineup, the bullish striker notched an assist and scored the game-winning goal in a huge comeback win at Chicago. I'm hoping Cooper gets a chance to show his stuff whenever the new U.S. Coach (Klinsmann) comes calling a few months down the road.

Oh, and is it just me or are you having trouble identifying some of the members of the U.S. Women's team now that several of them have gotten married and changed their names? Cat Whitehill? That's Cat Reddick to me... Kate Markgraf? Kate Sobrero, pal! Sorry, I'll figure it out soon enough, hopefully be fore next year's women's World Cup.

That's all for today. I'll be back later in the week. In the meantime, be sure to listen in tonight!