Notes from around MLS

Introducing Thierry Henry? Ronaldo? Nah.
Next year's newest MLS franchise, Seattle Sounders FC, is inviting fans to come out the Qwest Field a little early, as in this Thursday, to attend a "special player announcement" press conference. Seattle is calling it an "historic event." Could it be the unveiling of Thierry Henry as Seattle's first DP? Probably, not. What's more likely is that it is Washington native Kasey Keller. But I wouldn't call that historic -- at 38 years old maybe you could call it prehistoric. I kid because I love.

A baseball fan, a NASCAR fan and a soccer fan walk into a bar...
Chivas USA have teamed up with Auto Club Speedway and the Los Angeles Angels of MLB to create ticket packages for those imaginary people who like all three of those sports. But I have to say, I've never met a soccer fan who liked baseball or NASCAR OR a NASCAR fan who liked foreigners or soccer OR a baseball fan who liked exercise.

Time to fire up the FIreClavijo web site again
The Rapids are 2-5-3 in their last 10 matches. They have scored a paltry 14 goals in 10 matches and allowed 16. Their only wins came against a Angel-less New York and a team in just as much turmoil as they, FC Dallas. But for some reason Fernando Clavijo is still employed. Could a change be in the thin air of the Mile High City? It depends on how you interpret Hercules Gomez recent post-loss comments:

"This one hurts. Three in a row at home hurts. The last three games we have had the better of the play. That's soccer and let's be honest: Something is not working, something is not right, something has to change. We are all professionals and we know what comes with the territory. I think we need to come out with a different attitude. Deciding to play the last 15-20 minutes of the game, every game, isn't really working out."

Clavijo must have naked pictures of Stanley Kroenke.

DC go deeper than Wells
DC have added a new goalkeeper to challenge current starter Zach Wells for time between the sticks. Liberian keeper Louis Crayton has been participating in practice with the team while paperwork is completed to add him, possibly before Saturday's match at Chicago. Crayton has played for eight Swiss clubs in 11 years and made 36 national team appearances.

RSL stands for Recycled Striker Land
Guess who's returning to MLS? Everyone's favorite, fat beer-guzzling Georgian -- no, not this guy -- Clint Mathis. The Galaxy currently hold the rights to Mathis, but are reportedly willing to trade them to RSL. A deal is close to being finalized.

Revs target Tico tough guy
After acquiring, then trading Pat Noonan, it appears that the Revolution are going to use their higher allocation spot to bring in 24-year-old Costa Rica defender Gabriel Badilla from Deportivo Saprissa.

Disarray in Dallas continues
I've said it many times before, but the firing of Steve Morrow was the beginning of the end of a team that at one time had potential to be a force in MLS, now they're just a farce. Their latest brain fart? Let's ship our future, MLS All-Star Juan Toja, off to Bucharest. Ok, so they were successful in keeping one player from jumping off their sinking ship (Kenny Cooper), but how do you allow Toja to be lured away by a team called FC Steaua Bucuresti. Oh, but they're not done, as they added forward Jeff Cunningham from Toronto FC (where neither got significant playing time) in exchange for a third round pick in the 2009 SuperDraft. Cunningham? Are you serious? I won't rehash my feelings on Cunny, but FC Dallas' incompetence in player personnel is mind boggling. The 'oops also added Dutch striker Victor Sikora, 30, who doesn't appear to bring a lot of firepower, having only scored three time in 46 appearances with NAC Breda.

RSL adds Double-R, the second
No, not Robbie Rogers. Robbie Russell. I know what you're thinking. Who? Russell is a 30-year-old American right back who has never been capped and has plied his trade in Norway and Denmark. So, there's that.