FanNation - The Republic of Sport

It's all about buzz and image. And in Seattle, MLS had the soccer success story of the year, perhaps of the decade. So why not celebrate? Beneath the surface, of course, and not mentioned too loudly on a championship weekend, are a number of niggling little issues and a few not-so-little ones. MLS attendance, for example, was down 2% in 2009 to an average of 16,037, even though the Sounders averaged a league-high 30,897, even though Sunday's title game is a sellout, and even though Toronto FC has sold out every game in its three-year history. The reality check comes with the knowledge that the New England Revolution drew a paltry 7,416 for a home playoff game against the Chicago Fire, or that the defending league champion Columbus Crew drew only 10,109 for its home playoff game against Real Salt Lake. Then there is that old bugaboo, the MLS Players Union, long a thorn in the side of those team owners who prefer that their employees just do the work and accept what comes to them. The league's collective bargaining agreement with the union expires on Jan. 31. The union wants a number of things, not the least of which is guaranteed contracts for its players.

Los Angeles Times

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MLS's board of governors met Friday, but from what I understand, no major decisions were reached. However, the league is apparently giving serious consideration to holding MLS Cup at the site of the higher-seeded participant. The biggest obstacles are weather and stadium availability.

Washington Post

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Landon Donovan has never lost an MLS championship final, and has claimed the top prize three times - in 2001, 2003 and 2005. He stated that in some ways, this game will mean more because of the Galaxy's recent prolonged absence from the playoffs. What is unstated, but still a lingering truth, is that 2009 may also be Donovan's final year in MLS and his last chance at the domestic title.

goal.com

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Thierry Henry says the "fairest solution" is to replay the France-Ireland World Cup playoff after he set up the deciding goal with a hand ball. Henry issued a statement Friday admitting he handled the ball and felt embarrassed at how France qualified for the World Cup at the expense of Ireland. But Henry said the hand ball was an "instinctive reaction" and denied cheating. Henry says the fairest solution would be to replay the game, but acknowledged it is not in his control. Earlier Friday, FIFA rejected Ireland's request for a replay.

The Globe and Mail

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D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen, the heart and soul of the club who has endured numerous ankle operations and medical setbacks during a standout career spanning 11 years, is mulling retirement, the Insider has learned. A decision is expected within a week.

Washington Post

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