... replaced him after the goal and Ricketts became the first goalkeeper ever substituted in an MLS Cup final. Saunders did Arena proud ... defence. He replaced Movsisyan, signalling the end of his MLS career. He’ll be in Europe with Denmark’ ... Major League Soccer season is over and we have a new champion. But for MLS, the off-season battle is just as vital and pits it against its own players. ...

... for reading enjoyment: Seattle: A fine place for a final: MLS Confidential/Ridge Mahoney RSL owner Checketts gets to MLS Cup his way: MLS Confidential/Ridge Mahoney MLS Playoffs ... Cup: Goal.com/Kyle McCarthy MLS Playoffs: After Early Stumbles, Real Salt Lake Found Their ... C. Lewis Title reward not a huge windfall in MLS Cup: SL Tribune/Michael C. Lewis Friendships ...

... Phil Collin at The Daily Breeze Phil Collins MLS Notebook Jared Montez catches up with Sean ... to prove it. The wit and wisdom of Alexi Lalas More MLS Cup than you could possible absorb from the Seattle Times Jeff ... … Chicago Tribune Martin Rogers with the Cup preview Michael Lewis at the NY Daily ... . Lewis at the Salt Lake Tribune on friendships and the Cup Kathryn Knapp at LA Soccer News. ...

... did go 5-1-1 when it mattered most to finish the season. MLS got not just one overtime game this weekend they got two. Sure some blackouts and a slightly ... honest I wouldn’t have wanted this very matchup even two months ago. But after it is all said and done I do believe we got the best possible MLS Cup matchup we possibly could have gotten. Sure it would have been nice to see Seattle at home ...

... poor stuff. It doesn't help that the art of the first touch is often lost in MLS when you make these guys play on what equates to being in a FC Dallas ... is pathetic. So there you have it: the good, the bad and the ugly of the 2009 MLS Cup Final wrapped up in a couple easy to ... Jason Kreis and his players...trying to repeat. Only 122 days to MLS First Kick 2010 and how fitting that it's back in ...

... practice on Tuesday and should have some pictures and maybe even an interview or two for you. Wednesday will be a look at the MLS Cup and who knows what else. Thursday will probably be moving day for me and the blog, I ... posting anything after the match, I will be out partying and hopefully drinking a little bubbly from the Cup. Monday when I wake up, I will try to post some pictures and update ...