MLS Thursday Six Pack

A new Thursday feature where we share with you some MLS stories.

1.)  The Philadelphia Union will be this seasons Seattle Sounders FC.  Piotr Nowak is putting together a pretty impressive squad in Chester and I expect Philly to compete straight out of the gate when the season starts.  A lot of young talent too, mixed with solid veteran leadership and three good young goalkeepers.  Don't let the expansion tag fool you.

2.) Speaking of Seattle, they're not laying around this off season either.  They penned Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to a permanent deal, and inked Swiss World Cup star forward Blaise N'Kufo from a free transfer out of Dutch outfit FC Twente, where he leaves as the clubs all time leading goal scorer.  Not bad...

3.) The New York Red Bulls are continuing to move through their preseason undefeated, but easily they're biggest test will be in the official opening of Red Bull Arena against Brazilian power Santos, which features such Brazilian stars as Robinho, Neymar, Giovani, and Fabio Costa.  That game is in nine days and I for one will be watching.

4.) Another unbeaten team this preseason is none other than the LA Galaxy, who at the moment of course are without the services of their two best stars, Landon Donovan and David Beckham.  There of course can't be a Galaxy bit without a sprinkling of controversy.  With Donovan playing so well in England, doesn't MLS and the Galaxy owe it to him to let him go?  After all, he's only been the poster boy of this league since 2000.  For the love of all things fair and righteous, the league needs to take the $10-$15 million from his transfer and put it to some good young talent.  People argue how can we ask for Beckham to stay and Donovan to leave, well its simple, Beckham had been here just over a year when he wanted to leave permanently, hardly the five years he promised MLS.  Donovan has been in MLS ever since I can remember and has served the Earthquakes and Galaxy well.  He's proved the leagues worth and now it is time to move on.  Seriously, can we get this done?

5.) Hows about an expansion update.  Portland is excited and are preparing to take on they're Seattle neighbors in a preseason "friendly" and Vancouver....is....dormant.  Hmmmmmm

6.)  CONCACAF Champions League update.  The final MLS team in the running, the Columbus Crew, needed two second half goals from Steven Lenhart to tie Mexican side Toluca going into the away match of this quarter-finals tie.