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The MLS hot stove is on high, with some big names swapping teams. I think an active free agency is a good sign for the league, but I’ll hold further comment until we see if the designated player rule brings in some foreign talent. Maybe its because I just came back from the residency program – and the US MNT kind of hired a new coach – but I’m more excited for the national team camp to open. There should be a lot of new faces, what with a new coach, and it being an all domestic camp (European players won’t be attending). And how can you not get excited for an anything but friendly game against Mexico on Feb. 7, where the US will likely be the visiting team thanks to an Arizona location. We’ve still got a few weeks to fill, so get cracking on your entry to the essay contest. For some inspiration, the best writing from the week is after the jump.

Last thoughts on Klinsmann: it has the potential to go down as one of the biggest, second-guessing what-ifs in US Soccer history. Like the hot girl at the party you try to work yourself up to talking to all night, but then don’t, we’ll never know what could have been (for better or worse). Yanks Abroad’s Alex Abnos tries to reason it all away, while The Chicago Tribune’s Luis Arroyave thinks it might be a reflection of a bigger issue.

Jen Chang gives a nice overview of the U-17 team coming off the Nike Friendlies. Next week I’ll be sharing some thoughts from Top Drawer Soccer’s Rob Zeigler, who will have his top-ten list of prospects that differ greatly from Chang’s. Trust who you will, but this is in Zeigler’s wheel house, so I’m sticking with him. One name Chang overlooked is Greg Garza, who has spent time living and playing in Brazil (with success), but I’m getting ahead of myself. Tons on youth development in the coming weeks.

Lastly, Grant Wahl and Ives Galarcep break down the Adu trade with their versions of sports-talk pondering. Who got the best side of this deal, and will it be moot if and when Freddy just leaves for Europe?