This Is American Soccer, US Soccer, MNT, WNT, and MLS - Tackling the subject of Soccer in the US, and worldwide.

One team tries to win an MLS Cup again for the first time, while the league tries their best to sell-out a game without the help of David Beckham; U-20 MNT revs up for competition; and those damn dual-citizens are only going to cause more problems down the road. Get up to speed after the jump…

1

It’s not necessarily a new story, but it is no doubt the best story of the week. Players with dual-citizenship need to choose at some point. Yanks Abroad’s Jason Endres delves into the obvious border dispute between the US and Mexico, but the legal practice is becoming increasingly common along with the inevitable fact that it will create contentious relationships between national soccer federations down the road.

Criss-crossing the border [Yanks Abroad]

2

Jeff Carlisle gets you ready for the big game. Nothing shocking here, but thorough as always. Carlisle can get a paragraph out of the most meaningless quote, and apparently several out of a terrible lead.

Things you need to know about this year’s MLS Cup [Soccernet]

3

Back to the Future. 4 years is a long time. A U-20 qualifier may be a sneak peak at 2010.

U.S. U-20 MNT to Face Guatemala at Florida Atlantic University on Nov. 15 [US Soccer]

4

This is (also, technically) American soccer, but our neighbors up north haven’t faired too well, in large part (apparently) because of Kevan Pipe, the recently fired head of the Canadian Soccer Association. New York Times’ Jack Bell checks in with the Great White North as they prepare for hosting the FIFA under-20 world championship, (apparently) the best thing to happen to Canadian Soccer in quite some time.

Canadians Trying to Overcome 20 Years of Futility [NYTImes]

5

Have you heard? It’s the Britney Spears saga, soccer style. And once he hits the needle-ridden shores of Los Angeles, I’m sure Perez Hilton will be all up on the jock of this jock. I really couldn’t care less - call me when a Henry or Messi decides to move - but apparently there would be some interest from the Galaxy should Becks come to MLS. And this will be the last you’ll hear of this bull shit from me until there is something actually to report.

MLS add up the benefit of Beckham swoop [Soccernet]

6

This is not a gossip blog, I promise, but it’s that time of year. Transfer Madness! Confine yourself to the belief that all your best and favorite players will leave you. But on the up-side, it makes international soccer that much more fun.

Freddy Adu to train with Man U [Sports Illustrated]

7

The New York Times version of The Diary Project. Those copy-cat bastards. Of course they had to go get an award-winning writer to make theirs special. Don’t worry, our’s is still just as special.

Birth. Soccer. Death. What Else Is There? [NYTimes]

and don’t forget about the essay contest. What have we learned – or not - about American soccer in 2006? Send no more than 2000 words to thisisamericansoccer@gmail.com.