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

There’s been a flurry of US Soccer news coming in with what I thought was the first chill of the fall in New England until we saw 80 degrees today (but I’m going to use the metaphor nonetheless). Talk is swirling around both former and future managers, though at present, the US MNT is still dry in terms of a coach. Months after the world cup and weeks since other countries have resumed play, its not brilliance that leads one to think it is a bit of a dry spell. News from Chicago has been so absent since the Ides of July that I want to think this recent storm is signaling some movement, but we’ll have to wait and see how the barometer is working. And even though the northern hemisphere hasn’t kicked summer out of its system yet, it is officially fall – European league play is in full swing. All in all, it was a good week for American soccer fans looking for something to fill the doldrums before MLS playoffs begin and anything of consequence happens with the US MNT. Well, at least there was something to read.

What a better a week to begin a new column? The Barometer – and you thought the weather analogy would at least end after one paragraph – will appear at the end of each week and give those who don’t feel the personal need to scour the internet for soccer news whenever there is a free moment some idea of what’s going on. That, I and my borderline OCD will take of. You just have to stop by and find out what you missed. And if in doing so, if you think I’ve missed something or anytime for that matter you read or see a story that heeds inclusions into The Barometer, send it my way.

The weekly gauge is after the jump, with complete coverage of Mr. Sunshine’s attitude adjustment.

1

US Soccer has reportedly contacted Sven-Goran Eriksson to determine his interest in the manager post, and to see if there will be any money left over for uniforms if he comes aboard. Did you see what he got paid in England?

Eriksson linked with U.S. post [Soccernet]

2

Taking notes from the New York Yankees exploits in the Caribbean, US Soccer announces clinics in Bahrain, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda. The so-called Sports Envoy is aimed at “building better relationships between US Soccer and the international soccer community”… if they happen to find another Freddy Adu, so be it. God knows the USA needs as much international good will as we can get.

U.S. Soccer to Conduct Overseas Clinics [Soccernet]

3

The US returns to Earth, dropping more places in the World FIFA rankings than any other country. Does anyone care?

U.S. drops six places to 29th in FIFA rankings [Soccernet]

4

Mr. Sunshine can’t keep his mouth shut…

Questions for Bruce Arena [NYTimes]

then must open it again to remind himself that he should never open it again.

A Different Message [Sports Illustrated]

5

UEFA partners with ESPN to offer pay-per-view Champions League matches. At $10 a game, it’s cheaper and more entertaining than going to an MLS game. I’ll be bringing my WIFI capable laptop to MLS games from now on.

Streaming game schedule [uefa.com]

6

In a previous post, I discussed some of the younger players we may see rise to the top of the pack before 2010 rolls around. Soccernet has a nice little Q&A with one of my picks, Benny Feilhaber.

Feilhaber: The transition to Germany was not easy [soccernet]

7

And last and least: SURPRISE – Beasley wants to stay in the EPL beyond this year’s loan. “No, please send me back to PSV!!!!”

Beasley looking for permanent deal at Eastlands [socccernet]