Fellow SBN-er Alicia Ratteree over at The Goat Parade is also a contributor to the relatively new XI Quarterly, a print (!!) magazine covering soccer with four well-developed, themed editions each year. They are completely subscriber-supported, and they want to keep doing their good work. Check them out, and if you think they warrant your hard-earned money, subscribe and get that printed media goodness for yourself.

Well, crap.

If you aren't going to D.C. United's match in Jersey this weekend, you might not want to leave the house on Saturday. At all. At least not after noon. It starts with a half-hour pregame show to lead into Metros vs. United, and ends 10 hours later after the post-game Seattle and Portland. In between, live cut-ins on several ongoing games. It's as close to NFL Red Zone we're going to see for MLS anytime soon. Should be awesome.

And thus, the Legend of Bodkin comes to an end. I'm sure this will get more coverage later, but I'm going to miss Branko a lot for his free kick service and for his commitment to the team. Coming back from the injury, taking a pay cut, and staying with the team through World Cup Qualifiers showed that Branko really wanted the best for the team. He will be missed. Favorite Bodkin memories?

Sad news. "Youth soccer coach Mike Jones was killed in a brutal stabbing in the West Village early this morning[.]" Thoughts and prayers to Mike's family, and the NYRB staff and fan community.

A group of D.C. United fans, myself included, gathered in a radio studio last night in Richmond, Virginia, to play the Total Soccer Show's infamous Wikipedia game. In this instance, all of the questions were about former D.C. United players. Did I defend the honor of Black and Red United? You'll just have to find out.

D.C. United midfielder Branko Boskovic expressed frustration about being taken out inside of sixty minutes during United's shaky win against the New England Revolution: 'The season is [almost] over and they say I am still not fit," Boskovic said. "What can I say? I feel good. Maybe I look like I am not ready, but that’s how I look, that’s how I play, that is my style, that is how I run. I can’t change how I am. It’s a little bit stupid to say I am not fit but the season is over. When am I going to be ready if I am not now ready? Maybe this league too strong for me, I don’t know.' Although the propensity might be to freak out and put too much stock into Branko calling Benny's decision stupid and throwing up his hands to say that he isn't strong enough for this league, personally, I think these sound more like comments of extreme frustration than anything serious. Branko went on: 'Asked if he was upset about being removed, Boskovic said: "Yes, of course, because everybody is upset when they go out or sit on the bench. I am not angry, I respect the decision, it’s good for us because the guy who comes in scores the goal, it’s beautiful, it’s good. But like I say, if I am not ready not, when am I going to be? Maybe if I have 90 minutes in two or three games, it will be better. Practice is one thing, but games are something different."' Honestly, I was standing on a platform yelling at the crowd for most of the time that Branko was on the pitch on Saturday night. Anybody care to weigh in on who was right, the Maestro or the General? Beyond who was right, I really can't see this doing anything but lighting a fire under Bosko to work even harder. He's said that he's staying here through any WC Qualifiers and wants to focus on taking this team all the way. I'm a Bosko-believer and love him for it, but obviously reasonable folks can disagree. Your thoughts?

Apparently Olsen and company are not done adding pieces to this lineup. Andik Vermansyah is a small winger and has been listed as an Asian player to watch by ESPN. Of course, we have had plenty of guys come on trial and not pan out.