Monday Freedom Kicks: Party of Five

I had this weird dream over the weekend that D.C. United's five-game unbeaten streak included four of the top ten teams in MLS, including both Eastern and Western Conference leaders. What, wait? Oh, well, let's look at it, shall we?

All the wrap-ups of the carnage against Dallas from us, MLS, Goal.com, CSN Washington, Ives, quotes from the players on D.C. United.com and a wrap from Goff. From the other side of the fence, the fine folks at Big D Soccer weigh in. As a scheduling note, the team's open practice is scheduled for today at 3:30 at Cardozo.

DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid makes successful return in win over Dallas: "It feels great to win" | MLSsoccer.com: Yes Bill, yes it does.

Fabian Espindola off to strong start with D.C. United after long journey from native Argentina - The Washington Post: Goff with a nice write up and summation of the weekend's star from origins to current status.

D.C. United, Fulham FC to play match at EverBank Field | D.C. United: The team confirms the rumor, which makes for eight matches in a 36 day period from 7/26-8/31, and we have not figured in CONCACAF matches and potential USOC semis. Gotta get paid tho.

MLS Playoff Chances - Sports Club Stats: Too early, right, or is it not early enough?

MLS scores: Impact, Earthquakes grab first wins of season - SBNation.com: The weekend's MLS action in a nutshell, with a bonus look at Dominic Oduro's new hairstyle. Dude loves Papa John's.

Portland Timbers Tie Houston Dynamo 1-1 in Houston - Stumptown Footy: The Portland Timbers (this week's opponent) played to a lackluster draw in Houston. Let's see, D.C. has not lost in five, has not lost in Portland, and Portland has yet to win a game this year. Not a trap game, no siree bob.

Name game: Marketers kick around MLS ideas - Atlanta Business Chronicle: This week's edition of "Who are the ad wizards that came up with this one?" some...interesting names for the Atlanta MLS franchise.

Behind the Scenes: PRO Referee Review Center | FOX Sports on MSN: A nice look at how PRO works, save for getting into their heads to wonder why they make the decisions that they have of late.

RICHMOND 5, DAYTON 1 - Richmond Kickers: Down a level, the Kickers do a throttling of their own, behind two goals from Matthew Delicate. The win puts the Kickers firmly in third with games in hand over the second place LA Galaxy II and first place Orlando City SC.

Match recap: Washington Guts It Out To Defeat Chicago 1-0 - Black And Red United: The Spirit rebound from a midweek loss in Seattle to win at home Saturday, making for a good weekend for D.C. soccer teams.

Inter Milan vs. Napoli: Final score 0-0, poor finishing ensures goalless draw - SBNation.com: On the strategic international partner front, Inter widens their lead in fifth in Serie A the tiniest little bit, while owner of both franchises Erick Thohir was in Madrid last week to help announce a legends match between Real and Inter while denying rumors of trying to bring Alvaro Morata back to Inter with him.

Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Final score 0-2, Blues stun Reds to put title up for grabs - SBNation.com: In the big EPL game of the weekend, Chelsea beats Liverpool in Anfield to tighten the race for the Premier League title ever so closer.

Tito Vilanova passes away at the age of 45 - SBNation.com: Descansa en paz Tito.

Guardiola 'sorry' to fans after Bayern Munich thrash Bremen | FOX Sports on MSN: Tito's colleague and friend Pep Guardiola, quite clearly distracted during Bayern's dismantling of Bremen, expresses disappointment of Bayern's 5-2 win ahead of this week's second leg with Real Madrid.

Villarreal vs. Barcelona: Final score 2-3, OGs are the Yellow Submarine's undoing - SBNation.com: Pep and Tito's former charges played with heavy hearts (and a moment of titanic stupidity) to come from behind and win to keep pace in Serie A.

Sheffield Wednesday fans sing for ailing fan - SBNation.com: The fans at Wednesday do right by one of their own.

Of fandom, flares and...talent? A look at Belgrade's Eternal Derby - SBNation.com: Kirsten Schlewitz with a nice look at the Belgrade Derby and a reminder that pyro is not a crime.

What's that you say, you have not seen the latest Nike short for the World Cup? Well, here you go:

A one-of-a-kind marketplace from Steven Soderbergh. - Extension 765: Heaven's Gate is a ill-fated and oft-told production from Michael Cimino (of The Deer Hunter fame) where production costs were as formidable and overreaching as principal photography (the Heaven's Gate wiki has got some great stories on the nature of the lengthy production). Cinematic auteur Steven Soderbergh is a fan of the film and decided to make a "Butcher's Cut" of it, running 108 minutes long, half of the length of the version Criterion recently released. The edited version is interesting to say the least.

As always, this is your place to talk about what you wish to talk about, so have at it.