Hunt Sports Group and the Columbus Crew announced today the sale of the Crew to Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV). A new owner for the Crew not only helps the team immensely, it is also good for the growth of Major League Soccer.

Hunt Sports Group, headed by Clark Hunt, has a long history with MLS. Clark's father, Lamar Hunt, was considered one of the founding fathers of MLS. He owned three of the league's original 10 teams. These included the Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz and Columbus Crew. 

In 2006, the Hunts sold the Kansas City franchise to Ongoal, LLC, currently known as Sporting Club. Now with the acquisition of the Crew by PSV, Dallas is the only remaining team owned by Hunt Sports Group.

The Columbus Crew can now have an owner that is fully committed to only them, and the same goes for Dallas.

The new money will no doubt benefit the Crew. Perhaps the new owners will reward the team and its fans by signing two more designated players (DP). Columbus currently has just one DP in Federico Higuain.

Precourt's new ownership role now puts the league at 19 teams and 18 owners, which is far from where the league was just 11 years ago. In 2002, MLS had 10 teams and only three owners—Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Lamar Hunt, and Robert Kraft.

Now AEG, owners of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, is the only multi-team owner remaining in MLS. Is it finally time for the entertainment giant to sell its stake in the Dynamo? One can only hope so. Every MLS club deserves owners that can fully devote their attention to the team.

And when the day comes where every team has its own owner, the league will have grown tremendously and will undoubtedly be better off.

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The 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game kicks off on Wednesday, July 31, 9:00 p.m. ET at Sporting Park in Kansas City, as the MLS All-Stars take on Serie A club AS Roma.

Roma finished sixth in Serie A last season, 25 points behind champion Juventus.

This is the 10th time the MLS All-Stars have faced an international foe, going 7-2-1 against international competition. Last year, the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea 3-2, with forward Eddie Johnson notching the game-winner.

Let's take a look at the players to watch in the annual clash.

Landon Donovan, Midfielder

Landon Donovan just guided the United States to a Gold Cup title, posting five goals and seven assists in six games in the tournament.

The 31-year-old midfielder has posted three goals and six assists in 13 MLS matches (12 starts) this season. He racked up 11 goals and 16 assists for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 31 games (30 starts) last season.

Donovan is the embodiment of American soccer, and you can bet he'll be ready to go in the All-Star Game. The all-time leader in goals (56) and assists (57) for the United States should be fun to watch on Wednesday. 

Thierry Henry, Forward

Former France and Arsenal forward Thierry Henry is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous players on the pitch in the MLS, even at 35 years of age. He's posted seven goals and five assists in 20 matches (18 starts) so far during the campaign.

A do-it-all player, Henry possesses excellent ball control, strong pace, solid passing skills and, of course, the ability to put the ball into the net.

Last season with the New York Red Bulls, Henry racked up 15 goals and 12 assists in 27 games (26 starts). 

Matt Besler, Defender

A two-time All-Star and the reigning MLS Defensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year, Matt Besler, ladies and gentlemen.

Besler is an anchor on the back line for the Americans. He doesn't post many assists or goals as a defender (one assist in 15 MLS starts this season), but he excels at what he's paid to do. He's an excellent defender and he received only three yellow cards last season in the MLS, despite registering 2,769 minutes.

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A year ago, the MLS All-Stars surprised some folks, defeating Chelsea 3-2 in extra time. Sure, it was just an exhibition and, sure, it wasn't a Chelsea team with all of its stars or one in midseason form. 

No matter—that triumph was a pretty big deal against the champions of Europe. 

This season, the MLS All-Stars will take on a less prestigious but a nonetheless talented side in Roma. The Serie A side has plenty of talent, with players like Maicon, Michael Bradley, Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Erik Lamela and Francesco Totti littering the roster. 

This should be an excellent, even match. Let's break it down.

When: Wednesday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas

Watch: ESPN2

Streaming: WatchESPN (in selected markets)

MLS All-Star Roster

Goalkeepers: Raul Fernandez (FC Dallas), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)

Midfielders: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Will Johnson (Portland Timbers), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact)

Forwards: Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union)

Roma Roster

Goalkeepers: Morgan DeSanctis, Bogdan Lobont, Łukasz Skorupski

Defenders: Federico Balzaretti, Nicolas Burdisso, Mehdi Benatia, Leandro Castan, Alessandro Crescenzi, Dodo, Maicon, Tin Jedvaj, Alessio Romagnoli, Vasilis Torosidis

Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, Marquinho, Miralem Pjanic, Kevin Strootman, Rodrigo Taddei, Valerio Verre

Forwards: Gianluca Caprari, Erik Lamela, Pablo Osvaldo, Federico Ricci, Francesco Totti, Junior Tallo

What They're Saying

As Brian Straus of Sports Illustrated found out, this exhibition actually means a lot more to both sides than going through the motions during a meaningless game. In fact, it likely will mean quite a lot for both teams.

Thierry Henry, a world and European champion at both the international and club level, said Monday that he felt proud when the All-Stars showed well against newly crowned European champion Chelsea last year.

"What was great last year when we won against Chelsea, it's not (just that) we won against Chelsea, but at the end of the game the guys I played with so many times in England, they said, 'You guys can play,'" Henry recalled. "They were actually surprised the (MLS) guys were passing around and playing football."

He continued, "If Roma at the end of the game Wednesday—we obviously want to win—but if they can turn around and say, 'We saw some great players and that team can play,' that speaks volumes for the league."

Sporting Kansas City and U.S. national team midfielder Graham Zusi, representing the host team, guessed that Roma had an interest in a good performance as well. The Giallorossi, featuring U.S. lynchpin Michael Bradley, finished sixth in Serie A last season and failed to qualify for European competition in 2013-14. They also lost the Italian Cup final to archrival Lazio.

"Roma is a world class team and honestly, they're coming off a year (in which) for them, they underachieved a bit," Zusi said. "We know that they're going to come out and jumpstart their season as best they can. We're expecting a serious game out of them. We're going to take it seriously as well." 

In other words, expect a very competitive match.

MLS All-Stars Player to Watch: Chris Wondolowski

Every appearance counts for Chris Wondolowski these days. With a shot to make next year's World Cup squad, Wondo has to take advantage of his chances in the spotlight. This will be one of those chances. 

He hasn't had a great MLS season—despite leading the fan vote for this game—with just five goals and two assists. He was quite good at the Gold Cup, however, scoring five goals and adding an assist in his five appearances for the team. 

Still, it was Eddie Johnson who started the semifinal and final in the Gold Cup, an indication that Wondo hasn't firmly established his place on the USMNT roster just yet. He's the most clinical finisher this MLS roster possesses, even if he hasn't shown in for the Earthquakes this year, so he'll be a primary focus of the Roma defenders in this contest. 

Roma Player to Watch: Michael Bradley

Bradley fell out of favor for Roma at times last season, though he did start 24 games in Serie A play and make 35 total appearances. His place on the team isn't guaranteed, and with the World Cup a year away, he'll want to earn regular starts this season. 

So you can bet Bradley will come out humming, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute. 

Besides, playing against a large contingent of his countrymen should give him a little bit of extra juice in this contest. Remember, Clint Dempsey may be the United States' best player and Landon Donovan its most experienced, but Bradley is arguably the country's most important. 

He's the lynchpin in the midfield and stabilizing force for the United States. The last thing he needs is a poor season heading into the World Cup. He'll want to use this exhibition to get off to a good start. 

Prediction

The MLS All Stars surprised Chelsea last season, so Roma won't take them lightly. And Roma clearly has some talent. But things are looking up for United States soccer these days, and with the homefield advantage behind them, I expect the All Stars to keep that momentum going. 

The MLS All-Stars win, 3-2. 

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Steven Lenhart scored the game-winning goal to send the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on a sliding finish in the box in the 58th minute. 

The only thing more impressive than his goal was his shimmy afterwards, complete with back bend, hip gyration and a face that shows he's really enjoying himself. 

It's good to see that although Lenhart no longer has some of the best hair in the league, he's still making up for it with the best dance moves.

Hat tip to FTW on the find.

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The ongoing tug of war at the top of the B/R MLS Power Rankings between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City continues this week with both clubs deserving of the top spot.

Both clubs fell in final minutes of their respective matches, but they are still considered to be the class of the league.

Which of the conference leaders in MLS found their way to the top this week?

Continue reading the B/R MLS Power Rankings to find out.

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Elite footballers put in the work in MLS Week 22. Unfortunately, Steven Lenhart decided to add the "twerk."

The Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire ended 90 minutes of play in a deadlock. A 1-1 draw kept both teams separated by five points in the standings. The New England Revolution played their way into the playoff picture with a 2-1 victory over DC United at RFK Stadium.

The Seattle Sounders followed suit with a 2-1 victory of their own.

But some tough competition kept all six clubs from making the list of best and worst from MLS Week 22.

Read on to find out why.

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If there was one thing we learned from the chaotic finishes across Major League Soccer on Saturday, it was that the race for the Supporters' Shield will end up being one of the most riveting in the history of the league.

Last season, the San Jose Earthquakes ran away with the title in what was a dream, 66-point season for former manager Frank Yallop and Co.

Now that the Earthquakes have faded away considerably, a new Supporters' Shield champion will be named at the end of the 2013 season.

As Wednesday's All-Star Game versus Serie A's AS Roma approaches, there are 10 clubs within five points of leaders Real Salt Lake, who have somehow held on at top despite having stars like Alvaro Saborio, Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman away on international duty for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

RSL, who currently sit on 37 points, have had a rocky few weeks without their star players, but once the squad returns to full strength, everyone around the league expects Jason Kreis' club to be firing on all cylinders once again.

Sitting just one point behind the leaders at the All-Star break are Sporting Kansas City, who stole a win away from RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium just last week on a controversial stoppage time header by Ike Opara. Sporting have the best chance of overtaking RSL for the Supporters' Shield as they boast plenty of in-form stars like Graham Zusi, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler and Kei Kamara.

Unfortunately for MLS fans, Sporting and RSL will not see each other again during the regular season, and the next time they could face each other is in the MLS Cup final.

While that would be a final matchup deserving of the occasion, a lot has to be decided from now until the first full weekend in December. As for the other clubs in the Supporters' Shield hunt, they all have a legitimate chance at catching RSL for the regular-season title.

Sitting in third place after their dramatic win over Real Salt Lake this weekend are the New York Red Bulls, who will undoubtedly use Saturday's comeback win at home as a great midseason boost and momentum booster.

Joining the Red Bulls at 35 points after a dramatic win of their own are the Montreal Impact, who have have come back to the pack of late after flying out of the gate early this season.

A pair of surprising clubs sit directly behind New York and Montreal, with the Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids poised to make a run at the Supporters' Shield for the first time in their respective club histories.

Following them is a quintet of Western Conference clubs led by the Los Angeles Galaxy, who will make themselves a contender for the Supporters' Shield once Landon Donovan returns from the Gold Cup and Robbie Keane completely heals from his hip injury suffered on July 14 in Portland.

The prospect of the Galaxy waiting in the wings in eighth place with 33 points is a dangerous one, as the two-time defending MLS Cup champions will begin to make their trademark second-half run. The Galaxy cannot be counted out of the discussion, but neither can the Portland Timbers, who sit on 34 points and have experienced the best season in their young MLS history under first-year manager Caleb Porter.

There is much overall parity in the league this year, and both conferences have viable Supporters' Shield contenders.

If you asked me right now who will win the 2013 Supporters' Shield, I would fail to give you a clear-cut answer. But if I was forced to pick, I would guess the winner will come from Los Angeles, Real Salt Lake or Sporting Kansas City.

Who do you think will win the Supporters' Shield this season?

Comment below or leave me a comment on Twitter, @JTansey90.

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In a tightly contested Western Conference, the Los Angeles Galaxy are now in fourth place after losing 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. With the win, the Rapids are now second in the West but have played 23 games so far, the most in MLS. 

Just one point ahead of sixth-place FC Dallas, not to mention the game in hand Dallas has, the Galaxy are dangerously close to falling below the playoff line.

Without Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Robbie Rogers, the Galaxy played one of their worst matches of the season. Here are three takeaways from the lackluster performance.

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In May, MLS announced a second franchise in New York.  That elicited this article on MLS expansion.  It’s likely that MLS will have 24 teams within the next 10 or 15 years.

Since then, there has been a lot of water under the bridge. 

MLS VP Dan Courtemanche said future expansion will be addressed in the near future, via Joe Prince-Wright of NBC's Pro Soccer Talk. It appears we are inching ever closer to a David Beckham-owned, South Florida-based franchise. 

There have been constant rumors (although they have usually been adamantly denied) that Chivas USA or another MLS team could pull up stakes for greener pastures, via Ives Galarcep of Soccer by Ives. 

Following a user request, I have added additional markets, plus additional information on market size and outdoor minor league history, and ranked them this time.  Though we may eventually get second franchises in some markets, each is in a market without MLS.  

This is an update of this article. See also articles on NHL, NFL and NBA expansion.  Population figures are for combined statistical areas per the U.S. Census Bureau.   

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The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday in a match where three points means a lot for both teams.

The Galaxy are just four points behind Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake in the standings. However, they must overcome their road woes. Losing six of their last seven away games in all competitions, Bruce Arena's squad has a minus-7 goal difference on the road.

Colorado currently sits in sixth place in the West, and a win could put them back into playoff position. With a 5-3-3 home record, the Rapids need to make good use of their home-field advantage and get a few points off of L.A. and Real Salt Lake next week.

In what should be a low-scoring affair, here are three players to pay special attention to in this crucial matchup between Western Conference foes.

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