The United States Men's National Team is in a bit of a transitional phase. Older players like Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra and Demarcus Beasley, while still important, will slowly be phased out of the squad. 

With this inevitability comes the time for young talent to break into the team and assert their case for a starting position representing their country. 

The following is a list of domestic talent, playing in the United States, that might be able to break into the USMNT sooner rather than later. 

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Major League Soccer has responded to San Jose Earthquakes striker Alan Gordon and his use of a homophobic slur on Sunday in a game against the Portland Timbers. 

As reported by the team's official site, Gordon has been suspended three games for his use of "unacceptable and offensive language" toward opponent Will Johnson in Sunday's match:

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has suspended Gordon for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount for using unacceptable and offensive language towards an opponent in the 60th minute of the game against the Portland Timbers on April 14.

Commissioner Garber also mandated that Gordon attend diversity and sensitivity training. This is in addition to the training that all MLS clubs attend at the beginning of each season.

After the suspension came down, the team also announced that Gordon would not appeal the decision made by MLS commissioner Don Garber (via Twitter):

With just under 60 minutes of action completed on Sunday, Johnson and Gordon got tied up near midfield with the score knotted at zero. Trash talking ensued, and the cameras clearly caught Gordon use a phrase we've unfortunately seen used (Kobe Bryant comes to mind) in sports over the past few years when things get heated.

After the slur was used, you can also clearly see Johnson motioning that a three-game suspension was coming Gordon's way (via Deadspin). Warning: Video contains sensitive language and may be offensive to some viewers.

Johnson ended up getting the last laugh, hitting a beautiful free kick goal to give the Timbers the advantage in the 77th minute as San Jose was playing a man down. 

As noted by Steven Goff of the Washington Post, Gordon will also be suspended an additional game for a red card in the match against Portland, ensuring he will miss San Jose's next four games:

Gordon issued an apology (via SJEarthquakes.com) for the six-letter slur on Monday:

I sincerely apologize for what I said in our game tonight. Although I said it in the heat of the moment, that language has no place in our game. That is not my character, but there is still no excuse for saying what I said. I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions.

MLS has made it a point to stop this kind of behavior over the last few seasons, most recently with Seattle Sounders defender Marc Burch.  

Burch was the last player hit with a three-match suspension for a similar comment about Johnson in November 2012. Consequently, he was forced to miss Seattle's playoff match at the end of the season in addition to the first game of 2013.  

Gordon is the latest poster boy for the idea that sexual orientation will not be a point of degradation in sports. Hopefully, his three-game suspension handed down straight from the commissioner has taught him a lesson he won't soon forget.

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For years, Major League Soccer has been looked down upon by many European football fans for its supposed lack of quality and inability to produce top-notch players. 

That assumption has been almost wiped out by the amount of talent that MLS has sent overseas in recent years. 

The latest quartet of players to move to England included Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Kei Kamara (Norwich), Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea, both whom moved to Stoke City. 

With the talent level in MLS growing by the season, there is no doubt that some of its best current players could easily thrive in the world's most recognized league, the English Premier League.

Here is a list of six current MLS stars who would not have a problem adapting to the game in England and succeed in the process. 

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Major League Soccer’s “Don’t Cross the Line” campaign has been bringing the North American top flight’s message of equality, dignity and respect to television screens and stadiums for a couple seasons now. In the next few days, MLS disciplinarians will have the opportunity to put their words into practice.

In Sunday’s match between the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes at Jeld-Wen Field, San Jose forward Alan Gordon directed a gay slur at Portland midfielder Will Johnson, and given the hard line MLS has taken regarding this sort of thing in the past, the 31-year-old can expect to be handed a three-game ban before the same two sides meet in a rematch on April 21. (Gordon is banned from the match, anyway, after being ejected for a pair of unrelated yellow cards.)

The incident, in which Gordon called Johnson a “F***ing faggot,” was picked up by television cameras broadcasting the match nationwide, and shortly after the final whistle, the once-capped United States international released a statement in which he apologized for his behaviour.

Per SJEarthquakes.com:

“Although I said it in the heat of the moment, that language has no place in our game. That is not my character, but there is still no excuse for saying what I said. I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

His club was also quick in addressing what president Dave Kaval referred to as a “deplorable incident.”

In his own statement, Kaval made sure to point out that Gordon’s language did not “reflect the views or beliefs” of San Jose Earthquakes and that the club had always tried promote “an atmosphere of acceptance and equality.”

“For our fans, I know the organization has let you down,” he said. “I will do my best to take the necessary actions to make sure we once again can be viewed as a beacon of diversity, community and equality.”

His words have gone a long way toward accomplishing just that, and that Gordon felt compelled to issue a public apology so quickly after the incident (football is rife with examples of players denying on-field comments; Luis Suarez and John Terry spring immediately to mind) shows that he recognizes the seriousness of his language, and the magnitude of hurt caused by it.

It was only two months ago, after all, that former Columbus Crew and Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers retired from football after revealing his sexuality in an eloquent, emotional blog post. And in a recent interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, the 25-year-old reiterated that he felt his decision to exit the game was necessary in order to avoid a “circus.”

It’s in this light that the post-match conduct of Gordon, Kaval and (shortly) Major League Soccer has been so heartening. Rather than letting the fallout from the incident linger and become poisonous, they have done everything possible to both nip the matter in the bud and advocate for increased acceptance and fair play.

“I hope to use this deplorable incident as a tool to help eradicate offensive language of this kind,” added Kaval.

Alan Gordon should never have said what he said. He’s right to feel ashamed, and there will almost certainly be a price he has to pay.

The anti-discrimination fight will continue—there’s a long way to go—but in the end, this incident may well be looked back on as a battle won instead of lost.

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Major League Soccer returned to a full slate of nine games this weekend that was highlighted by a historic Sunday night in Houston.

The Dynamo extended their home unbeaten streak to 35 games, which broke the previous record set by Real Salt Lake from 2009 to 2011, beating the Fire at BBVA Compass Stadium.

In the other marquee game of the week, FC Dallas took down the Los Angeles Galaxy in a battle for Western Conference supremacy. 

Across the rest of North America, only Portland, Colorado and New York were able to earn victories as four games resulted in draws.

Find out where your favorite team ranks in this week's edition of the MLS power rankings. 

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Hold on to your beer bottles. Week 7 of MLS is in the books, and so is half the Toronto FC roster.

Jack McInerney and Robert Earnshaw continued to stack the stat sheet this week. The two increased their regular-season totals to four and five goals, respectively. The Houston Dynamo set a new MLS record: The Orange Crush extended their home unbeaten streak to 35.

The New England Revolution remain as disjointed as ever. The Revs have not scored since the season opener, yet managed to accumulate five points thus far.

But neither made the list of best and worst from Week 7 in MLS. Read on to find out who did.

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There were 14 goals in nine total games in Major League Soccer in Week 7 of MLS action. The biggest margin of victory came in the form of a 2-0 New York Red Bull victory over DC United.  Exactly one third of the 18 teams that competed failed to find the back of the net.

Houston was the only other team along with New York to score more than one goal.

FC Dallas, the Houston Dynamo and the Portland Timbers each collected three home points. Two away teams grabbed their first road victories of the season in New York and Colorado. Meanwhile, Robert Earnshaw for Toronto FC tied Mike Magee with five goals for the league's scoring lead.

Rookie goalkeeper Clint Irwin collected his second straight clean sheet for the Colorado Rapids. He faced another penalty in the effort as well. Landon Donovan played his first full match of the season Major League Soccer season and was persistent throughout.

The Timbers continued their winning ways, grabbing their second straight three points against the 2013 debut of Alan Gordon and Steven Lenhart for the San Jose Earthquakes.

All that and more on this week's version of the Major League Soccer Saturday wrap. 

All data is gather from MLS Soccer.

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The quality of play in Major League Soccer is improving every single season. I don't think that there are very many people that would argue the contrary.

Players are developing in the MLS and more and more quality talents are being imported into the league.

It's difficult to quantify just where the MLS would stand in the hierarchy of other countries. For example, if EA Sports' FIFA video game franchise is to be believed, then the average MLS team would probably be playing in England's Championship division.

Commissioner Don Garber has stated many times that he wants the MLS to be one of the top leagues in the world by the year 2022.

An ambitious goal indeed, yet as we approach the self-imposed deadline, the likelihood of achieving that goal seems more and more likely.

When we examine player quality in the MLS, we are blinded by big names like David Beckham and Thierry Henry.

There is no question that Beckham's time with the LA Galaxy helped the league gain worldwide recognition.

As a Galaxy season ticket holder, I can speak with first-hand knowledge of Beckham's influence. His jersey is still the most popular one sported at the Home Depot Center.

People like to argue that the MLS is where great players come to retire once they've lost their quality. This is an argument that simply isn't true.

Henry had a remarkably successful loan spell at Arsenal in 2012. He even scored one of the Gunners' most important goals of the season against Leeds United to help them advance to the next round of the FA Cup.

Beckham has just recently started in the Champions League for his new club Paris Saint-Germain. Players that lack quality don't start in Champions League quarterfinal matches.

If we look at the talent currently in the MLS, there are players like Landon Donovan (proven at the Premier League level), Omar Gonzalez (an incredibly underrated defender) and Graham Zusi (hailed as the next Donovan).

Montreal's designated player, Marco Di Vaio, has immediately helped his side become one of the surprises of the season. The Italian is a Serie A champion with Juventus, and enjoyed Coppa Italia success with Parma.

Di Vaio is a great addition to the league and he helps prove the fact that the MLS is indeed international.

European and North American talent, Champions League winners and Gold Cup champions, all play in the United States' domestic league.

In the last set of World Cup qualifiers, USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann called up 10 MLS players. Only three of the players in the squad had never played in the MLS during their careers.

There is no question that Major League Soccer is more international than ever.

And with the continued success of the players within the league, there is no reason to believe that its ascension throughout the ranks will not continue.

If the MLS could find a way to fix the playoff system, which I believe to be badly broken, the league will be in a position to catapult to a top-10 ranking in the world by Commissioner Garber's 2022 target date.

Major League Soccer is ascending quickly. And with that ascension comes international recognition. 

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The 2013 Major League Soccer season is well under way with six weeks of play in the books. More than any season in recent memory, the opening weeks of 2013 have been full of spectacular goals with many of this year’s early season strikes already Goal of the Year candidates.

Here are the 10 best so far.

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Chivas USA midfielder, Juan Agudelo, is the youngest ever player to score a goal for the U.S. national team.  The Colombian-American arrived on the international stage during a friendly against South Africa in which his late goal was the game-winner. 

He has been a topic of great interest among U.S. soccer fans and media ever since. 

A product of the New York Red Bulls academy system, Agudelo has experienced many of the highs and lows that come with being a young prospect considered to have a special sort of potential.

Under Hans Backe, former manager of the Red Bulls', Agudelo struggled to find a solidified starting spot in the team's first 11.  When he did get minutes, his play was inconsistent.

There were occasions when he dazzled.  Like opening New York's 2011 scoring account against the Seattle Sounders.  Or netting this ridiculous effort against D.C. United. 

It is awe-inspiring moments like these that get U.S. fans so excited about the player he might some day become.  Like Freddy Adu, Eddie Johnson and Jozy Altidore before him, Agudelo faces unwarranted pressure to become the sort of dynamic, world-class striker the country has never produced but are so desperate to have. 

High expectations, coincided with injuries and scant minutes in previous seasons are just some of reasons why Agudelo's stock recently fell in the hearts and minds of many.

Overrated, some suggest.  Over hyped, others balk. 

U.S. national team manager, Jurgen Klinsmann seems convinced that Agudelo is to remain a piece of the national team's plans going forward, though.  Apart from the most recent World Cup qualifiers, Klinsmann has been consistent in calling in Agudelo to national team camps.  He's done well in friendlies, too, helping the team secure a draw in Russia with an athletic headed assist to Michael Bradley. 

Despite being left off the most recent U.S. roster the good news for Agudelo is that he is beginning to find his game at his new club, Chivas USA.  Traded during the season last year for defender Heath Pearce, Agudelo has two goals so far this year, both of which are gems and exhibit the sort of talent and capabilities this young man has in his toolbox. 

He looks a player that has grown as well.  A few years older and a few years wiser since breaking onto the scene Agudelo appears to understands more fully what it take to be a professional at the highest level.  His winter training stint in Scotland with Champions League club, Celtic FC undoubtedly aided in this transition.  

Agudelo has a certain unique set of skills that set him apart from other strikers.  When fit, his pace is formidable.  His strength, too, is something he can lean on.  He can hold off bigger opponents with his back to goal and shake defenders with a well-timed shoulder challenge.  Just ask Jeff Larentowicz. 

His is also adept in one-on-one situations.  Agudelo has quick feet and excellent dribbling technique.  He is fearless, unconcerned with the prospects of losing the ball if the reward is breaking down a defender with his dribble.

Perhaps most importantly, is that Agudelo can finish.  Not only does is he collected enough to finish big chances but he can also score the spectacular goal.  The types of goals that has an entire nation of soccer fans drooling over. 

That trait, his penchant for the spectacular, gives Agudelo the chance to be a star for the United States on the biggest stage in Brazil.  Assuming he continues he quality form for Chivas USA, there is simply no way he will be left of the U.S. roster in the coming qualifiers. 

He still has a lot of work to do.  And there are strikers in the U.S. player pool that Agudelo will have to overtake.  Proven strikers like Jozy Altidore and Hercules Gomez.  As well as young studs like himself in Terrence Boyd. 

For Agudelo, though, the goal is simple: be in the first 11 in that first World Cup group match in Brazil.  It will be a pleasure watching him continue to try and get there. 

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