The New York Red Bulls have managed to add another top name to their MLS roster this summer as Everton's Tim Cahill gets set to join their ranks alongside Thierry Henry and Rafa Marques. 

But would a franchise like the Columbus Crew or the San Jose Earthquakes have been able to lure in a player of Cahill's caliber?

The MLS is built on the idea of parity. It's what sells the game to prospective franchise investors and to the fans themselves.

Anyone can win the MLS Cup

But is there really parity in the league?

The designated player rule is one that I've always had a little trouble with.

It's great that it allows MLS to attract some of the biggest stars in the game to America's shores, but it is also beginning to take away that edge of fair play that the league is so proud of.

Where have all the top designated players (DPs) in MLS gone to?

Los Angeles and New York are two sides that spring to mind when looking at DPs in MLS.

Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Rafa Marques, Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and now Cahill, have all made their way to two of the biggest and most fashionable cities in the country.

Not only that, but we've seen the rules of the league change to allow these sides to bring the players into the league.

The designated player rule initially came into MLS to allow the LA Galaxy to buy Beckham from Real Madrid, and it has been extended to allow two, and then three of these "special" players to be on a squad without having to conform to the wage cap criteria of the league.

It's no coincidence, in my mind, that the designated player rule was expanded just when Donovan wanted to join the the Galaxy and Henry and Marques joined New York.

Having three players of such quality on a side can pull a team out of any trouble, just as the Galaxy are showing this season, and it can cement a side at the top level of the league for a number of years, much like the New York Red Bulls look poised to do now.

It may be too early to say, but there is an air of formality being given off by what was an unpredictable league.

New York and Los Angeles are joined by Toronto as being the only sides to have two or more $1 million a year salary players on their rosters, while Portland and FC Dallas sport the other $1 million-plus a year salary players currently in the league, although we wait to find out how much Marco DiVaio and Alessandro Nesta are being paid by the Montreal Impact.

The Impact, though, have still invested in very old players, while LA and New York have managed to bring in players around the age of 30-32; players who still have a few good years left in them.

The likes of Columbus, Real Salt Lake, San Jose and Colorado still struggle to attract similar players and could end up losing out in the long run if the "hip" cities continue to attract the more dominant overseas players.

The league isn't dominated by a couple of sides right now, but if the process continues as it has, it could become that way.

The Crew, Chivas USA and others may need to start spending money to make money, rather than holding back on the purse strings, otherwise the competitive edge of MLS could end up fading away.

Let's hope this doesn't happen and MLS continues to be what it was meant to be. One of the tightest leagues in the world.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

The MLS All-Star Game will feature the best players from the domestic league going up against the defending European champions in Chelsea. The Blues are currently on a preseason tour as they prepare for another Premier League season.

It's a rematch of sorts from 2006, when the All-Stars knocked off Chelsea 1-0. Both sides will look a lot different this time around, but it should be another interesting game. Let's take a look at three players who will shine for the MLS side.

Jimmy Nielsen

Nielsen figures to face plenty of pressure from a talented Chelsea attack as the goalkeeper suits up for his second MLS All-Star Game. Luckily, the Sporting Kansas City star has been on top form all season and should be up to the challenge.

He leads the league in clean sheets with nine and has been a major reason Kansas City has been able to get in the race for the Eastern Conference lead. He makes up for a lot of the team's problems of front by coming up with crucial stops.

Nielsen is a veteran who has played around the world, so he shouldn't have many nerves like younger players might. That should allow him to have a strong outing.

Landon Donovan

Donovan continues to serve as the face of the MLS, and should play a prominent role in Wednesday's clash. He's scored nine goals and added seven assists in 19 games this season. He'll likely play more of a distribution style against Chelsea.

Having gone through a couple of successful loan stints with Everton, playing a team like the Blues won't be anything special for the Los Angeles Galaxy superstar. He knows what to expect, giving him an edge over some of his teammates who haven't had that experience.

Just like with the United States national team, players will be looking to him for leadership. Although it's only an exhibition, the MLS would love another victory over a marquee squad. Donovan must lead the way.

Chris Wondolowski

Wondolowski's career has really taken off ever since joining the San Jose Earthquakes in 2009. He has developed into one of the league's most dangerous goal scoring threats. He has 17 tallies during the current campaign, four more than anybody else.

Since Chelsea is still in preseason mode, the MLS defense should be able to have some success keeping them off the scoreboard, but the key will be scoring. That's why Wondolowski is so important to the team's chances.

Having not capitalized on his chances with the national team, the All-Star Game gives him a chance to show off his skills on the big stage. Look for him to do exactly that.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

So can any European club outside of Manchester United beat Major League Soccer’s All-Stars in regulation time?

On Wednesday, Chelsea FC will get its chance when the eighth meeting between the MLS All-Stars and a select European club takes place at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., outside of Philadelphia (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT).

The MLS All-Stars won the first four games, outscoring opponents 10-3 before Everton beat the All-Stars on penalty kicks in 2009. Manchester United then routed the best of the MLS the last two years by a combined 9-2 score.

As expected, both coaches have said they are taking the game seriously but let’s face it, the entertainment value for soccer fans, the chance for Chelsea to see who can do what on the pitch in a friendly and avoiding any injuries are way more important than winning or losing from each side’s perspective.

Here are 20 things I can see happening in the City of Brotherly Love on Wednesday night.

Begin Slideshow

Source: Click Here

San Jose Earthquakes central midfielder Sam Cronin rushed toward central defender Jason Hernandez, who was standing with the ball near midfield, and pointed with his finger to where he wanted Hernandez to play it—in front of him, just so, so Cronin could then dictate play.

Hernandez acquiesced, and just like that, Cronin was in possession at center circle.

The 25-year-old midfielder doesn't usually hold onto the ball for long—his style of play is a staple of the modern-paced midfield game, where one and two touches reign, coupled with uncanny vision and movement.

Cronin pairs with Rafael Baca in the 'Quakes' midfield, which uses two central midfielders in a 4-4-2 formation. Baca usually plays a bit higher than Cronin, and to the left, roaming about the attacking third as Cronin holds his position a bit deeper.

That makes his defensive acumen—tracking runs from opposing players, being sturdy in tackles—of utmost importance.

Against the Los Angeles Galaxy in June 30's fabled California Clasico, at a Stanford Stadium filled to the brim (some 50,391 strong, with a heavy preponderance of Earthquakes supporters), Cronin was tasked with stymieing the prodigious attacking threats of Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane.

Though the Galaxy managed to put three goals past 'Quakes' keeper Jon Busch that night, all came in the first half.

And considering the Earthquakes nabbed four of their own, with Cronin providing the equalizer at 3-3 with a superb sliding poach that poked past keeper Josh Saunders, it was a superb reaction from the side.

Cronin's goal came after a rare foray forward (he's taken just 16 shots this season, compared to 75 from 'Quakes' forward and MLS leading-scorer Chris Wondolowski), but afterwards the midfielder said that both he and Baca looked to make runs into dangerous areas in order to alleviate defensive pressure, which would otherwise overload on the wings and forward positions, areas the Earthquakes frequently look to attack through.

Width is a calling card of manager Frank Yallop's, who frequently takes time during his post-game news conferences to inform the assembled group of reporters that he believes his side plays at its best when it switches play quickly from side to side.

Cronin shares that vision, and lets you know it to boot.

Often electing to play searching, lofted balls this way and that about the field—in a 5-0 waxing of second-placed Real Salt Lake on July 14, Cronin played four of them through 60 minutes, sweeping his right foot through the ball with a technique Real Madrid midfielder, and fellow connoisseur of the long ball, Xabi Alonso has mastered—it's a terrific way to get things moving, and fast.

The result often sees the ball land inches from its target, its accuracy so complete that the control is nearly instantaneous.

For example, when Cronin played one of those early cross-field balls for speedy winger Marvin Chavez in the 59th minute of the Salt Lake game, the Honduran was able to control immediately before turning toward goal, which is when he is at his most effective.

Crucial Contribution This Season

Reasons abound for why San Jose have vaulted to first place in the Western Conference standings this season, with a very real chance at grabbing the Supporter's Shield, awarded to the team with the best record in the entire league.

Currently four points ahead of Real Salt Lake in the West, San Jose hold a five-point advantage over New York Red Bulls, the East leader. New York hold a game in hand, however.

Wondolowski's 17 goals, managed in just 20 league games—and he's gone the past two games (!) without scoring—obviously rise to the fore.

But it's the more nuanced reasons, which tend to fly beneath the surface, that often lead to titles. And for all of Wondolowski's exploits, many of them have been facilitated by the Earthquakes' often-brilliant wing play.

Wing play which often begins, of course, through Cronin or Baca's distribution.

Wondolowski certainly appreciates their work rate. Speaking after that Salt Lake encounter, the forward offered a glowing appraisal of their body of work.

"Baca and Cronin have been the players of the game these past four games, dating back to LA (at Stanford Stadium)," Wondolowski said. "They cover so much ground, and it makes other players’ jobs so much easier, especially mine. I appreciate what they do out there."

Yallop was in total agreement with his star striker.

"I hate to single people out, but I thought Rafael Baca and Sam Cronin were great in the center of our midfield. They bossed it, they made sure it was busy, difficult to play against them, and they were clean on the ball."

A Winning Mentality

Traded to San Jose from Toronto FC midway through the 2010 season, Cronin's first season with the Earthquakes was something almost out of a dream.

San Jose had just had a team reintroduced in 2008—the previous franchise had packed up and moved to Houston, where they became the Dynamo ahead of the 2006 season—and in that 2010 season, they embarked upon a scintillating run that saw them defeat the heavily-favored New York Red Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.

2011 was far more cumbersome, as San Jose slumped to one of their poorer seasons in franchise history, finishing seventh in the Western Conference standings and missing out on the playoffs.

When asked to describe himself by The Shin Guardian in a March, 2011 interview, Cronin called himself "a defensive midfielder" with a top-notch work-rate.

Those two qualities hardly tell his entire story, however. Cronin knows what works, and has since college, when he helped lead Wake Forest to the 2007 Division 1 national championship.

His contributions in Winston-Salem did not go unnoticed—in 2008 he was one of three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, given by the Missouri Athletic Club to the best D1 player, and he won that year's Lowe's Senior Class Award—but as so many collegiate stars soon discover upon hitting the professional ranks in this country, renown quickly outruns them.

Cronin is not the most recognizable Earthquake—run a poll of a general Bay Area leadership, and it's somewhat unlikely that many would know him.

It's true that the Earthquakes' success, as it has in so many years (they won the 2001 and 2003 MLS titles), has flown under the radar in the Bay Area, as it has nationwide.

San Jose leads the league in goals scored (44), and has just passed 40 in terms of assists as well.

While Cronin's own personal statistics don't pop out at you—almost four months passed between assists before he turned provider for Gordon's goal against Salt Lake (he has three on the year, to go with that one goal)—as is so often the case with influential central midfielders, particularly ones with considerable defensive duties, statistics never tell the entire story.

A Fiery On-Field Character, Pensive Off It

Cronin has been involved in a slew of on-field incidents since that Galaxy game at Stanford, when David Beckham kicked a ball at him as he lay down by the 'Quakes' goal in the dying moments.

Whatever Beckham's intentions were, they were deemed sinister by the MLS, who slapped their star attraction with a one-match ban.

Speaking after that match, Cronin, as he is so effective at doing, demurred from spewing any incendiary quotes.

That much was apparent after the Salt Lake game as well, when Kyle Beckerman had drawn a red card for going in very late on Cronin in the 57th minute.

Cronin would say afterwards that Beckerman "raked his shin."

Beckerman's rush of blood might have been a response to Cronin's previous challenge on his RSL teammate Javier Morales. Then, as Morales lay sprawled out on the field, Cronin waited a beat before kicking the ball out into touch.

The Salt Lake defensive midfielder waited a moment himself, before finally going through on Cronin just as he sent the ball skipping over the touchline.

One reporter after that match tried to get the story of the encounter out of Cronin, but the midfielder continued to play it off as something that just happens during the heat of battle out on the field.

Demanding, almost to the point of fiery, during play—a wonderful juxtaposition from his cool and collected playing style (Cronin resembles Wondolowski in that both are frequently seen exhorting their teammates on the field)—the Atlanta native comes across as much quieter off it.

Always willing to talk to reporters, though, Cronin employs a thoughtful approach to interviews, offering concise answers that are perfectly measured and planned.

Having already made 19 appearances in MLS for San Jose this season, starting 18 of those encounters (the Earthquakes have played a total of 20 league games), Cronin will need to continue to be at his all-purpose best.

Expect that number to continue to surge as the season moves into its final months. If the Earthquakes are to legitimize their status as genuine contenders, they'll certainly need it.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

The LA Galaxy have been one of the most dominate teams in MLS over the last year. A big part of that is that they have all three of their Designated Player spots filled up with world class players. These players are Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane.

All good things must come to an end, and in the case of the Galaxy, this is also true. The core of world class players will eventually have to break up, and today I'll be examining what the future has in store for each of the big three. 

David Beckham has been with the Galaxy since 2007 and signed a two-year contract earlier this year. He will be 38 when the contract expires. After deciding not to take up any offers from Europe, citing that his family loved SoCal among other things, and stayed in LA. It's unlikely that when he's two years older that he will turn around and leave the Galaxy. He'll either stay in LA or retire after his contract expires, but with his quality and love of the game, I think he'll stick around a few more years.

Landon Donovan's situation is a bit more interesting. Arguably the best US player of all time, he has never been successful outside the confines of MLS, bar a couple of loan deals with Everton. About two months ago he expressed the desire to return to Everton permanently, but the Galaxy were at the bottom of the Western Conference table and it looked like things were on the downturn.

However, the trio of Galaxy DP's have all hit fine form and the team has risen up the table to the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. If the Galaxy continue to do well, Donovan may want to stay and see if they can win another MLS Cup or the CONCACAF Champions League. However, as long as MLS doesn't make the asking price high and Donovan still approves, I think that it's very likely he could be a permanent Evertonian within a year.

Robbie Keane came to Hollywood roughly a year ago and the striker has had a good goal return, scoring 10 goals in 18 appearances. The 32-year-old also went on loan to Aston Villa and impressed, averaging a goal every other game. However, he was not so impressive during Euro 2012, unable to find the back of the net as the Republic of Ireland failed to get a single point.

Out of all the Designated Players, I think Keane is the most likely to leave. He still has much to offer to EPL clubs and probably should be playing at the highest level possible, needing to be sharp as Ireland start their World Cup qualifying campaign. I would be surprised if Keane stays in MLS any longer than next summer. 

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Another star is set to join MLS, and it might surprise you. It certainly surprised me. According to BBC, Everton have accepted a bid of roughly one million pounds from the New York Red Bulls for Tim Cahill.

The Australian international has been a mainstay at Everton and a fan favorite for years, but he only managed to find the back of the net twice last year.

At only 32 years of age (relatively young for a highly respected European player to make the move to MLS), Cahill is the latest of players to join MLS at a younger age. Scoring 68 goals in 278 appearances in the EPL and 24 goals in 55 caps for Australia shows that Cahill knows how to find the back of the net, something that could be desperately needed come playoff time.

Two of the Red Bulls' designated player spots belong to Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez (the former has been outstanding this season, the latter not so much), and Cahill would likely occupy the third.  

The Red Bulls already made noise this month by trading speedster Dane Richards for the veteran attacker Sebastian Le Toux.

By adding Tim Cahill to the mix, the Red Bulls will be in competition with only the LA Galaxy for the best offensive team in the league. This move solidifies the Red Bulls as a serious contender for the MLS Cup.

Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry up front with Sebastian Le Toux on one of the flanks and Cahill as the attacking midfielder will give New York a potent offense. Dax McCarty in the defensive midfield will protect a solid back line.

However, Hans Backe does have a tendency to mess up good things, and that would be my main concern for the Red Bulls' MLS Cup hopes.

Tim Cahill will be entering a team that is currently on top of the Eastern Conference table, and it shouldn't take long for him to get integrated into the side. With all the potential this Red Bulls team will have offensively, I really feel sorry for opposing defenders.

It'll be a miracle if anyone can keep a clean sheet against the new-look Red Bulls.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Today, the New York Red Bulls completed a shocking £1 million deal to acquire Everton and Australian midfielder Tim Cahill.

Cahill was one of the more notable names to play at Goodison Park in the Premier League era. Though he will leave Merseyside without any silverware, Cahill was still among the top midfielders in the EPL during his eight-year stint at Everton.

In that stretch, Cahill played 278 times for Everton, scoring 68 goals. He also was a part of the Everton squad that reached the 2009 FA Cup final, where they lost to Chelsea 2-1.

The capture of Cahill is certainly surprising, even though Everton are short on cash. But securing Cahill's signature is a coup for the Red Bulls.

The Red Bulls, who already have designated players Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, will likely give Cahill their final DP spot. 

After he arrives following the MLS All-Star game, Cahill will give the Red Bulls an attacking threat in midfield, something that they have been sorely missing.

Though Kenny Cooper and Henry have worked well together, both players have faced their droughts this season, which is partially at fault for a disappointing June. But now, with Cahill, he will replace Mehdi Ballouchy and bring in a new feature into the offense.

This is the second major offensive move that New York has made in the past month. Ten days ago, Sebastian Le Toux was traded to the Red Bulls from the Vancouver Whitecaps in place of speedy Jamaican winger Dane Richards.

Considering how well the Red Bulls have played, Cahill doesn't need to immediately play his best. If it is needed, he could get some time off to acclimate himself, though that is unlikely considering his mentality.

Outside of the Red Bulls, this move is great for MLS. Cahill was linked to a move to the Middle East. But instead, he is now working his trade in MLS.

In recent years, MLS has been unable to capture some marquee European names because of the rise of leagues in the Middle East and China. But bringing in Cahill is a prize for a league that is the third-best attended American sports league.

If Cahill can remain on top of his game, MLS will only continue to gain international credibility as a league.

Follow me on Twitter @Andrew_Jordan

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Chelsea FC will continue their US tour as they face the MLS All-Stars in the MLS All-Star Game.

Last time the two squads met, the MLS All-Stars grabbed a 1-0 win as Dwayne De Rosario netted a shot in the 70th minute.

However, Chelsea are entering play on quite the upswing. They took home the UEFA Champions League crown and roughed up the Seattle Sounders by scoring two goals in the first 11 minutes of play.

Regardless, the MLS All-Stars boast a roster littered with talent and surely will be looking to reclaim their trophy, as they have lost the previous three All-Star games.

Where: PPL Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

When: Wednesday, July 25 8:30 ET

Live Stream: ESPN3

TV Info: ESPN2, Telefutura, TSN, RDS

Players To Watch

Chelsea will feature some big names when they take on the MLS All-Stars. They may feature none bigger than defender John Terry, who joined the club during their last match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Terry is a three-time UEFA Club Defender of the Year and is the most successful captain in Chelsea’s history.

During his time with Chelsea, the club has garnered three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.

However, Terry may be better known because of his recent transgressions pertaining to a racial abuse allegation.

He was acquitted of the charges against him, yet he could still face heat from the Football Association.

With Terry gaining attention for the wrong reasons, he still received a raucous ovation from Chelsea fans in his first match back.

As for the American squad, Carlos Valdes will be donning an All-Star jersey for the first time in his short career.

The 27-year-old defender will represent the Philadelphia Union in the game, and he said playing at home is more comfortable.

Although Valdes will not start the game, as Steven Beitashour, Aurelien Collin and Jay DeMerit are likely to get the starting nod, he will likely get some crucial minutes during the match.

He has a non-stop motor on the pitch and is unyielding in his approach to defense. These two characteristics will cause nightmares for the Chelsea attack.

With Valdes getting cheered on by his hometown fans, he will certainly make his presence felt.

Prediction

Chelsea 1 – MLS All-Stars 1

The game will likely be a close one, as Chelsea will continue their preseason training regimen.

Anticipate this game to go to penalties, much like it did in 2009, when the MLS All-Stars fell 3-4 in penalties against Everton.

With the talent across the board for Chelsea, they should have the scorers to warrant an offensive onslaught.

But the MLS team is not constructed like a typical All-Star roster. It is a well-rounded bunch that is built with a team game in mind.

It does not have a group of players thrown together, but rather a cohesive team-first approach that is necessary to compete with top-tier international talent.

With that in mind, the MLS All-Stars will keep the game close and be in a position to grab a victory when it goes to penalties.

The US squad does feature players who have competed with International talent before, and expect them to make their presence felt during the All-Star game.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Chicago Fire fans got a glimpse of players that they seldom get to see play against Aston Villa.

In the international friendly, reserves such as Corben Bone, Rafael Robayo and Orr Barouch received some much-needed playing time. They started alongside, among others, Marco Pappa and Alex, the newcomer from Brazil.

Jay Nolly also started for the Fire as the goalkeeper. It was his first game since tearing his Achilles.

For Alex, this game should prove to be beneficial as he is still getting acclimated to his Fire teammates. For the rest of the reserves, they received an in-game experience that may prove vital in case an injury strikes the team going forward.

After the game, Fire coach Frank Klopas acknowledged the obvious about his unusual first 11.

“It was an opportunity for some guys to continue to have some rhythm. Since we don’t have a league this week, obviously an opportunity for some other players to get 45 minutes, 60 minutes in and make sure that they are in a position where they’re ready to help out in case we need them.

So, I’m happy with the effort of players and we walk away luckily, with no injuries. Certain guys got 45 minutes, certain guys were able to rest and certain guys who haven’t seen a lot of action were able to get in there and get 45 or 60 minutes. I was pleased with the effort, obviously we always want to go out on the field and win. It didn’t happen but I thought the players gave everything they had.”

The Fire looked slightly tentative in the first 45 minutes against their foes from the English Premier League. While the Fire's passing was sharp, they seldom had chances to attack. Their defense also appeared sluggish as they tried to get a feel for Aston Villa's offensive attack.

Aston Villa struck in the 28th minute of play with a goal by Gabriel Agbonlahor and took their 1-0 lead into halftime. It proved to be the only goal that they needed in their 1-0 victory against the Fire.

The celebration for Aston Villa became bittersweet after Agbonlahor was carried out on a stretcher in the 61st minute of play.

The team originally feared that they would be without Agbonlahor for quite some time. After the international friendly, Aston Villa coach Paul Lambert seemed relieved when discussing his forward. Agbonlahor should only miss a “couple of weeks.”

Agbonlahor might be ready just in time for Aston Villa’s first match of the EPL season against West Ham United on August 18th.

For the Fire, their next stop is in San Jose to take on the Western Conference leaders this Saturday.

Ernest Shepard is an analyst for the Bleacher Report. All quotes and observations were obtained firsthand.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

In NASL action last night, the Carolina Railhawks defeated the Minnesota Stars 1-0 to pull within eight points of the league lead.

That wouldn't be notable news in the national soccer scene, except for one rather interesting twist—the game finished at 12:58 a.m.

FINAL: #RailHawks win 1-0 in a game that literally started yesterday.

Why so late?

Thunderstorms.

Four hours of them.

Lightning was first spotted just moments into the second half—with precisely 47:24 on the clock—and the game officially entered a rain delay at 8:17 p.m. local time.

The 3,158 announced fans were cleared from the stands, the stadium loudspeakers began an endless run of weather-related songs and the storms began.

And continued. 

And continued.

At 11:51 p.m. local time, the two teams at last returned to the field for another round of warmups.

At 12:23 a.m. local time, the game finally resumed play after a league-record four hours and six minutes of rain delay.

And 43 minutes of regulation and three minutes of stoppage time later, the Railhawks walked off the WakeMed Soccer Park Field for the final time, having battled through a six-hour-long match to earn a 1-0 victory...

...On a goal in the 10th minute.

Railhawks' coach Colin Clarke was, understandably, a bit irritated:

Colin Clarke in postgame says there needs to be a #NASL cutoff for abandoning the match. Doesn't blame MN, says 4 hours is "just too much."

Still, the win did pull Carolina (6-6-5, 24 pts.) into fifth place in the eight-team NASL standings and extended the club's league record since June 1st to 6-1-1.

But that's not the only impact of Saturday's game in Cary.

The MLS will also be closely eying last night's box score. After all, the league is looking seriously into a Southeast US expansion team—and the Railhawks are top candidates to be that expansion.

Per ESPN, MLS president Mark Abbott visited the Raleigh-Cary area in April and had good things to say about the area's soccer passion:

"Mark Abbott visited the North Carolina Triangle on Thursday as a guest of the Carolina Railhawks and met with fans and local business leaders to "get a sense of the community."

'Today was about really coming down and getting a deeper understanding of soccer in this community,' Abbott said. 'It wasn't a sort of checklist-type of exercise on the road to making an expansion decision. It was an opportunity to learn more about this community and what's happening here in soccer.'"

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer also articulated what has become a passionate soccer following in the Triangle:

"The only question MLS should be asking with regard to the Triangle is not “if?” or “how?” but merely “when?” There are legitimate questions to be asked, about ownership and facilities, and some serious hurdles to clear, but this market is as good a fit for MLS as MLS is for this market.

The summer MLS season doesn’t coincide with college football, college basketball or the NHL; with 17 home dates, MLS is a better fit for this area’s population than baseball and there are few markets in the country with more interest in the sport at every level than the Triangle."

There are certainly a number of indicators around the Raleigh area that could point towards an MLS franchise.

The Railhawks ranked third in NASL in 2011 with an average attendance of just 3,353, but drew a record sellout crowd of 7,939 in a match against a mostly-reserve L.A. Galaxy squad during the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in May. The home side scored twice in the game's final 16 minutes to win, 2-1.

The club then drew 7,117 fans the following week against Chivas USA, despite eventually losing 2-1. 

WakeMed Soccer Park, the club's current home, is also undergoing a $6.3 million grandstand expansion to increase capacity from 7,000 to 10,000 by later this summer.

With a larger, more up-to-date stadium and weekly showdowns with MLS teams and their starting players, the Triangle's soccer interest could continue to skyrocket with the blessing of an expansion franchise.

But the weather could also turn such an experiment sour.

Simply put, the MLS isn't too accustomed to thunderstorms. Of the league's 19 current cities with franchises, only four—Columbus, Kansas City, Dallas and Houston—fall in climates of moderate-to-high lightning density.

By comparison, per the National Weather Service, the next four days of Raleigh weather forecasts all include the words "T-storms," and each has a chance of rain of 30 percent or higher.

That's the way it is every week, every summer.

Saturday night's storms dumped 1.29 inches of rain on Raleigh in a mere six-hour span and issued Severe Weather warnings on 23 North Carolina counties.

Over a three-and-a-half hour period—which fell right in the middle of the Railhawks' once-promising match—at least one lightning strike occurred within three miles of WakeMed Soccer Park every 10 minutes for over 200 consecutive minutes.

Soccer weather? Not exactly.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here