The New York Red Bulls made a huge signing—that I didn't even know about until I sat down to write this column.

They brought an old and past-his-prime Thierry Henry from Europe to play in the MLS.  Woo-hoo.

If "soccer people" in America were paying attention, they would have noticed that David Beckham came to L.A. for a "pretty penny" and played with America's "best player," Landon Donovan.

You know what happened? 

They lost the MLS Cup Final to Real Salt Lake and some guy named Robbie Findley—who didn't do a doggone thing for the USA World Cup team at South Africa 2010.

If you think this piece is dripping with sarcasm—you're right. Woo-hoo America! You got an old, washed-up player to feature alongside two guys—Donovan and Beckham—who begged for loans to European teams as soon as the MLS season was over.

Donovan went to Everton of the EPL—a marginal team at best—and Beckham went to Italy because he's got a big name.

Let's keep it real. David Beckham was good a decade ago—never approached true greatness—and only became super-famous when he married a Spice Girl. Sorry, that's the real truth. This is who "America" thought they would bring over to pump up the visibility of American soccer. It didn't work. He got hurt. Now he's in Italy.

Landon Donovan is 28—he looks 38—and he can barely play for a marginal English team. That's a problem. He's the best we have?

American soccer at the World Cup—under the control of coach Bob Bradley—attempted to "feature" Donovan while keeping better players on the bench. Edson Buddle was left off the starting lineup of matches because—well, I don't know why. Basically, Bradley is inept. The only smart thing he did was put his kid on the team. Michael Bradley is a stud!

The combination of relying on old and washed-up talent, a TERRIBLE national team coach, and a general lack of "hustle" makes American soccer boring as hell.

This is the point at which most people who want to apologize for American soccer will stop reading. Keep going—you'll see something that NO ONE commented on during the World Cup.

Besides the fact that U.S. soccer is one the verge of a "France-like" meltdown, the Americans are lazy as hell. My prime example?

Remember that U.S.-Ghana game that everyone in America watched, where the U.S. team let America down? Remember the go-ahead goal that Ghana scored? Remember the Ghana player running down the field with a defender alongside him and another defender trailing the play?

The Ghana player turned to his left and booted the game-winner with his left foot. Do you know who the "trailing" U.S. player was? Carlos Bocanegra.

As the Ghana player turned the corner, Bocanegra threw his head up in the air and stopped running. Had he continued to run, it is conceivable that he could have been in line with the ball as the shot was taken because it was crossing from left to right into the right side of the American goal.

Unfortunately for America, Bocanegra is lazy and has no expectations for himself or his team. He stopped running out a play that put the Americans out of the World Cup. 

So, after the U.S. team lost, everyone applauded them for being "successful" at the World Cup—even though they did practically nothing and seldom got a good look at the goal.

Let me ask you a question—if your favorite team was as lazy as the American soccer team, would give them the kind of slack U.S. soccer is getting?

No, you wouldn't. Not in a million years.

My wife is a hardcore Reds fan. They lose a game and she goes NUTS. The Yankees miss the playoffs and the city is on the verge of burning down.

The Celtics crumble at the end of Game Seven, and all of New England is ready to blow up the whole franchise.

US soccer plays lazy at the World Cup—Carlos Bocanegra quits on the play that put the Americans out of the World Cup—and the U.S. team is a bunch of heroes.

I don't think so.

Start evaluating these men the way you evaluate your favorite team. If you don't, they'll stay lazy and disappoint you every four years. 

Change your tune, America, or 2014 is just going to be another year of "dashed hopes" at the World Cup.

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This is Part 23 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

Eddie Lewis is his name. Playing as a midfielder in the world of association football is his game.

Lewis's long career has been concentrated in two places on opposite sides of the Atlantic: the United States and England. 

The time he spent in England—particularly Preston and Leeds—has made a profound impact on his career, and he hopes to put whatever he has left in the footballing tank to use as he helps lead the Galaxy back to the 2010 MLS Cup.

Edward James Lewis was born on May 17, 1974 in Cerritos, California. Aside from being a place of interest with the Los Cerritos Center and its Auto Square, Cerritos is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. 

Cerritos is also known for their award-winning floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade, its Center for the Performing Arts, and the Smithsonian-affiliated Millennium Library.

Cerritos is also home to Cerritos High School, where Lewis was a star for the Dons soccer team. Interestingly, his work led him to UCLA's men's soccer team, playing alongside fellow Cerritos and UCLA graduate and current UCLA men's coach Jorge Salcedo and other famous faces like Greg Vanney and Ante Razov. In his final year with the Bruins, he would lead UCLA in scoring. 

Lewis finished his career at Westwood with a 67-14-4 record, 30 goals, 28 assists, four NCAA tournament appearances, a team Rookie of the Year in 1992, and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist honors in 1994.

Lewis began his professional career at the dawn of the league's existence. In 1996, he was selected 27th overall by the San Jose Clash (now San Jose Earthquakes) during the very first Major League Soccer College Draft.

In MLS's inaugural season, Lewis started 13 of his 25 appearances and tallied three assists on the year. In 1997, Lewis started 26 of the 29 games he appeared for the Clash, scoring his first goal against the Tamba Bay Mutiny on July 13, 1997. 

With two assists against the Galaxy (April 12), the Dallas Burn (June 28), and the New England Revolution (August 3), Lewis earned the first three multi-assist goals of his career, and suddenly the production from the Cerritos native was beginning to take shape. Lewis finished the 1997 season with a career-high 14 assists.

During the 1998 campaign, Lewis became the Ironman of the Clash, starting all 32 matches and playing 2,835 minutes in the midfield. That set the stage for his final season in San Jose, where he was named to the MLS Best XI. Once again, Lewis's facilitating ability culminated in tying his career-high 14 assists from 1997. Eddie Lewis completed his run at San Jose with nine goals and 35 assists in 115 appearances for the Clash.

His usefulness caught the attention of Fulham, who signed Lewis to a two-year deal. While he saw limited action for the Cottagers, Lewis did help lead Fulham back to the Premier League in 2002, where they have remained to this day. He made 16 league appearances for the club and also scored in the fourth round of the Football League Cup against Derby County on November 29, 2000.

However, Lewis's best years in England came with Preston North End and Leeds United. In 2002, Lewis signed with the Lilywhites and became a fan favorite at the friendly confines of Deepdale, scoring 15 goals in 111 appearances. 

In his final season with Preston, Lewis came very close to helping the club reach the Premiership, only to lose to 1-0 to West Ham United.

Lewis's next destination on his England football journey was Leeds United. He scored eight goals in 85 appearances for the Peacocks, joining the club on June 2005 as a free transfer. 

During the 2005-06 season, Lewis helped Leeds reach the Football League Championship final, and was renowned for his set piece expertise against Burnley and his old club, Preston. In the 2006-07 campaign, Lewis became the fourth non-British player to capture Leeds United Player of the Year honors and left his mark on Elland Road among the faithful.

Lewis wrapped up his footballing career in England with the Rams of Derby County FC. After 24 appearances playing for the club at Pride Park, Lewis decided to call it quits before the 2008-09 season to return to MLS.

That's when Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy came calling.

Arena knows Lewis well, having coached him on the US men's national team, where he scored 10 goals in 82 appearances. As a member of the Stars and Stripes, Lewis was known in 2002 for his delivery to current Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan in their 2-0 win over Mexico in Suwon, and he also competed in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

During the 2008 Galaxy campaign, Lewis saw limited action, appearing in eight matches while recording a goal and two assists. However, the 2009 season saw Lewis earn more playing time as the team's vice-captain, starting 23 of his 27 appearances for the G's.

In his first full season, Lewis helped engineer the comeback from their midseason slump en route to their first Western Conference crown since 2005. He also took part in his first MLS Cup Playoff matches since the 1996 season. Ironically, his Clash took on the team he now dons the strip of: the Galaxy.

What goes around does come around for a player with as storied a history as Eddie Lewis. Now, as his footballing career begins to draw ever closer to its end, there is one goal on his mind this season: a return to the MLS Cup...and winning it.

Who got the six? It's Eddie Lewis. Enough said.

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The Seattle Sounders FC announced Thursday that midfielder David Estrada has been placed on injured reserve due to a right hamstring strain and right first toe sprain.

Estrada is required to miss six games. He will be eligible to return to action for the September 4th game in New England against the Revolution.

Estrada, 22, has appeared in three Major League Soccer games. He has made one start at FC Dallas.

Seattle selected Estrada as its 11th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

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After months of speculation the inevitable happened yesterday, former Arsenal and Barcelona superstar Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Henry, who has been one of the top footballers in the world during the last decade, is a major acquisition for the Red Bulls, a side that has yet to win the MLS Cup during their 14 year history.

Now, many people already are calling Thierry Henry the next "David Beckham," after the former English captain joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Of course, Beckham did not live up to expectations before requesting a permanent transfer to AC Milan of Italy in March of 2009, a move that was not accepted by Major League Soccer.

Since then, Beckham rejoined the Galaxy before again going to Milan on loan and tearing his left Achilles tendon, causing Beckham to miss out on the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

However, the American media must be sure not to call Henry the "next Beckham."

For starters, Henry will not continue on his international career by going on loan during the MLS off season, something that Beckham did with Milan during the last several years.

Henry announced yesterday that he is now retired from international football for France.

After that, Henry will not be coming to America to "go on vacation" or become a celebrity like Beckham, but to be a footballer.

Henry said yesterday, "I’m a competitor and I don’t like to lose" when he talked about the possibility of moving to America to vacation.

The next difference between Henry and Beckham is the fact that Henry actually understands what soccer means on the American landscape due to his close friendship with San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker.

He knows what he will need to do to make soccer bigger in America, and he will succeed at doing that.

Henry also is not like David Beckham, as he is a truly gifted goalscorer.

He knows what it takes to score goals and can do it at any time, something that will excite American fans as we move forward.

Henry will also come to MLS looking to prove that last year was a fluke. His last year went downhill after his handball against Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff. Henry then had an abysmal season for Barcelona and France afterward.

Henry will also be going to New York while nearing the age of 33, the same age that Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto joined the New York Cosmos back in the 1970's.

Hopefully Henry will succeed just like those three great players in New York now, as he is a proven winner—he has won a World Cup, a European Championship, the Champions League and has won numerous trophies with Arsenal and Barcelona.

Now, it is time for Henry to win the MLS Cup to add that to the other great trophies he has already won.

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Thierry Henry cannot stay out of the news. Just yesterday, we heard about his signing with MLS outfit New York Red Bulls, and today Henry has come out and announced his retirement from international football.

After a 13-year international career with France, a disappointing World Cup expedition in South Africa has brought the curtains on an illustrious career.

Henry, who won the World Cup in 1998 on home soil, won 123 caps and scored 51 goals for France, making him the top all-time goal scorer.

Henry made a short statement: "This is the end for me on the national team."

Henry will now look to focus on his club career in the US as he joins his new club.

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This is Part 22 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

The number eight is considered to be a lucky number in Chinese and other Asian cultures.

For Dema Kovelenko, he can bless his lucky stars that he has been bestowed with longevity as a fixture in Major League Soccer.

Kovalenko's MLS journey has seen him go through the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, and now the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Standing at a compact yet agile 5'8" (1.73 m), this veteran midfielder has also plied his trade in Germany and his native Ukraine. Kovalenko has already earned an Open Cup ring with the Fire and a MLS Cup with D.C. United. He will look to earn a second one as a member of the Galaxy.

Dmytro "Dema" Kovalenko was born on August 28, 1977 in Kiev, Ukraine. In those days, the Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union, but the cracks in the Communist regime were beginning to form in droves up until its eventual dissolution in 1991.

A year after the Soviet Union broke up and a free and independent Ukraine was born, Kovalenko emigrated to the United States in 1992 and settled in Greece, New York, a suburb of Rochester. There, he took his love for the round ball to Greece Arcadia High School, where he starred in the midfield for the Titans en route to a scholarship to Indiana University, and legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley.

As a member of the Hoosiers, Kovalenko helped lead Indiana to a College Cup national championship in 1998. He was also named an NCAA first team All-American that season, as well as during the 1997 campaign. Kovalenko was also named as a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist in his final year. Overall, Dema Kovalenko tallied 45 goals and 15 assists in 57 appearances for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Kovalenko first burst onto the scene as a member of the Chicago Fire in 1999. Known for his physical presence, Kovalenko's most significant highlight of his rookie campaign was his tackle on Brandon Pollard of the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in the MLS Cup playoffs, which ended his career. In spite of managing just 291 minutes and three goals in 11 appearances, the potential for Kovalenko to be a ferocious tackler in in the midfield was beginning to take form.

The following season, Kovalenko scored 10 goals and five assists in 31 appearances and 28 starts for the Fire en route to their U.S. Open Cup victory. In the 2000 campaign, Kovalenko had a pair of multi-goal games, scoring twice against the Columbus Crew on July 8 and the Colorado Rapids on September 3.

The success from 2000 carried over into 2001, where Kovalenko was named to the MLS All-Star Team. He scored eight goals and seven assists in 25 appearances with the Fire. This drew the attention of FC St. Pauli of the Bundesliga. During the offseason, Kovelenko played five matches for the Buccaneers on loan.

In 2002, Kovalenko wrapped up his career with the Chicago Fire, starting all 23 matches en route to his second All-Star appearance. Kovalenko finished his run scoring 26 goals in 108 appearances for the Chicago Fire.

Due to salary cap issues, Kovalenko was traded to D.C. United in exchange for Justin Mapp before the 2003 campaign. In his first season with D.C., Kovalenko scored six goals in 24 appearances.

However, it seemed as if Dema himself had a fondness for breaking a leg-literally. And a leg from Dallas, no less. A tackle on Ronnie O'Brien in a 2003 contest triggered a $1,000 fine and a one-game suspension.

Nonetheless in 2004, the physicality and intensity Kovalenko brought to the team—then managed by former Fire ace and current Philadelphia Union boss Peter Nowak—was not lost on the voters, who named Kovalenko to the All-Star team for the third time in his career. With a career-best 10 assists under his belt, Kovalenko helped lead D.C. United—Freddy Adu and all—to the 2004 MLS Cup.

2005 would go down as the last season for Kovalenko with D.C. United. He started 23 of his final 26 appearances for the club, in spite of missing the early part of the season due to a broken foot. Kovalenko wrapped up his career with D.C. United scoring 12 goals in 82 appearances.

For a brief time in his career, Kovalenko returned to his native Ukraine in 2006, seeing limited time with FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya. However, it didn't seem to be a fit for the Ukrainian-American, and soon after, the New York Red Bulls acquired his rights.

In spite of making his debut in a 2006 friendly against FC Barcelona, it was not until 2007 that he started to get more playing time, managing 19 appearances.

However, groin and facial injuries suffered from an automobile accident limited his production in 2007. Kovalenko only managed two goals in 35 appearances for the Red Bulls before signing with Real Salt Lake.

In his only season with RSL, Kovalenko started 19 of his 22 appearances for the club. He helped lead Real Salt Lake to the postseason for the first time in their history before being eliminated by the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Final.

A new chapter in Kovalenko's footballing career began when he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2009. In spite of missing three months of action due to injury, he appeared in 15 matches, including the Galaxy's first three postseason contests.

But for the Galaxy's No. 8, he wished that he did not fall ill before the 2009 MLS Cup against Real Salt Lake. Whether or not his presence would have made an impact on the match is a subject of debate and water under the bridge.

Still, Dema Kovalenko has been blessed with more than a decade of experience playing football professionally, and Galaxy fans can only hope that his luck will change if Los Angeles returns to the MLS Cup.

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Let's face it—for the MLS to truly "take off," the league desperately needed a genuine superstar playing in New York.  The Red Bulls have finally lured a true footballing icon to the biggest media market in the country in Thierry Henry.

When the league and the Los Angeles Galaxy brought over the media darling David Beckham to market their sport to the American masses, "The Big Apple" collectively yawned.  Local radio hosts snickered and even mocked the idea that Beckham could transform a country's interest in a sport that is largely overshadowed by baseball, basketball, and the monster that is the NFL.

As evidenced by the success of the NASL during its peak in the mid-to-late 1970s and the attendances at the 1994 World Cup in the US, there is definitely a market for soccer in the United States.  No greater example of this could be found than the mighty New York Cosmos teams, led by Pelé.

The Cosmos were an undoubted hit with the likes of superstars Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, and Carlos Alberto in their lineup.  They packed Giants Stadium, averaging over 45,000 fans from 1978-1980.  Legends like Johan Cruyff and George Best joined NASL clubs, but the league over-expanded and eventually folded in 1984 after the decline of the Cosmos. 

Today, MLS clubs are in much healthier states than the old NASL franchises.  The league's fanbase is growing by the year and now might be ready to truly soar after the recruitment of new fans, thanks to the United States National Team's exciting 2010 World Cup run.  If the MLS is ever going to become a power in the American sports landscape—the time is now. 

Henry's move to the New York Red Bulls is really the perfect way of testing the appetite of fans who have gotten a taste of the sport during the World Cup.  The MLS needs New York to have a strong franchise and a genuine star of their own for the league to gain a foothold in a country that has deeply rooted affections of its own national sports.

What Henry brings to the MLS is something completely different than "The Beckham Experiment."  Sure, Beckham's stunning free kicks and sublime crossing ability are wonderful sights to behold, but Henry is a true entertainer on the football pitch.  The Frenchman will create more moments of magic that will get fans off their seats and, more importantly, skillfully dribble past defenders and score some magnificent goals.

Beckham's image and celebrity lifestyle aside, he was never going to be the sort of player to market the sport to the casual soccer fan in America.  He's never been the player who could take on multiple defenders and create his own goal; he's the provider for the goal-getters at Manchester United and Real Madrid. 

Henry possesses the abilities that the average sports fan in the United States can relate to.  They want to see goals and displays of artistry.  In the way that Pelé dazzled American audiences in the 1970s, Henry can do the same for a new generation of soccer fans.  New York is the perfect stage for the French maestro to show off his talents, as he holds the key to the future of the game's rise in America.

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Before any of you read this, raise your hand if you actually watch Major League Soccer.

Liar!

I love soccer. I've been playing it since I was six, and the greatest job in the world would be to play in a professional soccer league. But in reality, not only are there very, very few people who actually watch MLS soccer games, but the league's jersey sales are the lowest in the country. And this is for good reasons, too—you seldom find superstars in the league, a big problem, because those virtually unstoppable players are what make professional sports fun to watch.

Let's be honest—it is doubtful whether MLS will ever be able to compete with America's four major professional leagues (MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA). But, just for the fun of it, I'm going to list ways MLS can be saved.

Recruit more international superstars.

Despite some rare international talent, such as David Beckham and Juan Pablo Ángel, MLS is dominated by Americans. I'm not saying that we should create an NHL situation, where only 10 percent of players are from the U.S., I'm just saying that we need to offer a large wad of cash to couple of notorious international players—just to make watching a little more interesting.

Get more media coverage.

Like I said, it's rare to meet someone who actually watches MLS. If I was the commissioner, I would have an MLS commercial on every other time slot of every single channel. No, not literally, but still—nobody knows when and where to find MLS soccer games on their TV. Someone needs to inform them.

Lower ticket/jersey prices.

What's the best way to make something popular? Make it so cheap that a hobo can buy it. Again, not literally, but until MLS gains some popularity, it probably isn't the wisest idea to make jerseys $72 each. That's the NFL's job. Make them nice and affordable, and once MLS gains some popularity, then you can have NFL prices.

If MLS does all of this, they will be very successful. But, since they don't do any of this, they will stay the same.

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Wednesday at 3 p.m. the Seattle Sounders held a teleconference featuring Coach Sigi Schmid and his newest player, international star Blaise Nkufo.

The international transfer involving Nkufo enabling him to play for the Sounders is expected to go through. He will then be eligible for play beginning Thursday, July 15, when the team faces D.C. United.

After a rest following his activity with Switzerland’s national team in the recently concluded World Cup, where he played a role in helping the Swiss gain the only win over ultimate champion Spain, Nkufo arrived in Washington, D.C. and Wednesday had his first workout with the Sounders.

“I felt good after the workout and am anxious to help my new team,” Nkufo said.

When asked about Nkufo’s status for Thursday night’s D.C. United clash, Coach Sigi Schmid pointed out that since the Sounders’ newest player just had his first workout today, he definitely would not be starting. Schmid did not rule out the prospect of Nkufo seeing some action.

While news is positive on the Blaise Nkufo front, Schmid disclosed that winger Freddie Ljungberg did not travel with the team to the nation’s capital.

The ankle injury that occurred in the team’s final practice session before the FC Dallas game and prevented him from playing Sunday night has not healed in time for him to face D.C. United.

When asked about what to expect from D.C. United, Schmid noted that the Sounders would keep a close watch on Chris Pontius. The midfielder scored two goals at Seattle June 10 in the first meeting of the season between the teams in a 3-2 D.C. United win.

Pontius was given credit for an additional score, which was later determined to be an own goal.

Sigi Schmid once again stressed the urgency of securing wins on the road if the team hopes to make the playoffs this season, as it did in its first MLS campaign in 2009.

With 14 contests remaining in the MLS season the Sounders have compiled 16 points. Schmid recently estimated that it would take 45 points to make the playoffs.

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Wednesday at 3 p.m. the Seattle Sounders held a teleconference featuring Coach Sigi Schmid and his newest player, international star Blaise Nkufo.

The international transfer involving Nkufo enabling him to play for the Sounders is expected to go through. He will then be eligible for play beginning Thursday, July 15, when the team faces D.C. United.

After a rest following his activity with Switzerland’s national team in the recently concluded World Cup, where he played a role in helping the Swiss gain the only win over ultimate champion Spain, Nkufo arrived in Washington, D.C. and Wednesday had his first workout with the Sounders.

“I felt good after the workout and am anxious to help my new team,” Nkufo said.

When asked about Nkufo’s status for Thursday night’s D.C. United clash, Coach Sigi Schmid pointed out that since the Sounders’ newest player just had his first workout today, he definitely would not be starting. Schmid did not rule out the prospect of Nkufo seeing some action.

While news is positive on the Blaise Nkufo front, Schmid disclosed that winger Freddie Ljungberg did not travel with the team to the nation’s capital.

The ankle injury that occurred in the team’s final practice session before the FC Dallas game and prevented him from playing Sunday night has not healed in time for him to face D.C. United.

When asked about what to expect from D.C. United, Schmid noted that the Sounders would keep a close watch on Chris Pontius. The midfielder scored two goals at Seattle June 10 in the first meeting of the season between the teams in a 3-2 D.C. United win.

Pontius was given credit for an additional score, which was later determined to be an own goal.

Sigi Schmid once again stressed the urgency of securing wins on the road if the team hopes to make the playoffs this season, as it did in its first MLS campaign in 2009.

With 14 contests remaining in the MLS season the Sounders have compiled 16 points. Schmid recently estimated that it would take 45 points to make the playoffs.

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