A couple of things of note happened (or were reported on) today:

The MLS SuperDraft happened.

As I've said before, I don't know enough about any of the players to comment on the "winners" and "losers" in the draft (and I definitely won't be grading). I will say that for some reason, the Generation Adidas kids excite me a lot more than any of the others. That probably has something to do with most of them being sophomores or juniors, which means they're hitting the professional ranks at 19 or 20 instead of 21 or 22. As a soccer nation we've got to get our heads around the idea that kids need to be in professional environments as soon possible (like when they get zits, or when that crazy Jennifer-Tilly-one-second-Barry-White-the-next voice thing starts to happen). We can't just apply this plan to the obvious prodigies (Adu, Altidore, etc.) anymore.

Atlanta pulling out of the expansion race happened.

This story appeared today in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and I came by it through The 24th Minute. All I can really say is, good riddance. Atlanta's no where near ready for a team, no matter how much cash Arthur Blank has stashed in the tanks of the toilets in the kitchen and bath section. A "presence" in any geographical area should never be a compelling reason to place an expansion team, and that's all Atlanta really had going for it.

Sacha Kljestan heading to Glasgow for a trial happened.

And no, it's not Rangers, the current club of American internationals Beasley and Edu: it's Rangers' bitter rival, Celtic. Ives is reporting the story, so you know it's true, and it's certainly a huge opportunity for Sacha. I've stated in this space before that I'm all for young Americans getting quality coaching in Europe; although I will say that it's a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to marketing MLS. It's difficult not to be excited at the possibilities though, when one's first allegiance lies with the National Team (as mine does).

FIFA soliciting for bids for World Cup 2018 & 2022 happened.

This is a bit of a non-story, but the U.S. is almost certain to bid for one (or both) of these cups. Of course I want to see the World Cup return to the states, mostly for selfish reasons, but also because of the massive exposure it will give the game in this counrty. The American soccer scene today bears almost no resemblance to that of '94, so the effect a World Cup could have would be massive. Even better that the U.S would be a much stronger side than in '94, and would play in front of a much more vocal, soccer-savvy fan base.

Comments, concerns, complaints?