Wednesday Morning Union Freekicks: the Union’s New Head of Scouting, Playoff Structures, & More 2010 Awards

This is typically the time of the year where I get to sleep in (and for me, that means waking up at 8:30), thumb my nose at any and all schedules, and just generally unwind.  I was feeling pretty good until I realized that I should start thinking about my new year's resolutions…and that I go back to work on Monday.  Now I am stressed again.

Another relatively slow news day, but there's a nice local profile on Seba, MLS Soccer looks at the Union's new Head of Scouting and Player Development, and Sounder at Heart gets creative with some new playoff scenarios.

Now it's time to play with the Wii that Santa brought for me.

Gutierrez Undaunted By Challenge at Philadelphia [MLSSoccer.com, Dave Zeitlin] – Profile of Diego Gutierrez, recently hired as the Union's Head of Scouting and Player Development.

Le Toux has an MVP Season [Philly Soccer News] – Short piece on the Union's good fortune in ending up with a player of Seba's quality.

MLS Breakdown: 2010 Awards, Part 2 [Goal.com, Kyle McCarthy] – This time McCarthy looks at the “unofficial gongs,” including the Union’s handling of Chris Seitz.

MLS in Contact With Celtic FC regarding De Rosario [MLSSoccer.com, Duane Rollins] – MLS and Toronto FC are in the process of securing the proper paperwork to allow Dwayne De Rosario to train with the Scottish side. Suffice to say, he’s in a bit of trouble with both TFC and Celtic.

Seahawks, NFL and Danger of Overexpansion With Tiny Divisions [Sounder at Heart, Dave Clark] – The putrid Seahawks may win the NFC West (American football, yo) with a losing record, Dave looks at the best playoff structures and suggest a few ideas for MLS.

Revisiting New Year’s Resolutions [Black & Red United, Martin Shatzer], Take a peek a few hours down I-95 and see how our DC United brothers and sisters are evaluating their resolutions from last year.