Soccer By Ives

Altidore, Edu, Seitz chosen for Under-23 training camp

Red Bulls Jozy Altidore and Hunter Freeman are two of 22 players selected to the first U.S. Under-23 national team camp under U.S. Under-23 national team head coach Peter Nowak. The camp is being held in preparation of a two-match tour in China in December.

The team will train for a week at Home Depot Center beginning on Dec. 1 before departing for China on Dec. 8. The Americans will face the Chinese Under-23 national team on Dec. 13 and Dec. 16.

Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Findley, Christ Seitz and Eddie Gaven highlight a roster made up of 20 pros and seven players who made the U.S. senior national team debuts in 2007.

Here is the full roster:

Seattle Sounders trounce Atlanta, win USL title

The Seattle Sounders routed the Atlanta Silverbacks, 4-0, in the United Soccer League championship on Saturday night. The title is Seattle's fourth.

Greg Howes came on as an 18th-minute substitute for injured Sounders star Leighton O'Brien and scored two goals to help the Sounders win the league championship in what could be their last season in the USL. As first reported on SBI, Seattle has been approved for an Major League Soccer franchise in 2009.

What do you think of Seattle's championship victory? Share your thoughts below.

USL Playoffs: Seattle wins, Portland and Atlanta tie

The Seattle Sounders recorded a valuable 2-1 road win against Puerto Rico in the first leg of their home-and-home USL Semifinal series on Friday night. Seattle now returns for the second leg in Seattle on Sunday with a considerable edge. Oh, and Petter Villegas scored Puerto Rico's goal with a 25-yard blast (MetroStars/Red Bulls fans just spit up their Cheerios.)

Atlanta and Portland tied the first leg of their home-and-home series, 1-1, in Atlanta on Friday. night. Portland's vaunted defense was breached for a  first-half goal but Portland equalized early in the second half. The teams travel to Portland on Sunday for the second leg, which will air on Fox Soccer Channel at 8pm.

What do you think of these results? Share your thoughts below. 

USL Semifinal Preview (The OTHER American pro soccer league)

Can't wait another month for some exciting playoff action? If not, then consider taking a peak at the United Soccer League playoffs. The semifinals start tonight with No. 1 seed Seattle facing No. 6 seed Puerto Rico and No. 2 seed Portland facing No. 4 seed Atlanta.

Red Bulls fans will find particular interest in the Seattle-Puerto Rico series..