Former UW goalkeeper Hope Solo has been restored to the U.S. women’s national team. Here’s an AP report.

By the way, during one of my earlier visits to the offices of the USL and MLS Sounders, I asked if there was any thought at all that Solo might be considered for a look at the Major League Soccer level. The short answer seems to be no.

The longer answer is that Solo has actually done some training with the USL Sounders, and that she apparently showed solid skills. But the typical keeper in MLS these days is

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Adweek takes a very interesting look into MLS jersey sponsorship … and the interested eye being cast by other U.S. sports.

Here’s the link.

Last week we had a bit of a discussion about whether Vancouver or Portland has the inside track as a geographic MLS rival Seattle Sounders FC.

However, the road into MLS for either city is becoming more traffic-choked as more and more cities across two countries express interest in joining MLS.

In addition to Portland and Vancouver, there has been serious talk about St. Louis and Montreal and a second team for New York, along with occasional talk about Las Vegas or Phoenix or another try in Miami.

Last week, a couple of newer cities indicated the

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The Tacoma Tide played a lifeless and scoreless first half last night against the Spokane Spiders. But they came out like they were shot out of a cannon early in the second half on their way to a 3-1 victory.

It was one of the better crowds I’ve seen over at Curtis, and the majority of Tide supporters were wearing very cool yellow Tide T-shirts handed out at the gate.

Over in Tukwila, the played to a scoreless draw against Miami FC.

The Tacoma Tide meets the Spokane Spiders at 7 tonight (Friday) at Curtis High School. After this, the league schedule takes the Tide on the road, and they won’t be back on their home pitch for almost a month: July 19.

The Seattle Sounders also are home tonight, meeting Miami at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

It’s the start of a busy stretch for the USL Sounders, who will host Hollywood United in a U.S. Open Cup match at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and then end their current homestand next weekend against Montreal before their

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I had a little time with Adrian Hanauer last week and took the opportunity to ask him when the Sounders’ MLS roster will begin filling in.

His answer:

“It’s possible that we can pick off a player here and there over the next few months. But most players are playing. We’re not going to sign a player and want him to sit on his butt for the next six months not playing.

“There’s also the possibility of picking off some of the guys from the (USL) Sounders team. If there’s some guys that we decide to

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Seattle Sounders FC would like a geographic rival, and MLS wants to put another team in the Northwest.

The question is: Does Portland or Vancouver get the first nod.

The vibe I’m getting is that the Canadian city may have nudged aheard of the Oregon city based on ready ownership, an instantly available interim stadum and the great success of Toronto FC.

Here is an update on the Vancouver situation from the National Post.

And here’s an interview with Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson from the Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian.

Pretend you’re Marco van Basten.

Win or lose Tuesday in your match with Romania, you’re through to the quarterfinals for a meeting with Group D runners up Russia or Sweden.

Ah, but if you lose, in one fell swoop you knock out the wounded but dangerous Italy and France and thereby guarantee that you won’t meet either of them in the semifinal (which is where either of the two, if they are runners up in Group C, would land if they suddenly found a glimmer of form and knocked off Group D winner Spain in the quarterfinals).

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