Wingert's first goal finally comes

RSL's Chris Wingert all smiles after scoring his first ever MLS goal. (Getty Images)

Humanitarian of the Month: Chris TierneyDowie - Jozy needs focus

DC United seek to build momentum against Chivas USA

DC United, with Pontius (pictured) and Quaranta healthy again, aim to build momentum by beating Chivas USA on Saturday. (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Silva admits United pullChivas USA desperate for points against DC United

Midfield marshal Joseph returns rhythm to New England

New England has found its rhythm again with the return of Joseph to the lineup. (Getty Images)

Sanchez seeks summer switchRevs look to “solid” Phelan in Joseph's absence

US set to face five-time World Cup champ Brazil in August

The US will face Brazil in a rematch of their 2009 Confederations Cup final when they meet on August 10. (Getty Images)

Champions League final goes mainstream in USFabiano to miss cup final

Chivas USA desperate for points against DC United

With captain Kljestan back, Chivas USA will look to rebound against DC United in a battle between cellar-dwellers. (Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Kick Off: Ching discusses snub, Cannavaro linked to UnionSilva admits United pull

Fire head coach de los Cobos expects more from midfielder Pappa

Although Marco Pappa has two goals and four assists thus far, head coach De los Cobos expects more. (Ned Dishman/Getty Images)

Fire notebook: Blown lead has tie feeling like a lossValeron and Riki sign new deals

Kick Off: Ching discusses snub, Cannavaro linked to Union

Following a World Cup snub, Sacha Kljestan could see action with Chivas USA this weekend (Getty Images)

Spanish players threaten strikeKick Off: Preki in eye of the storm, Ching returns to training

The Soap Box: LA's more than just Donovan and Buddle

Galaxy supporters hope their team has enough punch to edge Columbus this weekend. (Getty Images)

Ronaldo calm ahead of ClasicoLA prepared to deal with Donovan, Buddle absences

USMNT Notebook: Whirlwind days for the Cup 23

The 23 players of the US World Cup team made a trip to the White House on Thursday. (Getty Images)

Fire notebook: Blown lead has tie feeling like a lossSpanish players threaten strike

Kick Off: MLS teams vanquish giants, NYRB on roll in USOC

Ronaldinho may have wowed the fans at RFK but DC United came away with the win (Getty Images)

Red Bulls host Revs for berth in USOC play-in finalsHiguain salutes Real fans

Graham shines in place of injured Hurtado

Taylor Graham's recent play may have the put the pressure on Sounders coach Sigi Schmid. (Courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC)

Columbus prepare for another Sigi showdownTaylor talk bemuses Magpies

Houston-Pachuca rivalry to be renewed in 2010 Superliga

Superliga: Pappa (Fire), Borguetti (Morelia), Joseph (Revolution), Palencia (Pumas), Trujillo (Chivas USA), Manso (Pachuca), Landín (Dynamo), González (Puebla). (MexSport/Getty Images)

No Real renewal for HiguainScreenshots: MLS TV Listings

Tuesday Tactics: The set-up behind LA's success

The Galaxy's extremely well-organized lines are the secret behind its defensive and offensive success. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Galaxy hope to tighten up on KC's turfBarca won’t force Fab issue

Postcard from Europe: Running recon on US’ Group C opponents

How will this crop of England players really handle Landon Donovan & Co.? (Getty Images)

Europe: Barcelona, Inter Milan retain their titlesSanchez seeks summer switch

Humanitarian of the Month: Chris Tierney

New England Revolution defender Chris Tierney (Getty Images)

Taylor talk bemuses MagpiesRevs head home from SJ with work to do

Fire reserves throttled by Legia Warsaw in Sister Cities

Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was busy vs. Legia Warsaw as the Fire fell 3-0. (Getty Images)

Atletico suffer Asenjo blowFire notebook: Blown lead has tie feeling like a loss

US Camp: King shows, Buddle says Galaxy are tops

Jozy Altidore joins USMNT camp after a sour end to his stint in Hull City. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty)

Dowie - Jozy needs focusMagee, Galaxy set for rematch with RSL

Preki: Barrett can score even more if he relaxes

Preki ponders his next move for Toronto FC. (Getty Images)

Henry poised for States moveToronto dodge another second-half letdown in LA

Brazilians win VW Junior Masters title

Estadio Bernabeu was the site of the VW Junior Masters final. (Getty Images)

Champions League final goes mainstream in USSalgado - Rafa ready for Real

Injury-hit Earthquakes nearly back to full strength

Arturo Alvarez hasn't played for San Jose since a hamstring strain last month. (Getty Images)

Ejection dooms Red Bulls at Buck ShawRonaldo proud of season

Champions League final goes mainstream in US

Arjen Robben and Bayern face off with Samuel Eto'o and Inter on Saturday. (Getty Images)

Casillas rejects Jose talkEuro Roundup: Man U overtake Chelsea, Hull almost surely done

Schelotto suspended for elbow to Chivas defender Umaña

Guillermo Barros Schelotto will miss Thursday's New York game through suspension. (Getty Images)

Columbus prepare for another Sigi showdownFabiano to miss cup final

Revolution bring in three trialists for Benfica friendly

Rookie Seth Sinovic is excited to play Portuguese champions Benfica on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

Revolution can take hope despite loss to CrewRonaldo proud of season

LA prepared to deal with Donovan, Buddle absences

''It’s something we’ve been prepared to do all along,'' Bruce Arena said. (Getty Images)

Pires yet to decideLos Angeles revel in Buddle's goal-scoring exploits

Petke a game away from joining 300 club

Mike Petke's career has taken him throughout MLS, as well as to Germany. (Getty Images)

New York Monday Gaffer: Red Bulls show their spineSchalke snap up Metzelder

RSL's Saborío earns MLS Player of the Week

Fire notebook: Blown lead has tie feeling like a lossPique - Messi is the best

Fire notebook: Blown lead has tie feeling like a loss

''The end result was not good for us,'' Carlos de los Cobos said of the 2-2 tie. (Getty Images)

Revolution can take hope despite loss to CrewPrimera Liga round-up

Signs point to Wizards reaching deal with Beasley

Nearly a decade after his playing days in Chicago, Jamar Beasley is in KC camp. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty)

Wizards bank on home field to get back on trackPinto set for new Barca deal

Toronto dodge another second-half letdown in LA

Nana Attakora's play was a big reason Edson Buddle (left) stayed off the score sheet. (Getty Images)

Pellegrini admits uncertaintyAttakora no flash in the pan at TFC

Europe: Barcelona, Inter Milan retain their titles

Barcelona's La Liga title is their 20th and fourth in the past six seasons. (Getty Images)

Casillas rejects Jose talkInter defeat Barcelona in semifinal opener

Wizards bank on home field to get back on track

The Wizards hope a return to CommunityAmerica Ballpark will put them back on track. (Getty Images)

Villarreal vet Venta to goGalaxy hope to tighten up on KC's turf

Columbus set to celebrate 11 years at Crew Stadium

Crew Stadium opened 11 years ago as the league's first soccer-specific venue. (Getty Images)

Pires set to depart SpainColumbus prepare for another Sigi showdown

Europe: Chelsea end Portsmouth's FA Cup Cinderella story

Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole celebrate the matchwinner in the FA Cup final. (Getty Images)

Hernandez pleased with interestEuro Roundup: Man U overtake Chelsea, Hull almost surely done

US officially states its case for 2018/2022 World Cup

L-R: U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati and Carlos Bocanegra present the bid book to FIFA president Sepp Blatter. (Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: Federation president Gulati confident of US bid's chancesClemente takes Valladolid job

KC notes: Smith, Arnaud, Auvray struggling after knocks

Davy Arnaud is questionable to play Saturday after suffering a knee sprain. (Getty Images)

Wizards make road debut at Qwest FieldRamos backs Pellegrini

EXCLUSIVE: Federation president Gulati confident of US bid's chances

Sunil Gulati has been at the heart of the growth of soccer in the U.S. (Getty Images)

Mexico pledges support for U.S. World Cup bidSpanish players cancel strike

Hamstring injury could cost Johnson at US camp

Eddie Johnson will miss 10-15 days with a hamstring injury, according to Aris officials. (Victor Decolongon/Getty)

Iniesta out for a monthGoal-hungry Johnson contributing in different ways for the Quakes

Fulham left reeling after Europa heartbreaker

Roy Hodgson and Fulham came away empty handed from Wednesday's Europa League final in Hamburg. (Christof Koepsel/Getty)

Short-handed and underperforming, Revolution focus on basicsAll square in Basque derby

MLS asking fans to support US World Cup bid

Major League Soccer is asking its fans to support the US bid to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty)

Mexico pledges support for U.S. World Cup bidHiguain salutes Real fans

FCD players proud of former teammate Goodson

Clarence Goodson was called into Bob Bradley's 30-man preliminary roster. (Getty Images)

Kick Off: Preki in eye of the storm, Ching returns to training

Ronaldo proud of season

Spanish players cancel strike

MLSsoccer.com editors predict their US provisional squad

Debate surrounded Charlie Davies on whether or not he would make the World Cup team. (Getty Images)

Jonas - Messi won’t leave Barca

Speculation on Davies World Cup chances runs rampant

Pellegrini - Kaka not faking it

Messi has no Premier plans

Red Bulls host Revs for berth in USOC play-in finals

Chris Albright made his season debut for the Red Bulls in the Open Cup vs. Philadelphia (Getty Images)

All square in Basque derby

Abidal ready for big week

Villarreal vet Venta to go

Ejection dooms Red Bulls at Buck Shaw

Ejection dooms Red Bulls at Buck Shaw

New York's Salou Ibrahim wins a header over San Jose's Bobby Burling during the Earthquakes' 4-0 win on Saturday night. (Brian Bahr/Getty)

Primera Liga round-upNew York Monday Gaffer: Red Bulls show their spine

Revolution can take hope despite loss to Crew

Zak Boggs scored two goals in his first MLS start at left midfield for the Revs (Getty Images)

Zlatan out of Gunners returnColumbus prepare for another Sigi showdown

FCD suddenly solid after second straight win

FC Dallas' David Ferreira (left) battles DC United's Kurt Morsink on Saturday at Pizza Hut Park. (Layne Murdoch/Getty)

Goal triggers “rollercoaster” ride for Revs rookieSilva admits United pull

Mexico pledges support for U.S. World Cup bid

Mexican federation head Justino Campean and U.S. federation president Sunil Gulati. (Getty Images)

Pique - Messi is the bestTrujillo an important part of Chivas USA offense

Goal-hungry Johnson contributing in different ways for the Quakes

Ryan Johnson is provided a different spark for San Jose this year. (Getty Images)

Wondolowski delivers when Quakes need himCasillas rejects Jose talk

Short-handed and underperforming, Revolution focus on basics

Kheli Dube and the Revolution are winless in four games. (Getty Images)

Goal triggers “rollercoaster” ride for Revs rookiePrimera Liga round-up

Tactical trend taking shape in MLS

Chicago's Patrick Nyarko has looked most effective in the Fire's five-man midfield set-up (Getty Images)

The Carlos de los Cobos reign started with a whimper.

Chicago’s new boss surely hoped for better than two losses and a tie to begin his days in Bridgeview. But he kept tinkering with personnel and formations, tuning the instruments while listening hard for the perfect pitch.

Three games back, he may just have nailed it; the Fire are unbeaten since with a draw and two wins, including three important points on the road. What, exactly, was the light bulb that switched on for de los Cobos?

A five-man midfield. And there’s a lot of that going around these days in MLS.

The 4-4-2 may retain its long-held sovereignty as the base system, the “starting point” for most clubs in their initial strategic planning. But at least half the MLS sides have employed a five-man midfield at some point this year, for one reason or another.

(This should always be said before discussing formations: There’s a lot of splitting hairs here. The difference between a 4-5-1 and a 4-3-3 for instance, in some set-ups, may be as little as 10 to 15 yards of initial starting position on defense for the wide players. So, keep that in mind.)

Why the lean toward five in the midfield? It’s generally about personnel, about finding a system that squeezes the most quality from the roster, one that gets the best players on the field and into comfortable roles. The Fire have two strikers, Brian McBride and Collins John, who essentially play the same way. So it doesn’t make much sense to partner them in the lineup.

Meanwhile, no one had quite figured out how to get the best from forward Patrick Nyarko’s pace and audacity. And it was increasingly difficult to get Justin Mapp on the field as young slasher Marco Pappa had clearly lapped the American midfielder.

Voila! Now Nyarko is a wide attacker on the right, Mapp is patrolling left and Pappa is set up behind McBride, ahead of two holding midfielders in a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-3-1 (take your pick). Nyarko is the ideal candidate in a lot of ways to attack from the wings; he really doesn’t lose much speed, if any at all, with the ball at his feet.

The two holding midfielders aren’t necessarily consigned entirely to screening duty. Baggio Husidic has been stationed lately as one of the Fire’s two defensive midfielders—and he has two goals in the team’s last two matches.

Chicago’s opponent on Saturday, Chivas USA, have used two different versions of the five-man midfield. Earlier this year, Martin Vasquez’s team lined up in a conservative 4-5-1, with a lone striker and lots of defending in the midfield. Lately, the Goats have tested a less defensive 3-5-2.

Occasionally, teams in a 4-4-2 will add a midfielder mid-stream to match the man-advantage in the middle. Twice this year, for instance, that has happened against Dallas.

FC Dallas line up in a 4-1-4-1, with Daniel Hernandez sitting deep behind Dax McCarty and David Ferreira in the middle. It’s essentially a five-man midfield. The bottom line is a fairly well-linked three-man central triangle that has the ability to dominate matches, even on the road. It happened earlier this year at New York and again over the weekend at New England. In both cases, FCD ran roughshod over the home team for a half. (The finishing, in both cases, was another issue—but let’s stay on topic here.)

In both cases, managers for the home side added a midfielder at the half to help stanch the one-way traffic in midfield. Red Bull’s Hans Backe and New England’s Steve Nicol did it the same way, subtracting a forward in favor of a wide midfielder and sliding an extra man into the middle. Nicol said he had no choice but to negate the 3-vs.-2 advantage in the middle of the field.

“We were getting totally out-played through the middle of the park,” he said. “They were just rolling balls in between us through the middle of the field. It was only a matter of time before they scored if we continued to let them do that.”

Kansas City play a dynamic 4-3-3 this year. Real Salt Lake toyed with the three-forward alignment last year. And Seattle lined up that way over the weekend against Columbus, as manager Sigi Schmid probed for ways to punch up scoring production—which is curiously light considering the trio of peppy, high-profile attackers on site in Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani.

There’s also the example of where a 4-3-3 looks quite like a 4-5-1. The three-man central triangle is essentially the same. In the middle, it looks just like the 4-5-1 (the triangle could “point” either way.) The difference more or less is where the wide guys start defending. Do they pressure the fullbacks as Zakuani and Brad Evans did Saturday against Columbus? Or do they retreat further back, connecting with the men in the middle to form a most substantial block of five?

There’s also a “tweener” state in which some teams dwell. Columbus deploy an alleged 4-4-2. One of the “forwards,” former league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto roams, well, pretty much wherever he wants. He’s somewhere behind a striker and ahead of central midfielders Brian Carroll and Adam Moffat, using his veteran wile to find the spaces available on the day. A lot of times, that’s back in the midfield. So, is that a 4-5-1?

Who cares? Again, the difference is academic. And it gets results: The Crew are still undefeated.

Guti expects Real exitRevs look to “solid” Phelan in Joseph's absence

Speculation on Davies World Cup chances runs rampant

Another day of Charlie Davies headlines but there is little substance to back them up (Getty Images)

NEW YORK — Reports emerged from France this morning that U.S. forward Charlie Davies has lost his battle to get back to fitness in time for the 2010 World Cup.

An Agence France Presse (AFP) report on Tuesday morning cited medical staff at French club Sochaux. FIFA.com posted the report under the headline: “Davies Loses Fitness Battle.” Sky Sports published a three-graph story "Davies' WC Dream Over" stating that Sochaux confirmed the news.

However, U.S. Soccer spokesperson Michael Kammarman said that the U.S. National Team’s position had not changed with respect to the Davies situation.

“We’re continuing to monitor Charlie’s progress and the coaching staff will make decision about his availability for training camp by May 11,” he told MLSsoccer.com.

Sochaux club officials referred MLSsoccer.com to an update in France’s national sports daily L’Equipe, which actually leaves the door open for a possible World Cup return.

L’Equipe cites a comment by Sochaux’s athletic trainer Cédric Blomme as told to AFP: “I don’t want to be pessimistic. Davies has come a long way and has progressed day by day. It is encouraging and we just need to wait. You can’t say it’s impossible. It [making the World Cup] would be important for him and the club. There is a list of 30 players which is going to be submitted and he could be in there. It remains to be seen how he evolves.”

The report by L’Equipe reiterated that Sochaux staff have determined that Davies will not return to full fitness in time for the final matches of the French Ligue 1 season.

"We don’t know where it come from," Sochaux spokesman Stijn Slaats told MLSsoccer.com in reference to the original AFP article which cited Sochaux sources. "Apparently it first appeared in an article and then we started to call people to find out how and from which sources this came. Then they [L'Equipe] spoke to our athletic trainer and they [L'Equipe] revisited their article."

U.S. Soccer confirmed that head trainer Ivan Pierra was in France last week to evaluate Davies and has since returned to the United States. There has been no word yet on what Pierra might report back to the U.S. coaching staff.

Sochaux also said that a U.S. physical trainer visited the club on Thursday and Friday.

"I can't come to any conclusion about the things he's going to report to Mr. Bradley or the U.S. Soccer staff," Slaats said.

Slaats confirmed that Davies is not on the squad list for Wednesday's Ligue 1 match. There will be two league fixture dates remaining over the next two weekends.

He also said that the American striker is still conducting an individual training program while also training with the full team.

Davies himself chimed in via Twitter saying: "Everyone I'm still progressing and happy with my progress. I am very fortunate to NOT have had any setbacks. My eye is still on the prize!! ... Thank you for the continued support. Just BELIEVE! God Bless."

The 23-year-old was involved in a fatal car accident on Oct. 13 and has since been working on recovering from multiple injuries.

I can confirm that there was a phiscual trainer on Thrusday and Fruiday … he saw with his own eyes the progress he made … I can’t come to a conclusion aotut he things he’s goignt or eport ot Mr. Bradley or theUS occer staff. HE has been ehre over eth last end of last week. 2-3 days.

FCD won't adjust in Joseph's absenceMessi has no Premier plans