Shockwaves reverberated through American soccer circles when Jurgen Klinsmann announced the roster for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

One of the sad facts of American soccer is that we don't produce many world class players, despite what seems to be a population and technology advantage.

The 2012 Apertura is upon us, with kickoff coming along at the end of the week. There have been few changes among the players we cover, so there should be few surprises on paper. However, reality often trumps paper.

One of the most demoralizing effects on human beings is the acknowledgment that there is no hope. This word has the power to keep (nearly) everyone on earth going for another day.

At season's end, it's time to go back over the season and travel along the peaks and valleys that made up the year for the continually growing number of Americans plying their trade in jolly old.

It's that time of year again, when the season is wrapping up all around the world from the various Clausuras to the various Super and Premier Leagues.

In the upcoming YAX written by Mathew Wagner on American Samir Badr playing for Haras El Hodood, the danger that some Americans find themselves in while playing abroad is shown in stark reality.

With the second half of the season well underway from Mexico to Europe, there's a few particular things to look forward to until it comes to a close.

2011 was another year for American soccer. Not necessarily good, not necessarily bad, but plenty of developments both positive and negative worth remembering for one reason or another.

Remember remember, the 15th of November, the goal scoring, playing and plot.

Whenever there's a regime change, the tendency is to expect quick and positive results, despite logic indicating that there will be a steep learning curve and necessary time lapse for the adjustments.

When John O'Brien knocked in a rebound goal against Portugal in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, he etched his name into the annals of American soccer.

It's been a busy week in American soccer news, gaining a German-born player in Fabian Johnson and potentially losing two American-born players in Joe Corona and George John who have been recently linked to Mexican Under-22 and Greek National Team camps, respectively.

For everyone living under a rock over the past couple weeks, it will come as a shock that Jurgen Klinsmann is the new head coach for the United States Men's National Team, replacing Bob Bradley a bit quicker than myself and just about everyone else expected. Questions of his coaching pedigree resound amongst some circles but for the most part, everyone seems to be tentatively looking forward to the team's future, rather than bleakly dreading what's to come after the dreadful showings of the past six months.