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The Blue Links: September 15, 2015

Benny and Kei face off in a real life FIFA Skills challenge, Dom Dwyer has started a trend for young players in England, and SKC may be getting a new assistant coach.

By Cody Bradley
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Well, the poor form has continued and only George-Michael Bluth can describe my feelings.

Just one point from the last five games and the Supporters' Shield has pretty much slipped away at this point. SBI Soccer has a good place to keep up to date with the SS race right here. The Whitecaps are in the top position now, but they do have a pretty rough schedule (including two with FC Dallas).

Sporting KC fell to 8th in the MLS Power Rankings. The Red Bulls are at the top followed by FC Dallas and Vancouver.

The success continues for our old friend Kei Kamara. He scored his 20th goal of the season and has been named MLS Player of the Week for the third time. He has scored that many without taking a single PK, but because he is approaching the all time MLS record of 27 goals, his teammates say he will take all of the PK opportunities from here on out.

Bleacher Report actually has Kei as the best player in their MLS Player Power Rankings. Surprisingly, Giovinco is at number three, behind Bradley Wright-Phillips.

I am actually rooting for Kei to steal the MVP from Giovinco, but when the guy is doing things like this...

MLSSoccer.com and EA Sports have started releasing a series of videos of players competing in the real life skills challenges from the game. This video of Benny Feilhaber taking on Kei Kamara is fantastic. I can't explain how bad I have always wanted to play all those games in real life! It's a must watch.

Another series the MLS is doing is the What Cha Got competition. Besler went a couple weeks ago and got the top spot. This week it was Dom's turn. He beats everyone by a few seconds and makes a no pants joke about him and Sydney in the process.

BBC Sport just released a great article about the "bandwagon" that Dom Dwyer started for young players in England. It covers his story of how he made the trip to America.

"The firm, Soccer Icon USA, held a trial at QPR's training ground, to see whether those who had signed up were good enough for college soccer."I think I scored a hat-trick in the first 10 minutes," remembers Dwyer, now 25."The coaches took me off early and said: 'So - whereabouts in America do you want to go?'"

Other players like Luke Mullholland and Otis Earle other examples of players who have found success in America after coming here for college.

"Few Britons will emulate their careers. But more and more are trying. According to the Fulbright Commission,  almost 11,000 British students were at American colleges in the past academic year - an increase of 21% in the past 10 years."

It's a great article, but they couldn't help themselves on the clickbait.

The latest Instant Replay from Simon Borg covers the offside no-call in Orlando. For me, I can't believe everyone pays so much attention to Winter (I still think Winter was leaning off anyway) on this play. Their whole line was off and that, with out a doubt, had an affect on Kempin in goal. The flag should have been raised.
He also thinks Nemeth should have been awarded a PK aftering being shoved off the ball by Carrasco.

Erik Palmer-Brown is on the MLS' short list for 24 Players Under 24.

It is being reported that Sporting KC and Peter Vermes may be getting a new assistant coach. Dos Santos to depart Fury FC at season end for MLS job.

Preki may be close to landing another head coaching job. Report: Preki working with longtime friend, club flipper Mandaric to find next coaching gig.

"According to SI, he is lining up a purchase of another club, with the advisement of Preki, and is ready to help his friend land a job once a deal is finalized."

The USMNT, as well as the Mexican national team, have released their preliminary rosters for the CONCACAF Cup. Both Matt Besler and Graham Zusi are on the roster for the Americans. The two teams have until Oct. 1st to narrow the rosters down to the final 23 man squad ahead the big showdown on the 10th.

Although we have known the name for some time, LAFC have officially announced the name and "Innovative effort to give supporters a voice to determine club colors." They want fans to go vote on the colors they want on social media and apparently some "town meetings". That is all well and good, except this...

Every single game from here on out is important, and most are against stiff competition. The boys come home to Sporting Park on Friday night to face FC Dallas. This match is going to go a very long way in determining the playoff rankings when the season wraps up.

So be loud KC!

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