Run. Run, Now. It's A Soccer Post.

If there is one thing you've come to expect around here it's me providing insights on things you just don't care about. This post will live up to all your expectations--I'm going to talk soccer. Originally, I was just going to mention a topic or two, but the soccer theme just kept repeating, so it gets its own post.

As a courtesy to all, I've combined all my soccer thoughts into a single post so the majority of you can skip reading this altogether. (You are welcome.) For my soccer brethren, here is a post all to yourselves. (Yourself?) Anyway, it's all soccer and you've been warned.

* Did you know Detroit was granted an expansion franchise in the Major Indoor Soccer League? Now, if someone was going to know this piece of information, wouldn't you bet it would be me? Which other Detroit sports blogger would even bother to mention it? Yet, somehow this snuck past me until just this past week. No name for Detroit's latest entry into indoor soccer, but I guess it's going to be announced next month.

* In other expansion news, I contacted the local group attempting to bring an MLS franchise to Metro Detroit. Seems they are stuck in neutral attempting to find an ownership group. Not terribly surprising in light of the area's dreadful economy. However, I am disappointed to hear that more progress isn't being made.

In theory, I truly believe Detroit could and would support a MLS franchise. I also think it makes Detroit look like a big time city to the world if it has a legit first division soccer team regardless of what level of play Major League Soccer is perceived to be at.

* MLS has a couple of newly named franchises. First, is the Houston Dynamo. I'm not crazy about this new moniker. I'm with MLS FanGirl (who is getting added to the blogroll) on this one, it just doesn't sound right. Eric hits the nail on the head when he suggests it sounds too much like a Cold War Eastern European name.

The team's original name was Houston 1836. However, as Houston was "acquired" from Mexico in a less than friendly fashion, many in the local community frowned on naming the club after the year of the city's birth. A tad too PC for me, but fair enough. MLS and Houston ownership group doesn't want to offend what might be the largest portion of their fanbase and I can understand that.

However, as Eric astutely points out that, perhaps, some should research Sam Houston, for whom the town was named, before complaining about the 1836 tag. However, if that occurred, it would only start up a political correctness parade which would lead to no name whatsoever. Maybe Dynamo isn't so bad, after all.

Houston wasn't alone in the name change game. Red Bull, yes, those behind the energy drink, bought the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. Right on cue, the parent company changed the team's name to New York Red Bulls. I've also heard it referred to as Red Bull New York. Obviously, this name changed has gotten some folks more wound up then they would be after a six pack of Red Bull.

First, the N.J. supporters feels left out in the cold. After all, the team does play in N.J. Then there are the Metrostars fans, many of whom own Metrostars (now retro) apparel, who just aren't embracing the new title. There are those who frown upon the corporate tackiness of the name, as well. Honestly, I kind of like Red Bull New York, but I also thought the team should have been named Cosmos after the NASL powerhouse right from the beginning, so what do I know?

* Let's see, any other football related topics I'd like to address? Everton have been redhot since January 1. Hmmm. Who thought they would struggle until after the holidays? Blind squirrel theory in action there. Nonetheless, I am quite pleased with the turnaround.

I'm still rooting for the Toffees and Nottingham Forest. I still support Reading, as well, but that's mostly because of Bobby Convey. For some unknown reason, I just like Everton and Forest. I know, I'm nuts for caring about English football.

* Finally, yes, I debated joining a MLS fantasy league. I haven't done so as of yet mostly because I am a casual fan and feel my knowledge of the league overall is woefully inadequate for the task. Of course, I'm in way over my head with the English Premier League fantasy league team I've got, so maybe I should give the domestic league a try.