Nikki Marshall scored two goals as the Colorado Force kept its playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the L.A. Legends on Tuesday night in Chino, Calif.

Smith discusses his team’s 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the effects of losing players to national-team duties and Wednesday night’s international friendly against Club America. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

The University of Denver men’s soccer team has added transfer Jesse Henderson, who played three seasons with the University of San Francisco, DU head coach Bobby Muuss announced.

Rapids striker Conor Casey has been chosen as one of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game’s first 11 players.

Colorado Rapids right back Kosuke Kimura takes some time to talk about his attacking style of play against FC Dallas and the state of Colorado’s back line. Kimura was the man of the match on Saturday against Dallas; his goal late in the second half was the deciding moment in Colorado’s 1-0 victory. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Striker Lisa Franke and defender Carly Peetz scored as the Colorado Force topped the Ventura County Fusion 2-1 on Sunday at Ventura, Calif.

Kosuke Kimura’s goal late in the second half lifted the Rapids to a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

The defending W-League champions, the Pali Blues, powered past the Colorado Force 3-0 on Friday night in Pacific Palisades, Calif., clinching the Western Conference title for the second consecutive year.

With its eyes on a playoff spot, the Colorado Force kicks off a three-game Southern California road trip tonight against league-leading Pali Blues. The trip continues Sunday, against the Ventura County Fusion and ends Tuesday against the Los Angeles Legends. At left, Colorado defender Mo Smunt races Pali midfielder Iris Mora to a loose ball in the team’s 0-0 draw on June 14 at the Loveland Sports Park. (photo by Tom Auclair/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

We open the books and look at my votes in the media balloting for the 2009 Major League Soccer All-Star team. I picked Conor Casey, right, at striker, but the balloting at the position is limited to two. Who, in a strong year for forwards, could be the No. 2 choice? Omar Cummings? Landon Donovan? Kenny Cooper? Freddy Montero? Eduardo Lillingston? Robbie Findley? Ryan Johnson? Brian McBride? (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)