Jordan Harvey, Scott Palguta and Preston Burpo (above, from left) are among the Rapids players available to be selected by the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in the Major League Soccer expansion draft. Other Rapids left unprotected included Mehdi Ballouchy and Jacob Peterson. (photos, from left, by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com, Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com, Prost Amerika Soccer, Seattle)

Three separate lists of the best 11 players in Major League Soccer each list one Rapids player. But it’s not Conor Casey, above, on all three lists. Intrigued? Check out the lists of the league’s best players as determined by MLS, the du Nord soccer blog and yours truly. … (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Grabbing the shorts, hand on the ponytail, elbow to the chest, punch in the back, kicking a player on the ground: This video of a match between the women’s soccer teams from Brigham Young and New Mexico is BLOWING UP on youtube right now. Check it out inside. …

Major League Soccer released the finalists for the league’s 2009 awards today, and Galaxy striker Landon Donovan certainly was among them. Inside, I list all the finalists and whom I voted for in the process. Donovan, left, was among the finalists for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, and I think he’s the likely winner. All of the award finalists earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media, including yours truly. Check out all of the finalists inside.
(photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Colorado College graduate Chris Quon dies suddenly, MLS Cup has moved and has a big challenge in its new time slot, John Spencer is in the news again, and this week’s American Soccer Minute.

DU freshman forward Alex Tarnoczi, far left, had himself a big weekend against Dayton and Belmont, two Beccas stood tall for Metropolitan State College, the Adams State men’s team got its first lead ever, Preston Burpo looks like he’ll start for the Colorado Rapids on Friday against San Jose, and much, much more! (photo by George Tanner/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

To commemorate Conor Casey being named Major League Soccer’s player of the week, The Tuesday List looks at everyone who has received the honor so far in 2009. …

Pablo Mastroeni scored in the first minute and Conor Casey added three more goals as the Colorado Rapids blew out Chivas USA 4-0 on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Omar Cummings, with ball above, took over sole possession of the Major League Soccer lead with three assists. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Chad Marshall scored on a free kick in the 39th minute as the Crew defeated Colorado 1-0 on Saturday night despite being outshot 16-5 by the Rapids. Above, Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer denies the Rapids again. (photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Random thoughts and ideas from the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, which finished tied 1-1 and saw Everton win on penalty kicks, thanks to Tim Howard. Read all about Conor Casey, John Spencer, the best hairdo since El Pibe, and more. …