What a weekend you guys! The EPL race could be decided in 90 minutes this weekend, there were upsets in MLS, the FA Cup final, Pep’s last game with Barca … whew!! Despite all that, there’s still lots to talk about! Here’s your Monday Daily Kick Around!

Major League Soccer

It was a pretty busy weekend in MLS, with 10 games over the span of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  At the end of all the action, the San Jose Earthquakes remain at the top of the standings despite losing their first match since St. Patrick’s day.  They share that honor with Real Salt Lake, who seem to have found their groove again.  At the bottom of the table is Toronto FC, whose record 8 straight losses is the worst start in league history.

On a happier note, the Houston Dynamo had their inaugural training session at their new home, BBVA Compass Stadium, on Saturday.  Fans who attended the open session got a taste of what it will be like on May 12, when the Dynamo will host DC United in the new stadium.

English Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp insists that his team can still qualify for the Champions’ League despite gaining only one point in Sunday’s draw against Aston Villa.  However, even he admits that

“there are so many permutations: it could be Chelsea, us, Arsenal, Newcastle.  It will be an interesting last day.”

It certainly will be!

USMNT

US international Sacha Kljestan is a champion for the first time (check out his tweet here!).  His club RSC Anderlecht won their 31^st Belgian title after a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge KV.  Go tweet him your congratulations!  We like it when our boys represent!

Euro 2012

Amnesty International has warned fans planning on traveling to Ukraine for the Euros that they will be facing a “criminal” police force.  For those who know anything about Eastern Europe, this is not especially surprising; however, recent events involving the government’s treatment of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko have even caused a few European leaders to announce that they will boycott the matches in Ukraine.

Y.O.S.O.

Finally, I’m sure everyone has seen the photos of Drake chilling with various footballers floating around the internet.  Well, World Football Daily takes issue with him supporting multiple EPL teams.  (Manchester United AND Manchester City, Drake?  Have some dignity.)

Now that you have your soccer fix, go, seize your Monday!

The 2012 LA Galaxy Season Ticket Holder booklet

Nothing brightens up a Monday like the delivery of a freshly printed booklet of soccer season tickets. My LA Galaxy 2012 season tickets arrived today, and throughout the Twitterverse, I saw posts about many other MLS teams shipping out their tickets too. The 2012 MLS season is just around the corner! Aside from the excitement of a new season, we’ve got lots of soccer news from around the globe. The USMNT players are dropping like flies, Kristine Lilly is up for a major honor, and lots of headlines out of the EPL. Here’s your Daily Kick Around!

Major League Soccer

The anticipation for the new season of MLS is mounting, as promos are rolling out and tickets are being delivered. We are now less than two weeks away from the first match, and if you somehow aren’t pumped for this season, watch this. I bet you will be after.

Houston Dynamo fans were hit with huge news today as MLS has banned Dynamo fan groups from bringing items such as flags, banners, confetti and drums to away matches. It seems the decision stems from some antics of supporters groups during the 2011 MLS Cup final against L.A. Galaxy.

US Men’s National Team

With four players now scratched from the roster for the USMNT game against Italy this week, a couple of guys were called in to replace them. Jermaine Jones, José Torres, Timmy Chandler and Landon Donovan are out, and Brek Shea and Sacha Kljestan are in. SI’s Grant Wahl is in Genoa ahead of the match, and has a few must-read thoughts on the team here.

USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has suddenly resurrected his Twitter account, and since arriving in Italy a few days ago, has been tweeting like crazy. Today, he send out a link to a podcast he recorded. It’s about 15 minutes long and definitely worth a listen if you’re a dedicated USMNT fan. Interesting insights into how Klinsmann and his coaching staff scout players, and how he keeps guys like Clint Dempsey motivated to achieve at higher levels.

US Women’s National Team

As a young girl playing soccer, I idolized Kristine Lilly. She was — and still is — my hero in women’s soccer. I was even lucky enough to take a soccer clinic with her at the helm when I was in high school. Her incredible 21-year-career is arguably the greatest in US women’s soccer history. Now, number 13 is a finalist for the US Olympic Hall of Fame, the only nominee representing soccer. Check out how to vote her into the US Olympic Hall of Fame here!

English Premier League

During Aston Villa’s EPL draw with Wigan this weekend, top goal-scorer Darren Bent ruptured ankle ligaments, and has been ruled out for up to three months. This is a huge blow not only for Villa, but also the England National Team who will be playing in the Euro 2012 starting in early June. Awful news all around.

Carlos Tevez is set to make his return at Manchester City — well, sort of. The striker is expected to make an appearance in the reserve league on Tuesday. This means he could be making an EPL comeback as early as next week, when City takes on Swansea.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has been signed by Fulham until the end of the season, with the possibility of extension for another year. Diarra has been a free agent since last summer, and hopes to restart his career in the EPL.