Beckham still makes the most MLS bucks

According to the latest Major League Soccer Players Union salary list released just last week, superstar David Beckham tops the league with a guaranteed salary of $6.5 million.

The New York Red Bulls employ three of the five highest earners in the league: Thierry Henry at #2 ($5.6 million), Rafael Márquez ($5.544 million) at #3, and forward Juan Pablo Ángel ($1.918 million) at #5. Sliding into #4 overall is the most well-compensated American player, Landon Donovan, who will pull down $2.128 million this year.

Three other players round out the MLS millionaires' club: Chicago Fire forward Nery Castillo ($1.788 million), Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman ($1.718 million) and Chicago's Freddy Ljungberg ($1.314 million).

On the other end of the spectrum, more than 90 MLS players are being paid the league minimum of $40,000 for their work this season. Fittingly, one of those players is Graham Zusi of Kansas City, who appears at the very end (as alphabetized by last name) of the salary list.

The way we figure, good ol' Becks could afford to buy one of our 'Nova' soccer jerseys (team price of just $20) for 325,000 of this closest friends.

Soccer Practice Makes Perfect. Plan Ahead.

As a soccer coach, you know it's very important to decide what skill or technique you want your players to work on before you step onto the practice field. You also need to decide how you're going to organize the practice and what warm-ups, games and drills you're going to use.

Where to begin? Our friends at Footy4Kids have put together a great array of soccer practice plans including drills, techniques, games and skill-building exercises focused on specific aspects of the game. Ball handling, dribbling, passing, defense, shooting, keeper training...it's all here.

For more helpful info, visit the Soccer Training Books & DVDs page of our Code Four Athletics website. Or if you just need a cool shirt for the sideline, check out our soccer coach polo. Happy Coaching!

Great Goalie Saves

For those of you who need a little shot of soccer goalie saves, we present 3 1/2 minutes of keeper classics. Enjoy!

Penalty Kick...FAIL.

Off the crossbar? Fine. Just past the post? Sure. But this?

Great Goal Celebration.

In case you missed it, check out this goal celebration...it even made ESPN's Top 10 Plays last week.