MIDSEASON CRUNCH

The players are enjoying a well-deserved day off today, but beginning immediately tomorrow morning the Black-and-Red will begin preparing for the most crucial portion of the 2010 MLS season. After securing a road draw against Atlantic Cup rival New York on Saturday, United welcomes another rival of sorts to RFK Stadium this Thursday. 

At first glance United and Seattle would not appear to be heated foes, but after last season's U.S. Open Cup final loss to the Sounders on home soil and United's recent 3-2 triumph at Qwest Field, it is evident there is brooding competitiveness within this bicoastal fixture. United is 1-1-1 all-time against Seattle in League play since the Sounders came into Major League Soccer in 2009, and Curt Onalfo will need to claim all three points against the Emerald City club to keep the postseason in sight. 

United is still very much in the playoff conversation, but with Seattle and Los Angeles in town on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, there is little time to lose to accumulate points in the second half of the season. Stephen King will get another crack at his former employers at RFK on Thursday. The former Sounder said on Sunday, "We did really well out there [at Qwest Field] in front of their fans, and now we need to replicate that performance at home. This is a big week for our team."

MEDIA NOTES

Clyde Simms is appearing on CSN's Washington Post Live tonight at 5:00 p.m. ET and again at 11:30 p.m. in case you miss the initial airing. We will post the video tomorrow as well. 

Danny Allsopp is featured on the front page of Manchester City's new North American website. The United striker used to ply his trade in Lancashire for the English club, a time that he remembers fondly. "[Manchester City] was a brilliant club and I enjoyed working with everyone there. My time at City really helped my career, and it's great to see them doing so well in the Premier League now," said the Australian. 

Speaking of English football, United's friendly with Portsmouth is rapidly approaching. The two clubs will square off at RFK on Saturday, July 24, so don't miss a chance to catch the Black-and-Red in action against the 2008 FA Cup Champions. 

United resumes training bright and early tomorrow morning. We will bring you all of the news and notes after the session's completion ahead of Thursday's clash with Seattle.