Catching up

Several items of note came down over the last couple of days but I was squeezed out of time from posting them. Here are some of the more notable things that happened over the last couple of days.

* The U.S. will formally announce their intentions of launching a simultaneous bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. On Monday, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati will host a conference call and will announce the executive director of the bids and will provide more details on the United States' plans. Apparently, Monday is FIFA's application deadline for both World Cups, and the only stipulation at this point is that the applicant nation has the means to host such an event. It's safe to say the U.S. has the means and wherewithal to host the World Cup.

* U.S. coach Bob Bradley has a squad of 20 players in camp to continue preparations for the opening Hexagonal match against Mexico on Feb. 11. This team features all MLS-based players - save for Charlie Davies - but it doesn't mean it lacks experience. Brian Ching, Frankie Hejduk, Jonathan Bornstein and Ricardo Clark are in camp and all have played in meaningful games against Mexico and have all stood out against El Tri.

Here's the full roster:

GK: Jon Busch (Chicago), William Hesmer (Columbus), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids).
Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Ugo Ihemelu (Colorado), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).
Midfielders: Brian Carroll (Columbus), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Stuart Holden (Houston), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), John Thorrington (Chicago).
Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago)

* Pachuca lost to Chilean side Universidad Catolica 1-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores play-in series. Pachuca needs a victory next week in order to qualify for the tournament.

* David Beckham scored another goal for Milan, this one off a free kick. Becks now has two goals in two consecutive games for Milan but suffered an injury that may keep him out of this weekend's match against Lazio. Still, the goal fueled speculation that Becks will stay with Milan as the Italian club continues their pursuit of landing the Galaxy's midfielder on a full-time basis.