Brothers, Ciaran O’Brien and Leighton O’Brien team up in Montreal.

The O’Brien family has an exceptional soccer history. Another chapter to their soccer legacy has begun Montreal.

In an exclusive TacomaFC.com interview, Ciaran commented about playing with his older brother, “It should be exciting, playing alongside him for the first time in a professional game is something I have always wanted to do”.

For the full interview and story, CLICK HERE

When the Sounders FC visit LA on Saturday, two of MLS’ six designated players will share the pitch: Freddie Ljungberg and David Beckham.

In some ways, the players are alike. Each played more than a decade in the English Premier League. Each is by far the highest-paid player on his team. Each also has worked as an underwear model.

I would even say that their games are similar, at least to the extent that each is a midfielder who can impact games without scoring goals.

However, after Sounders training today, Ljungberg made the point that they impact games in different ways:

"Playing-wise we’re not that similar," he said. "Crossing the ball, (Beckham) is probably one of the best in the world crossing the ball. That’s how he builds his game. Maybe I’m more dribbling and running maybe than what he does."

There are, of course, considerable other differences between Beckham's experience an an MLS designated player and Ljungberg's. And I plan to write a bit about those in the Friday paper.

Back from Sounders' training for another day. The team will work out again tomorrow morning before flying down to LA for the game against the Galaxy on Saturday night.

The only firm news I picked up on today was Taylor Graham coming off the injured list. He says he's healthy and ready to play, although he doesn't expect be be among the first 11 on Saturday.

Here's the Sounders release:

Seattle Sounders FC defender Taylor Graham has been removed from the club’s Disabled List, making him immediately eligible to participate in MLS games.

Graham, 29, was placed on the Disabled List on May 29 with a fracture of the third metatarsal of his right foot. Although he has not appeared in any league matches this season, Graham started and played the full 90 minutes of a U.S. Open Cup play-in match against Real Salt Lake on April 28. He also played the second half of last week’s friendly with FC Barcelona.

Graham dressed for four MLS matches prior to his injury, which was sustained in training.

The Sounders FC plays at the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday night Carson, Calif. Kickoff is 8 p.m. PT

Meanwhile, it looks like Patrick Ianni might step in for Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, who will miss the LA game due to yellow-card accumulation. That could set up an interesting return match with LA's Landon Donavan. (See post below.)

And finally, you may have heard some reports about Fredy Montero's contract moving fully within MLS and Sounders control. GM Adrian Hanauer wouldn't comment on the report, but he did offer the interesting insight that he hasn't seen anything in any media that has correctly spelled out Montero's contract status at any point since his initial move into the league. Hmmm.