The Clean Sheet: You're my boy, Tex

and that's exactly why I like it. I've always said that MLS needs to focus first and foremost every day on converting and catering to American soccer fans, and this is another step in that direction.

And from what we are hearing, there could be another traditional-type moniker if our friends in Utah end up going with Real Salt Lake. Gotta be honest, I don't entirely despise that one either.

Anyway, now the fun part begins for the Dallas fans: the "unofficial" name the team aspect. We gotta call them something, so what's it gonna be?

Regarding the timing of the announcement, yeah, it is a little strange to do it with 10 games left in the season. No Fire fans, it's not that the Burn are so bad they are just giving up. Although after seeing Wednesday's game ...

As for the logo, I love the crest shape and I like the big ol' cattle, whose name is "Tex" -- except every time I look at him I suddenly crave an In-N-Out burger. Oh, who am I kidding, I always crave In-N-Out.

I also think the color scheme is great, and look forward to seeing the new uniforms next season. For the record, I agree with all my Burn faithful who emailed in about this - let's make the first game next season a Brimstone home opener against the Fire on national TV.

A TCS EXCLUSIVE: THE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH "TEX"
Yup, your old pal Tino was able to, uh, lasso a very quick four questions with none other than ol' "Tex" himself, who now becomes the most famous breathing being to be herded in MLS since Metro tried to tame Sasa Curcic for a season back in 1999.

Tino Palace: So what do you think the "FC" stands for in FC Dallas?
Tex: It's really up to interpretation, that's the great thing about it. If you want to go old school, it could be "Football Club." If you want to talk about the Burn's chances for winning a title this season, it's starting to look like "Fat Chance."
TP: Bummer having no eyeballs, huh?
Tex: Yeah, but I have a flame on my head, so I can take a nap and cook myself a burger at the same time. TP: Are you going to make personal appearances at the new stadium on game days?
Tex: Yup, I'll take the field right after the coin flip where we find out which end Dallas is attacking. Gonna have a bite to eat, then go take a little stroll in the opposing six-yard box and see what I feel like doing. Let's see how quick your feet are then, Henry Ring.
TP: One thing I don't get, if the league is Major League SOCCER, why isn't the team called SC Dallas? I mean, the league isn't called Major League Football.
Tex: Yeah, but how great would it be if the league was called MLF? Say it really quickly as it is spelled and you'll see why.

FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY:
I know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy ... so every week TCS is gonna put a little action on the action, if you know what I'm talkin' about. Each week in this space we'll track how last week went and what's on the books, so to speak, for the upcoming week.

LAST WEEK: Good stuff last weekend, winning on both picks - S.J. over D.C. and my Burn over Mile High Club.
CURRENT BANK: 0
THIS WEEK: Tough weekend for picks, but I think K.C.-S.J. ends in a draw, L.A. rebounds to dump Columbus and for some reason I also see FC Dallas Burn 96 getting a draw at The Swamp. Let's go 50 on each.

GRAB A COLD BUD (OR AQUAFINA) AND PUT YER FEET UP:
WHAT I'LL BE WATCHING:

Saturday - QUAKES AT WIZARDS (4 p.m. ET on The Deuce): I'm sure the first half will be pretty conservative if Bob Gansler's boys get their way, but the last 30 minutes of this one could be fun if both teams open up.

Saturday - REVS AT ADUNITED (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports World): Can't believe I am writing this, but is Freddy Adu going to score as many goals this season as Taylor Twellman? Adu's third of the year on Wednesday means he is just one behind the New Eng-er-land snipah.

Saturday - ARGENTINA VS. TUNISIA (1:25 p.m. ET on CNBC): If you are into Olympic soccer, check out the boys from Argentina and enjoy.

FLICK-ONS:
A quick note back to everyone who e-mailed to say Amado Guevara shouldn't be MVP because so many of his goals have come from PKs: Goal scoring alone does not an MVP make. Take a look at what else he is bringing to Metro this season, from his playmaking (league-leading 8 assists) to his work on defense (I love that he leads the league in fouls committed). Plus he finally planted a PK the other way last weekend! For all of that, I still have to give him two (towel) snaps up.

Anyone know where I can get a Mali Olympic team soccer jersey? Check out what they did in their Olympic opener and you'll see why.

Out of the "wow" department, I read in the Financial Times that the 18 Serie A clubs lost a combined 1.2 billion dollars last season. Yeah, I know, why in the wide, wide world of sports was I reading the Financial Times?

Funny stuff by the Revs fans in The Fort last weekend, who chanted "Metro Wannabe" at Danny Szetela.

So Bora is gonna coach a club team in Qatar called Al Sadd. Drop one of the d's from the second word of the team name and you get what it is if the owners think Bora is gonna stick around very long.

The Clean Sheet runs each Thursday on MLSnet.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or its clubs. Send any questions and comments to tcsresponses@yahoo.com