In this week's peek around the league: the 2008 MLS schedule is released, Bouna Coundoul has his sights set on the African Cup of Nations and David Beckham's refuse hits the auction block in New Zealand.

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The strength of local support for the Seattle franchise continues to grow by the day. The latest tally has the number of season ticket deposits standing out over 9,000. With well over a year until Seattle plays in their first competitive game, will they surpass Toronto as the franchise with the most season ticket holders?

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Fans can begin marking their calendars as the opening games of the 2008 regular season are set for the weekend of March 29th.

The highlight of opening weekend may be a rematch of both of the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup when the Houston Dynamo travel to Foxboro to face Taylor Twellman and the New England Revolution.

Where will David Beckham be on opening weekend, you ask? He'll be in Commerce City, Colorado as the Los Angeles Galaxy will play the Colorado Rapids to open the campaign.

The Earthquakes' first match back in MLS was slated to be a home opener against the New York Red Bulls. However, Soccer by Ives is now reporting that the match could be moved to another weekend due to some logistical challenges.

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Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul is fresh off his first cap for Senegal after he saw action in a November friendly against Mali in Paris, France. The Lions of Teranga are in preparations for the upcoming African Nations Cup and Coundoul is hoping to make the trip to Ghana.

"I knew that my family and everybody were behind me,” he told the Rapids website of his international debut. "It was just like when I step on the field for the Rapids. There are tons of people that I am defending. Everything is on the line, my pride, and my family. I just do what I have to do. I was a little nervous beforehand, but that was all gone when I stepped on the field."

As for making the ANC roster, Coundoul said: "They told me to keep training, and to be ready, because they might call me up again at any time. I have a good feeling about it."

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Chivas USA midfielder Francisco "Panchito" Mendoza is expected to rejoin CD Guadalajara next season. Jaime Cardenas of the Korner Pocket blog talked with Guadalajara's general manager Juan Jose Frangie and confirmed that Mendoza is headed back to Mexico. The move is expected to become official next week. In three seasons with the Goats, Mendoza scored five goals and registered 12 assists.

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Ahmed Mamdouh of Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ahly is poised for a trial with the LA Galaxy. The 19-year old from Portugal is highly regarded in by the club's Portuguese manager Manuel Jose. Mamdouh has not made any appearances for the first team, but recently has impressed Jose while training with the senior team.

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Just when you thought you heard everything about David Beckham, this story surfaces out of New Zealand: a French fry dropped by the England midfielder on the Galaxy's recent trip to Wellington was in an online auction (it received a bid of $1 New Zealand).

Other discarded Beckham items auctioned off include a half-eaten corn on the cob ear and a bottle of coke.