Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and its popularity has grown exponentially over the past few years here in the United States. In England, there are thousands of "football" clubs scattered throughout small towns and big cities, so why isn't that the case here? For example, there are more than 30 clubs in London playing at a professional level.

Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Minnesota Vikings, has the opportunity to purchase an MLS franchise, and the two "football" teams would co-exist in the same stadium. The Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders both share CenturyLink Field, so the idea is not so far fetched.

I think the addition of a MLS team to Minnesota would be a great thing for the community. There are many soccer lovers in Minnesota, and this would bring them together.

Elias Hofrenning, St. Paul

The writer is a varsity soccer player at Central High School in St. Paul.

The wolf hunt

It's encouraging to see that the wolf hunt quota has been lowered for next season ("DNR cuts wolf hunt kill limit by nearly half," July 30). I'm grateful to the DNR for this progress. However, the wolf hunt is inhumane and should be abolished completely. Trapping is nothing short of torture.

Wolves are beautiful and majestic creatures, and certainly do not deserve to be treated inhumanely -- especially having just come off of the endangered species list.

As Minnesotans, we are people of integrity who care about others and the world around us. We inherently know that torture of any caliber does not reflect who we are.

I hope the DNR will consider ending this unnecessary hunt.

Amanda Yanchury, St. Paul

A sad situation for everyone

The Pope's airborne news conference ("Pope ignites debate over gays: 'Who am I to judge?' " July 30) got me thinking about it again, and again:

I always remember priests asking for prayers because they need them so very much. They have the weight of leading their flock, even being addressed as "Father" or "Archbishop." What must it be like for a devout priest to shoulder that responsibility, while burdened with a secret that could destroy everything?

This is a sad situation for everyone ("He's a priest. He's a parent. And nothing's simple after that," July 21). Is it too unrealistic to think it could have been a source of grace for everyone?

Father Conlin is by all accounts a very good man and priest. What if he had been allowed (and chosen) to speak to those he serves so well long ago? To explain the situation, ask for forgiveness and express his sorrow? To say he would do what he has done and stand by his child and its mother before anyone could ask or whisper about that? To testify to God's mercy? The Christian and Jewish scriptures are full of such stories.

Sadly, our American bishops think we would be scandalized if a priest or a bishop said anything at all. So instead, this decade-old news breaks from outside our church family entirely. Are any of us better off because of this long silence?

Tom Jonas, Bloomington