Crew shut out TFC in First Kick opener

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Crew got their 2008 Major League Soccer season off to a positive start, getting goals from Adam Moffat and Alejandro Moreno for a 2-0 victory against Toronto FC and a win in the first installment of the "Trillium Cup" Saturday afternoon at Crew Stadium.

Moffat scored the first goal of the new season midway through the first half and Moreno finished off the victory with a smooth finish 14 minutes from the end. In between, Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer held firm, including saving a penalty kick seconds before halftime.

In the first game played in First Kick 2008, a raucous crowd greeted both teams in Columbus. More than 2,000 Toronto FC supporters packed the stands behind the south goal and greeted their squad with a chorus of cheers and sea of red shirts, but the Crew faithful in the north end defended their home turf with an army of flags, flares and vocal support of their own.

The traveling TFC fans nearly had something to cheer about in the seventh minute. Defender Jim Brennan took a pass on the left side and lofted a ball down the middle, over the head of defender Chad Marshall. Marshall was barely able to shield off TFC forward Collin Samuel while Hesmer came out to pounce on the ball.

Five minutes later Toronto went close again when Tyler Hemming sent a low cross from the right side in front of the Crew goal but the pass was just inches in front of both TFC forwards, Samuel and Jeff Cunningham.

The Crew missed a good opportunity in the 20th minute when Guillermo Barros Schelotto found Robbie Rogers with a pass. Rogers put a quick move on TFC's Tyler Hemming in the right side of the area and turned toward goal, but his effort was struck right at TFC 'keeper Brian Edwards, who pushed away the shot to his left.

But just six minutes the Crew finally broke through. On a quick restart from midfield, Brian Carroll switched the ball over to the right, finding an unmarked Moffat streaking down the inside-right channel. Moffat brought the ball down with his chest, took one more touch and sent a bounding shot from well outside the area into the lower left-hand corner of the TFC net, past a diving Edwards.

Columbus continued to threaten the TFC goal and nearly doubled the tally in the 35th minute. Schelotto sent in a dipping cross through the box which Moffat was able to get a head on, but the Scotland native -- who made his MLS debut in the final match of the 2007 season -- missed his second goal by inches when his header careened off the crossbar.

Near the end of the half the TFC supporters demonstrated their enthusiasm as Schelotto was attempting to set up a corner kick, showering him in red and white streamers and delaying the restart. The Crew fans returned the favor only minutes later when Todd Dunivant attempted to take a corner kick directly in front of the rowdiest section of Crew supporters. After the kick -- from which Brennan blasted a full volley first-time just over the bar -- Dunivant was still dragging streamers by the time he trotted back to midfield.

The half drew to a close in flurry of activity. As Cunningham broke into the area, he went down under a shoulder charge by Danny O'Rourke and referee Baldomero Toledo whistled for the penalty. Hesmer rose to the occasion in response when Samuel stepped to the spot, the 'keeper diving to his left to block the Trinidadian's shot. He was unable to hold the shot but Moffat continued his big day by beating everyone to the rebound and blasting it out of bounds.

Early in the second half Toronto pressured the Crew defense, forcing several corners in the first few minutes. One corner kick almost netted a goal when Brennan again blasted a ball out of the air, sending toward Hesmer, who was able to get a hand on it. The rebound was on its way into the net but Rogers was perfectly placed on the goal line and cleared it away despite vociferous claims from TFC players that the ball had crossed.

Despite the early pressure, it was the Black and Gold who scored next. Eddie Gaven received a pass in the midfield and looked up to find a streaking Moreno. Gaven's through ball fell in stride for the Venezuelan forward, who was already behind TFC defender Marco Velez. Moreno calmly collected the ball and slotted his shot past the left heel of Edwards and into the net for a 2-0 Crew lead.

The two goal deficit silenced the nearly Toronto FC supporters who had been so exuberant only minutes earlier, much to the delight of the estimated Crew faithful in attendance, who sent out a chant of "this is our house."

As the game drew to a close the Crew fans got their first look at defender Andy Iro, the team's first round SuperDraft pick this year, as Crew head coach Sigi Schmid replaced Schelotto for the final minutes. The Crew were forced to weather a late storm as TFC went to three attackers, but held on for the first win and first shutout of the new MLS season.

Blanco scores in injury time, rallies Chicago for MLS season-opening 1-1 draw

Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored in the second minute of stoppage time to give the Chicago Fire a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on Saturday in both teams' Major League Soccer season opener.

Bakary Soumare's own-goal in the 71st minute gave Real Salt Lake the 1-0 lead. Real Salt Lake's Dema Kovalenko whipped the ball into the penalty area and Soumare's attempted clearance went past goalkeeper Jon Busch into the net.

Real Salt Lake nearly scored again in the 82nd minute, but Busch saved Kovalenko's volley off a corner kick.

Crew 2, Toronto FC 0

In Columbus, Ohio, Adam Moffat scored the first goal of the Major League Soccer season and then saved another ball off the line to lead Columbus.

The Crew's Brian Carroll knocked a long, arcing pass from midfield to Moffat, who deflected the ball in front of him with his chest and sent a blistering shot from 24 meters past goalkeeper Brian Edwards and inside the left goal post in the 26th minute.

Alejandro Moreno doubled the Crew's lead when he outran Toronto defender Marco Velez and met a pass from Eddie Gaven that left Moreno alone against Edwards. Moreno slotted his shot beneath the left arm of Edwards and inside the right post in the 76th minute.

Revolution 3, Dynamo 0

At Foxborough, Massachusetts, Steve Ralston and Adam Cristman scored first-half goals in a rematch of the last two MLS Cup finals, both won by Houston.

Sainey Nyassi scored in stoppage time and Matt Reis earned the shutout as the Revolution extended their regular-season unbeaten streak over Houston to five matches (2-0-3). The Dynamo, though, beat New England 2-1 in last year's championship match and 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in 2006.

Ralston tapped in the rebound of Kenny Mansally's shot in the 15th minute. Cristman headed in a rebound of Jeff Larentowicz's drive in the 32nd minute.

Wizards 2, D.C. United 0

At Kansas City, Kansas, Argentine World Cup veteran Claudio Lopez and Colombian forward Ivan Trujillo scored second-half goals in their Major League Soccer debuts.

Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made three saves and extended his league record with his 68th career shutout.

Trujillo, who spent his first three professional seasons in Colombia, took a feed from Jack Jewsbury and made a sliding shot past D.C. keeper Zach Wells in the 47th minute. Michael Harrington set up the play with a long cross to Jewsbury, whose pass inside found Trujillo just outside the 6-yard box.

In the 61st minute, Lopez took a long pass from Ryan Pore at the top of the penalty area and chipped the ball over Wells, who deflected the shot but could not keep it out of the goal.

Foreign influx bolsters MLS' talent pool level

You might notice a distinctly international flavor to Major League Soccer when teams take the field for the start of the league's 13th season this weekend. In an attempt to help prevent the diluting of the talent pool caused by expansion, MLS has changed some of its rules and paved the way for more veteran foreign players. Some see it as a disturbing trend, but the reality is it is a necessary step for a league that is growing quickly.

MLS officials spent the offseason telling us that its roster rule changes didn't actually increase the overall number of foreign players in MLS when it did away with the four-player limit on foreigners older than 24 and combined that with the slots once established for younger foreign prospects (now the number of foreign players allowed is eight per team). While the league is correct that the raw number of international players has not increased that much per team, the number of impact veteran foreigners certainly has.

With the restriction of four senior internationals now gone, several teams have shifted salary-cap space toward finding quality talent abroad. This trend could be seen as troubling, particularly when it means fewer dollars being spent on American players, but the fact remains that the pool of American talent isn't ready to handle the league's growth to 14 teams, and certainly not its increase to 16 teams by 2010.

What will this mean for MLS fans? It will mean an influx of veterans with experience in foreign leagues who will be better equipped to help their MLS teams. And while teams will still swing and miss on some foreign signings, the increase in slots for experienced foreigners means teams will have no choice but to bolster their efforts and increase the resources allocated to finding foreign talent.

D.C. United has always been on the forefront when it comes to finding international talent, which explains why the club was in position to take full advantage once the league announced its changed. The result was a loaded group of foreign newcomers including Marcello Gallardo, Gonzalo Martinez, Gonzalo Peralta and Franco Niell that is expected to make D.C. not only an MLS Cup contender, but also a CONCACAF Champions Cup contender.

D.C. may be the leader but other clubs have also jumped on the new opportunities. Real Salt Lake was able to sign Scottish striker Kenny Deuchar and is on the verge of landing Colombian defender Jamilson Olave. Both moves came without the club having to part ways with the Argentine trio of Javier Morales, Matias Mantilla and Fabian Espindola, which helped RSL enjoy a modest improvement by the end of the 2007 season.

New England hasn't wasted its opportunity either, landing Honduran midfielder Mauricio Castro and Costa Rican forward Argenis Fernandez to help offset the losses of Andy Dorman and Pat Noonan to the transfer market.

One of the reasons you haven't heard more about the influx of veteran foreign players to MLS has been the attention paid to several departures from MLS this winter. While several quality players have left the league during the offseason, far more players have joined the league. Consider these two groups:

Player departures:

Eddie Johnson, Pat Noonan, Andy Dorman, Matt Pickens, Troy Perkins, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Marcos Gonzalez, Clint Mathis, Clarence Goodson.

Player arrivals:

Claudio Lopez, Marcello Gallardo, Gonzalo Martinez, Rafael Wicky, Duilio Davino, Gonzalo Peralta, Ivan Trujillo, Jose Carvallo, Mauricio Castro and Tomasz Frankowski.

The departures group makes up the majority of key MLS players that left the league this winter while the arrivals group, which is just as talented if not more talented than the departures group, consists of just half of the veteran foreign players to join the league this offseason.

This comparison also doesn't take into account the American players returning to MLS, such as Ramiro Corrales and Nat Borchers, or the foreign players who will still arrive in the remaining three weeks before the close of the MLS transfer window.

In short, the league's foreign player rules changes have not only filled the void left by a larger than usual exodus of players on the transfer market, it has actually brought in a surplus of players who should help boost the league's quality.

Skeptics may argue that this is coming at the expense of the American player. If you think the league's rules changes are spelling doom for American talent then you haven't really been paying attention. Along with the foreign player rules changes, the league has also bolstered its player development program to give teams incentives for developing their own home-grown talent.

The league's player development program is set to begin bearing fruit this season as teams from Chivas USA to the New York Red Bulls are on the verge of signing players they helped develop as youth prospects. It is that program which will provide the long-term solution to ensuring that the league will have the talent it needs to keep growing into the next decade, as well as the talent it needs in order to eventually reduce its reliance on foreign players.

Until that time, MLS has found a way to keep the talent pool stocked, which is a winning proposition for all involved, even if it required adding more foreign flavor to do so.

Game Previews

What's the best thing you can say about trying to predict games in the first week of the MLS season? You are usually better off using a dart board, roll of the dice or domesticated pet to make your picks.

With so many teams integrating scores of new players, it could take weeks before we get a real sense of which teams have made major improvements in the off-season and which teams are still spinning their wheels. With that in mind, here are the first week's match previews and predictions:

Toronto FC at Columbus Crew

More than 2,000 Toronto FC fans are expected to converge on Columbus this weekend and it will certainly be interesting to see how the largest visiting supporter's group in league history impacts a game between two of the league's worst teams last year.

Columbus will have the advantage against a Toronto team that still doesn't have a playmaker and will be missing rookie standout defender Julius James. Guillermo Barros Schelotto makes a triumphant return to Crew Stadium. Crew 2, Toronto FC 1

Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake

One team reached the playoffs and brings back most of its key players while the other missed the playoffs and acquired almost half a roster of new players. Chicago should be favored heavily here but RSL will have the home-field advantage.

It will take Real a while to integrate so many new players while Chicago enters the match with the talent and familiarity to start the season strongly. Andy Herron starts his Fire return in style with a goal. Fire 1, Real Salt Lake 0.

Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution

This MLS Cup rematch should be a tight one but Houston enters the match having already played many more competitive matches than the Revs. New England has some new players making team debuts, which should lead to some first-game struggles. Don't expect a wide-open encounter, though both teams have the weapons to open things up. Dynamo 1, Revs 1.

D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards

Two teams that made dramatic changes to their rosters square off in a battle featuring Argentine stars Marcello Gallardo and Claudio Lopez. The battle between Kansas City's revamped attack and D.C. United's rebuilt defense will be one of the best of the weekend, but it will be Kansas City pulling the upset as Lopez makes a memorable Wizards debut. Wizards 2, D.C. United 1.

Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids

What do you get when a team with terrible forwards faces a team with a terrible defense? You get a match that should be pretty wide open, though missed chances will likely be the main course. If David Beckham and Landon Donovan are recovered from international duty, and Carlos Ruiz is healthy, the Galaxy can take the road win. If not, Colorado's defense will do enough as Christian Gomez enjoys a good debut. Rapids 1, Galaxy 0.

Sunday

Chivas USA at FC Dallas

The Goats travel to Pizza Hut Park where they take on an FC Dallas team that spent all offseason trying to find a replacement for Carlos Ruiz, who FCD traded to Los Angeles. Without that go-to forward in place, Kenny Cooper must shoulder the burden and doing so against a strong Chivas USA defense won't be easy. Ante Razov provides the goals for the Goats, who take the road points. Chivas USA 3, FC Dallas 1.

Revs, Dynamo square off in MLS Cup rematch to start season

Foxborough, MA (Sports Network) - This past November in Washington D.C., the last time New England and Houston squared off, the Dynamo walked out of RFK Stadium with their second-straight MLS Cup championship.

The Revolution, who have dropped the last two Major League Soccer championships to the Dynamo and the last three overall, will have a chance at a small measure of revenge when they host the champs in both teams' opening game of the '08 season on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

The match marks the first time in the Revs' 13-year history that the club has opened its season at home. The previous two meetings between the clubs in Foxborough ended in 2-2 draws.

Both clubs have pretty much their same lineups intact except for a few minor changes. The Revs will be without midfielder Andy Dorman and forward Pat Noonan, who both transferred overseas, while the Dynamo will be without forwards Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya, who also transferred to Europe.

"We tried to get something done with both guys," New England coach Steve Nicol said. "Andy (Dorman) was out of contract and chose to go tryout in Europe. We made him a decent offer but he decided he wanted to try over there (with Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren). Pat (Noonan), we wanted to just reconstruct his deal in a different way and because of that we didn't pick the option up. That gave him the chance to walk and he chose to do that. He got an offer from Norway and chose to go pursue that as well."

The Revs also lost defender James Riley in the expansion draft to the San Jose Earthquakes while adding MLS and U.S. international veteran defender Chris Albright, among others.

The Dynamo defections are a little more worrisome, considering it leaves the team very thing up top, especially with the only established forward in the lineup, Brian Ching, coming off a game for the U.S. national team in Poland on Wednesday.

"We are looking everywhere to be honest," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said of the team's search for forward help. "In MLS for trades, in Europe, in South America. We are not panicking but we obviously want to bring in a player sooner rather than later. You want to be sure it's the right one because it's an important position."

The game on Saturday figures to be won in the midfield, however, where two of the deepest units in the league will meet.

"I'm biased but I think we have the best midfield in the league," Kinnear said. "You look at Brad Davis, Stuart Holden, Dwayne (De Rosario), Ricardo Clark (who will not play Saturday because of a suspension), Brian Mullan, Richard Mulrooney can play up there. Corey Ashe has also had a very good preseason for us."

The Revs have one of the top all-around players in the league roaming the midfield - Shalrie Joseph - along with the league's all-time leader in assists Steve Ralston, among others.

Look for the Revs to come out a refocused squad, aiming to get over the hump while the Dynamo know that as the champs, everyone will be gunning for them.

"Determination to get back (to the MLS Cup) is kind of a made up thing early on," Albright said. "I think these guys approach every season the same way, they work hard. I don't think they are now working harder, they have always worked hard. Those second places are just a result of things not going their way in four games."

"You have to go out and be ready for every game that you play in because everybody wants to beat the champions, no matter what sport or what team it is," Kinnear said. "The team that won the year before is the one that everybody is gunning for. When you step on the field you have to play to win, every time."

Chicago loses a goalkeeper after Cervi decides not to sign with MLS

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Dominic Cervi was expected to compete with Jon Busch and Nick Noble to be the Chicago Fire's starting goalkeeper.

But Cervi won't play for the Fire or any Major League Soccer club after he decided not to sign with the league, the team said Thursday.

"His representative was looking for a change in policy in terms of Major League Soccer," Fire president and general manager John Guppy said. "Several players signed with the league before the draft and received additional benefits. Cervi did not sign and his representative was requesting the same benefits. At the end of the day, we could not accommodate his wishes."

Chicago selected Cervi with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 18.

He spent four seasons at the University of Tulsa and recently started two games for the Under-23 U.S. Men's National Team in Olympic qualifying.

Cervi had a 1-1 record in two games vs. Honduras, both 1-0 results. In three other games, he served as reserve keeper behind Chris Seitz.

MONTREAL WANTS MLS

TORONTO -- Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo says he is joining forces with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett in an attempt to acquire a Major League Soccer team for the city.

Toronto FC is the only Canadian-based club in the MLS. The Impact plays in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues.

"We want to be at the highest level possible and MLS is the highest level possible in North America," Saputo said yesterday at a news conference to unveil the qualifying details for the CONCACAF Champions League. "I guess it's not necessarily if it can happen, but when it can happen.

"We're not going to hide the fact that we have been speaking to MLS and if the opportunity for Montreal to go to that league happens, then we'll be ready for it."

The new Stade Saputo in Montreal seats 13,000, but has been built so capacity could be expanded to 20,000.

Given the go-ahead, a Montreal team could be ready to compete in MLS as soon as 2009, Saputo said. "But we don't make that decision, the league makes that decision as far as when the next expansion is going to be."

As for teaming with Gillett, Saputo said: "Obviously, you try to put all the positives on your side. With the knowledge ... Gillett Entertainment Group has with Liverpool [the English Premier League team] and with the running of stadium operations, you try to put all the positives on your side.

"If we could get the two families together, the Saputo family and the Gillett family, working in order to develop soccer in Canada and the province of Quebec, why not? They're excited about it, we're excited about it. The next step is to try to get MLS excited about it."

According to a report, the two would split the $30-million MLS franchise fee, as well as the $12-million it would cost to expand Stade Saputo to 20,000 seats. The privately financed facility is near Olympic Stadium and will open in May.

Gillett became majority owner of the Canadiens in 2001. In 2007, he teamed with Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks to purchase Liverpool of the EPL and is also the majority owner of the Gillett Evernham NASCAR team.

The Saputo family founded and head the Montreal-based dairy-processing giant Saputo Inc.

MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo

Where did we leave off last year? Houston was crowned champions again after dispatching New England in MLS Cup. The league championship covered up an injury plagued regular season that floundered late in the campaign after a league record defensive streak during the middle of the campaign. Once the playoff lights shined, the team gritted its way through the Western Conference playoffs before retaining MLS Cup.

Arrivals:  GK Tony Caig (Gretna, Scotland), DF Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), FW Franco Caraccio (Arsenal de Sarandi, Argentina)

Departures: GK Zach Wells (D.C. United), DF Ryan Cochrane (San Jose), FW Joseph Ngwenya (SK Austria Karnten, Austria), FW Nate Jaqua (Altach, Austria), FW Paul Dalglish (unattached)

Assessing the front office moves: Curious decision-making from the Dynamo front office. Departures stole the headlines with leading scorer Ngwenya and Jaqua cavorting off to Europe on free transfers. Whether the pair is replaced by Caraccio, a former Argentina youth international who saw scant time with Arsenal de Sarandi, remains to be seen. Failing to sign another striker, one more prolific than Kyle Brown, before the start of the season earns the front office a black mark. Obtaining Boswell, who has talent and needed a change of scenery, for a backup goalkeeper made a ton of sense. He's an improvement over Cochrane at the back. Signing Caig gives the Dynamo depth if the evergreen Pat Onstad breaks down.

The squad: When you win the championship, there's little reason to make drastic changes. Dominic Kinnear has kept a settled squad for most of this run and this year is no exception. Onstad continues to prove a useful stalwart between the pipes even as he enters his fifth decade. The backline remains stingy and coordinated. Eddie Robinson broke into the U.S. National Team picture during the offseason, an honor well-earned given his club form over the past 12 months. Boswell slides in beside him to form a resolute pairing. Wade Barrett remains underrated at left back, while Craig Waibel holds his own most of the time on the right. Wingers Brad Davis and Brian Mullan are probably the best pairing in the league when healthy, but neither player can seem to stay off the treatment table. Ricardo Clark returns after his lengthy suspension to partner the cunning Dwayne De Rosario in the center of the park. Clark does most of the box to box work, freeing De Rosario to support the strikers. Brian Ching, assuming he can stay healthy, will play alongside Caraccio when he settles.

Key player: Brian Ching.

Most likely to drop out of the starting XI: Craig Waibel.

Off the bench: As long as you're not looking for a striker, you can probably find what you need on the Dynamo bench. Caig is a capable backup keeper. Patrick Ianni could start in central defense for a handful of other teams in the league. Richard Mulrooney lends cover at right back and in midfield. Corey Ashe and Stuart Holden can fill in when Davis and Mullan pick up their inevitable injuries. Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Brown provide meager cover for the front two, though Wondolowski led the reserve league in scoring last year and could surprise.

Outlook: Houston is built for a deep run into the playoffs with its depth and experience. The depth will play a role as many of the team's key players struggle to stay healthy over the course of the season. Ching must remain healthy as the team enters the playoffs as the team can't rely on De Rosario as its only viable scoring option. Don't bet against a three-peat.

South Americans give MLS a boost

The old North American Soccer League, featuring players from all over the world, was sometimes derided as the "Non-American Soccer League."

These days, Major League Soccer is starting to look like the South American Soccer League. English megastar David Beckham gets the lion's share of the spotlight, but the impact players are coming from the New World.

It's not that U.S. players are getting squeezed out. MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis is quick to point out the league has invested heavily in youth academies, an effort that might not affect the MLS talent pool for a few years.

"If we feel that (the league) is not developing U.S. players the way that we want … we would look at that," Gazidis says. "I don't think we see that yet. There are more jobs for U.S. players than ever before and more opportunities for them to compete."

Most MLS teams are allowed eight international players, not counting those with green cards or refugee-asylum status. The exception is Toronto FC, which counts Canadians as "domestic" players and is allowed 10 internationals as long as at least two are U.S. players. Teams also may trade the international slots.

As of Monday, U.S.-born players are still more than 64% of the MLS player pool, not counting those who were born elsewhere but have lived in the USA since high school. Add Canada, Central America and the Caribbean, and the number is more than 75%.

South America accounts for more than 11%. That's far more than the 6% from Europe, the continent that for so long has guided U.S. soccer development. The league has almost as many players born in Argentina (19) as it has players born in Europe (21).

Beckham is the exception. He's the only European signed under the "Beckham rule," put into effect last season to allow teams to count only part of a marquee player's salary against the cap.

The others from last season: Claudio Reyna (USA), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Mexico), Juan Pablo Angel (Colombia) and Denilson (Brazil, no longer in MLS).

This season: Marcelo Gallardo and Claudio Lopez, both from Argentina.

Why so many players from that region?

"They have tremendous technical ability, and with the Argentinian game in particular, there is a physical edge as well that goes with that technical ability that allows them to be successful in a league like MLS, which is a physical, relatively fast-paced league," Gazidis says.

D.C. United is the forerunner of the movement. United brought 2006 MLS MVP Christian Gomez to the league and has added three Argentines, one Colombian and one Peruvian this year. The players fit with United's traditional style — a technical, possession-based game — and the club is known in South America as a popular destination.

"Certainly with our history of success and winning many different championships, we have what we feel is the strongest soccer brand in the United States," general manager Dave Kasper says. "We've extended that brand into Central and South America and even into Europe. … It certainly is a strong selling point."

But it's not just the established powers looking southward. Real Salt Lake, which has yet to make the playoffs since joining the league in 2005, brought in three Argentines last summer and has added two South Americans this season.

For coach Jason Kreis, who took over a few games into last season, signing foreign players was a quick way of closing the gap with the rest of the league. But he says a diverse player pool helps the league compete for fans as well.

"We all have one eye on the fact that the level on the field has got to continue to increase so that we can get more fans," Kreis says.

MLS is nearly MIA as U.S. prepares to play Poland

U.S. national soccer team Coach Bob Bradley selects only three from Major League Soccer to fill out his 18-man roster. The others are from European clubs.

By Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
March 25, 2008

When the U.S. roster for Wednesday's friendly international against Poland in Krakow finally was revealed, U.S. national soccer team Coach Bob Bradley's choices came as little surprise.

Bradley included only three Major League Soccer players in his 18-man squad: Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, as well as striker BrianChing and midfielder Ricardo Clark, both of the Houston Dynamo.

The 15 other players are all from European clubs, with the only noteworthy inclusions being the return of defenders Jay DeMerit of Watford and Cory Gibbs of Charlton Athletic.

Injury sidelined Gibbs just before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and he dropped so far out of the picture that he was not even included in U.S. Soccer's 2008 media guide.

DeMerit last played for the U.S. in its 1-0 loss to Sweden in Gothenburg in August.

The only surprising omission by Bradley -- probably caused by an agreement with Benfica not to call him up for both the Olympic qualifiers and the Poland game -- was Freddy Adu, whose role in helping the U.S. soccer team qualify for this summer's Bejing Olympics was crucial.

Wednesday's U.S.-Poland game will be broadcast live on FSC at 12:30 p.m.

Poland, ranked 24th in the world, compared with the U.S. team's 28th, is preparing for the June 7-29 European Championship, where it will play Germany, Austria and Croatia in the first round.

Even though the U.S. is only 6-7-2 all-time against the Poles, the Poland game is the easiest of four international matches Bradley's squad will play before World Cup qualifying begins for the Americans in June.

Also on tap for the U.S. are games against England on May 28 at Wembley Stadium, where Donovan could make his 100th national team appearance; Spain on June 4 in a game that has been set for the seaport city of Santander on the Bay of Biscay; and Argentina on June 8 at far-less-scenic Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

The qualification by Honduras and the U.S. for Beijing brought the Olympic field up to 15, with the final place still to be decided among Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

The 13 other teams with a chance at a medal are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Serbia and South Korea.

The draw to divide them into four groups of four for first-round play will be held April 20 in Beijing. Look for the gold and silver to head to South America and the bronze to Africa.

Meanwhile, two Honduran players who should have caught the eye of MLS scouts were free-agent forward Georgie Wilson Welcome, whose skills were enough to have U.S. and former UCLA defenders Marvell Wynne and Patrick Ianni lunging around and fouling like clumsy amateurs as they attempted to stop him, and goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez.

North American fans of Germany's national team will be pleased to learn that GolTV, the network run by former Uruguayan standout and 1984 South American Player of the Year Enzo Francescoli, has acquired the North American rights to all of Germany's 2010 World Cup qualifying matches as well as six of its friendly internationals, including the one against England in Berlin in November.

Mexico's two most illustrious teams are enjoying or enduring two very different seasons.

Chivas de Guadalajara seems able to do no wrong and, after Sunday's 2-1 victory over CONCACAF champion Pachuca, is unbeaten and in first place with a 7-0-4 record. Forward Omar Bravo scored one of Sunday's goals and leads the league with eight.

Club America, meanwhile, is going through a horrendous spell. Coach RubenOmar Romano's team is on a seven-game winless streak and is in last place in the standings. Romano did little to endear himself to America fans when he was quoted as saying that doing well at the Copa Libertadores tournament is more important this year than doing well in the Mexican league.

He backtracked a bit when questioned about that stance.

"Things sometimes get misunderstood," he said. "The league is also important. However, the reality is that we are way down in the league standings but much closer in Libertadores. But that doesn't mean we are going to ignore the league."

Club America leads it Copa Libertadores group, just ahead of Argentina's River Plate.

With the MLS season set to begin this weekend, there has been no new word from Toronto FC on its quest to land former New York Red Bull and Chivas USA midfielder Amado Guevara, the league's MVP in 2004.

If Guevara returns to MLS, Chivas USA would have the right of first refusal for the Honduran international. It can claim him and then trade that right.

If Chivas Coach Preki opts not to claim him -- which would be foolish because Chivas gave up a designated player spot to get him in the first place -- the San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto, in that order, would have the chance to acquire him, according to a league spokesman.

Galaxy's big three need to stay healthy

Editor's note: This is the 10th of 14 MLS team previews by ESPNsoccernet for the 2008 season.

2007 record and finish: 9-14-7 (Fifth in the Western Conference, missed the playoffs)

Key additions: F Carlos Ruiz, D Greg Vanney, F Ely Allen, D Sean Franklin, D Julian Valentin, M Alvaro Pires

Key losses: D Chris Albright, GK Joe Cannon, M Kyle Martino, M Cobi Jones, M Kelly Gray, F Carlos Pavon, F Gavin Glinton,

Key questions facing the team

1. Can the Galaxy's stars stay healthy?

Last season it was David Beckham and then-Galaxy-player Chris Albright, among other players on the squad, who were bitten with the injury bug. In MLS, the salary cap dictates that clubs who splash out money on big-time players must compensate with much lower paychecks for the other squad members. Generally, that means inexperienced players, so a squad is really left leaderless when even one or two of their top players is sidelined.

Beckham has been healthy and fit during the team's preseason, but at his age, injuries are commonplace. Forward Landon Donovan did not even travel on the team's preparation tour because of a knee injury. Carlos Ruiz, meanwhile, has often missed time in previous seasons because of recurrent muscle strains. Those are the three most expensive players on the squad. If they are on the bench instead of on the field, those who are left probably can't handle the load of defeating fellow MLS teams with fewer stars, but more consistent quality throughout the lineup.

2. Is Steve Cronin ready?

Nothing gives opposing forwards more confidence than knowing they'll be facing a rookie goalkeeper. It's not just that inexperienced keeps need time to adjust to a game's pacing. It's also that in a relatively small league like MLS, players learn each other's tendencies fairly quickly. During that learning curve, however, league forwards will be eager to use all their favorite tricks and shots on Cronin. Watching a player on video is never the same as facing that person in an actual game. Attacking opponents know this well.

A high-profile team such as the Galaxy is also a difficult place to break in a rookie goalkeeper, because the position is so pressure-packed by definition. If he blunders, highlight videos around the world could easily cast Cronin as the oaf who costs Beckham games.

3. Can the Fish swim in his favorite sea again?

It's no secret that Carlos Ruiz was unhappy about leaving the Galaxy back in 2005. He was comfortable in Los Angeles. Perhaps that was part of the problem, though, as his goal output was falling every year. His stint in FC Dallas might have actually revived him, partly because he was given more leadership responsibilities there.

Now Ruiz claims to have a new appreciation for the opportunity to play with the Galaxy. Inevitably, there is also some humility involved for both the team and player. Ruiz is no longer the cocky young forward who led the Galaxy to their first championship. The Galaxy are no longer the only MLS team never to miss the playoffs. Ruiz isn't even the big fish on the team -- Beckham clearly has that job. "Little Fish", however, has a chance to prove he still has what it takes to return L.A. to glory.

4. Can Ruud Gullit adjust to MLS?

He won't ever score a goal for the squad, but much of the Galaxy's success is centered around their new coach, Ruud Gullit. MLS has not been a kind league to foreign coaches. They arrive with glistening credentials and almost always leave quite quickly with losing records.

Gullit is an affable sort, but that easygoing charm masks a disciplined mind full of creative little details to improve a team. He has imposed a new schedule, dietary regime and incorporated European training techniques and drills that are novel to his American players. It may pay off marvelously, or he may find himself with a rebellion on his hands because most U.S. teams are not so tightly regimented.

Gullit himself may chafe at the enormous number of restrictions he must work under. It could very easily have been the salary cap numbers that kept him from signing a former Chelsea player, Celestine Babayaro, to the Galaxy recently. Gullit has a tremendous amount of contacts in the soccer world, yet if he cannot offer a competitive rate to players he wants to bring in, his connections are useless.

Biggest X factor: Abel Xavier

The Portuguese star has the savvy and positioning skills, but his speed has fallen off considerably. His accurate service to the midfield and even the forwards is an asset, but with a rookie goalkeeper between the posts, the defensive line is crucial. If Xavier can marshal the defense to stand tough in front of Cronin, the Galaxy's fortunes look better.

Breakout player to watch: Ely Allen

Allen isn't going to blow away any defenders with his speed, and he doesn't have a powerful strike like Ruiz, but he has shown good judgment during the squad's preseason tour. Allen gets to open spaces and incoming crosses; he makes passes at the right time, and he isn't afraid to try to finish. Gullit could find the rookie a handy option throughout the season.

Outlook

Beckham's right leg is a potent weapon. Simply put, the Galaxy captain can still do what he does best -- provide excellent crosses and dead-ball service. That gives the team a distinct advantage in every game they play, especially since now they have an experienced MLS forward like Ruiz to receive the ball.

The trifecta of Donovan, Ruiz and Beckham could be one of the most exciting combinations in the league, but it's a bit hard to tell, as they have yet to be on the field together in even an exhibition game.

The big three can't do it alone, however. Last season, the Galaxy seemed to thrive only when the harsh media spotlight wasn't on them. That defeats the whole purpose of bringing in an attention-getting player like Beckham.

Gullit may actually be a crucial element here. His profile is high enough to deflect some attention from Beckham, and his leadership in coping with the media pressure might set the perfect example for all the Galaxy players who were overwhelmed by the situation last year. It could also be that as the Beckham novelty wears off, everyone will find it easier to adjust. That comfort level could propel the team back to the playoffs.

See also

Soccer: Toronto FC finishes pre-season with 'disappointing' loss

Report: Soccer star David Beckham has option to buy MLS franchise when Galaxy contract expires

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Soccer-Primera Liga reports

Soccer: Toronto FC finishes pre-season with 'disappointing' loss

Being in last place is nothing new to Toronto FC. The team ended its first Major League Soccer season last year in the basement.

But this time that position comes with some added embarrassment.

Toronto finished the Carolina Challenge Cup winless and in last place (0-2-1) after falling 2-0 to the host Charleston Battery on Saturday. Charleston plays in the United Soccer Leagues.

The MLS-expansion San Jose Earthquakes (3-0-0) won the pre-season tournament, closing out their week with a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. The Battery (1-1-1-) finished second in four-team tournament, while Red Bulls (0-1-2) were third.

While pre-season results rarely indicate what will happen during the season, winners from the last four Challenge Cups have gone on to capture either the MLS Cup or the MLS Supporters' Shield, given to the team with the best regular-season record.

Toronto, which it opens it regular season in Columbus on March 29, will have to improve.

"We're very, very, very disappointed," TFC head coach John Carver told mlsnet.com after the loss to Charleston. "In all my years in the game, that's the probably the worst performance I've ever seen. The only consolation is that there's no Marvell Wynne, no Maurice Edu and no Carl Robinson. To me that's the only consolation to take out of this game. I could be here a month trying to explaining that poor performance."

Wynne and Edu were with the United States at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament this week along with TFC teammates Tyler Hemming, Tyler Rosenlund and Andrea Lombardo, who were representing Canada. Robinson was in Wales attending personal matters.

Charleston's goals were scored by former Red Bulls striker Randi Patterson, in the 38th and 50th minutes.

Carver, with plenty of decisions to make on his final roster, used the game to have a look at some players on the bubble — 'keeper Brian Edwards, defender Pat Phelan, midfielder Martin Brittain and forward Kevin Gall. The 23-year-old Phelan was the 10th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

On Friday, Toronto signed Canadian midfielder Rosenlund to a senior developmental contract. Rosenlund impressed TFC manager Mo Johnston with his performances with the Canadian under-23 squad at the Olympic qualifying tournament.

"If he makes some progress, which we're hoping he does, there's always an opportunity there to make the 18-man roster," Johnston said.

See Also:

Soccer-Primera Liga reports

MLS Preview: New England Revolution

Home holds extra meaning to jet-setting Dynamo

MLS Preview: Columbus

Where did we leave off last year? Argentine wizard Guillermo Barros Schelotto dragged his teammates far closer to the playoffs than they probably deserved. Eddie Gaven showed a few signs of life. Sigi Schmid concocted a system to get the very most out of a limited roster.

Arrivals: DF Andy Iro (SuperDraft - UC Santa Barbara), MF Brian Carroll (D.C. United), FW Nicolas Hernandez (Colorado)

Departures: DFs Marcos Gonzalez (Universidad de Catolica, Chile), Rusty Pierce (waived), and Tim Ward (Colorado), MFs Jacob Thomas (waived) and Ricardo Virtuoso (waived), FW Andy Herron (Chicago)

Assessing the front office moves: Schmid wanted a defensive midfielder in the Shalrie Joseph mold and ended up with Carroll, who will provide an upgrade in that department of the field. Most of the offseason focused on bringing in a Designated Player to finish the moves started by Barros Schelotto and Gaven. The front office showed a bit of naïveté in its negotiations with former Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski, taking negotiations up to the final hour only to see Larissa (Greece) swoop in and seal the deal with more money. Zurawski wouldn't make this team a playoff contender by himself, but he certainly may have done enough to vault them over one or two teams. Losing Gonzalez hurts the backline and no replacement appears forthcoming. How the front office deals with its continued pursuit of a Designated Player could prove the difference between another rebuilding year and a rare playoff appearance.

The squad: Schmid has done a nice job to take a squad that was not worthy of MLS competition and rehabilitate it to the point where this team can harbor realistic playoff expectations. Schmid's defensive posture covers up any weaknesses in the back, where Will Hesmer isn't amongst the league's strongest goalkeepers and the defense doesn't matchup man-for-man to many others in the league. Ezra Hendrickson and Frankie Hedjuk are certainly competent in the fullback role, while Iro will be asked to partner the Faberge-constructed Chad Marshall in central defense.  If Marshall falters, Danny O'Rourke could push Hendrickson into the middle. The midfield is a non-descript group headlined by Barros Schelotto's exploits in the hole underneath the strikers. Stefani Miglioranzi can play anywhere in midfield and earns few plaudits for his steady play. Carroll should partner him in defensive midfield. Robbie Rogers and Gaven will likely man the flanks, giving the Crew two young, dynamic, and inconsistent wide options. It would make sense for Schmid to stick Moreno alone up top to give Barros Schelotto plenty of room to roam, though Miglioranzi could drop out of the side to make room for Hernandez's inclusion up top.

Key player: Guillermo Barros Schelotto

Most likely to drop out of the starting XI: Stefani Miglioranzi

Off the bench: O'Rourke gives cover at fullback and defensive midfield, while Hernandez probably lends a decent attacking option off the bench. Jason Garey will probably see some minutes, too, though he's unlikely to score while using them. Backup goalie Andy Gruenebaum isn't the type of insurance policy you like to have at this level.

Outlook: Try and try as the Crew does, it just doesn't seem like there's enough quality to matchup with the top five teams in the conference over the length of this season. The dagger may have been the loss of Gonzalez, one of the better center backs in the league over the past few seasons. With Gonzalez in the fold, the team didn't have to rely on Marshall's health, which has been spotty over the past two campaigns. Schmid is a resourceful coach who has done well to get as much as he has out of this squad over the past couple of seasons. With another striker, there's a chance the playoffs could beckon. If Barros Schelotto is injured for any stretch of time, kiss those hopes goodbye.

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MLS Seattle to let fans decide team name

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MLS Seattle to let fans decide team name

Kirkland, WA (Sports Network) - Major League Soccer's 2009 expansion franchise in Seattle announced on Thursday that fans are invited to vote online for the name of the new team from March 27-31 at www.mlsinseattle.com.

Three naming options will be announced Tuesday, March 25, and were chosen through fan focus groups, internal committees and fan suggestions.

"We are confident one of the three choices will resonate with our fans throughout the Northwest," Seattle General Manager Adrian Hanauer said. "We spent a great deal of time analyzing and debating possible names. Now it is up to the fans."

The winning name will be revealed via live web cast on Monday, April 7, at 2 p.m. (ET), also at www.mlsinseattle.com.

MLS Seattle, which currently has just over 13,000 season ticket deposit holders, will play its complete 18-game home schedule at Qwest Field beginning in March 2009.

Report: Soccer star David Beckham has option to buy MLS franchise when Galaxy contract expires

David Beckham has an option to buy an MLS franchise when his five-year Los Angeles Galaxy contract expires after the 2011 season, according to a CBS "60 Minutes" profile scheduled to air Sunday.

The program was to report the option was granted to the 32-year-old midfielder and his manager, Simon Fuller.

"We don't comment on rumor or speculation," Simon Oliveira, Beckham's spokesman, said Thursday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "David's focus at present is on playing for the Galaxy and his country."

Beckham, who joined the Galaxy last season, could make his 100th international appearance for England in next week's friendly at France. The Galaxy opens the MLS season March 29 at Colorado.

Neither the league nor the Galaxy would comment.

"Our policy is we don't comment on potential owners of Major League Soccer teams," MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche said. "Ultimately, if individuals or groups are interested in purchasing a Major League Soccer team, it's their option whether or not they want to express it publicly. We're a private company, and those matters remain private."

Beckham signed a five-year contract that pays him $5.5 million annually, plus a share of revenues from ticket, merchandise and concessions sales. Limited by injuries, Beckham played eight MLS and tournament games in his first season with the Galaxy, getting one goal and three assists while making four starts.

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MLS Preview: New England Revolution

Where did we leave off last year? Consistent regular season saw the team nestle comfortably into the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Simple playoff run saw experience and solidity trump New York and Chicago. Loose approach in MLS Cup didn't yield benefits, as the side lost to Houston for the second season in a row.

Arrivals: DF Chris Albright (Los Angeles), MF Mauricio Castro (Olimpia, Honduras), FW Argenis Fernandez (Santos, Costa Rica)

Departures: DF Avery John (unattached), MF Andy Dorman (Saint Mirren, Scotland), FW Pat Noonan (Aalesund, Norway)

Assessing the front office moves: The traditionally-dormant front office made a couple of moves during the offseason, grabbing Albright in exchange for allocation money and signing Castro (Honduras) and Fernandez (Costa Rica) from South America. But those players didn't completely fill glaring needs at the back or in the attacking third. One wonders where exactly in the power structure the player transfers fall apart because this team needed more fresh blood than it got during the off-season. Give management a pass on Dorman, who didn't want to stay and cashed in with St. Mirren in Scotland, but place the blame on Noonan's departure on the needlessly generous contract management bestowed upon him last offseason after an injury-riddled 2006. Noonan's decision to walk when the team tried to correct itself this off-season made sense for all parties involved.

The squad: The departures of two probable starters and a key reserve in Dorman represent the most significant squad changes under the Nicol regime. The departures would be more worrisome but for the spine of the squad (GK Matt Reis, DF Michael Parkhurst, MFs Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, and Steve Ralston, and FW Taylor Twellman), which ranks as the strongest in the league. But the depth in the squad is nearly non-existent at this point and there are serious question about who will partner Twellman up top in Noonan's absence. Abdoulie "Kenny" Mansally, the Gambian U-20 forward, has the inside track over Adam Cristman to earn that berth. The team would probably be served best by acquiring another midfielder to cover the wide right berth as Wells Thompson goes through the ups and downs of full-time starting duty as Ralston pulls the strings as a playmaker. Castro should take over from the infuriatingly inconsistent Khano Smith on the left flank. If the Revs go with three at the back, either Albright or Jay Heaps will have to play out of position on the left or drop to the bench.

Key player: Michael Parkhurst

Most likely to drop out of the starting XI: Kenny Mansally

Off the bench: There's not much to write home about after Joe Franchino, returning after missing last year with a knee injury, Smith, and Cristman or Mansally. The team has high hopes for top draft pick Rob Valentino, but he's still recovering from a torn ACL. Doug Warren could play for a game or two if Reis gets injured.

Outlook: It's foolhardy to bet against Steve Nicol and Paul Mariner. This team, on paper, has less talent than the ones that have preceded it. Key additions haven't materialized as hoped, but Twellman and company have a way of patching over the cracks. The only thing that will keep the Revolution from challenging for a third consecutive MLS Cup berth is a spate of injuries, particularly if Parkhurst or Twellman gets hurt. Dorman and Noonan represented the cushion and the extra that the team just won't have heading into the 2008 campaign. But the bare bones of this team are the envy of most teams in the league and should be enough to finish second in the Eastern Conference with some comfort. One thing to watch: this is a small squad that will fight on many fronts this season (SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League, U.S. Open Cup). How will the team cope with the strain?

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Home holds extra meaning to jet-setting Dynamo

From Hawaii to Guatemala City and multiple stops in between, the Dynamo have seemingly been everywhere but in Houston this preseason.

That makes tonight's match against CSD Municipal at Robertson Stadium all the more relevant in their eyes.

"We're anxious to play Municipal at home," Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario said. "We're looking forward to start basically our season on the right foot."

Aside from wanting to treat fans to a sneak preview of what they hope will be another successful year — league play starts in less than two weeks — the two-time defending MLS champions aim to advance in the region's premier club tournament. In the decisive leg of their quarterfinal series, only a win will do.

For the Dynamo, whose trip to Guatemala last week netted a scoreless tie in the opening leg of the series, it is a good thing they get the chance to settle things in familiar surroundings. In Champions' Cup play, teams live or die at home.

That might sound dramatic, but it holds especially true for MLS teams.

Since the Champions' Cup adopted a home-and-home series format in 2002 (before that, the tournament was held in a neutral city), MLS teams are an impressive 20-1-6 as hosts but a disastrous 5-20-3 as visitors.

The Dynamo are a prime example of the conundrum. Last year, they won both home games but also lost both away games as they reached the semifinals, where they were eliminated by eventual champion Pachuca of Mexico.

"Unlike any other tournament in the world, in CONCACAF, home-field advantage is just literally that — an advantage like I've never seen," said defender Eddie Robinson, who is in his fifth Champions' Cup with the team. "In my experience, the home team wins 90 percent of the time."

The format might deny teams home-field advantage in its most common version (hosting more games than the opponent). But other circumstances make the term applicable.

Many MLS teams are simply overwhelmed by the many variables that come with playing in countries where soccer is the sport, where facilities are sometimes not up to par and where they — and even the referees — can be intimidated by the fan fervor and often tense stadium atmospheres.

Similarly, Mexican, Central American and Caribbean teams often struggle with trips to unfamiliar surroundings in the United States. These teams are usually in season, and a midweek trip north might present logistical challenges.

"When you're home, you get your fans, your support and you know your field," De Rosario said. "When you go to Central American or Caribbean countries, I think the feel is a lot different, the game is different and sometimes the officiating is a lot different."

With the series tied, history looks to be on the Dynamo's side when they take on Municipal, a 25-time champion in Guatemala but a team in the midst of a winless streak that between league and Cup play has reached four matches.

That sits well with the Dynamo, for whom anything less than making the semifinals will be considered a failure less than a year after coming up just short of reaching the Cup final.

Fellow MLS team D.C. United reached the semifinals Tuesday with a 5-0 rout of Jamaica's Harbour View (6-1 in aggregate) at RFK Stadium.

The Dynamo are trying to become the first MLS team since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000 to win the Champions' Cup before the tournament is dumped in favor of a broader and more European-inspired Champions League beginning late this year,

Coach Dominic Kinnear plays down the statistics.

"It shows you it's tough no matter where you go, especially out of the country," Kinnear said. "It's tough for teams to leave their country to play.

"Whether it's Champions League in Europe or CONCACAF, I don't think it's coincidence. Teams are more confident and more comfortable playing at home and sometimes the crowds are intimidating."

Instead of relying on their status as home team, the Dynamo will have to come out and impose their game early.

"With the small field, I feel we need to move the ball a bit quicker than we did there," Kinnear said. "I think our wide play needs to be a little more precise, but I think possession will be key for us."

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Red Bulls still have some holes to fill

2007 finish: 12-11-7 (third in the East, sixth in MLS)

Key Additions: F Oscar Echeverry, D Eric Brunner, GK Zach Thornton

Key Losses: M Clint Mathis, M Dema Kovalenko, F Francis Doe, GK Ronald Waterreus

Key Questions

1. When will the reinforcements arrive?

Considering the long list of new acquisitions in MLS this season, particularly in the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls have been conspicuous by their lack of activity. Colombian striker Oscar Echeverry is the lone impact signing of the offseason on a team that had several needs.

Chief among those needs are a playmaker, left winger and left back for Osorio's 3-5-2 formation. You could argue that Osorio will improve the team's talent by getting more out of certain players than his predecessor, Bruce Arena did. While that could help the club from a consistency standpoint, if the Red Bulls are going to contend for a title, the team still needs two or three impact signings.

Osorio insists it is a matter of when, and not if, those key additions will arrive. The club has cleared plenty of salary cap space to accommodate new players, but with the transfer window set to close in a month, the Red Bulls will need to act fast or be forced to wait until the summer, something the team may not be able to afford to do in an improved Eastern Conference.

2. What does Claudio Reyna have left?

There haven't been many players in MLS who've faced more scrutiny from his own team's fans than Claudio Reyna, who struggled with injuries and failed to make the type of impact expected of a million-dollar player.

While some of the criticism he faced was warranted, to say he was a waste of a player is flat wrong. Reyna stepped up in several matches late in the year and something that wasn't publicized was his leadership that helped keep together a locker room that was set for a meltdown late in the season.

What Reyna can still do is compose the midfield, cut off other team's passing lanes and make sharp passes to put his teammates in positions to make plays. Last year, Reyna was a victim of a system that left him defending far too often. That shouldn't be a problem this year as Osorio wants Reyna's role to be more of a catalyst, either in an advanced role or in a deeper position, depending on when the Red Bulls sign a natural attacking midfielder.

Does Reyna actually have something left in the tank at 34? So far in preseason Reyna has looked re-energized, something that Red Bulls fans will be hoping carries over to the regular season.

3. Are enough pieces in place for a good defense?

So how did the Red Bulls go from the stingiest defense in the league early in the year to a dysfunctional back line by season's end? There were a variety of reasons, from terrible trades to injuries and the clear loss of confidence of some defenders.

Enter Osorio, whose reputation for transforming teams into defensively stingy units precedes him. In Chicago, he implemented a disciplined system that frustrated opponents and limited their chances. Osorio has already stated that he's impressed with the defensive talent on the roster, enough to be left wondering how the group performed so poorly last season. Jeff Parke and Carlos Mendes were a quality center back tandem the first two months of 2007 before watching the team's starting fullbacks either be traded or injured. That, coupled with the loss of goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus, unsettled the two and they eventually wore down as they tried to cover for their teammates mistakes.

Osorio has seen the quality in both and has them in his starting three-man defense, with Parke as the central defender and Mendes as the right back. The change in system seems to suit them well, but the left back position will be key to how well the defense really does. Kevin Goldthwaite just wasn't good enough after arriving last season in a trade for Todd Dunivant. The move was a disaster for the Red Bulls even before Goldthwaite went down with a knee injury. He has shown improvement in training camp, but not enough to keep the club from continuing to find another player at the position.

X-Factor: Oscar Echeverry

Few could have imagined that a team with Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore would be looking for an impact forward. However, Altidore's likely participation in the Olympics and with the U.S. national team (along with the outside chance that he moves on a transfer this summer) made forward a priority for new coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

Enter Echeverry, a fast and strong striker whose shifty moves and clever passing make him an ideal partner for Angel, and a potential withdrawn forward in a three-forward attack. He has already shown a good understanding with Angel and should flourish as teams pay extra attention to Angel and Altidore.

Breakout player to watch: Jeff Parke

It might sound strange for a four-year veteran of the league to be a breakout candidate, but Parke stands poised to go from quality MLS starter to one of the league's best central defenders.

Strong, fast and uncompromising, Parke has long been underrated, but Osorio has already acknowledged that the 26-year-old defender is better than people realize. Playing as the center back in a three-man defense will allow Parke to show the tools that could make him an All-Star. Don't be surprised to see Parke emerge much the way Eddie Robinson emerged as Houston's best defender after seven years in the league.

Outlook

The Red Bulls woefully underachieved in 2007, wasting a strong start to the season with a stuttering finish. There are holes in the roster, but there are pieces in place to quickly turn the Red Bulls into a title contender, assuming the club can sign the right players and make use of the salary cap space it has cleared this offseason.

That's where Osorio was expected to be able to attract some quality signings. He has delivered one so far in Echeverry, but the club still has several needs with less than a month to go before the start of the season. The Red Bulls still need a left winger, a left back and an attacking midfielder. Without filling those needs, the Red Bulls are going to struggle in an Eastern Conference where other teams have loaded up with new players.

Osorio believes the Red Bulls can compete even before the reinforcements arrive. He is confident he can build a stingy defense like he did in Chicago, and the Red Bulls believe Reyna can be a useful playmaker who provides competent service for Angel and Osorio. That may be wishful thinking. If the Red Bulls can competently fill their needs on the transfer market they could push D.C. United for the East title. Now, if the Red Bulls struggle to find the players they need, the current roster will struggle to crack the top four in the East and will be in danger of missing the playoffs.

David Beckham passes test of his fighting spirit

The verbal confrontation in which David Beckham became embroiled with André Rocha, of Brazil, late in the Los Angeles Galaxy's goalless draw away to FC Dallas in a friendly on Saturday may have lost something in translation but it demonstrated one undeniable fact: Beckham's desire to play for England for the 100th time, and beyond, has not been dulled by him plying his trade in an undeniably inferior standard of football.

"I've always said I always want to be available for my country. I don't want to let go of that and I still love passionately playing for my country. Nothing's ever going to change that," the former England captain said. "I might be playing on the other side of the world but nothing will change the passion.

"I don't know how much longer I can play for England � it's obviously down to other people to decide that. I always want to be available."

Had Franco Baldini, the England general manager sent on a near 10,000-mile round trip to Pizza Hut Park to assess Beckham's fitness, troubled himself to speak to the midfield player after the game, he may have been able to glean that information for himself.

However, this was clearly a day for noncommunication, as Dario Sala, the Dallas goalkeeper, explained when asked what Beckham and Rocha had said to each other during their altercation.

"Rocha doesn't speak English and Beckham doesn't speak Portuguese," Sala said. "So I don't know." The practicalities of the preseason game � Beckham's sixth of the Galaxy's warm-up campaign � are that the 32-year-old has obviously lost none of his exquisite passing abilities, from open play or set-pieces, and his game fitness looked perfectly adequate.

The MLS, for all its limitations, lacks little in terms of the athleticism and speed of its players and the only conclusion to be drawn from the exercise of sending Baldini to assess the player is that should Fabio Capello, the England manager, leave Beckham out of his squad for the friendly against France on March 26, he might be doing so for more than footballing reasons. Capello will name an initial squad on Wednesday or Thursday this week before announcing the final squad at the weekend.

For, as Beckham was frank enough to point out, while he may be unable to beat defenders with pace or trickery, he was never able to do so.

"It's not as if my game will ever change because people say the standard is different here," Beckham said. "My game will always be the same. Give me five yards and I'll put the ball in where someone will want it."

The closest a sell-out crowd of 20,500 came to seeing a goal was late in proceedings when a superb Beckham pass landed on Landon Dono-van's boot from 45 yards and allowed the United States forward to produce a chip that was superbly saved by Sala.

Moments later, Beckham lost his composure in arguing with a linesman and then Rocha, and it was hard not to conclude that he may have been trying that little bit too hard in the circumstances, a charge denied by the player. "People might think there is extra pressure on my side, but there is always pressure on me," Beckham said. "He [Baldini] is obviously coming to see how my fitness is and how my form is. It's only natural that is going to happen.

"I just had to go out and perform, play the balls I can play, work hard, show I'm fit again. That's all I can do."

As well as the England subplot, Beckham was also cast in the unfamiliar role � unfamiliar for the MLS, anyway � of villain. A fair number of home supporters booed him at the final whistle, not only because of his booking but because they remain angered that he missed a league game in Dallas last season through injury.

"It was a nice game on a great pitch with nice fans � well, the majority were," Beckham joked. "I got a bit of stick from some of them, but that's normal.

"People are always sceptical about me moving to MLS when I'm still pretty young, but I always said I saw it as a move to a league and a country that is going somewhere in soccer.

"I'm proud to be part of that and I wanted to be here when I'm still young enough to perform at a high level." Whether Baldini believes Beckham is still performing at such a level remains a mystery. "I haven't spoken to him," Beckham said. "But I realised that he was here and I hope he enjoys Dallas and I hope he enjoyed the game."

A sharp performance helps U.S. trump Panama

The U.S. U-23 national team needed a better performance Thursday night than the one it delivered Tuesday, and a better performance is what it got. Though it still wasn't on a level one would expect from a team with as much talent as the Americans have on their roster, it still put the U.S. team in good position to advance to the next round of qualifying.

U.S. coach Peter Nowak made wholesale lineup changes and many of the new starters stepped up with strong efforts to help the Americans post a 1-0 victory against Panama on Thursday. Whether it was Michael Orozco's showing toughness and stability in the back, Stuart Holden and Eddie Gaven providing dynamic wing play two days after their teammates made a mockery of the flanks or Jozy Altidore's showing more flashes of why he's considered a star-in-the-making, Nowak's squad managed to breathe some life into a qualifying campaign that looked shaky after Game 1.

The best thing you can say about Thursday's performance is that the Americans never stopped playing. There was no real stretch of action in which the U.S. team allowed Panama to take over the match the way the Cubans stole the momentum Tuesday. It is a good thing the Americans didn't fall asleep, because Panama's attacking players looked much better equipped to pounce on miscues and lackadaisical play than Cuba did.

Thursday's match started slowly, with some of the same issues from the Cuba match emerging again. There were unforced turnovers from the midfield, and Altidore struggling to make an impact. The difference this time was the U.S. had a pair of wingers capable of breathing some life into the attack. Holden was the most consistent offensive player for the Americans against Panama, constantly providing an outlet on the wings and repeatedly taking on defenders with purposeful runs.

Holden's effort, as well as Gaven's, eventually created some space for Altidore to operate, and the 18-year-old striker made the most of it. When Gaven lofted a long pass to him in perfect position to race in behind the Panama defense, Altidore did the rest, racing in on goal and forcing Panama goalkeeper Jose Calderon to deliver a late challenge and give up a penalty. When Freddy Adu converted the spot kick, the Americans suddenly held the lead for the first time in almost 90 minutes of game action.

Unlike against Cuba, when the Americans fell asleep for a half and eventually allowed the Cubans to find an equalizer, the U.S. defense played tenaciously for most of the match, never allowing Panama many serious opportunities. The central defense tandem of Maurice Edu and Orozco was stellar all night, delivering tough tackles and thwarting every run by Gabriel Torres, Panama's lone striker, and staking a strong claim to being the first-choice center back tandem for the U.S. team's decisive Olympic qualifying semifinal.

The front six also made a strong bid to be Nowak's choices to start in the semifinals. Altidore struggled at times but still managed to show, particularly in the second half, why he is head and shoulders above the other strikers on the team. Adu was Adu, providing energy and skill as he did in Game 1. Holden and Gaven were solid on the flanks while Dax McCarty delivered his second straight quality performance in central midfield.

If there was a disappointment in the attack, it was the play of Sacha Kljestan, who made far too many uncharacteristic turnovers to be considered a lock starter going forward. Working in his favor is the fact that Kljestan has performed well before, as he did in the second half against Cuba. Having already played a game and a half, Kljestan will probably be rested against Honduras but should be strongly considered for the semifinal, assuming the U.S. team makes it there.

No, the Americans haven't qualified yet, but that appears a formality because the only challenge is Cuba, which is down to just 10 players after seven players left the team. Cuba fought valiantly in losing to Honduras, 2-0, on Thursday night, but expecting the Cubans to beat Panama with only 11 players after having just played two days earlier is a major stretch.

That leaves it up to the U.S. team to post the tie it needs against unbeaten Honduras on Saturday to advance. The Americans will be looking for the win in order to finish atop the group and, hopefully, avoid Mexico. With the Mexicans tying their first match of the qualifying tournament though, there is no guarantee they will finish atop Group B either.

Nowak will have some tough decisions to make Saturday. With several key players unlikely to be available for the Honduras match due to fatigue, the U.S. coach will have to call on some of the same players who struggled so badly against Cuba. He will need to give forwards Charlie Davies, Robbie Findley and Chad Barrett a look to see who is his next best option after Altidore. Nowak will also need to take a good look at winger Sal Zizzo, who showed some good signs as a late substitute Thursday.

As much as Saturday's match will be about trying to beat Honduras and win the group it will be about some players having a second chance to prove they deserve a start in the semifinals. It is going to take some special performances to unseat some of the top performers from Thursday and, more importantly, it is going to take some pretty strong showings to make Nowak forget about the disappointing performance against Cuba. Thursday's standouts have already done their part to make that happen.

Lopez one of the better DP signings in MLS history

In the final weeks of Argentina's 1994 Apertura season, Racing Club was poised to win the championship. Many of the 60,000-plus Racing supporters at Estadio Juan Domingo Peron in Avellaneda were in a celebratory mood on a warm Friday night in late February, some scaling a 25-foot fence behind the goal to lead the cheering.

The Racing team, which included a 19-year-old forward named Claudio Javier Lopez, had momentum and motivation, plus a 1-0 halftime lead over Ferro Carril Oeste. But the action was just starting. Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe someone was trying to give Racing another advantage, but the lights in the visiting team's locker room went out, so Ferro spent halftime on the field, amid the din and pyrotechnics. And when Mariano Dalla Libera extended the lead to 2-0 early in the second half, Racing's title seemed secure.

Dalla Libera started the party by ripping off his shirt and twirling it, whipping up the crowd.

But that action by Dalla Libera -- who had long ago earned the nickname "El Loco" -- was the beginning of the end of Racing's season; he received his second caution (shirt removal had only recently become a yellow-card offense), Racing lost its inspirational playmaker and Ferro calmly rallied to tie. Racing supporters attempted to confront the officiating crew, waiting outside the locker room for an hour after the game, failing in their attempt only because they were diverted by a gunshot.

After the reporters from Clarin had filed their stories by cell phone, I joined them at a parrillada for a dinner which began well past midnight, returning to my hotel about 4 a.m.

Lopez and his Racing teammates probably had difficulty sleeping after that match, which did, indeed, cost them the title -- they finished a point behind first place River Plate.

Lopez is now 33 years old, and he might be ready for a calmer environment. If so, Kansas City is the place.

There will be barbecue joints, but they will be closing about the time things are just getting started in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rome and Valencia, Lopez's other ports of call on the way to becoming a Wizard; he is the MLS' seventh designated player since the so-called Beckham Rule was instituted last year.

Though there might be some culture shock for Lopez to endure, this could be one of the better pickups in the short history of DPs.

Here's why.

The Wizards are acquiring Lopez for purely soccer reasons. They are not attempting to appeal to an ethnic community or an entertainment entity, or turn the team into a traveling circus.

And Lopez apparently is going to Kansas City for purely soccer reasons. He is not expecting to move in next to celebrities, become the idol of a huge expatriate community, or join a high-profile road show.

So, where will Lopez rate among DPs?

Lopez, nicknamed "El Piojo" ("The Flea"), is not nearly as powerful as Juan Pablo Angel. Lopez is a forward who relies on technique and opportunism. Like Cuauhtemoc Blanco, though, Lopez has probably lost a step or two in recent seasons. But, like Blanco, Lopez's skill level is high enough that he does not have to rely on foot speed.

But the MLS is a league based on hard-charging, physical play. Lopez will have to adjust to the aggressiveness of opponents and also to the level of sophistication of his own teammates. If, like Blanco, Lopez has to retreat to get involved in the offense, or finds himself in more of a playmaking role than he is used to, the setup will not work for the Wizards.

Another Argentinean, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, noted the crudeness of the MLS game in his first season with Columbus last year. Like Barros Schelotto, Lopez should be able to adjust to everything the MLS throws at him. The main questions will be the physical demands and how to stay motivated when performing on an artificial-turf field somewhere in Utah in the middle of August with no threat of being relegated. Lopez will find life mas tranquilo in Kansas City, but he will not receive any mercy from opposing defenders or any sympathy from referees.

This is the MLS. Early to bed, early to rise. Keep your shirt on, and we'll see if we can find a No. 10 to get you the ball.

Column-MLS looking to capitalize on talented players in upcoming season

With roughly three weeks to go before the start of the Major League Soccer season, two of the biggest questions are if David Beckham can stay fit, and if he can help soccer to grow in the United States.

England manager Fabio Capello told the press recently that Beckham has a good chance of making the English National squad that will play France on Wednesday March 26, three days before the season opener for his Los Angeles Galaxy against the Colorado Rapids. If Beckham plays in the game against France, he will reach 100 matches played for England.

So what does this have to do with the MLS?

It shows that the league not only has the biggest name in soccer, it also has one of the best players in the game, and could be on the rise of becoming a serious contender against the bigger sports in this nation.

Even though soccer is the biggest sport in the world, it is still behind "the big four" in America (baseball, football, basketball, and ice hockey), but with the success of the U.S national team and the improvement of the MLS it might not be long until it will be called the "big five."

It was big news in the soccer world last year when Beckham announced that he would move across the Atlantic Ocean and join the Galaxy. In his first game as a starter on Aug. 18 against the New York Redbulls, an impressive crowd of 66.237 saw the game at Giants Stadium, making it the highest attendance for a regular season game in MLS history.

Beckham's season was spoiled by a knee injury he picked up against FC Pachuca in the North American Super Liga final which put him on the sidelines for over six weeks. He played in a total of eight games (five in league play) and was registered for one goal and three assists.

Many fans were disappointed not to see Beckham play because of his injury, and many people bought tickets just to see him.

The British superstar will have a key role in the growth of the MLS this season, and I have no doubt that he will succeed in bringing fans to the stadiums.

When Beckham first came to the MLS it was after a long season with Real Madrid in Spain, and he arrived to the league with a minor injury.

This season the fans are going to see a fit David Beckham, having a full pre-season training with both the Galaxy and with Arsenal which are the current leaders in the English Premiership in front of Beckham's former club Manchester United.

Beckham is the big name of the MLS, but soccer fans should not forget that they have one of the best American born players in Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy). Along with great players such as Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Jaime Moreno (DC United), Juan Pablo Angel (NY Redbulls), and Collin Samuel (Toronto FC), as well as with exiting young prospects such as Israel Sessay (LA Galaxy), Nikolas Besagno (Real Salt Lake), and Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), this season could very well be the best season yet of the relatively young MLS, which started in 1996.

If media give the MLS the attention is needs, and deserve, I believe that Americans will understand the charm of the sport that is referred to as "the beautiful game."

West Ham reportedly to play MLS all-stars in Toronto

The Star has learned that MLS has chosen the English Premier League squad West Ham United as the opponent for its All-Star game in Toronto this summer.

The game, which marks the second time in three years the MLS all-stars will face an English team, takes place July 24 at BMO Field.

Major League Soccer first drifted away from the traditional intra-league all-star game format in 2001, when its all-stars played the U.S. national team. Since then all but one all-star game has featured a team of MLS standouts against a club team from overseas.

Last summer the MLS all-stars defeated Celtic in Denver, and in 2006 Scarborough's Dwayne De Rosario scored the only goal in the MLS all-stars' 1-0 win over Chelsea.

The league announced last year that Toronto would host the all-star game in 2008, and the deal with West Ham, who currently occupy 10th place in the 20-team Premier League, ends rumours linking teams like Liverpool and Newcastle with the game.