Spirits high as Chivas USA camp opens

CARSON, Calif. -- With many of the same faces that have been defending the team's colors for several seasons now, Chivas USA opened the fifth training camp in club history on Wednesday.

Some new faces, such as Cuban forward Reiner Alcantara and rookie draft pick Michael Lahoud, meshed with veterans Jesse Marsch and Maykel Galindo as the club set forth on the long and challenging road towards March 21 and the 2009 MLS season opener.

Players felt that day one passed on as well as could have been expected.

"Every day has to be about getting a little sharper and getting a little better and establishing yourself within the team for each individual and as a group," Marsch said. "As much as you have two months to get ready, you don't really have any time to waste. You want to make sure every day you get something out of it and that you're pushing each other the right way and I feel like today was a good start."

Part of the day's events included Sacha Kljestan, who cut off most of his locks following Saturday's U.S. national team match, and Jonathan Bornstein. Kljestan had a hat trick in the United States' 3-2 win against Sweden while Bornstein started the match.

Another familiar face who was a welcomed sight was Galindo. The club's leading goal scorer with 12 goals in the 2007 season was hampered with injuries a year ago and scored just once, in the 2008 season opener.

Galindo said he was excited about the opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

"I feel happy," Galindo said. "We all know what happened last year with my injuries and now to be back with the team it feels good. I'm doubly happy."

Another familiar face to return to the fold was former defender Carlos Llamosa. The U.S. World Cup veteran did not find the fountain of youth and re-join veteran Claudio Suarez on the backline; instead Llamosa will serve as head coach Preki's right-hand man as Llamosa is now an assitant coach with the club.

"I'm very happy to be back to the team, the team where I finished my soccer career," Llamosa said. "Now as an assistant coach it's a good challenge."

The soccer Wednesday was not necessarily pretty, but the club's sights are set on getting to the postseason and winning their first-ever playoff series. If the soccer is not attractive on the first day of training camp, there is nothing wrong with that.

After all, there are other things that must come first.

"Everybody's adrenaline is flowing on the first day," Marsch said. "It's not always the best soccer but it's fun to get back out here and get at it again and establish starting points."


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Agoos, Fawcett elected to Soccer Hall of Fame

ST. LOUIS -- The phone call came at his New Jersey home. On the other line was Steve Baumann and Jack Huckel of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. They were informing Jeff Agoos that he has been elected to the Hall's 2009 class; however the former U.S. national team defender thought it was a prank call.

Once the New York Red Bulls sporting director was convinced, he began to think about all the people who have helped him get to the pinnacle of the sport in the USA -- from his parents, to club coaches to coaches and teammates at the University of Virginia as well as those during his storied Major League Soccer career.

He especially remembered the trips to and from practices during sweltering summers in Dallas.

"I can still smell the back of an old beat up Volkswagen," Agoos said. "We had to be in the back by the engine and it's just boiling. All those memories just come flooding back. You don't stand up there by yourself."

Agoos joins former U.S. women's national team standout Joy Fawcett in the Class of 2009, it was announced at the St. Louis Convention Center on Thursday evening. The announcement was at a press conference that had 11 other Hall of Famers in the room.

"To see the faces of the people who have come behind me, to be inducted with Joy, who was not only a class athlete and person, I'm very fortunate to be around such gifted individuals," Agoos said.

In a career that spanned 18 years, Agoos had 134 caps for the U.S. national team and competed in two World Cups, he won five MLS Cups (three with D.C. United and the final two with the San Jose Earthquakes) and he won an NCAA national championship with the University of Virginia in 1989.

"I was never the fastest guy, never the tallest guy, but the one thing I did always was work harder than anybody else," Agoos said.

Fawcett won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals during her storied career. Her 239 international matches played is fourth in U.S. women's national team history, surpassed only by the currently active Kristine Lilly and Hall of Famers Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm (Class of 2007).

In her remarkable 15-year national team career, often paired with Hall of Famer Carla Overbeck (Class of 2006) in the central defense, she received just two yellow cards and was never red carded.

"This is a surprise and a great honor to be considered with other distinguished athletes, coaches and leaders of soccer," Fawcett said. "I just want to thank my family, my friends and my teammates. I would have never had gotten here without them."

A total of 159 ballots were cast in the Players Election. Agoos was named on 108 ballots (67.9 percent) and Fawcett was selected on 106 ballots (66.7 percent). A player must be selected on 66.7 percent of the ballots cast to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

They will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies in Oneonta, N.Y. the weekend of July 31-Aug. 2.


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Hoops in need of new captain

FRISCO, Texas -- When FC Dallas and center back Duilio Davino parted ways in the offseason, it didn't just mean that the Hoops would have to find a replacement for him in the back line, it also signified that FCD would have to find a new captain for 2009.

Head coach Schellas Hyndman admitted after his team's first training session of 2009 on Wednesday that he already had some candidates for the position and would quickly reach a decision.

"I have three people in mind and I think all three would be very good," he said. "What I would like to do is look at the three through the next week of training. Then, it will be my decision and my decision only to select the player that I think would be the best representative of this team."

Hyndman's expectations for that individual are simple.

"To be able to carry the armband is a simple job for any captain," he said. "You put it on and you get recognition. But there are a lot of things that I need to ask the captains to do. I thought last year, there were some issues on the team that if we had the right leader or right person wearing the armband with the communication ability and the respect of the players, some of those issues might never have developed."

Last season, then-head coach Steve Morrow waited until just before the start of the regular season to name his captain when he tabbed Davino. It appears that Hyndman has adopted a different methodology.

"I don't know if there's a right or wrong way," he said. "The sooner you have a captain, the sooner that captain can have an influence on the team and players. One of the responsibilities of a captain is to work and be a mediator for the coach. Not all players are going to be happy all the time. I think it's important that we get some leadership sooner rather than later."

Hyndman wouldn't name the three candidates but he did say that veteran midfielder Pablo Ricchetti was one player under consideration. The FCD boss added that any ill will over the Argentinean asking for a new contract after last season was well past.

"Everything is great," Hyndman said. "I think Pablo has been fantastic. He was a valuable player for us last year and had a good year. But at the same time, the team didn't have a good year and didn't get into the playoffs. I think he likes Dallas, this team and the ownership. To leave that would have been a mistake on his part but he had to make that decision. He's really glad to be here and will do everything he possibly can to find success for the team."

Other candidates include defender Drew Moor, recently acquired midfielder Dave van den Bergh and defender Adrian Serioux.

Along with Aaron Pitchkolan, Moor is FCD's longest-tenured player, having been with the club since 2005. The 25-year-old defender wore the armband in place of Davino on several occasions last season and would embrace the role should it come his way.

"I think no matter who Schellas gives the armband to, I still see myself as somewhat of a leader on this team," Moor said. "It's definitely a role that I would love to take. I would take a lot of pride with it. But we don't know who he's going to give it to. Whoever he gives it to will be the right choice. If he gives it to me, I will be happy with it. If not, I'll continue to be a leader without the armband."

Another possibility is van den Bergh, who was recently acquired in a trade with New York. However, the 32-year-old Dutch international is more focused on adjusting to his new surroundings instead of whether or not he could be named captain.

"I haven't thought about it," van den Bergh said. "There are some guys that have been here for a while now and we've got some veterans in the locker room. My coach hasn't talked about it either. We'll see what he's got in mind. I'd be very honored but there is more than one leader in the locker room."

Serioux is another possibility. The 29-year-old Canadian international just completed his second season with FCD and third in MLS, a member of Houston's 2006 MLS Cup championship team.

No matter which player he chooses, Hyndman has specific criteria in place for that individual.

"I think it's somebody who has to have the leadership qualities that the team will look at and say that they respect this guy," Hyndman said. "He's not only telling us what we should be doing, he's doing it himself. He has to be a person of influence, who can have influence on a player that is disgruntled to look at things in a positive mentality. He also has to be someone the coach can trust to say the right things when the coach isn't around. It's somebody who will take the place of the coach on the field and have the respect of their teammates. I think we have three people who can fill those qualities."


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No real surprises at MLS SuperDraft

ST. LOUIS -- At the MLS SuperDraft these days, one always recalls Hugh Laurie's devilishly witty Golden Globes acceptance speech from a couple of years ago. The star of TV's House remarked about how everyone heralds their "magnificent crew." But logically, he noted, that simply cannot be the case. "Somebody, somewhere is working with a crew of drunken thieves."

So it is with the MLS draft. Not the drunken thieves part. Rather, the part about where claims of achievement collide with the realm of improbability.

See, every club official will always insist that they are leaving the draft with the very individuals they were hoping to secure all along. Most often repeated phrase: "We got the guys we wanted!"

Now I suppose it is technically possible that 15 clubs can do such a thing, since different teams have different needs. Still, it's highly, highly implausible.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

And besides, even if every club managed to tie up exactly who they wanted, they were really just guessing anyway.

With all that as a background, should we really be surprised about any of the "surprises" that unfold annually? Look at the this year's draft:

Should we be surprised that Seattle actually kept that No. 1 pick, even after rampant speculation that Sigi Schmid would wheel and deal away the top choice of this year's proceedings?

Should we attach some bewilderment to the fact that goalkeeper Stefan Frei, thought to be perhaps the most MLS-ready product at the draft, was still around for Toronto to take at No. 13? (Toronto was certainly a bit surprised, judging by the hardy back slapping and general joy-ness going around the TFC table when they managed to snag Frei at that spot.)

Should we be at least mildly astounded that Michael Lahoud's impressive play at the recent combine didn't elevate him into Top 5 status, as some suspected, or that Baggio Husidic slipped all the way to No. 20?

On the other hand, we definitely should be surprised that Daniel Cruz fell well into the third round. Cruz was easily the last of nine Generation adidas players selected. Since their compensation doesn't count against the salary cap, those guys are usually gold at the draft. Seven of the nine were gone by the 13th pick. Yet Cruz, who languished at the combine by most accounts, heard 40 names called before Houston finally selected him. Cruz, in fact, didn't even attend the draft.

Maybe we should register some mild dismay that a draft supposedly so deep in defenders unfolded initially in favor of goal-scorers. Three of the first five players taken were forwards. In fact, after Los Angeles took Maryland's Omar Gonzalez at No. 3, no defender heard his name called until No. 8.

We probably shouldn't even be surprised that an anonymous midfielder from Campbell University, Richard Jata, a long shot at No. 58 overall, had the audience in stitches with a clever, giddy performance at the podium.

So, that's how it went in St. Louis, where it was so numbingly cold a local TV weatherman was hammering nails with a frozen banana. And they say low-tech is dead.

"We all walk out of here feeling great about who we took," Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said. "But how will we feel about them in early February, when they've been out on the field a few days? That's the question."

This year's draft did unfold with a little bit more predictability than last year's somewhat erratic proceedings. That doesn't mean it was "predicable." Not by any stretch. It just played out with fewer jaw-droppers than other drafts.

It was still a fluid process, with needs shifting for some teams in the 24 hours before Commissioner Don Garber assumed the podium to launch the big day. Los Angeles collected Mike Magee and Dema Kovalenko through trades in the pre-draft run-up, which surely altered the way manager Bruce Arena and assistant Dave Sarachan viewed the draft. With the midfield a bit more stabilized, they could feel better about selecting Gonzalez for help along the back line.

FC Dallas acquired Dave van den Bergh from New York, and then followed up by signing defender Steve Purdy on the eve of the draft. To get van den Bergh, the Hoops had to give up Dominic Oduro, who was third on the depth chart among forwards. That meant Dallas needed to look for a striker with its first pick.

Sounders manager Sigi Schmid made Steve Zakuani the latest name on the honor roll of overall No. 1 league selections. The prolific University of Akron striker will hope to join Freddie Ljungberg in energizing all those season ticket holders (18,000-plus and counting) at Qwest Field this year.

That Zakuani would be the guy was hardly a forgone conclusion. First, there was the matter of whether Seattle would even keep the pick or deal it away. As one coach said hours before the draft, "There's definitely a For Sale sign hanging on that one."

And why not? Without a clear consensus No. 1, would it make more sense for Seattle to pick up another first-round selection, even if it's lower in the order?

Even if you assumed Seattle would keep the pick, Zakuani was hardly as no-brainer as the opening selection. As late as two hours before the draft, Schmid was still considering at least two other options, including O'Brian White, who went to Toronto at the No. 4 overall pick.

Speaking of Toronto, the man they call "Trader Mo," a cheeky reference to TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston, was hard at it. The Reds came to St. Louis holding picks Nos. 2 and 4, but Johnton was jonesing to improve the lot any way possible. (Although, given his reputation and general inclination to shuffle the draft deck at every opportunity, he probably just desired that No. 1 pick so he could trade it for something else.)

In the end, TFC officials held fast. In fact, there was no draft-day shuffling of places in the first round.

A tactic employed infrequently in the past was introduced more prominently this year. Duke's Mike Grella and Wake Forest's Marcus Tracy would have been first-round contenders, but both opted to pursue soccer overseas.

That doesn't mean MLS teams can't select them. Plenty of teams had the same idea going into Thursday: select one of them on the chance that soccer in Europe doesn't work out as planned. (Teams retain their rights for 12 months.) It's not a bad play at all. If either one chooses to come back in a year's time, they've landed a great prospect with an absurdly low pick. The trick, of course, is properly assessing the value of the ploy. Pick too early and, realistically, it's a wasted draft choice. Wait too late, and somebody else has surely beaten you to the punch.

So Toronto took Grella early in the third round, No. 34 overall. Houston took Tracy with the 56th overall pick, late in the fourth round.

Something similar goes on with other players who have some limits or liabilities. Look at Maryland center back A.J. Delagarza. He's a good looking defender, quick and very composed on the ball. But is his slight frame (5-8, 140) going to hold up at the next level? Maybe it was too much of a stretch in the first round. But Los Angeles decided it wasn't too much of a stretch for the second round, and took him with at 19th overall.

Was he their guy all along? Sure he was. Remember, at the draft, everybody walks happily away with exactly who they wanted.


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Rebuilding in Dallas accelerates
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Sanneh hopeful for one more shot in LA

CARSON, Calif. -- His body may have been dropping hints for years, but Tony Sanneh wasn't ready to listen.

The former U.S. international and starter on the 2002 World Cup team wasn't interested in calling it a career despite signs to the contrary, which is why the 37-year-old defender is attempting to earn a roster spot with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Sanneh had been out of soccer for a year and most recently played in 2007 with the Colorado Rapids, and injuries had taken their toll. He had labrum surgery at the end of 2007 and then suffered a deep bone bruise while training in his hometown of St. Paul, Minn.

"I thought maybe that was a sign from God that said too many injuries," Sanneh admitted.

But he soon realized his urge to play had not dissipated. He decided to take it easy for a couple of months and "had a good time," as he put it, before he started to play in local pickup games. That whet his professional appetite again.

The only problem was what to do about it.

The Galaxy were a definite possibility, since he had played for coach/general manager Bruce Arena on MLS Cup-winning teams at D.C. United in 1996 and '97, and Arena knew what Sanneh was capable of. Sanneh also played for L.A. associate head coach Dave Sarachan with the Chicago Fire in 2005 and 2006.

Arena brought the veteran into camp this week for a trial, and Sanneh is confident he can stick around for a while, perhaps permanently.

"I would think that's why he's here, that he can still play," Arena said, "but only time will tell that."

Sanneh, who turns 38 on June 1, said he feels rusty and a little sore as the Galaxy's first week of camp comes to a close, but he also said he still has plenty to offer, despite his age, which he felt isn't that big of an issue. It's the intangibles he provides that are much more important.

"I think I can offer leadership, experience and a winning mentality," Sanneh said. "I know what Bruce wants, and hopefully I can lead by example. Bruce wants winners. He wants guys that fight to the end. He wants guys to be team players, and he wants you to do the little extra.

"And I think if you can get a group of individuals that's looking out for the next guy instead of themselves, you're going to win more games."

That would be a refreshing change in Los Angeles, which has not made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and led MLS in goals allowed last year. Sanneh, who is one of 11 defenders on the Galaxy's 33-man preseason roster, is hopeful he can be part of that turnaround in Los Angeles, provided his body cooperates.

All he has to do is look at Chivas USA coach Preki, who was the league's Most Valuable Player at the age of 41, and that's enough inspiration for him to give it another try.

"I haven't put that many miles on in the last five years," the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder said. "I was playing pickup games and most of the pain was gone, and I decided to get back in shape. I thought, 'Why not?' I'm not stupid and I know I'm very old for the game, but it's been done before.

"I wouldn't have come here to make a fool out of myself. I never thought of this as a last chance. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I believe in myself and always have.

"I'll just take it a day at a time," he went on. "Right now, I'm with a great group of guys having a great time, and we'll see what works."


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No real surprises at MLS SuperDraft
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Petke returns home to New York

He's worn the colors of D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids in the seven years since last playing for the New York-based Major League Soccer club. But Mike Petke has always left a part of himself with his hometown team.

And while he might not be the same brash kid from Bohemia on Long Island with the dyed blonde hair he was in his first stint with the club, the 32-year-old Petke said he hasn't necessarily mellowed in his old age.

"Coming back here and getting ready for the preseason, I felt that spark in me again and that desire," he said in a conference call Wednesday. "It's great. I'm looking forward to getting my bite back, kissing the soccer ball and handing it back to the ref, getting a couple of yellow cards."

Petke, who is the Red Bulls all-time leader in games played (134) and games started (129), was picked up off waivers on Nov. 26 and signed a three-year contract with the Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Petke will likely fill the void left by Jeff Parke, who was second in all-time appearances and selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the expansion draft.

"We are pleased to bring Mike back to New York, the place where he grew up and began his professional career," Red Bull New York sporting director Jeff Agoos said in a statement. "He is a proven commodity and will help solidify our back line. Mike will bring a veteran presence, leadership, and toughness that can only help the club. We are looking forward to his contributions during the 2009 season."

Petke was selected eighth overall in the 1998 College Draft and helped lead the MetroStars to the 2000 Eastern Division title. The fan-favorite was traded to rival D.C. United on Dec. 23, 2002 along with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft and an allocation for defender Eddie Pope, forward Jaime Moreno and midfielder and current Red Bulls assistant coach Richie Williams.

While Petke spent three productive years in D.C., winning the MLS Cup in 2004, he said it broke his heart to be traded from New York.

"Leaving New York, I lost a little bit of the edge at first," he said. "I was very comfortable in New York. It was where I was from, my people [...] Going to D.C. it took a while to get that passion back because it was like I was a rookie again in a way. I was very upset, to be honest with you, when I first left New York."

Petke was traded to Colorado on May 23, 2005 for midfielder Chris Henderson. In 2008, Petke missed time after early-season foot surgery, but made 11 appearances and 10 starts while scoring two goals. One of those goals came against the Red Bulls in a 5-4 Rapids win on Sept. 27 at Giants Stadium.

"Without getting into detail too much, I was not very happy in Colorado," Petke said. "I played a lot of games for them, played my heart out. For many reasons I was not very happy there at all."

But now that he's back home, back playing for a team that reached the MLS Cup Final a year ago, Petke couldn't be any happier.

"It is something since 2002 when I left I've always thought about and always looked forward to, hopefully coming back," Petke said. "My family and I are very excited. Watching the way the Red Bulls finished last season, I'm dying to jump in there and get involved with the team and hopefully we can take it one step forward this year."


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De Rosario excited to return home

TORONTO -- As the most decorated Canadian player in Major League Soccer history, Dwayne De Rosario inevitably had to face the "would you like to play for Toronto FC?" question whenever he visited Toronto as a member of the Houston Dynamo.

The Scarborough, Ontario native unfailingly delivered the same answers every time. Yes, he was proud that his home area had proven to be such a booming market for Major League Soccer. Yes, he was pleased to receive an extra round of applause from the appreciative fans at BMO Field. And, yes, he would like to play in Toronto "one day," though De Rosario always stressed that his first order of business was to continue helping the Dynamo challenge for the MLS Cup.

The "one day" turned out to be Dec. 12, when De Rosario came to TFC in a blockbuster deal for defender Julius James and an allocation fee. After two years of giving the same answers, in his official presentation to the Toronto FC community on Thursday, De Rosario was free to express just how much he looked forward to playing in front of his native fans.

"It's a dream come true," De Rosario said. "I think that's the goal of every kid growing up aspiring to be a professional soccer player -- you want to play in your hometown and carry on your career playing professionally at home. Now all the kids growing up have something to aspire to [...] and that's Toronto FC.

"I said I wanted to play for TFC one day and that day has come. It's a proud moment for me not only as a player in MLS but as a Canadian. Hopefully this whole thing will help not just TFC but the national team as well."

Thursday's press conference at the Air Canada Centre was delayed due to negotiations between De Rosario and TFC manager and director of soccer Mo Johnston on a contract extension. That deal was finalized this week, meaning Toronto fans will see De Rosario in TFC red through the end of the 2012 season.

De Rosario's arrival represented a personal achievement for Johnston, who said he had been trying to acquire the midfielder "for two years."

"The process you have to go through is difficult when you're going after a player of Dwayne's caliber," Johnston said. "Up until now, [Houston] wasn't willing to let him go. It was at [last December's NCAA College Cup] in Dallas when we made the final breakthrough.

"What we've brought here today is a wonderful talent, an All-Star. I think he'll help our team immensely on and off the field."

De Rosario brings to Toronto one of the deepest resumes of any player in the league. The 30-year-old has been named to the MLS Best XI three times (from 2005-2007), and has been a member of the MLS All-Star Team in each of the past three seasons. De Rosario, in fact, scored the game-winning goal for the MLS All-Stars in front of the BMO Field fans at the 2008 All-Star Game to lead the MLS side to a 3-2 win against West Ham United.

Even more impressive than his personal accomplishments, however, is the number of club honors that De Rosario has accumulated. He has never missed the playoffs in any of his eight MLS seasons and has played on four MLS Cup-winning teams (two in San Jose, two in Houston). De Rosario is also a two-time MLS Cup MVP, winning the trophy in 2001 and 2007.

This championship pedigree and the ability to deliver in clutch situations are what head coach John Carver fancy most about his new midfielder.

"He's a winner," Carver said. "He's won the championship four times. That experience is vital for the guys in the dressing room. I'm looking forward to him giving that experience and hopefully it'll rub off on the other guys on the team.

"He can open teams up and that's what we need. There are a lot of games in this league that we are very tight and we have a special quality in Dwayne who can open that up for us."

As TFC enter their third season still looking for their first postseason berth, De Rosario made it clear that he expects to continue his streak of never missing the playoffs.

"My goal here is to win championships and win titles," De Rosario said. "That's what I play for and I think that's what the coaching staff and the fans expect. It's a huge task ahead of us but [...] I believe John Carver is the coach that will lead us to the playoffs."

De Rosario thanked the Houston fans and organization for their support, particularly head coach Dominic Kinnear, and said he had a wonderful time playing for the Dynamo. Still, he admitted that even from Houston, it was hard to ignore the soccer phenomenon that was developing in his hometown. The midfielder got a taste of having all of BMO Field at last year's All-Star Game and in international games with Canada, but he is looking forward to seeing the fans' enthusiasm on a weekly basis.

"Being in Houston [and] watching that first inaugural game here at BMO Field was, as a passionate fan and proud Canadian, a great day for me. [...] I want to thank [the fans] for their continued support for myself and for soccer in Canada. They're the ones that make this possible. They're [...] why we have a professional team in MLS, because of the fans and because of the huge, diverse soccer community we have here in Toronto. It's a great atmosphere."

It was that multiculturalism that De Rosario feels aided his development as a young player growing up in the city. De Rosario spoke fondly of his days playing for local clubs and for the Scarborough National Malvern Soccer Club.

"It toughened me up," De Rosario said, chuckling. "I had the opportunity to play with some great talent. [...] Toronto is a great diverse community and you adapt to many different styles from different places around the world and use them to benefit your game. I learned a lot of things in Scarborough and it definitely helped me."

Toronto FC's training camp begins next month in Florida, and De Rosario said he is excited to meet his new teammates and beginning his reign as Toronto's newest hometown sports hero.

"I think John and Mo have put together a great team this year and I'm looking forward to getting the season going," De Rosario said. "I'm proud to wear the red, white and black."

That's the answer TFC fans have been waiting to hear.


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Five-a-side: What's hot around the league

MLS Five-a-side: Five things you should know about as the offseason moves forward:

1. Equal and opposite reactions: The laws of physics apply ubiquitously. Even in matters of MLS personnel, the tenets of science are in effect: To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Recently some fairly high-profile players have vanished from MLS rosters. That's the action.

What's the reaction? For starters, it's an opportunity for someone else.

Kenny Deuchar was recently bought out at Real Salt Lake. "Dr. Goals" arrived in Utah amid much hoopla a year ago, but never quite tamed the MLS defenses. His sum contribution: three goals and two assists. Three words: not good enough.

About the same time, word emerged that RSL strike-mate Fabian Espindola had also been released. The Argentinean forward was more productive, with five goals in 12 appearances, and often looked more dangerous that Deuchar, a target forward whose performance was overly dependent on pinpoint service.

But Espindola struggled to stay healthy, a misfortune exacerbated -- queue the collective groan -- when he broke his ankle during a showy goal celebration late in '08. So who will benefit from the flux?

Yura Movsisyan's late-season scoring heroics have probably bought the young striker a starting role. The confidence gained from the heightened expectations of a full-time starting assignment could indeed elevate the fourth-year striker to difference-making status.

And Robbie Findley will surely benefit as well. Even if RSL imports another showy striker, Findley would likely be no lower than third on the depth chart.

In San Jose, Francisco Lima has taken his extended career -- the man is about to turn 38! -- to Italy. Don't underestimate Lima's contributions to San Jose's big push for the playoffs over the back half of 2008. Darren Huckerby contributed the goals and scooped up more acclaim, but Lima's smooth passing out of midfield and savvy positioning in a holding role was perhaps equally invaluable, if less easily noticed.

So Brad Ring, a rookie draft pick from Indiana, could gain minutes at Buck Shaw. Or Dax McCarty could eventually be the benefactor if several dominoes fall. FC Dallas officials are aggressively shopping the unhappy midfielder, and San Jose is among the teams reported to be involved in talks. McCarty seems like the ideal two-way midfielder that Frank Yallop needs in that spot in his preferred 4-4-2.

At RFK, it's difficult to say who might benefit most from D.C. United's ongoing (and much needed) backline makeover. Gonzalo Peralta has been loaned to Argentina's Santa Fe and is not expected to be available for manager Tom Soehn this year. Gonzalo Martinez's status remains unclear, and his days in the nation's capital could be numbered.

So all that could spell opportunity for Greg Janicki, who exploited his late-season loan from USL Second Division Pittsburgh through promising performances. Or it could mean additional opportunities for free agent trialist Kyle Veris, who played for the Galaxy last year, or for first-round draft pick Rodney Wallace.

2. Hot spots of the preseason: To broaden your MLS preseason knowledge, you may want to check on flights into Charleston, S.C., Austin, Texas, Bradenton, Fla., or any number of California airports. MLS preseason schedules -- always a surprisingly well-guarded secret -- are finally trickling out, and those are some of the prominent gathering spots.

Bradenton is the place to be in early February, as Chicago, Columbus, D.C. United, Kansas City and New York have booked trips to train and engage in friendlies in the city outside Tampa Bay.

Shortly thereafter, San Luis Obispo, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, will be the center of attention. San Jose, Seattle and Houston will gather at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from Feb. 12-15.

Between late February and early March, New England, Houston and Columbus will deploy to Austin for training and matches against the Aztex, a debuting USL1 club.

Also in early March, San Jose and Colorado will report to The Home Depot Center (home of Chivas USA and the Galaxy) for matches and training.

Finally, as the regular season draws nearer, D.C. United, Toronto and Real Salt Lake will join the USL's Charleston Battery in the annual Carolina Challenge Cup, March 7-14 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston.

Other MLS clubs could pop up at any of these locations -- some have yet to reveal their preseason plans.

3. Galaxy, you're on the clock: The LA Galaxy makeover is surely one of the most evocative MLS story lines for 2008. As Bruce Arena strives to toughen up and super-size a defense that, he says, got pushed around a bit in the forgettable 2008 campaign, here's something that will surely turn up the pressure:

If the Galaxy fail to make the playoffs once again, it will join "San Jose 1.0" as the only club to have missed the postseason four years running.

Other teams have missed the regular season after-party for three consecutive years, including D.C. United, Columbus and Real Salt Lake (and now the Galaxy, of course). But only the Clash/Earthquakes, playing under four different managers between 1997-2000, missed in a quartet of consecutive seasons.

4. Watching Kljestan with special interest: With perhaps eight or nine MLS players set to start for Bob Bradley's U.S. national team in Saturday's friendly against Sweden, many eyes will be on a certain midfielder, who just happens to be playing on his home ground.

Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan has just returned from a training spell with Celtic in Scotland. A big performance at The Home Depot Center on Saturday can only elevate the chances the Scottish giants will proffer an offer before January's transfer window closes.

European overtures shouldn't surprise anyone; 2008 was a breakout year for Kljestan, the smooth attacker who gets better and better each season. He'll turn 24 this year, with three years pro experience already. Whether a move happens sooner or later, if at all, is up to MLS headquarters, Chivas USA and any European pursuers.

It should all be concerning to Preki and the rest of Chivas USA's management, as so much of the Red-and-White's attacking muscle may disappear. Francisco Mendoza has already been recalled to Chivas de Guadalajara; the technically gifted midfielder had been with the U.S.-based sister club on a series of loans.

Mendoza played as a left midfielder for Preki (with some fill-in duty at left back). Kljestan has been a fixture on the right. And the way Preki ran matters last year, holding midfielders Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura provided some of offensive push, but most of the attacking verve emanated from the outside spots.

(FYI: Mendoza made his Mexican league debut last Saturday as Chivas de Guadalajara opened the 2009 Clausura in a 3-3 draw with Cruz Azul. Mendoza, introduced as a 74th-minute substitute, made an immediate impact by drawing a red-card foul.)

5. The downlow on De Ro: Still not much word coming out of Toronto on where Dwayne De Rosario fits into an increasingly crowded TFC midfield. Carver hasn't spelled out exactly where the former Houston Dynamo attacker, now fulfilling the dream of playing in his cherished hometown, will line up, other than to say he knows "De Ro" prefers a midfield role.

That may be a tall order considering that the center of the park at BMO is already an address for MLS A-listers Carl Robinson and Amado Guevara. Plus, Carver and technical director Mo Johnston have high hopes for midfielder Sam Cronin, the No. 2 overall pick in last week's draft. De Rosario, for his part, says he doesn't care where he plays, even joking about playing center back or in goal.

Not to worry there; it's quite unlikely starting backstopper Greg Sutton is losing any sleep over that one.

De Rosario could perhaps line up on the left in a 4-2-3-1 alignment, with Guevara as the central attacking fulcrum. Carver used that formation at times last year in deference to departed French midfielder Laurent Robert, who is now with Larissa in the Greek Super League. Robert was relatively effective going forward but not such great shakes at chasing back on defense. Thus, Carver carved out a formation where the Frenchman didn't need to do as much tracking back.

De Rosario is a more willing worker in midfield. The Canadian international, just signed to a four-year deal at BMO, wouldn't have held up so well as a central element in Houston's 4-4-2 otherwise. The problem is that he and Guevara probably couldn't share central roles, as that might tip the balance too heavily toward the attack. Robinson, among the league's better holding presences, must be in the mix.

We'll find out more as TFC reports next week.


First XI: The early slate
Player Ratings: Catania 0-2 Inter
Antonio Hidalgo Looking For Playing Time With Osasuna

Rebuilding in Dallas accelerates

FRISCO, Texas -- The rebuilding of FC Dallas has taken a real step forward this week as the team has looked to strenghten each line in the squad.

The club addressed one offseason need, on the left side of the midfield, by trading for ex-New York Red Bulls winger Dave van den Bergh. The team signed center back Steve Purdy, then drafted another center back in George John in Thursday's SuperDraft. Forward depth came in the draft when the team selected Peri Marosevic and Brian Shriver.

"One of our goals this offseason was to get more size, more strength and more speed in the backline. We wanted to tighten up the backline, add a left-sided midfielder and a No. 10 to complement a great team that we have," FCD president/general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "In Purdy and George (John), we're adding two very good players that have the potential to be great center backs in this league."

After the van den Bergh trade set the stage for draft day, the addition of Purdy almost sailed under the radar.

"Purdy is a player that a couple of years ago would have been one of the top center backs in the draft," Hitchcock said. "He decided to sign in Germany. For us, we think there's a ton of upside with that acquisition. He's big. He's strong. He's fast and has got all the characteristics of a good defender.

FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman, who at this time last year was coaching Southern Methodist University before taking over the Hoops at midseason, was well acquainted with the draft pool.

"One of the advantages of coaching college is that I saw George John play last year against SMU, and I liked him," Hyndman said. "I think maybe at the next level, he'll be a center back. He came in (to the combine) with a torn meniscus and was probably 85 percent. As I continued to watch him, he didn't lose a head ball in three games. He very seldom made a bad pass. He's a possession type of player and he's been coached very well at the University of Washington."

Hyndman was equally pleased about his two newest additions up top.

"What Peri (Marosevic) offers is that he's a very good finisher of the ball. He makes great runs, he's a great passer, he holds the ball well and he seems to have a really good spirit about himself," Hyndman said. "When we created our list, I had Peri No. 1 and (Steve) Zakuani No. 2 and as it turns out, it worked the other way. But the way the draft fell for us, Peri was still available when we had the fifth pick.

"Brian (Shriver) was here at the College Cup and had a great two games," Hyndman continued. "He's a very active player, has good speed. He was a player that we identified earlier. I was very impressed with him as far as consistency and hard work. His coach at North Carolina is a good friend and we talked a couple times about him. In fact I called him the other day and asked why he wasn't at the combine. I think everybody was shocked that he wasn't at the combine."

Even with these additions, one need remains unfilled -- an attacking midfielder. That role was held by two-time MLS all-star Juan Toja until he left for Romania last August. Since then, rookies Eric Avila and Bruno Guarda manned the No. 10 spot with mixed results. And after the end of the season, Hyndman expressed a desire to bring an attacking midfielder in during the offseason, whether it was by trading with another team in the league or by signing an international.

Preseason practice starts for FCD next Wednesday and they have yet to sign that player.

"We need to go sign that No. 10," Hitchcock said. "If we can't bring in that top-class No. 10, we certainly have players who are capable, can play that position, will do well and will continue to get better. If we can bring in a top-notch, international No. 10, we feel like we're going to be a team to reckon with."

Hitchcock added that the club is currently in negotiations with a pair of attacking midfielders, both from South America, but nothing has been finalized of yet.

"There is a chance that the deal could be done or that we know the deal will not happen with the No. 1 player we have identified and a couple of other players out there," Hitchcock said. "It's possible that the deal could be done but that doesn't mean we'll have the player at Pizza Hut Park for the first day of training. We certainly are using that as the logical deadline to make a decision and to know exactly whether the player will be here or not."


Crew add Iribarren to coaching staff
Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves
Valencia Always Go Out To Win - Unai Emery

Crew add Iribarren to coaching staff

COLUMBUS -- Ricardo Iribarren didn't know when he first joined the Columbus Crew midway through the inaugural 1996 season that some of the traits the fiery Argentinean defender displayed would eventually lead to his rejoining the club as an assistant coach more than a dozen years later.

The announcement Thursday that Iribarren, 41, was hired as an assistant to new head coach Robert Warzycha brings him full circle.

Iribarren (pronounced ee-REE-bah-REHN) signed with the Crew prior to its game on July 4, 1996, in Tampa against the Mutiny. The 11-year pro in Argentina and Ecuador was with the team for several days of training in Florida but seemed out of place everywhere but on the field. He was coming to a new league with new players who barely knew each other, much less one who spoke no English.

In one of the scrimmages, Iribarren was paired on the backline with Crew general manager Jamey Rootes. It didn't make a difference to Iribarren, who pointed and yelled and eventually pushed Rootes into what he believed to be the proper defensive position.

Even then, Iribarren had an eye for the game and no stomach for losing.

"I remember Tampa," said Iribarren, who eventually mastered English. "I knew Jamey was GM. He didn't seem to mind. He wanted me back the next season."

He moves into the slot vacated by Warzycha, who replaced Sigi Schmid as head coach in December less than a month after the Crew won its first MLS Cup.

"I'm happy to be back in Columbus," Iribarren said. "I'll be working with the best team, a team that won the championship and most of the guys are coming back. I already know the coach, Brian (Bliss) is there, Mike Lapper is there, too."

Iribarren played 16 games for Columbus in 1996 with Warzycha and Crew technical director Brian Bliss. Visa problems prevented Iribarren from playing in MLS the following season but he was a teammate of Warzycha and current Crew assistant Mike Lapper in 1998. Iribarren then played for Milwaukee of the A-League in 1999 before finishing his MLS career with the Dallas Burn in 2000.

His lone goal in the league came Aug. 10, 1996, against D.C. United when he scored on a bicycle kick in Ohio Stadium. Brian McBride had one assist. Who had the other? Warzycha.

After Dallas, Iribarren concluded his career with the A-League's Pittsburgh Riverhounds from 2001-03. He retired and became the team's technical director and head coach in July 2003 through 2005.

He led the Riverhounds to a 35-16-4 record in the USL1 and USL2 divisions. He also coached women's soccer at Chatham College in Pittsburgh from 2001-03 and held several other youth and high school coaching positions.

The past 2-1/2 years he was head coach and director of soccer for the American School Foundation in Mexico City.

"We competed against professional teams there," he said. "I watched a lot of soccer. They play year around so I learned a lot. I had to a chance to watch a lot of practices, training for different coaches. It was good for me.

"Hopefully, I can help the team wherever I can with my experience. I'm willing to do whatever Robert wants. I love soccer. It's been my life."

Iribarren traveled to Columbus from Pittsburgh Thursday night and will be on hand when training begins Monday.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Ricardo back to the Crew," Warzycha said. "His experiences and success in different environments and different parts of the world will be a great asset to our staff and we're all looking forward to getting started next week."

Iribarren adds to the Crew's Argentinean connection that includes league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and defender Gino Padula.

Although Iribarren is about six years older than Schelotto, they faced off many times during their playing days in Argentina and have several mutual friends.

"He's a great player who still wants to prove he is a great player," Iribarren said. "After winning 16, 17 championships with Boca Juniors, one of the best teams in the world, he came to the States and won a championship and had a great season."

Iribarren hopes more players from his homeland will come to MLS, specifically the Crew.

"I know people there (Argentina), depending on what the Crew needs and the expectations they have. I know a lot of coaches and people I used to play with. They're good friends," he said. "I also made many friends in Mexico. I'll do anything I can to help the team."


Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves
First XI: The early slate
Valencia Always Go Out To Win - Unai Emery

Lewis: Hall gives defenders day in sun

ST. LOUIS -- Defenders usually are a forgotten and ignored lot until they make a mistake or somehow score a goal.

Like it or not, there is more negative than positive that comes with the territory, especially in soccer.

But there are exceptions to the rule.

On Thursday, a pair of talented U.S. international defenders found their way into the spotlight for the best reasons possible and were justifiably awarded for their long and successful careers when Jeff Agoos and Joy Fawcett were elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

After nearly two decades of hard work by each player, their day in the sun will come on Sunday, Aug. 2, when they will be inducted into the Hall in Oneonta, N.Y.

No one should begrudge Agoos and Fawcett of this high honor. Out of the last 15 players elected into the Hall, only five were defenders. And this is the first class that is dominated by defense.

"It's good that defenders are finally getting recognized," Agoos said. "Those attackers."

"You don't get much recognition," Fawcett added. "Technically, everyone plays defense, but everyone likes goalscorers."

Both defenders took different paths to U.S. soccer immortality, although they each had to endure some obstacles along the way.

Agoos was a four-time All-American under current L.A. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia. And he became a vital part of D.C. United's first three MLS Cup championships -- he is the only player to boast five MLS championship rings -- and eventually a member of the MLS All-Time Best XI.

During an interview four years ago, Agoos talked about his soccer philosophy. He was straight to the point.

"My goals are simple. Win championships. Win rings," he said. "That's why you play."

Internationally, Agoos endured a bumpy ride en route to his 134 caps, second best in U.S. soccer history. He worked his tail off to earn a roster spot on the 1994 World Cup team, only to become the last player cut by coach Bora Milutinovic. Agoos burned and buried his national team uniform.

"That was one of the worst and best parts of my career," he said. "It was very difficult obviously at the time. You never know what direction you're going from there. It taught me that I wasn't going to allow that one person was going to dictate what my career was going to be. That was one of the important lessons of that. Training twice a day, going through basically boot camp in California taught me about myself."

Agoos learned he could be a tough dude who would not say no. He made the 1998 U.S. World Cup team, but did not play a minute in what termed into a disappointing and rather forgettable performance in France.

Four years later, he not only earned a roster spot, but was a starter. He struggled in the group round, giving up a penalty kicka and scoring an own goal before leaving the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan with a leg injury and could not enjoy the USA's ride into the quarterfinals.

Agoos, who could play on the left side or in the middle, started his MLS career with United, playing in the first four MLS Cups and winning three -- 1996, 1997 and 1999. He was dealt to the San Jose Earthquakes and was instrumental in two more MLS Cup crowns -- 2001 and 2003.

He could not work his Cup magic on the MetroStars in 2005 after a trade as he called it a career after that season -- at least not as a player.

He almost did as the sporting director of the Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars), but they fell short to the Columbus Crew, 3-1, in their first MLS Cup appearance barely two months ago.

Fawcett forged her reputation as a classy defender ("She just picks your pocket as she goes by," former women's national coach Tony DiCicco once said), forming a partnership in the middle of the U.S. backline with Carla Overbeck -- Hall of Fame Class of 2006. So, when opponents scored a goal on the U.S., they knew they had earned it.

She was a member of the 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup championship teams and played an important role in gold-medal winning sides at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics.

Fawcett also forged a reputation as a Soccer Mom, a woman who came back from pregnancy not once, not twice, but three times and play at a high level internationally.

"I couldn't have done it without the support of my teammates," she said of many members of the team, which turned into babysitters and nannies on many trips. "I wanted to have kids. That's the greatest thing."

By 2004, Fawcett was on her last soccer legs as she and Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were planning to call it a career after the Athens Olympics. She was forced to battle more than just the likes of Brazilian star Marta five years ago. She had to come rheumatoid arthritis and a herniated disk.

"The biggest concern was keeping the numbness away from my legs," she once said. "The numbness comes back and I couldn't sprint. The pain I could live with (laughs). The pain was fine.

"I have a pretty high threshold. It was painful. It was a pain in the back, but not enough to keep me off the field. Right before the Olympics, I re-herniated. It was bad enough that I couldn't play. So I had to get a shot, which concerned me a lot. In the Olympics, it was livable. It was fine. It was painful, but not enough."

After the 2003 Women's World Cup, Fawcett was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

"My fingers were like sausages," she said. "It got to the point where it was painful. We had those games after the World Cup. At halftime I had to ice them and stick them into an ice bucket it was so painful. Then I knew it wasn't a soccer injury. I wasn't using my hands.

"I'm lucky because I have access to doctors. I was lucky that I caught it early and got treatment early so it didn't really damage any of the joints."

On Thursday, Fawcett had no problems joining Agoos at the podium in Room 120 at the St. Louis Convention Center and then on the Fox Soccer Channel. They both received Hall of Fame scarves -- they will get the traditional red jackets on Aug. 2 -- and had an opportunity to give their thanks to people who helped them and talked about their careers.

Couldn't happen to a better pair of defenders who wound up in the spotlight for the right reasons.


Crew add Iribarren to coaching staff
First XI: The early slate
Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves

First XI: The early slate

Like opening a new Christmas toy, it's the MLS schedule for all to see!

Every year, the schedule brings us our first glimpse of what's ahead in the MLS campaign. Who's got it tough in the early going? Who can make ground? Hey, it's anyone's guess, but First XI likes to plan things out, prep the DVR, clear the schedule, etc. So, from March to May, here's a list of 11 games I'm not going to want to miss:

11. Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls. Qwest Field, Thursday, March 19.
How can you not get excited about a First Kick game that is a curtain-raiser for an entire organization? Man, I remember like it was yesterday getting all jazzed up for the Miami Fusion's first game (vs. D.C. United) and the Chicago Fire's first game (against Miami). I vividly recall Real Salt Lake taking on the MetroStars in a monsoon in their first-ever game. The opener for Seattle promises to be a fun night for Kasey Keller and Co., and an interesting test for Juan Carlos Osorio's Red Bulls, who enter the season with high goals and expectations after their run to the final a year ago. Expect a huge crowd, too.

10. Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew. Robertson Stadium, Saturday, March 21.
In my heart, I'm thinking that Houston believes it was the team that could've kept Columbus from raising the Cup last year, if it weren't for their hiccup against the Red Bulls. To be fair, it was more than a hiccup. They lost 3-0 on their home field. Now, with that bitter memory on their mind, Dominic Kinnear and his crew will look to get back to the top of the MLS mountain once again. How better to prove your back than by taking down the defending champions right out of the gate?

9. Colorado Rapids vs. Kansas City Wizards. Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Saturday, March 28.
Two teams -- one from each conference -- with a lot to prove in 2009. The Rapids need to show they're a playoff team once again, while the Wizards need to prove they're a team ready to take the next step up, to contender. These two teams split their two meetings a year ago, with both teams holding serve at home. Both games were tight, one-goal affairs. Add in a 2-2 draw in the U.S. Open Cup (a game won by K.C. on penalties) and you can see a couple of teams that match up very closely. This should be a good opening month match.

8. San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo. Buck Shaw Stadium, Saturday, March 28.
I still get a kick out of this rivalry. How could you not, given what went down, when the old Quakes became the new Dynamo and went out and won a couple of Cups. Frank Yallop will have a firm grasp on things in San Jose in Year Two, and the Quakes are going to challenge for a playoff spot for sure. Can they take down the Dynamo in this early-season match? On their homefield, with a whole lot of crazies screaming for them, for sure. What's more, I expect this rivalry to be one of the big ones out West this year.

7. LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA. The Home Depot Center, Saturday, April 11.
The SuperClasico belonged to the Galaxy a year ago, even though it was Chivas making the playoffs for a third consecutive year and LA missing for the third year in a row. With injuries and defections taking their toll on Preki's squad, and Bruce Arena doing an Extreme Makeover of the Galaxy, there's no telling what will happen this year. But for sheer color, drama and pageantry, this game is always a must-see match on the schedule.

6. Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas. BMO Field, Saturday, April 11.
Two teams who missed out on the playoffs a year ago who are expecting to dance into the postseason this year. For Toronto FC, it's time. They were near-misses a year ago, but continue to make progress, both in the way they play and in their overall effectiveness. Plus, factor in the BMO Field advantage for this game. As for FCD, a good start is critical for Schellas Hyndman, after a winless October in 2008.

5. Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders FC. The Home Depot Center, Saturday, April 18.
While Sounders FC are not the USL Sounders, it should be noted that there is a bit of history between Chivas USA and Seattle. Chivas USA went down to the USL Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup in each of the last two years. As well, the two clubs were involved in a couple of player transfers in recent years, most notably the move of Maykel Galindo from Seattle to Chivas USA a couple of seasons ago. In addition, Galindo, if healthy, will certainly want to make an impression on the team that represents the city where he found U.S. freedom.

4. Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution. Toyota Park, Saturday, May 9.
For my money, the best rivalry in MLS right now. Not sure exactly how it evolved, probably back in the 2002 season when then-interim coach Steve Nicol's club came back from the dead, beginning with a miracle win in Naperville. Last year, however, the rivalry took a turn for the weird, as Chicago took all three meetings, including 3-0 and 4-0 blowouts in the early part of the season, then eliminated New England in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 3-0 second-leg drubbing. That's got to be sticking in the Revs' mind.

3. New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo. Giants Stadium, Saturday, May 16.
OK, here we go. Grudge match in the Meadowlands. Not much needs to be said here, except that Houston's still hurting from that 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls last October. It was perhaps the greatest playoff upset in league history, and it came out of nowhere. I think the scoreline was pretty deceiving as Houston got down 2-0 quick, spent much of the day pounding away to make it a one-goal game, only to see it get away late. That said, the Dynamo have probably been looking at the scoreline all winter.

2. New England Revolution vs. D.C. United. Gillette Stadium, Saturday, May 30.
One of my favorite traditional East Coast rivalries. The spin this year is: what direction are these two traditional powers going? While the Revs made the playoffs a year ago and D.C. did not, I'm not so sure these aren't two teams going in the opposite direction. That is, I am expecting United to make a climb this year while New England remains a mystery to me. I hate to ever sell Steve Nicol short as his teams always seem to rise, but I can't help but wonder if the Revs are going to be a scrambling outfit this year. This game will provide many insights into what lay ahead for both clubs.

1.Seattle Sounders FC vs. Columbus Crew. Qwest Field, Saturday, May 30.
And who won't be able to sink their teeth into this match? Sigi Schmid and his Sounders playing host to his old friends from Columbus. Will the Crew carry Sir Sigi's ring out to the Pacific Northwest for a little pregame presentation? I doubt it. Will Robert Warzycha want to make a big impression on his former boss? Something tells me yes.


Crew add Iribarren to coaching staff
Valencia Always Go Out To Win - Unai Emery

Kljestan's hat trick propels U.S. MNT

CARSON, Calif. -- Sacha Kljestan had a hat trick as the United States national team beat Sweden 3-2 in an international friendly at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.

Kljestan, who spent a week in Scotland on trial with Celtic, scored on a free kick in the 16th minute and converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute and added a late insurance goal moments after Sweden scored.

The game helped the U.S. open its busy 2009 calendar with a triumph and now the Red, White and Blue will focus on their World Cup qualifying match against Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium on Feb. 11.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley started seven players from Major League Soccer, including Kljestan, whom Bradley drafted fifth overall in the 2006 SuperDraft while Bradley coached Chivas USA. Also starting was Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein, another Bradley draft choice from that year.

Of the four foreign-based starters, three others plied their trade in MLS before heading to the Old World: former D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins, former Galaxy and Earthquakes defender Danny Califf and ex-Revs standout Michael Parkhurst.

All told, three players made their U.S. national team debut: Perkins, Columbus' Robbie Rogers and Real Salt Lake's Chris Wingert, who came off the bench late in the second half.

From the onset, the United States controlled the match. The Americans dictated terms by controlling the possession and kept the Swedes on their heels.

Still, the U.S. had nothing to show for their efforts until just after the quarter-hour mark. After the U.S. earned a free kick from 34 yards out, Kljestan stepped up to take it. Kljestan ripped a shot and buried the ball in the upper left corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of Swede goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne was taken down inside the penalty area. As soon as referee Silviu Petrescu pointed to the spot, Kljestan picked up the ball and walked over to position himself to take the kick. After the whistle, Kljestan ran up to the ball and slammed it on the open right side of the net as Dahlin dived to the left.

The goal marked the first time an U.S. player scored his first two national team goals in the same game since Frank Klopas, now the Chicago Fire's technical director, scored a pair of goals in a World Cup qualifier on Aug. 13, 1988 in St. Louis.

FC Dallas star Kenny Cooper replaced Charlie Davies at the start of the second half but was largely ineffective. Houston's Brian Ching did not score a goal but was far more active than his league rival.

The Swedes, however, sliced into the U.S. lead in the 73rd minute when Daniel Nannskog buried a header past Perkins and into the back of the net.

Kljestan, though, gave the Americans a two-goal edge seconds later. On their next trip into the Swedes' defensive third, Brian Ching took a long ball and deftly settled it near the top of the penalty area. Ching slipped a pass to Kljestan who easily beat Johan Dahlin to complete his hat trick.

Sweden made it close at the death, however, when Mikael Dahlberg scored on a free header in the 89th minute.

Ultimately, though the U.S. held on even as Cooper failed to score on a late breakaway.

Sanneh hopeful for one more shot in LA

CARSON, Calif. -- His body may have been dropping hints for years, but Tony Sanneh wasn't ready to listen.

The former U.S. international and starter on the 2002 World Cup team wasn't interested in calling it a career despite signs to the contrary, which is why the 37-year-old defender is attempting to earn a roster spot with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Sanneh had been out of soccer for a year and most recently played in 2007 with the Colorado Rapids, and injuries had taken their toll. He had labrum surgery at the end of 2007 and then suffered a deep bone bruise while training in his hometown of St. Paul, Minn.

"I thought maybe that was a sign from God that said too many injuries," Sanneh admitted.

But he soon realized his urge to play had not dissipated. He decided to take it easy for a couple of months and "had a good time," as he put it, before he started to play in local pickup games. That whet his professional appetite again.

The only problem was what to do about it.

The Galaxy were a definite possibility, since he had played for coach/general manager Bruce Arena on MLS Cup-winning teams at D.C. United in 1996 and '97, and Arena knew what Sanneh was capable of. Sanneh also played for L.A. associate head coach Dave Sarachan with the Chicago Fire in 2005 and 2006.

Arena brought the veteran into camp this week for a trial, and Sanneh is confident he can stick around for a while, perhaps permanently.

"I would think that's why he's here, that he can still play," Arena said, "but only time will tell that."

Sanneh, who turns 38 on June 1, said he feels rusty and a little sore as the Galaxy's first week of camp comes to a close, but he also said he still has plenty to offer, despite his age, which he felt isn't that big of an issue. It's the intangibles he provides that are much more important.

"I think I can offer leadership, experience and a winning mentality," Sanneh said. "I know what Bruce wants, and hopefully I can lead by example. Bruce wants winners. He wants guys that fight to the end. He wants guys to be team players, and he wants you to do the little extra.

"And I think if you can get a group of individuals that's looking out for the next guy instead of themselves, you're going to win more games."

That would be a refreshing change in Los Angeles, which has not made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and led MLS in goals allowed last year. Sanneh, who is one of 11 defenders on the Galaxy's 33-man preseason roster, is hopeful he can be part of that turnaround in Los Angeles, provided his body cooperates.

All he has to do is look at Chivas USA coach Preki, who was the league's Most Valuable Player at the age of 41, and that's enough inspiration for him to give it another try.

"I haven't put that many miles on in the last five years," the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder said. "I was playing pickup games and most of the pain was gone, and I decided to get back in shape. I thought, 'Why not?' I'm not stupid and I know I'm very old for the game, but it's been done before.

"I wouldn't have come here to make a fool out of myself. I never thought of this as a last chance. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I believe in myself and always have.

"I'll just take it a day at a time," he went on. "Right now, I'm with a great group of guys having a great time, and we'll see what works."

Five-a-side: What's hot around the league

MLS Five-a-side: Five things you should know about as the offseason moves forward:

1. Equal and opposite reactions: The laws of physics apply ubiquitously. Even in matters of MLS personnel, the tenets of science are in effect: To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Recently some fairly high-profile players have vanished from MLS rosters. That's the action.

What's the reaction? For starters, it's an opportunity for someone else.

Kenny Deuchar was recently bought out at Real Salt Lake. "Dr. Goals" arrived in Utah amid much hoopla a year ago, but never quite tamed the MLS defenses. His sum contribution: three goals and two assists. Three words: not good enough.

About the same time, word emerged that RSL strike-mate Fabian Espindola had also been released. The Argentinean forward was more productive, with five goals in 12 appearances, and often looked more dangerous that Deuchar, a target forward whose performance was overly dependent on pinpoint service.

But Espindola struggled to stay healthy, a misfortune exacerbated -- queue the collective groan -- when he broke his ankle during a showy goal celebration late in '08. So who will benefit from the flux?

Yura Movsisyan's late-season scoring heroics have probably bought the young striker a starting role. The confidence gained from the heightened expectations of a full-time starting assignment could indeed elevate the fourth-year striker to difference-making status.

And Robbie Findley will surely benefit as well. Even if RSL imports another showy striker, Findley would likely be no lower than third on the depth chart.

In San Jose, Francisco Lima has taken his extended career -- the man is about to turn 38! -- to Italy. Don't underestimate Lima's contributions to San Jose's big push for the playoffs over the back half of 2008. Darren Huckerby contributed the goals and scooped up more acclaim, but Lima's smooth passing out of midfield and savvy positioning in a holding role was perhaps equally invaluable, if less easily noticed.

So Brad Ring, a rookie draft pick from Indiana, could gain minutes at Buck Shaw. Or Dax McCarty could eventually be the benefactor if several dominoes fall. FC Dallas officials are aggressively shopping the unhappy midfielder, and San Jose is among the teams reported to be involved in talks. McCarty seems like the ideal two-way midfielder that Frank Yallop needs in that spot in his preferred 4-4-2.

At RFK, it's difficult to say who might benefit most from D.C. United's ongoing (and much needed) backline makeover. Gonzalo Peralta has been loaned to Argentina's Santa Fe and is not expected to be available for manager Tom Soehn this year. Gonzalo Martinez's status remains unclear, and his days in the nation's capital could be numbered.

So all that could spell opportunity for Greg Janicki, who exploited his late-season loan from USL Second Division Pittsburgh through promising performances. Or it could mean additional opportunities for free agent trialist Kyle Veris, who played for the Galaxy last year, or for first-round draft pick Rodney Wallace.

2. Hot spots of the preseason: To broaden your MLS preseason knowledge, you may want to check on flights into Charleston, S.C., Austin, Texas, Bradenton, Fla., or any number of California airports. MLS preseason schedules -- always a surprisingly well-guarded secret -- are finally trickling out, and those are some of the prominent gathering spots.

Bradenton is the place to be in early February, as Chicago, Columbus, D.C. United, Kansas City and New York have booked trips to train and engage in friendlies in the city outside Tampa Bay.

Shortly thereafter, San Luis Obispo, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, will be the center of attention. San Jose, Seattle and Houston will gather at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from Feb. 12-15.

Between late February and early March, New England, Houston and Columbus will deploy to Austin for training and matches against the Aztex, a debuting USL1 club.

Also in early March, San Jose and Colorado will report to The Home Depot Center (home of Chivas USA and the Galaxy) for matches and training.

Finally, as the regular season draws nearer, D.C. United, Toronto and Real Salt Lake will join the USL's Charleston Battery in the annual Carolina Challenge Cup, March 7-14 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston.

Other MLS clubs could pop up at any of these locations -- some have yet to reveal their preseason plans.

3. Galaxy, you're on the clock: The LA Galaxy makeover is surely one of the most evocative MLS story lines for 2008. As Bruce Arena strives to toughen up and super-size a defense that, he says, got pushed around a bit in the forgettable 2008 campaign, here's something that will surely turn up the pressure:

If the Galaxy fail to make the playoffs once again, it will join "San Jose 1.0" as the only club to have missed the postseason four years running.

Other teams have missed the regular season after-party for three consecutive years, including D.C. United, Columbus and Real Salt Lake (and now the Galaxy, of course). But only the Clash/Earthquakes, playing under four different managers between 1997-2000, missed in a quartet of consecutive seasons.

4. Watching Kljestan with special interest: With perhaps eight or nine MLS players set to start for Bob Bradley's U.S. national team in Saturday's friendly against Sweden, many eyes will be on a certain midfielder, who just happens to be playing on his home ground.

Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan has just returned from a training spell with Celtic in Scotland. A big performance at The Home Depot Center on Saturday can only elevate the chances the Scottish giants will proffer an offer before January's transfer window closes.

European overtures shouldn't surprise anyone; 2008 was a breakout year for Kljestan, the smooth attacker who gets better and better each season. He'll turn 24 this year, with three years pro experience already. Whether a move happens sooner or later, if at all, is up to MLS headquarters, Chivas USA and any European pursuers.

It should all be concerning to Preki and the rest of Chivas USA's management, as so much of the Red-and-White's attacking muscle may disappear. Francisco Mendoza has already been recalled to Chivas de Guadalajara; the technically gifted midfielder had been with the U.S.-based sister club on a series of loans.

Mendoza played as a left midfielder for Preki (with some fill-in duty at left back). Kljestan has been a fixture on the right. And the way Preki ran matters last year, holding midfielders Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura provided some of offensive push, but most of the attacking verve emanated from the outside spots.

(FYI: Mendoza made his Mexican league debut last Saturday as Chivas de Guadalajara opened the 2009 Clausura in a 3-3 draw with Cruz Azul. Mendoza, introduced as a 74th-minute substitute, made an immediate impact by drawing a red-card foul.)

5. The downlow on De Ro: Still not much word coming out of Toronto on where Dwayne De Rosario fits into an increasingly crowded TFC midfield. Carver hasn't spelled out exactly where the former Houston Dynamo attacker, now fulfilling the dream of playing in his cherished hometown, will line up, other than to say he knows "De Ro" prefers a midfield role.

That may be a tall order considering that the center of the park at BMO is already an address for MLS A-listers Carl Robinson and Amado Guevara. Plus, Carver and technical director Mo Johnston have high hopes for midfielder Sam Cronin, the No. 2 overall pick in last week's draft. De Rosario, for his part, says he doesn't care where he plays, even joking about playing center back or in goal.

Not to worry there; it's quite unlikely starting backstopper Greg Sutton is losing any sleep over that one.

De Rosario could perhaps line up on the left in a 4-2-3-1 alignment, with Guevara as the central attacking fulcrum. Carver used that formation at times last year in deference to departed French midfielder Laurent Robert, who is now with Larissa in the Greek Super League. Robert was relatively effective going forward but not such great shakes at chasing back on defense. Thus, Carver carved out a formation where the Frenchman didn't need to do as much tracking back.

De Rosario is a more willing worker in midfield. The Canadian international, just signed to a four-year deal at BMO, wouldn't have held up so well as a central element in Houston's 4-4-2 otherwise. The problem is that he and Guevara probably couldn't share central roles, as that might tip the balance too heavily toward the attack. Robinson, among the league's better holding presences, must be in the mix.

We'll find out more as TFC reports next week.

MLS dream alive for seven hopefuls

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Aaron King played for the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League's First Division, was drafted out of North Carolina State by the Los Angeles Galaxy and was traded to the Colorado Rapids.

A free agent, the forward joined about 40 other hopefuls in the New York Red Bulls version of a reality show this week at the Giants Stadium training bubble.

"I felt like it went OK," King said before the decision was announced. "I definitely feel like the coaches just want to see a couple moments of brilliance to know you can play on another level. I tried to do my best and hopefully they see it, too."

And when "So you want to be a Red Bulls player" was finished, seven made the cut to advance to the next round.

King, who has nine goals in 58 appearances with Charleston, was among the lucky seven who will join the Red Bulls at the opening of training camp on Monday. The chances of making the club are slim, especially after rosters were reduced and the MLS Reserve Division was eliminated.

"On top of that these guys just made it to the finals so everyone out here knows it's a tough situation to get into," King said. "But like everyone, I'm just putting my best foot forward and hoping for a little bit of luck, as well."

The weeklong tryouts featured an eclectic mix of players, from those invited to the MLS Player Combine and didn't get drafted, to local college players and even one familiar name.

Eric Brunner, who was selected in the second round of last year's MLS SuperDraft by the Red Bulls, was back in the bubble looking to impress the Red Bulls coaching staff.

After declining to sign a developmental contract with the Red Bulls a year ago, Brunner played for Miami FC. The 6-foot-4 central defender from Ohio State is still under contact with the USL First Division club, but was granted permission to train with New York.

"It was a blessing in disguise because as soon as I left, I got called into the under-23s, I had a really good camp there and got two international caps and a goal," Brunner said. "I took it as it was and learned a lot about myself, a lot of things that take other people two or three years to learn."

With Gabriel Cichero, Diego Jimenez and Jeff Parke no longer with the Red Bulls and second-round draft pick Babajide Ogunbiyi failing to sign a contract with MLS and opting to finish up his studies at Santa Clara, the Red Bulls suddenly have a serious lack of depth centrally. But Brunner isn't getting too excited just yet.

"I've learned, especially in the past season, not to count my chickens before they hatch and don't get too excited about anything until you sign that piece of paper," Brunner said. "I'm just taking it as it comes, playing soccer and having fun with it."

Ogunbiyi will not likely be available to join the Red Bulls until March, the final few weeks of the preseason. And having yet to reach agreement on a contract, it's unknown if Ogunbiyi will even sign a deal.

"I think he's an intelligent kid who wants to finish school. I don't really know what to say," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "We are deciding, but it's a tough one. I can only say I hope I get a chance to work with him because I think he has some good tools."

One central defender the Red Bulls are passing on is Kyle Schmid out of the University of California-Irvine. The son of Seattle Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid initially drew the interest of the Red Bulls coaches during an NCAA tournament game at St. John's.

"I was pretty fortunate because we don't play a lot of games on the East Coast so it's good to be seen by an MLS team out here and obviously it paid off," Schmid said.

Where Schmid, a 6-foot-2 central defender, lands remains to be seen. But he prefers not to follow his father to Seattle.

"I kind of wanted to stay away from that," he said of playing for his father. "All my life it's been hung over my head pretty much so I'm trying to pave my own way."

Joining Brunner and King in the next round are goalkeeper Alec Dufty from the University of Evansville, Adelphi University forward Patrick Figueiredo, Long Island University attacking midfielder Mohammed Mashriqi, Jerry Saintil, a midfielder from Seton Hall and Mauricio Turizo, a forward who played at Giants de Carolina in the Puerto Rico Soccer League last year.

"I just told them, you just passed the first level," Osorio said. "There's no assurance you will get a contract. Now I want to bring you next week to compete with all our players and then I will get a better idea if you indeed can play at this level."

Change evident as Galaxy camp opens

CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy are barely into their first week of training camp under head coach Bruce Arena, and an air of change is unmistakable.

And it's not just because Arena is running his first camp since coming to Los Angeles last Aug. 18. There are 33 players on the roster, and only 20 of them were with the team at the end of the 2008 season. There are several absences, most notably David Beckham and Landon Donovan, who are on loan to AC Milan and Bayern Munich, respectively, and are not expected back until mid-March.

Defender Sean Franklin, the 2008 MLS rookie of the year, was lost to sports hernia surgery but is expected to return before the start of the regular season. Also missing is top draft pick Omar Gonzalez, who is taking final exams at the University of Maryland.

The revamped roster features two trialists, Tony Sanneh and Henry "Leo" Bautista, among 29 players at practice. The 37-year-old Sanneh is a veteran of the U.S. national team who was out of soccer last year. Bautista, 25, is a highly regarded defender from Caracas FC of the Venezuelan Primera Division. There also is midfielder Dema Kovalenko, who was acquired from Real Salt Lake earlier this week for a conditional draft pick in the 2011 SuperDraft.

But if you think the Galaxy's makeover is finished, think again.

"It's still very early in the process," Arena said, "and it remains to be seen how much more we need to do on the roster in terms of improving it.

"I think we're headed in the right direction. We'll just take it a day at a time in preseason and continue to examine what we think we have and try to improve wherever we can."

Forward Mike Magee, who played for Arena with the Red Bulls and was acquired from New York for a second-round 2010 draft pick on Jan. 14, said he is happy being reunited with his former coach.

"He's a player's coach," said Magee, a six-year MLS veteran. "He's going to make you work real hard, but he's not going to overdo it. He's the kind of coach who knows preseason is long and we have time to get people ready for the (season) opener. It's a very professional environment."

Magee said he expects camp to get even tougher next week, and whether that will feature more changes remains to be seen. Arena said he had no particular expectations at this point.

"Let's just wait and see," he said. "All we want to do right now is get the team better and do the things you have to do in preseason and continue to identify the issues within the team and try to make them better.

"It's too early to say where this team is and all of that. We're three days into preseason and two months away from the opening game," Arena continued. "I'm not real worried about today as much as how we can move forward in the process of getting this team better and making the changes we have to make."

The Galaxy, which opens the regular season on March 22 at The Home Depot Center against D.C. United, kicks off the preseason at home on Feb. 12 against Houston, followed six days later by the start of the Pan-Pacific Championship, which includes the Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the K-League, Oita Trinita of the J-League and Shandong Luneng Taishon FC from the Chinese Super League. The Galaxy's preason concludes on March 14 against the Chicago Fire in the inaugural PHX Soccer Clasico, which will be held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

United get back to work in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- D.C. United got back to work on Thursday, opening their 2009 preseason preparations at RFK Stadium on a blustery, but sunny, winter day exactly two months before their Major League Soccer season opener against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Soehn and his staff had initially planned indoor workouts and meetings, but the relatively mellow weather conditions -- compared to Washington's heretofore harsh January -- prompted a move out to RFK's artificial turf practice field for possession drills and light ball work.

Absent a few veterans like Marcelo Gallardo (recovering from adductor surgery), Zach Wells (foot surgery), Fred (returning from a short-term loan with Wellington Phoenix FC) and Ivan Guerrero (international duty with Honduras), United are reporting for duty about a week earlier than last year. But spirits were high, as the sour taste of last season's struggles has lingered plenty long enough for head coach Tom Soehn and many of his charges.

"This one seemed like an eternity," said Soehn of the offseason. "It's certainly good to be back. It wasn't quite grass, but it's still good to be back and getting to work."

Last year's campaign began with sky-high hopes but ended on a note of drastic underachievement as United stumbled in international play and failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for only the fourth time in club history. D.C. did capture the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in September, but would win just once more in their final 14 matches as the squad faded badly down the stretch.

The club's veteran core is particularly eager to erase those grating memories.

"It's a fresh look. It's a new year, a new start, new expectations," said defender Bryan Namoff, who recently put pen to a new contract that should keep him in D.C. for years to come. "We fell short last year and we don't want to even dwell on anything from 2008 besides winning the Open Cup. ... We've fallen off in the years past and I think we need to get into that mindset, that frame of mind."

The transition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup to a year-long league competition means that for only the second time in the past five years, the Black-and-Red will not have a spring international tournament to accelerate their preseason schedule. That has allowed Soehn and company to map out a more gradual ramp-up to full fitness, a welcome approach for a squad driven to exhaustion by last season's frenetic pace.

"Hopefully you don't go in and kill yourself in the first two months. It's a process to build up for such a long season, and I think they understand that now. We went through a lot of injuries and we did a lot of work last year and hopefully that can be a little different," said Santino Quaranta, another D.C. veteran who signed a new deal this winter.

"It's going to be good to have some time to just really get some stuff figured out and work at it, because our minds, it seemed like, were always on the next thing last year -- it was always where we were going next and what was happening."

Club icon Ben Olsen was the center of attention on Thursday, as the 10-year veteran took another step in his long road back from a nightmarish 2008 that featured four ankle surgeries and only 15 minutes of match action. The combative midfielder tested his troublesome left ankle in the team's short session and came away pleased with the results, though he remains realistic about the challenges facing his comeback bid.

"I'm cautiously optimistic about maybe getting through a season. The verdict on the ankle seems to be that it is what it is. It's not going to get better than it is now. So knowing that helps me go ahead and push and do what I can," Olsen said. "Today was the first day I was playing soccer against pros at a high level, so today was a positive step. Saying that, talk to me tomorrow morning. You know this thing, from day to day, can change. So that's where I'm at."

His experience, intensity and savvy are invaluable on the field, but Olsen's return would also provide a tremendous psychological boost to Soehn's squad. United never really integrated the glut of new faces last season, and the disappointing results have prompted an emphasis on continuity this time around. With an injection of young talent from the SuperDraft intensifying the battle for a decreased number of roster spots, the club hopes to craft a superior blend in 2009.

"There's some guys who started showing well at the end of last year. You add guys that we drafted this year and obviously you're always looking for players from the outside to bring in," said Soehn. "It's going to be very, very competitive. It's going to probably force me to have to make some tough decisions come March 2."

Williams family still searching for donor

SANDY, Utah -- In his push to find a suitable bone marrow donor in the weeks and months after his wife was diagnosed with leukemia, Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams never anticipated the complications that would arise along the way.

An abnormal chromosome found in Marcia Williams' blood means that chemotherapy alone is not enough to send the cancer into remission. And with her white blood cell count at dangerously low levels, getting a bone marrow transplant is critical now.

Finding a match in the national donor registry, however, has not happened.

With the window to find a donor closing rapidly, the Williams family and the charitable organization Soccer Unites are staging a series of bone narrow drives, both in Utah and nationally, over the next couple of weeks.

For Andy Williams, previous drives obviously haven't achieved the desired results for his wife. But he feels like they serve a greater purpose as well.

"It hasn't been so successful for us in getting a match," Williams said. "But it's been great that there's been a lot of turnout from fans and even from the public for all these bone marrow drives. If it doesn't help us, at least, hopefully, those people who register can help somebody in the future."

Current and former teammates are lining up to help out Andy and Marcia. Chris Brown and Cameron Knowles are staging bone marrow drives in Portland, Oregon. Scott Garlick is doing one as well in Tampa, Fla.

And at a drive scheduled for Jan. 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium, all 30 RSL players invited to preseason training camp will participate in the bone marrow matching process.

The urgency behind these drives is even bigger than previous fundraisers and bone marrow drives because the results from Marcia's most recent biopsy were grimmer than those that had preceded it.

She is scheduled to begin aggressive chemotherapy in February and a bone marrow donor must be found by the time it ends.

"The doctors have told us to look up until the very last day to try to find that match," said Deb Harper, a director for Soccer Unites. "It's extremely urgent."

Soccer Unites has aided the Williams family in sifting through the national donor registry every three days. It takes about two to three weeks after a donor is tested to upload the results into the national registry, so new names are added all the time.

Harper said it is a little disheartening that a match has not yet been located among the countless donors in that database.

If a donor cannot be found, the Williams family will likely try a newer treatment called a cord blood transplant. This procedure would extract stem cells from discarded umbilical cords and use those cells to produce new white blood cells.

It is a risky option given that it has been performed on few adults. But it might be the best choice they have left.

"The bone marrow transplant is still the best option," Andy Williams said. "But because of her situation being so rare -- with her blood tissue being so rare -- we haven't found a bone marrow match yet."

Fundraisers for Williams and his wife continue daily. But meeting the expenses associated with cancer treatment -- which can quickly balloon into the six-figure range -- has been tough in the current economic climate.

Just for the bone marrow transplant alone, it will cost at least $150,000.

"It's funny because everybody asks me the question, 'Doesn't she have insurance?,' Harper said. "Each of us has insurance. But you think of the co-pays and you think of the things that come over that [are not] covered. The bills she is getting now are [extensive]. They're not just a couple thousand here or there. They're huge."

For Andy Williams, this ordeal has put soccer in a different light. With preseason just days away, it will be hard to focus on playing. But playing, he said, is what Marcia wants him to do.

"She's as serious about my job as I am," Williams said, noting that his wife has urged him to stay fit in preparation for the season. "It's going be tough and I'm sure my teammates and the coaching staff will help me through it."

Crew add Iribarren to coaching staff

COLUMBUS -- Ricardo Iribarren didn't know when he first joined the Columbus Crew midway through the inaugural 1996 season that some of the traits the fiery Argentinean defender displayed would eventually lead to his rejoining the club as an assistant coach more than a dozen years later.

The announcement Thursday that Iribarren, 41, was hired as an assistant to new head coach Robert Warzycha brings him full circle.

Iribarren (pronounced ee-REE-bah-REHN) signed with the Crew prior to its game on July 4, 1996, in Tampa against the Mutiny. The 11-year pro in Argentina and Ecuador was with the team for several days of training in Florida but seemed out of place everywhere but on the field. He was coming to a new league with new players who barely knew each other, much less one who spoke no English.

In one of the scrimmages, Iribarren was paired on the backline with Crew general manager Jamey Rootes. It didn't make a difference to Iribarren, who pointed and yelled and eventually pushed Rootes into what he believed to be the proper defensive position.

Even then, Iribarren had an eye for the game and no stomach for losing.

"I remember Tampa," said Iribarren, who eventually mastered English. "I knew Jamey was GM. He didn't seem to mind. He wanted me back the next season."

He moves into the slot vacated by Warzycha, who replaced Sigi Schmid as head coach in December less than a month after the Crew won its first MLS Cup.

"I'm happy to be back in Columbus," Iribarren said. "I'll be working with the best team, a team that won the championship and most of the guys are coming back. I already know the coach, Brian (Bliss) is there, Mike Lapper is there, too."

Iribarren played 16 games for Columbus in 1996 with Warzycha and Crew technical director Brian Bliss. Visa problems prevented Iribarren from playing in MLS the following season but he was a teammate of Warzycha and current Crew assistant Mike Lapper in 1998. Iribarren then played for Milwaukee of the A-League in 1999 before finishing his MLS career with the Dallas Burn in 2000.

His lone goal in the league came Aug. 10, 1996, against D.C. United when he scored on a bicycle kick in Ohio Stadium. Brian McBride had one assist. Who had the other? Warzycha.

After Dallas, Iribarren concluded his career with the A-League's Pittsburgh Riverhounds from 2001-03. He retired and became the team's technical director and head coach in July 2003 through 2005.

He led the Riverhounds to a 35-16-4 record in the USL1 and USL2 divisions. He also coached women's soccer at Chatham College in Pittsburgh from 2001-03 and held several other youth and high school coaching positions.

The past 2-1/2 years he was head coach and director of soccer for the American School Foundation in Mexico City.

"We competed against professional teams there," he said. "I watched a lot of soccer. They play year around so I learned a lot. I had to a chance to watch a lot of practices, training for different coaches. It was good for me.

"Hopefully, I can help the team wherever I can with my experience. I'm willing to do whatever Robert wants. I love soccer. It's been my life."

Iribarren traveled to Columbus from Pittsburgh Thursday night and will be on hand when training begins Monday.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Ricardo back to the Crew," Warzycha said. "His experiences and success in different environments and different parts of the world will be a great asset to our staff and we're all looking forward to getting started next week."

Iribarren adds to the Crew's Argentinean connection that includes league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and defender Gino Padula.

Although Iribarren is about six years older than Schelotto, they faced off many times during their playing days in Argentina and have several mutual friends.

"He's a great player who still wants to prove he is a great player," Iribarren said. "After winning 16, 17 championships with Boca Juniors, one of the best teams in the world, he came to the States and won a championship and had a great season."

Iribarren hopes more players from his homeland will come to MLS, specifically the Crew.

"I know people there (Argentina), depending on what the Crew needs and the expectations they have. I know a lot of coaches and people I used to play with. They're good friends," he said. "I also made many friends in Mexico. I'll do anything I can to help the team."

De Rosario excited to return home

TORONTO -- As the most decorated Canadian player in Major League Soccer history, Dwayne De Rosario inevitably had to face the "would you like to play for Toronto FC?" question whenever he visited Toronto as a member of the Houston Dynamo.

The Scarborough, Ontario native unfailingly delivered the same answers every time. Yes, he was proud that his home area had proven to be such a booming market for Major League Soccer. Yes, he was pleased to receive an extra round of applause from the appreciative fans at BMO Field. And, yes, he would like to play in Toronto "one day," though De Rosario always stressed that his first order of business was to continue helping the Dynamo challenge for the MLS Cup.

The "one day" turned out to be Dec. 12, when De Rosario came to TFC in a blockbuster deal for defender Julius James and an allocation fee. After two years of giving the same answers, in his official presentation to the Toronto FC community on Thursday, De Rosario was free to express just how much he looked forward to playing in front of his native fans.

"It's a dream come true," De Rosario said. "I think that's the goal of every kid growing up aspiring to be a professional soccer player -- you want to play in your hometown and carry on your career playing professionally at home. Now all the kids growing up have something to aspire to [...] and that's Toronto FC.

"I said I wanted to play for TFC one day and that day has come. It's a proud moment for me not only as a player in MLS but as a Canadian. Hopefully this whole thing will help not just TFC but the national team as well."

Thursday's press conference at the Air Canada Centre was delayed due to negotiations between De Rosario and TFC manager and director of soccer Mo Johnston on a contract extension. That deal was finalized this week, meaning Toronto fans will see De Rosario in TFC red through the end of the 2012 season.

De Rosario's arrival represented a personal achievement for Johnston, who said he had been trying to acquire the midfielder "for two years."

"The process you have to go through is difficult when you're going after a player of Dwayne's caliber," Johnston said. "Up until now, [Houston] wasn't willing to let him go. It was at [last December's NCAA College Cup] in Dallas when we made the final breakthrough.

"What we've brought here today is a wonderful talent, an All-Star. I think he'll help our team immensely on and off the field."

De Rosario brings to Toronto one of the deepest resumes of any player in the league. The 30-year-old has been named to the MLS Best XI three times (from 2005-2007), and has been a member of the MLS All-Star Team in each of the past three seasons. De Rosario, in fact, scored the game-winning goal for the MLS All-Stars in front of the BMO Field fans at the 2008 All-Star Game to lead the MLS side to a 3-2 win against West Ham United.

Even more impressive than his personal accomplishments, however, is the number of club honors that De Rosario has accumulated. He has never missed the playoffs in any of his eight MLS seasons and has played on four MLS Cup-winning teams (two in San Jose, two in Houston). De Rosario is also a two-time MLS Cup MVP, winning the trophy in 2001 and 2007.

This championship pedigree and the ability to deliver in clutch situations are what head coach John Carver fancy most about his new midfielder.

"He's a winner," Carver said. "He's won the championship four times. That experience is vital for the guys in the dressing room. I'm looking forward to him giving that experience and hopefully it'll rub off on the other guys on the team.

"He can open teams up and that's what we need. There are a lot of games in this league that we are very tight and we have a special quality in Dwayne who can open that up for us."

As TFC enter their third season still looking for their first postseason berth, De Rosario made it clear that he expects to continue his streak of never missing the playoffs.

"My goal here is to win championships and win titles," De Rosario said. "That's what I play for and I think that's what the coaching staff and the fans expect. It's a huge task ahead of us but [...] I believe John Carver is the coach that will lead us to the playoffs."

De Rosario thanked the Houston fans and organization for their support, particularly head coach Dominic Kinnear, and said he had a wonderful time playing for the Dynamo. Still, he admitted that even from Houston, it was hard to ignore the soccer phenomenon that was developing in his hometown. The midfielder got a taste of having all of BMO Field at last year's All-Star Game and in international games with Canada, but he is looking forward to seeing the fans' enthusiasm on a weekly basis.

"Being in Houston [and] watching that first inaugural game here at BMO Field was, as a passionate fan and proud Canadian, a great day for me. [...] I want to thank [the fans] for their continued support for myself and for soccer in Canada. They're the ones that make this possible. They're [...] why we have a professional team in MLS, because of the fans and because of the huge, diverse soccer community we have here in Toronto. It's a great atmosphere."

It was that multiculturalism that De Rosario feels aided his development as a young player growing up in the city. De Rosario spoke fondly of his days playing for local clubs and for the Scarborough National Malvern Soccer Club.

"It toughened me up," De Rosario said, chuckling. "I had the opportunity to play with some great talent. [...] Toronto is a great diverse community and you adapt to many different styles from different places around the world and use them to benefit your game. I learned a lot of things in Scarborough and it definitely helped me."

Toronto FC's training camp begins next month in Florida, and De Rosario said he is excited to meet his new teammates and beginning his reign as Toronto's newest hometown sports hero.

"I think John and Mo have put together a great team this year and I'm looking forward to getting the season going," De Rosario said. "I'm proud to wear the red, white and black."

That's the answer TFC fans have been waiting to hear.

Hoops in need of new captain

FRISCO, Texas -- When FC Dallas and center back Duilio Davino parted ways in the offseason, it didn't just mean that the Hoops would have to find a replacement for him in the back line, it also signified that FCD would have to find a new captain for 2009.

Head coach Schellas Hyndman admitted after his team's first training session of 2009 on Wednesday that he already had some candidates for the position and would quickly reach a decision.

"I have three people in mind and I think all three would be very good," he said. "What I would like to do is look at the three through the next week of training. Then, it will be my decision and my decision only to select the player that I think would be the best representative of this team."

Hyndman's expectations for that individual are simple.

"To be able to carry the armband is a simple job for any captain," he said. "You put it on and you get recognition. But there are a lot of things that I need to ask the captains to do. I thought last year, there were some issues on the team that if we had the right leader or right person wearing the armband with the communication ability and the respect of the players, some of those issues might never have developed."

Last season, then-head coach Steve Morrow waited until just before the start of the regular season to name his captain when he tabbed Davino. It appears that Hyndman has adopted a different methodology.

"I don't know if there's a right or wrong way," he said. "The sooner you have a captain, the sooner that captain can have an influence on the team and players. One of the responsibilities of a captain is to work and be a mediator for the coach. Not all players are going to be happy all the time. I think it's important that we get some leadership sooner rather than later."

Hyndman wouldn't name the three candidates but he did say that veteran midfielder Pablo Ricchetti was one player under consideration. The FCD boss added that any ill will over the Argentinean asking for a new contract after last season was well past.

"Everything is great," Hyndman said. "I think Pablo has been fantastic. He was a valuable player for us last year and had a good year. But at the same time, the team didn't have a good year and didn't get into the playoffs. I think he likes Dallas, this team and the ownership. To leave that would have been a mistake on his part but he had to make that decision. He's really glad to be here and will do everything he possibly can to find success for the team."

Other candidates include defender Drew Moor, recently acquired midfielder Dave van den Bergh and defender Adrian Serioux.

Along with Aaron Pitchkolan, Moor is FCD's longest-tenured player, having been with the club since 2005. The 25-year-old defender wore the armband in place of Davino on several occasions last season and would embrace the role should it come his way.

"I think no matter who Schellas gives the armband to, I still see myself as somewhat of a leader on this team," Moor said. "It's definitely a role that I would love to take. I would take a lot of pride with it. But we don't know who he's going to give it to. Whoever he gives it to will be the right choice. If he gives it to me, I will be happy with it. If not, I'll continue to be a leader without the armband."

Another possibility is van den Bergh, who was recently acquired in a trade with New York. However, the 32-year-old Dutch international is more focused on adjusting to his new surroundings instead of whether or not he could be named captain.

"I haven't thought about it," van den Bergh said. "There are some guys that have been here for a while now and we've got some veterans in the locker room. My coach hasn't talked about it either. We'll see what he's got in mind. I'd be very honored but there is more than one leader in the locker room."

Serioux is another possibility. The 29-year-old Canadian international just completed his second season with FCD and third in MLS, a member of Houston's 2006 MLS Cup championship team.

No matter which player he chooses, Hyndman has specific criteria in place for that individual.

"I think it's somebody who has to have the leadership qualities that the team will look at and say that they respect this guy," Hyndman said. "He's not only telling us what we should be doing, he's doing it himself. He has to be a person of influence, who can have influence on a player that is disgruntled to look at things in a positive mentality. He also has to be someone the coach can trust to say the right things when the coach isn't around. It's somebody who will take the place of the coach on the field and have the respect of their teammates. I think we have three people who can fill those qualities."

Petke returns home to New York

He's worn the colors of D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids in the seven years since last playing for the New York-based Major League Soccer club. But Mike Petke has always left a part of himself with his hometown team.

And while he might not be the same brash kid from Bohemia on Long Island with the dyed blonde hair he was in his first stint with the club, the 32-year-old Petke said he hasn't necessarily mellowed in his old age.

"Coming back here and getting ready for the preseason, I felt that spark in me again and that desire," he said in a conference call Wednesday. "It's great. I'm looking forward to getting my bite back, kissing the soccer ball and handing it back to the ref, getting a couple of yellow cards."

Petke, who is the Red Bulls all-time leader in games played (134) and games started (129), was picked up off waivers on Nov. 26 and signed a three-year contract with the Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Petke will likely fill the void left by Jeff Parke, who was second in all-time appearances and selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the expansion draft.

"We are pleased to bring Mike back to New York, the place where he grew up and began his professional career," Red Bull New York sporting director Jeff Agoos said in a statement. "He is a proven commodity and will help solidify our back line. Mike will bring a veteran presence, leadership, and toughness that can only help the club. We are looking forward to his contributions during the 2009 season."

Petke was selected eighth overall in the 1998 College Draft and helped lead the MetroStars to the 2000 Eastern Division title. The fan-favorite was traded to rival D.C. United on Dec. 23, 2002 along with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft and an allocation for defender Eddie Pope, forward Jaime Moreno and midfielder and current Red Bulls assistant coach Richie Williams.

While Petke spent three productive years in D.C., winning the MLS Cup in 2004, he said it broke his heart to be traded from New York.

"Leaving New York, I lost a little bit of the edge at first," he said. "I was very comfortable in New York. It was where I was from, my people [...] Going to D.C. it took a while to get that passion back because it was like I was a rookie again in a way. I was very upset, to be honest with you, when I first left New York."

Petke was traded to Colorado on May 23, 2005 for midfielder Chris Henderson. In 2008, Petke missed time after early-season foot surgery, but made 11 appearances and 10 starts while scoring two goals. One of those goals came against the Red Bulls in a 5-4 Rapids win on Sept. 27 at Giants Stadium.

"Without getting into detail too much, I was not very happy in Colorado," Petke said. "I played a lot of games for them, played my heart out. For many reasons I was not very happy there at all."

But now that he's back home, back playing for a team that reached the MLS Cup Final a year ago, Petke couldn't be any happier.

"It is something since 2002 when I left I've always thought about and always looked forward to, hopefully coming back," Petke said. "My family and I are very excited. Watching the way the Red Bulls finished last season, I'm dying to jump in there and get involved with the team and hopefully we can take it one step forward this year."

Hoops open training camp in Frisco

FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas officially kicked off their on-field preparations on Wednesday morning with the Hoops' first training session of 2009. While the cast was a bit depleted, it was still a spirited workout that lasted nearly two hours.

All told, FCD were missing 10 players from their roster. Forward Kenny Cooper is away with the U.S. national team until this weekend. Three players -- top draft pick Peri Marosevic, Brek Shea and Anthony Wallace, are in camp with the U.S. under-20 national team. Brazilian Andre Rocha is awaiting his visa while countryman Marcelo Saragosa awaits his green card.

Recent draft picks George John and Brian Shriver were also absent. John and recently signed center back Steve Purdy were both getting physicals and should be ready to practice Thursday. Shriver is still in school at North Carolina and his status will be further evaluated.

But there was one absence that piqued the interest of the media in attendance: midfielder Dax McCarty, who last fall requested a trade and remains back in his home state of Florida.

"It just wasn't a great situation for me last year with Dax and it wasn't a great situation for him with me," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman admitted. "One of the things that Dax asked me is that he wanted to be traded. We are giving Dax the opportunity to be evaluated and be traded by someone. So he's not here mostly because of my request."

The Hoops' boss admitted that he still thinks highly of the member of last summer's U.S. Olympic team.

"He's a young player," Hyndman said. "He's a skillful player. I never want to say he's not a good player. I don't think we see things the same. I want the best for this young player because I think he does have a future in MLS soccer. I just don't know if his future will be here."

One new face who made his first appearance on the FCD training field was left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh, who was acquired from New York last week in a trade.

"It's good," van den Bergh said. "It's exciting, getting to know the players and coaching staff. It's a new start for everyone and for me as well. What happened in the past is in the past. We're just looking for this year and it's fresh. We've got the highest expectations for this year. We have to improve last year's results. That's the first goal. I just need to adapt myself to the style of play that they have here and just work hard in the preseason."

Some thought that Hyndman's first session might feature little or no ball work. That was definitely not the case.

"My philosophy is very simple," Hyndman said. "I think the players are all soccer players because they enjoy it. They enjoy playing, have a gift of being a pro and they need a ball. If you don't have a ball, you do take away the enjoyment. I think we have enough exercises we can do to get them involved in fitness but through chasing down a ball or controlling a ball. I don't think you'll ever see a training (session) out here where there's not a ball."

After taking the reins last June following the dismissal of Steve Morrow in mid-May, the FCD coach feels that he is still putting his stamp on the squad.

"This is becoming more my team," Hyndman said. "It's also my first practice with a new group for a season. I thought that the training we did today was very productive. There are six things that we're going to try and do in preseason. The first thing is we're going to try to become better individual defenders with pressure on the ball, coverage and balance. We want to become better individual attacking players. We're going to work a lot on attacking in the flanks and creating numbers up. The third thing you want to do is develop some style of play. I hope that our style of play is going to be an attractive style, a good defending style with winning balls, being able to counter and use transition."

"The fourth area we're going to work on is our structure, a complete team structure on defending and on attacking. The fifth area we want to work on is going to be on set pieces. The sixth and final thing we're going to try to do in preseason is fitness," Hyndman continued. "We want to play as many games as we can in preseason so we get players good opportunities. The roster has been cut from 28 to 24 and I have to get games so I can evaluate players. In the morning, we're going to train more on technical and tactical. In the evenings, we're going to do bigger numbers."

While FCD have addressed many of their needs in the offseason, one major one, finding an attacking central midfielder, remains unsatisfied.

"I don't know if this is the year that we have all of our players," Hyndman said. "I think it's still going to take another year. I think it's going to be another transition. That No. 10 position, we've yet to fill. Whether we can fill it this year, if we have to wait until June or until next year, we have to have those three pieces together to make the puzzle complete. It's not the end of the team if we don't get the No. 10 because I think we've got adequate players."

Hyndman added he still has some time to try to add that player and maybe a few others to his team but that window is drawing to a close. "I think right now, we may have a couple of weeks to do that," he said.


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First XI: Heating up winter

Sure, it's cold outside here in the Northeast. Sure, it's a while before MLS camps open and preseason gets under way in earnest. But, we've got some soccer involving a lot of MLS players on TV this weekend, and First XI is fired up for the 2009 season.

11. Seattle Sounders FC. Expansion teams always excite me, even though the "modern era" expansion teams in MLS have taken their lumps. There's a lot to like about a team in Seattle, including the cool, often-damp weather, which should make games in the Pacific Northwest up-tempo affairs. I am excited to see Kasey Keller in MLS, and I'm fired up that so many tickets have been sold. Not crazy about that Tampa Bay Mutiny '96 green, but I'll get past it.

10. Tinkering in LA. When a team that considers itself one of the league's flagship clubs misses the playoffs for three straight seasons, it creates the kind of tension that has to get you excited. Already we see Bruce Arena moving some pieces around. And while additions like Dema Kovalenko and Mike Magee may not make headlines, sometimes it's the under-the-radar moves that can get MLS teams turned around. Kovalenko will certainly get under some people's skin and Magee, still only 24, is fighting for his MLS life. I still believe Magee can be a 10-goal scorer in MLS if he stays healthy and earns his minutes.

9. Red Bull Fever. Ninety minutes can change everything. The 90 minutes that the Red Bulls played on the road in the playoffs, defeating Houston 3-0, has changed everything in New York. Even more than the Western Conference final at Real Salt Lake, where you figured the Red Bulls had a 50-50 shot to get a result, it was the big win against the defending champions that should have Red Bulls fans expecting the best when the 2009 season opens up. In their final season at Giants Stadium, the Red Bulls have a chance, with a great season, to set a nice table for the opening of Red Bull Arena in 2010.

8. The Polish Rifle. From start to finish, the Columbus Crew were the best team in MLS a year ago. And then, as soon as they'd finished taking their victory lap with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, Sigi Schmid was on his way to Seattle and the Crew were dealing with change. I believe Crew fans have nothing to fear with long-time assistant, and former Crew star, Robert Warzycha ready to take the helm. Part of me thinks the players who form the 2008 championship club will also want to prove they can repeat, no matter who's coaching.

7. Shaking up Dallas. When the Red Bulls (MetroStars) made it to a Cup final, it left FC Dallas (Burn) as the lone remaining team from the inaugural MLS season who has not made it to an MLS Cup Final. And while it's a longshot that FCD can make it this year -- as they're rebuilding -- that stigma is enough to get me excited for what's going on in Dallas. Picking up Dave van den Bergh is a good move, but the Hoops need to hope VDB is not past his sell-by date, and can still be a contributor when they're ready to seriously contend.

6. Yura. I've been wrong many times before, but when I watched Yura Movsisyan terrorizing MLS defenses at the end of last season, I felt like I was watching the league's next impact striker. Yura is, quite simply, too much for one defender to contain. That is, too much for one contender to contain, when it comes to getting chances. Yura's ability to put those chances away is what needs to improve. If he improves his finishing, watch out MLS.

5. D.C. redemption. Quite simply, too good a team to have not been in the playoffs last year. What does the future hold for D.C. United? They captured the U.S. Open Cup last year, but do United have a good enough roster to challenge for an MLS Cup this year? Does Jaime Moreno have anything left in the tank? His career looked to be over once, already. Does he have another comeback story to write? And what about Emilio? Lots of questions, and you know coach Tom Soehn is going to be desperate to get off to a good start in 2009.

4. New England. Transition? The team that has stood for stability for so long, looks like they're finally in a transitional period. Or are they? The Revolution still made the playoffs a year ago, but did not seem to walk with the same swagger as in years past. Can they regain their confidence? A lot depends on the health and form of Taylor Twellman, who only started 12 games a year ago. I'll be watching the Revs closely at the start.

3. Quake II. A year ago, I said the San Jose Earthquakes would be the best MLS expansion team since the '98 Fire, and I think I was right. Still, I also thought Frank Yallop would get the Quakes to the playoffs, so I was wrong there. I think there's a lot to like about San Jose, from the home-field advantage their fans provide, to the demands Yallop places on the team to play exciting, high-pressure soccer. A full season from Darren Huckerby and continued improvement from the likes of Jason Hernandez and Ryan Johnson and the Earthquakes will work their way up the Western ladder quickly.

2. Angry Dynamo. After a 1-1 draw with the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium, who thought the Dynamo would bow out so quickly? Not me. Even though Houston did not dominate the regular season, when they closed things down by going without a defeat in their final nine league games, I figured they'd cruise past New York. Wrong. Now, I wonder how the Orange will resp ond, especially with one of their all-time legends (see No. 1) moving on.

1. DeRo goes home. Yes, of all the stories that have me antsy to get camps open and the '09 season under way, none get the juices flowing quite as much as the story of Dwayne DeRosario heading home to Toronto to try and lead the best-supported team in MLS to the playoffs.


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Galaxy turn to champion Terrapins

ST. LOUIS -- After a mediocre season where Los Angeles just couldn't seem to get into a good rhythm, the Galaxy were looking for a bit of an overhaul on draft day. Defense was a top priority. And in order to secure two top defenders, the Galaxy traded the No. 35 and 49 picks overall to Chivas USA, along with fullback Ante Jazic, for the No. 19 overall selection.

The Galaxy selected University of Maryland defenders Omar Gonzalez (No. 3 overall) and A.J. Delagarza (No. 19), both of whom helped the Terrapins to the Division I national championship in 2008 while holding opponents scoreless in 15 matches.

"It was a busy day for us," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "We entered the draft with some specific needs. Center back definitely needed to be addressed. We potentially got two good ones in the Maryland products."

The Galaxy also added forwards Josh Boateng, with the No. 33 selection, and Kyle Patterson (No. 48).

 

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• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
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• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

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• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

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• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

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GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

Standing at 6-foot-5, Gonzalez will give the defense some height. But at the same time, he can score a goal here or there. In his Maryland career he tallied seven goals and five assists.

"I'm ready," Gonzalez said. "I'm very happy to go to LA. Playing in front of a great crowd and alongside David Beckham, I'm sure I'll learn a lot from him. I hope to contribute to the team and help them win games. I'm going to give it all I have."

When asked who his favorite MLS team was, Gonzalez, a Dallas native, just smiled. "Dallas was one of my favorite teams growing up. But the Galaxy is my team now," he said.

In the second round, the Galaxy selected Delagarza. The four-year regular played in 88 games during his career with 81 starts. He was a two-time All-American, helping Maryland to championships in 2005 and 2008.

"I'm really excited to be in LA and on the West Coast," the Bryans Road, Md. native said. "I will be playing with some of the top players in the league, including David Beckham. I've been staying in shape since our season ended. I'm ready to play."

Originally from Accra, Ghana, Boateng spent one season at Virginia Tech before transferring to Liberty University in 2006. In his collegiate career, the midfielder/forward played in 64 games with 26 goals and 16 assists. Boateng has represented Ghana on the under-17 national team.

"It's a dream come true," Boateng said. "Joining the Galaxy and playing alongside players like Beckham is going to be an important step in my career. Bruce Arena is a good coach. I've been watching him for a long time. He's good at developing young players."

With their fourth and final pick, the Galaxy selected Patterson from Saint Louis University. In his tenure with SLU, Patterson played in 72 matches, with 29 goals and 15 assists. The Birmingham, England native ended his career with a personal best in goals (12) and assists (five).

"We feel we addressed quite a few needs today," Arena said. "We're pleased."


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Agoos, Fawcett elected to Soccer Hall of Fame

ST. LOUIS -- The phone call came at his New Jersey home. On the other line was Steve Baumann and Jack Huckel of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. They were informing Jeff Agoos that he has been elected to the Hall's 2009 class; however the former U.S. national team defender thought it was a prank call.

Once the New York Red Bulls sporting director was convinced, he began to think about all the people who have helped him get to the pinnacle of the sport in the USA -- from his parents, to club coaches to coaches and teammates at the University of Virginia as well as those during his storied Major League Soccer career.

He especially remembered the trips to and from practices during sweltering summers in Dallas.

"I can still smell the back of an old beat up Volkswagen," Agoos said. "We had to be in the back by the engine and it's just boiling. All those memories just come flooding back. You don't stand up there by yourself."

Agoos joins former U.S. women's national team standout Joy Fawcett in the Class of 2009, it was announced at the St. Louis Convention Center on Thursday evening. The announcement was at a press conference that had 11 other Hall of Famers in the room.

"To see the faces of the people who have come behind me, to be inducted with Joy, who was not only a class athlete and person, I'm very fortunate to be around such gifted individuals," Agoos said.

In a career that spanned 18 years, Agoos had 134 caps for the U.S. national team and competed in two World Cups, he won five MLS Cups (three with D.C. United and the final two with the San Jose Earthquakes) and he won an NCAA national championship with the University of Virginia in 1989.

"I was never the fastest guy, never the tallest guy, but the one thing I did always was work harder than anybody else," Agoos said.

Fawcett won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals during her storied career. Her 239 international matches played is fourth in U.S. women's national team history, surpassed only by the currently active Kristine Lilly and Hall of Famers Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm (Class of 2007).

In her remarkable 15-year national team career, often paired with Hall of Famer Carla Overbeck (Class of 2006) in the central defense, she received just two yellow cards and was never red carded.

"This is a surprise and a great honor to be considered with other distinguished athletes, coaches and leaders of soccer," Fawcett said. "I just want to thank my family, my friends and my teammates. I would have never had gotten here without them."

A total of 159 ballots were cast in the Players Election. Agoos was named on 108 ballots (67.9 percent) and Fawcett was selected on 106 ballots (66.7 percent). A player must be selected on 66.7 percent of the ballots cast to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

They will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies in Oneonta, N.Y. the weekend of July 31-Aug. 2.


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Hamm's charity soccer game kicks off Saturday

While young girls on soccer fields around the country are trying to be like Mia Hamm, she was trying to be like Tony Hawk -- at least for a short time.

"I grew up watching him skate and I told him the story about me trying to skate when I was 13," Hamm said.

Those aspirations for Hamm were short lived, but Hawk will get to test his soccer skills again on Saturday when he joins a bevy of celebrities at the second annual Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge at The Home Depot Center.

The match, which will kickoff at 1 p.m. PT, benefits the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation.

Hawk played in last year's game, which raised more than $150,000 with the help of partners that included Nike, Gatorade, WMG, AEG and Stanford Financial.

"I think we were surprised at just the enthusiasm of everyone involved, from the soccer community (in Los Angeles) to the celebrities that were in the area," Hamm said. "They just came out and said whatever you want us to do we're willing to do, from participation to signing autographs."

The most rewarding part of last year's game, though, was learned recently when a bone marrow transplant match was made from the donor drive held throughout the Soccer Challenge.

"The odds of that happening are so small," Hamm said.

The cause is close to Hamm, who lost her brother, Garrett, in 1997 after complications from a bone marrow transplant.

"Our family struggled financially to find out how we're going to fund the procedures he had to go through and all that stress and strain," she said. "All these things we went through we wanted to alleviate the stress and strain on people's lives. It definitely hits close to home."

So Hamm, along with the help of her husband Nomar Garciaparra of the Los Angeles Dodgers, decided to raise awareness and immediately the soccer community responded.

Nomar and I are so grateful," Hamm said. "It is a special community to be a part of, it's something that none of us take lightly. The love for the game has brought us all together and we love sharing what this game has brought to our lives. Saturday is just going to be another testament to that."

Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Brandi Chastain, Alexi Lalas and Eric Wynalda joined an array of celebrities and other athletes, including NFL great Marcus Allen, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and Extreme Makeover host Ty Pennington.

The same is true this year. According to Lalas, the Hamm name is still carries a lot of weight.

"As far as I'm concerned, Mia Hamm is soccer community royalty," Lalas said. "When the queen calls, you go."

While the small-sided game should again provide excitement for the crowd, the most poignant part of the day will be at halftime when patients who suffer from leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases will be introduced in person for the very first time to their bone marrow donors.

The donor and recipient meetings will recognize all those who have given hope to patients in need of a life-saving transplant by joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Fans in attendance will be given the opportunity to register and become donors themselves.

"We can demonstrate exactly what signing up can do for a family. It can change their lives," Hamm said. "No matter what Nomar and I say, it doesn't do it justice until you see it in person."


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Donovan joins Munich on temporary loan
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Dream comes true for Husidic

ST. LOUIS -- It's neat how things work out sometimes. Baggio Husidic, the junior midfielder/forward from the University of Illinois-Chicago, was one of the last players actually at the MLS SuperDraft to get selected Thursday. When that happens in the NBA or NFL, it can be kind of embarrassing for the player involved.

It was looking a little embarrassing for Husidic, too, until he heard the announcement that the Chicago Fire had made a trade with the Colorado Rapids to move up to the fifth spot in the second round. The Fire were not originally slated to make any pick in the draft until the 28th pick overall, because they traded their first-round pick to Toronto FC in the Brian McBride deal.

When the trade was announced, Husidic had a quick thought that maybe a dream had come true. When the announcement was made that the Fire had selected him, the dream became reality.

"I was hoping it was going to happen," Husidic said. "This is awesome, probably one of the best moments of my life."

In the third round, the Fire selected defender David Sias of California-Irvine, and with their two picks in the fourth round, the Fire got Jokull Elisabetarson from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro by way of Iceland, and Richard Jata of Campbell University.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

In an interview last week, Husidic made the politically incorrect statement that he wanted to stay close to home and get drafted by the Fire. Husidic was on his way to the MLS Player Combine, where coaches and general managers from all MLS teams were looking at players to select in the draft, and Husidic made it known he had a preference where he went.

"That's huge for us," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said.

As a Generation adidas player, he was on everyone's radar, and was invited to attend the SuperDraft proceedings at the Convention Center in St. Louis. The first round went by and Husidic was not selected.

"I wanted to go early, like in the first round, because that is usually where (Generation adidas players) go,' Husidic said. "But I'm happy the way it turned out. I have no complaints at all."

"When we got started, we said 'What part can we play in this?," Klopas said. "We made a great move to get a Generation adidas player, a kid who has a tremendous upside. And we needed to fill that gap in the middle."

That gap came when the Fire lost midfielder Stephen King in the expansion draft.

Husidic was born in Bosnia, moved to Germany with his family as a young child, then came to the United States at the age of 12. The family moved to Libertyville in suburban Chicago, and he ended up at the University or Illinois-Chicago, a little-known program that has grown into a nationally respected program.

Husidic helped. He scored 12 goals with seven assists in his three seasons and garnered Soccer America First Team honors. The attention earned him the lucrative Generation adidas tag, which was the next step in the dream that came true Thursday.

The Fire still had to make a deal to make it happen, and they did so by trading a player to be named later to Colorado to move up eight slots to get him. The Fire also received allocation money in the deal.

"I had no idea," Husidic said. "But when they announced the trade, I had a feeling it was going to happen."

"At 28, we weren't going to get the player that we wanted," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "The way it played out, he didn't have a good first two days at the combine, but showed what he was like on the third day. We got lucky to be able to make that trade at the last minute."

With their second pick of the draft, which was the 13th pick of the third round, the Fire selected Sias, a 6-1 lockdown defender.

"He reads the game well, and he is someone who can give us help in the middle and in the back on the right," Klopas said.

With their third pick, the Fire selected senior midfielder Jokull Elisabetarson of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He is a native of Iceland, and played for the Iceland under-21 national team. He scored 12 goals with 10 assists in four years at Greensboro.

"He's a very good soccer player in the middle," Klopas said. "He was at the combine, and a lot of times the international players are not always the first to go. But he has experience with the U-21 team, he can cover a lot of field and he is a smart soccer player."

With the 58th overall pick, the 13th of the fourth and final round, the Fire selected Richard Jata of Campbell University, a 5-11 midfielder-forward from Port Richey, Fla. He scored 32 goals with 18 assists in four seasons, the first at Furman University.

Amazingly, Jata was still in the draft hall to the end, and came to the podium after he was announced, sporting a new Fire scarf. After a long speech when he admitted waiting that long to hear his name was difficult, yet promising he'd try and turn some heads and surprise some people, he did acknowledge he had been talking for some time.

"But I hope it's OK," he said, "because I've been sitting there an awfully long time waiting."

His late appearance and speech actually drove some observers to tears.


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Zakuani excited to join Sounders FC
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Sounders make Zakuani top SuperDraft pick

ST. LOUIS -- Seattle Sounders FC opened the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by making Generation adidas and Akron striker Steve Zakuani the first pick in club history.

Zakuani, an explosive forward who shunned European offers to join MLS, said his selection was "indescribable."

"Up until the last minute, I had no idea about where I was going to go," Zakuani said. "I told those close to me that if I could pick one team, I would pick Seattle because they were a new team and I liked the coach [Sigi Schmid] a lot. To be drafted No. 1 is amazing."

For the English-bred Zakuani, Seattle is the perfect landing spot because he likes the brand of soccer the Sounders are expected to play and thinks he'll feel at home in the Pacific Northwest.

"I heard the weather is like London," Zakuani said.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

Toronto FC used the first of its three first-round picks by taking Wake Forest midfielder Sam Cronin second overall. The holding midfielder couldn't wait to link up with TFC.

"I don't know much about the city, but I hear it's great," Cronin said. "Mostly, it's about being a part of a team that is on the up and a team that is improving every year. They're getting better and getting closer to the playoffs every year."

The holding midfielder posed for cameras sporting stitches picked up from a wayward elbow thrown at the MLS Player Combine last weekend.

"Ten stitches," Cronin said. "But I won the ball."

Los Angeles selected Generation adidas and Maryland defender Omar Gonzalez with the third pick. The giant Terrapins defender thinks with the defender-needy Galaxy he will be a good fit.

"This was about where I anticipated going," Gonzalez said. "I'm very happy with going to Los Angeles and living there. I'll be playing in front of a great crowd."

Connecticut forward O'Brian White joined his hometown Toronto FC with the fourth selection. White, a former Hermann Trophy winner, hails from nearby Scarborough, Ont.

"Going back home is always good," White said. "They have a very good team. The atmosphere is electrifying. I'm looking forward to join the team and helping them in any way that I can."

In need of a forward after dealing Dominic Oduro to New York earlier this week in exchange for Dave van den Bergh, FC Dallas selected Generation adidas and Michigan forward Peri Marosevic with the fifth pick.

Marosevic led the MLS Player Combine with three goals and expressed his gratitude about having the chance to join MLS.

"I can't say enough about how much this means to me," Marosevic said. "As a little child, I have always wanted to pursue my life as a professional soccer player. Today is a new beginning. It's a beginning that I'm looking forward to and I will never forget."

D.C. United entered the fray with the sixth and seventh picks and selected Generation adidas and Maryland defender Rodney Wallace and UC Santa Barbara striker Chris Pontius. Kansas City picked Matt Besler, a defender out of Notre Dame and a product of nearby Overland Park, Kan., with the eighth selection. Chivas USA selected Wake Forest midfielder Michael Lahoud with the ninth pick before New England grabbed Generation adidas and Indiana defender Kevin Alston with No. 10.

New York made Generation adidas midfielder Jeremy Hall the third Maryland player selected in the first round with the 11th pick. Real Salt Lake sprung a surprise by selecting Lynn University's Jean Alexandre at 12th overall before Toronto FC picked Generation adidas and California goalkeeper Stefan Frei with the 13th pick.

"This is a spot where I feel like I can contribute to the team," Frei said. "Maybe not step right into the goal, but push the senior players to get better. If they call me and need me to step in, I think I'll be ready to perform."

Washington defender George John went to FC Dallas with the 14th pick before New England concluded the first round by selecting Tampa midfielder Ryan Maxwell.

Ten teams selected players in the first round, leaving five others to join the draft at a later stage. San Jose opened up its draft by picking Indiana midfielder Brad Ring at number 17. Chicago traded up to acquire Generation adidas and Illinois-Chicago midfielder Baggio Husidic three picks later. Colorado swooped for George Mason forward Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe with the 28th selection. Columbus took Boston College defender Paul Gerstenberger with the final pick of the second round (30th overall). Houston opened its draft last by selecting Generation adidas and UNLV midfielder Danny Cruz with the 41st pick.

The Revolution took the most players, selecting seven in all. The Colorado Rapids selected six.

Wake Forest University led all schools with six players selected, followed by NCAA Division I national champion Maryland, who had five taken. But the Terrapins had three players selected in the first round, the second time in MLS history three players from the same school were taken in the first round (UCLA, 2000).


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Zakuani excited to join Sounders FC
Spain Coach Del Bosque Voted For Cristiano Ronaldo; Casillas For Eto’o

MLS stars team up to help kick malaria

ORLANDO -- Kansas City Wizards teammates Jimmy Conrad and Kevin Hartman joined fellow MLS W.O.R.K.S. and Nothing But Nets ambassadors Dwayne De Rosario and Diego Gutierrez to help support the Nothing But Nets campaign at the Kick It 3v3 World Championships held this past weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

For the second consecutive year, MLS W.O.R.K.S. partnered with Kick It 3v3 to raise awareness and support Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria. The event hosted close to 25,000 attendees, including more than 6,000 youth soccer players who participated in the three-a-side competition.

Conrad was excited to be on hand to support the efforts and partake in the festivities. The 10-year MLS veteran credits De Rosario and Gutierrez for his involvement with the initiative.

"Both De Rosario and Gutierrez are very passionate about the cause," said Conrad. "They do a great job of spreading awareness of the malaria disease amongst players. This is something that's very important to them. There are many charities you can attach your name to but once I saw their passion that just made me a believer."

Team Buzzkill from Chicago, the winners of the 2008-2009 Kick It Malaria Challenge, raised enough funds for 210 bed nets to be purchased. The on-line challenge, spanning from Nov. 24-Jan. 1, encouraged all competing Kick It 3v3 teams to start their own fundraising efforts to increase awareness and raise funds to purchase life-saving bed nets.

The winning team, as well as other top fundraisers, got the chance to meet the MLS stars during a private meet-and-greet at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The MLS players participated in an autograph session followed by a skills demonstration in front of thousands of youth soccer players and spectators. The fans cheered on the players and Team Buzzkill as they showed off their juggling, shooting and passing skills. After De Rosario addressed the crowd about his involvement as ambassador for the Nothing But Nets campaign, the group took rapid-fire shots on Hartman and then played a 3v3 game where Team Buzzkill came out on top.

Conrad hopes to continue working with MLS W.O.R.K.S. on the Nothing But Nets campaign and other initiatives throughout the year. He credits MLS for putting a program in place that's dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people.

"From a player's perspective, it's nice to see that the league is trying to match our enthusiasm and intensity to make a difference not only in the local communities but nationwide and globally as well," Conrad said.

A donation of $10 to Nothing But Nets goes directly to cover the cost of purchasing and distributing a life-saving bed net, as well as educating a family on its use. The motto of the movement: SEND A NET! SAVE A LIFE!

For more information, visit www.nothingbutnets.net.

No real surprises at MLS SuperDraft

ST. LOUIS -- At the MLS SuperDraft these days, one always recalls Hugh Laurie's devilishly witty Golden Globes acceptance speech from a couple of years ago. The star of TV's House remarked about how everyone heralds their "magnificent crew." But logically, he noted, that simply cannot be the case. "Somebody, somewhere is working with a crew of drunken thieves."

So it is with the MLS draft. Not the drunken thieves part. Rather, the part about where claims of achievement collide with the realm of improbability.

See, every club official will always insist that they are leaving the draft with the very individuals they were hoping to secure all along. Most often repeated phrase: "We got the guys we wanted!"

Now I suppose it is technically possible that 15 clubs can do such a thing, since different teams have different needs. Still, it's highly, highly implausible.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

And besides, even if every club managed to tie up exactly who they wanted, they were really just guessing anyway.

With all that as a background, should we really be surprised about any of the "surprises" that unfold annually? Look at the this year's draft:

Should we be surprised that Seattle actually kept that No. 1 pick, even after rampant speculation that Sigi Schmid would wheel and deal away the top choice of this year's proceedings?

Should we attach some bewilderment to the fact that goalkeeper Stefan Frei, thought to be perhaps the most MLS-ready product at the draft, was still around for Toronto to take at No. 13? (Toronto was certainly a bit surprised, judging by the hardy back slapping and general joy-ness going around the TFC table when they managed to snag Frei at that spot.)

Should we be at least mildly astounded that Michael Lahoud's impressive play at the recent combine didn't elevate him into Top 5 status, as some suspected, or that Baggio Husidic slipped all the way to No. 20?

On the other hand, we definitely should be surprised that Daniel Cruz fell well into the third round. Cruz was easily the last of nine Generation adidas players selected. Since their compensation doesn't count against the salary cap, those guys are usually gold at the draft. Seven of the nine were gone by the 13th pick. Yet Cruz, who languished at the combine by most accounts, heard 40 names called before Houston finally selected him. Cruz, in fact, didn't even attend the draft.

Maybe we should register some mild dismay that a draft supposedly so deep in defenders unfolded initially in favor of goal-scorers. Three of the first five players taken were forwards. In fact, after Los Angeles took Maryland's Omar Gonzalez at No. 3, no defender heard his name called until No. 8.

We probably shouldn't even be surprised that an anonymous midfielder from Campbell University, Richard Jata, a long shot at No. 58 overall, had the audience in stitches with a clever, giddy performance at the podium.

So, that's how it went in St. Louis, where it was so numbingly cold a local TV weatherman was hammering nails with a frozen banana. And they say low-tech is dead.

"We all walk out of here feeling great about who we took," Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said. "But how will we feel about them in early February, when they've been out on the field a few days? That's the question."

This year's draft did unfold with a little bit more predictability than last year's somewhat erratic proceedings. That doesn't mean it was "predicable." Not by any stretch. It just played out with fewer jaw-droppers than other drafts.

It was still a fluid process, with needs shifting for some teams in the 24 hours before Commissioner Don Garber assumed the podium to launch the big day. Los Angeles collected Mike Magee and Dema Kovalenko through trades in the pre-draft run-up, which surely altered the way manager Bruce Arena and assistant Dave Sarachan viewed the draft. With the midfield a bit more stabilized, they could feel better about selecting Gonzalez for help along the back line.

FC Dallas acquired Dave van den Bergh from New York, and then followed up by signing defender Steve Purdy on the eve of the draft. To get van den Bergh, the Hoops had to give up Dominic Oduro, who was third on the depth chart among forwards. That meant Dallas needed to look for a striker with its first pick.

Sounders manager Sigi Schmid made Steve Zakuani the latest name on the honor roll of overall No. 1 league selections. The prolific University of Akron striker will hope to join Freddie Ljungberg in energizing all those season ticket holders (18,000-plus and counting) at Qwest Field this year.

That Zakuani would be the guy was hardly a forgone conclusion. First, there was the matter of whether Seattle would even keep the pick or deal it away. As one coach said hours before the draft, "There's definitely a For Sale sign hanging on that one."

And why not? Without a clear consensus No. 1, would it make more sense for Seattle to pick up another first-round selection, even if it's lower in the order?

Even if you assumed Seattle would keep the pick, Zakuani was hardly as no-brainer as the opening selection. As late as two hours before the draft, Schmid was still considering at least two other options, including O'Brian White, who went to Toronto at the No. 4 overall pick.

Speaking of Toronto, the man they call "Trader Mo," a cheeky reference to TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston, was hard at it. The Reds came to St. Louis holding picks Nos. 2 and 4, but Johnton was jonesing to improve the lot any way possible. (Although, given his reputation and general inclination to shuffle the draft deck at every opportunity, he probably just desired that No. 1 pick so he could trade it for something else.)

In the end, TFC officials held fast. In fact, there was no draft-day shuffling of places in the first round.

A tactic employed infrequently in the past was introduced more prominently this year. Duke's Mike Grella and Wake Forest's Marcus Tracy would have been first-round contenders, but both opted to pursue soccer overseas.

That doesn't mean MLS teams can't select them. Plenty of teams had the same idea going into Thursday: select one of them on the chance that soccer in Europe doesn't work out as planned. (Teams retain their rights for 12 months.) It's not a bad play at all. If either one chooses to come back in a year's time, they've landed a great prospect with an absurdly low pick. The trick, of course, is properly assessing the value of the ploy. Pick too early and, realistically, it's a wasted draft choice. Wait too late, and somebody else has surely beaten you to the punch.

So Toronto took Grella early in the third round, No. 34 overall. Houston took Tracy with the 56th overall pick, late in the fourth round.

Something similar goes on with other players who have some limits or liabilities. Look at Maryland center back A.J. Delagarza. He's a good looking defender, quick and very composed on the ball. But is his slight frame (5-8, 140) going to hold up at the next level? Maybe it was too much of a stretch in the first round. But Los Angeles decided it wasn't too much of a stretch for the second round, and took him with at 19th overall.

Was he their guy all along? Sure he was. Remember, at the draft, everybody walks happily away with exactly who they wanted.


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Chivas deal for Jazic in busy draft

ST. LOUIS -- The Chivas USA coaching staff quadrupled their pleasure Thursday at the MLS SuperDraft in St. Louis. After having only one draft pick in 2008, head coach Preki and his staff picked up midfielder Michael Lahoud and then traded their second-round pick (19th overall) to their neighbors, the Los Angeles Galaxy, in exchange for left back Ante Jazic, the fifth pick in the third round and the fourth pick in the fourth round, Nos. 35 and 49 overall.

"We got [four] players. It was an OK day for us," said Preki.

Looking to boost their offensive production, Chivas USA chose Lahoud, a Wake Forest University, with the ninth overall pick. The 5-foot-8, 22-year-old midfielder scored 14 goals to go with 20 assists in his four-year stint at the school quickly becoming well-known for cultivating professional quality soccer players.

"I'm excited, speechless. It's everything I've ever dreamed of. Not a lot of kids get this chance growing up, and I'm just looking to make the most of it," said Lahoud after a brief conference with his new head coach.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

"I've heard great things about [Preki]. He has a great soccer mind, and I'm hoping to learn much from that," Lahoud added.

The sharp passing and pacy Lahoud is known for his ability to cover a lot of ground and go from defense to attack quickly. He is also versatile, anchoring the Deamon Deacons as the holding midfielder despite playing the position for the first time. His skills and mindset will be tested in his move from the East to southern California.

"He's a young, exciting player who can play different roles," said Preki. "He has a bright future, [but] it is going to be up to him to come into camp and be ready to challenge for a spot. ... We hope that he has the mentality required on this level."

"I really don't know what to expect from preseason, but I'm prepared for it," said Lahoud. "I had great preparation at Wake, and growing up I had the right people pulling for me. I'm happy to be in L.A., happy to be with Chivas and looking forward to helping them out any way possible."

Many pundits had predicted Chivas USA would shore up their goalkeeping position, which had become a questionable spot after Brad Guzan transferred to Aston Villa of the English Premier League late last season.

"They projected wrong," Preki said, confirming that he is comfortable with current netminders Dan Kennedy and Zach Thornton.

Instead, Chivas USA strengthened their backline by acquiring Jazic, a 32-year-old Canadian international who spent three seasons with the Galaxy playing 44 games and gaining three assists. The left back has been injury prone with 18 games being the most he has played in his three MLS seasons.

"We needed a left-sided player, an experienced guy whose been in the league for a while, a guy who knows how to attack," Preki stated. "We're pretty happy with the addition."

Chivas used their first acquired pick (35th overall) to add a second attacker in forward Kyle Christensen from the University of Denver. The 23-year-old played three seasons from 2003 to 2007, taking a two-year mission trip in between, scoring 21 goals and adding eight assists. Midfielder Jaime Franks, another Wake Forest product, was their final pick of the day.

"[Christensen] was one of the better guys at the combine," said Preki. "So we felt he had something and felt we needed to bring him in and give him a shot."

Of the 22-year-old Franks, Preki said, "I've watched him play a few times. He's an exciting player who has a good ability. He can be a really good soccer player."

After losing out to Real Salt Lake and the Kansas City Wizards in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs the last two seasons after first- and second-place finishes in the Western Conference, Chivas USA will begin their preseason on Jan. 26.


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Zakuani excited to join Sounders FC

ST. LOUIS -- For Steve Zakuani, it wasn't so much a case of if he was going to get selected, but when and by which team. Going No. 1 overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft at the St. Louis Convention Center Thursday to the expansion Seattle Sounders FC was the perfect scenario for the Generation adidas forward out of the University of Akron.

"I was hoping it would be Seattle, but I wasn't sure if they'd trade the pick or what they were going to do," Zakuani said. "When I heard my name called it was a relief and a dream come true."

And it was a huge relief after a sleepless night in St. Louis.

"I knew I'd get picked, but just not knowing where I was going to go was probably the most anxious, nerve-racking part," he said.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

Seattle was attractive not only because of the weather ("I heard the weather is like London so I'm excited," he said), but also because Zakuani wanted to be part of something from the beginning. It's why he turned down an offer to play in England with Preston North End.

And in Major League Soccer, it doesn't get any newer than Seattle Sounders FC.

"The more I thought about it and saw the way the league is rising, I just wanted to be a part of it," Zakuani said. "I came from England so I know that system a bit better, so I just want to try and new adventure and see what I can do in MLS."

Zakuani likes being part of history as the first player ever picked by the Sounders. He also knows there's inherent pressure that comes with that, but he's ready to tackle that.

"Going first, 10th, last, you've still got to go to preseason camp and prove you can play," he said. "But to go down in history as the first pick of Seattle is incredible and I'll never forget this."

Zakuani grew up a Manchester United fan, but that changed when he joined the Arsenal FC youth team in 1997. He spent six years in the famed London side's system and he is excited to reunite with a legendary Gunner.

"I actually met Freddie Ljungberg a few times," he said of Seattle's Designated Player. "I don't think he'll remember me, but I met him and I'm excited to play with him, too."

In just two years in the United States, Zakuani has made quite an impression. He led the nation in goals and points this season and was a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy finalist. Zakuani has the speed and ability on the ball to compete right away in MLS.

"The only risk is that it's going to take him that little bit of time, but the way he runs at people with the ball, as smooth as he is, he loves to play on the left-side hand of the field, he has that cutback move he likes to do and he scores goals," Seattle FC coach Sigi Schmid said. "He was the one player we thought had the ability to be special."


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St. Louis fans make voices heard

ST. LOUIS -- Thursday's MLS SuperDraft crowd didn't disappoint. With hundreds of fans out in support of their teams, there was one team that stood above the rest. Donned in Seattle scarves, shouts of "All we want is a team to call our own," echoed through the ballroom, as well in the halls.

The group calling from a team was St. Louis' Eads Brigade. With St. Louis up for an expansion MLS club, they made sure their voices were heard.

"We've got a great soccer history in St. Louis," fan Patrick Madigan said. "We've been trying to get into the league for a while now."

The fans even brought their own banner, a sign that read: "We've jumped through every hoop. St. Louis in MLS now. Garber what are you waiting for?"

"I think [Commissioner Don Garber] heard us," Madigan said. "It's great that they draw attention to the fans. We're happy to be here to support the MLS draft." Kansas City, just a few hours down the road, also had a number of fans in the crowd. George Shook and Bobby Poole donned Kansas City jerseys, while posing for pictures with the Wizards' top pick -- Matt Besler.

"The draft is so close to home, we had to be here," George Shook said. "We wanted to drive down and support our players. I think we have 12 or so fans here. We were hoping to have more, but it is a Thursday."

Besler said he wouldn't have missed it.

"I went to the draft in 2003 in Kansas City when they opened the doors to fans," he said. "It's progressed so much since then."

Along with fans, many college high school coaches came out to support the players. They wore their team colors, jersey, scarves and hats with pride, as they watched the four-hour event.


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United gain depth through SuperDraft

ST. LOUIS -- D.C. United grabbed a diverse assortment of talent with their five picks in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, building depth in all areas of the field and ensuring tight competition for roster spots in preseason training.

United's day at the St. Louis Convention Center began brightly, capturing University of Maryland defender Rodney Wallace with the sixth pick overall. D.C. head coach Tom Soehn and his staff had plenty of opportunities to scout Wallace during his glittering career just up the road in College Park -- which was recently capped by the Terrapins' march to an NCAA College Cup title - and were enticed by his speed and savvy along the flanks, not to mention his prized Generation adidas status, which represents vital salary cap relief for the Black-and-Red.

"We feel like he's got a huge upside ... he's athletic, he's a good soccer player, and he's a winner: he just won a national championship," said Soehn. "The first thing you see in him is his composure and his pace. He does a great job as a left back getting forward and creating stuff from the defensive position. His desire and his consistency, I thought, was one thing you could always say about him."

Wallace, a local product from Rockville, Md., grew up watching United's dominant sides of the late 1990s and is eager to add his own contributions to the storied club.

 

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

 

"Back in the days I used to watch Marco Etcheverry [and] Jaime Moreno, of course," he said, "because they were the flashy players at the club and that's who I grew up watching."

Wallace's arrival immediately provides United with a much-needed burst of speed and he could conceivably contend for playing time on the left side of the United defense in his rookie year, though the club will likely look to ease him into the professional ranks gradually.

"That's something you can't teach and he's got a lot of it," said Soehn of Wallace's fleet feet. "He's obviously a sophomore so I think there's still time to grow and time to mature. But we're excited to get him into a good environment to do that."

United then used the seventh overall pick to select Cal-Santa Barbara forward Chris Pontius, whose stock rose dramatically in the leadup to the draft thanks to an impressive showing in last weekend's adidas MLS Player Combine.

"I was very happy with how I performed there. Going in there, I would say that a lot of the teams are leaning towards the East Coast kids, the ACC kids, the Generation adidas," said Pontius. "So it was important for me to go in there -- I knew it, and I took it like a job interview. I prepared for it well and went in there and gave my all. I scored two goals, so I can't complain about that."

Soehn believes that the rangy attacker is "ready to step in and help us immediately" and could use him as a striker or along the right wing.

"Pontius, we felt, was the best forward in the draft," explained the third-year boss. "He really carried himself well and gives us another option up top. He's a big kid, he's athletic, with good feet, and he's got a nose to score goals, as he showed in college and at the combine."

The Black-and-Red used their final three picks to stockpile promising but less-heralded talent. United are keen to stoke a lively contest among their goalkeepers in preseason training, and their second-round selection of 6-foot-4 Serbian netminder Milos Kocic, who played college ball at Balitmore's Loyola College, is a strong step in that direction. Later, Soehn and company felt fortunate to snare Wake Forest defender Lyle Adams product with the 26th overall pick before selecting St. Louis native Brandon Barklage in round three.

"We thought Adams slipped a little bit. I talked to him today and he's real excited about coming to D.C.," said Soehn. "Kocic, we had at our [club] combine [in early December] and were really impressed with not only the person but his starting points as a keeper. He's a good athlete, he's a big guy and makes it competitive in the goal."

There will be little time for United's newest arrivals to enjoy their selection, however. With new roster rules taking effect this season, few spots on the squad will be safe when preseason begins later this month.

"MLS did away with the reserve league, so we have to cut down our roster, and we have a lot of kids who are on the bubble," said United co-owner Will Chang, who attended Thursday's draft along with majority owner Victor MacFarlane. "So it's going to be a very, very competitive environment and there's going to be a lot of pressure -- not because of pressure to perform, but pressure to even just stay on the roster."


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Lewis: Hall gives defenders day in sun

ST. LOUIS -- Defenders usually are a forgotten and ignored lot until they make a mistake or somehow score a goal.

Like it or not, there is more negative than positive that comes with the territory, especially in soccer.

But there are exceptions to the rule.

On Thursday, a pair of talented U.S. international defenders found their way into the spotlight for the best reasons possible and were justifiably awarded for their long and successful careers when Jeff Agoos and Joy Fawcett were elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

After nearly two decades of hard work by each player, their day in the sun will come on Sunday, Aug. 2, when they will be inducted into the Hall in Oneonta, N.Y.

No one should begrudge Agoos and Fawcett of this high honor. Out of the last 15 players elected into the Hall, only five were defenders. And this is the first class that is dominated by defense.

"It's good that defenders are finally getting recognized," Agoos said. "Those attackers."

"You don't get much recognition," Fawcett added. "Technically, everyone plays defense, but everyone likes goalscorers."

Both defenders took different paths to U.S. soccer immortality, although they each had to endure some obstacles along the way.

Agoos was a four-time All-American under current L.A. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia. And he became a vital part of D.C. United's first three MLS Cup championships -- he is the only player to boast five MLS championship rings -- and eventually a member of the MLS All-Time Best XI.

During an interview four years ago, Agoos talked about his soccer philosophy. He was straight to the point.

"My goals are simple. Win championships. Win rings," he said. "That's why you play."

Internationally, Agoos endured a bumpy ride en route to his 134 caps, second best in U.S. soccer history. He worked his tail off to earn a roster spot on the 1994 World Cup team, only to become the last player cut by coach Bora Milutinovic. Agoos burned and buried his national team uniform.

"That was one of the worst and best parts of my career," he said. "It was very difficult obviously at the time. You never know what direction you're going from there. It taught me that I wasn't going to allow that one person was going to dictate what my career was going to be. That was one of the important lessons of that. Training twice a day, going through basically boot camp in California taught me about myself."

Agoos learned he could be a tough dude who would not say no. He made the 1998 U.S. World Cup team, but did not play a minute in what termed into a disappointing and rather forgettable performance in France.

Four years later, he not only earned a roster spot, but was a starter. He struggled in the group round, giving up a penalty kicka and scoring an own goal before leaving the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan with a leg injury and could not enjoy the USA's ride into the quarterfinals.

Agoos, who could play on the left side or in the middle, started his MLS career with United, playing in the first four MLS Cups and winning three -- 1996, 1997 and 1999. He was dealt to the San Jose Earthquakes and was instrumental in two more MLS Cup crowns -- 2001 and 2003.

He could not work his Cup magic on the MetroStars in 2005 after a trade as he called it a career after that season -- at least not as a player.

He almost did as the sporting director of the Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars), but they fell short to the Columbus Crew, 3-1, in their first MLS Cup appearance barely two months ago.

Fawcett forged her reputation as a classy defender ("She just picks your pocket as she goes by," former women's national coach Tony DiCicco once said), forming a partnership in the middle of the U.S. backline with Carla Overbeck -- Hall of Fame Class of 2006. So, when opponents scored a goal on the U.S., they knew they had earned it.

She was a member of the 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup championship teams and played an important role in gold-medal winning sides at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics.

Fawcett also forged a reputation as a Soccer Mom, a woman who came back from pregnancy not once, not twice, but three times and play at a high level internationally.

"I couldn't have done it without the support of my teammates," she said of many members of the team, which turned into babysitters and nannies on many trips. "I wanted to have kids. That's the greatest thing."

By 2004, Fawcett was on her last soccer legs as she and Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were planning to call it a career after the Athens Olympics. She was forced to battle more than just the likes of Brazilian star Marta five years ago. She had to come rheumatoid arthritis and a herniated disk.

"The biggest concern was keeping the numbness away from my legs," she once said. "The numbness comes back and I couldn't sprint. The pain I could live with (laughs). The pain was fine.

"I have a pretty high threshold. It was painful. It was a pain in the back, but not enough to keep me off the field. Right before the Olympics, I re-herniated. It was bad enough that I couldn't play. So I had to get a shot, which concerned me a lot. In the Olympics, it was livable. It was fine. It was painful, but not enough."

After the 2003 Women's World Cup, Fawcett was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

"My fingers were like sausages," she said. "It got to the point where it was painful. We had those games after the World Cup. At halftime I had to ice them and stick them into an ice bucket it was so painful. Then I knew it wasn't a soccer injury. I wasn't using my hands.

"I'm lucky because I have access to doctors. I was lucky that I caught it early and got treatment early so it didn't really damage any of the joints."

On Thursday, Fawcett had no problems joining Agoos at the podium in Room 120 at the St. Louis Convention Center and then on the Fox Soccer Channel. They both received Hall of Fame scarves -- they will get the traditional red jackets on Aug. 2 -- and had an opportunity to give their thanks to people who helped them and talked about their careers.

Couldn't happen to a better pair of defenders who wound up in the spotlight for the right reasons.


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Cruz takes unlikely path toward MLS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Danny Cruz isn't supposed to be waiting to hear his name called in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday. The UNLV and Generation adidas midfielder isn't even supposed to be playing soccer.

Cruz's soccer career started by accident during his freshman year in high school. Cruz was a football player who wanted to keep fit in the offseason. He tried soccer because the schedules didn't conflict.

"I was one of those kick-and-run kids when I was younger, when I was a freshman," Cruz said. "My speed and my physical abilities is what drew the coaches to me. From there, they tried to teach me about tactics and technique."

What started out as an offseason training method blossomed into a successful youth career. His speed and his work rate set him apart from others and earned him a spot on the West Region IV team.

If Cruz's career arc seemed steep as he jumped from kick-and-run freshman to regional level player, the path accelerated exponentially when fortuitous scheduling gave him a chance to shine on the national level.

"I went to the Disney Showcase (with the West Region IV team) and ended up playing against the U.S. U-17 national team," Cruz said. "I had three goals in the game and we won 3-2."

The Disney performance earned him a call-up to the U-17 national squad under John Hackworth. Many saw him as an outside shot to make the U-17 World Cup roster considering his lack of experience. Cruz confounded the doubters by earning his way onto the squad for the tournament in South Korea.

"I didn't go to qualifying with the U-17s, but I got called into camp and did well for myself," Cruz said. "Hackworth saw something in me and he helped me move forward. Give credit to him. Then I kept going to the World Cup and college and now I'm here."

Here is a place where Cruz features regularly with the U-20 national team -- he heads to Trinidad and Tobago this weekend with the team -- and earns All-MPSF honors for his play with the Runnin' Rebels.

United States U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen said Cruz's play down the flanks evokes memories of other wide players who have succeeded at the MLS level.

"He's been very productive for us at the U-20 level," Rongen said. "He's got certain qualities that lend well to us. He reminds me of a Brian Mullan-type player. He gets his crosses, he gets an occasional goal and he has a great work rate. He's a very fit player. He's a player who can make the jump to the next level."

Few thought the jump to MLS would come this year. Cruz had good, but not great, numbers at UNLV. Instead of continuing his growth at UNLV, advocates around him pushed him to think about accelerating his development as soon as possible.

"I have a good base of people around me with Thomas Rongen and the national team coaches and Mario Sanchez (UNLV head coach)," Cruz said. "We felt that what was best for me was to continue to challenge myself. This is definitely the next thing."

Rongen thinks Cruz is "far from reaching his maximum potential" and will benefit from the tutelage from a MLS coaching staff to improve in the short- and long-term.

"If you're a talented player, you need to make choices like college versus pro or MLS versus Europe or whatever the choice might be," Rongen said. "You try to put yourself in the best possible environment. MLS is a great growth opportunity for him. He's a guy that is far from reaching his ceiling. His development will get accelerated when he gets into a higher level of play."

By his own admission, Cruz is a raw product who still needs to learn the finer points of the game. That development will need to come quickly in the tactical and technical spheres if he wants to make an impact in MLS in his rookie year. His spot in the Generation adidas program -- which will give him roster protection rather than placing him in roster jeopardy from day one -- will give MLS coaches an added incentive to take a chance on Cruz's potential like Hackworth and Rongen did.

"People have faith in me," Cruz said. "Coaches always know that they will get the work ethic from me. I may not be the sharpest on the ball, but I have that heart. I'll keep moving for 90 minutes. If you put me in for 30 minutes, I'll go as hard as I can."

Given his staggering career arc, his desire to make it as a professional and the raw potential he shows, Cruz thinks he is striving towards a ceiling he feels he hasn't scraped yet.

"I'm nowhere near where I can be," Cruz said. "I have so much to gain every day from stepping onto the pitch and crossing the white line. I'm only getting better with every day."


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Rising star Gonzalez always a Terp

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As other prospective MLS draftees took the day off in preparation for the final day of the adidas MLS Player Combine on Tuesday, Maryland's Omar Gonzalez had already left south Florida.

Instead of lounging in the Florida sun, he was back in College Park attending a business statistics class he wants to finish before he embarks on his professional career.

"Once the season ends, I want to take some classes next winter to help work towards my degree [in criminal justice]," Gonzalez said. "After three years in school, I'm pretty close. It will be a lot easier to finish my degree after this class."

Finishing up his degree ensure he will maintain a connection to Maryland even though his playing days with the Terrapins are over. After three stellar years as a fixture in central defense under Sasho Cirovski, Gonzalez decided to pursue a professional career after winning the NCAA College Cup in December.

"One of the things I wanted to do at Maryland was win a national championship," Gonzalez said. "I wanted to leave a champion. After winning the ACC Championship and the NCAAs this season, I thought I had fulfilled everything that I wanted to do at school. I'm grateful for the experience. Sasho [Cirovski, Maryland head coach] taught me a lot in my three years there."

Once he made the decision to turn pro, Gonzalez had to decide whether to try his luck in Mexico, Europe or the United States. The tug to head south of the border was strong -- his parents hail from there -- but Gonzalez opted to sign a Generation adidas deal with MLS.

"I've been playing in America for a long time now and I didn't want to change things up," Gonzalez said. "It was really important for me to play in MLS first. I'm comfortable here and I thought I might be able to settle more quickly into the professional life here."

Gonzalez's size and experience indicates that he should settle just fine at the next level. He spent time in the U.S. residency program starting in 2005 and garnered eight caps with the U-17 national team. Add All-America and College Cup defensive MVP nods this season and Gonzalez has professional scouts waiting to see how he transitions to the next level.

Two matches at the Combine showed why Gonzalez and his pro-ready 6-foot-5 frame has earned admirers. Gonzalez said he "worked the kinks out" on Saturday before settling down on Sunday and showed the qualities that make him a desirable prospect.

"I'm pretty vocal on the field," Gonzalez said. "I'm just a big presence back there and I'm pretty good in the air. I'm also skillful on the ball. On Sunday, I was able to dribble out of a few problems and get rid of the ball safely."

The combination of size and skill has MLS teams intrigued. Gonzalez's name persistently pops up as a top-five possibility in Thursday's SuperDraft. He admits to hearing a little bit of the buzz, but said he's trying to stay focused on his coursework rather than draft speculation.

"It's flattering to hear my name mentioned for one of the top spots in the draft," Gonzalez said. "Being one of the top picks is more than than I could ever want. It's something I will really appreciate if it happens."

Gonzalez said he realizes MLS presents a new challenge for him, both on and off the field. The chance to start fresh excites him.

"Anywhere I could go, it's going to be difficult to play right away," Gonzalez said. "It doesn't matter where I start my career. I'm open to anything. I lived in Florida when I was in residency and moved to Maryland, so I'm ready to start my life in a new place."

Even though his life will change dramatically in the next week or so, Gonzalez will keep at least a few links to his past. Like the few trips over the next couple of years to finish some unfinished business back in College Park.


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Rapids, Revs take different paths

ST. LOUIS -- New England and Colorado started the day with a SuperDraft-high seven picks. The similarities between the two teams end there.

New England had two first-round picks and benefited from a player who slipped down the draft board and an MLS Player Combine standout, while Colorado became proactive in the second round and made one of the few trades on the day to acquire the rights to an accomplished veteran.

Kevin Alston wasn't supposed to be there when the Revs selected at No. 10. Other teams higher up the draft order were expected to grab the speedy Generation adidas fullback out of Maryland, but he ended up falling into the Revolution's lap.

"To be truthful, we didn't expect for him to be there," Revs boss Steve Nicol said. "I like defenders to be able to defend first and foremost. He can do that. We'll see more of him when he comes into camp and what he can do down the other end of the field."

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

Alston said he was pleased to land with a veteran team that could help him improve once he joined the team for training camp.

"I look forward to learning a lot from all of these veteran players that they have," Alston said. "It's a great squad in general."

With their second first-round pick, the Revs opted for Tampa midfielder Ryan Maxwell. The speedy winger impressed the Revolution coaching staff with his performance at the MLS Player Combine.

"The Combine has a lot to do with it," Maxwell said by phone from Florida. "I play at a Division II school and coaches don't see me."

From what he did see, Nicol thinks Maxwell has a chance to be a good addition to the Revs' roster.

"In Maxwell, we have a guy who we think can surprise a few people," Nicol said.

Colorado didn't have the benefit of having two first-round picks. The Rapids were originally scheduled to join the SuperDraft with the 20th pick, but a trade with Chicago slid them further down the draft board.

The price was worth it. By swapping picks and sending allocation money to Chicago, the Rapids gained the rights to former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Pickens is expected to sign with Colorado after spending time in England with Queens' Park Rangers.

"I would go almost as far to say that we've got the deal of the day today," Rapids manager Gary Smith said.

Colorado needed to go out and get a goalkeeper after Bouna Coundoul recently rejected a "fantastic" contract offer from the team, Smith said.

"We've decided to cover ourselves," Smith said. "In doing that, we've got ourselves a fantastic goalkeeper. He's in a fantastic position to step into our first team. He fulfills all the criteria."

Without the picks in the upper reaches of the first round, Smith said his team focused on bringing in players who could help them compete as the team continues to improve.

"We're excited," Smith said. "We're slowly but surely piecing together a group of players that will give everyone a run for their money."


Alexandre highlights RSL’s draft haul
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Alexandre highlights RSL's draft haul

ST. LOUIS -- With few picks in the day, Real Salt Lake looked to add some young talent to their roster. With their first pick of the day, No. 12 overall, RSL selected midfielder Jean Alexandre from Lynn University.

"We're moving to a grass field. We wanted to get more athletic," Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerway said. "We got the best athlete in the draft."

And then they waited until the fourth round. Real Salt Lake selected midfielder Raphael Cox, out of the University of Washington, with the No. 54 overall selection and Alabama A&M forward Futhi Bhembe (No. 57) to round out the day.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

"Both players represent something we don't currently have on the team," Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis said. "They're two players we'd like take a bit of a chance on."

In his four seasons at Lynn, Alexandre appeared in 69 games, with 34 goals and 16 assists. He wrapped up his college career with 23 goals and seven assists in 2008. Real Salt Lake might have been the only team familiar with Alexandre. And getting him with the No. 12 pick, Kreis said will work to their advantage.

"We played against Jean last year in Ft. Lauderdale," Kreis said. "After the game, the whole coaching and technical staff said he was the best player on the field -- both teams included. He still had college eligibility left, so we couldn't make an acquisition. We were hopeful that he'd still be around at No. 12 and he was.

Cox comes to Salt Lake after spending three seasons with the University of Washington. The Tacoma, Wash. native played in 59 matches with 14 goals and 17 assists. He earned All-Pacific 10 Conference in his final two seasons. Cox had a career high seven goals and six assists in his senior campaign.

A native of Swaziland, Bhembe joins the club after playing at Alabama A&M University. He tied for third in NCAA Division I in goals per game, scoring 14 goals in 16 games last season.


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MLS Combine wraps up Wednesday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The time to make a good impression is now over.

With MLS personnel and college players en route to St. Louis after concluding the adidas MLS Player Combine on Tuesday, attendees can only hope they made enough of an impression to hear their name called in St. Louis on Thursday afternoon.

The common theme among the players: It took time to adjust to the unique Combine setting. Saturday was a rough adjustment for most players and the quality of play showed it, but Sunday and Tuesday made more of an impression after players worked out the nerves and figured out how to play with their new teammates.

"As the weekend went along, I think I showed a lot better than I did to start with," Saint Louis University defender Calum Angus said. "The biggest thing was getting to know the players around me and all of the lads getting to know each other. It helps out a lot. That's probably the main reason."

For at least a few players, the was a step up in quality from what they had seen during their college seasons, even though the players were well removed from the regular season and the promises of full fitness it brings.

"It was a good experience for me to be playing with older guys," UNLV and Generation adidas midfielder Danny Cruz said. It was rough, just like I thought it would be. It was good."

As concerned as the players are about how they fared, MLS teams are even more attentive to every detail as they assemble their draft boards. The circumstances surrounding the Combine -- unfamiliar players, bumpy field and out-of-season fitness -- can make it difficult for MLS coaches and technical directors to evaluate prospects.

"You have to take everything into consideration here," Revolution vice president of player personnel Mike Burns said. "A lot of these kids haven't played for a couple of months. They're playing with players they haven't played with. Some of them are playing out of position due to an injury or something else. There are a lot of things you have to weigh."

Those calculations will continue through until the SuperDraft. MLS teams are loathe to tip their hands at this point, keeping evaluations under wraps and floating rumors out there to cover up their true intentions. Trade talks will heat up on Wednesday night and Thursday morning as teams attempt to position themselves to acquire the players they rate.

With the Combine in the rearview mirror, here are a few players that observers picked out as possibly helping or hampering their SuperDraft stock this weekend.

Rising1. Sam Cronin, Wake Forest midfielder: Cronin's stock couldn't go much higher, but his tidy play in midfielder may just indicate he can contribute sooner rather than later.

2. Chris Pontius, UC Santa Barbara forward: Versatility is the buzzword here after Pontius excelled on the left wing and up top during Combine play.

3. Kevin Alston, Indiana defender (Generation adidas): Alston consistently showed a great engine up and down the right flank and will benefit from being roster protected.

4. Peri Marosevic, Michigan forward (Generation adidas): A compact frame, a quick turning radius and an unwillingness to let defenders take the ball off his foot helped Marosevic lead the Combine with three goals.

5. Ryan Maxwell, Tampa midfielder: Maxwell's blazing speed and willingness to attack defenders led some to compare him to Dane Richards and others to ponder whether he would be a nice pick in the third or fourth round.

Five other climbers: A.J. Delagarza (Maryland defender), Kyle Patterson (Saint Louis midfielder), Michael Lahoud (Wake Forest midfielder), David Hertel (Michigan State defender), Quincy Amarikwa (UC Davis forward)

Falling1. Yohance Marshall, South Florida defender: The Trinidadian defender had first-round buzz heading into the Combine, but a weekend filled with mistakes and questionable positioning has damaged those hopes.

2. Andrei Gotsmanov, Creighton midfielder: Questions surround Gotsmanov's position at the next level, but he couldn't answer them after fighting injury all weekend.

3. Baggio Husidic, Illinois-Chicago midfielder (Generation adidas): Husidic is another college playmaker who projects to drop further into midfield at the next level, but didn't always show the work rate and tenacity he'll need.

4. Calum Angus, Saint Louis defender: Mooted by some as a potential first-round pick, Angus raised questions about whether his lack of size and pace will hamper him as he transitions to right back in MLS.

5. Raphael Cox, Washington midfielder: Cox is blessed with good speed but displayed questionable decision making throughout the weekend.

Five other fallers: Graham Zusi (Maryland midfielder), Nick Perera (UC Santa Barbara forward), Akeem Priestley (UConn midfielder), Chris Clements (Tulsa defender), Neal Kitson (St. John's goalkeeper)


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Combine notes: Versatile Alston rising

Rebuilding in Dallas accelerates

FRISCO, Texas -- The rebuilding of FC Dallas has taken a real step forward this week as the team has looked to strenghten each line in the squad.

The club addressed one offseason need, on the left side of the midfield, by trading for ex-New York Red Bulls winger Dave van den Bergh. The team signed center back Steve Purdy, then drafted another center back in George John in Thursday's SuperDraft. Forward depth came in the draft when the team selected Peri Marosevic and Brian Shriver.

"One of our goals this offseason was to get more size, more strength and more speed in the backline. We wanted to tighten up the backline, add a left-sided midfielder and a No. 10 to complement a great team that we have," FCD president/general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "In Purdy and George (John), we're adding two very good players that have the potential to be great center backs in this league."

After the van den Bergh trade set the stage for draft day, the addition of Purdy almost sailed under the radar.

"Purdy is a player that a couple of years ago would have been one of the top center backs in the draft," Hitchcock said. "He decided to sign in Germany. For us, we think there's a ton of upside with that acquisition. He's big. He's strong. He's fast and has got all the characteristics of a good defender.

FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman, who at this time last year was coaching Southern Methodist University before taking over the Hoops at midseason, was well acquainted with the draft pool.

"One of the advantages of coaching college is that I saw George John play last year against SMU, and I liked him," Hyndman said. "I think maybe at the next level, he'll be a center back. He came in (to the combine) with a torn meniscus and was probably 85 percent. As I continued to watch him, he didn't lose a head ball in three games. He very seldom made a bad pass. He's a possession type of player and he's been coached very well at the University of Washington."

Hyndman was equally pleased about his two newest additions up top.

"What Peri (Marosevic) offers is that he's a very good finisher of the ball. He makes great runs, he's a great passer, he holds the ball well and he seems to have a really good spirit about himself," Hyndman said. "When we created our list, I had Peri No. 1 and (Steve) Zakuani No. 2 and as it turns out, it worked the other way. But the way the draft fell for us, Peri was still available when we had the fifth pick.

"Brian (Shriver) was here at the College Cup and had a great two games," Hyndman continued. "He's a very active player, has good speed. He was a player that we identified earlier. I was very impressed with him as far as consistency and hard work. His coach at North Carolina is a good friend and we talked a couple times about him. In fact I called him the other day and asked why he wasn't at the combine. I think everybody was shocked that he wasn't at the combine."

Even with these additions, one need remains unfilled -- an attacking midfielder. That role was held by two-time MLS all-star Juan Toja until he left for Romania last August. Since then, rookies Eric Avila and Bruno Guarda manned the No. 10 spot with mixed results. And after the end of the season, Hyndman expressed a desire to bring an attacking midfielder in during the offseason, whether it was by trading with another team in the league or by signing an international.

Preseason practice starts for FCD next Wednesday and they have yet to sign that player.

"We need to go sign that No. 10," Hitchcock said. "If we can't bring in that top-class No. 10, we certainly have players who are capable, can play that position, will do well and will continue to get better. If we can bring in a top-notch, international No. 10, we feel like we're going to be a team to reckon with."

Hitchcock added that the club is currently in negotiations with a pair of attacking midfielders, both from South America, but nothing has been finalized of yet.

"There is a chance that the deal could be done or that we know the deal will not happen with the No. 1 player we have identified and a couple of other players out there," Hitchcock said. "It's possible that the deal could be done but that doesn't mean we'll have the player at Pizza Hut Park for the first day of training. We certainly are using that as the logical deadline to make a decision and to know exactly whether the player will be here or not."


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Hoops could look to deal on draft day

FRISCO, Texas -- Like every other club in Major League Soccer, FC Dallas will look to strengthen their roster on Thursday at the 2009 SuperDraft. While many sides will be looking to add some great, young talent to their fold, FCD, which last year had one of the youngest rosters in the entire league, might be looking to add just one player and could trade its other picks.

That's because FCD currently has five Generation adidas players on their roster. Midfielder Eric Avila, goalkeeper Josh Lambo and defender Brek Shea were all drafted last year while midfielder Bruno Guarda was acquired in a trade with Colorado last summer. The other name on that list, defender Anthony Wallace, who is entering his third season, was the ninth overall pick in 2007 and is still just 20.

FCD had six players on that list before left back Blake Wagner graduated to the senior roster after last season. Wagner played in a career-high 24 games for the Hoops last year and spent much of the year as the starting left back.

While Michael Hitchcock, the Hoops president/general manager, wouldn't rule out FCD taking another Generation adidas player to put their roster at the maximum of six allowed per league rules, he also admitted that the roster was about as young as he and head coach Schellas Hyndman wanted it to be.

"That's a fair statement," Hitchcock said. "If there's a good Generation adidas player at the No. 5 pick or the No. 14 pick, we can add one more Generation adidas player to our roster, but then we'll be at the max. We've built a good group of young players we feel have a really bright future here."

In 2008, FCD had the second and eighth overall picks. The Hoops took Shea with the second choice and the versatile 18-year-old played midfield and forward before Hyndman decided to try him as a center back late in the season. Shea's rookie campaign ended when he had knee surgery in mid-September but he looks to be ready for preseason, which begins on January 21.

Lambo went with the eighth pick and he too had an eventful rookie year. In his first start for the FCD reserves, he collided with a Chivas USA player and missed the next 11 games with a concussion and broken jaw. He returned to the field in mid-July and also made several appearances for the U.S. under-20 national team last year.

Avila was considered a steal at No. 19. He played in 14 games and contributed two assists. His only three starts in an attacking midfield role came in late July and early August after two-time all-star Juan Toja was transferred to a club in Romania. His playing time dwindled after Guarda arrived, something Hyndman chalked up to Avila not being the type of two-way player he wanted at that spot.

In 12 games, nine of which were starts, Guarda delivered mixed results. The talented Brazilian had one goal and one assist but admittedly looked lost at times on the field, which is to be expected from a rookie who was just a few months removed from being a star in college soccer. Depending on whether or not FCD is able to bring in a No. 10 before the start of the season, Avila and Guarda could again be battling for playing time.

On Tuesday, FCD traded forward Dominic Oduro and a second-round pick to New York for left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh. With Oduro gone, FCD now has just three forwards on their roster, so drafting some help up front at either the No. 5 or No. 14 spot or in both places, could be a top priority.

Then again, the Hoops also need help in the back although at least one signing of a center back appears to be imminent. Either way, Hitchcock calls this year's draft a deep one.

"I think it's a deep player pool," he said. "You've got a handful of players that look like they could be very special. There are more and more quality players in the draft. There is probably not a lot of difference between players who could go No. 5 and No. 20 in the draft. We've got a nice stable of talented, young players and Generation adidas players. For us, we're approaching the draft that pick didn't have a lot of value because we've already got such a young team. We're going to look at our two first-round picks and try to get some good players that will come in and complement what we already have."


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Quakes add value on quiet draft day

A year ago, the newly reborn San Jose Earthquakes made one of the biggest splashes on draft day in Baltimore, trading the first overall pick to Kansas City in exchange for veteran defender Nick Garcia. This time around the 'Quakes navigated their way through the 2009 SuperDraft in much less eventful fashion, quietly picking up two promising college seniors, Brad Ring and Quincy Amarikwa, with the 17th and 32nd overall selections, respectively.

A native of Rockford, Ill. Ring heads west after a successful career at Indiana University, where he amassed a raft of regional and national honors during four years in the NCAA powerhouse's midfield engine room. Amarikwa honed his craft at California-Davis, just two hours north and east of San Jose, and offers a welcome injection of speed to the Earthquakes attack.

"I think Ring will be good for us, a defensive midfielder who can [also] play right back. He had a great career at Indiana, so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do," said 'Quakes general manager John Doyle. "He's rangy, he's a competitor, he's tough and strong in there and he's a nice distributor of the ball. In our team, we play a 4-4-2 so both midfielders have to attack and defend -- we don't look for someone just to hang out up front like an attacking midfielder."

Both he and Amarikwa impressed the Quakes with their tenacity and competitiveness.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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"We've watched Quincy for four years at Davis and have always been impressed with him. Hopefully he'll fit in also," said Doyle. "As a forward for us, we don't really have that fast of a player and he brings a little bit different look to our team. So that's someone we look at -- depending on how he does in preseason -- maybe you put him in the last 10 or 15 minutes to see how he does in games. I think he can disrupt the opponent."

Both Ring and Amarikwa face what is traditionally a steep learning curve as they move up from the college ranks, and will be given plenty of time to acclimate to the professional level.

"We expect a lot out of them, but the expectations are, they'll be given time to grow and learn the league a little bit," explained Doyle. "We're not looking for them to step right in and start."

In many ways the quiet draft day in St. Louis was a result of San Jose's ongoing focus on known quantities and proven experience rather than youth, potential, "upside" and the like. Doyle and head coach Frank Yallop own a wealth of MLS experience between them and have been keen to avoid the struggles encountered by the naпve, youthful expansion sides of years past. Their approach did not waver, even as the 2009 draft class took shape as one of the most talented in years.

"No, not really," said Yallop, when asked if he and Doyle were tempted by any opportunities for draft-day wheeling and dealing. "It'd be too much to move up: too much money or someone we want to keep on our team. So we took our picks and we'll stick with them."

After a difficult start to their 2008 campaign, the Earthquakes built a strong run of form down the stretch and just missed out on a last-ditch charge into the MLS Cup Playoffs, lending the club an air of optimism in the current offseason.

"I think the team that we finished the season with, we were happy with," said Doyle. "We just wish we could've started with it. It took us a little longer to get the guys in that we wanted."

Yallop cited the forward and right back positions as the team's most pressing areas of need, and Doyle said that the club is pursuing several potential acquisitions, both domestically and abroad, which may be signed as early as next week. While shopping in January's international transfer window presents its own set of difficulties, San Jose is very leery of waiting until midsummer to bolster their squad.

"We did that last year and it was too late," said Yallop. "We want to get something done in January, definitely."


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Wizards accomplish SuperDraft mission

ST. LOUIS -- The Kansas City Wizards came to the 2009 MLS SuperDraft hoping to add depth to their roster and to nab a player who could challenge for or step into their starting 11. Five picks later, mission accomplished.

"We feel great. Anytime you walk away with the guy you want the most, you're quite happy," said head coach Curt Onalfo.

Sitting in the middle of the first round at No. 8, the Wizards bolstered their backline in choosing defender Matt Besler from the University of Notre Dame with the pick. The 21-year-old hails from Overland Park, Kan., just a few miles from CommunityAmerica Ballpark, now his home away from home.

"It feels amazing, the team that you grow up supporting. It's a dream come true," said Besler.

The 6-0, 170-lb. back played his club ball at KCFC Alliance under coach Gareth Hughes, then went on to earn a spot on the All-Big East Conference Team three times at Notre Dame and NSCAA/adidas First-Team All-American status this past year. Internationally, he has trained with U.S. under-20 national team and played on the U.S. under-15 national team.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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"We lost Tyson Wahl through the expansion draft, and we needed to fill a void in central defense, especially on the left side," said Onalfo. "We rated Matt as one of the top defenders. We think he has a bright future, and we look forward to having him come in and compete in that spot with Aaron Hohlbein who is currently penciled in that spot."

Besler's quality was corroborated by the fact that two teams behind the Wizards tried to trade up to get the young back, and his learning curve will be eased by being near home and by his confidence in his ability to quickly catch onto MLS's speed of play. After all, he has the mind for it, earning the 2008 NSCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year.

"That's one of my better qualities," said Besler, who feels he can play centrally and on the flank. "I feel like I can play a lot of positions on the field, and that helps me out with my [soccer] brain and playing different positions."

With back-to-back picks in the second round (22nd and 23rd overall), Kansas City went offensive choosing forward Doug DeMartin and midfielder Graham Zusi.

A Michigan State product, DeMartin was a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, the top honor for a collegiate soccer player. He claimed the Big Ten Player of the Year with 17 goals in his senior campaign after knocking home 12 his junior year.

"DeMartin is a very good, talented forward that we've studied intensely," Onalfo said. "[The competition] is going to be a great situation for him to show what he can do. We have a lot of confidence in him and believe he is talented enough to take him in the second round."

An award winner too, Zusi captured the 2008 NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player honor, helping the Terrapins to the NCAA Division I title, scoring the match-winner in semifinal over time and the lone goal in the final. Known for his "tremendous" long-range shot and work rate among other abilities, Zusi is projected by some as a winger or withdrawn striker.

"Graham really opened our eyes in the final four. He took [Maryland] on his shoulders, We look forward to him coming in and giving us some depth in the attacking midfield position," Onalfo said.

With their fourth and fifth picks of the day (42nd and 50th overall), the Wizards chose former St. John's University goalkeeper Neal Kitson, who made the 2008 College Cup All-Tournament Team, and University of Connecticut product, midfielder Akeem Priestley, a member of the Jamaican U-23 national team.

"We're in a little bit different position than we were a couple of years ago," Onalfo said, "where we were needing to find starters, we're now looking to find cover and to find depth."


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Hoops continue to address needs

FRISCO, Texas -- Earlier in the week, FC Dallas satisfied one area of need when the club acquired left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh from New York. In the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, the Hoops looked to address other issues, specifically adding some depth to their front and backlines. With their three picks, FCD accomplished both goals.

With the fifth overall pick, the Hoops chose Michigan striker Peri Marosevic, a Generation adidas player. Nine choices later at No. 14, FCD selected George John, a defender from Washington who spent much of his collegiate career in the midfield before switching to center back at the combine. And with the 27th overall pick, the Hoops made their final pick of the day, taking another striker in North Carolina's Brian Shriver.

"We entered the draft knowing exactly what we wanted," said FCD president/general manager Michael Hitchcock. "The coaches had done a lot of scouting during the year. The combine is the last opportunity to take a look at those players that you identified during the year. We went in knowing that we wanted to add a top-notch striker with a ton of potential, strengthen the back line by bringing in one of the top center backs and then just trying to add some additional depth up top."

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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Marosevic is a 19-year-old forward, who in his final season with the Wolverines earned First-Team All-Big 10 Conference honors after leading his team in scoring for the third consecutive year, scoring 13 goals.

"With the first pick, Peri was the guy," Hitchcock said. "We went, analyzed all the strikers coming out, ranked them and he was No. 1 on our list. We're very happy that we got him at the No. 5 pick. Because of the great combine that he had, we weren't sure he was going to be there at five. So we were discussing moving up to ensure that we could get him because he meant that much to us. Fortunately, we read the draft right, we didn't have to give anything up and got our player. So we're very happy with that."

Hitchcock feels that there isn't any reason why Marosevic can't contribute to the FCD attack immediately.

"I think he's a player with the experience of playing for the Under-20 team, which he's been called up to," he said. "He's a player that certainly can come in and contribute right away. He's got two great strikers that he's going to be able to learn from in Kenny Cooper and Jeff Cunningham. We think it's the perfect place to take the next step in his career and to learn and develop. We certainly expect him to contribute and are going to need him to contribute. He's got a ton of upside and will just keep getting better and better."

FCD's second pick, John, is a 6-foot-4 former holding midfielder who earned first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in his last two seasons with the Huskies.

"At the No. 14 pick, George John is one of the players that we identified as a top center back coming out for our team," Hitchcock said. "Once again, we were very excited that he was still there at 14 and we were able to pick him up. We look at the first round and think we got exactly what we were looking for."

One concern with John was a recent knee injury that limited him as a senior at Washington. However, that ailment is of no concern for FCD.

"We had done our homework," Hitchcock said. "He did have an injury and that's something that you have to look into. But at the combine, he probably wasn't 100 percent but was still the best center back there. He's played in the middle of the field, so he's got good feet, good vision and is a good passer. But he's absolutely dominant in the air because of his size, reads the game well and is a good organizer. We feel like he's got all the tools to be a successful center back."

Shriver was a player who helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2008 NCAA Men's College Cup. He had the only goal in UNC's upset win against defending national champion and ACC rival Wake Forest in the national semifinal to send Carolina to the championship game, where they lost to Maryland.

"In the second round, we were able to add Brian Shriver, a great striker who just played at Pizza Hut Park with UNC," Hitchcock said. "He can play on the flank and is a player who will add some depth to our team."

Even though Shriver wasn't among those invited to the MLS Player Combine, Hitchcock and the FCD brass still liked what they had seen and drafted him any way.

"In our scouting of Division I college soccer, he was a player that we had identified," he said. "We were surprised that he wasn't invited to the combine and aren't sure of exactly why he wasn't invited in. He had a good year and his team had a lot of success. We got a chance to see him quite a bit. If he was in the combine, we wouldn't have been able to pick him up at No. 27. We think there's a ton of potential there and he would have gone much higher. We're lucky that he didn't come out to the combine. I know he was frustrated with that but he's ecstatic that we used our second-round pick on him."

Red Bulls ecstatic to land Terp Hall

ST. LOUIS -- When Chivas USA selected Michael Lahoud with the ninth overall pick of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, one of the happiest people in the St. Louis Convention Center Thursday afternoon was Juan Carlos Osorio.

That's because the New York Red Bulls coach would be able to pick up one of the two players he targeted with the club's first-round pick -- Indiana outside back Kevin Alston or Maryland outside midfielder Jeremy Hall.

Alston went with the next pick to the New England Revolution and the Red Bulls got Hall, who will immediately compete for the left-sided midfield slot vacated when Dave van den Bergh was traded to FC Dallas earlier this week.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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"It's a dream come true," Hall said. "I didn't know where I was going to go and to be selected by New York, it's a great team and I'm looking so forward to playing there and being a part of that great franchise."

That trade also allowed the Red Bulls to move up to the 11th overall pick and have a better chance at getting one of the players they valued.

"We needed to move from 14 to 11 to get one of those two players," Osorio said.

Osorio and Hall have a long history that dates back to their flight from Fort Lauderdale to St. Louis.

"I got to meet with him a little bit on the flight here to St. Louis from the Combine, we actually sat next to each other so we talked a little bit," Hall said. "I know he's a great coach, he's very experienced."

Hall is a pacy outside midfielder who scored 14 goals and had seven assists for Maryland, helping lead the Terrapins to the national championship. He was one of nine players to sign a Generation adidas contract, but struggled at bit at the MLS Player Combine and dropped a bit further down the draft list than expected.

That proved to be perfect, though, for the Red Bulls.

"We've been tracking him for a couple of years and we've seen his talent in college and we thought he was a phenomenal player," Red Bulls technical director Jeff Agoos said. "We're really looking forwarding to seeing how he makes the transition to MLS."

Also, as part of the van den Bergh trade, the Red Bulls received the 18th overall pick and selected 6-foot-4, 215 pound center back Babajide Ogunbiyi from Santa Clara, who has also played for the Nigerian under-23 national team.

"He is an imposing figure in the back," Osorio said. "If I'm honest there were four center backs in this Combine, two were already taken. I think he has those physical attributes we can work with and hope to develop him and make him more comfortable on the play."

With the 29th overall selection, the Red Bulls picked left fullback Jack Traynor out of Notre Dame. He was preceded in South Bend, Ind., by Kevin Goldthwaite and now might battle for a starting spot with the Red Bulls.

"We'll see what happens there, some friendly competition," Traynor said.

But according to Osorio, the two could still play on the field together because Goldthwaite can move over centrally.

With their final pick, the Red Bulls picked Nick Zimmerman out of James Madison, who can not only play right midfield, but is also versatile enough to see time at right back.

While the draft might be over, the building of the 2009 Red Bulls is far from done. While Hall could start immediately, Osorio said the No. 1 priority is to find a natural left-sided midfielder.

"We need to have competition for places and I would like a natural left-footed player in that position," Osorio said. "We now have to concentrate all our efforts in trying to get the identified targets that we have already. I'm confident we'll get one of them."

D.C. thinking long-term at SuperDraft

WASHINGTON -- Blessed with two first-round picks in a talent-laden year, D.C. United will enter Thursday's MLS SuperDraft with a more bullish attitude than in recent offseasons, even as the club's technical staff continues to view the draft as a vehicle for long-range player development first and foremost.

A strong 2009 crop of Generation adidas signings has further bolstered an array of talented college products on offer in St. Louis, and while United head coach Tom Soehn and general manager Dave Kasper take pains to downplay the potential impact of any rookie additions, they nonetheless seem eager to add depth and create competition for playing time as they build this year's squad.

"I think of all the years, it's a really intriguing group of players," said Soehn on Friday. "A couple of them are deciding to do other options, which would've made it even deeper, but we're still excited with the core of guys that are coming out."

That approach stands in notable contrast to the club's situation 12 months ago. The 2008 SuperDraft took place in Baltimore, barely half an hour up the road from their RFK Stadium home, but at that point United was squarely focused on the international market -- as the unveiling of five South American signings, led by designated player Marcelo Gallardo, would soon confirm.

According to Soehn, that strategy was dictated by prevailing circumstances both at home and abroad. United had just three '08 SuperDraft selections -- only one of which, winger Ryan Cordeiro, ever saw time in a D.C. uniform -- and the underperformance of several of those foreign acquisitions in a disappointing campaign has given him and Kasper plenty to think about.

"I think every year's a learning experience," said the third-year boss. "But as of last year, we didn't really have the ability to acquire any young Americans. Now this year we're positioned ourselves pretty well in a pretty strong draft."

The Black-and-Red braintrust traditionally focus on selecting the most talented players available rather than address specific positional needs. But this time around there is enough eye-catching talent on offer that United's possession of the fifth and sixth overall picks could lead to more immediate contributions than D.C. normally expects from its rookie crop.

"[The coaches] don't expect them to come in and be a starter," said Marc Burch, who last week inked a new contract with D.C. "But if they come in and beat someone else out -- if they beat me out, if they beat [right back Bryan] Namoff out, if they beat one of our forwards out, that's good for them and that just shows that they want it more than the guys on our team do. We have enough players to where we're not going to expect them to come in, but if they prove they can, then no one's afraid to put in a player that has the ability to play."

A prolific striker in college, Burch was taken by the LA Galaxy in the second round of the 2006 SuperDraft, only to switch positions and clubs before finding a home as a defender with United. That sort of developmental path helps illustrate the reasons behind Kasper's cautious approach to draftees.

"I think there's a little bit more expectation for a first-round pick to succeed," said the longtime United GM. "But we identify players we think have the qualities to be successful at the next level. All the players we'll be identifying and eventually select -- given that opportunity, they have to run with it. But it is a big change. They're now professionals, playing virtually 10 months of the year. The nature of the process, you never know. Some players are not going to make it for various reasons."

But the quantity of top prospects this year might just enable the capital club to land a few potential stars for the seasons ahead.

"We actually have some quality guys that we think we can get, and also build around for the future," said Soehn of Thursday's event. "So we feel like we're in pretty good shape to draft some kids that can help us."


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Crew select Gerstenberger in SuperDraft

Wizards value depth in '09 draft pool

KANSAS CITY -- For the Kansas City Wizards, having the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft is not great, but it's not bad either, especially in this year's more bountiful class of draftees.

"This draft compared to last year's, overall, there are many more athletes. It's just a bigger, stronger, faster group than last year," said Kansas City technical director Peter Vermes.

The Wizards traded up just before last year's draft to snag the top overall pick (used to choose UCLA product Chance Myers) to make a lucrative combo with their other first-round pick (No. 11 overall), which Vermes and head coach Curt Onalfo used to pick up Roger Espinoza out of Ohio State. Both players are a part of Generation adidas. Time remains for the Wizards to move up this year too.

"There's always discussion around [moving up]. It's just a matter if there are willing partners out there. But I think we'll still find some decent talent at that [eighth spot] as well," Vermes said. "[But] until we get to our pick it's hard to say if those guys are going to be available. Being in eighth place is not a bad place, but it's not perfect either."

Prognosticators feel the Wizards will look to bolster their center midfield and midfield flanks via the draft. Former Maryland midfielder Jeremy Hall and former UNLV midfielder Daniel Cruz, both in this year's Generation adidas class, have been mentioned as possible targets. Not wanting to show his cards, Vermes preferred not to talk about individual players because there were some "interesting things going on," implying the possibility of last-minute deals by the Wizards or others that might impact the dynamic of the draft.

"We are looking for players in every line of the field, including goalkeeper. There is all kinds of talent here," said Vermes. "... Last year, when we traded up to get the first overall pick for the draft, it allowed us to establish the direction of the draft. Now we're not going to have that luxury."

Vermes did say that the Wizards are looking to fill "some very specific needs."

"We may not take a player who people think, 'Oh, that guy's great.' but who doesn't really serve our purpose," he said. "We spent a lot of time building this team over the last two years, whether it's through the draft or through trade. We think now we have a couple of areas that we need to fulfill. We think we can do it through the draft as long as a couple of those guys are on the board when [we come up]."

As in most collegiate drafts, players will likely need time to develop before they can have a significant impact on a team's starting 11, yet Vermes feels there are a few candidates who have the size and skill set to make an impact and "hold their own." Yet, those who can push the Wizards to serious MLS title contenders this season could come from outside the United States.

With the sloughing off of some heavy salaries through the departures of Sasha Victorine (late-season trade to Chivas USA), Carlos Marinelli (waived), Kerry Zavagnin (retirement), and the re-signing of former designated player Claudio Lopez at a lower rate, Kansas City has the cap space to make a move or two for a difference maker. That player would likely fill the role of attacking midfielder or forward.

"[The re-signing of Lopez] does open up some considerable salary cap for us which allows us to do some other things. That's pretty good," Vermes said. "I made a couple of trip overseas to Eastern Europe [in the offseason], so we have a couple of feelers out over there still. And we'll see how that progresses as we move forward."

The Wizards' open designated player slot could loom large in any intra-league deal, but Vermes said, "it doesn't seem like teams are going after the DP slot this year."

With Kansas City holding five picks (8, 22, 23, 42 and 50), Vermes, Onalfo, and staff will have a busy SuperDraft day in St. Louis. Up until then, the Wizards have a chance to fill via trade what seems to be a large gap between the eighth and 22nd pick or between the 23rd and 42nd picks to fill any gaps in their roster. No matter the direction the day takes, the Wizards will have improved their side.

"Sometimes you are surprised by a guy like Michael Harrington (third overall pick in 2007 and a solid starter for two seasons) who can immediately come in and make an impact or a Jonny Leathers (25th overall in 2008 and more than 1,000 minutes in his first season) or a Roger Espinoza," Vermes said. "But we know exactly what we want."


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Lewis: Top pick gives Seattle options

Crew select Gerstenberger in SuperDraft

COLUMBUS -- The defending MLS Cup champions don't believe there are any holes in the lineup entering the 2009 season but there are a few areas that could using shoring up and the Columbus Crew's first pick in the SuperDraft could fill one of them.

Paul Gerstenberger was a steady, defense-first left back for Boston College in his four-year career and he'll get an opportunity to back up veteran Gino Padula.

"We're a little thin on the left side, whether it's on the flank with Robbie Rogers or in the back with Gino," Crew technical director Brian Bliss said.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• United flesh out roster
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

GEAR • Buy team jerseys

Gerstenberger had four goals and 10 assists in 66 games for the Golden Eagles.

"I'm a two-way player. Obviously, I have to be strong defensively but I'm willing to take risks to get into the attack when needed," he said.

If he makes the squad he won't be asked to do much of that. The savvy Padula stabilized the backline with his hard-nosed defending and quickness in starting the transition game, especially to the speedy Rogers. Gerstenberger would take a similar role.

"He's a very talented player. He has good size (6-0, 180) and has good speed," Crew first-year coach Robert Warzycha said. "His first priority is defending. He's smart enough to understand that."

The Crew did not have a selection until the 30th position and Warzycha said Gerstenberger was the best option available.

"We have a championship team. If we had been picking at No. 1 he wouldn't have been our pick," he said.

Still, Warzycha said Gerstenberger, who turns 22 on Jan. 26, has a good chance of making the team because he is a true left back.

"He's a very good addition," he said.

With retirement of Ezra Hendrickson, Warzycha would have had only Danny O'Rourke, Andy Iro and developmental player Jed Zayner as options on the left side barring signing a discovery player. Zayner has seen limited duty; O'Rourke can play any of the back positions but is more comfortable at right back or in the middle and Iro is better suited for the center back spot.

Gerstenberger will have to battle to make the team. There will likely be only one senior spot left on the 20-player roster and just two of four developmental openings left.

"We were looking for another player on the left side," Warzycha said. "I saw him at BC and at the combine. After seeing him at the combine we decided he was the player we were looking for."

Gerstenberger called being chosen "crazy." He had hoped to be picked but wasn't sure and was sitting at home in Schenectady, N.Y, with his family and friends when his named popped up on the computer.

"My mom was in the kitchen and somebody yelled, 'You've just been drafted.' Someone from Columbus called me a few minutes later," he said. "To be drafted by the championship team is unbelievable. I watched them win the final over New York. They've got a very good team. They score goals and play really sound defensively."

He didn't follow one MLS team growing up but he did have a favorite player. "It's pretty ironic. It was Brian McBride and he played for the Crew before he went to Europe."

Gerstenberger doesn't know much about Columbus or Ohio although several of his relatives are big Cleveland Browns fans. The only player on the Crew roster he knows is Rogers, a teammate on the U.S. national U-18 squad. Gerstenberger played two friendlies for the team in April 2005.

With the 45th pick, the Crew chose University of Pennsylvania midfielder Alex Grendi (5-11, 175). The native of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., had eight goals and 20 assists in 65 career games. He's third on the school's career assist list.

Columbus selected Tulsa defender Chris Clements (6-2, 185) from the University of Tulsa. He had three goals in 78 games and was chosen for the U.S. U-20 national team in 2006. He is from Allen, Texas.

History has shown late picks have seldom contributed to the Crew. The most notable was forward Edson Buddle, the 27th selection in the third round of the 2001 SuperDraft. Last season, forward Steven Lenhart was the 48th pick and scored some important goals for the Crew in a reserve role, including a stoppage time equalizer against Kansas City in the first game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Davis: How SuperDraft 2009 may unfold

The 2009 SuperDraft is deep and the top prospects are deliciously juicy. That's the consensus, which has Thursday's scene in St. Louis revving in the red on the meter of importance. As a tool for roster-stocking, it seems to rate well ahead of last year's slightly depressed field.

Here's what each club might be looking to collect as the process plays out in the nation's heartland.

Chicago: The Fire do not have a first-round pick, a result of the deal struck with Toronto FC that brought Brian McBride to Toyota Park. So, manager Denis Hamlett and technical director Frank Klopas won't select until late in the second round (No. 28 overall) unless they trade to move up.

When they do pick, with Lider Marmol's recent release and with Wilman Conde's place on the roster still tenuous, the Fire could use some cover at center back. That's fortunate, because this draft is particularly plump in defenders.

The name-brand defenders, such as Omar Gonzalez, are probably out of reach without a trade. But Santa Clara's Babajide Ogunbiyi or Notre Dame's Matt Besler are talented defenders who might still be available.

Chivas USA: Four years ago, Chivas made Brad Guzan the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. It was chancy, as netminders rarely make such high draft targets. Still, look how well that turned out for the Red-and-White.

Now Dan Kennedy is in charge, but Preki's team may be looking to upgrade at the position. Cal's Stefan Frei will likely be gone when Chivas pick at No. 9 overall. But Massachusetts' Zack Simmons, the Atlantic 10's Defensive Player of the Year, has the look of a fellow ready to step onto an MLS pitch immediately. University of Illinois-Chicago's Jovan Bubonja or Boston College's Chris Brown also could be targets.

With Sacha Kljestan sure to draw increasing interest from overseas, Preki may also be thinking about adding a creative influence. Illinois-Chicago's Baggio Husidic or UCLA's Michael Stephens seem to be the top playmakers available. Husidic is probably more attractive if only because of his Generation adidas status.

Colorado: Paul Bravo has barely had time to locate the break room at his new office inside Dick's Sporting Goods Park, but he's about to help in some very big decisions. The former Galaxy technical director made the move east last week, now the Rapids' director of soccer.

Bravo and manager Gary Smith won't have a decision to make until early in the second round, at No. 20 overall. The may be in the same markets as Chivas USA, looking for goalkeepers or playmakers. If Stephens or Husidic aren't available (and they probably won't last that far), then the pickings get slim at attacking midfielder.

As for goalkeepers, St. John's Neal Kitson, who was so impressive during the NCAA College Cup last month, could still be around when the Rapids finally get to choose. Or, Akron's Evan Bush or Loyola's Milos Kocic could find their way to Commerce City.

Columbus: If Crew officials have designs on making selections poised to have immediate impact, then they'll have to be flexible and go into Thursday's draft armed with responses for any number of developing scenarios. That's because they don't have a pick until No. 30 overall.

So Crew technical director Brian Bliss and new manager Robert Warzycha won't have much to do early in the proceedings unless they do swing a deal during the abundant wheeling and dealing that rages annually on draft's eve.

Re-signing defender Chad Marshall, with Andy Iro still in reserve, certainly takes one potential need off the table. So, depth at striker and outside fullback appear to be the top requirements.

As for Warzycha, he may not have grown up around the college system but he certainly knows plenty about it by now. Warzycha spent seven seasons as an assistant after retiring as a player in 2002.

D.C. United: United haven't had much to say about the early stages of the draft lately; Manager Tom Soehn and general manager Dave Kasper made their first selection at No. 24 overall last year, and at No. 11 overall in 2007. So this year's initial selections, Nos. 6 and 7 overall, must seem fairly exciting to fans and officials around RFK.

The roster situation where defense is concerned is finally clearing, which should help settle the draft-day priorities. The club just announced the re-signing of defender Marc Burch, while reports circulate that center back Gonzalo Peralta will not return.

Either way, Kasper says United will grab the best player, regardless of his position.

Although right back Bryan Namoff just re-upped with a new contract, left back is still something of a trouble spot, so outside fullbacks could be atop the wish list. That means Maryland's Rodney Wallace or Indiana's Kevin Alston could land at RFK.

FC Dallas: Manager Schellas Hyndman has been quite clear on his offseason priorities. He needs a left back, a left midfielder, a playmaker and potentially another striker, depending on Kenny Cooper's status.

Dave van den Bergh's arrival in Texas seems to fill the hole on the left flank. If Hyndman wants cover there, Jeremy Hall might be too attractive to pass with the fifth pick (assuming Maryland's Generation adidas product is still around.) If the Hoops are looking for a left midfielder later, Liberty College's Josh Boateng could be the choice, as he has made an impression during the combine.

Otherwise, if Alston or Wallace remains available, one of them could hear his name called. Hyndman and Co. have lots of options all around, with two picks among the first 14 selections (Nos. 5 and 14) and an exchange of picks was included in the van den Bergh deal.

Kansas City: The Wizards need help along the flanks, and that's one spot that can often be filled through the draft. Maryland's Jeremy Hall or fellow Generation adidas signing Danny Cruz could fit well if one of them remains available at Kansas City's No. 8 overall selection.

Further in the draft, Wake Forest's Michael Lahoud, who can play centrally or on the flank, is another possibility. And Cal-Santa Barbara's Chris Pontius was a left midfielder before being moved to forward his senior season. On the right, Saint Louis' Kyle Patterson had a nice combine, by all reports.

Houston: The Dynamo won't be much of a player in the draft, with its initial pick at No. 40 overall. Then again, Houston's depth does provide some trade options if manager Dominic Kinnear settles on a draft-day target and wants to move up in the order to pursue him.

As the draft is deep at goalkeeper, the Dynamo certainly need to start thinking about grooming a replacement. Pat Onstad looked just fine in 2008. But the man is 41 now and isn't going to last forever. St. John's Kitson certainly has ability, but his size (6 feet) could scare some teams. So there's a chance Kitson slips and remains available when Houston finally joins the fray. If not, Loyola's Kocic, Cal State Northridge's Kevin Guppy or Dartmouth's Sean Milligan could still be available.

LA Galaxy: If there was ever a scenario ripe for the philosophy of taking "the best talent available," this is it. That is to say, the Galaxy need help across the board.

Bruce Arena's team needs the most help at goalkeeper, all along the back line and at defensive midfielder. Obviously, those Generation adidas signings, whose salaries don't count against the cap, are going to look most attractive as the Galaxy make their selection at No. 3 overall. (And Arena had better make it count, because the Galaxy won't choose again until the third round, at No. 33 overall.)

If one of Maryland's touted Generation adidas defenders, Wallace or Gonzalez, is available, they could easily be the choice.

New England: Steve Nicol will once again look to perform some draft wizardry, this time from the No. 10 spot. Picking from the back of the first-round pack hasn't prevented the Revs' manager from landing terrific picks before, and there's no reason why he can't do the same Thursday, considering the depth of the 2009 class.

"Defense" is likely to be the order of the day around Camp Revs, as Michael Parkhurst's departure and two other starting fullbacks now in their 30s (Jay Heaps is 32 and Chris Albright turns 30 a day before the draft) makes it time to start re-stocking. If Indiana's Alston falls to New England's spot, he could be tough to pass up. Otherwise, South Florida's Yohance Marshall could be the choice.

Eventually, the ageless Steve Ralston will start to decline. Well, maybe he will. At any rate, the Revs also have the final first-round selection (No. 15 overall) and could consider a playmaker. Or, if they want to stay with defense, Saint Louis' Calum Angus might be an enticing late first-round pick.

New York Red Bulls: You get the feeling that Red Bulls manager Juan Carlos Osorio is more comfortable mining the foreign market than plucking college kids from the U.S. system. Either way, the Red Bulls' first selection falls in at No. 11. Their numbers are down in the back; they just re-signed Carlos Mendes but have lost Jeff Parke and Diego Jimenez in the offseason.

The Bulls could also use some depth in midfield. So, Indiana's Brad Ring, a deep-lying central presence, or Creighton's Andrei Gotsmanov could fit the need.

Graham Zusi is a name for Red Bulls fans to watch, too, as Osorio seems to appreciate versatility. Maryland's College Cup MVP played as an attacking midfielder in his final collegiate season. But he looks more like a second forward, or even a fellow who could make a smooth transition to a wide midfield spot. His shot from range, combined with good leadership skills and an ever-composed manner, look pretty attractive.

Real Salt Lake: Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis and GM Garth Lagerwey rescued the team from doormat status by building from the back. The defense looks capable now, and the attack has some good, young pieces. What the Lakers are missing now is a true holding presence in midfield -- Kyle Beckerman is a talent, to be sure, but a bit of a 'tweener.

Cronin might still be available when Real Salt Lake is up with the 12th pick overall. He isn't a true defensive midfielder, but rather a well-regarded two-way man. While they already have one of those in Beckerman, it could be hard to pass if the Wake Forest product falls that far. (As since there are nine Generation adidas products ahead of him, that's not entirely impossible.) Otherwise, Indiana's Ring could be the choice, if RSL goes for a prototype holding midfielder.

San Jose: Frank Yallop built around defense last year, and don't be surprised if the Earthquakes' manager reckons that further betterment along the back line is the way forward into the 2009 playoffs.

Of course, another good-two way midfielder could also improve the product at Buck Shaw. Lynn College's Jean Alexandre, a real enforcement presence at the combine, could be around when the Earthquakes make their initial pick at No. 17 (the second selection of the second round.)

Seattle: The Sounders pick first, and Steve Zakuani is the name everyone is hearing as (potentially) the next MLS No. 1 pick. Of course, we've all been wrong before. Remember, at this time last year Eric Avila and Julius James were the most-often floated names to be called No. 1. Avila fell all the way to No. 17. James was taken in the ninth spot. So, bet on Zakuani at your own peril.

Then again, don't be surprised if Sigi Schmid sends the No. 1 pick elsewhere, adding an extra early selection to the Sounders' list of assets. With only 15 players currently on roster, it could serve Schmid well to utilize two good picks instead of one great one.

Toronto FC: With apologies to Seattle and its top overall pick, the men from Canada rule this draft. The Reds have a sweet setup in the first round, picking second, fourth and 13th. Trades that sent Ronnie O'Brien to San Jose and Brian McBride's rights to Chicago helped set such a swell stage.

TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston isn't averse to draft-day maneuvers. With two early selections the temptation may be overwhelming to package up one of those picks with some other asset and move into the top spot. (Johnston did something similar in 2006 when he was in charge at New York, packaging the No. 5 overall pick and Jason Hernandez, acquiring the first pick and using it to take Marvell Wynne.)

What if Johnston and manager John Carver keep the picks? Zakuani, Frei, Alston, Cronin, Gonzalez and Stephens all seem to be in play. About the only position TFC is likely to avoid is at playmaker, as Amado Guevara and Dwayne De Rosario have that area covered.


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Lewis: Top pick gives Seattle options

ST. LOUIS -- Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

Perhaps no other MLS team has more decisions to make at Thursday's SuperDraft than Seattle Sounders FC. As a first-year expansion team, the Sounders face the challenge of stocking their team with as many decent players to be competitive.

So, they face some intriguing decisions as owners of the very first pick in the draft.

Do they keep the pick and select a promising college player, such as what Toronto FC did in 2007 with midfielder Maurice Edu?

Or do they trade it away, which was exactly what the San Jose Earthquakes did last year to obtain veteran defender Nick Garcia from the Kansas City Wizards.

No decision has been made yet and club officials are willing to listen to all offers until the draft begins at 2 p.m. ET Thursday.

If he was leaning one way or the other, Seattle coach Sigi Schmid was keeping his best poker face.

"My philosophy is to make sure through the draft that we can help our club in the best and strongest possible manner," he said. "That might be keeping that picking and taking that player if we think that is the solution. Or that we've been made an offer that makes sense, just like San Jose last year.

"Getting a veteran player is going to help our club more than taking a college guy. It might be a situation where two players make more sense than one. The one thing I can tell you is that we're going to keep all our options open going into the draft."

Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson said the team has had some offers but wasn't about to rush into anything. Right now, the Sounders could find themselves among as many as 14 suitors, as in the number of the other teams in the league.

"If it plays out with the positions [that the Sounders want to fill] and some of the players we're going to be looking at, it will become more clear on what we're going to do," he said. "We still have other things that we're working on that could change who we can pick up. We're weighing the options."

Henderson said the Sounders researched the way previous expansion teams approached stocking their teams.

"You look at San Jose. They went a little more defensive," he said. "They chose a lot of midfielders -- one forward -- and defenders. Toronto getting Maurice Edu was a great pickup for them.

"Every year the draft is different. The crop of players coming out [this year] is ... stronger."

Two years ago, Toronto made Edu the very first pick. It certainly turned out well for the club as the former University of Maryland standout climbed the U.S. national team ladder, winning a regular spot with the national team and playing in last summer's Olympics in Beijing. He was so good that Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) gobbled him up, buying his contract from MLS and Toronto last year.

In that draft, looking to build a squad from scratch, Johnston didn't tip his hand before the draft in saying he keep or move the top pick -- and that reticence to speak before the draft has continued through the present day. But they also traded for a later first-round pick and selected defender Andrew Boyens; both he and Edu were regular starters throughout TFC's inaugural season.

"We traded up because we wanted to get two first-round draft picks and we achieved that," Johnston said after the 2007 draft. "We have got two main starters who can start straightaway. We are happy."

Instead of taking a college player last year, the San Jose Earthquakes opted to deal away the pick for veteran Nick Garcia. The Kansas City Wizards, who were on the other side of the trade, used that selected to choose UCLA defender Chance Myers.

For the expansion Earthquakes in 2008, it was a no-brainer.

"You have no players, no veteran players," Earthquakes general manager John Doyle said. "To surround a No. 1 draft pick without any veteran players, it's difficult, it's hard to succeed. Teams that are established, like Houston or Kansas City, you have a group of players. You bring in one or two college kids. They don't have to make an immediate impact. They don't have to step up and be a leader. They can fit in and learn MLS and be a good professional.

"We really didn't have that opportunity. to put someone into that situation -- I don't think it's fair to the player. I wanted to make sure we had veteran leadership and it's hard to get veteran leadership. So we had a chip to be able to get it."

That chip turned into Garcia, an eight-year veteran entering last season.

"Nick had a good season," Doyle said. "He solidified the defense and did a good job. We wanted to have a solid base."

The Wizards got someone for the future. Myers, then 20, did not play that much, due to injuries. He performed in 681 minutes over seven starts and 10 matches.

K.C. coach Curt Onalfo said that it didn't hurt that defenders Aaron Hohlbein and Tyson Wahl had developed and were ready to take their game to the next step.

"We felt we could make a move that would bring a young guy to the starting lineup," he said. "At the same time, get a young guy who can help us for the future."

"We were in the process of turning over our roster. We felt it was an opportunity get a young player with a bright future. We said it from the beginning. We took Chance for the future. We never expected him to make an immediate impact."

Henderson wouldn't say which college player the Sounders might select as No. 1 if they kept their pick, although if he had his way, he would take a young stud in the mold of an Eddie Johnson or Jozy Altidore.

"You're always looking for attacking-type players, that special player who can come in in their rookie year and score five to 10 goals," he said. "Someone who's going to develop into a true goal-scorer."

So, what advice do some recent MLS coaches and general managers have for the Sounders as they ponder their options?

While Johnston wouldn't comment on anything about this year's draft, he did give this little bit of advice through a club spokesperson: "I'd tell Seattle to give us the first pick."

Johnston might be considered a draft glutton because Toronto already has three first-round selections -- the second, fourth and 13th overall picks.

The same question was put to Doyle.

"I wouldn't ever want to ... [give] advice to anybody," he said. "They did a great job by putting Chris Henderson in there. they did a good job in putting Sigi Schmid in there. I think Seattle is going to be just fine."


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Van den Bergh excited about FCD move

FRISCO, Texas -- Regarded as one of the top left-sided midfielders in MLS, Dave van den Bergh's addition to the FC Dallas attack will immediately make the Hoops' attack even more potent.

The talented Dutchman was acquired from the New York Red Bulls on Tuesday in a trade for Dominic Oduro and a second-round draft selection. Following a season where he scored seven goals and assisted on five more in 26 games for the Red Bulls, van den Bergh is certainly looking forward to setting the table for FCD's strike tandem of Kenny Cooper (18 goals, 3 assists) and Jeff Cunningham (5 goals, 2 assists in 11 games after being traded from Toronto FC in early August).

"That's going to be a treat," van den Bergh said. "Jeff Cunningham is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of this league. I don't think he's going to have a problem finding the back of the net next year since his setup will be good. Kenny Cooper is one of the up-and-coming stars of the league and to my understanding, is staying at FC Dallas for another year, which is a huge bonus for me to play with him. Having played against him, I admire him for what he's brought to the table for FC Dallas. He seems to be a very good competitor and a very nice guy at that.

"I'm just looking forward to playing with these guys," van den Bergh continued. "I know that we're going to have to work very hard in preseason to get in tune but with very talented players, it's always easier to find each other. I'm looking forward to that."

Before the end of last season, van den Bergh admitted he had been pondering making a move to FCD.

"I'm happy that this deal finally went through," he said. "This has been simmering on the back burner for a while now. I had been talking to New York since late August or early September. Around the MLS Cup Final, I came to the realization that it would be tough to make a deal with New York. When I got word that FC Dallas was interested at that point, that was my main focus."

Though van den Bergh's wife is from Dallas, the veteran midfielder said other considerations came into play when he considered where he wanted to play.

"I had a tough personal situation last year," he said. "My oldest son has had some very serious health issues that required a lot of attention last year. It proved to be tough on us to be without family on either side. My wife is from Dallas and that is an added bonus. That is not the sole reason that I'm going there. The main reason is the soccer part but having family close by is an added bonus."

A veteran of more than a decade in the top flight in both the Netherlands and Spain, van den Bergh will provide valuable leadership to the Hoops' locker room. He sees a lot of similarities between the 2008 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew and FCD's current situation.

"Before last season, we (New York) were a team that had never won a trophy and never gotten to a final. We were able to turn that around. We had a good (MLS) Cup run," he said. "I think you can compare FC Dallas with Columbus. They did not make the playoffs and last year, they were clearly the best team in the league both in the regular season and the playoffs. They set themselves up for a couple of years and then it culminated in the Cup win.

"I think that FC Dallas has got the same possibilities. I think they've got a whole lot of talented, young players. They've got a superstar in Kenny Cooper and this is going to be the first year where the head coach can mold his system from the beginning of the season into his team," he continued. "I'm just hoping that I can be part of an improvement in the results. I just want to perform like I know I can and like I know why FC Dallas got me. I just want to make sure my performance is good."

And the fact that he is returning to the same team that first filed a discovery on him back in 2006 is not lost on van den Bergh.

"From my understanding, they had a discovery claim or some sort of claim on me," he said. "It was definitely a possibility but those rights got traded to Kansas City for Kenny Cooper's rights on a different list. I ended up in Kansas City and we all know how we ended up in New York. I had two great years there. It's ironic that the team that had the first claim on me is the team where I'm going to end up and with Kenny Cooper as well. I'm looking forward to playing with him because I do believe that he's one of the best forwards in the league."


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FCD fill flank void with van den Bergh

FRISCO, Texas -- One glaring weakness for FC Dallas last season was a lack of flank play. The Hoops likely solved that problem on Tuesday afternoon by acquiring left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh from New York for Dominic Oduro and a second-round draft pick.

In exchange for the left-footed Dutchman, FC Dallas sent Oduro and the club's first selection in the second round, the 18th selection overall. In addition, FCD and the Red Bulls swapped first-round picks, with New York getting the 11th selection overall and FC Dallas moving to the 14th pick.

"We entered the offseason having identified three areas that we wanted to upgrade the team -- a No. 10, an attacking mid, a left-sided midfielder and just adding depth to our backline and getting a center back," said FC Dallas general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "We started looking at each position, we came up with a short list of players that we felt would be a great fit to the club and also help us in those specific areas. At left-sided midfielder, the top of the list of players we felt like we could get was Dave. We worked very hard to make this deal happen and couldn't be happier that we finalized the deal and that Dave will be playing for FC Dallas next season."

In 26 games last season for the Red Bulls, Van den Bergh had seven goals and five assists. The talented Dutchman also netted the game-winner for New York in the 2008 Western Conference Championship, a tally that clinched his side's first-ever trip to MLS Cup. Van den Bergh began his MLS career with the Kansas City Wizards in 2006 and moved to New York the following season, after playing for Ajax (1995-97), Spain's Rayo Vallecano (1997-2000) and FC Utrecht in his homeland (2000-06).

"I think he'll bring a lot going forward, help us with defending the ball and help us with possession, which becomes the best form of defense," Hitchcock said. "He's the top left-sided midfielder in the league. To upgrade an area that we identified as one of our weaknesses with him is huge. He's an important piece of the puzzle and he wants to be here. He's excited to come to Dallas and feels like he can contribute to the team on and off the field. He brings a lot of experience and leadership, which should help our team on a lot of different levels."

Van den Bergh comes to a team with a solid forward tandem of Kenny Cooper and Jeff Cunningham, two players Hitchcock sees as getting major benefits from playing with such a great deliverer of solid crosses.

"Any time you add a player like Dave, he makes the players around him better," Hitchcock said. "The strikers will probably benefit the most. He's a great server of the ball who will help stretch out the other team's defense. We think Jeff and Kenny will benefit quite a bit from having Dave. Everyone is going to benefit from having a player like Dave on the field."

The seeds for the deal were sown late last year.

"We started having conversations with New York in early December," Hitchcock said. "It's been a long negotiation but I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. We couldn't be happier that we got the deal finalized and Dave is going to be playing here. Like any deal, there are times that you start to question is the deal going to happen or not? These things are seldom easy and that's because a player like Dave has a lot of value that New York placed on him. We just wanted to do a deal that was fair and equitable for all parties and we got that."

Earlier in the offseason, FCD parted ways with veteran center back Duilio Davino, who also was the Hoops' captain in 2008. Hitchcock definitely sees the club's newest addition as a possibility to wear the armband in 2009.

"I think at this time, it's fair to say that is a possibility," he said. "The coaching staff will make that decision based on what they see in preseason. He brings a great deal of experience and has done well in this league. He's fluent in a number of languages and has got the characteristics of a good leader that you're looking for. It's certainly a possibility."

With one area of need taken care of, Hitchcock admits that he continues to focus on FCD's other needs.

"We think we have a number of good players in the back," he said. "With releasing Davino, there's a hole that we need to bring someone in. I think we're close to finalizing a center back. Hopefully we'll have that done within the next week. There are actually two center backs that we're looking at right now. One is an American playing in Europe and the other is a player that is playing in Europe as well but he's not an American."

It's a similar story when it comes to FCD's search for an attacking central midfielder.

"With the No. 10, we are having a number of conversations with team both in our league and internationally trying to bring in a No. 10," Hitchcock said.

For Hitchcock, the deal is the first step in showing that FCD could truly challenge to win MLS Cup this season.

"We believe this team can accomplish really good things," he said. "If we can add some depth at center back and bring in a quality No. 10, we feel like we can really be a contender. I don't think we're that far off. We've got the right foundation and some good building blocks in place. I think with a full preseason under (coach) Schellas (Hyndman's) leadership, with adding Dave, a center back and a No. 10, there isn't any reason why we can't contend for a championship this year and for years to come."

The FCD GM added that it will likely not be the only deal that the Hoops make before the end of the week.

"This is when all the trade talks really start to heat up -- after the holidays and at the combine," Hitchcock said. "I think that's the natural timeline for our league. This week, we're having a number of conversations with a number of teams. I don't think is the only acquisition or trade that will happen this week."

Combine notes: Versatile Alston rising

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The first thing to notice about Indiana University and Generation adidas defender Kevin Alston is his engine.

The former U.S. U-17 international spends most of his game time surging up and down the right wing. At one moment, he'll be tracking an opposing winger deep inside his own half. Once his team gains possession, he'll surge up the sideline and provide another outlet in the offensive half.

"I like to play that style," Alston said. "I like to defend, but I like to go forward."

Alston's devotion to the attack might just help him on the next level. With most MLS teams preferring a four-back alignment and many of those teams pushing the outside backs into the attack, Alston's marauding runs -- combined with his attentiveness to defense -- will earn him a long look.

"Any team in the world, if they have outside backs, they overlap," Alston said. "It's going to help the team out and it will help me on the next level."

The next level will arrive soon for Alston, who will spend his SuperDraft day in St. Louis awaiting his professional destination. He plans to spend his time preparing for MLS camp rather than pondering over where he might fall on Thursday.

"It's just going to happen," Alston said. "It is what it is. The only thing I can do here is perform. When it comes to camp, everyone is going to get there and start fighting for the same time and the same spots."

English youth experience prepares Angus: Saint Louis University defender Calum Angus spent his formative footballing years with English Premier League club Portsmouth. Angus is one of a few players with English youth academy experience at the adidas MLS Player Combine -- others include SLU teammate Kyle Patterson with Birmingham and Boston College defender Paul Gerstenberger with Middlesbrough -- and the right back thinks it will help him as he seeks to make his mark on the next level.

"It put me in good stead," Angus said. "I was around a professional environment, so I was able to see what kind of ability you have to have to make it to the next level. Hopefully, the MLS coaches will take notice of that and it will put me a little bit higher."

Getting drafted would suit Angus. The 2008 All-American defender wants to stay in the U.S. and play in MLS even though he has an English passport and could trial across Europe.

"My first choice is to stay here," Angus said. "I've had three and a half great years here at Saint Louis University and I want to continue playing in the U.S. because I like the style of soccer here. If things don't work, I have a European passport so I can try out in England and in Europe."

Adidas Tiro takes five-goal thriller: Illinois-Chicago and Generation adidas midfielder Baggio Husidic's 80th-minute strike gave adidas Tiro a 3-2 victory against PowerSwerve in the first game of the final day of the 2009 Combine.

PowerSwerve opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Michigan State midfielder Doug DeMartin. Saint Louis defender Calum Angus halted DeMartin's slicing run into the penalty area, giving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. DeMartin dusted himself off and tucked the resulting penalty past Dartmouth goalkeeper Sean Milligan.

UNC-Greensboro forward Chris Salvaggione replied for Tiro in first-half stoppage time after his long-distance drive deflected off SMU defender Ryan Mirsky and eluded Albany goalkeeper Steward Ceus.

Salvaggione nearly doubled his goal haul in the 60th minute after turning well and firing an effort off the right post. His cross two minutes later should have set up Redlands University's Ross Schunk for an easy finish but he smashed his close-range effort well over the bar.

Tiro finally broke through with three minutes to play. Maryland's Graham Zusi flighted his cross towards Schunk at the far post. Schunk collected and presented Husidic with the opportunity to fire home from 12 yards.

The lead lasted for two minutes as PowerSwerve pressed forward through Wake Forest's Lyle Adams down the wing. Adams' overlap presented him with the opportunity to cross and Portland striker Bryan Irwin tucked away the service to level the scoreline.

That wasn't enough to earn PowerSwerve a point as Husidic gave Tiro victory in the waning moments -- both games were shortened to 80 minutes Tuesday -- by finishing a cross from Penn midfielder Alex Grendi.

Marosevic earns Combine scoring title as adiTunit tops table: Peri Marosevic scored his third goal in three days to ensure adiTunit finished top of the Combine table with a 2-0 victory over adiPure.

AdiTunit looked the better of the two sides for most of the contest, but the pressure didn't pay off until the 55th minute. A ball over the top found Winthrop striker Daniel Revivo and he collected and fired home past St. John's goalkeeper Neal Kitson to open the scoring.

The match looked like it would peter out until a miscommunication in the back allowed Marosevic to nip in and slide home to ensure he would stand alone atop the goalscoring charts as the Combine closed.


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Valencia Set To Sign Defender Dealbert

Fire seek value in draft's late rounds

On Thursday, the bill comes due for the Chicago Fire.

Last summer, the Fire made a deal with Toronto FC in order to gain the services of forward Brian McBride. Included in the deal was the Fire's first-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, which comes up Thursday in St. Louis.

So unless the Fire can find someone willing to make a trade with them for their own first-round pick, the Fire will not have a selection in the draft until the 28th pick overall, which is the 13th pick of the second round.

"Obviously, not having a first-round pick, it makes things a little bit tricky," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said.

Going into the draft, the Fire were in position to have their entire starting lineup back. Midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco ended any speculation that he might return to Mexico last week when he agreed to a one-year contract with the Fire.

Since the end of the 2008 season, the Fire lost talented young midfielder Stephen King in the expansion draft. They also waived forwards Andy Herron and Tomasz Frankowski, but neither were spending a lot of time with the first unit.

So Hamlett and technical director Frank Klopas go into the draft looking for depth.

"If we can get a player that can come in and make an impact, that is the No. 1 goal," Hamlett said. "I feel that on the flanks, there is a player we would like to get. Another young forward would be good. Defensively we are strongest, but if you see a good defender you might want to take him and not let him slip by."

According to Hamlett, the only contract situation still up in the air from last season's roster is veteran defender (and last year's captain) C. J. Brown, who played very little last season as he dealt with a pair of injuries.

The Fire also have to worry a bit about the continued musings of Colombian defender Wilman Conde, who stated at the start of last season he wanted to play for Juan Carlos Osorio of the New York Red Bulls, and made similar statements at the end of 2008. But Hamlett that is "status quo for Wilman."

"He had a good year for us (19 starts) and we are working with his agent," Hamlett said. "He is under contract. I know he also has aspirations about wanting to go overseas to play. If we saw something that was a good offer, for the league and for us, we would go ahead and make that decision."

The Fire's goalkeeping situation is interesting. Veteran Jon Busch won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors for his play in 2008, and the Fire also still have the rights to goalkeeper Dominic Cervi, whom they selected in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Cervi did not reach agreement on a contract with MLS and recently trained with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

The Fire also still own the league rights to Matt Pickens, their 2007 starter who played with Queens' Park Rangers in England last year. The Fire also have Tyler Kettering and Nick Noble on their roster.

"No disrespect to anybody on our team, but if you find a good player available at the time of your pick and you feel the guy can help you, you get that player, even if you go into the draft thinking you don't need to improve at his position," Hamlett said.


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Off beaten path, Husidic makes name

You would be correct to think that the University of Illinois-Chicago, a school tucked in amid the bustling big city, is not a hotbed of soccer aficionados.

But Baggio Husidic, a junior midfielder from Bosnia, drew enough attention from (and to) the program to be selected as one of the 2009 Generation adidas class.

Husidic is one of nine players selected to the joint program between the shoe manufacturer and Major League Soccer to identify and cultivate the top domestic talent in the United States. All nine players are participating this weekend at the adidas MLS Player Combine and will be available for Thursday's MLS SuperDraft in St. Louis.

Three of the players on the Generation adidas list are from the national champion Maryland Terrapins. Husidic is not one of them. He is from a program that plays in the Horizon League, competing with the likes of Butler, Wright State, Loyola of Chicago and the University of Detroit.

The Flames went 38-13-17 during Husidic's three years at the school, captured two Horizon League titles and one Horizon League tournament title, reached as high as No. 4 in the national polls in 2007 and advanced to the elite eight in the NCAA tournament that year. The Flames were ranked in the top 10 at some point in each of Husidic's tenure.

Despite the team's success, the UIC Flames soccer team flies under the campus radar.

"That's the funny thing," Husidic said. "One day we were out passing out flyers promoting our game, and 80 percent of the students I met didn't even know we had a soccer team. I would say 'Yeah, we have a soccer team' and they would say 'Is it Division II or III?'

"I would say 'No, it's Division I.' It is not that popular, but I would say over the last two or three years we have 200 percent more students coming to our games."

Baggio scored nine goals and added six assists in 2008 and was named to the NSCAA first team All-America squad.

Husidic, who was born in Bosnia and escaped the warn-torn country with his family to Germany at the age of eight, came to the United States when he was 12 and started playing club soccer soon thereafter. He grew up in Libertyville, Ill., a northwestern suburb of Chicago.

The Generation adidas opportunity, which includes educational grants and a regular stipend, was a dream that became a rumor that grew into a reality for Husidic.

"At the beginning of the season there were rumors that Generation adidas was interested, but then it died down," Husidic said. "Once the season started to come to an end, people started talking about it again.

"Professionally, it is a two-year guarantee, and it is pretty good financially, so I don't have to worry about getting a job right now," Husidic said. "This is an opportunity to develop my skills so that I can stay in the league. And I will be able to finish my college degree over the Internet."

Husidic also said the Generation adidas deal will keep him at home rather than go to Europe, where the money for rookies is better than it is for most first-year players in MLS.

The combine is probably more important to Husidic than it is to the other Generation adidas players who come in with more attention attached to them. Husidic had a good showing in Saturday's first game of the Combine, where he guided the adidas Tiro team's attack to good effect from the center of the park over the second half, despite being able to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

"There are still some coaches who have just heard of me but have not seen me play," Husidic said. "I think it will be to my benefit to play well so they can see what kind of player I am. It is definitely an opportunity to showcase myself to coaches who have not seen me."

Husidic also said he had a wish list of prospective MLS clubs to play for.

"If I had a pick to go anywhere, I would want to play for the Fire," Husidic said. "That is where my friends and family are at. But other than that, I would love to go to a warm-weather team."


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Fire search for diamond in rough

Combine notes: Time for Cronin?

FORT LAUDERDALE -- In a sea of players who occasionally look nervous as the fate of their professional futures hangs in the balance, Wake Forest midfielder Sam Cronin stands out.

It's one of the few times Cronin is supposed to stand out. As a holding midfielder, Cronin's tidy passing and adept positioning aren't supposed to draw attention from the casual observer. Even with the added pressure of the adidas MLS Player Combine, Cronin hasn't tried to change his game or his mentality.

"I'm just trying to show that I am a reliable player that has a little bit of ability and that can help a team next year," Cronin said.

Coaches and technical directors seem to agree that Cronin has what it takes to make it in MLS. Rumors continue to circulate about teams trading up in the draft to take Cronin in the upper reaches of the first round. In a year where many players are raw talents rather than finished products, Cronin's polish makes him an attractive candidate.

"I think I have the ability to make an immediate impact if I'm given that opportunity," Cronin said. "At this point, I'm just ready to join a team and help them win games. I'll work as hard as I can whether I'm coming off the bench, whether I'm a starter or whether I don't get a minute all year. I just want to be a good player and help the team in any way that I can."

That professional mentality is a common thread amongst Demon Deacon graduates. Prominent former Wake Forest players like William Hesmer, Brian Carroll, Scott Sealy and Michael Parkhurst have made their mark on MLS in recent years. Cronin credits Wake head coach Jay Vidovich for cultivating a program that consistently churns out MLS players.

"It all starts with the setup of the whole program with Jay Vidovich," Cronin said. "He know what it takes. He's coached a lot of good players. He knows the professional atmosphere that a college program needs to have. He's done a great job of nurturing all of the players that are coming out of there. Everyone's developed over the three or four years. The constant work you put in helps you develop and gets you ready for the next level."

Cronin isn't the only Wake product with a chance to go in Thursday's SuperDraft. Defenders Lyle Adams and Evan Brown are alongside Cronin and fellow midfielder Michael Lahoud at the Player Combine, while M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner Marcus Tracy might merit a third- or fourth-round selection after signing with Danish club Aalborg.

Given the professional approach at Wake and the difficult schedule the Demon Deacons face each year, Cronin said players face constant challenges that help prepare them for the next level.

"In training, we have some of the best players in the country in my opinion," Cronin said. "On the training field, you get competition, but you also play in the ACC, which is the best conference in the country in my opinion. You're getting tested at Wake, that's for sure."

After passing those tests, Cronin will face new challenges this season in MLS. With all of the speculation swirling around his draft status, Cronin's first challenge is keeping focused and performing well on the field to leave a good impression.

"I've definitely talked to my coaches a little bit (about the speculation)," Cronin said. "Coach Vidovich let me know that the most important thing to do here is work as hard as you can and as best you can. That's all I'm focused on doing. I'll worry about the rest of the stuff after."

Amarikwa makes a name for himself: UC Davis forward Quincy Amarikwa didn't think his performance at the first day of the Combine reflected his true abilities.

"The first day, I thought I was a little slow," Amarikwa said. "I didn't come out as strong as I'd like to have. I didn't think the flight would get to me as much as it did. I really wanted to shake that off and show what I showed today. I came in focused and wanting to prove myself."

The Bakersfield, Calif. native had to wait until the second half on Sunday for the chance to improve upon his opening day performance.

"I wanted to show my stuff," Amarikwa said. "There are a lot of good players out here. You just have to sit tight, wait your turn and hopefully take advantage of the opportunity once you get it. Luckily, it fell my way (Sunday) afternoon."

Two goals set the Big West Offensive Player of the Year (15 goals, one assist) apart from the pack on day two. While the statistics were impressive, the manner in which he scored the first goal likely opened some eyes. Amarikwa collected the ball on the left edge of the penalty area before snaking through the adiPure defense and guiding his effort home.

"I just saw the ball and it looked like the defender was a little bit out of position," Amarikwa said. "I just ran after it, tried to get there and tried to make something happen. You don't plan anything like that. It just falls into place in the act. I was just reacting."

Amarikwa hopes he'll have a chance to react on Thursday after a MLS team selects him in the SuperDraft.

"I feel like I got my foot in the door," Amarikwa said. "I don't want to speak too soon. There's still a long process and there's a lot of good competition. Hopefully, I can build from here."

A day of rest: Monday was as an off-day at the Combine. After two stressful days, the players get a chance to recharge their batteries without any games on tap. Aside from team meetings and other administrative tasks, the players mostly had the day to themselves. With one last set of games on Tuesday morning, the light day will come in handy as the hopefuls try to shine in their last chance to impress coaches and technical directors ahead of Thursday's SuperDraft.

Around the Combine

• Generation adidas duo Omar Gonzalez and Rodney Wallace flew back to Maryland on Sunday night so they could attend classes in the hopes of finishing up academic commitments prior to the opening of training camps.
• Brown defender Rhett Bernstein missed both games over the weekend after pulling a hamstring in Friday's training session.


Combine notes: Marosevic standing out
Combine notes: First-day jitters
Lotina Recognises Sevilla ‘Need’ Ahead Of Copa Del Rey Clash

Guadalajara take '09 InterLiga crown

CARSON, Calif. -- It took another penalty shootout to determine the second InterLiga champion Sunday at a sold out Home Depot Center.

And this time, it was perennial powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara beating Morelia 4-2 in penalty kicks after drawing 1-1 in regulation in the nightcap of an InterLiga final doubleheader.

Chivas goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel blocked Hugo Droguett's penalty kick to end the match and helped give his team the second allotted slot for Mexican teams to the South American club tournament Copa Libertadores.

Guadalajara will compete in Group 6, which includes Lanus (Argentina), Everton (Chile) and Caracas (Venezuela).

F.C. Pachuca beat Atlas in a lengthy penalty kick shootout in the early InterLiga final. With that win, Pachuca earned a slot in a home-and-away play-in series against La Universidad de Chile on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4.

Pachuca goalkeeper Miguel Calero was the hero in the early match, stopping three penalty kicks. Likewise, Michel made the difference for Guadalajara.

"Por-te-ro, por-te-ro," meaning "goalie, goalie," where the chants that came from the stands as Michel made his way onto a makeshift stage at midfield to join his teammates to receive the InterLiga championship trophy.

Michel caught a break when Morelia missed its first penalty shot. Wilson Tiago sent a wild shot into the stands. That and Droguett's miss were the difference.

But Chivas can also thank substitute Marco Fabian, who tied the game in the 66th minute with a one-timer blast from about 25 yards out into the back of Morelia goalkeeper Moises Munoz' net.

Fabian timed a floating ball falling to his right foot, bending it in for the score. A Morelia defender tried to clear a previous centered pass into the penalty area with a header only to send it in Fabian's direction.

"When you're on the bench, you always wish to come in and score a goal," Fabian said. "I am just glad I was able to help my team tie the game. It's a goal that I will cherish. It's definitely one of the more difficult ones I've scored."

Morelia, who finished with 10 men, took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute thanks to a Chivas own goal. Carlos Ochoa headed a Droguett corner kick into his own net as he tried to clear the area. Monarcas defender Fernando Salazar was ejected in the 67th minute after being shown double yellow cards.

The own goal quieted the mostly pro-Chivas crowd. It also prompted some of those fans to send projectiles onto the field. A plastic beer bottle hit Morelia midfielder Tiago in the back of the head.

Tiago exited the game briefly and returned to action just in time to see Fabian's game-tying goal.

The crowd clad in Chivas signature red and white stripes erupted in cheers again when Wilson missed his penalty kick. But perhaps the loudest cheers came when Michel blocked Droguett's shot from the penalty slot.


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Swiss import Frei ready to make mark

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Thank Silicon Valley for paving University of California goalkeeper Stefan Frei's path to MLS.

Frei was just another teenager playing football in Switzerland before his father, Erwin, got a new job in the Bay Area and moved the family from central Europe to the West Coast. At the time, it probably wasn't the best move for Stefan. The young keeper had already turned heads in his native country and earned a call-up to the under-15 Swiss national team.

Instead of winding his way through Swiss youth system, Frei transformed into a 15-year-old freshman at storied De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. After completing a stellar high school career that included one All-America selection and a host of local honors, Frei followed in the footsteps of his brother Michael and started his college career at nearby Cal.

"I decided to go to Cal-Berkeley because it was close and I knew the 'keeper coach there," Frei explained.

The geographical proximity and the program's patience further developed Frei's talent. Frei eased into college life by redshirting in 2005 before playing in six contests in 2006. Frei's arrival on the national scene came in 2007. Frei posted nine shutouts in 20 games as the Golden Bears claimed the Pac-10 title. For his efforts, Frei earned a nod to the NSCAA All-America team.

"We had a pretty good team," Frei said. "I thought our coach (Kevin Grimes) focused on defense, especially those little details. He worked hard to make it easier for me and the defense."

Instant success raised important questions regarding Frei's future. Whispers surrounded a possible inclusion in the Generation adidas class or a possible European move. Once Grimes asked him to come back and assume more of a leadership role, Frei decided to return for his junior year with Cal.

"Last year, I was in the same boat and I decided to stay because I was going to be a captain," Frei said. "That helped me tremendously because it gave me experience about how to lead and how to organize a team."

Junior year brought a third-round berth in the NCAA tournament for Cal and an all-region selection for Frei. Eight more regular season shutouts showed Frei hadn't let the previous season's success get to his head.

With two solid seasons behind him and professional interest climbing, Frei made the decision to turn pro and signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS.

"With the timing, everything just fit," Frei said. "The Generation adidas contract was perfect and it was a year where maybe goalkeepers were a little bit needed. I felt ready and I felt good to go. I felt comfortable and confident to go. That's why I decided to go to MLS."

A Swiss passport makes Frei attractive to European teams, but Frei was enticed by the chance to start his career in the United States and challenge for a starting berth from day one.

"As a goalkeeper, I think you can possibly have a longer career abroad," he said. "I think it's all about experience at this point. I think MLS would be a very good opportunity for me to get some experience. That's why I decided to stay here."

That experience has started at the adidas MLS Player Combine. Frei hasn't had any challengers to his place in his Combine team because there are no other goalkeepers on his team. The additional game time has given him the chance to adjust to the defenders, organize his back line and impress MLS coaches and technical directors.

"One of my strengths is that I talk a lot to my back four," Frei said. "Because of that, I don't get many shots."

Multiple teams could use a 'keeper like Frei, whether in the short or long term, but the Swiss shot-stopper isn't worried about where he's headed from here. In his mind, it's time to enjoy the Combine, get past the hype and start his professional career.

"There are so many speculations and so many mock drafts," Frei said. "I just want to play and get the experience. I'm honored that I can be a part of this."


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Combine notes: Marosevic standing out

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- When you're fighting with 60 other players to earn the favor of discerning coaches and player personnel directors, standing out from the crowd is a good thing.

After vaulting into a tie for the scoring lead by notching his second goal in as many games on Sunday, University of Michigan and Generation adidas striker Peri Marosevic certainly has improved his stock.

"Being able to score two goals in two games feels pretty good," Marosevic said. "Any time I step on the field, that's what I aim for. It's a good start with two goals in two games. Hopefully, I'll score another one in the next game."

Marosevic's compact frame has given defenders fits all weekend. His squat physique has elicited comparisons to Columbus Crew striker Alejandro Moreno -- comparisons that Marosevic calls "an honor" -- but the Michigan striker thinks he's best using his quickness to exploit spaces in behind the defense rather than operating in a traditional target role.

"I just like to get the ball to my feet and go at defenders," Marosevic said. "My movement is what gets me into the attack. Like today's goal, I just tried to get in behind the defenders and my movement opened up my teammates as well. With my body size and my low center of gravity, it helps me out in keeping the ball."

The goals might or might not impact how high Marosevic will go in Thursday's SuperDraft, but he said that he won't let the uncertainty quell the excitement of starting his professional career.

"We're all nervous about where we are heading," Marosevic said. "I'm excited about the draft. I'm excited about where I'll end up. There will always be that little nerve that you have, but I'll be excited to sit down on draft day. Hopefully, my name will be called higher than lower."

adiTunit, adidas Tiro split the honors: Two first-half goals ensured adiTunit and adidas Tiro shared the spoils after an even affair to open the second day of play at the adidas MLS Player Combine. Peri Marosevic scored his second goal in two days after 19 minutes, but Nick Perera's 31st-minute equalizer gave each team a point. Marosevic capped off a sweeping move in the 19th minute. Liberty midfielder Josh Boateng poked the ball away from Indiana's Kevin Alston at midfield and surged down the left wing. Marosevic's run caught the defense flat footed and he slotted home Boateng's feed past Loyola-Chicago goalkeeper Milos Kocic to give adiTunit the lead.

Adidas Tiro engineered a swift response. Redlands University striker Ross Schenck started the buildup with a clipped ball inside the penalty area to Ryan Maxwell. The Tampa winger used his pace to get in behind the defense, but Cal 'keeper Stefan Frei pushed away the attempt. The rebound fell to UC Santa Barbara striker Ross Perera, who calmly tucked away the loose ball to level the score line.

Late Amarikwa double earns PowerSwerve victory: Second-half substitute Quincy Amarikwa joined Marosevic on two goals after scoring in the 76th and 87th minutes to give PowerSwerve a 2-0 victory in the nightcap.

AdiPure had the play for most of the contest, but couldn't engineer the breakthrough. Florida International's Juan Guerra almost found it in the 73rd minute after a low rebound deflected into his path, but his deflected effort rang the underside of the crossbar before it was hacked off the line.

Amarikwa made adiPure pay for squandering possession by spectacularly opening the scoring three minutes later. A dynamic run down the left wing saw Amarikwa cut past three defenders and head towards goal. His first attempt at goal was charged down, but his second squirted past St. John's goalkeeper Neal Kitson.

The UC Davis striker tallied his second three minutes from time. Wake Forest midfielder Sam Cronin flighted in a corner kick that caused havoc in the adiPure penalty area. Amarikwa was right on the spot to bundle home his second goal of the day and seal all three points for PowerSwerve.


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Combine notes: First-day jitters
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Underdog Morelia enters final on high

CARSON, Calif. -- When asked to describe Morelia's performance in InterLiga Group A play, Hugo Droguett needed two words.

Unexpected. Satisfying.

Those are the phrases the Monarcas' Chilean-born striker used to describe Morelia's surge and suddenly lively brand of soccer in the late stages of group play.

Unexpected, because Morelia was not the favorite from Group A to be in the night cap of Sunday's InterLiga finals doubleheader at The Home Depot Center. The Monarcas will face perennial powerhouse CD Guadalajara. Atlas and Pachuca face off in the early final. At stake are a pair of passes to South America's prestigious club tournament, Copa Libertadores, which begins next month.

Morelia placed second in their group with four points while Chivas finished first in Group B with seven points.

"We knew we were in a bad situation," Droguett said. "It was a collective effort that came when it was needed most."

Morelia reached the final by stunning Pachuca 3-0 in their final group match Thursday. Pachuca had already qualified for one of the finals but was still favored to win the game.

The outcome, which put the Monarcas in the InterLiga finals for just the second time, was not only satisfying, but it brought redemption.

Morelia thought the touranment was over following a 1-0 loss to UAG Tecos on Jan. 5 in Houston that deflated the team.

The goal of that match came in controversial fashion. Tecos' Diego Jiminez scored for his team on a play that involved a seemingly injured Morelia player on the field and the Monarcas calling for play to be stopped.

Tecos refused to play the ball out to stop play. Instead, Adrian Cortes sent a crossing pass to the far post finding Jimenez who sent it in via a header. Morelia proceeded to accuse Tecos of not abiding and honoring to the unwritten fair play code.

"Justice was made," Droguett said. "We thought we were eliminated by an illegitimate goal. Fair play is used all over the world and (Tecos) didn't. But that's all moot now."

What matters now is what's at hand for coach Luis Fernando Tena's squad.

The Monarcas will face a Chivas team that is coming off back-to-back impressive wins. Chivas beat Tigres 4-2 Friday in both teams' final group match and topped Atlas 3-1 on Jan. 6 in Dallas. Guadalajara opened up InterLiga play with a 1-1 draw against rival Club America in the tournament's version of the Superclasico.

Droguett and Morelia probably wouldn't call their current run a classic performance but it will suffice -- for now.


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Pachuca, Morelia close group play

Combine notes: First-day jitters

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Even players like University of Maryland midfielder and Generation adidas selection Jeremy Hall felt the first-day jitters Saturday at the adidas MLS Player Combine.

"Everyone comes out nervous," Hall said. "Everybody's trying to make a team. We want to show the coaches that we can fit on a roster. Hopefully, the next two days will settle down a bit."

With a Generation adidas contract in hand, Hall has a little bit less to worry about than most draft picks. That deal ensures Hall will play somewhere in the league next year.

"It was a tough decision, but with Generation adidas, it was a good opportunity for me with the roster spots being cut down," Hall said. "I had a good year last year, but I want to challenge myself and take it to the next level. It was a good opportunity for me to take."

The former U.S. U-17 international didn't have much left to prove for the Terrapins after winning a national championship in 2007 and scoring 14 goals in 26 games this season while being named First Team All-ACC.

Despite the goalscoring exploits, Hall might project more as a wide midfielder on the professional level and played on the right hand of midfield for adiPure in its opening match.

"I haven't talked to any teams about it," Hall said. "I'm just trying to go out there and play."

Pontius and Marosevic give PowerSwerve victory: Chris Pontius and Peri Marosevic scored in the first half to give PowerSwerve a 2-0 victory over adiTunit in the first match of the day.

After an even first 20 minutes, Pontius gave PowerSwerve the lead without warning after the ball fell to the UC-Santa Barbara striker on the edge of the penalty area. Pontius collected and thrashed home into the upper left corner, leaving Akron goalkeeper Evan Bush with no chance.

Marosevic doubled the lead two minutes before halftime after adiTunit failed to clear. As the ball bounced around in the penalty area, the University of Michigan and Generation adidas striker eluded his marker and poked home the loose ball from close range to double the lead heading into the break.

Adituit head coach Caleb Porter sent on Steve Zakuani (Akron) and Omar Gonzalez (Maryland) in the second half to try to help his side grab a foothold in the game, but PowerSwerve held out to ensure victory.

Seabrook tally enough to ensure adiPure win: University of South Florida striker Jordan Seabrook finished a tidy move in the 28th minute to give adiPure a 1-0 win over adidas Tiro in the second game of the day.

Adidas Tiro started the more assured of the two teams and heaped most of the pressure on adiPure. With Wake Forest midfielder Michael Lahoud and University of Illinois-Chicago standout Baggio Husidic pulling the strings in midfield, adidas Tiro kept more of the possession and used the wide players to good effect.

But adiPure scored against the run of play in a rare venture forward. UNC-Greensboro midfielder Jokul Elisbetarson stepped into vacant space on the edge of the adidas Tiro penalty area. Elisbetarson knocked a pass through for Seabrook to finish first-time past Albany goalkeeper Steward Ceus to give adiPure a lead it wouldn't reliquish.

Both teams made a host of chances during the second half, but adiPure held on for the opening day victory.


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Prospects hope to impress at combine

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- For three of the next four days, some of the top senior collegians and Generation adidas players will strut their stuff and showcase their skills at Lockhart Stadium, trying to impress MLS coaches, technical directors and general managers.

The annual adidas MLS Player Combine will be their final chance to make their pitch to these decision makers before U.S. pro soccer's version of judgment day -- the Jan. 15 MLS SuperDraft in St. Louis.

The best way for coaches, general managers and technical directors to tackle the combine? Do your homework.

"You have to have a plan," Kansas City Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said.

"There's not a ton of secrets," said San Jose Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. "The good players -- everyone knows about them.

"Most of the players you know. You've scouted them in college. I think now there's a lot more eyes looking at players. A lot of this generation has grown up with MLS."

So, the combine should not be an end all for all MLS teams, but another tool as to which players will fit in with the club and fill a hole.

"If you're making your decisions based on the combine, you're going to be in a lot of trouble," New York Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos said.

"What the combine does is confirm your suspicions of players of what you've been looking at. In some case, you might not have seen them before. If you've done your homework, you're going to the combine with the understanding of the maturity of the players, what they bring to the table."

Unlike the NFL and NBA, very few players are ready to step in and become starters, let alone impact players. Coaches and general managers realize this and have to be patient.

"Almost none of these players are the final product," Agoos said. "These are going to be players who probably will hopefully help you months or years down the road. There are very few players who can walk onto a team and be a starter."

Any prospect must answer the most basic of questions, according to Dominic Kinnear, coach of two-time MLS champion Houston Dynamo.

"Can this person play in MLS?" he asked. "A lot of people have a hard time adjusting and taking a jump from college to the pros."

MLS is more physical and faster than the college game. And it's season is longer. A typical college season lasts three months if a player is fortunate to reach the NCAA tournament. This year's MLS season will run eight months.

"A lot of technical players have a hard time adjusting to the league," Kinnear said. "It's not a kick-and-run league."

One team official in the league used the example of Ohio State forward Xavier Balc last year. He came in highly touted, but fell off everyone's radar. He wound up as Toronto FC's first-round pick in the supplemental draft and never played with the team.

"Everyone saw his lack of physical ability," the official said. "That's why he fell so hard."

Then there was the case of midfielder-defender Brek Shea of the U.S. under-17 national team. His performance at the 2008 combine boosted his worth. How much? He was selected second overall by FC Dallas.

"I thought the combine increased his stock because of his size (6-3, 180 lbs.) and ability on the ball," the official said. "It made people take notice of him."

But Doyle warned about anyone basing their player assessment just on the combine.

"To get too excited over a player at a combine is a mistake," he said. "It's the body of their work. They could have a good 3-4 days."

There's the flip side as well. "The guy can have a bad day," Kinnear said.

Indeed. Take, for instance, what happened to midfielder Roger Espinoza at last year's event.

"He didn't have the greatest combine," Onalfo said.

But that didn't deter the Wizards from drafting the one-time Ohio State standout 11th overall. "We knew he was a good player," Onalfo said.

Espinoza wound up playing in 22 games, starting 12 for K.C., scoring once and assisting on three goals.

And it's more than just what happens for three games on the field. Does a coach or technical director feel this particular player can fit in with the team and its system?

"You see their ability on the ball," Kinnear said. "You can see their versatility. When you stand on the field, you see some guy playing smaller than he is or taller than he is. The most important thing is the attitude."

Kinnear said that he looks for the little things.

"How a player reacts to the ball after it's turned over," he said. "Do they take three seconds to react? Do they stand and wait? Do they take part in defending? Defenders -- do they see guys who can communicate because they see so much on the field."

Many of the combine goalkeepers haven't been tested enough during the college season. Kinnear looks for the little things, such as distribution.

"You go to a college game and you're watching a goalkeeper playing for a top team," he said. "You don't see too much of him. He's rarely having to touch the ball. That's why his stats are 0.52 [goals against average]. You hope to see him in more action [at the combine]."

The combine also is a great opportunity to get to know the prospects a little better. And if possible, teams want to avoid headcases as much as possible.

"Nobody you talk to is going to say, 'Hey, I'm a real difficult guy," Seattle Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said with a laugh. "They're not going to do that in an interview. They're going to put on their best front."

But that won't stop Schmid or any of his coaching colleagues in trying to find out about a particular prospect at the Yankee Clipper hotel, the combine's headquarters.

"You see them a little more extensively than if you just see them for a college game," he said. "So that give you a little more insight into their personality and character, which is an important ingredient."

Agoos agreed and elaborated.

"You've got to have a good attitude on what it takes to be a good team player," he said, "going from being a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a big pond. ... It's a huge adjustment."

Most MLS teams will look for players to fill to add depth and fill in the gaps to their teams. Seattle Sounders FC, an expansion team, faces a different philosophy.

"When you're an established team ... you're a little more specific a lot of times in your needs," said Schmid, who directed the Columbus Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup crown. "So you're able to say, 'Hey, we really need to supplement ourselves at left back.'

"For example at the Columbus Crew last year we really needed to get cover in case Chad Marshall had another concussion or had another headache. That's why Andy Iro became an important player for us."

The Crew drafted Iro, a defender, out of the University of California-Santa Barbara in 2008.

"As an expansion team, you haven't seen your team play together," Schmid said. "So you haven't seen how its going to gel. You're not sure yet on how that whole mix is going to work. You're looking more general. You're looking maybe a little bit more for the best player whereas with an established team you're looking for a good player who might fill a specific need. Who can make the quickest impact? Who can step on the field right away for me?"

Last year the Earthquakes, an expansion team trying to fill slots. This year they want to solidify themselves in several areas.

But if the Quakes ever have a problem, Doyle realizes it could be as simple as going back to basics.

"One -- they have to be physically good for soccer," he said. "They have to be good mentally. They have to be good technically. Tactically they have to understand the game.

"You can always revert back to them."


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CD Guadalajara round out final field

Facing a Tigres side that needed to win by a three-goal margin to cause an upset, Chivas de Guadalajara showed little respect for their opponent as they lit up the Home Depot Center scoreboard four times and cruised to a 4-2 victory, advancing to the InterLiga Finals on top of Group B with seven points.

With Friday night's impressive showing, coach Efrain Flores and company will enter Sunday's final against Morelia (2nd place, Group A) as favorites to earn a spot in the upcoming Copa Libertadores tournament.

Practically running on autopilot, Chivas nonetheless outplayed and outclassed their rival from start to finish, giving the local crowd, dressed primarily in red and white, a reason to celebrate practically from the get-go, as forward Carlos Ochoa's header broke the ice in the 4th minute.

Not to be outdone, Sergio Бvila joined in on the action 19 minutes later with a shot towards the far post that put things 2-0 in favor of the Mexican "goats".

At this point, Tigres was playing for pride more than anything else, although they somehow made a game of it, albeit temporary, thanks to Lucas Ayala's ball wizardry and cool finishing in front of goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel in the 34th minute.

However, any possibility of a comeback was put to rest shortly before halftime when Alberto Medina put Chivas on the scoreboard for the third time.

MLS fans saw a familiar face on the field when Chivas USA original Francisco Mendoza entered as a second half substitute under a thunderous applause.

Ocha added his second talley and Chivas' final goal in the 63rd minute after once again sailing the ball past the outstretched arms of Oscar Perez. Later on, Medina also flirted with the brace, although he was denied by the linesman, who called on offside shortly after he beat the keeper.

Tigres let their frustration get the better of them in the 71st minute, when Jose Antonio "Gringo" Castro cut down an opposing run down the left flank with a brutal tackle that earned him a red card and an early trip to the showers.

With one minute remaing, Ariel Bogado took advantage of Chivas' lackadaisical defending and managed to make the final score a more respectable 4-2.

Strong bids for Soccer Hall glory

It has become the rite of every winter -- the National Soccer Hall of Fame selection ballot.

Who deserves to go in? Who doesn't deserve the honor?

It is a task many soccer writers take seriously. Everyone has his or her own criteria of who belongs in a sports hall of fame. It should be someone who dominated his or her position. Of course, soccer becomes a bit more complicated than baseball or football because there is the international angle as well.

Unfortunately, after last year when no one got in, you have to wonder if everyone takes it seriously because there were a number of players who should have been locks, including former U.S. women's national team defender Joy Fawcett, Preki and Jeff Agoos, among others.

The Hall's board of directors in August lowered the minimum percentage of the vote needed for election from 75 percent to 66.6 percent. The change in the vote was in reaction to that election, when no recently retired players making the 75 percent threshold. Fawcett and Preki would have been elected under the new format.

The list has been pared down to 25 as a number of former players are gone. At this point, the votes all are in -- the selection committee comprised of all present and former coaches of the U.S. men's and women's full national teams; all active MLS coaches with a minimum of four years as head coach; MLS management representatives; MLS commissioner; U.S. Soccer secretary general; designated members of the media; and all Hall of Famers had from Nov. 3 to Dec. 3 to submit up to 10 selections on the player ballot.

The inductees will be announced at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in St. Louis on Jan. 15. The announcement will be broadcast live as part of Fox Soccer Channel's Center Circle Live show from the convention (8 p.m. ET). The induction will be held in Oneonta, N.Y. on induction weekend July 31-Aug. 2.

A look at the candidates for election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame:

THE PLAYERS

Hall worthy These players can be considered leading contenders and it wouldn't be surprising if any of them were elected.

• Jeff Agoos. He played in the back (central defender or on the left side) for D.C. United, San Jose Earthquakes and the MetroStars (244 regular-season games, 39 postseason), winning a record five MLS championship rings (three for D.C. two for SJ). The current Red Bulls sporting director made 134 international appearances, while playing in the 2002 World Cup. He also performed at the 2000 Olympics.

• Joy Fawcett. In the excitement of Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy being elected in 2007, Fawcett somehow missed out on reaching the Hall on her first appearance on the ballot. As a defensive cornerstone along with Hall of Famer Carla Overbeck on those great U.S. women's national teams, Fawcett was key member of two world championship sides (1991 and 1999) and two Olympic gold medal teams (1996 and 2004), never finishing out of the medal round in six overall appearances. Literally a "soccer mom" while in her prime with the team, Fawcett performed in 239 international matches.

• Preki. Now this is a rarity, someone who has won MVP honors in three separate soccer leagues. Well before he earned two MLS scoring titles and league MVP and playing for the U.S. in the 1998 World Cup (28 international appearances), the current Chivas USA coach starred in the original Major Indoor Soccer League (MVP in 1989) and Continental Indoor Soccer League (MVP in 1995). His MLS accomplishments are not too shabby, either. That includes four all-star selections, a member of the 2000 MLS Cup champions. Preki collected 79 goals and 112 assists in 242 matches, winning the MLS scoring title in 1997 and 2003 (as a 40-year-old). He also played three seasons in England and two in the Yugoslavian first division.

• Earnie Stewart. He played but two years in MLS, but he played an integral role in D.C. United's 2004 MLS championship. Moreover, he was a key performer in World Cup qualifiers (30 over three tournaments) and World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002) for the U.S. He wore the red, white and blue 101 times and played 16 seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie.

• Robin Fraser. One of MLS's early stars, Fraser earned Best XI honors in four of the first five years for the Los Angeles Galaxy, missing out in 1997. He also was named the league's defender of the year in 1999. Fraser also was an American Professional Soccer League (A-League) all-star for four consecutive years. He played for the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew, earning defender of the year honors and his fifth Best XI designation in 2004. He performed in 260 regular-season matches and another 30 in the playoffs.

The four amigos These four outstanding midfielders stood out in their own way and were key players on their teams during the MLS early days. But if you vote for one, do you have to vote for all of them?

• Marco Etcheverry. The former Bolivian international was the kingpin of D.C. United's attack, helping the team to three MLS Cup championships (1996, 1997 and 1999). A perennial member of the MLS Best XI and a member of the league's all-time team, the man nicknamed "El Diablo" finished his career in 2003 with 34 goals and 101 assists in 191 regular-season games.

• Mauricio Cienfuegos. He played all of his eight MLS seasons with the Galaxy, helping the team to the 2002 MLS Cup, his final season. The former El Salvador international's playmaking ability allowed him to be elected to the MLS Best XI three times and to play in seven all-star games. Cienfuegos collected 35 goals and set up 78 others in 206 MLS regular-season games.

• Peter Nowak. The current U.S. under-23 national team coach was a major reason why the Chicago Fire were in the middle of things from 1998-2002. A one-time Bundesliga star in Germany and Polish international, Nowak earned MLS MVP honors with the championship Fire in the team's 1998 expansion season. He also was named to the league's all-time Best XI and guided D.C. United to the 2004 MLS title, the only player-coach to do so in league history.

• Carlos Valderrama. If they had a hair hall of fame, Valderrama would be a first-ballot selection. His stats with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids weren't too shabby either, thanks to his vision and uncanny ability to put a pass on target -- 16 goals and 114 assists while being named to the MLS all-time Best XI. The only mark against the former Colombian international's MLS career is that he never won a title.

On the bubble In other years, they might have a chance, but it could be difficult for these former MLS or U.S. internationals to get the necessary votes.

• Raul Diaz Arce. A great scoring machine, mostly for D.C. United, but also for New England, San Jose, Tampa Bay and Colorado. A member of United's 1996 and 1997 MLS championship sides, Diaz Arce connected for 82 goals in 150 regular-season matches.

• Thomas Dooley. It would be