Five-a-side: What's hot around MLS

MLSnet.com columnist Steve Davis takes a look at some of the hot topics around MLS, including how this year's reduced roster size is forcing many clubs to make tough decisions


Wigan still keen on winger
Five-a-side: What’s hot in MLS

Buddle sharp in Galaxy win over Oita

The Los Angeles Galaxy's Edson Buddle has been insisting throughout training camp that his troublesome Achilles tendons have been feeling better, and he proved it in the nightcap of Wednesday's Pan-Pacific Championship against Japan's Oita Trinita.


Galaxy look to continue strong play
Beckham Will Go Back To Los Angeles Galaxy - Cantamessa

MLS Abroad: Guzan getting run

One of the many things any young soccer player has to work at when making the jump to a top-flight European team, no matter where he is from, is patience.


Bradley names eight MLS players to US roster
Karim Benzema Ready To Stay With Lyon

FC Dallas head to Brazil for training

FC Dallas hit the road again for the next portion of their 2009 preseason, heading to Brazil on Wednesday, where they will train for the next 10 days and play three games before returning to Frisco on March 7.


Luis Fabiano Leaves Sevilla For Brazil For Knee Rehabilitation
Rafa Benitez Hails Returning Liverpool Stars
Dynamo face Dallas in preseason opener

Hyndman sees more accountability

Before FC Dallas left the Lone Star State for a weeklong trip to Florida, several players stated that a big goal of the trip was to develop stronger team chemistry.


Pieces falling in place for Hoops
Hoops’ Hyndman wants more scoring
Capello Satisfied With Spain Test
Capello: Spain Are The Best National Team At The Moment

Galaxy's Klein looks to take charge

The Los Angeles Galaxy's Chris Klein is looking to take charge this season, whether it's lending his expertise on the field or showing the team's new personnel around training camp.


Galaxy look to continue strong play
Resino Takes Charge Of First Training Session At Atlético Madrid

Draw toughens Dynamo task in Mexico

A night that began with so much fanfare and promise turned sour in the waning moments as an 82nd-minute goal by Gabriel Pereyra forced a 1-1 tie for Atlante just six months after the team was handed a 4-0 defeat by the Dynamo in last year's SuperLiga competition.


Barcelona Can Win The Copa Del Rey - Henry
Valencia Did Not Deserve To Lose Against Osasuna - Emery
Dynamo focusing on task at hand

Galaxy look to continue strong play

Chris Klein and the LA Galaxy hope to duplicate their effort in a 2-0 win over Oita Trinita when the club takes the field against Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC in the final of the Pan-Pacific Championship on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.


Valencia Players Not Worried About Late Pay – Vicente
Bluewings advance to final with win
Beckham Will Go Back To Los Angeles Galaxy - Cantamessa

Learning curve steep for D.C. rookies

Some have arrived bearing international resumes, high expectations and guaranteed contracts. Others are unheralded trialists just trying to snag a precious roster spot.


FIFA Ranking - Tunisia Drop Eight Places
Mood buoyant as RSL head to camp

Buddle leads Galaxy into Pan-Pacific final

If the personnel that took the field for the Los Angeles Galaxy's first official preseason match Wednesday was a glimpse of what's to come -- missing David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Donovan Ricketts -- then coach Bruce Arena and team followers might not have much to worry about.


Galaxy get bigger, stronger — better?
Beckham Will Go Back To Los Angeles Galaxy - Cantamessa

2009 MLS Direct Kick Package unveiled

Major League Soccer's Direct Kick television package is again available for $79, providing fans the opportunity to watch more than 130 MLS regular season matches and select playoff games during the 2009 season.


Spirits high as Chivas USA camp opens
Preseason roundup: Fire, Real beat USL clubs
La Liga Preview: Valencia - Malaga

Gazidis adjusts to life after MLS

MLSnet.com's Dylan Butler caught up with former MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis, now the chief executive of Premier League club Arsenal FC.


With no deal, Beckham set to return
Five-a-side: What’s hot around MLS
Predrag Mijatovic Seething At Real Madrid’s Faubert Purchase
Xabi Alonso Backs Benitez In Liverpool ‘Tug Of War’

Leiweke: Milan claims are 'nonsense'

The David Beckham-to-AC Milan saga has taken another twist as Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that claims made by Milan vice president Adriano Galliani on Thursday that a deal was close to being made were "nonsense."

"Two weeks ago Milan made a ridiculous offer that took me just a few seconds to reject," Leiweke told the Italian newspaper. "With this figure Galaxy wouldn't even be able to cover the loss in revenue from shirt sales. Since then I haven't heard a thing and no meeting has been set up."

There were claims in the Italian press during the week that a Milan delegation were set to travel to the United States to hammer out a deal to sell Beckham to AC Milan, which currently have the England international on a loan deal until March 9.

"In the past few hours we have taken steps forward," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday. "I am optimistic, not pessimistic. Can the deal be completed next week? We shall see."

That's not the case, according to Leiweke.

"I've decided to speak out because I've read too many inaccuracies," Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport . "After that ridiculous offer we've had no more contact from Milan."

Beckham has stated publicly his desire to remain with the Serie A giants and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Feb. 13 for a deal to be made. But the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.

"If Milan are so determined to buy him, why are they dragging this out for so long?" Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport . "If they think they'll get him on the cheap that way, they're wrong."


Arena: Beckham won’t be distraction
Beckham Will Go Back To Los Angeles Galaxy - Cantamessa
With no deal, Beckham set to return

Bluewings advance to final with win

CARSON, Calif. -- It wasn't quite the goalfest some were perhaps expecting to open the 2009 version of the Pan-Pacific Championship, but Suwon Samsung Bluewings will take the result.

The reigning K-League champion beat Chinese club Shandong Luneng Taishan FC 1-0 Wednesday in the first game of the event at The Home Depot Center.

After 80 minutes of play that featured few scoring opportunities and little excitement on the pitch, Bluewings forward Cho Yong-Tae found the back of the net in the 81st minute to break the scoreless tie.

Cho's score not only gave the South Korean club the win but helped clinch a spot in Saturday's title match against either Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy or J-League champion Oita Trinita.

Shandong will play the losing club in the third-place game.

In its second version, the Pan-Pacific serves as a preseason event for participating teams. Perhaps that is why the Suwon-Shandong affair Wednesday lacked action early on.

The game's only score came when Cho sent a soft rolling shot into an empty net. Shandong goalkeeper Li Leilei was left kicking air when he attempted a sliding tackle on Bluewings defender Lee Kwan-Woo just outside the penalty area.

Lee leaped over Leilei then sent a short rolling pass to Cho, completing a counter attack fueled by quick touch-and-go passes.

The Bluewings held momentum for most of the second half after coach Cha Bum-Kun went to his bench. He substituted Lee and Cho at the start the second half.

Suwon outshot Shandong 10-5 with most of those coming in the second half. Shandong survived a series of Bluewings shots late in the match, including a Cho blast from about 25 yards out in the 75th minute.

Lee could have had a second score if it wasn't for Li's left fist. He redirected Cho's shot with a punch, sending it to his left just wide of the post.

Wide right, wide left. That was the story for Shandong strikers early in the match.

Li Jinyu sent a header just wide of Bluewings left post in the 15th minute. That was the Chinese Super League champion's clearest attempt at goal before Li Jinyu sent another header wide left 12 minutes later.

Shandong would not create another play threatening the Bluewings' goal until Yong-Tae had his blast stopped by Leilei.

Shandong came into the Pan-Pacific opener after falling in three one-sided scrimmages, all against MLS teams. Shandong lost to Chivas USA 5-1, Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 and Real Salt Lake 8-0.


International clubs look to impress in PPC
Real Madrid Register Lassana Diarra For Champions League

James brings youth to Dynamo defense

HOUSTON, Texas -- When the Houston Dynamo announced in December that they were trading away perennial MVP candidate Dwayne DeRosario to Toronto FC for allocation money and rookie defender Julius James, some fans were left wondering if Houston had gotten enough in return.

It was no slight to James. DeRosario had become a fan favorite due to his flair and clutch play during previous MLS Cups and replacing him will be no small task for the Dynamo in 2009.

Still, the trade provided not only allocation money, but removed the Canadian midfielder's high salary from the books providing enough cap space for the team to re-sign defensive stalwart Bobby Boswell. The salary cap space remaining might also allow the team to bring in additional talent during the year, which might have otherwise been difficult.

In James though, there is no doubt the team acquired a promising young talent. After being selected ninth overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, he played in 13 games last year, starting 10 and scoring one goal.

A Trinidad and Tobago international, the 24-year-old James has already taken note of the differences between his new team and his former employer.

"It's amazing. It's unbelievable," he said. "It's a different team, a different caliber of players. The expectancy and pressure is a lot more, it's great."

For any young defender, playing alongside two of the best centerbacks in MLS in Bobby Boswell and Eddie Robinson is quite a learning experience.

"They basically take me under their wing, showing me ... the things the coaches like," he said. "Every time I step on the field and I come off, I learn something."

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear has been happy with James' progress.

"I think he is coming along OK. He and Bobby have formed a good little partnership in a short period of time. His athleticism obviously stands out," Kinnear said. "We are still in his ear for his positioning, his focus and concentration, but so far he has done very well for us."

This week, while every other MLS team is still in the thick of preseason training, James might be thrown directly into the fire. The Dynamo take on Mexico's Atlante FC in the first leg of their quarterfinal series in the CONCACAF Champions League, and with Eddie Robinson receiving a red card in Houston's last group match against CD Luis Angel Firpo, Kinnear will have to choose between starting the young defender, or rely on a more veteran presence such as Craig Waibel.

Even if he doesn't start, Kinnear believes that James will likely play some part on Tuesday night at Robertson Stadium.

"I am sure he will be on the field, we will see from the beginning or not," Kinnear said. "It's the way it is around here. A lot of guys have found their feet early in February instead of late in March."

James is looking forward to the opportunity as the Dynamo look to reach the semifinals in CONCACAF cup play for the third consecutive year -- a stage, however, they haven't been able to get past.

"We played against one or two Mexican teams in a friendly," James said. "It's a different look from MLS teams. They are a little more technical, less physical."

The young University of Connecticut product is happy to be in Houston and eager for Tuesday.

"I'm excited," he said. "It's a new team, new fans. I know the coaches have confidence in me, but I am going to be playing in front of the fans for the first time so I am excited. I am pumped."


Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves
Dynamo introduce 18-year-old striker
Beckham Disappointed After England Defeat; Coy On Milan Link
Dynamo dominate Hoops on flanks

United focus on defensive chemistry

WASHINGTON -- Playmaker Christian Gomez has returned to the D.C. United fold. Inspirational veteran Ben Olsen and his troubled left ankle are gradually easing back into the daily grind of team training sessions. A stable of young talent has been secured with new contracts.

As D.C. United's technical staff works its way through the 'to-do list' for its 2009 squad makeover, one pressing item remains a very open question, however: improving the stability and rigidity of a defense that ranked second-worst in Major League Soccer last season.

"We went from a year [2007] where we were in the top as far as allowing goals -- we were very good -- to a year where we were at the bottom," said head coach Tom Soehn in the early stages of preseason. "That came from several different areas, but that's something that we're going to pride ourselves on, to make sure we defend better as a team, from front to back, through the goal."

Even the club's most attacking-minded players are echoing those sentiments. On Gomez's first day back in United colors, Santino Quaranta took pains to put the Argentinean's arrival in perspective.

"When you got guys like him and Jaime [Moreno], Luchi [Luciano Emilio], our attack is going to be something else," said Quaranta, who presently tops the D.C. depth chart at right winger. "But we've seen before that we have to try to steady this defense first before we try to win games 4-3. We're trying to start from the back and go to the front."

As Soehn noted, the back four are certainly not the only ones responsible for defending in United's system, but that group is presently under the most scrutiny given its 2008 struggles, relative youth and dearth of high-profile new arrivals.

First-round SuperDraft pick (and Generation adidas member) Rodney Wallace offers ample potential along the left flank, and the club has shown its faith in Bryan Namoff, Marc Burch, Devon McTavish and Greg Janicki with new contracts. But Soehn and his staff continue to stoke competition among the current crop of defenders, especially in the center back slots, with trialists Kyle Veris and Mamadou Danso under evaluation amid a continuing hunt for potential veteran acquisitions.

However, those efforts hit a setback earlier this month when Roger, a well-traveled Brazilian capable of playing centrally or on the left, elected not to sign with the Black-and-Red after spending more than a week with the team.

"We're working on the guys we have, but potential signings, we're always going through the process," said Soehn last week.

In retrospect, last year's decision to bring in the talented but unfamiliar South American duo of Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez backfired considerably, leading to a greater focus on chemistry and cohesiveness this time around.

"Last year our organization, defensively, was a disaster. No one ever really seemed to be on the same page and I think from day one this year we need to start working on that, because obviously if you let in goals it's tough to win games," said McTavish, a utility player who spent most of his time at center back down the stretch last season.

"We have good one-on-one defenders, we have good people who read the game well -- as long as we can get everyone on the same page and defending as a unit."

McTavish, Janicki and Burch were just three of more than a half-dozen players to see time at center back in the course of the marathon '08 campaign as injuries, suspensions, fatigue and ineffectiveness forced Soehn to constantly rejigger his back line down the stretch. But the Black-and-Red hope that experimentation can pay off in the form of a clearer focus and stronger start this time around.

"Get a group of guys and let us play together every day," said Janicki. "I know it was an injury here, an injury there -- they were kind piecing things together back there for a while for most of [last] season. I think once you just get used to playing with the same guys in the back, communication gets better and you play better as a group. So I think just finding those core guys and sticking with it for a while is more the biggest thing."

This week Soehn said that tactical awareness and collective understanding are a high priority for the team's week-long stint in Puerto Rico, which began on Wednesday.

"We're going to work on tactics a little bit more," said the third-year boss. "Every day we get closer to the [season] opener, we start talking about tactics and making sure that we're understanding what we're about and each person knows their role within a system -- not just one system, but several systems so you can adjust."


Familiar faces aim for resurgence in D.C.
La Liga Preview: Valencia - Malaga
Dynamo keep focus on long campaign

Dynamo focusing on task at hand

HOUSTON -- In less than a month, the Houston Dynamo will take the field in their much-anticipated MLS season opener against the Columbus Crew at Robertson Stadium.

Yet well into training and getting ready for their fourth season in the Bayou City, the Dynamo have two very important matches ahead of them before they officially take the field for the first time.

In the next two weeks, the Dynamo will play Atlante in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. The two-leg series alone is enough to make head coach Dominic Kinnear forget about the Crew, the team that now holds the MLS title after beating New York last season in MLS Cup.

"We are not really thinking about MLS just yet," said Kinnear. "I think we are looking pretty good health-wise so far. Right now, all we want to do is play as many games as possible against good opponents to get us ready both mentally and physically.

"After that, we'll see where we're at."

In between matches against Atlante, the Dynamo will play host to the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Feb. 28. After completing the series with the Mexican outfit with a trip to Cancun on March 3, the Dynamo will close out the preseason portion of their schedule against the USL-1 Austin Aztex in central Texas.

The Champions League matches and the preseason finales will give Kinnear and his Orange enough to worry about for now.

"Right now, I think we are doing pretty good results-wise," Kinnear said. "We have a couple of wins, a couple of ties and a loss, so that is not too bad for our first couple of games. There have been a few good individual performances and the team has been going pretty good too."

The Dynamo were unbeaten in their first three preseason matches against FC Dallas and Los Angeles. They did not allow a goal until San Jose scored twice in a 2-0 win against the Dynamo on Feb. 15.

Kinnear is happy with how things are progressing, especially defensively.

"In one of the periods against San Jose last week, there was a little bit of a lapse in concentration," said Kinnear. "That led to a couple of the goals, but it's really good to see the guys, for the most part, playing good on both sides of the ball this early in the season.

"Everyone has been very professional and has coming in ready and in shape. So far, everyone seems mentally sharp, and as always the motivation to do well is very high."

The Dynamo will be playing fewer games this season, and that should help the team down the stretch when the goal will be getting the MLS championship trophy back to Houston. They will be playing in regular season competition and the U.S. Open Cup as well as the 2009-10 version of the CONCACAF Champions League, though not participating in SuperLiga for the first time.

Other than mentioning that the players were aware of the number of games, Kinnear said the team wasn't worried about a potential benefit, especially short-term.

"The message isn't out there that we are playing a certain number of games," said Kinnear. "I think so far the guys are pretty level headed and they are not thinking too far ahead, and they are not took worried about what is behind them so they can always focus on the next thing in front of them.

"Right now that is Atlante on Tuesday night."


Real Madrid Register Lassana Diarra For Champions League
Dynamo face Dallas in preseason opener
Dynamo keep focus on long campaign

Disappointed Franklin regroups after loss

CARSON, Calif. -- Sean Franklin could only shrug his shoulders after a night he might want to forget.

The Los Angeles Galaxy defender walked off The Home Depot Center pitch after being shown a red card in the 79th minute of the Pan-Pacific Championship final Saturday in front of 9,160 in attendance.

It was a sour moment knowing he had to leave the game after contributing to a Suwon Samsung Bluewings win in penalty kicks against the Galaxy after a 1-1 draw in regulation.

"It's just frustrating," Franklin said. "I don't think I played that well tonight. I contributed a little bit but I think I could have done better than that."

What Franklin did was head in an own goal in the 39th minute to give the Bluewings a 1-0 lead.

Franklin said he was trying to clear a deep pass into the penalty area by Suwong captain Kim Dae-Eui intended for midfielder Choi Sung-Hyeon.

Instead, Franklin got a piece of the floating pass with the top of his head, sending it over Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders into his own net. Saunders was standing about 15-yards away from his goal when the ball sailed over him.

After the play, Franklin stared into the distance, standing with his hands at his waist.

Teammate and rookie Omar Gonzalez walked over to Franklin and rubbed his head, trying to comfort the Galaxy's No. 1 pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

"I just said to him to keep his head up," Gonzalez said. "It was a pretty bad play but we just have to go from here and not look back."

Franklin didn't look back, walking off the field after being shown a straight red card. Franklin was booked with a yellow earlier in the match. Referee Paul Ward didn't show a second yellow for Franklin's second foul, this time on Suwong defender Jorge Alves.

"That's how calls go," Franklin said. "The own goal is just unfortunate, I'm just glad my teammates battled back late and forced a last play."

Ironically, it was a foul by Alves on Galaxy forward Edson Battle in the penalty area in the 88th minute that sent the game into a decisive penalty shootout.

That gave the Galaxy new life, but missed penalty shots by Buddle and Kyle Patterson ultimately lost the shootout for Bruce Arena's team.

Despite the loss, the match against the Bluewings and the preseason tournament gave Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena a glimpse of what his young players can do heading into the upcoming 2009 MLS season.

"I was pleased that this team showed a lot of character coming back," Arena said. "I was impressed. Let's face it. We played a Suwong team that's more experienced. I thought our young guys did a great job."

Arena was particularly impressed with his young defense, despite some mistakes.

Franklin echoed Arena's thoughts.

"I think the backline is doing fine," Franklin said. "We have a lot to improve on but we're looking at all the positives. We'll just get better as the season gets going."


Change evident as Galaxy camp opens
Beckham Will Go Back To Los Angeles Galaxy - Cantamessa

Fernandez eyes better fate with Revs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Last season didn't go as planned for New England Revolution midfielder Argenis Fernandez.

The Revolution signed Fernandez from Costa Rican side Santos in March after he impressed during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Fernandez, 21, expected to compete for time in midfield once he arrived in April.

It didn't happen.

Fernandez, like many other foreign players, had troubles adjusting to the pace and power in MLS. After making just two MLS appearances and playing 61 minutes for the Revs, Fernandez slipped down the pecking order to the point where it was clear that he wasn't going to feature.

The Revs approached Fernandez and offered the possibility of heading back to Costa Rica on loan. By early July, the young Costa Rican was on his way to play for LD Alajuelense.

"We loaned him out last year because we felt he wasn't going to play," Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said. "He wasn't ready to play. The physical nature, coming from where he did, was probably a surprise to him. So we loaned him out and brought him back to see where he is."

As a young player, Fernandez needed first team action to develop his game. He found it with Alajuelense, which handed him starts in the CONCACAF Champions League and in Costa Rican league play.

"I got to play a lot of games," Fernandez said through a translator. "I thought I did the things that I needed to do well. I was able to start many games and the continuity is something that is very important for a soccer player."

Back in the United States, Nicol and the Revolution were monitoring Fernandez's progress. An untimely red card scuppered Nicol's plans to see Fernandez in person at the end of the Costa Rican season, but the Revs opted to bring him back to training camp to see if he could compete at the MLS level.

If Fernandez wants to make an impact in MLS, he will have to find a way to adapt to the league's physical style. Listed at 5-foot-6, 125 lbs., Fernandez simply doesn't have the stature to fight toe-to-toe with MLS centerbacks. It will take some time for him to adapt to the rigorous physical demands, Fernandez said.

"In the United States, it's more force and more of an aerial game," Fernandez said. "In Costa Rica, we play more on the ground. It's been a little bit of a challenge. I'm trying to get accustomed to that kind of style."

Nicol dismissed the notion that Fernandez's physical limitations will impact whether he makes it with the Revolution.

"At the end of the day, it's about ability on the ball," Nicol said. "Lionel Messi isn't much bigger than you or I, but nobody can get near him. It's not really all about [the size]. It's about first touch, when to move it, when to keep it and when to go at people. We'll see if that's changed any."

The circumstances may help Fernandez settle this season. After signing for New England on March 11, Fernandez didn't have the opportunity to go through preseason with the Revolution. A full preseason with the team will give Fernandez the chance to bed in with the team and stake his claim for playing time.

"Obviously, he has to have improved since we let him go last year," Nicol said. "That's why we let him go -- because he wasn't going to play. Now we're going to see what he's all about. We can't tell that indoors. It's unfair. Once we get outside, we'll see what he's got."

It won't be easy for Fernandez to seal his place on the roster. With only one international slot available and the Revs scouring Latin America for defensive help, Fernandez will have to distinguish himself quickly if New England signs multiple foreign players. Fighting with Steve Ralston and Mike Videira for playing time at attacking midfield won't be easy either.

Even with the challenges ahead, Fernandez said that he wants to stay with the Revs and make his mark in MLS.

"That's the goal," Fernandez said. "I want to stay here. I want to play in the games and be a part of this group."


Thompson hoping for expanded role
Capello: Spain Are The Best National Team At The Moment
Capello Satisfied With Spain Test
Revs get back to work, eye return to MLS Cup

Johnson looks to make impact for Quakes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Almost since the league's inception, there have been questions if the MLS offseason is too long. The conventional wisdom is that too much sharpness is lost in the roughly three months that ensues between season's end and the start of training camp. Yet the approach has at least one fan in the form of San Jose Earthquakes forward Ryan Johnson, who by all appearances has used the just concluded offseason to great effect.

The San Jose attacker caught the eye of Quakes fans last year, scoring five times as a super-sub and spot-starter while also splitting time between forward and left midfield. But with Quakes scoring a league-low 32 times last season, the competition for the two forward spots in 2009 was always going to be wide open, especially given the departure of Scott Sealy to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

So from the moment the season ended, Johnson set about doing everything he could to make one of the forward positions his own, often engaging in solitary workouts to improve his game.

Given the offseason's duration, such sessions can get monotonous, but Johnson said he didn't mind. Perhaps the fact that he got married to fiancйe Donna Sione had something to do with it, although Johnson claims there were other reasons as well.

"I actually enjoyed the offseason," said Johnson. "It was good to get away from all the stress of winning games in the regular season. I got to just focus on me, and not just focus on results and other things around me. It was good to just get my body to where I wanted it to be."

That included sharpening up the more technical aspects of his game, something that was driven home during some conversations with manager Frank Yallop.

"[Yallop] talked to me about being better in front of goal," said Johnson. "I would get chances and get myself in situations, but I needed to do a better job of putting them away, and that's one thing I've been focusing on during the offseason. It's starting off good."

Indeed, at last week's Central Coast Showcase held on the campus of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, the Jamaican scored twice in a 3-2 win against expansion Seattle Sounders FC before adding another in a 2-0 win against Houston. And it's clear that his current form has made an impression on Yallop.

"[Johnson] has kind of continued what he did last year," said Yallop. "I thought he had a great first year for a guy coming in and basically playing up front, not for the first time, but getting used to that position. He's worked himself in the offseason and he's comes back ahead of the game. I think he's looked really good in the games, really good in practice, and I think he's going to have a good year."

Another change that has benefited Johnson is the different role he's being asked to play this season. There were times in 2008 when the Jamaican was expected to provide a powerful presence up top, holding the ball up for his teammates. But with the acquisitions of 6-foot-4 Cam Weaver, as well as 6-foot-3 Pablo Campos, Johnson can now use his pace more often.

"It helps me a lot," said Johnson of playing alongside Weaver and Campos. "I don't have to exert so much extra energy being that physical guy every play of the game. I can worry about being the sneaky guy getting behind defenders, and I have the speed to do that. It's going to be tough for other teams because we're going to have two strong forwards who can do both."

Of course, duplicating his current form in the regular season is a different challenge entirely, as MLS has been littered over the years with spring training wonders that fizzled once the games began for real. But it's a task that Johnson is eager to take on.

"It's a good start," said Johnson of his preseason displays. "But I've got to keep it going."


Atlético Madrid’s Johnny Heitinga Unconcerned By Criticism
Weaver adds aerial dimension to Quakes’ attack
Juande Ramos Hints At Real Madrid Debut For Faubert

Preseason roundup: PK lifts Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls picked up their first victory of the MLS preseason, defeating Eastern Conference rival Toronto FC 3-2 on Friday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. In California, the San Jose Earthquakes edged the Seattle Sounders 3-2, while Real Salt Lake made short work of Chinese squad Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College.

New York Red Bulls 3, Toronto FC 2: The Red Bulls rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat Toronto FC, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

The teams played four, 25-minute periods and Toronto jumped in front on 13 minutes as defender Marvell Wynne played the ball through to Chad Barrett, who ran at goal before sliding it to an unmarked Pablo Vitti, who put it away from eight yards out.

A minute later, Toronto FC doubled their advantage. Amadou Sanyang regained possession in the midfield and passed it to Barrett, whose 25-yard blast beat goalkeeper Danny Cepero.

After Dwayne De Rosario was called for handling a cross in the box, the Red Bulls got a goal back when veteran John Wolyniec converted a penalty kick in the 31st minute.

The Red Bulls got the eventual game-winning goal in the 87th minute when Danleigh Borman cut into the center of the field and played a well-weighted through ball to Mbuta, who slotted it past goalkeeper Brian Edwards.

Then, with three minutes remaining, Mbuta was tripped up in the 18-yard box heading towards goal and the referee pointed to the spot. Lionel Saint-Preux scored on the ensuing penalty kick, giving the Red Bulls, which improved to 1-2-2 in the season, its first victory.

San Jose Earthquakes 3, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Ryan Johnson struck for a first-half brace and rookie Quincy Amarikwa scored the game-winner early in the second half to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-2 victory against Seattle Sounders FC in the Major League Soccer Central Coast Showcase at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo Friday.

Johnson struck in the eighth minute, receiving a cross from Ned Grabavoy and slotting a left-footed shot past Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Fredy Montero tied the game for Seattle three minutes later as former Quakes defender James Riley found Nate Jaqua on the wing and he centered the ball to Montero. Montero then found the net with a shot past Quakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Johnson struck for his second in the 22nd minute. Newly signed forward Cam Weaver headed a ball down to Johnson in the box and he slotted a shot past Keller to put San Jose back in front.

Johnson nearly had a hat trick in the 31st minute after striking a shot from a narrow angle on the left that swung past Keller. But the ball clanged off the crossbar and away from the net.

Montero added his second just before the stroke of halftime, taking a pass from Sebastien Le Toux and heading a shot to the far post past Cannon.

Amarikwa netted the winner for the Earthquakes with an unassisted goal less than 40 seconds into the second half. The third-round draft choice out of UC Davis beat Keller one-on-one in the box for his first goal of the preseason.

Goalkeeper Andrew Weber came up clutch for the Earthquakes in the 85th minute, stopping a point-blank shot from Sanna Nyassi to secure the win.

Real Salt Lake 8, Shandong Luneng Taishan 0: Real Salt Lake took a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes and cruised to an 8-0 victory against Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College on Friday.

Tino Nunez struck for the first of his two goals in the first minute and Will Johnson put RSL in front, 2-0, in the 10th minute. Yura Movsisyan gave Real Salt Lake a 3-0 lead on 15 minutes and Nunez capped the first-half scoring with his second goal in the 40th minute.

Arthur Aghasyan got his name on the scoreboard in the 55th minute and Alex Nimo added the sixth goal from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Luis Miguel Escalada made it 7-0 for RSL in the 80th minute and, to add insult to injury for Shandong Luneng Taishan, the Chinese squad allowed an own goal two minutes from full time.


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Kirovski embracing return to Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. -- Jovan Kirovski said he is thrilled with not only being back in southern California -- he is a native of Escondido, just north of San Diego -- but especially as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he got his MLS start in 2004.

Some of his memories with the club aren't very pleasant, however. There was his rookie season, for example, when head coach Sigi Schmid was let go despite the team being in first place at the time. There also was a year later, when he clashed with Schmid's replacement, Steve Sampson, and was traded to the Colorado Rapids for a first-round pick in the 2007 draft.

Kirovski still doesn't like to talk about the year he was traded -- "That's in the past," he said -- but he was more than happy to return in November, when the Galaxy reacquired him from the San Jose Earthquakes for a conditional pick in next year's draft.

"I missed being here, sure. It's been fantastic so far," said Kirovski, who turns 33 in March, "especially with (David) Beckham being involved, high profile all over the place, big games. It's great to be involved with a team that's all over TV.

"I'm looking forward to being back. The fans are great here, the support is great and it's a good club to be with."

The Galaxy have had their share of struggles lately. They haven't even made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and there has been no shortage of preseason drama in 2009. Two of their best players stand a chance of playing elsewhere when the regular season starts on March 22. Landon Donovan has stated his intention of staying with Bayern Munich when his loan agreement expires early next month, and Beckham has expressed similar sentiments regarding his stay with AC Milan.

Kirovski said the club's downward slide has surprised him.

"When I was here my first year," he said, "we were in first place and Sigi got fired. We were not only expected to win, but win with style. This team has always been known about winning championships.

"The last three seasons I've been following them it's been disappointing. But (head coach/general manager) Bruce (Arena) has been involved with U.S. Soccer, he knows the game and he knows the players, so hopefully he'll get us back on track."

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder, who scored a goal in his first MLS game in 2004 and has 24 career goals, is exactly the kind of player the rebuilding Galaxy need, according to veteran Chris Klein.

The two of them go back to when they played together as 17-year-olds.

"That was a few years ago as kids," laughed Klein, who recently turned 33. "He's a unique type of player, a guy that's been around the game at the highest level. To have him and his personality around the young guys and the veterans is a primary reason why they brought him in here.

"In MLS, it's very tough to find 18 very good soccer players. You can find 11 really good ones, and then a few athletes and prospects. But with Jovan, you just have a really good soccer player, a guy that can play up front, a guy that can play midfield and a guy that just offers exactly what he is, a guy that knows exactly who he is and knows how to play the game.

"He's a very smart player and he's still got it in him to help this team push forward to where we want to go."

Kirovski said he already likes what he has seen in camp.

"Every spot is competitive," he said. "Everybody wants to win. I think we're headed in the right direction, for sure."


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Thompson hoping for expanded role

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England midfielder Wells Thompson would have struggled to improve on 2007.

Thompson's statistical line during that campaign: 27 appearances, 11 starts and four playoff starts, including a trip to MLS Cup. Not bad for a rookie winger out of Wake Forest.

"My first year was almost as good as it got when we went to the championship game," Thompson said.

The only problem with starting off well is the need to come up with an encore. By the statistics, Thompson regressed a bit in 2008 after making 19 appearances, eight starts and two cameo appearances. In this case, the stats reflect Thompson's slip down the pecking order.

Thompson's problems started during preseason after he picked up a heel injury. Instead of preparing his encore and improving his game, Thompson hobbled into the start of the season by missing the first four games.

By the time Thompson got healthy, Sainey Nyassi had entrenched himself in Thompson's right midfield spot.

"It's important that you start well," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "Sainey started well and there's somebody else in [Thompson's] place. That's the way it goes. If Sainey's doing well, it's up to the other guy to do better."

Nyassi's emergence left Thompson on the bench, resigned to making the occasional substitute appearance. When he earned his opportunities, Thompson didn't do enough to dislodge the speedy Gambian from the lineup.

"He had a couple of opportunities during the season," Nicol said. "As far as we're concerned, he didn't take them. That's the way it is."

After a solid rookie season, the Revolution coaching staff expected Thompson to continue his improvement during the 2008 campaign. Thompson didn't progress as robustly as the team would have hoped, with Nicol particularly citing Thompson's need to improve his passing.

"There's no doubt he can run at players and take people on, but there are other parts to his game that need to be better in order for him to be playing on a regular basis," Nicol said.

Thompson said he hadn't discussed what he needs to do to regain his spot in the lineup, but thinks he needs to improve on his consistency in order to carve out more playing time in 2009.

"We haven't sat down and talked about it too much," Thompson said. "It's just the little things and doing them on a consistent basis. I can do it, but it's whether I do it day-in, day-out. I need to work on my crossing game with my left foot. When you get to this level, it's the little things that separate the good players from the great players."

A new season brings a new opportunity for Thompson to stake his claim for a place in the team. This year, Thompson has managed to avoid injury in the opening stages of camp in order to give himself a better chance. Nicol said Thompson needs to stay off the treatment table and play well during preseason to vie for playing time.

"Every year starts the same," Nicol said. "Everybody has to prove what they can do and show what they can do on the field. It's up to us to give him a fair crack of the whip. That's the biggest thing. If it has to do with working hard, then he'll make it. He's been working his socks off."

Thompson said he has faith that he can force his way into the starting lineup and return to the form he showed during his first season.

"Last year, I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to play," Thompson said. "That's the last thing I want to do this year. I feel like I belong out there. I want to be out there. I will do whatever I can to fight hard to get my spot back."


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Hoops' Hyndman wants more scoring

FRISCO, Texas -- On Tuesday afternoon in Florida, FC Dallas won their second consecutive preseason match, a 1-0 decision against fellow MLS Western Conference side Colorado. However, in their three games against league opposition -- two against the Houston Dynamo and one against the Rapids -- FCD has yet to score once in the run of play, which is a bit concerning to head coach Schellas Hyndman.

The Hoops prevailed Tuesday thanks to a converted free kick by Kenny Cooper in the 57th minute.

"Yes, of course (it's a concern)," Hyndman said. "I've also made it very clear to everyone that we've spent a lot of time in our shape, a majority of our time in defending principles. So we're just starting to work on attacking principles. It's much easier to destroy than it is to build and the attacking phase is usually focused on building-combining, beating someone, doing something creative and then putting the ball in the goal. In the defensive phase, it's a little more about destroying."

The Hoops did manage to find the net regularly in a 5-1 win Saturday against the University of Memphis. After going scoreless for nearly the entire first half, FCD got two goals from striker Jeff Cunningham, his first two tallies of preseason. The Hoops also got two-assist performances from midfielders Dax McCarty, who also scored, and new acquisition Dave van den Bergh.

After arriving late to preseason camp because of a visa issue, Andre Rocha made his 2009 debut Monday, playing approximately 20 minutes.

"Andre did fine," he said. "Andre is a very skillful, very technical player. It's just that he came into camp late and his fitness level is what's holding him back. We're taking this week and probably next week to try and help him with his fitness level. Right now, Andre is trying to get himself fit again."

FCD will face Florida International on Thursday afternoon but Hyndman doesn't see Rocha's minutes increasing in that preseason affair.

"I think his level of fitness has got to improve," Hyndman said. "One of the things that happens when you play players that aren't fit, miraculously, they end up getting an injury that will keep them out of there."

A player fighting for a roster spot is forward Jamie Watson, who had a goal on Saturday despite suffering from a stomach virus that forced him to miss training on Friday. Watson has continued to be bothered by the same virus in Florida and played only the final 10 minutes in Tuesday's match.

"He's not (feeling too well)," Hyndman said. "He didn't play too much yesterday and part of that was because he didn't have a good training yesterday morning because he wasn't feeling really well. I think he's still recovering from the stomach virus. He's got great character and great heart. But at the same time, he's competing for a roster spot. He's hungry and realizes that he's got an opportunity."

While the attack remains a work in progress, there has been marked improvement on the other side of the ball. In their last three preseason games, FCD has allowed a grand total of two goals. That came after a resounding 3-0 defeat in Houston on Feb. 6. Since then, the Hoops kept a clean sheet in the return match against the Dynamo three days later in Frisco and allowed one goal each against Memphis and Colorado.

"I think our defense is getting better," Hyndman said. "It's a combination of not just our defenders getting better, it's our whole team coming together in some type of structure and understanding their roles to defend. I think that has helped us a bit.

"I think our goalies have done a good job. Ray (Burse) did a really good job yesterday in the second half when they were really putting on a lot of pressure and we were making a lot of changes. I thought Dario (Sala) did a really good job for us when we played Houston at home. I think it's a combination of defending structure, people taking a little bit of pride in it and I think our goalies are coming up with some big opportunities to make a difference."


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FCD roll past Memphis in scrimmage

FRISCO, Texas -- After being held scoreless for the opening 43 minutes Saturday, FC Dallas struck twice in two minutes through Jeff Cunningham, then added three goals over the final 20 minutes for a 5-1 victory against the University of Memphis in a preseason game at Pizza Hut Park.

Cunningham's brace sent the Hoops on their way, then FCD got goals from Sean Bucknor in the 71st minute, Dax McCarty in the 81st and Jamie Watson in the 84th. Memphis' lone goal came in the 75th when Sean Goulding scored after a poor clearance.

"We scored some goals," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "I thought it was a little difficult in the first half. There was a lot of enthusiasm on their part. We did a lot of things well but we just didn't execute. It seemed like everything we hit went to the 'keeper.

"At the same time, what I'm looking for is the things we've been working on. I thought our defense was doing a good job. And then the two things we've been working on in the attack, penetration and flank play, I thought we got quite a few crosses from both sides. Again, the finishing wasn't where we want it to be, but that's why it's preseason."

Cunningham might have scored two goals but it was McCarty who was the star of the day for FCD. The fourth-year midfielder spent the opening half at the attacking midfield spot before leaving at the break. He returned to the pitch in the 61st, this time on the right of midfield and made things happened. Besides his goal, McCarty also assisted in FCD's other two goals of the second 45 minutes of play.

"I thought Dax had a really good game," Hyndman said. "I thought Dax had great distribution, quality timing of the pass and scored a great goal. I thought he was very active. He's a completely different player than he was last year. He's very active, skillful at penetrating and passing, and can work on both sides of the ball. When I put him out wide, he was coming into the middle at the right time and getting wide again at the right time. He's a smart player, very technical and he's a competitor. He might have had the best game for him out there. If I had to pick a Man of the Match, he would be one that I would consider very strongly."

Hyndman employed an identical starting 11 to what he used in Monday's scoreless scrimmage with Houston. That included Marcelo Saragosa getting his second consecutive start at right back, a new position for a player better known as a holding midfielder.

"It's a process in motion," Hyndman said. "He's learning. The mistake in the back led to the goal where the ball went off his foot and went into the center. I thought the overlapping, the attacking play and the distribution was good, plus he's so hard to beat in the air. It's a process of learning and we're going to spend more time with him, but he could very well play for us in that position."

In the second half, defender Danny Torres, who just joined the team this week, made his preseason debut at left back. Midfielder Andre Rocha, who also joined the team earlier in the week after visa problems kept him back in Brazil, did not see any action for the Hoops.

Besides McCarty, Bucknor had a goal and an assist for FCD. After McCarty set him up for his goal in the 71st, the native Jamaican returned the favor 10 minutes later, feeding McCarty, who blasted one in from near the top of the restraining arc to make it 4-1.

However, the most amazing tally might have been the final one, scored by Watson. It came under less than ideal circumstances.

"I didn't really expect to play today," he said. "I missed training yesterday because I was sick. I was sick as a dog all day yesterday. So, Josh (Watts), the trainer and Schellas both came in and told me to go home to not get everyone else sick. So I showed up this morning not expecting to play. Then at halftime, he (Hyndman) comes over and tells me that he was going to put me in for the last 20-25 minutes.

"I wanted to play smart because physically, I wasn't feeling my best," Watson continued. "I guess when you're not feeling physically fit, you need to not make mistakes. I got in front of goal with the ball from Dax. It's all on me at that point after he has done all the hard work."

FCD leaves for Florida on Monday, where they will play three games, one against MLS side Colorado, before returning on Feb. 22.


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International clubs look to impress in PPC

CARSON, Calif. -- The second edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship, which begins Wednesday with a doubleheader at The Home Depot Center, features an intriguing mix of talent from outside the United States.

The Japanese entry in the event, Oita Trinita, is the J-League's Yamazaki Nabisco Cup champion. They also are the first J-League side to conduct their preseason training on the U.S. mainland. Yokohama F. Marinos of the J-League did train in the U.S. in 2005, but that was during a league break.

Oita also has been boosted by the recent return of midfielder Masashi Miyazawa, who had been on loan with the league's Vegalta Sendai, and includes defender Masato Morishige, a 21-year-old who recently signed a two-year contract and was a member of the Japanese team in the Beijing Olympics.

Head coach Pericles Chamusca said he is anxious to show the Home Depot Center crowd what his team is capable of.

"We hope to show our type of soccer to the U.S. fans," he said.

The tournament's Korean entry, the Suwon Samsung Bluewings, recently signed Chinese national team defender Li Weifeng from the Chinese Super League's Wuhan Guanggu. The Bluewings also finished in the Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong, where they lost to Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic.

The club recently extended the contract of coach Cha Bum-Kun, who is the South Korean national team's all-time leader in goals and was the first player from his country to play in the German Bundesliga. Bum-Kun is expected to remain with the team through 2011.

"We are looking forward to competing on an international level," Cha said. "It will be very good for our young players and help them improve."

The Chinese side, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, has been busy in its preseason preparations with three one-sided scrimmages -- but on the wrong side -- against MLS teams. The Chinese Super League champions lost to Chivas USA 5-1 just more than a week ago. They also had closed-door scrimmages against the Seattle Sounders (a 2-0 loss) and Real Salt Lake (an 8-0 loss).

Head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic of Serbia said he and the team are thankful to be in the competition, despite some less-than-ideal circumstances.

"We are in a difficult situation because of injuries," he said. "We are not well-prepared right now."

The first game of the doubleheader matches the Suwon Samsung Bluewings against Shandong Luneng Taishan FC at 5:30 p.m. PT, followed by the Los Angeles Galaxy and Oita Trinita at 8 p.m.


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'One that got away' returns to D.C. fold

WASHINGTON -- Between new stadium developments and the return of former star Christian Gomez, there's been plenty for D.C. United fans to buzz about as the 2009 season opener approaches. The reacquisition of a unique playmaker and former league MVP certainly deserves its share of attention, but another, less-heralded arrival to the United engine room could pay important dividends this year as well.

Andrew Jacobson, once known to the D.C. faithful as "the one that got away," has made a strong impression in preseason workouts thus far (notwithstanding his current hamstring injury) and some teammates have already tipped him as a potential contributor in the center of midfield.

In fact, his displays have played a role in United's decision to release Joe Vide, a well-liked holding midfielder who earned ten starts in all competitions last year, scoring one goal and generally performing yeoman's work for the club during some of its darkest times of 2008.

"We have a competitive roster and one of our young guys [Jacobson] has shown really well there," said head coach Tom Soehn on Tuesday. "I knew there were going to be some hard decisions, and I still think there's some hard decisions to come. ... It's been competitive in every part of the field."

Jacobson's progress is particularly encouraging given the fact that, like Gomez, he's spent the past 12 months struggling in a distant locale. United selected Jacobson with their top SuperDraft pick a year ago, but the lanky Californian elected to try his hand in France's top flight with Lorient FC instead. A promising start to his time in Brittany was derailed by a foot injury and most frustratingly, life off the field proved difficult for him and his longtime girlfriend Kelly, who accompanied him on the trans-Atlantic move.

"I was always encouraged by the coach; he would always say I was playing well," said Jacobson of his stint with the Ligue 1 side. "It wasn't really soccer, it was more the culture. It was very keep-to-yourself, very family-oriented. Everyone on the team had families and we were a little bit isolated there."

So when the international transfer window opened in January, he decided to make a move. A Danish club expressed interest, but "it looked like more of the same" to Jacobson and he soon returned stateside in the hopes of catching on with United, where he received a warm welcome despite his year away.

"I think all of us have that goal where we want to do as much as possible in our soccer careers," said Clyde Simms, D.C.'s incumbent in the holding midfielder spot. "As a matter of fact I was in the same position this offseason, thinking about going overseas. So I'm glad he did it and kind of got it out of his system, and I think that experience that he had over there will help us as a team."

Despite the struggles he and his girlfriend endured in France, Jacobson calls it "a great experience" and believes it dramatically improved his tactical acumen and overall professionalism. Now he and Kelly are quickly warming to life in the capital city, having moved into one of the many new apartment buildings constructed in the neighborhood near Washington's new baseball stadium.

"I'd never really been here before I came a few weeks ago," he said. "My view of it was, there's the capitol area and everything else is a little dangerous. But I find it's a great city, I really like it. [...] It seems like every day we get more oriented with the city, adjust better with the life, and we're both happier here."

On the field, he's looking forward to learning the MLS ropes under veterans like Gomez and Simms.

"There's very talented center mids on the team and if I can watch what they do and learn from them, whenever I get my chance to play then I can hopefully perform with them, up to their level," said Jacobson. "I'm just happy I'm in a place where I can look at players in my position and strive to play like them. That gives me room to progress."

The respect is mutual. United have several other contenders for playing time at defensive midfield with Simms, Ben Olsen and Devon McTavish all in the frame, but Jacobson also possesses an attacking dimension that could lead to opportunities further up the field as well.

"Offensively I think he's great with the ball," said Simms. "He's going to add a lot of versatility to our midfield, for sure. If you put him in there -- say Christian's injured -- I think he'd be able to fill that void pretty good."

Jacobson is taking a more modest outlook towards his new surroundings, focusing on his own day-to-day learning experience as United looks to dramatically improve its fortunes in '09.

"My goal is for the team to win. If that means me sitting on the bench and watching them win, that's fine with me," he said. "Personally, my goal in life is to have a good career -- it's not a one-year career. So I want to progress this year. If that means getting a lot of playing time than that's what it takes, and if it means getting better in practice than that's what it takes."


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Kljestan making impact with US squad

COLUMBUS -- When the United States national team takes to the Crew Stadium pitch on Wednesday evening to face rival Mexico to open the final round of World Cup qualifying, it will be almost 10 months since Sacha Kljestan scored a riveting goal on the same field for Chivas USA.

"I hope to get a chance to be a part of the match against Mexico and if I do then maybe if there's an opportunity I can do it again but my main focus is on us winning," he said.

It was April 12, 2008, when Kljestan ran onto the ball and unleashed a wicked 25-yard knuckler that left Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer defenseless as the ball curled into the upper right corner. The midfielder went on to score four more times for Chivas and earn a spot on the MLS Best XI, but none of his goals would be as clinical.

His finishing ability is one reason the Huntington Beach, Calif., native made the 20-man roster for the match against Mexico. It also didn't hurt that he become only the second U.S. player to have his first three national team goals in the same game when he had a hat trick during a 3-2 win over Sweden on Jan. 24.

"It's been important for Sacha to develop a more complete game, to continue to improve, to play at a higher level," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "To play an important role on the national team you have to do things that you do and make them calculable when the games are faster and harder and more difficult."

Kljestan also benefitted from a week-long trial with Celtic FC in January and although he reaffirmed his commitment to start the MLS season with Chivas USA, there is a possibility he could be headed overseas this year at some point.

"Come summertime we'll have a look at what's going on," he said. "I hope to be a mainstay with the national team."

His full attention for now is helping the U.S. hand the Mexicans a third consecutive qualifying defeat in Crew Stadium after victories in 2001 and four years later.

"I remember the '05 game pretty good. The '01 game I've seen highlights but I don't remember watching it," he said. "My main memory is the 2002 World Cup (another U.S. 2-0 victory). I always watched USA-Mexico but that the one that sticks out in my mind of all the games.

"Watching those games and watching the U.S. dominance over the past eight years, especially in the United States, has been quite an accomplishment."

Kljestan, who had a pair of goals in the 2008 Olympic tournament, has a good chance of being in the starting lineup on Wednesday as he continues his development as a steady international player after 13 caps, including six qualifiers.

"We continue to see things that show us he is picking up on certain things and improving and we see certain things that we can point out to him that maybe he can get better," Bradley said.

The most noticeable difference in the 23-year-old Kljestan is his appearance. Gone is the stringy long hair that had been his trademark in favor of a cropped look. The only one upset by the change was U.S. and Crew defender Frankie Hejduk, who won't let go of his rock star locks.

"Frankie's sad I cut my hair. He said he's the only one left now with the long hair. We're not brothers anymore, he says," Klejstan joked.

He's learned quite about the U.S.-Mexico rivalry from Hejduk, who has played in eight of them.

"There always so intense. Neither side wants to give an inch," Hejduk said.

The irony for Kljestan is he plays professionally for a club that is an offshoot of the Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara and he's had several Chivas teammates from the "enemy" side.

"I've always had the support of some of the Mexican players I've played with, guys like Ramon Ramirez and (Juan Francisco) Paco Palencia and Claudio Suarez, especially," he said. "Even though these are guys that if I was a little bit older potentially I could have matched up against in USA-Mexico games now they always tell me good luck when I leave for the national team. They always help me out with tips when I get back from games. I've always had their support. We can always trash talk a little bit, USA-Mexico, but they're all good guys and support me."

Yet to be seen is their reaction if he helps defeat Mexico.

Kljestan is one of eight current MLS players on the roster for the match (including Landon Donovan, on loan to Bayern Munich). The league players and several others spent January training in Carson, Calif., before being joined by their European brethren the past two days in Columbus.

Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching doesn't think it will be hard to get everyone to jell by Wednesday's kickoff.

"If you look at this team and the whole qualifying process it's pretty much the same core group of guys and Bob's done a good job of keeping the guys focused and on the same page as far as coming in and knowing what to expect from every player," he said.

It's the American Way.

"We don't talk much about just the camaraderie of this group of guys when they get together," Bradley said. "That's what's been behind our success. It's a great thing to see."


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United happy to have Gomez back

WASHINGTON -- Friday was a joyous day at the office for D.C. United employees as club sponsor Volkswagen brought a bevy of their new models out to sunny RFK Stadium, inviting players and staff on test drives across the vast parking lots that surround the venerable facility.

Meanwhile, down in the basement, United's locker room was the site of a happy homecoming as Christian Gomez, one of the team's biggest stars in recent memory, was once again handed the keys to the D.C. attack after a year of exile in Colorado.

Monday saw Gomez traded back to the club where he began his MLS career in exchange for winger Ivan Guerrero, a Designated Player roster spot and a second-round pick in the 2010 SuperDraft, and on Friday the Argentinean was warmly welcomed by his old teammates before joining them for a lively midday training session.

"I feel good," said Gomez after a workout where he looked a bit short on fitness but still sharp with his touches on the ball. "I feel good with my teammates, to see them again. I'm ready to begin a new season."

A proven performer in the clutch, Gomez was the heartbeat of United's attack in his first stint with D.C. and he returns to a club in need of his assertive mentality since the exit of designated player Marcelo Gallardo, his replacement in the team's playmaking role.

"I think he's really happy to be back," said head coach Tom Soehn. "He's got a locker room full of friends and we're happy to have him back."

Gomez and United have endured substantial trials and tribulations in their year apart. Gallardo was plagued by injuries during his time in the nation's capital and the team's form suffered badly as a result, causing the proud club to miss the playoffs for only the fourth time in MLS history. While Gallardo owns a more illustrious international resume, United believe that Gomez's proven MLS track record can help them return to prominence in a competitive Eastern Conference.

"The way he plays, you surround him with the right players and the right formation, and he'll excel," said Santino Quaranta, himself a prodigal son in his second stint with United. "He's one of the best players in this league, still, and there's so many different ways you can play Christian: as a second forward, in a 3-5-2, in a 4-4-2 -- whatever way you want to play him. I think that's going to be a good thing about our team this year: we're going to be unpredictable."

Conversely, Gomez's Rapids career began brightly but the midseason departure of head Fernando Clavijo saw him fall far out of favor as new boss Gary Smith imparted a new philosophy to the side.

"When Fernando Clavijo was there, the game plan was to play through me," said Gomez, when asked about his fading fortunes in Colorado. "And obviously when he was let go a new coach came on board and he wanted to play more of an English style, and that doesn't suit me."

Gomez's 3-1/2 seasons in D.C. were studded with success. His August 2004 arrival in Washington sparked United to an MLS Cup championship run, while the next three seasons featured sustained regular-season excellence with back-to-back Supporters' Shield trophies in 2006 and 2007 and league MVP honors for the playmaker in '06.

But when he and the United front office were unable to agree on terms of a new contract a year ago, the Black-and-Red sent Gomez west in a blockbuster trade that set him up as the centerpiece of Clavijo's Rapids squad -- and laid the groundwork for D.C.'s capture of Gallardo. Yet on Friday Gomez showed little sign of the bad blood that reportedly lingered at the time of his departure.

"No [there were] no hard feelings," said Gomez. "I was looking for a contract that was in the best interests of me and my family. There was another team that was interested in me and obviously I couldn't reach a deal with United, so I had to do what was best for me and my family."

Gomez was a centerpiece of United's brightest moments this decade, so it's little surprise that the rest of the Black-and-Red are also more than happy to go "back to the future" as they search for a more effective formula in 2009.

"Getting the gang back together slowly!" joked United veteran Ben Olsen. "I think him coming back is a big step for us going forward, and hopefully the chemistry is still there with everybody. He's the type of guy who is an unselfish player. He can hurt you both with his passing and vision, and scoring."

The Spanish phrase gran expectativas (great expectations) kept popping up in Gomez's many interviews on Friday as he made clear that he acknowledges -- and welcomes -- the pressure created by his illustrious United past.

"When you first arrive to a club -- or in my case, I am coming back for a second time -- I would call it good pressure because you want to have a good season and win a championship," he said. "It's something a player cherishes, to have that sort of pressure."


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Five-a-side: What's hot in MLS

1. Early start equals ... late start?: No MLS team needs to settle into the sweet spot of preseason efficiency like Houston.

That's because Houston starts its 2009 run of competitive matches sooner most clubs; The Dynamo have a Feb. 24 date in the ongoing CONCACAF Champions League. Dominic Kinnear's club meets Mexico's Atlante at Robertson Stadium as the quarterfinals commence, with the return date set for a week later in Cancun.

So how did Kinnear react to such an early, important date? Ironically, he had players report later than most clubs.

The Dynamo opened preseason camp on Feb. 2 -- about 10 days later than some MLS sides. So, while most clubs had nearly two months to prep for their initial competitive match of 2009, the Dynamo chose to do so in just over three weeks.

"We know Atlante has a little bit of an advantage, because they've played some games already," Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson said. "But we'll be ready."

Kinnear says he's taking the CONCACAF Champions League opportunity quite seriously, and he's challenging his team to do so, too.

But he also has to look at the big picture -- and that could stretch well into November. Plus, Houston isn't too far removed from a hectic slate of 50 matches a year ago. So, instinctively, Kinnear just felt his club could use a bit more time off than normal. He asked players to come in fit, but extended their winter break a bit.

Ongoing club stability in terms of personnel and tactics permits him such latitude with the schedule.

"We've had some player movement, but not a ton," the manager said. "Everything kind of sustains itself. We've got the same coaching staff, the same formation, there's no drastic changes in how we do things, everybody knows what to expect from the first day. So I don't think it was necessary to start early."

Apparently, it wasn't such a bad idea. The Dynamo opened preseason with two wins and a tie against Dallas (two matches) and Los Angeles. And that was without several starters -- although Stuart Holden did get his first minutes of the preseason in a 2-0 win Thursday over the Galaxy in Los Angeles.

2. If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em up: Khano Smith is now a midfielder for the New York Red Bulls; the longtime New England Revolution linkman is Juan Carlos Osorio's answer to shoring up the left side of midfield following Dave van den Bergh's departure.

Smith came via trade from Seattle although he was barely ever a member of Sigi Schmid's team. Smith, taken in last November's expansion draft, was on the Sounders' roster just a couple of months before this week's trade to Giants Stadium.

It's got to come as some relief for the Red Bulls faithful to see Smith -- well, really, any former member of the Revolution -- finally pulling their way. Since 2005, no MLS rivalry has been so lopsided. Smith has done his part as New England has run up a 10-game unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls. Smith hasn't gotten into the scoring column frequently, but he has had some respectable matches during the long torment.

And it was a huge goal against New York back in Smith's rookie season that pointed the lanky left-footer's career in the right direction. The Revs trailed by two goals on aggregate in the teams' 2005 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series. Smith came on late for the injured Marshall Leonard. Blazing down the left side and beating Tony Meola from a tight angle in the 83rd minute, he claimed the series for New England.

3. Left side no longer left out: It has been mentioned in this space before that the left side is no longer the barren MLS wasteland begging to be supplied, as it once was.

It's true that left-sided players were once scarce in MLS. But in the midfield, at least, the Major League Soccer racks are stacked with talent these days. And it's getting stronger, still.

Bobby Convey's introduction to the Earthquakes camp gives manager Frank Yallop yet another option. Yallop is talking about using Convey centrally, which would seem to best fit the team needs. With holding presence Francisco Lima gone and Darren Huckerby already a force on the left at Buck Shaw, Convey would be a welcome addition if he can pass muster centrally.

On the other hand, Convey was generally a left-sided player at Reading, where he spent the last four-plus years.

And you get the feeling that Huckerby could be a menace along the right side, too. As it is, sophomore attacker Shea Salinas seems to have the first shot at starting duty on the right. But as he's still a bit young, it's not hard to see Convey lining up on the left with Huckerby on the right at some point this year.

Either way, Yallop should know how to get the best from Convey. They have great history and a solid mutual respect; Yallop was an assistant with D.C. United in 2002 when Convey, just 16 at the time, signed on to play at RFK.

Still looking at the left side in the big MLS picture, there's always a chance that DaMarcus Beasley, starting for Bob Bradley's national team but languishing on the bench at Rangers in Scotland, could make his way back into the league. He would immediately become one of the premier MLS left-sided talents -- assuming he lands at a team that wasn't already set at the spot.

San Jose previously sat at the top of the allocation order for returning U.S. ex-pats. With the Earthquakes having used that important chip to secure Convey, Los Angeles now tops the list, followed by FC Dallas.

4. Fun with preseason personnel experiments: The emphasis of preseason is definitely on the "pre." That is to say, it's always dangerous to read too much into coaching moves. After all, everybody has six weeks or more to tinker, and bored managers can sometimes do strange things.

Still, it's all we have. So, without attaching too much weight to the personnel machinations, here are some interesting moves that spilled out of friendlies this week:

Toronto coach John Carver deployed Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario as a second forward, playing off Chad Barrett for the Reds. Carver has said he wants to look at several options in identifying the best way to use the man they call "De Ro."

The week's "what?" moment came when Wade Barrett lined up at left midfield for Houston. It was mostly a stop-gap, as several injured or unavailable midfielders had Kinnear scrambling to fill out a first-choice foursome across the line. Still, Kinnear said it was good to see how Barrett, the club's longtime, steady left back, handled the role.

Seattle manager Sigi Schmid chose to play rookie Steve Zakuani, the league's No. 1 overall selection in last month's draft, along the left side in a 4-4-2 for the club's muddy friendly against the Galaxy. He was active, drawing a penalty kick and generally appearing eager to take on defenders.

In Dallas, manager Schellas Hyndman had longtime central midfielder Marcelo Saragosa stationed at right back. Incumbent Adrian Serioux is dealing with multiple injury issues, and Drew Moor is set to start in the center, so the in-need Hyndman was eager to experiment. He said Saragosa was happy to try the spot and looked pretty handy in his first stab at it.

5. Mr. Versatility -- again: Looks like Geoff Cameron is set to be a super utility man around Robertson Stadium once again. As a rookie in 2008 he played center back, right midfield and forward at different times last year in south Texas.

He even spent one match of his debut season at right back, and Kinnear said Cameron looked pretty good there, too.

Kinnear would prefer to have the big fellow settle into a role, of course. But with reduced rosters and Houston already looking at 39 matches this year -- with a likelihood of more, depending upon whether they advance in CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup -- Houston will probably lean on Cameron's versatility once again.

Where will the second-year man ultimately land?

"I think he's got a future in this league in midfield," Kinnear said. It will probably be on the outside, although Kinnear said Cameron's good feet, mobility and range make him a candidate for minutes in the middle, too.


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Angel era extended in New York

The greatest forward in the history of the New York Red Bulls will be around a little longer as the club announced on Monday that Juan Pablo Angel has been signed to a multi-year extension.

Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, Angel, arguably the most successful designated player in league history, will be among the top paid players in MLS.

"Juan has shown over the course of the two years that he's been here that not only been one of the franchise's most important signings and potent strikers, but I think one of the leagues," Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos said in a conference call Monday afternoon. "He should certainly be one of the highest paid players."

According to Red Bulls managing director Erik Stover, Angel will be a member of the Red Bulls in 2009 and 2010 with "options beyond that."

"This is a clear sign from the organization that stability and continuity on and off the field are very important for us," Stover said. "This is the first of what we hope are many steps to help solidify our organization from top to bottom."

Angel, a two-time MLS All-Star, has scored 33 goals in 47 games since joining the Red Bulls on a free transfer from English Premiership side Aston Villa on April 17, 2007 as one of the league's first designated players. He has said during the offseason how important it was that the contract negotiations be completed before the start of his third MLS season.

That happened, with 31 days to spare before the regular-season opener at Seattle on March 19.

"This extension is very important for me and my family," Angel said. "We've been working really hard over the last couple of months and finally we got it done at the right time before the start of the season."

The former Colombian international missed seven games in 2008 due to injury, but still scored 14 goals in 23 regular-season games. He scored two goals in a 4-1 aggregate win over the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Semifinal Series and led the Red Bulls to their first appearance in the MLS Cup.

Angel said last year's magical playoff run played a big role in his wanting to return to the Red Bulls.

"I think that was vital," he said. "What happened last year with the team was phenomenal. I'm really excited about this upcoming season. Having reached the MLS Cup last year gave us obviously a great (excitement) for this year."

Angel said the desire to play in Red Bull Arena, which is scheduled to open in time for the beginning of the 2010 season, was also a factor.

"Most importantly I'm really looking forward to when we start playing at the Red Bull Arena which I'm sure, I have no doubt, is going to be the best stadium (in MLS)," he said.

According to Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio, Angel's contribution to the team goes beyond the goals he has scored.

"He has shown in every game and every practice is second to none," Osorio said. "He is a very good example not only for the young players, but every player on the team. Every day he brings that willingness to become better. That is contagious."

The 33-year-old, who was a MLS Best XI selection after scoring 19 goals and five assists in 24 games in his first MLS season, could conceivably end his storied career with the Red Bulls.

But retirement hasn't entered Angel's mind just yet.

"Right now I feel very strong, I feel excited to wake up in the morning and work out with the team," Angel said. "As of now I don't have a change of mind. We'll see what happens over the next hopefully few years."


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Those Bradley Boys

COLUMBUS -- If there was a time for any man to be boastful about his son, this was it.

After all, it isn't every day that your son scores twice in a World Cup qualifying game, let alone against archrival Mexico.

But this is much more complicated than than just a father saying how proud he is about his son.

The father is Bob Bradley, coach of the U.S. national team. The son, Michael, a midfielder on the team that defeated the Mexicans for the third consecutive time in this city by a 2-0 score.

Beyond Michael becoming only the fourth U.S. player to score two goals against Mexico in qualifiers dating back to 1934, Michael played a fine all-around game as holding midfielder, helping key a midfield that dominated the Mexicans.

But when he was asked whether he was proud of his son's performance, Bob did his best to downplay the question.

"Right now I'm the coach, it's about the team," he said during Wednesday night's postgame press conference after watching his team outbattle the Mexicans and the wind at Columbus Crew Stadium. "When you coach at a professional level there's a way that you want to do the work. There is an environment that you create and you want to establish a high level of being a pro in terms of what the right mentality is. The one thing that happens with Michael is that he gets a steady dose of that, not only when he's in with the team but in terms of the father-son relationship that we've had.

"I have three children and I have to say that I'm proud of all my kids. I have a great family and I'm a lucky man."

Bob Bradley doesn't like to single out or talk about his son. He has been walking a tightrope about the subject since 2004, when as the MetroStars coach, he selected 16-year-old Michael 36th overall in the MLS SuperDraft. Michael had just completed his time at the U.S. under-17 residency camp in Bradenton, Fla. He was ready for the next challenge -- professional soccer.

Michael was hampered by an injury in 2004, but became the starting defensive midfielder the next season. Ironically, he did not score his first professional goal until after Bob was dismissed as coach, in a playoff-clinching victory against Chivas USA in the regular-season finale.

Some MetroStars fans felt there was nepotism involved. The same thing happened when Michael started to play for his father on the national team in 2007. Hence, Bob not trying to boost or boast about his son.

A few years ago, there was a rare comment about how proud Bob was of Michael after he joined Heerenveen of the Dutch Eredivisie (Michael currently performs for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the German Bundesliga).

"I am happy for him," Bob said. "To go to a club in Europe and to establish yourself very quickly, earn the respect of the coaches and your teammates, so that you're playing and starting in the most important games of the season, that says a lot.

"For me, it's just with what we saw the last two years, especially last year. He's got a strong mentality, understands the game. He plays well beyond his years. I really felt that last year as the season moved along that he got stronger and stronger. And that's not something you see that often with young players in MLS, especially with ones who are asked to cover that much ground and be a factor in the center of the field, where things are really hard."

In many ways, they are so much alike and the similarities are not lost on Michael's teammates.

"He and his dad are just alike," said former New York Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore, who helped set up Michael's second goal Wednesday. "Bob's just a bit older than him. On soccer they're both very intense. They have so much passion for the game. They really just eat, breath and sleep soccer.

"Michael loves the game. He loves talking about it. He loves talking about new ideas. The subject for them never gets old. And it's really refreshing to see that in American players and coaches. I think he's a great kid, has a great head on his shoulders and loves to work hard. What more can you ask?"

When asked about his performance against Mexico, Michael Bradley spoke of the team, rather than himself.

"I think everyone on our team was really excited to play tonight," he said. "Anytime you can play against Mexico it's great, it's also a really important World Cup qualifier. To be a part of a team effort like that and come away with three points is a great feeling."

When pressed about how he felt personally, Michael responded, "I'm happy we won. We got three points and we beat Mexico so that's important."

The thing is that he's only 21 years old and still learning the beautiful game. But already Michael Bradley has left his mark. With Heerenveen in 2007-08, he scored 21 goals, the most by an U.S. player in Europe.

On Wednesday night, Michael went into the U.S. history books as the fourth man to tally twice against Mexico in a qualifier. He joined Aldo "Buff" Donelli (hat trick in a 4-2 win in a 1934 qualifier), Eddie Murphy (in a 7-2 loss in a 1962 qualifier) and former California Surf and New York Cosmos forward Steve Moyer (in a 2-1 win in a 1982 qualifier) in this exclusive club. This from a player who had scored three goals in 25 previous matches prior to Wednesday night.

His performance certainly left his teammates impressed.

"It's great," said Landon Donovan, who set up both U.S. goals. "People forget he does a lot of hard work. He gets in [passing] lanes. ... He's dangerous going forward. He's a good, smart player."

Added goalkeeper Tim Howard, who survived a nasty hit by Mexican defender Rafael Marquez to record a shutout: "I think he was fantastic, aside from the goals. He was up and down the field, side to side, staying in the tackles, winning balls, collecting second balls. He did everything right."

Howard said that Bob "probably demands more of [Michael]. He treats us all equally. We trust all in the relationship that we have with Michael as a teammate and that Bob Bradley has with Michael as a player. We trust in our relationship. Michael doesn't take any short cuts. He is the hardest working guy on the team. He demands a lot of himself, which I think is the epitome of a big-time player, which I think Michael will be."

Perhaps someday Michael will accomplish something so grand (a national team hat trick or a spectacular or dramatic game-winning goal, maybe?) that we'll hear the father and not just the coach speak.

Until then, we'll have to let Michael's actions speak for themselves.


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Galaxy turning attention toward PPC

CARSON, Calif. -- The David Beckham saga apparently is behind them, and the Los Angeles Galaxy now can start to get a little more serious in their preseason preparations.

That approach starts Wednesday, with their opening game in the Pan-Pacific Championship at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy will take on the J-League's Oita Trinita at 8 p.m. PST, the nightcap in a doubleheader that begins at 5:30 with a game matching K-League champion and 2008 Samsung Hauzen Cup winner Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Chinese Super League winner Shandong Luneng Taishan FC.

The international teams have been busy beefing up their respective rosters for the event, now in its second year (Japan's Gamba Osaka won it a year ago in Hawaii). The Bluewings recently signed Chinese national team defender Li Weifeng, who has more than 100 caps to his credit, from the Chinese Super League's Wuhan Guanggu. Oita, the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup champion a year ago, had two recent additions in Japanese internationals Akihiro Ienaga and Masato Morishige. Morishige represented Japan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics while Ienaga will stay with Oita through the 2009 season on loan from 2008 Pan-Pacific titlist Gamba Osaka.

The Galaxy also have been busy, and not just on the field. Their two best players, Landon Donovan and David Beckham, have been overseas on loan agreements with Bayern Munich and AC Milan, respectively, and both of them have stated their desire to remain in Europe. Beckham's situation eventually forced MLS Commissioner Don Garber to issue a deadline of last Friday to reach an agreement on a permanent transfer. Milan and the Galaxy didn't come to terms and Beckham is scheduled to report back to southern California on March 9.

Arena on Monday insisted the situation has not been a distraction, but he also admitted it has had a somewhat adverse effect on preparing for the March 22 regular-season opener against D.C. United.

"Certainly when you have these types of situations when you have two impact players away from your team, it's a less than perfect way of preparing," Arena said. "This tournament is a very good competition for our team. It's a good way of evaluating not only individual players but where the team is at."

Veteran Eddie Lewis said he has liked what he has seen so far in training camp.

"From a coach's point of view, I think dramatic improvement has been made, not only the top 11 but as a squad in general," he said. "I think the team was quite thin last year. Not only have we improved right from the top but in depth. We have quite a few guys we can call on to do the job."

Lewis, who turns 35 on May 17, said he still gets a thrill out of competitions like the Pan-Pacific.

"Absolutely," he said. "It's something you don't normally get a chance to play in. They're good environments because the crowds will be there and the brand of soccer will be different than a lot of people have seen. It's a wonderful opportunity, especially for the younger players, to be involved in.

"The scary thing is I still get the goosebumps and butterflies I did as a kid. I'm very much looking forward to it."

Arena, Jones reflect on USA-Mexico

CARSON, Calif. -- Athletes say it's an honor to represent one's country in the athletic arena. But throw the U.S.-Mexico rivalry into the mix, and it's much more than an honor. It's a privilege.

Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena, assistant coach Cobi Jones, defender Tony Sanneh and midfielder Eddie Lewis are veterans of the border war, which resumes Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, and have had the bumps and bruises to show for it.

Jones, in particular, seemed to be a popular target of the Mexican team -- who can forget him being on a receiving end of a head butt from Mexico's Rafael Marquez in the 88th minute of a round-of-16 showdown in the 2002 World Cup in Jeonju, South Korea?

Marquez was ejected and the Mexicans lost 2-0.

"When they know they've pretty much lost the game and have given up, they resort to certain tactics," said Jones, who predicted the U.S. would win 2-1 this week. "As far as I'm concerned, on the biggest stage in the soccer world to come up with one of the best matchups there is and to come out on top 2-0 ... it's a great experience.

"These are the games you live for as a soccer player. No holds barred."

The USA is 4-0-3 all-time in Columbus, including a 2-0 victory on Feb. 28, 2001, when temperatures dropped to a frigid 29 degrees, and are 8-0-2 at home vs. Mexico since 2000. That includes the most recent meeting, a 2-2 tie last Feb. 2 in Houston's Reliant Stadium.

Arena, the former U.S. national team coach, remembered the days when the USA had ulterior motives regarding the game.

"I think at one time U.S. Soccer used the rivalry as a means of gate receipts and revenue, as opposed to a competition that means something," Arena said. "They often filled the L.A. Coliseum with 90,000 people not thinking about the importance of competing and winning.

"We turned the corner on that over the last 10 years. When we play Mexico, we play to win. We don't play to take care of the budget for the next few years."

Lewis, who set up Landon Donovan for the final U.S. goal against Mexico in South Korea, said there used to be even more animosity between the countries, although opposing players still are not on particularly friendly terms.

"I want to say now the competition is probably greater between the two, but there's also a greater level of respect," he said. "In so many ways, both teams are desperate to beat each other, but at the same time, I don't think any American would ever underestimate the ability of the Mexican players. And I think if you ask the Mexican players, they'd say the same thing about us.

"In a lot of ways, the rivalry has grown but at the same time the level of respect has grown as well. It continues to get bigger and bigger."

Sanneh went so far as to say the U.S. holds the upper hand in the competition.

"I think we're on top now," he said. "They were a top 10 team for many, many years. It's special to have somebody that you have to get up on your toes and match up with in the biggest games."

Arena said he doesn't get caught up in the hoopla surrounding these meetings -- Wednesday's game sold out in 90 minutes -- but that's not to say his victories over Mexico weren't any less special.

"I'm not as engrossed in the rivalry as others are," he said. "Because I've never thought it was not possible to beat Mexico or to be superior to Mexico. I wasn't dancing in the night over the fact we beat Mexico.

"I'm not as crazy about our success in the rivalry as some others are. However, I'd be foolish not to admit it's been significant in recent times, and it's still a great rivalry. I'm sure Wednesday will be another great game between these two countries."

It also will be a game Sanneh expects the U.S. to win 3-1. And you can be sure the USA will enjoy the victory, he said.

"When you beat Mexico," he said, "you're smiling for a month."


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D.C. United's stadium effort takes big step

LARGO, Md. -- After years of fits and starts, D.C. United's long-running quest for a home of their own took a massive step forward on Monday morning as club executives joined state and county officials at a crowded press conference announcing new legislation to build a soccer-specific stadium in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Alongside county executive Jack Johnson, state assembly delegate Melony Griffith and a host of other local lawmakers, United majority owner Victor MacFarlane and club president Kevin Payne proudly revealed the details of a plan to fund construction of a $195 million, 24,000-seat facility for the Black-and-Red which could open its doors as early as the latter stages of the 2011 Major League Soccer season.

"This is a new day for D.C. United," said MacFarlane. "We now see a new, permanent home for our club and our fans, and we think it will bring the kind of opportunity to Prince George's County, and for Maryland, that is so important right now and in the future."

The plan, which will be introduced in this year's legislative session of the Maryland State Assembly, calls for United to underwrite 25 percent of the stadium's cost and the remaining 75 percent to be paid for with the new tax revenue it will generate in the years ahead. A report by the Maryland Stadium Authority estimates that United's new home will create $65 to $80 million a year in new economic development for the state, a figure equivalent to about 1,200 new jobs, while construction itself would generate an estimated 2,500 jobs.

The proposed move to Prince George's, a county of more than 841,000 residents on the District of Columbia's northern and eastern borders, comes in the wake of United's long and ultimately fruitless negotiations with the D.C. government over a proposed stadium at Poplar Point, an undeveloped spot on the Anacostia River. The site's lead developer recently shelved plans for a mixed-use project that could have included an arena for the club.

On Monday, MacFarlane made it clear that his club has moved on for good -- even if there are presently no plans to change the team name to "P.G. United," as county council member Sam Dean playfully suggested.

"Please know that our team is committed to working with Prince George's County to build a stadium. We have no communication, we have no other process going on [with other governments]. We want to be in Prince George's County," he declared, sparking a loud ovation from the assembled dignitaries on hand.

The ongoing economic downturn has created fiscal challenges for Washington-area jurisdictions just as it has affected governments across the nation. But Johnson and MacFarlane emphasized that the stadium plan's careful composition utilizes no existing tax revenue and thus presents low risk and great reward to state and county finances.

"In this economic time, we understand that we cannot ask for one dollar from the existing tax base, and we will not, I promise," said MacFarlane. "We're not going to do that. All we're asking for is that the direct taxes that are generated by the stadium be utilized to help fund the stadium."

In presenting such an ambitious undertaking even as the wider economic outlook remains bearish, Johnson cited the success of similar county projects like FedEx Field, home of the NFL's Washington Redskins, and the new National Harbor development, a multi-use hotel and entertainment complex which is already slated to play host to United's visiting opponents in 2009.

"We have to grow our economy, no matter what the circumstances," said Johnson. "We are not using any tax revenues. We are not using any education revenues. None of the funds that are slated for education and other vital programs will be shifted. This project will stand on its own, and when you examine it on its own, you will find tremendous economic opportunities for the future of Prince George's County."

United is considering seven potential sites within the county, five of which are located near Metro rail stations, and MacFarlane pledged that the final selection will be a "community process" involving multiple stakeholders. The stadium itself will be a compact, "urban" design requiring only 12 acres, while a new training complex for D.C. would be built at another site nearby.

Club officials like Payne have seen their share of false dawns in the long search for a new stadium, and there is no shortage of work -- physical, financial and political -- still ahead. But Monday's event featured radiant optimism as all parties contemplated a bright future for their new partnership.

"I'm knocking on wood a lot," joked Payne. "In this business you try not to get too up or too down, so I'm trying not to get too up. When we put a shovel in the ground and break ground, I'll probably drink some champagne that day. But right now we just see this as a great step forward. We're incredibly enthusiastic about the reception we've had from Prince George's County and the state, and we're eager to get to work."


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Hyndman encouraged by draw with Houston

FRISCO, Texas -- Following Friday morning's 3-0 defeat to Houston at Robertson Stadium, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman called his side's performance an eye-opener. The Hoops boss was a bit taken aback at his squad letting in three goals, especially considering that most of his focus during the first few weeks of preseason training has been on the defensive side of the ball.

Following a practice session on Saturday, the FCD coach said he wanted to see a better effort from his side on Monday, when the Hoops would face the Orange again, this time at Pizza Hut Park. FCD performed better in a 0-0 draw and Hyndman was clearly encouraged.

"If you saw the last game, we were quite disappointing," Hyndman said. "They (Houston) are getting ready to play a game in a couple of weeks and were pretty sharp and pretty intense. I thought that the game was a pretty even game today. They had some scoring chances as we did. I was glad not to get scored on, something that we've talked about and tried to get better on, giving up soft goals. I thought we made them earn every opportunity. We've only worked one day on our attack, so we've got a ways to go yet until we're on the same page in our attacking phase. We've been spending a lot of time on our defending phase."

FCD's starting 11 featured many who figure to start in the season opener on March 21 against Chicago, including forward Kenny Cooper and new left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh. However, one surprise was Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Saragosa starting at right back, a position he had never played before.

"We really don't have a quality right back right now," Hyndman admitted. "We can put Drew (Moor) out there. We can put [Pitchkolan] out there and can put a lot of different people out there. I think with Pablo (Ricchetti) holding that defensive midfield position, where do you put Marcelo (Saragosa)? You can put him in right midfield or left midfield but I don't think you're ever going to get the best out of him. So we had a conversation with him on our way back to Houston and he said that he would play anywhere we wanted him to play but he said that we would have to work with him because he had never played there before. We worked with him the other day on it and the day before game and I thought he was solid."

Hyndman was definitely pleased with Saragosa's performance in his new role.

"The thing that is encouraging is that he's only going to get better with more time and comfort," he said. "He overlaps well, attacks well, is a good distributor of the ball and has got a great vertical leap. He can help us in defending. The one thing we seem to have a problem with is our weak side. When the ball is coming across, we tend to ball watch. I think he did OK with that. I was pleased with the first thing for him."

One mitigating factor in Hyndman plugging Saragosa in on the right side is the slow progress that Adrian Serioux has made in recovering from several injuries.

"I don't know (when he will return)," Hyndman said. "It's one of those things where he had abdominal surgery for a sports hernia. Then he comes back and has a chronic knee that bothers him a little bit. Now he's got a hip that is bothering him a little bit. As soon as we get through one thing, something else happens. If Adrian comes back, is solid and Marcelo is doing a good job, we will be forced to put Adrian back on the left side."

Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha did not play against the Dynamo after arriving in Texas on Saturday. Hyndman did state that Rocha, who last year led FCD in assists, should be ready to practice on Wednesday. The Hoops have a fitness session at the Michael Johnson Performance Center on Tuesday.

"He's back," Hyndman said of Rocha. "He had some visa problems and we're really glad he's here. He'll start with the team tomorrow. He said he was (working out with a team down in Brazil). We'll find out (later in the week)."

In Monday's draw, Dax McCarty played the attacking midfield spot for FCD but Hyndman remains adamant that is not the ideal scenario for that position.

"We're still looking at one player," he said. "We're just trying to see if we can maybe work that out. If it doesn't work out now then we'll have to do something. We feel like we need a true No. 10 playmaker, somebody who can do things differently than Dax. We've found a couple of players but it they are so expensive."

Hyndman also sees another pretty big need in his back line.

"I think the team is getting pretty close to where we need to be," he said. "I think we need a very good left-sided fullback, somebody that has good speed, quickness, maturity and experience. We've got Blake (Wagner) that can bring some things and [Anthony Wallace] who can bring some things. I think that if the two of them were one player, we would have a pretty nice player out there. But they're young and they're going to make their mistakes. If we had a left-sided fullback who could get up and down the line and distribute the ball, it would really make a difference."

FCD returns to preseason action on Saturday morning when the University of Memphis visits Frisco.


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Ricketts angling to man Galaxy goal

CARSON, Calif. -- It doesn't take much of an effort to determine the Los Angeles Galaxy's major weakness last season.

They allowed a league-high 55 goals in 2008, 11 more than the next team, D.C. United. That helped explain why head coach/general manager Bruce Arena undertook a major overhaul of his team and his defense, including in goal where Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts is the odds-on favorite to man the nets when the regular season starts on March 22.

The 31-year-old, who was signed Dec. 23, is a veteran of just under 70 national team appearances and helped lead the Jamaicans to the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He almost led them to the final stage of 2010 World Cup qualifying, only to lose out on goal differential to Mexico. Ricketts also played more than 100 career games with Bradford City, a fourth-division side in England, and played a major role in Jamaica's winning the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup with a 2-0 victory against Grenada.

What made Ricketts so attractive to the Galaxy was not only his size -- he's listed as 6-feet-4 and 203 pounds -- but his experience. Last year's Galaxy netminder, Steve Cronin, often looked overmatched and finished last among MLS goalkeepers with a 2.03 goals-against average.

"We've been a little up and down in goal for the last year or two," Arena said. "I think Ricketts brings an experienced goalkeeper that brings us a consistent performance game in and game out.

"He has imposing, physical abilities in goal. I think he's a shot blocker and a player who performs at a consistent level."

Toronto FC also was interested in Ricketts, who played the last four seasons with Bradford City, but the Galaxy were his first choice for sentimental reasons. Ricketts had followed the club because of Tyrone Marshall, another fellow Jamaican who played in Los Angeles for several years. Ricketts even called Marshall, who then played for Toronto FC, for his advice on the potential move and Marshall told him to pursue it.

He said it's the best place to be," Ricketts said with a grin. "When I had a chance to come to the Galaxy, I said, 'Please, let me in.'"

Marshall was later traded to Seattle.

Ricketts wasn't in the best of shape when he arrived in camp just under two weeks ago -- he had been away from the game for about a month -- but he quickly left his impression on coaches and teammates.

"First, his attitude is really good," goalkeeper coach Ian Feuer said. "You never know with an experienced 'keeper coming in whether he'll accept being coached or not. He's very accepting of the points that I give him and he's appreciative of it. He has a very good attitude along with a lot of ability, too. That's a nice combination.

"Goalkeepers usually come into their own around 27. It's a position not just about shot-stopping but reading the game and all that stuff. He comes in with a lot of experience. I think he's looked really, really good."

Ricketts said his goals are simple: he wants to start and help the club end its surprising playoff drought of three seasons.

"I came here to win," he said, "and I like playing for Bruce (Arena) because he makes you want to play hard for him."

He also figures he'll at least get more of a chance to see the sights. The last time he was in southern California was in 2000 with the Jamaican national team for two games against Saudi Arabia. His coach, Rene Simoes, kept a tight rein on his players.

"He was very strict," Ricketts recalled. "All I can say is it was a beautiful hotel. That's all I saw."


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Bradley names eight MLS players to US roster

United States national team coach Bob Bradley has named a 20-man roster ahead of Wednesday's opening final round FIFA World Cup qualifier against rival Mexico at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Among those selected are 18 players who participated in the first two rounds of CONCACAF qualifying last year and eight Major League Soccer-based players. The defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew have two players on the roster -- veteran fullback Frankie Hejduk, who is in his fourth qualifying cycle and has eight career caps against Mexico, and midfielder Robbie Rogers, one of six 2008 Olympians on the roster.

The Houston Dynamo also have a pair of players on Bradley's 20-man roster. Joining holding midfielder Ricardo Clark is striker Brian Ching, who scored four goals through the first two rounds of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who became only the second player in U.S. history to score his first three goals in the same game when the U.S. collected a 3-2 win against Sweden on Jan. 24 at The Home Depot Center, joins teammate Jonathan Bornstein, who is in search of his 15th cap.

Toronto FC speedster Marvell Wynne is the third MLS-based defender on the roster. Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, currently on loan with Bayern Munich of the German Bundesliga, is the leading capwinner on the roster with 105 international appearances. He has scored four goals against Mexico, including the second goal in a 2-0 win that sent the U.S. into the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The remaining 12 players are European-based, many with close ties to Major League Soccer. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) and Tim Howard (Everton FC) from the English Premiership are the goalkeepers of choice for Bradley. U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France) joins Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland, Norway), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany) and Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege, Belgium) join Hejduk, Bocanegra and Wynne in the back.

DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mцnchengladbach) and Jose Francisco Torres of Pachuca are the other midfielders and joining Ching and Donovan up front are Jozy Altidore, who is on loan from Villarreal to Xerex CD in Spain, Charlie Davies of Hammarby IF (Sweden) and Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC).

The U.S. has a 3-0-2 record in qualifying and an unbeaten 4-0-3 all-time record at Crew Stadium, including a 2-0 win against El Tri that officially booked their place for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.


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Columbus' Hejduk may feature for US

COLUMBUS -- He is the unofficial mayor of Columbus and the way people in these parts complained lately about the snow and ice removal on the streets, Frankie Hejduk would probably win in a landslide over Columbus Mayor (and ardent Crew supporter) Michael Coleman if the election were held today.

Hejduk represents the hard working image of the MLS Cup champions in a city that's part blue-collar, part white-collar and all supporting of any winner.

The Crew captain is not only for the people, he is among the people. Who can forget the YouTube video of a suspended (yellow card accumulation) Hejduk tailgating in the Crew Stadium parking lot before a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy in September? That image prompted a paper in the United Kingdom to wonder why captains of so many Premiership teams are so stodgy and aloof from their supporters compared to Hejduk.

U.S. Soccer has a video on its website of Hejduk hanging with the fans at a pub in Columbus while they cheer the Yanks during their match against Sweden last month.

While Hejduk, 34, will always be known as a California surfer dude, he has made Columbus his second home with his wife, Elissa, and 13-month-old son Coasten.

However, if national team coach Bob Bradley starts Hejduk on Wednesday in the opener of the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying against Mexico at Crew Stadium it won't be for sentimental reasons.

Hejduk will have earned his spot at right back through his exceptional play for the Crew last season, including the final goal in a 3-1 win against New York in the MLS Cup, and a wealth of international matches (81 caps, six goals).

He's played in five matches against the Mexicans since 1998 and has two goals.

"Throughout qualifying we've relied heavily on a core of veterans," Bradley said. "In the first game of a final round against a rival like Mexico, I think that kind of experience will be very, very important."

Hejduk is glad the match is in Columbus, where the U.S. defeated Mexico in qualifiers by 2-0 scores in 2001 and 2005. In the first match -- dubbed "La Guerra Fria" (The Cold War) because the kickoff temperature was 29 degrees on a bitter Feb. 28 night -- he sat on the bench but four years later was on the field as the U.S. clinched a spot in the 2006 World Cup.

Either he or Marvell Wynne of Toronto FC will be in the first XI on the backline Wednesday.

"As a competitor and as a professional you always want to be out there playing and starting," Hejduk said. "My job is to make it as hard on the coaches as I can and be in that position. At the end of the day it's their call and as a player you respect whatever decision they make. I'm here for the team as we all are. It's a great group of guys and we're really looking forward to it because these are the games you want to play in."

Bradley allowed Hejduk to stay home the first three weeks of the training camp in Carson, Calif., but his presence at training in the week prior to coming to Columbus was felt.

"He's so willing to share what he knows and is so easy to talk to you can't help but pick up some good advice," midfielder Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA said. "Frankie brings a lot of experience and stories to the younger players."

One of those is Crew teammate Robbie Rogers. The midfielder and Wynne are the only two on the 20-man roster not to have prior qualifying experience with the full team.

"Frankie's helped me a lot. He's been in so many big matches throughout his career," Rogers said. "He's played here in Columbus for the national team and tells me what an awesome experience it is."

Hejduk has seen the passion grow in Columbus since joining the Crew in 2003. It exploded in 2008 when the Nordecke supporters section was formed in the northeast corner of the stadium. The Crew didn't lose an MLS match the final five months of the season and the raucous fandom was a factor.

"Dude, it's going to be rockin' Wednesday," he said. "You've not only got our supporters in the Nordecke, who are second to none, but throw in Sam's Army and there's going to be a lot of Mexican supporters chanting as well.

"We've done well here in the past and it's like we said this last season (with the Crew), 'This is our fortress.' We want to protect it. We've done well here and the crowd is behind us."

While many on the U.S. side were hoping for another freeze out to make the Mexicans as miserable as they were in 2001, the temperature should be in the 50s, although thunderstorms and high wind are in the forecast.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the perspective, the cold air (high of 41) doesn't return until Thursday. Hejduk is of the belief that Mexicans' non-success in Crew Stadium will be more important than the elements.

"I think it's in the back of their minds because all of their press is constantly talking about it," he said. "I think it is in their minds a little bit but once the whistle blows it's a different ball game. We're going to leave everything on the field as we've done in the past and we're going to battle. We're going to fight for our country."

It's Hejduk's goal to make Columbus a red, white and blue-collar city on Wednesday.


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With no deal, Beckham set to return

CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, the subject of rampant speculation for weeks to be joining AC Milan as part of a permanent transfer, will not be staying with the Serie A club after all.

It was a stunning turn of events for Beckham and the team on Friday when Tim Leiweke, chief executive of Galaxy investor-operator AEG, said AC Milan failed to make a satisfactory monetary offer for Beckham's services.

There were reports out of Friday's Sun and The Daily Telegraph in England which stated Milan was prepared to pay as much as 10.5 million pounds (about US$15.1 million) for Beckham and team officials were en route to Los Angeles to continue talks. But Leiweke told the Associated Press from Vail, Colo., where he is vacationing, those reports were not true.

"We didn't receive an offer today," he said. "We will abide by the Commissioner's wishes, so we are clear at this point that we don't want to have any further conversations."

MLS Commissioner Don Garber had issued a Friday deadline under which the Galaxy and AC Milan would work out an agreement for Beckham, who had been with the Italian powerhouse on loan since Dec. 29 and has stated his desire to remain with the club. Leiweke was quoted as saying he did have some discussions with Milan officials earlier in the week but heard nothing from them on Friday.

"They clearly were looking at this as a football decision and we were looking at it as a football and business decision," Leiweke said. "I'm not sure they ever quite understood the magnitude of the losses the Galaxy and the league would have had to bear this season.

"They were very respectful discussions. We're fine. There's no issues here."

Beckham is scheduled to return to Los Angeles on March 9. Leiweke said he has not spoken with the English standout, but he did say he expected the 33-year-old to live up to his Galaxy contract, which contains an clause that would enable Beckham to leave without compensation at the end of the 2009 season.

"Clearly the risk is we may lose him at the end of the year," Leiweke said. "We need David to honor the contract and come home, and let's stop the distraction."


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Bradley's double leads US past Mexico

COLUMBUS -- Michael Bradley, the son of national team manager Bob Bradley, scored a goal late in the first half and then added a second deep in stoppage time as the United States held off a short-handed Mexican squad for yet another 2-0 victory to continue its dominance in Crew Stadium, opening the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup before a roaring sellout crowd.

The USA has won all three World Cup qualifiers in Columbus vs. Mexico by a 2-0 count.

Bradley knocked home a rebound from a corner kick to the put the USA ahead two minutes before halftime, then with 10-man Mexico pressing at the end, Bradley unleashed a long strike that goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez misplayed to cap another U.S. whitewash.

Veteran Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain, was sent off in the second half after a dangerous challenge on U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard after he came out to claim a cross.

Overall, the Yanks are 4-0-2 in qualifiers and a 5-0-3 overall mark in Crew Stadium. The U.S. has scored 12 goals while yielding only one. In another streak, the U.S. is 9-0-2 on home soil vs. Mexico since 2000, with an 19-3 scoring advantage.

After being denied several times by Sanchez in a frenetic first half, the U.S. took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks in no small part to the hustle of a hometown hero.

Columbus Crew defender Frankie Hejduk outran Carlos Salcido to the end line to the right of Sanchez and forced the defender to knock the ball out of bounds after Hejduk attempted a cross before tumbling into the end boards.

On the ensuing right corner kick, Beasley sent the ball past the far post where Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) headed it to the middle of the box. Awaiting the cross was 6-foot-4 defender Oguchi Onyewu. His header was stopped by Sanchez by the ball came out of a pile right to Bradley for the quick put-back.

It was Bradley's fourth goal in 26 international appearances.

Just over a minute later Beasley had a long-range strike go wide right near the conclusion of the half that started with a bang.

If Mexico was intimidated it didn't show early when forward Giovani dos Santos found the bouncing ball on his left foot eight yards from goal in the third minute but Howard was there to make the stop, one of three in the first half.

The initial prime opportunity for the USA came in the 21st minute when Donovan stepped into a free kick at the top of the arc and sent a screamer two yards to the left of the post. Beasley had chances in the 27th and 31st minutes but Sanchez was able to get in front of the strikes each time.

He also had three saves in the first half as the U.S. effectively worked the flanks to free Beasley or Clint Dempsey.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute when Mexico saw the ball skitter from one end of the goalline to the other twice in front of Howard off a free kick. First Santos then Israel Martinez had chances before the ball was cleared.

However, the ball was served back in and when Howard went up to get it Marquez also went airborne but put his studs into the right leg of Howard and was shown a red card.

Yet, Mexico had two chances to tie the match off a corner in the 80th minute but Carlos Bocanegra was able to clear the ball off the goalline and Howard grabbed the subsequent cross.

The weather occupied as much of the pregame hype as the match itself.

Columbus in February can be unforgiving as the Mexicans found out on Feb. 28, 2001, in the "The Cold War." It was 29 degrees at kickoff and getting colder as the teams squared off in a qualifier.

Under those circumstances, the visitors didn't even bother coming out for warm-ups. It was little surprise they lost 2-0. A little more than four years later on a balmy September evening the USA prevailed 2-0 once again to reinforce the Mexican notion that Crew Stadium is the "House of Horrors."

When the date of this year's opening qualifier was announced, Columbus seemed like the perfect spot for another Columbus chill. Instead, two violent storms ripped through the area after a balmy, spring-like afternoon with a high of 63 degrees. The average high for Feb. 11 over the past decade was 33 with a trace of snow.

The first thunderstorm at 5:20 p.m. produced cyclonic water spouts on the field for about a minute and winds were in excess of 50 miles per hour.

The downpour moved on as quickly as it developed but at 6:45 p.m., 30 minutes prior to kickoff, another equally fierce combination of wind and rain drenched the fans and both teams as they warmed up.

By kickoff, the temperature was a breezy 52 degrees but the elements were not a factor.

Having the match in Columbus in a smaller stadium allows a pro-U.S. unlike any other stadium in the country. Still, the Mexican fans were able to come out in numbers and were in pockets around the stadium, especially in the portable bleachers behind the south goal.

Yet, they were no match for the record throng of 2,400 from Sam Army's and the Crew's famed Nordecke supporters section that swarmed the north end of the stands.

Mexico started Sanchez in goal with the backline consisting of Aaron Galindo, Salcido, Rafael Marquez and Ricardo Osorio. The midfield was led by Pavel Pardo with Alberto Medina and dos Santos and Leando Augusto out wide. Up top were Carlos Ochoa and Nery Castillo.

Castillo suffered a leg injury the 34th minute and was replaced by Martinez. Antonio Nelson subbed for Medina in the 60th minute and the final player off the bench was forward Omar Bravo for dos Santos in the 72nd.

There were no surprises to the first XI. Howard was in the nets and Heath Pearce (left) and Hejduk (right) supported center backs Carlos Bocanegra and Onyewu.

Beasley manned the left flank with Bradley and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) in the middle while Dempsey moved from the right side to also working with forwards Donovan and Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo). Jozy Altidore took over for Ching in the 83rd and Ricardo Clark replaced Kljestan three minutes later.


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Dynamo dominate Hoops on flanks

HOUSTON, Texas -- With less than three weeks until their first competitive game, the Houston Dynamo held their first preseason game against FC Dallas Friday afternoon at Robertson Stadium. Houston coach Dominic Kinnear was the happier coach on the day as the Dynamo got imposed their will on the flanks and scored on two set pieces for a relatively easy 3-0 victory.

Houston's three goals all came from great service. In the sixth minute, a Brian Mullan cross found Chris Wondolowski who beat FC Dallas center back Steve Purdy and finished nicely past 'keeper Ray Burse. In the 13th minute, a Brad Davis corner kick found Craig Waibel who headed home. On the third goal, a Richard Mulrooney corner was cleared poorly to Julius James and James didn't miss from short range to round out the victory.

"All three periods we looked sharp," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "First game for both teams and I am happy with how we started and ended the game."

The game was divided into three 30-minute periods and while Kinnear maintained the same group for the first hour, the final period gave him an opportunity to get a look at several new faces on his roster.

In addition, some starters were missing for the Orange, with Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark away with national team duty and Stuart Holden and Corey Ashe were both injured. Veteran defender Eddie Robinson was also unavailable as he was being inducted into the Greensboro (N.C.) Youth Soccer Hall of Fame, and that allowed him to play center back Julius James for the entire 90 minutes. James was acquired from Toronto FC in the deal for Dwayne De Rosario.

"I thought he looked good on and off the ball," Kinnear said. "He is enjoying it here so far and he is learning the way the guys are looking to play all around him."

With Holden out injured, the game provided Brad Davis the opportunity to get some minutes in central midfield as the Dynamo look to replace De Rosario in their attack.

"I like it. It's different. You have to be more aware at all times, but it's something I grew up playing in there and it's something I don't have a problem doing," Davis said. "It's something I'll work hard on because I know if there are injuries, I may have to step in there and play."

Overall, Houston was happy with the result.

"I thought it was fantastic. We showed well. We played a good game and deserved to win and we did," Davis said.

On the other side, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman was disappointed with his team's performance.

"I didn't think we played well," he said. The FCD boss indicated he thought his team would have been better prepared. "Practice has been great. Today was an eye-opening," he said.

In particular, Hyndman had been trying to improve his team's flank defense in the preseason and so to give up a goal in the run of play from wide service was troubling.

"There are things we have been working on and we were not able to do, so that is disappointing," he said. "Last year we gave up 44 goals throughout the year, 31 or so on the flank, so we talked about that a lot. ... So it's disappointing, of course."

The good news for Hyndman was that the season's first competitive outing offered him an opportunity to evaluate some new faces. In particular, Hyndman praised his new center back, Steve Purdy, signed last month from German second division side 1860 Munich.

"I thought Steve Purdy did a good job in his first game against an MLS team," Hyndman said. "I don't know if anyone really stepped up and did really well."


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First XI: Back to Ohio

Let's change the format of First XI a bit this week, with Wednesday night's U.S. vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier as the impetus for a new approach. Today, we'll put the list up first, then give the thoughts later. Keep in mind, since the author of First XI -- me -- has unabashed rooting interest in this game and will probably spend the entire 90 minutes with his head buried in a pillow and his hands clinging to a bottle of Maalox, the thoughts in this column are more an exercise in burning nervous energy - 1 day, 8 hours, 27 minutes (uh, how many seconds?) 'til kickoff -- than in trying to truly enlighten anyone. How can I enlighten anyone on a game that I'll barely be able to keep my eyes on?

So, here goes.

Below, you'll see a countdown of the last 11 times the U.S. has played host to Mexico at a site other than Los Angeles, Calif. The World Cup qualifiers are bolded:

11. June 24, 2007, Chicago: USA 2, Mexico 1

10. Feb. 7, 2007, Glendale, Ariz.: USA 2, Mexico 0

9. Sept. 3, 2005, Columbus: USA 2, Mexico 0

8. April 28, 2004, Dallas: USA 1, Mexico 0

7. April 3, 2002, Denver: USA 1, Mexico 0

6. Feb. 28, 2001, Columbus: USA 2, Mexico 0

5. June 11, 2000, East Rutherford, N.J.: USA 3, Mexico 0

4. April 20, 1997, Foxborough, Mass.: USA 2, Mexico 2

3. June 18, 1995, Washington, D.C.: USA 4, Mexico 0

2. Oct. 13, 1993, Washington, D.C.: USA 0, Mexico 0

1. Nov. 23, 1980, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: USA 2, Mexico 1

As you can see, that's a 9-0-2 mark for the U.S., in case anyone was wondering why the U.S. has once again elected to play El Tri in Columbus, at cozy Crew Stadium.

Was anyone actually questioning the U.S.'s decision to play this match in Columbus? I doubt it. Personally, having been at both U.S.-Mexico tilts at Crew Stadium, I wouldn't want the game to be played anywhere else ... but let's keep the thought going.

Will there come a day when the U.S. will be ready to take a leap, not to Los Angeles (no way), but to a stadium bigger than Crew Stadium, to take on Mexico in a big game? Is there a big stadium ready to step up and become the host of one of these games? Remember, if the other nations in CONCACAF are going to do everything in their power to create a difficult environment to play in, it's only fair for the U.S. to do the same ... so long as it's not beyond the realm of good sportsmanship. Is there a place that would provide the U.S. with a better home-field advantage than Crew Stadium?

Well, for starters, let's cross the rest of California off the list.

And while we're at it, wipe Chicago and Soldier Field off the list, for while the U.S. was able to defeat Mexico in the Gold Cup Final in 2007, that was clearly not the pro-U.S. crowd a national team deserves in an important final. Could the U.S. fans dominate Mexico at Toyota Park? That's a great question, but is it worth it for the U.S. to make the move from Columbus, where it's a given that U.S. fans will take control, to nearby Chicago? Probably not. So, Chicago is probably on the outs for U.S.-Mexico for now.

How about New York? I sat in Giants Stadium in June 2000 and saw the U.S. take Mexico apart 3-0, and I'd say it was a 70-30, pro U.S crowd. Not good enough. And let's not forget that Giants Stadium has to put a makeshift grass field in place. However, I think when Red Bull Arena opens up, if RBNY does its job well, you could almost guarantee a 90-10 U.S. crowd in Harrison, N.J. Keep that one in mind for the future.

And while we're on the East Coast, I think Philadelphia would be a decent option. Can't say the same for Washington, D.C., not after what we witnessed when the U.S. hosted Honduras in Qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. Charlotte? That's a possibility. But you'd have to give Charlotte a Gold Cup chance before trusting it with a qualifier.

Moving across the country, Birmingham, Alabama, has always done itself proud when hosting U.S. Soccer games. Are they ready to host a U.S.-Mexico game? We'll certainly learn a little more about Nashville, when it plays host to the U.S. and Trinidad & Tobago on April 1. But let's remember, T&T isn't Mexico. Nothing is.

Texas? Too risky. So, sorry Houston and Dallas. Ditto, Arizona. I consider Denver to be a gray area for a U.S.-Mexico matchup. Not sure I'd trust Invesco Field, but think Dick's Sporting Goods Park might work as another "small" option. A nice cold night in Denver wouldn't be the worst place for the U.S. to host Mexico in a big game.

How about Kansas City? The only problem I see in K.C. is that the field at Arrowhead is a bit narrow (so is Giants Stadium, by the way). The U.S. fans in K.C. are rock solid. I'd consider throwing them another bone though probably not for Mexico, as I would consider Salt Lake City (did a bang up job in the past). Seattle and Portland? No grass.

And what's the point of this exercise? Just to further illustrate that when it comes to the U.S. and Mexico, in a big match, there's still no place like Crew Stadium. While most people remember the cold night in 2001, when Mexico didn't even want to take the field to warm up, let's not think it needs to be frigid for the U.S. to take care of business as their 2-0 victory in September 2005 proved.

Crew Stadium might as well be called our National Stadium at this point.

The U.S. is 4-0-3 in seven games at CCS and 3-0-2 in World Cup qualifying matches. They've outscored their opponents 10-1. With home points historically so important in the World Cup qualifying process, why mess with success?

One day, six hours and 20 minutes til kickoff ...


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Hoops, Dynamo play to scoreless draw

FRISCO, Texas -- In the second match of their two-game in-state exhibition series, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo played to a scoreless draw Monday. The game followed a 3-0 victory by the Dynamo in Friday's first game at Robertson Stadium.

Both teams fielded starting 11s complete with plenty of regular starters. However, each coach had one lineup alteration of note. Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear went with veteran Wade Barrett in the midfield instead of his usual spot in the back line. FCD boss Schellas Hyndman started Brazilian Marcelo Saragosa at right back compared to his usual spot in the midfield.

It was FCD who generated the first real scoring chance of the morning when in the 16th minute, Jeff Cunningham made a nice run into the Houston 18 and got a shot off from about 14 yards out. However, his effort struck the right side of the goal netting.

The visitors' first chance came in the 25th minute when Dynamo veteran midfielder Brian Mullan hit a perfect ball from the right flank that found teammate Chris Wondolowski near the FCD goal. Wondolowski's header was well executed but hit directly to Hoops goalkeeper Dario Sala and the Argentinean international made the save at close range.

In the 29th minute, the home side had what was probably their best chance of the first 45 minutes of play. The sequence began when Cunningham played a ball to Eric Avila on the right side. Avila then crossed to the opposite flank, where Dave van den Bergh was waiting.

Van den Bergh's cross deflected several times before landing at the feet of Kenny Cooper, who was near the opposing goal. Cooper's shot from point-blank range got away from him and sailed high.

Houston generated another quality chance in the 36th thanks to Brad Davis. The Dynamo midfielder spotted Kei Kamara open inside the FCD area and got him the ball. Much like Wondolowski had done a few minutes earlier, Kamara headed the ball squarely but Sala was there to save the day for FCD, making the save before colliding with the left post and appearing to injure his right shoulder, though he remained in the game.

For the most part, each team stuck with their original starting 11 to begin the second half. However, about 20 minutes into the period, both coaches went to their benches.

Both teams to the field later this week. On Thursday, Houston travels to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy in a preseason friendly while FCD will face the University of Memphis on Saturday morning in Frisco.


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Eriksson in game of survival

Warning to Mexican national team coaches: Losing to and even playing against the United States can be dangerous for your health and your tenure as coach.

So, it should not be surprising that Mexico's latest coach, Swedish native Sven-Goran Eriksson, finds himself sitting on the hot seat in more ways that one entering Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the U.S. at Crew Stadium (ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET).

The Mexican media traditionally comes down hard on the team and whichever poor soul has to endure the pressure of coaching a team that has to lose to someone, sooner or later. It has been difficult for Mexicans -- players and citizens -- to come to grips with the fact that the U.S. and the rest of CONCACAF has caught up or is catching up to them.

Several of Eriksson's predecessors met their demise after losing to the U.S., a fourth after playing against the red, white and blue.

A quick history:

Manuel Lapuente (1991): Only two days after losing to the U.S. 2-0 in the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals in Los Angeles, Lapuente was given his walking papers. Lapuente came back for more and guided the team from 1997-99.

Miguel Mejia Baron (1995): After coaching Mexico to and in the 1994 World Cup, it all went to pieces in 1995. His Mexican team was demolished by the U.S. 4-0 in a U.S. Cup encounter in Washington, D.C. in June and was eliminated by the pesky USA in Copa America in Uruguay on July 17 via penalty kicks after a scoreless draw in Uruguay. Baron, incidentally, was a qualified dentist.

Bora Milutinovic (1997): Baron's replacement turned out to be the old international traveling man, Milutinovic (who directed the MetroStars in their dismal 1999 season). Bora guided the Mexicans into the World Cup, but was axed only three weeks after securing a berth at France '98. Bora, who had been under fire for more than a year, got the axe on Nov. 25, 1997, only three weeks after unbeaten Mexico (4-0-6) qualified. But Milutinovic had unwittingly was caught up in a political battle between rival television networks -- Televisa, which supported him, and upstart Azteca, which wanted him out. Azteca, and many fans thought that Mexico had underachieved in its final four qualifiers, tying each one.

"We never had a problem with the coach," said Mexican captain Marcellino Bernal, who added that Milutinovic was axed "because we didn't get favorable results, especially in the five home games. We didn't win ... we didn't play convincing soccer." He was replaced by Lapuente (see above for his fate). Lapuente coached that team at France '98 and guided the Mexicans to the FIFA Confederations Cup title a year later.

Enrique Meza (2001): Enrique Meza Enriquez wasn't fired immediately after the USA's stunning 2-0 qualifying victory, but it began a tail-spin that left the Mexicans' World Cup aspirations in a shambles during the CONCACAF final round for Korea/Japan 2002. He was bounced in June 2001 and replaced by former Los Angeles Aztecs midfielder Javier Aguirre, who guided Mexico into the World Cup. Meza, incidentally, directed Pachuca to its first SuperLiga title in 2007, when it defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Hugo Sanchez (2008): The former Real Madrid and Mexican international scoring star guided the Tricolores for 16 months before he was axed on March 31, 2008. Less than two months prior, Sanchez's side had tied the U.S. in an international friendly in Houston on Feb. 6, 2-2. It wasn't the U.S. match that did Sanchez in. The full national side went on to tie Australia and Finland, not exactly world powers, and tied Ecuador's under-23 national team in Queretaro, Mexico. Under Sanchez's stewardship, the U-23 teams failed to qualify for the Olympics, getting eliminated in the opening CONCACAF round. Add his controversial decision to change the color of the home national team jersey from green to white, the Mexican Primera Division club owners voted 16-0 to oust Sanchez on March 31.

Cesar Menotti: While it could not be determined whether he was fired after a U.S. match, Mexico lost Menotti, who directed Argentina to the 1978 World Cup championship, not once, but twice. Menotti quit over political problems in the Mexican Federation. The second time was permanent. Menotti left the team, and Miguel Mejia Baron took over.


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The Chicago Fire made it three wins in four MLS preseason games, beating Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC 1-0 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., on Tuesday morning. In another Eastern Conference clash, D.C. United topped defending the MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew, 2-1, while the New York Red Bulls are still in search of their first win after playing the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues First Division to a scoreless draw on Monday afternoon.

On the west coast, the expansion Seattle Sounders defeated Chinese club Shandong Luneng, 2-0, one day after handing the Los Angeles Galaxy a 3-1 loss at The Home Depot Center.

Chicago Fire 1, Toronto FC 0: Mike Banner struck for the game's lone goal in the 41st minute, placing a free kick into the top left corner of the goal, to lift the Chicago Fire to the victory against Toronto FC Tuesday morning at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

TFC had the first quality scoring chance of the match, but Chad Barrett fired his shot over the crossbar in the seventh minute. Johann Smith then carved out a good scoring opportunity in the 20th minute, but after escaping a challenge from defender Roland Paul Bebey Kingue and racing into the box, his shot rolled wide of the far post.

Danny Dichio entered the game on the hour mark and nearly made an immediate impact with a clever back heel to Sam Cronin. But his shot was saved by Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.

D.C. United 2, Columbus Crew 1: Luciano Emilio and Chris Pontius struck for D.C. United, which defeated the Columbus Crew in Bradenton, Fla., Tuesday morning. Emilio, the former MLS MVP, got things going for D.C. in the 22nd minute when he headed in a Mike Zayer cross past Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenbaum.

Jason Garey equalized for Columbus, capitalizing on a gaffe by goalkeeper Milos Kocic in the 58th minute. Believing the official had ruled the Crew offside, Kocic placed the ball down and prepared for a goal kick, but Garey swooped in and knocked the ball into the open net to tie the score at 1-1.

Pontius, though, put United ahead for good when dribbled past a few Crew players and scored into the lower corner of the goal from nearly 18 yards out in the 76th minute.

Seattle Sounders 2, Shandong Luneng 0: Sanna Nyassi struck for a second-half brace to lift the Seattle Sounders to a 2-0 victory against Chinese side Shandong Luneng at Ventura College on Tuesday afternoon.

Stephen King set up the first Sounders goal when the lone holdover from the first half sent a ball over the top of the defense to Nyassi, who scored his second goal in as many games to give Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute.

Five minutes later, Nyassi nearly added his second, picking a ball off in the offensive third and blistering a shot from the right side about 15 yards out, but it went wide left. Roger Levesque was played in one-on-one after a nice combination with Sebastien Le Toux, but his shot was caromed off the right post in the 74th minute.

One minute later, though, Nyassi struck again. This time he drew the Shandong Luneng goalkeeper out, pushed the ball around him and slotted the ball into the open net for the insurance goal.

Seattle Sounders 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 1: Nyassi set up Levesque's game-winning goal in the 80th minute and scored an insurance marker in the first minute of stoppage time to lift the Sounders to a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy Monday at The Home Depot Center. It was the expansion side's first game against an MLS opponent.

Kyle Patterson's long ball from the right found Eddie Lewis inside the box and the U.S. international was able to place a low shot just outside the dive of Kasey Keller to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in just the third minute.

But the Sounders equalized 14 minutes later when Colombian Fredy Montero scored on a penalty kick after Steve Zakuani, the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, used his speed to get behind the defense before being pulled down in the box by A.J. DeLaGarza.

In the 80th minute, Nyassi broke free down the right flank and sent a cross into the box which Levesque was able to finish, giving his side a 2-1 lead. Ten minutes later, Nyassi provided the final touch after Ryan Pore's cross from the left found the young Gambian midfielder alone in the box to tap home for the final 3-1 scoreline.

New York Red Bulls 0, Puerto Rico Islanders 0: The New York Red Bulls played to a preseason draw for a second consecutive game and remain winless in three matches after a 0-0 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL-1 Monday afternoon at IMG Academy in Bradenon, Fla.

Four minutes in, forward Macoumba Kandji darted past his defender on the left wing before playing a dangerous cross that was booted away. Fifteen minutes later, Kandji again found space on the left side and passed it to a wide open Lionel Saint-Preux, but the trialist put the ball over the bar.

Puerto Rico's best chance of the match came in the 14th minute. Sandy Gbandi was able to create space on the right side of the 18-yard box and his deflected shot was punched away by goalkeeper Danny Cepero. Former D.C. United forward Nicholas Addlery got to the rebound, but Carlos Mendes cleared the ball away.

New York had two chances to take the lead in the 71st minute. Defender Ryan Mirsky was able to knock the ball to forward John Wolyniec, whose goal-bound header was cleared off the line. Moments later, Juan Manuel Perez Bernal was slipped through on goal but his shot was saved.


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Ricchetti honored to wear armband

FRISCO, Texas -- There was little surprise last week when FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman selected veteran holding midfielder Pablo Ricchetti out of three candidates to serve as the Hoops captain for 2009.

Being captain has been nothing new for Ricchetti, who has worn the armband on several occasions since joining FCD in 2007. Last season, he was named the team's top defender for his solid play in the middle and also FCD's Humanitarian of the Year for his great work off the field.

The 32-year-old Argentinean was honored to be Hyndman's choice.

"I am proud," Ricchetti said. "It's an honor. It's a big responsibility. I have worked since I've been here as a captain but without the armband. Right now, I have it and its a little more responsibility and I have to do different things. It's nice."

Before coming to FCD two years ago, he had played for famed Argentinean side River Plate before heading to Italy and Spain. But through all of those experiences, he had never been named captain.

"With different teams, I had been captain sometimes but it had never been a regular thing," Ricchetti said. "This is the first time."

In his two-plus seasons in Frisco, not only has the veteran commanded the respect of opponents for his stellar play, but more importantly, he has also earned the respect of his FCD teammates.

"I think everyone in this locker room watches Drew (Moor) and I," he said. "I don't think anyone was surprised when I got it. We will work together. I have the armband right now but very easily, it could have been him. We have two or three players who could have gotten it but I was sure I was one of them. It could have been Drew or it could have been another guy but it was his decision. I like it."

Last year, he earned some additional praise from his teammates by making two starts at center back, a position he hadn't played since his days at River Plate. Ricchetti moved to the back line for two games in September when the defensive options for FCD were limited due to injuries.

His fellow Hoops definitely agree that Hyndman made a solid choice.

"I'm really happy he's the captain," midfielder Eric Avila said. "There are a couple of other guys who could be great captains as well. But I think Pablo is a guy that steps up and tells it how it is. He demands that everyone respects him and that's what we need in a captain."

FCD forward Kenny Cooper, who will now see his club's fourth different captain in his four MLS seasons, is equally pleased with Ricchetti getting the armband.

"I'm excited for Pablo," he said. "It's well-deserved. He has a lot of experience and is a great leader within our team. I know he'll do a great job wearing that armband."

In the offseason, there was some off-field controversy surrounding Ricchetti as he asked the FCD front office for a raise even though he was under contract. That request was rebuffed and rumors surfaced of him possibly being traded to another side.

To his credit, Hyndman smoothed things over because he valued the experience Ricchetti brought to his team both on the pitch and the locker room.

Ricchetti is now crystal clear about what Hyndman's expectations are for him.

"He wants most of the same things I did last year for him," he said. "But he also wants a few different things from me. He wants me talking directly to him about certain situations in the locker room. It's basically the same as it was but only with some added responsibility."

Last week, Hyndman said he sees a captain as being a conduit between the players and the coaches and is a firm believer in open and honest communication between both sides. Ricchetti figures to deliver that, something that had been missing at FCD for the last few seasons.


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Galaxy reach into past to help present

CARSON, Calif. -- Todd Dunivant said it's good to be back, although the circumstances have changed dramatically.

The veteran defender has returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he helped the club win MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in 2005 and played every minute of every game that season, after a trade on Tuesday with Toronto FC. He still has plenty of fond memories of his time spent in southern California, although he revisits a club that has fallen on hard times.

The Galaxy haven't made the postseason in each of the last three seasons, and Dunivant said that is unacceptable. The recovery starts, he said, not so much with new players -- there are at least 12 in training camp -- but with a new attitude.

"It's funny," said Dunivant, who turns 29 in December. "Every organization will go through something like that. There are always ups and downs in programs, even in professional sports. Obviously, it's a mind-set issue that needs to change. When I came on the Galaxy, it was championship or else. Now it's kind of the playoffs or else. The expectations are different, so we need to work on that."

Dunivant, who originally was drafted sixth overall in 2003 by San Jose and helped the Earthquakes win the MLS Cup as a rookie, was traded from the Galaxy midway through the 2006 season. He had just signed a new contract with the club and was expecting to be with the organization for some time when then-general manager Alexi Lalas -- who had just taken over for the late Doug Hamilton and also had traded Dunivant from the Earthquakes to Los Angeles when he was general manager in San Jose -- sent him to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for allocation money. Dunivant arrived on that scene just before Bruce Arena was named head coach in New York. Arena, however, then sent Dunivant to Toronto FC in June of 2007.

Arena, now head coach/general manager of the Galaxy, said he reacquired Dunivant because he fills a glaring need.

"He's an experienced left back in the league who has proven himself at a position where we've been fairly inexperienced," Arena said. "He's demonstrated he's a good, solid player who's obviously familiar with Los Angeles. And I feel he will be good in the locker room as well."

Dunivant still is recovering from microfracture surgery on his right ankle, which he broke last season and limited him to only nine games for Toronto, and hasn't been cleared for full training yet. But he is confident he can return by the time the regular season starts on March 22 against D.C. United.

"It's a six-month injury," Dunivant said. "I'm in the early stages of coming back. My recovery has gone great, and it's just a matter of getting fit and getting back in there with the guys. The good thing is we have a lot of time before the season starts."

In the meantime, he'll be more than happy to do what he can to help a team that is eager for improvement.

"I think I can offer a lot," he said. "I won a championship here, and I've won two championships in my career. This has been a little downturn for the Galaxy, but there's no question everyone has their sights set on making this club what it once was.

"We can't always look to the past, but we have such a storied history here it's hard not to aspire to those expectations again. It feels a bit like coming home again. It's good to be back and get this team going in the right direction again and be part of the Galaxy again."


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Backups see plenty of action for Fire

Chicago Fire coach Denis Hamlett entered training camp this year with an advantage over his peers. Barring injury, Hamlett will have his best XI from 2008 available for selection in 2009.

That doesn't mean the 2009 training camp in Bradenton, Fla., has been easy. For one thing, it has been unseasonably cold. "We tried to get away from the cold, but I think we brought it with us," Hamlett said.

Also, three of Hamlett's starters are with the U.S. national team training for the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Mexico next week. Forward Chris Rolfe, midfielder John Thorrington and goalkeeper Jon Busch are with the senior team.

Defender Bakary Soumare, the 2008 MLS Defender of the Year, has joined his national team in Mali, and defender Gonzalo Segares is with his counterparts from Costa Rica. Marco Pappa returned this week from playing with the Guatemalan national team in the UNCAF Copa de Naciones.

So while Hamlett knows what he is going to have when the season starts, he doesn't have them with him now.

"It's always nice when you have a good core group coming back, but we don't have a lot of those guys back right now," Hamlett said.

Defender Wilman Conde, whose return to the Fire was in question for much of the offseason, is still dealing with visa issues but could join the team by the weekend.

In the absence of all those starters, many backups and newcomers are getting time in the competitions the Fire have had in their first 10 days of training.

For example, 2008 reserves Mike Banner, Dasan Robinson, Peter Lowry, Austin Washington and Patrick Nyarko received a bulk of the playing time as Hamlett divided the first game against the University of Central Florida into thirds, and the game against the Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday into halves, deploying different lineups in each section.

Nyarko scored twice in a 3-2 loss to the Wizards.

"We have a good competitive opportunity for the younger guys to put them in with that (first) group, to see what they are made of," Hamlett said.

It is also an opportunity to look at some outsiders trying to get in, like undrafted rookie Stefan Dimitrov of Concordia College (N.Y.), who scored twice against Central Florida in the training camp opener.

"He's a big target forward," Hamlett said of the Bulgarian native. "He has a lot of good starting points."

Dimitrov was the leading scorer in NCAA Division II soccer last season, with 23 goals in 17 games.

The Fire are also giving a lot of time to free agent pickup Tim Ward, a former draft pick by the New York MetroStars who was last with the Colorado Rapids but could not break into the first team lineup.

Among familiar faces, veteran defender C.J. Brown is playing after missing almost the entire 2008 season with a variety of injuries. Brown, 33, is the only original Fire player remaining on the roster, following recent retirements by Chris Armas and Diego Gutierrez.

"(Brown) has been through all the training sessions, and he is getting his timing and sharpness down," Hamlett said.

In the absence of Busch, Hamlett is looking at last year's backups, Tyler Kettering and Nick Noble.

The Fire next play the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday in Bradenton.


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Rivals vie for CONCACAF supremacy

Arguably the best national team rivalry in all of soccer resumes Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio.

Unless you have been sleeping since MLS Cup or been hiding in a cave, you already know that the United States will take on Mexico in a key (aren't all of those games key in a short season?) World Cup qualifying match (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).

While three points are at stake in the race to soccer's promised land -- South Africa in 2010 -- so is the pride of both countries and CONCACAF supremacy.

If the USA wins, it will continue solidify its claims to be CONCACAF kings and add to an unbeaten home streak on U.S. soil that stands at 10 games (8-0-2) since a 2-1 loss in San Diego on March 13, 1999.

If the Mexicans prevail, it will restore their pride, at least until the next game, and keep embattled coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in power at least until the next crisis or loss.

A tie? That will give each team a point and confuse things on who's the best team in all of the CONCACAF land until August, most likely.

If you're under 30, you probably have become accustomed to the United States holding its own and then some against its neighbors south of the Rio Grande. But for anyone born prior to 1975, they know that it wasn't always this way.

Back in the day, it wasn't anywhere near a rivalry. Back in the old days, the Mexicans owned the series. It usually went like this: When the U.S. played in Mexico City, the hosts would win and win decisively. When the game was in the U.S. -- many times in Los Angeles, when the home crowd overwhelming cheered for the visitors and not for the old red, white and blue ... who would be fortunate just to register a draw. A victory was unheard of.

Slowly, but surely, things started to change.

During a meaningless 1982 World Cup qualifier in November, 1980 -- the U.S. already had been eliminated -- the USA bested the Mexicans in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 2-1, its first triumph against Mexico since the very first meeting (and qualifier) -- a 4-2 U.S. qualifying triumph in Rome just days prior to the 1934 World Cup.

The U.S. literally started to get its legs after it qualified for Italia '90, after 40 years in the World Cup desert.

First came a 2-2 tie in L.A. in 1991 and a 2-0 victory in the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals. That was followed by a 1-0 win before 91,123 at the Rose Bowl only weeks prior to the 1994 World Cup. The first major turning point came in a 4-0 stomping at RFK Stadium in June 1995 that served as Claudio Reyna's coming out party as an international impact player. A month later in the Copa America quarterfinals, the U.S. overcame their rivals once again after a scoreless draw, prevailing in a shootout behind the heroics of Brad Friedel.

When MLS was born in 1996, the new league gave fuel to the USA's fire to turn a one-sided series into a true, honest-to-goodness rivalry because players had a league in which to play and improve and prep for international matches.

In November 1997, despite playing a man down for most of the match (Jeff Agoos was red-carded), the U.S. managed a point in its chamber of horrors, Estadio Azteca, securing a valuable and precious qualifying point.

While the U.S. continued to struggle in the rarefied air and smog of Mexico City (that point in 1997 is still the only one ever taken in Mexico by the USA), they made sure the Mexicans paid on their own soil, especially when it counts.

Take, for instance, a pair of World Cup qualifiers held in the capital of Ohio.

The first one was a classic. A half hour into a match that was played in 29-degree weather, the U.S. found itself without two key players who were forced from the game due to injuries -- Brian McBride and Reyna. In their place came Josh Wolff, who scored one goal, and Clint Mathis, who set up another (Earnie Stewart also found the back of the net), it one of the high points of U.S. soccer history.

The second confrontation might not have had the drama of 2001, but the result was just fine for the hosts -- another 2-0 victory, this time on a warm, summer September night in 2005. Steve Ralston, better known for his crossing than scoring, and the ever-elusive DaMarcus Beasley did the dirty work up front with goals, while Oguchi Onyewu, did his dirty work on Mexican Jared Borguetti in the back, keeping the Mexican striker literally on his back when push always came to shove.

And it wasn't just the results, but the aftershocks that were left by U.S. performances.

Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente was given the heave-ho after losing to the U.S., 2-0, in the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Miguel Mejia Baron was fired shortly after the '95 match. Coach Bora Milutinovic was shown the door after the Azteca fiasco in '97 (will Eriksson suffer a similar fate if his side loses?).

The Mexican media traditionally comes down hard on the team and whichever poor soul has to endure the pressure of coaching a team that has lost to someone, sooner or later. It has been difficult for Mexicans -- players and citizens -- to come to grips with the fact that the U.S. and the rest of CONCACAF has caught up or is catching up to them. The days of rolling over every foe is over.

The ultimate test for CONCACAF superiority came on neutral turf in Jeonju, South Korea in the 2002 World Cup on June 17 when the U.S. produced a stunning 2-0 result in the second round. Hampered by injuries, suspensions and possible yellow-card bans in the next match, the USA played their collective hearts out as Friedel again did his magic in the back and Landon Donovan and McBride supplied the offensive fireworks.

End of discussion of which team was the best in CONCACAF.

Since then, both sides essentially have held serve on their home court, including qualifiers.

Incidentally, the USA's score of choice for the really, really big confrontations that truly mean something has been 2-0.

Knowing U.S. coach Bob Bradley, he could care less about what the score would be on Wednesday night. Two-zip once again would be nice for him, although 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, etc. etc. would just as suffice.

Regardless which side prevails at Columbus Crew Stadium on Wednesday night, there will be much talk and hype about the rematch in Mexico City on Aug. 11. The full U.S. team will be seeking its first win in Mexico, while the Mexicans will try for another three points. That confrontation should be a doozy as well.


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Revs get back to work, eye return to MLS Cup

NORFOLK, Mass. -- The New England Revolution ended last season wondering how a once promising campaign ended in such a downward spiral.

The Revs started the process of putting 2008 in the rearview mirror and preparing for 2009 as training camp opened on Monday morning.

"For us, it was a long offseason in the sense that we thought we finished the year on a down note," Revs defender Jay Heaps said. "In the same breath, it's nice to get back here, see the guys and get that focus again."

Heaps and his teammates will need that focus as the team tries to improve on last season's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series exit to Chicago and return to a fourth MLS Cup Final in five years.

Most of the core is back, though replacing Michael Parkhurst and Khano Smith remains high on the team's agenda. Twenty-six of the 27 players on the training camp roster are in camp this week; Kheli Dube will arrive soon soon after tending to personal matters back in Zimbabwe.

Revs boss Steve Nicol said the assembled players were happy to return to training and ready to return to business.

"It's good to get back and get on with it," Nicol said. "It's nice to have a break, but it's nice to start again. We just want to get back to work."

Fitness training dominates early training sessions. Nicol and his coaching staff set up drills focusing on running and strength training rather than tactical and ball work to open camp.

"Every player dreads it," Heaps said. "It's just part of the game. But if you have to do it with anyone, Stevie and Paul [Mariner, Revolution assistant coach] are the best to do it with."

Nicol and Mariner played the game at the highest level and approach the preseason program with that experience in mind. The necessary game fitness arrives without burning players out, according to Heaps.

"They have a good sense about the length of the season," Heaps said. "They've never overdone anything in terms of fitness. They know exactly what players need. That's what the young guys are starting to learn. It's not going to blow you away, but it's going to get you to the point where you're ready for the season."

Heaps embraces the Revs' training method because both players and coaches approach the work seriously while enjoying themselves at the same time. Heaps said the combination has made the Revs one of the fitter teams in the league.

"It's light in terms of having a few laughs and having a good time," Heaps said. "It's light in terms of everything that we're doing. It's not blow everything out early. That's been a huge success for us. Last year, we had some injuries, but the three or four years before that, we peaked at the right time."

One key injury -- Steve Ralston's broken fibula -- crippled New England's playoff hopes last season. After rehabbing his leg during the offseason, the Revs' captain said he's back and ready to go.

"I haven't felt it at all," Ralston said.


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Preseason roundup: Fire, Real beat USL clubs

The Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake each disposed of USL opposition in the first full weekend of MLS preseason action. The Fire defeated the USL1 Puerto Rico Islanders 1-0 on Saturday, while RSL battled to a scoreless draw against the PDL Ventura County Fusion on Sunday.

Also over the weekend, the Kansas City Wizards played MLS competition for the second time in a week, battling to a wild 4-4 draw in a preseason game played at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. on Saturday morning.

Chicago Fire 1, Puerto Rico Islanders 0: Former U.S. international Brian McBride scored the lone goal, slotting home an eighth-minute penalty kick to lift the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 victory against the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues First Division in a preseason match at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. on Saturday.

After Patrick Nyarko was fouled inside the box, the Fire was awarded the penalty and McBride stepped to the spot and calmly placed the ball low to the right of the Islanders' goalkeeper for the game's lone goal.

The Fire nearly doubled its lead in the 62nd minute when C.J. Brown headed Justin Mapp's corner kick toward the right post where McBride nodded the ball into the goal. But the goal was called back when the assistant referee ruled McBride to be in an offside position.

The Fire will return to the field to face Toronto FC Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the IMG Academy.

Real Salt Lake 0, Ventura County Fusion 0: Real Salt Lake and Ventura County Fusion of the United Soccer League's Premier Development League played to a scoreless draw in a preseason match at Buena High School in Ventura, Calif. Sunday night.

Alex Nimo had RSL's best scoring chance, firing a shot past Fusion goalkeeper Trevor Styles, bit Rodrigo Lopez pushed the shot off the line with his right foot in the 25th minute.

Kansas City Wizards 4, New York Red Bulls 4: Trialist Lionel St. Preux had a second-half brace, the second goal coming in the 84th minute to give New York a late 4-3 lead, but defender Raushawn McKenzie had the 89th-minute equalizer, finishing off Michael Kraus' flick of a Kevin Souter corner kick to forge the 4-4 draw.

Claudio Lopez gave the Wizards a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute, latching on to Josh Wolff's through ball and beat Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero with a left-footed kick following a 40-yard run.

The Red Bulls leveled the match three minutes later when veteran Mike Petke volleyed Jorge Rojas' free kick past goalkeeper Boris Pardo. Dominic Oduro headed in a Dane Richards cross in the 42nd minute to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead at the break.

Receiving a well-timed diagonal ball through the defense from Josh Wolff, Graham Zusi flicked the ball over Jon Conway from 10 yards out to equalize in the 56th minute. Zusi then turned provider on the hour mark, feeding Wolff, who played a perfect through ball to Lopez. The former Argentinean international rounded Conway and slid the ball into the open net to give the Wizards a 3-2 lead.

St. Preux equalized nine minutes later, capitalizing on a Wizards mistake in the defensive third. The Haitian international tapped in a rebound six minutes from full time to put the Red Bulls back in front 4-3.

But McKenzie scored his second goal in two preseason matches to tie the match as the Wizards improved to 2-0-1 in the preseason after beating the U.S. under-17 national team 7-0 and besting the Chicago Fire 3-2 in the midweek.

The Red Bulls are now 0-1-1 after losing to the U-17s 1-0 on Wednesday.


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United's Kocic not lacking confidence

MLS rookies tend to be wide-eyed and nervous as they enter their first preseason training camp. Few are expected to make an immediate impact with the senior team and for many, the most immediate task is simply earning a roster spot and finding their place among the locker room's veterans.

But D.C. United newcomer Milos Kocic is having none of it -- not even the "r word" itself.

"I don't see myself as a rookie," said the Serbian goalkeeper, United's third selection in last month's SuperDraft. "I don't want anybody to see me as a rookie. I really feel like I can play and that's it. I'm going to do my best, I am going to compete as much as I can. I don't care who is behind me, who is in front of me. You've got to beat me to be the starting goalkeeper."

The 23-year-old's straightforward confidence startled the media members in attendance, yet his soccer resume is rich enough to justify such an attitude. Kocic was raised in Belgrade, Serbia, where his father instilled in him a passionate love for Red Star Belgrade, a traditional Eastern European heavyweight infamous for its rabid fans and intimidating home ground, the Stadion Crvena Zvezda, nicknamed "Marakana."

The 6-foot-4 netminder had already logged time in the youth system at FK Dubocica Leskovac in his home country before crossing the Atlantic to join NCAA powerhouse St. John's University, only to be wracked by culture shock in the unforgiving environs of New York City. An under-the-weather Kocic arrived just before the start of preseason with no housing arrangements or furniture, limited English skills and, worst of all, he saw little of the field for the Red Storm and was redshirted.

So when friend and countryman Rade Kokovic suggested he consider a move south to join him at Loyola College in Baltimore, Kocic jumped at the chance. His goalkeeping soon helped elevate the little college of 3,500 undergraduates into a regional contender, as the Greyhounds racked up back-to-back NCAA tournament bids in his final two seasons.

An aggressive course schedule allowed Kocic to earn his bachelor's degree in international business a semester early, and over the winter several European clubs expressed interest in his services -- most notably, his beloved Red Star.

But life at the Marakana is inevitably affected by the power and ferocity of its hard-core supporters' groups, who became intertwined with the vicious ethnic warfare sparked by the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Subsequent financial troubles have created further challenges for Red Star, which nonetheless continues to churn out world-class talent like defender Nemanja Vidic (now with Manchester United) and striker Nikola Zigic (a mainstay at Spanish side Racing Santander).

More than a decade of war in the Balkans has made Serbia a pariah in the eyes of many outsiders, yet Kocic remains faithful to his homeland, whose colors he wore at the under-19 and under-21 international level.

"Serbia is really nice," said the goalkeeper, whose brother Mrijan was once a national champion kick boxer. "[During] the war, there was a [NATO] bombing, which was like two months, and the things that were happening, it wasn't as bad as the media shows. So I was fine -- with my parents, I always had everything I needed."

But Kocic nonetheless decided to avoid the "big trouble" swirling around his childhood club and pursue a career in Major League Soccer, where he feels he can prove himself on a fairer playing field.

"I love them -- I have been a Red Star fan all my life and I still didn't want to sign for them. ... I just didn't like the environment," he said. "And that is why I chose America before Serbia. Because there are so many other things besides soccer [there] and here I believe it's who the best is going to play. So that's why I'm here."

Now an unusual turn of events has pushed him up the depth chart and into a major role in United's preseason preparations. Incumbent netminder Louis Crayton has returned to Liberia in the wake of his mother's death while veteran Zach Wells is on leave from the team as he contemplates retirement, so Kocic and James Thorpe, last year's third-string 'keeper, are manning the nets in training camp.

Kocic's talent is obvious, but he's already weathered his share of hard knocks as he comes to grips with the speed and intensity of the pro level. He saw three goals fly past him in the first 45 minutes of United's 4-1 loss to Danish side Vejle Boldklub last week and gave up a disputed goal to Columbus before producing several quality saves in the second half of D.C.'s 2-1 scrimmage victory on Tuesday.

"He's seeing shots that are coming in fast and have more purpose, and finding that what's required of him on the pro level is a lot more communication and organization, which he probably hasn't [previously] been held to do," said head coach Tom Soehn. "Like any rookie, it's always a great experience to come into this environment and get thrown into tough situations. The good ones step up to that."

Even as he acknowledges the skill and experience of veterans like Crayton, Kocic continues to push for the starting job, aiming high as he looks to move up the professional ladder.

"It's different than in college, that's for sure. I need a little bit of time to adjust. I am fit but I just need some other things to settle down," he said on Tuesday. "I am fine for now but I think I can do much better. It's just a matter of time when I'm going to adjust to the players and everybody else. But I am getting better and better every day."


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Osorio rests Angel with eye on season

BRADENTON, Fla. -- New York Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio has made a bold decision in February that could very well affect the fortunes of the club this summer and beyond.

Osorio has decided to keep star striker Juan Pablo Angel away from the Florida part of preseason training camp to ensure the former Colombian international has a full, productive MLS season.

Angel, whose back problems early last year almost shelved him for the season, has remained home in New Jersey working out on his own with a personal trainer.

"What I said to the other players is, basically, we're giving Juan and everybody else to not only to have a good start of the season, but a good season," Osorio said. "Last year Juan struggled at the beginning and we also struggled as a team. Now I have a better [idea] of what we need to do.

"We are trying to assess everybody individually and try to decide what is the best thing for each player to be doing. At the moment Juan is OK on what he is doing."

Asked how Angel took the decision, Osorio replied: "He's pleased with that. He has been working with his special trainer on specific things that we believe and he certainly believes is going to make him a better player athlete and hopefully a better footballer."

Last season Angel got off to a horrendous start, finding the back of the net just twice early on before rebounding with 12 goals in a 14-game stretch. He finished with 14 goals. Combined with his stellar 19-goal performance in 2007, Angel has scored more goals (33) than any other player over the past two seasons.

"Now I have a better [idea] of what we need to do," Osorio said. "That has been the case not just for Juan. that has been the case also for Jorge Rojas. By the way, he looks very sharp, very good. He had the benefit of doing some training in Venezuela."

Without Angel, the Red Bulls still scored four goals Saturday in their second scrimmage of the preseason, playing to a 4-4 draw with the Kansas City Wizards.

Their first scrimmage on Wednesday did not go as planned as the Red Bulls dropped a 1-0 decision to the U.S. under-17 national team. Now before anyone says that Osorio should be fired, it should be noted that only three starters from the Red Bulls' MLS Cup team played in the match -- goalkeeper Danny Cepero and defenders Kevin Goldthwaite and Carlos Mendes. Osorio was more than concerned about individual performances than team results in the team's first competitive match of the season.

Translated: No key attacking players such as Dane Richards, Dominic Oduro and Angel played as much as a single second.

Osorio looked at 22 players -- 11 in each half.

"At this particular time I am honestly ... assessing the players that we are not sure we are going to keep," he said. "We all know the limitations, the amount of players we can have on the squad, the roster."

Teams will be allowed to keep 24 players, compared to 28 last season.

"With that in mind, there are 10 players we know for sure that will be here," he said. "We have to make the decisions on the other players. That's why we gave them a chance to play 45 minutes. The score is not an issue for me at the moment. I will grade those players and will have a conversation with the other coaching members and then start making decisions."

Osorio admitted he was not happy with the Red Bulls finishing ability in that opening game. They dominated the game, but could not find the back of the net.

"We had plenty of chances [Wednesday], 10 good chances," he said. "I am looking for the guys who can score and today we failed to do that. That is a minus for the forwards and the offensive players."

But at this juncture, that is not necessarily Osorio's top priority.

"There are other things that I was interested in looking at," he said. "There are two or three good performances today. So I will rather keep that in mind rather than in all the chances that we missed." One good performance was by first-round draft pick and midfielder Jeremy Hall, who ran up and down the field, playing well both sides of the ball.

"Jeremy looks good," Osorio said, without elaborating. "The back looks OK. We have to work more in different things. In general it's good to do this. I personally feel I have better facts for my final decision."

Osorio gave some quick assessments about the trialists practicing with the team during preseason camp:

Saja Leigh, Ghana, defensive midfielder who played in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2005: "A player that was recommended to us from a good coach [who is] a good friend of Des [McAleenan, goalkeeping coach]. He does his coaching in the Middle East. Recommended Saja as a good defensive midfielder. I can see he is a good player, gets good tackles in and regains possessions and can hit the ball quite well."

Ryan Mirsky, Southern Methodist University defender: "We identified him at the combine. Good in the air as as a center back. Right-footed. Again a good competitive player."

Tom Parrett, former Queen of the South defender: "Right fullback in Scotland. Has some experience. He is aggressive, strong and good in the tackle, too."

Juan Manuel, midfielder: "Left-sided midfielder ... strong winger. Played in Hungary last season. FC Tatabanya (coached by former MetroStars coach Octavio Zambrano). Mexican-American. Good ability on the ball. Quick. Sort of like a sharp player."

Carlos Gutierrez, Colombian midfielder: "Just doing preseason with us. Played in Colombia. Experienced player. Midfielder. hard-working player. Has won a few titles with Nacional in Colombia. Good utility player.

Jerry Saintil, Seton Hall defender-midfielder: "Left-footed. Can play as an anchor man. Can play as a defensive midfielder. we are looking at him as a possible left back. We are in the early days of discovering him, putting him through certain sessions and see if he can play in that position."

Lionel Saint-Preux, a forward who played for Haiti during World Cup qualifying and scored two goals Saturday in the draw with K.C.: "I spotted him on that Caribbean tournament [Digicel Cup in Jamaica] after that season was over. Haitian national team. Good striker. Quite aware what is around about him. Quick feet. Strong, good ability on the ball."

Nico Colaluca, former Colorado Rapids midfielder: "Richie [Williams, assistant coach] recommended him. Richie had seen enough of him. Wide player on the right side. Short quick and good ability on the ball."

Mohammed Mashriqi, Long Island University midfielder: "According to some people in the New York area, good talented player that for some reason never made it. We're giving him a chance. He has good ability on the ball. He's almost like a playmaker."


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Dynamo face Dallas in preseason opener

HOUSTON, Texas -- With only three weeks until their first competitive game, the Houston Dynamo opened their preseason this week at the Carl Lewis Track and Field Complex at the University of Houston. On Friday, they see game action for the first time when FC Dallas comes calling for an exhibition game.

Coach Dominic Kinnear didn't want to waste any time and asked the Dynamo players ahead of time to be fit for the first week, and they have responded.

"All the guys have come in very fit and ready to go," said Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis. "Practices have been very intense."

For Houston, one of the most important goals of the preseason is finding a way to replace midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. In his three years in Houston, De Rosario provided 24 goals and 11 assists, before he was traded to his hometown club of Toronto FC during the offseason.

"We are going to miss Dwayne," said Davis. "He did a lot of good things for this club. He is obviously a good player."

The first person who will be provided an opportunity to replace De Rosario is Stuart Holden, who has been instrumental the last three years with his play off of the bench and starting whenever possible. Davis said the team has faith in the young central midfielder.

"Stu has shown he can come in and play and the motto of this team is to play collectively as a team," Davis said. "... This team is going to work hard and we have the personnel to step in and win without him [De Rosario]."

In an ideal situation, the first week of practice would provide Davis, Holden and their teammates the opportunity to begin working together and gelling as a collective unit. However, Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark are away with the U.S. national team and Holden has returned from the most recent national team training camp with a slight injury.

"It's coming along. I got to rehab and take it slow. I kind of pushed it last time a little bit and now I just have to make sure I get right and get healthy for the Atlante game," Holden said, aiming toward the Dynamo's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal set for Feb. 24.

Holden expects to be out another week with injury and is looking forward to getting back on the field with his teammates.

"Once I get back, I should be back within a week and then I'll be able to train and we should get some good practice before the Atlante game," he said. Despite the injury, Holden has confidence he and his teammates will come together quickly. "We have played together the last three years. It's not going to be too hard."

The Dynamo kick off their preseason schedule on Friday morning when they take on FC Dallas at Robertson Stadium in a match open to the public (10 a.m.). The in-state rivals will face each other on Monday morning in Frisco.

"I just want to make sure we have the same idea how we play -- shape-wise, discipline, and movement on and off the ball. I don't think we will be 90 minutes fit, but we just want to make sure the habits we left from the year before carry over into the preseason game and the attitude is positive," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.

Kinnear is wary of pushing his team too hard.

"We want to make sure we don't kill the guys ... enjoy the games as much as possible," he said.

The first week of practice and the preseason game against Dallas is just the first step in a long season.

"I think it is a year where we want to get back to things," Davis said. "It didn't end the way we wanted last year."


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Dynamo keep focus on long campaign

FRISCO, Texas -- The Houston Dynamo didn't even start preseason practice until Feb. 1, but the two-time MLS Cup champs already have a pair of preseason games on the books, both against FC Dallas. On Friday in Houston, the Orange prevailed 3-0 and the same sides played to a 0-0 draw on Monday morning in Frisco.

While most MLS sides are preparing with their regular-season opener in mind, the Dynamo have something else to focus on, a Feb. 24 match with Mexican side Atlante FC in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League.

"It was a good game," Kinnear said about Monday's draw. "Both games were a great exercise for both teams. I didn't think it was going to be a 3-0 game again today. There were chances on both sides and I think the draw is pretty fair. For us, we're looking to hurry up and get ready for the 24th. I think the two games were great for us and I think they were good for them too."

One encouraging sign was that veteran midfielder Brian Mullan played the full 90 for the Orange, something Kinnear took notice of.

"We're asking certain guys on certain days to play 90 minutes," he said. "He only played 65 the other day. The guys came in pretty good shape and that is helpful for what we're doing. I think it's impressive that he did but the energy that he showed the whole time is what was impressive."

The Houston coach also lauded fellow midfielder Brad Davis for his solid play. Davis created one of the better chances of the first half, a cross to Kei Kamara that was saved by FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala. And Davis himself was denied by Sala in the second frame.

"I think he was good," Kinnear said. "We all know he is a good passer of the ball. He played some good passes in there. He has a little bit different form in there. But I think that any time you give him time and space, he is a threat going the attacking way."

Davis, who has had his share of injury troubles the last few years, said he is feeling better than ever.

"Everybody keeps asking me that (about how I feel)," he admitted. "I know that I have struggled with injuries and that has been my biggest downfall. I've worked really hard the past year-and-a-half to build myself up and to get fit, especially this offseason. I know this is the best I've felt in any preseason. I will keep working at it and my goal is to stay injury free."

While the veteran has enjoyed playing FCD, whom he played for in 2003 and 2004, he is also eagerly anticipating his side's first Champions League match.

"I think they're good games," Davis said. "They're definitely challenging and those guys are in the middle of their season right now while we're in preseason. We're going to be ready. I think this team isn't treating it as a preseason game. We're working hard. I think when we get to that game, guys will be firing on all cylinders and will be ready for that game. It's just preparing us for when the MLS season starts. Our season starts on the 24th."

Playing twice against his team's in-state rival has been a nice plus, but for Kinnear the bottom line remains simple.

"I just want to play games," he said. "Any time you can get games, no matter who your opponent is, it's good for your team. You can only train so much and the guys really want to play. It made it nice to play these guys back-to-back in four days. With this Atlante series coming up, it's important that we try and get in as many games as possible."

With the start of the MLS season rapidly approaching, Davis admits that he and his teammates have already started thinking about how they are going to approach the upcoming campaign after failing to capture a third consecutive league title last fall.

"There is definitely a bitter taste in our mouths because we know we are a better team than what stepped on the field against New York, especially in that game down in Houston," he said. "It was a long year. We played 50 games or something like that. We're not using that as an excuse but it does wear you down. We played through a lot of injuries and without a lot of guys last year. We know that if we play our game, we're going to be a tough team to beat. We think when we step on the field, we thinking that no matter where we're at, we're going to get a result. That's our goal every time we step on the field, to get points no matter where we are at. We have a sour taste in our mouths and are ready to get back after it this year."

Next up for the Dynamo is a Thursday date out West with the Los Angeles Galaxy.


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Rumors from overseas surround Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. -- The makeover of the Los Angeles Galaxy, which has featured the arrival of a dozen new players during the offseason, could reach epic proportions if overseas reports are to be believed.

And that has Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena shaking his head.

The latest item came out of an "exclusive" in this week's Daily Mirror in England and stated the Galaxy are interested in acquiring Newcastle United's Michael Owen, who is in the final months of a contract that reportedly pays him about $200,000 a week and is scheduled to expire on June 30.

If that's not enough, an earlier report in the Turin newspaper Tuttosport said the Galaxy were preparing to make an offer for Juventus standout Alessandro Del Piero, among the highest-paid players in the world at $14.3 million a year, according to Forbes.com.

Throw in the ongoing rumors about the possible departures of David Beckham and Landon Donovan to AC Milan and Bayern Munich, where they are on respective loan agreements, and it's enough to leave Arena just short of frustrated.

"Anything about me getting a job somewhere?" he asked jokingly. "I heard Chelsea was interested.

"Who else do you have? They're all sitting beautifully in our salary cap. I'm hoping for a Ronaldinho or Messi rumor as well. That would be nice."

Ronaldinho and Messi, by the way, reportedly earn more than $30 million and $11 million a year, respectively, according to Forbes.

Regarding Owen, Arena made it clear the Galaxy has had no contact with Newcastle United.

"There's probably zero percent accuracy in that report," he said, "which is kind of standard. If it's somewhere between zero to 100 percent accuracy, that one's closer to zero."

Donovan was quoted in the German newspaper Abendzeitung in which he said, "If I go back to the Galaxy, we have our first game March 21, so I'd have to return at least one week earlier. But that would be sad. I want to make it here. It is my dream. I want to stay here a few years."

Donovan has scored four goals in five exhibitions and has earned rave reviews from Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Beckham also is doing well at AC Milan, where he has impressed coach Carlo Ancelotti. Club vice president Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying the club will try to make the transfer permanent.

The loan agreements for both players end March 8.

"A lot of this stuff ... you know the background of this stuff," Arena said. "A lot of it is inaccurate. There are times when it is accurate. But you can't react to every press report, you know?

"Somewhere between all this stuff is the truth. I'll say what we've said all along, we have two players out on loan agreements, and those end March 8. We've never said anything otherwise.

"I'm not sure it's appropriate if the biggest clubs in the world make comments without contacting us. Having said that, we don't know if there's anything accurate at the other end, either. I'll leave it at that. But I will tell you this: we will honor our end of these loan agreements, and we'll do everything that's proper," Arena said.


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Quaranta upbeat as D.C. trains for '09

WASHINGTON -- The outside world might have been buzzing about the departure of their highest-paid and most recognizable teammate, Marcelo Gallardo, last week, but the rest of D.C. United's squad have studiously maintained an inward focus amid their preseason preparations as they moved south to the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. on Tuesday.

Santino Quaranta embodies that mentality as much as anyone. As the Gallardo story took center stage, United's youngest veteran -- at only 24 years of age, he's already played in 116 career MLS matches -- was quick to play down the impact of Gallardo's exit and hail D.C.'s rapidly-budding team spirit, keyed in large part by the influence of homegrown returnees such as himself.

"We're excited about everybody," he said. "It's a good feeling in the locker room, a better feeling. Honestly, it wasn't a lot of problems last year in the locker room, but you could still sense that it wasn't [together]. But now it seems that from the coaching staff on down, everybody's on the same page."

Quaranta is eager to follow up last year's startling return to form with another career-best campaign in 2009, one he began preparing for months ago in his home town of Baltimore, subjecting himself to a demanding offseason regimen with a personal trainer whose workouts are based on boxing-style methods.

"It's probably the hardest offseason I've ever had," he said. "I don't want to suffer in the preseason like I've done in the past. ... I feel stronger -- every muscle in my body feels different, because I'm using muscles that I've never used before here, working with this guy. It's been fun, but real demanding. It's not the easiest thing in the world to work out like this, but it really has paid off."

Santino Quaranta, the workaholic gym rat: such a concept might seem implausible to those who followed his early career travails when he was a cocky teenager confident of gliding to stardom on talent alone. But the new-look Quaranta has been full of surprises since overcoming a profoundly traumatic addiction to prescription drugs last winter, and with every treasured day of stability and sobriety that passes, his prospects on the field continue to improve.

"It's been a blessing," he said. "I'm really grateful because this time last year, it wasn't that pretty for me. I didn't know what was going on. It just shows when you do the right thing, what happens."

Last spring Quaranta had to work hard just to earn a contract from the club where he'd burned so many bridges during his dark years. But after notching five goals and four assists for the Black-and-Red in '08, he shows no hesitation about laying out far more ambitious goals for himself this time around.

"I think I can do a lot more numbers-wise, scoring-wise," he said last week. "Really, the first half of [last] year I was still trying to work myself back into being, basically, a human being. And now to get a full preseason in and go into a season, I've got high expectations. Obviously the team comes first, but just on a personal note, I expect to do double those numbers that I had last year."

The D.C. technical staff is similarly upbeat.

"He's still very young," said head coach Tom Soehn. "There's still a really big upside to him, and we don't think he's come all the way around yet. There's still room to grow for him."

Quaranta clearly figures prominently in Soehn's plans, but now the question is, where? Having logged time as a striker, on both wings and in the attacking midfield role during his 1,963 minutes on the pitch in 2008, the versatile Quaranta will have to wait until the rest of the roster is hammered out before settling into a fixed position, if ever.

At the moment, it's only a secondary concern for the player himself, however.

"I've played so many different ones," said Quaranta. "I want to play, and I don't know exactly where yet -- it depends on what happens [to United's roster], too, still, where guys go and what happens. But it'll be somewhere, I can guarantee that."

Meanwhile, the Black-and-Red are set to welcome two new faces into the fold. Veteran defender Roger began training with United on Friday and should put pen to a contract in the coming days. The 33-year-old Brazilian last played for Rio de Janeiro side Fluminense, and though he missed time with a back injury last season, United are confident that he will bring experience and dependability to a revamped D.C. back line.

"A first-class pro," said Soehn. "He's left-footed and he's got some versatility to play any of the left-sided spots, whether it's in the middle or wide. But the experience is something we desperately need."

Soehn's options will also be bolstered by the imminent signing of holding midfielder Andrew Jacobson. United's top SuperDraft pick a year ago, the University of California product spent 2008 testing European waters, but was hampered by injury troubles and has returned to the United States to continue his career.

"We're happy to get him back, but like anybody, he's going to have to earn his respect and earn his time," said Soehn.


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Mood buoyant as RSL head to camp

SANDY, Utah -- A few short months after experiencing their best season in club history, there is a definite feeling of excitement shared by Real Salt Lake players and coaches about the upcoming season.

For the RSL side, there is a definite feel of positive progress. There is a concrete sense that a more sure foundation is in place than in years past.

"I really feel like last year we did a good job of establishing a foundation of Real Salt Lake is going to be going forward," coach Jason Kreis said. "I don't think we're going to have to do as much work on that this year."

Thus the 2009 preseason is more about building instead of rebuilding.

Real have the look of a contender going into their first preseason camp this week in Oxnard, Calif. The Utah side managed to keep most of its core intact from last season.

Key international players such as Javier Morales and Jamison Olave were signed to long-term contracts. Nearly all of the first 11 from last season returned as well. In addition, Kreis signed a contract extension that will keep him on the Wasatch Front through the 2011 MLS campaign.

The only major departures were forwards Kenny Deuchar and Fabian Espindola and midfielder Dema Kovalenko. For a club accustomed to a high rate of turnover with past rosters, having so many familiar faces in camp is a welcome change.

"I don't know if the statistics would bear me out, but it feels like this is the most returning players that have ever been back to Real Salt Lake," Kreis said. "I think that has to be viewed as a very positive thing."

That familiarity is a bonus. RSL is already ahead of the curve in building team chemistry. And less time will need to be spent on familiarizing the players with how the coaching staff wants them to approach the game because many of them already know what is expected from them.

Plus, it is a vote of confidence to the players themselves that so many of them have returned to suit up for RSL again.

"There's probably 15 or 16 guys who were on this squad last year -- which can only be healthy for this squad," defender Ian Joy said. "It obviously means that the coaching staff thinks we're all good enough to help improve the team for this year."

A few new faces are vying for inclusion on the RSL roster. Draft picks Jean Alexandre, Raphael Cox and Futhi Bhembe all hope to validate their selections with a strong showing in the preseason.

David Hertel, Kennedy Owusu-Ansah and Alexander Viveros are also looking to go from preseason roster to the regular season roster.

Whoever sticks with the team will do it by embracing the kind of blue-collar play Kreis expects out of his players.

"We just want a group of guys that works hard for each other and buys into the ideals that Jason has taught us," defender Nat Borchers said.

The one challenge that RSL will face, like other MLS clubs, is fielding a smaller squad than in the past. MLS teams only have 24 players this season and the reserve division was disbanded in the offseason.

It means that intense competition will be the name of the game more than ever before.

"It's going to be a very competitive team," midfielder Will Johnson said. "Everybody is going to be fighting for a spot because if you don't play in the first 11 or first 14 or 18, you're not going to be doing a whole lot. And if you do that long enough, it's really going to affect where you are."

Increased competition will have its advantages. With players going for fewer spots and getting on the 18-man playing roster each game becoming more of a necessity, RSL veterans expect the cream to rise to the top.

And they expect the team as a whole to benefit from it.

"This is going to be a smaller squad," midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "Training is going to be more intense. It's going to be better competition. So I think the results in the regular season should be better."

RSL will play three tune-up matches while in California this week and next. The Utah side will face Ventura County Fusion this Sunday at 7 p.m. PT. Next weekend will feature a doubleheader -- with RSL playing Chinese team Shandong Luneng Taishan on Friday at 5 p.m. and then facing either UC-Santa Barbara or Cal Poly-SLO on Saturday at 11 a.m.


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Weaver adds aerial dimension to Quakes' attack

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- When Cam Weaver signed with the San Jose Earthquakes last week, not only did he think he was exchanging the white jersey of former club FK Haugesund for Earthquake black-and-blue, but he also thought he was trading Norway's inclement weather for some California sunshine.

But on Weaver's first two days with the Quakes, a steady, cold rain fell, reminding him just a bit of Scandinavia -- in summer.

"The weather [in Norway] is not something I'll miss, but maybe I brought a little bit of it with me," said Weaver with a chuckle. "The guys were telling me that it was quite a bit warmer and sunnier the week before I came."

Yet the dreary conditions did little to dampen the enthusiasm over Weaver's arrival. The Quakes' primary objective this offseason was to add more size and strength to the team, and with the 6-foot-4 Weaver now officially in the San Jose fold, manager Frank Yallop was feeling more optimistic about the state of his attack.

"[Weaver] has got a mobility to him, and he really adds to what we're trying to do," said Yallop. "Getting some sort of target man, I've made no bones about it. I like that, at least as an option for us."

Weaver has taken a circuitous path to MLS. Back in 2006, he scored 18 goals in 27 matches for the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division. At that point, several MLS teams came calling, but when the offer from Haugesund came, it was one that Weaver felt he couldn't pass up. While the Norwegian second division certainly doesn't qualify as one of the glamour leagues of Europe, Weaver insists that his two seasons there, which saw him net 21 times in 51 league and cup appearances, did plenty for his growth as a player.

"You train a lot there, with not a lot of time off," said Weaver of his time in Norway. "It was good for me going from the USL, where the season was four months, to playing full time every day. That was a good change for me, to experience that and kind of learn how to be a professional, player training every day the entire year through.

"Also, to experience the atmosphere over there ... it's the No. 1 sport, and all of the attention is focused on that. It was good learning how to deal with that pressure and all of the stuff that comes with the game."

Given Weaver's size, it's tempting to think that there is little subtlety to his game. But in last Friday's training session, Weaver showed some considerable skill with his feet, dribbling out of some tight spaces with a defender draped all over him.

The display was reminiscent of Seattle forward Nate Jaqua, another big man with surprisingly good feet. When this similarity is mentioned to Weaver, a wry smile creased his face, as if he wasn't quite buying the comparison. Or perhaps it was a bit of pride at seeing his work in that area pay off.

"I do have quick feet, but it's also something I've struggled with and I'm always trying to improve all the time," said Weaver. "Foot speed is huge in soccer, obviously, but I'm not a guy who is constantly going to turn and go at a lot of defenders. I feel like I do have that ability when there is an opportunity, but I think I definitely like to play with my back towards goal, get the ball at my feet, hold off defenders, bring other guys into the game, and then get in the box."

That kind of presence was sorely lacking from the Quakes attack last year, when their offense was the worst in the league. Now with players like Darren Huckerby and Arturo Alvarez occupying the flanks, Weaver expects to be the guy to finish off much of what those two players create. If that comes to pass, San Jose fans can certainly expect some brighter days ahead.


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First XI: The early slate

Confidence growing in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY -- For the Kansas City Wizards, and surely all of the 15 MLS teams, preseason is a time for a team to confirm their identity and build a solid foundation. Individually, it's time to form a lasting impression on the coaching staff, and, during down time, bond with your teammates -- or continually rip them.

"We're finding something we can compete in at all hours of the day," said Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad of the team's time in Bradenton, Fla. "If something happens, you make fun of that person incessantly for the rest of the day."

The good-natured ribbing that comes out of an animated game of cards or an impromptu challenge of water-bottle ball serves to bring the team together to compete in all the competitions of the next nine months -- MLS league play, the U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga, and the MLS Cup Playoffs. A 7-0 win against the U.S. under-17 national team last Saturday, though a good start, is just a small sign that Kansas City is making progress.

"We're hitting the ground running," said head coach Curt Onalfo. "We want to build on a strong finish to last year. We're playing similarly tactically; it's just a matter of fine-tuning all that stuff."

The five wins and a draw in their last seven games last season that propelled the Wizards into the playoffs and the accompanying discovery of a lineup that provided a stronger balance on both sides of the ball have the Wizards confident heading into the season. The focus, beyond fitness and tactical concepts, has been on offensive patterns of play in the early weeks of training.

"The concepts we're working on now will put us in a better position to find that consistency that every team looks for. It will put building blocks in place so that we're ready for any situation," Conrad said. "For Year 3 under coach Onalfo and [technical director] Peter Vermes it is very clear to them what we need to do to have success. That confidence is fun to be around."

Providing more fun, beyond the typical rookie razzing, are players like first-round SuperDraft choice Matt Besler. The 21-year-old is a strong candidate to become Conrad's new partner in central defense after the expansion draft departure of Tyson Wahl to Seattle. For the Kansas native, it's so far, so good.

"His decision-making or his on-the-ball presence and composure have never been an issue," Conrad said of Besler. "It's being tuned in the whole time. That happens to most guys."

"With each training session, he gets more and more confident, and he's improving," Onalfo added. "That's what we want to see with our young players."

And qualities that will make the team better is what one wants to see out of a trialist. Ferenc Beres of Tatabanya, a Hungarian second division side, is currently on trial. The 26-year-old, coached by former Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Octavio Zambrano, currently leads his team with five goals in 15 total matches.

"He's actually a midfielder who can play as a forward. He can play pretty much anywhere along our midfield for us. ... He's showed fairly well to start [two goals vs. the U.S. U-17s]. We'll see how he does against MLS competition," said Onalfo.

Conrad has been impressed by the athletic Beres. "You can tell that he's been a professional for a number of years in certain decisions he makes," he said.

Beres may be able to beef up what is a maturing Wizards midfield. Defensive midfielder Jack Jewsbury and left winger Roger Espinoza are currently on extended training camps with the U.S. and Honduran national teams respectively. Additionally, Chance Myers, last year's top pick overall in the SuperDraft, is training again as a wide midfielder after mostly playing as a right back last season.

But how much progress is being made will be clearer after Wednesday's match against the Chicago Fire and Saturday's encounter with the New York Red Bulls. Wins are not necessary, just more good signs.

"Can we create good habits regardless of the situation we're in? Whether it's [against] the U-17s or Chicago or New York or in the Superliga, can we still be effective in the style that we want to play?" are the questions Conrad hopes are answered.

One thing is for certain, Kansas City is more sure of itself than ever.

"Columbus last year and Houston and New England before them have done a good job of knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are. For our team, we have a good idea of what [those are] now," Conrad said.

The coming season could be a year of fulfillment for the Wizards. They know their CommunityAmerica Ballpark home now after a season of introduction, Argentinean star Claudio Lopez is fully integrated into the club, and young players like Espinoza, Myers, and Kevin Souter have grown.

"There are going to be some expectations. [Those factors] should put us in a position to have more success this year than we have had in the past," Conrad said. "However, it's one thing to talk about it and another thing to actually make it happen."


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Pieces falling in place for Hoops
Rafa Benitez Hails Returning Liverpool Stars
Barcelona Are The Perfect Team For Me - Dani Alves

Van den Bergh an instant hit in Dallas

FRISCO, Texas -- Last month, FC Dallas traded for veteran left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh and in a flash, the Hoops shored up their midfield, improved their flank play and also gained some much-needed veteran leadership for one of the youngest rosters in the league.

In the first two weeks of preseason, it has been apparent what van den Bergh brings to the field and how much better he makes the Hoops. However, an added bonus has been his fluency in Spanish, something that has gone over well on a team with its share of Spanish speakers.

Last week, the seasoned pro was heard engaging in back-and-forth banter with two of the team's more vocal Latin players in midfielder Pablo Ricchetti and goalkeeper Dario Sala, something that amused FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman.

"Last week when I heard Pablo and Dario having a go at Dave, teasing with him in Spanish and he was laughing, I was wondering if he really understood what they were saying or if he was just laughing along with him." Hyndman said. "I asked him if he really understood those guys and he said yes. He said he learned Spanish when he played two years in Madrid.

"He's a very outgoing person, so when he was in Madrid, he loved the experience of being there and spoke the language," Hyndman continued. "I already know that Dario and Pablo would rather speak to him in Spanish than English because they feel more comfortable in Spanish. I think for Dave, it's another thing he brings to us. We knew we were getting a talented player but we also knew we were getting a person of good character. All these extra things coming along are icing on the cake."

Van den Bergh agrees his language skills have definitely been a big asset in getting acclimated to his new teammates.

"You've got a lot of Hispanic players here," he said. "So it's helped me tremendously. Thank God these guys speak very good English. We had some guys coming in at New York that didn't speak any English. Especially in those types of situations, it helps a lot. I'm glad I've got that under my belt."

Consider Ricchetti and Sala impressed that their new teammate can converse with them in their native tongue.

"It's good," Ricchetti said. "It's always good to have people who can communicate with everyone. He played three years in Spain and speaks Spanish very well. For us, it's great and it makes it easier. Those two (Sala and van den Bergh) are old, so I can joke with them. I'm really young but they are old and they have the same thoughts and stuff, but I'm really smart and can understand that."

Sala agreed. "He came into the locker room on the right foot because he's a really easy going guy and language isn't an issue," he said. "He was in Spain for a few years and speaks perfect Spanish. He's funny and understands our jokes. I was surprised. He speaks four languages but I told him that I've got him beat by one."

Ricchetti definitely likes having another veteran in the midfield to help him direct traffic.

"I think he's a great player," he said. "He has experience, is smart and has a great foot. He can help us a lot. Right now, we are the most experienced guys in the middle. We have to talk to the other guys and organize the team. Last year, that was mostly my job. Now I have another guy to help me and that's always good."

The former Dutch international has definitely been impressed with what he has seen thus far with his new side.

"What I've seen is a very talented team," van den Bergh said. "It's unbelievable. There's a reason that there are six Generation adidas (players) and a lot of under-20 guys here. We haven't even talked about Kenny (Cooper) and Drew (Moor) being on the short list for the men's national team. There is a lot of talent here. We just need to come together and make sure we're a team that's competitive and fights to make the playoffs this year."

He has also enjoyed the methodology of Hyndman, who approaches preseason a bit differently than some of the coaches van den Bergh has played for in the past.

"The thing I've enjoyed the most is that all the exercises have been with the ball," he said. "I've had some coaches in preseason where you didn't see a ball for the first two weeks. So that is a huge improvement. He's very clear in what he wants. So it's up to us to execute."

And his rising comfort level includes playing in the 4-4-2 that Hyndman prefers.

"In Holland and in New York, I played in the 4-4-2," van den Bergh said. "So I'm very comfortable with it. It's just a matter of executing what we feel is the right approach in the next couple of tune-up games to find our best shape."

Even though much of FCD is now in camp, he is clearly looking forward to the return of star forward Cooper, currently with the U.S. national team.

"I think it's important (to start working together)," van den Bergh said. "Kenny is the most prolific forward this team has got. So I'm looking forward to practicing with him. It's just important in preseason to get to know each other, learn what the movements are, what somebody likes and doesn't like to learn each other's tendencies. I think it's important to get that done. Hopefully, he'll have a great game against Mexico and score a couple. Then he can get in here with great confidence."

Another plus for him with the Hoops is that he has a couple of big targets up top to deliver balls into Cooper, who is 6-foot-3 and newly-signed striker Sean Bucknor, who is an inch taller at 6-4.

"It's easier (to get the ball in there to a taller guy) than it is with a 5-foot-3 guy," van den Bergh said. "If you're going to put a cross in, you have options to put it on the ground or put it in the air. I know that in the air, they can get to it.

"In previous years, I have had to put it low because I knew there was no chance that my forward was going to get to it. This way, I can put it in low because they're both good with their feet and Jeff (Cunningham) is also good with his feet. He's got great jumping abilities as well. Don't underestimate him in the air. It's good to know that you can put it at any height that you want and they will be able to get to it."


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Five-a-side: What's hot around MLS

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

1. The other shoe to fall: All the news about David Beckham has been about, well, David Beckham. It's all about the illustrious midfielder and how it will affect him, how it will assist his bid for England inclusion in South Africa 2010, etc.

But there is another side that all the breathless Beckham reports, so many coming from across the Atlantic, haven't cared to address. It's about how this potential high-profile relocation to AC Milan will impact the Los Angeles Galaxy. After all, this is a team in the nation's second-largest market, and it hasn't made the playoffs since 2005.

So the Galaxy's rebuilding efforts, with or without Beckham, is a big story in MLS this year.

The international transfer window closed for most countries earlier this week. But MLS teams may purchase players from other leagues until April 15. That means the Galaxy have time to patch up the holes -- but the clock is certainly ticking, with games beginning in less than six weeks. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena will surely want to know soon what he's dealing with, personnel asset-wise.

DaMarcus Beasley is one name that might seem a natural for Arena to pursue if Beckham moves permanently to Italy. The U.S. international is currently languishing on Rangers' bench in Scotland, although he did score in 45 minutes of action during a friendly against AC Milan this week. (How ironic, eh, that Milan would be the opponent?)

Arena has always been a big Beasley backer. It was Arena who tabbed the sleek and slick attacker for starting duty at the 2002 World Cup, when Beasley was just 20 years old. That bold choice by Arena turned out just dandy. And four years later it was Arena who faithfully stuck with the out-of-form Beasley during Germany 2006.

Beasley appears to be stuck in the mud at Ibrox, and the Galaxy is a place where conditions would be perfect for a run at restored confidence.

Otherwise, the Galaxy's needs still include an experienced goalkeeper, a creator in midfield and additional help along the back line.

2. A doozy of a shopping spree: We might or might not ever know the transfer price involved in Beckham's move to the San Siro, if it comes to pass. But we certainly know this much: It will be a significant amount. And the important thing to remember is that two-thirds of it can be used by Los Angeles to buy players in the international market or to buy down salaries.

Suffice to say, Arena and the Galaxy management will have ample money to spend, and will be flush with room beneath the salary cap. Then there's the Landon Donovan factor, which could super-fuel the buying spree.

If Bayern Munich were to make a successful bid to purchase the on-loan attacker, the Galaxy will have that much more cash and room in their salary budget. That possibility seems to be growing, thanks to Donovan's success so far under the tutelage of Bayern manager Jьrgen Klinsmann.

Of course, the alternative for Arena's side isn't that bad either -- to have Beckham and Donovan lining up in the Galaxy jersey on opening day.

3. Why ratings matter: Fox Soccer Channel, one of Major League Soccer's broadcast partners, is surely happy with its decision late last year to invest in Nielsen, the widely used rating system for TV viewership in the United States.

Ad rates are all tied into viewership, of course, and so far FSC must be happy with the results. Just last week, the Chelsea-Liverpool match was seen in about 298,000 homes. The represents the highest rated match since FSC paid $7.5 million to be part of the Nielsen lineup last October.

FSC is in only about 30 million homes across the country. More numbers like that will assist in FSC's push to get onto more systems -- and that's a good thing for MLS.

As in 2008, Fox Soccer Channel will again dedicate a three-hour block to MLS each week on "MLS Saturday on FSC." A 30-minute pregame lead-in will carry viewers into the match, followed by a 30-minute postgame show for 33 regular-season telecasts of FSC.

4. Growing influence of USL: At least three players with recent time on USL rosters have a chance to compete for significant playing time during the MLS preseason. And it should be interesting to see how these players stack up, considering the USL's success in 2008 in the U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League.

Greg Janicki has a chance to land a starting spot at D.C. after his promising spell on loan from USL Second Division's Pittsburgh late in last year's MLS campaign. In fact, Janicki started for manager Tom Soehn last week alongside Kyle Veris at center back in a preseason friendly.

We also have striker Sebastien Le Toux at Seattle. He was the first player signed after two successful seasons for the Sounders in USL-1, where he struck 24 times in 54 appearances. Interestingly, he played as a midfielder for Sigi Schmid in a scrimmage earlier this week. It's probably just a preseason look-see thing for Schmid, but it's interesting just the same.

Perhaps Schmid is exploring his options for how to replace midfielder Freddie Ljungberg early in the season. Ljungberg began running this week as he recovers from offseason hip surgery. As it stands, Ljungberg will miss only one or two regular season contests, although the Sounders are sure to be cautious with their DP attacker.

Last week, San Jose signed former forward Cam Weaver, the USL-1 Rookie of the Year three seasons back. He's a big fellow, about 6-4, part of GM John Doyle's plan for the Earthquakes to get a little bigger and pose a bit more danger on set-pieces. Weaver spent last year with FK Haugesund in Norway, so he probably knows a little about getting physical around goal.

5. A friend abroad: No one in the U.S. soccer establishment could ever be too happy about the potential for English Premier League sides playing a round of matches outside England. That proposition has been floating around for about a year now. And you can bet that one or more would land in the United States.

You could also bet that some officials here wouldn't be happy, competing for the soccer audience against the novelty factor of watching matches from one of the globe's truly premier associations.

One ranking official in England has come out against the idea ... and he happens to have a deep affiliation with Major League Soccer.

Ivan Gazidis recently left his post as deputy commissioner to inherit the CEO seat at Arsenal.

In an article published Wednesday in The Times, Gazidis describes himself as a traditionalist, and says he is not in favor of such propositions.

"Other leagues like the NFL are finding ways to play abroad," Gazidis told The Times. "We have to grow, but how we grow requires careful thought. People constantly focus on globalization and use words like 'brand' and 'equity,' but if you lose your center, your core, and don't take care of central values, you won't have anything to take globally. Whatever steps the league takes, we have to preserve the integrity of the core of the league."


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Reds' rookies eager to make impact

TORONTO -- The high temperature on Monday in Toronto reached 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius), leading to what was actually one of the warmest days the city has seen this winter. It still wasn't enough for rookie midfielder Sam Cronin.

"It's cold," said Cronin with a grin. "Much colder than in North Carolina."

The Winston-Salem, N.C. native got his first taste of his new city and new professional team on Monday when Toronto FC officially began its 2009 training camp with medical testing at BMO Field.

After a stellar collegiate career at Wake Forest, Cronin was projected to be a top-five selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. With trade buzz surrounding the event in St. Louis, however, Cronin wasn't sure where he would end up before TFC called his name as the No. 2 overall selection.

"The rumors were spreading and I have people telling me what was going on, but I had no idea I was being selected by Toronto at all," Cronin said. "I was just focused going into the combine, just doing what I've done well in four years at college and not trying to change the way I play or anything."

Cronin was the first of three first-round selections for the Reds in the MLS SuperDraft. UConn striker O'Brian White was picked fourth overall, though the Scarborough native isn't expected to make an impact for his hometown team until 2010 due to a torn ACL suffered last fall.

Taken 13th overall was goalkeeper Stefan Frei, whose availability in this slot was something of a surprise to many analysts. The University of California 'keeper was projected as a top-five pick in some mock drafts, and thus many pundits felt TFC got a steal late in the first round.

From Frei's perspective, his draft number didn't matter as much as the identity of the team who picked him.

"There's so many mock drafts and stuff going on that I try to not listen to it," he said. "It's quite a ride, you're just sitting there and just waiting to figure out where you're going to end up. I don't think I could've ended up in a better situation than in Toronto, I'm really excited."

High draft positions don't mean as much in MLS as in other pro sports, but it is certain that the first-year players will get every chance to prove themselves. Head coach John Carver has openly stated that nobody on the roster -- be it a rookie or an established veteran -- is guaranteed a starting position.

Carver pointed to last season, when first-year 'keeper Brian Edwards started Toronto's opening game ahead of incumbent starter Greg Sutton, as an example of how Frei could rise up the TFC depth chart.

"It's not as if you have two really good goalkeepers and a backup," Carver said. "We have three top quality goalkeepers. Of all the draft picks for me [in 2008], Brian Edwards was the one who stepped forward and improved the most and really caught my eye. He's going to put pressure onto Greg, Stefan will put pressure on the other two."

This situation is fine with Frei.

"I don't expect to play, but I'm going to work as hard as I can and if I can't play, hopefully at least I can push the other guys to get better," Frei said. "I'm going to bring my best and hopefully get the best out of them as well, and whoever plays will play."

As for Cronin, the 23-year-old jumps into a crowded Toronto midfield that includes such notables as Amado Guevara, Dwayne De Rosario, Rohan Ricketts and Carl Robinson. While it remains to be seen what TFC's alignment will look like, Cronin knows that he'll have to earn playing time amongst so many proven stars.

"I'm confident that I can contribute to the team in training or in games," Cronin said. "We'll see a little more as preseason goes on how my role fits in. ... I'm just looking to work hard and fit in wherever I can. My job is to help the team better and whatever my role is going to be I'm going to accept it and do my best."

One teammate who may play a key role in Cronin's development is Robinson. Carver said that the two players play a similar type of physical game, and that the veteran has already proven his mentoring abilities with other past rookies.

"Carl ... has done that the last couple of seasons with Mo Edu and Pat Phelan," Carver said. "Carl is such a good professional he's going to improve the younger players. He's an experienced international football player. If Sam develops the way that Robbo did as a young player, then the world's his oyster."

Cronin, for his part, is eager to learn from his elders.

"I'm just a young guy coming in hoping to learn a lot," Cronin said. "To have a guy like Robbo, who has tons of experience around the world playing the game. ... I'm really excited to pick his brain and be on him as much as I can to learn from him. I'm excited to learn and to get better."

Time will tell if TFC's draft picks will be as impressive on the pitch as they are on paper. After the first day of camp, however, Frei has moved ahead of Cronin in at least one key area of the Toronto experience.

"We have snow, which we didn't have in California," Frei said. "I'm originally from Switzerland, so I miss the snow in the winter."


Rafa Benitez Hails Returning Liverpool Stars
Reds start camp with high expectations
No real surprises at MLS SuperDraft

First XI: Taking down names

Sometimes it's a single play that makes you want to see more from a player. Sometimes it's a move from one team, one system, to another that makes you think a player might be on the verge of a big season.

This is what the offseason is for First XI: anticipation. Here's a list of players we want can't wait to see on the field come late March:

11. Marco Pappa, Chicago Fire. We caught only a few fleeting glimpses of Pappa last season, as he amassed only 217 regular-season minutes. It was, however, Pappa's one playoff minute that has me thirsting to see more. Remember that vicious shot he unleashed in the waning moments of the Fire's Eastern Conference Championship loss to the Crew? Perhaps I'm making too much out of too little, but as the 2009 season opens up, I'm anxious to see if Pappa's got more of that.

10. Maykel Galindo, Chivas USA. All we got to see out of Galindo a year ago was a paltry 549 minutes as he was nursing injury after injury. In 2007, the Cuban striker looked to be well on his way to becoming one of the league's more dangerous attackers. What's more, his partnership with Ante Razov was looking like one of the league's best fire-and-ice combos ever. Can Galindo return to his old form? Can he even take it up a notch? That's what I want to see.

9. Cory Gibbs, Colorado Rapids. After a three-season hiatus from MLS, we got to see Gibbs for eight games a year ago. Upon first glimpse, he still looks to have his speed and his poise, but can he step up and be a leader for a Colorado team that missed the playoffs? Gibbs just turned 29, so he's still in his prime. But it is nearing now-or-never time. Can he stay healthy?

8. Dave van den Bergh, FC Dallas. This is just a case of me wanting to see how a player who developed into such a key figure on one team -- New York -- can do when he steps onto the field for a new team. Especially when that team, FCD, needs for him to be at least the player and leader he had become in New York a season ago. Certainly, this was a bitter pill for Red Bulls fans to swallow, having watched VDB develop into such a key figure on their team. Dallas now hopes the transition is quick and smooth, because this is a player they need at his best.

7. Francis Doe, D.C. United. I'm remembering Doe's two-goal performance against New England in October and wondering, is he a starter or super sub for D.C in '09? In a way, it reminds me of the first go-round for Andy Herron in MLS, when he joined Chicago late and looked like he'd be a terror in MLS for many years ... only to become just another well-traveled forward. D.C. United could use a breakout season from someone. Can it be the 24-year-old Liberian?

6. Julius James, Houston Dynamo. The defender from Trinidad goes from a sometime-starting, rookie player in Toronto to the "guy we traded Dwayne De Rosario for" in Houston. Yeah, that's pressure. Sure, Houston also got allocation money along with James for DeRo, but MLS fans have never had an easy time getting used to the player for money thing. They'll remember James.

5. Dominic Oduro, New York Red Bulls. Like James, Oduro is going to be feeling some heat from the New York fans as he's the player the Red Bulls acquired for the popular van den Bergh. Oduro has speed to burn. That's never been questioned. What is questioned, however, is how come Oduro has never started more than 10 games in an MLS season? Can he earn starter's minutes on the field alongside Juan Pablo Angel, or will he continue only as a late-game spark?

4. Will Johnson, Real Salt Lake. There's little doubt that Johnson added an element to RSL down the stretch, when he joined the team after finishing a stint in Holland. He scored the MLS Sierra Mist Goal of the Year, but that's not what has me wanting to see more. It was the way Johnson seemed to bring a whole new element to RSL's attack. I want to see if the 22-year old is for real.

3. Nate Jaqua, Seattle Sounders. Seems I say this every year, but I keep thinking that Jaqua is on the verge of a monster season in MLS. He had four goals in 14 games in Houston a year ago. I think he's a 10-plus scorer in the right environment. Is Seattle that place? Will Sigi Schmid's first-year collection provide him with enough service to hit double digits? This I want to know.

2. Eddie Gaven, Columbus Crew. How many times have you heard this question in the past year? "Can you believe Eddie Gaven is still only 22?" Well, yeah, he is. And even though (preposterous as it is) some media have called his MLS career "disappointing," there's quite a bit of miles left on Gaven's tires. A Best XI choice at the age of 18. Now, a champion. I have a feeling people are soon going to be seeing Gaven emerge as one of the league's elite players.

1. Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC. And if there's pressure on Julius James in Houston, how about the expectations for native son DeRo in Toronto? Was last season -- 7 goals -- a sign that De Rosario is on the downside? Or will a move to Toronto FC re-ignite this all-time MLS great? Toronto is looking at this acquisition as the move that will make them a playoff team. How will he mix with what TFC have already assembled? Will it be magical? Can't wait to see.


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McCarty back in Hoops' fold

FRISCO, Texas -- After much speculation about his future with FC Dallas, Hoops midfielder Dax McCarty has returned to Frisco, participating in his first training session of 2009 on Thursday evening after missing the first week of preseason practice.

McCarty had been sitting home in Florida at the request of FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman. The 20-year-old was just several months removed from a tumultuous 2008 season that ended with him expressing his displeasure over a lack of playing time and requesting a trade.

Hyndman and McCarty have now cleared the air and all is well, good news for a side still in need of a central attacking midfielder, a role both feel McCarty can play.

"It feels really good to be back," McCarty said. "It's the first time in two years where I've had the full offseason off. It's a blessing because you get your legs back. I had a little extra time off and used it to work myself back into shape. I just wanted to make sure that when I got back in somewhere, I was in shape. It's been a little frustrating, now knowing what's happening but now that everything is sorted out, I couldn't be happier to be back in Dallas and join my teammates to prepare for the new season."

Count his coach as equally happy with the resolution of the situation.

"He's great," Hyndman said. "We had a really good conversation today. I think we put a lot of things aside and realized that he can be a very important part of FC Dallas. I really appreciate him coming in fit, mentally focused and wanting to make it a good year for us."

McCarty is glad to now have a clean slate with the fifth coach of his four-year professional career.

"Last year is in the past," he said. "It was just something that two guys had to sit down and talk about, communicate and resolve things. They weren't even big things, they were small things. It's a learning process for both of us with a new coach coming into the league trying to figure out the best way to handle things. We had a meeting and everything went well. Now my sole focus is to help the team and try to win a spot like everyone else."

One possibility for McCarty is the attacking midfield spot.

"Yes, of course (he could play there)," Hyndman said. "There are certain things I want in those positions. In all fairness to Dax, we've never really worked our way through those job descriptions. I think he can do it. He could be that No. 10. There's no doubt about it."

A big asset for McCarty is that he is the type of two-way player that Hyndman wants.

"I think he has all the fitness," he said. "I think he's got the ability to do it. It's kind of like defending. Before you go out and do it, the mind has to say that I'm going to defend. It comes down to understanding the job description."

McCarty agrees that he could fill that need but adds that he will contribute anywhere Hyndman asks him to.

"I like to see myself as a two-way midfielder," McCarty said. "I see myself as a guy who can fit at multiple positions in the midfield. I've played pretty much everywhere in the midfield since I've been here. It ultimately comes down to what the team needs. I can absolutely play the No. 10 position. I've played it before and know what Schellas expects from that position. I can also play defensive mid. I'm all for whatever is going to help us win."

Even though McCarty has missed a week of practice, Hyndman isn't worried about him catching up.

"Watching him today and talking to him, he's a player that stays fit," he said. "What he has missed is the one-v-one defending and how much we have worked on that, two-v-two defending, three-v-three defending, the covering, pressure and the balance. But he's not the only one who has missed that."

McCarty, who was a member of the U.S. Olympic team that played in China during 2008, said he has put last year behind him and views the entire situation as one big life lesson.

"(The biggest thing I learned is) to be mature and be professional about everything," McCarty said. "Ups and downs are going to occur and you're not always going to agree with every decision that's made, but that's part of the game. It's how you deal with it that's really the main thing. I've learned a great deal about how to deal with situations differently. I've gotten a lot of great advice and have had a lot of support from teammates. I love it here, love the team and everything about this organization. So it's good to be back and have the support of everyone around you. You grow and you mature as a player. Ultimately, that's my goal, is to mature and help the team in any way I can."

His teammates have also put the situation behind them and welcomed McCarty back.

"It was like I didn't miss a beat," he said. "It's just good to be back out with the guys and be part of a team again. You sit at home, get a little antsy, and itch to start playing again. I definitely wanted to come back. I was ready to come back on a couple of occasions but they told me to hold off and make sure that nothing happened at the last minute. Once I got the call to come back, I was excited. It's great to be back. My teammates are great and they welcomed me back with open arms."

When asked about a purported trade to San Jose, McCarty offered a succinct response.

"I really tried to stay away from it," he said. "If that was the case, I was going to accept it, embrace it, try to move on and use this as a learning experience. I knew in the back of my head that I would love to come back to Dallas. You put things in the past. I don't hold grudges and the good thing about it is that neither does Schellas. It's great to be back where I am. I'm feeling really good about the situation here and the team we're putting together. You can just tell after my first training session that it's already sharper and that guys are already more prepared and focused for the upcoming year. It feels good."


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Hoops view Houston as measuring stick

FRISCO, Texas -- In-state rivals FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo will open their preseason slates against on Friday morning when the teams meet in the Bayou City. The two sides are very familiar with one another but things have changed a bit since the sides last met on June 26, 2008 at Robertson Stadium, a match that ended in a 1-1 tie, a draw that meant FCD won the season series for the first time.

All rivalry talk aside, there have been a number of personnel changes for both sides. FCD has jettisoned defender Duilio Davino, traded defender Dominic Oduro and seen veteran Bobby Rhine retire.

New to the Hoops is midfielder Dave van den Bergh, who came over from New York in the Oduro deal; defender Steve Purdy was signed after a stint in Germany; forward Sean Bucknor, a former U-17 player in Jamaica, also was inked; and former Real Salt Lake defender Daniel Torres is also new to the fold.

Houston no longer has midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, defender Patrick Ianni or forward Nate Jaqua in the fold. But FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman knows that despite those subtractions, the two-time MLS champions still have a formidable group.

"They are an extremely well-disciplined, well-coached team that follows a team structure. They can remove a player from the lineup and the next guy comes in and you didn't realize he was that good," Hyndman said. "It's because it's a team structure where people fit into what they're doing. Now with De Rosario gone, you think they're not going to be the same. But when you've got (Stuart) Holden in there, they're just the same. It is a good measuring stick for us. I'm looking at this for how far we have come compared to a good team and how far we have to go."

The Orange likely won't be happy to see van den Bergh, who in last fall's MLS Cup Playoffs, scored the lone goal for the Red Bulls in the Western Conference Championship to send New York to its first-ever league title game.

"I think they're one of the best teams in the league and think that's not going to change," van den Bergh said. "They lost two valuable players in Dwayne DeRosario and (Nate) Jaqua. I still think they're very good at what they do. They're very predictable but they execute almost to perfection. It's a good task for us. It's a new team for us. We can take a lot of from these games to see how we hold up against one of the best teams in the league."

FCD will still be without star forward Kenny Cooper, who is away with the U.S. national team. Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha is experiencing visa problems in his home country and has yet to report to camp. Defender Adrian Serioux, a member of Houston's 2006 championship team, is also out as he continues to recover from a hernia.

No matter who his personnel is, Hoops head coach Schellas Hyndman's goal for games like this remains basic.

"One of the things I said to [the front office] was that I would like to get as many games as I can," he said. "A big part of it for me is team structure and getting people to buy into what you're doing. Some of the best results you can get from games is taking a loss where you can see the areas you need to improve in. I'm looking at the preseason games as a learning opportunity for the coaching staff and for the players. The emphasis is on being able to win games when we get into the season."

Two FCD veterans who have played in their share of Lone Star derbies are clearly looking forward to facing their in-state adversaries once again.

"We don't want to lose any game or show any weaknesses, especially with our state rival," goalkeeper Dario Sala said. "It's really important for us that we move the ball and start to play as professionally as we can. We have to be as prepared as we can. This game should give us an idea of where we stand right now. Hopefully we win the game and start to show a little bit of what the coach was working with us on the defensive mentality he is trying to build on this team. If we start to show a little bit of that, I will be happy."

Fellow Argentinean and midfielder Pablo Ricchetti concurs. "It's good for us," he said. "We want to play and it's good to have a team like Houston with such quality players to play. It will be good to have two games against them to see where we are."

The sides will turn around and meet again on Monday morning in Dallas at 10 a.m. CT.


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Arena: Beckham won't be distraction

CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena on Thursday said the club "will do whatever is in the best interests of the team and the organization" regarding the ongoing saga of David Beckham.

The 33-year-old midfielder, currently on loan with Serie A powerhouse AC Milan, on Wednesday stated his desire to remain in Italy once the loan agreement expires on March 8. The team's official website quoted Beckham as saying after a 2-2 draw with Glasgow Rangers, "I express my desire to remain here because I am doing very well with the team and the coach. I feel a lot of love from the fans."

AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani earlier this week said the sides have started talking about a possible resolution. Arena had no comment on the situation after the team's closed scrimmage against Loyola Marymount University later that day, but on Thursday he did say the matter will be resolved one way or the other.

Even UEFA president Michel Platini got into the mix on Thursday, when the Canadian Press quoted him as saying there was a "question of ethics" at stake.

"My problem is not Beckham," Platini reportedly said. "It's Milan buying a player for three months. Why then, could they not buy a player for the one game, for the final?"

Milan officials have been so impressed with the play of Beckham, who has two goals and two assists in five games, they have included him on their roster for an upcoming UEFA Cup series against Werder Bremen.

Arena, who earlier joked he wouldn't be surprised if he heard rumors that he is interested in another job, said he doesn't pay attention to the various reports concerning Beckham.

"Whatever is on record I don't really concern myself with too much," he said. "This is a business, and we'll attend to this matter like we attend to every matter related to the Galaxy. We'll do whatever is in the best interest of the team and the organization.

"Most of the things I enjoy when I do read them. Not only those about David but everything. It's kind of humorous when you understand what's going on behind the scenes."

Arena, who said only a week ago that the Galaxy will live up to its end of the loan agreement and he expected Beckham to return to Los Angeles on March 9, said he will not let the drama affect his team's preparations during training camp.

"I won't let it be a distraction. It won't be," he said. "Whatever happens, happens, and whatever concludes will be in the best interests of the Galaxy."


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Cunningham ready to make mark for Hoops

FRISCO, Texas -- Even at age 32, Jeff Cunningham still has a burning drive to succeed -- and shows no signs of slowing. On Saturday morning, FC Dallas held an intrasquad scrimmage that was open to club supporters at Pizza Hut Park. Cunningham delivered a pair of goals and an assist, all of which came in the first half of play.

After coming out at the break, Cunningham spent some 20 minutes running around the field before finally taking a rest. For FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman, his veteran striker has shown him a lot so far in preseason.

"I think Jeff has done well," Hyndman said. "He's a seasoned pro. He knows his body very well and is always fit. I thought in our scrimmage the other day, we saw another side of him. Even though we're in preseason and people might be pacing themselves, I thought he stepped it up a bit and looked like the Jeff we remember from last year. He's going to hopefully be a strong threat for us this year."

The veteran scorer, who has 104 goals for his 11-year MLS career, agrees.

"I'm just getting back into things and still have a ways to go," Cunningham said. "I think as a team, we're OK. We've got a good fitness base and the coaching staff is working on some tactical stuff. I think we're good as far as this part of the year to be where we are."

When he was traded to the Hoops last August, Cunningham greeted his new teammates in a cowboy hat. And with his wife and young daughter now also living in Frisco, the seasoned pro has really taken a shine to his new surroundings.

"I feel like a Texan now," he said. "I have one (cowboy hat) but am waiting for the boots. I am eating more steaks and barbecue now. I'm good now. My family is here and they are very settled. Everything is in place off the field. It's time now to prove myself again."

Cunningham made 11 starts for FCD last fall and had five goals and two assists for his new team. After the Hoops missed the playoffs, he resolved that he would be ready for 2009 and look to return to the form he showed in 2006 when he had 16 goals and 11 assists for Real Salt Lake. At least so far, he is making good on that claim and looks very fit.

"It (preseason) is a long time," he said. "I believe we have 50 days left and that's a long time. I think we started as a group with a good base. With the remaining time left, it's going to be perfect because you want to be playing your best football at the right time. I still have a ways to go but I feel like I'm making the right progress."

Hyndman concurs. "I think he's got God-given genetics," he said. "You also have to appreciate how much he's taken care of himself. Players like him when they hit a certain age, they start to slow down. But he doesn't look like he has. He's worked at it, whether it's his diet, exercising or rest. He's taken care of himself very well."

The FCD forward is clearly anticipating the benefits of having one of the league's best crossers on his side in newly acquired midfielder Dave van den Bergh.

"He's going to create more scoring chances by getting balls into the box," Cunningham said. "He has that vision to create space for us and to play balls into us in goal scoring spots. It's good to have that veteran player on the field as well to help some of the young boys. It's a good addition and I'm looking forward to getting some crosses from him."

Cunningham also has some familiar company on the FCD roster. Late last week, the Hoops signed another big striker in fellow Jamaican Sean Bucknor. Growing up in Montego Bay, Cunningham was coached by Bucknor's father, Steve, who is now a well-known cricket official.

"It's funny because there is a lot of history with me and his dad," Cunningham said. "He took a group of probably around 30 players and became that father figure to us. He basically saved us from the streets. He's the reason why I'm here, am able to do this and to be a good human being. If he wasn't in my life at that point, I don't think the outcome would be where I am today. I'm happy that his son is here. The least I can do is to help teach him how to become a good pro. I can't tell you how much his father made a difference in my life."

Cunningham remembers the last time he saw Sean Bucknor before he became one of his teammates with the Hoops.

"When I left Jamaica, he was probably like two," Cunningham said. "Now, he's a grown man and bigger than me. He's worked hard to get to this point. For his son to be here now, it's just a little opportunity to be helpful and to thank his father. For him to be here and to be able to help him settle in, at the end of the day, I can say I did well."

Cunningham couldn't help but begin showing some emotion when discussing the impact that Bucknor's father had on his life.

"His dad has done so much for me," he said. "He's a great man and I owe everything I have to him. You know, in life, there are a few people that shape you and give you direction. He's one of those persons. I was 12 at the time and in Jamaica, there weren't any options besides the streets. He helped us and used football as an avenue to shape us. That life lesson has stayed with me and that's the reason why I'm here. I don't know what to say. I'm just grateful that I was able to get that direction so early in my life."


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Hype minimal as Dynamo camp opens

HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo opened training camp this week, and for the first time since the team moved to the Bayou City before the 2006 season, the environment around them was, for lack of a better word, normal.

Their first training camp here was hectic and brand new for soccer fans in Houston. After all, the team just moved from northern California after playing in San Jose as the Earthquakes.

In 2007 and 2008, the team started the season as defending champions, so naturally expectations were high and members of the team were asked over and over what it was going to take to repeat as champions.

Before the regular season started last year Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear was asked if he thought about becoming the first coach every to lead an MLS team to three consecutive titles. Kinnear wanted no part of that question and explained how hard it was just to win one based on how competitive and balanced MLS has become.

The Orange did not win a third title and were ousted in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs by New York last November.

Now, for the first time, the Dynamo are not the new kid on the block, and they did not make their first appearance of the year as defending champs.

In fact, they are not even done building their team for the 2009 season. The Dynamo still have two senior spots open and one for a developmental player, and they are not hiding the fact they would like to add a forward.

"Our quest for that forward is ongoing," said Dynamo chief operating officer Chris Canetti. "We have also been transparent with our fan base in letting them know that it may or may not happen quickly. We have the desire to make the right move instead of the knee-jerk quick move.

"If you look at what we've done historically in adding the Nate Jaquas and the Joseph Ngwenyas and the Kei Kamaras during the season, those ended up being the right move. Even though they did not happen during the preseason, they ended up helping us be successful. We have the time, we have the money and we have the slots to really be smart about it."

Kinnear echoed that, and said the recent signing of Felix Garcia, an 18-year-old striker from Laredo, Texas, does not change the fact that the Dynamo are looking for a veteran to fill the void with the loss of Jaqua.

"That is something we are not going to be sneaky about," Kinnear said. "Yeah, we are looking for someone right now. But that has nothing to do with the signing of Felix at all. That has something to do with us trying to win a championship that we don't have any more. We are always trying to improve our team."

And that is something that Kinnear has been trying to do since they were defeated in the Western Conference Semifinals by the New York Red Bulls. It has been a busy time, especially recently for he and Canetti.

First, two-time MLS Cup MVP and fan favorite Dwayne De Rosario was traded to Toronto FC for rookie defender Julius James in mid December. Then there was the MLS draft, where the team picked up Daniel Cruz and Marcus Tracy.

Next, to cap off a busy month, the Orange signed Tally Hall on Jan. 23, to replace the departed Tony Caig; signed defender Bobby Boswell to a multi-year deal and traded Pat Ianni to the Seattle Sounders on Jan. 26. Three days later, the team announced the signing of Garcia, who Kinnear said, has no other pressure on him right now than to show up to practice every day and train hard.

So has it been a busy offseason? Yes, Kinnear said, but not anything out of the ordinary when there are spots to fill.

"It's definitely an ongoing thing to put these teams together," Kinnear said. "Sometimes it takes six months and sometimes it just takes a week. I will say, though, that the process has been about three months, and then everything has just kind of come together in the last week.

"But we have been busy the whole time and I think we are just now seeing the reward of the hard work that we have put in."

The Dynamo will play a home-and-home preseason series against their intrastate rivals, FC Dallas, beginning this week. The week might be filled with introductions and getting to know each other both on the field and off. There has not been a lot of turnover this offseason, but several players, including midfielder Stuart Holden and forward Corey Ashe, will have bigger roles with the departure of De Rosario and the need to add a veteran striker.

This is the first time in a while the Dynamo will not be regarded as defending champions. But their roster is coming together, and they are hungry to get back on the pitch with mindset to prove that last year's early playoff exit, after winning their first-ever regular season Western Conference title, was nothing more than the result of one bad day.


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Excitement palpable for Red Bulls

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few months removed from a remarkable run to the MLS Cup, there is a tangible buzz around the New York Red Bulls in their first week of training camp. After getting a taste last year, the club was anxious to return to camp, to build on last year's unprecedented success.

"There's a great mood around the training ground right now," Red Bulls captain Juan Pablo Angel said. "Everyone came and you can see that almost everyone is fit because the intensity in training is great."

How serious the players are taking the opening week of preseason is evident. Jorge Rojas, who saw mixed results in his first MLS season, already looks sharp and in great shape, having worked on his fitness in the offseason in his native Venezuela.

"We're very pleased to see Jorge in the shape that he's in now," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "He obviously took it very seriously and he has done his homework, he has done his job as a professional very well, he looks quite sharp."

Dane Richards was a one-dimensional player last year, just utilizing his blazing speed to get behind defenders. Now, the Jamaican winger is becoming more of a complete player. He said he "cleaned up my touch and also when I get inside I don't lose the ball, I connect with my strikers and try and put in better deliveries in the box."

"Technically he's a better player, his first touch, his control is better and how he looks to play more with the other players," Osorio said of Richards. "Before he was about just getting in behind. Now he looks at all his options and sees the bigger picture now, I think."

While Richards has proved early on he's more than just a speed demon, Osorio has put an emphasis on quickness in the offseason. As a result, he traded for Dominic Oduro, who is already starting to form a partnership with Angel.

"We played a couple of games (in practice) and we did great. It's a long way to go, but so far, so good," Oduro said. "I would say he's on a different level. It's great to part of this franchise with a guy like Juan, an amazing striker. I have a lot to learn from him."

And while Osorio has teased Richards during camp that Oduro is faster, there is no question the Red Bulls will be a difficult team to run with this season.

"I'm going to play behind the goal now to try and keep up," Angel said jokingly. "From what I've seen right now he wants to have some speed up front. Oduro is going to be important, he has something you're born with. He's extremely fast and if he can learn the game and understand how we play, he's going to be very, very important."

Having fun with it, both Richards and Oduro have skirted the "who's faster," question, but Richards likes the possible 4x100 team of Richards, Oduro, Mac Kandji and Matthew Mbuta.

"Kanji, me, Mbuta (and Oduro), I would bet my money on that one," Richards said.

Two weeks removed from being selected in the MLS SuperDraft, rookies Jeremy Hall and Nick Zimmerman have looked sharp in their exposure to professional soccer. While used primarily as a left-sided midfielder at the University of Maryland, Hall has seen time centrally in the first few days of preseason.

"I see him more as a box to box player, a guy that likes to score goals and who can get at the end and can attack the box," Osorio said. "I think that's a big plus in midfielders."

Hall has shown well early on despite the increased speed of play from college to the pros.

"In college you can take two or three touches, but here it's one, maybe two," Hall said. "It's a lot different. Guys are a lot more experienced, stronger, faster. Being in college, I thought Maryland prepared me well, but I'm still on that learning curve, I still have to make that transition."

The Red Bulls head to Bradenton, Fla., for the next stage of training camp on Monday and Osorio said he plans to have about 35 players there. Joining four college players who made the cut from tryouts two weeks ago will be four European-based trialists. While Osorio wouldn't divulge their names, he did say that one is a Mexican-American, two are from Central America and one is Scottish.

Also reporting to camp will be central defender Ryan Mirsky, one of the two rookie free agents on which the club put in a discovery claim (the other being Calum Angus from Saint Louis University).

A few injured regulars who didn't train this week should step on the field in Bradenton.

Seth Stammler, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Luke Sassano, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the playoffs last season, will both begin to run in Florida.

Andrew Boyens, who had surgery on a broken forearm, will not be able to participate in contact activities for a month, goalkeeper Terry Boss and forward Oscar Echeverry are still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery and attacking midfielder Michael Palacio has been experiencing pain in his surgically repaired knee. He will be back in 1-2 weeks.


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Hoops play numbers game

FRISCO, Texas -- In any sport, uniform numbers can be a funny thing. For some players, the digits they wear mean everything, and some will do anything humanly possible to secure their preferred number. However for others, the numbers on the back of their jersey are nothing more than another part of the kit.

For the 2009 season, a number of FC Dallas players have switched numbers. Fans better make sure they grab a program -- or at least check the team roster on the club's website -- before the March 21 opener at Pizza Hut Park.

For example, last year as an MLS rookie, midfielder Eric Avila was a second-round steal in the 2008 Super Draft. When he joined the Hoops, he was given No. 24, and played in 14 games as a rookie and registered two assists. When Arturo Alvarez was traded last July, "Avi" saw a chance to lower his number, but knew he had to wait until 2009 to do so and he now wears Alvarez's old No. 12.

"It's a lot closer (to the number and I like) and a lot lower (than 24)," he said. "My real number is No. 15. I love that number but unfortunately, Adrian (Serioux) has that number. I tried to go down to a lower number. It was an open number, I asked for it and they gave it to me. Unfortunately (No. 12 doesn't have any special meaning yet), but hopefully this year, it could become a good number for me."

With FCD since 2005, defender Drew Moor is one of the two longest-tenured players in Hoops. The Dallas native has worn No. 14 since his hometown side took him in the first round of the 2005 SuperDraft. Just after the end of 2008, Moor got a multiple-year contract extension to remain in Frisco and decided to change his number to coincide with his new deal, switching to No. 3.

"I signed the new contract near the end of last year and I just kind of wanted to change," he said. "I had been No. 14 since my sophomore year of college and before that I was No. 3 as a youth player and a club player. I just wanted to go back to that time for a little bit when it was just as much fun as it was now but it wasn't my job then. I was just out there because I wanted to be out there. I think it will hopefully help me remember my youth a little bit and more energized. I just happened to be handed No. 3 as my first jersey and wanted to go back to it."

Moor is considered one of the candidates to be named FCD's captain during preseason. Should that happen, that would make his number change all the more significant.

The week of the draft, FCD signed center back Steve Purdy, who had been playing for second-division German side 1860 Munich. He already has a number in mind for his first season in MLS.

"I'm trying to go for No. 25," he said. "It's been a lucky number but it's also my birthday, February 5. I have used it a lot of times in e-mails and things like that but this will be the first time I've worn it as a number. I'm trying to make some luck out of it."

A number of other FCD players have special ties to their current numbers. Star forward Kenny Cooper wears No. 33 as a tribute to a friend of his father's who played professionally. Second-year midfielder Bruno Guarda dons No. 8, which was previously worn by two-time all-star Juan Toja before his transfer to Romania. Guarda wore the same number as a collegian at SMU.

Defender Adrian Serioux wears No. 15, a longtime number that he sports as a tribute to his father. Goalkeeper Dario Sala wore No. 48 his first two years in MLS to honor his father-in-law who played college football at Miami. The veteran Argentinean switched to No. 44 last season to signify his 1987 graduating class from a military school (Promocion No. 44) in his hometown of Cordoba. There was a rumor of Sala sporting No. 1 in 2009 but he will remain No. 44.

Throughout his professional career, newly-acquired midfielder Dave van den Bergh has worn No. 11. However, once he was traded to FCD, he saw those digits were already spoken for, belonging to Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha. So, van den Bergh opted for a pretty significant number in its own right, No. 7.

"It was available and that was nice," he said. "Just look at Man U. No. 7 has been a coveted number over there. I really don't care (what my number is) as long as I'm on the field. I could care less. I just want to be out there on the field. Whether I'm producing with No. 7 or No. 11, it's neither here nor there."

One other change of note was third-year left back Blake Wagner, who has switched from No. 23 to No. 19, which was previously worn by the now-retired Bobby Rhine.

"It's just been a number that I've had since I was a little boy," Wagner said. "So I figured I would give it a shot. Bobby Rhine had it last year and he had it for a while. It was just a coincidence that I ended up getting his old number."


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Gallardo era comes to an end in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- After a week of indoor fitness work with nary a ball in sight, D.C. United's players gratefully returned to the RFK Stadium auxiliary turf field for drills and small-sided games on Friday. But the biggest revelation of the afternoon -- by far -- took place in RFK's subterranean media room afterwards, when general manager Dave Kasper officially confirmed a development which had fueled a week's worth of rumors and reports about D.C. playmaker Marcelo Gallardo.

"We've reached an agreement with Marcelo to let him go back to Argentina and finish his career, basically releasing him from his obligations," said Kasper. "He is now free to sign and finish his career down south."

Thus ends Gallardo's star-crossed stint in Washington, one year and one day after he was unveiled as United's first-ever designated player amid great fanfare and enthusiasm. Despite his indisputable talent, the Argentinean World Cup veteran never really settled in with D.C. during an injury-riddled 2008 campaign and in many ways, his departure closes the door on a strange and lamentable 12 months for the Black-and-Red.

"Obviously, we know the difficulties we had last year -- we wanted him on the field more. But it's his desire to finish over there, and you can respect that. He's had a long history there," said United coach Tom Soehn. "I respect his decision. He is going to move on and we are going to move on."

Presently recuperating from his latest ailment, an adductor release surgery in December, "El Muneco" spent the offseason in his homeland and had been excused from United's early preseason workouts to date.

Kasper said the midfielder had briefly expressed some desire for a permanent return to Argentina last month. But those thoughts apparently kicked into high gear when the prospect of a return to River Plate, Gallardo's first and most beloved club, materialized in recent weeks.

"He was pretty up front about it," said Kasper. "We thought that he was coming back, but he had some last-minute thoughts. I am sure part of it is that he had a couple clubs interested in him, and at the end of the day, we all know where he started and where he wanted to finish up. I think that became much more of a possibility over the past few days."

Gallardo was eager to make his mark in Major League Soccer when he arrived from French side Paris Saint-Germain last winter, but a season of struggle in his new country tested him mightily and in the end, the opportunity to return to his roots was too good to pass up. Having made his name with River -- he made his debut as a 17-year-old in 1993 and would soon help Los Millonarios win four Argentinean league titles and a Copa Libertadores triumph -- he remains a cult hero for many fans of the Buenos Aires giants and his affection for the club lingered throughout his time abroad.

"I think when he got back down there and did his rehab, it kind of hit him," said Kasper. "He had been away, in France and then here."

Gallardo's vision and class illuminated MLS during United's 2008 midsummer hot streak, but it proved only a brief flash as sports hernia and knee troubles sidelined him for the vast majority of the season's second half. Noting his absence this preseason, his former D.C. teammates have already begun to move on.

"We haven't even brought it up," said midfielder Santino Quaranta of Gallardo. "Last year it was a problem all year for us, and you never knew what was going to happen next and it was really like a soap opera, man. I know he's a great guy, I like him on a personal level, but when you're not here -- this brings a team together, the week that we just had. You go through the blood, the sweat and the tears."

Gallardo's departure leaves a significant gap in the United midfield and while 2008 MLS squads are not finalized until April, the impending closure of the current international transfer window (which ends at midnight on Saturday night) leaves little time for the club to arrange a move for a player of his caliber and resume. But Kasper and Soehn expressed confidence in the group they've already gathered, and seem content to learn more about the squad on their upcoming preseason travels before making any more major moves.

"It's a bit of a challenge. You really have to look for the right situation, players who can basically walk away from their club," said Kasper of securing a foreign playmaker in the weeks ahead. "It is an ongoing process. You look to make your team better in each transfer window, and that could extend on into the summer."


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Kljestan stars in return to home soil

CARSON, Calif. -- Three days before kickoff of Saturday's United States-Sweden international friendly at The Home Depot Center, Sacha Kljestan was in Scotland wrapping up a week-long trial with famed club Celtic FC.

After a flight across the pond and all the way back to his native southern California, Kljestan could easily have succumbed to jet lag and the distractions that such travels can carry.

Instead, the trip seemed to spark new life into the Chivas USA standout as Kljestan scored three goals in the USA's 3-2 victory over Sweden.

"It's important to start the year off with a win," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "When you're in a long camp, three weeks, it's a lot of work and the challenge of getting guys fit, it's nice at the end to have the reward of winning."

Kljestan returned to the United States on Thursday and arrived in Los Angeles at 3 p.m. After getting nine hours of sleep on Thursday night, Kljestan was able to recover from jet lag in part because the team held an evening training session on Friday. Another nine hours of sleep on Friday helped and by game time Saturday, Kljestan had zoned in on the match and his task at hand.

"I've had games in the past where you leave Chivas and you go and play for the national team and then you come back and in two days' time you're playing with Chivas. That's something I've tried my best to deal with in previous years," Kljestan said. "I think I did a good job of doing that tonight of not letting anything distract me and focusing 100 percent on this game."

Bradley, who selected Kljestan in the MLS SuperDraft while coaching with Chivas USA, said the goals were well deserved.

"It's nice to see Sacha get some goals," Bradley said. "He worked hard in this camp and took a break in the middle but he came back strong and that was important for us tonight."

Kljestan opened his account in the 16th minute when he buried a 34-yard free kick in the upper left corner of the net. Afterward, he credited Chivas USA coach Preki for having helped hone his set piece ability.

Club teammate Jonathan Bornstein said he'd seen Kljestan knock in goals like at training before.

"It's great to see when all that hard work pays off and he definitely deserves those goals tonight," Bornstein said. "You don't get a hat trick every day."

Kljestan scored his second goal in the 40th minute on a penalty kick and finished off his hat trick in the 74th minute, just one minute after Sweden's Daniel Nannskog had cut the United States' lead to one goal.

The hat trick, the 11th all-time in U.S. national team history, was just as much Ching's doing as it was Kljestan's. Ching collected a long ball in the box and slipped a ball to Kljestan, who easily beat Swedish goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

"Brian does a lot of dirty work on the field and does a great job in terms of holding the ball and setting Sacha up with the third goal which came at an important time," Bradley said.

Danny Califf sent the ball in from the back and Ching took care of the rest.

"It was a great ball from (Califf) and I just took it out from the air and saw Sacha making a great run," Ching said.

Still, despite the victory and Kljestan's standout play, Bradley said there were areas he felt could have been better.

"From a coaching standpoint, there are always going to be things from this game at this time of year that you feel good about, there's always going to be things that need improvement," the U.S. manager said. "So I think that part is very clear. We got a number of guys who got their first game with the national team and that is something we want to continue to do in terms of building our pool so in that regard it's a good feeling."

For Kljestan, the most rewarding part of having scored his three goals was that he scored them before his loved ones.

"I had a good experience over there and I was very happy to be able to come back for this game," he said. "We've been in this camp for three weeks now and we've put in a lot of work -- I did for the first two weeks - so I was very happy to come back and especially to play at Home Depot (Center) in front of my friends and family."


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Hoops bolster attack by adding Bucknor

FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas added some depth to their front line last week when the club signed 24-year-old striker Sean Bucknor to a contract.

Originally born in Jamaica, Bucknor spent two years at Owens Community College in Ohio, where he scored 28 goals as a freshman and sophomore. He then transferred to the University of Tampa but never played a game there. Since leaving school, the former Jamaican under-17 national team player has been staying busy and has now landed in Frisco.

"Since I left school, I have been in the gym working out every day to use my size as an advantage," he said. "When I'm not on the field, I'm in the weight room and running to keep fit."

At 6-foot-4, Bucknor is an inch taller than FCD's top scorer Kenny Cooper. But size isn't all he brings to the table.

"We saw a lot of good qualities in Sean," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "He's 6-3 and close to 200 pounds. When you see a player with that kind of size, you're really impressed when they've got athletic ability to go with the speed and power. The other day in our intrasquad scrimmage, he had one really good chance and scored. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come. I think he's got tremendous upside. We're very excited to have Sean with us."

Bucknor thinks he brings something else that his coach didn't mention.

"I've got tremendous speed as well," he said. "I've got some speed and a tremendous right foot. I bring size, speed, strength and a good shot. With all those things, I should do well."

Coming to FCD means that Bucknor joins fellow Jamaican Jeff Cunningham on the Hoops' roster, someone his father, Steve, coached back in their home country a number of years ago.

"To play with Jeff has been really tremendous," Bucknor said. "I've seen him play on the TV and on YouTube. He's been inspiring. So coming here to play with him has been great. (My father) coached a lot of players that are in the pros right now. He's a tremendous coach. Once Jeff has been through his hands, I knew Jeff is going to be a good player. My dad has told me a little bit about how to play off Jeff or with him."

Even though Cunningham last saw Sean when he was only two, he quickly offered a scouting report on his new teammate.

"He's a great athlete," Cunningham said. "The direction the game is going in, better athletes are the ones who are going to find ways to be successful because every team is very organized tactically and everyone is in the same boat. Athleticism is going to give players an advantage and make a difference. He's hungry. In front of the goal, he takes his chances well. He's still got a lot to learn as far as positioning but he has that natural ability. When he fine tunes some of those other things, he's going to be tough. He has everything he needs to make it as a pro. He has that itch and natural knack to put goals in. He's going to be a good one."

Even though he has only been with FCD for a short time, Bucknor has already noticed some big differences between college and professional soccer.

"It's been a tremendous experience to play in the pros," he said. "Leaving junior college and university, it's a different level and you've got to step up the pace. The work rate, you've got to step up the work rate. On offense and defense, you've got to stay focused every minute of every game. You've got to stay focused because it's a very quick pace."

Part of his education includes learning from the Hoops' veterans such as Pablo Ricchetti and Dave van den Bergh, among others.

"Those guys you can really learn a lot from," Bucknor said. "Today in practice, I was watching how Jeff and those guys run off the ball. I take that into consideration and see how I can use it in my game to compete with them."

And Bucknor still has several aspects of his skill set that he wants to work on. "I still want to work on perfecting touches, communicating with the guys better and moving off the ball," he said. "It's really going to come naturally."


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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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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."


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Reds start camp with high expectations

TORONTO -- Like the protective bubble erected over BMO Field in the winter, there are no signs that the bubble of enthusiasm felt amongst Toronto FC's players and coaches for the upcoming season is anywhere close to bursting.

"I'm really excited," said team captain Jim Brennan. "I think there's going to be big things this season. The guys are all here, everybody's buzzing, the coaches are buzzing. Good things are coming for Toronto FC."

The Reds' preseason camp officially began on Monday as the players gathered at BMO Field for medicals and fitness testing, followed by an afternoon training session. The team will spend two more days this week training in Toronto before departing for their full camp in Bradenton, Fla. on Friday.

Nearly the entire roster was on hand on Monday, with the only exceptions being those away on international duty (Marvell Wynne, Amado Guevara, Gabe Gala, Nana Attakora-Gyan) or rehabbing an injury (first-round draft pick O'Brian White).

The offseason news for TFC has been dominated by the acquisition of star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, a four-time MLS Cup winner in San Jose and Houston. Brennan said he was pleased that the club added not just a top player, but also a fellow Canadian international.

"I've known Dwayne since I was a kid," Brennan said. "We've played a lot together and now he's back home. That's a big motivator. He's playing in front of his friends and family just like I did. He gets the ball and does his own thing, but he's not a selfish player either, he likes to bring other players into the action and into the game. We need someone like that."

Co-captain Carl Robinson said that he is looking forward to playing with De Rosario, but Robinson also noted that the rest of the team can't sit back expect De Rosario to single-handedly put the side into the playoffs.

"Dwayne is a fantastic player but he's one piece of the jigsaw," Robinson said. "There's a lot of pressure on him coming in because people will be expecting him to score 20 goals but the players won't. We know he's a match-winner, he can turn games that are tight for us ... we know he brings quality to the table and adds to the quality we already have."

The talent on the TFC roster played a factor in Robinson's decision to return for a third season in Toronto. The Welsh midfielder was courted by several teams in England, but after consulting with his family, he decided to stay with the Reds.

"It was a big decision I couldn't make lightly," Robinson said. "I had to think with regards to, if I committed myself to Toronto, I maybe might not go back and play in England ever again. For someone who's played 15 years in England, that's hard.

"My two years have been fantastic here. I had some offers to join some super clubs over there, but having said that, this is a super club here. ... I enjoyed my football so much over the last two years that I was willing to extend my future here."

After finishing just four points out a playoff spot in 2008, TFC are looking for a more consistent standard of play in order to earn the club its first postseason berth.

"As a player you want to win things," Robinson said. "It's not about how much money you have, it's about trophies and medals. We should've got into the playoffs last year, we had our run too late, we've got to make sure we don't do that this year. We have pick up results early in the season and continue things on positively after that."

Robinson and striker Danny Dichio had their contracts extended for 2009 in January, while it was announced on Monday that winger Rohan Ricketts had also been signed through the next season. In Dichio's case, the veteran forward was considering retirement before deciding to return for another season.

"It was emotional for me since I've been doing this since I was nine years old," Dichio said. "I felt I was strong enough. I spoke to the coaches, players and some coaches back in England who said you regret it when you retire too young. There is a path I want to take when I'm done my career as a footballer, but I'm not ready for that yet. I still think I can give something to the team."

Monday's session also marked the first time that TFC's 2009 SuperDraft picks had a chance to see their new surroundings. First round picks Sam Cronin (No. 2 overall) and Stefan Frei (No. 13 overall) were highly regarded by many pundits going into the draft, and third-round pick Kyle Hall is both a Toronto native and a member of the Canadian under-23 national team.

Carver said that he hopes these rookies can follow in the footsteps of some other notable SuperDraft picks who have worn the Toronto red.

"We've seen what happened with [2007 SuperDraft No. 1 overall pick] Mo Edu stepping up to the plate and handled the situation. [2006 SuperDraft No. 1 overall pick] Marvell Wynne did a similar thing when he was in New York," Carver said. "I've said to these guys don't think you're coming into a football team where you can't compete for places. Come and compete for the place and if you earn the right, you know what I'm like, I'll play you. ... To be fair as a coach to your players, you have to give everybody an opportunity to step up and earn their due."

Many scouts tabbed Cronin and Frei as two college players that could step in any play right away in MLS, which would be a boost to a Toronto side that fielded some less-than-ideal lineups last year due to injuries and an abundance of international absences. One of those internationals, Jamaican defender Tyrone Marshall, thought the rookies would challenge the veterans in camp.

"We won't be lacking in talent when those competitions come around and that's what we were covering our bases on this year," Marshall said. "It's good when you have depth on your team. It makes a person play a little bit harder and raises your standards, and that helps the team play at a higher level."

The pieces seem to be in place for Toronto FC as the club prepares to head south, and everyone involved with the Reds seems to be chomping at the bit to begin work on the upcoming season.

"I just couldn't wait to get going this morning," said Carver. "I was like a young school kid and was awake early. I was driving to the stadium by 6 a.m."


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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.


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Kljestan's hat trick leads U.S. past Sweden

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.


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Galaxy get bigger, stronger — better?

Galaxy get bigger, stronger -- better?

CARSON, Calif. -- It is no stretch of the imagination to say the Los Angeles Galaxy could reach new heights this season.

There are those who might argue the Galaxy have only one direction to go after a 2008 season in which they led MLS in goals scored (55) and allowed (62). A look at their roster, which has undergone a substantial makeover during the offseason, reflects an emphasis on size, something that was sorely lacking a year ago.

The defense could feature, among others, 6-foot-4 Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts in goal -- that's if 6-3 Steve Cronin doesn't start in his place -- 6-5 rookie Omar Gonzalez, 6-3 Leo Bautista (on trial from FC Caracas) and 6-2 Tony Sanneh (trying to make a comeback at age 37) on the back line. The forwards also have size in, among others, 6-3 Alan Gordon, 6-1 Stefani Miglioranzi, 6-1 Jovan Kirovski, 6-1 Chris Klein and 6-1 Edson Buddle to offset the likes of Landon Donovan, who stands just 5-8.

The Galaxy certainly shouldn't be confused with a collection of redwoods in cleats, but they definitely look bigger and stronger this season.

"I think that's one thing Bruce wanted to do," Cronin said of head coach/general manager Bruce Arena's offseason rebuilding strategy, "to bring in more size, especially on defense. An extra couple of inches never hurts."

Klein in particular, is pleased with the new physical makeup of the team.

"It was no secret that Bruce felt that we got not pushed around ... but pushed around," he said with a laugh. "Defensively, we weren't that big in the middle. And in set pieces, we were hurting. We had a guy like David (Beckham) serving the ball, and I don't think we scored a goal off a corner kick all season. More size definitely was one need we addressed in the offseason.

"When you're going through the season, you don't realize that soccer is a very democratic sport where you can be 5-6 and dominate. Size in itself does not carry the game, but in certain aspects it definitely helps."

Arena, who took over the Galaxy last Aug. 18, said he wasn't simply looking for more size on defense. He mostly was looking for improvement, and it just so happened many of the new players he has brought into camp by either trades, the draft or on trial are taller and more athletic.

It was no secret the Galaxy had a major weakness last year in defending set pieces and corner kicks. Their center backs, for example, often consisted of Troy Roberts and Sean Franklin, who are generously listed as 5-11 and 5-10, respectively.

"You'd have to be a complete idiot not to think we had to improve there," Arena said of the makeup of his defense. "When you give up 62 goals, that ain't right. If it's broken, you fix it.

"Getting bigger is part of it, too. The notion that this game is a game of all sizes and shapes is accurate. But if all your sizes and shapes tend to be small, when all things are equal the bigger, stronger athlete wins in every sport. We need to have our share of those as well.

"Even though we could probably live with 11 Landon Donovans."


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Pieces falling in place for Hoops

FRISCO, Texas -- Almost all of the pieces are in place for the 2009 version of FC Dallas under Schellas Hyndman. However, the Hoops coach is still hoping to land a central attacking midfielder before FCD's season starts on March 21 against Chivas USA. The club has been courting several No. 10s from either Europe or South America, but none of those players have signed.

Last week, Hyndman admitted that time was drawing short to add a new player to his roster. One name that has been linked to FCD is 2006 MLS MVP Christian Gomez, currently a member of the Colorado Rapids -- but Hyndman quickly put those rumors to rest after training on Monday morning.

"I think there's always interest in good players but not really (any interest in him)," he said. "I think if we're going to bring in a quality player like a Christian Gomez, we need to make sure that player is going to be around for a while. Christian Gomez is 34-years-old and we need players that will be willing to be part of the future of FC Dallas, not just this season."

The FCD coach admitted that Gomez's large price tag was one thing not in his favor but said that other factors also come into play.

"I think it's a combination of a couple of things," Hyndman said. "I think we also look to the players we have that have worked so hard. He is a very good player who can make a difference. That's what you look for in a player, a difference-maker."

Among other FCD midfielders, the club remains at somewhat of an impasse with Dax McCarty. The fourth-year midfielder who saw his playing time dwindle after returning from last summer's Olympics, requested a trade last fall and remains back home in Florida.

Hyndman did state confidently last week that he expects McCarty to return to Frisco and re-join the team in the near future. But for now, the situation remains unchanged.

"Everything is as is," Hyndman said. "We're still working through the process. If Dax is with us, then he's with us. If he's not with us, then we would have been able to make a trade or whatever. But right now, he is part of the team and we expect him to be here."

The FCD coach added that even though the Hoops have only been training since last Wednesday, McCarty has already missed out on some valuable sessions.

"The thing that hurts is that this is really important training we're going through," Hyndman said. This is where we build our foundation. When you miss this stuff, it's huge."

A welcome sight toward the end of Monday's training was the first appearance of forward Kenny Cooper on the training field. With about 15 minutes left in the session, Cooper walked onto the training ground in street clothes having just returned from playing for the United States national team on Saturday night against Sweden.

Hyndman didn't exactly know when Cooper will have his first practice of 2009 with FCD as another international call-up could be in the cards later this week.

"He's such a hard worker," he said. "He's the last player I'm going to worry about coming in fit. He spent three very difficult weeks at the national camp and just played. I'm glad he's here, showed up to get treatment and to hang out with the guys. He may come out tomorrow and kick around depending on the weather but maybe not. If he gets called back into the national team, he'll leave again on Thursday. I've given him our blessing because it's his dream, he's getting better and also because he represents us."


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Dynamo introduce 18-year-old striker

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Houston Dynamo officially announced the acquisition of their newest player Thursday, 18-year-old U.S. youth international forward Felix Garcia.

Garcia was acquired through the MLS allocation process and signed to a Generation adidas contract. The Dynamo traded spots in the MLS allocation order with Toronto FC, who held the third spot. Houston sent an international roster spot to Toronto for two years in exchange for moving up in the allocation draft order.

The Laredo native comes with an impressive resume for an 18-year-old. During his two years with the Laredo Heat of the PDL, the team played in two championship games. During the first year, Garcia scored the only goal in the semifinals as his team advanced to the title game. The championship was decided on penalty kicks, where it was Garcia who converted the game winning penalty.

Last year, Laredo advanced again to the PDL championship game, but lost in the final. However, Garcia was named the PDL Under-19 Player of the year and led his team with an impressive 11 goals.

While admitting he has never seen Garcia play, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear noted he came highly recommended.

"I put a lot of faith in (U.S. under-20 national team coach) Thomas Rongen's assessment of Felix. About all the players that were in his camp, the person he thought has the best potential to be a very good professional, the name was Felix Garcia," Kinnear said.

While Garcia nervously said that he hopes to make the starting 11, Kinnear noted that there is no pressure on him to play.

"We want him to play, but the pressure is to grow as a soccer player and be a good productive player on and off the field." Kinnear said. "If I feel that Felix is good enough to play for us and help us win games, he is going to play. There is no pressure."

Kinnear was pleased that another young player elected to come into Major League Soccer, and for their part, Dynamo executives also counseled patience.

"It is unrealistic to expect any player, no matter how talented, to come right in an make an enormous difference," said Dynamo president Oliver Luck. "But we see a lot of potential in Felix and he has a chance at a great age to learn from our players and from what we think is the best coaching staff in the league."

Regardless of how quickly he makes his professional debut, Garcia's enthusiasm of realizing his dream of becoming a professional athlete at age 18 was infectious.

"I feel very happy to be here. I came here to play soccer and enjoy my life with my girlfriend. I want to take the opportunity to thank those that had something to do with this. It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to get on the pitch," he said.


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Familiar faces aim for resurgence in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Picture this: One year, a club puts together the best regular-season performance in its league with a 16-7-7 record, thus winning a major trophy, only to swiftly revamp the roster with a flurry of foreign signings meant to boost its prospects in international competition.

This approach backfires as overseas glory remains elusive, while the club's domestic fortunes founder on the rocks of a dispiriting 11-15-4 campaign. But management does not clean house, instead signing several of the mainstays from that season of struggle to new contracts with an eye towards securing the squad's foundation for the foreseeable future.

At first glance, D.C. United seem to have gotten it backwards. But the capital club is bullish about the core of young U.S. talent it has built in recent seasons, and remains confident that securing familiar incumbents like Marc Burch, Santino Quaranta, Clyde Simms, Bryan Namoff and most recently, Devon McTavish, can help lead a resurgence in 2009.

"We went through a lot of adversity last year," explained head coach Tom Soehn last week. "So many things that could've gone wrong that went wrong, [like] scheduling -- there were so many things that could've really deteriorated this group and even at the end when we were still out guys, the group really came together. I think we finished on a real positive and a real hunger to get back to work the following year."

The returning players seem similarly optimistic. Simms constituted the heart of United's midfield over the past two seasons, and he acknowledges that he passed up several intriguing trial opportunities in Europe -- two with teams in the Championship (England's second division) and one in the Danish first division -- in order to re-sign with the Black-and-Red.

"I thought about it a lot," said Simms, "and it was the right amount of money and security [with United]. Another thing is, I have a good situation here. I think a lot of guys go from team to team looking for a good situation, for things like playing time, enjoying where they're living. I've obviously had the playing time and I love D.C."

A onetime United misfit who resuscitated his career with a strong 2008, Quaranta was glad to see his club emphasize stability this winter, starting with the decision to retain Soehn for a third year in charge.

"Once you go into an offseason again making wholesale changes, first off it shows that you don't have a whole lot of confidence in the guys that you have," said the Baltimore native. "When you go in making changes and there's, again, a whole different mix of players, it takes a while. It just shows that it wasn't really the locker room that was a problem, I think it was a lot of the adversity and the stuff that we went through as a team."

Defense was surely United's area of greatest frustration last year. South American imports Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez did not click as a center back pairing and Peruvian goalkeeper Jose Carvallo failed to mount a challenge for the starting spot. Peralta has already returned home on a one-year loan to Argentinian second-division side Union Santa Fe, while Martinez's 2009 destination remains unclear.

"We had a pretty solid team before [2008] started, then they changed up and brought in some more guys to help our experience for the international tournaments," said Burch, who spent much of last season at central defense but hopes to make the left back spot his own in '09. "It was a big change bringing in those two guys, even though they were good athletes, good players. It was just a big change for us, and it was tough to get adjusted, tough to learn each other's style and how to help each other."

Burch and McTavish endured their own ups and downs, but proved themselves reliable options down the stretch while loan signing Greg Janicki won a permanent move with some capable late-season displays. Along with Namoff, they will be relied upon for an improved rearguard this year, though D.C. is reportedly searching for a foreign defender as well.

At the attacking end, United's experienced international contingent will again bear a heavy load, as 30-somethings Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio likely remain Soehn's first-choice strikers. But general manager Dave Kasper maintains that the club remains active on the international transfer market and D.C. seem to have narrowly missed out on Walter Martinez, the promising Honduran striker now rumored to be headed to Europe, while other foreign players are expected to join the team on trial in the weeks ahead.

But for the time being, it looks as though familiar faces will make up the spine of Soehn's squad -- and that's welcome news to a group eager to redeem themselves after last year's trauma.

"It was just a couple pieces that we had to have. So by them showing confidence in the players, I think in turn the players are going to fight for them again," said Quaranta. "You just have to have depth at every position, because you know you've got your main guys that are going to be your players that you depend on during the year -- that's just the reality, that's the way the league is set up -- you [also] have to have guys that can step in and do the job. I don't think we had that last year."


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