American Exports: Pelosi begins career with Liverpool

AMSTERDAM — Marc Pelosi officially began his career at Liverpool on Wednesday night by dressing for the reserve side's 5-1 UEFA NextGen defeat at Sporting CP. The US Under-17 standout, who recently inked a three-year deal with the Reds, did not see the field in a group match of a tourney that is essentially an U-19 Champions League. Despite the defeat, Liverpool became the fifth team through to the knockouts, joining Group 2 winners Sporting, Ajax, Barcelona and Tottenham. According to the

Taylor's first season in Houston ending on a high note

HOUSTON – It has been an interesting first season in Major League Soccer for Jermaine Taylor. The Jamaican international popped up on Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear’s radar this time last year at the Caribbean Cup, and since arriving in Houston, Taylor’s fortunes have fluctuated. He’s spent much of the year observing from the bench – 10 starts and 925 minutes played during the regular season – while filling in when needed across on the back line. So it was fitting that his biggest moment of the year came in a relief performance in the Eastern Conference final, a 2-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City. Come Sunday's MLS Cup final, Taylor could be in line to start. WATCH: Taylor gets onto Moffat cross "He came on against Kansas City and shut Kei [Kamara] down, who was doing alright at the time," Bobby Boswell said. "He’s got experience and if he gets the call, he’s a guy who’s going to be ready. He’s waited for his opportunity just like a lot of other guys, and now if he gets it, I’m sure he’ll do great with it." For a while, though, opportunities were few and far between. After earning a starting spot out of training camp at center back next to Boswell and starting the season opener, Taylor was injured while away with Jamaica on international duty. By the time he got back to full health, André Hainault had taken the spot next to Boswell. "At the time the team was doing well and as a player you don’t want to be the guy that goes in and things start going wrong," Taylor said. Once healthy, Taylor saw his time on the field ebb and flow and showed off his versatility, stepping in and providing quality minutes at all four back line positions. In particular, the time he’s played on the flanks has highlighted his speed and attacking ability as well as a willingness to commit himself on both sides of the ball. "I have two feet so why not use both of them," Taylor said with a chuckle. "I know I can fit in any of the spots around the back, and I just want to do what the coach needs from me." When it mattered most, Taylor did exactly what Kinnear asked of him on the left side against Sporting, providing a calming presence defensively and pushing up on set pieces. "He plays with that relaxed swagger," Boswell said. "He’s a great player. He’s an international player who’s experienced and is not afraid to impose his opinion and will on anyone. He’s a strong guy and is fast. He’s everything you want in a defender." Now, Taylor’s number could be called Sunday to duplicate that performance and help counterbalance the loss of Brad Davis. If it is, he’ll face a familiar foe in US and MLS star Landon Donovan "I’m comfortable at left back, and if I get the chance, I’ve played against Landon Donovan before and I know he’s a tough, cool opponent," Taylor said.  "But I think I can match him up, and I have confidence in everyone around me to get the job done."

Q&A: Chivas GM Jose Domene talks Angel, stadium

CARSON, Calif. – The offseason is just barely under way, but Chivas USA have hit the ground running as they look to improve in 2012. And if the Rojiblancos are to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, General Manger Jose Domene will have a lot to do with it. Domene joined Chivas’ front office in December 2010 as interim GM, but became full time in late March. He recently sat down with MLSsoccer.com to discuss player moves, the team's stadium search and his goals for next season. MLSsoccer.com: First and foremost, what is the status of Juan Pablo Ángel for the 2012 season? Domene: It's a decision that is both the club's and Juan Pablo's. We've talked about it, but we need to sit down when we stop training and we're going to see where he's at and where he fits here. He's a great player, we all know that. He did great things for the club and we would love to have him back, but it's going to be a mutual decision. It's not us forcing him to come back or him forcing us to not bring him back. It's not like that. We just have to sit down and do what's best for Juan Pablo and what's best for Chivas. It's not about money whether he stays or goes. MLSsoccer.com: You've been vocal on Twitter saying that the club is actively searching for players, how is that search going? Domene: We are not only in the international market, but in the national market. We're scouting and we want to bring in people because this is our first full offseason and we want to get a head start. Right now, we've got the winter transfer window - the big window is in the summer - but you can take advantage right now of looking for players that may help you in their environment. We've visited seven countries so far and seen two-dozen games already, and we'll continue to do that until the leagues stop for the winter. And then when they resume, we'll do it again. Hopefully, we'll bring in as much talent as possible and develop as much talent as possible because we have a good core to build a balanced and winning team next season. MLSsoccer.com: The club still have until the end of the calendar year to use their number one slot in the allocation order. Are Chivas planning a move? Domene: Everybody said a lot about the allocation order, but we're here for the long run and we're not going to pick someone that doesn't make sense just because we're number one. It's not about just picking a guy because we have to pick one, it's about picking the right guy. If someone is not the right guy for us, then we won't use it. It's as simple as that. It's not just about bringing in the guy that's coming back. So if it makes sense then we'll use the selection either this year or next year. It just has to make sense. We're not going to bring in players for the sake of bringing players. We want winners. MLSsoccer.com: What is the mood of the team ownership on how the season went this year? Domene:  The mood is that in order to finish a project, you've got to let the project keep its route. We were definitely disappointed because we didn't play as bad as our standings and points reflected, but I think that we lost a lot of games because of small mistakes and we left a lot of points on the table. We do understand that what we did was not enough because this is not what we want. We want to make the playoffs and we're working hard towards making the playoffs. We've got to work hard during the off-season to work on individual mistakes, but at the same time, we need extra help in terms of bringing in new talent so that we can go to the next level. The next level is not the playoffs, it's to fight for a championship. MLSsoccer.com: A pair of local cities, Pomona and Santa Ana, have publicly admitted discussions with the team about a new stadium. How are those talks progressing? Domene: We're still looking. We haven't signed anything with any city. We're happy at the Home Depot Center, where they treat us very well, but at the end of the day, it makes sense for us to have our own stadium. We're going to move to some place that makes sense for the club and Chivas USA. We're still searching and looking. We have had conversations with those cities, but not just those two. 

Houston's Kinnear: Davis not available for MLS Cup

HOUSTON – What many already expected has now been confirmed: Houston midfielder and MLS MVP finalist Brad Davis will not take part in MLS Cup. Addressing the media after training on Monday, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear confirmed that Davis’ diagnosis means he will be a spectator on Nov. 20 at the Home Depot Center. "Unavailable," Kinnear said. "Out, right quad strain." Davis suffered the injury while making a cut at midfield a few minutes before halftime of Houston’s 2-0 Eastern Conference Championship victory against Sporting Kansas City. After the game, Davis told MLSsoccer.com that he would miss MLS Cup, although official word had yet to come down. With Kinnear’s statement, though, Davis’ early prognosis was confirmed. Last week LA Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter expressed his skepticism about Davis' potential absence when he stated that he would only believe the news when he didn't see the left-footed playmaker on the Home Depot Center field this Sunday. Davis’ absence leaves a huge hole for the Dynamo to fill, but, fortunately, Kinnear has a few of options to pick from. Against Kansas City, Houston's manager moved Corey Ashe from left back to left midfield and inserted Jermaine Taylor in place of the diminutive defender with great results. Adam Moffat assumed the dead-ball duties from Davis and set up the game-winner with his first and only free kick of the night. Colin Clark, a natural left midfielder who has played on the right most of the season for the Dynamo, is also a logical candidate to fill in for Davis and has looked good on the left flank this season when given the opportunity. Other options could include moving Danny Cruz from right to left or the more unlikely scenario of inserting first-year player Alex Dixon.

Vancouver's Soehn pleased with club's rookie class

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Realistically, a draft can't properly be evaluated until years after it's completed. But so far, Vancouver Whitecaps director of soccer operations Tommy Soehn likes what he sees from his class of 2011. The club selected Omar Salgado, Michael Nanchoff, Jeb Brovsky and Bilal Duckett in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, before adding Michael Boxall, Joe Anderson and Santiago Bedoya in the Supplemental Draft. From that group, Brovsky and Boxall stand out as being the most MLS-ready. Brovsky showed his versatility throughout the season, playing as a central midfielder, wide midfielder and, eventually, settled into a right fullback position as the season came to its conclusion. The Colorado native was 11th on the team in time played, participating in 1,509 minutes of action, and quietly went about whatever role was asked of him. Boxall, selected first in the Supplemental Draft by the club, was a steady contributor in the heart of defense, playing much more than Soehn said the club had initially planned. While the the interim coach has stated the New Zealand international suffered from fatigue at times as the season wore along, it's clear to see the hulking 23-year-old seems a savvy pickup, as he also cracked the team's top 10 in minutes played. Ultimately, though, it's not about what the players have done so far — it's about what they can bring in the future. "Guys develop at different stages," Soehn told MLSsoccer.com by phone this week. "The Brovskys and the Boxalls did get a lot of time, but you're going to see a lot of guys you didn't see much of this season [next year]. Even with Nanchoff, he went through some injuries this year, but there's a lot of talent there. I think you're going to see him develop into a solid MLS player." Salgado, the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, hasn't made the immediate impact of some of his peers selected back in January, but Soehn says patience will pay dividends with the 18-year-old. "With Omar Salgado I think we've got a gem there," Soehn said. "You want to take your time to grow that talent." The El Paso, Texas, native is currently participating in a training camp with the US U-23 team in Germany as they prepare for qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. "[International experiences] are fantastic, especially for someone his age," Soehn said. "Having gone through a full season now of training, probably the most demanding year he's ever been through in terms of a training environment, he's going to use his experiences from the year to now show what he's made of on the international front. "These kinds of experiences for young guys are just so welcoming, they grow so much."

Int'l roundup: Purdy, El Salvador advance in CONCACAF

Second stage qualifying in CONCACAF for the 2014 World Cup got underway in full force on Friday night, and El Salvador came out the big winners. Portland Timbers defender Steve Purdy put in a full shift in the back line as

Jakovic returns to action for DC United in reserve game

WASHINGTON – D.C. United’s season may have ended at the end of October, but having two Reserve League matches left to play finally gave defender Dejan Jakovic a chance to return to the field. Jakovic was a second-half substitute and played 30 minutes in the first of those two reserve fixtures, a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. "It feels great, I’ve been training with the team for two weeks," he told MLSsoccer.com. "My fitness is pretty much back – it felt good to come out and play with the team." Hamstring issues dogged Jakovic throughout the 2011 season. He picked up his first at the beginning of June in an international friendly with Canada that knocked him out of the summer’s Gold Cup, and he finally returned from that injury at the end of July. But five games later, he picked up a second hamstring injury, less serious than the first, though he couldn’t heal in time to help D.C. make the playoff push down the stretch. In all, he managed just 15 appearances on the year. "It was definitely disappointing, and at the time to have the first one and the second one, and to not be able to help my team in the last couple of games, really sucked," he said. Thursday's Reserve League appearance gave Jakovic a chance to continue building his fitness and be prepared for next year. He'll get another chance on Nov. 15 in D.C. United's Reserve League finale at Columbus on Nov. 15. That's a prospect that excites the 26-year-old. "I think we have a great young team," he said. "We showed that we can play with anybody when we were healthy. I don’t know what’s going to happen, if the team’s going to change, but I’m happy with the group of guys we have right now." This latest injury did cost Jakovic a shot at playing in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers with Canada, who play St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday in the Caribbean and back in Toronto again on Nov. 15. Jakovic said he’ll be keeping an eye on the qualifiers, and thinks advancing to the next round won’t be too difficult (Canada need one point from the remaining two games). "I will be watching," he said. "I am a little disappointed [not to play] but obviously, I am just coming back from injury. I’m not too worried about it – knock on wood."