By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Feb 9, 2012) US Soccer Players -- Tony looks at an innovative marketing plan by the Rapids, asks about Edson Buddle's childhood role models, and sees the Western Conference getting more difficult.
Who is the 31st best player in the English Premier League, according to the latest Castrol Rankings?
Clint Dempsey. Yes, these are the rankings that have David Silva as the 27th best player in England right now. Dempsey is the highest rated American in individual league ratings, not surprise considering his contributions for Fulham.
How do you, a Rapids fan, get your name officially on a 2013 jersey?
Either make the team, or buy 2012 season tickets. As some other international clubs have done, the Rapids are printing the name of every season ticket holder into the fabric of their 2013 and 2014 home jersey. With the hiring of Oscar Pareja, his talented assistants, and initiatives such as this, there seems to be some momentum in Denver, at last.
Who did Edson Buddle have a poster of on his wall when he was younger?
Jurgen Klinsmann, according to Buddle in an interview on FIFA.com (ok, technically it was Klinsmann's West German team). Buddle is already thinking down the road, wanting to earn his coaching badges and work with kids when he retires from playing.
Who had Garcia and Zavagnin in their 'most frequent partners in MLS' pool?
For me, I'd take goalkeepers out of the list, as there are some impressive pairings of field players. This is a nice bit of research, and a reminder of the quality of players who have graced this league. Not surprisingly, the Red Bulls/Metrostars have used the most players in MLS history, with 253, according to the article.
In the Western Conference, if you're not adding attacking players, are you losing ground?
The Sounders seem pretty confident with their new signings, even if none of them are big names. With Sebastien Le Toux, Kris Boyd, Edson Buddle, and Tressor Moreno all joining Western Conference teams in the last week, the League's best conference got better. The biggest signing of all, however, was the Galaxy getting Juninho back on loan. It's the soccer version of a baseball arms race, with teams easily left behind. Just like last season, that could include the bulk of the Eastern Conference. Fortunately for them, the 2012 playoff setup has three teams from each Conference and two play-in round teams from each make the playoffs. At least on paper, the old 'multiple wildcards based on overall record' model would not favor the East.
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