US Soccer Players

What Is With New York?

By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 7, 2012) US Soccer Players -- The MetroStars/Red Bulls are the most futile Major League Soccer club since the League's inception in 1996.  There is little argument to the contrary.  Nevertheless, the franchise has had a staggering track record when it comes to producing talented players who have gone on to succeed at other clubs and the US National Team.  Some of those players include goalkeeper Tim Howard, defender Tim Ream, midfielder Michael Bradley, and strikers Jozy Altidore and Juan Agudelo.

When Ream recently secured a transfer to English club Bolton, it was the latest big move by a New York player.  It isn’t that the franchise has a special elixir when it comes to nurturing such talent.  However, the question of why so many Americans who come up through the system in New York and later excelling with other teams is a curious one. 

Here are four theories for why the MetroStars/Red Bulls have been so important to the growth of the American game since 1996:

Philadelphia And The Business Of The Future

By Dario Camacho - MIAMI, FL (Feb 3, 2011) US Soccer Players -- As weeks go, this hasn't been one of Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak's most successful from a public relations perspective.  In terms of fan loyalty, it has been down right ugly.  What transpired in the course of a couple of days has been the complete gutting of the Union's veteran presence.  The first to go was goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.  His story is understandable, making the choice to return to his homeland, even if it meant a goalkeeper crisis for the Union. 

For a while, that seemed to be the big question needing answering before the beginning of the season.  What transpired next would overshadow Mondragon's exit in the public conversation, while on the playing side the Union are without a veteran keeper and a veteran forward.

Buddle Rejoins Galaxy

The day after reports that Edson Buddle had been released from his contract with Ingolstadt in Germany's 2.Bundesliga, Major League Soccer announced that he has signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy.  Buddle left the Galaxy following the 2010 season.

“I am thrilled to be able to return to MLS and a club that has meant so much to me in my career,” Buddle said in a press release. “When I left for Germany last winter, I said that I hoped to be able to one day return to the Galaxy and help lead the club to an MLS Cup championship. That day is today and I look forward to the challenges that now lie ahead.”

The Murky MLS Acquisition Rules

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Kris Boyd, born August 18th, 1983 in Irvine, Scotland, late of Eskişehirspor of the Turkish Süper Lig, formerly of Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough FC, and - most famously - Glasgow Rangers, current record-holder for most goals scored in the Scottish Premier League and a name well known in international soccer circles, is Major League Soccer’s newest Designated Player.

More specifically, Boyd is the Portland Timbers’ newest Designated Player, his acquisition announced by the club on Monday afternoon. Boyd arrives to help fill the void left by the departed Kenny Cooper, who was traded by the Timbers to New York earlier this month, and becomes the Timbers’ third DP.

The Gap In Quality?

By Dario Camacho - MIAMI, FL (Jan 30, 2011) US Soccer Players -- When we see the recent success of former and current Major League Soccer players in England, it has to feel good for fans of North American soccer.  An ex-Revolution player outrunning a pair of defenders en route to a triplet of goals was a cathartic, ecstatic moment for those of us rooting for Fulham's Clint Dempsey.  His performance as the first American with a hat-trick in the EPL will be remembered as a watershed moment.

A week later, it was Landon Donovan assisting on two goals against Dempsey's Fulham in the FA Cup.  Two other MLS designated players are also doing work, Robbie Keane at Aston Villa and Thierry Henry at Arsenal. 

Official: Ream Transfers To Bolton

Confirming earlier reports, Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream has completed his move to Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League. Ream received a work permit earlier this week.  Per MLS policy, the financial terms of the deal are not made public.

“I want to thank the Red Bulls and their fans for their tremendous support over the past two years," Ream said in a press statement. "The club gave me an unbelievable opportunity to play in Major League Soccer and I would not have been in this position without the team and league’s backing. I will always cherish my memories playing for New York,” Ream said. “This was a hard decision for me considering the fact that I enjoyed playing for the Red Bulls and was looking forward to the upcoming MLS season. However, after consulting with those closest to me, I decided that this was a once in a lifetime chance that I could not pass up.”

What Fox's Premier League Play Means For MLS

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Fox, the national broadcast network that counts iconic properties like The Simpsons and the National Football League among its assets, blazed a new trail by airing a live English Premier League soccer match on Sunday. Soccer getting the full televised sports treatment on a network that isn’t an opt-in premium purchase, but a basic part of most Americans’ television rotation, cannot be overstated as a step forward for soccer in the United States. The pre-game coverage was in-depth, well-produced, and included two knowledgeable American voices alongside a celebrity guest. From the broadest perspective, Fox did soccer in America a favor.

Soccer is now on broadcast TV outside of the once-every-four-years run of the World Cup. That’s something old-timers view with some amazement, considering the state of broadcast soccer just a short generation ago, but it’s a part of the natural progression.

Smith Hired By Stevenage

Former Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith has a new job.  After battling with Rapids management over decision-making, the club announced that they wouldn't offer Smith a new contract.  The 2010 MLS Cup winner is instead the new manager at Stevenage, currently 6th in England's League One.  He is expected to name his Colorado assistant Steve Guppy as his assistant with Stevenage.  Guppy is a former Stevenage player.

All-Star Game Awarded To Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Union will host the 2012 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, MLS announced in a ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall.  The game will be played at PPL Park on July 25th at 8pm ET on ESPN2.  An opponent has yet to be named, but it will be an international club as in previous years.

“Philadelphia has a deep tradition of playing and supporting soccer, and the huge, enthusiastic fan base of the Philadelphia Union is a great success story for Major League Soccer,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “The 2012 AT&T All-Star Game will be a great opportunity to celebrate Philadelphia’s soccer fans while giving viewers around the globe a glimpse of their passion.”

Risky Business

By Dario Camacho - MIAMI, FL (Jan 20, 2011) US Soccer Players -- As with any new year, all teams in Major League Soccer are in a period of transition.  Whether it is a minor tweak here or there, or a full system reboot, most teams will see a few new faces in training camp.  In recent years, that's been due to the predictable disruption caused by expansion teams coming into the fold.  It's not just the changes losing players in an expansion draft creates, it's the changes to all the other teams.  That requires multiple face lifts, with continuity at a premium in this League.

Add the countless drafts, overseas free agency, trades and transfers, and some teams are likely to have an entirely new core of players to work from.  Change is good if you're a struggling club, but what about those that had solid 2011's?   Successful teams look to build, not reconfigure.  Keeping that nucleus of players, the ones that got you to the playoffs and beyond, is job one for these clubs.

Some MLS Teams Start Earlier Than Others

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2011) US Soccer Players -- With the longest season ever in the offing, Major League Soccer's preseason is here earlier than ever before. There’s much to do and little time to do it, especially for those clubs preparing to play in the poorly timed (from an MLS perspective, anyway) continental tournament known as the CONCACAF Champions League.

For those teams in the Champions League, get cracking now.  Otherwise, the risk is still trying to get game ready when you've already squandered a first-leg.  This was what all of those schedule-crowding games were for, and it's an opportunity that can't be wasted from simple lack of preparation.  Better learn how to get ready... fast.

Beckham Deal Official

The Los Angeles Galaxy will hold a press conference on Thursday after announcing that David Beckham has signed a two-year contract.  Out of contract at the end of the 2011 season, Beckham was strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in France's Ligue 1. 

"This was an important decision for me,” Beckham said in a press statement. “I had many offers from clubs from around the world, however, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy.”

Chicago Announces Quaker Oats As Shirt Sponsor

The Chicago Fire will have Quaker Oats as their jersey sponsor, the club announced on Tuesday.  Chicago last had Best Buy as their front of jersey sponsor.  In a press statement, Chicago Fire president Andrew Hauptman said "It’s an honor to partner with a trusted Chicago-based brand like Quaker Oats that shares the same sense of community as the Chicago Fire."

2012 Supplemental Draft Results

UNC Charlotte midfielder Evan James was selected first in the 2012 Major League Soccer supplemental draft, taken by the Montreal Impact.  Cruz Azul youth prospect Gienir Garcia went second to Vancouver.  Selecting third, New England took Bethel University midfielder Dawyne Smith, with New Mexico's Michael Green going to Toronto with the fourth pick.  Monmouth defender RJ Allen was selected by Chivas USA with the fifth pick.  For complete draft results, visit MLSsoccer.com.

Supplemental Draft: KC Trades Pick For Rights

Hours before the start of today's Major League Soccer supplemental draft, Sporting Kansas City announced that they've traded their Fourth Round pick (73rd overall) to San Jose for the rights to midfielder Michael Thomas.  San Jose originally drafted Thomas in 2010, but he opted to sign with Sweden's Halmstads.  Should Thomas decide to join Major League Soccer, Kansas City now holds the right of first refusal for his services. 

Another Draft For MLS

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 17, 2012) US Soccer Players -- It's the dawn of another Major League Soccer draft, this time the Supplemental Draft that until recently was part of what made the SuperDraft super.  Now, it's a Tuesday afternoon exercise in player selection minus the television coverage or live audience.  So no 'you're not singing over there' or loud support of the team closest to the host city.  Just teams on the phone making selections and then getting back to their training camp schedules.

Hardly as much fun as last Thursday, now is it? 

Coming Back

By Dario Camacho - MIAMI, FL (Jan 13, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Last year’s Major League Soccer season probably had two of the worst injuries I’ve ever seen.  The first I happen to catch on replay, was Steve Zakuani’s broken leg.  The physical revulsion of watching a pro athlete’s leg dangling, swinging in all improper directions, was an unnecessary reminder of the brutal side of the sport.

The second injury I saw live on TV, when Real Salt Lake lost Javier Morales to a tackle from behind.  The thing that I remembered the most was the stunned faces of the crowd as the camera panned. 

What increased the pain for the MLS faithful was that these two players are key figures for their teams as well as the League.  Considering the depth of teams in MLS, coaches are left scrambling.  Normally, that sentence would end with 'for a solution,' but that's simply not the reality due to MLS  budgetary strains.

John Joins West Ham On Loan

After being linked with several moves to England, FC Dallas defender George John has joined West Ham United in England's Championship on loan with an option to buy.  FC Dallas announced the move on Friday.

John told West Ham's official site: "I am happy to be here, excited by the opportunity and enthusiastic about playing under the manager and getting better. I feel good and hopefully I can get into some training and get up to the pace."

CONCACAF Adjusts Champions League

The 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League will drop the preliminary round, expand the group stage, and seed it by country North and Central America's Confederation announced on Thursday.

"This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," CONCACAF acting general secretary Ted Howard said.  "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."

LIVE: 2012 MLS SuperDraft

And there's the first round.  Thanks for joining us, and remember - don't pick for position at the SuperDraft.  It rarely works.

19: LA takes Tommy Meyer.

18: Houston takes Colin Rolfe.

Back to my long-term trend comment, that's what happened here with Martinez.  No discussion needed here to make the obvious choice.  Now, let's see if we get a goalkeeper selected in the first round.