MLS off season Truths and Rumors in US and Major League Soccer from Football.co.uk

papa5murf · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:21 pm

31 January 2008

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Revolution scouting Guevara
Posted: Thursday January 31, 2008 07:46AM ET

New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol is in Honduras doing some scouting. He has watched two games so far and today he will watch a game between Motagua and Victoria. Guess who plays for Motagua? Yes, Mr. Amado Guevara, the exiled former MLS MVP. Two things we know are that Guevara is desparate to return to MLS and the Revs are in dire need of a playmaking midfielder. Coincidence? I doubt it.

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Philly leading MLS expansion
Posted: Thursday January 31, 2008 06:22AM ET

The state of Pennsylvania has earmarked $45 million to be used in the construction of a soccer complex at the base of the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester that hopes to attract a Major League Soccer expansion franchise. This money, coupled with the $30 million already committed by a partnership between Delaware County Council and the city of Chester, should be enough to convince the MLS to grant franchise rights for the league's 16th team to the Philadelphia market -- a market it has coveted for some time.

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Top draft pick stiffs D.C. United
Posted: Thursday January 31, 2008 06:09AM ET

After spending two days introducing newly acquired international players, D.C. United yesterday learned that its top pick in the MLS draft has signed with a French club. United selected University of California midfielder Andrew Jacobson in the second round and projected him as a promising reserve player this season. Jacobson, 22, was scheduled to join the club at training camp in Bradenton, Fla., today, but instead decided to sign with FC Lorient, which is a part of the top French league. Like most players entering the draft, Jacobson had not agreed to a deal with MLS, which oversees all contracts, and his representatives arranged a tryout with the French team. According to United General Manager Dave Kasper, the club was unaware of the arrangement until after the draft.

papa5murf · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:29 pm

8 February 2008

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D.C. United trades former MVP
Posted: Friday February 08, 2008 06:44AM ET

D.C. United has traded the rights to 2006 MLS most valuable player Christian Gomez to the Colorado Rapids, sources close to the negotiations said yesterday. United will receive a first-round draft pick and other considerations in exchange for the Argentine midfielder, whose contract expired in December.

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Bayern midfielder eyes MLS move
Posted: Thursday February 08, 2008 08:03AM ET

Brazilian Ze Roberto has revealed that he will not be extending his contract with the Bavarians beyond 2009 and that he is targeting a move to MLS. The veteran midfielder has begun to think about his future and has come to the conclusion that it will be in America rather than at the Allianz Arena. He will play one more full season for Bayern, before looking for a move.

papa5murf · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:46 pm

12 February 2008

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Will MLS sell Red Bulls forward?
Posted: Tuesday February 12, 2008 05:05AM ET

Every moment Jozy Altidore spends on the soccer field only raises his price tag, and you have to wonder how long Major League Soccer will be able to resist cashing in on what could be a U.S.-record transfer fee.The 18-year-old Red Bulls forward has two years remaining on his contract, but with every major European club having seen his goal against Mexico last week, the league is expected to be swamped with offers come the summer transfer window.

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Revolution scouting for attackers
Posted: Tuesday February 12, 2008 04:48AM ET

Whether by design or miscalculation, the Revolution will have a new-look attack this season. Andy Dorman and Pat Noonan, tied for second on the team in scoring with seven goals, have departed for Europe. Coach Steve Nicol and assistant Paul Mariner have been scouting for replacements in Central America and Argentina. But it remains unclear why the Revolution were unable to retain Dorman and Noonan, who wanted to remain with the team, according to their agents. If the players departed as part of a plan, it indicates that the Revolution are seeking different qualities, attacking players with greater durability and stamina and, possibly, more flexibility and speed. Or, the Revolution underestimated the value of Dorman and Noonan, as indicated by the greater salaries the players will receive in Europe.

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Galaxy interested in D.C. contract
Posted: Tuesday February 12, 2008 05:10AM ET

Jay Needham, the SMU defender who spurned D.C United's contract offer last winter and signed with the USL1's Puerto Rico Islanders, has been given permission to work out with the Los Angeles Galaxy. No other details, but it's safe to assume that, if the Galaxy really likes him, it will attempt to trade with DCU for his MLS rights.

papa5murf · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:52 pm

13 February 2008

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Philly nearing MLS expansion
Posted: Wednesday February 13, 2008 06:12AM ET

Major League Soccer is moving swiftly toward an agreement that will grant a long-sought expansion team to the Philadelphia region, several sources have confirmed. Representatives of the prospective team and the league are down to discussing details concerning the new club - talks having progressed past "if" and on to "how" and "when," they said. The sources, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the timing, said that: In the last two days, the local owner-investors completed their review of the draft version of the expansion agreement between MLS and the team, which would play at a riverside soccer stadium to be built in Chester. Local representatives have been meeting with senior MLS executives at league offices in New York.

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Chivas USA likely to lose goalie
Posted: Wednesday February 13, 2008 07:29AM ET

If Chivas USA owner Antonio Cue wants to guard against the very likely loss of goalkeeper Brad Guzan when the European summer transfer window opens, he might want to start thinking about a response that would be logical and popular. Should Aston Villa again come calling for Guzan, dangling a $4-million offer, and should Guzan get a British work permit at his second attempt, Cue could make worse use of Chivas' share of the fee than by bringing former Mexico standout goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez to the Home Depot Center.

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Serna working out with Red Bulls
Posted: Wednesday February 13, 2008 06:09AM ET

Diego Serna, who was a MetroStar for about two months in 2002, is working out with the Red Bulls, the team confirmed Monday. Serna, 34, is training with the team at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. He earned a reputation as a high-scoring forward who took off on unannounced trips to his native Colombia whenever he felt like it.

papa5murf · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:57 pm

15 February 2008

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Galaxy eyes Brazilian midfielder
Posted: Friday February 15, 2008 07:15AM ET

His name is Alvaro Henrique Alves Pires, but you can call him Alvaro. The Brazilian defensive midfielder is in LA Galaxy camp and making a good impression. The Galaxy need a quality defensive midfield option and the 23-year-old product of Brazilian power Internacional has shown good skill despite looking a bit out of shape. With a nickname like "The Buffalo", Alvaro probably isn't going to get much smaller.

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Red Bulls sign Colombian striker
Posted: Friday February 15, 2008 07:13AM ET

The Red Bulls have bolstered their forward crop by signing Colombian striker Oscar Echeverry. The 30-year-old forward is expected to step in and push for starts and is seen as the team's main cover for Jozy Altidore, who is expected to miss several matches.

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Revs to sign Honduran midfielder
Posted: Friday February 15, 2008 05:30AM ET

I'm hearing that New England has finalized a deal with Mauricio Castro, a 26-year-old Honduran midfielder from Olimpia who has made four international appearances. Expect a formal announcement from officials in Honduras and New England/MLS in the next couple days.

papa5murf · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:39 pm

26 February 2008

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D.C. offers Quaranta second trial
Posted: Tuesday February 26, 2008 04:44AM ET

D.C. United officials confirm that Santino Quaranta, once the club's golden boy before injuries and lackluster play derailed his career, rejoined the team in California over the weekend and is scheduled to continue a formal trial when United resumes training Thursday in Washington. In case you've lost track, the 23-year-old Baltimore native was traded to Los Angeles for allocation money in the summer of 2006, traded to New York last season for a box of Cheerios and waived (along with his $105,000 contract) by the Red Bulls this winter. Quaranta had been working himself back into shape the last couple months in hopes of making an impression on an MLS team and earning a new contract, which would undoubtedly be worth a fraction of what he was earning.

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Chivas goalie can't stop bureaucrats
Posted: Tuesday February 26, 2008 04:21AM ET

It was a long, long airborne trek back to California for Brad Guzan in late January. Guzan, an up-and-coming goalkeeper for Chivas USA and the United States national team, was oh-so-close to moving to Aston Villa of the English Premier League. Enter the bureaucrats. With only five appearances in goal for the United States, Guzan ran afoul of British work rules that require players hoping to sign with British clubs to have played in at least 75 percent of their national team matches the previous year. Officials at Aston Villa were confident they could persuade officials that Guzan was worthy of an exemption, but ultimately failed. Guzan's next opportunity for a move, whether it is to England or elsewhere, will come during the summer transfer period in Europe.

CFCBhoy · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:39 pm

No rumours of the Quakes signing anyone 5murf? We need to get the finger out if we're gonna push for the championship

papa5murf · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:02 pm

CFCBhoy wrote:

No rumours of the Quakes signing anyone 5murf? We need to get the finger out if we're gonna push for the championship

Not for awhile. I think they are done with signing/trading players for the time being.

CFCBhoy · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:03 pm

Damn cheapskates. Honestly (and dont be lying to make me feel better), what are our chances of winning the Championship? Compare them to an EPL team

papa5murf · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:38 pm

CFCBhoy wrote:

Damn cheapskates. Honestly (and dont be lying to make me feel better), what are our chances of winning the Championship? Compare them to an EPL team

Winning the table (most points in the league) wins them the supporters shield. This is what our forum game will be based on.

Winner of the MLS cup (league Champions), is the winner of the playoffs which has the top 8 teams (points wise).

On that note, honestly speaking, San Jose has a slight chance. They do have some quality players though (defensively), but them having the most points is going to be slim. But that's where your predictions and such will come into play to get you the 3 points against your opponent.

Can't really compare them to an EPL club though, since MLS is subpar to the EPL. I would say ... Earthquakes = bottom 3, while the best clubs in the MLS would rank in the bottom third of the EPL (at best). All MLS clubs are more Championship material. But the playing field as a whole is quite even.

papa5murf · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:11 pm

28 February 2008

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Portuguese star on way to Toronto?
Posted: Thursday February 28, 2008 10:20AM ET

Portuguese striker Joao Pinto is hoping to leave Braga to play Major League Soccer with the likes of David Beckham. The 39-year-old could be on his way to Toronto after the player expressed his desire to leave the BWINLiga side before the end of his contract which expires in June. "I went to the U.S. for three days and the subject is practically closed," he said.

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FC Dallas deal fallling apart?
Posted: Thursday February 28, 2008 08:35AM ET

Relations between Ecuadoran forward Roberto Mina and FC Dallas are strained and he might not end up with the Hoops, after all. The sides agreed in principle to a deal last month and Mina arrived at training camp. Dallas wanted to take a closer look and monitor his fitness before finalizing the contract. But the process has dragged on and Mina, who played for Dallas last night, apparently wants to go elsewhere. The buzz is that two clubs overseas, as well as two MLS teams, are interested in his services, though his preference is to remain in America.

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D.C. United looking at Brazilian
Posted: Thursday February 28, 2008 08:38AM ET

D.C. United will take a look at a 21-year-old Brazilian forward named Cesar Augusto Herrmegildo from Atletico Mineiro, which has a partnership with DCU. Given his age and experience, he seems to be a possible developmental roster candidate.