Deadline Roundup

With the September 15 MLS Roster Freeze coming and going, it’s time to take a look at who got what.  Of note was the extent to which USL sides were farmed.  In a drastic change of approach from just a few weeks ago when the MLS told New York they could not sign forward Macoumba Kandji from Atlanta for their desired amount, several MLS sides went after USL players whose clubs are done for the season.

Chivas USA:
Battling the injury bug, Chivas picked up two midfielders to help them overcome the loss of several players recently added to the DL.  First was Sasha Victorine from Kansas City.  The 30 year-old midfielder has four international caps and should help add a little depth in a supporting offensive role.  Chivas also acquired Brazilian midfielder Dejair Ferreira, another 30 year-old, from ABC FC in Brazil.

Columbus:
The Crew signed midfielder Stanley Nyazamba from USL-2’s Richmond Kickers.  The 25 year-old will be on a developmental contract after his brief loan spell impressed the Columbus staff.  This season, Nyazamba’s play garnered him league Rookie of the Year honors after scoring 6 goals.   At NAIA Lee University, Nyazamba was awarded first-team All-American honors in his senior season.

DC United:
DC added some depth by signing ex-Crew fullback/midfielder Ryan Miller.  Miller is in his rookie season after earning second team All-American honors at Notre Dame.  He never made an appearance for Columbus, but played in two games on loan with Cleveland in USL-2.

New York:
The Red Bulls added G Terry Boss and F Macoumba Kandji, both from USL (Boss is from USL-2’s Charlotte Eagles, Kandji is from USL’s Atlanta Silverbacks).  Boss, a 24 year-old Puerto Rican international, will be brought in for depth and given a look for the future.  He led USL-2 in both wins and shutouts this past year.  Kandji may get a more immediate look in the New York lineup.  The 23 year-old from Senegal utilized his height (6′4) and pace to notch 13 goals in 28 appearances for Atlanta.  As a compromise in the saga of Kandji’s signing from Atlanta, MLS only allowed New York to sign him to a three-month loan with an option to sign, rather than signing him directly from USL with an unprecedented price tag for a USL player.

Philadelphia MLS Name

Over at goal.com, Shane Evans has a good article on the naming of Philadelphia’s new MLS team.  Overall, I agree with his opinion that MLS names need to reflect the simple majesty of club names worldwide (Manchester United, Real Madrid), rather than being used as marketing tools as they are in the US.  The Columbus Crew are an example of a team who try to milk their name for all it’s worth as a marketing tool, constantly referring to themselves as “America’s hardest working team”.  That may have been an acceptable consolation when Columbus was miserable, but Columbus Crew still feels a bit forced, especially when combined with the men-in-hard-hats logo. 

As a name, however, Crew could be an acceptable nickname like the ones that organically occur in other countries (such as the Canaries of Norwich or reffering to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC simply as ‘Wolves’).  The same cannot be said of the New England Revolution, LA Galaxy, or Colorado Rapids.  No one would ever casually refer to LA as the ‘Galaxy’ in such a way that it would gradually catch on as a nickname.  That is how most college nicknames developed, and that is how club names should come about: organically, rather than artificially.

Preview: Thoughts on MLS Week 25

After Week 24, Columbus had cemented their position at the top of the league table, while Houston continues to prove that they are turning into a consistent power in the west.

The Revs may be a bit down after getting knocked out of the Champions League and getting steamrolled in Columbus, but don’t look for them to stay down for long.  Chivas USA comes to Foxboro tomorrow battered by injuries, and New England’s injury list is gradually shifting towards the “Probable” end of things.

Columbus travels to Toronto for a game that may just claim the position as the league’s most forced rivalry.  TFC has won once since June 14, doing little to suppor the notion that strong home support propels teams to better records.  Columbus will be without captain Frankie Hejduk, but I’m not convinced he is the heart of the team or even the defense, and the Crew usually score enough to cover their holes in the back.  Look for Columbus to keep the streak going.

Just like Toronto, Los Angeles hasn’t won since June 14, and travels to Kansas City to try to break that streak.  The Wizards haven’t exactly been world beaters lately, but they usually play well at home, so count on them to earn at least a draw against Beckham’s boys.

DC has both the home field advantage and current form edges over FC Dallas, and I’m sure with as much as MLS teams care about the Champions League, they’ll be playing as full a roster as possible.  Dallas needs points to keep from slipping further into the cellar, but I can’t see it happening in DC.

New York and Real Salt Lake have both been enjoying strong stretches in August and early September, but The Red Bulls may have the home edge, claiming three consecutive home wins in August.  NY has been playing well lately, and Salt Lake has only won once on the road all season.  The Red Bulls will triumph in the Big Apple.

Houston travels to San Jose in what is probably the game of the week.  The Quakes and Orange are both red hot, and the two teams actually play a week later in Houston.  I’m thinking draw on this one, with the next week’s contest deciding the mini-series.

Chicago has been wildly inconsistent, so a trip to Colorado might be the cure for what ails them (like it has been for so many other teams).  The Rapids will have to fight to prove that their win over KC in their last game at Dick’s Sporting Goods park wasn’t a fluke.  I forsee a draw, as Colorado fights to stay in the playoff hunt, and Chicago continues to baffle the pundits.

Seattle Adds Gambian Youth International Midfielder Sanna Nyassi

Seattle Sounders FC have added pacy, 19 year-old winger Sanna Nyassi (5′8, 145)as their third player, joining American International goalkeeper Kasey Keller and forward Sebastien Le Toux.  Sanna played for the Gambian U-20 squad in the 2007 FIFA Championships, and had been playing with Gambian side Port Authority FC until his trial in Seattle.  With Port Authority FC, Nyassi scored the game-winning goal in the national cup final last season.

Nyassi, the twin brother of New England’s Sainey Nyassi will join the USL Seattle Sounders on loan until the end of the season, where Sanna could potentially be playing for his future coach.  Current Seattle Head Coach Brian Schmetzer is the only confirmed candidate for the expansion team’s Head Coach slot.

San Jose Signs Youngsters Ghebru, Somma

The San Jose Earthquakes recently signed German midfielder Michael Ghebru (pictured left) and South African attacking midfielder Davide Somma as long-term projects.

Ghebru, 20 years old, is a small, pacy midfielder who has spent time in the youth organizations of several German clubs, inlcuding Kickers Offenbach.

Somma is a 6′3 attacking midfielder who has spent the last four years in Italy’s third and fourth divisions, most recently with Olbia Calcio.  The 23 year-old was born in South Africa, but moved to Florida at the age of 15.  He won his chance to play for Perugia when he was 19, after a month-long tryout.

MLS 9/4: FC Dallas 0-Colorado Rapids 1

Both teams sporting significant roster changes, Colorado emerged victorious on the road at Dallas behind a Mike Petke goal off of a Terry Cooke corner.  Despite 10 corners and 7 shots on goal, Dallas couldn’t get one past Colorado keeper Preston Burpo.  Burpo seems to have won Interim Head Coach Gary Smith’s favor over the sometimes-dynamic sometimes-inept Bouna Coundoul (whose bench spot was taken by Australian newcomer Chris Sharpe because of Coundoul’s Senegal National Team duties).

For Dallas, Captain Duilio Davino’s return from injury was delayed, as he remained sidelined by the toe injury that has kept him out of four matches thus far.

With the win, Colorado jumps from last to a tie for third place in the airtight West, while Dallas slips to just a point above LA and San Jose, in danger of dropping to the cellar once those teams play Saturday.

US Open Cup: DC United 2-Charleston Battery 1

DC overcame a determined USL-1 foe to claim their second US Open Cup behind goals from Luciano Emilio and Fred.  DC struck early with Emilio’s 4th-minute goal, but Charleston returned fire just 10 minutes later when Ian Fuller capitalized on good passing from Nelson Akwari and Chris Williams.  DC maintained offensive pressure, but sweated out the next 40 minutes before Fred notched the game-winner.

The US Open Cup win gives the MLS a little breathing room after disappointing losses in the Champions League by New England and Chivas USA.  Still, top flight sides are expected to knock out opponents from lower divisions.

The final’s attendance is an aspect of the game that has me concerned.  I know Cup matches typically have poor attendance, but DC has enjoyed great crowds this season, and the team hasn’t won anything since the 2004 MLS Cup.  You would hope that a cup final would draw more than 8,000+.  Some of it may have to do with the competition and the game being on a wednesday night, but you’d think United fans would be salivating at the chance to win some hardware that isn’t a Supporters’ Shield.  Nevertheless, United Head Coach Tom Soehn can breathe a little easier, as the pressure of DC’s slowly slipping stature in the MLS standings is sure to be relieved a bit by the Open Cup championship.

Gregory Richardson to Columbus?

Just a few hours after I suggested that MLS sides may want to take a look at 26 year-old Joe Public FC forward Gregory Richardson after he tallied 4 goals and an assist over New England in two CONCACAF Champions League games, rumors are starting to surface about his communication with the Columbus Crew.

After Joe Public FC’s 4-0 win over New England to clinch a 6-1 victory on aggregate and to advance to the Group Stage of the Champions League, the Lions’ hat-trick hero, Gregory Richardson, was asked if he had any ambition of playing in MLS.  Richardson said that he did, and that up to that point, Columbus had been the only team in contact with him.  Although Columbus seems content with the attacking options that they have for now (Moreno and Schelotto, with Garey and Lenhart off the bunch), Schelotto is getting on in age, Head Coach Sigi Schmidt seems hesitant to use Garey, and Lenhart doesn’t seem likely to ever be more than a sub.  Pat Noonan seems to be seen as more of a wing than a forward at this point.

Regardless of the Crew’s interest in landing Richardson, the Guyana international’s stock has definitely risen with a fine display over the 2008 Superliga Champions, and more goal-scoring in the Group Stage of the competition will only continue to propel his stock upward.  So far, Gregory has shown that he has a great burst, is confident taking defenders on one-on-one, has good vision in the box, and has a clinical finishing touch.

The video below includes footage of his 3 goals and 1 assist over New England last night:

CONCACAF Champions League Recap 9/3

New England 0-Joe Public 4 (Joe Public win 6-1 on aggregate)

The Revs got humiliated in Foxboro at the hands of the Trinidad and Tobago club.  Devastated by injuries up front and fatigue at the back, New England but on a good display of the lack of depth that MLS clubs are restricted to due to the salary cap.  But that’s really no excuse when you consider Joe Public FC’s funding and newness; aside from injuries, the Revolution have to admit that they just played poorly.  Maybe an MLS team ought to look at Guyana International strker Gregory Richardson.  The 26 year-old scored an away hat trick to lead the way for the Lions.

Chivas USA 1-Tauro FC 1 (Tauro win 3-1 on aggregate)

Chivas’ effort should probably be celebrated as a little stronger than New England’s, but they had more ground to make up, and eventually missed opportunities caught up to them.  Roberto Nurse scored early for the Goats, and plenty of near misses, including a missed penalty by Sacha Kljestan.  In the 51st minute, Jonathan Bornstein’s second yellow signaled a drop to 10 men for Chivas, which would lead to a goal from Tauro’s Luis Moreno 12 minutes later, putting Tauro up 3-1 on aggregate- enough to advance.

MLS Weekly Review and Preview 9/2

First, a quick rundown of last week’s games:

Salt Lake 2-Colorado 0

Fabian Espindola made a big splash in his return from injury, scoring his 4th and 5th goals of the season to lead RSL to yet another home win.  Salt Lake continues to try to keep pace with streaking Houston, while Colorado is trying to find its groove under Interim Head Coach Gary Smith, who has lost both games he has presided over with that official title.  The Rapids were also hampered by injuries to Pablo Mastroeni and potentially England-bound midfielder Terry Cooke.  With the loss, Colorado relieved San Jose of the cellar spot in the West.

New England 2-Los Angeles 2

Taylor Twellman notched his 5th goal, but also went down after taking LA ‘keeper Steve Cronin’s hands to his head.  Landon Donovan picked up his 15th and 16th and Shalrie Joseph finally got his name into the scorebook for the season during a 2-2 draw.  The Revs, reeling from their CONCACAF Champions League loss to Joe Public FC of T&T and fighting depth issues, switching to a 4-4-1-1.  New England continues to slowly lose ground on Columbus for first in the East (and the league), while Bruce Arena’s LA is hanging on to MLS’ other playoff contenders by their fingernails.

DC 0-New York 0

A bore draw between two teams locked in stalemate in the East.  DC continues to draw games that it needs to win, while New York stays hot with a solid road draw.  Both teams are currently in good position for the playoffs, but New York is on their way up, while DC seems to be stagnating and in danger of heading downwards.

Dallas 1-Columbus 2

Just two weeks after defeating FC Dallas at Crew Stadium, the Canaries traveled to Dallas and picked up a valuable road win, pushing them two points ahead of New England.  Alejandro Moreno scored his team-leading 8th of the season and Eddie Gaven finally got his 1st on the year.  Dallas took the lead on a 35th minute Jeff Cunningham strike, but Columbus continues to prove that they play just as well, if not better from behind as they do from a tie or a lead.  With the loss, Dallas loses valuable ground in the West, falling to just two points out of the cellar.

San Jose 2-Kansas City 1

The red-hot ‘Quakes finally crawled out of the cellar for what seems like the first time since before the Expansion Draft.  Darren Huckerby’s arrival continues to lead the revival for San Jose, scoring the game-winner in the 83rd.  Arturo Alvarez scored in the 43rd, but Davy Arnaud equalized for the Wizards in the 64th.  With the loss, Kansas City continues their wallowing at the bottom of the East.

Chivas USA 2-Toronto 1

The struggles continue for media darling Toronto FC, despite acquiring Guatemalan International Carlos Ruiz, as Chivas picked up an injury time game-winner from Atiba Harris to secure the home win.  Jim Brennan opened the scoring for TFC, but Alecko Eskandarian tied the game up just 11 minutes later.  The game would stay tied for the next hour before Harris inserted the dagger.  Chivas climbs to the top of the West deadlock, now behind only Houston and Salt Lake, while Toronto remains tied for last in the East with Kansas City.

Houston 2-Chicago 1

Brian McBride scored his first goal in his return campaign to MLS, but it sparked a Dwayne De Rosario equalizer just a minute later, which was followed by Brian Mullan’s 3rd goal of the year, giving the Dynamo a lead they would not relinquish.  Although they lost defender Eddie Robinson to injury, Houston stays firmly ahead of RSL in the West with a 5-point lead.  Chicago continues to squander opportunities to overtake, or at least keep pace with New England.

CONCACAF Champions Leaue, US Open Cup and MLS Predictions

9/2: Champions League
New England 3-Joe Public 1 (NE 4-3 on PK’s) New England advances
Chivas USA 2-Tauro FC 1 Tauro FC advances

9/3 US Open Cup Final
DC United 2-Charleston Battery 1 DC wins 2nd US Open Cup

9/4 MLS League Play
FC Dallas 2-Colorado Rapids 0

9/6 MLS League Play
Toronto FC 1-Chivas USA 1
Columbus Crew 1-New England Revolution 2
Chicago Fire 2-New York Red Bulls 2
San Jose Earthquakes 2-DC United 0
Los Angeles Galaxy 2-Real Salt Lake 0

9/7 MLS League Play
Houston Dynamo 3-Kansas City Wizards 0