Encyclopedia of Potential

Tracking U.S. prospects

2011-10-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of players who are loosely deemed as U.S. prospects. The cutoff date for this informal grouping is 1989, given it is the age for the next Olympic team. Players in bold have already received a CAP with the full national team.

Birth year:
1989 1990 1991
1992 1993 1994
1995 1996 1997
1998

List compiled by Joseph Anthone.

1989

David Bingham San Jose Earthquakes
Sean Johnson Chicago Fire
Brian Perk LA Galaxy

Kyle Davies Toronto FC
Royal-Dominique Fennell Stuttgart Kickers
Ike Opara San Jose Earthquake
Anthony Wallace Colorado Rapids
Daniel Williams Hoffenheim

Isaac Acuna America
Freddy Adu Philadelphia Union
Diego Chavarri Sporting Cristal
Dilly Duka Columbus Crew
Jorge Flores Chivas USA
Blair Gavin Chivas USA
Matt Kassel New York Red Bulls
Michael Stephens LA Galaxy

Jozy Altidore AZ Alkmaar
Will Bruin Houston Dynamo
Peri Marosevic Toronto FC
Brian Ownby University of Virginia
Tony Taylor Atletico CP
Casey Townsend University of Maryland
Andrew Wiedeman FC Dallas
Andrew Wooten 1.FC Kasierslautern II

1990

Bill Hamid DC United

Shawn Maurice Barry LASK Linz
Timmy Chandler 1. FC Nurenburg
Oskar Gasecki Borussia Dortmund II
Mizuki Hamada Urawa Red Diamonds
Taylor Kemp University of Maryland
Eric Schoenle West Virginia University
Sheannon Williams Philadelphia Union

Danny Barerra FK Spartak Zlatibor
Danny Cruz Houston Dynamo
Mikkel Diskerud Stabaek
Jose Gomez Creighton University
Alfredo Morales Hertha Berlin
Jared Jeffrey FSV Mainz 05 II
Kenneth Di Vita Jensen Honefoss
Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers
Brek Shea FC Dallas

Teal Bunbury Sporting Kansas City
Joe Benny Corona Club Tijuana
Caio Canedo Correa Botofago
Ethan Finlay Creighton University
Sam Garza UCSB
Colin Rolfe Louisville University
Billy Schuler University of North Carolina
Andrew Wenger Duke University

1991

Zac MacMath Philadelphia Union
Kevin Piedrahita CD América de Cali

Gale Agbossoumonde Eintracht Frankfurt II
Gotoku Sakai Albirex Niigata
Kofi Sarkodie Houston Dynamo
Zarek Valentin Chivas USA
Parker Walsh Karlsruher SC
Ethan White D.C. United

Tristan Bowen KSV Roeselare
Ian Christianson Georgetown University
Fransisco Navas Cobo Houston Dynamo
Thomas Delaney FC Copenhagen
Christian Diaz Atlas Guadalajara
Michael Ryan Hoyos Estudiantes de la Plata
Amobi Okugo Philadelphia Union
Dillon Powers University of Notre Dame
Kelyn Rowe UCLA
Alex Zahavi Hapoel Acre FC

Davy Armstrong Colorado Rapids
Will Bates University of Virginia
Terrance Boyd Borussia Dortmund II
Danijal Brkovic FK Velez Mostar
Conor Doyle Derby County FC
Danny Mwanga Philadelphia Union
Adrian Ruelas Jaguares
Bobby Wood 1860 Munich
Gyasi Zardes Cal State Bakersfield

1992

Eduardo 'Lalo' Fernandez C.A. Penarol
Samir Badr FC Porto
Ismael Ruiz Sanchez Tigres

Marco Franco UC Irvine
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas
Sebastian Ibeagha Duke University
Shaquille Phillips Dalkurd FF
Joshua Smith Karlsruher SC
Eriq Zavaleta Indiana University
Tyler Polak Creighton University

Dustin Corea Blockus FC
Lester Dewee Angelholms FF
Victor Garza Tigres
Josh Gatt Molde FK
Jamie Gutierrez
Joseph Gyau TSG Hoffenheim 1989 II
Marvin Iraheta Cosmos Academy/PDL
Perry Kitchen D.C. United
Sebastian Lletget West Ham United
Carlos Martinez Rot-Weiß Erfurt II
Alex Molano Bodens BK
Nico Muniz RSL
Moises Orozco Tigres
Nicholas Palodichuk Duke University
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas
Ntokozo Tshuma Bethesda

Juan Agudelo NY Red Bulls
Dzenan Catic 1 F.C. Kaiserslautern II
Jann George FC Nurenburg
Stefan Jerome Sigma Olomouc
Ruben Luna FC Dallas
Jack McInerney Philadelphia Union
Ernest Nunguray Monarcas Morelia
Soony Saad Sporting KC

1993

Cody Cropper Ipswich Town FC
Jeff Gal Creighton
Andrew Harris Baltimore Bays Chelsea
Ryan Herman Seattle Sounders Academy/Santa Clara
Jon Kempin Sporting KC
Andrew Wolverton Penn State

John Anthony Brooks Hertha Berlin BSC
Sean Cunningham Molde FK
Jordan McCrary University of North Carolina
Eric Miller Creighton University
Juan Pablo Ocegueda Tigres
Boyd Okwuouno University of North Carolina
Carlos Salcedo RSL-AZ
Javan Torre LA Galaxy Academy
DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders Academy/Akron

David Alton Fiorentina
Daniel Garcia FC Dallas Academy
Luis Gil Real Salt Lake
Christian Hernandez Philadelphia Union Academy/PDA
Fabian Hurzeler FC Bayern Munich (U19)
Brian James Weston FC Academy
Aaron Kovar Seattle Sounders Academy
Uvaldo Luna Tigres
Antonio Matarazzo FC Nurenburg U19
Tyrone McCargo Nurnberg
Julio Cesar Morales Chivas
Seth Moses SCR Altarch
Andy Najar D.C. United
William Packwood Birmingham City FC
Charles Renken TSG Hoffenheim 1989 U17
James Rogers New Mexico
Aaron Simmons SMU
Caleb Stanko SC Freiburg
Wil Trapp Columbus Crew Academy/Akron

Villyan Bijev Fortuna Düsseldorf
Idrissa "Idi" Camara Colorado Rapids Academy
Abdoulie Jatta Colorado Rush
Jerome Kiesewetter Hertha Berlin BSC
Maikon Orrellana RSL-AZ
Shawn Parker 1. FSV Mainz 05
Luis Rendon FC Richmond
Omar Salgado Vancouver Whitecaps
Johnathan Top FC Dallas
Jose Villareal LA Galaxy Academy

1994

Max Brown New York Red Bulls Academy
Jake McGuire Chivas USA Academy
Kendall McIntosh San Jose Earthquakes Academy
Joshua McNeely LA Galaxy Academy
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas

Julio Alacron RSL-AZ
Zachary Carroll Vardar SC Freiburg
Mobi Fehr
Malcolm Harris Baltimore Bays Chelsea
Daniel Potts West Ham Academy
Jalen Robinson DC United Academy
Nathan Smith Cal Odyssey
Andrew Souders Columbus Crew Academy
Oscar Sorto LA Galaxy Academy
Jonathan Wenger PA Classics/Philadelphia Union Academy

Johnathan Barron Pachuca CF
Tren Biswell Cal Odyssey
Emmanuel 'Ema' Boateng Santa Barbara Soccer Club
Matthew Dunn
Holden Fender Concorde Fire U18
Alejandro Guido
Nyambi Jabang Cobb
Warren G Marshall NC Fusion
Colin Martin D.C. United Academy
Zachary Mathers Solar Chelsea SC
Raul Mendiola LA Galaxy Academy
Marc Pelosi Liverpool Academy
Stevie Rodriguez Chivas USA Academy
Nicolas Russo Boca Juniors
Sebastian Velasquez LA Galaxy Academy
Pedro Velazquez LA Galaxy Academy

Ben Burdon Charlotte SA
Michael Gamble Baltimore Bays Chelsea
Kellen Gulley Chicago Fire
Alfred Koroma Solar Chelsea
Arriel Lassiter Albion SC
Dylan Kelly RSL-AZ
Kekuta Manneh Lonestar SC
Jack McBean LA Galaxy
Peguy Ngatcha New England Revolution Academy
Andrew Oliver Indiana United Fire Academy
Nate Opperman Sporting KC Academy
Mario Rodriguez LA Galaxy Academy
Toriano Singleton Lazio
David Spies VFL Bochum

1995

Daniil Slepukhin Los Angeles Galaxy Academy
Ethan Horvath Real Colorado

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas Academy
Julian Green Bayern Munich U18
Luis Martir Chivas de Guadalajara
Miles Müller FC Schalke 04
Matt Tilley LA Galaxy Academy

Jordan Allen RSL-AZ
Gregory Ariybi Southampton FC Academy
Louis Bennett Chicago Fire Academy
Andrew Brody RSL-AZ
Russell Canouse TSG Hoffenheim 1989 U17
Kevin DeLaTorre Chivas USA Academy
Marc Antonio Delgado Chivas USA Academy
Diego Fagundez New England Revolution
Nicholas Gaitan Argentinos Juniors
Piakai Henkel PSG U17
Jose Ocampo Crossfire Premier Academy
Zach Pfeffer Philadelphia Union
Miguel Polley Crew Academy Wolves
Willie Raygoza LA Galaxy Academy
Louis Samson Hertha Berlin SC U17
Jonathan Scherzer TSV 1860 Munich
Christian Thierjung Irvine Strikers
Patrick Tshani RSC Anderlecht U17
Quinton Levan Washington Hamburg SV U17

Martin Arrieta Chivas USA Academy
Paul Arriola Arsenal FC U.S. Academy
Christian Carrillo Chivas USA Academy
Justin Dhillon LA Galaxy Academy
Ilya Dmitriakov FC Dallas Academy
Lynden Gooch Santa Cruz Breakers
Romilio Hernandez Baltimore Bays Chelsea

Riggs Lennon Brophy Broncos/ Sereno SC
Benji Lopez San Diego Surf Academy
Nicholas Pappacena Weston FC
Peter Pearson Beach FC (VA)
Jason Romero De Anza Force Academy
Ben Spencer Chivas USA Academy
Jamie Villarreal LA Galaxy Academy
Zhuvonte Wilson NC Fusion

1996

Paul Christensen Seattle Sounders Academy/U.S. residency
Evan Louro New York Red Bulls Academy
Jefferson Caldwell NC Fusion

Laurel Glen Aug FC St. Pauli
Vernon Bailey FC Dallas Academy/U.S. residency
John Requejo Santa Barbara SC/ U.S. residency

Abdi Abdullah Seattle Sounders Academy
Carlo Ivan Chavez Badillo Tijuana
Corey Baird San Diego Surf
Tomer Bitton Boca United
Omar Castro Plant City FC
Sebastian Clark Brondby IF
Emerson Hyndman Fulham FC
Ibrahim Konbloa Crew Soccer Academy Wolves
Chris Lema New York Red Bulls Academy
Elijah Martin Cal Odyssey
Declan McCabe New England Revolution Academy
Herber Mejia-Flores
Axel Mendez LA Galaxy Academy
Dalton Pando RSL-AZ Academy
Brian Pacheco Pateadores
Rubio Rubin Westside Metros
Joab Santoyo Arsenal FC (CA)
Aaron Seydel 1.FSV Mainz 05 U16
Tyler Turner South Central SC

Adonis Amaya Chivas USA Academy/ U.S. residency
Malcolm Dixon New York Red Bulls Academy
Junior Ebot-Etchi Hertha Berlin U17
Zachary Herivaux New England Revolution Academy
Devante Parker 1. FSV Mainz 05 U14
Wesley Wade New York Red Bulls Academy

1997

Dakota Havlick Arsenal FC USA Academy

Billy Abdallah Fullerton Rangers
Joshua Bitter FC Schalke 04
David Chavez Juventus Sports Club
Malcolm Jones Chivas USA Academy
Jade Noel Dyett TSV Munchen-Milbershofen

Mukwelle Akale Minnesota Thunder Academy
Andree "Deco" Costa Kendall SC
Nicolas Daub Real Sociedad U15
Ken Flemming Hamburg SV U15
Mualigbe "Mozou" Keita Minnesota Thunder Academy
Benedict Laverty Bayern Munich U15
Cameron Lindley Indiana United Soccer Club
Christian Lucatero Houston Dynamo Academy
Kosti Moni Crew Soccer Academy Wolves
Remi Prieur San Jose Earthquakes Academy
Shannon Seymour Chicago Fire Academy
Benjamin Swanson Columbus Crew Academy
Alejeandro Vergara Los Angeles Galaxy Academy
Sean Wilson Players Development Academy
Gedoin Zelalem Olney BGC Rangers

Guillermo Bermudez Albion SC
Chet Castellaw Real So Cal
Coy Craft Fusion FC Academy
Jeremy Ebobisse-Ebolo Olney BGC Rangers
Stephen Elias New York Red Bulls Academy
Dante Guerrero Sporting Kansas City Academy
Holden Hmiel North Carolina Fusion Academy
Jonathan Leal Nomads
Benny Lorca Real So Cal
Amirgy Pineda Fullerton Rangers
Christian Ramirez FC Dallas Academy
Jorge Ruiz Chivas USA Academy

1998

Joshua Perez Chivas USA Academy

Weston McKennie FC Dallas Academy

LA Galaxy unaware of interest in Raul Mendiola

2011-10-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, rumors swirled that Manchester City had taken an interest in 2009-2011 Development Academy U-16 Player of the Year and current Los Angeles Galaxy academy member Raul Mendiola, or more commonly called Guero.

After the Galaxy's victory today over Chivas USA in the mini-SuperClasico on Saturday, I asked Academy Director Chris Klein about the rumors surrounding the nifty playmaker.

"Not that I am aware of," Klein replied regarding Manchester City taking any interest in the player.

The reason this is significant, beyond the obvious ones, is the the unwritten rules of the Development Academy. Trials with professional clubs are supposed to be passed up the ladder so the federation is aware of any activity. Another California academy violated this rule last year, and received a phone call about proper procedure. I doubt many academies would toe that line again, especially an MLS academy.

That said, Mendiola is a special case because he already has an agent (and no intention of playing college soccer). So, there could be a plausible situation in which LA has yet to be informed about his (or perhaps more accurately said, his agent's) intentions, but it does seem unlikely.

Regarding Mendiola's citizenship, Klein offered no new details.

Mendiola's coach at Arsenal FC, P.J. Brown, was the one who was pushing the agenda with citizenship. I am not sure if Brown is still involved considering Mendiola's shift to a new team, but he is the one who told me that there were three people working on it last spring.

As for the actual game, both teams looked like they were still getting adjusted to new coaches and systems. Neither team had many returners from the year before.

U.S. U-17 veterans Mario Rodriguez (LA Galaxy) and Stevie Rodriguez (Chivas USA) did well. Stevie was the most dangerous player on the field for Chivas USA, but it looked like he could use some other options around him in the attack. The Rojiblancos were too eager to force the issue down the middle and rarely had anything in the wings.

Mario played out wide in a 4-3-3 formation, which does not seem like his strongest position, but Jack McBean occupies the center forward role so Mario is adapting. He had some good moments in the first half and set up McBean a few times, but he was winded in the second half and eventually replaced by Pedro 'Peter' Velasquez.

McBean, who ended up with the game-winner, had an off day. His touch was off and he just couldn't put it together for any stretch of the morning. He also had a lot of trouble linking with Mendiola.

Development Academy U-16 playoffs scenarios

2011-06-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

The younger age bracket at the Development Academy playoffs is still wide open after two games. Out of the 32 teams at the event, only nine have been mathematically eliminated before Tuesday's finale. Thus, almost every game Tuesday morning could be for a spot at Finals Week in Milwaukee from July 9-16. Here is a breakdown of the potential scenarios for which teams could book their trip to Wisconsin.

Group 1:

Remaining games:

9:00 a.m. (CT)

Empire United v. Crew Soccer Academy, Field 12

Seattle Sounders v. D.C. United, Field 9

Standings:

Sounders 6 pts. +4

Empire United 3 pts +2

Crew 3 pts 0

D.C. United 0 pts -6

Scenarios:

Seattle advance with win or draw. Could advance with 1-goal loss unless Empire United win by more than 2 goals. Or Crew win by more than 4 goals.

Empire United advance with win and Seattle loss combined with margin of victory to overtake Seattle.

Crew advance with win and Seattle loss combined with margin of victory to overtake Seattle.

D.C. United is eliminated.

Group 2:

9:00 a.m. (CT)

Vardar v. Dallas Texans, Field 16

Concorde Fire v. Albertson, Field 15

Standings

Texans 4 pts +1

Concorde Fire 3 pts +2

Albertson 2 pts 0

Vardar 1 pt -2

Scenarios

Texans advance with win. Also, advance with draw and Concorde Fire/Albertson draw.

Concorde Fire advance with win or draw and Texans loss.

Albertson advance with win and Texans loss. Could advance with win and Texans draw, but must win by more than 1 goal.

Vardar advance with win by 4 goals or more and Concorde Fire draw.

Group 3:

9:00 a.m. (CT)

LA Galaxy v. Houston Dynamo, Field 17

IMG v. Sporting KC, Field 14

Standings:

LAG 6 pts +4

Houston Dynamo 3 pts +1

IMG 3 pts -1

Sporting KC 0 pts -4

Scenarios:

LAG advance with win or draw. Could advance with loss depending on margin of defeat.

Houston advance with win by 2 or more goals.

IMG advance with LAG loss and a greater than 2 goal difference over Houston final tally

Sporting KC is eliminated.

Group 4:

9:00 a.m. (CT)

Solar Chelsea SC v. FC Delco, Field 11

Real So Cal v. De Anza Force, Field 13

Standings:

Solar 4 pts. +2

Real So Cal 4 pts. +1

FC Delco 3 pts. 0

De Anza Force 0 pts. -3

Scenarios:

Solar advance with win and maintain goal difference advantage over RSC.

RSC advance with win and scoring two more goals than Solar, if both teams win. If RSC only scores one more goal than Solar, the two teams would settle the tiebreaker on PKs.

FC Delco advance with win and RSC draw or loss.

De Anza Force is eliminated.

Group 5:

11:00 a.m. (CT)

North Carolina Fusion v. Texas Rush AJ Auxerre, Field 9

Pateadores v. New England Revolution, Field 12

Standings:

Texas Rush 4 pts. +1

New England Revolution 3 pts. 0

N.C. Fusion 3 pts 0

Pateadores 1 pt. -1

Scenarios:

Texas Rush advance with win. Could advance with draw and Revolution draw or loss.

Revolution advance with win and Rush/Fusion draw. Could advance with win and Fusion win, if Revolution hold advantage in goal difference and goals scored.

Fusion advance with win and Revolution draw or loss. Could advance with Revolution win, if Fusion hold advantage in goal difference and goals scored.

Pateadores is eliminated.

Group 6:

11:00 a.m. (CT)

RSL-AZ v. FC Westchester, Field 16

Charlotte SA v. Baltimore Bays Chelsea, Field 15

Standings:

FC Westchester 6 pts. +3

RSL-AZ 4 pts. +3

Charlotte 1 pt. -2

BBC 0 pts. -4

Scenarios:

FC Westchester advance with win or draw.

RSL-AZ advance with win.

Charlotte SA and BBC are eliminated.

Group 7:

11:00 a.m. (CT)

North Meck v. PA Classics, Field 17

Chicago Fire v. South Carolina United, Field 14

Standings:

PA Classics 4 pts. +1

North Meck 3 pts. 0

Chicago Fire 3 pts. 0

South Carolina 1 pt. -1

Scenarios:

PA classics advance with win. Also, could advance with draw and Chicago Fire loss.

North Meck advance with win and Chicago Fire loss or draw. Could advance with win and Chicago Fire win, if North Meck have maintain advantage in goals scored and level on goal difference.

Chicago Fire advance with win and North Meck draw or loss. Also, could advance with North Meck win if Fire win by greater margin. If North Meck win by same margin, Chicago Fire needs to score one or more additional goal(s) than the North Carolina club to advance.

SCU is eliminated.

Group 8:

11:00 a.m. (CT)

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri v. CASL Chelsea FC, Field 11

Sockers FC v. FC Dallas, Field 13

Standings:

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri 6 pts. +2

CASL 6 pts. +2

FC Dallas 0 pts. -2

Sockers FC 0 pts. -2

Scenarios:

Missouri advance with win or draw. Hold advantage over CASL in goals scored tiebreaker.

CASL advance with win only.

FC Dallas and Sockers FC are eliminated.

The tiebreakers for Development Academy Regulations Handbook:

a) greatest number of points obtained in all Playoff games; b) greatest goal difference in all Playoff games; c) greatest number of goals scored in all Playoff games.

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the Playoff games between the teams concerned; e) greatest goal difference resulting from the Playoff games between the teams concerned; f) greater number of goals scored in the Playoff games between the teams concerned; g) penalty kicks if only two teams are still equal; h) drawing of lots by the Academy Staff if three or more teams are still equal.

Development Academy U-18 playoff scenarios

2011-06-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Only one more day remaining in the Development Academy playoffs for the U-18 bracket, and in some groups, a clear front-runner has emerged while in other groups, the picture is a little bit murky. Here is the rundown of the teams with the potential to book a spot at Finals Week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in two weeks time.

Group 1:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 9:00 a.m. (CT)

Empire United v Pateadores, Field 12

D.C. United v NC Fusion, Field 9

Scenarios:

Pateadores advance with win or draw over Empire United.

D.C. United advance win over N.C. Fusion [and overtake Pats on goal difference] and Pateadores loss.

N.C. Fusion advance with win over D.C. United [and overtake Pats on goal difference] and Pateadores loss.

Empire United is eliminated.

Group 2:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 9:00 a.m. (CT)

New York Red Bulls v RSL-AZ, Field 15

Cal Odyssey v Sockers FC, Field 16

Scenarios:

RSL-AZ advance with win or draw against NYRB.

NYRB advance with win against RSL-AZ.

Cal Odyssey and Sockers FC are eliminated.

Group 3:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 9:00 a.m. (CT)

Players Development Academy v California Development Academy, Field 17

Chicago Fire v PA Classics, Field 14

Scenarios:

PDA advance with win or draw against CDA.

PA Classics advance with win over Chicago Fire and PDA loss with goal differential of three-goal swing.

CDA and Chicago Fire are eliminated.

Group 4:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 9:00 a.m. (CT)

Arsenal FC v Crew Soccer Academy, Field 13

Charlotte Soccer Academy v Dallas Texans, Field 11

Scenarios:

Arsenal advance with win over Columbus Crew [and maintain goal difference and goals scored advantage over Texans], or draw and a draw between Texans and CSA.

Dallas Texans advance with win against Charlotte Soccer Academy [and overtake Arsenal in goals scored] or draw and Arsenal loss.

Columbus Crew advance with win over Arsenal and Texans finishing with any result beside a victory.

Charlotte SA is eliminated.

Group 5:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. (CT)

Indiana United v Cosmos Academy West, Field 12

FC Dallas v Real Colorado, Field 9

Scenarios:

FC Dallas advance with win over Real Colorado [and maintain goal difference over Cosmos Academy West] or draw and like result from Cosmos – Indiana United game.

Cosmos Academy West advance with win over Indiana United [and surpass FC Dallas on goals scored] or draw and FC Dallas loss.

Indiana United advance with win and FC Dallas draw or loss

Group 6:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. (CT)

Seattle Sounders FC v Baltimore Bays Chelsea, Field 15

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri v Seacoast United, Field 16

Scenarios:

Winner of Seattle – Baltimore Bays Chelsea game advances. If the two sides draw, Seattle would advance.

SLSG and Seacoast United are eliminated.

Group 7:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. (CT)

Weston FC v Derby County Wolves, Field 17

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro v Chivas USA, Field 14

Scenarios:

Weston FC advance with win over Derby County Wolves [and maintain goals scored advantage over Chivas USA]. WFC could also advance with draw against DCW if Chivas USA and Metro draw.

Chivas USA advance with win and score a goal more than WFC [if the Florida team wins].

Metro advance with win over Chivas USA and WFC draw or loss.

Derby County Wolves is eliminated.

Group 8:

Remaining games:

Monday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. (CT)

CASL Chelsea FC Academy v Albertson, Field 11

Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre v Concorde Fire, Field 13

Scenarios:

Albertson advance with win or draw.

CASL advance with win.

Colorado Rush and Concorde Fire are eliminated.

Development Academy U-16 playoffs standings

2011-06-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

After day one, here are how things stand in the U-16 bracket for the Development Academy playoffs:

Pool A

Teams	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Seattle Sounders	1	0	0	3	3	0	3
Empire United	1	0	0	3	3	0	3
D.C. United	0	1	0	0	0	3	-3
Crew	0	1	0	0	0	3	-3

Pool B

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Dallas Texans	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Vardar	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Albertson	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Concorde Fire	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1

Pool C

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
IMG	1	0	0	3	3	1	2
LA Galaxy	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Sporting KC	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Houston Dynamo	0	1	0	0	1	3	-2

Pool D

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Solar	1	0	0	3	3	1	2
Real So Cal	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
FC Delco	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
De Anza	0	1	0	0	1	3	-2

Pool E

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
NE Revolution	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Pateadores	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
Texas Rush	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
NC Fusion	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1

Pool F

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
RSL-AZ	1	0	0	3	4	1	3
FC Westchester	1	0	0	3	2	0	2
Charlotte SA	0	1	0	0	0	2	-2
BBC	0	1	0	0	1	4	-3

Pool G

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
North Meck	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
PA Classics	1	0	0	3	1	0	1
South Carolina	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Chicago Fire	0	1	0	0	0	1	-1

Pool H

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
CASL	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
StLSG Missouri	1	0	0	3	1	0	1
FC Dallas	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Sockers	0	1	0	0	0	1	-1

Development Academy U-18 playoffs standings

2011-06-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here are the standings after day one:

Pool A

Teams	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
D.C. United	1	0	0	3	3	0	3
Pateadores	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
N.C. Fusion	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Empire United	0	1	0	0	0	3	-3

Pool B

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
RSL-AZ	1	0	0	3	3	0	3
NYRB	1	0	0	3	3	1	2
Cal Odyssey	0	1	0	0	1	3	-2
Sockers FC	0	1	0	0	0	3	-3

Pool C

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
PDA	1	0	0	3	2	0	2
Chicago Fire	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
CDA	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
PA Classics	0	1	0	0	0	2	-2

Pool D

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Columbus Crew	1	0	0	3	3	2	1
Arsenal FC	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Dallas Texans	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Charlotte SA	0	1	0	0	2	3	-1

Pool E

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Seattle Sounders	1	0	0	3	9	2	7
BBC	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
St.L SG Missouri	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Seacoast United	0	1	0	0	2	9	-7

Pool F

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
Indiana United	1	0	0	3	2	0	2
FC Dallas	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
Cosmos West	0	0	1	1	1	1	0
Real Colorado	0	1	0	0	0	2	-2

Pool G

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
CASL Chelsea	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Albertson	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Colorado Rush	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1
Concorde Fire	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1

Pool H

Team	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points	GF	GA	GD
St.L SG Metro	1	0	0	3	2	1	1
Chivas USA	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Weston FC	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
DC Wolves	0	1	0	0	1	2	-1

Development Academy Playoff Groups

2011-06-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here are the groups for the U-18 and U-16 age groups for the Development Academy playoffs, which begin Saturday, June 25 at Pizza Hut Park. The numbers of the groups are meaningless, it was just a way for me to keep track of the teams. After the playoffs are finished, the teams are reseeded for finals week.

U-18:

1: 2:

Weston FC* FC Dallas*

Chivas USA Cosmos Academy West

Derby County Wolves Real Colorado

St. Louis SG Metro Indiana United

3: 4:

Charlotte SA* Seattle Sounders*

Columbus Crew Baltimore Bays Chelsea

Dallas Texans Seacoast United

Arsenal FC St. Louis SG Missouri

5: 6:

CASL* PDA*

Albertson Chicago Fire

Colorado Rush CDA

Concorde Fire PA Classics

7: 8:

RBNY* North Carolina Fusion*

Sockers FC Pateadores

Cal Odyssey Empire United

RSL-AZ D.C. United

U-16:

1: 2:

North Carolina Fusion* North Meck*

Pateadores Seacoast United

Texas Rush Chicago Fire

New England Revolution PA Classics

3: 4:

Solar Chelsea* Charlotte SA*

Real So Cal Baltimore Bays Chelsea

FC Delco RSL-AZ

De Anza Force FC Westchester

5: 6:

St. Louis SG Missouri* LA Galaxy*

CASL Houston Dynamo

FC Dallas IMG

Sockers FC Sporting Kansas City

7: 8:

Concorde Fire* Seattle Sounders*

Albertson Columbus Crew

Vardar D.C. United

Dallas Texans Empire United

Based off first glance, I would say that Group 7 in the U-18 bracket is pretty tough and should offer some very competitive games. Group 4 in the U-16 bracket looks tough as well.

U-17 World Cup Preview: U.S. v Czech Republic

2011-06-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

After a 3-0 victory over Czech Republic, regarded as co-favorites of the group, the American youngsters were understandably pleased with their performance. However, the confidence got a quick dash of icy-reality from coach Wilmer Cabrera in the post-game press conference.

“The ideal situation is to improve on every game throughout the tournament and that is what we expect as coaches,” the coach said. “Let’s see how they’re going to respond on the field.” So the back patting ended pretty quickly after a fairly comprehensive performance against a decent European side.

On paper, Uzbekistan does not look like much of a threat to the Americans' quest to finish first in the group. The Asian qualifiers were readily dismantled by New Zealand, 4-1, on the first day of group play. The Kiwis, although unremarkable on the day, showed the defaults in the Uzbekistan defense that left Stephen Carmichael open all game on his way to the lone hat trick of the competition so far.

If Uzbekistan is able to rectify its deficiencies [namely employing a holding midfielder], it could offer some trouble to Cabrera’s side. The forward partnership – albeit rather quiet in the opening clash – still has a decent amount of skill and speed that could offer some trouble to the American defense . . . if Mobi Fehr and Zach Carroll both slip.

In all honesty, U.S. is in a position to cruise through this game and clinch a place in the next round. The main question for Cabrera will be how he uses his depth. Qualifying regulars like Alfred Koroma, Nathan Smith, Jack McBean, and Andrew Sounders either saw very little time on the field on Sunday or did not make it off the bench.

The options are there for the coaching staff, but don’t expect Cabrera to make too many changes – at least not yet. In previous tournaments, he has been rather consistent with his lineup and rotations of players.

Plus, this game plan will be very similar to the one implemented against Czech Republic. Both teams want to control the game with possession, although the Asian qualifier is more ambitious on the attacking front.

Despite the lofty opening defeat, Uzbekistan actually had more of the possession against the Kiwis [52-48] and a hefty advantage in shots [24-12]. Granted, only a third of those shots were on frame, but the point is Uzbekistan likes to attack and they tend to do it in numbers. The side is very suspect to any team that can run at them with speed.

The Yanks will again rely on high-pressure early*, the talents of the forward Paul Arriola**, and the brilliance of Alejandro Guido to pick apart another defense. However, the Americans did have one area where they want to improve – chasing the ball.

“We were running all 90 minutes with the Czech Republic,” Cabrera said in the post-game press conference. “And yes, we need to work on that.”

With two players picking up cramps at the end of the game over the weekend, the young Americans realized that it is easier to grab hold of the ball early and let the opposition do the running.

With a mid-afternoon game on the slate for Wednesday, hydration, fitness, and conserving energy will be the focal point for the young Yanks. Grabbing another early goal will certainly help, but if they can just duplicate the second half performance from their opening clash, they should have little trouble with securing a berth to the Round of 16.

Game info:
U.S. v Uzbekistan, June 22, 1:00 p.m. (PT), Live on ESPN3 and Galavision

* Guido pushed the line forward for the first five minutes of the game so the U.S. played a 4-3-3. Once he found the back of net, he dropped back into a more traditional 4-4-2. His high-point attack position was in the scouting report for the Americans. 

** Arriola made everyone temporarily forget about Andrew Oliver with a rather inspiring U-17 World Cup debut. However, the mark of a great player is consistency and the 16 year old needs to string some performances together to really make Oliver seem like a distant memory. 

Playoff Pots

2011-06-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Playoff week is upon us, and we are days away from U.S. Soccer announcing the groups.

For those unfamiliar with the playoffs, there are eight groups with four teams in each. The pots - used to assign teams to each group - are assigned based on points per game in overall Development Academy games. I used goal differential as a tiebreaker where necessary. Teams from the same division cannot be placed in the same playoff group, so that will factor into the lot drawing as well.

Here is my best guess at the pots based on the standings on the Dev Academy website, which can fluctuate at any moment.

U-18:

Pot 1: Seattle Sounders (2.08), NC Fusion (2.08), PDA (2.12), Weston (2.16), NYRB (2.19), Charlotte Soccer Academy (2.20), FC Dallas (2.35), CASL (2.40)

Pot 2: Real Colorado (1.76), Sockers (1.77), Alberston (1.77), Baltimore Bays (1.78), RSL-AZ (1.79)**, D.C. United (1.81), DC Wolves (1.83), Dallas Texans (2.04)

Pot 3: Empire United (1.65), St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri (1.67), Colorado Rush (1.67), Chicago Fire (1.70), Indiana United (1.74), Arsenal (1.75), CDA (1.76), St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro (1.76)

Pot 4: Seacoast United (1.31), Pateadores (1.54), Crew (1.61), PA Classics (1.63), Cosmos West (1.64), Chivas USA (1.64), Cal Odyssey (1.64), Concorde Fire (1.64)

U-16:

Pot 1: NC Fusion (2.04), North Meck (2.12), Seattle Sounders (2.32), Los Angeles Galaxy (2.25), Concorde Fire (2.52), Charlotte Soccer Academy (2.60), St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri (2.19), Baltimore Bays Chelsea (2.04)*

Pot 2: D.C. United (1.96), CASL (1.96), PA Classics (2.00), FC Delco (2.00), Solar Chelsea FC (2.04)*, Texas Rush (2.00), Albertson (2.00), Houston Dynamo (1.91)**

Pot 3: Real So Cal (1.82), Chicago Fire (1.83), FC Dallas (1.83), IMG (1.84), Pateadores (1.82), Empire United (1.81), RSL-AZ (1.86), Vardar (1.87)

Pot 4: Westchester (1.38), De Anza Force (1.52), Dallas Texans (1.70), New England Revolution (1.73), Sockers (1.74), Columbus Crew (1.78), South Carolina United (1.68), Sporting KC (1.81)

*No idea on the tie-breaker here. They are level on goal differential [44] and goals scored [19].
** Not listed on the Wild-Card standings on the Development Academy website, but I am pretty sure both have a rightful claim to a playoff spot.

Update 6/21 - First group pairing for U-18: Indiana United, FC Dallas, Real Colorado, Cosmos West - pots updated to reflect the new information.

How Much Does It Cost To Buy The Best Youth Club in the U.S.?

2011-05-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Right now, that is the most important question among Academy Directors at MLS clubs across the country.

On Tuesday, Columbus Crew announced a groundbreaking move, that enables the MLS academy to partner with the Michigan Wolves, also known as the Derby County Wolves. The basic premise of the partnership is Columbus funds the Michigan club, and in return the Wolves players are now part of the Crew Home Grown list.*

The partnership with Derby County was set to expire in July and Wolves Director of Coaching Brian Doyle was actively searching for a new sponsor for the academy by January of this year. It wasn't bitterness or hostility that had the Wolves looking for a partner elsewhere, it was the fact that they had out-performed the current conditions of the partnership and wanted to look at something more enticing. Added to the fact Doyle was aware of how difficult it was for an American to qualify for a work permit in England, the partnership was unrealistic in the long-term.

When we spoke, he made it clear that unless an offer from a European club was jaw dropping, the new partnership would likely be with a local company. Since then, Columbus stepped in and took advantage of a new opportunity. **

No other club has had the foresight to actively engage in a partnership with another club outside the immediate proximity - say 100 miles in any given direction. Actually, that is not entirely true, other MLS clubs have established satellite clubs [RSL in Florida, Fire in Mississippi, etc.], but this will be the first with a pre-existing member of the Development Academy.

Granted, Philadelphia Union does something to this effect with multiple clubs, but those are all in the greater Philadelphia area. And while FC Delco is an impressive historic youth academy, it doesn’t have the same recent success as the Michigan Wolves [four national championships plus a handful of potential stars in the coming years at the international stage]. Perhaps, the Union’s tactics helped open the door for the Crew to explore this opportunity though?

One would have to believe that Columbus had to run this by the MLS offices before it began any serious discussion about the partnership. The greater Detroit area is an unmarked territory for MLS clubs, so that wouldn’t be a problem, but this still starts a precedent that many clubs will likely follow in the coming months/years.

For the motivated clubs [and there are motivated clubs in MLS that want to build their youth academies] this could be the start of the arm’s race. Columbus/Michigan Wolves put a price on success at the youth level. I have no idea what that figure is. And I doubt Columbus wants the financial implications of this move to be public at this point. The best I can do is guestimate.

I know that the estimated cost to run a program like the Michigan Wolves Academy [just U-16 and U-18] is between $20,000 - $50,000 per year.

Given the amount of travel in that conference – one trip to Texas each year plus two showcases [this may seem surprising but this is the easiest conference in terms of travel in the Development Academy] – lets put the number on the lower end of that scale. Fully funded the Michigan Wolves academy program ~ $20,000 a year would be a very cheap investment if Columbus Crew ended up with players like Josh Gatt, Sean Cunningham, Soony Saad, Dzenan Catic, etc. ***

Likely too cheap, so let’s anticipate the figure is more than that [but still in the five figures range] and probably covers some of the cost for the pre-academy teams [U-14 and younger].

However, none of those previously mentioned players are likely available to the Crew. Cunningham and Gatt are enjoying life in Norway with Molde FK. Saad is in Michigan right now as a free agent – he left University of Michigan after the 2010 College Cup and signed with an agent but failed to land with a club while on trial. And Catic is still in Europe [as far as I know] on trial with some club hoping to secure a deal.

Michigan Wolves U-18 coach Gary Parsons was hesitant when I asked if this was just the golden age for Michigan soccer or the teams from the Wolves were all this strong. He tried to make it sound like a little of both, but it sounded like more of a special group of young men more than anything else.

He did say there was talent coming up the pipeline at the Wolves, but it is going to be hard to duplicate what this two-three year gap of players accomplished both in the Development Academy [2009 National Champions] and in the professional realm.

Beyond the players, Parsons and Lars Richter, the U-16 academy coach, are two of the best coaches in the Development Academy [read: the United States] and to that effect, this is a smart investment. Having Parsons and Richter as part of any brain trust for coaching in this country is a good start for a successful youth program.

I am rambling on here; so let me get to the point. MLS is infamous for flimsy rules and large gray areas. Crew established something on Tuesday that fans of American soccer can look back on and say this is when the push to really advance American youth soccer started – trust me, I am trying not to sensationalize this.

Clubs around the world – from Chelsea to PSG – have looked to the American youth game for brand growth and potential players. The latter has been less of a success, but the former has helped in some areas and will likely help the Crew too especially in a metropolitan without an MLS franchise.****

Now, other MLS teams will follow in Crew’s footsteps – that is just how this works – and it is a positive sign for player development in this country, but it will also raise some questions for the league regarding territory rights, legal questions*****, and eligibility for Home Grown contracts. Michigan Wolves accomplished a lot as a pay-for-play club. As a fully-funded club, the sky is the limit. Hopefully, other MLS clubs will follow this blueprint and give successful youth clubs the freedom they need from financial woes.

* In this manner, I mean that Crew would have the rights to the players if they stayed in MLS. If a player decided to go pursue opportunities abroad, then Crew would have no ground to stand on. But that said, MLS academies have wised up to this fact and been protective of their assets when exposed to scouts/agents.

** Columbus stepping in is another part of this puzzle, because the location between Columbus to Livonia (where the Wolves are located) and Chicago to Livonia is roughly equal +/- 15 miles. Crew definitely one-upped Fire in this battle.

*** Nermin Crnkic is the prize of the current Michigan Wolves U-18 team. Sources have said that he is a likely target for MLS clubs and Parsons confirmed to me that he was pursuing professional opportunities after the Development Academy season. This will be a sticky situation with MLS, but Crew could probably point to Zach Pfeffer and Philadelphia Union/FC Delco as a previous example. Crnkic is not the exact same, but it does in a way neglect the one-year rule if it comes to that. Jack McBean was also signed before the one-year period as well.

**** This is a point that deserves a 1000 words. Large cities with successful youth programs could really help certain brands in MLS - i.e. Chivas USA partnering with Nomads [San Diego] would benefit both clubs.

***** FIFA rules/child labor laws are being circumvented by this type of setup. In reality, it makes sense for these types of relationships, but it is more complicated than what I said in this post.

Goal Scoring Streaks in the Development Academy

2011-05-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a tweet by Albert Chia from Dallas Cup, here is a post on some of the players who are lighting up the Development Academy with their scoring recently.

Kekuta Manneh – Texas Rush U16

The Gambian youngster has eight goals in his last four games (excluding the FC Dallas game on Sunday). The hot-streak brings his total on the season to 27 goals in 17 starts. A very impressive number considering Soony Saad was the only player in the Development Academy to score that many goals last year. Texas Rush is tied for first in the Texas Division with three games remaining on the schedule.

Christian Thierjung – Irvine Strikers U16

The streaky winger has been the only player close to Manneh in the goal-scoring race recently with 9 goals in his last five games. Thierjung only had six goals in his previous 17 games prior to this crazy streak. The Strikers U16 team is 3 points back of the automatic playoff spot with six games remaining. They will depend on their talented winger to keep his hot streak alive and carry the Strikers into the playoffs.

Villyan Bijev – Cal Odyssey U18

The U.S. U18 forward is a natural born goal scorer. Last year, he had 18 goals in Development Academy play. This year, he is up to 18 already with a handful of game remaining on the schedule. [Bijev will miss a few of those games while on national team duty in Portugal.] He has 5 goals in his last 5 games. The hot streak has propelled Cal Odyssey to the top of the Northwest Division with three division games remaining.

Dylan Kelly – Real Salt Lake–Arizona U16

Kelly has scored in nine games in a row and brought his season total up to 19 goals in 18 games. The streak began in late February and has lasted into mid-May for the 16-year-old forward. Kelly has seven games left on the schedule to add to the tally and push the RSL residency program into the playoffs.

Nick Palodichuk plays for Portland Timbers?!

2011-05-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Nick Palodichuk, a member of the Seattle Sounders youth academy, contributed one assist (and one yellow card) in the Portland Timbers U23 6-0 win over Washington Crossfire in PDL action on Sunday.

Palodichuk has not played with the Sounders U18 team since December due to his early enrollment at Duke University for the spring semester that started in January.

His participation in the spring season for the Blue Devils men's soccer team made the Sounders Academy player ineligible for Development Academy play for the rest of the season. Development Academy rules prevent college players from playing in the league, a rule that was recently in the news when Pateadores were caught using two players who had already played at a junior college in California.

Palodichuk’s attachment to the Sounders organization is still under question as the player left the club before the one-year period was up required for home grown status. Sounders Academy Technical Director Darren Sawatzky was optimistic that Palodichuk would qualify for the status because the same coaching staff was with him when he was part of the Washington Premier Academy. As of March, MLS has yet to inform Seattle if Palodichuk would be eligible for a Home Grown contract.

The former U.S. U17 midfielder had his hand forced for where to play during the summer though, as the Sounders do not have a PDL franchise but their rivals to the south do. The Portland Timbers U23 team has been successful in recent years with the 2010 PDL National Championship to show for it. The squad is led by University of Washington forward Brent Richards who was one of the top scorers in the nation last year and opened his 2011 account with a hat trick against Crossfire. Playing for a PDL franchise attached to an MLS club has no effect on the player’s future draft eligibility.

Richards and Palodichuk return to their stomping grounds in Seattle this weekend to square off against local PDL franchise Kitsap Pumas.

Enigma No More – Development Academy Bids Adieu to High School Soccer

2011-05-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer announced that two more Development Academy Divisions, Texas and Northwest, would move to a 10-month schedule and eliminate high school soccer for those players. This comes on the heels of decision from the SoCal Division to cut off CIF [high school] and go to a one-game per weekend schedule over 10-months.

There was really no mystery behind these moves, U.S. Soccer and the clubs realized that while high school soccer was a great social activity for the players, there was no value for the development of players. It is a harsh reality for many to think that high school soccer is so meaningless, but club soccer for years has been at the forefront of collegiate scouting and high school soccer has been nothing more than bragging rights.

With three divisions moving to the 10-month schedule, likely others will follow as the quest to reach a level playing field with fellow Development Academies will push other regions to follow suit. The Liberty Division is a likely destination to also get rid of high school soccer. NYRB, in the past, has attempted to expedite studies so the academy players could graduate ahead of schedule and join the full team training. Ridding the players of the obligation to play with the school team will also improve their training.

The question now becomes how to view high school soccer beyond a novelty. Local papers are still going to treat the high school game like the big game in town because they are unaware that the best players are no longer on the high school team. Hence, the perception still may be greater than the product while the dust settles on this cultural change.

That said there are still plenty of players in this country and high school soccer is going to offer an opportunity for those players to gain exposure. The high school game remains more prominent in terms of media coverage, awards, and other distinctions despite the appeal of club soccer for future professional ambitions. Perhaps with a less crowded pool, some more talent will emerge through this avenue . . . that made just be wishful thinking though.

Development Academy, while developing an appeal in the online news spectrum, has yet to reach print media in any consistent form and the major online outlets are hesitant to dive into coverage at all.

It will take more than just taking players away from high school soccer to change that line of thinking, but the greater concern was amount of games and training – both of those will likely improve. The rest will hopefully follow suit in time.

Dallas Cup XXXII

2011-04-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Dallas Cup kicked off in Frisco, Texas. I am in town covering the event for Goal.com, so make sure to check there for all my game reports, features, and interviews. I am going to use the blog for more general thoughts about the competition and some teams.

FC Dallas Academy (both U-16 and U-18) were very impressive on the day. Beyond the result over Barcelona, it was the quality of their play. They are good in tight spaces, and they have good athleticism all over the field to beat teams on the break.

For the U-16 team, there was never a doubt about the result. Perhaps Barrio Mexico was jet-lagged or nervous? But from the opening kick-off, the local side took the game to the team from Costa Rica. FC Dallas' midfielders love to possess the ball and they show for it constantly. Something that some players do well, but rarely see so many players do it well at this age. Offensively, I think they have better fluidity than the U-18 team, but they often send too many players forward and are left spread out far too often. Barrio Mexico had a few chances on the break against them, but Dallas' superior athleticism shut down many chances. I had high expectations for forward Bobby Edet, but I was a bit disappointed. He is fast - there is no denying that - but he doesn't seem to be on the same page technically as most of his teammates.
The U-18 side was stronger and faster than Barca's Juvenil B side. Jonathan Top played really well up front. I have had bad luck with Top in the past as he seems to always pick up an injury when I go to scout him, but today I was pleasantly surprised. Good touch and a good instinct in the attacking third. I have some interviews with some of the members of the U-18 team, so I should have them on Goal.com sometime in the coming days. Basically, they want to win Super Group is the over theme. That might be easier said than done as Arsenal looked really good in the nightcap.

Vancouver Whitecaps U-18 academy had probably the most surprising result of the day. Daniel Robertson of BigDSoccer and TopDrawerSoccer said that there has only been one Brazilian team that has entered the tournament and not won it. So a victory over Corinthians for the Canada academy was a massive result. The first goal of the game (the only one I caught) was a bit awkward as a corner was driven into the box, but then the wind caught hold of it and pushed it into the net. The corner kick taker, Ben Fisk, went on to pick up two other goals on his way to a hat trick. I thought defensive midfielder Kevin Cobby played well. Tigres v Vancouver should be a good one tomorrow.

I think I will do a more general run down of the results tomorrow instead of gamers for every game. Also, I should have a feature on one U.S. team up on Goal.com later this week or next week.

U.S. Youth Soccer News From January

2011-01-31T21:14:00.000-08:00

Americans Josh Gatt and Sean Cunningham both join Molde FK of Norway. Both were products of Derby Country Wolves and played on the SuperElite Summer tour. SuperElite technical director Jon Spencer said that next summer’s tour will be mostly ‘93s and it doesn’t look like any college players will make the trip.

U.S. Youth National Team News:

U.S. U17s go 1-0-1 in CONCACAF Championship warm-up

Kelyn Rowe impresses at U20 camp

Hurzeler makes debut with U20s

US to host 2012 Olympic Qualifiers

Yanks Abroad:

Former Dallas Texan Conor Doyle says he is undecided about international future

Former Irvine Striker Bobby Wood makes his 1860 Munich debut

Former Derby County Wolf Soony Saad leaves Michigan, goes on trial in Europe

St John’s Erik Opsahl signs with Reading on the last day of the transfer period

MLS news:

American U20 striker Omar Salgado is the first pick in 2011 MLS SuperDraft

Training center invites eight Revolution players

Greg Vanney leaves RSL-AZ to join Robin Fraser at Chivas USA; Mike Munoz replaces him.

Home grown contracts everywhere:

Jack McBean signs home grown contract with LA Galaxy

Jonathan Top signs home grown contract with FC Dallas

Matt Kassel and Sacir Hot sign home grown contracts with Red Bull New York

Josue Soto and Alex Dixon sign home grown contracts with Houston Dynamo

College:

Akron’s Darlington Nagbe wins the MAC Hermann Trophy

MLSsoccer’s Travis Clark looks at the role of college soccer

College Cup Final Press Conference Akron Quotes

2010-12-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

About what it means to win a title for the Ohio region:

Zarek Valentin:

“Being there a year, it really means a lot more than anyone could ever imagine. A lot of the school puts a lot of emphasis on our soccer team, which we appreciate greatly. Just seeing the support. It would mean the world to some people. Since a lot of people traveled out to California to support us., it would mean more than anyone could ever even imagine.”

Perry Kitchen:

“Just to reiterate what Zarek was saying, it would mean a lot. In Northeast Ohio, we don’t have many too many great teams; I guess you could call it. So for us to win, it would be amazing. The community would go nuts. We know they are behind us. It would be an amazing feeling.”

About the amount of fans:

Zarek:

“It is amazing. I think we possibly have the best group of fans in the country. They travel with us to Penn State, to Michigan. They were in North Carolina. They are everywhere. They even teamed up with the UCSB fans as well, which means a lot they are coming out to support us too. The fact that they have the commitment to come with us wherever we go and be loud and take pride in our team means a lot. We really feed off that energy in the game, which is good. The more they are in the game, the more we are into the game as well.

Kitchen:

“Like Zarek said, it is great they come out and follow us. We have talked about it all through out the year. Coach Porter is always telling them, ‘if they do their part, we will do our part on the field.’ That is how it is going now, and we know they will continue to support us.”

About facing Aaron Horton:

Porter:

“He is a good player. But yeah, we have seen players that are like him. We have faced the best strikers in the country this year. It is like anything, you have to be aware every single moment. If you lose a moment and fall asleep, you can get punished. At this stage, there are players in these games on these teams who will punish you if you make mistakes.”

Akron Quotes From College Cup Press Conference

2010-12-09T23:29:00.000-08:00

Caleb Porter, Akron Head Coach

“It is never easy. Our journey really began on December 14^th. We were one kick away. The players returning all vowed to get back. It is really a credit to them and how hard they worked.”

“We learned lessons and are battled tested. I think you are going to see their best this weekend as we try to take care of business this weekend."

“My goal is to take that foundation and elevate it even further. My vision was to build a program to a level where we were realistically competing for a national championship each and every year."

"Everything that I did in building the program the philosophies that I put in place had that vision in mind. There are a lot of ingredients that go into building a program that is capable of winning a national championship: there is recruiting, there is getting the culture right, there is style of play, a scheduling philosophy.

"It has been rewarding to see over the last two years us get to the point where we are a realistic contender. Like I said, at the end of last year, as memorable as 2009 was, we talked about it being the standard."

"Our standards are not going to change. We are going to continue to compete to win national championships."

"There is always a progression. And if you look at the teams that have won national championships, it doesn’t come out of the blue. Typically the program is knocking on the door for several years."

"Last year, we certainly knocked on the door. Hopefully, this year we kick the door down and get it done. It has been rewarding to see us get to the point where we are a realistic contender and we are not just this one hit wonder that gets to the championship and makes a run every once in a while.”

“This year has not been easy. And you won’t necessary see our trials reflected in the record. We have only lost one game and a couple ties."

"We have been challenged. We have played from behind in a several games. We have had to grind out results more than we did in 2009. We have made mistakes."

"Part of that is we lost some key players. We lost three pros. We felt very good about the fact that we were returning a good core. So we had some continuity, we had a lot of experience coming into the year."

"We have 8 of 11 of our starters played in the national championship last year. But when you lose three guys, it is going to take some time to evolve into the team you want to be. For us, it took all year."

"The thing about this year that stands out to me is because of those challenges, I think we are a stronger team: we are grounded, and because we have made some mistakes, and because it hasn’t been easy. I think we are probably more prepared coming into the college cup.”

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, senior midfielder

About having the lead at half:

During halftime, coach talks to us. It is just we go into the second half like we go into the first half. We want to start the half strong like every game. And we want to input our style into the game.

Not try to get focused on if we have a lead let’s keep this lead, or if we are down lets push. We just play the style we have been playing all year. We try to play the dominant style of soccer that coach has implemented into all of us. That is the mindset we go into every half.

Porter on the form of the two teams following their first meeting:

“I know we are better. We have had some wins. We have won seven in a row. We had a loss. That is something that needed to happen. We had gone 40 games without truly losing. That gives you a lot of confidence. That gives you a lot of belief. But I think when you start to win that much, you maybe slip. You start to lose your edge and start to feel bulletproof. In this sport, you got to show up. And you got to perform. No matter who you are playing against. If you don’t do that, you have a chance to lose. I think looking back, that is the best thing that happened.”

Development Academy Finals!

2010-07-05T00:28:00.000-07:00

U-15/16
Group 1
Group A Winner - Chicago Fire Academy (10-4-3) GF: 19 GA: 9 (12-5-9) GF: 29 GA: 18
Group B Winner - De Anza Force (8-3-1) GF: 22 GA: 18; (16-8-3) GF: 43 GA: 36
Group C Winner - D.C. United Academy (9-2-1) GF: 22 GA: 12; (17-8-5) GF: 51 GA: 36
Group D Winner - Sockers FC (8-2-7) GF: 26 GA: 16; (13-2-10) GF: 38 GA: 18

Group 2
Group E Winner - CASL Chelsea FC Academy (12-1-1) GF: 34 GA: 5; (20-1-7) GF: 57 GA: 12
Group F Winner - Internationals (7-1-2) GF: 15 GA: 8 (11-3-8) GF: 32 GA: 16
Group G Winner - Baltimore Bays Chelsea (8-2-2) GF: 18 GA: 7; (24-3-3) GF: 64 GA: 17
Group H Winner - Cal Odyssey (10-1-1) GF: 32 GA: 11 (17-7-3) GF: 59 GA: 30

Leading Scorers:
Chicago Fire- Victor Pineda (7)
De Anza Force- Hector Herrera (7) & Alfred Edmonds (7)
D.C. United- Cody Albrecht (9)
Sockers FC- Khaliq McKenzie (15)

CASL- Monbo Bokar (20)
Internationals- Nicholas Parianos (12)
Balt Bays- Michael Gamble (23)
Cal Odyssey- Villyan Bijev (18)

Group 1
Group A Winner - Derby County Wolves (6-1-3) GF: 23 GA: 13; (14-3-5) GF: 57 GA: 23
Group B Winner - Crossfire Premier (5-2-5) GF: 23 GA: 17; (13-6-8) GF: 50 GA: 41
Group C Winner - FC Dallas (11-2-3) GF: 33 GA: 16; (17-5-3) GF: 53 GA: 28
Group D Winner - CASL Chelsea FC Academy (8-2-4) GF: 23 GA: 7; (15-4-10) GF: 46 GA: 20

Group 2
Group E Winner - Real So Cal (12-3-1) GF: 48 GA: 13; (21-3-5) GF: 77 GA: 23 (Most goals)
Group F Winner - Concorde Fire (12-2-2) GF: 46 GA: 19; (20-6-4) GF: 75 GA: 36
Group G Winner - Vardar (4-4-2) GF: 23 GA: 20; (12-6-4) GF: 54 GA: 31
Group H Winner - Baltimore Bays Chelsea (7-1-4) GF: 26 GA: 12; (20-4-6) GF: 75 GA: 29

Leading Scorers:
Derby County Wolves- Soony Saad (27)- Michigan
Crossfire Premier- Liam Kelly (25)-
FC Dallas- Ruben Luna (25)- SMU
CASL Chelsea FC- Charles Root (15)- South Carolina

Real So Cal- Edwin Rivas (18)
Concorde- Carlos McCrary (22)- UNC
Vardar- Peter Jacobsen (17)
Baltimore Bays- Peter Caringi (14)- UMBC & Mamadou Kansaye (14)- NC State

Back to the Future 2014

2010-06-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

My (way too early) guess at the 23 for Brazil:
GK (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Earl Edwards
DEF (8): Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Tim Ream, Ike Opara, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin, Kevin Alston, Gale Agbossmounde
MID (8): Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Luis Gil, Alejandro Bedoya
FWD (4): Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley, Charlie Davies, Marcus Tracy

Just missing the cut, but in the discussion:
GK: Bill Hamid
DEF: Kyle Davies
MID: Freddy Adu, Joseph Gyau, Charles Renken, Mikkel Diskerud, Blair Gavin, Sacha Kljestan, Sam Cronin, Robbie Rogers, Michael Stephens, Jermaine Jones
FWD: Jack McInerney, Juan Agudelo, Tristan Bowen

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

2010-06-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

U.S. World Cup Outlook

2010-05-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

Last week, Bob Bradley announced the 30-man roster he was taking into camp with him. Today, he announced that 4-6 spots were still available with only two friendlies left before the roster deadline.
Here are the 30:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (12): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Average Age: 26.3

20 of 30 players played in college at some point.

My guess at the final 23:
GK (3): Guzan, Howard, Hahnemann
Defenders (8): Bocanegra, Bornstein, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Goodson, Marshall, Onyewu, Spector
Midfielder (9): Beasley, Bradley, Clark, Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Feilhaber, Holden, Torres
Forward (3): Altidore, Ching, Gomez

I think the final spots up for grabs are: Beasley, Gomez, Torres, and Marshall.

If Bradley plays Edu as a center back, is there any need for a 4th CB on the roster? It could add another midfielder to the equation, which would open the door for Bedoya or Kljestan to sneak in.

Something to consider over the next week before Bradley makes his final 23 official.

USSDA Spring Showcase

2010-05-19T01:20:00.000-07:00

USSDA Spring Showcase starts at the end of this month. U.S. Soccer was nice enough to stream some of the games from Florida. Here is the breakdown of the games:

May 29:

8:00 AM (ET)
Solar SC U16 vs Academy Select #1 U16
Standings: Solar-4th in Texas Division.
Leading Scorer: Solar-Chandler Crosswait (7 goals)

10:00 AM (ET)
Chivas USA U16 vs Texas SC DTH U16
Standings: Chivas USA-3rd in SoCal Division. Texas-2nd in Texas Division.
Leading Scorer: CHV-Frederico Bobadilla (15 goals)
TEX-Leobardo Vazquez (18 goals)

12:00 PM (ET)
Sockers U16 vs PDA U16
Standings: Sockers-4th in Frontier Division. PDA- 3rd in Liberty Division.
Leading Scorer: SOC- Khaliq McKenzie (9 goals)
PDA- Trey Leggett (6 goals)

2:00 PM (ET)
Texas Rush U18 vs Academy Select #1
Standings: Texas: 7th in Texas Division.
Leading Scorer: RUSH- Jose Ruiz (9 goals)

4:00 PM (ET)
Concorde Fire U18 vs Empire United U18
Standings: Concorde-1st in Southeast Division (2nd most goals scored). Empire- 2nd in Northeast Division.
Leading Scorer: CON- Carlos McCrary (18 goals)
Empire: Stephen Baker (17 goals)

6:00 PM (ET)
Washington Premier U18 vs South Carolina United U18
Standings: Washington- 1st in Northwest Division. South Carolina-4th in Southeast Division.
Leading Scorer: WAS: Darwin Jones (15 goals)
SCU: Alexis Martinez and Antiwan Rogers (5 goals)

May 30th

8:00 AM (ET)

Lonestar Aztex Academy U16 vs Greensboro Youth Soccer U16

Standings: Lonestar-3rd in Texas Division. Greensboro-4th in Atlantic Division.

Leading Scorer: LAA: Khiry Shleton (5 goals)

GRN: Alec Rotunda (10 goals)

10:00 AM (ET)

LAFC Chelsea U16 vs Chicago Fire U16

Standings: LAFC-6th in SoCal Division. Fire-6th in Frontier Division.

Leading Scorer: LAFC: Genaro Barrientos (9 goals)

Fire: Henrik Egly (4 goals)

12:00 PM (ET)

Birmingham United U16 vs De Anza Force U16

Standings: Birm-2nd in Southeast Division. De Anza-3rd in Northwest Division.

Leading Scorer: Bir: George Fradenburg (14 goals)

DAF: Hector Herrera (6 goals)

2:00 PM (ET)

Baltimore Bays Chelsea U18 vs Colorado Rush U18

Standings: BBC-1st in Mid-Atlantic Division. COL-1st in Frontier Division.

Leading Scorer: BBC: Mamadou Kansaye (11 goals)

COL: Seedy Bah (9 goals)

4:00 PM (ET)

South Central Premier U18 vs Vardar U18

Standings : SCP-4th in Northeast Division. VAR- 4th in Great Lakes Division.

Leading Scorer: SCP: Kevin Howard (5 goals)

VAR: Peter Jacobsen (10 goals)

6:00 PM (ET)

Indiana United U18 vs BW Gotschee NYC U18

Standings: IND-1st in Great Lakes Division. BWG-4th in Liberty Division.

Leading Scorer: IND: Harrison Petts (14 goals)

BWG: Dominick Sarle (8 goals)

May 31

8:00 AM (ET)

CASL Chelsea FC U16 vs Academy Select U16 #2

Standings: CASL-1st in Atlantic Division.

Leading Scorer: Monbo Bokar and Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler (12 goals)

10:00 AM (ET)

Santa Cruz County Breakers U16 vs Charlotte Soccer Academy U16

Standings: SCC-4th in Northwest Division. CSA-2nd in Atlantic Division.

Leading Scorer: SCC: Eric Mendez (7 goals)

CSA: Ben Burdon (13 goals)

12:00 PM (ET)

Nomads SC U16 vs Internationals U16

Standings: NOM-2nd in SoCal Division. INT-1st in Great Lakes Division.

Leading Scorer: NOM: Christopher Luu (18 goals)

INT: Nicholas Parianos (11 goals)

2:00 PM (ET)

FC Greater Boston U18 vs Academy Select U18 #2

Standings: BOS-3rd in Northeast Division.

Leading Scorer: BOS: Gareth Dudney (10 goals)

4:00 PM (ET)

Oakwood SC U18 vs Real Colorado U18

Standings: OAK-5th in Northeast Division. COL-5th in Frontier Division.

Leading Scorer: OAK: Phil Ziegler (6 goals)

COL: Robert Derschang (5 goals)

6:00 PM (ET)

IMG U18 vs Colorado Rapids U18

Standings: IMG-2nd in Southeast Division. Rapids- 6th in Frontier Division.

Leading Scorer: IMG: Martin Ontiveros (24 goals)

Rapids: Zachary Bolden and David Armstrong (6 goals)

June 1

8:00 AM (ET)

Miami FC Kendall U16 vs New England Revolution U16

Standings: MIA-6th in Southeast Division. NER-1st in Northeast Division.

Leading Scorer: MIA: Mauricio Valderruten (7 goals)

NER: Felix Debona (16 goals)

10:00 AM (ET)

Arsenal U16 vs Academy Select #3 U16

Standings: ARS- 1st in SoCal Division.

Leading Scorer: Ulises Mosqueda (8 goals)

12:00 PM (ET)

PA Classics U16 vs Irvine Strikers U16

Standings: PA-4th in Mid-Atlantic Division. IRV-7th in SoCal Division.

Leading Scorer: PA: Robert Edwards (7 goals)

IRV: Sean Dhillon (14 goals)

2:00 PM (ET)

Potomac U18 vs Academy Select U18 #3

Standings:

Leading Scorer:

4:00 PM (ET)

California Development Academy U18 vs Kansas City Wizards U18

6:00 PM (ET)

Match Fit Academy Chelsea U18 vs Virginia Rush U18

Day 1 MLS Combine

2010-01-09T23:10:00.000-08:00

Danny Mwanga's handlers decided he was too cool for school so fans are still waiting to get a look at the top pick.

Thanks to MLS insider, we are spoiled to a copious amount of highilght clips

MLS Combine 2010: Game One Goals from mlsinsider on Vimeo.

Boy wonder, Jason the producer, anchored a few interviews.

God that fro is awesome. I am officially starting the Akpan Wig Night Campaign. Yes, I am starting that before he has a team. GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT.

Day 1 Notes:
Captain Kyle McCarthy's Notes (Edit: Captain doing double duty for Goal.com too, what a corporate man!)
Ives' Thoughts
Joe Mauceri dropping some knowledge

Interviews:
Ike and Corben are BFFs.
Austin da Luz is NOT jealous
Sean dropping a second interview today with Ross LaBauex

Couple thoughts:

Everyone loves Irving Garcia. I am not surprised. I wrote this for my first mock draft: I am not going beat around the bush; I like Irving Garcia's game. The first word on every scouts' description will be "small" but that should not distract from a very skillful player. I have seen Garcia slice and dice through defenses like Sigi Schmid through a buffet. When I witnessed him play in the Big West final against UCSB, I wrote after the first half, "That was the best performance I have seen in college soccer this year." I stick to that statement. Garcia is a difference maker.
Tchani was the boss of the midfield.
Wiedeman might fall a bit in the draft because he is not getting any service. I think this is a good thing. His contract is already signed so money isn't an issue. The later he goes in the first round, the easier it will be for him to integrate into a team. Also the teams at the end of the first round, typically have a good midfield to supply him with chances.
Mo Johnston would do dirty things for a first round draft pick. He might be addicted to drafts.
NY wouldn't allow Jeff Agoos attend the combine. No word on whether he is allowed at the draft or not.
Bengals and Eagles rolled over today.

That is all. Back on Monday with day 2.

Andre Akpan, I Feel Your Pain

2010-01-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

FEAR THE FRO!

Teal Bunbury claimed the MAC Hermann trophy. He was the best weapon on the best offense in the country. So there should be little debate about who should have won the award; however, there is part of me that wishes Andre Akpan lifted the award. I know, I know. Bunbury had better numbers, played for a better team, and I even voted him as Goal.com player of the year. That said, Akpan had one of the best college careers we may ever see.

Look at the numbers:
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 12 goals, 6 assists
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 10 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 17 games, 14 goals, 9 assists
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 11 goals, 12 assists

Career totals: 71 games, 47 goals, 31 assists

Some teams don't even account for that many points over four years. For the most part, he was the main man for Harvard. Defenses would game plan around him and they still could not stop the best Afro in college sports. Ivy League defenses are actually better than most would believe, five of the defenses rank in the top 100. So the competition didn't exactly bend over for him, especially after four years of being embarrassed by the same player. I look at those numbers, and then I look at what Bunbury did in two years:

2009 Season Stats: 25 games, 17 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 23 games, 6 goals, 3 assists

Career totals: 48 games, 23 goals, 8 assists

It is a fine career, but would he ever reach Akpan's numbers? Could he keep up those numbers for two more seasons? Comparing the first two seasons, Akpan is actually ahead (25 g, 21 a) to Bunbury's (23 g, 8 a). But isn't this award supposed to be about this year? Look at the criteria for the award:

1. Recipient must attend an accredited Division I college or university located in the United States.

2. Recipient may be in any year of his/her college education.

3. Recipient promotes ethical and sportsmanlike behavior.

That's it? Seriously? Well if those are my three categories. I say coaches should have bucked the trend and let the scholar from Texas win because of his body of work. We may never see another player like Akpan (four very good years), while we have already seen a player put up similar numbers as Bunbury (one great year). That type of career being lost in the record books of Harvard (because Akpan never received the national attention that he deserved) is a travesty.

Calm Before The Storm

2010-01-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

Not much action to report the day before the combine.

Player Profiles
Danny Mwanga Tribal Football
Teal Bunbury The Canadian Press
Tony Tchani NBC Channel 29

MLS News:
Jeff Carlisle takes a look at different views of the draft
RBNY have a new coach Hans Backe

Last thing of note: FSC is doing a three-hour telecast from the draft this year.

MLS Draft Links

2010-01-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

Mock Drafts:

College Soccer Professor's (My) Mock Draft
Ives' Mock Draft
WV Hooligan's Mock Draft
MLSdraft.net's Mock Draft
American Soccer News with an excellent aggregate Mock Draft

More Draft Coverage:

Soccer City FC's Draft Coverage
Player Ratings from ProPlayerPipeline
Crewture's podcast with Buzz Carrick Listen Here

Player Profiles:

Danny Mwanga Oregon Live
Tony Tchani Potomac Soccer Wire -Interesting part of this piece: "He is projected to be the first or second pick in the MLS SuperDraft"- George Gelnovatch. I haven't seen Tchani that high in any mock draft. Either his college coach is blowing smoke or he knows something.
Andrew Wiedeman Goal.com
Dilly Duka UsSoccerplayers.com
Zach Loyd News Channel 8
Jason Yeisley The Morning Call- Read this and instantly become a fan.
Yeisley, again American Soccer News - This kid sure knows how to market himself.

MLS Insider (Shawn Francis) talks with Alexi Lalas

Alexi Lalas Speaks to MLS Insider about the Combine & SuperDraft from mlsinsider on Vimeo.

2010 Generation Adidas Class

2010-01-05T23:53:00.000-08:00

Twelve players make up the 2010 Generation adidas class, tied for most all time with the original class. Generation adidas is an incentive done by MLS to entice players in college (or even high school) to leave school early and sign with the league. The benefits for the players include a higher salary than most other draft picks as well as a guaranteed free tuition if they chose to return to school if professional soccer does not work out. The benefit for the teams is Generation adidas contracts don't count against the salary cap.

Player, School, Position, Grade (PDL team)
Corben Bone, Wake Forest, Midfield, Junior (Carolina)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com First Team

5’9 160\ 9-16-1988
2009 Season Stats: 24 games, 3 goals, 13 assists
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 7 goals, 17 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 5 goals, 8 assists

Teal Bunbury, Akron, Forward, Sophomore (Rochester)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com Player of the Year

6’2 175\ 2-27-1990
2009 Season Stats: 25 games, 17 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 23 games, 6 goals, 3 assists

Dilly Duka, Rutgers/U.S. U-20s, Midfield, Sophomore
5’9 160\ 9-15-1989
2009 Stats (U.S. U-20s): 14 games, 2 goals, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 17 games, 8 goals, 1 assist

Blair Gavin, Akron, Midfield, Junior (Brandenton 2007)
6’0 165\ 9-12-1988
2009 Season Stats: 25 games, 5 goals, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 23 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 goal, 1 assist

Zac Herold, U.S. U-17, Defense, High School
5’11 160\ 6-7-1992
2009 Season Stats: 15 games, 1 assist

Sean Johnson, Central Florida, Goalie, Sophomore
6’4 220\ 5-31-1989
2009 Season Stats (with U.S. U-20s): 3 games, 2.00 GAA
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 1.3 GAA, 108 saves

Jack McInerney, U.S. U-17, Forward, High School
5’8 155\ 8-2-1992
2009 Season Stats: 15 games, 11 goals, 4 assists

Danny Mwanga, Oregon State, Forward, Sophomore
6’2 175\ 7-17-1991
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 14 goals, 2 assists
2008 Season Stats: 11 games, 4 goals

Amobi Okugo, UCLA, Midfield, Freshman
Goal.com Freshman First Team

6’0 175\ 3-13-1991
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 assists

Ike Opara, Wake Forest, Defense, Junior (Cary 2008)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com First Team

6’2 180\ 2-21-1989
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 3 goals
2008 Season Stats: 22 games, 5 goals
2007 Season Stats: 26 games, 1 goal, 1 assist

Tony Tchani, Virginia, Midfield, Sophomore (Hampton 2009)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com First Team

6’4 185\ 4-13-1989
2009 Season Stats: 24 games, 8 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 13 games, 9 goals, 3 assists

Andrew Wiedeman, Cal, Forward, Junior (San Francisco 2008)
5’11 160\ 8-22-1989
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 11 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 12 goals, 5 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 7 goals, 6 assists

2010 Senior Signees

2010-01-05T23:32:00.000-08:00

These five seniors have signed professional contracts with MLS prior to the draft. They are projected to be selected in the first round.
Player, position, school (PDL team)

Austin da Luz, Midfield, Wake Forest (Austin 2008)
5’10 160\ 10-9-1987
2009 Season Stats: 24 games, 6 goals, 15 assists
2008 Season Stats: 14 games, 3 goals, 8 assists
2007 Season Stats: 25 games, 3 goals, 13 assists
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal, 3 assists

Andre Akpan, Forward, Harvard (Chicago 2009)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com Second Team

6’0 190\ 12-9-1987
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 12 goals, 6 assists
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 10 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 17 games, 14 goals, 9 assists
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 11 goals, 12 assists

Brian Perk, Goalie, UCLA (Seattle 2009)
Goal.com First Team
NSCAA Second Team All America

5’11 175\ 7-21-1989
2009 Season Stats: 15 games, 4 shutouts, 53 saves, .87 GAA
2009 Season Stats (with U-20s): 10 games, .77 GAA
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 7 shutouts, 75 saves, .97 GAA
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 84 saves, 1.06 GAA
2006 Season Stats: 7 games, 29 saves, 1.27 GAA

Zach Loyd, Defense, North Carolina (Carolina 2007-09)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com Third Team

5’9 160\ 7-18-1987
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 3 goals, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 goals, 2 assists

Toni Stahl, Midfield, UCONN
NSCAA Second Team All America

6’3 180\ 5-11-1985
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 22 games, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal

2010 Senior Draft Pool (Forwards)

2010-01-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

Ronnie Bouemboue, Forward, NC State (Cary 2009)
5’9 155\ 10-16-1987
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 8 goals, 10 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 14 goals, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 8 games, 4 goals, 1 assist
2005 Season Stats: 17 games, 2 goals, 4 assists

Conor Chinn, Forward, University of San Francisco (Orange County-2009)
5’11 170\ 8-1987
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 10 goals, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 17 goals, 1 assist
2007 Season Stats: 19 games, 6 goals, 5 assists
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 4 goals, 3 assists

Justin Davis, Forward, University of New Mexico (Des Moines 2007-08)
6’0 170\ 5-6-1988
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 7 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 17 games 7 goals, 6 assists
2007 Season Stats: 19 games, 5 goals, 3 assists
2006 Season Stats: 21 games, 1 goal, 3 assists

Bright Dike, Forward, Notre Dame (Indiana 2006)
6’1 223\ 2-2-1987
2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 11 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 12 goals, 5 assists
2006 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2005 Season Stats: 22 games, 2 goals, 1 assist

David Estrada, Forward, UCLA
5’8 160\ 2-4-1988
2009 Season Stats: 15 games, 3 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 4 goals, 3 assists
2007 Season Stats: 14 games, 3 goals
2006 Season Stats: 23 games, 12 goals, 4 assists

Irving Garcia, Midfield/Forward, UC Irvine (Orange County-2009)
Goal.com Second Team
NSCAA Third Team All America

5’5 140
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 8 goals, 9 assists
2008 Season Stats: 23 games, 7 goals, 9 assists

Andrew Hoxie, Forward, William and Mary (Virginia 2005-08)
6’4 188\ 10-6-1986
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 10 goals, 12 assists
2008 Season Stats: 15 games, 10 goals, 5 assists (Injury)
2006 Season Stats: 18 games, 10 goals, 4 assists
2004 Season Stats: 18 games, 5 goals, 1 assist

Zach Schilawski, Forward, Wake Forest (Cary 2009)
5’10 165\ 4-15-1987
2009 Season Stats: 24 games, 14 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 11 goals, 5 assists
2007 Season Stats: 26 games, 9 goals, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 25 games, 6 goals, 4 assists

Mike Seamon, Forward, Villanova
6’1 175
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 5 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 9 goals, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 2 goals, 5 assists

Steffen Vroom, Forward, DePaul (Chicago 2009)
6’0 175
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 8 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 goals, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 goals, 3 assists
2005 Season Stats: 17 games

David Walker, Forward, UCSB
6’0 175\ 12-22-1987
2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 10 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 3 goals, 1 assist
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 goals
2006 Season Stats: 24 games, 1 goal, 1 assist

Jason Yeisley, Forward, Penn State (Reading 2009)
6’1 200\ 9-30-1986
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 8 goals, 5 assists
2007 Season Stats: 6 goals, 2 assists (Knee injury)
2006 Season Stats: 7 games, 1 goal (Knee injury)
2005 Season Stats: 9 goals, 6 assists

2010 Senior Draft Pool (Midfielders)

2010-01-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

Name, Position, School (PDL team)
Eric Alexander, Midfield, Indiana (Kalamazoo)
6’1 165\ 4-14-1988
2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 1 goal, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 3 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 22 games, 5 goals, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 22 games, 3 goals, 4 assists

Samuel Appiah, Midfield, Boston University
5’8 140\ 3-25-1985
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 4 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 3 goals, 3 assists
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 goals, 2 assists

Nelson Becerra, Midfield, St. John’s (Long Island 2008)
5’10 150/ 7-20-1987
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 3 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 8 goals, 7 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 3 goals

Fred Braun, Midfield, Louisville (Chicago 2009)
5’10 160\ 5-13-1988
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 8 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals
2007 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 18 games

Nick Elenz-Martin, Midfield, Brown
6’2 180
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 5 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 15 games, 3 goals
2007 Season Stats: 17 games, 2 goals, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 goals, 1 assist

Mauro Fuzetti, Midfield, Michigan (Michigan 2007-09)
5’9 155\ 11-18-1987
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 8 goals, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 9 goals, 6 assists
2007 Season Stats: 17 games, 4 goals, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals, 4 assists

Two-Boys Gumede, Midfield, UAB (Panama City 2008-09)
NSCAA Second Team All America

5’9 145\ 8-23-1985
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 5 goals, 3 assists
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal, 6 assists
2005 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal, 4 assists

Nane Joseph, Midfield, Old Dominion (Hampton 2007)
NSCAA Second Team All America

6’2 185\ 3-12-1987
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 6 goals, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 24 games, 2 goals, 3 assists
2006 Season Stats: 21 games

Isaac Kissi, Midfield, Dayton
6’2\ 5-4-1987
2009 Season Stats: 16 games, 9 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 5 goals, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 15 games, 1 goal

Ross LaBauex, Midfield, Virginia (Chicago 2007)
5’9 150\ 12-5-1988
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 21 games, 7 goals, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 10 games

Pascal Milien, Midfield, Tampa
NSCAA Third Team All America Div. II

5’8 165\ 5-3-1986
2009 Season Stats: 21 games, 12 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 23 games, 11 goals, 17 assists
2007 Season Stats: 13 games, 2 goals, 6 assists
2006 Season Stats (with Lindsey Wilson): 22 games, 6 goals, 5 assists

Kyle Nakazawa, Midfield, UCLA (Los Angeles 2009)
NSCAA First Team All America
Goal.com First Team

5’11 165\ 3-16-1988
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 12 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 10 games, 1 goal, 4 assists (Back injury)
2007 Season Stats: 21 games, 3 goals, 7 assists
2006 Season Stats: 24 games, 4 goals, 8 assists

J.T. Noone, Midfield, Temple (Ocean City 2009)
6’0 160
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 3 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 7 goals, 12 assists
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 5 assists
2006 Season Stats: 14 games, 2 goals, 1 assist

Conor O’Brien, Midfield, Bucknell (Cary 2009)
NSCAA Second Team All America
Goal.com Third Team

2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 11 goals, 9 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 7 goals, 8 assists
2007 Season Stats: 19 games, 7 goals, 5 assists
2006 Season Stats: 23 games, 1 goal, 3 assists

Mike Pezza, Midfield, UCONN (Newark 2008)
5’8 155\ 7-16-1987
2009 Season Stats: 14 games, 3 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 9 assists
2007 Season Stats: 24 games, 1 goal, 19 assists
2006 Season Stats: 18 games, 2 assists

Seth Sinovic, Midfield, Creighton (Chicago 2009)
5’10 170\ 1-28-1987
2009 Season Stats: 16 games, 3 goals, 4 assists
2008 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal, 6 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 goal, 3 assists
2006 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 goal, 2 assists

Michael Stephens, Midfield, UCLA (Chicago 2007-08)
5’9 155\ 4-3-1989
2009 Season Stats: 15 games, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 7 goals, 9 assists
2007 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 24 games, 2 goals, 3 assists

Michael Thomas, Midfield, Notre Dame (Kansas City 2008-09)
5’10 190\ 3-8-1988
2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 6 goals, 6 assists
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 8 goals, 5 assists
2007 Season Stats: 16 games, 2 goals
2006 Season Stats: 23 games, 3 goals, 2 assists

Collen Warner, Midfield, Portland (Portland 2009)
5’10\ 6-24-1988
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 9 goals, 7 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 5 goals, 8 assists
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 3 goals, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 20 games, 3 goals, 1 assist

Drew Yates, Midfield, Maryland
6’1 171\ 5-14-1988
2008 Season Stats: 26 games, 1 goal, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 21 games, 7 goals
2006 Season Stats: 22 games, 5 assists

2010 Senior Draft Pool (Defenders)

2010-01-05T21:41:00.000-08:00

Name, Position, School (PDL Team)

Korede Aiyegbusi, Defense, NC State (Cary 2009)
5’5 155
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 goal, 3 assists
2008 Season Stats: 19 games

Kris Banghart, Defense, Denver
6’1 188 \ 3-1-1988
2009 Season Stats: 16 games
2008 Season Stats: 19 games
2007 Season Stats: 18 games
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal, 1 assist

Chad Borak, Defense, CSUN
6’0 165\ 1-6-1987
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 16 games, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: Out Injury
2006 Season Stats: 14 games, 1 goal (Injury)
2005 Season Stats: 22 games, 2 assists

Nick Cardenas, Defense, San Diego State (Ogden 2009)
6’5 205\ 11-21-1987
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 4 goals, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 18 games, 6 goals

Ben Clack, Defense, St. John’s (Newark 2009)
5’7 160\ 7-23-1987
2009 Season Stats: 14 games, 1 goal
2008 Season Stats: 25 games, 1 goal
2007 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 5 games

Phil Edginton, Defense, Louisville
NSCAA Second Team All America

6’3 190/ 8-2-1987
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2008 Season Stats: 6 games
2007 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals

Julien Edwards, Defense, Drake (Des Moines 2009)
6’0\ 7-30-1988
2009 Season Stats: 23 games
2008 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 1 goal
2006 Season Stats: 7 games

Tennant McVea, Defense, Loyola (MD)
6’3 205
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals
2007 Season Stats: 23 games, 3 goals
2006 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal, 1 assist

Justin Morrow, Defense, Notre Dame (Chicago 2009)
5’8 160\ 10-4-1987
2009 Season Stats: 23 games, 2 goals, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals, 4 assists
2007 Season Stats: 24 games, 3 goals
2006 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 assists

Kwaku Nyamekye, Defense, Harvard
6’1 200
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 goal
2008 Season Stats: 18 games, 3 goals
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 4 goals, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 18 games, 3 goals, 5 assists

Ryan Peterman, Defense, San Diego
NSCAA Third Team All America

5’11 165\ 10-2-1988
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 2 assists
2008 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 assist
2007 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 18 games

Tim Ream, Defense, St. Louis (Chicago 2008-09)
NSCAA Third Team All America

6’1 160
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 6 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 22 games, 2 assists
2007 Season Stats: 19 games, 4 assists
2006 Season Stats: 19 games, 1 assist

Barry Rice, Defense, Kentucky (Chicago 2009)
NSCAA Second Team All America
Goal.com Third Team

5’11 180\ 9-23-1987
2009 Season Stats: 17 games, 2 goals
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 2 goals, 1 assist
2007 Season Stats: 18 games, 7 goals, 1 assist
2006 Season Stats: 21 games, 1 goal, 5 assists

Ofori Sarkodie, Defense, Indiana
5’10 178\ 6-18-1988
2009 Season Stats: 22 games, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 24 games, 1 goal
2007 Season Stats: 21 games
2006 Season Stats: 16 games

Chris Schuler, Defense, Creighton (Chicago 2006-09)
6’4 185\ 9-6-1987
2009 Season Stats: 16 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
2008 Season Stats: 20 games, 1 goal
2007 Season Stats: 20 games, 2 assists
2006 Season Stats: 20 games, 3 goals, 1 assist

Kevin Tangney, Defense, Maryland
6’2 169\3-18-1987
2008 Season Stats: 18 games
2006-2007: Out with injury. (ACL tear)
2005 Season Stats: 13 games

Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Defense, UCONN (Westchester 2006)
Goal.com First Team

6’3 196\ 11-13-1986
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 3 goals
2008 Season Stats: 12 games
2007 Season Stats: 23 games
2006 Season Stats: 1 game

Adam Welch, Defense, Lehigh (Reading 2009)
6’0 155
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 5 goals, 5 assists
2008 Season Stats: 17 games, 1 goal
2007 Season Stats: 17 games
2006 Season Stats: 19 games

2010 Senior Draft Pool (Goalie)

2010-01-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

Jovan Bubonja, Goalie, UIC (Chicago 2006-07)
6’2 200\ 9-29-1986
2009 Season Stats: 18 games, 55 saves, 1.09 GAA
2008 Season Stats: 21 games, 57 saves, .63 GAA
2007 Season Stats: 24 games, 55 saves, .56 GAA
2006 Season Stats: 21 games, 76 saves, .37 GAA

Brooks Haggerty, Goalie, UNC (Cary 2009)
6’1 205\ 10-23-1987
2009 Season Stats: 19 games, 54 saves, .55 GAA
2008 Season Stats: 9 games, 27 saves, 1.05 GAA
2007 Season Stats: 4 games, 6 saves, .64 GAA
2006 Season Stats: 3 games, 7 saves, .00 GAA

John Moore, Goalie, Stanford (Seattle 2009)
6’2 195
2009 Season Stats: 20 games, 77 saves, .87 GAA
2008 Season Stats: 17 games, 62 saves, 1.20 GAA
2007 Season Stats: 11 games, 23 saves, 1.07 GAA
2006 Season Stats: 15 games, 54 saves, .92 GAA

Breakdown of MLS Teams

2010-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Chicago Fire-Picks (3): 13, 25, 49
Last Season’s Record: 11-7-12, second round exit
Head Coach: TBD
Technical Director: Frank Klopas
Offense: 39 goals (T-5th)
Defense: 34 goals against (7th)
Roster Composition: 2 GKs, 9 DEF, 6 MID, 6 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: N/A
Biggest Need: Midfield/ Defense

Chivas USA- Picks (5): 10, 26, 35, 42, 58
Last Season’s Record: 13-11-6, first round exit
New Heard Coach: Martin Vasquez
Vice President of Soccer Operations: Stephen Hamilton
Offense: 34 goals for (11th)
Defense: 31 goals against (3rd)
Roster Comp: 4 GK, 8 DEF, 10 MID, 7 FWD
Generation Adidas on Roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: Michael Lahoud, Midfield, Wake Forest
2009 Stats: 872 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist.
Biggest Need: Depth/ Forward

Colorado Rapids-Picks (4): 22, 23, 40, 56
Last Season’s Record: 10-10-10, missed playoffs
Head Coach: Gary Smith
Technical Director: Paul Bravo
Offense: 42 goals for (3rd)
Defense: 38 goals against (9th)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 7 DEF, 7 MID, 7 FWD
Generation Adidas on Roster: 2
2009 First Round Pick: N/A
Biggest Need: Midfield/Defense

Columbus Crew-Picks (5): 8, 12, 60, 61, 63
Last Season’s Record: 13-7-10, Supporters Shield Winner
Head Coach: Robert Warzycha
Technical Director: Brian Bliss
Offense: 41 goals (5th)
Defense: 31 goals against (T-3rd)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 6 DEF, 11 MID, 4 FWD
Generation Adidas on Roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: N/A
Biggest Need: Forward

D.C. United-Picks (3): 7, 39, 55
Last Season’s Record: 9-8-13
New Head Coach: Curt Onalfo
General Manager: Dave Kasper
Offense: 43 goals (T-2nd)
Defense: 44 goals against (10th)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 5 DEF, 10 MID, 7 FWD
Generation Adidas on Roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: Rodney Wallace, Midfield/Defense, Maryland
2009 Stats: 2265 minutes, 3 goals, 3 assists
2009 First Round Pick: Chris Pontius, Midfield/Forward, UCSB
2009 Stats: 2113 minutes, 4 goals, 3 assists
Biggest Need: Defense

FC Dallas- Picks (6): 5, 6, 21, 38, 44, 54
Last Season’s Record: 11-13-6
Head Coach: Schellas Hyndman
Offense: 50 goals (1st)
Defense: 47 goals against (T-13th)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 6 DEF, 11 MID, 4 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 3
2009 First Round Pick: Peri Marosevic, Forward, Michigan
2009 Stats: 47 minutes
2009 First Round Pick: George John, Defense, Washington
2009 Stats: 1162 minutes, 1 goal
Biggest Need: Midfield/Defense

Houston Dynamo-Picks (3): 43, 46, 62
Last Season’s Record: 13-8-9
Head Coach: Dominic Kinnear
Offense: 39 goals (T-5th)
Defense: 29 goals against (T-1st)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 6 DEF, 8 MID, 6 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: N/A
Biggest Need: Depth

Kansas City Wizards-Picks (5): 4, 20, 36, 41, 52
Last Season’s Record: 8-13-9, missed playoffs
New Head Coach: Peter Vermes
Offense: 33 goals (T-13th)
Defense: 42 goals against (10th)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 8 DEF, 9 MID, 6 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 3
2009 First Round Pick: Matt Besler, Defense, Notre Dame
2009 Stats: 2236 minutes
Biggest Need: Forward

Los Angeles Galaxy- Picks (3): 15, 47, 64
Last Season’s Record: 12-6-12, Western Conference Champion
Head Coach: Bruce Arena
Offense: 36 goals (T-10th)
Defense: 31 goals against (T-3rd)
Roster Comp: 2 GK, 9 DEF, 6 MID, 9 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: Omar Gonzalez, Center Back, Maryland
2009 Stats: 2672 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist
Biggest need: Attacking midfield/forward

New England Revolution-Picks (3): 9, 25, 57
Last Season’s Record: 11-10-9, first round exit
Head Coach: Steve Nicol
Director of Soccer: Mike Burns
Offense: 33 goals (T-13th)
Defense: 37 goals against (8th)
Roster Comp: 2 GK, 5 DEF, 8 MID, 6 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: Kevin Alston, Defense, Indiana
2009 Stats: 2339 minutes, 1 assist
2009 First Round Pick: Ryan Maxwell, Midfield, University of Tampa
2009 Stats: Waived before season.
Biggest need: Forward

New York Red Bull-Picks (6): 2, 14, 18, 31, 34, 50
Last Season’s Record: 5-19-6
Head Coach: TBD
Sporting Director: Jeff Agoos
Offense: 27 goals (15th)
Defense: 47 goals against (13th)
Roster Comp: 2 GK, 7 DEF, 8 MID, 4 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: Jeremy Hall, Midfield, Maryland
2009 Stats: 2001 minutes, 1 assist
Biggest need: Midfield

Philadelphia Union (First Season)- Picks (4): 1, 17, 33, 49
Head Coach: Peter Nowak
Youth Development Coordinator: John Hackworth
Roster Comp:2 GK, 4 DEF, 4 MID, 2 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: N/A

Real Salt Lake- Picks (3): 16, 32, 48
Last Season’s Record: 11-12-7, MLS Cup Champions
Head Coach: Jason Kreis
General Manager: Garth Lagerway
Offense: 43 goals (T-2nd)
Defense: 35 goals against (7th)
Roster Comp: 2 GK, 4 DEF, 10 MID, 7 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 1
2009 First Round Pick: Jean Alexandre, Midfield, Lynn University
2009 Stats: 99 minutes

San Jose Earthquakes- Picks (6): 3, 19, 28, 30, 37, 51
Last Season’s Record: 7-14-9, missed playoffs
Head Coach: Frank Yallop
General Manager: John Doyle
Offense: 36 goals (T-10th)
Defense: 50 goals against (15th)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 6 DEF, 8 MID, 5 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: N/A
Biggest need: Defense

Seattle Sounders-Picks (3): 11, 27, 59
Last Season’s Record: 12-7-11, first round exit
Head Coach: Sigi Schmid
Chief Scout/Assistant Coach: Kurt Schmid
Offense: 38 goals (7th)
Defense: 29 goals against (T-1st)
Roster Comp: 3 GK, 7 DEF, 6 MID, 7 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 0
2009 First Round Pick: Steve Zakuani, Forward, Akron
2009 Stats: 1993 minutes, 4 goals, 4 assists
Biggest Need: Forward/Depth

Toronto FC-Picks (2): 24, 53
Last Season’s Record: 10-11-9, missed playoffs
New Head Coach: Preki
Technical Director: Mo Johnston
Offense: 37 goals (8th)
Defense: 46 goals against (12th)
Roster Comp: 2 GK, 8 DEF, 6 MID, 5 FWD
Generation Adidas on roster: 2
2009 First Round Pick: Sam Cronin, Midfield, Wake Forest
2009 Stats: 2363 minutes, 1 goal, 4 assists
2009 First Round Pick: O’Brian White, Forward, UCONN
2009 Stats: 440 minutes, 2 goals
2009 First Round Pick: Stefan Frei, Goalie, Cal
2009 Stats: 2295 minutes, 1.49 GAA, 5 shutouts
Biggest Need: Defense

Draft picks by number

2010-01-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

Previous Draft Picks by selection (since 2000):

Steve Shak, Chris Carrieri, Chris Gbandi, Alecko Eskandarian, Freddy Adu, Nik Besagno, Marvell Wynne, Maurice Edu, Chance Myers, Steve Zakuani
Nick Garcia, Ali Curtis, Taylor Twellman, Ricardo Clark, Chad Marshall, Brad Guzan, Mehdi Ballouchy, Bakary Soumare, Brek Shea, Sam Cronin
Adin Brown, Mark Lisi, Brad Davis, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Chad Barrett, Jason Garey, Michael Harrington, Anthony Beltran, Omar Gonzalez
Carlos Bocanegra, Ryan Nelsen, Justin Mapp, Mike Magee, Matt Taylor, Danny O’Rourke, Yura Movsisyan, Chris Seitz, Sean Franklin, O’Brian White
Aleksey Korol, Joselito Vaca, Kelly Gray, David Strokes, Ryan Cochrane, Ugo Ihemelu, Sacha Kljestan, Wells Thompson, Ciaran O’Brien, Peri Marosevic
Danny Califf, Craig Demmin, Luchi Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Ramon Nunez, Drew Moor, Dax McCarty, Nica Colaluca, Andy Iro, Rodney Wallace
Wes Hart, Ryan Suarez, Mansour Nidaye, Diego Walsh, Clearance Goodson, Hunter Freeman, Justin Moose, John Cunliffe, Patrick Nyarko, Chris Pontius
Travis Mulraine, Santino Quaranta, Kyle Martino, Guillermo Gonzalez, Clint Dempsey, Troy Roberts, Patrick Ianni, Jerson Monteiro, Josh Lambo, Matt Besler
John Wilson, Brian Mullan, Carl Bussey, Pat Nooan, Scott Buete, Michael Parkhurst, Kei Kamara, Anthony Wallace, Julius James, Michael Lahoud
Alan Woods, Duncan Oughton, Billy Sleeth, Shavar Thomas, Steve Cronin, Jack Stewart, Calen Carr, Andrew Boyens, Pat Phelan, Kevin Alston
Sasha Victorine, Isaias Bardales, Daouda Kante, Brian Carroll, Leonard Griffin, Scott Sealy, Leonardo de Oliviera, Bryan Arguez, Roger Espinoza, Jeremy Hall
Bobby Convey, Jose Burciaga, Lee Morrison, Eddie Gaven, Chris Wingert, Tim Ward, Nathan Sturgis, Amaechi Igwe, Dominic Cervi, Jean Alexandre
Stephen Armstrong, Rodrigo Faria, Hemir Neibles, Arturo Alvarez, Josh Gardner, Jamie Watson, Jed Zayner, John Michael Hayden, Rob Valentino, Stefan Frei
Rusty Pierce, Devin Barclay, Shalrie Joseph, Doug Warren, Ned Grabavoy, Christian Jimenez, Jeff Curtin, Abdus Ibrahim, David Horst, George John
Peter Byaruhanga, Bryan Namoff, Jordan Stone, Jason Thompson, Adolfo Gregorio, Michael Enfield, Justin Moore, Brad Evans, Shea Salinas, Ryan Maxwell
Justin Evans, Brian Ching, Danny Jackson, Scot Thompson, Adrian Cann, Ryan Pore, Lance Watson, Robbie Findley, Eric Brunner, Evan Brown

Rookie of the Year selections bolded