Major League Soccer

[WAHBCUSportsFan]

Who won it all?

[EPJr]

PORTLAND TIMBERS
1. FC Dallas MF Dax McCarty
(FCD protects MF Daniel Hernandez)
2. Columbus D Eric Brunner
(Crew protects MF Kevin Burns)
3. Columbus MF Adam Moffat
(Crew no longer subject to selections)
4. Colorado D Anthony Wallace
(Rapids protect MF Wells Thompson)
5. Real Salt Lake D David Horst
(RSL protects MF Collen Warner)
6. Real Salt Lake F Robbie Findley*
(RSL no longer subject to selections)
7. Chicago MF Peter Lowry
(Fire protects D Dasan Robinson)
8. Chivas USA D Jonathan Bornstein*
(Chivas no longer subject to selections)
9. D.C. United D Jordan Graye
(United protects MF Kurt Morsink)
10. San Jose MF Arturo Alvarez
(Earthquakes no longer subject to selections)

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
1. Seattle MF Sanna Nyassi
(Sounders protect D Patrick Ianni)
2. Dallas F Atiba Harris
(FCD no longer subject to selections)
3. Seattle MF Nathan Sturgis
(Sounders no longer subject to selections)
4. Philadelphia MF Shea Salinas
(Union protects GK Chris Seitz)
5. Chivas USA F Alan Gordon
(Chivas protects D Mariano Trujillo)
6. Toronto F O'Brian White
(TFC protects MF Julian de Guzman)
7. Philadelphia F Alejandro Moreno
(Union no longer subject to selections)
8. San Jose GK Joe Cannon
(Earthquakes protect D Tim Ward)
9. Kansas City D Jonathan Leathers
(Wizards protect GK Eric Kronberg)
10. Chicago MF John Thorrington

*Findley is looking to sign with a club outside of MLS. Bornstein is headed to Tigres in Mexico. Portland will maintain their MLS rights.

Graye, 23, has been affiliated with United since 2001, when he joined the youth academy. He started at the University of North Carolina and was D.C.'s fourth-round draft pick last winter. Beset by injuries, United used him at left and right back for 20 starts. His 1,662 minutes were fifth most on the club.

[Neymar]

WOW WOW cool thread. Didnt even know MLS had African American fans!!

Sort of out there, but my aunt took her husband and kids to camp nou(largest stadium in Europe) to see messi and the great Barcelona team play

[EPJr]

List of 35 players include big names like Angel, Schelotto, Wolff

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer has released the list of 35 players eligible for the first ever Re-Entry Draft, which will be held over two stages on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.

The following players were required to meet age and service requirements to participate as stipulated by the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

RE-ENTRY DRAFT PLAYER LIST

Chivas USA: Marcelo Saragosa (option declined), Alex Zotinca (option declined)

Colorado Rapids: Claudio Lopez (option declined), Ciaran O'Brien (option declined), Peter Vagenas (option declined)

Columbus Crew: Frankie Hejduk (option declined), Duncan Oughton (option declined), Gino Padula (option declined), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (option declined)

FC Dallas: Jeff Cunningham (option declined), Dario Sala (option declined)

D.C. United: Jaime Moreno (option declined)

Houston Dynamo: Ryan Cochrane (option declined), Richard Mulrooney (option declined), Joseph Ngwenya (option declined), Pat Onstad (option declined), Adrian Serioux (option declined)

Los Angeles Galaxy: Jovan Kirovski (option declined), Dema Kovalenko (option declined)

New England Revolution: Preston Burpo (option declined), Nico Colaluca (option declined), Cory Gibbs (option declined), Khano Smith (option declined)

New York Red Bulls: Juan Pablo Angel (option declined), Luke Sassano (option declined), Carey Talley (option declined)

Philadelphia Union: Fred Carreiro (out of contract), Chris Seitz (option declined)

San Jose Earthquakes: Khari Stephenson (option declined)

Seattle Sounders: Tyrone Marshall (option declined)

Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Conrad (out of contract), Aaron Hohlbein (out of contract), Josh Wolff (option declined)

Toronto FC: Nick Garcia (option declined)

League Pool Goalkeeper: Chris Sharpe (option declined)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-unveils-players-re-entry-draft

[EPJr]

Timbers, Alaska Airlines Unveil 2011 Jerseys


PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers and Alaska Airlines, official jersey partner of the MLS club, today unveiled the team’s official uniforms, training wear and apparel line that will be featured during the Timbers’ inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in 2011. 

Dubbed “Runway on the Runway,” the event was held in the 64,000-square-foot hangar of Alaska Airlines’ sister carrier, Horizon Air, at Portland International Airport. Timbers players and Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees revealed the team’s official look to some 1,000 fans and supporters. To further mark the occasion, Alaska Airlines unveiled a specially themed Boeing 737-700 emblazoned with “Proud Jersey Sponsor” alongside the team logo and iconic green, yellow and white Timbers scarf.

The team’s primary jersey, produced by adidas, the official athletic sponsor and product supplier of MLS since the league’s inception in 1996, features a Ponderosa green that pays tribute to the Timbers’ rich history and exciting future in MLS. The body fabric, which prominently displays the Alaska Airlines logo and Timbers primary logo, is specially engineered with the Timbers signature chevron repeating down the middle, tying together the two shades of green that make up the body of the shirt. The classic look reflects the diversity of color one would see in a lush Oregon forest.

http://www.portlandmls2011.com/news/2010/12/timbers-alaska-airlines-unveil-2011-jerseys-official-team-apparel-during-runway-runway-

[EPJr]

With the MLS SuperDraft just a month away, MLS announced on Thursday morning the initial list of college seniors who have been invited to the 2011 adidas MLS Player Combine.

The 54 college seniors named come from 36 Division I schools. They were selected by a panel of Division I coaches in conjunction with MLS coaches.

The list boasts many college standouts, including nine players from the four teams competing in this coming weekend's College Cup: J.T. Murray (Louisville); Justin Meram (Michigan); Anthony Ampaipitakwong (pictured above) and Christopher Korb (Akron); and Eddie Ababio, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Farfan, Stephen McCarthy and Dustin McCarty (UNC).

This is just the initial list of invitees. More players, including those from the Generation adidas program, Division II and II schools, and NAIA schools, will be added in the coming weeks.

The combine is set to take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 7-11. wwww.MLSsoccer.com will have full coverage of the combine games and profiles of many of the players.

Adidas MLS Player Combine list by position

GOALKEEPERS (5):
Bryan Meredith (Monmouth); Jeff Attinella (University of South Florida); Jimmy Maurer (South Carolina); Joe Willis (University of Denver); Josh Ford (UConn)

DEFENDERS (17):
 A.J. Soares (California); Bilal Duckett (Notre Dame); Bobby Warshaw (Stanford); Christopher Korb (Akron); Colin Givens (Michigan State); Curtis Ushedo (UAB); Demitrius Omphroy (California); Eddie Ababio (UNC); Greg Klazura (Notre Dame); Greg King (UConn); Indy Smith (UNC Wilmington); Jalil Anibaba (UNC); J.T. Murray (Louisville); Juan Cruz (SMU); Michael Boxall (UCSB); Rich Balchan (Indiana); Tyler Lassiter (North Carolina State)

MIDFIELDERS (21):
Anthony Ampaipitakwong (Akron); Blake Brettschneider (South Carolina); Cole Grossman (Duke); Daniel Keat (Dartmouth); Dustin McCarty (UNC); Ernesto Carranza (Sacramento State); Guillermo Cortes (Maryland); Hector Jimenez (California); Jimmy Banks (Green Bay); John "Jeb" Brovsky (Notre Dame); Jon Okafor (Brown); Josue Soto (SMU); Karl Reddick (Boston College); Konrad Warzycha (Ohio State); Lebogang Pila (St. Peter's College); Matheus Braga (Penn State); Matt Gold (Ohio State); Michael Farfan (UNC); Servando Carrasco (California); Stephen McCarthy (UNC); Tommy Drake (Clemson)

FORWARDS (11):
Amani Walker (UCI); Ashley McInnes (Tulsa); Brayan Martinez (Seton Hall University); CJ Sapong (James madison); Davis Paul (California); Efrain Burgos (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), Jason Herrick (Maryland); Justin Meram (Michigan); Levi Houapeu (UMBC); Philip Bannister (Loyola University Maryland); Steven Perry (Notre Dame)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-announces-initial-list-adidas-mls-player-combine-invitees

[EPJr]

The Portland Timbers and Alaska Airlines joined together Thursday to reveal the soccer team's new uniforms and clothing line at a fan and media event in a Horizon Airlines maintenance hangar at Portland International Airport. To begin the event, an Alaska 737 jet, complete with Timbers' logo.

[EPJr]

RE-ENTRY STAGE 2 DRAFT PLAYER LIST

Chivas USA: Marcelo Saragosa, Alex Zotinca
Colorado Rapids: Claudio Lopez, Ciaran O'Brien, Peter Vagenas
Columbus Crew: Frankie Hejduk, Duncan Oughton, Gino Padula, Guillermo Barros Schelotto
FC Dallas: Jeff Cunningham, Dario Sala
D.C. United: Jaime Moreno
Houston Dynamo: Ryan Cochrane, Richard Mulrooney, Pat Onstad, Adrian Serioux
Los Angeles Galaxy: Dema Kovalenko
New England Revolution: Preston Burpo, Nico Colaluca, Cory Gibbs, Khano Smith
New York Red Bulls: Juan Pablo Angel, Luke Sassano, Carey Talley
Philadelphia Union: Fred, Chris Seitz
San Jose Earthquakes: Khari Stephenson
Seattle Sounders: Tyrone Marshall
Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Conrad, Josh Wolff
Toronto FC: Nick Garcia
League Pool Goalkeeper: Chris Sharpe

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-unveils-players-stage-2-re-entry-draft

[EPJr]

MLS expands international scouting network
League adds rep from Asia to foster growth between MLS, AFC


NEW YORK – Colorado Rapids right back Kosuke Kimura became the first and only Japanese player to win an MLS Cup title last month, and it generated significant media interest in his home country.

The San Jose Earthquakes will hope to find the next Kimura on Tuesday at the start of the J.League player combine. Head coach Frank Yallop and his assistant, Mark Watson, will both be in attendance to scout 150 J.League free agents in an event organized by the Japanese players' union.

The participation of the Quakes coaching staff is a direct result of the league’s expanding international scouting network. The latest addition is MLS Asian scouting coordinator Takehiko Nakamura, who will be looking to open a bigger door for players from the Asian Football Confederation to come through to ply their trade in MLS.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-expands-international-scouting-network

[EPJr]

Galaxy grabs Angel in busy MLS Re-Entry Draft


If you thought Wednesday's MLS Re-Entry Draft would be boring, you thought wrong.

MLS teams were extremely busy in the second phase of the MLS Re-Entry Draft, with eight players being taken. Juan Pablo Angel was the biggest name among the selections, being taken by Bruce Arena and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Arena was New York's head coach when Angel first signed with the Red Bulls.

The Galaxy moved up in the Re-Entry Draft order by trading with the Houston Dynamo to move up to the fifth pick. When Philadelphia passed on taking Angel, it cleared the way for Arena to take the forward he helped bring to MLS from England.

D.C. United made Josh Wolff the first player taken in the Re-Entry Draft and has reportedly already signed Wolff to a new contract.

Here are Wednesday's Re-Entry Draft Picks:

2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft (Part Two)
D.C. United- Josh Wolff

Chivas USA- Jimmy Conrad

New England Revolution- Ryan Cochrane

Los Angeles Galaxy- Juan Pablo Angel

Chicago Fire- Cory Gibbs

Sporting KC- Frankie Hejduk

Seattle Sounders- Chris Seitz

Columbus Crew- Jeff Cunningham

Los Angeles Galaxy- Luke Sassano

Colorado Rapids- Tyrone Marshall

New England Revolution- Fred

Teams must negotiate new contracts with the players chosen in Wednesday's Re-Entry Draft, meaning they don't become a part of their teams until a new deal is reached. D.C. United has reportedly already come to terms with Wolff.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/12/galaxy-grab-angel-in-busy-mls-re-entry-draft.html

[EPJr]

For Seattle fans, away ticket plan "a good start"

Plan allocates 500 tickets for traveling fans in Cascadia matches


Five hundred tickets will not meet the demand, but it’s a good start.

That was the general reaction in Seattle to Wednesday's announcement that 500 tickets will be set aside for traveling fans during 2011 MLS matches between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.

As anticipation builds for the Cascadia rivalry, many had hoped for more. However, a large majority of fans posting on message boards and fan sites considered it to be a good starting point.

“I would have liked to see more seats allocated for away fans, but 500 is better than 150,” wrote one commenter on the website Prost Amerika, echoing the comments of many Seattle-based supporters on message boards and comment threads.

Optimistically, some fans were hoping 5 percent of each stadium’s capacity — which is the amount recommended by FIFA — to be set aside for away support.

The news, which was announced nearly simultaneously by all three clubs, falls short of that mark, although it should be noted that 500 tickets represents a much larger ratio in Portland’s PGE Park and Vancouver’s temporary Empire Fields than it does in Seattle’s higher-capacity Qwest Field.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/seattle-fans-away-ticket-plan-good-start

[EPJr]

Timbers swap Cronin for DC stalwart Perkins

Former Goalkeeper of the Year set to man nets in Portland

The Portland Timbers made a dynamic move to shore up their position in goal for 2011 on Friday, trading current netminder Steve Cronin to D.C. United for former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Troy Perkins.

Perkins, who was named the league’s top goalkeeper in 2006 and won back-to-back Supporters’ Shields with DC in 2006 and 2007, also spent two seasons in Norway, where he helped lead Valerenga IF to the 2008 Norwegian Cup. He also won an MLS Cup with D.C. United in 2004, starting 16 games during the regular season that year.

“Today, we’ve acquired one of the best American goalkeepers in MLS,” Timbers head coach John Spencer said in a statement. “With his valuable MLS experience and proven leadership, Troy has the ability and character to make a huge impact in Portland. I am delighted to have him on board with us, and we feel we’ve taken another step in the right direction with our plans to build a very competitive group that can compete with the best in MLS in 2011.”

Timbers swap Cronin for DC stalwart Perkins | Major League Soccer

[Bison 4 Life]

DC United has just bottomed out. Ownership,management and players have all just stopped caring.

[EPJr]

DC United has just bottomed out. Ownership,management and players have all just stopped caring.

then they have no place to go but up
I like the decision to keep Ben on as coach

[EPJr]

Fans, start making plans for the middle of March.

Major League Soccer revealed the schedule for "First Kick 2011" — the entire opening week of the 2011 season. In fact, all home openers have been set.

"First Kick 2011" will feature a week of action among an unprecedented 18 clubs as expansion franchises in Portland and Vancouver join the fold. This coming season, all clubs will play a 34-game balanced scheduled in which every team will face every other team twice, home and away. Ten teams will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs


Tuesday, March 15
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, March 19
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/first-kick-home-openers-revealed-2011