217 replies to this topic

[Infield Infidel]

So upon reading about the MLS SUPERDraft, I was surprised to see this noted about overall #1 pick Omar Salgado

While he'll be training every day, when Salgado can make his professional debut isn't yet clear. According to FIFA rules, a player under the age of 18 can't play in a country in which his parents don't reside. That would include Canada, even though it shares a league with the U.S., where Salgado's parents live. The club is hoping for a waiver from FIFA. Failing that, it'll have to wait on Salgado until he turns 18 in September.

Is "a player under the age of 18 can't play in a country in which his parents don't reside" the letter of the rule? If so, and if he doesn't get the waiver, what would stop him from playing in just road matches in the US?

[MiracleOfO2704]

I'd say the big thing that'd keep that from happening is training. Unless the Whitecaps decide to train in Washington State, he probably wouldn't be able to practice with the team. And if he is allowed to practice, the team can fire back at FIFA, saying that he spends 40-50 hours a week in training with the club in Vancouver, but can't play in matches there or in Toronto on a technicality.

[Infield Infidel]

didn't realize that Akron has 5 players in the top 8 drafted.

[Titans Bastard]

The under-18 rule was created to prevent exploitative trafficking of youth players. It doesn't seem to be rigidly enforced, but it does pop up from time to time. Sometimes you'll see American youth players going pro in Europe after HS, but they can't sign until they turn 18.

In the context of MLS, it doesn't make any sense so hopefully he gets a waiver.


Caleb Porter has really built up the Akron program. He has another good recruiting class coming in, but I can't imagine Akron will be anywhere near as good after losing seven starters to the draft. Hopefully they continue to try to play the passing game that is so rare in college soccer.



There are going to be some solid players in this draft as always, but the draft will continue to decrease in importance as MLS teams scoop up more and more of their current and former academy players under the Homegrown Player rules.

[Billy R Ford]

The Galaxy have officially signed Juan Pablo Angel. With him their attack once again looks to be one of the strongest in the league, despite losing Edson Buddle: Donovan, Angel, Beckham, Juninho is pretty much as good as it gets in MLS. I suppose it's unfortunate that "as it good as it gets" still includes two 35-year-olds, but still.

[steeplechase3k]

Schedule is out:
http://www.mlssoccer...hedule/2011-mar

[steeplechase3k]

My travel destinations following the Timbers...

Denver: should be about 200 Timbers fans there.

Seattle: we are limited to 500, but if it weren't for that we could have over 1000.

Vancouver: also limited to 500, probably could have 750+ if no limit.

I'd also been hoping to go to San Jose but that is the weekend before the Red Sox are in Seattle and that's more important. And coming to see the Timbers against the Revs is out this year, it's just too soon after I'm going to Colorado.

Sunday July 10th: when the Red Sox game is over, tune into ESPN, Portland is hosting Seattle.

[Titans Bastard]

The addition of the Portland and Vancouver fanbases is really going to add a lot of energy to the league. I am really looking forward to all of the Portland vs. Seattle vs. Vancouver matches and Vancouver vs. Toronto will be a big deal, too, especially since they've already built up bad blood in the Canadian Championship over the past few years.

I am also impressed with Kansas City. They missed the playoffs last year, but they got better as the year went along. They had a nice group of attackers and wing players in their 4-3-3 and that was before they brought in Omar Bravo. If they can shore up their defense this year, they should be pretty good. Their FO has also been doing yeoman's work with the franchise by getting a new stadium and totally rejuvenating the fanbase. They've reportedly sold 9000 season tickets already, which isn't much less than KC's average attendance in 2010.

Nonetheless, the balance of power should remain in the Western Conference. Salt Lake and Dallas are still probably the two deepest teams in the league and LA is going to be very good again. Phildelphia, Columbus, Chicago, DC, Toronto, and NE are weaker or still re-building and don't figure to be title challengers.


The Revs still suck. They've been a little busier on the international market, so it's possible that the squad could aspire to mid-table mediocrity this year.

[Titans Bastard]

For those interested, the US domestic season kicks off tonight with a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg: Salt Lake @ Columbus (8pm on FSC)

It's not likely to be of the highest quality considering both teams are essentially in pre-season mode. Furthermore, it's February in Columbus, OH and the game isn't part of the season ticket AFAIK so the atmosphere will be less than stellar. However, it's a competitive match and we haven't had one of those in a while.


It's worth noting that these teams have an unusual opportunity here. All four Mexican teams that reached the quarterfinals were all drawn in the same half, so the winner of this home-and-away will play the winner of the Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) - Olimpia (Honduras) QF for a shot at the final.

The winner of the CCL will earn a spot in the Club World Cup in Japan. An MLS team hasn't reached the CONCACAF final since the Galaxy beat Olimpia in 2000, which pre-dated the existence of the CWC.


Historically, MLS teams have been apathetic about international competition, but in the last few years that has started to change for a variety of reasons. Growing fanbases have become restive regarding the pathetic effort put into CONCACAF play -- New England being a particularly heinous offender after playing its home match in 2006 in Bermuda and then in 2008 lost 4-0 at home in a qualifier against Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago, a game in which the team perfected the art of metaphorically taking an enormous, steaming dump on the field.

More importantly, the expansion of rosters and improvement of team depth have allowed MLS teams to be more effective and clubs have realized that success on the international stage is an avenue to improve the league's credibility and reputation.

Salt Lake probably takes it more seriously than anyone else. Personally, I think the international experience of the CCL is really valuable for MLS teams, although the tournament has't developed into a truly compelling one yet.

However, there have been some very good matches along the way, including Real Salt Lake's games against Cruz Azul:

RSL's heartbreaking 5-4 loss in Mexico City in a torrential downpour. I didn't see the match live, but it's still one of the craziest games I'm aware of:



RSL's 3-1 win in front of a packed house to clinch 1st place in the group (first time an MLS team won their group since the format was introduced in 2008-09):

[AusTexSoxFan]

My travel destinations following the Timbers...

Denver: should be about 200 Timbers fans there.

Seattle: we are limited to 500, but if it weren't for that we could have over 1000.

Vancouver: also limited to 500, probably could have 750+ if no limit.

I'd also been hoping to go to San Jose but that is the weekend before the Red Sox are in Seattle and that's more important. And coming to see the Timbers against the Revs is out this year, it's just too soon after I'm going to Colorado.

Sunday July 10th: when the Red Sox game is over, tune into ESPN, Portland is hosting Seattle.

How is Eddie Johnson (the English one) doing in preseason? I watched alot of him last year when he was with the Austin Aztex. Good goalscorer, but it seems like Portland have about 10 strikers in the stable right now.

[steeplechase3k]

How is Eddie Johnson (the English one) doing in preseason? I watched alot of him last year when he was with the Austin Aztex. Good goalscorer, but it seems like Portland have about 10 strikers in the stable right now.

I haven't seen a ton from him, and Portland does have a ton of talent up front. The Timbers are also a bit thin in the midfield so it's looking (to fans) like they are going to be playing a 4-3-3. I talked to Johnson when he was introduced as a signing, and he was really nice, but I'm not sure how much playing time he'll get with all the other guys ahead of him. However the Achilles injury to Bright Dike will move Johnson up on the depth chart.

Also, I've now heard that the 107ist (the official supports trust supporting the Timbers) has sold almost 300 bus/match tickets. We are arraigning a bus to take us from the downtown hotels to the stadium. I've been told that one of the flights (on United I think) had over 60 Timbers fans on it. I'm flying a Southwest flight that has about 40-50 I think.

[Billy R Ford]

Summary of the new playoff format (10 out of the 18 teams make the playoffs):

[SoxFanInCali]

Are the conferences locked, or can you still have a Western Conference team win the Eastern Conference title?

I realize the only way to get any TV coverage in the US is to have playoffs, but really? 10 of 18 make it? Ridiculous.

[Billy R Ford]

The wild card spots are floating, so yes, that can still happen. The new system does make it a little less likely though- I heard it pointed out that under the new system, Colorado and San Jose would have met in one of the wild card play-ins last year, rather than the Eastern Conference Finals.

[Titans Bastard]

Are the conferences locked, or can you still have a Western Conference team win the Eastern Conference title?

I realize the only way to get any TV coverage in the US is to have playoffs, but really? 10 of 18 make it? Ridiculous.

It's excessive.

I support playoffs in MLS because we need them to keep the season interesting. There's no relegation battle at the bottom of the league and the side competitions aren't important enough. The US Open Cup is an irrelevant sideshow to all but the most hardcore fans and the CONCACAF Champions League doesn't exactly hold the cachet of the Champions League or Copa Libertadores. I wouldn't want to see playoffs in Euro leagues, but I'm a firm believer that each country should figure out what works best for themselves rather than mindlessly copying what's done in England (or wherever).

Furthermore, I'm pleased with the development of the Supporters Shield (regular season champion) as an award that carries some legitimate weight in its own right.


All that said, 10 out of 18 is too much and it's not a very popular decision. I was happy to see the league progress from grotesque absurdity of 8-out-of-10 from 1996-7 and 2002-04 to finally hitting the 50% mark last year with 8-out-of-16. This is a step back as it opens the door for too many undeserving mediocre teams.



BTW, I really don't think TV coverage has much to do with it.

[Zososoxfan]

How does everyone feel about switching to a traditional league format - i.e. no playoffs? I know the conventional wisdom is that you need playoffs in the US, but I think it makes sense to conform on this point, since the people who follow MLS almost invariably follow international leagues as well. Yes, I am purposefully trying to open a can of worms. Own thread perhaps?

[finnVT]

I'd hate it. Image what the premier league would be like right now if there were no relegation, and no Europe spots to qualify for. There would be two games worth watching each weekend: Man U and Arsenal vs whoever they're playing. As Titans Bastard posted, the cups and CCL qualifying aren't exciting enough for the good, but not best, teams, and without relegation there's nothing for the bottom half of the league to play for.

[Billy R Ford]

I wouldn't like it either; with the Revs this season, I'm basically hoping that with a successful midsummer signing or two and a lot of luck, they can compete for the last wild card spot. Without playoffs, the scenario becomes a fight tooth and nail for mid-table mediocrity, which has much less of a ring to it. Like TB and finn said, the playoffs give teams something to play for.

When MLS tries to follow international traditions, they end up doing things like naming a team in a country that calls the sport soccer "Football Club" or create a reserve league weaker than college ball. Until promotion/relegation and CCL spots give low-and-mid-table clubs something to play for (and for now, this is not feasible), the playoff system is necessary for MLS to stay viable.

[SoxFanInCali]

I don't have a problem with a playoff system, but I do have a problem with over half the league making it.

It's good that certain international standards have come into American soccer, like the total goals over 2 legs replacing a best-of-three games, but until there are other things at stake (continental tournament qualification, relegation, etc.) they can't really go to a single table with no playoff.

[Infield Infidel]

I'd rather they just put all 18 teams in the MLS Cup. Seed them according to record, start games mid-Sept, play in games for 15/18 and 16/17, then two legs until the final.

[Titans Bastard]

I wouldn't like it either; with the Revs this season, I'm basically hoping that with a successful midsummer signing or two and a lot of luck, they can compete for the last wild card spot. Without playoffs, the scenario becomes a fight tooth and nail for mid-table mediocrity, which has much less of a ring to it. Like TB and finn said, the playoffs give teams something to play for.

When MLS tries to follow international traditions, they end up doing things like naming a team in a country that calls the sport soccer "Football Club" or create a reserve league weaker than college ball. Until promotion/relegation and CCL spots give low-and-mid-table clubs something to play for (and for now, this is not feasible), the playoff system is necessary for MLS to stay viable.

The reserve league is back, baby, and it's going to be better than ever!

Seriously, though, the first incarnation of the reserve league was a farce, but I'm very optimistic that the new version will be effective. First, there are extended rosters and MLS teams have been banned from using local "guest players" to make up the numbers. Second, it provides a place for young players to play if they aren't ready for first team action. Third, this provides an incentive for MLS teams to sign young players in the first place. Fourth, the already sizable number of homegrown players means that the back-end of rosters are filled by actual prospects and not talentless sixth-round draft picks. Fifth, the NCAA changed its rules so that amateur academy players can appear in these games without jeopardizing college ability. This will allow teams to plug holes with real players, if necessary, and to evaluate potential homegrown signings on a higher level than the U18 league.

I don't have a problem with a playoff system, but I do have a problem with over half the league making it.

It's good that certain international standards have come into American soccer, like the total goals over 2 legs replacing a best-of-three games, but until there are other things at stake (continental tournament qualification, relegation, etc.) they can't really go to a single table with no playoff.

Yeah, it's too much.

BTW, I do have some reservations about the home-and-away format in the playoffs. I feel that it doesn't give higher-seeded teams enough of an advantage and I think that those teams should be rewarded for a superior performance in the regular season.

Edited by Titans Bastard, 02 March 2011 - 12:07 AM.

[Phil Plantier]

and then in 2008 lost 4-0 at home in a qualifier against Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago, a game in which the team perfected the art of metaphorically taking an enormous, steaming dump on the field

This was the first and only CONCACAF champions league match I ever watched. Hopefully the MLS roster size can expand enough and fans get agitated enough that MLS clubs take it seriously.

[dirtynine]

RSL beat Columbus last night and are through to the CCL semis. They'll play the winner of Olimpia / Saprissa.

[Titans Bastard]

This was the first and only CONCACAF champions league match I ever watched. Hopefully the MLS roster size can expand enough and fans get agitated enough that MLS clubs take it seriously.

Some do, some don't. The situation has gotten miles better just in the last two years. That's not to say MLS clubs are going to see a ton of success since top Mexican clubs are still of higher quality. There are fewer all-reserve lineups and you don't see teams dogging it anymore.

I doubt the Revs' attitude has changed, but their ownership/management is so shitty that they aren't in danger of making the CONCACAF CL anytime soon.

RSL beat Columbus last night and are through to the CCL semis. They'll play the winner of Olimpia / Saprissa.

It's a minor miracle that RSL pulled 15,000 fans for a non-league game on March 1. They have a great opportunity to make the final. Olimpia and Saprissa aren't chopped liver, but it's a very winnable matchup.

[javaisfun]

It was an excellent game to attend.

RSL does so much right: the style of play is best in MLS, the stadium is beautiful, the marketing is well done, and fans show up. The entire experience is always very fun.

[SoxFanInPdx]

RSL is a lot of fun to watch. Was hoping that they would repeat last year. I'm a Timbers fan and season ticket holder like Steeplechase and the RSL match is one of the matches I'm looking very forward to.

Going up for the Cascadia Summit (4th & 5th) tomorrow. The Timbers will be playing matches against the Sounders and Whitecaps, there will be a great turnout. All of those matches can be watched on each team's website for those that want to take a peek.

[Titans Bastard]

Dallas signs Fabian Castillo


This is very impressive work from Dallas. Castillo is a top player on Colombia's U20 team who has already done well in the Colombian league with Deportivo Cali. Usually, guys like this get snapped up by European clubs, so the fact that an MLS club was able to sign him should raise eyebrows.

MLS will always get the most bang for its buck by signing players from Latin America, rather than Europe. There has been a big influx of Colombians lately, in part because a number of clubs down there are experiencing financial issues. I'm glad to see the league taking advantage.


Dallas may have been able to pull off this coup through the help of the connections of their Colombian academy director, Oscar Pareja. He's building quite a reputation for himself as Dallas' academy is probably the most-respected in the country and has already produced six senior team players (only two of whom are eligible for the US, unfortunately -- 3 of the other 4 are good enough to be playing for Mexican youth national teams). I don't know how much longer Dallas will be able to hold onto him.

FC Dallas now has two fantastic prospects at forward in Castillo and their academy product Ruben Luna, who was recently called up to the Mexican U20 team.

[Billy R Ford]

Unintentionally funny tweet from Revolution rookie Alan Koger:

Pretty amazing playing in front of 4k+.......feels good to get the W!

[Titans Bastard]

The season kicks off tomorrow with LA @ Seattle, which should be a good game since the Galaxy and the Sounders are shaping up to be two of the better teams. The rest of the league begins the season over the weekend. The Revs open on the road against LA on Sunday.


Once again, the Western Conference should be dominant. I like the way Salt Lake, Dallas, and LA are looking and I think that Seattle, Colorado, and San Jose should be good, too. The two expansion teams will be dicey -- especially Vancouver -- and Chivas USA is (as always) a project, but the top six look solid.

The Eastern Conference is much more wide open. New York has a ton of talent and have to be considered heavy favorites considering the lack of competition. Chicago and Columbus have lost of a ton of players and may take a step back. I think Philly will be improved with a better GK situation and a lot of young talent that should only get better in year two. With the East getting three playoff spots automatically, I think the Union are contenders. I'd tab KC as a contender as well, especially if their defense holds up. They have a great stable of forwards -- Omar Bravo, Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara, Ryan Smith, C.J. Sapong -- and they should do well in a weak conference.

NE, DC, and Houston (who have been moved East for the time being) are re-tooling and are big question marks. DC added Charlie Davies, Dax McCarty and Perry Kitchen, which should give them big upgrades along their spine. They have weaknesses, but things could come together. Toronto is a mystery. They still have a million empty roster spots, so it's pointless to predict how they'll do until they finish signing people. Well, it's not pointless: they'll probably suck.





Also tomorrow: RSL hosts Deportivo Saprissa in the first leg of the CCL semifinals. Both teams play very well at home, so it will be important for RSL to go down to Costa Rica with a lead. The winner plays Monterrey or Cruz Azul in the final.

[CPT Neuron]

Twellman has been spending too much time with the fat guy on TV, Gresh I think....he is starting to sound like him, and it doesn't fit him at all. He is much brighter than Gresh, even if it was a plethora of concussions that led to his early retirement. His commentary tonight was almost unwatchably bitter and douchey.

[Titans Bastard]

Twellman has been spending too much time with the fat guy on TV, Gresh I think....he is starting to sound like him, and it doesn't fit him at all. He is much brighter than Gresh, even if it was a plethora of concussions that led to his early retirement. His commentary tonight was almost unwatchably bitter and douchey.

I didn't mind Twellman, but that was mainly because he was the only guy willing to tear Beckham a new asshole.


I watched a bit of the Real Salt Lake/Deportivo Saprissa game and thought that RSL looked much better than either LA or Seattle. In fairness, RSL has already played two competition matches. Still....I think they are going to be very, very good this year.

[steeplechase3k]

9pm Eastern on Saturday on Fox Soccer Channel: Portland Timbers @ Colorado Rapids.

As of now there are about 400 Timbers fans that have purchased a match ticket/seat on a bus from Downtown out to the stadium (a week and a half ago it was more like 325). Also the Timbers Army have sold 3,000 GA season tickets for the Supporters sections, leaving only 500 available for day of game sales.

Also (just to brag about the TA a little bit more this is a video that we produced)

[Billy R Ford]

Charlie Davies with a brace in his first game:



Revs opening day is tonight, they're missing a few of their expected regulars and away at the Galaxy, so they're heavy underdogs.

[nickandemmasuncle]

Revs opening day is tonight, they're missing a few of their expected regulars and away at the Galaxy, so they're heavy underdogs.

Revs luck their way to a 1-1 draw in a downpour (!) in LA. Shalrie on a close-range header from a cross out wide after 3 minutes. Then Juninho tied it up on a long-range blast a little before halftime. I thought that Juninho's goal was actually a little soft. When the shot was taken, Reis was standing right where the ball ended up entering the goal, but he actually moved out of the way of it and it flew past him. Don't know if he incorrectly anticipated that the shot would have more movement than it actually did.

Refs were a big factor, too. LA had 1 goal incorrectly disallowed (for a phantom foul on Reis) and 2 others correctly disallowed. They also had a pretty strong claim for a penalty--a Revs' defender (Coria, I think) made a sliding tackle in the penalty area, and as he was trying to get to his feet afterward, the ball rattled around between his body and his arm--but there was no call.

On top of that, I think there was one more underappreciated but still significant way in which the ref screwed LA over. On the play that created the corner that led to the Revs' goal, Schilawski ripped down a Galaxy defender with two hands to get to the ball. That's a foul 100 times out of 100, but the ref ignored it, Schilawski battled his way to a corner, and it ended up costing LA.

In any case, getting a point off of LA in LA is a nice little prize for the Revs.

EDIT: Omitted the word "correctly".

Edited by nickandemmasuncle, 20 March 2011 - 10:28 PM.

[Titans Bastard]

EP Sox Fan will be pleased to know that the Vancouver Whitecaps received FIFA clearance to use Omar Salgado this season. He had been barred from playing until his 18th birthday since that would have constituted an international transfer. That's silly in the context of MLS and I'm glad the rule was waived in this situation.

The Whitecaps don't have a ton of forwards, so Salgado should be in contention for playing time even at age 17. For the time being, he is with the US U-20 team that is about to embark on the WCQ tournament in Guatemala.

[javaisfun]

Random note: I can't begin to tell you what a special team RSL are at home. They haven't lost in 36 straight at home, dating back 21 months. It's an incredible streak, and they play with such flair... The first half(3-0) of their 4-1 win tonight over LA Galaxy was incredible soccer, some of the best I've seen in MLS. The Galaxy were poor, sure, but sensational passing and pressure shut LA out. Fantastic performance in front of a sell-out crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium.

[Titans Bastard]

Random note: I can't begin to tell you what a special team RSL are at home. They haven't lost in 36 straight at home, dating back 21 months. It's an incredible streak, and they play with such flair... The first half(3-0) of their 4-1 win tonight over LA Galaxy was incredible soccer, some of the best I've seen in MLS. The Galaxy were poor, sure, but sensational passing and pressure shut LA out. Fantastic performance in front of a sell-out crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium.

If Jason Kreis can keep this going for another few years, he'll be a legitimate contender for the US job down the road. He does have to prove that he's not a one-hit wonder with this particular group of players. The early returns, however, are very promising.

[DukeSox]

for someone who perhaps hasn't touched a soccer ball in 10 years, he could have been worse I suppose.

http://espn.go.com/s...ys-kc-scrimmage

[Zomp]

Hey religious MLS followers,

I decided to buy a 3 game pack from the Revs, and I can pick any 3 games I want to go to. LA and NY are the givens, what should the third be?

[Pxer]

-delete me- brain fart

Edited by Pxer, 29 March 2011 - 09:50 PM.

[Phil Plantier]

what should the third be?

I would pick Salt Lake - they seem to have team with the most buzz. MIght be cold on a Saturday night in April, but that would be my pick.

[Titans Bastard]

Hey religious MLS followers,

I decided to buy a 3 game pack from the Revs, and I can pick any 3 games I want to go to. LA and NY are the givens, what should the third be?

I agree with the above. Salt Lake, without a doubt. They play the game the way it is supposed to be played and their style is very effective, too. They have top-end players and they have good depth. There's a lot to like.

[SoxFanInPdx]

I'm partial to the Timbers of course, but RSL is the cream of the crop now and has been for a few seasons actually.

A little info on RSL for you Zomp...


36 unbeaten at home now, all-time record in MLS by a hefty margin.
15 unbeaten in regular season, 4 short of the all-time record in MLS

Edited by SoxFanInPdx, 30 March 2011 - 12:14 PM.

[Zomp]

Real Salt Lake is the same night I am going to a wedding, so no dice.

I actually can't go to a game til May because of my schedule, and I'd prefer Saturday nights.

[Titans Bastard]

Real Salt Lake is the same night I am going to a wedding, so no dice.

I actually can't go to a game til May because of my schedule, and I'd prefer Saturday nights.

May 7 vs. Colorado

Sep 10 vs. Dallas

would be my picks that fit your criteria.

Last year's MLS Cup contestants. Colorado won, but Dallas was the better team over the season. The Rapids have one of the best strike partnerships in the league in Conor Casey and Omar Cummings and they were fortunate not to lose the latter to Aston Villa this offseason when he was denied a work permit.

Dallas has been doing all the right things. They are laden with fringe US national team players as well as stand out Colombians including last year's MVP David Ferreira and their new acquisition Fabian Castillo who is a star on Colombia's U-20 team. Rumor is that Dallas paid $800k for Castillo, which is shocking money by MLS standards. Dallas also has the most prolific academy in the league having signed six players to the first team already and so far their crown jewel is a forward named Ruben Luna, who is a Mexican U20 international.

[Titans Bastard]

Two quality goals from Teal Bunbury this week:

http://www.mlssoccer...d=1822&id=13333

Outstanding comeback for the Whitecaps, too. They are actually looking halfway decent.


I think Bunbury has a really bright future. He has all the physical tools and he has the genes and the soccer brain that you would expect from a pro soccer player's son. I expect to see him on the Gold Cup team -- and a stagnating Jozy Altidore's place is ripe for the taking.


Agudelo has been getting all the press lately and while I think he deserves it, don't sleep on Bunbury.

[Billy R Ford]

Salt Lake is through to the CONCACAF Champions League Final, playing either Monterrey or Cruz Azul. The second leg for those two is tonight at 8, with Monterrey leading 2-1 after the first. The final will also be a two-legged tie played April 19th and 26th.


In other big news from MLS Andy Najar is going to be playing for Honduras, not the US, which is not entirely surprising but still disappointing. On one of these threads we discussed the US' inability to develop any true wingers- well, Najar is a winger, and a quality one, who would likely have had a future for the MNT.


As for the Revs, they've been playing much more poorly than their unbeaten record may suggest. A draw in the rain at LA, a ref-assisted win vs DC, and finally, in fair conditions, a draw with the expansion Timbers. Too many squad players in the starting eleven: guys like Pat Phelan, Zak Boggs, and apparently Kevin Alston belong in the USL. On the bright side, we've yet to see their full first team due to injuries, and they (may have) signed a Danish striker who should score a few goals. Tonight's match at another expansion team, Vancouver, should reveal more about where the squad stands.

[teejay1324]

The undefeated!, Revs added a striker from Denmark today, Rajko Lekic. He's 29 and has a pretty good goal scoring record in his career. Apparently he isn't going to be a designated player. The Bent Musket has been covering this signing for at least the past week or so and has all the details on Lekic and the signing itself, which became official today but I don't know if he'll be ready to go tomorrow night against RSL. Seems like a great move though, the guy that runs Bent Musket feels that he'll immediately be their best striker.

[Titans Bastard]

the guy that runs Bent Musket feels that he'll immediately be their best striker.

Being the best striker on the Revs is akin to being the tallest in a family of midgets. Even if Lekic turns out well, it's a day late and a dollar short from the LA Clippers of MLS.

[teejay1324]

Being the best striker on the Revs is akin to being the tallest in a family of midgets. Even if Lekic turns out well, it's a day late and a dollar short from the LA Clippers of MLS.

Yea, it is an improvement though, at least. They are a frustrating team to watch.