MLS Hot Stove

Heading the list of recent trades and acquisition is Dwayne DeRosario who will leave the Houston Dynamo and return to his hometown Toronto. With both Nate Jaqua and DeRo gone, the Dynamo will be looking to acquire some offense this offseason. Here's a complete transaction/movment list by team as of Dec. 13:

Chicago Fire
OUT: Stephen King acquired by Seattle in expansion draft; Tomasz Frankowski and Andy Herron waived; Will Johnson traded to Real Salt Lake for conditional draft picks in 2009 and 2011.

Chivas USA
OUT: Alex Zotinca waived.

Colorado

OUT: Mike Petke and Tim Ward waived.

Columbus

OUT: Coach Sigi Schmid resigns; Brad Evans acquired by Seattle in expansion draft. IN: Stanley Nyazamba signed to developmental roster.

DC United

IN: Clyde Simms re-signed. OUT: Jeff Carroll waived.

FC Dallas

IN: Drew Moor and Dario Sala re-signed. OUT: Duilio Davino waived

Houston

OUT: Dwayne DeRosario traded to Toronto for Julius James and Allocation money; Nate Jaqua acquired by Seattle in expansion draft.

Kansas City

OUT: Tyson Wahl acquired by Seattle in expansion draft; Adam Cristman acquired from New England for allocation money and 3rd-round draft pick.

Los Angeles

OUT: Peter Vagenas acquired by Seattle in expansion draft. IN: Jovan Kirovski re-acquired from San Jose for 2010 supplemental draft pick; Tristan Bowen signed to developmental roster.

New England

OUT: Michael Parkhurst signed by Danish club FC Nordsjælland; Khano Smith acquired by Seattle in expansion draft; Doug Warren and Jose Angulo waived; Adam Cristman traded to Kansas City for allocation money and 3rd-round draft pick.

New York

OUT: Jeff Parke acquired by Seattle in expansion draft. IN: Mike Petke re-acquired in waiver draft.

Salt Lake

OUT: Nathan Sturgis acquired by Seattle in expansion draft. IN: Jamison Olave re-signed.

San Jose

OUT: James Riley acquired by Seattle in expansion draft; Jovan Kirovski traded to Los Angeles for 2010 supplemental draft pick.

Seattle

IN: Click here for updated roster for expansion Sounders.

Toronto

IN: Dwayne DeRosario acquired from Houston for player and allocation money. OUT: Julius James traded to Houston; Jarrod Smith acquired by Seattle in expansion draft.

Mönchen-not-so-glad-bach?

After reports that Monaco, Everton, Middlesbrough and Hamburg were duking it out for the right to sign U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley, it was the unlikely Mönchenbach who won out.

"We are confident that there will be no problems with the medical, and that the deal will be rubber stamped this afternoon," the German club's press officer Micheal Lessenich told Yanks Abroad on Monday.

The move could be an ego boosting one for Bradley, as American keeper Kasey Keller is a beloved figure for 'Gladbach and the fans will surely welcome another Yank with open arms. But professionally, Germany can be a black hole for American players. They don't garner any respect from the club managers, it seems, and they often find themselves struggling to get on the field or mired in the reserves. There are exceptions of course, like Keller and Steve Cherundola who have made a name for themselves in Deutchland, but for every Cherundola their are fifty Kamani Hills.

Canadian striker returns to MLS

Dutch club Heerenveen have confirmed that Canadian striker Will Johnson will be returning to Major League Soccer, after spending the past season on loan with De Graafschap.

The 21-year-old Johnson was originally signed by Chicago and made six appearances for the Fire, who still own the player's rights. Given Chicago's recent acquisition of Brian McBride, however, it is likely that Johnson will be traded. Toronto FC would certainly be interested since the thrice-capped Canadian national team player wouldn't count against their foreigner cap, like he would on American-based clubs.

A real Dickov move

Scotsman Paul Dickov will snub Toronto FC and MLS to play in the English League One with Leicester City for a boatload of money. Dickov's dalliance with TFC appears to have been a rouse to collect a big payday from what is essentially a third division club.

TFC, who recently added Chicago forward Chad Barrett, have been searching for some consistency from its forwards and were looking to upgrade the position. With Dickov off the table, it is unknown whether TFC have a back-up plan to grab another Designated Player.

Maybe they should give Patrick McCabe a call.

Crew acquire ex-Rev Noonan

The New England Revolution re-acquired forward Pat Noonan today and then promptly traded him to the Columbus Crew for a the Crew's first pick in next year's Superdraft, allocation money and the Crew's spot (third overall) on the 2008 allocation standings.

"We made them a pretty generous offer on the trade so they gain some things," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "They have a pretty good team right now so they're feeling confident in what they can do. They just won the SuperLiga and we're happy to add Pat to our team. I'm not going to ask why. I'm just going to be happy about the trade."

The 28-year-old striker left the Revs in January after five seasons and three MLS Cup final appearances, joining Norwegian club Aalesunds FK.

This deal makes sense for the parties involved. Columbus, who have lacked consistency up top, get a proven veteran to assist in the development of Steve Lenhart and Robbie Rogers. Conversely, the Revs move up seven spaces on the allocation table to number three and get a first round pick in the draft. Since they don't need a striker, they can use either to address a psoition where they have a need (although I'm not sure that exists -- perhaps outside back?).

Noonan will debut for the Crew on August 16 against FC Dallas.

Hoops oops good for Quakes

Further proof that the FC Dallas front office has absolutely no clue what they are doing, the Hoops traded Arturo Alvarez to the San Jose Earthquakes on Monday for allocation money and a 2009 SuperDraft first-round pick.

Alvarez began his career with the original Quakes in 2003 before Dallas acquired him for the 2005 season. Last year, he was a regular starter for Dallas scoring three goals and adding three assists. MOdest numbers to be sure, but Alvarez has already equaled those numbers with half the season yet to be played.

And although he didn't make the final cut, U.S. Olympic coach Peter Nowak thought enough of the 23-year-old striker to invite him into camp in preparation for the Beijing Games.

This move makes absolutely no sense for Dallas, especially given that their best forward, Kenny Cooper, may be headed to Cardiff City shortly. Perhaps Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman let the 4-0 win over the Galaxy to go to his head. Allow me to set the record straight. No, you are not an offensive juggernaut. Yes, the Galaxy defense is that bad.

We ranked Alvarez and his frosted bangs No.1 in our U.S. Pool Party (players who deserve a call-up to the national team).



And in an apparent quest to remake FC Dallas into his old team Southern Methodist University, Hyndman traded second and third round selections in next year's SuperDraft to Colorado for former SMU midfielder Bruno Guarda on Monday.

Guzan gets dream move to Villa

According to part-time ESPN writer/blogger, Ives Galarcep, Brad Guzan's English dream has been revived, as the American goalkeeper has been able to secure a work permit from the notoriously stingy British government.

According to the article:

The Chivas USA goalkeeper is heading to Aston Villa on a $1.5 million transfer after Villa and Major League Soccer agreed to the fee and completed the transfer on Friday, sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPNsoccernet.

Also according to Galarcep, several keepers, including fellow American Brad Friedel, were linked to Villa since the departure of their No. 1 keeper Scott Carson, but Guzan will be the first signed (which, of course, means bunk since they are getting him on the cheap).

This is surprising given the keeper's dreadful form in Major League Soccer this season that some have attributed to a psychological letdown after his "done deal" to England fell through back in January due to work permit issues. Others questioned if the 2007 MLS goalkeeper of the year had the stuff to begin with.

Guzan has a less-than-impressive 1.33 goals against average and is just a game over .500 in 15 games for Chivas USA. At midseason, he has almost allowed as many goals (20) as he did all of last season (25).

As Galarcep writes, Guzan qualified for the work permit only after playing in "five of the U.S. national team's eight matches this year." According to ussoccer.com, however, Guzan played in only four matches this year. He is 2-0 as a starter for the U.S. this year with no goals allowed against Sweden (not bad) and Barbados (clean sheets are a dime a dozen in Barbados). In relief against England and Spain, he allowed England's second (John Terry) and against the European champions, he allowed the winning goal (Xavi Hernandez).

TYH wishes him the best of luck in "Merry ol' Engerlund" but we hope this move doesn't cloud Bradley's judgement on the goalkeeping depth chart. You gave him his four games to help him get over there, but he's not at Tim Howard's level. He isn't better than a healthy Marcus Hahnemann. Old guys Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel are still a nothc above him. He's not even the best keeper in MLS anymore (see Matt Reis).

Here's to hoping he turns his career around, and we're eating our words by year's end.

Canucks sign Côte d'Ivoire defender

Toronto FC have finally acquired Ivory Coast defender Oliver Tebily, according to reports in the Canadian press. TFC have had their sights on the 32-year-old for some time, but MLS rules along with work permit issues have held up the move.

Tebily, who played will fill the spot vacated by Andrew Boyens, is a versatile defender who has played every backline position and could even play defensive midfield if called upon. He most recently played with Birmingham City but was not a regular starter on the first team.

General Manager Mo Johnston told The Star that Tebily could mentor TFC's young defenders like Julius James and Pat Phelan. But if TFC fans are hoping Tebily can anchor their defense, he may just end up sinking the ship.

Tebily's blunder versus Leeds

Tebily OG Vs Birmingham - The best home videos are here

New Year MLS transactions

January transactions

Chivas USA - Named Stephen Hamilton Vice President of Soccer Operations.

Colorado - Acquired defender Jose Burciaga Jr. from the Kansas City Wizards for a second-round pick in the 2009 SuperDraft.

FC Dallas - Re-signed midfielder Arturo Alvarez.

Los Angeles - Acquired Carlos Ruiz F from FC Dallas for Allocation and Draft Pick; re-signed defender Chris Albright, goalkeeper Steve Cronin and forward Alan Gordon

New York - Signed goalkeeper Zach Thornton; re-signed goalkeeper Jon Conway

San Jose - Acquired defender Nick Garcia from Kansas City Wizards for first pick in 2008 SuperDraft

Comments:
Ruiz's return to Los Angeles could be a significant move for L.A. who struggled to score last season. LD led scorers with just eight goals, followed by Edson Buddle who had five.

San Jose's decision to trade away the number one pick in today's Superdraft for Nick Garcia indicates one of two things: Either San Jose believe that there is no significant value in this year's draft or they have overvalued Nick Garcia. Garcia is a terrific defender. But is he someone you trade a potential star for? Probably not, which leads me to believe that SJ doesn't believe there are any stars in this year's draft.