San Jose pick some real winners (read losers)

San Jose's selections in 2007 MLS Expansion Draft.

1. Ryan Cochrane (Houston Dynamo)
2. Clarence Goodson (FC Dallas)
3. Ned Grabavoy (Columbus Crew)
4. James Riley (New England Revolution)
5. Joseph Vide (New York Red Bulls)
6. Ivan Guerrero (Chicago Fire)
7. Brian Carroll (D.C. United)
8. Jason Hernandez (Chivas USA)
9. Gavin Glinton (LA Galaxy)
10. Chris Pozniak (Toronto FC)

Did someone tell San Jose that they were the only team participating in this draft? Cochrane, Goodson and Vide were decent picks. Grabavoy is a bit of a stretch, but Carroll and Glinton are ridiculous wastes of roster space. You have to believe that the Quakes are considering bringing in a high-profile DP, so they went low on the pay scale in this draft. Otherwise, there is absolutely no accounting for leaving some of these players on the board (see last post for a complete list).

Notable names enter San Jose draft

Usually an expansion draft is a chance for other teams to trim the fat (and slow) from their line-up, but this Wednesday's expansion draft for the new San Jose Earthquakes features several quality players that could make the 'Quakes a contender right away.

There are of course players from Real Salt Lake and TFC listed as well, but that would be like taking the irregular scraps at a scrap-making factory (or something like that). Here is a decent starting line-up for San Jose on opening day, considering (very roughly) things like salary cap and so forth:

GOALKEEPER

P. Onstad

DEFENDERS

J. Burciaga, C. Waibel, A. Yi, G. Vanney

MIDFIELDERS

K. Martino, P. Vagenas, A. Dorman, Denilson

FORWARDS

J. Wolyniec, F. Doe

Here is a list, by team, of players who could make an immediate impact:

Chivas USA
Cunliffe, John
Guevara, Amado
Nunez, Ramon

Chicago Fire
Busch, Jon
Curtin, Jim
Gutierrez, Diego

Colorado Rapids
Casey, Conor
Kirovski, Jovan
Petke, Mike
Prideaux, Brandon
Sanneh, Tony

Columbus Crew
Grabavoy, Ned
Gruenebaum, Andy
Herron, Andy
Miglioranzi, Stefani
Pierce, Rusty

FC Dallas
Denilson
Oduro, Dominic
Rhine, Bobby
Thompson, Abe
Yi, Alex

D.C. United
Dyachenko, Rod
Gros, Joshua
Vanney, Greg
Walker, Jamil

Houston Dynamo
Cochrane, Ryan
Dalglish, Paul
Onstad, Pat
Waibel, Craig

Kansas City Wizards
Burciaga, Jose

LA Galaxy
Martino, Kyle
Mathis, Clint
Vagenas, Peter
Xavier, Abel

New England Revolution
Dorman, Andy
Franchino, Joe

New York Red Bulls
Doe, Francis
Quaranta, Santino
Vide, Joseph
Wolyniec, John

Click here for a complete list of names

MLS Cup: Dynamo repeat!

Two second-half goals delivered Houston from a goal down to the top of the MLS Cup mountain, as they picked up a second consecutive MLS Cup, defeating eternal Cup bridesmaids New England 2-1 at RFK stadium on Sunday.

As was the case last year, New England struck first with a goal in the 20th minute from Taylor Twellman, his third goal of the competition. The play began when Steve Ralston played behind the Houston defense to the right-side endline and then crossed to Double-T who headed past Pat Onstad from eight yards out.

But the second half was all Houston, as Joseph Ngwenya scored an equalizer in the 61st minute and then Dwayne DeRosario fired home the winner 13 minutes later. DeRosario, who was last year's man of the match, was named the 2007 MLS man of the match, as well.

The equalizer came after Brian Mullan's cross found DeRo at the back post and the Canadaian international slotted it to Ngwenya out in front. Ngwenya made a mess of his first attempt but was able to find and put away the rebound. The winner was scored when Brad Davis sent an early cross into the box and DeRo rose up and snapped home a beautiful header.

'Dolo might! USA 1, SA 0

The United States beat World Cup hosts South Africa 1-0 in a friendly on Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, thanks to a goal from a rather unlikely source -- defender Steve Cherundolo.

As in the Swiss match, US youngsters made the difference in this match, as an impressive build-up, featuring Benny Feilhaber, Freddy Adu, Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu led to the goal. Edu played the ball perfectly to Cherundolo, who had moved up into the attack from his right back position, and Dolo's fired home his second career goal from near the six.

“The result is important,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley after the game. “We have some young players with us, so the experience to play in front of this kind of crowd and get a result is important. I thought Steve scored a very good goal, and we defended well as a group. To be able to maintain a lead in that type of atmosphere is a positive."

The USSF will try to make a lot out of Coach Bob Bradley's 12-5-1 record in 2007, but they should consider the absolute crapfest that was the Copa America before signing him through to WC 2010. He still hasn't proven himself as someone who can win consistently away from the comfy confines of American stadia. That said, the last two matches, in which Bradley finally selected more youthful rosters, demonstrates a willingness (although apparently begrudgingly) to give the kids a chance. It is a positive development to be sure, but I'm doubtful that Bradley's the man to develop this young talent.

MLS Commish: 16 by 2009, 18 by 2011

Here is a list of potential expansion cities along with MLS Commissioner Don Garber's thoughts about each from his annual State of the League address:

• Atlanta. MLS officials have spent time over the last several months with the Atlanta Falcons and owner Arthur Blank. Discussions have focused on the possibility of having a soccer-specific stadium. The league would ideally like to have a club south of Washington, D.C. sometime soon and Atlanta's growing Hispanic population has caught the eye of MLS.
  
  
• Las Vegas. This fast-growing city is looking to burst onto the professional sports scene. The concept there is to have an indoor soccer stadium that would be used as a multi-used entertainment venue. Officials from MLS are encouraged there is support from both the private and public sector in Las Vegas for such a facility.
  
  
• Miami. Preliminary discussions have taken place with regard to funding for a soccer stadium in Miami. Although the league wasn't successful in Ft. Lauderdale, there is optimism that a Miami venue would bring out a huge fan base geared for soccer.
  
  
• Philadelphia. Negotiations with the city of Chester, Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania have been ongoing for a year. The stadium would exist on the waterfront in Chester. MLS is waiting to see if $40 million in funding from the state will materialize in December.
  
  
• Montreal. A market MLS has looked at since the league's inception, Montreal would provide a potential Canada rivalry with Toronto that could give the league added flavor.
  
  
• New York. MLS has long sought having a second team in New York. The league looks at the success it has had with Chivas USA and the Galaxy in the Los Angeles area and believes two New York teams in separate stadiums would fly in the nation's largest market. Discussions have taken place with the Wilpon family and the New York Mets. The proposed facility would be based in Queens near Shea Stadium and have multi-use, year-round opportunities.
  
  
• Portland. With Seattle on board, Portland would provide for a Northwest rivalry. Preliminary discussions have focused on trying to make appropriate modifications at PGE Park, home of the Portland Timbers.
  
  
• St. Louis. The potential ownership group is led by attorney Jeff Cooper. He has been able to put a package together for a soccer stadium with the city of Collinsville, Ill., located eight miles east of St. Louis. MLS is impressed by the rich soccer tradition in St. Louis.
  
  
• Vancouver. Greg Kerfoot, owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps, is trying to arrange for the building of a stadium on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver. The concept is for a privately financed stadium. Kerfoot just needs approval to put the stadium at that proposed site.

For the full article on Garber's SotL address, Click here

"What's your name again?"

DC's Bobby Boswell's Office-like documentary on former DC striker Alecko Eskandarian's return to DC (posted on bobbyboswell.com)

Seattle tapped for '09 expansion

I guess the paltry USL.1 crowds didn't make a difference after all. Joe Roth (director of Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise) and the Seattle Sounder group will be getting a team in 2009.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber will be in Seattle on Tuesday, to announce that city will receive an expansion franchise to begin play potentially in the 2009 season. The Seattle team will be owned by Hollywood movie studio executive Joe Roth, Seattle Sounders managing partner Adrian Hanauer and Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

Oh, and I guess Drew Carey is no longer a Galaxy fan: Carey signs on to invest in Seattle expansion team

Click here for the entire article

MLS Cup: Revs, Dynamo Redux

Nate Jaqua and Dwayne DeRosario scored on either side of halftime, as the Houston Dynamo beat the Kansas City Wizards 2-0 to reach consecutive MLS Cup finals, where they will face last year's foe New England on November 18th at 12pmET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

A DeRosario shot saved by KC keeper Kevin Hartman resulted in a 35th minute corner kick, and Richard Mulrooney's cross soared found Jaqua's head in traffic and Houston's big man redirected the cross into goal to make it 1-0. Following halftime, DeRosario added an insurance goal, when Craig Waibel intercepted a pass and put DeRo through with a nice pass. The Canadian international controlled and then beat Hartman to his inside post.

Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Nate Jaqua 1 (Richard Mulrooney 1) 35
HOU -- Dwayne De Rosario 1 (Craig Waibel 1) 81