When Mike Grella passed on the 2009 MLS draft, it was unclear where the Duke striker would test
the professional soccer waters. It appears his quest for a professional contract has landed him in
England.
Grella is on trial with Leeds United, and scored three goals in Leeds' reserve
match against Barnsley on Tuesday.
Photo by Zips Sports Photography
Call it a major mock draft shake-up.
Plenty has happened since the last SBI Mock Draft, from word that Ike Opara would be staying in
school to the latest news that Baggio Husidic would be available.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
When Marcus Tracy passed on Major League Soccer's last offer, and decided to skip the MLS
Combine and Draft for a chance at European soccer, he wasn't expected to wait too long to find
interest from abroad.
The 2008 MLS Draft is just ten days away and the MLS Combine begins on Saturday, meaning the
Generation adidas draft class should be revealed very soon. Sources are telling me the list has
been all but finalized.
A total of nine players have been signed to Generation adidas contract, with a potential tenth
still being discussed.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
The first day of the MLS Combine had its highlights and lowlights, but while some of the MLS
draft's top prospects struggled pretty badly, there were also players who helped increase their
stock.
Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ Photos
A central defender drafted by New York with a second round pick will be taking the field this
week when the New York Red Bulls begin training for rookies and non-roster invitees, but it won't
be the player you were expecting.
If you didn't happen to be one of the few people still in the ballroom at the St. Louis
Convention Center when the fourth and final round of the 2009 MLS Draft wound down, you probably
missed your chance to see one of the best speeches delivered in MLS draft history (or at the very
least, the best draft speech this year).
Photo
by ISIphotos.com
After two days of the MLS Combine two things are clear. This year's draft really is deep with
solid prospects and there will be more wheeling and dealing this week than perhaps any other draft
week in MLS history.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
And down the stretch they come.
We are exactly a week away from the 2009 MLS Draft and this weekend all 15 MLS teams will be in
Ft.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
You may not have realized it in your post New Year's Day haze but the 2009 MLS Draft is less
than two weeks away.
The upcoming MLS Draft was already stocked with talent, but that talent pool will be a little
deeper after Major League Soccer was able to sign one of its top targets.
University of Illinois-Chicago midfielder Baggio Husidic has signed a Generation adidas contract
and will be available in the 2009 MLS Draft on Jan.
UNLV and U.S. Under-20 striker Daniel Cruz has become the ninth player to sign a Generation
adidas contract, making him available for the 2009 MLS Draft on Jan. 15, sources
confirmed to SBI on Tuesday
a sophomore at UNLV, Cruz has emerged as one of the most highly-regarded players in the U.
Major League Soccer has unveiled its 2009 Generation adidas class and the nine-player list
didn't have any surprises.
Here is the group, which is the same group we showed you on Tuesday:
-
Steve Zakuani
-
Omar Gonzalez
-
Rodney Wallace
-
Jeremy Hall
-
Baggio Husidic
-
Kevin Alston
-
Stefan Frei
-
Peri Marosevic
-
Daniel Cruz
The one player not on this list who was still in talks with MLS is UCLA midfielder Michael
Stephens.
The MLS Draft is less than 24 hours away, meaning it is time to focus on the final MLS Mock
Draft.
As you have figured out by now, none of the several trades expected to take place involving
draft picks have been made official yet, or even consumated yet (save for the FC Dallas-New York
deal involving the 11th and 13th), so we still don't know what the actual final draft order will
look like.
There may not be a busier time of year for trade talk than early January, as teams posture and
prepare for the MLS Draft. Teams all over the league are talking about deals involving draft picks
and veterans they want to unload.
A lot of trades won't be made until after the MLS Combine and just before the raft, but here are
just some of the tidbits (some new, some old) I have come across in my conversations with the
league's movers and shakers:
FC Dallas has a surplus of young players and is trying to unload at least a few
of them ahead of the draft.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
When Marcus Tracy passed on Major League Soccer's last offer, and decided to skip the MLS
Combine and Draft for a chance at European soccer, he wasn't expected to wait too long to find
interest from abroad.
Hello folks. I am on a plane and about to take off for lovely Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ahead of
this weekend's MLS Combine. It should be an interesting event and certainly a better Combine than
last year, when Day 1 was the soccer equivalent of watching paint dry.
For those of you wondering where the soccer TV schedule is, I will be posting it on Saturday
morning.
Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics
By DYLAN BUTLER
Following a successful two-week trial, former Duke University standout Mike Grella has been
offered a contract to play with English First Division side Leeds United, sources told SBI on
Friday.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
That's it, that's all. All the (potential) future MLS players have made their cases and now just
have to sit back and wait to see if their number is called.
Good morning folks. It is the day before the 2009 MLS Draft, which generally goes down as the
busiest day of the year for transactions. With draft pick trades, and deals for veterans flying,
the chances are very good that your team will look very different two days from now.
This is what we have been hearing in the past day or so:
Seattle is openly courting offers for the No.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
And down the stretch they come.
We are exactly a week away from the 2009 MLS Draft and this weekend all 15 MLS teams will be in
Ft.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
The New York Red Bulls have been among the busier teams this weekend, trying to secure some
deals before the MLS Draft and now two of their midfielders could be on the move.
The MLS Draft is less than 24 hours away, meaning it is time to focus on the final MLS Mock
Draft.
As you have figured out by now, none of the several trades expected to take place involving
draft picks have been made official yet, or even consumated yet (save for the FC Dallas-New York
deal involving the 11th and 13th), so we still don't know what the actual final draft order will
look like.
Today is shaping up to be a good day.
With the MLS Combine just two days away, it is time to start focusing on the MLS Draft and
everything that goes into this time of year. It isn't just a time to evaluate the incoming draft
talent, but also time to prepare for wheeling and dealing and the potential movement of several
veteran players.
The Colorado Rapids have parted ways with goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, but have found a
replacement in none other than former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
The Fire traded Colorado the rights to Pickens in the trade that saw them swap second-round
picks and acquire Baggio Husidic.
Pickens, who spent part of the 2007/2008 season with Queens Park Rangers, has signed with MLS
and is expected to step in and be the Rapids new starter.
When Major League Soccer's coaches and technical directors converge on Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
this weekend for the MLS Combine, there will be one man who will be as popular as any of the
players on display.
That man is Mo Johnston.
The Toronto FC director of soccer is holding some big cards in this year's draft.
Dave Van Den Bergh is on his way to Dallas.
The trade that first came to light over the weekend became reality late last night as the New
York Red Bulls traded Van Den Bergh and the No. 14 overall pick in the MLS Draft to FC Dallas for
forward Dominic Oduro, the No. 11 and the No.
Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics
By DYLAN BUTLER
Following a successful two-week trial, former Duke University standout Mike Grella has been
offered a contract to play with English League One side Leeds United, sources told SBI on
Friday.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
Toronto FC currently holds the No. 2 and No. 4 picks in the MLS Draft, but that may not be
enough for TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston's liking.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
That's it, that's all. All the (potential) future MLS players have made their cases and now just
have to sit back and wait to see if their number is called.
Good evening folks. I am coming to you from St. Louis, which is experiencing downright Arctic
conditions right now (at least it feels that way after four days in sunny Florida).
Tonight is the night when most of the big trades surrounding the MLS Draft will take place and
there are few scenes more entertaining than the one at the league's hotel bar on the night before
the draft.
Good afternoon folks. I am making my way back to New Jersey. For those of you who missed it I did
my draft grades for ESPN.com. I can't link now but you should be able to find it easily enough.
Now, since I know a lot of you have draft-related questions I will do Post-Draft Q&A. Send your
questions and I will answer select questions over the weekend.
The 2009 MLS Draft is finally here and things aren't any more clear today than they were a month
ago as far as how the draft order will wind up shaking out.
Teams have spent the past few weeks talking trade but none of the deals for the high picks in
the first round have been completed yet, leaving the draft's outcome a total mystery just hours
before it will kick off.
Those of you wondering just where Kenny Cooper might transfer to this winter might want to find
another American to follow this transfer window.
FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman recently revealed that he has been told Cooper will be
staying in MLS for the 2009 season, a major positive for a club that missed the playoffs in
2008.
Good evening folks. I am heading to St. Louis and I know many of you still have plenty questions.
That being the case I have decided to do an MLS Draft Q&A. Send your draft questions my way and I
will answer select questions tonight. And no, I haven't forgotten the last Q&A. Those are coming
soon. Now, fire your draft questions my way.
Alfredo Pacheco is officially a New York Red Bull. Finally.
The Salvadoran left back is now formally on the roster after the club received Pacheco's
International Transfer Card on Thursday, putting an end to a drawn out loan process that dragged on
for two months.
Pacheco is expected to step in and start at left back for the Red Bulls when they take on Real
Salt Lake on Saturday.
Major League Soccer has unveiled its 2009 Generation adidas class and the nine-player list
didn't have any surprises.
Led by Akron striker Steve Zakuani, here is the Generation adidas class, which should look
familiar:
-
Steve Zakuani
-
Omar Gonzalez
-
Rodney Wallace
-
Jeremy Hall
-
Baggio Husidic
-
Kevin Alston
-
Stefan Frei
-
Peri Marosevic
-
Daniel Cruz
The one player not on this list who was still in talks with MLS is UCLA midfielder Michael
Stephens.
Dave Van Den Bergh is on his way to Dallas.
The trade that first came to light over the weekend became reality late last night as the New
York Red Bulls traded Van Den Bergh and the No. 14 overall pick in the MLS Draft to FC Dallas for
forward Dominic Oduro, the No. 11 and the No.
Photo
by ISIphotos.com
After two days of the MLS Combine two things are clear. This year's draft really is deep with
solid prospects and there will be more wheeling and dealing this week than perhaps any other draft
week in MLS history.
Good morning folks. It is the day before the 2009 MLS Draft, which generally goes down as the
busiest day of the year for transactions. With draft pick trades, and deals for veterans flying,
the chances are very good that your team will look very different two days from now.
This is what we have been hearing in the past day or so:
Seattle is openly courting offers for the No.
