Billy Schuler and Baggio Husidic impressed again as Gregg Berhalters Hammarby improved to a perfect three wins in three games. Outside of Hammarby, Americans and their clubs continue to struggle in Sweden.

Hammarby's Baggio Husidic and Hamstad's Ryan Miller each enjoyed strong outings in winning efforts this past weekend in Sweden

Last year I examined how MLS teams have done based on the number of minutes a team gets from players that were on that same team the year before. For example, the Chicago Fire had Patrick Nyarko, Marco Pappa, Baggio Husidic, Logan Pause, Gonzalo Segares, Corben Bone, Sean Johnson, and Dasan Robinson in 2010 and all of those players provided the team with minutes in 2011.

PALMARÉS DEL PREMIO BALÓN DE OROAÑOGANADORSEGUNDOTERCERO2011Lionel Messi (Barcelona)CristianoXavi2010Lionel Messi (Barcelona)IniestaXavi2009Lionel Messi (Barcelona)CristianoXavi2008Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)MessiTorres2007Kaká (AC Milan)Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi (FIFA)Messi
Cristiano (FIFA)2006Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus / Real Madrid)Buffon
Zidane (FIFA)Henry
Ronaldinho (FIFA)2005Ronaldinho (Barcelona)LampardGerrard
Etoo (FIFA)2004Andrei Shevchenko (Ac Milan)
Ronaldinho (FIFA World Player)Deco
Henry (FIFA)Ronaldinho
Shevchenko (FIFA)2003Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
Zinedine Zidane (FIFA World Player)HenryMaldini
Ronaldo (FIFA)2002Ronaldo (Inter / Real Madrid)Roberto Carlos
Kahn (FIFA)Kahn
Zidane (FIFA)2001Michael Owen (Liverpool)
Luis Figo (FIFA World Player)Raúl
Beckham (FIFA)Kahn
Raúl (FIFA)2000Luis Figo (Barcelona / Real Madrid)
Zinedine Zidane (FIFA World Player)Zidane
Figo (FIFA)Shevchenko
Rivaldo (FIFA)1999Rivaldo (Barcelona)BeckhamShevchenko
Batistuta (FIFA)1998Zinedine Zidane (Juventus)Suker
Ronaldo (FIFA)Ronaldo
Suker (FIFA)1997Ronaldo (Barcelona / Inter)Mijatovic
Roberto Carlos (FIFA)Zidane
Beckham / Zidane (FIFA)1996Mathias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund)
Ronaldo (FIFA World Player)Ronaldo
Weah (FIFA)Shearer
Sammer (FIFA)1995George Weah (PSG / AC Milan)Klinsmann
Maldini (FIFA)Sammer
Klinsmann (FIFA)1994Hristo Stoitchkov (Barcelona)
Romario (FIFA World Player)Baggio
StoitchkovMaldini
Baggio1993Roberto Baggio (Juventus)Bergkamp
Romario (FIFA)Cantona
Bergkamp (FIFA)1992Marco Van Basten (AC Milan)StoitchkovBergkamp
Hässler (FIFA)1991Jean Pierre Papin (Olympique Marsella)
Lothar Matthaus (FIFA World Player)Matthaus/Pancev/Savicevic
Papin (FIFA)Matthaus/Pancev/Savicevic
Lineker (FIFA)1990Lothar Matthaus (Inter)SquillachiBrehme1989Marco Van Basten (AC Milan)BaresiRijkaard1988Marco Van Basten (AC MilaI)GüllitRijkaard1987Ruud Gullit (PSV / AC Milan)FutreButragueño1986Igor Belanov (Dinamo de Kiev)LinekerButragueño1985Michel Platini (Juventus)Elkjaer-LarssenSchuster1984Michel Platini (Juventus)TiganaElkjaer-Larssen1983Michel Platini (Juventus)DalglishSimonsen1982Paolo Rossi (Juventus)GiresseBoniek1981Karl Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)BreitnerSchuster1980Karl Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)SchusterPlatini1979Kevin Keagan (Hamburgo)RummeniggeKrol1978Kevin Keagan (Hamburgo)KranklRensembrink1977Alan Simonsen (Borussia Monchengladbach)KeaganPlatini1976Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)RensembrinkVíktor1975Oleg Blokhin (Dinamo de Kiev)BeckenbauerCruyff1974Johan Cruyff (Barcelona)BeckenbauerDeyna1973Johan Cruyff (Ajax / Barcelona)ZoffMüller1972Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)MüllerNetzer1971Johan Cruyff (Ajax)MazzolaBest1970Gerd Müller (Bayern Munich)MooreRiva1969Gianni Rivera (AC Milan)RivaMüller1968George Best (Manchester United)CharltonDzajic1967Florian Albert (Ferencvaros)CharltonJohnstone1966Bobby Charlton (Manchester United)EusebioBeckenbauer1965Eusebio (Benfica)FacchettiLuis Suárez1964Dennis Law (Manchester United)Luis SuárezAmancio1963Lev Yashin (Dinamo Moscú)RiveraGreaves1962Josef Masopust (Dukla Praga)EusebioSchnellinger1961Omar Sívori (Juventus)Luis SuárezHeynes1960Luis Suárez (Barcelona)PuskasSeeler1959Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)KopaCharles1958Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid)RahnFontaine1957Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)WrightKopa1956Stanley Matthews (Blackpool)Di StéfanoKopa Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Photo by Chris Putman/ISIphotos.com

Another young American attacking talent appears to be taking his game overseas.

According to a report out of Sweden, University of North Carolina forward Billy Schuler will sign with top-flight club Hammarby -- the team coached by former U.

Photo by Kelley L. Cox/ISIphotos.com

With the MLS Eastern Conference as wide open as it was down the stretch last season, a roster tweak in the right direction could be all it takes to separate certain clubs from the pack.

In the opening month of the offseason, no teams did more to augment their rosters than the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City, two clubs that felt they had what it took to win the conference crown last season before ultimately losing out to the Houston Dynamo.

Busy day in Commerce City as the organization has a new face, a returning face, and a promoted face.
Let's start with the roster moves. In today's re-entry draft the Rapids selected Chicago midfielder Baggio Husidic and Houston defender Hunter Freeman. Husidic is a 24 year old former Generation Adidas player who's been with Chicago since leaving college 3 years ago.

The Chicago Fire selected former New England Revolution striker Kheli Dube with the 8th Pick in the Second Round of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. Dube would leave the New England Revolution, the only MLS club he has ever known, if the two sides can reach a deal in the next 7 days. In four seasons the Zimbabwean compiled 14 goals and 8 assists in 72 appearances.

So Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft has just concluded. It was a bit more lively than Stage 1 but still not hugely impactful. Most teams passed outright with the Los Angeles Galaxy taking a starring role by adding four players and picking up two of their own players again.

Unsurprisingly the Portland Timbers passed on Stage 2 and also passed on selecting their own players once again.

MLS released the list of players that are available for the Re-Entry Draft next week. Up until Friday team's can still negotiate with their players and potentially reach a deal that would see the player stay with their current club. So fans of Luke Sassano (sorry I'm not sure Shavar Thomas has many fans in KC at this point) don't have to get worried quite yet that the midfielder will not be back.

Major League Soccer will hold its Re-Entry draft for the second year in a row. The first round will take place on December 5 with the second round taking place on December 12. Players available in this year's Re-Entry Draft include 69 players who had their options declined in addition to a handful of players that are out of contract.

Monday, December 5th, is the first stage of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. The entire process gets fairly convoluted, as MLS is wont to do. As such, I figured I'll just copy/pasta their rules here for you:

Any player selected in Stage 1 will remain on the drafting club's 2012 budget at the option price or Bona Fide Offer price until April 1, 2012.

Major League Soccer has revealed the names of the players who will be made available in the upcoming MLS Re-Entry Draft.

Bobby Boswell, Bobby Convey, Joe Cannon and Andy Williams are just some of the veterans left exposed by their MLS teams in the Re-Entry Draft, which will be held on Dec.

Chicago Fire decline options on Jon Conway, Baggio Husidic, and Alec Dufty

Nothing on the web yet but this is official from the front office:

"The following Chicago Fire players will be available for selection in the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Monday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 12.

· Jon Conway – GK

· Alec Dufty – GK

· Baggio Husidic – MID

The Fire declined to exercise the option on the three above players.

Dan Gargan -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire and other Major League Soccer teams submitted their 11-player protected lists Monday in preparation for Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft for the Montreal Impact.
Among some of the Fire's noteworthy players left unprotected are forward Diego Chaves, midfielder Daniel Paladini, and defenders Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic and Yamith Cuesta.

With the MLS Cup Final over, and the LA Galaxy crowned champions, it's time to move on to our next adventure. On Wednesday at 2 pm the expansion draft for the Montreal Impact will take place, consisting of 10 rounds where they'll have their pick out of 198 players. Before any of that happens all teams need to have their protected list of 11 players in by 5 pm today.

Rivera. Mazzola. Baggio. Mancini. Totti. Del Piero. Zola. The list could go on and on. Since Il Calcio became the sport of choice in the peninsula, the Azzurri have always been blessed with fantasisti, players that could define matches with moments of sublime skill, unerring vision or sheer audacity.

Seattle had an answer for the few riddles Chicago threw at it. The Fire could have given up 3 or 4 goals as the Sounders hit the post twice on offense. That isn't to say Sean Johnson had a poor night. In fact, he made six saves overall including some lightning fast reflex moves we have come to expect but are still extraordinary.

As we mentioned last week, the Portland Timbers needed draws from the rest of the MLS. Well, they got 'em. There were four draws in nine weekend matches, and two of them were of the utmost importance to the Timbers. And of course the Timbers did their part with a 1-0 away victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic, Jalil Anibaba, Gonzalo Segares; Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause ©; Sebastian Grazzini (Baggio Husidic 25'); Patrick Nyarko (Diego Chaves 66'), Dominic Oduro (Orr Barouch 77')

Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Yamith Cuesta, Corben Bone, Daniel Paladini
New England Revolution: Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Franco Coria, Darrius Barnes, Chris Tierney; Ryan Guy, Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph ©, Kenny Mansally (Kheli Dube 57'); Milton Caraglio, Zach Schilawski (Diego Fagundez 71')
Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Otto Loewy, Zak Boggs, Pat Phelan, Ryan Kinne
Scoring Summary
CHI - Sebastian Grazzini (penalty kick) 5'
CHI - Dominic Oduro (Sebastian Grazzini) 9'
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (unassisted) 30'
NE - Ryan Guy (unassisted) 90'
NE - Ryan Guy (Milton Caraglio, Diego Fagundez) 92'+
Misconduct Summary

NE - Franco Coria (Caution; Reckless Foul) 27'
NE - Darrius Barnes (Caution; Dissent) 46'+
CHI - Dan Gargan (Caution; Delaying a Restart) 76'

CHI - Baggio Husidic (Caution; Tactical Foul) 86'

Referee: Michael Kennedy

Referee's Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, Paul Scott

4th Referee: Jasen Anno

Attendance: 14,567

Highlights and quotes after the break

Highlights

Quotes

Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire interim head coach
On the result:
"In the second half, being up 3-0 and tough stretch ahead of us, I had the opportunity to give some guys a break and get everyone involved in the game.

The Chicago Fire tasted their first defeat in Reserves League play yesterday. Colorado pulled out a 2-0 victory in a reversal of Saturday night's senior squad game final score. Guillermo Rivera has a recap on the game play over at Chicago Fire Confidential along with an interesting bit on Eric Wynalda being in attendance and sitting next to Frank Klopas during the match.

The Chicago Fire have now played all four of their scheduled games against the 2011 MLS Expansion teams. Their final record against the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps is 0 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses while getting outscored 9-5. Each expansion team even defeated the Fire 4-2 at one point.

For the third consecutive game it took a strong second half performance for United to beat an MLS team. And once again it was Wayne Rooney who inspired the second-half performance, just as he did in Seattle last weekend.

Fergie gave debuts to summer signings David de Gea and Phil Jones making their debuts, United conceded a shock goal after only 12 minutes when Jalil Anibaba launched a deep free-kick into the penalty area.

BY ANTHONY ZILIS

The Chicago Fire weren't favored against Manchester United, especially after the English Premier League side drubbed the Seattle Sounders 7-0 just three days ago.
Still, some of the Fire players felt like they let one slip away after they lost 3-1 to Manchester United at Soldier field.

Frank Klopas is rolling the dice a little bit by having a starting XI of the following:

Sean Johnson; Bratislav Ristic, Josip Mikulic, Dasan Robinson, Pari Pantazopoulos; Gabriel Ferrari, Michael Videira, Daniel Paladini, Corben Bone; Diego Chaves, Cristian Nazarit

I am sympathetic to injuries and rest but this is a lot of new parts that aren't used to each other.

The once and future kings of Major League Soccer, Real Salt Lake, enter today's game with a mortal 1-2-2 record over their last five games. The Chicago Fire's record of 1-0-4 over their last five is 2 points better for what it's worth. Marco Pappa is available for selection in tonight's game for the first time since May 28th when he started against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Welcome the first installment of The Equipment Room. Here we will get more in depth on what your favorite Chicago Fire players wear on, and maybe even, off the field. I'm hoping this will allow us to get to know each player's style a little bit better. This will include anything from the jerseys they wear to, like this edition, the type of boots each player wears on the pitch.

Weather: 73 Degrees and cloudy

Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Stadium in Chester behind a couple of abandoned buildings with broken windows.
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Line Judges: Bill Dittmar, Paul Scott
4th Official: Daniel Fitzgerald
Attendance: No official number posted.

The Art Institute of Chicago should come on down to Toyota Park because the drawing going on these days is amazing. The Chicago Fire Reserves drew the Sporting Kansas City Reserves 1-1 in a game that tells us more about the individual players than any kind of team work. More on that and the latest MLS Injury Report Update after the break.

An 11th minute goal from newcomer Cristian Nazirit and a 40th minute equalizer from Chance Myers provided the scoring in the Fire's Reserve League match against Sporting Kansas City this morning at the Toyota Park practice field.

The Fire's starting eleven included Alec Dufty in goal and Dasan Robinson, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Josip Mikulic, and Bratislav Ristic in defense.

Hey there.

I know a lot of you are already leaving this team for dead and saying crazy stuff like "need a win to resurrect their playoff chances", "we should trade Nyarko" and "what about firing the coach?". Obviously everything is carved in stone right now. The results of 26 more games are clear and definitive and not covered in the fog of flares.

The Chicago Fire have 30 players on the 30 man roster with the signing of Cristian Nazarit. The Major League Soccer Players Union just released the salaries for every player including those on our very own Chicago Fire. MLS' website has recently been upgraded to provide a better looking 2011 Roster Rules page.

I have nothing for you other than a promise I will get this done before the afternoon of the next game.

Anyways here you go for you reading enjoyment a break down of a rather ho hum 1-1 draw.

Weather: 46 degrees, partly cloudy.
Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Stadium somewhere in Colorado
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Line Judges: Anthony Vasoli, Darren Clark
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 11,789
Matchday Live announce crew:
Colorado Announcers
Lineups:
Chicago:
Coach: Carlos de los Cobos
GK: Jon Conway
D: Jalil Anibaba
D: Yamith Cuesta
D: Josip Mikulic
D: Gonzalo Segares
M: Daniel Paladini
M: Corben Bone
M: Dominic Oduro
M: Marco Pappa
M: Gaston Puerari
F: Diego Chaves
Bench:
GK: Sean Johnson
M: Baggio Husidic
M: Bratislav Ristic
M: Patrick Nyarko
F: Orr Barouch
D: Dasan Robinson
D: Pari Pantazopoulos
Changes from last week: Paladini and Bone replace Pause (out with injury) and Husidic in the center of the midfield.

As we look forward to Saturday's game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, let's mix in some news and notes from this past weekend. The Chicago Fire academy teams faced regional rivals Chicago Magic on Saturday, April 30th. Chicagoland Soccer has full recaps but the U-15/16 team tied 0-0 while the U-17/18 team gave up two goals in the second half to lose 2-0.

Milan ad un passo dallo scudetto in Serie A. Ad un punto dal 18° trionfo italiano della sua storia. Questo grazie ad un campionato straordinario e, nell'immediato, al goal di Flamini col Bologna, rete che stende i felsinei e scuce sempre più il tricolore dalle maglie dei cugini. Ma ieri, nell'avvincente giornata di campionato, e [.

The Chicago Fire look to break their four game winless streak tonight against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Carlos de los Cobos is returning to the 4-1-4-1 lineup we saw last year:

Jon Conway; Jalil Anibaba, Josip Mikulic, Yamith Cuesta, Gonzalo Segares; Daniel Paladini; Dominic Oduro, Corben Bone, Gaston Puerari, Marco Pappa; Diego Chaves

Daniel Paladini and Corben Bone will get their first starts of the season.

Hi!

It is game day so I thought I should check in with a detailed recap of last week's game. I feel this team is very close to being a good side. Some things need to get cleaned up, a couple of guys need not be involved in the rotation anymore and patience needs to be exercised by the fan base.

Fire's Baggio Husidic (R) -- Getty ImagesBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- In the midst of a four-game winless streak and only one point in hand during April, the Chicago Fire are regularly deciphering their shortcomings to turn around a poor start to the 2011 season. The Fire hover near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 1-3-2 record, with Saturday's game at the defending MLS champion Colorado Rapids on the horizon.

In attesa di vivere la santa Pasqua, ricco appuntamento calcistico in questo sabato dedicato interamente alla Serie A. A partire dalle 12 e 30, orario nel quale si affronteranno Roma e Chievo, match di apertura della 34° giornata. I giallorossi di Montella, reduci dal ko di Coppa Italia con l'Inter e quello di campionato col [.

In attesa di vivere la santa Pasqua, ricco appuntamento calcistico in questo sabato dedicato interamente alla Serie A. A partire dalle 12 e 30, orario nel quale si affronteranno Roma e Chievo, match di apertura della 34° giornata. I giallorossi di Montella, reduci dal ko di Coppa Italia con l'Inter e quello di campionato col [.