Forgive me for a second as yesterday I never got to a weekend recap. Work schedule and just an
overall lack of time on my part played the reasons this week. I tired to make up for it with the
power rankings though by giving a little more than I usually do but still its not nearly as much as
I normally would do.
Danny Mwanga is starting to shine in Philadelphia. (Getty Images)
Its been a little over a month since last I dived into any real rookie discussion on here. Over
the last month a few rookies have begun stepping out in front of the pack just like we normally see
from season to season.
This year's rookie class may not be as strong right now as last years but there are a lot of
quality players in this mix.
Jorge Flores (right) could be left unprotected for Chivas USA. (Getty Images)
It's time to go back into the expansion draft talk. Last week we looked over D.C. United and
their roster and today we'll shift focus out west with Chivas USA. Both Portland and Vancouver will
be selecting 10 players each from the current rosters next month after MLS Cup.
Below are two images that savvy/well-informed commenter Blair posted earlier this evening.
They're being reported all over the internets as being the future home and away kits of Manchester
United. Any chance these rumors are real? And if so, what do you think of the design?
United Possible 2010 Home Kit
United Possible 2010 Away Kit
What Do You Think?
Sacha Kljestan could finally be headed to Europe this summer. (Getty Images)
One thing that some MLS fans may not want to see anytime soon, the loss of Sacha Kljestan to
another league. It nearly happened before last year but it looks like it will finally come to be
later this summer according to Keith Costigan who is reporting the Chivas USA midfielder has agreed
to a deal with Belgian side Anderlecht.
The Philadelphia Union earned a point at Chivas USA Saturday night, pulling into a 3-way tie for
last place (or a 3-way tie for 6th place, depending on your perspective). While the Union will be
happy to grab a needed point on the road, the team has to be disappointed not to win after they
started strong and saw number one pick Danny Mwanga continue his emergence with a icy cold finish
in the 21st minute.
Sal Zizzo is headed back home to sunny California. Chivas USA has acquired the midfielder via a
weighted lottery today beating out D.C. United and Kansas City as the other top clubs with the best
chance of winning the lottery for his services.
According the to the league four clubs opted out of the lottery.
Sal Zizzo is headed back home to sunny California. Chivas USA has acquired the midfielder via a
weighted lottery today beating out D.C. United and Kansas City as the other top clubs with the best
chance of winning the lottery for his services.
According the to the league four clubs opted out of the lottery.
Bunbury with Akron teammate Blair Gavin, who was taken #10 by Chivas USA.
Here's the RH side of the conversation in a post-pick phone call between 1st round pick Teal
Bunbury and President Robb Heineman:
Here's father Alex speaking about son Teal immediately after the selection:
SuperDraft 2010: Alex Bunbury on Teal BunBury from mlsinsider on Vimeo.
Read the story from reporter Phil Collin here.
Listen to veteran Cary Talley, top draft pick Blair Gavin and new Coach Martin Vasquez from a
soggy Home Depot Center here:
A wonderful video from Wednesday's Arsenal/Liverpool match. Well done Rohan Blair-Mangat!!
If you're ever wondered what the fan experience is like going to a Premier League soccer match,
or what it's like going to the Emirates Stadium, film director Rohan Blair-Mangat has put together
a five-minute video that beautifully captures the sights and sounds of a midweek football
match.
You don't see a team make the postseason three years in a row and then proceed to part ways with
the manager. But that's what Chivas USA did, sending Preki on his way and bringing in Martin
Vasquez.
The club decided that it was time to make a change despite the regular season
accomplishments.
Chivas USA 1 Earthquakes 0
Maybe it's his new moustache.
Sacha Kljestan just scored his first goal of the season with a right-footed blast from 25 yards
after he was fed the ball by Blair Gavin in the 25th minute.
Earthquakes gave Chivas USA way too much space there.
After scoring three goals for the first time since Oct. 4, 2008 Chivas USA, had to hold on to
defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 on goals from
Sacha Kljestan, Blair Gavin and
Chukwudi Chijindu.
The Red and Whites put together its best 90 minutes of soccer as the team this season in a 3-2
victory over San Jose.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
After the departure of veteran midfielders Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagumura, Chivas USA was in
dire need of a pair of strong midfielders to fortify the club in the middle of the park.
Former Akron teammates Blair Gavin and Ben Zemanski have formed a partnership in the Chivas USA
midfield, and once again show how NCAA College Soccer create a great foundation for development for
Major League Soccer.
The path toward cultivating a new tradition starts with the philosophy ingrained in the duo while
they starred in college.
Una agradable sorpresa. Gerson Mayén salió desde el arranque en el partido que Chivas USA le
ganó 4-0 al New England Revolution en Boston. Los goles los anotaron Jesus Padilla (26′ y
48′), Justin Braun (33′) y Blair Gavin (80′). Osael Romero sigue lesionado.
Braun verses Torres: Chivas USA striker Justin Braun and the Union's Roger Torres clash Saturday
in Carson (AP Photo).
Quotable:
"Our goal was to win tonight, of course, and to turn this around," said Chivas USA
Coach Martin Vasquez. "We were unlucky a couple of times. I'm happy and pleased with the effort,
but I'm disappointed with the result.
Osael Romero entró en el segundo tiempo en la victoria de Chivas USA 2-0 sobre Kansas City. El
equipo de Los Angeles superó a su rival con goles de Justin Braun. El salvadoreño Romero entró
al 51′ en reemplazo de Blair Gavin y participó en la jugada del primer gol.
Chivas go out despite the 1-0 win over Pachuca.
Nice direct goal though with Ante Jazic providing the service:
Phil Collin has the game story here.
Notable: Attendance was a respectable 14,817.
Chivas USA lineup: Dan Kennedy, Ante Jazic (Jorge Flores 46), Mariano Trujillo, Darío Delgado,
Carlos Borja, Osael Romero, Blair Gavin, Ben Zemanski, Rodolfo Espinoza (Gerson Mayén 72), Jesús
Padilla, Giancarlo Maldonado (Chukwudi Chijindu 55)
BY ADAM SERRANO
"This was a win to remember."
The words of midfielder Paulo Nagamura after Chivas USA's impressive 3-1 victory over the
Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew. Goals by Justin Braun, Blair Gavin and Carlos Borja --
all of whom are 23-years-old or younger -- were the difference as the Rojiblancos dominated,
shutting out Columbus until a Steven Lehart goal in the 88th.
BY ADAM SERRANO
"This was a win to remember."
The words of midfielder Paulo Nagamura after Chivas USA's impressive 3-1 victory over the
Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew. Goals by Justin Braun, Blair Gavin and Carlos Borja --
all of whom are 23-years-old or younger -- were the difference as the Rojiblancos dominated,
shutting out Columbus until a Steven Lehart goal in the 88th.
Chivas USA (5-11-4) enter the final third of the season today at 7 p.m. at Home Depot Center
against the only MLS team with an even worse record then them - 4-14-3 D.C. United, who have one
eye on a U.S. Open Cup game later in the week (as do Chivas USA, of course).
So this is Chivas USA's big chance to snag a home win on national television (ESPN2).
Click here to view the embedded video.
How many times can the universe remind us of the glory that is a footballer's non-naked shame?
Fabulous. Thx Blair!
Click here to view the embedded video.
How many times does the universe have to remind us of the glory that is a footballer's non-naked
shame? Thousands, we hope. Thx Blair!
Amanda, Rachna, and Megan return to talk about the week in Major League Soccer and what has been
happening with both full US national teams. For example: thousands of US fans were on hand to watch
Brian McBride score against Columbus on Saturday in Chicago's 2-0 win, and Megan missed the goal
that Justin Braun didn't score against Toronto FC.
So Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni wants to scour North America for players with Irish-sounding
names to help bolster Ireland's national team. It sounds like he's not Euro-snobbing with this and
willing to consider anyone in the hunt for new blood but it sounds kinda messed up in a way, almost
offensive maybe to some people.
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
Jose Francisco Torres has seen his playing time at Pachuca diminish and it appears the U.S.
national team midfielder ready to look at new opportunities, including a potential move to Major
League Soccer.
Torres told MLSSoccer.com that Pachuca has given him permission to find a move, and MLS is a
definite possibility.
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By JOHN BOSCHINI
A single penalty kick shootout separated Akron from a national title last season and for Caleb
Porter and the returning members of the Zips, the journey back to the College Cup started on Dec.
14, 2009, one day after the final.
For many fantasy football owners, Week 16 is championship week in their fantasy league. If
that's the case for you, plugging in the correct sleeper could be the difference between a
championship and an offseason of sadness. Here's our list of fantasy football sleepers at each
position.
QB Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins
In his debut, Rex Grossman had four touchdowns last week.
