Welcome back Kenny!

The past few weeks U.S. soccer fans have bemoaned the loss of national team players like Edson Buddle and Robbie Findley, players who, while not top-notch international players, are U.S. nationals whose presence gave MLS some respectability internationally. However, while we on this site and others were complaining about the losses, we have not had a chance to celebrate a major pick-up for the American league.

The Chicago Fire have plenty of work to do in molding the pieces for their 2011 squad, and one outlet is through this Thursday's MLS SuperDraft at the Baltimore Convention Center (11 a.m. CT start, televised on ESPN2).
"We've lost players in every line, so we need to address all three areas," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

After parting ways with Freddie Ljungberg earlier in the off-season, it appears the Chicago Fire will begin the 2011 season without either of its 2010 Designated Players.

According to reports in Mexico and Greece, Mexican striker Nery Castillo is set to join Greek club Aris FC on a loan for the rest of the European season.

By Roger Domeneghetti

Souness: Begbie with skills

When football was still a contact sport Souness was the complete midfielder. The fact he was one of the most gifted modern-day British footballers is often overlooked as he was also able to unleash tackles of real bite and venom.

It's a new year, so it's time to look ahead. What can you expect from PSP in 2011? Well, we don't know. 2010 was our first full year. We were new to this. But what we did last year might give you a clue for this year.

So take a look at the best of our stuff from 2010.If you're new to this site, this is basically an intro to what we can do, posts that stand the test of time.

Happy New Year to all our readers and best wishes in 2011!

The past year was a big one for American soccer. A good but not great World Cup run, a highlight goal from Landon Donovan, and the controversial rehiring of Bob Bradley after the World Cup. A first MLS Cup win by Colorado, the signings of Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry by New York, but maybe more importantly the rise of young players like Tim Ream, Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo, and Andy Najar.

Happy New Year to all our readers and best wishes in 2011!

The past year was a big one for American soccer. A good but not great World Cup run, a highlight goal from Landon Donovan, and the controversial rehiring of Bob Bradley after the World Cup. A first MLS Cup win by Colorado, the signings of Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry by New York, but maybe more importantly the rise of young players like Tim Ream, Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo, and Andy Najar.

Frank Klopas and the Fire technical staff are currently in Florida for the MLS Combine ahead of the draft on January 13 but Klopas feels the Fire have a pretty good handle on which players they're interested in right now. "These players have been off for a few months so it's tough to judge guys on these games, we've seen most of them before now so we're looking for the best fit based on who's available when we pick" said Klopas.

They Riot refuse to say so, but if you buy and wear one of these, I have to think it would increase your chances of getting in front of the lines. Don't blame us if it doesn't happen though.

MLS has undergone a pretty drastic transformation right before our very eyes this offseason, one that has left me asking, "Where have all the stars gone?" alla Hershey's Cookies and Cream commercials circa 1998. Many of the league's big name stars have hit the road for various reasons, leaving behind an opportunity for many of the leagues budding young talents to take their place.

For those who would like to revisit Chicago's long and distinguished soccer history the Chicago Riot are conducting Chicago Soccer Heritage Night this coming Sunday at the Odeum in Villa Park. The list of local soccer luminaries is one of the most impressive I can recall, managing to gather members of the Fire, Sting, Power, Mustangs, Shoccers, Horizons, Red Stars, Cats, Vultures, Stingers, and Storm all under one roof.

For those who would like to revisit Chicago's long and distinguished soccer history the Chicago Riot are conducting Chicago Soccer Heritage Night this coming Sunday at the Odeum in Villa Park. The list of local soccer luminaries is one of the most impressive I can recall, managing to gather members of the Fire, Sting, Power, Mustangs, Shoccers, Horizons, Red Stars, Cats, Vultures, Stingers, and Storm all under one roof.

The Michael Bradley transfer wheel-of-fortune has finally come to a stop and the ticker's stopped on "Aston Villa". After rumors of fellow English Premier League side Sunderland didn't pan out and then the near certain contract with Turkish powerhouses Galatasaray (although conflicting reports say Fenerbahce were the Turkish club bidding for his services) also didn't come to fruition we'll bite on the report that Baby Bradley is moving to Aston Villa.