Is Kris Boyd the biggest DP bust of 2012? (Getty Images)
Everyone loves this debate these days which Designated Player was a bust or not?
I've seen a ton lately on Kris Boyd up in Portland and how his days there in the Rose City are likely numbered. It makes sense, the last two times I watched him play (one in person, the other on TV) I wasn't impressed.
Fresh off of moving Davide Chiumiento and Sebastien Le Toux, the Vancouver Whitecaps added a
potent attacking weapon to their disposal by signing Scotland national team captain Kenny Miller on
Monday.
The Whitecaps signed Miller as their third Designated Player, and the 32-year-old striker will
provide another lethal scoring threat up top for head coach Martin Rennie.
The New York Red Bulls latest Designated Player, Tim Cahill, has been outspoken about his
transition into Major League Soccer but what does his new partner Dax McCarty think?
The 25-year-old veteran of the American top flight has found a solid form all season long while
teaming with a plethora of different options in the middle.
In this episode Luke is joined by Sports Illustrated journalist Grant Wahl to discuss the state of
US Soccer in both the men's and women's game. Wahl shares his views on Donovan, Dempsey, Solo and
the possibilities of a fourth DP in Major League Soccer. Daniel Paladini of the Chicago Fire also
drops in to talk about his resurgence in the line up, battling for a playing spot and the team
aspirations for the year.
As the Seattle Sounders prepare for this weekend's match with the Whitecaps, it feels as if
we've transitioned into a new phase of the season. For one thing, the team is coming back from the
first full week break since after the Chelsea friendly in mid-July. The relatively long rest has
given the team and the fans time to mentally prepare for the stretch run.
Christian Tiffert was officially unveiled as the Seattle Sounders' newest Designated Player on
Friday. News of the signing first leaked out earlier that morning when German outlets were
reporting the deal and became all but official after the Sounders announced they had traded Alvaro
Fernandez to the Chicago Fire about 45 minutes earlier.
Seattle trades another DP to Chicago. (Getty Images)
It's Friday afternoon, and lately that has meant it's trading time.
The Chicago Fire announced Friday that the club has acquired Alvaro Fernandez from Seattle
Sounders FC in return for allocation money. Fernandez will occupy a Designated Player slot.
Soccer by Ives may have picked some English guy in Los Angeles to win the honor, but MLS had
other ideas, announcing today that Houston Dynamo forward/midfielder Calen Carr was voted MLS
Player of the Week.
What a fitting honor for a guy who is just back from injury, saw his team sign the excellent
Boniek Garcia as a DP to fill what had become his position and after recovering from concussion he
received in his Chicago Fire days, had serious doubts he might ever play again.
In a match this past weekend that saw a total of eight goals, including four consecutive goals
scored by the Galaxy in a span of nine minutes, the fans at JELD-WEN Field in Portland were treated
to an attacking showcase between Los Angeles and the Timbers.
Ultimately, MLS Cup holders Galaxy prevailed with a dramatic 5-3 win away from home.
Goals, All-Stars and DP's
The Official Podcast of MLSReserves.com. In this episode Luke and Pedro discuss the recent trend of
high scoring matches in Major League Soccer, the amazing play of Chris Wondolowski and what it
takes to be an MLS All-Star. Debated were Eddie Johnson's inclusion and whether Dax McCarty
deserves a spot.
Last weekend, the Red Bulls fell to the New England Revolution 2-0, failing to create quality
scoring chances while playing without six of their regular starting eleven.
The Red Bulls currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference while battling injury woes
all season long.
After the disappointing loss to the Revs, NYRB finally received some good news on Wednesday with
word of a few key players returning.
Yesterday, the New England Revolution officially announced the signing of 25-year-old striker
Jerry Bengtson, who had been playing for the Honduran club CD Montagua. Reports had the Honduran
forward linked with the Revs as early as Monday, until the official news came Thursday morning.
Bengtson will become the Revs second DP, along with captain Shalrie Joseph, and will also occupy
an international slot on the roster once he receives his P-1 Visa and International Transfer
Certificate.
Jerry Bengtson, with Revolution head coach Jay Heaps, holding his new Revolution #27 jersey.
(Photo credit: New England Revolution)
The New England Revolution has signed Honduran forward Jerry Bengtson on a transfer from
Honduras' CD Motagua.
Bengtson recently led La Liga Nacional de Honduras in scoring for three straight seasons will
make his way to MLS and is the club's second Designated Player on their roster.
FIFA 13 hits stores next month, and EA released a trailer Tuesday of what fans and gamers can
expect from the latest edition of the popular video game (watch for the cameo from New York Red
Bulls DP Tim Cahill). Enjoy:
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference battle for first place as the Houston Dynamo welcome
the New York Red Bulls to BBVA Compass Stadium (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network) in a Friday night bout
fit for primetime.
The match -- the first of two consecutive ones between the two clubs -- marks the MLS debut of
New York Designated Player Tim Cahill, who went 45 minutes and drew a penalty kick against
Tottenham in Tuesday night's friendly.
New York Red Bulls fans may be days away from seeing the team's latest Designated Player, Tim
Cahill, in action.
Though he won't be used against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, the former Everton star will
likely be debuting much in the same manner like his New York DP predecessor Thierry Henry did just
two years ago; in a friendly against Tottenham.
As has been widely speculated for the past few weeks, the Fire have officially announced the
signing of Sherjill MacDonald. Sherjill will begin training with the team today, but can't
officially be added to the roster until an International Slot becomes available. The Fire currently
have all 8 slots filled.
Tim Cahill was very much the reason that Everton FC is a frequent watch at TSG headquarters. The
now 32-year-old who joined the Toffees in 2004 epitomizes the club.
In his younger days, he had the perfect concoction of two parts lunchpail, one part creativity
that made him perhaps one of the most complete squad players anywhere in the Prem.
Cross country trips are never good for MLS teams. At one point last season coastal teams were
completely winless playing on the opposite coast through some amazing amount of games and I started
referring to it as the Coast To Coast Curse. That eventually ended, but those 3,000 mile trips
remain brutal for teams.
Things certainly change quickly in the world of the New York Red Bulls.
Earlier this week, Head Coach Hans Backe told gathered reporters about the team's "ongoing"
discussions with a potential Designated Player. By week's end, General Manager Erik Soler was
busy putting the brakes on any such talk.
Tonight I was invited along with other bloggers and press to a happy hour with Rapids President Tim
Hinchey, Rapids General Manager Paul Bravo, Rapids Head Coach Oscar Pareja. Rapids Director of
Media Relations David Lindholm organized the event and was also present. There were 8-10 of us
talking with the Rapids leadership trio.
Wednesday's 6PM US Open Cup Final is just another lineup challenge for Sigi Schmid in a year
that has seen the Seattle Sounders play on short rest several times already. But this is the first
time in 2012 when those choices literally have a Cup on the line. The Sunday night lineup was not
weakened in order to rest anyone.
As you are all now well aware of Alvaro Fernandez has been acquired by the Chicago Fire for
allocation money. This can only be described as a huge boost for the Fire organization. Fernandez
has been a main stay in the very good Seattle offensive attack over the last few years. His
production has fallen off from last season to this season.
The other shoe in the Christian Tiffert signing has dropped and it's Alvaro Fernandez's
departure. The Seattle Sounders midfielder, who first announced that he was leaving the team via
Twitter, has been traded to the Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money, the team announced
on Wednesday. The move presumably clears the way for Christian Tiffert to be announced as the
team's newest Designated Player.
We first put something up about Sherjill MacDonald on June 26th and it's slowly coming together.
Fox Soccer already has MacDonald listed on their transfer list for the summer. Multiple reports
have come out of the Netherlands confirming MacDonald's exit. This morning, Sherjill MacDonald
tweeted in his own words in addition to sharing words of congratulations for well-wishers.
Toronto FC started the season with three Designated Players. None of the three will finish the
season on the field with the club.
With Julian de Guzman traded to Dallas and Danny Koevermans out for the season with a torn ACL
comes word that captain Torsten Frings will be forced to miss the remainder of the season with a
hip injury that requires arthroscopic surgery.
Seriously, though, despite the loss, the Revs weren't all that bad in this one. Granted, the
defense was clearly the weak link, falling back into old habits and what have you, but at least
there were a few bright spots. And, if you've read this segment before, you know I like the bright
spots.
If you've ever doubted the lack of depth in MLS, the value of an MVP and DP, and the complete
superstar skills of David Ferreira... then the performance of FCD since El Torito's return should
have elimited those doubts. 80% says Hyndman, and DF's still the best there is.
The post What a Difference appeared first on 3rd Degree.
Ever since the Seattle Sounders started talking about being open to adding a Designated Player
during this transfer window, speculation ran rampant about who might be moved in order to make
room. If a report out of Colombia is to be believed, it appears that player is Alvaro Fernandez.
The reports, which remain unconfirmed by official sources, suggest Fernandez would go to Colombia's
Deportivo Cali on a one-year loan.
New Dynamo DP is having an easier than expected transition from the Honduran League to MLS. He
has already help set up a goal and has played "well on both sides of the ball" in three 90 minute
shifts. (MLS Soccer)
Jonathon and Eddie discuss the upcoming home stand, players returning from injury, and DC
United.
"In this week's installment of the Hot Time In Old Town podcast, our four-man crew discusses the
four-point road swing against Kansas City and Houston, contintue to debate the fates of the four
internationals with questionable roster status, and preview the game against a Los Angeles team
that has a fourth DP waiting for a roster spot to open.
