photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Real Salt Lake are looking to the future just as much as they are hoping to win an MLS Cup title
in 2012.
Real Salt Lake announced four moves on Thursday, including the re-signings of Fabian Espindola
and Ned Grabavoy.
The New England Revolution thought that they had secured a prized piece to their attacking
puzzle by announcing the signing of Colombian forward Jose "Pepe" Moreno on loan from Once Caldas
last week. While that still may wind up being the case, there's something a bit awkward and unusual
going on.
The Cascadia Cup rivalry takes no games off, even in the preseason.
The Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps dueled to a 1-1 draw in a 120-minute scrimmage in
Casa Grande, Ariz., on Monday -- a game that included nine cautions and a red card. The game was
split into two 45-minute sessions and a 30-minute one, with each team using different lineups in
each period to take advantage of their expanded lists of trialists and rostered players.
photo by JN Santos/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
The man responsible for the tumultuous offseason the Colorado Rapids endured is prolonging his
stay with the club.
Technical Director Paul Bravo signed a new three-year deal with the Rapids on Wednesday,
extending a stay that began in 2009.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
While the Vancouver Whitecaps are busy stockpiling forwards, the New England Revolution's quest
to find any reliable strikers continues.
That quest became a bit more difficult after definitive word that Rajko Lekic has returned to
his native Denmark to join Lyngby after spending the 2011 season with the Revs.
America de Cali's loss has turned out to be the New England Revolution's gain.
The Revolution announced the signings of centerback John Lozano and attacking midfielder
Fernando Cardenas from the traditional Colombian giant, which was relegated to the country's second
division last month.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
American players are not the only ones going abroad for training stints during the MLS
offseason.
In an effort to keep sharp and maintain fitness, Rafael Marquez has begun practicing with
Barcelona B.
By JOEY SAMUEL
While the retaining of David Beckham's services remains up in the air for the Los Angeles
Galaxy, five other players saw their contract situations get a lot clearer on Friday.
Sean Franklin and Bryan Jordan re-signed with Los Angeles, while Adam Cristman's option was
picked up, allowing Bruce Arena to keep key parts of the deep squad that won the 2011 MLS Cup and
Supporters' Shield.
By JOSE M. ROMERO
PHOENIX -- Four MLS teams have agreed to take part in the Desert Diamond Cup, a round-robin
tournament to be held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 22-March 3.
The defending MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls, the New England
Revolution and Real Salt Lake are the scheduled participants in a series of matches that span a
week and a half.
Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com
By JOSE M. ROMERO
The MLS Cup final was played not even three weeks ago, but teams are already making training
plans in preparation for next season.
Three MLS teams are confirmed for training at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Chivas USA made the biggest move in Monday's short first stage of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft by
using its fourth overall selection to pick former Real Salt Lake midfielder Arturo Alvarez.
Two other teams made selections, as the New England Revolution used the second overall pick on
former Toronto FC fullback Danleigh Borman, and the Columbus Crew used the ninth overall pick to
add former New York Red Bulls defender Carlos Mendes.
Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com
There was a time during a tumultuous summer for the New England Revolution when it appeared that
Shalrie Joseph was as good as gone when the MLS offseason rolled around.
The Revolution captain isn't going anywhere, though, after the club re-signed him and made him
a Designated Player.
photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Geoff Cameron's switch to centerback was one of the key ingredients in the Houston Dynamo's run
to the MLS Cup, and that's why head coach Dominic Kinnear has made the move permanent.
Cameron will serve as a center back in 2012 after he and Kinnear had a discussion following the
end of the season.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
The Jay Heaps coaching era in New England is officially underway.
Heaps was introduced as New England Revolution head coach at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday,
taking over for the ousted Steve Nicol.
Heaps retired from playing for the Revolution in 2009 and was most recently a color analyst for
the team's television broadcasts.
The New England Revolution recently parted ways with long-time head coach Stevie Nicol, and it
appears they are going to stay within the Revs family for their new coach.
The Revs are preparing to name former defender Jay Heaps as the team's new head coach, the
Boston Globe reported on Monday.
Somewhat overlooked in the build-up to tonight's Western Conference semifinal second leg between
the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake (10 p.m., ESPN2) is the fact that it could very well be
Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller's last game as a professional.
Between the injuries to key players and the size of the deficit, there's plenty of pregame
fodder on which to focus, but the fact that Keller's playing career is on the cusp of ending is
perhaps the most significant development in play.
After 10 years at the helm, Steve Nicol won't be returning to the New England Revolution.
The club and Nicol agreed to a mutual parting of the ways, according to a press release, meaning
that the longest-tenured coach with a single team in league history is looking for a new club.
Photo by Don Feria/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Well, the New York Red Bulls sure took the drama out of this weekend.
With New York's 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union on Thursday, the 10th and final ticket to
the postseason was booked, and the Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire were eliminated from playoff
contention.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
All eyes will be on Harrison, N.J., tonight for the New York Red Bulls' critical meeting with
the Philadelphia Union.
A Red Bulls win or draw will clinch the final playoff berth for New York and eliminate the
Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
The MLS playoff race sure is heating up.
With just a handful of matches remaining, nine teams are still competing for six available
postseason berths. A slate of influential weekend fixtures kicks off Friday with a critical clash
in the wild-card race between the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers.
Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Much has been made in recent weeks of the games in hand at D.C. United's disposal. But as the
club has learned, those extra matches aren't particularly helpful if you lose them.
In what coach Ben Olsen called an "unacceptable performance," United fell 2-1 Wednesday at the
Vancouver Whitecaps, dropping crucial points against the league's worst team.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com
New England Revolution rookie centerback A.J. Soares will miss the club's final three games
after undergoing ankle surgery on Thursday.
Soares started 28 games in his first season in MLS, but he injured his left ankle and will need
the next 6-to-8 weeks to go through rehabilitation following the surgery, according to a
team-issued release.
Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
If you had spoken with D.C. United coach Ben Olsen this past offseason and told him centerback
Ethan White, a 20-year-old Homegrown Player, would start 19 matches his rookie year, he "probably
wouldn't have believed you.
Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Saturday's showdown between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas may be a rematch of last year's
MLS Cup, but neither team has looked anything like a title contender lately.
Dallas is 0-6-1 in its past seven matches in all competitions, while Colorado has gone 0-5-1 in
six games.
By THOMAS FLOYD
The last time D.C. United recorded back-to-back league wins, Tom Soehn was the coach, Josh Wicks
was in goal, and the attack was led by Ben Olsen, Christian Gomez, Luciano Emilio and Jaime
Moreno.
That was June 2009. Needless to say, a lot has changed for United and now-coach Olsen in the
past 27 months, but the lack of any sort of winning streak has continued.
By DAVE GUBALA
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill -- The Chicago Fire knew they couldn't afford anything less than a win on Sunday
afternoon and started the match like a team intent on securing all three points.
The Fire did just that after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead and fending off a late New England
rally to post a 3-2 victory at Toyota Park on Sunday afternoon.
Photo by Wendy Larsen/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
While the Texas derby between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo is an intense affair in its own
right, the playoff implications surrounding Saturday's showdown have added a little more spice to
the rivalry.
Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Good luck trying to figure out the New York Red Bulls' problems.
With a full-strength starting 11 that featured two players who are each paid well more than Real
Salt Lake's entire roster combined, the Red Bulls were outclassed by their visitors from Utah on
Wednesday night, conceding three goals in the first 21 minutes before falling 3-1.
The Portland Timbers needed a win in the worst way and with the pressure of fighting for their
playoff lives looming, the Timbers delivered a first-class performance that has fans in the Rose
City dreaming of the post-season.
The Timbers rolled right through the visiting New England Revolution, scoring early and taking
control of a match the Revs never seemed to have much of a chance in, as Diego Chara, Kenny Cooper
and Darlington Nagbe scored goals in a 3-0 romp at Jeld-Wen Field on Friday night.
The Portland Timbers and New England Revolution do battle tonight at Jeld-Wen Field in a
match-up of teams trying to hold on to their playoff hopes (11pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
The Timbers are right on the fringes of a playoff place, but need a win tonight to stay in
position behind Houston and D.
Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Playoff seeding in both conferences could see a shake-up Saturday when Real Salt Lake and
Sporting Kansas City meet at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Thanks to a win over Houston last weekend, Kansas City currently sits one point behind Columbus
for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
For a D.C. United team that is an intriguing darkhorse contender in the wide-open Eastern
Conference, Saturday's match at the Seattle Sounders could be a telling barometer of where the club
stands.
Photo by Don Feria/ISIphotos.com
The FC Dallas community suffered another loss of life on Tuesday when 18-year-old academy player
Jose Perez was killed in a car accident while on the way to practice at San Jacinto College.
"Today is another very sad day for the entire FC Dallas community," Hunt Sports Group vice
president Dan Hunt said.
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
When he was drafted by the New England Revolution, defender A.J. Soares was regarded by many as
the most pro-ready defender in the MLS Draft and a player capable of stepping in and contributing
right away.
Soares has been just that for the Revs this season, and this past week was a strong example of
that.
When FC Dallas took on the New England Revolution on Saturday night it was supposed to be a
mis-match. Even though they were visitors, FC Dallas were the heavy favorite, particularly against
a New England side just three days removed from an embarrassing collapse that saw the Revs blow a
4-1 lead and settle for a 4-4 tie vs.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
After a Labor Day weekend dominated by international fixtures and a schedule watered down by
Hurricane Irene the week before, MLS is finally back in full swing this weekend with a packed
slate of matches.
By THOMAS FLOYD
When Freddy Adu, fresh off a breakthrough performance in the Gold Cup, signed with the
Philadelphia Union last month, the 22-year-old playmaker was seen as the key missing cog for a
team with lofty playoff aspirations.
But for a player whose club playing time in Europe has been sporadic at best over the past few
years, gaining the fitness to contribute on a consistent basis has been a challenge early in his
second MLS stint.
Looking lost and overmatched at home while in the thick of a playoff hunt, the Philadelphia
Union dug deep and came up with perhaps a season-altering rally.
Sebastien Le Toux scored twice, and Freddy Adu scored his first goal since joining the Union and
his first MLS goal since 2007 to help the Union battle back from a 4-1 halftime deficit and tie the
New England Revolution, 4-4, on a wild night at PPL Park.
With the postseason chase picking up steam, the Philadelphia Union will be looking for a return
to their winning ways when they take on the New England Revolution at PPL Park (8 p.m.,
Galavision).
Zac MacMath is set to get the start in goal in place of the injured Faryd Mondragon, and the
rookie will have to do his part to keep Revs' DP striker Milton Caraglio off the scoreboard in a
crucial match for the Union's postseason hopes, which have dwindled a bit during the club's
six-game winless stretch.
