SoccerBlogs

On the road tonight...so here is a post from the vault featuring Timbers' VP of Marketing Cory Dolich. We completed this chat just weeks before thei Timbers kicked off their inaugural campaign in MLS.

Over the last couple of years, we have conducted interviews with a number of marketing professionals throughout MLS.

Part seven of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s (qualifies without the "Richard's Rule")

Having trained with the Portland Timbers' first team before entering college, goalkeeper Keegan Rogers is in his second season with the Timbers U-23s.

Part six of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s (qualifies without the "Richard's Rule")

Tied for the career scoring record at Tualatin High School (with former Timbers U-23s team member Jared vanSchaik) rising-sophomore Clark Phillips of Gonzaga University is in his first season with the Timbers U-23s.

Part five of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s. (Based on the "[Brent] Richards Rule")

A captain at nearly every level, rising-redshirt senior Chris Harms is in his third season with the Portland Timbers U-23s.

Part four of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s (based on the "[Brent] Richards Rule")

Preparing for his senior season at Oregon State University, Roberto Farfan, is playing his fourth season with the Portland Timbers U-23s.

Part three of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s (based on the "[Brent] Richards Rule"). [Writer's Note: I wanted to get Hurtado posted so I can partner up the Oregon State guys next week and the two rising-sophomore's the following week]

One of the most highly decorated Oregonian's on the Portland Timbers U-23s is rising-senior Erik Hurtado of Santa Clara University.

Part two of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U-23s (based on the "[Brent] Richards Rule")

Steven Evans, a rising-junior at the University of Portland, is now in his fourth season with the Portland Timbers U-23s.

Part one of a seven part FanPost series looking at potential Home Grown Player signings on the Portland Timbers U23s (based on the "[Brent] Richards Rule")

University of Portland rising-senior Ricardo Carrillo is currently in his third season with the Portland Timbers U23 side.

Not all the news coming out of Red Bull Arena these days involves major player signings, as the club's front office has reportedly made a significant change.

According to the New York Post, Chris Heck is out as Red Bulls president of business operations. The club has come under fire for its ticket pricing and attendance numbers, and the scheduling of mid-day, mid-week games during this summer also drew the ire of players, fans and pundits, something that fell under Heck's umbrella.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Freddy Adu tells the Goalkeeper he will shoot more.

In this week's Inside Doop column, Dave Zeitlin wonders what can be done about the Union offense: With Kai Herdling joining the the attacking midfielders set, where will Keon Daniel fit in after his return from suspension?

If you had asked any Stevenage supporter a couple of weeks ago who Gary Smith is, the majority would have replied 'Who?' It would have been a justified reaction because until his name began to be linked with the vacant managerial position, Gary Smith's reputation within this country was, well, non-existent.

The Norfolk SharX have announced two more player signings.

Defender Brady Bryant, 29, and midfielder Miguel Ferrer, who both played for the USL PRO's Charlotte Eagles this past spring, were signed following the SharX's first open tryouts on Sept. 9-10. They join Brandon Massie, who was announced as the team's first signing last week.

The Norfolk SharX have announced two more player signings.

Defender Brady Bryant, 29, and midfielder Miguel Ferrer, who both played for the USL PRO's Charlotte Eagles this past spring, were signed following the SharX's first open tryouts on Sept. 9-10. They join Brandon Massie, who was announced as the team's first signing last week.

On Monday to follow-up on the previous conversation with Kurt Schmid about scouting college and potential HomeGrown Player signings I talked to Chris Henderson. At that point the rumors of Caleb Porter were quite strong which could change how the Sounders approach DeAndre Yedlin 's status. There was also the shift in Darwin Jones' status at the University of Washington, as he was unable to complete a transfer due to the lack of an AA.

Thinking about what to write for tonight it occurred to me that 2012 has lacked some of the big business stories that have been an MLS trademark over the last few seasons. Obviously, the entry of Montreal into the league was a big business story as was the start of the NBC/MLS relationship. Over the next few weeks, two new soccer venues will open, one in Montreal and the other in Houston.