Sons of Soccer

 

The MLS expansion draft took place this week, so now that the Seattle Sounders actually have enough players to field a team lets break down their roster.

 

Seattle got ten new players through the expansion draft (one each from ten different teams).  Here they are:

Player - Former Team - Age - Height - Career Caps (Last Year) - Career Goals (Last Year)

Italics represent players already on the Seattle roster prior to the expansion draft

 

Strikers

Nate Jaqua - Houston - 27 - 6’ 3” - 141 (14) caps - 38 (4) goals

Jarrod Smith - Toronto - 24 - 6’ 2” -  20 (20) caps - 1 (1) goals

Khano Smith - New England - 26 - 6’ 3” - 85 (23) caps - 8 (2) goals

Sebastien Le Toux - 24 - 6’ - 69 (54) caps - 25 (24) goals

 

Midfield

Peter Vagenas - Los Angeles - 30 - 5’ 8” - 183 (14) caps - 14 (1) goals

Stephen King - Chicago - 22 - 5’ 8” - 21 (21) caps - 2 (2) goals

Brad Evans - Columbus - 23 - 5’ 11” - 30 (26) caps - 5 (5) goals

Sanna Nyassi - 19 - 5’ 8” - 4 (4) caps - 0 (0) goals

Freddie Ljungberg - 31 - 5’ 9” - 320 (25) caps - 58 (2) goals

 

Defense

Nathan Sturgis - Salt Lake - Def/Mid - 21 - 5’ 10” - 32 (8) caps - 0 (0) goals

James Riley - San Jose - Def/Mid - 26 - 5’ 10” - 94 (24) caps - 1 (0) goals

Jeff Parke - New York - 26 - 6’ 1” - 132 (24) caps - 1 (0) goals

Tyson Wahl - Kansas City - 24 - 6’ 2” - 32 (16) caps - 0 (0) goals

 

Goalkeeping

Kasey Keller - 39 - 6’ 2” - 518 (13) caps

 

 

So here’s what we learn from Seattle’s roster:

- They’re a young team.  The average age of the team is 26 years, 155 days, and that average drops almost a year if you don’t count Kasey Keller.  All but three players are under the age of 30, meaning if everyone hangs around they’ll have a lot of time to develop as a squad.

- They are inexperienced.  This goes along with the team being so young, but many of the players are second and third year MLS players.  Peter Vagenas will need to step up and offer leadership to the younger players right away, and Ljungberg and Keller will need to provide a lot of stability for the team as well even though they’re new to the league also.

- They need scoring.  The team average for career goals is eleven, barely into double digits, and nobody on the team has scored more than 5 goals in the MLS last season.  To be successful Seattle is going to need at least one twenty goal scorer, somebody is going to have to have a breakout season.

Overall Seattle made good choices in selecting young players that show a lot of promise.  The Sounders could be a competitor within a short timeframe, but the potential problem with such a young roster is that there could be a lot of growing pains along the way.

Filed under: MLS, Soccer by campo
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…plainly stated: not likely.  I’m sure many of us got excited when news started circulating about Landon’s new interest in making another leap across the pond.  News of his destination quickly served to quell these hopes.

After two failed attempts, one wouldn’t expect Lando to take another shot at the Bundesliga.  And of all teams, Bayern Munich?  No argument as to the quality that Donovan possesses, but is it enough to break into a lineup consisting of Luca Toni, Franck Ribery, Mark van Bommel, and Bastian Schweinsteiger?  This sadly has all the makings of a classic Yankee flop on the Old Continent.

Adding to the disturbing nature of this move is the fact that it is merely a loan.  So Landon has impressed enough to earn further consideration, but the lack of long term commitment bound to a loan move detracts from the seriousness of this transfer.  Just about the only thing going for our golden boy in this situation is the presence of Juergen Klinsmann at the helm.  With his familiarity with Donovan and US soccer, at least Lando should get a decent shot.

I really wish Landon all the best with this new experience.

We know he has consistently been one of the best players to pull on the US jersey.  A fairy tale story of a successful loan spell followed by a contract and Landon elevating his game for the premier club in Germany is what US fans are aching for.  Unfortunately I have to agree with New England coach Steve Nichol in his Soccernet appearance; I just don’t see it.

Filed under: Uncategorized by jimmy
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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

LINEUPS ANNOUNCED:

This lineup could take our so-called “A” team. Both strikers are the best we have, and our widemen are fantastic in Sacha and Freddy. If I were Bob, I’d keep this lineup as our “A” squad, except slot Bradley in as sole d-mid and Landon as center attacking mid. Loves the defense…glad Thorrington and Goodson are there in the back. Michael Parkhurst is our best back, and tonight Bob will realize this. Pablo and Rico should be way down the depth chart at d-mid either way at the end of this. Bornstein at left back just….isn’t good anymore.

 ATTENDANCE:

Holy mother of God. I think most Louisiana high school JV football teams have more folks in the stands than we do tonight. Thanks fans in Colorado, y’all are the best.

FIRST HALF

7:11 CST: KICKOFF!!!!

1^st Minute: I don’t remember Goodson being that tall. He looks like Larry Bird with curly hair. Bornstein already slipped and was beaten. I’d have subbed him if I were Bob. It’ll only get worse.

3^rd: Freddy complaining about a “foul.” Kid needs to STOP DOING THAT FOR FUCKING EVER. Keep your mouth shut.

4^th: Future 2009 Honda Player of the Year Kenny Cooper played through, but was offsides.

5^th: Guatemala is awful. Already. Freddy whips in a fantastic corner, nice play from the Guat defender.

6^th: Bornstein is not a day over 9 years old.

7^th: Jozy played through, somewhat, by Clark. He got pulled, but he STILL got a shot. Wonderful stuff from Jozy.

8^th: Great ball from Freddy to Bornstein, who tries to cross it WAY too early. Jozy was wide open. Bornstein’s play in this game, coupled with his childish looks should make him not get called up for the rest of his career now.

10^th: Guatemala has officially gone 10 minutes without diving or trying to murder one of our players. I’m impressed.

11^th: Jozy fouled about 10 yards outside the area, we take the free kick with Cooper. Not a good effort. I’ve also just been informed that the referee is Mexican; I have now cracked my first beer.

13^th: Sacha needs to stop listening to Coheed and Cambria/Dashboard Confessional and get involved in this game.

14^th: Just as I say that, great through ball from Sacha to Jozy, who tries to play it across to Cooper. No dice. Also, Guat gets their first shot of the game. Guzan was text messaging his shawty in London at the time, but still made the save.

16^th: We have at least 30 corner kicks so far. Or maybe three. Whatever. Off said 3^rd corner, Freddy with a nice shot just over the bar.

17^th: Goodson with a great sliding block on a Guat shot.

18^th: Freddy with a nice run, and left footed shot forces a great save from the Guat keeper. Sacha with the rebound, and the keeper stones him as well. Best chance of the day. This young lineup looks confident.

20^th: I’ve officially gone 20 minutes without throwing anything. Personal record.

21^st: I WILL KILL BORNSTEIN. HOLY SHIT. He’s played through and plays a HORRIFIC cross. Would have been a sure goal. He’s the worst player on the field by a mile. A country mile, even. I throw a pillow.

22^nd: Thorrington played through by Freddy and the most BLATANT FUCKING PENALTY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. But no call. John Harkes make it a point to announce that the ref is Mexican.

23th: Bornstein down. We would be better off playing with 10 men anyways.

24^th: Bornstein has become the first American player in the history of United States soccer to get beasted off the ball by a Central American. Congrats, brah.

25^th: Sacha > Joe Cole.

26^th: Bornstein almost scored an own goal. GET. HIM. OFF. THE. FUCKING. FIELD.

29^th: Rico Clark fails at all things “offense.”

30^th: Not a whole lot going on right now.

31^st: Good ball from Rico, but Cooper heads it off the bar. Offsides called. Really nice ball over the top, though. We haven’t seen a lot of that with Bob Bradley in charge.

32st: Guat threatens but Parkhurst says “no sir.” Gooch would have fallen/given a penalty. I’m sure Bob was making a sandwich and/or refilling his prescription to Just for Men on the sideline and missed it.

37^th: Jozy makes a move in the box, and he is interfered with. No penalty. This is boring now, so I’m trying to convince this girl from North Florida with the biggest fake tits ever to come over tonight.

38^th: Keeper handles the ball outside the area. But apparently, such behavior is well within the Mexican rules of soccer.

41^st: Cooper playing harder than Eddie Johnson has played in 5 years. Him and Jozy look great together. We really need a center attacking mid to link the defenders/d-mids to the strikers, though.

43^rd: Freddy with a long free kick, well taken, but at the goalkeeper. Nice effort from the kid. Has to hit it a bit harder.

44^th: Fake tits girl is worried about her law school grades and wants to study tonight. I am not impressed. Nor am I worried about my grades. I still think she will come over late night.

45^th + : Corner for Guatemala. Goodson slides and gets a foot on the ball, sending it over. Second corner coming for Guat. Cleared somewhat by Cooper. Long range shot over the bar. Halftime.

 

OVERALL: Pretty good stuff. Need to put the ball in, though. The lineup is exciting.

HALFTIME RATINGS (1-10):

GUZAN: 6-Nothing to do, kept the backs organized.

THORRINGTON: 7-Went forward well.

PARKHURST: 7-Very solid.

GOODSON: 6-Solid as well.

BORNSTEIN: 1-Horrific first half display. Did not do one thing right.

MASTROENI: 5-Quiet.

CLARK: 6-Got forward well, but is certainly not good around the box.

ADU: 6-Flashes of brilliance, coupled with moments of stupidity.

KLEJSTAN: 7-Nice first half when he got going. How he’s not in Europe I’ll never know.

COOPER: 7-Got involved late in the half. Looked good.

ALTIDORE: 8-Best player on the field. God, he’s gonna be scary good.

 

 

SECOND HALF

8:15 CT: KICKOFF!!!

No changes. I don’t know why Bornsteezy is still in the game.

46^th: Great ball from Parkhurst to Cooper, who crosses to Altidore who can’t get his head on it. Adu corner comes to nothing. Bright start.

47^th: Jozy with an UNBELIEVABLE touch to get free on top of the box, but he fires his shot over the bar. Holy shit. No other American not named Landon Donovan could have done that.

48^th: The Guatemalan players have funny haircuts. Just an observation.

50^th: Apparently Guatemala is out-shooting us 9 to 4. Someone at ESPN is drunk.

51^st: Really wonderful stuff from our boys. A lot of one touch passing, leads to Jozy flicking on to Adu, who takes a touch forward and fires one just over. Would have been a brilliant way for Freddy to open up his national team campaign.

53^rd: The Guatemalan coach looks like the actor that played the lead role in the movie “Geronimo.”

54^th: GOALLLLLLL COOPER!!!!! GLORIOUS GOAL! Jozy with a number of stepovers on the left side, cuts toward the middle, plays a driven ball across the box and Cooper finishes it! What a wonderfully timed run from Kenny, and what a cross from Jozy. The beginning of a wonderful partnership.

56^th: Cooper with a nice move, lays off for Freddy who rips a shot. Unfortunately, right at the Guat keeper.

57^th: I just announced to no one in particular that, if I were a woman, I’d have Cooper’s babies.

58^th: Adu just fucking WORKED the entire Guatemalan defense, and he was assaulted at the top of the box. No call. Coach Bradley tries to calm down Freddy boy.

59^th: Jozy double-teamed, but gets through it and is taken down outside the left side of the box (facing goal, left side). He has been amazing. Nice free kick from Freddy, but Guat keeper up to the task.

61^st: HOLY FUCKING FUCK. I just orgasmed. Freddy works a few defenders, plays short to Cooper, who backheels it through the box back to Freddy, though it is broken up. Would have been an amazing goal, my GOD that was beautiful.

63^rd: Clark with a long, long range shot and the keeper surrenders a long rebound, but our strikers weren’t ready. Should have been 2-0.

64^th: Mastroeni with a BLISTERING shot from about 30 yards, and a great diving save from the Guat keeper. Rebound surprises Goodson, who is somehow all the way up, and he cannot score. I’d also like to point out that Goodson is the new Pat Noonan, in that he also looks like he just crawled out of bed and stumbled onto the field.

65^th: Another great buildup, combo between Sacha, Adu, Mastroeni, then cross by Cooper but Sacha is ROBBED at the far post by the keeper. This is an onslaught.

67^th: Thorrington with a nice run down the right side, Sacha waits too long to play the ball. Thorrington looks lively tonight.

68^th: Jozy would have had a breakaway, but he is held by the defender. Should have been a red card, but the player sees yellow. Free kick right outside the box…..GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FREDDY ADU!!!!!!!!! WONDERFUL FREE KICK FROM FREDDY!!!!! AND HIS FIRST OF MANY GOALS IN THE UNITED STATES UNIFORM COMES IN BRILLIANT FASHION!!!!!!!!!!

69^th: My heart rate won’t slow down. So happy for Freddy.

71^st: Guatemala’s number 11 physically looks like Drogba, but plays like Drogba if he were shot with a tranquilizer.

74^th: Ching is warming up. Say bye-bye to your starting spot, Brian. Even though I do love you. And Conor fucking Casey as well. The 15 Colorado fans in the crowd will be PUMPED. Alright boy, let’s see what you can do.

75^th: Jozy is being subbed. Absolutely wonderful performance. Man of the match. Ching coming in. Casey for Cooper, great game from Cooper as well. Crowd goes BANANAS when Casey comes in.

77^th: Bottom Line on ESPN says New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina to retire. I smile, very largely.

78^th: Mastroeni realizes he doesn’t have a yellow card in the game, so he decides to go get one. He succeeds.

79^th: Resulting free kick dangerous, but Guatemala double-fails with offsides and a handball.

80^th: Guatemala sends another free kick in, well taken. Can’t score, though.

82^nd: JP Dellacamera needs to relax. Every cross we have isn’t shout-worthy.

83^rd: Freddy being subbed, nice ovation from the crowd. Davy Arnaud in. Chris Rolfe looks cold on the bench. Freddy shotguns a beer on the sideline.

84^th: Casey looks like he could have played a German officer in the movie “Schindler’s List.” Grow some hair, brah, you’re freaking us all out.

85^th: Harkes just compared a combination between Casey and Sacha to that of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. That was like 10 years ago, Johnny boy.

86^th: Best opportunity for Guatemala, great save by Guzan. He was video-chatting his shawty on his iphone this time, but still made the save.

87^th: Ching on a breakaway, but somehow handballs it. Whoa, Brian. At this time I’d like to point out that Jonathan Bornstein is still on the field.

88^th: Thorrington dribbles the ball out for Guatemala corner…I have no idea why.

90^th: We are least deep at striker. Casey and Ching have nothing on Cooper and Jozy. I’ll repeat that for Bob Bradley: THEY HAVE NOTHING ON COOPER AND JOZY. START THEM EVERY GAME YOU FUCKING BASTARD.

90^th + : Flash to Adu on the sideline, who is clearly sauced by now. The crowd has diminished from 160 to 14.

8:58 CST: BALLGAME FOLKS, USA WINS 2-0.

Nice performance from our boys. Jozy Altidore Man of the Match in my opinion. Bornstein worst human in the history of the world.

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It is the day after New York clinched their spot in the MLS Cup. Not going to lie, it still has not set in yet. I cannot believe after the season we have had that we are going to be in the finals. The minute I heard that Jozy had been sent to Spain, my heart crumbled and any hopes of a championship seemed to go away. I figured the loss of a talented player like him would only stand to hurt my team.  I was wrong. This was our season. It was ours to prove that we were a force to reckon with in the MLS. Players like Van De  Bergh  and Daine Richards stepped up huge. Furthermore, who can downplay the role of new skipper Juan Carlos Osorio? He came into a team that was all sorts of broken after the horrible coaching (also seen in the World Cup back in 2006) of Bruce Arena. Osorio had plenty on his hands and he took full control. Sure, they got off to a rocky start. What team doesn’t? But the Red Bulls kept their eye on the prize and now are bound for LA. Nov 23, 2008 will be a day I will be proud to be a New York Red Bulls fan. Win or loose, my team did something many thought they would never do (including me). I am just amped to be going to the show. VIVA RED BULLS!!!!!!!!

Filed under: MLS by benny
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Hands down, Darren Bent is proving to be a force on Tottenham. Scoring another 3 goals tonight in UEFA action, his resume keeps improving. Clearly, he and Harry Redknapp are on the same page and are workign well toghter. As somebody who watched the Ramos/ Berbatov bitching, this is a welcomed change. I still stand by the argument that Redknapp needs to make solid moves in the striker area come January. However, Darrent Bent best be one of the players her makes sure sticks around once the window opens. 

 

CAN’T SMILE WITHOUT YA!

Filed under: Tottenham by benny
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What happened? One minute we are bottom of the list. Next thing I know, we are some sort of force in the EPL? Are these the same Spurs that have caused me to have so much pain over the past 9 weeks? Harry Redknapp has come in and some how amped this team into something fantastic. Last nights 4-4 draw with rival Arsenal is a major victory. Sure, we didn’t get 3 points but it is one point further from relegation.  More, it shows we can compete in a league that thinks we can’t.

For some reason, my team suddenly has dynamics that were not there before. Bentley is scoring goals off passes from 40 out. Darren Bent and Aaron Lennon are shining through like the stars they really are. We are looking nice!!!!

Of course there are things that need to be fixed. I won’t argue that we still need some solid feet in the front. A striker is still a must need when January comes around. A new keeper might not hurt too. Gomes is alright at best, but nothing I wanna do fist pumps for.

But that is going to come. For now, Harry and the boys are looking sharp. This weekend we take on Liverpool and our good pal Robbie Keane (who is still dead to me). I can only hope we come out with jets for legs and shotguns for feet.

I trust that my team can be a solid squad in the EPL. Top four? Perhaps, not this season as I had hoped though. Never the less, at this rate, just staying in the league may just be enough for me.

-Can’t smile without ya!

Filed under: Arsenal, Tottenham by benny
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Well its that time of the year when European soccer is getting good and the MLS is winding down.  I just figured I’d throw out some brilliant (not so brilliant really) predictions.

First off I’d like to say that the Dynamo have a bye to the finals this year… I hate them.. but I’ll break it down game by game as I see it’s going to happen. 

I’ll start off w/ the Eastern bracket. 

Columbus Crew v. Kansas City Wizards  Seeing that Columbus took the season series 2-0-1 this season I’m seeing much of the same.  The first game which will be played in Kansas City will end in a 2-2 draw.  The playoff atmosphere will inspire Kansas City to an early 2 goal lead but Columbus, led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto (GBS), will net two second half goals to save an away draw.  When they go back to Columbus there will be no West Ham supporters there so i think Columbus will pound KC in a 3-0 win to move on to the conference finals. 

Chicago Fire v. New England Revolution  I am a die hard Revs fan but I don’t think we can do it with out T-Twells.   Chicago took the season series 3-0-0 with gusto.  I think Chicago will take a 2-1 win in New England and ruin my hopes and dreams with a 1-0 win at home.  McBride will dominate and the absence of Twellman will leave us with almost no attack.

Columbus Crew v. Chicago Fire  This series was lame with two 2-2 draws, however, Chicago did knock out Columbus out of the open cup.  The Fire will engulf the Crew with a dominating 3-1 win.  B-Mac and Sr. Blanco will dominate the Crew and we can’t forget about Chris Rolfe who will play a key part in this do or die game. 

Now for the West

Houston Dynamo v. New York Red Bulls  This series was tied 1-1 during the regular season but I don’t see the New York defense doing ANYTHING.  This will be a close one though, Houston has played at least 12 thousand game this season with all the tournaments they’ve gotten into and this will play a slight factor in their performance.  I think that NY will take the first game 2-1 with Juan leading the way with both goals.  Houston will win 4-0 at home leaving NY’s defense in the dust.

Chivas USA v. Real Salt Lake  Chivas took the season series 2-1-0, but they won’t be so lucky here.  Luck will be the deciding factor in this playoff.  Both teams will win their home leg 2-1 with crazy late goals in both of them and this one folks will go into PKs.  Both teams are good and evenly matched, however I think lady luck is on RSL’s side.

Houston Dynamo v. Real Salt Lake  Houston took the season series 1-0-1 and will take this series even easier.  This will be where Stuart Holden explodes and Houston will move on easily with a 3-1 win.

The Final…

Chicago Fire v. Houston Dynamo  OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH Fire!!!!!  NEVER SAY THAT IN A MOVIE THEARTURE!! Geeze….. However you can say that at home when they get to hoist the new and improved championship trophy.  Houston took the season series 2-0-0, but they will not be able to win the 3rd.  McBride will show true form and score 2 of the 3 goals needed to win it.  I say 3-2 Fire.  This will be a great game and I will drink many beers while watching it. 

Please send out some thoughts (beer..) and let me know what ya think.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”

Filed under: MLS, Soccer by Bulak
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Yes, I am very happy with the win today. Don’t get me wrong,we needed it. What we need most though, is to do the right thing in January when the window opens up and get some golden boots in the front. Ramos pissed away 67 million pounds worth of striker talent.

 Without question, Tottenham needs to be the club that makes the most noise in the transfer period. We need to hit the ground running and get some talent ASAP. In Harry Redknapp I trust.

Filed under: Tottenham by benny
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I was not at all shocked to hear the news Juande was gone. Truth told, I am surpirsed he made it this far in the season. 8 games wtih just 2 points in the table. Without question that is Pathetic.

Goodbye Juande. Hello Harry.

Season begins…………………………..NOW

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Dear Martin Jol,

I miss you.

Love Benny,

 

Dear Juande Ramos,

I hate you.

Love,

Benny

Filed under: Tottenham by benny
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