Plan to bring MLS back to San Jose fails

A plan to bring an MLS back to San Jose State University failed after a developer and campus officials could not agree about how much the school should be paid.

Developer Lew Wolff had proposed paying for a new stadium to house a revived Earthquakes Major League Soccer team and college football games on land next to Spartan Stadium. But the deal also would have required use of most of the university's 63-acre south campus for parking for stadium events, including concerts.

Wolff's option to buy an MLS expansion franchise expires in 2009 and hinges on his ability to construct a stadium. He acquired the option last year when the team moved to Houston.

Wolff is the current owner of the Oakland A's.

This is disappointing, but MLS needs to find another option. The Bay Area needs a team as much as the Pacific Northwest does. MLS needs to make itself a national league, without over expanding ala NHL.

Real Salt Lake and Kasey Keller -- a wonderful match?

According to an article on CNNSI - Keller has expressed an interest in playing on Real Salt Lake.

Keller hands-down is among the top two or three most internationally respected and accomplished players in the history of American soccer.

Keller's deal with Borussia Mönchengladbach expires in June, and it looks as if the club he captains is about to be relegated. At 37, he says he's ready for one last contract before he retires. And since he's a family man, he prefers to play close to his U.S. home near Olympia, Wash., or near his vacation home in Tamarack, Idaho.

Salt Lake City is the only MLS market anywhere near Washington -- a little more than 800 miles away, or a brief two-hour flight from Seattle. And because Keller is ready to sign one final contract, he's not waiting for an expansion franchise in the Pacific Northwest or the San Francisco Bay Area. If no MLS club makes him an offer, he'll likely sign another short-term deal in Europe and then call it quits.

I think this would be a huge loss for the league and would be a big help to Salt Lake City who currently has Nick "thank god he isn't on DC United" Romondo.

WUSA to relaunch in 2008 with eight team

Lost in all the news surrounding MLS' foreign explosion is that the WUSA will relaunch next year.

The league will include teams in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, St. Louis, Dallas, Chicago and the New York/New Jersey area. One city remains to be named.

Play is expected to begin in April 2008.

Good news for fans of Women soccer.

Marvell Wynne traded

The Red Bulls have traded defender Marvell Wynne, the first overall pick of the 2006 MLS draft, to the expansion Toronto FC for a partial player allocation and a second-round selection in next year's draft.

Marvell Wynne is a quality player who is exactly the type of player MLS needs to produce. Just a year ago people where talking about Wynne playing on the national team. So let's hope this move up north works out.

UPDATE:
I urge you to read MLS Underground's post on what Toronto FC is doing.

Sizing up the imports

The most captivating transfer period in MLS history has ended. The result? The league has never had a greater number of quality international players arrive at one time. Here's how Ryan Hunt of CNNSI ranks the top 10 signings in terms of their expected impact in 2007.

1. LUCIANO EMILIO, D.C. United -- The Brazilian striker quickly has shown tremendous power and skill. Emilio will lead MLS in goals this season -- he already has two in league play and five overall -- and he may need to the way D.C. has played thus far.

2. JUAN PABLO ÁNGEL, Red Bulls -- He filled N.Y.'s gaping hole at striker. More important, he gives a franchise that has never won a significant trophy real hope for first time since the league's inception.

3. DAVID BECKHAM, Galaxy -- He'd certainly be higher if he arrived sooner. He's not here just to sell tickets and jerseys. But, yes, off the pitch, Becks' impact is immeasurable.

4. GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO, Crew -- Beloved in Argentina, the Boca Juniors legend is a winner. And he could turn the Crew into a playoff team this season.

5. CLAUDIO REYNA, Red Bulls -- Reyna's injury woes -- he's missed one game and is questionable for Saturday's match -- have the doubters crowing. But when he's on the pitch, his talent is undeniable. Prediction: 20 games played.

Rest of the pack: 6. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Fire; 7. Roberto Brown, Rapids; 8. Carlos Marinelli, Wizards; 9. Ronald Waterreus, Red Bulls; 10. Fred, D.C. United.

More MLS Potential signings...

More MLS Potential Signings...

Rumor #3)
There were indications that the Red Bulls and MLS had completed the transfer of Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa, although there was no confirmation whether paperwork was completed and approved by Sunday's MLS transfer deadline.

Rumor #4)
Preston North End striker Danny Dichio has joined Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. He had been expected to make the move this summer, but an MLS regulation meant he had to be signed by 15th April.

MLS potential big signings...

Here's a roundup of MLS potential big signings...

Rumor #1)
French legend Zinedine Zidane could be set to come out of retirement to join former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham at the L.A. Galaxy. Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas is now hoping he can convince the former France International to come out of retirement for a final swansong in Major League Soccer.

Rumor #2)
Crew coach Sigi Schmid remained mum about the team's possible acquisition of Boca Juniors forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto. One source close to the situation said the Argentine could be in uniform in Columbus Crew Stadium on Thursday night during a nationally televised game with the New England Revolution.

Update:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto is on his way to Major League Soccer.

What are the Red Bulls doing now?

What are the Red Bulls doing now - they are spread rumors about signing every single international player. Let's hope they land one soon so this game can stop for a while!

The Manchester Guardian reported in its Friday editions that the Colombian international striker Juan Pablo Angel heading to the Red Bulls.

In another player acquisiton development, the Red Bulls have been talking to the represenatives of Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse for about a week, a source said. Liverpool's asking price for Cisse, however, might be too high and he is considered to be a long shot to join the team, a source said.

As the Red Bulls continue to look for their David Beckham, the rumors just seem to go on and on.

Enfield Signs two-year Contract Down Under!

Former Los Angeles Galaxy forward Michael Enfield has signed a two-year deal with Australian A-League runners up Sydney FC.

The 23-year old officially joined up on Saturday after a month-long trial, but will not be eligible to suit up until the new season begins in August.

The club are currently busy in the group stage of the Asian Champions League, which Enfield could only take part in if they reach the knockouts.

While it is too early to tell exactly where he might fit in the depth chart, Bling FC coach Branko Culina will expect the Yank to battle for playing time.

"We signed for next season and the season after that," Sydney press officer Mark Worwood told YA. "We have a small squad, so anyone we sign should be in contention for the first team."

During the trial, Enfield made a big impact in each of his friendly substitute appearances, including the goal that put them ahead to stay against Wollongong on March 14th.

"He played the second half of each game," reported Worwood. "He scored a very good individual goal in the first game and had a hand in all three goals against Marconi (on April 3rd)."

Enfield, who was a UCLA teammate of Hamburg midfielder Benny Feilhaber, scored once in 11 games over two seasons with the Galaxy.

(From Yanks Abroad)

Wizards sign Argentine MF Marinelli

The Kansas City Wizards have signed Argentinian Carlos Marinelli to fill their need for a playmaking midfielder.

Marinelli, who has played at the top level in Argentina, England, Italy and Portugal, was introduced Tuesday. The Wizards hopes that the 25-year-old Marinelli - who was playing for Middlesbrough of the English Premier League when he was 17 - has plenty of years left in his legs.

Marinelli has spent the bulk of his career with Middlesbrough, scoring three goals in 35 Premier League matches and two more in other competitions. He has also played for Torino in Italy, Sporting Braga in Portugal, and Argentinian clubs Boca Juniors and Racing.

The Wizards will be counting on him to get the ball to their forward tandem of the United States' Eddie Johnson and Trinidadian Scott Sealy.

Red Bulls trying to add Brazil's Edmundo

According to CNNSI, Edmundo, a 36-year-old forward who was a reserve on Brazil's 1998 World Cup team, might join Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

"I was told to come up with the name of a famous Brazilian who had played for the Brazilian team. I gave them Edmundo, and he was approved," agent Fred Souza was quoted as saying by the Placar news agency on Wednesday. "There is an offer on the table, and Edmundo initially thought it was interesting. It could be a matter of days."

On Tuesday, two newspapers in Argentina said playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto was considering a contract with the Columbus Crew.

MLS Season Starts

Some observations from this past weekend - the DC United/Rapids game was officially sold out, but it looked quite empty. I know it was cold and snowing out, but MLS has to be disappointed with how it looked on TV.

I didn't get to watch any other games - but with the cold weather I can't imagine that the week went as well as they had planned!

Also - Red Bulls - 0 goals! I was expecting more out of a Bruce Arena, Claudio Renya team!

MLS doesn't want Keller... what are they thinking?

According to ESPN, MLS has little interest in bringing Kasey Keller to America. My question is why? I mean I know he is 37, but he can still play at a high level and is a name. I would love to see him and Brad Friedel in MLS. I think both these goalies are still playing at the top level and MLS would be lucky to have them.

On the reverse side, hopefully some of the younger keepers will follow Keller and Friedel's example and head overseas to play in tougher leagues. In America we have no shortage of quality tenders, but we need to continue to challenge them and not let some of the best goalies get comfortable playing in MLS.

If MLS is going to expand from 13 teams to 16 teams by 2010 - we need players like Keller and Friedel back in the US to help the game. And have them do it while they are still playing at a high level.

United falls to Chivas 2-1

Despite an amazing goal by Jamie Moreno (in ESPN's top ten highlights this morning), DC United made two defensive mistakes that allowed Chivas to escape with a 2-1 victory. This knocks the United out of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup by a 3-2 on aggregate.

Given that the United have yet to play a league match and Chivas is in midseason form you have to applaud the effort of the lads. CONCACAF Champions' Cup is going to be difficult for any MLS team to advance far because of the timing. That said - DC has given us a glimpse of how exciting they are going to be this year.

United set to play Chivas tonight...

DC United are set to play the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal tonight against CD Guadalajara. The United enter the match as the firm underdog. Late last week DC United resolved its drawn-out negotiations with Australian club Melbourne Victory over the international transfer certificate of Brazilian attacker Fred. Hopefully he will have a big impact in tonight's match.

Fred's debut could instantly influence the heated series, which stands delicately balanced after a 1-1 draw 17 days ago. The Mexicans knocked United out of their typical possession rhythm for much of the first-leg draw at RFK Stadium, but the Black-and-Red took heart from Luciano Emilio's late equalizer and are confident that they can break down the Chivas defense again.

Let's go United!!!

Players to watch in MLS' 2007 season!

Take a look at the players CNNSI says we should keep an eye on in 2007.

Zidane to Galaxy?

According to CNNSI scoreboard daily section, former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane could follow ex-teammate David Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Adidas, which have both players on their books, is in talks with MLS and Galaxy officials about sponsoring a deal for Zizou to come out of retirement and play alongside Beckham in a sensational midfield pairing.

If this turns out to be true - WOW... I would get the package to watch all of the Galaxy's games.