As we move to within three weeks of the start of the 2009 MLS season, all 15 MLS teams are in the heart of their pre-season preparations. Clubs have scattered the globe, from Argentina to England, as they prepare for their run at the MLS Cup trophy.
We here at SBI will try to keep you posted on as much of the league's pre-season activity as possible. This morning we will take a tour of the Eastern Conference for some news and notes about the seven teams in the East:
Columbus Crew
The Crew is set to depart for England, where the team will spend two weeks training and playing in some pre-season matches. After a successful run of results in Florida against some local college teams, Columbus will be in England playing a series of matches against the likes of Liverpool's and Everton's reserve teams. The Crew has bid farewell to rookie Jordan Seabrook.
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Crew have once again inquired about defender Eric Brunner, who the New York Red Bulls hold the rights to. Are the Red Bulls really asking for too much, or could this be payback for the Red Bulls' failed attempts to trade for the rights of former Seton Hall midfielder Teddy Niziolek?
Chicago Fire
The Fire finished up its tour of Mexico with a 3-1 exhibition victory against Morelia on Tuesday. Brian McBride, Austin Washington and Mike Banner provided the goals for Chicago, which will depart Mexico on Thursday. The Fire will eventually head to Los Angeles on Monday for the next leg of its pre-season tour.
New England
The Revs are in Austin, Texas for pre-season training this week, with a friendly against the USL-1 Austin Aztecs set for Saturday. New England is in Texas for a week before heading to North Carolina for 12 days. Among the highlights of the Revs NC portion of their pre-season is a scrimmage against Wake Forest on March 7th. They will then play their final pre-season tune-up on Saturday, March 14th against the Carolina Railhawks.
Kansas City Wizards
The Wizards will be facing the Chivas de Guadalajara reserves in a scrimmage on Thursday after having its scrimmage vs. second-division side Real Colima postponed. The Wizards, currently in Mexico for pre-season, defeated Mexican club Atlas, 3-0, on Monday.
For some insight into how things are going in Mexico, check out Jimmy Conrad's diary for the Kansas City Star.
New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls will open play in the 2009 U.S. Open Cup against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 29th in San Jose. The fixture was announced on Tuesday. The Red Bulls will be looking to erase the bad memories of their 2008 U.S. Open Cup performance, which consisted of a shock upset loss to Crystal Palace USA.
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder/defender Albert Celades is off to a strong start in training camp in Argentina and is looking like a good bet to make the team if he and the club can reach an agreement on a contract. Celades has spent a large portion of his career as a defensive midfielder but Projects to play as a central defender with the passing ability Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio covets from that position.
D.C. United
D.C. area fans wanting to see their team in action will have their chance on Sunday, when D.C. United faces defending NCAA champion Maryland in a scrimmage at Ludwig Field in College Park, Maryland. The match is free and open to the public.
Toronto FC
Wondering exactly how much TFC paid for Adrian Serioux, which the club acquired on Tuesday? The total damage was a 2010 first-round draft pick and an allocation one source put at $50,000. Not a bad price for a quality central defender.
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What do you think of these items? Will you be trying to attend any of the aforementioned pre-season matches? Think TFC got a steal in the Serioux trade? Excited about the prospects of Celades anchoring the Red Bulls' defense?
Share your thoughts below.
