Soccer By Ives

MLS unveils Reserve League Schedule

Major League Soccer revealed its 95-match Reserve League schedule for the 2012 season on Monday.

The league's 19 teams will each play a ten-match reserve league schedule, giving young players and bench players more opportunities to play and develop their game over the course of the 2012 MLS season.

The MLS Reserve League is broken up into three divisions, with the team finishing with the most points among all 19 teams being declared champions.

Here are the divisional breakdowns:

Eastern: Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC

Central: Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake

Western: Chivas USA, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The existence of the MLS Reserve League will not prevent teams from continuing to schedule reserve team friendlies throughout the year.

 

MLS Preseason recap: TFC's Silva shines, Johnson scores in Seattle debut, & more

By CALEB SONNELAND

Toronto FC rookie Luis Silva drew raves heading into the 2012 MLS Draft, and is beginning to show why as he establishes himself as a real threat for TFC, which posted a 5-1 victory against South Florida in pre-season MLS action.

The dynamic playmaker found himself on the score sheet early in the fifth minute as he slotted home a 1-on-1 opportunity with the USF keeper to make it 1-0. Just 10 minute later, Joao Plata, who would end the match with a goal himself, teed up Silva in the box for the latter to calmly stroke home to double his tally and Toronto's advantage.

Silva turned provider later in the half as he assisted on goals from Nick Soolsma and Terry Dunfield to wrap up a productive half for the former UC Santa Barbara man with two goals and two assists.

USF grabbed a consolation goal in the 78th minute and the final score rested at 5-1. Toronto will be in action again this Saturday at 6pm with Orlando City of the USL.

Here are some other preseason scores to get you thinking about MLS Opening Weekend:

Johnson returns to MLS, club to be determined Friday

photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Eddie Johnson is headed back to MLS. For real, this time.

After spending three-and-a-half years in Europe and six months searching for a another club abroad, Johnson agreed to a contract with MLS on Thursday. The 27-year-old forward will go into the league allocation process, and his new team will be determined on Friday.

The expansion Montreal Impact currently have the top spot in the allocation process, followed by the Vancouver Whitecaps, New England Revolution, Toronto FC and Chivas USA.

Johnson's decision to return to MLS comes six months after he turned down an initial offer from the league during the final steps of negotiations.

Wednesday Kickoff: Bentley eyeing MLS, USA improves in rankings and more

Tottenham winger David Bentley could be the next Premier League player on his way to MLS.

According to reports, Bentley is seeking a loan move to MLS. The 27-year-old midfielder spent the last half of last season on loan with Birmingham City and the first portion of this season on loan at West Ham before suffering a knee injury in mid-October.

His loan from Spurs to West Ham was subsequently ended, as he was ruled out for up to six months after needing knee surgery. He is four months along in that process as of now, but is apparently ready for his next move. When fit and in form, Bentley is as capable a winger as there is, but maintaining fitness and consistency has been a struggle. 

Reports have the Vancouver Whitecaps as the leading candidate for his services.

Here are a few more stories to get your day going:

Russell looks to solidify D.C. defense

 Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

WASHINGTON -- This past fall, when D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper contemplated his goals heading into the offseason, two of the first priorities that came to mind were adding veteran leadership and strengthening his team's back line.

It turns out he didn't have to wait long to check those boxes off his to-do list. Just a week after the MLS Cup, United acquired 32-year-old defender Robbie Russell in a trade with Real Salt Lake.

After spending the first seven years of his career in Scandinavia, gaining UEFA Champions League experience with Norwegian club Rosenborg BK along the way, Russell returned stateside and made 68 starts in four seasons with Salt Lake, establishing himself as one of the league's more dependable right backs.

And he's also tested when it matters most, having made 12 playoff appearances for Salt Lake. When the club earned its first MLS Cup crown in 2009 with an upset win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in penalty kicks, it was Russell who converted the winning shot.

"We're very excited to have his experience as a winner," D.C. coach Ben Olsen said. "He's got championships under his belt, so it's always good to have that mentality around."

The detailed rundown on how the LA Galaxy have built a juggernaut

The LA Galaxy just completed one of the best seasons in MLS history, if not the best, and they may be even better in 2012 after enjoying an outstanding off-season that has many scratching their heads at just how they've been able to do it.

If you have been wondering just how the Galaxy have constructed what looks like an unstoppable MLS roster, read my Fox Soccer column detailing just how the Galaxy have done it. It will offer you plenty of details into the real breakdown, and no, it's not based on conspiracy theories or preferential MLS treatment.

Give the column a read and feel free to share your thoughts on the piece, and on the Galaxy squad, in the comments section below.

MLS Notes: United adds Saragosa, RBNY signs Meara, and more

photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

D.C. United added more depth to its midfield on Monday, signing a player who is no stranger to MLS.

United announced the acquisition of midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, the 30-year-old Brazilian who previously had stints with FC Dallas and Chivas USA. Saragosa last played in MLS in 2010, when he registered one assist in 14 matches with Chivas USA.

Having spent the past two seasons in Azerbaijan's first division with clubs FC Absheron and Ravan Baku, Saragosa is expected to compete with Perry Kitchen, among others, for minutes at defensive midfielder.

Here are more stories from around MLS:

D.C. United Notes: Salihi adds scoring punch, De Rosario talks continue & more

By THOMAS FLOYD

With Thursday's acquisition of Albanian striker Hamdi Salihi as their second Designated Player, D.C. United is making one thing abundantly clear: After spending the past few seasons breaking down and rebuilding an aging roster, this team is once again ready to win now.

United, who have missed the playoffs four seasons in a row, have retained nearly all of their key contributors from 2011 while reinforcing their roster with role players such as right back Robbie Russell, centerback Emiliano Dudar, wingers Danny Cruz and Nick DeLeon and striker Maicon Santos.

By also adding Salihi, a forward who notched 53 goals in 90 matches his past three seasons with Austrian side Rapid Vienna, the club has now given reigning MLS Most Valuable Player Dwayne De Rosario an accomplished true striker to play off.

"Hopefully he can bring that same scoring touch here in America," De Rosario said. "We're going to do what we can to welcome him in, make him feel as comfortable as possible. Hopefully he jells sooner than later. But it is going to take some time before he settles in -- it's a different league, different lifestyle."

Midfielder Branko Boskovic, who played with Salihi in Vienna, gave a quick scouting report on the 28-year-old forward: "He's very dangerous in the box. He can play with his head, left [or] right foot."

Here are some more notes from D.C. United's preseason:

MLS Notes: Bravo signs extension with Rapids, Revs sign Moreno and more

photo by JN Santos/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The man who helped build the Colorado Rapids' championship side will be sticking around to try and help rebuild the squad under new head coach Oscar Pareja.

Technical Director Paul Bravo signed a new three-year deal with the Rapids on Wednesday, extending a stay that began in 2009. Bravo will continue to be in charge of the club's soccer operations and will look to help the club win another MLS Cup trophy after doing so in 2010.

Bravo remained with the club during the offseason despite the dismissals of managing director Jeff Plush and head coach Gary Smith. Bravo hired Pareja as Colorado's head coach and just added Wilmer Cabrera as an assistant.

Here are more stories from around the league:

Union part ways with Mondragon

The man who played as big a part as any in making the Philadelphia Union a playoff team is now headed home.

Philadelphia and goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon mutually agreed to the Colombian's release Monday, clearing the way for the 40-year-old to end his career in his native country. Mondragon had been rumored in recent days with a return to his first club, Deportivo Cali, and that move was confirmed this afternoon. 

After signing with the Union a year ago, nearly to the day, Mondragon transformed Philadelphia into a sound defensive unit, along with center back Carlos Valdes. He was the starting goalkeeper for the MLS All-Star Team against Manchester United in July.

Mondragon suffered a broken finger in September, which paved the way for rookie Zac MacMath to start a few games. MacMath will now be expected to take over permanently in goal for the Union.

Chicago plays D.C. to scoreless draw in preseason opener

 Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

After D.C. United and the Chicago Fire had their fair share of defensive struggles throughout the 2011 MLS campaign, the two teams both had a notable silver lining to take away from their friendly Sunday: no goals allowed.

United and the Fire kicked off their respective preseason match slates with a scoreless draw in Fort Myers, Fla. Both clubs opened the contest with largely first-choice lineups before mixing in a heavy dose of reserves and trialists as the game wore on.

Despite the experimental nature of the friendly, United coach Ben Olsen was still pleased to see a stout defensive effort from a United squad that finished 15th in the league in goals allowed in 2011. (Chicago was 12th.)

"First and foremost, we've been preaching clean sheets and not giving up as many goals as we did last year," Olsen said to DCUnited.com. "To get out of there without them scoring is a big positive. Overall, it was a really good exercise today."

Philadelphia to host 2012 MLS All-Star Game

Fans of the Philadelphia Union have had plenty to cheer about in the club's brief two-year MLS existence. From the opening of PPL Park in 2010, to the team's MLS playoff debut in 2011. Now Union fans are ready to have a new experience to celebrate in 2012, the hosting of an MLS All-Star Game.

The Union and MLS have scheduled a press conference in Philadelphia for Tuesday, where Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and MLS commissioner are expected to announce that PPL Park will be host this summer's 2012 MLS All-Star Game. The match is expected to be scheduled for late July.

Philadelphia and Sporting Kansas City were among the leading candidates to secure the rights to the event, which annually features a match-up between MLS stars and a top international club. In 2011, Manchester United defeated the MLS All-Stars at Red Bull Arena in a sold-out event.

What do you think of the Union hosting the All-Star Game? Plan on attending this year? Who are you hoping MLS faces?

Share your thoughts below.

Mid-Day Ticker: Chicago re-signs Pardo, Arshavin linked with Lazio and more

photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

A day after unveiling Quaker Oats as its jersey sponsor, the Chicago Fire made another big announcement.

The Fire re-signed midfielder Pavel Pardo on Wednesday, the club announced on its website. While terms of the deal were not originally disclosed, a report on the club's website states the deal worth two years.

The former Mexican international joined Chicago in July 2011, and helped the club post its second best regular season finish at 7-2-1. Pardo played in 14 competitive games for Chicago last season, scoring one goal and assisting on five.

Here are more stories from around the globe:

MLS Notes: Keel agrees to new deal, United adds Santos and more

photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com 

By FRANCO PANIZO

On the verge of losing one of its top defenders, the New York Red Bulls have locked up another for the foreseeable future.

The Red Bulls signed centerback Stephen Keel to a new contract, the club announced on Wednesday. Keel's extension with New York comes less than a year after he signed with the club, having joined the team after a trial in March 2011. It also comes at a time when the Red Bulls are on the brink of losing Tim Ream.

The 28-year-old Keel enjoyed a solid season last year, playing in 16 games and delivering two assists. He also started in all three of the Red Bulls' postseason matches.

Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Here are more notes from around the league:

MLS Supplemental Draft: A Look Ahead

Had the MLS SuperDraft not been shortened to two rounds, then a lot more scrutiny would be applied to some of the early selections in Tuesday's MLS Supplemental Draft, with those picks typically being included among teams' draft hauls from last week's main event.   

As it stands, the upcoming four-round affair provides another chance for teams to bolster their rosters as training camps open across North America. Players who had some of the more notable showings at last week's combine are still up for grabs, including UCLA defensive midfielder Andy Rose (pictured above) and Charlotte attacker Evan James.

Recent history shows there is still talent to be had in the later rounds of the draft process. Last year's third round of the SuperDraft yielded TFC sparkplug Joao Plata and Columbus Crew attacker Bernardo Anor, both of whom contributed meaningful first-team minutes in their rookie seasons. Just a year prior, players like Philadelphia Union midfielder Kyle Nakazawa, Real Salt Lake centerback Chris Schuler and Portland Timbers midfielder Eric Alexander were taken in the third round, while current U.S. Under-23 player pool goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Brian Perk fell to the fourth round.

There is little fanfare to Tuesday's proceedings, as the picks will be made over a conference call instead of in a convention center ballroom, but that does not mean a few diamonds in the rough cannot be found.

Here are SBI's top 20 remaining prospects in the draft pool along with some other notes ahead of Tuesday's 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft:

Wednesday Ticker: Seattle gets Sivebaek, Chivas USA lands Bolanos and more

By FRANCO PANIZO

The Seattle Sounders have acquired Danish midfielder Christian Sivebaek following his transfer from FC Midtjylland, the Sounders announced on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old midfielder arrives in Seattle after playing for Midtjylland since 2006. He played in 80 league matches and tallied six goals for the Danish club during his time there. Sivebaek, who has represented Denmark at various youth levels, can also play right back.

Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Here are more stories from Thursday: