MLS Keepy Uppy: Movers and Quakers
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The offseason for Major League Soccer so far has been anything but complacent. First off the league will welcome back the San Jose Earthquakes for next season. The club has appointed former Los Angeles Galaxy and Canada head man Frank Yallop as their Head Coach. The club also took its first steps in filling out the roster through the expansion draft. The following players were selected by the Quakes:
- Ryan Cochrane Defender from Houston Dynamo
- Clarence Goodson Defender from FC Dallas
- Ned Grabavoy Midfielder from Columbus Crew
- James Riley Defender/Midfielder from New England Revolution
- Joseph Vide Midfielder from New York Red Bulls
- Ivan Guerrero Defender/Midfielder from Chicago Fire
- Brian Carroll Midfielder from D.C. United, Carroll was then swapped to Columbus Crew for Forward Kei Kamara.
- Jason Hernandez Defender from Chivas USA
- Gavin Glinton Forward from Los Angeles Galaxy
- Chris Pozniak Midfielder from Toronto F.C.
The Quakes also traded their 4th round pick in the 2008 MLS Super Draft to Chivas USA for Goalkeeper Preston Burpo. Santa Clara University's Buck Shaw Stadium will serve as the primary home for the team for the 2008 and 2009 seasons with an option for 2010. Things are in motion now for the Quakes which should see a successful return to the league.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have been making moves as well. The Galaxy have announced that former Dutch International Ruud Gullit will serve as the club's sixth head coach. Gullit has been recently serving as a pundit on Sky Sports and is responsible for coining the term "sexy football," something he seems determined to bring to the Galaxy.
"I think (sexy football) is football that you like to see and you enjoy yourself. I think it's an expression that you can use in all kinds of things. Hopefully we can play as good as possible, but there are going to be moments when you can't."
As well as naming a new coach the Galaxy have been on tour down under. The team traveled to Australia and New Zealand and faced Sydney F.C. and Wellington Phoenix. More than 80,000 fans packed the famous Telstra Stadium in Sydney to witness the Galaxy fall to Sydney by a score of 5-3. The Galaxy fell behind 3-0 in the 28th minute before a signature style free kick from David Beckham curled the ball into the upper corner of the net to pull a goal back prior to the break. That however was not enough and the Australian fans went home happy. Things went a bit better for the Galaxy when they arrived in New Zealand. Goals from newly acquired Clint Mathis, Landon Donovan, Carlos Pavon and Beckham allowed the Galaxy to claim a 4-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix in front of 31,853 fans.
Another big move was made by Juan Carlos Osorio. Osorio took over the coaching reigns for an under performing Chicago Fire side last season and led them to within one win of the MLS Cup Final. Osorio has now left the Fire and has resurfaced as the new head man for New York Red Bulls. The move was prompted by personal reasons according to Osorio. His family is in New York and he wished to return, I guess some of us do get our wishes.
FC Dallas also made some interesting moves. The Hoops picked up the options on Juan Toja's & Pablo Richetti's contracts. In addition Dallas did not pick up the option for Denilson. The underperforming highly paid Brazilian may re-sign with the club albeit at a lower rate.
Finally here are the clubs set to do battle in the 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup:
Atlante
DC United
Harbour View
Houston Dynamo
Motagua
Municipal
Pachuca
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