Changes in the landscape of U.S. youth soccer development

Changes in the landscape of U.S. soccer are never obvious on the surface. But, there are signs among the many throwaway off-season pressers and the hard work of steadfast journalists; changes are in motion that will have major impact in the coming years. The disjointed ratio of arm-chair soccer critics versus expert soccer problem solver grows after every World Cup. How does the U.S. close the gap? How can U.S. produce elite level players? There are so many things you can rationalize but there is one thing that is hard for any U.S. fan to concede, their youth is not inherently or genetically superior to U.S. youth. Where the U.S. falls off the pace is the critical soccer development period between the ages of 12-17.

The clues started to reveal itself with Craig Stouffer piece on the NCAA rule change opens doors for MLS academy prospects. We’ll see the full impact of this change in the coming months as the MLS reserve league re-launches in the spring 2011. If MLS plays reserve games take place without charging admission, elite college soccer players can have access to MLS quality training and games without losing their college eligibility and scholarship. The MLS homegrown rule limited each MLS team of 2 signings per year of youth players from their academy system. Although it’s been a mandate of the MLS for the last 4 years to establish there own academy program, some MLS franchise had no interest in investing in a youth program. Only in the last two years, the MLS gave thought in rewarding teams who follow the mandate by giving them home grown roster slots not impacting roster limits and cap. With a throwaway bullet point embedded from this year's state of the league address by MLS commissioner Don Garber, the training wheels are off as the home grown academy limit was lifted. An avalanche of Academy player signings occurred in comparison to past years by various MLS clubs.

No other reporter has covered the changes in American Youth Soccer landscape like L.E. Eisenmenger of the National Soccer Examiner. Her interview published this week with player agent Mike Wheeler gave us a glimpse of the possible future. The main point is the Non-MLS youth clubs will need financial incentives to change their current business model. A system similar to almost all other nations already in place protecting smaller clubs being raided by bigger clubs and benefiting financially from developing quality youth players. There are still questions unanswered. U.S. child labor laws and the uniqueness of the MLS FIFA relationship have yet been re-defined. Nevertheless, several clubs have already invested financially to position themselves for these changes.

There are overt evidences of this forward thinking already in place from a couple of Texas Youth Clubs. Dallas Texans Football Academy Ghana, a partnership between the Dallas Texans SC and Map Sports Management.

“The Dallas Texans Football Academy will promote education and provide our Ghanaian players the opportunity to play with the Texans teams of their choice in all divisions to showcase their talent for the chance to play at the professional level as well as in college. This will also give our teams the opportunity to play with the talented Ghanaian players in various competitions. This partnership is a win/win for all players”, said Hassan Nazari.

"..focuses on developing players to secure college scholarships while giving the players the opportunity to render themselves professionally" said Akordy Abongya, President of Map Sports Management.

This kind of partnership is already in place with Rush Soccer. Rush soccer currently has satellite clubs in Gambia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Texas Rush is hosting a Gambian U17 national player Kekuta Manneh (17 goals). Kekuta has been splitting time between the U18 and U16 squad in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league and has provided immediate impact for the Texas Rush academy program. Three other Gambian youths are playing for the Colorado Rush Academy U18 squad.

It really looks like it’s going to be sooner rather than later. Whatever changes that is forthcoming, the insiders are confident enough to bet on a future for the rest of us has yet been revealed. American youth soccer is on the cuspis of a new frontier.

MLS:Jugadores Generación Adidas 2011 y universitarios

NUEVA YORK (29 de diciembre, 2010) – Major League Soccer y adidas anuncio hoy la nómina completa de jugadores que formarán parte del programa 2011 de Generation adidas, además de la contratación de cuatro universitarios. Estos jugadores entrarán a las filas profesionales a través del SuperDraft de la MLS 2011 presentado por adidas. El SuperDraft se llevará a cabo en el Centro de Convenciones de Baltimore el jueves, 13 de enero a las 12 del mediodía hora del este. La lista de fichajes del programa Generation adidas y universitarios se encuentra abajo.
Una lista adicional de participantes universitarios y no universitarios para las Pruebas Anuales será anunciada el 4 de enero.
Los jugadores que se unen a la MLS a través del programa Generation adidas reciben la oportunidad única para desarrollar su talento a nivel profesional dentro de la Major League Soccer. Además de entrenar y jugar con uno de los 18 equipos profesionales de la MLS, los jugadores Generation adidas reciben un subsidio educativo para que continúen con sus estudios universitarios. Jugadores del programa Generation adidas no forman parte del presupuesto salarial de los clubes de la MLS.
La nómina completa de jugadores participando en las Pruebas Anuales además del cuerpo técnico será anunciada próximamente.
2011 Generation adidas:
Jugador Pos. Edad Residencia Univ./Club Juv. Selección Nacional

Will Bruin Del 21 St. Louis, MO Indiana University EE.UU Sub-20
Corey Hertzog Del 20 Reading, PA Penn State University
Perry Kitchen Def 18 Indianapolis, IN University of Akron EE.UU Sub-17, Sub-20.
Zac MacMath Por 19 St. Petersburg, FL University of Maryland EE.UU. Sub-17, Sub-18, Sub-20, Sub-23
Darlington Nagbe M/Del 20 Lakewood, OH University of Akron
Michael Nanchoff M 21 North Royalton, OH University of Akron
Omar Salgado Del 17 El Paso Texas EE.UU. Sub-20
Kofi Sarkodie Def 19 Huber Heights, OH University of Akron EE.UU. Sub-15, Sub-17, Sub-18, Sub-20.
Zarek Valentin Def 19 Lancaster, PA University of Akron EE.UU. Sub-15, Sub-17, Sub-18, Sub-20.

2011 MLS Contrataciones Universitarios de “Seniors”
Jugador Pos. Edad Residencia Univ./Club Juv. Selección Nacional

Jalil Anibaba Def 22 Davis, CA University of North Carolina EE.UU Sub-18, Sub-20
Michael Farfan M 22 San Diego, CA University of North Carolina EE.UU Sub-17
Stephen McCarthy M 22 Colleville, TX University of North Carolina
AJ Soares Def 22 Solana Beach, CA University of California – Berkeley
www.FutbolMLS.com

Q & A with FC Dallas Academy Okwuonu and Top

Boyd Okwuonu

Michael Ambrose and Jonathan Top

Jonathan Top, Michael Ambrose and Boyd Okwuonu finished a successful and competitive year. As part of the U18 MNT and coached by Mike Matkovich, the red, white and blue had the chance to play against France, Germany and Israel. They lost to France 3-0, tied scoreless with Israel and lost to Germany 2-1. The only goal for the americans came from Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler:

TFG: How many international events have you been this year? How many with FC Dallas and how many with U 18 National Team?

JT: I've been in 3, 2 with the U-18 MNT & 1 with FC Dallas

BO: I've been on 4 international trips this year. 3 with the USA -18 and 1 with FC Dallas

TFG: What can you tell about your experience playing these games?

JT: The level of play are higher in any international game for the reason that the guys we play against are in an environment where the train everyday. Then the level gets even higher when we play against a national team. We all really want to be at our best when representing our country. Plus, everybody there is replaceable at any moment so once we step on the field we leave it all out there.

BO: That the environment we play in needs to get better. We need to starting practicing every single day to get to where we need to be.

TFG: The last trip was to Israel, how did it go for you?

JT: It could have been better as far as getting results for our nation, but thank God it was a great trip. I gained another bit of experience playing against the French, Israelis, & Germans

BO: We started of slow because we had a lot of new guys on the team but towards the end, we started to bring it together.

TFG: Which team was the hardest ?

JT: The best team was Germany

BO: We were beating Germany 1-0 with 20 minutes to go.

TFG: What are you planning for next year?

JT: At this moment I plan to finish out the year strong with the FC Dallas Academy then probably go to college.

BO: To continue on same track I have been and just trying to keep improving on my craft.

TFG:You have had chance to train with the first team of FC Dallas what can you say about that?

JT: I enjoyed training with the first team because the level of play is higher & it helps me grow as a player by playing against better players.

BO:The speed of play is a lot faster and they are very competitive.

TFG: Having traveled overseas which team would you like to play with? any dream so far?

JT: My dream is to one day play & be a successful forward for Manchester United.

BO: Chelsea.

TFG: What did you do for Christmas?

JT: We got together with my moms(Margarita Top) side of the family at my aunts(Angelica Barron) house.

BO: Spent time with my family Preston Okwuonu, Scott Okwuonu, Willie Okwuonu, Ike Okwuonu, Imelda Okwuonu.

FC Barcelona vs Club America, August 6th 2011 at Cowboys Stadium

FC Barcelona announced plans for the their upcoming 2011 summer tour in the United States. The tour will feature matches against European Giants, Manchester United and AC Milan. The tour will be cap off in Dallas against Club America, August 6th at Cowboys Stadium. FC Barcelona will feature several players from the 2010 World Cup Championship team Spain. And Lastly, the odds on favorite to be the 2010 Player of the Year winner, Lionel Messi. The 23 year old Messi will be coming back from a month long campaign in July for the Argentina National Team's Copa America campaign ... more details to come

2011 tour return to USA
http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/

The Barça preseason tour 2011 has been decided. The team are returning to the United States, where they will play three games. They will also play friendlies in Munich (Germany) and Split (Croatia).The spokesman for the board, Toni Freixa, announced the summer plans for Pep Guardiola’s side, which will suppose and income of €6,200,000 for FC Barcelona

European games and tour After travelling to Asia, South Korea and China last year, the squad now return to the States, where they already went in 2009 and 2008. Before going to America, Barcelona will play two games in Munich’s Audi Cup and one in Split (Croatia).

The following are the games to be played this summer, although the European fixtures are against undecided opponents:
► 21 and 22 July: Audi Cup matches (Munich)
► 25 July: Friendly (Split)
► 30 July: Manchester United v FC Barcelona (Washington)
► 3 August: AC Milan v FC Barcelona (Miami)
► 6 August: America of Mexico v FC Barcelona (Dallas)

The Three FC Barcelona 2010 Ballon d'Or candidates:

Xavi Hernandez

Andres Iniesta

Lionel Messi

FC Dallas Hernandez called in to U.S MNT

Moises Hernandez couldn't have had better year starting with his debut vs Inter de Milan and now heading to USMNT

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 22, 2010) – Yet another FC Dallas player has been called in to U.S. National Team duty as 18-year-old defender Moises Hernandez has been selected by head coach Thomas Rongen for the U-20 Men’s National Team Camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., from Jan. 2 to Jan. 13. Hernandez signed with FC Dallas in July 2010 under Major League Soccer’s Home Grown player initiative. Shortly before signing, he was honored by the U.S. Soccer Development Academy during U-17/18 Finals Week, earning Development Academy Starting XI honors for the U-17/18 USSDA. Fourteen players return from the team’s most recent training camp that included a pair of wins against Canada in Sunrise, Fla., including Joe Gyau, who netted three goals in the Dec. 18 game versus Canada. Gyau, who plays for Hoffenheim, is one of three players on the roster who play professionally in Germany. Forward Bobby Wood plays for 1860 Munich and midfielder Fabian Huerzeler, who will be in his first U.S. camp at any level, plays for Bayern Munich. There will also be three players who play in England: Derby County’s Conor Doyle, West Ham United’s Sebastian Lletget and Ipswich Town goalkeeper Cody Cropper. In all, 10 players will be traveling to Ft. Lauderdale from Europe. Four Major League Soccer clubs will be represented, including a pair of D.C. United players in Conor Shanosky and Ethan White. FC Dallas defender Moises Hernandez will be making his first appearance in a U.S. U-20 MNT camp since December 2009, while goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre will come from the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program. New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo will participate with the U-20s until Jan. 6, and then fly to Carson, Calif., to join the Men’s National Team training camp at The Home Depot Center. Including the four Homegrown players who signed directly from MLS Academies to the first team – Shanosky, White, Hernandez and Agudelo – there are 13 players who were part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Midfielder Dillon Powers was named the 2008-09 U-17/18 Player of the Year for Andromeda and Kelyn Rowe played in two championship games in 2009 and 2010 with Crossfire Premier. Seven players on the roster signed professional contracts directly from their Academy club. U.S. U-20 MNT Roster by Position.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town; Athens, Ga.), Zac MacMath (Maryland; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Brian Sylvestre (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Hollywood, Fla.) DEFENDERS (9): Gale Agbossoumonde (GD Estoril Praia; Syracuse, N.Y.), Greg Garza (GD Estoril Praia; Grapevine, Texas), Moises Hernandez (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas), Sacir Hot (Boston College; Fair Lawn, N.J.), Sebastian Ibeagha (Duke; Missouri City, Texas), Perry Kitchen (Akron; Indianapaolis, Ind.), Zarek Valentin (Akron; Lancaster, Pa.), Korey Veeder (Out of Contract; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Ethan White (D.C. United; Kensington, Md.)MIDFIELDERS (9): Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim; Silver Spring, Md.), Fabian Huerzeler (Bayern Munich; Munich, Germany), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United; San Francisco, Calif.), Alex Molano (Dinamo Zagreb; Grapevine, Texas), Moises Orozco (Tigres; Oxnard, Calif.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA; Newport Beach, Calif.), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United; Sterling, Va.), Alex Zahavi (Maccabi Haifa; Los Angeles, Calif.) FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls; Barnegat, N.J.), Conor Doyle (Derby County; McKinney, Texas), Omar Salgado (unattached; El Paso, Texas), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich; Irvine, Calif.).
-- FCDALLAS.COM

FC Dallas set to play against Houston in pre-season

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 21, 2010) – FC Dallas will face in-state rival Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. CT for a pre-season match at Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Last June, Whataburger Field hosted its first soccer match when the Houston Dynamo topped USL Premier Development League side Laredo Heat, 2-1, in front of a capacity crowd. The Dynamo and FC Dallas have a long-standing rivalry with the battle for El Capitán, a Civil War era cannon that goes to the winner of the regular-season series between the two sides. FC Dallas currently has possession of the cannon.

As the reigning Western Conference Champions, FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games. FC Dallas opens the 2011 regular season March 19 at 7:30 p.m. CT versus the Chicago Fire at Pizza Hut Park. For more information, visit FCDallas.com or call (469) 365-0000.

Hooks season-ticket holders have an exclusive Dynamo-FC Dallas ticket-buying window between Wednesday, December 22, at 9 a.m. and Thursday, January 6, at 5 p.m. Season-ticket holders should call 361-561-HOOK, visit the Whataburger Field Box Office or log on to whataburgerfield.com Special ticket pricing for Hooks season-ticket holders during this period is $18. Advance tickets for $20 go to public sale at whataburgerfield.com and the Whataburger Field Box Office on Friday, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. The tickets can also be purchased via by calling (361) 561-HOOK (4665). Day-of-match tickets are $22. Fans can also contact Andy Steavens at (361) 561-4677 to purchase group tickets (20-ticket minimum) at a discounted rate.

Ihemelu, Shea, Loyd and Alexander with National Team

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 21, 2010) – Four FC Dallas players were among the 24 named to the January training camp roster by U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley for the first training camp of 2011. The camp opens Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Eric Alexander, Ugo Ihemelu, Zach Loyd and Brek Shea join the group as it prepares for the USA’s first match of 2011, a friendly against fellow FIFA World Cup finalists Chile on Jan. 22 at The HDC. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with broadcast information to be announced at a later date. Fans can follow the game live via ussoccer.com’s Match Tracker or on twitter @ussoccer.
The annual camp held in January for players in their offseason is a largely domestic-based group that includes 20 players who ply their trade in the United States, and the coaching staff is taking full advantage of the opportunity to assess new talent. With an average age of just above 23 years old, half of the players can earn their first cap for the full team. Of the group heading into the January camp, a total of six players will be age eligible for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Major League Soccer is well represented, with 10 clubs contributing a total of 20 players to the Carson camp. Eight players come from the MLS Cup finalists, four each from 2010 champion Colorado Rapids and runners up FC Dallas following a thrilling championship settled in overtime. Matt Pickens, Anthony Wallace and Marvell Wynne helped anchor the Rapids defense while Jeff Larentowicz patrolled the center of the park; on the other side, Ihemelu and Shea started for FC Dallas. Shea has the most recent experience with the full team, making his debut on Oct. 12 against Colombia.
It will be the first camp for Loyd and Alexander, who both just wrapped outstanding rookie seasons in MLS. Loyd appeared in 24 games for the Dallas side, starting 19, while Alexander made 12 starts and 17 appearances, notching two goals and three assists. As the reigning Western Conference Champions, FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games.
The annual January camps have produced some memorable moments in addition to being the starting point of promising international careers. In 2007, a young Jonathan Bornstein scored his first goal in his first game, a path which led to two starts at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A year later, Landon Donovan made history when he became the all-time leader in goals scored for the United States. In 2009, Sacha Kljestan opened his international scoring account in style, becoming only the second player in U.S. history to score his first three goals all in the same game.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITIONGOALKEEPERS (4): Dominic Cervi (Celtic), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)DEFENDERS (9): A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Ryan Miller (Halmstads BK), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Anthony Wallace (Colorado Rapids), Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapid)MIDFIELDERS (7): Eric Alexander (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Sam Cronin (San Jose Earthquakes), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabaek), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
-- COMPLETE ROSTER IS ATTACHED--

FC Dallas opens season 2011 against Chicago Fire

FRISCO, Texas (Monday, Dec. 20, 2010) – Coming off the most successful season in franchise history, FC Dallas opens the 2011 season against the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 19 at Pizza Hut Park, the club announced today.
Led by 2010 Coach of the Year Schellas Hyndman, the reigning Western Conference Champions will look to take their first step towards returning to Major League Soccer’s biggest stage against their Brimstone Cup Rivals, the Chicago Fire. An annual competition founded by FC Dallas and Fire supporters during the 2001 season, the Brimstone Cup is awarded to the club with the better record in head-to-head competition during that season. FC Dallas has not lost the Brimstone Cup in nine seasons.
FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games.
Fans looking for the best value ticket to the home opener can purchase FC Dallas season ticket packages at 15-20 percent off through Jan. 11th. Other options include a seven-game plan and Holiday Flex package. For additional ticket information, visit http://www.fcdallas.com/ or call 469.365.0000. The first match of Major League Soccer’s 16th season will kick off on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, when Seattle Sounders FC host the L.A. Galaxy live on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. CT. All 18 clubs will take the field during the opening “First Kick” week as they embark on a 34-game, balanced regular season in which every club will face each of the other 17 twice – once at home, once on the road. Ten teams will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. By the end of Week 2 of the 2011 season, 16 clubs will have played in front of their home fans. The Portland Timbers begin their inaugural MLS campaign at the MLS Cup Champion Colorado Rapids on March 19, and celebrate the opening of the fully-renovated PGE Park on April 14 against the Chicago Fire. Sporting Kansas City begins its landmark season on the road while the finishing touches are made to KC Stadium, a stunning new soccer venue that stages its first MLS match on June 9, also against the Fire. The schedule for all 18 home openers is below. Additional games and national television broadcasts will be announced at a later date. The entire 2011 MLS regular season will be released by early February.
FC Dallas fans can also make deposits for group ticket purchases at this time. Fans who have purchased 2011 Flex Plans can contact the FC Dallas Fan Relations Department to begin redeeming their flex purchases for specific seat locations to the home opener. Orders will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Home club listed first; All times Central Tuesday, March 15Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, March 19Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBDD.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 6:30 p.m.New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 6:30 p.m.FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m.Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30pmColorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 8 p.m.Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 9:30 p.m.San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 20LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 3 p.m.Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 3 p.m.Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3 p.m.Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, time TBDNew England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time TBDReal Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 10 p.m. Thursday, June 9Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD -- http://www.fcdallas.com/ --

DREAM Act and what it would of meant for US Soccer

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act is scheduled to go to a Senate vote this weekend. By all projections, It will be the first test of the GOP's new influence after their mid-term elections success. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said "while supporters have picked up a few votes in the Senate, a Republican filibuster would probably sink the DREAM Act". A polarizing issue that may end the dreams of many immigrant students' dream of becoming a U.S. citizen in the near future. The immigration politics goes beyond the goals of this Act. From a myopic perspective in regards to soccer in America, It would have made an impact on the eligibility of many immigrant players' dream of representing their resident country. Surveying the player pool from college to high school. a new wave of players could been eligible for the U.S. national teams. One example locally that would be eligible is home grown signee of FC Dallas, Ruben Luna. A standout player in the U.S. Soccer Development league and the 2nd home grown talent signed by FC Dallas, Ruben has lived in the United States for the majority of his 18 years. Spurning interests from Mexican clubs and Federation, Ruben Luna wants to play professionally in the United States. As of this morning, The DREAM Act fell short of 5 votes of the necessary 60 votes to move the legislation forward. On a quiet Saturday morning in December, the hopes and dreams of some immigrant soccer players in the United State fell short by 5 votes.

by meeting the following requirements:

• Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time the Law is enacted
• Must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16
• Must have resided continuously in the United States for at least five (5) consecutive years since the date of their arrival
• Must have graduated from a U.S. High School, or obtained a General Education Diploma GED
• Must have "Good moral character"

Fechas y sedes de la Copa de Oro 2011

NUEVA YORK (Jueves, 16 de diciembre) – La Copa Oro 2011 de la CONCACAF, celebrando el vigésimo aniversario del torneo más prestigioso de la región, tendrá a 11 ciudades estadounidenses y 13 estadios como sedes, iniciando en el Cowboys Stadium en Arlington, TX el domingo, 5 de junio y concluyendo el torneo con la final el sábado, 25 de junio en el histórico Rose Bowl en Pasadena. En un esfuerzo de la CONCACAF para atraer a la mayoría de aficionados en el país, y después de ser testigo de la expansión de la Copa Oro en el torneo de 2009, la Copa Oro 2011 viajará a nuevas ciudades (Detroit, Tampa, Charlotte, y Kansas City) y regresará a sedes conocidas. “Estamos muy contentos con nuestras ciudades y sedes”, dijo el secretario general de la CONCACAF Chuck Blazer. “Cada sede aportará su propio sabor al evento y hará que esta edición sea la mejor Copa Oro hasta la fecha”. Este será la sexta final en el Sur de California, y la segunda vez que el Rose Bowl es sede del torneo. La primera final de la Copa Oro fue disputada en Los Ángeles en 1991 en el Coliseo de Los Ángeles, donde la selección de Estados Unidos derroto a Honduras en tiros penales. Jamaica, Cuba, Granada y Guadalupe recientemente clasificaron a la Copa Oro del Caribe mientras que los participantes centroamericanos serán decididos desde el 14 al 23 de enero, 2011, en la Copa Centroamericana, que será disputada en Panamá. Canadá, México y los Estados Unidos están automáticamente clasificados al evento. El campeón de la edición de 2011 representará a la CONCACAF en la Copa Confederaciones de 2013 que será en Brasil, como preludio de la Copa Mundial 2014. Los ganadores de la Copa Oro han disfrutado de presentaciones espectaculares en la Copa Confederaciones, que incluye el campeonato de Mexico en 1999 y más recientemente, el memorable segundo lugar de los Estados Unidos en el 2009. CONCACAF anunciará los resultados del sorteo de los grupos para la Copa Oro 2011, el calendario, así como información sobre boletos a principios de febrero. CALENDARIOPrimera Ronda5 de junio– Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX)6 de junio – The Home Depot Center (Carson, CA)7 de junio – Ford Field (Detroit, MI)9 de junio – Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)10 de junio – FIU Stadium (Miami, FL)11 de junio – Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)12 de junio – Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)13 de junio – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)14 de junio – KC Soccer Stadium (Kansas City, KS) Cuartos de final18 de junio – New Meadowlands Stadium (E. Rutherford, NJ)19 de junio – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (Washington DC) Semifinales22 de junio – Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX) Final25 de junio – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA) Para información más detallada sobre las sedes y los equipos, favor de visitar www.CONCACAF.com

FC Dallas acquires goalkeeper Chris Seitz

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 15, 2010) – FC Dallas acquired goalkeeper Chris Seitz from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for a 2012 FC Dallas fourth round SuperDraft selection , the team announced today.
Seattle selected Seitz ninth overall in the second stage of the MLS Re-Entry Process Wednesday afternoon. Seitz spent the 2010 season with the expansion Philadelphia Union, starting 22 games and posting a 1.80 goals against average. The 23-year-old California native went 5-12-6 between the posts.
Real Salt Lake drafted Seitz third overall in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, but the young keeper was never able to wrest the starting job from Nick Rimando. During his three seasons with RSL, Seitz made seven starts and recorded a 1.86 goals against average to go with a 1-4-2 record.
Seitz helped the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team qualify for the 2008 Olympics and served as the squad’s back-up to Brad Guzan for the Summer Games in Beijing that August. Last November Real Salt Lake traded the young prospect to Philadelphia for allocation money.
As the reigning Western Conference Champions, FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games.
Player: Chris Seitz
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 236 lbs.
Born: March 12, 1987
Place of Birth: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Seattle Sounders FC

How Acquired: Via Trade with Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in exchange for a 2012 FC Dallas fourth round SuperDraft selection

Cunningham elegido por Columbus Crew

MLS anuncia Resultados de la segunda etapa del Draft 2010

NUEVA YORK (Miércoles, 15 de diciembre, 2010) – Major League Soccer llevó a cabo el día de hoy la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS 2010. Una lista completa de los jugadores seleccionados en el Draft de hoy se encuentra abajo.
Si un jugador no está bajo contrato y el club selecciona dicho jugador, el club tendrá que hacer una oferta genuina al jugador dentro de siete días. En la situación que no se llegue a un acuerdo entre el club seleccionador y el jugador sin contrato, el club tendrá el derecho de primera opción para dicho jugador en la MLS.
Si un jugador no es seleccionado ni en la primera ni en la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS, tal jugador estará disponible para ser elegido por todos los clubes en orden de solicitud.
Jugadores seleccionados en la segunda etapa del Draft 2010:
(En orden del que fueron seleccionados)
RONDA CLUB JUGADOR ESTATUS DE CONTRACTO
1era D.C. United Josh Wolff BAJO CONTRATO: Jugador ha sido agregado a la nómina de D.C. United
1era Chivas USA Jimmy Conrad SIN CONTRATO: Chivas USA tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era New England Revolution Ryan Cochrane SIN CONTRATO: New England Revolution tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era LA Galaxy** Juan Pablo Angel SIN CONTRATO: LA Galaxy tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era Chicago Fire Cory Gibbs BAJO CONTRATO: Jugador ha sido agregado a la nómina de Chicago Fire
1era Sporting Kansas City Frankie Hejduk SIN CONTRATO: Sporting Kansas City tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era Seattle Sounders FC Chris Seitz BAJO CONTRATO: Jugador ha sido agregado a la nómina de Seattle Sounders FC
1era Columbus Crew Jeff Cunningham SIN CONTRATO: Columbus Crew tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era LA Galaxy Luke Sassano SIN CONTRATO: LA Galaxy tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
1era Colorado Rapids Tyrone Marshall SIN CONTRATO: Colorado Rapids tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta
2da New England Revolution Fred SIN CONTRATO: New England Revolution tendrá siete días para hacer una oferta.
**El Houston Dynamo intercambió su selección en la primera ronda (numero 5) en la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS al LA Galaxy, que intercambio su selección en la cuarta ronda en el SuperDraft 2014 al Houston Dynamo.
http://www.futbolmls.com/

Jugadores para el draft del miércoles

ET NUEVA YORK (Lunes, 13 de diciembre, 2010) – Major League Soccer anuncio hoy la lista de jugadores elegibles para ser seleccionados en la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS de 2010. La segunda etapa del Draft será este miércoles, 15 de diciembre a las 2 p.m. ET. La orden del Draft será de la misma manera que se llevó a cabo la primera etapa, el mismo orden que los drafts de jugadores puestos en libertad tradicionales, con la selección número 17 otorgada a Vancouver y la selección numero 18 a Portland.
Cada club podrá seleccionar a un jugador elegible, o pasar. Una vez que un equipo haya pasado su turno sin haber seleccionado un jugador, no podrá participar más en esa etapa del Draft. Cada etapa continuará hasta que los 18 equipos hayan pasado su turno sin seleccionar uno de los jugadores disponibles. En la segunda etapa del Draft, clubes pueden seleccionar a los jugadores quienes estaban disponibles en la primera etapa pero que no fueron seleccionados y que no hayan llegado a un nuevo acuerdo con su club del 2010. Si un jugador no está bajo contrato y el club selecciona dicho jugador, el club tendrá que hacer una oferta genuina al jugador dentro de siete días. En la situación que no se llegue a un acuerdo entre el club seleccionador y el jugador sin contrato, el club tendrá el derecho de primera opción para dicho jugador en la MLS. Los clubes podrán seleccionar a sus propios jugadores en la segunda etapa del Draft, después que todos los demás equipos hayan declinado la selección de dicho jugador. Si un jugador no es seleccionado ni en la primera ni en la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS, tal jugador estará disponible para ser elegido por todos los clubes en orden de solicitud. ·
Jugadores elegibles para la Selección del Draft:
APELLIDO NOMBRE EQUIPO 2010
Saragosa Marcelo Chivas USA
Zotinca Alex Chivas USA
Lopez Claudio Colorado Rapids
O'Brien Ciaran Colorado Rapids
Vagenas Peter Colorado Rapids
Hejduk Frankie Columbus Crew
Oughton Duncan Columbus Crew
Padula Gino Columbus Crew
Schelotto Guillermo Barros Columbus Crew
Moreno Jaime D.C. United
Cunningham Jeff FC Dallas
Sala Dario FC Dallas
Cochrane Ryan Houston Dynamo
Mulrooney Richard Houston Dynamo
Onstad Pat Houston Dynamo
Serioux Adrian Houston Dynamo
Kovalenko Dema LA Galaxy
Sharpe Chris League Pool Goalkeeper
Burpo Preston New England Revolution
Colaluca Nico New England Revolution
Gibbs Cory New England Revolution
Smith Khano New England Revolution
Angel Juan Pablo New York Red Bulls
Sassano Luke New York Red Bulls
Talley Carey New York Red Bulls
Fred Philadelphia Union
Seitz Chris Philadelphia Union
Stephenson Khari San Jose Earthquakes
Marshall Tyrone Seattle Sounders FC
Conrad Jimmy Sporting Kansas City
Wolff Josh Sporting Kansas City
Garcia Nick Toronto FC
http://www.futbolmls.com/

FC Dallas Top, Ambrose and Okwuonu in Israel

Matkovich to Take 20 Players to Tel Aviv for Four-Team Tournament
The U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team is set to travel to Tel Aviv for a three-game tournament that will also feature host Israel, Germany and France from Dec. 10-18.The U.S. will play France on Dec. 14 and Israel on Dec. 16. The U.S. was originally scheduled to play Germany on Monday, Dec. 13, but that game was moved to the morning of Dec. 17 due to travel complications.U.S. head coach Mike Matkovich will bring 20 players to Tel Aviv, including 18 Development Academy players including two professionals in goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin from Sporting Kansas City and midfielder Victor Pineda from the Chicago Fire. Kempin recently returned from the Torneo de las Americas where he helped the U.S. U-20 MNT to a pair of draws against Colombia and Mexico. Villyan Bijev recently scored three goals in the Select game at the ongoing Development Academy Winter Showcase. He was one of 11 players on the trip to have participated in that game. There are 15 players that participated in Matkovich’s 36-player training camp at The Home Depot Center in November. Roster By Position: GOALKEEPERS (2): Jonathan Kempin (Sporting Kansas City; Leawood, Kan.), Andrew Wolverton (Concorde Fire; Snellville, Ga.) DEFENDERS (5): Michael Ambrose (FC Dallas Academy; Frisco, Texas), Jonathan Campbell (North Carolina Fusion; Greensboro, S.C.), Bryan Gallego (NY Red Bulls Academy; Kinnelon, N.J.), Juan Pablo Ocegueda (UANL Tigres; Riverside, Calif.), Boyd Okwuonu (FC Dallas Academy; Edmund, Okla.), Walker Zimmerman (GSA Phoenix; Lawrenceville, Ga.) MIDFIELDERS (8): Connor Hallisey (California Development Academy; Granite Bay, Calif.), Jordan McCrary (Concorde Fire; Marietta, Ga.), Daniel Metzger (NY Red Bulls Academy; Holmdel, N.J.), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bolingbrook, Ill.), Marcus Salandy-Defour (DC United Academy; Kensington, Md.), Will Trapp (Columbus Crew Academy; Gahanna, Ohio), Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler (CASL Chelsea; Cary, N.C.) FORWARDS (5): Villyan Bijev (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Sean Okoli (Seattle Sounders Academy; Federal Way, Wash.), Luis Rendon (FC Richmond Magic; Chesterfield, Va.), Khiry Shelton (Lonestar SC Academy; Leander, Texas), Jonathan Top (FC Dallas Academy; Forth Worth, Texas).
ussoccer.com

North Texas U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams and players rolled at the 2010 Winter Showcase

North Texas U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams and players rolled at the 2010 Winter Showcase. A record of 17-4-3 in 24 games over the weekend. 8 players selected for the Academy Select Teams. Two starting XI for the U17 MNT from the North Texas area, Kellyn Acosta and Matt Dunn. Most teams will head into winter break as the High School soccer season starts. Three of the four USSDA clubs will participate in the Disney's Soccer Showcase at the end of the month.

FC Dallas U18: 3-0-0 ( 26/7 GA/GF season )

Dallas Texans U18: 2-0-1 (8 wins - 0 losses - 7 ties season)

Solar Chelsea U18: 2-1-0 (Alfred Koroma 8G for the season)

Andromeda U18: 3-0-0 (wins over LA Galaxy and Crossfire)

FC Dallas U16: 2-1-0 (Bobby Edet 3G, Victor Portillo 2G)

Dallas Texans U16: 1-1-1 (Christian Soldat 3G)

Solar Chelsea U16: 2-0-1 (Eric Dinka 2G, Sam Hayward 2G)

Andromeda U16: 2-1-0 (wins over Mclean and Crossfire)

Marvin Chavez called to represent Honduran National Team

Chavez will be available for friendly against Panama in La Ceiba, Honduras on Dec. 18
FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 10, 2010) – FC Dallas midfielder Marvin Chavez has been called in to represent the Honduran National Team for a friendly against Panama in his hometown of La Ceiba, Honduras on Dec. 18, the club announced today.
“Everyone at FC Dallas is delighted for Marvin,” FC Dallas Technical Director Barry Gorman said. “This is marvelous recognition for his outstanding play at the end of the year. It is also a great reflection on FC Dallas and Major League Soccer that our international players are being recognized for their achievements in our league.”
This is the first time Chavez has been called in to represent Honduras since 2009. His last appearance came against the United States in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 23, 2009. Chavez played 84 minutes before coming off for Georgie Welcome in a 2-0 loss. Chavez has made a total of 18 appearances and has scored one goal for the Honduran National Team.
Chavez was a major contributor in FC Dallas’ run to MLS Cup 2010. He played perhaps his best game in an FC Dallas uniform against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Western Conference Final on Nov. 14. After receiving a centering pass from Atiba Harris in the 26th minute, Chavez picked out MLS MVP David Ferreira at the top of the box. Ferreira turned a defender with his first touch and beat Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to his right for a 1-0 lead.
Coming out of halftime, a hustle play from Chavez kept the Galaxy in their defensive third long enough for defender Ugo Ihemelu to gain control of the ball and send a pass wide to Brek Shea. Shea dribbled towards the near post before delivering a low cross behind the defense to an unmarked George John at the back post. John finished easily for a 2-0 Dallas lead in the 56th minute. Los Angeles pushed players forward in search of a comeback, but Chavez worked a give-and-go with Ferreira and finished his first career playoff goal in the 73rd minute to give FC Dallas a 3-0 win and a franchise-first appearance in MLS Cup.
Despite falling 2-1 in overtime to the Colorado Rapids in MLS Cup on Nov. 21 in Toronto, Chavez preformed well. He set up the first goal of the game when he connected with a streaking Ferreira in the 35th minute.
Chavez finished the postseason with a goal and two assists in four games. He scored two goals and picked up two assists during the 2010 regular season.

-- www.FCDallas.com --

Universitarios invitados a prueba Adidas 2011

NUEVA YORK (Jueves, 9 de diciembre, 2010) – Major League Soccer anunció hoy la lista inicial de los 54 universitarios provenientes de 36 universidades de la División I quienes han sido invitados a participar en la Prueba Anual de la MLS adidas 2011. El evento se llevará a cabo en el Central Broward Regional Park de Fort Lauderdale, Fla., del 7 al 11 de enero.
La lista inicial de jugadores la determinó una comisión selecta de entrenadores de la primera división universitaria de los Estados Unidos, mediante la nominación y posterior votación junto a los directores técnicos de la MLS.
Los jugadores del programa Generación adidas se unirán a universitarios provenientes de las Divisiones II y III de la NCAA, de la NAIA y restantes de la División I con el fin de completar la lista final de participantes en la Prueba. La lista final y la asignación de equipos se anunciarán en las próximas semanas.
Anualmente, la MLS organiza la Prueba Anual días antes del SuperDraft de la MLS, donde los clubes eligen los mejores prospectos a nivel universitario, colegial y de los jugadores que forman parte del programa Generación adidas.
CALENDARIO DE LA PRUEBA ANUAL DE LA MLS
Todos los partidos se disputarán en Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Horario del Este. El calendario está sujeto a cambios.
Sábado, 8 de enero
1:45 p.m. AdiPower vs AdiPure Central Broward Regional Park
3:30 p.m. Jabulani vs AdiZero Central Broward Regional Park
Lunes, 10 de enero
11:15 a.m. AdiPure vs. Jabulani Central Broward Regional Park
1:00 p.m. AdiPower vs. AdiZero Central Broward Regional Park
Martes, 11 de enero
11:15 a.m. AdiPower vs. Jabulani Central Broward Regional Park
1:00 p.m. AdiPure vs. AdiZero Central Broward Regional Park
LISTADO DE JUGADORES PARTICIPANTES (Primera División Universitaria)
(por posición en la cancha)
ARQUEROS (5): Bryan Meredith (Monmouth); Jeff Attinella (University of South Florida); Jimmy Maurer (South Carolina); Joe Willis (University of Denver); Josh Ford (UConn).
DEFENSAS (17): A.J. Soares (California); Bilal Duckett (Notre Dame); Bobby Warshaw (Stanford); Christopher Korb (Akron); Colin Givens (Michigan State); Curtis Ushedo (UAB); Demitrius Omphroy (California); Eddie Ababio (UNC); Greg Klazura (Notre Dame); Greg King (UConn); Indy Smith (UNC Wilmington); Jalil Anibaba (UNC); JT Murray (Louisville); Juan Cruz (SMU); Michael Boxall (UCSB); Rich Balchan (Indiana); Tyler Lassiter (North Carolina State).
MEDIOCAMPISTAS (21): Anthony Ampaipitakwong (Akron); Blake Brettschneider (South Carolina); Cole Grossman (Duke); Daniel Keat (Dartmouth); Dustin McCarty(UNC); Ernesto Carranza (Sacramento State); Guillermo Cortes (Maryland); Hector Jimenez (California); Jimmy Banks (Green Bay); John “Jeb” Brovsky (Notre Dame); Jon Okafor (Brown); Josue Soto (SMU); Karl Reddick (Boston College); Konrad Warzycha (Ohio State); Lebogang Pila (St. Peter's College); Matheus Braga (Penn State); Matt Gold (Ohio State); Michael Farfan (UNC); Servando Carrasco (California); Stephen McCarthy (UNC); Tommy Drake (Clemson)
DELANTEROS (11): Amani Walker (UCI); Ashley McInnes (Tulsa); Brayan Martinez (Seton Hall University); C.J. Sapong (James Madison); Davis Paul (California); Efrain Burgos (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), Jason Herrick (Maryland); Justin Meram (Michigan); Levi Houapeu (UMBC); Philip Bannister (Loyola University Maryland); Steven Perry (Notre Dame)
LISTADO DE JUGADORES PARTICIPANTES
(de acuerdo a universidad/colegio)
University of Akron: Anthony Ampaipitakwong , Christopher Korb.
University of Alabama: Birmingham : Curtis Ushedo
Brown University: Jon Okafor
Boston College: Karl Reddick.
University of California: Servando Carrasco, Hector Jimenez, Demitrius Omphroy, Davis Paul, AJ Soares
University of California – Santa Barbara: Michael Boxall
University of California – Irvine: Amani Walker
California Polytechnic State, San Luis Obispo: Efrain Burgos
University of Connecticut: Josh Ford, Greg King.
Clemson University : Tommy Drake
Dartmouth College: Daniel Keat
University of Denver: Joe Willis
Duke University: Cole Grossman
Indiana University: Rich Balchan
James Madison University: C.J. Sapong
University of Louisville; J.T. Murray
Loyola University Maryland: Philip Bannister
University of Maryland: Guillermo Cortes, Jason Herrick
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Levi Houapeu
University of Michigan: Justin Meram
Michigan State University: Colin Givens
Monmouth University: Bryan Meredith
University of North Carolina; Eddie Ababio, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Farfan, Stephen McCarthy,Dustin McCarty.
University of North Carolina, Wilmington: Indy Smith
North Carolina State University: Tyler Lassiter
University of Notre Dame: John “Jeb” Brovsky, Bilal Duckett, Greg Klazura, Steven Perry.
Ohio State University: Matt Gold, Konrad Warzycha.
Penn State University: Matheus Braga
Sacramento State University: Ernesto Carranza
Seton Hall University: Brayan Martinez
University of South Carolina: Blake Brettschneider, Jimmy Maurer.
University of South Florida: Jeff Attinella
Southern Methodist University: Juan Cruz, Josue Soto.
St. Peter's College; Lebogang Pila
Stanford University: Bobby Warshaw
University of Tulsa: Ashley McInnes
University of Wisconsin, Green Bay: Jimmy Banks.

Dax McCarty from Washington

McCarty also had good and bad moments with Schellas Hyndman, at the end they team up together reaching out their first finals./McCarty tembién tuvo sus buenos y malos momentos con su entrenador, al final ambos se unieron y lograron su primera final.

Dax McCarty's 5 years with FC Dallas had its good and bad moments. His injuries earlier in his FC Dallas career kept him from regular playing time and times, he was not on the same page with Coach Schellas. But in the end, he showed his immense quality as a player and is leaving good memories for his fans. Now with DC United the midfielder, Dax gives us his first interview.

Dax McCarty estuvo con FC Dallas por 5 años donde tuvo sus buenos y malos momentos. Sus lesiones no lo ayudaron a estar presente en cada uno de los partidos, algunas veces fueron sus actitudes. Pero al final de la temporada, la mejor del equipo, demostró el gran jugador que es dejando buenos recuerdos a sus seguidorres. Ahora el mediocampista de DC United nos dice sus primeras reacciones.

TFG:After 5 years belonging to your first prefessional team how does it feel to be in a new club? Después de peretenecer 5 años a tu primer equipo porfesional como se siente estar en un nuevo club?

DM: My first 5 years in the league have been very special to me. Being able to stay in Dallas for that amount of time definitely helped me grow as a player. I made a lot of friends out in Dallas, and I am truly blessed to be able to say I had a successful 5 years in Dallas. That being said, I couldn't be more excited to be joining DC United. Coming into a new team will be a weird feeling at first, but after the first couple of days I fully expect it to feel like I have been around for a while. The organization is first class and I am just looking forward to getting started/ Mis primero 5 años en la liga han sido muy especiales para mi. Estando en Dallas por ese monto de tiempo definitivamente me ayudó a crecer como jugador. Tengo muchos amigos allá y me siento verdaderamente bendecido al decir que he tenido 5 exitosos años en Dallas. Dicho eso no podía estar más entusiasmado unirme al DC United. Será algo raro al comienzo el estar en un nuevo equipo, pero después de unos dias espero sentirme como que he estado por un tiempo. La organización es de primera clase y yo solamente estoy esperando comenzar.

TFG: You have seen players come and go but seeing yourself in the same situation what were your firsts thoughts?/Tú has visto ir y venir jugadores pero viéndote en esa misma situación que pensaste?

DM: When the trade first happened, I had an initial feeling of shock. You never go into any offseason expecting to leave a team, especially one that you have been a part of for so long, so when it happened I was a little caught offguard. After it all sunk in, I was very happy and excited for the future./Cuando pasó la transferencia incialmente me sentí consternado. Uno nunca se vaa una pos-temporada esperando dejar el equipo, especialmente uno del que has sido parte por mucho tiempo, osea cuando eso pasó me tomó descuidado. Después que todo se calmó me sentí contento por el futuro que me espera.

TFG: With Dallas you reached your first MLS finals, can you describe those moments and what happened when you returned to Frisco?/Con Dallas alcanzaste tu primera final de MLS, puedes describir esos momentos y lo que pasó después cuando retornaste a Frisco?

DM: Reaching the MLS cup final was an experience I will never forget. The guys in Dallas were like brothers to me so to reach the heights we reached this year was a great feeling. Unfortunately, the game didn't turn out how we wanted, but it was still a fantastic accomplishment that myself and my former team should be very proud of./Alcanzar la final de copa MLS será una experiencia que nunca olkidaré. Los muchachos allá en Dallas fueron como hermanos para mi, por eso llegar a lo máximo todos juntos fue grandioso.

TFG:What are your personal goals with a new and young coach?/Cuales son tus metas personales con un nuevo y joven entrenador?

DM: My goals for this year are very simple: help lead DC back to the playoffs. That is my number 1 goal and one that I think is very attainable considering the talent that we have on the roster. Personally, I just hope to build on my play in the playoffs this past year and continue to get better each day with my new team. / Mis metas son simples: ayudar a DC volver a los playoffs. Esa es mi meta número uno la misma que pienso es muy alcanzable considerando el talento que tenemos en nuestra lista. Personalmente, espero superar mi juego de los playoffs de este año y continuar mejorando cada dia en mi nuevo equipo.

TFG:What are your plans for the rest of the year? Some players look for another team to work with, is it that your case?/Cuales son tus planes para el resto del año?.Algunos jugadores buscan equipo para preparase es ese tu caso?

DM: My plans for the rest of the year are to just relax and recover in Florida from a long season. I want to make sure I am fresh for preseason, so kicking my legs up and resting is the main plan. I also plan to spend a lot of time with family since it is difficult to see them as much as I want during the season./ Mis planes son solamente relajarme y recobrarme de una larga temporada, lo hago en Florida. Quiero asegurarme estar fresco para la pre-temporada dejando mis piernas relajadas, descanso es mi plan principal. También quiero pasar mucho tiempo con mi familia porque es muy difícil hacerl durante la temporada.

Interview done with cooperation of DC United PR department./Entrevista realizada con cooperación del departamente de prensa del DC United.

Jugadores disponibles para el Draft del miércoles

MLS sostendrá la primera etapa del Draft el miércoles, 8 de diciembre a las 2 p.m. ET
NUEVA YORK (3 de diciembre, 2010) – Major League Soccer anuncio hoy la lista de jugadores elegibles para ser seleccionados en el Draft de la MLS de 2010. La primera etapa del Draft se llevará a cabo el miércoles, 8 de diciembre a las 2 p.m. hora del Este vía teleconferencia. La segunda etapa del Draft será el miércoles, 15 de diciembre a las 2 p.m. ET. Los 18 equipos tendrán un representante participando. La orden del Draft en ambas etapas será el mismo orden que los drafts de jugadores puestos en libertad tradicionales, con la selección número 17 otorgada a Vancouver y la selección numero 18 a Portland. · Para el orden del Draft: OPRIMA AQUI Cada club podrá seleccionar a un jugador elegible, o pasar. Una vez que un equipo haya pasado su turno sin haber seleccionado un jugador, no podrá participar más en esa etapa del Draft. Cada etapa continuará hasta que todos los 18 equipos hayan pasado su turno sin seleccionar uno de los jugadores disponibles. Los clubes deben ejercer la opción u ofrecer una oferta genuina a los jugadores seleccionados en la primera etapa. Los jugadores sin contrato pueden aceptar o rechazar dicha oferta. Si un jugador rechaza la oferta, el club que lo seleccionó en el Draft tendrá el derecho de primera opción de ese jugador en la MLS. Los jugadores bajo contratos con opciones se agregarán automáticamente a la nómina de dicho club. Cualquier jugador seleccionado en la primera etapa se mantendrá en el presupuesto 2011 del club que lo selecciono al precio de su opción o al precio de la oferta genuina hasta el 1 de abril de 2011. Los clubes y jugadores no pueden renegociar mutuamente ese precio para un número más bajo hasta el 1 de abril de 2011. Los clubes no podrán elegir a sus propios jugadores elegibles durante la primera etapa del Draft. Los jugadores tendrán la oportunidad de negociar sus contratos y firmar con su previo equipo después que se haya culminado la primera etapa y hasta las 2 p.m. ET del 13 de diciembre. En la segunda etapa del Draft, clubes pueden seleccionar a los jugadores quienes están bajo contratos y aquellos sin contrato. Si un jugador no está bajo contrato y el club selecciona dicho jugador, el club tendrá que hacer una oferta genuina al jugador dentro de siete días. En la situación que no se llegue a un acuerdo entre el club seleccionador y el jugador sin contrato, el club tendrá el derecho de primera opción para dicho jugador en la MLS. Los clubes podrán seleccionar a sus propios jugadores en la segunda etapa del Draft, después que los todos los demás equipos hayan declinado la selección de dichos jugador. Si un jugador no es seleccionado ni en la primera o la segunda etapa del Draft de la MLS, tal jugador estará disponible para ser elegido por a todos los clubes en orden de solicitud.· Para conocer los reglamentos del Draft: OPRIMA AQUI Jugadores elegibles para la Selección
APELLIDO NOMBRE EQUIPO 2010 ESTATUS DE CONTRATO

Saragosa Marcelo Chivas USA Bajo contrato con opción
Zotinca Alex Chivas USA Bajo contrato con opción
Lopez Claudio Colorado Rapids Bajo contrato con opción
O'Brien Ciaran Colorado Rapids Bajo contrato con opción
Vagenas Peter Colorado Rapids Bajo contrato con opción
Hejduk Frankie Columbus Crew Bajo contrato con opción
Oughton Duncan Columbus Crew Bajo contrato con opción
Padula Gino Columbus Crew Bajo contrato con opción
Schelotto Guillermo B. Columbus Crew Bajo contrato con opción
Moreno Jaime D.C. United Bajo contrato con opción
Cunningham Jeff FC Dallas Bajo contrato con opción
Sala Dario FC Dallas Bajo contrato con opción
Cochrane Ryan Houston Dynamo Bajo contrato con opción
Mulrooney Richard Houston Dynamo Bajo contrato con opción
Ngwenya Joseph Houston Dynamo Bajo contrato con opción
Onstad Pat Houston Dynamo Bajo contrato con opción
Serioux Adrian Houston Dynamo Bajo contrato con opción
Kirovski Jovan LA Galaxy Bajo contrato con opción
Kovalenko Dema LA Galaxy Bajo contrato con opción
Sharpe Chris League Pool Goalkeeper Bajo contrato con opción
Burpo Preston New England Revolution Bajo contrato con opción
Colaluca Nico New England Revolution Bajo contrato con opción
Gibbs Cory New England Revolution Bajo contrato con opción
Smith Khano New England Revolution Bajo contrato con opción
Angel Juan Pablo New York Red Bulls Bajo contrato con opción
Sassano Luke New York Red Bulls Bajo contrato con opción
Talley Carey New York Red Bulls Bajo contrato con opción
Fred Philadelphia Union Sin contrato
Seitz Chris Philadelphia Union Bajo contrato con opción
Stephenson Khari San José Earthquakes Bajo contrato con opción
Marshall Tyrone Seattle Sounders FC Bajo contrato con opción
Conrad Jimmy Sporting Kansas City Sin contrato
Hohlbein Aaron Sporting Kansas City Sin contrato
Wolff Josh Sporting Kansas City Bajo contrato con opción
Garcia Nick Toronto FC Bajo contrato con opción
http://www.mlssoccer.com/

FC Dallas declines options on Cunningham and Sala

Dario Sala and Jeff Cunningham have completed their cicle with the red and white.
FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 3, 2010) – FC Dallas will not exercise options on forward Jeff Cunningham and goalkeeper Dario Sala for the 2011 season, the team announced today.
Both players are eligible for the Major League Soccer Re-Entry Process with Stage 1 of the draft slated for Dec. 8, followed by Stage 2 on Dec. 15. MLS will release a complete list of players available for re-entry later today.
Cunningham played three seasons for the Dallas side, earning the team’s Golden Boot award in 2009 and 2010, while claiming the MLS Budweiser Golden Boot for his league-best 17 goals in 2009. A finalist for the league MVP award in 2009, the 34-year-old Jamaican forward started just 13 games for FC Dallas in 2010, scoring 11 goals and notching one assist. He scored his 132nd career goal against Chicago on Oct. 2 and ranks second all-time among MLS goal-scorers, falling just one goal behind recently retired Jaime Moreno’s mark of133 total goals.
The longest tenured player on the FC Dallas roster in 2010, Sala has spent six seasons with the club. In his MLS career, the 36-year-old veteran Argentine has 23 shutouts, 328 saves and a 1.38 goals against average. He appeared in 11 games during the 2010 season for FC Dallas, starting 10 and earning a 2-3-6 mark.
As the reigning Western Conference Champions, FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games.

-- FCDALLAS.COM--

La Masia in Frisco

Youth Soccer Development. If you want to talk about youth soccer development, you start with FC Barcelona. Beside that little event in Zurich, the talk of this week was Barca dismantling of Real in El Clasico. 8 of the starting 11 for FC Barcelona were products of their La Masia youth development academy. It is the envy of every club and nation. It's a copy cat world and every soccer pundit this week opine the need to build their own version of La Masia.

How to create your own Golden Generation? Every MLS team is looking for their own Andy Najar's or Juan Agudelo's in their backyard. Don Garber is talking up the MLS development academies and the new U23 Reserve league. And the new kids on the block, Real Salt Lake AZ, Seattle Sounder Academy and Philadelphia Union are all trying to drive their program into uncharted territories. In the 4th year of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy era, the talents are shifting from the independent regional power clubs to the subsidize MLS academies.

New York Red Bulls have been the leader of youth development in the MLS. If the new era of home grown player where in place three years ago, you would have seen All-American Matt Kassel, Johnny Exantus and a steady pipeline of NJ/NY talent playing alongside Juan Agudelo. For $100K a year, you can either field one 18-man youth team a year or million dollar plus, you can sign a Designated Player in the twilight of their career. The paradigm shift of the MLS encourages and rewards MLS teams in developing home grown players. The next step of U.S. soccer evolution is in progress

The vision of building an U.S. version of La Masia is also in progress at FC Dallas. No MLS team has signed more home grown players than FC Dallas. Out of the 18-man U16 FC Dallas 2009 Juniors’ team, There are 5 professional players. Four with FC Dallas and one with FC Koln of Germany. There are currently three U18 US Mens National Team players from the FC Dallas Academy team. The current U18 FC Dallas Academy starting GK is the also the starting U17 Mexican National Team. And this weekend at the 2010 Nike Friendlies, we see the coming out party of a FC Dallas Academy player and starting RB for the U17 Mens National Team. With the Frisco ISD approval, FC Dallas will soon join Whitecaps FC and Real Salt Lake as the third MLS team with a residency program

2009 U16 FC Dallas Juniors

1. CARRIZALES, MARCO

2. Doan, Reece

3. DUNN, MATTHEW

4. Figueroa, Chris

5. Frankenfeld, Alex

6. GARCIA, DANIEL

7. Gerondale, Jacob

8. Gomez, Giovanni

9. Hernandez, Moises

10. Kruzich, Darin

11. Leyva, Bryan

12. Luna, Ruben

13. Morales, Nelson

14. Premenko, Daniel

15. Sprick, Scott

16. Top, JONATHAN

17. Ulloa, Victor

18. Vega, Edd

Future Starting XI

------------Sanchez----------

Acosta---Boyd---Coleman---Moises

Leyva---Baladez---Ulloa---Ambrose

----------Top----Luna----

Mundiales 2018 y 2022 se van a Rusia y Qatar

Igor Shuvalov, primer ministro ruso recibe la Copa de manos de Jospeh Blatter.

Estados Unidos e Inglaterra fueron eliminados por los dos países que nadie pensaba serían elegidos como sedes de los próximos mundiales de fútbol. Desde Zurich se trasmitió en vivo el resultado de la votación de los miembros del comité ejecutivo de la FIFA.
Definitivamente fue un tremendo golpe a la gran organización que Estados Unidos había presentado obteniendo 100 puntos de calificación emitido por los observadores.
Rusia derrotó a los cuatro últimos contrincantes llevándose 11 votos. España/Portugal obtuvieron 7, Holanda/Bélgica 2.
En la votación para la organización del mundial del 2022 Qatar obtuvo 14 votos mientras que Estados Unidos 8.
El alcalde de Dallas junto a Clark Hunt y otros directivos de la municipalidad de Dallas reunidos desde muy temprano en la sala de ceremonias del municipio, dieron sus puntos de vista a esta lamentable "derrota" americana.
"Obviamente estamos decepcionados todos los que están asociados con la candidatura de Estados Unidos no pensaron que los dos ganadores serían Rusia y Qatar, fue impredecible pero estoy muy orgulloso por el intento de Estados Unidos con Dallas formando parte de esa tentativa. Pusimos todo recibimos 100 de calificativo no sé cuánto más pudimos hacer pero el fútbol continuará creciendo en Estados Unidos ya sea al nivel de selección, MLS o nivel juvenil y la pregunta no es si volvemos a organizar una copa mundial de nuevo sino cuando. Ahora ya debemos estar enfocándonos en 2026", dijo Hunt. "Mucha politica influye en el sorteo quien sabe los intercambiso de una y otra copa mundial nunca lo sabremos", agregó.
Para Tom Leppert, alcalde de la ciudad conocida como "Big D" el sorteo "hubo mucho esfuerzo puesto por nuestro país, pero no creo que nadie habrïa hecho mejor trabajo que lo que se hizo en Dallas, como ya se indicó el rating para Estados Unidos fue un 100 perfecto por eso no sabemos qué otra cosa se podría haber hecho diferente, pusimos lo mejor desafortundamente cuando pisamos terrenos como ese algunas veces pasan cosas y tenemos que indagar que fue lo que pasó pero de una u otra forma el fútbol continuará creciendo aquí".

Tom Leppert y Clark Hunt en momentos de recibir la desagradable emisión en el City Hall de Dallas.

US U-17 squad set to go for Phoenix friendlies

Noah Davis

MLSsoccer.com

The gaze of the soccer-playing world is firmly fixed on Zürich, Switzerland, for Thursday's 2018 and 2022 World Cup announcments, but the future of the American team will take the field in Phoenix at the Nike International Friendlies.

Wilmer Cabrera's U-17 squad plays South Korea on Thursday, followed with a match against Brazil two days later and a capper against Turkey on Dec 5....more