After plenty of rumors of where young American and Columbus Crew midfielder would go next, Danny Szetela is set to be the only American in La Liga this season once he passes a physical with Racing Standender.

The Columbus Crew will rake in at least $150,000 in transfer fees from the deal. Szetela has been rumored for the past couple months to transfer to Roma, Newcastle and other clubs in Europe.

As for Columbus this is probably the best, Szetela has been wanting a move to Europe for some time now and it is only for the best really. He never was a true impact player for the Crew but he is still fairly young, so some growth should be seen in his game.

The transfer money should help out for the Crew. I don’t know if they are looking to another addition to the roster at this point in the season but as far as an off season push goes they should be doing alright to land another solid addition to their club.

Your thoughts on the move?

Saw this the other day on 3rddegree.net, the wonderful source for all things FC Dallas. Buzz found the new kits for next season and here are photos of them below.

The home I am alright with but the road I think is a great improvement from the current gray hoops that Dallas sports on the road. Some people may not like these right up front but I think over time it will grow on fans around the league. I really believe that Dallas is probably a bit close on getting a kit sponsor too for next season. There is plenty of room on the kits for one as usual but leaving the area blank kinda shows me they are getting close to having one. Typically there is “FC DALLAS” on the front of the kits.

Home (front):

Home (back):

Away (front):

Away (back):

Your thoughts? Love it..hate it…whatever it is….

Five games to talk about this weekend, all with some sort of playoff impact to them.

Chicago Fire – at – New York Red Bulls

Big time game in the Big Apple with these two eastern conference foes. One team is holding on to a playoff spot, while the other is creeping up into the fold. A win for the Fire could put them directly into the playoff picture but a loss would be a big set back at this point in the season.

New York blew out the Fire back in May when the clubs met in Giant Stadium. Juan Pablo Angel found the back of the net twice and the Red Bulls scored twice in the first three minutes. Don’t expect this game to turn out the same way with the way the Fire have been playing lately. Chicago has won four out of the last five while the Red Bulls are coming off a pair of losses.

This game looks tricky to predict really, as this will be the only game in a while for the Red Bulls at home. I think they will be a little bit more up for this one since it is such an important home game. But with the way the Fire have been lately it just seems like its a draw in my mind. I like Blanco to draw fairly well in the Big Apple and he may possibly score another goal himself. Figure on Angel or Alitdore to get their names in the score book as well.

WVH Prediction: New York 2, Chicago 2

DC United – at – FC Dallas

Big time game between some top clubs from the east and the west in Frisco tomorrow. A game that I am hoping to attend really. DC is one of the hottest clubs in the league, winners of five in a row and Dallas has been playing fairly well as of late too. The time off for Dallas has been key, not just signing Denilson but getting some players healthy is the most important part for the Hoops.

The last meeting was a classic really. DC looked to walk away with a 3-0 win in the Nation’s capital but Dallas found a way back into the game thanks in large to Juan Carlos Toja’s two goals to tie the game. It was one of the biggest comebacks in league history.

The injury report for Juan Toja is still questionable. He has been doing some work lately but it isn’t known if he will make the starting lineup tomorrow or not. I think for Dallas to be successful, they need Toja’s energy in the lineup. No word yet if Denilson will be in the lineup tomorrow as well, his visa was just approved in the last day or so and a roster spot should have been opened up with the news that Marcelo Saragosa was being moved to the IR thanks to season ending surgery.

With all of that I really don’t know of Dallas’s chances against the league’s hottest club. I really like their chances to walk away with three points tomorrow. As much as I am wanting Dallas to get the three points and stay a float in the west I just believe the United are the better team right now thanks in part to their lack of injuries and their current form.

Though I have been wrong plenty of times in the past….

WVH Prediction: DC 2, Dallas 1

Kansas City Wizards – at – Houston Dynamo

Boy I really have to say I don’t like KC’s chances in this game after losing so badly to Salt Lake in the midweek. Really, going from RSL to Houston is going to be a tough trip really. Houston is the best team (points wise) in the west and has played pretty well in recent games and are a total force at home.

The only way KC can be in this game is if they get Eddie Johnson the ball early and often. Getting him in space and with one defender on him can be really effective but it is something that hasn’t been happening lately.

I think in the end the three games in eight days on the road for KC have really taken a toll on them. I don’t see any way of them winning this game in Houston. Only New England and Chicago have done that this season and that was way back when the Dynamo were playing poorly to start the season.

WVH Prediction: Houston 2, Kansas City 0

Real Salt Lake – at – LA Galaxy

Bad time to be LA in my estimation but it could be a good time to be at home and get some points though for the Galaxy. I think with RSL coming into town it could be a great possibility, but RSL is coming off some decent games and one in the midweek where they totally dominated a decent Kansas City squad 3-1.

Maybe something is finally working for Jason Kries and his bunch. The three Argentine players seem to be working well and I have to say it has made this club worth watching again. I think more trips south to South America are in order for RSL scouts and coaches now. They have each brought a nice spark to the lineup that was definitely missing a spark. Plus they finally got a decent enough midfielder to control the play in the middle of the park. It’s paid off with recent wins against Houston and Kansas City.

LA on the other hand is beat up and looking bad. A disappointing loss in the SuperLiga final, doubled with the loss of David Beckham’s latest injury really put a damper on this club. I know the fans are upset and disappointed and I am for them as well. As a fan and a soccer supporter you want to see a club like this play well but it just isn’t happening. I think being home will help though this weekend though I don’t know if three points are in the picture yet.

I think the safest bet is a draw actually. If Landon Donovan is fit to go then possibly there could be three points for the Galaxy but as for now I am sticking with a draw until something else happens.

WVH Prediction: RSL 1, LA 1

Colorado Rapids – at – Columbus Crew

Two clubs with a lot going for them in different ways. Colorado is rolling into this game, playing very well as of late with big wins over New England and Houston, while the Crew are playing a bit so-so at the moment. The two clubs are tied in points and are locked in that final playoff spot. So a lot is at stake.

The clubs drew 0-0 back in 4th of July meeting. Not a lot in that game but expect more in this one with the playoff stakes on the line. Both want the points so there should be plenty of fire in this one. I kinda of think because of that it will end in a draw though. And maybe even another 0-0 draw with the way these two clubs play offense.

I will give them both the benefit that there will be some offense this time around but as for the result I just like a draw with these two. Colorado is playing well but all of their results have been at home. The road is another story for the Rapids this season.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, Columbus 1

Kinda a delay in my start today but I got a lot to cover so stick with me. I will kick off the day with the monthly awards here at WVHooligan. August has been another solid month of action in the league.

WVH Player of the Month: Troy Perkins, Keeper, DC United – I kinda hate to go exactly the same route that MLS took on their website but I actually had Perkins pinned down a few days ago for this award. A very solid month for the United and Perkins is really a big reason why. A perfect month between the pipes for the Black-and-Red, who are sitting in second in the east and are looking confident to overtake New England very soon. Plenty of good stats to throw out there too about Perkins, 16 saves this month with an amazing .20 goals against average, top for the league in the month.

WVH Coach of the Month: Fernando Clavijo, Colorado Rapids – You know he is still on my coaching hot seat list but Clavijo easily deserves this nod for the resent play that the Rapids have had this month. Started the month with a loss against Dallas but have since knocked off Houston, New England and LA and haven’t been scored on either. Maybe the Rapids are peaking at the right time or maybe Clavijo has finally done something right to get the Rapids into the playoffs here this season after a dreadful two and a half month spree.

WVH Youngster of the Month: Robbie Findley, F, Real Salt Lake – Honestly not a lot to choice from in this group but I am going with Findley thanks to a game winner against Houston a couple weeks ago. Believe it or not RSL has played alright this month and have finally moved out of the cellar in the league standings. Findley can be thanked in part to that.

WVH Keeper of the Month: Troy Perkings, DC United – Just read above why he is getting this nod.

WVH Disappointment of the Month: David Beckham’s latest injury – This one really hurts, I was going to touch on it this morning but really didn’t know which angle I wanted to take on the subject. Either way you look at it, it really hurts the Galaxy and the league in some ways. Four to six weeks is tough no matter what and the injury was a bad looking one too. Kinda like the Galaxy season so far too really. I still believe he was overplayed in the recent games and that could be why an another injury was likely to happen.

WVH Best Atmosphere of the Month: LA at New York – Entertaining game in front of the league’s best crowd of the season in the Big Apple. A lot were there for Beckham and a lot were actual soccer savvy fans that really took in a great time in Giant’s Stadium.

WVH Best XI for August:

Keeper: Troy Perkins, DC United

Defense: Marc Burch, DC United – I have really found a liking for this guy in recent games. You can tell he used to be a forward at times and he is really becoming a strong force in the back for DC.

Facundo Erpen, Colorado Rapids – Have to say since his arrival in DC, the Rapids defense has been much better.

Claudio Suarez, Chivas USA – A strong leader in the back for the Goats is giving them a reason to be in the Supporter’s Shield race

Midfielders:

Fred, DC United – A lot of good play over the month, really has taken part of that midfield that has led DC to a perfect month.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew – Doing what he can to keep Columbus in it at this point.

Sasha Victorine, Kansas City Wizards – One of the biggest reasons why KC is still in it right now.

Chris Armas, Chicago Fire – leader in the midfield, helping put Chicago into the playoff hunt

Forwards:

Maykel Galindo, Chivas USA – Almost gave him the MVP of the month nod but Perkins edged him out in my book. Still solid month, leading the Goats into the final moments of the season

Jozy Altidore, New York – Showing more promise by the game

Juan Pablo Angel, New York – Still continuing to find the back of the net

Brief preview here again this week folks. I just began a new job that doesn’t allow me enough time to fully write like I want to. Give me a little time and I will figure out how to work around that, until then short previews and write ups are all I can do. Some is better than none in my book.

Anyways, on to a preview here. No prime-time game but the league does offer us a mid-week clash.

Kansas City Wizards at Real Salt Lake: Perfect game for KC to get back into things I think. RSL is almost more than dreadful at this point in the season and may really be one of the league’s worst in history when it is all said and done. KC is an above-average club at this point, maybe even less than that. I may be giving them too much credit here. Most people know I haven’t been too high on them all season and I still am not completely sold on their playoff chances at this point.

But, this is a good game at the right time for the Wizards to pick up points. But beware, RSL has been a slightly tricky place for some visiting clubs this season. KC edged out a win against RSL back in July, and if my memory is correct, it wasn’t a great game on the Wizard’s part either. RSL can get points in this one if things go their way but that is a big ‘if’ in my mind.

KC needs Eddie Johnson to return to his goal scoring form that he had earlier in the season. Lately, he has been a mere ghost out on the pitch. I am also eager to see how these new Argentine players work out for RSL. So far, not much, but over time we should get a better picture of the players.

In the end, I think KC should get three points again in this one. Maybe close and maybe not.

WVH Prediction: KC 2, RSL 1

These rankings this week are going to be fairly short and sweet due to lack of time on my part right now. So some explanations won’t be detailed, while others may not be as much as usual.

1. (1) New England Revolution (42 pts.) – Lucky break gives the Revs three full points and a little time to break right now. I am curious to see how the results hold up in the coming weeks as DC catches up in the schedule.

2. (3) DC United (39 pts.) - Didn’t have to play all that well to win in Toronto but it was good enough in my mind to move them on up here. A couple big games coming up on the road will let us know if the deserve to be higher to go back down some.

3. (2) Houston Dynamo (38 pt.) – Flipping with DC because of a draw with Columbus really isn’t the reason. Houston just hasn’t been playing like the Dynamo of the summer that we got used to there for a while. Getting into the top two in the west may be tougher than they expected a few weeks back. And those back-to-back losses to RSL and Colorado will be big in a couple weeks I think.

4. (4) FC Dallas (36 pt.) - Not hurting the Hoops because of lack of play over the weekend. Added Denilson doesn’t hurt either. Once he finally gets into the team and Kenny Cooper comes back from injury I will wonder if there are any defenses that can stand up to the Hoops.

5. (6) CD Chivas USA (36 pts.) - Caught up in points with Dallas and is slowly looking like a real contender now days. The Supporter’s Shield isn’t out of the question at this point either.

6. (5) Red Bull New York (33 pt.) - Things drop off for me here once we get to this spot. New York didn’t have the weekend I thought they would. Bad breaks like the one in New England can really break a team at this point in the season.

7. (7) Chicago Fire (26 pts.) - Split games with Kansas City last week. Should have very well had no less than four points from it but things are on the up here. Defensive issues still worry me though about this club.

8. (9) Columbus Crew (27 pt.) - Holding on by a tiny tread. My predication of them being the last club in the playoffs this year by pissing off the rest of the clubs may still be a reality.

9. (8) Kansas City Wizards (32 pts.) – Doing just enough to get by in my book. Two games this week against clubs they should beat.

10. (10) Colorado Rapids (27 pts.) - Wanted to move them up based on recent play but couldn’t since it was only LA that they handed a beating to. More wins like that will help though. The playoffs are now a reality, which I would have never thought a month ago.

11. (11) Toronto FC (20 pt.) - Everything drops off at this spot. Really don’t have much to say about a club that has lost its way of scoring. Mo may be at risk of losing that job before long if things don’t improve.
12. (12) LA Galaxy (14 pt.) - Bad…just bad are the Galaxy.

13. (13) Real Salt Lake (12 pt.) - Though this could very well be one of the worst clubs in MLS history.

It may be fair to say that this could very well be the best season that the MLS has had to offer so far in its short history. All games seem to have more meaning than before and all are producing some pretty entertaining soccer. I love it to be perfectly honest with you. It is nice knowing that every game is of value and that there isn’t really one clear favorite at this point in the season like it has been in recent years.

New York 1 – 2 New England

Let’s just say it, that was a horrible way to lose a game. A very bad own goal on New York and really, I wouldn’t put all the blame on Carlos Mendes for it. Jon Conway should and probably will take the bulk of the blame in the minds of the Red Bull nation.

New England played fairly well though I will say that after going down a goal. And this time of year screams even more loudly as to why New England needs their own stadium for soccer. The football lines and endzones are horrible to see on the field. Taylor Twellman was able to get the Revs back into the game and for a while it looked like it was going to be nothing more than a draw.

I am beginning to wonder with how things are going in New York. Up and down more so than a roller coaster. I also kind of question whether or not Bruce Arena is getting closer to being placed on the hot seat rumors. I think it is fair to say he is up getting up there with the Yallops of the league. Some may disagree though but if there is no success in the playoffs I wouldn’t be at all shocked with a coaching change next season. I know…I know that is a long ways a away but it is worth thinking about.

New England gets some time off now, no game until September 9 in DC. Time for others in the east to catch up in the games on the schedule. It will be interesting to see how the results hold up with DC ever so close behind. We will know by the time these two meet if DC is in first or in second.

New York gets the Fire next weekend at home. Two teams in need of three points. Blanco in the big apple, should be a decent draw.

DC 1 – 0 Toronto

Poor TFC, no goals again. But let’s just say it, it could have easily been a draw if it hadn’t been for the early goal by Fred. Toronto was very much in this game since DC had a few key players missing. Now the question remains, will Toronto score again this season? Yes, they will…its just a matter of time.

I also have to throw out that I hate listening to FSC and their broadcasts anymore. Max Bretos and whoever else they have calling games are just plain annoying. The weird yelling when goals are scored and the random talk during the game that gets old just needs to go. Anyone else hate some of FSC’s broadcasters?

DC has some important games coming up though. Road trips to Dallas and Chivas USA should let us know if they have what it takes to beat a good western club. Dallas will be well rested and Chivas is always tough at home.

Toronto gets sometime off until they travel to Dallas on the 8th of September. Maybe a goal is in store in the Big D, but maybe not with a team like Dallas at home.

Kansas City 0 – 2 Chicago

Didn’t see any of this but Chicago gets the win and the series this season with the Wizards thanks to two home wins. Blanco continues to prove his worth. Chicago is now just a point out of the playoff picture behind Colorado and Columbus. Kansas City is holding on now I think.

KC has two games this week, both on the road. First a mid-week game at RSL, which should be three points and then a weekend clash in Houston, probably no points. Three points out of this week would be alright but anything less is a huge disappointment in my eyes. After splitting this week with the Fire the Wizards are on a bad pace I think. Eight games to go and two this week, the Wizards have to get points while they still can.

Chicago is still sitting in a spot that can get them into the post season. But they have to continue picking up points. Not winning both games this week hurt a bit but not losing both wasn’t too bad either. A trip to New York this week is huge since the Red Bulls are in and are alright at the moment. Still a game in hand against Columbus and Colorado, so points are huge at this point.

Columbus 1 – 1 Houston

As for someone who wants to half-way root for the Crew this is a big blow. They get the lead on the road in one of the toughest places to play in the league and they just can’t hold on to it. Man. But still getting a point was big on their part because it will keep them in the playoff hunt for now.

Houston played their way back into the game even though they had plenty of chances to get a tying goal and even the lead. Now sitting two points ahead of Dallas and Chivas, things are getting tight in the west up top like they are in the east, but games in hand are not in the Dynamo favor at this point. Two more than Dallas and three more than Chivas, not to mention the fact that they play again next weekend against KC. We won’t know how their results will hold once Chivas and Dallas catch up in the schedule. Those losses to Colorado and RSL could be big in a couple weeks.

LA 0 – 3 Colorado

Wow, the Galaxy suck. I’m sorry if you’re a Galaxy fan out there reading this but I will already say what you probably already know, your team sucks this year. And guess what, they’ve caught up to a team in the schedule (RSL) so they have no one to blame but themselves now for their results.

I must have missed something, but where was Landon Donovan this weekend? Not that I truly care but it was something I was curious about when I caught some of this game.

You have to give it to Colorado right now though. A real turn around this month for Fernando Clavijo’s bunch, who probably have completely saved his job. After losing to Dallas to start the month, the Rapids have gone 3-0-0 and have out scored opponents 7-0. Amazing for a club that could score to save their life from May to July.

The win puts the Rapids right in the playoff mix but they are on the outside looking in right now. Big showdown with Columbus next weekend.

RSL 0 – 1 Chivas USA

Chivas continues their reign at home this season with a 1-0 win over RSL. Chivas is quietly becoming a real contender here this season and could very well sneak up and win the Supporter’s Shield this season.

The win moves the Goats into second with Dallas but with a game on hand it bumps Dallas out of the automatic bid spot in the west for the time being.

Also, I have to say that Ante Razov is quietly having a good season here this year. Six goals and six assist may prove to be an MVP candidate for Chivas this year.

RSL has two games coming up this week with KC and LA. One has to think that some points are in there for them. Chivas has a little time off until a Thursday showdown with DC the following week.