Unless something big breaks tonight (which I highly doubt) I will see you all next year. Hell, it probably won’t be until at least Monday until the bus rolls back into town here for updates (again, unless some big news breaks).

Happy New Year everyone!

The camp roster for the Sweden friendly next month has been announced today. Its a very heavy MLS style roster. The camp, set to kick off on Jan. 4 in Carson, California, will conclude with the U.S. team’s friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 at Home Depot Center.

Here is the 25-man roster for the January training camp:

GOALKEEPERS- Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

DEFENDERS-Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS - Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS- Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

Some surprises to me include Geoff Cameron, Jack Jewsbury and Chris Wingert. To me I feel as though the US is sending a B or C squad for this game next month against the Sweds. Rightfully so if you ask me as most of these players are out of season right now and it will be a good time for Bob Bradley to test out some new players.

What do you make of the camp roster? Any shockers to you?

Kind of an annual tradition here. Predictions that are sure to go wrong in some categories and sure to go completely right in others. Time will only tell which way they go but it’s something I like to do every year before the ball drops at the start of a new calendar year.

Some items here will be included in the actual season predictions that I will do later on in March but some of this is just New Year’s wishes for different clubs and players.

As always feel free to add your own way too early predictions below. Continue Reading…

Sometimes you just have to wait for things to happen. That is the case today for the New England Revolution. Last year they drafted Michael Videira in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft thinking he would be a solid addition to a midfield that needed depth. Instead Videira left New England for Europe.

Today he returns to the club who drafted him and signed on to play for them next year.

“When we drafted Michael last year, we were aware of his desire to play abroad,” Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. “However, we’re pleased to add him to our roster now that he’s joined Major League Soccer.”

Videira signed with Hamilton Academical of the Scottish Premier League in August, but saw little time on the field due to injuries. The Scottish club later released him and he decided to return to MLS instead of trying to find work elsewhere in Europe.

Most of us who followed the draft a year ago thought he would be a solid pick for the Revs. He was a typical Steve Nicol pick, a ACC-boy who played at Duke. A midfielder that Nicol could figure out what to do with easily.

Its good to see guys like this come back to the league when things don’t work out for them. They tried and now they can focus on the league that drafted them. Time will really tell if he is a good enough player for New England or not. It’s not like they are asking him to replace Steve Ralston today or anything.

Chad Marshall returns to anchor the Crew's defense yet again in 2009. (Getty Images)

I said I would only come back if I thought something was big enough to talk about and this is definitely that. I believe Columbus Crew fans got just what they wanted for Christmas this year as Defender of the Year Chad Marshall elected not to go to Europe and re-signs with the MLS Cup champions this week.

“We have made a significant commitment to ensure that Chad remains a member of the Crew and we are very pleased to have gotten that priority accomplished,” said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. “It goes without saying that he played a vital role in our championship season and re-signing him allows us to retain our core group of key contributors.”

Marshall had been in Germany on trail Mainz of the German second division as negotiations went on with the Crew.

The move really puts a good end to the year that the Crew had. They won the Supporter’s Sheild Trophy, MLS Cup, signed their best player as a DP for next year and got arguably the league’s best defender back. They may have lost their head coach but I would say that they are over that.

Great move for the Crew, now I would say they just need to add some more depth in their attack and they should be as set as they were this year to defend their title.

Well today is Christmas Eve, that means I am outta here until at least next Monday (that is unless something mega-huge comes down). Christmas is a good time to spend with family and friends and that’s what I plan on doing the next few days here.

I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday.

Merry Christmas!

- Drew

It seems as though maybe Bruce Arena has found his man between the pipes. The LA Galaxy have signed Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

“I have known Donovan for a number of years as a goalkeeper with the Jamaican National Team and have always been impressed with his physical qualities. After a closer examination of the player, I am absolutely amazed with his abilities both on and off the field,” said Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “It is also a position that we felt the need to improve and believe that he will be a great addition to our team and has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in MLS.”

Ricketts brings some solid experience, something the Galaxy definitely lacked last year. While some may think he isn’t the best option for the club I think it is a move that could work out.

What do you make of this signing? Couldn’t be any worse than last year right?