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2013 MLS Season Preview: Western Conference

By on February 28, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
Could this be the year that Sigi Schmid and Seattle really celebrate? (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Could this be the year that Sigi Schmid and Seattle really celebrate? (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Earlier in the day I predicted how I thought the Eastern Conference would be in the new season.

Time now to examine the Western Conference for the 2013 MLS season.

To me the West is a bit of an interesting group of teams. Top to bottom I think they are still as deep as they have been these last couple of seasons but I do see a bit of a changing of the guard going on here. Teams we know will be good may not be as good as we’ve seen while others may surprise us.

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Continue Reading · · in Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, MLS, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps

2013 MLS Season Preview: Real Salt Lake

By on February 21, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
The youth movement in Salt Lake poses some questions. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The youth movement in Salt Lake poses some questions. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

We are in the final stretch of teams here on our team-by-team season preview series. We’re staying in the Western Conference for a bit longer as today we turn our attention to Jason Kreis and Real Salt Lake.

Kreis and his staff have spent a good amount of time re-tooling this roster in the offseason by shedding some salary of some key players from the last few seasons.

Salt Lake had a solid 2012 but faded late in the season when things mattered most. With some salary opened up and some new faces (and old) in the roster, has Kreis done enough to get this team back to the MLS promise land? Time to figure that out.

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Continue Reading · · in MLS, Real Salt Lake

What’s Lacking: Portland and Salt Lake Preseason Look

By on January 25, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
Lots of change for Portland and RSL this offseason, but what is left to do? (Getty Images)

Lots of change for Portland and RSL this offseason, but what is left to do? (Getty Images)

We are nearly done with the early preseason look ins at each of the 19 MLS clubs. Two more this morning and the last three will come out later today.

Yesterday in the day I looked at Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy.

Eastern Conference links:  Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew |  D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo | the Montreal Impact and the New England Revolution |the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union |  Sporting KC and Toronto FC

Just for a recap, I am looking at what items are missing as each team is beginning their preseason camps this week.

Portland Timbers

- Enough defense to go around? The more I look at the Timbers the more I wonder if they have done enough work on their defense this offseason. They did make plenty of moves in their midfield which may help out in the defensive side of things but depth wise, they seem to be lacking a little bit.

- Chemistry. With all of the moves made and the new coach in place, the next big question I have for the Timbers is the chemistry. I’m sure some of it will be there already but given the large amount of new faces and all, finding the right balance of chemistry will be key for Caleb Porter.

Real Salt Lake

- Defensive depth. They have good players in defense, make no mistake about it but are they deep enough in the back? I’m not convinced that they are just yet. Losing Jamison Olave hurt them but I think once guys like Chris Schuler step up, fans won’t miss him too much. I just think that they need at least one extra body at center back to be safe.

- Lack of bite in the attack. Robbie Findley’s return is nice but let’s be fair here with regards to RSL’s attack, it is lacking bodies. Just three strikers on the roster right now (one is a draft pick that hasn’t officially signed either). RSL cannot simply rely on Alvaro Saborio all the time here too like they did in 2012. They absolutely need a third and forth option in the attack.

Continue Reading · · in MLS, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake

Justin Braun Sent To Toronto

By on December 3, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

One more Real Salt Lake move to give out.

Real Salt Lake has traded forward Justin Braun to Toronto FC in exchange for 22-year-old defender Aaron Maund.

Braun joined Salt Lake earlier this summer when he was traded from Montreal. He didn’t have a goal or an assist for RSL in MLS play.

Maund was a rookie this past season for Toronto that saw 15 MLS appearances, with eight of the last night coming as starts.

Quick thoughts on this deal:

1. Nice pickup for RSL. Maund adds depth and some decent experience from this season to Jason Kreis’ bunch. He also can play in the defensive side of the midfield or in the back four.

2. Braun gets another chance at a re-do in Canada. Montreal didn’t do anything for him, I don’t know how I feel about him in Toronto either. It will be a wait and see move for Toronto’s stand point.

3. First thought winner is RSL.

Continue Reading · · in MLS, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC

MLS Trades: Offseason In Full Swing

By on December 3, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Holy moly folks. Buckle up, the offseason is here. Today is the official start to the MLS offseason as the trade window has re-opened and several teams are taking full advantage of it before it closes up later this week before the first stage of the Re-Entry Draft.

A lot of trades were reported on yesterday so I’ll break them down one-by-one here. I’d imagine this is only the beginning.

RSL cleaning house

We knew this would probably happen this winter in Salt Lake City but Real Salt Lake is dumping some salaries to rebuild and retool their roster.

Yesterday evening Soccer By Ives reported that RSL is in discussion with two teams on two big trades. The first is a doozy.

RSL is set to trade centerback Jamison Olave and forward Fabian Espindola to the New York Red Bulls for a large amount of allocation money, pending league approval. Where New York has this allocation money is beside me but I’m sure they’ve been saving some up over the years in some form or fashion. The allocation money system is a mysterious thing anyways.

That isn’t all.

RSL are also set to trade Canadian midfielder Will Johnson to the Portland Timbers for allocation money.

What it means for RSL: The big salary dump is huge. They get about $1 million off the books right off the bat. Not to mention the allocation that is coming in both ways (said to be around $500k). They lose three key players from their last four seasons but in a way they were moves that needed to be made.

Olave is a surprise in some ways as he was the cornerstone of the defense over the last couple of seasons. But injuries have slowed down his dominance over the last season or so. Maybe we’re seeing a smart move by RSL in trading Olave while he isn’t 100% and hoping that New York is just a sucker for it.

What the move means for NY: Some will wonder why and how this works for New York but it just will. There is already a mass exodus out of Harrison as we speak. More players are leaving or are not coming back for next season. Marcus Holgersson is one, Joel Lindpere may to be another. I’ve also been hearing that Kenny Cooper is set to be moved this week as well. It all lines up for moves like this.

This also is a dangerous move for the Red Bulls to make. Consider this for a moment, the Red Bulls are still without a head coach and are making some serious roster moves here. Olave is great and Espindola is a feisty striker that locals will enjoy watching but how will they fit with a new coach?

What the move means for Portland: I love this land for the Timbers and Caleb Porter. Johnson is a tireless worker and is someone that will fit his style of play. Porter can use him on the wing or in the middle, it won’t matter. It is a good pickup.

Portland deals Kimura to NY

Kosuke Kimura could be another traded player tomorrow as well that is going to the Big Apple. The Oregonian reported last night that a deal was in place to trade him from Portland to New York. Portland is expected to get some allocation in return for Kimura.

This deal is…well…sort of a good one for both sides. Kimura never caught on in Portland after getting traded there from Colorado earlier this season. New York could be a good spot for him if he comes in at a decent price for the Red Bulls. He is going to be out of contract so it will be interesting to see if this actually goes through or not.

Harrington set to go to Portland

Just as Portland deal a defender, they are set to pick one up. Hat tip again to the Oregonian again for this nugget. Sporting Kansas City is sending Michael Harrington to Portland in exchange for allocation money. So in a way the Timbers dump Kimura and get a younger and arguable better player in Harrington.

Harrington was a regular two years ago for SKC but really hasn’t seen a ton of the field over the last season and a half.

I like this move as well for the Timbers as they re-tool their roster.

Continue Reading · · in MLS, New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC

2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Preview

By on October 30, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Seattle and RSL look to be one of the best series in this year’s playoffs. (Getty Images)

Earlier I gave you a look at the knockout and semifinal rounds in the East. Now it is time for the West.

While the East has five teams that can easily win it all in my mind, the West isn’t that way. You’ll see what I am talking about here shortly.

So let’s get down to it. Just like with the Eastern Conference, once the finals are set, I’ll come back and preview those in this manner.

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Continue Reading · · in LA Galaxy, MLS, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps

2012 MLS Playoff Race: Hot and Not

By on August 21, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

David Ferreira and FC Dallas are putting pressure on the rest of the Western Conference. (Getty Images)

A few weeks ago the MLS playoff races in both the Eastern and Western Conference looked rather boring. Both were just a five team race to determine which team was seeded where and no one from the outside was really threatening to crash the party.

As we enter the second half of August – or the first leg of the home stretch in the MLS season as I like to call it – both conference races are a little tighter at the top and are seeing teams from outside of the playoff zone creeping up to put pressure on those who are stumbling.

Each conference has a couple sides that are hot and some that are just plain not. Below are two teams from each side that I see having potential to crash the playoff party (or potentially more) this season and two that could crash out of the playoff mix all together. Continue Reading →

Continue Reading · · in Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, DC United, FC Dallas, MLS, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps

RSL Snags Justin Braun From Montreal

By on July 11, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

 

Justin Braun is on the move back home to Salt Lake. (Getty Images)

Yesterday evening over at BigDSoccer.com, Daniel and I discussed some trades that FC Dallas should look into making this summer. One of the players mentioned was forward Justin Braun from the Montreal Impact.

Turns out, Braun was on the trading block with the Impact and was dealt today to Real Salt Lake in exchange for a conditional pick.

The 25-year-old Braun will provide depth at striker during the club’s impending CONCACAF Champions League run and MLS Cup Playoff push.

For his career, Braun has 24 goals and 13 assists in 108 regular season MLS games.

This at the very least is an impressive move for Salt Lake. They get a guy that had fallen down the depth charts in a big way in Montreal and also someone that has proven in the past that he can score lots of goals in MLS. I don’t know if this will be another situation like we saw with past players leaving Canada with Toronto but I do expect Braun to fit in well with Salt Lake and provide a big impact down the road for them.

Braun is a Salt Lake native as well so this move works out for him as well so he can be closer to home.

I have to say this as well, the rich keep getting richer with a deal like this. Wow.

Continue Reading · · in MLS, Montreal Impact, Real Salt Lake

CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage Dates Announced

By on June 22, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

CONCACAF released the schedule for the upcoming group stage games in the 2012/13 edition of the Champions League tournament. Some very weird scheduling in this for the five MLS clubs involved. Houston has their first two games on the road in this while LA and Toronto both have their final two games on the road. Not sure who has the better end of that deal. Seattle and Salt Lake have it a little more balanced.

CONCACAF Champions League
Group Stage
All times U.S. Eastern; home team listed first
Week 1
Tuesday, July 31
CF Monterrey (MEX) vs. Chorrillo (PAN), 8 p.m.
CS Herediano (CRC) vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 1
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. CD Aguila (SLV), 8 p.m.
Isidro Metapan (SLV) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.
Tigres UANL (MEX) vs. Real Esteli (NCA), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 2
W Connection (TRI) vs. Xelaju (GUA), 8 p.m.
CD Olimpia (HON) vs. CD FAS (SLV), 10 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. Caledonia AIA (TRI), 10 p.m.

Week 2
Tuesday, August 21
Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. CD Aguila (SLV), 8 p.m.
Real Salt Lake (USA) vs. Tauro FC (PAN), 10 p.m.
Xelaju MC (GUA) vs. CD Guadalajara (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22
Caledonia AIA (TRI) vs. CD Marathon (HON), 8 p.m.
LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs. Tigres UANL (MEX), 10 p.m.
CD FAS (SLV) vs. Houston Dynamo (USA), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 23
Chorrillo (PAN) vs. CSD Municipal (GUA), 8 p.m.
LA Galaxy (USA) vs. Isidro Metapan (SLV), 10 p.m.

Week 3
Tuesday, August 28
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX), 8 p.m.
Real Esteli (NCA) vs. LD Alajuelense (CRC), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 29
CD Guadalajara (MEX) vs. W Connection (TRI), 8 p.m.
LA Galaxy (USA) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.
Municipal (GUA) vs. Monterrey (MEX), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 30
Tauro FC (PAN) vs. CS Herediano (CRC), 8 p.m.
Caledonia AIA (TRI) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA), 8 p.m.
CD Olimpia (HON) vs. Houston Dynamo (USA), 10 p.m.

Week 4
Tuesday, September 18
Tauro FC (PAN) vs. Real Salt Lake (USA), 8 p.m.
Xelaju MC (GUA) vs. W Connection (TRI), 10 p.m.
Real Esteli (NCA) vs. Tigres UANL (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, September 19
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. LA Galaxy (USA), 8 p.m.
CD Aguila (SLV) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX), 10 p.m.
CD Marathon (HON) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA), 10 p.m.

Thursday, September 20
Houston Dynamo (USA) vs. CD FAS (SLV), 8 p.m.
CSD Municipal (GUA) vs. Chorrillo FC (PAN), 10 p.m.

Week 5
Tuesday, September 25
CF Monterrey (MEX) vs. CSD Municipal (GUA), 8 p.m.
CD Aguila (SLV) vs. Toronto FC (CAN), 10 p.m.
CS Herediano (CRC) vs. Tauro FC (PAN), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, September 26
W Connection (TRI) vs. CD Guadalajara (MEX), 8 p.m.
CD Marathon (HON) vs. Caledonia (TRI), 10 p.m.
LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs. Real Esteli (NCA), 10 p.m.

Thursday, September 27
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Isidro Metapan (SLV), 8 p.m.
CD FAS (SLV) vs. CD Olimpia (HON), 10 p.m.

Week 6
Tuesday, October 23
Houston Dynamo (USA) vs. CD Olimpia (HON), 8 p.m.
Real Salt Lake (USA) vs. CS Herediano (CRC), 10 p.m.
Chorrillo (PAN) vs. CF Monterrey (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, October 24
Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. Toronto FC (CAN), 8 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. CD Marathon (HON), 10 p.m.
Tigres UANL (MEX) vs. LD Alajuelense (CRC), 10 p.m.

Thursday, October 25
CD Guadalajara (MEX) vs. Xelaju MC (GUA), 8 p.m.
Isidro Metapan (SLV) vs. LA Galaxy (USA), 10 p.m.

 

Continue Reading · · in Champions League, CONCACAF, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, MLS, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC, Toronto FC

This Week’s Retroactive Suspension Winner Is…

By on April 25, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Blas Perez will sit out tonight's game due to suspension. (Getty Images)

FC Dallas forward Blas Perez.

Yes, this news came down yesterday afternoon and honestly many here in Dallas were stunned by the news.  Perez was given a one game suspension for  an elbow on Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey in the first half of Saturday’s game with Vancouver.

Harvey was not injured on the play and even played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, leaving the question out there as to was this a good call? We’ve seen others this season that were pretty iffy and this one goes right there with it.

While I don’t have a ton of issues with suspending a guy for a questionable elbow (others here in town will disagree, and rightfully so), I do have issues with the timing of this suspension and many of the other retroactive suspensions this season.

The suspension of Perez came down about 24 hours before FC Dallas kicks off Week 8 with Real Salt Lake. FCD had already gone through training for the day and was pretty much prepared to go for tonight’s contest with Salt Lake when they found out the news about Perez.

To me it is simple, if the Discipline Committee is going to suspend a guy for a game on a Wednesday, they need to hand it down on Monday afternoon. Simple as that. It gives all parties involved at least one full day to get ready for it. It is just a fair and simple thing to do.

So who will Dallas turn to this evening up top? Ruben Luna? Scott Sealy? Your guess is as good as mine.

Continue Reading · · in FC Dallas, MLS, Real Salt Lake