Now Gus is taking his chances with soccer. Enjoy my friends, I know I am.

This week’s game turns to New York Red Bulls midfielder Rafa Marquez.

Salinas, who started San Jose’s first six matches, suffered a broken left collarbone after Marquez rode him to the ground in the 42nd minute. The Red Bulls DP delivered a kick for good measure as they two players tumbled.

Seeing how the league is handing down suspension left and right after games are over, this one will certainly fall into that count. The question begs to be asked, just how many games will Marquez get for his actions here? Three games? Four? Six to eight?

In addition to the foul play by Marquez was the actions of referee Ricardo Salazar, who let play continue and didn’t whistle for a penalty kick. That kind of crap has to change.

Saw this over on the MLS Insider blog.

These are tickets from this season’s ticket package for the Quakes. San Jose is going back to the past a bit with their tickets, giving fans a little retro feel.

Stuff like this makes me really believe we are just that close to a retro day at a MLS stadium.

The San Jose Earthquakes can finally begin the process of putting shovels in the ground to build their very own stadium.

The Quakes’ plans for a $60 million, 18,000-seat stadium cleared their last bureaucratic hurdle last night when the San Jose Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny an appeal by a local resident looking to have the team’s planned development permit rescinded due to noise and light concerns.

“I think it’s a win for everybody, and we will make sure we’re good neighbors,” Quakes owner Lew Wolff said.

There is still a hope to get the stadium done in time for the 2013 season. My bet is they’ll make it happen though they may have to start the season out on the road for a few games like many teams have done in recent years when opening up a new stadium.

This is fantastic news for the club and the league. While this stadium isn’t expected to be on the level of a Red Bull Arena or a LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, it is a home for the Quakes that isn’t a college stadium.

So now we’re down to DC and New England…and in a way Chivas. We’re getting so close to a league full of soccer stadium and now baseball/football stadiums.

Two interesting and totally separate stadium discussions to start the week off with this morning.

First up in San Jose.

The Earthquakes are close nearing their final hurdle to get their own soccer stadium built. San Jose owner Lew Wolff’s plan to build a $60 million soccer stadium faces its final vote Wednesday night, when the San Jose Planning Commission is expected to decide whether the city has adequately addressed residents’ concerns about the stadium being in their backyard.

There has been a growing concern from the locals in San Jose near the proposed stadium site that say the stadium will be too loud for the neighborhood. Residents around the area say that the lights and noise issues haven’t been properly analyzed.

Out in Washington, D.C., officials from United and Events DC are close to agreeing on a two-year lease extension at RFK Stadium. That’s not where it gets interesting however.

Parties from both sides are saying this will create a window in which the team and some city officials likely will attempt a last-ditch effort to build a stadium for the team in the District.

“That two-year extension will then provide adequate time for serious negotiations to commence between the city, Events DC and the team about a new soccer stadium in D.C., and one that meets the needs of the city and one that meets the needs of D.C. United,” said Team President Kevin Payne.

Could this finally be the time that both San Jose and D.C. get their own digs? God let’s hope so.

Portland and Vancouver have done well in preparing for their sophomore seasons. (Getty Images)

Yesterday I took a look at the 10 clubs from the Eastern Conference in how they’ve done so far this winter. Naturally right after the post was put up one of those clubs went out and signed a DP.

Today, we’ll look at the nine clubs from the Western Conference to see how they’ve been doing so far this winter.

Obviously all MLS sides will continue to make moves between now and the end of the MLS transfer window in April but this is merely a discussion and grade for what they’ve done so far. I’ll go back before the end of that window to re-grade these clubs. The transaction page at MLSSoccer.com was where the majority of the info seen on this post came from.

(Side note: I’m not including any Supplemental Draft picks in with any of the teams. Some players have already been let go by their clubs while some are still trying to make the teams. Once they have definitely signed we’ll discuss it more)

Chivas USA

Players In:

M Ryan Smith (11/21: trade from Sporting KC); D James Riley (11/23: from Seattle, via trade from Montreal); M Oswaldo Minda (12/21: SD Quito); M Miller Bolaños (1/11: LDU Quito); F Casey Townsend (1/12: SuperDraft); G Tim Melia (1/17: free); D John Valencia (1/24: Atlético Junior); M Marvin Iraheta (1/24: Cosmos Academy)

Players Out: F Justin Braun (11/23: trade to Montreal); M Gerson Mayen (11/23: trade to Montreal); D Zarek Valentin (11/23: expansion draft); MPaulo Nagamura (11/29: trade to Sporting KC); D Andrew Boyens (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); F Chukwudi Chujindu (12/12: option declined); M Simon Elliott (12/12: out of contract); G Zach Thornton (12/12: option declined); D Mariano Trujillo (12/12: option declined); D Michael Umaña (1/2: free/Comunicaciones); F Marcos Mondaini (1/4: loan option declined); G Sergio Arias (1/4: loan option declined); F Víctor Estupiñán (1/4: option declined)

What is still needed: A big time goal scorer.

Thoughts: This continues to be one of the toughest clubs to figure out. They’ve lost a good deal of talent in guys like Justin Braun and Zarek Valentin. Yet they have brought in some intriguing additions in the form of Ryan Smith, Miller Bolanos and John Valencia. If Smith can return to the level of play we saw out of him in Kansas City, then this club has the potential to be a lot more interesting in 2012.

Grade: C

Colorado Rapids

Players In: D Hunter Freeman (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Houston); M Tony Cascio (1/12: SuperDraft); M Jaime Castrillón (1/25: free/Independiente Medellín)

Players Out: M Sanna Nyassi (11/23: expansion draft); D Mike Holody (11/30: option declined); DDanny Earls (11/30: option declined); D Miguel Comminges (11/30: option declined)

What is still needed: Depth in the midfield and up top.

Thoughts: Losing Nyassi is a bigger deal than some still make it out to be. He was a solid player for them and Montreal will love having a player that can do what he does. On the flip side I do like their additions, even if it is really only a couple of them. Freeman will add some quality to the defense while Castrillon will be called to do a lot in the midfield. I think if Oscar Pareja can make a couple more moves to fit his system, then this club will be fine.

Grade: C

FC Dallas

Players In: F Blas Pérez (1/3: free/Indios de Ciudad Juárez); D Hernán Pertúz (1/3: free/Independiente Medellín); D Matt Hedges(1/12: SuperDraft); D Carlos Rodríguez (1/20: Tauro FC)

Players Out: D Edson Edward (11/23: waived); DJeremy Hall (11/29: trade to Toronto); F Maykel Galindo (12/12: option declined); F Maicon Santos (12/12: option declined); M Marvin Chávez (12/16: trade to San Jose); M Jackson(1/18: loan to Cruzeiro)

What is still needed: A starting right-winger, depth up top

Thoughts: Some folks aren’t too high on what Dallas has done this winter but really they’ve put together a solid winter so far. Perez, Pertuz and Rodriguez will all contribute big minutes this season, as will rookie Hedges. Schellas Hyndman trimmed the fat from the poor moves made last year in the form of Hall, Galindo and Santos but also made some risky moves by trading Chavez and loaning Jackson. Fans were too happy about those last two but they should be happy with the fact that the salary cap space is there for them to make a couple solid moves this season.

Grade: B

LA Galaxy

Players In: D Andrew Boyens (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chivas USA); D Chris Leitch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/San Jose); F Pat Noonan (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Marcelo Sarvas(12/13: free/Alajuelense); M Jose Villarreal(12/22: Home Grown); G Nick Noble (12/22: free/Ljungskile SK); D Tommy Meyer (1/12: SuperDraft); M Kenney Walker (1/12: SuperDraft); F Edson Buddle (2/1: free); M Kyle Nakazawa (2/1: trade from Philadelphia)

Players Out: D Gregg Berhalter (12/9: retired);G Donovan Ricketts (11/28: trade to Montreal); M Juninho (1/4: loan expired); G Jon Conway(1/10: retired); M/F Miguel López (1/10: loan expired); M Jovan Kirovski (1/23: retired); DDasan Robinson (1/27: retired); D Chris Leitch(1/31: retired); F Yuri Gorentzvaig (2/1: waived)

What is still needed: Center back depth and defensive midfield help

Thoughts: Losing Juninho is huge, losing Omar Gonzalez to injury is just as big. Both are the two biggest losses to this club but on the flip side they have done very well at addressing depth and shredding some fat. Having Buddle come back is huge but don’t sleep on that Nakazawa trade either, that was a nice quiet move by Bruce Arena that could end up being a big deal down the road.

Grade: B-

Portland Timbers

Players In: F José Adolfo Valencia (12/14: Independiente Santa Fe/Colombia); F Brent Richards (1/4: Home Grown); D Andrew Jean-Baptiste (1/12: SuperDraft); M Brendan King(1/12: SuperDraft); D Hanyer Mosquera (1/17: free); F Kris Boyd (1/30: free); M Charles Renken (1/31: waiver wire)

Players Out: D Kevin Goldthwaite (11/29: retired); F/M Ryan Pore (12/1; option declined); G Adin Brown (12/12: option declined); M Rodrigo López (12/12: option declined); M Peter Lowry (12/12: option declined); F Brian Umony(12/12: option declined); F Kenny Cooper (1/12: trade to New York)

What is still needed: Depth in the defense, additional help on the wings

Thoughts: The last two moves by the Timbers (Boyd, Renken) could end up being the best moves this winter by any club. Boyd is a natural goal scorer and if he can get to 10-15 goals this season, it will be a great addition by the Timbers. As for Renken, if he can get healthy it is a very good pickup for a player that had so much promise early on in his young career. The other DP signed this winter by the Timbers is still a toss up but if Valencia can get healthy and work out, then the Timbers have all the makings of being special in year two.

Grade: B+

Real Salt Lake

Players In: M Enzo Martinez (1/12: SuperDraft); D Diogo de Almeida (1/12: SuperDraft); M Sebastián Velásquez (1/12: SuperDraft);  D Leone Cruz (1/17: trade rights from Seattle)

Players Out: G Tim Melia (11/23: waived); M Collen Warner (11/23: expansion draft); D Robbie Russell (11/29: trade to D.C.); M Jean Alexandre (12/1: trade to San Jose); M Arturo Alvarez (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/Chivas USA); MAndy Williams (12/5: retired); D Nelson González (12/12: option declined); D Rauwshan McKenzie (12/12: option declined); M Blake Wagner (12/12: option declined); M Andy Rose(1/17: trade to Seattle)

What is still needed: Depth all over, particularly in the midfield and up top

Thoughts: It seems like they have lose more than they have gained but that is the price you pay when you are one of the deepest teams in MLS. Russell and Warner will end up being the toughest losses on the field. Williams will be the toughest loss in the locker room though. But they did get some youth in the draft and Martinez should be a steal for them, as he’ll get plenty of playing time in his rookie season.

Grade: C

San Jose Earthquakes

Players In: M Shea Salinas (11/30: trade from Vancouver); M Jean Alexandre (12/1: trade from RSL); M Marvin Chávez (12/16: trade from FC Dallas); D Víctor Bernárdez (12/21: free/Anderlecht); F Sam Garza (1/12: SuperDraft); M Jacob Hustedt (1/12: SuperDraft); G Chris Blais (1/12: SuperDraft);  F Sercan Güvenisik (1/26: Preußen Münster); M Tressor Moreno (2/2: free)

Players Out: D Bobby Burling (11/23: expansion draft); M Matt Luzunaris (12/1: waived); M/D Bobby Convey (12/2: trade to Sporting KC); D Chris Leitch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); MAndré Luiz (12/12: option declined); M Jacob Peterson (12/12: option declined); F Scott Sealy (12/12: option declined); G Andrew Weber (12/12: option declined)

What is still needed: Defensive help

Thoughts: A busy offseason for Frank Yallop but not a terrible one. A lot of iffy moves in the draft and in trades that could pan out and be better than I am thinking. If Moreno ends up being the #10 that the Quakes have been looking for then we could be looking at a sleeper team this season. Still a lot of ifs with that defense that worries me. I do think their additions on the wings will help Chris Wondolowski out in a big way. I think the grade will end up being higher, especially if they can work out a deal with Simon Dawkins to return.

Grade: C+

Seattle Sounders FC

Players In: G Michael Gspurning (12/7: free/Skoda Xanthi); D Marc Burch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/D.C. United); D Adam Johansson (12/29: free/Göteborg); M Christian Sivebaek (1/11: free/Midtjylland); D Andrew Duran (1/12: SuperDraft); F Babayele Sodade (1/12: SuperDraft); M Andy Rose (1/17: trade from Real Salt Lake); FCordell Cato (1/18: free/Defence Force FC);

Players Out: G Kasey Keller (11/2: retired); D James Riley (11/23: to Chivas USA, via expansion draft); D Tyson Wahl (11/23: trade to Montreal); GK Terry Boss (12/2: retired); D Taylor Graham(12/2, retired); F Nate Jaqua (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); F Pat Noonan (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); M Erik Friberg(12/12: transfer/Malmö)

What is still needed: Defensive depth, a healthy Steve Zakuani

Thoughts: It looked like this club was going to take a serious hit back at the end of 2011 but they have quietly and diligently made some good moves to help their cause out for what will be a busy 2012. I like the additions of Johansson, Siveback and Cato. And re-signing Mauro Rosales was absolutely huge. Still the biggest loss will certainly be Kasey Keller and his leadership. If Gspurning can be half of what Keller was to this club they will be fine.

Grade: B

Vancouver Whitecaps

Players In: M Bryce Alderson (11/17: Home Grown), D Lee Young-Pyo (12/7: free); M/F Lee Nguyen(12/15: weighted lottery); M Matt Watson(12/16: free/Carolina); D Martín Bonjour (1/6: free: Rampla Juniors); F Darren Mattocks(1/12: SuperDraft); D Chris Estridge (1/12: SuperDraft); G Brad Knighton (1/17: Carolina);  M Jun Marques Davidson (1/19: free); F Sébastien Le Toux (1/30: trade from Philadelphia)

Players Out: D Jeb Brovsky (11/23: expansion draft); D Bilal Duckett (11/23: waived); M Nizar Khalfan (11/23: waived); M Alexandre Morfaw(11/23: waived); M Shea Salinas (11/30: trade to San Jose); D Greg Janicki (11/30: option declined); M Pete Vagenas (11/30: option declined); D Jonathan Leathers (11/30: option declined); G Jay Nolly (12/5: trade to Chicago); D Geinier García (1/17: trade to Montreal); FMustapha Jarju (1/21: contract terminated); MPhilippe Davies (1/21: option declined)

What is still needed: Defensive depth

Thoughts: Martin Rennie has brought in a fair amount of talent from his Carolina roster and will likely continue to do so. But you have to really like where this club is going offensively with Le Toux and the re-signing of Camilio. If Young-Pyo can turn into the game-changer in the back for the Caps, this could easily be a playoff team in 2012. There will certainly be some growing pains with this club, giving all the changes but you have to really like where they are going here.

Grade A-

Bobby Convey is headed to KC. (Getty Images)

You have to like what some clubs are doing right now. This week has been a big week of trades as clubs get ready for the First Stage of the Re-Entry Draft next week. Today another trade came down the pipe – and while others haven’t been as big – this one certainly has the makings of being pretty huge.

Sporting Kansas City has acquired veteran midfielder/defender Bobby Convey from the San Jose Earthquakes for an international roster slot.

Convey was headed to the Re-Entry Draft but teams could make deals up until a certain time today before things got locked down. There had been hints since yesterday afternoon that the club was close to making another trade. The club had already made two deals this offseason, getting Seth Sinovic from Montreal in exchange for Davy Arnaud and also picking up Pablo Nagamura from Chivas USA.

Convey’s price is a tad high but this is a bold move for KC that you have to like. Sporting was very close to making it to their first MLS Cup in a long time and the big issue that came up was their defense. Adding a big piece to the puzzle like Convey will certainly help keep them a favorite in 2012.

To date, Convey has scored 11 goals and added 30 assists in 164 appearances in Major League Soccer.

What do you all make of this deal for KC?

Who will be saved and who will be left unprotected for San Jose? (Getty Images)

I am back on the expansion draft list bandwagon this afternoon. I’ve been working here and there this week on compiling several club’s lists. Currently I am only working on teams that are eliminated from playoff contention – though next week we’ll have plenty more as teams fail to advance in the post season will be up to eight and then up to 12 when the wildcard round ends.

To recap, I’ve already looked at the New England Revolution and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Today, we are headed west to take a look at the San Jose Earthquakes.

Keep in mind the rules of the expansion draft, to read more about them click here.

Protected List:

1. Chris Wondolowski – Their MVP and top scorer, no sense in leaving him open.

2. Simon Dawkins – One of their few internationals (gotta protect a certain amount here!), he’s been solid for them this season.

3. Nana Attakora – He’s Canadian, gotta protect him. Just seems logical.

4. Khari Stephenson – Another international that will get protection.

5. Jon Busch – A solid keeper in this league, pretty underrated really.

6. Stephen Lenhart – A decent goal scorer when healthy. He seems like a guy Montreal’s Jesse Marsch would like coaching.

7. Steven Beitashour – Young, cheap defender. Definitely one to hold on to.

8. Sam Cronin – He’s settled in well in San Jose, can’t see him getting unprotected here.

9. Joey Gjestsen – He was on the Impact’s USL roster a couple years ago and he was protected last season.

10. Rafeal Boca – Another one of those internationals that they have to proect.

11. Jason Hernandez – A veteran that was protected last season over a couple guys. I think he gets protected again.

Home Grown/Generation adidas Players exempt:

• Ike Opara
• David Bingham

Unprotected list:

• Bobby Burling
• Chris Leitch
• Brad Ring
• Scott Sealy
• Ramiro Corrales
• Andrew Weber
• Maxwell Griffin
• Justin Morrow
• Alan Gordon
• Jacob Peterson
• Tim Ward
• Anthony Ampaipitakwong
• Ellis McLoughlin
• Andre Luiz
• Matt Luzunaris
• Bobby Convey

Notes: This was a tricky team due to the number of internationals that they have on the roster. I had a couple guys written down as protected at first like Beitashour and Burling but then realized neither were protected last year over guys like Hernandez. You really could make your case either way for those guys over someone like Hernandez or even over Convey.

A lot could depend on if Frank Yallop and John Doyle are running this show after this season. It seems like neither are leaving at this point – even though they both probably need to go for this club to have a turnaround next year. If they both go then you could easily see other guys like I mentioned get protected here.

EDIT: Just read the report that Convey is leaving after this year or at least saying he won’t be back. So Convey is out, Beitashour in.

In order to get the blessing of the locals, the Quakes agreed to remove the ability for the stadium to host concerts to help reduce noise pollution in the surrounding area. Most MLS venues use concerts to help facilitate more revenue but the Quakes felt they can get by without them.

“Our main focus is soccer and I think we made a big concession here,” shared Keith Wolff with the audience. “This is to try to get a soccer stadium done because we are getting such great fan support in Santa Clara, but there is only so much we can do there. So we really want to get this stadium done. We are willing to forego the concert revenue to make this happen.”

“The neighbors can declare victory given that there will not be concerts hosted at the new stadium,” said Councilman Liccardo, who has been involved in planning and permitting procedures in conjunction with the Earthquakes since the beginning of the process.

From the sound of the report, the locals were very worried about loud noises. Seeing how the stadium will only host 18k, it really shouldn’t be that bad.

The Quakes now have some good momentum in this project and hope in the coming weeks to being building their very own soccer stadium. A positive sign that soccer will be staying in the Bay Area for the long run.

Not to be outdone by other club’s season ticket renewals, the San Jose Earthquakes are doing something that I really hope catches on from other MLS clubs. Renew your season tickets today and you get a free NASL throwback kit.

That my friends is bad ass.

I’ve been hoping for a long time now that several MLS clubs do the old NASL throwback day here soon. Now that we are nearly at 19 clubs and most are in cities with some NASL history associated with them, I really would love to see a NASL throwback day before long. Think about the LA Galaxy rocking a LA Aztecs kit or the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps or even these San Jose Earthquakes rocking old kits.

You gotta admit, it would be pretty sweet.

But in all seriousness, kudos to the Quakes here for going a little different with their season renewals here. It is a different approach to doing things but definitely one that should resonate well with fans.

(EDIT: looks like this is for new season tickets as well…very nice)