Jeff Larwenowicz possibly on the move? (Getty Images)

The SuperDraft is over and now clubs all around Major League Soccer are making moves to improve their rosters. Several are hoping to beef up certain areas while others hoping to get the right pieces in place to make another deep run in the playoffs this year.

I figured since there was plenty of news out there today that I’d put them all into one post rather than drag it out into several different posts. Its a timing thing really, no need to post a bunch of small posts, especially if some of it doesn’t turn out to be true.

Rapids and Revs Dealing Players

There was a deal on the table during last week’s SuperDraft that would have sent Jeff Larentowicz and Wells Thompson to Colorado for Preston Burpo and Cory Gibbs and possibly allocation money. Apparently that deal got caught up in a snag due to Gibbs’ contract and physical exam that he would need to do.

Now it seems like the deal is closer to finalizing according to Steve Goff.

Honestly if Larentowicz does re-sign with the league I don’t see how this could be a good deal for the Revs. Now if its a matter of dealing his player rights to the Rapids and he bolts for Europe then that is another thing and this deal seems more even.

Chicago’s Roster Revamp

Reports out of Poland have linked the Fire to a loan move for Polish fullback Krzysztof Król while the arrival of Salvadoran midfielder Julio Martinez. We’ve said multiple times here that the Fire need defensive help. I like these kinds of moves by Frank Klopas, especially the loan of Krol.

Both should be starters from what I hear. Also the Fire seem to be linked with Dutch striker Collins John. I don’t have a lot of details on this rumor (other than a link to Tribalfootball.com) but a former strike partner of Brian McBride at Fulham sounds like a good move here. That’s another area the Fire really need to go after this winter.

Nguyen Fails To Reach Deal With MLS/FCD

For a few weeks now Lee Nguyen has been in Dallas training with FCD hoping to get a deal worked out so he could play with his hometown club. Well according to his Twitter account this morning he is headed back to Vietnam. Tough to see him not get a deal worked out. He would have been sent to the Allocation system by the league though which probably held up this deal getting finished.

Shouldn’t the league make concessions for players that want to play in a certain town? Yes, honestly they do need to be more flexible with their allocation. Its just the system we have in place whether we like it or not.

Chivas Gets Loans Extended

Don’t expect forwards Jesus Padilla and Maicon Santos and defender Yamith Cuesta to anywhere anytime soon. All three had their loan deals with Chivas USA extended yesterday.

New Chivas USA head coach Martin Vasquez is still expected to make some roster moves here. One guy he won’t be able to retain is Paulo Nagamura, who moved to Mexican side Tigres on a free transfer after three seasons with Chivas USA.

Good for Chivas to retain Padilla, Santos and Cuesta. All three were a big part in getting Chivas out of a midseason slump. I hate to see Nagamura go though, he was actually one of my favorites with the club.

DC Parts Ways With Two Defenders

A quick DC note from Steve Goff, the club has parted ways with two defenders today, Avery John and David Habarugira. Both were reserve defenders a season ago and were probably just not in Curt Onalfo’s plan for the club this year. No biggie really, but this club really needs a big time center back on their roster. Onalfo and one assistant are going to Brazil to scout this week according to Goff, hopefully their trip yields some good results.

Toronto Looking At Egyptian Defender

A change of pace for Mo Johnston. Instead of his usual quest to find over-priced players from England he is going to Africa to find some defensive help. This in the form of Egyptian central defender Ibrahim Said (or Saied).

This sounds like a decent move if, and I mean a big if here, he comes into town with a good head on his shoulders. There has been some rumblings of him being a locker room cancer in the past. Maybe a trip across the pond will help him out though for once.

For Toronto’s sake I hope he comes in cheap and ready to go because their defense really needs a boost.

GBS is returning to MVP form, that is dangerous for everyone else. (Getty Images)

A full weekend is upon us here as we head into the final month of the season. Once again we have a weekend that has a lot of playoff implications from top to bottom. Can the spoilers like KC and San Jose step up and bring down some clubs gunning for the playoffs? Can teams like Columbus or Chicago make a push for the Supporter’s Shield once and for all? Or will someone like LA or Chivas step up and surprise them?

Lots of questions to be asked this weekend. Nearly every club is in action except for the Houston Dynamo who are busy putting the wraps on Brian Ching’s new four year deal.

As always feel free to post your score predictions below.

Saturday:

Seattle Sounders FC – at – New England Revolution:

If this game is anything like the one a month ago in Seattle you have to expect Sigi Schmid to figure out a way to get his offense more production out of the midfield. Last time around New England shocked the Sounders at Qwest Field thanks to a gutsy goal from Shalrie Joseph. After that goal New England clamped down in the midfield and never gave Seattle the space they needed to get things gong on offense. Seattle has to find a way to get Fredy Montero or Nate Jaqua into space in this one if they want even a shot at a tie. Seattle does have some confidence for once this season on the road thanks to a couple big road wins as of late in places like DC. If they can get Montero some space around goal they could steal some points, especially if the word is true about Joseph not being at 100%. I think New England could win this one too but to me this one sounds like a draw based on how Seattle has been as of late on the road.

WVH Prediction: New England 1, Seattle 1

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LA Galaxy – at – Columbus Crew:

LA has been solid on the road this year but they head into Crew Stadium possibly without David Beckham. You can also bet that the Crew aren’t going to want to give up that unbeaten record they’ve gotten at home anytime soon here either (yes I know they lost at home to Cruz Azul in the CCL this week but in MLS their record still speaks for itself). Beckham or not Beckham I think this one gets bogged down in the midfield enough that actually favors Columbus a little more than LA. The Galaxy need this big win if they want a true shot at the Supporter’s Shield. I just like the Crew’s chances a little more though here. Something tells me Guillermo Barros Schelotto is back to his MVP form and that is dangerous for all comers in MLS.

WVH Prediction: Columbus 2, LA 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – FC Dallas:

I feel like I haven’t seen Dallas at home in months (I missed their last home game due to my wedding) and now they bring in one of the worst road teams in the league. I think the chance to play spoiler is going to be in full effect tomorrow for Dallas. RSL needs three points in a big way but winning in Dallas hasn’t been easy for them over the years. They’ve found ways to drop points at Pizza Hut Park like you wouldn’t believe. Given the poor road effort this season by RSL and how well Jeff Cunningham has played for Dallas these last two months I am going with the homeside for the upset. I think this could be another one of those high scoring games that we’ve seen Dallas in this year since neither really defend that well. RSL will have to push the tempo but look for Dallas to push right back with a win.

WVH Prediction: Dallas 4, RSL 2

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Toronto FC – at – Chicago Fire:

It is about high time that the Fire got their act together at home here. Going only 4-4-5 at Toyota Park doesn’t strike fear into anyone’s eyes, especially when those four wins are over teams like New York and San Jose. Chicago needs points to push Columbus in the eastern standings as well as hold off others for the automatic bid in the east. Toronto is one of those clubs on the edge of the playoffs and need points no matter what. It could be a long night for the Reds though if they don’t slow down Brian McBride who looked great in return last week against Columbus. Stopping his is key to getting points. While I think Toronto will push Chicago well in this one I just see the Fire ending up on top. They seems to at least beat clubs that can’t win on the road like Toronto at home and I think that trend will continue.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 2, Toronto 0

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Colorado Rapids – at – Kansas City Wizards:

Boy the Rapids really did screw themselves in a big way these last two games against San Jose. Instead of getting the six points that they should have gotten they ended up with two similar draws. Now their playoff hopes go to KC where things aren’t gonna get easy with the way the Wizards have been playing as of late. Even with little playoff hopes the Wizards are certainly playing the role of spoiler very well. I think the Wizards will keep this one close but I see Colorado getting another late draw thanks to their wing play and thanks to Conor Casey who is trying to put away the Golden Boot race for the year. This one smells like a draw but don’t sleep on KC pulling out another win.

WVH Prediction: KC 1, Colorado 1

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New York Red Bulls – at – Chivas USA:

How lucky did Chivas get to have New York on their schedule twice this late in the year? Getting them at home should mean three points right? Its still possible but we honestly don’t know what to make of these Red Bulls under interim coach Richie Williams on the road yet. More than likely we can assume they will be the same old Red Bulls on the road here. Chivas has played well thanks to the addition of Maicon Santos up top. This one won’t be a blowout by any means but looks for Chivas to find a way to get three points and put some serious pressure on Home Depot Center mates LA and western conference leaders Houston.

WVH Prediction: Chivas 2, New York 0

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Sunday:

San Jose Earthquakes – at – DC United:

With the way the schedule lines up for DC in the last month or so they would only have themselves to blame if they failed to reach the post season again. DC looked good in CCL play this week as they dominated Marathon 3-0. United finally opened up the wing play and took over the game last night which is exactly what they have to do against San Jose who is struggling to find good wing play these days. DC needs to find their consistency with this game and build on the result from last night to continue to hold off New England, Toronto and Salt Lake for a playoff spot. I think San Jose gives DC a fight but late in the second half DC will do what they do best and that is put away the game.

WVH Prediction: DC 2, San Jose 1

There are plenty of goals this week, especially since we had a 6-3 game and a 3-2 game.

Order of video: Frankie Hejduk, Maicon Santos, Dave van den Burgh, Jeff Cunningham, A.J. DeLaGarza, Dax McCarty, David Ferriera, Jeff Cunningham, Edson Buddle, Chris Rolfe, Jamison Olave, Josh Wolff,  Steve Zakuani, Fredy Montero, Dwayne De Rosario, Conor Casey, and Nana Attakora

Brazilian forward Maicon Santos, who has trained with the club since August 3 comes to the club on loan from Brazilian club Bonsucesso. He will be eligible to play Saturday against Toronto.

“Maicon is a strong forward who can give us a spark in the attacking third,” said Chivas USA Coach Preki, who desperately needs to bolster an anemic attack (last week he signed young striker Jesus Padilla from CD Guadalajara).

Also, Chivas USA placed midfielder Kevin Harmse on the disabled list. Harmes was brought over in June from Toronto, but has yet to play a minute for his latest club.