Shalrie Joseph will be called to lead in 2010. (Getty Images)

The winter months can either be good or bad on a Major League Soccer club. Its all really on who leaves the club and who comes in to help out. Take the New England Revolution for instance, each year its seems they lose one big name after another either in a trade, a transfer or just someone not wanting to re-sign with them.

Yet somehow the Revs always seem to bounce back in some form the following year thanks to manager Steve Nicol. But looking at this winter one has to wonder did they lose and give up too much?

Its time to find out as we take another preseason look-in to see how the club is doing and what they need to add before the season begins.

Continue Reading…

Jeff Larentowicz could be headed to Colorado. (Getty Images)

The big offseason trade between the Colorado Rapids and the New England Revolution is finally complete. We’ve been talking about it since last week’s draft.

The Colorado Rapids have sent  defender Cory Gibbs and goalkeeper Preston Burpo to the Revolution in exchange for Wells Thompson and the rights to Jeff Larentowicz will go to the Rapids, this all according to the Boston Herald. The Revs also get some allocation and 3rd-round draft pick in 2011.

The deal is still an iffy one for Colorado but should Larentowicz re-sign with the league it will be one hell of a trade for them. I’d say the trade earlier in the day to get allocation from Toronto in-exchange for midfielder Jacob Peterson means that Larentowicz is closer to a deal with MLS rather than going across the pond like he originally wanted to.

If he does re-sign then go a head and give the win to the Rapids for this deal. No doubt their midfield will be much better with Larentowicz there. Now they need to find a playmaker in the midfield to tie everything up nicely here.

New England gets a keeper to start out the season while Matt Reis recovers from shoulder surgery. Adding Gibbs to the defense isn’t a bad move either, as long as he is healthy.

I know New England fans will not like this deal because of the loss of Larentowicz. I’m guessing that New England just didn’t have the salary cap space to re-sign him to a good enough deal here which is why they dealt his player rights to the Rapids.

What do you all make of this deal?

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. Continue Reading…

The past couple of days got me thinking, this year we’ve seen so many trades between the clubs. Some moves have paid off and others have been more of a waste than anything. I felt like today was a good day to look back at the moves that have paid off and the moves that haven’t been able to do anything but fill up lines on a piece of paper (or lines on the net).

Now I will stay away from the allocation trades and things like that. So you won’t see a grade for Brian McBride or Will Johnson or guys in that category since clubs signed them, even though allocation position was traded. We can do grades on guys like that later on.

Interestingly enough, only Columbus is missing from the trade game this season. They’ve made some moves (and yes I know they traded for Pat Noonan’s rights) but haven’t gone after a player from another club like some teams have this season. Very interesting, maybe that is why they are on top of the standings and everyone else is looking up at them.

But as for how the other trades have gone this year, here is what I am giving them. Feel free to discuss trades involving your clubs or moves you thought worked out well this year.

Chad Barrett to Toronto FC: For the most this move has worked out well for this club. He’s produced and has actually been fairly consistent with his play. Not to mention he’s signed a contract extension with the club already.WVH Trade Grade: A-

Arturo Alvarez to San Jose Earthquakes: Alvarez wasn’t going to cut it in Schalles Hyndman’s system so a move was going to happen. San Jose was the best destination for him and so far this move has worked out well for the Quakes as they’ve made a serious push for the playoffs in recent weeks.  WVH Trade Grade: A

Abdus Ibrahim to Toronto FC: He had to leave Dallas due to family issues but I must say Toronto got a hell of a deal with this kid. We may not see it on the field this year but in years to come he will end up being a big time player in this league. WVH Trade Grade: A

Ivan Guerrero to DC United: Guerrero didn’t work out well enough in San Jose but his move to the Nation’s Capital has worked out. He’s been a quality addition to DC’s midfield play and has established himself as a starter. WVH Trade Grade: B+ Continue Reading…

Talk about a trade that was hardly mentioned. While digging around for another story today I came across this article on MLSnet. Apparently we all missed this trade on Wednesday as San Jose sent veteran back-up keeper Preston Burpo and a 2009 fourth round SuperDraft pick to Colorado for Jovan Kirovski and Kelly Gray.

A big swing of a deal really if you ask me for both sides. Colorado is expected to lose keeper Bouna Coundoul for a little bit of time this summer (probably national team duty) and their current back-up is injured. Burpo has the experience to step in when needed.

Though Kirovski isn’t the same player he was a few years back he does bring some veteran leadership to San Jose’s attacking core that is very young right now. I also like the deal for Kelly Grey, a very underrated defender who has bounced around a little bit over the last year.

Even though this deal passed most of us by, I must say I think its a pretty fair deal. Both sides improve certain areas in terms of depth and each player involved should see action on the field before long.