MLS

American Exports: Pelosi begins career with Liverpool

2011-11-17T15:14:00.001-08:00

AMSTERDAM — Marc Pelosi officially began his career at Liverpool on Wednesday night by dressing for the reserve side's 5-1 UEFA NextGen defeat at Sporting CP. The US Under-17 standout, who recently inked a three-year deal with the Reds, did not see the field in a group match of a tourney that is essentially an U-19 Champions League. Despite the defeat, Liverpool became the fifth team through to the knockouts, joining Group 2 winners Sporting, Ajax, Barcelona and Tottenham. According to the

Taylor's first season in Houston ending on a high note

2011-11-16T15:11:00.001-08:00

HOUSTON – It has been an interesting first season in Major League Soccer for Jermaine Taylor. The Jamaican international popped up on Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear’s radar this time last year at the Caribbean Cup, and since arriving in Houston, Taylor’s fortunes have fluctuated. He’s spent much of the year observing from the bench – 10 starts and 925 minutes played during the regular season – while filling in when needed across on the back line. So it was fitting that his biggest moment of the year came in a relief performance in the Eastern Conference final, a 2-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City. Come Sunday's MLS Cup final, Taylor could be in line to start. WATCH: Taylor gets onto Moffat cross "He came on against Kansas City and shut Kei [Kamara] down, who was doing alright at the time," Bobby Boswell said. "He’s got experience and if he gets the call, he’s a guy who’s going to be ready. He’s waited for his opportunity just like a lot of other guys, and now if he gets it, I’m sure he’ll do great with it." For a while, though, opportunities were few and far between. After earning a starting spot out of training camp at center back next to Boswell and starting the season opener, Taylor was injured while away with Jamaica on international duty. By the time he got back to full health, André Hainault had taken the spot next to Boswell. "At the time the team was doing well and as a player you don’t want to be the guy that goes in and things start going wrong," Taylor said. Once healthy, Taylor saw his time on the field ebb and flow and showed off his versatility, stepping in and providing quality minutes at all four back line positions. In particular, the time he’s played on the flanks has highlighted his speed and attacking ability as well as a willingness to commit himself on both sides of the ball. "I have two feet so why not use both of them," Taylor said with a chuckle. "I know I can fit in any of the spots around the back, and I just want to do what the coach needs from me." When it mattered most, Taylor did exactly what Kinnear asked of him on the left side against Sporting, providing a calming presence defensively and pushing up on set pieces. "He plays with that relaxed swagger," Boswell said. "He’s a great player. He’s an international player who’s experienced and is not afraid to impose his opinion and will on anyone. He’s a strong guy and is fast. He’s everything you want in a defender." Now, Taylor’s number could be called Sunday to duplicate that performance and help counterbalance the loss of Brad Davis. If it is, he’ll face a familiar foe in US and MLS star Landon Donovan "I’m comfortable at left back, and if I get the chance, I’ve played against Landon Donovan before and I know he’s a tough, cool opponent," Taylor said. "But I think I can match him up, and I have confidence in everyone around me to get the job done."

Q&A: Chivas GM Jose Domene talks Angel, stadium

2011-11-15T15:19:00.001-08:00

CARSON, Calif. – The offseason is just barely under way, but Chivas USA have hit the ground running as they look to improve in 2012. And if the Rojiblancos are to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, General Manger Jose Domene will have a lot to do with it. Domene joined Chivas’ front office in December 2010 as interim GM, but became full time in late March. He recently sat down with MLSsoccer.com to discuss player moves, the team's stadium search and his goals for next season. MLSsoccer.com: First and foremost, what is the status of Juan Pablo Ángel for the 2012 season? Domene: It's a decision that is both the club's and Juan Pablo's. We've talked about it, but we need to sit down when we stop training and we're going to see where he's at and where he fits here. He's a great player, we all know that. He did great things for the club and we would love to have him back, but it's going to be a mutual decision. It's not us forcing him to come back or him forcing us to not bring him back. It's not like that. We just have to sit down and do what's best for Juan Pablo and what's best for Chivas. It's not about money whether he stays or goes. MLSsoccer.com: You've been vocal on Twitter saying that the club is actively searching for players, how is that search going? Domene: We are not only in the international market, but in the national market. We're scouting and we want to bring in people because this is our first full offseason and we want to get a head start. Right now, we've got the winter transfer window - the big window is in the summer - but you can take advantage right now of looking for players that may help you in their environment. We've visited seven countries so far and seen two-dozen games already, and we'll continue to do that until the leagues stop for the winter. And then when they resume, we'll do it again. Hopefully, we'll bring in as much talent as possible and develop as much talent as possible because we have a good core to build a balanced and winning team next season. MLSsoccer.com: The club still have until the end of the calendar year to use their number one slot in the allocation order. Are Chivas planning a move? Domene: Everybody said a lot about the allocation order, but we're here for the long run and we're not going to pick someone that doesn't make sense just because we're number one. It's not about just picking a guy because we have to pick one, it's about picking the right guy. If someone is not the right guy for us, then we won't use it. It's as simple as that. It's not just about bringing in the guy that's coming back. So if it makes sense then we'll use the selection either this year or next year. It just has to make sense. We're not going to bring in players for the sake of bringing players. We want winners. MLSsoccer.com: What is the mood of the team ownership on how the season went this year? Domene: The mood is that in order to finish a project, you've got to let the project keep its route. We were definitely disappointed because we didn't play as bad as our standings and points reflected, but I think that we lost a lot of games because of small mistakes and we left a lot of points on the table. We do understand that what we did was not enough because this is not what we want. We want to make the playoffs and we're working hard towards making the playoffs. We've got to work hard during the off-season to work on individual mistakes, but at the same time, we need extra help in terms of bringing in new talent so that we can go to the next level. The next level is not the playoffs, it's to fight for a championship. MLSsoccer.com: A pair of local cities, Pomona and Santa Ana, have publicly admitted discussions with the team about a new stadium. How are those talks progressing? Domene: We're still looking. We haven't signed anything with any city. We're happy at the Home Depot Center, where they treat us very well, but at the end of the day, it makes sense for us to have our own stadium. We're going to move to some place that makes sense for the club and Chivas USA. We're still searching and looking. We have had conversations with those cities, but not just those two.

Houston's Kinnear: Davis not available for MLS Cup

2011-11-14T15:11:00.001-08:00

HOUSTON – What many already expected has now been confirmed: Houston midfielder and MLS MVP finalist Brad Davis will not take part in MLS Cup. Addressing the media after training on Monday, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear confirmed that Davis’ diagnosis means he will be a spectator on Nov. 20 at the Home Depot Center. "Unavailable," Kinnear said. "Out, right quad strain." Davis suffered the injury while making a cut at midfield a few minutes before halftime of Houston’s 2-0 Eastern Conference Championship victory against Sporting Kansas City. After the game, Davis told MLSsoccer.com that he would miss MLS Cup, although official word had yet to come down. With Kinnear’s statement, though, Davis’ early prognosis was confirmed. Last week LA Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter expressed his skepticism about Davis' potential absence when he stated that he would only believe the news when he didn't see the left-footed playmaker on the Home Depot Center field this Sunday. Davis’ absence leaves a huge hole for the Dynamo to fill, but, fortunately, Kinnear has a few of options to pick from. Against Kansas City, Houston's manager moved Corey Ashe from left back to left midfield and inserted Jermaine Taylor in place of the diminutive defender with great results. Adam Moffat assumed the dead-ball duties from Davis and set up the game-winner with his first and only free kick of the night. Colin Clark, a natural left midfielder who has played on the right most of the season for the Dynamo, is also a logical candidate to fill in for Davis and has looked good on the left flank this season when given the opportunity. Other options could include moving Danny Cruz from right to left or the more unlikely scenario of inserting first-year player Alex Dixon.

Vancouver's Soehn pleased with club's rookie class

2011-11-13T15:16:00.001-08:00

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Realistically, a draft can't properly be evaluated until years after it's completed. But so far, Vancouver Whitecaps director of soccer operations Tommy Soehn likes what he sees from his class of 2011. The club selected Omar Salgado, Michael Nanchoff, Jeb Brovsky and Bilal Duckett in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, before adding Michael Boxall, Joe Anderson and Santiago Bedoya in the Supplemental Draft. From that group, Brovsky and Boxall stand out as being the most MLS-ready. Brovsky showed his versatility throughout the season, playing as a central midfielder, wide midfielder and, eventually, settled into a right fullback position as the season came to its conclusion. The Colorado native was 11th on the team in time played, participating in 1,509 minutes of action, and quietly went about whatever role was asked of him. Boxall, selected first in the Supplemental Draft by the club, was a steady contributor in the heart of defense, playing much more than Soehn said the club had initially planned. While the the interim coach has stated the New Zealand international suffered from fatigue at times as the season wore along, it's clear to see the hulking 23-year-old seems a savvy pickup, as he also cracked the team's top 10 in minutes played. Ultimately, though, it's not about what the players have done so far — it's about what they can bring in the future. "Guys develop at different stages," Soehn told MLSsoccer.com by phone this week. "The Brovskys and the Boxalls did get a lot of time, but you're going to see a lot of guys you didn't see much of this season [next year]. Even with Nanchoff, he went through some injuries this year, but there's a lot of talent there. I think you're going to see him develop into a solid MLS player." Salgado, the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, hasn't made the immediate impact of some of his peers selected back in January, but Soehn says patience will pay dividends with the 18-year-old. "With Omar Salgado I think we've got a gem there," Soehn said. "You want to take your time to grow that talent." The El Paso, Texas, native is currently participating in a training camp with the US U-23 team in Germany as they prepare for qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. "[International experiences] are fantastic, especially for someone his age," Soehn said. "Having gone through a full season now of training, probably the most demanding year he's ever been through in terms of a training environment, he's going to use his experiences from the year to now show what he's made of on the international front. "These kinds of experiences for young guys are just so welcoming, they grow so much."

Int'l roundup: Purdy, El Salvador advance in CONCACAF

2011-11-12T15:14:00.001-08:00

Second stage qualifying in CONCACAF for the 2014 World Cup got underway in full force on Friday night, and El Salvador came out the big winners. Portland Timbers defender Steve Purdy put in a full shift in the back line as

Jakovic returns to action for DC United in reserve game

2011-11-11T15:16:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON – D.C. United’s season may have ended at the end of October, but having two Reserve League matches left to play finally gave defender Dejan Jakovic a chance to return to the field. Jakovic was a second-half substitute and played 30 minutes in the first of those two reserve fixtures, a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. "It feels great, I’ve been training with the team for two weeks," he told MLSsoccer.com. "My fitness is pretty much back – it felt good to come out and play with the team." Hamstring issues dogged Jakovic throughout the 2011 season. He picked up his first at the beginning of June in an international friendly with Canada that knocked him out of the summer’s Gold Cup, and he finally returned from that injury at the end of July. But five games later, he picked up a second hamstring injury, less serious than the first, though he couldn’t heal in time to help D.C. make the playoff push down the stretch. In all, he managed just 15 appearances on the year. "It was definitely disappointing, and at the time to have the first one and the second one, and to not be able to help my team in the last couple of games, really sucked," he said. Thursday's Reserve League appearance gave Jakovic a chance to continue building his fitness and be prepared for next year. He'll get another chance on Nov. 15 in D.C. United's Reserve League finale at Columbus on Nov. 15. That's a prospect that excites the 26-year-old. "I think we have a great young team," he said. "We showed that we can play with anybody when we were healthy. I don’t know what’s going to happen, if the team’s going to change, but I’m happy with the group of guys we have right now." This latest injury did cost Jakovic a shot at playing in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers with Canada, who play St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday in the Caribbean and back in Toronto again on Nov. 15. Jakovic said he’ll be keeping an eye on the qualifiers, and thinks advancing to the next round won’t be too difficult (Canada need one point from the remaining two games). "I will be watching," he said. "I am a little disappointed [not to play] but obviously, I am just coming back from injury. I’m not too worried about it – knock on wood."

Howard expects his back line to be busy against France

2011-11-10T15:12:00.001-08:00

PARIS — US national team netminder Tim Howard is expecting his defense to be on its toes during Friday's friendly with France (3 pm ET, ESPN2, Univisión, live chat on MLSsoccer.com). The Everton custodian says he will do his best to direct the back-liners in the most efficient manner for limiting chances to the French side, knowing he'll need plenty of help against their attack-minded hosts. "The biggest challenge tomorrow is to stay organized and tight at the back and press the ball," Howard told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. "Obviously, if we can cut them out before they get shots off or make runs, the better off we'll be. After that, you've got to start making that money, making some saves." Despite the prospect of facing a highly skilled

Quaranta comeback a surprising boost for DC United

2011-11-09T15:14:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON — For a couple months in 2011, it looked like D.C. United midfielder Santino Quaranta had played his last game of the season. After suffering a concussion picked up in training, the veteran was addled with the lingering effects of post-concussion syndrome, and could do very little to figure out how to get better. "That was a tough period for me because I didn't know what was going on, and all of a sudden, you start to turn a corner one day," he told MLSsoccer.com. "I can't explain it, it's hard." That turn came in August, and Quaranta returned to the starting lineup on Aug. 6 after nearly three months on the shelf. But because of the nature of the game he returned in — a hectic 3-3 draw against Toronto FC where goalkeeper Bill Hamid picked up a red card in the game's first 10 minutes — Quaranta slugged his way through a full game and was able to jump right back into the swing of things. "I was out for so many months and then came back and played 100 minutes that game," he said. "I didn't really think about it and I was just getting back into it. That game was good for me because you start to forget about it." That grueling game against Toronto turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Quaranta's fitness was brought all the way back in one fell swoop, and he went on to make 11 more appearances on the season, filling in for Chris Pontius after the third-year midfielder broke his ankle in September. Concussion problems aside, the season was always going to be a unique and interesting one for Quaranta playing under longtime teammate-turned-head coach Ben Olsen. Quaranta thinks his former teammate can do big things on the sidelines. "He has a base of being a good guy that people respect and if he treats you fairly, which he does, the guys respond to it," Quaranta said. "It's a recipe for a winning coach in the long run. If you look at guys that have success, they can look you in the eye and be honest with you. And he's that type of guy." With the offseason now here, Quaranta is one of many D.C. players with an option for 2011. Now that he's healthy, he has a chance to think about what lies ahead. "I feel good," he said. "I'll sit down with [the technical staff] and figure out where we go from here."

Galaxy's Arena happy with CCL draw against Toronto

2011-11-08T15:18:00.001-08:00

CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy know what stands between them and an MLS Cup title, and now they know the beginning of a path that could lead to international glory. The Galaxy were matched up with Toronto FC in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal draw on Tuesday and will play a home-and-away series against their MLS brethren in March. And while it was never going to be easy, there was one upside to drawing the Reds. "Whoever we were going to draw wasn’t going to be an easy game," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told MLSsoccer.com. "At least it’s a club we’re somewhat familiar with in Toronto, as opposed to a Salvadoran club." The Galaxy won Group A and advanced to the knockout round by virtue of a 4-2-0 record against Morelia, Alajuelense and Motagua. Since they couldn’t play group runners-up Morelia in the quarterfinals, they had three potential opponents – Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders and El Salvador's Isidro Metapán. In Toronto FC, the Galaxy will face a club that overcame difficulties to advance out of Group C. Toronto won their first game, defeating Tauro FC in Panama by 2-1, but dropped matches to FC Dallas (1-0 at home) and Pumas UNAM (4-0 in Mexico City). The Reds then beat Tauro FC and tied Pumas at home before stunning FC Dallas with a 3-0 victory at Pizza Hut Park to claim the second spot in the group. "Both teams are on a level playing field," Arena said. "We know their team, there’s going to be changes to both teams in the offseason and it’s going to be what it is – playing in Toronto in March. They’re going to be a very difficult opponent. There’s no question about that." The first leg will be played in Toronto between March 6-8 with the return leg taking place at the Home Depot Center between March 13-15. Despite having competitive games before the start of the MLS regular season, the Galaxy won’t change their preseason around much, if at all, to accommodate for the series. "I don’t think this competition changes a whole lot with what we’re doing," Arena said. "MLS season next year, if I’m not mistaken, starts March 17 so we’re not that far off." Still, the Galaxy’s focus is not quite yet on preseason camp in January and February. There is, after all, the matter of trying to win the third MLS Cup title in club history. "We’re going to get through this game the next couple of weeks and start zeroing in after that how we’re going to work the preseason," Arena said. "We have a postseason tour in a couple of weeks. We have a lot of things we have to get accomplished. I think we’re going to put our preseason on the back burner."

As Atlas rumors swirl, Márquez "not ruling out anything"

2011-11-07T15:13:00.001-08:00

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Reports in the Mexican press are linking New York Red Bulls midfielder/defender Rafa Márquez with a move back to the team of his boyhood, Guadalajara-based Club Atlas, although the Mexican international says there has been no official approach as yet. "I would like to help Atlas get out of this situation it is in, but there has not been a formal approach," Márquez said in a press conference on Monday to promote his charity here. "I am ready to listen to see what they propose and what the possibilities are. First, they have to get in contact. I’m not ruling out anything." For their part, the Red Bulls expect their Designated Player to return to the team next season. "He has two-and-a-half more year[s] on his contract," New York head coach Hans Backe said after last week’s Western Conference Semifinals second leg that saw the Red Bulls eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs. "Now I think he got [a two-game] suspension. But he will be in the team for next year." Márquez received a red card in the first leg of the Red Bulls’ Western semi against the LA Galaxy for his role in a postgame fracas. The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee subsequently handed the former Barcelona star a two-match ban, which will carry over into the 2012 regular season. He was then left out of the Mexican national team squad for Friday’s friendly against Serbia, although Márquez says he is unaware that it was punishment for his behavior against the Galaxy. The 32-year-old made his professional debut for Atlas back in 1996 and has regularly professed his desire to end his playing career with the club. Cash-strapped Atlas are also confident that "El Kaiser de Michoacán" will return. "I am sure that he will arrive," Atlas vice president Víctor Flores Cosío told Mexican daily

Galaxy Notebook: Short rest ahead of RSL matchup

2011-11-06T15:09:00.001-08:00

CARSON, Calif. – In a typical season, teams participating in the Western Conference Championship would have a full week to prepare for the match and recover from the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. However, the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake are faced with unique circumstances this year. The Galaxy will have exactly two full days off between games while RSL will have three ahead of Sunday’s clash (9 pm ET; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN2, live chat on MLSsoccer.com). At least all four teams left standing in the postseason are dealing with the same situation. WATCH: Galaxy discuss facing RSL "The challenges for all the teams now left in the competition are fatigue, injury ... but it’s difficult. It’s a lot of games in a short period of time and a lot of travel," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "MLS … fully understood some of the issues surrounding the schedule of the MLS Cup this year, and certainly with World Cup qualifiers and with European qualification next week, it took precedence over our league schedule." Since the first weekend of September, MLS has stepped aside for international fixture dates. With European Championship qualifying games and World Cup qualifying already underway around the world, FIFA set aside weekends in order to get games in. In the past, MLS has played through such dates but this year the league has followed suit with most of the rest of the globe, as most leagues across the world typically do not schedule games on such dates. Even though it puts stress on his club, Arena did not disagree with the postseason setup. "It’s very important that we do that. We actually had a game scheduled [during an international weekend] – Salt Lake, in Salt Lake the third game of the season this year – and you can’t do that," Arena said. "During international fixture dates, official competitions, I think the league has to shut down." Ultimate carrot That MLS Cup 2011 will be played at the Home Depot Center is nothing new – that particular announcement came out months ago. However, an MLS Cup at the HDC now carries a bit of a different meaning. Instead of coming up with scenarios and waiting for weeks and months to see if the Galaxy actually had a chance of making the match, the situation is now quite simple: Win, and MLS Cup will indeed be a home match. Players thus have the ultimate carrot dangling before them. "It’s a huge incentive, the fact that we have the chance to play in front of our fans," Galaxy defender Sean Franklin said. "It would be big for our team and our organization to play in the final since we’re hosting. It’s all the more to go out and just win, not just for ourselves but for our fans who have watched us the whole season." Revenge no factor Now that RSL and the Galaxy are set to have their rematch of MLS Cup 2009, is it time for LA to exact some revenge? "That’s in the past," Franklin said. "It’s a new year, kind of the same teams but all that’s in the past." Losing in MLS Cup was disappointing, but the match saw a pair of Galaxy players leave with injury, adding to the difficulty of the game. Early in the second half, Omar Gonzalez and Donovan Ricketts collided with one another as Robbie Findley scampered into the penalty area. Both players eventually left the match. Gonzalez has stored that somewhere in the recesses of his memory bank. "That was something that happened in the past," he said. "Of course it is on our minds, but we can’t think about it as revenge. It’s a whole new year. We’ve been working on getting better and better since 2009 and we’ve got new players on our team and everyone is focused and just ready to win."

American Exports: Howard, Toffees continue rough patch

2011-11-05T16:20:00.001-07:00

AMSTERDAM — It was a somewhat rough Saturday for American Exports, with Tim Howard and Everton extending their skid with a 2-1 loss at Newcastle. Not at his best on this day, the US netminder managed but two saves as the Toffees lost for the fifth time in their last six EPL matches. Elsewhere, Brad Guzan acted as back-up custodian for eighth place Aston Villa's 3-2 win over Norwich City. Down a flight in the Championship, Robbie Findley put two first half chances wide and was robbed of a goal midway through the second as Nottingham Forest fell 3-0 at Portsmouth. The result dropped the Reds to 20th place. Making his first start of the season, Conor Doyle saw his best crack at goal over 65 minutes denied by a fine save in Derby County's 3-2 loss at Peterborough. After going ahead by two just past the half hour, the Rams would eventually fall on a stoppage time own goal to slip to seventh. In nearby Scotland, all three Americans patrolled the park to help Rangers move 12 points up in the league penthouse with a 3-1 defeat of visiting Dundee United. Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu each pitched in solid 90-minute efforts, while Alejandro Bedoya emerged for the final quarter hour of action. Turning to the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson switched from midfield to right back for the final 20 minutes and Daniel Williams went into the ref's book during his 22 minutes as Hoffenheim hosted a 1-1 draw with Kaiserslautern. Timothy Chandler and FC Nürnberg suffered a galling 2-1 home loss to Freiburg on a stoppage time penalty kick.

Califf, Union need time to grasp sudden postseason exit

2011-11-04T16:14:00.001-07:00

Danny Califf doesn’t want to think about next season. Not yet. Sure, the future may be bright for the Philadelphia Union. But in the wake of Thursday night’s crushing playoff loss to the Houston Dynamo, the veteran defender wasn’t in the mood to look ahead. "Tonight’s more about reflection and disappointment," Califf said following Philly’s Eastern Conference semifinal series loss. "Each one of us put so much into the season, and I’m not ready to do anything aside from thinking about what happened tonight and take the next few days to reflect on that. It’s going to be probably a solid week before I think about what’s going on next year." When he does start to think about next year, though, he’ll probably become reinvigorated. Despite their early exit from the postseason, the Union were able to follow a tough expansion season with a run to this year’s MLS Cup playoffs. And if they continue to harness their young talent, they could be poised for even bigger things in Year No. 3. "We’re young, and our young guys are getting a lot of good experience," Califf said. "I think we’ve done a lot this year to build a good foundation, and I think that’s only going to benefit us going forward." HIGHLIGHTS: HOU v PHI Following Thursday’s season-ending loss, Union manager Peter Nowak also tried to keep things in perspective. He told his players how proud he was of their accomplishments and reminded them about the good things that could lie ahead. "I told them in the locker room that maybe it wasn’t our year," Nowak said. "Maybe we still have work in front of us to make sure this will happen soon. But I think there are a lot of things to be proud of during the season – how they developed as a group, how they came together. Of course, things need to be corrected and we’re going to have a whole preseason to do it." Certainly, it will take a little bit of time for the 2012 season to completely come into focus. But while Califf and the rest of the players have the luxury of taking some time off, Nowak and the coaching staff will soon begin to determine what their offseason priorities are. Then, they’ll go to work. "We’re going to have a very hard look at what we have and what we need, and try to do the same types of tings we did last [offseason] to help us move forward – not just being in the top eight of MLS but higher," Nowak said. "That’s the goal for next year."

LA, NY preaching caution ahead of West showdown

2011-11-03T16:14:00.001-07:00

CARSON, Calif. – Matches between the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls have typically garnered a little more glitz than other MLS rivalries. When Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez joined the Red Bulls in 2010, the hype machine revved into an even higher gear for the bicoastal battle. It won’t be any different heading into Thursday’s Western Conference Semifinal second leg at the Home Depot Center (11 pm ET, ESPN2/TSN2, live chat on MLSsoccer.com), and with a trip to the Conference Championship on the line, the game certainly has a potential to live up to its billing. Then again, maybe not. "It’s like any game in the playoffs," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told reporters on Wednesday. "The teams are ready – you just have to make sure you bring it on game day." The Galaxy currently lead the series 1-0, but just how that will affect the two teams at the start of the game is anybody’s guess. New York certainly need to score a goal if they want to keep their postseason alive. But conceding one might be disastrous as well. "It’s a long time, 90 minutes," New York coach Hans Backe said at training on Wednesday. "It’s probably most important at the beginning to have a clean sheet and not go 1-0 down." A win by two or more goals will see the Red Bulls through to a Monday date at Rio Tinto Stadium against Real Salt Lake. A one-goal New York edge after 90 minutes would send the match to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout. And the Red Bulls won’t be picky about which of those scenarios plays out. "I don’t care so much if we score in the 88th minute or something like that and go to extra time but I think the key thing is not going down early in the game," Backe said. "We need to stay in the game at least 60, 70 minutes." That the match is at the HDC – where the Galaxy have not lost a single match in 2011 – puts pressure on LA to see the job through. "We’re obviously the favorites – we’re at home and one-nil up," Galaxy forward Robbie Keane said. "Going into the game, people expect it but you have to respect who you play against. By no means is it going to be an easy game. They have quality players and are a tough team. We just have to be careful." The prospect of handing LA their first home loss of the season is daunting, but perhaps no less daunting than the hurdles New York have faced all season. If anything, it’s just another in a string of challenges that the Red Bulls have overcome. "We have definitely raised our game when we have had our back against the wall," Backe said. "Probably when we had seven games to go we had to win four, five of them just to get in the playoffs. We don’t perhaps get used to it but we have players with a lot of experience being involved in these types of games and that has probably helped us."

Physical Dynamo ready for another rough go vs. Union

2011-11-02T16:12:00.001-07:00

HOUSTON – While the New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy got the headlines Sunday night for their postgame melee, the real physical match took place just a few miles southwest of Red Bull Arena. The Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union played a 2-1 game that saw six yellow cards, three of which were borderline reds. Brian Ching told the

Seattle's Keller calls for better effort in 2nd leg vs. RSL

2011-11-01T16:12:00.001-07:00

TUKWILA, Wash. — Going into the second leg of their Western Conference Semifinals on Wednesday (10 pm ET, ESPN2/Deportes, live chat on MLSsoccer.com), the Seattle Sounders will have a mountain to climb to advance past Real Salt Lake to the next round. And, already down 3-0, where to start? According to goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller, step one is simple: effort. Once the game in Utah, started going against the Sounders, Keller thought the field players weren’t doing everything they could to defend. Specifically, the game tape showed that players weren’t making the defensive runs needed to cut down on Real Salt Lake’s opportunities. "There are a whole lot of factors involved and we could talk here for a long, long time, but we didn't come in for the fight," Keller said. "In the first 10 to 15 minutes, if you look back at the tape, you thought, ‘Maybe this is going to be OK.’ Then as it got a little bit more physical and a little bit harder, we just didn't compete all the way around. "In the playoffs, you think that'd be first and foremost in your frame of mind in an away game, where whatever happens I'm going to run hard and tackle, and it wasn't there," added Keller. Keller was at a loss to explain the lack of urgency. In single-game elimination scenarios, Seattle have been excellent this year, including four consecutive wins in the US Open Cup. In the CONCACAF Champions League, an overtime goal from Nate Jaqua in the preliminary round started another run of four consecutive victories, including an away win at Monterrey. With those games in mind, Keller wondered if the thought of the return leg sapped some of the urgency from the team. "We didn't step up and perform in a do-or-die manner," Keller said. "That's probably the thing that's the most disappointing for everybody." But despite the setback, the Sounders players have said they can make up the difference. Erik Friberg, who earned his first 30 minutes of playoff action in relief of Lamar Neagle, acknowledges the tough task. The Swedish midfielder cites Seattle’s league-best 56 goals scored in the regular season as a reason Seattle might pull of a shocking comeback. "Of course we’re really disappointed with the game we played, but now it’s just ‘score goals,’" Friberg said. "I think we have a good chance to do that. We scored a lot of goals at home all year, so it’s a chance."

Armchair Analyst: Which teams played the right cards?

2011-10-31T16:29:00.001-07:00

It was a pretty bad weekend for the home teams in the first leg of the Conference Semifinals. The notable exception was Real Salt Lake, who dominated the Sounders on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead into Seattle on Wednesday. We’ll start there for some quickshot tactical analysis of what went right and what went wrong in each of the weekend’s contests: Real Salt Lake 3, Seattle Sounders 0 The Opta numbers break it down pretty well, with RSL showing a clear advantage in total possession and completion percentage. But the reasons behind those numbers are what tell the story. RSL were able to push Seattle into playing more vertically than the Sounders generally want to, forcing the back four into long-distance passing and generally neutralizing Osvaldo Alonso. Sigi Schmid said it was one of the worst games Alonso’s had in the defensive midfielder’s three years in MLS, and it’s hard to disagree. WATCH: Wingert tees up Saborio While that made for a stretched and disorganized Seattle side that couldn’t string passes together until the last 15 minutes (at which point RSL began to play more conservatively in an effort to protect their 2-0 lead), it also created lanes for RSL to exploit when moving forward. The positioning of Will Johnson in particular provided a dilemma for right back James Riley. Johnson stayed very deep on the night, leaving room in the left-center channel for playmaker Javier Morales to use (and use it he did – that’s where the first goal came from). Alonso frequently followed Morales with and without the ball, which left Riley to choose between pushing up and harassing the Canadian international, and thus vacating the flank for a counterattack, or staying back and letting Johnson act as a safety-valve when Real had possession. It ended up being the latter more often than not, and Johnson’s ability to switch play and keep the ball moving is one of the underrated reasons his side bossed the game. Philadelphia Union 1, Houston Dynamo 2 It seems unlikely Peter Nowak will trot out the five-man back line that played the first 45 minutes on Sunday. It also seems highly unlikely – or it should be, anyway – that he’ll go with the dual d-mid formation that’s been more hindrance than help for his team this year. WATCH: Hainault puts Dynamo up 1-0 The choice to defend deep was a baffling one for several reasons, the biggest being that you’re almost certain to concede set pieces if you play that game. Against a team with Brad Davis whipping balls into Brian Ching, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron, that’s suicide. The 4-1-3-2 should be the order of the day. Figuring out who to play alongside (or just underneath) Sébastien Le Toux is the biggest decision, but it’s clear that the Frenchman should be used as a true No. 9, pushing the Dynamo back four. Defensively, the Union have two mandates: Stop giving up set pieces and stop giving Davis chances to cross the ball. The midfielder had 10 on the day, and Philly were lucky only one turned into a goal. On the Houston side, it couldn’t have gone much better, with the one blemish being Cameron’s ill-advised, poorly timed challenge that freed Justin Mapp up to start the sequence leading to the first goal. Otherwise, Cory Ashe did a very good job of staying wide to neutralize Sheannon Williams on the overlap, while Hainault and Danny Cruz did well to take the space down the right side, largely eliminating Gabe Farfan’s overlapping threat. New York Red Bulls 0, LA Galaxy 1 Over the past several years, one of the more reliable predictors of playoff success is choosing whichever team has played fewer games to advance. Teams with extended US Open Cup or CONCACAF Champions League runs simply haven’t had the legs to compete come the postseason. WATCH: Magee beats the trap That fed into LA’s plan in New York, a game in which they pressed for the first 30 minutes then spend the rest of the game conserving energy while looking for a counterattack. Obviously the pressure paid off – Mike Magee’s 18th-minute goal came at a point in the game when the Galaxy had RBNY scrambling to put out fires all over the pitch – and the decision to counter would have paid as well, had Robbie Keane or Landon Donovan been able to finish open chances in the box. LA will take the 1-0, of course, but Hans Backe and RBNY have some serious decisions to make. The Galaxy were able to neutralize Thierry Henry by leaving Juninho deep (a role likely given to Chris Birchall for the second leg since the Brazilian is suspended), putting the Frenchman in a situation where, when he received the ball, he was almost always moving away from his own net. As it turns out, Henry’s best pass of the night was a blind, overhead kick into space for Luke Rodgers. Not exactly textbook attacking soccer, that. Colorado Rapids 0, Sporting KC 2 The Rapids were spent by September and have been holding on by a thread. Factor in the injuries they suffered, the red card, and Sporting’s young legs and good health, and the 2-0 result was probably, in retrospect, predictable. WATCH: Zusi puts Bunbury through It actually obscures the fact that Colorado played fairly well through the first 45 minutes, giving few chances to counter and daring KC to beat them by stringing together passes in the attacking zone. On the few times Sporting attempted the latter, Jeff Larentowicz was usually there to clean up the threat. Of course, it was a turnover and counterattack that gave Sporting the lead just a few minutes into the second half. So the good form didn’t last nearly long enough. The real problem, though, occurred when Graham Zusi stepped into the red zone just between the defense and midfield. It’s well understood by now that anything within 30 yards means Zusi can have a rip on goal, so when Larentowicz stepped up to snuff out that option, it gave the enganche the lane to slip Teal Bunbury through and draw a red card on Tyrone Marshall. In other words, Colorado made the right play; Zusi simply made a better one.

Recap: RSL take big 3-0 lead vs. Sounders in West semifinal

2011-10-30T16:26:00.001-07:00

SANDY, Utah — RSL looked nothing like a team that hadn’t won in more than a month. With Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, and Javier Morales all back in the starting lineup, the Claret-and-Cobalt controlled the tempo from the outset en route to a dominating 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal matchup at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. Álvaro Saborío scored two goals and Ned Grabavoy added the third as RSL took a commanding lead heading into the return match on Wednesday night at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field (10 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com; live chat on MLSsoccer.com). Seattle will need to regroup after managing no shots on goal against a masterful Real Salt Lake defense. Kasey Keller kept the series from getting out of hand with eight saves. Morales contributed two assists for the home side. RSL started off strongly, with Fabián Espíndola among the standout performers in the first stanza. His strike partner Saborío just missed scoring in the eighth minute, while Keller had to dive to deny Will Johnson in the 20th. Keller once again came up big in the 24th minute, stretching to his left to deny Andy Williams when it looked like the RSL midfielder would score. Kreis was forced to use a substitute in the 31st minute, bringing on Chris Schuler for Jámison Olave (right quad strain). The move didn’t slow RSL’s tempo, as the team finally broke through in the 41st. Saborío provided the final touch to a lovely maneuver as Javier Morales and Chris Wingert advanced down RSL’s left side against Seattle's James Riley. The overlapping Wingert’s cross was headed for the net, but Saborío tapped it in on the goal line. After conferring with the assistant referee about a possible offside call against Saborío, match referee Mark Geiger ruled it a good goal.

Galaxy Notebook: LA may try to exploit absent Solli's spot

2011-10-29T15:13:00.001-07:00

CARSON, Calif. – Jan Gunnar Solli has caused a load of problems for opposing clubs this season, but the LA Galaxy won’t have to worry about New York's regular right back on Sunday in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal series (3 pm ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes, live chat on MLSsoccer.com). The Norwegian was sent off in New York’s 2-0 wild card win at FC Dallas on Wednesday and will have to sit out the first leg of the Red Bulls’ series against the Galaxy. A stalwart on the right side of the defense, Galaxy forwards are relishing the opportunity to not worry about him. "It’s a huge loss for them," Chad Barrett said. "They’ll have to fill the gap there on the right side with someone who hasn’t really played. They’re a team who hasn’t really shuffled in a whole lot of players and when they have, they haven’t done great like our team has." Solli was in fine form throughout 2011, playing in 31 games and notching seven assists, tying Chivas USA's Ante Jazic for most assists from a defender. Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe told reporters on Friday that he'll fill the void with Carlos Mendes. And while the Red Bulls veteran has played in 18 games this season and has logged 146 career MLS matches, there is a drop-off in terms of offensive production without Solli in the lineup. "There’s a huge gap there of course and it’s probably something we’ll look to exploit," Barrett said. Dodging Rodgers? While Solli is definitely out on Sunday, a player who the Galaxy may do well to avoid altogether is forward Luke Rodgers. The striker scored nine goals in 23 games despite being hampered with injuries through much of the latter half of the season. He already showed the Galaxy firsthand what he’s capable of, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over LA at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 4. "Rodgers is the guy who makes their team tick, and if he’s not on the field, it’s certainly helpful for us," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. "My guess is they’re going to find a way to get him ready." The Englishman does well to put himself in good positions in front of the goal. "He’s a true goal-poacher," Barrett said. "He works hard and likes to stretch the field for them. Thierry Henry is the guy they like to play to into his feet. He likes to get it, he likes to combine, he’s a great playmaker and he likes to go deep for them." Rodgers gives New York a strong weapon that makes the Red Bulls frontline one of the most productive forward units in the league. With Henry’s 14 goals and Juan Agudelo’s six tallies, the Red Bulls got 29 goals from that trio alone. Still, despite those statistics, Galaxy players are not exactly picking their jaws off the ground. "Their attack [are] all great players, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before," Barrett said. Magee: Don't underestimate RBNY After their midseason collapse and struggle to just reach the playoffs, many observers seemingly overlooked the New York Red Bulls as true MLS Cup contenders. But at least one Galaxy player knows what happens when the Red Bulls are overlooked in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Mike Magee was on the 2008 Red Bulls side that reached the club’s one and only MLS Cup final. And while New York are the LA Galaxy’s Western Conference foe now, Magee is one of the few who does not find that situation out of the ordinary. "When I played with New York, we won the Western Conference, so it’s not too bizarre for me," he said at training on Thursday. "Every team that’s moved over to a different conference has won so we definitely have to be careful." New York were the Western Conference champions in 2008, ousting heavily favored Houston in the first round before upsetting Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium to reach MLS Cup. However, the club’s miracle run ended there as the Columbus Crew beat them in the final, which was played at the Home Depot Center. While the Galaxy have has a slew of goals before this point – winning the Supporters’ Shield, advancing out of CONCACAF Champions League group play – New York are determined for just one thing, and that will make the club a more difficult foe. "History has shown that the teams that the teams who squeak in do very well," Magee said. "I think New York in particular, they’re desperate for an MLS Cup. I know that organization and I know this is all they’re playing for." While both New York and the Galaxy have high salaries and world-renowned stars, the similarities end there. The Red Bulls tied half of their games and needed a win in the final match of the season to reach the playoffs. The Galaxy went 19-5-10 and cruised to the top spot in the Western Conference table. But if the Galaxy view the Red Bulls as anything but a worthy and difficult opponent, they will be in trouble, Magee said. "It’s a game where we can’t see them as a No. 10 seed," he said. "They’re going to come out and they’re going to play without as much pressure as us and a lot more freely. If we let our guards down, they’ll beat us."

Dynamo Notes: Players positive after recalling point at PPL

2011-10-28T15:12:00.001-07:00

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo's 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Aug. 6 could be a much-needed rallying point for visitors as they return again to face the Union in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2/Deportes). "It’s obviously something that, as a team, we can pull from," Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat said. "We were disappointed we [didn’t win] that game because we played well but gave up an early goal." Houston dominated possession on the night, controlling the ball for 58 percent of the match, while also outshooting the Union 16-8. Despite the offensive control, however, they still needed an 85th-minute Geoff Cameron strike to pull out a draw. That positive result sparked a two-and-a-half-month run that saw the Dynamo climb to their final spot of second in the Eastern Conference. That success and production can now serve as motivation heading into a hostile playoff environment. "One hundred percent," Cameron said when asked if can they pull from their August draw. "We had a good result the last time we played them there. Saying that, it’s a different environment now in the playoffs with more at stake. We’re going to go in there to get a point or three points." Le Toux factor It is no secret who has been the hottest Union player the last third of the season. After scoring one goal in the first five months of the season, Sébastien Le Toux rediscovered his form to the tune of 10 of his club's 17 goals since Aug. 13. Le Toux’s renaissance has corresponded with a move to a more forward position. As the Frenchman has transitioned from a role as facilitator – he notched nine assists on the year – to goal scorer, opposing defenses now have to know his whereabouts at all times. "When he’s making his runs, communication is a key thing," Cameron said. "If he’s making a run through you have to let the other guys know when he is coming through and know what to do." Health finally a positive It seems rare in 2011 that the term "happy" has been used in regards to the Dynamo’s health, but going into the playoffs that's exactly how the team is feeling. When the team trained Friday morning it was nearly all hands on deck, with the only missing head being Cam Weaver, who is out for the season due to a hip injury. "To come out and be able to go through things and count 20-plus players, it’s nice to have a healthy squad going into this important part of the season," head coach Dominic Kinnear said.

DeMerit documentary gets November theatrical release

2011-10-27T15:12:00.001-07:00

Ever since its trailer began grabbing attention on blogs and Twitter feeds this spring,

Union Notebook: Paunović a question for Houston series

2011-10-26T15:20:00.001-07:00

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union will take the field for their first-ever MLS playoff game on Sunday at PPL Park. Union midfielder Veljko Paunović may not be as fortunate. Paunović, a longtime pro but a first-year MLS player, could be sidelined for the Union’s playoff opener against Houston in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals (4 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The 34-year-old Serbian is currently listed as doubtful on the club’s injury report with a right hamstring strain. "As of now, Veljko is training with us but not in full capacity," Union manager Peter Nowak said Wednesday from his weekly press conference. "With those kinds of injuries, you never know how it plays out. I don’t think it’s major enough to say he’s out the whole series." Before being sidelined for the Union’s loss in last Thursday’s regular-season finale to the Red Bulls, Paunović had started 12 of the club’s last 13 games, playing mainly as a withdrawn forward behind Sébastien Le Toux. If Paunović can’t go on Sunday, the Union could start the game with a five-man midfield like they did against New York last week, or partner Danny Mwanga – who is recovering from an injury himself – up top with Le Toux. Either way, Nowak believes Paunović’s absence would hurt the club. "In the stretch where we were playing good, he was an integral part of that," Nowak said. "So it’s definitely a loss in this capacity. He’s an experienced guy." The only other key player listed on the injury report for Philly is midfielder Justin Mapp (left quad strain), but Nowak said he should be fine for Sunday’s game. Mondragón feeling fine Since goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón returned to the lineup, the Union have yet to win and Mondragón has yet to record a shutout. But heading into the playoffs, Nowak is not the least bit worried about his club’s 40-year-old captain, despite the last two results of the regular season – a 1-1 tie to Toronto and a 1-0 loss to New York. "Faryd is an experienced guy," Nowak said. "The injury was just unfortunate. It’s not like he was sitting in front of the TV with a remote control and trying to flip channels [while he was hurt]. He was around us. He was part of the team, whatever we did." Nowak was also quick to point out the goals surrendered in each of the Union’s last two games were not a result of his injury or because the team had become more accustomed to rookie Zac MacMath, who had started the previous seven games in net. "I don’t think we had any problems with communication," the Union manager said. "I think he was very confident in those two games. The two goals, we should do better defensively not to put him in that position. I’m not worried." Nowak also isn’t worried how Mondragón will handle his first MLS Cup playoff contest, considering the veteran Colombian has played in numerous pressure-packed games during a two-decade career in South America and Europe. "This kind of stuff for him is not new," Nowak said.

Ralston says no contact with Revs over coach vacancy

2011-10-25T15:21:00.001-07:00

HOUSTON – With Monday's stunning development that the New England Revolution and Steve Nicol had parted ways, talk immediately began of who would replace the iconic head coach. Not surprisingly, one of Nicol's longtime charges was one of the first names floated. But Steve Ralston shot down any rumors of first contact with his old team on Tuesday, adding that the reports and rumor-mongering are the extent of the Dynamo assistant coach’s knowledge of the subject. "When I came in this morning, some of the guys asked about it, but I just read it this morning and that’s all I know about it," Ralston told the media after training Tuesday. "I played there for eight years and I enjoyed my time there. But my job right now is to help this team prepare for the playoffs. "I just feel really bad for [Nicol] and that’s all I’m thinking about it right now. He’s a good man and good coach and I feel for him." The former Revolution stalwart is a logical candidate for the position. Ralston was a beloved member of the team and soccer community in New England, and a big reason they made it to four MLS Cup finals during his eight seasons with the Revolution. After retiring in 2010, Ralston replaced Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer on Houston’s staff. Since then, Ralston has worked with Dynamo head man Dominic Kinnear to not only improve the Dynamo, but work on Ralston’s nascent coaching skills. "He’s more comfortable talking with the guys one on one and on the field," Kinnear said. "Another good thing is the reserve league that gives these guys a chance to make decisions, and that’s been helpful. I think he feels more comfortable being a coach." Kinnear echoed Ralston sentiments Tuesday saying he was sad to see Nicol’s tenure end, and confirmed that New England has not contacted the club for permission to speak with Ralston, who is under contract. However, as we saw with Spencer last season, Kinnear and the Dynamo are not likely to stand in the way of a coach wanting to seek out a head coaching position. "If they were to ask us to talk to Steve, I don’t see us standing in the way," Kinnear said. Still, Ralston is focused on helping the Dynamo prepare for a run to the MLS Cup and, hopefully, a victory – something that eluded him during his playing days. So while the rumor mill has already started, Ralston is content to leave any talk of his Houston departure right there. "I loved my time [in New England] and I love being here," Ralston said. "That was my past but this is my job now, to do whatever I can to help these guys. I would like to win the MLS Cup and that’s my job here."

Jewsbury honored by 'mates as Player of the Year

2011-10-24T15:16:00.001-07:00

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jack Jewsbury has become an instant fan favorite in the Rose City, and on Sunday, his teammates officially agreed. A day after the Timbers finished their inaugural MLS season with a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake, "Captain Jack" was honored at the team's end-of-season banquet as Portland's player of the year as voted upon by his teammates. Jewsbury praised the support of the club and his fellow players in his acceptance speech. "First, I want to say thank you to all of my teammates," said Jewsbury. "To be given this from them is truly something special. Obviously we fell short of some of our goals, but I think at the end of the day, this group has something truly to be proud of and something that we're looking forward to the future with this club." In helping the Timbers stay in the thick of the playoff race until the final game of the season, Jewsbury posted career highs in points (22), goals (seven) and assists (eight). He was the only player in MLS this season to post multiple four-game streaks of earning points in consecutive games. The nine-year veteran, who was acquired from Sporting Kansas City in an offseason trade, earned his first MLS All-Star selection and was one of the top vote getters by fans at the midfield position. "When I first got traded here, I'll be honest, I was a little nervous," Jewsbury said. "I had been somewhere for eight years in Kansas City, and it felt comfortable. And to be somewhere different for me and my family was hard. They made everything as easy as could be for us and a smooth transition and I truly appreciate that and I'm sure my wife would say the same." Also receiving team awards on Sunday were forward Kenny Cooper (Golden Boot), goalkeeper Troy Perkins (Supporters' Player of the Year), midfielder Kalif Alhassan (Young Player of the Year) and reserve goalkeeper Jake Gleeson (MLS W.O.R.K.S./Timbers Humanitarian of the Year). Cooper, the team's signature preseason signing after two seasons in Germany's Bundesliga, and four with FC Dallas, led the Timbers with eight goals on the season. Perkins, who spent his previous five seasons with D.C. United, recorded a career-high nine shutouts. "It's a wall of energy behind you that you can really feed on," Perkins said of playing in front of the infamous Timbers Army. "I love playing at home and getting the other goalkeeper in there first because dealing with that Timbers Army is probably the most imposing thing in the league. To have them on your side, it just builds your confidence. When they applaud you for the effort and the work, it really makes you feel special." Among other awards, rookie midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe's juggling goal Jul. 2 against Kansas City was voted as the team's best Play of the Year.