MLS Superdraft 2011: A Fan’s Perspective

I've just returned from the 2011 version of the MLS Superdraft in downtown Baltimore, and first things first, permit me to clean the blood slowly trickling out of my eardrums.  This was quite possibly the loudest indoor venue I've ever attended, and I've seen Whitechapel at Ottobar.  Unbeknownst to myself (and perhaps a fair majority of MLS fans), the Superdraft has a long history of taking up residence in the Charm City, despite the closest team being a good 40 miles down the I-95 Corridor.  Every third year since at least 2005, Baltimore's downtown Convention Center has hosted MLS' Collegiate and Supplemental Drafts, and judging from the exceptional turnout today, it is a tradition which I can't imagine ending any time soon.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I first learned that the draft was visiting my adopted city; I've lived here for only three years, moving just after the last incarnation of the draft, and I can't remember ever seeing it on TV or anybody caring too much about it, to be honest.  I heard through Barra Brava and the Baltimore Brigade contacts that groups would be attending and meet-and-greets (drink-and-drowns) would be held at Pratt St. and Tir Na Nog ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 13, 2011

Chad Barrett to the G's!At the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, Bruce Arena and the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired forward Chad Barrett from Toronto FC in exchange for future considerations and allocation money.A six-year MLS veteran who was raised in Southern California, Barrett has 34 career regular season goals in 147 games with the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC.Barrett, who played his college soccer at UCLA, began his career with the Fire in 2005 after being selected by the club with the third pick in the first round of that year’s MLS SuperDraft.Originally coached by current Galaxy Associate Head Coach Dave Sarachan when he joined the Fire, Barrett scored 18 goals in three and a half years with the Fire, including seven in 2007 when he finished as the club’s Golden Boot award winner.A special on Barrett as part of the "This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series has been posted on The View From Victoria Street and on Bleacher Report.SuperDraft, SuperDraft, and more SuperDraftThe Galaxy went global in their first selection and took Uruguay's Paolo Cardozo from Quilmes AC as the 16th overall selection. In the second round, the G's took local product and Cal Golden Bears phenom Hector ...

This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Chad Barrett

This is Part Six in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season.From one side of the border to the other, and back again.The continuing adventures of well-traveled forward Chad Barrett have seen him make a statement with the Chicago Fire and the Toronto Football Club.And now, in his seventh season in Major League Soccer, Barrett looks to finally strike gold as he returns home to Southern California, and the Los Angeles Galaxy.Hope that passport isn't expired while you're at it, Chad.Chad Barrett was born on April 30, 1985 in San Diego, California. San Diego has a strong soccer tradition, with the San Diego Toreros and San Diego State Aztecs performing and holding their own in the West Coast and Pac 10 conferences, respectively.One can witness the occasional international club or country friendly at Qualcomm Stadium, while at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Solana Beach, fans can get a taste of the indoor game via PASL-PRO side San Diego Sockers.Barrett first came into the limelight as a member of the UCLA Bruins, currently managed by Jorge Salcedo. In 2003, his freshman year, Barrett was named the Pac 10 Co-Freshman/Newcomer of the Year and was a second ...

MLS Superdraft: New York Red Bulls Raise Eyebrows by Taking John Rooney

Wayne Rooney is one of the most famous, talented and controversial characters in world football. Entering the peak of his career with Manchester United and England, we are unlikely to see him move to Major League Soccer anytime soon. One Rooney that is coming to America, however, is his younger brother John, who was drafted in the second round (25th overall) of the MLS Superdraft by the New York Red Bulls. The midfielder/forward had declared his interest in coming to the United States after trials with Derby County and Huddersfield Town came to nothing. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Macclesfield Town scoring 3 goals in 41 appearances. John will be joining the Red Bulls alongside fellow 2011 draftees Corey Hertzog (first round, 13th overall), Tyler Lassiter (second round, 30th overall) and Billy Cortes (third round, 38th overall). The selection of pacey forward Hertzog in particular should delight fans. The Penn State alum was the 2010 NCAA leader in goals (20), points (46) and points per game (2.09). But it is not just his stats and performances that will endear him to Red Bull's supporters. His availability in the draft was due to his decision to turn down ...

This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Hector Jimenez

This is Part Five in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season.Sometimes, staying local to go pro can be a good thing. It can be a blessing, and it can be the best thing that can happen to a young, aspiring player.An example of that? Midfielder Hector Jimenez. And no, it's not the actor that tag-teamed with Jack Black in Nacho Libre. Not that guy.I'm talking about a four-year letterwinner hailing from the University of California at Berkeley. This Hector Jimenez returns home to Los Angeles to play for a certain local team.The team? Why, it's none other than the Los Angeles Galaxy. It's the culmination of a journey that began not too far from where it ended.Hector Jimenez was born on Nov. 3, 1988 in Huntington Park, California. Huntington Park is just one in a number of small towns neighboring Los Angeles that have a rich soccer tradition.Another of those cities is neighboring Bell Gardens, whose sports center is the home of the Chivas USA Under-23 youth side.Jimenez spent a majority of his youth in Bell Gardens and flourished as a member of the boys soccer team at Bell Gardens High School. ...

This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Paolo Cardozo

This is Part Four in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season. South America is a continent that, along with Europe, forms two traditional hotbeds of footballing talent. So many of the world's best superstars hail from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and all the other countries that make up CONMEBOL. And for the most part, the Major League Soccer SuperDraft attracts talent from the best colleges and universities in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. However, it can also attract players who are outside of the mold, breaking it and setting a new precedent. Paolo Cardozo is an example of a new precedent being set. Now more and more international players are being selected in the MLS SuperDraft in an ongoing effort to enhance the league's quality of play. Cardozo, a Uruguayan attacking midfielder, came to America with a dream of playing in greener pastures. So he came to MLS, and for his efforts, has a chance to play with one of the more storied clubs in the league in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Paolo Daniel Cardozo was born on June 9, 1989 in Montevideo, Uruguay. A city noted for the highest quality of life in Latin America according to a ...

David Beckham: What His Proposed Loan Move Means For MLS

Goldenballs is a man that requires no introduction. Undoubtedly one of the most recognised man on the planet, David Beckham's skills have earned him legendary status. When he was just a young lad at United, everybody knew his name, and everybody wanted a piece of him. Then came the marriage to the Spice Girl, the celebrity status and the lifestyle to go along with it. Becks joined the MLS with the LA Galaxy in the summer of 2007, and was to be an ambassador for the sport in the United States. The move came at a time when many believed he was past his best, over the hill, and unlikely to make any impact as a player, but Beckham has proved his doubters wrong.  Beckham had a tough start to his MLS career, with injury set-backs from day one, and disappointing team performances by Galaxy, but over time, began to settle in. He became the player he was supposed to be, and lifted his whole team who still failed to qualify for the end of season playoffs. It was this new found form, along with his performances for the England national team, that attracted interest from Italian giants AC Milan. ...

2011 MLS Draft: A Chat with UNC All-American Jalil Anibaba

The 2011 Major League Soccer draft will be held at noon today on ESPN2. I recently caught up with top prospect and former UNC All American defender Jalil Anibaba, who also happens to be my cousin, as he wrapped up his time at the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale and prepared to head to Baltimore for the draft.  Here is a transcript of our discussion:   What's your earliest memory of playing soccer?  I started playing soccer as soon as I could walk. I think I started playing organized soccer at the age of four and have played all the way through college.    How many positions have you played over the course of your career?  I've played every position on the field except goalkeeper.     How would you describe the range of emotions you're feeling right now as the draft approaches? It's been a mind-boggling experience, it's surreal, and didn't really hit me all week because we've been pretty busy but realizing that I'm this close to fulfilling my goal of becoming a professional soccer player is an amazing feeling.    You competed on the U.S. men's U-18 and U-20 national teams, what was that experience like? It was ...

This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Adam Cristman

This is Part Three in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season.For a journeyman forward like Adam Cristman, the frequent flyer miles are accumulating en masse.Cristman's work as a forward has seen him ply his trade with three different clubs in Major League Soccer, making an impact as a member of the New England Revolution and D.C. United.Now, with Edson Buddle leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy for greener pastures across the pond, Cristman—who stands 6-foot-1—will look to fill a lost void and deliver the same offensive firepower as he joins his fourth club in five years.Adam Cristman was born on Jan. 8, 1985 in Washington, DC. As a youth player, Cristman played for the Eagles of Mills Godwin High School in nearby Richmond, Virginia. In 2003, Cristman led the Eagles to a 22-0-0 record, a #1 national ranking and a Virginia AAA state championship.Cristman continued his work at the University of virginia. He was named a two-time NSCAA All-South Atlantic Team and All-ACC Team honoree in 2005 and 2006 while leading the Cavaliers to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1997.Cristman tallied 34 goals and 15 assists as a four-year ...

Freddy Adu: It’s Time To Come Home To MLS

To succeed on the international stage, a player has to be getting consistent minutes with his club team. The guys that are playing regularly are sharper and more in form, both mentally and physically. They also stay on the radar of Bob Bradley. Freddy Adu is running out of clubs in Europe willing to give him a chance, which is why this January transfer window, he should make his way back to MLS. Since leaving Real Salt Lake in 2007, Adu has been on the roster for four clubs: Benifica, AS Monaco, Belenenses and Aris. Technically, Benifica owns his rights and he is on loan to Aris, but both clubs are dead ends. Adu has a year left on his deal with Benifica, but ownership has said that they are willing to loan him out again or allow him to leave on a free transfer. Aris management has deemed him a “surplus” and wishes to cancel the rest of his loan deal with the club. Since his ousting at Aris, he has trained with Swiss side FC Sion and Danish club Randers FC, and is now on trial with German second-division team Ingolstadt. His latest European venture seems to be just as fruitless as ...