Philadelphia Union Announces New Team Sponsor

The Philadelphia Union announced a new four-year, $12 million contract with the international baked goods company Bimbo. This is the first company logo to ever be featured on the front of both the home and away Philadelphia Union Jerseys.  Background: Bimbo Bakeries USA got it's start in 1984 when the Brand Grupo Bimbo extended its sales market to California and Texas, buying dozens of local bakeries along the way.  Since then, Bimbo has acquired numerous other brands such as Thomas', Entenmann's, Boboli, and Stroehman Bakeries.  The company has also been linked to recent rumors with the financially strapped Tastykake Brand. The brand of Bimbo goods is setting 2011 as the major  start to their sales in the United States. The Philadelphia Union is the fifth soccer team to earn the jersey sponsorship from the group. Three teams in Mexico (Chivas, Club America, Monterrey) and one team in Costa Rica (Saprissa) already carry the brand on the front of their jerseys.      Pros: There are a great deal of positives that come with this deal that many fans have overlooked. A major partnership like the one with Bimbo will allow the team extra financial stability, which is essential for a ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 12, 2011

Adam Cristman to the G'sYesterday, the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired forward Adam Cristman from D.C. United in exchange for the Galaxy's first round pick of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft.The 26-year old Cristman has 12 goals and six assists in 68 career regular season games. A strong and powerful forward, he was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2007 by totaling four goals and four assists in a career-high 28 games with the Revolution.In 2008, Cristman scored a career-best six goals despite being limited to just 18 games from a toe injury. He was traded to Kansas City prior to the start of the 2009 season but was limited to just five appearances because of a fractured metatarsal that required surgery.In 2010, Cristman joined the ranks of D.C. United. He appeared in 17 games for United last season, making eight starts while tallying two goals and an assist.A special on Adam Cristman as part of the "This is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series will be posted later this week.   High hopes for Omar Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez looks to crack the USA men's national team roster for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.“My goals are to be on ...

Colorado Rapids: Who Should the MLS Cup Champions Draft in 2011?

After winning the 2010 MLS Cup, defeating Dallas 2-1 in extra time, the defending champion Colorado Rapids are sitting pretty come the January 13 MLS Superdraft.  Despite the expansion draft for MLS' two new 2011 franchises, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Portland Timbers, Colorado managed to keep its entire starting XI from the MLS Cup intact.   The MLS Superdraft will be three rounds this year, with expansion clubs Vancouver and Portland picking first and second each round, and MLS Cup Champions Colorado picking last at 18th and 36th.  The draft lasts three rounds, but the Rapids only have picks in the first two, having traded away their 2011 third round pick along with midfielder Nick LaBrocca to Toronto FC for Marvell Wynne during the season. Following the Superdraft, there will be a supplemental draft for players that were not selected initially. The Rapids are in a low pressure situation.  They don't have to worry about swinging for the fences with a high draft pick and missing.  With the main starting XI returning, the Rapids merely need to add smart depth and players that can develop behind the front XI into future starters.    Colorado's Depth Needs By Position Goalkeeper ...

Toronto FC Offseason Roster Assessment: Goaltending

This is part 1 of 4 of BTTN's Toronto FC Offseason Roster Assessment With training camp starting within the month, and our coaches now in place it is time to assess Toronto FCs roster and what additions are needed in the offseason. It’s quite alarming that Toronto FC only has 17 players on its roster, when the MLS can take a maximum of 26 senior roster players and four developmental ones.Not only is the roster abysmally small, but Toronto FC has only picked up one new player this offseason. At the moment, it is frightening to glance at the currently barren TFC roster. However, there is hope. Firstly, there are some very talented players who are remaining. Secondly, much of the fat from last year’s roster has already been cut. Overpriced and outclassed players like Garcia, Hscanovics and Usanov have already been released, along with others who were not worth the cap space they took up. And most importantly, we have a new management team in place that will be actively looking for players to fill their system. What remains in the roster? Is it a good core to build on? Or is there much more to be desired? Here is my take on ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 9, 2011

News from the USA campLos Angeles Galaxy defenders Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and A.J. de LA Garza were among 24 players selected for the US men's national team camp at the Home Depot Center ahead of the Jan. 22 friendly with Chile.When asked about the experience of being with the Stars and Stripes, Franklin was nothing short of captivated.“It’s nice. Having a couple of guys that you know in camp makes you feel more comfortable, less nervous when you know someone you can talk to about the game,” Franklin said. “It’s going to be a fun camp, not just with AJ and Omar, but with all the guys here.”Gonzalez earned his first cap last year in an August friendly with Brazil at the New Meadowland Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.“It’s great. It gives me a sense of home. I’ve been with them two years now, every day,” Gonzalez said. “It’s great having them here, just to relax at the hotel together, hang out and come out here and play comfortably with them.”For De La Garza, the fruits of his labor, playing the role of center back for the G's, are being savored.“It’s crazy. Obviously playing with Maryland, the Galaxy ...

CONCACAF Champions League: Can Real Salt Lake Emerge Victorious?

Ten days from now, Real Salt Lake will begin its preseason training, perhaps a bit earlier than most Major League Soccer clubs.  While most MLS clubs are either focusing on rebuilding from last year (ahem, D.C.), or thinking about long-term plans to nab the MLS Cup title, Salt Lake is putting its focus on one thing right now: its quarterfinal fixture in the CONCACAF Champions League.  Dormant for nearly three months, the Champions League will resume play at the tail end of February, and Salt Lake opens up the knockout stage, when the Royals will take on fellow domestic club, Columbus Crew, the Group B runners-up.  Given, the fact that Columbus has completely gutted out its roster, and seems to be starting from scratch, while RSL has practically the same squad assembled (minus Robbie Findley), it seems to be a no-brainer that RSL will have a huge advantage over the Crew.  Still, with MLS having a parity-ridden track record, and Los Angeles' embarrassing loss against Puerto Rico, one cannot presume that Salt Lake will have a cakewalk to the finals, even if RSL has most realistic chance of a non-Mexican club to win the Champions League. Even with such a humble outlook, Salt Lake will ...

MLS SuperDraft: Why the Rise of Youth Academies Causes the Draft To Be Obsolete

Earlier last month, D.C. United signed University of Maryland prospect Ethan White on a youth development contract, allowing White to bypass this month's SuperDraft, and to sign with the Black-and-Red's first team squad, with Major League Soccer paying for his contract.It is not only White, either. The United's rivals from up the I-95 corridor are in the same process, also with a fellow Maryland Terrapin. Maryland junior midfielder Matt Kassel has signed with Red Bull New York on a youth development contract as well, thus making him ineligible for the draft.Earlier this week, there was an article from MLSSoccer.com questioning whether this rise of youth academies will make college soccer for subpar players. With the rise of stars such as Tim Ream, Steve Zakuani and Danny Mwanga thrown into the argument, it reassures that college soccer (for the time being) will be a critical piece of developing American stars, whether they start their careers domestically or internationally. When you think about it, it seems that most youth academy prospects will be able to train in clubs' youth academies, go to college for some time and then enter the pros. While it may actually be a benefactor for college soccer, ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 5, 2011

Meet Gregg Berhalter, the Player-CoachLos Angeles Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter will be going through a period of transition as his playing career draws closer to its conclusion. This week, the team named Berhalter as an assistant coach to go with his return as a defender.“The offer that Bruce [Arena] presented was that I would transition myself into a further career and take on this player/coach type of role and it really made sense,” Berhalter told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week. “This is something that I could continue doing. That kind of swayed me right there."The idea that I'm kind of doing double duty this way and kind of transition myself into possibly my next career.”The defeat to FC Dallas in the 2010 Western Conference Championship made Berhalter think about leaving the game. In the end, the opportunity to come back to the field one last time proved too good to pass up.“Obviously I thought about it,” Berhalter said. “I thought about how towards the end of the season last year I got injured, and that took a lot of the momentum out of the season, and that was disappointing. I wondered if I could come back to that level.”Here's hoping Berhalter's ...

Beckham Is The Loan Ranger… With a Possible Debut For Spurs Against Man United

David Beckham was finally given the green light to return to England’s Premier League last night and he could make his debut against former club Manchester United at Spurs on January 19. LA Galaxy took their time over granting permission for their best-paid player to spend two months on loan with Harry Redknapp’s side, worried lest he repeat the Achilles injury he sustain when playing for Milan last season. But they have risked the ire of their considerable support by allowing him to play for the North London club Beckham, now 35, supported as a boy growing up in Leytonstone. His grandfather was also a mad Lilywhites fan. Galaxy are believed to have agreed the move because both clubs are linked to AEG, the entertainment company which is helping Spurs in their bid to take over the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after London 2012. England’s most capped outfield player is expected agree the loan deal tomorrow and will be presented to the White Hart Lane faithful on Sunday before the FA Cup third round clash against Charlton Athletic. Redknapp’s master plan of buying Beckham and grooming a successor is likely ...

Landon Donovan Will Not Go Back To Europe: Second Of Eleven Predictions For 2011

It’s that dreary, old American rhythm: build somebody up; tear them down.  And then once they’re down, demand a comeback. No comeback, no legend. No ticky, no laundry.  And who better to tear down these days than “Landy Cakes” Donovan, in 1999 the doe- eyed wunderkind at Bayer Leverkusen, now a decade later, a 29-year-old divorced white male who said recently after his latest return from Europe, and his decision not to return to Everton:  “I need to rest and recover…. I’m tired.” Tired?  Why the hell is he tired? After all the accolades, after all the bowing and scraping to his princeness, after that hail-mary-mother-of-god goal in South Africa, why you’d think he’d still be running on Nitro. Or has he had enough of European foul play?  Was it just too tough in the end…. Hey bartender, get me another Rooney. Or better, have you got some Zidane? If Zidane is at one end of a spectrum, Donovan is at the other.  Hence the argument that if you want to win a World Cup these days you don’t need babies found floating down the Nile in Adidas bags, you don’t need prodigies, you need boys from immigrant back streets, ...