Expansion Cities. Is Montreal Next Up?

So, you may have noticed that MLS is nothing like football in Europe, and is still growing. This growth seems to be stepping up. Just last week the MLS commissioner Don Garber announced that San José Earthquakes would be returning to the MLS for the 2008 season after they went on hiatus due to financial difficulties in 2005.

Now there's a queue of cities lining up to be granted entry in to the MLS. Criteria needed is the standard entry fee of $30 million and secure plans in place for the building of a Soccer Specific Stadium. Don Garber has already said he wants another three teams in the MLS by 2010, and with San José already taking one slot, the other two are up for grabs, and it looks likely that Montreal Impact of the USL-1 will be making the step up, funded by billionaire Joey Saputo, after Toronto FC's exclusivity rights to the Canadian market expire on December 31st 2009. You can see the stadium plans pictured.

There are a whole host of cities identified by Garber for the other expansion space, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Miami, Milwaukee, a second New York team, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and Vancouver (Phew). A betting man, such as myself, would put his money on Seattle or Portland, both strong and knowledgeable soccer markets, to take the last spot, but really, it could be anyone. Exciting times for soccer fans in North America.

Stars Of MLS #3 - Juan Pablo Ángel

Full Name: Juan Pablo Ángel
Position: Forward
Nationality: Colombian
Team: New York Red Bulls

A striker familiar to those in the UK due to his years at English Premiership side Aston Villa, where he commanded a transfer fee of £9.5 million. Although he never fully justified such a large fee during his time, he did win over the fans due to his hard work and lack of moaning to the press, something that South American imports have been guilty of in the past. However, despite his troubles, he did finish as top scorer at Aston Villa in the 2003-2004 season.

Come April 2007, Aston Villa manger Martin O'Neill agreed to let Ángel to make a surprise move to NY Red Bulls on a free transfer and became their second Designated Player (along with Claudio Reyna).

His impact on MLS was immediate. Since arriving from Aston Villa he was netted 9 goals in 11 games. Fans and critics have been hugely impressed with his dynamic finishing and clever touches. He was rewarded with a starting slot in the MLS All Stars team 2007. Ángel got one the score sheet with the opening goal and was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the match.

Ángel is considered a big success story, showing the ability of MLS to rejuvenate players and careers, where they can show their talent and flair.

Stars Of MLS #2 - Andy Dorman

Full Name: Andrew Dorman
Position: Midfield
Nationality: English
Team: New England Revolution

Andy Dorman was born in England, has English parents, was raised in Wales and attended University in Boston, where he was picked up in the MLS SuperDraft in 2004 by New England Revolution.

A midfielder by trade, but he can player anywhere along the midfield line, as a striker and has even been known to fill in a defence. He has excelled at New England Revolution in the 2007 season, scoring 7 goals in 16 appearances from midfield. As well as been versatile, he has excellent ball distribution and good technique, especially when on the attack. Through hard work and consistency, Dorman has become highly respected in the MLS and has become a key figure in New England Revolution midfield. He was though controversially overlooked for the MLS All Star team in 2007, with people claiming he's a player often overlooked for accolades.

Although Andy Dorman considers himself Welsh, he is ineligible to play for them due to been born in England and having English parents. He is considering lodging an appeal to the Welsh FA, but has also expressed an interest in playing for England or the USA, both of which he is eligible to play for.

Paulo Wanchope Move To Chicago Fire "99.9% Complete"

Costa Rican international Paulo Wanchope looks set to join struggling Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire.

Wanchope was recently released by Japanese side Tokyo FC (which he rejected a move to New York Red Bulls to join) and is looking set to sign for Chicago Fire in the coming week. The owner of Chicago Fire in an interview yesterday described the transfer as almost sealed and done, with only a physical to be completed.

The ex-Manchester City, Derby County and Málaga CF player had a lively World Cup in 2006 and still has plenty to bring to the MLS at only 30 years old, especially as he'll not require a Designated Player spot.

This transfer would signal strong intent by Chicago Fire, who have just acquired the legendary Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco and have key player Chris Rolfe returning from injury.

Stars Of MLS #1 - Juan Toja

Full Name: Juan Carlos Toja
Position: Midfield
Nationality: Colombian
Team: FC Dallas (Western Conference)

Juan Toja signed for FC Dallas at the beginning of the 2007 season on a seasons loan, (with an option for a second year) from Argentinian giants River Plate, after sending a video compilation of himself to the team in a bid to impress them.

He's since established himself as a fans favourite, with his work rate, sporting attitude, modesty, the Jim Morrison inspired hairstyle and most of all, his skill on the ball.

His success in his debut season in MLS didn't go unnoticed as he was selected in the starting XI in the MLS All Stars game against Celtic, managing to get himself on the score sheet in a 2-0 victory.

Freddy Adu To Join Benfica

ESPN has delivered the news that Freddy Adu has joined Portuguese side Benfica for an as yet undisclosed fee.

We'll give you an update as soon as it's confirmed, but the rumours of a move to Europe have been getting stronger and stronger over the last week or so after he impressed during the Under-20's World Cup, in which he scored a hat-trick against Poland.

Adu has been in uninspiring form for his MLS side Real Salt Lake this season and the popular view from the fans is that they should sell now and avoid Adu taking up a Designated Player slot for next season after his grandfathering period is over at the end this current season.

Rumours have been circulating for a long while now that ex-Nigerian international Jay-Jay Okocha will be joining Real Salt Lake as a replacement for the Europe bound Adu, more than likely as a Designated Player, making him the fifth DP in the MLS this season.

A lot of hype surrounds the young American and a lot of people take the view that it is generally undeserved, and that other players are far more deserving of the attention of the media and advertising agencies. However, Benfica offer Adu a good chance to develop and shine with his flair play, which could well have been stifled in a tougher physical league, like the English Premier League, and to an extent, the MLS.

LA Galaxy vs. Chelsea

Y'know, I don't really want to focus on David Beckham too much. The quality of the MLS hasn't changed overnight since he arrived, but I do know you all love to read about him and his haircuts, so here's a bit of an overview of what happened in the friendly match between LA Galaxy and Chelsea.

The picture above this entry pretty much sums up what happened. That's a stampeding horde of journalists and photographers fighting each other over for a word or picture with David Beckham (if you couldn't work it out) who was sat on the very edge of the LA Galaxy substitutes bench looking a bit pleased with himself. In the crowd were a selection of Hollywood A-Listers, such as Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria, Arnold Schwarzenegger and of course, Victoria 'Posh Spice' Beckham, who all looked fairly dis-interested in the match itself, but did look like they were having fun hanging out together, arguing over who has the most famous spouse. The hosts of the TV channel didn't shut up about That Man either, and the main anchor hilariously described the match as "like a U2 concert". Indeed. Even the loud-mouthed General Manager of LA Galaxy, Alexi Lalas, appeared mildly embarrassed by the Beckham overload.

Yeah, there was a game of soccer too. A fairly tedious one though. Neither team looked that fussed, but maybe we can put that down to their utter bewilderment of the occasion. It was an occasion.

This was a big night for MLS. The sell out crowd was heaving, the media was out in full force, the soccer adverts played around the clock, the newspapers were talking soccer, the people were talking soccer, the famous Hollywood folk were talking soccer and David Beckham, the world's most instantly recognisable soccer player was about to play for an MLS team in a country that has always overlooked soccer in favour of numerous other sports. This night didn't change soccer's position among those sports, but it certainly got the catalyst furiously bubbling away for a future sea change in America.

1-0 to Chelsea in the end, with a John Terry goal deciding it. Beckham got his run out, a few touches of the ball and a whack on his injured ankle, but he only needed to show up to mark this possible turning point in the history of soccer in the USA, and to the relief of many, he did. Now we can go back to business as usual...can't we?

Beckham To Miss Chelsea Game

David Beckham will not be starting the exhibition game between LA Galaxy and Chelsea tonight.

Beckham is still nursing an ankle injury that has prevented him from participating in full training with his LA Galaxy team mates. As a result, he will only be appearing on the bench.

The news comes as a blow to LA Galaxy who must've been hoping to give themselves and Beckham another injection of media interest in a match against such a high profile team. To add to the current media furore for a soccer in the US, celebrities [sic] such as Paris Hilton, Tara Reid, Kim Kardashian and Kristin Davis were in attendance at a party thrown for the Chelsea players and staff, no doubt queuing up to try and woo José Mourinho and get first dibs on his selection of stylish coats. It's always nice to have a touch of glamour and style among the English teams these days. It beats seeing Iain Dowie doing squat jumps, doesn't it?

Despite the injury, it is expected that Beckham will be wheeled out to the stars and media (and a few soccer fans) for a late substitute appearance. Would it serve LA Galaxy bosses right if Beckham were to worsen his ankle injury? Surely if he's "only here for the soccer", then he should be given a chance to recover and rest instead of making token appearances in friendly matches? Maybe he could just walk around the pitch with his shirt off for the game?

It seems Galaxy are going to milk this early interest, doesn't it? Well, wouldn't you?

Argentine Star To Join MLS?

Strong rumours are circulating that Argentinian international Juan Sebastián Verón is to follow his ex-Manchester United team mate David Beckham by making a big money move to Major League Soccer.

Reports suggest that Verón is on the verge of joining the successful Eastern Conference side D.C. United in a deal worth around $20 million.

Verón, who plays for Argentine side Estudiantes de La Plata, once commanded a transfer fee of £28.1 million when he made the switch from Lazio to Manchester United. He made further moves to Chelsea and Inter between 2003 and 2006, but never really lived up to his reputation, and ended up returning to the club where he began his career in Argentina. Despite this move away from Europe, Veron has enjoyed a renewed success with the national team, including some strong performances in this years Copa América in Venezuela.

However, it is widely acknowledged that despite their on field successes in the past and their passionate supporter base, D.C. United are one of the teams that is not performing well financially in the MLS, as well as struggling to cement plans for a much need Soccer Specific Stadium. In fact, reports in the Washington Post today indicated that there's a chance the team could relocate out of D.C. to Virginia or Maryland (I take it Verón hasn't ever been to Baltimore) if a stadium isn't built soon.

With these problems overhead, it would be a controversial and risky move on the part of D.C. United. A lot would depend on D.C. United's ability to market him to an already strong Hispanic audience, but it would also be a real coup for a player that still has 3 or 4 years of good quality soccer left in him, which is a step forward from the traditional route of the MLS to recruit players in their twilight (and that's been generous) years.

Welcome To UK Eye On The MLS

Hello and welcome to UK Eye On The MLS. That's Major League Soccer to you and me.

Since David Beckham's big money move to LA Galaxy in July '07 there has been an increased interest in Major League Soccer from fans all over the world, especially in the UK. This blog aims to bring slightly more anglo-centric news, views, analysis and gossip about the MLS to those new UK fans who have developed an interest in the league, as well as to older fans. There's certainly plenty to talk about.

The rules, league structure and club structure are fairly different to those that fans of football in Europe are used to. In the near future I shall publish a Quick Guide To The MLS.

I hope you enjoy it and can help contribute. Don't hesitate to leave comments or email me.

Thanks for reading.