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The three designated player (DP) slots every Major League Soccer team has are the most important roster spots to fill. The DP slot allows a team to spend however they want on three players. Unlike other salary budget mechanisms, such as Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), these slots are guaranteed every year to each team. In other words, it’s a mechanism a club with resources or pull can use to create a meaningful competitive advantage.

It’s no surprise then, that every MLS team that’s won MLS Cup has leveraged the DP slots better than others.

Theoretically, if a club had the resources and pull, it could sign Messi, Mbappe and Neymar using the DP slots. This, of course, is not realistic. Teams have to deploy strategies on how to use their DP slots. I believe there are three different DP strategies teams employ: Hype DP (bringing buzz to the team), Field DP (being top-10-percent player in the league) or Asset DP (ability to produce revenue and allocation by selling later on).

Historically, the Hype DPs are the original designated players. Take a look at the first generation of DPs from 2007-2009 with players such as David Beckham, Freddie Ljungberg, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Denílson or Claudio Reyna.  There’s a running theme — teams hoped they would be elite competitors in MLS, but more importantly that they would sell tickets and bring fame or buzz to the club. There will always be a place for Hype DPs in the league, whether they’re older Europeans or a returning American or Mexican national team player (See: 2019 Orlando City signing, Nani).

The second type of DP was an elite MLS player regardless of name — the Field DP.  To be truly elite means being considered  among the top 10 percent (today, that’s about the top 30 players in the league when considering an 11-player lineup for 24 teams), which means being a perennial All-Star and a possible MVP threat. It started with David Ferreira signing with FC Dallas in 2009, but Field DPs today — Seattle’s Nico Lodeiro, Portland’s Diego Valeri or Montreal’s Ignacio Piatti — are the face of the league and provide their clubs a true competitive edge.

With the introduction of TAM, this became a bit more complicated. Now you have teams with the ability to buy down potential DPs with TAM. This allows ambitious teams like Atlanta or Sporting Kansas City to have six to nine players who actually make more than the maximum budget charge.

But some teams would rather not spend the TAM and keep the DP tag for budget reasons. Philadelphia and Alejandro Bedoya seems to be a good example. Bedoya is an excellent player and would start on almost any MLS team in the league. But he’d almost certainly be a TAM player (top-100 player) and not a DP (top-30 player) if he played for one of those previously-cited ambitious clubs. This is not a bad use of a DP slot by Philadelphia, but it’s also not maximizing the slot — and the difference is important.

The newest type of DP is the Asset DP. The idea of signing a player as an asset to create future revenue and allocation from selling the player started with the Young Designated Player rule, which was created in 2012 and allows teams to take a smaller cap hit for high-quality players under the age of 24.

In order to be considered an Asset DP, you have to have the right age, potential and a low enough salary and transfer fee to create allocation in the future. The last requirement is an important one because an MLS club only creates allocation on a sale once it recoups all costs from transfer fees and salary.  

Ideally, a DP signing today could be all three at the same time, but those are few and far between.

Arguably, Miguel Almiron was the only one last year having the potential to be an asset, while also easily ranking among the top 10 percent on the field and bringing hype and buzz to Atlanta.

But many designated players do fit multiple categories, and when a team has all three DP slots filled with players who fit more than one category, it’s built a true competitive edge. The reverse is also true. Even worse than not using the designated player slots available is using them poorly, which becomes a salary-budget nightmare.

I’m categorizing every DP today heading into the 2019 season to get an idea which team is best using its DP slots.  For comparison’s sake, I’ve also assigned points to each category.

A true Field DP is worth 3 points. An Asset DP is 2 points. A Hype DP is worth 1 point. A DP who is a very good player but outside the top 10 percent is labeled as a TAM-level DP and gets 1 point.

Below is how I’ve categorized each DP:

 

For those who don’t like Venn Diagrams, below is the list with some explanation:

HYPE DP — 1 point:  Tim Howard, Chris Wondolowski

Howard is a below-average MLS keeper today, but his signing brought much-needed reason to watch the Colorado Rapids and allegedly was an integral part of procuring sponsorship.  Wondo should be a super-sub on a decent MLS club, but his chase of the all-time MLS goals record should be a needed draw for the San Jose Earthquakes

TAM-LEVEL DP — 1 point:  Bryan Acosta*, Jozy Altidore, Fanendo Adi, Paul Arriola, Michael Bradley, Ale Bedoya, Dom Dwyer, Roger Espinoza, Carles Gil*, Jan Gregus*, Federico Higuain, Sacha Kljestan (since writing this, he’s been bought down with TAM), Tomas Martinez, Nikola Nikolic, Saphir Taider, Vako

This list shows how hard it is to remain in the top 10 percent of the league. Bradley, Altidore, Kljestan, Nikolic and even Higuain would’ve been top 10 percent a year ago. Bradley and Altidore were also easily Hype DPs when they signed with Toronto. But with the World Cup failure and how much fans (unfairly in my opinion) put it squarely on those two, I’m not sure they bring hype anymore. Any name starred means they’re new to the league and I’m projecting based on YouTube clips and past performance, so it’s very likely they could need to be recategorized as the year progresses.

HYPE + TAM-LEVEL DP — 2 points: Jonathan Dos Santos, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Both Dos Santos and Schweinsteiger bring credibility with their names and on-field performances, but are just outside the top-10 percent cutoff.  In other words, if their names were Jonathan Des Moines and Basti Winedrinker, they’d be TAM players in this stage of their careers and not DP players.

ASSET DP — 2 points: Allan Cruz*, Carlos Gruezo, In-Beom Hwang*, Andre Horta, Santiago Mosquera

This list may feel like either players that are too new to MLS to judge or had slightly disappointing first steps in MLS. You’re not wrong, but each one has the potential to be sold for profit fairly easily. For example, as much as Horta’s debut last year was a disaster, he’s also a stellar performer for the Portugal youth sides.

ASSET + TAM-LEVEL DP — 3 points:  Jesus Medina, Diego Rossi, Albert Rusnak, Jefferson Savarino

This is a list of really exciting players who could potentially be sold for a lot down the road. It would not be surprising if any of them are elite this year and then sold for a very tidy profit in the future.  It would not be crazy to see both Medina and Rossi as their teams’ main attackers with rumors of suitors offering $10 million transfer fees at the end of the year.

ASSET + HYPE DP — 3 points:  Ezequiel Barco

Barco is a bit of an enigma, so it’s fitting he sits by himself in his own category. When Atlanta bought Barco last year, he was seen as one of the top talents in South America, if not the world. There was no doubt that brings a level of hype to the Atlanta region and again raises the club’s prestige on the world stage. Barco’s performance on the field was less than expected, but his underlying numbers show he could still be an asset. His very large transfer fee means that in order to be an asset, he has to be Almiron-level good in the league. So if he doesn’t turn into an All-star level player soon, he could easily fall off this list.

FIELD DP — 3 points: Romain Alessandrini, Sebastian Blanco, Felipe Gutierrez, Nico Lodeiro, Maxi Moralez, Ignacio Piatti, Darwin Quintero, Raul Ruidiaz, Diego Valeri, Bradley Wright-Phillips

Most of these players are no-brainer picks as top-30 in the league. Quintero and Ruidiaz certainly made their cases in Year 1, and if you look at Alessandrini’s goals and assists per 90 without penalties, he was easily in the top 10. Of this list, Gutierrez is probably most controversial as a top-30 player in the league. In my book, he’s one of the top, if not the best box-to-box midfielder, especially in Sporting Kansas City’s system, which requires coverage. Blanco and Moralez would’ve been in the TAM-level group last year, which again shows this is a fluid list.

FIELD + HYPE DP — 4 points:  Marco Fabian*, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Josef Martinez, Nani*, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Vela

Zlatan, Rooney and Vela are no doubt top-30 players and bring acclaim to their clubs from an international stage.   Josef Martinez might not bring as much hype on the world level, but he’s well known in South America, and whenever your hometown team’s fans are talking about making a statue of you and you’re on the cover of local magazines, you’re a Hype DP.  There’s a question on why Martinez is not seen as an asset. This is based off my assumption that Martinez’s new salary will make it prohibitive to make a large enough transfer fee possible. If his salary is less than $3 million/year, then he’s an asset. If it’s higher, he’s no longer an asset for selling. I’ve projected out Fabian and Nani. While Nani’s signing has received lukewarm reception in MLS circles, his goals and assists per 90 in the last three years were all very healthy. He has a lot to offer, and past history says he should be excellent in MLS.

FIELD + ASSET DP — 5 points: Luciano Acosta, Alberth Elis, Kaku, Alexandru Mitrita*, Milton Valenzuela

First three on this list have had very large bids during this last offseason already. Acosta, when paired with Rooney, is probably a top-10 player in the league. Elis has shown underlying numbers similar to Almiron. A playmaking Kaku has the ability to be a top-10 player that’s worthy of a $10 million transfer, that makes him an asset. I know Lucho Acosta isn’t a designated player yet, but with the PSG transfer falling through and D.C.’s open slot, he will be very soon. Valenzuela is out with an ACL tear, but before that he was a 20 year old who was at-worst the third best in the league in that position. He’s a top-30 player for me already, and I’m sure Crew fans are hoping he can come back at the same level. I’ve put Mitrita here based on expectations.  His transfer fee level requires him to be a top-30 player in the league. If NYCFC want to sell him for a profit above his $9 million fee, then this expectation is doubly true.  If he performs short of expectations, then not only does he drop down on the list, but he also he loses his asset status. Its a high risk, high reward purchase.

FIELD + ASSET + HYPE DP – 6 points:  Pity Martinez*

When you buy the reigning South American player of the year, he’s expected to be a hype player and a very top player in MLS. Martinez’s aspirations of going to Europe and taking note of the Almiron sale means that he’s an asset. It’s fitting then that Pity replaces Almiron as the only player who fits all three categories — even before playing an MLS match. Let’s see if he lives up to it.

 

There’s a few DPs who don’t make the list because they don’t fit one of the categories. This could be based on performance (ex. Gashi), being on loan (ex. Ardaiz) or my expectation that they won’t be DPs anymore (ex. Giovani Dos Santos).

Phew!  So, given this point structure, how do teams fare with their DP strategies? 

Below is the “DP Utilization Rankings.” Another way to think about it is: How much is a team using the Designated Player rule as a competitive advantage versus other teams? It is just one of many ways to have a competitive advantage in the league (See: academies), but it’s a useful metric to think about when projecting a team’s performance in the upcoming season.

DP Utilization Rankings

Atlanta United – 13 points NYCFC – 11  DC United – 10 LAFC – 9  LA Galaxy – 9 New York Red Bulls – 8 Orlando City – 6 Houston Dynamo – 6 Seattle Sounders – 6 Columbus Crew – 6  Portland Timbers – 6 Real Salt Lake – 6 Philadelphia Union – 5 FC Dallas – 5 Sporting Kansas City – 4 Montreal Impact – 4 Minnesota United – 4 Chicago Fire – 4 Vancouver Whitecaps – 4 FC Cincinnati – 3 Toronto FC – 2 SJ Earthquakes – 2 Colorado Rapids – 1 New England Revolution – 1

The post Hype, Field or Assets: Categorizing every MLS designated player appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

With the season just a day away, the Colorado Rapids placed forward Shkëlzen Gashi on waivers.

The move means Gashi is no longer on the Rapids’ active roster ahead of Saturday’s opener against the Portland Timbers. This clears up an international spot on the roster with the MLS roster compliance deadline taking place Friday evening.

Gashi joined the Rapids before the 2016 season as a Designated Player from FC Basel in Switzerland. The Albanian international scored nine goals and had four assists in his first season in Colorado, but struggled in each of the last two.

Gashi scored two goals in both 2017 and 2018 and saw his minutes cut as well. After making 25 starts in 2016, he made 12 starts in 2017 and played fewer than half as many minutes. Last season, Gashi made just nine starts and again saw his minutes go down.

With Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio joining the Rapids attack in the offseason, Gashi could have been in line for an even smaller role in 2019.

The 30-year-old is still under contract through 2019. The Rapids will be responsible for his salary unless another team in the league claims him off waivers. According to MLS Players Association numbers, Gashi made $1.67 million in 2018.

The post From Designated Player to waivers: Rapids cut ties with Shkëlzen Gashi appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The 2018 season was one of growing pains for the Colorado Rapids, finishing second to last in the Western Conference with 31 points in 34 games – the worst total for a 34-game season in club history. That, along with a couple lengthy winless spells, was just one of the many growing pains under then first-year head coach Anthony Hudson.

In 2019, Colorado is looking forward, not just on the calendar, but in the team’s tactics. With a focus on attack, the Rapids spent the offseason adding several proven MLS goal scorers, with Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio and Benny Feilhaber being among the more notable names brought in.

Will it be enough to push them over the hump and into the MLS Cup playoffs? The regular season will bring the answer to that question, with the Portland Timbers providing the initiation.

Rapids face defending Western Conference champ Portland Timbers

When: March 2, 6:00 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. ET

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Broadcast: TV — Altitude-Comcast Channel 25, Dish 413, DirecTV 681; RADIO – Altitude 92.5 FM (KKSE), 950 AM

Live stream: ESPN+

The buzz:  Colorado’s abysmal 2018 campaign prompted mass changes from Rapids vice president and general manager Padraig Smith, who sought out to sign proven attacking options and players with MLS experience.

There are few challenges harder than Colorado’s first regular-season test. The Portland Timbers won the Western Conference Championship last season before bowing out to MLS Cup winner Atlanta United. Normally, altitude could be on the Rapids’ side entering a match like this, but having spent the entire preseason at lower elevations, it could be equally challenging for the home side.

 

Colorado’s coach and front office touted 2018 as “playoffs or bust,” but failed to deliver. In year two, the same sentiment holds even more true, particularly for Hudson, who could find himself in the hot seat should the Rapids’ improved roster fail to deliver results in an expanded playoff format.

Other key matches

May 11 & Aug. 24 vs./at Real Salt Lake – The Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry matches, along with the corresponding trophy are always important to supporters of both Colorado and Salt Lake. Last season, Colorado was dominated in the Rocky Mountain Cup series, outscored 11-2 in three matches, including a record breaking 6-0 home loss at home in late August.

Taking back the Rocky Mountain Cup, which Colorado has only one once in the past five seasons and twice in a decade, will be an important step for both Anthony Hudson and the club to win back supporters.

July 4 vs New England Revolution – The Fourth of July game is always an important one for Colorado as a home match that always sells out (partly due to the postgame fireworks). But this year’s edition is set up to be a classic. Aside from the clever scheduling of the Revolution, there are real personal rivalry implications. Left back and former USMNT teammate of Tim Howard Edgar Castillo was shipped to New England in a three-way deal which brought Diego Rubio to the Rapids, and could have something to prove in his return to Colorado. Additionally, there seems to be some lingering bad blood between former USMNT keepers Howard and Brad Friedel, the Revs’ head coach.

Check out the full 2018 schedule here.

Quotes & Notes

“I’m never going to be totally content. It’s been a strange preseason because of niggly injuries. I always feel uncomfortable by that. I never feel fully ready when we’ve not had a real preseason like that. This week is about recovering the lads and feeling fresh. Fitness-wise I feel like a few of us need to get 90 minutes under our belt, so that will come.” — Anthony Hudson

“It’s going to be a long season, but I think we’re ready. It’s been a good preseason. Everyone’s been working so hard, but it’s never easy. We just can’t wait to kickoff next week at home in front of our home crowd.” — Kei Kamara

Colorado Rapids Week 1 Injury Report

Biggest offseason moves

Acquired right back Keegan Rosenberry from the Philadelphia Union Acquired former Whitecaps/Revolution/Crew striker Kei Kamara in expansion draft deal Traded backup keeper Zac MacMath to Vancouver in exchange for Nicholas Mezquida Re-acquired goalkeeper Clint Irwin via trade with Toronto FC. Drafted attacker Andre Shinyashiki from the University of Denver in first round. Added two Homegrown signings, 21-year-old defender and Wake Forest product Sam Raben and 18-year-old forward Matt Hundley, from UCLA. Sent left back Edgar Castillo to New England in a three-way deal which sent Kelyn Rowe to Sporting Kansas City and landed attacker Diego Rubio in Colorado. Locked up Kellyn Acosta, Keegan Rosenberry and Rubio to long-term deals with three-year contract extensions.

Roster breakdown

Forwards – Shkëlzen Gashi, 30, Niki Jackson, 23, Kei Kamara, 34, Diego Rubio, 25, Andre Shinyashiki, 22, Matt Hundley, 18.

Midfielders – Kellyn Acosta, 23, Bismark Adjei “Nana” Boateng, 24, Cole Bassett, 18, Benny Feilhaber, 34, Nicolas Mezquida, 27, Sam Nicholson, 24, Jack Price, 26, Johan Blomberg, 31, Dillon Serna, 24.

Defenders – Kortne Ford, 23, Sam Raben, 21, Keegan Rosenberry, 25, Axel Sjoberg, 27, Tommy Smith, 28, Danny Wilson, 27, Sam Vines, 19, Deklan Wynne, 23.

Goalkeepers – Tim Howard, 39, Clint Irwin, 29, Andre Rawls, 28.

See full roster details here.

The post Colorado Rapids season preview: 2019 opens with visit from Western Conference champ appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids bolstered their defensive depth Monday ahead of their season opener, announcing the signing of former D.C. United centerback Kofi Opare. It was a move originally reported by Stephen Goff of the Washington Post, but later refuted by Opare on social media.

Nonetheless, Opare had been spotted throughout the preseason on teammate’s social media posts and on the Rapids’ official lists of camp invitees.

Initially drafted by LA Galaxy out of Michigan in 2013, the 28-year-old has 62 league starts over the past four seasons with D.C. United, despite undergoing two surgeries, including one on a foot injury that ended his 2018 campaign.

“Kofi is a talented centerback who will help bring depth and experience to our back line,” said Rapids executive vice president and GM, Pádraig Smith said in a release. “He has spent the majority of preseason training with the team, so he has already integrated himself into our group and has adapted well to our style of play and tactics.”

As a dual citizen of Ghana and the United States, Opare joins Colorado as a domestic player.

The post Colorado Rapids officially add former D.C. United defender Kofi Opare appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

CARSON, Calif. — In their last preseason test, the LA Galaxy fell 3-1 to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The Galaxy were without several key players. Sebastian Lletget, Juninho, Perry Kitchen, Giovani dos Santos and Jonathan dos Santos were all listed as unavailable for the contest. Such an early test of the team’s depth chart, especially in the midfield, could be helpful for new head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who may need to practice roster rotation later in the season as the pressure of a crowded schedule increases.

In the 15th minute, goalkeeper David Bingham was substituted out after taking a shot directly to his face. Matt Lampson took his place for the remainder of the game. There was no update available on Bingham’s status immediately after the match, but he did leave the field walking on his own.

Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara, an offseason addition from the Vancouver Whitecaps, scored the game’s first goal in the 42nd minute, beating Galaxy defender Jorgen Skjelvik on a header. Minutes later, Kamara defended a dangerous opportunity for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Diego Rubio, who also joined the Rapids this offseason, doubled Colorado’s lead in the 69th minute after beating Galaxy defender Daniel Steres to the ball and chipping it right over Lampson’s head into the back of the net. Colorado’s general defensive style of play received a notable upgrade with the addition of MLS-tested firepower.

Pressure was mounting for the Galaxy, who responded to a vocal crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park. Ibrahimovic found a response for nervous Galaxy fans in the 77th minute, cutting the deficit in half with a header goal over Colorado defender and Swedish compatriot Axel Sjoberg.

Rubio essentially silenced hopes of a comeback for Los Angeles with a goal in the 85th minute. Colorado forward Andre Shinyashiki capitalized on a mistake from Daniel Steres and made an easy pass to Rubio to put it in the back of the net, giving Colorado the 3-1 lead it held until the end of the match.

An offseason front office overhaul and roster moves will take time to show fruit on the field, but the Galaxy have run out of time to practice team chemistry without consequence. The Galaxy open their 2019 MLS campaign next Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, hosting the Chicago Fire at Dignity Health Sports Park.

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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids enter the 2019 season on the back of an extensive roster overhaul and the team’s front office is hoping it will pay off not just this season, but for the long-term future of the club.

The Rapids announced three-year contract extensions for midfielders Kellyn Acosta and Diego Rubio, as well as defender Keegan Rosenberry on Wednesday.

“We are pleased to announce contract extensions for these three key players,” Rapids executive vice president and GM Pádraig Smith said in a club statement. “We targeted these players over the past 12 months and in Kellyn, Keegan and Diego we have players who have a demonstrated track record of production in MLS and who fit our style of play perfectly.  As they enter their prime we believe they will be key contributors for us in the coming years.  These deals demonstrate our club’s commitment to investing in talented young players and building a strong core, and highlight the confidence that these players have in our future.”

Acosta has been lauded as a key piece to the Rapids’ future since joining the club last summer from FC Dallas, contributing two goals and three assists in 12 MLS matches last season. Previous reports outline that Acosta’s re-structured deal could pay him upward of $800,000 per season.

“I’m excited to stay in Colorado and continue our push to win another MLS Cup,” said Acosta. “We’re building something special here and I want to thank the Rapids for believing in me and making me part of the long-term future of the club.”

Rubio, 25, joined the Rapids from Sporting Kansas City in a three-way deal which also sent left back Edgar Castillo to New England and midfielder Kelyn Rowe to SKC.

In 20 appearance with Kansas City last season, Rubio averaged 0.92 goals per 90 minutes, a stat which rivaled top strikers in MLS such as Josef Martinez (0.96) and Zlatan Ibrahimović (0.92).

“I’m very happy that the club trusts in what I can do,” said Rubio. “We have a strong group here and I am focused on delivering the goals we need to help us achieve our aim of bringing another MLS Cup back to Colorado.”

Rosenberry, 25, spent the entirety of his professional career with the Philadelphia Union before joining Colorado in December in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money, $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and an additional $100,000 in GAM for the 2020 season. Philadelphia will also receive an additional $100,000 in GAM for the 2020 season, should the defender reach specified performance metrics.

“I’m excited about the future here with the Rapids,” said Rosenberry. “I believe in what we’re building and I’m ready to get to work and play in front of the Rapids supporters for years to come.”

A 2016 MLS All-Star, Rosenberry was recently selected along with Acosta to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s recent January camp.

Both Rubio and Rosenberry signed three-year extensions effective with the 2020 season. The Rapids will kick off their 2019 campaign against the Portland Timbers at home on March 2.

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The Colorado Rapids will reportedly make a sizable investment in the midfield by re-signing Kellyn Acosta to a three-year deal.

Acosta’s new contract will pay him an average of $800,000 per season, according to an MLSsoccer.com report. Colorado will use Targeted Allocation Money to buy down Acosta’s new salary because it’s higher than the league maximum, the report said.

In addition, the new deal includes club options for 2022 and 2023.

Acosta, 23, joined the Rapids last July after being acquired from FC Dallas, where he spent the first five years of his professional career. He scored two goals and added five assists in 2018 and continued earning call-ups to the United States men’s national team.

MLSsoccer.com reported in January that Colorado turned down two transfers worth $3 million and $3.5 million from an unnamed club in the English Championship for Acosta’s services.

Acosta and the Rapids kick off the 2019 MLS season March 2, when they host the Portland Timbers in Commerce City, Colo.

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All 24 Major League Soccer clubs opened preseason training during the last week. 

Between now and the season opener on March 2, teams across the league will venture to a variety of domestic and international locations to prepare for the 2019 season. 

The five teams participating in the Concacaf Champions League are a week ahead of other clubs since they play their first games in the middle of February.

Below is a look at the known preseason schedules for each of the 24 MLS teams. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. This list will be updated as needed. 

Atlanta United 

Feb. 2: vs. Seattle ( Fullerton, Calif.)

Feb. 6: vs. Club Tijuana (Fullerton) 

Feb. 10: vs. LAFC (Banc of California Stadium) 

Feb. 13: vs. LA Galaxy (Fullerton)

*All closed-door matches

Chicago Fire 

Jan. 23-Feb. 7: Training in Spain

Feb. 3:  vs. La Liga AFE 

Feb. 6: vs. CF Fuenlabrada

Carolina Challenge Cup (Charleston, S.C.)

*Open to public. Tickets are on sale here. 

Feb. 16: vs. Columbus, 5 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. Charleston Battery, 7:30 p.m. 

FC Cincinnati 

Jan. 26-Feb. 9: Training at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 

Jan. 30: vs. Montreal Impact, 7 p.m. ET

Feb. 2: vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 7: vs. Malmo, 7 p.m. 

Feb. 12: vs. Indy Eleven

Carolina Challenge Cup 

*Open to public. Tickets are on sale here. 

Feb. 16: vs. Charleston Battery, 7:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. Columbus Crew, 5 p.m. 

Colorado Rapids

Jan. 23-Feb. 2: Training in Florida

Feb. 2: vs. FC Cincinnati, 10:30 a.m. ET

Feb. 6-27: Training in Chula Vista, Calif.

Feb. 9: vs. Ventura County, 1:30 p.m.; vs. University of San Diego, 3 p.m.

Feb. 12: vs. Toronto FC, 6:30 p.m. 

Feb. 16: vs. Las Vegas Lights , 1:30 p.m. (Las Vegas) 

Feb. 23: vs. LA Galaxy, 11 p.m. (Carson, Calif.) 

February 24: vs. LA Galaxy, 1:30 p.m. ET (Carson, Calif.) 

Columbus Crew

Jan. 23-24: Training in Ohio

Jan. 25-Feb. 6: Training in Chula Vista, Calif.

January 28: vs. Vissel Kobe, 10 p.m. ET (Game in Irvine, California) 

Feb. 4: vs. LAFC, 5 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium)

Carolina Challenge Cup 

*Open to public. Tickets are on sale here. 

February 16: vs. Chicago Fire, 5 p.m. ET

February 20: vs. Charleston Battery, 5 p.m.

February 23: vs. FC Cincinnati, 5 p.m.

FC Dallas

Jan. 22: Camp opens in Texas

Jan. 30: vs. College team TBD

Feb. 2: vs. Bayern Munich U-23s

Feb. 2: vs. College team TBD 

Feb. 9: vs. Bayern Munich U23s; vs. San Antonio FC (*Open to public. Tickets available here)

Feb. 15-23: Training in Tucson, Ariz.

Mobile Mini Sun Cup (Tucson, Ariz.)

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 16: vs. Seattle Sounders, noon ET

Feb. 20: vs. Real Salt Lake, 2 p.m.

Feb. 23: vs. New York Red Bulls, 1 p.m.

D.C. United

Jan. 21-26: Training in Washington, D.C.

Jan. 27-February 7: Training in Clearwater, Fla.

Feb. 2: vs. Bethlehem Steel FC, 4 p.m. ET

Feb. 7: vs. FC Cincinnati (Bradenton, Fla.)

Feb. 13-24: Training in Clearwater, Fla.

Rowdies Suncoast Invitational (Games in Tampa, Fla.) 

*Open to the public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7;30 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. Philadelphia Union

Feb. 23: vs. Montreal Impact, 7 p.m.

Houston Dynamo

Jan. 22-Feb.2: Preseason training in Houston, Texas.

Jan. 26: vs. RGV FC, 6 p.m. CT (BBVA Compass Stadium)

Note: The Dynamo send out weekly schedule updates, which will be added here when received.

LAFC

Jan. 27: vs. Toronto FC, 3:30 p.m. ET (at UC-Irvine)

Jan. 31: vs. Vissel Kobe, 10 p.m. ET (Banc of California Stadium)*Open to public

Feb. 4: vs. Columbus, 5 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) 

Feb. 10: vs. Atlanta United, 4 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) 

Feb. 16: vs. San Jose, 3 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) 

Feb. 23: vs. Vancouver, 8:30 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) *Open to public

LA Galaxy

Feb. 9: vs. Toronto FC, 10:30 p.m. ET (Dignity Health Sports Park)

Feb. 13: vs. Atlanta United (Fullerton, Calif.)

Feb. 16: vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. (Orange County Great Park)  

Feb. 23: vs. Colorado, 11 p.m. (Dignity Health Sports Park) 

Minnesota United

Jan. 21-26: Training at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. 

Jan. 29-Feb. 6: Training in Tucson, Ariz.

Jan. 29: vs. FC Tucson 

Feb. 2: vs. Phoenix Rising, 4 p.m. ET

Feb. 6: vs. Houston Dynamo, 8 p.m.

Orlando City Invitational (Orlando, Fla.) 

*Open to the public. Tournament information and tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. New England, 4:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. New York City FC, 4:30 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. Orlando City, 2 p.m. 

Montreal Impact

Jan. 21-Feb. 7: Training in Bradenton, Fla.

Jan. 30: vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET

Feb. 6: vs. Nashville SC 

Feb. 11-24: Training in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Rowdies Suncoast Invitational

*Open to the public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7 p.m. ET

Feb. 23: vs. D.C. United, 7 p.m. ET

New England Revolution

Jan. 25-Feb. 8: Training in Marbella, Spain 

Jan. 31: vs. Shanghai Shenhua, 9 a.m. ET

Feb. 1: vs. Ostersunds FK, 9 a.m. 

Feb. 6: vs. Dynamo Kiev, 9 a.m. 

Feb. 12-24: Training in Bradenton, Fla. 

Feb. 14: vs. Louisville City FC, 3 p.m.

Orlando City Invitational

*Open to the public. Tournament information and tickets here.

February 16: vs. Minnesota, 4:30 p.m. ET

February 20: vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. KR Reykjavik, 3 p.m. 

New York City FC 

Jan. 29-Feb. 8: Training in Abu Dhabi

Feb. 3: vs. FC Copenhagen

Feb. 8: vs. AIK 

Feb. 12-21: Training in Orlando, Fla.

Orlando City Invitational

*Open to the public. Tournament information and tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. Orlando City, 7:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. Minnesota United, 4:30 p.m.

New York Red Bulls

Jan. 21-Feb. 2: Training in Bradenton, Fla.

Jan. 26: vs. Elfsborg

Jan. 30: vs. Philadelphia Union, 3 p.m. ET

Feb. 2: vs. Orlando City 

Feb. 6-23: Training in Tucson, Ariz.

Feb. 10: vs. Phoenix Rising

Mobile Mini Sun Cup 

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 14: vs. Real Salt Lake, 3 p.m. ET

Feb. 16: vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

Feb. 20: vs. FC Tucson, 5 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. FC Dallas, 1 p.m. 

Orlando City

Jan. 21-Feb. 4: Training in Bradenton, Fla.

Orlando City Invitational 

*Open to the public. Tournament information and tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. 

Philadelphia Union

Jan. 28-Feb. 7: Training in Clearwater, Fla.

Jan. 30: vs. New York Red Bulls, 3 p.m. ET

Feb. 2: vs. South Florida, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6: vs. Birmingham Legion FC, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11-24: Training in Clearwater, Fla.

Feb. 12: vs. Orlando City, noon

Rowdies Suncoast Invitational

*Open to the public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here.

Feb. 16: vs. Montreal, 4 p.m. ET

Feb. 20: vs. D.C. United, 7 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. Ottawa Fury, 2 p.m.

Portland Timbers

Jan. 30-Feb. 7: Training in Costa Rica

Feb. 4: vs. Saprissa

Feb. 7: vs. Herediano 

Feb. 10-24: Training in Tucson, Ariz. 

Mobile Mini Sun Cup

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 13: vs. Seattle, 9 p.m. ET

Feb. 16: vs. New York Red Bulls, 9 p.m. 

Feb. 20: vs. Phoenix Rising, 8 p.m. 

Feb. 23: vs. Real Salt Lake, 7 p.m. 

Real Salt Lake

Jan. 22-26: Training in Los Angeles

Jan. 27-Feb. 4: Training in Utah 

Feb. 6-10: Training in Hawai’i

Pacific Rim Cup (Honolulu, HI)

Feb. 8: vs. Iwaki FC 

Feb. 10: vs. TBD 

Feb. 12-23: Training in Tucson, Ariz.

Mobile Mini Sun Cup

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 14: vs, New York Red Bulls, 3 p.m. ET 

Feb. 16: vs. Phoenix Rising, 9 p.m. 

Feb. 20: vs. FC Dallas, 2 p.m.

Feb. 23: vs. Portland Timbers, 7 p.m. 

San Jose Earthquakes

Jan. 24-Feb. 7: Training in Cancun, Mexico 

Feb. 9: vs. Reno 1868, 3:15 p.m. ET (Greater Nevada Field)

Feb. 10-15: Training in San Jose, Calif.

Feb. 16: vs. LAFC, 3 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) 

Feb. 17-23: Training in San Jose 

Feb. 23: vs. Seattle, 3:45 p.m. (Avaya Stadium) 

Seattle Sounders

Jan. 24-Feb. 2: Training in Orange County, Calif.

Feb. 2: vs. Atlanta United (Fullerton, Calif.) 

Feb. 6-16: Training in Tucson, Ariz.

Mobile Mini Sun Cup

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 9: vs. Houston, 8 p.m. ET 

Feb. 13: vs. Portland, 9 p.m. 

Feb. 16: vs. FC Dallas, noon

Feb. 20: vs. Club Nacional de Football, 10:30 p.m. (Seattle) 

Feb. 23: vs. San Jose, 3:45 p.m (Avaya Stadium)

Sporting Kansas City

Jan. 13-31: Training in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jan. 30: vs. FC Tucson trialists, 1 p.m. ET

Feb. 6-19: Training in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Feb. 7: vs. Phoenix Rising, 8 p.m.

Mobile Mini Sun Cup 

*Open to public. Tournament information here. Buy tickets here. 

Feb. 13: vs. Houston, 6 p.m. ET

Feb. 13: vs. FC Tucson, 6 p.m.

Toronto FC

Jan. 27: vs. LAFC, 3:30 p.m. ET (at UC-Irvine) 

Feb. 2: vs. Las Vegas Lights (Las Vegas) 

Feb. 9: vs. LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. (Dignity Health Sports Park) 

Feb. 12: vs. Club Tijuana

Vancouver Whitecaps

Jan. 22-30: Training in Vancouver

Jan. 31-Feb. 8: Training in Honolulu

Pacific Rim Cup 

Feb. 8: vs. V-Varen Nagasaki

Feb. 10: vs. Opponent TBD

Feb. 12-14: Training in Vancouver

Feb. 15-23: Training in Southern California

Feb. 16: vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m. ET (at Orange County Great Park) 

Feb. 20: vs. Club Tijuana, 4 p.m.

Feb. 23: vs. LAFC, 8:30 p.m. (Banc of California Stadium) 

The post MLS preseason schedules for all 24 teams appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – After 21 years of playing soccer professionally, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper and United States men’s national team legend Tim Howard is ready to hang it up. Howard announced the 2019 Major League Soccer season will be his last playing soccer.

“I’m greatly looking forward to kicking off the 2019 MLS season, as it will be my last,” Howard said through his official Twitter account. “There will be plenty of time for sentiment later. For now, I am going to enjoy every minute. And as I’ve always done, compete hard and help lead the Rapids with the sole purpose of winning.”

I’m greatly looking forward to kicking off the 2019 MLS season, as it will be my LAST. There will be plenty of time for sentiment later. For now, I am going to enjoy every minute. And as I’ve always done, compete hard and help lead the Rapids with the sole purpose of winning. pic.twitter.com/QWuCcy7gW2

— Tim Howard (@TimHowardGK) January 22, 2019

Entering the final season of his contract, Howard, 39, has averaged 3.42 saves per game through 75 starts with Colorado. After helping lead Colorado to the Western Conference Championship match in 2016, Howard and the Rapids have experienced a fair share of struggles the past two seasons, finishing second to last in the Western Conference in 2017 and 2018.

While “riding off into the sunset” is far from guaranteed, a busy offseason for Colorado — including the signings of Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio, Nicolás Mezquida, Keegan Rosenberry and USMNT teammate Benny Feilhaber — has given the Rapids a fighting chance to help Howard retire at the top of MLS.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do here. We’ve got a lot of games to win this year,” Howard said during a club interview. “I don’t really want [retirement] to be a distraction. It’s really secondary to us getting things right here.”

The post Tim Howard to retire after 2019 season with Colorado Rapids appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

LOS ANGELES — New Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara mostly accepts the surprises that come with playing in MLS. 

The journeyman forward is playing for his fourth MLS team since 2016. He said he was sure he’d be coming back to the Vancouver Whitecaps, but he was left unprotected in the MLS Expansion Draft, selected No. 2 by FC Cincinnati and then traded to the Colorado Rapids. 

He’s still shocked the Whitecaps and new head coach Marc Dos Santos were willing to part with him after a 14-goal, six-assist 2018 season with the Whitecaps. 

“Since [2006,] I’ve played for a few different clubs,” he said. “You know, I’ve always wanted to win a championship, for sure, and I’m still going to win a championship. So when I was at Vancouver, I gave it my all. I gave it my all on and off the field. I wanted to make sure that I was going to be, you know, that I was going to be sitting in one place and play there for a few years. 

“It’s a club that I really liked. I loved it. The city’s amazing, the fans are really good. I took off to my offseason with a positive mindset even though the coach that brought me in had been let go earlier. But I definitely took off to the offseason [with] a positive mindset. 

“It was one of the first time I guaranteed myself that I would go back to the same club.” 

Kamara, 34, said getting the phone call that he wasn’t going back to Vancouver was a surprise. He did say trades are the “toughest part” of playing in MLS.

“It’s part of it,” he said. “It’s the league. It’s the nature of the league and as players we have to accept it. When a team like Colorado comes calling and preaches to me the game plan and what they want to do going forward, I looked at it, I asked my family and it was a no-brainer. 

“I spoke to [Rapids coach] Anthony [Hudson]. Such a great guy as a coach. When he just told me what he wanted to do, I said I’m on board. So we made it happen.” 

He added Hudson told him his role will be to score goals. 

Kamara said he spent some time in his home country of Sierra Leone during the offseason. He also attended the funeral service of MLS coaching legend Sigi Schmid, the coach who drafted him. 

Kamara isn’t the only big addition the Rapids have made in the offseason. Colorado, a team that finished second-to-last in the Western Conference last season, also traded for Diego Rubio (eight goals last season for Sporting KC) and Nicolás Mezquida (three goals for the Whitecaps). The Rapids also signed midfielder Benny Feilhaber to a one-year deal. 

“So far so good,” Kamara said. 

“That’s a club that’s looking to do something. You don’t really see much of teams being that active in the offseason as much as we’ve been doing it. Hopefully we can bring something together during the preseason.” 

The post Kei Kamara approaches Colorado Rapids with enthusiasm appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Major League Soccer’s 24 teams sent representatives to Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday for its annual preseason media day.

Preseason training is getting under way, with some players getting acclimated to new coaches and teammates. 

Check out highlights from their remarks are media day:

LAFC's Diego Rossi talks about the Carlos Vela to Barca rumors, says LAFC is a strong team with or without Vela. Said LAFC is "strong and unified."

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

Seattle Sounders' Nicolás Lodeiro said he thinks Sounders supporters would understand if he were to leave for Boca Juniors. He's fielded a few questions about a possible move, started his answers with "if the rumors were true."

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

Sounders Nicolás Lodeiro said it's not just the quality of life that draws players to MLS. It's also the quality of play in the league.

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid didn't mince words when talking about the goalkeepers training with the #USMNT.

“I saw the four they called in," he said. "I’m going to just keep it real with you: I feel like I’m better than all four of them.”

Story: https://t.co/jdR3q7gbMw pic.twitter.com/7kNQh4OLpa

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

Bill Hamid on maintaining the momentum from last season for D.C. United: "We've got to win." Said the expectations have clearly set.

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

Kei Kamara up on the podium now. I asked how long did it take him to get over the shock of not being wanted by Vancouver.

He said, with a small chuckle, "I think I'm still shocked." #MLS

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

San Jose Earthquakes' Danny Hoesen first up to the podium. He said last season was the worst of his career. Said this year means new opportunities with a new coach. #MLS

— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 19, 2019

Check back soon for more updates.

The post Live Updates: Coverage of MLS media day appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo.  – Following the conclusion of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, the Colorado Rapids continued their roster building process signing two new homegrown players on Tuesday.

READ: 2019 MLS SuperDraft: Final two rounds conclude with mixed results

Tuesday’s signings included 21-year-old defender and Wake Forest product Sam Raben and 18-year-old forward Matt Hundley, from UCLA.

In his senior season, Raben, a 6-foot-1 centerback, anchored a Demon Deacons defense that ended its 2018 campaign one game short of the College Cup with a 1-0 loss to runners-up Akron.

Hundley played one collegiate season, ending the 2018 with team highs in goals (five), assists (seven), points (17), shots (46), shots on goal (24), and game-winning goals (two).

Both played as teammates in the Rapids U-18/U-19 development academy and Hundley is currently taking part in this month’s US youth national teams January camp in Florida under Tab Ramos as part of the U-19 squad.

“Today we take another step forward with the signings of Colorado natives Sam Raben and Matt Hundley,” said Colorado Rapids’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Pádraig Smith. “With the support of their families and our academy coaches both of these young men take the next step in their professional careers.”

Raben and Hundley join midfielders Dillon Serna and Cole Bassett as well as centerback Kortne Ford in the crop of homegrown players currently on Colorado’s senior team roster.

“[Developing young players] is what we want to be known for,” said Smith. “We want to have talented young players in this state who are motivated to play for the Rapids. [Players] who know this is a place to come, this is a place to be successful.”

The post Colorado’s roster build continues with addition of two Homegrown signings appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The 2019 MLS SuperDraft concluded Monday afternoon with the third and fourth rounds, which took place via conference call.

After first two rounds of the draft took place Friday in Chicago, the final two rounds were met with mixed results from teams around the league. The New York Red Bulls selected three more players for a total of seven over the course of four rounds, while the LA Galaxy passed on all four of their picks in the last two rounds. New York City FC, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Montreal Impact, Atlanta United and Vancouver Whitecaps FC also passed on their picks in the final two rounds.

The first of 27 players selected in the final two rounds was Rashawn Dally, a midfielder from Quinnipiac, who went to FC Cincinnati. He was the sixth and final player selected by the expansion club, which passed on its final two picks.

The Red Bulls were the most active, utilizing all three of their available selections to pick Fordham goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu as the 22nd pick of the third round, Sean McSherry, a Princeton midfielder, with the sixth pick of the fourth round and West Virginia midfielder Joey Piatczyc with the 12th pick of the final round.

Here’s a breakdown of the final two rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

Third Round

FC Cincinnati — Rashawn Dally (M – Quinnipiac) San Jose Earthquakes — Nathan Aune (D – Seattle) LA Galaxy — PASS LA Galaxy — PASS Chicago Fire — Ebenezer Ackon (D – Bowling Green) Toronto FC — Patrick Bunk-Andersen (D – Clemson) Chicago Fire — Grant Stoneman (D – Loyola-Chicago) Houston Dynamo — Brad Dunwell (M – Wake Forest) New England Revolution — PASS Montreal Impact — PASS Orlando City SC — Scott DeVoss (D – Denver) LA Galaxy — PASS FC Cincinnati — PASS D.C. United — Geo Alves (M – Vermont) FC Dallas — Eduvie Ikoba (F – Dartmouth) LAFC — Javi Perez (M – Pittsburgh) Real Salt Lake — PASS Columbus Crew SC — Justin Donawa (M – Dartmouth) New York City FC — PASS Seattle Sounders FC — Aleks Berkholds (D – San Diego State) Sporting Kansas City — Franky Martinez (D – UMass-Lowell) New York Red Bulls —Rashid Nuhu (GK – Fordham) Portland Timbers — Francesco Moore (D – Indiana) D.C. United — Shinya Kadono (F – California)

Fourth Round

LAFC — Kevin Mendoza (M – Liberty) San Jose Earthquakes — PASS Minnesota United FC — Kevin Rodriguez (F – Northern Illinois) Colorado Rapids — Robbie Mertz (M – Michigan) Chicago Fire — Mark Forrest (F – Lehigh) New York Red Bulls — Sean McSherry (M – Princeton) Atlanta United FC — PASS Real Salt Lake — PASS New England Revolution — PASS Montreal Impact — PASS Vancouver Whitecaps FC — PASS New York Red Bulls — Joey Piatczyc (M – West Virginia) FC Cincinnati — PASS LA Galaxy — PASS FC Dallas — Sam Ebstein (F – California) FC Dallas — Dylan Castanheira (GK – Columbia) Real Salt Lake — PASS Columbus Crew SC — Rafael Mentzingen (M – Valparaiso) Columbus Crew SC — PASS Montreal Impact — PASS Sporting Kansas City — PASS Minnesota United FC — Mitchell Osmond (D – University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande College, NAIA) Portland Timbers — David Zalzman (M – Memphis) Orlando City SC — PASS

The post 2019 MLS SuperDraft: Final two rounds conclude with mixed results appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Midfielder Marlon Hairston is on his way to the Lone Star State.

The Houston Dynamo sent $175,000 in General Allocation Money — $125,000 in 2019 and $50,000 in 2020 – to the Colorado Rapids for the rights to the 24 year-old midfielder on Friday.

Hairston entered the league in 2014 and has made 95 appearances, all of which have come in Colorado.

He’s recorded seven goals and 13 assists over five seasons.

“Marlon is a young and talented player who, at just 24 years old, has already played close to 100 league matches and has valuable playoff, and Champions League experience,” Dynamo senior vice president and general manager Matt Jordan said in a media release. “We are confident that his quality as a player and his ability to play a variety of positions, combined with his strong mentality, will be important as we face a demanding 2019 schedule.”

Houston coach Wilmer Cabrera responded positively to news that his team had made a deal for Hairston.

“Marlon is a very young and talented player who has made an impact in his short career for the Colorado Rapids. He is very athletic, he is very technical, and he has the ability to play in different positions,” Cabrera said. “We are looking forward to bringing him in because he has many of the qualities that we value in our locker room and the competitiveness that we will need throughout the season for our team.”

The post Houston Dynamo acquire Marlon Hairston from Colorado Rapids for $175K appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

CHICAGO – Friday’s MLS SuperDraft accented what has been a busy offseason rife with change for the Colorado Rapids.

Finishing 10 points clear of last-place San Jose in head coach Anthony Hudson’s debut 2018 campaign, Colorado is in the midst of another rebuild – one which has seen the additions of proven MLS talent including Nicolás Mezquida, Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio, Keegan Rosenberry and Benny Feilhaber.

The Rapids added to the mix Friday in Chicago with three selections from the college ranks.

As has become commonplace, this year’s MLS SuperDraft opened with several swaps of picks and resources. Among the moves was Colorado’s trade of the 15th overall pick and $100,000 in allocation money to draft hosts Chicago Fire for the No. 5 selection.

Colorado then used the No. 5 overall pick to select University of Denver forward Andre Shinyashiki. Playing his college ball just 45 minutes away from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Shinyashiki was arguably the best forward in the NCAA ranks in 2018, ranking first in the nation in goals per game (1.33), total goals (28) and game winners (11).

“I knew that they had a lot of interest in me, but I did not know that they were going to trade up to get me,” Shinyashiki told Pro Soccer USA. “On the interview process, we had in the combine they said they were interested in me. They liked my ability to score goals and also defend off the ball.”

Shinyashiki played a variety of roles for DU head coach Jamie Franks in his four years with the Crimson and Gold, and was praised for his versatility.

“As a forward, you do not always see players who are willing to scrap and fight for every ball, but Andre never takes a play off,” Franks said.

In addition to MLS veterans Kamara and Rubio, Shinyashiki will be a welcome addition to a Colorado Rapids offense that finished dead last in scoring with 36 goals last season.

Colorado focused on stocking its defense in the second round of the draft, taking Michigan defender Marcello Borges with the 28th overall pick and Jacob Hauser-Ramsey with the 42nd overall pick.

Borges is a former member of the New York Red Bulls Academy system, and he featured in two matches in 2015 for Red Bulls II. He also played at the international level as a member of the United States U-18 and U-20 squads.

Borges was projected to be a first-round talent in several mock drafts and could be expected to compete at left back, which is currently a position of need for Colorado.

Hauser-Ramsey is likewise another pickup with MLS academy experience. Prior to UConn, the Seattle, Wash., native was a member of the Seattle Sounders academy system.

In college, the 6-foot-3 centerback was selected as a co-captain, earned unanimous selection to the AAC All-Conference First Team and took home the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

In a similar mold to current Rapids’ centerback Kortne Ford, Hauser-Ramsey adds youth and athleticism to Colorado’s central defense.

The MLS SuperDraft will conclude Monday with rounds three and four held via a conference call at 1 p.m. ET.

The post MLS SuperDraft: Colorado adds Denver forward Shinyashiki, two defenders appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

CHICAGO — Trades highlighted the first two rounds of the 2019 Major League Soccer Draft. Days before the draft, the Philadelphia Union traded out of the MLS SuperDraft entirely in one fell swoop. The host Chicago Fire followed suit by trading away all three picks they had in the first two rounds as well.

Despite some teams opting out, MLS commissioner Don Garber talked up the importance of the draft while selections took the stage after their names were called Friday afternoon in Chicago and gave heartfelt speeches that brought tears to their families’ eyes. 

“There always will be a role for young players that are not developed in our academies and not purchased from abroad,” Garber said. “Our league needs special moments and our sport needs special moments. This is a moment to provide a young person an opportunity to thank his family, thank his coaches, support the youth system they came out of. . . . As a marketing guy at heart, I think these special moments are good for our sport.”

Expansion team FC Cincinnati opened the draft by taking a timeout before eventually selecting UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya No.1 overall. Word around the draft was that Cincinnati nearly traded the pick to one of multiple suitors, including LAFC, before taking Amaya.

The San Jose Earthquakes selected Siad Haji out of Virginia Commonwealth University with the No. 2 pick, and Orlando City called on Florida International’s Santiago Patino to round out the top three. See the full list of selections here. 

Cincinnati was busy before and during the draft. FCC traded for all of Philadelphia’s picks Wednesday, bringing their total to 10 picks. FCC added Wake Forest defender Logan Gdula with the 13th pick. Later, the expansion side traded the 16th and 25th picks to the New York Red Bulls for $100,000 of general allocation money.

FC Cincinnati general manager and president Jeff Berding defended his team’s strategy of adding draft picks while other teams shifted their focus away from the event.

“A GM I’m friendly with said all these other teams were saying, ‘Don’t they understand that homegrowns are better?’” Berding said. “This GM says, ‘I told him every pick they make today will be better than any of their homegrowns because they have no homegrowns.’ This is a part of our development.”

Cincinnati coach Alan Koch added that his team has come a long way in three years in USL, but still has a long way to as it makes the jump to MLS.

“We’re a project club and we still have a long way to go,” Koch said. “Today is a big part of that. Us drafting Frankie and being Logan, too, is showing which direction we’re heading. They are two quality players we’re excited to bring in preseason and we gave them a chance to be successful.”

After  FC Dallas selected Charlotte defender Callum Montgomery fourth overall, the first trade of the day happened. The host Chicago Fire shipped the fifth pick to Colorado for the 15th pick and $100,000 in general allocation money. Colorado then picked Denver forward Andre Shinyashiki.

“I knew that they had a lot of interest in me, but I did not know that they were going to trade up to get me,” said Shinyashiki, who now gets to stay in the same city he played four years in for the Pioneers.

Griffin Dorsey, a midfielder from Indiana, went to Toronto FC at No. 6. Dayne St. Clair was the first goalkeeper taken at No. 7 by Minnesota United. After Houston took Cal defender Sam Junqua at No. 8, a pair of Generation Adidas players rounded out the top 10 — Syracuse winger Tajon Buchanan went to New England, then North Carolina fullback John Nelson went to Dallas.

There were two more trades in the first round, making four in total. The Galaxy shipped the 12th pick to New York City FC for $75,000 in GAM. The Fire traded the 15th pick, which it acquired earlier in the day, to Minnesota for $50,000 in GAM.

There weren’t any blockbuster trades, but there was a non-draft trade that has been widely reported but not yet officially announced. Portland will acquire center back Claude Dielna from New England for $100,000 in GAM.

Kentucky forward JJ Williams was the final Generation Adidas player to be taken. He went to Columbus at No. 18.

“One of the most important parts about this whole process is not going with a certain number or anything like that,” Williams said. “It’s going to somewhere that’s the right fit for you and somewhere where you can bring something to a club and make it successful. Really, that’s not something I’m worried about, I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”

The post MLS SuperDraft recap: Trades headline 2019 draft day appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft begins at 1 p.m. ET Friday in Chicago. Below is the full list of 206 players eligible for selection, provided by MLS. Read more about the draft and its rules here. You can watch the first two rounds live on Pro Soccer USA by clicking play on the video above. And live updates of the draft picks can be found here. 

GA = Generation adidas | YI = Youth International | S.Sr = Signed senior

Name	Pos.	University
Ackon, Ebenezer	D	Bowling Green
Akamatsu, Kenny	M	Denver
Alves, Leandro “Geo”	M	Vermont
Amaya, Frankie (GA)	M	UCLA
Anderson, Corban	M	Washington
Arvidsson, David	D	Seton Hall
Asiedu, Anderson	M	UCLA
Aune, Nathan	D	Seattle
Baker, Josiah	M	Furman
Barraza, Luis	GK	Marquette
Bashti, Amir	M	Stanford
Basic, Jakov	M	UMass – Lowell
Bent, Dan	D	Wright State
Berkholds, Aleks	D	San Diego State
Berneski, Patrick	D	Notre Dame
Berry, Marcel	M	William & Mary
Boateng, Roy	D	UC Davis
Bone, Tucker	M	Air Force
Borges, Marcello	D	Michigan
Brown, Sam	M	Harvard
Bruce, Daniel	M	UNC – Charlotte
Bruening, Nils	F	UNC – Chapel Hill
Buchanan, Tajon (GA)	M	Syracuse
Buckmaster, Rece	D	Indiana
Bunk-Andersen, Pat	D	Clemson
Burmeister, Hannes	M	Georgia State
Camara, Mamadi	M	Simon Fraser
Carbonell, Javier	M	Georgia Southern
Carlsson, Gabriel	M	Loyola Univ. Maryland
Castenheira, Dylan	GK	Columbia
Cerda, Ivo	M	Michigan
Coffee, Kyle	F	Washington
Colombie, Killian	F	Iona College
Colvin, Jeremy	F	Princeton
Comsia, Alex	D	UNC – Chapel Hill
Cuello, Emil	M	Southern Methodist Univ.
Cunningham, Joel	M	Howard Univ.
Dally, Rashawn	M	Quinnipiac University
Dean, Jonathan	DF	Univ. of Central Florida
Dee, Geoffrey	M	Univ. of Louisville
Delhommelle, Hugo	M	Syracuse
DePicker, Johan	D	Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville
DeVoss, Scott	D	Denver
Dewing, Austin	FW	Air Force
Dickson, Tyler	D	Rhode Island
Donawa, Justin	M	Dartmouth
Dorsey, Griffin (GA)	M	Indiana
Dotson, Hassani	M	Oregon State
Dougherty, Stephen	M	Saint Mary’s College
Downs, Nicky	M	Yale
Dunwell, Brad	M	Wake Forest
Ebstein, Sam	F	California
Elney, Sebastian	F	Maryland
Enstrom, Simon	F	Boston College
Fenwick, Johnny	D	High Point
Figbe, Prosper	D	Virginia
Forrest, Mark	F	Lehigh
Franz, Yannick	M	James Madison
Freitag, Johnny	DF	Michigan State
Freitas, Justin	F	Vermont
Gamwanya, Serge	M	Stony Brook
Gasper, Chase	D	Maryland
Gdula, Logan	D	Wake Forest
German, Damien	F	San Diego State
Gomis, Serge	M	East Tennessee State
Gonzalez, Oscar	M	Illinois – Chicago
Gooden, Matthew	F	Loyola Marymount
Gorich, Konrad	D	Umass
Greenberg, Dylan	D	Connecticut
Groenendijk, Bob	D	Pacific
Hackworth, Morgan	D	Akron
Hagman, Jonathan	M	Syracuse
Hague, Jimmy	GK	Michigan State
Haji, Siad (GA)	M	VCU
Hansen, Rasmus	M	LIU – Brooklyn
Harris, Oliver	M	Colgate
Hauser-Ramsey, Jacob	D	Connecticut
Hauswirth, Luke	DF	Washington
Hein, Lennart	D	Saint Louis
Hemmings, Max	M	Georgia State
Hestnes, Simen	M	Xavier
Hill, Jordan	D	Davidson
Hogg, Cameron	GK	San Diego State
Huxsohl, Lars	GK	UNH
Iacobellis, Luke	GK	St. Bonaventure
Ikoba, Eduvie	F	Dartmouth
Jean-Gilles, Patrick	M	UMBC
Jones, DeJuan	M	Michigan State
Junqua, Sam	D	California
Kabala, Mikel	M	Vermont
Kadono, Shinya	F	California
Kahsay, Ezana	F	Akron
Kenton, Kervin	D	Coastal Carolina
Kierath, Danny	M	Furman
Klosterhalfen, Nikolas	M	Old Dominion
Knutson, Daltyn	M	Central Arkansas
Kollmannthaler, Felix	D	Appalachian State
Krutzen, Daniel	D	Albany
Laurent, Mathieu	D	Alabama – Birmingham
Lockaby, Eli	M	VCU
Loebe, Janos	F	Fordham
Lundt, Ben	GK	Akron
Mabiala, Gael	DF	Alabama – Birmingham
Madden, Tommy	M	UNC – Charlotte
Maguraushe, Leeroy	M	UNC – Greensboro
Maloney, Austin	D	Penn State
Marriott, Kamar	D	Florida Gulf Coast
Martinez, Franky	D	UMass – Lowell
Mastrangelo, Mario	F	Saint Francis
Matthews, Yazeed	F	Coastal Carolina
Mbuyu, Tresor	F	Liberty
McCabe, Tommy	M	Notre Dame
McDonough, Brendan	D	Georgetown
McKenna, Ciaran	M	Duke
McSherry, Sean	M	Princeton
Mehl, Timmy	D	Indiana
Mendoza, Kevin	M	Liberty
Mentzingen, Rafael	M	Valparaiso
Menzies, Scott	F	Washington
Mertz, Robbie	M	Michigan
Miller, Colin	GK	Providence
Miller, Kamal	D	Syracuse
Mills, Lionel	D	Portland
Mohamed, Abdi	D	Akron
Montgomery, Callum	D	UNC – Charlotte
Moore, Francesco	D	Indiana
Mosharrafa, Adam	D	Stanford
Moulden, Joe	D	Butler
Mukuna, Daniel	D	Michigan
Nance, Matt	D	Xavier Univ.
Nealis, Sean	D	Hofstra
Nelson, John (GA)	D	UNC – Chapel Hill
Nuhu, Rashid	GK	Fordham
Nwafornso, Kosi	M	St. Bonaventure
Obhakhan, Ahu	F	Fairleigh Dickinson
O’Neill, Enda	D	Villanova
Osmond, Mitchell	D	Rio Grande
Ouligian, Aram	D	Colgate
Patino, Santiago	F	FIU
Paynter, Logan	M	Lipscomb
Pearson, Quentin	D	Washington
Pearson, Peter	M	VCU
Perez, Kobe	M	Mercer
Perez, Moshe	M	Denver
Perez, Javi	M	Pitt
Piatczyc, Joey	M	West Virginia
Pyle, James	GK	UNC – Chapel Hill
Raranje, Munashe	M	Tulsa
Reeves, DJ	F	Maryland
Regitnig, Henrik	GK	Cal State Northridge
Richter, Dominik	M	Rhode Island
Riley, Camden	M	Pacific
Rios, Andres	D	San Jose State
Rivas, Sergio	M	Seattle
Rocks, Kynan	F	Columbia
Rodriguez, Kevin	F	Northern Illinois
Rovira, Daniel	M	Vermont
Rydstrand, Joel	M	Creighton
Samuels, Andrew	D	Maryland
Sanchez, Juan	F	Tulsa
Santoyo, Joab	M	UCLA
Schneuwly, Christoph	D	NC State
Sejdic, Amar	M	Maryland
Shinyashiki, Andre (S.Sr)	F	Denver
Shvika, Ilai	M	San Diego State
Sierakowski, Ryan	F	Michigan State
Skublak, Tomasz	F	South Florida
Smith, Caleb	M	SMU
Solabarrieta, Nicolas	F	Albany
Sousa, Klisman	D	Providence
Spielman, Nick	M	East Tennessee State
St. Clair, Dayne (GA)	GK	Maryland
Stoneman, Grant	D	Loyola – Chicago
Sutherland, Jonny	GK	Clemson
Swartz, Trevor	M	Indiana
Swartz, Harry	M	Northeastern
Taibi, Chris	D	Marshall
Taylor, Cameron	D	Xavier
Tchilao, Don	M	Oregon State
Tetteh, Rashid	DF	High Point
Thiam, Abdou Mbacke	F	Connecticut
Thomas, Cory	M	Indiana
Thompson, Ramario	D	Mercer
Thornton, Ben	DF	Western Michigan
Todd, Max	F	Illinois – Chicago
Townes, Blake	M	Notre Dame
Ueland, Thomas	F	Notre Dame
Vassell, Peter-Lee (YI)	M
Verstraaten, Wouter	D	Pacific
Waitman, Zachary	D	Central Florida
Ward, Akeem	D	Creighton
Watson, Martieon	M	Stony Brook
Weekes, Kienan	GK	Portland
Williams, JJ (GA)	F	Kentucky
Willis, Ben	GK	Gonzaga
Wilschrey, Max	F	Old Dominion
Wilson, Lenny	GK	St. John’s
Wilson, Adam	M	Louisville
Woodfin, Cameron	F	East Tennessee State
Woods, Denzel	D	Nebraska – Omaha
Wyke, Laurence	M	Furman
Zajec, Kyle	M	Georgetown
Zalzman, David	M	Memphis
Zandi, Zach	M	Villanova
Zappia, Christopher	GK	Lipscomb
Zeugner, Lennart	D	Syracuse

The post MLS SuperDraft 2019: List of players eligible for selection appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft kicks off at 1 p.m. ET from McCormick Place in Chicago. A total of 206 players are eligible for selection in the draft. Expansion side FC Cincinnati has the No. 1 overall pick, and 10 total picks after acquiring many from other teams through trades. 

Watch the first two rounds live in the video above. More information on what to expect and the draft rules can be found here. Below is the draft order for the first two rounds. This will be updated live after each pick. The third and fourth rounds will take place via conference call Monday.

Round 1

1. FC Cincinnati
2. San Jose Earthquakes
3. Orlando City SC
4. FC Dallas (trade from Colorado Rapids)
5. Chicago Fire
6. Toronto FC
7. Minnesota United FC
8. Houston Dynamo
9. New England Revolution
10. FC Dallas (trade from Montreal Impact)
11. New England Revolution (trade from Vancouver Whitecaps)
12. LA Galaxy
13. FC Cincinnati (trade from Philadelphia Union)
14. D.C. United
15. Colorado Rapids (trade from FC Dallas)
16. FC Cincinnati (trade from Los Angeles FC)
17. Real Salt Lake
18. Columbus Crew SC
19. New York City FC
20. Seattle Sounders FC
21. Sporting Kansas City
22. New York Red Bulls
23. Portland Timbers
24. Atlanta United FC

Round 2

25. FC Cincinnati
26.  San Jose Earthquakes
27. Orlando City SC
28. Colorado Rapids
29. FC Cincinnati (trade from Philadelphia who acquired from Chicago Fire)
30. FC Cincinnati (trade from Toronto FC)
31. Minnesota United FC
32. Chicago Fire (trade from Houston Dynamo)
33. New England Revolution
34. Montreal Impact
35. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
36. LA Galaxy
37. FC Cincinnati (trade from Philadelphia Union)
38. Orlando City SC (trade from D.C. United)
39. Toronto FC (trade from Colorado Rapids who acquired from FC Dallas)
40. Los Angeles FC
41. Real Salt Lake
42. Colorado Rapids (trade from Columbus Crew) 
43. New York City FC
44. Seattle Sounders FC
45. Sporting Kansas City
46. San Jose Earthquakes (trade from New York Red Bulls)
47. Portland Timbers
48. Atlanta United FC

The post Watch live: MLS SuperDraft 2019, 1 p.m. ET appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Benny Feilhaber will reportedly be Major League Soccer’s next free agent to find a new home.

The Colorado Rapids are set to acquire the United States men’s national team midfielder, who spent all of last season with Los Angeles FC, according to MLSsoccer.com.

Feilhaber turns 34 on Jan. 19 and is only guaranteed for the 2019 season, though the Rapids hold an option for 2020. If the Rapids do indeed sign Feilhaber, they’ll endure a $530,000 budget charge.

Once eligible to play for the U.S., Austria, and Brazil, Feilhaber asserted himself as a mainstay with the USMNT under former head coach Bob Bradley. He played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and helped the U.S. win the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, scoring one of the most memorable goals in American history in extra time against Mexico.

Feilhaber, a California native, attended UCLA for two years before moving to Germany to play for Hamburger SV. He had additional stints with England’s Derby County and Denmark’s Arhaus.

In 2010, he moved to MLS and signed with the New England Revolution via the allocation order after both CD Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union turned down his services.

After just two seasons, the Revolution traded Feilhaber to Sporting KC, where he stayed from 2013 to 2017 and helped the club win the 2013 MLS Cup and the 2013 and 2017 U.S. Open Cups.

Bradley reunited with Feilhaber as manager of LAFC last year. Despite starting in 34 games, Feilhaber was deemed a surplus in midfield and was cut from the club last fall.

He is now part of a very substantive rebuild in Colorado, which has been wheeling and dealing with teams throughout the league to acquire Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio and Keegan Rosenberry.

The post Colorado Rapids set to acquire Benny Feilhaber appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Major League Soccer unveiled its full 2019 season schedule Monday afternoon.

The 2019 season sees the debut of MLS’ 24th club, FC Cincinnati, and a new single-elimination playoff format that gives higher seeds home field advantage and concludes on Nov. 10 with MLS Cup, making this year’s final the earliest since 2002.

All teams will play 34 regular-season matches this year, with 17 home matches and 17 away matches. Conference opponents will play twice in the regular season. Non-conference opponents will play once.

As was announced in December, opening weekend will take place the first weekend in March, with Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union kicking off the 2019 regular-season slate at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday, March 2.

FS1 will televise FC Cincinnati’s first game, which is also March 2, against host Seattle Sounders FC.

The league will pause from June 14-21, the opening week of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2019 MLS All-Star Game, presented by Target, will take place at Orlando City Stadium July 31.

Rivalry Week is Aug. 21-25, and the regular-season culminates with “Decision Day” on Oct. 6. The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs start Oct. 19.

Matches will be televised in 21 primetime windows on FS1 and 13 in primetime on ESPN/ESPN2, the most English-language soccer broadcasts in primetime since 2015.

Meanwhile, MLS returns to the Univisión networks with 14 matches airing on Univision and 13 matches on UniMas, including seven Friday night games. For the second consecutive season, all games on Univision will be streamed on Twitter in English.

See the full schedule here.

 

The post Major League Soccer releases full 2019 schedule appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.