Weekend rewind: No column due to the holiday
*If, like me, you took advantage of the holiday break and headed for areas of the state less traveled this weekend, here's a quick look at local soccer happenings over the long weekend: *First off, the MLS Supplemental Draft gets...
MLS SuperDraft Update: UCLA’s Rowe goes third, Chivas USA pick Maryland striker Townsend *
*Post updated MLS Commish Don Garber welcomes Chivas USA SuperDraft pick Casey Townsend out of Maryland to MLS today at the SuperDraft in Kansas City, Mo (AP Photo). You can follow the MLS SuperDraft here. The highlights so far: *Chivas...
MLS Notes: Plata re-signs with Toronto, Crew sign Speas and more
photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com After uncertainty clouded his future with Toronto FC, Joao Plata is staying right where he is. One of MLS's most technically-gifted players, Plata has agreed to re-sign with Toronto FC on a multi-year deal. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 19-year-old Plata was a...
2012 MLS Combine best and worst performers
By FRANCO PANIZO FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The 2012 MLS Combine has come to a close, but not before several players used the event to help their stock while others did not. In a class dominated by attacking talent, several forwards and creative midfielders enjoyed strong combines, showcasing their goal-scoring and playmaking abilities. There were...
Silva heads into SuperDraft as one of best combine performers
By FRANCO PANIZO FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- If you were to ask MLS coaches which players at this year's combine helped their cause the most, Luis Silva would surely be among the more common names mentioned. The Mexican-born attacking midfielder from UCSB was one of the brightest spots at the combine, showing the playmaking ability...
USF forward Dwyer enjoys his strongest performance on MLS Combine’s final day
By FRANCO PANIZO FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Dom Dwyer did not know he was heading to the 2012 MLS Combine until a day before the event kicked off, but that did not stop him from having a decent showing at the event that he capped off with a goal. Dwyer helped adiZero (blue) to a...
Charlotte’s James wraps up combine with strong third-day showing
Photo by Steven Limentani/ISIphotos.com By FRANCO PANIZO FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Historically, players typically improve with each passing day at the MLS Combine, and that was certainly the case for Charlotte forward Evan James this year. Fresh off a senior season in which he helped the 49ers reach the College Cup final, James helped his...
South Florida’s Blais enjoys strong MLS Combine with three steady performances
By FRANCO PANIZO FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Most of the positive talk during the 2012 MLS Combine has surrounded the forwards and attacking midfielders, but one player who has performed well and does not play either of those positions is Chris Blais. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound goalkeeper was one of the more consistent performers throughout the...
Wenger, Noyola win Hermann Trophy
Duke standout Andrew Wenger and Stanford senior Teresa Noyola were named winners of the Hermann Trophy on Saturday in recognition of being the top players in Division I NCAA soccer. Wenger, who signed a Generation Adidas contract after a stellar junior year at Duke, led the ACC with 17 goals and eight assists. Despite the...
Southern California soccer coach Ralph Perez honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America
University of Redlands Coach Ralph Perez, a former Galaxy assistant coach, is a class act. He (gently) coached me when I participated in a Galaxy fantasy camp for a column. He is often an analyst on Galaxy radio broadcasts...
Friday Kicks: Galaxy’s Stephens, Chivas USA’s Villafaña, UCLA’s Rowe named to U-23 team camp roster & more
Clearing up a few odds and ends before the weekend (that would have posted hours sooner had our soon-to-be-replaced blogging software not freaked out): *Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens, Chivas USA's Jorge Villafaña (formerly Flores) and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe were...
