** 2014 Sporting Kansas City Thread **
 

Previous Result
1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire

Goals
Dwyer (33')

Disappointing game. Outside backs had a rough day on defense and they could not seem to finish in the important moments.

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Next Three Games
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Eastern Conference Standings (Full MLS Standings)
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Love it.................

Defend that championship.

Hells yea!

Get that Supporters Shield, boys.

That would be pretty great.

We're all part of Vermes' army; we're all out to win the Shield.

One ****ing point off the double last year. Fuuuuuuhhhh

Kyle Miller gone ....noooo

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Zach is it correct that Nick Rimando's contract is up on 12/31/2013 and if so would we have the cash to woo him to SKC? Gotta dream a little!!

Gspurning was waived.. I really like his skill set and he's in the prime of his career, but he made more than Neilsen last year and has missed a lot of games due to injury. Will be interesting to see how the GK replacement storyline plays out.

Champions

Page 1

Champions

I'm hoping for some good changes in the offseason, would like to have someone a bit better than fall down too easy Dwyer and Sapong leading the attack.

Great 2013 season.

It'd be epic to win another championship to establish a dynasty of sorts.

So it looks like Dom Dwyer's probably out, Eddie Johnson possibly in? Not sure how well EJ and Vermes would work together. I like what EJ bring in terms of ability, but he'd have to leave his ego at the door.

As far as GK goes, Rimando, Gspurning or Gruenebaum would all be fine. Really, we just need someone who can do the job when called upon.

I feel like EJ is mostly past all of the attitude issues everyone used to go on about...

I, for one, would love to see EJ back in KC.

I do not understand all the EJ love. Dude has about 3 good games a year. He is shockingly similar production wise to Bunbury and Sapong and he tends to be lazy on defense. He can play in a 433, but is obviously better with a strike partner. I hope he scores a million for USA, but he never seems like a guy who is going to grind it out in July.

Re: goalies,
The biggest thing we lose with Jimmy is his field generaling and pacing. I am crossing my fingers that some of that rubbed off on Kronberg. In some ways Kronberg is a better goalie, because he commanda his box better. Jimmy let a lot of balls hang around on corners and crosses for the defense, and Kronberg is more aggressive on those. But Jimmy was damn good 1v1 and at organizing tge team.

I think it is a possibility but he seems to really like Salt Lake.

They will bring someone in but Kronberg will absolutely have a legit shot at being starter next year.

I would be surprised if Dom moved on. Most of the news surrounding him is agent talk. EJ doesn't fit the personality type that does well in a Vermes system. For better or for worse.

My son plays soccer. We have went to several Comets games and really liked it. Guess I will have to take him out to see Sporting KC-I am sure he would love it.

Tooootally different thing between those two events. Like...a small town JV football game compared to an NFL game but Comets games are awesome for the kids! Get him out next year both of you will like it.

Comets games are a blast. Afterward you get to go on the field and the kids get to meet the players. They were all very nice and signed a shirt for him.

Yep looking forward to going and seeing the Champs!

http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2013/...and-timbers-fc

What is it with this team and weddings. Besler is about to get married. Sal is on his honeymoon. Benny was just about to get married when we acquired him last year.

Lots of loving in KC.

Good looking, successful guys tend to get married. haha.

thought this was pretty cool. MLS CUP Tours

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=lVTnhQGvmnc

Really nice 12 page insert in the Kansas City Star dedicated to SKC's season today. Lots of good stuff check it out.

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Sporting KC trades for goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum
Overland Park, Kan. native is an eight-year MLS veteran

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Sporting Kansas City has acquired goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum from the Columbus Crew in exchange for Sporting KC’s second round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, the club announced on Monday. Gruenebaum has been added to Sporting Kansas City’s roster and will occupy a senior roster spot.

“Andy is a very capable goalkeeper, someone who has been successful in Major League Soccer and has had a lot of games in the league,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “He is a great addition to our team and a complement to our goalkeepers. We needed someone with a lot of experience because we're in multiple major competitions in 2014.”

“I could not be more excited to come back home and play in front of family and friends,” Gruenebaum said. “The ownership, coaching staff, players and fans associated with Sporting KC are first class, and I look forward to working with two amazing goalkeepers to help win another championship. I would like to thank Peter and the rest of the organization for giving me this opportunity. My wife and I are ecstatic to be able to call Kansas City home once again.”

Gruenebaum, 30, made 82 appearances in MLS competition (including playoffs) with 277 saves, 18 shutouts and a 1.27 goals against average in eight seasons with the Crew. He led MLS with 124 saves in 2012 and was a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year after being named the Crew’s MVP and Defender of the Year. This season, he conceded the second fewest goals (28) among goalkeepers with a minimum of 15 games played.

In 2009, Gruenebaum entered the Columbus lineup and immediately led the team on an eight-game unbeaten run en route to the team’s Supporters’ Shield title. The following season, he helped the Crew reach the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final and started all six games in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League group stage as Columbus went unbeaten. He also started both of the team’s matches in the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs.

An Overland Park, Kan. native, Gruenebaum was an All-American at Blue Valley North High School and was the Player of the Year in Kansas after leading the Mustangs to the state championship. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he recorded 21 shutouts in 66 collegiate games. Gruenebaum earned All-Conference and All-Region honors and picked up the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer.”

Prior to his senior season, Gruenebaum starred for the Des Moines Menace in the Premier Development League and was named MVP of the 2005 PDL championship.

Gruenebaum becomes the seventh Kansas City native on Sporting KC’s roster, along with Matt Besler, Christian Duke, Kevin Ellis, Jon Kempin, Erik Palmer-Brown and Seth Sinovic. He was a finalist for Player of the Year at the Kevin Gray Awards in 2013.

Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) acquires goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum from the Columbus Crew (MLS) in exchange for Sporting Kansas City’s second round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

Andy Gruenebaum (GREW-nah-BAHM)
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: TBD
Born: 12/30/82
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.
Birthplace: Kansas City, Mo.
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Columbus Crew (MLS)
College: Kentucky
Twitter: @gbaum30

Well that is a good trade.

GREW-nah-BAHM trade looks good.

Possible trade rape.

Are Zusi and Besler going out on loan to tune up for WC2014?

Not as of right now. JK likes them where they are.

Sporting KC adds second USL PRO affiliate in 2014
OKC Energy FC joins Orlando City SC as club affiliates in USL PRO; Jimmy Nielsen named HC

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Sporting Kansas City announced on Friday that the club will partner with two USL PRO teams for the 2014 season, adding a one-year agreement with OKC Energy FC to join Orlando City SC as an official USL PRO affiliate of Sporting KC. A minimum of two Sporting Kansas City players will be loaned to each USL PRO team throughout the season as part of the agreements.

Additionally, former Sporting Kansas City captain Jimmy Nielsen will serve as the head coach of OKC Energy FC in their expansion season in 2014. Nielsen retired last week after a 19-year playing career that culminated with an MLS Cup championship at Sporting Park.

"My family and I are excited to take on this new challenge and I look forward to the start of my coaching career in Oklahoma City," Nielsen said. "To remain a part of the Sporting Kansas City family and to take some of what I have learned from all of my coaches over the years, including Peter Vermes and staff, is an opportunity I embrace."

"OKC Energy FC provides us with a great, regional partner and having Jimmy Nielsen as the head coach will give us strong insight into player development," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "We will continue to have our wonderful relationship with Orlando City SC and adding OKC Energy FC to next year's plan perfectly aligns us with our goal of keeping players active and ready to integrate back with our first team to contribute in all of the competitions we will play in 2014."

OKC Energy FC is owned by Prodigal LLC, led by CEO Bob Funk, Jr., and was announced as a USL PRO expansion team in July. Sporting Kansas City has played several exhibition matches in the Oklahoma City area in the team's 18-year history, including the first MLS match in the city in 2003.

"We are pleased to affiliate with Sporting KC during our first season of play," said Prodigal CEO Bob Funk Jr. "Our partnership with them in this endeavor is groundbreaking. This relationship starts with Jimmy Nielsen as our head coach and a number of quality players that Sporting KC will provide, but also extends beyond the field of play and into all of our soccer business interests for the long term."

USL PRO will feature 14 teams for the 2014 season with the addition of OKC Energy FC and Sacramento. In 2013, USL PRO and Major League Soccer began a partnership toenhance the development of professional players in North America, strengthen the competition in both leagues and establish a solid foundation for futurecollaboration.

Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City SC became affiliates in January and both clubs were crowned champions of their respective leagues in the first of a two-year partnership. Sporting Kansas City loaned six players to the Lions throughout the 2013 season, including forward Dom Dwyer who set the league's scoring record with 15 goals in 13 games and was named the USL PRO championship MVP with four goals in the final.

"As we head into our final USL PRO season in 2014, Orlando City is pleased to continue our affiliation with Sporting KC," Orlando City President Phil Rawlins said. "I firmly believe this partnership was an important part of both clubs' on-field success in winning its respective league championships last season. Orlando City is proud to be part of this terrific player development initiative jointly established by Major League Soccer and USL PRO."

Orlando City SC was awarded an MLS expansion team last month and will join Major League Soccer as the 21st club for the 2015 season.

Report: Toronto FC "on the verge of signing" USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley

Toronto FC are in the midst of a busy offseason, with one blockbuster deal done and another pending.

A third – one that will move the needle in a big way throughout MLS – is now reported to be complete.

ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman reported on his Twitter account on Wednesday that TFC are "on the verge" of signing US national team and AS Roma midfielder Michael Bradley. Bradley, who began his career in MLS back in 2004, has played overseas since 2006 including star turns for Heerenveen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Chievo Verona before moving to the Eternal City 18 months ago:

Bradley, 26, has been capped 82 times for the USMNT over the past eight years, and is generally regarded as one of the most crucial players in Jurgen Klinsmann's squad. He starred under Bob Bradley, the previous USMNT head coach and Michael's father, in both the 2010 World Cup as well as the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2011 Gold Cup.

The central midfielder began his career in MLS with the MetroStars in 2004, missing his first season due to injury before winning the starting job in 2005. His tactical understanding on both sides of the ball impressed, and an offer from Heerenveen that winter saw Bradley make the move to the Netherlands.

While his European career has been a long and steady rise ever since, and he is a gameday regular for Roma, Bradley hasn't been able to nail down an everyday starting XI job for the ambitious club.

He's regularly split time in a central midfield that includes Italian legend Daniele De Rossi and Dutch international Kevin Strootman, and just this week picked up a new addition in Belgian hard man Radja Nainggolan.

Toronto FC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MLSsoccer.com.

According to ESPNFC.com, MLS is poised to sign Bradley to a contract in the five to six-year range at an annual salary in the neighborhood of $6.5 million, making him one of the highest paid players in the league. The Toronto Star reported Wednesday that the combined value of transfer fees and salaries for Bradley and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe would reach $100 million.

There was conflicting data in terms of the transfer fee, with one overseas source indicating that Roma expects to receive $7 million. But multiple MLS sources stated that the league expects to pay in excess of $10 million.

The Reds are working on what could be the splashiest offseason in club history. Last month, they signed young Brazilian striker Gilberto to a Designated Player, then selected former captain Dwayne De Rosario in the Re-Entry Draft.

De Rosario will be re-introduced to the club in a press conference on Thursday.

So it looks like Kansas City tried to nab Micheal Bradley to the tune of $40 million dollars. Daaaammmnnnnn

"Kansas City isn’t exactly a major media market, but that didn’t stop a bullish Sporting KC ownership group from boosting their bid up to a whopping $40 million offer including salary and transfer fee contributions. It was enough to be sitting at the final table before Bradley chose TFC, which had a bigger bid and also the allure of giving Bradley a team he could help build into a winner."

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/un...sage-to-league

http://www.worldsoccersource.com/wp-...adley-DSGP.jpg

If cities like Seattle, Toronto, NY and Miami get into the sport and start spending major league money, can SKC keep up or will they turn into another version of the Royals?

Somewhere in between..but not in a bad way IMO.

As it is...the guys who splash the most cash are not really the ones who are Champions. You need a good team to win in MLS plain and simple. LA has been a team who has gone for big stars and had success but they have had a good team as well.

The two MLS Cup teams didn't have any HUGE stars...there can be a case made for Graham Zusi but he still isn't "that guy" especially compared to Baradley or Defoe or Keane and the like.

However I don't think they will get left behind. People who want to play in the United States want to play in Kansas City...and while we don't have spending power of LA, NY, or TFC we build great teams and we have cash to splash when needed...this ownership group has shown that especially with the them trying to grab MB even though it did not work out.

Had Bradley chosen SKC it would have nicely improved MLS' chances of a CONCACAF Champions League winner.

That was my first thought as well it would easily have been the most well equipped team to face Mexican opposition to date.

What a ****ing incredible team SKC would have with MB in mid. I mean...come right the **** at us...he is a perfect fit.

Defoe wouldn't have been bad either...still think we need a killer striker.

Not sure they *need* one but it would be awesome. Of course finding a "killer" striker anywhere in the world no matter what league is a treat. Even harder in MLS.

The MLS is just so brutally physical. It needs to be cleaned up and then more will be willing to come play here.

I don't think that is really the reason. Teams are spending more money and the word is getting out that there is quality in MLS. It isn't a shit league anymore. It still all about money though. Besides we are seeing a lot more about people coming to the league than ever.

Defoe is not the sure-footed striker that SKC needs. His pace is great, but (speaking as a Tottenham fan here) he misses more chances than Kai Kamara.

The united states should be a draw because we have hot water and no rolling blackouts. Also the women are mostly disease free compared to Ireland.

But does he miss more than Sapong?

A *really* good striker prob is not going to be in MLS...closest thing I think is Keane.

MLS super draft is occurring today. SKC doesn't have a first round selection, it was part of the Benny Feilhaber trade if I'm not mistaken.

We do have a 2nd round pick (The last).

So SKC's first pick of this years draft is number 38 (in a 19 team league lol) they grabbed forward Adnan Gabeljic who is pretty close from STL and played at SLU. Guy is a project I imagine he will find his way to our affiliates at Oklahoma City or Orlando.

Uri Rossell.

Horse whisperer.

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Vermes candid on 2014 campaign during special pre-season edition of Sporting KC Show

http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2014/...orting-kc-show

Peter Vermes will board a flight bound for Tucson, Ariz. before sunrise on Thursday as Sporting Kansas City officially opens their 2014 pre-season just six weeks after the team celebrated its MLS Cup championship in front of a capacity crowd at Union Station.

And exactly six weeks from Thursday, Vermes and his Sporting Kansas City squad will be back at Kansas City International Airport en route to Seattle for the opening game of the 2014 MLS season. So it seemed fitting -- at the mid-point of a 13-week span between the team's climatic 2013 finale and the highly-anticipated 2014 opener -- that Vermes joined The Sporting KC Show on Wednesday for a wide-ranging discussion with Sports Radio 810 WHB hosts Dave Borchardt and Andy Edwards.

On winning MLS Cup...
To me, it was more a culmination of a lot of people within the organization having a vision and seeing it through. Accomplishing that and more importantly rewarding our ownership group especially; not only for the financial commitment, because I think that's the one that is most obvious to everyone, but more importantly how committed they are to the organization and how involved they are...They care about the ultimate success of our organization not just in the short term, but in the long term. And they realize that the foundation has to be built to achieve that and be competitive year after year after year. It was great for them and obviously for our players, as well. It was something that we've been talking about and building a culture over the years. For them to get rewarded because of that commitment was also a really special moment.

On the challenges ahead...
We had a good year last year. We accomplished some important goals that we wanted to: winning MLS Cup, qualifying for the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League. With that being said -- it's a great accomplishment and we've done it -- but that year's over. We're into a new season. It's going to be very difficult, that next round of CONCACAF Champions League based on the fact that we're going to be playing against Cruz Azul who's in the mid-point of their season. They'll be in form, we'll be just starting our season and trying to make sure that we're peaking at the right time. But to be able to do that, it's not easy when you're starting a season. You're just getting game fit, you're trying to reach your form and you're trying to do that over the course of a 34-game season. For us, we're going to have to accelerate our pre-season more than we normally would. We're going to have to get more involved in the style of play and the things that we want to do very early on in the beginning stages of our pre-season. So that when we hit the first game of the season, which is against Seattle away from home, we've got to be playing. I'm not going to say we'll be firing on all cylinders but our fitness level and our style of play has to be something that has to be at a much more accelerated place than it has been in the past from the start of the season.

On Chance Myers being out of contract...
It's a simple one. We want him to come back. We've made him an offer. It's now between him and his agent. We're just waiting for their response. It's always a tough thing when you come to these situations where you've found some success over the last so many years. Players, based on their performances, want to continue to make more money and I understand that. But when you're in a salary cap, there's only so much to go around. We're at a place where I think we've made a fair offer, I really do. Now it's just a matter of if they want to accept it and he wants to stay here. We'll see where that goes. The one thing that has always been the case and will continue to be the case with this club is you've seen players come and go. There's been a lot of players that have moved on, some very good ones obviously. To name a few, Roger Espinoza, Kei Kamara, Julio Cesar and now Jimmy Nielsen. And as players move out, there are other players that we've been working with and we've been trying to get ready for their opportunity. If it doesn't work, then we'll have to move on to the next guy and we'll have to make that guy work. It's unfortunate, but as I said, we'd like to have him back. Hopefully we can work out the deal. I think we'll find over the next couple of weeks if that's going to become a reality or if we're both going to move in separate ways.

On having five players with the U.S. MNT...
It's flattering and I think it should be flattering for the club. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work on a lot of different levels for our players to get there. I think the biggest thing is that when I took over, I made it very clear to the guys that one thing to find success is always going to be one center and the center is always going to be the team. The team is always going to come first. And I believe that all awards and accolades, increases in salary and everything else all comes from the team. If the team's successful, then opportunities start to present themselves. Interestingly enough, in 2000 when the team that I played on here in Kansas City won the MLS Cup as well, that following January we had five players that were also invited into the January Camp. It's interesting how when your team finds success, many of your players start to find it as well. It's a testament to the work ethic and the progression a lot of these players have made, but at the same time, it has a lot to do with the success of the team.

On the goalkeeping depth chart...
Eric has really paid his dues. He's been a solid citizen for the club for 8-9 years now. He has definitely perfected, I think, his craft. I think he's a goalkeeper that is ready and waiting to take on the opportunity to be the No. 1. He's worked extremely hard. He has been a guy that has been very open-minded and that has learned by the people that have been in front of him. I think all of those things bode well for a guy that's going to find success in that position. I have a lot of confidence in him. I think that he is incredible from a distribution perspective, a very good shot stopper, has great range across the goal, obviously with his height and athleticism, I think he does really well at coming out on crosses. I think he deserves this opportunity based on how hard he has worked and how patient he has been and how he has progressed as a goalkeeper. As much as there's always competition in all of the positions, I do believe that he should at least get the benefit of the doubt to be the No. 1, go ahead and go with the position and play well. He definitely has the full confidence of the staff and I think all of us feel very comfortable with him. At the same time, competition is important. Andy Gruenebaum was brought in, as well. He's a guy with a lot of experience. But he's also a great team guy. I know that he'll fit in well with the way that our culture is within our team on the field and also within our locker room. I think that Jonathan Kempin has been progressing, as well. I think we have a very solid core when it comes to the goalkeeper position at the moment.

On additions to the midfield...
We definitely want to add depth. You saw that we obviously drafted two more players in the middle of the midfield. We'll probably add another person here in the next coming weeks in that area of the field, as well. Because we just think that's an area we have got to maintain our strength in because that's our wheelhouse. As we move forward, we're going to need as many bodies as we can and obviously depth in those positions as we move through all the different competitions that we are in this year.

On negotiations with Michael Bradley...
I think MLS is proving that it's not what a lof of people have been saying about us for years. That is we're a retirement league. You're starting to see a lot of players in their prime come to this league and be a part of it through transfers or through DP situations. There's a lot of that going on and I think as people continue to maybe criticize or be a little bit negative around our league, what happens is we just keep passing those people by. From that point of view, I don't really pay too much attention to it because I think we're a league that is up and coming. We've continued to push the needle up and I think we'll continue to do that for many years to come. In regards to us, we were absolutely 100% involved in that opportunity to try to get Michael Bradley to come to Sporting. It was a player that we went after extremely heavily. There's not a lot of players that I personally would put my reputation behind but I think he's a fantastic player. I think he's a great professional. There's no doubt in my mind that he would have fit really well into our team. But sometimes, in these deals, they go a different way. It is what it is at the end of the day. We'll be fine because of it and we'll keep working. I think we still have a very good team without him.

Wow. Must have caught Vermes in a rare cheery mood.

Yea it was sort of eye opening in that respect. He doesn't have any kind of disdain with the media or a contentious relationship but he usually isn't "this is all the info" type of guy either.

He is sort of famous for being very talky with international hispanic media because he is fluent and it is a good recruiting tool.

This is a great trade. I used to watch this guy play for the Menace in Des Moines. He was a man amongst boys.

Overall, the team was spectacular that year, but there were times throughout the playoffs and in the championship game where they looked a bit outmatched. Grueny put the team on his back. I think everyone who was around the team that year knew that he would soon be on to big things.

The job is Eric's to lose but I truly see us as having two starting caliber keepers.

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Chance is mulling offers domestic and abroad. He might be with us next year but I would not really count on it.

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**** that black shirt game.

Chance turned into a solid Right back, but he's not a guy I'd break the bank to keep by any means. Only problem is, that's a position we have very little to NO depth at. I would love to see Ellis get his shot, and I hope he pans out.. But he's one of those "Practice Field phenoms".... beyond that... there is absolutely Nothing.

If Chance goes elsewhere, does Peter go overseas to find something?

I actually like Mechack Jerome and think they would have been fine with him in...having said that Chance just re-signed.

MLS Cup-winning backline remains intact as Sporting KC, Chance Myers agree to new deal

http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/leagu...3/05/myers.jpg

Sporting Kansas City's only lingering concern this offseason has been the future of out-of-contract defender Chance Myers. On Wednesday, they put that worry to bed.

A source close to the negotiations confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that the right back had agreed to contract terms with Kansas City, though he had not yet put pen to paper on the deal. Sporting KC declined to comment when contacted by MLSsoccer.com.

Myers was recently released from the US national team's January camp following a season in which he made 26 starts, scored two goals and added three assists. With Myers at right back and burying a spot kick following two extratime periods, Sporting won MLS Cup in penalties against Real Salt Lake in front of their home fans in December.

Since that match, the former No. 1-overall SuperDraft pick had been in negotiations with the only professional club he's known during his six-year professional career. Myers explored options in Europe, mainly Scandinavia, before coming to an agreement with Kansas City, who'll bring back their league-best back four in its entirety for the 2014 season.

Sporting plays against the Portland Timbers tonight for preseason action in Tucson. The game will be live streamed at SportingKC.com at 7 central tonight.

http://siliconflorist.com/wp-content...nd-timbers.png

Sporting Kansas City and the Portland Timbers played to a 1-1 draw last night. Sporting went up fairly early on a pretty nice goal from Sal Zizzo against his former team with a nice feed from Bieler. We played down one man for a large majority of he game when Collin got two yellows.

http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2014/...tch-pre-season

David Beckham is getting back in the game with Major League Soccer.

The league announced Wednesday that the former LA Galaxy superstar has exercised his option for an MLS expansion team and will seek to build that team in Miami, a move rumored for months that now looks like a reality for soccer fans in South Florida.


http://wvhooligan.com/wp-content/upl...mi-750x420.jpg



http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...iami-franchise

MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement with Beckham and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez during a press conference at Perez Art Museum Miami. Beckham’s ownership group will now work with MLS and local officials to finalize a deal for a world-class soccer stadium, but a timeline for when negotiations need to be completed or when a Miami team might join the league were not revealed.

Beckham and his representatives plan to build a privately funded stadium for the new team, and, according to a report from The Miami Herald, met last week with Mayor Gimenez about 30 potential sites. A league statement released on Wednesday stated that an agreement for a new stadium must be finalized in order for MLS to come to Miami.

“We appreciate all that David has done as a player, an ambassador and as a global icon to help grow Major League Soccer,” Garber said in a statement. “We are thrilled that he will be an owner, and we look forward to him helping us achieve our goal of being one of the top soccer leagues in the world.”

Beckham, 38, became Major League Soccer’s first Designated Player in 2007, and led the Galaxy to two MLS Cup titles during his six seasons in the league. His arrival in LA, after trophy-filled years with European giants Manchester United and Real Madrid, ushered in a new era for the league, spurring bigger contracts for star players, seven new expansion teams and the addition of nine soccer-specific stadiums.

He left MLS following the 2012 season and finished his career with famed French club Paris Saint-Germain last year.

“From the beginning of my career in England to today in Miami, my journey has always been driven by my incredible passion for the game,” Beckham said in a statement. “Miami is a vibrant, diverse community that thrives on the same type of energy that fuels the international appeal of soccer, and I look forward to a dedicated, long-term partnership with this dynamic city and Major League Soccer. My experience with the Galaxy is what convinced me that I wanted to one day own an MLS team and it is thrilling to now see that dream coming true.”

Beckham joined a crowd of roughly 200 people for an event at Miami's John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall on Tuesday night to drum up support for the project, and told the crowd that he expects to make Miami's franchise an international success story.

“There's going to be a few bumps along the way, but we're going to make the team in Miami not just the best team in America,” Beckham said in brief remarks to the crowd, “we're going to take the team global.”

Beckham’s ownership group includes his business partner and long-time friend Simon Fuller and Bolivian wireless telecommunications tycoon Marcelo Claure, but the remainder of the ownership group will be finalized over the next several months.

Given a pre-negotiated rate to buy an expansion franchise as part of his contract with the league as a Galaxy player in 2007, Beckham began formally zeroing in on Miami for his expansion franchise last year.

"I can remember so well my discussions with David back in 2007,” Fuller said in a statement. “The vision was for David to play in America and to help the sport that he loves to grow in popularity. It was central to our plans that one day David would own his own team. Here we are, February 2014 in Miami, the dream is now a reality and the commitment to grow the sport that he loves continues."

The favored stadium site among Beckham’s group is reportedly Biscayne Bay’s PortMiami, but Beckham visited a number of sites last year, including SunLife Stadium, Marlins Park and the FIU stadium on the Florida International University campus.

According to a report in the Herald last year, roughly 25 acres of the county-owned PortMiami site could be made available – enough for a 25,000-seat stadium with expandable seating for various events – if the site is chosen.

MLS has had a franchise in South Florida before. The Miami Fusion played in Fort Lauderdale between 1997-2001. Despite boasting a colorful and successful roster that won the Supporters’ Shield in 2001, the club was contracted along with fellow Florida club the Tampa Bay Mutiny after that season.

MLS announced last year that it will make its first foray back into Florida when Orlando City SC join the league in 2015.

“Miami is a unique melting pot of cultures that is brought together by one common thread: soccer,” Gimenez said in a statement. “During the last several months there has been palpable excitement in our city when people talk about the possibility of a Beckham-owned team. Today’s announcement is celebrated across Miami.”

For anyone keeping score at home...

Orlando City and New York City FC come into the league in 2015.

Miami gets in only if they get a stadium plan being agreed to...best bet is 2017.

http://i.imgur.com/kEoCBIH.png


http://nbcprosoccertalk.files.wordpr....jpg%3Fw%3D320

So, it's been a hell of an offseason for MLS...

Insanity.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XrcU2ldjl_g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Teal Bunbury traded to New England for a 1st Round Draft Pick and allocation money.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ting-kansas-ci

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/def...?itok=inDmrtGr

Was waiting for that shoe to drop. Peter was pretty obvious with how Teal fit into his plans last season.

I think the consensus is generally that we came out ahead on this one, right?

I would say it is a case where everyone won.

Teal is a good player who was held back because of an injury and he just didn't have much of a place on this team. He is the perfect player who could blossom with a change of scenery.

We get good value for someone who just wasn't in our plans all that much.

Marc Stein of ESPN reporting 16 year old Sporting Kansas City Defender Erik Palmer Brown to be signed by Jueventus.

Legs to this or just the old report popping back up?

Here's the Stein article. Doesn't look like much has changed since the initial report.