To start off, Ramiro Corrales reportedly signed a three-year contract with Norwegian side Ham-Kam, who finished fifth in the league. Ramiro was a only a slightly-above-average player in MLS so he won't be missed. Actually, this is probably a good thing since it might allow Arturo Alvarez to break into the starting XI for San Jose.

- Clint Dempsey is going on trial at Feyenoord; Damani Ralph will be training with Feyenoord over the winter but he will not be on trial

- Nick Garcia was on trial at Brann (Norway) but their coach reportedly did not feel that Nick could "strenghten their starting XI"

- Eddie Johnson will be training with ManU and PSV over the winter

- Pat Noonan is going to train with Chelsea

- Ricardo Clark is being looked at by Wigan

http://wiganathletic.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=945&p=2&stid=8366099

I'd like to see how Rico's going to get a work permit. :confused:

- I read somewhere that Jeff Cunningham is reportedly going to sign with a Swedish club, not sure which one

- Chivas USA traded Jeff Stewart to Real Salt Lake City, leaving Matt Taylor as the only gringo on the team

Originally posted by Run DMB


- Clint Dempsey is going on trial at Feyenoord



Awesome! Good luck to him, Dempsey's my favourite MLS player for sure. I think he'll do well in Europe @ Feyenoord or anywhere else he ends up.

I wish my Benfica would have the forsight to invest in a talented young player like Dempsey, instead of wasting money on over-hyped & over-rated Brazilians, as usual... :rolleyes:

The Clint Dempsey thing is really putting me under suspense. He's doing ok with the training and everything so far; hopefully he won't be another Acuna (which I highly doubt.:rolleyes: :D )

I hope Feyenoord can actually try and make Damani into a decent player.

:( :kader:

Originally posted by manutd4eva
I hope Feyenoord can actually try and make Damani into a decent player.

:( :kader:
Only training; not trial.;)

Still should help.:p

http://www.feyenoord.com/domains/feyenoord/content/contentimages/seizoen0405/dempsey.jpg

:D (Y) w00t!

Your forgetting Bobby Convey not the greatest investment for us so far but he has shown some potential.

Originally posted by FRED is BACK
Your forgetting Bobby Convey not the greatest investment for us so far but he has shown some potential.
Convey is old news. And he's quite overrated. I'm shocked at how poorly he's done for Reading. I would have expected him to earn a place in the starting XI by now. This is the same guy who Tottenham wanted to buy for $1.5 million a year earlier.

I'm hoping Convey improves and Reading earn promotion.

I'm so glad to see MLS players training in Europe, even if they don't stay on the team their skill should increase, therefore increasing the skill level of the MLS all together.

Without Dempsey the Revs are ruined!!! :(

Though it would be best for him if he stays over there.

If MLS players stay in the MLS, the national team will be doomed. No way in hell can they develop to be World Cup-level players if they stay here. I'm happy everytime one gets shipped off across the Atlantic; it'll be reflected in the national team.

Its nice to see Dempsey training with Feyenoord, but I feel he isn't ready for Europe yet. One or two more years with the Revs should make him the complete product, and then he should take the plunge.

Oh, and shinji, I would fookin' love it if SLB had an American, but after the ill-fated Zach Thornton project, I really don't think we will have a Yank in our ranks anytime soon. :(

Originally posted by Run DMB
Convey is old news. And he's quite overrated. I'm shocked at how poorly he's done for Reading. I would have expected him to earn a place in the starting XI by now. This is the same guy who Tottenham wanted to buy for $1.5 million a year earlier.

I'm hoping Convey improves and Reading earn promotion.

I have thought that Convey was overrated for a while, but I expected more out of him at Reading than this. If Convey hadn't entered the MLS so young, I doubt people would think much about him. He got a lot of attention because he became a professional at such a young age and people have thought that he has a lot of potential, but he hasn't really showed much of it.

Originally posted by Vagegast
If MLS players stay in the MLS, the national team will be doomed. No way in hell can they develop to be World Cup-level players if they stay here. I'm happy everytime one gets shipped off across the Atlantic; it'll be reflected in the national team.
That's not neccessarily true. A move abroad isn't always beneficial for a player. MLS-based players can be quite good, as exhibited in World Cup 2002. Pope, Mastroeni, Donovan and McBride all had an excellent tournament. Beasley looked great before getting injured. Mathis had a goal and an assits playing limited minutes. Wolff had another goal playing limited minutes. Cobi Jones effectively killed off a couple of games towards the end with his smart, experienced play. The only MLS player who looked out of place was Agoos.

Going from MLS to a better league and a bigger club is usually beneficial for a player. But is the Swedish league better than MLS? Are Ham-Kam better than San Jose? Are Frederikstad better than Columbus? Some of these moves are driven solely by money, I don't suspect there's any other real benefit of playing in those leagues unless you're playing for one of the "big" teams like Rosenborg or Brann.

The benefit comes from playing alongside better players, playing against better competition, playing at a faster pace and at a higher intensity. That's what can take a good MLS player to the next level.

BTW, I haven't mentioned it yet but last I heard Earnie Stewart is heading back to Holland. He had a couple of clubs interested in him. Maybe Vagegast knows more about it.

Originally posted by Avalanche1996
Its nice to see Dempsey training with Feyenoord, but I feel he isn't ready for Europe yet. One or two more years with the Revs should make him the complete product, and then he should take the plunge.
I think he's ready, but I don't want to see him leave yet. I just hope MLS doesn't lose a bunch of quality players at once, especially guys who have only been in the league for one or two seasons.

Originally posted by manutd4eva
I hope Feyenoord can actually try and make Damani into a decent player.
Chicago Fire fans are hoping that too. :(

He plays better with his fro out.

I don't think I'd mind if Cunningham left the Crew, for Sweden or wherever. It'd free up another roster spot, that we might use to sign another quality midfielder, since I think Martino, Buddle and Ritch are our future up front.

Stewart is definitly going to the Netherlands over the winter but he hasn't decided which club yet. There's two teams interested: RKC Waalwijk, who play in the highest division (Eredivisie) and VVV, who play a division lower (Eerste Divisie). He started his career at VVV but RKC plays a higher quality of soccer. But than again, VVV is currently #1 and he'd be winning games with them.

His kids don't speak English so he's going there permanently.

EDIT: Our friend Clint Dempsey is going back home. From the Feyenoord website:'Clint Dempsey is een goede voetballer', zegt technisch directeur Mark Wotte, 'maar hij heeft de afgelopen week toch te weinig laten zien om ons te overtuigen van het feit dat hij direct een aanwinst zou kunnen zijn voor ons eerste elftal. Daarbij speelde zijn transferprijs en het feit dat we hem als niet EU-speler een fors salaris zouden moeten betalen, ook een rol.'
Translated: Clint Dempsey is a good soccer-playe but he has not shown us enough to convice of the fact that he'd be of value to the team. His transferprice and the fact that we would have to pay a heft salary played a role in our decision.

Thanks for the info Vage.

Good to have Dempsey back for another season. I wonder what kind of transfer fee MLS wanted? Around $1 million I would imagine.

A "hefty salary"? I imagine Dempsey made 35 to 40k this season, how much could he be asking for? :crazyboy:

Dutch regulalations require a salary of atleast half a million as an American.

Whoa, those sound like some crazy regulations. Could you explain a bit more, Arash?

All I know is that it's a rule set by the European Union; because it's considered an "import" he must receive a salary around the 500.000 mark. Yeah, Europe is obsessed with protecting labor.

Heh, crazy European Union.

I've read that Giovane Elber and Fredi Bobic (Hertha Berlin) have been offered a contract by the Metrostars.

I heard that too watching the Berlin - Wolfsburg match today.

Are Elber or Bobic still worth having in MLS? I don't want any washed up pros looking for a paid vacation. I still remember guys like Roberto Donadoni. :(

Ronald Waterreus has been dying to finish his career in the MLS. Expect him to come over during the winter. He's still pretty decent too.

Waterreus is a 'keeper, right?

Yeah. He played at Foxboro in the Holland vs. USA match just before the World Cup.

That's what I thought. I wonder who he'd play for though, since goalkeeper is the position where the league is deepest in talent.

Dallas could use him

Originally posted by bjmenge
Are Elber or Bobic still worth having in MLS? I don't want any washed up pros looking for a paid vacation. I still remember guys like Roberto Donadoni. :(
Elber might have lost his pace but he's still got his Brazilian skills.

Bobic oh well lol. :crazyboy:

How did Andi Herzog do with the Galaxies?

Who's the best paid player in the MLS and how much does he make? Or is there a salary cap where everybody gets paid the same? Or how does the MLS work in regards to getting paid?:confused:

I've heard a lot about Waterreus nowadays with Gomez officially taking over. It'd be interesting to see him in the MLS; I'm sure he's got some energy left to lead a team to a good place in the standing.


Your sig Vagegast.:kader: :o

Originally posted by Blanco150
Who's the best paid player in the MLS and how much does he make? Or is there a salary cap where everybody gets paid the same? Or how does the MLS work in regards to getting paid?:confused:

i think freddy adu is the highest paid at $500,000

:kader: That is sad a 15yr old making more money than everybody dang!:kader:

Originally posted by -Vince-
How did Andi Herzog do with the Galaxies?
He started out great. You could make the argument that he was the best player in the league over the first 7 or 8 games of the season. But as time went on he faded. I don't know whether it was defenses starting to pay more attention to him or his age finally getting to him, but by the end of the season Herzog was coming in off the bench. Good one-season signing for the Galaxy though. If MLS is going to sign past-their-prime stars, they should have the work ethic and commitment that Andy showed.

I'm all for bringing Elber here for one or two seasons, even at the league max salary. He's a quality, high-profile player who will raise interest in the league, and he's only 32 so he should still have a couple of good years left in him. He would be a perfect fit for the MetroStars because they need an experienced attacking player, and someone who's won a few championships as well.

I'm more skeptical about Bobic but it all depends on what kind of salary he wants.

Originally posted by Blanco150
Who's the best paid player in the MLS and how much does he make? Or is there a salary cap where everybody gets paid the same? Or how does the MLS work in regards to getting paid?:confused:
First of all it's "MLS" not "the MLS."

Minimum salary in MLS was $24,000 although now they're raising it to $28,000. Max salary is $500,000. The highest paid players in MLS:

1. Freddy Adu - $500,000 (excellent investment)
2. Josh Wolff - $418,571 (a bit overpaid)
3. Eddie Pope - $350,331 (needs contract re-negotiation)
4. Chris Armas - $325,000 (ditto)
5. Ante Razov - $300,000 (ditto)
6. Joe-Max Moore -$280,000 (hopefully this was the last year of his contract)
7. Tony Meola - $264,000 (should retire)
8. Amado Guevara - $243,750 (money well spent)
9. Pablo Mastroeni - $203,750 (ditto)
10. Steve Ralston - $202,000 (ditto)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/01/06/mls.salaries.sa/

The above list does not include players like Bo and Powell who will likely retire and were colossal wastes of money. It also does not include Sergio Galvan Rey who was signed after the salary figures were published, but I assume he probably broke the top 10. Kirovski might be in the top 10 now as well.

If I'm not mistaken, both Tim Howard and Carlos Bocanegra were rejected by Feyenoord at trial. Something tells me Dempsey will show up in Europe again--but not at Feyenoord. Not that I blame them, contracting Dempsey would've been a huge investment for one player.

can we play? :(

http://www.soccergaming.tv/attachment.php?s=&postid=1579375

WTF??? :confused:

I like our aproach here in chicago the best so far, we're signing proven yet undiscovered international talents and looking to get decently skilled players from the bigger world leagues now.

Corrales of San Jose just went signed in Norway or something. Were losign players right and left.

Baker, Howey leave Revolution

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Revolution announced Friday that midfielder Richie Baker will return to his native Republic of Ireland and that defender Steve Howey has returned to England. Both players have been given permission to negotiate with other clubs and pursue playing opportunities outside of Major League Soccer.

"Richie Baker and Steve Howey are good players who helped the Revolution while they were here. The club wishes them both the very best in the future," said Revolution technical director Joe Cummings. "Richie contributed valuable minutes for the Revs this past season and was an exemplary pro off the field. I'm confident that both players will find the kinds of opportunities they seek on the other side of the Atlantic."

Baker was signed by MLS and the Revolution as a Discovery Player on Feb. 4 as a Transitional International. The former Ireland youth international appeared in 20 matches for the Revs, starting 11 of those games. Baker posted six assists on the season, good for fourth on the team in that category.

Howey, a former England international, was signed as a Senior International on Aug. 26 and appeared three times for New England before a quadriceps injury prevented him from playing for the rest of the season. Both Baker and Howey would have counted as Senior Internationals for the 2005 season.

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041129&content_id=19667&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Shame about Baker. I wonder what kind of money MLS offered him if he stayed. Apparently not that much. Why in the world would he go back to play in Ireland?

John Harkes is one of the 3 canidates remaining for Rochester's manager job, I would love to see him here.

http://www.rochesterdandc.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041201/SPORTS05/412010312/1007/SPORTS

Atlanta of the A-League is building a stadium

http://www.atlantasilverbackspark.com/ has some development pictures

Where's the stands to the stadium. All it has is a field and lights, not that they need many stands anyway. They averaged 1,662 fans last year. That's 2,000 below league average.

Where's the stands to the stadium. All it has is a field and lights, not that they need many stands anyway. They averaged 1,662 fans last year. That's 2,000 below league average.

Where's the stands to the stadium. All it has is a field and lights, not that they need many stands anyway. They averaged 1,662 fans last year. That's 2,000 below average.

here, it's like Charleston's

not bad, hopefully they will draw a bigger crowd with the new stadium.

http://english.psv.nl/upload/68925_296_1101994390080-BeasleyInside385.jpg

(H) !!!

Ngwenya is on trial at Hamburg.

(H)

Galaxy school Necaxa in friendly:

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041204&content_id=19868&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Of course they only won because Sampson is scouting players in Argentina and assistant coach Vasquez was in charge of the team.

Agoos Traded to MetroStars (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041210&content_id=20083&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

Johnson Impressive in Europe (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041209&content_id=20037&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

From what I hear, Corey Gibbs is about to sign with Feyenoord after having impressed Gullit. A decision will be made on or before Sunday.

By the way, the minimum salary of a non-EU foreign player in the Dutch league is 401,000 euros.

And Feyenoord would also need to pay a transfer fee if they want to sign him, since he's under contract with MLS. He's a quality defender - if we had a World Cup game tomorrow I'd put him and Bocanegra as our central defenders.

And to think two years ago he was playing German division 3 football.

Two Yank Abroad failures have signed with MLS:

- John Thorrington to Chicago

- Alex Yi to Dallas

Here's more on Thorrington:

http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20050111&content_id=20845&vkey=news_chf&fext=.jsp&team=chf

Wow. Starts off at ManU and ends up being rejected by a Division 3 club.

Also:

A Razov for Sanneh trade is reportedly not far from taking place. Also rumored that Columbus would then send Razov to the MetroStars for Pope.

Galaxy send Alejandro Moreno and Chris Aloisi to San Jose for Todd Dunivant and goalkeeper Steve Cronin.

Ronald Cerritos wants to return to MLS he has said in and interview for El Dario del Hoy from El Salvador

He said it was a mistake not to sign with an MLS team after being cut and said he wants to return anyone have any clue where he would contribute or even play now that he has gotten a little older and is not the exicting player that he once was

Keller moves to Bundesliga

FRANKFURT -- Borussia Moenchengladbach have signed U.S. international goalkeeper Kasey Keller from Tottenham Hotspur.

Keller, who had been on loan at Southampton, has signed a contract running until 2006, the Bundesliga club announced on Saturday.

The vastly experienced 35-year-old, who has won 75 caps and been at three World Cups, lost his place in the Tottenham side to England's Paul Robinson but remains his country's number one.

Moenchengladbach are struggling down in 15th place in the Bundesliga at the halfway stage of the season. They return to action with a home game against Arminia Bielefeld next Saturday.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=321944&cc=5901

Ivan Guerrero (Peñarol, Uruguay) ---> Chicago Fire
Samuel Caballero (Udinese, Italy) ---> Chicago Fire

both will sign at the begining of february

Ronald Cerritos----> San Jose Earthquake

They have got his rights from DC and since Donovan left and De Rosario is as good as gone also it looks as if Cerritos will return to San Jose

Corey Gibbs has a deal with Feyenoord for one and a half year. It's between the MLS and Feyenoord to negotiate a transfersum.

Jeff Parke en Michael Bradley of the Metrostars are testing with SC Heerenveen (Y) Foppe de Haan (currently Holland's U-20 coach and scout for Heerenveen) saw Bradley during one of USA's U-19 matches.

http://www.ibiblio.org/footy/2003/0621_bra_usa_sab/web_sab_5477.jpg

It's official! Corey Gibbs has officialy joined Feyenoord. Gibbs signed for four and a half years and the MLS and Feyenoord reached an agreement over the transfersum. There are still some formalities to be handled back here and he still hasn't received his worker's permit so he won't play this Sunday against Vitesse.

http://www.feyenoord.nl/domains/feyenoord/content/contentimages/seizoen0405/20050109leverkusen_gibbs.jpg

f*ck dallas!

Originally posted by Vagegast
It's official! Corey Gibbs has officialy joined Feyenoord. Gibbs signed for four and a half years and the MLS and Feyenoord reached an agreement over the transfersum. There are still some formalities to be handled back here and he still hasn't received his worker's permit so he won't play this Sunday against Vitesse.
Good for Gibbs, good for the national team, Dallas can suck it. (H)

I'm going to miss seeing him in MLS, but we now have an American in each of the three big Dutch clubs.

Originally posted by JFG_Lancer
Ronald Cerritos----> San Jose Earthquakes
Isn't SJ where Cerritos started out in MLS? Good to see him back in MLS, he's not a bad player.

I'll have video of Gibbs' debut whenever it may be (Y)

Originally posted by Run DMB
Isn't SJ where Cerritos started out in MLS? Good to see him back in MLS, he's not a bad player.
Yeah he started there and was great there until he left for the burn and United and he has been playing for Alianza of El Salvador and has said it was a mistake and wants to return to the MLS and San jose have traded to get his rights form DC

Originally posted by FKPartizan
Ivan Guerrero (Peñarol, Uruguay) ---> Chicago Fire
Samuel Caballero (Udinese, Italy) ---> Chicago Fire

both will sign at the begining of february

wow, really?!:confused: if this is true, then the fire may just make a championship run. those are two quality players. now let's see if'll they'll be able to adjust to MLS play, since it seems hard for south americans to do so.:p

I hope parke doesn't leave the metrostars. he's a quality defender, and we metros need him if they even think of winning MLS Cup. he has a great future and securing him for another season would be great. i'm actually suprised he hasn't been called up to the national team, but then again we have many quality defenders:rolleyes:

about bradley, i don't care if he leaves. he didn't do **** for the metros, since he was injured. he doesn't seem like a good player, which is why i don't understand why he's on trial in the first place:confused:

Thiago (Gaucho) da Rosa Correa, Ginásio Pinhalense de Esportes Atléticos (Brazil) ---> Chicago Fire

http://chicago.comcastsportsnet.com/view_content_0p.asp?ID=3430

Its offical San Jose have Signed Ronald Cerritos to a contract:rockman:

a huge trade yesterday


The Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew announced Sunday that a trade has been worked out between the two clubs that will send Ante Razov to Columbus in exchange for Tony Sanneh. In the sign-and-trade deal, the Fire re-signed Razov with a portion of the same allocation (earned by missing the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs) that was split to sign midfielder John Thorrington on Jan. 11.

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20050130&content_id=21655&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Chris Carrieri returns to the Colorado Rapids from Rochester.

Eddie Pope has been traded to Real Salt Lake.

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20050201&content_id=21759&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Guillermo Ramirez (Guatemala) - LA Galaxy


I hear its close to happening

Originally posted by mannyb28
Guillermo Ramirez (Guatemala) - LA Galaxy


I hear its close to happening

Nah.. that not true, but its official Freddy Thompson goes to LA galaxy (Loan) :rockman:

Eso me alegra y eso q soy rojo!! jaja

Heerenveen is NOT offering any contracts to Jeff Parke en Michael Bradley.

Originally posted by Vagegast
Heerenveen is NOT offering any contracts to Jeff Parke en Michael Bradley.
Were they expected to though? I thought those were training stints more than they were trials. I mean, Bradley is a 17-year-old who spent his entire rookie season injured (hasn't played a minute in MLS). Jeff Parke was also a rookie last year, pretty good defender but not good enough to justify the high salary they would have had to pay him due to restrictions.

Youri Djorkaeff has joined the metros.
:D

http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/story.jsp?ID=2290 (http://http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/story.jsp?ID=2290)

looks like we may loose Damani Ralph this week, there seems to be strong intrest from a russian club, first few offers to the fire have been declined but the newest offer may be too good to pass up for an mls team. it would be tough to loose him but with our cap space and the income from this transfer we could pick up a fairly decent replacement.

Originally posted by Rochester Rhino
Chris Carrieri returns to the Colorado Rapids from Rochester.

And he is waived.

Adu Is 15 Going On . . .
He Enters 2nd Season Stronger, More Mature

By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2005; Page D01

The first thing you'll notice about the new Freddy Adu is his hair -- it's growing out and getting a little puffy. His D.C. United coaches and teammates tease him, bouncing the palms of their hands off it. His mother winces when she sees it.

"I call him 'Ugly Hair,' " Emelia Adu said, hiding a smile. "He should get a haircut."

The hair is not the only change. In the 3 1/2 months since helping United win the MLS championship as a wildly publicized rookie, the 15-year-old Adu has undergone a startling physical transformation. He said he has added 15 pounds since the end of last season, going from 130 to 145 pounds. His chest and shoulders are wider and more defined, his upper legs bulkier.

The plan is to add five more pounds onto his 5-foot-6 frame before United's league opener April 2 against the Los Angeles expansion team, Chivas USA. Adu's first serious test will come Wednesday at Maryland SoccerPlex against Harbour View of Jamaica in the first leg of an international tournament quarterfinal.

"I don't know how I did it, really -- just hard work," he said this week after team workouts at the chilly RFK Stadium auxiliary fields. "I did a lot of weightlifting, twice a day, working with conditioning people, and I've been eating a lot better, vegetables and salads, stuff like that. I hated that stuff before."

Adu's offseason work began in mid-November, three days after United had defeated the Kansas City Wizards, 3-2, at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to win its first MLS Cup title in five years.

Adu, United's third-leading scorer last year with five goals, headed to IMG Academies, the vast sports training facility in Bradenton, Fla., where he had lived as part of a U.S. soccer residency program before signing with MLS in November 2003. He began an intensive conditioning program used by many elite athletes, such as Olympic track and field star Michael Johnson and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich, that resulted in him adding significant lean muscle mass.

According to Trevor Moawad, a mental conditioning coach at IMG, Adu put on 12 pounds in 12 days in Bradenton. But what impressed Moawad most was Adu's work ethic.

"I remember being in United's locker room after they won the championship and I could see how excited Freddy was," Moawad said. "But he also said, 'I know I can be so much better next year.' It says a lot that, after a 10-month season and all he went through as a rookie, he took two days off and got down here to get back to work."

Adu is starting to notice the benefits of increased strength. In United's preseason exhibitions, he hasn't been getting shoved aside by larger opponents like he often was last year. He is also a little faster, bigger leg muscles providing greater acceleration, he said.

"He's bigger and stronger, but we're not looking to get Arnold Schwarzenegger," United Coach Peter Nowak said. "We're looking to get the soccer player Freddy Adu. He has to grow naturally, but he also has to do this stuff in the weight room to get stronger. I think it has been good for him and it will help him grow as a soccer player."

Adu realizes he must do a lot to maintain his strength, such as shedding his finicky eating habits and trying meals other than his favorite -- mom's Jollof Rice -- when he's at home in Rockville. He's also working out on his own and receiving guidance from United's fitness staff.

"I've got to plan how to keep that weight on," he said. "You've still got to eat right and just keep yourself in condition. I have some weights at home now, so I'm still doing it. But I'm not doing it too much because I don't want to get too big and get a little slower."

Adu, who will turn 16 in June, has also worked with Moawad on his mental preparation after a sometimes frustrating rookie season in which Nowak carefully regulated Adu's playing time and limited him to 14 starts in 30 regular season games. On a championship team that has back most of its players, there are no guarantees he will become a full-time starter.

"My expectations are to crack into the starting lineup," he said. "I don't want to be the kind of player that comes into every game and plays 20 or 25 minutes. That's not me. I want to play. I am very competitive and I want to be out there on the field helping the team out."

Cautioned Nowak: "We know that he grew up, we know he is a better soccer player, a better team player and a better human being. The whole process has made him better. But expectations are one thing, reality is another thing. It's very difficult to change anything major in our lineup, but Freddy is doing his best to make the starting 11."

Adu seems more mature and confident after his topsy-turvy first year, more willing to express himself on the field and demonstrate the creativity that helped turn him into one of the most promising young players in the world.

He, Moawad and the United staff got together recently while the team was training in Bradenton "to make sure Freddy's expectations were in line with the team's expectations," Moawad said. "We talked a lot about how to take the next step" and contribute more to the team.

"Right now, I am riding high on confidence," Adu said. "Once you get a year under your belt and you get a championship and your teammates accept you, your confidence skyrockets because everyone is behind you. So if you work your butt off, you should be fine. The guys have been great. They're like, 'You know what, Freddy, just play your game.' It got to the point last year where I was playing not to make mistakes. That's not me. I play to take chances, I take people on. That's exactly what I've been doing this preseason."

Another young D.C. player, third-year forward Alecko Eskandarian, has noticed a difference in Adu since the 2004 preseason.

"He's a lot more mature, no question about it," he said. "He realizes what it takes, and he's doing great. He's not getting frustrated anymore. He's going out there and having fun. Last year it was like, 'Where is he going to play? Can he handle it physically?' He can definitely handle it and now it's a matter of him finding his spot."

Adu will also likely benefit from fewer off-field distractions. He is still the most popular player in MLS -- he recently did a photo shoot with teenage pop star Hilary Duff in New York and was summoned to Los Angeles by Nike -- and his personal life is sure to change with the arrival of a learner's permit and subsequent driver's license. But the commercial and promotional demands won't be nearly as intense this year, now that the novelty has worn off a bit, and soccer will once again be his primary focus.

"He's bigger, he's stronger, he's more mentally tough and he's a winner," Moawad said. "Everything is in place for him to have a successful year. Knowing what he's gone through this offseason, I know he will do it."

Ralph all but finished with Fire

March 4, 2005

A year after the Fire lost DaMarcus Beasley and Carlos Bocanegra to European clubs, another top player is on the brink of leaving the Major League Soccer team.

Jamaican forward Damani Ralph is being pursued by an unnamed Russian Premier League team, and he could be off the Fire roster as soon as today. He didn't travel with the Fire to Mexico for the second phase of the team's spring training, choosing to remain in Chicago until negotiations are completed between the Russian club, MLS, the Fire and Jamaican club Harbourview.

Those negotiations are far along, Fire general manager Peter Wilt said Thursday.

''It's not finalized, but it's getting close,'' Wilt said.

All that's left is for Harbourview, the team Ralph played for before joining the Fire, to accept compensation for his transfer.

The deal must be completed by Tuesday, the Russian league's transfer deadline.

Ralph led the Fire in scoring last season with 11 goals and three assists.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/fire/cst-spt-fire04.html

yup it's official, tough loss :(

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=327015&cc=5901
Ralph leaving MLS for Russia

Marc Connolly
ESPN Soccernet.com

After lighting the league on fire with 22 goals and 9 assists in his first two seasons as a professional soccer player, Jamaican international Damani Ralph is leaving Major League Soccer to play for Russian side FC Rubin Kazan reports ESPN.com's Marc Connolly.


On Friday, the Daily Southtown reported that the Russian club made an offer for Ralph's services. Two days later, league sources confirmed to ESPN.com that the 24-year-old striker indeed got an offer, and accepted. In fact, Ralph is traveling overseas to Kazan on Monday to get a physical by the club.


The same source revealed that the transfer fee was two million dollars, and that a portion of this figure will be paid to the Chicago Fire.


Attempts to reach Ralph's agent, Patrick McCabe, were not successful. Several parties report him to be overseas, presumably in Russia.


Ralph's deal is said to be for three years, with his salary starting at $650,000 and increasing after each season. The fact that the club plays in a league that gets a bid in the Champions League and a chance to qualify for the UEFA Cup was a big reason for Ralph's move.


FC Rubin Kazan finished 10th in the Russian Premier League last season with a 7-12-11 record.









Good luck in Russia, Damani!!!

My would he want to move over to a mid-table Russian team?

Originally posted by Rochester Rhino
My would he want to move over to a mid-table Russian team? Prob. believes he can work his way up faster to better european teams than if he stayed with the fire.

Originally posted by Rochester Rhino
My would he want to move over to a mid-table Russian team?
$650,000 a year?

Yeah, money. Cavenaghi went to Russia too and it's as if he's dead

Wow. Amazing how all this mafia money is slowly but surely trickling down into the russian mid table teams now.
But yeah, money talks, $hit walks.

Inside sources from the Stampede say that Colorado GK Scott Vallow, who was realeased recently, will now sign with Rochester, where he played 2 season earlier.