The 2011 Major League Soccer draft will be held at noon today on ESPN2. I recently caught up with top prospect and former UNC All American defender Jalil Anibaba, who also happens to be my cousin, as he wrapped up his time at the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale and prepared to head to Baltimore for the draft. 

Here is a transcript of our discussion:

What's your earliest memory of playing soccer? 

I started playing soccer as soon as I could walk. I think I started playing organized soccer at the age of four and have played all the way through college. 

How many positions have you played over the course of your career? 

I've played every position on the field except goalkeeper.  

How would you describe the range of emotions you're feeling right now as the draft approaches?

It's been a mind-boggling experience, it's surreal, and didn't really hit me all week because we've been pretty busy but realizing that I'm this close to fulfilling my goal of becoming a professional soccer player is an amazing feeling. 

You competed on the U.S. men's U-18 and U-20 national teams, what was that experience like?

It was a tremendous experience that lent itself greatly to my maturity as a player. The opportunity to travel and compete with with the top talent in your age group in the U.S. and across the world—you also start to understand the demands of a rigorous competition schedule. 

You were a team captain while at Santa Clara and many draft experts and evaluators have described you as a vocal leader on the field. How would you describe your leadership style? 

As a player, I'm very calm and unemotional. I try to engage my teammates by talking myself and them through the game. Communication is a huge part of the sport and I feel like I'm at my best when I'm able to communicate with my teammates on the field.

Draft experts have you going anywhere from 5th to 13th in the first round. What are your thoughts on that? 

To be honest, it's essentially useless for me to pay attention to mock drafts. What's meant to be will be.

How would you describe your dad's influence on your life and style of play? 

My dad's influence is everything in my life. He taught my brothers and I about character, etiquette, and responsibility. When it comes to the game of soccer he's a passionate player and coach. He's taught me so much about the game of soccer but my approach to the game is slightly different than his because I'm more calm and tend to channel my emotion inward as a player.

What are your long term goals as a professional? Do you want to play overseas in Europe for instance? 

I like to keep an open mind and this is the first big step for me but like every kid who's ever stepped on a pitch, I aspire to play at the highest level possible. 

Check out what else I've got to say on my blog. 

Follow me on Twitter: @SportsFanaddict

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This is Part Three in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season.


For a journeyman forward like Adam Cristman, the frequent flyer miles are accumulating en masse.

Cristman's work as a forward has seen him ply his trade with three different clubs in Major League Soccer, making an impact as a member of the New England Revolution and D.C. United.

Now, with Edson Buddle leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy for greener pastures across the pond, Cristman—who stands 6-foot-1—will look to fill a lost void and deliver the same offensive firepower as he joins his fourth club in five years.

Adam Cristman was born on Jan. 8, 1985 in Washington, DC. As a youth player, Cristman played for the Eagles of Mills Godwin High School in nearby Richmond, Virginia. In 2003, Cristman led the Eagles to a 22-0-0 record, a #1 national ranking and a Virginia AAA state championship.

Cristman continued his work at the University of virginia. He was named a two-time NSCAA All-South Atlantic Team and All-ACC Team honoree in 2005 and 2006 while leading the Cavaliers to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1997.

Cristman tallied 34 goals and 15 assists as a four-year starter at Virginia from 2003-2006 while spending one season with the Richmond Kickers Future side in 2004. As a member of the USA Under-18 men's national team, Cristman scored four goals in 31 appearances.

In 2007, Adam Cristman was selected as the 48th overall pick by the New England Revolution at the MLS SuperDraft.

The payoff was immense, as Cristman appeared in nearly every game of the season for the Revs. His work as a regular substitute gave way to a role as a game-time starter by midseason.

In all, Cristman scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for the New England Revolution and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2007.

When the 2008 MLS season ended, Cristman was traded to the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) for allocation money and a third round 2009 MLS SuperDraft selection.

Injuries limited his playing time with Sporting, but he made his team debut on July 25, 2009 against the Galaxy. However, Cristman was limited to just five appearances, with no goals to his credit.

But Cristman was determined to get back on track, and on Feb. 3, 2010, he returned home as a member of D.C. United as part of a trade for one of its international player spots to Sporting until Dec. 31, 2011.

It was a tough year for D.C. in 2010. The most storied club in the league finished at the bottom of the table, and in just 17 appearances, Cristman managed just two goals.

Finally, Cristman got a chance to play with a couple of notable players in David Beckham and Landon Donovan. On Jan. 11, 2011, he was traded to the Galaxy in exchange for the team's first-round 2011 Supplemental Draft pick.

Now, as this journeyman forward looks to flourish under the bright lights of Victoria Street, Adam Cristman hopes that his road will end with an MLS Cup lifted on high.

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To succeed on the international stage, a player has to be getting consistent minutes with his club team. The guys that are playing regularly are sharper and more in form, both mentally and physically. They also stay on the radar of Bob Bradley.

Freddy Adu is running out of clubs in Europe willing to give him a chance, which is why this January transfer window, he should make his way back to MLS.

Since leaving Real Salt Lake in 2007, Adu has been on the roster for four clubs: Benifica, AS Monaco, Belenenses and Aris. Technically, Benifica owns his rights and he is on loan to Aris, but both clubs are dead ends.

Adu has a year left on his deal with Benifica, but ownership has said that they are willing to loan him out again or allow him to leave on a free transfer. Aris management has deemed him a “surplus” and wishes to cancel the rest of his loan deal with the club.

Since his ousting at Aris, he has trained with Swiss side FC Sion and Danish club Randers FC, and is now on trial with German second-division team Ingolstadt. His latest European venture seems to be just as fruitless as the others, with team coach Benno Mohlmann not a fan of his chances with the club that has scored only one goal in its past 14 games.

“Basically, Freddy is certainly an interesting player, but one who couldn’t really help us in the current situation. If a contract does come about, it will depend on his consultants. Freddy would have to accept a path through our second team,” he said to a German newspaper.

Playing for a reserve team on a floundering club in a second division in Germany will not get Adu playing for the United States’ Men’s National Team any time soon. He needs to come back to MLS, where it all began, to regularly play first-team football.

Anyone that would say Adu is a bust would be foolish. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, especially with the youth national sides. He also played well in the previous Gold Cup, even scoring a goal in the tournament.

He’s also still only 21, so there is still plenty of time and room for improvement. He just needs to play. Coming back to America won’t make him a failure either.

Landon Donovan started out with a German club. Unhappy with his role there, he was loaned to the MLS at the age of 18. He returned to the Bundesliga four years later. He played in only seven games, which led him to state his desire to return to the MLS. Bayern Leverkusen granted his wish, and since then, Donovan has become arguably the best player the U.S. has ever produced.

He hasn’t made a permanent move back to Europe, but he has been on the verge of a move. More importantly, he got his playing time, developed, and is now the main guy for USA.

There’s no reason to think that Adu can’t make a similar progression. But he has to come back.

There are teams that would take him and play him, and those teams—and the league—are better than some of the sides and leagues he’s been training with.

The biggest hurdle will potentially be the salary. MLS is notorious for relatively low salaries comparative to the contracts European teams can offer. It’s also hard to imagine that any team would use a Designated Player spot to acquire him.

But no one else really wants him, so the ones that do aren’t going to offer him a heck of a lot of money anyway.

Adu has to accept his fate. What he’s doing now is not getting the job done.

It’s time for Adu to get back on the field, and he will be able to do that in America. His only other option is to continue his trial tour across Europe, which has yet to yield him a job.

If he doesn’t find a spot soon, the once promising young star could fade out into obscurity.

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The Philadelphia Union announced a new four-year, $12 million contract with the international baked goods company Bimbo. This is the first company logo to ever be featured on the front of both the home and away Philadelphia Union Jerseys.

Background:

Bimbo Bakeries USA got it's start in 1984 when the Brand Grupo Bimbo extended its sales market to California and Texas, buying dozens of local bakeries along the way.  Since then, Bimbo has acquired numerous other brands such as Thomas', Entenmann's, Boboli, and Stroehman Bakeries. 

The company has also been linked to recent rumors with the financially strapped Tastykake Brand. The brand of Bimbo goods is setting 2011 as the major  start to their sales in the United States. The Philadelphia Union is the fifth soccer team to earn the jersey sponsorship from the group. Three teams in Mexico (Chivas, Club America, Monterrey) and one team in Costa Rica (Saprissa) already carry the brand on the front of their jerseys.   

Pros:

There are a great deal of positives that come with this deal that many fans have overlooked. A major partnership like the one with Bimbo will allow the team extra financial stability, which is essential for a new club.  The deal will also allow them to upgrade their practice facilities, have money to sign highly sought-after players, and allow for less financial impact on the fans through ticket sales. 

Aside from the financial gains, the club has negotiated that the marketing power of Bimbo be at their disposal.  The Union name will be seen in stores all over the country with their help.  When asked, the club stated that it was not an attempt to relate to Hispanic immigrants and that they would rather do so with the club's play on the pitch.

This sponsorship does not just affect the Union; the entire MLS will benefit from the new deal. Bimbo will now advertise in every stadium in the league, and they are also running a "Soccer Mom of the Year" award with the Union as a partner.   

Cons:

This deal has definitely come with mixed emotions for Philadelphia Union fans.  Complaints about the size and color of the logo clashing with the blue and gold have been voiced repeatedly, and the name has also been cause for concern:  though it is pronounced as "Beembo," the word's spelling might leave uninformed people a little skeptical.  A Bimbo is defined as "a foolish, stupid, or inept person" or also as "an attractive, but stupid young woman with loose morals." 

The name may be pronounced "Beembo," but the fact remains that it is spelled the same way as the derogatory word.  Many men and women feel that it is not right to have a logo that can be taken in such a way and will be boycotting the jersey.  As for the logo design itself, the most popular reference to the way it looks is "like a bumper sticker was just slapped on the front as an afterthought." 

Many fans are calling for a kit redesign.  Another option would be to put the Bimbo Bakeries USA logo on the front instead.

Conclusion:

In the end, it comes down to the team.  The Philadelphia Union executives decided that this would be the best way to expand the Union brand and accomplish their goals.  Many of the skeptics will probably turn into believers when the Union shows that they will use this money responsibly.  It is without a doubt a great move by the Philadelphia Union. 

Although many jokes will be made by Union fans and rival fans alike, in a year, the joke will be lost.  A true fan doesn't have to agree with the decisions their team makes but supports them nonetheless.

I am a true fan and am thankful for the new sponsorship and know that even though the sponsorship is there, the logo you should concentrate on is the one right above Bimbo's. I, for one, will be there for every game to support the team. 

Do to terms of use, I don't have a picture of the sponsored jerseys, but pictures of all five sponsored teams can be found here on the team's website.

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Adam Cristman to the G's

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired forward Adam Cristman from D.C. United in exchange for the Galaxy's first round pick of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft.

The 26-year old Cristman has 12 goals and six assists in 68 career regular season games. A strong and powerful forward, he was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2007 by totaling four goals and four assists in a career-high 28 games with the Revolution.

In 2008, Cristman scored a career-best six goals despite being limited to just 18 games from a toe injury. He was traded to Kansas City prior to the start of the 2009 season but was limited to just five appearances because of a fractured metatarsal that required surgery.

In 2010, Cristman joined the ranks of D.C. United. He appeared in 17 games for United last season, making eight starts while tallying two goals and an assist.

A special on Adam Cristman as part of the "This is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series will be posted later this week.

High hopes for Omar

Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez looks to crack the USA men's national team roster for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“My goals are to be on [the Gold Cup] team, if not starting then helping out any way that I can,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve just got to focus on being myself, playing freely, not putting too much pressure on myself. If I do that, the rest will come along with it.”

For the third-year player, the help he received from his veteran teammates has proved invaluable to his dreams of becoming successful on an international level. Notable national team players include defender/assistant coach Gregg Berhalter and midfielder/team captain Landon Donovan.

“The main thing is that I’ve always had good people around me, good friends and good teammates who can help me,” Gonzalez said. “That was always the main thing for me.

"All of the veteran players with the Galaxy were always there for me to talk to. It was always good but they’re not here right now so just take what I’ve learned and be confident because I’ve had two good years, so just take that and keep on going with it.”

The USA take on Chile on Jan. 22.

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After winning the 2010 MLS Cup, defeating Dallas 2-1 in extra time, the defending champion Colorado Rapids are sitting pretty come the January 13 MLS Superdraft.  Despite the expansion draft for MLS' two new 2011 franchises, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Portland Timbers, Colorado managed to keep its entire starting XI from the MLS Cup intact.  

The MLS Superdraft will be three rounds this year, with expansion clubs Vancouver and Portland picking first and second each round, and MLS Cup Champions Colorado picking last at 18th and 36th.  The draft lasts three rounds, but the Rapids only have picks in the first two, having traded away their 2011 third round pick along with midfielder Nick LaBrocca to Toronto FC for Marvell Wynne during the season.

Following the Superdraft, there will be a supplemental draft for players that were not selected initially.

The Rapids are in a low pressure situation.  They don't have to worry about swinging for the fences with a high draft pick and missing.  With the main starting XI returning, the Rapids merely need to add smart depth and players that can develop behind the front XI into future starters. 

Colorado's Depth Needs By Position

Goalkeeper

Matt Pickens, at age 28, has ensconsed himself as the starter for the future with a near-MLS Cup MVP performance, earning himself a USMNT January camp call-up.  Backup Ian Joyce only played one game, but is only 25 with some Champions League experience.  Colorado is only carrying two goalies, however. 

In the supplemental draft, it may behoove the Rapids to pick someone like Denver University's own Joe Willis in order to carry three goalies.

Priority: LOW

Defensive Backs

The Rapids traded center backs Julian Baudet and Danny Earls prior to the expansion draft in order to protect more of the starting roster.  They have since signed former Rapid and MLS veteran Tyrone Marshall, 36, to be the big body off the bench.  Drew Moor and Marvell Wynne are a quality center tandem, but will need more than just Marshall behind them. 

Koske Kimura and Anthony Wallace have the right and left fullback positions locked down.  The only backups to these positions currently is slotting midfielder Wells Thompson at left back, or having Marvell Wynne slide over to the right. 

The Rapids almost certainly will get a defensive back in this draft. Quality players who may be available with the 18th pick:

Michael Tetteh (LB, USCB).  Tetteh is a speedy, attacking left back who could also be slotted at left wing.  It would be very tempting to take him should he fall this far. 

A.J. Soares (CB, Cal).  Soares is a pure center back, and a good passer, and is probably MLS-ready.  He may not fall this far, however. 

Michael Boxall (CB, UCSB).  Boxall, another pure center back, also has international experience with the New Zealand youth squads, and may be more MLS-ready than most.  His combine showing hasn't been terrific so far, and he may fall to number 18. 

Priority: HIGH

Forwards

Conor Casey and Omar Cummings formed arguably the league's best strike duo in 2010, with 27 goals between them.  Cummings is off on a short-term loan to Aston Villa for the winter, which should be great news for his form when he rejoins the Rapids in March. 

There is almost no chance Cummings will make a permanent move to Villa.  He has two years left on his contract, and Villa will have to offer quite a high price to make it permanent—rumors say $3 million.  That would have to happen soon, as Colorado would then need to use that money to get another striker by the end of the January transfer window. 

More likely, Colorado is going to offer Omar a generous contract extension this year and keep him a Rapid.  

Mac Kandji was supposed to be the perfect number three striker, and he was, his soft lob in overtime of the MLS Cup turning into the winning own goal.  Unfortunately, Kandji tore his ACL on the play, and will not return until mid-season, and will have to play his way back into form. 

Casey and Cummings can't play every minute this season, and there are six or more extra games for the Rapids in the CONCACAF Champions League.  The only other two strikers on the Rapids' roster are Quincy Amarikwa and Andre Akpan, both 23.  It's possible one or the other could develop into the third striker role, but neither played much in 2010, and if a quality striker were available at No. 18, it would be tough for the Rapids to pass by. 

Strikers that could be available at the end of the first round include:

Victor Estupiñán (Ecuador).  Estupinan is a member of the senior national side, and is on loan to MLS.  He hasn't had a great combine, but is considered a very skilled attacker, and could be a steal at No. 18.  Even though it would initially be a shorter-term signing, the Rapids expect to have Mac Kandji back at some point. 

Jason Herrick (Maryland).  May be one of the best forwards left at slot No. 18.

Justin Meram (Michigan).  Could be one of the steals of the draft at any number.  He was a dangerous score-from-anywhere player at Michigan, is looking good in the combine, and if available at No. 18 is probably the best player.

John Rooney (England).  Wayne's lil' bro.  It's hard to project where or if he'll go in the first round, so he may very well be available.  He's shown that he's good on the ball and has scored in the combine, and has English Champions and Coca-Cola league experience, which may be attractive to Gary Smith. 

C.J. Sapong (James Madison).  Sapong is pushed down by all the Generation Addidas talent going in the top 10, and this speedy attacker may be ready to come off the bench. 

Priority: HIGH

Midfielders

The Rapids are well stocked in the midfield.  Current central starters Jeff Larentowicz and Pablo Mastroeni formed one of the toughest defensive duos in the league, and the team was bolstered by excellent outside service from wings Jamie Smith and Brian Mullan, backed up by Wells Thompson.  The team also added speedy, versatile midfielder Sanna Nyassi, and has a total of nine mids on the current roster. 

The Rapids have depth in the midfield, especially with the addition of Nyassi, who can play wing or forward late in games.   

It's not out of the question that if a high-level midfield talent were available with the 18th pick that the Rapids would draft them.  Versatility would be the key to such a selection.

Potential midfield fits for the Rapids at pick No. 18:

Ashley McInnes (M/F, Tulsa).  The pacey native Scot would make a lot of sense for the Rapids, with his ability to play both forward and midfield. 

Stephen McCarthy (UNC).  McCarthy might be the prototypical Gary Smith midfielder, tough, a defensive-minded passer, and with a high work rate, useful for subbing Larentowicz and Mastroeni, and with an eye towards the future in the center. 

There will be a lot of other midfielders available with this pick, but Colorado has much higher needs at center back and forward, and if any of the better options are available, they'll grab them, rather than waste this pick within a pool of similarly graded midfielders at this point. 

Note that the Rapids will not be taking a "creative" midfield option, such as Anthony Ampaipitakwong or Justin Farfan, should they be available.  They won't fit into Gary Smith's EPL-style system. 

Lastly, if you wonder if any of these players will be available when the Rapids select, you can bank on it.  The Rapids pick 18th, and I've listed 10 players that would potentially be good picks.  All 10 Generation Addidas players will be selected before the Rapids pick, leaving seven teams to pick seven of the ten possibilities listed.  Most likely the Rapids will have four to six of these players available to choose from. 

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This is part 1 of 4 of BTTN's Toronto FC Offseason Roster Assessment

With training camp starting within the month, and our coaches now in place it is time to assess Toronto FCs roster and what additions are needed in the offseason. It’s quite alarming that Toronto FC only has 17 players on its roster, when the MLS can take a maximum of 26 senior roster players and four developmental ones.

Not only is the roster abysmally small, but Toronto FC has only picked up one new player this offseason. At the moment, it is frightening to glance at the currently barren TFC roster. However, there is hope. 

Firstly, there are some very talented players who are remaining. Secondly, much of the fat from last year’s roster has already been cut. Overpriced and outclassed players like Garcia, Hscanovics and Usanov have already been released, along with others who were not worth the cap space they took up.

And most importantly, we have a new management team in place that will be actively looking for players to fill their system. What remains in the roster? Is it a good core to build on? Or is there much more to be desired? 

Here is my take on the current roster and what Toronto FC still needs for the upcoming season. In each section (Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards) I’ll rank the section as a whole and each player out of five. I’ll try to do this as comprehensively a report as possible so that we can truly see how TFC are doing at this point.

Today, we'll take a look at the keepers.

Goalkeepers: 4.5/5

This is arguably the strongest part of the roster. Toronto FC has a formidable starting goalie in Stefan Frei, and a great amount of depth in Milos Kocic and Jon Conway. Stefan Frei is without a doubt one of the best keepers in the league, and has saved us on numerous occasions last season with monumental saves.

Toronto FC’s backup keepers are also excellent and have served us well when used. Toronto FC is really strong between the uprights and with good depth in Jon Conway and a great prospect for the future in Milos Kocic, the club is truly prepared for anything that comes at them. 

Stefan Frei 4.5/5

Stefan Frei was Drafted 13th Overall in the 2009 MLS Super Draft by Toronto FC. He has quickly established himself as the team’s top goalie and has been a key feature for Toronto FC ever since. He’s earned numerous Save of the Week awards, a couple Man of the Match distinctions and in 2010 had the most saves of anybody in Major League Soccer. Frei has been a life saver for Toronto; His saves have kept them in games that would otherwise be outright embarrassments. 

He is more than just a shot stopper however. He’s a great leader and communicates well with his defense. He is a pretty good ball distributor. Other than Maurice Edu he has been the best draft pick in Toronto FC history. In the next couple years, if Frei’s excellent form continues, he will likely make a big deal move to Europe. Until then he will continue to be Toronto FC’s savior between the posts. 

Jon Conway 3.5/5

Jon Conway has been in Major League Soccer for 10 years now and has established himself as a very steady back-up keeper. He has won two MLS Cups and was previously the starting goalkeeper for RBNY as well as a supporting keeper to some of the league’s best, like Joe Canon and Pat Onstad. Conway could probably start at some MLS clubs. 

He is a strong shot-stopper and has adequate distribution skills. When featured, he has done well and impressed. He will continue to help out when Frei is injured or rested and I feel confident in his abilities to cover for Toronto FC in net.

 

Miloš Kocic 3/5

Kocic is another great back-up keeper and loaning him out to Serbian White Eagles last season really helped him improve. He is young and has loads of potential; if Stefan Frei is sold to a European club, Milos could be our replacement. Another loan next season would be a good idea as he is our third string keeper, the loan would help him improve even more.


Improvements Needed?

Not at all. Frei is an amazing starting keeper who will continue to improve, he is really someone we can trust and rely on to keep our net empty. Meanwhile, Kocic and Conway are both good back-ups. So what can this section of our roster improve on? Frei had a massive amount of saves last year (108), but he really shouldn’t have to make that many. The defense really has to step it up and support their keepers and in Part Two we will talk about the defense and what must be done there.

What do you guys think about our Goalkeeper situation? Do you have any preliminary thoughts about Toronto FC’s defense? If you have any questions/comments make sure to post them in the comments section. Thanks for reading!

This article is also featured at BTTN, a new Toronto sports site.

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This is part 1 of 4 of BTTN's Toronto FC Offseason Roster Assessment

With training camp starting within the month, and our coaches now in place it is time to assess Toronto FCs roster and what additions are needed in the offseason. It’s quite alarming that Toronto FC only has 17 players on its roster, when the MLS can take a maximum of 26 senior roster players and four developmental ones.

Not only is the roster abysmally small, but Toronto FC has only picked up one new player this offseason. At the moment, it is frightening to glance at the currently barren TFC roster. However, there is hope. 

Firstly, there are some very talented players who are remaining. Secondly, much of the fat from last year’s roster has already been cut. Overpriced and outclassed players like Garcia, Hscanovics and Usanov have already been released, along with others who were not worth the cap space they took up.

And most importantly, we have a new management team in place that will be actively looking for players to fill their system. What remains in the roster? Is it a good core to build on? Or is there much more to be desired? 

Here is my take on the current roster and what Toronto FC still needs for the upcoming season. In each section (Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards) I’ll rank the section as a whole and each player out of five. I’ll try to do this as comprehensively a report as possible so that we can truly see how TFC are doing at this point.

Today, we'll take a look at the keepers.

Goalkeepers: 4.5/5

This is arguably the strongest part of the roster. Toronto FC has a formidable starting goalie in Stefan Frei, and a great amount of depth in Milos Kocic and Jon Conway. Stefan Frei is without a doubt one of the best keepers in the league, and has saved us on numerous occasions last season with monumental saves.

Toronto FC’s backup keepers are also excellent and have served us well when used. Toronto FC is really strong between the uprights and with good depth in Jon Conway and a great prospect for the future in Milos Kocic, the club is truly prepared for anything that comes at them. 

Stefan Frei 4.5/5

Stefan Frei was Drafted 13th Overall in the 2009 MLS Super Draft by Toronto FC. He has quickly established himself as the team’s top goalie and has been a key feature for Toronto FC ever since. He’s earned numerous Save of the Week awards, a couple Man of the Match distinctions and in 2010 had the most saves of anybody in Major League Soccer. Frei has been a life saver for Toronto; His saves have kept them in games that would otherwise be outright embarrassments. 

He is more than just a shot stopper however. He’s a great leader and communicates well with his defense. He is a pretty good ball distributor. Other than Maurice Edu he has been the best draft pick in Toronto FC history. In the next couple years, if Frei’s excellent form continues, he will likely make a big deal move to Europe. Until then he will continue to be Toronto FC’s savior between the posts. 

Jon Conway 3.5/5

Jon Conway has been in Major League Soccer for 10 years now and has established himself as a very steady back-up keeper. He has won two MLS Cups and was previously the starting goalkeeper for RBNY as well as a supporting keeper to some of the league’s best, like Joe Canon and Pat Onstad. Conway could probably start at some MLS clubs. 

He is a strong shot-stopper and has adequate distribution skills. When featured, he has done well and impressed. He will continue to help out when Frei is injured or rested and I feel confident in his abilities to cover for Toronto FC in net.

 

Miloš Kocic 3/5

Kocic is another great back-up keeper and loaning him out to Serbian White Eagles last season really helped him improve. He is young and has loads of potential; if Stefan Frei is sold to a European club, Milos could be our replacement. Another loan next season would be a good idea as he is our third string keeper, the loan would help him improve even more.


Improvements Needed?

Not at all. Frei is an amazing starting keeper who will continue to improve, he is really someone we can trust and rely on to keep our net empty. Meanwhile, Kocic and Conway are both good back-ups. So what can this section of our roster improve on? Frei had a massive amount of saves last year (108), but he really shouldn’t have to make that many. The defense really has to step it up and support their keepers and in Part Two we will talk about the defense and what must be done there.

What do you guys think about our Goalkeeper situation? Do you have any preliminary thoughts about Toronto FC’s defense? If you have any questions/comments make sure to post them in the comments section. Thanks for reading!

This article is also featured at BTTN, a new Toronto sports site.

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News from the USA camp


Los Angeles Galaxy defenders Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and A.J. de LA Garza were among 24 players selected for the US men's national team camp at the Home Depot Center ahead of the Jan. 22 friendly with Chile.

When asked about the experience of being with the Stars and Stripes, Franklin was nothing short of captivated.

“It’s nice. Having a couple of guys that you know in camp makes you feel more comfortable, less nervous when you know someone you can talk to about the game,” Franklin said. “It’s going to be a fun camp, not just with AJ and Omar, but with all the guys here.”

Gonzalez earned his first cap last year in an August friendly with Brazil at the New Meadowland Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“It’s great. It gives me a sense of home. I’ve been with them two years now, every day,” Gonzalez said. “It’s great having them here, just to relax at the hotel together, hang out and come out here and play comfortably with them.”

For De La Garza, the fruits of his labor, playing the role of center back for the G's, are being savored.

“It’s crazy. Obviously playing with Maryland, the Galaxy and now here, it’s crazy,” DeLaGarza said. “I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s good to have him here because we know each other really well, and having Sean here also makes it easier.”

Franklin intends to use the match as a measuring stick for the players' level of fitness heading into the 2011 Major League Soccer season.

“We’ll be a little bit ahead of the game but that’s how it is,” Franklin said. “When we get back, our team’s going to be happy to see us and I’m also looking forward to starting the season with the Galaxy.”



SuperDraft upcoming, and Stephens' thoughts


The 2011 MLS SuperDraft is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 13 at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. The league announced that the SuperDraft will be trimmed to three rounds as a result of feedback from a number of clubs, coaches and players.

Each team will have four minutes to make a selection in rounds one and two, and three minutes in the third round. A five-minute break will separate each of the three rounds and every club also has the option of using a single five-minute timeout.

In addition, the Supplemental Draft will return, and will also consist of three rounds.

For midfielder Michael Stephens, a former SuperDraft pick out of UCLA, the memory from last year remains fresh.

"It’s a whirlwind," Stephens said. "You’re trying to figure out where you’re going to go and there is some crazy talk going on. It’s nerve wracking. I was just sitting there waiting and hoping."

Before the SuperDraft, there is an MLS Players' Combine, which will conclude on Jan. 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"You don’t really know what to expect," said Stephens on the combine. "You’re playing with guys you’ve never played before and it’s definitely a nervous situation. Some people have good weeks, some people don’t. I don’t think it defines you as a player but obviously all those guys get stressed and it’s a tough time for sure.”

Stephens soaked in the moment his name was announced as a pick by Los Angeles.

"I was going crazy," Stephens said. "That’s where I really wanted to go, so for it to actually happen was very, very, very exciting to me."

The second-year player will look to build on his experience.

"I think I’ll be a lot more comfortable knowing what’s in store for me, what preseason brings," Stephens said. "I think I’ll be a smarter player with a year under my belt and hope to be more productive next year."



No loan for Mr. Beckham


It is official: there will be no loan deal for midfielder David Beckham. Instead, he will train with Tottenham Hotspur for one month.

"David is a fantastic professional—he will be a great influence around the place and I am sure we will all benefit from his winning mentality," Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said. "I think everyone will enjoy having him here. We'd love to have him here for longer but respect his commitments to LA Galaxy.

"They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks."

"It's important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS off season," Beckham said. "I'm thankful to Tottenham and Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to train with the team over the next month.

"I'm grateful to the LA Galaxy for allowing to me to train with Spurs. I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."

At least Becks will not suffer an injury like he did with Milan...



Even more honors for Landon Donovan


Last week, midfielder and team captain Landon Donovan was named 2010 Player of the Year by Fútbol de Primera for the fourth straight year and a record seventh time overall.

Chosen as the US’ top player by a panel consisting of nearly 200 journalists across the country, Donovan easily finished atop the ballot with 403 points. Following him in the poll were Michael Bradley with 169 points and Clint Dempsey with 157 points.

Donovan first won the award in 2002, becoming the youngest player to receive said accolade. He added onto his trophy case in 2003, 2004, and from 2007-2010.

Fútbol de Primera is the official and exclusive US radio broadcaster of all FIFA events, including the 2011 Gold Cup and the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

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Ten days from now, Real Salt Lake will begin its preseason training, perhaps a bit earlier than most Major League Soccer clubs. 

While most MLS clubs are either focusing on rebuilding from last year (ahem, D.C.), or thinking about long-term plans to nab the MLS Cup title, Salt Lake is putting its focus on one thing right now: its quarterfinal fixture in the CONCACAF Champions League. 

Dormant for nearly three months, the Champions League will resume play at the tail end of February, and Salt Lake opens up the knockout stage, when the Royals will take on fellow domestic club, Columbus Crew, the Group B runners-up. 

Given, the fact that Columbus has completely gutted out its roster, and seems to be starting from scratch, while RSL has practically the same squad assembled (minus Robbie Findley), it seems to be a no-brainer that RSL will have a huge advantage over the Crew. 

Still, with MLS having a parity-ridden track record, and Los Angeles' embarrassing loss against Puerto Rico, one cannot presume that Salt Lake will have a cakewalk to the finals, even if RSL has most realistic chance of a non-Mexican club to win the Champions League.

Even with such a humble outlook, Salt Lake will be racing out to Columbus and kicking off 2011 with one goal in mind: to win the CONCACAF Champions League. And, if Real Salt Lake hasn't shown it already in Group Stage, the team may put a scare to the Mexican finalist should it have to play Salt Lake in the Champions League finals. 

The perfect example has to come from Cruz Azul, the Mexican powerhouse that found itself trailing RSL 3-1...70 minutes into the match...in its home arena. Ultimately, RSL would lose 5-4, but the club's efforts on the road, and its undefeated record at Rio Tinto made it a scary squad to go up against. Perhaps its resilience can explain why Real won its Group. 

This attitude has also made Real go into each match vying for a win, and not think that each win is an easy victory, because, in all honesty, things could have gone south for Salt Lake, and the team members could have been scratching their heads at the end of the Cruz Azul match last October...wondering what had happened.

But that attitude, that mentality, the players believing that if they go out and put forth effort and play collectively as a team they would accomplish great things has been very beneficial. Thus far in its Champions League campaign, Salt Lake has scored a staggering 17 goals in six matches. Nine different players have contributed to those 17 goals, making it extremely difficult for the opposition to solely watch one person, with numerous different attacking weapons on an off the bench.

That scoring ability should play to Salt Lake's advantage in its quarterfinal leg against Columbus, and if it pays off, there's no reason why it shouldn't in the semifinals against either Olimpia or Saprissa. From there, anything can happen.

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