Author Archives: Bryan Alvarez

[MLS] Matt Besler grew up in the Kansas City area rooting for the Kansas City Wizards. Now instead of sitting in stands on weekends, Besler takes to the field as a starting defender for his favorite team. Get to know the 22-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] After being drafted by the Chicago Fire out of the University of Maryland and playing 20 games in his rookie year, Stephen King moved to the Seattle Sounders in the expansion draft for the 2009 season. Get to know the 23-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] Jeremy Hall was the New York Red Bulls’ first selection in the 2009 SuperDraft. Even though he was drafted as an attacking player from last year’s NCAA champs, Maryland, Jeremy has found his way on the field with the Red Bull’s as a defender and has made 20 appearances. Get to know the 21-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] In his rookie year, Sam Cronin has become a significant contributor in the midfield for Toronto FC. His efforts were rewarded this summer as Cronin joined the U.S. national team for the Gold Cup. Now, he turns his attention to helping Toronto FC reach the playoffs for the first time in team history. Get to know the 22-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] Geoff Cameron is a second-year player with the Houston Dynamo and was finalist for last year’s MLS Rookie of the Year Award. This year, he’s established himself as a starter and made the MLS All-Star team. Get to know the 24-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] Eric Brunner started the 2008 season with the New York Red Bulls before a stint with the USL’s Miami FC. He’s finding his stride this season with the Columbus Crew and has contributed a goal, an assist and logged more than 1,400 minutes in 18 games. Get to know the 23-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] Eric Brunner started the 2008 season with the New York Red Bulls before a stint with the USL’s Miami FC. He’s finding his stride this season with the Columbus Crew and has contributed a goal, an assist and logged more than 1,400 minutes in 18 games. Get to know the 23-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] After four years at UCLA, Mike Zaher joined MLS in 2008 and had a stint with D.C. United before settling in nicely with the San Jose Earthquakes. Get to know the 23-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on- and off-field experiences.

[MLS] A year after helping Maryland win the 2008 College Cup, Rodney Wallace finds himself contributing significant minutes (1,336 in 16 games) to a resurgent D.C. United. This Costa Rica native, who moved to the USA at age 9, has chipped in two goals and three assists. Get to know the 21-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on- and off-field experiences.

[MLS PROFILE] Justin Braun is a second-year forward with Chivas USA who bolstered the injury-plagued frontline of the West’s second-place team. Braun’s unusual route to MLS took him from an amateur men’s team in Utah to a chance discovery by Chivas USA coach Preki at a USASA tournament at the Home Depot Center. Get to know the 22-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

[MLS] In the 2009 SuperDraft, the Los Angeles Galaxy selected Omar Gonzalez, who played two years at the University of Maryland and helped it win the 2008 NCAA title, as the third overall pick. This product of the Dallas Texans youth system is already playing a significant role for the Galaxy, which has lost just once this season. He has played all 810 minutes of Los Angeles’ nine games in central defense and even chipped a goal. Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez profiles the 20-year-old defender in the MLS Rising Stars series.

[MLS] It’s rare that a goalkeeper breaks right into an MLS team out of college, but Stefan Frei, picked 13th overall out of Cal in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, has been outstanding for Toronto FC. Frei has won the starting goalkeeper job and helped his team to a 3-1-2 record. Frei began playing soccer in Switzerland and played high school and college ball in California before finding his way to Toronto. Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez profiles the 23-year-old keeper in the MLS Rising Stars series.

[MLS] In his rookie year with D.C. United, Chris Pontius is making quite an impact. He has played every minute of every game (7 games, 630 minutes). Pontius has contributed two goals (he scored one in his debut and the other was a gamewinner) and chipped in two assists. Get to know the 21-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on- and off-field experiences.

[OFF THE POST] Alarico Endres, the trainer of Brazilian club Gremio, hypothesizes that Viagra can improve players’ performance at altitude and recommends Gremio’s players pop the blue pills when they play Libertadores Cup games at 8,200 feet above sea level in Bolivia.