Author Archives: Ridge Mahoney

[MLS WATCH] If any team figured to take quick advantage of the greater liberty granted by MLS teams to sign international players, it would figure to be D.C. United. In his series examining MLS clubs’ preseason maneuvers and preparations, Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney examines D.C. United’s South American shopping spree, which included the landing of Argentine World Cup veteran Marcelo Gallardo

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan is in back in the U.S. training camp, but for how long?

Registration began Sunday for the 2008 version of what is in essence an open tryout to earn a spot on an MLS team, and this year, it will be conducted by two MLS teams rather than just one.

[MLS WATCH] Most of the players expected to be picked in the SuperDraft who weren’t selected did get snagged in the Supplemental Draft held Thursday by conference call, and they weren’t alone. The 14 teams picked 51 players, with only Toronto FC showing restraint.

No sympathy will be poured out from its opponents, but the Houston Dynamo isn’t looking so dynamic up front. Joseph Ngwenya, who arrived in a trade from Columbus last season and tied for the team lead with seven goals, is joining SK Austria Karnten as a free agent. Ngwenya scored Houston’s first goal in its 2-1 MLS Cup win over New England last November.

[MLS WATCH] They’ve squared off against each other for club and country, and circumstances swept one out of town to make room for the other. Now Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz, catalysts and protagonists in many a soccer drama, are teammates.

[MLS WATCH] Whether it improves or plummets from how it performed last season (11-12-7), Kansas City won’t be the same. Two days after striker Eddie Johnson left the U.S. training camp in Southern California to talk contract with English Premier League club Fulham came the announcement of Nick Garcia‘s departure. The team’s all-time leader in appearances is bound for San Jose in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney examines the trade. …

The exodus continues. Matt Pickens, Clarence Goodson and Eddie Johnson have left the U.S. camp in Southern California to chase overseas opportunities. Taylor Twellman hasn’t. Today’s lesson is the importance of foresight.

[MLS WATCH] It took more than a decade for Denis Hamlett to secure his first job as a head coach, but at least he didn’t have to leave town to find it. The longtime Fire assistant coach, who worked under head coaches Bob Bradley, Dave Sarachan and Juan Carlos Osorio, was officially named Friday as the replacement for Osorio, who left after just five months on the job to coach the New York Red Bulls. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney explains why Hamlett is well-suited for the job.

[MLS WATCH] When is an option not an option? When a player like Guillermo Barros Schelotto believes both sides have equal power to extend or terminate the contract, and the other entity, in this case MLS, defines it as something else.

[MLS WATCH] Coaches and players came and went, one DP dazzled while the other dallied, AEG pulled out of the Red Bulls’ operation once and for all, and at some point actual dirt was actually moved at the site of what is to be Red Bull Park. All that occurred during the first year of former U.S. international Jeff Agoos‘ tenure. His second year began this week with a new title, Sporting Director, and a much heavier workload following one season as Technical Director.