The Brunner trade and the Kimura/Gallego trade happened in quick succession, but I'm not so sure that they are deeply connected. Portland still has four CBs on the books (and as an aside, they've got plenty of size): Horst -- 6'4" Danso -- 6'3" Jean-Baptiste -- 6'2" Mosquera -- 6'1" I agree that the trade of Gallego's rights means that he is more likely to sign an HG deal this offseason. That being said, I wouldn't discount the possibility that Porter just wanted his rights for down the road. Since the Timbers were already talking to New York about dumping Kimura, perhaps it was just a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Cross-posted from another thread, but, Steve Neumann of Georgetown will reportedly be back for his senior season: https://twitter.com/travismclark/status/278170197620322304
I went back and checked Akron's past records. Only one sub-.500 season in the last 47 (9-10 in '92). Not exactly the Cubs (or, to pick a local example, the Browns). --Mike
I think he meant from the perspective of all sports. Yeah, the soccer team has been very good but the football team is, to put it kindly, atrociouslyhorrible.
I sure can feel that Browns I sure can feel that Browns example. Zips Soccer community is inherently hostile because of the routine disrespect shown by the NCAA throughout the decades, not just this year. This goes way back into the 1970s, when I started attending. We all realize that this is because Akron is not in a major (BCS) conference. There have been several squads that have arguably been the best in the land, and were not granted the inside track to the title. 2005 was probably the most egregious example of this mistreatment, ranked #1 NSCAA and then seeded #9. This propelled Coach Ken Lolla to leave for a more respected conference. There is the moving of 2008 quarterfinal home match to the away pitch, purportedly due to weather conditions. There are many more examples. This is what I mean by long-suffering. We are among the most stalwart and steadfast fan bases in all of the NCAA, even if we are not particularly large. Akron’s pioneering soccer program has shockingly rendered but one championship.
Trapp leaving is official. http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/crew-sign-trapp-as-homegrown-player.html
Hark, some actual news! FC Dallas has asked the league to offer a contract to South Carolina Jr. F Bradlee Baladez. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/12/18/fcd-notebook-pertuz-return-hits-snag-homegrowns The inference here is who FCD hasn't asked the league to offer a contract to, which is the UNC duo of So. D Boyd Okwuonu Fr. M Danny Garcia and Maryland Fr. D Mike Ambrose.
Not sure exactly, but he has signed with an agent. This is according to multiple people that I have spoken to.
It's no surprise that Gyasi Zardes is leaving early, but he has apparently signed a HG team with the Galaxy. http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/beat/2012/12/19/zardes-sign-homegrown-contract-galaxy
Baladez is official. http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2012/12/fc-dallas-inks-texas-native-bradlee-baladez-homegrown-deal
So, the ones we have officially confirmed are: Bradlee Baladez, Jr. F, South Carolina (Dallas - HG) Wil Trap, So. M, Akron (Columbus - HG) Gyasi Zardes, R-Jr. F, CS Bakersfield (Los Angeles - HG)
When the salaries are released, it will be interesting to see if he won or lost in his year long stare down with the team.
And even if it's a "win", he lost a year's salary at whatever rate LA offered him last winter, plus his initial contract will run one year further into his 20s than it would have otherwise.