Yes, it's an affiliate. Really the only reason for MLS clubs to have affiliates is so they can sign HG players. I don't put much stock in Arriola signing an LOI with UCLA, it's just a backup option. No different than when the top h.s. baseball players sign LOI's to a college but turn pro. Oscar Sorto and Benji Joya had both signed LOI's to Cal State Bakersfield, but obviously never made it there because they turned pro.
A Gale Agbossoumonde sighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's on the bench for TFC............. Not much to be excited about in regards to youngsters so far today. [Of course many our with the U20s] In a sign of tough times for Salgado at forward for Vancouver...........Manneh, Mattocks, and Miller start with Hurtado, Hertzog, and Camilo on the bench. It looks like they're in a 4-2-3-1 with Miller up top. Manneh's playing wide left and Mattocks wide right Jesus that club is stacked with forwards/wingers. Even when Salgado returns to full health, he's really got a fight on his hands for playing time.
Yedlin is confident, athletic, and better than any of the right backs we've seen in qualifying. Hopefully he starts at Tigres on Wednesday.
Do you know if Yedlin just won the starting RB job for Seattle or is someone hurt? While I'm not thrilled our U20 coach never even really looked at a guy that started a season opener in MLS. It could end up being a blessing in disguise as Yedlin was able to participate in a full preseason and earn this chance.
Adam Johansson is hurt, but Seattle could have slid Zach Scott over to right back. Sigi played Yedlin instead.
Jonathan Top not on the bench for FCD. I've been hearing thru the grapevine that the coaching staff has been impressed with their recent homegrown signing Bradlee Baladez, and he was on the bench instead. Acosta wasn't on the bench either, but that's less of a surprise.
Of course, the team that currently has the most homegrown signings on their roster is the Columbus Crew (not FCD as long as Hernandez is on loan)................and not one of them played in their game against Chivas.
Baladez was up and about to check into the game when Hedges went down with an injury and Keel came on instead.
More on the Arriola front....at Gals half time they showed the jersey unveiling and a little party. In doing so they was a scene with McBean/Sorto/Arriola on stage wearing the jersey....
USAMEX10 pointed out in another thread that Julio Morales started over Agudelo for Chivas USA. He's a 93 and one of the Chivas loanees.
He's looked decent. Do you see Chandler Hoffman getting much time with the Galaxy? When I saw the trade I wondered if he might take some minutes away from McBean even though they have very different styles.
Yeah, with Hoffman's UCLA connection I wondered if it was a geographical preference over a depth chart issue. He was behind Le Toux, Casey, McInerney, and Hoppenot with the Union but the Galaxy have Keane, Donovan, Zardes, Villarreal, Magee, and McBean at the forward position (along with the draft pick Rugg). Several of those Galaxy players can play other positions, of course and LA didn't appear to give up much (conditional pick). They also have the CCL.
Paging Daniel Gacia. Please pick up the phone. Get out of the NCAAs my son. You're ready!!!!!!!!!!!! If not FCD............then go abroad.
I wouldn't sign with FCD right now...sit on the bench for 2 years then start collecting unemployment....might as well get an education.
Only saw the last 15 minutes of the RSL game, but Gil looked sharp. Secondary assist on second RSL goal.