U.S. U-23 Men Open Olympic Qualifying with 6-0 Victory Over St. Kitts and Nevis Buddle scored two goals (78th, 81st minute) while Martino came on for Bobby Convey in the 74th minute.
More impressive is the two players I've been saying the Crew should pick up since August played lights out in this series. Those being David Testo and Chris Wingert. There is no doubt Columbus should go after David Testo. The Crew probably would have to use one of their two discovery options to pick him up from Richmond, but he's well worth it. Not that rules ever apply to MLS, with the way the rules were presented last year, the only team that could get him before the Crew would be Dallas. He's the answer to our LM problem I have no doubt. Not that I even suspect he's on our brain trusts radar, just wanted to point out that I've been calling for this kid since August. Also the more and more I see and hear about Chris Wingert the more and more I think the Crew should get this guy. My thought is to trade down. I don't think Dallas would want him with Gbandi and Salyer on their roster. So it might be possible to trade our #2, which in essence is the #1 this year because of the vast screwing MLS put on Dallas, to Dallas for say thier #4 pick and either #11 or #21 pick in the draft or #4 and a player. I know we need a CB and Marshell is something else, but I don't know if he's ready to just come into the league and play. Wingert is and we need an up grade at LB. With Wingert and Testo on the left and Hejduk and Paule on the right our flanks would be covered like nothing else seen in Columbus. With these flank players, I think McBride could score 20 goals next year because he'd finally get the service from both flanks he needs. Plus it would free up Martino and Buddle in the center. Of course this would go better with a Cory Gibbs allocation, but I'm not sure the Crew can get him or if he wants to come to MLS now. However, even if no Gibbs there are some solid, if not spectacular, CBs that will be in the draft that the Crew can pick up in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. If the Crew can get Dallas' #11 pick that gives the Crew the #11, #12, and the #17 picks in the second round and that can be used to get a quality young forward, CB, and Midfielder. Plus the Crew have 2 more picks, #22 and #26, in the third round. If we can trade with Dallas for say the #2 for the #4 and a player, perhaps we could get them to part with Shavar Thomas(I don't think they were too impressed with him this year anyway, since their fans are calling for Chad Marshell) or, I don't know, Ali Curtis or Bobby Rhine.