Moose update? Do you think RSL will really be sold and leave that area? Implications of RSL fiasco for DC getting a stadium built?

So who would you see as a good targets of MLS teams for DP slots? Assuming you want somebody with a decent pedigree, a little left in the tank, and the ability to help teams in the stands. I think Ljunberg and Del Piero would be good targets, Ljunberg
is rumored to be falling out of the plans at Arsenal and Del Piero is considered near the end of his career with Juve.

What's the latest word on further expansion teams? Will it happen at the end of 2007?

Do you get the sense that DCU is going after younger talent in South America or older, more experienced players like Emilio with the final two signings?

And do you see any of the younger players (rookies, reserves) switching positions more this season due to a lack of players in certain positions? I'm thinking J Carroll playing outside back, or Schramm playing on the wing.

And I'd still like to hear a Moose update.

Thanks.

Its been noted that Galaxy ticket prices have gone up now that they have Beckham, do you think other teams will do the same? Fanslike MLS because tickets are cheap, and the players are accessible and attitude free, do you see this changing now that Beckham (and other higher profile players) are coming?

Apparently Soehn doesn't speak Spanish. How's Christian Gomez's English these days? Stuff about soccer being the universal language aside, hopefully they can speak to each other without Jaime or Francisco Tobar around. As a monolingual person myself I'm always interested how difficult the language barrier is for teams like DC.

What are the main differences in approach you've seen from Soehn so far?

Will Jamil Walker fall back into favor with the first team this season? It seems that Nowak was unhappy with his performance towards the middle/end of the last season. Will Soehn give him another shot?

Why have we not heard anything from Peter Nowak since he left DC United? If I recall correctly, he not only did not show at the press conference announcing his departure but he did not release a statement and has not been quoted anywhere since. His silence fuels my suspicion that DC United wasn't sorry to see him go. Thanks for your great soccer coverage.

What do you know about Crystal Palace USA?

How much longer do you see Moreno being a day-in day-out player? He always seems to wear down towards the end of the season, so will he be used a little more sparingly this season? Is there an order of succession as far as the armband goes? Moreno to Olsen to who, Carroll, Boswell, etc?

International Transfer Window slamming shut and we have a Brazilian to show for our efforts. Now what?

Any word on the Robbie Fowler to DC rumor (saw that somewhere - think SI)?

Think Gooch is long-term at Newcastle?

Arena seems to be active in NY - Reyna, Dutch Keeper, possibly Beasley. Is DC going after any Americans overseas?

Tweaked,

From what I understand, the transfer window is still open for the MLS. It doesnt close until April.

http://web.mlsnet.com/about/league.jsp?section=regulations&content=overview

Has there been any talk of/momentum in favor of moving to a single table format, effectively getting rid of the ridiculous East-West conferences?

Did you get a chance to find anything new about DC's shirt sponsor? Do you think every team will have a shirt sponsor at the beginning of the year?

How close is MLS to releasing a real rule book? And why hasn't the union released the details of the CBA (whole text like some other unions have) so the league can be held accountable for rule changes with no explanation?

Favorite Soccer pubs? Places to watch the game and where you can be friendly, meet new fans and with knowledgeable people?

Wearing my Newcastle Northern Rock shirt with pride today. C'mon Gooch, let's show the 'Toon Army that Americans can play.

With the end of the European winter transfer window, what is the status of Jay Nolly? Also, what would ever happen if Dave Checketts and Alexi Lalas were on the same team?
Scary, huh?

List of players going to Florida? Any tryouts down there?

What are your views on the Gomez non-signing? I say pay'em now, not $325K, but more like "Freddy money" because if we wait a year, and he has another monster season it will be much more, then he will be gone. I can't even think about that. I am tired of hearing about busted deals this offseason (Ruy, Donnet, Gomez, etc). Just sign him.

Any word on what's going to happen to Rimando given the oversupply of goalies in Salt Lake?

FYI - European transfer window only applies to players under contract. Out of contract players like Nolly can be picked up at any time.

SG - It seems more and more of the young US American players are trying their luck in Europe first before settling for MLS, is this a push from their agents or from the players themselves? Or is this what always happened and is only getting more press because of MLS/soccer's better coverage?

If you're coach Bradley, who are your starting 11 against Mexico, and who are the first two to come off the bench?

Which players can we expect from Europe to play vs Mexico next Wednesday?

will DC United youth program include a residency program in the near future?

what do most players that make $12,900/yr do to make more money? other than perkins working as a loan officer, you don't hear much else. do they just do camps, youth coaching, etc? because that still can't pay enough. do they have sponsorhip money? really need to raise that salary in 2009 when the CBA is up.

Are Gooch and Bobby Boswell likely to be the US central defenders for 2010? Does Bosell have the speed for international play?

I know this isn't your call, but why does hockey get more coverage in the Post than soccer? Regretably, I can understand why this is true re: baseball, football and basketball, but hockey??? I know that the Post provides better soccer coverage than most papers, but one reason soccer isn't more popular in the U.S. is because it's treated as a second class sport by the media. One area that should get more focus is coverage of Americans abroad.

What about picking up Basty Deisler as a part-timer off the bench? He can't be completely washed up already---maybe he could hack it in MLS for a season or three, instead of the level of the Bundesliga.

Cheers.

The new Mexico coach has decided, and stated publicly, that all matches v. the US are Must Win. Do you think that was a smart thing to say? How have comments like that been taken by the US coaches and players?

Touchliner,

First off, I am a DCU season ticket holder and a Caps fan.

One reason hockey gets so much coverage in the Post is that we now have one of the best overall hockey players in the world playing at the Phone Booth. Not sure if you follow hockey, but Ovechkin really is that good.

Another reason is that the NHL is a big league with lots of teams/games. Lots more than the MLS. I would argue that while DCU and soccer may be more popular in DC than the Caps, there are tons of transplants and carpetbaggers who root for the Wings/Flyers etc. and want to follow those teams in the Post. Can't really say the same of the Chicago Fire and KC Wizards.

Why the Post doesnt cover Euro/SA soccer of Yanks abroad? I'll let Steven answer that one, but probably cause he is the only staff writer for soccer and there isnt enough time in the day. And a significant # of people following out of US soccer (leagues or Yanks abroad) get their news from the internet or more specialized community paper.

I would really like an update on David Stokes? He's been with us a good while, he is a native, and he has some raw talent. Will Soehn give him another chance? Is he out to prove himself this training camp? How does he look? Just some info on Stokes pleasee.

Do you think Gooch hurt his chances for a long-term deal this summer given the way he and his agent played teams off each other...and the way he revealed himself to be openly chasing paychecks, rather than a player committed to a club?

What position should bob bradley play landon donovan - withdrawn forward or attacking mid?
Do you think he needs to go to Europe, and if so when? He hasn't shown that he is desperate to leave anytime soon.

Should Schoen just take a page out of Jose Mourinho's book and say: "Nobody is coming." to perhaps lower everyone's expectations.

We were all expecting 3 great international south american signings by the time of this Camp. So far we have 1. Sure we can sign the other two before opening day but i thought United really wanted to make a decent showing and perhaps win the damn Champion's Cup this year?

Top 5 most important DCU players ever, in order:

1) Jaime Moreno
2) Ben Olsen
3) Marco
4) Eddie Pope
5) Gomez

Nods to Agoos and Harkes.

How do you think the East will pan out this year?

How was Jose Burciaga Jr. not brought into the national team camp? Bradley had 3 specialist left backs in. Does Burciaga have to break 10 goals as a defender to get in?

Re: Top 5

Marco at #3? Puh-leze. We wouldn't have won a damn thing in 96, 97, 98 or 99 without Marco. #1, no question.

Any idea if Schoen is married to the 3-5-2 that Novak instituted? I would have to agree that with our current roster, the 3-5-2 probably the right system to play to put our best players on the field. Nevertheless, sometimes, on the road, flexibility is useful. But Novak never strayed from his girlfriend, the 3-5-2...

SG: are you surprised by the amount of activity on this blog? I mean 39 questions, that's pretty amazing.

I recently read that Bobby Convey is partially blind in his left eye due to an injury he sustained to the optic nerve around the age of 2. The dude is practically blind?! Playing in the EPL?! How is this possible?

... he uses the other eye. hehe...

Sueno MLS, how come nobody thought of this sooner?!?!?! Awesome!

Thanks for breaking the news (to me at least) that RBNY had waived Meola. I hadn't seen that anywhere else.

Looking further north and east, what do you think of the team Toronto is putting together, and do you think they's struggle as much as Chivas USA and RSL did in their first year?

On a related note, everyone (well, everyone out here in cyberspaceland) is dismissing Columbus this year as an also-ran. What say you?

What's up with Justin Moose? Does he have any chance of breaking into DC's lineup? He seems like just the type of fearless, player with tons of flair that the MLS needs in the wake of Dempsey's departure. During his Wake Forest days, he had 4 or 5 plays a game that would get the whole crowd ooohing and ahhhing. Plus, given Wake Forest's track record for turning out quality MLS players, you'd think he'd get a real shot to prove himself. Admittedly though, I haven't really followed what he's been up to since getting drafted.

thanks,
Nordy

Marco is #1. Period. I'm not being sentimental here (though it's easy to do so) - his influence on the team during the four year run of '96-'99, and on the games themselves, was unmatched by anything any other player in a United uniform has done.
#2: Jaime
#3: Gomez
#4: Ryan Nelsen (without him, there is no fourth star)
#5: Olsen

Nods to Agoos, Harkes, Pope, and Earnie (yeah, that's right, Earnie - it's strange, but he may be the most underrated player in United history).