Goff,
Why did McTavish have the surgery in Germany? (What, Winchester doesn't have top-notch hospitals?)

We need Kevin Payne fully recovered ASAP or DCUnited will be toast.

I blame his condition on Mayor Fenty and his empty promises.

The best hernia surgeon in the world -- and who guarantees quick recovery -- is based in Munich. Many soccer players and other pro athletes have gone there.

i wish i was the best hernia surgeon in the world. people from all over the globe would want me to fix their hernias. nice.

Here's wishing Kevin a speedy recovery.

goff,

Welcome back. Ives is also reporting that 3 teams (DC, NYRB, and chivas USA can sign their youth development squad players directly (2 per year). Is this the case? Is DCU interested in bringing up anyone from their youth teams?

Get better Kevin. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

asitis

No idea. Even if they did, it would not be anyone who would contribute right away.

We all know KP's a quick healer. Take care of yourself, Mr. Payne. See you whenever you're ready.

Take it from me, Kevin's in the best possible place for that procedure. Although working fulltime in February sounds a little bit optomistic. It'll probably be mid-March before he has his full strength back. Trying to rush it just pushes you back further.

Thoughts and prayers with Kevin.

Get well Kevin.

Wow. Get well, KP, and take your time about it.

Any word on when/where training camp will be this year?

DCU will gather for meetings, workouts and physicals at RFK in late January, then move to Bradenton for two weeks. The rest of their preseason schedule has yet to be finalized, although participation in an exhibition tournament might be in the works.

By the way, the Red Bulls have waived Santino Quaranta.

As a Bolivian futbol fan I would like to sincerely ask the FBF to please make Joselito's plane ticket one way.

Goff - Where did you hear the news about Marcos maybe leaving Columbus? I have searched high and low in the South American papers and cannot find anything.

It was in a Chilean newspaper, I believe, which someone in South America translated for me.

"I blame his condition on Mayor Fenty and his empty promises."

Classy "joke," jerk.

Best wishes to KP for a speedy recovery. I wonder if he's getting flowers from Mejido.

Goff- Any word about Alecko Eskandarian's MLS future? Or has he decided that his internship at DCU looked too promising to leave?

Maybe Vaca can get flowers from Blooming...

My best to KP and his family. I hope there are no hypoxia/ anesthesiological side affects and that the graft harvesting scars heal quickly.

Mr. Goff, How does his absence affect the off-season negotiations and player acquisition?

KP - Here's wishing to a speedy recovery. Get well soon.

Goff - thanks for these updates man, you are truely the man. I thought my world was over when you were out for what felt like a 5 - 10 stint for me. BUt you're back on the case, and you input over these past two days has me feeling like the silly season is almost over. Thanks, man.

One question, with the recent Lopez rumors, in your opinion is DC loosing in it's off seaon quest here? We are on the cusp of loosing more talent than we have lined up to come in. Should we start to panic??

Get well soon, KP.

God speed Payne's recovery.

Goff - Can Kasper move forward in filling holes on the team or does he need oversight from Payne? In other words, who makes the final decision on money? And, after your conversation with Kasper yesterday, it sounds like they spent a lot of time in South America with little, if anything, to show for it. Does DCU have another plan if the new wave of Latin players doesn't pan out?

Kasper and Soehn generally oversee player identification, with input from Payne. So not much will change during his recovery. Kevin will still be involved, even if he's not sitting at his desk.

Expect signings (and re-signings) to take place throughout the month.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery to KP.

KP get well promptly DCUnited need you.
(Ich wuenche dich alles gute)

get well Kevin.

Get well KP!

Is there a website that provides information on MLS teams youth development programs, and players that stand out? I recently read that NY, Chivas USA, and DC have all met the criteria to start bringing players up from their YD Teams. So, I'd like to look up some stats and whatever... thanks.

Sorry, but there is nothing to see. The program is in its infancy. It will probably be years before the MLS youth academy systems produce top players.

Here's hoping Kevin's recovery is a smooth one.

Steve - Thanks

From doing some Research, Joselito is going to this club in Cyprus, Alki Larnaca FC. Their Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alki_Larnaca_FC.

and to KP.. GET WELL SOON BRO!!! WE NEED YOU BACK!!

Mr. Goff,

Did you try to talk more extensively with Bruce Arena? To my knowledge, he hasn't given an interview since he "resigned" from the Red Bulls. It's time once again to hear what he thinks about, well, just about everything.

Very brief IM exchange with Bruce. He's not willing to open up and, I believe, the terms of his "resignation" would not allow him to speak of the N.Y. situation.

With Santino Quaranta being waved by the red bulls, does anyone think united will invite him to camp as a trialist to try and make the club again? What has happened to this kid, he began with such promise?

rob-

Quaranta has notoriously let himself get out of shape every offseason, which has been a major factor in his being so injury-prone. He has plenty of talent, but doesn't apply himself. If an MLS club brings him in, he will have to take a massive pay cut and show that he actually wants to stay in shape.

***

Neil Richardson resigns from Fenty's staff, at least in part due to disagreements over Poplar Point:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010303231.html?hpid=topnews

Stroke, then a quadruple bypass, wow ... here's hoping KP makes a speedy recovery.

Neil Richardson resigns from Fenty's staff, at least in part due to disagreements over Poplar Point:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010303231.html?hpid=topnews

Posted by: Chest Rockwell | January 3, 2008 07:29 PM

-------------------------------------------
"Thank you Kevin for this D.C. United jersey and congratulations on your terrific season," Fenty said. "It is great to see over 20,000 fans here at RFK supporting D.C. United. It is my hope that your fans will soon be coming to your brand new soccer stadium at Poplar Point in Anacostia. World class fans, and a world class team like D.C. United, deserve a world class stadium. And I am going to make it a priority to help you build that stadium. Thank you -- congratulations and good luck to the Black-and-Red!"

-Adrian Fenty on Oct 29 2006 (right before a mayoral elction mind you)

link to full article: http://www.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20061031&content_id=77524&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103

I think every known soccer fan in the universe has heard Fenty's little speach. Can we give it a break?

Neil Richardson resigns from Fenty's staff, at least in part due to disagreements over Poplar Point:

--------------------------

Same guy also resigned from the Williams administration and then write and a Post op-ed piece about his grievances. I'm guessing he won't get a third opportunity to "serve."

With MLS' low salaries, Santino's plumetting stock, and his apparent indifference it is a safe bet we won't be seeing him suiting up for any teams come the start of the season.

If he is that lazy about maintaining his fitness, even if he gets an invite to training camp (I think it likely someone at least gives him a look, perhaps RSL), if he is like Jabba the Hut, he will be done.

Considering where his potential salary would fall, he could well cash it in and go back to B-more and just rest on his MLS pedigree and coach snotnoses...probably making more than as a journeyman scrub MLS forward.

Wishing KP a full and speedy recovery. Probably one of the best executives in sports, and very sorry to learn of the stroke. DC is lucky to have him on our team.

Do you have a link to the OpEd piece?

Goff - Arena has left (Scotland?) but what about the rest of his NYRB "team". Are Williams and Harkes staying on as assistants for Osorio?

Payne is the man. We've been lucky to have him working as hard and as long as he has for DCU. Here's hoping he comes back 100% ASAP!

KP, best of luck to you!

I agree with other posters, Quaranta has been a huge disappointment because of his potential when he first came in. But at this point, he is what he is. I wouldn't even invite him to camp. He's had more than enough time to show what he's made of. He's shown it.

I think every known soccer fan in the universe has heard Fenty's little speach. Can we give it a break?

Posted by: GiveItArest | January 4, 2008 07:18 AM
-----------------------------------------

New people do join the discussion from time to time. I wouldn't mind if it were repeated no more frequently than once a month or so.

So he went back on a carefully worded non-promise. Get over it.

By the way, $350 million in infrastructure improvements is a ridiculous amount for United's VA and MD fans to expect to dump on District taxpayers, even if they will contribute $100 a year or so in sales and ticket taxes to District coffers. DC-based fans may have a reason to vote against Fenty, but the rest are just full of it.

Blasting Fenty only for the staduim issue is a lil silly- there's soooo many problems facing the district that (while close to our hearts) poplar point is pretty low on the importance list.

That said- every city chips in for stadium infrastucture.