Does a 7 year-old take up a regular roster spot?

That's why Twellman wears youth sized shirts on the pitch! It all makes sense now!

Is it too early to award NW FC the "Post of the Thread" award?

When Jamil says:

"Some of the speed is gone in terms of outright running, but I'm still pretty quick."

Does he mean to say that speed is gone for good? It sounds like it.

In all fairness, Jamil's primary on the game was not technical, it was just blistering pace - typically coming in to outrace defenders with 80 minutes worth of lactic acid in their legs and wreak havoc in the opposing 18.

So, without that speed what does he offer? No one would argue that his technical flair was his strong suit.

Perhaps his speed is no longer enough to fill the role he had before. Besides, it looks like Neill is going to take that role, and take it for 90 minutes (as opposed to that last 15 against a gassed opponent). But I bet Jamil is still faster than Namoff. I would love to know if he could convert to outside back - the glaring weak point in the back line.

He is not going into tackles 100% yet due to the recovery, but perhaps once he is fully fit?

Steve, can you break down United'd game itinerary in Texas?

well played NW FC...

DCU Schedule in San Antonio tournament:

Tuesday vs. Houston, 9:15
Thursday vs. Toronto, 7
Saturday vs. Chivas USA, 2

-Noelle Keselica and Joanna Lohman, of Wash Freedom, and most recent WNT camp, also signed in Sweden -- there are a few Americans already there -- Mr. Goff, any idea how much the Americans/Japanese/Brazilians) make in the Swedish league?

-- German WNT drew over 18,000 to a friendly yesterday against China. They are on their way to Algarve

any idea how much the Americans/Japanese/Brazilians make in the Swedish league?

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

no idea. sorry...

it will be interesting to see what the new USA women's league offers to attract those players here.

Gracias...

SG - So Blumer is:
[1] another foreign player who would count as a domestic (i.e. green card) for MLS,
[2] a dual Swiss-US citizen (due to father being American), or
[3] a foreign player for MLS purposes but his US passport may accelerate either [1] or [2]?

. . . lots of Cheerios . . . .

For WNT Fan and...uh, other WNT fans, the Algarve Cup is looking good. I'm going to the first match against China on Wednesday, 5 March. If it seems like anyone cares, I'll post updates (if my blackberry works). Following games are Italy on 7 March and Norway on 10 March. Final is Wednesday, 12 March. And as long as I am yammering on about Portugal, Freddy Adu got the start in Benfica's Portugal Cup match. Played well, but got a dubious yellow card for diving when the left back actually clobbered him. Subbed out at 57 minutes.

Really hoping that Quaranta is sincere... at 23 there's no doubt he has plenty left in the tank and may be a nice depth piece for DCU having so many tournaments.

My favorite number for Twellman is 4 (number of blown MLS Cups)

That Saturday Chivas game should be a good tune-up for Harbour View. Hopefully most of the starters get close to 90.

Why isn't Twellman on the Olympic team? He shouldn't count as overage.

For that matter, put him on the U-16 team, too. Maybe he can score at that level.

If what I've been told by DCU folks is accurate, Blumer has dual USA-Swiss citizenship, which means he would not count against the MLS foreign limit. Let's see how this trial goes first.....

If y'all haven't checked out Steinberg's blogs yet, follow Goff's link and enjoy. With both of our WP champions at work we are doubly blessed.

And, speaking of links and of female players playing in European professional leagues, here's a great piece on next year's WPS. Interesting about their support from SUM and MLS.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=511971&root=us&cc=5901

Oliver,
By holding a US passport, and being born to an American Dad, he's an American (closest to [2]) in terms of INS, social Security, and MLS. Technically the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, but it doesn't require you to renounce your citizenship to other countries either.

I think we should report the Revolution for breaking the child labor laws of this country.

Seeing those tattoos reminded me of the graffiti I see on the freight trains and bridges on my way in to work on VRE...

Goff can you provide any insight on how Tino's doing in workouts/practice. Does he look like hes adapting well?

Yamaguchi is a big loss for F$U. I've seen her disappear in matches, but when she is on and connecting with her team, it's hard to stop her.

Taylor Twellman's birthday party - it lasted for 71 seconds.

If it seems like anyone cares, I'll post updates (if my blackberry works).
Posted by: Troy | February 29, 2008 10:47 AM
==================

On behalf of those of us who care, thanks in advance.

The first post by a DC fan touting Blumner for the US national team in 5....4....3....2....

OMG! OMG!

We lost a guy who couldn't cut it in MLS to a second-division team in Denmark. MLS is incompetant. They can't scout. They don't pay anybody any money. They don't know what they are doing!

OMG! OMG!

Goff, I really enjoyed your article about Quaranta... it sounds like he's sincere about resurrecting his career. Losing 18 lbs. was a great step. If he can start to realize some of his potential, DCU will have gotten a heck of a steal.
With Fred, Benny, Quaranta & Kirk available on the wings, I'm feeling pretty good about our midfield right now.

BTW, how have Kirk & Quaranta looked in training so far?

To all:

I don't know if you read the piece on ESPN.com about Brent Goulet ( http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=511925&root=us&cc=5901 ) but I found a quote at the bottom very interesting.

"One example is that you can't go all out for 90 minutes pressing," Goulet said.

When we all talk about styles of play for our clubs and the USMNT - here's the one constant. We believe that we will beat teams on our pure athleticism and that it's the one advantage that teams here seek to exploit on competition. Sometimes it's successful and sometimes it's not.

Not trying to trash any of our current managers - but does anyone agree that this is an area where a foreign point of view would be helpful both for players and their development but for coaches in the areas that they feel they lack the quality in helping to train their squads?

Tino, stop it!

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/italian-court-ruling-hits-men-below-the-belt-1302096.html

Ha, nice link, Hoost!!

To answer earlier questions, much too early to say how Quaranta is doing with DCU. A 90-minute workout in frigid conditions yesterday is hardly an indicator. We should know by next weekend whether he will stick around.

Goff, how about Quavas Kirk? Has he been training yet?

"I deserved to be waived," Quaranta said. "I wasn't doing anything right as a professional. If they had picked my option up, it would have been ridiculous. I didn't deserve to make that amount of money."

Is this the first time a pro sports athlete in any sport has said this?

Who is his agent?

Give me a call Tino and my people can talk with your people.

Posted by: Robert Goulet | February 29, 2008 11:58 AM
_______________
But Bob, you can't post: you're dead!
http://theghoulpool.blogspot.com/2007/10/lancelot-smoked-lot-robert-goulet-star.html

Seriously, the article on Brent Goulet was pretty interesting. I'm halfway expecting another post like the one Mastodon Juan suggested, except it'll have Brent Goulet replacing Bob Bradley!

I don't know about how that soccernet article applies to coaches/managers, but it seems like it's directed at the idiots that are 1 row behind me at RFK.

This is why parents freak out when their kids learn to head the ball...

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2008/02/soccerblast.jpg

"Jetsmark"?!? Is there also a team called "Sharksmark" in Denmark's second division??

Tino, stop it!

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/italian-court-ruling-hits-men-below-the-belt-1302096.html

Posted by: Hoost | February 29, 2008 12:08 PM
--------------------------

LMAO - funny thing is here in Buenos Aires, it's considered bad luck to say the last name of the president during the 90's (carlos XXXXX) and if you hear it, people do as described in the article for luck....

Kirk has been training with DCU since he the day after the trade. Nothing to report. I've seen one training session in the last three weeks.

Hey Goff, thanks for the quick response. I know you'll keep us updated on his progress, that's why you're the best

Troy, just give us updates on the food and weather :)

Yes! I finally have a birthday! I love being six years old.

Happy Birthday!
My brother Spindog is 6!

Santino deserves another look as we need depth in this Bataan death march of a season. He came into the league at a young age. I'm happy to hear his perspective has changed, his weight is down and he looks hungry. But what excites me the most is that his fellow players see it too.

If he returns to form, DC will have a realized yet another coup in the face of the league. GO KASPER/PAYNE!!!

FYI: Tino's DC stats in 6 seasons:
GP 62, GS 42, G 14, A 13, his most productive year was in 2005 G 5 A 5 with 13 starts

SG & Leesburg - Thanks for the clarification about Blumer's citizenship. He does indeed have to impress to earn a spot on the final roster; however, being considered a domestic MLS player despite having spent little to no time in the USA, increases his chances to stick in DC as opposed to if he was trying to get that last international open roster spot.

Erick-

While you're dead on that Walker with less speed is probably not going to make an MLS roster, I don't see him being able to convert to outside back. He was tried as a wide midfielder under Nowak and in preseason last year before his injury, but he never seemed to grasp the position. He definitely was putting in the effort required, but when we didn't have the ball, he didn't seem to know what to do other than run back towards our goal and hopefully get in the way. The tactical side just didn't look like it was something that would ever stick. It's just not in his nature.

his weight is down and he looks hungry.

Posted by: delantero | February 29, 2008 01:19 PM
------------------------------------------

Uh oh, not a good combination...

"Jetsmark"?!? Is there also a team called "Sharksmark" in Denmark's second division??

Posted by: BaltoFan | February 29, 2008 12:49 PM

------

No, it's called Giantsmark.

his weight is down and he looks hungry.

Posted by: delantero | February 29, 2008 01:19 PM
------------------------------------------

Uh oh, not a good combination...

>>>>>>>
True, maybe we should keep him away from the tailgates. BBQ and Beer? Tino, just say no.

Tino, just enjoy your organic twigs and leaves, stay away from the Chalupa!!

happy b-day to taylor twellman, but what shame for him. Stuck at the boring as all hell NE Revs. I cant believe he was not able to force his way out of that situation. if his career was going anywhere it has now been stunted.

http://futbolinks.blogspot.com

I stopped feeling bad for Taylor Twellman the first time I saw him play live.

Goff,

Heck of an article. Sounds like the kid really took stock of his life after that episode. I frankly hope it works for him.

I think with his injuries he may never be the player he could have been, but he could still be pretty good. I got the feeling that if he keeps the desire, he'll keep the job.

@Posted by: Oliver | February 29, 2008 10:43 AM

it has to be #2 because you can't have a US Passport and a parent who is a citizen and not be a US citizen.

In other words, you guys are getting a buy who is basically European bred for soccer for 'free' in terms of international spots. Sounds like a good deal for you so far. Congrats.

................... interestin

I hope Quaranta makes it and that he is sincere when he says that he wants to play for DC. Quaranta at his best is entertaining and fun to watch, even with his bit of attitude. Nothing wrong with that, but you need to back it up with something. Hopefully he will be the comeback story for 2008.