Good morning everybody. As MLS teams begin to report for rookie training camp and full training camp in the coming days and weeks, we here at SBI will try to keep you posted on any news and notes that emerge from those camps.
Veris on trial with D.C. United
Former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Kyle Veris has joined with D.C. United on trial and will be hoping to secure an MLS contract after leaving the league and spending a season with Norwegian club Hodd. A 6-foot-4 central defender who spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Galaxy, playing in 18 games before leaving for Norway.
Here is the rest of D.C. United's initial pre-season roster, courtesy of Behind the Badge.
Here are some other stories to get your day going:
Hertel in RSL camp
One of the more surprising developments at the 2009 MLS Draft was the fact that no team in the draft selected Michigan State fullback David Hertel, who enjoyed one of the better performances at the MLS Combine and who was considered one of the best left backs in the draft.
Hertel's chance to make it in MLS will now come courtesy of Real Salt Lake, which sources tell SBI has brought him in for a look. RSL's interest in Hertel adds fuel to the speculation that it is considering unloading Ian Joy and possibly trading Chris Wingert. The club currently has Joy, Wingert, 2008 first-round pick Tony Beltran and Robbie Russell as fullback options.
Sounders sign Graham
The Seattle Sounders added yet another familiar face from Seattle's USL club on Wednesday when it signed USL-1 Best XI central defender Taylor Graham. The former Kansas City Wizard and New York Red Bull helped lead the USL Sounders to the 2007 USL-1 championship and at 6-5, gives Seattle a big presence in the back-line.
Graham joins a defense that currently includes former KC central defender Tyson Wahl, former San Jose fullback James Riley and rookie second-round draft pick Evan Brown. Former New York central defender Jeff Parke has yet to reach an agreement with Seattle after being chosen in the expansion draft. Parke is currently out of contract.
Gotsmanov staying in school
New England second-round draft pick Andrei Gotsmanov will not be reporting to Revs training camp. He will be finishing school at Creighton and will not report to New England until May, Dunord confirmed on Wednesday.
A central midfielder who endured injuries during the MLS Combine, Gotsmanov was the 24th overall selection in the 2009 MLS Draft. He is the second player chosen in the second round of the draft to choose finishing school over reporting to his new team on time. New York Red Bulls draft pick and Santa Clara defender Babajide Ogunbiyi is also staying in school. The No. 18 pick in the draft will not join the Red Bulls until March at the earliest.
What do you think of the above stories? Think Veris can help D.C.'s defense? Can you see Hertel catching on with RSL? Do you see Taylor Graham enjoying a better run in MLS the second time around?
Share your thoughts below.