MLS teams were busy at the league's transfer deadline as several clubs added reinforcements for the stretch run of the season.
The signings had a definite Latin flavor as five clubs have added Latin American players to the fold. The Columbus Crew added to its already potent attack by signing Venezuelan striker Emilio Renteria, while FC Dallas signed another attacker in Honduran playmaker Marvin Chavez. San Jose also added a player, landing Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva (No, not the Manchester United fullback, some other Fabio Da Silva).
Those signings come on the heels of Chivas USA's acquisition of Jesus Padilla, the New York Red Bulls acquisition of Argentine defender Walter Garcia and D.C. United signing Burundi defender David Habarugira.
Here's a question for SBI readers. Which of these signings do you see making the biggest impact this season? Take part in the poll, and check out some more MLS notes, after the jump:
D.C. to let fans vote for Hall of Tradition
The D.C. United Hall of Tradition honors those players who have meant the most to the storied history of the most successful club in MLS, and now D.C. is set to let fans decide which former player will join that group.
D.C. United is holding votingto let fans choose between midfielder Richie Williams and striker Raul Diaz Arce to see which of them will join current Hall of Tradition members John Harkes, Marco Echeverry and Jeff Agoos.
Dynamo U-18s knock off Real Madrid
The Houston Dynamo Under-18 team pulled of quite an upset on Tuesday, knocking off Real Madrid's youth squad, 3-2, in exhibition action in Valdebas, Spain.
Midfielder Josue Morales scored the game-winner and assisted on the first two goals for the Dynamo U-18s, with defender Reagan Haisler and midfielder Christian Camera providing the other goals.
The victory, and overall performance by Houston's youth squad, has turned some heads, with Camera earning a one-week training stint with Valencia after impressing scouts.
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What do you think of all the MLS transfer signings? Think any of them will become a star? Disappointed no Designated Players were signed? Think Richie Williams deserves the Hall of Tradition nod (we do)? Loving the idea that an MLS youth team can knock off a Real Madrid squad?
Share your thoughts below.
I voted for Walter Garcia just for the sheer ridiculousness of it all! 😀
When will the Revs ever sign anyone?
it seems like their all ready is a yank in Valencia’s youth system…….
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=930474
For me Chivas USA’s fall has been so weird and inexplicable. I mean sure they were grinding out victories early but the slide they’re on just doesn’t make sense with the talent they have. For that reason I voted for Padilla, maybe the guy will come in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove and provide a spark to the side.
Also any depth DCU can get now is much needed, they have one hell of a stretch run right now. So even if Habarugira isn’t a huge impact, his ability to soak up some minutes so other guys can rest is important.
I never said that MLS/DA’s ability to develop players was bad. I think it’s quite good actually. What I was referring to was a) the lack of a clear path to the first team (i.e. no reserves and ridiculous rules designed to protect college players) and b) the decidedly lower level of competition they’d face if they were brought up. MLS can develop good players I’m just saying that growing up in a Barcelona or Arsenal system would more than likely make a player better.
Donovan is a rare talent but remember that he came up in Bradenton and playing internationally.
John O’ Brien was a great player. It’s too bad his body didn’t work with him. I heard he is a systems analyst in Poughkeepsie.
Bottom line; you only get better by competing against someone better than you. Support MLS so it can afford to bring in better players to challenge our kids to be better. That’s how the league will improve.
@Jules
What’s John O’Brien doing these days?
The Dynamo youth academy has some really good talent. I’m just surprised that Dynamo has not picked up any of those players. I’m really excited about the prospects of getting Landin on the squad. A young Mexican forward with talent that can really help the Dynamo attack. As far as the language barrier, Coach Dom does know some spanish.
Posted by: HtownGuy | August 19, 2009 at 06:28 PM
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They already have.
http://houston.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t200&player=deric_t&playerId=der314386&statType=current
Jules,
please provide examples of players going overseas at a young age that have blossomed into national team players. I can think of davies, Spector, and……..?
@Posted by: Jules | August 19, 2009 at 05:31 PM
I ‘get’ what you are saying, but given work permit rules in UEFA and the EU (and the UK especially) these training trips are usually brief and usually a waste of time unless the kid is really dynamite because they aren’t going to go through the trouble of trying to get him a visa if he is just a project case.
The notion that MLS can’t develop players at all is a bit silly at this point especially considering the best player on the Nats (Landon Donovan) is a virtual MLS lifer (yes he was first with Leverkusen but he was loaned out immediately to the Quakes as you’ll recall so he was developed here) and the best striker was born and bred in the MLS system (Altidore)
I’m not saying all development is as it should be and MLS is a star maker factory but it isn’t as shabby as many people make it out to be.
@Posted by: PJ | August 19, 2009 at 04:29 PM
They already can but these teams are so scared to because of that ridiculous rule that once they sign 2 players from the academy the rest of the teams with academies can come in and raid the pantry and take whatever players they want.
It really is silly that it doesn’t operate in the same manner the minor league system in MLB does whereby a player is the ‘property’ of that team for X number of years before there is any exposure or fear of losing them uncompensated.
The Dynamo youth academy has some really good talent. I’m just surprised that Dynamo has not picked up any of those players. I’m really excited about the prospects of getting Landin on the squad. A young Mexican forward with talent that can really help the Dynamo attack. As far as the language barrier, Coach Dom does know some spanish.
I love MLS like a parent loves their kids but I’d much rather see young American talent train in Europe rather than here. Why? because MLS can take a player only so far and it’s better for the NT to have players who have cut their teeth in the best leagues. MLS doesn’t even have reserves anymore, how are we supposed to genuinely do good for our youth?
Going overseas at a young age doesn’t work for everyone, but for those who it does, it gives them a better chance to be great.
so red bull management is okay with spending money and trying new players in a dysfunctional organization (as they admitted themselves), but not trying a new coach/technical director / general manager because it’s too dysfunctional?
what the hell are these people thinking?
I’m voting for Fabio. Not only does the name create visions of great flowing hair on the pitch, but….I mean, could it get any worse for the Quakes? There’s only room for improvement.
Go Quakes!
I’m glad dynamo acadamy had a good showing, not just against Real Madrid but other teams as well.
“On the 12-day trip, the Dynamo had big wins over Rangers (4-0) and Real Madrid and suffered close 1-0 losses to Celtic and Barcelona. The squad will return to Houston on Wednesday. ”
It shows MLS is going in the right direction.
Berlin,
Are you asking for a translation or a confirmation of that report?
If the former, it basically says that Cruz Azul sent out a press release saying that Luis Angel Landin was in Houston for a physical before signing with the Dynamo. There is no link to the press release, and the report also indicates that the Dynamo haven’t confirmed the deal (but this seems par for the course with MLS / MLS clubs — see Renteria and the Crew).
Incidentally, the mediotiempo article has generated a lot of (interesting) comments.
When will MLS start signing these successful academy players from Houston, D.C., Chicago, and New York? And Luis Angel Landin coming to MLS if this is true he will be a starlet.
The biggest impact will be with the Dynamo acquiring Luis Angel Landin from Cruz Azul.
http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=885894&s=mex&type=story
“Houston’s youth squad, has turned some heads, with Camera earning a one-week training stint with Valencia after impressing scouts.”
Good for Camera, bad for MLS. MLS clubs need to learn how to turn great youth prospects into A team starters.
Padilla and Renteria will have the biggest impact. Padilla, what little I’ve seen, has the talent. At 22, he just needs the PT. I think he will get minutes at CUSA and flourish. It’s telling that he received the #10 shirt. I wonder if Preki sees him more as a winger who likes to cut inside or as an out-and-out striker. Renteria will also be a welcomed addition to my Crew. I have not see him play (at least knowingly) but in my poor Spanish it seems I’ve read favorable things. Supposedly he’s stocky and built like a ox but is nimble and good with the ball at his feet. I’m eager to see where he fits in. He Moreno know each other fairly well from their national team so that’s a plus.
Baxter, you know I don’t speak spanish…
Jesus Padilla will be good for Chivas USA. He doesn’t have any official caps with the Mexican NT, does he?
Why are the Red Bulls signing anyone at this late stage of the season?
Any word on this?
http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/noticias/2009/08/19/landin-realiza-examenes-para-fichar-con-el-dynamo-de-houston