MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

[EPJr]

MLS announces First Kick national TV schedule

NBC debut, Montreal maiden match highlight First Kick 2012 action

NEW YORK — Time to get that new super-duper flat-screen HD television. Because the stars will take the nationally televised spotlight during the first weekend of MLS action in 2012.

On Tuesday, MLS announced the national TV schedule for First Kick presented by Dick's Sporting Goods, which includes the first match of the new NBC deal, the Montreal Impact’s debut, and a visit to the noisy cauldron that is JELD-WEN Field.

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[EPJr]

The Big Board: The best 2012 SuperDraft prospects
The top 25 college seniors and 10 Generation adidas candidates


The 2012 MLS SuperDraft is a little more than a month away, and with only four teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament, it’s that time to start focusing on what players might be ready to contribute in MLS next year.

Here’s a look at 25 seniors likely to be in the conversation for January’s draft:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -prospects" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

The Next Step
52 college seniors to participate; final list announced at later date

The initial list for the MLS Player Combine is as follows:

2012 adidas MLS Player Combine Coaches List

Jim Barlow (Princeton)
Jamie Clark (University of Washington)
Brian Tompkins (Yale)
**additional coaches will be announced at a later date.

2012 adidas MLS Player Combine List by Position

GOALKEEPERS (4):
Brian Rowe (UCLA); Chris Blais (University of South Florida); Jhojan Obando (Providence); Ryan Meara (Fordham);

DEFENDERS (16):
Aaron Maund (Notre Dame); Andrew Duran (Creighton); Aubrey Perry (University of South Florida); Austin Berry (Louisville); Charles Rodriguez (UNC Charlotte); Chris Estridge (Indiana); Diogo de Almeida (SMU); Hunter Jumper (Virginia); James Kiffe (UC Santa Barbara); Justin Chavez (Tulsa); Matt Hedges (UNC); Mykell Bates (Santa Clara University); Nick Blake (UConn); Pat Sigler (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo); Shawn Singh (UCLA); Tommy Meyer (Indiana);

MIDFIELDERS (19):
Alec Purdie (Indiana); Andy Rose (UCLA); Arthur Ivo (SMU); Brendan King (Notre Dame); Calum Mallace (Marquette); Christian Barreiro (UPenn); Eder Arreola (UCLA); Greg Jordan (Creighton); Kenney Walker (Louisville); Kevan George (UCF); Kirk Urso (UNC); Lance Rozenboom (New Mexico); Luis Silva (UC Santa Barbara); Michael Green (New Mexico); Miguel Ibarra (UC Irvine); Nick DeLeon (Louisville); Rafael Garcia (Cal State Northridge); Tony Walls (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay); Warren Creavalle (UCF)

FORWARDS (13):
Antoine Hoppenot (Princeton); Billy Schuler (UNC); Brian Ownby (Virginia); Bryan Gaul (Bradley); Casey Townsend (Maryland); Colin Rolfe (Louisville); Ethan Finlay (Creighton); Evan James (UNC Charlotte); Evans Frimpong (Delaware); Karo Okiomah (High Point); Luckymore Mkosana (Dartmouth); Luke Holmes (Akron); Tony Cascio (UConn).

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... er-combine

[EPJr]

Border battle for America's youth

Mexican clubs are after our Latino talent

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Countless millions of Latin Americans have crossed the Rio Grande over the years, searching for better opportunities and a chance to puruse the American dream in the United States.

Ironically, a steady stream of their US-born, soccer-playing offspring are heading back south in search of the "Mexican dream," trying to land a spot in the youth systems of Mexican professional soccer clubs.

It’s a growing problem for American soccer, and one the power brokers in the game are being forced to deal with now more than ever before.

During the past couple of weeks alone, at least eight young Americans have arrived for trials at Mexican clubs, another has won the prestigious Under-20 Apertura tournament with Club América and another was part of the Chivas de Guadalajara squad that won the Under-17 tournament.

“That will continue,” former US U-20 national team coach Thomas Rongen told MLSsoccer.com this week. “That has become not a trend, but a norm, quite frankly.”

The top Mexican clubs – Guadalajara, Club América, Pachuca and Tigres UANL, among others – see US-based Latino talent as withing their scouting territory and are constantly bringing youngsters south of the border for trials. Just how many is difficult to estimate.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... icas-youth

[EPJr]

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[EPJr]

NBC Sports Network releases new MLS ad spot
NYRB's Lindpere "dangles piece of meat in front of hungry wolves"


On Monday, it became official that Versus became the NBC Sports Network. So it's time to start contemplating the upcoming MLS season on NBC. At least that's what NBC is doing.

Practically from the day NBC and MLS announced their new three-year broadcasting partnership, the network has been in full promo mode.

First there was the MLS ad that ran during NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast. And now there is this new promo in which New York Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere lines up a corner kick against Philadelphia.

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[EPJr]

Watch the Combine LIVE on MLSsoccer.com, starting Fri.
All Player Combine matches to be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com


2012 MLS Player Combine kicks off this Friday — and you can be there. Well, almost.

MLSsoccer.com will have unprecedented wall-to-wall coverage of all the action in Ft. Lauderdale, including live streams of every Combine match, sponsored by adidas and Sega.

We’ll be at every game, talk to the players and coaches and GMs, and have all the latest news and rumors about who looks good, who’s on the move, and who might end up on your team next year.

Live Stream Match Schedule

Friday, January 6
2:45 pm ET: adiPower vs Prime
4:30 pm ET: adiZero vs adiPure

Sunday, January 8
2:30 pm ET: adiPower vs adiZero
4:25 pm ET: Prime vs adiPure

Tuesday, January 10
10:00 am ET: adiZero vs Prime
11:55 am ET: adiPower vs adiPure

http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/201 ... ing-friday

[EPJr]

Mark The Calendar
New season the longest in league history; First Kick slated for March 10


MLS unveiled the schedule for all 323 regular season matches on Thursday, signifying the beginning of the longest season in league history, beginning on March 10.

Each of the league’s 19 teams will play 34 games in 2012, and every regular-season game will be televised live this season. US network partners ESPN, NBC and Univision will broadcast a total of 89 matches this year, while 30 games featuring Canadian clubs will air on TSN/TSN2 in English and RDS/RDS2 in French.

The season begins with First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, which includes five matches on Saturday, March 10. The reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy will begin the defense of their title at home on March 10 against Real Salt Lake, while the Montreal Impact will make their MLS debut on the road against their Canadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps on TSN.

The first game of NBC’s multi-year broadcast deal with MLS will be broadcast on Sunday, March 11, when FC Dallas host Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls in a rematch of their postseason Wild Card matchup last season.

Galavisión will broadcast Chivas USA hosting the reigning Eastern Conference champion Houston Dynamo on March 10, while the first game aired on the ESPN family of networks will be a rare Monday night clash on March 12, when the Portland Timbers host the Philadelphia Union at JELD-WEN Field on ESPN2.

The 2012 MLS regular season will conclude Sunday, Oct. 28, with three games, followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup 2012 on Dec. 1, hosted by one of the two finalists. From First Kick to MLS Cup, the calendar footprint of the 2012 season is 267 days – the longest in League history (as is the regular season, at 232 days).

ESPN continues its live coverage of MLS with 21 regular-season games this season. The nine games on ESPN and 11 on ESPN2 will also be available on ESPN Deportes, ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes Radio.

Eleven of the games on ESPN platforms feature duels between regional rivals, such as FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo, two “SuperClasicos” between Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy, and two Cascadia Cup tilts between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders. ESPN will also broadcast a rematch between the rival New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy on May 5.


A total of 38 regular-season games will air on NBC Sports Network, including the May 12 inaugural MLS match at the Houston Dynamo’s new home, BBVA Compass Stadium, and a May 26 rematch of MLS Cup 2011 between Houston and LA.

NBC will broadcast three regular season games nationally: Portland vs. Seattle on Sept. 15, New York vs. Chicago on Oct. 6, and Philadelphia vs. New York on Oct. 27 – the first game of a historic tripleheader on the last Saturday of the regular season that includes Chicago vs. D.C. United and Portland vs. the San Jose Earthquakes on NBC Sports Network.

Galavisión will broadcast 27 MLS regular-season games live, two-thirds of them on Sunday evenings. Clubs such as the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls will appear on Galavisión more than three times each this season.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... p-december[/SIZE]

[EPJr]

ESPN networks to air 21 regular-season matches in 2012

NEW YORK — The ESPN networks are set to broadcast 21 MLS regular-season matches in 2012, featuring some of the biggest games in the league.

ESPN and ESPN2 will split coverage of the 2012 season, beginning with the Portland Timbers' season-opening home match against the Philadelphia Union, and will proceed to broadcast the fiercest clashes, including the marquee tilt between defending Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup champs LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, the SuperClasico in Los Angeles, the Cascadia Cup derby and the rough-and-tough matches along I-95 in the East Coast.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... tches-2012

Galavision to air 27 MLS matches in 2012
NY, LA, Chivas USA, Chicago to feature on Spanish-language TV

NEW YORK — It'll be MLS weekends on Galavisión in 2012.

The Spanish-language network is set to broadcast 27 regular-season MLS matches, plus the MLS All-Star Game. Mexican stalwart Rafa Márquez and the New York Red Bulls will be featured prominently, as will Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire and defending Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup champs LA Galaxy.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... tches-2012

NBC networks to air 41 regular-season matches in 2012
MLS goes mainstream as NBC, NBC Sports Network air huge slate

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer is going mainstream in 2012.

In the first year of a three-year deal, the NBC networks will broadcast 41 regular-season MLS matches. NBC's coverage of MLS kicks off with a rematch between 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card opponents FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls on the NBC Sports Network, and will include scintillating tilts such as the rematch between 2011 MLS Cup finalists LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, the Dynamo's inaugural match of their new BBVA Compass Stadium, a pair of Cascadia Cup matches and a series of I-95 clashes.

In total, NBC will broadcast three regular-season games nationally, while NBC Sports Network will televise 38.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... tches-2012

MLS 2012 national TV composite schedule

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... galavision

[EPJr]

It's on!
Rivalries heat up MLS again in 2012

From Cascadia Cup to SuperClasico,
MLS' biggest rivals square off

From coast to coast and venturing north of the border into Canada, MLS has made good on its desire to maximize the matchups that bring another level of pride to playing field.

The 2012 season will pile even more fervor on top of the smoldering rivalries that mark MLS calendars from March to October. The Cascadia Cup, which muscled its way to the top of the heap in 2011, enters its second go-around in MLS this year and matchups such as the Rocky Mountain Cup, the SuperClásico, California Clásico, the Trillium Cup and the I-95 rivalries aren’t far behind in passion, either.

CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Here's a look at of the matches that will make up some of the biggest rivalries in MLS this season. All times are Eastern.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... again-2012

[EPJr]

10 must-see MLS matches in 2012
Circle these dates: You won't want to miss these on-field clashes


NEW YORK — The 2012 MLS schedule is out. Time to get the red pen from the kitchen doodads drawer and start circling dates on the calendar.

Here are 10 dates we’ve already got blocked off.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... tches-2012

[EPJr]

2012 Player Combine Bios
http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2012/combine/bios

MLS Player Combine team rosters revealed

adiPower
Coach: Sasho Cirovski, Maryland

adiPure
Coach: Brian Tompkins, Yale

adiZero
Coach: Jim Barlow, Princeton

Prime
Coach: Jamie Clark, Washington


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... s-revealed

[EPJr]

[EPJr]

ExtraTime Live:
SuperDraft Preview Show, Wed., 8 pm ET
Watch as the guys as break down the draft, including interviews with prospects


Earlier this week, ExtraTime Radio brought you unprecedented insight into the top three picks in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft (noon ET, ESPN2/ESPN3), picking the brains of Jesse Marsch, Martin Rennie and Jay Heaps from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

On Wednesday, the ETR team will take you one step further into SuperDraft preparations with a draft edition of ExtraTime Live, starting at 8 pm ET on MLSsoccer.com. Watch as Nick Firchau hosts Greg Lalas, Simon Borg and Jason Saghini break down this year’s draft class after spending the last week in Florida watching the prospects in action at the MLS Player Combine.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/201 ... ed-8-pm-et

[EPJr]

Round By Round
Follow along with every pick in the SuperDraft


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[EPJr]

In prospects you mean those players who will possibly selected as a player of a team?

yes

[EPJr]

Boy Scouts of America teams up with MLS

Relationship will support BSA’s athletic, leadership, character-driven program

IRVING, Texas, and NEW YORK — At the 2012 MLS SuperDraft in Kansas City, Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and MLS W.O.R.K.S., MLS’ community outreach initiative, announced a collaboration with the Boy Scouts of America, providing avenues for the league to support the BSA’s youth-focused program of athleticism, character, and leadership.

At the MLS SuperDraft, Scouts from the Heart of America Council in Kansas City delivered the official adidas MLS PRIME match ball to the stage to kick off the event. The ball was autographed by the 2012 first-round draft picks and will be auctioned off to benefit the Kansas City council.

Visit http://www.MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks to bid on this and other MLS memorabilia.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -teams-mls

[EPJr]

MLS Supplemental Draft: A Look Ahead


There is little fanfare to Tuesday's proceedings, as the picks will be made over a conference call instead of in a convention center ballroom, but that does not mean a few diamonds in the rough cannot be found.

Here are SBI's top 20 remaining prospects in the draft pool along with some other notes ahead of Tuesday's 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft:

SBI'S TOP 20 PLAYERS AVAILABLE

1. Andy Rose, Defensive Midfielder, UCLA
2. Evan James, Right Winger, Charlotte
3. Alec Purdie, Right Winger, Indiana
4. Evans Frimpong, Left Winger/Forward, Delaware
5. Kirk Urso, Defensive Midfielder, North Carolina
6. Antoine Hoppenot, Forward, Princeton
7. Arthur Ivo, Attacking Midfielder/Left Winger, SMU
8. James Kiffe, Left Back, UCSB
9. Justin Chavez, Centerback, Tulsa
10. Brian Ownby, Right Winger/Forward, Virginia
11. Luke Holmes, Winger, Akron
12. Miguel Ibarra, Attacking Midfielder, UC-Irvine
13. Brian Rowe, Goalkeeper, UCLA
14. Lance Rozeboom, Defensive Midfielder, New Mexico
15. Charles Rodriguez, Centerback, Charlotte
16. Mykell Bates, Right Back/Centerback, Santa Clara
17. Rafael Garcia, Attacking Midfielder, Cal State Northridge
18. R.J. Allen, Right Back, Monmouth
19. Eder Arreola, Left Winger, UCLA
20. Michael Green, Central Midfielder/Right Winger, New Mexico

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_i ... ahead.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Round By Round
Catch up on all the picks with our Draft Tracker

http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/201 ... undbyround

[EPJr]

PPL Park to host 2012 MLS All-Star Game
Philadelphia awarded first ASG in decade; opponent still unknown


For the first time in a decade, Philadelphia will host an All-Star Game.

Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia will be the stage for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at 8 pm ET, bringing the summer’s showcase event to PPL Park, where the Sons of Ben will welcome a yet unnamed opponent to take on the best MLS has to offer. In the most recent edition held in 2011, Manchester United took on the MLS All-Stars at Red Bull Arena.

The 2012 event will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or TeleFutura and TSN and RDS, while ESPN International will provide live coverage of the event in more than 100 countries around the world and ESPN3 and WatchESPN carry the game online in the United States.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -star-game

[bluehenbillk]

PPL Park to host 2012 MLS All-Star Game
Philadelphia awarded first ASG in decade; opponent still unknown


For the first time in a decade, Philadelphia will host an All-Star Game.

Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia will be the stage for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at 8 pm ET, bringing the summer’s showcase event to PPL Park, where the Sons of Ben will welcome a yet unnamed opponent to take on the best MLS has to offer. In the most recent edition held in 2011, Manchester United took on the MLS All-Stars at Red Bull Arena.

The 2012 event will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or TeleFutura and TSN and RDS, while ESPN International will provide live coverage of the event in more than 100 countries around the world and ESPN3 and WatchESPN carry the game online in the United States.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -star-game

Finding it hysterical that they're saying Philadelphia will host the game. The stadium is in Chester. I know they don't like to publicize that - but it is what it is. Then again you can compare "New York" labeled teams playing in the swamps of East Rutherford I guess you can label a Philly team playing in Chester. Growing up there, just doesn't sound right still.

[GannonFan]

PPL Park to host 2012 MLS All-Star Game
Philadelphia awarded first ASG in decade; opponent still unknown


For the first time in a decade, Philadelphia will host an All-Star Game.

Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia will be the stage for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at 8 pm ET, bringing the summer’s showcase event to PPL Park, where the Sons of Ben will welcome a yet unnamed opponent to take on the best MLS has to offer. In the most recent edition held in 2011, Manchester United took on the MLS All-Stars at Red Bull Arena.

The 2012 event will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or TeleFutura and TSN and RDS, while ESPN International will provide live coverage of the event in more than 100 countries around the world and ESPN3 and WatchESPN carry the game online in the United States.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -star-game

Finding it hysterical that they're saying Philadelphia will host the game. The stadium is in Chester. I know they don't like to publicize that - but it is what it is. Then again you can compare "New York" labeled teams playing in the swamps of East Rutherford I guess you can label a Philly team playing in Chester. Growing up there, just doesn't sound right still.

How many years did the Detroit Pistons play in Auburn Hills? The Los Angeles Angels play in Anaheim. The Tampa Bay Rays play in St. Petersburg. The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers played in Inglewood for years (at least that was LA County, but they were outside of the city). The Washington Redskins play in Maryland. The dallas cowboys play in Arlington. Plenty of examples of teams playing outside of the city they are named for.

And I don't think they hide the fact that PPL Park is in Chester. Heck, the stadium is gorgeous and it's been incredibly successful. I know you have this thing about Chester, but there's no getting around how successful they've been even with the stadium there.

[EPJr]

Fans have recently clamored for radical change in the referee structure in the USA and Canada, and on Tuesday, their wish came true.

MLS, US Soccer and the Canadian Soccer Association have collaborated to form the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), to manage all referees and refereeing matters for the pro leagues in the United States and Canada.

Heading up the PRO is current English Premier League referee Peter Walton, a veteran of nearly 200 EPL matches since 2003. The 52-year-old will assume the new fulltime post of GM of the organization. His appointment starts on April 2 and he’ll be based in New York City throughout the MLS season.

The goal is simple: to set the worldwide standard for soccer refereeing.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... th-america

VID: http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/03/ ... -about-pro

[EPJr]

[EPJr]

Impact draws Chicago
Davy Arnaud scores the Impact's first MLS goal

WATCH : Davy Arnaud's goal
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/20 ... oID=179196

WATCH - Match Highlights
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/20 ... highlights

MONTREAL – A record crowd of 58,912 packed Olympic Stadium to cheer on the Montreal Impact in an entertaining 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, setting a new attendance record for professional soccer in Canada.

But in the end, it was a happy trip home for the handful of Fire fans that had made the trip to La Belle Province, as their team rallied from a goal down thanks to a 71st-minute equalizer from Dominic Oduro.

Impact captain Davy Arnaud wrote his name in the history books in the 56th minute as he headed a Sanna Nyassi cross into the upper right corner of Fire goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi's net. But the lead didn't stand as Oduro got the equalizer a quarter-hour later a great assist from Sebastián Grazzini.


http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2 ... home-debut