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First Tranfer Window Closes Today - This Week in MLS

May 6, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


First Transfer Window Closes Today

The year's first transfer window - which opened Feb. 12 and allows MLS clubs to pursue players under contract in leagues abroad - closes Monday, May 6 at midnight Eastern Time. Although no flurry of activity is expected, a bumper crop of newcomers has already arrived in 2013.

Collectively, MLS clubs have acquired 65 players from more than 25 leagues around the world since the end of last season. That group averages 26.2 years of age. They hail from 32 different countries. Twenty-two have played for their senior national team and 27 others have youth national team experience. The influx of talent illustrates the MLS owners' substantial commitment to continue elevating the standard of play.

Among the newcomers making a difference for their teams, in alphabetical order by last name, are:

F Claudio Bieler (Sporting KC) - 6 goals in 10 games

G Carlo Cudicini (LA Galaxy) - League-leading 0.71 GAA in 7 games

M Andrew Driver (Houston Dynamo) - 2 goals, 1 assist, 9 shots in 8 games

F Robert Earnshaw (Toronto FC) - 5 goals in 9 games

G Raúl Fernandez (FC Dallas) - 30 saves, 5-1-2 record in 8 games

F Olmes García (Real Salt Lake) - 1 goal, 1 assist in 5 games

D Glaúber (Columbus Crew) - 9 starts, 1 goal, team GAA of 0.89

F Peguy Luyindula (New York Red Bulls) - 2 assists, 10 shots in 5 games

M Edgar Mejía (Chivas USA) - 1 goal, 2 assists in 8 games

F Andrés Romero (Montreal Impact) - 1 goal, 1 assist in 7 games

M Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers) - 2 goals, 2 assists in 8 games

The secondary transfer window for MLS opens July 9 and closes Aug. 8, but clubs may continue to add players who are out of contract between now and then. MLS rosters freeze September 13.

Week 11 National Broadcasts

Saturday, May 11

Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union, 1:30 p.m. ET (NBC SN)

Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 4 p.m. ET (UDN)

Sunday, May 12

Portland Timbers vs. Chivas USA, 5 p.m. ET (UniMas)

Quotables

"Jimmy will tell you that he doesn't care about that at the end of the day. What he wants is another championship with the team and he wants the MLS Cup. That's what the rest of us are striving for. If he keeps getting those shutouts, he will help put us in the right position where hopefully we can win."

Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes on Jimmy Nielsen breaking the club's shutout record

"At the end of the day, I wanted to win and I think that's first and foremost. I'm happy with a result at home, but that being said, Seattle is a good team. As far as the goals, I couldn't be happier just to contribute to this great group of guys. Coach has faith in me and has continued to drive me, and I was just happy to see the ball go into the back of the net both times and in the upcoming weeks continue to contribute."

Philadelphia Union's Danny Cruz on his two-goal performance against Seattle Sounders FC

"I've said before we have this new era, and that with all the changes in the offseason there would still be great opportunity here. I truly believe that and I'm excited to be a part of it. Everybody knows that I'm from Southern California and I have played nearly all my career with this club so it's close to my heart...We have a long way to go but I do feel that with all the changes that have been made, we are taking the steps in the right direction, and through my time here and in the future I'm going to give everything I have so we continue going in that direction and we become champions on the field and off the field."

Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy on his contract extension with the team

"I ask myself every night, 'what am I missing?' And then I realize we aren't going to be perfect. This league isn't designed for a team to be perfect."

New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke on adjusting to the pressures of coaching and his own perfectionism

"We felt honored that he chose us as his wish. We really took it upon ourselves to fulfill his wish and go above and beyond anything that he could have dreamed about."

Portland Timbers team captain Will Johnson on fulfilling an eight-year old cancer survivor's Make-A-Wish request

"To be honest, I had no plans of going back to football at all and definitely not this soon. But I was looking over some video clips that MLS sent to I think it was CNN or ABC of me just training, fooling around and just enjoying football. ... And it kind of just like [made him say], 'Oh my gosh, I miss this stuff.'"

Robbie Rogers on returning to MLS

Sweet Tweets

@bwarshaw14 - April 30

I feel like the phrase 'Four Major Sports in America' went out of date when the MLS passed the NHL and NBA in average attendance.

@yedlinny - May 1

And for people freaking out, no it's not completely gone, don't worry it's still not your normal haircut. You'll see what I mean;) #mystery

@mnanchoff - May 2

#Atticus makes ESPN's #1 play baby! Portland, you amaze me over and over again man. #timberswish #RCTID http://yfrog.us/b646ekmnzeeafukrwxtmrdikz ...

‏@ChrisWondo - May 2

Amazing things what the @TimbersFC did today. Nothing better than making someone's dreams come true. #proudtoplayinMLS

@RobbHeineman - May 4

That's the greatest plane ticket from England I've ever bought. For some reason it gave me #heartshapedhands

MLS Week 11 Previews

(Home team listed first; all times Eastern)

Wednesday, May 8

D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m.

- D.C. United return to action riding a five-game losing streak, following their 3-0 loss at Columbus on April 27. The streak is one loss shy of the United club record, set from Sept. 30, 2006-April 28, 2007.

- The Dynamo extended their undefeated streak to four games with their first away win of the season, claiming a 1-0 victory Sunday in an MLS Cup rematch against the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. An own goal and a goal from Warren Creavalle in the final 10 minutes gave the Dynamo a 2-0 win to open the season, March 2 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

- United's 3-2 home win in the first meeting a season ago was their first against Houston at home since 2009. The Dynamo have never lost to D.C. United in Houston, winning nine of 10 meetings there all-time in league and cup play (with one draw).

New York Red Bulls vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m.

- The teams come into the game as part of a four-way tie atop the Eastern Conference standings, along with Sporting KC and Houston. The Impact maintained a share of the division lead after their 2-2 draw at San Jose, while the Red Bulls have won three in a row following their 1-0 win at Columbus.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Marco Di Vaio's goal after 14 minutes was the difference as the Impact claimed a 1-0 victory March 23 at Olympic Stadium.

- The Red Bulls won the lone meeting at Red Bull Arena between the teams, a 5-2 victory last March 31. The teams have now evenly split their four encounters all-time.

- After scoring one goal in the opening 20 games of his MLS career, New York's Tim Cahill has scored three goals in the last two games, scoring all the Red Bulls goals in wins at Toronto and Columbus.

New England Revolution vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m.

- The Revolution have kept back-to-back shutouts and recorded five in eight games this season following their scoreless result at Portland. They have allowed 6 goals in 8 games, the second-best defensive record in MLS.

- Joao Plata set up both RSL goals in their 2-0 home win against Vancouver over the weekend, moving him into a tie for the MLS assist lead with four for the season, along with KC's Graham Zusi.

- The Revolution's last victory vs. Real Salt Lake came in 2009. In the five meetings since, RSL has won four, with one draw, including a 2-1 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium in last year's lone match.

- Real have won on their last two trips to Gillette Stadium, in 2010 and 2011. RSL is also undefeated in its last five home games vs. New England, dating back to 2008.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 8:30 p.m.

- Claudio Bieler moved into a tie for the lead in the MLS Golden Boot standings with six goals, following his 2-goal game in Sporting's 4-0 win against Chivas USA on Sunday.

- Mauro Rosales scored his first goal of the season as Sounders FC scored multiple goals in a game for the first time in 2013, reaching a 2-2 draw at Philadelphia last weekend.

- Sounders FC have won the last six league meetings between the teams, dating back to 2009, after Kansas City won the first ever match in the series. Sounders FC have won all three MLS games in Kansas City.

- The teams also met in the U.S. Open Cup Final a year ago, Sporting winning in a penalty-kick shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, ending Sounders FC's three-year hold on the Open Cup title.

FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

- Both teams come into the game riding long undefeated streaks. FC Dallas are undefeated in seven games in a streak that began March 17, having gone 5-0-2 since. The Timbers are also riding an MLS club-record 7-game streak, going 3-0-4 since March 16.

- FC Dallas have allowed nine goals in nine games this season - but they have recorded five shutouts. They have allowed multiple goals in each of the other four contests.

- Since a Timbers victory in the first meeting ever between the clubs, in 2011, FC Dallas is undefeated vs. Portland with two wins and two draws in the four meetings since.

- In the three meetings all-time in Frisco between the teams, FC Dallas has outscored Portland 10-1, including a 5-0 victory last July 21.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Toronto FC, 10:30 p.m.

- The Earthquakes just keep scoring in stoppage time to snatch points. They did it again with a 91st-minute goal from Sam Cronin to secure a 2-2 draw with Montréal over the weekend; that's three goals in second-half stoppage time this season that secured San Jose a win and two draws.

- Toronto FC lost for a second match in a row, and saw their league winless streak extended to seven games, in their 1-0 loss at Colorado to start the two-game Western swing. Since last July 28, Toronto FC is 1-14-8 in their last 23 MLS games.

- The Earthquakes haven't lost to Toronto FC in four meetings, with a pair of victories (and two draws), including a 3-0 victory in the lone meeting a year ago, March 24 at BMO Field.

- Toronto FC have come away with points on each of its last three visits to Buck Shaw Stadium (two wins and a draw). TFC has never defeated San Jose at home, with two losses and three draws all-time at BMO Field.

Saturday, May 11

Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union, 1:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

- The Fire return to action after they were shut out for a fourth time in eight games this season, dropping a 2-0 decision at the Montréal Impact on April 27.

- Danny Cruz recorded his first career two-goal game in Union's 2-2 home draw with Seattle Sounders FC. Cruz has scored two goals now in each of the last four seasons, moving from D.C. United to Union midway through last year.

- The teams have evenly split their series over the last three seasons, each team winning three times, with one draw. Each team has also scored nine goals.

- The teams ended their season series a year ago with 3-1 victories at the other's ground, the Fire winning at PPL Park on Aug. 12, and Union returning the favor Oct. 3 at Toyota Park.

Montreal Impact vs. Real Salt Lake, 2 p.m.

- Real Salt Lake won the first meeting ever between the clubs, a 1-0 triumph last April 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium on a Paulo Junior penalty kick.

- Justin Mapp scored two goals in a game for the second time in his 12-year MLS career, netting twice in the Impact's 2-2 draw at San Jose. It took him 10 years to do it the first time, scoring twice for Philadelphia Union in a 6-2 win at Toronto FC on May 28, 2011.

- RSL's Kyle Beckerman committed one foul in the 2-0 win Saturday vs. Vancouver. He has now committed 472 for his MLS career, just five away from all-time league leader Jesse Marsch - the Impact's coach for their inaugural MLS season.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 4 p.m. (UDN)

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Chris Wondolowski's goal in first-half stoppage time was all the Quakes needed for a 1-0 win March 23 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

- The Earthquakes have won the last four league meetings between the teams, including all three a season ago.

- For the first time in his MLS career, Chris Wondolowski recorded two assists in a game, playing a part in both Earthquakes in the 2-2 draw with Montréal last weekend. Wondolowski has 16 assists to go with 72 goals for his MLS career.

- Rookie Adam Jahn, in the lineup with suspensions to Alan Gordon and Steven Lenhart, scored for the third time this season for the Quakes in the draw.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy, 7 p.m.

- Whitecaps FC saw their winless streak extended to seven games in their 2-0 loss at Real Salt Lake last weekend. It's the longest MLS winless slide for the club since they went 14 games without a win from March 26-June 11 in their inaugural season.

- Landon Donovan missed a second penalty kick in two attempts this season as the Galaxy saw their two-game winning streak come to an end in a 1-0 loss to Houston in an MLS Cup rematch at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy have lost both games by 1-0 score lines where Donovan has missed from the spot.

- The Galaxy have never lost to Whitecaps FC in five league meetings all-time, with four victories and a draw. LA has outscored Vancouver 14-2, the only Whitecaps goals coming in a 2-2 draw last July 18 at BC Place, their only result in the all-time series.

- The teams also met last season in the Knockout Round game in the Western Conference playoffs, the Galaxy getting second-half goals from Mike Magee and Landon Donovan for a 2-1 victory at The Home Depot Center.

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Dax McCarty, Fabian Espíndola, Thierry Henry and Jonny Steele all hit the back of the net as the Red Bulls strolled to a 4-1 victory, April 20 at Red Bull Arena.

- New York has not won in New England since 2002. The Revolution have won 13 of 18 meetings in league and MLS Cup play since that last New York win. The Revolution haven't won in New Jersey since 2007, now winless on their last eight trips to face the Red Bulls.

- Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth made a career-high nine saves in securing a scoreless draw at Portland on May 2, his second consecutive shutout and third this season. Matt Reis had also recorded two in goal for New England.

- The Red Bulls have won three road games in a row, following their 1-0 triumph at Columbus on May 4. The club record is five consecutive away wins, set in 2000.

Columbus Crew vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.

- Edson Buddle scored his first goal in a Colorado uniform, giving the Rapids a 1-0 win against Toronto FC on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

- The Crew's 1-0 loss to New York on Saturday ended their home undefeated streak at 12 games, their first loss at Crew Stadium since last July 14. It was the club's longest home unbeaten run and second-longest in club history, since a 22-game streak that stretched over the end of the 2008 season and nearly the entirety of 2009.

- The Rapids have won the last two meetings between the clubs in league play, including a 2-0 victory last March 10 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in the only encounter a year ago.

- The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in both 2010 and 2011, the Rapids advancing on both occasions.

FC Dallas vs. D.C. United, 8:30 p.m.

- The game will match the league's best team points-wise - FC Dallas (20) - against the worst team points-wise (D.C. United, 4), entering Week 11.

- "I've reminded them plenty of times that there have been several teams in this same spot we're in right now that have changed their fortunes and have ended up in either the MLS Cup, the playoffs, winning U.S. Open Cup," said United head coach Ben Olsen. Of the seven teams in MLS history with four points or fewer after eight games, three made the playoffs (COL and LA in 2003, KC in 2011), four did not (CHV in 2005, DAL in 2009, DC in 2010, TOR in 2012).

- D.C. United last won in Frisco on Sept. 1, 2007, a 4-0 victory. FC Dallas have won two of their four home meetings since, with two draws. D.C. United won the only meeting a season ago, a 4-1 victory March 30 at RFK Stadium.

Sunday, May 12

Portland Timbers vs. Chivas USA, 5 p.m. (UniMas)

- The Timbers return home riding three consecutive defensive shutouts at Jeld-Wen Field. They last conceded a goal at home in a 2-1 loss to Montréal on March 9, now 300 minutes without a goal against.

- Chivas USA had their winless run extended to four games in their 4-0 loss at Sporting KC last weekend. When Chivas USA have scored this season they are 3-0-2; they are 0-4-0 when they have been shut out.

- Chivas USA won all three meetings between the teams a season ago, including both matches at Jeld-Wen Field. Chivas has won four of the five meetings all-time in the series.

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

- The teams met in the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive season last year, the Dynamo winning their semifinal series 2-1 on aggregate. In 2011, the Dynamo won 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Championship at Sporting Park.

- A year ago, both league meetings at Sporting Park ended in draws, while the Dynamo won the first-ever meetings at BBVA Compass Stadium.

- Kei Kamara has returned to Sporting Kansas City, following completion of his loan with Norwich City FC of the English Premier League. He scored one goal in 11 games for Norwich; he returns off an MLS season where he netted 11 times in 33 games for SKC in 2012.

- It's the first home game for the Dynamo since they set an MLS record with their 30th consecutive league match without a loss in a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids. They have now gone 36 games without a home loss in all competitions dating back to 2011.

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