[retired_mallory08]

LAST IN THE LEAGUE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

The regular season of 2005 MLS campaign is over, the Metros are last in the league for the second straight years, though they have ten or so more points than last year. They finish last again, which means they will have back to back first overall pick in the draft. Also, they are the only team which did not qualify for the playoff this past two seasons.

Just before the end of the session, Lung II traded Brian Ching to Kansas for a first round pick. Lung II now have 2 first rounder to work with, a first overall and a sixth overall. Lung II really needs to hope that there will be some quality in this year's draft, they need players who can come off the bench or even start for them next season. Last year first overall Paul Houser did not get a lot of playing time this season, hope he can improve himself during the offseason, and come into the camp in shape to impress his head coach.

The Metrostars ended the regular season with some decent defensive performances. Though they did not score any goals during the last four matches, they have stopped the habit of leaking goals at the back. They only conceded 2 goals in 4 games. Lung II seems to have found some ways to counter the opposition's attack, if they can keep this defensive effort up next season, and they can work on their offensive game this offseason, they may get into the playoff for the first time under Lung.

[retired_mallory08]

End of the Season, End of the Road?

SJ's Manager Al Clark was philisophical..."It could be worse, we could have missed the playoffs." That's probably the only thing that could have further soured a hugely disappointing season for the 'Quakes.

San Jose finished the season much as they started, three defeats on the bounce (admittedly to DC and the Colorado, the top top teams in the league) and spluttered over the playoff finish line.

"I don't know what's wrong. I've been saying it for a while now. The board and fans have been incredibly patient and I thank them for that. I'm going to try and rally the troops in the playoffs and see if we can get a run going. The Rapids are formidable opposition and they're strike force (allegedly my cast offs) have been making me look like a fool. "

"As reluctant as I am to make wholesale changes again, and I realise the team needs stability, I'm going to have to shuffle the pack. I've a couple of 1st rounders and hope to add to youth to my ageing team."

"SGR and Ramon will not go on forever, though SGR did put together some decent goalscoring performances towards the end of the season and rightly will be presented with the Golden Boot again. If I was critical of him, it's just that he set the bar so high last season that I suppose the only way was down. He managed 16 league goals, and in a league as defensive as this, that's a very credible tally. He hit 19 in all competitions."

"A lot of players have let this side down this year, both on and off the field. I find it hard to stomach players questioning my ability whilst they are putting in performances not fit for the A-League. Jason Kreis has already left and he wont be the only one."

"For my money, the guys who earned the right to come back next year are Joe Cannon, Richard Mulrooney, Eddie Pope, Chris Klein, Ramon, SGR and the two youngsters Vandenborre and Adu. Some of the other youngsters didn't really get a shout so I can't get on their back. Josh Wolff and Pete Vagenas were a little disappointing but their not done yet. The others? Yeah, they'll probably be waived, traded or relegated to back up duty if they stay around. 8 of my players came in with an average below 7 and that's not good enough."

"...but enough of my whining, we've got a Western Conference Semi-Final against Colorado to prepare for. I'm not throwing the towel in yet!"

[retired_mallory08]

Gonzalez on the move

Following the rumors that Leonardo Gonzalez will be allowed to leave, several clubs are reported to have already expressed an interest in the defender. The 24 year old Costa Rican is able to fill in the centre or left side of the midfield and defense and is well known for his world class tackling abilities. Also an astute passer of the ball, Gonzalez is widely expected to be an impact player in the MLS for many years to come.

It is also expected that young striker Alecko Eskandarian will also be allowed to leave DC in the offseason with last year's first round draft pick Tom Keevan impressing the United manager in his first season.

[retired_mallory08]

ANOTHER BUSY OFFSEASON

For the second straight year, Lung needs to work very hard during the offseason to bring his team together. He needs to bring in a right mix of players.

Lung appears to have some interest in DC versatile defender Leonardo Gonzalez, but he is reluctant to give up his second first round pick. He said he is willing to part away a couple of lower round picks.

In the process of trying to bring in a right mix of players, Lung declared that he is willing to let the following players go:
Arturo Torres (S C)
Bobby Thompson (M C)
Henry Ring (GK)
Joselito Vaca (AM RC)
Mark Lisi (M RLC)
Tim Regan (D/DM RLC)

He also said that he will give up any of his draft picks except his 2 first rounder. Metros have 2 2nd round, and 1 each for 3rd to 6th round.

[retired_mallory08]

In what has been a up and down year KC has made the playoffs after missing last year with a 500 record of 10-10-10. We came out of the season hot with a 3-0-1 record including a 4-1 win against first round opponent L.A. galaxy. AT the Home Depot Center.

“Things are looking up, I had my doubts about the egos on the team I think I have gotten rid of them this is a good team full of heart. We are hot right now I fell that we can surprise a few people and caused some of the favored teams to refund tickets to their tickets to the finals.”

“In my opinion no member of the team as surprised me more than Alex (Gray). I did not expect him to be such a successful goalkeeper so fast. I had him pegged to be my starter perhaps at the end of the year but when he came in and stepped up early I was surprised… I do believe that the defense is one of the best though and a great reason why Alex has been a success. But if Alex does not win the rookie of the year it will be a shame.”

When asked about transfers at the end of the season Willy replied

“That’s the end of the season we have already got Brian Ching coming in. He is a great talent on a sub part team that needs to rebuild. He in my opinion is better for us than anything in the draft this year that we could get. I think we got rid of some of the cancer that was holding the team back and now we can move forward. Making the playoffs was a huge step in that”

When asked about the upcoming game with the Galaxy

“ Well L.A. is a good team, but we have had a even series I think it is very possible for us to beat them. Not guaranteeing a win though but it is very possible for us to go to get a big enough lead and hold em. The first leg will be very critical though, than again every game is critical in the playoffs. I have great respect for LA but beating them would be fun”

[retired_mallory08]

[retired_mallory08]

2005 Supporters Shield: COLORADO RAPIDS (Greg Broz)
West Produces The Best Again In 2005


The Colorado Rapids put together an awesome season, amassing 63 points, best GD (+27), most wins (19), least defeats (T1, with 5), most goals (45), fewest conceded (T1, 18) and finished 6 points ahead of DC in the race for the Supporters Shield. and 12 pts ahead of 2nd in the West, LA.

So, congratulations go to our regular season champs. Let's see if the good form can follow Greg and his boys into the MLS Cup Playoffs!!

[retired_mallory08]

2005 Playoff Conference Semi-finals Announced





#1 DC United #4 NE Revs


#2 Chicago Fire #3 Columbus Crew




#1 Colorado Rapids #4 SJ Earthquakes


#2 LA Galaxy #3 Kansas City Wiz





2005 US OPEN CUP: COLORADO RAPIDS (Greg Broz)
Rapids Knock Off USL Opponents for the Cup, Take 2nd Part of the Treble?


The upstart Charlotte Eagles made it all the way to the US Open Cup Final, but could not add another MLS scalp to their mantle. Greg Broz's Rapids eventually running out good enough to take the crown. Roy Lassiter and Dusty Swineheart had blasted the Eagles all the way to the final, but they seemed to run out of steam and never really threatened the favourites.

The 2-1 scoreline affirms how close the game was, but no one could argue that Colorado didn't deserve the trophy.

So, the second piece of a famous treble was nailed down. All that remained was the MLS Cup.....and Greg has that firmly in his sights.

[retired_mallory08]

NEW MANAGER FOR THE REVOLUTION OFF TO A BAD START

In a bizarre move, The New England Revolution appointed Jimmy Ventura as their new manager just days before their playoff game against DC United. Revolution owner Robert Kraft offered the inexperienced but fiery young man the job as manager but gave him a choice to start right before the first playoff game or start fresh at the beginning of the year and have the interim manager stay in his position for the playoff game. Ventura in an effort to make a good first impression and get the players and fans on his side and also get some playoff experience decided to take the job and manage them in the playoffs.

The playoffs began in Gilette Stadium where the first half of game 1 was a big blur to Ventura. DC came out firing on all cylinders and took it to the Revolution in the first half by a score of 3-0. Ventura began to think maybe he was overmatched and should have started fresh but he decided to push on and gave his team a fiery half time speech which awoke the players. New England stormed back in the second half with 3 unanswered goals to tie the game up near the end but a few minutes later DC put the nail in the coffin to take game 1, 4-3. It served to give the manager and players some hope for game 2 which later became false hope.

Game 2 began the same way as game 1 where DC scored 3 unanswered goals to take a 3-0 lead. The game didn't get any better when Revs defensive midfielder Jose Cancela received his 2nd yellow card midway through the 2nd half and had the Revs 1 man down. The Revs this time, however, didn't have the late game heroics that they did in game 1 and fell quietly to DC United by a score of 3-0 and an aggregate score of 7-3.

The offseason began rather quick for Ventura as he didn't like all the grumblings going on in the locker room involving Clint Mathis. Several players weren't very happy with Clint and the new manager knew someone had to go and knowing about Clint's temperament in the past, he was the one.

Ventura verbally agreed to a deal with the Metrostars that will send Clint back to NY/NJ for attacking midfielder Joselito Vaca, defender Tim Regan and an undisclosed 2nd round pick. That deal will help New England regain the harmony back in the locker room as well as begin adding pieces to fit in Ventura's system.

He didn't end there as almost simultaneously he traded newly re-signed defender Jay Heap to Dallas for defensive midfielder Duncan Oughton. Oughton is a player that will fit well into the new New England system playing as a defensive midfielder or maybe even on the backline.

It's clear New England will be going in a different direction this season. Currently, they have some talent but they just need a fresh start. From the looks of it at least, Ventura seems to have a plan. No one knows, however, if his inexperience will be the deciding factor as the veteran managers will be looking to feast on the rookie. Bottom line, Ventura wants to win and we'll see if he has the right plan.

[retired_mallory08]

SECOND OFFSEASON UNDERWAY

These few weeks, Metrostars head coach Lung is extremely busy due to some off court issue. He needs to prepare for final exams.

Although he needs a lot of time on the books, he handles the situation very well, he does not let all these distraction affect his coaching.

Since the Metros did not get into the playoff again this season, Lung's offseason gets underway early again like last season. Last offseason main acquisitions Peguero, Talley, Gros, Pause, and Salyer, have shown their abilities, and lead the Metros to a better results than last year, but it still does not enough to get into the playoff. Will the draft picks and acquisitions of this offseason build on the foundation that Lung had set this season?

The Metros basically need someone to help them at the back, in the middle, and up in front.

So far, Lung had signed Chinese rising start Chen Tao to a multi-year contract. He exchanged Ching to Kansas for a first round pick. He also signed LA backup goalie Popik on bosman transfer rule. After that, Lung had verbally agreed on two deals. The first deal will send Kansas first round pick to DC in exchange for versitile defender Leonardo Gonzalez. Lung hopes Gonzalez can provide some stability on Metros' back line. The second deal will see Joselito Vaca, Tim Regan, and a 2nd round pick going to NE, the Metros will have striker star Clint Mathis in uniform next season.

Lung seems to have his front line set for next season, he will have Mathis and Peguero paired up front with Chen Tao acts as a attacking midfielder role. The Metros really need some scoring punch up from to counter other teams' defense. Lung also is talking with former Holland's star Ronald de Boer, he hopes to bring him in to provide leadership for the team.

Lung still has the fellowing players on the transfer block:
Arturo Torres (S C)
Bobby Thompson (M C)
Henry Ring (GK)
Mark Lisi (M RLC)

As for the draft picks, Lung still has 1 pick on each of the six round.