[bigmacx]

Brilliant stuff guys. :thup: KUTGW.

[retired_mallory08]

Wildcat Willy takes over as coach of Kansas City Wizards

In a move to increase ticket sales to interest buyers to move the Wizards out of Kansas. The management has hired a mascot from a college in Marquette Michigan called Wildcat Willy. When asked what he wanted to do with the team Willy gave two thumbs up. Then his assistant Ethan Allen a member of that university.

The plans were announced to try to get this team into the playoffs. They want to be able to see the team advance enough and get a home game for the playoffs. Something that they would be able to sell the team to a respectable buyer. Wildcat Willy was also handing out T-shirts and throwing a nerf ball for the press conference

Roster

GK- Tony Meola (United States Legend)
GKbk- Will Hesmer
3rd String GK- Bo Oshoniyi (Transfer Listed and 320

Defenders. This is a strong point to me we have many that are capable of holding the line we are about 5 or 6 deep in this area
Nick Garcia (capped American Defender corner stone of our Defense)
Alex Zotinca, Romanian (on active roster might night play a lot though)
Jimmy Conrad ( starter most of the time)
Shavar Thomas, Jamaican Transitional International. (Decent player in rotation could be moved if some other TI comes up)
Jose Burciaga Jr., (rotation)
Diego Gutierrez (could be moved look at him kind of a weak link)
Kerry Zavagnin (starting defender mostly at the full back region)
Jack Jewsbury ( good player can defend and attack well good asset)

Midfielders, A good position if you go though the first 4 but I think the depth is not that great here.
Francisco Gomez (Decent player should get some starting time)
Diego Walsh, Brazilian TI, ( Has raw potential needs to prove he can start full time and is reliable)
Preki! ( A veteran at 40 still has great skill and can be a asset and a teacher to other players)
Chris Klein (Player in his prime will start most of the games and should be a good contributor)
Khari Stephenson, Jamaican Ti, ( Good player I like his potential I see him being a sub often.)

Forward, good postion I trust most of the people to score on this team
Igor Simutenkov, Russian SI, ( great player got nothing but love for him he will be a primer forward int eh system.)
Davy Arnaud, (good rotation player nice to have him as a option)
Justin Detter ( backup listed for loan)
Matt Taylor (backup)
Josh Wolff, (star forward one of the top strikers in the states will get a majority of starts)
Forwards, good position for us.


Traded Taylor Grahme for Giovanni Savarese (Venezuelan national player that can be a great move for us on the Offensive side)
Traded Jimmy Conrad for Brian Mullen (good young player with a couple American caps, gave up a good defenseman though looking to replace with a player on the market.)

[retired_mallory08]

Before the season started we got Josh Wolf back for a 5th round draft pick thanks to a generous sign and trade from Al Clark.

Well things started off decent after a 3-0-1 preseason we faced New England I will admit that New England had the best of us has their ace striker Twellman scored but we were able to hang in at the 84th minute I made a change and a substation. The tactical change pushed forward and 3 minutes later we had a goal. We were tied 1-1 they almost caught me off guard but I was able to get back and keep the draw.

Second game Dallas was getting the upper hand of us they just could not find the net effectively and we took good advantage of it. Igor Simutenkov (russia) made the Dallas defense look silly beating 4 defenders and scoring a goal in the 26th, right out of the break newly brought on sub Khari Stephenson (Jamacian) scored and then at the 74th minute Igor Simutenkov score again to cap the came off. at 3 -0 Tony Meola got a well earned Man of the match. 4 Points in two road games makes me a happy manager.

Our first home game was against the L.A Galaxy. Things started off bad as Igor Simutenkov got sent off for arguing with the ref to much. Later Arguing would be used to our advantage as a quick free kick went though a distracted defender and off the keeper to the legs of Josh Wolff for his first goal of the year. Our second goal came we had a nice cross it was bounced around Wolf Missed but it found Klien and then it found the net. L.A caught back up a little late when a unexpected long shot by Torres went in. The game would end 2-1 After this we acquired Giovanni Savarese on a good deal where we got a back up for a steal due to salary problems. We gave up Jimmy Conrad a good defender for Brian Mullin a good midfielder. This is a trade I could regret later.

The final game of the session saw me face the Metrostars, this was a very bad game which I do not want to speak much about basically the Metrostars had luck on their side they took advantage of our new defensive as Nick Garcia had a horrendous game and Eddie Gavin ended up with 4 goals. To top that off we could not beat their keep on 16 SOT we had 2 goals both by Wolff we were defiantly missing Igor for this game. WE had a terrible game it will not happen again. I have now marked down the next Metrostar game for sweet REVENGE!.

[retired_mallory08]

[retired_mallory08]

4-GAME LOSING STREAK

After a mini 2-game winning streak at home, the Metros went on a 3-game road trip, it was one that the team will want to forget, they lost all 3 games, and one more at home after that.

They faced Chicago on the first game of the trip, Chicago was unbeaten and didn't conced a goal at that time. The Metros did a good job in the first half, holding Chicago to a 0-0 draw, Jonny Walker had a decent first half. But the second half was totally opposite, Ante Razov of Chicago turned on and hit 4, and 4-0 is the final score.

Next up, LA, the Metros had an early chance, but Brian Ching's goal was disallowed, and things start going the other way 2 minutes later. Cobi Jones headed in from a corner and put the home team up by one, LA got 1 more from Jones and 1 from Albright before the break. Right after the break, an own goal by Jonny Walker, the keeper of the Metros made it 4-0, the Metros continue their big-time slump on the road. Guevara was able to get a goal back on the 58th min., but 7 minutes later, Agoos tripped Ngwenya, Gonzalez stepped up at the penalty spot to make it 5-1, and that is the final.

The next game was a little bit better, but they still cannot generate any kind of offence whatsoever, Pat Nooman scored the only goal of the game for New England.

The Metros had an 0 and 3 record on the road trip, they scored once and gave up 10 goals. They try to turn things around at home when they face Colorado, but they continue their scoring slump and ended up with a 2-0 lost.

The fans started to boo at the end of the Colorado's game, they are so upset at the recent performance of the team, the Metros had lost four in a row and 6 on the road. Lung has to come up with something before they find themselves out of the playoff race.

[retired_mallory08]

United on top

The match against high flying San Jose did not go as planned for United as an early second half goal by Dwight Pezzarossi secured the win for San Jose. The Earthquakes extended their lead further thanks to a long range effort by Pezzarossi and determined the final score. After the match, United manager expressed his concern about allowing two goals. "We don't have the kind of offensive power of some of the teams in this league so we have to play scrappy to get a win and more often than not we settle for a draw." He also added "San Jose have build themselves a good team in a very short time. Of course the blockbuster trade with the MetroStars has helped immensely and you can see it was a grossly one sided trade from the performance of the MetroStars. I am still at a loss as to what kind of a manager trades away Eddie Pope, without a doubt the best defender in the league to get an unproven striker. "

United came back home to face Columbus, Chicago and FC Dallas in 11 days. The match against division rivals Colombus was a game of few chances as both managers preferred to sit back and let the opposition make a mistake. Carlos Fernando Figueroa opened the scoring with a spectacular shot from the edge of the area on 6 minutes. Looking for more goals was not in the best interests of United in this occasion as Columbus hit back on the counter to even the score on 30 minutes. The rest of the match created too little for the specatator as United picked up their 5th draw of the season.

Chicago's visit into town is always a festive event with the quality of players they bring. This occasion was no different. Chicago's leading scorer Ante Razov was to be closely watched to ensure no goals for him this afternoon. And the United defense did just that. Razov as a lone striker was not effective enough to get a goal past the collected United defense. The lone goal of the match came 9 minutes from full time when a Figueroa cross was deflected past Zach Thornton by C.J. Brown. The United manager immediately went to a more defensive setup to preserve the lead and it was too late for Chicago who were sent home empty handed.

With FC Dallas in town, the United fans rushed to the RFK stadium to watch young explosive striker Eddie Johnson. They were not disappointed when Johnson connected with a Ronnie O'Brien cross to put the visitors up 1-0. The score remained until the middle of the second half. Oktay's shot was blocked by Jeff Cassar but the rebound fell to Figueroa and he had an easy finish. But the drama was not over yet as a late substitute Freddy Adu caught up to a long pass by Figueroa and coolly finished the one-on-one chance with Cassar to record his first goal of his career. Carlos Fernando Figueroa who has had an influence on the score in the last three matches picked up a second yellow card in the dying minutes of the match and will be suspended in the upcoming away game against the MetroStars.

In other news, the signing of Bulgarian striker Stoyko Sakaliev was finalized this week from Naftex. The Bulgarian will join up with the United squad at the beginning of next season when his current loan deal at CSKA (Sofia) ends. Sakaliev will occupy a Senior International slot and it is still not known who will be sacrificed to bring in the striker.

[retired_mallory08]

All or nothing

Coach Clark seems to have put together a useful side. This is the consensus of rival managers, FSC and the SJ Mercury alike. Whether they have enough for a title remains to be seen. However, with 9 games gone the 'Quakes are sitting atop of the West though the last 5 games have been anything but routine.

The session started with an absolute demolition of FC Dallas. Hapless rookie Manager Stu was left shell-shocked from an 8-1 MLS record victory. SGR, the striker picked-up from the Met's, blasted 5 goals to take his tally to 9 in just 4(1) games this season. Sadly, the Argie failed to find the net in the next four games and limped out of the last one early and will be missing for about a week. Clark even tried to take his foot off the gas introducing three youngster which the score at 5-1 and even finsihed with 10 men after an injury forced them to play out the last 10 minutes a man short.

"FCD need a goalie. Onstad's on the block if they're interested" said John Harkes on the Saturday MLS Wrap show. "Rumour has it, there's been communication but no deal has been ironed out yet".

Next up was DC, still to concede a goal and unbeaten in 5 albeit with 4 draws. A 2-0 result was a little flattering in a very tight game. Two individual efforts from distance were the difference. Clark understood Omer's frustrations but defended the trade between SJ and the Metros involving USMNT stalwart Eddie Pope. "I think it's an obvious knee-jerk reaction to the situation to say this was a hugely one-sided trade. Sure, Eddie is a top defender but he's pushing 31, on big-time wages [$5800] and a free agent soon. We gave up a national team player, a much younger and cheaper one - Brian Ching - to get him. The market valued Ching higher and reall the deal addressed both our need at the back, and the Metros dire need for a striker. We'd had interest from Europe and could have sold him for prob $2m....so the opportunity cost of picking up EP was not pocket change."

SJ had an early table topper against LA and Tom was in no mood to let SJ's good run upset him. The real winner at the end of a 0-0 stalement (though not without chances) was KC, who leap-frogged both teams to the top of the West.

Naturally, KC were next on the schedule and the game looked destined for a 1-1 draw when a late tactical masterstroke and substitution saw KC's Davy Arnaud pop up in the box to steall all three points. "It's was tough to swallow" said Clark "but Et got it spot on. It's a hiccup, nothing more, I doubt many teams will get points here at Arrowhead this season against KC".

SJ closed out the session with a narrow victory against the Rev's. The main news out of the game was the injury to top scorer Sergio Galvan Rey. Early reports are that the injury was not too serious and he could be back within a week. It ended a bad run of 4 games without a goal for the prolific SGR after blazing 5 in the game against Dallas. "He'll be back" noted Clark.

So, almost 1/3 of the way through the regular season, SJ sit atop of all teams with 17pts from 9 games with a very healthy +12 GD. It's worth noting that the two defeats were against bookies favourites Chicago and KC. It seems the wheat is beginning to sort from the chaff. They're three points ahead of both KC and LA in the west, though the Galaxy have a game in hand and could draw level on point with a win.

The SJ Mercury website carried an interesting article on the on-going search for a AML for the club. Todd Dunnivant had moved up from DL with Tighe Dombrowski at full back and although this combination has been steady, it's clearly not the answer for Clark. The article documented Clark's attempts to bring someone in: Mapp (CHI) outright refusal to even discuss a trade; Davis (FCD) talks rumoured but no deal done yet; Djalminaha (Brazil) offered contract but opted to move back to his homeland. The reporter stated that searches continued in central and southern america.

On piece of transfer activity was completed last session. Clark shipped ex-international Troy Dayak to Chicago for back-up keeper Henry Ring. A decent piece of business for both parties. It also allows Clark to move Onstad and free up that invaluable TI spot, ideally for a quality left winger.

[retired_mallory08]

United Boss Slams Clark

When reached for comment to respond to Clark's earlier comments regarding the Eddie Pope trade, United manager asked Clark to be a little more consistent when making statements :wink: reminding Clark the 24 goals Metrostars have conceded only 9 matches into the season. United manager, a well known admirer of Pope, stated "Surely Pope could have single handedly lowered that number by quite a few goals." He went on to add that the Metrostars have been one of the higher goal scoring sides in the MLS thus far and Ching, a man surplus to requirements during his time at San Jose, could have been picked up at a much lower cost than Eddie Pope who is contracted to the MLS until the end of 2006. United manager went on to say that he didn't blame Clark for defending the trade since he clearly got the better end of the deal while the MetroStars have traded away any chances of competing this season.

[retired_mallory08]

Not a War of Words....yet! :mrgreen:

On hearing the recent outburst by DC gaffer Omer, Clark again made himself available to the press.

"I admit, perhaps I've had something of tunnel vision on the trade. Eddie Pope was exactly what we needed. I will say though, that Ching was not surplus to requirements, not any more than Mido is at Tottenham. Yeah, we had a few good strikers..but Ching was a top 2 striker at this club - and good enough to start at any other team in MLS. He would likely have started for us once he had got over a pre-season niggle. We didn't solicit the trade for Pope but we were happy to do business again with the Metros."

"Obviously, it's rained goals at the Meadowlands lately, and not at the right end. But much can be said for the tactics they've played, the poor form of Johnny Walker - who is no Tim Howard - and having a rookie manager at the helm. The Metrostars have the quality, but are perennial under acheivers. I wouldn't take that job for a 5x pay rise! It's rough out there. Fans have a long memory - all the way back to the NASL and the Cosmos. Being one of only three teams never to have won a major trophy since the league's inception has not helped make it any more hospitable. I wish Ricky luck....he'll need it".

"Infact, I enquired about DC's Mike Petke at one point and was rebuffed becuase they needed more defenders, rather than trading one. Perhaps this is a little jealously, we have picked up some great defensive minded players lately nipping in ahead of DC on the likes of Ricardo Clark and now Pope. "

"Omer and I go back a long way. I'm hoping we can settle this on the field...at MLS Cup 2004."

[retired_mallory08]

And it continues......

"Pepe's not likely to be out here any time soon. We have a policy of bringing in solid veterans to help the development of the team. However, we got Ramon Ramierz to fill that role before the season bagan so even if he was interested we'd be unable to accommdate him right now. " It seems that Clark was side-stepping the real issue at hand - namely, why was he on the short-list. [ :oops: ] "Just keeping an eye on him. I wouldn't want someone else to swoop in and get a HOF player like him when I wasn't looking. We've heard he'd consider a move to MLS and as such wanted to cover our bases."

"I play by the rules....or at the very least, change them to suit me in advance!" :wink: