Major League Soccer » Generation Adidas

Don’t worry I’m Still Here

travis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:18:12 +0000

So I wrote an apology post on the Arsenal Offside yesterday and figured that I would also have to come over here to revive things. I’m still in the loop here, just haven’t made the time for MLS Offside. I guess I could use the holiday season excuse for posting around 0.0025 posts per day, but that would be a lie. The time was there, it was just not utilized.

Moving along, despite being in the lull of the offseason, it’s strange to think that MLS First Kick is a little over two months away. It seems only like yesterday that I was parked on my couch, liveblogging the MLS Cup. Nevertheless, news has been trickling in both here at the Offside and around other parts of the interwebs. Feel like I missed something? Then please fill us in below.

+Dave talks all Red Bull news, including the contract status of two of their most important players, Dave van den Bergh and JPA.

+Over at DC United Offside, jon gives us a sneak peek into the United locker room after a certain prank retaliation by Santino Quaranta.

+Some of the biggest news comes from Dallas, where reports have Kenny Cooper returning to FC Dallas for at least one more season.

+Landon Donovan chats about his loan to Bayern Munich. It’s do or die time for Landycakes, who has a huge opportunity to make it big in Europe, or come back to LA with his tail between his legs. Best of luck to him.

+With the draft just over a week away, Buzz Carrick over at ESPN Soccernet provides the best coverage I’ve found so far, with a column for each position in the draft.

+Ives brings us a comprehensive list of the ‘09 class of Generation Adidas. Translation – the guys taken high in the draft who will make more money than the other players.

That’s all for now folks. It feels good to be back.

Wednesday Wrap Up

travis — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:00:28 +0000

Not a whole lot going on out there today, but here’s a few quick links to what is going on around the MLS. Word out of Columbus is that Sigi is heading west.

+While it isn’t official yet, it may as well be. Sigi Schmid declined the latest offer from Columbus and will most likely head out to Seattle as their new head coach. Please click on the previous link to see his enormous gut. I also noticed that there is a new blogger at Seattle Offside, so head over there to check it out.

+The Generation Adidas side visiting London got pwned by Chelsea Reserves this morning. Not surprising.

+Ives is here to tell us who the MLS has invited to the 2009 Draft Combine. A lot of names on their that I don’t know. Like, all of them. I’ll admit to not being that keen of a follower of college soccer.

+Jon will have more player interviews at DC United Offside. Stay tuned for more.

+Over at Red Bulls Offside, Dave tells us about his insides and also a mix tape of JPA’s 2008 goals.

Generation Adidas Checks in From London

travis — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:25:50 +0000

As I previously reported last week, a squad of MLSers who were dubbed as Generation Adidas players were heading overseas for a short stint over in England, where soccer is football and people live and breath the darn thing. Roger Espinoza of the KC Wizard emailed a quick update, which I am relaying to you from the Wizards blog, Hillcrest Road. The GA squad lost 1-0 to the Reading reserves and took in today’s CFR Cluj-Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge. Here’s what Espinoza had to say:
The trip has been fantastic so far. We practiced at the Chelsea facilities the second day we got here, and it was a first-class organization. Everything was amazing. The time change has been very difficult for everyone to adjust to, but we are doing pretty well now. In the game against Reading, we played pretty well. I was expecting them to be at a whole different level than us, but the game was pretty even. Both Chelsea and Reading have treated us very well.

Watching Chelsea play in the Champions League today is what I have enjoyed this trip the most. It was the best soccer game I’ve been to. The passionate people in the stadium makes the game so interesting because everyone is chanting and supporting their team the entire game, and the level of soccer: it was incredible from both teams.

Other then that, I really haven’t done that much the walk around the mall here and shop some. During the weekend is when we start doing things like getting a tour around town and go watch Liverpool, so I’ll let you know how that goes.

Tomorrow we play the Chelsea reserve team in the morning. I’ll let you know how that goes too.

Interesting to see how they’ll do against the Chelsea reserves. Best of luck to them. Anyone else know what is going on over there? Please post below.

Generation Adidas Squad Heading Overseas

travis — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:21:26 +0000

The latest roster of Generation Adidas players who will head overseas was announced today. The tour/training session has taken place for the last few years with a squad of players who signed GA or Project 40 contracts head overseas for a little bit of European sightseeing and training. The official story is here, but I’ve put up the list of players and their itinerary after the jump.

Players
Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards)
Ciaran O’Brien (Colorado Rapids)
Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire)
Josh Lambo (FC Dallas)
Bruno Guarda (FC Dallas)
Eric Avila (FC Dallas)
Anthony Wallace (FC Dallas)
Rob Valentino (NE Revolution)
Amaechi Igwe (NE Revolution)
Anthony Beltran (Real Salt Lake)
Alex Nimo (Real Salt Lake)
Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
Yura Movsisyan (Real Salt Lake)
Abdus Ibrahim (Toronto FC)
Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Schedule
Friday, Dec. 5 Departure date to London

Saturday, Dec. 6 Attend West Ham United vs. Tottenham or Arsenal vs. Wigan match

Sunday, Dec. 7 Training at Chelsea Academy (two sessions on Sunday)

Monday, Dec. 8 Match 1- Generation adidas vs EPL or West Ham Reserve Team.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 Training Session at Chelsea Academy; Stamford Bridge Stadium and Museum Tour and visit to the Chelsea Mega Store

Wednesday, Dec. 10 Match 2- Generation Adidas v Chelsea Reserve Team; Attendance UEFA Champions League Match – Chelsea v Cluj

Thursday, Dec. 11 Match 3- Generation adidas v Aston Villa Reserve Team (TBC).

Friday, Dec. 12 Watch Chelsea 1st Team Training Session at Chelsea Academy; London Eye private tour; Bus tour of London

Saturday, Dec. 13 Late morning in London – sightseeing Oxford Street, Harrod’s department store; Attendance EPL Match – Chelsea v West Ham (Note – Match could be moved to Sunday)

Sunday, Dec. 14 Return flights to the US

They’ve definitely got a busy itinerary scheduled. I’m jealous of their opportunity to catch some Champions League action. It’ll also be interesting to see how they fare against a reserve EPL team. Many people wonder if the MLS is even on par with some reserve squads. Something worth keeping an eye on. Frank Yallop will be coaching the players – hopefully none of them will sign for an overseas club. Think these young players will do ok?