San Diego's #10 - Soccer From the Surf

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Just Launched PowerStats101.com

For those followers on Tumblr, I wanted to let you know about my new project which I just launched today, PowerStats101.com

If you liked my writing about the whiteboards and player evaluations, then you'll love PowerStats which takes into consideration the two most important factors in soccer: what happens at the change of possession and what takes place in the box.  All other statistics are ancillary.

In the PowerStats system, we track 20 statistics and, via a formula, rate strikers, playmakers, and defenders together.

Currently, we have all of Manchester United's 2011 EPL stats, LA Galaxy's 2011 MLS stats, and other Champions League, and international games.

The website will feature my writing as well, so you'll get the explanation along with the stats. 

Enjoy!

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Mexico to Face Venezuela in San Diego

It has been confirmed that Mexico will meet up against Venezuela here in our backyard of San Diego on March 29th.

Details are yet to be finalized but Qualcomm Stadium is likely to be the venue.

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Buddle Scores in His Debut- Galaxy Fans Feel Cheated On

For most Galaxy fans, Edson Buddle's departure still seems like a bad nightmare that will go away with a lifting of the eye lids. Juan Pablo Angel's signing have eased some of the pain, but for many, it's tough to move on having just lost your top goalscorer to a struggling second division Bundesliga side who is knocking on relegation's door.

One person who has definitely move on, however, is the American international striker himself. 

He scored today in his debut for FC Ingolstadt.  The team drew 1-1 with MSV Duisburg.

Here is the video of his classic-Buddle-style finish.

Disclaimer: for Galaxy fans, this will feel like watching your ex-girlfriend strutting around town with her new lover.  It will hurt.

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A look to USA vs Chile

My crystal ball never lies.  This is what it told me is going to happen on Saturday for the USA vs Chile friendly in Los Angeles.

Disclaimer, looking into the future is a very dangerous activity and has the potential to disrupt the time/space continuum.  What you're about to read is real and the information could alter our way of life as we know it

Enjoy Gazing into the Crystal Ball: USA vs Chile

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The Biggest Questions in the Galaxy: Part 2

For all of you Galaxy fans out there, be sure to check my latest piece for WorldSoccerReader.com where I break down the two most important issues facing the team headed into pre-season camp.

Quite a lot has happened in Los Angeles since the previous installment of the Biggest Questions in the Galaxy: a supplemental draft pick was traded for a player, a leading goal scorer was lost, a world famous superstar slipped through the clutches, a Ted-Williams-second-chance-at-life striker was brought in for allocation money, and a former designated player’s contract continues to hang in the balance.

Ah, there is nothing like being able to spot a Galaxy fan by the length of their chewed finger nails.  It must still be the off-season.

Of the four Los Angeles Galaxy post-season questions asked by WorldSoccerReader.com a month ago, only one was answered: What is the next off-season move for the Galaxy? The answer: Gregg Berhalter being named as first ever player/coach for the Galaxy. While interesting, this move, along with all others made by the Galaxy front office this off-season, will certainly not have fans jamming up the Galaxy season ticket phone lines.

So with only a few weeks remaining until training camp and the start of the 2011 season bearing down like a Chinese high-speed train, we ask the two updated Biggest Questions in the Galaxy.

Click here to read the full story

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Amani Walker Chicago Bound

UC-Irivine striker and San Diego native, Amani Walker was selected early in the first round of the supplemental draft today.  With the 9th overall pick, the Chicago Fire decided to add a little offensive firepower to their team and felt that Walker was the best available forward.

Walker will have the opportunity to make the squad as he joins a somewhat short-handed striker core featuring Mexican national Nery Castillo, Calen Carr, and Patrick Nyarko.

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Blackburn Completes Move for American Jones

In one of the more noteworthy Yanks Abroad news in the past few weeks, US International, Jermaine Jones completed his move to Blackburn Rovers of the EPL today.

Jones, who was born in Germany and played through the youth system in his home country, eventually chose to represent the USA National Team in 2010, making his debut for the Stars and Stripes against Poland in October.  He was eligible for the national team switch because his father is American.

The tenacious 29 year old was regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the German Bundesliga, before falling out of favor with Shalke 04 head coach Felix Magath. 

His loan move to Blackburn will surely be a big boost to himself, Rovers, and the United States National team as the rusty player requires match fitness in order to break through to a consistent starting role for the 2011 Gold Cup this summer.  Rovers, meanwhile, are eager to have a natural ball winner and someone with a tireless engine.

To see Jones' the performance whiteboard of his United States National Team career, which I created for WorldSoccerReader.com, click here.

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Cherundolo's Hannover Continues Improbable Run

Hannover 96's unlikely season continued this weekend, when they recorded a convincing 3-0 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt, and climbed to second place in the German Bundesliga.

A perennial relegation threat, Hannover has rebounded from a miserable 2009 campaign in large thanks to new team captain Steve Cherundolo. The 31 year old San Diego native was named team captain and received a contract extension in 2010; reward for being a reliable feature in defense while at the same time being a team leader to all positions during his twelve years with the club.

Cherundolo's team had a tragic 2009 season after starting goalie Robert Enke committed suicide by stepping in front of a moving train. Hannover have recently named a street after the keeper, Robert-Enke-Strasse, in remembrance of the stopper's shocking death, but perhaps the best tribute to Enke is the team's impressive 2010/2011 campaign.

Hannover finished just one spot ahead of the relegation playoff spot last season with an anemic 33 points from 34 games. Just past half point this season, Hannover have already amassed more points (34) in only 18 games.  

Whether Hannover can continue their impressive run of form, one in which sees them four points ahead of reigning champions Bayern Munich, is a tall order, but rest assured Cherundolo will do everything in his power to keep the team motivated while reminding them on just how far the team has come in half a year.

Cherundolo started in all of the World Cup games in South Africa for the United States last summer. He played club ball in San Diego for the La Jolla Nomads and attended Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Peñasquitos.

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Joshua Borja Headed to 2011 USL Combine

Thanks to a fellow reader, San Diego's #10 has been tipped off on an exciting development for local soccer player, Joshua Andrew Borja who has been invited to attend the USL player combine this week.

Currently representing the Guam international team, Borja was raised in San Diego where he rose through the youth ranks of Albion SC and West Hills High in Santee.

While playing center-back at West Hills High, Borja was a 2009 All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and All-Grossmont North League first team selection. He scored over twenty-two goals for his high school team.

His stand-out youth play was eventually noticed by the Los Angeles Galaxy, who  recruited Borja to play at right and center back for their U-18 Academy team. 

In 2009, Borja moved to striker while representing Guam who he helped qualify for the East Asian Football Championship 2010 Qualifying Tournament semifinals.  Despite being born in the States, he was eligible to represent Guam through his grandfather who was born on the island.

His back-to-back goals helped Guam finish first place in the country’s qualifying competition and advance to the championship semifinals in Taiwan in August.

Borja then decided to pursue college at CSU Chico, where he eventually moved to right midfield. 

In 2010, Borja was selected as a college developmental player of the San Diego Flash while continuing double duty; playing for the San Diego Fusion (San Diego Sockers' reserve team) during the outdoor off-season.

In this new year, Borja looks to make the jump from amateur to professional soccer by breaking through in the USL Combine this Thursday through Sunday. 

We will be following up with Borja's performance this weekend, but in the meantime, enjoy this video where he scores Guam's fastest ever goal against North Korea at the EAFF championships in 2009.

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Chad Barrett Headed Home

Chad Barrett, who was born in San Diego, will return home to Southern California this season as he was traded from Toronto FC to the Los Angeles Galaxy yesterday during the SuperDraft. 

It is rumored that Toronto will have to eat a large chunk of his $300,000 salary, making this a potential good pick-up by Los Angeles.

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MLS SuperDraft's San Diego Recap

As we noted during the combine, AJ Soares' stock was clearly on the rise.  This was confirmed Thursday afternoon in Baltimore, as he was selected by the New England Revolution 6th overall in the first round.

He stood out as one of the more prepared players at the combine- a quality that head coach Stevie Nicol certainly values after his team allowed in the most goals in Major League Soccer last season.  Nicol will be hoping that Soares can quickly adapt to the speed and physicality of the professional game so he can be a contributing force in the back line during his rookie season.

It takes two to tango, and Soares also feels that working under Nicol is a perfect fit for him.  "Learning under Stevie Nicol is going to be incredible for me..  I couldn't ask to learn from somebody better than him."   Clearly, Soares is expecting there to be a learning curve that he will need to adjust to, but he feels Nicol has the tools to bring him up to speed quickly.  While he will definitely head to the Boston area to be taught more about the game, it may be only a crash course before Soares is asked to start- the Revolution's defense badly needs his help.

San Diego's Michael Farfan was selected 23rd overall by 2010 expansion club, Philadelphia Union.  Like Soares, Farfan is a Generation Adidas player who will not count against his team's salary cap and roster size restrictions.  His selection, which occurred in the early second round, was near where many pundits had him being drafted prior to the SuperDraft, despite the UNC player having a sub-par performance in the combine.

The Union were somewhat lucky to have Farfan still available to them after their first pick was used to select United States' U-20 goalkeeper, Zac MacMath.  Poor combine performance aside, Farfan can still become a very talented winger or attacking midfielder and replacement for Brazilian midfielder Fred for the Union as the youngster showed moments of brilliance while at UNC.

All signs are pointing at him being a player who still needs time to develop, but there is definitely a reason why the league locked him into a contract in December of last year.

The third and final San Diego player to be drafted into Major League Soccer on Thursday is Soares' Cal Bears teammate and long-time close friend, Servando Carrasco.  The Tijuana-born midfielder was selected 27th overall by Seattle Sounders FC, and is one of five players drafted by the club. 

Seattle is definitely seeking depth to their roster, because they take seriously non-MLS competitions, such as CONCACAF Champions League and US Open Cup.  The club has lifted the US Open Cup twice in as many years, and will be in need of fresh legs in the middle of the field if they are to three-peat. 

It's never a great thing for the noun 'depth' being used as the number one benefit of a signing and Carrasco is going to have to have a great pre-season and shine in the moments he sees action if he is to become more than just a body filling a roster slot.

Amani Walker, the San Diego born striker who played for UC-Irvine was not selected in the 2010 SuperDraft, but is likely to be picked up during MLS' Supplemental Draft which takes place next Monday.

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AJ Soares Selected #6th Overall

San Diego native and California stand-out defender, AJ Soares, was selected #6 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution.

New England allowed 50 goals in 2010, the most by any team in the league and are clearly looking to address their back-line during the off-season.

Legendary MLS coach, Stevie Nicol, will be looking to get Soares up to speed as fast as possible with this hopes of plugging the leak in defense. 

All in all, this should be a great fit for both parties, as New England needs someone they can rely upon in the back, while Soares will be chomping at the bit to have a starting role with the club in his rookie season.

Best of luck to AJ!

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Tomorrow is the Big Day - MLS SuperDraft

For those of you who have been following the site, tomorrow is a big day for four local San Diego boys, as the MLS SuperDraft takes center stage in the US Soccer spotlight.

While two of the former San Diego Surf youth prospects who were called into the 2011 MLS Combine are seen as having only an outside chance to be drafted; Amani Walker and Servando Carrasco, the other two San Diego natives, AJ Soares and Michael Farfan, are expected to make big waves tomorrow.

Both Farfan and Soares have already signed professional Generation Adidas contracts with Major League Soccer, and thus will not count against an MLS team's roster count and salary cap.  These bonuses make all Generation Adidas recruits a highly desirable limited quantity and it is certain that they will be scooped up early in the first or second rounds.

Soares had a stand-out MLS Combine and was one of only a few players who looked sharp in the first round of games.  He commanded his area well, as the central defender made it difficult for any useful possession or long ball into the box to turn into a chance for his opponents.  MLSsoccer.com has him being drafted in the top ten. 

Farfan, on the other hand, will surely be telling himself that he would liked to have played better, as he was unable to show off the precision and creativity that he was known for while playing with the Tarheels.  Nonetheless, he is still pinned as a first round player and it is expected that he will land somewhere between picks 10 and 20.

Be sure to check back, as we will be covering the draft, with a special eye on our local prospects. 

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My Interview with SDSU great, Nick Cardenas

Up now on WorldSoccerReader.com is my interview with Nick Cardenas, the former SDSU standout who was drafted in 2010 by the Kansas City Wizards.

Nick's story is an interesting one that readers don't often get a chance to read.  He was highly recruited, from youth soccer to the SuperDraft, but ultimately, he did not get a contract signed last year.

He's pushing forward and hoping to make all things right in 2011.

Check out the full interview here

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AJ Soares' Stock Rises in Game One

The first game of the 2011 MLS Combine is in the books and despite only a few stand-outs, San Diego native AJ Soares was able to put his stamp on the game.

In a 0-0 draw, Soares' Team AdiPower dealt with the constant possession of Team AdiPure, with the University of California central defender leading the back line.

Although not the biggest central defender at only 6'0", Soares was able to use his physicality and timing to force attackers off of the ball and win aerial crosses. 

He looked to be a calming force in the back that had to defuse the numerous AdiPure attacks, as AdiPower was incapable, for large parts of the game, to maintain possession.

Soares was definitely one of the best players on the field- proving why he is deserved of the Generation Adidas contract that he was awarded last year. 

Expect to see more of the same over his next two games in the combine.

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Another San Diego native to feature in the first clash in Ft. Lauderdale was Soares' Cal Bears teammate and long time friend, Servando Carrasco.

Unfortunately for Carrasco, the AdiPower midfield was unable to control the ball and were clearly struggling against their opponents in the middle of the pitch. 

Carrasco did not benefit from this, as he was given very little time on the ball to control and find a connecting pass.  Like the entire midfield, Carrasco coughed up the ball when pressured and generally looked unsettled during his time in the first half.

He was subbed out at half-time.

If Carrasco is to make an impression upon MLS scouts, he is going to have to step it up in his final two games next week.

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Coming up in the second game is the clash between Team Jabulani vs Team AdiZero.  San Diego native and UC-Irvine striker, Amani Walker, will suit up for AdiZero, where he will team up with fellow local boy and UNC midfielder, Michael Farfan, who has already signed with Major League Soccer

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San Diego Well Represented in 2011 MLS Combine

As we mentioned last week, two of the top 2011 MLS SuperDraft prospects headed to the combine this weekend, Generation Adidas players AJ Soares and Michael Farfan, grew up and played youth soccer in San Diego county.

However, the two local standouts are not the lone San Diego representatives in this year's scouting showcase; joined by college seniors Amani Walker and Servando Carrasco, who both hail from San Diego.

Amani Walker, at 6'2" and 185lbs, is a physical and imposing target striker who played collegiate ball for UC-Irvine.  Walker attended Francis Parker High School in Mission Valley where he went three-time All-Coastal South League and was named CIF Division IV Player of the Year.  He played club soccer with San Diego Surf alongside Soares and Carrasco.

Among the many accolades earned throughout his college career, Walker was named the 2010 Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year and finished as one of the most consistent college goal-scorers throughout his four years as an Anteater (yes, that's UIC's mascot) by finishing 24th nationally with 24 goals.

Participating in a deep pool of thirteen talented college and foreign forwards, Walker, who is seen as an long-shot for being drafted, will have to play lights-out this weekend in order to impress combine scouts.

Walker will join the AdiZero combine team, whose games will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com.  Their schedule for the weekend is:

Saturday: Jan 8th 12:30pm pst Monday:   Jan 10th 10am pst Tuesday:  Jan 11th 10am pst

The other local prospect to be under US Soccer's microscope is Cal Bears' Servando Carrasco.  A Tijuana native who attended St. Augustine High School in North Park and played on San Diego Surf, Carrasco earned award after award for his high level of play at the youth level.

He was named Western League Player of the Year, CIF (San Diego Section) Player of the Year and the San Diego Union-Tribune All-County Player of the Year as a senior.  Carrasco also participated in the Olympic Development Program and Premier Development Program.

Moving to the Bay Area to play for California, the 5'10" 170lbs midfielder enjoyed three years of successful varsity soccer, earning himself a rightful place in this year's combine.

He was a two-time All-Pac-10 second-team selection and was one of the Bears' primary attacking weapons, netting 7 goals and 3 assists in 2010.

Carrasco's life-long friendship with fellow San Diego Surf teammate AJ Soares continued up the I-5, as the two of them led the 6th seeded California Bears to the Ohio Regional finals in 2010, where they finally lost to home side (and eventual College Cup Champions) Akron to penalties in the finals.

Though the two have been close friends for a majority of their lives, Carrasco and Soares could end up being rivals on the pitch on the national stage, as Carrasco wants to someday represent his native Mexico while Soares dreams of suiting up for the Red White and Blue of the United States.

Certainly, while both can dream big, their primary focus will to impress the scouts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where the two will once again team up, this time on combine team AdiPower.

You can watch Carrasco and Soares team up (again), live on MLSsoccer.com.  Their schedule is:

Saturday: Jan 8th 10:45am pst Monday:   Jan 10th 10am pst Tuesday:  Jan 11th 8:15am pst

Fans of the beautiful game in America's Finest City have quite a bit to be excited about, as San Diego is one of the best represented cities in the 2011 MLS Combine. 

Be sure to return to the site as we follow the developments of Soares, Carrasco, Walker, and Farfan both this weekend and during the SuperDraft later this month.

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MLSsoccer.com to Stream 2011 Combine Games

For all of you youth development nerds in the States, MLS announced via Twitter today that all of the 2011 combine games will be streamed live on mlssoccer.com.

This will give fans an exciting inside look into the future of MLS, as young collegiate (and some foreign) stars look to standout above the rest in order to secure a coveted professional roster slot in this month's SuperDraft.

Locally in San Diego, we will be watching for our hometown boys, AJ Soares and Michael Farfan, who will be showcasing their skills to show recruiters why they were both signed to Generation Adidas contracts last month.

Be sure to check back here, as we will be posting details on when they will be playing.

Update:  Here is the schedule for Soares and Farfan

AJ Soares: Team ADIPOWER

-Sat 10:45am -Mon 10am (playing Farfan's team) -Tue  8:15am

Farfan: Team ADIZERO

-12pm (noon) -Mon 10am (playing Soares' team) -Tue 10am