#benji joya

[mlscup]

Check it out as Matt Besler, Dom Dwyer, Kevin Ellis, Benji Joya, Soony Saad, Soni Mustivar and Graham Zusi visit with some puppies looking for a new home from the Kansas City Pet Project. [x]

[sportingkansascity]

Sporting Kansas City announced Monday that the club has waived midfielder Benji Joya and forward Christian Volesky. Joya joined Sporting KC last September, appearing the following month in a CONCACAF Champions League win over Central FC. Volesky was acquired in January and made four preseason

[bencannon-blog]

Gapers Block–Chicago Fire Win The Lottery

Recounting the Fire's acquisition of Benji Joya.

The Chicago Fire participated Wednesday in a weighted lottery between 3 teams in MLS for the ability to sign United States Youth National Team player Benji Joya and emerged the victor, signing him on a one year loan. Joya, a 20-year-old midfielder played previously with Santos Laguna of Mexico's Liga MX, brings an interesting perspective to the team, having forgone the collegiate route to sign with one of the top clubs in Mexico. Joya has also been a fixture in the National Team picture, having started nearly every game in his time with the Under-20 National Team, even serving as captain for last summer's CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Joya's career for Santos' senior team was relatively short, just four appearances over two years, but it is clear from his time with the National Team that he is a player of significant talent, and is just getting started professionally. He could be an impact signing for the Fire in 2014, but that will be contingent of whether or not he can get minutes. He will be vying for a spot in a midfield that sees all four of last year's starters return, so initially expect to see him come in as a second-half substitute. According to a piece by Brian Sciaretta in the New York Times, Joya's strength is as an attacking right midfielder, a position which has been occupied at times by Patrick Nyarko. Nyarko has a great deal of speed, and can slot in at forward as well, but with the return of 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee and Designated Player Juan Luis Anongono, one has to imagine Nyarko will see more minutes in the midfield.

All of this is to be tempered though, by the fact that head coach Frank Yallop will have the opportunity to rethink the team with regards to positional depth in the coming weeks while the Fire complete pre-season training in Ave Maria, Florida, and that we could see a very different-looking group of players taking the field come March 8th.

Original piece here

[chicagofiresoccerclub]

Benji Joya and Gonzalo Segares preview the Fire's match vs. Red Bulls | Match Preview

[chicagofiresoccerclub]

Benji Joya speaks about Chicago Fire move after first training session

[owengoal]

Great #CF97 recap video of their training camp.  Quick thoughts:

The defense looks like they're not really enjoying conditioning.

The team is big on Harry Shipp — so, where does that leave Alex?

Pineda get's some lip service, but the midfield has been further crowded now with the acquisition of Benjii Joya.