Crew8

Ben Speas enjoying Draft Day in Kansas City - Video at minute 2

A nice article on Mattocks Long Journey for Jamaican Mattocks Ends at MLS Draft

If Montreal decides to pass on Mattocks tomorrow for Wenger, he'll be chosen no later than #3 to New England. It's just how the draft works sometimes. I wonder where Holmes will land or if drafted at all in the 2nd Round, but that's yet to be determined.

Slightly different article, but mostly the same as in the one above with a few extra quotes Dream come true for homegrown player Speas

Well done for beating a mediocre championship team at home. I like Henry honestly, classy player, good for him and the fans.

IMO I think we're just waiting for a signature and the Crew to officially release it. Speas Not Enrolled for Spring Semester Speas, Second Thoughts?

4-0 now, Holmes with the assist on the 4th to Finlay. Finlay has a hat trick right now. Prime back line is swiss cheese 30 minutes into the match

I didn't get a chance to watch the Combine today. So I asked Travis Clark just now on twitter. His response, "He did ok, Smart player, looked decent, nothing great. International status won't help him, but he's good enough to play in MLS" I did read on Travis Clark's twitter feed earlier today that Coach Porter was in the house too.

I still see Kitchen getting called into the February camp as long as he's healthy. Its possible he might get called into camp at a later date. I'm assuming the injury(I think turf toe) is still the issue. Unless he's still participating with Freiburg FC and wanted to stay.

If Montreal decides to pass on Mattocks, I don't think he'll slip by the Revolution at #3 Thanks! I missed the US U-23 January Camp release today. I bet Ando is excited to see Joshua Gatt finally in camp EDIT: BTW, love seeing Sarkodie getting more opportunities

I'm surprised Mattocks is even participating in the Combine. Why risk an injury. Andrew Wenger is not there.

MLS made a change in the schedule to limit traveling with more regional matches, mostly because of teams like Vancouver traveled double the miles compared to every other MLS club. I guess the good thing is Montreal visits Columbus a 2nd time, since I'll miss the first one. I'll be in Nashville for the USA v Canada match too.

MLS shifting resources away from Generation adidas

Home Opening Match for the Columbus Crew is Montreal Zips 3/24 Full Columbus Crew Schedule to see former Zips Full MLS Schedule EDIT: A quick rundown for those from the Akron area wanting to see former Zips live Home Games in Columbus vs former Zips 2 vs Montreal 2 vs Sporting KC 1 vs DC United 1 vs Vancouver 1 vs Chivas 1 vs Houston None vs Portland None vs Seattle None vs San Jose

Doesn't seem as if GA Contracts are as high this year as in the past and spending more on Homegrown MLS academy players. Generation Adidas Update from Soccer By Ives

A good read about the past and future of the Homegrown and its connection to the PDL Brent Richards, the Portland Timbers, and how they could majorly help the Chicago Fire

From Steven Goff "Also hearing UNC MF Ben Speas is planning to accept homegrown offer from Columbus. Weighed Euro trial offers & return to school #mls"

Thanks Yaz! I missed that one

Academy standout Wil Trapp named to U-20 camp roster Three Sounders in US Camp (Yedlin)

Billy Schuler has turned down GA for Europe. Ives also reported MLS says the small GA class is to have more money for homegrown GA signings. From Ives, there are standard Homegrown deals which don't pay much and there are homegrown GA deals for blue-chip prospects(MLS pays part). I was not aware of the different homegrown deals. Ives Twitter

It's just not worth even arguing about, to many players have dual citizenship across the world. 11 of the 23 players on the 2010 World Cup German squad were born in other countries or had ties to other countries. Drogba was born in the Ivory Coast, but spent most of his life in Europe. Messi has spent most of his life in Spain, what if he chose Spain over Argentina. Italy had an Argentine born player on the 2006 Championship squad and was ridiculed for not singing the national anthem (Camoranesi). The rules are pretty simple, so unless FIFA changes the eligibility rules, I have no issues • His birth is in the territory of the relevant Association • Either his biological mother or father was born in the territory of the Association • Either his grandmother or grandfather were born in the territory of the Association; or • The player has lived continuously in the territory of the Association for at least two (2) years. In a few weeks Zimmerman's quotes will all be forgotten.

Teal Bunbury gets a call in to January Camp with the USMNT for the upcoming friendlies. Klinsmann Names 20 Players for January Training Camp and Matches Against Venezuela and Panama

A run down of position by position at the December U-23 camp

Crew8 - Since you've been there before, can you verify that the team benches will be on the West side of the stadium? (I'm assuming so given the placement of the VIP Midfield and VIP Midfield Front Row sections.) I was not in Nashville vs Paraguay. I had plans to make the trip last March, but something else came up that kept me here. I'll be there this time for sure. I tried looking through some photos just now from people who were there, but I can't tell since the stadium looks the same all the way around including the scoreboards on both ends. I would assume it's on the West side like you said.

Since Darren turned down Djurgarden in Sweden, Djurgarden sign UVA Span