Kovalenko bringing edge to Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. -- Last week's acquisition of midfielder Dema Kovalenko from Real Salt Lake for a conditional 2011 draft pick was a no-brainer as far as Los Angeles Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena was concerned.

The roster he inherited when he came to L.A. last August and the roster he had at the end of last season was lacking in some areas, most notably at defensive midfield.

"We need to shore up that position," Arena said. "We needed some experience there. Dema is a good passer and a good communicator."

What Kovalenko also brings to Los Angeles is toughness, despite standing only 5-feet-8 and weighing 160 pounds. The 31-year-old once played with a broken nose with the New York Red Bulls in 2007, has been red-carded five times during his 10-year MLS career and has earned a reputation of perhaps going a bit too far in marking the opposition's best players.

"I like to play against players on other teams that are supposed to make a difference," he said. "That's what I enjoy. I get mad at that ... it gets personal to me. You take care of them, you'll have a chance to win."

Because of that take-no-prisoners approach, Kovalenko figures to be a welcome addition to the rebuilding Galaxy.

"I think you can always use some hard-nosed guys," forward Alan Gordon said of his new teammate. "I like playing with guys like that, and it's only going to make us better. It's going to give us more of a competitive edge day in and day out."

Kovalenko said that so-called "edge" simply is a product of his desire to win. He will do anything it takes to achieve that goal, but calling him "tough" is somewhat misleading as far as he's concerned.

"I'm not a tough guy," he said. "People say that, but I just give 100 percent every game. I just want to win. That's who I am, and I'm not going to change. The guys know I'm not the best player, but on the field I will do whatever it takes to win. I've always said that. If you compete in every game, you're going to be in every game."

Kovalenko said it was time for a change from Real Salt Lake -- "I guess it was not the place for me," he said -- and was pleasantly surprised when Arena called him last week and told him he had been traded to Los Angeles. He played for him two years ago in New York and knows exactly what Arena will be counting on him for.

"Whatever he tells me to do, I'll do it," Kovalenko said. "In New York, he told me to make sure we were defensively solid in the back. If he tells me to do that here, I'll do that.

"I know what he expects of me."

He said he's not sure what he expects of the Galaxy, only that it's time the club reverses direction. Los Angeles has not made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and Kovalenko said he will do his best to make sure that downward trend has run its course.

"Three years ... that's a long time for this team, this franchise," he said of the postseason drought. "I think it's time for this team to do something, you know? Last year we scored the most goals, but we gave up the most goals. I think this team is too good to have those kinds of statistics. With that kind of mentality, you're not going to go anywhere. We have to be solid defensively. As long as we know what we have to do, we'll always have a chance to win."

Gordon said Kovalenko's mind-set may be just what the Galaxy has been missing.

"He's not going to let anybody slack off," Gordon said. "It's something that we need. I think last year, I think maybe we got a little complacent at times. In tough times, you need guys that can motivate people to do better every day.

"I think that's what he'll bring."

Sanneh hopeful for one more shot in LA

CARSON, Calif. -- His body may have been dropping hints for years, but Tony Sanneh wasn't ready to listen.

The former U.S. international and starter on the 2002 World Cup team wasn't interested in calling it a career despite signs to the contrary, which is why the 37-year-old defender is attempting to earn a roster spot with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Sanneh had been out of soccer for a year and most recently played in 2007 with the Colorado Rapids, and injuries had taken their toll. He had labrum surgery at the end of 2007 and then suffered a deep bone bruise while training in his hometown of St. Paul, Minn.

"I thought maybe that was a sign from God that said too many injuries," Sanneh admitted.

But he soon realized his urge to play had not dissipated. He decided to take it easy for a couple of months and "had a good time," as he put it, before he started to play in local pickup games. That whet his professional appetite again.

The only problem was what to do about it.

The Galaxy were a definite possibility, since he had played for coach/general manager Bruce Arena on MLS Cup-winning teams at D.C. United in 1996 and '97, and Arena knew what Sanneh was capable of. Sanneh also played for L.A. associate head coach Dave Sarachan with the Chicago Fire in 2005 and 2006.

Arena brought the veteran into camp this week for a trial, and Sanneh is confident he can stick around for a while, perhaps permanently.

"I would think that's why he's here, that he can still play," Arena said, "but only time will tell that."

Sanneh, who turns 38 on June 1, said he feels rusty and a little sore as the Galaxy's first week of camp comes to a close, but he also said he still has plenty to offer, despite his age, which he felt isn't that big of an issue. It's the intangibles he provides that are much more important.

"I think I can offer leadership, experience and a winning mentality," Sanneh said. "I know what Bruce wants, and hopefully I can lead by example. Bruce wants winners. He wants guys that fight to the end. He wants guys to be team players, and he wants you to do the little extra.

"And I think if you can get a group of individuals that's looking out for the next guy instead of themselves, you're going to win more games."

That would be a refreshing change in Los Angeles, which has not made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and led MLS in goals allowed last year. Sanneh, who is one of 11 defenders on the Galaxy's 33-man preseason roster, is hopeful he can be part of that turnaround in Los Angeles, provided his body cooperates.

All he has to do is look at Chivas USA coach Preki, who was the league's Most Valuable Player at the age of 41, and that's enough inspiration for him to give it another try.

"I haven't put that many miles on in the last five years," the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder said. "I was playing pickup games and most of the pain was gone, and I decided to get back in shape. I thought, 'Why not?' I'm not stupid and I know I'm very old for the game, but it's been done before.

"I wouldn't have come here to make a fool out of myself. I never thought of this as a last chance. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I believe in myself and always have.

"I'll just take it a day at a time," he went on. "Right now, I'm with a great group of guys having a great time, and we'll see what works."

Purdy brings size, speed to FCD defense

FRISCO, Texas -- While the acquisition of midfielder Dave van den Bergh from New York made the big headlines around FC Dallas in the days leading up to the SuperDraft, it was a less-publicized signing, that of 23-year-old defender Steve Purdy, which could have an equally galvanizing effect on the Hoops.

Purdy might be remembered as a good bet to be a first-round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft after a solid four-year stay at Cal. Prior to that year's combine, he signed with German second division side 1860 Munich. The Los Angeles Galaxy ended up drafting him and when his rights expired at the start of this year, he started getting phone calls.

In the end, Purdy ended up in Dallas, a place where the 6-foot-4 center back brings some much-needed size and speed to an FCD backline that warrants some shoring up. After missing the morning training session on Wednesday due to a physical, the California native practiced with his new side that evening for the first time and likes what he has seen.

"It's been great," Purdy said. "Coming from Germany, it's definitely been different. I've only been in Dallas a couple of times but I really like it. The team has been really receptive, really open, and the coach has been great. The training has been tough but that's the way it has to be in preseason. It's been very good so far."

He has already noticed several major differences between play in Germany and here in the States.

"The physical play over there is big but you have a lot more fast guys over here," Purdy said. "As a center defender, you've got to make sure you're with your guy and he's more of a check player. Here, you've got a lot of guys who could turn you and take you out wide with their speed. That might be a slight adjustment to make but I think I will do all right here."

FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman likes what Purdy has shown thus far.

"I did a crash course with him (Wednesday) because he didn't train in the morning, but he did train in the evening," he said. "He looked pretty good and that was after testing at Michael Johnson Center. Today, I thought he looked better and a little bit fresher. He's a big boy and really has some good soccer sense. He puts himself in the right position when the opposition is receiving the ball. He's hard to beat and has quick feet. Right now, I'm very pleased with what I'm seeing."

Before ever arriving in Frisco, Purdy felt like he already had a good idea about what to expect from playing for Hyndman. His coach at Cal, Kevin Grimes, played for Hyndman at SMU and was also an assistant coach for the Mustangs before taking the helm for the Golden Bears.

"He told me that he brings a lot of the same styles that Kevin has and I've already seen it," Purdy said. "Schellas is really willing to work with young players like myself to develop us and to just be very open in any type of area you need work on. That's something I'm really looking forward to. I'm trying to work on anything I can here. I see a lot of similarities with Kevin already after just a couple training sessions. He said that he's hard on you because he wants you to become a better player. But he also roots for you."

Grimes' glowing recommendation spoke volumes about Hyndman's new defender. But he also remembers watching him play a few years ago in person and being impressed even then.

"We played Cal when Purdy was a senior," Hyndman said. "I made a comment to Kevin that he was their best player and he agreed with me. Kevin told me that I would like him because he was my kind of player. He can defend, is quick, athletic, has a good soccer mind and can distribute the ball. With those types of recommendations, we were waiting for his rights to expire. At 12:01 that morning, we put in a discovery on him."

Purdy's new coach definitely made a strong first impression on him.

"He was really open, a really friendly guy and wanted to get to know me as a person," he said of Hyndman. "He told me that once he gets to know you and sees your personality, that personality will carry over onto the field also. I think that's what he really wanted to see, what type of attitude that I had like how competitive I am, if I'm willing to learn and am open. He was challenging me with some different questions. All in all, it's good in this challenging sport."

At Cal, Purdy was teammates with star goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who was taken 13th overall in the 2009 SuperDraft.

"I played with Stefan for two years at Cal," Purdy said. "He's a great person, a great goalie. I think he's going to become an excellent professional if he avoids injuries and stuff like that. He's a great person and is going to carry that onto the field. He's got a lot of talent."

He also recalls playing against new teammate George John when he was playing for Pac-10 rival Washington.

"I remember playing against him," Purdy said. "I remember him being the tall guy in the middle (at Washington). He's a great player. I'm just hoping that he recovers from his injury. I think it would be great playing with him, coming in at the same time. I hope for a speedy recovery and think he brings a lot to our team."

No real surprises at MLS SuperDraft

ST. LOUIS -- At the MLS SuperDraft these days, one always recalls Hugh Laurie's devilishly witty Golden Globes acceptance speech from a couple of years ago. The star of TV's House remarked about how everyone heralds their "magnificent crew." But logically, he noted, that simply cannot be the case. "Somebody, somewhere is working with a crew of drunken thieves."

So it is with the MLS draft. Not the drunken thieves part. Rather, the part about where claims of achievement collide with the realm of improbability.

See, every club official will always insist that they are leaving the draft with the very individuals they were hoping to secure all along. Most often repeated phrase: "We got the guys we wanted!"

Now I suppose it is technically possible that 15 clubs can do such a thing, since different teams have different needs. Still, it's highly, highly implausible.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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And besides, even if every club managed to tie up exactly who they wanted, they were really just guessing anyway.

With all that as a background, should we really be surprised about any of the "surprises" that unfold annually? Look at the this year's draft:

Should we be surprised that Seattle actually kept that No. 1 pick, even after rampant speculation that Sigi Schmid would wheel and deal away the top choice of this year's proceedings?

Should we attach some bewilderment to the fact that goalkeeper Stefan Frei, thought to be perhaps the most MLS-ready product at the draft, was still around for Toronto to take at No. 13? (Toronto was certainly a bit surprised, judging by the hardy back slapping and general joy-ness going around the TFC table when they managed to snag Frei at that spot.)

Should we be at least mildly astounded that Michael Lahoud's impressive play at the recent combine didn't elevate him into Top 5 status, as some suspected, or that Baggio Husidic slipped all the way to No. 20?

On the other hand, we definitely should be surprised that Daniel Cruz fell well into the third round. Cruz was easily the last of nine Generation adidas players selected. Since their compensation doesn't count against the salary cap, those guys are usually gold at the draft. Seven of the nine were gone by the 13th pick. Yet Cruz, who languished at the combine by most accounts, heard 40 names called before Houston finally selected him. Cruz, in fact, didn't even attend the draft.

Maybe we should register some mild dismay that a draft supposedly so deep in defenders unfolded initially in favor of goal-scorers. Three of the first five players taken were forwards. In fact, after Los Angeles took Maryland's Omar Gonzalez at No. 3, no defender heard his name called until No. 8.

We probably shouldn't even be surprised that an anonymous midfielder from Campbell University, Richard Jata, a long shot at No. 58 overall, had the audience in stitches with a clever, giddy performance at the podium.

So, that's how it went in St. Louis, where it was so numbingly cold a local TV weatherman was hammering nails with a frozen banana. And they say low-tech is dead.

"We all walk out of here feeling great about who we took," Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey said. "But how will we feel about them in early February, when they've been out on the field a few days? That's the question."

This year's draft did unfold with a little bit more predictability than last year's somewhat erratic proceedings. That doesn't mean it was "predicable." Not by any stretch. It just played out with fewer jaw-droppers than other drafts.

It was still a fluid process, with needs shifting for some teams in the 24 hours before Commissioner Don Garber assumed the podium to launch the big day. Los Angeles collected Mike Magee and Dema Kovalenko through trades in the pre-draft run-up, which surely altered the way manager Bruce Arena and assistant Dave Sarachan viewed the draft. With the midfield a bit more stabilized, they could feel better about selecting Gonzalez for help along the back line.

FC Dallas acquired Dave van den Bergh from New York, and then followed up by signing defender Steve Purdy on the eve of the draft. To get van den Bergh, the Hoops had to give up Dominic Oduro, who was third on the depth chart among forwards. That meant Dallas needed to look for a striker with its first pick.

Sounders manager Sigi Schmid made Steve Zakuani the latest name on the honor roll of overall No. 1 league selections. The prolific University of Akron striker will hope to join Freddie Ljungberg in energizing all those season ticket holders (18,000-plus and counting) at Qwest Field this year.

That Zakuani would be the guy was hardly a forgone conclusion. First, there was the matter of whether Seattle would even keep the pick or deal it away. As one coach said hours before the draft, "There's definitely a For Sale sign hanging on that one."

And why not? Without a clear consensus No. 1, would it make more sense for Seattle to pick up another first-round selection, even if it's lower in the order?

Even if you assumed Seattle would keep the pick, Zakuani was hardly as no-brainer as the opening selection. As late as two hours before the draft, Schmid was still considering at least two other options, including O'Brian White, who went to Toronto at the No. 4 overall pick.

Speaking of Toronto, the man they call "Trader Mo," a cheeky reference to TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston, was hard at it. The Reds came to St. Louis holding picks Nos. 2 and 4, but Johnton was jonesing to improve the lot any way possible. (Although, given his reputation and general inclination to shuffle the draft deck at every opportunity, he probably just desired that No. 1 pick so he could trade it for something else.)

In the end, TFC officials held fast. In fact, there was no draft-day shuffling of places in the first round.

A tactic employed infrequently in the past was introduced more prominently this year. Duke's Mike Grella and Wake Forest's Marcus Tracy would have been first-round contenders, but both opted to pursue soccer overseas.

That doesn't mean MLS teams can't select them. Plenty of teams had the same idea going into Thursday: select one of them on the chance that soccer in Europe doesn't work out as planned. (Teams retain their rights for 12 months.) It's not a bad play at all. If either one chooses to come back in a year's time, they've landed a great prospect with an absurdly low pick. The trick, of course, is properly assessing the value of the ploy. Pick too early and, realistically, it's a wasted draft choice. Wait too late, and somebody else has surely beaten you to the punch.

So Toronto took Grella early in the third round, No. 34 overall. Houston took Tracy with the 56th overall pick, late in the fourth round.

Something similar goes on with other players who have some limits or liabilities. Look at Maryland center back A.J. Delagarza. He's a good looking defender, quick and very composed on the ball. But is his slight frame (5-8, 140) going to hold up at the next level? Maybe it was too much of a stretch in the first round. But Los Angeles decided it wasn't too much of a stretch for the second round, and took him with at 19th overall.

Was he their guy all along? Sure he was. Remember, at the draft, everybody walks happily away with exactly who they wanted.

Change evident as Galaxy camp opens

CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy are barely into their first week of training camp under head coach Bruce Arena, and an air of change is unmistakable.

And it's not just because Arena is running his first camp since coming to Los Angeles last Aug. 18. There are 33 players on the roster, and only 20 of them were with the team at the end of the 2008 season. There are several absences, most notably David Beckham and Landon Donovan, who are on loan to AC Milan and Bayern Munich, respectively, and are not expected back until mid-March.

Defender Sean Franklin, the 2008 MLS rookie of the year, was lost to sports hernia surgery but is expected to return before the start of the regular season. Also missing is top draft pick Omar Gonzalez, who is taking final exams at the University of Maryland.

The revamped roster features two trialists, Tony Sanneh and Henry "Leo" Bautista, among 29 players at practice. The 37-year-old Sanneh is a veteran of the U.S. national team who was out of soccer last year. Bautista, 25, is a highly regarded defender from Caracas FC of the Venezuelan Primera Division. There also is midfielder Dema Kovalenko, who was acquired from Real Salt Lake earlier this week for a conditional draft pick in the 2011 SuperDraft.

But if you think the Galaxy's makeover is finished, think again.

"It's still very early in the process," Arena said, "and it remains to be seen how much more we need to do on the roster in terms of improving it.

"I think we're headed in the right direction. We'll just take it a day at a time in preseason and continue to examine what we think we have and try to improve wherever we can."

Forward Mike Magee, who played for Arena with the Red Bulls and was acquired from New York for a second-round 2010 draft pick on Jan. 14, said he is happy being reunited with his former coach.

"He's a player's coach," said Magee, a six-year MLS veteran. "He's going to make you work real hard, but he's not going to overdo it. He's the kind of coach who knows preseason is long and we have time to get people ready for the (season) opener. It's a very professional environment."

Magee said he expects camp to get even tougher next week, and whether that will feature more changes remains to be seen. Arena said he had no particular expectations at this point.

"Let's just wait and see," he said. "All we want to do right now is get the team better and do the things you have to do in preseason and continue to identify the issues within the team and try to make them better.

"It's too early to say where this team is and all of that. We're three days into preseason and two months away from the opening game," Arena continued. "I'm not real worried about today as much as how we can move forward in the process of getting this team better and making the changes we have to make."

The Galaxy, which opens the regular season on March 22 at The Home Depot Center against D.C. United, kicks off the preseason at home on Feb. 12 against Houston, followed six days later by the start of the Pan-Pacific Championship, which includes the Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the K-League, Oita Trinita of the J-League and Shandong Luneng Taishon FC from the Chinese Super League. The Galaxy's preason concludes on March 14 against the Chicago Fire in the inaugural PHX Soccer Clasico, which will be held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Rumors from overseas surround Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. -- The makeover of the Los Angeles Galaxy, which has featured the arrival of a dozen new players during the offseason, could reach epic proportions if overseas reports are to be believed.

And that has Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena shaking his head.

The latest item came out of an "exclusive" in this week's Daily Mirror in England and stated the Galaxy are interested in acquiring Newcastle United's Michael Owen, who is in the final months of a contract that reportedly pays him about $200,000 a week and is scheduled to expire on June 30.

If that's not enough, an earlier report in the Turin newspaper Tuttosport said the Galaxy were preparing to make an offer for Juventus standout Alessandro Del Piero, among the highest-paid players in the world at $14.3 million a year, according to Forbes.com.

Throw in the ongoing rumors about the possible departures of David Beckham and Landon Donovan to AC Milan and Bayern Munich, where they are on respective loan agreements, and it's enough to leave Arena just short of frustrated.

"Anything about me getting a job somewhere?" he asked jokingly. "I heard Chelsea was interested.

"Who else do you have? They're all sitting beautifully in our salary cap. I'm hoping for a Ronaldinho or Messi rumor as well. That would be nice."

Ronaldinho and Messi, by the way, reportedly earn more than $30 million and $11 million a year, respectively, according to Forbes.

Regarding Owen, Arena made it clear the Galaxy has had no contact with Newcastle United.

"There's probably zero percent accuracy in that report," he said, "which is kind of standard. If it's somewhere between zero to 100 percent accuracy, that one's closer to zero."

Donovan was quoted in the German newspaper Abendzeitung in which he said, "If I go back to the Galaxy, we have our first game March 21, so I'd have to return at least one week earlier. But that would be sad. I want to make it here. It is my dream. I want to stay here a few years."

Donovan has scored four goals in five exhibitions and has earned rave reviews from Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Beckham also is doing well at AC Milan, where he has impressed coach Carlo Ancelotti. Club vice president Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying the club will try to make the transfer permanent.

The loan agreements for both players end March 8.

"A lot of this stuff ... you know the background of this stuff," Arena said. "A lot of it is inaccurate. There are times when it is accurate. But you can't react to every press report, you know?

"Somewhere between all this stuff is the truth. I'll say what we've said all along, we have two players out on loan agreements, and those end March 8. We've never said anything otherwise.

"I'm not sure it's appropriate if the biggest clubs in the world make comments without contacting us. Having said that, we don't know if there's anything accurate at the other end, either. I'll leave it at that. But I will tell you this: we will honor our end of these loan agreements, and we'll do everything that's proper," Arena said.

Kljestan's hat trick leads U.S. past Sweden

CARSON, Calif. -- Sacha Kljestan had a hat trick as the United States national team beat Sweden 3-2 in an international friendly at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.

Kljestan, who spent a week in Scotland on trial with Celtic, scored on a free kick in the 16th minute and converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute and added a late insurance goal moments after Sweden scored.

The game helped the U.S. open its busy 2009 calendar with a triumph and now the Red, White and Blue will focus on their World Cup qualifying match against Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium on Feb. 11.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley started seven players from Major League Soccer, including Kljestan, whom Bradley drafted fifth overall in the 2006 SuperDraft while Bradley coached Chivas USA. Also starting was Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein, another Bradley draft choice from that year.

Of the four foreign-based starters, three others plied their trade in MLS before heading to the Old World: former D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins, former Galaxy and Earthquakes defender Danny Califf and ex-Revs standout Michael Parkhurst.

All told, three players made their U.S. national team debut: Perkins, Columbus' Robbie Rogers and Real Salt Lake's Chris Wingert, who came off the bench late in the second half.

From the onset, the United States controlled the match. The Americans dictated terms by controlling the possession and kept the Swedes on their heels.

Still, the U.S. had nothing to show for their efforts until just after the quarter-hour mark. After the U.S. earned a free kick from 34 yards out, Kljestan stepped up to take it. Kljestan ripped a shot and buried the ball in the upper left corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of Swede goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne was taken down inside the penalty area. As soon as referee Silviu Petrescu pointed to the spot, Kljestan picked up the ball and walked over to position himself to take the kick. After the whistle, Kljestan ran up to the ball and slammed it on the open right side of the net as Dahlin dived to the left.

The goal marked the first time an U.S. player scored his first two national team goals in the same game since Frank Klopas, now the Chicago Fire's technical director, scored a pair of goals in a World Cup qualifier on Aug. 13, 1988 in St. Louis.

FC Dallas star Kenny Cooper replaced Charlie Davies at the start of the second half but was largely ineffective. Houston's Brian Ching did not score a goal but was far more active than his league rival.

The Swedes, however, sliced into the U.S. lead in the 73rd minute when Daniel Nannskog buried a header past Perkins and into the back of the net.

Kljestan, though, gave the Americans a two-goal edge seconds later. On their next trip into the Swedes' defensive third, Brian Ching took a long ball and deftly settled it near the top of the penalty area. Ching slipped a pass to Kljestan who easily beat Johan Dahlin to complete his hat trick.

Sweden made it close at the death, however, when Mikael Dahlberg scored on a free header in the 89th minute.

Ultimately, though the U.S. held on even as Cooper failed to score on a late breakaway.

Pieces falling in place for Hoops

FRISCO, Texas -- Almost all of the pieces are in place for the 2009 version of FC Dallas under Schellas Hyndman. However, the Hoops coach is still hoping to land a central attacking midfielder before FCD's season starts on March 21 against Chivas USA. The club has been courting several No. 10s from either Europe or South America, but none of those players have signed.

Last week, Hyndman admitted that time was drawing short to add a new player to his roster. One name that has been linked to FCD is 2006 MLS MVP Christian Gomez, currently a member of the Colorado Rapids -- but Hyndman quickly put those rumors to rest after training on Monday morning.

"I think there's always interest in good players but not really (any interest in him)," he said. "I think if we're going to bring in a quality player like a Christian Gomez, we need to make sure that player is going to be around for a while. Christian Gomez is 34-years-old and we need players that will be willing to be part of the future of FC Dallas, not just this season."

The FCD coach admitted that Gomez's large price tag was one thing not in his favor but said that other factors also come into play.

"I think it's a combination of a couple of things," Hyndman said. "I think we also look to the players we have that have worked so hard. He is a very good player who can make a difference. That's what you look for in a player, a difference-maker."

Among other FCD midfielders, the club remains at somewhat of an impasse with Dax McCarty. The fourth-year midfielder who saw his playing time dwindle after returning from last summer's Olympics, requested a trade last fall and remains back home in Florida.

Hyndman did state confidently last week that he expects McCarty to return to Frisco and re-join the team in the near future. But for now, the situation remains unchanged.

"Everything is as is," Hyndman said. "We're still working through the process. If Dax is with us, then he's with us. If he's not with us, then we would have been able to make a trade or whatever. But right now, he is part of the team and we expect him to be here."

The FCD coach added that even though the Hoops have only been training since last Wednesday, McCarty has already missed out on some valuable sessions.

"The thing that hurts is that this is really important training we're going through," Hyndman said. This is where we build our foundation. When you miss this stuff, it's huge."

A welcome sight toward the end of Monday's training was the first appearance of forward Kenny Cooper on the training field. With about 15 minutes left in the session, Cooper walked onto the training ground in street clothes having just returned from playing for the United States national team on Saturday night against Sweden.

Hyndman didn't exactly know when Cooper will have his first practice of 2009 with FCD as another international call-up could be in the cards later this week.

"He's such a hard worker," he said. "He's the last player I'm going to worry about coming in fit. He spent three very difficult weeks at the national camp and just played. I'm glad he's here, showed up to get treatment and to hang out with the guys. He may come out tomorrow and kick around depending on the weather but maybe not. If he gets called back into the national team, he'll leave again on Thursday. I've given him our blessing because it's his dream, he's getting better and also because he represents us."

MLS dream alive for seven hopefuls

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Aaron King played for the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League's First Division, was drafted out of North Carolina State by the Los Angeles Galaxy and was traded to the Colorado Rapids.

A free agent, the forward joined about 40 other hopefuls in the New York Red Bulls version of a reality show this week at the Giants Stadium training bubble.

"I felt like it went OK," King said before the decision was announced. "I definitely feel like the coaches just want to see a couple moments of brilliance to know you can play on another level. I tried to do my best and hopefully they see it, too."

And when "So you want to be a Red Bulls player" was finished, seven made the cut to advance to the next round.

King, who has nine goals in 58 appearances with Charleston, was among the lucky seven who will join the Red Bulls at the opening of training camp on Monday. The chances of making the club are slim, especially after rosters were reduced and the MLS Reserve Division was eliminated.

"On top of that these guys just made it to the finals so everyone out here knows it's a tough situation to get into," King said. "But like everyone, I'm just putting my best foot forward and hoping for a little bit of luck, as well."

The weeklong tryouts featured an eclectic mix of players, from those invited to the MLS Player Combine and didn't get drafted, to local college players and even one familiar name.

Eric Brunner, who was selected in the second round of last year's MLS SuperDraft by the Red Bulls, was back in the bubble looking to impress the Red Bulls coaching staff.

After declining to sign a developmental contract with the Red Bulls a year ago, Brunner played for Miami FC. The 6-foot-4 central defender from Ohio State is still under contact with the USL First Division club, but was granted permission to train with New York.

"It was a blessing in disguise because as soon as I left, I got called into the under-23s, I had a really good camp there and got two international caps and a goal," Brunner said. "I took it as it was and learned a lot about myself, a lot of things that take other people two or three years to learn."

With Gabriel Cichero, Diego Jimenez and Jeff Parke no longer with the Red Bulls and second-round draft pick Babajide Ogunbiyi failing to sign a contract with MLS and opting to finish up his studies at Santa Clara, the Red Bulls suddenly have a serious lack of depth centrally. But Brunner isn't getting too excited just yet.

"I've learned, especially in the past season, not to count my chickens before they hatch and don't get too excited about anything until you sign that piece of paper," Brunner said. "I'm just taking it as it comes, playing soccer and having fun with it."

Ogunbiyi will not likely be available to join the Red Bulls until March, the final few weeks of the preseason. And having yet to reach agreement on a contract, it's unknown if Ogunbiyi will even sign a deal.

"I think he's an intelligent kid who wants to finish school. I don't really know what to say," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "We are deciding, but it's a tough one. I can only say I hope I get a chance to work with him because I think he has some good tools."

One central defender the Red Bulls are passing on is Kyle Schmid out of the University of California-Irvine. The son of Seattle Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid initially drew the interest of the Red Bulls coaches during an NCAA tournament game at St. John's.

"I was pretty fortunate because we don't play a lot of games on the East Coast so it's good to be seen by an MLS team out here and obviously it paid off," Schmid said.

Where Schmid, a 6-foot-2 central defender, lands remains to be seen. But he prefers not to follow his father to Seattle.

"I kind of wanted to stay away from that," he said of playing for his father. "All my life it's been hung over my head pretty much so I'm trying to pave my own way."

Joining Brunner and King in the next round are goalkeeper Alec Dufty from the University of Evansville, Adelphi University forward Patrick Figueiredo, Long Island University attacking midfielder Mohammed Mashriqi, Jerry Saintil, a midfielder from Seton Hall and Mauricio Turizo, a forward who played at Giants de Carolina in the Puerto Rico Soccer League last year.

"I just told them, you just passed the first level," Osorio said. "There's no assurance you will get a contract. Now I want to bring you next week to compete with all our players and then I will get a better idea if you indeed can play at this level."

Wizards accomplish SuperDraft mission

ST. LOUIS -- The Kansas City Wizards came to the 2009 MLS SuperDraft hoping to add depth to their roster and to nab a player who could challenge for or step into their starting 11. Five picks later, mission accomplished.

"We feel great. Anytime you walk away with the guy you want the most, you're quite happy," said head coach Curt Onalfo.

Sitting in the middle of the first round at No. 8, the Wizards bolstered their backline in choosing defender Matt Besler from the University of Notre Dame with the pick. The 21-year-old hails from Overland Park, Kan., just a few miles from CommunityAmerica Ballpark, now his home away from home.

"It feels amazing, the team that you grow up supporting. It's a dream come true," said Besler.

The 6-0, 170-lb. back played his club ball at KCFC Alliance under coach Gareth Hughes, then went on to earn a spot on the All-Big East Conference Team three times at Notre Dame and NSCAA/adidas First-Team All-American status this past year. Internationally, he has trained with U.S. under-20 national team and played on the U.S. under-15 national team.

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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"We lost Tyson Wahl through the expansion draft, and we needed to fill a void in central defense, especially on the left side," said Onalfo. "We rated Matt as one of the top defenders. We think he has a bright future, and we look forward to having him come in and compete in that spot with Aaron Hohlbein who is currently penciled in that spot."

Besler's quality was corroborated by the fact that two teams behind the Wizards tried to trade up to get the young back, and his learning curve will be eased by being near home and by his confidence in his ability to quickly catch onto MLS's speed of play. After all, he has the mind for it, earning the 2008 NSCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year.

"That's one of my better qualities," said Besler, who feels he can play centrally and on the flank. "I feel like I can play a lot of positions on the field, and that helps me out with my [soccer] brain and playing different positions."

With back-to-back picks in the second round (22nd and 23rd overall), Kansas City went offensive choosing forward Doug DeMartin and midfielder Graham Zusi.

A Michigan State product, DeMartin was a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, the top honor for a collegiate soccer player. He claimed the Big Ten Player of the Year with 17 goals in his senior campaign after knocking home 12 his junior year.

"DeMartin is a very good, talented forward that we've studied intensely," Onalfo said. "[The competition] is going to be a great situation for him to show what he can do. We have a lot of confidence in him and believe he is talented enough to take him in the second round."

An award winner too, Zusi captured the 2008 NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player honor, helping the Terrapins to the NCAA Division I title, scoring the match-winner in semifinal over time and the lone goal in the final. Known for his "tremendous" long-range shot and work rate among other abilities, Zusi is projected by some as a winger or withdrawn striker.

"Graham really opened our eyes in the final four. He took [Maryland] on his shoulders, We look forward to him coming in and giving us some depth in the attacking midfield position," Onalfo said.

With their fourth and fifth picks of the day (42nd and 50th overall), the Wizards chose former St. John's University goalkeeper Neal Kitson, who made the 2008 College Cup All-Tournament Team, and University of Connecticut product, midfielder Akeem Priestley, a member of the Jamaican U-23 national team.

"We're in a little bit different position than we were a couple of years ago," Onalfo said, "where we were needing to find starters, we're now looking to find cover and to find depth."

Kljestan stars in return to home soil

CARSON, Calif. -- Three days before kickoff of Saturday's United States-Sweden international friendly at The Home Depot Center, Sacha Kljestan was in Scotland wrapping up a week-long trial with famed club Celtic FC.

After a flight across the pond and all the way back to his native southern California, Kljestan could easily have succumbed to jet lag and the distractions that such travels can carry.

Instead, the trip seemed to spark new life into the Chivas USA standout as Kljestan scored three goals in the USA's 3-2 victory over Sweden.

"It's important to start the year off with a win," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "When you're in a long camp, three weeks, it's a lot of work and the challenge of getting guys fit, it's nice at the end to have the reward of winning."

Kljestan returned to the United States on Thursday and arrived in Los Angeles at 3 p.m. After getting nine hours of sleep on Thursday night, Kljestan was able to recover from jet lag in part because the team held an evening training session on Friday. Another nine hours of sleep on Friday helped and by game time Saturday, Kljestan had zoned in on the match and his task at hand.

"I've had games in the past where you leave Chivas and you go and play for the national team and then you come back and in two days' time you're playing with Chivas. That's something I've tried my best to deal with in previous years," Kljestan said. "I think I did a good job of doing that tonight of not letting anything distract me and focusing 100 percent on this game."

Bradley, who selected Kljestan in the MLS SuperDraft while coaching with Chivas USA, said the goals were well deserved.

"It's nice to see Sacha get some goals," Bradley said. "He worked hard in this camp and took a break in the middle but he came back strong and that was important for us tonight."

Kljestan opened his account in the 16th minute when he buried a 34-yard free kick in the upper left corner of the net. Afterward, he credited Chivas USA coach Preki for having helped hone his set piece ability.

Club teammate Jonathan Bornstein said he'd seen Kljestan knock in goals like at training before.

"It's great to see when all that hard work pays off and he definitely deserves those goals tonight," Bornstein said. "You don't get a hat trick every day."

Kljestan scored his second goal in the 40th minute on a penalty kick and finished off his hat trick in the 74th minute, just one minute after Sweden's Daniel Nannskog had cut the United States' lead to one goal.

The hat trick, the 11th all-time in U.S. national team history, was just as much Ching's doing as it was Kljestan's. Ching collected a long ball in the box and slipped a ball to Kljestan, who easily beat Swedish goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

"Brian does a lot of dirty work on the field and does a great job in terms of holding the ball and setting Sacha up with the third goal which came at an important time," Bradley said.

Danny Califf sent the ball in from the back and Ching took care of the rest.

"It was a great ball from (Califf) and I just took it out from the air and saw Sacha making a great run," Ching said.

Still, despite the victory and Kljestan's standout play, Bradley said there were areas he felt could have been better.

"From a coaching standpoint, there are always going to be things from this game at this time of year that you feel good about, there's always going to be things that need improvement," the U.S. manager said. "So I think that part is very clear. We got a number of guys who got their first game with the national team and that is something we want to continue to do in terms of building our pool so in that regard it's a good feeling."

For Kljestan, the most rewarding part of having scored his three goals was that he scored them before his loved ones.

"I had a good experience over there and I was very happy to be able to come back for this game," he said. "We've been in this camp for three weeks now and we've put in a lot of work -- I did for the first two weeks - so I was very happy to come back and especially to play at Home Depot (Center) in front of my friends and family."

Rapids, Revs take different paths

ST. LOUIS -- New England and Colorado started the day with a SuperDraft-high seven picks. The similarities between the two teams end there.

New England had two first-round picks and benefited from a player who slipped down the draft board and an MLS Player Combine standout, while Colorado became proactive in the second round and made one of the few trades on the day to acquire the rights to an accomplished veteran.

Kevin Alston wasn't supposed to be there when the Revs selected at No. 10. Other teams higher up the draft order were expected to grab the speedy Generation adidas fullback out of Maryland, but he ended up falling into the Revolution's lap.

"To be truthful, we didn't expect for him to be there," Revs boss Steve Nicol said. "I like defenders to be able to defend first and foremost. He can do that. We'll see more of him when he comes into camp and what he can do down the other end of the field."

  • Draft Tracker >
  • Full coverage >NEWS • Seattle makes Zakuani No. 1
• Zakuani embracing Seattle
• SuperDraft notebook
• Davis: No surprises
• Zakuani hails Gen. adidas
• RSL get athletic Alexandre
• Husidic goes home
• Rapids, Revs take big hauls
• Quiet Quakes add value
• Sounders attack two fronts
• St. Louis fans stay vocal
• Draft deals roundup
• Galaxy turn to Terrapins
• United flesh out roster
• Wizards accomplish mission
• Crew select Gerstenberger
• Cruz falls to round three
• Hoops address needs
• Chivas deal for LA's Jazic
• Prospect bios, stats
VIDEO • SuperDraft first round

• Zakuani on Seattle

• Garber on SuperDraft

• Zakuani taken at No. 1

• Cronin to TFC at No. 2

• Gonzalez to LA at No. 3

• Reds add White at No. 4

• Hoops nab Marosevic

• Wallace to D.C. at No. 6

• United select Pontius

• Besler goes to Wizards

• Lahoud goes to Chivas

• Revs get Alston at 10

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Alston said he was pleased to land with a veteran team that could help him improve once he joined the team for training camp.

"I look forward to learning a lot from all of these veteran players that they have," Alston said. "It's a great squad in general."

With their second first-round pick, the Revs opted for Tampa midfielder Ryan Maxwell. The speedy winger impressed the Revolution coaching staff with his performance at the MLS Player Combine.

"The Combine has a lot to do with it," Maxwell said by phone from Florida. "I play at a Division II school and coaches don't see me."

From what he did see, Nicol thinks Maxwell has a chance to be a good addition to the Revs' roster.

"In Maxwell, we have a guy who we think can surprise a few people," Nicol said.

Colorado didn't have the benefit of having two first-round picks. The Rapids were originally scheduled to join the SuperDraft with the 20th pick, but a trade with Chicago slid them further down the draft board.

The price was worth it. By swapping picks and sending allocation money to Chicago, the Rapids gained the rights to former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Pickens is expected to sign with Colorado after spending time in England with Queens' Park Rangers.

"I would go almost as far to say that we've got the deal of the day today," Rapids manager Gary Smith said.

Colorado needed to go out and get a goalkeeper after Bouna Coundoul recently rejected a "fantastic" contract offer from the team, Smith said.

"We've decided to cover ourselves," Smith said. "In doing that, we've got ourselves a fantastic goalkeeper. He's in a fantastic position to step into our first team. He fulfills all the criteria."

Without the picks in the upper reaches of the first round, Smith said his team focused on bringing in players who could help them compete as the team continues to improve.

"We're excited," Smith said. "We're slowly but surely piecing together a group of players that will give everyone a run for their money."