Wednesday Kicks: MLS SuperDraft Thursday & more

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*Chivas USA striker Justin Braun and former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu have been released from the U.S. Men’s National Team in Carson because of injuries, officials announced today.

Braun sustained a laceration in the region of his left Achilles Tuesday during the morning training session. The injury required four stitches and will sideline the forward for seven days.

Ihemelu is bothered by hip and groin injuries he had rested following the 2010 MLS season.

U.S. Soccer doesn’t plan to add players to what is now a 23-player roster ahead of the Jan. 22 game against Chile at Home Depot Center.

*The over-hyped MLS not so SuperDraft is set for 9 a.m. Thursday. ESPN2 will air the first hour of the three-round, 54-pick event.

If past history is any guide fans shouldn’t expect teams to find players who will immediately have a huge impact in an ever-improving league like MLS, which, frankly, is how it should be.

*Rumored Galaxy target Ronaldinho was unveiled today as a new signing for Brazilian club Flamengo, as expected.

*The second stop on the Mexican National Team’s 2011 U.S. Tour will be in Oakland when it plays a March 26 game against Paraguay. Tickets go on sale to the general public Jan. 21.

*Josh Gatt, a former midfielder with the PDL Orange County Blue Star, has signed with Norway’s Molde, now coached by former Manchester United midfielder Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Michigan native and member of the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team previously played for Austrian club Rheindorf Altach.

*Galaxy youth striker Jack McBean of Newport Beach is one of eight new players selected to join the famed U.S. Under-17 residential academy in Bradenton, Fla., this spring. A total of 40 players will attend the academy, where players receive daily top-class training, while attending a local high school.

Local holdovers in the group include goalkeepers Wade Hamilton (Arsenal FC; Murietta) and Jake McGuire (Chivas USA Academy; Chino); defender Luis Martir (Chivas Guadalajara; Los Angeles); midfielders Marco Delgado (Cosmo Academy West; Glendora), Esteban Rodriguez (Cosmos Academy West; Palmdale); forwards Kevin De La Torre (Chivas USA Academy; Winchester, CA).

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group columnist and blogger Nick Green writes about soccer at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!
  • Studs Up

    “fans shouldn’t expect teams to find players who will immediately have a huge impact”

    What nonsense is this Nick? Since your focus is regional just look at the two LA teams and tell me how their draft picks of last year alone have turned out.

    Totally disagree with you on the SuperDraft. It’s a totally cool aspect of all major American sports and has a wonderful effect on soccer as well. College soccer is part and parcel of the American soccer community and provides an alternate avenue for players to show themselves. The level is improving despite NCAA’s archaic rules. Look no further than what Akron has accomplished in just a few years. They play the most attractive soccer in this country, including all of the MLS teams. You wouldn’t know that of course since you don’t venture beyond the LA County borders.

  • http://www.insidesocal.com/soccer Nick Green

    There are always exceptions, SU, I’m speaking generally.

    But, if you don’t agree with me, listen to RSL GM Garth Lagerway who told Soccer America: Everybodys pretty clear about the guys at the very top, the top five or so, and after that it gets pretty average, pretty quickly.

    And that’s not an atypical view.

  • Studs Up

    That’s the nature of the draft, it’s not loaded every year. This year’s is deeper than you and Garth both think but what does average mean? MLS is built on average American players and they make up most of each team’s roster. They could not afford a “super” talented roster. The task is to raise the “average” level of the American player and that is happening across the board.

    Eventhough the draft is not the sole source of players it is still an opprtunity for American and American based players to be showcased. Akron with 5 picks out of the first 8 is absolutely amazing.