Open Crew Spot

Microfracture surgery not only claimed both William Hesmer and Tommy Heinemann but it just effectively ended the playing career of new Crew Front Office man, Frankie Hedjuk. Fans and supporters attending tonight's game should go ahead and just plan on having microfracture surgery soon. Crew event planners take note; buck-a-microfracture surgery night.

Two free spots open up on the Crew with Hesmer and Heinemann dropping to the IR list. One would assume that the loss of a goalkeeper means one spot taken (another GK).

But what about the other open roster spot? What talent level? What position? Where from?

Rule out any international player. Just getting him here this time of year is impossible. Absolutely, eliminate any thought of a "DP" caliber player getting signed either. The team would have to overpay a quality player right now. Why this question of whether or not the club will sign one this time of year is a head scratcher.

Columbus Crew have a lot of holes to fill and those holes are not just positional. The chemistry in the middle of the field has to be much better, bringing in a body to fill a spot there might set back some of the gains made this year. Halfback / CDM spot, perhaps.

Up top might be the most logical place to sign a player too. Here are some suggestions:

Luke Mulholland, Attacking Mid
Plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies. I've talked about before Link. Signing him now might be tricky because he just signed for Tampa, but he is more than just a player, he is a young talented player with a bright future. He pays his own way back and forth to England to train with League One clubs. Signing him as a CAM would allow Warzycha to move Mirosevic up top.

Matthew Delicate, Forward
Richmond Kickers at Helltown . He fits the Heinemann mold, but could be slightly more dangerous. He also has loads of experience (29 yrs old). Were he to come to Columbus I would not just expect him to be first off the bench, I would expect him to challenge for starting spot.

Jason Garey, Forward
Yes, that Jason. He's with the Railhawks now. Played with Columbus for a long time (part of the 08 team) and his goal scoring record was well above average. In his last three years in MLS he played 1653 minutes, scored 6 goals and had 4 assists. That is a 0.33 per 90 rate (Mendoza's 2011 rate w/o PKs). Last year, Houston had no place for him. Jason knows the area, knows players and knows coaches. More importantly, we know him and what he can do.

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Complete 2011 USL Pro Player stats and Helltown Player Score, LINK

USL Pro Guys, Super!

The MLS SuperDraft is coming up later this week and I'm getting geared up by not trying to figure out the rules of it. Instead, I am just going to follow up on a post I made last year regarding the USL Pro division and declare the "SuperDraft" the crap beer at your least favorite chain restaurant (Rock Ice happens to be a Costa Rican beer, hmm).

Applying the same weighted measurements I used for 2011 Major League Soccer, below is a short list of USL PRO players to keep an eye out for in the future. Some call this league the 3rd division, others call it minor leagues (cringe). I like the league. Stable and has a wealth of good players.

01 : Luke Mulholland, 23 ATT MID (England)
Luke had one of the better goal scoring years in the USL last year and recently moved to the NASL side Minnesota Stars for a few games. 9 goals, 5 assists in 23 games in the USL.

02 : Jhonny Arteaga, 25 F (Colombia)
Jhonny made appearances for MLS reserve teams Crew and Red Bulls last year and had an impact each time he played. He had an impressive per 90 minute goal scoring rate of 0.70 with FC New York last year. He won the USL Golden Boot with 13 goals in 21 games.

03 : Matthew Delicâte, 29 F (Wales)
I'm not sure what else to say about the guy. I wrote on him a few times last year and as fate would have it, his Richmond team played the Crew in the US Open Cup and beat them. "Deli" put in a beautiful header that ended up being the winner. He actually is the "traditional big English" style forward that *assive Report called recent crew signing Olman Vargas. Though, not sure exactly what English tradition they refer too... Andy Carroll?

04 : Jorge Ivan Becerra, 27 D (Mexico)
I have to trust my measurement system with defenders because I saw so little of USL teams last year (Fox Soccer did have a few). Ivan tops the list of Defenders (and 3rd overall) and stands out to me because he put in so many minutes with a good side in Wilmington as well as being one who was chewed up by the MLS Draft format back in '06. Columbus actually picked him up then but he never really saw time with the senior team.

05 : Henry Kalungi, 24 D (Uganda)
I'm noticing a trend with internationals breaking in to the United States via College Soccer then finding themselves on a USL squad. In the case of Kalungi he fell to Richmond via Winthrop via drafted by MLS (Rapids) then not getting a contract. All of the Richmond Kickers side had a great year last year. Kalungi just happens to be the youngest of the group that allowed only 0.88 goals a game (2nd best in USL).

06 : Rob Valentino, 25 D (USA)
Looks like Rob bolstered the best defense in the USL with Orlando (0.67 GA). Though, it appears it was more defend by committee for the team. Rob has been picked up then dropped by a couple MLS teams (Revs, Rapids) without ever seeing a minute.

07 : Paul Nicholson, 25 CDM, (England)
Paul is another who found his way to USL via College. He is another good player on Wilmington's strong 2011 side. He played every minute during their positive 2011 campaign.

08 : Sainey Touray, 21 (Gambia)
Touray probably has the biggest upside here out of the bunch. He has been identified as a talent already (Red Bulls took a look at him as a teen). Last year was the first year he really got some time and didn't disappoint. 7 goals and 6 assists in just 12.9 (90 min) games. That fills up the stat sheet more then most in the USL.

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Other guys... Andriy Budnyi, 30 (because he is from Ukraine and born in the former Soviet Union). 8 goals, 6 assists in just 16.4 (90 min) games... Jose Angulo, 23 (another Colombian). 9 goals, 3 assists in 15.8 (90 min) games... Tadeu Souza Terra, 25 (Brazilian). Looks like he was already spotted by a bigger club in Brazil but he lead the USL in assists last year with 8.

Complete USL Pro Stats available HERE.

6-2-11 MLS Table(s), Presented by Matthew Delicâte

Wait... The River whats? Hey!

Ima posting up the first ever, one and only, new, free, + free shipping USL True table. Why the Dayton Dutch Lions not.

After running the numbers through Billy's computer machine it has been determined that Matthew Delicâte is (one of) the best players in the United Soccer League (USL Pro). Which, I'm starting to gather, is the highest level the USL has. In relationship to the MLS is it right below it and to the right. NASL is on the left. Not sure why these guys can't agree on getting together. Well, I do know. And they need to get back together now. The arguement in the US for promotion/relegation in my lifetime (by region, East/West, depends on it). Story for another day.

Matthew Delicâte is leading the league in my overall performance category and leading the league in my offensive list. In fact, he has been leading things in the USL for a while. This year he has 6 goals at 3 assists in 9.3 games played for the Richmond Kickers. Hey MLS! Crew? Anybody? Pick this Welshman up.

Okay. Here is the MLS table that includes last nights Chivas Whitecaps west coast only, past my bedtime matchup. I'm actually upset Chivas could only put one past the 'Caps. Table Update: 6-4-11
Let's go over the top with recent Richmond Kickers action. Way over.