Our weekly round-up of what’s happened away from NYCFC in Major League Soccer is here…
Only one place to start… in Los Angeles where the MLS SuperDraft took place on Friday afternoon.
We know NYCFC moved to bring in Jonathan Lewis, Kwame Awuah and Jalen Brown but what were the other big moves?
It was a dramatic SuperDraft day which kicked off with one move that wasn’t a surprise as Minnesota selected Abu Danladi with their first round pick.
This was followed by Atlanta’s acquisition of Syracuse defender Miles Robinson – one of two first round picks the MLS new boys had at their disposal – midfielder Julian Gressel was also picked up.
After NYCFC actioned the first trade of the draft to get Lewis, Chicago got the highly-rated Daniel Johnson and Colorado Rapids acquired local boy Sam Hamilton – a move which was seen as out of leftfield by those who watched the Combine.
There’s a full round-up of who moved where on MLSSoccer.com here – rounds 3 and 4 of the SuperDraft will take place via a telephone conference on Tuesday.
Staying in California, the U.S National Team’s annual January training camp is in full swing in Carson and returning Head Coach Bruce Arena has opened the doors to media.
The message is clear: World Cup qualification is still very much on the cards.
“I actually call it my third chance,” he told journalists, “Hopefully, three strikes and you’re out is not the case.
"MLS players are certainly a better group of players than in 1998. They're much more experienced.
“Their club environments are much more improved than they were in 1998, no question about it. One would think that those characteristics should have a positive manner on the field."
The team will have a three-and-a-half-week camp and two friendlies in preparations for crucial Hex qualifiers against Honduras and Panama in March.
In other MLS news, Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch has slammed the door on rumors he was set to swap New Jersey for Red Bull Salzburg.
He said: “Since the new year, I haven’t been in Salzburg. I’ve been in Portugal with Leipzig,”
“There’s been no contact with Salzburg. I was there before Christmas just to spend time with both clubs and watch what’s going on there. I’m the New York Red Bulls coach … Nothing’s ever changed other than now facilitating our relationship with our clubs over there.
“I’m the New York Red Bulls coach. Period.”
More next week!
