May 8, 2007
Rhinos defender Scott Palguta was named to the USL 1st Division Team of the Week after scoring the tying goal in the Rhinos home opener versus the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Palguta's goal was his first in a USL 1st Division match. Palguta had scored against the MetroStars in the US Open Cup during his rookie season in 2005.
Also, check out Palguta's blog over at Rhinos Soccer.com. There is some funny behind the scenes stuff from the training camp trips to Florida and Puerto Rico and I'm sure that there will be some good stuff coming out of the two week west coast trip that the team will embark upon later this week.
Rhinos looking around for a veteran goalkeeper
With Scott Vallow undergoing surgery to repair his ruptured right distal biceps tendon this morning, the team is looking at bringing in a veteran goalkeeper for the rest of the 2007 season. Rhinos head coach Laurie Calloway was a guest on "Soccer is a Kick in the Grass" last evening and talked about where the search has taken the team thusfar.
Calloway said that the Rhinos have talked to all of the MLS clubs and have basically been told that any veteran back up goalkeeper is off limits, but that teams were willing to give up young third string goalkeepers. But, the Rhinos felt like young, third stringers would basically give them more of what they already have in Chase Harrison, so they passed on that option.
So, with guys like Zach Thornton (Colorado Rapids) and Jon Busch (Chicago Fire) out of the question for now, guys like Theo Zagar, Billy Andracki, and perhaps Matt Nelson might be on the radar. Coach Calloway also talked about the team looking to Europe or South America for possible options as well.
I still think that unveiling Tony Meola on Italian-American Night would be amazing. But, that might make Sam's head explode and nobody wants that to happen.
Another option for the Rhinos
I've liked the way Chase Harrison has responded to getting the #1 goalkeeper job and I'm wondering if the Rhinos might not be better served improving the team in front of Harrison, and hoping that Vallow is able to come back quicker than some expect, than putting money into a veteran goalkeeper.
One player that the Rhinos could look at for an upgrade in the midfield is 35 yo Joe Enochs who is the captain of German club Osnabrück. Osnabrück is fighting to gain promotion to Germany's second Bundesliga and Enochs' contract is up following the season.
Enochs talks about wanting to play in the US, but he doesn't know if it's realistic. Well, depending on his price tag, I would think that he might be able to fight in nicely in the Rhinos midfield. The fact that he's not a foreigner would be a huge plus, as well.
Juan Pablo Angel secures a work permit and will make his Red Bull debut tonight in LA
The New York Red Bulls will have the services of their second Designated Player as they take on the LA Galaxy tonight in a US Open Cup qualifier.
Former Aston Villa forward Juan Pablo Angel gained his work permit yesterday and is expected to be in Bruce Arena's lineup this evening in LA as the Red Bulls try and earn their way into the main draw of the 2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament.
Red Bull fans will likely be disappointed that they won't be able to see Angel's debut for their club. But, they will be able to see him in person on Sunday as the Red Bulls host the Colorado Rapids on Sunday at 3pm. The match will be carried live on Telefutura.
DC United looking at bringing in a Polish prospect
Washington Post.com Soccer Insider
Steve Goff is reporting that Dave Kasper is headed to Poland today and that DC head coach Tom Soehn is expected to join him in Europe as DC is off this weekend.
I wonder if DC's slow start is forcing DC into looking into adding a Designated Player quicker than they were originally planning on doing?
The latest Beckham news
So when will MTV Cribs be doiung an episode at the Beckham's new $22 million, 13,000 square foot home in Beverly Hills?
I mean, Landon Donovan can't be the only member of the Galaxy to have his house featured on the show, right?
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
