April 17, 2007
There have been some hints thrown around by Rhinos management about possible player signings and a major announcement that may take place this week.
Hopefully the forward playing in England with Championship and EPL experience wasn't Danny Dichio who is reportedly set to sign with Toronto FC. The Brazilian playing indoors could be Milwaukee Wave midfielder Marcelo Santos . With the Detroit Ignition ending Milwaukee's season over the weekend, that would free Santos up to join the Rhinos soon, if he's the player the Rhinos are going after.
Speaking of the Detroit Ignition, there is a rumor being floated by Jarrett Campbell of TriSoccerFan.com on Devo's blog [Check the comments in the Delays Abound posting] that 2007 MISL leading scorer Jamar Beasley may be a Rhino when the Ignition's season is over. I had heard that the Ignition were looking at making Jamar the "face of their franchise" and paying him extra to stay in Detroit year round and promote the club. But, perhaps the Rhinos outbid Detroit for Jamar's services over the summer.
As far as the major announcement goes, it could be a variety of things from a stop by the USWNT on their 2007 Send-Off Series to EPL club Aston Villa coming to PAETEC Park as a part of their 2007 US Tour. The Rhinos have been talking about wanting to up the ante with regards to foreign clubs making a visit to Rochester. And Aston Villa would be a step up from last year's visit of Coca Cola Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Hopefully the veil of mystery will be lifted soon and there will be loads to talk about after that.
MLS to add two more designated players on Tuesday
Gregory Sica at SI.com is reporting that Columbus will announce the signing of Guillermo Barros Schelotto on Tuesday and Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer.com is reporting that the New York Red Bulls will announce the signing of Juan Pablo Angel on Tuesday, as well. FoxSoccer.com is also reporting that Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill has given his blessing to Angel's move to MLS.
The next question is how big on an impact will Schelotto and Angel make on their respective clubs. Ives Galarcep is having fun writing out Red Bull Starting XIs with Angel in the fold. And Gregory Sica thinks that at a minimum, Schelotto can be a proven winner that is able to pass on valuable knowledge to the Crew's young strikers in Jason Garey and Andy Herron. There is also the possibility that the 34 yo has some goals left in the tank and that he will be able to elevate the Crew from the dregs of the MLS to at least a playoff position.
Glenn Davis has a piece in the Houston Chronicle that talks about how these signings and the addition of Carlos Marinelli in Kansas City and the additions of guys like Christian Gomez in DC are only going to help elevate the play in MLS.
And we couldn't go a day without a another installment of the Zidane to LA rumor mill courtesy of SI.com's truth & rumors ..........
The California Victory finally unveil their first two signings
Less than two weeks before their season opener in Vancouver versus the Whitecaps, 2007 USL 1st Division Expansion side Calfornia Victory have finally announced their first two players signings in draftees goalkeeper Eric Reed and defender/midfielder Matt Fitzgerald.
California also has a forward pulling double duty in Yuri Morales. Morales is reportedly not only a striker for the club, but also the team's account executive. Maybe the Rhinos need to tap into their Ivy League braintrust in Scott Palguta and PJ Scheufele to get some sponsorships lined up!
For all the dreamers out there
The owner of the PDL expansion side Lancaster Rattlers had a dream and it is coming true with his team's inaugural match being against the LA Galaxy.
The key to making dreams a reality is to stop dreaming and start working to make the dream a reality.
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.
