Supplemental Draft

The MLS Supplemental Draft takes place at 2pm ET today. There is plenty of talent available this year since the SuperDraft was shortened to two rounds. The Union have the 13th selection.

Local club Reading United AC have five players near the top of the Supplemental Draft class: UPenn midfielder Christian Barreiro, Delaware winger Evans Frimpong, Virginia forward Brian Ownby, West Virginia defender Eric Schoenle and Creighton keeper Brian Holt.

SoccerByIves ranks Frimpong as the fourth best player available. Ownby slots in at ten and Holt is just below him at thirtheen.

Scott French of ESPN ranks Ownby as the best striker available, with Frimpong four spots behind.

Union draftee Raymon Gaddis talks about his time with Reading United AC and his readiness for the leap to the Union. “”I think it’s a well structured style of play,” Gaddis said of the Union. Structured… isn’t the word I’d choose.

Union

Don’t forget about the Help Kick Hunger event on January 21. More info can be found on the Union website. Le Toux, BC, and J-Mac will be there.

TSG has highlights from the U-23 USMNT loss to the senior side. Keep an eye out for Union boys Okugo, Adu, McInerney, MacMath and Williams.

Independence/USWNT

Starting defenders Leigh Ann Robinson and Estelle Johnson will be back with the Independence next season.

Sydney Leroux, the #1 pick in this week’s WPS Draft, will be the only new face when the USWNT travels to the Olympics this summer.

MLS

Changes to the CONCACAF Champions league format. Bookmark this page so you know what to expect when the Union roll into the this competition next season!

TwoHundredPercent has a fascinating look at DC United’s stadium situation. Apparently United pays over $140,000 per game to host at RFK, and that’s more than twice what any other MLS team pays. Plus, the organization doesn’t get any concession revenue. The team’s negotiations with the city (which makes mucho moola off the current RFK lease agreement) are not going well. DC Mayor Vincent Gray:  “Gee, I hope you can stay, but how are we going to make this work?” Wow.

Eric Wynalda held court at the NSCAA Convention in Kansas City. In a talk titled, “Why Not US?” Wynalda discussed… whatever he felt like discussing. Check out the three part story for more.

Elsewhere

Edson Buddle is on trial with Everton. Liverpool went with American owners; Everton is going with American players. I wonder which strategy will turn out better?

The New York Cosmos will not be playing an exhibition match at Las Vegas Winter Kick on February 25. Organizers are blaming a shakeup with the team’s management.

Oh, this is juicy. Brazil and FIFA are battling over Brazilian laws banning alcohol in stadiums and discounting tickets for people over the age of 65. Don’t worry though, FIFA isn’t fighting for you. They’re worried that the laws might unduly restrict their sponsorship partners.

Australia does this awesome thing where they mic up players and coaches during events and let you listen in. And they don’t just let you hear what the coach is telling his players in the huddle (Every NBA mic’d up: “Guys, we gotta stop ’em here! Go!”) Check out the live in-game commentary by Gold Coast United’s head coach last weekend.

Cursory info on all the competitors in the African Cup of Nations, which starts on Saturday.

And I’m just throwing this one in to give hope to all you Gunners out there: Jack Wilshere will start full training at the end of January. Schwing!