The Pitch - June is still two months away (and other stuff)

Home Examiners News Politics Entertainment Sports Business Health

classifieds autos jobs real estate

- D.C. United (42)
- Major League Soccer (8)
- U.S. Open Cup (6)
- U.S. soccer (6)
- U.S. Soccer Development Academy (5)
- Chicago Fire (4)
- Columbus Crew (3)
- Crystal Palace USA (3)
- Houston Dynamo (3)
- Real Maryland (3)

June is still two months away (and other stuff)

POSTED April 21, 10:26 PM

The next international transfer window is already fast approaching. I hear from a source that New England is shopping for a defender -- logical considering the recent trade of Joe Franchino to Los Angeles -- and that Toronto FC has it's eyes on Scottish striker Paul Dickov, 35, who is under contract with Manchester City and currently on loan at League One (third tier) Blackpool.

Back in present day, D.C. United is working out a deal with Francis Doe which should be done this week. The Liberian needs a visa before he can suit up, one thing that kept him out of last week's reserve match. With that move, United's 28-man roster will be complete...for now. Contracts get guaranteed July 1...

Some of you may have noticed that the U.S. under-20 national team had some not-so-sweet results at the Campos Verdes Tournament last week in Portugal -- a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland sandwiched between a 3-1 loss to the Cape Verdes Islands and a 4-0 defeat to host Portugal. My understanding is that some of the players were a bit out of their league, but keep this in mind, the squad was mostly 17- and 18-year-olds, at least a couple years younger than their competition. Brek Shea, who flew all the way back from Europe to Los Angeles to make his debut for FC Dallas on Sunday, was one player that showed well. Another, D.C. United academy and DeMatha goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Alfredo Morales, who plays with former DCUer Bryan Arguez at Hertha Berlin, was also intriguing. It'll be interesting to see who gets recalled for next month's trip to England. I'll let you know about that team's schedule, which is interesting, when it gets closer to getting confirmed.

Rosters for the U.S. under-23's Olympic tune-up tourney in Toulon, France, are also expected soon. The U.S. is in Group B with Italy, Ivory Coast and Turkey. Group stage games: May 21 vs. Turkey; May 23 vs. Ivory Coast; May 25 vs. Italy.