The one thing I see that would be nice to go to an MLS game is that the seats will be filled with true fans instead of the corporate stooges. 22k is on par with the other MLS stadiums.
Link NEW YORK -- Goalkeeper Pat Onstad and starting defender Ryan Cochrane were among the three players the MLS champion Houston Dynamo left unprotected Tuesday for Wednesday's expansion draft. Onstad and defenders Cochrane and Craig Waibel, left unprotected by Houston following the Dynamo's 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Sunday, will be available to San Jose Earthquakes manager Frank Yallop in the league's expansion draft. Defender Avery John was the only starter from New England not among the 11 players each team could shield from selection. The Earthquakes will be able to choose 10 players, but no more than one from each team, meaning three clubs will get away without having to surrender a player. Both Onstad and Waibel played for the old Earthquakes under Yallop when that team won the 2003 championship. The former Earthquakes officially were disbanded after the 2005 season and reformed with the same roster as the Houston Dynamo to start the 2006 campaign. Besides the MLS Cup winners, other notables available include Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman; Peter Vagenas, Kyle Martino, Abel Xavier and recently acquired Clint Mathis from the Los Angeles Galaxy; and FC Dallas' "designated player" Denilson. ------------------------------------------------------------- I don't know these guys.. I don't really follow the Dynamo at all, but will losing these guys jeopardize our team? No more championships? No more stadium?
Losing any one of them will not hurt this team. If they choose Onstead, Zach Wells is a more than capable fill in. This team is more about the system than the individual players...kind of the Patriots of the MLS. There are the important pieces (De Rosario and Eddie Robinson), but they've proven the can win while missing very good players (Ricardo Clark suspended all the way through the playoffs. Ching in and out of the lineup due to injuries and national team). It hurts to lose players just coming off the 2nd championship, but this team will be just fine.
