NSCAA Convention
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - Major League Soccer does a lot of things that a lot of people like, and a lot of things that a lot of people don't like.
One of the league's most-disliked aspects is its lack of transparency in player personnel matters. The league office does not disclose salaries, lengths of contracts, and most famously the "allocation money" system that sends cash between teams in trades.
But on Friday at the NSCAA Convention, a moment of increased transparency occurred.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - Consider the following scenario.
Somewhere out there in this country is a 12-year-old girl who is a big fan of the United States women's national soccer team.
She has a poster in her bedroom of Alex Morgan, or Abby Wambach, or maybe Carli Lloyd or Hope Solo.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Although the National Women's Soccer League's college draft was conducted without much fanfare, there were a few U.S. national team players on hand to lend a little bit of buzz to the occasion.
One of them was midfielder Lauren Cheney, who as many of you has deep ties to Philadelphia. She and 76ers guard Jrue Holiday have been in a relationship since their days at UCLA, and last summer they got engaged.
I spent a few minutes talking with Cheney about what she has been up to since last summer's Olympics, both on and off the field.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - I came to the inaugural National Women's Soccer League draft not really sure what I wanted to write about.
There was no real spectacle to take in, as only two of the 32 selections on the day were present in the room. In fact, the media was walled off entirely from the eight NWSL teams' coaches and general managers as they made their selections.
But I had a hunch that at some point, some college players from the Philadelphia region would be drafted. That hunch proved correct, as three players - Penn State's Christine Nairn and Maddy Evans and Princeton's Jen Hoy - were selected.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - I'm sure almost all of you are familiar with Taylor Twellman at this point. As ESPN's lead color analyst for Major League Soccer and U.S. men's national team games, the former New England Revolution star has quickly become one of the most respected and influential voices in the American soccer community.
But if you think he's good on television, you should know that he's even better when he's not in front of a camera. Give him an extended period to discuss the issues of the day, and he'll give you far more than just a few good soundbytes.
I know I've said that before, as I've been able to interview him for this blog a few times in the past. But it bears repeating, especially when he is able to command a sizeable audience in person.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - While there might not be a standout star in this year's SuperDraft, there are plenty of under-the-radar names with real pro prospects.
And as I wrote in my SuperDraft preview, the Union have a history of finding talent under the radar. They'll have two opportunities to do so today, with the 26th and 29th overall selections.
The SuperDraft officially begins at noon. I'll be hosting a live chat throughout the event, and I encourage you to send in questions about today's events and anything else soccer-related that's on your mind.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS – This college sports-crazed city is still in the process of catching on to the world's game the way other parts of America have. Still, it's fitting that Major League Soccer's annual convergence with the college game will take place this year a few blocks from the NCAA's headquarters.
The 2013 MLS SuperDraft features few sure-fire prospects. There aren't many names that fans who don't follow college soccer closely would recognize.
And the Union probably wouldn't have a shot at that kind of player, since they don't have a first-round draft pick this year. The team traded that pick to Vancouver in order to acquire defender Bakary Soumaré.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
INDIANAPOLIS - Peter Wilt is back in a familiar place.
Not so much in the literal sense, as this city is still relatively new for him, but in a figurative sense.
On Wednesday, Wilt gave birth to yet another professional soccer team. No one who knows him well needed the reminder, but bringing a North American Soccer League club to Indianapolis reaffirmed that Wilt is one of the smartest and most engaging executives in American soccer.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
The homegrown player incentive program in Major League Soccer is still relatively new. As such, many of MLS’ 19 clubs are still creating their own paths towards developing their own young talent.
We all know what the ends are in the process. Homegrown players don’t count against the salary cap, and there’s real money to be made if those players are sold to bigger clubs.
But the means to those ends are as varied as the geography of MLS itself.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
It is a long enough journey to travel through the North American coaching ranks and end up in Major League Soccer. For Vancouver Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie, the trip has been especially so.
Rennie’s latest move spanned over 3,000 miles. The Whitecaps brought him all the way across the continent from the Cary, N.C.-based Carolina Railhawks of the NASL to take the helm for the 2012 season.
Vancouver’s front office had certainly done its homework. The club faced Rennie many times during its NASL years, before moving to MLS in 2011.
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
