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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Some new faces, some old at Spartans 1612

With the MLS draft on pause for the weekend break, fans and media pundits have had a chance to reflect and comment on the Draft so far. Sean Johnson and Danny Koevermans are returning for their second season in New York. Johnson, who had 8 points for the Spartans last season, is putting it all on the line for club and country, and is expected to be among the contenders for the U.S. national team when current #1 Tim Howard steps down from national team duty. Koevermans, who was among the leagues most lethal strikers last season, is recovering from a knee injury and isn't expected to return until the summer. 

In addition, the Spartans added strikers Claudio Bieler and Carlos Ruiz. Bieler, a 28-year old Ecuadorian striker, is a well known goal scorer, netting 20 last season for LDU Quito. Ruiz, a 33 year old Guatemalan, is seen as a riskier move. Although the ex-MLS player is the 9th leading all time goal scorer in the league, he hasn't played a professional game in over a year.

Fans were disappointed to say farewell to Sair Sene, who perhaps would have been a designated player in New York had he not injured his knee in the 2012 season. Sene was drafted by the Pennsylvania Stoners in the fourth round. 

Pundits also considered Camilo Sanvezzo and Darren Mattocks one of their top picks for the most potent offensive partnership in 2013 and see a potential future DP in Mattocks. 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Spartans Unveil 2013 Kit


On Thursday, the Chairman released the 2013 kit. In typical Spartans style, the shirt has very little in common with the clubs colors. A throwback to Italy's World Cup kits from the 1970's, the shirt features a bright red "S" and the tricolor logo of BMW Motorsports, a performance tuning division of the clubs sponsor from last season.


The Chairman, recently spotted wearing the kit at 4AM last Saturday while leaving a well known New York nightclub, remarked "Well, I thought it was cool" before he jumped into his car with two unidentified young ladies.

The Spartan fanbase, while amused at the Chairman's antics, felt some dismay that the popular sky blue Spartans logo didn't make an appearance on the kit.


Spartans Announce Second Designated Player for 2013 Season

On Thursday, the Chairman announced the Spartans second Designated Player for the 2013 season - veteran attacking midfielder Tim Cahill. 

Cahill gives a "thumbs up" to the Chairman's decision
Cahill, 33, joined the BSL last year after a successful career at Everton in the English Premier League, where he became a fan favorite and the clubs talisman, and 60 caps for the Australian national team. Cahill is best remembered for his two goal game against Japan in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup. 

The Chairman said, "I'm just such a big fan of Tim. He's a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch and a good role model for the younger guys as to how they should go about their careers."

Cahill had 3 assists and a goal in 12 appearances for the Spartans last season.