Every MLS fan should be cheering for Fredy Montero. I am not talking about wearing a Sounders jersey when you attend a MLS game (unless you are going to a Seattle game, then it would be a good idea), rather just a silent cheer when he touches the ball.

Montero’s contract is not owned by MLS, but by Columbian side Deportivo Cali. He is on loan to the Sounders until the end of the season. He is also a member of the Columbian national team pool and has three caps and one goal for his national team side. He is only 21 and still considered a prospect.

He is on loan for one reason. His club side and agents are attempting to showcase his talents for European scouts. If he can impress, and so far he certainly has, then it is likely a major European club will make a bid for his services. MLS will not receive a dime of the transfer fee.

Why should fans be rooting for Montero then? It is simple. If he is successful, other clubs will look to loan their top young players to MLS in attempt to showcase them and make a profit. The overall quality of play in the league will improve tenfold.

If young South American prospects using MLS as a launching pad to Europe becomes a trend, the league will eventually be able to cash in. Agents will advise players to sign with MLS when they are ready to turn professional. The player would then use MLS as a bridge for a few seasons between South America and Europe, instead of jumping straight to the continent.

It is a win-win situation for all parties involved. The players are able to be closer to home and adjust lifestyles in the melting-pot that is America. This would be an alternative to going straight to Europe, where many players have struggled with the transition. MLS benefits from the improved quality of the league and could also earn a transfer fee or a kick-back.

So next time Fredy Montero is on the ball, you don’t have to stand up and cheer widely for him. But instead, say some quiet words of encouragement. After all, it is for the good of the league.

Do you think Montero’s success will open the door for other young South American players? Should MLS ask for a percentage of any future transfers for players it showcases? Share your thoughts below.

Clint Dempsey, winner of the Bronze Ball at the recent Confederations Cup, has been linked with a move to Everton. He would be wise to switch allegiances to the Merseyside club. Everton has been the model of consistency in the English Premier league.

Dempsey seems to be the type of player that manager David Moyes likes to employ. He is a hard worker who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is capable of finishing at a pretty good rate. While he is not a target striker, he has proven he can score goals in the air. He has also shown the ability to excel when the spotlight is on.

Moyes would most likely deploy Dempsey as a striker, alongside Yakubu. He would be competing with injury-prone and aging Louis Saha for minutes. Victor Anichebe is rumored to be on the way out. Dempsey could also be plugged in at right midfielder.

With Everton’s limited budget but desire to compete with the big four in the EPL, a player like Dempsey makes perfect sense. He rarely suffers from injuries or form problems and has the ability to play multiple positions.

Everton is also rumored to be interested in signing Michael Bradley and was linked with Jozy Altidore last season. It could become a destination for top American players.

Do you think this is a smart move for Dempsey? Would he fit in well with Everton? Is the just beginning of American players heading to the Merseyside? Share your thoughts below.

Landon Donovan is facing his last chance to go to Europe.  He failed to catch on during a trial with Bayern Munich, but his excellent play in the Confederations Cup should spark a renewed interest.

He was the most impressive field player for the US during the run to the final, and showed he was good enough to play with the world’s best. He continually created chances by running up and down the field. He finished his opportunities and set-up others.

He is in the prime of his career. It is not about development anymore. He has already developed into a fantastic player. It is about challenging himself at the highest level.  He needs to go to Europe.

Donovan has to move now because he is getting older. He is reaching an age where clubs will no longer be interested in paying a transfer fee for his services. While there is a good chance he will have a strong World Cup next summer, he will be approaching 30.

La Liga seems to be the most logical choice for Donovan, but he would need to move to a side where he can get plenty of minutes. Atletico Madrid or Villarreal would make the most sense. There are other clubs that are possibility, such as Fiorentina in Serie A or Lyon in French Ligue 1.

The biggest hold-up to Donovan leaving is MLS demanding too high of a transfer fee. MLS reportedly evaluates him at $10 million. Is a club willing to pay that for a player who has struggled during his previous stints in Europe? The answer is likely no. A price tag of around $5 million is a figure that most European clubs would be willing to part with for his services.

Do you think Donovan should move to Europe? Is it time for MLS to part ways with arguably its most recognizable player? Should MLS hold out for the price it evaluates him at? Share below.

Quality MLS managers are hard to come by. The league requires an individual who not only understands the complex league structure, but is also capable of devising tactics to adjust to the physical style.  With that in mind, here are five traits that all quality MLS managers possess:

1. Able to find cheap, American veterans

American veterans can come from different sources. The player can be returning home from Europe, hiding in the USL, or playing for a different MLS side. But the quality manager can identify these players to provide reliable, inexpensive options. Signing Richard Mulrooney and Wade Barrett to play your outside backs is not conventional wisdom, but it works in MLS.

2. Does not place much value on the draft

The MLS draft can fill your roster with talented players that are rarely able to compete in MLS right away. The quality manager either trades the pick or uses it to draft a player to add depth in a position where he already has capable players. If the draft pick works out, great. But if not, the team can move on without investing too much.

3. Keep a core group of players together from year to year

The best teams in the league experience little turnover. This is tough to do, with the expansion draft and players defecting to Europe, but the quality manager finds a way. If a player does leave the team, he is usually replaced by someone already with the club.

4. Creates depth in a league that is difficult to do so

The quality manager finds a way to fill out his bench with late-round draft picks. This involves taking players who are physically ready to play in the league and spent three or four years playing high-level college soccer. Darius Barnes, Geoff Cameron, and Steven Lenhart come to mind. They also seek throw-away players, such as Danny O’Rourke and Nathan Sturgis, to provide depth.

5. Not afraid to take risks

The quality manager must take risks. This involves signing a player or making a trade that is questionable. Signing an aging, out-of-form Guillermo Barros Schelotto to a large contract was a risk that paid huge dividends, as was trading a young up-and coming (at the time) Zach Wells for Bobby Boswell.

What other traits must a quality MLS manager have? Who are the best managers in MLS? Share your thoughts below.

The United States looked spectacular in the first half against Brazil. The Americans attacked with fluidity and had their opponents constantly making poor decisions. However, a quick goal out of the half changed everything and once again Bob Bradley failed to adjust.

The US dropped into a shell after Brazil scored the first goal, which it simply could not do. Instead of responding by bringing in a substitution to add creativity to the field, Bradley continued to let his side sink deeper into a shell. The Brazilians were allowed time and space, and it was just a matter of time before they broke the defense down.

The US managed to bunker and hold the lead against Spain, but Brazil is too good for that strategy to work. They are a more a creative side that is capable of figuring out different ways to score. They scored the first goal by simple brilliance. On the second, they were allowed space down the flank and then outworked the tired US. The third goal was off a set-piece against a disorganized defense.

The substitutions were also puzzling. After Brazil tied the game, Bradley sent in Jonathan Bornstein for Benny Feilhaber that was clearly a defensive move. He also replaced Jozy Altidore with Sacha Klejstan, a player who showed nothing in the first game against Brazil and is lacking confidence. Sure enough, Klejtstan would turn the ball over and show no offensive spark. Bradley significantly reduced the American firepower.

After Brazil took the lead, he needed to insert a player to add a creative spark, create chances, and bring energy. Instead he inserted Connor Casey, by far the most lethargic player on the team. Casey should be brought on to help kill of a game, not in a desperate situation when you have to score a goal.

Bradley has shown some positive coaching traits. His tactical organization before the game should rarely be brought into question. But he has to improve his in-game decisions. It is a shame to see a tremendous effort undermined by a poor coaching effort.

What did you think of Bradley in this match? Should he have responded earlier? Are you puzzled about his substitutions? Share your thoughts below.

Latin American players have been a main-stay in MLS since its inception. But as the years have gone by, emphasis has been placed less on signing superstars like Carlos Valderrama and Marco Etcheverry. Instead, clubs have been snapping up young talent, as well as veterans who are not good enough to play for major South American or European sides.

But recently, there is a trend showing that MLS clubs might be shying away from acquiring Latin American talent. Juan Carlos Osorio, manager of the Red Bulls, told the New York Post that he plans to focus on signing young American talent. He cited the uniqueness of the league as his reason.

Latin American players must adjust to several different factors. The physicality and pace are a drastic change. There is also a different level of officiating and poor field conditions at some stadiums (namely New York), as well as wild temperature swings from the start of training camp to the dog days of summer.

However, MLS clubs must continue to pursue Latin American players. With rapid expansion on the horizon, the US player pool does not provide enough talent to supply eighteen or more teams. European players have shown little desire to come across the pond and talented African players usually end up playing elsewhere.

Signing Latin American talent boosts the perception of the league. MLS has been criticized for its lack of skillful players. While Americans posses more raw athleticism, the majority of Latin American players bring skill and vision that can improve the game, boast ticket sales, and increase TV ratings.

Latin American players provide a natural fit. Clubs must do a better job of scouting players that can quickly adjust. No one will argue that Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Fredy Montero have made a positive impact on their teams. But recently there have been more flops than successes.

Which clubs do a good job of identifying Latin American talent? Do you agree with Osorio and think the league is focusing too much on Latin American players? Share your thoughts below.

The transfer window is rapidly approaching and several MLS sides will be looking to bolster their rosters for a deep play-off run. But what about players who are in need of a change? Here are five players who could revamp their career by heading to a new club:

1. Justin Mapp (Midfielder, Chicago Fire)

Mapp was once a promising winger and attracting interest from European clubs. He earned a call-up in 2005 and was on the 2007 Copa America squad. But he has only appeared in nine games this season, scoring just one goal. However, his $255,000 contract could scare away any potential suitors.

2. Jason Garey (Striker, Columbus Crew)

Garey has proven he can score goals in this league when given regular playing time. But he is buried on the depth chart and is having to compete for reserve minutes. His salary is much more manageable, at around $65,000 guaranteed.

3. Devon McTavish (Defender, DC United)

McTavish is one of the most versatile defenders in the league and is capable of playing midfield in a pinch. He was a regular last season for United, but is currently struggling to find minutes. He comes at a bargain salary of $52,500 and the only question is if Tom Soehn would be willing to let go of him.

4. Chris Seitz (Goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake)

Seitz needs to be getting consistent first team football. He is a good enough goalkeeper to lock down a starting spot in this league. His salary does not matter, as he still has Generation Adidas status.  Seitz has been asked about in the past, but RSL has wanted too much in return.

5. Fuad Ibrahim (Striker, Toronto FC)

A recent name change by Ibrahim (he use to go by Abdus) is not getting him any more minutes. He filled in admirably for TFC last season, scoring two goals and had the look of a promising young striker. But TFC has since drafted O’Brian White and signed Ali Gerba, meaning minutes will come at a premium for Ibrahim.

Are there any other players in need of a change? Would you like your team to acquire any of these players? Share your thoughts below.

The 2009 Major League Soccer campaign is almost at the half-way point, but teams struggling have time to earn their way back into the playoff hunt.  However, some teams need to think about changing managers. These coaches are currently on the hot seat:

1. Juan Carlos Osorio – He looked like a magician last season, when he led the Red Bulls to the MLS Cup. But the Red Bulls have lost all of their confidence, losing the last six games. They have been woeful on the road, managing only to score one goal. He has tried to shake things up, sending Dominic Oduro to the Dynamo and demoting veteran goalkeeper Jon Conway. But the changes have not worked, and with a new stadium opening in 2010, Red Bull management has to be losing patience with him.

2. Schellas Hyndman – When he was appointed as both manager and technical director, many were skeptical. There was little doubt that he knew the American soccer landscape, having been a legend in the college ranks at SMU. But he has not shown the same skills at the professional level. With FC Dallas struggling to get results on the pitch and at the ticket office, a change could be imminent.

3. Frank Yallop -He led the Earthquakes to two MLS titles, before the franchise moved to Houston. However, he had an easier time to build a team from scratch that could compete for a championship right away in his previous stint with the Earthquakes. The league has changed and he is feeling the effect of it. It was understandable when the Earthquakes struggled last year, but improvements needed to be seen this season. Instead, the Earthquakes are among the worst teams in the league, with only nine points and a negative eleven goal differential.

Share your thoughts below.

Chilean referee Pablo Pozo was given the whistle for the opening round of the Confederations Cup match between the US and Italy. Pozo turned in a good performance for the first thirty-one minutes of the match but things went downhill quickly.

Pozo pulled a surprising red card on a sliding challenge from Ricardo Clark in the 32^nd minute. While the challenge from Clark was late, there was nothing violent about the tackle. He did clip Gattuso’s knee, but did not aggressively kick-out at it. The match had been calm up until that point and did not require a red card. A caution and a stern talking to would have served the game better.

After he showed the red card, it should have been established that no more foul play was going to be allowed.  But only a few minutes later, Italian defender Fabio Grosso elbowed Landon Donovan in the face. A foul was given, but Grosso was just cautioned. Pozo should have been consistent and showed red.

Viewers were also left scratching their heads in the 39^th minute when Giorigo Chiellini pulled down Jozy Altidore in the box. Although it was a clear tactical foul, no caution was shown to him. Jonathan Bornstein received a caution for a tactical foul, one has to wonder why Chilellini was not treated the same.

The last questionable decision came in the 8oth minute. Donovan was standing in the box getting ready to challenge for a cross when a defender came over the back of Donovan, knocking him to the ground. Donovan was not allowed to jump for the ball and a penalty should have been awarded.

Overall, Pozo turned in a poor performance. It seemed he was intimated by the Italian stars and bent the laws of the game to appease them.