Kamara's Racing Fun

Yesterday, striker Kei Kamara went racing at Kansas Speedway with IRL driver Sebastian Giguere. They topped speeds upwards of 170 MPH, making Kamara's twist hair-do stand up extra straight. Take a look:

I Want to Play a Game

Bob Bradley said yesterday to some reporters, including Ives and Goff, that he has 16-18 players locked into his 23-man roster for the World Cup. That got us thinking here around the office. Who are those players? Now, we might never know the answer, but let's try it out anyway. Who do you think are the 16-18 players who have already sewn up a spot? Here are Hilcrest's guesses:

GK-

Howard, Hahneman, Guzan (It has to be these three, doesn't it?)

DEF-

Bocanegra, DeMerit, Spector, Bornstein, Onyewu, Cherundolo, Goodson (Conrad still in the mix, as are Marshall, Pearce)

MID-

Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Torres, Feilhaber, Edu (Injuries to Holden and Clark keep them from being locks. Look out for Alejandro Bedoya.)

FWD-

Altidore (Davies, Ching injuries keep them from being locks. Could Buddle and/or Gomez make the team? Will Casey get the call? Glad Donovan and Depsey can also play up top?)

Bonus...where does the headline of this post from?

Besler and Zusi Check in with Kori

Kori Quinn, our friend who has been battling cancer for over a year, was visited recently by Wizards defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi. According to Kori's mom, Matt and Graham were big celebrities with Kori and her teammates. Check out the entire photo gallery. 

USMNT Home Jersey Revealed

Today, U.S. Soccer unveiled the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team home uniform. The jersey will make its debut May 25 against the Czech Republic. What do you think of the shirt, which is similar to the jersey worn by the 1950 USA squad that upset England? Can we beat England again?

Wizards top Baker/EJ Scores 2

 EJ scored twice today for Aris.

Today, our boys beat Baker University 7-1 in a friendly at the Swope Park Training Center. The goals came early and often, with Kei Kamara scoring two in the first 20 minutes of the match. The rest of the goals came from Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud, Sunil Chhetri, Igor Kostrov and Santiago Hirsig. Hopefully the scorers stay hot into Saturday's game at Houston!

Also, a former Wizard did well today in international play, as Eddie Johnson scored two for Aris in a Greek league playoff. The winner of the playoff will qualify for UEFA Champions League qualification next year. Read the story.

More Champs League Fun

Today will be intense. Barca hosts Inter down 3-1. If Barcelona wins today's game 2-0, they win. 3-1 Barca sends the game to extra time. Anything less than a 2-0 Barca win means Inter Milan faces Bayern Munich in the final. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and FSCHD, with kickoff at 1:45 p.m. CT. Can you sneak away? If not, you can watch online through foxsoccer.tv. If you can't get videos where you are, visit Soccernet's Gamecast.
Lineups:
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Milito, Keita, Xavi, Toure Yaya, Busquets, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Messi. Subs: Pinto, Marquez, Bojan, Henry, Maxwell, Thiago, Jeffren.

Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta, Eto'o, Sneijder, Chivu, Milito. Subs: Toldo, Cordoba, Muntari, Mariga, Materazzi, Balotelli.

Jazzed for Champions League?

The lineups are now out for the Lyon-Bayern Munich Champions League semifinal leg 2, starting in 30 minutes on Fox Sports Midwest. Bayern heads into the game up 1-0, but they're playing at Lyon, so the lead is far from safe. Bayern's coach Louis Van Gaal has promised that they won't sit back, so this contest should be an interesting one.

If you want to follow along via Gamecast, click here. For ancillary live commentary from Soccernet, click here.

Lineups:

Lyon: Lloris, Reveillere, Cris, Boumsong, Cissokho, Gonalons, Makoun, Govou, Delgado, Michel Bastos, Lopez. Subs: Vercoutre, Kallstrom, Pjanic, Ederson, Gomis, Anderson, Gassama.
Bayern Munich: Butt, Lahm, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Contento, Robben, Schweinsteiger, Van Bommel, Altintop, Muller, Olic. Subs: Rensing, Demichelis, Gorlitz, Klose, Alaba, Gomez.

Hair-do's and Power Rankings

Photo by Jim Barcus/Kansas City Star

The Kansas City Star is loving the hair that our players rock. Check out the story, featuring Stephane Auvray, Kei Kamara, Jimmy Nielsen, Chance Myers, Michael Harrington, Santiago Hirsig and Matt Besler.

Also, check out the latest power rankings from Ives Galarcep and Goal.com. Both have us listed at #4. What do you think of that ranking? If we beat LA, where would we be ranked?

Goalkeeper Video Monday

Here are a couple of goalie videos to keep your Monday rolling right along. The first, which is also up via the new video page at KCWizards.com, is of the sit-down between goalkeeper Jimmy "White Puma" Nielsen and TV play-by-play man Dave Borchardt. This aired during Saturday's pre-game show. In the interview, Jimmy opens up about a wide range of subjects, including his past struggles with gambling:

The second video is a feature on KCW Juniors goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who has been called up to the U.S. U-18 National Team. Props Jon!

Wizards 0-0 Galaxy

Photo courtesy of Weston White.

We're the first team to make LA drop points, and the first team to shut them out. They had 17 fouls to our 4. A win was within reach, but tonight wasn't the night. Thanks to all the fans who came out, and thanks to all the fans who watched at home on KCWE 29. The Cauldron was full and loud, just like we like it.

Notables:

•    Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts faced six shots on target from the Wizards in tonight’s game, the same amount he has faced over the previous four games with the Galaxy in 2010.
•    Chris Klein came on as a 75th minute substitute for the Galaxy. The midfielder spent the first eight years of his career with Kansas City, winning the 2000 MLS Cup, 2000 Supporters’ Shield and the 2004 U.S. Open Cup in his time with the Wizards.
•    Midfielder Birahim Diop made his MLS debut with the Wizards in the 83rd minute when he came on as a substitute for forward Kei Kamara. Diop last played in MLS in 2002 for the MetroStars (Now New York Red Bulls). 
•    The Wizards have out-shot every opponent they have played so far this season, with a 12-11 advantage in tonight’s game.
•    The Wizards have also earned more corner kicks than their opponents in every game this season. Tonight, the Wizards held a 4-3 corner kick advantage over the Galaxy.

Quotes can be seen here at KCWizards.com.

White Puma Shirt Winners II

Alright, so we notified Twitter winners last night via direct message and started messaging Facebook winners on Facebook, but their algorithms thought we were spamming people, so my Facebook messaging has been blocked. The following people won via Facebook and haven't yet been contacted. 

To pick up your shirt tonight at the match, visit the customer service tent inside Gate B and inform them of your name with at least one form of picture ID. The same applies for those of you who have been notified already via Facebook or Twitter. 

If you think that you sent the message and we haven't recognized you, email sitefeedback@kcwizards.com and we'll sort out the situation. Thanks for playing!

Facebook winners not yet notified:

Gerald Evan Cahill   
Erika Paredes   
Ben Sojka   
Henrik Melgaard Baelum   
Charles McDowell   
Ian Wilson   
Steven Kamara   
Michael Yops   
Laura Byrne   
Mark Adams   
Hajah Kamara   
Michael Seithel   
Jenifer Drury Reed   
John Moore   
Morgan Elyse Christensen   
Ryan Frost   
Adam Brown   
Lori L  Moore   
Lars You
Brett Huber
Saeed Halim
Steve Zimmerman
Susan Caldwell Franken
Chris Meier
Bryan Stoffler
Dominic Moran
Laura Reardon
Andrew St. Lawrence
Brenda Eakin
Mike Kuhn
Ashley Chisam
Jeremy Chisam

White Puma Shirt Winners

We will be notifying the T-shirt winners shortly via Twitter and Facebook. If you posted the message but haven't been notified by tomorrow morning, email sitefeedback@kcwizards.com and we will figure out your situation. T-shirts can be picked up at tomorrow night's game at the customer service tent inside Gate B. 

If you aren't at the game, you can pick up your shirt next week at the Wizards offices at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206.

Matt Besler on Jimmy Clausen

Wizards defender Matt Besler, a Notre Dame alum, is friends with former Notre Dame quarterback and top NFL Draft prospect Jimmy Clausen. Today rumors are swirling that Clausen and Besler might again be in the same city, as some reporters and bloggers are tipping the Chiefs to draft Clausen and reunite him with former ND coach and now Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. We asked Matt today what Clausen is like off the field and what it would be like to have his friend come to Kansas City

Q: We've heard that you and former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen were friends during your time in South Bend, what is he like off the field?
Jimmy is actually a pretty down to earth guy. I know some people have called him arrogant or cocky, but I think that just comes with the territory of being a Notre Dame quarterback. Everything he did on campus was under a microscope. Once you got past the craziness that comes with all the football stuff, he was just like any normal college kid.

Q: Have you guys stayed in contact since you became a pro?
We've stayed in touch. I always invite him out to the Home Depot Center when we play there because his family lives fairly close. He sent me a text the day I got drafted to Kansas City telling me congrats, and I was at his press conference the day he announced he was turning pro. (I'm still waiting to text him congrats on getting drafted...possibly by Kansas City??)

Q: Did you and Jimmy ever play ping pong (or any other sport) against each other? Who's the better player?
Not ping pong, but we played a lot of "Bags" (also called "Corn hole") during the Spring.  He's got a nice toss, but puts too much spin on it. I think I definitely took the majority of the wins. (Although he'll claim most of his losses came due to his playing partner, Dave Donohue.)

Q: Rumors have started flying that the Chiefs might draft Clausen to reunite him with Charlie Weis. How would you feel about playing in the same city once again?
I think it would be fun. Anytime one of your old college buddies comes in town it's always nice to catch up and hang out. So that part of it would be cool. I'm sure he doesn't care we he goes, but I think KC and Coach Weis would be a good fit! 

Q: In a distance contest, who would win, you kicking a soccer ball or Jimmy throwing a football?
Hmmm…tough question. He's got a pretty good arm but I think it's too close to call. We actually used to play a juggling soccer game in our living room until our TV almost got busted out by the ball. I was impressed with his juggling ability. Pretty good right foot...absolutely no left foot though!

Q: What's one piece of advice you would have for him about becoming a professional athlete?
Well it's hard to compare MLS and the NFL, and I probably wouldn't need to give Jimmy too much advice...he's very dedicated and already has a professional attitude. I guess the only thing I would tell him is that you have to be prepared to come in every single day and perform at a high level. If not, it makes it tough because there are so many people out there that want to be in your shoes.

First Steel Video

Don't think we ever posted this here at Hillcrest. If you haven't already seen them, check out some videos from the First Steel ceremony April 10!

Ryan Smith can Flow

Michael Harrington can beatbox, and now Ryan Smith has a music video out. Many of you have already seen this, but if you haven't, what do you think of "Smudge"?

Help Spread the Word, Get FREE Shirt

Hey Wizards fans, help us spread the word about Saturday night’s game against Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and the first-place LA Galaxy. It’s a big statement game for the Wizards, as we look to show Kansas City and the rest of MLS that our team is a true contender. The first 200 people that post one of the following messages on Facebook or Twitter will receive a sweet T-shirt of the White Puma, Jimmy Nielsen Saturday night at the match. Shirts can only be picked up in person at the game or at the Wizards front office, so if you’re from out of town, you’ll have to get it the next time you’re in KC.

NOTE: Make sure your Facebook post directly links to our Facebook page by re-typing @Kansas City Wizards – Hillcrest Road. If you don’t do this, we won’t be able to accurately track your post. In order to link to our page, you must be our fan. If you’re not, click here to become one.

We’re looking forward to watching Jimmy Nielsen, Ryan Smith, Davy Arnaud, Josh Wolff and the rest of the team battle the undefeated Galaxy. It’s going to be a fun one. Help us get out the word, and we’ll give you an awesome T-shirt!

Twitter Message:
Come on @KCWizards ... #BEATLA! Join me Saturday as I watch the Wizards host LA Galaxy http://bit.ly/aNpncY

Facebook Message:
Come on @Kansas City Wizards – Hillcrest Road … BEAT LA!! Join me Saturday as I watch the Wizards host the LA Galaxy at CommunityAmerica Ballpark http://bit.ly/are2yN

(Note: Make sure to re-type the @Kansas City Wizards - Hillcrest Road part of this message so that your status links to our page for easier tracking. If those words don't show up as a link, we won't be able to tell that you've posted this as your status.)

We will contact you in the next two days with information on how to pick up your T-shirt if you are one of the first 200 posters.

Wizards Internationals try out KC BBQ

Barbecue is a Kansas City signature. So this year, with all of the new internationals on the team, we had to figure out what they think of it. Yesterday we took Ryan Smith, Stephane Auvray, Craig Rocastle, Jimmy Nielsen and Korede Aiyegbusi to check out Oklahoma Joe's. See what they thought:

Inter-Barca in UCL Semis

What a match it should be as Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan host Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. Messi has been on fire of late. Can it continue in the San Siro? Barca paid money and shipped Eto'o to Inter for Ibrahimovic. Was it worth it? Which of the Milito brothers will prevail victorious? The story lines are endless for the series, which kicks off today at 1:45 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Midwest. Read the preview. Follow a Soccernet live Chat here. View Gamecast here.

Will you be watching? Who do you think will win? Who do you want to win? Will you be able to keep it down if Messi does something remarkable and you're trying to watch discreetly at work?

Join us Thursday at Los Cabos!

The Wizards are joining forces with Los Cabos at the Legends to host a "Welcome to the Neighborhood Party" and raise money for Autism Speaks. Come join Jimmy Conrad, Kei Kamara, Ryan Smith and Craig Rocastle on Thursday the 22nd at Los Cabos at the Legends as they wait on tables to help raise money for Autism Speaks. Los Cabos will donate 10% of your bill that night to Autism Speaks, and then they will match that total at the end of the night! We’ll have a raffle for Wizards vs. LA Galaxy tickets and other great prizes too. So join us next Thursday, April 22nd, 6:00 to 9:00pm at Los Cabos at the Legends.

**Update** You can RSVP to the event on Facebook if you'd like.

Also, register for the Soccer Day 5K on May 15th benefiting Autism Speaks by visiting www.KCWizards.com/5K.

Kei Kamara Sit Down Part II

Here's the rest of the interview that didn't make the broadcast. Again, some great stuff. Kei starts off with saying that when originally traded to KC, he didn't even consider staying after the season ended  and his contract ran out. After getting to know Peter Vermes and his vision for the club, he decided to return:

Kei Kamara Sit Down

Those of you who watched the pre-game show Saturday already saw this, but Kei Kamara's sit down with Dave Borchardt was so excellent, we wanted to make sure no one missed it. The entire interview was about 10 minutes long, so we'll have the rest of the footage available later on. For now, check out part 1:

Soccer on the Air/Chhetri Love

Ryan Smith and company visit Seattle tomorrow for their first road match.

Tomorrow is a great day for soccer in town, as the Kansas City Soccer Show returns for another episode on Sports Radio 810 WHB from 10-11 a.m. CT. The Wizards then play Seattle Sounders FC at 2 p.m. CT on KCWE 29, with pre-game starting at 1:30 p.m. CT. Don't know how to find KCWE on your cable or satellite provider? Click here.

Two more major Sunil Chhetri stories have come out recently. First, Goal.com USA has a long-form piece on the "experiment", as they call it. Also, the AP has a story that has shown up all over the place, including SI.com and USA Today.

Here's to hoping both the Galaxy and Wizards win setting up a battle of perfect teams next Saturday night at CAB. Don't yet have your tickets? Get them here.

Kicks4Kenya to South Africa

Widbin took donated Wizards items to Kenya in the summer of 2008.

TJ Widbin, our good friend from Iowa, is back at it again. This time, his charitable efforts have earned him a bit of personal gain, as he has been invited by FIFA to serve as a Director of Hospitality at the Cape Town stadium for this summer's FIFA World Cup. Check out this story from the Hawk Eye of Burlington, Iowa.

If you want to donate to Kicks4Kenya, click here.

The Future/90 Minutes of Hell

Matt Schofield, Kansas City Star Editorial Board Member, is a soccer lover. Recently he penned a Star Editorial about our future home and the on-field product we're running out. Take a look at the editorial, if you haven't already. What do you think? What's been more exciting for you, the on-field play or the pace of stadium construction? 

He also wrote a post-match report from last Saturday's game. 90 Minutes of Hell. I like the sounds of that.

Live Commentary for Open Cup play-in

This will go live at 6:30 p.m. CT. If you can't make it out to UMKC tonight or aren't based in Kansas City, follow along here or via Twitter. Indian striker Sunil Chhetri is scheduled to start for the Wizards, marking his first-team debut.

Wizards v Rapids in Open Cup

After Saturday night's 1-0 win over Colorado, we will face them again for the 2nd time tonight at Stanley H. Durwood Stadium on the campus of UMKC. Check out Charles Gooch's preview of the game, which will be Sunil Chhetri's first on our 24-man roster. The game is not on TV or radio, but we will send out live updates via Twitter and a Cover it Live event here at the blog and on KCWizards.com. Feel free to "watch" via this method and ask your questions.

Tickets are still available for the match, starting at $10 for season ticket members and UMKC folks. Tickets are $15 for the general public. Visit www.KCWizards.com/opencup or call us at 913-387-3400 to buy. Claudio Lopez is in KC and will likely play for Colorado.

Steel Signing Pics

Today's steel signing event was a big success...thanks for all the fans who came out and took part in the ceremony! Take a look at some of the pictures, thanks to photog extraordinaire Gary Rohman:

Press Conference Recap

Yesterday was our weekly press conference at the Swope Park Training Center. See what Peter Vermes and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen had to say about the start of the season and tomorrow's game against the Colorado Rapids:

DECA Day in KCK

The winners.

Just had to do a little rhyming with that one, didn't I? Today, we hosted DECA Day at Dave and Buster's where area high school students presented plans for creating a sponsor-assisted supporters section at the new stadium upon its opening. The young ladies and gentlemen did an oustanding job, with the winning team coming from Lee's Summit North High School. The winners, Cassie Furrell, Emily Fletcher and Taylor Blakely, even created a Facebook group for their promotion idea. Check it out.

All the participants will come out to Saturday night's match and Furrell, Fletcher and Blakely will be recognized for winning. Hopefully everyone has a great time at the game! Thanks to Lee's Summit North, Blue Springs South and North Kansas City for participating in the first-ever event.

Bad Blogger!

Wow, what happened to me yesterday? The glory and joy of updating a still not full functional website kept me away from blogger for the full day. One thing you might have missed if you're not a regular on Big Soccer? Robb Heineman wants to know how much we should charge for tickets at the new stadium. Tell him what you think.

What do you guys think of the new site? Aside from the stats not yet working (we're hopeful by this weekend!) and the videos not being team-specific yet, how does it look? Are you enjoying the content? Let us know.

Interview Schedule

Check out the upcoming Kansas City Wizards interviews before Saturday's match against the Colorado Rapids. What's that, you don't yet have your tickets? Buy them here.

Wednesday - 12:15 p.m. - Jimmy Conrad phone interview - World Football Daily
Wednesday - 8:10 a.m. - Davy Arnaud in-studio interview - 94.1 KFKF FM
Wednesday - 8:20 a.m. - Jack Jewsbury in-studio interview - 105.1 Jack FM
Wednesday - 3:30 p.m. - Davy Arnaud phone interview - SportsradioKC.com
Wednesday 8:00 p.m. - Zona Wizards weekly Spanish radio show--La Gran D 1340 AM
Thursday - 7:50 a.m. - Jimmy Conrad in-studio interview - Star 102.1 FM
Thursday - 8:05 a.m. - Jimmy Conrad in-studio interview - Mix 93.3 FM
Thursday - 8:30 a.m. - Ryan Smith in-studio interview - Sports Radio 810 WHB
Thursday - 1:00 p.m. - Matt Besler phone interview - V100.3 FM (Topeka)
Thursday - 4:40 p.m. - Jimmy Conrad phone interview - Hot Talk 1510 AM
Friday - 11:45 a.m. - Wizards player T.B.D. in-studio interview - Channel 41 midday show
Friday 12:30 p.m. - Wizards player T.B.D. interview--Sports Radio 810

Zoltan out with torn ACL

For more details, check out the report over at KCWizards.com. Zolie goes for surgery Friday. As you see above, PV is pretty bummed about the loss.

Monday Afternoon Link List

We're starting a new tradition over at the new KCWizards.com, the Afternoon Link List. Take a read. Some of these you've already seen, but I bet you haven't read all of them.

Steel Signing Ceremony Saturday

Saturday night we are hosting a Steel Signing event from 4-6 p.m. CT for season ticket members before our match against the Colorado Rapids. All attendees will have the chance to enter the construction site and autograph the first steel beam that will be erected in the stadium!! They will then watch as the beam is raised into place. RSVP to the event by emailing events@kcwizards.com. Progress keeps moving at the stadium site! Watch the webcam here.

Home Game Monday

We're back in MLS play this weekend as the Colorado Rapids (1-0-1, 4 pts) come to town. Don't yet have tickets for Saturday's game? Get them here. The first 5,000 fans get that schedule magnet pictured above, courtesy of the fine folks at Providence Medical Center.

Yes, Colorado just signed Claudio Lopez, but no he won't play. He told their broadcast over the weekend that his P-1 process will take longer than our game Saturday or the one Tuesday at UMKC for the Open Cup play-in match.

Wizards at AC St. Louis, Evansville

Tonight, the boys take on the University of Evansville at 5 p.m. CT and A.C. St. Louis of the USSF DII Pro League at 7 p.m. CT. We will provide live running commentary below. Check in this evening for up-to-the-minute results. You can also follow along via Twitter if you won't be in front of a computer.

"Pujols is Doing it"

"Pujols is doing it, so whatever," Michael Harrington on April Fool's Day. In case you haven't yet seen, go two posts down or click here to watch the prank we pulled on Mikey yesterday for April Fool's. Here are some out-takes from the "Maxim Photo Shoot". Maxim, by the way, loved it.

MLS Insider talks to Robb Heineman

Our President and resident social-media buff Robb Heineman spoke with MLS Insider about his reasons for being so active in social media and his vision for the stadium and the future of communications from our organization. Those of you familiar with the team already know how active Robb is on Big Soccer, Twitter and Facebook. 

April Fool's: Harrington's Maxim Shoot

Kansas City Wizards defender Michael Harrington really thought he was going to be in Maxim--the whole time. Even through the video session with the rest of the team. Peter Vermes finally filled him in after the meeting ended. **Updated** Maxim has now recognized the prank...they love it.

Thanks for being a good sport, Mikey! Some of the pictures, courtesy of Amy Ashurst at The Rye Studio:

MLS Expands DP Rule (Not a Joke)

 Claudio Lopez joined Kansas City as a Designated Player in 2008.

The opportunities have doubled for Major League Soccer’s clubs to pay select star players above their club salary budgets. All 16 MLS clubs now have the opportunity to sign at least two Designated Players. The Designated Player Rule is a mechanism that in 2007 began allowing an individual club to pay one player any amount above a fixed salary budget charge. The club salary budgets are an expense shared by all MLS owners.

Under its new parameters, the Designated Player Rule also gives clubs the option of “purchasing” a third Designated Player slot for $250,000 that will be dispersed in the form of allocation money to all clubs that do not have three Designated Players. Designated Player slots may be used to sign and retain existing MLS players, but they are no longer tradable.

“Expanding the Designated Player Rule is another example of MLS’s commitment to providing top-level soccer for our fans,” MLS EVP of Player Relations and Competition Todd Durbin said. “After three seasons, we have seen that the Designated Player Rule improves the quality of play, creates intrigue and discussion, and enhances our clubs’ distinct on-field identities. We will continue to see varied approaches from our clubs in assembling their rosters, and these changes will give them increased flexibility.”

Durbin will answer questions from media members via conference call this afternoon; details are below, followed by a list of current and former Designated Players

A club’s salary budget will be charged $335,000 for its first Designated Player under contract, $335,000 for its second Designated Player under contract and $335,000 if it signs a third Designated Player. If a Designated Player joins a club’s roster in the middle of the season, that club’s salary budget for the year will be charged $167,500.

The previous budget charge for a club’s first Designated Player, $415,000, accounted for approximately 18 percent of that club’s salary budget. The current rules reduce that budget charge to approximately 13 percent of a team’s salary budget.

Additionally, clubs have the option of “buying down” the budget charge of a designated player with allocation money. The reduced charge may not be less than $150,000. Allocation money are funds, separate from the club salary budgets, provided by the League based upon finish in the previous season, fees collected for the transfer of a player abroad, expansion or exceptional circumstances. Allocation money may be used to reduce the portion of a player’s compensation that counts against a club’s salary budget in connection with signing players new to MLS, or re-signing existing MLS players at the end of their contracts.

In the event that an MLS club transfers a Designated Player under contract to a club in another country, that MLS club will recoup the amount it has spent on that Designated Player before any additional transfer revenue is shared with the League.

These changes to the Designated Player rule are effective immediately. The Primary Registration Window -- in which MLS clubs can conduct transfers to acquire players under contract in leagues of other countries -- concludes April 15. The Secondary Registration Window opens July 15 and closes August 14, 2010. Registration windows always apply to the country of destination in a transfer. Players out of contract may be signed at any time.