Ten days and counting until the anticipation is ramped up a bit. I don’t know about you but the colors, logo, and team identity announcement will only fuel my anxiety for opening day 2010. Let’s relax, relish the moment, and take in a couple posts here and there laying out the landscape of Philly 2010, Major League Soccer, and the world of soccer we live in. What better way to start then by taking a look at what our local boys are doing in the professional ranks these days. Please add any others in the comments below!

Major League Soccer

Chris Albright – New England (Philadelphia, PA)

When healthy, Albright is one of best the right backs in the league. If anyone saw New England’s 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Salt Lake, you could probably guess Albright’s health status. Injured. Lateral meniscus tear. Albright should be missing a good chunk of the season but he has been down this road before and I’d be surprised if we don’t see him sooner rather than later.

Danny Cepero – New York (Univ of Penn)

A UPenn guy, Cepero enjoyed a whirlwind start to his MLS career in between the sticks for the Red Bull’s late season surge and subsequent run to MLS Cup. The first goalkeeper ever to score a goal in MLS play, however, has come to Earth as of late. Jon Conway has returned to the line-up and looked back to form and a bit more steady than Cepero. The youngster got the nod yesterday in a 2-1 Open Cup qualifier win over San Jose in California. 

Alex Grendi – Columbus (Univ of Penn)

Yet another Quaker in the bunch (but a New Yorker born and raised), Grendi has already asserted himself - 2 games, 1 start, 1 assist) in Columbus after navigating a dramatic (and disappointing) preseason that saw only one draft pick survive…Grendi. Grendi is part of a rookie class around Major League Soccer that might be smaller but they have definitely been productive.                         

Ben Olsen – D.C. United (Harrisburg, PA)

What do you say about Ben Olsen? He has been playing for United his whole life it feels wrong to want to consider him for MLS Philly. The truth is, though, there’s a good chance Olsen will retire. His career looked over at the end of the 2008 season, but once again Olsen has risen from the ashes to start 5 out of DC’s first 6 games scoring a late equalizer in a thrilling 1-1 tie vs. New England.

Jon Conway – Red Bull New York (Aston, PA)

It has been an interesting past 6 months for the big keeper from Aston. Late in the 2008 season, Conway was handed a 10-game suspension for violating the MLS Substance Abuse policy. He stayed hush-hush about it – even to fans and media awaiting an explanation or apology. When a press conference was called, Conway opted to say effectively, let’s move on, it’s in the past. With the 10 game suspension up, Conway is back in the Red Bulls goal with a view to right the New York ship.

Stephen King – Seattle Sounders FC (Medford, NJ)

The Shawnee/Maryland grad enjoyed a great rookie season with the Chicago Fire, scoring 2 goals before being left unprotected in the Sounders Expansion Draft. Now settled in Seattle, King has yet to feature for a potent Sounders offense that has left him pretty low on the depth chart. King has seen reserve action as well as a significant role in Seattle’s recent 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in Open Cup qualifying play.

Bobby Convey – San Jose (Philadelphia, PA)

Convey was a question mark joining the Earthquakes after almost a five year stint with Reading in the English Championship. His career abroad was full of ups and downs and, though still only 25, many would agree the winger has lost some pop in his step. He got his taste of EPL action after helping lead Reading to promotion in 2005-2006 but the time was limited to almost 30 appearances in 2 seasons. He is back on home soil now, still not hitting full stride, but has featured at fullback as well as wing midfield . He showed a glimmer of his old self in a goal vs. the Chicago Fire back in early April. If healthy, he’ll only continue to get better and, no matter what team he’s on, it’s hard not to root for Convey to find his way back onto the national team radar.

David Horst – Real Salt Lake (Pine Grove, PA)

A bit of stretch here with Pine Grove almost 2 hours away (Allentown area)  but Horst, after a reserve role last season, is starting to make inroads to the first team. Only 6 weeks in, Horst has earned his second MLS start at central defense and continues to learn under the tutelage of Robin Fraser and starting centrebacks Jamison Olave (anyone else scared of that guy?) and Nat Borchers.

Julian Valentin – Los Angeles (Lancaster, PA)

After a stellar career at Wake Forest, we’re still waiting patiently for Valentin to break through at Los Angeles (especially with their backline!). He grabbed his MLS debut late last season and has featured in the listed 18 for the Galaxy but is still patiently waiting for a spot in the first team. The play of Galaxy draft picks DeLaGarza and Gonzalez have crowded the backline with youthful talent so Valentin could even be a smart selection come expansion draft time. 

Scott Palguta – Colorado (Toms River, NJ)

The Red Bulls had been flirting with signing Palguta for some time (in fact offering a contract but Rochester refused to let him go), but the Rapids identified a need (and Palguta expressed his desire to leave) and filled it with the former Rochester Rhino.  He has since fared well for the Rapids, appearing in all their April MLS fixtures, proving he belongs at this level. 

Nick LaBrocca – Colorado (Howell, NJ)

After enjoying a great second year (and somewhat surprising) with the Rapids, the Rutgers grad continues to impress in Colorado registering ironman like minutes in a scrappy midfield. He has been primarily at right mid but recently against Los Angeles he was pushed centrally where he provided the vision and passing he became known for last season.

Jim Curtin – Chivas USA (Oreland, PA)

After joining Chivas USA before the start of last season,  Curtin appeared in two-thirds of 2008’s fixtures. In the offseason, the big defender seems to be the odd man out in a defensive reworking for Preki’s Goats. Trujillo, Talley, Thomas, and Bornstein continue to shine in L.A., while Curtin – 29 years old -waits his turn for another opportunity. He has appeared in one game for Chivas and, with their injury track record, you can bet he’ll get his chance to impress again some time soon.

Jeff Larentowicz – New England (West Chester, PA)

Both Larentowicz and Shalrie Joseph make up arguably the best central midfield in the league and, despite an early injury crisis for the Revs, they continue to. The 2009 season will be a tough one, however, as the former Brown Bear has posted season highs in each of the past two years. Hard to believe this guy was a Supplemental Draft (R.I.P.) in 2005.

USL-1

Dan Antoniuk – Charleston (Philadelphia, PA)

The veteran striker continues to do his indoor to outdoor routine, most recently with the Chicago Storm of the Xtreme Soccer League. Now with Charleston, Antoniuk has appeared twice in the Battery’s first three games.

Chris Williams – Miami FC (Philadelphia, PA)

A Philadelphia University grad who has worked his way up through the ranks starting first with the PDL’s South Jersey Barons. Miami FC took notice in 2007 and he has featured prominently in the Blues’ backline ever since.

Tony Donatelli – Montreal (Glenside, PA)

Donatelli’s best memory in USL-1 so far was his goal in the 2006 Championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He was traded to Montreal, however, before he could win a second USL-1 Championship with Vancouver. The Impact have a revamped roster this season and Donatelli has featured in the 2 games they have played so far. Another Barons product and Temple grad, it’ll be interesting to see if Donatelli can push Montreal to be Canada’s best USL-1 squad.

Bill Gaudette – Puerto Rico (Hummelstown, PA)

A true central Pennsylvanian, Gaudette has flourished in USL-1 since joining the Islanders from the Columbus Crew in 2008. He made the best of it earning Goalkeeper of the Year honors and top marks in the recent CONCACAF Champions League. Gaudette has already started the season in good form, one goal allowed in two games.

Ryan Heins – Rochester (Medford, NJ)

Yet another Barons product starting to climb the ranks. In 2007, he was the Barons MVP. In 2008, he was a stud for the Harrisburg City Islanders in USL-2. At the end of the 2008 season, after the City Islanders were cruelly knocked out of the playoffs on PKs, the Temple grad went on loan to Rochester. Several effective appearances later and Heins signed a two-year contract. He has appeared in every match so far for the Rhinos making his ascent to the pro ranks complete.

Jeff Parke – Vancouver (Abington, PA)

Both Conway and Jeff Parke set themselves back after being handed the 10-game suspension late last season for violating the Banned Substance policy. He is now back and ready to start playing for his new stop-gap squad, last season’s USL-1 champions, the Whitecaps. He signed a contract, after deciding not to join the Sounders after being selected in the expansion draft, that will allow him to pursue European options once the transfer window opens up July 1st. Yet to play for the Whitecaps, however, after he was led to believe that the MLS suspension wouldn’t carry over to USL-1. It did, it’s over, and he’s looking to move on. Should be interesting to see where he winds up – could a move to Philly entice him to put off the European dream?

Pat Hannigan – Miami FC (Philadelphia, PA)

If you had to name season MVP’s right now for the Blues, Hannigan would be one along with MLS veteran Diego Serna. Hannigan, the third Temple grad in this mix,  has established himself as the first-choice keeper for Miami FC and even boasts some international experience having once been with the Bray Wanderers of the FAI Premier League.  The Blues sit in 2nd place, three games into the young season.

YANKS ABROAD

Jeremiah White – AGF Aarhus (Haverford School)

You want a local that competes with Bobby Convey for international experience? Here he is. White after graduating from Wake Forest has bounced from country to country eager to find a team in need of his blistering pace and technical ability (landing in Serbia, France. White is now part of an AGF Aarhus resurgence that has seen the Danish club close out April with four wins to move to 6th place. He has found himself in two recent Teams of the Week and if the club is to make a run for the title, they’re going to have to depend on White and fellow Yank Benny Feilhaber’s healthy and consistent contributions. White grabbed a goal in last week’s 3-0 victory over Sonderjyske.  In a recent interview with him, he expressed big interest in coming to play for our Zolos.

Which boys are you bringing back to Philly? Any first signing material in here?