Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Founders Put A Name to the Rivalries

The owner of Alamo City SC initiated the challenge and the other BSL original clubs accepted the offer. Starting in 2012, the Founders Cup will be awarded to the best between the 4 remaining clubs founded in 2009. This will be no easy challenge. The CD Gunners have 4 league titles and the most regular season wins by a BSL club. Gateway United has the 2nd most regular season wins in BSL history, 2 playoff appearances and was a Majors Cup finalist. Union SC has a BSL Cup and holds the record for most points in a game. Alamo City has a BSL Cup and shares the record with the CD Gunners for longest unbeaten streak.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Stags/Quest Swap Some Picks

The BSL draft is in full swing. It might be difficult to get through the process spanning through 3 time zones, work, and travel. It will soon be done. In the middle of all this Burud Town and Kansas City have made a trade of the draft picks. Burud Town is taking the Quest 59th pick in return for the clubs 72nd and 75th picks.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Buddle Joins the Union

In a surprise announcement during the weekend, Union SC revealed that the club has chosen Edson Buddle as the #1 pick in the 2012 BSL draft. In the press conference the club's owner expressed his excitement to have Buddle back in the BSL. "I am convinced he would have not been available for selection very long and that he never would have been an available draft selection if he had stayed in the United States. Buddle is the kind of talent you protect if you have him on your roster". The draft officially starts on 2/27.

Feilhaber to Burud Town

In what could be the last trade before the BSL Draft begins on Monday morning, The Stags just signed Benny Feilhaber from Alamo City. This gives Burud Town a trio of Saunders, Ferriera, and Feilhaber going into the 2012 season. The Battle in return recieved the Stags 3rd round pick.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Kamara to Stoners FC

Pennsylvania signed Kei Kamara today in a trade with Alamo City. In return the Battle have obtained the Stoners 3rd round pick in next weeks draft.

Kamara joins LeToux and Keane on the Stoner roster.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Unprotected Picks Have Been Selected

Three more signings were made today as the final preparations for the BSL draft are now complete. Rose City FC signed the clubs third player adding Rosales to the mix. Kansas City signed the clubs first ever player in Brek Shea, and concluding the pre-draft selection process, Spartans 1612 added Koevermans as the clubs third signing.

BE READY!! Keep an eye on your email. The draft starts 2/27. If you are unable to be by a computer or web cell phone, send in some selections prior to the commish.

Monday, February 20, 2012

2012 is Taking Shape

The BSL Designated Player deadline has passed and all 9 veteran clubs held at least one player from their 2011 rosters. Some clubs decided to trade away their other slots, while some decided to add a 3rd DP in the trade frenzy that was this offseason.

Taking the deadline to the limit, Burud Town announced the clubs 2 Designated Players at 4:59pm (Pacific time). One of those announcements was the BSL's first ever Designated Player goal keeper. Previously, the record was Stephan Frei who was selected #22 by the defunct and winless PN Rangers. It seems the value of the goal keeper is growing. In 2009 the position was saved until the last 2 rounds. In 2010 a few clubs picked up the high profile ones in the middle rounds. Then with the Saves Rule added in 2011, the Keeper gained further low draft picks with several taken in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. The 2012 draft will begin in 1 week. Enjoy the selection process and enjoy season four of the BSL.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

DP Deadline is Fast Approaching

BSL Designated Players need to be announced by 2/20 5pm (Pacific time). An slots not traded or used by that time will be void. New clubs will be able to select any players on existing BSL rosters that have not been protected starting on 2/21 (1 player each in the order listed on the transactions section) Once the official draft begins on 2/27, be sure to use the transactions section to keep informed on which players have been selected by other BSL owners. Also see the rules on the draft clock time limit.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Spartans Sign First Two Players

The trade winds continued to blow as the Spartans picked up two players for their roster. In the first trade, the New York City club gave up its 6th round draft pick to Burud Town for Grazzini. The Spartans also traded its 5th round pick to Alliance FC for Luke Rodgers.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

2012 Schedule is Now Available

The complete 2012 schedule has been released. While the BSL has gathered many rivalries now, some notable ones to mention would be the 1st leg of California Cup Derby for this season that will take place on week 5. There are always plenty of words exchanged during this match up. The 1st leg of the Barium Cup between Gateway United and Alliance FC will most likely be the feature in week 6. The 1st leg of the BSL Classic Derby between the Champion CD Gunners and Alamo City will be in week 8. There are more big rivalries ofcourse. Three of the four MLS clubs that participated in last year Majors Cup will be back. The LA Galaxy return (MLS Cup Champions & Supporters Shield), The Seattle Sounders for a third straight year (US Open Cup), Toronto FC again (Canadian Cup Champions). The new participant and first ever Majors Cup play will be the Houston Dynamo (MLS Cup runner-up since the Galaxy won two titles in 2011) As usual, their rankings at the end of the BSL season will determine their own placement in the tournament.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Rose City Makes 2 Trades for 2 Players

Rose City wasted no time completing 2 offseason trades in preparation for the 2012 draft. In the first trade, the Flyers picked up CJ Sapong and the Battles 5th round pick, for the clubs 1st and 7th round picks. Then the Flyers picked up Alejandro Moreno in a trade with Gold Coast FC, in exchange for a 6th round pick. With the unprotected draft scheduled on the 21st, Rose City will have 3 players on it roster before the 2012 BSL Draft even begins.

Monday, February 13, 2012

First Kick Matches and No More Reserves

The BSL will expand from 11 clubs, to now 12 total clubs in 2012. The balanced schedule will remain with each team playing each other twice in the same 22 week season. However, gone are the 2 bye weeks. Now each club will play 22 regular season matches. (After 3 seasons with a 20 game regular season). The playoffs will remain unchanged. The Majors Cup will remain unchanged.

Reserves Gone
BSL rosters will also be trimmed down from 14 players to now 12 players (see rules) Eliminated are the two reserves players. Since the 3rd substitute never managed to enter a match in 2011, the third sub basically became another reserve. The smaller rosters will prevent BSL club owners from holding a large allotment of unused players. Also with increased league size, eliminating the reserve rule will also help maintain the player talent pool for each BSL club.

Schedule Coming
Look for the full BSL Schedule in the next few days. First Kick week 1 will feature a rematch of last year BSL Cup Final, CD Gunners vs Gold Coast. Also on tap will be Union SC vs Pennsylvania, Burud Town vs KC Quest, Alliance FC vs Alamo City, Rose City vs Gateway United, Second City vs Spartans 1612.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Blues/Gunners Have Different Needs.

The defending champions just completed terms to obtain a 3rd Designated Player from their 2011 roster taking a slot from Union SC in return for giving up the clubs 2nd round pick. The deal makes sense for both sides. The Gunners had success and are trying to keep as much of the winning formula together. The Blues finished in 9th place in 2011 and need to rebuild after the clubs own championship season. Adding a draft pick in the early rounds will help in accomplishing that mission for a return to glory.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Suns/Saints Wheeling and Dealing

The offseason just heated up! Last years BSL Cup finalist, Gold Coast FC, is no stranger to living heavy on the draft. Infact the club owner hardly ever keeps Designated Players and like last year will have multiple first round picks. Surprising the league office though, Gateway United has confirmed that a trade has been made. Going to the Saints will be David Beckham, Kenny Cooper and a DP slot. In return the Suns are obtaining Joel Lindpere and the Saints first round pick. Gateway United release Brian Mullan from its roster for space. The deadline for DP choices is 2/20. Each club can keep two players. Remaining players on existing rosters are eligible in the expansion pre-draft.