The Transfer Window is Closed!

The MLS transfer window is closed. Here are the last-minute signings made across the league:

Metrostars finally sign defensive midfielder Daniel Garpipe

Wizards sign trialist Antti Sumiala, waive Earthquakes playoff killer Khari Stephenson

Revolution sign New Zealand international defender Tony Lochhead

The biggest of these of course is the Garipe signing. Garipe is yet another Argentine (to go along with United's Erpen and Gomez), who said something that I hope is indicative of MLS' ability to attract international talent from CONCACAF and CONMENBOL:

"I also like the life here and would love to bring my family here to live."

There is security (both physical and financial) that America can provide that other countries' can't. Perhaps MLS and its clubs are finally beginning to capitalize on that.

In the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, the Los Angeles Galaxy knocked out the battling Minnesota Thunder 5-2, while Dallas advanced on the back of a Ronnie O'Brien goal against the Chicago Fire. This sets up an interesting final, pairing two completely under-achieving teams. Jeff Carlisle tries to figure out what's wrong with FC Dallas, and whether the Open Cup victory last night can propel them into a good run of form after a protracted slump.

The more I learn about what Dominic Kinnear has had to deal with in San Jose, the more astonished I am that this team is as good as it is. In Greg Lalas' most recent Cheap Seats article, he quotes Kinnear as saying:

"On the day before the expansion draft," he started, "we were sitting in the locker room and we put up a potential starting lineup for opening day. I don't think we had 11 players contracted. We had a lot of work to do."

Holy cow. He doesn't think the team "had 11 players contracted." Remarkable. Praise for Kinnear continued in an article by Ann Killion in today's San Jose Mercury News. She writes:

"And he's a pretty darn good coach. Coach of the year, in fact, unless the team's operator, the Anschutz Entertainment Group, buys off some voters in an effort to not make the corporation look bad."

Ouch. Way to stick it to AEG, Ann. But her article echoes what I and other Earthquakes fans have felt all season, awe. This team is impossible not to like (unless you're a Galaxy fan) and their passion for the sport, for the team, for each other, and for winning is infectious.