Soccer Blogs Posts Tagged Franco Niell

Award 4: The Donnety

2008-09-23T21:13:00+00:00

By definition, the Donnety award goes to the player who has been the biggest disappointment this year. Yes, harsh, I know. But this award's definition could probably be interpreted in a couple different ways. And because I love controversy, of course I will leave that interpretation up to you. Do you give the award to a guy who has played well at times, but hasn't lived up to the hype or to his high salary?

DC Releases Another Player

2008-07-17T18:16:42+00:00

It seems like DC United is cutting their losses with some of their new players from this winter by giving them the boot. We all know little ol' Franco Niell was releases a couple weeks back, now it looks like they are cutting ties with backup goal Jose Carvallo. "We'll officially announce shortly that we've released [.

The worst signing of the MLS season (that you probably never heard of)

2008-07-03T16:41:20+00:00

With the 2008 MLS season at its midway point it is a good time to consider the signings MLS teams made last pre-season and how they have done so far. Before we get to that this weekend, I wanted to point to one signing that may be the bust of the year, but a bust you haven't heard much about.

Monday Kicker: Transfer Talk and News

2008-06-30T16:32:36+00:00

The end of June only means one thing, the summer transfer window is near it's due date for reopening for all clubs. After today MLS contracts go guaranteed for the year, so don't be shocked to see a few more names be dropped along with DC's Franco Niell and KC's Eloy Colombano. MLS clubs are turning [.

Adios, Frank O'Neal!

2008-06-27T13:47:00+00:00

Alas for Franco Niell--the dwarf (or gnome, hobbit, halfling . . . whatever floats your coracle) has boarded the slow boat home to Argentina. Hey, maybe we'll get one of those "ships passing in the night" deals, and he'll be able to find out whatever happened to our other backup forward, Francis Doe?

LA-DC keys and quotes

2008-06-27T03:27:31+00:00

A few keys to the Galaxy-United game, plus a few quotes on sundry tangents:

- Health: Give the Galaxy the edge here. They have a short injury list, while Domenic Mediate is expected to join Ben Olsen in missing this one for United. Also, to the surprise of absolutely no one, United waived forward Franco Niell, who never answered the question of how someone so short can fall down so often.

Franco Niell released

2008-06-26T20:48:23+00:00

We'll officially announce shortly that Franco Niell has been released. The 25-year old saw time in seven League games (three starts) and collected an assist in 279 total minutes on the pitch. In reserve division play, Niell notched four goals and an assist in five games (all starts).

With an open roster spot, what type of player would you like to see the club go after?

Should they stay or should they go?

2008-06-24T20:41:00+00:00

With the July 1st salary guarantee date looming just a week away, that is the question that we ask about two players: Jose Carvallo and Franco Niell. Both were brought to this country in the offseason that saw the additions of five new South American players. Three of those players (Gallardo and los Gonzalos) have earned regular roles in the starting XI.

Reserves top TFC, 2-0

2008-06-18T17:50:56+00:00

On the strength of a Franco Niell brace, D.C. United Reserves beat visiting Toronto FC Reserves 2-0 this morning at United's Training Field. Goals in the 77th and 87th minutes supported by a clean sheet courtesy of James Thorpe and Jose Carvallo. United Reserves are now 3-2-1 (10 points) on the season.

Best Paid Benchwarmers

2008-06-17T23:35:00+00:00

Forbes has put out a list of the best paid benchwarmers in all the major sports. Included in the list are MLS players. The fact that Forbes is including MLS in it's list is definitely a good sign for the league. Jeff Cunningham, Ante Razov, William Conde, and Franco Niell are all on the list. Along with those 4, is Wizards midfielder, Sasha Victorine.

MLS Game #13: DCU vs. NYRB

2008-06-14T23:26:52+00:00

Just about an hour from kickoff here at RFK Stadium and lineups have been submitted for tonight's game. With Marcelo Gallardo and Bryan Namoff unavailable due to their red cards last weekend, here's the squad the coaches have settled on...

D.C. United starters: Zach Wells; Gonzalo Martinez, Gonzalo Peralta, Devon McTavish, Marc Burch; Santino Quaranta, Clyde Simms, Rod Dyachenko, Fred; Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio.

Niells tenure to be cut short?

2008-05-28T15:06:00+00:00

Word in both the Examiner and WaPo suggest the Niell will be on his way out soon, at the latest by July 1st when player contracts are guaranteed. At $150k a year, he has not produced as expected, and may be having trouble adjusting to the league and new playing demands. Unless he goes on a scoring streak of titanic proportions, I think the club will find it hard to rationalize keeping him.

The Gruesome Aftermath: Chicago Fire 2, DC United 0

2008-05-09T15:57:16+00:00

Wow. Woooow. I can't throw this game away like I did for Colorado, as there are no excuses this time. I took down some notes during the game, because I knew this post would be a doozy. So here we go.

The Gruesome Aftermath: Chicago Fire 2, DC United 0

2008-05-09T15:57:16+00:00

Wow. Woooow. I can't throw this game away like I did for Colorado, as there are no excuses this time. I took down some notes during the game, because I knew this post would be a doozy. So here we go. - Emilio's 1st touch. As in, he doesn't have one. I [...]

Photo of the Day: Franco's got hops!

2008-04-21T21:20:23+00:00

Franco Niell is generously listed at 5-feet, 4-inches. The player he's skying over below - Columbus' Ezra Hendrickson - is listed at 6-3. I say again, Franco's got hops! Photo taken by Tony Quinn at last Friday's reserve game, a 2-1 win for the good guys.

D.C. Open with a Loss: Kansas City 2-0 D.C. United

2008-03-30T02:30:00+00:00

Hmmm. Interesting idea, Mr. Soehn. We'll have to wait until Tuesday to see if it pays off.

Apparently Soehn took Fred out of the starting lineup in favor of Dominic Mediate and perhaps withheld Santino Quaranta in favor of on-form Devon McTavish, the argument being that the full starting XI needs to be fresh for Tuesday's more important Champion's Cup match against Pachuca.

Game Preview #1: DC United at KC Wizards

2008-03-28T19:51:05+00:00

That's right ladies and gentlemen. The MLS season officially starts a little more than 24 hours from now, and boy am I pumped. In fact, I've been invited to a MLS party, where much beer will be consumed, lots of dead animals will also be consumed, and we will watch more than our [...]

Game Preview #1: DC United at KC Wizards

2008-03-28T19:51:05+00:00

Game Preview #1: DC United at KC Wizards

2008-03-28T16:51:05+00:00

2008 DC United season preview

2008-03-21T13:37:33+00:00

Well, after avoiding doing this for 2 weeks, I think it's finally time that I have to do this. So, here you go peoples, the super brilliant season preview written by yours truly. Nuts and Bolts If you've watched any MLS since about 1996, you'd know that (aside from a few dark years) DC [...]

2008 DC United season preview

2008-03-21T10:37:33+00:00

Well, after avoiding doing this for 2 weeks, I think it's finally time that I have to do this. So, here you go peoples, the super brilliant season preview written by yours truly.

Nuts and Bolts -- If you've watched any MLS since about 1996, you'd know that (aside from ...

Game Recap- DCU 5 (!)- Harbor View 0 (DCU advances to Semi Finals)

2008-03-19T03:16:52+00:00

Well, that was a barn burner! It didn't start out that way with weak wing play in the first half, bad touches by key players, and indecision in the final third. But the second half was a different story. I will leave the recaps to the professionals, but I will give you my observations [...]

Game Recap- DCU 5 (!)- Harbor View 0 (DCU advances to Semi Finals)

2008-03-19T00:16:52+00:00

I will leave the recaps to the professionals, but I ...

No News is…bad news?

2008-03-17T19:07:19+00:00

Confirmed today that Jaime Moreno will be out for the home leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup meeting with Harbor View. This means that Niell will be starting with Emilio, with Kpene probably the first choice of the bench. Also in the world of the walking wounded, Ben Olsen thinks he could be [...]

No News is...bad news?

2008-03-17T16:07:19+00:00

Also in the world of the walking wounded, Ben ...

Jamil Walker Waived

2008-03-14T18:38:16+00:00

Walker, who's fast in Fifa 2008, was waived today, due most likely to the glut of attacking options. We've got Emilio, Moreno, Niell, Dyachenko, Kpene, Quaranta, and possibly Cesar (our new Brazilian discovery). So we're doing alright up top. It would be nice if Kpene could score though... Also in that same link, [.

Jamil Walker Waived

2008-03-14T15:38:16+00:00

Match Recap: DCU 1 - 1 Harbour View FC

2008-03-13T02:22:00+00:00

Woof. Not much to like about this game. A slow and cranky start to the season.

Recap, quick and dirty: McTavish scored just before the end of the first half, Lowell equalized just before the end of regulation. Neither goal was anything to brag about. DC enjoyed large periods of possession, which HVFC did their best to break up with hard tackles and double-teaming.

That's One Mighty Midget!

2008-02-02T02:39:00+00:00

Pre-season is finally here! United opened their stay in Florida by beating up a bunch of teenagers. Of course, most of those teenagers were probably still of a height to be looking down on DC's vertically-challenged winter signing Franco Niell. Or rather, perhaps they spent some time gazing up at the tiny Argentine forward as he managed to direct the ball netwards with his noggin for two of

DC United gets their own Beckham

2008-01-29T22:15:00+00:00

He's a great reader of the game, smart with his passes and can kill you on dead balls and he's now part of DC United. Marcelo Gallardo has joined the club as the league's newest Designated Player.

He might not have the hair, fashion or following of Beckham, but Gallardo will be called upon to perform the same basic role of central playmaker.