Game 1 M.O.T.M: Javi

Each week during the 2010 season, the St. Louis Cure will announce its Man of the Match. The weekly M.O.T.M awards will be used to decide who wins the prestigious Bronze Boot at the conclusion of the season. The first winner of the 2010 season is unanimous. Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake's midfield playmaker, takes home the award thanks to his splendid brace. With the Cure down 2-1, Morales scored his first goal with a 35 yard rocket. He managed to top that wonder strike with a brilliantly hit free kick that landed in the top corner of the net. In between his two goals, Morales fed Fabian Espindola for the game winning goal. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "That free kick was world class. Morales' goals were the work of a master. Javier Morales is a man on a mission and opposing BSL teams should be very nervous."

Blast Off! Cure Romp To Debut Victory

The players had those first game jitters--for a short time, at least. After finding themselves stuck in a 2-0 hole, the St. Louis Cure ran off 5 unanswered points to defeat the impressive C.D. Gunners, earning an jaw-dropping upset in its first ever BSL match.

As the match began, the Cure appeared to be overmatched against the Gunners. Fredy Montero put on quite a show, and the Cure were powerless to stop him. His goal and assist gave the favored Gunners an early lead. Luckily, the Cure players did not panic. Matt Pickens provided a clean sheet to cut the lead in half, and then the Javier Morales show began. Morales took over the match, scoring a wonderful long range shot, assisting on Fabian Espindola's sweet lob (although officially he wasn't credited with the assist, his probing pass set Espindola free), and then besting even himself with an even better freekick. After Morales went on his scoring spree, the Cure had opened up a 4-2 lead. The stunned Gunners never recovered. Edson Buddle added an insurance goal late, the give the Cure a sparkling opening to the BSL season.

Coach/GM Kirk Lodes, "I'm proud of the boys. I've been saying all along that if they play up to their potential, we will be a tough team to beat. Javier Morales showed what a leader his is. We were down on the scoreboard, but he took the game by the scruff of its neck and the rest of the squad responded. We will enjoy the results, but we know that this is just a start. Things will not get any easier. We face the champions and undisputed best team of BSL, Montgomery next. Come Monday, we will need to put the past behind us and start working again. We must focus on the task ahead, one match at a time."

Cure Ready To Kick Off

In a little over one hour, the St. Louis Cure will begin their inaugral BSL season. Coach/GM Kirk Lodes was reserved but optimistic when interviewed just hours before the first kick. "The players are ready. They've put in the work and if they relax and play like they are capable, the result will come." The Cure's first opponent is as tough as they come. C.D. Gunners is stocked with offensive threats, and they will bring the game to the Cure, starting 6 strikers. Lodes will apparently look to counter attack on the heavily favored Gunners, as he will field a more balanced look of four midfielders and four forwards. There are no huge surprises from the lineup Lodes will field, but there were some interesting issues that were resolved. Patrick Nyarko beat out Emilio Renteria for the last forward starting position. Fabian Espindola, Nyarko and Renteria staged a fierce competition during preseason for a starting position. While Espindola secure his spot with a goal during a preseason scrimmage, the battle between Nyarko and Renteria lasted until the final preaseason practice. Renteria will be the first eligible substitute available for the Cure. The other surprise was the addition of 18 year old Roger Torres to the substitutes bench. The young midfielder beat out Rodney Wallace for the final position on the gameday roster. St. Louisan Taylor Twellman will be unavailable as he continues rehabilitation from a concussion suffered last year.

Cure Announce Starting 9

Kirk Lodes, GM/Coach of the ST. Louis Cure, announced his first team for the season opening match against the Gunners. The lineup is as follows:

Starters
Pickens (G), Findley, Morales, Buddle, Rogers, Fred, Convey, Espindola, Nyarko

Substitutes Bench
1. Renteria, 2. Shea, 3. Torres

Scratched
Twellman, Wallace

Cure Lose the Battle; Winning the War Seems Likely

The St. Louis Cure lost to crosstown rivals Gateway United in a preseason friendly. Robbie Findley scored the lone Cure goal, but the Cure ended up just short, despite dominating most of the play. Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "Obviously, the play was a bit ragged. The guys are still getting into playing shape. But despite the loss, I saw many things which make me quite optimistic. Gateway is a great team and we knew that coming into the match. But we held our own; we proved we can play with the best of them." In a closed-door scrimmage held after the preseason match, Robbie Findley added another tally to his preseason mark. In addition, Javier Morales had a goal and assist and fellow Argentine Fabian Espindola chipped in his first goal in the preseason.

Cure Pick Up Young Colombian, Waive Bunbury

St. Louis Cure GM/Coach announced today his team has picked up 18 year old Colombian midfielder Roger Torres. To make room for Torres on their roster, the Cure waived forward Teal Bunbury. Lodes, "When Torres became available, we knew we needed to jump on it. He is an extremely talented playmaker--the type of player Philadelphia sorely needs. It is difficult to let go of a talent like Teal Bunbury, but we think Torres is a little bit more seasoned and has a better chance of seeing playing time this season." Torres will be unavailable for the preseason tuneup versus Gateway United, but Lodes hopes he will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Cure, Gateway Smoke Peace Pipe, Announce Friendly

In a preview of the first ever Show Me Cup, the two St. Louis teams in BSL have agreed to meet for a preseason (not so) friendly. The two heated rivals agreed to set their differences aside for the moment in order to get some actual game experience while the two clubs continue preparing for the 2010 season. Even so, BSL officials will be present and have promised to come down hard on any players who show excessive force during the contest. Since the Cure are above such things, the BSL Commissioner was apparently referring to Gateway's thugs when he commented "we will tolerate no unsportsmanlike shenanigans." GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "I am nervous. We know Gateway's reputation. They will do anything to win--even if that means they need to break a few legs. But I guess we will have to get used to their dirty ways sooner or later. Hopefully the ref will stay on top of things and deliver justice swiftly." Lodes has announced his lineup for the match against the Gateway hooligans:

Starters
Matt Pickens
Edson Buddle
Patrick Nyarko
Emilio Renteria
Fred
Robbie Rogers
Bobby Convey
Robbie Findley
Brek Shea

Substitutes
Rodney Wallace
Fabian Espindola
Javier Morales

Unavailable
Taylor Twellman
Roger Torres

Season Preview: Sinners or Saints?

Saving the least for last, we look at a team that gives our fair city a bad name, the hated Gateway United. It is against my religion to say good things about them, so I guess I'll be heading to confession after I type this. The truth is, as much as it hurts to admit it, Gateway has compiled a formidable roster--one that compete with any team in the league. It is my theory that the Saints got some inside help from the man upstairs. Take Landon Donovan. Everton wanted him bad and had they landed him, Gateway would have been devestated. Luck is on the Saints side; Landon stays. Even without Landon, the team boasts legitimate talent: I've always believed Jeff Cunningham is one of MLS's top strikers (when he feels like it) and Freddy Ljundberg is one of MLS's best midfield acquistions--a top European NOT past his prime. While those three are the chore of Gateway's team, don't be surprised if some of his other players outscore them. Marco Pappa may be an outside contender for MVP (he will takeover playmaking for Blanco and will do so in style). Maykel Galindo is healthy again and MLS defenses are scared to death. And given the Saints luck (and help from God), I wouldn't be shocked if Luis Angel Landin wins the scoring race. Their goalkeepers could be better (Frei's Toronto leaks goals and Busch's lack of size can be an issue), but that won't matter. Gateway will be in the playoffs. The first ever Show Me Cup is game 4 of the BSL season. So here are my predictions for the upcoming BSL season: 1. Union Southern California 2. Gateway United 3. Montgomery County 4. St. Louis Cure SC 5. Capital District Gunners 6. New York Greeks 7. Burud Town 8. Gold Coast

Season Preview: Sunburn

Gold Coast is a lock for at least one title this year: Team with the best logo. Actual cups, though, may be out of their reach. Aside from Goalkeeping (the Suns have two of the best in Pat Onstad and Joe Cannon), they have only one really dependable scorer: Brian Ching. With Ching probably joining the US World Cup team, the Suns may be in trouble. The problem Gold Coast has, in my humble opinion, is they have too many players who are deployed in defensive roles. Kyle Beckerman, Dax McCarty, Osvaldo Alonso and Jack Jewsbury can score with the best of them. Too bad they play with their club teams in a defensive midfield role. Two other key players for Gold Coast are huge uncertainties in 2010: Dave Van Den Bergh may leave MLS, while Ante Razov hasn't played in years (so it seems, at least). So what does that leave the Suns? Arturo Alvarez has star written all over him, but will he ever back it up with goals? Mike Magee was once a highly touted US Youth International who has never panned out. Roger Levesque has scored a lot...in USL (and hardly ever in MLS). Steven Lenhart is a super sub--who will probably remain just that--a sub (although last nights performance--two goals--is encouraging). I wish Gold Coast the best of luck because I think they will need it. Still, it should comfort the Suns to know that in sports betting, I am usually right about 1/4 of the time. In other words, I rarely know what I'm talking about. The Suns meet the Cure in Game 5.

Season Preview: King of the Hill

Be afraid. Be very afraid. When Montgomery County chose Collins John in the BSL draft, a move most BSL teams probably contemplated but didn't act quick enough on, they served notice. Any team wanting to take the BSL title must go through the defending champs. John, a former EPL forward who is still in his prime, is a risk because he is only on trial with Chicago and has not signed a contract, but a risk worth taking. Is it any surprise the champs were the first to jump on this opportunity? As a DP, Omar Cummings must not regress, but the choices of Nate Jaqua and Guillermo Barros Schelotto are fundamentally sound. As is David Ferreira; South Americans normally are slow adjusting to MLS, Ferreira went through his adjustment period last year and should be raring to go. "Senior Citizen" Kasey Keller plays like a 30-year old--even if he suddenly starts to show his age, the Monarchs have it covered with Troy Perkins. While Montgomery has no other "real" stars on its team, they have a group of guys who will add nicely to the Monarchs point totals. Eduardo, Nkufo (another slick pickup made under the radar), Glen, Kandji and Mathis can all be counted on for acceptable, if not jaw-dropping, numbers. The most complete team in BSL first meets the Cure in Game 2.

Season Preview: Mystery Club

The most secretive club of the Bigtime Soccer League is Burud Town. Whether this is by design or not, I'm not really sure. Is keeping their roster plans and season goals part of their strategy, an attempt to keep the other clubs off-balance? Choosing a Keeper, Will Hesmer, as a second round draft pick, certainly bucks the trends of most BSL clubs. Likewise, no other BSL team wanted to make the gutsy (or foolish--you be the judge) move to draft David Beckham. High stakes gambler, Burud Town is going for broke. They are either going to fight for the title, or plunge to the bottom. On the side of a championship run, I present Brad Davis, their number one draft pick. Davis was handed the keys to Houston's midfield last year and drove defenses crazy. The loss of Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark means Houston will depend even more on Davis, who should be up to the task. Another player taking over his club's playmaking is Santino Quaranta. Historically inconsistent, Burud chose Quaranta with a late pick, a move that could be very lucrative. Burud's forward line is a collection of interesting, yet potentially catastrophic, choices. Danny Allsop, Maicon Dos Santos, Cam Weaver, Kai Kamara, Kehli Dube and Ali Gerba will make or break Burud's season. The chance of one of them becoming a top 10 scorer is likely. Unfortunately, so is the chance of having a major bust or two. Dube came on strong late last season; Dos Santos has had preseason injuries; Allsop is new to MLS; Kamara has had his moments; Gerba has scored in lower division English leagues; Weaver has never shown much (in MLS). I'm afraid the talent is just not there for Burud Town to make a serious run, but I've been wrong before (often). And who knows just what their Svengali owner will conjure up. The Cure's first Burud test is Game 6.

Cure Add Youth to Reserve Team

With the new reserve rule in place, St. Louis Cure GM/Coach went to work evaluating the remaining talent available. In the end, he decided to pick two exciting, yet unexperienced players to the squad. Brek Shea is only 19, but he got valuable minutes last season with FCD. It is highly likely he can start producing at a regular pace in 2010. Kansas City's 1st round superdraft pick Teal Bunbury, number 4 overall, rounds out the Cure lineup. GM/Coach Lodes, "Both players will immediately join the reserve squad. I'm confident that they will work their way into the lineup during the season. It's possible that one, maybe both, could see significant time in the starting lineup this year."

Season Preview: Preseason Faves?

A quick glance at the Union SC roster and an opponent gets the shakes. I don't really see a weakness; trust me I have looked for one. Union went preseason attempting to rebuild the squad and they have done so nicely. They will get nice veteran leadership with Dwayne DeRosario and Conor Casey, two players who are sure to score plenty. Sasha Klejstan had a down 2009 season, but I think that was an exception, not the rule. The US international is just too talented to have two down years in a row. And Shalrie Joseph maybe the most consistent player in the league. To add insult to injury, Union has the man I think is the best keeper in the league, Jamaican Donovan Ricketts. As for the rest of the roster, a cynical man would point out some deficiencies. Geoff Cameron may be deployed in Houston's central defense, which could hurt his scoring contributions. Likewises, Brad Evans recently played right back for the USA national team...a sign of things to come? Steve Zakuani will bloom--if Seattle gives him enough playing time. Lillingston, Le Toux and Pablo Campos need a lot of things to fall in place to find themselves in the starting lineup for their respective teams. No matter. Union SC has enough quality to overcome these issues. Union will likely make the playoffs this season. The Cure meets Union for the first time in Game 7.

Season Preview: Greek to Me

In our second preview, we profile one of the four new teams in BSL, the New York Greeks. The Greeks made all BSL owners take notice, with their somewhat shocking and risky choice of Josh Wolff in the first round. Don’t get me wrong, Wolff is a decent player, but he hasn’t had “first round”-type numbers in quite a long time. Do the Greeks know something the rest of us don’t? The Greeks are a blue collar team. Players like Alejandro Moreno, Chad Barrett and Alan Gordon aren’t flashy, but they get results. Still, I’d worry about someone like Gordon, who seems to miss easy chances with alarming regularity. No need to worry about all time MLS point leader Jaime Moreno, even if most of his goals these days come from PK’s. The Greeks took two goalkeepers in the draft, two good ones in Nick Rimando and Matt Reis, so they are safe in that department. They will certainly need Dane Richards, Mehdi Ballouchy, Attiba Harris or Emmanuel Ekpo to step up. All four are capable, but will they? If they do, the Greeks could end up in the 1st half of the table. If not, they could end bottom of the table.

Cure Announce Its MVP Will Earn the "Bronze Boot"

At the conclusion of its debut season in BSL, the St. Louis Cure will pick its Most Valuable Player. That player will earn the "Bronze Boot." The award is in memory of the historic Bronze Boot Match, one of St. Louis soccer history's best traditions. The Bronze Boot Match used to be played annually, pitting St. Louis University vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. At its peak, the Bronze Boot Match used to draw huge crowds. The rivalry eventually was moved to Busch Stadium to allow for the massive throngs of fans who would attend the match. When SIU-Edwardsville dropped from Division 1 to Division 2, the annual match was abandoned. Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "One of my fondest soccer memories is attending the Bronze Boot Match at Busch Stadium as a kid. I think its important to acknowledge and pay homage to the rich history of soccer in St. Louis. By awarding our Most Valuable Player the "Bronze Boot", the Cure hopes to link St. Louis' soccer roots with the current team."

Commish Announces New Roster Rule

A special, two round draft, is now under way in the Bigtime Soccer League. The draft is a result of a new provision that was proposed, voted on and passed by league members. The new rule allows each team two additional roster spots. Although gameday rosters will still consist of 12 players, the new provision allows for each team to keep two rosters spots open to account for injuries, international callups, bye-weeks etc. Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes is excited about the new rule. "With the old rule, a team that has a player injured or called up to a National Team would be penalized if they wanted to keep them on their roster (due to the rule change that makes it possible for substitutes goals/assists counting in a game this year). Now it gives coaches a little flexibility when creating their lineups. For instance, the Cure has three key players who play for Real Salt Lake. During a bye-week for RSL, the Cure would not be able to have any substitutes on their bench. With the new rule, such an event will not take place. I think it makes the league fairer for all. I really can't wait to get this season started!"

Season Preview: Gunning for an Upset

The 4 returning BSL teams must be considered the favorites for the coming season. With a year playing in BSL under their belts, they have an automatic advantage. More importantly, though, they were the best BSL had to offer last year. Their owners must know what they are doing and are certainly knowledgeable soccer fans. Our season preview begins with one of these teams, the Cure’s fist ever BSL opponent, CD Gunners. Will the Cure’s players be nervous before their first ever game? After taking a quick glance at the Gunners roster, they should be. First off, their two designated players are top notch. Fredy Montero was the surprise of last season and has the talent to lead MLS in scoring. Juan Pablo Angel drifted through a pretty miserable 2009. With the Red Bull Arena set to open, the franchise will be given a huge lift. So will Angel, escaping that dreadful turf. If surrounded with better talent, Angel should return to the top of the scoring charts. In addition to their DP’s, the Gunners have three other big names at forward. The only thing that will stop Brian McBride is old age--I just don't think its time for him to hang up his boots yet. Ryan Johnson is a beast. The confidence he gained from an excellent 2009 might lift him to the next level in 2010. Sergio Herrera may be the Fredy Montero of 2010. As a fifth rounder, and with Schelotto setting him up, he may be the Gunners shrewdest move of all. In goal, veteran Zach Thornton will get his share of shutouts. If the Gunners have a weakness, I’d say it’s their depth. None of their remaining players are proven MLS scorers. But with the stars they do have, they probably don’t need much depth. Still, an injury or two may be too much to overcome. Either way, I expect the Gunners to be in the playoff hunt. While they will be the favorites, I hope they overlook the Cure so we may be able to sneak a season opening win.

Draft Recap: Midfield Strength

An overview of the St. Louis Cure roster shows one real strength, the midfield. Every member of the Cure midfield has star potential--but at the same time GM/Coach Kirk Lodes worries about the poor seasons many of his Cure players had in 2009.
1. Javier Morales: Future MVP? Morales is expected to anchor the midfield and he is the one Cure player who could dominate the league. Still, his numbers must improve. Morales went from 6 goals and 15 assists in 2008 to 1 goal and 5 assists in 2009. Morales never really seemed 100% in 2009; Lodes prays Morales is healthy this year.
2. Robbie Rogers: Make or Break Season? Rogers has, to this point, shown glimpses of what he can be (an All-Star, a USMNT regular, a scoring leader). But he must put it all together. And he must produce better statistics. 7 Points (his 2009 total) isn't going to cut it.
3. Fabian Espindola: Left Sided Menace? Espindola's MLS career has been up and down. He arrived in Utah and immediately improved a woeful side. He was hit by injuries, released, resigned and was totally inconsistent in 2009. 3 Goals in 2009; again again again, must improve!
4. Bobby Convey: Set Him Free? Bobby Convey returned to MLS in 2009 and looked very ordinary. San Jose flirted with playing him at left back. Convey needs to be allowed to play his normal position on the left flank and allowed to attack relentlessly, as he did during his hay day in England. His career high point total is 13; not enough.
5. Rodney Wallace: Defense, Midfield, or Attack? Wallace was one of MLS's best rookies in 2009 and Lodes was shocked he was still undrafted entering the 12th and final Round. The one drawback is Wallace, like Convey, sometimes can be stifled offensively when overcautious coaches leave him in defense. Since DC will be searching for attacking midfield help after releasing Christian Gomez, one would assume Wallace will be a focal point of DC's attack.
6. Fred: Change of Scenery? Fred joins expansion Philadelphia and the new squad may be what the doctor ordered. His first DC season was splendid (7 goals, 8 assists in 2007), but he was less than stellar after and didn't get many starts in 2009. The Union will count on Fred for leadership; the Cure will count on him for points.
7: Matt Pickens: Better Than Average? Lodes picked Pickens on a hunch. That the Colorado Goalkeeper was due for a career year. He will almost certainly record the league average in shutouts, but can he step it up and become a real weapon?

Coming Soon: Evaluating the competition.

Draft Recap: Does The Cure Have What It Takes?

The final selections have been made and the team is set. As the 2010 St. Louis Cure opens preaseason camp, there are reasons to be both optimistic and worried. The roster is certainly talent filled. But the most talented teams rarely win it all. With so many variables effecting performance (injuries, form, International callups, LUCK, etc.), many questions need to be asked. Here is a quick rundown of the Cure and the big questions facing the team.
1. Is Robbie Findley a fluke? He was exceptional last season, but can Findley score consistently for a second year in a row? Findley should get playing time; Yura Moyvisyan's transfer to Europe makes him Real Salt Lake's top gun. But will the pressure be too much for the young man? As a number 1 pick, Findley must provide 10 goals or better. Any less and the Cure may be doomed.
2. Which Edson Buddle will show up? When he's on, Buddle is electric. When he's off, he's useless. Will Buddle bounce back from his subpar 2009? Is he healthy? And with Landon Donovan and David Beckham missing significant portions of the year on International duty, just who will serve him the ball?
3. Will there be a Taylor sighting? Some would say the Cure's Twellman signing is pure lunacy. Others will say it is they key to their season. If he's healthy and produces, the Cure could contenders. If not, they may face relegation (I know BSL doesn't have relegation, but if Twellman and his mates don't score, they might not be asked back by the Commissioner).
4. Can Nyarko naild down a starting job? He has unlimited potential, but it won't mean a thing if he doesn't get meaningful minutes. Nyarko faces tough competition in an attempt to earn a starting role for the Chicago Fire. Brian McBride certainly has one spot locked; who will partner him up front? The arrival of fomer Premiership striker Collins John means Nyarko faces a stiff challenge.
5. Who is Emilio Renteria? After only starting 2 games last year (and doing very little in his limited playing time), no one knows exactly what the Cure has in Renteria. He is a Venezuelan International; if he duplicates the performance of the Crew's last Venezuelan (Alejandro Moreno), the Cure has found a late round star. If not, they have wasted a valuable draft pick.

Coming soon: the Midfield and the Keeper.

Missouri St. Grad, Another Champion Join Cure

The St. Louis Cure continues to build its team, selecting another member of the MLS champions Real Salt Lake and another player with local ties. With its eight pick, the Cure took RSL forward/midfielder Fabian Espindola. GM/Coach Kirk Lodes, "I've had my eye on Fabian since he arrived in MLS. The guy is a magician with the ball who has unlimited potential. Last year was tough for him, as he was overcoming injuries and proved to be rather rusty during his limited appearances. He'll be eager to make waves in 2010." The Cure's defense is going to be built around Matt Pickens, a Missouri St. graduate who has played with Colorado and Chicago and also had a short stint in England. Lodes, "Pickens is a veteran keeper who hasn't even hit his peak yet. His ability will make us a difficult team to score against."

Team Coming Together After Tough Choices

The latest picks by The St. Louis Cure helps fit a few more pieces of the puzzle in place. As each round passes, the decisions get harder. Owner/GM Kirk Lodes has agonized over every choice. Lodes, "So many options, so many variables to consider. Everyone wants to find that hidden gem during the late rounds. As for the Cure, I think we've done good for ourselves. I'm very satisfied with the way the squad is coming together." The latest names to join the Cure are Patrick Nyarko and Bobby Convey. Nyarko, the former number one pick by the Chicago Fire, hails from Ghana. He has incredible speed and athleticism and has steadily improved since joining the Fire in 2008. Convey is a particularly intriguing pick. Another player who Lodes hopes to "revive", Convey had a fine career in England with Reading and started for the USA during the 2006 World Cup. Injuries and poor form contributed to his losing his place for Reading; Convey returned to the States last year. If Convey can regain the form he had in 2005 and 2006, he will be a solid addition.

Who Needs Major League Soccer?

The heck with Major (Northwest) League Soccer. Don Garber and his MLS cronies may have shut out the St. Louis soccer fans, but the sport is thriving on the banks of the Mississippi thanks to Big Time Soccer. Gateway United is a BSL powerhouse, no one will question that. But in 2010, they have a new challenger, the gutsy, attack-minded St. Louis Cure, and a new challenge, the Show Me Cup. Gateway is confident they will win the hearts and minds of St. Louis footy fans. But they should know the Cure does not give in easily. And despite some rather shady beginnings to the rivalry (how is it that Gateway plucked away four--yes four--players the Cure was strongly courting? Pure coincidence? Or something more sinister?), the Cure promises to do whatever it takes to snatch, and keep, the Show Me Cup. The disease is indeed Gateway United; the Cure will heal the city.

South Africa via St. Louis?

The St. Louis Cure is overjoyed to announce their sixth round pick is US International Robbie Rogers. Rogers has an outside chance to make Bob Bradley's squad of 23 to travel to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. Whether he makes the cut or not, Cure GM/Coach Kirk Lodes is estatic the young midfielder was available so late in the draft. Lodes, "What a pick up for the Cure. What impresses me most about Rogers is his work ethic, hustle and aggressiveness. Add those strengths with his versatility and you have a very special young player. We can slot Rogers on the flank. Or he makes an effective striker. The depth of the St. Louis Cure has been solified with the signing of Rogers."

Taylor Comes Home; St. Louis Adds Brazilian Flare

In what may be the riskiest move yet in the BSL 2010 draft, St. Louis Cure used their number 5 pick to select St. Louis native Taylor Twellman. Twellman is a former MLS MVP and is the youngest player to hit the 100 goal plateau, but serious injuries have jeopardized his career and limited him to only 2 games in 2009. GM/Coach Lodes, "It's certainly scary to use a pick on Twellman, with his injury status unclear. But with a player of his caliber, it was a move I had to make. I've been watching Taylor for years; I remember him starring as a high schooler in the State Championships. Maybe his return to St. Louis will cure him of the injury jinx." Prior to selecting Twellman, the Cure chose Brazilian Fred as its fourth pick. Lodes, "I'm a big Fred fan. I predict his teaming up with Peter Nowak is going to increase his point output significantly. He will be a key member of our midfield."