The MLS Revolution loses a key cog in the Bucks' former start Pat Noonan, so who do they tap for a replacement? Another Buck of course! Kheli Dube has made the Revs roster. Check out his team page here:

http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=33024

I thought a good argument could have been made that Kheli actually had the best purely individual season of the African 4 in 2007. And he really worked his *** off. He was the first of the 4 up here last spring. He dropped a couple of pounds, and took everything seriously. From the open tryout to that wasted scrimmage at Bishop Gallagher, Dube didn't take a moment off. Good for him.

I wonder if Steve Nicol has discovered that Dube delivers a pretty nice corner kick. I doubt it; he didn't get much chance to display it even for us.

Go Dube!

Actually now 4/6 of the Bucks drafted this January have signed with their clubs. Dominic Cervi and the Fire weren't able to come to terms and he's heading to Europe. I believe he holds an EU passport.

George Josten (Crew), Eric Brunner (Red Bull), Raushawn McKenzie (Wizards), and Kheli have all been added to their teams rosters.

I wanted to post news of Dube's signing because a couple of months ago this would have been hard to predict.

As I understand it Dube couldn't even join the Revs for their training in Bermuda due to visa concerns. He must have really turned some heads. Even though he got a "Developmental" contract, which I assume means indentured servitude, Dube was mentioned by Nicol as a potential strike partner for Twellman right out of the box this weekend. How very, very cool.

For me both Josten and McKenzie are surprises, based on seeing them play in the PDL. Josten seemed to have no speed at all, but then Columbus has a habit of signing guys who can't run.

I suppose that is an unfair dig. Over the years its become apparent to me that some guys just don't understand the PDL is competitive, and treat it lightly. They underperform or sit the bench as a result. Maybe Josten just wasn't prepared.

McKenzie got a contract? That is a shock. He seemed to get worse over the years. Remember the game at Canton last season against CFP? They were missing their starting back line due to final exams, and McKenzie still couldn't make the field until the 2nd half. Then he was repeatedly abused when he did come on.

The one thing McKenzie has going for him is the MLS style of play. You practically have to shoot someone to get called for a foul. Raushawn can be as physical as he likes. But then I did see him get beat as a Buck more than once when he got inside some forward's shirt.

I'm gonna predict things don't go so well for McKenzie. I predicted bad things for Xavier Balc before the draft, and I nailed that one bigtime.

Kheli was the only one of the new MLS crop to debut last night, coming on for the last ten minutes. He didn't do too much but get his feet wet, but it was great to see him out there.

Red Bull had this week off so hopefully we'll see Brunner next week.

Unfortunately for Kheli the guys in front of him looked awfully good last night. But he'll get more chances as the schedule gets hairy.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp...=.jsp&team=t105

Kheli assisted on both goals in the Revs-Wizards Reserves Match yesterday which ended 2-2.

Consequently, 4 former Bucks went the full 90 in that game with Raushawn McKenzie, Aaron Hohlbein, and Ryan McMahen suiting up for the Wizards.

Here are some photos:
http://www.usldiscussions.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=78&t=000019#000005