1. SAME TIME, LAST YEAR: Midfielder Simo Valakari nearly came to MLS and the Burn in 2003, but the deal didn't get done.
Burn assistant coach Brian Haynes had scouted Valakari playing for Finland against Trinidad & Tobago; his report plus evidence from tapes submitted to then-Coach Mike Jeffries prompted them to pursue the player.
"We were fairly close to getting a deal done," says Jeffries. "He's pretty talented, and I think he's the kind of player that does OK in this league.
"But he still had a year and a half on his contract with Derby, and Derby was paying him fairly well, and there was no way he could make that up playing for us, so I think that's why he chose not to come."
Jeffries would not disclose what Valakari would have earned last year in MLS yet confirmed it would have been much less than the figure in the low 200,000s he is believed to be earning this season with the Burn.
Playing on the harsh rug of Dragon Stadium in suburban Southlake might have been disastrous for Valakari, who has suffered serious ankle injuries. The Burn has moved back to the Cotton Bowl for 2004.
"It may have been a blessing in disguise for him," says Jeffries. "He's been on tough times. At least now he gets to play on nice grass."
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