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CARSON, Calif. -- U.S. national team captain Carlos Bocanegra signed Monday with Chivas USA of MLS. The centre back who spent last season with Racing Santander of Spain, where he was on loan from Scottish side Rangers FC, will join Chivas USA in Philadelphia to prepare for a July 12 match against the Union. He becomes eligible to play for Chivas USA on July 9 when the international transfer window opens. "It feels really good to be coming back home," the 34-year-old Bocanegra said. "Ive been following MLS a lot more closely this year, and I got my start here in the league, so Im excited to seeing personally how much the league has grown." Chivas USA traded a first-round draft pick in 2014 and an international roster spot to Toronto FC, which owned the first shot at acquiring Bocanegra. Bocanegra has played 116 games for the United States, including World Cups in 2006 and 2010. He began his professional career with the Chicago Fire and was 2000 MLS Rookie of the Year. In January 2004, Bocanegra moved to Europe, joining English Premier League team Fulham, where he spent four years. He then went to France, playing for Rennes and Saint Etienne before joining Rangers. Despite being sidelined for a month with a left hamstring injury suffered while on national team duty last November, Bocanegra became a solid defender for Racing, starting in all 23 games played for the Spanish team. Rangers did not renew his contract when the loan ended, freeing Bocanegra to return to MLS. Chivas USA has the leagues worst defence, allowing 31 goals in going 3-10-3, last in the Western Conference. "Im very excited to join the club," Bocanegra said. "I know its going to be a big challenge because the club hasnt been getting the greatest results on the field, but its something Im looking forward to." Air Max 95 Wholesale Ireland . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. 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PHOENIX -- After one of the worst seasons in the franchises 48-year history, the Phoenix Suns believe they finally are headed in the right direction.A team plagued by injury and internal problems mostly traced to the presence of disgruntled Markieff Morris went 23-59 last season, the second-worst record in franchise history. Only the inaugural season of 1968-69 (16-66) was worse.But the Suns found a budding star in guard Devin Booker and drafted a pair of promising teenage power forwards -- Dan Bender as the No. 4 pick overall, Marquese Chriss as No. 8. General manager Ryan McDonough brought in a pair of popular ex-Suns, Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa, to provide veteran leadership.With Eric Bledsoe healthy and 37-year-old coach Earl Watson preaching enthusiasm and a family attitude, these Suns expect to be competitive, or at least entertaining.Phoenixs six-year playoff drought probably wont end, but this teams personality and energy might begin to win back some of a disillusioned fan base that once was among the most faithful in the NBA.Watson, who took over on an interim basis after Jeff Hornacek was fired, calls his team a group of high-character guys with enthusiasm and energy.Were really lucky to have this group, he said.Every Suns player stayed in Phoenix through the summer, playing together on the court and spending a lot of time together off it.Our foundation was built in stages, Watson said, relationships first, bonding, creating a unity of compassion for each other, which resulted in love and, when we got into the preseason, sacrificing roles.The players dont want to hear anything about low expectations.Were all about winning and winning now. Booker said. I dont feel like were in a rebuilding phase. I feel like were built.Here are some things to consider as the Suns enter the season.BOOKERS TEAM: Booker turns 20 on Oct. 30 and already is the face of the franchise.He averaged 13.8 points last year and made the all-rookie team, but he really blossomed when Brandon Knight and Bledsoe both were out with injuries. After Jan. 1, he averaged 18.3 points per game, second among rookies. Booker became the third-youngest player to reach 1,000 points. Only LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant did it at an earlier age.In a survey of generall managers, Booker was voted the player most likely to have a breakout 2016-17 season.ddddddddddddJust taking it all in, at the same time using it as motivation, he said of the accolades. I know where Im at right now and I know where Im trying to get. So Im just staying focused, staying humble and every time I touch the floor giving it my all.KNIGHTS SACRIFICE: Watson calls Brandon Knight the most important player on the team after he was relegated to a sixth man role with Bledsoe and Booker the starting guards.Knight teammates understand how important it is for Knight to accept what has happened.B-Knight has been the biggest sacrifice for our family, center Tyson Chandler said, because hes a starter. Hes a great player in this league. So him coming off the bench is going to be huge for us.IMPRESSIVE CHRISS: The 6-foot-10 Chriss was impressive in the preseason and is ahead of Bender in terms of being ready for the NBA game. Expect the ex-University of Washington star to be part of the rotation right away.Hes a raw talent, Bledsoe said. Hes got some stuff you really cant teach.Chriss, who turned 19 in July, impressed his teammates in a confrontation with Dallas Andrew Bogut in a preseason game.He kind of reminds me of me out there last year, Booker said. ... I think you see him in the Dallas game push Bogut around and thats what we need, someone who wont back down on anybody, so Im really proud of him.HEALTHY AT LAST: Bledsoe is back after missing 51 games and undergoing another knee surgery. Knight is healthy after missing 30 games. Small forward T.J. Warren is kind of a forgotten man after missing most of last season with a broken foot. Small forward P.J. Tucker expects to be back by the second game of the season after undergoing back surgery.YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM: Nine of Phoenixs core players are 26 or younger. Bledsoe is the old man at 26. Knight is just 24, Warren and center Alex Len 23.They bring enthusiasm that rubs off on everyone.An older team, you kind of relax and take it easy, said Chandler, at 34 the oldest player on the roster. But these guys have so much energy, they go non-stop. It kind of gets you going. ' ' '