Major League Soccer (MLS) Rumors - For the time between the games

REPORT: Steve Nash Charity Soccer Event Coming To Vancouver This Fall

2009-07-06T04:33:00.002-04:00

On June 24th, NBA star and Vancouver MLS investor Steve Nash hosted his 2nd annual celebrity soccer match in Roosevelt Park in New York City. Well, it looks like it will not be the only event that Steve Nash will host. Courtesy of the Dynamo planet.com news feed, we have word that a celebrity soccer match will also be played in Vancouver this Fall:

From Metro Vancouver:

Steve Nash’s popular celebrity soccer match that has been held in New York City for the past two years is coming to Vancouver this fall.

Nash’s Showdown in Downtown is a free eight-aside charity soccer game that will be held Sept. 19 in Yaletown’s David Lam Park.

A similar event, Nash’s Showdown in Chinatown in New York City, has attracted the likes of soccer great Thierry Henry (Barcelona) and a number of NBA stars including Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh.

The event and who will be taking part will be announced at the end of next week.

Monday night, Vancouver’s park board is voting on whether or not to grant permission for a 250-person beer garden at the site.

Randy Clegg, marketing director for the Vancouver event, said the match will pay for itself through sponsorships and will raise funds for Nash’s foundation through donations and a celebrity after-party

Here is video from the recent Showdown In Chinatown a couple weeks ago:

REPORT: As Secondary Transfer Window Opens, Who in MLS Can Make Moves?

2009-07-05T19:51:00.005-04:00

It's that time again....

In Europe they call it "the Silly Season". Here in MLS we know it as the "secondary" transfer window, which opens on July 15. It's a time when visions of veteran internationals and DPs once again dance in many an MLS fans heads. Christmas in July if you will.

Therefore it is only fitting that our good friend, Dave Clark over at Sounder at Heart has a great article which in part, takes a look at just who currently has the roster room and international slots open. As he says: "Interesting data for those that love the transfers IN, or who think that rosters need to expand (because why should they if teams aren't going to use the space they have?)"

Agreed. So have a look:

KC, NY and TFC all have three slots open at this time (1 of KCs is for a developmental).
LA, DC and SJ have two slots (1 of LAs is a developmental)
Chicago, NE, C-Bus, RSL and SSFC have 1 slot open (Chi and NE with it as a Developmental)
Houston, Colorado, Dallas and Chivas are all Full with 24.

This is all with rosters current as of TODAY (Seattle includes the announcement of Leo, but not Dragovan). The “Open Slots” remove DL players from their team’s active rosters. Yes, in some cases this would mean that a slot is only temporarily available, but for teams competing in multiple tournaments that have fans complaining about depth, it might be a good idea to take a 6 week loan of a guy or two, or three (KC).

Source data here....

VIDEO: Seattle Sounders FC Smash All Previous MLS Attendance Records in 2009

2009-07-05T19:49:00.002-04:00

Fan video courtesy of GoalSeattle.com

YANKSABROAD: Real Madrid Targets Oguchi Onyewu?

2009-07-05T19:12:00.003-04:00

According to this article from Eurosport, Los Nuevo Galaticos may want the big man in the back for the USA. If true (it is the silly season after all) then his performance at the Confederations Cup, raised his stock significantly....

Translated roughly from Spanish...

Having spent more than 150 million euros already on players, Florentino Perez and his team seeks to close the recruitment of a player to the team who does not entail a large outlay for the contract. That comes into play with Onyewu, who's contract with Standard Liege ended on June 30.
Furthermore, his arrival could help Real Madrid to open a new market in the United States, where soccer is a sport deeply rooted. This signing would place among the favorite targets of U.S. supporters. The centerback does not have the glamor of Ronaldo or Kaka, but he has experience having played well in Belgium, in the Premier League (Newcastle) and the Ligue 1 (Metz). The American of Nigerian origin, has become a defender who makes his physical strength and his powerful aerial game his great asset.

What do you think? Would Real Madrid make a good home for "Gooch"?

REPORT: USA vs. Grenada MLSR Match Report

2009-07-05T10:45:00.007-04:00

The US vs. Grenada game was like the 1983 invasion, it was over quickly. In the 7th minute man of the match Robbie Rogers passed the ball to a wide open Freddy Adu, who put the ball into the back of the net. The crowd of 15,387 rose to their feet in celebration of the first goal conceded by the Spice Boyz, not to be confused with David Beckham.

Stuart Holden scored the second goal on a Robbie Rogers assist in the 31st minute. The USA continued to give Grenada problems, causing Jason James to receive the games first yellow card from referee Walter Lopez in the 40th minute. At the end of the first half, Grenada had only 2 good scoring opportunities. The first was a hard shot outside the 18 just going past the goal on the keepers left side. The second was on a nice build up that ended with the shot not even being close.

In the first half the US passing was sharp and they maintained position throughout most of it. In addition there were good individual efforts like the one Charlie Davies made going through several players then eventually losing it while trying to pass the ball on one side and go around the Grenada defender on the other. It would have left him alone with Grenada's dodgy keeper. The first half ended 2 - nil.

The second half opened a lot like the first half in that the US controlled the ball with its passing game. The US would then look for a player to make a run and put the ball through to a US forward. This created a lot of scoring opportunities because they were penetrating Grenada’s defense. However, with the number of chances the US had in the game they should have made this an early rout. Instead they were unable to totally put away the Spice Boyz until later. The penetration on the outside lead to several crosses that were either missed entirely or misplayed in front of the net. Another bright spot though was Kyle Beckerman who distributed the ball well all game and did the little things that win games but don't show up in the stat sheets.

In the 60th minute Robbie Rogers scored. It was on a nice one touch pass from Logan Pause that led him into a one on one with the goal keeper for the 3rd US goal. In the 62nd minute. Seattle Sounder midfielder Brad Evans came into the match for the US Captain Steve Cherundolo at right fullback to a loud applause from his hometown fans. Well maybe too loud, because after the game he said he couldn't hear and because of that he stepped onto the pitch before the referee signaled it was okay and promptly received the second yellow card of the game. So welcome Mr. Evans to the International game. Your first cap for the US on the 4th of July in your home stadium and you receive your first yellow card all at the same time. Nobody can forget that kind of an introduction. Thanks for the memory.

It would then follow that every time Evans got a touch on the ball the crowd in unison cheered.

In the 68th minute Charlie Davies scored on assists from Heath Pearce and Chad Marshall. Davies was replaced by Davy Arnaud in the 69th minute. Freddy Adu picked up the games third and final yellow card in the 80th minute. When the final whistle blew it was US 4 and Grenada 0.

This game was dominated by the US just as Grenada's coach Tommy Taylor the former West Ham coach suggested in the post game press conference. The US had 25 shots to Grenada's 3. In addition the US had 9 corners and only 1 save to Grenada’s 1 corner and 6 saves. The US team, even a “B” team should get that kind of result from one of the smallest countries in CONCACAF. Its total population is only 90,000 people, about the same as Roanoke, Virginia. Next up for the US is Honduras, July 8th in Washington, DC at RFK stadium.

VIDEO: CONCACAF Gold Cup Post Game Press Conference Part 2 - USA

2009-07-05T09:17:00.002-04:00

CONCACAF Gold Cup Post Game Press Conference - USA from MLS Rumors on Vimeo.

USA's Coach Bob Bradley

VIDEO: CONCACAF Gold Cup Post Game Press Conference Part 1-Grenada

2009-07-05T01:18:00.004-04:00

CONCACAF Gold Cup Post Game Press Conference - Grenada from MLS Rumors on Vimeo.

Grenada's Coach Tommy Taylor

REPORT: Family vs Fanatics - Portland Leads The Debate

2009-07-05T00:35:00.001-04:00

The following article comes courtesy of the Oregonian and it seems to confirm what many suspected and what we've advocated: That MLS focus on the hardcore soccer fans more than the family friendly crowd as the former is far more likely to turn up to games and by multiple season tickets.

The Portland Timbers Army cheers and protects themselves from smoke bombs after the Timbers scored their first goal against the Seattle Sounders FC in a U.S. Open Cup soccer match Wednesday at PGE Park.
Forget the kids.
The future of Major League Soccer is in young, scarf-snapping, mostly male rowdies, former commissioner of MLS Doug Logan says.
"Soccer audiences at their best have got to be a little dangerous," said Logan, now CEO of USA Track and Field. "It's three guys with a beer cursing at the guy on the field. It's not a family activity.
"If you want a family activity, go to the circus."

Though some in soccer's leadership would disagree -- including Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson -- the sometimes-ornery atmosphere of Wednesday's game between the United Soccer Leagues first-division Timbers and MLS Seattle Sounders bolsters Logan's point.
As MLS moves closer to adding a Portland franchise in 2011, it is moving away from the longtime mirage of capturing soccer's masses of youth players, and seeking more of the 18- to-34-year-olds already chanting, singing and filling the stands.
Paulson said Portland's MLS game atmosphere will retain the spectacle and spirit of Portland's fan group, the Timbers Army, while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. But ditching soccer moms and allowing more naughtiness could be the key to the MLS' future.
A glimpse at the wild side

Fans clogged PGE Park's plaza Wednesday night, some chanting, "Let us in!" before doors opened. Seattle and Portland supporters sold out the game, itching to renew a decades-old rivalry that's survived various incarnations of pro soccer in the U.S. -- this time with Seattle in a league one level above Portland.
"It's like a 90-minute party," 19-year-old Andy Hatz said as he solicited donations for the Timbers Army's pregame display of giant signs, flags and colored smoke bombs. "You just go completely mental for 90 minutes."
Hatz clutched the donation box in one hand while flashing an obscene gesture with the other at a passing Sounders fan. Inside the stadium, the LL Cool J song "Mama Said Knock You Out" blared in the concourse at a volume that would make Mama tell you to turn it down.
In the stands, fans chomping hot dogs and kids in youth soccer jerseys mixed with the edginess that makes soccer crowds dynamic, unique -- and, sometimes, reviled.
Fans wore scarves with vulgar anti-Seattle slogans sewn into them and colored their language to match their intensity. Two fans came to blows in the sideline beer garden, and security guards carried out one like a rolled-up rug. Someone in the crowd threw a water bottle at a Seattle player, narrowly missing him.
In a Timbers fan section a large sign appeared, directed at former University of Portland goalkeeper Casey Keller, who was viewed by some as a traitor for signing with Seattle.
"Keller: Do the Cobain," it read, punctuated with an image of a shotgun -- the tool used by troubled musician Kurt Cobain to kill himself.
A little dangerous? Absolutely.

Continue reading this article at the Oregonian.

REPORT: US Takes On Grenada on America's Birthday

2009-07-04T14:25:00.003-04:00

USA Coach Bob Bradley and Sounders FC Goalkeeper Kasey Keller Photo: Greg Roth

As the United States of America celebrates it's 233rd birthday, the US National Team prepares to defend it's Gold Cup Champion title with honor. Across the country the soccer interested will be taking a break from the barbecues and kicking back with a few cold brews to watch a team with some of the same players who became heroes in South Africa during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. How fitting might it be that the USA will kick off it's Gold Cup campaign in Seattle, 100 years after what is recognized by American soccer historians as the greatest early growth of the first professional league, the National Association Football League, and the founding of the America Cup (precursor to the US Open Cup) put together by the resurgent American Football Association (precursor to the US Soccer Federation).

So as many of you celebrate the nation's history, you may also want to dig back into to the nation's soccer history as well, for what came before us, is what led to where we are today.

Happy 4th of July from MLSR

INCOMING: Julian De Guzman to Toronto FC?

2009-07-04T12:36:00.003-04:00

(http://www.marca.com/2009/07/04/futbol/equipos/deportivo/1246721046.html)

As previously reported on mls-rumors.net, Spain's Marca is also reporting that Canadian International and former Deportivo midfielder Julian De Guzman has received a very lucrative offer from MLS side Toronto FC. If De Guzman accepts the Toronto offer he would become the Canadian sides first Designated Player signing, and one of the top earners in MLS. At the moment De Guzman and his agents are sorting out the Toronto offer as well as an offer from Espanyol and Bundesliga side Hamburg. It is thought that the Toronto's offer may be the most lucrative of the three.

VIDEO: CONCACAF VideoSignals 7-4-09

2009-07-04T11:46:00.002-04:00

PHOTOS/VIDEO: A Day in Pictures - As Seattle Prepares For Gold Cup ,USA Prepares For Grenada

2009-07-04T08:51:00.006-04:00

Here's a day in pictures....

Got my media credentials...It's on now baby!

At US Practice.....(Photos: Kim Liggins, Prost Amerika)

Check back later for more from the street, the game and the post-game presser....

LIVE: Costa Rica vs El Salvador (VIDEO)

2009-07-03T22:05:00.002-04:00

Live score/matchtracker here.....

Full Gold Cup Schedule here....

Watch live video from PSN Sports & Ent. on Justin.tv

CONTEST: Win Gold Cup Tickets From Prost Amerika Soccer

2009-07-03T19:56:00.004-04:00

Want to go to the Gold Cup? Need a ticket?
From Prost Amerika Soccer....

5 pairs of tickets to give away

Seattle

Simply send an email to editor@prostamerika.com with USA in the subject line to enter. Competition closes at 9am tomorrow July 4. Winners will be notified by email.

Be nimble, be quick.

LIVE: Canada vs Jamaica (VIDEO)

2009-07-03T19:53:00.002-04:00

Live score/matchtracker here.....

Liveblogging on the 24th Minute here..

Full Gold Cup Schedule here....

Watch live video from PSN Sports & Ent. on Justin.tv

OFFICIAL: Sounders FC Signs Michael Fucito

2009-07-03T19:40:00.002-04:00

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Michael Fucito

As was first rumored by friend of MLSR, Dave Clark at Sounder at Heart, the former Harvard midfielder is now a Sounder. Loyal MLSR readers will remember this rumor from almost a month ago.

Now Sounder at Heart has an extensive interview with Fucito and his Harvard coach.

Here is an excerpt:

It took several months, and finishing up at Harvard but Mike Fucito is finally a professional soccer player. In this week alone Sounders FC has now added two left side players in the Harvard product and Costa Rican Leo Gonzalez. Fucito did travel with the team to Argentina where he scored, and has trained for the least three weeks with Seattle Sounders FC.

Fucito was a top side player his last two years at Harvard, and knows something about rivalry as he traveled to Portland, not to mention the whole Red Sox/Yankees or Harvard/Yale things. Mike has teamed up with US National Team member Charlie Davies in youth programs and high school, and wore the armband when both were Seniors.

The other Forward at Harvard, Andre Akpan, was tempted with a Generation Adidas contract but chose to finish his studies at the Ivy League school. Mike is stockier, and likely looks to transition to back up the Left and Right Wings maybe getting time in the CAM and Withdrawn Forward. One coach I talked to at the Combine mentioned his loss due to injury one of the reasons that depth was lost, and Coach Clark in Harvard figured that if healthy Mike would have been drafted in the top two rounds.

Continue reading even more at Sounder at Heart.

VIDEO: CONCACAF VideoSignals 7-3-09

2009-07-03T19:35:00.001-04:00

AMERICANS ABROAD: More on Dempsey transfer rumors.

2009-07-03T19:10:00.005-04:00

After rumors coming out of papers like The Sun and websites like Tribal Football, Soccer365 has yet again contacted the always dependable american agent Lyle Yorks on this topic......

Fresh from a Bronze Ball showing at Confederations Cup, Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey has at least five clubs from four countries calling to enquire about his services, Socce365 has learned.Despite UK reports of an offer from Everton, his agent insisted on Thursday evening that no official bids had been submitted for the U.S. wingman."

Continue reading at Soccer365.

REPORT: MLSR At USMNT Training and Charlie Davies Interview

2009-07-03T12:09:00.004-04:00

USA CONCACAF Gold Cup Match with Grenada

Yesterday, I had the privilege of watching the US National team work out at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila Washington just south of Seattle for their upcoming 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup match with Grenada on Saturday July 4th. CONCACAF allowed the U.S. to expand its roster from 23 to 30 after considering the short turn around after the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Watching the passing and dribbling in close quarters I gained a greater appreciation for the skill of the players. Then their play spread out to include long passes. Before the additional 7 players were called in many called this a "B" squad and few would have argued.

From my observations of the players on site it is a highly skilled passing and shooting team. Freddy Adu was showing his abilities to trap and pivot with the ball then pass it sharply to an open man so they could do something with it. Charlie Davies, who many would argue ignited the US team, and who lead to their improbable run at the Confederations Cup, showed many of his abilities with the ball. He has already proven to me and others that he can be a force on future US teams. Brian Ching showed that he is nearly 100% recovered from injuries that kept him out of the Confederations Cup.

I spoke briefly with Charlie Davies after the practice and below are the questions and his answers. He also showed me and others that interviewed him that he is not only a promising young player but also is a class act as a person. The skill at with which he answered our questions showed that he can handle the attention focused upon him when performing on the world stage while also being generous with his time. He demonstrated it with his ability to forgive this reporter's mistake by making light of it and still giving me a good interview thus showing understanding that the media are human. He spoke with respect and answered all of the questions like it was the first time they were asked even though he probably has been asked them a thousand times between South Africa and Seattle.

Below are the quick questions we asked:

MLSR: Do you expect to be starting on Saturday?

Charlie: "For me I'm not sure, whatever Bob decides. Right now I'm just focused on getting ready for Saturday."

MLSR: What will you take out of your experiences in South Africa to the 2010 World Cup?

Charlie: "I'm going to take a lot out of my experience. It was a great chance to play against guys like Robinho, Kaka, Puyol. It was also a good experience to see how things work when your playing a high level of competition like there was in the Confederations Cup. Also playing with Landon and guys like that helps me get better day by day. I have learned a lot and have grown as a player and will continue to grow so hopefully I can be a force going forward."

From my observations of this team they should show well on Saturday against Grenada.

With the late additions of Jozy Altidore, Jonathan Bornstein, Conor Casey, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Brad Guzan and Sacha Kljestan to the line up the question of whether or not the US is sending a strong team to this Gold Cup has been answered with a resounding "yes".

These additions will also give Bob Bradley more options on game day. With the US Soccer Federation placing added importance on the Gold Cup, the deeper in this competition the US is likely to advance. Soccer fans should see a US side that will have players playing hard in order to be considered for future squads. These player may also want to send a message to the established players that they better keep their game up.

In conclusion, this should be an exciting series of games to watch.

Lenny Laymon for MLSR

REPORT: Soccer City USA? Portlanders Chose MLS Timbers Over Baseball Beavers in Poll

2009-07-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

According to the Portland Business Journal....

In last week’s Business Pulse Survey we asked “If you had to choose, would you rather keep the Timbers or the Beavers?” and 41 percent said Timbers, 27 percent said Beavers and 18 percent said they want to keep both.

REPORT: Seattle Sounders FC Fan Arrested at US Open Cup Cascadian Clash

2009-07-03T10:45:00.002-04:00

Apparently one of Seattle's North End Supporters got arrested.

As many of you are aware, there was an incident involving an NES member at last night's Sounders-Timbers match. (and that NES member would be me, of course).

It is probably best that I maintain a low profile for a while, and I have been in contact with a few fellow supporters about the incident. I don't really care to engage in any public discussion right now.

My most immediate concern is any damage I may have done to the reputations of NES and our sister organizations on last night's trip, Gorilla FC and Immortal Fury. I have learned long ago that life isn't fair and in this case the legal ramifications don't necessarily match the actual events. I also need a lawyer... if anyone out there in Sounders Nation can help me out, I'd appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of my personal property (flags, scarf, hat) that would be great... I don't ever expect to see that stuff again, quite frankly!

Special thanks to Carlos and Dana for providing me invaluable assistance in getting me home.

From the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office police blotter......

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
Public Access to Inmate Data

Booking Information

SWIS ID: 738511
Name: Reeder, Jacob Joseph
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 190 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Arresting Agency:
Arrest Date: 7/1/2009 10:05 PM
Booking Date: 7/1/2009 10:03 PM
Current Status: Released
Assigned Facility: PERM
Projected Release Date: Unknown
Release Date: 7/2/2009
Release Reason: Person Released on Citation
Court Case No. None DA Case No. None Citation No. Z1778525
Charge Bail Status
DISORDERLY COND 2 (B Misdemeanor) Cite
RESIST ARREST (A Misdemeanor) Cite
Bail required could be the full amount or 10% of the full amount.

AMERICANS ABROAD: Eddie Johnson to Crystal Palace?

2009-07-03T09:03:00.003-04:00

Various sources say Fulham may put Johnson on loan again....

Fulham have put striker Eddie Johnson up for a loan move to Crystal Palace.
The U.S. international has struggled to gain regular first team football at Craven Cottage and was sent out on loan to Cardiff City last season.
Despite having two years to run on his contract, Johnson has again been put up for loan with Fulham targeting the Eagles who are considering the offer.
"We've had a phone call about him from his agent - but we don't know if we are going to follow it up,” said Eagles boss Neil Warnock.
"It's an option."

AMERICANS ABROAD: Heath Pearce should know his club fate after Gold Cup.

2009-07-03T08:58:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately for Pearce, there is now competition at the left back spot since Bornstein was added to the squad....but clubs are still said to be looking on.

Free agent left back Heath Pearce will have clubs from five European countries watching when he starts CONCACAF Gold Cup play with the U.S. National Team on Saturday, Soccer365 has learned.While a traditional Eredivisie sub-topper with longstanding contact has shuffled its feet on an expected offer, rival suitors have popped up across both central Europe and Scandinavia."He has interest from Denmark, Sweden, the second Bundesliga and from one of the top teams in Austria," his agent, Lyle Yorks, told Soccer365. "There is still a Dutch team we're talking to, but there they have a minimum salary (for non-European Union players of nearly a half million Euros per season) issue."Whether the Eredivisie side are trying to find money in the wage budget or simply keeping an eye out for a thriftier option remains to be seen, but any strong Pearce showings at Gold Cup could suddenly crowd the negotiating table.Pearce, the 2006 SAS Liga Defender of the Year with FC Nordsjælland, appeared in 19 Bundesliga games and 12 2.Bundesliga contest in two season with Hansa Rostock.

AMERICANS ABROAD: Ventura County PDL star signs loan deal with Everton.

2009-07-03T08:51:00.001-04:00

Anton Peterlin has signed with Everton on a year long loan.

Everton Football Club of the Barclays Premier League and former Cal Poly defensive midfielder Anton Peterlin will jointly end months of speculation when the transfer window opens Wednesday morning with the official announcement that the 22-year-old San Francisco native has signed with the Liverpool-based side for an undisclosed fee.

AMERICANS ABROAD: Ajax chief wants "Gooch".

2009-07-03T08:46:00.003-04:00

Tribal Football has what the owner of Ajax has to say...

Ajax director Rik van den Boog has confirmed his club's interest in signing Oguchi Onyewu on a free transfer from Standard Liege.
The 27-year-old is at the end of his contract with the Belgian outfit and has also reportedly attracted the interest of Fenerbahce and a number of English clubs.
Van den Boog told Amsterdam broadcaster AT5: "Onyewu is a very strong guy and we could very much use someone like that in our defence.
"Especially when you look at our current squad, physical strength would be an absolutely vital addition.
"A player who is part of the USA team is always physical."