Terrence Boyd (German-American) is apparently in the 1st team squad for Borussia Dortmund tomorrow against Koln. He's been scoring a bunch of goals in the reserves (8 in 10 games).
Not sure if he'll be available for qualifying since teams don't have to release players for that. He was in an U20 camp back in the summer and I bet he'll be called into the U20/U23 camp in November during the int'l break.
Nope. There'll be a few guys who make the qualifying roster that won't be on the Olympic roster (if we qualify).
Dempsey scored today http://soccerblogvideo.blogspot.com/2011/10/wigan-0-2-fulham-dempsey-dembele-great.html
My super-mega confirmation list of clubs that have called about and/or come in person to watch FC Dallas winger Brek Shea feature for the USMNT has expanded. I'll repeat the list below, with the newly uncovered denoted by boldface. AC Milan, Anderlecht, AZ, Blackburn, Bolton, Dinamo Kyiv, Dinamo Moscow, Fulham, Hamburg, Juventus, Liverpool, Newcastle, PSV Eindhoven, Roda JC, Schalke, Spartak Moscow, Sporting CP, Stoke City, Sunderland, Werder Bremen, West Ham United And, by the way... there are three more exciting names I'm nearly sure about and others I've just not pegged at all yet. Plus, I sat a few seats from Arsene Wenger at the US-France friendly, so adding Arsenal (his temporary training home) seems more than appropriate.
I'd like to see him at a club like Fulham instead of jumping to a really big club right away. He will get games and still be able to play on a pretty competitive side in a city with plenty to do.
There is always that chance, but I think they have too much quality to go down this year. Especially with Wigan and Blackburn all but guaranteed to be 2 of the 3 IMO.
Ream apparently has offers from Bolton and West Brom. Must sound good for him to get a work permit if they're both after him.
Definitely time for him to move on to Europe, I think staying in the MLS doesn't do anything for him.
Postcard from Mexico: Hoyos working way back from crash Estudiantes forward eyeing first-team place, open to playing for US November 24, 2011 Tom Marshall MLSsoccer.com GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Back in April, it seemed Fountain Valley, Calif.-born Michael Hoyos' nascent and highly promising career was over. The Estudiantes de La Plata forward was involved in a serious car crash that not only put him in intensive care for a week, but left hospital staff bemused that he even survived at all. Against the odds, he is back on the field, playing regularly for the Estudiantes reserve team and looking to earn a first-team place. “I didn´t know if I was going to be able [to play again],” Hoyos told MLSsoccer.com from Argentina. “I got hit on the head and I didn't know if I was going to be able to do anything, but I'm actually fine and doing great and just thankful that everything is going good.” The former Irvine Strikers player moved to Argentina from California when he was 15 and quickly became part of the Estudiantes youth set-up. He debuted for the first team in January 2010, smashing in the winning goal from outside the area against Boca Juniors in a preseason friendly. Six months later, Hoyos was called up to Argentina's Under-20 squad and became a regular, apart from missing out on the U-20 World Cup because of the crash. After winning a silver medal at the Pan American Games for Argentina in October, Hoyos is now ineligible for the Under-20s age group. The common perception in US soccer circles is that, like Giuseppe Rossi, Hoyos is major young talent that slipped out of the clutches of the United States. However, Hoyos is adamant he has made no decision about his international future and is well aware that has the option to suit up for the US. “I’ll always have the opportunity to go back to the United States and it's not a closed chapter on that yet,” Hoyos said. “I’ve not made a decision and, if it doesn't work out for me here, I'll hopefully have the opportunity to go for the United States.” Hoyos hasn´t been back to the States for two-and-a-half years due to his soccer commitments in Argentina, but his mother;s side of the family is still based there and he has fond recollections. “I miss everything,” he admitted. “Sight-seeing, fast-food, beaches, friends … ” Despite what must have been a major culture shock moving from California to Argentina at 15, Hoyos says that in terms of soccer, it wasn't that difficult for him to adapt to the intense culture surrounding the sport in Argentina. “It wasn't hard to adapt because it was something I wanted to do and was willing to do,” Hoyos said. He added: “But it was different there [in the United States]. You´d probably train two days a week, maybe three but mostly two, but over here it's every day and then playing at the weekends. Here, soccer is like if you go to school. You wake up, go to train and then play at the weekends, so it's really different.” Hoyos understands that it is difficult in the United States with sports like American football, basketball and baseball competing with soccer, but believes the key is getting kids started young. “Wherever you go [in Argentina] you see kids with a ball playing in the street, playing in the dirt. It´s really different,” said Hoyos. “[I think the key in the US] is teaching the young kids the basics of soccer from a young, young age and to keep [encouraging] them to play soccer.” Down in Argentina, it can´t do Hoyos any harm to have players of the quality of Juan Sebastián Verón around club, and the Californian uses the opportunity to pick the brains of the Argentine legend. “It's actually great because he knows a lot and he has a lot of experience to tell you what to do and what not to do,” he said. “He explains things that are very important for you and that are good in the future, not only in soccer but also in life in general. I think he's a great influence, not only in Estudiantes, but also in world soccer.” But even with Verón in their ranks, the Pincharratas are having a poor season and are tied for last place in the Apertura 2011 tournament. “We've had four coaches this year already. Right now, the coach is someone that is from the club and we're waiting for the finish and to see who comes next year, but they haven't told me anything about that yet,” Hoyos said. The young Argentine-American's next goal on the path to getting back to where he was before the crash is to regain a place in the Estudiantes first team after a difficult 2011. After that, could we see the youngster in the shirt of the Stars and Stripes? Don't rule it out just yet.
not sure if this means much, but here you go juanagudelo17 Juan Agudelo Flight to England tomorrow. ill keep my followers n fans on a suspenseful cliff hanger, without naming the team i will be training with Yet 7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Haven't really seen a game of Anderlecht's this year, but Kljestan is apparently playing great for them. Many of their fans have said he's been their best player so far this season, and they're currently in 1st place in the Jupiler League and Europa League group.
U.S. National Soccer Team Blog Hot List: Johnson continues stellar play December, 9, 2011 Dec 9 12:23 PM ET By Doug McIntyre Fabian Johnson is making a case to be Steve Cherundolo's successor at right back. In our latest attempt to go beyond the ubiquitous weekly roundups of American soccer players abroad, we once again take a look at national team-eligible players who are trending up (or down) with their foreign teams. What's notable this time around? For starters, only one player (Fabian Johnson) who appeared on our first list in October is back. Could we soon see him in a new position for the Yanks? And if there was ever any doubt about how quickly a player's fortunes can change in the cutthroat world of top-level club soccer, consider Brad Guzan, who'd been dropped rather unceremoniously by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Now, in the blink of an eye, Guzan appears to have returned to the mix. Here's a look at a few U.S. players whose evolving job situations overseas could affect their national team futures, both positively and negatively, and how. Plus, an U-23 update from projected backline starter Zarek Valentin. Warming up Brad Guzan, GK, Aston Villa (England) Why he's here: After three-plus years in England, the 27-year-old Guzan is about to get his first shot at sustained Premier League action after Villa starter Shay Given suffered a torn hamstring against Manchester United last week. What this means: The Illinois native was lauded by manager Alex McLeish for his relief work against the Red Devils, but the real test will come over the next month against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Unless he's terrible, though, Guzan -- who, you surely remember, has been in goal for big Yanks matches, including the 2009 Confed Cup shutout of Egypt -- should absolutely move back ahead of recent national team backup Bill Hamid, 21, who has a bright future but isn't yet ready to step onto the international stage should undisputed starter Tim Howard go down with injury. Michael Bradley, MF, Chievo (Italy) Why he's here: After starting just one of Klinsmann's first six games in charge, Bradley got the nod against Slovenia last month and looked hell-bent on keeping his place, helping the German earn just his second U.S. win. What this means: Bradley's play at club level won't hurt his chances of staying in Klinsmann's lineup. The imposing midfielder has been among Cheivo's best players, a consistent performer for a team that's been anything but. He's also shown versatility in Serie A, playing all across midfield, and is regularly taking corners and free kicks, too. If all that continues, it should be enough to keep Bradley above inconsistent Maurice Edu on the national team depth chart. Danny Williams, MF, Hoffenheim (Germany) Why he's here: Sure, Williams hasn't been terribly impressive for the U.S. since debuting against Honduras in October. But he's also been deployed out of position on the right wing. Playing his natural defensive midfield spot in the Bundesliga, though, he's improving each week -- a promising sign for a 22-year-old in his first season as a starter. What this means: Not only has Williams shown he's a capable ball-winner, he's becoming more comfortable making incisive through passes from his deep-lying post. With MLS still in preseason when the U.S. plays a to-be-confirmed friendly in Italy in February, could Klinsmann give Williams a crack at the No. 6 role that's been occupied mostly by Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman? Fabian Johnson, MF, Hoffenheim (Germany) Why he's here: Johnson looked good in his first two U.S. games, against France and Slovenia, last month. He's certainly earned another look as a starter, and despite a surprisingly quiet performance in a recent club loss at Bayer Leverkusen -- which advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League this week -- Johnson continues to show versatility by playing multiple roles with Hoffenheim, including right back. What this means: With incumbent Steve Cherundolo having an up-and-down-season with Hannover (more on that below), and with natural righty Timothy Chandler the apparent solution to the Americans' perpetual troubles at left back, Johnson could eventually earn reps on D. Klinsmann loves that he can play anywhere in the midfield, too. Going cold Alfredo Morales, D, Hertha Berlin (Germany) Why he's here: Morales appeared on the radar of both the U.S. and Peru after breaking into Hertha's first team early this season. He's played in three Bundesliga games, but now hasn't made the match day bench since October. What this means: Morales was a surprise November call-up by Klinsmann after South American reports suggested the 21-year-old was on the verge of committing his international future to Peru. But he didn't play in either match last month, and now that he's idle in Germany you have to wonder whether another invite is in the cards. (Although he is still in contention with the U-23s.) Unless a January loan is arranged -- not out of the question -- first-team call-ups will remain elusive. Steve Cherundolo, D, Hannover (Germany) Why he's here: The classy Hannover captain was probably the best U.S. player at the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Gold Cup, but he's had some troubles of late. It didn't help that Dolo began the season still nursing an injury picked up on international duty, but he's had a devil of a time finding his form in the months since. What this means: The Bundesliga lifer has been only a part-time starter this year, and he's been rounded more easily, and more often, than in the last several seasons combined. It could be a mere blip, but it is harder for an outside back to compensate if his legs aren't cooperating. With his 33rd birthday looming in early 2012, you have to wonder if perhaps this is the beginning of a loyal soldier's inevitable decline. Valentin's say Before Zarek Valentin jetted off to Amsterdam with squad of young MLSers for the annual Generation adidas tour, we had the opportunity to speak at length with the Montreal Impact and U.S. U-23 defender, who will join Caleb Porter's team for a Florida-based training later this month. Here are a few highlights: INSIDER: Describe playing for Porter, your former coach at the University of Akron. VALENTIN: For the guys who've played under Caleb, they know how great of a coach he is. There's obviously a level of security because we know what to expect. But I think when the other guys get used to him they're going to love him just like the rest of us. He's a very welcoming guy off the field. They're not going to feel intimidated to confront him; he's very open to everything. INSIDER: Where do you see yourself playing for this team? VALENTIN: At this point I'll probably end up as an outside back -- probably left back. That's where I played last game. INSIDER: Who stood out at the most recent U-23 camp, in Germany? VALENTIN: Jared Jeffrey had the most incredible display of hitting long balls in a game I've ever seen from a midfielder. I've played against David Beckham a few times, and it was up there with him. Joe Gyau did well. Terrence Boyd scored a couple goals, which is always nice. And Mix [Diskerud] improved a lot from the last time I saw him, with the under-20s. You can tell he's benefited from a lot of first-team games with his club. But Jared was the guy who really stood out. INSIDER: How did the German-American contingent integrate with the MLSers? VALENTIN: Naturally, the guys born and raised in Germany kind of stuck together. But overall people were welcoming, everyone was very nice. You didn't see guys who were stuck-up or selfish or anything. There was good cohesion in the group. By the end of the week I had inside jokes with every single guy on the team, and so did everyone else. It's great that guys are mature enough to be happy, at least until we get on the field.
Johnson's 2 assists and Chandler's red card http://rutube.ru/tracks/5095793.html?autoStart=true&bmstart=1000
Rangers talking extension with Edu Maurice Edu has done well for himself ever since joining Rangers from Toronto FC in 2008, and the club hopes to keep him for the long haul. Rangers manager Ally McCoist said that the club has begun to have contract extension talks with Edu and his representatives. The U.S. national team midfielder's current deal lasts through the 2012-2013 season. Edu has accomplished plenty in his time in Scotland. He's won domestic titles, scored a crucial winner against rival Celtic and scored in UEFA Champions League and Europa League contests. He's been linked with moves away from the club and could benefit from a transfer to a bigger league, but if it's up to Rangers, he won't be going anywhere. "I think Maurice's form in the last three or four games has been really, really encouraging, and he has certainly been one of the better players in the team," McCoist said on Rangers' official website. "He's one of these guys who doesn't always catch the eye, but if you ask his teammates about him, they'll say he always gives performances that are helpful to the side. "We've been very pleased with him. The one thing Maurice does do is work extremely hard - he's a real grafter and a workaholic. That's a massive part of his game."
Eddie Johnson is still alive and will be joining Beasley at Puebla. Greg Garza and Edgar Castillo have joined Joe Benny Corona at Tijuana
Johnson big negro ass should do well in Mexico, he should be able to get some easy goals in the box just by his sheer size versus Mexican league defenders........now can he finish consistently on his chances will be the big question