MLSE has to be the worst ownership group in the history of sports.
It's common knowledge at this point:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ey-truly-the-worst-franchise-on-all-of-sports
Caleb Porter about to have a press conference soon.
Salt Lake got Robbie Findley back from Portland.
Another MLS player that shouldn't have gone to Europe. I expect to see Robbie Rogers back as well.
I feel that if players are going to Europe, they're best suited to play in the Netherlands.
TFC can't get Nelsen to coach yet since he is still plying for QPR so they got this college coach named Fran O Leary to fill in the interim. Hahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhaahahaahahahahhahahah I love this league.
D.C. United today announced that the club has signed Brazilian striker Rafael as a young Designated Player on loan for one year. Rafael, 20, joins the Black-and-Red from Bahia of the Brazilian Serie A, where he has made 36 first-team appearances and has scored 10 goals. Per club and League policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Rafael will be available for selection pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and visa.
Home opener vs Scum. Let's fucking go.
Wow. My birthday is on March 15th, SKC game on the 16th, girlfriend's birthday and St Patricks day on the 17th...
I may very well be drunk and partying for 3-4 days straight.
Oh, goody. "Rivalry Week". How........cute.
And I still hate this incredibly unbalanced schedule.
Oh, and I haven't forgotten Garber and Co applying for trademarks on all of the supporters-based cup names (ie. Cascadia Cup, Trillium Cup).
I love my domestic football but I absolutely loathe who is managing it and how...
SANTA FE CLOSING IN ON YEAR-LONG LOAN FOR UNIONS CARLOS VALDES
Philadelphia Union captain Carlos Valdes is on the verge of heading back to Colombia, and if he does, the all-star defender may never wear a Union uniform again.
The Union are closing in on a deal to send the Colombian national team defender to Colombian side Santa Fe on a year-long loan, sources confirmed to SBI on Wednesday.
The deal has yet to be finalized as of Wednesday morning, but sources with knowledge of the deal tell SBI the proposed move is a one-year loan with an option for Santa Fe to buy Valdes. The move is expected to be finalized this week.
Valdes has been pushing for a loan for several months in order to be fit heading into Colombias upcoming World Cup qualifiers in February. Valdes has emerged as a regular starter on a Colombia side enjoying a strong qualifying campaign in South America. Colombian national team manager Jose Pekerman was another driving force behind the move, telling Valdes that such a move could help his standing with the national team.
The success of Colombian national team in World Cup qualifying has raised the profile of players on the team, including Valdes, and a continued strong run for Colombia could earn Valdes some long looks from European suitors. If that happens, Santa Fe would most likely trigger the purchase option on Valdes (though the Union would likely be protected by sell-on fees included in this type of deal).
Santa Fe is currently competing in Copa Libertadores and is favored to advance past the group stage. That competition would also provide Valdes ample opportunity to play high-level matches as well as potentially catch the eye of scouts. Santa Fes first Copa Libertadores match is scheduled for Feb. 13th against Peruvian side Real Garcilaso.
An MLS All-star in 2012, Valdes was the leader of the Union defense, but his desire to make a move led the Union to acquire former Seattle Sounders defender Jeff Parke. If Valdes does leave, the Union will have Parke, Amobi Okugo and Bakary Soumare as centerback options heading into the 2013 season.
So why would the Union send Valdes to Santa Fe on loan rather than sell him outright? Its pretty simple. Valdes value has the potential to skyrocket in 2013 by competing in Copa Libertadores and South American World Cup qualifying. A loan with a purchase option that includes sell-ons for the Union makes the most sense for the Union.
What do you think of this development? See the Union doing well defensively with a centerback trio of Parke, Okugo and Soumare? Hoping Valdes comes back to the Union in a year?
Obvious attempt to facilitate derbies.
I have no objections to it even though it has a stupid name. If it creates progress for derbies, I'm all for it.
Well, looks like Carlos is gonna be leaving us. Looks as if its a move to be noticed by the Columbian National team. Was hoping for a Parke/Valdez pairing...but it looks as if its gonna be Parke/Soumare.
I hope Soumare is finally ready to play. Only union game I ever walked out of was the only game he played in last year...and his FB page is just him still having a hard-on for his German team he used to play for, hardly, if ever, seems to support the Union or talk about them.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01...-year-long-loan-for-unions-carlos-valdes.html
I know and I agree that growing it organically is good. But having said that, I think certain rivalries aren't really major yet and that's what Garber and MLS want. The only way to get headlines, media attention, etc... is to do it through the league (unfortunately). Places like Toronto could make something out of it. Sure, the rivalry with MTL is strong, but it's not WHOA ALL OVER THE MEDIA strong (not like Portland-Seattle).But that's done organically, from the local/regional level. Not by pack of suit-n-tie t**ts shilling it to you.
As a supporter, I don't want Joe and Jane Fan thinking, "Gee, that rivalry looks like a fun time! Let's sign up as a supporter so we can get tickets for the next away match!" Then scalp them to the highest bidder on craigslist because they have some other sh*t to attend to and we end up with some sod that doesn't want to stand in the away section.
It dilutes the derby.
The way the league/media has been doing fine thus far. No need to start some cheap campaign.
/rant
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/mayor-reed-confident-atlanta-will-get-new-stadium/nTsKp/Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he is confident that an agreement will be reached to build a new Falcons stadium in the city, despite widespread public opposition to using hotel-motel taxes to subsidize part of the proposed facilitys roughly $1 billion cost.
I think well get a deal done on the stadium and that well have a world-class stadium in the city of Atlanta, Reed said Thursday at an Atlanta Press Club luncheon.
The first-term mayor also said he believed a new stadium would help the city compete for a Major League Soccer team.
YESSSS WE GOT MORGAN. AND WE GOT SINCLAIR. =DHurray, we got Rapinoe. Boo, Portland got Morgan.
Hey guys, just had my account approved today so I wanted to drop in and say hi. Been checking out this thread for a while in my lurker days so I'm looking forward to contributing.
I'm a New York Red Bulls fan. Born and raised in England, which makes me a rare MLS follower in these isles. The league has a bad rep over here due to some outdated ignorance, but it's gradually changing. I managed to convert most of my friends to MLS; simply told them to actually check it out and then make a decision. 90% were impressed, stuck with it and now support teams ranging from Dallas to Seattle to New England.
I discovered the league about eight years ago when I came across a game at about 5am while up late essay writing. Having always been a big admirer of US culture I immediately fell in love with the league and wanted it to grow and grow. I chose RBNY because I've always adored NY from afar, despite having never stepped foot on American soil yet. Also because Youri Djorkaeff was playing for the then MetroStars at the time, and he had spent several years entertaining me with his play in the Premier League.
Grew up supporting Tottenham Hotspur via family, but never really cared about them passionately. As I grew increasingly bored and frustrated supporting them my love for RBNY grew and grew, even through the tought times. Two or three years ago I stopped supporting Spurs completely and now solely and proudly support the Red Bulls.
Fulfilled a dream I never thought would happen when I saw NY play live, against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup. Okay, winning that trophy was nothing to shout about, but it was a great experience.
Hoping we announce a new head coach soon, situation is dragging too much. Seemed as if Gary McAllister was the man for a long time, but with all signs pointing to Paulo Sousa I don't know what the hold up is.
On a side note, in response to the above discussion about NWSL, I think I'm going to be following Western NY Flash. Big advocate for women's football so I hope this league takes off. Pleased we got Wambach and Lloyd, but Portland's frontline of Sinclair and Morgan is scary and seemingly unfair, I'd argue.
Thanks!Some might argue that is our most prestigious silverware! ...sigh.
Welcome to the board!
Hey guys, just had my account approved today so I wanted to drop in and say hi. Been checking out this thread for a while in my lurker days so I'm looking forward to contributing.
I'm a New York Red Bulls fan. Born and raised in England, which makes me a rare MLS follower in these isles. The league has a bad rep over here due to some outdated ignorance, but it's gradually changing. I managed to convert most of my friends to MLS; simply told them to actually check it out and then make a decision. 90% were impressed, stuck with it and now support teams ranging from Dallas to Seattle to New England.
I discovered the league about eight years ago when I came across a game at about 5am while up late essay writing. Having always been a big admirer of US culture I immediately fell in love with the league and wanted it to grow and grow. I chose RBNY because I've always adored NY from afar, despite having never stepped foot on American soil yet. Also because Youri Djorkaeff was playing for the then MetroStars at the time, and he had spent several years entertaining me with his play in the Premier League.
Grew up supporting Tottenham Hotspur via family, but never really cared about them passionately. As I grew increasingly bored and frustrated supporting them my love for RBNY grew and grew, even through the tought times. Two or three years ago I stopped supporting Spurs completely and now solely and proudly support the Red Bulls.
Fulfilled a dream I never thought would happen when I saw NY play live, against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup. Okay, winning that trophy was nothing to shout about, but it was a great experience.
Hoping we announce a new head coach soon, situation is dragging too much. Seemed as if Gary McAllister was the man for a long time, but with all signs pointing to Paulo Sousa I don't know what the hold up is.
On a side note, in response to the above discussion about NWSL, I think I'm going to be following Western NY Flash. Big advocate for women's football so I hope this league takes off. Pleased we got Wambach and Lloyd, but Portland's frontline of Sinclair and Morgan is scary and seemingly unfair, I'd argue.
The New York Red Bulls are the final team in MLS with a coaching vacancy to fill this off-season, but sources tell SBI they have settled on the top two men in their staff and it is two coaches recently linked to the club.
The Red Bulls will name Paulo Sousa head coach this week, sources confirmed to SBI on Monday.
Sousa was first linked to the Red Bulls job by Alexi Lalas more than a week ago and he has been chosen to lead the team under the new front office leadership of Andy Roxburgh and Jerome deBontin. Sousa recently stepped down from his coaching job in Hungary.
Sources also tell SBI that Claudio Reyna has been offered the role of being Sousas first assistant, and signs point to him taking the job. One source has told SBI that Reyna has stepped down from his position as U.S. Soccers youth technical director, a move that clears the way for him to join the Red Bulls.
How easy is it to get a Sounders ticket? I am thinking of trying to pair a game with an Alaskan cruise departing from Seattle.. the July 3rd game may work well. I see they don't go on sale until February.
Livestrong Statement said:"While we don't talk about the specifics related to any of our partners, part of my role as the chief financial officer is to ensure compliance by our corporate partners," Livestrong CFO Greg Lee said. "We strive to be great partners ourselves and expect the same from those we do business with. If a partner is struggling to meet the terms of our agreement, we do everything possible to reach a fair and reasonable compromise. If no compromise can be reached, as good stewards or our brand and mission, we have no choice but to bring that agreement to an end."
Sporting KC Statement said:"We are disappointed to learn Livestrong is deploying tactics designed to force us into an unacceptable arrangement, after months of good faith discussions in which we believed progress had been made," said Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman in a statement provided to ESPN.com. "We were not expecting the foundation to treat a partner in this manner, especially given the tumultuous environment they have thrust us into over the past year -- while we staunchly defended the mission of the foundation. Our faith and trust in this partnership has been permanently damaged; therefore we are terminating our agreement with Livestrong immediately."
How easy is it to get a Sounders ticket? I am thinking of trying to pair a game with an Alaskan cruise departing from Seattle.. the July 3rd game may work well. I see they don't go on sale until February.
Full list of the Women's league teams and which players each received from allocation:
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/NWSL/2...-55-National-Team-Players-to-Eight-Clubs.aspx
The NWSL College Draft is on January the 18th to help flesh out the teams.
Hey guys, just had my account approved today so I wanted to drop in and say hi. Been checking out this thread for a while in my lurker days so I'm looking forward to contributing.
I'm a New York Red Bulls fan. Born and raised in England, which makes me a rare MLS follower in these isles. The league has a bad rep over here due to some outdated ignorance, but it's gradually changing. I managed to convert most of my friends to MLS; simply told them to actually check it out and then make a decision. 90% were impressed, stuck with it and now support teams ranging from Dallas to Seattle to New England.
I discovered the league about eight years ago when I came across a game at about 5am while up late essay writing. Having always been a big admirer of US culture I immediately fell in love with the league and wanted it to grow and grow. I chose RBNY because I've always adored NY from afar, despite having never stepped foot on American soil yet. Also because Youri Djorkaeff was playing for the then MetroStars at the time, and he had spent several years entertaining me with his play in the Premier League.
Grew up supporting Tottenham Hotspur via family, but never really cared about them passionately. As I grew increasingly bored and frustrated supporting them my love for RBNY grew and grew, even through the tought times. Two or three years ago I stopped supporting Spurs completely and now solely and proudly support the Red Bulls.
...
...news about sporting + LS
Big citeh support, eh? lol just havin a go...no worries.
But many over there hear about our league and have some level of appreciation.
Toronto just traded the overall #1 pick in the draft to New England for the #4 pick and allocation money. NE must have someone they want to be damn sure not to miss.