It’s one of the main storylines of the offseason: Will Landon Donovan be hanging them up?
Well, someone who should have good knowledge of the situation has given a clear hint that quitting the game is likely not in Donovan’s plans. Read what LA Galaxy exec Chris Klein told USA Today about LD: “We're confident fans are going to see a refreshed Landon in 2013."
Another interesting observation from Klein. Of course he’s biased when he says that: “Going into next year, we're confident we have the two best [Designated Players] in the league, so we can be patient [on a third]."
Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls also parted ways with one of their three Designated Players. It was announced on Thursday morning that the club has officially parted ways with Rafa Márquez.
Make sure to catch ExtraTime Radio later today when the guys talk to Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, who is a busy man already this offseason.
Not only did he trade for Benny Feilhaber and US Olympic defender Ike Opara, but he also convinced out-of-contract Defender of the Year Matt Besler to sign a brand new contract.
Speaking of Besler, the Kansas City native participated in a live fan Twitter Q&A last night under the heading of #AskBes. Read the questions he answered here.
It turns out Besler had overseas trial offers, but he sounds like he wants to stay in MLS forever: “If you told me in eight years or 10 years that I was still playing for Sporting and we had won multiple championships, I would be extremely happy and I’d shake your hand.”
Do Sporting Kansas City have a handshake deal with Argentine striker Claudio Bieler? The rumors are heating up about the potential move.
The Montreal Impact also re-signed a player ahead of Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft that will be held on Friday. It’s Justin Mapp, a player the Impact hope “to help him find more consistency in his game.”
MLS Cup runners-up Houston Dynamo awarded contract extensions to four players, including left-footed star Brad Davis.
If you’re still catching up on yesterday’s big trade, Toronto FC traded arguably two of their top five players as Milos Kocic and Ryan Johnson head to Portland. Remember, Johnson was the player who just a few weeks ago said about current TFC manager Paul Mariner: “He's a great person and a great man, but for the job? I don't know."
Now the question is: Do the Timbers have one too many forwards or is it just the right depth with Johnson, Kris Boyd, Bright Dike and Danny Mwanga?
But was that even the most important deal the Timbers executed yesterday. According to one blogger, there’s perhaps “a subset to the deal that was not reported” and it involves the move up the allocation rankings.
How do Toronto FC make up for losing Johnson and Kocic? Expect them to be busy during Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft on Friday. The club said as much to the Toronto Sun.
The latest offseason rumor about an international player coming to MLS: How many years have we heard about Owen Hargreaves coming to MLS?
Canadian fans hoping to see another of their most high-profile compatriots, PSV’s Atiba Hutchinson, playing in MLS may have to wait a bit. Two or three years, to be exact.
More Hondurans seem to be in the plans of MLS clubs. In Central America they say it’s practically a done deal that Wilmer Crisanto (reportedly to Seattle Sounders) and David Velásquez Colón (destination TBD) will be heading to MLS. (SPANISH)
Meanwhile, the Carlo Cudicini rumors continue to hover about a potential switch to the LA Galaxy to join former teammate Robbie Keane.
Another named linked to MLS: center forward Grafite, who’d supposedly head from the United Arab Emirates to the USA. (PORTUGUESE)
This is not rumor. It’s reality. The NFL’s Atlanta Falcons are looking to make a move for an MLS team as part of their new stadium development plan, according to the team’s head honcho: “We have begun to look at MLS again, how would we attract [a team] … and how it would fit.”
He’s not the only executive talking expansion. Here’s what Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins told the press after unveiling stunning stadium renderings of a possible new home in Orlando: “The league wants to be in Florida, and we are still in the lead for moving up to MLS.”
Chivas USA confirmed José Luis Sánchez Solá, or “El Chelís,” as their new coach yesterday and now another high profile Mexican managerial figure wants in on the MLS act. Hugo Sánchez’s representative is putting feelers out there. (SPANISH)
Stunning news in the world of CONCACAF: Jamaica have been knocked out in the qualifying stage for the 2013 Gold Cup.
Monterrey couldn’t do CONCACAF proud in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals after bowing out 3-1 to Chelsea early Thursday morning. Watch the highlights here.
A trophy was handed out last night as São Paulo captured the Copa Sudamericana in controversial fashion after Argentine side Tigre did not show up for the second half, claiming they were attacked by Brazilian stadium security. There were pictures of alleged blood on the walls and claims of guns shoved in Tigre players’ chests. It’s worth noting that Tigre were already down 2-0 and São Paulo’s president says “the Argentines ran away.”
Watch the video of the madness here. And here’s a photo gallery of the scenes from Brazil.
On a brighter note, as we move closer to the peak of the holiday season, you may be looking for some soccer gift ideas. KICKTV has you covered with these tips.
Lastly, it took long enough. But Houston’s mayor held up her end of the MLS Cup bet she had with her LA counterpart. Here she is wearing LA Galaxy colors. But why’d she pick that jersey? (VIDEO)
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