Here are the Top 15 soccer stores we’re following today
1. STRONG US ROSTER FOR UPCOMING QUALIFIERS
With both Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey on the same team for the first time in over a year, the US revealed a very strong roster for next montth's World Cup qualifiers in Costa Rica and at home against Mexico in Columbus. The roster includes nine MLS players: three from the Seattle Sounders and two each from LA, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake. Mexico, meanwhile, also released their squad for the upcoming qualifier in Columbus. With No Vela or Ochoa, is there trouble in the ranks?
2. KLINSMANN TALKS ABOUT SELECTIONS, FORWARD PLANNING
There have been some questions over whether or not the US will field its strongest eleven against Costa Rica, especially with a number of players on yellow cards and the Mexico match looming just a few days later. With the US needing just four points between the two games to guarantee a place at next summer’s World Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann believes “we want to qualify as soon as possible.” In an interview with USsoccer.com the US head coach also talked about the squad;s new depth, the young players coming through and Dempsey’s 100th cap.
3. INTERNATIONAL DUTY CALLS FOR MLS PLAYERS
The nine MLS players called into the US squad won’t be the only ones representing their countries during the international schedule. There were 26 total players called up for games, including the Red Bulls Tim Cahill and Roy Miller (to represent Australia and Costa Rica, respectively), the Galaxy’s Robbie Keane and new ‘keeper Jamie Penedo (Republic of Ireland and Panama) as well as FC Dallas’ Raul Fernandez and Blas Perez (Peru and Panama). Most interesting of all though is the Philadelphia Union’s Michael LaHoud, who has been called up to play for Sierra Leone.
4. AGUDELO TO JOIN STOKE EARLY? NOT LIKELY
Stoke City want Juan Agudelo to join them now, but the New England Revolution? Not interested. With the club still very much in the playoff race the Revs have reportedly decided to keep one of the best strikers and forego Stoke’s offer of $750,000. Kyle McCarthy of Fox Soccer sums up the reasons for that decision.
5. NEW ENGLAND BOLSTER DEFENSE
The Revs have also moved to add depth in a different position, signing defender O’Brian Woodbine. The Jamaican international joins the club having previously played for the Charleston Battery and trialled with D.C. United earlier this year. Another bonus for the Revs down the stretch appears to be the improved form of Kelyn Rowe.
6. NYCFC TO OPEN NEW STADIUM IN THE BRONX?
The Yankees could be getting a new neighbor. According to reports, after meeting opposition over the proposed move to Flushing, NYCFC have a new home in mind just south of Yankee Stadium. This move would make sense seeing as the Yankees own part of the team and would also give credence to reports the team will initially play games in the Bronx Bombers home. That only leaves the small matter of building a new factory to replace the one that’s already on the site.
7. PROBLEMS IN RED BULLS CAMP?
Have tensions reached a boiling point for the New York Red Bulls? According to this report, head coach MIke Petke and star forward Thierry Henry got into a shouting match during workouts on Thursday and the two had to be separated by members of the coaching staff before Henry left the field.
8. LONG TERM INJURED PLAYERS, CUT THEM OR KEEP THEM?
It’s a problem most clubs have faced at some point: You have a player who’s been with you for a while, you love him and the fans love him. But he can’t stay healthy. Do you cut him or do you stick with a guy who’s been good to you in the past? Using FC Dallas as a template, here are three examples.
9. THE FC DALLAS COWBOYS? NEW PARTNERSHIPS OFFER NEW POSSIBILITIES
The Dallas Cowboys will be relocating their headquarters and training facilities mere minutes from FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, and FCD executive Dan Hunt is raving about the positives of the move. The two groups are apparently working on a very big project.
10. NELSEN'S JOB SAFE IN TORONTO
Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen isn't going anywhere, accoring to MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke. The two men met with Red Patch Boys supporters on Thursday night and Leiweke reportedly told the group that he has no intentions of parting ways with Nelsen, despite the team's struggles this season.
11. TWELVE-YEAR-OLD CHIVAS KID CATCHES GLOBAL ATTENTION
John Kenneth Hilton goes by the nickname XuXuh (shu-shu) and while he may only be 12 years old, he has already done enough to capture the attention of Manchester City. Could the young lad be on his way to Manchester or, just as likely, New York? Not if Sacha Van der Mos, Chivas USA’s director of soccer, can help it “we hope to continue the player in his home environment.”
12. COLLEGE COMES FIRST FOR FUTURE MLS PLAYERS
For most student athletes the chance to go pro is the ultimate dream, so when that opportunity comes up you grab it with both hands, often meaning skipping your senior year. What about those who choose to put their studies first? The Washington Post looks at two potential soccer stars who are doing just that.
13. DOES MLS NEED A HIGHLIGHT SHOW?
With the ever increasing amount of soccer on TV these days and the success of the new Match of the Day on NBC, is it time for MLS to have its own highlights show? This piece looks at some of the issues that could stand in the way and whether or not the demand exists. Would you watch it?
14. BRINGING BACK JOZY
Jozy Altidore may have only just moved to Sunderland, but what would it take to bring him back to MLS? That’s the question asked by the Bleacher report which runs down five increasingly unlikely scenarios.
15. ITS FINALLY TIME: LENHART CHIA PETS
Yes, after literally days of waiting, it’s almost time for the greatest promotional give away of all time. The Steven Lenhart Chia Pet night will see lucky San Jose fans come away with the greatest freebie they will likely ever receive. Can’t be in San Jose? Console yourself with this promotional video.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Talking Donovan and the Outlaws
Three for Thursday: MLS players past and present who’ve played college football
The Sideline:Twitter reaction to USMNT roster
