The All-Star Game is coming together. First, Manchester United arrived Stateside on Monday. Next the initial list of names of the MLS All-Star squad will be named on Tuesday.
The fans are doing their part with the All-Star crowd at Reliant Stadium expected to come close to the event’s all-time record.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs spoke to USA Todayabout potentially joining MLS after the final year of his contract with the Red Devils.
The rumor mill of big names destined for MLS is swirling faster than ever. Mexican Rafa Márquez is being linked to the New York Red Bulls in reports picking up steam in Spain, where Márquez plays for FC Barcelona (SPANISH).
However, if you believe the reports closer to home in Seattle, NYRB’s newest acquisition could be Sounders DP Freddie Ljungberg.
There is drama in Seattle with the potential shock exit of Ljungberg from the club.
New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft promises a new signing as well as a new stadium.
Other transfer news involves a former MLS player based abroad. A report confirms the interest of one English Premier League team in Michael Bradley.
His father, US manager Bob Bradley, is now considered the frontrunner for the Fulham job, according to this report from England.
Another report still has Sven-Göran Eriksson as the favorite with Bradley still in the running for the job. The expectation is that a Fulham coach will be named before a preseason training trip to Sweden on Monday.
Former FC Dallas player and Honduran World Cup midfielder Ramón Núñez is pondering a possible return to MLS (SPANISH).
Chivas USA introduced their newest transfer window additions with two players coming from Mexican soccer: Venezuelan Giancarlo Maldonado and Brazilian Paulo Nagamura.
He won’t get as much ink as other names but could prove equally decisive in the long run. One of Real Salt Lake’s Argentine players extends his deal with the champs.
They are still eight months away from joining MLS, but the Vancouver Whitecaps are also currently trying out international players.
The stars of the future are being molded on MLS youth teams. While there are three MLS clubs partaking in the US Soccer Development Academy Finals at the Home Depot Center, the Columbus Crew will be going for the U-19 US Youth Soccer National Championship next week.
One transfer saga that had its origins well before the World Cup was Barcelona’s pursuit of Cesc Fà bregas from Arsenal. In the celebrations following Spain’s World Cup conquest, Fà bregas is seen wearing Barça colors despite being an Arsenal player.
Another Spanish player based in England is not shy about showing his true club allegiance. Fernando Torres dons a scarf that is not Liverpool’s.
Holland’s loss was not only taken hard in Oranje country but in places as far removed as Pittsburgh, Pa., where a former Dutch Eredivisie star has taken up residence.
The end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa means 2014 Brazil is on the horizon. But before that, US fans will be keen on the announcement of the World Cup hosts for 2018 and 2022 in December. One writer likes the USA’s chances.
Lastly, as we close the chapter on Paul the psychic ocotopus, it should be known that he had a replica of the World Cup awarded to him for his picks in the eight matches he correctly predicted.
