MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, the youngest Rookie of the Year in American professional sports history, says he has not made a decision whether to represent the US or Honduras.
However, the player’s dad, Wilson Najar, has provided fans a strong hint at the country that has the inside track: USA.
While Najar's parents say that there has been no contact from the Honduran national team, the president of the Honduran federation held a press conference to reassure his compatriots that they are doing everything they can to bring him on board with the Catrachos.
American soccer might have another “Najar” case on its hands. The press is already beginning to exert pressure on Maikon “Mikey” Orellana, who plays for Real Salt Lake’s academy team and is eligible to play for El Salvador. But he says he would love to represent the USA.
It’s not just other national teams that are coming to the US for talent. It’s also foreign clubs that have their eyes set on US players. After signing up Clarence Goodson, a delegation from Danish club Brondby is in the USA to scout other players involved in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
One star during these MLS Cup Playoffs is San Jose’s Bobby Convey, who says this Earthquakes postseason run is the most fun he’s had playing soccer in a very long time.
But don’t get Convey started on US national team talk. He says that discussion has gotten old.
After a season that they are calling Real Salt Lake’s best but most disappointing ever, the club has work ahead of it to keep both Alvaro Saborio and Robbie Findley.
In Boston, they’re focused on landing the 2022 World Cup and as part of the effort, a Tweet Bomb has been arranged for Wednesday.
Fans in Houston can now get their Dynamo license plates from their local DMV. See what they look like here.
The Columbus Dispatch is already looking ahead and has broken down the Crew’s personnel, contracts and international players ahead of the MLS Expansion Draft.
The Seattle Sounders are going through the same process and while Sigi Schmid says that he wants to coach the club until he retires, winger Steve Zakuani was not committed for 2011: “We’ll see what happens.”
The New York Red Bulls are set to become more Scandinavian, with reports from Norway stating that RBNY are set to hire a Norwegian assistant coach. The news will also fuel speculation about whether Richie Williams is ready to make the move to head coach of another MLS team.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps continue to prepare for their 2011 season with a new forward in camp: Chinese forward Long Tan.
How fitting. A Canadian rocker with an album called Vancouver will be performing outside Toronto’s BMO Field before the MLS Cup final on Nov. 21.
Who makes the decisions in Vancouver? This article details how power is divided and how decisions are made at the Whitecaps. They’re calling the club's structure the closest to a European side.
Speaking of Europe, there is an American forward who is making waves … in the German third division.
Many players during the upcoming MLS offseason will likely experience what happened to Philadelphia Union right back Sheanon Williams, who went through a rollercoaster rides of tryouts before finally latching on to the Union.
Williams’s teammate, Alejandro Moreno, is currently with the Venezuelan national team ahead of its match against Ecuador next week.
ESPN Deportes reporter John Sutcliffe reports that World Cup champions Spain are seeking to play a friendly against Bob Bradley’s USA on June 4, 2011, in the United States.
In other international news, reigning English Premier League champions Chelsea FC are not only seeking to build a new stadium, but they are also looking for a stadium naming rights partner to replace “Stamford Bridge.”
In women’s soccer, the US beat Costa Rica to advance to a home-and-home playoff against Italy. Also, the NCAA women’s championship tournament bracket has been released.
Finally, after all the Armani campaigns, reports are circulating that David Beckham is launching his own underwear line.
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