News flash: Bob Bradley resigns as head coach of the US and will be named as manager of Aston Villa next week, the Birmingham Mail reports. There has been no official confirmation of this from US Soccer or Aston Villa.
Union
Here are some talking points for Saturday’s Union v Colorado Rapids game, which will be something of a homecoming for Jeff Larentowicz, the MLS All-Star who played for Chestnut Hill Academy and FC Delco before moving on to Brown University and MLS.
Stefani Miglioranzi says he’s fit enough to play on Saturday, and that’s a good thing.
Kerith Gabriel profiles Danny Mwanga in the Daily News: the “sky’s the limit.” Don’t we know it! After the piece, Gabriel responds to some readers questions about whether the Union had any better options than Chris Seitz during the expansion draft. The answer is Kevin Hartman, left unprotected by Kansas City and picked up by Dallas. His numbers now lead the league. Sigh. I was hoping to begin the weekend with a cheery disposition.
Conor Casey should be back with Colorado for Saturday’s match although it is unclear whether he will start.
MLS
Jaime Moreno, the all-time leading goal scorer in MLS and the only player to have played every season since the league’s founding in 1996, will retire from the league at the end of the season. Moreno, who has played for DC United his entire MLS career, will play his last season for Blooming in his native Bolivia.
Mexican striker Omar Bravo has signed with Kansas City.
Thierry Henry says the US should be proud of Landon Donovan. Thanks for the tip, cheater.
Here’s a look at something that MLS academy players are sure to be happy to hear about, a NCAA rule change that will make it easier for prospective college athletes to play alongside professionals without forfeiting their college eligibility.
Don’t mess with Beckham! Following England manager Fabio Capello’s public retirement of the LA Galaxy star from the England national team, David Beckham says he will not play a farewell match at Wembley so that his fans can say, in Capello’s words, “bye bye and thank you very much.” Beckham believes he still has a role to play in Englands 2012 UEFA Cup campaign. And still believe that I have a role to play in the 1990 US World Cup campaign.
US Division 2 Pro-League
On Thursday we posted a link to an article about the recent meeting between the various entities that govern Division 2 soccer in the US that discussed various rule changes. Well, the fine folks at Inside Minnesota Soccer have posted an account of just what those rule changes entail. An AC St. Louis fan and season ticket holder is none too pleased that the club’s owner, Jeff Cooper, failed to show up at the meeting.
US
On the one hand, Bob Bradley is the “safe, responsible choice” to continue as head coach of the US. On the other hand, Bob Bradley missed an opportunity “to give experience to fresh talent” in the friendly against Brazil and is clearly not the man to lead US Soccer. So clearly, it would be “best for both sides” if Bradley moved on. Of course, the job isn’t really high profile, it’s more “a mid-level job with big time potential.” Someone, please, kill me now.
Some naive moron at CBS Sports doesn’t think Jurgen Klinsmann should coach the US national team because he’s not American.
Here’s a look at some recent “next great player for the US” candidates that were surrounded by a lot of hype and never panned out. Unfortunately, Micahel Orozco Fiscal is one of them.
Maybe you liked watching it as a kid. Maybe you like playing now to keep fit in the off-season or just to have some fun. Here’s a look at recent developments with professional indoor soccer in North America, where there’s been more leagues than points awarded for a goal shot from outside of the arc, or whatever it is.
WPS
After her club’s match against Boston Breakers, Atlanta Beat keeper and US international star Hope Solo alleges “profanity, racism and crude remarks that are made by their so called ‘fan club,'” the Riptide.
Etc.
Peruvian soccer player Cesar Ccahuantico has been sentenced to seven years in prison for helping thieves rob his club, first division side Cienciano.
Your weekend Footy on the Telly™
Saturday
7:45am Tottenham v Manchester City (ESPN2)
10am Aston Villa v West Ham (FSC)
10am Blackburn v Everton (FSP)
12:30pm Chelsea v West Brom (FSC)
2pm Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City (FSP)
2:30pm Bolton v Fulham (FSC)
4pm Philadelphia Union v Colorado Rapids (6abc, Telefutura)
5:30pm Palmeiras v Paranaense (GolTV)
6pm New York Red Bulls v Los Angeles Galaxy (FSC)
Sunday
11am Liverpool v Arsenal (FSC)
3pm Sao Paulo v Cruzeiro (GolTV)
6pm Boston Breakers v Sky Blue FC (FSC)
Monday
3pm Manchester United v Newcastle United (ESPN2)
Thanks for the updates Ed. I was surprised by the article on Hope Solo. Surprised by the Breaker’s and Beat’s response that she shouldn’t have used social media as an outlet. Isn’t that the point of social media? I wish I had a twitter account to rant on the profanity used at the Union games. I am embarrassed and will not take people to PPL park due to the river side shenanigans and verbal abuse of apposing teams. I’m all for a good heckle, but the juvenile antics of the SOB and “C’on U” leave a sour taste in my mouth.
Thanks again Ed, I have been passing your name and articles on to Soccer fans I know.
Mike
@Mike. The Chant is “Come on, the U.” What’s so sour about that? If people are twisting around the words and saying what they want, who exactly is responsible for that? Also, the SOB’s are trying to tone down the “bad” words for those who have gentle ears, such as yourself. Just an FYI 🙂
I’m happy you like the updates, Mike, and thank you for getting the word out. I have fun doing them.
Orozco belongs in the middle of the field, blowing people up. He’s the equivalent of a strong safety playing soccer.
ESPN and Steve Goff at Washington Post say nothing has happened yet as far as Bradley.
having said that, Bradley should go. From his perspective, his stock will never be higher. The USMNT needs to be re-worked and that is a long 4 year slog. Villa is a decent to very good team with and American owner. Not sure there is a better fit for him.