Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
In case you missed it, the Union declined the option on Chase Harrison, making him available for the Re-Entry Process, the first stage of which takes place on Friday at 3pm. The Union are fifth in the order.
Six former Union players are on the Re-Entry list: Danny Califf, Alejandro Moreno, Kyle Nakazawa, Brian Perk, Justin Mapp, and Shavar Thomas.
Kerith Gabriel writes in The Daily Doop that the Harrison decision “was made more due to MLS protocol and less of a desire to rid itself of Harrison, or his contract.”
Gabriel also says, “Now don’t expect anything major to drop on Friday’s Stage 1, generally teams usually don’t geek out over a player until Stage 2 which is slated for Dec. 14. Basically, it’s in this second stage where teams can make players a “genuine offer,” but at a fraction of what their current salaries might be. Because of collective bargaining teams can’t offer players peanuts, but clubs do have a lot more pull in the second stage, especially for a player who doesn’t want his MLS career to come to an abrupt close.”
The Goalkeeper has a helpful explanation of the Re-Entry Process.
Zac MacMath talks about his training stint with Everton and spending time with Tim Howard, the tough 2012 season, what he’s doing in the off season and more in this wide ranging discussion.
Sheanon Williams comes in at No. 8 in Soccer America’s top ten positional rankings for right backs.
From Dave Zeitlin’s piece on Friday, here’s a quote from Jim Curtin that’s just another reason to be excited by his appointment to the coaching staff: “People in MLS circles have always known that I wanted, first of all, for Philly to get a team in MLS and then to be a part of it. I know it sounds cliché and cheesy but it’s something that’s been a lifelong dream.” Gotta love a hometown guy.
Leandro “Beto” Armani’s agent tells the Brotherly Game that they are waiting for the Union to make an offer.
At Saturday’s holiday/MLS Cup viewing party at PPL Park, Jolynne Bremmer was announced as the winner of the Behind the Crest contest. Bremmer will travel with the team to Deltona, Fla. and report on preseason training.
Local
Former Reading United captain Stephen Okai has been named the NAIA Player of the Year.
In the final day of U-17/18 play at the US Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, PA Classics fell 1–0 to New England Revolution and FC Delco lost 4–3 to Real So Cal. Players Development Academy defeated Colorado Rapids 4–2.
Morgan Glassford (Strath Haven) is the Delco Times Girls Soccer Player of the Year. The All-Delco Girls Soccer first team list is here.
MLS
Monday saw the opening of the offseason with a flurry of transfers ahead of the release of the list of players eligible for the Re-Entry Process.
The Salt Lake Tribune looks at the reasons behind RSL’s dealing away of Jámison Olave, Will Johnson, Fabián Espíndola and Justin Braun.
The New York Times discusses the moves made by the Red Bulls who, in addition to acquiring Espindola and Braun from RSL, got Kosuke Kimura from Portland.
ProSoccerTalk looks at Portland’s busy day of dealing.
SBI rounds up the moves of the day.
SBI reports that the Red Bulls “are seriously considering trading Kenny Cooper, with a half-dozen teams currently expressing interest in the 18-goal striker.” Perhaps Sebastien Le Toux will remain a Red Bull?
ProSoccerTalk says the league is discussing ways to bring in more designated players: “an unexpected little bump in clubs’ collective salary structure may be on the way.”
The ratings for Saturday’s MLS Cup Final took a dip to .7, down from .8 in 2011. MLS Talk has some suggestions for how they might be improved. Your thoughts?
While Elk Grove in Northern California continues its unlikely quest to land an MLS franchise, nearby Sacramento has landed an USL PRO team.
US
Alex Morgan has been named US Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Elsewhere
A volunteer linesman at a youth soccer game in the Netherlands has died after being attacked by three players. Sepp Blatter says he is “deeply shocked.”
ESPN says don’t count Cristiano Ronaldo out of the Ballon d’Or race.
The Guardian’s David Conn has a fascinating look at how the Bundesliga works with supporters groups and more.
The reason I didn’t watch the MLS final is the fact that I gave no fucks about it. I guess I could have turned on the game and left to do something else if I wanted the league to get ratings. But the truth be told I kind of wanted the game to not do well. I consider my not watching a vote against the loophole exploiting, salary cap busting bland as hell super teams like LA.
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