Miguel Angel Ponce

The coaching fiasco

Jurgen Klinsmann explained that he did not take the US National team coaching job because he was not able to get a written agreement giving him full control of the team. That just makes Bob Bradley look like crap, and it is a shame that Sunil Gulati and the USSF board were not able to close the deal with Klinsmann, when he clearly was their first choice. Although Bob Bradley is a good coach, he is now in an embarrassing situation. Maybe another coach will come in after a couple of years because Bradley has got to be thinking about other positions.

Young  players

Adrian Ruelas has completed a loan move from Mexican team, Santos, to Scottish giants, Celtic. He plays for the U-20 US team, is 6”2 and has good skill. If he can show a professional attitude and show his stuff in reserve matches, then he might get a chance to stick around in Europe.

Another player to note is Miguel Angel Ponce, who plays for Chivas de Guadalajara. The team will only field Mexican players and Ponce is Mexican-American. He is only 21 and he plays left back which has been a trouble position for the US. Ponce has made comments about possibly playing for the US,  even though it would cost him his place at Chivas. You’ve got to love that attitude.

Jozy Altidore recently played 90 minutes in a Europa League match for Villareal. That is good news because Altidore needs playing time to improve.

Fulhamerica

Clint Dempsey converted a clutch goal to give Fulham a point recently in the Premier League. His teammate Eddie Johnson even got to see the field for a few minutes, too. Amazingly the more surprising news is that Eddie Johnson got some playing time.

DeMerit watch

Although Jay DeMerit’s agent says that DeMerit has been looking at offers from all over Europe there is now a rumor that the Vancouver Whitecaps are trying to sign DeMerit before they enter into MLS. It would be nice to see him play closer to home, but this news also suggests that demand in Europe for DeMerit’s services aren’t that great.