Since it is unlikely that we’ll be around a computer what with all of the mumming we’ll be doing tomorrow, let us be the first to wish you a safe and happy new year. See you on Broad Street.
Union
Brian Carroll didn’t want to leave Columbus, but he says, “However, if it’s any place I’m going to go, I’m glad it’s Philly and I’m glad it’s with Peter. I know what this team is capable of and I certainly know what Peter is capable of.”
The Sons of Ben figure in Fanhouse’s Soccer Quotes of the Year.
The ISN mock SuperDraft has the Union selecting University of Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
MLS
Columbus Crew have signed Chilean right back Sebastián Miranda.
Frankie Hejduk inks a deal with LA Galaxy.
Freddie Ljungberg on why he signed with Celtic: “In America the league is much better than it gets credit for but Celtic are a massive club and what I missed was the passion for the sport.”
Bill Archer says it is time for MLS to open up the draft.
Here’s the first in a four-part series looking at the state of MLS on television.
US
The end of the year isn’t just a time for best and worst lists and looking ahead to what might be in 2011, it is also a time for wondering what could have been. This piece asks, “What if the US had beaten Ghana?”
Elsewhere
This excellent expose takes a look at Qatar’s Football Dreams program, a youth development academy system it has quietly been building in developing nations around the world. The program sponsors academies in six of the countries with representatives on FIFA’s executive committee, the group that votes for who will host the World Cup. Critics, while acknowledging the humanitarian benefits of the program, also say that it takes talent away from already existing local youth academies and is a way for Qatar to import talent onto its national team.
Bend It Like Beckham becomes he first Western film to be broadcast on North Korean television.
The Guardian has a list of 100 soccer blogs worth following. It is light on blogs covering US soccer but there are some real gems.
Mad that his son was sacked as manager of Preston North End, Sir Alex Ferguson recalls two Manchester United players on loan there.
Take this with a grain of salt if you will, but as psyched as I was for the Union to acquire Carroll, I was perturbed when I saw a tweet yesterday (from a contributor on Massive Report – http://www.massivereport.com) quoting the former Crew midfielder as saying, “I hope 2 be back in a year or so I can end with the crew. I love it here.” If true, he hasn’t played a single same for our beloved navy/gold and already he’s looking towards a Columbus homecoming? Maybe he’s just giving the Crew fans lip service … either way, Happy New Year PSP!