Daily news roundups / Featured

New season dawns as training camp opens, more news

Union

Union preseason training begins today at YSC Sports. The training sessions are open to the public, 11am through 1pm.

Rumors persist that Colombian striker Jorge Perlaza is a target for the Union but a contract dispute between Perlaza and his club Deportes Tolima is reportedly creating problems. Terra.com reports that Perlaza has reported to the club for training but has not spoken to club officials or teammates. (You can read a crappy translation here.) The Brotherly Game says that Perlaza signed two contracts with his club, one which expired at the end of 2010 and a second that expires in 2013, and that Perlaza is appealing to the Colombian FA to have the second contract voided.

Fans will have the chance to meet the 2011 Philadelphia Union when the club hosts a meet-and-greet party at PPL Park on Wednesday, January 26. The event will take place at the stadium club from 7pm until 9pm.

Video of Faryd Mondragon’s appearance on Univision’s Republica Deportiva. I have no idea what is being said but this is some good publicity, no? The appearance gets better in this hilarious clip from the show where Mondragon answers questions from three beautiful ladies. Then dances!

Friend of the PSP and WYSP DJ Gordon has an exit interview with Chris Seitz in the latest Union Sound podcast. Seitz talks about his memories of Philly, how the off-season dealings went down and his future.

The Brotherly Game talks to UNBC coach Pete Caringi about Levi Houapeu in this podcast.

Former Trinidad & Tobago U-20 goalkeeper (and splendidly named) Thorne Holder is on trial with the Union through February 18. Holder most recently played for Adelphi University.

Here’s a roundup of Harrisburg City Islanders-related news.

MLS

Reports say that the Seattle Sounders have been in contact with Atletico Madrid about acquiring Diego Forlan. Here’s some reaction from one Sounders blog.

No Robbie Savage to MLS.

NASL

Citing financial concerns, US Soccer has decided not to sanction NASL for Division 2 professional soccer. The NASL says it will resubmit its application for sanctioning.

US

Perhaps the thing that will last in most people’s minds when they think of Saturday’s 1–1 draw in the USA v Chile friendly (player ratings here) will be Telefutura commentator’s Pablo Ramirez’ call of Teal “Boon-Boo-Ree” Bunbury’s penalty kick.

Match Fit USA’s Jason Davis has already remixed the call with the Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow.”

The USWNT defeats Canada 2–1 at the Four Nations Tournament. From the Independence, Lori Lindsey went the full 90 and Megan Rapinoe (subbed out at 31′) and Amy Rodriguez (subbed out at 46′) started. The team’s final game is against host China on Tuesday.

Dempsey bags a brace, Spector scores again. Jones debuts a winner.

The LA Times takes a look at how American players are doing in Europe and concludes that path is not always lined with roses.

Elsewhere

Remember when the MLS schedule was considered a liability to the hopes of the US to host the 2022 World Cup? UEFA are now floating a plan to move to a MLS-style spring-to-fall schedule.  What this could mean from an US/MLS perspective is examined here.

Attendance at the Asian Cup? Not so good.

Sky Sports commentators Andy Grey and Richard Keys have been suspended after making sexist remarks about a woman referee and the vice-chair of West Ham.

Manchester United deny reports that an investment firm close to the Qatari royal family offered £1.5 billion to buy the club.

One Comment

  1. I have tears in my eyes. That Bunbury call is HILARIOUS!!!

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