Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Philadelphia Union

Bolton manager Owen Coyle confirms Sebastien Le Toux is trialing with the Premiership club. “We have received good reports about Sebastian, so we thought we would give him an opportunity to come into the group,” Coyle told the Daily Mirror. “He will train with us for a week and we will see where we are after that.”

The Daily Mirror report notes that relegation-threatened Bolton are having difficulties landing new players as the closing of the transfer window draws nearer. Coyle said, “Ideally, you would love to have English players but you have to look to the market place to get the best you can. If that means going to the United States, that is what we will do.”

The Daily Mail reports, “Owen Coyle has launched another raid on America’s Major League Soccer after lining up a cut-price move for Philadelphia Union striker Sebastien Le Toux.” I wonder what “cut-price” means in dollars?

The BBC reports, “Bolton manager Owen Coyle has confirmed striker Sebastian Le Toux has joined the club for a week’s training. The 28-year-old has made a big impact in Major League Soccer with the Philadelphia Union.”

Marc Narducci reports that Peter Nowak responded to the Le Toux news by text. “Team policy is we don’t comment or discuss on anything that is not certain. We know Sebastien Le Toux is in England, we granted him permission to go, but he is still our player and there is nothing to comment on.”

Narducci writes further, “Another MLS source said that the selling of Le Toux was not a done deal, and that the Union don’t want to see Le Toux go because of his productivity and popularity.”

The Shin Guardian looks at a Le Toux move from the perspectives of Bolton and the Union. For Bolton, it is all positives: “The Union’s LeToux in this case is an excellent pick-up at the Reebok. Le Toux is versatile enough to play out wide or up top or move seemlessly along the frontline of the attack. The to-be former Union forward has great straight ahead speed and is adept at moving off the ball. Le Toux is also a solid finisher.”

For the Union, it’s a bunch of question marks: “For the Union–where Le Toux sometimes appeared to jostle with coach Piotr Nowak about his best position–the loss will most certainly be felt. While young striker Jack McInerny seems to be coming of age–at least on international duty with the US U-23′s–the loss of LeToux, Justin Mapp and at least the idea or potential of class with Freddy Adu will completely change the complexion of how the attack ended 2011. The departure also thrusts the somewhat egnimatic Danny Mwanga into the spotlight at the focal point of that attack, a role he may not be quite ready for. Will Mwanga pick up the slack? And if not, who will?

The Union Dues looks at the good and bad of a Le Toux move.

Veljko Paunovic will truly be missed by Union fans.  He praised and thanked Union fans at length in the announcement of his retirement. Fans sent scores of messages on Twitter thanking Pauno for his services with the Union and wishing him well. Ever the gentleman, Pauno was classy as ever in his response:

Tweet No. 1: “I feel very sad tonight, but your kind words and your support mean a lot to me. I will thank you each of you personally in a DM. Thank You!!”
Tweet No. 2: “Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, Thank you Union, ….”
Tweet 3: “I wish to thank to all my Union family once again for your support. Always yours… Serb of Ben!”

This post from the Union website looks Chandler Hoffman’s selection by the Union means a reunion with former UCLA teammates Amobi Okugo and Kyle Nakazawa.

WPS/Philadelphia Independence

Ahead of  Philadelphia Independence happenings is the news that the crazy guy who runs magicJack, Dan Borislow, has agreed to drop his suit against WPS for terminating his franchise. In return, magicJack will play as many as eight exhibition games against WPS clubs in 2012 and 2013. The news also seems to answer the question of just where so many of the USWNT stars who have not signed WPS contracts this season will be playing as the Equalizer reports, “At a minimum, U.S. national team stars Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Christie Rampone and Megan Rapinoe will continue to play with magicJack, at least in 2012.” Says Borislow of the deal, “It was a win-win-win here. I won, the league won and my team won. The fourth win is actually the fans and soccer.”

Deadspin’s take on the deal was a tad bit less effusive. Under the headline, “The Banned Boca Raton Women’s Professional Soccer Team Will Keep Playing In Zombie Form,” it says of the exhibition schedule, “On a more relaxed schedule, they’ll have more time and freedom to pursue their own interests, like Dancing With The Stars.”

The Soccer America headline was equally entertaining: “Borislow and ‘infidels’ make peace.”

It’s been an open secret for a few weeks but yesterday it became official: Lori Chalupny has joined the Independence.

MLS

David Beckham has a new two-year deal with LA Galaxy reportedly worth $15 million. He used social media to talk about it. And still, the world turns.

Soccer America looks at why Beckham chose to stay in LA.

Pavel Pardo has re-signed with Chicago Fire.

US U-23 defender Gale Agbossoumonde has turned down a deal with MLS.

Robbie Rogers has secured the work permit necessary to begin playing for Leeds.

US

Curious to know what Hope Solo thinks about Dancing with the Stars, her recent photo spread in ESPN The Magazine, and preparing for the Olympic qualifiers? Read on.

Elsewhere

Controversy swirls after Real Madrid’s Pepe intentionally stamps on Lionel Messi’s hand during his team’s 2–1 loss at home to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

Jonathan Wilson previews the African Cup of Nations, where Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are the favorites.

Daily News columnist John Smallwood looks at the recent incidents involving alleged racial abuse on the pitch in England and wonders, as is the case with John Terry, if the criminal justice system is the right path to go in terms of punishment.

Sepp Blatter says he will retire at the end of his term in 2015. “At some point, you have to stop.” Yes, and at some point you should have stopped.

US-based kit manufacturer Warrior Sports have a new six-year deal with Liverpool. The deal is worth a reported £25 million a year. That’s $38.5 million a year.

Six men, believed to be players for Brighton and Hove Albion, have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.