Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
In the latest Daily Doop, John Hackworth confirms what a Union spokesperson told PSP on Wednesday morning. “Santa Fe has approached us with an offer as have two other South American clubs, which we are considering,” said the Union coach. “However, no deal has been agreed to.”
The Union would not confirm who the two other South American clubs are but earlier reports suggest that Uruguayan club Nacional is one of them. Now it appears that Colombian club Deportivo Cali is the other after this report from futbolred.com (crappy Google translation here).
More from yesterday on the ongoing saga of Carlos Valdes from The Goalkeeper and The Delco Times.
The Doopist is concerned that what the club has communicated during the long period of Valdes rumors could lead to a credibility problem with some fans.
Jonathan Tannenwald tweeted that the home opener against Kansas City on March 2 will be locally broadcast on 6abc. The full local broadcast schedule should be out in the near future.
ProSoccerTalk has PPL Park on their list of five stadiums that should host one of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Happy birthday to Sebastien Le Toux!
The Union’s “Is it March yet” campaign continues with this video featuring the acting of Jack McInerney and Michael Farfan:
MLS
DC United have signed 20-year-old Brazilian striker Rafael as a Young DP.
Houston Dynamo center back Andre Hainault is on trial with SPL side Ross County.
The Central Winger does some statistical calculations to show that the SuperDraft is undervalued.
The media in New Zealand, home of new Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen, has noted the widespread questions among MLS observers surrounding his recent appointment.
At the Guardian, Graham Parker examines the managerial merry-go-round in Montreal, Toronto, Chivas, New York.
The Shin Guardian argues that, while the impact of American playing talent may still be growing abroad, the impact of American financial know how in soccer abroad is undeniable.
NWSL
The list of US, Canadian, and Mexican players that are to be allocated to the eight NWSL teams has been released and includes all 18 gold medalists from the Olympic team. The allocation should be known on Friday.
At the Equalizer, Dan Lauletta has an informative breakdown of list.
US
US Soccer has a Q&A with Jurgen Klinsmann about the January training camp.
US Soccer also catches up with Clint Mathis.
Elsewhere
Have you ever considered the history of foosball? The Smithsonian has.
Ah, kids these days:
I think people talking about the Unions “communication problems” is misplaced and irrational. First of all, Nowak’s “Yeah man we’re looking to trade Califf to Chivas” moment of reflection is pretty much a gross outlier.
Secondly, let’s not forget the structure of the league. Technically and legally, Valdes is contracted to MLS. MLS takes part in all negotiations. MLS has a lot of say. Based on the archaic and heavy handed approach MLS takes in other ventures, I would sooner put the blame on them instead of Hackworth and company.
+1. I think most Union fans see this in a different light than the missteps from the Nowak regime. Moreover, it’s starting to look like the Union’s coyness in this case is starting a bidding war. Which can’t hurt the Union.
Well then don’t respond to the rumors at all. Just let it play out. I think there was a problem when they are emphatically denying anything in light of rumors and quotes coming from everywhere. You come off kind of dickish when you heavy handedly deny everything and then 360 flip when the weight of the rumors get undeniable.
It is one of the instances where they should have just said nothing at all and let the whole thing play out via other sources.
This is probably the case, re: the league office. I think it’s pretty hard to lump this in with the Nowak-era approach, which obviously created a massive credibility deficit.
Oh, I don’t know. The more things change the more they stay the same. I”m guessing Nowak is not the only one that can be blamed. Its the F/O from top to bottom that seems to be rotten.
Wow that video of the youth soccer team scoring that goal is fantastic. What team is that?
shows what kind of an athlete I am. I immediately started feeling bad for the pother team.
A Greek team called AO Giannina. That’s 20 passes to goal.
The kids video was Crazy!…Jack and Marfan’s dance….meh