MLS Off Season

The stain upon MLS that was Rafa Marquez is finally gone



http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/red-bulls-part-ways-with-rafa-marquez.html#comment-634589

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js[/youtube]

 

Hopefully we'll never see that P.O.S. in the MLS again,
especially after what he did to Shea Salinas of my Quakes...

 

Sorry to see the Quakes offload Opara - he had too many injuries though. Wish him the best in KC.

Porter in Portland is shakin' and bakin' - and if this came to fruition, whew:

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/bre ... kerud.html

 

Excuse me Nev, the name of the city is Porterland. My oh my I hope he pulls it off. Would love to see that kid play regularly alongside Darlington, two kids that just clearly love to play. Please oh please ray: ray: ray:

 

A Big YES PLEASE for Mix heading to the Rose City. However, is this something he would be interested in? Usually a guy goes to Europe and doesn't return unless it doesn't work out, and apparently he's doing well for Rosenborg.

Marquez was, is, and forever will be an @SS. I bet he's laughing all the way to the bank.

 

Edson Buddle dealt to the Rapids for allocation money and a first round pick. L.A., clearing out additional space to sign?....

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/rap ... alaxy.html

 

The Revolution delt Benny Feilhaber the other day to KC for draft picks and allocation money.

http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/12/ ... -feilhaber

 

not having seen much of Benny since his return, I wonder why NE gave up on him? Oh well, we'll always have this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcGA2W4d5_E[/youtube]

 

He was NE highest paid player and he and Heaps didnt see eye to eye apparently. Heaps played him wide and he prefers to play in the center. He spent some time on the bench so people werent really surprised that NE let him go. I hope things work out better in KC because he's a good player. He should be in his prime now, and it's a shame that things arent really clicking for him.

 

Big news today as it seems that the Galaxy has signed Carlo Cudicini from Tottenham (confirmed by Spurs' twitter https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/285806657190117376). I'm wondering about this move. Some folks always rated Saunders fairly highly, not to mention Cudicini hasn't seen consistent playing time in years.

 

Hard to argue with the fact that Saunders was between the pipes for back-to-back MLS titles. But he was out of contract, so I'm assuming there are business reasons for the club parting ways with him. He also had some off-the-pitch problems and missed a chunk of games. Not sure if/how that played into the decision. Cudicini will be a good MLS keeper, so I"m ok with this.

 

Toronto hires Ryan Nelsen as manager...he currently plays for QPR. :shock: I've heard of Player-Coaches before, but never Player for another team in another country in another league and being a 'coach' for another team half a world away :lol: Toronto has an amazing fan base and it's sad that the club is run by morons. Because of the HaHa's relegation situation it's unlikely he'll get an early release.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/nam ... 28?cc=5901

A little article on Mo and now my favorite MLS coach;

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/nam ... 38?cc=5901

 

Joe thanks for posting the article. Porter and Portland really is a match made in heaven. Look at this picture of Caleb when he was a wee one. As much as he grew up in Michigan, he was born in Tacoma, WA where his dad was a logger. The Timbers army really needs to do a Tifo with this.



And Joe, my son attended a camp over winter break at which Nagbe was one of two MLS players running the training. He is such a nice, happy guy. We now have an autographed picture of my son and Darlington hanging alongside our Fulham and USMNT memorabilia down in the boy cave. :banana-dance:

 

Thanks for posting the pic Mo, and I now have another reason to like Porter. My mother was born and raised in Tacoma. I spent a lot of time in my youth at my grandparents home literally across the street from the beautiful University of Puget Sound campus (the school nickname is not surprisingly the Loggers).

 

Sky sports is reporting that Graham Zusi is on trial at West Ham. I thought he was at camp cupcake but I guess a premier league trial takes precedence. I think the kid could easily play in the premier league, but then what do I know.

Good luck to him :handgestures-thumbupleft:

 

Interesting loan move by DC United.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... -year-loan?

 

Sporting KC has officially dropped Livestrong from it's stadium name. It is now Sporting Park. They dont blame it on the doping they blame it on unsavory tactics by the organization. Wow. Here is what KC had to say,

 

Sporting Kansas City loans Kei Kamara to Norwich City

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sporting-k ... --sow.html

 

Well I hope he can score a few goals for them, but not enough to keep them one place above Fulham. I also wonder if he'll get a work permit. I doubt Sierra Leone is ranked very high. Omar Cummings was denied one a year or two ago due to Jamaica's ranking - very bad luck for him as they are now ranked high enough.

 

Portland signs ex ManU defender Mikeal Silvestre, while Seattle picks up long time MLS star Sharie Joseph

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/13467 ... re?cc=5901

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/13466 ... as?cc=5901