Happy birthday to NY Red Bulls manager Hans Backe on this Valentine’s Day.
The 59-year-old Swede raises a perennial argument with his statement that the Supporters’ Shield is his club’s primary goal over MLS Cup.
However, the more heated controversy comes from Texas. In case you missed it from over the weekend, the accusations were flying after a spitting incident during the Houston Dynamo’s 4-0 win over FC Dallas. Geoff Cameron and Brian Ching were incensed at FCD’s Jair Benitez, who claims that he merely retaliated after being provoked.
The preseason marches on with another exhibition as the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew face off in Arizona. Also the Chicago Fire set up camp in Ave Maria, Fla., today for a two-week stay while Los Angeles heads to Arizona. But while some teams are turning up the heat in preseason, the Seattle Sounders are taking a few days off.
It’s not only about training in preseason. Clubs are signing more and more players. In a similar mold of recent Revs signing Ousmane Dabo, former Italian national team midfielder Fabio Liverani is said to be on his way to MLS (to NY or Boston, according to reports), after reaching a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with Palermo in Serie A. (ITALIAN)
One player seeking a shot in MLS is Englishman Shane Clark, who is trialing with an undisclosed MLS club after playing in England’s lower leagues.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rapids reportedly have former Tottenham and West Ham player Terry Dixon on their radar.
Costa Rican midfielder Paolo Jiménez has reportedly turned down a contract offer from the San Jose Earthquakes and is set to return home after spending extended time in California. (SPANISH)
Former University of Virginia star forward Chris Agorsor will join an MLS team today as a weighted lottery will be conducted to determine where he goes.
There will surely be news coming out of Vancouver today, where Whitecaps owner Jeff Mallett and MLS commissioner Don Garber will be meeting media, fans and local business leaders.
Michael Bradley may have earned his first minutes for Aston Villa in the EPL, but a new American scoring in the Bundesliga and Jozy Altidore’s impact for Turkish champs Bursaspor stand out as the stories of the weekend among Yanks Abroad.
Here’s a photo of Guillermo Barros Schelotto wearing the captain’s armband for Gimnasia y Esgrima de la Plata in Argentina. In the first match of the season he’s already a lightning rod for controversy: He was accused of simulation in drawing a game-tying PK. (SPANISH)
A Valentine’s Day treat for soccer fans comes from the English Premier League where Clint Dempsey and Fulham take on mighty Chelsea with the hope of bringing an end to any faint EPL title hopes for Carlo Ancelotti’s men (3 p.m. ET, ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes).
At the same time the US Under-17s begin qualification for the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup with a match against Cuba.
Also today, Brazilian legend Ronaldo is expected to announce his retirement from professional soccer. Corinthians’ exit from the Copa Libertadores seems to have accelerated those plans. Here’s a video review of his career from O Globo.
It’s been said that Manchester United’s American owners are asking for too much to sell the club. Meanwhile, 35 percent of West Ham United is also available for the taking, and the exact value of that has been revealed.
Apparently if lightning strikes on soccer field, the rule of thumb is to lie down on the grass. That’s what the players and referee did in the Colombian first division after this televised incident that was too close for comfort. (SPANISH)
Lastly, find out how a few Columbus Crew supporters are seeking to create a new fan culture for their local NHL team by starting a supporters section in the Blue Jackets’ arena.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Younger brother of US midfielder Jose Francisco Torres looking to stick with Chivas USA
Rapids stalwart says his club overachieved to win MLS Cup last year
Ex-Dynamo Stuart Holden plays a big role in another Bolton victory
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