MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

[EPJr]

Sunday’s christening of PPL Park will be a momentous occasion for all Philadelphia soccer fans.
Union open PPL Park against desperate-for-points Sounders

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-pr ... s-sounders

[isumatt]

Sounds like Manchester City is going to make a major run at Landon Donovan...At least $4 mil a yr (double what he makes for LA) and a $12 mil transfer fee paid by Man City to LA and the MLS

[EPJr]

PHILADELPHIA UNION 3
FC SEATTLE SOUNDERS 1



CHESTER, Pa--- Sebastien LeToux scored on a penalty kick and set up the Philadelphia Union’s two other goals as they defeated FC Seattle Sounders 3-1 in the inaugural game at PPL Park Sunday.

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sections/ ... e_id=24164

[BlueHen86]

Sunday’s christening of PPL Park will be a momentous occasion for all Philadelphia soccer fans.
Union open PPL Park against desperate-for-points Sounders

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-pr ... s-sounders

I hope to get to at least 1 game this year. The last time I saw a professional soccer game was in the late 70's when Pele and the NASL Cosmos played against the Connecticut Bicentennials at the Yale Bowl.

[EPJr]

Manchester City Eye Landon Donovan

English Premiere League side Manchester City reportedly have their eye on Team USA and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4126 ... on-donovan

[GannonFan]

Sunday’s christening of PPL Park will be a momentous occasion for all Philadelphia soccer fans.
Union open PPL Park against desperate-for-points Sounders

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-pr ... s-sounders

I hope to get to at least 1 game this year. The last time I saw a professional soccer game was in the late 70's when Pele and the NASL Cosmos played against the Connecticut Bicentennials at the Yale Bowl.

Yeah, the place looked good on TV yesterday. It's a shame a lot of the other stuff (parking, I-95 off ramps) aren't going to be done until after the season, so that will make going down there more complicated, but I'm going to see if I can get the family down there for a game - looks fun.

[GSUhooligan]

I wish I had an MLS team to pull for. I'm one of those bandwagon fans that will be left holding their junk after the WC is over and since there is no local team for me to latch on to, I'll probably just wait until the national team plays again (August I think).

[EPJr]

OH, HENRY
Report: French star signs pre-contract agreement to join Red Bulls


According to the Sun in London, French international striker Thierry Henry has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Red Bulls this summer

PREPARING FOR HIS ARRIVAL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Urvpfj ... r_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa72BeDc ... r_embedded

[EPJr]

The SuperLiga 2010 participants are as follows:

From Major League Soccer:
Houston Dynamo (2009 3rd overall)
Chicago Fire (2009 5th overall)
Chivas USA (2009 6th overall)
New England Revolution (2009 7th overall)

From Primera División de México:
Pachuca (2009 2nd overall)
Morelia (2009 4th overall)
Puebla (2009 6th overall)
UNAM (2009 9th overall)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_North ... _SuperLiga" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

SuperLiga Schedule
On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced the schedule for the 2010 SuperLiga, the annual tournament between MLS and Mexican League clubs. Chivas USA, Houston, Chicago, and New England will represent MLS. Pachuca, Puebla, Morelia, and UNAM Pumas for Mexico.

SuperLiga 2010 Schedule*
(All Times Eastern) / * Subject to change
Wednesday, July 14
New England Revolution vs. Pumas UNAM (Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA) 8pm
Chicago Fire vs. Monarcas Morelia (Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL) 9:30pm

Thursday, July 15
Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca (Robertson Stadium – Houston, TX) 8:00pm
Chivas USA vs. Puebla (The Home Depot Center – Carson, CA) 10:30pm

Saturday, July 17
Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution (Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL) 7pm
Monarcas Morelia vs. Pumas UNAM (Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL.) 9:30pm

Sunday, July 18
Houston Dynamo vs. Chivas USA (Robertson Stadium – Houston, TX) 8pm
Pachuca vs. Puebla (Robertson Stadium – Houston, TX) 10:30pm

Tuesday, July 20
New England Revolution vs. Monarcas Morelia (Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA) 8pm
Chicago Fire vs. Pumas UNAM (Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL) 9:30pm

Wednesday, July 21
Houston Dynamo vs. Puebla (Robertson Stadium – Houston, TX) 8pm
Chivas USA vs. Pachuca (The Home Depot Center – Carson, CA) 10:30pm

[EPJr]

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena will be joined by a league-high four members from his club on July 28 in Houston, where the MLS All-Stars will face legendary English club Manchester United in the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (ESPN2 and Telefutura at 8:30 p.m. ET).

GOALKEEPER (1):
Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)

DEFENDERS (3):
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)

MIDFIELDERS (5):
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS (2):
Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/m ... r-first-xi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

(CNN) -- France striker Thierry Henry has signed for the New York Red Bulls, the Major League Soccer club have announced.

Henry joins from Barcelona, where he spent three seasons and won two Spanish league titles as well as the European Champions League.

The 32-year-old is France's leading goalscorer having netted 51 times for his country and will be introduced to the press on July 15.

His signing on a "multi-year contract" represents a major coup for the Red Bulls and for the MLS. Henry will become one of the most high-profile names in the league, alongside England international David Beckham.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/ ... tml?hpt=T2

[EPJr]

Atlanta may be considered by potential MLS owner

A team from England's Premier League is considering starting a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and Atlanta is one of the cities it would scout as a possible home.

A source with knowledge of the MLS and international soccer, who wished to remain anonymous because it's very early in the process, said this is the second time a team from England has considered Atlanta. The first team researched cities two years ago but decided not to pursue an expansion team. The source declined to name the teams.

An MLS executive said the league hasn't been contacted by potential expansion owners, but said the team may be conducting its research without help from the league office.

However, the MLS has been interested in putting a team in Atlanta, the largest TV market in the United States without a franchise.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-may-b ... 71259.html

[Fact]

The MLS needs to stop playing hardball and let Landon play in the EPL for a reasonable transfer fee.. They don't realize that they are always going to be viewed as a developmental league/retirement home.

[dbackjon]

The MLS needs to stop playing hardball and let Landon play in the EPL for a reasonable transfer fee.. They don't realize that they are always going to be viewed as a developmental league/retirement home.

Hopefully someday that will stop. No reason why the US can't develop and keep World class soccer talent.

[DukeJack]

The MLS needs to stop playing hardball and let Landon play in the EPL for a reasonable transfer fee.. They don't realize that they are always going to be viewed as a developmental league/retirement home.

Hopefully someday that will stop. No reason why the US can't develop and keep World class soccer talent.

And it should start with our most marketable, and best, player.

Also, the only place Donovan's even talked about going is back to Everton, at "some point". His transfer value will never be higher than it is right now, which means the Toffees cannot compete with Man City or Chelsea, who have both with linked with a bid. MLS saying they are not taking bids means that the price will invariably come down, hopefully to a level MLS will agree to that Everton can afford.

[EPJr]

Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that 26-year-old Mexican forward Nery Castillo will join the team as a Designated Player. Castillo will become available for selection for the Fire upon the receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Castillo’s first match with the Men in Red is expected to be on the road against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, August 1. Castillo will be on loan to the Fire from Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), with the Fire holding an option to complete a permanent transfer. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Fire revealed its decision to add Castillo tonight in front of fans at Toyota Park after the club’s SuperLiga match against the New England Revolution. Castillo will arrive in Chicago next week and conduct a press conference, the time and location of which will be finalized soon.

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/0 ... ils-new-dp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena will be joined by a league-high four members from his club on July 28 in Houston, where the MLS All-Stars will face legendary English club Manchester United in the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (ESPN2 and Telefutura at 8:30 p.m. ET).

GOALKEEPER (1):
Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)

DEFENDERS (3):
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)

MIDFIELDERS (5):
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire)

FORWARDS (2):
Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/m ... r-first-xi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Arena named the following players to his squad

goalkeeper:
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake);

defenders:
Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire) and Heath Pearce (FC Dallas);

midfielders:
Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union), David Ferreira (FC Dallas), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution) and Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids);

forward:
Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls).

Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman has been forced to withdraw from the event due to injury and has been replaced on the roster. Arena and his coaching staff will have the freedom to determine the starting lineup based on tactical considerations from the following 23-man roster

[EPJr]

Red Hot
Philadelphia Union battle hard, but Manchester United edge hosts, 1-0

[EPJr]

Drawn Together



Toronto FC earn 1:1 tie with Bolton Wanderers FC , drop PK shootout
A penalty loss to Bolton 1-1 (4-3 PKs) but a good showing by the Academy kids who were up for it as well as a couple of the trialists. And of course, this beauty goal by Maicon, his first as a Red, set up by Mista's cultured left foot

http://www.torontofc.ca/node/4285" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Man United handed first loss on U.S. tour


In the aftermath of the Kansas City Wizards' 2-1 win over mighty Manchester United, Coach Peter Vermes tried to be humble. Central defender Jimmy Conrad did not.

''MLS owns the city of Manchester right now,'' crowed Conrad, who was sent off in the 39th minute.

A crowd of 52,342 — largest ever to see a soccer match in Kansas City — watched Davy Arnaud and Kei Kamara score first-half goals, then saw the Wizards fend off repeated shots on goal in the second half as the MLS team handed the Red Devils their first loss in a four-city tour of the United States.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/prem ... -21-072410" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Transcript: MLS commissioner Don Garber took your queries


With two franchises, Portland and Vancouver, joining MLS in 2011, the league will retain a conference system and move two teams from the West to the East. A 19th team, Montreal, will enter in 2012.

• MLS hopes to add a 20th franchise, which most likely would not begin play until 2013 at the earliest. Beyond 20 teams, the league remains interested in these markets: Atlanta, San Antonio, San Diego, Detroit and Miami.

• Success in the CONCACAF Champions League is a top priority for MLS, thus L.A. Galaxy, Toronto FC and Sounders players with games this week are for the most part relieved of their All-Star obligations.

• There are no plans to adjust MLS' calendar to conform with European leagues.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/m ... chat_N.htm

[ATL]

Arthur Blank has been working for years to get a Franchise here in ATLANTA. I hope they do. They just built an expandable stadium at KSU that hosts the WPS atlanta beat. its a great park and with the silverback fizzing out of the USL Atlanta needs some sort of soccer franchise.

on an unrelated note. I have tickets for tomorrow's Manchester city v. club america in the Georgia dome. be jealous.

[appmaj]

0:21

[EPJr]

ESPN2 to air expansion coin flip at All-Star

Portland and Vancouver to find out who picks No. 1 in SuperDraft

HOUSTON -- The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps may be several months away from officially joining MLS, but the expansion clubs will be right in the middle of the action at the All-Star Game festivities on Wednesday -- during halftime of the match between the MLS All-Stars and Manchester United.

That's when a coin toss will take place to determine which of the two clubs gets the first pick among eight different MLS player acquisition procedures.

ESPN2 will carry the coin toss during halftime of its All-Star coverage. Timbers head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson and Whitecaps director of professional teams Greg Anderson will join MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin for the event.

On August 11, the two clubs will then take turns picking among the eight player mechanisms below, with each team claiming the No. 1 ranking in the specific player acquisition method they select. The winner of Wednesday's coin toss goes first.

■First pick in the Expansion Draft
■First pick in the MLS SuperDraft
■USL Player Priority on opening of signing period
■Allocation Ranking
■Designated Player Ranking
■Discovery Ranking
■Lottery Ranking
■Waiver/Re-entry Draft Ranking