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Suarez wins PL Player of the Month prize

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The Reds’ No.7 became the first man in Premier League history to net 10 goals in a calendar month as he cemented his place at the head of the league’s goalscoring leaderboard throughout December.

His performances were nothing short of breath-taking, starting with a sensational four-goal haul against Norwich City during his side’s 5-1 win at Anfield.

In the following match Suarez struck twice against West Ham United before skippering the Reds in the league for the first time in his career and notching two against Tottenham Hotspur in a stunning 5-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Cardiff City were the next side to feel his wrath as the 26-year-old conjured two more Goal of the Month contenders against the Bluebirds at Anfield to take his tally for the season to 19.

After collecting the prize, the forward told Sky Sports News: “It’s so important when you work hard on the pitch and they recognise it when you win these prizes.

“On the pitch I try to help Liverpool and I try to help the squad, and I think for confidence it is very good. If Liverpool continue at this level we can finish in the top four, which we want.”

Written by Steve Milne

Moises Hernandez returns to FC Dallas after 18 months

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2014 is in full swing at Toyota Stadium and on the first Monday morning of the new year, the FC Dallas Academy returned to training, but with a few extra faces.

With just a couple weeks left until the official start of 2014 preseason, many of the former FCD Academy members now signed to Homegrown contracts are joining the U-18 team for training this week including one Homegrown looking to earn a starting spot after 18 months away from the team in Central America.

“I’m just happy to be here and to be home,” Moises Hernandez told FCDallas.com after training.

With playing time at his left back position scarce, Hernandez was loaned to Guatemalan giants Comunicaciones for the second half of 2012 where he won the Guatemalan league championship playing four games in the apertura season. Hernandez impressed head coach Ronald Brenes enough for the Costa Rican to invite Moises to follow him to his new club in 2013, Deportivo Saprissa which FCD happily accepted.

The move was a step up in class and a major step up in pressure, but Hernandez was up to it making 20 appearances for the Costa Rican giants including 18 starts. Now returning to FC Dallas, the 21-year-old is older, wiser and ready to battle incumbents Jair Benitez and Michel for playing time at left back.

“I feel like firstly I changed in maturity on and off the field,” said a noticeably bigger Hernandez, much different than the rail-thin teenager that left 18 months ago. “Playing under pressure, knowing different positions and finding good spots, but also just playing under pressure with all those fans it helped me a lot.”

Indeed, the pressure-cooker of San Jose, Costa Rica will separate the men from the boys pretty quick. Playing in front of one of the most fanatical fan bases in Central America at 29-time Costa Rican champions Saprissa, Hernandez regularly played in front of huge crowds that either demanded success…or the opposite.

“It was nice just going to the rival teams with our bus, we had to have our windows shut and the shades closed because people would throw rocks at the bus and do things to scare you,” said Hernandez. “So we had security with us all the time protecting us, but it was fun though a good experience.”

Back home and in familiar surroundings, the 2014 preseason is make or break for Moises with his hometown team, but with a new found maturity and tons of first team experience, he’s ready to make his mark.

“I’m just ready for whatever comes to me. I’ve matured as a player and a person and I’m ready to take over the role this year.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

FC Dallas lands former University of Virginia midfielder Brian Span in weighted lottery

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FC Dallas has acquired midfielder Brian Span in a weighted lottery conducted by Major League Soccer this morning, the club announced today.

Span spent the past two seasons with Swedish first-division side Djurgårdens IF, where he made 14 appearances and scored one goal. His contract was not renewed following the 2013 season.

Span, who will turn 22 in February, played two years at the University of Virginia before signing with Djurgårdens IF in 2012. He started 39 of 41 matches during his time with the Cavaliers, scoring 12 goals and eight assists as a forward.

FC Dallas was the favorite to land the winger going into Thursday’s draft with a 41.1 percent chance. The Chicago Fire (27 percent chance), San Jose Earthquakes (18.7 percent), New England Revolution (12.3 percent) and Real Salt Lake (0.9 percent) also participated in the lottery.

According to the 2013 MLS Player Rules and Regulations: “Players made available through lotteries include Generation adidas players signed after the MLS SuperDraft or draft eligible players to whom an MLS contract was offered but who failed to sign with the League prior to the Draft.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Real Salt Lake signs Jordan Allen to a Homegrown contract

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Real Salt Lake announced on Tuesday that it has signed Jordan Allen to a Home Grown contract. Per league and club policy, further terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Allen, 18, played at the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy from August 2011-December 2012. The Rochester, N.Y. native was named the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy Player of the Year, USSDA Western Conference Player of the Year and earned a spot on the USSDA Starting XI Team of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. Allen played with current RSL first-teamers DF Carlos Salcedo, GK Lalo Fernandez and FW Benji Lopez while at the Casa Grande, Ariz. Academy.

“To see my dream of signing with RSL come true is very exciting,” Allen said. “This is the reason I first moved to the Academy in Arizona. At the same time, I know that this is just the first step, and I need to stay grounded. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play at RSL, but I know that I have plenty of work to do in order to become a successful pro.”

Capable of playing defender, midfielder or forward, the versatile Allen is the sixth player signed out of the RSL-Arizona Academy.

Allen played at the University of Virginia this past fall, starting all 24 of UVA’s matches and helping lead the Cavaliers to an appearance at the NCAA College Cup. A third-team All-ACC selection, an All-ACC Freshman Team selection and a second-team NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region Team pick, Allen had three goals and a team-high five assists for UVA from his spot in the midfield. His third strike of the season was a game-winner, pushing the Cavs past UConn in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight and into the College Cup.

Allen also has extensive experience as a U.S. Youth International and is currently in the U-18 player pool.

Written by Steve Milne – have your say below

Kolarov linked with move out of Premier League

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Juventus currently lead the race to sign the Serbian defender however they will face competition for his signature from Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg.

Kolarov joined City back from Lazio in 2009 for £19m and he has recently revealed his desire to return to Serie A despite Juve manager Antonio Conte dismissing these rumours.

The Serbian has found many Italian clubs keen top sign him such as champions Juventus and Inter, who hope to sign him either this month or this summer.

He may be looking for a move as he has battled for a place in the starting squad against Gael Clichy, and has just 12 months remaining on his existing deal next summer. 

It is reported that Zenit are willing to match the wages Manchester City currently offer the 28 year old (which is £107,000 a week) and are also willing to pay £8.4m to land the defender’s signature. 

 

By Phil Wellbrook

Whitecaps FC announce technical staff changes

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today technical staff changes ahead of the 2014 Major League Soccer season.

The club’s head of high performance coach Gordon Forrest will join Carl Robinson’s first team coaching staff as an assistant coach, while also continuing to oversee the technical side of the Residency program.

Whitecaps FC also confirmed today that goalkeeper coach Marius Røvde will remain in his role, while Jake DeClute will focus solely on his role of scouting coordinator through mid-February. The club will not be renewing the contracts of assistant coach Paul Ritchie and strength and conditioning coach Mike Young.

Gordon Forrest – Whitecaps FC assistant coach and head of high performance

* Joined Whitecaps FC on October 17, 2012, as U-18 Residency head coach and manager of coaching development
* UEFA ‘A’ Licence, Scottish Football Association Youth Licence, Scottish Football Association Advanced Children’s Licence
* Nearly 10 years in soccer development with the Scottish Football Association and New Zealand Football
* Former assistant coach at Scottish Football League club East Fife F.C.
* 10-year professional playing career in Scotland and Iceland

“We are thrilled to have Gordon join the first team in the day-to-day activities, while at the same time continuing to have a major role in the development of our best young players already on the first team or currently with the club’s U-18 side,” said Robinson, Whitecaps FC head coach. “This will greatly enhance our ability to better integrate our Residency program and our first team.”

Forrest, 36, joined the club on October 17, 2012, as head coach of the U-18 Residency team, and as manager of coaching development. The native of Dunfermline, Scotland, later took on the role as head of high performance, providing individual coaching for the club’s best young talent.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Forrest spent nearly a decade working in soccer development for New Zealand Football and the Scottish Football Association, as well as a period as assistant coach of East Fife FC in the Scottish Second Division. As a player, Forrest enjoyed a 10-year professional soccer career in which he played for Raith Rovers FC (Scotland), Livingston FC (Scotland), KS Leiftur (Iceland), East Fife FC (Scotland), and Berwick Rangers FC (Scotland).

As part of Forrest’s transition to the first team, Whitecaps FC manager of player performance and recruitment Craig Dalrymple has been promoted to Residency technical director and will take over as interim U-18 Residency head coach.

Røvde, a native of Trondheim, Norway, came to Vancouver to work with the ’Caps goalkeepers in June 2011 and officially joined the first team staff on July 29, 2011. DeClute joined the club on January 20, 2012, as assistant coach and scouting coordinator. The Wheaton, Illinois, native will continue to focus on scouting through the 2014 MLS Player Combine and MLS SuperDraft.

Ritchie joined the club as an assistant coach on November 3, 2011, and Young on March 15, 2012. Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Ritchie, a native of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and Young, a native of Buffalo, New York, worked with North American Soccer League side Carolina RailHawks.

“We are thankful to Paul and Mike for their many contributions over the past two plus seasons,” said Robinson. “I have a lot of respect for Paul and Mike, however now is the right time to go in a new direction. I will be confirming the rest of my staff in the coming days and weeks.”

Red Bulls still hoping for playmaker, not rushing into decision

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Landing a creative midfielder was an objective laid out by New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke when the offseason began, but the search for that type of player is not necessarily close to being complete.

Petke spoke to reporters on a conference call on Thursday and touched on a myriad of topics, including the potential signing of an attacking player capable of unlocking defenses and setting up teammates. The Red Bulls manager said the club had taken steps forward in that regard, but that there was nothing concrete to discuss. Basically, the hunt is still on.

“We’ve made some progress, and we’re still looking as well,” said Petke. “We’re not concerned whatsoever [about the timing of a signing]. With preseason so long, you have to remember that guys – and I’m not saying these are the creative guys – like Eric Alexander and Jonny Steele were picked up during the [latter parts of the 2013] preseason, and these guys went on to have great seasons.

“We’re not concerned, we’re not rushing to judgement or rushing to pick someone up,” Petke said. “We feel that with who we’ve had an eye on and hopefully other things will come up, that if we do decide to grab somebody, it will be the right person. But again, you have to go back to the salary cap; that’s why we have had to get rid of certain players and we need to make sure that we have the money to get the right person. We’re still working that out and we still have our eyes open.”

Petke added that any potential acquisition could come from either within the league or outside of it. Petke stated that he and the club have no preference as far as that is concerned, but said that there is a degree of difficulty in nabbing a player who is currently on another MLS team.

“The problem with coming from within the league … we have to be willing to give up something valuable,” said Petke. “There were many times last year that we had our eyes on someone in the league, and before you know it, [other teams] are asking over the moon for him, for two key starters for him. That’s counterproductive with what we want to accomplish.

“It’s a lot easier if you’re a team that’s rebuilding completely or finished extremely low that you know you can take those chances. But like I said, I’m not about to disrupt the quality that I think we have in this team and the chemistry we’ve built up over a year to bring someone new that we think could be good but giving up something that is obviously valuable to us. It’s difficult within the league, but not impossible.”

While signing a creative midfielder may seem like one priority, even with preseason set to start in a few weeks, so too is the capture of another center back.

The Red Bulls released veteran defender Markus Holgersson last week primarily because of financial reasons, according to Petke, and currently have only three center backs on their roster in Jamison Olave, Ibrahim Sekagya and teenager Matt Miazga.

“Of course, we need to add one more for depth reasons,” said Petke. “That’s not to say we’re going out looking for a superstar centerback. We’re comfortable with what we have with, which is Ibra and Olave, who are very good players. Olave, like I’ve said and I can’t say enough about him, I think he’s the best pure defender in the league. Ibra with all his experience and he’s done well for us. Matt Miazga with the high hopes we have. But yes, I think it would be silly if we’re not looking to add a fourth option [for] depth.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Manchester United Boss David Moyes charged with misconduct by FA

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The charge is in relation to comments made after Tuesday’s 2-1 League Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Sunderland when Moyes, 50, said United are “beginning to laugh at referees” for their “terrible” decisions.

He added that they are “playing referees as well as the opposition”.

Moyes has until 18:00 GMT on Wednesday, 15 January to respond to the charge.

“It is alleged the comments called into question the integrity of the match officials… and/or implied that such match officials are motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of Rule E3(1),” said a statement.

The first-leg defeat was United’s third loss in a week – the first time that has happened since 1992.

The Premier League champions were beaten 2-1 at home by Tottenham at the start of 2014 and followed that up with elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Swansea, which was also played at Old Trafford.

The former Everton manager was also irked by a decision during the Spurs defeat, stating it was “scandalous” United were not awarded a late penalty.

Moyes, who succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at United at the end of last season, said he had the pedigree to guide the club through “difficult” times.

“I have done it before, I’m experienced and I just sense that it’s just on the verge of turning,” he added. “I sense that we are about to get a bit better.

“If you are going to be in this job, then that’s what happens. You have got to win and in the last few games, I have not won.

“We are going through a difficult time. It’s part of football management, it’s never going to be an easy ride.”

Written by Steve Milne

Mourinho cool on Rooney speculation.

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to be frawn into reports that Chelsea are about to make a bid for Wayne Rooney in the January transfer window. 

The Portuguese manager has all but cooled speculation linking Rooney to Stamford Bridge for the current moment in time. 

Chelsea had two summer bids for Rooney turned down by Manchester United. 

Rooney was linked with a move to the Bridge in the Summer, after he revealed that he wanted to leave the Old Trafford club, following a tough time towards the back end of last season. 

Chelsea are due to play Manchester United next Sunday afternoon, and Mourinho stated….  

” I don’t want to speak about it” said the Chelsea boss.

“You have to ask him (Rooney). You have to ask the player. And Man United because Man United has a contract with the player that doesn’t end at the end of the season.”

Mourinho believes United will still finish in the top four at the end of the season under David Moyes even though they are currently five points adrift in seventh place with 18 games left this season.  

“I don’t think they have a problem,” added Mourinho.

“In this moment they are not top four in the Premier League, but they can be at the end of the season.

“A new manager, but a club with a fantastic culture of supporting the manager.

“I don’t feel any problem for David. He works. Better results will arrive and he will be for many years in the club and will reach good results.” 

Chelsea travel to Hull City on Saturday lunchtime. 

By Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

Nemanja Vidic wont extend contract

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Nemajna Vidic will not sign a contract extension which is bad news for Manchester united as his contract runs out at the end of the season. To make matters worse for the Red Devils it is rumoured that Napoli are interested in the Defender. David Moyes will continue in his efforts to keep the Serbian at the Manchester side. 

Nemanja Vidic isn’t the only one who might leave at the end of the season with the possibility of Rooney not extending his contract either. Vidic has no intention on going down with the sinking ship that is Manchester United and will have no problem at signing with a new club. The fact that the contract Moyes is offering the Serbian isn’t very good is making matters worse however if his form steps up then the coach will increase the contract. 

Moyes is under pressure to sign Vidic because they feel its the right decision and David Moyes needs to make the right decision’s if he wants to keep his job. Keeping Wayne Rooney at the club is considered a higher priority than keeping the 31 year old. 

By Billy Foster

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger out for around a month with calf strain

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The Denmark international sustained the injury in the closing stages of Sunday’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Oldham at Anfield.

“Disappointed with my injury! But I hope to be back strong within 4 weeks! Thanks for all the supporting tweets,” the 29-year-old wrote on Twitter.

Agger’s absence is a blow to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, whose injury list was showing welcome signs of easing.

However, Agger’s unavailability will be offset by the progress made by Mamadou Sakho’s recovery from a hamstring strain ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Stoke, while striker Daniel Sturridge is back in full training having been out since the end of November with a sprained ankle.

Captain Steven Gerrard played 77 minutes against Oldham to add to the half an hour he had coming off the bench against Hull City four days previously to show he had fully recovered from a hamstring strain.

“Over Christmas we were unfortunate we had a number of injuries which brought the squad down to about 15 players,” said Rodgers.

“Thankfully over this last week we are starting to get one or two back and they are very important players for us.

“Steven came back into the fold against Oldham which was great and Daniel is back training now, which is brilliant for us.”

Written by Steve Milne

Fulham allow star to leave

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Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has confirmed that the club are allowing midfielder Bryan Ruiz to leave the club this month on loan until the end of the season.

The Costa Rican international is struggling to break into the first-team in West London and asked the club if he could go out on loan for the rest of the season so that he can get some regular football ahead of this Summer’s World Cup.

It is reported that Spanish side Real Betis are close to securing him on loan, but as of yet, nothing formal has been announced.

However, Meulensteen has confirmed that Ruiz will be allowed to leave this month.

“The only progress in the transfer market that I can reveal to you is that we have allowed Bryan Ruiz to talk to a number of clubs to see if something can come out of that,” Rene Meulensteen confirmed.

“That is really as far as all the progress is concerned.

“I wouldn’t call his signing a mistake because at that time it was probably for Fulham the right choice and the right investment.

“Don’t get me wrong, he is a very good player. I’ve come in, I’ve looked at the squad, worked with these players, I’ve picked my teams on what I think are the right reasons and motivations, but I can also understand Bryan’s point of view.

“He is a good player, has a World Cup coming up and he obviously needs to play, but I can’t, like with any other player, guarantee that.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Sakho feeling settled at Liverpool

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The French defender completed a deadline day move to Anfield last summer.

He had been linked with a switch to England for some time, with an ambitious project at PSG forcing him down the pecking order.

Liverpool were able to secure his signature and have helped to ease him into Premier League life.

Sakho admits it was never going to be easy for him to make such a big career change, but the versatile 23-year-old is convinced that he made the right choice in heading for Merseyside.

He told Gentside Sport: “At the moment I am very happy in Liverpool.

“I signed for four years and I will try to write my own piece of Liverpool history. I hope that in the coming years we will win many titles.

“Difficulties to adapt are normal – I have changed my team-mates, language, everything is a little trickier. But everything seemed logical and the move made sense.

“We have a group with four international central defenders so we take it in turns. Everyone has their playing time and the others don’t impose on it. There is healthy competition.”

Sakho was a boyhood PSG supporter and a product of their academy system, but the man who netted two goals in a World Cup play-off to send France to Brazil this summer insists he does not miss home on a sporting level.

He added: “Honestly, no. I do not miss it (PSG) at all. I am 100 per cent in Liverpool and am very happy here.

“I had the chance to wear the jersey of Paris St Germain and achieve my goals for 12 years.

“I had the chance to be part of a generation that fought to maintain standards. I don’t want people to forget that there were really difficult times.

“We also managed to win a title that the fans had been waiting many years for. I took great pride in that but entered my English adventure with my eyes open.”

Written by Steve Milne

Robbie Savage lists TWELVE players that should be sold by Manchester United

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BBC pundit Robbie Savage believes David Moyes should sell at least 12 of his current first-team players, as he doesn’t believe they are good enough to play at Old Trafford.

Speaking with the BBC, the former-United youth player believes Moyes would have to spend over £200million to be in with a chance of making this season a success, after they sit way off the pace in the Premier League.

In the wake of United’s third defeat in a row, at the hands of Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, Savage wrote an article on the BBC Sport website, and he revealed that 12 players that shouldn’t be at Old Trafford.

Here are the 12 players he picked out:

Chris Smalling: I am not convinced by him. His passing is not good enough for a Manchester United player. He should go.

Alexander Buttner: I’m surprised he is there in the first place. He is not good enough to be a Manchester United player
 
Fabio: He is not as good as his brother Rafael. He did not do it at QPR, so what chance has he got of doing it at a club like Manchester United?
 
Rio Ferdinand: He has been one of the best central defenders in the Premier League and a great servant for Manchester United, but injuries and age have caught up with him. 
 
Marouane Fellaini: I am not sure what his best position is. He is not good enough to play for United in the middle of the park and not quick enough or dynamic enough to play off the front.
 
Anderson: They paid a lot of money for him back in 2007, but the Brazilian has played just four league games this season. In my view, he has not recovered from the injuries he has suffered and cannot hold down a regular first-team place
 
Ryan Giggs: The best Premier League player ever, but if they are going to rely on a 41-year-old to produce the goods next season, it does not say a lot for the rest of the midfielders.
 
Nani: I’m surprised he got a new five-year contract. He has not scored or created a goal in eight league games this season. He’s just too inconsistent and should go.
 
Ashley Young: At times, he looks great and scores some great goals, but he’s only completed one league game this season. That says to me he is inconsistent, so what is he in the team for? To produce goals? He has not been doing that enough
 
Tom Cleverley: Has played in all but four of United’s league games this season, but I am not sure what he contributes. Does he pass it well? Does he score goals? Does he tackle? What does he actually do?
 
Antonio Valencia: I was torn on this one. I am not sure he has ever recovered from his injuries. He had a blistering yard of pace in the past, but I think he has lost it and does not get around the full-back enough.
 
Javier Hernandez: Does not perform well consistently enough when he starts games. He is a good impact player but is no Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
 
What are your thoughs on these comments then by Robbie Savage?
 
Have your say below!
 
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Luis Suarez wins player of the month

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The Barclays player of the month for december has been named and it is Luis Suarez. Suarez seens to deserve the title as the striker has scored 10 goals in December alone. 4 of these goals were scored against Norwich which resulted in a 5-1 win for Liverpool. Suarez started and ended the month on a low noted losing to Hull City, Manchester City & Chelsea however in the other four games during the month Suarez was on a red hot form. 

He then scored two goals each against West Ham, Tottenham & Cardiff City. These goals puts Liverpool at the top of the league at christmas day however they slipped from the top by New years eve.

By Billy Foster