Five Sporting Kansas City players named to United States Men’s National Team roster

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Jan 8, 2014

With the SuperDraft now just two weeks away, the pump is officially primed.

On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced the 2014 crop of Generation adidas players and senior signings who are expected to be among the top picks on January 16 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The 2014 Generation adidas class includes star goalkeeper Andre Blake (Connecticut), Marlon Hairston (Louisville), Eric Miller (Creighton) and Ntokozo “Schillo” Tshuma (pictured above, Maryland). MLS also signed two of the top college seniors in forward Patrick Mullins (Maryland) and Steve Neumann (Georgetown).

Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget. Players who join MLS as part of the Generation adidas program receive educational grants to further their college education.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Toronto Re-Signs Joe Bendik

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Jan 8, 2014

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that the club has re-signed goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a multi-year deal. As per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Joe had an opportunity to step-in and prove himself this season and he did so in a big way. He’s still a relatively young keeper who showed he has the ability and mentality to handle a full season of MLS play. We are excited to watch him continue to develop his skills and be a leader on our re-shaped roster next season,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We are confident that we have addressed our goalkeeper situation for the upcoming season, while adding increased roster and cap flexibility in the process.”

Bendik, 24, made 33 appearances, all starts, for the Reds this past season, finishing with a 6-16-11 record and four clean sheets. He ranked sixth in the league with 2,970 minutes played in goal and 33 starts. Both marks established new single season team-highs for MLS play.

Prior to being acquired by Toronto FC, he made five appearances and started in three games for Portland during the 2012 season. Bendik signed with the Timbers in February, 2012 after spending two seasons with Norwegian club Sogndal. Bendik played four seasons at Clemson University where he finished among the school’s career leaders in a number of statistical categories.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Joleon Lescott is going nowhere

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Jan 8, 2014

The England international has made just 14 appearances this term after finding himself down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

In a World Cup year, Lescott has been linked with a move away to secure regular first-team football, with clubs including injury-hit West Ham thought to be interested in the player.

But Pellegrini is looking to keep hold of the experienced defender as he goes for trophies on four fronts.

“He is not going for the moment,” said the City boss, quoted in The Sun:

“Joleon Lescott is a very important player for us. He finishes his contract in June. We will see what happens in the future.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below

Rosicky says Arsenal can win title

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Jan 8, 2014

The Czech Republic midfielder has contributed greatly to the Gunners’ march to the top of the Premier League and scored the second goal in Saturday’s FA Cup win over north London rivals Tottenham.

Rosicky, 33, is happy that Arsenal have been able to put an inconsistent December behind them and has praised the squad for their impressive form over the festive period, which has kept them a point clear of Manchester City at the top.

“It was a bit bumpy when we lost against Manchester City and drew against Everton,” he told Arsenal’s official website. “But you will always have phases like that in a year so that’s nothing new.

“This team has more experience than it did in the past. We have (Per) Mertesacker, (Mesut) Ozil, who won things in Madrid and the other experienced boys like Mikel (Arteta) and (Mathieu) Flamini.

“Plus the English boys are not kids anymore, they gained experience through the years of playing here so that’s why I think we have the maturity to do it this year.”

Rosicky pointed out the comeback win against West Ham United on Boxing Day as an example of the team’s new-found resilience.

“The most important thing is that you never give up and always try to go for it,” he added. “Like the game against West Ham, yes it will happen that the [other] team will score against you but you always have to carry on and that’s what the boys did. It was very positive.”

Written by Steve Milne –

Moyes denies Man Utd are on brink of signing Fabio Coentrao

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Jan 8, 2014

Reports from the continent have suggested that terms have been agreed to transfer the 25-year-old Portugal international to Old Trafford.

But speaking after Tuesday night’s 2-1 Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg defeat at Sunderland, Moyes denied such speculation.

“No, that’s not true,” he insisted.

Moyes has already been given assurances that significant funds are available to him for this month and the summer transfer window.

However, the United boss has admitted that players he would like to bring in might not be available in January as he seeks to strengthen a squad which has now lost three games on the bounce, their worst run since May 2001.

“We would like to bring people in but are those players available?” Moyes asked after his club’s FA Cup defeat to Swansea on Sunday.

“There is an urgency but there’s no point in me hyping it up because the players we would like to bring in are probably not available in January.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Toronto FC Signs Brazilian Striker Gilberto

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Jan 8, 2014

Toronto FC announced Friday that it has signed Brazilian striker Gilberto Oliveira Souza Junior (Gilberto) as a designated player. He will be added to the roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and Visa.

“Gilberto is a great DP addition to our roster. He’s young, incredibly talented and a proven goal scorer at every level he’s played,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “The Brazilian Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world and acquiring a top striker from that league is a testament to the faith Gilberto has in what we are doing at our Club.”

“We promised our fans back in September that this Club would make bold moves this offseason and that they should evaluate our progress in January. We feel that this is a key step and we will continue to work towards delivering on that promise over the next month.”

Gilberto, 24, most recently was on loan to Brazilian Série A club, Associação Portuguesa de Desportos (Portuguesa) from Sporting Club Internacional (Internacional), also of the Brazilian Série A. At Portuguesa, Gilberto made 24 appearances and scored 14 goals.

“I am very excited to join Toronto FC and MLS. There is a lot of opportunity here, both with this side and the league and I am excited to help grow Major League Soccer with my fellow Brazilians back home,” said Gilberto. “This is a great city with a great quality of life and I look forward to winning titles here.”

Gilberto signed his first professional contract with Brazilian club, Santa Cruz Futebol Clube (Santa Cruz) in 2009, after two years in the youth program. In two seasons, he made 21 appearances and scored 12 goals. Gilberto moved to Internacional in 2011, over the course of three seasons he went on two separate loans to Brazilian clubs, Sport Club do Recife (Sporting Recife) during the 2012 season, and Portuguesa in 2013. At Sporting Recife, he made 25 appearances, scoring seven goals. In four seasons in the Brazilian Série A, he made a combined 109 appearances, scoring 38 goals and added 10 assists.

“Gilberto is a powerful striker with a great deal of speed and the ability to score all kinds of goals,” said Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen. “He has a great work ethic along with a winning attitude and will be a welcomed addition to our Club.”

Gilberto won the Campeonato Pernambucano with Santa Cruz in 2011. He was part of Internacional’s Campeonato Gaúcho winning sides in 2012 and 2013, as well as the 2011 Recopa Sudamericana winner.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

BREAKING NEWS: Qatar World Cup will not be played in Summer

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Jan 8, 2014

Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke admits it could be played in November

The 2022 World Cup, which is being hosted by Qatar, will NOT be played in the Summer like it traditionally is, according to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke.

There has been a lot of controversy regarding this World Cup since Qatar was awarded it back in 2010 due to the weather conditions being way too hot during June and July, when a World Cup usually takes place.

With FIFA regularly getting together to discuss what to do with the 2022 World Cup, it now appears that they have made up their minds, and they have decided to move the competition to November!

“The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July,” Valcke told Radio France.

“To be honest, I think it will be held between 15 November and 15 January at the latest.

“If you play between 15 November and the end of December that’s the time when the weather conditions are best, when you can play in temperatures equivalent to a warm spring season in Europe, averaging 25 degrees.

“That would be perfect for playing football.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Professional footballer admits he’s gay

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Jan 8, 2014

Thomas Hitzlesperger, who used to play for Premier League trio Aston Villa, West Ham United and Everton, has revealed that he is gay.

The 31-year-old, who has featured for his country, Germany, over 50-times, made the announcement in a magazine, and has become the second high-profile footballer to make the announcement after his playing days.

There has been a lot of media coverage regarding this topic and asking why player’s come out after they finish playing football, and a previous footballer, Robbie Rodgers, who also came out after his playing days ended, revealed there was too much pressure on a footballer to come out whilst still playing.

The former-Leeds midfielder admitted that he would not have liked to play in front of fans if they knew he was gay, and he also believed the dressing room would be different if team-mates knew about his preference.

Hitzlesperger had this to say: “In England, Italy and Germany being a homosexual is no big thing, at least not in the dressing room,” he said, before adding: “I have never been ashamed for the fact that I am like I am.”

“I’m coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards,” he added.

“Just picture 20 men sat around a table together drinking – you’ve just got to let the majority be, just as long as the jokes are halfway funny and the talk about homosexuality doesn’t get too insulting.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Roberto Martinez deal Manchester United blow

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Jan 8, 2014

Everton Football Club have confirmed that star-duo Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley are not for sale at any price this month, amid speculation that Manchester United are interested in them both.

Baines, who has been in the form of his career in recent years, has been a long-tranfer target for United, and now with David Moyes at the helm, the club were hoping that he could bring the left-back with him.

However, in the Summer, Martinez and Bill Kenwright were adamant that the defender was not for sale.

Now with half the season in, it is Barkley that is attracting attention after his fine form over the past few months, and some reports even suggested that United were willing to bid up to £50million for the star.

Unfortunately for last year’s champions though, it is more bad news, as Martinez has confirmed that the club will not be parting with any of their key players.

‘We’ve attracted a lot of attention with the performances of our players but I can tell everybody that you can be very, very assured that we are not going to lose any of the top performers that we have this season.

‘That for me is the priority – not to lose any of the dynamics.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Theo Walcott given World Cup hope

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Jan 8, 2014

Arsenal star Theo Walcott could still make this Summer’s World Cup according to Scottish surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay, who believes he can get the Englishman fit and ready in four months, rather than the initial six.

Walcott suffered ligament damage in his knee during his side’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and was told he would miss six months of action, which meant missing the rest of the season as well as the Summer World Cup in Brazil.

However, Mackay, who used to work with Rangers Football Club, has revealed that with special equipment, he could get the 24-year-old fit in as little as four months.

The surgeon believes that if Walcott uses an internal brace, he could be up and running in 12-weeks, which means he could be in action before June, which is when the competition starts.

Mackay is going to contact Arsenal Football Club today and give them this opportunity rather than go down the usual route and he has had this to say on the case.

‘Arsenal will have their plans in place for Theo Walcott’s recovery and these are always sensitive issues. But we would like to inform the club of this different approach.’

The procedure Mackay is suggesting would involve a device being inserted into Walcott’s knee, which would stabilise the joint and allow rehabilitation to resume sooner. This would allow the ligament to re-attach itself naturally to the bone, which means less time on the sidelines for the Arsenal star.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal make enquiry for FC Porto striker

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Jan 8, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ramped up his search for a new striker by making an enquiry for FC Porto hitman Jackson Martinez, who has recently been scouted by rivals Chelsea.

It is believed that Martinez will be Wenger’s plan-B, as he first wants to see if he can strike a deal with Real Madrid for their striker Alvaro Morata, who the Frenchman wants to take on loan for the rest of the season to cover for injuries to Olivier Giroud, Nicklas Bendtner and now Theo Walcott.

After having an initial claim rejected right away by Carlo Ancelotti and co., Wenger is keen to re-open talks with the Spanish club and is hopeful that they can conclude a deal before the month ends.

However, if there is no breakthrough with Madrid then Wenger will turn to Porto and Martinez.

The 27-year-old has a release clause in his contract which stands at £33.2million and the Arsenal boss has made an enquiry to the Portuguese club to see what it would take for them to accept to sell the Colombian.

Despite showing avid interest in both Morata and Jackson, it is Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa who Wenger really wants, but he knows that due to the success Madrid are having this season, it would be hard to prize him away this month.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Juan Mata makes hint about his future

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Jan 8, 2014

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has hinted that he could remain at Stamford Bridge, despite the lack of game-time he has had so far this season.

The Spaniard’s future has been in the air since the Summer, when Jose Mourinho returned to take over from Rafael Benitez, and it was widely reported that he could be departing the London club due to not impressing the new manager.

However, no move was completed in the Summer transfer market, despite interest from several European clubs, and Mata remained a Chelsea footballer.

Although, as the season progressed, first-team football wasn’t coming as regularly as Mata would have liked and now with the January transfer window open, it was once again speculated that he may leave The Bridge, especially when Mourinho revealed that the door is always open for players to come and go.

Despite the lack of game-time and the option to leave, Mata had this to say on his blog which hints at him remaining in England with Chelsea.

He said: ‘My goal is to keep being happy and trying to make the people around me happy. At the end, that’s what life is about!

‘The team has had a good start of the year. Two victories away from home with clean sheets are always very positive. By beating Southampton we keep close to the top spot in the Premiership.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Tottenham star already wants out of White Hart Lane

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Jan 8, 2014

Tottenham Hotspur record signing Erik Lamela is already pushing for a move away from the club, despite only being there for half a season.

The former-Roma international joined Spurs with Andre Villas-Boas in charge for around £30million, which is a club record, but now in January and having failed to settle in and impress, Lamela is keen to make a swift return to Serie A football with Inter Milan interested in his services.

The news has come out since the winger’s dad, Jose Lamela confirmed that his son was not happy in England and wants to make a return to Italy as soon as possible.

‘Erik is not happy and wants to go back to Italy,’ he told the Italian media.

‘He has been linked with Lazio, but I don’t know anything about this. Could he re-join Roma? I don’t know.

‘Tottenham does not want him to leave in January.’

There has been suggestions of a loan move back until the end of the season so that the 21-year-old can play first-team football on a regular basis, but it’s looking likely that Lamela himself would want a permanent move.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

David Moyes claims referees are against Manchester United

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Jan 8, 2014