Happy Party Fun News

The Houston Dynamo got a hero's welcome back in their home town. Video included.
~ ~ ~ ~
The USA will play their first game with a new coach, whoever the hell that might be, against Denmark, Sat Jan 20 in LA at the Home Depot Center. The game will be live on ESPN2 at 4pm central.
-And they have not announced it yet, but it's known that the team will also play on Feb 7 in Phoenix v Mexico.
~ ~ ~ ~
Former Kansas City star Peter Vermes has been hired back by his old club to the new position of Technical Director. The KC Star has more details.
~ ~ ~ ~
KC have also moved on to their next plan for building a new stadium.
~ ~ ~ ~
Scott Anthony at the Guardian with a report from the MLS Cup final.
~ ~ ~ ~
Andrea Canales looks at American player development. For Soccernet.
~ ~ ~ ~
On Friday, MLS's newest team in Toronto will have the chance to stock it's roster with players from the other 12 teams in the league. Each team was allowed to "protect" 11 players on their current roster, leaving the others exposed for picking. But each team can only lose 1 player from their list. While it is a crap shot for teams leaving some players vulnerable, the risk is not massive.
-There are a few names that surprised me and a few that didn't. Here are the noteworthy:
Adrian Serioux
Andy Williams
Avery John
Bo Oshoniyi
Clint Mathis
Cobi Jones
Craig Waibel
Daniel Hernandez
Dave Van Den Bergh
Edson Buddle
Greg Vanney
Jason Kreis
Joe Franchino
Jon Busch
Jose Cancela
Matias Donnet
Mike Petke
Nate Jaqua
Nick Rimando
Tony Meola
Zach Thornton
~ ~ ~ ~
Toronto FC tells the Globe & Mail that high priced players are not on their initial agenda for building a team.
~ ~ ~ ~
Got a note yesterday from reader dc dan pointing out a Toronto FC brochure which states that they will host the 2008 MLS All Star Game. I also noticed on the back page that the stands used in the photo have roofs over them. All the current photos from BMO Field have no covers, but maybe this is in the works. That would be a fantastic move on their part.
~ ~ ~ ~
Fox Soccer Channel has acquired the rights to broadcast the Gold Cup next summer.
~ ~ ~ ~
Yanks Abroad had a note today saying USA & Reading midfielder Bobby Convey has been in the US getting rest and rehab for his injured knee. They expect him back very soon.
~ ~ ~ ~
YA also talks to American defender Cory Gibbs about the firing of his coach Ian Dowie at Charlton.
~ ~ ~ ~
UEFA.com with a feature on USA & Hamburg midfielder Benny Feilhaber!
~ ~ ~ ~
Young Mr Feilhaber also talks to Jack Bell at the New York Times.
-Bell's Q & A with Benny.
~ ~ ~ ~
The Mexican Apertura playoffs start today, with 7th-10th place teams vying for 2 spots to be added in with the top 6 for the second round.
-Today & Saturday it's Veracruz v Guadalajara
-Tomorrow & Sunday it's Chiapas v Toluca
-The top 6 are: Cruz Azul, UNAM Pumas, America, Atlas, Monterrey & Pachuca. The next round of matches gets going next Wednesday.
~ ~ ~ ~
A handful of national teams are playing Euro 2008 qualifying matches today. Many others are playing friendly's. The next round of matches will not happen until Feb 7 07.
~ ~ ~ ~
Barcelona & Argentina wonder-boy Lionel Messi has sustained a broken metatarsal bone in his foot (same injury that has sidelined many players in the past few years). He is going to miss about 3 months of action.