Big Sneeze News

Andrew Hush at Soccer New England talks to Rev's star midfielder Shalrie Joseph who says that if the team does not do anything to re-do his contract or trade him to a team who will, then he will have to consider walking out to make his point. The stakes just got higher!
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Young defender Marvell Wynn has been shipped off to Toronto by the New York Red Bulls in exchange for future draft picks & some moolah. That's all Red Bull got? TFC was desperate! Bruce Arena obviously did not take my advice yesterday and take Mo Johnston to the woodshed. This roster move does free up the spot in New York needed to add Juan Pablo Angel, and its gets Toronto some more defense. (thanks to Bill for the tip off on this one)
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TFC then dealt midfielder Richard Mulrooney to Houston for defender Kevin Goldthwaite and a draft pick. Great deal for Richard and Houston. OK deal for Toronto. But again, does this help them much right now? Well, I guess it's better than rookies and USL First Division defenders. Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle reports on the deal.
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Larry Millson of the Toronto Star fills in some things on both TFC deals from north of the border.
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Shawn Mitchell at the Columbus Dispatch talks to Crew GM Mark McCullers who confirms that Guillermo Barros Schelotto has indeed signed a deal with the team. The date of his arrival seems confusing. Plus there are still several hurdles to finalize. Read the article and decide for yourself.
-Schelotto was NOT signed as a Designated Player.
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Thursday night MLS action:
Columbus v New England - see the game live at 6pm central on ESPN2
-Will 'Lumbus score a goal?
-Will New England have the same energy as game 2 and steamroll another opponent.
-What will be Shalrie Joseph's attitude?
-Let's just hope there are some fans in the stands.
-What is the over/under on announcer Rob Stone mentioning David Beckham's name? I say 20! Make it a drinking game.
-I hear that the wee lucky leprechaun himself Tommy Smyth will be in the booth as well. How special for us.
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Dallas midfielder Marcello Saragosa suffered a sprained MCL in last weeks game v LA. Luckily it was not worse. He will still be out of the team for at least a month.
-Defender David Wagenfuhr is also out after suffering a nasty looking concussion last weekend. He got knocked out cold by the ball from a Clint Mathis shot.
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Walter Smith, the new manager of Rangers in Scotland wants to set up a deal for his team with the LA Galaxy to share players etc. From the BBC.
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Michael Lewis of Big Apple Soccer gets reaction from some Red Bulls players on new signing Juan Pablo Angel.
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When you add the Marvell Wynne move to the trade of Amado Guevara to Chivas for the 2nd Designated Player spot that NYRB needed to sign Angel, you have to ask, "Is it worth it? Guevara & Wynne for Angel?" What do you think?
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Several New York area papers with Juan Pablo Angel stories:
-Frank Giase at the Newark Star Ledger
-Jack Bell at the New York Times
-Ives Galarcep at the North Jersey Herald
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The Guardian reports on the departure of Angel to NYRB.
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Luis Bueno at LA Soccer News talks to Honduran captain Amado Guevara about playing for his new club Chivas USA.
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Bueno also reports that Chivas USA is expected to announce a shirt sponsor early next month.
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Bueno, writing for MLSnet, writes about Jonathan Bornstein's quick recovery from a knee injury that was helped along by a fairly new and revolutionary procedure. Very interesting stuff if you ask me.
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Frank Dell'apa at the Boston Globe says New England is searching for their own Designated Player, but with their usual attitude - slow and steady.
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Mike Biglin at the Boston Herald looks at the role of Andy Dorman to the potential success this season for New England.
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Defender Michael Parkhurst is also nearly back to full training with the Rev's. But I don't think you should expect to see him on the field Thursday night.
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Steve Hunt at MLSnet talks to Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty who is getting what looks to be a deserved shot in the center of the field for his club.
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Andrea Canales at LA Soccer News says Galaxy coach Frank Yallop is under pressure to WIN!
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Grahame Jones of the LA Times with his weekly soccer column.
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Interesting fact: 6 current MLS players are from the Inland Empire area of metropolitan Los Angeles: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) of Redlands, Maurice Edu (Toronto FC) of Fontana, Joe Franchino (New England) of Alta Loma, Orlando Perez (Chivas USA) of Fontana, Ante Razov (Chivas USA) of Fontana, Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) of Montclair. And then add in Carlos Bocanegra of Fulham is from the area too - Rancho Cucamonga. From the LA Daily News.
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Jeff Bradley uses his First XI column at MLSnet this week to ask if 2 games is enough to generate an opinion about the clubs for the season.
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Yesterday DaMarcus Beasley scored another goal for Manchester City, but they lost 3-1 to Arsenal in London. Unfortunately DMB gave away a ball early that lead directly to the Arse's first score. His goal tied the game and made up for the defensive blunder. DaMarcus also had two other decent chances stopped by the Arsenal keeper Jensangryweird Lehman.
-I got a great note from reader Ethan F about Beasley just after the Arsenal v Man City match: I just finished watching the Arsenal-Man City game. It seems like Beasley is back. Nearly ever positive attacking Man City move included him. He looked really fast (something that seemed to be lacking with his confidence for the last year or so) even up against the likes of Hleb and Eboue. He also was running at players and making smart and frequent off-the-ball runs. To top it off, he finished off a nice move with a clinically composed finished. Additionally, he nearly tied then game when he classily chipped Lehmann, but was called back for being a foot offside. It is really good to see him back because the national team isn't the same without a confident Beasley.
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USA & Sheffield Wednesday defender Frankie Simek has at least 3 EPL teams coming after him - Charlton, Aston Villa & Portsmouth. Fantastic.
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EPL Talk branches out into yet another realm with the debut of the video podcast! The debut features a tour of the GolTV studios, and an interview with the magnificent Ray Hudson!
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Brian Quarstad checks in on the refurbishing being done at the home stadium of the Minnesota Thunder - James Griffin Stadium aka The Jimmy. From Blue Sky Soccer.
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In the EPL Tuesday night Manchester United won without injured defenders Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Mikael Silvestre & John O'Shea. Midfielder Darren Fletcher had to start at right back, then left back Patrice Evra was injured during the game so midfielder Kieran Richardson had to come on for him. That is nuts. They beat Sheffield United 2-0.
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The BBC says that the Chairman of Arsenal has warned American Stan Kroenke to keep his hands off the club. Kroenke owns the Colorado Rapids in MLS and currently 11% of Arsenal.
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ESPN Soccernet has a Q & A with Chelsea & Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba. I hope they ask him about his ability to heal so quickly from the injuries that often send him writhing in pain on the pitch.
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Poland & Ukraine have been named co-hosts of the UEFA Euro Championships in 2012. They beat out Italy. Yeaaaaaaaah! Sorry.
-Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune reports.