Taking A Mental Break

See You Soon

Some Soccer News for Feb 2, 2018

It's Day 33 of 2018.


MEXICO - LIGA MX

Could this be the debut of Landon Donovan???

Alistándonos para nuestro siguiente objetivo en la @LIGABancomerMX: @Rayados. #CreoEnMiLeón ?? pic.twitter.com/j0slM74DiV

— Club León (@clubleonfc) February 1, 2018

-Sat Feb 3
Monterrey v Leon - 7pm CT on Univision

dN

When recruiting a new players little things can make a huge difference, like saying Hello in Portuguese to a Portuguese recruit. Like Alex Ferguson did. By Sid Lowe for the Guardian.

dN

LOS LOONS - MINNESOTA UNITED

The first preseason game of the year is on Saturday. But there will be no video stream of the game. So just accept the minimal Twitter updates that we will be getting.

Preseason Friendly Schedule:
-Sat Feb 3
MNUFC v Florida International University - 1pm CT at EFSC Melbourne Campus
-Wed Feb 7
CHANGED: MNUFC v Eastern Florida State College - Time TBA at EFSC Melbourne Campus
-Sat Feb 17
MNUFC v Charleston Battery - 6:30pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup
-Wed Feb 21
MNUFC v Atlanta United - 6:30pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup
-Sat Feb 24
MNUFC v Columbus Crew - 4:00pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup

dN

MLS

The Jack Harrison + Mix Diskerud moves by NYCFC and Man City are a big change for MLS. By Jeff Carlisle for ESPNFC.

An interview with Atlanta's latest big money signing Ezequiel Barco. By Luis Migual Echegaray for Sports Illustrated.

Real Salt Lake is not a big money big spending team in MLS - they have chosen to do things differently, and aren't afraid to explain it to anyone. By Jamed Edward for the Deseret News.

Columbus has signed free agent Ricardo Clark from Houston.

dN

AMERICANS ABROAD

Kenny Saief is healthy and playing very well for Anderlecht. He is ready to impact the USMNT. By Brian Sciaretta for American Soccer Now.

Rubio Rubin has signed with Tijuana.

• He had played a few games each for Silkeborg in Denmark and Stabaek in Norway last year.

dN

EUROPE

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend. From the Guardian.

dN

BIG TEAMS + GAMES IN EUROPE'S 5 TOP LEAGUES

Schedule/Results:
-Fri Feb 2
Koln v Dortmund
Marseille v Metz
-Sat Feb 3
Arsenal v Everton
Mainz v Bayern
Inter v Crotone
Munchengladbach v Leipzig
Burnley v Man City
Man United v Huddersfield
Lille v PSG
Levante v Real Madrid
Schalke v Werder Bremen
-Sun Feb 4
Atletico Madrid v Valencia
Espanyol v Barcelona
Juventus v Sassuolo
Liverpool v Tottenham
Monaco v Lyon
Udinese v Milan
Benevento v Napoli
Hellas Verona v Roma
-Mon Feb 5
Watford v Chelsea
Lazio v Genoa



The Bird Is The Word

Some Soccer News for Feb 1, 2018

It's Day 32 of 2018.


Rumor has it that Minnesota United director Manny Lagos is in Colombia to negotiate with Deportivo Cali for attacking midfielder Nicolas Benedetti. By Jeff Rueter for ESPNFC.

dN

Near the end of the article there is info on NEW subpoenas being issued by the US Justice Department pertaining to more FIFA inquiries. By Rebecca Ruiz for the New York Times.

• This saga is far from over.

dN

17 minutes of rebuttal by Sunil Gulati answering his critics. Video from the NSCAA convention in Philadelphia, addressing US Youth Soccer.

• He makes many strong points and blisters many myths.
• The one thing he does not say is that its time for new leadership, but in my opinion now is that time.
• Its time to take the foundation that has been built very strongly and add new ideas and new energy to the mix.

dN

As part of Black History Month the New York Times gives us 28 films to watch - 1 for each day of the month. This is an inspired list. And even just reading the notes about each film is fantastic. From the New York Times.

dN

LOS LOONS - MINNESOTA UNITED

Looks like the new gray uniform (to be unveiled on Feb 11 at the Mall of America) will have a red button to signify the red eye of the loon:

Red Eye

02.11.18#MNUFC | #ScarvesUpMN pic.twitter.com/p0bkKR3TET

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 1, 2018

Preseason Friendly Schedule:
-Sat Feb 3
MNUFC v Florida International University - 1pm CT at EFSC Melbourne Campus
-Wed Feb 7
CHANGED: MNUFC v Eastern Florida State College - Time TBA at EFSC Melbourne Campus
-Sat Feb 17
MNUFC v Charleston Battery - 6:30pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup
-Wed Feb 21
MNUFC v Atlanta United - 6:30pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup
-Sat Feb 24
MNUFC v Columbus Crew - 4:00pm CT at Carolina Challenge Cup

dN

MLS

SKC has signed 27 year old Scottish forward Johnny Russell from Derby County in England.

Atlanta United has a vision for its academy program. Director Tony Annan lays out the very big plans. By Brian Sciaretta for American Soccer Now.

LA Galaxy gave up the 2nd most goals in MLS last season. To try and solve this they went out and got a new starting goalkeeper, 1 new starting centerback, a new starting fullback, and a new starting d-mid. Including names known to MLS: David Bingham and Perry Kitchen. That is 4 of the 6 positions in the back. Will this work? Its going to be very hard at first, and then who knows.

dN

USL

Former Galaxy/Crew/Earthquakes/Chivas USA player and New Zealand national teamer Simon Elliott is the new head coach of Sacramento Republic.

dN

US SOCCER

The ability to attract and retain top American Latino talent needs to be a priority. Conversation with a guy who makes this his career. By Grant Wahl for Sports Illustrated.

dN

USMNT

No games scheduled for the March international window and few teams want to play a World Cup-less USA. By Steve Goff for the Washington Post.

dN

AMERICANS ABROAD

A chat with the inconsistent Danny Williams. Is he or isn't he good enough for the national team? By Rob Stewart for Four Four Two.

dN

BIG TEAMS + GAMES IN EUROPE'S 5 TOP LEAGUES

Schedule/Results:
-Fri Feb 2
Koln v Dortmund
Marseille v Metz
-Sat Feb 3
Arsenal v Everton
Mainz v Bayern
Inter v Crotone
Munchengladbach v Leipzig
Burnley v Man City
Man United v Huddersfield
Lille v PSG
Levante v Real Madrid
Schalke v Werder Bremen
-Sun Feb 4
Atletico Madrid v Valencia
Espanyol v Barcelona
Juventus v Sassuolo
Liverpool v Tottenham
Monaco v Lyon
Udinese v Milan
Benevento v Napoli
Hellas Verona v Roma
-Mon Feb 5
Watford v Chelsea
Lazio v Genoa



The Bird Is The Word