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Friday Kickoff: John to trial with Chicago, Cooper’s Plymouth deal done and more

CollinsJohn (ISIphotos.com)

The Chicago Fire reconstruction project has already brought the Fire new additions Julio Martinez and Krzysztof Krol (as well as head coach Carlos De Los Cobos), but now Chicago could be moving closer to adding a new striker.

Former Fulham striker Collins John is set to join the Chicago Fire on a trial during the club's training camp in Phoenix, sources told SBI on Friday. John was a teammate of Fire star Brian McBride at Fulham, but has seen his once-promising career hit the skids. He most recently played for Belgian club Roeselare, which released him in December.

John, 24, first made a name for himself after scoring 11 goals for Fulham during the 2005/2006 season, but never quite lived up to that high standard again, bouncing around five different clubs since.

Here are some other stories to get your Friday going:

PLYMOUTH COMPLETES COOPER SWOOP

U.S. national team striker Kenny Cooper's loan move to English side Plymouth Argyle has been completed, 1860 Munich announced on its website.

"I know both coaches at Plymouth, Paul Mariner and John Carver from my spell in the MLS," Cooper said. "I know I am getting my chance to recommend myself for the World Cup squad of my country. Hopefully I'll be able to score goals to help Plymouth win."

The loan deal came together after a falling out between Cooper and 1860 Munich manager Ewald Lienen over playing time. German reports cited an argument between Lienen and Cooper's father, Ken Sr., with ultimately leading to a move being made.

It remains unclear when Cooper will be eligible to play for Plymouth.

PHILADELPHIA UNION TO AIR MATCHES ON 6ABC

The Philly Union scored a major coup by sealing a deal to have its matches shown locally on network affiliate 6ABC, the club announced on Thursday. The Union had already added respected play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera to its staff.

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EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

Juventus fires Ciro Ferrara

Eidur Gudjohnsen signs with Tottenham on loan

Anderson on verge of Lyon loan deal

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What do you think of these developments? Think John could revive his career in MLS? Glad to see Cooper heading to Plymouth? Think Rafa Benitez will wind up at Juventus?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Being a fan of the Chicago Fire, Im very excited about the trial of Collins John. If he doesn’t come to work ready to get stuff done we cut him, and if he comes with a good attitude (with McBride pushing him along) we have a striker who played well in the EPL. I think its a win win. Can’t wait to cheer him on from Section 8 this season!

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  2. A USMNT goalkeeper prospect Quin didn’t make the Rangers cut. I would like for this guy to come over MLS and prove that he is that good. Any news on this guy Ives? Maybe trying out for a different SPL club.

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  3. As American footballers playing in Europe your best bet is to keep both your family’s and your mouth shut!… cooper hasn’t done anything in the futbol world to be complaining about playing time. Ride the bench until your time comes Cooper.

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  4. When you score as many goals as Cooper has, (49 goals in 119 professional games) it doesn’t matter who you score them against, you are still worth a look.

    Bradley hasn’t used Cooper more probably because his current style doesn’t necessarily fit in with what the USMNT does best and how they are trying to play. On the offensve side the US is primarily a counterattacking and set piece team. But styles change so, if Cooper starts scoring at his usual rate, he will get some consideration.

    From what I’ve seen of him he does use his size, or rather his length. It makes it easier for him to shield to ball. I’ve played against guys built like him and they are an enormous pain to defend. Goal scorers are by definition “selfish” but I wouldn’t say that means he is not a team player.

    Cooper Sr. was not only a coach but he has been a long time general manager so it isn’t as if he doesn’t know what he is doing in terms of the managerial and administrative side of things.

    This loan move to Plymouth is a very good thing for Cooper Jr. so I would say Cooper Sr. got what he wanted.

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  5. From the looks of him and his last name my guess is his father is African-American (maybe an American soldier stationed in Germany, ala Jermaine Jones’ dad)

    He started for SC Freiburg against VfB Stuttgart last Friday at right back. I’ve never heard of this kid before, makes you wonder how many other footballers with American soldier Dads & German mothers are out there.

    I’ll hold off on the cap him now chant, but he’s definitely someone to watch and it doesn’t look like he’s ever been capped by any German youth level teams. Maybe some friendlies post-World Cup?

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  6. Yeah I noticed that myself too, haha.

    It’s not that big of deal, but still, it sounds frickin stupid…The Major League Soccer.

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  7. dude, relax. was I flipping out? I just would like to get some additional info on him. he’s a guy no one has ever heard of. he got on the field for a bundesliga side, that at least warrants some kind of attention.

    You alright with that?

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  8. Looking at Collins John is the sort of risk you have to take if you want to be successful in MLS. Take him on trial, test his work ethic, and if it works out you can get a good player for a good value.

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  9. they wouldnt be interested in it….i assure you

    if brazilians were interested in coming to MLS, you wouldnt see every single one flying back to Brazil when they are in poor form…..they are interested in there own country to gain confidence and get into the world cup, just like what Michael Orozco is doing here

    if players didnt care about going back to their home, MLS could have landed Robinho….but that will never happen, its not just the money issue either

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  10. John obviously has talent if he played for Fulham AND scored goals… at only 24 Chicago can easily get him fit and maybe now that he knows is career is depending on being successful, maybe he will get his head on straight.

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  11. OH MY GOODNESS! HE IS UNBELIEVABLE! He has…..oh no wait, wrong player…..

    he plays for there B TEAM, give it a break

    whats the need for everybody to flip out when they see somebody switching nationalities, this guy is nowhere near what you guys are thinking of…..it was bigger news when Mikkel Diskerud announced that he would play for the US

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