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MLS Ticker: Nguyen out for season, Billionaire plans AEG bid, and more

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photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

If the New England Revolution are going to pull off some upsets during the final few weeks of the season, they will have to do so without Lee Nugyen.

The Revolution midfielder underwent surgery to correct chronic instability in his right shoulder on Monday morning and he will be out for the remainder of the year. Nguyen's timetable for recovery is four months, which means he should be back in time for the 2013 preseason.

Nguyen enjoyed a strong first season in MLS. The 25-year-old played in all 30 games up to this point in the campaign and he scored five goals and had two assists in those matches.

Here are more stories from around the league:

LA BILLIONAIRE PLANNING ON MAKING BID FOR AEG

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) may have recently been placed on the market, but that does not mean it will stay there for long. According to a report, Los Angeles billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong is teaming up with financial services firm Guggenheim Partners to make a bid for AEG, which owns, among other things, the Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo. Soon-Shiong's fortune is estimated at more than $7.2 billion, while Guggenheim recently led a local group in the purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

AEG TURNS DOWN BID FOR DYNAMO

The much-anticipated sale of the Houston Dynamo will have to wait a little longer. Dynamo president Chris Canetti said the club has turned down an offer from Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander and the club will remain under the control of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Alexander had recently been in negotiations to buy out the three partners who make up the Dynamo's ownership group, but the offer was rebuffed.

FORMER MLSer IRO SIGNS WITH STEVENAGE

Former Columbus Crew and Toronto FC defender Andy Iro has secured a deal with English Third Division side Stevenage. A former first-round draft pick for the Crew, Iro joins a team coached by former Colorado Rapids boss Gary Smith.

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How do you think Nguyen did in his first season with the Revolution? Would you like to see Soon-Shiong and Guggenheim buy AEG? Think it is a good move to turn down Alexander's bid?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This league was built an ownership that had “conflicts” with other professional teams.

    Arguably the biggest push for this league came from Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs.

    Also, look around the world:

    Man United: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    Arsenal: Colorado Rapids/St. Louis Rams/Denver Nuggets, etc
    Liverpool: Boston Red Sox

    and on and on.

    I actually think it’s a great sign people outside the usual soccer circles/realms are interested in investing/purchasing a team. Shows the league (and sport) is on the rise.

    People are noticing.

    Reply
  2. Stevenage is one of those rich lower division clubs thats done very well the last 5 years or so. The sort of club you might pick if you were a football manager nerd because you could probably get them into the champions league in a few years. Not a bad spot to be for Iro and Smith.

    Reply
  3. THE AEG BUNDLE contains so many properties, it’s hard to get a line on what the AEG bidders will want. Will the winner keep the Group together or will he piece it out to get the money out? Will the new owner keep the sports teams portfolio or sell it off and keep the real estate properties?

    After reading Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong bio on Wikipedia, I am really impressed. He was born in South Africa to parents of Chinese descent and received degrees in S.A. England, Canada and the US, UCLA grad!!

    Billionaire, Inventor, philanthropist he seems like he is the role model for Tony Stark, (aka Iron Man) lol

    He has my vote!

    Reply
  4. big markets or special markets need owners with a deep wallet-for example
    -la galaxy is looking for a new owner, maybe mancity owner or chelseas
    -seattle sounders
    -vancouver and portland should be consider big makets because of there fans and history
    -TFC and Montreal are gorgeous canadian cities with soccer fans and that is enough to attract a deep wallet
    owner
    -Chicago and New England deserve a deep pocket owner due to their fans and soccer love in their city
    -Red Bull have one already
    -SKC what is going on there
    -DC new owners will see about the money
    -Rapids dont get love but they money
    -Chivas Crew San Jose RSL Union Dynamo FC dallas ….. good luck
    -Then you got New York Cosmos or Empire Fc or City FC, that team is gonna bank it for sure

    Reply
  5. I wonder to what extent the bum should affected Nguyen’s play this year. If it’s been a lingering problem that he’s just now taking care of, he may come back stronger than ever in 2013.

    Reply
  6. Am I paranoid for thinking that owners/investors in other sports looking to invest in MLS as well presents a conflict of interest? Not one for conspiracy theories, but if you’re an NBA, NFL, or MLB owner worried about MLS (now or in the future) cutting into your existing sports team’s population, would there a better way to control that potential rival than by owning it yourself and making sure it never gets that far? Pardon if it does make me paranoid. I guess I just remember the early years of MLS disdain around the country too vividly…

    Reply
  7. Perhaps the denial of the Alexander offer for the Dynamo is linked to the overall AEG sale. While not the Lakers or Galaxy I’m sure the Dynamo add value to the whole based on history, attendance, plus new stadium. I doubt Leslie has the means or mood to buy all of AEG so this becomes further proof their plan is not to part it out.

    Reply
  8. just use your porn name…much more appropriate. you know the drill: Name of your 1st pet followed by the street you grew up on. Mine’s Harold Treadwell.

    Reply
  9. Based on his timetable to return I doubt Nguyen will be ready for Camp Cupcake which would be a shame. He’s deserved at least a call up

    Reply

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