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MLS Notes: Carolina Challenge Cup set to kick off, RBNY add Wolyniec to staff, and more

By FRANCO PANIZO

If you are eagerly anticipating the start of the MLS season, there is some more preseason soccer on tap that might hold you over until March 2.

The 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup is set to get underway on Saturday with two games involving three MLS sides and one USL Pro club. The opening match of the 10th annual Carolina Challenge Cup will pit the Houston Dynamo against the Chicago Fire. The day’s second fixture will see the Vancouver Whitecaps face off against local team, the Charleston Battery.

In total, there will be three rounds of matches in a round robin set-up. The second round of games takes place on Feb. 20 and the final one on Feb. 23.

Here are more notes from around the league:

WOLYNIEC NAMED RBNY RESERVE TEAM COACH

The New York Red Bulls made another change to their coaching staff on Friday, appointing former forward John Wolyniec as the club’s reserve team coach/player development coordinator. Wolyniec, who was teammates with Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke during their playing careers, was previously Red Bulls Academy’s Under-23 head coach.

“I’m thrilled to join the Red Bulls coaching staff and want to thank [sporting director Andy Roxburgh] and Mike for their support,” Wolyniec said in a statement released by the club. “This is a tremendous opportunity for my career and it is an added bonus that I have the chance to work for my hometown club. I am looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can help contribute positively to the Red Bulls’ coaching staff and players.”

BEITASHOUR UNDERGOES SURGERY, OUT 4-6 WEEKS

The San Jose Earthquakes will start the 2013 season without a key member of their defense. Right back Steven Beitashour is expected to be sidelined for approximately four-to-six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia on Thursday. Beitashour, a 2012 MLS All-Star, had an initial procedure to repair the sports hernia in November but had complications while with the U.S. Men’s National Team during their January camp.

CHIVAS USA SIGN TWO DEFENDERS

The influx of latino players at Chivas USA continued on Thursday, as the club signed defenders Steve Purdy and Carlos Borja. Purdy, a Salvadoran-American, joins the Goats after spending the last two seasons with the Portland Timbers. Borja, a Mexican-American, returns to Chivas USA for his third stint with the club. Borja played for USL Pro outfit LA Blues last year.

Per club and league rules, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

QUICK KICKS:

Mikael Silvestre is no longer training with the Seattle Sounders. (LINK)

The Columbus Crew have agreed to terms with defender Drew Beckie. (LINK)

The San Jose Earthquakes have signed rookie defender Peter McGlynn, who played for UC Santa Barbara last year. (LINK)

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Who do you see winning the Carolina Challenge Cup? How will the Earthquakes do without Beitashour? Like Chivas USA’s most recent signings?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. John Wolyniec, one of the least talented players to wear the shirt.Says something to his worth ethic and desire for getting as far as he did.

    Reply

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