Top Stories

MLS Ticker: TFC sign Ben Haim on loan; Salgado has a third surgery; and more

Tal Ben Haim of QPR

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Toronto FC continued to add players on Thursday, signing Israel international defender Tal Ben Haim on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

The Canadian club conceded in the final ten minutes again on Wednesday night in a 2-1 loss to San Jose, forcing Ryan Nelsen to demand some new faces in the team. In response, team President and General Manager Kevin Payne reached out to bring a former teammate of Nelsen’s to BMO Field.

“Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade. He captains his national team and Ryan thinks the world of him,” Payne told TorontoFC.ca. “He’s exactly the sort of veteran defender we need.”

Ben Haim just signed with QPR in the January window after trailing with the club under Harry Redknapp for some time, where he made six appearances in all competitions. Prior to his time at QPR, Ben Haim played with Portsmouth, West Ham, Sunderland, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He made over 300 appearances in nine seasons in England.

Here are some more stories to get you caught up around the league:

SALGADO TO HAVE A THIRD FOOT SURGERY

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado has had surgery on his troublesome right foot for the third time after suffering yet another setback in his road to recovery, according to a report out of Vancouver. (UPDATE: The Whitecaps have confirmed the report).

Salgado initially suffered the injury last June while playing with the U.S. U-20 team. After attempting to come back in October, the 19-year-old suffered a stress fracture and hasn’t seen the field since. The most recent surgery was reportedly to repair a tendon in the ailing right foot.

The former first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft has tested the patience of manager Martin Rennie while he waits on Salgado’s return. The El Paso, Texas native has made just 21 appearances in three years for the club, with just one goal, coming in the forward’s first MLS start.

LUYINDULA INJURES HAMSTRING, OUT FOR NEXT MATCH

New York Red Bulls forward Peguy Luyindula was forced off in the 25th minute of Wednesday’s night’s 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact with a left hamstring injury.

After the match, Luyindula’s left leg was heavily wrapped and bandaged. It was the 33-year-old’s first start since coming back from another hamstring issue suffered in an early April match against Chicago, leaving the Red Bulls forward baffled as to why or how the injury occurred.

“I was feeling really good today, it surprised me,” Luyindula said.”I took the ball, I tried to dribble, I made some good runs, and I was okay.”

“It’s really rare for me, because I’ve never had this in my career,” said Luyindula about having two hamstring injuries in a row.

Luyindula was given a scan after the match, and although he said there was no timetable for his return, Luyindula confirmed that he wouldn’t be playing in the Red Bull’s next match, this Saturday against the New England Revolution.

“No, I’m off for Saturday,” Luyindula added. “It’s impossible.”

——-

What do you make of these reports? Do you see Ben Haim succeeding in Toronto? Do you see Salgado playing for the Whitecaps this season? What do you think of the Luyindula injury?

Comments

  1. tough blow for salgado… still young and talented but if he can’t stay healthy hes going to be an afterthought real quick for the us team.. tough business for sure.

    Reply
  2. I think this is what the quote about Tal Ben Haim was supposed to say:

    “Tal Ben Haim has been one of the defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade”

    Reply
    • Alot of the young guys push themselves too much after an injury and end up reaggravating. Its best to take too much time off, too much rehab always play it safe. Longer career that way.

      Reply
      • It would help if it wasn’t claimed by some websites that he was not injured and just being held back by the Whitecaps. This creates pressure for him to push himself back too early, and this simply results in him re-injuring himself.

  3. To call Ben Haim one of the best in the past decade is just silly. He’s at best average and known for some amazing gaffs. I would be about as excited if Titus Bramble signed.

    Reply
  4. Really? Ben Haim? Wow. That center back position is getting awfully crowded. Califf will be moved (or at least he should).

    Reply
  5. “Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade.” Eh really? I would argue he has been at times average during the last decade. In regards to the Salgado situation I really hope another team steps in and tries to make a move for him, seems like the Whitecaps have decided he will not be part of their plans

    Reply
    • ? The Caps haven’t been able to make Salgado part of their plans, he keeps breaking his foot while away with the US U20s. He has been injured continuously for pretty much the last 15 months.

      Reply
      • There have been numerous rumors throughout that time period that he was well enough to play but they were choosing not to use him. I believe that even Ives discussed it on one of is podcasts a couple weeks back

      • Well, I follow the team very closely (more closely than Ives for certain) and I can tell you that nothing could further from the truth. There was a brief period at the beginning of last year (last May or so) where he was healthy and got in a game or two before promptly breaking his foot (on duty with the US U20s’). He did manage to play parts of a few reserves games against local clubs in April but by all accounts wasn’t fit and was still experiencing pain in his foot. He has now just broken his foot for the third time (again with the US U20s). I really feel for the guy. The Caps could use someone with his size and skill up front. Right now they have small quick guys (Camilo / Mattocks / Miller) a big masher (Heineman) and a complete hack (Hertzog).

    • Beefore this season, in which he didn’t play, Ben Haim wasn’t even IN the premier league, and hadnt been since 2009.

      Thats some serious spin from Mr Payne.

      Reply

Leave a Comment