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MLS Ticker: Marsch eyes vacant Whitecaps post; McBean heads to England to train; and more

Jesse Marsch

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By CAITLIN MURRAY

After parting ways with the Montreal Impact last year, Jesse Marsch appears closer to returning to a Major League Soccer head coaching position. The Vancouver Whitecaps have reportedly interviewed Marsch as a possible replacement for Martin Rennie, whose contract was not renewed after two seasons.

Marsch’s split from Impact had been amicable, with club officials and Marsch calling it a mutual agreement based on differing philosophies. Under his tenure, Impact finished 12-16-6, seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Since then, Marsch has been volunteering as assistant coach at Princeton University and spent six months backpacking around the world. He had reportedly interviewed for the Columbus Crew coaching job that went to Gregg Berhalter earlier this month.

Here are some more stories from around the league:

McBEAN OFF TO ENGLAND FOR TRAINING

Jack McBean, the California native and Los Angeles Galaxy homegrown forward, has headed across the pond to England.

LA Galaxy Insider confirmed late Wednesday that McBean will train for two weeks with Wolverhampton Wanderers of League One and Football League Championship club Blackburn Rovers.

The training stint could signal interest from the clubs in McBean’s progress. McBean is no stranger to the UK – his father is Scottish and he is eligible to represent Scotland on its senior national team if he chooses, despite playing for the U.S. U-17 national team in the past.

McBean joined the Galaxy in 2011 at 16, the youngest signing in the club’s history. He finished the 2013 season with one goal and two assists.

AMERICAN-BORN BEITASHOUR ASSISTS IN IRAN ASIAN CUP QUALIFYING VICTORY

Steven Beitashour’s decision to throw in his lot with the Iranian National Team is quickly paying dividends.

After making his first appearance for his parent’s birth nation off the bench last month, the San Jose Earthquakes right back started for the first time and played the full 90 minutes in Iran’s 3-0 Asian Cup qualifying victory at Thailand. In addition, the 26-year-old assisted on Reza Ghoochannejhad’s 28th minute goal, which put Iran up two goals at the time.

With two matches to go in their Asian Cup qualifying group, Iran already sits in first place with three wins and one draw. The nation has already qualified for the World Cup in Brazil next summer, with American-born Beitashour hoping to earn a place on the side.

ALDERSON LOOKS TO GAIN EDGE WITH INCOMING COACH

Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Bryce Alderson is also in England for training. The 19-year-old Ontario native is training with English club Queens Park Rangers F.C. for two weeks.

Alderson arrived in London earlier in the week and will begin training with QPR’s U-21 side once paperwork is finalized.

Alderson told WhiteCapsFC.com he was hoping to gain an advantage to impress whoever comes in as new coach for the club.

“A new coach is coming in and when a new coach comes in it’s a clean slate for everybody,” Alderson said. “When preseason rolls around, he’ll be looking at all new faces and it will be up to the players to impress and try to make an impression.”

Alderson joined the Whitecaps in November 2011 via the club’s residency program. He spent 2013 on loan with United Soccer Leagues side Charleston Battery, tallying one assist in 15 games.

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What do you think of these reports? Do you believe Marsch is a good fit in Vancouver? What do you think of McBean’s training stints in England? Do you see Beitashour making the Iranian World Cup team?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

      • I don’t think the USMNT acted as if Iran were “the enemy” when they met in the 1998 World Cup.

        Moreover, it was in Iran that the CIA helped to overthrow a democratically-elected government in 1954. I’m no fan of repressive theocracies by any means, but any fair-minded analysis will conclude that we (i.e., the U.S.) have reaped a bit of what we sowed when it comes to our relationship with Iran. How different would that country’s history be if we hadn’t helped to remove a democracy in order to install our crony, the Shah?

        (Sorry to go on a historical rant, but come on, mindless comments like “Iran is the enemy” really shouldn’t go unchallenged.)

      • Sorry, I misquoted the comment – I should have quoted it as “Iran is an enemy.”

        I therefore take back my “mindless comment” quip (“the enemy” and “an enemy” really do have different connotations), but I still think the statement needed to be put in a proper context.

  1. The Canadians have held their own against the Czech going into half time. Would’ve equalized 1 goal a piece if DeRo wouldn’t of had his pissed the PK. Weak effort high and slightly to the right of Peter Cech

    Reply

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