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MLS Ticker: Kronberg out 8 weeks, NYC FC sign Saunders, and more

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Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Just when Sporting Kansas City bring back two of their best field players, the club loses its starting goalkeeper.

Sporting KC announced on Wednesday that Eric Kronberg fractured the fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand in practice and will miss approximately eight weeks because of the injury. Surgery is not required, but the timeline of Kronberg’s recovery also led to Sporting KC recalling goalkeeper Jon Kempin from his loan to USL Pro affiliate OKC Energy FC.

The 31-year-old Kronberg has started all 17 MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City this season and posted seven shutouts. He was voted the MLS Player of the Month in June.

Here are more notes from around MLS:

NYCFC SIGNS FORMER MLS GOALKEEPER SAUNDERS

It will not be long before Josh Saunders is back on an MLS team.

New York City FC announced on Thursday morning that they have signed Saunders to a deal that makes the veteran goalkeeper the third player on the expansion club’s books ahead of its inaugural season in 2015. He joins David Villa and Jeb Brovsky on New York’s roster.

Saunders, 33, is currently on loan to NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions from Real Salt Lake, but the fact that his contract expires at the end of the year gave him the option to sign a pre-contract with NYCFC as a free agent.

“Having had the opportunity to work with and coach Josh previously in our careers at Real Salt Lake, I know what a valuable asset he’ll be to our club,” said New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis.  “He is a proven player and champion in his position, having played on a number of winning teams in MLS.  To have such an experienced player, and goalkeeper, will be a tremendous asset for our club come our inaugural season.”

Saunders – who won two MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy and has also played for Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes – will join Manchester City FC for the first phase of the Premiership club’s preseason tour in Scotland from July 9-17. After that, he will re-join the Scorpions until the end of the year.

FARFAN TRANSFERS FROM CHIVAS USA TO CHIAPAS

Michael Farfan had his debut Liga MX season derailed by injury, and he is determined to make a bigger impact in the upcoming Apertura campaign.

Farfan reportedly transferred to and signed a multi-year contract with Jaguares de Chiapas on Wednesday with the hopes of seeing more time this season. The 26-year-old midfielder made just two starts in Clausura play while on loan to Chiapas from Chivas USA, but has now agreed to join the Liga MX club on a permanent basis.

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What do you think of Kronberg being sidelined for up to two months? Like NYC FC’s addition of Saunders? Do you see Farfan enjoying a strong season at Chiapas?

Share your thoughts below.

 

Comments

  1. Michael Farfan is training again with the Union since Cruz Azul didn’t really seem to want him (after spending to get him) – his brother Gabe just completed a transfer from Chivas USA to Chiapas.

    Reply
  2. He gets to train with Man City on preseason tour? That’s badass for an MLS vet to get a free trip to Scotland and train with the best players in the world. Good for him, I hope several MLS players sign for NYCFC so they get more exposure

    Reply

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