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Mid-Day Ticker: Man United land Rojo; Dunga announces Brazil squad for U.S.-based friendlies, and more

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Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By RYAN TOLMICH

Just two days after apologizing to the club for trying to engineer a move to Manchester United, Sporting CP defender Marcos Rojo is set to get his wish.

It was announced on Tuesday that the Argentine will make his much-awaited move to Man United. In exchange, Sporting will receive midfielder Nani on a season-long loan. Man United revealed in a press release that they’ve “reached an agreement with Sporting” for Rojo and that the deal will become official subject to Rojo passing his medical and agreeing personal terms.

“I am at home with the family in Portugal, but getting ready to travel to Manchester [on Tuesday],” Rojo said about the move. “The truth is this is a dream. The World Cup was really nice, and now this step in my career. I am very happy.”

Check out some more of Tuesday’s news and notes from around the world of soccer:

DUNGA ANNOUNCES BRAZIL SQUAD FOR U.S.-BASED FRIENDLIES

Having promised change after the team’s embarrassing exit from this summer’s World Cup, Brazil manager Dunga has released his first squad since taking control of his second term last month.

There’s plenty of familiar faces but some new ones, too.

Dunga’s 22-man squad includes 10 members of this summer’s World Cup side, including stars Neymar, David Luiz, Hulk and Oscar. The team, however, also features three players who are yet to be capped by the Selecao: Cruzeiro’s Everton Ribeiro and Ricardo Goulart, and Corinthians defender Gil.

The Selecao roster has been announced ahead of a pair of U.S.-based friendlies. Brazil is set to take on quarterfinals opponent Colombia on Sept. 5 in Miami before facing Ecuador in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 9.

Here is a closer look at the Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael (Napoli)

Defenders: Maicon (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Porto), Danilo (Porto), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gil (Corinthians), Mirando (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea), Ricardo Goulart (Cruzeiro).

Forwards: Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Hulk (Zenit), Neymar (Barcelona), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro).

PEKERMAN AGREES TO REMAIN WITH COLOMBIA THROUGH 2018

On the heels of a spectacular World Cup, plenty has changed in the life of Colombian star James Rodriguez. But the Real Madrid midfielder can continue to count on a familiar face every time he returns to his national side.

The Colombian Football Federation announced Tuesday that national team manager Jose Pekerman has agreed to an extension that will see the Argentine remain in charge until 2018. Pekerman’s future with Colombia had been in doubt in recent weeks, but he has chosen to stay on for another World Cup cycle.

“The Executive Committee is proud to continue with this great group of people that brought great results to the country in the last World Cup Brazil 2014,” the federation said in a statement,” and will seek to further promote development of Colombian football.”

Under Pekerman’s leadership, Colombia proved to be one of the more entertaining sides during this summer’s World Cup and Rodriguez emerged as the tournament’s breakout star. Colombia, which was without star striker Radamel Falcao, advanced to the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time in history before falling to Brazil.

REPORT: KHEDIRA INTERESTED IN BAYERN MOVE

With the loss of  Javi Martinez due to injury, Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has stated his intentions of finding a replacement for the Spanish defensive midfielder.

The former Barcelona manager could find cover for Martinez in the form of Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira, who is reportedly interested in a move to the Bundesliga champions. Khedira has reportedly told representatives to investigate a move to Bayern, where he would join six of his teammates from the German side that won the World Cup.

Madrid is said to be open to the idea of selling Khedira, as well as winger Angel Di Maria, in an attempt to raise money to finance a move for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

How will Rojo perform at Manchester United?  What do you make of Dunga’s Brazil squad? How do you see Colombia performing over the next four years under Pekerman? Would Khedira be a good fit for Bayern?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Khedira to Bayern makes sense.

    Move to a side that features fellow World Cup winning teammates, and leave Madrid without one guy in the midfield to do the dirty work. His new mega club would only get better, and their most likely rival would be playing with a lineup top heavy beyond belief.

    Reply
  2. So big name teams like Colombia and Brazil come to the US, wanting our money, and give the Nats the cold shoulder?

    That’s shady.

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    • Incidentally, I think they have to request permission to play in the US and I think we can charge them a fee to do so. I doubt its a large fee but apparently US soccer gets a cut.

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      • And SUM does the promotion (actually SUM pays Brazil a fee to ‘host’ the games, (and the opponents of course get a ‘courtesy fee’ for their trouble) and then sells the tickets, rights, etc. SUM, of course, is a subsidiary of MLS.

  3. I think Rojo is exactly what Man Utd needs — or at least, one part. They need help in the midfield, too…and Nani wasn’t the answer.

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    • Does Rojo play LB at the club level? I know he does at the international level so not sure how he is exactly what they need since they just bought Shaw. Maybe he’d fit in a back three which LVG supposedly wants to play

      Reply

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