Good morning all. Is it me or this week zooming by?
Well, today is going to be a jam-packed day between the Champions League quarterfinals today and Champions Cup semifinals tonight. I’m sure some of you are still recovering from yesterday’s thrilling Champions League quarterfinal between Liverpool and Arsenal. Today’s Manchester United-Roma match might offer similar drama.
I am off to Red Bulls practice once again but will be posting from there. For now I just wanted to go over a few things:
For those of you who didn’t notice (and how could you not?) The SBI correspondents have officially joined the fun. I posted stories on all 14 MLS teams from my new team of correspondents. If you don’t want to wade through all of the postings from yesterday you can just click on the MLS Team category on the right for the team you want to read about. Also, if you ever just want to read correspondent stories, you can click on the ‘A Supporter’s View’ category on the right as well.
Also, regarding the Red Bulls, while Juan Osorio downplayed his pursuit of Venezuelan winger Jorge Rojas, sources tell me the club is still very much interested in Rojas and is working toward trying to make a deal happen for him. The club needs to make some moves in order for it to happen, but Rojas is absolutely on the team’s radar.
Lastly, one player the Red Bulls were pursuing but have given up on is Venezuelan defender Gabriel Cichero, a young left-footed center back from Venezuelan club Deportivo Italia. His club was asking for more money than the Red Bulls could afford to pay.
That’s all for now. I’ll check back in soon from Red Bulls practice. For now, feel free to read some of the SBI correspondent pieces. The group really did a great job in week one.
I’m sure there are tons of prem teams lining up to sign a guy who spends 60% of the year hurt… Kewell is proven and anyone who signs him will suffer the same injury bug…. a left wing is hard to find, but what price are they willing to pay for 15 games with these 2 guys?
For all those wondering what is really going on with Convey, there is a Q&A section on the Reading FC homepage that establishes that:
1) Convey has been at 100% physically for the last two months
2) They haven’t let him play
3) He is very frustrated and wants to play
Ives, given Stephen’s Hunts form, do you see Convey being traded to another Premiership or Championship team? Natural left wingers aren’t always the easiest to find.
Ives, I LOVE the new correspondents columns. GREAT work bringing these guys in to give us an up close look at each team!!!
what makes say that he is an A hole tho?
JRR is too much of a “prima donna” for MLS. If he couldn’t handle the team rules in Europe, then he has no chance in the US. I have lived in Argentina for the past 2.5 years and followed him closely and I can honestly say that he is a genuine a-hole.
I have to disagree Dave Martinez Riquelme is the one or if not the most Humble player on and off the field I have never seen a player with such skill ever be as cool and calm as him I clearly remember him apologozing for that crazy spin nutmeg he did to that River player a while ago that is pretty much all over on you tube when u search videos on dribbles, panna’s and nutmegs whenever u have some free time I ask that you take a look at this interview while he was still at Villareal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aUU-wA1GaI&feature=related
I have to disagree Dave Martinez Riquelme is the one or if not the most Humble player on and off the field I have never seen a player with such skill ever be as cool and calm as him I clearly remember him apologozing for that crazy spin nutmeg he did to that River player a while ago that is pretty much all over on you tube when u search videos on dribbles, panna’s and nutmegs whenever u have some free time I ask that you take a look at this interview while he was still at Villareal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aUU-wA1GaI&feature=related
Reid – I am with ya pal. I am Argie through and through, and I am sure Riquelmes giant ego will not want to be in the shadow of a Blanco and Beckham.
But the rumors, at least, are entertaining.
I am suspicious of the story, mainly because I find that these types of rumors are made to hurt teams in vital times (Copa Santander) and create a distraction.
Or is that the Boca fan in me looking for excuses after last nights DEBACLE.
ESPN update: pigs are flying and hell has frozen over– on MikenMike this morning they had a liverpool scarf on the desk, with a move like that, they may end up fired by tonight
dave – the only reason it interested me is because i laughed at it, if it ever happened in the next 5 years i would be shocked, maybe when he is 32 it might happen. Anyone who believes that JRR would come here now is on some serious shite
Riquelme to MLS would be so sweet this is about the Only acceptable 30 + year Old guy I would justify giving an Beckham type salary and Thierry Henry of course ! MAN this would be HUGE for MLS !!!!!! this guys still belongs in Europe truthfully I hope this becomes more then a rumor
RS – I hope he doesnt do anything and then he gets labeled as a BS artist. And euro footy is just like MLB, NBA, NFL… I dont care what this guys brother said, or who is agent is. Its a nice thing in MLS that we dont have to listen to that. I dont mind the talking but it just leads to a-holes like Rosenhaus & Boras. Those are the guys I can’t stand
More Rumors = More Gooder!
Would you rather have NO news on your favorite local teams? NOTHING to look forward to?
Come now. To be linked to great players is a great thing for the league. Look at the first post in this thread – another Riquelme to MLS rumor – and I love it. Something to aim for.
Reid…I agree that rumors always get VERY annoying since 99% of them do not pan out, but it’s obvious to anyone that follows any sport (European, American, etc.) that rumors are always there no matter what so it is just something you have to get used to; or just stop following sports if they bother you that much and only tune in for the matches.
Ives, can someone please tell Osorio to $hit or get off the pot. I like the european game but can we leave all the player speculation to them, that part I dont like.
Cichero is an oklahoman, he lived in Norman Oklahom, from 6 to 17. His father was a former national team captain, and has two brothers that also play for the national team. Funny story: when Gabe was a sophomore in HS, the soccer coach (Head Football Coach)thought Gabe was too tricky to play varsity and put him on JV. In his first JV game Gabe scored 7 goals and walked off the field at Halftime, to never return to HS soccer again.
However, the RedBulls would of found out anything over 50K a year is way too much.
I’m getting nervous that Metro won’t add any help this year. With no proven crosser on the wings and the midfield apparently lacking to capacity to get JPA the ball, there’s some real reason for concern.
Ives,
What do you think of this story?
http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=666443&s=gen&type=story