By FRANCO PANIZO
The Philadelphia Union bolstered its attacking options with the signing of Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic on Monday.
Paunovic joins the Union having previously played for Partizan FK of the Serbian SuperLiga and in Spain's La Liga. A striker who can also play as an attacking midfielder, Paunovic will try and help a club which has scored 16 goals in 13 games.
Paunovic will be available for selection for the Union's match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 18.
Here are some more stories to get you through the day:
Ochoa training with Seattle
Former U.S. U-20 men's national team forward Sammy Ochoa is training with the Seattle Sounders, and came on as a substitute and scored a goal in the club's reserve match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday. Ochoa, who most recently played with Estudiantes Tecos of the Mexican League, is coming off a Clausura season in which he only played in three games as a substitute.
Gibson close to signing with Sunderland
Manchester United midfielder Darren Gibson is close to signing with Sunderland. The 23-year-old has agreed to terms with Sunderland and will look to get first-team minutes after having seen limited action this past season. Sunderland is also attempting to sign United's Wes Brown and John O'Shea.
Cuban player defects
In what has become an all too recurring theme during Gold Cups, a player has defected from Cuba's national team. Yosniel Mesa had planned before the tournament that he would defect, and he did so after Cuba lost 5-0 to Mexico in Charlotte, North Carolina last Thursday. Mesa plans to pursue a professional career in soccer.
McClaren appointed Nottingham Forest manager
Steve McClaren has agreed to become manager of Nottingham Forest, signing a three-year deal with the club. McClaren, who has had previous coaching stints with England's national team and FC Twente, last coached VfL Wolfsburg, but was let go in Feburary after an unsuccesful spell.
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What do you think of the Union signing Paunovic? Think Gibson will do well at Sunderland? How do you see Nottingham faring with McClaren at the helm? Should the sounders try and sign Ochoa?
Share your thoughts below.
What do we know of McClaren’s preference for speedy wingers? Does he prefer them?
Blatant post by a Sounder hater. Too bad the rest of the league hates us because of these (Portland) fools.
Ah well, NOLU.
Poetland invented riding Seattle’s Wake
They’re all just sore cuz their teams have little depth
When will Arena figure out Cardozo is darn good???
Thave enough strikers…He is brought on to be a CAM…Their biggest need
THE SOUNDERS ARE THE GREATEST! THEY INVENTED MLS! AND SOCCER! AND COFFEE! AND LIME GREEN!!!!!!!!
Yeah…what Ned Smitty and Matt C said. I just wasn’t sure if that policy was still practiced or out of date now.
Jeremy, the Galaxy had Keat playing as a defender?
Well, he’s five years older than Alonso, so that’s one not-good way he’s not like him.
That is correct. Only Jaqua could be considered a “starter” out of that group and even that is highly questionable since he rarely starts anymore. Every single reserve league game is played with veteran players in the lineup. Check out LA’s lineup today:
Brian Perk; Frankie Hejduk, Gregg Berhalter, Dan Keat, Ryan Thomas; Ryan Jordan, Hector Jimenez, Mike Magee, Paolo Cardozo; Jovan Kirovski, Adam Cristman
Wrong, nice of you to guess though.
This was the Sounders Reserves starting X1: Terry Boss; Roger Levesque, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Leo Gonzalez; David Estrada, Mike Seamon, Erik Friberg, Michael Tetteh; Pat Noonan, Nate Jaqua.
For Cuban defectors, if they make to US dryland, they stay. If they are intercepted while at sea (wet) they’re sent back to Cuba.
I believe the US policy is that if Cuban defectors make ashore they can stay here. If they are intercepted at sea they are sent back.
That is highly inaccurate. Fucito, Neagle, Carrasco, Estrada, Seamon, Montano, Tetteh have all played extensive minutes in the reserve league in an effort to further develop them. Neagle and Fucito have both used the league to springboard their way up to the 1st team. The Sounders are also playing trialists and guys coming off of injuries. Your statement about trotting out a bunch of vets and then giving young guys 5 minutes at the end couldn’t possibly be further from the truth.
Care to expound on the wet/dry foot thing?
I mean he’s right though. The Sounders aren’t using the reserve league for developing players like everyone else is, they trot out a bunch of vets then give young guys 5 minutes at the end.
Agorsor got cut? 🙁
As far as Cuban defectors, are we still operating under the wet foot/dry foot policy? If Mesa is anything like Osvaldo Alonso, I’m sure MLS would be happy to have him.
Another defection, > : (
Is this who Agorsor was cut for?
Ah yes, there is the Portscum troll. Nothing better to do today than comment on a sarcastic post about a reserve league game that has absolutely nothing to do with you? Still upset over sucking it up at Jeld-Wen again this weekend?
Trust me, I know…it is unfortunate
How many teams have their DP (uninjured) and 4 regulars with their first team play in reserve matches…hmmm…I can think of one…Flounders.
To be frank, he’s just another stop gap option for an MLS team. He hasn’t performed well in any team as a striker but that’s why he’s been brought on. But we’ll see what he can do I suppose. At 33, I wouldn’t have your hopes too high…
Ochoa = Good signing off the bench with bright future
Paunovic = Been retired for a year, goes on trial with Philly and they liked him. I dont understand it tbh. They have Mwanga, Le Toux, Mac, & Ruiz. He will get waived within this season I am sure…
Too bad they suck in league games
Sounders reserves are 6-0-0 now…sheer domination
Ochoa scored a goal in todays game.
http://live.soundersfc.com/Event/Reserve_Match_Sounders_FC_vs_Galaxy
He (Paunovic) is my cousin! Just saying!
Its another useless signing
What do I think of the Union signing Paunovic? I think I”ve never heard of him, and I’m willing to bet no one else at this site has, either.