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Friday Kickoff: Soares out for season, Corinthians done with Tevez and more

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Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

New England Revolution rookie centerback A.J. Soares will miss the club's final three games after undergoing ankle surgery on Thursday.

Soares started 28 games in his first season in MLS, but he injured his left ankle and will need the next 6-to-8 weeks to go through rehabilitation following the surgery, according to a team-issued release.

The Revolution defense will be a bit thin for Saturday's match against San Jose, as goalkeeper Matt Reis will join Soares on the inactive list for the match. He is dealing with a hamstring injury, leaving the keeper duties to backup Bobby Shuttleworth.

Here are a few more stories to get your Friday started:

CORINTHIANS NO LONGER IN TEVEZ MIX

After coming close to landing Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez during the summer transfer window, Brazilian club Corinthians is reportedly no long interested in bringing the mercurial forward to South America.

Corinthians' general manager told the BBC that "At the moment there are no plans to try and sign him again. I'm starting to think about our new squad for 2012 and I've talked to our coach [Tite] about what we need – but Tevez was not mentioned."

ROBBEN HAS GROIN SURGERY

Bayern Munich and Netherlands international winger Arjen Robben underwent groin surgery on Thursday, marking the latest chapter in his injury saga.

One of the best at his position in the world when fit, Robben is due to miss at least the next two weeks while recovering. The injury had already ruled him out of the Netherlands' European championship qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.  

BARCELONA GIVEN HEFTY FINE

UEFA fined Barcelona about $148,000 for the club's actions during the UEFA Super Cup against Porto in August.

The European club champions came out two minutes late after halftime, and their fans reportedly lit 10 flares in the stands throughout the match, leading to the punishment. 

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How would you rate Soares' rookie season? Do you see Chris Wondolowski and the Earthquakes' attack having a big day against the Revs? Think Tevez' latest incident has anything to do with Corinthians backing away? What do you make of Robben being injured again? Think the fine is deserved for Barcelona?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. He’s quality. He’s been one of the bright spots on that team this year. He could work on his distribution a bit, but his positioning, heading, tackling and defensive ability are the best I’ve seen on the Revolution since Michael Parkhurst. To answer your question about USMNT radar, I believe Klinsy is aware of him and is watching

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  2. Translation from Corinthians: “we’re ripping it up in league play right now, so why would we spend on a guy who will tear apart the locker room? Besides, we kind of hate Argentinians anyway.”

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  3. Opinions on Soares? I watch at least half of the MLS games every week, but I have spent very little time watching New England this year. (Sorry, Revs fans, but an ugly stadium combined with a poor team made them unwatchable. You guys could have one of the best franchises in the league if you got a stadium in the metro area and spent some DP cash. But that’s another story.)

    Anyway, that means I have next to no impression of Soares. How good is he? What’s the upside? Will he be on the USMNT radar soon? And please, no “He’s better than so and so” posts. I’d like to hear how he plays, his style, etc.

    Thanks

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  4. Can’t say anything about previously seasons but I’d say the lack of talent and depth should be a much greater concern for the Revs over the medical staff.

    What specific injury would you single out the medical staff as being responsible for?

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  5. Clubs are responsible for keeping their fans under controll. Postponing the match because your in the dressing room too long is also unacceptable. Mou should have been fined more but take into account he was also given a match ban. The real question for me is there is precidence in places like serbia that the club/national team had to play games behind closed doors.

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  6. Is it just me or has the Revolution’s been perpetually ‘thin’ for the last 3-4 years. Setting aside uncontrollable long term injuries (Twellman’s concussion and Dube’s whiplash) it seems the Revs always have fitness issues. It might be time for them to rethink their fitness/medical staff.

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  7. So Barca is fined 148k for their FANS lighting flares in the stands and Mourinho is fined $148.00 for poking/slapping a coach in the Barca staff.

    UEFA: your logic continues to be the beacon of light in a dark room of sanity.

    Reply

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