Photo by ISIphotos.com
By DAVID GUBALA
Former Columbus Crew player David Testo broke a major barrier on Thursday, becoming the first MLS player, past or present, to publicly announce that he is gay.
In an interview with CBC, Testo said that he regrets not having come out earlier and that the life of a gay professional soccer player is extremely difficult.
Testo briefly played for the Columbus Crew before spending his last four years with the Montreal Impact. He won the team’s MVP award in 2009, however is currently struggling with his career after he was dropped from the team about a month ago.
Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:
SOUNDERS TARGET GSPURNING
It looks like the Seattle Sounders have found the player to succeed Kasey Keller in goal.
Michael Gspurning, a 30-year-old, 6-foot-5 goalkeeper who currently plays his soccer for Skoda Xanthi FC of the Greek first division, has been identified as a prime candidate to take over for the legendary American goalkeeper, who retired at the end of the MLS season.
Gspurning is a player that Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer said he had an eye on back in October. There are also reports that the Austrian goalkeeper was in town for one of Seattle’s CONCACAF Champions League game.
Gspurning has three caps under his belt for the Austrian national team, last appearing in 2009 for two of Austria's qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
OSORIO CLOSING IN ON PUEBLA JOB
Former Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio is set to become the head coach at Mexican club Puebla.
If he is hired, Osorio will replace Sergio Bueno, who finishes his duties with Puebla on Sunday.
Osorio had been up for the Honduran, Costa Rican and Colombian national team jobs, but ultimately did not land any of them. Instead, he'll join American DaMarcus Beasley at Puebla, which missed out on qualifying for the playoffs in the Mexican Apertura.
NEWCASTLE RENAMES ST. JAMES PARK
Newcastle has been looking to linking St. James’ Park with another brand since 2009 and has decided to rename it Sports Direct Arena on a short-term basis.
Until the club finds a permanent sponsor to buy the naming rights, it will temporarily rename it after Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s sports retail company. Ashley is still open to offers to purchase full stadium naming rights.
Newcastle’s shirt sponsorship with Northern Rock will also expire at the end of this season, making way for the opportunity of acquiring naming rights along with a shirt sponsorship deal.
VAN MARWIJK EXTENDS DUTCH DEAL
Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk has extended his contract until 2016. Van Marwijk took charge after the Euro 2008 finals and led the Netherlands to the World Cup Final along with stringing together 14 straight wins in competitive matches.
The contract extension would mean he will be Holland’s head man should the Dutch qualify for the 2014 World Cup, hosted by Brazil, as well as the 2016 European Championships, hosted by Italy.
The Netherlands host Switzerland Friday in Amsterdam before traveling to Hamburg on Tuesday to take on Germany in a pair of friendlies.
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What do you think about Testo revealing that he is gay? Is Gspurning a legitimate replacement for Kasey Keller? How do you see Osorio prospectively faring at Puebla?
Share your thoughts below.