Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By CAITLIN MURRAY
Around this time last year, Bradley Wright-Phillips wasn’t necessarily a name in the headlines. But what a difference a year makes. As Wright-Phillips is on pace to set a New York Red Bulls record for goals in a single season, SBI’s Ryan Tolmich looked at the Englishman’s breakout season and heard from the team about the impact he’s made this year.
Jermaine Jones was perhaps the man of the World Cup for the Men’s National Team — and hints he’s dropped since the tournament signal he may be following the lead of teammates Clint Dempsey and Micheal Bradley by calling the U.S. his on-field home. SBI’s Franco Panizo took a look at the factors in play for Jones and mulled the possibility of him becoming the next USMNT player to sign with Major League Soccer as a Designated Player.
And bad news for abroad American Eric Lichaj — it appears estimates that he’d recover from surgery in time for the start of the 2014-15 Football League Championship season have missed the mark. He won’t play again for Nottingham Forest until September now.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI today:
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
MLS Golden Boot leader Wright-Phillips exceeding expectations in breakout season
Jones again linked to MLS after enjoying successful World Cup with USMNT
Red Bulls notes: Petke embracing youth; McCarty’s role in midfield; and more
SBI MLS Goal of the Week: Deshorn Brown
SBI MLS Save of the Week: Donovan Ricketts
WORLD CUP
SBI’s 2014 World Cup Best XI
SBI 2014 World Cup Diary: Entry 6
EUROPEAN SOCCER
Afternoon ticker: Conte resigns from Juventus; Costa officially joins Chelsea; and more
Tuesday Kickoff: German squad given heroes welcome; Ribery returns to training; and more
AMERICANS ABROAD
Lichaj’s return from injury could be delayed until September
YOUTH TEAMS
U-20 USMNT come from behind to edge Chile in first NTC game