Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
U.S. Soccer announced two rosters Monday, with the more surprising one coming from U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s choices for Landon Donovan’s send-off match. Missing were key players like Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley as young, new faces like Minnesota United’s Miguel Ibarra got the call.
The most important name included on the roster, however, was Donovan. It won’t be a full-blown testimonial match for the legendary American striker, but it will be his final goodbye as a USMNT player. As such, the American Outlaws have prepared a massive tifo as a send-off, which will surely be only one of the special moments coming for the Oct. 10 friendly.
And there was plenty of Major League Soccer news Monday, with the Sacramento Republic continuing to step up efforts and apply pressure for the lone remaining MLS expansion slot. The Republic announced a group of investors has agreed to back the club if it is granted entrance into MLS.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI this Monday:
SENIOR U.S. NATIONAL TEAMS
Donovan, Ibarra, Altidore headline USMNT roster for friendly with Ecuador
Klinsmann working to “connect” different age groups in young USMNT squad
Video: Klinsmann discusses USMNT roster for Ecuador friendly
American Outlaws to honor Donovan with large tifo
Four key points on the USWNT’s World Cup qualifying roster
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
MLS Ticker: NYCFC to train at SUNY Purchase; Sporting KC extend sponsorship deal; and more
Red Bulls Notes: Petke remains unfazed by distractions; Team coping with call-ups; and more
Republic bring in more Sacramento-area investors for MLS push
The SBI Show: Episode 169 (Talking Red Bulls drama, USMNT call-ups, and more)
SBI MLS Player of the Week: Rodney Wallace
SBI MLS Rookie of the Week: Steve Birnbaum
OTHER AMERICAN SOCCER
Pulisic’s late winner leads U.S. U-17s to Panama International Tournament title
College Weekend Rewind: Washington tops Stanford, UCSB hands UC Irvine first loss, and more
EUROPEAN SOCCER
Monday Kickoff: Totti hints at Juve bias; Wenger unlikely to be disciplined; and more
European Weekend Rewind: Juve tops Roma; Valencia swarms Atletico; and more
SBI World Player of the Week: David de Gea