After playing a critical role with the New York Red Bulls for the better part of six seasons, Roy Miller will return to his native Costa Rica and join Deportivo Saprissa, according to the club’s official website.
It was already known back in November that the 31-year old defender would not be back in Harrison come 2016. Miller made 125 league appearances for the Red Bulls in his time with the club, predominantly playing a role at left back. This past season, the Ticos defender lost his starting spot to budding Jamaican star Kemar Lawrence after battling various injuries.
With both New York and Saprissa qualifying for the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League, there is a distinct possibility that Miller could face his old club in next year’s competition.
RAILHAWKS OPEN TO MLS FUTURE IN RALEIGH
With Major League Soccer likely to expand to 24 teams by 2020, another team has expressed interest in a future with the United States’ top-flight of soccer.
According to The News & Observer, North American Soccer League club Carolina RailHawks owner Steve Malik has made it clear that he would like to bring his team to downtown Raleigh in hopes of an obtaining MLS bid.
As part of a 10-year plan, Raleigh officials “envision an entertainment and sports center on the southern edge of downtown,” although the report also states that nothing is set in stone.
Malik spoke about the prospects of joining MLS, saying, “There are a lot of people interested in where pro soccer is going.”
For any jump to the MLS to be made possible, a larger stadium would certainly need to be created. Current MLS guidelines require a team to have a stadium that surpasses 20,000 seats, while the RailHawks’ current WakeMed Soccer Park only seats about 10,000.
The RailHawks have played in NASL since its inception in 2011 and are still seeking its first championship. Carolina finished sixth overall in 2015 over the course of the combined spring and fall NASL seasons.
GALAXY’S ARENA EXPECTS ZARDES TO RETURN IN 2016
It appears as though the LA Galaxy will be able to hold onto budding U.S. Men’s National Team attacker Gyasi Zardes this offseason, says coach Bruce Arena.
The Galaxy manager recently said, “We fully anticipate having Gyasi back with the Galaxy.”
Zardes had been previously linked to English Championship side Reading FC, but as Goal USA reported a few weeks back, the market for the 24-year old has gone cold as of late.
While the Homegrown talent wasn’t able to duplicate his impressive 2014 numbers last season, Zardes still played a key role in the Galaxy’s attack, which featured potent figures after the additions of Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard in 2015. The forward tallied six goals and four assists last season for Los Angeles, starting in 27 matches and appearing in 29 overall.
AFFUL WANTS COLUMBUS CREW RETURN
Harrison Afful turned out to be tremendous add by Columbus Crew SC in 2015, but the Ghanian defender’s future still remains up in the air after recent reports of a potential move to Turkey.
On Tuesday, Ghana Soccernet reported that the 29-year old Afful has the intentions of re-signing with the Crew.
Afful responded to recent rumors, saying, “Those putting up those stories can’t be serious. I’m still a player of Columbus Crew. It was a short contract but I want to renew it.”
The Ghanian played an integral role in Columbus’ MLS Cup final run last season, which ended in a difficult 2-1 defeat against the Portland Timbers. In addition to his club success, Afful has also made 60 international appearances with the Black Stars.
ARMANDO COOPER SET TO JOIN WHITECAPS
After recently scoring a critical goal against Jamaica during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, it looks as though Panama international Armando Cooper could be set for a move to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The move is reportedly going to be a free transfer, although Vancouver hasn’t confirmed the acquisition yet.
Cooper, 28, began his professional playing career with Arabe Unido, who play in Panama’s top tier of soccer. After quiet stints in Argentina and Germany, the midfielder returned to the Panamanian club in 2015.
The veteran has tallied four goals for the Panama national team as well, making over 50 appearances with La Marea Roja. Panama currently sit second in Group B of 2018 World Cup Qualifying, three points behind group leaders Costa Rica.
Uplifting to hear Afful wants to stay with the Crew! Who knows what is really happening behind the scenes, but it’s good to hear the player come out to say something. Everything I’ve seen so far has been positive from Afful, and he has been quoted multiple times stating that he really liked his stint in CBus so far and was excited to come back next year for a full year.
Just say no to Turkey, Afful!!
I’m not a zardes fan at all, he is big and fast that’s it. Where is gonna fit in with the usmnt going forward.if FJ stays at left mid he won’t play there, when bedoya is healthy he be on the right and zardes can’t play in the middle already to much depth and up top he’s got to beat out wood, antidote, Morris and AJ when he gets back. And let’s not forget about Rubin and Joe gray who both can play out wide and up top. Oh and what if Finley impresses in January if he gets the call, he is a actual winger. Kisewitter, arriola, and Julian Green all younger with more upside. Sorry people zardes was just a fill in during a off year.
Ment to say Joe gyau not Joe Gray
I’d rather focus on players that can stay healthy and actually contribute. As the saying goes: “Availability is the best ability.”
Maybe keeping Zardes is related to Omar salary dump. Just a thought. But another example of young players Galaxy also need to hang onto and reason Omar needed to go. Omar’s contract made sense at the time, and allowed them to get what is likely a sizable transfer fee, but it was the right time to sell.
Roy Miller, the man who never scored (except for own goals), good luck mate
Although I’m a Galaxy fan, I would like to see Zardes move to Europe; it would be best for the US national team. Regarding the Galaxy, the LA Times reported this morning that they are close to signing Ashley Cole. Coach Arena was also quoted as saying they are planning 3 or 4 more signings during January. I just don’t see how they can pull all that off, unless they unload more salary OR, maybe MLS is going to increase the salary cap in the next year or pull some other financial legerdemain like the temporary allocation money. So, I won’t be surprised if MLS pulls some new financial move out of its hat.