One of the most promising young defenders in Major League Soccer suffered yet another injury setback that will keep him out for the start of the 2017 season.
The Philadelphia Union announced on Thursday that second-year center back Josh Yaro underwent successful shoulder surgery for a labral tear that was suffered during preseason training in Clearwater, Florida.
Yaro, who missed significant time with a concussion last season, is expected to miss three to four months as he recovers from the injury.
“Josh came into preseason very fit and sharp. This setback is tough, but the right thing to do was to be proactive and surgery to repair the shoulder is what’s best for Josh long term,” Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin said. “We know he will come back stronger than ever. We have a very deep roster that we believe in, and we know the next man will step up in Josh’s absence.”
Blackburn came close to acquiring Barnes
Former Houston Dynamo coach Owen Coyle had a wealth of targets in mind this January for Blackburn Rovers and one of them was a former player of his during the Scotsman’s time in MLS.
Coyle told the Lancashire Telegraph that the club tried to acquire Vancouver Whitecaps forward Giles Barnes on loan.
“Giles Barnes was a player we looked to take on loan with a view to signing in August,” said Coyle. “That never happened, so in January I spoke with Vancouver Whitecaps and I was in a position where we probably could have got Giles Barnes on a free transfer if we could look after the salary aspect.”
Barnes played for Coyle in Houston, but was traded to Vancouver in the summer of 2016. The Jamaican international has scored two goals in 11 appearances for the Whitecaps.
Real Madrid close to image rights sale to company with stakes in MLS
Real Madrid is about to make a major deal involving an American company with close ties to Major League Soccer.
According to El Confidential in Spain, via SportsPro Media, Madrid has reached a deal in principle with Providence Equity Partners to sell its image rights for €500 million, or around $533 million.
Providence Equity Partners currently has 25 percent of the internet image rights to MLS in a partnership with the league’s marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing.
The deal will be signed in order to “guarantee a source of income for the club from their digital channels while plans to properly monetize that reach are formulated.”
Minnesota United loans winger Bashkim Kadrii from FC Copenhagen
Minnesota United bolstered its attack by signing winger Bashkim Kadrii on loan from Danish giants FC Copenhagen.
“Bashkim is another really good attacking piece we have added to the club. He’s fit and healthy and ready for a new challenge,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “He can play any of the forward positions, left, right and through the middle. He’s got an eye for goal and good pace and we are really excited to have him.”
Kadrii is a Danish international and he began his career on a high note, scoring 18 goals in 30 games with Boldklubben in the second division in Denmark as a 17-year-old.
He went on to represent Odense BK for five years before moving to Copenhagen. A knee injury prematurely ended the 25-year-old’s first season, but he’s still accumulated 27 appearances.
New York City FC draws 2-2 with Emelec in preseason friendly
Two late goals from substitutes Sean Okoli and John Stertzer salvaged a 2-2 draw for New York City FC with Emelec on Wednesday night.
Another Look: John Sterzer levels the score for #NYCFC at the death pic.twitter.com/KaccZsSIvf
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) February 9, 2017
Peruvian centerback Alexander Callens made his first start for the team alongside Ethan White. David Villa started up front with Khiry Shelton and Jack Harrison on either wing. Villa was eventually replaced by Okoli in the 57th minute.
Another Look: @AskAboutUgo scores his first #NYCFC goal here in Ecuador pic.twitter.com/yWR38LRBSM
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) February 9, 2017
NYCFC’s next match is on Feb. 15 against the New York Red Bulls.
FC Dallas edged by Lanus in first preseason friendly
FC Dallas opened its tour of Argentina with a 1-0 loss to Lanus in a 120-minute friendly on Wednesday night.
Playing three periods of 40 minutes each, Dallas nearly opened the scoring on a few occasions, but was eventually beaten in the 110th minute after a few close chances.
Dallas will be in Argentina for the next 10 days as part of a preseason tour.