Hoooray!!! Bring on Jurgen!!

Even though the U.S. didn't qualify, figured I'd throw out that the U20 World Cup starts tomorrow. Matches can be seen online on ESPN3.

Juergen!!

Best odds according to this article.
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6813659/who-succeed-bob-bradley-soccer

Automatik;845049 wrote:Juergen!!

Best odds according to this article.
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6813659/who-succeed-bob-bradley-soccer

Actually quite a few good names with pedigree on there. But Juergen Klinsmann....Yes. Please. Give the man some power. US Soccer NEEDS that from the top.

Looking forward to watching the game on Saturday.

A friend of mine was trying to get me to go, but I don't have the money for it lol.

Klinsy

Jurgen Klinsmann took over as Germany manager after his former teammate and striking partner Rudi Völler failed to get the team out of the group stage at Euro 2004 in Portugal. For his first major tournament in charge Klinsmann lowered the average age of the squad and gave the team a more offensive approach.
He went to the Confederations Cup 2005 with a squad with an average age of 26.26, almost a year younger compared to Völler's 27.04 at the Euro 2004.

Klinsmann lost in the semifinals to eventual champions Brazil and then fell short again at semis against Italy at home in World Cup 2006, but together with Joachim Low, the current Germany manager, he helped change the team's face and build up for the future.

He relied on veterans such as goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann and forward Oliver Neuville (33 at World Cup 2006) at the same time he trusted a new generation of players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker who all became an essential part of Germany's backbone.

If that experience is something to go by, players such as Landon Donovan (29), Steve Cherundolo (32), Jermaine Jones (29), Clint Dempsey (28) and Oguchi Onyewu (29) to name just a few, could still have a long international future. While Jozy Altidore (21) and Juan Agudelo (18) look certain to be part of Klinsmann's plans.

USMNT expert ESPN analysts Luke Cyphers and Doug McIntyre give us a better look at what we can expect from Jurgen Klinsmann:

- Sebastian Garcia

Luke Cyphers and Doug McIntyre
Jurgen Klinsmann a good hire for U.S.
"The hiring of Jurgen Klinsmann, the first foreigner to coach the for the U.S. national team since 1995, will usher in a new look for the squad. And at first glance, you might expect the ex-Bundesliga and Die Mannschaft star to bring a decidedly more German cast to the Yanks. In truth, though, Klinsmann's national team may look less "German" in some ways than any previous U.S. squad.
The coaching change will undoubtedly bring a freshness to a U.S. squad that's been worn down by three consecutive summers of difficult tournaments, beginning with the 2009 Confederations Cup. And it will bring a different approach.
But despite Klinsmann's passport and resume, don't expect that approach to be classically German."

Yelldell getes starting spot

German-born U.S. international David Yelldell is set to start this Bundesliga campaign as first-choice goalkeeper for Bayer Leverkusen.
Yelldell benefits from Rene Adler's injury which will keep the German international out of action after a recent knee surgery, says Kicker .

Born in Stuttgart, Yelldell made his international debut with the USMNT in a friendly against Paraguay in March this year. An extended run in a competitive league such as the Bundesliga can only improve his chances to be on the radar for the new manager.

PSG buying?


UPDATE: Various sources, mostly from Italy insisted Javier Pastore was already a Paris Saint-Germain player in exchange of $64 million.

The very outspoken Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said those reports were false and that the player's agent was on his way to London to meet with Chelsea representatives.

According to Metro.co.uk, we are hours away from a decision, with both PSG and Chelsea having good chances of signing the Argentine offensive midfielder.

--

As the summer transfer market progresses, rumors of Javier Pastore being on his way out of Palermo are only getting stronger.
The highly-rated Argentine midfielder is now chased by Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain according to Daily Mirror.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has been saying all summer long that he sees Pastore out of his club and has put a $72 million selling price, but no official offers have been made as of yet.

Arsenal rumors

Arsenal is edging closer to a double transfer market boost as there was progress in two fronts, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Gunners will look to strengthen their defense and for that they have set eyes on Phil Jagielka from Everton. After an initial bid of $16 million got rejected, Arsenal would be ready to increase it to $24 million. Though Everton is expected to hold still and ask as much as $30 million.

Spain international Juan Mata could also join Arsenal but for that to happen the club from North London would have to pay almost $30 million too.

New QPR owners?


Decisive days at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers could be set for a big change as the club confirmed in a statement there are talks of a new takeover in place.
QPR is currently owned by Formula 1 celebrities Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, but after the club got promoted to the Premier League both men have hinted they could be selling their shares for about $163 million.

Tony Fernandes, chief of Formula 1 Team Lotus, is rumored to be ready to pay that price and take over as QPR owner in the next few days, according to the Daily Mail.

In other news, manager Neil Warnock who has been in the market but without any funds available could bring Tottenham striker Robbie Keane on loan for the whole season, says The Sun.

More Arsenal rumors


UPDATE: Joel Campbell has been saying he wants to concentrate on playing for Costa Rica at the FIFA U20 World Cup before talking about a possible move to Arsenal.

But Costa Rican TV channel Teletica went a bit ahead of the 19-year-old striker by saying a deal with Arsenal has been completed.

The player himself confesses in part of the interview he gave Teletica that things are pretty advanced.

--

As it's always the case with high-profile international competitions, the Copa America has been a great shop window for young and little-known players. Perhaps the biggest winner is Costa Rica's Joel Campbell.
After he took part in the Concacaf Gold Cup, he joined the U23 team Costa Rica sent to Argentina for Copa America. He had a superb performance with one goal included against Bolivia and is now on Arsenal's radar.

Inter rumors


UPDATE: Where will Carlos Tevez play this season is one of the mysteries of this summer's transfer market.

Now Inter Sporting Director Marco Branca, who met Tevez at a beach in Sardinia has denied any interest from the club and said the encounter was just a coincidence, says Gazzetta dello Sport.

Hard to tell if this is the definite end of discussions. Could be a strategy from Inter to avoid complications in negotiations.

--

UPDATE: After the close encounter between Manchester City want-away striker Carlos Tevez and Inter Sporting Director Marco Branca on a beach in Sardinia last week, now the rumors are hard to stop.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport echoes the various reports in Argentina and talks about Tevez being very close to signing for Inter.

--

Shortly after his transfer from Manchester City to Corinthians collapsed and his national team got eliminated from Copa America, Carlos Tevez decided to go on vacations with his family to the Italian island of Sardinia and destiny, coincidence or whatever you want to call it, put him face to face with Internazionale director Marco Branca.
Speculations of a move to Inter which already existed have now intensified after the two men were spot by the cameras of Italian TV company Mediaset.

It is still unclear what will be Tevez destination after he made clear he is not returning to Manchester City. If there is one certainty in this world is that we will hear a lot more rumors around the talented striker.

This is the most important QPR news:



I am a Lotto guy, and I think these new 2011/12 third kits for QPR are stellar!

Inter Milan beat Celtic 2-0 today in the Dublin Super Cup.

Also reported that Inter has a $65 million offer for Carlos Tevez.

Hiddink was #1 choice?

Before finally landing Juergen Klinsmann, the U.S. Soccer Federation made an approach for superstar Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, the Washington Post's Steve Goff reported Saturday.
"The USSF did make a preliminary inquiry through intermediaries about Hiddink, among other renowned foreign coaches on their list of possible candidates, but the price tag would've been much too steep," according to Goff.

Hiddink, now coaching Turkey's national team, has also led South Korea, Australia, Russia and his native Netherlands, as well as Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven.

Helps the crew...

Carlos Ruiz is leaving the Philadelphia Union, manager Peter Nowak confirmed Friday. Question is, where is the Guatemalan striker going?
Mexico remains the best bet after the 31-year-old was linked with Veracruz and former club Puebla in recent weeks. But on Saturday, Veracruz coach Daniel Guzman again denied that any deal for Ruiz has been reached, telling La Doce that the club can't afford him.

That makes Puebla, where Ruiz scored nine goals in 32 games in 2009-10, the clear frontrunner. An announcement is expected within the next two weeks.

Speaking the of the Crew

Columbus Crew keep up their run of form with a 2-0 win @ RSL tonight. The first ever win for us at Rio Tinto.

Goals by Gaven (5') and Heineinman (SP) (10')

GO CREW

Bellamy on his way out of City?

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is hoping to reacquire Welsh striker Craig Bellamy from Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail.
Lennon is expected to speak to City brass this weekend in Ireland, where both clubs are competing in the Dublin Super Cup, but money could be a stumbling block.

Bellamy, who briefly played for Celtic in 2005, spent last season on loan to Cardiff but could be on the move again after Man City signed Argentina striker Sergio Aguero.

Its not over says Corinthians

If Manchester City doesn't sell Carlos Tevez this summer, Brazilian club Corinthians will take another shot at the unsettled striker, Saturday's Daily Mirror reports.
"You can expect us to go after him again," the South Americans' marketing director Luis Paulo Rosenberg told Bloomberg, according to the paper.

"I think we were 5 million euros ($7.2 million) away. But we would still have to deal with Tevez; we didn't because we still needed to reach a settlement with City."

Thank God we got Juergen and not someone else. I like what he has planned for our who program, and I LOVE that he wants to be the coach. Has been trying for basically 6 years now. Not saying others wouldnt have been good. But Klinsmann is one of the biggest HR hires our country has ever made in an international sense.

So who wants to have some good discussion on top players?

Give me your starting 11 (or just top players at each position). Too bad we wont have Rock to give us 11 Italians who are all over 35...

Mine:

------------------------------------Casillas------------------------------------

-------Maicon--------------Pique-----------Vidic--------------Ramos-------

-----------------------------------De Rossi-------------------------------------

-------------------Xavi---------------------------------Iniesta-----------------

-------Ronaldo-----------------------------------------------Messi------------
------------------------------------Rooney--------------------------------------


I think my last 5 are a given. Someone may be able to convince me of another #9 instead of Rooney; But Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi and Iniesta....if you have others, you can suck a dick

Tough to go for the CDM position. Mikel (fell off last year), Yaya Toure (switched to attacking role for City), Busquets, Alonso, and some others have a strong, strong claim for the top spot. GK you could actually go with Howard, Cech, etc but I like Casillas.

For the defense. I went with Maicon over Brazil teammate Alves. not sure who else has a claim to RB. CB has quite a few options. Pique has been great on the best team and best international team for 4 years now, so I had to go with him in one spot. Vidic has been a rock for the best team in Europe not named FCB. Ferdinand??? Some others Im sure Im missing. But he wins it. I wish he was on a better international squad. The other back is similar to Pique in that I like what he brings to Spain. Plus, he plays attacking, which I would always want out of my outside backs. It was tough to leave off Wesley Sneijder, Cesc, and some others. But they just play in a loaded position. No one is knocking off Iniesta or Xavi...and I have a 3 pronged attack so only have 2 spots for the attackers in midfield.

Laley,

I would have to agree with you with 9 out of your 11. My only definite changes would be Busquets for De Rossi and Eto'o for Rooney. The reasons for these would be that I prefer Busquets out of familiarity and that Eto'o is an absolute beast on the attacking end. Your formation is pretty well suited to the players that you use, and I like that you have Iniesta and Xavi backing up Messi. Messi is an absolute fantastic player with Barcelona, but without the creativeness of his two center mids, we've seen how that can affect him (See Copa America 2011). There are so many great midfielders you could use, but using the Xavi and Iniesta pair is the best choice you can make. Individually, they are both stellar players, but together, they make up the best midfielding pair in the world due the great chemistry they have built up.

Defense is very well-suited. Like you said, the only one that can really challenge Maicon is Alves, and Alves has been strong for the most part, but he had a disappointing Copa America. Maybe on the left side, I'd suggest Patrice Evra, as a possible replacement. No argument with Casillas here, hands down the best goalkeeper in the world.

The hardest for me here is to view this from an actual footballing perspective rather than looking at it from FIFA 11. I try to watch soccer whenever possible (No FSC for me, so I'm a little limited), but it's not always the case. However, I do play a lot of FIFA, and actually, my brother and I just had a fantasy draft picking the best players in the world back and forth. If this was FIFA, I'd probably take off Messi and put on Arjen Robben (I'm not that great with Messi). Also, I'd switch the midfield formation and take off Xavi and Iniesta, using Ibrahimovic as a center attacking mid and using Yaya Toure and Busquets as holding mids.

Just to throw other names out there you hadn't used... Van Persie (when healthy), Pepe Reina, Schweinsteiger, Ozil. All great players...

Sir Alex Ferguson says reports that Manchester United has given Wesley Sneijder a transfer ultimatum is "absolute nonsense," according to Sky Sports.
It's not the first time that Man U's manager has denied media speculation that United wants to sign the Dutch playmaker. Yet the links to Sneijder persist.

Multiple reports claim that United has made a final contract offer to the Inter Milan midfielder, who reportedly wants to be the Red Devils' highest-paid player.

"Absolute nonsense," Ferguson said after after United's 2-1 win over Barcelona in Washington D.C. on Saturday. "I have never discussed him. There is nothing new."



Milan rumor
Looks like Kaka won't be going back to AC Milan after all.
Rossoneri VP Adriano Galliani flatly ruled out the long-rumored move Sunday, telling Sky Sports Italia that the club cannot afford to bay back the superstar Brazilian midfielder, who they sold to Real Madrid in 2009 for close to $90 million.

"The return of Kaka at Milan is an impossible task," Galliani said, according to the Mirror. "Italian football cannot afford to pay 50 million euros ($72 million) for a player."

For Laley

Cesc Fabregas' long-expected transfer from Arsenal to his beloved Barcelona could be just days away, according to People.co.uk.
Barcelona president Sandro Rossell left the club's preseason U.S. tour and returned to Spain Sunday to continue negotiations in the hope that a deal can be concluded this week, the website says.

Barca latest offer is worth a reported $56 million. Word is that Fabregas has already agreed to a $5 million per season contract with with the club at which he began his career.