:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1218551/GYI0061815711.jpg)
Series tickets for the elimination-round matches of the 2012 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park go on sale next week, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday. Sporting Kansas City season ticket members will have access to an exclusive pre-sale for series tickets beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Monday, Jan. 9, two days before series tickets are made available to the general public starting at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
Series tickets to go on sale for Olympic Qualifying at LSP | Sporting Kansas City
As ESPN told its thousands of Twitter followers earlier today, Sporting Kansas City Juniors defender Eric DeJulio has verbally committed to Creighton! The Bluejays are coming off an impressive 2011 season in which they appeared in the semifinals of the NCAA College Cup before ultimately falling 4-1 in a shootout to Charlotte in Hoover, Alabama. In post-season rankings, Creighton finished second among Division 1 Men’s Soccer Programs in RPI while the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) deemed them fourth in their end-of-the-year poll. Creighton -- alma mater of Sporting KC first team defender Seth Sinovic -- held a 21-2-1 record at the conclusion of the 2011 season, maintaining an undefeated (14-0-0) status at home.
The Junior Way: DeJulio Chooses Creighton
Last year with the 10th pick I had said that KC needed to grab either a defender, either AJ Soares or Jalil Anibaba. Neither player was available at the 10 spot, and KC didn't even go defensive. Instead, KC went with a forward, and drafted the rookie of the year, CJ Sapong. This year I still think that KC needs to go with a center back. Although unlike last year, I don't think that KC needs to find a starter in this year's draft. They need a guy who could start if need be, but isn't expected to be a starter right out of the gate. Based on what it seems KC could get out of the 16th pick, I think that's probably a better expectation.
Down the Byline: Looking at the 16th Pick
Why is Soony Saad your favorite Sporting KC player? I get this question a lot, and have yet to find an answer, but the biggest thing would have to be that I became a fan at about the same time that he came to Sporting KC. I knew this was his first club and he would remember it forever, so why not make it the best? I did a lot of research and found all sorts of highlight videos and articles giving him high praise, stumbling across some fun things along the way. I knew Soony was the real deal and has what it takes to be a key player on this team, all I can do now is wait for then and support him along the way!
The Footy Chronicles: Sydney Manning: Soony Saad's biggest fan
The logic certainly makes sense. It was assumed when Beckham signed with Major League Soccer that by the time his contract was up, he'd be ready to retire at 36. However, those who have watched the English star have seen his passion for the game and his competitive desire to win championships. That had to be the draw of heading to France. It also seems that as Carlo Ancelotti is now taking the reigns for PSG he has his sights set not on Beckham, but on Kaka. Leonardo was quick to squash those rumors, however it is a logical assumption. One thing is clear though, Beckham will not play for PSG. "David Beckham is in Los Angeles, and he is going to stay there," continued Leonardo. "He will not come [to PSG]."
There’s an old joke that sportswriters have a tremendously self-important job, that they don’t read the papers, they just write for them. It’s a funny joke but it misses the point: writing about sport is cloaked in insecurity because the challenge of the blank page is so daunting. A sportswriter is essentially given a blank page, some peripheral information that includes numbers and letters and trends and the writer is then tasked with making a series or a ballgame out of the whole thing. It’s a powerful, ego-driven thing, the task of making an event or series of events or story that others may not have seen come to life on a page. And it’s true that it’s less so in the age of instant media, but in the end it’s still one that leaves the writer completely exposed. One failed paragraph, one misguided suggestion, one failed letter and an entire moment in time falls flat.
2011 US Soccer Year In Review: A Great American Story, Almost « The Shin Guardian
It's usually about this time that a wacky transfer rumor hits the league. The MLS offseason till works in such a way that teams fight attrition through December until binging on free agents when the transfer window is pulled open in January. So we've got a few rumors to mull over as the year turned over. Despite his own protestations that he's happy at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard's name continues to swirl. But now the ridiculous news that Samuel Eto'o could be MLS-bound is picking up steam. Why, I don't know. While the Lampard rumors aren't so outlandish - whether it happens or not - the idea that MLS could poach a mercenary like Eto'o, or that AEG would be willing to absorb the DP fees on his sure-to-be grossly distorted contract, is another matter.
Are the Rapids about to get a dose of South American creativity? According to multiple reports on Tuesday, Colorado are getting close to naming Oscar Pareja as their new head coach. Both The Washington Post and Denver Post are reporting that the Colombian – who works for FC Dallas as both their academy director and reserve-team coach – will be the man to take over Gary Smith’s vacant position.
Reports: Rapids set to name Pareja as new head coach | MLSsoccer.com
Canadian Soccer News has obtained a copy of Toronto FC's complete schedule for the 2012 season from a league source. The leak includes all league dates, Voyageurs Cup dates as well as possible CONCACAF Champions League dates.
The British papers have recently suggested that LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane is on his way to Aston Villa on some sort of loan deal. However, there has been nothing concrete as of yet. What is for sure is that Keane will be on a field in England this offseason. Tottenham Hotspur announced on their site today that the Galaxy Designated Player will train with the club for a few weeks this month.
Amid loan rumors, LA's Keane to train with Tottenham | MLSsoccer.com