by Greg Seltzer - Most popular for December 2008
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Rallying from the wanton destruction of my last Top 5 List, I bring you a peek at some young
Brazilian wizards sure to make the leap to Europe before long. You may not have heard their names
and/or seen them in action, but that is temporary. For the purpose of this ranking, I have excluded
big talents who have a fair share of European experience, such as Internacional striker Nilmar.
[Photo by the always fantastic Robert Absolonne - click for full size] Mr. Onyewu scored the middle
goal in Standard's 3-0 UEFA Cup rout of Samdoria on Wednesday night. The Belgian champs are perfect
through three group matches and assured of a place in the knockouts. Their European form could play
a part in whether "Guchi" (as he is called around Sclessin) accepts the team's contract
renewal
A report is making the rounds suggesting that Napoli have clinched a deal to acquire Borussia
Dortmund center back Neven Subotić in January, so I asked his agent about it. Said Steve
Kelly: "100% rubbish." That is all. - Greg Seltzer
[Photo: Hannover 96] I will add quite a bit as the day goes, but wanted to get these early notes up
fast, so... #1 - Hansa Rostock have made an offer to Hannover 96 for Sal Zizzo, and the Reds are
willing to talk deal. I do not yet know whether this is a loan offer or a transfer offer, but I am
busy trying to chase down a vacationing German to find out.
With MLS up to a baker's dozen in seasons, it seemed like as good a time as any to see how much and
how well the domestic league has manufactured players. With more and more league products heading
to foreign soil, there's been a lot of talk the last few years over whether players are better or
worse off developmentally for going abroad - much of which ends up being too broad and filled with
Okay... I have a few transfer bits, but I need to sort it all out and write up a couple items. I
will slowly build this post up as I go. Here is the Cliff Notes version: Davies is, in fact, in
deep talks with a Ligue 1 team, believed to be Sochaux (but not confirmed)... Onyewu has two tabled
offers and wider interest from several teams.
Out-of contract Houston defender Bobby Boswell is in currently in negotiaions with Turkish Super
League strugglers Antalyaspor. The 2006 MLS Defender of the Year is currently in Antalya, and
manager Mehmet Özdilek is hoping they can strike a deal quickly to get the American in uniform
for their winter break friendlies.
Shortly after watching skipper Andy Griffin flop around like a fish as West Ham's Carlton Cole
screwed home the equalizer, Stoke City forward Ricardo Fuller sauntered away from the ensuing
kickoff at the center spot, taking just a brief moment to slap his teammate in the face. Yes, I
said he slapped his own teammate in the face on the field of play during a match.
Still working on some things here, but I'll get you started with what I know so far... The wishful
thinking talk that DaMarcus Beasley could leave Rangers for MLS is just that. According to his
agent, Lyle Yorks, coming home is not an option for him at this time - nor should it be, says I.The
rumours linking Standard Liège backline cop Oguchi Onyewu with Fulham (again) are just that
(again).
Let's do this damned thang... Let's start in the Eredivisie, where Stefan Nijland put a daft capper
on a well-crafted PSV attack. Sulley Muntari caps a fine Inter Milan move. Apparently, some kid
named Ronaldinho at AC Milan can hit free kicks pretty well. Also in UEFA Cup play from Thursday,
Racing Santander's Gonzalo Colsa rings up PSG.
Shuck and jive and all that jazz... #1 - Don't expect Michael Parkhurst to be unveiled at FC
Nordsjælland until next week, but fear not. The deal is completely done, just shhhh don't tell
anybody yet. The Wild Tigers head into the winter break after Monday's visit from Aarhus GF, and
then we will see the erstwhile New England Rev presented by his new employers.
I've gotten birdie word that Rangers winger DaMarcus Beasley is being sought by Wolfsburg, and a
report out of Scotland suggests that Espanyol are also interested. I was hoping to get something on
this today, but alas... I must return to the trail in the morning. With any luck, I should have a
story up at Soccer 365 before lunchtime in New York.
The U.S. Under-20 ladies topped North Korea 2-1 in Santiago, Chile on Sunday to net the 2008 FIFA
U-20 Women's World Cup title. Thanks to strikes from Golden Ball/Golden Boot winner Sydney Leroux
and Alex Morgan, the Americans became the second USSF outfit to win a world championship
(following, of course, the women's senior side).
I'm chasing transfer bits everywhere, so let's not stand on ceremony... Fener's Emre gets the
four-angle treatment for this strike. Lecce's Daniele Cacia puts a low boot to high lob. Check out
De Graafschap's Geert den Ouden with a tidy double to bump off F-Word in their own house (at the
3:45 & 5:40 marks).
I hope to have much more on several interesting bits later in the day, but thought I'd drop morsels
as I go. Blackburn have been mentioned in the Belgian press as a new suitor for Standard defender
Oguchi Onyewu. Apparently, 'Gladbach have also stepped up their chase - but a scan of their fan
forum shows the supporters are extremely pessimistic over their chances of landing the U.
Welcome to Friday's running transfer watch post. Please take off your shoes, help yourself to some
juice and a saucijzenbroodje. According to Radio Monte Carlo's website, Standard are asking
€3 million from Marseille for Oguchi Onyewu - sounds more than fair to me. Footy Blog reports
that Toronto FC are in hot pursuit of Trinidad & Tobago ace Keon Daniel.
According to multiple reports from France (such as this one), Olympique Marseille have reduced the
candidates for their winter defense expense down to Standard's Oguchi Onyewu and Galatasaray's
Turkey center back Servet Çetin. After taking in Gala's 3-1 win at Gençlerbirliği on
Friday night, L'OM scouts were on hand to see Gooch & Co.
Standard defender and headline transfer topic Oguchi Onyewu has made what could be construed as a
subtle wink to his two Ligue 1 suitors, Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain. Talking with
Sport 10, Gooch said, "I'm leaving the door open. I need to see what opportunites are offered
to me." "(Marseille and PSG) are two large clubs.
I have a bad news confirmation for USMNT fans: as recently boasted by coach Raddy Antic, Borussia
Dortmund backline sensation Neven Subotić has decided to play his international soccer for
Serbia. It appears, after several false leads, we got the real story this time. I have learned that
the former U.
And the West London derby scoreboard shall read: Chelsea 2, Clint Dempsey 2 That's right, ol' Deuce
has done it again - only this time twice as nice. The U.S. international scored an easy opener
against nearby rivals Chelsea, then eventually nodded home the last gasp equalizer to gain Fulham a
home share on Sunday.
And no, I'm not referring to that infernal early Christmas Muzak at the mall. I don't have a mall,
so why would it be that? I am referring to the silly season. Ho ho ho. Soon, girls and boys, clubs
will unwrap their fancy new transfer presents - several of which are bound to be American-made.
Since it's a busy day and I have someone distracting me like a distracting distracter from
I'm clearly too excited to sleep past 7 now. Excellent. Super. #1 - Okay... here's the deal. My
Euro-silly season Top 5 List has been chopped up three days in a row by a news item. It's pissing
me off. So I'm tossing this one out and shall come up with a fresh new unmolested topic. And yes,
it would have been fine had I posted it on Monday - although I would have only gone 50/50 on a pair
of
Dr. Kelso: Buzzy, buzz, buzz... Dr. Cox: I... beg your pardon? Dr. Kelso: Oh, uh, that's the sound
of all the bees in your bonnet. And, Perry, even though I could give a rat's ass, I still think
it's a pretty sound. Since I know you do all give a rat's ass (and my attempts to capture some
exclusive quotes are momentarily snagged due to time zone differences), I thought it best to drop a
few
Watch as Clint Dempsey ably caps Fulham's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough with his second league goal of
the term. Surprisingly, the 10th place Cottagers are now unbeaten in seven and have only lost once
since October 4th. - Greg Seltzer
Columbus defender Chad Marshall has bucked a few growing trends by signing a multi-year extension
with the MLS champs. The center back rejected an offer to join 2.Bundesliga leaders Mainz 05 in
order to stay with the Crew. To be blunt, I like Marshall's call here. Aside from Mainz, he seemed
to have only mild interest from Denmark and Germany, despite being available on a free transfer.
It was just a little weird until Drew Carey showed us his catwalk moves, but that brought it back
down to normal. At least, he didn't unleash Blue Steel on us... - Greg Seltzer
TOP Oss handyman Charles Kazlauskas bagged his second goal of the season on Friday night.
Unfortunately, it did not stand up as winner, with hosts Veendam grabbing a late 1-1 equalizer.
Full match highlights are here. - Greg Seltzer
Sorry for the delay on this one. I'm superb at technical difficulties. #1 - Mainz trialist Chad
Marshall will return to Columbus Saturday to await a contract offer, says German daily Allgemeine
Zeitung. My German is mediocre, but from the quotes one can infer that coach Jörn Andersen is
over the moon with Marshall's aerial ability and overall performance and that the player has his
heart set
A double Cut of the Day, video style... - Greg Seltzer
I'm gonna do an early WLG?, then drop a Top 5 tomorrow. So let's go ahead and ring those bells...
Mickey Owen goes heel over head on the Newcastle opener. Mohamed Zidan fires Dortmund ahead to
stay. And Johannes van den Bergh with some picturesque 'Gladbach consolation. 2-1 van den Bergh BVB
vs.
I've decided to stretch my fingers on a non-soccer Top 5'er because... well, basically 'coz I can
do whatever I want. It's my blog. In this out of the ordinary ranking, I will politely chastise my
fellow countryman for letting some truly outstanding artistic endeavors sink into the mire,
presumably while swilling Ace of Base CD's and viewing 2.
The Champions League and UEFA Cup knockouts draws have been done, and a few Americans have
interesting tests ahead. There are also a stunning number of super showdowns. These rounds should
be fun. The clubs with Americans are in bold, and my picks for the mega-clashes to watch have an
asterisk. The full Champions League round of 16 draw: Atlético Madrid v Porto Lyon v
Barcelona* Arsenal v Roma
You know the drill... Seriously, who doesn't love Robbie Keane? And who said Thierry Henry was
finished? Nice work from Xavi to set this one up. I'm not sure I'd be legally allowed to continue
this feature if I didn't include this backheel job from Man City's Felipe Caideco. Mohammed Ali
Kurtulus keeps Sivasspoor tops in Turkey with a blistered late road winner.
Things will get quiet around here for a couple of days, so I will round up some stuff for you now
and drop that promised third Top 5 List on Friday. As for the Americans-to-Europe transfer article
I mentioned... I had lost the quotes... and now I've found them. That will also go up Friday, but
at S365.
Hey... they laced 'em up, so we will too. Before we head to the Prem, let's take a quick detour
through De Kuip, where F-word's Diego Biseswar showed he can dial loooooong distance. Now on the
England, where Newcastle-killer Ryan Taylor of Wigan added another count to his charges - this time
dedicating his strike to a sick little kid he'd visited at the hospital this week.
Anybody ready to get back to work yet? No? Well, here's a few moments more of delay... Celtic's
Scott McDonald decides the Old Firm derby on the turn. Man City's Daniel Sturridge and Robinho help
set up each other with fine passes as tthe Citizens score twice in the waning moments to grab a
draw.
USMNT boss Bob Bradley has tabbed the 25 players he will gather at the Home Depot Center on Sunday
to begin prep for a January 25th friendly against Sweden, as well as the opening match of the
CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hexagonal against Mexico. I will probably return later with a bit of
commentary, but am busy chasing more transfer stories at the moment.
