by Greg Seltzer - Most popular for January 2009
Viewing all posts which authors have tagged ‘by Greg Seltzer’.
You can also subscribe to this tag's feed.
Danish outlet 442 has a brief video interview with fresh Aalborg recruit Marcus Tracy, longingly
entitled "The American Henry?". Unfortunately, I have no idea what AaB chairman Lynge
Jakobsen (one of the nicest and funniest execs in Europe to my experience) is saying. On this note,
I had an excellent interview with Marcus today, and you will find that up at Soccer365 in the
morning.
Sing "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" That is all. - Greg Seltzer
Effective immediately, Landon Donovan is a target man. - Greg Seltzer
Just a quick peek at some January window happenings... Former Duke striker Mike Grella netted a
dazzling hat trick in his Leeds United trial friendly debut. The League One's B+ team took out
Burnley Reserves 4-0, with the young American setting Whites fans abuzz. I can hope for video to
surface on this (and from what I've heard of his performance, it would be worth the trouble) - but
don't hold
U.S. Soccer has put together special 2008 goal reels for both senior teams. Enjoy... USMNT USWNT -
Greg Seltzer
Franck, Franck, Franck, Franck, Franck. Who do you think you are? Cristiano Ronaldo*? * = scroll
down to 12.50 for the relevant bit. - Greg Seltzer
I have a few transfer morsels that I picked up to share before I chill out and watch Traitor. I
hope it's good, I love Don Cheadle! Expect Lee Nguyen to be presented by Vietnamese side Hoàng
Anh Gia Lai next weekend, give or take a couple days. The MLS suitor has dropped out. Oguchi Onyewu
agent Lyle Yorks told me it was "99% that he'd sign a pre-contract to start with his new club
in summer.
Landon Donovan made his Bayern Munich debut in a 3-2 friendly win over Al-Jazira in the UAE. The
American notched an assist on FC Hollywood's first, then set up the second by winning a danger free
kick for Daniel van Buyten to bury. Donovan told the club website, "It was fun! My legs were
still a bit heavy.
I gotta move quickly. All of this work is cutting into my leisure time... #1 - Please do note the
Cut of the Day. It has a nice ring to it today. Not to get too political, but let's give this guy
an honest shot - even if he is a West Ham supporter. My scouting report on him isn't devoid of red
marks, but I think he is just the puzzle piece we need.
Yes, I will update, but not at the usual rate. I shall pick up the pace, though, should Lanodn
Donovan enter the fray. Our man is on the bench, so here are your line-ups: Bayern - Rensing; Lell,
Lucio, Demichelis, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, van Bommel, Zé Roberto, Ribery, Toni, Klose Vfb -
Lehmann; Osorio (Mexico international), Tasci, Delpierre, Boka, Khedira, Hitzlsperger, Hilbert,
Bastürk, Simak,
[Photo: Digitalsport] I want another day off - my first official whine of 2009. #1 - Joining the
likes of Bobby Boswell and Freddy Adu, Vålerenga keeper Troy Perkins now has a blog up at the
club's official website. In this edition, he talks about spending the holidays in Norway. Of
course, that pic above is a bit ironic considering Perkins will report to the Home Depot Center in
California
[Photo: Bildbyrån] I know, it's now three of the last five posts... shut up, life is busy! #1
- A few heads up on stuff I've dropped at Soccer365 in the last 24 hours or so: you can now find
one 2008 All-American Squad headed by Hammarby forward Charlie Davies (I hope everyone likes the
twist), one talk with USMNT defender Danny Califf and one thumbs up report from recent injury
returnee
The folks over at Goal give us a video interview with USMNT forward Kenny Cooper, who becomes very
diplomatic once the subject turns to ongoing transfer interest from England and Germany. And in
case you are jonesin' for some soccer, here's a reel of Kenny's work for FC Dallas. - Greg Seltzer
I've over-typed the last several days. My right arm is a bit noodly. I shall go fast... #1 - The
Chicago Fire are close to re-signing mercurial playmaker Cuauhtémoc Blanco, says NSC pal Luis
Arroyave over at the Red Card. Good thing, too... other MLS clubs were among those hovering. Ha!
Just imagine if he turned up in New York.
I was going to do a new Top 5 today, but I woke up feeling overly crummy. Instead, I will focus my
meager lever of energy chasing transfer leads. I hope to be in and out of this post all day, but
let's start slow... My Turkish birdie scored on the Bobby Boswell tip, and now he says that's all
but a done deal.
Perhaps, the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team didn't get enough attention for winning the World
Cup recently. Thankfully, the federation decided to put together this video to let the girls and
coach Tony tell the story themselves. - Greg Seltzer
U.S. star Landon Donovan has opened his Bavarian account, capping Bayern Munich's 3-1 friendly
decision over Jeddah with a smooth turn-and-finish from 18. Enjoy the full highlights (Donovan's
goal play starts at 5:13 if you're in a hurry for now). And as a bonus, an extended look at his
debut against Al-Jazira the other night (be warned: this clip has LOUD electronic music.
This is gonna be a loooooong one, so grab yourself a Hawaiian Punch and get comfy... #1 - I'm going
to kick off today's rundown by pimpin' some homeys: the first St. Louis MLS supporter's club, Eads
Brigade. Check out their site, and if you're in the area on Thursday afternoon, do head over to
meet these guys at Tigin Irish Pub for their SuperDraft party (details found on the Events page).
[Photo: AP] I don't have much today, but I didn't want you to feel neglected. I know... I'm a
giver. I have no idea why Marcus Tracy wasn't presented today by Aalborg. Maybe they have another
signing coming and want to unveil both at the same time. I can confirm he is in town, though. What
number might he get?
Sorry I wasn't around yesterday, had matters to tend to... #1 - This is so cool. One of the coolest
ever. Let me say I am a fairly big Weezer fan. I have seen them live three times, I can play every
note of "the blue album" yada yada and so on. That out of the way, I have been dying to
interview Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo for ohhh about 6-7 years simply to talk about his soccer
story and
My American holiday memory skills are sliding. I completely blipped on the fact that it was MLK Day
and everyone will be off. Therefore, I'll save my next LIVE for a time when you're all stranded at
the office. Speaking of Americans Abroad in action, do note that Bayern Munich has a friendly with
Kaiserslautern today.
Two more friendly goals in a 5-0 romp at Mainz last night... (yawn/ho-hum/etc.). The first was a
fantastic header, the second a bit of a cheapie. Please enjoy a humorously framed reel of all five
Bayern goals... - Greg Seltzer
I'm tired and off to bed, but thought I'd drop a few tidbits... There is a report going around that
FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper is set to join Rosenborg on Sunday. This report is false, no clue
where it came from.It looks like Heath Pearce will stay with Hansa Rostock until summer. One
Eredivisie team shuffled its feet on a bid and one SAS Liga battler made a big effort to bring him
over on a
Sacha Kljestan's three-spot was enough for the USMNT to see off friendly visitors Sweden 3-2 in Los
Angeles on Saturday evening. Hmmm... how would Celtic explain it to the fans if they didn't buy him
now? I will have my U.S. Player Ratings up later at Soccer365, but for now, enjoy the full
highlights and a few words from the hat trick hero.
Train wrecks? Ohhhhhhhhhhhh... transfers! That's what you wanna know about. Darn, and I just wasted
all that time Googling photos of The Crash at Crush and Britney Spears. Alrighty, this day will
unfold in a very unfold-y manner, so I'll start now and add as I learn. I have now learned why
Antalyaspor backed away from out-of-contract Houston defender Bobby Boswell: they couldn't clear a
[Photo: Bayern Munich] I'm not what anyone would consider "well", so I'll efficiently use
my "strength"... #1 - And oh what a #1 it is! Landon Donovan gets his first chance at a
competitive match when Bayern Munich travel to Stuttgart tonight for a DfB Pokal third round clash
(kickoff is at the ultra-chic 8:30 pm local time).
I will expand this in the morning, but let's wet the appetite... I understand AC Milan has a new
free kick wizard on loan, David something-or-other. - Greg Seltzer
Club Brugge has posted an interview with midfield apprentice Jared Jeffrey, complete with a few
reels of him in action. You can be sure I'll have this kid on the horn once he breaks into the
first team, which I'd guess will happen during the second half of the season. Enjoy... - Greg
Seltzer
There will be a few more once a certain Portuguese site starts working again... Arjan Robben boots
Real Madrid past Villarreal. Rangers' Pedro Mendes with a proper belter. Athletic Bilbao's Andoni
Iraola gets clever to draw Espanyol (be sure to have the volume down, this Basque announcer goes
cuckoo).
[Photo: Agencja Przegląd Sportowy] And here's a doozy: Polish reports say the national
federation are already lining up USMNT assistant coach Piotr Nowak to take the Poland reigns should
Leo Beenhakker fail to get them into World Cup 2010. The English equivalent is here. Personally...
I wouldn't buy that for a dime if it came with a free Tootsie Roll.
Would have done this last night, but my computer had other plans - like going haywire. I swear, as
soon as The Distracter starts her job, I will buy a new one. Everton's Mikel Arteta has become one
of the top free kick wizards in the world. Just ask Hull. Celtic's Aiden McGeady handles business
by himself.
Just a few quick weekend notes out of USMNT camp in Cali... A third defender has pulled out: Chad
Marshall is out of action with a nagging knee problem. No word yet on a replacement. Seriously,
coach... his name is Jimmy. Pick up a phone.Midfielder Geoff Cameron will miss the rest of camp
with a hamstring knock.
For crying out loud! I kinda know something and I can't say anything. I've now got very two
unrelated bells going off with the same alarm here. You probably won't be shocked if it goes off,
it has been mentioned among all the things that get mentioned. Oh man, this is killing me!!!!
UPDATE: Now three separate bells.
Grab your popcorn and your Twizzlers, this one's an epic. Lights. Camera. Action... Roma's Julio
Baptista peforms a one-man Torino circus. Want to know how a West Londonder pronounces
"absolute cracker"? Ask Fulham's Paul Konchesky. Chelsea loan item Ben Sahar screams
"I am a SuperFarmer!" to give De Graafschap a sorely needed win.
Stuart Holden was left out with a knock so here is the match roster... G: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire),
Troy Perkins (Vålerenga) D: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland),
Ugo Ihemelu (Colorado Rapids), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjælland), Chris Wingert (Real Salt
Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC) M: Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo),
Eddie Gaven
Put your nickel in the slot... Let's start with Boro's Afonso Alves, who applies a fine finish to a
sweet Tuncay Sanli set-up. Kaká fires home left after finding space from a smart Pato
backheel. Málaga's Apono with a nasty strike from distance. You all know how I love a good
free kick, and I believe that no one smashes them home with more ooomph than Michael Ballack.
We spend so much time going over all things American transfer scuttlebutt, that I figured it would
be good to take a quick gander at things popping overseas that don't involve our favorite soccer
sons. As you know, I am health-challenged (the term "sick" demeans my mental status...
and is slightly too accurate in that regard), so it's stick-and-move time.
I have break neck sneezes. Resting up so I can be fit to do a Hamburg v Bayern Munich LIVE tomorrow
at 2:30 pm ET. See ya then. - Greg Seltzer
I'll go into a fun story or two later to explain the title, but for now quick pops here and
there... Club Brugge have named Jared Jeffrey in the selection for Saturday's visit from Tubize. I
have learned that West Ham rejected a Sunderland six-month loan offer for Jonathan Spector.
Apparently, they expect him to play a big part in the second half of the season.
Kickoff comes midway through the hour from Hamburg, Landon Donovan is on the bench. Rensing; Lell,
Lucio, Demichelis, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Van Bommel, Zé Roberto, Ribery, Klose, Toni Rost;
Demel, Reinhardt, Mathijsen, Aogo, Jarolim, Benjamin, Trochowski, Jansen, Petrić, Guerrero
Back in a bit.
