Photo by ISIphotos.com

With the winter transfer period in full swing, we are starting to see plenty of movement involving MLS players as well as Americans making moves to and around Europe.

Here are a few updates on MLS and Americans Abroad player moves:

Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares has long been counted as a player on the move from MLS, now a destination has been identified.

As Brian McBride retires from the game, we have to take a look back at what made him the most accomplished striker in US national team history.
It doesn't get more All-American than Brian McBride.
He grew up in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights and played for Buffalo Grove High School.

Union

You can look at a variety of recaps to the Union's 1–1 draw with Real Salt Lake from the Salt Lake Tribune, the Daily News, a hilariously error filled piece in the Inquirer, mlsoccer.com, from goal.com, and, why not, the Miami Herald. Or you can save yourself some time and simply read our post-game report.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

With the winter transfer period in full swing, we are starting to see plenty of movement involving MLS players as well as Americans making moves to and around Europe.

Here are a few updates on MLS and Americans Abroad player moves:

Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares has long been counted as a player on the move from MLS, now a destination has been identified.

Hey All. I am on vacation this week, so it's taking me a little more time then usual to get the reports together, mainly cuz I am out floating around the city all footloose and fancy free. Lot's of sleeping in, taking long lunches, and engaging in tom foolery. So bear with me here......
STARTERS
The BBC reports that Togo was basically kicked out of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

• 144 days until the World Cup Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass shares his thoughts http://bit.ly/6eSmmQ /via @SoccerMarketer #

• 144 days until the World Cup Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass shares his thoughts http://bit.ly/6eSmmQ /via @SoccerMarketer #

Here are some links focusing on the Chicago Red Stars' first win of the 2010 WPS season, a 2-0 victory over the Boston Breakers on Saturday:
• ESPNChicago.com
• Chicago Tribune
• Daily Herald
• Boston Herald
• Boston Globe
• Bleacher Report
• ChicagolandSoccerNews.

People's Daily Online - Found 2 hours ago ... up for the month-long FIFA World Cup.Some bars in Beijing's Houhai are decorating the walls and with colorful national flags of World Cup... My first, forbidden game of soccer - Globe and Mail Goal: Catch the spirit - Chicago Tribune BAM: Soccer Fever! - Vanity Fair Soccer In SAfrica: Long Legacy Of Barrier-busting - CBS News Explore All

International Herald Tribune - Found 3 hours ago ... in coach Diego Maradona's squad are in ''optimal'' physical condition, refuting rumors that Barcelona star Lionel Messi and some others are... Argentina's team doctor refutes Messi injury rumors, players in ... - Chicago Tribune Argentina team doctor refutes Messi injury rumors - Seattle Times Messi fitness fears allayed - Sky Sports Argentina team doctor refutes Messi injury rumors - Belleville News Democrat Explore All

Chicago Sun-Times - Found 5 hours ago ... the world, 44 spots above Slovakia, which is in its first World Cup as an independent nation. Slovakia's ... Salomon Kalou after FIFA cleared ... Reid's late heroics help New Zealand tie Slovakia - Chicago Sun-Times New Zealand ties Slovakia, 1-1, on late goal - Chicago Tribune Late goal gives New Zealand 1-1 tie with Slovakia - Seattle Times New Zealand ties Slovakia, 1-1, on late goal - Los Angeles Times Explore All

Los Angeles Times - Found 6 hours ago ... it out of the last World Cup and one Mexico hasn't beaten since 2004. A loss there and Mexico goes home ... was interrupted so FIFA could ... Mexico backs into next round of World Cup - Chicago Tribune Explore All Los Angeles Times

MSNBC - Found 2 hours ago But when the DVD of this World Cup is released, don't be surprised if the subtitle is "Germany Gets Even ... a different style."FIFA president Sepp It's Germany 2, Old Foes 0, and Spain is up next - USA Today England and Argentina are out, Spain up next as Germany settles old .

Baltimore Sun - Found 1 hour ago The book has been closed on South Africa 2010. The last page was merely turned without fanfare as Africa's first World Cup moved from being a live World Cup lacked good soccer - Los Angeles Times Grahame L. Jones: World Cup lacked good soccer - Los Angeles Times World Cup lacked good soccer - Chicago Tribune World Cup host delivered even if games didn't - Modesto Bee Explore All Chicago Tribune

Let's salute the Chicago Fire for picking the absolute perfect Designated Player.
From back when the Chicago Tribune covered soccer, we recall that Nery Castillo once set very great store on playing in the Old World. Now, he's following in the footsteps of Cootiemac Blanco.
I realize I predicted that Blanco would be a trainwreck that we would tell our grandchildren about, and he turned out to be acceptable.

BY ANTHONY ZILIS

Over two years have passed since Fire technical director Frank Klopas and managing director Javier Leon met Nery Castillo for coffee while on a scouting trip in England.

At that point, Castilo was on loan to Manchester City and in stellar form after leading Mexico to a third-place finish in the 2007 Copa America.

BY ANTHONY ZILIS

Over two years have passed since Fire technical director Frank Klopas and managing director Javier Leon met Nery Castillo for coffee while on a scouting trip in England.

At that point, Castilo was on loan to Manchester City and in stellar form after leading Mexico to a third-place finish in the 2007 Copa America.

STARTERS
Charlie Davies in his own words for ESPN Magazine. Nice.
UEFA EURO 2012
2 full rounds of qualifiers are headed our way on Fri Oct 8 and Tue Oct 12. Get ready.
Matches & Scores:
Fri Oct 8
Andorra v Macedonia
Hungary v San Marino
Wales v Bulgaria
Northern Ireland v Italy
Ireland v Russia
Armenia v Slovakia
Luxembourg v Belarus
Czech Republic v Scotland
Austria v Azerbaijan
Serbia v Estonia
Albania v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Montenegro v Switzerland
Germany v Turkey
Slovenia v Faroe Islands
Portugal v Denmark
Georgia v Malta
Cyprus v Norway
Moldova v Netherlands
Greece v Latvia
Kazakhstan v Belgium
Spain v Lithuania
-Tue Oct 12
Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland
Finland v Hungary
Belarus v Albania
Iceland v Portugal
Azerbaijan v Turkey
Armenia v Andorra
Latvia v Georgia
England v Montenegro
Scotland v Spain
Liechtenstein v Czech Republic
Denmark v Cyprus
Macedonia v Russia
Slovakia v Ireland
Netherlands v Sweden
San Marino v Moldova
Switzerland v Wales
Belgium v Austria
Italy v Serbia
France v Luxembourg
Estonia v Slovenia
Greece v Israel
Kazakhstan v Germany
TEAM USA
The Washington Post reports that tickets sales are poor for these two games, especially in Philly.

View full size photo »

October 8, 1871. Chicago, IL. The entire Midwest is parched from a mighty drought. A couple of fires have already hit Chicago and the Chicago Tribune prophetically writes that a 'big one' could develop if rain does not arrive.

Reflections of the past two seasons at Toyota Park's press row
The final image of the Chicago Red Stars' 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season was the always animated Megan Rapinoe running like crazy after netting a goal during the team's home finale.
I'm hopeful that is not the last snapshot of the Red Stars.

The Chicago Tribune had a story yesterday with an update on the Chicago Fire Jersey Sponsor. To my knowledge, this is the first time we've seen Fire President Julian Posada discuss Best Buy's departure:

"We got a heads up that they were looking at a different direction," he said.