Random Soccer Thoughts

Hello folks. It is almost noon on the East Coast and I'm just waiting for U.S. Soccer to release the roster for the upcoming training camp leading to the Switzerland friendly. As most of you saw, I released some names last night of players who have been called in. I'm really curious to see whether the likes of Johann Smith and Kamani Hill will join the other young players already slated to attend the camp.

While we wait, I decided to share the latest edition of Random Soccer Thoughts, just some thoughts and questions I've had lately. Enjoy:

Is Kenwyn Jones the second-best striker in CONCACAF after David Suazo?

More importantly, is the fact that Jones was a central defender for W Connection just four years ago, before becoming a $12 million transfer for Sunderland, another example of MLS scouting missing the boat?

Was that really Marcus Hahnemann downing a can of sugar free Red Bull just before Reading's 1-0 win against Derby? You know, the Red Bulls can use a goalkeeper in 2008 (Yes, I know, not happening.)

Where exactly is Samuel Eto'o supposed to play when he comes back from injury?

Ronaldo (the gap-toothed one, not the Metrosexual) is set to return for AC Milan. Will that help turn things around for Milan, or bury them deeper?

Can somebody please get Mark Cuban interested in soccer? That way he can consider buying an MLS franchise after he buys the Cubs.

Speaking of rich guys who splurge on their sports teams, with Paul Allen now a part of the Seattle expansion group, will he use his Microsoft billions to lure someone like Zidane to play for the new club (Seattle Sounders/Seattle FC/Real Seattle? (Okay, I made that last name up.)

Rumors about Reyna retiring are interesting because, according to Reyna, the second year of his contract is guaranteed. Would you retire and leave more than a million dollars on the table?

Speaking of big Red Bulls contracts, is Red Bull ready to eat the remaining $1million over two years left on Bruce Arena's contract if Arena's team suffers another first-round exit?

If the Galaxy does make the playoffs and has a good run will that mean that Frank Yallop and Alexi Lalas keep their jobs? I wonder if both will even want to stay. I just don't see those two lasting another year together.

I really think Freddy Adu will get some action against Switzerland but folks, stop sweating the cap-tied situation. Adu is already cap-tied.

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Feel free to share your own thoughts below. Fire away!

Comments

[John]

This is going to come out wrong but I will just say it. You are the reporter. It is your job at least I believe to bring information and news to us. Shouldn't you know Lee is injured and has been for a while? What steps have you taken to confirm that Adu is cap tied? The same steps that Grant Wahl took to try to confirm that Adu wasn't cap tied (which is the only story out there right now)?

[Lambda]

Dude any thing on Rossi? Have you heard anything from Bradley........... when are you getting an interview with him? (Rossi)

[Tom]

Rossi wants nothing to do with the US. I can't wait until he is finally cap tied to Italy for this madness to stop. Yes, I would love to have him, but it ain't happening. Glad BB is making the attempt but don't get your hopes up at all. You have a better chance of winning powerball.
CR's contract guaranteed.
Crap.

Crap.

Crap.

We have to hope the league approves another DP next year. Depressing news.

[Ives]

John, I didn't know Lee Nguyen was injured. There are more than 50 players in the U.S. pool, a number of which are playing in Europe on reserve team levels. I am pretty sure there aren't that many, if any, American journalists who are up on the injury status of every single American in the U.S. pool.

As for Adu, my sources have told me he is cap-tied. If you want to believe he isn't then that's your choice.

[J]

any red bull park news?

[nutmegger]

Hahnemann has stated before that his pregame preparation includes 2-3 cans of RedBull before every match.

[Lawrence]

Ives, the Rossie debate brings up a thing I am really wondering. We all know the young prospects as our fowards. But coming to NY it seems that there are a lot of young HS/college aged kids (mostly with latin backgrounds) that are just below the surface. This is interesting because I can't really think of any strikers we've had that have latin backgrounds.

So Question #1, how good or how many prospects are out there for the US, outside of our overly dependent Brandenton camp.

Question #2, do you think the US is coming close to finding a balance of taping into latin players while fitting them into the way US soccer is? (Aruturo Alverez?)

Question #3: Jeremiah White can ball. How long must he get shunned?

[Lawrence]

Question 1 meaning at the FW position.

p.s. I know you may not be able to answer these, but at least give them some thought, maybe for the future.

[ChaosCk]

Adu played in a friendly for the full MNT Vs. Canada in San Diego in jan. 2005, therefore he is already cap tied to the U.S.

[ChaosCk]

Adu played in a friendly for the full MNT Vs. Canada in San Diego in jan. 2005, therefore he is already cap tied to the U.S.

[smokarz]

"Adu played in a friendly for the full MNT Vs. Canada in San Diego in jan. 2005, therefore he is already cap tied to the U.S."

Friendlies do not cap tied you.

Only FIFA regulated competitions such as WC, WC qualifying, and regional cup competition cap tied you.

Therefore, ADU has YET to be cap tied.

Go read the Grant Wahl article. Ives i'd stongly reccomend you do the same.

[Allen]

"Speaking of big Red Bulls contracts, is Red Bull ready to eat the remaining $1million over two years left on Bruce Arena's contract if Arena's team suffers another first-round exit?" --> If they do, it's not a wise move. It's not about the money but the team having some stability. Rare is the coach that can win it all despite instability.

As for Kenwyne Jones, I was sad to see him leave Southampton. I think another year in the Championship would've done him good. I hope it doesn't happen but I wouldn't be surprised to see the kid fizzle out come boxing day. He still has quite a bit to learn about the game.

[sidenetting]

what about a Red Bull Park update. Maybe I've missed it recently, but it seems like it's stuck in the brownfield mud for now.

[Brad]

Can someone please help me understand something? Is Arturo Alvarez American? If he is, how on God's green Earth has he not been called to camp? His creativity and performances for Dallas have been incredible in the few games I've seen him in. Thanks.

[Dave]

Isn't Nery Castillo of Mexico the second best striker in CONCACAF? Remember what he did to our defense in the final of the Gold Cup and his performance in Copa America. Also, if going by transfer rates, Castillo's transfer was higher than Jones's and plays for a club in the CL and on the outside of your Euro Top 10.

[Haig]

Here's a way out for RB: pay Reyna his 2008 salary, take the cap hit for $325k, but don't leave him on the roster. That way, for another $325k towards the salary cap-- which is $50k less than Wattereus and Schopp combined-- they could spend however much money they wanted on a player who can make a real difference on the field.

It isn't ideal, but if Reyna is going to hold RB hostage for all that money, they can just pay up and kick him off the team.

[diego r.]

I still think that MLS should be the #1 option for CONCACAF prospects outside of Mexico (US, Canada, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, etc). Any non-Mexican CONCACAF star that signs elsewhere should be considered a loss by MLS

[EssEff]

Random baseball thought: man, Tony Gwynn has ballooooned. I knew he was always chubby, but jeesh. Get on a bike dude.

[Ives]

Castillo is pretty amazing. I just asked the question about Jones. He's looking pretty nasty right now and could only grow with experience on a higher level.

[Roehl]

Ives,

Did I miss your answers to the latest Q&A (which I think was two weeks ago)? That batch had some good ones that I wanted to hear about.

[Jim]

One of my favorite mysteries, what happened to John O'Brien?

[nico]

Is Kenwyn Jones the second-best striker in CONCACAF after David Suazo?
YES, probably. I had my doubts about him, but he seems to be quite effective...even when he is not scoring. Though, I think he is way behind Suazo.

[RichBullNY]

Holding on to Arena for Stability sake is the same argument for keeping Torre on with the Yankees.
IMO, it's time for a change. But here, I say keep Arena for next season, and if STILL no champoinship, get rid of him. Unless we can get someone with more creativity and savvy during this offseason....

Also, I love the Mark Cuban idea. If that freak can get into Dancing, maybe he'll get into soccer! He's do nothing but help this league with money, exposure, and noteriety.

[Gino (Not Ives)]

According to my contacts in LA JOB has quietly retired and is now an insurance agent.

[Dominghosa]

Yes, Arturo Alvarez and Jose Burciaga, Jr. (I know no one asked about Burciaga) are American and have yet been called into camp.
Why?
Not sure. It's pretty inexcusable if you ask me.
But how many Hispanic-American players have you seen move through the U.S. Nat pool?
I'm just asking.