Morning ticker: News & Notes, new and old

Shubhu prabhaat everybody. Today is the day Juan Carlos Osorio is introduced as the Red Bulls new head coach and I must say it is a long time coming for a coach who spent five years trying to get a break in MLS and here he is, about to take what amounts to his dream job in MLS.

There will be plenty to discuss about Osorio later today and in the coming days. For now, I wanted to catch you all up on some news that may or may not have slipped by your radar. Here are some news nuggets to start your day off with:

Derby eyeing American investors- Derby County is struggling, and not just in the standings. The last-place team in the English Premier League is also dealing with debt and facing the prospects of having no money for the winter transfer window. Those problems may soon be gone thanks to some American investors who are ready to give the Rams a sorely-needed cash infusion.

Zimmerman secures senior contract- American forward and Hamburg SV prospect Preston Zimmerman has secured a professional contract from Hamburg after starring for Hamburg's reserve team the past two seasons. Zimmerman, who is now signed through the 2008/2009 season, is set to take part in a U.S. Olympic training camp next month according to the UEFA.com story. It is good to see him developing, and not just because I've had him on my projected 2010 U.S. World Cup roster for some time now.

Kinnear gets contract extension- With all the talk of teams talking to other team's coaches about jobs (okay, so it's only the Red Bulls), it shouldn't come as a surprise to see the Houston Dynamo lock up head coach Dom Kinnear to a new contract through 2010. Kinnear has two MLS Cup titles under his belt and the Dynamo will enter 2008 as the favorites, especially now that D.C. United's pursuit of Juan Veron has fallen through.

Kaka named the world's best in 2007- To the surprise of nobody, Kaka was named FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday, beating out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the honor. Kaka helped lead AC Milan to the Champions League title in the spring and the Club World Cup on Sunday. Brazilian star Marta won the women's player of the year award.

 

Castillo to City move on hold- Reports out of Mexico stating that Nery Castillo was set for a winter loan move to Manchester City were apparently premature. Shaktar Donetsk has slapped a hefty price tag on Castillo, asking for $7.2 million for ONE SEASON of Castillo's services. That's with no option to buy.  Will Man City pay up or will the Citizens look elsewhere for forward help? They should just pass and leave Shaktar with the most expensive bench-warmer in Europe.

That's all for now. I will be posting the Americans Abroad weekend rewind later today before heading to New York for the Osorio press conference. Share your thoughts on any of these stories below.

Comments

[Uncle Dave]

No option to buy? Guess who will be staying in the primera . . . .

And Derby run by Americans? If they go the Fulham route, Im there (the more americans, the merrier!)

[Tim F.]

Good news about Preston Zimmerman!

[manny]

Marta winning world player of the year for basically 1 (very good) game is ridiculous. Should have gone to Prinz.

I hope Osorio enjoys short dreams

There is NO WAY Castillo is bought for that money. He hasn't even cracked Shakhtar's first team, what makes them think he'll crack Citeh's?

I couldn't care less if American billionaires are spending money on a club is that destined for the Colaship. I'd rather they invest in the sport in this country (where there money is infinitely safer due to the lack of relegation) Oh well...I'm more interested where Feilhaber will move because leaving HSV was the dumbest move he's ever made in his life.

[Trevallion]

Americans buying Derby may be the only way we ever see Benny Feilhaber play in the EPL. ;)

[ejs]

Goodness are they pissed they paid 20 MILL for him. I think it looks bad on the whole region when a top player fails in Europe.

[Andrew]

i have a different feeling on Castillo. Wasn't the guy a star for Olympiakos (or was it Panathanakos...whatever Greek team he was on last season). And Shakhtar paid star player money for who they thought was a star player. I heard recently that the team was dissapointed with his work ethic, that he came in assuming a starting spot was his and didn't have the passion, dedication, or commitment that they expected of him. While it kinda sucks for him that Shaktar's putting a price on him that no Prem teams will touch, it seems that he may kind of deserve to warm the bench for a while...get some perspective.

Also, regarding Presont Zimmerman, can you shed some light on him for us Ives? I read a profile on him once and all it said about his playing style was that he was very hardworking and thats why he fit in Germany. Tell me more on his style of play. Is he a target forward? Can he play with his back to goal? Does he have pace or skill on the ball?
Thanks Ives.

[PH]

Frank Giase of the Star-Ledger warns that while Osorio won in Chicago, he did it with defense, so RBNY may not be very entertaining. "Winning ugly" may not be fun, but I suppose losing is even uglier. On the other hand, Chicago didn't have the likes of Angel and Altidore.

[chicago millonario]

Congrats to Kinnear, he's one of the top coaches in MLS and deserves the extension. As far as Derby, what American could possibly be interested in a team that is a lock to go down next year? Whatever money they invest now will mean nothing if they're playing in the Championship next season, and remember how eak the dollar is to the pound.

[jade1mls]

We do not know who DC is going to grab in the window. You don't think Veron was their only target do you? too early to tell who will start 2008 as favorites.

[Ed Ho]

I'm not sure how any USMNT fan can have anything but an ear to ear grin when hearing about Castillo. His lack of playing time and overall bad attitude are sure to negatively impact Mexico.

I say he doesn't go anywhere during teh January transfer window. Shaktar seemse to have just as unrealistic expectations as Nery himself. Those comments regarding his value seem to indicate they beleive he will return to form and they can recoup their money.

[EssEff]

I assume Kaka is dedicating his trophy to Jesus.

WWJD at the San Siro?

[EssEff]

oh yeah: :-)

[EssEff]

oh yeah: :-)

[kpugs]

At the risk of looking like a fool (again), I don't get it about "staying in the primera."

Castillo plays in the Ukrainian Premier League. Well, he sits the bench there at least.

[Dominghosa]

If "Derby goes the Fulham route," Derby is sure to get relegated in to League 1 at the end of next season.

[Frank]

You guys just do not follow Castillo like I do. The reason he does not play is because he is in the doghouse of both the owner and coach. He is still an awesome talent and should be playing in Spain. What is it with you guys' and Ives' distaste for anything Mexican. Just wait until Bravo moves to Benfica and gets in the way of the way overrated Adu. I will laugh like never before.

[undrafted]

Americans buying ManU didn't help Tim Howard, Kenny Cooper, or Jonathan Spector.

Americans buying Liverpool didn't help any US players.

An American buying Aston Villa didn't help any US players.

Chelsea's not playing any Russians.

Man City doesn't use any Thai players.

West Ham - Icelandic? Fulham - Egyptian?

Heck, Arsenal has British owners, yet have only 2 on the first team (non-starters).

So while it's a nice joke. I hope people realize that getting an American manager in Europe is what would actually get us some biased help.

[eastlachiva]

Castillo is the poster child for talented but spoiled players with too much emotional baggage.
He almost didn't play for Mexico, he threatend to play for Greece. Once at Mexico he threatened to return to Europe if he didn't play more in the Gold Cup.
He's a nutcase when he's unstable. My guess, immaturity and high trasnfer fees will keep him in the Ukraine.

[Ed Ho]

Frank,

First, Castillo really isn't Mexican. He's a carpetbagger who tried to auction off his national team alligience.

Second, how do you follow Castillo so closely? Do you live in the Ukraine? really not sure what insight you have about his performance since the transfer. And, if he is really worth $20M Euros despite sitting on the bench, why doesn't some Spansih side make a transfer offer for that amount.

[D_Vegas]

For those who probably don't care..the supposed take on Nery Castillo.

Part 1

Age 15-16 Nery plays as a youg kid(16) and gets scouted by EPL teams, his dad (who makes all his decisions with only $$$ in mind)decided its Man U or nothing... and he went home with his sweet nothing. He then joins Uruguay U-17 National team only to get cut (word is, he wasn't playing nice with team). He then takes a leave of absence to sort sh|t out and doesnt claim a national status.

2-3 years later his dad works him into a monster deal ($$$$!) with Olympiakos and works his way up over the years to becomes a regular starter in league and european play. Gaining some fame, he grabs everyones attention in Champions League. Including national teams Uruguay and Mexico. Then changes with New management and New coach and a New BIG name (Rivaldo), sent Nery to the bench and into a big hissy fit, becoming a problematic player on and off the field. Warming the bench doesn't sit well and he declines a Mexican National invite.

Age 20-Anyway, Cinderella finally feels he is ready to doan a Mexican Jersey a year later, only to have to have it thrown back in his face. To top it off, due to his anitcs, Olympiakos denies him a transfer that will send him to Chivas de Guadalajara (NO SE PUEDE). However, he probabaly doesn't find out until after the game where scored from stealing the ball from a teammate on a freekick. ACKWARD much!?

[D_Vegas]

NERY PART 2

age 22(?)Over the years, Nery matures a lil and Olympiakos resigns him to four years for again Big money. In what was believed to be abread and butter deal to make him stay in Greece. He becomes a citizen and is now being chased by the Greek and mexican National teams with Greece offering 1 million dollar bonus if he signs with them. He uses this offer as leverage to play for Mexico for the same price. (Supposedly) Hugo told him to piss off with his 1 million dollar attitude. Greek powers catch wind and are miffed the Nery stiffed them at the Altar.

Things get ugly for Nery and his attitude as managment, owner, and coach stick it to him.

Nery cap ties himself with Mexico to a luke warm reception...from the bench. Plays in Copa America and Gold cup, where he gets benched, removed from roster, to starter in various games. Probably because of how he tried to steal the ball away from BLANCO, which ended in Blanco showing him off the ball..

A deal was offered by Man City over the summer, but Nery was was having a major falling out the organization and to punish him, demanded more money to let Nery go. Man C, wasn't goin to pony up and were eventually outbid by Shaktar Donetsk.

Shaktar Donetsk was trying to elevate its game with bigger name signings for a better champions league showing.. Nery hits the bench playing (?) games, coming in as a sub in the last 15-20 of most games and scores 2 goals.

[D_Vegas]

NERY PART 4

Becoming very unhappy with lack of minutes with League leading Shaktar, he again steals the ball from a team mate (this time on a penalty kick) but puts the ball right in the goalies hands.. game ends with Shaktar tying with last place team-----WTF!?

Without hesitation Nery is taken of the roster for the remaining 2 Champions League games and is benched in league play...

Currently Man City is looking to take Nery again.

Shaktar president and Ukraine's richest man Rinat Akhmetov, said that Man City's offer was too low. He wants A one-year loan -- five million euros and there will be no options, meaning a right to buy (Castillo)... He also said if Castillo can raise his game ... then in a year we'll decide whether to take him back to Shakhtar or sell. And the price could be 20, or 30, or 40, or 50 million euros.

Shaktar are indeed playing the same game Nery is, and they have him by the balls.. much like Olympiakos did.. I guess you Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You

Great skills, phenomenal player, incredible speed and stamina and he is also a very aggressive player.. Drama Queen... Waste of Fcukin talent!!

[D_Vegas]

oops i mean part 3...not like anyone cares...

[calfern]

Has anyone watched the young mexican kid for Barcelona? He came in for Messi against Valencia and looked brilliant. Dos Santos?

[Nick]

Looks like Nery to Man City is a done deal: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7150844.stm