Before we begin today, SoccerJunkie would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I sincerely hope you all had a happy, safe, and warm holiday season! SoccerJunkie was proud to be in Times Square (for work) on New Year's Eve, and I hope you all had as enjoyable a New Year's as I...
Back to business...it's January, which means the FIFA transfer window is open, and the MLS Draft is coming up...
SoccerJunkie will get into full details of the draft next week, but this could be one of the most interesting drafts in the league's short history---not just because of the depth of the talent, but also due to questions that surround whether or not the league will kickoff on time. Normally, this time of year is buzzing about the draft and the MLS schedule, but, aside from each team's opening games, the schedule hasn't been released yet...and the draft is being dwarfed by the possibility of a devastating work stoppage. As far as anyone can tell, the league and the MLS Player's Union (MLSPU) are still very far apart, with neither side backing down. Players are said to be looking for an increase in the salary cap, guaranteed contracts (currently less than 30% of contracts are guaranteed), as well as the ability to negotiate their contracts directly with teams (rather than the league, who presently owns all contracts). It's likely that these changes would usher in other new items, including free agency, as well as the possibility of buying/selling players between teams. The union also claims that the league's single-entity structure violates FIFA regulations, though FIFA has announced it sees no issue with the structure, and won't get involved. The league, on the other hand, is looking to continue to grow the league slowly, and attempting to build a solid financial base for the future. With that in mind, the league isn't ready to budge on most of these demands, meaning it's increasingly likely that a last-minute deal will be necessary to save the season.
All that said, BOTH sides NEED to work out a deal in the coming weeks. MLS is simply too young and lacking a strong enough fan base to be able to survive even just a brief work stoppage. Unlike the NHL, which took a hit, but survived a lockout (and is in a better place, both on and off the ice, for it), any kind of stoppage (strike or lockout) would likely spell the end of another North American soccer league.
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The US Men's National Team has opened camp, featuring 30 domestic- and Scandinavian-based players who are currently out of season (or on a winter break from action). Most of these players are fringe players looking to earn a spot on the roster for South Africa, and will have a friendly later in the month against Honduras to try to impress US coach Bob Bradley. Bradley is also said to be looking for a February friendly to give these players every shot, as most likely won't see the field in March's friendly with the Netherlands.
SoccerJunkie will give a more in-depth look at the roster and the possibility for these players to earn a spot in South Africa in the coming weeks.
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The Red Bulls appear set to make their first signing of the offseason, as Costa Rican defender Roy Miller has reportedly agreed to a deal, with only a physical and a few details left before he will be unveiled.
Miller, who is 6'2", can feature at any position in the back 4, and is an international teammate of Red Bulls right back Carlos Johnson (the two used to share an agent, as well). The idea that Miller will be new GM Erik Soler's first signing shouldn't come as a surprise---Miller's professional career has been based in Scandinavia in recent years, with Rosenborg having been his most recent home.
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Scary sight in this afternoon's Serie A game between Chievo and Inter Milan, as Inter left back Cristian Chivu had to be rushed to the hospital following a clash of heads.
Even scarier is that Chivu was rushed into emergency surgery to repair skull fractures and bleeding around his brain. Doctors have said that his injury doesn't appear to be career-threatening---his skull fracture was successfully repaired, the hematoma was successfully alleviated, and there was no sign of any brain injury---but couldn't yet set a timetable for Chivu's return. Inter will have to expect, however, that it will be quite a while before the Romanian international's back on the field.
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Also in Serie A---LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has been handed a start in his first game back on loan with AC Milan.
Becks got the start in the right midfield against Genoa this afternoon, a game AC Milan leads 4-1 in the 60th minute. Beckham will rejoin the Galaxy after the World Cup---he is on loan hoping to keep himself on England coach Fabio Capello's radar for South Africa.
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Meanwhile over in England...
-US/LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan will look to get his first Premiership start on Saturday. Donovan is loan with Everton, who will travel to Arsenal (weather permitting---Arsenal's match against Bolton was postponed this afternoon due to snow, just one of many matches lost to the weather over the past couple weeks).
-One game that did get played was yesterday's Premiership match between Stoke City and Fulham. Though Stoke did pull out the 3-2 win, it wasn't for lack of effort from Fulham's American striker Clint Dempsey, as is evidenced by this late wonder-strike that drew Fulham within one:
-Portsmouth continues to fall on hard times. For the third consecutive month, the club has failed to pay player's on time---this time missing a second, self-imposed deadline yesterday to make up that payment. The south-coast team says it will hand out paychecks tomorrow, but the team is actively looking for investors. The English government is apparently in pursuit of back taxes owed, and administration would almost certainly guarantee that Portsmouth will be relegated to the League Championship. If the team is sold, it would mark the 4th owners to step into Fratton Park this season alone...
