The opening of the January transfer window provides MLS-based players an opportunity to test themselves in the top European leagues, if only for two-months on a loan deal. For the sake of the United States national team, these loan deals are instrumental in providing American players an opportunity to progress.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández finalmente ha salido y ha dicho por qué se fue del Manchester United. No es que no supiéramos ya por qué se fue.
Como era de esperar, Chicharito descubrió que Louis van Gaal era mucho menos fanático que el anterior entrenador Sir Alex Ferguson. Chicharito dijo en una entrevista con la televisión española (citas cedidas por Marca) que van Gaal intentó que se fuera nada más llegar el holandés al Manchester United.
The Portland Timbers’ left-back Jorge Villafana is reportedly on his way to Liga MX club Santos Laguna for a transfer fee of just under $1 million. Villafana was a crucial part of the Timbers defense that led Portland to their first ever MLS Cup title.
While leading Portland in both appearances and minutes played throughout the course of the campaign, Villafana also chipped in with a goal and four assists from the fullback position.
After Manchester United’s dismal Champions League elimination at the hands of Wolfsburg this week, Manchester United fans from around the world must have looked at each other and said: “What the hell just happened here?”
All the promise going into this season has disappeared. United’s inability to put together a cohesive and effective attack has lead to their early Champions League exit, and all the people who were excited about the madman master Van Gaal last season are just about ready to call for his head.
He started out as one of the most promising strikers of his generation. Fans raved about him and managers wanted to coach him, but he hit a wall of injuries all of a sudden and his career went crashing down. Regarded by Mexico's manager Juan Carlos Osorio as one of the best wingers in world soccer today, this player is nicknamed after a bird. And like the legend of another famous bird, he is rising from the ashes of his crumbled career. Yes, I’m talking about Alexandre Pato.
Barcelona have perhaps the greatest forward line ever assembled, but for how much longer?
According to The Sun (so take this information with however many grains of salt you feel are appropriate), Barcelona's wage bill is 73 percent of its total revenue.
The Sun also reported that Barca are planning a £423 million renovation of the Camp Nou.
Neymar's astounding string of performances has managed to get him in the mix to be one of the top players in the world. Nonetheless, off-the-field issues keep the superstar's future very murky.
The beautiful game is constantly evolving and adapting with the times and technology on and off the pitch. A perfect example of this is the technology used by London and Premier League giants, Chelsea FC.
It's a question posed to any footballer who succeeds in the relative atmospheric comforts of Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1: "but could he do it on a cold Wednesday night at Stoke?" The implication being that in the cold of England in winter, players from lesser footballing areas like the Mediterranean and South America would wilt like the dead flowers they are. It is a perfect example of (false) Premier League exceptionalism.
His return to Brazil did not end up like he expected, but it seems Ronaldinho is not done with professional soccer just yet.
His possible next stop: the MLS.
In an interview with FutbolMLS.com, the two-time FIFA World Player of the year talked about his love for the United States and how the league’s growth is attracting talented and experienced players.