All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

My Red Devils spit the bit tonight against Crewe in the Carling Cup with a squad that included much of the full squad. Ouch.

 

Actually, Southend beat them tonight. Crewe nearly beat them in the previous round.

 

Dammit! I was looking at the squad for the Crewe game and screwed up.

 

Hard to call Nowak over-rated two years into the job, especially considering he already has a trophy to his name. What you can say, though, is he's tactically inflexible and makes questionable substitutions. With the complete dearth of pace DC had out there, why wasn't Jamil Walker on the bench?

I don't want Nicol anywhere near the USMNT, either. Dull, long-ball tactics and usually can't be bothered to make subs.

The latest pairing I've heard is a Klinsi-Sigi duo. That wouldn't be a bad idea, especially as both of them are good about giving youth a chance. That would also leave all three Hunt (or ex-Hunt) teams in MLS looking for new managers (Columbus, Dallas, KC).

 

Story on the BBC saying Manchester United is negotiating a deal for Freddie Adu to go to Old Trafford on a two-week trial later this month, maybe with a view to a transfer during the January window. Would be a good club for him to go to with the way they develop players there.

 

Currently Adu is with Altidore in the US U-20 camp.

 

Speaking of Altidore, how long before someone tried to snap him up as well. My guess is someone will come knocking in January.

As far as under-20 camp, I think if they can get something negotiated, he'll head out as soon as camp breaks.

 

The Guardian says that Freddy's going nowhere.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1943269,00.html

 

Well that's fine, although if he were to go to an English club, if I were American I'd want it to be Man U if only because of their ability to develop young talent.

 

A denial which was later rescinded:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=390809&cc=3888

Incidentally, the Grauniad has had a lot of U.S. news in the last few days. Make sure to read the third link.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/09/why_soccer_in_the_usa_is_here.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/10/beckhams_fading_star_would_lig.html
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6206390,00.html

 

I'd rather he go to a club where he could play regularly, but ManYoo is probably one of the few clubs that could talk its way into a UK work permit.

 

Beckham to the MLS? If this report is correct, it could happen soon.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=391320&cc=5901

I'm not sure if this is a good sign or not. I like that they limit the number of DP's to two per team, but with the way it seems to be structured, I'm not sure all of the teams would be able to afford a star player.