Noon Notes (Nyarko, TFC and Fire news)
Good afternoon all. Day two of the new SBI is underway and things are going well. Thanks to all of you who have found your way here and have helped the site get off to a strong start.
Here are some tidbits for your lunchtime curiosity:
Virginia Tech Patrick Nyarko is leaning toward signing a deal with MLS. The Ghanaian-born striker is considering signing a Generation adidas contract and stands a good chance of attending next weekend's MLS Combine.
Toronto FC assistant coach Mike Matkovich has joined the growing list of candidates for the Chicago Fire head coaching job. Matkovich has strong ties with the Chicago soccer community, having guided the Chicago Magic youth team.
Chicago appears set to create a technical director position to handle personnel decisions. The new position would take away some, if not all, of the on-field team responsibilities from Fire president John Guppy, who would then focus on the business side of running the Fire.
I'm working on a few things for today and tomorrow, including an update on MLS youth programs (specifically teams being able to sign players) and a piece on high school players going straight to MLS. The SBI European Club Top 25 and the last Q&A session on the old SBI are also in the works so check back in soon.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Can't wait for the news on the MLS Youth programs. You seem to be one of the few (if only) writers to inform us eager masses about what talent these clubs are trying to unearth. Any information would be great!
Posted by: Ryan | January 03, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Is it possible that Arnea is interested in the technical director position? That might make some sense.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | January 03, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I've heard of Generation adidas contracts for a few years now. Can you explain the differences between these contracts and standard contracts?
Thanks---great site. Very informative for a first time reader of yours.
Posted by: CraigTX | January 03, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Ives,
you had mentioned previously that you would have a rundown on the top red bulls development prospects. When might we expect that?
thanks.
Posted by: Pete | January 03, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Looking forward to the Youth program update. Particularly when teams will be able to start getting their young players from outside the draft. Seems that could have a big impact on how teams are built going forward.
CraigTX: GenAd contracts are offered to players who skip college or come out early and sign with MLS. They generally pay a lot better than a Developmental contract in order to lure these kids out early, but the players don't count as part of the senior roster limit of 18 or against the salary cap. IIRC there is also a rule that at least one team has to have agreed to draft the player before the contract will be offered to prevent the league from signing a player and having them go undrafted.
Posted by: NateP | January 03, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Hmmmm....do I smell an Exantus update coming soon? Maybe Angulo? Looking forward to the youth update.
I'll also be excited to see new info coming out regarding the combine and Superdraft.
Posted by: Chris N. | January 03, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Good luck with the new site. You are the best soccer writer in the US. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: RebBullsFan | January 03, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Congrads on the new website Ives!!!! Best wishes!!!
Posted by: stephen healy | January 03, 2008 at 09:07 PM