Soccer By Ives

Mid-Day Musings: On Johnson, Cooper and Castillo

 

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Is Eddie Johnson ready to make a comeback?

No, the American striker hasn't been sidelined by injury, he has just managed to fall off the U.S. national team radar after having been on it for so many years, four years to be exact. His stock had tumbled to the point that there weren't even any real rumblings when he failed to be named to either the U.S. Confederations Cup or Gold Cup teams.

Perhaps the time out of the spotlight has done him some good.

Johnson is off to a flying start for Fulham during its pre-season tour, scoring goals and setting up goals. When you see video of him play these days you see a confident player, a smart player, someone who looks at ease.

It may not mean that Johnson sticks with Fulham, but it just might mean that wherever Johnson goes, he's ready to be the player so many have waited for him to be.

Szetela returning to MLS, D.C. United the front-runner for his services

 

                                                  Photo by ISIphotos.com

Former U.S. Olympic team midfielder Danny Szetela is on his way back to Major League Soccer, but he won't be coming back to Columbus or heading home to New Jersey.

According to multiple sources, Szetela has agreed to a new contract with MLS after having his deal with Spanish club Racing Santander finish. Szetela spent the past season and a half on loan to Italian club Brescia, but is now a free agent set to return to MLS two years after leaving the Columbus Crew for Europe.

As a former youth international with three appearances for the U.S. senior national team, Szetela would have to go through the MLS allocation process. FC Dallas is currently holding the top spot in the allocation order, but already has a roster full of young players and is expected to pass on him. That would leave Szetela to fall to D.C. United. Sources tell SBI that Szetela was in Washington D.C. on Tuesday and met with D.C. United officials, who are very interested in the 22-year-old midfielder.

D.C. already boasts Clyde Simms, Andrew Jacobson and Ben Olsen as defensive midfield options, but the club did just lose rookie midfielder Brandon Barklage for the season with a torn ACL.

Feilhaber nets brace in Aarhus friendly

It must feel good to be Benny Feilhaber right now.

After an impressive performance for the U.S. national team in the Confederations Cup, and after a solid showing as a substitute in a 2-0 Gold Cup victory over Honduras last week, Feilhaber scored twice in his first summer appearance for AGF Aarhus in a friendly on Monday. Feilhaber's brace, along with compatriot Jeremiah White's goal, helped Aarhus defeat second division club Skive IK, 4-2.

Feilhaber and Aarhus begin their season on July 20th against Aalborg.

What do you think of Feilhaber's brace? Is he ready for a big season in Denmark? Do you see him getting called into the Aug. 12 match against Mexico? Should he start?

Share your thoughts below.

Would Greece be a good fit for Altidore?

 

                                                                     Photo by ISIphotos.com

So you probably heard about the false alarm reports of Jozy Altidore heading to Greek powerhouse Olympiakos on loan (the interest in Altidore had been in the Greek papers for weeks). While we wait for a decision to actually be made on where Villarreal sends the young striker (assuming they don't keep him) I couldn't help but wonder what a move to Greece would mean for the young striker.

Such a move would put Altidore on a respected European squad, but it would mean playing in the Greek League, which is a notch below the likes of England and Spain. Olympiakos is in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League though, so Altidore would have the potential to play in the Champions League group stages.

Then there is the travel element.

Johnson scores in Fulham preseason victory

Eddie Johnson came off the bench and scored a goal in Fulham's 3-0 preseason win over Australian A-League champions Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

With the game already 1-0 in favor of the Cottagers, Johnson entered the game as a substitute and doubled the lead, scoring in the 67th minute.

Johnson and Fulham finish up their Australian pre-season matches by playing Perth Glory on Wednesday.

Do you think Johnson is ready to make an impact for Fulham this season? Should he get loaned out again? Do you feel that he should be on the Gold Cup roster?

Share your thoughts below.

Report: Davies headed to Sochaux

 

                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

The quest to sign U.S. national team striker Charlie Davies has apparently come to an end and Sochaux is claiming victory.

French newspaper L'Equipe is reporting that Davies is being sold to Sochaux in a transfer from Swedish club Hammarby. Sochaux was one of three French clubs among the final teams in the chase for Davies. If true, the deal will make Davies the second American in Ligue 1, joining U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes).

What do you think of Davies making the move to the French first division? Like the move for Davies, or were you hoping he would move to a bigger league? Still hoping he winds up at Rennes with Bocanegra?

Share your thoughts below.

Onyewu signs with AC Milan

After a summer of speculation about where he may wind up, Oguchi Onyewu has signed with one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Onyewu has signed with AC Milan, joining the Italian giants on a free transfer. Milan announced the signing on its club website.

A standout for Standard Liege over the past five seasons, Onyewu left the Belgian club after helping lead Liege to a pair of Jupiler League championships. He had been linked with clubs ranging from Fenerbahce to Ajax to Real Madrid, but ultimately landed with AC Milan in a deal finalized on Monday evening.

Report: Real Madrid eyeing Onyewu

 

Oguchi Onyewu has apparently caught the eye of none other than mega-million-spending club Real Madrid, who could land the U.S. defender if its bid for Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa falls through.

That's what Spanish website Mundo Deportivo is claiming in a report released today. The report suggests that Real Madrid would sign Onyewu, at least in part, as part of a plan to make headway in the United States and establish it as one of the most popular clubs in this country.

It is the silly season though, so reports from foreign websites must always be taken with a grain of salt. In general, Spanish newspaper Marca is the top source for Real Madrid news and the paper's website has nothing on any Onyewu interest.

Also, the Deportivo report suggests that Onyewu would be an alternative to Arbeloa, a fullback by trade (though someone who can play centerback badly if needed). The story also suggest that Onyewu can play as a central defender and as a fullback. Listen folks, Onyewu is a beast in the air and a solid centerback, but he would get torched like a fried turkey if he played right back in La Liga.

Gold Cup: Adu's chance to shine

 

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Freddy Adu was forced to watch every minute of the U.S. national team's dream run to the final of the Confederations Cup from the bench. That most likely will not be the case for him in the Gold Cup.

Coming off a disappointing season with Monaco, Adu is expected to see significant playing time for the U.S. throughout the CONCACAF tournament and he will also most likely be handed the keys to the team's offense.

This opportunity will be vital for Adu as it will give him a chance to prove his worth consistently, as well as provide him with a way to make a case for his inclusion in the remainder of the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

Zizzo close to loan move to Fortuna Dusseldorf

Sal Zizzo is close to finalizing a loan deal from Hannover 96 to Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany's Bundesliga II.

The one-year loan deal is in the final steps of negotiations with Zizzo just needing to pass a physical before officially joining the recently promoted club.

Zizzo, who transferred to the Hannover in 2007 following his impressive performance at the U-20 World Cup, played in only five games for Hannover this past season.

What do you think of Zizzo getting loaned out? Think Fortuna Dusseldorf is a good fit? Do you think he should be on the Gold Cup roster?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Transfer rumors abuzz as interest in Americans grows

 

                                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

American soccer fans weren't the only ones watching the U.S. national team's run to the Confederations Cup final, and the stellar performances from several American players to make it happen. European scouts were also watching and now clubs from all over Europe are suddenly in the market for Americans.

The summer transfer market is always good for rumors and potential moves, but this is the first summer when several top U.S. players are at the heart of the speculation. If you haven't been able to keep up with all the transfer talk, here is a rundown of some of the speculation:

Clint Dempsey has been linked to a move to Everton, but there are rumblings about clubs from Spain to Germany. With just one year left on his deal, and with Dempsey having rejected a recent contract extension, look for Fulham to sell and look for Dempsey to move on to a bigger club.

Torres looking forward to downtime

Jose Francisco Torres did not see a minute of playing time for the U.S. national team in the Confederations Cup, but that hasn't stopped him from looking forward to a vacation.

In an interview with yanks-abroad.com, the Pachuca midfielder stated that he wants to play in the Gold Cup (which starts July 3) but that his body is in need of rest after a year and a half of activity, which included the FIFA Club World Cup, Pachuca's Clausura season and World Cup qualifiers.

Torres, who has not played since the U.S. team's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on June 3, has also recently been linked with a move to Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna, but has stated that he intends to return to Mexico for the fall's Apertura season.

Still think Torres should have played in the Confederations Cup? Wish he was on the Gold Cup squad? Would you like to see him go to Deportivo la Coruna or should he stay with Pachuca?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Mid-Day Musings (Cervi receives passport, Confed Cup thoughts and more)

As the American Soccer landscape takes a bit of a breather after Confederations Cup and before the CONCACAF Gold Cup, there is plenty to discuss. Here are some news items, topics and tidbits to go over as we get through Monday.

----------

So who is the first American to complete a move to Europe this summer? No, not any of the Confederations Cup players. Try goalkeeper Dominic Cervi, who finally received his Italian passport and is finalizing his long-awaited move to Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC. The former Chicago Fire draft pick had been waiting for a year to have this deal completed, and now he will be added to the list of Americans plying their trade at top European clubs.

If this story sounds familiar, it should.

European clubs eyeing Clark and Davies

 

                                                                               Photo by ISIphotos.com

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

When the U.S. national team closed out its historic run in the Confederations Cup on Sunday, one got the sense that it would only be a matter of time before European suitors came calling for some of the team's key contributors.

It only took one day.

Midfielder Ricardo Clark and forward Charlie Davies, two of the U.S. team's standout players in the tournament, received interest from European clubs almost immediately following the conclusion of the Confederations Cup final, where the U.S. fought valiantly before giving up a two goal lead and falling, 3-2, to five-time world champions Brazil.

Clark, who enjoyed a stellar tournament despite missing one game to suspension, is being linked with Rennes. The Houston Dynamo midfielder's agent revealed that the French club has inquired about Clark.

Jermaine Jones sidelined with hairline leg fracture

 

If you were hoping to see Jermaine Jones suiting up for the U.S. national team some time soon, you will have to wait a while longer.

The Schalke 04 midfielder and aspiring U.S. national team player has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left leg after undergoing a scan to find the source of some lingering pain. There is no timetable on Jones' return to action, but he could be out from six to eight weeks.

That timetable, as well as the time he would need to regain fitness and start playing club soccer again, could push back a potential U.S. national team debut to October. Jones still has to have his request for a change of national team approved by FIFA, but it is expected to be finalized by the Fall.

Also, in an interview with German magazine Kicker, Jones downplayed reports about new Schalke 04 manager Felix Magath's unhappiness with him switching from Germany to the United States (citing concerns about the added travel), stating that he had spoken to Magath and the coach understood his motives for playing for the United States.

What do you think of this news? Disappointed? Were you hoping he could be in Azteca in August? Not worried because the United States can beat anybody, with or without Jones?

Share your thoughts below.

Would Fulham be a good fit for Altidore?

 

                                                                                 Photo by ISIphotos.com

Fulham has had its share of Americans pass through the ranks in recent years, with many enjoying very successful stints. Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, Carlos Bocanegra, Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey have all worn Fulham shirts in the past decade and the Cottagers already have their eye on the next Yank to make the move to London.

According to a rather brief Daily Mail report, Roy Hodgson is considering bringing in Jozy Altidore on a loan from Villarreal. A loan of some sort seems inevitable for Altidore, who doesn't figure into Villarreal's first team plans for the upcoming season.

So is Fulham, and the English Premier League, a good fit for the 19-year-old striker?