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Is Adu training in Spain “first step” to Euro return? Henry to Arsenal deal, more

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Is Freddy Adu already thinking about returning to Europe?

A report from SI titled “Adu to train with Spanish club with eye on move” says Rayo Vallecano sporting director Felipe Minambres told The Associated Press on Thursday, “This is the first step, that he comes and trains and gets to know us and the club, and we get to know him. He’ll come and train and we’ll see how he gets on and then we’ll make a decision of whether or not he stays.”

The crappy translation of this report from Marca also suggests a move is possible. (Original Spanish language version here.) Adu’s agent, Richard Motzkin, is quoted as saying the Union believes the training stint “is a good opportunity to grow as a footballer.”

As was the case with we linked to on Wednesday, a report at MLSsoccer.com also says that Adu is not on trial with the Spanish club but that the club is interested in the Union midfielder: “While Adu’s visit is not being considered a trial, sources indicated to MLSsoccer.com that Rayo have been admiring Adu for some time now.”

A report on the Union website about Adu’s European training merely lists all of the other Union players who have trained in Europe or with the US U-23 team over the offseason.

Looking at the offseason so far, SBI says the Union and Kansas City, “two clubs that felt they had what it took to win the conference crown last season before ultimately losing out to the Houston Dynamo,” did the most to augment their rosters. “With SKC adding Bobby Convey to the fold and Philadelphia tapping into the international market to add talent from Costa Rica and Panama, the two teams figure to be very much in the mix yet again in 2012.”

Goal.com has a list of New Year’s resolutions for each MLS team. The Union’s? “Find a second goalscorer.”

The Union’s friendly with Real Madrid made Uwishunu.com’s Best of 2011 in Photos list.

Philadelphia Independence

Eclipseselect.com checks in with PSP favorite Jen Buczkowski. “I have not officially signed, but I have talked to Paul and [owner/CEO] David [Halstead]. Many people have not signed, but maybe in the next week or two you’ll see a lot more signings. But the plan is to stay in Philadelphia.”

MLS

The Daily Mail is reporting that Arsenal have offered Thierry Henry a two-month loan deal.

Rumors recently returned that Ronaldinho might be headed to LA Galaxy. Maybe not. Jerome Meary, one of the player’s representatives in France, says, “Yes, we’re trying to bring Ronnie to the league, but there may be a surprise in which club he could play for…We are preparing a big offer, but it is not with Los Angeles.” What do you think—New York? Seattle? The Union? Or maybe he’ll just be staying in Brazil, like this report and this report say.

The Telegraph is reporting that David Beckham has been offered a new deal to extend his stay with LA Galaxy for another year. Please, David, make up your mind. We are all sick of this.

The Shin Guardian weighs in on the whole is Tim Ream going to Bolton thing.

The RSL Soapbox series on what changes are coming to MLS in 2012 continues with a look at the new league schedule and asks a simple question: does the new unbalanced schedule look like something that is easier? Cleaner? Better?

The Kansas City Star wonders if the shortage Sporting jerseys in the KC area during the Christmas shopping season could mean a new shirt sponsorship deal is imminent.

US

Preston Zimmerman, a former US youth international from Washington currently playing in Germany’s Third Division (I’ve never heard of the guy, either), created a shitestorm on Twitter yesterday with a series of tweets lambasting Jurgen Klinsmann’s mining of dual national Germany-based players, or “fake Americans,” arguing that it takes opportunities from quality “real Americans” playing in US colleges and MLS. SBI thoughtfully rounds up all 17 of Zimmerman’s tweets.

More evidence that the USMNT will play a friendly with Italy on February 29.

Elsewhere

Footballistically.com discusses why, when it comes to match and player statistics, context is the key to analysis.

The Washington Times top 10 moments in soccer of 2011 reads like it was written by a 10-year-old. Here are the opening three sentences for their top moment of the year, the Champions League final. “This was the greatest moment in soccer in 2011. It was sublime soccer. It was probably the best performance by a team ever.” Mom, Johnny keeps looking at me and he won’t give me my ball back.

The Economist looks at why the Chinese men’s team sucks.

George Sacko was captain of the Liberian national team in the 1960s, a legend in his homeland. In September, he died penniless on the streets of Newark.

8 Comments

  1. If Freddy wants to go to Rayo, he should. I prefer players who want to be here.

  2. Ronaldinho to the UNION was my first thought too! We need help scoring and we have that billionaire minority owner now. I’ll send him menus from the restaurants right now if he wants.

  3. He couldn’t hold onto the ball, connect passes, dribble or maintain a good first touch in the mls, but wants to try his hand in La Liga? Ha.

  4. I, for one, am still excited about Adu. He played out of position the entire time with the Union and wasn’t fit. In the Gold Cup, Mexico showed more respect to him than any Americans outside of Dempsey and Donovan. Give the man a chance with a full offseason to be fully integrated into the offense. Rayo is expressing interest in him, so they clearly see the potential too. Patience. With Freddy sitting under Le Toux and Martinez, surrounded by real wingers (i.e. not Torres), I think you will see a different player.

    • Agreed. As much as I love Torres I would rather have a U.S. national team player then anyone else, but Freddy needs to show some heart for the team. Maybe he did not intend this or maybe this is the doing of the Rayo manager, but on face value this seems like a player trying to leave.

  5. Kensington Josh says:

    If someone takes Adu off our hands, for the money we’re paying- we’d be lucky.

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