While you are having your morning coffee (which is hopefully Irish,) let’s check out some of the morning headlines in MLS and in the soccer world:
Sepp Blatter rules out FIFA revisiting vote for 2018, 2022 World Cups-ESPN.com
It has been another exciting week in the world of FIFA with the organization’s chief ethics investigator, Michael Garcia, resigning .
According to Garcia, the summary that FIFA released about allegations of misconduct during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups was different from was written in the actual report. The summary was drafted by German Judge Hans-Joachim Eckhert (a former member of FIFA’s executive committee. Conflict of interest?) , who was to work in concert with Garcia on the investigation. In his resignation letter, Garcia stated about the summary that it contained “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions.”
Now this may shock some people but FIFA at first were hesitant to release Garcia’s full report. It would even seem foolish to do after the President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, announced that there would be not be any revisiting of the 2018, 2022 World Cups. But then again FIFA did also decide today to release the full Garcia report, albeit with names and dates redacted.
Gasoline, meet matches.
Chicago Fire Transfer DP Juan Luis Anangono to Leones Negres – Chicago Fire
Anangono, who was on loan last season with LDU Quito in Ecuador, never really came on as a striker with the Fire. After signing as a Designated Player in 2013 the Ecuadorean would score just 6 goals in all competitions for Chicago. What is even more mystifying is that while on loan with Quito he was very effective, scoring 11 goals in 2014. Exact terms of the transfer fee were not announced.
More from Chicago Fire
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- Chicago Fire and the Pursuit of Robert Lewandowski
- Xherdan Shaqiri in Chicago Fire’s MLS 2023 Concluded Season
- New York City FC 1-0 Chicago Fire: Bury me softly
- Chicago Fire 0-2 Charlotte FC: Unserious behavior
With the club signing strikers
and David Accam to pair with Quincy Amarikawa (8 goals in 2014,) Anangono became a bit of a luxury. At 24 he still has plenty of time to turn his career around. The
Black Lions
struggled to find the back of the net in Liga MX’s 2014 Apertura, scoring just 10 times in 17 matches. This will be the perfect opportunity for him to turn his career around.
Sporting Kansas City acquire goalkeeper Luis Marin and forward Krisztian Nemeth– Kansas City.com
The overhaul at Sporting Park continued on Tuesday as Sporting Kansas City acquiring goalkeeper Luis Marin from Universidad de Chile and forward Krisztian Nemeth from Roda JC Kerkrade in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Both players should fill an immediate need on a Sporting Kansas City side that limped into the playoffs this season. Marin, 31, made 14 appearances with Universidad de Chile helping lead them to the 2014 Apertura in the Chilean Primera Division.
He also has World Cup experience with the Chilean national team having made the roster for Marcelo Bielsa’s side in South Africa in 2010. For a Sporting Kansas City side that lacked a solid veteran goalkeeper in 2014 (something that they had for years with Jimmy Nielsen) Marin should provide an immediate upgrade.
The Nemeth move should also provide immediate dividends. The 25-year old Hungarian is known for being a set-up forward and for his back-heel passes into open space. Sporting forward Dom Dwyer (who just signed a contract extension with the club) was often left to taking on two, three defenders at a time. Nemeth should divert the attention of defenders enough that Dwyer can have more open space to work with.
Report: Real Salt Lake have traded Sebastian Velasquez to NYCFC– Salt Lake Tribune
This seems like a win, win for both teams. Velasquez struggled to find minutes in RSL Coach Jeff Cassar’s side in 2014. The 23 year old played in just 10 matches, only one of which was a start. At NYCFC, He will be reuniting with his former coach at RSL in Jason Kreis, and former midfield partner Ned Grabavoy.
U.S. Men’s National Team rises to 27th, while Canada falls to 112th in FIFA World Rankings-MLS Soccer
So let me get this straight: the U.S. Men’s National Team lose two friendlies in very bad fashion and somehow rise in the ranking yet Canada gets their first win in two years and they drop in the rankings?
FIFA logic.