Seattle Sounders FC have made the second signing in their clubs' brief history. Former US International goalkeeper Kasey Keller, a veteran of four World Cups (1990, 1998, 2002, 2006), will be joining the club for their inaugural season in 2009.
Keller has 102 caps for the US Men's National Team and is also the United States all-time leader in wins and clean sheets. Keller spent last season helping Fulham avoid relegation from the English Premier League, and has also spent time at Millwall and Tottenham.
Alexi Lalas and Ruud Gullit have queued up at the unemployment office. Gullit reportedly resigned earlier this week, though many signs point to him being pushed out.
Lalas was fired in a move that may prove to be the smartest one that the Los Angeles Galaxy have made in some time. Lalas was the first American to play in Serie A, and has gone on to be the first American to formerly play in Serie A and later try and run an MLS franchise into the ground.
Speaking of LA, former Galaxy and US MNT star Cobi Jones was named the interim coach. In his first match, playing in the superclasico against neighbors Chivas USA, Jones managed a 2-2 draw.
Cobi had to start looking over his shoulder immediately however, as former US coach Bruce Arena was in attendance at the game as a guest of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, owners of the Galaxy. Arena was named the new coach of the Galaxy one day later. Luckily for Jones, I don't think he had enough time to get unpacked, making his move out of the coach's office an easy one.
The US Olympic Soccer Team is heading back home after a loss to Nigeria to close the group stages of the competition. After 182.5 minutes of Olympic soccer, the US looked to be the favorites to take six points into the final group game, with a quarterfinal berth already clinched. Instead, a stupid foul in stoppage time against the Netherlands by Stuart Holden led to a Gerald Sibon goal just seconds from full time.
The US would draw that game, and then go on to lose to Nigeria while fielding a lineup depleted through yellow card accumulation.
On a positive Olympic note, the US Women's Team, minus one Abby Wambach, has advanced to the semifinals after dispatching Canada 2-1 in overtime. The names may not be as recognizable as Mia Hamm or Michelle Akers, but this team can still play. Even without Wambach, they have to be favorites to take home the gold.
And last, but not least, this is the first MLS News Roundup so far that has not featured a story about one MLS player punching another in the face. Join me next time when we try and make it two in a row.
4 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dakota Rubin 10 months ago
I am very excited for the addition of a new franchise. If the Earthquake are any indication of the learning curve of new clubs that is good news for the league.
The Galaxy are all over the place but seem to be putting the pieces back together pretty well. I am interested to see how the team reacts to a brand new coach in mid-season. Sometimes it is better to have an interim coach that has been part of the system finish the season for continuities sake. Landon Donovan staying or leaving could play a huge role in how successful this team is the rest of the way.
The womens team still has to contend with Brazil and Marta. Not an easy task by any stretch. Germany and Japan are also still in the mix. But I would expect a medal at least from the US, which was not a given after the first match of the tournament.
Great report on the going-ons.
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Joe G 10 months ago
Bruce Arena is a proven winner but you're right, Cobi Jones knows those players and probably has a better idea of how to right the ship in LA than anybody else they could have brought in to coach.
And the US Women took down Brazil twice pre-Olympics, but they had Wambach for the first 1.5 games, and Brazil was without Marta. Aside from their first game, the US has stepped up really well in the Olympics, but they haven't played a team of Brazil's caliber yet.
Thanks for the pick and the comments.
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Thomas 10 months ago
I already hate the Sounders, but I love Keller.
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Joe G 10 months ago
Haha, already? But they've only signed two players so far! And earlier on, it was rumored that Paul Allen was willing to throw $250,000 a week at Thierry Henry. They're bringing top flight soccer back to a part of the country that loves the game.
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