Agudelo to AS Roma, Donovan to Club America and Del Piero to the Galaxy

New York, NY (May 18, 2011)—The rumor mill is spinning wildly around Major League Soccer.

The American investors who recently purchased AS Roma are reportedly eager to add an American star player to the “Yellow-Reds” to play alongside living legend, Francesco Totti, the club’s current captain. There is talk that Red Sox minority owner, Thomas DiBenedetto, is pushing to acquire America’s all-around best player, Landon Donovan, of the LA Galaxy, a move that could generate an estimated $14 million transfer fee for MLS.

News reports indicate that if established American stars like Donovan prove to be a bit too expensive, AS Roma will turn its focus on young and emerging American stars with much promise, like 18 year-old Colombian-American star forward Juan Agudelo of the New York Red Bulls.

Donovan’s name is also being mentioned repeatedly in Mexico’s Primera Division circles. Various news outlets, including ESPN Deportes, are reporting that Club America is seriously considering making an offer for the 29-year old American star, the US national team’s all-time leading scorer with 45 goals.

There is also a rumor “in reverse,” an Italian star coming to America. Living legend, Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus FC's most celebrated striker of the last few decades, is reportedly interested in playing for the LA Galaxy. If the 36 year-old Italian icon is just interested in collecting a few more paydays and playing leisurely in sunny Southern California, he is in for a big surprise. The expectations will be high. If he does not believe it, he can ask David Beckham.

"Play in America? That could be a possibility,” Del Piero is quoted in the Italian press. “It’s a country that I do like. I could also take advantage of such an opportunity by going to watch the LA Lakers play…” (Alessandro surely missed this year’s NBA playoffs and did not watch the Lakers get trashed by the Dallas Mavericks! Not much to watch anymore, Alessandro!).

Dominican youngster wins “Sueño MLS” 2011 competition presented by Allstate.

Showcasing soccer's global appeal, MLS recently announced that Dominican Republic born forward Birnes Adames won the “Sueño MLS” 2011 field player search. His accomplishment earned the 18-year old an invitation to join one of the Philadelphia Union's Academy teams as his home town of Camden, N.J., falls within that region.

Adames, born in Santa Cruz de Mao, Dominican Republic, was one of 1,200 aspiring players that competed in regional tryouts in Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia. The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation renowned for its ability to produce world class baseball players. But as we can see, the country is also home to first class native soccer talent.

16 year-old Anthony Hall from Dallas, Texas, beat out two other finalists to win the Allstate "Good Hands" top goalkeeper designation.