A few things...

I've over-typed the last several days. My right arm is a bit noodly. I shall go fast...

#1 - The Chicago Fire are close to re-signing mercurial playmaker Cuauhtémoc Blanco, says NSC pal Luis Arroyave over at the Red Card. Good thing, too... other MLS clubs were among those hovering.

Ha! Just imagine if he turned up in New York.

#2 - MLS has released the 2009 Generation adidas signing list, which you may note does not include Wake Forest strike ace Marcus Tracy (I'm already on it, trust me).

Still quite an impressive group: defender Kevin Alston (Indiana), midfielder Danny Cruz (UNLV), keeper Stefan Frei (California), defender Omar Gonzalez (Maryland), midfielder Jeremy Hall (Maryland), midfielder Baggio Husidic (University of Illinois-Chicago), forward Peri Marosevic (Michigan), midfielder Rodney Wallace (Maryland) and forward Steve Zakuani (Akron).

#3 - We pass the ball to Goal's Kyle McCarthy, who looks at the impact made by Generation adidas signings through the years.

#4 - I almost forgot to mention that my Jimmy Conrad interview is up at S365. Did anyone else realize he nearly joined a good Bundesliga side? I didn't.

He also talks about tutoring young K.C. defenders and taking a coaching license course, among other things.

#5 - Let's close today with some USMNT camp opening words from coach Bob Bradley and a few players...



- Greg Seltzer

Who likes 2008 National Team goals?

U.S. Soccer has put together special 2008 goal reels for both senior teams. Enjoy...

USMNT



USWNT





- Greg Seltzer

Kenny talks

The folks over at Goal give us a video interview with USMNT forward Kenny Cooper, who becomes very diplomatic once the subject turns to ongoing transfer interest from England and Germany.




And in case you are jonesin' for some soccer, here's a reel of Kenny's work for FC Dallas.




- Greg Seltzer

Oh my gosh, rumours are fun!

[Photo: Agencja Przegląd Sportowy]

And here's a doozy:

Polish reports say the national federation are already lining up USMNT assistant coach Piotr Nowak to take the Poland reigns should Leo Beenhakker fail to get them into World Cup 2010.

The English equivalent is here.

Personally... I wouldn't buy that for a dime if it came with a free Tootsie Roll. I think Nowak, who led our boys at the 2008 Summer Olympics, has too much invested in American soccer. I'd bet dollars to donuts he's rather stay in line for a shot at the top USMNT job than take a flier overseas - even with Poland.

As is often the case, we shall see...

• This one is apparently rumour no more: Norwegian outlet Adressa reports that Rosenborg's Costa Rica defender Roy Miller is set for a one-year loan with the Seattle Sounders. Nice snag, Mr. Henderson.
  

• The People says Chicago have made an offer to erstwhile Blackburn forward and certified cuckoo-ball Robbie Fowler. Then again, apparently so have Turkish giants Beşiktaş.
  
  Oh sure, why wouldn't this work? Denis Hamlett already enjoyed Tomas Frankowski so much. And that was amateur night.
  

• Charlie Davies agent Lyle Yorks told Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America that the Hammarby striker now has a suitor from Germany. I'd post the link, but subscription is required.
  
  So who are ze prime zuspectz? Assuming it is Bundesliga we're talking about, there are several need possibilities. Factoring in other variables like available budget, I'd guess-timate we are looking at Arminia Bielefeld, Bochum or Energie Cottbus.
  
  Not so exciting? Any teams further up the table that miiiight be the one? Maaaaybe third place Hertha Berlin if hot topic Marko Pantelic is really leaving, Stuttgart or Wolfsburg.
  
  Isn't this fun?!?
  

Well, I didn't personally dig anything up today, but we try again tomorrow. At least I finally caught up with Jimmy Conrad. Good talk, be up tomorrow at Soccer365.

Speaking of Conrad, why wasn't he called to USMNT camp ahead of either San Jose's Jason Hernandez or Colorado's Igo Ihemelu? Hmmm. Details over at the USMNT blog, which you can find the way to over in the NSC Reading Room.

And in case you forgot... Scrubs comes back tonight with two episodes!



- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

[Photo: Bildbyrån]

I know, it's now three of the last five posts... shut up, life is busy!

#1 - A few heads up on stuff I've dropped at Soccer365 in the last 24 hours or so: you can now find one 2008 All-American Squad headed by Hammarby forward Charlie Davies (I hope everyone likes the twist), one talk with USMNT defender Danny Califf and one thumbs up report from recent injury returnee Jonathan Spector of West Ham.

#2 - The USMNT camp got lighter by two names as defenders Cory Gibbs and Clarence Goodson pulled out. The latter is not yet 100% from recent ankle surgery, but I am not sure why my buddy Cory asked out... will certainly ask him if I get the chance, though.

#3 - On Sunday, Monaco played a Coupe de France match at fifth division mini-mites Blagnac.

Manager Ricardo, who only made one sub, did not give Freddy Adu a single second of pitch time - against a fifth division club.

Despite playing half their regulars, the visitors only managed a 1-0 win - against a fifth division club.

Okay, so can anyone tell me: why does Ricardo still have a job?

#4 - Bayern Munich has an interview with winter catch Landon Donovan... you may have heard of him.

#5 - You may come across an Israeli report linking Standard's Oguchi Onyewu with Maccabi Haifa. It should go without saying... but yes, disregard it.

#6 - Reports from Vietnam say Lee Nguyen is set to join Hoang Anh Gia Lai from Randers FC, but I've yet to see any official word. If it does happen, I certainly hope American fans will be much more supportive of the move than they were in the rumour phase.

A quick newsflash for those who whine that he is sabotaging his career, and by connection, a small bit of USMNT hope for the future...

It is his life, and this is obviously important to him. He doesn't owe anyone other than himself anything.


- Greg Seltzer

Who likes goals?

There will be a few more once a certain Portuguese site starts working again...

UPDATE: They've been added.

Arjan Robben boots Real Madrid past Villarreal.



Rangers' Pedro Mendes with a proper belter.



Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Iraola gets clever to draw Espanyol (be sure to have the volume down, this Basque announcer goes cuckoo).



While we're upside down, let's check out Porto's Christian Rodriguez.



Nathan Tyson begins Nottingham Forest's FA Cup ouster of Man City with a cracked volley.



Finally, Everton's Leon Osman breaks Macclesfield hearts.




- Greg Seltzer

Kickin' it with Jared

Club Brugge has posted an interview with midfield apprentice Jared Jeffrey, complete with a few reels of him in action. You can be sure I'll have this kid on the horn once he breaks into the first team, which I'd guess will happen during the second half of the season. Enjoy...



- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

[Photo: Digitalsport]

I want another day off - my first official whine of 2009.

#1 - Joining the likes of Bobby Boswell and Freddy Adu, Vålerenga keeper Troy Perkins now has a blog up at the club's official website. In this edition, he talks about spending the holidays in Norway.

Of course, that pic above is a bit ironic considering Perkins will report to the Home Depot Center in California on Sunday for international duty. If you ask me, he should start the Sweden match, if not play the full 90.

#2 - I just realized this post makes back-to-back A few things... 's.

I'd apologize, but actually maybe we should just make it an annual January 2nd tradition.

Anyway, I still hope to have some real goodies over at Soccer365 next week (such as that Jimmy Conrad chat I mentioned), but I will definitely have my All-American team for 2008 up on Monday morning. Yep, every USMNT-eligible player is in the running by position, regardless of league. I've yet to decide the formation, but this should be fun.

#3 - NSC pal and guitar guru Chris Courtney lists some things to watch for in 2009, and then takes one last video look back to the year that was, over at Letters From Vagabondia.

#4 - Another NSC favorite, Luis Bueno, makes five predictions for 2009 - including a U.S. v Mexico whopper - over at Sports Illustrated.

#5 - The Herald talks to Dynamo playmaker Stuart Holden about his USMNT loyalties and whether he'd like to play in the UK again. The Scottish-born youngster says he's true Red, White & Blue.

#6 - It looks as though Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall is set to sign with MLS. San Jose has been rumoured to be his landing spot. That would be a very nice pick-up for Frank Yallop and the Quakes. This guys works very hard in the middle of the park.

Speaking of CONCACAF stars on the move, CD Guadalajara are trying to snag fast Spurs outcast Giovanni Dos Santos. Somebody needs to give this kid playing time. Isn't it funny? The longstanding "next big hope" for both the USMNT and Mexico can't get regular action.

#7 - For what it's worth: Standard winger Axel Witsel - a hot transfer topic himself - says Oguchi Onyewu will stay at Sclessin for the rest of the season and leave on a free transfer next summer.

Well... everyone at Standard seems sure he will finish the campaign in red. Then again, they don't make the decision. We shall see, Axel.

By the way, I love how Anderlecht are calling transfer target Ondřej Mazuch of Fiorentina 'the new Onyewu'. It doesn't matter how much you kiss his butt, guys - Standard won't sell to a title rival and you would be out-glamour-ed in summer.

Back with more in a bit...

- Greg Seltzer