Ich bin ein Bavarian!

Landon Donovan made his Bayern Munich debut in a 3-2 friendly win over Al-Jazira in the UAE. The American notched an assist on FC Hollywood's first, then set up the second by winning a danger free kick for Daniel van Buyten to bury.

Donovan told the club website, "It was fun! My legs were still a bit heavy... for the first match, it wasn't bad."

NSC pal Chris Courtney gives a good summary write-up here, so I'll just add the requisite assist video.




- Greg Seltzer

One more for the week!

I have a few transfer morsels that I picked up to share before I chill out and watch Traitor. I hope it's good, I love Don Cheadle!

• Expect Lee Nguyen to be presented by Vietnamese side Hoàng Anh Gia Lai next weekend, give or take a couple days. The MLS suitor has dropped out.
  

• Oguchi Onyewu agent Lyle Yorks told me it was "99% that he'd sign a pre-contract to start with his new club in summer." He also said he expected his client to decide on a destination during January.
  
  Now, let's see who else Standard keeps for that UEFA Cup run.

• Wake Forest striker Marcus Tracy (pictured above) will indeed be unveiled as an Aalborg player in the middle of next week. I'd been trying to keep this a secret all week for a full scoop, but a Danish scribe got wind before I could get confirmation. I have that now.
  
  Today, Marcus is in my hometown of St. Louis to pick up the Hermann Trophy, so congrats on both fronts!
  

• Luis Arroyave gets Fire exec Frank Klopas to shoot down Marco Pappa departure talk over at the Red Card.

• As presumed elsewhere, Duke forward Mike Grella is weighing interest from overseas. He does hold a European passport, by the way.
  

• Dartmouth keeper Sean Milligan has admitted he has a European trial scheduled for after the MLS Combine.

• Marca says Everton's Jozy Altidore approach was actually for a six-month loan.

• This article says Jared Borgetti has three MLS suitors, not two. Chivas USA is again specifically mentioned, but they still have that matter of trading to get a Designated Player spot back from New York. Meanwhile, the Mexico star has been left in limbo by Tigre's MIA executives. Hmmm.

• Expect a Sal Zizzo loan to happen before long, but it's still unclear whether the Hannover 96 winger will make the short trip to Hansa Rostock or head abroad. I still have my fingers crossed for the Netherlands, though I'm not certain that is still an option.

By the way... if you've never seen Tracy in action, here's his most famous goal from last year's College Cup title run...



- Greg Seltzer

Seriously... what the hell were they thinking?

Franck, Franck, Franck, Franck, Franck.

Who do you think you are? Cristiano Ronaldo*?

* = scroll down to 12.50 for the relevant bit.

- Greg Seltzer

Another look...

Perhaps, the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team didn't get enough attention for winning the World Cup recently. Thankfully, the federation decided to put together this video to let the girls and coach Tony tell the story themselves.



- Greg Seltzer

Childrens do learn!

I was going to do a new Top 5 today, but I woke up feeling overly crummy. Instead, I will focus my meager level of energy chasing transfer leads...

• This is actually not a transfer note, but... I have learned Aston Villa's American reserve defender Eric Lichaj will sign a two-year extension to his current contract on Tuesday. I will have a story up at Soccer365 by the top of the hour.
  
  UPDATE: Ta-da! By the way, I forgot to mention earlier that Licahj could go out on loan in 2009. Some teams are very interested.
  

• My Turkish birdie scored on the Bobby Boswell tip, and now he says that's all but a done deal. Unfortunately, I could not track down my English speaking contact at Antalyaspor before the close of business. We try again tomorrow, unless Glenn Davis or Bernardo Fallas gets the confirmation in Houston.
  
  UPDATE: Expect Boswell to start in the club's Friday friendly against FC Nürnberg. The team will then square off against Heerenveen on Sunday as part of the Antalya-Cup, which features decent Super Lig side Trabzonspor as the fourth.
  
  Who might he run up against tomorrow? That would likely be some combination of Greece hero Angelos Charisteas, Switzerland's Daniel Gygax, Slovakia playmaker Marek Mintal and Ghana strike understudy Isaac Boakye. It should be a good test.
  
  I may even be able to catch a game or two on my lone Turkish TV station. Ahhh, cosmopolitan cities...
  

• I have a Marcus Tracy lead. As I'm sure you know by now, the Wake Forest power forward has rejected an MLS contract. I can't say anymore yet, but know I'm on it as if it was a lost pizza.
  
  UPDATE: Since it seems to have caught the wind in Denmark, I'll go ahead and spill. It appears Aalborg BK are about to beat German interest to sign the forward. I hope to speak with the club's technical director around lunchtime on Friday for some confirmation.
  
  UPDATE UPDATE: AaB exec Lynge Jacobsen would not comment. It seem they are trying to get this done as quietly as possible to avoid a bidding war with other interested clubs in Germany and Norway. I've been trying to get someone at Aalborg to talk about this for three days now.
  

• Villarreal have reportedly laughed off an Everton offer for Jozy Altidore. And when I say 'reportedly', I mean by UK sources... so... take that for what it's worth. This version had them ready to offer the Yellow Submarines a handsome six-month return.
  

• Lorient midfielder Andrew Jacobsen is on trial with Tally Hally's club, Esbjerg.

• NSC pal TJ Boyce reports over at MLS Daily that D.C. United are the MLS team after Kamani Hill. Hmmm. They just re-signed Quaranta and are about to re-sign Namoff, so perhaps they want right-side cover.
  

• Soccer By Ives has a juicy MLS pre-draft trade talk sheet up today.

• As I expected, Joe Cannon will stay with San Jose. Meanwhile, Center Line's Jeff Carlisle also gives us an idea of what to expect with three other Quakes question marks: Francisco Lima will probably be back, Scott Sealy probably won't and Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall probably isn't arriving soon.

More later, hopefully much more. This day of hunting will go late.

UPDATE: Okay, no more for today. Darn.

Everybody say it with me... "We try again tomorrow."

Oh... and if you're wondering what on Earth the post title means. here ya go. Don't ask me why, I'm half delirious.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Childrens Do Learn

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

- Greg Seltzer

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