A few things...

Man, it's easy to get rusty having not played for three weeks at age 40. I mean, I usually don't feel my age at all. But I am now. Yeah, go ahead and laugh, suckas. You're all next and I have Nurse Distracter. Getting "old" isn't so bad after all.

Seriously, shut up...

#1 - I have completed the promised feature for S365, my Top 5 MLS Draft Days of all-time... "all-time" of course being 14 years. As we lead up to next week's SuperDraft in Philly, I will drop a couple other T5L's, with one of them dropping here tomorrow.

#2 - Okay... you guys have been really patient despite my oh-so-innocent taunting, so I'm going to toss out a conversation piece. The only reason I tell you this is because of a potent combo: it's been doubly confirmed and the club basically has no chance at winning the race.

Anyway, one of the teams that wanted Ricardo Clark bad before the crowd rushed in was Danish power Brøndby. At this point, they've essentially thrown in the towel, so I figured why not let something slip. And there ya go. Another piece of the seven countries puzzle solved.

#3 - From Americans in the UK: Landon Donovan is ready to bring the Mersey funk and DaMarcus Beasley has issued Rangers a "re-sign me" plea.

Sticking with Donovan, he was issued the honor of the #9 shirt at Everton. Whoa. That's no light joke, ask any Toffee. Ladies and gentleman, start your jersey orders...



#4 - On a mostly unrelated note, I saw the nomination list over in the voting thread for BigSoccer's Top Albums of the Decade. I hereby must insist that any ballot received which does not include Kanye West's College Dropout be excluded, outed and mocked. And then, some local interns somewhere can be hired to go home deliver a slap.

In case you're wondering, yes, that is Climbing The Ladder's scaryice doing the official tabulation. So if my suggestion isn't taken into account, he is to blame. But don't hold it against so much that you refuse to refer to his updated 2010 SuperDraft guide.

#5 - I kept missing Millwall defender Zak Whitbread's agent today and it appears what I really missed out on for my bad timing was this scoop: he is set for a Norwich City medical. The Canaries currently hold down the second automatic promotion place in League One.

#6 - I meant to have this on the last AFT and somehow missed it on my notepad: SI's Luis Bueno offers up five predictions for 2010.

#7 - The Red Bulls have hired Swedish coach Hans Backe. I'll admit to not knowing a great deal about the guy, but I do know he's a Sven-Goran Eriksson pal. Erm... I also do not know if that makes any difference at all, but it's what I've got. Perhaps we should check in with Big Apple Soccer's Michael Lewis for a more astute scan of the layout in New York.

#8 - Fire defender Gonzalo Segares appears off to beautiful Cyprus to play for Appolon FC. Before you giggle too much, they have qualified for Europe 13 times in the last 25 years.

#9 - The whole USL/NASL mess is sorting out by sharing. Here are the initial details. Sharing is good.

Meanwhile, also in that realm, it's worth noting that the Vancouver Whitecaps just sold Canada youth international striker Marcus Haber to Prem chasers West Brom, currently second in the Championship. Hmm. I sure hope more MLS expansion to Canada sees the league grab these kinds of young players from now on.

#10 - Matters of money may be turning the tide blue in Manchester. The Guardian Blog explains just how much fiscal trouble American Malcolm Glazer has caused Man United in under five years.

Elsewhere, poor Pompey are busy denying talk of a fire sale on the same day they belatedly pay their players.

Gee... who could have seen these problems coming with the Prem's attitude toward money?

#11 - Finally, let's head over to the USMNT Blog for some training notes and photos from camp.



- Greg Seltzer

Video Thursday

I have goodies to chase and a game of my own later, but I am working on a column for S365 for later. For now, I'll occupy you all with some TV that won't rot your brains...

Let's begin with a peek into USMNT camp with Studio 90.




We have another skilled pitch invader, this time in Indonesia. I include 101 Great Goals' post that explains the form of protest that makes this invasion more charming than the norm.




CNN reports on the continuing World Cup prep in South Africa. Hmm, it seems some of those stadium works are cutting it very close. I hope that doesn't become a thing.




We now have a Davide Beccemano's AC Milan three-pack: his individual highlight package from last night's return rout of Genoa, followed by that of suddenly scary again teammate Ronaldinho and then some discussion on the match by the ESPN Press Pass crew.








Finally, we have a great, casual interview feature with former soccer villain/current Hollywood villain Vinnie Jones. His film debut came in one of my all-time favorites - Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. This clip adds in some great stuff from his playing days.




- Greg Seltzer

I'm gonna try to make this a goodies day (updated)

Let's start this one off early and see how much I can add before closing time. I feel like this could be a fruitful day.

• Let's begin with Jeremiah White, who seems to have been switched over to Saudi team Al-Ettifaq. The club owner also owns Qatari outfit Al-Sailiya, but has apparently decided that the American would be better suited for his Saudi crew. I am trying to reach Jeremiah for a confirmation and his thoughts on the matter. The Commandos currently sit 9th in the 12-team Saudi top flight, four points shy of extracurricular cup berths and six points clear of the drop zone.
  
  I'll tell ya... I was a bit stuck on this one, because I'd already reported two sources as saying he was joining Al-Sailiya, only for this "Hmm, should he actually play at my Al-Ettifaq?" episode to start a couple days later. Then, the player was suddenly receiving interest from other enticing places in Asia and Europe, but I was asked not to say anything on the matter yet. I realize this is all quite confusing, so I will try to have a full report up at S365 when I can, complete with a bit more exposition to fill out the wacky story.
  
  Whew... that could have actually turned out bad for me despite, or perhaps because, I was doing the right thing. Ain't life grand?
  
  UPDATE: Still no official word from anywhere and it's getting late in the Middle East. Stay tuned...
  

I have a couple of other things marinating at the moment, but that's a start for now.

• UPDATE #1: The interest for Millwall defender Zak Whitbread has evolved a bit from my last mention of the situation. His rep is no longer working loan deals and has several sides in talks about a full transfer for the player. In addition to Peterborough and another Championship club, he has League One promotion chasers Leeds United, Norwich City and Huddersfield Town (currently first, second and fifth in the table) on the line. I am hoping to have another update on this scene tomorrow.

• UPDATE #2: The Freddy Adu situation is indecipherable today. While Greek papers (and even a few Turkish outlets) all seem certain that he is about to sign on loan with Aris FC, The Daily Mail claims Hull City are trying to move out the salaries of Kevin Kilbane and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to fund a move of some sort (as usual, the UK press seems confused) for Adu.
  
  I've been on the phone with several people in several places about this today, and everyone suddenly seems to have fully zipped lips. The Benfica source I talked snapped off a curt 'No comment on this' the second I told him what the call was about. Even Freddy's Twitter page has gone vague.
  
  Now, I was told a couple days ago that the Aris loan talks were very advanced and kinda assumed the announcement was forthcoming. As unreliable as UK rag reports generally are, they are being quite persistent with this Hull plot and he isn't yet Eddie Johnson's teammate. I'm still just having an incredibly hard time buying this Hull storyline, but... we wait like everyone else, I guess.
  
  UPDATE UPDATE: Adu's loan to Aris FC is done (now in English), he stays through the end of next season. No wonder everyone got overly quiet this morning.
  

FINAL UPDATE: There's still plenty a-stewin', but nothing's quite ready. I thought more could be, but these things cook at their own pace. If anything else comes in before I hit the hay, I will make a new post for it.

What I can do now is clear up a misconception I've been asked about a few times and have seen bouncing around the interwebs. Simply put, Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein is not a free agent. He has one year left on his MLS deal. And yes, he does have some interest on the continent, but nothing heavy. So, Goats fans, I would imagine that he will still be at the HDC when the season begins.


- Greg Seltzer

Clint Dempsey, cracker engineer

It wasn't enough in the end, but... shazam!




- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

Oh, I'm sooo full. I got too hungry from writing about food for two hours and portrayed a piggy. There was broccoli and cauliflower stamppot with meatballs in gravy, and then chocolate caramel cake, and now here we are with me typing this from the couch.

I like food...

#1 - Ladies and gentleman, Fulham presents... An Evening with Brian McBride.

I'm not sure if this sounds vaguely illicit or like he should be giving a cello recital. Maybe he will slam poetry to saxaphone music?

#2 - Somehow it looks like Ritchie Williams is going to miss out on all three coaching jobs he was up for - D.C. United went Onalfo brand, Chicago seems set to hire Carlos de los Cobos (as tipped off here weeks ago by an NSC reader) and now it seems New York has their heart set on a mystery European.

#3 - This MLS collective bargaining agreement mess is something that has been starting to really bother me, based on things I'd been hearing off the record. I've crabbed at the league so often, perhaps I've been pulling back from commenting on this situation too much. Then, along came NSC pal Jason Davis to aptly sum up just about what I've been thinking to save me from "sounding like a broken record" on here.

That being said... my grump could soon return if they don't cut the crap and grow a brain. The players' side is summed up here.

#4 - It seems the reason that West Ham left Jonathan Spector out of their FA Cup loss to Arsenal was that they did not want to aggravate a small hamstring pain ahead of a league contest they will probably need him to work.

#5 - Landon Donovan gave his first Everton interview, and as with any article produced in the UK about an American player, this one about that interview contains one factual error or omission. See if you can spot it.

#6 - Oh yeah... I try to answer most mails I get, so if you write asking about the transfer scene around a certain player and I don't respond at all, that probably means I can't yet say what I know - and hopefully that I will have an update or better soon. It just seems like I've had to intentionally ignore a stack of emails the last two days, so yeah, there's your "reply" for now.

#7 - While we're on the subject of transfers, erm... who are Columbus, Houston & Kansas City trying to bring in from abroad? I generally don't go too hard after non-American transfer scoops into MLS, but I'm actually trying a little and not having much luck.

I'm sure it's no surprise that the Dynamo are looking for an impact central midfielder, and the target seems to be a Hispanic player from somewhere south of the States - and I have an interesting guess that will be followed up on soon. The Wizards also seem to be chasing a midfielder, and I have no idea who. Columbus Dispatch ace Shawn Mitchell hinted at the Crew having several foreign targets at the moment. I again have no ideas.

Urgh. We try again tomorrow.

#8 - On the day the 'Nats open camp, Spike Lee did the right thing. He joined the U.S. Soccer World Cup bid. I can't wait to see how good the short film for our presentation turns out.


- Greg Seltzer

Top 5 "Don't Miss" Amsterdam Meal Bargains

I've simply not been mentioning food enough, that's pretty clear. I've not talked grub or dropped AD references enough, so I'm doing both today.

For those planning a trip to Amsterdam for the March 3rd USMNT friendly, or for anyone who might visit any time really, I have for you the absolute top food deals in town. They are all both relatively cheap for their cuisine genre and unspeakably delicious. And by unspeakably, I mean, if you'd ask how it was as I ate, I'd grunt 'Can't talk... eating' at you.

Bottom line: whether you are on a budget or not, I would absolutely recommend you not skip these joints (no pun intended). You will be sorry in a way you'll never understand if you do. So pop it in the Blackberry or bookmark it on your iPhone or whatever it is you do to remember such things.

After each bit of descriptive fawning, I will give two ways to get to each pick: the easy, fast way and a "nice day for a walk" map link.

Foooooood goooood.

#5 - Kam Yin

(Warmoesstraat 6, open everyday noon-midnight)

Despite a prevalence of them, it can be nearly impossible to find even a passable Chinese restaurant. Everything is so bland and just... lifeless. Not only does Kam Yin offer some inventive, lively Chinese cooking, they also have the Mokum staple that is roti - a dish from Surinaam consisting of curried meat and veggies served with a potato-y pancake for rolling.

This place has main dishes ranging from €5-10, yet another reason it is a local favorite. The Dutch love a bargain!

Easiest way to get there: It's basically just across from Centraal Station, at the start of the Red Light District area... so just get yourself to Centraal Station.

#4 - Café Luxembourg

(Spui 24, open Su-Th 9AM-1PM, F & Sa 9-2)

This place is especially good on a nice day, when you can sit out front and people watch. It's a great spot and this is a great traditional Dutch café, with a bar, wine and cigar lists and eclectic menu of tasty dishes.



This is the most expensive of the five picks, but I think you'll agree this place is worth €10-15 a head for lunch or dinner. My personal favorite is the uniquely delicious Chicken Caeser Salad, though many of my friends swear by the flatbread open salmon sandwich that has a funny name I can't remember right now.

Easiest way to get there: Well, let's see... take tram 1/2/4/5/9/14/16/24/25 from wherever you are to the Spui (pronounced "shpow") stop. The place is right on the square by where the tram tracks bend towards the Flowermarkt. Check the map, though, because this is a short hop from many places you may find yourself and it's a fun area to walk.

#3 - The Pancake Bakery

(Prinsengracht 191, open everyday 11AM-930PM)

Hands down, the best Dutch pancakes in town, with an unreal number of possible topping combos, both sweet and savory, both traditional and crazy. Of the "normal" choices, I would most heartily recommend the bacon and the apple cinnamon. You can expect to drop €10-11 for a pancake and drink, but it will fill you up pretty good for a while.


I also have a couple of other suggestions. One is to expect a 15-30 minute wait for a table if you go during the day on the weekend unless you show up at opening time. The other is... avoid the stroop. It looks like syrup, but it is much more like molasses. I don't know how anyone eats that stuff. I just go for a powdered sugar sprinkle myself (yep, even on the bacon pancake).

Easiest way to get there: Take tram 13, 14 or 17 to the Westermarkt stop, walk down the canal to the left of Westerkerk, past The Anne Frank Huis to just before Brouwersgracht.

#2 - Sari Citra (Ferdinand Bolstraat 52, open M-F 2-9 PM, Sa 3-9)

I had never eaten Indonesian food before I came here, had never even heard of it. I am now fully obsessed with it. It's like... Chinese food gone wildly exotic and Homer Simpson lip-smacking drooly out of this world.

Sari Citra is not just the absolute best Indonesian food in town, it is among the cheapest. You can get one of many sampler plates for about €7, build your own (which usually ends up being around €8-10 per... don't let them give you too much rice/noodles to start, no matter how good it is!) or you can spend a little more to go the multi-course rijstafel way with several dishes on hand for about €15 per person.

My standard plate is bami (fried noodles without compare), ajam ketjap (chicken in mild spicy sauce) and toemis boontjes (Indonesian green beans). Sometimes, I'll throw on a couple spicy meatballs or some sweet 'n sour chicken or the fantastic smoor daging (beef tips in a mild sauce that is impossible to describe). And if you like your food super spicy, all of these options have a tongue-scalding alternate version. They also have plenty of vegetarian choices and an extremely friendly staff.

To the side case, there are various Indonesian baked filled pastries and after-meal cakes - which you may need, actually. Not everyone is used to the particular ketjap type of soy sauce used, and some tummies may get grumpy after a big fill-up here. No problem; simply grab yourself some sort of cake item and some water, it'll pass.

Be forewarned: don't go near 5PM unless you feel like battling all the neighborhood folks grabbing a takeaway on their path home from work. It gets very, very busy right around 5. While this is one of the absolute best eateries in town, it is quite small. So plan accordingly and do not miss this meal. I would have displayed a picture to tempt you, but found none online that could do this food justice. It's simply that good.

Easiest way to get there: Take tram 16 or 24 to the Albert Cuypstraat stop, the restaurant is a half-block north with a yellow sign.

#1 - Leeman Döner (Van Woustraat 160, open M-Sa until about 8 or 9 PM)

As ridiculously, mind-blowingly scrumptious as Sari Citra is, the value of Leeman Döner makes it an easy top choice. Not only is it the single best döner kebab I've ever had (and believe me, I've had a lot of them, all over Europe), but it is the single best food bargain in town at €1.95 for a large lamb or chicken sandwich.


Why is this particular Turkish delight the king? Well, it starts with their own bread, which is fantastic. Most places don't make their own bread, and none make it this good. It's almost sourdough-ish and all the way delicious when they grab it straight from the oven to make your sandwich. You may even want to grab a couple extra of those "rolls" (35 cents each) to take with for later, and fill it with whatever.

They also make their own killer chili sauce (a ka sambal, an ingredient unique to Amsterdam döners), and drizzle moisture/flavor over both meats by planting an onion and a tomato at the top of each spit. It doesn't sound like a huge touch, but it really makes the meat burst with flavor.

In addition, they have good Turkish pizzas, croissants and various baked sweets. The place is tiny, so don't expect room to sit down inside during the day.

A little extra tip: they will tend to assume that Americans can't handle the chili sauce, which makes them go overboard on the garlic sauce. Unless you get the old lady making yours, ask them to go easy on the garlic sauce or you will have a very messy sammich. The mama, however, makes them perfect every time. She gives no sambal quarter.

Easiest way to get there: Take tram 4 to the Lutmastraat stop and walk back a block.


- Greg Seltzer

A few quick goodie morsels (updated)

'Tis the season, ain't it? If I collect any more goodies, I will update (Official translation: I will still be chasing stuff for a few hours).

• I have learned that Aston Villa right back Eric Lichaj has loan interest from three Championship clubs in the lower third of the table (including, predictably, woeful Peterborough) and could go out by this time next week. I'll have a full report on this situation up at S365 shortly.
  
  UPDATE: Kapow.).

• From Greg's "I handled the ball" file: It appears KC forward Herculez Gomez is set to join Mexican side Puebla. I probably should have called him up this weekend, but as I said in my last post, woozy laziness ruled my Sunday.

• A birdie has informed me that Preston Zimmerman is starting a trial with Mainz II next week.

Speaking of Mainz, do enjoy a first look at Jared Jeffrey at the club's Spanish winter camp. Sadly, it's very tough to hear the player through the dubbed translation.





UPDATE: Okay, I'd like to say more about a few things, but most cards will stay close to vest because I'm a greedy, fiendish bastard when it comes to scoops. I will say this much about this, though:

• If you're wondering why Ricardo Clark still hasn't signed on anywhere, well... it's because his scene has blown up, man. I have confirmed with his agent that he has suitors in seven countries now. They have not all made offers yet, but if my birdies are correct, he has at least four currently on the table.
  
  This chase may take a while to unfold, folks so get comfy.
  

UPDATE UPDATE: Okay, that's all for today, but I do have a wild one coming soon - can't spill yet. And I'm exhausted, so please let me off the hook for that Top 5 list 'til tomorrow morning. First thing, I pinky swear promise.


- Greg Seltzer

Why I was lazy...

Urgh. This roller coaster weather is giving my head a case of the oogies. If that groundhog sees his shadow next month, I'm gonna hire another varmint to slap him. In other words... that's why I was lazy yesterday. I do still have one Top 5 List to come, and it involves food tips for the Amsterdam trip many of you will take in March. Expect that later today.

We don't have Who likes goals? this week, so why not take a peek at Aston Villa's weekend FA Cup win, which included yet another Brad Guzan penalty save.


Watch Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


- Greg Seltzer

A few other things...

It's not normal Saturday fare, I know, but I figured why not grab a few bits from the last few days in case you all had been too tipsy or preoccupied with "the other football" to pay such close attention to world soccer news. Yes, I am a real samaritan , for sure...

#1 - It seems Mark Wahlberg has not especially enjoyed the presence of Davide Beccemano in the neighborhood. And I suppose we can now all add him to the soccer-haters list (call him Marky Mark, he loathes that).

#2 - Former USMNT boss Bruce Arena told Yahoo's Martin Rogers that the 'Nats best not arrive at World Cup too confident, despite favorable draw. In a way he's right, but not so much in another. I think the idea is to justify having loads confidence with a strong camp/friendly slate and turn it into a matter of handling business.

#3 - The CBC checks in on the recoveries of Charlie Davies & Oguchi Onyewu.

#4 - The Santa Barbara Independent's Joel Engel provides a much longer, more detailed and closer look into the supposed evidence against former UCSB ace Eric Frimpong, who more and more appears to have been wrongly jailed. This whole thing just stinks to high heaven, man.

#5 - ESPN's Steve Davis looks at the possibility of MLS adding a second DP slot.

#6 - Factoring in several new MLS rookie signings, WV Hooligan updates its SuperMockDraft board.

#7 - 3rd Degree breaks out a little bubbly for former Burn midfielder Leonel Alvarez, now a championship winning coach at Deportivo Independiente Medellin in his native Colombia. So... how long before someone in MLS comes after him for an open job?

#8 - If you want the latest in the USL/NASL cage match, it's probably best to bookmark Inside Minnesota Soccer.

#9 - The Independent busts out a Top 5 List on the next big things out of England.

#10 - For all those wondering about the coaching situation at Burnley, who are set to trial Stuart Holden: The Mirror says Burnley have no intention of letting miracle worker Owen Coyle head to rivals Bolton, while The Times looks at who might step in at Turf Moor if he does.

#11 - Match of the Day 2 hooks us up with the best 2 Good 2 Bad of 2009.




#12 - Finally, with Dr. John Dorian now officially gone from Sacred Heart, I offer this farewell tribute. Poor Turk... with whom shall he eagle now?




- Greg Seltzer

Holden set for Burnley trial

NSC pal Bryan Zygo was using pretty good logic when he guessed that Stuart Holden's impending New Year's Day appearance on Good Morning America meant that the U.S. midfielder would re-sign with the Houston Dynamo.

However, it appears that Holden will be making a different announcement, delaying his decision while he auditions for Burnley manager Owan Coyle.

Oh... and call me crazy, but this news seems to throw very cold water on the rumour gone 'round saying Blackburn had made a four-year offer.

UPDATE: You can now watch Holden's segment on the GMA website (scroll down just a smidge to the daily video offering). He actually did not discuss his situation at all, instead talking World Cup and participating in the show's coat drive for the needy.


- Greg Seltzer