SUMMER FRIENDLY CALENDAR: UPDATED 7-25-2010

SUMMER FRIENDLY CALENDAR: UPDATED 7-25-2010

ROSTER UPDATES

CLICK HERE FOR… MANCHESTER UNITED & CELTIC ROSTERS

CLICK HERE FOR… TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR & MANCHESTER CITY ROSTERS

CLICK HERE FOR… REAL MADRID PRELIMINARY ROSTER

TV UPDATES

Fox Soccer Channel has picked up the August 5th FC Dallas v Inter Milan match from Pizza Hut Park, which kicks off at 9pm ET.

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL FRIENDLY MATCHESALL TIMES EASTERN

July 21 – Celtic v Sporting CP, Fenway Park, Boston MA, 8pm

July 22 – NEW YORK FOOTBALL CHALLENGE – New York Red Bulls v Tottenham Hotspur, Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ 8pm

July 23 – NEW YORK FOOTBALL CHALLENGE – Manchester City v Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ 8pm

July 25 – NEW YORK FOOTBALL CHALLENGE – Tottenham Hotspur v Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ 1pm

July 25 – NEW YORK FOOTBALL CHALLENGE – New York Red Bull v Manchester City, Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ 3:30pm

July 25 – Manchester United v Kansas City Wizards, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO 6pm

August 5 – FC Dallas v Inter Milan, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco TX 9pm

August 7 – LA Galaxy v Real Madrid – Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA 10:30pm

ESPN2 FRIENDLY MATCHES

July 28 – MLS All-Star’s v Manchester United, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX 8:30pm

COMPLETE SUMMER FRIENDLY CALENDAR

SUMMER FRIENDLY UPDATE: REAL MADRID ROSTER (PRELIMINARY)

SUMMER FRIENDLY UPDATE: REAL MADRID ROSTER (PRELIMINARY)

Real Madrid announced their preliminary team roster for their 2010 USA Tour.  Some preliminary roster! The sheer weight of star power here is extraordinary. Four World Cup winners in a squad of only 13, and a midfield that would rival any in the world.

This team does not include the laundry list of potential signings rumored to be coming to the Bernabeau for the 2010-11 European season.

Newly appointed super manager José Mourinho will have his work cut out for him when picking a starting XI against legendary Mexican side Club América at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on August 4, followed by a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on August 7, the latter of which will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Watch this space for details when the complete touring roster is released.

Goalkeeper :

IKER CASILLAS – Spain

Defender :

ALVARO ARBELOA – Spain

SERGIO RAMOS – Spain

Midfielders :

CRISTIANO RONALDO – Portugal

KAKÁ – Brazil

ANGEL DI MARIA – Argentina

XABI ALONSO – Spain

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART – Netherlands

FERNANDO GAGO – Spain

MAHAMADOU DIARRA – Mali

LASSANA DIARRA – France

Forwards :

KARIM BENZEMA – France

GONZALO HIGUAÍN – Argentina

JULY 23 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 23 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

O’NIELL: MILNER MAY MOVE IF MAN CITY HAVE MONEY

James Milner’s potential transfer to Manchester City had a moment of clarity today.

After days of rumored fallout’s and accusations, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill made it plain that the England International may leave the club, as long as Manchester City pay the asking price, rumored to be in the $46 million range.

O’Niell won’t stand in the way of the 24-year-old midfielder desire to join City, but has made it clear that Milner has asked to leave the club.

“James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated that they would like to go.” O’Neill told Villa’s official website.  “Manchester City made an offer, which we told them (Milner and his Agent).

“There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine.

“I think James’ agent has told our chief executive that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract. Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else. If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave.”

City are preparing another offer of $38 million in hopes of resolving the matter, but whay Villa will do with the bid is unknown.

MARTIN JOL TO STAY AT AJAX-FULHAM LEFT SCRAMBLING

Martin Jol was apparently unaware that there was no exit clause in his contract at Ajax, according to the Fulham website.

JULY 22 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 22 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

SHAKHTAR SIGN EDUARDO FROM ARSENAL

Shakhtar Donetsk have signed striker Eduardo from Arsenal.

The Croatia international, who suffered a career-threatening broken leg in 2008 and never found his way back to a regular position at Arsenal, signed for the Ukraine Champions for $9 million.

“FC Shakhtar have signed a Brazilian-born Croatian forward Eduardo Da Silva from Arsenal London on a 4-year contract being anticipated by all the international media.” The club website said. “Within the nearest time the newcomer will be introduced to Ukrainian media representatives as well as to the Pitmen fans.”

The 27-year-old leaves the Gunners having scored 20 goals in 67 appearances for the Gunners.

“We wanted to buy Eduardo before he moved to Arsenal.” Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu said. “Not everything went his way last season, but he is still a player of very high quality, a real marksman. Yes, he had a serious injury, we are aware of the risk, but at the same time we realize he can give a lot to Shakhtar. We expect a lot from Eduardo.”

LIVERPOOL SIGN DANNY WILSON

Scotland U19 international Danny Wilson has signed for Liverpool after passing a medical.

The 18-year-old defender comes to Anfield from Scottish Premier League Champions Rangers on a three-year deal worth as much as $7.5 million depending on results.

JULY 20 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 20 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

LIVERPOOL SIGN JOE COLE

Joe Cole has picked Liverpool over Tottenham and Arsenal.

The out-of-contract England international has settled his personal wage demands with the Anfield club and, barring a medical, will sign a four-year contract with the club in the next 48 hours.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson has been attempting to prevent Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard from bolting to other clubs and the Cole signing will certainly help convince the current the existing Liverpool players that the new boss has designs of returning to the Champions League.

Though out of contract, Cole’s arrival will cross over with Yosssi Benayoun who is heading to Stamford Bridge, though Liverpool stands to gain $7.5 million swap.

The extra cash will help as Hodgson is facing the exit’s of Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua, the former Fulham manager will be looking for a left back as soon as possible.

WERDER BREMEN TRYING TO LOCK DOWN OZIL

Bundesliga side Werder Bremen are still trying to work a deal out with sensation Mesut Ozil, but the giants of European football are waiting in the wings to snap up the German international.

Bremen are hoping to lock the World Cup Golden Ball nominee in spite of the fact that could sell the player for a fee in the range of  $26 million to Europe’s elite clubs.

The club have been trying to secure a new deal for the 21-year-old

“We were trying to find a solution on a new contract with Mesut Ozil up until the start of the World Cup, but we couldn’t,” Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs told German paper Kreiszeitung. “In the meantime we made good progress and were confident that we could fill in the final blanks with the right figures. We had our ideas but we have not been able to bring this to an end. We are not angry, no way. We intend to keep on trying.”

YANKEES IN BID TO BUY TOTTENHAM

YANKEE’S TO BUY SPURS?

The New York Yankees of Major League Baseball have made a bid to purchase London based Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for $687 million.

One of the most successful sports franchises in history, in terms of on field success, overall team value and profitability, the Bronx Bombers also posses the most globally recognizable logo and branding.

The news, coming just days after the death of long time Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, the move is being made by sons Hank and Hal who have operated the 27-time World Series Champions for the past few years.

Hank, in response to a recent question regarding the Steinbrenner’s possibly purchasing a sports franchise in a different sport, told reporters “The only thing would be a major soccer team in ­Europe, preferably in the Premier League. That’s always a possibility for me.”

Interestingly, the news falls at a time when Tottenham are to play two matches in New York City area.

Spurs will take part in the Barclays New York Challenge, beginning on Thursday.

American owners of Premier League teams have had mixed results. Andy Lerner , who owns the Cleveland Browns of the NFL also owns Aston Villa and Ellis Short who owns Sunderland have had no problems from fans, players or fellow ownership groups. The jury may be still out on Stan Kroenke who has slowly increased in stake in Spurs North London rivals Arsenal to 29.9 per cent.

On the other side of the coin is the Glazer family, who own the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United have struggled. There are regular, vocal open protests by United supporters who want the Glazer’s out.  There were even “Love United, Hate Glazer” signs at United’s preseason tour match in Toronto last week.

George Gillet and Tom Hicks, who own Liverpool FC have never been embraced by the Anfield supporters.

Strangely enough, current Spurs boss Harry Redknapp told reporters last season that he was against foreign ownership.

“With more ­foreign owners you get fewer British managers.” Redknapp said “Every club will have a foreign owner eventually and the lifespan of managers will get less and less.”

The Steinbrenner investment would certainly boost the influx of potential transfer money at White Hart Lane, and that just might sway the opinion of Redknapp who just an extension with the club.

DESIGNATED PLAYER UPDATE: KANSAS CITY SIGNS MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL OMAR BRAVO

DESIGNATED PLAYER UPDATE: KANSAS CITY SIGNS MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL OMAR BRAVO

The Kansas City Wizards have made the latest designated player coup, by signing Mexican international Omar Bravo from Guadalajara.

Bravo scored 106 goals in 290 appearances for Chivas and somehow managed to play for two seasons in Spain for Deportivo de Coruna as well. The standout striker moved back to Guadalajara in 2009 and continued to build on his reputation as a club legend.

Now the 30-year-old hopes to conquer America with his goal scoring exploits, but he will be missed by Guadalajara, as a release on the club website admitted.

“Omar Bravo is one of the greatest players of the sport in Mexico.” read the translated statement. “Now his arrival in the United States represents a major event for the growing number of football fans in that market. Thanks to the involvement of figures like Bravo in the MLS, the league becomes more exciting and each day takes on a more competitive level.”

Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara chimed in his support as well.

“We are very proud of Omar, of everything he has accomplished and know his career will continue strong in MLS like it has been with Chivas,”  Vergara said in a news release. “We will miss Omar very much but we know he will bring much joy to fans who live in the United States, and that’s an important thing in football.”

Since the MLS Transfer window opened on Thursday a number of big names signed designated player contracts, but most were public knowledge, like DC United’s Branko Boskovic and Seattle’s Blaise Nkufo or ‘worst kept secrets’ such as Thierry Henry.

That seemed to change over the weekend as first the Chicago Fire and then the Kansas City Wizards locked up big name Mexican Internationals, with very little hype or fanfare and most fans were left to speculate on who the signings would be until the last minute.

The Fire announced the Signing of forward/midfielder Nery Castillo on Saturday at Toyota Park during a SuperLiga double header.

READ…FIRE SIGN DP, MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL NERY CASTILLO

READ…LAST WEEK’S DESIGNATED PLAYER WATCH

READ…DESIGNATED PLAYER UPDATE-LJUNGBERG DRAMA

US-MEXICO PLAYER TRANSFER NEWS

US, MEXICO PLAYER TRANSFER NEWS

US PLAYER REPORT

• Everton captain Phil Neville told reporters this weekend that he knows L.A. star Landon Donovan wants to return to Everton.
• US Team captain Carlos Bocanegra moved was sold from Rennes of Ligue 1 fellow French side Saint-Etienne.
• According to the BBC, former Chicago Fire head coach Bob Bradley will sign an extension to stay on as head coach of the US national team.
• Jozy Altidore is in high demand.  The latest clubs showing interest in legendary Dutch side Ajax and Turkish side Besiktas. Altidore’s current club Villareal has said they are entertaining offers for the 20-year-old American striker. Since then a myriad of European clubs from shown an interest. From Serie A sides Napoli and Palermo to Glasgow Celtic of the Scottish Premier League.
• The sale of Michael Bradley from Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach to Everton has gained steam, according to the Express. Newly promoted Premier League side Blackpool is also rumored to be interested.
• AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu has been targeted as Celtic’s back-up plan if the Glasgow super club can’t sign former England international Sol Campbell. Gooch has resisted all offers to be moved from the San Siro, longing for an opportunity to play in Serie A. He is even playing for free this season as a sign he wants to prove himself at Europe’s highest level. “He is adamant about staying at AC Milan,” Onyewu’s agent, Lyle Yorks, told the MLS website. “I’m really not even listening when something comes in anymore.” That doesn’t seem to stop the rumors surrounding the 28-year-old defender.
• US midfielder Jermaine White may be pricing himself out of the reach of many clubs that could and would use him. After a trial with the Chicago Fire, Chicago

DESIGNATED PLAYER UPDATE: LJUNGBERG DRAMA

DESIGNATED PLAYER UPDATE: LJUNGBERG DRAMA

If, early in this 2010 Major League Soccer campaign, I told you a Seattle Sounders standout was discontented and looking to be transfered, you would have assumed I meant Fredy Montero.  The Colombian 23-year-old was visibly not interested on the field, while off the field rumors were circulate about a move to European club.

Now, approaching the midway point in the season, the Sounder most likely to want out of Seattle is designated player Freddie Ljungberg. The rumors are raging that Ljungberg is back in Sweden, and there is growing concern that he is not returning.

A move back to a European club is possible, as is a potential move to New York. If the Red Bulls are unsuccessful in landing Barcelona’s Mexican international midfielder Rafael Marquez, they may look to grab Freddie as quickly as they can.  New York boss Hans Backe is a big fan of Ljungberg and has made no secret of the fact.

Where the 33-year-old will end up is only half speculation.  What is more intriguing is how we got to this point.

Ljungberg practiced with the team last week, but didn’t play against FC Dallas, and didn’t make the trip to DC for Thursday Night’s showdown with United. In reality,

FIRE SIGN DP – MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL NERY CASTILLO

FIRE TO ANNOUNCE DP – MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL NERY CASTILLO?

FIRE SIGN DP – MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL NERY CASTILLO

The Chicago Fire have announced the Designated Player signing of  Mexican International Nery Castillo who has been negotiating with Greek side Olympiacos, where he played from 2000-2007.

The 26-year-old Castillo, who played at Manchester City in 2008 as part of a loan deal; with his then club Shakhtar Donetsk, is a much more versatile player than Chautemoc Blanco.  Castillo can play up front, on the wing or can play an attacking role out of the midfield.

Castillo may be the answer to the Fire’s problems in terms of attack, but one can only hope that Carlos de los Cabos and Frank Klopas now turn their sights toward some defensive help.

The designated player announcement was made Saturday between Games 1 and 2 of the SuperLiga double header at Toyota Park.

JULY 16 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 16 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

MANCINI: MAN CITY MUST SPEND TO WIN

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is not ashamed of his clubs spending spree, quite the contrary, the Italian believes the only way to win trophies is to spend big.

City has already spent $91 million this summer on David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng but clearly there is room for more changes at Eastlands as Mancini is still on the prowl for at least a striker and a defender to firm up the side.

Mancini admits that spending money on big-name players is the difference between most football clubs and Europe’s elite teams.

“Of course we have spent a lot of money this summer,” Mancini told The Mirror. “Everyone can see that is the case, but all the teams who have won the Premier League, or La Liga or Serie A in recent years have spent a lot of money. This is not a new thing.”

The City boss is quick to deny that spending money on new players means ignoring the Academy players trying to crack the first team.

“It is hard to win trophies if you do not invest in areas where you can improve. We are absolutely committed to the Academy and to developing our own talent. It is important that they know there is a path to the first team for them. We are working hard towards the kick-off on August 14 and everyone here has the chance to be in the squad that day.”

New City owner Sheikh Mansour has spent over $400 million in less than two years to put the Blue side of Manchester on par with the biggest clubs in Europe.

UNITED TO LOCK UP ROONEY FOR FIVE YEARS?

Wayne Rooney looks set to become the highest paid player in Manchester United history, according to the Mirror.

2010 SUPERLIGA: WHAT TO WATCH FOR

2010 SUPERLIGA – WHAT TO WATCH FOR

FAMILIAR FOES – PACHUCA v HOUSTON

Possibly the best rivalry between an MLS club and a Mexican Club, these two have put on some of the best club matches seen on this continent in the CONCACAF Cahmpiosn League/Cup. The two sides played a memorable  SuperLiga semifinal goal fest in 2007 with the 10 man Dynamo getting a late equalizer to send the match to extra time only to see Pachuca take the match on penalties. The 2010 edition of this rivalry will be the Group A opener for both clubs. If you see only one SuperLiga match this year, make it this Thursday at Robertson Stadium.

SISTER SIDES? MORELIA v CHICAGO

The Chicago Fire and Mexican club Morelia have a sister club relationship.  They have had since 2003 and the Fire even sported Morelia colors for a few matches in the clubs 2004 MLS Season. What this relationship means, I have no idea, as the two clubs haven’t met since before the deal was made..

It was the quarterfinals of the  CONCACAF Champions Cup (Precursor to the current Champions League) in 2002 and the Fire came back in the 2nd leg of the tie at then home Cardinal Stadium in Naperville IL, only to see their efforts couldn’t stave off elimination.

So Wednesday Night the sister-clubs meet for the first time in eight years.  Outside of the Houston-Pachuca match, this may be, on paper anyway, the tie of the group stages.

PACHUCA: TEAM (MEXICAN) AMERICA

CF Pachuca is fast becoming a breeding ground for talent; American talent. Pachuca has not one but THREE Americans on it’s roster.  Two of them saw

JULY 14 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 14 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

RED BULLS FINALLY LAND THIERRY HENRY

The New York Red Bulls have made the worst kept secret in soccer a reality today by announcing the signing of France international Thierry Henry as a designated player.

Without question, Henry becomes the most decorated player to ever take the field in the 14 year history of Major League Soccer. Capped 123 times for France, Henry has a resume that includes World Cup, European Championship and Champions League titles, in addition to a number of domestic championships and scoring titles.

The highest profile signing for the league since David Beckham’s arrival, the former Arsenal striker will hope to revitalize a Red Bull attack that includes co-designated player Colombian Juan Pablo Angel.

The 32-year-old Henry will likely play his first match July 22nd against Tottenham Hotspur in the New York Football Challenge.

The announcement was made Thursday as the day marks the opening of the Major League Soccer transfer window, and Henry is expected to be the first of many designated players brought into the league under the new policies that allow for as many as three designated players per team.

Other signings ready to sign officially on Thursday include Spanish forward Mista who has signed with Toronto FC, Swiss international Blaise Nkufo who has signed to Seattle Sounders from Dutch Champions FC Twente, Branko Boskovich will join DC United and Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer Giancarlo Maldonado has signed with Chivas USA on a loan from Mexican side Atlante..

REDKNAPP EXTENDS SPURS STAY

Tottenham Hotspur have locked up manager Harry Redknapp through 2013.

The 63-year-old manager guided the White Hart Lane club to it’s first Champions League berth last season, and has been rewarded with a three year extension.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy reacted to big money offers from .

JULY 13 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEW NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 13 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEW NOTES AND RUMORS

UNITED IN FOR BALOTELLI?

The Agent for Italian striker Mario Balotelli has confirmed that red sides of Manchester is interested in the 19-year-old’s services.

Inter Milan still has the player under wraps for three more seasons but for the proposed $50million price tag, the club could be persuaded to let him go, according to the players agent Mino Raiola who is heading to England to begin negotiations.

“The interest of Manchester for Balotelli is concrete and both clubs have confirmed it,” Raiola told Calcio Mercato. “The player is clearly happy to be followed by [Manchester United coach Sir Alex] Ferguson.”

The petulant striker clashed with then Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho, but new manager Rafael Benitez wants to meet and evaluate the player before letting him go.

“I want to speak to him and get to know him better as a person.” Benitez said. “All the quality players are important to me. But I need to see him, get to know him and see how he works.”

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti thinks that Manchester United would be an ideal fit for the Italian sensation.

“They are a team with great tradition, which helps that type of player,” he told Sky Sport24. “Here, the environment is different and I think a player with his character could find it better than in Italy. It’s difficult to find a player so young with his quality, and England has a lack of players at that level.”

Ancelotti mentioned he would be happy to coach a player like Balotelli.

BAYERN WON’T BREAK THE BANK FOR LEFT BACK

Chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that Bayern Munich will not sign Fabio Coentrao or Michel Bastos this summer, even though the team is in need of a left back.

JULY 12 – DESIGNATED PLAYER WATCH

JULY 12 – DESIGNATED PLAYER WATCH

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS ON THURSDAY

The MLS transfer window opens this Thursday July 15, and in addition to a certain high profile signing being announced in New York, Seattle’s Blaise Nkufo, DC United’s Branko Boskovic, Chivas USA’s Giancarlo Maldonado and Toronto FC’s Mista will also become official members of their respective teams.

Here is the lowdown on who is coming, who is rumored to follow and (tear) who is just not an option.

RED BULLS SET TO NAME THIERRY HENRY ON THURSDAY

The New York Red Bulls have lined up a press conference to announce their second designated player on Thursday.

Though no names have been mentioned the signing will come as a surprise to no one and is widely considered the worst kept secret in the game.

JULY 12 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 12 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

FABREGAS HAPPY TO STAY AT ARSENAL

Cesc Fabregas has been hinting at a move to Barcelona all summer , but he seems to have changed his tune regarding his current club Arsenal.

The Spanish international has called his North London side a “world-class club” and suggested he is ready to stay put for the coming season.

“All I can say is that this World Cup victory is for all the Arsenal players and fans. They are a world-class club.” the 23-year-old told reporters after Spains World Cup Triumph. “I had a text message of congratulations from Arsene Wenger. He said I deserve it. I just think this is for everyone at Arsenal who helped me get to where I am now. I am an Arsenal player and proud to be.”

Fabregas had previously made no secret about his desire to move to Barcelona for the coming campaign, the club he loved as a kid and managed by his boyhood hero Pepp Guardiola.

STUTTGART DENY MADRID BID FOR KHEDIRA

Rumors of German international Sami Khedira moving to Real madrid from Bundesliga side Stuttgart have yet to become reality, according to club director Jochen Schneider.

“We have no offer. That is based only on speculation in Spanish sport newspapers,” Schneider told Bild. “And after his holiday we will sit down together and see whether we can extend his contract beyond 2011.”

JULY 9 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 9 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

GOLDEN BALL FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The greatest players of the 2010 World Cup are all up for the prestigious Golden Ball Award. The title goes to the most valuable player of the tournament.

Finalists Spain lead all teams with three different nominees, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Xavi head the list, all three play their club football at Barcelona.

Spain’s rivals in the final, the Netherlands contibute Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to the ten-man shortlist.

Tournament semi-finalists Germany contribute two to the list in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Oezil and Diego Forlan is the lone representative from Uruguay.

OVER THERE… UPDATES ON NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS IN EUROPE

OVER THERE… UPDATES ON NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS IN EUROPE

BOB BRADLEY LINKED WITH VACANT FULHAM POST

US national Team Manager Bob Bradley is on a short list of candidates to take over the Fulham manager position vacated by recently named Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson.

Bradley, who is in discussions with US Soccer regarding his future, is in contention with Swede Sven Goran Eriksson and Croatian Slaven Bilic.

Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hughes, Tony Mowbray, Alan Curbishley and Gianfranco Zola, according to reports out of England, have all been eliminated from contention.

For his part Bradley is focused on his post-World Cup discussions with US Soccer.

“I think we’re in the midst of all of that,” Bradley told the Washington Post about the discussions. “Whenever there has been a four-year effort on both sides there is a little time that’s needed to look at things, to talk to some different people, to assess options and I’ve had some different conversations, one with Sunil Gulati and one with [U.S. soccer secretary general] Dan Flynn, so I think we’re moving through that period and we’ll see where it gets everybody.”

GOOCH WON’T BE MOVED FROM MILAN

US International Oguchi Onyewu is staying at AC Milan, no matter what.

JULY 8 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

JULY 8 – SHORT CORNERS: INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS NOTES AND RUMORS

OZIL NOT GOING ANYWHERE, SAYS BREMAN

Interest in Werder Breman’s midfield maestro Mesut Ozil is at a fever-pitch across Europe. A situation that can only get more sensational with Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs claiming that no one in the World Cup has performed better than the German International, but Allofs was not putting his prize talent, who has a year left on his contract at Breman, in the shop window.

“Transfer income is one of our main income sources,” Allofs told German paper Bild. “But we also have to think about our sporting goals. We have the Champions League preliminaries coming up and we need a good team to be successful in Europe,”

“Mesut’s current contract runs until 2011 and we’re keen to extend his stay at the club. However, we’re not planning to cash in on him if he refuses to ink a new deal. We could decide to keep him until his contract expires.

“We’d rather not see him leave on a free transfer next year, but it’s definitely an option. Mesut is going nowhere for now.”

That is not stopping the giants of European football from making the attempt to snatch the 21-year-old. Ozil is being saught by Inter

TUESDAY’S SHORT CORNERS – INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEW, NOTES AND RUMORS

Something to Cheer About at Eastlands

TUESDAY’S SHORT CORNERS – INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEW, NOTES AND RUMORS

MANCHESTER CITY SPENDING SPREE LOOMING

It is getting increasingly difficult for Manchester City fans to get a handle on all the signings that MAY take place at Eastlands, as there are so many and some contradict each other.

The most recent is the long rumored signing of Yaya Toure as part of a $100 million spending spree that also includes David Silva and Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

Toure’s move to City, which will put him on the same club as his brother Kolo, was all but confirmed by the Barcelona website.

“In the case of Toure,” the statement read “[Barcelona director-general Joan] Oliver has recognized an understanding between the club interested in the midfielder, Manchester City, and Barca, but the transfer cannot be made official yet.”

Silva is reported to be joining Toure in the midfield on the blue side of Manchester this season. The Spanish international, currently