The Transfer

Vancouver Whitecaps sign Rob Friend

31-year old striker Rob Friend has apparently signed a contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

He moves from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany where he has scored 1 goal in 13 games since 2011.  He has also spent time with Borussia Monchengladbach where he netted 28 goals in 83 between 2007 and 2010.

The Canadian International has 2 goals in 32 appearances for the Mens National Team.

Friend would be an interesting pickup for Vancouver, and being a citizen he would not take up an international spot.

Source: https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/292357087906889728

Portland Timbers signing defender Ryan Miller

 American defender Ryan Miller is said to be joining Portland Timbers for the 2013 season from Halmstad in Sweden.

The 28-year old has previously been in MLS with both Columbus Crew and DC United, but was released ultimately by DC before moving to Sweden to play with Ljungskile in 2009.  He was then transferred to Halmstad in 2010 where he has played in 65 games for since 2010.

Miller was called up to play for the US Mens National team in 2010, but has yet to play any minutes for his country thus far.

Source: https://twitter.com/SoccerByIves/status/292349484086734848

Kenyan midfielder Crispin Olando signs with Whitecaps FC

The talented 25-year old midfielder Crispin Olando has joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC after parting ways with previous club Tusker FC following the 2012 season due to knee and back injury problems.

Olando was recently training with multiple sides including Nairobi City Stars and Gor Mahia, but has apparently agreed to join Vancouver on a 6-month deal.

He is said to have departed Kenya today for Vancouver to join the ‘Caps for pre-season training camp ahead of the 2013 campaign.

Source: http://www.futaa.com/football/article/olando-set-for-mls-stint

Matias Sanchez linked with move to Columbus Crew

Defensive midfielder Matias Sanchez is said to be on the way to the USA to accelerate talk to join the Columbus Crew.  Chilean side Colo Colo apparently also had interest in Sanchez, but that deal has fallen through.

The 25-year old Argentinian has played in 46 games for Racing Club and a further 94 for Estudiantes where he was part of the 2009 Copa Libertadores and 2010 Apertura champion winners.

Sanchez also was part of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup champion squad for his native Argentina.

Source: http://www.eldia.com.ar/edis/20130117/Matias-Sanchez-mas-cerca-jugar-Estados-Unidos-20130117131743.htm

Rumour: Frank Lampard joining LA Galaxy

An apparent tentative agreement has been reached between Frank Lampard and the LA that would see the English superstar replacing David Beckham as the face of the Galaxy.

The 34-year old midfielder has a wealth of experience for both club and country, netting 24 goals in 148 games for West Ham United, then after a short loan to Swansea City he spent the majority of his career up to this point with Chelsea Football Club amassing 133 goals in 388 games for The Blues.  He also has 93 senior caps for England where he put away another 26 goals.

Having played in Euro, Champions League, and World Cup tournaments, Lampard has one of the most impressive resumes of any active player the world over.

With David Beckham moving on from LA after back-to-back MLS Cup victories, the Galaxy are eager to bring in a big name replacement to their side.  Chelsea have made it clear that after a 12 year relationship they would not be extending any new offers to Lampard after his contract expires in June.  Despite his age, Lampard has had a terrific campaign so far in 2012/13 scoring 7 goals in 14 games from his position in midfield.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2013/01/17/3680485/source-frank-lampard-to-la-galaxy-a-done-deal

Rumour: Could Nigel Reo-Coker be headed to MLS?

News of Nigel Reo-Coker considering MLS has dropped, after an apparent offer from coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the US Mens National Team.  Being married to an American, Reo-Coker would be eligible to play for the USA after a period of residency as he has not been capped by England at the mens level.

Portland Timbers and New York Red Bulls are being touted as the two MLS sides that are in the running for the 28-year old midfielders talent.

Currently unattached, a move to the US is a definite possibility.  He has apparently turned down a $2million offer from Bursaspor and a second club in Turkey.

“Reo-Coker’s desire to play here that he will accept a wage below that of Designated Player in his first year of a three year deal  to get his foot inside the MLS door and launch an international career.”

Reo-Coker started his professional football career for Wimbeldon, where he spent 5 years in their youth system before joining the first team in 2002.  He appeared in 58 games before moving to West Ham United in 2004 and finishing runners-up in the FA Cup finals in 2006/06.  Hitting the pitch in 120 fixtures for the Hammers, Reo-Coker then moved on to play in over 100 games for Aston Villa and another 37 with Bolton Wanderers.

With over 250 games played in the Premiership, he took a short 3-month spell with Championship side Ipswitch Town which was not extended.

Source: http://www.prostamerika.com/2013/01/17/timbers-lining-up-klinsmanns-favourite/76455?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

2013 MLS SuperDraft Board

Round 1:

01. New England Revolution - Andrew Farrell (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/andrew-farrell

02. Chivas USA - Carlos Alvarez (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/carlos-alvarez

03. Toronto FC - Kyle Bekker (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kyle-bekker

04. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Kekuta Manneh (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh

05. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Erik Hurtado (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/erik-hurtado

06. Colorado Rapids - Deshorn Brown (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/deshorn-brown

07. FC Dallas - Walker Zimmerman (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/walker-zimmerman

08. L’Impact Montreal - Blake Smith (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/blake-smith

09. Columbus Crew - Ryan Finley (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Ryan-Finley

10. Seattle Sounders - Eriq Zavaleta (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Eriq-Zavaleta

11. Colorado Rapids - Dillon Powers (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Dillon-Powers

12. Real Salt Lake - John Stertzer (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/John-Stertzer

13. Houston Dynamo - Jason Johnson (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Jason-Johnson

14. Sporting KC - Mikey Lopez (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Mikey-Lopez

15. San Jose Earthquakes - Tommy Muller (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Tommy-Muller

16. Toronto FC - Emery Welshman (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Emery-Welshman

17. DC United - Taylor Kemp (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Taylor-Kemp

18. L’Impact Montreal - Fernando Monge (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Fernando-Monge

19. LA Galaxy - Charlie Rugg (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Charlie-Rugg

Round 2:

20. FC Dallas - Ryan Hollingshead (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Ryan-Hollingshead

21. New England Revolution - Donnie Smith (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Donald-Smith

22. New York Red Bulls - Ian Christianson (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Ian-Christianson

23. New England Revolution - Luke Spencer (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Luke-Spencer

24. LA Galaxy - Kofi Opare (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Kofi-Opare

25. Colorado Rapids - Kory Kindle (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Kory-Kindle

26. Philadelphia Union - Don Anding (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Don-Anding

27. L’Impact Montreal - Paolo DelPiccolo (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Paolo-DelPiccolo

28. Columbus Crew - Drew Beckie (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Drew-Beckie

29. Real Salt Lake - Devon Sandoval (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Devon-Sandoval

30. Chicago Fire - Yazid Atouba Emane (F) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Yazid-Atouba

31. Philadelphia Union - Stephen Okai (M)

32. L’Impact Montreal - Brad Stuver (G) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Brad-Stuver

33. San Jose Earthquakes - Dan Delgado (M) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/danchrisandre-delgado

34. Portland Timbers - Dillon Tucker-Gangnes (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/dylan-tucker-gangnes

35. Seattle Sounders - Dylan Remick (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/dylan-remick

36. New England Revolution - Luis Soffner (G) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/Luis-Soffner

37. Houston Dynamo - Jimmy Nealis (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jimmy-nealis

38. LA Galaxy - Greg Cochrane (D) http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/greg-cochrane

Chris Boyd’s contract bought out by Portland Timbers

Designated Player, Chris Boyd has parted ways with Portland Timbers as his contract was bought out by the club.

Earning $1,515,000 in 2012, Boyd score d7 goals in 26 games for Portland.  Boyd has previously suited up for Rangers, Middlesbrough, Kilmarnock, and Nottingham Forest in the UK, as well as Eskisehirspor in Turkey.

Source: http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/breaking-timbers-part-ways-with-boyd.html

Portland Timbers trade Mike Fucito to San Jose

Mike Fucito is on the move again, this time after being traded from Portland Timbers to San Jose Earthquakes for a 2nd round pick in todays MLS SuperDraft.

Fucito spent 2009-2011 with Seattle Sounders, appearing in 23 games and scoring 3 goals.  Last season was split between Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers where he suited up in 13 games total games.

At 26, Fucito is a talented midfielder who can also play up top, though hasn’t found regular time in the starting XI at any of the organizations he’s been part of.

Source: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/01/timbers-acquire-second-round-pick-2013-mls-superdraft-san-jose-exchange-mike-fucito

Kevin Harbottle signs with Colorado Rapids

Attacking midfielder Kevin Harbottle has signed with Colorado Rapids from Universidad Catolica of the Chilean Primera Division.

The 22-year old Chilean international has 1 cap to his name and has featured in 93 professional matches dating back to 2008 with Antofagasta.  He has recorded 22 goals in that time.

Terms of the deal were not released as per club and league policy.

Source: http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/01/rapids-sign-22-year-old-chilean-winger-kevin-harbottle