Sporting Kansas City: MLS Club Sends 3 Players to USMNT January Camp

Individual accolades continue to pour in for Sporting Kansas City players.On Thursday, Sporting KC announced that three players had been invited to the U.S. Men's National Team training camp next month in preparation for friendlies against Venezuela and Panama.Forward Teal Bunbury, already in camp with the U-23 team preparing for Olympic qualifying, will be joined by forward C.J. Sapong and midfielder Graham Zusi. Bunbury will be the only field player that will participate in both camps.In a press release, Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said, "January camps are a good introduction for players to work their way into the National Team, so it's a prime opportunity for guys like C.J. Sapong and Graham Zusi, while Teal Bunbury continues to establish himself in the player pool." Sporting KC tied FC Dallas for most selections with three players each. MLS is well-represented on the roster, as only Ricardo Clark and Michael Parkhurst are not playing in the league.Sapong and Zusi will be participating in their first national team camp. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann handed out only three first-time invites to Camp Cupcake, as it's popularly referred to.Not only that, but Sapong and Bunbury account for half of the forwards at ...

MLS Transfer Possibilities: Tim Ream’s Best Move Is to Avoid the Premier League

Tim Ream has been one of the top emerging American internationals to play in Major League Soccer over the past two years.During those two years, Ream has continued to star for the Red Bulls. Ream was shortlisted as one of three potential rookie of the year candidates in 2010 and has played in 58 MLS matches in his two seasons.Ream has also been called up to the United States national team, participating in several friendlies and in the 2011 Gold Cup, where he registered two starts.Now Ream did have a disappointing 2011 campaign due in large part to multiple slip-ups in certain situations that cost both the national team and the Red Bulls in some major situations. But that has not stopped Ream from training with both West Bromwich Albion and Bolton this winter.In recent days, it has been rumored that Ream was going to leave for Bolton, with the Premier League side supposedly offering £3million for Ream to replace a potentially departing Gary Cahill.If this rumor were to be true, Ream would join fellow American international Stuart Holden at Bolton.But this isn't the only time that Ream has been linked to a major foreign side over the past several months. Ream was ...

Thierry Henry: If He Goes Back to Arsenal, What Does It Mean for the Red Bulls?

It seems that Thierry Henry could be heading back to the Gunners soon, but only for a month (via The First Post).  For Arsenal fans, this seems like a positive: What team would not want a world-class striker on the bench?But what about the New York faithful?Henry loves Arsenal. He loved playing for them and he really enjoyed playing against them.  The team even unveiled a statue of the Frenchman, which almost brought Henry to tears.  He is proud of his accomplishments with Arsenal, and it would not surprise me if he goes back there for a little bit of a "last hurrah."What does this mean for the New York Red Bulls?Henry will be overseas playing and training with one of the best clubs in one of the best leagues on the planet.  Next season, fitness should not be a problem for Henry. In fact, his fitness could improve from this, but it leaves less time to train with his club.The two worries I do have are fatigue and injury. It will be like an extended training camp and playing season for Thierry.  If his Red Bulls make a playoff run I hope he will be fit and ready to play.  ...

David Beckham: Former England Captain Must Make Up Mind About Future

Even at the age of 36, David Beckham is a wanted man.The former England captain helped the Los Angeles Galaxy win the Major League Soccer title this year and has been at the center of transfer rumors back to Europe for some time.Reports surfaced yesterday that a deal was completed with French giants Paris St. Germain, but Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph quotes a Becks spokesman denying the report:"No agreement has been reached with any club yet, talk of a deal is premature. David has yet to make a final decision on his future."The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star will have to make up his mind soon as he prepares for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Beckham and his family have been living in California for some time and are more than happy where they are.The London native hasn't made an appearance for the England national team since 2009, but fully expects to participate at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London as his final duty to his country.Beckham signed his first major deal in England with Manchester United at the age of 17 and made his international debut for Three Lions at the age of 21. He holds the ...

The Porland Timbers:Had the Best Year They Could Have Imagined

The Portland Timbers may not have made it to the playoffs for their first season of Major League Soccer (MLS) play, but they sure gave any fans who set their eyes on the team a great show. The Timbers entered 2011 as a new franchise to grace the MLS, and as the kickoff of their first match grew near, so did the anticipation. With that anticipation came many questions of how the new squad would do.Let me tell you: They did not disappoint.Begin Slideshow

Picking an All-Time MLS Best XI

I have been covering Major League Soccer for a couple years here on Bleacher Report and so far it has been nothing short of a rewarding experience. I have learned quite a lot about the nuances of the league, the dynamics, the teams, the culture of its fans...and I have come to appreciate the importance of MLS to the United States.As I close the books on another successful year of following this league and prepare to open a new one next month, I want to reflect on eleven players that make up my All-Time MLS Best XI. These are footballers that have molded the league into what it is today.Let's take a look.Begin Slideshow

Donovan to Everton: Why the American’s Career Will End with This Short Term Deal

Landon Donovan's reign as the best American player will soon come to an end. Amidst the web, writers are piling heaps of praise upon the LA Galaxy star for securing another short-term loan deal with EPL club Everton.  Last season, Donovan strutted his stuff with the Toffees, accumulating two goals and three assists before being awarded the club's Player of the Month Award. So now our American hero is off again, for another few months on a sub-par English side which lacks any real attacking talent.  Without a doubt he will show his worth, he will be a lone bright spot shining on a team lacking any creative spark after Arteta departed for Arsenal. What else is new? Donovan has already proven how great of a player he can be last year during his short loan with Everton.  The universal feeling towards this move is overall positive, as its not everyday an American gets 90 minutes in the EPL. That is fine... With a player like Stuart Holden. But not for Landon Donovan. Americans should be furious that, once again, Donovan is on loan instead of ...

CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal: Where Should Galaxy and Toronto FC Play?

Despite a terrible 2011 of MLS league play, Toronto FC have reached without question their biggest milestone in their short history.  TFC has reached the quarterfinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.  In this two leg knockout round they drew the current MLS champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy.  This great milestone has been met with a very difficult decision that has divided the TFC conglomerate.  This debate revolves around the issue of weather in the great Canadian north.  Average March temperature for Toronto hovers around -5-3 degrees Celsius or 23-37 Fahrenheit.  With cold temperatures a reality and snow a distinct possibility, TFC management have been debating moving this all important game out of the comfort of TFC's fortress, BMO Field, and into the 'concrete Cadillac,' the Rogers Centre.This article will examine the pros/cons of each possibility as deadline day looms for the Toronto faithful. Begin Slideshow

Ashtone Morgan: TFC Youngster Wins Canadian U-20 Player of the Year

The Canadian Soccer Association named Ashtone Morgan as one of the under-20 players of the year. Morgan has been one of the first promising signs of reward for the highly invested TFC Academy.Morgan broke through late in the 2011 season and was featured as a regular first-team fixture starting on the left side of defense.  Making 14 league and 8 CONCACAF Champions League appearances, Morgan has shown signs of being the player to finally fill the void left by skipper Jim Brennan's retirement in early 2010.  With stiff limitations regarding Canadian content to fill out Toronto's roster, it is very important (for club and country) that Toronto, as with all Canadian MLS teams, find capable youth within their own system.Toronto is currently breaking ground at Downsview Park in Toronto, beginning construction on their 20 million dollar training facilities.  This investment is a great step forward for MLS and should guarantee that Toronto continues to find and properly develop home grown talent to build this team into the future.  This award is a great achievement for this young Canadian, and he should be a permanent fixture within Toronto and Canada's squad for years to come.  Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS: New York Red Bulls Roster Continues to Be a Revolving Door

In 16 seasons, the New York Red Bulls/MetroStars have had 12 different head coaches and seven different general managers or sporting directors. Close to 300 players have suited up for the team since its inception. Year after year, there is constant turnover—coaching changes, management changes, roster overhauls. Yet the team has never found the right mix and, therefore, have never won a trophy of any kind, be it the MLS Cup, Supporter’s Shield or U.S. Open Cup. After the 2011 season, which can only be described as a failure due to high expectations coming into the year, the housecleaning begins again. We know that sporting director Erik Soler will return in 2012, along with head coach Hans Backe. The team has decimated its roster, however. Alex Horwath, Mike Jones, Tyler Lassiter, Marcos Paullo, John Rooney and Teddy Schneider were all waived. Carlos Mendes (the longest-tenured player on the roster and lone MetroStar remaining), Bouna Coundoul and Chris Albright did not have their options picked up, and Stephane Auvray was released. Greg Sutton, in a complicated loan move with expansion squad Montreal Impact, will also not be back ...