Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The final stretch



Since I last posted, MLS has continued to claw its way in to the sports pages of British papers and other media, albeit not quite making its mark on the very back pages.

Beckham's been on the move again, though his short stint at Tottenham will disappoint anyone hoping to see him turn out in the Premier League again. Insurance issues and a niggling injury meant Spurs weren't willing to fork out for him to play in just a handful of games, and he'll return to MLS and the Galaxy later this month.

Rooney has moved to New York Red Bulls. Unfortunately for NY fans, it's not Wayne but in fact his little brother, John, who will be scrapping for a place up front with Thierry Henry.

And in the pre-season, clubs have been busy filling their rosters with draft picks and free agents left, right and centre. Some of the higher profile movers and shakers have been Juan Pablo Angel's switch to Beckham's LA Galaxy Former Newcastle defender Didier Domi has moved to New England Revs, while 39 year-old Colombian national team goalie Faryd Mondragon, who signed for Philadelphia Union.

John Spencer, who I interviewed in Houston, has signed Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert as well as ex Man Utd and FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper for his debut season as Portland Timbers' head coach. And New England signed Diego Fagundez who, at 15 years of age, is the youngest player to sign an MLS contract since Freddy Adu.

With all this movement it looks like exciting times ahead for MLS, who welcome Portland and Vancouver to the league this year.

'So what about the book?', I hear you cry. Well, with time rolling on, I am happy to report that I've been making excellent progress with my writing. I feel I am now in the 'pre-season training' stage of the process (though I am perhaps not yet quite fully match fit!) and hope to finish the project in the coming months. Once it is finished, you will be the first to know!