1) Thierry Henry, a Red Bull. It's true that "The Big Apple" doesn't have quite the same ring as "The Eternal City" and that no nickname ever generated for Red Bull Arena will ever hold a candle to the "Theatre of Dreams" but Henry has chosen a journey across the pond in place of a move to any number of big name European clubs that might have wanted to catch his signature. There's no doubting he's not the player he was at Arsenal, but he's still a fantastic forward, and his experience and skill will certainly help the Red Bulls. His combination with Juan Pablo Angel could bring a resurgence in the dreaded strike partner, a phenomenon whose decline I mentioned in an earlier post.
There's been a big debate as to whether Henry's signing is actually a bigger on than David Beckham's. I'm inclined to say they're probably about the same. At the time of their respective arrivals, they were both about the most marketable player in the game. Henry (outside of Ireland) seems to be almost universally respected. He's handsome, he's articulate, he's the face of the anti-racism campaign in football, and he's a great sportsman. Beckham has many of the same attributes and was arguably the most popular player in the game at the time of his signing. So it's a big deal, and now there's a rumor that Ronaldinho could be coming as well.
One wonders if all MLS clubs will be able to attract such big name players. While one can understand Henry wanting to go to NY or Ronaldinho/Beckham wanting to go to LA, it's difficult to imagine Raul wanting to go to Columbus, OH or Ryan Giggs wanting to go to Kansas City. It could create a lasting imbalance in the league, but we'll wait and see. But Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been the best designated player in MLS so far, and guess where he's playing? Yup, Columbus, OH.
2) Bob and Michael Bradley, England bound? In the weeks since the World Cup, there's been a lot of speculation about Bob Bradley's future. The European consensus is that he seems to be a rather competent manager and there's been talk of him going to Fulham since Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has left for my beloved Liverpool. I think it would be great for an American manager to manage in a top league in Europe, but I have to say that I'm a little skeptical about Bradley's ability to compete at that level. So much is different in the US, and Bradley has now been out of club football for four years. Of course, if here were to go and sign Michael, that would be awesome for Fulham because they'd be getting one of the most promising central midfielders in the world, and it would be great for the US because Bradley and Dempsey would be playing together regularly. The only speculation I've seen on Michael, however, is that he could be headed to newly promoted Blackpool. They'll be expected to prop up the rest of the EPL this year, but that could be the best place for Bradley to be, as he'll be assured of regular playing time.
3) New team for Bocanegra. Carlos Bocanegra has changed teams in France. He's moved from Rennes to Saint-Etienne.
4) Bornstein headed south of the border. It has been announced that Jonathan Bornstein will be headed to UANL Tigres in México at the end of this MLS season. Bornstein's mother is Mexican so that is the only logical explanation for his move south when after his World Cup performance many of us where hoping he'd move east about 6,000 miles. Hell, Liverpool are without a left back and Bornstein is certainly superior to Philip Degen (who thankfully has been told to find a new club by Hodgson)
5) Andy Najar to get a trial at Arsenal. The 17 year-old D. C. United youth academy product will have a trial at Arsenal at the end of this season. He's been one of the revelation's of the year in MLS (I've even heard about him while being here in Europe), and it looks as if one of the first youth academy products not to go through the national center in Bradenton, FL will be headed to North London come November or December. Let's hope he impresses Arsene Wenger and gets himself a contract at England's classiest club. He looks a good one for the future, assuming the US can get him to play for Uncle Sam instead of Honduras, the country of his birth.
6) Freddie Ljungberg set to leave MLS? He's not even played two full seasons, and Seattle has to be the best environment to play in as an MLS player (they have some 20,000 season ticket holders), but there is now speculation Ljungberg could head back to the old continent. Surprising, given former Arsenal teammate Henry has just come stateside, but who knows?
7) This one sounds pretty ridiculous. A year after making one of the dumbest purchases in their club's history in the form of Oguchi Onyewu, AC Milan are looking to sign another American in the form of Clint Dempsey. Well, he did sink the dagger in Juventus last year (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ILYWOAMX0) to put Fulham in the semifinals of the Europa League, but is that really good evidence he can make the grade at Milan?
Well that's the wrap for now, and that Giggsy has said he wouldn't be opposed to a move to the US after his playing days at United are done. Another classy player would be a good thing for our still humble league.
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