Getty Images What we’re thinking, what we’re watching, what’s coming on the blog today and the RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day). Setting up your day in soccer …
Birthdays of Note: Giovani dos Santos. His buddy Chicharito will be skipping the Olympics, but Gio dos might end up in London. He turns 23 today, a little more than 10 months after putting a nail in the 2011 Gold Cup final with his ridiculous chip. (Video below) If you were an American fan, it was hard to watch, but you had to respect the skill. Here’s to many more, Gio. Birthdays that is, not goals against the United States.
Ahead on the blog today*: Weekend MLS action (NYRB v. PU in an East Coast deathmatch; Houston christens that beautiful stadium); ; and possibly a little bit about US TV rights for the World Cup qualifier in Guatemala.
What we should all be watching on TV: Antigua vs. Orlando. Who doesn’t love a little USL action?
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Marcelo Balboa
Twitter dap: Amobi Okugo (@amobisays) “I’m still appalled by the fact that there isn’t a chase bank in Pennsylvania”
PST background noise while blogging today: Tyrannosaurus Hives
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
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Mario Götze to miss Champions League final against future club Bayern
May 22, 2013, 1:40 PM EDT
Reuters
With Dortmund’s main attacker threat out injured, can Dortmund still lift the Champions League trophy?
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Yankees: “We are working on NYC FC playing at Yankee Stadium”
May 22, 2013, 1:15 PM EDT
AP
Can the Yankees provide a viable option for New York City FC to play in? Of course they can. Maybe.
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They have owners and an employee, but now comes the hardest part for MLS expansion club NYCFC. The challenges ahead are daunting:
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The one accolade no EPL player wants on their soccer resume…
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Claudio Reyna announced as New York City FC Director of Football
May 22, 2013, 11:05 AM EDT
New York City FC announces Reyna as first employee, a good first move, right?
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Reuters
Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Red Bull Arena… which venue could work best as a temporary home for New York City FC?
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The magic of the Cup lives on, as four PDL sides now face trips to MLS teams in the third-round. Is this the stuff dreams are made of?
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Pulis joins long list of EPL managers departing… is English soccer becoming more ruthless?
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Wait a minute … didn’t MLS commissioner Don Garber say there “is no Plan B …” beyond the Queens location?
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Well, phooey! Didn’t Dempsey just go through a summer of transfer instability?
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U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley training in Fort Lauderdale
May 21, 2013, 5:55 PM EDT
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The U.S. midfielder is doing his part to stay fit and sharp ahead of the important internationals ahead:
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This and that as the U.S. contingent preps to gather in Cleveland ahead of five matches over the next few weeks:
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The updated ordering in ProSoccerTalk’s ranking of Major League Soccer teams following 12 rounds of play:
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Officials from MLS, Yankees, Manchester City and NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to speak tomorrow on expansion news
May 21, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
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How very convenient that Manchester City just happens to be in the States for a brief two-game tour.
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It’s really about two things, and not much else:
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A few implications of the ‘sister-club’ relationship between City and NYC FC
May 21, 2013, 2:05 PM EDT
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By forming NYC FC, City and the Yankees have created a ‘sister-club’ relationship – an innovative bond between a Premiership and MLS club.
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Notes from today’s big announcement on MLS, NYCFC the Yankees and the rest
May 21, 2013, 1:23 PM EDT
Early thoughts on the facility and the ripples of today’s big announcement on the 20th MLS franchise:
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By swapping Dzeko for Cavani, City can hamstring Manchester United and Chelsea, as both are rumored to be seeking a world-class striker.
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It’s official: Manchester City and the Yankees will own and operate Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team.
May 21, 2013, 11:16 AM EDT
The league’s 20th franchise will begin play in 2015:
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During his Premiership tenure Toure has proven himself a leader, captaining both the Gunners and the Citizens, as well as Cote d’Ivoire.
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Play
Video: Premier League drama set to thrill
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Video: Premier League: Real English drama
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Video: Highlights: Union outlast Fire
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Video: Sir Alex says goodbye
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Video: Morgan committed to growth of new women's league
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Video: Boy with cancer, 8, scores against major league soccer team
