AP Soccer birthdays:
Yikes. Tim Cahill (right) is already 34? I mean, we knew he was at this stage of his career when he came to New York last summer, but in light of the “adjustment period” last fall, that number is a little higher than you’d like for a guy who still needs to adjust to MLS. But another place, another time … Happy Birthday, Tim!
Big Important Stories of the Day:
Stage 1 of this year’s MLS Re-Entry Draft happens today, with the final round taking place next Friday. If all goes right, we’ll have more on this later today (updated player list, general principles, what to look for, and of course, results). For now, know that this is essentially a garage sale. You might find something interesting and make good use of it, but if you decide not to show up, you probably won’t regret it.
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day):
Gyasi Zardes
*Ahead on the blog today:
In addition to the Re-Entry draft content? Well, aren’t we greedy. Very well. Mr. Steve Davis will be dropping in for another post from Breakfast with Jurgen (where, I can only infer, no food was served). We’ll start looking forward to the European weekend (and one game, in particular), and we’ll be keeping an eye on all the happenings in the lands of Becks, LD, and Kaká.
What you should watch on TV today:
If you have access to it, there’s a good match in the English second division today. I know, I know – what’s this guy who’s constantly taking shots at Anglophilia doing directing people to the second division of English soccer? Hey, a good game is a good game.
Cardiff City, currently sitting first, visits preseason promotion favorites Blackburn, with Rovers sitting ninth coming into the day’s action. Cardiff’s been the heartbreak team of recent seasons (so close but never promoted) while Blackburn – who still have the likes of Paul Robinson, Martin Olsson, Scott Dann, Morgan Gamst Pedersen on their roster (along with a number of names they’ve acquired since being relegated – continue to stuff the feathers inside the bird.
Check your local beIN Sport listings for time.
Background noise while blogging:
I apologize for this, but this song has been stuck in my head for seven years: The Outfield, “Your Love.”
Don’t click on that. I mean, I’ve been clicking on it. Constantly. I’m just saying you shouldn’t.
And between refreshes of that page, the Denver Broncos are playing some kind of scrimmage against a team that’s doing a passable impression of the Washington Generals.
We’ll leave you with this:
I’m not sure I agree with it, but if somebody wanted to make the argument that there are only two English Premier League games that matter this season, I’d be willing to listen. Manchester vs. Manchester is Sunday morning.
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Stock Rising: United States men whose values are rising out of Salt Lake
Jun 19, 2013, 7:35 PM EDT
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There’re no shortage of players to praise after the U.S. completes a nine-out-of-nine run.
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Brad Friedel reveals he wants to coach after career is over
Jun 19, 2013, 4:52 PM EDT
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The 42-year-old American revealed he is taking coaching courses to prepare for whenever his career is over.
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Some of those old issues of communication and understanding between Jones and Michael Bradley were on display once again in Utah:
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Fabio Capello is the latest manager to say “no” to the defending Ligue 1 champions.
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Liverpool take a huge net loss on the 24-year-old while West Ham set their transfer fee record.
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The United States had the perfect lineup to slowly whittle away at the Honduras defense before it finally broke.
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The 24-year-old American has found a new team after spending 5 seasons at Villa Park.
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Jozy Altidore to the U.S. rescue! And there is a lot of that going around lately
Jun 19, 2013, 2:00 AM EDT
Feel free to ask yourself at this point: where would the United States be in World Cup qualifying without its young, in-form striker:






