***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[The Z Machine]

Hazard should get 6 weeks at the minimum.

 

[gianmarco]

I was wondering how the kid ended up on the ground. Hazard pushed him, then kicked him... . He's totally ####ed.

totally ####ed.the video I watched- didn't really look like he pushed him first time as much as reached for the ball and the kid turned and went to ground with the ball under him. Hazard tries to get the ball and the kid lays harder- then the kick.is there a video that shows clearly that Hazard pushed the kid to the ground?

They keep getting deleted. I've only seen one with the entire sequence. It actually all happens pretty quickly.

Here you go....3 minutes worth

 

[The Gator]

I blame Suarez

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Hazard should get 6 weeks at the minimum.

That would suck. They're in terrible form the past few weeks and need to snap out of it to hold a CL spot. I don't think this is a Cantona moment. Hazard has a clean record so I expect it might be 5 games, one of which will be the FA Cup game against Brentford.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

It would be kind of awesome if some snotty punk Welsh ballboy ended up swinging who is in the CL next year.

 

[El Floppo]

I was wondering how the kid ended up on the ground. Hazard pushed him, then kicked him... . He's totally ####ed.

totally ####ed.the video I watched- didn't really look like he pushed him first time as much as reached for the ball and the kid turned and went to ground with the ball under him. Hazard tries to get the ball and the kid lays harder- then the kick.is there a video that shows clearly that Hazard pushed the kid to the ground?

They keep getting deleted. I've only seen one with the entire sequence. It actually all happens pretty quickly.

Here you go....3 minutes worth

Looks like what I thought... but it is pretty quick.Hazard is ####ed. And just when I thought Chelsea was starting to put it together... and IIRC from the last game's commentary, Hazard's the only guy who's played in every game for Chelsea this season? Maybe they can plug somebody else in there, but he's been a central part (with Mata) of everything good I've seen Chelsea do on offense.

 

[El Floppo]

Just saw another full video on ESPN.com.

Still looks like the same- except now... to me, at least... it looks like Hazard is trying to kick the ball away from under the kid's belly. Get's the kid too, but doesn't just look like he's trying to only kick the kid.

 

[Christo]

That has to be worth 10 games.

 

[El Floppo]

That has to be worth 10 games.

<6

 

[The Z Machine]

I'm thinking 6+ here. The fact that he's not English goes against him.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Put me down for 8. I think the ballboy being kind of a bratty guy might've saved a couple for Hazard. All over a Capital One Cup match. Man.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Moses seems like a good bet to get a lot more PT.

 

[Eephus]

Moses seems like a good bet to get a lot more PT.

Not until after the AFCON finishes.

 

[Slapdash]

What Cletus is talking about.

Sounds like he had it coming.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Moses seems like a good bet to get a lot more PT.

Not until after the AFCON finishes.

I suppose Moses and Mikel could be back early Feb. if Nigeria fails to advance from their group. Until then, I think it will be Marin getting most of Hazard's minutes, perhaps with Bertrand or Ramires filling in a bit as well, depending on whatever brilliance FSW comes up with next.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

What Cletus is talking about.

Sounds like he had it coming.

He's got almost 70,000 followers last I checked. Reportedly the son of a Swansea board member. The profile pic of him swigging a Strongbow takes a bit of the shine off the child-beating angle here, not that his age is all that relevant.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting piece on Roma from Zonal Marking with a lot of comments about Bradleyhttp://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/01/22/roma-1-1-inter-bradley-guarin-sum-up-serie-as-obsession-drivers-rather-than-creators/#more-9400

 

[dparker713]

I was wondering how the kid ended up on the ground. Hazard pushed him, then kicked him... . He's totally ####ed.

totally ####ed.the video I watched- didn't really look like he pushed him first time as much as reached for the ball and the kid turned and went to ground with the ball under him. Hazard tries to get the ball and the kid lays harder- then the kick.is there a video that shows clearly that Hazard pushed the kid to the ground?

They keep getting deleted. I've only seen one with the entire sequence. It actually all happens pretty quickly.

Here you go....3 minutes worth

Kid could have drawn a red for simulation. I get it, you can't kick the kid. But the kid seemed to purposely impede play. Guy already got sent off. That should stand along with all that entails. Anything else I'd set aside due to contributory actions by the ball boy.

 

[Zigg]

Swansea should forfeit the match(cup tie). What Hazard did bothers me much, much less than what the punk did. Should have kicked him harder, and I'm not fishing. Well, besides the forfeit part.

 

[Texas Football]

Swansea should be fined a very large amount and the ballboy banned from all football matches forever. That was ridiculous.Chelsea should not appeal the red and accept the 2 match ban to Hazard. End of story. The ref took action so I am not sure too much more can be done.Disgusting act by the Swansea ballboy. Why was he fielding the ball(besides to time waste) in the first place? Was he told to do this or come up with this plan on his own? This kids father should be embarrassed. I hate Chelsea, but if Hazard gets further punishment I will lose more respect from the FA.ETA: I have nearly 0 respect for the FA to begin with and Suarez is the best player in the prem.

 

[The Z Machine]

Swansea should be fined a very large amount and the ballboy banned from all football matches forever. That was ridiculous.

Chelsea should not appeal the red and accept the 2 match ban to Hazard. End of story. The ref took action so I am not sure too much more can be done.

Disgusting act by the Swansea ballboy. Why was he fielding the ball(besides to time waste) in the first place? Was he told to do this or come up with this plan on his own? This kids father should be embarrassed.

I hate Chelsea, but if Hazard gets further punishment I will lose more respect from the FA.

ETA: I have nearly 0 respect for the FA to begin with and Suarez is the best player in the prem.

Eh?

 

[Christo]

I was wondering how the kid ended up on the ground. Hazard pushed him, then kicked him... . He's totally ####ed.

totally ####ed.the video I watched- didn't really look like he pushed him first time as much as reached for the ball and the kid turned and went to ground with the ball under him. Hazard tries to get the ball and the kid lays harder- then the kick.is there a video that shows clearly that Hazard pushed the kid to the ground?

They keep getting deleted. I've only seen one with the entire sequence. It actually all happens pretty quickly.

Here you go....3 minutes worth

Kid could have drawn a red for simulation. I get it, you can't kick the kid. But the kid seemed to purposely impede play. Guy already got sent off. That should stand along with all that entails. Anything else I'd set aside due to contributory actions by the ball boy.

 

[Christo]

Swansea should forfeit the match(cup tie). What Hazard did bothers me much, much less than what the punk did. Should have kicked him harder, and I'm not fishing. Well, besides the forfeit part.

Sure, because wasting a few seconds of a soccer match is much worse than kicking someone while they are laying on the ground.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Swansea should be fined a very large amount and the ballboy banned from all football matches forever. That was ridiculous.

Chelsea should not appeal the red and accept the 2 match ban to Hazard. End of story. The ref took action so I am not sure too much more can be done.

Disgusting act by the Swansea ballboy. Why was he fielding the ball(besides to time waste) in the first place? Was he told to do this or come up with this plan on his own? This kids father should be embarrassed.

I hate Chelsea, but if Hazard gets further punishment I will lose more respect from the FA.

ETA: I have nearly 0 respect for the FA to begin with and Suarez is the best player in the prem.

Eh?

I suppose this is a pretty good topic for debate. I'm squarely in the RVP camp. But I can see the argument for Suarez or Aguero among strikers. And if I'm being democratic and including two way players, I think it's hard to overestimate the impact that Yaya Toure has for Man City. Which makes Man U losing 2 pts while Toure is off at the ANC particularly galling for Fergie, I imagine. Last year I would have even said that Kompany and Woz were in the conversation, but neither has played nearly as well this year.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Not sure I can get down with Suarez as the best player, but he creates more goals on his own than anyone else. Makes you wonder what would happen if he had good service and/or defenders had to really worry about someone else.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Swansea should forfeit the match(cup tie). What Hazard did bothers me much, much less than what the punk did. Should have kicked him harder, and I'm not fishing. Well, besides the forfeit part.

Sure, because wasting a few seconds of a soccer match is much worse than kicking someone while they are laying on the ground.

I'm sort of with Zigg. Kicking out at anyone is a red card. I get it. But it wasn't a Cantona karate kick. It was a poke. It had about the same malice as Beckham in the 2002 World Cup. A red card for sure, but it doesn't make Hazard Darth Vader. I don't pretend to know how many games it should be, and I won't criticize the FA no matter what they decide, but I don't think it warrants much outrage. Time wasting is annoying, but more annoying is that ball boys should not interject themselves into the match. We can leave Hazard vs. King of All Ballboys out of it. As an organization, I think Swansea should be more embarrassed than Chelsea.

Similarly, I like to make fun of Suarez and Terry, but I thought that the outrage over their incidents was silly too. Particularly Terry, where it seemed right out of the old Richard Pryor sketch on SNL.

Ferdinand: You're a ****.

Terry: You're a ****.

Ferdinand: You philandering ****.

Terry: Black ****.

Ferdinand: DEAD ****!

 

[The Z Machine]

How anyone can say that RvP isn't the best in the league right now is beyond me. Dude is the 80s Joe Montana of today's EPL.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

How anyone can say that RvP isn't the best in the league right now is beyond me. Dude is the 80s Joe Montana of today's EPL.

Agreed. However, the annoying and relentless misuse of Seven Nation Army by the Man U fans in his regard costs him a few points, and brings him back to the pack.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Klinsmann at it again.Anyone getting the impression that this appears to be some sort of false bravado and that JK is actually seriously worried that the US may not qualify?Also he keeps mentioning drinking. I wonder who he is pointing the finger at here?

Believing in the U.S. Team, but Demanding MoreBy ANDREW KEH¶ TORRANCE, Calif. — There will not be any excuses for the United States men’s national soccer team should it fail to qualify for the next World Cup. Entrance, of course, can never be guaranteed. But if the Americans are not competing in Brazil a year and a half from now, it will be through their own malfunction.¶ At least that is how their coach seems to see things.¶ “I’m not afraid of any of those teams,” Jurgen Klinsmann said Tuesday, sitting in a hotel lobby a short drive from the Home Depot Center, where he has orchestrated the team’s January training camp. “I’m not afraid of Mexico at all.”¶ Klinsmann can be an engaging orator, going on and on without prodding on a range of subjects, like how he views his team: “I’m telling you, if I go player by player through both teams — and this is not just because I’m a very positive thinking person, it’s because I evaluate players — I’m telling you that we’ve got to go into Mexico City to beat them in front of 100,000 people,” he said.¶ His point was that his team, despite what the current FIFA rankings suggest, was the best in its region, and as it prepared for the final round of World Cup qualifying — beginning Feb. 6 in Honduras, and continuing through the year with home-and-away matches against Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, and rival Mexico — the biggest threat was the absence of focus or desire or overall mental fortitude.¶ Klinsmann continued: “They have Chicharito? We have Clint Dempsey. They have Guardado? We have Michael Bradley.”¶ But then came his other point: “It’s all here,” he said, pointing to his head. “There is a lot of work still ahead of us.”¶ Klinsmann, 48, has been the United States’ head coach since July 2011. From the standpoint of results, the past calendar year was a clear success. The team went 9-2-3, earning impressive victories in Mexico (the first there in team history) and Italy (also the first time) and grinding out a draw in Russia.¶ But in his mind his team’s most glaring misstep, a surprising 2-1 loss in Kingston, Jamaica, was equally important.¶ “We didn’t lose in Jamaica because Jamaica was playing better than we did,” Klinsmann said. “We lost because we didn’t have the right focus. We gave away cheap free kicks, and they scored two goals out of nothing. They didn’t have any chance during the game. Not even one chance. But we lost.”¶ Klinsmann often adopts the rhetorical style of a life coach, a role he seems to embrace, and one of his chief concerns since he took over 16 months ago has been raising his players’ personal standards. He does not hesitate, whether in interviews or behind closed doors, to suggest the best career move for any player, assuming his goal is to succeed on the national team.¶ Klinsmann does not dispute the view that soccer’s uphill climb to popularity in the United States has precluded the country from producing an elite team. Yet he feels his team can compete in the short term against the world’s best, making up some of the difference through more holistic measures, like fitness and psychology.¶ Those who spend some time observing Klinsmann, then, might notice his fondness for the term “24/7,” which seems to represent his highest form of praise for a professional and a state of being to strive toward.¶ “When you talk about 24/7, it’s that you’re accountable for what you eat, accountable for how you sleep, how you live your life, how serious you take your job,” he said. “You’re accountable for what you do with your money, choosing your agent, choosing your girlfriend or your wife. Ultimately, it will all affect your performance.”¶ He elaborated another way: if you’re a player, one beer at night might be O.K. Two? That is your choice, but you should think about it. And if you are the type who goes for three, maybe you are not cut out for the national team.¶ Accountability is another of Klinsmann’s buzz words, and he said it was a shame that his players did not experience persistent and harsh scrutiny from the news media and fans, the way their international counterparts do. He feels some American players are too easily satisfied with their accomplishments.¶ During a morning training session this week, Martin Vasquez, one of the team’s assistant coaches, was the one ensconced among the players, yelling instruction and encouragement, revolving his body like a turret. Klinsmann orbited slowly around them all, mostly quiet.But Klinsmann came alive during the final drill, one that pitted two teams of five against each other on a truncated field. He watched intently from the sideline, his feet spread apart, his fingers curled tensely at his sides.The players were moving languidly, and Klinsmann stopped the action. “This is a game that shows your character,” he said of the drill. “This is a game to get nasty.”The impromptu speech then closed with a flourish, with Klinsmann scolding the players for not getting on one another’s cases. “If you see someone here that doesn’t want to win,” he said, shouting at this point, “it should make you very mad,” injecting an expletive for emphasis.Such lectures, as well as countless words of encouragement, have been common at this month’s training camp, which has been populated almost entirely by young, domestic-based players.But when the team’s Europe-based players, the ones who will be relied upon for the coming qualifiers, re-enter the picture, Klinsmann will have another set of concerns. He mentioned, for instance, the possibility that those playing for glamorous clubs overseas might have lost the stomach for the scrappier battles that define regional games.It is all part of the mixing and matching that Klinsmann will have to oversee.“I see here an environment where there’s a lot happening within a short amount of time, and that’s why that layer, the foundation, will still be defined over the next 12 to 14 months,” he said, adding: “It’s fun. I really enjoy it. But you’ve got to prove it at the end of the day at the World Cup.”

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

How anyone can say that RvP isn't the best in the league right now is beyond me. Dude is the 80s Joe Montana of today's EPL.

Other than the pesky titles.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Also he keeps mentioning drinking. I wonder who he is pointing the finger at here?

Maybe he thinks Andy Carroll is American.

 

[El Floppo]

Swansea should forfeit the match(cup tie). What Hazard did bothers me much, much less than what the punk did. Should have kicked him harder, and I'm not fishing. Well, besides the forfeit part.

Sure, because wasting a few seconds of a soccer match is much worse than kicking someone while they are laying on the ground.

I'm sort of with Zigg. Kicking out at anyone is a red card. I get it. But it wasn't a Cantona karate kick. It was a poke. It had about the same malice as Beckham in the 2002 World Cup. A red card for sure, but it doesn't make Hazard Darth Vader. I don't pretend to know how many games it should be, and I won't criticize the FA no matter what they decide, but I don't think it warrants much outrage. Time wasting is annoying, but more annoying is that ball boys should not interject themselves into the match. We can leave Hazard vs. King of All Ballboys out of it. As an organization, I think Swansea should be more embarrassed than Chelsea.

Similarly, I like to make fun of Suarez and Terry, but I thought that the outrage over their incidents was silly too. Particularly Terry, where it seemed right out of the old Richard Pryor sketch on SNL.

Ferdinand: You're a ****.

Terry: You're a ****.

Ferdinand: You philandering ****.

Terry: Black ****.

Ferdinand: DEAD ****!

all around.and fwiw- after watching that ridiculousness too many times yesterday, I'm of the opinion that Hazard kicked at the ball and likely didn't or barely touched that kid (17yo btw). His kick sends the ball out from under and onto the other side of the kid- just kicking the kid isn't going to do that. Of course, it's still poor judgement on Hazard's part, but a worse show from the ball-"boy".

 

[The Gator]

He won the ball first, red should be overturned.

 

[El Floppo]

He won the ball first, red should be overturned.

 

[The Gator]

The thing that made me really laugh was the fact the kid had a shout at the ref after finally sitting up.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Swansea should be fined a very large amount and the ballboy banned from all football matches forever. That was ridiculous.Chelsea should not appeal the red and accept the 2 match ban to Hazard. End of story. The ref took action so I am not sure too much more can be done.Disgusting act by the Swansea ballboy. Why was he fielding the ball(besides to time waste) in the first place? Was he told to do this or come up with this plan on his own? This kids father should be embarrassed.

This is pretty much where I'm at. The kid was asking for it. Hazard should've known better and was rightfully red-carded, but this isn't Cantona karate-kicking a fan. Small suspension for him is fine for me. That kid should never be a ballboy again.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The thing that made me really laugh was the fact the kid had a shout at the ref after finally sitting up.

The Sergio Busquets School of Ball Boying.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

That kid has a pretty hot girlfriend.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jesus Christ. NY looks for months to sign a new coach and they end up naming the care taker, Mike Petke as the head coach. Nothing like hiring your 17th choice. That being said, I am happy for Petke. Always seemed like a good guy and made the most out of a limited set of skills

HARRISON, NJ (Jan. 24, 2013) – The New York Red Bulls announced today that they have named Mike Petke head coach effective immediately. Petke, who is one of the club’s most popular all-time players and its leader in games played, was previously serving New York as head coach on an interim basis.“Mike is very passionate about our club and has shown us that he has the leadership and organizational qualities to be our head coach,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. “He is a terrific servant for this club, from being a top player to most recently heading our reserve squad. Mike has earned this opportunity and he will have the full support of our staff to help ensure the team’s success. We believe that his experience both as a player and coach in American soccer will be a significant asset as we head into the 2013 season."“Ever since I joined New York in 1998, this is the club that has always been closest to my heart. I am thrilled to have earned this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is truly a dream come true,” Petke said. “I know there is a lot of work ahead and our challenge is not easy. However, I am excited to take hold of my new responsibility and hopeful that I can help build a hard-working team that our club’s loyal supporters can all be proud of.”Petke, 36, just finished his second season as an assistant coach on New York’s staff after an illustrious playing career. He joined the coaching ranks in 2011 following a 13-year career that included two playing stints with the club from 1998-2002 and 2008-10. The Bohemia, NY native holds the current club record for games played, with 169 (196 in all competitions), games started (158 regular season) and minutes played (14,060 regular season).Drafted by New York in 1998 with the 8th overall pick in the MLS Draft, Petke made his debut on April 17, 1998 against the Chicago Fire. He helped the team to its first Eastern Division title in 2000 and was thrice named an MLS All-Star. Petke was traded to D.C. United before the 2003 season and won his only MLS Cup in 2004 with United. He was then traded to Colorado during their 2005 campaign, helping the Rapids to reach the Western Conference Finals.The Red Bulls signed Petke again at the end of 2008 and he played 35 more matches for the team until retiring in 2010. He was named the club’s 2009 Defender of the Year and helped New York to its second Eastern Conference regular season title in his final season. Petke finished his career with 307 appearances in league play (351 in all competitions), in which he scored 13 goals and added four assists. He is one of 16 MLS players who has appeared in 300 or more career regular season matches. Petke also appeared in nine playoff matches and 13 U.S. Open Cup matches as a member of the New York franchise and earned two caps for the United States.Prior to his professional career, Petke spent four years at Southern Connecticut State University, leading the team to the NCAA Division II National title in 1995.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Joey Barton weighs in on the Hazardous Ballboy.

No prizes for guessing correctly.

 

[NewlyRetired]

With Nelsen and Petke coming on as head coaches, how many active ex MLS players are now coaching an MLS team?Heaps in NEOlsen in DCKries in Salt LakeKineear in HoustonYallop in SJPetke in NYNelsen in TorontoVermes in KCWarzycha in ColumbusPareja in ColoradoKlopas in ChicagoDid I miss anyone?

 

[NewlyRetired]

What the heck can this be that has the commissioner, the mayor, the governor and the owners showing up to a press conference??

SANDY, Utah (Thursday, January 24, 2013) – Real Salt Lake Founder Dave Checketts and Owner Dell Loy Hansen will be joined at Rio Tinto Stadium by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Sandy City Mayor Tom Dolan for a major announcement this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. MT. WHEN: TODAY at 2:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. ETWHAT: Major Announcement regarding Real Salt Lake / Major League SoccerWHO: Dave Checketts – Founder, Real Salt LakeDell Loy Hansen – Owner, Real Salt LakeDon Garber – Commissioner, Major League SoccerTom Dolan – Mayor, Sandy CityGary Herbert – Governor, State of Utah

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

What the heck can this be that has the commissioner, the mayor, the governor and the owners showing up to a press conference??

SANDY, Utah (Thursday, January 24, 2013) – Real Salt Lake Founder Dave Checketts and Owner Dell Loy Hansen will be joined at Rio Tinto Stadium by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Sandy City Mayor Tom Dolan for a major announcement this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. MT. WHEN: TODAY at 2:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. ETWHAT: Major Announcement regarding Real Salt Lake / Major League SoccerWHO: Dave Checketts – Founder, Real Salt LakeDell Loy Hansen – Owner, Real Salt LakeDon Garber – Commissioner, Major League SoccerTom Dolan – Mayor, Sandy CityGary Herbert – Governor, State of Utah

I have no idea, but the very idea of Drogba in Utah fills me with a strange delight.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What the heck can this be that has the commissioner, the mayor, the governor and the owners showing up to a press conference??

SANDY, Utah (Thursday, January 24, 2013) – Real Salt Lake Founder Dave Checketts and Owner Dell Loy Hansen will be joined at Rio Tinto Stadium by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Sandy City Mayor Tom Dolan for a major announcement this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. MT. WHEN: TODAY at 2:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. ETWHAT: Major Announcement regarding Real Salt Lake / Major League SoccerWHO: Dave Checketts – Founder, Real Salt LakeDell Loy Hansen – Owner, Real Salt LakeDon Garber – Commissioner, Major League SoccerTom Dolan – Mayor, Sandy CityGary Herbert – Governor, State of Utah

I have no idea, but the very idea of Drogba in Utah fills me with a strange delight.

I can't come up with anything that would involve the politicians being there. If they were not there it could have been anything but this has to be fairly big news if they want a photo op. Very strange that there are no leaks yet. The only tie I can see for the Politicians is the stadium itself if the city/state helped pay for it through bonds etc.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Hard not to root for a guy like this Mike Petke (@MikePetke)1/24/13, 1:26 PMExcited to get started and meet the team today! Henry has me pencilled in at 3:30. #waitlisted

 

[NewlyRetired]

Salt Lake Tribune just broke the story. Still not sure why the politicians are coming to something like this.

Real Salt Lake: Dave Checketts sells RSL to Dell Loy Hansen

By Aaron Falk | The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published 1 minute ago • Updated 1 minute ago

Dave Checketts, the multimillionaire entrepreneur who brought Major League Soccer to Utah and won a heated political fight to get a stadium built in Sandy, has sold his interest in Real Salt Lake to the team’s minority owner Dell Loy Hansen, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.

The deal will be announced Thursday afternoon during a press conference at Rio Tinto Stadium. Checketts, Hansen, MLS Commisioner Don Garber, Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan and Utah Governor Gary Herbert are slated to be at the event, according to a team press release. A team spokesman declined to comment.

Hansen purchased 49 percent of Checketts’ SCP Worldwide’s sports properties in Utah — RSL, the team’s stadium, and ESPN 700 — in November 2009, just days before RSL won the MLS Cup. The move to buy out Checketts comes a year after the team’s founder was named chairman and CEO of Legends Hospitality Management, a concessions, merchandising and ticketing company founded by the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys and Goldman Sachs.

Checketts career has centered on sports. In 1983, at the age of 28, Checketts became president and general manager of the Utah Jazz. He went on to found SCP Worldwide, a company with assets that include the St. Louis Blues and the NHL team’s hockey arena. At different times, Checketts has made bids to buy other teams, namely the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Rams. Those bids were ultimately unsuccessful, and Checketts ultimately sold the Blues.

SCP got into the soccer business in July 2004, and RSL began play the next spring. Checketts later led, and won, the fight to build a $110 million soccer stadium in Sandy with financial assistance from the city and state. Ground was broken at Rio Tinto Stadium in 2007.

Hansen is a real estate mogul and president of Logan-based Wasatch Property Management, Inc. The company owns a collection of residential and commercial properties, including the Ken Garff and Wells Fargo buildings in downtown Salt Lake City. On Thursday, sources said, Hansen added Rio Tinto Stadium to a portfolio already valued in excess of $1.2 billion.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

In the "weird rumors I see when work slows down and I'm left to troll Big Soccer" file, apparently Nigel Reo Coker (who is married to an American) wants to move to MLS (Red Bulls or possibly Timbers) with an eye toward trying to get quick US citizenship a la David Regis and play for the Nats.Not my favorite guy in the world (I found him getting Bradley's playing time at Villa inexplicable), but he'd seem to be a step up from Beckerman or Edu in the "last DM on the team category." Klinsmann is supposed to be an admirer, maybe because he could achieve his fantasy of playing an entire midfield of functional box-to-box runners.

 

[NewlyRetired]

In the "weird rumors I see when work slows down and I'm left to troll Big Soccer" file, apparently Nigel Reo Coker (who is married to an American) wants to move to MLS (Red Bulls or possibly Timbers) with an eye toward trying to get quick US citizenship a la David Regis and play for the Nats.Not my favorite guy in the world (I found him getting Bradley's playing time at Villa inexplicable), but he'd seem to be a step up from Beckerman or Edu in the "last DM on the team category." Klinsmann is supposed to be an admirer, maybe because he could achieve his fantasy of playing an entire midfield of functional box-to-box runners.

The days of a David Regis quick turnaround citizenship are over. It takes for ever to get papers even for people like Mwanga who has been in the country for almost 7 years now.Is it easier for some one to get a quick citizenship when married? I don't understand the process too much.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Barcelona/Malaga on now in a tricky game. Barca needs a win or a 3-3 (or higher) draw to advance. After that only RM will stand between them and their second Copa in a row.Barca rolling with the A squad today, save for Valdes being out. FCB controlling the majority of play so far, but haven't put together any threats yet.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Xavi plays Alves into the box (onside?), controls, chips a cross to Pedro who heads in easily. 1-0.Malaga really pressuring FCB's backline.