Young still committed to bringing NASL to Hamilton, despite stadium debate 5 Jan 2011 Hamilton Tiger-Cats' owner Bob Young still has plans to bring a North American Soccer League expansion franchise to Hamilton, even though he and the city are still at philosophical odds over the site for the construction of a new stadium. Young and the city have been through numerous discussions about the 15,000-seat stadium, which is to be built for the 2015 Pan American Games. Both the Canadian federal and provincial governments have promised to put money into the cost of building the stadium, along with the city. Young has promised to provide some $10 million towards the stadium construction, and among other things has indicated he will pursue an NASL franchise to steer the city council towards a site he prefers. The stadium would have to be expanded to fit 25,000-30,000 to make it suitable for the Canadian Football League's template.
Blatter’s missives likely mean nothing to MLS 5 Jan 2011 But, if past history is an indication, MLS and other North American leagues need not worry about anything Blatter has to say about restricting domestic leagues.
My favourite Kara Lang moment 4 Jan 2011 The Canadian Soccer Association has called a press conference for Wednesday, in Oakville, Ont., where Kara Lang is expected to end her playing career all too early.
Note to the Galaxy: Say no to Beckham move 3 Jan 2011 Heck no, he won’t go. That has to be the message that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp receives from MLS headquarters and the Los Angeles Galaxy front office in regards to David Beckham’s request to be loaned out… again. Twice, the man who was supposed to be the face of MLS’ Designated Player program was loaned out to AC Milan. The first time, he remained till the end of the Serie A season, which had him miss a large chunk of the 2009 MLS season. While on loan last season, he ruptured his Achilles playing for the Rossoneri, and missed all but the last month of the 2010 MLS season.
Drillers and FC Edmonton to work together 3 Jan 2011 The indoor Edmonton Drillers will act as a proving ground for some FC Edmonton prospects. Antonio Rago, a former member of the Vancouver Whitecaps residency, and 16-year-old keeper Matt Preston were in the lineup for the Drillers’ indoor season-opening 7-6 loss in Calgary on New Year’s Eve. “Preston’s a player who has got a bright future,” said FC Edmonton general manager Mel Kowalchuk. The Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League (CMISL) is an amateur circuit, so no player with a professional contract with FC Edmonton, which kicks off its inaugural NASL season in April, is eligible to play with the Drillers. But Rago and Preston currently retain their amateur status, so they can play in the indoor circuit.
Oranje Revolution for Toronto FC? 3 Jan 2011 Several Dutch media outlets, including De Telegraaf — which isn’t a blogger speculation site but a reputable news organization — are quoting former Dutch national teamer Aron Winter, claiming he has a three-year deal with Toronto FC in place to take over as the new technical director of the club. But the reports also suggest that this will mark the …