Jesus

Freddy Adu continues to fall and fall and fall. Today, he has signed with Turkish second division team Rizespor. Amazingly, he'd rather stay in Europe than return to MLS with his tail between his legs. It's unbelievable how far he continues to drop off the radar. I wouldn't be surprised if he was playing in China's Superleague soon.

Big moves of deadline day?

Today is deadline day in Europe, and being a Liverpool supporter, I hope to see Fernando Torres off to Chelsea for the reported £50 million. With Torres leaving, and at 10 AM GMT all Torres promo material was pulled from Liverpool's website, what will the team look like. There is the possibility of Nicolas Anelka coming the opposite way along with cash. Though, Chelsea would prefer to send Daniel Sturridge instead. Regardless of who is sent the other way or just cash, this can only help Liverpool. If you've watched any LFC game this season you've witnessed Torres as an uninterested spectator in most matches. It has only been since the transfer window opened that he has seemed like playing football. The squad needs some vital freshening up, and though I'm not the biggest fan of Luis Suarez I think this will help the club turn their fortunes around. The problem with Suarez is, though he had a good World Cup, he is untested at club football level. He has scored a ton of goals in Holland, but so did Dirk Kuyt;  and hopefully, he won't become the next Dirk Kuyt.

With all the possible moves that Liverpool may make today I wonder whether Kenny Dalglish's reign as manager will continue into next season. It's not wise to buy a load of players if a new manager is coming in next season who may want a host of other players for his system. We've already seen a casualty of Roy Hodgson's reign in Paul Konchesky, who was loaned to Nottingham Forest today. I'm interested in seeing what the club does today who the rumours of Charlie Adam and Ashley Young coming to the club. I'm not sure where Adam would fit as the club have Steven Gerrard that plays a similar style to Adam, though Gerrard has massively under performed this season. Raul Meirelas has been LFC's best player this season and won't be moving out of the midfield/second striker role. Christan Poulsen is definitely expendable and the much under rated/hated Lucas continues to be steady and be the scapegoat of the club. I've never been a big fan of Jay Spearing, but being a local boy he probably won't be moving unless it's a loan deal. I'd actually be surprised if Aston Villa sell Young as they have a great 1-2 punch with Darren Bent and Ashley Young.

A lot may or may not happen today, but it still shows that Liverpool were left in a bad way at the end of Rafa Benitez's time in the hot seat.

So Secretive

Is it just me or is MLS one of the most secretive leagues around right now? Training has opened this week for the 2011 season, and clubs have trialists and signed players in camp being put through their paces. Numerous teams have trialists in camp, but MLS teams won't release who these players are and barely give hints.

I feel MLS teams keep fans from getting excited about their teams by not releasing information such as this. I feel the league needs more transperancy. There's no reason to keep items such as this from us the fans. By giving fans the information to know more about the team they support is how the league gets diehard fans. But I guess MLS doesn't want that.

You'll Ruin MLS...

I'm referring to the New York Cosmos. Who are actually not a team, rather they are no more than a name, a brand, a resuscitated fad. New York has hired Cobi Jones and Eric Cantona to their staff; and to make things clear, despite what New York says only Cantona is a football legend. But what are the owners of the name New York Cosmos up to?

Yes, we've heard they want to open football academies all over the US. They want to make football sexy in America. They want to bring back the days of being the original "big spenders" of football. However, there is something already missing from their wish list, and that's a team. This begs the question, what is Cantona actually directing at work today?

I'm afraid for American soccer and the MLS if the New York Cosmos are granted the 20th spot in the league when it expands after 2012. Currently, all signs lead to the Cosmos being that team. But with all the money that is currently being pumped into this dead franchise, can they make it in MLS? New York Cosmos were built on buying the best players from around the world at one time. However, with MLS's strict salary cap policy the team wouldn't be able to spend money as lavishly as they did in the 70's; when it existed as an actual team. If the club can't buy who they want when they want, are these owners and employees in for the long haul in MLS. A league in which many expansion teams struggle for years on end before making the playoffs, sans Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders.

By all logic, it seems the Cosmos are losing money every day. By opening academies all over the US and placing a team in MLS they'd continue to throw money down a giant hole. Not to mention if they field a team where would they play. They've already stated they want to be a New York team which means they probably wouldn't approach New York Red Bulls about renting their stadium or approach the NFL's New York Jets and New York Giants, because those stadiums are located just over the state line in New Jersey. So where do they plan to play other than on Major League Baseball's New York Mets' or Yankees' fields. The money and red tape that would go into building a stadium in Manhattan or any of the five boroughs would be a nightmare. Several MLS teams like DC United can't even get planning permission in their cities which are much less crowded than New York. So how do the Cosmos expect to build a new stadium?

What are the benefits for MLS? Currently, the only one that comes to mind is slight recognition from outside of the States. No one outside of the soccer circles in America, and even many in it have little to no clue who the Cosmos were. They may have heard of them, but I guarantee the Cosmos aren't as well known in their own country like they believe. If MLS is stupid enough to put a second team in New York you will see similar sights to those in LA where the Galaxy and Chivas USA play. Despite the largest city in the USA, LA has a hard time supporting two MLS teams. Empty seats are common for matches their, especially for Chivas USA; who was placed in LA to draw the large Mexican-American and Hispanic immigrant population. MLS loves to try and exploit Hispanic communities. The Galaxy rarely sold-out the stadium prior to Beckham joining the team and the fad of Beckham has waned over the past year. New York currently has a hard time supporting one MLS team. Despite Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and a new $200 million stadium the Red Bulls do draw much support or come close to selling out the stadium. The Cosmos love to spout off that the Red Bulls lack support, because they're not actually in New York. But if you're a true fan of a team you trek from all parts of the city to watch the matches. You don't hear American football fans in New York moan about the teams' stadium being in New Jersey. Putting a team closer to people is not a reason for them to come out to a game. It's just their chance to find another reason not to go.

Already New York Cosmos has achieved the publicity they crave. Hell, I feel awful that I've written about them, because it gives them yet another person who has. But right now all they are is a name and a brand. They're retro, they're hip and cool because they're retro. People love retro shirts and jerseys, but if this team ever kicks a ball I believe MLS and New York Cosmos will find very few truly care about the New York Cosmos.

No Savage for Vancouver

The BBC is reporting Derby midfielder Robbie Savage's proposed move to Vancouver Whitecaps is dead in the water, for now at least. Savage has said he may join a new club in the summer following the conclusion of his Derby contract. If Vancouver had landed the 36-year old it would have been a bit of a coup. Though the legs aren't what they were Savage is still an excellent presence on the pitch and a fantastic player in the locker room. He does have a burgeoning media career in England, and he would have been a fantastic addition to MLS' s not so personable media department after his career ends.

Worth the money

Just watch Darren Bent score his first Aston Villa goal 18 minutes into tonight's game with Manchester City. As I wrote this week he'll be the reason Villa stay in the Premier League, and though he cost nearly $30 million he is worth it if staying in the Prem means Villa will earn around $80-$100 million for next season.

Still early in the match and City may come back, but Bent's off the mark for his new club.

Saturday Morning...

MLSsoccer, is reporting Edson Buddle has scored in his first goal in Germany for Inglostadt. The club drew 1-1 with Duisburg and remain in the relegation zone with 15 matches to go. As I stated before this is a win-win situation for Buddle. He has doubled his salary LA paid him and if they fight off relegation he will be a major factor for them next season. If they're relegated he has a release clause in his contract (rumored) and he is putting himself in the shop window for other European teams. With the lack of success Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore have had in Europe this might be the best way for Buddle to ease into football in Europe; and with Adu and Altidore's hardships in Europe, many teams think twice before signing a US/ex-MLS striker.

Jeff Cunningham will be returning to the US and possibly will now sign with Columbus who acquired his rights through Nov.'s re-entry draft. Perhaps it was the food, weather or coaches, but Cunningham will now return to MLS and try to turn around the Crews' attack. With the trade of Steven Lenhart I'm not sure the Crew have many ideas right now. But it looks like they'll center around a 34-year old striker.

It appears no one in the Premier League wants Robbie Keane, who has been priced outrageously between $6-$10 million. Could this be Keane's sign to leave England and sign for Vancouver? I doubt it.

Previously, I reported American Mike Grella, of Leeds United, had signed on loan with Scotland's Motherwell. Unfortunately, Grella has already played for Leeds and Carlisle this season which rules him out of a third move. Rules state a player can only play matches for two teams in one season.

It appears Chivas USA has cut three players prior to the season. Most notably Maykel Galindo, who defected to the US from Cuba and signed for USL Seattle Sounders in 2005. However, Galindo burst on to the MLS scene in 2007 as striker partner to Ante Razov in a very exciting, attacking Chivas USA team. However, since then it has been a slow spiral down for the Cuban. At only 29, Galindo could be a cheap attacking option for several teams in the league; but finding the form he showed in 2007 will be the difficult part. Galindo ended his Chivas USA career with 18 goals in 67 matches.

The New England Revolution has waived Emmanuel Osei. This move will open an international slot, but most importantly it allows MLS' cheapest club to cut salary. The club drafted defender A.J. Soares who will most likely take Osei's place.