RBNY closing in on Reyna for assistant coach role | Soccer By Ives

By IVES GALARCEP

The New York Red Bulls have yet to make a final decision on a head coach, but they have apparently found the man to give the club a strong American influence on the coaching staff.

Sources have told SBI that the Red Bulls are closing in on hiring former U.S. Mens National Team captain and former Red Bull midfielder Claudio Reyna to be the teams new lead assistant coach.

A veteran of European soccer as a captain at clubs such as Glasgow Rangers, Sunderland and Wolfsburg, Reyna carries the international pedigree sought after by Red Bulls bosses Gerard Houllier and Andy Roxburgh while also having the familiarity with the New York/New Jersey area and American soccer the club also want for the coaching staff.

The Red Bulls have yet to make a final decision on a head coach, with early front-runner Gary McAllister looking like less of a sure thing at this point, but the club is expected to have a head coach in place before the MLS Combine, which begins on Jan. 11th. The Red Bulls have interviewed a variety of candidates for both positions, including former Montreal Impact head coach Jesse Marsch and former Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser, but appear ready to hire Reyna to join Mike Petke as Red Bull assistants.

Reyna, 39, has yet to coach on the professional level, but his playing experience, and his work with U.S. Soccer as youth technical director has helped continue to develop him as a coaching candidate. He has worked with U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann in a variety of roles, but has been away from the spotlight since the passing of his 13-year-old son Jack Reyna last July.

A New Jersey native who has continued to live in the New York Area since his retirement as a player, Reyna has very strong ties to the local soccer community and his work on the national level with youth soccer could provide a boost to the Red Bulls academy set-up.

Reynas tenure as a player with the Red Bulls was a disappointing one. He spent two seasons with the club as a Designated Player, but injuries kept him from ever capturing his top form. Most American fans will remember him as the U.S. captain who played in three World Cups and played in the English Premier League as well as in Scotland and Germany.

As for the head coaching situation, the Red Bulls continue talks with McAllister, who remains a weakening front-runner, but no final decision has been made. It remains unclear just who the Red Bulls would turn to if they ultimately pass on McAllister. It appears unlikely that the team would hand over head coaching duties to Reyna, who has no head coaching experience (or even experience as a pro assistant at this point).

What do you think of this development? Like the idea of Reyna joining as an assistant coach? Could you see him being New Yorks head coach one day? Who would you like to see be the Red Bull head coach?

Share your thoughts below.

Thursday Kickoff: Cole nears West Ham return, "Maza" back to Mexico, and more

BY DAN KARELL

Spanish forward Fernando Llorente is set to become a free agent this summer, but he might not wind up waiting that long to leave Athletic Bilbao for a new club.

Athletic have announced that Llorente has entered contract negotiations with Italian champions Juventus on a contract ahead of a potential winter transfer move.

Llorente has fallen out of favor with Athletic Bilbao since refusing to sign a new contract with the Spanish first division club. He has barely played this season.

Juventus is trying to beat big spenders like Manchester City and Tottenham to the punch by signing him in January to hopefully give the Turin club a reliable goal scorer. Juve has struggled to find a forward to provide a consistent threat.

Here are some other stories to get your Thursday started:

COLE SET FOR WEST HAM AS BENYOUN RETURNS TO CHELSEA

In the wake of the Daniel Sturridge transfer to Liverpool and the Demba Ba transfer to Chelsea, Joe Cole, currently on the books at Liverpool, is heading back to his former club West Ham for a fee of around ￡3 million while Yossi Benayoun is leaving the Hammers to rejoin Chelsea.

Cole has only made six substitute appearances for Liverpool this season, after spending last season on loan with Lille in Ligue 1, playing alongside Eden Hazard, now on London rivals Chelsea.

Cole is due to have his medical today, and if he signs before Noon on Friday hell be available for this weekends FA Cup match against Manchester United.

Benayoun returns to Chelsea after an injury-hit loan spell with West Ham that saw him make just six appearance for the East London club.

MAZA RETURNS TO MEXICO WITH CLUB AMERICA

Francisco Rodriguez, also known as Maza, has completed his transfer to Club America in Liga MX from German club VFB Stuttgart.

The Mexican center back has played for El Tri in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and is arriving just in time for the Clausura Tournament, where he will go up against his old club, Chivas Guadalajara.

Rodriguez first moved abroad in 2008 with a move to PSV Eindhoven in Holland, before moving to Stuttgart in 2011.

DEMBA BA NEARLY SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED

Following last nights 2-1 defeat to Everton, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admitted that Demba Ba was sold, and gave the striker his blessing to move on.

The Senegalese goal-scorer has been in negotiations with Chelsea since the weekend, and it was announced yesterday via a club statement that the two clubs had agreed on a transfer fee, and the deal could be processed.

Ba is due for a medical with Chelsea today at their team headquarters in London.

QUICK KICKS

Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli were allegedly involved in a training ground scuffle, which could be the last straw that signals the end of Balotellis time in Manchester. (REPORT)

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is interested in signing free-agent Israeli international defender Tal Ben-Haim. (REPORT)

Enrique Cerezo, president of Spanish club Atletico de Madrid, believes star striker Radamel Falcaos next destination will be their cross-town rivals, Real Madrid. (REPORT)

Former Inter Milan striker Adriano says he is back training and wants to return to play football in 2013. (REPORT)

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

What do you think of these reports? Think Llorente could be a star at Juve? What kind of impact do you see Maza having with Club America? Think Balotellis days in Manchester are numbered?

Share your thoughts below.

MLS Ticker: Revs sign defender, Birchall returns to England, and more | Soccer By Ives

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

The New England Revolution continued their busy offseason Thursday by finalizing a loan deal with Switzerland’s FC Sion for central defender Jose Goncalves.

Goncalves, a 29-year-old from Portugal, has spent the last nine years all over Europe, including stops at Bundesliga side FC Nurenberg and Scotland’s Hearts of Midlothian.

After signing three midfielders earlier in the winter, New England now has an experienced central defender that its front office has been searching for. Goncalves joins midfielders Scott Caldwell, Kalifa Cisse and Andy Dorman as the newest members of the Revolution.

The loan deal from FC Sion includes a purchase option for the future.

Here are some more stories involving MLS players old and new:

BIRCHALL RETURNING TO PORT VALE

Former Los Angeles Galaxy and Columbus Crew midfielder?Chris Birchall is on his way back to his first club, League Two’s Port Vale FC.

Birchall, who was rumored to head back to Port Vale before the start of the 2012 MLS campaign, signed with the English club Thursday. Columbus declined the option on Birchall last month, making Birchall a free transfer target.

The Trinidadian international reportedly was unhappy with his lack of playing time with the Crew in 2012 and will look to get his career back on track at his old club.

IBRAHIM MAKES ETHIOPIA’S AFCON ROSTER

Minnesota Stars forward Fuad Ibrahim, the former Generation Adidas player for FC Dallas and Toronto FC, has been named to his home country’s roster for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

After being waived from Toronto at the end of the 2010 season, Ibrahim returned to professional soccer in 2012 with the NASL’s Stars. The Ethiopia-born, Minnesota-raised Ibrahim made five appearances for the club this past season.

Ibrahim was called up to Ethiopia’s preliminary roster last month and is one of only three foreign-based players to make the final cut for the AFCON team.

———-

What do you think of New England’s loan signing of Goncalves? Do you think he will give the Revs what they need in central defense for 2013? Think Ibrahim’s play in the AFCON could lead to a few MLS teams consider signing him from Minnesota?

Share your thoughts below.

BoatengRacism (Getty) | Soccer By Ives

AC Milan’s midfielder Kevin Boateng (L)

MLS formally announces first four Generation adidas signings | Soccer By Ives

By IVES GALARCEP

Major League Soccer took its time, but finally got around to announcing the first four members of the 2013 Generation adidas draft class on Thursday, several weeks after reaching agreements with the bulk of the class.

Andrew Farrell, Walker Zimmerman, Mikey Lopez and Jason Johnson were all announced as members of the Generation adidas class.

Lopez signed his GA deal a week ago, while Farrell, Zimmerman and Johnson were among the first to reach agreements two weeks ago.

One GA signing MLS did not announce on Thursday was teenage striker Kekuta Manneh, the first player to actually reach an agreement with MLS for a GA deal this go-round. MLS could be waiting to unveil Manneh when they finalize the deal for another Generation adidas target, Central Florida striker Deshorn Brown.

Farrell, Lopez, Zimmerman and Johnson could be the first four players selected in the 2013 MLS Draft, which takes place in two weeks in Indianapolis. Toronto FC holds the No. 1 and No. 3 picks, though the team is expected to deal at least one of those picks.

What do you think of the news? Who are you hoping your team can select in the draft?

Share your thoughts below.

FC Dallas agree to Homegrown Player deal with Woodberry | Soccer By Ives

By IVES GALARCEP

FC Dallas is two weeks away from having some interesting decisions to make at the 2013 MLS Draft, but they will head into that event having already landed two quality college players.

Dallas has reached an agreement to sign Maryland defender London Woodberry to a Homegrown Player contract, sources confirmed to SBI on Thursday.

Woodberry joins South Carolina forward Bradlee Baladez as players to reach Homegrown Player deals with FC Dallas this off-sason.

Woodberry was regarded as one of the better defenders in the nation in 2012, and would have projected as a first-round pick had he been made available in the 2013 MLS Draft. A centerback for Maryland in 2013, Woodberry projects more as a right back on the pro level, but should help FC Dallas with his versatility.

FC Dallas will look to add even more young talent at the MLS Draft, where they hold the No. 7 overall pick.

What do you think of this signing? See FC Dallas heading in the right direction?

Americans Abroad: Weekend Preview | Soccer By Ives

By FRANCO PANIZO

The celebration is officially over and the focus for reigning Liga MX champions Club Tijuana is to start off their Clausura campaign with a win, but they will need to knock off a pair of Americans and their team in order to make that happen.

Xolos are set to visit Puebla on Sunday and their Clausura opener should pit the Tijuana trio of Edgar Casitllo, Joe Corona and Greg Garza against DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal in an big American showdown. Puebla finished the Apertura season poorly, so Beasley, Orozco Fiscal and the rest of Los Camoteros will be looking to appease their home crowd by grabbing a result against a Xolos team that is still considered to be one of the strongest in Mexico.

Serie A also resumes its action this weekend, and AS Roma will take on Napoli?in the latest chapter of their Derby del Sole on Sunday. Having beaten Orlando City in a winter friendly in the United States on Wednesday and taken a long flight back home, Roma and Michael Bradley will need to fight off any lingering jetlag if they wish to pick up road points against Napoli.

Wondering what other interesting matches will be worth watching? Look no further than Tigres UANLs duel with Jaguares de Chiapas, where Jose Torres is expected to make his debut for Tigres. Another intriguing game will come in the FA Cup, as?Maurice Edu could end his playing time drought for Stoke City when the Potters face Crystal Palace.

Here is who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:

SATURDAY

Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj?and Aston Villa play Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.

Tim Ream, Stuart Holden?and Bolton Wanderers play Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu?and Stoke City play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

Conor Doyle?and Derby County play Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.

Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood?and Birmingham City play Leeds United in the FA Cup.

Zak Whitbread?and Leicester City play Burton Albion in the FA Cup. (Whitbread is out injured.)

Robbie Findley?and Nottingham Forest play Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.

Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel?and Tottenham Hotspur play Coventry City in the FA Cup.

Sebastian Lletget?and West Ham United play Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Robbie Rogers?and Stevenage play Crewe Alexandra.

Mike Grella?and Scunthorpe United play Shrewsbury Town.

Frank Simek?and Carlisle United play Swindon Town.

Oguchi Onyewu?and Malaga play Deportivo La Coruna.

Carlos Bocanegra?and Racing Santander play Ponferradina.

Caleb Patterson-Sewell?and Vitoria Setubal play Academica de Coimbra.

Ventura Alvarado?and Club America play Monterrey.

Jose Torres, Jonathan Bornstein?and Tigres UANL play Jaguares de Chiapas.

Herculez Gomez, Hector Joya?and Santos Laguna play San Luis.

SUNDAY

Michael Bradley?and AS Roma play Napoli.

Tony Taylor?and Estoril Praia play Benfica.

DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Orozco Fiscal?and Puebla play?Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza?and Club Tijuana.

MONDAY

Tim Howard?and Everton play Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup.

Which of these games are you most looking forward to? Do you see Beasley and Puebla ruining the start of Tijuanas title defense? Think Bradley and Roma are in for a rough game given their recent long-distance travel?

Share your thoughts below.

European Weekend Preview:

BY NICK IUELE

Italy’s Seria A and Spain’s La Liga take center stage this weekend as the rest of Europe remains on?holiday. The second half of the season marks the beginning of the home stretch and is where seasons?are either made or broken. Can Madrid catch Barcelona? Will Juventus repeat? The answers to these?questions start to unfold now.

In England, the FA Cup takes center stage as the English Premier League race takes the weekend off. Manchester United face West Ham United and Swansea City take on Arsenal in two of the more high-profile matches of the weekend.

If youre focus is European league play, then Serie A and the Spanish League re-starting will keep you busy this weekend. Here is a closer look at the action in both leagues this weekend:

ITALY

Roma takes on Napoli to open the second half. Just two points out of the final Europa League spot, i?Lupi have seen their share of good form this campaign and can continue that with all three points. Napoli?is hanging onto fifth place by a thread, dropping two of their last three league matches before the?break. Roma tries to get into the Europe picture, while Napoli attempts to move into Champions League?position.

Juventus opens the home stretch to their title defense against Sampdoria on Saturday. The Old Lady has?an eight point lead on the competition and a ridiculous plus-28 goal differential. With Sampdoria just?a few points out of the relegation zone, Juve should expect all three points and a positive start to the?second half.

Here are this weekend’s Serie A matches:

Catania v Torino

Lazio v Cagliari

Udinese v Inter Milan

AC Milan v Siena

Chievo Verona v Atalanta

Fiorentina v US Pescara

Genoa v Bologna

Juventus v Sampdoria

Parma v Palermo

Napoli v AS Roma

–

SPAIN

Barcelona starts their quest to take back the La Liga crown against Espanyol at Camp Nou. Barca open?up the second half with a nine-point lead atop the table and is undefeated to this point in the season.?Espanyol is currently in the relegation zone, but has recently tied Sevilla and Real Madrid, so Barca?would do well to take nothing for granted.

Real Madrid has some work to do before catching the top two in the table, but they can start by taking?all three points from Sociedad. Real is currently seven points back of Atletico Madrid and 16 points back?of Barcelona, so wins from here on out is almost mandatory. Sociedad has inched up to seventh and is?now in the Europe conversation.

Here are this weekend’s La Liga matches:

Real Zaragoza v Real Betis

Levante v Athletic Bilbao

Granada v Valencia

Deportivo La Coruna v Malaga

Sevilla FC v Osasuna

Celta Vigo v Real Valladolid

Real Madrid v Real Sociedad

Barcelona v Espanyol

Mallorca v Atletico Madrid

Friday Kickoff: Mancini plays down Balotelli skirmish, Pato sold to Corinthians, and more | Soccer By Ives

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY DAN KARELL

In the aftermath of yet another embarrassing off-the-field moment involving Mario Balotelli, manager Roberto Mancini, directly involved in the incident, has backed the young striker to stay in the Manchester City squad.

Pictures surfaced yesterday afternoon of an altercation between Mancini and Balotelli during the morning training. According to the reports, Balotelli was adjudged to have made a harsh tackle on teammate Scott Sinclair, prompting his boss Mancini to ask him to leave the pitch. When Balotelli refused, Mancini tried to forcibly remove him, with the manager admitting that he lost his temper.

Mancini did rule out Balotelli from starting this weekends FA Cup tie against Watford, as the temperamental striker is not fully fit from an injury.

Here are some other stories to get your Friday started:

PATO COMPLETES MOVE BACK HOME TO BRAZIL

After five and a half injury-riddled years with A.C. Milan in Serie A, Alexandre Pato has returned to his native Brazil in a €15 million transfer to join the current Club World Cup champions, Corinthians.

Pato moved to Milan in 2007 as a 17 year old, but missed significant time each season with a variety of muscle injuries. Still, when fit, he has shown for both club and country that he can be one of the best strikers in the world.

ROONEY TO SPEND FURTHER TWO WEEKS ON SIDELINES

Manchester United were dealt a blow today, as Wayne Rooneys injury prognosis was worsened, and he is set to miss next weekends match against rivals Liverpool.

The striker, who injured his knee in training on Christmas Day, was expected to be back to full fitness by now. However, the injury has failed to heal properly, and United will be without the strikers services until at least January 20, when they face Tottenham.

In the meantime, while Rooney has been on the training table, Javier Hernandez and Robin Van Persie have combined to score seven goals and lead the team to three wins.

TRANSFER WINDOW UPDATES

American-born Italian forward Giuseppe Rossi is reportedly nearing a transfer to Fiorentina. (REPORT)

Demba Ba signs a three-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea, for a reported ￡7 million.

Mathieu Debuchy signs a five-and-a-half-year contract with Newcastle, for a reported ￡5 million.

Joe Cole signs a one-and-a-half-year contract with boyhood club West Ham, on a free transfer.

Tal Ben-Haim signs a six-month contract with former boss Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers, on a free transfer.

Arsenals want-away striker Marouane Chamakh has joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season. (REPORT)

Celtic FC are in negotiations with Standard Liege to add Israeli international defender Rami Gershon. (REPORT)

––––––––––––––––––––––

What do you think of these reports? Should Manchester City sell Balotelli in January? See Patos return to Brazil helping his World Cup chances? Are there any transfers that have surprised you so far?

Share your thoughts below.

This Weekend's Soccer on TV

Leagues in Spain, Italy and Mexico return to action this weekend to give us a quality blend of viewing options for all soccer fans.

In Serie A, Michael Bradley and AS Roma take on Napoli in a match-up of teams with Champions League aspirations. Napoli currently sit just one point out of third place and the Champions League place that goes with it, while Roma sits two points further back. The Romans can leapfrog the squad from Naples with a victory.

In Mexico, Club Tijuana looks to kick off their title defense with a win against Puebla. The match-up should feature as many as four Americans, with the Tijuana trio of Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo and Greg Garza facing DaMarcus Beasley. Jose Francisco Torres will also be looking to make his debut for Tigres when they take on Jaguares.

In England, the FA Cup is in full swing, with Manchester United taking on West Ham in a match that will air on network television in the USA. Swansea City take on Arsenal in another high-profile match-up.

Here is a rundown of This Weekends Soccer on TV:

TODAYS SOCCER ON TV

FRIDAY

3:30pm- beIN Sport- Real Zaragoza vs. Real Betis

8:30pm- Azteca America- Morelia vs. Cruz Azul

SATURDAY

7:30pm- Fox Soccer Plus- Brighton Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United (FA Cup)

10am- Fox Soccer Channel- Southampton vs. Chelsea (FA Cup)

10am- Fox Soccer Plus- Peterborough United vs. Norwich City (FA Cup)

10am- FoxSoccer2Go.com- Macclesfield Town vs. Cardiff City (FA Cup)

10am- beIN Sport Espanol- Levante vs. Athletic Bilbao

Noon- FOX- West Ham United vs. Manchester United (FA Cup)

Noon- beIN Sport- Catania vs. Torino

Noon- beIN Sport En Espanol- Granada vs. Valencia

2pm- beIN Sport en Espanol- Deportivo La Coruna vs. Malaga

2pm- beIN Sport- Granada vs. Valencia (Delayed)

2:45pm- beIN Sport- Lazio vs. Cagliari

3:30pm -ESPN3.com- Porto vs. Nacional

4pm- beIN Sport Espanol- Sevilla vs. Osasuna

5pm- beIN Sport- Deportivo La Coruna vs. Malaga (Delayed)

6pm- Univision- Club America vs. Monterrey

6:30pm- beIN Sport- Sevilla vs. Osasuna (Delayed)

8pm- Univision Deportes- Tigres UANL vs. Jaguares

8pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. Atlante

9pm- Telemundo- Club Leon vs. Queretaro

10pm- Univision Deportes- San Luis vs. Santos Laguna

SUNDAY

8:30am- Fox Soccer Channel- Swansea City vs. Arsenal (FA Cup)

9am- beIN Sport- Juventus vs. Sampdoria

9am- beIN Sport en Espanol- AC Milan vs. Siena

11am- Fox Soccer Channel- Mansfield Town vs. Liverpool (FA Cup)

11am- beIN Sport- Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad

1pm- beIN Sport- Barcelona vs. Espanyol

1pm- ESPN Deportes- Puebla vs. Club Tijuana

1pm- Univision- Pumas UNAM vs. Atlas

2:45pm- beIn Sport Espanol- Napoli vs. Roma

3pm- beIN Sport- Mallorca vs. Atletico Madrid

3:15pm- ESPN3.com- Estoril vs. Benfica

5pm- beIN Sport- AC Milan vs. Siena (Delayed)

5pm- Azteca America- Puebla vs. Club Tijuana (Delayed)

5:30pm- beIN Sport en Espanol- Juventus vs. Sampdoria

6pm- Telemundo- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Toluca

7pm- beIN Sport- Udinese vs. Inter Milan (Delayed)

9pm- beIN Sport- Napoli vs. Roma (Delayed)

9pm- ESPN Deportes- Puebla vs. Club Tijuana (Delayed)