BookMaker Sports News - Latest US and International Sporting News

MLS strike averted with new five-year labor contract

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:17:56 GMT

MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed the announcement when he told a teleconference,"We have signed a new five-year collective bargaining agreement." The MLS Players Union had earlier stated that they would strike if a new deal was not agreed upon by the start of season, which is scheduled to open on Thursday, March 25.

However, it now appears as though the opening game between the expansion Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders FC will go ahead as scheduled after the two sides signed the agreement early Saturday afternoon.

United waives midfielder Szetela

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:07:21 GMT

(Sports Network) - D.C.

United waived midfielder Danny Szetela, the Major League Soccer club announced on Friday.

Revolution re-sign second-year defender Barnes

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:52:41 GMT

"Darrius had a tremendous rookie season last year," Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said.

"It's a great compliment to his abilities that he was able to come into MLS and play every minute of every game.

Dynamo add Palmer to midfield mix

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:23:55 GMT

The 25-year-old Palmer is the former caption of Harbour View, where he has played since he was a teenager. For the Jamaican national team, Palmer has made 12 career appearances since 2005.

Palmer, a defensive midfielder, will aim to help fill the void left by Ricardo Clarke's defection to German club Eintracht this offseason.

Crew bounced from Champions League

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:26:56 GMT

Toluca, which advances with a 5-4 aggregate score, faces fellow Mexican side Pachuca in the home-and-home total-goals semifinals.

The Crew, who were the last Major League Soccer team remaining in the tournament, jumped out to a surprising 1-0 lead in first-half stoppage time on a penalty-kick goal by Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

United signs defender Admas

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:17:23 GMT

"We're excited to sign Lyle after identifying him at last year's draft as a player that could help us," United General Manager Dave Kasper said. "He is a young player with good potential, who will add quality depth to our backline. We look forward to his contributions to the club." Adams was a 2009 draft pick who joined United on trial at the beginning of the preseason after trials in Europe went nowhere last season.

Kansas City brings Diop back to MLS

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:45:33 GMT

"Birahim is a guy who brings a physical presence to the field," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "He also has a great attitude, and I think he'll make a positive impact for us in 2010." Diop, who has been with the Wizards on a trial basis since the start of the 2010 preseason, began his professional career in his native Senegal. After a couple seasons there, Diop moved to MLS to sign with New York, who was coached by current Wizards assistant Octavio Zambrano.

After his time in MLS, Diop has bounced around the South American leagues before his return to the Wizards this preseason.

Revs sign Sinovic, Boggs to MLS contracts

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:28:12 GMT

"Seth and Zak are both promising players and we're pleased to add them to the roster," Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. "Both players have showed some good things during preseason training, and now that they are on the roster, provide us with more depth in several positions. We're looking forward to developing them in our system." Both players will occupy developmental roster spots. Per team and league policies, terms of the deals were not released.

Wizards add to midfield depth with signings

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:27:43 GMT

"We're excited to add three talented players to our roster," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "Smith and Kostrov will both play on the flank for us and they both bring pace and skill to their positions." Rocastle, 28, joined Kansas City on trial this month.

His signing is contingent upon his receipt of a visa.

Fire sign pair of draft picks

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:36:50 GMT

"We are pleased to add Kwame and Steven to the Fire family to help us bring a MLS Cup back to Chicago," Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas said.

Thetwo 2010draft picks, selected in the second and third rounds respectively, have done enough this preseason to earn contracts from the Fire. Another draft pick, Drew Yates, did not do enough to this point in the preseason and has been released from camp.

Arena: Beckham remains an important player for the Galaxy

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:21:13 GMT

Beckham, who is on loan with the Italian Serie A squad, will likely miss the World Cup this summer, failing in his bid to become the first England player to appear in four consecutive World Cups.

"Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game and they are even more disappointing when they happen to a player who was so close to realizing his dream of representing his nation at this summer's World Cup," Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena said in a statement released by the Galaxy. "We will give David our complete support to make sure that he is able to get himself back to full health before he returns to the field.

Dynamo bring back Serioux

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:38:56 GMT

The 31-year-old Serioux, was a member of the Dynamo's first championship team in their inaugural season of 2006. The Canadian international spent the 2007-08 seasons with FC Dallas and the 2009 campaign with Toronto FC, when he was acquired for a first round draft pick and allocation money.

Serioux finished the 2009 season with two goals and one assist in 2,235 minutes in 26 games played.

Fire sign former Fulham striker John

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:38:40 GMT

"We are very excited to have Collins join the Chicago Fire," Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas said. "Collins is a talented player and he will be a great addition to the club. He is a quick and powerful forward with a nose for goal and we believe he will be a good fit to the attacking style we will play this season." John, who has been on trial with the Fire since Feb. 4, joins the club as a free agent. He began his professional career in 2002 with Eredivisie side FC Twente, where he appeared in 35 matches over an 18-month span before being sold to English premier League side Fulham FC in January of 2004.

During his time with Fulham FC, John partnered with current Fire forward Brian McBride, scoring 20 goals in 95 matches. Since leaving Fulham in 2007, John has spent time with English clubs

Report: MLS players set to strike if CBA isn't reached

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:20 GMT

The report comes after league and union officials met on Tuesday and Wednesday in the District of Columbia, with George H.

Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, serving as an arbitrator. The two sides agreed to meet further, but a new deal doesn't seem immanent.

New York officially adds midfielder Robinson

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:44:08 GMT

"Carl is a very consistent player who will immediately contend for a spot in our starting lineup," Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler said. "He has a significant amount of experience at both the club and international level and we expect that he will bring a strong veteran presence to our locker room." The 33-year-old Robinson played for Toronto FC the past three years, appearing 74 times for the Canadian club. Prior to joining MLS, Robinson played for a number of English clubs, including Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich and Walsall.

Robinson will be added to New York's roster pending visa approval.

United enters into partnership with Japanese club

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:42:50 GMT

"This is particularly an exciting partnership for me, as I was born and raised in Japan," United Executive Chairman Will Chang said. "I look forward to working with FC Machida on many fronts." The partnership, which is the first of its kind between teams from the United States and Japan, began as a relationship that will see the two scout and develop amateur talent in the United States and Japan as well as provide opportunities to extend each club's marketing and branding reach.

"It was an important task for our new club to develop both its players and front office staff globally," FC Machida Zelvia General Secretary Minoru Moriya said.

Red Bulls sign former TFC 'keeper Sutton

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:38:01 GMT

"We have been impressed with Greg's performances during his time with us in preseason," New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler said. "He is a very experienced goalkeeper and will compete for a starting role." For the past three MLS seasons, Sutton played for Toronto FC, making 34 appearances while compiling seven shutouts and 155 saves. Before joining MLS, Sutton played for the Montreal Impact of the USL First Division.

Chivas USA's Victorine retires

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:37:51 GMT

During his MLS career, Victorine scored 32 goals and 41 assists in 242 appearances with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Kansas City Wizards and Chivas USA.

"I'd like to thank all of my teammates that I've played with over the years, and all of the fans who have given me their support," Victorine said. "Growing up in Orange County, I feel lucky that I was able to play in front of my home fans for so much of my career. I am now eager to start the next phase of my career." Retiring due to persistent injuries, Victorine has accepted a front office position with Kansas City, and will also serve as the color commentator on the Wizards' television broadcasts.

Columbus ties Toluca in Champions League

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:19 GMT

Steven Lenhart scored two second-half goals for the Crew, who are the only remaining Major League Soccer club in the tourney, after Toluca jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the break.

"We showed some character," Lenhart told The Columbus Dispatch. "Our ability to stay in the game and keep inching our way back proved a lot." Lenhart made it 2-1 in the 66th minute and tied the game six minutes from time.

Houston signs academy player to developmental contract

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:39:40 GMT

The 18-year-old midfielder joins goalkeeper Tyler Deric as the second Dynamo Academy player in team history to be signed to a first-team contract.

"To have a successful Academy, you need talent and opportunity," Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. "In Francisco Navas Cobo, we have talent, and through [Houston Dynamo head coach] Dominic Kinnear's vision and support of the Dynamo Academy, we've been able to provide opportunity to Francisco and the other young men in our development system. This signing shows that the Dynamo Academy is working, and we look forward to the day when one of our Academy players makes his MLS debut." Originally from Houston, Navas Cobo spent several years in Colombia before returning to his hometown

Dallas officially adds Hartman

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:54:09 GMT

"I'm excited to be in Dallas," Hartman said. "It's the place where I won the 2005 championship with the Galaxy and it's always held a place in my heart. I'm excited to be here to play in front of the Dallas fans and excited to start a new chapter in my soccer career." Hartman, a four-time MLS All-Star, appeared in all 30 regular season games for the Wizards in the 2009 season, earning a 1.40 goals-against average. His all- time regular season record is 146-120-64 and his post-season record is 22-15-7.

The UCLA product was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1997, and he played there for 10 seasons. Hartman won two MLS Cups, two U.S. Open Cups, and a CONCACAF Champions Cup before being traded to the Wizards in 2007. In three seas

Rapids sign goalkeeper Joyce

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:40:24 GMT

Joyce, a 24-year-old goalkeeper out of Seton Hall, has played his entire professional career in England, first joining Grays Athletic FC in 2007 before moving to Watford and most recently Southend United.

Per club and league policies, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Union sign Colombian midfielder Torres

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:05:12 GMT

"We're very excited to have Roger join our club," Union Manager Peter Nowak said.

"He's another young, talented player with a lot of potential and he'll be a strong addition to our midfield attack. His creativity and ability to see the whole field will help us play the way we want to play." The 18-year-old Torres has been with the club in training camp and will be officially added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

Report: FCD signs former Wizards 'keeper Hartman

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:08:14 GMT

Hartman, a 13-year Major League Soccer veteran, was unable to come to terms with the Wizards this offseason and has been without a contract since the end of the 2009 season. Because there is no free agency in MLS, FCD will have to come to an agreement with the Wizards for the rights to the veteran 'keeper before a deal can be made official.

Hartman, who has played 333 MLS games while recording a 1.24 goals-against average and a 146-120-64 record, will reportedly join goalkeepers Dario Sala and Josh Lampo on the FCD roster.

MLS, players' union to meet next week

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:24:09 GMT

The two sides have also agreed to allow D.C. based lawyer, George H. Cohen, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to serve as a mediator during the discussions.

The league's CBA expired on Jan. 31. After two extensions failed to produce an agreement on a new deal, the league decided to operate under the conditions of the old CBA for as long as it took to get a deal done.