REPORT: Canada Cup Qualifier Created for CONCACAF Champions League

Seems like all we've got today is Canadian Content.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Here is the press release from the Canadian Soccer Association. It seems to confirm the rumors we had been hearing about a Canadian Cup being planned involving Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Impact de Montréal.

Speaking of the Impact, MLS Rumors has learned from a trusted source close to the league that Montreal's owner the Saputo Family may be involved with Liverpool owner, American, George Gillette, in a bid to enter MLS sooner rather than later. More too come on this is the days ahead.

INCOMING: ???? to Toronto FC?

Rating: 3 (Possible)


Toronto FC fans may have reason to cheer this season after all.

We just received the following by email concerning an imminent signing by Toronto FC:

"Hi, I work for someone who does a lot of business with MLSE/Toronto FC. They told me that Mo Johnston is signing a Brazilian or Portuguese play playing in Europe to a deal which would bring them to TFC when the (European) season ends. How they know this is because they hired a person from our business which does translation and provides multi-lingual interpreters for media, sports, etc on a per-contract basis. They have hired one of our Portuguese interpreters. I suggest people in T-dot phone in The Soccer Show on Fan 590 tonight at 9pm to ask them about it especially if Mo Johnston is on."

If anyone has any further information please feel free to pass it on to us at the email address above:

INCOMING: Tomasz Frankowski to Chicago Fire?

Rating: 4 (Good)

An MLSR reader alerted us to this story. The 33 year old Polish striker with 20 caps for Poland may be on his way to the Windy City. According to our reader:

"Frankowski was on Polish radio 1030AM today in Chicago saying he is flying in next week. This probably means a trial with Chicago, or less likely, with Columbus (seeing that he could team-up with former Wisla teammate Zurawski)"

He most recently played for English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers .While trying to earn his place back with Wolverhampton after being loaned out to a Spanish Segundo division side, he injured his knee. Of note this would not be the first time Frankowski played outside of Europe. He spent a year back in 1996 with Japan's J-League side, Nagoya Grampus Eight.

Frankowski had been rumored to be joining the Polish club Wisła Kraków once his knee has been healed.

Here is some video of Frankowski in action:

INCOMING: Ariel Ortega, Claudio López and Martin Palermo to MLS?

Rating: 4 (Good)

Reports out of Argentina say yes.

This comes to us from Sports Illustrated:

According to recent reports from the Argentine press, former Argentine internationals Ariel Ortega and Claudio López are also on the verge of joining MLS. They could be followed by Boca Juniors legend Martín Palermo.

For frequent readers of MLSR the Claudio Lopez rumor should come as no surprise.

DC United was widely rumored to be in pursuit of the Argentine forward. Whether that still is the case remains to be seen. Their recent acquisition of Franco Niell might suggest they are no longer in the picture. He had also been linked to Kansas City.

Martin Palemo and Ariel Ortego might go remains a mystery, so if you have any information or links send them are way.

Here are videos of all three in action:

Ariel Ortega:



Martin Palermo



Claudio López

INCOMING: Victor Bernardez and Emilio Izaguirre to New England Revolution

Rating: 4 (Good)

Steve Goff is reporting that New England Revolution manager Steve Nichol has been in Honduras trying to sign the two players pictured above.

Bernardez is a 25 year old defender for the Honduran national team, and plays his football for Motagua in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Izaguirre, age 21 is a midfielder who like Bernardez is also a Honduran international and also plays for Motagua.

Here's video of them in action:

Izaguirre:


Bernardez:

EXPANSION: Miami Moves Closer To Being #17 As The Expansion Race Heats Up

Rating: 5 (Very good)


With the Philadelphia situation wrapped up, attention will now turn to two other cities, St.Louis and Miami. The former appears to be stalled while waiting for other deep pocketed investors to step forward. The latter, has according to several league officials, several investment groups interested in operating a Miami MLS club. Among them, Miami and Brazil based, Traffic Sports, operators of the Copa America tournament and USL side Miami FC.

Here is what we know about the status of Miami.

The Miami mayor Manny Diaz, while committed to building a stadium next to the Florida Marlins (to be renamed Miami Marlins) stadium, he stated he wouldn't build a $100 million soccer stadium next to the proposed Marlins park unless he is assured Major League Soccer will award Miami a team. That hasn't happened yet, ``but they're very interested."

A source told us that decision may be made in November.

Three different very rich ownership groups, including one foreign football club are interested in operating Miami MLS side.

Two different stadium options are available to MLS, the one mentioned above as well as a plan by Florida International University to allow MLS to play at their new 18,000 seat facility which opens in September.

MLS is very keen on returning to Miami in a stadium located close to Miami's Latino population.

"The South Florida market has become very different in the past six or seven years with the influx of people from Latin America from soccer-loving countries," said Dan Courtemanche, MLS senior vice president for marketing and communications,.

So what does Miami have going for it?

Miami has the stadium plans (or actual stadium if the FIU option is exercised) and multiple well-monied investors. Additionally, MLS still holds and maintains the trademark on Miami Fusion FC while Tampa Bay Mutiny's trademark was allowed to expire and is now dead.

So it looks like the new contest will be between Miami and St Louis for #17.

When all of the above is considered, it is hard to see St Louis having the edge unless and until some deep pocketed investors step forward.

Throw Montreal into the mix and it will be very interesting to see which city comes out ahead.

One thing is almost certain, New York City will remain a contender as well.

New York City like Philadelphia is a much coveted market which they had plans to be in from the start. They have a well monied owner/investor Fred Wilpon, owner of the NY Mets looking to possibly build a stadium on land he owns in Queens, and like Philadelphia's "Sons Of Ben", New York City has, "The Borough Boys", a grassroots group of passionate soccer supporters making noise to get a 2nd NY club in the league.

So far as we know, St Louis has no similar, comparable group. In the post Toronto FC world that as well as the lack of an urban, downtown stadium plan may just hurt their chances.

EXPANSION: Philadelphia Gets the "Go Ahead" from MLS

"Sons of Ben, rejoice!" Philadelphia is in.

Rating: 4 (Good)

We have gotten wind the MLS has given the would be owners of the Philadelphia club, their preliminary approval to move forward with the last piece of a funding package in the Pennsylvania State Legislature to be passed within hours for a stadium project in nearby Chester, PA.

A source close to Star Financial chief executive officer Jay Sugarman (who is part of the investment group behind the puch) wrote us this morning to tell us "Philadelphia will be the 16th MLS team according to the league."

Legislators are expected to approve the funding funding because they see that a $45 million investment which can pull in $500 million in new development, along with jobs and tax revenues.

That announcement will happen tomorrow.

Once that happens, MLS is expected to announce the team at a news conference in Philadelphia and ground breaking in Chester.

The stadium and surrounding development - to include stores, restaurants and housing - would be on the waterfront in Chester.


The stadium would cost about $115 million and be paid for by a combination of private, state and local funds. The Delaware County council approved on $30 million in county funding for the project.

Under the agreement hammered out between the investors and the county, the money would come from a tax on slot machines at the Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack which opened in Chester in January. A county Sports Authority would own the stadium and lease it to the MLS team. The team would be required to play at the stadium for at least ten years.

UPDATE: The Delaware County Times is reporting on this story as well.

OUTGOING: Brad Guzan to Aston Villa (Done Deal)

Rating:5 (Very good)

Rumor has it that Brad Guzan has left or is about to leave National Team camp so that he may travel to England to sign a contract with Aston Villa worth $4.4 million dollars.

INCOMING: Maciej Żurawski to Columbus Crew (Done Deal) (UPDATE)

Rating: 5 (Very good)

As promised here are a few things we have learned:

1. Zurawski will make just over $500,000 a year. Columbus will likely use allocation money so that he does not count as a Designated Player alá Schelotto.

2. Zurawski will leave for Columbus Tomorrow afternoon.

3. He will be formally introduced by Columbus Crew most likely on Thursday of this week. If not Thursday, then early next week.

4. Zurawski's contract is structured with performance incentives and a clause similar to the one in Denilson's contract.

INCOMING: Tony Caig to Houston Dynamo

Rating: 5 (Very good)

This is being reported now as a done deal. Caig adds depth at the goalkeeper position.

33-year-old Tony Caig is expected to serve as backup goalkeeper to Pat Onstad, who last November became the first MLS goalkeeper to win three MLS Cup Championships.

Caig, a native of Whitehaven, England, most recently played for Gretna of the Scottish Premier League. Caig has also played with Newcastle of the English Premier League, and has also had stints with internationally-renowned clubs Carlisle United, Blackpool, Charlton Athletic and Hibernian. Caig is no stranger to North America, having played briefly with the United Soccer League Vancouver Whitecaps.

INCOMING: Maciej Żurawski to Columbus Crew (Done Deal)

Rating: (5 Very good)

Reports out of Poland suggest that the deal between the Celtic striker and Columbus Crew has been wrapped up, terms have been agreed upon and the player is packing his bags for "Cow Town".

What remains unclear is if Zurawski will come to the Crew as a Designated Player like David Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel and Marcello Gallardo or will he sign for just under DP money like Schelotto.

We will try to find out more, including a travel schedule, the salary and transfer fee if possible.

For now, here is video of Zurawski in action:

Maciej 'Majik' Zurawski -

COMPETITIONS: MLS to the Copa Libertadores in 2009? (UPDATE)

Rating: 3 (Possible)
This rumor comes courtesy of La Opinion.

Is MLS going to be involved in the Copa Libertadores soon?

According to this rumor, yes. As it goes: Rafael Salguero a member of CONCACAF and FIFA says that Major League Soccer's participation in this tournament will be officially announced in Miami at FIFA's (or CONCACAF's) two day meeting this week which would mean Tuesday. Doug Quinn Soccer United Marketing President confirmed during the 'InterLiga' tournament that negotiations on this matter were very advanced and that he was confident play would start next year. It was this is the statement which most likely pawned a few mentions on Spanish language TV which we reported on at the time.

MLS spokesperson María Isabel Muñoz confirms the rumor about thes negotiations, but quickly added that the qualifying process has not been determined. Both Muñoz and Quinn underscore their belief that MLS is ready to undertake this challenge.

Possibly related: It was rumored last year that MLS would receive two permanent places in the Copa Sudamericana, could it be that talks about that may have reached an advanced stage that turned them into a discussion about Libertadores involvement? Who knows, but we should not have long to wait for an answer.

INCOMING: Raphael Wicky to CD Chivas USA?

Rating: 4 (Good)

Rumor has it that the 30 year old Swiss international defensive midfielder who has been capped 75 times for Switzerland has signed for Chivas USA. He was part of the Swiss national team in Euro 1996, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. This player would certainly serve a need. He has played for Werder Bremen and Atletico Madrid among others. Wicky however comes to Chivas USA from Swiss side FC Sion the club he started out at and ended up returning to after losing his place with the first team at Hamburger SV.

Wicky arrived in the USA back in August 2007 and trained with Chivas USA then.

Here is some video of Wicky in action:

OUTGOING: Nate Jacqua to Cashpoint SC Rheindorf Altach (Done Deal)

As we reported on Friday, the announcement of Nate Jacqua's signing has appeared on the Austrian side's website this Monday.

INCOMING: DC United Introduces 4 of 5 South American Acquisitions

Pictured above from left to right are: defender Gonzalo Peralta (Argentina), forward Franco Niell (Argentina), defender Gonzalo Martinez (Colombia) and goalkeeper Jose Carvallo (Peru).

All were rumored signings earlier this month.

DC United held a press conference at RFK stadium introducing 4 of their 5 signings during this window. As stated below Marcelo Gallardo will be introduced tomorrow at a press conference at the National Press Club

INCOMING: Marcelo Gallardo to DC United (Update 4) Press Conference Tomorrow - National Press Club

Marcelo Gallardo will be formally introduced as a United player in a press conference tomorrow at Noon eastern time at the National Press Club.

Event Date:	Jan. 29, 2008
Event Name:	DC United Press
Event Type:	News Conference
Time:	12:00 PM
Sponsored by:	DC United
Event Location:	First Amendment Lounge
Details:	DC United Press Event Contact: Doug Hicks @703-989-7158

COMPETITIONS: CONCACAF Champions League Launched

NEW YORK -- CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) announced Monday the official launch of the new continental club championship, the CONCACAF Champions League which will commence in August 2008. The CONCACAF Champions League will replace the Champions' Cup which will cease to exist after the 2008 edition.

The CONCACAF Champions League will see a Confederation record number of 24 teams from all sectors of the CONCACAF region participating. The preliminary round begins in August 2008 with the first CONCACAF Champions League winner to be crowned in late April 2009.

The CONCACAF Champions League will feature four teams from Mexico and USA; three Caribbean sides; two clubs each from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama; and one representative coming from Canada, Belize, and Nicaragua.

Eight clubs (two Mexican, two USA, one each from Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador) will be seeded and progress directly to the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League, while the Caribbean slots have been increased to three team