One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how players often hate on their former clubs soon after transferring. It is a trend i see with most players. They normally go on and on about how switching clubs is the best thing that ever happened to their careers and that they are ready for a fresh start when in reality, we know its all a load of rubbish!

The bulk of them are in fact bitter to have been shown the door. Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become the latest player to criticise his former club claiming their manager runs away from his problems.

Prior to his move to Milan, Ibra claimed that he had not spoken with Guardiola for 6 months! I don’t know if that was an exaggeration, however, it definitely strained their relationship even more.

“I said nothing, but I can’t afford to stay in the stands and watch the weather. Nobody at Barcelona wanted to sell me, but the problems began in March. I sought an explanation, but he didn’t answer me.”

“A great coach solves the problems with his players. A little one runs away from his problems. At first we had a good dialogue, then suddenly, I don’t know what happened. I can’t afford to spend a year or three in the stands, I saw what happened last season with Thierry Henry.”

Ibrahimovic has point. What happened to Henry anyway? Didn’t he not have a stellar debut season with Barca? 35 goals in 80 appearances is a very good record. That’s averaging about a goal every two games. Guardiola’s treatment of the Frenchman was not the least bit warranted.

Henry has found a new home in the MLS with the New York Red Bulls where another of his team mates at Barcelona recently joined him-Rafael Marquez. Ibra also did not have to bad a season with the Blaugrana.The Swede managed to score 16 goals in 29 appearances.

Speaking about Milan’s new striking force, this is what he had to say.

“Robinho is a magician. We have the strongest attack in Europe, if I were the coach of Milan then I would be very happy.”

All Milan fans can only hope is that Ibra matches his talk with walk and deliver success that has eluded the club in the past seasons.

Photo credit: from dre1988

Saturday the New York Red Bulls visited Toronto and it was my annual trip to with my dad to watch a TFC game. Last season we saw TFC v Real Madrid. I was looking forward to game as it would give me a chance to see Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez play.

We arrived at BMO Field and as we got nearer the stadium we could hear the sound of the fans singing. But these were not the TFC fans. These were the 50 or so Red Bulls fans who had made the trip up for the game and their singing added tot eh atmosphere.

TFC had not lost at home all season and they came out and attacked the Red Bulls from the start creating several very good scoring chances including hitting the woodwork. With Thierry Henry being booed every time he touched the ball, the Red Bulls did not look that threatening going forward.

That all changed within a five minute spell. First Rafa Marquez hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out into the roof of the net. It was a fantastic goal and Marquez’s first in MLS. Then five minutes later a Marquez free-kick was turned into his own goal by Joseph Nane. A terrible goal to give up.

To their credit TFC came out in the second-half and took the game to New York and got the early goal they were looking for when De Rosario scored in the 49th minute from a very tight angle. Suddenly it was game on.

But a comedy of errors by the Toronto defence sent them to defeat. First a silly hand ball by by Nana Attakora resulted in him getting a straight red and a penalty to New York that Juan Pablo Angel scored from and then former Toronto FC midfielder Carl Robinson added a fourth for the visitors after a terrible mistake by TFC keeper Stefan Frei.

Thierry Henry is obviously not fully fit and he missed a couple of good chances to score, that you figure he will convert next month as he regains his fitness while Rafa Marquez was class in front of the Red Bulls back-four.

The Red Bulls have the most expensive line-up in MLS with three designated players. Based on Saturday’s performance, I expect them to be back in Toronto on Sunday, November 21 for the MLS Cup.

In front of a sold-out Red Bull Arena, the two best teams in Major League soccer met Saturday night with the LA Galaxy beating the New York Red Bulls 1-0 behind Edson Buddle’s 13th goal of the season.

With LA manager Bruce Arena watching from a suite after spending two days in a New Jersey hospital, Buddle’s 10th minute strike allowed the Galaxy to extend their lead in the Western Conference to an MLS-best 43 points.

After striking the crossbar in the seventh minute through a Chris Birchall drive, LA would not miss three minutes later.

Galaxy midfielder Juninho won the ball at midfield from Rafael Marquez and played a through pass that split New York central defenders Tim Ream and Carlos Mendes. Buddle raced onto the ball and beat hard charging goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to put the visitors up 1-0.

After Los Angeles took the early lead, New York would hold the majority of possession but seemed inept at breaking down the Galaxy backline.

The Red Bulls did have a few chances in the first 45 minutes but they came exclusively off set pieces. The best of those came in first-half stoppage time, when a Rafa Márquez free kick from the right side found Juan Pablo Ángel in the box, but the New York striker’s header slammed against the post.

The second half proved equally frustrating for the Red Bulls as the Los Angeles defense held tight and compact. Just a few minutes after the break, Thierry Henry chased down an errant back pass to Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Henry got to the ball first and tried to step around Ricketts but the Los Angeles netminder charged hard and cleared the ball before the Frenchman could make his move.

The Red Bulls had the run of chances in the second half, with the best look coming in the 72nd minute. On a corner kick swung in by Joel Lindpere, Ángel dove to perfectly head the effort, but Ricketts made the diving save. Ream challenged for the rebound but it was blocked off the line.

The Galaxy held tight throughout the second half, their back four conceding space but always clamping down within 30 yards of
goal.

LA are now a perfect 13-0-0 when scoring the first goal during the 2010 campaign and hold the best road record in MLS with a 7-2-2 mark away from The Home Depot Center.

In what would be a huge signing for Major League Soccer, Soccer America is reporting that Mexico star Rafa Marquez is close to signing for the New York Red Bulls.

Marquez who was one of Mexico’s stars in the World Cup will sign a three or four year deal worth around $2.8M a year.

From the Soccer America article:

Rafa Marquez to the New York Red Bulls? A done deal, or a very nearly, as near as you can get, done deal, I am informed. A three- or four-year deal at $2.8 million a year.

That really is exciting, and not just for Marquez — a world-class player, in his prime at age 31. A player who would be welcomed by most of Europe’s top clubs. One might, therefore, be suspicious as to why Barcelona would let him go — but a more intriguing question relates to his choice of MLS as his destination.

Because, make no mistake, this is a huge coup for MLS. In the Beckham class, for sure — certainly in the sense that Marquez brings much more on-the-field potential than Beckham ever promised, even had he managed to remain fit, or available, for more than a few games at a time.

The marketing and the celebrity prizes will no doubt remain firmly in Beckham’s corner, but it would not do to underestimate Marquez’s pulling power among the huge Mexican-American — widen that to Latin-American — soccer community.

This is a great signing for the Red Bulls both on and off the field. Marquez has been one of the most successful Mexican players in the last ten years, and he will bring Mexican fans out to watch him, both in New York and on the road.

The FIFA South Africa 2010 World Cup was a tournament of firsts and lasts of many sorts. This tournament was to be the last major international event for many stars and so it should not come as a surprise to hear the number of  players who have decided to retire from their national teams.

Just yesterday, France international Thierry Henry and England striker Emile Heskey retired from their national teams after a disastrous World Cup performance in South Africa. Despite going into the tournament as favourites, Les Blues and the Three Lions were knocked out in the early stages of the tournament after less than convincing results against weaker opponents.

There is no doubt that Les Bleus all time leading goal scorer Thierry Henry will be missed. The former Arsenal and Barcelona player who is also France’s second most capped player, had a glittering career spanning 13 years in which he won the World Cup, European Championships, two premier league titles, La Liga title, the Champions League amongst other accolades.

Henry broke the news of his retirement after signing for MLS outfit New York Red Bulls last week. Henry will be remembered for a lot of things including his infamous handball which secured France’s spot in the World Cup finals. However, many of his fans will remember him as one of the games brightest talents.

His levels of consistency for both club and country set him apart from his peers and placed in the league of some of the best strikers ever. Henry’s move to the MLS could also signal the ending of his entire football career.

At 32 (very young in my opinion), Henry has won all the trophies that any aspiring player can dream off. Only the FIFA World Player of the year title has eluded him. Pretty sad if you consider how much he contributed to EPL club Arsenal.

Henry and Heskey’s retirements are just another indication that this golden generation of players who entertained and thrilled fans the world over is slowly existing the stage.

Photo credit: from kidflash

It has been rumored for weeks, but it is not official. The New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer have signed French star Thierry Henry to a “multi-year contract”.

Henry, who is 32, is expected to make his debut for Red Bulls in a friendly against Tottenham on 22 July. Buy Red Bulls v Spurs Tickets.

As expected Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull global soccer, is exastic with his new signing saying:

“It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years. We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner.”

“Thierry is not only a world class player who will undoubtedly improve our squad, but he has shown most importantly throughout his career that he is a winner,” said Erik Soler, general manager and sporting director of the Red Bulls. “He has made it clear to us that he is committed in the short and long term to help in our vision of making our organization the premium franchise in Major League Soccer.”

Henry had this to say about moving from Barcelona to New York:

“This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life. It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team’s history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship. Knowing Red Bull’s significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my team-mates and I will succeed.”

Last season was a tough one for Henry as he fell out of favour at Barcelona and then he suffered through a terrible World Cup with France.

But Henry can still play at the highest level and he is now arguably the best player now in MLS. The Red Bulls will partner Henry up front with Roque Santa Cruz in the best scoring partnership in MLS.

This is a great move for MLS and has to make the Red Bulls the favorite from the East to appear in this years MLS Cup in Toronto.

Henry will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday at Red Bull Arena.

photo credit: themikelee

The Major League Soccer Players Union recently released the salaries for the 2010 MLS season (PDF).

Some of the highlights:

• The average salary in MLS in 2010 is $138,169, down 6.6% from last season’s mark of $147,945.
• The highest paid player is David Beckham with $6.5 million
• The lowest paid player is Lamar Neagle of Seattle Sounders will make $15,300 this season
• There are at least 27 players in MLS making $20,100 this season

Ten Highest Paid MLS Players

• David Beckham LA Galaxy - $6.5 million
• Landon Donovan LA Galaxy – $2.13 million
• Juan Pablo Angel New York Red Bulls – $1.92 million
• Julian de Guzman Toronto FC – $1.72 million
• Freddie Ljungberg Seattle Sounders – $1.34 million
• Blaise Nkufo Seattle Sounders – $480,000
• Shalrie Joseph NE Revolution – $475,000
• Taylor Twellman NE Revolution – $459,500
• Dwayne DeRosario Toronto FC – $443,750
• Brian McBride Chicago – $403,333

The surprise to me here is Shalrie Joseph in New England. The 7th highest paid player in MLS. Yes he is good, but I don’t think anyone would call him the 7th best player in the league.

Just missing the Top 10 were Conner Casey Colorado ($350,000), Brian Ching Houston ($350,000) and Chad Marshall Columbus Crew – $320,000

By all accounts Thierry Henry has signed a pre-contract with the New York Red Bulls and will begin playing in MLS after July 1st. Henry, who is part of the France squad at the World Cup in South Africa this summer will probably make his MLS debut in late July.

Henry has been unable to hold down a regular place in the Barcelona team this year, but he still remains a prolific goalscorer. In his time in Spain, Henry has scored 35 goals for Barca in 78 games. Before Barcelona, Henry was a start in the Premier League playing for Arsenal. There he scored 174 goals in 254 appearances.

At 32 there is no doubt that Henry is on the backside of his career. But he is still a great goalscorer for both club and country and partnered with Juan Pablo Angel, the New York Red Bulls will have the two best goalscorers in Major League Soccer.

It is called the New York Football Challenge and will be hosted by the New York Red Bulls July 22-25. All games will take place at Red Bull Arena.

The teams invited are Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur , Sporting Lisbon and the NY Red Bulls.

“The New York Football Challenge 2010 is an important one for us,” said City manager Roberto Mancini. “We have big ambitions for the Premier League next season and this tournament will give us the perfect opportunity to prepare for our season with some highly competitive games, enthusiastic supporters and world-class facilities. It will be fantastic for us to visit the United States, and especially for us to visit New York during our tour of the east coast.”

New York Football Challenge Schedule

Day 1: Thursday, July 22: Red Bulls vs. Tottenham Hotspur – 8:00 PM – Buy NYRB v Spurs Tickets
Day 2: Friday, July 23: Manchester City vs. Sporting Lisbon – 8:00 PM – Buy Man City v Sporting Lisbon Tickets
Day 3: Sunday, July 25: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sporting Lisbon – 1:00 PM and Red Bulls vs. Manchester City – 3:30 PM (one ticket for both matches) – Buy New York Football Challenge Tickets

The New York Red Bulls have announced that they will play Italian giants Juventus on May 23 at Red Bull Arena. Buy NYRB v Juventus Tickets

While many of the Juventus stars are expected to miss the game because of World Cup preparations, the Juventus’ roster should include stars like Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet who are not expected to be picked by their national team this summer.

“Since opening Red Bull Arena, we have been committed to bringing in elite clubs from around the world to play in what we consider to be the best soccer-specific stadium in North America,” said Red Bull New York Managing Director Erik Stover. “With its storied history and multiple championships, Juventus certainly fits in with this vision. They are a prestigious club with a tremendous following around the world and we are excited to host them at our brand new home.”

Buy NYRB v Juventus Tickets

photo credit: mitsurinho