Gregg Berhalter Is First American to Coach Professional Soccer in Europe

After decades of American soccer players failing to catch on with clubs in Europe, America’s brightest young players are finally getting the chance. In the 1990s, many of the US national team players were college players or guys that were signed full-time to be with the national team. Very few exceptions played in Europe. But now, guys like Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo, Michael Bradley and Carlos Bocanegra are fixtures on teams in the most elite leagues on the continent. Youngsters like Brek Shea, Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo are knocking on the door, all training with teams in the English Premier League. Playing in Europe is no longer an improbable dream but a realistic possibility. So naturally, it’s time to start venturing to the next frontier—coaching in Europe.Gregg Berhalter, a former USMNT defender, has been hired by Hammarby IF of Sweden’s Superettan (second division) to be its new head coach. Berhalter signed a two-year deal with an option for a third. He is the first American-born former national team player to coach a team in Europe. Hammarby, the former club of Charlie Davies, is ...

Is Jay Heaps Hiring as the New England Revolution Head Coach a Good Call?

The New England Revolution haven’t had a coaching vacancy since promoting Steve Nicol to head coach in 2002, but the choice of whom to replace the longest tenured coach in history is, at the very least, one of the most intriguing decisions the team could’ve made—and could certainly pay off.Continuing with a new trend in hiring ex-MLS players to coach their former teams—think Jason Kreis at Real Salt Lake and Ben Olsen at D.C. United—the Revolution ownership has chosen retired defender Jay Heaps to be the organization’s new head coach heading into the 2012 season.Some fans may worry that Heaps doesn’t have any previous coaching experience. What he lacks in soccer coaching experience he makes up for in other areas.For starters, Heaps who enjoyed a fine 10-year playing career (eight with New England), is one of the most popular and productive players in Revolution history. He’s first in the team’s record books in games played (243) and minutes played (21,619). He was the 1999 MLS Rookie of the Year with the Miami Fusion and he has been capped by the United States Men’s National team four times. He was a successful player at every level and knows what the players ...

Rafa Marquez at Center of New York Red Bulls’ Problems

Many things have plagued the New York Red Bulls this season. They finished first in the East in 2010 and are 7-7-15 on the brink of missing the playoffs this season, despite the fact that the postseason was expanded to include 10 teams (out of the 18 in the league). One of those things is the play, attitude and salary of center back Rafa Marquez.Don’t tell him that though. The Red Bulls lost to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday 3-1, seemingly reaching their lowest point of the season. Dragging the team down with him was Marquez, who was responsible for the third goal when he did not stop the ball, letting Fabian Espindola dribble down the middle of the field. “I'm focusing on really performing at my highest level. That doesn't mean that the whole back line can perform at that same level, so that's a problem,” Marquez told reporters after the game. “I think this is a team game, and unfortunately there isn't an equal level between my teammates and I.” Someone should tell him the boos from the Red Bulls fans every time he touched the ball were indeed for the captain of the Mexican National Team, not ...

Chris Konopka Makes Solid Start for New York Red Bulls

Chris Konopka, a 26-year-old alumnus of Toms River High School East (Toms River, N.J.) and Providence College, got the opportunity of a lifetime Saturday night.After spending three years in Ireland, the 6'5" goalkeeper made his first ever MLS start for his hometown New York Red Bulls in front of a sold out crowd of 25,177.“I grew up watching the MetroStars," said Konopka. "I grew up watching Tony Meola, Tim Howard. They were the guys that I watched.”The only other thing he could’ve asked for was a win.Konopka made three saves as the Red Bulls came from behind to earn a point in a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire.He was a surprise start to begin with.Konopka is an MLS pool goalkeeper—a resource available to teams that allows them to bring in goalies in case of emergency.New York starter Frank Rost was ruled out earlier in the week due to a quadriceps injury. Former starter Bouna Coundoul was thought to be the logical replacement, but his flight back to the States was delayed and arrived late Friday night after playing for the Senegalese national team.So it was down to Konopka—who had been training with the club—and Alex Horwath, who had made ...

MLS: The Best American Players in the League

Independence Day is the USA’s birthday and a great opportunity to celebrate being an American. Not all the best American soccer players play in MLS, and not all the best players in MLS are American. So in honor of this great nation, here is a starting XI of the best American players in MLS so far in the 2011 season.The list features one goalie, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards. To be eligible for this list, the player has to be eligible to play for the United States Men’s National Team.Begin Slideshow

MLS: Teemu Tainio to Be Missed When New York Red Bulls Face Los Angeles Galaxy

When the New York Red Bulls square off against the Los Angeles Galaxy, offense will be at a premium.Landon Donovan, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Juan Agudelo, Juan Pablo Angel and Luke Rodgers are all names that should see action and they all bring it in the attacking third.Good offenses are fueled by teams that are capable of playing good defense, transitioning to offense, and possessing the ball. So New York not having Teemu Tainio is a huge loss and could have a great effect on the outcome of the match. He did not travel with the club to Los Angeles because of a groin injury.The Finnish International was signed by the Red Bulls before the season started in March and has a long history of playing soccer at the highest level. He’s played in the UEFA Champions League with Auxerre, a club he spent eight years with, making 150 appearances for the team. Then he moved onto the English Premier League with Tottenham for three years. He rounded out his European career with Sunderland, Birmingham City in England and Ajax, the famous club from Amsterdam.The signing with New York was a quiet one, and he had to go on trial with them ...

Toronto FC Off-Field Problems Could Mean Bad Things on the Pitch in 2011

Is there a team in more disarray than Toronto FC? In the club’s fifth year of existence it will be playing under its sixth coach. Its star-player wants out and its 2010 team MVP left preseason camp because of a gripe about his contract. The team has still never made the playoffs.And now there’s another team in Canada to steal talent and fans from the Reds.Things can only get better from here for Toronto, right?Aron Winter is the new head coach, a former Dutch National Team member. He promises Toronto fans that the team will play an attacking attractive style of soccer. And after having Preki, who some criticized as a drill sergeant coach, this new system should seem more fun and inspiring, especially as they finished fourth in the league in fewest goals scored (33).He’ll have arguably one of the best midfielders ever in MLS, Dwayne De Rosario. He’s a two-time league MVP and he’s a clutch performer in both regular season and the playoffs. Last season he scored an MLS career-high 15 goals to go along with three assists. He’s the club’s all-time leading scorer.The leading man, however, is unhappy. He says he feels he has outperformed his ...

Vancouver Whitecaps Could Be in for Rough Debut MLS Season

One of two expansion teams in 2011—and the second team in Canada—the Vancouver Whitecaps seem to have a squad set-up for more success in the future than right now. Only three players are in their thirties, and only five more are over the age of 26. The Whitecaps held the first overall selection in the MLS Super Draft and chose a player they were familiar with, but cannot play with them until he turns 18-years-old in September. Also, only five players played in MLS last season.If Vancouver is going to be competitive, let alone surprise the league and sneak into the playoffs, they will rely heavily on veterans on defense: goalie Joe Cannon and defender and captain Jay DeMerit. DeMerit has enjoyed a Cinderella-like soccer career. After being turned down by MLS he moved to England and briefly joined teams in the ninth and seventh-tiers of English soccer, until in 2004 he impressed Watford coaches in a scrimmage and was invited to a trial with the team. He signed with the club and was a regular in the lineup until this past summer. He also was a starter for the USMNT during the previous World Cup.Named team captain, DeMerit brings ...

Real Salt Lake Is the Most Complete Team in MLS and Has the Cup in Sight

Los Angeles and New York get a lot of the glitz and glamour, but is there a better team, a team more well-rounded than Real Salt Lake? The team was unsuccessful in defending its MLS Cup championship, but as a team, they looked as dangerous as ever. Finishing second in the Western Conference, Salt Lake had the Newcomer of the Year award winner, surrendered the fewest goals in the league (20) and had the best goal differential (plus-25). The best thing to like about the 2011 version of this club? It returns practically everyone from the core of last year’s team; actually, an impact player was added to its roster. An elite team with continuity from year-to-year is very dangerous. Alvaro Saborio made a huge impact on the team in his debut season in MLS, scoring 12 goals and winning the Newcomer of the Year award. He was rewarded for his efforts with a new Designated Player contract. He’ll need to be just as strong this year, with Robbie Findley leaving and trying his hand in Europe. Findley wasn’t a major contributor last year, struggling with form and injuries and missing time because of his inclusion on the World Cup squad. But when he was around ...

D.C. United Tries To Go From Worst To First in 2011 MLS Season

In 2010, the New York Red Bulls went from having the worst record in the MLS to first place in the Eastern Conference. Their Atlantic Cup rival, D.C. United, is poised to make a similar ascent up the standings.After finishing last season with the worst record in MLS, and failing to qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive year, D.C. made a lot of changes to its roster, picking up some very recognizable names.Joseph Ngwenya, Josh Wolff, Pat Onstad, Dax McCarty and Charlie Davies will all represent the Black and Red on the pitch this season.Ngwenya, Wolff and Davies were all brought in to help an impotent offense that was the only team in MLS last season to not score 30 goals (21). All the attention will be on Davies, however.It seems like ages ago Davies was a promising USMNT forward who wowed fans with his blistering speed, earned their respect with his tireless hustle and got their attention with his “Stanky Leg” goal celebration. Then a car accident nearly took not only his soccer career, but his life as well.Davies has persevered, though, and has finished his rehab. His parent club, FC Sochaux, thought he was unfit for ...