Frenchman Mikael Silvestre decides to join Portland Timbers, not Dodsal FC

Former French international Mikaël Samy Silvestre is joining MLS side Portland Timbers for their 2013 season and will not be joining I-League Division 2 side Dodsal FC as had been stated earlier by the player himself.

Silvestre had created quiet a stir by announcing in October that he is set to come to India to play for Dodsal FC, but the newly formed club never confirmed the transfer though talks had taken place between the two sides.

Silvestre in his illustrious club career has played for Stade Rennes, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FC Arsenal and Werder Bremen. He who has 40 caps for France to his name had been released at the end of last season by Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after a disappointing two years in Germany and he had been searching for a new club in Europe to sign. He initially kept himself fit at former club Arsenal with a hope to sign for West Ham United which didn't happen and then he returned to Manchester to keep himself fit at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, where Silvestre had his mosts successful stint.

The Timbers rivals Seattle Sounders, who also had looked to sign Silvestre, held the rights of first refusal for Silvestre, and Portland sent a first-round pick in the 2014 Supplemental Draft and a conditional 2015 draft pick to their rivals in exchange for the opportunity to land their man.

"Mikaël will bring a tremendous amount of experience and a presence on the field and in the locker room," Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement. "He is a quality player on both sides of the ball and his impact will certainly go a long way in helping to solidify our backline. Mikaël made a very positive impression on the players and our coaching staff during his two-week trial and we are very excited to welcome him to the Timbers organization."

While it is a gain for Portland and the MLS, it is a loss for Dodsal FC and Indian football.

VIDEO: When a Football Star wants to play football at a Train Station

What would you do if an international soccer star wanted to play pass with you at the train station? Challenge your perception, change your routine!

Exactly that happened in the Canadian city of Toronto when former German international Thorsten Frings just did that at a train station. Frings now the captain of MLS side Toronto FC wanted to play pass at the station, but only two out of 350 passing passengers actually did.

Match Analysis acquires Spinsight

Match Analysis, the leading provider of video and statistical analysis for football (soccer), has announced the acquisition of Edinburgh-based Spinsight Ltd. The acquisition was structured as a transfer of intellectual property and other assets.

Following a successful strategic cooperation between the two companies aimed at developing and marketing state-of-the-art portable panoramic video and low cost player tracking, Match Analysis has undertaken this acquisition as part of its strategic expansion into the European market.

The K2 panoramic camera system, developed by Spinsight, is an exclusively integrated component of Match Analysis’s recent Mambo Studio 5 launch which incorporates its widely popular video analysis system with panoramic “corner flag to corner flag” video, precise player tracking, interactive TruView visualizations, touch panel and smart board integration and next generation fitness reporting. The system is currently being used by five Major League Soccer clubs, the US Men’s National Team, and a number of top national rugby unions.

"The acquisition of Spinsight is a very positive development for our clients," said Match Analysis president Mark Brunkhart. "The technology is cutting edge and immediately beneficial to teams, leagues, and the media. By bringing the technology in-house, we can expand upon the integration we've done over the past two years. We've demonstrated Mambo 5 in combination with the K2 to some of the best coaches in the world, and the response has been universally and instantly positive. We've had a number of leagues express immediate interest in implementing the solution league wide to improve referee performance, player development, discipline, and pitch security. The combination of our technology with the K2 is a perfect fit for our clients and will fill a largely unmet need throughout the world."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.


About Match Analysis

Match Analysis is the market leader in high performance analytical tools for professional football (soccer). Over the past decade, Match Analysis has worked with almost every major club in North America, as well as 50 professional clubs around the globe. The business has also delivered to broadcasters and media outlets including the New York Times as the official partner for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2011, Match Analysis clients included all 18 Premier Division clubs in Mexico, eleven MLS clubs, the United States, Mexican, and Canadian National teams, and a wide array of college and amateur sides. Match Analysis offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services including video indexing and archiving, statistical analysis, live data collection, player tracking, and fitness and performance analysis.

More information at www.matchanalysis.com .

PIO Shawn Singh signs for Sporting Kansas City

22 year old Shawn Bijan Singh, a Player of Indian Origin, has been signed by MLS side Sporting Kansas City as a 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft pick. After Sunil Chhetri's stint with the club in 2010 Shawn becomes the second Indian origin player at Sporting KC.

Born in Californian Bakersfield, Shawn Singh had been with the College team of the UCLA Bruins since 2008, playing a total of 56 matches and contributing 10 assists. Singh was also named second-team All-Pac-10 in 2010 and honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2011.

"I'm very excited to be a part of Sporting Kansas City," Singh said. "I have nothing but the best to say about the entire coaching staff and organization. I enjoy the style of soccer that is played here and I look forward to a great season with the club."

The 175 cms tall Shawn Singh, mainly a left-back who can also play as a right-back, has been training with Sporting KC for a few weeks and played three friendlies for the club before they signed him. If Shawn will make the first team or rather get playing time in the reserve team will have to be seen.


Here some footage of Shaun Singh at UCLA

Ballack set for summer North American-MLS switch

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack's career is set to continue in the North American 'Major League Soccer' after his two year contract ends this summer with Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. This was indirectly confirmed by his agent Michael Becker.

Over the last few months it had become clear that the 35 year old will not end his career this summer and staying in Germany or even in Europe was not what the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea star wanted to do. Ballack's has been looking at the MLS with the city of New York his personal preference.

While his move to the MLS seems to be close to be signed, the club for whom Ballack is set to play is unclear. The New York Red Bulls are looking elsewhere with Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland their preference to be signed in the summer instead of Ballack to join Thierry Henry and Rafael Márquez in the Big Apple.

After his unhappy stay at old club Bayer 04 Leverkusen Ballack will hope that the new world will allow him to get more first team action. If Ballack goes to the MLS, then he joins former Germany team mates Thorsten Frings (FC Toronto) and Arne Friedrich (Chicago Fire).

Could I-League be turned into MLS?

The All India Football Federation and its marketing partners IMG-Reliance are considering of changing the format of the I-League, the Indian Professional Football League. Under consideration is a plan to move away from the European way of running a home-and-away league format and change it into a North American Major League Soccer format of two conferences with playoffs to determine the champions.

As per the ideas the I-League would be a 16 team affair with a Western and Eastern Conference. The only issue here would be that currently you have four teams in the East/Northeast in Kolkata (East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Prayag United, Pailan Arrows) and Shillong Lajong FC; while the rest of the clubs are situation in Goa, Maharashtra plus Chirag United Kerala and HAL from Bangalore.

The motive behind such a move isn't clear though the federation is selling the idea of a more vibrant and attractive league though a key element would be also to cut cost of running the I-League, which is growing each season due to the amount of travel involved.

The AIFF and IMG-Reliance are set to meet the I-League clubs tomorrow after those had sought a meeting with them following an own meeting earlier this month. Here the report: I-League clubs get together, seek meeting with AIFF/IMG-R . The AIFF and IMG-Reliance will present their plans and await feedback from the clubs.

One though has to question if the MLS format is the way forward for the I-League. Then I have major doubts if this is the best way to further develop the league, then the decision of winning leagues through playoffs is something which I wouldn't like, then a proper league should finish with the league table and not a one-off match. The whole exercise becomes a league-cum-cup competition.

Could Thierry Henry make a short return to FC Arsenal?

French coach Arsene Wenger of English Premier League side FC Arsenal is considering to bring back countryman Thierry Henry on a two-month loan deal from Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls as reinforcement for strikers Gervinho (Ivory Coast) and Marouane Chamakh (Morocco) who both would be at next months 2012 Africa Cup of Nations for their respective national teams.

Henry is a living legend at Arsenal, the record goal scorer at the North London club with an impressive 226 goals in 370 matches from 1999 to 2007. And recently that status was cemented when a statue of the French striker was unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger has stated in the press that he is thinking about Henry with whom he had a very successful time at the club. During his eight years at the club Henry won two English Premier League and three FA Cup titles besides reaching the finals of the 2006 UEFA Champions League.

Now the former FIFA World Cup and European Championship winner Henry would be the ideal short-term replacement for the to African strikers and he could also bring in some much needed inspiration at Arsenal to save them this season. And the fans surely would love to see their favourite striker back at the club, even if it is only for two months.

Thorsten Frings joins MLS side Toronto FC

Former German international Thorsten Frings was officially introduced yesterday by North American MLS side Toronto FC as a new signing along with Dutch striker Danny Koevermans. Both players come to Canada on free transfers and have signed 'designated player' deals - meaning their contracts fall outside the constrictions of the club's salary cap.

The 34 year old midfielder joins Toronto on recommendation from his former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann, who is a strategic advisor to the Canadian club. Frings, who made 79 appearances for Germany, had said earlier this year that he would end his career this summer after Bundesliga side SV Werder Bremen did not renew his contract, but in recent weeks it became clear that Frings wanted to continue playing football for a little longer before he retires.

Frings has offers from other Bundesliga sides, his former club Alemannia Aachen who play 2.Bundesliga, clubs from across Europe, the United Arab Emirates and the North American MLS.

"It wasn't a difficult decision for me," Frings said and added, "the first contact came through Juergen Klinsmann and he said a lot of good things about the club. It was clear to be quickly that I want to come here and help the club to improve."

For Toronto FC coach Aron Winter, a former Dutch international, the arrival of Frings and Koevermans adds much needed experience for a team which has only won two matches in the MLS so far and are last in the Eastern Division, but they can still reach the playoffs.

Both Frings and Koevermans are not eligible to play for their new club until July 15. Their MLS debuts are therefore likely to come against FC Dallas on July 20.

New York Cosmos - Return of a legend?

It has been in the pipelines for quite some time, but now it is out in the open. The New York Cosmos, one of the most prominent teams of the now defunct NASL (North American Soccer League), has been newly formed with an initial focus on youth development but with an aim to play Major League Soccer in the future.

English businessman Paul Kemsley leads a group of business people who have bought the original franchise name of the NY Cosmos from G. Peppe Pinton, a former general manager of the club. Now the aim is to re-establish the brand and then challenge for bigger things ahead. And it comes at the right time with football growing in North America.

And this could be good news not only for football in New York, but for the MLS in general. New York has a strong club side in the New York Red Bulls, who earlier this year opened their new soccer specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey and further another club is on the lines to be formed in FC New York, who are said to be pursuing a place in the 2011 United Soccer League, the second tier of North American football. But the NY Cosmos are one of the iconic clubs of world football, their revival would be something different and could be perfect for a derby against the NY Red Bulls. Players like Brazilian Pele and German Franz Beckenbauer used to play for them in their heydays of the 1970s.

And Brazilian legend Pele is also involved in the new venture. Pele has been named as the honorary president of the club to give it the necessary global push. The relaunch was announced on Sunday, August 1 on the sidelines of the final of the "Copa NYC" at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a NYC youth tournament. And already there is a lot of excitement about the clubs return.

The Cosmos has joined hands with Queens-based youth club BW Gottschee to develop talent at youth level. The Cosmos along with Gottschee will field Under-12 to Under-18 teams in the US Soccer Development Academy under the Cosmos Academy name. And they will now also run the "Copa NYC" under its banner.

But an immediate return to professional football doesn't look likely with the focus on youth development. Some say that the NY Cosmos could initially be a travelling team like the Harlem Globetrotters in Basketball. Former star players playing under the Cosmos banner for good causes to rekindle interest in the club. And if done properly, then I think that there is a lot of potential in the NY Cosmos and it could help football or soccer as they say in North America grow as a sport.

Chhetri - Staying in US or joining Team India?

This is a question which only Sunil Chhetri himself can answer, but he has to look at his short-term aim of playing first team football, also look at the upcoming Asian Cup and his club career after January 2011. It will be a difficult decision for Sunil Chhetri to make as he hasn't seen any first team action for the Kansas City Wizards in the North American "Major League Soccer" since joining them in March 2010. But what could be seen in the friendly match against Manchester United on Sunday was a match fit Sunil, so if Bob has any worries he could be getting a non-match fit player back later in the year, then he is at least for the moment wrong.

What has happened? Sunil Chhetri gave an interview to mlssoccer.com, the official mouth piece of the MLS. And some of his statements can be interpreted this way or the other way around. Sunil said, "There are times when I think it's just not happening, and I should move on and think of different alternatives. But then it's a kind of challenge for me. Everyone looks up to me in my country, and there is a point to prove. I came here to learn, and I think I can learn more over here. That really motivates me."

"It's been three months that I have been here working a lot and trying to understand the kind of game we play in Kansas City. It's been difficult because I am not used to all the things that happen over here but I am trying to do my best to acclimatize," Sunil further added.

This whole situation reminds me of what Baichung Bhutia faced about a decade back at Bury FC. Baichung at the time decided to stay in England and try to make it there, which in the end after three years didn't work out, still Baichung was more mature and wiser plus if you look back then the Bury days have helped him a lot.

Sunil has not talked to the media back in India, but reports in India have surfaced that Sunil is desperate to get back and join the national team at their training camp in Portugal. In some reports it sounded like the MLS adventure is over and it is time to return to India with unnamed sources within the AIFF telling the journalists. Can here, has Sunil spoken to someone at the AIFF?

I spoke to my friend Yogesh Joshee, who is Sunil's agent, to find out more and he gave me a somewhat different picture. Yogesh told me, "Sunil is happy at Kansas City, its a learning process for him in a new country, new surroundings. And it was clear from the onset that it wasn't going to be that Sunil just walks in and starts playing for the Wizards."

But Yogesh went on to add, "Yes, there has been a request from Bob and the AIFF to see if something could be worked out with the Wizards, so Sunil can join the national team for the rest of the year on loan. And we will have to see if a deal can be worked out."

In the end Sunil has to decide what he wants to do. But still he can take advice and help from his agent Yogesh Joshee, senior players like Baichung Bhutia, coach Bob Houghton plus family and friends.

Chhetri to play against Manchester United

Indian international striker Sunil Chhetri is set to play for his MLS club Kansas City Wizards on Sunday against Manchester United in a friendly. It is a big occasion for the Major League Soccer club in the heartland of America, who will be facing one of the biggest club sides in the world.

And it is an even bigger honour that our own Sunil Chhetri will be facing Man U. And the task ahead of Sunil will be tough. Surely Manchester United will be missing a number of players who featured at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but still Alex Ferguson will be able to field a competitive side. Sunil could be facing internationals like John O'Shea and Wes Brown or talented youngsters like Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans. But like most of his team mates Sunil will surely look forward to face legends like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes or Man U regulars like Nani, Darren Fletcher and Dimitar Berbatov.

But for Sunil it isn't just about facing a club like Manchester United. KC Wizards president Robb Heineman had said last weekend that Sunil will play against Man U as the club will test players ahead of upcoming MLS fixtures. And if Sunil can convince his coach about his qualities in this game, then he could get some chances in the league in the near future. He is said to have been training well and is close to the first eighteen squad.

But in some parts of the Indian media it has been wrongly reported that Sunil would be the first Indian footballer to face Manchester United in a friendly. Actually Sunil's team mate and role model Baichung Bhutia had faced Manchester United in a friendly match for his then club Bury FC in August 2001. And Baichung just didn't play, the Indian captain was a live wire for his club, scoring an offside goal and missing further chances in a half for Bury. And the story is that after the game Man U coach Alex Ferguson inquired about who the foreign Bury striker is. It was our own Baichung Bhutia, but sadly his English club career never took off.

All the best Sunil!