Michael Bradley to Roma

This morning Associazione Sportiva Roma (A.S Roma) announced the signing of USMNT player Michael Bradley from Chievo Verona. Roma dealt €3.75M to Chievo to obtain the services of the American star. Bradley, who is 24 years old, has signed a contract extension which will keep him with the Giallorossi until 2016. After weeks of flirtation and courtship this transfer has finally come through. Bradley has been rumored to move to a bigger club since the season ended. Bradley had a phenomenal season in Verona, making 34 appearances and was arguably the team’s most effective player. He showed a  superb ability to manage a game, control the tempo and jump-start the attack. Bradley had been scouted by many teams throughout Europe.

Bradley has done much traveling since he left the New York Metrostars in ’06. He transferred from MLS to the Netherlands playing for SC Heerenveen. Shortly after the transfer, Bradley began making USMNT appearances under his father. After two years in the Netherlands he made the switch to Germany playing for Borussia Monchengladbach. During his stay at  Gladbach, Bradley became a fixture for the national team. After an unsuccessful loan spell in the EPL with Aston Villa, Bradley moved to Chievo Verona.

A.S. Roma finished 7th in the Serie A and are looking to make a run at the top four this year. This is a significant step up for Bradley whose Flying Donkey’s finished 10th in the same league. Lots of departures from the Serie A may make Roma’s goals more achievable. With AC Milan, Lazio, Napoli, all losing big name players and Inter getting older, Roma’s chances are greatly improved.

Roma have recently gained a very strong American presence. With American owners an American star, Roma are clearly America’s team in Italy. USMNT  fans will be able to see Bradley when Roma starts their preseason American tour. Roma take on Polish side Zaglebie Lubin in Chicago on July 22, then Liverpool in Boston on the 25th and El Salvador at Red Bull Arena on July 27.

Arsene Wenger on Brek Shea/MLS

Wenger reinforces that its just a training period and not a trial. Not surprising but worth mentioning so that people don’t run away with the idea. Also pushing the idea that America and Asia will have a huge effect on the future of the sport. The growth of the game in these regions really will have a huge effect on the world game. I know that I want to believe it myself so I’m a bit biased but it really does make perfect sense that North America, specifically the USA, and Asia will both continue to grow and really diversify the top level of the game in very interesting ways. Its nice to hear someone like Wenger supporting that.

Donovan May Miss Egypt

In what will be our first chance to see the Senior team in competition, even if just a friendly, they may be missing one of their biggest names. Landon Donovan of the L.A. Galaxy has said that ”It’s hard to know now,” Donovan told Goal.com’s Luis Bueno when asked about whether he would participate in the USA’s upcoming friendly match versus Egypt. “If you ask me today, I’d say ‘No chance’ because I’m pretty tired and sore.” Considering that, due to the World Cup and European Loans, Donovan hasn’t had much of a break from soccer in quite some time, it seems his playing in the game is not an absolute necessity. Also if he misses the game, it may allow Bob Bradley a chance to sort out the mass of midfield players that have suddenly become an issue for the team.

>>http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2011/01/27/2325961/usas-landon-donovan-unsure-about-return-to-national-team

Gold Cup Teams Set

Here are the 12 Teams that will be competing in the Gold Cup this summer, along with how they qualified. Guatemala beat Nicaragua in the Copa Centroamericana 2-1 to earn the fifth place spot in the tournament and the final spot in the Gold Cup

USA: Automatic qualifier (North American zone)
Canada: Automatic qualifier (North American zone)
Mexico: Automatic qualifier (North American zone)

Jamaica: 2010 Caribbean Cup champions (CFU)
Guadeloupe: 2010 Caribbean Cup runners-up (CFU)
Cuba: 2010 Caribbean Cup third place (CFU)
Grenada: 2010 Caribbean Cup fourth place (CFU)

Costa Rica: 2011 Copa Centroamericana semifinalist (UNCAF)
El Salvador: 2011 Copa Centroamericana semifinalist (UNCAF)
Honduras: 2011 Copa Centroamericana semifinalist (UNCAF)
Panama: 2011 Copa Centroamericana semifinalist (UNCAF)
Guatemala: 2011 Copa Centroamericana fifth place (UNCAF)