MLS All-Star Game: Landon Donovan shines brightest among stars
Landon Donovan took the field at Providence Park to a round of boos on Wednesday night and left the field to a chorus of cheers just 21 minutes later, having earned the respect of those in attendance by reminding them just how special he can still be.
Playing in his 14th straight MLS All-Star Game, Donovan scored the winning goal by finishing off a Diego Valeri pass and beating German World Cup hero Manuel Neuer in the 71st minute. A minute later he walked off to a well-earned ovation, commanding the respect of the Timbers fans more accustomed to booing the LA Galaxy midfielder's every move.
It's been a tough few months for Donovan. But after a summer that saw him watch a World Cup from afar for the first time in 16 years, a World Cup where his U.S. teammates lost to Germany, Donovan scored on Neuer to help the MLS All-Stars beat the club team that cast him aside. It had to feel extremely gratifying, even if it was only just a glorified friendly.
This All-Star Week has felt like a very different one for Donovan, who has perennially been one of the most high-profile players at the event. That wasn’t the case this week, with Thierry Henry and the members of the U.S. World Cup team being showcased and Donovan playing a secondary role in the build-up.
Even Donovan’s entrance was far different than what we had grown accustomed to for the three-time World Cup star. Henry was in the spotlight, leaving the field in what could very well have been his final MLS All-Star Game appearance. The crowd cheered the French legend on as he left, but quickly changed their tune when Donovan came on.
Donovan entered the match unceremoniously, drawing jeers from the Timbers fans in attendance. He showed his touch and quickness and the good form he has been carrying over for the surging Galaxy. Donovan looked every bit like a player who could have helped the U.S. national team at this summer’s World Cup, and when he finished his chance past Neuer, it was only natural for some U.S. fans to wonder if he might have been able to do that against Neuer in Brazil.
We will never know what might have happened, but what we were reminded of on Wednesday night is that the 32-year-old Donovan is still a special talent capable of standing out, even on a field of stars.
Donovan wasn’t expected to even play much of a role on Wednesday night, not with the Galaxy playing a game on Friday night. That tight schedule led to Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez pulling out of the match. Donovan came to Portland anyway, and MLS All-Star coach Caleb Porter found a way to give him a role and Donovan made the most of that cameo.
“He deserves to be in the All-Star Game. he’s another player that’s done a lot for the sport in this country, and this league and with the national team,” Porter said of Donovan. “We knew he couldn’t play a lot of minutes, but we knew he could play 20 minutes or 25, so we planned all along to bring him in for Henry and swap him out for Dwyer, so it was nice for him to get a goal.”
The night ended with Donovan lifting a Man of the Match award for his efforts, and while the honor and victory against Bayern Munich isn’t likely to erase the pain of missing out on the 2014 World Cup, it did remind MLS and U.S. national team fans the player Donovan can still be.
It's been a tough few months for Donovan. But after a summer that saw him watch a World Cup from afar for the first time in 16 years, a World Cup where his U.S. teammates lost to Germany, Donovan scored on Neuer to help the MLS All-Stars beat the club team that cast him aside. It had to feel extremely gratifying, even if it was only just a glorified friendly.
This All-Star Week has felt like a very different one for Donovan, who has perennially been one of the most high-profile players at the event. That wasn’t the case this week, with Thierry Henry and the members of the U.S. World Cup team being showcased and Donovan playing a secondary role in the build-up.
Even Donovan’s entrance was far different than what we had grown accustomed to for the three-time World Cup star. Henry was in the spotlight, leaving the field in what could very well have been his final MLS All-Star Game appearance. The crowd cheered the French legend on as he left, but quickly changed their tune when Donovan came on.
Donovan entered the match unceremoniously, drawing jeers from the Timbers fans in attendance. He showed his touch and quickness and the good form he has been carrying over for the surging Galaxy. Donovan looked every bit like a player who could have helped the U.S. national team at this summer’s World Cup, and when he finished his chance past Neuer, it was only natural for some U.S. fans to wonder if he might have been able to do that against Neuer in Brazil.
We will never know what might have happened, but what we were reminded of on Wednesday night is that the 32-year-old Donovan is still a special talent capable of standing out, even on a field of stars.
Donovan wasn’t expected to even play much of a role on Wednesday night, not with the Galaxy playing a game on Friday night. That tight schedule led to Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez pulling out of the match. Donovan came to Portland anyway, and MLS All-Star coach Caleb Porter found a way to give him a role and Donovan made the most of that cameo.
“He deserves to be in the All-Star Game. he’s another player that’s done a lot for the sport in this country, and this league and with the national team,” Porter said of Donovan. “We knew he couldn’t play a lot of minutes, but we knew he could play 20 minutes or 25, so we planned all along to bring him in for Henry and swap him out for Dwyer, so it was nice for him to get a goal.”
The night ended with Donovan lifting a Man of the Match award for his efforts, and while the honor and victory against Bayern Munich isn’t likely to erase the pain of missing out on the 2014 World Cup, it did remind MLS and U.S. national team fans the player Donovan can still be.
Benzema signs new Real Madrid deal
The Frenchman has put pen to paper on a new contract with the Spanish giant which expires in 2019, after spending the last five years with the club.
Real Madrid has announced that Karim Benzema has signed a new contract that will keep him with the club through 2019.
The Frenchman has been at the Liga outfit since 2009, when he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of around 35 million euro.
His current agreement with the European champion was due to expire next summer, leading to speculation about his future, but Madrid has confirmed he has put pen to paper on a new deal.
"Real Madrid announce the extension of the contract between the player Karim Benzema and the club until June 30, 2019, the next five seasons," he club statement read.
Benzema has won La Liga once, the Copa del Rey twice and the Champions League on one occasion.
During its European Cup winning campaign last term, the 26-year-old scored five goals in 11 appearances, in addition to 17 in La Liga.
Real Madrid has announced that Karim Benzema has signed a new contract that will keep him with the club through 2019.
The Frenchman has been at the Liga outfit since 2009, when he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of around 35 million euro.
His current agreement with the European champion was due to expire next summer, leading to speculation about his future, but Madrid has confirmed he has put pen to paper on a new deal.
"Real Madrid announce the extension of the contract between the player Karim Benzema and the club until June 30, 2019, the next five seasons," he club statement read.
Benzema has won La Liga once, the Copa del Rey twice and the Champions League on one occasion.
During its European Cup winning campaign last term, the 26-year-old scored five goals in 11 appearances, in addition to 17 in La Liga.
Pulido declares himself free from Tigres
The transfer saga has taken another twist, as Pulido has declared himself no longer a Tigres player
Alan Pulido is a free agent and able to negotiate his own future with any club he wishes, according to a letter the player sent to Mexican outlet MedioTiempo.com on Thursday.
“Starting from the termination of the Clausura 2014 Tournament, I stopped being a Tigres player and therefore my (current) status is a free agent,” wrote the player in a signed letter.
Pulido added that the club hasn’t recognized the situation and that he has already presented his legal case before the Mexican soccer federation (FMF).
The 23-year-old striker also thanked Tigres fans for their support.
Pulido’s claims go directly against those of Tigres and the Liga MX, with both stating the player has a contract with the club.
Liga MX general director Enrique Bonilla was clear in his widely published quotes this week: “He is a player that has a contract with Tigres.”
Parts of the contract were published in the Mexican press on Tuesday and purported to show Pulido has no right to say he is a free agent.
In recent days, Olympiakos, Porto and Standard Liege have been linked with the player.
Tigres said they have received one formal offer from Europe, but it fell a long way below their expectations.
The “Pacto de Caballeros” or “Gentlemen’s Pact” between club owners in Mexico’s top two divisions doesn’t allow players to move freely, even after a player’s contract has run out.
Pulido is currently not training at the club.
Alan Pulido is a free agent and able to negotiate his own future with any club he wishes, according to a letter the player sent to Mexican outlet MedioTiempo.com on Thursday.
“Starting from the termination of the Clausura 2014 Tournament, I stopped being a Tigres player and therefore my (current) status is a free agent,” wrote the player in a signed letter.
Pulido added that the club hasn’t recognized the situation and that he has already presented his legal case before the Mexican soccer federation (FMF).
The 23-year-old striker also thanked Tigres fans for their support.
Pulido’s claims go directly against those of Tigres and the Liga MX, with both stating the player has a contract with the club.
Liga MX general director Enrique Bonilla was clear in his widely published quotes this week: “He is a player that has a contract with Tigres.”
Parts of the contract were published in the Mexican press on Tuesday and purported to show Pulido has no right to say he is a free agent.
In recent days, Olympiakos, Porto and Standard Liege have been linked with the player.
Tigres said they have received one formal offer from Europe, but it fell a long way below their expectations.
The “Pacto de Caballeros” or “Gentlemen’s Pact” between club owners in Mexico’s top two divisions doesn’t allow players to move freely, even after a player’s contract has run out.
Pulido is currently not training at the club.
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Man United outcast Hernandez could join Atletico Madrid, says Simeone
The Argentine has admitted his admiration for the Mexico international, whose future at Old Trafford remains unclear, with Louis van Gaal reluctant to be drawn on the issue.
Diego Simeone believes Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez represents a "great option" for Atletico Madrid as the club looks to bolster its attack ahead of the new season.
Hernandez moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2010 but has failed to establish himself as anything more than an impact substitute, starting just six Premier League games last season.
Former United captain Nemanja Vidic this week urged his new club Inter to make a move for the Mexican frontman, though Atletico is also hoping to fill the attacking void left by the departures of Diego Costa and David Villa.
And while Simeone - who currently has Mario Mandzukic as the only recognized striker in his squad - would not confirm he will make a move for the 26-year-old, he refused to rule it out.
"We speak to the sporting directors, we gave them the ideas on the type of players we want and then they get the players," the Argentine told reporters.
"With Javier Hernandez and plenty of other great players, anything is possible. We can't close the door to anyone until the transfer window closes.
"He is a vertical player, great in one on one situations, he's a great option for any team."
New United boss Louis van Gaal gave Hernandez a 13-minute cameo in Wednesday's International Champions Cup penalty win over Inter, but could not provide any guarantees over the player's future.
"That I cannot answer," the Dutchman insisted after the match. "He is a player of Manchester United at this moment."
The striker himself was similarly unwilling to discuss the issue. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, only God knows,” he told reporters. “I just have to keep working.”
Diego Simeone believes Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez represents a "great option" for Atletico Madrid as the club looks to bolster its attack ahead of the new season.
Hernandez moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2010 but has failed to establish himself as anything more than an impact substitute, starting just six Premier League games last season.
Former United captain Nemanja Vidic this week urged his new club Inter to make a move for the Mexican frontman, though Atletico is also hoping to fill the attacking void left by the departures of Diego Costa and David Villa.
And while Simeone - who currently has Mario Mandzukic as the only recognized striker in his squad - would not confirm he will make a move for the 26-year-old, he refused to rule it out.
"We speak to the sporting directors, we gave them the ideas on the type of players we want and then they get the players," the Argentine told reporters.
"With Javier Hernandez and plenty of other great players, anything is possible. We can't close the door to anyone until the transfer window closes.
"He is a vertical player, great in one on one situations, he's a great option for any team."
New United boss Louis van Gaal gave Hernandez a 13-minute cameo in Wednesday's International Champions Cup penalty win over Inter, but could not provide any guarantees over the player's future.
"That I cannot answer," the Dutchman insisted after the match. "He is a player of Manchester United at this moment."
The striker himself was similarly unwilling to discuss the issue. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, only God knows,” he told reporters. “I just have to keep working.”
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Ochoa to be presented at Malaga on Friday
The El Tri goalkeeper will leave one Mediterranean port for another, swapping Ajaccio for Malaga.
Guillermo Ochoa will play for Malaga in Spain’s La Liga next season, according to a club press statement released late Thursday.
“Mexico international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will be presented tomorrow as a Malaga player,” read the statement. “He will be presented at 5 p.m. in the press room at the Estadio La Rosaleda.”
Reports from the Spanish press indicate that 29-year-old Ochoa – who arrived in Malaga on Thursday – will sign a three-year contract with the club.
“Ochoa was one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the past World Cup in Brazil,” added the statement.
Ochoa arrives at Malaga on a free transfer, after his contract with Ligue 1 club Ajaccio terminated at the end of last season.
The Mexican, who played for Club America before moving to France in 2011, will be replacing Argentine Willy Caballero, who signed for Manchester City earlier in the transfer window.
Cameroon international goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is also at the Andalusian club, which finished 11th in La Liga last season.
Ochoa was one of the stars for Mexico at Brazil 2014, producing a performance against the hosts in the group stage that won plaudits all over the world.
Guillermo Ochoa will play for Malaga in Spain’s La Liga next season, according to a club press statement released late Thursday.
“Mexico international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will be presented tomorrow as a Malaga player,” read the statement. “He will be presented at 5 p.m. in the press room at the Estadio La Rosaleda.”
Reports from the Spanish press indicate that 29-year-old Ochoa – who arrived in Malaga on Thursday – will sign a three-year contract with the club.
“Ochoa was one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the past World Cup in Brazil,” added the statement.
Ochoa arrives at Malaga on a free transfer, after his contract with Ligue 1 club Ajaccio terminated at the end of last season.
The Mexican, who played for Club America before moving to France in 2011, will be replacing Argentine Willy Caballero, who signed for Manchester City earlier in the transfer window.
Cameroon international goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is also at the Andalusian club, which finished 11th in La Liga last season.
Ochoa was one of the stars for Mexico at Brazil 2014, producing a performance against the hosts in the group stage that won plaudits all over the world.
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