Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ibra goes home

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's American adventure ended Thursday as he departed Inter's training camp to return to Sweden, according to a source.

Ibrahimovic spent two days in Boston, going for an examination of his left wrist (diagnosed as a strain) at Massachusetts General Hospital Wednesday. Ibrahimovic did not attend Inter's workouts at Harvard University Wednesday or Thursday.

Why Ibrahimovic was allowed to perform in Inter's opening two matches in the World Football Challenge, placing at risk his move to Barcelona, has not been explained. Ibrahimovic sustained the wrist injury during Inter's 2-0 loss to Chelsea at the Rose Bowl Wednesday. 

Donovan deal would set MLS record

AS Livorno plans to offer 10 million euros for the Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, which would break the MLS transfer record. Striker Jozy Altidore went from the New York Red Bulls to Villareal for $10 million last year.

Donovan would finish the season with the Galaxy, then join Livorno during the December transfer session.

Livorno also hopes to add Houston midfielder Ricardo Clark and expects an announcement by Saturday.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Panama had a case

It seemed Panama coach Gary Stempel and the Canalero players were protesting too much after falling, 2-1, to the U.S. in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup Saturday.

But they might have been justified in disputing Mexican referee Benito Archundia's awarding of a penalty kick to the U.S. late during extra time in the match in Philadelphia.

Defender Roman Torres did foul U.S. striker Kenny Cooper in the penalty area, but the foul itself was a high boot (dangerous play) which should result in an indirect free kick, no matter where it occurs on the field. If Torres was charged with serious foul play, or if he had been the last man and prevented a goal-scoring opportunity with a deliberate foul, he should have been red-carded; instead, Archundia cautioned Torres, indicating the foul was neither.


Sunday, July 19, 2009

Another Subotic going to Germany?

Nurdin Hrustic is following a path similar to the one Neven Subotic took to Germany and, possibly, the Bosnian national team.

Hrustic, who attended Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla., left Jacksonville University after one season to sign a contract with VfL Bochum in Germany. Like Subotic, a former U.S. U20 player who is now with Borussia Dortmund, Hrustic is a central defender born in Bosnia.

The Hrustic family joined a strong Bosnian immigrant community in Jacksonville in the 1990s. Hurdin and twin brother Nedim made major impacts at the club and high school level, then enrolled at Jacksonville University. Nurdin, listed at 6 feet 3 inches, 175 pounds, was injured and sat out a redshirt season. Nedim is scheduled to return to college for his sophomore season.