VIEIRA UNHAPPY AS RED BULLS DOMINATE
If you asked most New York football fans what the most notable derby between the two clubs has been and most would say the Red Bulls’ infamous 7-0 drubbing at Yankee Stadium, now those fans have a new answer after a 4-0 victory over New York City FC.
Patrick Vieira has presided over a good start to the 2018 MLS campaign but his side fell well short of expectations as they were ransacked by the likes of Kaku and Bradley Wright-Phillips. The former French international was in no mood to mince his words. “If I had the chance to change all the 10 players on the field, I was going to do it at halftime,” Vieira stated following the game. “I wasn’t really happy with every single player on the field.”
What was most notable was the way the midfielders looked to find David Villa, all-too-often attempting high balls, which are not the Spaniard’s forte, playing directly into the hands of Red Bulls’ centre-back duo of Tim Parker and Aaron Long. In the end, Villa was substituted for Rod Wallace after having just 34 touches and failing to register a single shot on goal.
“I don’t want to talk about a single player,” Vieira defended his top player. “I think it was tough for David. He didn’t have the support that he normally had. We didn’t play as well as we could from the back. I think it was more a collective nightmare than just an individual.”
PETER VERMES EXTENDS CONTRACT
Sporting Kansas City have announced that Head Coach and Sporting Director Peter Vermes has signed a contract extension, which will keep him at the club through to 2023. It’s a commitment from SKC to a coach who has earned a berth to participate in the 2019 Asian Champions League.
“After 12-and-a-half years here, in some regards I’ve put my life’s work into this place,” Vermes told the Kansas City Star. “The reason why the ownership has made a commitment and why I’ve made a commitment to them is that while we have had a lot of success over the years, we still have a lot we want to get done. We’re all committed to that, and that includes myself. This is where my heart is.”
Vermes, 51, has led Kansas City as Technical Director since 2006, when they were known as the Kansas City Wizards, and became Coach in 2009. The former US national team and MLS player is also the successful coach in franchise history and has overseen qualification for the MLS Cup Playoffs in seven consecutive seasons.
Under Peter Vermes’ leadership, SKC have earned four trophies: the 2013 MLS Cup and the 2012, 2015 and 2017 US Open Cups. He has overseen 150 victories, the most recent being a 1-0 home win over the Colorado Rapids, maintaining his team’s position in first place in the Western Conference.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has been called into action again, firstly issuing a fine for Vancouver Whitecaps orward Anthony Blondell for simulation/embellishment against Real Salt Lake.
Harrison Afful has also been issued a fine for simulation/embellishment as the Crew took on San Jose Earthquakes.
Away from the Disciplinary Committee, Orlando City have also imparted their own sanctions on midfielder Josue Colman, leaving him out of the squad to take on Real Salt Lake after breaking a team rule in the locker room according to coach Jason Kreis. Colman joined Orlando from Cerro Porteño in January, signing a five-year contract with the Lions. He has yet to establish himself in 2018, starting just one match and making four substitute appearances for Orlando.
LE TOUX ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Sebastien Le Toux has announced his retirement from football, bringing a close to a well-travelled MLS career.
Most notably establishing himself at Philadelphia Union, in a nice touch, Le Toux will sign a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Philadelphia player today during a press conference at Talen Energy Stadium. In recognition of his contributions to the club, Le Toux will also become the inaugural inductee in the newly formed Philadelphia Union Ring of Honor, with the ceremony set to take place during the Union’s home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, June 23rd.
Le Toux retires as the Union’s all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category, including games played (175), goals (50), assists (50), shots (320), shots on goal (144) and corner kicks (379). With 59 goals and 57 assists across his distinguished MLS career, he is one of only 19 players in the league’s 50-goal, 50-assist club, and one of eight to achieve those milestones for one club. Le Toux also won the MLS Individual Fair Play Award twice (2010, 2011).
“Philadelphia is where I had the most opportunities on and off the field,” said Le Toux in a club statement. “It is where I found career success with the Philadelphia Union, met my wife, and found my forever home with friends, family, and fans that have become family.”
Any Other Business…
Portland Timbers full-back Zarek Valentin required a bandage following injuring himself in a celebration in the wake of the Diego Valeri goal, giving the Timbers a 1-0 win in San Jose… Saturday’s fixture pitting Houston Dynamo versus LA Galaxy is officially a sellout… CONMEBOL have announced the official participants of the 2019 Copa America. Qatar and Japan will join South American countries Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. That list does not include both Mexico and the United States.
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